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Pain shot through Adam's body like static as he lay on the floor, still hurting after being assaulted by the two thugs.
He couldn't really tell, but ever since he ate that cursed apple, bad luck seemed to follow him wherever he went.
Just when he thought he could sell that machine and get some cash for himself, these guys had to show up and ruin all the fun.
He forced himself off the floor.
Although his ribs hurt, he gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.
A cold chill went up his spine, and a bead of sweat trickled down his cheek as he lifted his head. The two thugs still stood there, staring at the figure ahead with an unwavering aura surrounding him.
Who is that guy? he thought.
Adam tried to move, but his body didn't listen. It was like every muscle had taken a time-out.
He sensed the strange aura coming from the man—cold, eerie, unshakable.
Whoever this man was, he was dangerous.
"Hey, what's your deal, man? You lost or what?" George scoffed as he stepped forward confidently.
The man didn't reply. All he did was stand there—stone-still. His mask obscured his face, only revealing cold, dead blue eyes that shimmered in the dark alley.
"Hey! Are you deaf too? Hahaha," Joe remarked. "Come on, man, let's forget about this guy and leave. We already got what we wanted. I don't like the look in his eyes.."
Joe took one look at the man blocking the alley and scoffed.
"The hell do you want, freak?"
The figure didn't answer. He just kept walking. One step. Then another. His boots echoed on the cracked pavement like ticking clock hands.
George shifted nervously. "Yo, let's just go the other way—"
Joe snorted. "Nah. I'll handle it."
He charged forward like a freight train, fists raised.
The masked man didn't move until the last possible second.
Then—
He tilted.
That's all it looked like. A slight shift of weight. But Joe's punch missed completely, slicing through empty air.
Before he could correct his stance, a palm shot forward.
Crack!
Joe's arm twisted violently at the elbow. Bone popped. He screamed.
The man spun low, his coat trailing like a shadow, and swept Joe's legs out from under him. Joe hit the ground face-first with a wet smack, unmoving.
George backed away, clutching the gadget like a talisman. "S-Stay back, I'm warning you!"
The figure didn't listen. He just kept walking.
George swung wildly out of desperation.
The man caught his wrist mid-swing—without even looking. There was a soft hum of pressure, and George dropped the device instantly, falling to his knees.
"You two talk too much," the man said flatly.
He turned his head slightly. Behind the mask, the glow of his eyes pulsed brighter for a moment.
George collapsed, unconscious.
Silence returned to the alley, thick and smothering.
Adam stared, still on the ground, bruised and barely breathing. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. This regular-looking man had taken out two thugs without even breaking a sweat.
Who is this guy? he thought.
The man turned, eyes locking onto Adam. Fear began to overwhelm him as he started stepping back slowly, hands raised like he was innocent.
"L-Look, I don't want any trouble, okay? Just leave me alone," Adam begged, his voice shaking.
"Relax, kid," the man replied, his voice cold and intense.
He stepped over the wreckage of the fight, picked up the fallen gadget with two fingers, and held it up to the light. He stared at it intensely, like it was foreign to him, then tossed it to Adam.
Adam caught it mid-air with both hands.
"Honestly, kid, I didn't think you'd actually survive," the man said, staring dead into Adam's eyes like he could see his soul. "Hehe, things are really starting to get interesting around here."
"I-I dunno what you're talking about… Who are you?" Adam stuttered.
Did this guy know about the explosion? Is he also a Nexora agent out to abduct me?
Thoughts spiraled through Adam's mind. If this guy was able to take out those thugs so easily, dealing with Adam would be a walk in the park—especially in the state he was in.
The more time Adam spent near him, the scarier things felt. He exuded an immense aura Adam couldn't quite explain. It was cold, heart-wrenching, and dark—like staring death straight in the eye.
Subconsciously, Adam started darting his eyes around, looking for a way out. Although the man hadn't shown hostility, the aura around him told a different story altogether.
"Hehe, relax, kid. I'm not here to hurt you," the man responded. "I dunno how, but somehow you managed to survive…"
"Let me tell you something... Right now, kid, you're is unstable. That thing inside you is not done yet. You shouldn't be out here like this, and you know it."
The man stepped closer to Adam, who now had his back pinned against the wall. Adam couldn't even utter a word. His body wouldn't respond. The man crouched to eye level.
"Listen, kid. Trials are in four days. Get selected, get stronger, and try to keep a low profile. They're not the only ones who'll be coming after you.
''My advice? Try not to die."
A subtle whir emanated from the gadget in Adam's hands—and then, a high-pitched whine.
The machine sparked violently, arcs of white-hot light lashing out like serpents.
Adam flinched, covering his face. A deafening whine rose, then—
BOOM!
A shockwave burst out. Dust. Light. Silence.
Adam opened his eyes, coughing. The alley was empty.
The masked man was gone.
"What the hell…" he muttered, scanning the shadows. Nothing. Just the fading echo of that voice.
'Try not to die.'
The gadget buzzed weakly at his feet, flickering with blue static.
Then—
"Step away from that!"
Adam turned just as Vicky sprinted into view, toolbox clutched tight, panic carved into her face.
"That core's unstable! If it goes critical, it could vaporize a city block!"
Adam blinked, still dazed.
"Great," he rasped. "Why wouldn't it be?"