Nightlife in Meteor City!

Meteor City…

It was a dark and gritty metropolis plagued by crime and corruption.

Even though it was a modern city, it always seemed to be under a heavy shadow, with gloomy skies hanging over everything.

The streets were almost always wet from rain, and narrow alleys stretched like veins through the city, giving it an eerie, worn-down feeling.

This sense of decay lurking everywhere you looked.

━ ━ ━ ━

A fancy, modern house stood out brightly against the dark night sky, with big glass walls, sharp, clean lines, and an infinity pool lit up by blue LED lights.

In the pool, a group of young, good-looking people laughed and splashed around, caught up in the wild fun of being young and wealthy.

Off to the side, leaning back on the edge of the pool, was a guy who seemed to fit in perfectly with the whole scene.

He was shirtless, tattoos showing against his pale skin, with a constant smirk on his face. His arms rested along the poolside, surrounded by both girls and guys, all a bit tipsy and clearly having a good time.

But the party mood changed when a dark-skinned man in a black trench coat walked onto the scene. He had a tough, worn-out look, with meat tattoos scrawled down his face.

He cut through the lively atmosphere like a knife, his footsteps slow and heavy as he made his way toward the pool, not paying any attention to the curious looks around him.

When he finally stopped, he held up a small, faded photo and looked directly at the guy leaning back in the pool.

"You… have you seen this girl?"

The man's disturbingly dark voice sounded like he'd step on sunflowers for entertainment.

The guy in the pool lazily lifted his head, raising his shades just enough to squint at the picture.

It was a young woman, sexy in her own way.

She had short, vibrant pinkish-red hair styled into an edgy undercut and a pair of green eyes that gleamed even through the worn photo.

He recognized her alright… she had that unmistakable confidence and beauty that was hard to forget.

He chuckled, dropping his shades back down as he leaned his head back with a grin.

"Nah, never seen her face before."

He spoke in a slow, lazy tone, making it clear that he didn't mean what he was saying.

"But damn, she's hot as hell."

The man's jaw tightened, though he kept his calm.

"Funny…"

He said with a faint smile.

"I know you like to play hero when it suits you. But that 'hot as hell' girl stole some precious tech from the Black Mechanica Gang. After they helped her out, she burned 'em. Tracked her all the way from Fremont to here. And my sources say you know where she is."

Some of the girls in the pool started whistling, waving at the guy in the shades.

"Hey, come on, don't leave us hanging over here!"

One of them cupped their breasts and bit their lower lip in the most tempting way possible.

He gulped, giving them an awkward smile.

"Yeah, yeah, hang tight, ladies—I'll be over in a sec…"

He muttered, rubbing his neck before looking back at the trench-coated man.

"Listen, man, I'm sorry, but I don't know nothin'. I ain't seen nothin'."

He shrugged.

The man in the trench coat narrowed his eyes, then reached into his coat and pulled out a syringe. It was sleek, high-tech, marked with the letters [LPV-7].

The moment the guy in the pool saw it, he stiffened and his face drained of its color.

"Okay, okay, man, look… I'll talk."

He swallowed hard, looking around nervously before he leaned in a bit, lowering his voice.

"I mean, I heard from her once or twice, alright? She… she stays somewhere near the Rusted Hook Bar. We'd meet there, casual drinks and stuff, y'know? But that's all I know, I swear."

The man held the syringe closer.

"Go on. Don't hold back on me now."

The guy's eyes flicked nervously from the syringe to the hard expression on the man's face.

"I-, I'm serious, man. She doesn't stay there all the time. She just shows up, gets her drink, and bounces. Look, that's all I know! You gotta believe me."

The man's lips curled into a strange smile.

"That's fine."

He said, his tone almost… friendly.

"I believe you."

The guy let out a sigh, relieved.

"So… you're gonna let me go?"

The man's smile didn't waver.

"Well, no."

He flexed his right hand, and a sleek, high-tech gauntlet emerged from the coat's sleeve, fitted snugly over his knuckles. Black with purple tron lines streaking through it, it was a beautiful, deadly piece of machinery.

"Elena might call… and I can't have you warning her. Don't want more work than I already have."

The guy tried to inch back as a look of panic set in.

"Hey, hey, hold up, man. Let's talk about this, yeah? I gave you what you wanted!"

But the man wasn't listening.

A dangerous spark ignited from the gauntlet as it crackled to life in violent purple arcs of electricity that buzzed and snapped as it built up an unnatural charge.

The guy's eyes widened. "Wait──!!"

The man plunged his gauntleted hand into the pool.

A burst of electricity shot through the water.

… KRAAAK────BRRRZZZTTTT!!

It surged like a tidal wave.

Screams erupted from the partygoers as arcs of purple light crawled up their bodies and their muscles spasmed under the sheer force. Sparks exploded in chaotic bursts, and skin began to char and bubble, limbs flailing as bodies convulsed uncontrollably.

The young guy's smirk was the first to vanish, his mouth open in a silent scream as the flesh melted away and bones snapped under the electric onslaught.

One by one, the people in the pool went quiet.

Their bodies sagged and broke apart as the electricity coursed through them, until finally, the surface was calm.

Only the deep, steady hum of the gauntlet could be heard as blood and pieces of flesh floated to the top, turning the blue-lit water an unholy red.

"Wonderful…"

The man turned on his heel and departed.

━ ━ ━ ━

Scott woke up to the soft glow of his phone.

A quiet chirp pulling him from the cozy comfort of the luxurious Airbnb he had rented.

The place was a peaceful retreat, offering a wide view of Meteor City through large floor-to-ceiling windows (even if there wasn't much interesting to see). It was tastefully decorated with modern furniture and gentle lighting.

At $2,500 a week, it felt like a dream, but the only thing he'd really done during his stay was sleep.

Lying across the king-sized bed, he browsed through Pulsar's Instaflick account to check out her latest posts.

[@PulsarOfficial Stories!]

[#Fremont Arrival (5 stories): Arrival scenes, the suite tour, and snippets from her first night out.]

[#HeroJourney: Highlights from her trending battle with Radion, including a selfie with @LadyFortressOfficial and action clips.]

[#BTSwithTitanTech: Behind-the-scenes moments with TitanTech's team, some candid shots of Vincent coaching her on media presence.]

Just as Scott was about to check the comments, he noticed a message request from someone.

When he opened it, he was surprised by what he saw.

[Hi, it's me… Maya! (〃￣ω￣〃ゞ You can't still be angry about what I said, can you? I've been trying to talk with you since, but Vincent has my main line, so I had to buy this one in secret to message you (ᵔ.ᵔ)!! I also snuck out of Fremont for a while and flew back to Metro City, but I didn't see you there, so it really has me worried… are you alright?]

He wanted to reply, but just as he was about to type, the System made a dinging sound right in front of him.

[You haven't streamed in almost a week. It's time!]

Scott clicked his tongue in irritation and swiped the notification away as if it were an annoying fly.

"Seriously? Just let me relax…"

He muttered, swinging his legs off the bed.

A chill brushed against his skin as he stepped onto the cool floor, the comfort of his cocoon shattered.

Rubbing his eyes, Scott walked over to the enormous fridge in the kitchen.

The shiny exterior glinted under the soft overhead lights.

When he opened the door, he found a wide variety of gourmet snacks and drinks, all neatly organized. He took a bottle of water, but then his eyes caught sight of a corner packed with empty beer bottles.

A small smile crept onto his face.

"Well, at least someone's living it up…"

He shook his head as he pondered what it must be like to let loose in this city.

---

Dressed casually in a loose chemistry-themed tee and dark jeans, Scott ventured outside, hands buried deep in his pockets, head held high.

The night air wrapped around him like a thin blanket, but the streets of Meteor City had a chill that seeped deeper than temperature alone.

The sidewalks were full of life, though it was the kind that felt a bit rough around the edges.

Scott walked past women wearing revealing outfits, who waved and showed off as they locked eyes with him, mixing charm with a spark of desperation.

"Come here, pretty boy~ ♡♡!"

"Have fun with mommy, she'll treat you right ♡…"

"Come have a taste, I'm sure you'll get addicted ♡!"

Some wiggled their butts to get his attention, while others shamelessly cupped their breasts, hoping the handsome young man would notice them.

Scott scoffed at their attempts and kept walking.

"What is it with this place? More hookers than gangs. I might catch HIV just by breathing here…"

He muttered under his breath.

A short man shuffled past him, overhearing his comment.

"You're not wrong, man. This side's all about the ladies of the night. The other side? That's the gangs. But trust me, you don't wanna know what happens if you stray too far."

He shrugged, continuing on his way.

Before Scott could say anything, a loud gunshot rang out in the street, breaking the calm of the cool night.

A man fell to the ground, dead.

But instead of panic, the chaos that usually followed such violence felt strangely absent in Meteor City. People looked over briefly, their expressions flat and uninterested, showing no signs of shock or worry.

『Do I… do something…』

He thought about it.

After all, he was a hero, so stopping things like this should be what he was built for.

『Sigh~ I'm not even with my gear… do I go back?』

He lost a feeling in his body.

Scott swallowed hard, cleared his throat, and turned back to the women.

"Work hard, ladies!"

He flashed them two thumbs up.

After that, he walked quietly, now more appreciative of the side of the street he was on.

Not far ahead, Scott saw the bright neon sign of the Rusted Hook Club, and its inviting yet unsettling glow called him inside.

The door swung open and he stepped into the lively atmosphere of the club.

It was just as he expected: torturously loud music thumping in the background, people dancing to the beat, half-naked women performing on poles, and men hanging out at the bar, trying some strange sparkling purple substance that he could only assume was the latest trend.

Ignoring the madness, Scott made his way to the counter and took a seat, tapping his fingers on the wooden surface.

"Hey, can I get a beer?"

He called out, trying to keep his voice above the din.

The bartender looked up and laughed a bit.

"Kid, you're not even twenty-one. Get the hell outta here before I have to call security. You don't belong in a place like this."

Scott's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Seriously? I just want one beer. I'm not here to cause trouble."

The bartender laughed and shook his head as he polished a glass cup.

"You look like you've never touched a drop in your life. Just stick to your juice boxes, alright? This ain't a playground. Now get your ass outta here."

Scott leaned back, crossing his arms. "Wow, a real gem you are. I guess I'll just have to find another bar then."

"HA! Good luck with that."

The bartender shot back as he grinned.

"You'll probably be carded at every joint in the city."

"Tch…"

---

Scott sat at the counter, staring at Maya's message on his phone. He sighed, scrolling down and trying to think of a reply, but nothing came to mind. Just as he was about to turn off the phone, he noticed someone in his peripheral vision.

A stunning woman had slid up beside him, leaning against the counter with a sexy, casual grace.

The bartender perked up at the sight of her, a smile replacing his usual grumpy expression. The woman placed a thick stack of bills on the counter and pushed it toward him with a finger.

"Get this handsome man his beer…"

There was warmth and amusement in her voice.

The bartender's eyes lit up. "Right on it, ma'am!"

Scott glanced over, now curious.

The woman looked to be in her late twenties, with short, bright pinkish-red hair styled in an undercut, where the sides were closely shaved and the top was left longer and swept to one side. Her eyes were striking green, adding to her lively expression.

She wore a fitted black tank top that pushed out her excellent breasts and accentuated her athletic and muscular arms, paired with beige cargo pants that had a practical, rugged style.

Her lips curled into a vixen smile as she met his eyes.

"See something you like?"

Scott smirked in return. "Not at first."

She chuckled, extending her hand.

"Elena Vargas. I'm guessing you're not from Meteor City?"

Scott's eyes widened a little. "What gave it away?"

Elena took the stool beside him, crossing her legs in a way that drew his eye to her toned midriff and well-defined curves.

She was certainly confident… and she wore it well.

"Let's just say you don't exactly scream 'Meteor City material.' And, newsflash—nobody here really cares about underage drinking. You pay enough, and you can pretty much do whatever you want."

Scott glanced down at himself and then back at her.

He chuckled.

"Fair point. Guess I need to do a little less screaming 'lost tourist' next time."

She laughed softly. "Glad you're catching on."

"Oh, right!"

Scott said, realizing he hadn't even introduced himself.

"David Blane."

He extended his hand, putting on a polite, almost boyish smile.

Elena raised an eyebrow and took his hand.

She let her fingers linger a little longer, caressing his knuckles before leaning closer.

"I like your eyes, David. Nice shade of blue."

Scott blinked, a little taken aback. "Uh… thanks, I—"

Elena raised a single finger, pressing it gently to his lips to quiet him.

Her lips curved into a smirk.

"Shh. How about we skip the small talk?"

She leaned in as her voice dropped to a murmur that only he could hear.

"Why don't we meet back here at three a.m.? I'm dying to know more about you, and I'm guessing you're curious about me too."

She slowly tugged at the neckline of her tank top, letting the fabric dip lower to reveal more of her cleavage.

Scott's face warmed as she pulled away, giving him one last playful wave before disappearing into the crowd. He watched her go, momentarily dazed, but was quickly snapped back to reality as the bartender returned and set his beer down on the counter.

"Order up…" the bartender said with frown.

Scott couldn't help but chuckle.

He felt very different.

Freedom… this was what he wanted!

『I can do whatever the fuck I want… I have a System, I have a goal to accomplish… and I can even pull a latina baddie in my lowest moment. I'm not loser! 』

He glanced back down at his phone, where Maya's message still sat unread. Without a second thought, he flipped it open, sent a quick middle finger emoji, and blocked the account.

『I…』

His eyes went wide.

『I did it…』

Jumping up from his stool, Scott pointed at the bartender.

"And by the way, I've tried a beer before… when I was in middle school, top that baldie!"

The bartender snorted, rolling his eyes. "Good for you, kid."

Scott flipped him a quick middle finger, turned on his heel, and ran out of the club.

He hit the street with excitement burning in his veins.

He took a deep breath, looking out over the grimy city, feeling more alive than he had in days.

"Time for another stream!"

Scott immediately sprinted back to his rented place.

━ ━ ━ ━

Scott burst into his rented Airbnb.

Freedom was finally in his grasp, and he felt unstoppable.

"System, prep for a stream in an hour!"

A cool, automated voice responded in his mind, precise and reassuring.

[Affirmative. All streaming protocols will be engaged in T-minus sixty minutes!]

Scott grinned with excitement as he walked over to his duffel bag and unzipped it.

"Come on, where is it?!"

He reached for his Basic Bodysuit Armor… then froze.

The suit just hung there, burnt and ripped, a messed-up reminder of the explosion from almost a week ago. His shoulders slumped and that surge of energy faded into pure frustration.

"Just when I'm on fire…"

He muttered, staring at the ruined fabric.

But then, right on cue, the System chimed in again.

[Notice: You are eligible to purchase a new equipment package. Recommended: Adaptive Tactical Armor Mk III with fresh weapons and additional features. Would you like to proceed?]

Scott's eyes lit up. "Hell yes. Let's do it."

[90,000 credits debited. Stand by for delivery.]

No sooner had the words left his lips than a sleek, high-tech briefcase materialized on his bed, humming faintly with energy.

Scott didn't waste a second. He placed his hand over the glowing handprint on the case, and it clicked open, splitting down the middle to reveal his new gear.

Inside was a sleek, all-black suit with Kevlar armor plates for extra protection. Blue wiring ran across it in a pattern like Tron lines, giving it a futuristic vibe. There were several high-tech silver plugs positioned at different points on the suit, and a thin metallic piece sat right at the center.

The new mask was crafted with sleek, reinforced plating and blackened lenses similar to camera shutters that pulsed with a faint blue glow.

Beside it, a utility belt packed with compartments and twin high-tech batons, designed to handle any close combat situation he could throw at them.

Scott ran his fingers over the suit, grinning.

This was everything he needed for a surprise stream.

And to tear through Meteor City's underbelly.

"I'll be taking all of this, thank you."

In minutes, he'd suited up as every piece fitting him like a second skin.

He activated the new batons, watching them spark to life before sliding them smoothly into his belt.

The lenses in his mask blinked on, and the HUD sprang to life, streaming data and stats over his vision.

"Holy shit, it has HUD──?!"

Scott felt the System sync with his every move, and it was like he was seeing the city through a brand-new set of eyes.

"Keh, this is so cheese!"

---

Before long, Meteor City began to notice a lone, dark figure swinging across its skyline. Scott vaulted from building to building as his new grappling cables propelled him through the air, silent and swift, as though he were weightless.

Down below, a group of hookers on the street caught sight of him.

One pointed up and squinted into the distance.

"Holy hell, that's gotta be Rope Girl, right?"

The other one scoffed, not even looking up.

"Nice try. You're just trying to take my customers."

"Tch, bitch."

Scott smirked under his mask as he rushed forward, blending into the city's neon lights like a shadow. He landed softly on the edge of a tall building, crouching down low.

The lenses of his mask adjusted in the cool night air, then flashed bright blue as he scanned the streets below.

This… this was what he was made for.

[Streaming Mode Activated! You are now live…]