Chapter 146: Ch 146: I’m over it - Part 3
The man’s eyes flickered with suspicion, his fingers twitching against his worn-out jacket. Though desperation clawed at his insides, sothing about Isabelle Thorne unsettled him.
He had always wanted power, but he was not naive enough to think that one of the top 10 rankers would just co to him and offer him a way to gain power.
There had to be a catch to it.
However, did it matter when he knew what he was being offered? It just sounded too good to be true.
’I want to take this chance. But I should be more cautious, right? Even if she’s a public figure, I know nothing about Isabelle Thorne as a person. What if she’s here to harm ?’
Power was sothing he carved, but it was not sothing he was willing to risk his life for.
Still, he wasn’t a fool.
"I want to believe you, but I need proof."
He said, voice hoarse from exhaustion.
A soft laugh left Isabelle’s lips. It was silky, almost amused, as if she had expected this hesitation.
"How cautious. But I don’t mind."
She murmured.
With a sleek movent, she reached into her coat and pulled out a small black pouch. The material glead slightly under the dim light of the alley. Holding it delicately between two fingers, she extended it toward him.
"Take this."
Isabelle offered.
The man hesitated before carefully accepting the pouch. As soon as it was in his hands, he loosened the tie and peeked inside.
White powder.
He frowned, lifting his gaze.
"What is this?"
"A special substance. It awakens your untapped potential. For a limited ti, of course."
Isabelle replied smoothly.
He narrowed his eyes.
"And if I do what you ask, I get more?"
Isabelle’s lips curled at the edges.
"Exactly."
His hands tightened around the pouch, his heart pounding. This could be a trap. But it could also be his one chance.
After a long pause, he made his decision.
Screw it.
Loosening the pouch further, he tilted his head back and swallowed a small dose of the powder. It tasted... bitter. Almost tallic.
For a mont, nothing happened.
Then—
Heat.
A burning rush of power exploded in his veins, spreading through his body like wildfire. His muscles trembled, his vision sharpened, and his heartbeat pounded like a war drum.
The world around him slowed, and when he moved his hand, he could feel it—his body responding faster, stronger, better.
This was real.
His breath hitched, his fingers curling into a fist as he felt the overwhelming strength surging through his limbs.
"What... what did you do to ?"
He gasped.
Isabelle tilted her head, feigning innocence.
"I simply woke up what was already inside you."
He swallowed hard, still adjusting to the feeling of power buzzing beneath his skin.
"The system...It didn’t—"
He started.
"Show up? It won’t. But does it matter?"
Isabelle finished for him.
He hesitated. She was right.
System or not, he wasn’t ordinary anymore.
The hunger in his eyes was unmistakable as he looked up at her.
"I need more of this. What do I have to do?"
He said, voice laced with desperation.
Isabelle’s smile was almost motherly, though there was nothing kind about it.
"Just follow my instructions. And you’ll never have to feel weak again."
She purred.
The man nodded.
He would do whatever it took.
______
Back at the base, Selene exhaled in satisfaction, rolling her shoulders as she massaged the lingering soreness from her body.
She had spent the morning practicing, pushing herself to refine her movents. Though she still had aches here and there, it was nothing she couldn’t handle.
Deciding to take a break, she reached for the remote and switched on the TV.
The screen flickered to life, imdiately displaying a live news report.
"Breaking news: a man is currently on the run after causing a devastating fire in the eastern district. Witnesses report that he displayed incredible strength, throwing aside vehicles as he escaped the scene."
Selene’s brows furrowed as she watched the broadcast.
The footage zood in, capturing a blurry but recognizable face of the fugitive.
She knew that face.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The mont the image beca clear, mories from her past life flooded in.
This man.
She had seen him in the news before—not just for the cri he had just committed, but for what he would later expose.
This was the first public case of a ’drug-awakened’ individual.
Selene’s grip on the remote tightened.
So it’s happening again.
Her stomach twisted with a mix of emotions—fear because this confird that history was still repeating itself, and relief because it ant so things hadn’t changed too drastically yet.
She leaned forward, watching as the cara shifted to show the authorities in pursuit.
A single guard stood at the forefront, stepping forward as the fugitive charged toward him.
Selene’s eyes darkened.
She knew how this would play out.
That guard—an awakened with earth-based abilities—would intercept the fugitive’s rampage. And despite the fugitive’s enhanced strength, he wouldn’t win.
He couldn’t win.
Not against an awakened with a stable system.
The screen flickered, showing the mont of impact—
The fugitive roared, swinging his fist with bone-crushing force.
The guard didn’t flinch.
With a simple gesture, the ground beneath them cracked, and jagged pillars of stone rose from the earth, trapping the fugitive in an instant.
Selene exhaled slowly, watching as the authorities quickly closed in and subdued the man.
Just like before.
Nothing had changed.
Or rather—not yet.
Selene leaned back into the couch, her mind racing.
So, the drug trade has begun.
She had suspected it after seeing the economic panic earlier, but now, this was undeniable proof.
The question was...
Should she get involved?
This wasn’t her battle.
Not yet, anyway.
For now, she needed to focus on her own survival.
But sothing told her—this wasn’t the last she would hear of this.
And sohow, she knew it would co knocking on her door sooner rather than later.
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