Blood was trickling down Van's throat as the blade pressed deeper.

[HP 159/160]

"OK, just-"

*oof*

The attacker slammed a knee into Van's ribs.

"I didn't tell you to talk. Listen and nod if you want to live."

Van slowly nodded his head.

"Did you go on a Scav hunt with a man named Davis and his crew?"

Shit. Was it revenge? Did somebody actually care about those bastards?

"I did, but--"

*Oof*

The knee to the ribs was even harder this time. One might have even broken.

"I said to nod, not speak. Now, your going to take me to where you last saw Davis."

The blade whipped around and pressed deeply into Van's back just light enough to not cut through his clothes.

"Or, I'll have a few of my friends pay your little pod girl a visit."

Van tried to hold back his anger. Whoever this was they planned this out much better than that scumbag Davis. 

The attacker guided Van outside of the settlement through a hidden path revealed behind a faded highway sign fixed to the giant wall. The word turnpike could be made out. Between the "n" and "p", the sign opened like a door. 

Van crawled through first, pushing past thick shrubbery. Once outside, they walked between the treeline and perimeter of the wall without making a sound until they reached the path to the old neighborhoods.

[New Skill Unlocked: Sneak]

[New Skill Stat Bonus: DEX +3]

Under the cover of night the two quickly reached the basement entrance unnoticed.

I'm sure I left this door open.

"Keep moving!"

The attacker almost pushed Van down the stairs. Luckily his improved stats helped him regain balance from the fall. A light clicked on behind him.

Van continued down the basement stairs, leading the attacker to where he left Davis' body before turning and creating distance. 

But Van was shocked by what he saw, or rather what he didn't see.

He was sure that he left 5 zombie bodies trapped under these shelves not long ago. However, all that was left was a few scraps of clothing and random items like string and a keychain.

The attacker fished out the keychain while routinely keeping an eye on Van.

Van used Scan on the shady figure while they looted. The red outline appeared as Van continued to study his opponent.

They wore a black raincoat that covered their whole body except for a pair of dark green netted running shoes.

Van didn't move an inch while he made a plan of attack.

"If your thinking of taking me out, think again."

The attacker had fished something from Davis' back pocket.

"We got your trailer under close watch. And if I don't report in, they'll do horrible things to that chick in the pod."

The attacker tossed something over to Van.

Van held the item in his hand. A small keychain with a skull design. The eye holes flickered red.

" Congratulations, you just inherited a 2,000Ť debt." The attacker announced while holding his own keychain and pressing on a button in the back.

"What!?" Van nearly crushed the keychain in his palm.

"Mark any payments meant for us by placing that symbol on it. Doesn't matter where you hide it."

Van stood shaken by the arrangement.

"Don't worry, we've been watching you for a while. Your a hard worker so we're giving you until the end of the  month to make good."

The flashlight flicked off. 

Van knew that the attacker had vanished without using wasting EP on scan. 

Damnit! If only I reacted fast enough when Danger Sense went off.

Van cursed himself but quickly regained his composure.

If there was a debt, there was a loan shark out there to collect it. Taking them out was the only way to end this. Van had watched enough TV to know that he would be paying these people forever if he gave up a single token. He also knew that he had to get rid of them all at once if he wanted to ensure his sister's safety.

But he was being watched. If he asked Luke for help they would definitely react. Besides, he didn't even know where Luke was.

He had to do this alone, but it was obvious he wasn't strong enough by the way the attacker took him by surprise.

Status.

[STATUS

HP 88/160

EP 10/10

Level 5--[221/650]--Level 6

(STR)ength: 10

(END)urance: 10

(DEX)terity: 13

(PER)ception: 20

(INT)elligence: 10

(CHA)risma: 4 

Points: 0]

Staring at his stats always seemed to help Van think clearly. He left the basement and returned home in silence. Lying awake in his bed, he knew someone was out there watching. But instead of fear or anger, a feeling of excitement was growing inside.

Unseen by spying eyes another window appeared in front of Van.

[Emergency Quest

Defeat the Bandits

Recon

Locate the Bandit Camp.(Incomplete)

Identify all Bandits 1/??(Incomplete)

Combat

Defeat the Bandit Leader 0/1(Incomplete)

Defeat all Bandits ??/??(Incomplete)

Time to complete: 28 Days.]

---

The weeks had gone by, and during that time Van had barely spoken to anyone. He didn't buy new gear. He didn't talk to Bella when choosing jobs. He barely even spoke when he was in the trailer.

He did however work harder than ever before. Every morning, his daily regimen included repetitive exercises to create new skills and using acquired skills over and over until the mastery level increased.

By the afternoon he was off completing a job or two, depending on the difficulty.

During the night he hunted zombies, often finding them in the basements and attics of abandoned homes. He made sure to loot the remains for any valuables after they dissolved into ectoplasm. He only visited the shops to get a few new batteries.

Van took special care not to reveal his growing stash, even inside the trailer. He felt eyes on him all the time. 

One perk to being watched all the time was that his Danger Sense skill reached master level. He was now able to detect and accurately locate every person who was spying on him in a wide radius.

With just a few days left before the collection date, Van completed his preparations. Now it was time to lay his own trap.