Chapter 30: Bait The Rat
Chapter 30: Bait The Rat
The chaos in Torkside Square only got wilder—neon lights swayed, laughter blended with street music and vendors shouting over one another. Anderson staggered half-drunk, dragging a half-empty beer bottle along the ground.His eyes darted toward Caleb, still wearing his black mask and baseball cap low over his face. Anderson broke into a wide grin, pizza sauce crusted on his teeth.
"Hey... hahahaha! Look at Mommy’s boy over there... still hiding under that mask and cap. Man, you look like a damn thief, I swear! hahaa..."
Billy cracked up too, nearly toppling into the crowd.
"Yeah, yeah... you look like you’re about to rob a store, not hang out at the square! Bro, Halloween’s for cool costumes, not some bargain-bin pickpocket style!"
People nearby turned their heads for a second, but shrugged it off—just another drunk pack making noise.
Caleb tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing from beneath the cap’s shadow. He didn’t say a word, only stared at the two idiots with an icy gaze. Inside, his thoughts growled:
These drunk pieces of trash don’t even realize they’re already at the end of their road.
Mike raised his hand, cutting off the dumb laughter from his two buddies. His eyes swept over the square glowing with lights and crowded with people—sharp, predatory. Then he spoke in a calm, casual tone:
"Alright, let’s sit for a bit. Enjoy the scene... before we get started."
The four of them drifted to the side of the square, settling on a long, rusted iron bench. People bustled past, none the wiser.
Caleb lowered his head slightly, his voice light, almost careless.
"Can I get a dollar? I’m thirsty. Haven’t had anything but beer all day."
Anderson instantly burst out laughing, slapping his thigh.
"HAHAHAHA! Hear that? The little thief’s thirsty! Beggin’ like a bum!"
Billy cracked up too, but his eyes flicked toward Mike.
"But what if Mommy’s boy here runs off, huh? He could ditch us anytime."
Mike turned, gaze cold, cigarette smoke curling from his lips.
"That damn mommy’s boy is Peter," he said flat, full of certainty. "And he’s not gonna run away from us. Don’t worry."
Anderson and Billy exchanged looks, still snickering. Caleb stayed silent, his face calm beneath the mask. Inside, though, his mind was turning sharp and fast.
Good... keep underestimating me.
Mike let out a sigh, slipping his hand into the pocket of his ragged jacket. He pulled out a few crumpled bills and shoved them into Caleb’s hand.
"Grab something for us too," he said with a crooked smile. "Beer, soda, whatever. Think of it as your first step to becoming part of this family."
Anderson gave a sloppy cheer, "Woooy! Good boy, good boy!"
Billy just giggled, eyes half-shut from the booze.
Caleb stood, taking the money without a flicker of emotion. "Fine," he replied flatly. Turning his back, he walked toward the line of vending machines near the corner of the square. The neon lights blinked in a cheap rhythm, standing in contrast to the noisy crowd buzzing with costumes and selfies.
At the machine, he slid in a bill, his finger pressing a button without even caring what drink it was. His breathing slowed, his face unreadable.
Then, barely audible, he whispered:
"Open menu."
[Ding!]
[Common Sense Hijack System]
[Single Target Hijack] : Ready To Use
[Multiple Target Hijack] : Locked
[AOE Hijack] : Locked
[XXXXX] : Locked...
[XXXXX] : Locked...
[XXXXX] : Locked...
...
Caleb’s eyes locked on the menu panel of the Common Sense Hijack System.
"Something simple... bait his ego?" he muttered, lips curling faintly.
"Alright then... that’ll do."
He tapped [Single Target Hijack] with his finger.
[Ding!]
[Connecting to Hijack Hub...]
[10%... 30%... 60%... 80%... 100%]
[Connected.]
[Hijack Hub – Single Target Hijack Active]
[Type your hijack...]
The hijack menu flickered to life before Caleb’s eyes—a transparent hologram screen only he could see. His fingers moved quickly in the air, typing out lines of poison. Behind the mask, his lips curled into a cold smile.
But he didn’t hit Enter yet.
Not yet... I need to make sure the old rat takes the bait. Don’t rush.
The hijack hub panel floated there, filled with words sharp enough to cut, ready to shred Mike’s life apart.
Clunk—clunk— The sound echoed as four soda cans dropped into the tray below. Caleb crouched, grabbed them, and rose smoothly, every movement calm, deliberate.
On his way back to the bench, neon lights danced across the cans in his hands. The crowd bustled around him—people laughing, taking pictures, kids darting between legs in their costumes. But in Caleb’s head, one vicious line burned clear:
Get some finger play from your boys, that’s enough for you... Rat Mike.
Caleb’s smile stretched wider, eyes gleaming cold under the shadow of his cap.
"Yeah... that’ll be perfect," he whispered.
With an easy, almost casual stride, he headed back toward Mike and the two idiot followers—carrying four cans of soda like a good little boy.
Caleb set the soda cans down on the rusty metal bench. His tone was light, like casual small talk.
"Hey, by the way... what kinda girls do you guys like? MILFs maybe?"
Anderson burst out laughing, almost choking on his beer.
"MILFs? Hahaha! Shit, that’s every man’s dream, bro!"
Billy joined in, grinning wide.
"Hell yeah, I’d smash. Way more experienced, right?"
Mike, who had been lounging in silence, suddenly clicked his tongue. His face soured.
"Not my type," he muttered.
Caleb raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity.
"Oh yeah? Mike, you even got the balls to say hi to a woman your age?"
In an instant, Mike’s eyes darkened. He leaned forward, voice rough.
"Peter, don’t push me. You wanna die?"
Caleb just chuckled, lifting a soda can like a toast.
"Oh, c’mon... relax, let’s enjoy the night. I’ll give you a challenge, simple: just say hi to a mommy-type woman. Easy, right?"
Mike glared at him, then scoffed with a crooked smile.
"What kind of stupid game is that?"
Caleb laughed brightly.
"I’ll throw in extra cash later. Whoever dares, wins."
Anderson and Billy immediately got hyped, both reaching forward.
"Me first, me first!"
Caleb shook his head with a sly grin.
"Ahhh... c’mon, Mike. First rights, yeah? Seniority, bro."
The two idiots exchanged looks, then glanced over at Mike. His expression went colder by the second.
"Hmph. If we want easy money from Peter, we should just threaten his life. Simple."
Inside, Caleb’s mind lit up. Perfect. So money can’t bait him...
He tilted his head, voice still light but cutting like a blade.
"What’s wrong, Mike? A little... shy?"
Anderson and Billy instantly exploded into laughter.
"Pffftt... Shy old man!"
Mike snapped. He shot to his feet, slamming his empty can down.
"Shut the fuck up, boy! I’m not some loser. Say hi? Fine. And after that..." He raised his fist right in front of Caleb’s face. "...you’re getting this—straight to your face."
With heavy steps, Mike stormed toward the crowd. His eyes were wild, face red with rage.
"Watch this shit!" he snarled.
Caleb just sat calmly, a thin smile spreading beneath his mask. His hand moved without hesitation.
Perfect.
He pressed [Enter].
[Ding!]
[1 Hijack Point Has Been Consumed]