[Brain Storage]— —[Level up by fighting criminals and monsters.
The protagonist will become stronger and stronger.]— Chicago, Illinois, a city known as much for its violence as its wealth.
On the North Side, deep in the Gold Coast, stood the luxury residential tower at 9 West Walton Street.
Inside one of its enormous condos, a tall and strongly built young man stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows and quietly stared at the blue waters of Lake Michigan.
He stood a little over six feet tall with a short buzz cut, broad shoulders, and a solid athletic frame.
His appearance was simple and capable without anything flashy about him.
His name was Adrian Knight, twenty-five years old.
Adrian’s family background wasn’t complicated.
His parents had been successful and well-known businesspeople in Chicago, but not long ago, both of them had been shot and killed in the same city where they had built their fortune.
In what felt like an instant, Adrian had lost his closest family and been left alone.
Looking into the distance, Lake Michigan stretched across the horizon like a clear blue jewel.
It was an incredibly beautiful view, but Adrian only stared at the water in silence as memories of his parents passed through his mind.
Behind him, a news report continued playing on the large television.
“They’re escaping punishment under the law…” “Who will get justice for my baby?” The grieving mother’s words had caused outrage across Chicago, and the report quickly shifted back to the anchor.
“At present, investigators have not found enough conclusive evidence to bring charges.
According to current statistics, Chicago has recorded 759 fatal shooting cases so far this year, while another 4,023 people have been injured in shootings.” Images of police vehicles and crime scenes flashed across the screen while the anchor continued.
“Since the unrest that began in May, Chicago has become one of the most violent major cities in America.
On June 10 alone, eighteen murders occurred within twenty-four hours, making it one of the bloodiest days since modern homicide statistics began being recorded.” The report changed again, this time showing Chicago City Hall.
“Because of the worsening violence, Mayor Daniel McKay has publicly called for extraordinary outside assistance to help restore peace and public order in Chicago.
The statement has already sparked widespread debate across the country.” Outside assistance to restore order in Chicago?
Hearing that, Adrian finally turned away from the window.
He walked over to the large table in the living room, picked up the remote, and switched off the television.
The condo immediately became quiet.
Adrian looked around the 5,200-square-foot residence and became distracted for a moment.
The condo alone was worth around $7.9 million, and even after taxes and other expenses following his parents’ deaths, he had still inherited an enormous amount of wealth.
However, Adrian, who had transmigrated into this world, no longer cared very much about those things.
He wanted to make some changes.
Just after Adrian switched off the television, his phone suddenly vibrated for several seconds.
He picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and answered calmly.
“Hey, Sergeant Voight.
I’m glad you called.
Hopefully you’ve got some good news.” Downstairs outside 9 West Walton, Sergeant Hank Voight and Detective Alvin Olinsky stood beside a Cadillac XT6 in plain clothes.
Alvin was casually peeling an orange while wearing his familiar hunting cap, his scruffy beard and relaxed appearance making him look almost careless.
Beside him, Voight stood with his arms crossed and a hard expression on his face.
Voight’s first impression was rarely friendly.
Even while doing nothing more than waiting beside the vehicle, there was a sharp pressure around him that made people instinctively cautious.
Alvin glanced at his longtime friend while pulling another piece from the orange.
“Hank, if you’re sure you want to bring him into the unit, then you’re responsible for him,” Alvin said slowly.
“You know Intelligence isn’t a place where some rich kid can come play cop.
We deal with dangerous people, and I don’t want him getting himself killed because he doesn’t understand what he’s walking into.” Voight answered in his usual gravelly voice.
“I know.
He passed the police academy assessments, and his scores were good.” He glanced toward the entrance of the building.
“Give him a chance, Alvin.
I think you’ll like him.” Hearing Hank’s answer, Alvin felt slightly more reassured.
He knew Voight wouldn’t casually bring someone into the 21st District Intelligence Unit, especially someone without experience.
A short while later, the building doors opened and Adrian walked outside.
“He’s here,” Voight said.
He looked at Alvin and added, “Try being friendly.” Alvin forced a stiff smile toward Adrian as he approached, though the expression didn’t make him look much friendlier.
Voight stepped forward and made the introductions.
“Adrian, this is Detective Alvin Olinsky, Chicago Police Department, 21st District Intelligence Unit.
Alvin, Adrian Knight.” Adrian extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you.” Alvin shook it and replied, “Likewise.
You can call me Alvin.” After greeting him, Alvin’s expression softened slightly.
“Hey, I heard about your family.
I’m sorry.” Adrian gave him a small smile and shrugged.
“It’s okay, Detective.
Really.
It’s already in the past.” Alvin looked Adrian over from head to toe before asking the question that had been bothering him.
“Hank told me you want to join Intelligence.
I just want to know why.” He gestured slightly toward the luxury building behind Adrian.
“As far as I know, with your background, you’ve got plenty of better choices.
You don’t exactly need the paycheck.” Adrian looked directly at Hank and Alvin.
“I hate criminals.
That’s really all there is to it.” His expression remained calm as he continued.
“I want to do something I’m capable of doing.
Becoming a cop and making sure dangerous people get the punishment they deserve sounds good to me.” Voight stared at Adrian without speaking.
His head remained slightly lowered while his sharp eyes seemed to examine every change in the young man’s expression.
After several seconds, he finally reached out.
“Good.” Adrian firmly shook his hand.
“Welcome to my Intelligence Unit,” Voight said.
Adrian smiled.
“It’s my honor, Boss.” Alvin opened the Cadillac’s door.
“All right, let’s go.
New day has already started, hasn’t it?” Adrian got into the vehicle.
“Yeah.
And thanks, Alvin.
I hope we get along.” Alvin gave Adrian a firm pat on the shoulder after climbing inside.
“There’s something I need to tell you first.
We don’t deal with pleasant work.” His casual expression became serious.
“I hope you’re mentally prepared.
Once you’re working Intelligence, you’d better think of it as preparing for battle.” Adrian smiled.
“Of course.” As the Cadillac pulled away, he turned his head and watched the Chicago streets pass outside the window.
“I’m already prepared.” While saying that, Adrian shifted his attention toward something hidden deep within his consciousness.
He had been waiting for this moment ever since arriving in this world.
“Activate.” [Hum.] [Punisher System activated.] [Newbie Gift Pack obtained.] [1.
Vitality increased by 30%.] [2.
Glock 18 automatic pistol ×1, magazines ×2.
System-produced weapon with no serial number, no registration records, and no traceable history.] [3.
Starting Capital: $500,000.
Funds are completely legal.] [Combat Storage Space activated!] [Punish criminals and obtain rewards.] [Within the range of my firepower, I am justice!] The simple notifications quickly flashed through Adrian’s consciousness.
At the same moment, a powerful warm force began flowing through his body like a surging tide.
It moved through every part of him at astonishing speed and filled his muscles with fresh vitality and energy.
Sitting in the Cadillac, Adrian slowly clenched his fists and felt the change taking place inside him.
A 30% increase in Vitality was far more noticeable than he had expected.
It gave him the first real foundation he needed to survive in a violent city like Chicago.
Adrian then focused on the newly activated Combat Storage Space.
The isolated space covered around fifty square meters, and neatly stacked in one corner was $500,000 in cash.
Even though Adrian himself was already wealthy, half a million dollars appearing as completely legal money was still an unexpected gain.
Money could accomplish plenty in Chicago.
Five hundred dollars could pay for a highly qualified tutor, five thousand could buy a used car, and fifty thousand dollars was close to an ordinary police officer’s yearly income.
Five hundred thousand dollars was certainly not a small amount.
Adrian soon shifted his attention away from the money and looked toward the weapon stored nearby.
It was a Glock 18 automatic pistol, accompanied by two magazines.
The weapon’s automatic firing capability allowed it to burn through a seventeen-round magazine in only a moment.
But that wasn’t what interested Adrian most.
No serial number and registration records.
Completely untraceable.
In other words, this Glock 18 was effectively a ghost gun that couldn’t be traced back to anyone.