SSS-Rank AI System: My Path from Failure to Supreme

Chapter 100: A Security Guard's Fear



Alaric stood at the gate of his house, eyes fixed on the narrow, sloping road ahead.

Though it was some distance away, his sharp eyes could clearly make out the winding path. The incline was steep and the width barely enough for one vehicle, but he knew that road well. It was etched into his mind. It was the shortcut that would get him to the city center much faster.

There was no way a car could make it through. He sighed, reconsidering his options. His car was fast and comfortable, sure, but that shortcut was completely off-limits to large wheels. Alaric knew the journey would be much quicker with something more nimble. The problem was, he didn't have a motorbike of his own right now.

His gaze shifted toward the guard post beside the gate. Two familiar figures were there, deep in conversation. One of them was Robin, the driver who always showed up for work on a two-wheeler. The exact kind of ride Alaric needed right now.

The other was Karta, their longtime security guard. Robin was lounging in a plastic chair, sipping hot coffee from a ceramic cup. Karta leaned against the post, chatting casually about neighborhood news.

"Another break-in in the next block, I heard," Karta said, shaking his head in concern.

"Yeah, I heard too. Lucky it was just electronics, and no one got hurt."

Robin let out a sigh. "Still, gotta stay alert. Thieves usually come back. Who knows, next time might be worse."

"Yes, stealing is unjustifiable, even if the value of the stolen goods isn't significant. It's a bad habit that can blind a person's vision. If it is done continuously with awareness," Karta replied again, agreeing with Robin.

"We have to be careful, who knows they might be roaming around near us." A final reminder came from the security guard's mouth again. Because he was actually quite scared that the house he was guarding would become the target.

Karta feared they had a special method of stealing that might trick him, or distract him from his usual vigilance. It was very dangerous, if his boss's house was robbed, he would definitely be fired for not being able to carry out his duties properly.

"Scary, huh?" asked the security guard after his daydream forced him to come to his senses again.

Their conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by light chuckles and the kind of offhand remarks you'd expect from a casual hangout. That is, until the sound of footsteps approached unexpectedly.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Robin and Karta turned their heads sharply. Their eyes couldn't hide the silent question in their glances—"Young boss, what brings you here?"

Alaric stood before them. He paused briefly, then finally spoke. Robin quickly stood up, respectful and smiling.

"Yes, Young Boss? Everything okay?"

Alaric cleared his throat, adjusting his tone to keep it casual, even though what he was about to say was anything but ordinary.

"Robin, you brought your bike today, right?"

Robin nodded, still a little confused. "Yes, Young Boss."

Alaric didn't hesitate. "Mind if I borrow it?"

Robin frowned slightly, unsure. "Um… sorry, Young Boss? Don't you have a car? Why would you ride a bike in this heat? Especially my old thing…"

Alaric gave a small smile, eyeing the motorbike. Not flashy, but clean and well-kept. "It's not that bad. It'll do. I can't take the car through the shortcut."

Robin nodded slowly, awkwardly. Without further hesitation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys. Alaric accepted them with a calm, composed gesture. He stared at the key in his hand for a moment, this simple object was about to help him move fast toward something that truly mattered today.

Karta, who had been silently observing, said nothing. But the look in his eyes said enough: curiosity was clearly bubbling underneath.

Robin, trying to shake off the awkwardness, gave a light hearted warning in the tone of a friend rather than a subordinate.

"Don't forget, Young Boss."

Alaric turned, puzzled. "Forget what?"

Robin grinned. "Be careful out there."

Alaric gave him a thin smile before starting the engine. In one fluid motion, he revved the motor and took off toward the sloping path that lay ahead.

The morning sunlight cast a warm glow across his face as the wind brushed past him. Alaric felt a rush of adrenaline. Today was no ordinary day. Every step, every choice had to be precise. He was heading toward something. A truth no one could deny once it was uncovered.

He maneuvered the motorbike carefully as the front wheel hit the narrow dirt path nestled between the trees. The road felt like a bridge between two worlds. On one side, the ordered chaos of the city; on the other, a raw, untamed stretch of nature, almost untouched by human hands.

The terrain wasn't easy. It was uneven and steep, with large rocks jutting out here and there. Each time the bike rolled over a stone or a raised root, Alaric's body jolted slightly. His mind had to stay sharp. He eased off the throttle to maintain balance.

He imagined how different this path would feel at night. Less peaceful, more dangerous. Not because of ghosts or shadows, but because of the real threat of criminals taking advantage of the remote setting. But for now, it was morning. The sun lit up the path, and birdsong offered a fragile sense of safety.

Now and then, Alaric glanced up toward the trees. He doubted there'd be monkeys or snakes around, but his instincts told him to stay alert. Leaves rustled, and distant branches snapped. Small noises that still made his heartbeat quicken. A bush nearby stirred, casting an uncertain shadow that made him tense up for a moment.

The road was silent, save for the crunch of twigs under his tires and the wind brushing through the trees. The deeper he went, the clearer it became: this place was far removed from the world he just left behind.

Still, Alaric kept going. Calm and focused, watching the path carefully, anticipating every twist, every bump. He was alert, but slowly settling into the rhythm. After several minutes, the incline began to level out. The end of the path was near.

Finally, the shortcut came to an end. It couldn't take him any farther. Alaric adjusted the handlebars and rolled out onto a wide main road. The contrast hit him instantly. The roar of traffic. Towering buildings. The bustle of the city. Everything was louder, busier.

He took a deep breath, feeling the energy shift around him. The difference was stark, like he'd just crossed over from one reality to another.

Planting his feet on the hot asphalt, he stepped off the bike. The heat from the road seeped through the soles of his shoes. His eyes rose to the tall building in front of him: XBHshs Headquarters. He had seen this place only in documents or from afar. Now he was here.

From the outside, it looked ordinary enough. A sleek glass facade. People in sharp suits walking briskly across the courtyard. Luxury cars pulling in and out of the lot.

Alaric paused. "Will this work? Am I ready for this? Will they even let me in or will they accuse me of something illegal?" The doubts crept in for a moment. But then he remembered the SSS system, the one that had always backed him. It had never failed him in any major way.

He noticed a security guard walking nearby, busy checking his guest list on a handheld device, not sparing a glance in Alaric's direction.

Employees passed by, juggling folders and phone calls, none paying him any attention. Alaric stood still, assessing the scene. That small realization gave him a boost of confidence.

This was it. The moment to truly test the limits of his system.

He stepped forward, passing by the guard and employees with quiet determination.

Each step felt like breaking through an invisible boundary, like walking a path only he could see. He paused briefly in the lobby, scanning the area. A security monitor displayed camera feeds, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No one was alarmed by his presence.

Once he confirmed it was safe, Alaric moved with more ease. "Alright, let's see what I can find in here." The hesitation melted away, replaced by a sharpened focus and growing curiosity. This was a rare chance. A chance to clear his name once and for all.

He blended into the flow of office life, walking past glass doors and busy desks like a silent observer.

No one stopped him. Everything moved as if this were completely natural. Even the ticking of the watch on his wrist seemed to sync with the beat of the building. But this time, every second felt like a golden opportunity.

Alaric took one final glance around before heading deeper into the building. Somewhere in these halls, among these rooms, were the documents that might just change everything.

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