Loki’s Successor System

Jin stood in his room (which was in truth Johnson's room), his hands clutched around the neck of a man.

"What do you want, Johnson?" the man asked. 

"I want answers," Jin said, "and you're gonna give them to me."

"I'm your friend, man," the man said, "Joshua. Can't you remember me?"

"Answers," Jin leaned in, "I want them now."

The man grimaced. "What answers?"

"First," Jin said, "I want to you to remind me of all the Hunters' abilities one by one." He kept a glare on his face to hit at his seriousness.

"I thought you knew about that already," the man said, grimacing.

"I knew," Jin said. "People forget things they don't want to remember."

"That's not something you would forget." The man shook his head.

"Do what you're told, Joshua!" Jin snapped. "Don't make me resort to more violence here."

"Resort to whatever you want," Joshua said, "I know you won't hurt me. I don't know what happened out there this morning but the Johnson I know would never hurt me."

Jin released Joshua, and began to rub at his temples. "Desperate times."

Joshua deflated. "Can we start over, John? I don't know what got into you just now but I'm more than willing to forget it all."

"Sure," Jin looked at him, "let's start over. From the beginning."

Joshua pretended to have only just seen Johnson. "Oh! It's you John!"

Jin smiled. "Yeah, it's a bomber—I failed, I know that."

"Come on now, man," Joshua said, "I'm sure you did your best. You always do."

"Yeah?" Jin asked. "Then, I guess my best isn't enough. Say," he looked at Joshua again, "could you tell me everyone's—the Hunters'—abilities here again. I forgot some of them and need confirmation on the ones I already know."

"Alright," Joshua said, "but why do you need them?"

"That's subjective information," Jin said, "I'm sorry but I can't tell you, at least not yet."

Joshua sighed. "No problem, John. But I do urge you to tell me when you can. I said it once and I'll say it again—you can tell me anything. Let's start with the Hunters quickly. The little girl is the most powerful being here and she is held at the highest level of respect and loyalty. She's almost worshipped here. She has many abilities and skills at her disposal. Something called a 'system' is being rumored as we speak.

"Ryan is the best Hunter here. He's been with us since the founding of this base. He hones a super speed ability. Then there's Alex, who hones a super useful teleportation ability. In four place, we have Lindane who uses a powerful prediction ability that allows her to see seconds into the past or future. Fifth place we have Renegade who uses fire. And lastly there's Jenna who has a healing ability. There are more Hunters but they're gone and haven't returned."

Jin mulled for a bit, trying to etch the information behind his mind. Then he looked at Joshua and smirked. "Thanks."

Joshua folded his arms. "Haven't quite seen that kind of smile from you before ... but I'll take it, I guess." 

"Thanks for all your help, Josh," Jin said, "I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, man," Joshua said, "no problem. We always talk about the Hunters anyway. In fact, that was why I was confused when you said you forgot some of their abilities."

"It was just for the sake of reassurance," Jin said. 

"No problem, man. I helped you. Also," his face changed, "when are you going to hit the road again?"

"Not too soon," Jin said, "my car got damaged real bad. Had to flee on foot, and left the tickets in the car."

Joshua's eyes widened. "Oh shit! You did?"

"Yeah," Jin said, forcing a fake frown, "fucked up real bad, man."

"That's nothing, John," Joshua said, "I watched you built that old car from nothing to something. Took you two months. Sure, I'm a bit disappointed that you ended losing it so easily but I know you bounce back harder. I'm telling you, with that much ambition, you're definetly going to make it to that new world at this rate."

Jin sat down on his bed. "You think so?"

"No," Joshua said, "I know so. All you have to do now is never give up and you'll be where ever you want to be. Be that place the sky or in the pits of hell, man, you'll be there if you got the will."

"I forgot how motivational you could be," Jin said, smiling. 

"You forgot and you've only been gone for two hours," Joshua said, "two flipping hours!"

"Might be less than two hours."

"My point right there. How'd you forget?"

"Have you ever stumbled across a Void before?" Jin asked.

"Nope," Joshua said, "not even once. I keep my distance, man."

"Well," Jin continued, "I got attacked by one of them. It touched me and I felt like some of my memories were knocked out of my head. Either that or it stole those memories."

Joshua seemed dazed. He sat on the bed next to who he thought was Johnson. "You fucking encountered a Void and you're only telling me this now!?"

"Yeah, this morning."

Joshua wrinkled his face at Jin. "This morning too!"

"That's how I lost the car," Jin said.

"Wait," Joshua said, "tell me exactly how you lost the car." 

"I was driving, and making progress when the Void .... that thing came from nowhere. Just dropped right in front of me. I tried to steer away, but I ended up hitting it nonetheless. Was sent pitching right into a tree."

"Damn," Joshua cursed, "you could have been killed. Jesus Christ. How did you even escape the thing?"

"I just ... escaped it."

"I thought they said those things were capable of jumping one hundred metres into the air, and wield swords that stretch."

"Man," Jin said, "I don't know how I got away, but I got away. Went running like a wild animal straight through the woods."

Joshua shook his head. "That's surreal man. And you're just now telling me this? You weren't going to tell me?"

Jin frowned. "I ... I didn't what to make the journey sound dangerous. Wanted to pretend it wasn't too bad at all. So I won't be judged harder, y'know?"

"I see," Joshua said, "but remember who I am, man. I don't know if it's those lost memories that's making you forget me but I'll remind you anyway. Me and you go way back, John. I'm talking Highschool way back. Sure, I might have bullied you before but then we became best of friends. I'm the kind of guy you can tell anything."

Jin tittered. "So you're that kind of guy, huh? I appreciate you. And hey, can you tell me more about this place? What's been happening again?"

"Everything's about that little girl," Joshua frowned, "we nobody's don't even know her name but we know she's fucking OP. That little thing has powers upon Powers. Skills upon skills. They literally bring people here and let her finish them off in order to almost feed her in a way. It's sick and messed. I've always understood why you wanted to leave and I ... I've been considering myself. I'm just a little scared; is all."

"I see," Jin said. "Why are you scared though?"

'Things are going well. I've learned enough. So I attack tonight.'

"If you can get attacked by a Void one hour into your drive," Joshua said, "the how will an unlucky man on foot fear?"

"Luck is but a fake concept in which I rather not believe. In other words, Josh, it doesn't exist."

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "Says the guy who made me believe in bad luck."

"I did?"

"Yup," Joshua stood. "Have a good rest of the day, John. It's sunset. I'm gonna go have an early sleep. Those people are working us extra hard for that little girl."

"See you ... tomorrow." Jin smirked.

Joshua nodded, and walked through the door, closing it behind him.

Jin rubbed his hands together.

[Strength: 65]

[Health: 72]

[Speed: 48]

[Skill: 61]

[UP: 18]

[Exp: 83/85 | Level 12]

Cliff appeared next to him on the bed. 

Jin smirked. "I would actually revert to my real body but I don't know if there are hidden cameras here ... still I do have to save my energy for tonight. Might just help myself to some of the farm food they've got in stock here in preparation for tonight."

A clone appeared in the room and tossed Jin an apple. 

Jin caught it, and immediately took a bite. His eyes aglow.

"So .." Cliff trailed off, "attacking tonight, huh?"

"Precisely," Jin said, "I have an interesting bunch of opponents. Apparently one of them is a Sucessor."

"I wouldn't underestimate her if I were you."

"That's why I'm going to be ghosting around tonight first. I'll start with their healer. Walk through her wall and stab her to death."

Cliff shook his head and vanished.

Jin grinned

[Strength: 65]

[Health: 72]

[Speed: 48]

[Skill: 61]

[UP: 18]

[Exp: 83/85 | Level 12]

"What to spend my UP on this time?"