EPISODE 10: THE RECKONING ## CHAPTER 1: THE CAMPAIGN Three weeks in the Underground. Marcus had become something new—not a fugitive hiding in shadows, but a hunter stalking predators. Mei Lin's targets aligned perfectly with his new purpose: criminals who preyed on Awakened, traffickers, corrupt guild leaders who sold their own people. He'd taken four more skills. [STATUS: MARCUS COLE][LEVEL: 21][CLASS: SKILL THIEF (MYTHIC)][SKILLS - 18 Total] Eighteen skills. Thirteen stolen. Each one taken from someone who deserved to lose it. "You're getting faster," Kira observed as they finished interrogating their latest target—a smuggler who moved Awakened across borders for research facilities. "More efficient." "Practice makes perfect." --- ## CHAPTER 2: THE PATTERN Echo had mapped the trafficking network. "It's bigger than we thought," she explained, holographic displays showing connections between facilities, government offices, and guild operations. "At least twelve major hubs worldwide. The US network is just one branch." "And Voss?" "Her research division is the main customer. She's been acquiring Awakened for years—anyone with useful abilities she can study. Most don't survive the process." Marcus felt cold fury building in his chest. "Then we burn it all down." "That's... ambitious." Echo hesitated. "Some of these facilities have government protection. Military security. Going after them means going to war with the entire system." "Then we...