Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System! - Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Atlanta’s Affection, Multiversal Connection

Parker shrugged, tilting his head slightly. “I never said you did.”

Atalanta squinted at him, but before she could argue, he leaned back with a smirk. “I’m just saying—it’s kinda obvious. Men have a softness for women. That’s just how it is. And when that woman happens to be an Olympian Champion? Yeah, I can see why your manager wouldn’t mind letting you ditch work for a bit.”

Atalanta clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “Tch. You’re annoying.”

Ere stretched her paws out lazily, flicking her tail. “Olympian or not, mundane or supernatural, some women traits never fucking change.”

Parker stifled a laugh. Atalanta, for her part, just huffed in amusement before reaching for their empty plates and glasses. “Alright, I’ll cover your bill.”

Parker didn’t argue—he just nodded, letting her take the dishes. Ere, on the other hand, gave him a pointed look, but Parker ignored her ass.

As Atalanta turned and walked away, Parker found himself watching her—not in a weird, creepy way, but in that damn, she really moves like she’s straight out of a mythological painting kind of way.

Atalanta didn’t just walk—she moved. Effortlessly, like she was gliding instead of stepping. No wasted motion, no awkward shifts in balance. Just pure, practiced elegance, the kind that only came from divine-level training. Even in a simple work uniform, she carried herself like a warrior in disguise—casual, but too precise. Like the kind of person who could dodge a punch while holding a fucking tray of drinks and not spill a drop.

And, of course, the moment she walked past a table full of guys who had been watching them all this time—it happened.

Heads snapped around.

One dude, mid-sip of his drink, straight-up choked and had to thump his own chest. Another guy, who had been scrolling on his phone, lowered it so slowly you’d think he was witnessing the divine descent of a goddess.

Parker’s lips twitched.

Yeah. Figured.

*

Atalanta knew exactly how men reacted to her. The attention, the stares, the potential for misunderstandings—she was no idiot. So to avoid unnecessary drama (which usually ended with her having to beat the hell out of someone), she dressed elegantly down at work. No bold choices, no flirty misunderstandings—just simple, clean, and professional.

And yet? Men still stared. Parker just watched and before he said anything Ere fired at him—

Ere flicked her tail and gave Parker a weird look. “So… where the hell is your gentlemanly pride? How are you just gonna let a woman pay for your drinks when she didn’t even eat with us?”

Parker shot her a look. “What’s wrong with a woman buying me a drink?”

Ere narrowed her eyes.

Parker smirked. “Did you really expect me to start that dumbass ‘no, I’ll pay—no, let me—no, I insist’ game until I give up? Nah. An Olympian Champion wants to buy me a drink? I’m accepting that shit.”

Ere looked genuinely impressed before suddenly tilting her head. “Right, so explain this—why the fuck do you have so many dangerous goddess and Primordial exes from your past lives chasing you?”

Parker froze. His phone nearly slipped from his hand.

His eyes widened. “Wait—you remember?”

Ere paused, then licked her paw. “Nah. Just overheard you and Levi talking about it.”

Parker blinked. Oh. Right. That damn conversation.

Before he could process that absolute minefield, Atalanta came walking back.

And—damn.

This time, she was in a sleek dress paired with elegant boots. It wasn’t flashy—no heels, no insane jewelry—but something about the way she wore it… the way it fit… yeah. It worked. Parker stood up instantly, eyes sweeping over her. Then he let out a low whistle.

“Damn.” He smirked. “Didn’t know I was going shopping with a goddess today. You look beautiful in that dress.”

Atalanta, mid-stride, froze for half a second. Then, quickly, she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and looked away—blushing. “Oh. Uh—thanks. I didn’t know you were the complementing type.”

“Just calling it like I see it.” Parker shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “You’re beautiful, Atlanta!”

Ere rolled her eyes. “Right. She’s gone too.”

Atalanta blinked, a hint of color creeping onto her cheeks before she smirked. “Oh? Didn’t know you could be that smooth.”

Parker shrugged, hands in his pockets. “I have my moments.”

Ere rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go before you two start reciting poetry.”

[Ding! +10 Affection Points from Atalanta!]

‘Long time no, see!’ Parker chuckled with that thought, glancing at the notification before stepping closer. He reached out and took her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers with a gentle, yet firm warmth.

“Shall we?” he asked, smirking. ‘Show me her affection points!’

[Ding!

Name: Atalanta

AP: 79]

Parker smiled tightening his grip. Atalanta looked down at their hands. For a second, she just stared. His grip was soft but steady, strong but not overbearing.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah… let’s go.”

Ere sighed dramatically. “Great. I’ll lead. Try not to get lost in each other’s eyes or some shit.” And with that, they walked out, Atalanta’s fingers still wrapped in his.

****

By the time the shopping spree from hell finally wrapped up, it was almost 10 PM.

Three cars sat outside, packed with enough luxury goods to make a celebrity stylist faint. Two SUVs were overflowing with designer clothes, shoes, watches, and jewelry—because apparently, restraint wasn’t a word in Parker’s vocabulary tonight.

And then there was the third car, different from the rest.

No fashion. No accessories. Just screens. Big screens. Small screens. Touchscreens. Curved screens. Monitors meant for deep hacking. If a futuristic tech lab could fit into a car, this was it. (If)

Parker leaned against the Range Rover, surveying the glowing crates of high-end IT equipment like a man admiring his own impending empire.

“Damn, you really went crazy with this tech stuff, boss. Isn’t it too much?” Naomi muttered, arms crossed.

Elena, perched inside the screen car, tapped away at a tablet, already organizing deliveries. Ere was curled up in the back, tail flicking, unimpressed.

“No, I need all this,” Parker said simply, nodding toward the mountain of screens. “I’m setting up my own IT war room at home. Not just for me—for a team. And everything’s getting installed tonight.”

Naomi raised a brow. “And what? You’re just gonna plug all this into some nonexistent WiFi and call it a day? ‘Cause I don’t think the mansion has any WiFi and you don’t seem like you’re planning to get one.”

Parker snorted. “WiFi? Hell no. My mansion will run on its own unique connection—hundreds of times better. It’s powered by Omni Energy.”

Silence.

Naomi blinked. “Okay, Uh— Wait what?”

Elena actually stopped typing. “Wait, wait, back up. You’re saying you have a whole-crazy-ass internet system not based on satellites, fiber optics, or data towers, but some mystical energy bullshit?”

Parker shrugged. “Pretty much.”

Ere yawned. “Makes sense.”

Naomi scoffed. “No, it fucking doesn’t.”

Parker ignored her, staring at the screens. Too bad his team wouldn’t be able to use it to its full potential. They just didn’t have the knowledge. Yet.

He exhaled. “I’ll get them that knowledge,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone. “No point in having a next-gen connection if no one can push it past Earth’s surface.”

Naomi gave him a long, suspicious look. “Why do I feel like you’re talking about hacking shit way beyond government levels?”

Parker smirked. “You feel right.”

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Great. Fantastic. I work for a future cyber-terrorist.”

Ere snickered. “You’re assuming he’s not already one.”

Parker ignored them, watching as the last of the IT gear got packed up. Elena, Naomi, and Ere would direct the delivery team back home and oversee installation.

Meanwhile, Parker climbed into the Range Rover, slumping into the driver’s seat.

The spending wasn’t done tonight…