《Harem Streamer System: Every Crime I Broadcast Wins Me a Superheroine》 Chapter 1 Pilot In a Comic Book Shop¡­A young man named Scott McQueen was standing with his girlfriend by a table stacked with colorful comic books. He looked quite bored as he flipped through the vibrant pages, barely paying attention. ¡ºSuperheroes¡­¡» He flipped to the next page. ¡ºWhen I was a kid, they were simple. You know, the kind of guys who wore capes, fought bad guys, and always knew what was right. Comics made it clear¡­ heroes were supposed to stand for justice, protect the weak, and fight evil. Black and white, good and bad, no in-between. It was easy to root for them because they lived by rules we all understood.¡» ¡ºBut now? Now that heroes are real¡­ it''s nothing like that. I mean, they still wear the costumes and save people, sure. But they''re more interested in flashing smiles for the cameras, signing endorsement deals, and posting on social media than actually doing any good. ¡­ Sigh~ ¡ºIt''s all for fame, power, and sponsorships. They''ve got their agents, their image consultants, their PR teams spinning every move like they''re celebrities, not protectors. It''s like the world''s okay with that, though, because we eat it up. ¡ºIt''s like gold¡­ even if it''s poisonous, people won''t stop staring at it because it''s shiny.¡» The young man set down the comic book and reached for another. For a moment, it was as if he stood alone in a completely dark world, his figure outlined by a pale shadow. Nothing seemed to matter. His eyes showed it clearly. But his actions masked the aloofness he had toward the world around him. ¡ºThe worst part? No one questions it. People don''t care why the hero saved the day, as long as they did it in time for the evening news. ¡ºBut that''s not me. I don''t need a spotlight. I don''t need praise. I don''t want to be adored or idolized. What I want is simple: to be the hand in the shadows, the fear in the back of someone''s mind, the whisper that says "Maybe I shouldn''t." ¡­ The kind of justice that doesn''t get a thank-you. ¡ºI don''t care about the money or the followers. I just want to be a tool. A weapon. Not in the spotlight, but in the dark corners, reminding people what happens when they step out of line. Let the "heroes" chase their fame. I''ll be the one in the shadows, making sure the justice they''re too distracted to deliver gets done.¡» Scott set down the comic book and let out a heavy sigh, nearly slouching. ¡ºUnfortunately, I don''t have what it takes to stand on equal grounds with these other superheroes. So, I''ll just focus on school instead¡­¡» He glanced over at his girlfriend, who stood there pouting slightly. She was gripping the straps of her backpack, tapping her foot on the floor like she was waiting for something. "Can we do it now?" she asked. "Really? In a comic book store?" Scott raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh¡­ you know how my body gets at certain times, and this is one of those times. I need us to do it, just a little bit." She held the hem of her miniskirt, pressing her thighs together as a blush spread across her cute face. "Please?" She added, this time sounding more polite. For a moment, Scott was reminded of his old dog, Rufus, who had passed away a few years ago. Rufus used to tilt his head and bark more softly whenever he wanted a treat, just like how she was asking now. "Well¡­" Scott crossed his arms and sighed dramatically. "It''s not like you can help it." He shrugged right after. ¡ºThis is my girlfriend, Maya Rivera. She''s eighteen, just like me, and we both go to the same high school. She''s really smart but a bit shy, and she''s great at physics and astronomy, just like her dad, Hiram Rivera, who''s a well-known scientist at the A.E.T.H.E.R Institute. ¡ºIn her free time, she usually hangs out in her dad''s research lab, where he worked on advanced experimental energy projects. One of his projects was a pulsar-powered generator. ¡ºOne night, while Maya was at the lab, something went wrong. The generator malfunctioned and exploded, releasing a huge burst of pulsar radiation. Instead of hurting her, the radiation changed her genetic makeup, mixing her DNA with the properties of a pulsar. ¡­ SIGH~! ¡ºAfter that, it''s pretty obvious what happened next¡­ she got registered with the Hero Agency, and now my girlfriend''s a superhero.¡» He glanced at her from head to toe. Maya was short and petite, with light skin and big purple eyes. Her black hair barely touched her shoulders, and a few strands always fell in front of her face. She had a slim figure, but her curves still greatly highlighted her femininity and added to her undeniable cuteness. "Come oooonn~!" Maya grabbed Scott''s arm and gave it a sharp pull. "Let''s go already!" She used a bit of her super strength to pull him along, and soon they left the main floor, heading through the back door that led to the restroom and the storage room. Big Marv noticed them and shook his head. He was the owner of the store. "Tch, kids these days will have sex anywhere." The chubby man, as round as a beach ball, looked very happy that he wasn''t like them during his teenage years. 50 years and still a proud virgin. It wasn''t easy! "It''s like they don''t realize that all this sweet romance ends in high school and that love loses its value. But you know what doesn''t lose value over time?" He held up the comic book as if it were a sacred item and stared at it with hungry eyes. On the cover was an attractive, busty woman in a tight black and red superhero costume. "Limited edition comics of Rope Girl!" He brought the comic closer, kissed it, and hugged it tightly, letting out a satisfied sigh. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Mmm-ahhh~ ??! Haahh~ Mmmph! Aauuunnn~ ny~eessssss~ ???!! Scott and Maya were kissing passionately in the storage room, moving against the cobwebbed walls and dusty boxes. "Mwah~?! Ye~ssss, squeeze me more too~ ??!" "Take it easy¡­" Scott''s hand moved down to Maya''s small, soft butt, squeezing it in a way that made her arch her back and cough out a heavy moan. ¡­ Mmnn~ahhhhnnn ??! He massaged her butt gently, like he was kneading dough, which made Maya''s body grow hotter and her skin to glow with a bright purple light. She leaned in for another kiss, this time more aggressive. She wrapped her arms around Scott so tightly it felt like she was about to crush steel. Scott didn''t pull away; instead, he grabbed her smooth thigh, lifted it, and tightened his grip on her ass cheek. ¡­ Humph~ ?! Their aggressive kissing continued for a while, but eventually, Scott felt his lungs being squeezed and pulled away, breaking the kiss. "I can''t do this anymore!" He spoke with frustration in his voice. This always happened. Whenever they tried to get intimate, Maya would get carried away and lose control of her strength. His human body just couldn''t keep up with her super strength. "D-, Did I do something wrong?" Maya''s pretty eyes started to water, and her lower lip quivered like she was about to cry. It wasn''t the first or even the second time they had been intimate, only for Scott to lose interest halfway through. Each time, she felt more and more unattractive. Maya lowered her head and gently placed her hands on her small breasts. "It''s because I''m small, isn''t it? I''m not like the other girls that guys are always fawning over, and now you''ve lost interest in me. I get it¡­" Her voice grew quieter with each word. Scott sighed and walked over to her, wrapping her in a tight hug. He gently pressed her head against his chest, stroking her short, black hair. "It''s not you. Well, it''s you, but not for the reason you''re thinking. Your breasts are perfect the way they are¡­ even if they''re tiny." He blurted out a small laugh. Maya''s face immediately scrunched up. "HEY!" "Keke, I''m kidding¡­" Chapter 2 City of Heroes Metro City.It was located on the American east coast, and was famous for being home to many world-renowned heroes. It was often called the City of Heroes and had a population of about five million people. ¡­ BOOOOOOM! A huge mechanical monster was wreaking havoc in the city, firing rockets that were slicing off the tops of skyscrapers and smashing buildings into rubble with its fists. "Raaaaaarrgh!" "We''re all gonna die!" "Where the hell are those heroes for fuck sake!" "I don''t wanna die!" The air was filled with loud screams as people frantically ran for cover, trying to protect themselves. After firing round after round, the police had given up on stopping the creature and had gone into hiding themselves. Soon, the Metro News helicopter appeared through the clouds, hovering at a safe distance from the destruction. Hanging out of the helicopter were reporter Billy Wallson and his camera operator, James Jones, watching as the mechanical monster continued to tear the city apart. "Did you get the shot? This is a live broadcast to the whole world, so don''t lose focus!" "Yes, sir, I''ve got it!" "Great!" The reporter cleared his throat dramatically and spoke into his microphone with full force. [Hello, everyone! Just about 30 minutes ago, a strange, massive mecha monster, which people online are calling Titanus Magnus, showed up in the heart of Metro City!] [This thing is over 50 meters tall, and its punches can easily tear through large buildings. I''ve gotten word from the Hero Agency and they''ve classified it as a C-rank monster!] [No one knows where it came from or who''s behind it. Most of the scientist supervillains we''ve dealt with in the past are either under house arrest or locked up. So, who''s responsible this time? Stay tuned to Metro News for updates!] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ A single figure suddenly appeared at the top of the tallest skyscraper in the area, surrounded by a flash of bright yellow lightning that crackled with energy. The wind whipped fiercely around her, almost like a wild animal, as she stood there with her arms crossed, calmly watching the chaos unfolding below. The streets were in complete chaos. People were running in fear, scattering like ants as a giant behemoth stomped through the city. The mechanical creature was a terrifying amalgamation of shiny steel, weaponized arms, and glowing energy cores. ¡­ ROOOOOOOAR!! Its eyes glowed an evil red as it easily tore through buildings, firing plasma blasts from its huge cannons. The cameras turned and focused on the female speedster watching from above. [Ooo, guess who just showed up to steal the spotlight? It''s one of the top five hottest superhero girls in Metro City and a well-known C-rank hero, Miss Mercury!] She was an incredibly sexy woman. She wore a tight black and yellow bodysuit that showed off her curvy figure. The suit had a sleek, futuristic design with sharp patterns, especially around the chest, where the yellow details made her large breasts stand out. The outfit hugged her body, emphasizing her slim waist and wide hips, giving her an athletic yet shapely look. She also had a high-tech visor on her head, and her long brown hair was tied back into a ponytail. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Really¡­?" Miss Mercury mumbled with a frown on her face. "Is that really all they know me for? Tch!" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ [Official Miss Mercury Fanpage!] The fan page for Miss Mercury was already buzzing with excitement. It was an online community where fans gathered to celebrate her superpowers, beauty, and impressive abilities. Naturally, some of her followers were a bit more¡­ focused on her shapely body than others. ¡­ NutLicker78] Damn, those curves could break the sound barrier! MissMercuryPantyStrip888] Forget light-speed, I''d let her run laps around my dick! MissMercuryFartSniffer900] The way her suit hugs her figure, especially when she''s racing past. It''s like watching art in motion! Web_Man] You guys get freaky here huh¡­ NutLicker78] Shut your ass up, virgin! ¡­ It was always like this on her fan page. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Miss Mercury shook her head and let out a sigh. "Whatever¡­ I should focus." She pulled down her high-tech visor, and her vision adjusted quickly, stretching out and then pulling back in. She bent down into a starting position, her big butt sticking up and her eyes focused straight ahead. ¡ºI''ll just move at the speed of¡­¡» Miss Mercury''s thoughts were interrupted when she received a transmission from MegaCorp. [Mercury, don''t go faster than transonic speeds. It''s a direct order from your manager.] [W-, Wait, what©¤©¤?! I can move at light speed and easily tear that mecha apart!] [I don''t care. I''m just passing along your manager''s instructions. And make sure your breasts jiggle enough while running so the cameras get a good shot. We''re shipping some of your erotic figurines to Japan for sale.] [What if I refuse?] [Ha! Like you have a choice!] ~Transmission end~ No room for arguments it seemed. "Tch, always so annoying!" In a flash, she disappeared from the rooftop, replaced by a streak of lightning cutting through the sky. ©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAAK~!! The air crackled with her speed as Miss Mercury zoomed down the side of the skyscraper. She moved so fast that she was a blur, barely touching the building as she descended. ¡­ WHOOOOM! Suddenly, the ground shook as Titanus Magnus slammed its arm into a building, causing it to collapse with a deafening crash. Just before the debris could hit a group of people, Miss Mercury appeared. Time seemed to slow down for her as she darted between the falling rubble, quickly guiding everyone to safety in an instant. Once the last civilian was safe, Miss Mercury skidded to a stop in the middle of the street, keeping her eyes fixed on the mecha monster. Eheh-heeee~ Huhuhu~ Soon, she heard strange, perverted noises. Glancing to her side, she saw a group of men staring at her with hungry eyes and salivating mouths. Miss Mercury frowned at them. [Mercury, don''t look at your fans like they''re freaks!] After the warning, she painfully forced a smile and blew them an affectionate kiss. ¡­ Mwah~? Titanus Magnus'' sensors detected her presence quickly, and it turned its head to face the speedster with a loud, metallic roar. Miss Mercury saw its chest panels open up, revealing a glowing core of energy. ©¤©¤©¤©¤WHIIIIIIZZZ!! Missiles shot out from its arms, heading straight for her. But Miss Mercury was already moving. With a burst of speed, she zigzagged through the incoming missiles, her movements quick and unpredictable. Boom! Boom!! BOOOM!! The missiles exploded behind her, causing powerful blasts that shook the city, but Miss Mercury stayed untouchable, always staying one step ahead. As she closed the gap between herself and the giant robot, she jumped onto a fallen car and launched herself into the air. ¡­ WHOOOOOOSH! She landed on the monster''s foot and then ran up its leg, her body flashing like yellow lightning against its metal surface. She darted across the robot''s body, targeting the weak joints in its armor. Her fists moved so quickly that they seemed to blur as she delivered a series of powerful punches to its knee. Blam! Blam! BLAM!! BLAM©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAAAK! Each hit made a loud crack, denting the armor and sending sparks flying. [Mercury, you''re going too fast! Slow down so the cameras can get a better view of that big butt of yours!] [How am I supposed to fight or get promoted if I keep slowing myself down? It''s making easy battles look difficult and making me look incompetent!] [I don''t care. Jiggle your tits or something, and don''t go so fast that the camera misses you!] [NO! I''m not listening to you anymore!] [MERCURY!] [I said I''m not listening to you anym©¤©¤!!] ©¤©¤©¤©¤KAPOOOOW! The mechanical monster''s massive fist came out of nowhere and hit Miss Mercury, sending her flying across the battlefield like a ragdoll. She crashed into a distant building and fell unconscious. Titanus Magnus then spread its mechanical arms and let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire area as if it were an earthquake. Billy Wallson stood in shock, nearly dropping his mic. But he knew he had to pull himself together and keep the public informed. [I¡­] [Mi-, Miss Mercury¡­ is down?] [Quick! Someone call an ambulance! Hurry! Miss Mercury is in critical condition! [It looks like the Hero Agency may have misjudged this. Titanus Magnus might be more than just a C-rank threat! He''s so strong that he was able to take down the supposedly uncatchable Miss Mercury with just one hit!] [Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we need a B-rank hero, or even an A-rank hero! What''s the Hero Agency doing at a dire time like this©¤©¤?!] Chapter 3 Harem Streamer System! When they were done in the back, Scott and Maya walked out with their hands clasped behind their backs, whistling innocently as if nothing had happened.Big Marv eyed them with tired, half-open eyes. He didn''t need to see what they were doing; the loud moans were enough to clue him in. Maya''s hair was messy, their clothes were roughed up, and they both had dust and cobwebs on them. "Maybe next time you two should get a actual room. There are plenty of cheap hotels in Metro City." The fat man slammed his fist on the counter. "MY STORAGE ROOM IS NOT ONE OF THEM!" Scott and Maya quickly made calming gestures, trying to ease his anger. "Relax, Mister Marvin¡­" Scott said. "Yeah, we even helped you organize some stuff in the back, you know!" Maya added. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You should be thankful, really." "Mhm!" she nodded. As they spoke, they slowly backed out of the store, their words suspiciously calm. Big Marv glared at them with annoyance. In fact, he was fuming. But the moment he looked at the sexy cover of the limited edition Rope Girl comic book in his hands, he started to calm down. Smiling to himself, Big Marv kissed the cover again. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Maya and Scott walked out of the comic book store, each with a backpack on their shoulders. The sun was setting, giving the street a warm, golden glow as they made their way down the sidewalk. Both of them looked a little flushed. "That was¡­ fun." Scott calmly said as he adjusted his backpack. Maya bit her lip to keep from smiling too wide. "Yeah, it¡­ kinda was~" She looked up at him, trying to play it cool. "Unexpected, but¡­ fun." "I mean, not what we planned when we came out for comics, but hey, no complaints here." Scott chuckled and held her slender hand as they walked. Maya rolled her eyes, though a blush crept up her neck. "Yeah, well, don''t get too used to it. We still have to finish that debate about 3.5e and 4e." "Right, because obviously the 4e is be¡ª" Scott paused mid-sentence. His attention was suddenly caught by the large display TV in the electronics store window they were walking by. The news was playing, showing unsteady footage of something smashing through buildings in the downtown area. "Holy crap, is that¡­?" Scott trailed off and stepped closer to the screen. Maya glanced in the same direction. ¡­ Huh? Her heart sunk when she saw the news broadcast. On the screen, Miss Mercury was trapped under a pile of rubble, struggling while a massive mechanical behemoth loomed over her. The scene was pure chaos¡ªfire, smoke, and people running for their lives. The mech looked like it had come straight out of one of the comics they''d just been reading. "That''s downtown¡­ we were literally just there earlier. This is insane!" Scott''s eyes widened. Maya stared at the screen, her stomach twisting. ¡ºNo¡­¡» Miss Mercury was in real danger, and there was no way she could just stand by and watch. But when she looked over at Scott, he was still completely focused on the TV. ¡ºWe''ve barely had any time together lately, with everything going on in my life as a superhero. And now, we''ve started having sex again, and honestly... it feels pretty good, you know? Ugh, this shit really sucks.¡» Maya sighed. Scott looked over at her. "Maya, are you okay?" He sounded concerned. "Yeah, I just¡­ I forgot, I¡­ I''m on my period." The words tumbled out before Maya could even think of anything remotely better. Scott blinked, confused. "Wait, what? Just now?" Maya cringed internally but kept a straight face. "Yeah, it''s¡­ complicated. You know, cramps and all that. I''ll just, uh, meet you back at my place later?" Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly still puzzled but not wanting to question it. "Alright, if you''re sure, then I guess¡­ I mean, we can pick up some, uh¡ª" "I''m fine!" Maya said quickly, nervously backing away toward the alley beside the store. "You go ahead! I''ll¡­ I''ll text you!" Before Scott could say anything, Maya bolted down the alley as her heart pounded. She came to a stop behind a dumpster, quickly looking around to make sure no one was watching. "Alright, clear¡­" Taking a deep breath, she let potent cosmic energy surge through her. ¡­ SHIMER!! Her clothes shimmered and changed, with her usual hoodie and jeans transforming into the familiar violet and silver suit of Pulsar. Her short hair gave off a faint glow, and the pulsar energy surrounded her like a second skin. "Jeez, I hope that wasn''t too weird¡­" Maya muttered under her breath. ¡­ Phew~ She took a moment to collect herself before rocketing into the sky in a flash of violet light. As Maya rose above the city, the destruction below became more visible, and the massive mech was hard to miss. So was Miss Mercury, still trapped under the huge piece of concrete, just like Maya had seen on the news. "No time to waste¡­" Pulsar said to herself before speeding toward the chaos. Back on the street, Scott stood there, still trying to process what had just happened. He glanced toward the alley and scratched his head. "Her period¡­?" He shook his head in disappointment. ¡ºShe could''ve just told me she wanted to help Miss Mercury. I would''ve totally understood. Now, I feel like the love interest of the superhero that nobody likes because they only show up to cause the hero stress. Damn¡­ I really am.¡» Truly, he wasn''t happy with this. He stared at the alleyway where Maya had disappeared. "Her period¡­ tch, what a stupid excuse." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced up at the darkening sky. ¡­ Sigh~ The warm glow of the sunset was starting to fade, and the first flickers of the city''s neon lights were beginning to ignite. But none of it made him feel any better. Once again, he was ditched for superhero duties. "Guess I''m just a side character in my own damn life¡­" As he stood there, his phone buzzed in his pocket. At first, he ignored it, but then the buzzing got more insistent¡­ longer, louder. Finally, with a resigned grunt, he pulled it out. A notification popped up: [Ding! You''ve unlocked the Harem Streamer System!] Scott blinked. "What the hell?" The screen glowed with a neon-blue hue. It was an intricate interface he''d never seen before lighting up with flashing icons and text. Despite his confusion, he couldn''t help but read on. [Welcome to the Harem Streamer System! You are now the future host of the world''s most exciting, most interactive, and most rewarding live-streaming platform! Gather viewers, earn rewards, and¡ªperhaps most importantly¡ªwin the hearts of the world''s most beautiful heroines!] "What¡­ the¡­ hell¡­" Scott repeated in shock. A pop-up appeared: [Your streaming platform has been activated!] [+500 Credits earned!] [You are to put out a video in the next 24 hours or face the penalty of losing the Harem Streamer System!] His eyes flicked over the screen. More and more information flowed in. [Current Stream: Off] [Current Viewer Count: 0] [Tier 1 Skill: Stealth Mode unlocked!] Scott stared blankly at the list of features. "Tch!" The entire thing looked ridiculous¡ªlike some kind of joke or a dream. He shook his head, stuffing the phone back into his pocket without even bothering to look through the rest. "This is¡­ stupid." He muttered and started walking again. Chapter 4 More Than a Heros Fame The sky was streaked with red.Explosions shook the city. Screams filled the streets, and towering over the destruction was the cause: the massive fifty-meter-tall mechanical beast, stomping through the city like an unstoppable force. Its sharp metal limbs tore through buildings, and its eyes glowed with a menacing light. In the middle of the chaos, Miss Mercury was trapped under a huge piece of concrete. ¡ºUgh, fuck it all¡­¡» Her black and yellow costume was torn and she had taken a lot of damage. ¡­ Nghk! She struggled to free herself. Her super-speed was drained from trying to dodge the mech''s relentless assault. The mech''s massive foot hung above, ready to crush Miss Mercury. ¡­ PHIIIIISSSHHH! Suddenly, a streak of violet light flashed across the sky, leaving a trail of energy behind. Pulsar was on her way. With a loud boom, she slammed into the ground and landed between Miss Mercury and the mech''s foot. Her cosmic energy flared, swirling around her like a storm, burning with the overwhelming intensity of a dying star! Raising her hands, Pulsar created a shimmering energy field that stopped the mech''s foot just inches above her head. ¡ºPhew¡­ that was close¡­¡» A relieved look appeared on her face. Even she didn''t know her own strength. "Hang tight, Miss Mercury!" Pulsar shouted, gritting her teeth as the sheer weight of the mech pressed down on her barrier. "I''ve got you." With a quick wave of her hand, the energy barrier surged outward, blowing off the mech''s leg and making the massive machine stagger backward. Miss Mercury gasped for breath, looking up at her savior. "Thanks¡­ I was almost a pancake." She spoke the words reluctantly, knowing full well the backlash she''d get from her sponsors for being rescued by another superhero. ¡ºIt shouldn''t be a problem to be rescued by another hero, but in this world¡­ that''s not how things work.¡» Miss Mercury clenched her fists in frustration. Oblivious to the female speedster''s inner turmoil, Pulsar simply grinned as her eyes glowed purple. "No problem." Pulsar giggled softly. "But let''s get you clear of this wreckage first." She reached down and managed to carry Miss Mercury like an egg, even with the raw star power surging through her body. In an instant, she wrapped them both in a glowing field of star energy and shot them skyward, taking them to safety on a nearby rooftop. Miss Mercury nodded her thanks, but her eyes went wide with shock when she saw the mech charging up for another attack. "Pulsar, look out!" Pulsar didn''t waste any time. She shot up into the sky to become a blur of purple and white light as she flew toward the mechanical monster. As she soared, the energy inside her pulsed¡ªeach heartbeat made her faster and stronger, causing the star power around her to grow until she looked like a living comet! ¡­ WHIIIIIZZZZ! The mech roared, firing energy blasts from its chest cannons, but Pulsar zigzagged through them effortlessly, dodging each beam. She knew her target. The glowing core at the center of the beast''s chest! ¡­ BOOOOOOOM!! With a surge of speed, she shot forward, crashing through layers of steel and circuitry with a burst of star energy. ¡­ FWIIIIIISSSHHH! Sparks flew in all directions, and for a moment, the mecha monster seemed to shudder in confusion. "This ends now." Pulsar''s eyes narrowed fiercely. She concentrated her star power. After charging up enough energy, she blasted through the mech''s core and tore straight through its chest. ©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAAAK!! The sound of metal ripping echoed throughout the city as the giant machine convulsed and its systems failed. Titanus Magnus swayed, almost tipping over. Pulsar shot back up into the sky and hovered just above the massive wreckage. She extended her hands to shot out beams of light that quickly wrapped around the falling mech like glowing tendrils. "RaaAARrrgGHhh!" Letting out a primal yell, Pulsar lifted the entire 50-meter monster off the ground. ¡­ VWOOOOOOSH! To gain some momentum, she spun the massive machinery around with so much speed and force that it nearly caused a disastrous tornado. Then, with one final, powerful throw, she hurled the mech into the sky. The huge machine shot up into the upper atmosphere, breaking through the clouds and disappearing into the vastness of space! Pulsar hovered for a moment, watching as the stars slowly took back the remains of the mech. "Oh, Miss Mercury!" Her glowing aura dimmed a little as she drifted back down to the rooftop, where Miss Mercury was supposed to be. But when she landed, she was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of reporters, and she had no idea where they had all come from. Pulsar barely had time to catch her breath before the crowd was upon her. Reporters shoved microphones in her face, cameras flashed from every angle, and fans screamed her name from below. The rooftop was now crowded with people, many having rushed up through the emergency stairwell the moment the battle ended. "Pulsar! How does it feel to save the city?" "Can you comment on how you defeated Titanus Magnus?" "Are you planning on taking a huge sponsorship deal with ArcTech?" Pulsar blinked, overwhelmed. Her star power had dimmed, and her glowing aura was nearly gone. She felt¡­ small, even though she had just hurled a 50-meter mech into space. A shy, sheepish smile crossed her face as she awkwardly waved at the flashing cameras. "Uh, hi, everyone¡­" Before she could say more, a group of men in sharp suits made their way through the crowd. Their presence parted the sea of reporters. They flashed bright, corporate smiles, carrying slick holo-pads and business cards. "Pulsar, we represent MetaVision. Have you thought about starring in a campaign for our new energy drink line?" Another man, dressed in a sleek silver suit, jumped in. "Infinity Corp would love to have you as the face of our new hero-tech initiative! We''re offering the best rates on the market!" Pulsar''s eyes widened as more and more agents pushed through, each with offers more lucrative than the last. It all became a blur. Her mind swam as the crowd buzzed around her, words like "endorsement" and "campaign" smashing together to just become a mess of corporate jargon. ¡ºWhat¡­ is happening?¡» She tried to stay polite, to keep that friendly smile, but it was exhausting. As she struggled to answer the rapid-fire questions, she caught a glimpse of Miss Mercury standing at the edge of the rooftop. Their eyes met for a split second. Miss Mercury''s expression was unreadable. Her gaze was hard but not cold. She stood there silently, dusting off her tattered costume. It was clear she had been through hell during the fight, but no one in the crowd seemed to care. No reporters rushed to her side. No agents offered her deals. In that brief moment, Miss Mercury turned away. She left without saying a word, slipping into the shadows as her footsteps got heavy with quiet frustration. Miss Mercury couldn''t hate Pulsar. Not really. But she couldn''t help the sting of envy that crept into her heart. She didn''t want to be a hero for the fame, or for the sponsors. She just wanted to be the kind of hero who was admired for something more than her body. But in this world¡­ that wasn''t always how things worked. As she disappeared down the stairwell, Pulsar''s smile faltered. A firm hand clapped her on the shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. ¡­ Hm? She turned to see a well-dressed man in a tailored dark suit standing beside her, a professional but calm smile on his face. He wasn''t like the others¡ªhe didn''t shout, didn''t push his way forward. He just waited until the moment was right. "Ms. Pulsar¡­" His voice was smooth and steady. "My name is Vincent Lakewood. I represent a massive trillion dollar company officially registered under the Hero Agency. We handle the most elite heroes, those who go beyond simple sponsorships." Pulsar''s brow furrowed slightly. "I''m not really sure I''m interested¡­ my boyfriend would really be unhappy with me." Vincent raised a hand, politely stopping her. "Before you say no, hear me out. We have a very selective roster. Fortitude, Lady Fortress¡ªpowerful heroes you may have heard of." Pulsar''s eyes lit up at the mention of Fortitude. She had admired him since her early days as a hero. His strength, his dignity, the way he carried himself¡­ it was everything she had dreamed of being. Vincent smiled knowingly, catching her reaction. "We think you could be a great fit. We don''t just look for marketable heroes. We look for real heroes. The kind who inspire people not just with their powers, but with who they are. We don''t over-commercialize. We build legacies." Pulsar glanced back at the throng of reporters still clamoring for her attention, the agents waving contracts in her face, and the endless stream of flashing lights. It all felt¡­ hollow, compared to what Vincent was offering. Her heart raced. Fortitude¡­ Lady Fortress. Real heroes. This was a strong temptation. Probably the kind Scott wanted her to avoid at all costs. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So¡­ what''s the catch?" Pulsar could no longer hold her excitement back. Vincent chuckled lightly. "No catch. Just a commitment. A commitment to be more than just a face in the crowd. To be something bigger." Pulsar bit her lip. She wanted that. She wanted to be more than just a glowing hero who swooped in to save the day, only to be forgotten the moment the next big crisis hit. ¡ºI kinda¡­ want to matter¡­¡» She looked up at Vincent and nodded. "Okay. Let''s talk." "Haha, good girl!" Vincent grinned brightly. Chapter 5 New Opportunities Scott leaned against the door of his small apartment.The dim light of the setting sun threw shadows across the cluttered living room. He shut the door with a heavy thud and paused for a moment to gather himself. The frustration of another letdown pressed down on him like a dark cloud. Maya had ditched him again¡­ though this time, it wasn''t just for a routine patrol or a small superhero mission. "Her period... seriously?" He fretfully kicked off his shoes. His apartment was small and messy, with every surface covered in half-read comic books, action figures, and empty takeout containers. The walls were plastered with posters of some of Metro City''s top heroes¡ªMiss Mercury, Lady Fortress, Rope Girl. It felt ironic, given how much he was starting to resent the space they took up in Maya''s life, and by extension, his own. Scott threw his jacket over the back of a chair and headed to the bedroom, his steps slow and his mind spinning from Maya''s sudden disappearance. He couldn''t shake the feeling of being a sidekick¡­ always on the sidelines of something bigger, never the center of attention. ¡ºGuess that''s what I get for dating a superhero¡­¡» He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he pushed open the bedroom door. The bedroom wasn''t any better than the living room. Clothes scattered everywhere, a cluttered desk with an old computer, and a single bed pushed into the corner. He dropped onto the mattress, the springs creaking under him as he stared up at the ceiling. The faint light from the street lamps outside barely lit the room, casting a soft glow on the comic book covers he''d taped up there when he was a kid. His phone buzzed in his pocket again. Scott groaned and reluctantly pulled it out. [Ding! Welcome back, Scott McQueen! The Harem Streamer System is now fully active!] The neon-blue screen from earlier popped up again. He stared at it, still in disbelief. Was this some kind of prank? Had he accidentally downloaded a virus? The whole situation was so ridiculous it almost made him laugh, but instead, he just rolled his eyes and swiped at the screen, trying to ignore it. But it didn''t go away. In fact, the more he tried to dismiss it, the brighter and more insistent it became. Another notification popped up: [First Mission: Initiate Your Heroic Stream!] Scott raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is this?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The screen flickered, and a new message appeared: [Objective: Find and stop a crime in the city within the next two hours. Start your stream to gain viewers and unlock rewards!] [Reward: Beginner''s Hero Kit (Tier 1), 2,000 Credits, and a Viewership Boost] [Penalty for Failure: System deactivation and penalty reset.] Scott sat up. His curiosity started to take over everything else. His heart beat a little faster as he reread the message. This couldn''t be real. Could it? He tapped the screen again, and another window popped up, showing a map of Metro City. The downtown area was highlighted in flashing red, signaling a crime in progress. [Location: South Trill Street ¨C Corporate Building 26] [Crime Type: Armed Robbery] "Armed robbery?" Scott blinked, staring at the flashing red dot on the map. Suddenly, the screen shifted, and a new panel slid into view. [Tier 1 Gear Unlocked: Shadow Cloak (Stealth Mode Activated)] [Skill Unlocked: Basic Parkour] [Weapon Unlocked: Stun Baton (Tier 1)] Scott jumped up from his bed as the items materialized in front of him. A sleek black cloak, simple yet undeniably cool, shimmered into existence at his feet. Next to it, two short batons with a glowing blue tips leaned against the bedframe. "Holy¡­ shit." Scott whispered then bent down to pick up the cloak. It felt real¡ªsmooth and lightweight, like it was made from some high-tech material. He draped it over his shoulders, and the fabric fit perfectly to his body. A faint hum of energy ran through it, almost as if it were alive. As soon as the cloak settled around him, the room seemed to darken and his figure blended into the shadows. Stealth Mode. Next was the batons¡ªa solid, compact weapon that fit perfectly in his hand. When he pressed the button on the side, it crackled to life, blue electricity sparking at the tip. It wasn''t lethal, but it looked like it would pack enough of a punch to take down any low-level thug. Scott stood still for a moment, letting the craziness of the situation sink in like a ton of bricks. He was just an ordinary guy, standing in his messy apartment, now suddenly decked out in what looked like high-tech gear from a superhero movie. It felt ridiculous, but at the same time¡­ thrilling. The phone buzzed again. [Mission Countdown: 1 hour, 45 minutes.] He glanced at the clock. If he was going to do this, he had to move fast. The robbery was happening downtown, not far from where Miss Mercury had been earlier. He took one last glance at the neon-blue screen. ¡ºIt''s a school night, but it''s not like I have anything else to do, right? I''ve tried playing the vigilante before, but that was just a phase. This, though¡­ it feels different, like it might actually be the real thing. I mean, the gears just spawned out of nowhere, and now¡­¡» Too much thinking. Scott steeled himself. "Alright¡­ time to see what this is all about." He walked into the hallway, the shadows almost sticking to him as he moved. His cloak made him nearly invisible, and the batons buzzed quietly at his side. He felt different. More sure of himself, more ready for anything. As he made his way out of the building and into the streets, his phone buzzed again. [Streaming Mode Activated! You are now live.] A small counter appeared in the corner of the screen. [Current Viewers: 10¡­ 50¡­ 100¡­] Scott''s heart raced as the numbers kept going up. Were there really that many people watching him? Hundreds of them? The more viewers he got, the more real everything felt. ¡ºNah, this shit better be for real¡­¡» He clenched his teeth, gripping the baton tighter as he headed toward South Trill Street. This was it. His first mission. His first stream. His first step toward becoming the type of hero he''d always dreamed of being. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Maya walked down the quiet streets at night The glow from the streetlights reflected in her violet eyes. The city had calmed down after the big fight with Titanus Magnus, but she could still feel the rush of adrenaline in her body. Her dainty fingers touched the sleek business card Vincent Lakewood had given her earlier, and she pulled it out of her pocket. The card caught the soft light as she read the silver letters for what felt like the hundredth time. "Vincent Lakewood, Hero Agency¡­" Maya''s heart raced at the thought of it. ¡ºFortitude¡­ Lady Fortress¡­¡» She had looked up to them for years. Real heroes, not just famous faces like so many others. Vincent''s words echoed in her mind: "We don''t just look for marketable heroes. We build legacies." A part of her wanted to run to Scott and tell him the news, excitedly sharing the opportunity. But she knew she needed to hold back. Scott had always been cautious about the corporate world. He had seen how it changed even the best heroes, turning them into brands instead of real protectors. He often told her that fame could be dangerous, a double-edged sword, and that the more successful she became, the less control she would have over her own life. That was why he was always careful about her rising popularity, even when she tried to reassure him that she wasn''t in it for the money or the fame. But this was different. This was her chance to be more than a fleeting name, more than just "the girl who glows like a star." Fortitude was the epitome of real heroism. To be counted among heroes like him¡­ It was too much to resist! Maya sighed as she turned the corner, her footsteps softly tapping on the pavement. Scott''s apartment was just a few blocks ahead. She smiled at the thought of having a key now. ¡ºKekeke, I''m slowly becoming more than just his childhood friend turned girlfriend. I might even become his wife one day¡­ no, no I shouldn''t jinx it, you know?¡» She loved visiting his place; it felt comforting and personal. It was simple¡ªnot flashy at all, with a worn-out couch and bookshelves filled with old, dog-eared comics. Scott had always appreciated the simpler things in life. The real things. He was different from most people in her world. When she reached his building, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar smell of cedarwood hit her right away¡ªScott''s cologne still lingered in the air, but there was no sign of him around. ¡ºOdd¡­¡» Maya closed the door behind her, flicking on the light and walking through the small living room. "Scott?" There was no answer. Still holding the card, she walked into the bedroom and couldn''t help but smile at the sight of the rumpled sheets. ¡ºTee-hee! He never makes his bed¡­¡» She plopped on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. ¡ºSigh~ I wonder what Scott will say¡­¡» She knew his expression would change; his face would tighten and his eyes would narrow in that quiet, thoughtful way he always had when something bothered him. He would likely sit her down and talk about integrity, about not selling out, and how the world didn''t need another corporate hero. ¡ºBut what if this is my chance to be different? Yunno, prove him wrong, maybe?¡» Her heart raced with joy at the idea of being in the same league as Fortitude, training alongside him, and becoming more than just Pulsar, the rescue hero. Vincent had offered her something she didn''t even realize she wanted¡­ a chance to be remembered for more than just her powers. ¡ºBut Scott¡­¡» Maya closed her eyes. She pictured him coming home and laughing gently as he teased her about using the key like she owned the place. She imagined curling up in his arms and whispering everything to him¡ªabout the fight, the mech, and Vincent''s offer. ¡ºHow does he sound again¡­ Oh!¡» She cleared her throat and forced a mean face. "AHEM! You know how this ends, Maya. I''ve seen it too many times. They chew you up and spit you out. You''re better than that, babe." She giggled softly after. ¡ºI don''t want to disappoint him. But I also want to matter.¡» She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. ¡ºJust one meeting¡­¡» She could always say no. She wasn''t signing her soul away¡ªshe was just exploring her options. Right? Rolling over, she pressed her face into Scott''s pillow and deeply inhaled his scent. The bed was comforting, familiar. Chapter 6 First Stream Scott''s heart raced as he jogged through the softly glowing streets of Metro City.His cloak trailed behind him and merged with the shadows, while the batons at his side buzzed softly with energy. He took a quick look at his phone. The counter on the screen was climbing higher. [Current Viewers: 200¡­ 400¡­ 600¡­] He swore under his breath. This was happening. People were actually watching him. Strangers from across the world had somehow stumbled onto his stream, and now they were glued to their screens, waiting to see what would happen next. Scott adjusted the mask over his face, a plain black fabric that covered most of his features, making him look a bit like the street-level vigilantes he admired as a kid. But he couldn''t decide whether to feel excited or scared. The pressure was real, but what worried him more were the comments pouring in on the side of the live stream. [Yo, who''s this guy? Discount Batman? LMAO!] [Bro''s about to trip and faceplant in the first five minutes] [Bruh, you actually think you can do this? LMFAO!] [Who the hell is this guy?] [Oh great, another wannabe hero ( ¡¡? ,_©f?) 10 bucks says he eats it on his first try] [Bro looks like he raided a Halloween store] [This is pathetic. I''m not tipping shit.] [Wait, why does this cloak low-key look fire though?] [I hope he fails so bad] Scott winced. This wasn''t what he had expected at all. He imagined people cheering for him. ¡ºThey''re roasting me alive¡­ shit, I knew it¡­ this was such a stupid idea, and on a school night? Come on!¡» As he scrolled through the chat, his thoughts scrambled, He was trying to keep up with the flood of comments that came in faster than he could read. [Why does his mask look like a 5-dollar knockoff?] [Is this for real? (©b-©b) This has to be a prank. I''m not sending a dime until he actually does something.] [Watch him get bodied by some random thug in 3¡­ 2¡­] Despite the hate, a few positive comments trickled in, but they were quickly drowned out. [Blud might actually be onto something¡­ keep it up!] [Alright, he''s kinda cute under that mask, though. Anyone else think so? (;¡ã ¥í¡ã) No? Just me? Kyaaaaah~] [I dunno, guys, I''m here for it. Let''s see where this goes] Scott''s throat tightened as he reached the corner of an alley and leaned against the brick wall to catch his breath. His hands shook as he tried to work the interface on his phone, desperately looking for a way to mute the chat. But no matter what he did, the flood of comments kept coming. One viewer had even taken the liberty to start a poll: ¡¸How long before he messes up?¡¹ sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ? 5 minutes: 64% ? 10 minutes: 21% ? Won''t even make it to the scene: 15% --- "Great..." Scott muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes scanned the map. The red flashing dot signaled a robbery that was now only two blocks away, but his anxiety was starting to eat away at him. ¡ºAlright, Scott¡­ get it together. You wanted this.¡» He adjusted his cloak, took a deep breath, and despite the pounding in his chest, he tapped the microphone button. He let his voice reach the hundreds¡­ no, thousands of people watching now. "Uh, hey¡­ everyone. I see you''re all, uh¡­ yunno, enjoying yourselves, right?" Scott''s voice came out way shakier than he wanted. The chat exploded with laughing emojis. [(>¨Œ<) BRO IS SCARED OUT HIS MIND!!] [Wow, real hero material right here XD] [Go home, little man. Leave this to the damn pros!] [Blud is NOT Rope Girl £¨ ;?£ß?) at all¡­] [Bruh, is this guy serious right now (o_O) ?] [This is cringe. He''s gonna die, LMAO!] [I''m here for it £¨©V§Ù©V£©] Scott grit his teeth. Focus. He raised his voice, doing his best to sound more confident. "Alright, look. I know this might look¡­ ridiculous. And yeah, I get it. I''m just a guy in a mask with some batons, but¡­" A small moment of hesitation. "¡­I''m about to stop a crime. Like, right now." More comments poured in: [Yeah? Where''s the cape? I thought heroes were supposed to be flashy and sh#t] [Get to the action already! We''re not here for speeches] [Yo, I bet he gets bodied and logs off crying. Someone clip that when it happens!] [Hell yeah! Finna slap it up on Instashare!] A deep breath. "Look, if you''re here to see me fail¡­ you''re gonna be really disappointed yunno." Scott tried to play it cool, even though every nerve in his body screamed at him to shut off the stream and forget this whole mess. "This isn''t some joke, alright? I''m here to do something." For a split second, there was a pause in the chat¡­ a lull, as if people were actually waiting to see what he''d say next. Scott noticed it, and he seized the moment. "I mean, come on, we''ve all seen the big guys, right? Flashy costumes, massive explosions. But what about the people who get stuff done in the shadows? What about the guy who takes out the thugs before the cameras show up?" He paused for a second. "That''s who I am." A few comments of encouragement surfaced: [Wait¡­ he kinda has a point.] [Lowkey, I''m staying just to see where this goes.] [Okay, okay, keep going, mask guy!] But, of course, the trolls weren''t far behind. [Someone give this dude an Oscar for that monologue, lmao I almost died fr] [Bro''s out here giving a TED talk instead of fighting crime.] [Sounds like someone''s jealous of Miss Mercury] [When''s the fuckin'' big fail happening? (¡¥¨D¡¥ ?) I need a good laugh before bed¡­] [I give him five minutes before the cops swarm him] [Doesn''t he know Miss Mercury''s patrolling this area? RIP.] [Wait, why does this low-key feel kinda real?] Scott chuckled despite himself, shaking his head. "Jealous of Miss Mercury? Nah, you guys got it all wrong. I''m about to be the guy she can''t stop talking about." His phone pinged again. The counter shot up¡ª1,000 viewers! His chest tightened at the number. ¡ºNo backing out now¡­¡» The robbery was happening just up ahead at a corporate building. Scott could see the faint flashes of red and blue from police lights reflecting off the glass. They hadn''t gone in yet, probably waiting for backup. ¡ºPerfect¡­¡» This was his chance. With one last look at the chat, Scott took off running across the street, crouching low as his cloak blended into the shadows. His heart raced in his chest, but the rush of adrenaline made him feel alert and focused. [Yo¡­ wait¡­ did he just go invisible?? (???)] Another notification appeared. [Ding! 1,500 Viewers! You''ve unlocked Gadget Glove (Tier 1) and Invisibility Band (Tier 1)] Scott grinned under his mask as the chat exploded. [HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT?] [Wait, this guy might actually pull this off¡­] [I still bet he screws up, but this is fun to watch!] Scott gripped the batons in his hands as he reached the entrance of the corporate building. He could hear the muffled shouts of the robbers inside, and for a split second, all the loud noise from the stream faded into the background. It was just him, the batons, and the thugs. ¡ºThis is it¡­¡» Time to prove everyone wrong. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Inside the corporate building¡­ The group of robbers moved with great confidence. Their outfits were sleek and tight, looking nothing like what you''d expect from a regular heist crew. They were decked out in high-tech gear: metallic visors that glinted in the light, gloves that buzzed with energy, and boots made for quick movement. Together, they had an almost alien look about them. One of the robbers held up a tech silver egg. He grinned with some mischief and shouted. "Alright, watch and learn, boys! This ain''t your grandma''s piggy bank!" He tossed the egg into the middle of the room. It landed on the floor with a gentle thud and then exploded in a burst of bright light, changing into a glowing spatial container that floated above the ground. ¡­ Zuuuuuuu~! It pulsed with energy. "Now that''s what I call a bag drop!" "That''s some sick shit." "Hehehe, the boss always delivers!" They began tossing in bags filled with cash and high-tech gadgets as if they were giving out candy. Each bag vanished into the container with a satisfying whoosh, the glowing portal eagerly swallowing up their loot. As they stuffed the last of the bags in, one of the robbers turned to the group and asked, "Did anyone remember to bring the getaway vehicle?" Silence ? ? ? A few of them shook their heads though. "Brilliant plan, genius. We''re just going to float away on our invisible cloud of stolen cash?" Chapter 7 One Step Closer The viewers waited to see what would happen next.They were all eager. Some took the chance to grab more snacks, while others got comfortable in bed, setting up their screens to start recording. [Yo, yo, IT''S STARTING!] [He''s really gonna go through with it? Crazy!] [WTF I checked the news guys, this sh#t definitely isn''t scripted! It''s 100% real!] [Fr? Damn, this might be my next favorite content!] Scott crouched by the side of the building and stayed low to avoid the flashing police lights bouncing off the windows. His cloak flickered as it activated Shadow Stealth Mode, making him blend smoothly into the shadows. He took quick, steady breaths as he moved through the maze of squad cars, slipping by without the officers noticing as they got ready to raid the corporate building. [Sheesh, ( ''¡ó'') nice movement there!] [Jeez, glazing this early is crazy work] [Bruh, that''s not even glazing¡­] [Fr, stfu dawg] Inside, the robbers were still busy, laughing as they shoved more high-tech gadgets into the glowing spatial container floating in the middle of the room. Scott could clearly hear them from where he crouched by the side entrance. His pulse raced as he slid his Gadget Glove over the keypad, hands trembling a bit as he tapped into the low-level security system. It wasn''t exactly a weak system, but the robbers before him had already wrecked the main defenses, making it easier to break through now. ¡­ CLICK! The door slid open with a faint hiss. Scott exhaled slowly then slipped inside. ¡ºAlright, Scott¡­ just like in Budo Club. Stay focused.¡» The hallway ahead was poorly lit. But, Scott didn''t need much light. The System had given him the building''s exact layout, so he knew the blind spots and exactly where the robbers were. Still, his heart pounded in his chest, and his nerves were on edge. He could almost feel the thousands of people watching his every move through the live stream. The chat was going wild: [Yo, did he just hack that door?? Bro might actually know what he''s doing.] [Nahhh, this is wild!] [This guy is some weird mix of cringe and badass. But as usual we''re here for it.] Scott grinned beneath his mask but didn''t respond. He couldn''t afford to lose focus now. He moved quietly down the corridor, almost like a shadow. The only sound was the soft buzz of his stun batons. When he got close to the big room where the robbers were hanging out, he crouched behind a pillar. He peeked around the corner to check out what was going on inside. There were five robbers, all dressed in sleek black armor that crackled with energy. Their shiny metallic visors caught the dim light, and Scott noticed the pulse weapons strapped to their sides. These weren''t your average criminals¡­ they had some serious technology. He gulped nervously. This was going to be harder than he had expected. But there was no backing out now. ¡ºAlright¡­ time to do something big.¡» Scott checked the chat briefly. The comments were still pouring in: [I bet he''s pissing his pants behind that pillar.] [When''s the action gonna start?? We want fights, not stealth missions.] [Yo, I just donated $5. Let''s see him fail in style.] [Hrmm, in that case¡­ I just donated $30] [Err, I donated $50. I still think he should turn back now, he''s already given me enough entertainment. Like fr, the bills can''t be that high¡­] Ignoring the negativity, he gripped his stun batons tightly. The door to the main room was slightly ajar, and through it, he could hear the robbers still joking amongst themselves. One of them was a tall man with cybernetic implants running down his neck. He waved a hand toward the glowing spatial container. "I''m tellin'' ya, this is too easy. The boss is a genius." Another, shorter with a raspy voice, chuckled. "Yeah? And we still got no fuckin'' getaway car! You gonna fly us out of here with your shiny new legs?" Scott couldn''t help but smirk. ¡ºThey really don''t have a plan? Perfect.¡» Without wasting any time, Scott activated his Invisibility Band, making his body disappear as he entered the room. The robbers were too busy arguing to notice him. He moved fast and quietly to get behind the smallest guy in the group. With a quick flick of his wrist, Scott extended his baton, which lit up with a soft blue crackle. ¡­ Brzzzt! He swung it down hard. ¡­ KRAAAAK! It hit the back of the robber''s knee. "Gah! What the hell?!" The robber crumpled to the ground as his legs immediately gave out beneath him. Before the others could react, Scott turned off his invisibility and lunged forward, jamming his baton into the chest of the next thug. The stun charge zapped on impact and sent the man flying backward with a scream. For a moment, the room was still. The remaining robbers stared at Scott in shock. "Who the hell©¤©¤!" One of them started, but Scott cut him off by spinning his second baton and taking a defensive stance. "I''m the guy who''s about to stop your little shopping spree." The chat erupted: [HOLY SHIT!! HE JUST TOOK DOWN TWO GUYS!!] [Yo, he might actually have this!] [Okay, okay, I''m donating $20. This is getting good.] [I''ll keep it small for now. $10 is enough¡­] [¨‘?¨‘ The guys have to see this one!] The robbers snapped out of their surprise. Their faces twisted into snarls. "Get him!" The leader shouted as he pulled out a plasma pistol. Scott''s muscles tightened fiercely as the last three robbers charged at him. He ducked under the first wild swing of a cybernetic fist and quickly jabbed the guy in the ribs. The robber gasped and bent over, just in time for Scott to land a spinning kick to the side of his head, knocking him into the wall. But there was no time to celebrate. The leader fired his plasma pistol, and Scott barely managed to dodge the energy blast that whizzed past his ear, heating up the air. He rolled forward to close the gap and swung his baton upward, knocking the pistol out of the man''s hand. "You little©¤©¤!!" The leader''s cybernetic arm whirred, gears clicking as he powered up a pulse cannon attached to his forearm. It let out a mechanical whine as it charged up, and the barrel began to glow with a dangerous red light. "Oh, shi©¤©¤" Before Scott could react, the pulse cannon fired. ¡­ VWOOOORRM! The blast hit him square in the chest. BOOM! The force of the hit sent Scott flying backward, crashing through the glass window of the building. He soared through the air, twisting around before slamming down onto the roof of a parked car below. ¡­ KRAAAAK! The metal crumpled under him as he groaned in pain. Every bone in his body ached. The chat exploded. [OMG, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!] [IS HE DEAD?!] [CLIP THAT! CLIP THAT!] [BROOOOOOOO!!!!] [HOLY SHIT HE GOT YEETED!!!] [I TOLD YOU HE WAS GONNA EAT IT LMAO!!] [Yo, I just donated $20, worth every penny!!] [This man''s career is over before it even started.] [Ding! Donation from User123: $50! You got this, hero!] [This is the best content ever!] [Someone call an ambulance for this dude!] Scott lay on the crushed car, gasping for breath as his chest heaved painfully. His entire body ached, and the edges of his vision were starting to blur. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The system pinged in his ear. [Mission Grade: C-] ¡ºC-? That''s generous¡­¡» Scott pushed himself to sit up. He groaned as he held onto his ribs. ¡­ WEE-WOO-WEE-WOO!! Sirens blared in the distance as the police rushed to the building, but Scott knew he couldn''t stick around. ¡ºI-, aaarghh¡­ I should leave¡­¡» He activated his grappling hook, and the gauntlet shot out a cable to a nearby rooftop. With a strained grunt, he pulled himself up and disappeared into the shadows as the police stormed the building. His phone pinged one last time. [Viewers: 1,900 | Donations: $520] Scott chuckled weakly. Pain shooting through his ribs. "Arghhh¡­ it fuckin'' hurts¡­" He limped away from the scene. The chat continued to blow up behind him. [So, when''s the next stream?!] [Shit, we don''t even know his name!] [Err, it was alright¡­ this shit probs stunted anyways] [Wait until you see it on the news tomorrow £¨ ;?£ß?)] [Aight, bet ?¡«(£þ,£þ )] Trolls celebrated and supporters sending words of encouragement. But Scott didn''t care. Despite the pain, the humiliation, and the fact that he''d been blasted through a building¡­ he''d made it. ¡ºOne step closer.¡» Chapter 8 The Hero She Wanted to Be The bright, shiny halls of MegaCorp were full of life as busy executives and employees moved quickly between meetings. Some stared at their glowing screens, while others barked orders into their headsets.On the top floor, in a spacious and luxurious office, Miss Mercury stood with her arms crossed. Her honey brown hair had a faint glow as it was still charged with leftover energy from her morning patrol. She fixed a stern look on the man in front of her. Gordon, her agent. He was a portly man with slicked-back hair and an expensive suit that screamed corporate opportunist. He sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Emma, you need to understand¡­ the stunt with Titanus Magnus last night didn''t help your reputation. You''re lucky it didn''t hurt it either. The media is surprisingly quiet, and your fans are still loyal, but you fumbled." Emma Graves. That was Miss Mercury''s real identity. She rolled her eyes and sat down in a chair, then stretched her legs out on the glass table. She adjusted her black and yellow bodysuit, which had a slight shimmer under the cold fluorescent lights in the room. "I could''ve taken him down easily. If I''d gone at light speed, I would''ve ripped that overgrown tin can apart in seconds. I''m an S-tier hero by power, and you know it. It''s this bureaucratic nonsense holding me back from being an A-rank. The Hero Agency, these stupid PR stunts, they''re suffocating me!" "NO!" Gordon waved his hand dismissively. He didn''t want to hear such nonsense. "This isn''t about power. It''s about image, Emma. Image is everything. The fans don''t care if you can zip across the city in a millisecond; they care about how you look doing it. You''re the face of MegaCorp''s heroic division. You sell their gadgets, their merchandise, their lifestyle. You''ve gotta keep the masses entertained, and¡­" "I am entertaining!" Mercury cut him off with a sharp voice. "I don''t need your stupid PR stunts. I''m not some plastic toy to be paraded around!" Gordon threw his hands up in disbelief. He paced in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. "Listen, Emma, you might be a saint or whatever, but this business doesn''t give a fuck about that. The plan is already in motion. The fans want more. A few racy leaks, maybe even a staged sex tape¡ªit''ll skyrocket your engagement. Your fans will eat it up." Mercury''s body tensed and her eyes went wide. "Excuse me? You''re actually suggesting that I¡ª" "¡ªRelease a sex tape, yes." Gordon''s tone was as casual as if they were discussing her next photoshoot. "I''m a fuckin'' virgin for goodness sake! I''m not doing something so¡­ disgusting." "Since when does virginity matter in this business? People want what they want. And right now, that''s you. You want to stay on top, right? This is what it takes." "How can you even say that?" "It''s business. Virginity? Pfft, no one cares about that anymore, especially in this market. The fans want a little more edge, something that makes you stand out. The competition is fierce, and if we don''t give the people what they want¡ª" "I am not doing that." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mercury''s voice went ice cold. "You can take your ''plan'' and shove it up your snobby, old ass you son of a bitch!" Gordon looked at her as though she was the unreasonable one in the room. "This isn''t about your dignity, Emma. It''s about your career. You think these other heroes care about maintaining their ''purity''? They''re out there playing the game, building their brands, raking in sponsorships." But she''d had enough. Mercury turned on her heel and stormed toward the door. "I''m a hero, Gordon, not some corporate puppet. I do real work. I''m not reducing myself to some shallow spectacle." She pushed open the door as Gordon''s authoritative, yet oddly desperate voice chased after her. "Mercury! Mercury! Don''t walk out of here! You''re making a huge mistake!" But she was done. Gordon''s voice faded into the background as she stepped into the hall. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The moment Miss Mercury walked into the main lobby of MegaCorp, the mood in the room changed. Workers stopped talking, and some even put down what they were doing just to get a look at her. After all, she was MegaCorp''s top hero. Her radiant presence stood out as she moved with ease as her black and yellow suit perfectly fit her athletic body, showing everyone she was the heroine they admired. "Miss Mercury!" "Oh my gosh, it''s her!" "Can I get an autograph?" "My daughter is a big fan of yours!" She smiled politely to mask her frustration. Even though she resented the superficial attention, these people weren''t the enemy. She signed a few autographs, posed for pictures, and waved at others who were too awestruck to approach. But as she walked further into the building, something unusual grabbed her attention. Groups of employees were gathered around phones and tablets, watching something closely. The usual spark of excitement in their eyes when they saw her was dulled by curiosity for whatever they were watching. She frowned and walked up to them. But they didn''t even look her way. They just kept talking. "Who is this guy?" "Dunno, but he''s got balls of steel. Look at him take on those robbers! Cheap kit and still managed it." "He''s¡­ kind of badass, not gonna lie. Took a freakin'' pulse cannon to the chest and lived." Mercury frowned. What were they talking about? She dramatically cleared her throat. "What are you guys watching?" The tech workers looked up, starstruck. One of them, a younger guy with scruffy hair and glasses, nervously handed her his phone. "Uh, it''s¡­ well, we found this stream clip last night. Some guy¡­ some nobody, really. He broke into a corporate building and fought off these heavily armed robbers. It''s gone viral. Everyone''s talking about it." Mercury''s frown deepened as she took his phone. She hit play, and the video began. It was a shaky, livestream clip, but the action was clear. A masked man, wearing what looked like a cheap, almost homemade costume, was fighting off several heavily armed robbers. Armed only with two stun batons and pure determination, he was holding his own. She watched as he quickly hacked a door and took down two robbers in seconds. The comments on the stream were going wild. They were rooting for him. Then, she saw it¡ªthe pulse cannon. "HE''S GONNA GET HIT!" Miss Mercury shouted and tightly grabbed the young man next to her, as if she were witnessing the event in real-time. The masked man got hit square in the chest by a pulse cannon and the force of it sent him crashing through a window and into a car below. He groaned in pain, but still managed to get up and limp away into the night. ¡ºHe really survived that? With such cheap gear?¡» She opened up the comment section. [This guy''s nuts!] [No way he survived that!] [Real hero material right here!] Mercury''s cheeks heated up. "Wow¡­" She even felt her heart skip a beat. There was something about how he moved and fought with all his strength, even when the odds were against him, that made her¡­ intrigued. He had a rough edge, an unpolished, raw determination that she wished she could see in herself. Many of the tech workers looked at her in shock. "M-, Miss Mercury, you''re blushing!" "Sh-, She really is¡­" "This is the first time she''s actually¡­" Mercury scowled and quickly handed the phone back. "Shut up." But she couldn''t deny it. There was something captivating about this masked man. The way the viewers were reacting to him¡­ it wasn''t about his body or his looks. They respected him for what he did, for the risks he took. And that''s exactly what Miss Mercury had been desperately striving for¡­ recognition for her heroics, not her appearance. "Do you know anything else about this guy?" Miss Mercury asked, trying to sound casual. The workers exchanged glances before shrugging. "Nah, not really. Just found the clip randomly. No one even knows his name." Miss Mercury bit her lip. ¡ºDamn it!¡» She was desperate to meet this man in black. ¡ºWait a minute¡­¡» A frown appeared on her youthful, pretty face again. "This happened last night. In my patrol zone. Why wasn''t I informed?" The tech worker hesitated. "Uh, well¡­ you were at your photoshoot, and, um, we didn''t want to disturb you¡­" Her frown deepened. She hated that answer. While she was busy posing for cameras, someone else had been doing the job she was supposed to do. And doing it well. ¡ºI can''t believe this¡­¡» For the first time in a long while, Emma Graves found herself wanting to know more about someone else. "I-, I should go¡­" As she made her way toward the elevator, the clip replayed in her mind. The tech workers just stood there with smug faces. "She has a crush on him." "Definitely¡­" "So that''s Miss Mercury''s type. She''s never shown interest in any guy before. Even Xenon, who''s an A-rank hero, is after her, and she doesn''t seem to care. I always thought she might be into women." "Well¡­ this proves us wrong." Chapter 9 Viral Sensation Scott woke up suddenly.A sharp, electric pain shot through his chest. "ARRGH¡­!" The memory of the pulse cannon blast from the night before was still fresh in his mind, and his body protested as he shifted in bed. Every breath felt like he was inhaling broken glass, and the ache throbbed all the way down to his ribs. "Son of a¡­" He winced and instinctively rubbed the bruised area where the energy blast had struck him. It was healing, but not fast enough for his liking. Still, the fact that he was alive meant something. Last night had been real. All of it. For a moment, he just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, replaying the events in his head. The stealth, the takedown, the blast, the fall¡­ the cheers from the chat echoing in his ears, their excitement buzzing through him even now. He couldn''t believe it. He''d done it. His first real mission as an antihero. It wasn''t flawless, but it was real, and it was his. For a moment, he just lay there, staring up at the ceiling and replaying everything in his head. The stealth, the takedown, the blast, the fall¡­ he could still hear the cheers from the chat echoing in his ears and their excitement buzzed through him even now. ¡ºI still can''t believe it.¡» He''d done it¡­ his first real mission as a vigilante. It wasn''t perfect, but it was real, and it was his. With a groan, he reached for his phone on the nightstand and pulled up his System board. The System''s robotic voice spoke up. [Welcome, Scott.] [Status Report: Mission Grade: C-] The young man immediately frowned. "Yeah, yeah¡­ rub it in why don''t ya." But the next line on the screen made him pause. [Viewers: 1,900 | Donations: $595] He blinked. His heart skipped a beat. "Holy shit¡­ I actually made money." It wasn''t much, but for a first stream? That was more than he''d hoped for. He quickly flipped to his bank app, and his eyes widened at the sight of actual deposits. Viewers had tipped him. A lot. A smile slowly crept across his face as he scrolled through the messages attached to the donations. [User: HypeTrain2024 | $50: Dude, you got this! I''m rooting for you, keep it up!] [User: SnarkKing | $5: Lmao, keep getting blasted through windows, I love it.] [User: HeroCritic | $20: Not bad, needs work tho.] [User: NutBuster5000 | $10: Nice work out there, bro!] There were plenty more. But he read each one with care. Shortly after, Scott opened the notification tab. ¡­ ding! DING! He was surprised to see a flood of comments from viewers filling the screen. Some were supportive: [Yo, last night was fire!] [Holy crap, you''re insane for pulling that off!] [Man got yeeted but hella respect for trying. LOL] [Dude, you''re my new favorite streamer!] [Bro, that stunt was wild! Can''t wait for more.] Others, of course, couldn''t resist trolling him: [LOL. Nice fall, dude. 10/10, would watch you faceplant again.] [That was staged af, but it was still funny.] [Fr, y''all believe anything these days ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [Bruh¡­ just put the fries in the bag bro. This vigilante sh#t ain''t for you, dawg.] Scott chuckled as his chest still burned with pain. "Favorite streamer, huh?" All he could do was smile and nod approvingly. ¡­ Blorp! A blue screen appeared in front of him. --- Status Board --- [Name: Scott McQueen] [Alias: Not Set] [Credits: 9,000] [Viewers: 1,900] [Potential Consistent Viewers: 1679] [Last Mission Grade: C-] ¡­ A tired grin spread across his face. ¡ºC-? Yeah, that was generous.¡» He''d eaten a pulse blast, crashed through a window, and nearly broke his spine on a car. ¡ºI need to be better¡­ ahead of next time.¡» He checked his bank account next. [Bank Balance: $763.54] There it was, real money, right in his account. Not a lot by any means, but it was enough for now. He wasn''t in this to get rich, but a little cash definitely helped. Plus, it was proof that people were buying in. They believed in him. Even if only for the entertainment value. He swiped away the comments and the bank balance and focused on the System Market that blinked in the corner of his screen. His 9,000 credits were just begging to be spent. He tapped into the market, watching as a small shop window opened up to reveal a selection of useful gadgets and gear: [Basic Bodysuit Armor ¨C 3,500 credits] [EMP Throwing Discs ¨C 1,000 credits] [Gadget Glove Upgrade¨C 4,500 credits] [Shockwave Boots ¨C 2,300 credits] [Plasma Deflector Vest ¨C 4,500 credits] [Pulse Absorber Patch (Single Use): 500 credits] [Healing Patch (Tier 1) ¨C 500 credits] ¡­ Scott''s eyes lingered on the [Plasma Deflector Vest]. After last night''s encounter, he couldn''t afford to take another hit like that again. "Definitely need that¡­" He muttered as he added it to his cart. He browsed for a bit longer, then selected the [Basic Bodysuit Armor] to serve as his first layer of protection. Lastly, Scott grabbed two healing patches to fix the worst of his injuries for 1,000 credits. He hit the purchase button, and a soft chime echoed through the room. Before he knew it, the items appeared on his bed in sleek black cases. "Awesome¡­" More and more, the System impressed him. [Credits: 0] Scott reached out, eager to test out his new gear, but something caught his eye¡ªa small, pastel-colored envelope laying on his bed, wrapped in a bright pink ribbon. Maya. He sighed. The letter was undeniably cute, maybe too cute. Scott hesitated for a moment, then picked it up and carefully untied the ribbon to peel open the envelope. It was empty. Scott blinked. Nothing? Not even a single word? He held it up to the light, flipped it over a few times, but there wasn''t so much as a scribble inside. He sighed again and shook his head with a wry smile. "She didn''t even bother to write anything, huh?" Typical. He tossed the empty letter onto his nightstand, where the pastel envelope looked out of place among the mess of gadgets and gear. His body ached as he got up, groaning at the sick pain in his ribs. Slowly, he shuffled to the bathroom. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott stepped out of the bathroom, his hair still damp and sticking to his forehead. He grabbed a fresh healing patch from the sink and winced as he peeled the old one off his chest, exposing bruised skin underneath. Pressing the new patch down, it let out a soft hiss, sending a cool relief through his sore ribs. He glanced at the mirror. His face was worn, dark circles under his eyes showing just how tired he was¡­ but he couldn''t help but smirk anyway. ¡­ BRRRRING! His phone rang sharply on the nightstand. He picked it up and glanced at the screen. Aunt Tess. Scott sighed then swiped to answer. "Yeah, Tess?" "You better not be sleeping, Scott! It''s 7 a.m. and you have school. Don''t make me come over there." Her voice came through in a no-nonsense tone. "I''m up, I''m up." He pressed the phone between his shoulder and ear, pulling on a black hoodie. "I''m fine too." "You sound tired." "I''m always tired¡­" Scott muttered under his breath. "Don''t start with me. Now get your ass to school." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The line clicked, and she was gone before he could get another word in. Scott shook his head with a small smile, tossing the phone on his bed. He grabbed his backpack, slung it over his shoulder, and stepped outside into the cool morning air. The sky was still a light gray as Scott got on his bike and kicked it into gear. He let out a quiet groan, feeling his ribs ache with the movement, though the healing patch was starting to work. The pain dulling. He pedaled off toward school, his mind wandering as he rode through the streets. Part of him almost expected to see news vans parked outside the building because of what happened last night. ¡ºMaybe I''ll check it out later¡­¡» ---- By the time Scott got to school, the courtyard was already full of students, some hurrying because they were late, others standing around in groups talking. He parked his bike and pulled his hoodie down over his head, keeping it low. As he headed toward the entrance, bits of conversation drifted toward him. "Did you see that clip last night?" "Bro, no way that was real! He got blasted out of the building and survived?!" "Bro, they''re saying it wasn''t even scripted! Like, it legit happened!" "Dude, that vigilante''s kinda insane¡­" Scott couldn''t help but smile to himself. They were talking about him. They had no idea, but they were talking about him. When Scott walked into the building, the noise of conversations grew louder. A group of cute cheerleaders by the lockers were huddled around their phones, giggling and showing each other a video. One of them gasped as the clip replayed the moment Scott¡­ well, the vigilante, crashed through the window. "That''s crazy! How did he not die?" she squealed. "He''s definitely got powers or something. No normal guy could walk away from that." Scott''s grin widened. ¡ºPowers, huh? Not exactly.¡» Scott walked down the hallway, weaving through groups of students, until he saw the big flat-screen TV on the wall. The school news was on, and a small crowd had gathered to watch it. He made his way to the back, crossing his arms, as the two student hosts chatted on-screen. "Good morning, Westerfield High! I''m Mia, and this is Travis, and you''re watching the Wildcat Weekly!" "Big semester coming up, Mia. We''ve got the pep rally, homecoming, and¡ªoh! Don''t forget about the talent show!" Travis spoke enthusiastically while calmly styling his hair with a gel and an afro comb. Mia nodded, smiling brightly. "Yep! Lots to look forward to. But first, we''ve gotta talk about something a little different today. Now, this isn''t exactly school-related, but¡­" She leaned in conspiratorially. "Have you seen the video that went viral last night?" The students in the hallway murmured excitedly, a few of them glancing at each other. Travis pretended to be surprised. "Oh, you mean that video? The one where some crazy vigilante took down a group of high-tech robbers?" Mia grinned. "Exactly! This guy¡ªwhoever he is¡ªbroke into a building, fought off a bunch of armed criminals, and then got blasted through a window! And get this¡­ he survived! We''re talking superhuman stuff, right?" The camera cut to a grainy clip of Scott''s fight, the moment he knocked out the first robber and then got hit with the pulse cannon. The crowd watching the TV oohed and aahed at the scene, some of them visibly wincing when Scott crashed through the glass. A boy in front of Scott snickered. "Dude got yeeted." His friend shook his head. "Nah, that''s not even the best part. He just walked away after that. Like, who is this guy?" "A gigachad that''s what!" "For real tho!" They bumped fists. Scott leaned back against the wall, trying to suppress his smirk. On-screen, Travis leaned back in his chair and adjusted his hair some more. "Okay, real talk¡­ does this guy have a name yet? Or are we sticking with ''that vigilante dude'' for now?" Mia shrugged. "He hasn''t said anything, so people are already throwing out suggestions. I saw someone call him ''Nightwatch'' because of how he uses stealth." Travis chuckled. "I like it. Nightwatch''s got a ring to it. But let''s be real¡­ he''s probably just a one-time wonder. No way he shows up again." Some students in the hallway nodded in agreement, while others argued back. "Bro, no way! He''s gonna be the next big thing!" "Nah, if he was smart, he''d stay hidden. This is a one-off for sure." As the debate raged on, Scott pushed away from the wall and adjusted the straps on his backpack. He could feel eyes on him, but none of them knew. Not yet, anyway. Just as he was about to walk toward his first class, he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey, Scott!" He turned to see his friend, Jake, jogging over with a wide grin. Given how fat Jake was, Scott couldn''t believe he managed to jog for so long without collapsing. "Yo, you hear about that vigilante guy? Dude''s all anyone''s talking about." Jake adjusted his oversized spectacles. "My chances of getting a girlfriend has dropped by a whooping 40%, tch! Can you imagine?" Scott raised an eyebrow at this. ¡ºErr, wasn''t it already zero?¡» Choosing to play dumb instead, he replied. "Oh yeah? What''s the big deal?" Jake rolled his eyes. "Bro, he took down roughly five dudes in high-tech armor and lived to tell the tale! That''s badass. I''d give anything to know who he is." Scott shrugged. "Yeah¡­ sounds cool, I guess." Jake clapped him on the back. "If only he went to our school, huh? Imagine the fame! The GIRLS!" Scott chuckled under his breath. ¡ºIf only you knew, man. If only you knew.¡» Chapter 10 Ditched… Again?! In an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Metro City, the quiet buzz of machinery sounded.Kane Vaughn stood in the center of the large building, casually flexing his wrist as he looked over the bulky Pulse Ram strapped to his forearm. The device gave off a soft glow, pulsing with energy as it cast faint flashes of light across his smiling face. "Yo, Doc, you sure this thing''s safe?" Kane flashed a wild grin and tightened his grip. His smile grew even wider when he glanced over at Dr. Eden Greaves. She stood there in her lab coat, eyes sharp, and her mature face seeming colder than ice. Eden raised an eyebrow. "Safe enough. It''s not meant for ''safe,'' Kane. It''s a weapon. Hit something with it already." Kane''s grin widened. "Oh, I''ll hit something alright." He turned toward a nearby truck, one they had kept from a previous successful job. Glancing quickly back at Eden, he pulled his arm back and swung it forward. The Pulse Ram lit up with a sharp buzz as it slammed into the side of the vehicle. ¡­ CRAAAAAASH!!! The truck blew apart into twisted metal, sending debris flying across the warehouse. A loud bang echoed off the walls as the shattered pieces slid to a stop on the floor. Kane let out a booming laugh, almost like a child. "Holy shit, that''s insane! You see that, Doc? This thing''s fuckin'' awesome!" Eden hardly reacted. Instead, she casually jotted down notes on her datapad. "You''re welcome. It uses a reactive kinetic pulse to amplify the force of your strike. Essentially, you hit ten times harder than normal." "Ten times harder, huh? Hell, I could punch a hole in a fuckin'' tank with this thing!" "Don''t get any ideas¡­" Eden replied dryly, barely looking up. Kane turned toward her. He was still very excited, maybe even addicted. "This thing is gold. Where''d you dig it up, anyway?" "Alien tech. Same ship Ceral''s been milking for years. I''ve just made a few¡­ enhancements." "Enhancements? More like miracles. This could turn a guy into a one-man army!" Before Kane could say another word, a shadow appeared behind him. He turned to see Ceral Fitzgerald, the leader of the Black Mechanica Gang, standing there. His presence alone demanded silence. With a dark trench coat hanging over his broad shoulders and his deep Irish voice carrying a heavy brogue, Ceral had a way of making everyone around him feel smaller. "Take it off, Kane. You''ve had your fun." Ceral''s voice sounded like gravel scraping against metal. Deflating slightly, Kane pulled the Pulse Ram off with a hiss and set it on a nearby crate. "Sure thing, boss. But you gotta try this thing out sometime. It''s a fuckin'' beaut." Ceral didn''t even acknowledge the comment, his sharp eyes locked onto Dr. Greaves. "We''ve got bigger things to deal with. How''s the shipment to Russia lookin''?" Eden tucked her datapad under her arm and sighed. Her usual confident tone softened slightly. "We''ve hit a snag. The equipment we were supposed to lift from the corporate building never came through. The crew botched the job." Ceral''s jaw tightened, and you could hear his teeth grinding as he looked at the flickering TV screen. The news was showing footage of the aftermath. Police swarming the scene while headlines talked about a vigilante who''d made the difference in stopping the robbery. Ceral''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "The vigilante?" Eden nodded. Here''s the corrected version: "Yeah, some idiot in tights who isn''t even registered with the Hero Agency made it easier for the cops. They''re not sure who he is yet, but¡­" "They will be soon¡­" Ceral growled. His eyes narrowed even more as he grabbed a plasma rifle leaning against a nearby crate. He hefted the weapon easily then felt the smooth surface of the barrel as it started to charge up. "They''ll be sure of who he is once I fry that fuckin'' son of a bitch ten times over¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ During this time¡­ The bell rang and that was the end of biology class. The students slowly filed out with their backpacks hung from their shoulders. Scott and Jake stayed near the door, still wrapped up in their usual banter. "Seriously, Jake, you really think Star Conflicts is better than Galactic Legends?" Scott slung his backpack over one shoulder. Jake adjusted his oversized glasses. "Dude, absolutely! The character development in Star Conflicts is next level! I mean, you can''t even compare the depth of Captain Zarn to Commander Kira!" "Depth? Kira has a tragic backstory! Zarn is just a brooding clich¨¦! I can''t believe you''re falling for that." Scott rolled his eyes and walking toward the hallway. Jake followed close behind, gesturing wildly. "A clich¨¦? Have you even seen his arc? He goes from a mercenary to a hero! What''s Kira''s growth? Playing sidekick for five seasons?" After that, the chubby young man laughed mockingly. "Playing sidekick?" Scott asked as he raised an eyebrow. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "She literally saves the galaxy multiple times! Plus, her wit is what makes her fun. Zarn''s just¡­ moody!" "Oh, come on! Moodiness is part of the charm!" Jake argued as he pushed through the throng of students in the hallway. "Anyway, we need a tiebreaker. Let''s ask Maya. She''s got the best taste in everything." Scott paused as a thought struck him. "Right, Maya¡­ she''s been acting a bit weird lately, though. I mean, she left me that empty letter this morning." Jake looked at him, confused. "Empty letter? What do you mean?" Scott shrugged, lost in his thoughts for a moment. The letter had seemed odd, like there was something she wanted to say but couldn''t. "Hey, Scott!" Jake called, snapping him back to reality. Still mulling over the letter, Scott turned the moment Jake pointed behind him. "Look! There''s Maya!" Scott turned around just as Maya spotted them. Her pretty, little face brightened up, and she dashed over and wrapped her arms around Scott in a tight hug. "Hey there, babe ?!" She said, pulling back slightly and planting a soft kiss on both his cheeks "Hey!" Scott said, smiling mildly. "How was your day?" "Pretty good! Just the usual boring classes," Maya replied before looking at Jake. "Uhhh, what about you guys? Still arguing about that space opera from last week?" Jake chimed in by first clearing his throat. "AHEM! You should really settle this debate for us! I say Star Conflicts is way better. Scott is just being stubborn!" Maya laughed as her pretty eyes sparkled. "You two are ridiculous. Can''t you just enjoy both?" "Yeah, but that wouldn''t be as fun!" Scott retorted while thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Whatever you say, Captain Clich¨¦," Jake teased before elbowing Scott lightly. Maya giggled but then looked at Jake with curiosity. "Oh yeah, what''s your next big project, anyway?" "Oh, I''m assembling the Red Star Battleship. I''ve got 1,340 pieces to put together!" Jake announced, puffing out his chest proudly. Scott''s jaw dropped. "1,340?! How do you even keep track of all that?" "It''s a talent," Jake said with a smirk. "You wanna see my progress later?" "Sure!" Scott replied as they bumped fists. "Good luck with that, man!" Jake waved as he headed off, leaving Scott alone with Maya. For a moment, an awkward silence hung between them. "Uh, so¡­ hey¡­" Maya wasn''t sure how to start the conversation. She figured he''d bring up the empty letter any moment, and that made it hard for her to focus on anything else. But somehow, she shook it off by shaking her head side to side and giving him a cute smile. "So, uh¡­ what''s up?!" "Hey¡­ so, about that letter¡­" Scott responded, gently rubbing the back of his neck. Maya''s face changed as a hint of hesitation appeared. More than anything, she wanted to avoid this question because she didn''t like lying to Scott. With anyone else, she''d just tell them to drop it or come up with a quick, believable lie (she was getting pretty good at that). But with her boyfriend, it felt different. ¡ºHe''s kinda¡­ sigh~ everything to me¡­¡» And yet, she couldn''t tell him the truth. "Oh, that¡­ um¡­" Just then, her phone buzzed loudly. She pulled it out and looked at the screen. The caller ID said Vincent Lakewood. ¡ºHe''s calling me NOW©¤©¤?!¡» Scott squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of the message, but Maya quickly shielded her phone by pressing it against her small chest. "We''ll uhhh, talk later!" she said, taking a step back. "Maya, wait©¤©¤!" She was already backing away with awkward movements. "I-, I REALLY need to take this!" "What''s going on?" Scott was very confused and a bit disappointed. Seeing this hurt Maya so deeply that her knees nearly gave out, but she pushed the pain aside and sprinted down the hallway, quickly turning at the nearest corner. [Ding! You''ve been ditched by your superhero girlfriend for the 6th time this week!] [A new mission is being prepared¡­] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Maya answered the call in a janitor room. Her voice immediately dropped to a whisper. "Vincent, you shouldn''t call me at school!" It was¡­ quite a loud whisper. Vincent''s voice came through. "I wish I could say I care, but this is important. Suit up and meet me on the roof. We''re flying to Fremont." Smooth and nonchalant as always. Maya''s eyes widened. "Fremont? That''s in California!" "Keep your voice down," Vincent said, chuckling. "We''ll take a chopper to my private jet. You know¡­ Fortitude will likely be there." Maya''s heart raced at the mention of Fortitude. "Okay, I''ll be there soon!" Vincent cut the call and took a sip of wine. "Young women are so gullible. She''ll make a great addition to the roster, nonetheless." Back in the hallway, Scott stood frozen, still trying to process what just happened. ¡ºShe really ditched me¡­ again¡­¡» He squeezed his fists until his knuckles turned white. [Ding! Loading information on Miss Mercury!] Chapter 11 Intrigue Emma Graves relaxed on a comfortable lounge chair, gently rocked by the motion of the ocean.The sun warmed her skin as she gazed at the crystal-clear blue waters that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, sparkling under the bright afternoon sun. Her large, modern yacht stood out against the horizon. It was sleek and impressive. Around her on the deck, a few close friends were enjoying expensive wine, chatting casually while the quiet hum of the yacht''s engines mixed with the soothing sound of the waves. Emma was dressed in a very sexy and sleek black bikini that hugged her athletic and curvaceous body perfectly. "Ahhh~ ? that''s the life ?¡­" She leaned back and tilted her head toward the sky. She had a glass of wine in one hand and swirled the dark liquid slowly as her friends continued their conversation beside her. "So, Emma, tell us about that guy already! The one from the stream last night¡­" Her friend Jenna asked. Jenna was a tall, dark-skinned beauty with long legs and a wild mane of red hair. She was wearing a bold, neon bikini that showed off her confidence. After crossing her well-oiled legs, Jenna took a small sip from her glass. Emma glanced over then smirked softly. "The vigilante?" "Yeah! You were blushing earlier today, don''t think we didn''t notice." Jenna teased with a wicked grin, leaning over to nudge her friend Nadia, who giggled. Nadia was a petite, olive-skinned woman with short, silver-blonde hair. "The guy that got hit with a pulse cannon and walked it off, right? What normal person does that?" Emma chuckled softly while swirling her wine. "He''s¡­ something else. I don''t know. It''s just the way he moves. There''s no polish, no flare. It''s raw, you know? Like he''s doing it because he has to. Not for the attention or the glory." Jenna raised a perfectly arched brow, tilting her head. "You really think that? I mean, the guy''s streaming his stunts. Kinda hypocritical, don''t you think? If he was really just trying to help, why would he bother going live?" Emma''s expression hardened a little. She even sat up straighter. "It''s not the same. You don''t get it. He''s not working with the Hero Agency or trying to get deals from big companies like MegaCorp and all that. There''s no sponsorship in his streams, no PR machine behind him. He''s showing people that good can still be done without needing a spotlight or a paycheck. Maybe it''s his way of holding himself accountable, or maybe he just wants to remind people that real heroes don''t have to be corporate-backed." Nadia pursed her lips. "Well¡­" She thought for a moment then shrugged. "Still feels a bit performative. I mean, we know how this game works. If you''re streaming, you''re putting on a show." Emma sighed and leaned back into her lounge chair. "Maybe, but I don''t think he''s trying to be a celebrity. He''s just¡­ doing what needs to be done." She took a sip of wine after. Jenna snickered, sitting up and crossing her legs. "Speaking of celebrities, how does that feel? Being the most simped-over superhero in the world and one of the richest? Must be tough, huh?" Emma rolled her eyes, her lips twitching into a dry smile. "I like the attention. But being sexualized every time I so much as breathe? That''s¡­ a different story." Jenna waved her hand, brushing it off. "Oh, come on. It comes with the territory. You walk into a room and everyone loses their minds. Even the media''s obsessed with who you might be hooking up with." Emma sighed deeply as her face darkened slightly. "Well, Gordon thinks that should be my next move. Told me this morning that I should release a¡­ sex tape to boost my image. Said it would keep the fans interested." Both of her friends went silent for a moment before Jenna exploded, nearly spilling her wine. "Are you fuckin'' kidding me? What the actual hell is wrong with that son of a bitch?" Nadia shook her head with eyes wide open. "That''s¡­ well, disgusting. Why are you even working with that creep?" Emma sighed heavily. "Trust me, I told him where to shove it up his stupid ass. I''m not doing that." Before long, she downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. Jenna let out a low whistle. "Well, good for you. But seriously, Emma, you can''t let people like that have a say in your life. You''re better than that." Emma nodded slowly as her gaze lazily drifted out toward the water. "I know. It''s just¡­ sometimes it feels like the real work, the actual heroics, get lost in all this noise." Nadia tapped her arm then pointed discreetly toward a muscular, blonde guy lounging near the pool on the lower deck. He had the chiseled body of a Greek statue, golden skin that glowed under the sun, and a million-dollar smile that could melt hearts from across the deck. "There''s a tasty snack right there. Why don''t you go talk to him? I can already imagine the things he''d do to a woman in bed, oh my~ ?¡­" Nadia suggested with a perverted grin. Emma glanced at the guy briefly before shrugging. "Not interested." Her voice was as flat as possible. Jenna giggled and poked her side. "You keep saying that, and people are going to think you''re a lesbian." Emma rolled her eyes. "As if I care. That''s just the media trying to make extra bucks off rumors." Nadia sipped her wine, eyeing Emma thoughtfully. "Maybe you''re in love with that vigilante guy." Emma choked on her wine, coughing as both of her friends burst into laughter. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she wiped her mouth. "De-, Definitely not." "Sure, sure¡­" Said a smiling Jenna as she leaned back. "But seriously, Em, when''s the last time you actually liked someone? I mean, you''re gorgeous, powerful, and practically untouchable, but you''ve never seemed interested in anyone." Emma shrugged, looking away. "I''m just¡­ busy. Being a hero, being Miss Mercury, it takes up a lot of time." "Maybe you''re just holding out for someone special," Nadia teased with a wink. "Like a guy who can take a pulse cannon to the chest." Emma snorted before shaking her head. "Yeah, right. I just¡­ I don''t know. It''s different with him." Before any of them could respond, the unmistakable sound of helicopter blades cut through the air. Emma glanced up and her brow furrowed as a massive helicopter appeared overhead, its shadow cast over the yacht. "Now what?" Jenna muttered, shielding her eyes as they all looked up. A dreary, half-eyed Emma sipped some more wine as she grumbled inwardly. ¡ºI really need to find that guy¡­¡» Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott slumped in his seat. He could barely hear a word of what the teacher was saying. His mind was somewhere else. No¡­ everywhere else, thanks to the constant pinging of the system notifications that flashed in his vision. [Ding! Last night''s mission report needs your attention!] [Ding! Possible connection to last night''s robbery and alien tech ring. Proceed?] [YES] [NO] [Ding! Viewers waiting for the next stream! Don''t keep them in suspense!] His fingers twitched in frustration as the holographic interface buzzed before his eyes, like an itch he couldn''t scratch. ¡ºWhy does it have to be now?¡» He tried shaking his head, hoping to clear the noise and focus on the lecture. But between Maya ditching him (again) and this mission nagging him like an insistent alarm clock, he was done. Completely over it. Meanwhile, someone was watching him intently from the far side of the classroom. A girl Scott had never seen before sat with her chin resting on her hand, her dark hair falling around her face like a soft curtain. Her eyes were deep and dark, almost like the night sky, and they sparkled with curiosity and some mischief. She was sketching quickly with her pencil moving smoothly across the paper. There was something about her¡­ almost predatory, like a vixen quietly sizing up her prey. A playful smirk danced on her lips, as if she knew something he didn''t. Scott couldn''t shake the weird feeling. He could feel her eyes on him, watching him¡­ studying him. "Scott, are you paying attention?" The teacher''s voice cut through his thoughts, and he glanced up, realizing the entire class was staring at him. He hadn''t been taking notes. Heck, he hadn''t even opened his notebook. "I, uh¡­" Scott rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. But honestly, what could he say? That was the final straw. He stood up abruptly, causing his chair to scrape loudly against the floor. The teacher looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Is there something you''d like to share with the class?" Scott shook his head, running his hand through his hair. "Look, Mr. Donahue, I''m not gonna lie¡­ I''m not even supposed to be in this class." A few students snickered, and the teacher crossed his arms, unamused. "Excuse me?" Scott shrugged as he gathered his things. "I mean, I didn''t even sign up for economics, so I don''t know what I''m doing here. You''re not my mom, so you can''t really stop me from leaving." He slung his backpack over his shoulder and made his way toward the door. The teacher sputtered, unsure how to respond to Scott''s bluntness, but before he could say anything more, the strange girl with the dark hair spoke up from the back of the class. "I''m not supposed to be here either, but I couldn''t resist sketching such a handsome young man." Her voice was smooth, sultry, and filled with amusement as she lifted her drawing, showing off an almost perfect sketch of Scott. The entire class turned to look at her. Scott froze mid-step. He glanced back at her, confused as his heart did a weird flip. The teacher blinked, clearly thrown off by the sudden turn of events. "And¡­ who are you?" The girl giggled lightly, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Oh, don''t mind me, Mr. Donahue. I''m just here to capture the essence of your star pupil." She winked at Scott with a teasing charm. Scott raised an eyebrow. "Okay¡­ creepy much?" She laughed again, that same mischievous grin still plastered on her face. "Oh, don''t be like that. I just happen to have an eye for interesting people." Scott didn''t know whether to be flattered or concerned. But at that moment, he didn''t have time for games. He had to clear his head and figure out this whole mission situation. "I gotta go¡­" Scott muttered, more to himself than anyone else, before pushing the door open and stepping into the hallway. As the door closed behind him, the strange girl leaned back in her chair, still watching him leave with that mysterious smile on her face. Looking confused by the whole situation, Mr. Donahue just shook his head and mumbled something about "kids these days" before going back to his lecture. Scott, meanwhile, walked briskly down the corridor as the fluorescent lights above him buzzed faintly. He needed to think¡­ figure out what the system was trying to tell him. ¡ºRobbers¡­ Alien tech¡­¡» It sounded serious, like something connected to that incident last night. But how was he supposed to focus when Maya kept pulling stunts like earlier? And now this weird girl? [Ding! Don''t ignore your duty. Find out what gang you''re dealing with and start your next stream.] [Miss Mercury has also developed an interest in you!] [Probability you will meet her tonight is quite high!] Scott frowned deeply. ¡ºGreat. More cryptic nonsense.¡» He just needed a moment of peace. Just one minute to think. But somehow, he knew¡­ peace wasn''t in the cards today. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back in the classroom, the dark-haired girl continued sketching with her eyes half-lidded in focus. She didn''t need to be there, of course. But something about Scott intrigued her. She glanced at the door he had just walked out of as her fingers delicately shaded the lines of his face in her drawing. "Scott McQueen¡­ mother should hear of this¡­" Chapter 12 Surprise Guest on the Stream! The steady hum of the helicopter blades echoed through the cabin as it cut across the evening sky.Suited up as Pulsar, Maya sat tense in her seat and gripped the armrest with white-knuckled tension. Her heart was racing, louder in her ears than the whirring of the chopper''s rotors. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Scott as his confused face flashed through her mind. "God, what if he figures it out?" She muttered under her breath, biting her lower lip. Sitting across from her, Vincent Lakewood leaned back comfortably, like someone who had all the time and control in the world. His suit was neat, and his slicked-back hair looked as sharp as his focused expression. One hand lazily swirled a glass of wine, while his cool, calculating eyes picked up on every little movement and nervous shift Pulsar made. "Relax, Pulsar. You''re shaking like a leaf." His voice smooth was as the dark liquor in his glass. Pulsar forced a laugh, but the anxiety was still there. "I-, I''m calm¡­" Vincent raised a skeptical eyebrow and took another slow sip. "Right. Calm as a deer in the headlights." He gestured toward her visibly tense posture. "Here, have a drink. It''ll help take the edge off." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He reached over, offering her the glass. Pulsar quickly shook her head and backed away slightly. "Uh, no thanks. I''m¡­ not 21 yet. Can''t drink." She gave an awkward half-smile right after. Vincent frowned slightly, not out of concern but annoyance. "Ah, right. Legalities." He gave the glass one last swirl before setting it down, his fingers drumming lightly on the rim as he thought. For a few moments, the only sound was the hum of the helicopter. "Look down, by the way." Vincent nodded toward the window. His tone was also much lighter than before. "See that yacht?" Pulsar paused for a moment, then leaned in a bit to look through the window at the massive, luxurious vessel slicing through the dark waters below. "That belongs to Miss Mercury¡­ arguably the prettiest hero in Metro City." Vincent spoke with a touch of envy. Maya''s eyebrows shot up, genuinely surprised. "Miss Mercury? I had no idea¡­" "Yep." Vincent leaned back, smirking a little. "She''s a real crowd-pleaser. Makes insane money off her merchandise alone. Although, between you and me, Rope Girl is probably the most-simped after. But Miss Mercury? Yeah, she''s a close second. She''s got the market heavily cornered on ''beauty meets brawn''." Maya wasn''t sure how to respond, so she just nodded slowly, unsure if she should feel inspired or uncomfortable. ¡ºOhhh¡­ so this is what Scott means when he says most superheroes are just in it for the business side of things. Now I don''t feel as bad that Miss Mercury wasn''t getting much attention before. It seems like she''s only after fame anyway. I''ll just try to avoid her from now on. I really just want to focus on building my superhero career without getting involved with money-hungry women like her.¡» After that, she nodded innocently. Vincent let out a breath as his eyes narrowing a little, like he was sizing up a chance he had missed. "Damn fuckin'' shame I didn''t sign her first. I could''ve made a fortune of her fat ass." He glanced at Maya and the sharpness returned to his gaze. "But I won''t make that mistake with you." Maya forced a smile. "Right¡­" She shifted uneasily in her seat. Vincent''s smirk faded as he studied her reaction. For a brief moment, his casual fa?ade cracked to reveal the shrewd businessman underneath. "You''re not just another face, Maya. You have real potential, and I don''t waste my time with people who don''t." Maya''s smile faltered slightly as she took in Vincent''s words, but her mind kept racing. Her thoughts drifted back to Scott and the blank letter she had left for him that morning. It was supposed to explain everything¡­ how excited she was about working with Vincent, how she wanted to take control of her future, and how she was ready to be something more. But she couldn''t bring herself to pen it down. It all felt too¡­ complicated. Maya''s expression turned into a frown as she squeezed her hands between her thighs and let out a sad groan. ¡ºSigh~ I must be a terrible girlfriend, huh? I know my dad is going to be upset with me for ditching Scott because of my superhero career. I just want to do more, but I don''t want to lose him either. It feels a bit selfish and inconsiderate of me. Scott isn''t holding me back, is he? No, why would I even think that!¡» She kept her head lowered in disappointment. Vincent snapped his fingers and broke her deep thoughts. "You''re overthinking it. You need to get out of your own head. Focus on what''s ahead, not behind." Maya nodded, trying to seem more confident than she felt. "I know. I''m just¡­ processing, I guess." "Good. You''ll figure it out soon enough." The helicopter started to lower, and Vincent''s private jet slowly appeared on the tarmac below. Maya sat up a little straighter, taking a deep breath. Whatever was coming next, she''d have to face it head-on. There was no turning back now. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Sometime later¡­ Scott pedaled furiously down the street as his bike sped through the city like a bullet. ¡ºFaster¡­¡» The wind stung his face, but he didn''t care. His mind was set on one thing: getting home. The sense of urgency pumped through his veins, in sync with the constant system alerts buzzing in his head and nagging him with each turn of the pedals. ¡­ SKRRRRRTTT!! He skidded around the corner, tires screeching as he made the sharp turn onto his block. His apartment building came into view, and Scott pushed harder, leaning into the handlebars as if he could will the bike to go faster. He spotted the bike rack at the side of the building, but instead of parking neatly, he swerved, sliding in sideways and crashing the bike into the railing. "Whoops¡­" Scott muttered, barely even glancing at the damage before leaping off. Without slowing down, he dashed up the steps, taking three at a time. His panted heavily as he fumbled with his keys before finally shoving the door open and rushing into his apartment. His eyes went straight to the desk across the room. The computer. He didn''t stop to catch his breath. Instead, he pulled the chair back and dropped into it, fingers moving quickly over the keyboard as he started up the system. Right after, he plugged in his phone, and as soon as it connected, the whole room lit up with holographic screens since the System automatically took control. Scott fell back in his chair and exhaled heavily as the buzz of information flowed across his vision. For the first time in hours, he allowed himself a moment to really relax. Seconds ticked by. He rolled his neck to crack the stiffness out of his muscles before reaching for the dark shades on his desk. Sliding them on, he spun around in his swivel chair and put on his best "I''m-cooler-than-I-look" face. He was fully aware of how ridiculous he looked, but right now? It didn''t matter. "Alright, System¡­ bring up everything from last night''s fight. Let''s see what I''m dealing with." The screens came to life as clips from last night''s fight with the robbers popped up all around him. Fists flew, lasers sparked, and tech crackled. Scott watched closely, studying every move, every flash of light, and every hit. His eyes narrowed when a clip of a tall, muscular man appeared in front of him. "Pause¡­" Scott said. The footage froze, and Scott leaned forward to study the image of the brute. "Zoom in on the big guy¡­" The System complied and magnified the image until the man''s face filled the screen. "And¡­ enhance." With a shimmer, the image sharpened to reveal the man''s grim features¡­ cropped hair, scars running down his cheek, and eyes that seemed dead behind the tough exterior. "Run facial recognition¡­" Scott said, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. [No results found.] Scott scowled. "Hrmm, I thought so. Run an intensive search. Check law enforcement databases." The System hummed, processing the request. After a few moments, the screen blinked again, and a new set of files appeared. [Bingo!] A criminal record. The man''s face popped up on the screen along with a long list of charges¡­ murder, armed robbery, assault, trafficking in illegal off-world weapons. The works. The guy looked like the type who''d choke an innocent baby for fun. Scott adjusted his shades. "Ugh. This guy''s got a history." He tapped the screen lightly, bringing up more details. "What''s his address?" [Address located in Metro City, East District.] Scott whistled. "Nice neighborhood." The System wasn''t done yet, though. [There''s a 99.99% chance the subject linked to Black Mechanica Gang or the Purple Dragons.] Scott squinted. "Hmm, let''s make a guess. Who''s this guy rolling with?" [Hmm, based on tech used in last night''s encounter, it''s likely the Black Mechanica Gang.] "Err, I thought so¡­" He placed one foot up on the desk, using the leverage to flip himself out of his chair and land on both feet. "I''m paying this guy a visit tonight." [Would you like me to announce your next stream? At what time, master?] "Go for it. Let them know I''m hitting the streets at eight." The System processed the request, and moments later, notifications flooded in as the stream was announced. The instant comments poured in: [Finally, some action! (£þ¨Œ£þ*)] [Black Mechanica, huh? Time to see some heads roll!] [I''ve got my whole family watching!] [Dude, don''t forget the shades for the stream!] [Bruh, 8? You''re killing me. I''ve got work tomorrow!] [Same here ¨r(¨s_¨t)¨q] [Let''s gooooo! Payback time, baby!] [Black Mechanica? This is gonna be wild.] Scott couldn''t help but grin at the hype. These viewers simply knew how to fuel the fire. Hopefully, it''d be another big night. But first, he needed to prepare. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma paced back and forth across the grand living room as her fingers tapped nervously on her folded arms at superspeed. The quiet in the mansion only made her more anxious. She''d been waiting all day for an update from the masked vigilante¡ªhim¡ªbut there was nothing. No notifications, not a sign of activity from his usual sources. She sat on the couch with a huff, and her eyes flicked to her phone for the thousandth time. ¡ºCome on¡­ where are you?¡» A soft sigh escaped her lips. Maybe tonight was just a bust. Or maybe that blast really did leave him in shambles. "No, no. I''m probably overthinking it¡­" She mumbled to herself. "He''s fine. He''s surely fine¡­" But that didn''t stop the anxious feeling in her chest. The masked vigilante wasn''t just some hero she was interested in¡­ he was much more than that. Ever since she saw that brief clip of him in action, she couldn''t stop thinking about him. It was like she was under his spell. She wanted to know more about him, everything¡­ from his battles to his streams, even when he''d reveal his plans to the audience. Thinking about him so much made her feel like she might lose her mind, and suddenly, she clutched her chest. ¡ºWhat''s wrong with me¡­?¡» She didn''t just admire him. She wanted to be like him. But more than that¡­ ¡ºI feel like¡­ like I''m¡­¡» In love with him. Emma blinked three times to be sure of what she said. And she really had thought it. "Maybe I''ll just check one more time¡­" Just as Emma reached for her phone again, a notification dinged across the screen. She froze, eyes wide. ¡ºNo way¡­¡» Her heart skipped a beat as she unlocked the phone and saw the message. [Vigilante Stream Announced: Gonna be hitting the streets at 8 PM. Y''all better be ready.] For a second, Emma just stared at the screen, barely able to process the words. Then, a rush of excitement washed over her. "He''s streaming¡­" She smiled so wide it made her cheeks ache. Her face flushed red, and she couldn''t help but giggle softly under her breath. ¡ºOf course, he''s streaming tonight. Just when I was ready to give up!¡» Emma quickly glanced at the clock. Only a couple of hours before the action started. That was plenty of time to get ready. She leapt up from the couch and darted toward the corner of the room, where her closet sat. Her fingers hovered over the watch on her wrist and her smile turned into a mischievous and thirsty grin. "You''re not getting away from me today." She pressed the button, and the room responded right away. The wardrobe shifted, with panels smoothly folding and sliding aside. From the wall, a large glass case emerged, slowly revealing the sleek, custom-designed suit she had her scientists work on just yesterday! It was a stealth version of her original super suit. "Alright¡­" Emma smiled and placed her hand on the cold glass. Tonight, Scott would have a surprise guest on his stream. One even he didn''t know of! Chapter 13 Second Stream Scott adjusted the straps of his utility belt and slipped on his gloves, feeling the weight of his gear settle into place.With everything else ready, he grabbed his sleek Shadow Cloak and threw it over his shoulders, pulling the hood up. Now, he was set. He tapped the side of his smartwatch to activate his phone''s streaming app and synced it to the small camera drone he bought for $180. The steep price still bugged him, and he frowned at the thought, catching his reflection in the mirror. ¡ºI was planning to save some of this streaming money so I could surprise Aunt Tess with a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant when she gets back from her trip. I also wanted to take Maya on some nicer dates¡­ we could''ve even gone to see that new movie that just came out. Well, that''s a shame.¡» With a sigh, he brushed it off. A soft ping let him know the stream was live, and almost instantly, comments started pouring in. [Yo! Let''s go, Vigilante!] [Finally, some action tonight!] [Nightwatch''s back, baby!] [Nightwatch? Are we really calling him that? (? ? ?)] Scott smirked beneath his mask as he read the enthusiastic responses. "Hey, guys. Back for round two. I''m really glad you could join me again¡­" He glanced down at the array of gadgets neatly spread out on the table before him: stun batons, a mini-drone, homemade smoke bombs and a sleek gadget glove. Methodically, he pocketed each one, making sure everything was in its place. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, let''s see what you guys are saying." He scanned the comment section as his eyes darted across the screen that hovered in front of him. [What''s your favorite color, man?] Scott grinned, shaking his head at the random question. "Uh, favorite color? I guess black, but I''m pretty sure that''s obvious by now. Maybe midnight blue too? It kinda matches the whole night vibe." More questions followed, ranging from his fighting style to his workout routine. Some were downright weird, but Scott took them in stride. [What kind of food do you eat to stay in shape?] "What do I eat? A lot of protein, honestly. But I''ve got a soft spot for pizza and chilli fries." [What''s your fave SciFi show?] "SciFi show? Easy¡ªGalactic Legends without a doubt." [Tell us your fave romcom! ¥Ä? please answer!] "Romcom? I''m gonna say¡­ ''10 Things I Hate About You.'' I really love that one!" More comments poured in, along with a string of donations. [Ding! NutBuster5000 donated $30] [You''ve received $10 from UterusEater!] [WhiteAngel just donated $15!] [RopeGirlFartSniffer just gifted you a Magic Castle!] Scott chuckled softly at their usernames. "Uhh, thanks a lot Rope Girl Fart¡­ uh, yeah¡­" He quickly shifted back to reading more questions. [Hey, what about your favorite celebrity?] "Heath Ledger, man, come on. If we''re talking female then probably Jennifer Lawrence¡­ or Jessica Nocturne, she''s still fresh into the spicy vampire movie business but she''s kinda hot if you know what I mean, kek." [Ooop? He didn''t call any superhero? (¡ä?_?`)] [Maybe because the whole point of him streaming all this is to tell us superheroes shouldn''t be celebrities? ¡¥\\_(¥Ä)_/¡¥] ["Akshually" ahh comment¡­] [It''s called paying attention, dickwad (? _ ?)] [Show us the new gadgets already!] While Scott was reading the chats, a new comment popped up from an anonymous user: [What kind of girls do you like?] He froze for a second. Such a weird question to ask. Since he never thought a man would ask this question, he didn''t really expect any women to be watching his stream. Some moments passed, and then he chuckled nervously. "Uh, well¡­ I actually have a girlfriend, so I guess I''d say someone like her?" The chat erupted into a mix of reactions: [Lmao, this dude really has a gf? (O?O)] [Character development arc when she dies tho.] [Bet she breaks up with him, lol.] [Lol! No way a chunni like you has a GF.] [She''s definitely gonna die for character development.] [Is she cute tho?] Scott rolled his eyes and chuckled a bit. "Yes, she''s cute. And no, she''s not part of some character development tragedy. Kahaha, you guys are ruthless, you know that?" As he spoke, donations continued rolling in. Scott couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride. Tonight was really shaping up to be way bigger than his last stream. "Alright, I appreciate all the donations, by the way. You guys are incredible." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Emma sat cross-legged on her bed, her eyes fixed on the laptop screen as she watched Scott''s stream closely. Her heart was pounding as she stared at his masked face, and her fingers trembled a little as she placed her hand on the screen, almost as if she could reach through and touch him. ¡ºI need to know who you really are¡­¡» Her eyes scanned every inch of the stream for any clues¡­ anything she could use to track down his location. But it was frustratingly elusive. The stream couldn''t be traced, and the background offered no hints. Emma bit her lip, her face flushed. She wanted more than just the vigilante''s hero persona. She wanted to know him¡­ who he was under the mask. ¡ºWhat''s wrong with me? Why do I care so much?¡» But despite her confusion, she couldn''t stop herself. Her fingers hovered over the comment box as she typed out a message before she could think better of it. [What type of girls do you like?] As soon as she hit send, her cheeks turned a deep shade of red. Why had she asked that? She was being ridiculous. When Scott''s response came©¤mentioning his girlfriend¡ªEmma felt her chest tighten. She clenched her phone and her knuckles went white. ¡ºGirlfriend?¡» The word echoed in her mind, and an unexpected wave of jealousy surged through her. She frowned deeply as a sharp pang of anger hit her heart. Why was she angry? She didn''t even know him. But that didn''t stop the feeling from bubbling up inside her. Shaking her head, she forced herself to calm down then took a deep breath. ¡ºGet a grip, Emma¡­ he''s just some guy¡­¡» But the tension didn''t fade. And she knew, deep down, that her obsession with the vigilante was growing. Scott''s grappling hook shot from his gadget glove. ¡­ THWIP! It locked onto the ledge of a nearby building. He yanked hard, using the momentum to swing himself up and over the rooftop in a smooth, fluid motion. His feet landed softly, the impact barely making a sound as he took off again, sprinting across the flat surface. Each leap carried him effortlessly from one building to the next. The stream chat was buzzing with excitement: [Wow, his parkour skills are lit! (¨R?¨Q)/] [Man, that grappling hook tho!] [This is why I''ll be tuning in every time. Dude''s crazy fast.] [Mad respect for that landing!] Scott smirked, glancing at the chat on his phone as he vaulted over a ventilation unit and smoothly rolled back onto his feet. Without delay, he fired his grappling hook again and this time swung across an alley with perfect control. One user under the name PhantomMuse89 asked another curious question that caught his attention. [Hey, what do you think of Miss Mercury?] It was Emma''s anonymous account. Scott was already trying to adjust to this particular viewer, who kept asking the most out-of-pocket questions. Before he could respond, the chat exploded with ridiculous comments: [Miss Mercury?? I''d sniff her farts, no joke.] [I bet her sweaty gym clothes are to die for.] [Can she just step on me? I''ll die happy.] [Nah, Rope Girl''s way hotter, no competition.] [Miss Mercury''s overrated. All looks, no worth.] [She''s better off opening a FansOnly account and just showing us what them titties do (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] [Nah, y''all are so down bad it ain''t even funny fr, wtf are thesw comments (? ? ?)] [Brills cho, brills] Scott rolled his eyes as he swung to the next rooftop, shaking his head at the madness filling the chat. He couldn''t help but feel second-hand embarrassment for PhantomMuse89. ¡ºWhy even ask such a weird question, jeez¡­¡» He sighed and was just about to type a response when a new message popped up on his screen: [Maya: Hey, what are you doing?] A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he quickly shifted his attention back to her chat. "Sorry guys, my girlfriend¡­" He pushed the previous question about Miss Mercury to the back of his mind. [Scott: Just doing my thing, y''know. Catching up on the new episodes of Galactic Legends. Wbu?] Watching the stream from her mansion, Emma frowned and hugged her teddy bear tighter. Her fingers hovered over her keyboard, but she couldn''t shake the frustration building inside her. ¡ºThis girlfriend of his really seems to catch his attention easily. They might''ve just started dating, or he could just be a really good boyfriend¡­ not that it''s any of my business. After all, he probably thinks PhantomMuse89 is a weirdo.¡» Emma let out a sulky huff and sank deeper into the cushions. "I wonder what she has that I don''t¡­? I mean, I haven''t even met him yet, but she can''t be prettier than me, right? I''m a celebrity, I have money, and I have a smoking hot body too. It''s not like I''m bragging." Meanwhile, the conversation between Scott and Maya continued on screen. [Maya: Haha, that sounds fun. Just wanted to check on you, see what you were up to.] [Scott: Same here, just making sure you''re good. You disappeared on me earlier. Where''d you go that time?] Maya''s fingers hesitated over the keyboard. She didn''t want to bring up Vincent or her involvement with him just yet. [Maya: Oh, nowhere important. Just had to handle some personal stuff. You know how it is.] Scott''s eyebrows furrowed as he read her response. Something didn''t sit right, but he decided to let it slide for now. [Scott: Gotcha. Well, hope it wasn''t too stressful.] [Maya: Nah, all good. What about you? What''s your plan for the night?] Scott leaned back on the edge of the building and caught his breath as he scanned the cityscape. [Scott: It''s a bit late, but maybe I''ll visit Jake later to help him build that Red Star Battleship he was talking about.] [Maya: Be careful out there, alright?] Scott grinned, amused by her concern. [Scott: Always am. What about you? What''re you up to?] Maya bit her lip. She was going to have to lie again. Instead of telling Scott about her impromptu trip to Fremont, she deflected again. [Maya: Nothing much. Just relaxing. Maybe I''ll watch a movie or something later.] Scott didn''t press any further, simply nodding to himself as he began setting up for his next move. [Scott: Alright, well, keep me updated. I''ll text you after I wrap things up here.] [Maya: Will do. Stay safe, babe ?] ¡­ Emma frowned as she watched him text his girlfriend. ¡ºTch, it''s probably some cheesy stuff¡­¡» She squeezed her teddy bear tighter, feeling jealousy creep in as she became more curious about what they were talking about. For now, all she could do was sit and sulk, wondering when¡ªif ever¡ªshe would get the same attention. Chapter 14 Obsessed Heroine, Pizza Delivery Scott took a few deep breaths as his heart pounded along with the flickering city lights below. He adjusted his mask, making sure it was snug over his face, then looked back at the streaming drone floating right behind him as it followed his every move."Alright, folks¡­ time to pick up the pace. Hold tight!" He took off in a quick sprint across the rooftop and dashed toward a gap that dropped five stories down to the alley below. The wind rushed past him as he jumped, pulling his knees up to clear the ledge. He landed on the next rooftop, rolling low and springing back to his feet without slowing down. The chat lit up with excitement. [Dang, my dude''s got skills! (¡î¦Ø¡î)] [Yo, that was sick, Nightwatch! Keep it going!] [Wheeee! Are you Spider-Man, bro?] [Skip the stunts and get to the action, my guy!] Scott grinned and caught the rush of adrenaline as he sprinted to the rooftop edge. Without hesitation, he launched off, using his grappling hook mid-air to swing over to a nearby fire escape. The drone captured every angle, sending the footage live to his viewers, who reacted with comments rolling in faster than he could read. [YESSSS MORE PARKOUR!!!] [Dude''s def not skipping leg day lol] [Nightwatch''s got hops, fr fr] As Scott scaled the last rooftop, his smartwatch buzzed to indicate his final destination was just around the corner. He paused to catch his breath, then checked the screen to confirm he had the right address. "Hmm, this is it¡­" He muttered to himself as he looked back at the drone. "Looks like the System nailed it." [Err, this looks like the alley by Sixth! Isn''t that where you get your weed, dude?] [LMAO that does look familiar.] [YO, I hope this is the guy who yeeted you through a window (?¨R?¨Q)?] [Don''t let him knock you out again, bro!] [Hey, 20 bucks says he gets tossed again LOL] As Scott scanned the comments, he chuckled and shook his head. "I can''t with you guys sometimes¡­" Before long, Scott faced the camera and turned serious. "Alright, everyone. Tonight''s plan? We''re interrogating one of the suspected robbers from last night''s little show. Let''s see if he''s got anything useful to say." Just then, a poll popped up in the corner of the stream: ¡¸What''s the success rate of this mission? Vote Now!¡¹ ? He wins with style: 45% ? Another trip through a window: 35% ? I''m not sure: 20% --- Scott simply smirked at this. "You guys are ruthless. I''d be happier if I didn''t have to fight, honestly. But hey, it''s the job." As he turned back to the entrance, an alert flashed on his screen¡­ a new donation from none other than PhantomMuse89. He hesitated before reading the message: [PhantomMuse89 donated $500.00 ¨C Uhm, where are you currently?] Scott''s eyebrows shot up at the hefty donation attached to such a straightforward question. The chat erupted in reactions. [Yo, $500 for a question??] [PhantomMuse89 really tryna pull info here, hmmm (?_?)] [Who even is this PhantomMuse89 person, lol? Paparazzi??] [Plot twist: PhantomMuse89 is his stalker LMAO] [You can''t get more desperate than this fr (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [Y''all really get salty over nothing fr (?_?)] Scott laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, sorry, PhantomMuse, but¡­ can''t share that. Already risking enough just streaming all this. Hope you understand." As he turned his attention back to the building, another message from PhantomMuse89 popped up, practically pleading: [PhantomMuse89: Please, I really want to know.] The intensity of the request made Scott hesitate for a second, but he forced himself to shake it off. "Look, sorry, but it''s a no-go. Thanks for the support, though. Really appreciate it." The chat exploded with reactions to his response, and a few viewers tried to comfort PhantomMuse89. [Dang, imagine dropping $500 and getting hit with a ''no''¡­ that kinda sucks (©Ð©Ð©n©Ð©Ð)] [Awww, don''t worry, PhantomMuse. It''s just safety stuff, you know?] [Bro really tryna dodge stalkers tonight LOL] [PhantomMuse89 kinda giving me weirdo vibes ngl¡­ or do y''all not see it?? (? _ ?)?] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Emma let out another frustrated scream and flopped back onto her bed, glaring up at the ceiling. She clutched her teddy bear tightly, her cheeks flushed as she frowned. "Why won''t he just tell me?" She muttered under her breath, feeling frustration bubbling up as she remembered Scott texting his girlfriend. Soon, her expression grew a bit darker. ¡ºHmm, maybe if I donated like $5,000, he''d answer my question? No, that probably wouldn''t work. I don''t think he''s the type to be easily swayed by money¡­ if he was, he''d already be selling merch after his first big stream.¡» Emma thoughtfully stroked her chin. ¡ºOr what if I sent him a huge gift or something, you know, became his biggest supporter, and then told him I''m Miss Mercury or something¡­ then we''d start off with a good relationship, right? Err, that sounds a bit forced.¡» Emma let out a long, dramatic sigh as she glanced back at Scott''s stream. She couldn''t help but feel a sort of envy watching him, so carefree and unbothered. Memories of her middle school days flashed through her mind¡­ the last time she''d ever felt this obsessed about a guy, back before her powers had awakened. Back when her biggest worries were math quizzes and reading romance novels under the covers past midnight. "Ugh, what happened to me?" Emma groaned and pressed her hand against the screen as if she could somehow reach him through it. She flopped back down on her bed and rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillow before peeking up with a helpless little pout. "I haven''t even kissed a guy! Meanwhile, my sister''s probably doing all that and more¡­ how unfair is that?" After a moment, she pushed herself up and padded over to the wine rack in the corner of her room. Pulling out an expensive vintage she barely knew anything about, she poured herself a glass and took a slow, thoughtful sip as she eyed her wall covered in snapshots of Scott in his Nightwatch mask, mid-action. Each picture showed a different pose, a different rooftop or street corner, all captured from his stream like prized mementos. She wandered over to her desk and traced her finger over the line of car keys she''d lined up there, each one representing a different, more extravagant ride than the last. "Maybe guys like him go for that sort of thing?" She muttered, holding one of the keys up to the light. "Just give him a Lamborghini or something¡­ or, like, a custom-made vigilante car with all the gadgets. What guy wouldn''t be into that?" But even as the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head and set the key back down with a sigh. "No¡­ he''d probably just think I was trying to buy him. Besides, he''d never be able to accept it on stream. It''d be too¡­ obvious." She let out another, even heavier sigh and plopped back onto her bed as her eyes drifted to the screen once more, where Scott''s latest stunt had the chat in an uproar. "You''re hopeless, Mister Vigilante¡­" She whispered with a soft, almost affectionate smile. "And maybe I am too¡­" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back on the rooftop¡­ Scott inhaled deeply to gather his focus. "Alright, let''s get to business." He glanced at the screen one last time and chuckled at the chaos PhantomMuse89 had stirred up before he adjusted his mask and turned to face the backdoor. "Ready, guys?" He whispered to the camera. [Let''s goooooo!] [Make him bleed, Nightwatch!] [We''ve gotta stop calling him that¡­ I think something like Midnight is better!] [Never name again (? ? ?)] [¡­] [Yo, get in there already (???)] Scott leapt down from the rooftop and landed with a muffled thud just outside the designated door in the alley. He adjusted his mask, flexed his gloved hands, and took a moment to shake off the last bit of adrenaline coursing through him. The drone hovered close, capturing everything. He gave the door a few brisk knocks, listening to the shuffling noises inside. Through the walls, he could hear muffled laughter, a few giggles, and the telltale thumping bassline of cheap speakers blasting music. Inside, a couple of tattooed gang members lounged on sagging couches, some puffing lazily on cigarettes while a few of their girlfriends draped across them, one of them half-naked and leaning into a sloppy makeout session with a guy sporting a scruffy mohawk. Smoke drifted through the dim room, carrying the strong, distinct smell of weed mixed with the sourness of old beer. One of the gang members near the back tilted his head toward the door, then tapped the ash off his cigarette. "Yo, we expecting anyone tonight?" The gang leader barely looked up, too busy with the woman on his lap to pay attention. He waved a dismissive hand, muttering something that sounded vaguely like "who cares?" The first guy shrugged, stubbing out his cigarette as he sauntered over to the door. He rapped on it twice. "Who is it?" Scott cleared his throat and adjusted his voice, going for his best awkward-nerd impression. "Uh¡­ pizza delivery?" The thug frowned then glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, did we order pizza?" A guy slouched on the couch, his eyes red-rimmed and glazed. He looked up with a slow, lazy grin. "Bro, just open it. We''ll stick a friggin'' gun in his face and take the free pie." With a chuckle, the first guy shrugged, turned the handle, and pulled the door open. A flash of motion was all he saw before Scott''s boot connected squarely with his gut to send him stumbling backward and crashing onto the sticky floor. The other gang members bolted upright, wide-eyed. The chat immediately lit up. --- [OOOOOOH! That''s what I''m talking about! (¨R¨Œ¨Q)] [Nightwatch''s got that serious kick lol] [Did you see the way he flew back? LMAO] [YOOOOOO, GET HIM, NIGHTWATCH!!] [Uh¡­ are they¡­ like¡­ half-naked in there? (?_?)] [Quick someone call Twitch mods lol] [Free show? LOL I''m here for it (???)] --- Emma let out an excited squeal from her room as she watched, clenching her fists in excitement. "Yes! That''s my guy!" Scott barely had time to notice the donations pouring in from the excitement before the gang members scrambled for their guns, eyes blazing with aggression. He dove to the left and rolled behind a battered couch just as bullets began to fly. A few shots tore through the fabric, but fortunately missed him by inches. In the stream''s corner, a steady flood of suggestions from the viewers popped up. They were eager to tell Scott how to handle his next move. [yo make sure to punch the guy with the mohawk (???)] [Smack one of them with a bottle!] [just break all their legs (???)] [20 bucks if you chokehold the leader lol] [DUDE DROP A BOMB OR SOMETHING!] Ignoring the onslaught of tips, Scott rolled to his knees and lobbed a small homemade smoke bomb into the center of the room. ¡­ SUUUUUUU! It hissed and explosively released a dense cloud that filled the room in seconds. The thugs stumbled back and swatted at the smoke. "FACK! I can''t see shit!" "This son of a bitch fights like Rope Girl!" "Raaaargh! I''ve had enough of this shit!" "Don''t fuckin'' pull that trigger unless you wanna kill our blind asses you dumb fuck!" "Damn it!" Scott watched all this with a grin. "Showtime!" He muttered as flicked on the stun batons in each hand and surged forward. The first guy barely had time to register the batons before Scott cracked one across his jaw and sent him flying. With swift, practiced movements, he whirled around to sweep a second thug''s legs from under him before jabbing the baton into his chest to painfully electrocute him. The guy convulsed as his eyes rolled back before slumping unconscious. The comment section was going insane: [YESSSSSSSSS!!! LIGHT ''EM UP NIGHTWATCH!] [OMG THAT SMOKE BOMB THO (?¨S?)] [Someone get this guy a medal fr (???)] [Guy''s out here taking names like a BOSS] [These dudes don''t stand a chance LMAOOO] [Bruh, what is all this glazing¡­] [I like that you say that behind your screen (¡ä?_?`)] The half-naked women rushed for the door, screaming as they scattered into the alley. Their high heels clicked against the concrete. But Scott barely noticed them as his focus was solely on the gang members still left. A burly thug lunged at him, but Scott sidestepped and sent his baton down on the guy''s wrist to disarm him before slamming his fist into his gut. ¡­ THWACK! Another jab with the baton left him twitching and unconscious on the floor. ¡­ bzzzzt©¤©¤©¤©¤POOOOOM! Scott paused, breathing hard as he surveyed the room. The last of the thugs was stumbling backward, looking at him with wide eyes and his gun shaking in his hands. "Y-, You''re crazy, man!" Scott tilted his head and took a step forward. "Just doing my job." The thug turned to run, but Scott lunged, hooking the guy''s ankle with his baton and yanking him to the ground. ¡­ fuuup©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK! A swift jab to the back of the neck, and the guy went limp. Scott straightened and gave a quick nod to the drone. He noticed the chat rolling with donations and messages, and he couldn''t help but grin as he scanned through a few. [ok that was LEGENDARY fr fr] [Nightwatch''s out here like Batman 2.0 LOL] [Bro dropped them like flies!] [WHERE''S MY DUDE''S OSCAR???] [@Nightwatch How do you not have merch yet???] [Like fr, I would honestly buy £Ü(£þO£þ)] Scott caught his breath and rubbed the back of his neck as he turned to address his audience. "Alright, guys. That''s all of ''em. Now¡­ let''s see if anyone left some intel lying around. Gotta find out if these lowlifes know anything about last night''s robbery." Scott walked over to the gang leader, who lay unconscious among the smoke and knocked-over furniture. He crouched down and patted the guy''s jacket pockets until he pulled out a crumpled scrap of paper with a few addresses messily scribbled on it. The chat exploded again: [YESSSS CLUES BABY!!] [Ok but like is anyone gonna bring up that crazy guy that donated $500 earlier??] [Yo PhantomMuse89 we need answers (????-)?] [Forget the clues, where''s my Batmobile tho?] [I mean he has to ask first, right? Like those Make-A-Wish kids usually do¡­] [I think you mean GoFundMe¡­] [Oh yeah, that ( ? _ ? )¡­ my bad¡­] Scott held up the paper to the camera with a smirk. "Looks like we''ve got a lead for tomorrow night. Hope you''re all ready for round two." The chat cheered as he slipped the paper into his pocket. And somewhere across the city, Emma watched him with a soft smile as her fingers traced lazy circles around her wine glass. "Tomorrow night, huh¡­ guess I''ll have to tune in again, won''t I?" She then took a quick screenshot of the paper. Viewers couldn''t see the address in the slightest, but she was going to find a way. "I''m ready for you this time, Mister Vigilante¡­" Emma smirked confidently. Chapter 15 Interrogation, Arrival in Fremont City Scott hummed a tune from a sci-fi movie while he tied up the unconscious thugs.He worked methodically, looping cable ties around their wrists and ankles, making sure each one was secure. Once they were all bound, he dragged them one by one and lined them up neatly against the wall. "Alright, done with that¡­" He saved the leader for last, hauling him up and strapping him tightly to a chair right in the middle of the smoky room. Satisfied, Scott paced around the guy and patiently waited for him to come to. "Alright, Vigilante 101¡­ dramatic villain wake-up pose. Now, the classic option¡ªarms crossed, looming over him¡ªlooks tough, but you run the risk of looking like you''re trying too hard. And don''t even get me started on hands-on-hips. That''s how my gym teacher stood when I skipped class. Way too dad vibes." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe¡­ leaning casually against the wall? Nah, too cool-guy-from-the-movies. I''m here to stop crime, not audition for a commercial." Then he tried crouching down in front of the unconscious thug. "This one works if you''re in a good mood, but right now, I''m just annoyed." Finally, he settled on standing behind the chair with his hands on the backrest as he looked down at his foe. ¡ºThere we go. Dominating, but approachable. Kind of says, ''Hey, I tied you up, but we can still talk it out like reasonable people.'' Yeah, that''s the vibe.¡» He smiled to himself then glanced at the rest of the thugs still passed out on the floor. "Ah, they''ll never appreciate the artistry in this." After that, Scott gave himself a pat on the back. As the gang leader groaned and slowly blinked awake, Scott was surprisingly still, thinking about how he wanted to come across. He decided to try out a few more poses. First, he sat casually on the arm of the chair, but that felt a little too laid-back. Then, he stood with his arms crossed, but that felt too stiff and unnatural. After trying a few other poses, he finally settled into the chair, legs spread and leaning forward, with his arms resting on his thighs. The gang leader''s blurry gaze focused, and he sneered with a clearly unimpressed face. "What the hell¡­ what''s going on?" Scott''s face remained impassive and his eyes narrowed slightly as he kept his voice low. "I need information. And you''re going to give it to me. Now¡­ punk." The gang leader chuckled and shook his head. "What''s with that voice? You sound like you''re trying out for a bad action flick." Scott froze as a bit of heat rushed to his face under the mask. He cleared his throat, forcing his voice to sound even rougher. "Do-, Don''t know what you''re talking about. I always sound like this." The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? So you just¡­ permanently gargle gravel or something?" Scott shot him a deadpan look, suppressing a cough and staying in character. "You done? Because we''re getting off topic here." The gang leader sighed, rolling his eyes. "Whatever, man. Just get to the point." Scott leaned in then lowered his voice. "I need information on the Black Mechanica Gang." The leader gave a slow, lazy laugh. "And you''re asking me? Kid, you''re outta your depth. You think just ''cause I''m the ''leader'' of this little operation, I''ve got a direct line to the big bosses?" "Yeah. I do." Scott''s stare was hard. "Call me crazy, but I figured you might have some idea of what they''re up to." He tightened his grip on his stun batons. The leader snorted. "Look, I''m a level-one thug compared to the big dogs. Black Mechanica? They''re bigger than you think, kid. They''re the kinda people who don''t even bat an eye at folks like me." "How big?" Scott asked as his voice tightened. The gang leader only smirked then settled back with a smug look of silence. Scott resisted the urge to roll his eyes, forcing himself to lean in with a desperate tone. "Come on. Just give me something. Anything." The gang leader sniffed. "I don''t know nothin'', I ain''t heard nothin'', and even if I did, you think I''m spilling to some punk who thinks he''s Rope Girl? Yeah, right. Piss off." His expression remained unchanged. Scott rubbed his temples as his patience wore thin. "Listen, I don''t want to do this, but I will if I have to." He paused, watching the leader''s face closely. "I know you''ve got a daughter you''re hiding in the¡ª" "Whoa, whoa, alright!" The gang leader barked to quickly cut him off. Panic even flashed through his eyes to show how much he cared about that secret remaining a secret. "Fine, fine, I''ll talk. Just¡­ just shut up about that." Scott hid a smirk as the gang leader shifted uncomfortably. "That wasn''t so hard, was it?" The gang leader glared but spoke in a low, defeated voice. "Black Mechanica¡­ it''s not just some gang. They''ve got connections¡ªpolitical ones. If they wanted to, they could hold the government hostage. They''ve got nuclear tech, alien stuff even, that they smuggle in with help from certain¡­ friends." Scott''s eyes widened a little, but he quickly schooled his features back to calm neutrality. Inside, though, he felt a pang of hesitation. ¡­ Maybe this was bigger than he''d bargained for. But of course he couldn''t let the gang leader see that crack in his armor. "And who''s leading them?" He asked, careful to keep his voice steady. The gang leader''s mouth twisted with another laugh. "Honestly, I have no clue. Me? I''m just one of their disposable branches¡­ a decoy. We''re here to distract the Hero Agency and law enforcement so they can make moves where it counts." Scott rubbed his chin, processing that, but then his focus snapped back. "Anything else?" The leader eyed him for a moment before sighing. "Alright, alright. But only ''cause you asked nicely." Scott fought back a grin. "Good answer." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The next day¡­ The wheels of Vincent''s private jet touched down in Fremont with a subtle bounce, followed by the low rumble as it taxied to a halt. A crew of attendants waited just outside, ready to serve the man of the hour and his company. Vincent moved with his usual poise, unbuckling his seatbelt and standing with the ease of someone who''d done this a hundred times. Pulsar followed. She was still processing the whirlwind of thoughts and nerves she''d been wrestling with since they took off. As they exited, Vincent paused at the top of the jet''s staircase to breathe in the cool Fremont air with a contented sigh. Pulsar glanced out over the unfamiliar airport, taking it all in, while Vincent''s attendants sprang into action by loading his suitcases into the sleek black limousine waiting nearby. Vincent looked over at Pulsar then arched a brow. "You did bring enough clothes, right?" Pulsar frowned, caught off-guard. "Clothes? Vincent, I have a boyfriend back in Metro City. And there''s my dad too¡­" Vincent waved her concerns off with an airy flick of his wrist. "Oh chill out. Your father''s already in the loop. I spoke to Dr. Hiram myself." She narrowed her eyes. "Oh really? When? I didn''t even give you his number." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vincent just gave her a sharp, knowing look. "I''m an agent, little girl. Knowing things is part of the job." She rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "And Scott? What about him?" Vincent took a moment to study her reaction, then shrugged, his voice as casual as ever. "Is he a hero?" "No." Pulsar''s voice was sharp, as if the answer should be quite obvious by now. "Superpowers?" She shook her head. "A big influencer?" She scoffed, irritated. "No." Vincent simply smirked, striding toward the limo. "Then forget about him. He''s not important." The words stung. Pulsar frowned then crossed her arms even tighter. "Tch, Scott''s important to me, jerk." Vincent only patted the hood of the car, unfazed. "Sure, sure. Now, get in." "No, I really mean it... he''s an amazing boyfriend. If you keep talking like he doesn''t matter or isn''t important, I''m seriously going to turn around and fly back to Metro City." Pulsar spoke very firmly. Vincent smirked. "Well, if he''s such a perfect and amazing boyfriend, why are you hiding this from him?" "You¡­" "Oh, and let''s not forget that if he''s really that great, he''d be supportive enough to let you have the spotlight you deserve. You''re meant for bigger things, you know¡­ being a real celebrity, a top superhero. That Scott of yours will just end up being the guy who carries your purse on the red carpet." Pulsar''s eyes narrowed as her fists clenched, but she held back, even though she looked like she wanted to hit him. She took a breath. "Stop talking about him like that¡­" Her face turned sad, but Vincent didn''t seem to notice, much less care. "It''s not like I enjoy saying it, it''s just the truth. You''re meant to be famous¡ªa real symbol of hope. You''re going to be bigger than those so-called ''superhero girls'' like Miss Mercury or Mountress. Meanwhile, Scott''s just going to end up working long hours in some convenience store. Ha!" "Hrm¡­" "And hey, we''ll probably need to adjust your image a bit later too. Maybe I''ll set you up with someone who''s actually on your level. I could work something out with Xenon. Well, assuming he ever gets over that Miss Mercury. Ugh, that fuckin'' bitch ruins everything¡­" He scoffed. "I''m not changing my relationship. I lov¡­ I really like Scott, and I want to be with him." Pulsar replied in a low, tired voice. Vincent only chuckled. "Alright, we''ll talk more about this later." "We won''t¡­" With her jaw clenched and an annoyed expression on her face, she got into the limousine. The door shut behind her, and they drove away from the private tarmac. As they left the airport, the tall buildings of Fremont''s skyline came into view all around them. Pulsar looked out the tinted window and her eyebrows lifted in wonder. She''d never seen skyscrapers like this before, shimmering in the night. "Wow¡­ I''ve never been out of town before¡­" She murmured, almost to herself. Vincent glanced at her, unimpressed. "Well, keep it together. Acting like a country bumpkin doesn''t get you far in this business." She straightened up then brushed her short hair back with a proud smile. "I can handle myself just fine, thanks." He gave a small, approving nod. "Good for you then." They drove deeper into Fremont until a colossal building loomed ahead: a vast, glass-and-steel tower with the bold letters [TitanTech Industries] emblazoned at the top. Pulsar''s eyes shot wide open as they took in the massive, technological structure. "What is this place?" She asked in great awe. Vincent''s mouth curved into a satisfied smile. "One of the companies I recruit heroes for. It''s also the one of only places around that can afford to keep powerhouses like Fortitude and Lady Fortress on their payroll." Pulsar''s eyes sparkled. "Are they here right now?" Vincent shrugged, as if the answer were only mildly interesting. "Maybe. Last I checked, Fortitude was on an off-world mission." Pulsar narrowed her eyes. "You lied to me about that, didn''t you?" Vincent''s gaze hardened as his usual smirk was replaced by a more businesslike edge. "Get used to it. Part of the job is understanding that everyone has their own motives, Pulsar. Welcome to the real world of superheroes." Before Pulsar could respond, the ground beneath them shook violently and tremors vibrated through the limousine. ¡­ kaaaa©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! An ear-splitting explosion erupted in the distance, sending a plume of fire and debris skyward. "Holy©¤©¤!" Pulsar''s breath caught in her throat as screams filled the air and echoed around the towering buildings. The driver slowed down. ¡ºWhat the fuck is going on©¤©¤?!¡» His trembling eyes darted in every direction as panic rippled through the streets. A news helicopter swooped in overhead as the whirring blades sliced through the chaos. The spotlight beamed down to illuminate a frantic news reporter clinging to her microphone. "We''re getting reports of a massive explosion several kilometers away! Eyewitnesses claim there''s a man in some kind of containment suit, causing omnidirectional wave blasts that are ripping through the city!" Pulsar''s heart pounded as she flicked on the radio. The crackling voice of the news anchor confirmed the chaos: "This just in¡ªFremont is under attack! Civilians are advised to evacuate immediately!" Without a second thought, she flung open the door, ready to fly into action. "I need to go!" Vincent''s hand shot out to stop her. "No." "Why not? People are in danger!" She snapped, frustration boiling off her. "Because you need a better entrance than that! You can''t go saving people until you''ve at least signed a contract with TitanTech Industries." Vincent''s tone was firm, as if the matter were settled. Pulsar narrowed her eyes. "You must be joking." "Not joking. Someone else will handle it." Just then, a streak of turquoise and white shot across the sky, leaving a sonic boom trail in its wake. Civilians gasped and pointed upwards, their eyes wide with wonder. The reporter in the chopper''s spotlight fixed her gaze on the streak. "What''s that? Is that¡ª? Oh my God! It''s Lady Fortress!" Pulsar''s heart leapt when she saw Lady Fortress. The renowned superheroine hovered mid-air to survey the devastation with her supervision. Cheers erupted from the crowd below, people shouting her name with excitement and relief. "Lady Fortress! Lady Fortress!" "I love you so much!" "To me, your the world''s number one superhero!!" "I want your autograph!" Pulsar watched in awe as Lady Fortress descended gracefully, like an angel sent from heaven. "Keep calm, everyone¡­ I''ll assess the situation." She sounded very brave and bold. "Look at her," Pulsar breathed, mesmerized. "She''s incredible." Vincent leaned back, arms crossed with a satisfied smirk. "See? Now that''s how you make an entrance. Not with a door and a worried look." Pulsar shot him a withering glare. "That''s not fair! I could be doing that right now!" "Not yet, you can''t. You''ve got a brand to build, Pulsar. You want to be up there with her, don''t you?" "But people need me!" Pulsar insisted. She now sounded desperate. "Then let''s make sure when you do show up, it''s for the right reasons. Imagine the headlines: ''Pulsar Saves the Day!'' That''s what I''m talking about. But first, you''ve got to be a part of TitanTech." "Yah, fuck no¡­" "Wait, what?" Rather than give him an answer, Pulsar immediately flew in Lady Fortress'' direction. Chapter 16 Nuclear Tensions, Early Morning Livestream Pulsar zoomed forward and her body buzzed with excitement as she got closer and closer to Lady Fortress. When she finally reached her, she pulled up short to stop right in front of the taller heroine and hover there with a wide and expectedly weird grin on her face.Lady Fortress blinked, slightly startled. She didn''t expect anyone, let alone some overexcited kid, to interrupt her mission. Unable to stop herself, Pulsar blurted out. "Lady Fortress, I''m your biggest fan!" After all, she didn''t know what else to say. Lady Fortress''s eyes only flickered for a second before she turned her eyes back to the chaos below. "Uh-huh¡­ Alright, kid¡ªcome with me." She tilted her head then motioned for Pulsar to follow before launching forward. Pulsar''s mouth dropped in excitement as Lady Fortress sped off, and she let out a squeal. "Oh my God, we''re doing a team-up!" She bolted after her, soaring beside her idol as they headed straight for the source of the explosion. The scene at ground level was more than chaotic. The air reeked of burning metal and thick smoke, and the unstable man at the center of it all wore a high-tech containment suit that was releasing devastating waves in all directions. Each wave caused the ground to tremble and anything within its reach¡ªcars, streetlights, even entire portions of buildings¡ªto disintegrate into dust. Police had already secured the area and were doing their best to keep the public back, but it was clear the thirty-meter radius they''d established wouldn''t hold much longer. Lady Fortress approached the police chief. "I need you and your men to withdraw from this area immediately. It''s too dangerous." Her voice was stern but calm. The police chief was a stout man. He had a very determined look on his bearded face as he shook his head firmly. "Ma''am, it''s our duty to protect these people. We''re not just walking away from that!" Pulsar stepped up beside her. "Listen, if you don''t pull back, it''ll just make things harder for us¡­ Lady Fortress and I have this, alright?" Reluctantly, the chief eyed her, then Lady Fortress. After a moment''s pause, he nodded. "Alright. Pull back, everyone!" He shouted, and his officers began retreating as the police trucks and squad cars roared away from the scene. Lady Fortress faced forward. Her eyes narrowed on the man in the containment suit as he unleashed yet another wave. "Alright¡­ are you ready?" She gave Pulsar a side-eye. Pulsar''s heart nearly skipped a beat. "Absolutely! So¡­ how do we stop this guy?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lady Fortress''s eyes narrowed as she used her supervision to analyze the entire area, the suit, and even the man''s immensely complex physiology. "Give me a second." She scanned every detail of the scene and her eyes easily cut right through the thick smoke and rubble. Overhead, the news chopper was buzzing, with the spotlight following the unfolding action below. The reporter checked social media platforms like Chirper and WeTube for the latest updates: [As usual, Lady Fortress is here to cook those stupid ass villains, yunno it''s like they never learn!] [Err, looks like this guy''s one of those heavily generic ass villain (©`_©`©g] [Who''s the black-haired chick though? (©b-©b)] [Yeah, she looks kinda cute¡­] [I think she''s called Pulsar or something¡­ a C-rank hero, could never be my tights-wearing goddess Rope Girl, she solos all these fodders (£Þ 0 £Þ)!!] [Most normal Rope Girl fan (? _ ?)¡­] [Pulsar''s probably a new TitanTech recruit or sum. I mean¡­ why else would she be here? (£þ £þ|||)] [Bruh, you say that like it''s easy to even get recruited by TitanTech (?_?) those guys have both Lady Fortress and Fortitude on their roster mind you¡­] [Ehh, overrated¡­ Shadow Monger solos ¨r(¨s_¨t)¨q] [Do y''all think that Nightwatch guy could get recruited by TitanTech Industries? I mean, unlike the superheroes they have on their roster, he deeply relies on combat technology!] [Yeah, he''d be the best choice if they really wanna market their shit fr (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] [Nah, y''all are overrating him ( ?_?)¥Î] [Fr, the glazing is crazy ( ? _ ? ) bro is NOT TitanTech material fr, stop the glaze!] [Bruh, his early morning stream today was fire asf! There was explosions and shit!] [And bro walked it off like a fuckin'' God!] --- The reporter scrolled through a few more comments under the trending #RadionInFremont. "It seems the public has named this villain Radion! We''re witnessing untold destruction here in Fremont, and the renowned Lady Fortress, wearing her TitanTech-issued suit, has arrived to engage him. TitanTech Industries has yet again proved their commitment to heroism¡­" Lady Fortress cut her gaze back to Pulsar. "Listen, kid. The energy waves he''s releasing¡­ they''re nuclear in nature and growing stronger with each pulse." Pulsar''s eyes widened. "Nuclear?!" "At this rate, if the energy keeps building, the excess will gather and¡­ well, it could level half the country." Lady Fortress''s tone was steady but grim. Pulsar''s mouth dropped. "Half the country?!" Lady Fortress nodded. "Yeah. So stay sharp and follow my lead." She clenched her fists and hardened her face, but she still looked very beautiful. "The waves come in sets of three. That means we don''t have even a split second to reach him¡­ by the time the first disperses, the second''s already in motion." Pulsar''s mind whirred as she processed what Lady Fortress was saying. "But¡­ that''s impossible then! How can we even get close to him?" Lady Fortress gave her a small, almost conspiratorial smirk. "It''s not impossible." She paused, studying Pulsar with a hint of a challenge. "I''ll make an opening. When I do, you go for it." Pulsar blinked. "Wait, what do you mean?" Before she could get an answer, Fortress shot forward. She clapped her palms together with earth-shattering force to generate an explosive sonic boom that cracked through the city streets and shattered every window in the vicinity. Pulsar was nearly blown backward by the shockwave, but she braced herself with eyes wide-open when she saw the three nuclear waves split apart. It was the moment of truth! Without a second thought, Pulsar shot forward and zipped through the gap Lady Fortress had made. ¡­ VREEEEE-BZZZZZZZZZZZ! She moved at the speed of a star as her body became a blazing purple blur as she reached Radion. Swiftly, she scooped him up from the ground and blasted high into the sky. In a flash, she ripped his high-tech containment suit apart like it was just tissue paper to reveal the weak, frail man inside¡­a man scarred by radiation and looking barely alive. "Urgh, ewwww¡­" Without hesitation, she carried him back down to the ground and deposited him gently and steadied herself as she hovered back with a racing pulse. Lady Fortress landed beside her, arms crossed and her face as unreadable as ever. She tilted her head slightly. "Nice work. Congrats." Pulsar''s cheeks flushed as a hint of pride creeped into her face as she straightened up. "Th-, Thank you¡­ ma''am." "Now, let''s see what we''re dealing with¡­" Lady Fortress knelt beside the unconscious, scarred man and her supervision zeroed in on him with intense focus. Pulsar hovered a few feet away, watching in curiosity as Lady Fortress''s eyes gleamed with a blue light. The superwoman''s eyes cutting through each molecule, each twisted gene in his body. Before long, Pulsar broke the silence. "Didn''t you already, like¡­ scan him before? What''s left to look at?" Lady Fortress didn''t look up. "I did, but his physiology''s mutated beyond the usual superabled traits. A quick scan can''t break down every genetic twist in his code." Pulsar nodded slowly. "So¡­ what did you find this time?" Lady Fortress took a measured breath before standing. "He was born with powers¡ªnuclear abilities. But the suit he was wearing¡­ it was forcing his powers to propagate against his will, to the point where it''s drained him near to death." "Wait, wait¡­ so you''re saying someone did this to him?" Pulsar''s eyes widened. A grim look crossed Lady Fortress''s face. "Yeah, and I''ve got a good guess who." She turned her supervision on the scattered pieces of the high-tech containment suit and examined each fragment as they glowed under her piercing gaze. "Alien tech¡­ I should''ve known." She muttered, mostly to herself. Pulsar tilted her head. "Wait, alien tech? Who''d even have access to that?" Lady Fortress''s jaw tightened. "Black Mechanica. They''re the only gang with this kind of metal, Vincenium Alloy." Before Pulsar could say anything, the air around them grew heavy with shouts as cameras flashed and reporters crowded in, shoving microphones and phones toward the heroes. Lady Fortress barely reacted, while Pulsar, still getting used to all this, looked a bit startled by the sudden wave of people surrounding them. "Lady Fortress, over here! Please, can you tell us what exactly happened?" "Who''s responsible for the attack? Do you have any leads yet?" "Hey, Pulsar! Can we get a shot for WeTube?" "Lady Fortress, do you have a statement for your fans watching on MyView?" The questions came fast and eager, and before either hero could respond, a sharply dressed talent agent pushed forward with a slick smile, his tablet and business card in hand. "Lady Fortress, we''ve got an incredible deal lined up for you¡ªexclusive sponsorship, top-of-the-line coverage for BioPharm Corp¡­" Lady Fortress raised a brow but didn''t respond. Spotting an easier target, another agent immediately turned to Pulsar. "Hey, Pulsar! Big fan, big fan. We''d love to talk to you about a potential contract¡ªcould get you your own merch line, maybe even a series!" Pulsar blinked, clearly taken aback. "Uh, wow. Thanks, but, um¡ª" She looked toward Lady Fortress, who gave her a knowing smirk. Meanwhile, a pair of fans rushed forward, one clutching a Lady Fortress action figure, the other holding up a poster of her mid-flight. "Lady Fortress! Please, can we get an autograph?" Lady Fortress took a quick glance at Pulsar, who was still trying to dodge the overenthusiastic agents. "Alright, everyone, settle down." She raised her hand, and the crowd miraculously fell silent, each face looking expectantly at her. Her calm yet authoritative tone carried over the hubbub as she addressed them. "Yes, Radion was stopped, but he''s also a victim in this, not just a villain. We''ll be looking further into who''s responsible." She eyed a few agents still trying to get closer. "For now, though, no contracts or endorsements, alright? This isn''t exactly the time." A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd, though a few agents stepped back, adjusting their ties and murmuring apologies. Lady Fortress turned to the fans with autographs in hand, signing a few items quickly but efficiently. Just as she finished the last one, she glanced back at Pulsar, who was looking a little shell-shocked as the cameras kept snapping. "Alright, time''s up¡­" she announced. Before Pulsar could react, Lady Fortress grabbed her cape and, in a flash, they shot into the air and left the crowd below scrambling to keep their cameras focused. As they soared away from the scene, Pulsar laughed, still a little breathless. "Oh my God, that was insane! Do you have to deal with that every time?" Lady Fortress smirked. "More than I''d like¡­" "Does it get in the way of your love life?" Pulsar frowned when she asked this question. But she frowned even more when she heard Lady Fortress''s unexpected response. "Love life? What''s that?" "¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back in Metro City¡­ Scott limped through the dark streets, feeling pain with every step he took. The sun hadn''t come up yet so it cast deep shadows in the alley where he had barely escaped death. His armor was ripped, and blood seeped from various cuts on his arms and face, swelling in spots where the punches had hit him too hard. He felt a sharp pain in his side, suggesting he might have broken ribs, but right now, that didn''t matter. As he activated the livestream, a notification pinged, and the chat exploded into life. [Oh my god, is he okay? (¡ã¡÷¡ã|||)] [Pfft, bro got his ass handed to him (*£þo£þ) could never be my glorious queen Rope Girl ?] [Really not the time bruh¡­ (? _ ?)] [Rope Girl fans¡­ I swear (¡ä,_©f`)] [Did that explosion actually happen tho?] [He''d be dead if he didn''t jump!] [I can''t believe he fuckin'' survived! He barely jumped out in time fr! ~(''.''~)] [If he didn''t, this would be a tragic end for the series.] [Just the second stream, and it''s already this intense?!] [Someone gotta put this guy on GOAT watch fr!!] --- Scott grimaced but didn''t say anything. Instead, he pushed on, limping forward, each step reminding him of the chaos he had just escaped. His breathing was heavy, but he tried to stay composed. The camera drone hovered nearby to capture every painful moment as he shuffled along. [Ding! Today''s mission is complete!] [Mission Grade: B+] [Total Accumulated Credits: 80,000] [Congratulations, you''ve some acquired new gear!] [Silent Step Boots (Tier 2), x30 Phantom Smoke Bombs (Tier 2), Echo Amplifier (Tier 3), Invisibility Spray (Tier 5)] [You''ve also acquired some new skills!] [Parkour (Tier 5), Aikido (Tier 2), Krav Maga (Tier 2)] Scott barely took in the information and gave the screen a quick glance before dropping to his knees as he struggled to breathe. He tasted blood in his mouth, and with a harsh cough, he spat it out onto the concrete. [OMG! He''s bleeding! ( ? _ ? )] [Nightwatch, are you okay, man?!] [Is this really happening? (????) Shit¡­] [Jokes aside, go to the hospital, dawg!] His gaze was unfocused as the camera captured the raw reality of his condition, but he didn''t respond. Instead, he focused on breathing, feeling the pressure in his chest ease slightly as he fought to stay conscious. Then, he felt a rush of donations hit his account. [$100 donation from User12345: Get well soon, hero!] [$300 donation from NotHero87: Don''t die on us, please!] [A massive $10,000 donation from PhantomMuse89: You''ve got this, Mister Vigilante!] Scott blinked in disbelief. ¡ºThat''s a lot of support from them¡­¡» He never expected that so early. "PhantomMuse89?" Scott managed to croak out as he looked at the drone. "Thank you¡­ whoever you are." His smile barely cracked through the pain. On the other side of the screen, Emma Graves sat glued to her laptop as her heart pounded. She hadn''t slept, and the sight of Scott''s battered form made her stomach twist in knots. "Oh, Mister Vigilante¡­" She murmured, touching the screen gently, as if it could somehow reach him. She blushed when she saw the donation way he smiled at the camera. She couldn''t see his face, but she could just tell. [PhantomMuse89 really loves Nightwatch, huh?] [This is how you know he''s the real deal!] [Can we get an F in the chat for his health?] [I''m so lucky I stayed online even after he said that was gonna be his final stream for the night. Imagine if I missed that cool ass explosion, holeh fuk!] [I could get hooked on this (? ? ?)] --- Scott finally regained some semblance of strength. "Yeah, so, uh¡­" He paused, forcing himself to sit up straight despite the pain radiating through him. "While those guys blew up the entire warehouse and ended up as¡ª" he took a deep breath, "¡ªwell, whatever they are now, I managed to snag something." He pulled out a small, glowing green rock encased in thick bronze metal and lifted it for the camera to see. [What the hell is that?] [Is that alien tech?! ?¡Ñ?¨‘?] [Definitely not bruh, chill out likeee] [Dude, you''re a legend!] --- "Could be alien tech, I don''t know? Guess I''ll find out once I recover a bit more." Scott was trying to sound casual, but he was a few inches from running mad because of the pain. [You need to sleep, man!] [Are you serious? Go to a hospital!] [When''s the next stream? (???)?] [YEAH! Next stream when?!] --- Scott winced and leaned back against the cold wall. "Alright, I gotta call it a night. I''m all beat up from that explosion, and¡­ yeah, sleep sounds good." [Nooooo!] [You can''t leave us hanging!] [When''s the next stream? (????)] --- Ignoring their protests, Scott forced himself to smile at the camera. "I''ll be back, I promise. Just need to recover. Thanks for all the support, guys¡­ really." With a final wave, he ended the stream. The statistics for his nine-hour marathon popped up on the screen, the massive donations scrolling in a blur. [Viewers: 6,420 | Donations: $16,600.00] [Bank Balance: $16,863.00] A mild smile appeared on Scott''s face. "Nice¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ An hour later¡­ Suppressing the throbbing pain he was feeling, Scott finally arrived at a familiar sight. His apartment building. Still, he had to get inside. With a quick flick of his wrist, he activated the grappling hook in his gadget glove. ¡­ FWICK! The metal hook shot out with a satisfying whir and latched onto the window frame of his fourth-floor apartment. "Here goes nothing¡­" He muttered, gritting his teeth against the fresh wave of agony as he pulled himself up. Each tug sent jarring pain through his side, but he forced himself to focus on the end goal. He swung through the open window and landed awkwardly on the floor. "Ahhh!" A scream of pain escaped his lips as he bit down on his lower lip and the metallic taste of blood flooded his mouth again. He rolled onto his back and gasped for breath. Suddenly. ¡­ Click! The lights flickered on and the room went bright. Scott squinted, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness, only to find a pretty, blonde girl standing next to his door with a phone in hand. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Things to note: - How do you guys feel about these long chapters? I don''t like breaking it down into two as it feels lazy. - I''m open to suggestions on a better superhero alias for the MC, Nightwatch suggests he only operates at night. That might become problematic going forward. Chapter 17 Gwen Mercer Scott blinked with eyes wide in shock as he looked at the girl standing across the room.It was Gwen Mercer. His childhood friend and Aunt Tess''s daughter. She had shoulder-length, wavy blonde hair with bangs that hung partly over one eye. Her eyes were a clear blue, and there was a faint blush on her cheeks, giving her a soft, neutral expression. She was really pretty, with her parted cherry lips that showed her bright, attractive white teeth. She wore a cropped white hoodie that left her midriff exposed, along with dark, high-waisted leggings that hugged her legs and showed off her firm thighs. Her build was athletic, with a slim waist and wide hips that gave her a striking, almost mesmerizing shape. Scott took some time to look at her shapely body a bit which made his cheeks turn a bit hot. Right after, he shook his head to regain his focus. "Gwen?" She held up her smartphone with a teasing smirk. ¡­ SNAP! Gwen took a quick picture of him in his torn-up Nightwatch suit, bloodied and battered. "That''s a keeper¡­" She tucked her blonde hair to the side and studied him with that smug face he''d known since they were kids. "Well, well, I had a feeling I''d see something shocking, but¡­ Nightwatch? Really? From WeTube?" Gwen crossed her arms and smirked. Scott''s heart dropped into his stomach. "No, no! I''m not¡­ I''m just¡­ uh¡­ yunno cosplaying! Yeah, that''s it. That''s literally it!" Gwen raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Cosplaying? And the blood is part of the cosplay too? Tch, you were always a terrible ass liar. That''s why I never played kissing behind the garden with you when we were kids, you''d sell us out first chance you get!" "It''s¡­" Scott laughed nervously as he waved his hands. "It''s uh, a really dedicated look. What the hell are you doing here, anyway?" Gwen gave a mock gasp then folded her arms tighter. "Oh, I don''t know, maybe because Mom and I took an early morning flight back to Metro City to surprise you. You were so hard to get ahold of, so we figured, why not?" Scott groaned, shaking his head. "Gwen, you can''t just¡­ walk into my room like that. And where did you even get the apartment keys? Aunt Tess left everything in my hands." Gwen dangled a keyring on her finger, smirking. "Oh, this? Stole one before we left. Thought I''d catch you sneaking a girl in or something. But this¡­" She let her gaze drift over his bruised, disheveled form. "This is way better." Before Scott could protest, he heard Aunt Tess''s voice drifting from the hallway outside. "Gwen, honey, is Scott in there?" Scott''s eyes went wide, and he shot Gwen a pleading look, mouthing¡­ ~Don''t say a word. She tilted her head with a devious smile and dragged out the silence for as long Scott''s patience could hold. His eyes widened and he was practically begging her not to reveal anything. Gwen rolled her eyes, then called back. "Yeah, Mom. He''s¡­ sleeping." Scott exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. "For fuck sakes, thanks¡­" He clutched his chest, his head falling back against the wall as he tried to gather himself. "Alright, fine¡­" Gwen said as she moved closer with an amused smile. "I''ll keep your little double life secret. But I want to know everything. How the hell did you end up in¡­ this?" She gestured at his torn armor and bruised face. A few minutes later, Scott told Gwen everything¡­ his double life as Nightwatch and his career as a streamer. He was careful, though, not to reveal much about the System or exactly how he got his gadgets. Gwen was speechless as he explained how he got a tip from a street gang connected to the Black Mechanica Gang, which led him to a warehouse filled with all kinds of strange tech. But things went sideways fast. He got caught by the people running the place, and instead of putting up a fight, they strangely hit a suicide switch. Scott barely managed to escape the explosion and, in the chaos, grabbed a sample of one of the alien devices stored there. With a slight grin, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small green core. Its light pulsed from within its bronze casing. Gwen''s eyes lit up, and before he could react, she snatched it from his hand. "Is this¡­ alien tech?" "Probably. Now give it back, Gwen." But Gwen ignored him and held it up to the light with a child-like fascination. "This thing''s friggin'' cool¡­" "Gwen, seriously, give it back." She grinned mischievously. "Make me." Scott''s patience snapped, and he lunged at her, only for her to disappear into a cloud of mist and reappear on the other side of the room, still holding the core. "What the¡­" He sputtered, staring in disbelief. "How the fuck did you¡­" Gwen just wagged the core as her beautiful blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, come on, Scottie. Didn''t think you''d be the only one with tricks, did you?" He lunged again, but once more she vanished in a puff of mist and reappeared by his desk. Scott tried three more times, each attempt slower and more exhausting than the last as his battered body painfully reminded him of every injury. Finally, his energy drained, he dropped to one knee, out of breath. "Gwen¡­" he panted, "¡­give me the damn thing." She clicked her tongue, looking almost disappointed as she tossed the core back to him. "Fine. You''re no fun anyway. And this shitty tech is kind of lame, honestly." Scott grabbed it and shoved it back into his armor pocket and muttered,"Thanks¡­ for nothing." But Gwen just grinned and folded her arms. "Oh, come on, Scott. Admit it¡ªyou missed me." For the first time since he''d limped into his apartment, he managed a real, albeit weary, smile. "Fuck you¡­" said Scott. Gwen smiled in an oddly flirtatious manner. "You wish~" "Huh?" "Don''t mind me. Now take that shit off, it''s all messy and covered in blood¡­ you look like a period factory." Gwen wrinkled her nose, as if he had an unpleasant smell. Scott''s eyes narrowed halfway. He gave her an utterly unimpressed look. "You know, I''m sure you''d have a lot of guys around you if you''d just learn to shut the fuck up." "Tee-hee ?! You''re just butt-hurt." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Some minutes later¡­ Scott turned around and slowly took off the last pieces of his battered armor as his fingers worked skillfully over the clasps. As he moved, the muscles in his back flexed, revealing scars and a toned physique that caught Gwen''s attention. ¡­ Huh? She couldn''t help but stare, surprised at how different he looked now compared to the kid she used to tease all the time. She shifted uncomfortably as she felt her cheeks warm up without warning. Even her body started to get a little hot. ¡ºWhy does he look so¡­ jacked?¡» Her mouth watered a bit and she swallowed. ¡ºHe''s oddly¡­ sexy¡­¡» Gwen held her phone behind her and aimed for a quick photo of his broad, scarred back. ¡­ SNAP! Then she couldn''t resist one more¡­ this time of his butt in those snug tights. Just looking at it made her bite her lower lip. ¡ºMmm~ ? I see¡­¡» But just as her finger hovered over the button, Scott spun around with a raised brow, eyeing her suspiciously. Easily caught, Gwen dropped her phone and started whistling while glancing at the ceiling with an exaggerated innocence. Scott scoffed with a dry voice. "Hrmmm, you''re about as innocent as a cat with a mouthful of feathers, Gwen." "Me?" Gwen acted surprised as she sneakily tucked her phone into her pocket. "I have no idea what you''re talking about, Scottie." He just shook his head and went back to removing his gear, peeling off each blood-stained piece until he was down to a pair of dark compression pants. He tossed his gloves and shoulder guards to the side. Gwen stood nearby with her arms crossed as she glanced around the room while the only sounds were Scott''s occasional grumbles about the busted wiring in his armor. "Not much has changed in here¡­" Gwen mused aloud and gently trailed her slender finger over his dusty bookshelf. "Feels like just yesterday I was running circles around you and Jake during one of your little science fair projects." Scott rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and those ''little'' projects would''ve gone a lot smoother if you hadn''t stolen half our tools." She laughed as her hand rested on an action figure still in its original box. "Hey, it''s not my fault you nerds¡­ I mean, guys were so easy to mess with." She casually tore the toy box open. "Oh, Shadow Monger? Had one of these myself back in the day. A little worn now, though." Scott shot her an exasperated glare as he pulled a fresh shirt over his head. "That''s a limited edition, dummy. Drop it." But she just gave an innocent shrug and stuffed the figure back in its mangled box. "Oops¡­" Gwen said nonchalantly as she placed it back on the shelf like nothing happened. Scott''s glare softened as he looked at her, partly amused and partly frustrated. "I don''t know how I put up with you sometimes." "Oh, I think you know¡­" Gwen replied, giving him a sly grin before wandering to another shelf. As she looked around his room, her eyes landed on a framed photo of Scott and Maya, and her expression instantly darkened. Frowning a little, she picked it up, her fingers brushing over the glass before she set it face down on the shelf. Then she spotted another photo¡ªthe three of them as kids: her, Scott, and Jake. With a small smile, she adjusted it so it was in full view. "Perfect¡­" Turning, she shot Scott a side-eye. "So, you''re actually still with that Maya girl?" Scott pulled his shirt down and settled it over his shoulders with a satisfied sigh. "Yep. Gotten pretty serious, actually. We''ve been together since¡­ well, since we were in middle school?" Gwen let out a dry chuckle before rolling her eyes. "Unbelievable. I still remember when you had a huge crush on me, and now you''re dating some girl who''s basically built like a kid herself." Scott walked over and saw his tilted photo of Maya, then carefully set it back upright on the shelf. "Oh yeah, I remember that too. Hard to forget my undying crush on my childhood bully. Especially when I confessed to her in school, and she told me she wouldn''t want me even if I was water in the desert." His tone was light, but surprisingly sounded hurt. Gwen easily noticed this and became a bit sad. "I-, I see. Uh, sorry. I guess I kinda forgot about that." "Doesn''t matter now." Scott waved dismissively as he walked to other parts of his room to organize his things. "That was a long time ago¡­ I don''t feel the way I did back then, and you never felt the same way either. So, really, it works out for both of us, right?" He smiled softly at Gwen. Gwen forced a smile back. "Uh¡­ yeah, that¡­" Scott was carefully placing his comics into a plastic box, treating each issue with near-reverence. He made sure every comic was perfectly lined up, keeping them all in pristine order. Halfway through the stack, he looked over to ask Gwen a question. But he paused, his words catching in his throat as he noticed where his eyes had landed: right on her round, full butt as she stood by the window, gazing off at the city skyline. ¡ºWas it¡­ always that big?¡» He was caught off-guard by the shape her tight leggings revealed. He shook himself and cleared his throat. "So, uh¡­" Scott began, shifting his gaze to her face. "Are you gonna stand there looking bored, or are you actually gonna explain how you did that mist trick earlier?" Gwen smiled like a mischievous cat as she slowly turned to face him with arms crossed and a teasing smile. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I dunno¡­ will I get a little present if I do?" Scott''s expression remained flat. "No." She pouted dramatically as her shoulders slumped. "Why do you have to be so friggin'' boring?" He shrugged and gave her an unimpressed look. "Stay on point, Gwen." She let out an exaggerated sigh, as if his demand were a massive burden. "Fine, Mr. No-Fun. While I was staying with my dad in New York, I started developing my force-gene abilities. Seems I''m superabled too." Scott raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "And?" "For now, I can teleport short distances and phase through solid stuff." She punctuated the last word by disappearing in a faint cloud of mist, reappearing inches from him with a wicked grin. Before he could react, she phased her hand right through his crotch, wiggling her fingers with an innocent, devious look. "I got your balls~ ?" He sighed and shoved her hand away like a pesky fly. "Very cool, Gwen. Real mature." "Why so serious?" Gwen giggled, thoroughly entertained, while Scott moved to set aside the plastic box. He tried to focus on his comics, but she hovered too close for comfort, flashing him that look she always had when she was plotting something. Finally, he mumbled, "Hope you''re not planning on staying too long. Could really use some Gwen-free time. It seems two years is not enough." She chuckled, lightly poking his shoulder. "Oh, actually, I''ll be following you to school for a while." He shot her a look of pure horror. "Eh? You''re joking, right?" "Afraid not, Scottie." She grinned, enjoying the panic on his face. "Looks like you''ll have to get used to me sticking around. Lucky you." He stared at her, dumbfounded. "Lucky¡­ me." "Yep!" Gwen laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "You missed me more than you realize." "Fuck¡­" Scott''s frown deepened. ¡ºI almost got blown up and somehow that''s not the worst thing that''s happened today.¡» Chapter 18 Explosion Aftermath, Uncanny Meeting The Black Mechanica Gang''s warehouse was eerily quiet.Ceral Fitzgerald stood right in front of the television with his arms crossed and a venomous look on his face. The only sound in the room was the low hum of the morning news playing on the TV, echoing through the large, open space. "Earlier today, a large explosion was reported at an abandoned warehouse in an industrial zone of Metro City. Authorities say they arrived to find the building in pieces, with debris scattered across the surrounding area." They cut to a clip of the scene: shattered concrete, twisted metal, flashing police lights bathing the broken landscape in blue and red. The news anchor continued. "Witnesses reported a masked vigilante on the scene¡­ one who''s been catching the public''s attention lately. Social media is calling him Nightwatch, though his real identity remains unknown. He''s been streaming his ''missions'' online for viewers around the world." The anchor shot a quick glance at his co-anchor and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Now, call me old-fashioned, but that sounds like reckless entertainment to me. What do you think, Tanya?" Tanya chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, I agree, Miles. My son''s already talking about ''Nightwatch'' like he''s a celebrity. But there''s a reason I don''t let him watch those streams. We should leave this work to the professionals. Real heroes, real police officers¡­ those who know what they''re doing. This Nightwatch fellow could end up hurt, or worse." Ceral scowled, but his eyes never left the screen. "Idiots." He tightened his fists. The camera cut to Captain Bennett of the Metro City Police Department, standing at the edge of the blast zone. His tired, chocolate-brown face had that permanently annoyed look Ceral had seen too many times. "Well, first of all¡­ I wouldn''t call this ''heroism'' at all. Whoever this person is, they''re either some foolish young man running around in tights, or an unemployed nobody with too much time on their hands. We had an operation underway to monitor the Black Mechanica Gang''s activities here. We were gathering intel, making real progress¡­ until Nightwatch came along and ruined it." There was heavy disgust in Captain Bennett''s voice. He wasn''t even trying to hide it. The man furiously gestured toward the devastation. "Now, my men and I are out here cleaning up after him, and the public thinks he''s some kind of hero. He''s not. He''s a liability, plain and simple. And if he keeps this up, he''ll inspire even more amateurs to put themselves in harm''s way." With that, Captain Bennett turned and shook his head as he joined his team. ¡­ Grr! Ceral gritted his teeth. He grabbed the remote from the armrest and threw it down hard onto the concrete floor, breaking it into pieces. "FUUUUUUUUCK!" His face was red hot. "A streamer in tights¡ªmaking things hard for us? Us?! We''re the fuckin'' Black Mechanica Gang! We hold governments hostage, we don''t¡ª" He cut himself off as his fists trembled with rage. The gang members around him froze. No one dared to look him in the eye. Kane Vaughn let out a low chuckle and muttered under his cigar breath. "So, the streamer bitch''s getting under your skin, huh?" But Ceral''s glare snapped to him like a whip. "Shut it, Kane!" His voice was low and razor-sharp. "Do you even understand what we''ve lost here? If I hadn''t pulled the damn switch and leveled that warehouse myself, we''d be dealing with worse. We lost seventy workers, Vaughn. Seventy. And now, thanks to that clown, the police are breathing down our necks. They didn''t have a damn clue before. Now they do." He turned his back on Kane then took a deep breath to steady himself. The room went quiet. Now, only the gentle hum of machines could be heard. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott sat hunched at the small dining table. The morning news flickered from their ancient TV as he spooned the last bites of cereal from his bowl. His jaw was tense and frustration tightened his features as he listened to the anchors debate Nightwatch''s "antics." "Real heroes, real police officers¡­ those who know what they''re doing. This Nightwatch fellow could end up hurt, or worse." Scott''s face tightened even further as Captain Bennett''s gruff voice cut in. "¡­either some foolish young man running around in tights, or an unemployed nobody with too much time on their hands. He''s not a hero. He''s a liability." Gwen glanced at Scott, noticing how he ate in silence. His expression was as hard as stone. Her fingers twitched, wanting to reach out and ease the look on his face, but before she could, Aunt Tess walked over with a milk carton and held it in front of Scott. "Want more?" She offered with a gentle shake of the carton. Scott didn''t say a word¡ªjust grabbed it, poured the milk, and took another quiet bite. Tess clicked her tongue as she turned toward the TV, rolling her eyes at the screen. "This is why I tell you both we''d be better off anywhere but Metro City. It''s a zoo disguised as a city!" She placed a hand on her hip. "All the superheroes here¡­ it''s like they hate evil, infrastructure, and cars in that order. Blue Atom destroyed my old sedan by using it as a harpoon against some interdimensional alien warlord. I swear, it''s a miracle if anything stays standing for a week around here." She sighed, looking back at the screen. "This Nightwatch kid is probably just some misled teenager making his poor parents worry. Or maybe some old man with absolutely zero things to live for." Scott finished his cereal in one big gulp as his face remained expressionless. He stood up from his chair, not saying a word, and headed straight out. The door clicked shut, leaving Aunt Tess looking lost. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked, looking at Gwen. Gwen forced a chuckle and waved it off. "Maybe he''s a Nightwatch fanboy or something." Aunt Tess snorted, shaking her head. Gwen quickly finished up her own cereal, grabbed her bag, and rushed after Scott, skimming down the narrow stairs to see him already pedaling away on his bike far down the street. ¡ºSon of a bitch didn''t even wait for me!¡» She set her skateboard on the sidewalk and kicked off, racing to catch up. "Hey! Slow down, vigilante boy!" Gwen called, smirking as she closed the gap. Scott glanced back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I should be used to this by now, what the media says¡­ but I didn''t think they''d go this hard." Gwen sped up alongside him, moving like a shadow. "Who cares?" She teleported in a wispy blur to his other side. "Besides, if this superhero thing doesn''t work out for you, you could always use those skills for something else. I mean, a body like that?" She nudged him with a grin. "Get out of geek free card." "Thanks, but I don''t really think of myself as a geek," Scott replied, smirking. "Maybe more like¡­ an outsider." She rolled her eyes dramatically and skated further ahead. "Ugh, do you have to be so edgy all the time?" Scott just shook his head with a little laugh slipping out as he pedaled faster to catch up. They got to school pretty quickly, and the big front lawn was already packed with groups of kids hanging out. Gwen grabbed her skateboard and looked around, letting out a long, disappointed sigh. Over by the entrance, the jocks in their leather varsity jackets were surrounded by cheerleaders; off in another corner, the nerds were gathered, busy with their fantasy card games; and here and there, a few kids were getting shoved around by the lockers. "High school is so lame¡­" Gwen muttered, folding her arms. "I should be chilling at Met U by now, not here, stuck getting some stupid credits." Scott locked his bike up nearby, shrugging. "Could be worse. I bet a lot of people would kill to relive senior year." She huffed. "Make that a semester. Five credits and I''m out of here, thank you very much." Scott raised an eyebrow, trying to hide a grin. "Five credits? In one semester? Only way you''re getting that is if you add an extracurricular to your load." Gwen shot him a look of pure dread. "Ugh, really?" She immediately regretted agreeing to coming back here, but Scott patted her shoulder. "You could always join the academic decathlon with me and Jake." She wrinkled her nose. "Uh, no. I''m not smart enough for that." He raised a playful eyebrow. "Oh, I know. I was just wondering if you knew." Gwen''s jaw dropped as Scott bolted up the stairs, laughing over his shoulder. She raced after him, trying her best to look angry as her lips fought a smile. "You son of a¡ª" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma sat back in her chair, crossing her legs and tapping one of her manicured fingers on her cheek as she looked Principal Hayes up and down. Beside her, Marcus sat slouched, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his hoodie as he stared shyly at the floor. Principal Hayes adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat, fixing both of them with a stern look. "Miss Graves, thank you for coming in on short notice. I''ll get right to it. Marcus has been late to school almost every day this semester." Emma''s lips curled in amusement as she glanced over at Marcus, who shifted uncomfortably. Principal Hayes continued, "When questioned, Marcus told us the reason was, well¡­ because of you. He claims the, uh, number of parties you host at your house keeps him up late." Emma raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Mansion, actually." She folded her arms as a smirk appeared at the corner of her soft, cherry lips. The principal didn''t look impressed. "Right. Mansion. But is it true?" Emma adjusted her hair, acting innocence. "I''ll admit, I host pool parties now and then, but I expect Marcus to be asleep by that point. Isn''t that right?" She shot Marcus a look, and he quickly looked away with a flushed face. Principal Hayes adjusted his glasses again, clearly trying to keep his patience in check. "Miss Graves, whatever the arrangement is, I suggest you take your role as his guardian a bit more seriously. Make sure your nephew is well-rested and here on time. If not, I''ll have to consider speaking with his parents about relocating him somewhere more¡­ conducive to his education." Emma rolled her eyes but leaned over to whisper loudly to Marcus. "See what you got us into, dickhead?" Marcus fired back, "Hey, you''re the one who was up all night gushing over that vigilante streamer guy! Then you fell asleep and forgot to drive me to school!" "Hm?" The principal''s eyebrow shot up. Emma''s hand instantly whacked Marcus on the back of the head. She forced a bright, slightly tense smile at Principal Hayes, tugging Marcus up from the chair by his hoodie. "Won''t happen again, promise~" With that, she roughly dragged him out of the office, and the door clicked shut behind them. They''d barely stepped into the hallway when everyone''s attention turned to Emma, like a spotlight was on her. Whistles echoed as students leaned out of classroom doors, eyes glued to her off-shoulder sweater that showed her soft, porcelain-like skin and high-waisted pants that hugged her figure. "Wheeew, she''s hot as fuck!" "Emphasis on the last word. That''s what I wanna do to her right now!" "New girl?" "Nah, definitely not, man¡­" You could easily see the curve of her hips, the shape of her butt, and the thickness of her thighs. She could almost feel everyone''s gaze following the outline of her shapely body. "Real original, guys¡­" Emma muttered, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "This place smells like a desperate sea of early-blooming testosterone." Marcus ducked his head, embarrassed as the football team clustered at the lockers took notice. They chuckled and nudged each other as they spoke. "Yo, check her out. That''s Marcus''s aunt?" "Nah, she''s too hot for him to be related." "Actually, that makes sense. Nerds usually have the hottest sisters or moms, kekeke¡­" "You''re watching too much of that orange and black site bro, chill the fuck out." "Bet I could rizz her up." "Bro, she''s friggin'' loaded. Look at her. Way out of your league, man." "Yep. Older, rich, and way too classy. No chance." Emma''s face was plain. They could admire her all they wanted, but that was as far as it would go. She wasn''t about to give them the satisfaction of getting annoyed by their childish behavior¡­ not even a look of disgust. Funny enough, some men actually thought that was a woman''s way of flirting. ¡ºSuckers. I bet Mister Vigilante wouldn''t even be surprised by my body or looks. He''d probably just say I''m beautiful for what I can do, not for how I look. Whew, I can''t wait for his next stream! I''ll need to find a quieter place to watch it, though, just in case I do something weird when¡­ never mind.¡» Emma adjusted her bangs again. Marcus''s face was red as a tomato. "Can we go, please?" he mumbled. "Relax. Just don''t get ideas, alright?" His pretty aunt gave him a knowing smirk as they continued down the hall. At the far end, Scott and Gwen were walking side by side. Scott kept glancing down at his phone, as if he was expecting a message. ¡ºShe usually calls me around this time so we can have some fun in the science lab before classes begin.¡» His face dulled even more. Gwen noticed and tried to catch a glimpse, but Scott shifted the screen away. "Something interesting on there?" she teased. "None of your business¡­" Scott pocketed his phone for a moment. Gwen shrugged. "Fine, whatever." Just then, Scott sighed and dialed Maya''s number, but before the call could even go through, he felt a hand firmly press down on his head. Startled, he looked up and saw himself staring directly at Emma Graves, who was quite a bit taller than him¡­ mainly because of the heels she was starting to regret wearing. The woman looked absolutely ravishing, but the irritation on her face was evident. Her rich and undeniably expensive perfume tickled his nose as he watched her size him up, staring from top to bottom. "Oh, you high school boys are all the same¡­" Emma sneered as she folded her arms. "Was this your plan? Just stare at your phone and pretend not to see me so you''d ''accidentally'' bump into me?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott blinked, taken aback. "Why would I want to¡­ bump into you?" Emma scoffed, glancing down at her breasts and shapely body with a haughty look. "Please. Don''t pretend you wouldn''t kill to get a little closer." She looked him over, head to toe, with a smirk. "All you boys are just blindly horny. It''s lame." Scott took a step back, still very lost. "Uh, thanks, but I''m not interested in¡­ your assets." Emma let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, sure. Keep lying to yourself." She shot him a smug smile, clearly entertained. Gwen calmly stepped between them. "You''re way too old for him to even care, you know that, right? What are you, like, 28?" Emma''s face flushed as her mouth dropped open, clearly offended. "Excuse me, I am not 28! I''m way younger than that!" Gwen snorted. "Yeah, you wish." Emma clenched her teeth, muttering a string of curses under her breath as she yanked Marcus away, her heels clicking against the floor with an indignant stomp. Gwen just waved, grinning smugly. "Bye, Grandma!" As they disappeared down the hall, Scott gave Gwen a tired side-eye. "You really know how to drive people crazy." "Just a natural talent." Gwen gave him a hard pat on the back. "But hey, that lady really thought she had a shot with you." Scott laughed sparingly. "Yeah, as if I''d go for someone like that." "Not even if she paid you?" Gwen raised an eyebrow as she teasingly edged closer to him. Scott shook his head. "Nope. I''m a one-woman guy." "Maya''s lucky, I guess." When Gwen said this, her expression changed dramatically, and she looked so sad that it was hard to ignore. But Scott didn''t notice her sadness; he was too focused on his phone, looking a bit more hopeful after hearing what Gwen had said. Chapter 19 Getting Trendy! The sun was hanging just above the skyline as Vincent and Pulsar strolled through the busy streets of Fremont. Thanks to a circle of bodyguards keeping a low profile around them, they managed to blend into the crowd.Vincent walked with a lively, quick step, talking excitedly as they went along. "Now that you''ve officially signed on with TitanTech as a brand ambassador, the real magic happens. This is where we start to elevate you from just ''another hero'' to the hero. And it''s going to be beautiful." Vincent grinned and gave her a sideways glance. Pulsar squirmed slightly in her form-fitting hero suit. It wasn''t like she wasn''t used to it by now, but after the long day, she felt like she''d been shrink-wrapped in fabric. "Can I change out of this already? This suit''s a bit tight." Pulsar said as she tugged at the collar. Vincent shot her a sidelong look, his smirk as sharp as ever. "Not yet. Remember, Maya Rivera doesn''t exist out here. No one cares about her. It''s Pulsar they''re here to see." She sighed and looked away. "Alright, fine." "Good girl¡­" Vincent said with a smile as he clapped his hands together excitedly. He patted her back as they continued walking. "And look, we''re here!" "Huh¡­?" Pulsar blinked at the sight before her¡­ a towering luxury hotel with gleaming glass doors and a red carpet stretching out like a path of royal invitation. It was the Crown & Compass Resort. "A five-star hotel, muhaha!" Vincent rejoiced. As for Pulsar¡­ not so much. "Wait, here? I thought we were going to stay for the night, maybe two." sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, no, no. We''re here for a few weeks, at least!" It was such a casual reply from Vincent, as if this had been the plan all along. Pulsar''s jaw dropped. "Weeks?! I need to get back to Metro City; I can''t just stay here¡ª" But Vincent silenced her with a wave of his hand. "Already talked to your dad, remember? Dr. Hiram''s on board as long as it''s good for your hero training." Pulsar bit her lip, looking conflicted. "What about my boyfriend?" "BAHAHAHA!" "What¡­?" Pulsar asked in a flat tone. Vincent''s face turned plain. "Your boyfriend? Sweetheart, I couldn''t care less about that loser." The bodyguards were busy unloading the luggage behind them, rolling it smoothly into the grand lobby and taking care of the check-in without a hitch. Vincent walked ahead, leading her inside. As they stepped in, the concierge''s face lit up with recognition, and he eagerly led Pulsar up to her suite, with Vincent following, looking quite pleased. When they finally entered the suite, Pulsar''s eyes widened in child-like amazement. "WOOOOOOAAAHHH!" The suite was enormous¡­ ceiling-high windows offered a view of Fremont''s glittering skyline, and plush furniture filled the space with modern elegance. A king-sized bed with satin pillows and a luxurious velvet sofa completed the scene. "I''ve never seen a hotel room like this. N-, Not even in the friggin'' movies!" She couldn''t even shut her mouth. Vincent chuckled at her stunned expression the quickly pulled out his phone. "Hold still¡­" He grinned and snapped a quick photo. "Priceless!" She glared at him. "What are you doing with that?" He just grinned and tapped away on his screen. "Posting it on your Instaflick." "Instaflick?" she sputtered. "I don''t have one." Vincent smirked, not even glancing up. "Well, you do now. My team set it up about four hours ago." Pulsar''s jaw dropped. "WHAT©¤©¤?!" She lunged for the phone, practically snatching it from his hand. Her mouth fell open as she saw her new account: sleek profile picture, flashy header, the works. And the numbers were unbelievable. "500K followers already? How did that happen?" Vincent leaned in, clearly pleased with himself. "Let''s just say I called in a few favors. After that unexpected collab with Lady Fortress to take down Radion, I convinced her to take a selfie with you. As soon as we opened your account, she posted it and tagged you. Boom. Instant followers." Pulsar''s face turned sad. "So¡­ she didn''t actually want a selfie with me." "Who cares?" Vincent waved her off as he chuckled. "She knows how to play the game. Besides, she''s hardly the selfie type." "Well, I-, I guess you''re right¡­" Pulsar was still feeling a bit sad, but it all made sense now. She could clearly remember when Lady Fortress approached her and suggested they take a quick selfie. From what she had heard and seen in animated series about Lady Fortress, she didn''t seem like the fun type. She always came off as very stern and uptight, which made sense since she was an alien from another galaxy. But Pulsar didn''t think too much about that at the time because she was just so excited to take a picture with one of her idols. To her, it felt like a sign of mutual respect. ¡ºWelp, so much for mutual respect¡­¡» Pulsar''s face soured, but she said nothing and just stared at the screen as Vincent patted her shoulder. "Check out your latest post. It''s already blowing up." Curious, she refreshed her profile and saw her own shocked face staring back at her, captioned: [First night in Fremont! Loving my new digs. Excited to make my mark as the world''s next big hero!] Vincent even tagged TitanTech Industries and Lady Fortress herself, who''d already left a comment with a simple thumbs-up emoji. She refreshed the post and saw the likes climb by the thousands¡ª3,000, then 5,000, then even more. Comments flooded in below it: [OMG so cute, is this our new superheroine? (? ? ?)] [Show us your face, please! ?^?^?] [Are you going live on Instaflick soon?!] [Bet she''s like 5''2"¡ªanother snack-size hero, lol!] [Does she have a FansOnly? (???)] [Flat like Lady Fortress, but we stan!] [Why are all the new heroines flat like LF? ( ?_?)] [Only here because of Lady Fortress] [Watch us never talk about her in the next 3 months ???] [Can''t wait to see her in action! (©¤?©¤)] --- Vincent chuckled as he leaned over her shoulder. "Look at this engagement rate. And those comments¡­ fuckin'' priceless, bahaha!" He nudged her with clear amusement. She switched off her phone, feeling both excited and uneasy about the sudden attention she was getting. "This¡­ this is a lot." "It''s showbiz." Vincent replied breezily. "Your brand is all about the spotlight now. You''ve got the cute looks, the powers, and the support of TitanTech. All you need to do is play the game." Pulsar sank down onto the plush couch. There was a lot to process. "So, this is it¡­ I''m really¡­ famous?" "Correction¡ªyou''re a brand," he reminded her with a smile. "And the magic? It''s only just started." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ In a quiet corner of the school lab, Scott adjusted his goggles then held a hammer in one hand while pressing the strange green core firmly against the table with the other. ¡­ bang! BANG! BANG!! The bronze casing resisted each hit, sending off tiny sparks and bits of metal that flickered in the air. Sitting off to the side, Gwen casually scrolled through Instaflick, occasionally looking up to check if Scott was making any progress. "Man, you''re lucky this isn''t your room, or my mom would kill you for wrecking her countertops. But hey, I''m impressed. Didn''t think you''d be able to sneak this thing in here without catching much attention. Perks of being a geek I guess." Gwen said all this without taking her eyes off her screen. Scott grunted, muttering, "Yeah, well¡­ she''d kill you for saying anything anyway." Gwen rolled her eyes. "You''re probably right." She continued scrolling, then froze when her eyes caught a familiar sight. "Oh, wow. Well, well, look at this¡­" "What?" Scott didn''t look up. He was still focused on the stubborn casing. She clicked on a trending account. [ @PulsarOfficial ? Fremont, TitanTech Brand Ambassador ? Bio: - Living Pulsar | Hero in Training | Making My Mark - Fremont for the next big adventure ?^?^? - Collab''d with @LadyFortressOfficial against Radion to save half the country (©¤?©¤) - Managed by @TitanTechInd - Definitely not single ?! ? Follower Count: 509,645 ? Following: 24 ? Posts: 4 ] Gwen checked the top post. [ ? Image: Pulsar standing in her suit looking slightly surprised at her amazing hotel room. ? Caption: "First night in Fremont! Loving my new digs. Excited to make my mark as the world''s next big hero! @TitanTechInd @LadyFortressOfficial #PulsarRising #NextGenHero" ? Likes: 112K ? Comments: 4,759 ] She checked the latest post. The caption read: "Tonight at 8 PM, I''m going live on Instaflick! You won''t want to miss it!" Gwen let out a snort. "Oh my God¡­ Some cute, newbie superhero chick is trending big-time. And haha, no surprise she''s under TitanTech''s wing." "Another one? TitanTech''s scooping up every potential S-rank hero these days. Crazy." Scott replied, his attention half on her, half on the stubborn casing as he adjusted his grip. "Her page is hilarious¡­" Gwen laughed as she scrolled through the comments. [I hope she makes spicy content (-??)] [She should wear something tighter!] [Zero gyat, but I''d still hit fr!] [Damn, she''s so small and cute¡­ I CAN''T (???)!!] [I want her in a toy box ¨t(¨‰?¨‰)¨s] [I want her PERIODTTT!] [Rule 34 are gonna have a field day with her (;¨‘_¨‘)] Gwen scrunched her nose in mock horror. "What the hell is wrong with people?" Scott raised his eyebrow but kept hammering. "Superhero social media¡­ never ceases to amaze." "It''s just¡ªgod, it''s so cheesy¡­" Gwen went on, still scrolling. "Look, she''s posing next to Lady Fortress like they''re at a red-carpet event. Like, this is the same Lady Fortress that''s fought people who could bend planets with their minds, and now she''s doing photo ops?" Scott forced a smirk and gave a particularly aggressive whack at the casing. ¡­ BLAM! "Probably have her doing fashion collabs next." "Oh, they''re on it¡­" Gwen replied, holding up her phone to show him a post from Pulsar''s page, complete with the hashtag: [#FashionForTheFuture] "There''s, like, a dozen posts tagged with Pulsar already, and every one of them has a TitanTech sponsorship logo. She''s gonna be really huge in a few years." "Social media''s a mess." Scott muttered, focusing hard as he hammered another corner of the core casing. "I haven''t even checked my Chirper today." "Yeah, ''cause that explosion was all over the news. You''re afraid people are gonna blame Nightwatch or something?" Scott''s hands stilled for a second before he went back to hammering with a slight frown. "Something like that." Gwen''s expression softened, and she went back to scrolling, now skimming over news articles instead. She spoke up again after a moment. "Looks like our new supergirl teamed up with Lady Fortress to take down a nuclear-powered villain named Radion. This guy apparently thought blowing up half the country was a good way to make friends." "Cool," Scott mumbled, adjusting his position to finally crack the casing. "What''s her name?" But before Gwen could answer, Scott brought the hammer down with a solid whack, and the core finally broke free of the bronze shell. It rolled a few inches across the table, emitting a faint, eerie glow that pulsed in a rhythm, as if alive. Scott gasped, quickly grabbing it. "Finally!" "About damn time," Gwen said, slipping her phone into her pocket and leaning in with eager eyes. "What is it, anyway?" Scott held the core up, watching the powerful green light pulse from within. "It''s¡­ definitely some kind of power source. Alien tech mixed with regular tech, though." "Uh, okay, that sounds vague. How do you know that?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow. Scott picked up a tester screwdriver and pointed it at the core, tapping at certain spots. "See here? The wiring in the bronze casing has standard microprocessors, and these conductive charging plates¡ªthey''re similar to stuff I''ve seen before. But here¡­" He traced his finger over some unfamiliar wiring. "This? This is definitely alien. And the casing metal doesn''t even match anything in my textbooks." "Uhh, yeah, fascinating¡­" Gwen was obviously not fascinated. But she at least tried to be enthusiastic about it all. "So, how do you actually figure out what it does?" "Good question¡­" Scott answered. He lowered his safety goggles and thought for a moment. "We''ll need to run more tests." Gwen crossed her arms. "Yeah, Einstein, I don''t know if you noticed, but this is a high school lab. We''re not exactly rolling in advanced alien tech analyzers here." Scott hardly heard her. "Maya''s dad has some gear that might help." "Maya''s dad?" Gwen repeated, amused. Scott''s expression didn''t change. He carefully put the core down and brought out his phone. When Scott dialed Maya''s number, there was one thought constantly repeating in his head. ¡ºPlease pick up¡­¡» And like he hoped, there was a response. "Maya''s phone. This is Vincent Lakewood." When Scott heard this voice, his eyes sparked up. Chapter 20 Fallout Maya had changed into fresh clothes after stepping out of her superhero suit.She was now wearing a simple tee and jeans. She looked around, feeling completely out of place in this huge, luxurious dining room. The ceiling-high windows, glittering skyline view, and massive dining table all seemed unreal. She let out a breath, trying to settle in, but instead, she kept thinking of Scott. ¡ºMaybe I should talk to him¡­ just explain everything.¡» Maya started rummaging through her bag for her phone, but just then, a room service attendant appeared, clipboard in hand, ready to take her order. He gave her a polite, expectant look. "Good evening, Ms. Rivera. What would you like for dinner?" The man asked with a slight bow. Maya blinked. "Uh... I''ll just have a burger and fries. Maybe a Coke?" The attendant''s polite smile faltered and his eyebrows raised slightly. He looked around at the elegance of the room, clearly thinking her order didn''t match the setting. "May I suggest, perhaps, the filet mignon with truffle sauce and a side of roasted vegetables? Or a caviar starter? And we have a 2005 Chateau Margaux, an excellent vintage." He hoped she''d go for a more "fitting" option. Maya shrugged, a little lost. "Uh¡­ sure. Whatever you said. That sounds¡­ fancy." The attendant nodded thoughtfully before disappearing through the double doors. Moments later, he returned with a gleaming silver trolley, topped with an impressive spread: a meticulously plated filet mignon, garnished greens, wine bottle, and crystal glassware. Maya watched as he laid out each item, feeling both amused and out of her depth. As she adjusted her plate, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from the other room. "Maya''s phone. This is Vincent Lakewood." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maya stiffened as her eyes bulged out. ¡ºVINCENT HAS MY PHONE©¤©¤?!¡» She stood up and headed toward the sound, only to find Vincent standing by the window, casually holding her phone as he talked. ¡ºThis¡­ fucker¡­¡» As she got closer, she caught part of the conversation. On the other end, she heard Scott''s voice. He sounded cold and serious. "This is Maya''s boyfriend, Scott McQueen. So, let''s choose your words REALLY carefully." Vincent froze for a split second. Vincent was a bit surprised at how sloppy he''d gotten. It''d been a while since he last tried to drive a wedge between a client and the worthless person they were dating. The last time he''d pulled something like this was a few years back with a pregnant woman and her talented husband¡ªwho ended up becoming a popular hero with TitanTech Industries. Now, seeing how close Maya was with Scott, Vincent made sure to block Scott on all her social media accounts so he couldn''t contact her. He even deleted Scott''s number from her phone, though it seemed he''d missed blocking the line before deleting it. That detail annoyed him, but it also gave him an idea, one that felt toxic but tempting. Because of this, a smirk crept onto his face. "Ah¡­ Scott, right? The BOYFRIEND." He raised his voice just enough to make sure Maya could hear. "Let me guess¡­ you''re the disgusting parasite holding Pulsar back from becoming a megastar." Maya''s breath caught, and she stopped in her tracks, gripping the doorframe. "Excuse me?" Scott sounded just as stunned. "Pulsar? How¡­ who are you?" Vincent didn''t even hesitate. "I''m with Priority Solutions, the most respected talent management company under the Hero Agency. We''re TitanTech''s official partner, and as of a few days ago, I also happen to be Maya Rivera''s agent." On the other end, Scott''s blood froze. He quickly put two and two together. ¡ºSo what Gwen was saying that time¡­ the newbie superhero that''s trending is¡­ it''s her¡­¡» His voice turned cold. "So¡­ you''re the guy who''s got her all over Instaflick, parading her like she''s your latest product?" Vincent chuckled, completely unbothered. "She is my client, and yes, Scottie, branding is part of being a hero these days. You wouldn''t understand. While you''re messing around in that public toilet you call a high school, we''re creating the next big star." Scott''s grip tightened on his phone, so hard that tiny cracks spread across the screen. Gwen noticed and shot him a wary look, trying to follow the conversation. "Put Maya on the phone¡­" Scott said, his voice cold as steel. Vincent just rolled his eyes. "Sorry, no can do. I''m not going to waste her time on¡ªwhat was it? Oh, right¡ªa disgusting parasite." He laughed, clearly enjoying this. "Put her on now¡­" Scott repeated with a tone so harsh that Gwen blinked in surprise. Vincent sighed theatrically. "Well, I think we''re done here." He started to pull the phone away. "I have actual work to get back to." "PUT HER ON THE PHONE!" Scott''s voice rang through the speaker so loud that even Vincent flinched. That was enough for Maya. She rushed forward and practically yanked the phone from Vincent''s hand with blazing eyes. She didn''t even look at him as she held the phone up to her ear. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Maya took a deep, unsteady breath and gripped her phone tightly. She could feel her heartbeat picking up, her palm growing warm and a bit sweaty around the phone as she mumbled softly. "Scott¡­?" In that moment, her voice was very fragile. There was silence on the other end. A suffocating silence. She swallowed and tried again. "Scott¡­? Are you there?" Finally, he spoke, but his tone was cold and restrained. There was just a razor-thin line holding back the full brunt of his anger. "I have one question for you, Maya." Maya''s breath hitched. "Wh-, What¡­ what is it?" He didn''t pause, didn''t soften. "Do you take me for a fool?" She felt her stomach twist into knots. "No! No, Scott, of course not, I¡ª" "Don''t©¤©¤!" He cut her off. His voice was sharper now, like glass shattering. "You lied to me, Maya." The force of his words made her freeze. She''d never heard him like this¡­ Scott, the person who''d always been her steady ground, now sounded like he was holding back something dark, something painful. Maya bit her lip, feeling like a kid caught doing something way worse than she ever thought possible. She knew Scott couldn''t stand being lied to¡­ honesty was one of the most important things to him. He was ready to tell her everything about himself, even the truth about the System and his secret identity, and had just been waiting for the right moment. But now, her lie seemed to mess all that up. In the background, Gwen watched him, eyes wide with shock as she picked up on the intensity of the moment. ¡ºI knew she''d hurt him¡­¡» She never liked Maya Rivera. And this¡­ this simply reinforced her hatred. Scott finally drew a shaky breath while his voice softened just slightly, as if trying to manage the storm within. "What do you want, Maya Rivera¡­?" The question was simple, but it felt like a thousand-pound weight pressing down on her. She searched for the right words, but everything came out wrong, stumbling and stammering. "I-, I don''t know¡­ no, I do, it''s just¡­ I want to matter, Scott. I want to be more than just another face in the crowd. Not a superhero celebrity, but¡­ a symbol of hope. Something¡­ something that actually makes people smile, that gives them a reason to look forward." Scott listened, and with each word she spoke, she could feel the heavy silence between them, like her words were just draining him. When he finally replied, his voice sounded almost empty, like he was barely keeping himself from losing his cool. "You know¡­ you''ve said all that, and somehow, I don''t even hear my name in any of it. I get it, Maya. I''m just your boyfriend, not your husband. But I thought maybe¡­ maybe we were starting to take this seriously." Maya''s throat felt tight, her mouth dry. She couldn''t find the words to explain, to justify herself. "Scott, it''s¡­ it''s not like that. I care about you, and¡­" "It''s fine." He cut her off, not wanting to hear her excuses. For a moment, she thought he''d hung up, but then his voice returned, softer, drained. "I know you want to make your mark, to do something great like your dad and his scientific breakthroughs. But, Maya, this¡­ this isn''t the way. You''re not a commodity. You''re not here to entertain the world. You''re here to serve it, to help people who don''t have the power to save themselves. These companies don''t care about that. They care about profit. The minute you stop making them money, they''ll drop you faster than you can imagine." Maya swallowed hard as his words struck something deep inside her. She hadn''t thought about it that way. She wanted to be something more, yes, but Scott made her question if this was really the path she wanted. "Maya¡­ you already matter to me. You don''t need a fancy agency, or some big brand deal to prove that." She felt her heart tighten, but something stubborn still lingered, a desire to at least see where this road led. "I get that, but¡­ I still want to try, Scott. I want to see what''s out there. You don''t always have to protect me. I can handle myself." "No, Maya, you can''t¡­" Scott snapped as his voice broke with frustration. "That''s exactly what they all say. And the moment these heroes taste fame, they lose themselves. They become¡ª" "Corporate slaves?" Maya''s tone was defensive as her voice rose. "I''m not a child, Scott! I know what I''m doing. Just because you weren''t born superabled doesn''t mean I need you constantly lecturing me." Silence dropped like a bomb. She immediately regretted it. Heavy guilt bloomed in her chest. Quickly, Maya tried to backpedal. "Scott, I didn''t mean it like that, I just¡­" He stopped her with a sigh. "No¡­ you''ve said enough." His voice was devoid of warmth, like he''d finally reached his breaking point. "Anything more, and I might actually end up hating you." A shiver ran through her, and her voice caught. She couldn''t get any words out. She just bit her lip, took a step back, and handed her phone over to Vincent with a face of deep regret. On the other end, Scott exhaled shakily, prepared to hang up when Vincent''s voice interrupted him. "Hello again, Scott." Scott responded flatly, "What?" Vincent''s tone was self-assured, irritatingly smug. "Do us a favor, would you? Don''t call this line again. Soon, you won''t be able to anyway." "I don''t care." A calm reply from Scott. "Oh, really?" Vincent sounded entertained. In the end, this was all a fun game. "Well, in that case, maybe it doesn''t matter to you that Maya''s set to pair up with a certain high-profile superhero who''d be excellent for her image. Not to mention he''s got the wealth and status to¡ª" Scott cut him off. "I don''t care." Vincent chuckled, the sound low and taunting. "That''s right. After all, you''re just a high school kid with no future in this world, aren''t you? You and your legacy. Don''t think we haven''t checked." Scott''s grip on his phone turned bone-white. He was right on the edge, teetering dangerously close to losing all composure. Vincent''s voice dropped to a dark murmur. The final push. "Interesting background your mother had. I didn''t realize she was the¡ª" Scott''s roar of anger cut him off as he hurled his phone at the wall and shattered it on impact. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ "OHHHH YESSSSS!!" Vincent eagerly kicked one leg out like he was in an action movie and then raised his fist in even greater excitement. He paused for a moment to think about the aftermath of Scott''s confrontation. It went exactly as he had hoped. "Perfect." He muttered as he tapped on his wireless earphone. "This is just the beginning." Vincent whipped out his smartphone and flicked through his contacts until he found his assistant, Sarah. "Sarah. I need you to schedule a meeting with The Peak. Let''s get one of Metro City''s youngest rising heroes paired up with Pulsar ASAP!" "Isn''t Pulsar already in a relationship?" Sarah replied. Vincent threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, don''t worry about that. It''s all about the narrative. Make it happen. I want them to have a date as soon as possible. Trust me, the public will eat it up." "Got it. I''ll set it up." Sarah gave a quick answer and hung up. Moments later¡­ Vincent approached Maya''s bedroom and could feel the gloominess in the atmosphere. As he got closer to the door, he started to hear muffled sobs coming from inside her room. "Maya?" he called softly, knocking gently on the door. "Go away!" she sniffled. Vincent opened the door to find her curled up on her bed with puffy, red eyes. "Are you alright?" He did his best to act concerned. Maya sluggishly looked up. Her face was a huge mess of anguish. "I¡­ I''m not really okay. I just need someone to talk to. Maybe I can call a friend or something, right?" Vincent''s expression brightened. "Maybe if this was Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, but haha, it''s not! Now go rehearse the scripts you''ll be using when you go live. If you can keep this crying up until then, it''ll be perfect. Fans love a good heartbreak drama!" "Is that all you can think about?" Maya shot back at Vincent. She could no longer hide her frustration. But Vincent just kept smirking. "Listen¡­ you might think I''m evil, but what''s even more evil is wasting a plate of perfectly good filet mignon." He gestured towards the untouched meal on her dining table, perfectly plated and looking as if it had come straight from a five-star restaurant¡­ which made sense considering this was Crown & Compass Resort. Maya glanced at the food with disinterest. "Vincent, this isn''t a joke." "It''s not a joke, it''s strategy. Use your emotions. The more you pour your heart out, the more people will connect with you. We need that connection, especially now." Maya shot him an incredulous look. She was half-laughing, half-crying. "Really, Vincent? You want me to fake cry for the camera while I''m here¡­ feeling like this?" "It''s not faking if it''s real emotion!" A greedy grin spread across his face. "Besides, we''re in the entertainment business, darling. People want the drama. Let''s give it to them." He said as he gave her a small pat on the head. Maya still looked very sad. However, Vincent still kept pushing the idea. "Just imagine the headlines, Maya! ''Pulsar''s Heartbreak: Rising Star Rebounds with The Peak!'' The media will eat it alive! Oh my fuckin'' gawd I miss this so much!" "¡­" Maya''s tear-stained face soured even more. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back at Westerfield High¡­ Gwen let the uncomfortable silence settle even more. She wanted to be sure Scott had a chance to breathe out some of his anger before she would talk. "Scott?" No response. "Scott!" Gwen tried again with a more urgent voice. Still nothing. Gwen''s heart raced as she took a deep breath and shouted his name one last time, louder this time. "SCOTT!" Finally, he turned to her. "What?" There was something strange. Something absolutely wrong. His expression disturbingly calm. Gwen studied him closely. She easily noticed the forced smile on his face. "Are you alright?" "I''m fine¡­" Scott replied easily. But Gwen wasn''t convinced. The smile felt hollow, like a mindless body grinning without a single spark of will power. "Scott, really¡­ are you okay?" He looked at her as a flicker of something dark crossed his empty face before he turned away. "I have to go do something." "What about the glowy thingy we came here for? Weren''t we going to test it?" Gwen pointed at the glowing object on the workbench. Scott didn''t answer; he simply walked past her and shut the heavy door behind him with a definitive thud. Gwen''s heart sank as she watched him leave. Something was off, and she could feel it in her bones. What Gwen didn''t realize was that this would be the last time she''d see Scott for the next two weeks. Chapter 21 Unplugged The next two days were torturously quiet in the apartment.Gwen found herself counting each hour as it passed, and with each one, she felt more and more hopeless. Now, she was pacing back and forth with her mom, and the emptiness left by Scott''s absence weighed heavily and painfully on all of them. Tess watched her daughter with a concerned frown as her own anxiety built by the minute. Finally, Tess broke the silence. "Have you tried calling him again?" She sounded very drained, hopeless and broken. Gwen stopped pacing and gave her mom a tired look. "Mom, I''ve called him eighty-nine times. Pretty sure that''s more than enough." Tess sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I''m sorry, I just don''t know what else to do." She slumped helplessly into a chair. Gwen went over to her and sat beside her, trying to keep her own voice steady. "You know, we could always call his mom. She might know where he is, right?" But Tess shook her head quickly. "No, not yet. I don''t want Martha to know¡­ I don''t want her to think I''ve messed up this badly." Gwen''s stare at her mother softened as she placed a hand on Tess''s shoulder. "Mom, this isn''t your fault. You couldn''t have known¡­" "YES, IT IS!" Tess''s voice cracked as her frustration and guilt finally spilled over. "I was so busy lecturing him about leaving the door open when he got home, I didn''t even notice when he grabbed some of his things and¡­ left. Martha trusted me with him, and I¡­ I let her down." Her voice wavered. She broke with each word. To hide it all, she just hid her face behind her hands. "I''m supposed to protect him, Gwen, to make sure he''s safe, and now he''s¡­ he''s gone." Gwen wrapped her arms around her mother and pulled her close as Tess broke down. She gently patted her back, as though comforting a small child, letting Tess''s sorrow pour out without a word. "You''re with me, mom. It''s okay to cry¡­" "I-, Is *sniffle* is it¡­?" "Yes¡­ let it all out¡­" After what felt like an eternity, Tess''s breathing finally slowed, and her head sagged against Gwen''s shoulder. Within minutes, she''d drifted into a fitful sleep, worn out from the depth of her worry. Gwen eased her mother into a more comfortable position, tucking a throw pillow under her head. She stood there for a moment, watching her mom''s weary face with an aching heart. Unable to sit still, she moved to Scott''s room. The place looked as if he''d just stepped out¡ªclothes still scattered, a notebook open on his desk, and his usual scattered tech and gadget prototypes strewn across the floor. ¡­ Huh? She picked up a framed photo from the nightstand, one from when they were little kids, grinning ear to ear with matching, ridiculous sunglasses. Her fingers brushed across Scott''s goofy childhood grin, and a lump formed in her throat. She set it down, but her gaze landed on another framed photo nearby¡­ one of Scott and Maya, taken not too long ago. They looked so close, so connected. It was painful to look at. Before she realized it, Gwen''s hand shot out and grabbed the picture frame. In a burst of frustration, she hurled it at the wall. ¡­ KSSHHHHH! The glass shattered, scattering pieces across the floor, and the sound echoed around the room. Gwen froze while her shoulders climbed and fell as she caught her breath. Then, just as fast as the anger had come, it faded. "Scott¡­ please¡­" Her knees gave way, and she collapsed onto Scott''s bed, burying her face in his pillow. "Come back¡­" Tears streamed down her face, hot and unending, as she pressed her face into the pillow and gripped it tightly. She cried until her throat felt raw and her body was drained and empty. Lying there, her thoughts became a muddled mess, and a heavy sense of helplessness sank deep into her chest. ¡ºScott¡­ wherever you are¡­ *sniffle* I hope you can feel just how much we need you back¡­ h-, how much I¡­ I *sniffle* need you back¡­¡» She tightly gripped the pillow in her arms. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott leaned back against the railing of his suite''s terrace, looking out over the Metro City skyline. The night air was cool, brushing softly over his skin as he glanced up at the stars dotted across the dark sky¡ªfaint pinpoints of light barely visible beyond the city''s neon glow. Everything felt strangely still here¡­ no voices, no beeping alerts, just a low, steady quiet that left him alone with his own thoughts. His phone buzzed, and a small notification banner slid across the bottom of his screen: [Gwen: I''ve been trying to reach you¡­ (¨s?©n?¨t)] Scott glanced down and read the message in his peripheral vision without actually picking up the phone. Gwen''s texts were frequent¡ªhe knew that much¡ªand they had only grown more insistent. [Jake''s asking about you. Oh, and by the way, if you''re interested, we were thinking about assembling the 3,100+ pieces of the Great Blue Battleship from Galactic Legends. Remember? (*^?^*)] For a second, he let the message sit there, considering it. Then, just as quickly, he swiped it away, deleting it. He returned to looking out at the stars, tuning back into the solitude he''d come here to find. Another message chimed a moment later. He read it briefly: [Gwen: When are you coming back?] Scott didn''t hesitate this time. Delete. --- The next morning, Scott was stretched out in a cozy outdoor gazebo, wrapped in a soft cotton throw. He''d fallen asleep there, soothed by the quiet rustling of leaves. [Ding!] A loud notification suddenly pierced his drowsy state and snapped him awake. "Ugh¡­" Blinking away the last bits of sleep, he reached for his phone to check. [Gwen: Hey, I need help with Nuclear Chemistry. Didn''t think Rutherford would be such a bitch. Please reply.] Scott read the message through half-lidded, sleepy eyes. The mention of chemistry tugged at him, just slightly. But after a moment''s pause, he deleted it, sighing as he went to his bank app. [Bank Balance: $12,680] Just enough to keep things going, though he felt strangely removed from it all. The thought slid away as he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep under the gazebo''s shade. --- Another day passed, and Scott found himself wandering through the hotel''s lush gardens. He had a jean jacket draped over his shoulders, and his white pants and clean canvas sneakers brushed through the grass. The flower beds and topiary-lined paths looked beautiful but almost too perfect, like they were trying too hard. The birds in the fancy cages along the path brought some real life to the place, hopping from perch to perch and chirping. One tiny bird swooped down, ruffling its feathers close enough that Scott reached out, only for its mother to squawk loudly, scolding him until he stepped back. "Tch, no fun¡­" His phone buzzed in his pocket. Scott pulled it out to see Gwen''s latest message. [Gwen: So¡­ I got my dad to buy me tickets to the Galactic Legends rerun. You know, the one with the extended footage? Thought maybe you''d want to go? (¡Ð_¡Ð;)] He read the text once, thought about it, then let his hand fall and swiped to delete it. "Hrmm, looks like the WiFi signal gets around¡­" Stretching with a yawn, he slipped his hands into his jacket pockets and kept walking through the garden. The place was beautiful, no doubt, and the steady, unbroken quiet felt almost unreal. --- Later that day, Scott threw on a cozy black sweatshirt and a pair of white cargo pants before heading to the outdoor caf¨¦ area. He sat back with an espresso in hand and scrolled aimlessly through Instaflick with a blank face. Posts, videos, comments¡ªall of it flooded his feed from friends, fans, and the occasional ad for "Galactic Legends memorabilia" or "7 Sigma Ways to Charm a Baddie." He scrolled past them without a second thought. Then came the notifications. One after another, messages flooded in, each one louder than the last. Some fans begged for updates: [Hey Nightwatch, when''s the next stream? We''re dying here, my glorious king! (©¤?©¤)] [@Nightwatch can''t wait for the next stream! The last explosion scene had us all gasping. Please come back already, man (¥·_ _)¥·] One donation message followed another, stacking up in his inbox: [Ding! ButtSniffer donated $200!] [Ding! You''ve received $300 from WickyWarrior8!] [Ding! PhantomMuse89 has donated $5,000 | I don''t know what''s going on Mister Vigilante, but I really hope you''re fine. I can give you my main line if you wanna talk? Please?] S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [NutBuster5000 has donated $1000 | Just a little tip for motivation! Can''t wait to see you back!] They popped up with a string of emojis: rocket ships, alien heads, and the ever-present #NightwatchIsBack. Still, he scrolled through them. He was forced to ignore their desperate pleas. More special posts from his fans flooded his feed: pictures tagged with him, fanart, memes, and endless comments asking about his next appearance. He tapped through a few updates, liking one or two out of courtesy, when a donation message popped up. Soon, his attention flicked over to Chirper, where the tone was much more¡­ different. [@Nightwatch hasn''t streamed in days¡­ lmao, some hero he is (???) tch!] [Can''t believe Nightwatch is bailing out after one explosion. Total fraud! ( ?_? )©¼] [Fr tho! I knew the guy was soft ( ??? *) Chunni SOB probably off nursing a bruised ego somewhere.] [Who leaves their fans hanging after a cliffhanger like that? Ridiculous. #Nightwatch #LetDown] [Suck a dick Fraudwatch ©´(£þ¥Ø£þ)©° who needs that dude anyways¡­ Pulsar''s livestream was fire!] [Don''t lie¡­ it was ass (¦á¦â¦ã)] [Real shit! The only reason we even watch it''s cuz she''s cute ©d( ?`?¡ä?)??!] Scott''s face remained impassive, showing no sign of anger or disappointment as he scrolled through the hurtful comments. It felt like the words just washed over him and their meaning faded into the background. Just then, a new message popped up from Gwen. [I just went to see my family doctor. Could you send me your health stats? Just a quick record of your weight, blood pressure, and temperature? I know this is weird, but¡­ please. Just want to make sure you''re okay ?!] His finger hovered over the message for a moment longer this time. Then, he deleted it. --- Almost a week had passed, and Scott finally decided to check out of the hotel. He approached the reception desk, and the concierge greeted him with a warm smile. "We''re so glad you could stay with us, Mr. McQueen. Very few guests actually take the time to explore the outdoors here. It''s rare to see someone appreciate the garden so much." Scott made eye contact with the man for a moment but didn''t say anything. He just nodded slightly. Then, he grabbed his bag and walked toward the doors, where the faint sounds of the city could be heard beyond the hotel''s luxurious quiet. At the bus stop, he waited in silence, his gaze drawn to the slow, lazy flow of people. His phone buzzed again, and he opened the message from Gwen without much thought. This time, she sent a picture of a forest filled with sunlight. The leaves were bright green and gold, and a gentle, winding path led into the distance. Beneath it, she''d written: [I went cycling today, Scott. Saw this, and it reminded me of you. Just¡­ made me think.] His fingers hovered for a second longer than before, but then, with a small, resolute tap, he deleted it. The bus door opened, and the driver gave him an impatient look, grumbling. "You getting on or not? I don''t have all day." Scott put his phone away, climbed the steps, and settled into his seat. He gazed out the window as the city gradually passed by. The message, the picture, and the notifications from his inbox faded into the background, leaving behind the calm silence he had been looking for since he left. "I need to get out of this city¡­" His tired eyes closed shut. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Gwen sat in the middle of her chemistry lecture, leaning against her desk while the teacher droned on about isotopes and atomic structure. The fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, but she couldn''t focus on the whiteboard filled with equations. Instead, her eyes were fixed on her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen as she waited for a reply from Scott, but it never came. ¡ºPlease, just say something¡­¡» She swiped through her notifications¡­ nothing. Just more messages from classmates and a few likes on her latest post about the Galactic Legends rerun. ¡ºI only posted this geeky shit because of Scott¡­¡» She sighed heavily. ¡ºIt''s been days¡­ does he even care?¡» With a quick flick, she opened a new message thread. [Hey, Scott. Still thinking about you. If you''re not going to follow up on the Black Mechanica Gang, at least let everyone know Nightwatch isn''t done for yet. We''re all waiting!] Before she could second-guess herself, she hit send. Her heart sank as the message flew into the digital ether, probably landing in the same void as all her other messages. She stared hopelessly at the screen. "Gwendolyn." The teacher''s voice cut through her thoughts like a knife. "Put your phone down, please." Gwen jerked her head up as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as her classmates turned to look at her. "Sorry!" She mumbled, shoving the phone into her backpack as she looked back at the teacher. ¡ºYou couldn''t have waited five more seconds?¡» The teacher resumed lecturing, but Gwen''s mind was elsewhere as her fingers desperately itched to check her phone again. --- Across the city, Emma relaxed in her large mansion, a sleek tablet resting on her lap. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on her as she scrolled through Chirper, her mood shifting with each post she read. [Pulsar''s livestream last night was fire! ????] One fan gushed, sharing a clip of her most recent fight, where she effortlessly dodged an explosion. [@Nightwatch bet you can''t do that, bahaha!] [I mean, that was the fun thing about watching his streams iirc, the struggle was everything U(¥Ä?)¨Ï] [Meh, fuck him (o-_-o)¡­] [@Pulsar, can''t wait to see what you do next! The chemistry with Lady Fortress was everything ?!] Emma rolled her eyes in disgust. "Looks like TitanTech has found a new shiny puppet they''re gonna feed the public¡­" She muttered under her breath, but her smile faded as she noticed the top trending tags. #PulsarPower and #LivestreamLegends dominated the list, each post celebrating her recent success. But beneath them, a much quieter tag caught her eye: [#WhereIsNightwatch?] Her heart sank as she clicked on it, the posts filled with both concern and ridicule. [Can''t believe Nightwatch just vanished! Guess he couldn''t handle the heat. £¨ ;?£ß?)] [Is he dead? I mean, is anyone checking on him?] Emma sighed deeply, dropping her head into her plush pillow as her heart heavied with worry. "Where are you, Mister Vigilante?" She whispered to herself. She flipped back to her own posts, scrolling through the endless stream of messages that filled her feed, but nothing seemed to spark joy. Just then, a notification buzzed from her phone. [Hey, @PhantomMuse89! We all love you, but we''re kinda worried about our guy, @Nightwatch. Any idea where he is? (©`_©`©g] She leaned back to think. She had to say something. Apparently people now saw her as Nightwatch''s biggest fan due to her supposedly desperate donations. She quickly typed a response: [I''m sure he''s just taking a break. He''ll be back when he''s ready. But we can''t stop supporting him in the meantime! #NightwatchIsBack] She hit send and sighed with relief. --- Back in class, Gwen fought against the rising frustration and sadness hitting her. She wanted to reach out again. ¡ºWhat''s so hard about a simple reply?¡» She opened her phone once more, resisting the urge to call him directly. One last message, she told herself. She quickly typed out a new message: [Please just let me know you''re okay. You don''t have to explain anything; just say you''re alive. It''s killing me not knowing! I''m here for you ?!] She hesitated as her finger hovered over the send button. Would this be too much? Would he hate her for bothering him again? Finally, she pressed send and watched the message disappear into the void once more. Just as she dropped her phone back into her bag, the teacher caught her eye again. "Gwendolyn, if you could pay attention instead of texting, we might actually get through this chapter." Gwen frowned deeply. "Sorry!" She mumbled, forcing herself to focus on the lesson, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn''t shake the feeling that she was losing him, piece by piece, just like the notifications piling up in her inbox. Chapter 22 Nightlife in Meteor City! Meteor City¡­It was a dark and gritty metropolis plagued by crime and corruption. Even though it was a modern city, it always seemed to be under a heavy shadow, with gloomy skies hanging over everything. The streets were almost always wet from rain, and narrow alleys stretched like veins through the city, giving it an eerie, worn-down feeling. This sense of decay lurking everywhere you looked. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ A fancy, modern house stood out brightly against the dark night sky, with big glass walls, sharp, clean lines, and an infinity pool lit up by blue LED lights. In the pool, a group of young, good-looking people laughed and splashed around, caught up in the wild fun of being young and wealthy. Off to the side, leaning back on the edge of the pool, was a guy who seemed to fit in perfectly with the whole scene. He was shirtless, tattoos showing against his pale skin, with a constant smirk on his face. His arms rested along the poolside, surrounded by both girls and guys, all a bit tipsy and clearly having a good time. But the party mood changed when a dark-skinned man in a black trench coat walked onto the scene. He had a tough, worn-out look, with meat tattoos scrawled down his face. He cut through the lively atmosphere like a knife, his footsteps slow and heavy as he made his way toward the pool, not paying any attention to the curious looks around him. When he finally stopped, he held up a small, faded photo and looked directly at the guy leaning back in the pool. "You¡­ have you seen this girl?" The man''s disturbingly dark voice sounded like he''d step on sunflowers for entertainment. The guy in the pool lazily lifted his head, raising his shades just enough to squint at the picture. It was a young woman, sexy in her own way. She had short, vibrant pinkish-red hair styled into an edgy undercut and a pair of green eyes that gleamed even through the worn photo. He recognized her alright¡­ she had that unmistakable confidence and beauty that was hard to forget. He chuckled, dropping his shades back down as he leaned his head back with a grin. "Nah, never seen her face before." He spoke in a slow, lazy tone, making it clear that he didn''t mean what he was saying. "But damn, she''s hot as hell." The man''s jaw tightened, though he kept his calm. "Funny¡­" He said with a faint smile. "I know you like to play hero when it suits you. But that ''hot as hell'' girl stole some precious tech from the Black Mechanica Gang. After they helped her out, she burned ''em. Tracked her all the way from Fremont to here. And my sources say you know where she is." Some of the girls in the pool started whistling, waving at the guy in the shades. "Hey, come on, don''t leave us hanging over here!" One of them cupped their breasts and bit their lower lip in the most tempting way possible. He gulped, giving them an awkward smile. "Yeah, yeah, hang tight, ladies¡ªI''ll be over in a sec¡­" He muttered, rubbing his neck before looking back at the trench-coated man. "Listen, man, I''m sorry, but I don''t know nothin''. I ain''t seen nothin''." He shrugged. The man in the trench coat narrowed his eyes, then reached into his coat and pulled out a syringe. It was sleek, high-tech, marked with the letters [LPV-7]. The moment the guy in the pool saw it, he stiffened and his face drained of its color. "Okay, okay, man, look¡­ I''ll talk." He swallowed hard, looking around nervously before he leaned in a bit, lowering his voice. "I mean, I heard from her once or twice, alright? She¡­ she stays somewhere near the Rusted Hook Bar. We''d meet there, casual drinks and stuff, y''know? But that''s all I know, I swear." The man held the syringe closer. "Go on. Don''t hold back on me now." The guy''s eyes flicked nervously from the syringe to the hard expression on the man''s face. "I-, I''m serious, man. She doesn''t stay there all the time. She just shows up, gets her drink, and bounces. Look, that''s all I know! You gotta believe me." The man''s lips curled into a strange smile. "That''s fine." He said, his tone almost¡­ friendly. "I believe you." The guy let out a sigh, relieved. "So¡­ you''re gonna let me go?" The man''s smile didn''t waver. "Well, no." He flexed his right hand, and a sleek, high-tech gauntlet emerged from the coat''s sleeve, fitted snugly over his knuckles. Black with purple tron lines streaking through it, it was a beautiful, deadly piece of machinery. "Elena might call¡­ and I can''t have you warning her. Don''t want more work than I already have." The guy tried to inch back as a look of panic set in. "Hey, hey, hold up, man. Let''s talk about this, yeah? I gave you what you wanted!" But the man wasn''t listening. A dangerous spark ignited from the gauntlet as it crackled to life in violent purple arcs of electricity that buzzed and snapped as it built up an unnatural charge. The guy''s eyes widened. "Wait©¤©¤!!" The man plunged his gauntleted hand into the pool. A burst of electricity shot through the water. ¡­ KRAAAK©¤©¤©¤©¤BRRRZZZTTTT!! It surged like a tidal wave. Screams erupted from the partygoers as arcs of purple light crawled up their bodies and their muscles spasmed under the sheer force. Sparks exploded in chaotic bursts, and skin began to char and bubble, limbs flailing as bodies convulsed uncontrollably. The young guy''s smirk was the first to vanish, his mouth open in a silent scream as the flesh melted away and bones snapped under the electric onslaught. One by one, the people in the pool went quiet. Their bodies sagged and broke apart as the electricity coursed through them, until finally, the surface was calm. Only the deep, steady hum of the gauntlet could be heard as blood and pieces of flesh floated to the top, turning the blue-lit water an unholy red. "Wonderful¡­" The man turned on his heel and departed. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott woke up to the soft glow of his phone. A quiet chirp pulling him from the cozy comfort of the luxurious Airbnb he had rented. The place was a peaceful retreat, offering a wide view of Meteor City through large floor-to-ceiling windows (even if there wasn''t much interesting to see). It was tastefully decorated with modern furniture and gentle lighting. At $2,500 a week, it felt like a dream, but the only thing he''d really done during his stay was sleep. Lying across the king-sized bed, he browsed through Pulsar''s Instaflick account to check out her latest posts. [@PulsarOfficial Stories!] [#Fremont Arrival (5 stories): Arrival scenes, the suite tour, and snippets from her first night out.] [#HeroJourney: Highlights from her trending battle with Radion, including a selfie with @LadyFortressOfficial and action clips.] [#BTSwithTitanTech: Behind-the-scenes moments with TitanTech''s team, some candid shots of Vincent coaching her on media presence.] Just as Scott was about to check the comments, he noticed a message request from someone. When he opened it, he was surprised by what he saw. [Hi, it''s me¡­ Maya! (¡¨£þ¦Ø£þ¡¨©g You can''t still be angry about what I said, can you? I''ve been trying to talk with you since, but Vincent has my main line, so I had to buy this one in secret to message you (?.?)!! I also snuck out of Fremont for a while and flew back to Metro City, but I didn''t see you there, so it really has me worried¡­ are you alright?] He wanted to reply, but just as he was about to type, the System made a dinging sound right in front of him. [You haven''t streamed in almost a week. It''s time!] Scott clicked his tongue in irritation and swiped the notification away as if it were an annoying fly. "Seriously? Just let me relax¡­" He muttered, swinging his legs off the bed. A chill brushed against his skin as he stepped onto the cool floor, the comfort of his cocoon shattered. Rubbing his eyes, Scott walked over to the enormous fridge in the kitchen. The shiny exterior glinted under the soft overhead lights. When he opened the door, he found a wide variety of gourmet snacks and drinks, all neatly organized. He took a bottle of water, but then his eyes caught sight of a corner packed with empty beer bottles. A small smile crept onto his face. "Well, at least someone''s living it up¡­" He shook his head as he pondered what it must be like to let loose in this city. --- Dressed casually in a loose chemistry-themed tee and dark jeans, Scott ventured outside, hands buried deep in his pockets, head held high. The night air wrapped around him like a thin blanket, but the streets of Meteor City had a chill that seeped deeper than temperature alone. The sidewalks were full of life, though it was the kind that felt a bit rough around the edges. Scott walked past women wearing revealing outfits, who waved and showed off as they locked eyes with him, mixing charm with a spark of desperation. "Come here, pretty boy~ ??!" "Have fun with mommy, she''ll treat you right ?¡­" "Come have a taste, I''m sure you''ll get addicted ?!" Some wiggled their butts to get his attention, while others shamelessly cupped their breasts, hoping the handsome young man would notice them. Scott scoffed at their attempts and kept walking. "What is it with this place? More hookers than gangs. I might catch HIV just by breathing here¡­" He muttered under his breath. A short man shuffled past him, overhearing his comment. "You''re not wrong, man. This side''s all about the ladies of the night. The other side? That''s the gangs. But trust me, you don''t wanna know what happens if you stray too far." He shrugged, continuing on his way. Before Scott could say anything, a loud gunshot rang out in the street, breaking the calm of the cool night. A man fell to the ground, dead. But instead of panic, the chaos that usually followed such violence felt strangely absent in Meteor City. People looked over briefly, their expressions flat and uninterested, showing no signs of shock or worry. ¡ºDo I¡­ do something¡­¡» He thought about it. After all, he was a hero, so stopping things like this should be what he was built for. ¡ºSigh~ I''m not even with my gear¡­ do I go back?¡» He lost a feeling in his body. Scott swallowed hard, cleared his throat, and turned back to the women. "Work hard, ladies!" He flashed them two thumbs up. After that, he walked quietly, now more appreciative of the side of the street he was on. Not far ahead, Scott saw the bright neon sign of the Rusted Hook Club, and its inviting yet unsettling glow called him inside. The door swung open and he stepped into the lively atmosphere of the club. It was just as he expected: torturously loud music thumping in the background, people dancing to the beat, half-naked women performing on poles, and men hanging out at the bar, trying some strange sparkling purple substance that he could only assume was the latest trend. Ignoring the madness, Scott made his way to the counter and took a seat, tapping his fingers on the wooden surface. "Hey, can I get a beer?" He called out, trying to keep his voice above the din. The bartender looked up and laughed a bit. "Kid, you''re not even twenty-one. Get the hell outta here before I have to call security. You don''t belong in a place like this." Scott''s brow furrowed in disbelief. "Seriously? I just want one beer. I''m not here to cause trouble." The bartender laughed and shook his head as he polished a glass cup. "You look like you''ve never touched a drop in your life. Just stick to your juice boxes, alright? This ain''t a playground. Now get your ass outta here." Scott leaned back, crossing his arms. "Wow, a real gem you are. I guess I''ll just have to find another bar then." "HA! Good luck with that." The bartender shot back as he grinned. "You''ll probably be carded at every joint in the city." "Tch¡­" --- Scott sat at the counter, staring at Maya''s message on his phone. He sighed, scrolling down and trying to think of a reply, but nothing came to mind. Just as he was about to turn off the phone, he noticed someone in his peripheral vision. A stunning woman had slid up beside him, leaning against the counter with a sexy, casual grace. The bartender perked up at the sight of her, a smile replacing his usual grumpy expression. The woman placed a thick stack of bills on the counter and pushed it toward him with a finger. "Get this handsome man his beer¡­" There was warmth and amusement in her voice. The bartender''s eyes lit up. "Right on it, ma''am!" Scott glanced over, now curious. The woman looked to be in her late twenties, with short, bright pinkish-red hair styled in an undercut, where the sides were closely shaved and the top was left longer and swept to one side. Her eyes were striking green, adding to her lively expression. She wore a fitted black tank top that pushed out her excellent breasts and accentuated her athletic and muscular arms, paired with beige cargo pants that had a practical, rugged style. Her lips curled into a vixen smile as she met his eyes. "See something you like?" Scott smirked in return. "Not at first." She chuckled, extending her hand. "Elena Vargas. I''m guessing you''re not from Meteor City?" Scott''s eyes widened a little. "What gave it away?" Elena took the stool beside him, crossing her legs in a way that drew his eye to her toned midriff and well-defined curves. She was certainly confident¡­ and she wore it well. "Let''s just say you don''t exactly scream ''Meteor City material.'' And, newsflash¡ªnobody here really cares about underage drinking. You pay enough, and you can pretty much do whatever you want." Scott glanced down at himself and then back at her. He chuckled. "Fair point. Guess I need to do a little less screaming ''lost tourist'' next time." She laughed softly. "Glad you''re catching on." "Oh, right!" Scott said, realizing he hadn''t even introduced himself. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "David Blane." He extended his hand, putting on a polite, almost boyish smile. Elena raised an eyebrow and took his hand. She let her fingers linger a little longer, caressing his knuckles before leaning closer. "I like your eyes, David. Nice shade of blue." Scott blinked, a little taken aback. "Uh¡­ thanks, I¡ª" Elena raised a single finger, pressing it gently to his lips to quiet him. Her lips curved into a smirk. "Shh. How about we skip the small talk?" She leaned in as her voice dropped to a murmur that only he could hear. "Why don''t we meet back here at three a.m.? I''m dying to know more about you, and I''m guessing you''re curious about me too." She slowly tugged at the neckline of her tank top, letting the fabric dip lower to reveal more of her cleavage. Scott''s face warmed as she pulled away, giving him one last playful wave before disappearing into the crowd. He watched her go, momentarily dazed, but was quickly snapped back to reality as the bartender returned and set his beer down on the counter. "Order up¡­" the bartender said with frown. Scott couldn''t help but chuckle. He felt very different. Freedom¡­ this was what he wanted! ¡ºI can do whatever the fuck I want¡­ I have a System, I have a goal to accomplish¡­ and I can even pull a latina baddie in my lowest moment. I''m not loser! ¡» He glanced back down at his phone, where Maya''s message still sat unread. Without a second thought, he flipped it open, sent a quick middle finger emoji, and blocked the account. ¡ºI¡­¡» His eyes went wide. ¡ºI did it¡­¡» Jumping up from his stool, Scott pointed at the bartender. "And by the way, I''ve tried a beer before¡­ when I was in middle school, top that baldie!" The bartender snorted, rolling his eyes. "Good for you, kid." Scott flipped him a quick middle finger, turned on his heel, and ran out of the club. He hit the street with excitement burning in his veins. He took a deep breath, looking out over the grimy city, feeling more alive than he had in days. "Time for another stream!" Scott immediately sprinted back to his rented place. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott burst into his rented Airbnb. Freedom was finally in his grasp, and he felt unstoppable. "System, prep for a stream in an hour!" A cool, automated voice responded in his mind, precise and reassuring. [Affirmative. All streaming protocols will be engaged in T-minus sixty minutes!] Scott grinned with excitement as he walked over to his duffel bag and unzipped it. "Come on, where is it?!" He reached for his Basic Bodysuit Armor¡­ then froze. The suit just hung there, burnt and ripped, a messed-up reminder of the explosion from almost a week ago. His shoulders slumped and that surge of energy faded into pure frustration. "Just when I''m on fire¡­" He muttered, staring at the ruined fabric. But then, right on cue, the System chimed in again. [Notice: You are eligible to purchase a new equipment package. Recommended: Adaptive Tactical Armor Mk III with fresh weapons and additional features. Would you like to proceed?] Scott''s eyes lit up. "Hell yes. Let''s do it." [90,000 credits debited. Stand by for delivery.] No sooner had the words left his lips than a sleek, high-tech briefcase materialized on his bed, humming faintly with energy. Scott didn''t waste a second. He placed his hand over the glowing handprint on the case, and it clicked open, splitting down the middle to reveal his new gear. Inside was a sleek, all-black suit with Kevlar armor plates for extra protection. Blue wiring ran across it in a pattern like Tron lines, giving it a futuristic vibe. There were several high-tech silver plugs positioned at different points on the suit, and a thin metallic piece sat right at the center. The new mask was crafted with sleek, reinforced plating and blackened lenses similar to camera shutters that pulsed with a faint blue glow. Beside it, a utility belt packed with compartments and twin high-tech batons, designed to handle any close combat situation he could throw at them. Scott ran his fingers over the suit, grinning. This was everything he needed for a surprise stream. And to tear through Meteor City''s underbelly. "I''ll be taking all of this, thank you." In minutes, he''d suited up as every piece fitting him like a second skin. He activated the new batons, watching them spark to life before sliding them smoothly into his belt. The lenses in his mask blinked on, and the HUD sprang to life, streaming data and stats over his vision. "Holy shit, it has HUD©¤©¤?!" Scott felt the System sync with his every move, and it was like he was seeing the city through a brand-new set of eyes. "Keh, this is so cheese!" --- Before long, Meteor City began to notice a lone, dark figure swinging across its skyline. Scott vaulted from building to building as his new grappling cables propelled him through the air, silent and swift, as though he were weightless. Down below, a group of hookers on the street caught sight of him. One pointed up and squinted into the distance. "Holy hell, that''s gotta be Rope Girl, right?" The other one scoffed, not even looking up. "Nice try. You''re just trying to take my customers." "Tch, bitch." Scott smirked under his mask as he rushed forward, blending into the city''s neon lights like a shadow. He landed softly on the edge of a tall building, crouching down low. The lenses of his mask adjusted in the cool night air, then flashed bright blue as he scanned the streets below. This¡­ this was what he was made for. [Streaming Mode Activated! You are now live¡­] Chapter 23 Streaming in Meteor City The stream fully kicked off with a dramatic shot of Nightwatch crouching on the edge of a towering skyscraper, surrounded by the neon lights of Meteor City below.He was in a dark, high-tech suit lined with glowing blue stripes, like something out of Tron, and had a pair of high-tech batons at his side. Right away, the look of his suit grabbed the crazy viewers'' attention. His mask had a sleek, shutter-like lens, and the HUD on it was synced up with the stream, giving real-time stats like his pulse rate and environmental scans¡­ all the cool data any thrill-seeking audience would love to see. Seconds after going live: It was crazy across numerous social media platforms! On Chirper: [@RealNightwatchFan: HE''S BACK! THE LEGEND IS FINALLY LIVE!!! (? ¡Ñ§¥¡Ñ)? #NightwatchReturns] [@MetroCitySpy: Who had "Nightwatch returns in full sci-fi drip" on their 2030 bingo? ¨t? ? ? ? ?¨s #Nightwatch] [@ThirstyForNightwatch: someone please hold me¡­ i can''t with that suit¡­ the Tron lines are TOO MUCH (,,? ? ?,,)!!] [@EagleEye420: Look at the HUD! Dude''s tech is next level¡­ are we sure he''s human? #GOATStatus] On Threadit, fans dissected each second: ? t/MetroCityTalk [u/StreamSleuth: Pause at 0:03, you can see the new HUD layout. That''s straight-up military grade. And is that¡­ adaptive camo??] [u/Nightwatcher_1999: He just skipped the small talk and went straight for the action. Not a single "I''m back," just all BUSINESS!] [u/PulseCanonSurvivor: Bro shrugged off that Pulse Cannon hit like a legend, survived an explosion, and now he''s here, better than ever, he''s HIM!] --- ? t/MeteorCityTalk [Nightwatch is Back!!! Live Stream Going Crazy Right Now - He''s Got New Gear!] [u/MCNightwatcherFanGirl21: Y''ALL. Nightwatch is back in Meteor City, and the dude is swinging across rooftops like a shadow with this crazy new suit and weapons!! He looks like a freaking superhero. I''m watching his stream, and it''s legit like he''s a vigilante or something! This is the coolest thing I''ve seen this whole week!] [u/RealVigilanteOfMC: Finally, someone actually doing something in this city! Cops don''t bother, politicians are corrupt as hell, and we got freaks running around with zero accountability. Nightwatch is like¡­ our only hope?] [u/AltRoc: Can we take a second to talk about his new suit, though? It''s like he went full "cyber ninja." The blue lines are sick af and that HUD he''s using, bro¡­ He''s out here like some Tron character mixed with Batman. Who funds this guy?] [u/MCLurkerBot: As much as I''m all for the hype, this feels like a setup. You just show up out of nowhere with tech that advanced? I smell a rat. One big Corp might be using him to look good for the city, but really they''re pulling the strings. I dunno, y''all, seems shady af.] [u/SoulLess: Bro, sometimes a hero is just a hero. Not everyone''s in bed with Corps. Some of us just want someone who''ll wreck shop in our favor without asking questions, okay? Either way, I''m grabbing popcorn for this.] --- The stream itself was an event. Scott hadn''t even said anything yet, but the shot of him crouched on the edge of the building was already blowing up LoopVid as users scrambled to create edits of the moment. The snapshot of his silhouette against the neon lights became an instant profile picture across social media. On Chatterbox''s voice channels, fans reacted in real time: [Did you see that HUD overlay? Dude''s on some Isaac Volkner level tech.] [Isaac Volkner? Isn''t that Xenon, an A-ranked hero?] [Yep Yep!] [He''s already got 10K live viewers! I feel like I''m witnessing history.] On WeTube, comments flashed across the screen like a storm, impossible for a normal human to read. But Scott''s HUD conveniently filtered and highlighted the funniest and most over-the-top reactions: [@GigaChadFan: NIGHTWATCH MY KING, STEP ON ME!] [@BerserkBringer: The dude''s got HUD upgrades and a new suit! Bro, this looks better than any movie I''ve seen!] [@KeepItSleek: I love how he just ignored those thirsty hookers LMFAO go off king (£þ¦Å£þ¡¨)] [@REALfancyfanboy69: Bro''s like, "I am inevitable."] --- The flood of comments was nothing short of chaos, but there was a strange rhythm to it¡ªalmost like a crowd chanting at a live event. He scanned a few more of the best ones and smirked under his mask. Back on Chirper, hashtags were piling up: Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. #NightwatchReturns #TronNightwatch #NightFreakinWatch #GOATwatch --- Nothing could unseat #PulsarPower and #PulsarStream at the top, but that just drove his fans even harder to promote his own tags. On ReddHub, one thread even went wild with conspiracy theories about his week-long disappearance: [u/CityUnderbelly: He''s been underground dealing with Meteor City''s biggest gangs, that''s why he went off-grid.] [u/MysticWatcher: No way. He was in hiding because he got hit by a missile. Remember the burns on his suit from his last stream?] [u/SmartestPersonAlive: Have you considered he might''ve just needed to recover? Guy took a hit from a PULSE CANNON last week and then survived getting blown up. Cut the man some slack fr.] --- Through his HUD, Scott caught a bizarre chat message in bold from a Chatterbox group chat: [@SoThirstyPlzNotSorry: Nightwatch, if you''re seeing this¡­ make me feel like a real woman!] [@PolarBearRider replied: Girl chill, this man''s here for the action, not your fanfic. This reminds me of the Pulsar and Nightwatch fanfic I read last night ( ? _ ? )] [@BearRunAway: Weird girls like you drive me to the wilderness to hide with the bear] The chat was unhinged, but it energized him even more. Scott felt completely in sync with the System as it scrolled through WeTube, tracking his rising view count, and let him see the individual reactions from fans pouring in from every corner of the internet. He took a breath and finally spoke into the mic with a calm and confident voice. "Miss me?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. The chat went berserk. On Chirper, posts flooded in: [@LunarEcho: OMFG he SPEAKS. IM MELTING SO BAD, DADDY (*^©n^*)!!] [@MistressAnne: A tear ran down my leg (.¤Å?©n?)¤Å] [@NotYourMamasHero: Bro just casually said "miss me?" like it''s nothing. KING MOVE.] [@MeteorCityChronicles: Welcome to Meteor City, Nightwatch. The city needs you. I hope you stay¡­ we''re way better than Metro City!] Back on Threadit, fans dissected his voice, the exact tone and volume, to create soundbite memes and editing them to ridiculous effect. The viral clips were everywhere. They had captions like: [When your ex slides into DMs but you left her on read] [Me when I finally start that new job and everyone''s freaking out (I lied in my CV)] And in the voice channel on Chatterbox, his dedicated fans hyped each other up in sync with his every move: [Omg he just adjusted the batons, it''s about to go DOWN!] [Dude''s mask looks better than my whole life.] --- Scott lowered his head and chuckled. "Let''s give them a show." He steadied himself on the edge of the skyscraper before facing the camera. The neon lights from below gave his suit an electric gleam, while the synchronized HUD across his mask showcased his calm heart rate. It really helped the viewers know him better. He let a few moments pass, feeling the thrill of thousands of eyes glued to him. Then, he leaned slightly forward, as if he was speaking right to each viewer. "I''ve been in Meteor City for a while now. Uhhh, noticed it''s a bit more¡­ chaotic than I''m used to. Crime-ridden, you could say." The chat exploded immediately, filling the HUD with comments scrolling like a ticker tape. [HA! That''s what you get for slumming it in Meteor. Metro City for life, bro.] [Meteor City is like Metro City''s awkward, angsty cousin nobody wants to visit.] [Hey! It''s really not that bad here, alright? Y''all exaggerate too much.] ["yo dudes the empire is pretty chill" ahh reply ????????] [Ugh, I''m serious tho ( ? _ ? )¡­] [Says the guy who probably hasn''t left his apartment in weeks. Good luck, Nightwatch; they''ll steal your shoes here.] [I''m more worried they''ll steal his suit. That tech''s worth more than most apartments in Meteor, lol.] --- A smirk curled up beneath Scott''s mask. "Alright, alright, settle down. I''m here to make a difference, not start a war in the comments." He held up his wrist and tapped a virtual button to bring up a sleek counter on-screen. "Alright, here''s the plan: I''m going on a crime-stopping spree tonight, and I want you all to join me. Every time I stop a crime, just drop a number in the chat. Every donation we raise will go straight to a local orphanage here in Meteor City. Let''s make a difference together!" He paused. "Who''s with me?" The chat fired up instantly with both excitement and, as expected, a bit of skepticism. [Sure, but we better see proof it''s going to an actual orphanage. I''m not dropping cash just to fund his new suit.] [Trust the man; it''s Nightwatch. Dude doesn''t need our money to upgrade.] [Charity, huh? Could use a little more context¡­ but you know what? Fine. I''ll throw in $50 for each scumbag he takes down. It''s for the kids.] [This is literally the best way to spend my Friday night, go off, my dude!] Scott watched the comments flow. He was really amused with how cooperative they were these days. But it made sense. Fans would support you if you gave them the content they desperately wanted! "Good enough for me." Scott said, and with that, he jumped off the ledge and glided down to the streets below like a shadow. He hit the ground running, sprinting through the dark streets and alleys as his high-tech lenses already pinpointed small-time robberies and car break-ins like blinking targets on a radar. Each time he descended upon a crime in progress, he moved with swift, calculated strikes, each one more brutal than the last. The viewers were living for it: [OMG, did he just suplex that guy into the windshield?? I felt that (£þ £þ|||)] [Is it just me, or does he seem a bit harsher than usual? These hits look PAINFUL.] [It''s called justice, baby! This is what happens when you mess with Meteor''s protector.] [He''s like, extra motivated tonight. Probably hates Meteor City''s criminals with a passion lol.] --- As the counter ticked up to 15 crimes, a generous donation came in from @PhantomMuse89! [@PhantomMuse89: $5000 from me, welcome back, Nightwatch¡­ I really missed you (?¦à?)] Another viewer chimed in right after. [Looks like Nightwatch''s girlfriend just dropped by, LOL.] PhantomMuse89 replied with a simple blushing emoji, which sent the chat spiraling into conspiracies and playful teasing. Scott chuckled, tipping his head in the camera''s direction. "Appreciate it, PhantomMuse. Really." He continued rooftop to rooftop, clearing alleys, cutting through abandoned lots, and the counter climbed higher. He was about to swoop into another alleyway when he paused and noticed some odd noises coming from a nearby window. Peering through, his mask lenses adjusted for a zoomed-in view, and he was greeted by an unexpected sight: a couple locked in a particularly¡­ enthusiastic scene. "Yeah! Yes, harder ??! Finger me more ?!" The woman yelled. "Now slap me ?!" She was practically begging for it. The guy was huffing, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Uh¡­ are you sure? I''m already choking you¡­" "Stop being such a wimp! Can you imagine getting choked without one or two smacks?! If it''s not rough, they won''t let us go, dumb fuck!" "O-, Okay!" ¡­ SMACK! "AHHHHNN~ ? SO GOOD ???!" The chat practically erupted. [Omg, what is he WATCHING?! Is this stream even gonna stay up?] [Damn, didn''t know Meteor City folks were like that.] [They be getting freaky out here ( ? _ ? )] [That woman tho (? _ ?)¡­] [Mods?? Anyone??] [Nah, let the man watch!] Scott shook his head and stifled a laugh. But then he noticed someone else in the room, a heavy-set man with a camera in hand, looking disturbingly pleased as he filmed the couple. Not just disturbingly pleased, he was also rubbing himself off to the couple as they kissed. "Come on! Quit complaining and just plow her, already. You got a job to do." He looked like a picture perfect loser. [Nawww, even the villains are down bad (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [Beating your meat in an abandoned building has to be illegal on some level bruh¡­] [He ain''t gotta do allat man, it was NOT necessary!] [You don''t get this on Pulsar''s livestream tho¡­] [Reminds me of that one hero that strokes herself during all her streams¡­] [Wait, fr?!] [Ye, but you gotta pay $50 since it''s bonus content] [Nightwatch doesn''t even charge us, my man''s so great any woman would be lucky to have him (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] [Crazy glaze but we movin''] Scott''s HUD ran a quick scan, and the man''s profile popped up on screen. [Name: Wade Billson] [Alias: E-Porner] [Age: 43] [Information: Notorious for abducting people and forcing them into explicit videos, later selling them on the dark web.] --- Scott''s jaw tightened. [WAIT. E-Porner?? That guy''s real??] [That''s it, I choose the bear (¡ä?_?`)] [Blud thinks we care, stfu] [BRO!!! He kidnapped people for this? Please beat the shit out of this weirdo?] [Guys, hear me out¡­] [Oh God no¡­] [If this guy could kidnap Miss Mercury and force her to do some of those tapes we''ve been begging her to, then he''s defo doing the Lord''s work ( ¡¦¡Â¡¦¡¡ )] [You did not just say that £¨ ;?£ß?)] [?¡«(£þ,£þ ) average Metro City civilian] Immediately, PhantomMuse89 donated $1,000. A message was attached to it: [Nightwatch, please get rid of this creep.] [Yo, I was just playing¡­] Without a moment''s hesitation, Scott booted the particularly nasty viewer who''d crossed the line and the chat instantly appreciated the move. "Alright¡­ now that that''s over¡­" Scott cringed as he looked back at the dirty, fat man who was rubbing himself more aggressively. "Urrgggh¡­ let''s uh, handle E-Por¡­ him." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back in Metro City¡­ While the various social media platforms went crazy over the return of a fan favorite, Gwen lay in Scott''s bed with a sad look on her face. "He still hasn''t called¡­" She tried to reach for her phone, but stopped. "Whatever¡­" Her tired voice drained away as she pressed her head into the pillow and sighed painfully. Chapter 24 Meat Problems, Same Obsession & New Leads E-Porner''s voice got louder and more frantic as he shouted orders at the man struggling with the girl on the makeshift bed. His hand was shaking as he clutched the camera and zoomed in closer with a disturbing eagerness."Come on, spread her legs already! Get to the good part!" He leaned in so close that his wide, almost manic eyes were practically pressed against the camera screen. The couple shared a horrified look, and the guy tried to mutter something, but it was completely drowned out by E-Porner''s frantic yelling. Suddenly, the glass shattered inward and sent pieces flying everywhere like sparkling glitter under the moonlight. Scott came crashing through the window. The chat erupted in pure excitement: [LET''S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (¨R¨Œ¨Q)/] [Bro just jumped THROUGH THE GLASS?! This is PEAK STREAMING.] [Finally, Nightwatch making an entrance like he means it!] [This shit don''t exist on Pulsar stream fr!] [Bruh, what do you mean? She literally flew out of an explosion so fast the cameras videoing her shattered (¡¥¨D¡¥ ?)] [Save the Pulsar glaze for her stream £¨ ;?£ß?)] --- Scott stood up straight, his suit catching the bits of moonlight that slipped through. He raised his baton and pointed it directly at E-Porner. The sweaty, desperate man clutched his camera for dear life as he panted like a beast. "The only thing getting spread here¡­ is justice." The chat lit up immediately: [???? NOT HIM DROPPING CHEESY LINES.] [Did he actually just say that?! LMFAO] [Bro pulled that line out of the 80s but I''m here for it (£þ©`£þ)] [Nah, that line is gonna go down in stream history fr] [THAT was pure cheese but I respect it.] [LMAO, someone''s gotta save that line for the meme graveyard.] [Nah, that''s gotta be Top 5 Cheesiest Quotes from Nightwatch already.] E-Porner''s eyes widened as he backed up, clutching the camera. He turned, only to realize something truly mortifying: his small meat was still¡­ in full view. As he fumbled to put his pants back in order, Scott''s voice was heavy with barely-contained disgust. "Don''t. Move. A muscle." The chat burst with reactions: [Is he¡­ is he gonna put it away or nah?] [Put it back, bro, pls, no one wants to see that] [Viewer discretion advised ¨C too late, I guess ( ? _ ? )] [Not his fat ass standing there with his meat out like a whole fool ????] [Chatterbox mod final boss ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [I can''t believe what I''m seeing. Send this dude back to the ''80s (?''?-''?)?] [NOT NIGHTWATCH FORCING THE MAN TO HANG LOOSE (???) hehehe!] Scott held back his vomit and looked away. "Actually¡­ yeah, go ahead. Put your pants back up. And please, do it quickly." He briefly covered his lenses with a gloved hand. E-Porner''s hands trembled as he tucked his meat back in, muttering curses under his breath. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, in the corner, the man and woman cautiously pulled their clothes back on. The guy seemed relieved. But the woman''s face carried heavy annoyance that she tried (and failed) to hide. The comments were flying: [She lowkey mad tho, she was down bad for the choking lmao.] [All she needs now is a gag and she''s set to go (???)] [Urm, what the sigma (©`_©`©g] [Bro, I''m telling you, that woman needs a full dominatrix getup next time] [She kinda bad too¡­ give her the leather and a whip, and she''s golden (???)] [Bro this stream got WEIRD and it''s only Nightwatch''s third one lmao] [This is honestly Nightwatch''s weirdest stream yet (¡ã¥í¡ã)¥Î] Scott turned back to E-Porner, who was still trembling, when he heard a sudden click. The obese man flashed a crooked grin as he pulled a small remote from the depths of his sweaty pants. [Where TF did he pull that from ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [Considering how small his junk is I''m sure there''s enough space down there ©´(? ¡«? )©°] [That violation was NOT necessary (¨‘_ ¨‘)] [I''m sure that remote stinks¡­] [You gotta do what you gotta do to survive.] E-Porner pushed a button like he''d already won. "EAT LASER, SUCKER!" Three plasma turrets sprang out from the walls and locked onto Scott. ¡­ HUMMM-BAZZZZZT! Bright, sizzling beams blasted toward him, but with a quick, calculated spin, Scott evaded the first two and sprang upward just as the third fired. In mid-air, he pulled a throwing needle from his utility belt and hurled it toward E-Porner with impeccable precision. ¡­ Thunk! A loud, pained wail echoed through the room. "WAAAAAAAAAH!" The needle had struck its mark¡­ dead center. E-Porner staggered, clutching his "precious place," and collapsed as tears sprang to his eyes. [HOLY SHIT HE NAILED HIM WHERE IT HURTS (¨‘_ ¨‘)] [Not even Thanos went for that level of precision ????] ["Aim for the head" ¨C Bro took it too literally (¨‘_¨‘)] [Yo, E-Porner is DEF down bad now¡­] [I CAN''T BREATHE ????????????] [HE HIT HIM WHERE IT HURTS LITERALLY.] [Turned his shit from white meat to red meat¡­] [This man just entered his villain origin story¡ªE-Porner boutta be out of commission.] [Bro, his meat just got needled ( ?? ¦Ø ?? )?] --- E-Porner gasped, his voice trembling with rage and pain. "You¡­ son of a bitch! You''ve ruined me! Do you realize what you''ve done? It''s BLEEDING!" Scott cringed, half out of disgust, half out of sympathy. "Didn''t mean to hit you there, honestly¡­" The chat went wild again: [My man on his period now lmao] [Tell me you don''t know sht about women without telling me you don''t know sht about women.] ["Didn''t mean to hit you there" bro pls you aimed LIKE THAT ON PURPOSE.] [Scott: Accidentally turns him into a soprano LMAO] [Nah, this is 100% going in the clip compilation, no arguments (£þ¦á£þ;)] --- E-Porner glared up at him, cheeks wet with tears. "You¡­ you better pay my hospital bills! You hear me? I''m not a monster, I''m a villain! You think I deserve this?" Scott stifled a laugh, but the viewers were relentless. ["I''m not a monster, I''m a villain!" - Man, this guy''s living in his own fanfic] [Bro crying and STILL thinkin he''s the main character (?_?)] [Villains gonna villain, I guess] [Is this scripted or what? I swear, this HAS to be fake.] [No way, fam, this is Meteor City; everything''s just fuckin'' wild here (???)] [If anyone clipped this, we''re gonna make him go viral 100% (£þO£þ)] [Fr, I''m tired of Pulsar''s stream being #1 for an entire week! On my mama it''s mid] [Your mama''s gonna be living for a long time (???)] [I don''t know guys, Nightwatch''s stream isn''t even top 50 in the US much less worldwide (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] Just then, donations started pouring in, the chat filled with appreciation for Scott''s precision strike. [@NutBuster5000: $300 ¨C this was worth every penny] [@RadicalsRule: $100 ¨C Bro, give him another one for good measure, but maybe the other side this time?] [@PhantomMuse89: $1000 ¨C No one messes with Mister Vigilante ?!] Scott raised his hands as if to address the camera directly. "Glad you all enjoyed that, though, for real¡­" He looked back at E-Porner, who was still writhing. "You? Maybe think twice before preying on people. Just a suggestion." "FUCK YOU!" "Whatever, man¡­" Scott turned back to the camera and smiled angelically. [Yeah, right. This HAS to be scripted.] [I don''t know, man. This city''s a whole circus.] [Only in Meteor City can you watch a dude get his dignity obliterated live] [Could never be Metro City ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [Guess E-Porner''s plans just went south (*¨R¨Œ¨Q)] Scott gave the camera a quick two-finger salute. "I have to pause the stream for a while. I''ll get back to you guys in a few¡­" [Streaming Mode paused¡­] [You are no longer LIVE.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma flopped onto her king-sized bed, feeling the soft mattress wrap around her like a warm hug. Excitement flowed through her like electricity, and she stared up at the ceiling, her heart racing. She replayed every moment of the stream in her mind. Her favorite vigilante had just delivered the most thrilling show, and she couldn''t help but clutch her chest in excitement. ¡ºI really can''t believe he''s back!¡» Her smiled widened. ¡ºStill¡­ I wonder what made him stop?¡» Hearing his voice again really made her happy. And the way he personally thanked her when she dropped a donation left her body tingling with excitement. Nightwatch was a real man. ¡ºI wouldn''t mind if he really made me a woman¡­¡» Her hand stretched down for her crotch and she closed her eyes to imagine what his rugged face would look like, but then stopped halfway. ¡ºTOO FAR©¤©¤!¡» By this time, her slender hand was halfway into her gown. She sighed with great self-control. ¡ºWhat if I super-speed all the way to Meteor City right now? And, you know, we form some sort of a team¡­ and, uh, m-, maybe we uh, he likes me like I like him¡­ and¡ªand, uhh, we start to like each other and stuff¡­¡» These jumbled thoughts flitted through her lovestruck mind like a tantalizing breeze. But then she shook her head vigorously, her hair flying around her face. "No, no, no! That would be way too desperate." Emma''s gaze shifted to the ceiling mirror and caught her own blushing face staring back. ¡ºToo desperate?¡» She bit her lip. ¡ºI might as well be obsessed at this point¡­ with the amount of money I''ve donated to his stream and sent him personally, is there any other way to put it?¡» The idea of engaging him as a random woman felt thrilling. What if he used the money she''d sent him to take her out on the most romantic date? ¡ºUgh, but would he even want to?¡» She groaned and sank into her pillow. "That sounds so romantic, though¡­" In an outburst of womanly passion, Emma shrieked like a giddy schoolgirl and kicked her feet against the bed. "Ahhhh! I can''t believe I''m even thinking this!" She buried her face in her pillow and squealed with delight, lost in her thoughts of heroism and romance. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, Scott stood in the dark, empty building. The sound of E-Porner''s painful wails still echoed in his ears as he looked over the plasma turrets. ¡­ Hrmmm With the careful skill of a surgeon, he quickly worked to disassemble one of them. "Okay, let''s see what kind of toys you''ve got here¡­" Hee muttered and pulled out a few components. "Plasma emitter¡­ check. Energy stabilizer¡­ neat. These could come in handy." He stuffed them into the small sack he''d brought along, feeling a bit like a kid in a candy store¡­ except this was a candy store filled with tech that could wreak havoc. Suddenly, E-Porner''s cries broke through his concentration. "Help! Someone call the cops! He''s stealing my stuff!" "Oh shut up." "Son of a bitch!" E-Porner growled with anger and pain. "What kind of hero steals a person''s weapons anyway?!" Scott raised an eyebrow as he held up one of the turret parts mockingly. "The kind that''s broke." He chuckled and tossed the part back into the sack. As he dug deeper, something caught his eye¡­ a green energy core that pulsed with a faint glow. He froze as the realization hit over him like a hammer. "Wait a minute¡­" His heart raced as memories flooded back, connecting dots he hadn''t even considered. Black Mechanica Gang. ¡ºOf course they''d be a major weapons'' supply network in a place like Meteor City. How did I not see this coming?! Argh, rookie mistake!¡» He looked absolutely frustrated. "E-Porner!" Scott barked and turned abruptly. "Where did you get these weapons?" The fat man looked up as fear flashed in his eyes. "I-, I ain''t telling you nothing, hero!" He tried to sound defiant, but the tremor in his voice easily gave him away. "Oh really?" Scott stepped forward. "YEAH! R-, REALLY!" If the hero who hurt destroyed such a precious part of him needed some important information, that was the one thing he wouldn''t give up. He wasn''t a fighter, but this was his way of getting his lick back. Scott took another fierce step forward. "You really want to play this game? Because I''m not above making it a whole lot worse for you." He pulled out another throwing needle and dangerously aimed it with intent. "If you don''t spill, I''ll make sure that needle finds its home again¡­ and this time, it won''t be a love tap." E-Porner''s bravado crumbled. "Wait! Wait! Okay! Okay!" He gasped, clutching his stomach. "It was a hot chick! I swear! She sold me these! I didn''t even see her face, but her body was¡­ something else! She almost made me fall in love with her you know!" "Get to the point!" Scott pinched his nose bridge. "Her name was Night Witch I think! She gave me a number and an address if I ever wanted more weapons! That''s all I know, I promise!" E-Porner babbled desperately to save his balls. Scott leaned closer as his expression hardened. "Number and address. Now." "Dude, save my balls, please!" E-Porner wheezed, scrambling for any form of mercy. "Adress first¡­" Scott demanded. "O-, Okay!" The man quickly wiggled his phone out of his pocket and left it for Scott to take. With a roll of his eyes, Scott finally relented. "Fine." He stood up and retrieved a small stash of healing patches from his utility belt. He tossed them at E-Porner, who fumbled to catch them. "Here, use these. I''ll call the cops to come get you. But remember, next time you try something like this, don''t expect to walk away whole." As E-Porner muttered curses under his breath, Scott turned to leave with the phone, shaking his head. "Man, I really hope you take this as a lesson." "Fuck you, bitch!" E-Porner yelled after him. But the weight of his words felt hollow in the empty room. Scott casually swung the sack of plasma turret parts over his shoulder, grinning as he did so. "I''ll be taking these, pal." "SON OF A BITCH, UGH!" "Yeah, yeah. You''re welcome." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott glanced at the on-screen counter of his crime-stopping spree: 28. Not bad for a night''s work, he thought, even if E-Porner''s debacle had made him question his own sanity. The clock read 2:48 a.m. He needed to meet Elena soon. The young man sighed and brushing his fingers over the sleek mask before resuming the stream. The chat exploded as soon as he reappeared on screen. [NIGHTWATCH, WE BACK! ????] [What''s next? Are you gonna drop a house on E-Porner?] [Did you kill him? Or just ruin his career?] [Bro, tell us the real tea! Did the dominatrix reward you with some action? £¨©V§Ù©V£©] [NO WAY, THAT''S MISOGYNISTIC!] [But it''s in like every spy movie!] Scott chuckled at the flurry of messages. "Alright, alright, settle down, folks. I know it''s a wild ride, but I have to call it a night. It''s getting late, and honestly, I''m exhausted." [JUSTICE NEVER SLEEPS!] [Yeah, yeah, you''re just gonna vanish again like a ghost!] [E-Porner''s meat was too traumatizing for him! ????] [Status on E-Porner''s meat please?] The comments piled up faster than he could read. One viewer chimed in, trying to maintain some order. [Can everyone just let him talk for a sec?] "Seriously, though, I appreciate the enthusiasm. But¡­" Scott rubbed the back of his neck. "I really need to get some rest." [But Pulsar''s streaming by 6 a.m.! £¨???£© I really can''t wait till then maaaannn] [Imagine a Nightwatch collab with Pulsar?] [Yeah, they already have that one questionable fanfic that''s being discussed on Threadit ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [Meh, Nightwatch started the streaming shit before her, so she''s just stealing ideas, tch] "Yeah, and she''s gonna have her own drama, but I have my own path, guys. Not interested in collabs right now. Especially not with her." [You do you, man. Better solo than with those clowns!] Soon the heavy-hitter of the chat, made her presence known with a bold donation. [@PhantomMuse89 has just donated $1000!] [Please stay, Nightwatch! We need more justice!] Scott chuckled softly. "Wow, thank you, but I really can''t keep going. I have to return this¡­ no offense, but I''m not trying to fund a mansion with your cash." [Keep it! ???? I''ll be sad without you!] "Okay, I appreciate that, but I''m definitely returning it. You deserve better." He laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood. [@PhantomMuse89: Soo, I was wondering if you could blow me a kiss and say goodnight? (?? ?3??)] Scott''s eyes went wide behind the mask. His camera shutter-like lenses reacted in kind. "Uh, what? This is a bit out of the blue¡­" The chat erupted in laughter and trolling. [BROS, HE''S FLUSTERED, LMAO!] [Dawg just got simped for!] [He has that Internet rizz or whatchamacallit!] [PhantomMuse89 getting freaky everyday ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] [No shit, Sherlock¡­] [@PhantomMuse89: Never mind! I didn''t mean to make it awkward! (? ???¦Ø??? ?) sorry!] Right after, the stream ended. "Wow, I¡­ okay. That just happened." Scott shook his head, still chuckling as he glanced at the stream stats popping up on the screen. [Stream Duration: 6 hours] [Viewers: 13.1K] [Total Donations: $48,000] [Top Donation: $8,000 from @PhantomMuse89] [Total Crimes Stopped: 28] "That''s a lot of money." Scott murmured, impressed. "I''ll figure out how to donate this later." His eyes flickered to a new notification. [Ding! Today''s streaming is complete!] [Total Accumulated Credits: 150,000] [Congratulations, you''ve some acquired new gear!] [Mindlink Earpiece (Tier 3) x3, EMP Throwing Discs (Tier 3) x4, Electroshock Gun (Tier 2) x3, Enhanced Duranium Escrima Stick (Tier 4) x2, Bolas (Tier 2 via Electroshock Mode) x5, Mini Rebreather (Tier 2) x1] [You''ve also acquired some new skills!] [Marksmanship (Tier 4), Escape Artistry (Tier 2)] [Reward Package Unlocked!] Scott''s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "I''ll have to check out the special one later¡­" He ran to the edge of the rooftop and dived off the high-rise like a missile as he put his mask back on. ¡­ FWOOOOSHHH! The wind whipped around him as he fell. He pulled the grappling hook and swung through the moonlit sky in style. Chapter 25 Targets Maya sat alone in her low-lit hotel room as the screen of her phone cast a faint glow across her face.She stared at the last message Scott had sent her ¡ª a single middle finger emoji. Her fingers shook slightly as she scrolled back, re-reading the messages she''d sent him, trying to piece together what had gone so wrong. She hadn''t expected things to go perfectly, but¡­ this? Her shoulders slumped and her expression grew heavier. There was no reply she could think of, nothing that could take back whatever had pushed him this far. Why was he so angry? She had tried to apologize, tried to explain. A tear began to form at the corner of her eye. She quickly wiped it away just as Vincent stormed into the room with a frustrated face. "Hey, Vincent¡­" Maya muttered, stuffing her phone under the pillow and forcing a weak smile. Vincent didn''t seem to notice her sadness. His fists clenched as he shut the door behind him. "Can you believe it?" The man fumed with a low growl in his voice. "That tights-wearing, two-bit wannabe Nightwatch is actually back." Maya blinked as her brow furrowed. "Wait, who?" Vincent pulled out his phone, his hands shaking slightly with irritation as he tapped the screen. "THIS!" He said, holding it out so she could see the clip ¡ª a grainy, low-light video of Nightwatch''s latest stream, where he swung between buildings, the blue lights of his new suit streaking through Meteor City''s murky skyline. The screen was filled with emojis, hearts, and "Welcome back!" comments from fans. "And he''s all over the place!" Vincent added, barely pausing for breath. "Chirper, Instaflick, Chatterbox ¡ª everyone''s talking about him. Even some of the top WeTube podcasts." He scrolled through his notifications with a sigh. "The Heroic Hour did a whole segment about him this morning. They even mentioned you, wondering if there was gonna be a crossover. And don''t get me started on The Supes Show ¡ª they''re practically drooling over the guy." Maya shrugged, folding her arms. "Okay¡­ but is it really that big a deal? So he came back ¡ª good for him." Vincent''s expression turned incredulous. "Is it a big deal?" He repeated her words, albeit with heavy frustration. "Of course, it''s a big deal! I built Pulsar''s entire brand around streaming hero work, but somehow, this guy''s got it locked down. I was hoping he''d disappear for good, but no ¡ª he''s back with new gear, and he''s blown up overnight!" A smug gleam flashed in his eyes as he flipped through his phone. "Guess what''s currently trending at number six on Chirper? #NightwatchIsBack." He threw his hands up in frustration. "Six! Do you know how hard it is to hit top ten without a scandal or a big name?" Maya managed a half-smile. "Honestly, that''s kinda impressive. I mean, good for him, right?" "No, Maya!" Vincent nearly shouted. "It''s not impressive! He''s hijacking the whole idea, and if he takes too much of the spotlight, our work will suffer." He adjusted his blazer and did his best to soften his tone so as to change gears. "Look, let''s just focus on keeping you in the spotlight. Your stream''s scheduled in an hour, so make sure you''re ready. We need this one to be big. Huge, actually. I''ll be handling some behind-the-scenes stuff in the meantime. Speaking of which¡­" He paused to smoothen out his suit. "I''ve got an exciting little surprise lined up." Maya raised an eyebrow. "What kind of surprise?" Vincent flashed a sly grin. "How do you feel about a little livestream date with The Peak?" Her facial expression shifted to surprise. "Wait ¡ª The Peak? That''s the guy who''s been investigated, what, three times now? For harassment, drug use, tax evasion¡­?" Vincent waved a hand dismissively. "Investigated, sure, but never convicted. And the fans love him. This could be big for you, Maya. The Peak''s trending high right now. A joint stream with him would be gold for your numbers." Maya crossed her arms and looked away. "I''m not doing fan service to stay relevant. I save people. That''s how I want to be known, not by hanging out with some scandal magnet for views." Her eyes narrowed right after. ¡ºI know it might sound silly, but I have to admit¡ªI need Scott around to remind me that saving people is what really matters. The fame and money are incredible, sure, but they don''t give the same kind of satisfaction that comes with truly being a hero.¡» Just thinking about his smile made her feel bittersweet. It was the first time in a whole week she could picture his face clearly, without imagining the disappointment and disgust she was sure he felt toward her right now. More than anything, she wanted to be with him again. Vincent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Maya¡­ we''re in showbiz now. There''s a certain¡­ game to be played, and sometimes that means using crowd favorites to keep you on top. We don''t need it to be a real date ¡ª just a few laughs on camera, a bit of chemistry." Maya clenched her jaw and turned away more. "I''m not interested, Vincent. I''m not doing some fake relationship stream, and I''m definitely not getting involved with a guy like The Peak." Even saying his name made her feel like an idiot. Vincent muttered something under his breath then paced a few steps before finally sighing. "Alright, alright, we''ll talk more about this later. I''m gonna go get a gin and tonic." She watched him leave without saying another word. Her eyes fell back to her phone, where Scott''s last message stayed on the screen, stuck in her mind. Even with all the craziness, the noise, and the pressures of being famous, she couldn''t get past that one, hurtful emoji ¡ª and the sinking feeling that she was losing something far more important than just fame. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott strolled into the Rusted Hook Club and slipped his hands into his pockets as he took in the louder, livelier crowd. The steady beat of the music and the packed crowd surprised him, especially this late at night¡ªhe hadn''t expected things to be so lively. He looked around to scan the bar and the dance floor, but there was still no sign of Elena. Checking his [new] watch, he saw it was 3:14 a.m. ¡ºAhh, jeez¡­¡» A sinking thought crossed his mind¡ªmaybe she''d ditched him. Perhaps he''d read too much into their brief flirtation, or she''d found someone else to keep her entertained. Scott sighed and moved through the crowd, slipping past the dance floor, and heading into a quieter room off to the side. Away from the noise, he settled in, leaned back, and let out a long breath. ¡ºI''ll just wait¡­ I''m sure she''s just late¡­¡» After all, he was also late¡­ but for a good reason. As he checked his watch again, strippers and servers passed by, offering the sexiest lap dances and best drinks, but he turned them all down. ¡ºSigh~ it''s been half an hour¡­ where is she¡­?¡» The minutes dragged, and he figured he''d wait five more before calling it quits. But then, just as he was about to check the time again, he heard a familiar, teasing voice. "How long have you been waiting?" Scott looked up, startled, and there she was¡­ Elena. She stood in the doorway, one hand on her hip, her cherry lips curled into that confident, sexy smile. The way she held herself, the enticing curve of her hips, the sexual thirst in her charming green eyes, her cool, knowing expression¡ªit all left him momentarily stunned. "I¡­ uh, I''ve been waiting for a while." He finally managed to respond. His gaze lingered on her in the dim light. Here, away from the dance floor and pounding music, he could really see her. She was more than just beautiful¡­ there was something incredibly sexy and undeniably attractive about her, something intense. He took his time looking, and when she noticed, her mild smile became even more sly. Elena could tell by his gaze that he was practically undressing her with his eyes, imagining her naked body in front of him. "What''s the matter?" Elena asked in her low and smooth voice, as if they were sharing some private joke. Scott cleared his throat. "Nothing. Just¡­ you''re, well¡­ beautiful. I didn''t really get a good look at you before." Elena chuckled softly then brushed a stray bang from her beautiful face. "Oh, so you like this kind of beautiful, huh? Or are you more into the refined type?" She raised an eyebrow, sounding oddly sexy. "I can do both, you know~ ?" He blinked, momentarily speechless. "Didn''t realize there were ''types'' of beautiful." He murmured, unable to keep the grin off his face. "I usually just go with what I see." Elena laughed and took a seat in front of him as her eyes locked on his with a steady intensity. "I like that in a guy. A man who goes with what he sees has a way of staying honest¡­ which makes him eye candy for a lot of women." He opened his mouth to respond, but the words faltered as she leaned forward to pull her chair closer and comfortably rest her elbows on her knees. Her tank top dipped slightly, and Scott could see her ample cleavage, which made his mouth water. However, she immediately noticed him looking, and to Scott''s surprise, she arched even more, pressing her elbows against his knees so she could go lower and really show off the sexiness of her breasts. "You look stressed¡­" Elena spoke very softly. The gentleness of her tone made Scott feel good inside and he felt himself relax just a bit under her gaze. "I get it; things are rough sometimes. But you can''t let that get you down." He sighed as her words hit close to home. "Easier said than done. But¡­ yeah, I''m trying." Other than making him feel criminally good and strangely satisfied inside, the way Elena spoke highlighted just how much more mature and calm she was compared to the girls in his school. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She was definitely an older woman. Even if her looks didn''t reveal it, Scott could easily tell from her behavior that she was more experienced. It wasn''t hard to notice. Elena tilted her head to study him. She reached out and let her fingers brush over his collar, before adjusting it as if it needed fixing. Her touch was light, lingering, and it sent a warm, unexpected shiver down his spine. "Take your mind off it¡­" Elena murmured as her voice dropped to a sexy whisper, so close he could feel her breath on his neck. "Let your friends keep you grounded¡­ and maybe let some people distract you every once in a while." She leaned in even closer, pressing against him just enough to let him feel the warmth of her skin and the softness of her expectedly big breasts. Scott''s heart was pounding, and he fought to keep his voice steady. "Hard to call a woman I just met my friend, let alone trust her. But¡­ I''ll try." She smiled as her fingers trailed down to brush his chest. "Good." Her voice held a seductive edge and her green eyes gleamed with mischief. Then, without warning, she reached for his hand, her grip firm yet soft. "Come on¡­" She said, tugging him to his feet. "Let''s make it an interesting night." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott stood at the edge of the VIP section, his mouth agape at the view in front of him. The atmosphere felt cozy and luxurious, with the large infinity pool sparkling softly under the ambient lights. Expensive bottles of wine and unique drinks were scattered around, shining like jewels in the low light. The place felt empty, like a private getaway just for them. So, Scott figured she either reserved it ahead of time or they were just lucky to be here when no one else was around, though that seemed pretty unlikely. "Wow¡­ how did you manage to get in here?" He calmly took in the luxurious surroundings. Elena looked over her shoulder as a playful smile danced on her sweet, cherry lips. "Just a little charm and some connections. Consider this our sanctuary for the night." Scott raised an eyebrow, trying to understand her intentions as she pulled him toward the poolside. "What are we doing here?" "Liberating ourselves¡­" Elena replied in her usual seductive and confident tone. He watched, captivated, as she walked over to the detachable diving board on the far side of the pool. Her movements were smooth, charming, and undeniably sexy in every way. "I already feel liberated. Trust me." Scott said with a smirk on his face. Elena paused then turned to face him as her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh? You have no idea how liberating this can get." With that, she slowly slipped off her sneakers as the soft thud of them hitting the ground echoed in the otherwise quiet space. Locking eyes with him, her face was filled with a sexual hunger that made his heart race. "Wait, are you serious?" Scott acted oblivious. Elena grinned as her lips curled in that deliciously wicked way. "You didn''t think I meant liberate ourselves from mental stress, did you?" He felt a rush of heat as he mumbled. "Oh, that kind of liberation¡­ I didn''t think of that." He obviously did, and the little grin he carried behind his calm expression was everything. Considering he had an excellent pokerface, Elena couldn''t even catch the slightly perverted grin he was hiding, so she simply enjoyed how oblivious he was. With a playful toss of her hair, she stepped lightly onto the diving board, as if strutting down a runway as her bare feet delicately caressing the surface. "Considering you overthink so much, I''m surprised your mind didn''t jump to the part where I want you to free yourself¡­ inside me." She licked her lips as if they were stained with cream. Scott swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure as she unbuckled her cargo pants. "I don''t really consider myself an overthinker." Elena raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Oh really~?" Before he could say more, she tossed her belt aside and the sound also echoed in the spacious room. Then she drew down her cargo pants in one smooth motion to reveal her tight lace panties that hugged her curves just right. "And I don''t really consider myself fuckin'' horny right now¡­ guess we''re both lying." She said, throwing her pants toward him. They flew through the air and nearly hit him in the face, but he caught them effortlessly then tossed them aside with a chuckle. As he looked back at her, the sight took his breath away. Her thick thighs were perfectly shaped and the lace accentuated her body in all the right places. Unable to resist, Elena adjusted her panties in a deliberately slow manner, then giving him a sultry look that showed just how much she wanted him.. Scott blinked, momentarily stunned. "Wow¡­" Then, with a casual grace, she removed her tank top to reveal her sexy red brassiere that cupped her big, perky breasts. "Not too shabby, huh?" Elena said, leaning slightly to give him a better view. The curve of her body and the smoothness of her skin made his head spin. "Definitely not¡­" Scott replied coolly. Elena walked to the edge of the diving board. There, she leaned just enough to showcase her big butt. In truth, she wanted to do this sooner. "I''m having so much fun, and the night is still young. What do you say?" Scott didn''t waste another second. "You might as well get in the water. I''ll join you." As he spoke, he started unbuttoning his shirt and the sight of his toned muscles made Elena''s eyes light up. "Don''t keep me waiting!" She spoke very playfully. With a quick jump, Elena executed two perfect backflips before diving into the pool as her body sliced through the water with ease. When she came up for air, her hair slicked back. "Ahhhhh~ ??!" She shot him a smile that made him fumble to unbutton his shirt even faster. As he finished unbuttoning his shirt, Scott realized he was halfway undressed. He was ready to dive in, but before he could move, she climbed up to the poolside and dashed toward him as water glistened on her soft skin. In one bold move, she pressed her lips against his and their mouths collided in a heated kiss that sent shockwaves through both of them. The world around them faded as they melted into each other and their kiss ignited their sexual fires. "Guess you won''t be so¡­ mwah~ ? liberated until you get a full taste of, umhnnn ?¡­ this, huh?" Elena''s words came out a little jumbled since she couldn''t decide if she wanted to kiss or just talk. "I think I''m ready for whatever you have in mind." Scott kept his reply simple. The young man''s hand slipped through the lace holding Elena''s butt together so he could grab her tightly there. When she felt his hand, a small moan left her lips, and she pressed her body more against his. ¡­ Ahhhnnn~ ?! Their lips rubbed together, and their tongues hugged as though they were eating and licking each other''s lips in the sexiest way possible. Elena''s hands went up and wrapped around his neck as she kissed Scott even more, pressing her breasts against his chest. They broke their kiss for a moment to breathe hot air into each other''s mouths. Elena stared up at him and tilted her head. "You''re an amazing kisser¡­" "And you have an amazing body." Scott stretched his hand lower into her panties and grabbed her tighter while stroking her insides a bit. This was him making his point. "You''re already wet?" Scott turned smug. "Tee-hee! I took a swim. What''d you expect, Einstein?" "You know that''s not what I mean¡­" Scott''s middle finger stroked her there more. She could feel her insides breathing desperately and itching for more of this sensual touch. The beautiful woman chuckled. "C''mon, you can squeeze me harder than that¡­" "I know¡­" Scott instantly admitted. "I''m not used to working with a body this¡­" "Normal? What, did you date a child before this?" "¡­" "I''m kidding!" Elena giggled. Before Scott could respond, his ear twitched as he caught a sharp sound that sparked quite far away from them. "What''s wrong?" Elena asked him. In an instant, Scott dashed forward and pulled Elena along with him, and that was when the doors of the pool room blew open and a heavy earthquake rocked the place. People didn''t waste a second to start running out of the club, and for some reason, some guys pulled out their guns and started spraying them in the air. "WHAT WAS THAT©¤©¤?!" Elena looked very shocked. Rather than answer her, Scott threw her clothes to her as he stared at the door with the precision of a sniper. "Trouble¡­" Just then, a dark-skinned man with a fiercely tattooed face and an electric cybernetic arm stepped into view. Behind him were five men dressed in black, each with some cybernetic enhancements of their own. The man''s eyes focused on Elena. ¡ºSo that''s Night Witch¡­¡» Chapter 26 Club Chasedown! The fierce man kept his hard, unblinking eyes fixed on Scott and Elena, who were standing across the ruined pool deck.Looking both calm and a bit smug, Scott started clapping slowly, nodding like he''d just seen an impressive show. "I take it you''re the one who blew the doors off t heir hinges? Nice job, man. Very thorough." The man narrowed his eyes, struggling to keep his irritation in check. Slowly, he lifted his cybernetic arm, which started to hum with a dangerous crackle of electricity running through his fingers. The dim room lit up with a sharp, violet glow as arcs of energy twisted through the complex circuits of his cybernetic arm like a restless beast ready to break free. "Shockstrike¡­ I''m one of the heavy hitters for the big dogs of the Black Mechanica Gang. When they want something done right, I''m the one who does it." The man''s voice was so rough and fierce that Scott instantly realized he was on a completely different level from the street thugs usually controlled by Black Mechanica. But as soon as Scott heard the name [Black Mechanica], his eyes narrowed and a focused look settled on his face. Just then, a notification from the System flashed at the edge of his vision. [System Alert: New Mission ¡ª Protect the Target!] Scott frowned. "Target?" He murmured, glancing around. But before he could piece it together, Shockstrike''s hand stretched out to point directly at Elena. "I want that woman." "Get in line, buddy¡­" Scott shrugged. "You fool!" Shockstrike''s eyes spiked like a triggered serpent. "Name: Elena Vargas. Alias: Night Witch. Age: 24. Race: Terran subspecies. Charged with theft from Black Mechanica and illegal distribution of our weapons. I will be taking her off your hands now¡­ or terminating both you and her here if you decide to be foolish." Scott raised a brow, barely hiding his amusement. "So, you''re saying she''s illegally selling stolen weapons that were already¡­ what, illegally acquired?" "Y-, Yes¡­" The growling man did well to hide the momentary confusion he experienced from Scott''s words. Scott''s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Elena. She gave a sheepish smile, toying with a loose strand of her hair as she averted her gaze. ¡ºI should''ve known she was trouble the moment I saw her¡ªbut I didn''t expect this much trouble. Sigh~ I don''t have my gear with me, but there''s no way I can just walk away and leave her to this Shockstrike guy, even if she totally deserves it. Plus, the System gave me a job to do. And more than that¡­ if she''s actually Night Witch, then she probably has some really good answers that could lead me straight to Black Mechanica''s main base.¡» After a short pause, Scott sighed. "Look, buddy, sorry, but I can''t just let you have her. Two wrongs don''t make a right, so, as the only sane person here, I''ll be calling the shots here." Shockstrike''s mouth spread into a freakish smile. "That''s if you live long enough to make that decision¡­" His arm charged up once more. In one quick move, his cybernetic arm lit up with a wild surge of lightning. The built-up energy exploded outward, a crackling wave that shot through the air, instantly evaporating the pool water and blasting through the walls in a blinding flash as the room split in two! When the smoke and steam cleared, Shockstrike scanned the scorched remains of the pool room. Scott and Elena were gone¡­ and so were their clothes. A wave of frustration twisted his tattooed face as he inspected his arm and gritted his teeth. "Damn recoil! I still can''t get this piece of crap to aim properly for fuck sake!" The place went silent as he angrily fumbled to recalibrate the settings of his cybernetic arm. The five men standing beside him remained completely motionless. They were waiting for instructions. Shockstrike shot them an impatient glare. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" He barked with gritted teeth. "Get after her ¡ª unless you''re planning on dying tonight!" Without saying a word, the five men pulled out black metallic hilts from their sides. With a synchronized hum, they flipped the switches, causing green plasma blades to ignite and buzz menacingly in their hands. In an instant, they vanished like shadows. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott sprinted through the chaos of the Rusted Hook Club as the dull lights of the interior flickered under strobe lights and the echo of thumping bass reverberating through the walls. He cradled Elena in his arms as she protested, but her voice was barely audible over the booming music. They finally burst through a doorway into the adjoining lounge, where people were rushing to escape the scene. "Are you serious right now?" Scott panted as his grip tightened on her round waist. Quickly, he dodged a table filled with half-empty drinks. "You''re Night Witch, selling weapons to criminals! Do you have any idea how dangerous that makes you?" Elena glared at him with wide and fierce eyes. "And you think it''s your job to save everyone? Who do you think you are? The police or something? This is none of your fuckin'' business!" "Yeah, well, it just became my business!" He shot back then pivoted sharply to avoid a pair of clubgoers obliviously trying to dance. "I can''t just let you get sliced up by that cyborg psycho!" "Then stop running and let me go!" Elena shouted, trying to wriggle free, but the sudden clattering of boots behind them made her reconsider. "Ugh, fine! Just¡­ move faster!" They burst into the next room, a mildly dark corridor lined with old posters of long-forgotten bands. Scott skidded to a halt and quickly searched for anything he could use. His eyes landed on a pair of metal trash cans. He quickly grabbed one and hurled it back down the hall just as the five plasma-wielding henchmen rounded the corner. The crash of the trash can rattled the gang''s momentum, and they stumbled momentarily as their eyes darted toward the noise. "Go!" Scott urged as he darted to the right and dragged Elena with him. "We need to keep moving!" As they raced through the club, Elena''s smirk returned, though her breath was quick. "I didn''t know you had it in you! You''re not half bad at this, David Blane." "Don''t get used to it!" A quick response from Scott as their feet pounded heavily against the worn wooden floor. "I''m just not about to let you get caught by that freak. You may deserve it, but I don''t have time to debate your life choices right now!" They swung into the kitchen, where servers ducked and dodged, barely avoiding the chaos behind them. Scott looked at his high-tech wristwatch but bit his lower lip and decided against using it. ¡ºI can''t use it now¡­ I have only two darts and they''re already reserved for the others.¡» Soon after, he spotted a row of hanging pans and quickly snatched two off the rack. "Perfect!" He easily sighted two henchmen coming, one running faster than the other, and hurled the first frying pan at the faster one, who easily sliced it in half only to receive another frying pan square in the face and collapse. It seemed Scott didn''t waste a second throwing the second one, and it left him fist-pumping with joy. Elena then pointed forward. "Another one!" Immediately, Scott shoved his hands down Elena''s pants and grabbed her lace panties, tearing them out with force, which gave Elena a momentary wedgie and left her shrieking in mild pain as her cheeks went red. She held her butt tightly as she felt a stinging red paint up her ass and in her special place. ¡­ Ahhhhnnn~ ??! Oddly, she enjoyed how rough he was with her. ¡­ Mmffhnnn ? Ahhhmnn~ ??! She couldn''t suppress her moan. If only he''d done this earlier. Finally, she snapped out of it. "ARE YOU CRAZY?! WHY DID Y©¤©¤!!" "You''ll thank me later¡­" Scott quickly tore her lace panties until they were like a ragged rope and tied together the remaining seven frying pans so they were like some sort of ring. After that, Scott tossed it to the floor just as the second henchman appeared in the doorway. The henchman slipped on the ring of pans, and his plasma sword flared wildly as he flailed to regain his balance. Scott took the opportunity to bolt past him, dragging Elena behind him. He made sure to stomp-crush their plasma swords to reduce the threat level as much as possible. "That''s two down! We need to keep moving!" "Wow, look at you, a real tactical genius~" Elena teased, but her eyes darted around nervously. Scott frowned at her. "Talk and your bra''s next¡­" "EEEEK©¤©¤!" "Good girl¡­" He spotted a couple of old cables coiled on the counter. With a quick flick of his wrist, he snagged them and fashioned a makeshift tripwire across the kitchen entrance just as the third henchman charged in. The man tripped, crashing to the ground as his plasma sword flew out of his grip. "Three down!" Scott shouted like an old man watching football. "How many of these idiots are there?" Elena glanced over her shoulder as they ducked into a storage room filled with dusty boxes. "Five, obviously! You''re doing great, but if you''re planning to beat all of them with a frying pan, it''s not going to end well!" She gripped her fists tightly. ¡ºI might have to take them out myself¡­ and ensure they''re also dead!¡» Her canine teeth sharpened for a moment. "Just shut up and keep moving!" Scott finally shot back and her killing intent waned. ¡ºDid he just tell me to shut up? Before that he tore my panties straight out of my ass and even called me a good girl¡­ I''m older than this son of a bitch, he doesn''t get to¡­!¡» Elena realized that Scott was already gone. "David!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She quickly ran after him. The young man''s focus sharpened as they stumbled into the club''s back alley. The narrow passage was dark, littered with broken bottles and remnants of discarded party supplies. As they reached the end, a flickering neon sign above them sparked and dimmed which sent dangerous arcs of electricity dancing along the walls. Scott''s eyes lit up with inspiration. "Hold on!" He tapped the screen of his watch, and a small holographic computer appeared. He scrolled through the settings until he switched the wristwatch to Flash Mode. "Let''s see how they handle this." With a quick tap, a bright flash of light burst from the watch to blind the henchmen. They instinctively covered their eyes and stumbled back. "ARRRRGHHHH!" "MY EYEEEEEESSSSS!!" The light felt almost like it was burning their eyes, especially after being in such a shaded place for so long. Scott seized the moment and vaulted over a stack of crates with Elena now in his arms. "Are you going to keep talking, or are we actually going to get out of this?" Scott grunted as he landed on the other side with a thud. "I''m just saying, it''s impressive!" Elena shouted then braced herself as they dodged past a dumpster. "But we''re not out of the woods yet!" As if summoned by her words, the remaining henchmen shook off their daze and reignited their plasma swords. "Oh great, you just HAD to talk¡­" Scott complained. Elena immediately squeezed her face. "Don''t talk to me like that, Mister No Respect For Personal Space!" "You didn''t seem to mind personal space when you were forcing yourself on me!" "OHHHH, FORCING MYSELF I SEE! If I remember correctly, you were the one who couldn''t stop staring at my damn breasts like a horny so©¤©¤!" "Shut it. Fucking shut it! We''re distracted!" "Oh, so now we''re distracted?!" Elena fired more. All for Scott to ignore her. He looked around desperately. ¡ºMan, we really wasted a lot of time arguing, and now those guys have caught up to us. Lesson learned: Carry your friggin'' gear with you everywhere, or at least your damn utility belt! I could''ve used the EMP Mode on this new watch I got from the special reward package of the System, but those plasma swords aren''t just electronic. ¡­ Sigh~ fuck me¡­ ¡ºThey probably use that glowing green core to focus the energy into a plasma blade, not to mention the containment field that keeps the plasma particles together.¡» Before long, he spotted a fire alarm on the wall. "I have an idea!" Scott sprinted toward it, reached for the handle, then yanked it down. Alarms blared, red lights flashed, and a torrent of water burst from the ceiling. The henchmen slipped and stumbled as their weapons shorted out under the heavy downpour. Scott pulled Elena to the side as the men fought to regain their footing. "Now!" When Elena got the signal, she executed three impressive backflips to distance herself from the danger. Meanwhile, Scott held out his watch and quickly tapped the screen. A taser wire shot out and connected to the flooded ground, delivering a jolt of electricity that left the henchmen unconscious and barely breathing. "Oh my¡­" Elena licked her lips slowly. She was holding back the excitement of working with a man so strong, but she did well to hide it. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The chaos of the club was fairly gone by now, and all she could focus on was the man in front of her¡ªthe man who''d just saved her life. ¡ºI didn''t need it¡­ but still¡­¡» A sudden rush of hunger surged within her. Without a word, she pulled him in, and her lips crashed against his with pure fire. ¡­ Mwah~ ? Mmm-hmmm ??! It was a passionate kiss, with her tongue dancing against his own, while his hands slowly reached for her butt again, reminding her of his squeeze last time, which had her all excited. ¡­ Humph! Just as quickly, Scott''s instincts kicked in, and he pushed her away, breathing heavily. "Okay, enough of that!" He wiped his lips, but also licked it at the same time as he enjoyed the strawberry taste of her hot mouth. "You''re going to tell me what''s going on. Why the fuck are you Night Witch, and why the hell are you affiliated with Black Mechanica?" Elena raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. Can''t a lady get a hot, passionate kiss without being interrogated?" She smirked like a mischievous fox. Scott''s brows furrowed. "You kissed me! I''m just saying¡­ you know¡­ context." "Context is overrated¡­" Elena replied playfully as she sensually licked her lips. But the teasing faded as seriousness crept back in. "Fine. Just know that I have my reasons." "I don''t think that''s a good enough ans¡­" Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the alley. Both of them snapped their heads toward the noise just in time to see Shockstrike. He was just as hot as his cybernetic arm that was sizzling with dangerous amounts of electricity. "Enough of this nonsense¡­" The big man growled. "You managed to take down my men, but that''s it. I won''t bother bringing either of you in alive. You''re better off termina¡ª" Before Shockstrike could finish, Scott''s reflexes kicked in. He quickly tapped the screen on his wristwatch, and a dart fired out, hitting Shockstrike in the neck. The giant man staggered for a moment before falling to the ground, unconscious. Elena''s jaw dropped open in shock. "What the actual fuck?! You could''ve done that against those goons!" "I only had two darts, genius. I was saving them for more important situations." Scott tapped his high-tech watch as he spoke. Elena placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "Sure, but if that''s the case, what were you keeping the other dart f©¤©¤?!" Before her words could get out, Scott tapped his watch again, and another dart flew through the air, hitting her in the neck. Elena''s eyes widened in surprise before she slumped against the wall, out cold. Scott let out a heavy sigh of relief, hands resting on his waist as he looked between the two unconscious bodies. "I can''t believe the level of danger in this city." He shook his head like an overworked salaryman. "I need to get back to Metro City." Chapter 27 Gwens Decision, Peak Appearance Metro City¡­Gwen slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She felt a little disoriented, realizing she''d actually gone to bed early last night, which wasn''t like her. Yesterday had really worn her out; she''d spent hours around the city putting up posters about Scott''s disappearance, hoping he might spot one of them or that someone would recognize him and reach out. But there was still no sign of him. At first, she didn''t want to go through with it. She worried that if people got suspicious, someone might put two and two together and figure out Scott''s identity¡­ especially if they noticed he disappeared right when Nightwatch went missing. It was a slim chance, but she''d seen it happen in movies enough times that she figured, why not? ¡ºThere''s no such thing as being too safe¡­ I guess?¡» Gwen sighed as she slowly sat up, feeling the weight of exhaustion in her body. ¡­ Urgghhh~ She reached for her phone, tempted to check it, but decided not to. ¡ºIt''s probably empty anyway¡­¡» No new messages from him. Instead, she looked down at the oversized black sweatshirt hanging loosely on her. The sleeves were so big they completely swallowed her slender hands. She pulled the collar up to her face and took a deep breath, catching his familiar scent. It was comforting. But it made her heart ache just a little more. Gwen dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom to freshen up. She didn''t even notice she''d skipped breakfast again; her mom hadn''t been cooking much lately either as she was too worried about Scott like everyone else. Still, Gwen grabbed her skateboard and rolled out. Her face was expressionless as she absentmindedly licked a lollipop. She was so disinterested she couldn''t even taste it. --- At school, the halls buzzed with more energy than usual. Students clustered together and chatted excitedly. But, she was too tired to listen. She noticed a few guys wearing shirts with an image of a silhouetted figure on a high-rise. This was the unofficial Nightwatch merch. Fans were hoping Nightwatch would finally design some merch, but they knew he wasn''t the type of hero to focus on that. So, they took matters into their own hands. During his stream, they came together and made the merch themselves, determined to have it ready by the end of the stream. By the next morning, all 300 shirts made overnight had already sold out, and over 8,000 people had pre-ordered for the next batch. Gwen didn''t pay much attention to their shirts. Instead, she walked through the crowd like a ghost, hands stuffed in her pockets. As she made her way through the hallway, a few boys noticed her and started murmuring. "Yo, is she new here?" "Nah, I''m sure I''ve seen her before. She''s just super quiet¡­ and hot." "Think she''s single?" One laughed at the idea. "Not in this life¡­" "She was with some nerd once, but he didn''t seem like he could keep up with her." "Nah, she''s way out of his league¡­ ours too. Only guys from the football team got a shot, man." Gwen barely noticed, tuning them out as she kept walking. Inside, she groaned as her thoughts already spiraled toward one person. ¡ºWhy did he disappear like this? If he wanted to vanish and pull an emo act over some lame girl like Maya, couldn''t he at least have had the decency to drag me along? I mean, what''s he so worked up about anyway? Heartbreak? Come on, who hasn''t been there?¡» She stopped at her locker, lost in thoughts. ¡ºThen again¡­ with Maya gone, doesn''t that mean I have a chance now? Maybe it''s finally my time¡­ though I still feel terrible for rejecting him like I did before. I didn''t mean to be so harsh¡­ because I thought he''d be fine.¡» A slight pang hit her. ¡ºIt makes sense, I guess. Falling for him just¡­ happened. We''ve known each other forever, and maybe that''s why it hurts so much to see him rub mouths with another woman. Seeing him like this, seeing him with and without her¡­ the sadder he seems over Maya, the more it just proves how deep his feelings for her ran. Could I ever mean that much to him? I don''t want to hurt him, but maybe I''ll never have that kind of power over him.¡» Feeling very frustrated, Gwen shook her head and banged it lightly against her locker. "What am I even thinking¡­" She muttered, groaning. Just then, Jake walked over and greeted her. "Hey, Gwen." Without looking up, she muttered, "Hey, fatty." Jake rolled his eyes. "Even when you''re down about Scott, you still gotta pick on me?" She shrugged, then forced a smirk. "What else am I supposed to do? There''s barely anything going on in my life right now." Jake sighed, feeling a bit thrown aside. "You have school¡­ and the the university soon, and you''ve got me¡ªand your mom, your dad, even your sister. Don''t act like your world stopped just because Scott''s not here. C''mon, even he wouldn''t want that¡­" She looked at him and saw how sad he''d become. "Alright, alright. Sorry, didn''t mean it like that." She smirked and gave him a playful punch. Jake rubbed his shoulder with a small grin. "It''s fine." Then he perked up, seeming to remember something. "Oh, hey¡ªdid you see what''s trending on Chirper?" Gwen raised an eyebrow. "What?" Jake grinned. "Nightwatch, duh. Made his grand return last night." "Last night?!" Gwen''s eyes went wide as she blurted. Heads turned, and she gave a quick, sheepish wave, before turning back to Jake, desperate. She cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "Last night?" Jake nodded and held out his phone, scrolling to a LoopVid clip from Nightwatch''s livestream last night. The screen lit up with an edited highlight reel, showing Scott in his new suit, looking just like she remembered¡­ only now with more gear. ¡ºScott¡­¡» Gwen didn''t even notice when she started blushing. "Uhhh, Gwen¡­" Jake called. "Yeah, what?" She didn''t take her eyes off the phone. "You''re blushing¡­" "Yeah? And you''re stupid!" Gwen returned Jake''s phone and ran down the hallway without saying a word. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ MegaCorp¡­ The Peak leaned back in a pristine leather chair, lounging like he owned the place. Which, in his mind, he practically did. He wore a flashy designer superhero suit that shouted "look at me" in the loudest way possible. The suit was gold and dark blue, fitting so tightly it seemed two sizes too small. To complete the look, he sported a red high-tech visor that matched his blonde mohawk. The camera zoomed in on his face to highlight his trademark smirk as he adjusted his high-tech visor, which displayed a constant feed of livestream comments, donation alerts, and subscriber numbers. "Alright, my Peakstars. Let''s see what greatness we can bless the world with today." The comments rolled in fast and frenzied: [THE PEAK! We missed you!] [Looking amazing as always, Peak!] [$50 donation: Hope you have a fantastic day!] [$800 donation - Woah, this is my first Peak stream. Thank you for having me! ( ^_^)] [Start already!] But The Peak barely blinked at the smaller donations. A few viewers began noticing. [Why''s he ignoring the donations?] [Peak''s too good for anything under a grand, huh?] [$2,000 if he even acknowledges deez nuts!] [He''s just a sellout!] [Nah, he''s the GOAT. Best new-gen hero!] [Why are you even here if you hate him? Just leave, bro!] [Fuck all this, I''m out (?_?)?] His viewership dipped a bit as a few disgruntled fans left, but it was barely a dent in the 1.3 million currently tuned in. [Oh, sorry, Mr. Peak, I only donated $999. Next time I''ll sell a kidney for your attention!] [Maybe if I donate my life savings, he''ll bless me with a half-hearted ''thank you''!] [Peak really went ''cash only, peasants need not apply.'' What a hero.] Ignoring the negative comments, he flashed a winning smile for the camera. Just then, one of his team tossed him a neon-blue energy drink can, emblazoned with his logo: Peak Performance. He caught it with exaggerated flair and held it up proudly. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright, Peakstars, time for some real fuel! Peak Performance, people! Best energy drink on the market. It''s the secret to my endless energy! You can''t conquer life''s mountains without a little help! Buy it, drink it, and maybe, just maybe, you''ll be as awesome as me!" He showed off the can like it was the holy grail. [I just bought a 12-pack!] [Only drink I''ll ever need!] [I drank it, and my ego grew three sizes. Is this the side effect?(? _ ?)] [My whole life changed after one sip¡­ I can now achieve absolutely average results just like The Peak!] [So when''s the flavor that actually works coming out?] [Do I get a discount if I pretend to like it in my Instaflick story, too? ( ? _ ? )] [Bro''s drink got me feeling like I could bench 5lbs more¡­ IF I believe in myself ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)] --- Oblivious or simply uninterested, The Peak reached into his bag and pulled out a thick, hardback book. He flashed the cover toward the camera: Climbing Life''s Peaks: A Guide to Being Awesome Like Me! "And for all you C-listers out there who could use a little boost, grab my book. It''s got all the secrets to going from average to A-rank hero. Trust me, you''re welcome." The comments started getting a bit¡­ colorful. [Another W from The Peak! ¥Ä? YES!] [Can he even read?] [Who needs reading when you have abs like that?] [Average Peak fan ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)¡­] [You should title the sequel Falling Down Life''s Slopes: A Guide to Humility (? _ ?)] [Just skimmed it. (¡ä-¦É_-£à) Best advice I found: ''If you can''t climb a peak, just pretend you already did!''] --- Despite the mixed reactions, his view count stayed strong. Then, a $2,000 donation rolled in with a message attached. [$2,000 from @YoungMaster2020: PLEASE, Peak, hit us with Peak Performance Pose 3!] The Peak raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Ahh, you guys just can''t get enough, can you? I don''t know if I should¡­ I mean¡­" He paused to let the suspense build. And then, suddenly, he dropped into a dramatic genuflect, turning to give the camera a full profile view of his flexed biceps, his chiseled form silhouetted perfectly against the light. He lifted his arm, flexed with exaggerated intensity, and shouted, "BOOM!" The screen flooded with heart emojis and donations. [$3,000 donation: PEAK, YOU LEGEND!] [$500 donation: PEAK YOU''RE A GOD!] [$1,000 donation: Best pose ever!] Then, a new wave of comments started trickling in. [Yeah, okay, but when''s Nightwatch streaming again? This guy''s boring asf (?_?)] [Who even is this ''Nightwatch'' guy everyone''s been talking about?] [Only the greatest hero to ever walk this Earth, dude. You''re missing out.] [Fr? And he has a stream? Awesome ©d(£Þ?£Þ)] [How did I miss this? £¨>©n<£©] The Peak''s eyes narrowed as he saw the comment. With a swift tap on his visor''s HUD, he removed the viewer from the livestream entirely. A saccharine smile stretched across his face as he turned back to the camera. "Alright, Peakstars, I think that''s enough greatness for one day. Thanks for tuning in to Living at the Peak! Catch you all next time, BUH-BYE!" He ended the stream and the room fell silent as the last of the applause emojis faded from the screen. With a smug grin, he looked at his team. "So," he asked, hands on his hips, "how''d I do?" The team exchanged glances, uncertain, but no one dared speak up. One of them forced a smile. "Uh, fantastic as always, Peak." The Peak laughed, clapping a hand on the nearest assistant''s shoulder. "Speechless, huh? That''s what true talent does." Just as he turned away, chugging down half his energy drink, his assistant Claire scurried over as her heels clicked against the studio floor. She was already clutching a towel, hastily wiping off the energy drink that had spilled down her blouse when he''d tossed it aside. "Mr. Peak¡­" She said, not bothering to mask her irritation as she mopped her shirt. "You''ve got a meet-and-greet scheduled in a few hours. And that song you posted on WeTube? Peak Of It? It''s trending on Chirper." He looked at her expectantly, waiting for more praise. She hesitated, glancing down at her iPad. "Um¡­ well, #PeakOfIt is trending at number seven." He frowned. "Seven? That''s it?" Claire forced a thin smile. "Still impressive¡­" It wasn''t. She had no idea how to break the news to him that his new song, which everyone on Chirper was talking about, was trending for all the wrong reasons. People were using it to make cringe-worthy edits and turning it into a meme in the worst possible way. "But #Nightwatch is just ahead¡­ at six." Claire added. The Peak''s frown deepened, and he scratched his chin. "Nightwatch¡­ I think that''s the flat chick Vincent mentioned or whatever?" Claire sighed. "No, she''s¡­ Pulsar. Nightwatch is some guy in black tights running around Meteor City live-streaming his¡­ hero work." "Meh, he''s probably some unemployed, old man staging crimes so that he can stop them. Nothing compared to the greatness of The Peak!" He quickly flexed his muscles. Claire rolled her eyes and looked away. But as she planned to continue talking, a voice called out from across the room. "Vincent!" The Peak''s face lit up as he spotted the well-dressed man waving from just beyond the studio lights. He chuckled and threw away his second energy drink so abruptly that it splashed across Claire''s clothes yet again. She let out a frustrated groan, then summoned the nearest intern. "Towel. Now." The Peak strutted over to Vincent. "Vincent, my man! Did you see the stream? Not bad, huh?" Vincent smiled politely. "Always a thrill, Peak. I actually have a proposition for you¡ªsomething that could¡­ elevate your numbers even more." "Now you''re speaking my language." The Peak grinned. "It''s about my new client, Pulsar. I was wondering if you could date the poor girl just for a while¡­ or spark up some romantic gossip about you and her, hm?" The Peak had his eyes on Vincent, but his attention slipped the moment he noticed movement near the entrance. His gaze snapped over, and there she was, walking in like a breath of fresh air and sweet roses. It was Miss Mercury, her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, giving her a sharp and focused look. She moved with steady, confident steps that grabbed everyone''s attention in the room. "Mercury!" One of the producers called out as he rushed over to her. "Fastest woman alive, but somehow, you''re still late for your cosmetics ad?" Without hesitation, Mercury rolled her eyes and spoke with a tone as dry as a desert. "Speedster traffic." It was such an obvious lie, and she didn''t even care. The real reason? She''d stayed up way too late, watching Nightwatch''s stream from start to finish. She wasn''t about to admit that, of course. She stifled a yawn, hoping her makeup was good enough to hide her under-eye circles. The Peak left Vincent mid-sentence and his grin widened as he swaggered over to her with his designer suit creaking as he flexed. He had his best "suave" face on, clearly gearing up for another one of his infamous pick-up lines. As she turned her head, Miss Mercury''s eyes landed on Vincent, who was now fuming at being so unceremoniously abandoned by The Peak. With a lazy smirk, she flashed him a quick middle finger. Her expression was utterly calm. So innocent¡­ like an angel''s. Vincent''s face twisted and he muttered under his breath: "Bitch¡­" Before anyone could blink, Miss Mercury''s hand shot out in a blur, delivering a slap to Vincent''s cheek that no one else even saw. "FACK©¤©¤!!" Vincent winced and rubbed his face, trying to play it off. She replied him a sweet, innocent wave. The Peak arrived just in time to catch her attention. He straightened, puffed up his chest, and unleashed his masterpiece of a line. "Miss Mercury, when I saw you walk in, I knew the world''s fastest woman just found herself the world''s best hero. Don''t be intimidated¡ªI''ll try to keep up." Behind him, Claire slapped a palm over her face. Mercury''s eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down, arms folded across her fat chest. "Could you kindly fuck off?" She shook her head in disgust and brushed past him. "I''ve got an ad to film." The Peak barely noticed her annoyance; his eyes trailed after her as she walked away in those snug, form-fitting tights that perked up her shapely ass cheeks. ¡­ Mmm~ He licked his lips. ¡ºImagine that¡­ a date with Miss Mercury. Bet I''d be trending all over if I snagged her before that S-ranked son of a bitch, Xenon did.¡» He slicked his mohawk back. ¡ºHeh, they''d say The Peak reached even higher.¡» His mind already spun with visions of the headlines and the adoring comments. No one would ever forget it. Meanwhile, Claire, still wiping energy drink from her blouse, rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "I should''ve just studied Pharmacy back in school¡­" She was starting to regret her life''s choices. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The bell hadn''t even rung, but Gwen was already out the door, flying down the steps of the school with her skateboard tucked under her arm. She didn''t care about missing classes; she could already feel her pulse racing with every step she took toward home. ¡ºThat son of a bitch¡­ so it''s like that, huh? I swear when I catch you, I''m gonna¡­ I''m gonna¡­ urrgh!¡» Thoughts tumbled around her head, quick and jumbled, as if her mind couldn''t keep up with her legs. The whole way back, her heart hammered. She kept replaying the scene on Jake''s phone¡ªthe familiar silhouette, that suit, that stance. It was Scott. He was back out there, doing exactly what he always did, as if he''d never left. ¡ºAnd he didn''t even tell me¡­¡» The thought left her feeling both irritated and, somehow, even more determined. Before she knew it, she was at her apartment, slipping in as quietly as she could. Her mom was probably still at work. For once, the silence was exactly what she wanted. In a few steps, she reached Scott''s room. She took a deep breath and dropped to her knees, reaching under the bed. Her hand felt around the dust bunnies, until her fingers grazed something solid and familiar. She tugged it out¡ªa sleek box, taped and plastered with a sticker that read: "Love from Dad." The sight of it brought a lump to her throat, but she quickly swallowed it down. She didn''t have time for that now. With a quick jab, she pried open the top of the box. Inside, nestled between layers of carefully folded newspaper, was her suit. White, gleaming, and just waiting for her. Gwen stared at it, almost in awe. She hadn''t worn it in weeks, hadn''t even thought about putting it on. ¡ºAll I wanted was a single sign from you¡­ a sign that you were okay. But you just ignored me. I know I can''t replace the kind of love you''re looking for, but at least give me some credit¡­ seriously, what''s wrong with you?¡» No more waiting. No more calls. No more texts. If he wasn''t coming home, then she''d go to him, wherever he was. "You better be wait there for me¡­ jerk." Chapter 28 Dealing with Elena Vargas, Surprise Guest Elena''s head felt heavy and slow, like she was swimming through thick syrup.She blinked a few times, but her vision was still blurry, with dark, shadowy shapes shifting around in front of her eyes tired eyes. A dull pain throbbed in her neck, making it clear she''d been unconscious for a while. When her sight finally started to clear, she noticed she was in a dark, grimy warehouse, tied up tightly to a chair. She shifted her eyes forward. Someone was standing in front of her. It was Scott, and he looked colder than she''d ever seen. He just stood there with crossed arms and glare that made her feel he knew of all her crimes. "So, you''re the one who tied me?" Elena asked. "Yes¡­" She smiled suggestively. "Kinky." "¡­" Scott didn''t feel like responding this time. Elena let out a tired, humorless laugh, trying to shake off the strange pressure in the room. "Could you stop staring at me like that? Tell me, what did you do to me then?" Scott lifted his wrist to show her his high-tech watch. "This is my Titan Viper Tactical Wristwatch, or TV-TW. Over seven modes and thirty-six features." He made it sound like a threat than an explanation. "What I used on you was the Non-Lethal Defense Mode. One of its features deploys a high-dose stun dart that completely immobilizes the muscles and knocks out its target for about four hours." She tried to hide her surprise. "Four hours?" She shook it off quickly and leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed. Unexpectedly, her tone shifted to a sexy purr. "Then¡­ you''ve had me all to yourself, haven''t you?" She bit her lip as her eyes turned vixen-like. Never has she failed to flaunt her sexy side. "Come on, David. I''m sure you''ve already¡­ done as you pleased with my poor, defenseless body. But hey, I like it when a guy gets a little twisted." Scott didn''t crack a smile. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on her, cold and unamused. "Let''s be clear¡­ since learning what you are, any attraction I might''ve had for you is completely gone." His eyes narrowed. "Frankly, I''d go as far as to say I find you disgusting." "Says the man who ripped my panties straight out of my ass like a domineering beast. Ahhhh~ ??!" "..." "Oh, so I''m the weird one." Elena scoffed and casually shrugged it off as a soft chuckle pushed out of her tender, cherry lips. "Well, that''s your business." But then, something caught her eye, and her smirk faded as she noticed the dark stains covering Scott''s clothes. Blood. A lot of it. "What''s with all the blood? Don''t tell me you actually killed someone back at the club. Please, you'' re too much of a softie for that." Elena asked with genuine surprise. Scott raised his wrist again. "NLD Mode has another feature: the Amnesia Dart. It deploys a fast-acting amnesia-inducing agent that erases the last thirty minutes to two hours of memory. I used it on Shockstrike to make him forget seeing you¡­ so I could get you out without him knowing your whereabouts." Elena let out a faux gasp and pressed a hand to her chest. "How thoughtful~ ? Keeping my identity a secret just for little old me? I didn''t know you cared so much." Scott''s expression didn''t soften. "Not in that way." Elena blinked; she was a bit thrown off by how calmly he brushed her off. For once, her teasing wasn''t hitting the mark. Something felt off. She went quiet and watched his face more closely, trying to figure out what was going on. "What¡­ what happened?" Scott calmly pointed to the side, and Elena''s eyes followed his finger. Her smirk faded, and she nearly went pale. "No..." Lying there in a twisted, bloody heap was what was left of Shockstrike''s body. Just a mess of flesh and bone that looked like it had been put through a grinder. "What the hell¡­?" Her stomach churned, but she made herself keep looking at the mangled corpse, doing her best to hide her surprise. Scott swallowed painfully then looked down at the floor. He was trying to hold his composure while fighting back the vomit stuck at the back his throat. "I was trying to get answers from him about Black Mechanica. But then I heard this beeping sound, and all of a sudden, he started begging for mercy." Scott''s gnashed his teeth as he recalled the scene. "Then¡­ he just¡­ exploded. Blood everywhere." Elena forced out a sigh of pity, but it sounded hollow. "Tragic¡­" The word came out with none of her usual edge. Scott shot her a fierce look. "We both know you''re too selfish to think that''s tragic. So drop the act, and start answering my questions." Elena shifted in the chair and let a slow smirk creep back onto her face. She sexily spread her legs slightly then leaned forward as her voice became more seductive. "Or¡­ maybe you''d rather just plow me instead? Be honest. It''s a lot more fun than playing twenty questions." Scott''s hands clenched into fists. His knuckles whitened as he stared her down, unfazed by her attempts. "Enough jokes¡­" For a moment, it was dead silent. Elena sighed as her teasing smile slowly faded away. She leaned back in her chair. "Tch, honestly¡­" Her eyes drifting to the side as her expression grew thoughtful and, for the first time, genuinely serious. "Alright, fine. I''ll talk, but¡­" She sounded really reluctant. But it''s not like she had a choice. "You should know¡­ gangs like Black Mechanica? They''re slippery. No matter how many times you think you''ve got them pinned down, they''ll always slip through the cracks. Black Mechanica is everywhere, in every major city, under a hundred different names. Heroes might keep them suppressed, but no one''s ever defeated them. Not truly." Scott rolled his eyes, arms still crossed. "Yeah, duh. That much is obvious. Now stop the dick riding and talk already." He sounded almost bored. Elena let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Fine, keep that attitude if it makes you feel better." She paused to consider him carefully. "I ran away from Black Mechanica years ago. Pulled off a major heist that got me some serious alien tech¡ªenough to set up shop in a warehouse I found in Fremont. I sold a bunch of it to a mega corporation. That''s how I got my start and the funds to move the rest of the containers loaded with alien tech. So if you hate me because of what happened in Fremont¡­ well, that one wasn''t my fault." Scott stayed quiet, his expression neutral, but inside, he was panicking. ¡ºWhat the fuck happened in Fremont?¡» He had questions, but he knew better than to show that he didn''t understand. He took a step forward and gave her a look that seemed confident, even if it wasn''t. "I still can''t believe you were responsible for that!" He dramatically pointed at her. Elena''s eyes narrowed, and her jaw set as she met his eyes. "Whatever my customers do with the tech I sell them is their business. When I sold parts to TitanTech Industries, how was I supposed to know they''d shove a sick, nuclear-radiated old man inside one of their suits of armor?" Scott''s breath caught as her words connected. ¡ºRadion¡­¡» He remembered the one-time villain that Pulsar and Lady Fortress had faced©¤©¤the deranged man trapped in a containment suit that was supposed to contain the unstable nuclear energy pulsing from his deteriorating body. It was all starting to make sense! His expression darkened, giving him a natural intensity as he pointed a finger at her. "Stop acting like you''ve got any right to defend yourself! Half the country would''ve been wiped out if it wasn''t for Lady Fortress and Ma-, PULSAR!" He felt a pang of guilt, but there was no time to dwell on it. ¡ºAt least she''s doing some good¡­¡» He did his best to hide this weak moment of thought. Elena''s lips curled into a sneer, but her eyes showed a sense of resignation. "You think I wanted that?" She sounded genuine. "I thought TitanTech would use the tech to actually improve things for Fremont. You know, boost the standard of living. Make me some good money on the side." The woman huffed. "How was I supposed to know they''d use it as a PR stunt to welcome their new favorite hero into town?" Scott blinked, taken aback. "Wait¡ªyou''re telling me¡­ it was staged?" "Not the threat, idiot. Not that part." Elena tilted her head as her smirk returned, but her voice was still heavy with some bitterness. "But the setup? The villain? That was premeditated. TitanTech wanted a real A-rank threat, something that would make headlines and get people talking about how great their new hero is. I''ll admit¡­ it''s a smart idea. But twisted. Twisted as hell." Scott gave her an irritated side-eye. "Yeah, like you get to judge them¡­" Elena laughed, the sound softer but sharper, like glass breaking. "Oh, I think I do. After all, I only sell my tech to corporations I believe are good¡ªor to street-level bad guys who can''t do much worse than knocking over a bank or two." She shrugged as her smile became playful again. "The friggin'' world''s advancing, David. Even convenience store robbers need an upgrade now and then." Scott''s eyes became half-lidded. "Definitely not." She giggled and rolled her eyes. "Whatever, boy scout." There was a heavy silence as their eyes locked. For the first time, Elena''s usual smug grin and defiant attitude faltered, just a bit. Behind the tough exterior, Scott caught a glimpse of something tired, almost broken¡ªa sign of the strain that came with balancing between doing evil and simply trying to survive. He saw it, just for a moment, before she quickly built her walls back up. Scott stood still for a long moment. ¡ºThe pain in her eyes¡­ it''s¡­¡» He sighed heavily. ¡ºAll of a sudden I¡­ I don''t know¡­ sigh~¡» She hadn''t said much about herself, but the more he heard, the more his usual irritation faded, replaced by something else¡ªsomething almost like guilt. She wasn''t what she seemed. Elena''s tough persona wasn''t just a front; there was more to her than the smart-ass comments and the teasing grin. ¡ºI saw it¡­¡» That crack in her armor. For just a second, he could see how much she was carrying on her shoulders, how much she''d been through. Finally, he couldn''t hold it back anymore. "How¡­ how did you even end up like this?" Elena tensed at the question as her eyes narrowed just a bit. For a moment, something¡ªresentment, fear, or maybe even pain¡ªflashed across her face, but she quickly hid it. She stared at him for a while, as if deciding whether or not to respond. After a few seconds, her eyes shifted away, and her fingers began tapping nervously on the armrest of her chair. Scott frowned at the silence. He wasn''t going to let her brush him off again. "So, you''re not gonna tell me?" Elena muttered under her breath, curses barely audible, before groaning heavily. She slouched back in her chair, clearly frustrated. "Fine, fine, why not? It''s not like I have anything left to lose anyway¡­" Despite himself, Scott let out a breath and smiled, a small, relieved smile. He hadn''t expected her to open up, but it seemed like she was finally about to. She exhaled sharply, as if gathering the strength to say what she was about to. "It might sound like a lie if I say I never wanted to live this life, but¡­" She hesitated deeply. "I didn''t really get a choice. I wasn''t the favorite in my family, you know? They thought I was weird because of this¡­ disease I had. And when you''re the kind of kid who doesn''t fit in anywhere, you get treated like shit. They''d beat me up every day, and they hated the way I looked when I cried. My fangs, my eyes¡­ so, one day, they did the worst thing they could think of¡ªthey sewed my eyes and mouth shut." Scott''s heart lurched at the words. He couldn''t imagine what it was like for her, trapped in a world where even the people who should''ve loved her had abandoned her. But Elena wasn''t done. "I ended up on the street after that. I don''t even remember how long I was out there. I was just a kid. No one cared. Then, I met Dr. Eden." Elena''s voice softened, just a bit. She felt grateful. "She found me, took me to a Black Mechanica facility. She didn''t care about my disease, she just¡­ helped me. Taught me how to control it. Made me feel like I wasn''t broken." Scott''s eyebrows furrowed. "Black Mechanica, really? The same group you''ve been running from." Elena gave him a dead smile, but there was a sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, well, they were the only ones who gave a damn. Dr. Eden was the only person who showed me there was more than just pain out there. She wasn''t like the others. She didn''t just want to use me." Scott took a step forward. He could see it¡ªthe pieces were really falling into place. He listened intently as she continued. "By the time I was starting to get better, starting to like myself more¡­" She paused while her fingers twitched as if they were trying to grip onto something she could control. "Dr. Eden was transferred. Probably to a different Black Mechanica facility. Some secret place in Metro City, I don''t know. And after she left, everything went to shit. They used us. They treated us like experiments and soldiers." She clenched her fists as her eyes hardened. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I had enough. I couldn''t take it anymore. Me and a few of the others, we escaped. Some of us didn''t make it¡­ but we managed to get out." Scott didn''t know what to say. He didn''t have the right words to fix it or make it better. "I''m sorry¡­" he muttered. Elena shook her head sharply. Her lips pressed into a tight line. "You don''t need to be sorry¡­ it''s not your fault." Her voice dropped, something unspoken passing between them. It was strange¡ªScott hadn''t expected Elena, of all people, to look so¡­ broken. He swallowed, then asked the question that had been gnawing at him. "This disease of yours¡­ what is it?" Before he even finished, the ropes were cut and Elena was on her feet. "THIS!" The movement was so fast it was almost a blur, and the sound that followed was like a sonic boom¡ªher power unleashed in a wave that rattled the warehouse. ¡­ TREMBLEEEEE!! Scott barely had time to react as the blast hit him, throwing him across the room and crashing into a pile of crates. "Urrr-, Urgghhh~" His head spun for a moment, but his training kicked in. "Get up, idiot¡­" He groaned and pushed himself up, only to find Elena standing near the window, her back to him. But she wasn''t the same. Her skin was so pale it almost seemed transparent, and her red hair had turned an eerie white, standing out sharply in the dark room. Her eyes were a dark, blood-red, with black veins spreading around them. ¡­ HIIIISSSSSSS!! Her fangs glistened menacingly. "A vampire?" Scott was paralyzed with shock. Elena glanced back over her shoulder. There was a wicked smile on her face. "Still find me cute, honey~? Don''t worry¡ªI''m not gonna kill you. Or drain you dry. You should be grateful." Then, in an instant, she leaped toward the window with a force that shattered it into a thousand pieces. Scott''s heart pounded in his chest, and before he could even think, he was on his feet, tearing off his jacket to reveal his sleek, high-tech bodysuit. "Not this time, Night Bitch!" He shouted, ready to chase her down. But just as he was about to run, he heard a voice¡ªone that stopped him dead in his tracks. "Nightwatch!" Scott didn''t break speed. He didn''t even look back and pretended he hadn''t heard. "Nightwatch!" The voice rang louder this time, more urgent. But it wasn''t the name that made him stop. It was the third shout. "Scott." He froze. His eyes quickly darted around as his heartbeat picked up and the ringing in his ears intensified. In the shadows, he spotted a figure¡ªtall and curvy¡­ dressed in a white bodysuit and a hooded cloak. Familiar. Too familiar. The figure lowered the hood, to reveal their identity. Scott''s heart skipped a beat. "Gwen...?" Impossible. "What''re you doing he©¤©¤!" PAHHHH©¤©¤©¤©¤!! Before Scott could get his words out, he received a stinging slap to his cheek. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Yes, Vincent was also aware of the whole Radion thing being a set-up and he only convinced Pulsar not to go because he knew she''s hardheaded and wouldn''t listen (as such removes her suspicions that it was staged). Chapter 29 Gwen & Scott Scott''s cheek stung as he stared at Gwen.He was still in shock. He reached up until his fingers grazed the spot where she''d slapped him, as if trying to understand what had just happened. "Gwen, what''re you¡ª" But she didn''t give him the chance to finish. Her eyes were blazing and lips trembling with the force of her words. "HOW CAN YOU BE SO SELFISH©¤©¤?!" Her voice shook, not just with anger but with hurt. "You left us all worried sick, and for what? Hiding out here in Meteor City, streaming like nothing''s wrong? Do you know what it''s been like back home?" Scott opened his mouth, but she pressed on with an even stronger, louder voice. "I get it, okay? You''re in pain. I''m not heartless, I know what losing someone feels like. But you can''t just vanish and pretend none of us exist. You''re only hurting yourself¡ªand us!" Her fists balled, and before he could react, she was pounding them against his chest, venting days of frustration. "All I wanted was a text, Scott. Just one message, something I could tell my mom so she wouldn''t be pacing around the house like a ghost! She''s barely eating, you know that? Doesn''t she mean anything to you? Do we mean anything to you?" Scott closed his eyes to think. "Gwen, I¡­" Gwen bit her lip, holding back tears as she met his eyes. "Don''t I¡­ mean anything to you?" A quick flash of emotion showed on his face, and he looked away, unable to keep eye contact with her. She shook her head as her eyes filled with angry tears. "Of course. I should''ve known. You always have some excuse, don''t you? Let''s hear it, smart guy. Go ahead, tell me why hurting us was necessary this time." But instead of some flimsy excuse, he simply sighed and looked up at her as his face softened. "I''m sorry, Gwen¡­" He spoke very quietly. "I didn''t mean to make you feel that way. And I didn''t think about what Tess must be going through, or what this would do to you. It was stupid. Immature." Gwen took a step back, stunned. She''d been ready to argue, to go after him until he finally understood how much he had hurt her¡ªbut his quiet apology caught her off guard. She clenched her fists, struggling with the urge to keep arguing and keep him on edge. ¡ºWhy can''t he just shout back¡­?¡» She gritted her teeth in silent frustration. ¡ºWhy does he have to be this way¡­?¡» Her throat felt tight, but her words still came out sharp. "Yeah, it was. You know it''s pathetic, right? All this running away, moping around¡ªMaya''s still making you look like a fool, even when you''re not with her." She turned on her heel and started to storm off, angry tears slipping down her cheeks. She hated that he''d apologized so easily, that he hadn''t fought back. Somehow, it felt worse. "Gwen, wait." She froze, shoulders stiff, but she didn''t look back. "Let me at least give you a ride. I''ll take us to my Airbnb. I still have some things to sort out here in Meteor City." Gwen cast a quick glance over her shoulder. She was barely looking at him. "Fine. You can drive, but I''m not staying in any Airbnb with you. My Aunt Grace lives here, I''ll call her on the way." Scott ruffled his bangs, nodding. "Alright. I''ll get the car started." As he walked by, Gwen clenched her fists and kept her eyes fixed on the ground. She had wanted this confrontation, but now that it was over, she felt completely drained, unsure of what to say or do next. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ They sat together in the car, now dressed in casual clothes as the evening sun cast a warm glow over the cityscape. Scott had just finished explaining the series of choices that brought him to the warehouse¡ªhow he''d ended up in Meteor City, followed leads, put the clues together, and why he''d was there with Elena. Gwen''s eyes narrowed, and she raised an eyebrow. "So you''ve been hanging out in a four-star hotel, renting an overpriced Airbnb, and still decided to throw in a rental car. All that money, and for what? Heartbreak?" Scott frowned, glancing sideways at her. "It''s not always about that. Besides, I needed the car to transport Elena here after she passed out. You want me to fly her over, or what?" Gwen gave him a half-lidded look. "Oh, sure. And it just HAD to be a Porsche?" Scott grumbled and looked out the window as the fields rolled by. "Can''t a guy enjoy himself once in a while? It''s not like I get to use my driver''s license every day." They fell into a comfortable silence as they continued down the peaceful evening road. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ As they drove along the winding roads through the city, Gwen leaned against the car door with her arms crossed, sneaking quick glances at Scott whenever she thought he wasn''t looking. She found herself staring at his hair, which had grown a little longer since she''d last seen him¡ªit now brushed just above the bridge of his nose, giving him a softer look than before. She couldn''t help but smile a little, just for a second. Scott glanced over, catching her mid-look. Her face flushed, and she quickly turned away, clearing her throat a little too loudly. "Your hair''s, um¡­ longer. You should cut it." That was all she could mutter. Scott gave a small smirk and shifted his left hand to run his fingers through his hair, while his right hand stayed on the wheel. "Oh, you noticed?" Gwen''s face went an even deeper shade of red. "It''s not because I''ve been, you know¡­ looking at you or anything." She waved a hand as if to brush the thought away. "I have better things to think about. Just thought you''d want to know before you start looking all emo or something." Scott chuckled, watching her for a moment longer. There was something about the way her face caught the breeze and how her hair flowed back with it that made him really notice her softer, more gentle side¡ªthe part of Gwen that she didn''t always show. "So, you think I look like that quiet kid meme?" Gwen rolled her eyes. "I didn''t say that exactly¡­ but if the shoe fits." She crossed her arms tighter under her breasts. He smiled, and his face softened as he watched the road ahead. "Well, if you don''t like it, I''ll cut it." Gwen''s cheeks flushed once more, and she quickly turned to look out the window. "You don''t have to do that just because I said so. For fuck''s sake that''s¡­ silly." Scott just shook his head gently. "Nah, it''s not silly. Your opinion matters to me, Gwen. If it bothers you, I''ll cut it." Gwen pressed her lips together and buried her face partially in her hand as she looked out the window. "¡­Whatever." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Hours later, they finally pulled up to a spacious, elegant neighborhood. Gwen pointed to a spot near the driveway. "Park there. Aunt Grace will probably come out the second we ring the bell." Scott nodded and pulled into the spot as directed. As he turned off the engine, Gwen added. "We''ll get our stuff from the car later. Aunt Grace probably has a few things we can change into in the meantime. She''s a big spender." Scott looked up at the house, taking in its neat landscaping and the two luxury cars in the front yard. "Yeah¡­ I can, uh, see that¡­" Gwen pressed the doorbell, and after a few moments, the door swung open. A woman in her early thirties stood there, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes that looked a lot like Tess''s. "Gwen!" Her face lit up, and without waiting, she pulled Gwen into a tight hug. Gwen squeezed her eyes shut, her face halfway between warmth and mild annoyance. Aunt Grace''s hugs were famous for being never-ending, and today was no different. The hug seemed to go on forever, leaving Scott awkwardly standing in the back, just watching them. When it finally ended, Gwen gave her aunt a smile, though it looked a little forced. "It''s good to see you again!" Grace chuckled and, noticing Scott, immediately turned her attention to him, grabbing his cheeks in a playful hold. "And you must be Scott! I''ve heard a lot about you from Tess¡­ and Gwen, of course." "Urm, y-, yeah?" Scott could barely talk with the way Grace was pinching his cheeks. Gwen crossed her arms and quickly looked away. "I haven''t said that much." Grace smiled thoughtfully then placed her slender index finger to her chin. "Really? I could''ve sworn you mentioned wanting to go to Metro University because it''s close to Scott." Gwen''s face went bright red. "I did not!" Scott chuckled, giving Grace a polite nod. "Well, I''d be more than happy to see Gwen around Metro City more often." "Of course, you would!" Grace pinched his cheeks again, laughing. Before anyone else could chime in, two younger kids, a boy and girl, came racing down the stairs, making a beeline for Gwen with excited shouts of "Cousin Gwen!" The two kids hugged her tight, and Gwen grinned as she bent down to embrace them. "Felix! Felicity! You two are growing up so fast." Felix grinned and puffed out his chest as if showing off invisible muscles. "I''m going to get strong enough to marry you one day, Cousin Gwen!" Felicity rolled her eyes then gave him a little shove. "As if! Cousin Gwen''s into mature men. You know, with big muscles, golden hair and dreamy eyes." Gwen glanced sideways at Scott, then back at the kids, clearly caught off guard. "Uh¡­ yeah, sure." Grace laughed as she motioned them inside. "Alright, alright, everyone. Let''s not keep standing out here in the cold." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ As they stepped inside, Scott noticed the cozy yet elegant decor. It had a warm and welcoming feel, with just the right amount of luxury. Gwen kept her arms crossed, still looking a little flustered from her aunt''s teasing. Grace turned to them with a smile. "You two must be hungry. I''ve already got a bit of dinner prepared, but feel free to freshen up first. Gwen, why don''t you show Scott to the guest room?" Gwen nodded with a bit of a stiff expression. "Sure. C''mon, Scott." She gestured for him to follow, and they made their way down the hall. The moment they were out of earshot, Scott leaned over slightly. "So, Metro University because of me, huh?" "It''s a good school. Don''t flatter yourself." Gwen''s face went red again, but she kept walking, trying to act unfazed. Scott chuckled, hands in his pockets. "Whatever you say." When they got to the guest room door, Gwen stopped and turned to him with a tongue-in-cheek look. It was an oddly cute expression. Enough that Scott''s eyebrows raised a bit. "I-, Is something wrong?" "Just so you know, Aunt Grace can get a little¡­ intense with the whole family thing." "I think I can handle it." Scott slicked his hair back, leaning against the doorframe. Gwen gave him a doubtful look, then her expression softened, and a small smile began to form on her lips. "You better. Or she''ll probably hug you to death." "Wouldn''t be the worst way to go." "Is that so?" "Yeah, she''s pretty woman¡­" "Uh-huh, friggin'' nerd." "Have I told you how much I missed you?" Scott''s lips quirked into a smile as he looked down at her. Gwen huffed, rolling her eyes as she turned to leave. "Just¡­ don''t get any ideas." But there was a softness in her voice, almost playful, as she headed down the hall with her golden hair and big hips swaying with each step. Scott watched her go. ¡ºMan, Gwen''s a little too thicc these days¡­¡» He smiled weirdly and rubbed his chin. ¡ºAnd when she was in her super suit¡­ she looked like some kind of hourglass angel or something. Yeahhhh¡­ I think I''ll stop here. Why do I have this feeling she''s reading my damn mind for Pete''s sake¡­¡» He rubbed his face repeatedly, as though he was trying to resist some kind of temptation. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The bathroom was filled with steam, and the scent of lavender and soap lingered in the air as Gwen stood under the hot water, letting it run down her back. She could feel the water touching every part of her thick, curvy body and she couldn''t help but feel relaxed. "Ahhhh~ ? So good~ ??¡­" The pressure of the shower massaged her skin while she scrubbed herself with a soapy washcloth. The foam caught the light as she moved the cloth in circular motions over her arms and down to her legs. She bit her lip, eyes half-lidded, her mind drifting. All of a sudden she remembered the slap. ¡ºOkay, maybe I overreacted back there¡­¡» Her hands moved mechanically, but her thoughts were miles away, fixated on the small interaction with Scott earlier. She didn''t want to slap him. ¡ºNo, not slap him. That was just, sigh~ way too much. Maybe hug him¡­? YEAH, A HUG!¡» Her palm hit her face in disappointment. "Fuck¡­" She realized this too late. But maybe a hug would also feel¡­ awkward. Too forward? Would it have been too much too soon? Gwen couldn''t decide. ¡ºGod, what if that son of a bitch thinks I''m weird for being this freaked out?¡» She sighed and closed her eyes as the water cascaded down her pretty face. ¡ºWhatever, I''ll just think about it later. Can''t even figure out how I feel about him half the time.¡» Her hands moved to her body again, mindlessly rubbing the washcloth over her skin. ¡ºI mean, he really does look good now. Like, a little too good. What the hell happened to the scrawny kid I used to know?¡» Her thoughts drifted back to Maya. ¡ºMaya. Yeah, that''s the one. Scott''s first and only girlfriend. First off, she''s an angel. Probably. Everyone says so, even Jake, who I had to bully into telling me anything about their relationship. Bitch for breaking up with him, but still¡­ she was sweet. I can''t deny that.¡» Gwen paused as she rinsed the washcloth. ¡ºAnd that''s the worst part. That angel part. Ugh, what if I''m like¡­ the anti-angel to her?¡» She snorted at the idea, lifting her leg to rinse it off. ¡ºWho am I kidding? Maya probably can''t even cook, right? That''s an automatic advantage for me, sigh~ if I fuckin'' knew how to cook. Wait¡­ can she?¡» The thought flickered through her head, and Gwen frowned. ¡ºIf she can, then that''s just more competition for me.¡» She slapped her face lightly with the washcloth, as if to refocus. ¡ºUgh. I shouldn''t even be thinking about this stuff right now. Maya''s not even here. Why does this matter?¡» She closed her eyes again, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel to wrap around herself. ¡ºI haven''t even fully reconciled with Scott yet. Have we? I need to know why he did all that stuff, but every time I get close to asking, I just get sidetracked by his dumb face or¡­ whatever.¡» Her reflection in the mirror caught her attention, and she looked herself up and down, biting her lip. ¡ºBut, at least¡­ maybe he sees me in a more romantic way now. The whole hair thing¡­¡» She flushed deeply. ¡ºThe fact he said he''d cut it because I asked¡­ that''s so friggin'' romantic. Like, seriously? He cares that much?¡» Gwen smiled like a smug cat as she nodded slowly. ¡­ Humph! Her eyes darted downward, unconsciously shifting her weight as she gave her reflection a once-over. ¡ºMaybe I''ve been wearing these tighter clothes a little too much lately¡­ But, I mean¡­ can you blame me?¡» She shifted to the side and her face got warmer. ¡ºCan''t hurt to show a little more of my¡­ assets, right? Don''t guys like that stuff?¡» She flicked her eyes over her body, a subtle curve to her lips as she did. She looked at her ass. ¡ºIs it perky enough? I''m sure it''s big¡­ isn''t it?¡» Just then, the door to her room creaked open. Gwen froze and her heart stopped as her towel barely clung to her body. Her ass¡­ ¡ºFuckin'' hell!¡» ¡­was stuck in a position where it stuck out directly towards the door like a swollen peach waiting to be eaten. She hadn''t even realized she was standing in the middle of her room like that, and now, Scott had walked in. "Shit!" Gwen screamed and spun around. "What the hell, Scott?!" Scott, eyes wide, immediately slammed his hands over his face and stumbled backward. "I didn''t see anything! I swear, Gwen! I didn''t¡ª" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He parted his fingers a bit to sneak a peek. "I promise?" "YOU PERV!" Gwen''s face went redder than it had ever been before as she rushed forward. She grabbed the nearest thing¡ªa vase¡ªand threw it at him with all the strength she could muster. "Son of a bitch!" Gwen screamed, her voice high-pitched with a mash of embarrassment and anger. Scott slammed the door shut just in time, and the sound of the vase breaking echoed through the house. From downstairs, Grace called up, "What''s all that noise?" Not wasting a moment, Gwen turned on her heel and shouted back with a laugh of pure vindication, "Scott did it!" She heard Scott muttering through the door. "You''re insane, Gwen!" "Scott, dear, you should be careful. We were planning to get some new stuff anyway, but still¡­" Grace sounded like she was trying to hide a smile. Scott groaned from behind the door. "Sorry, Grace. I''ll, uh, fix this¡­" Then, from the other side, he added, loudly, "Hey, Gwen?" "What?" Gwen answered flatly, still holding the doorframe like a shield on the battlefield. Still behind the door but definitely hearing him, Scott spoke with that annoying smirk in his voice. "I didn''t know you had a mole on your left butt cheek." Gwen''s eyes went wide. "YOU FUCKIN'' ASSHOLE!" Her face burned up in pure mortification. She was already storming out of the room, wrapped in her sweatshirt and plaid skirt, ready to chase him down. She heard him laughing from far down as he bolted for the stairs. She wasn''t letting him get away with that. "You! Get back here, Scott!" "It was an interesting mole¡­" "INTERESTING MY ASS!" "Yes, your ass is indeed interesting, hehe." With a speed that surprised even her, Gwen bolted after him, her pulse racing. ¡ºThis asshole¡­¡» She swore, one more time, that she''d kill him. Chapter 30 Jealousy is Quite a Color! After dinner, the three adults leaned back in their chairs, feeling pleasantly full and satisfied.The kids, on the other hand, still had plenty of energy and were bouncing around the dining room. Grace sighed and took a quick look at the clock. "Well, that was wonderful." She said, smiling warmly at Scott and Gwen. "Would you two mind helping clear the table? I''ve got to get Felix and Felicity ready for school tomorrow and then put them to bed¡ªI''m so tired." Gwen shrugged, already stacking a few plates. "Sure, Aunt Grace." Scott leaned forward with a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry about a thing, Grace. Go rest up; we''ve got everything covered." He flashed her a thumbs up right after. Grace beamed at him as her eyes crinkled. "Aww~ you''re such a darling, Scott." She turned her attention to the kids and raised her voice just enough. "Felix! Felicity! You''d better be washing your hands and ready for bed!" With a playful groan, the kids scampered off, and Grace slipped out of the room, leaving Scott and Gwen to tackle the table. Scott picked up the oddly large bowl of food that remained. He looked at Gwen. "So¡­ was this for Grace''s husband?" "Oh, Uncle Mark? No, he''s on duty. He''s a cop around here. Won''t be back for a few days." "Interesting¡­" Scott nodded thoughtfully. "I mean, it makes sense that it''s not really his place now. If he''s a cop in a city this packed with crime, I bet he''s always out on the job. I''ve seen a few of the villains in Meteor City, and honestly, they''re not exactly impressive, but still." He paused then glanced back at the hefty bowl. "So¡­ who''s this for?" Gwen just sighed as she hoisted the hefty bowl with one hand while balancing plates in the other. "It''s probably for Uncle Jeff¡­" She muttered, nodding toward the living room. "He''s the one who always eats the biggest portion¡ªand still has the audacity to do nothing around the house." Scott followed her to the living room, where they found a man sprawled on the couch, half-buried in blankets. His large belly rose and fell rhythmically as he watched TV with a glazed, almost oblivious expression. Food crumbs littered the couch around him, as though he''d been rooted there for hours. At the sight of them, he managed a lazy wave but quickly gave up, nodding instead. "Yo¡­ *burp* I''m Jeff." "Uh¡­ nice to meet you." Scott forced a polite nod, taking in the man''s slouched form, his unshaven face, and the way he seemed almost fused to the couch. Jeff''s eyes settled on the bowl in Gwen''s hands, and he perked up¡ªwell, as much as he could without actually moving. "That my food?" Gwen looked at him for a moment, her lips pressed tightly together. Then, without saying anything, she threw the bowl at him. Somehow, Jeff''s reflexes kicked in, and he managed to catch it surprisingly fast, though a little still spilled onto his lap. Scott raised an eyebrow at Gwen. "Wasn''t that a bit harsh?" She didn''t even look back and just kept walking toward the kitchen. "That''s how you treat cheeto pigs. I''ll show him a little respect when he starts actually doing something around here." Choosing to drop it, Scott sighed. "Fair enough." In the kitchen, Gwen placed the last plate in the sink and wiped her hands as a pleased smile spread across her face. Then she turned to Scott with a blank expression. "Come on. Let''s go check out your car." Scott looked at her, brows furrowing in confusion. "My car? Now? It''s already pretty late." Gwen was already halfway to the door when she turned to him, a playful smile on her face and that familiar tongue-in-cheek look in her eyes. "What''s the matter? Scared?" She even let out a little giggle as her eyes dared him. Scott scoffed with heavy pride. "As if." Before she could say another word, he dashed toward the stairs, calling over his shoulder. "I''ll go grab my keys!" "Alright, dude¡­" Gwen chuckled as she waited by the door with arms coolly folded. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the quiet inside Scott''s Porsche. He and Gwen sat side by side, not really sure what to say or do now that they were finally alone together. Gwen shifted a little, her fingers lightly touching the leather seats. She looked over at Scott, ready to say something, but the words slipped away. Instead, she ended up with a quick, awkward, "Sooo¡­" Her voice faded off, and she turned to stare out the window, a bit embarrassed. Scott stayed quiet, just watching the lights outside flicker over them in a steady rhythm. He sighed softly, then started tapping his finger on the window button, pressing it down halfway before letting it back up, playing with it without really thinking. Gwen noticed him fidgeting out of the corner of her eye and gave him a quick side-eye, trying to guess what was on his mind. But the second he glanced back at her, she quickly looked away, sitting up straighter and stretching her arms a bit, like she was just trying to get comfortable. Another beat passed, then she cleared her throat, breaking the silence with a hint of impatience. "Hey¡­ S-, Scott?" "Yeah?" "I''m hot. And hungry¡­" "Huh?" "You''re the driver, Scott. Do something about it." Scott looked at her with a subtle, unreadable expression. He glanced over at the AC display, saw it was working just fine, then rested a hand on his stomach. They''d just eaten, and he felt pretty full and content¡ªso what was she actually getting at? He turned to Gwen without a word, his gaze steady and thoughtful. She met his eyes but felt her confidence slip under his silent stare. Shifting uncomfortably, a faint blush started to show on her cheeks. "What?" she mumbled, sounding a bit defensive. "Nothing." Scott''s lips quirked up in the faintest hint of a smirk. Then, without a word, he opened the door and stepped out of the car, leaving Gwen blinking in surprise. She watched as he leaned against the side, pulled out his phone, and opened Chirper. His thumbs flew over the screen as he started typing furiously©¤©¤as though his life depended on it! Gwen huffed, still inside the car, crossing her arms. ¡ºDid I not say it well¡­? I mean I didn''t say anything offensive for the most part¡­ did I? Sigh~ I honestly can''t understand that nerd even when I try.¡» After a moment, curiosity got the best of her, and she leaned over, craning her neck to try and see what he was writing. "Are you seriously Chirping right now?" Scott didn''t even look up. "Just a quick update!" His eyes remained glued to his screen. [@NightwatchOfficial: Just going for a night drive with my childhood friend. Used to have a crush on her. But why is she saying she''s hot and hungry even with the AC on, and we just ate dinner?? Is she trying to tell me something, or am I just overthinking it? #NightDriveConfusion] Scott waited a while and soon his fans got active. To his surprise, he already had 8.7K followers on Chirper. ¡ºTo think a Nightwatch Chirper handle would be useful¡­¡» He refreshed hoping messages would roll into. After half an hour, they did. ¡ºI can''t believe I waited half an hour for this shit. This better be worth it for real¡­¡» He looked back at the screen. [ @PhantomMuse89: Just dump her, she''s not worth it (?¨“©n¨“?) ? 4.1K Likes | 530 Rechirps ] ©¸ [Of course @PhantomMuse89 is pissed LMAO] ©¸ [She''s down bad for @NightwatchOfficial ?.? freaky] ©¸ [Can y''all just let a girl love?? Like fr tho¡­] [ @LetMeBeClear: Not even subtle. My guy, you''re being denser than a neutron star. LMAO you''re driving her mad. ? 2.7K Likes | 87 Rechirps ] [ @GeniusByChance: Maybe she''s just hungry. Or maybe you''ll drive her home and she''ll tweet, "Men can''t take a hint these days." ? 3.7K Likes | 230 Rechirps ] [ @GrandpaHero: Back in my day, we just pulled over, put on some nice tunes, and let nature do the work. You kids complicate everything now. #MillennialSupremacy!! ? 2.3K Likes | 120 Rechirps ] ©¸ [Yeah, sure thing unc (?_?)] ©¸ [Bro hit unc status and is here telling us how he used to do it back in the day, no thanks unc ( ? _ ? )¡­] ©¸ ["Back in my day" ahh comment fr (? _ ?)] [ @MrCluelessInLove: You think you''re confused? I once got "I''m kinda hungry" and thought she wanted actual food. Guess who''s still single? ? 3.0K Likes | 240 Rechirps ] [ @TheUltimateMole: Plot twist: She''s just genuinely cold. Imagine the embarrassment if she wanted to grab a burger after all this advice. ???? #NightwatchFails ? 4.3K Likes | 180 Rechirps ] [@RealDealSpideyFan: Dude, you''re a superhero, but missing this clue like a civilian. She wants dessert¡­and I don''t mean ice cream. ? 840 Likes | 20 Rechirps ] [ @Ghosted_Garrett: Wow, dude. When my girl said she was hot and hungry, I ignored it¡­and now she''s dating someone who knew what that meant. ? 3.3K Likes | 180 Rechirps ] ©¸ [Damn, villain origin right there (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] ©¸ [This app is way too depressing, I''m going back to Instaflick where I can actually laugh¡­] ©¸ [Click on #PeakOfIt if you really wanna see something depressing ( ?¨q¨r? ) and I ain''t joking fr] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ MegaCorp¡­ The gentle hum of cameras and the soft clatter of production equipment could be heard as Miss Mercury paced quickly through MegaCorp''s studio. Her feet clicked sharply on the polished floor as she bit her fingers nervously. ¡ºFuck, fuck¡­ FUCK IT ALL!¡» She gripped her smartphone tightly with one hand, while the other was now clenched at her side. Her desperate eyes moved quickly over the screen, scanning the countless responses to Nightwatch''s latest Chirper post. It was bad enough that he had hinted at having a new girlfriend last week. But now he was posting about a childhood friend he once had a crush on? The constant stream of chirps under his post felt like a deliberate jab: [Is she cute?] [Obviously. Imagine if she knows he''s actually Nightwatch, that''ll be so romantic £¨>©n<£©] [Y''all find anything romantic these days (???)] [Nightwatch please spread my legs and make me feel like a woman already ??!] [Damn¡­ ( ? _ ? ) these Nightwatch fan girls go creepy asf, I think they post him more than we do¡­] [Trust me, they do¡­ have you read those self insert fanfics with Nightwatch? One second you''re reading about him doing a stream and the next he''s kissing them in places other than their mouths ( ¡ä?_?`)] [I need Nightwatch''s game fr!] [What game? Bro is out here asking us if he should take a girl out to eat or not ÇÒ_(?-?) that''s zero game.] Her gaze skimmed over the replies, and with every: [She''s just into you, dude!] ¡­ AND [Can''t believe you''re this dense, my guy] She felt her jaw clench tighter. Soon, Mercury typed hastily into the comment box. [Crushes are ridiculous and stupid. There''s a reason they stay in the past (o¡«o) When you''re grown up, you find someone worth your time. Especially one that doesn''t waste time telling you how much she likes you and wants to be with you ?!] She hit [post], then immediately regretted it. ¡ºUgh, that sounded desperate¡­¡» She cringed and shot a look around the studio to make sure no one noticed her fretting. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. ¡ºWhy do I care so much?¡» She closed her eyes, sighing as the studio ceiling blurred overhead. But it didn''t help. Why was she still so hung up on Nightwatch? This whole thing was ridiculous, she told herself. And yet¡­ She groaned as her shoulders slumped. ¡ºHe''s probably gonna think I''m some kind of weirdo if he ever reads my replies¡­¡» More and more, she could feel her jealousy building. ¡ºBut what else can I do? He''s literally all I can think about! I really have to get over this obsession. It''s really, REALLY unhealthy for me and my line of work. Sigh~¡» Her thoughts were interrupted by the producer calling over to her with heavy impatience. "Miss Mercury!" "What?!" She shot him an annoyed glare with her phone clutched tightly in her hand. The producer blinked, taken aback. "Uh¡­ still on for the GiGi Women''s Fitness waist trainer ad?" She rolled her eyes. "I''ll¡­ check my schedule and see if I still give a damn." The producer looked her over, noting the phone in her hand. "Oh come on, you''re just scrolling on Chirper," he muttered, folding his arms. "I''ve been pulling double shifts all week, and I just want to get home to the wife and kids." At his words, something snapped inside her. "Oh, so now you''re bragging about having a wife and kids? Like that''s the ultimate achievement or something?" Her voice rang out, bitter and just a bit too loud. "Sure, I don''t have a husband or even a boyfriend, but that doesn''t mean I don''t have¡ªsomeone¡ªto go home to!" A heavy silence fell over the crew as they stared at her with eyes wide in shock. Miss Mercury turned and stormed off the set, her footsteps echoing loudly until she was far enough away to let out an exasperated groan. ¡ºThat was so immature¡­¡» She immediately scolded herself and ran a hand over her pretty, but worried face. ¡ºI''m a professional hero, and here I am acting like a¡­¡» She cut herself off when she felt a flush of embarrassment creeping over her. The phone vibrated in her hand and easily drew her attention back to Chirper. [@NightwatchOfficial: Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Really needed it! Won''t be streaming tonight, but¡­ soon. ;)] She scowled at the screen as her heart sunk. ¡ºGreat. Now I''ve got nothing to do tonight after patrol. Maybe I''ll just watch The Office¡­ alone¡­¡» She slammed her phone back into her locker and let out a frustrated huff. Back in the studio, the producer was still staring, clearly shaken. After a moment, he scratched his head. "Wh-, What''s wrong with her?" Vincent, who was lounging nearby, chuckled, adjusting his suit cuffs. "I just can''t stand these pretty women who get a taste of fame. It''s so annoying. If she''d just listen to me and let me be her agent, she''d be even more successful than she is now! Sure, she''s one of the richest heroes in the U.S. right now, but that''s just because she''s in her prime. Once she hits her 30s, she''s going to start aging, and I bet she''ll be like milk¡ªno one will want her anymore. She''s just this fat-chested, mean woman, and that''s all she''ll ever be!" The crew exchanged uncomfortable glances. "I guess he''s kinda right¡­" "Sure, Miss Mercury is still pretty much the top hero here in MegaCorp, but who really wants her around?" "Yeah¡­ she''s hot, I get it, but like she''s been C-rank for as long as I can remember." "Yep. Even The Peak is A-rank." "That new Pulsar girl is also getting an A-rank promotion too according to her recent Instaflick posts. Can we all just agree Miss Mercury''s fallen off and doesn''t even know it?" "Yep!" But, The Peak didn''t seem to care about all that gossip. He held up his new Peak Pack and grinned. "Can we all focus back on me? This one''s going to be a hit, trust me." He flexed his smile wider. "All the cool kids are going to want it." The team quickly moved past the tension and got back to work, doing their best to ignore the awkward vibe Miss Mercury had left behind. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Scott slid back into the driver''s seat and closed the door with a quiet thud. He stared at the dashboard for a moment as the cool air in the car added to the awkward silence that had settled between them. Gwen sat beside him, still angry, her lips pressed into a tight pout and her eyes narrowed. He could tell she was about to let him have it. The silence stretched on for a few moments. "Uhhh¡­" Scott glanced out the window, hoping to avoid her gaze, and reached for the button to roll the window up. But Gwen''s glare was still fixed on him, burning through him like it could drill a hole right through his cheek. Finally, unable to take it anymore, Scott turned his head to her, raising an eyebrow. "What?" Gwen''s nostrils flared slightly, and she huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I told you I was hot and hungry, and you didn''t do anything about it." Her voice had a slight whine to it, but there was a sharpness in it, as if she was daring him to brush it off. Scott blinked, slightly thrown off by her tone. "Alright, alright¡­ Let''s grab something at a convenience store or something." He cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. Gwen turned to look out the window, still pouting, but her voice carried that same irritation. "Couldn''t we just get some burgers?" Her words felt like a challenge, as if she was seeing how much she could push him. Scott looked at her for a moment, then back to the road ahead, eyebrow arched in surprise. "But¡­ isn''t that gonna be bad for your weigh¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence, realizing too late where he was going with this. Gwen''s sharp eyes immediately locked onto him, and that pout morphed into a full-on stern glare. "Go on." "No. I sense I''ve made a mistake of some kind¡­ I''ll see if we can get those burgers." She didn''t say a word, but her silence felt like a victory, making him almost feel like he had just agreed to the worst possible outcome. At least it was what she wanted. --- A few minutes later, Scott pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store, which, of course, was about 15 miles away from anywhere that could be considered "near." But Gwen didn''t seem tired at all; she still looked excited, as if they were about to have an amazing time at the convenience store, like it was some kind of date at an amusement park. Inside, the fluorescent lights hummed as they walked down the aisles, grabbing random snacks and silly items. Scott held up a bag of chips, eyeing Gwen, who was lazily looking through the instant ramen section. ¡ºHe didn''t make a move on me¡­¡» Gwen bit her lower lip. ¡ºThen again¡­ it''s not like I don''t have myself to blame. What if I apologize about what I said back then, would it make things better between us? I mean¡­ things already are but¡­¡» Her face melted into a sad look. "Is this really what you wanted?" Scott asked as he tossed the chips in the cart with a grin. Gwen picked up a package of tiny cupcakes, inspecting them like they were a rare treasure. "Well, I don''t know. You were too busy Chirping away, so I had to find my own snack options." "Hey, that''s not fair¡­" Scott shot back, holding up a box of gummies. "I had to get some advice from my followers on¡­ uh, just nevermind." She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Such a terrible liar." As they walked up to the counter, Scott gave the cashier a casual nod. The two of them stood there awkwardly. Gwen''s eyes hardly left Scott''s face as she watched him fumble with his wallet, trying to hide the fact that his hands were a little clammy. The cashier smiled and said, "Thank you very much!" Scott blinked, momentarily surprised, then nodded back. "Uh, yeah, thanks." As they walked out, Scott carried the bag, feeling like a champion with a few small victories tucked away. Outside, they sat down on a bench by the convenience store, the cool night air feeling strangely peaceful compared to the inside of his air-conditioned car. Scott opened the bag and pulled out little burger packs and handed one over to Gwen, along with a juice box. He raised an eyebrow. "Gwen? Are you sure about this? I thought you didn''t like tomato juice." "But you like it, right?" Gwen grabbed the straw and poking it into the box. Scott sighed, shaking his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, I do¡­ because it''s healthy." She took a long sip, immediately making a face like she had just swallowed a cactus. "Mmm, yeah. Totally love it." She muttered sarcastically, swallowing down the bitter taste with as much grace as she could muster. Scott''s grin widened, clearly entertained. "Sure, I can tell." "You better not laugh¡­" Gwen set the juice aside and took a big bite of her burger which made her eyes light up. "Okay, now this is actually really good!" Scott shrugged and took his own burger out of the wrapper. "Yeah, it''s decent." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, in a move that was completely out of nowhere, he picked up a fried chicken leg with a toothpick and held it out to her. "You should try this one. Trust me." Gwen raised an eyebrow, not even questioning it. She took the chicken without hesitation and shoved it in her mouth. She chewed once, twice, then immediately started choking and coughing. "What the heck is this?" She spluttered with watering eyes. "This is way too spicy!" Scott laughed, a full, belly laugh that echoed in the night. "Payback, Gwen. Payback for making me drink that pepper water back in middle school. Remember?" She shot him a glare that was half annoyed and half amused, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I''m still never forgiving you for that. You nearly killed me with that stuff!" "Eh, it wasn''t that bad. You survived, didn''t you?" Scott shrugged nonchalantly. "Barely¡­" Gwen muttered as she reached for her juice box again, though this time she wasn''t in any hurry to take a sip. "You''re lucky I don''t throw this burger at you right now." "You wouldn''t dare. You''re too busy eating my food." "Humph! Fair point¡­" Gwen shot him a sharp glare, but the smile she was trying to hide behind her frown said it all. As they sat there, arguing over the tiniest things, it felt almost like things were¡­ normal. And in the best way possible. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Half an hour later¡­ Scott was seated alone on the bench. His eyes were wide open as he stared at his phone''s screen. [@MercuryOfficial ? : Hi ??] A private message from Miss Mercury on Instaflick. How did things end up like this? Chapter 31 Desperate is the Woman that Wears the Tights Scott and Gwen finished the last of their food, leaving wrappers and empty cups scattered across the bench between them.Gwen took one last, unpleasant sip of her tomato juice, then let out a contented sigh as her face brightened with satisfaction when she put the drink down. "Energy replenished!" She said with a grin as she winked. Scott stretched his arms over his head then leaned back. "Yeah, I feel stronger, too. Like I could take on the world now. Who knew small burgers could do that?" Gwen chuckled, but her face softened as she looked down and rested her hands on her knees. Slowly, she took hold of the edge of her skirt, almost nervously, and lowered her head before she started to speak. "Scott¡­ I''m sorry." Scott blinked. "HUH?" He was completely caught off guard. He raised an eyebrow, looking at her in mild confusion. "Huh? What are you sorry about?" He wasn''t trying to press her for an explanation or make her feel bad; he honestly just didn''t know what she meant. For as long as he could remember, he''d never really been mad about anything Gwen had done. It was all just¡­ well, Gwen. Silence settled between them as Gwen bit her lip, thinking. ¡ºWhat am I even apologizing for?¡» She wondered if it was about something from way back, like middle school, or if it was just dragging him out to a random convenience store tonight¡­ or maybe¡­ something else. She sighed, fidgeting with her skirt. "I guess¡­ I''m sorry about the whole Elena thing¡­" She finally talked. "She escaped because of me. I should''ve kept my annoyance with you under control until we''d caught her." "Really?" Scott couldn''t help but chuckle a little. He elegantly crossed his legs. "You''re still hung up on that?" Gwen gave him a small, playful punch on the shoulder, though she looked genuinely annoyed. "It''s not funny, you know! I messed up." But Scott only reached over and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "Listen, the stun dart I hit her with had a tracker. It''s in her bloodstream now¡ªaudio and GPS feed, too. We''re watching her movements and, when I''m ready, I''ll figure out our next move." He patted her head one more time, softer this time. "So, see? There''s nothing to be sorry about." She slapped his hand away as a slight blush creeped up her cheeks. "Don''t pat me like that! I''m almost two years older than you, remember? If anything, I should be the one patting you like a kid." Scott raised an eyebrow, giving her a smirk. "Oh?" Gwen''s face turned an even deeper shade of pink as she looked away. "But I¡­ kinda¡­ enjoyed it¡­" She mumbled, almost inaudibly. Scott grinned, shaking his head as he started gathering up the wrappers and bags, stuffing them into a nylon bag. Standing up, he looked back at her with a casual smile. "Alright, then, let''s head home." She got up and brushed off her skirt. "Aight¡­" But as Scott started walking away, she couldn''t help but watch his back. The sight stirred something deep within her¡ªa memory of a younger Scott, standing in front of her with that same hopeful look he''d had back in middle school when he''d confessed his feelings. She''d turned him down in front of everyone. Now, she felt a strange feeling in her chest, an old ache she hadn''t felt in years. "Scott¡­" she called out softly. He turned, giving her a quizzical look. "Huh?" "I¡­ I don''t want to go home yet." She turned to look toward the road and the small river nearby, where a gentle breeze stirred the night air. "I want some fresh air, just for a little bit longer." Scott tilted his head, studying her for a second, then shrugged. "Alright. I''ll wait for you here¡ª" But before he could finish, Gwen had already walked off, making her way to the riverside. She stood by the water, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath, letting the calm of the night wash over her. Scott took out his phone, absentmindedly scrolling through messages, and suddenly, a notification popped up. [@MercuryOfficial ? : Hi ??] A private message. From Miss Mercury herself. He stared at the screen, heart racing. ¡ºHow¡­ how did things end up like this?¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Miss Mercury froze and stared at her phone screen as her message on Instaflick hit [Sent]. The little checkmark glared back at her, mocking her, and she could feel her heart starting to pound. [Hi ??] She clasped her hands over her mouth in horror. "Oh no. No, no, no, no!" She gasped as her phone slipping from her hand and clattered onto the table. "Just great! FUCKIN'' GREAT!!" Suddenly, she was zipping around the dressing room at superspeed with her hair flying everywhere in a wild, tangled mess. "What was I thinking?! I shouldn''t have sent it! I SHOULDN''T HAVE SENT IT!" She paused to glance at the phone again, praying he hadn''t seen it. But when she looked¡­ it was too late. The little [read] indicator had already appeared next to her message. And still¡­ no response. ¡ºYeah, great¡­¡» Her heart sank as she stumbled over to the mirror, where she caught a glimpse of her own reflection¡ªher eyes wide with worry and her face flushed, yet still beautiful. "What was I thinking, using my main account? If he screenshots this¡ªoh god, if he posts it on Chirper, people will see how desperate I am. They''ll probably laugh at me, say I''m pathetic or¡­ or unbearable¡­" She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shake off the rising sense of panic in her chest. "I don''t want him to think that I''m some kind of¡­ of obsessed fangirl, just stalking his Chirper like everyone else." But then her expression softened as she looked at herself in the mirror again, noticing the doubt written all over her face. She couldn''t ignore the painful knot in her stomach, that small, nagging ache that wouldn''t go away. ¡ºWhy did I even send him a message in the first place?¡» She''d admired Nightwatch''s bravery, his honesty¡­ the way he didn''t let the fame go to his head. He didn''t have to market himself or depend on flashy ads, and he certainly wasn''t a corporate puppet like her. He just¡­ fought. And people loved him for it. "I''ll bet if he knew it was me that sent those donations on his stream, he''d probably just laugh. He''d never go for someone like me¡­ not ever¡­" She whispered to herself. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That thought carried a surprising amount of weight. One that bothered her deeply. She looked herself up and down in the mirror, from her designer boots to her styled hair and flawless makeup. "What am I, really? Just a corporate poster girl¡­ the kind he can''t stand." She could feel the small burn of tears in the corners of her eyes as she stared at her reflection. She had all the fame, all the money, and yet¡­ why did it feel so hollow? "Everyone loves Nightwatch because he''s real. Meanwhile, people only like me for what I can do for them. I''m just¡­ an image." The phone lay still on the table, almost mocking her with its silence. It had been ten minutes since he read her message. "Yep¡­" With a defeated sigh, she muttered even more. "I thought as much¡­ he probably won''t even answer. And maybe that''s for the best." She lowered her gaze, wiping away any traces of emotion before they ruined her perfect makeup. "The first guy I actually show interest in, and he''s probably about to ghost me. I just need to get over it." With a resigned huff, she turned back to the vanity and grabbed her makeup bag to touch up before heading back to the studio. She wasn''t about to let anyone see her like this, especially not that smug producer. But just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed on the table. The sound broke her out of her thoughts, and before she knew it, she was supersped over with the wind swirling around the room as she grabbed it. There it was. A response from Nightwatch! [@NightwatchOfficial: Hello¡­? ????] Unlike her, he didn''t have verification badge, but it was him. She was sure of it! She blinked, feeling the grin spread across her face, warmth bubbling up inside her as she reread his reply. It was simple, even a little confused, but just seeing his response felt like the most thrilling victory. "Oh¡­ h-, he replied¡­" She whispered to herself as she grinned like a little girl. "He actually replied." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Scott stared at the notification on his phone, still processing the simple "Hi ??" from Miss Mercury. ¡ºWhat the hell?¡» He rubbed his chin as his mind ran in circles. The verification badge next to her name wasn''t a fluke¡ªthere was no mistaking it. It''s really her. He had no reason to doubt it, but it didn''t make sense. He leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the screen. Superheroes like her didn''t just send random messages to people like him. People like her had teams for this kind of thing. Agents, publicists, PR departments. Hell, she bought an $80 million private jet a few months back¡ªshe could probably afford a whole crew of people to handle her social media accounts. So why was she messaging him? Scott groaned, rubbing his eyes. "I don''t get it. Agents usually handle these phones, right?" He chuckled to himself. "Maybe if I reply, she''ll have her team photoshop my words and make it look like I was harassing her or something." He grimaced. "Yeah, that''d be just great for my image¡ªmake me look like some kind of creeper." The thought felt all too real, and he almost clicked away from the message, but something about it nagged at him. Miss Mercury¡ªthe number one ambassador for a thousand different brands, a global sensation. She had her own fans, her own image to maintain. Why on earth would she be talking to someone like him? His eyes shifted over to Gwen who was still peacefully standing by the riverside as the fresh air from the open balcony kept her calm. ¡ºShe doesn''t even have a clue¡­¡» Then, he shook his head. ¡ºThis is insane¡­¡» He looked back at his phone. ¡ºWell, she did walk the red carpet alone at the Superhero Excellence Awards, didn''t she?¡» He remembered it vividly¡ªher jaw-droppingly perfect appearance, but alone. Most people would''ve figured she had a significant other in the background somewhere. Maybe it was just for publicity, though. Superheroes, especially the hot ones, always had this kind of icy, untouchable aura. ¡ºLike those ice cold beauties in cultivation novels¡­¡» Scott''s lips twisted into a grin. "I always thought she was a lesbian. You know, those girls who are just unnecessarily hot¡­ they usually are." His mind tried to dismiss the idea, but then his eyes landed on her profile picture again, and he couldn''t help but stare. "And damn, Miss Mercury is one fine piece of¡ª" He clicked on her profile before his thoughts spiraled a little too much. [ @MercuryOfficial ? Heroine. Icon. MegaCorp''s Golden Girl! ? ? Bio: - C-tier Hero | Speed, Power, Precision - MegaCorp''s Hero Division Ambassador | Sponsor of the Future - Empowering the next generation of heroes ?! - Catch me saving lives, breaking limits, and occasionally breaking the internet. - ? "Not just a face. Not just a body. But a force of nature." ? Follower Count: 270.8M ? Following: 56 ? Posts: 3,215 ] The interface opened, showing her Instaflick feed. His eyes scanned through the posts¡ªeach one more glamorous than the last. Red carpet events, charity galas, and ads for every brand you could think of. There was no denying it; this was her. No fakes, no imposter accounts. It''s her official account. But that didn''t answer the million-dollar question: ¡ºWhy was she messaging me?¡» Scott slapped his palm against his face, frustrated. "This makes no sense. She doesn''t have time for this¡ªhell, she barely has time to eat, let alone message a nobody like me. I mean¡­ I''m popular, yeah, but not THAT popular. I''m not even a real celebrity in the same league as her." A deep sigh left him as he tried to think it through logically. "Okay, so maybe it''s a setup. Maybe she''s testing me. If I reply, she can have her team make it look like I''m hitting on her, or worse, trying to manipulate her." The thought sent a shiver down his spine. The last thing he needed was for his reputation to take a dive because of some calculated move by one of the top-tier superheroines in the world. His phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with her name staring back at him. This time, it wasn''t a notification from Instaflick. It was the System. [Negative. After your first official stream, Miss Mercury has developed deep feelings for you. These feelings have grown stronger since you began streaming. Before you can attract the next heroine, you must first "pair" with Miss Mercury and add her to your lineup.] Scott blinked. ¡ºPair with Miss Mercury? What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡» He leaned forward, staring at the screen like it was playing some kind of cruel joke on him. "Hold up, System. You''re telling me this is real? She''s actually into me?" [Affirmative. Miss Mercury''s love for you is genuine. Her feelings are not superficial. She views you as the ideal image of a hero, and she feels that in order to become the hero she strives to be, she must first be with you.] Scott leaned back in his chair, trying to process everything. His mind buzzed with confusion. ¡ºI don''t even know what to make of this.¡» "Are you saying that for every crime I livestream, another female superhero is going to fall in love with me? Just like that? This sounds kind of¡­ shallow." [Negative. The System calculates the most likely superheroine to gain your interest based on your actions. Miss Mercury''s love for you is not superficial. She sees something in you that aligns with her own desires for greatness and redemption. She believes that by being with you, she can reach her full potential.] Scott scoffed, rubbing his temples. "This is¡­ nuts." He glanced at Gwen again. ¡ºI''m gonna have to juggle a whole friggin'' lineup of superheroes, aren''t I?¡» His face already looked stressed. [Affirmative. You are required to pair with Miss Mercury before progressing to the next heroine. You must engage romantically to complete this phase.] "Work, huh? So, I''m supposed to romance my way through all these women? Seriously?" Scott groaned, rubbing his hand across his face. "I can''t even get a decent night''s sleep without the fate of the world weighing on me." He stared at Miss Mercury''s profile picture for another moment, her radiant smile somehow managing to give him a feeling of both guilt and desire. She wasn''t just a superhero¡­ she was someone who was still trying to figure herself out, trying to be something more than just a brand. And here he was, completely caught in the middle of it. The message from her nagged at him. He had no idea how to respond. He just stared at the screen for a few seconds before muttering, "I guess this is happening." Scott finally hit reply, unsure of what would come next, but knowing one thing for certain¡­ ¡ºThis is going to be one hell of a ride. Sigh~¡» Chapter 32 Finally, Texting Mister Vigilante! Miss Mercury''s smile widened as she stared gleefully at her phone screen, rereading Nightwatch''s simple reply for what must have been the fifth time:[@NightwatchOfficial: Hello¡­? ????] The little emoji felt so out of character¡ªor at least based on what she''d seen of him online. She''d watched his streams in detail, so she definitely hadn''t expected emojis from him. Honestly, she''d expected something more awkward, maybe a bit corny and distant. But she didn''t know any corny loners herself, so it was hard to think of an exact example. She chuckled quietly, feeling a bit warmer inside. For someone who looked so serious in all his photos, seeing him use an emoji showed a softer, almost playful side to him. A new spark of confidence bubbled up inside her, and, almost without thinking, her fingers flew over the screen. [Would you want to go on a date to Cheesecake Factory?] The moment she finished typing, she froze. ¡ºCheesecake Factory? Really?¡» She felt her cheeks burn. She shook her head and quickly deleted the message. ¡ºHe''s probably never even set foot in one of those places. No¡­ I''ll sound like a kid¡­¡» Her fingers hovered as she thought of something else. [I love you¡­] Her thumbs froze as the last words lingered in the text box. Her eyes went wide, and her heart started pounding all over again. "Wait¡­ no, no, no! Too much!" She backspaced quickly, face red as she groaned. "Gosh, what am I, some crazed fan? What''s wrong with me for fuck''s sake?!" She covered her mouth and stifled a giggle. She looked at her reflection in the vanity mirror and was surprised by how flushed and bright her eyes looked. She hardly recognized herself; the nervousness, the rosy cheeks¡­ it felt just like being in high school again, having a crush for the very first time. It was a weird feeling¡­ wild, exciting, and a bit scary. She placed a hand on her chest and let her heartbeat settle. "It''s been¡­ so long since I felt like this¡­" She murmured to herself. For years, she''d been the untouchable Miss Mercury¡ªthe face of MegaCorp''s heroes, a household name with the power, fame, and fortune to match. But along with all that fame came a strange, lingering loneliness, like everyone admired the image but didn''t really know her. ¡ºWith him¡­ it''s different¡­ it really is¡­¡» She didn''t want him looking at the photoshopped posters or glossy magazine covers; she wanted him to see the real her and tell her she was beautiful that way. ¡ºAwww, I feel so cheesy right now¡­¡» It was refreshing. For the first time, she felt beautiful in a way that had nothing to do with her fame or powers. She bit her lip, feeling an unexpected tear prick her eye. ¡ºMaybe it''s not the powers or longevity that make someone beautiful or timeless¡­¡» Her fingers trailed along her cheek. ¡ºMaybe it''s moments like these that make people feel young, alive, and¡­ real.¡» S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her phone buzzed and snapped her from her thoughts. "Oh fuck©¤©¤!!" Her heart jumped as she glanced down. [@NightwatchOfficial: Is everything okay? ????] Her breath caught, and a smile pulled at her lips. ¡ºUfufu~ he sent another emoji!¡» For a moment, she imagined his face¡ªmaybe a slight look of concern, his brow a little furrowed, an expression that was somehow both cute and intense. She giggled softly, hugging her phone to her chest. "Wonder what he looks like right now¡­" She murmured and went back to picturing his face. ¡ºCute or devilishly handsome? Actually... I''ve never really been the type to well¡­ have a type. So, do I really care about that? I don''t know.¡» But just as she started typing out a response, a knock sounded at her door which made her jump. Her manager''s voice echoed through the room. "Hey, Mercury? We''re ready for your photoshoot! They''ve got the Weekly Hero''s cover set up for you. Front page and everything." Her shoulders tightened. The weight of her job simply snapped her back to reality. She looked at her phone, then over at the door. ¡ºAnother front page, another cover, more glam and lights¡­ more of the same.¡» With a sigh, she ignored the voice calling her and dashed to the back door, using her superspeed to race up all forty floors of MegaCorp''s building in seconds. She reached the rooftop and stepped into the open air, letting the breeze whip through her hair. Up here, she could finally breathe; it was quiet¡ªno cameras, no managers¡ªjust her and the wide-open sky. She looked down at her phone. "Alright¡­" She told herself as she took a deep breath. "I''m Miss Mercury. I have over five hundred million followers across social media. Four SEA honors. A multimillion-dollar bank account." She squeezed her fists tight and puffed out her chest. "If I can do all that, I can text a guy¡­ right?" But her stomach twisted in knots. "Right?" Her face flushed again as she imagined typing anything. It was as if, for all her accomplishments, this small, vulnerable moment felt like the most daunting thing she''d ever faced. ¡ºMaybe¡­¡» A bittersweet smile appeared on her face. ¡º¡­I''m braver in battle than in love.¡» She took another deep breath, steeling herself as she looked at her phone screen. "Alright, just¡­ just write what you feel, Mercury¡­" She murmured, trying to steady her nerves. She opened the chat, her fingers trembling slightly as they hovered over the keyboard. And for once, it wasn''t about saying the right words or putting on a perfect face. It was just¡­ real. Just her, feeling what she felt, with no filters or edits. After a moment, she typed: [Hey, sorry for taking forever to reply. I, um¡­ got a little lost in thought.] She hesitated for a second then pressed [send]. Miss Mercury held her phone down and exhaled a long, relieved sigh, as if she''d just conquered a mountain peak. She even wiped her forehead theatrically as she muttered. "Mission accomplished." But just as she started to relax, her phone buzzed again, making her jump like a startled cat. Her heart pounded as she looked down at the screen while her fingers nervously gripped the phone. "Wait, I just texted him! How is he that fast?" Miss Mercury''s heart started racing again. Frustration mixed with excitement bubbled inside her as she gulped and held her breath while she lifted her phone to read the message. [@NightwatchOfficial: What were you thinking about? Me? ???? Wouldn''t mind a pretty lady like you lost in thoughts about me.] Her eyes widened as a blush exploded across her cheeks and turned her pretty face as red as a tomato. "OH MY GOD!" She stared at the message in shock. "NO FUCKIN'' WAY¡­ R-, RIGHT©¤©¤?!" Her grip on her phone loosened, and it almost slipped from her hands, but she managed to fumble it back just in time. With a pounding heart, she read the message again as she felt a giddy thrill race through her. "Why is he flirting with me all of a sudden?" She could only ask herself. While she felt excited, she was also filled with disbelief. "Is¡­ is he into me already? No¡­ that doesn''t make any sense, does it? I-, I don''t know¡­" But she couldn''t help but remember the hints he''d dropped about a girlfriend¡ªwait, ex-girlfriend, if she was remembering right. "Maybe it didn''t work out with her. Maybe they broke up?" Her face lit up with a spark of excitement, and, in a rush of joy, she threw her arms up toward the sky. "I''m winning today, universe!" She shouted while laughing to herself. She glanced back at her phone right away and a grin spread across her face as she thought about how to reply. Her thumbs moved quickly over the screen, and after a moment of thought, she started typing: [Are you¡­ trying to flirt with me? ????] She hit send and bit her lip, unable to wipe the smile from her face. Not two seconds later, her phone buzzed with another reply. [@NightwatchOfficial: Is that a bad thing? I thought that''s what you came here for. ????] She chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease now. ¡ºAlright, if he''s going to play along¡­¡» She typed back, feeling a little mischievous. [Maybe. At least it''s one of the reasons. I''m starting to enjoy it, though. Didn''t expect Mr. Vigilante to be so smooth with words.] His reply came almost instantly. [@NightwatchOfficial: And I didn''t expect Miss Mercury to be so easygoing. Usually, celebrity women are more guarded about who flirts with them. ????] By now, she was fully wrapped up in the conversation. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a strange, eager excitement bubbling up inside her. ¡ºI feel so good¡­ right now~ ?¡­¡» She bit down on the tip of her finger and reread his messages over and over, as if searching for some hidden meaning in each word. ¡ºThis is unnecessarily sexual, I feel kinda¡­ ? kinda turned on by this ??! Kyaaah~?! It feels so wrong¡­¡» She let out a tiny, giddy moan and giggled, feeling her heart flutter in a way that made her feel young and wild. Feeling bold, she typed back: [What if I want you to do more than flirt? ????] She hit send and barely had a moment to catch her breath before his response popped up. [@NightwatchOfficial: Oh? And what would you want me to do?] Her heart pounded heavier, and her cheeks flushed an even deeper red. This was getting intense, and she felt a strange, almost desperate excitement growing inside her. It felt too easy, too quick for them to fall into this kind of flirtation. Her body felt warm in ways she hadn''t felt in ages, and even though her mind said she should slow down, the rush of it all made her hesitate. Swallowing her shame, Miss Mercury''s hand reached for her crotch and she felt herself there for a while. ¡ºI feel a little hot here¡­ so unfair¡­¡» She exhaled, but all that pushed out was a moan and hot breath full of hunger and desperation. ¡ºWait¡­ is this really Nightwatch?¡» She took a quick glance at his profile, scrolling up and down just to be sure. Yes, it was him¡ªhis official account. ¡ºHe''s really talking to me like this. How is he coming up with these replies so fast?¡» Her stomach flipped, half-ecstatic, half-nervous as she stared at his last message. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, while her mind sparked with excitement and the faintest hint of disbelief. ¡ºThis feels¡­ so liberating, ahhh~ ?¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott remained seated on the bench. His eyes hadn''t left the holographic screen floating a few inches in front of him. The green glow from the System cast a faint light on his face in the dark, highlighting his focused expression. His eyes drifted over the steady stream of messages from the desperate superheroine, Miss Mercury. "[Hey, sorry for taking forever to reply. I, um¡­ got a little lost in thought.]" He chuckled, leaning his chin on his hand. "Lost in thought, huh?" He could see it all¡ªevery single word she typed, erased, and retyped. Messages that didn''t make it past her doubts: "[Would you want to go on a date to Cheesecake Factory?]" "[I love you¡­]" There was a surprising shyness to her, a sweetness that she kept hidden beneath the corporate superhero persona she played. The System immediately chimed in his ear with a crisp, almost smug tone: [Probability calculation: Had you met her in your childhood, an 82% likelihood exists that you would have married by this time, despite the age difference.] Scott shook his head, barely able to hide his smile. "Freaky¡­" Pulling a lollipop from his pocket, he unwrapped it, popped it into his mouth, and leaned back. "This isn''t how I pictured spending my night, System, but I guess I don''t have a choice, do I?" [Incorrect. You do, in fact, have a choice. If you desire, you could simply ignore her. She would continue to spiral into desperation and obsession until¡ª] Scott rolled his eyes. "Alright, calm the fuck down, System. I didn''t say I wanted her to lose it. Miss Mercury''s a pretty hot superheroine. Sure, she''s a corporate puppet, but¡­ I''ve learned enough about her to know she didn''t exactly choose that. Just needs someone to point her in the right direction." He sighed and closed his eyes. "And, honestly, she seems fun. A little clumsy. I could use someone like that right now. I''m not in the mood to handle some ''perfect'' woman, you know?" [Understood. Terminate the yap and resume communication with the superheroine.] Scott frowned. "Terminate the yap?" He bit down on his lollipop as he angrily muttered. "Whatever." With that, he looked back at the screen to reread Miss Mercury''s reply. Her nervous response was hesitant, with a stammering tone he hadn''t expected. He laughed quietly. "Stuttering in texts? Aren''t older women supposed to be more confident? Sigh~ I guess I''ve been reading too much onee-san content, haven''t I?" He hadn''t even finished musing over it when the System brought up three rapid text suggestions on his screen: ? [Response Option 1: What were you thinking about? Anything interesting? ????] ? [Response Option 2: Lost in thought about me? ???? Wouldn''t mind a pretty lady like you thinking about me.] ? [Response Option 3: Got a little distracted, huh? Guess I''ve got you thinking too much already. ????] Scott shook his head in a "you did your best, but it wasn''t good enough" motion, then laughed smugly. "Do I really need text tips from a machine?" But as he read over each one, he had to admit, they were surprisingly on point. He tapped the second option, feeling a slight twinge of curiosity about what her reaction would be. He watched as his message was delivered. A little while later, her reply rolled in. [Are you¡­ trying to flirt with me? ????] Scott felt a smirk tug at his lips. The System, efficient as ever, tossed out three new responses for him: ? [Response Option 1: Is that a bad thing? I thought that''s what you came here for. ????] ? [Response Option 2: You''re sharp, Miss Mercury. You tell me¡ªwhat''s it feel like when a vigilante flirts with you? ????] ? [Response Option 3: Maybe. But only if you''re enjoying it, of course. ????] Scott tapped the first option without hesitation. He couldn''t resist the thrill of seeing her taken off-guard. Each time she messaged, the System worked its magic, instantly tossing him three new replies, almost quicker than he could come up with on his own. He was on a roll now, having fun with the odd back-and-forth they were creating. But after those few rounds of playful banter, Scott stopped as he felt his curiosity start to get the best of him. "How are you so good at generating these responses?" [Analyzing your brain waves at faster-than-light speeds, Master Scott. To identify response patterns you would naturally produce. These options are direct projections of what you might say in the situation, only faster, to maintain her engagement.] Scott chuckled. "So, these are just¡­ my own thoughts but streamlined?" [Positive. Efficiency is paramount.] He leaned back as a grin graced his calm face. Miss Mercury''s latest message appeared on the screen, and each word seeming to carry volumes of excitement. The System immediately generated three replies: ? [Response Option 1: Glad you''re enjoying yourself. I didn''t expect Miss Mercury to be so easygoing.] ? [Response Option 2: You''re making this almost too easy for me, y''know? ????] ? [Response Option 3: Maybe you''re just not used to a guy who knows how to have a good time with you.] Scott tapped the first response without thinking twice. With each message, he felt the connection between them getting stronger¡ªlike it was leading somewhere. He could tell she felt it too. The positive energy in her replies were contagious. It made him feel like he was the one enjoying himself tonight. "Well¡­ maybe I am¡­" It was going well, a little too well. Until¡­ Miss Mercury sent her next message. Maybe she was just feeling extra bold, or maybe she was always built like that but never had a guy flirt with her who made her feel so free. Either way, as Scott read the first half of her message, he could only say one word: "F-, Freaky©¤©¤!" What did he read? [@MercuryOfficial ? : Mister Vigilante, I''m just gonna say it. I like you. I''ve liked you since I saw you bravely fight off those robbers in your first stream. I don''t know, maybe I even love you; it''s just so complicated. I know I don''t even know much about you besides what you do and why you do it, but I feel that''s all humans need to know to really connect with each other. I wanna give you the sloppiest head like those pornstars do, and I wanna feel your hot kisses on my throbbing tits and even between my legs. I always wanted to lose my virginity in a romantic and fancy way, but looking at you, I just want you to take me to any phone booth or even a bathroom stall and just bend me over like a dog and make me experience what every woman my age already has¡­ sweet loving from a man.] Scott turned absolutely pale. "Bend you over like a what?" If only that was all she sent. [@MercuryOfficial ? : I can''t stop thinking about you. I want you to come over, lay me down, and just make me forget everything except the way you feel. I want you to take your hands and slide them over my *** and down my ***, feeling every inch of me. And then, when I can''t stand it anymore, I want you to use that incredible *** of yours to tease me until I''m begging for more. Then **** and **** me until I pass out, and when I''m up just **** me so hard I''m taken to a hospital, but don''t let me rest there and just **** and **** me so hard that **** and keep **** until you''re so hungry to **** me in my **** and deep inside my ****!!!] It was so unholy that even the System chose to protect the little innocence it had left by censoring her text before she could even type it down. [Apologies, Master Scott. I was unable to predict this outcome from the superheroine¡­] "M-, Me neither¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Miss Mercury was still typing on her phone at super-speed as she drooled thick, slimy saliva. Indeed, the number one hero of MegaCorp was also a huge closet pervert¡­ ¡­who was let free¡­ Chapter 33 Panic Mode I Miss Mercury giggled while her fingers moved quickly over her phone as she typed.¡­ Uhu~hu~huuu~~ ?! Her face was flushed, and her eyes were wide with excitement as well as a little bit of craze. She leaned in so close that her nose almost touched the screen while her words poured out faster than she could even keep up with. A bit of drool ran down her chin as she mumbled quietly to herself. "Oh god¡­ he''s gonna love this." She grinned, already imagining his reaction to her confession¡ªand all the raunchy, filthy things she wanted to do with him. But as she continued, her giggles started to wane, and her typing slowed until she found herself staring at the recent message she''d just written: [I want you to **** me so badly down there, and don''t stop until I start ***** like a crazy shower¡­] Her smile faltered. She scrolled up to read the words she''d poured out in a frenzy, one after the other. The explicit confessions. The descriptions of what she wanted him to do. Every intimate, dirty thought she''d just typed and sent without a second of hesitation. Her face went white. "What the heck?! I¡­ I sound like a freakin'' psychopath!" She slapped a hand over her mouth, horrified, as she watched herself backtrack through her thoughts. With trembling fingers, she began deleting her current message, her thumb jabbing the backspace key frantically. But it didn''t feel like enough¡ªshe could still see those terrible messages staring back at her. One by one, she deleted each message while her fingers moved quickly and her breath coming in short, nervous gasps. When every message was finally gone, she held her phone at her side and stared up at the sky, which was starting to look gloomy. "This¡­ this was my chance¡­" There was deep pain in her whisper. "I finally got to talk to someone who actually respects what heroes do. And I go and¡­ start talking about¡­" She groaned and pressed her fingers to her temple. "Who in their right mind wants that? Especially from a stupid, lame, corporate doll¡­ like me?" Biting her nails, she glared at the blank chat screen, willing herself to type something, anything, to fix the terrible silence between them. Her stomach twisted. If only he''d reply, she thought. ¡ºPlease, Nightwatch¡­ just say something. Call me a loser, a freak, a desperate fool¡­¡» In frustration, she pressed her phone against her breasts, kneeling down and covering her face with her hands. Her heart raced as she waited for the ping of a notification, hoping for some sign that he''d forgiven her for the mess of a confession she''d sent. But silence was all she got. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Scott stared at his screen, eyebrows raised, his usual laid-back expression slipping into one of mild surprise as he watched messages disappear in real time. Thanks to the System, he could still see every deleted confession glowing faintly on the holographic display, each one lingering as if it hadn''t really vanished. "Whew¡­" He murmured and leaned back with a half-smile. "That was¡­ intense." A small icon flickered in his peripheral vision as the System chimed in its usual matter-of-fact tone: [Prediction: There is a 5% probability that the superheroine will send a reply within the next 30 minutes. If she does, an apology is the most likely outcome. Would you like to initiate contact to optimize emotional stability in the target?] Scott chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, why not? Lay out some options." Immediately, three new responses populated his screen, each crafted to nudge Miss Mercury in a different direction: ? [Option 1: You don''t have to hold back with me, Miss Mercury. ???? I kind of like it.] ? [Option 2: That''s quite the confession! Makes me feel like the luckiest guy on Earth. ????] ? [Option 3: Hey, that''s¡­ a little much, don''t you think? ????] Scott looked over the options with a smirk on his face. It was obvious where the System was nudging him to go, but his gut was saying otherwise. He paused on the third option and his smirk faded to make way for a more thoughtful expression. "System¡­ what would happen if I were to choose response option number 3?" [Confirmation. She may retreat indefinitely. While her actions display an 80% likelihood of heightened emotional volatility, inconsistent variables may alter this probability. Encouraging her expressive nature would achieve immediate rapport.] Scott shook his head. With a calm breath, he slicked his black hair back. "Look, sometimes the answer isn''t the popular choice. I know these responses are basically my thoughts streamlined, but¡­ sometimes it''s the odd one out that''s right. There must''ve been a reason I thought it, so why not choose it?" He gave his phone screen a final look and felt a strange confidence in his choice. "Go with Option 3." [Acknowledged. Sending response¡­] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Miss Mercury''s phone gave a quiet ding, making her jump as her eyes flew open. She glanced down, hands trembling as she lifted the phone with a feeling of both hope and fear while she read Scott''s response. [Hey, that''s¡­ a little much, don''t you think? ????] Her head dropped as though the words hit her like a punch to the gut. She felt her chest tighten, and her eyes started to sting as a tear slipped down her cheek. She took a shaky breath as her fingers hovered over the keyboard, while her mind swirled with self-doubt and shame. [You don''t need to worry¡­] She sniffled a bit and typed a little more. [¡­I''ll save you the trouble¡­ goodbye." And before she could second-guess herself, she hit send. Then, almost impulsively, she hit the block button. Her phone screen dimmed to leave her in the painful silence as the weight of her actions pressed down on her chest. She couldn''t fully explain why she''d blocked him or the sudden urge to shut him out completely. But as she sat there, one thing was clear. She blew it. And this time, there was no taking it back. ¡ºI fuckin'' suck, don''t I¡­?¡» She threw her head back and pulled her hair as if she wanted to yank it off. "I just blocked my boyfriend!!" Suddenly, she started stroking her chin and humming in a thoughtful manner. "Well, I wouldn''t call him my boyfriend, as much as I want to. I''d say he''s more of a ''more than a crush, less than a lover'' kind of thing, yeah? I remember Jessica Nocturne said it in that one episode of Vampire Romance, season three. I''d say he and I are more of a situationship type of thing¡­ or maybe a ''special someone,'' I guess?" Miss Mercury immediately slouched and sighed. "Look at me¡­ still talking about him like I didn''t just block his ass for telling the truth. Why do I have to act so immature when it comes to my love life? Am I always going to be so dramatic and insecure? I hate it¡­" She stood up from where she was kneeling and walked away from the rooftop, lifelessly. "I''m gonna need the girls to help me on this one¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Two days later¡­ The Michaels'' house was quiet, bathed in soft morning light filtering through the windows, until the silence was broken by the sound of Gwen''s soft footsteps as she strolled down the stairs. She stretched, raising her arms above her head, and let out a small, satisfied sigh. She was well aware of her curves and confidence¡ªher crop top hugged her waist just right, showing off her toned, sexy stomach, while her tights fit snugly around her wide hips and thick thighs to highlight everything she had worked hard to maintain¡­ a big, perky butt. Gwen grinned, running a hand through her hair, her gaze dropping approvingly to her own reflection in the hall mirror. ¡ºYeah¡­¡» She thought very smugly. ¡ºNot every girl can pull off this combo: a big butt, a nice chest, and a flat stomach. But I''ve got it! Scott won''t know what hit him. When he comes upstairs, out of sight from Aunt Grace and Uncle Micah, I''ll pin him to the wall and ask if he wants some of this.¡» Her hand instinctively grabbed her ass cheek. ¡ºI know, I know¡­ it sounds a bit daring and maybe a little desperate, but I saw it work in that adult movie I stole from Uncle Jeff''s collection last night.¡» She nodded confidently. ¡ºIt''ll definitely work. Like any man, Scott has a functioning peen between his leg, I''m sure his sorry ass is gonna get so hard when I touch him the right way, gehehehe¡­¡» Her giggle was a little too mischievous. She almost sounded like a witch mixing her special brew. Gwen''s steps became more deliberate as she imagined how Scott would react. She pictured the look of admiration¡­ or maybe even speechlessness, on his face. The snug fabric of her tights meant Scott would notice every little jiggle of her ass cheeks. At first, she hadn''t planned on doing this, but now she felt like she had no other choice. She adjusted her walk, adding a slight sway to her hips, just enough to catch his attention without making it seem like she was trying too hard. ¡ºYeah¡­ let him try ignoring me today!¡» Her smile became that of an impish cat. But halfway down the stairs, Gwen froze at the sound of labored breathing and a strange grunting noise echoing from the living room. ¡­ Huh? She blinked and squinted as she caught sight of her Uncle Jeff''s obese body sprawled across¡­ Scott''s back? "What the¡­" she muttered and tilted her head. Scott was doing pushups with Uncle Jeff¡ªher famously lazy, snack-loving uncle¡ªspread across his back as some makeshift weight. For his part, Jeff was munching on a bag of chips, barely glancing up as Gwen walked in. "Yo, Gwen!" Jeff greeted as he shoved another handful of chips in his mouth and waving a chip-dusted hand at her. "Morning, girlie. While you were snoozin'', I was workin'' out!" He patted his stomach, which jiggled under his hand, and flashed her a proud grin. Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Working out?" She crossed her arms and gave him an incredulous look. "Humph! You''re not doing a thing except eating." "Oh, yeah?" The fat man scoffed as defensively crammed more chips into his stuffed mouth. "This is a workout! Right, Scotty boy?" Scott chuckled, still steadily pumping out pushups despite the additional weight. He looked up at Gwen with a grin and a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Oh, you''re finally up?" For some reason she immediately blushed. Wanting to give them a moment, Jeff tried to lift himself off Scott''s back, but he only managed to roll over clumsily onto the floor with a heavy thud. "Whew¡­" He gasped, splayed on the floor and too lazy to get up. "I''m¡­ so¡­ tired." Scott looked up at Gwen again, still smiling as he continued his pushups without losing momentum. "How''d you sleep? Sounded like you were making funny noises last night. I hear a lot of girls get freaky after 3 a.m. or so. Should I be worried?" Gwen felt her face heat up. ¡ºFuck, he heard me last night©¤©¤?!¡» Last night, indeed¡­ The way she mindlessly stabbed her squelching insides with her slender fingers and stifled her hot, heavy moans by chewing desperately on her pillow, as though she were a mother in labor. Or how she mercilessly sniffed Scott''s sweaty tank top, the one he''d worn while jogging the day before, to get herself in the mood. Maybe even how she whispered his name and pictured his sweaty body on top of hers. The memory was becoming very shameful. But perhaps the greatest shame was how she became even more aroused on the spot after remembering that little "session" last night. ¡ºWh-, When did I become such a¡­ such a FREAK?!¡» She crossed her arms defensively as her mouth opened to deliver some quick-witted retort¡ªonly to be completely derailed by the sight of Scott''s muscular back flexing. ¡ºUhhhhh¡­¡» Every pushup made his muscles stand out, hard and defined under his tank top. She swallowed the saliva from her watering mouth as her eyes lingered a moment longer than she wanted to admit. ¡ºUgh, why is he so¡­ annoyingly ripped?¡» She bit her lip until a small moan slipped out. ¡ºFUCK©¤©¤!¡» Gwen turned very furious. "Shut up!" She snapped at him, then turned and stomped back upstairs, trying to keep herself from giving away her frustration. She was the one meant to be seducing him, not the other way around¡­ especially with such little effort! As she climbed, her thoughts sprinted. ¡ºWhy is he acting so weird? Always on his phone, scrolling Instaflick, barely paying attention to me, my body or even the skimpy clothes I''ve been wearing recently¡­ And he says he doesn''t have time to apologize to Mom, yet he has time for social media?¡» She paused halfway up the stairs. ¡ºCould it be¡­?¡» She folded her arms and frowned. ¡ºIs he still hung up on Maya? Or¡­ could it be someone else, maybe?¡» A sudden, fiery jealousy flared in her chest. Her eyes narrowed as she pictured Scott''s phone lighting up with some other girl''s name. ¡ºWho would he even talk to? There''s no way¡­ right? I mean, aside from that one girl, Elena, but he told me nothing happened between them. Right? RIGHT?!¡» A loud crunch echoed from downstairs to snap her spiraling mind back to reality. She clenched her fists as her teeth ground together. ¡ºIf he thinks he''s gonna ignore me for some other girl, he''s got another thing coming!¡» Suddenly, the sound of Gwen''s fist slamming into the banister startled Scott and Jeff, making them look up in alarm. "SON OF A BITCH! I''M GONNA SEDUCE THE CUM OUT OF YOUR DAMN BALLS!" She shouted it so loudly. "Fuck©¤©¤!!" Her hand quickly slapped over her mouth. Downstairs, Jeff and Scott exchanged nervous glances. Jeff stuffed another chip in his mouth, looking half-curious and half-terrified. "So¡­ you gonna check on that?" Scott raised an eyebrow, not entirely eager to approach Gwen in her current state. "You''re the one who''s her uncle¡­" He muttered and went back to his pushups. Jeff sighed while waving his hand dismissively. "Naw, it''s way too early to deal with an angry Gwen. I need more chips first." He reached into his bag and crammed his mouth full again with a look of satisfaction. "Whatever¡­" Scott chuckled. The morning, it seemed, was off to an interesting start. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Gwen shut the door behind her with a thud before taking in deep breaths. Her chest climbed and fell as a both frustration and heavy confusion mixed inside her. Gwen could feel it in her chest. She paused for a moment as her eyes fixed on the tank top resting on her bed. It was still wet and sticky. But no, it wasn''t¡­ sweat. Gwen frowned as a wave of heat rose to her cheeks. ¡ºMaybe a little sniff will¡­ calm me¡­¡» She carefully picked up the tank top and sniffed it, trying her best not to overthink what had just happened. "Ugh¡­ that''s just¡­ that''s just great!" She muttered to herself as she tossed the shirt back onto the bed. Then, she paced the room as her mind went into its usual overthinking sprint. ¡ºWho the hell could''ve seduced my Scott? It was that Elena bitch, right? It had to be. I mean, I didn''t even get a good look at her, but¡­ her name tells me she''s a latina. I''m not gonna act like I haven''t seen those big booty latina memes!¡» But another thought came into mind. All the times Scott looked at his phone, it didn''t feel like he was flirting with anyone. ¡ºIt felt like he was hoping for someone¡­ is a woman ignoring his messages¡­ maybe?¡» She stopped mid-step and her face puffed up in child-like annoyance as she planted her hands on her hips. "Aishh! My Scott is perfect. Any woman who could even think about ignoring him is clearly missing out. Like, seriously, what is wrong with them? His physique is ridiculous. His jawline could cut glass. Who the hell wouldn''t want him?" She twirled her golden locks and looked away, shy. "I mean¡­ I would¡­" She flopped down on the bed dramatically as her mind spun with images of Scott''s flawless physique. Then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought struck her. "Wait¡­ who else could it be?" The image of her innocent niece, Felicity, suddenly popped into her mind. Gwen''s eyes went wide, and she gasped. "No way¡­ that little girl©¤©¤!" She shouted, nearly tumbling off the bed. "That seductive little bitch!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The thought of Felicity cuddling up to Scott, calling him "Uncle Scott" as he fed her bits of branzino fish from his plate, made Gwen''s blood boil. She squeezed her pillow until it nearly popped. "Felicity?!" Gwen shouted, now on her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal my man?!" Gwen stormed out of her room and down the stairs, only to see Felicity innocently playing with her doll in her unsurprisingly pink room. The sight made Gwen pause while her eyes narrowed as she prepared herself for a confrontation. "Felicity!" She pointed directly at the little girl. "Stay away from my man!" Felicity looked up at her, her big, innocent eyes blinking with confusion. "Huh? What''s wrong, Cousin Gwen?" Gwen''s hands clenched into fists as she glared at her niece. "Don''t act all innocent with me, little girl. I saw you. You were all over Scott last night, hugging him like you own him. It better not happen again, or I swear¡ª" Felicity tilted her head, clearly not understanding what all the fuss was about. "Eh?" Gwen paused, realizing she was about to start a fight with a kid who could barely spell "boyfriend." Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she sighed deeply, letting her shoulders slump. "I''m sick in the head, aren''t I?" She patted her niece on the head as sweetly as she could muster, then quickly turned and stormed back upstairs, still fuming but trying to act like it wasn''t a big deal. --- Back in her room, Gwen threw herself onto her bed again, this time feeling even more exasperated than before. Her mind ran in circles. "Who the hell could it be?" She stared at the ceiling. "I need answers." Her eyes flicked toward Scott''s violated tank top lying innocently on the dresser. ¡ºI''m glad that tank top''s not alive¡­ the things I did with it last night¡­ I could end up in jail ( ? _ ? )¡» Still, a plan began to form. "I could always steal his phone and check his Instaflick and Chatterbox messages." She nodded slowly. "I''ll just¡­ ask for his phone, right? But no, of course he''s not going to trust me with it. So¡­ I''ll just steal it." Her lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Yep, I''m doing it. I''m taking that phone and finding out everything about this mystery woman." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Down the hall, Scott stood in front of his bathroom mirror, peeling off his sweaty shirt and preparing to step into the shower. He glanced at his phone, noticing once again that Miss Mercury hadn''t messaged him. He frowned. "Still blocked, huh¡­ What''s going on with that? Does she not want to talk anymore?" He stared at his phone. There was a sense of frustration bubbling up in him. "Did I make the right choice?" He asked aloud, half to himself, half to the mysterious voice of the System. [According to calculations, there''s a high probability the superheroine has gained emotional stability through social interactions with her friends. It is likely she will seek physical contact tonight.] Scott raised an eyebrow. "Wait¡­ physical contact? Like she''s gonna come here to see me or what? Wait, what do I have to do? Just wait? That sounds a little too convenient¡­" [Simply stream tonight. It has been three days since your last broadcast, and your fans are eagerly awaiting your return.] Scott smirked, feeling a bit more confident. "Well, that''s easy. I can do that." He grabbed his towel. But before he could step into the bathroom, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. There, in the misty reflection of the mirror, something was watching him. He froze for a moment. That shapely but faint silhouette was very familiar. It was the sexiest mist he''d ever seen. ¡­ Hrmmm He could feel someone''s eyes on him, even though they hadn''t said a word. It was Gwen. She was still in her mist form, invisible to him¡ªbut not to the System. It was as if she were waiting for something, or maybe¡­ watching him? Ignoring it, Scott walked into the bathroom. ¡ºFinally, he''s gone!¡» Gwen''s eyes darted to Scott''s phone, but at the same time she was also looking at the freshly sweaty tank top as well as his boxer shorts. She groaned painfully. ¡ºGwendolyn, is this what you''ve become¡­?¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ N/B: We do not wish to know what Gwen did to that innocent tank top. Chapter 34 Panic Mode II The morning sunlight slipped through the blinds, casting a soft glow across Emma''s room. She lay stretched out on her bed, one arm dangling over the edge, her hair a tangled mess as she held onto the last bit of sleep.But her peaceful morning didn''t last¡­ someone was knocking on her bedroom door, fast and relentless. "Aunt Emma¡­?" Emma''s eyes barely cracked open. Her frown was instant and fierce. Like some kind of grinch. "Who the hell¡­?" She mumbled, but her words slurred off as she tried to bury herself further under the covers. The knocking continued. Each tap grated on her sleep-deprived nerves. "Aunt Emma!" It was her nephew, Marcus, who called from the hallway. His voice was loud, yet cautious, as if he knew he was disturbing a bear from its hibernation. "Y-, You said you''d take me to school today, remember? I''m already late!" Emma forced out a low, frustrated groan as she rolled onto her side to face the door. Her glare was so intense it was like she was trying to burn a hole through the wood, as if she could make him burn to ashes just by staring. "I swear, Marcus, if you wake me up one more time¡­ I''m gonna find the biggest stick and beat your stupid ass so hard that CPS will be on my ass for a week. Got it?" Marcus mumbled something under his breath, just barely loud enough for her to hear: "¡­with an ass that big, yeah, they probably would." "Did you just say something?" Emma''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "N-, No, nothing, Aunt Emma!" Marcus stammered and took a step back as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. "Mm-hmm¡­" Emma grumbled. But, she was satisfied for the moment. With a tired, overly dramatic stretch, she reached out blindly toward the small pile of car keys on her nightstand. Her fingers fumbled around until she managed to grab one at random, then she tossed it toward the door. ¡­ KLAAK! It clattered against the floor right in front of Marcus. "Here. Drive yourself to school¡­" Emma''s voice was muffled as she rolled back over. "¡­I''m way too tired to get up for your whiny ass." "Hrmm, no surprise there¡­" Marcus hurried to grab the key, but let out a yelp when she threw a beer can that smacked him right on the forehead. He stumbled back, rubbing his face and mumbling complaints as he bent down again to pick up the car key. "Geez, Aunt Emma, maybe you could be a little more¡­ I dont know, careful?" The young man still winced in pain. Emma peeked one eye open, saw him rubbing his head, and let out a rare chuckle. "Oh, stop crying about it. Toughen up, brat." But then Marcus''s gaze fell on the car key in his hand. His eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "Wait¡­ Aunt Emma, this is your Bugatti Chiron key! Are you serious?! You actually want me to drive this?" "Uh-huh¡­" She mumbled, barely listening as she waved him off. "You''re a nerd, right? Figure it out. Maybe you''ll finally get some bitches if you drive a nice car to school." Marcus''s face lit up. "Alright! Thanks, Aunt Emma!" He raced down the hall with a new spring in his step. If a grown-up thought it was okay, then who was he to argue? Unless, of course, that adult was totally careless and lazy. Emma barely registered his response as she slipped back into her blissful half-sleep with a faint smile on her face. Hours later¡­ Emma''s eyes flew open in horror as the memory of her earlier decision finally hit her. "IDIOT! You told your flipping nephew to drive his fuckin'' self to school!" She leapt out of bed and supersped toward the window. As she peered out she recited silent prayers. ¡ºPlease be there, please be there, please be there¡­¡» Sure enough, her prized Bugatti was nowhere to be seen. With a frustrated groan, she zipped around the room, looking for her phone. Her fingers finally wrapped around it, and she tapped the screen, ready to give Marcus a piece of her mind¡­ but she stopped dead. Right there, staring back at her, was her chat with Nightwatch from last night, filled with all the horribly embarrassing, desperate messages she''d sent. She scowled, rubbing her temples. "Oh, god, the nerd can wait." She threw her phone onto the bed and rushed to put on her black tracksuit, quickly tying her hair up in a messy ponytail. Without a second thought, she tapped on Jenna''s contact and called her, already preparing herself for the teasing that was sure to come. The phone barely rang once before Jenna picked up. "Emma? Don''t even start. How bad was it?" Emma paused mid-step, narrowing her eyes. "How did you¡­?" Jenna''s chuckle was annoyingly smug. "Girl, I could smell your desperation through the phone. Just how badly did you fumble?" Emma let out a huff, scowling as she sniffed herself despite knowing it was just a jab. "Shut up! Also, wait, how''d you even know?" "Oh, please¡­ Marcus texted me last night. Apparently, you were groaning and refusing to eat for two days straight." Jenna couldn''t stop herself from laughing as she talked. "That little brat¡­" Emma muttered under her breath. "Relax. He just worries, that''s all. Anyway, why don''t you swing by my office? Maybe I can help you dig yourself out of whatever mess you made." Before Jenna could even finish her sentence, Emma appeared right in her office, still holding her phone to her ear. Jenna looked up, blinking in surprise, to find Emma standing in front of her desk, hands on her hips. "Uhhh¡­ okay, that was desperately fast¡­" Jenna said as she raised an eyebrow. Emma shrugged then checked her wristwatch. "Really? I thought I''d be late. Had to double back between a few of your pharmacy branches." Jenna gave her a look somewhere between impressed and exasperated. "Sure¡­ let''s go with ''early,'' then." "I prefer the term ''efficient''¡­" Emma smirked, crossing her arms as she relaxed. Jenna rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. "Fine, ''efficient.'' Anyway, let me grab Nadia and see what damage control we can do." --- The tension in the room was obvious as Emma''s foot tapped steadily against the tiled floor at superspeed. ¡ºC''mon, c''mon¡­ read it already¡­¡» Her nerves ran through her like electric jolts, one after the other. She kept her face calm, but inside, she was on fire. Across from her, her two best friends, Jenna and Nadia, were carefully reading through her chat with Nightwatch. "Oh, he''s smooth!" Jenna chuckled and nudged Nadia with her elbow. "I thought he''d be, you know, all ''grrr, I''m the lone vigilante'' and not know how to talk to a woman, but this? This is straight-up romantic." "Seriously," Nadia agreed, grinning. "I wouldn''t have thought he''d be this¡­ charming. He''s almost like a poet." Emma laughed softly before running her fingers over a chipped tea canister on the counter. She needed to keep her hands busy and her mind off what was about to happen. ¡ºThey¡­ have no idea what they''re about to see¡­¡» Jenna kept her eyes fixed on the screen and bit her lower lip with some excitement as she watched Nightwatch charm his way through the conversation. "Honestly, if I had a guy texting me like that¡­ I might just spread my legs open on the first date." Nadia gave her a quick side-eye. "Girl, that''s a little too much. It''s always better to wait until. I know for a fact that smooth talkers like this Nightwatch fellows are a steal-your-girl kind of man¡­ they''ll sleep with you and be on the next bus to their hometown to start a life with their highschool sweetheart." She folded her arms and nodded her head to show just how certain she was. Jenna shrugged and laughed. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Whatever. You''re just missing out, girl." She turned back to the screen, and her smile widened as she read another of Nightwatch''s surprisingly smooth responses. "This guy''s actually good at this. I''m kinda impressed, Emma. Nice catch." Emma just sighed, circling around the spacious office, hands flitting from one object to the next, wishing she could teleport right out of there. ¡ºAny second now¡­¡» Jenna and Nadia leaned in closer, scanning the messages with glee. Then Jenna stopped. Her smile faded slightly. She blinked. "Uh¡­ hold up." They''d hit the first line of that message. Jenna''s finger hovered above the screen as she read the words out loud. Her voice unsurprisingly grew less and less enthusiastic with each line she spoke. "I wanna give you the sloppiest head like¡­" Her voice trailed off while her eyebrows knitted together in deep confusion. She shot a look at innocent Nadia, who was wide-eyed and frozen in place. "Oh, dear me¡­" Nadia muttered with a tired, almost sickly voice. Her hand flew to her mouth, horrified. "Emma¡­ what is this?" Emma turned away and buried her face in her hands. "Ju-, Just keep going. Just¡­ get it over with." Jenna kept reading it out loud, sometimes sounding shocked, other times horrified or even amazed. Maybe it was because some of the things freaky Emma wrote were things even pornstars wouldn''t do in bed. Strangely, Jenna was taking notes on some of them, planning to make sure she''d give any man of hers a night to remember. "And then you''re saying you want him to take you to¡­ a phone booth? A bathroom stall?" Jenna''s voice was very hesitant. She just half-read, half-skimmed the next line. "Then you wrote, uhhh, ''¡­I want you to bend me over like a dog¡­'' Oh my god, Emma!" She turned to stare at her friend, brows raised in shock. "WHAT THE HELL©¤©¤?!" "Like¡­ honestly¡­" Nadia shifted in her seat and covered her eyes with one hand as she muttered something in Arabic. She shook her head, then gave Emma a look of heavy disbelief. "You know, I think my religion won''t even let me read the rest of this, let alone say it out loud." Nadia stood up abruptly and sharply crossed her arms as if to shield herself. Emma''s head whipped around. "Where are you going?" "To pray¡­ Insha''Allah, I don''t end up in hell." Nadia spoke in a sad voice and covered her face, as if she were too embarrassed to even look at Emma. Without saying another word, she turned and walked out. Emma groaned as her cheeks blazed red with shame. "I''m¡­ I''m such a fucking, perverted loser¡­" She buried her face in her hands again. Jenna sat there, staring at the phone with a blank look on her face, as though she couldn''t move. She looked at Emma, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the right words. "I¡­ uh¡­ well, uhm¡­" "Say something, Jenna! Just¡­ anything!" Emma begged, wringing her hands. Jenna cleared her throat and set the phone down gently on her desk as if it were a ticking time bomb. "Look, uh¡­ I''m not gonna lie, Emma, that was¡­ next-level freaky. But maybe just¡­ maybe say you were, uh, drunk? Or¡­ got a little too excited?" Emma''s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she twiddled her thumbs. "Uh¡­ I kind of already blocked him." "Emma¡­" Jenna slapped her palm over her face, exasperated. She shook her head and groaned painfully. "Girl, you''re hopeless." "WAAAAAH, I KNOOOOWW©¤©¤©¤©¤!!" Emma''s ruffled her hair like a mad woman as her head hopelessly fell back. Nadia reentered the office with her lab coat swishing as she took a few slow steps forward. She adjusted the prayer beads hanging from her neck and carefully slotted them into place before tucking them neatly into the pocket of her coat. Her pants¡ªtight, practical, and crisp¡ªshifted slightly as she moved. She stopped for a moment to look at Emma, who was hunched over with her head in her hands, as if the weight of the world was too heavy for her to handle. "Alright¡­" Nadia spoke a little softer this time. "Enough of this. No need to wear that frown like it''s the end of the world." "It''s over, Nadia. My life is basically over." Emma barely looked up, but her voice was full of defeat. Nadia stepped closer to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Look, maybe¡­ maybe just unblock him. Tell him the truth, right? Like, maybe you''re not exactly like that. Or¡ª" "Or what? I was joking?" Emma interrupted, throwing her hands up in the air. "What am I, a stand-up comedian?" "Sure, that sounds stupid¡­ but it might actually work. If you don''t say something, he''s gonna have all the low expectations of you now. Might as well own it and tell him what''s really up." Nadia said all this with a friendly smile on her face. Emma groaned as her frown grew deeper. Well, if that was even possible. "I... I can''t, okay? I don''t even know what I was hoping for. He''s probably scared of me now! Like, what kind of first impression is that?!" After quietly observing, Jenna turned to Nadia. Both of them could see how badly Emma was struggling. Her hands fidgeted, her nose wrinkled, and her eyes were very distant. She looked like she''d hurt someone close to her. Perhaps¡­ Nightwatch really meant that much to her. And she completely ruined it with her desperation and painfully unbearable degeneracy. "Emma¡­" Nadia sighed. "It''s really not your fault. You didn''t get proper sex education, and after your dad died¡ªhell, after everything with your mom¡ªif she''d done a better job, you wouldn''t have been so attracted to all that stuff. You wouldn''t be like this. It''s just¡­ it''s like an addiction when you''re not properly educated on it." Jenna nodded and quickly added her thoughts. "And remember, you could''ve finished medical school with us and became the super hot pharmacy girls we all planned to be. It''s just¡­ your powers kicked in and your life took a different but better route." "I still think that name was corny." Emma cracked a smile despite herself. Jenna and Nadia started laughing, and before long, Emma joined in. Her laugh was a bit shaky at first, but then it turned into real, cheerful amusement. It felt nice¡ªnice to laugh, nice to think back on those moments before everything changed. Emma knew her life hadn''t been easy. Losing her dad and her grandfather had been huge losses. But through it all, her friends had always been there for her. Nadia smiled too, but there was something softer in her expression¡­ a kind of pity and concern that she couldn''t hide even if she tried. She had witnessed Emma''s struggles firsthand. The endless binge-watching of porn, the magazines that had somehow found their way into her hands¡­ and the hard work it had taken to wean her off it. Emma had become good at keeping it hidden¡­ too good. If her fans or the public knew what she''d been through, she''d be devastated. But Nadia didn''t want to dwell on that. She just wanted her friend to feel better. "Listen, Emma¡­" Nadia kept her tone gentle and soft. "You can''t blame yourself for how things turned out. But now you''ve got a choice. Either you let this Nightwatch guy slip away, or you reach out and try to make it right. That''s your call." Emma raised her eyes, barely able to meet Nadia''s gaze. "What if he decides to boost his reputation by posting screenshots of my¡­ desperate messages? Like, what if he shares them on Instaflick or Chirper? Or, hell, makes it a viral trend?" Jenna, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, raised an eyebrow at that. "Wait, hold up. You deleted the messages, right?" "Yeah, but that doesn''t mean he didn''t screenshot them before I did¡­" Emma sounded a little frustrated as she continued. "Remember what happened to Foxgirl last month? That whole sextape thing with that lame ass, The Peak? That got leaked because someone saved screenshots." Jenna''s face twisted for a moment as she remembered. "Oh¡­ right. The one where The Peak sprayed a fat can of whipped cream into her¡­" She stopped, staring at Emma in surprise, as if she hadn''t already watched the video over twenty times. It was the first adult content to be voted the most popular superhero video of the month, and Foxgirl even received an award for it. "¡­And waited for her to squirt it out so she could¡ª" "Yeah, that one." Emma let out a little perverted chuckle. Jenna laughed and shook her head. "Foxgirl is a freakin'' legend. But hey, at least she''s making money off it, right?" "Yeah, she opened a FansOnly account. I mean, I''d never do that but I do watch most of her content there." "I don''t blame you, Foxgirl is hot." "Yeahh, but I mostly watch it because you know¡­ I don''t want to be clueless in bed when I''m with Nightwa-, I mean, when I''m with my man." "Uh-huh, I see you." Nadia slammed her palms to her ears as her face reddened in deep shame. "Can we please stop talking about porn now?!" Emma snapped her fingers and got her focus back. "Right. Back to the main issue. What do I do about Nightwatch? Do I leave him on block, or should I try to talk things out? Do I really want to know how he feels about me after everything I sent?" Nadia stood up, moved toward Emma, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I''m sure your heart already knows the answer. But you''re too set on using your brain to make a decision. Just listen to yourself, Emma." "Fair enough." Emma exhaled deeply then slumped her shoulders. "Maybe I''ll unblock him. But what if he just doesn''t care? What if he just laughs at me?" She stared at her phone, lost in thought for a moment. Nadia looked at her with a soft smile. "You''ll never know until you try. And hey, if he laughs, at least you''ll know that the guy can take a joke." Jenna grinned and added, "Exactly. You''ve gotta at least give him a chance to redeem himself. Maybe he''s got a thing for desperate women." "You two are ridiculous." Emma threw her hands up in exasperation, but a small laugh escaped her lips. They didn''t have all the answers, but together, they could at least face whatever came next. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Scott stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash over him as he rubbed shampoo into his hair. The citrusy scent mixed with the steam, filling the bathroom with a fresh, earthy smell. He tilted his head back, enjoying the soothing feel of the water on his muscles. As he relaxed, his mind wandered to Miss Mercury. ¡ºBut what''s the whole point of her blocking me? I mean, the best way to handle her perverted side wouldn''t be to support or encourage it in any sense¡­ that''s why I said what I said, but I thought she''d come around sooner.¡» The sound of the water splashing against the tiles swept his ears, and for a moment, he tried to block out the thoughts of uncertainty. He had no choice but to wait. He''d waited this long already, right? --- Down the hall in the bedroom¡­ Gwen was finally tangible again. She materialized in a subtle shimmer as her body slowly solidifying from the mist she had been hiding in. Her eyes flickered over to Scott''s phone, lying innocently on his dresser, next to his discarded boxer shorts and sweaty tank top. Gwen''s heart raced. ¡ºNow''s your chance, Gwendolyn. Don''t back out now.¡» Gwen paused for a moment as her eyes shifted nervously between the phone and the tank top. Then, as if something pushed her forward, she walked over to his boxer shorts. Her fingers shook a little as she picked them up and her hot breath caught in her throat. ¡ºJust one little sniff¡­ one¡­¡» Her body leaned forward, and her nose brushed against the fabric. The familiar, musky scent of Scott''s sweat hit her nostrils immediately. She inhaled deeply, letting the earthy, masculine scent drowned her senses. A rush of warmth flooded her body as she closed her eyes and pressed the shorts harder against her face. Like she wanted to eat it. "Ahhhnnn~ ? it''s freshly worn ??¡­" A desperate moan slipped out of her lips. "Ugh¡­ just like I imagined¡­" She murmured, feeling her legs tremble beneath her as she fought the growing heat in her chest. "I could get hooked on this~ ?!" She pressed the boxer shorts against her face again and her body involuntarily swayed as she took another deep sniff. This time, her knees buckled, and she pressed her thighs together, trying to hold herself steady. But as the warm water continued to pour down on Scott, something strange caught his ear. A sound- soft, almost rhythmic¡­ Like someone was¡­ breathing? Scott furrowed his brow as his fingers still massaged the shampoo into his hair. He paused, his head tilting slightly as he strained his ears. The sound came again. A small, almost breathless moan. ¡­ AWWHNNN~ ??! Scott''s eyes widened. ¡ºThose are the same sounds I heard last night¡­ just a little bit¡­ louder?¡» He quickly turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist before hurrying to the door. His hand gripped the doorknob as his heart pounded. ¡ºWhat the hell was going on?¡» He swung the door open. And there, in front of him, was Gwen. Her face was flushed and her eyes were wide with panic. She was bent over slightly, her nose buried in his boxer shorts, inhaling them like her life depended on it. The sight was so absurd, so unexpected, that for a moment, Scott could only stare in disbelief. "Okay, what¡­ the flip?" Chapter 35 Preparations I Gwen froze in place and her whole body stiffened like a deer staring down a car''s headlights.She looked up at him and her eyes grew even wider. For a moment, it felt like everything around them just stopped. Her mouth opened, but no words came out right away. "Gwen?" Scott still didn''t know how to react. Gwen''s face turned a deeper shade of red and her breath quickened. She shot up straight, holding the boxer shorts in front of her like a shield as her heart hammered in her chest. "I-, It''s not what you think! I¡­ I swear!" She stammered in such a high-pitched voice. "I''m just, um, smelling them, y'' know, to see if they need to be washed! Yes, that''s it!" She pressed the fabric against her nose again, taking another sniff- this time, more dramatically. "See?" She somehow fought the urge to enjoy its scent. "I just wanted to check, like, a¡­ a responsible housemate!" Her eyes darted around, desperate to find an escape from the mess she''d found herself in. "How dare you accuse an innocent angel like me of something so indecent!" She let out a small squeak and shook the boxer shorts in her hand with a bit too much enthusiasm. The words tumbled out of her as she struggled to suppress the moan of enjoyment rising in her throat. Scott blinked. His eyes were still wide. But now, they narrowed with suspicion. "Wait¡­ so you'' re telling me¡­" He pointed at her. "¡­that you''re smelling my¡­ gym shorts to see if they need washing after a serious exercise?" Gwen''s face turned bright red as she trembled. ¡ºWhy''s he even making such a big deal out of it?! Any guy would be glad that he has a pretty girl sniffing his boxers and doing questionable things with his tank top, right? RIGHT?!¡» She opened her mouth, ready to explain, but no words came out. Instead, she just stood there, clutching the boxer shorts like some embarrassing trophy. Any sense of composure she had was gone, and all she could do was imagine the universe laughing at her misfortune. Scott looked like he couldn''t decide whether to laugh, shout, or just walk away. His mouth opened and closed a few times, like he was struggling to find the right thing to say. In the end, he cleared his throat, still staring at her with a look that screamed, [Are you serious right now?] "Well¡­ I gotta admit, Gwen, you''ve got an¡­ interesting way of handling laundry¡­" He sounded very dry. Gwen squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment and her body shook slightly. "Shut up, Scott. It''s not funny." Scott raised his hands in fake surrender. "Alright, alright. Just¡­ please, never do that again." He turned his back to her and adjusted the towel around his waist as he sighed. Gwen huffed, still clutching his boxer shorts as she stood frozen in place. "This is what I get for trying to be responsible¡­" She looked away in shame. Scott walked over to the counter and picked up his facial cleanser, acting like nothing unusual had just happened. He squeezed the tube without a second thought, pouring a good amount into his hand. "There we go¡­" Looking over at Gwen, he saw her still standing there, frozen like a deer in headlights, holding his boxer shorts as if they were some sort of ransom note. "Sure, Gwen¡­" He said, sounding very nonchalant. "You''re being responsible, I get it." He flashed her a sarcastic grin. "While you''re at it, you should also return my tank top. You know, the one you ''borrowed'' last night. Might as well wash that too, if you''re going full-on responsible housemate mode." There was such heavy mockery in his voice. Enough that Gwen could feel it. It was clear he hadn''t just said that on a whim; he was completely sure. Her eyes widened in shock. She froze for a moment, then quickly glanced down at the clothes in her hands, as if they had suddenly come to life. Her cheeks turned a deep red. ¡ºHe knows about the tank top¡­¡» She could barely keep up with her own thoughts as she stood up with the items in hand, her palms sweaty. She forced herself to look at Scott. "I''ll wash them, but not because you told me to!" She blurted out very defensively, trying to salvage what little dignity she had left. Ignoring her attempt to save face, Scott just shrugged. "Whatever¡­ just make sure they''re clean when I get ''em back, okay?" He leaned against the counter, casually washing his face with the cleanser. It was the best way to avoid the current awkwardness. Gwen turned to leave, gripping the boxer shorts and his tank top in her hands, but as she started to walk away, her brain did a mental double-take. ¡ºWait. His phone¡­ will he notice it''s gone?¡» She could feel the weight of it¡ªScott''s phone was wrapped up in the tank top. She cursed herself silently. ¡ºHe''s gonna notice. He''s gonna fuckin'' notice!¡» Just then, Scott''s eyes went to the corner. "Stop¡­" Scott''s voice broke through her thoughts. Gwen''s stomach dropped like a stone as the blood drained from her face. Her legs froze in place, and she turned, already ready to apologize before he even said anything. "I-, I didn''t mean to take it, I swear! I just wanted to©¤©¤!" But Scott cut her off, not even looking at her as he threw a small laundry bag at her. The bag collided with her face with a satisfying thwack, and Gwen''s heart nearly stopped in surprise. Her nostrils flared in frustration, but she knew better than to raise a scene right now. She really wanted to shout at him. Her face was turning bright red, and she could almost feel steam coming out of her nostrils. But she held back, knowing that if she lost her temper, Scott would probably bring up her suspicious sniffing of his gym clothes. ¡ºDamn it!¡» She knew he was aware of that & used it to his advantage. Scott smiled smugly at Gwen. "Those ones are really sweaty¡­" If only he knew he was tormenting Gwen with a good time. She let out a long sigh as her breath escaped through her nose like hot air slowly leaking from a balloon. With a strained smile, she picked up the laundry bag. "Fine. I''ll make sure to wash every single one of these." Scott didn''t even glance over as he applied the cleanser to his face. "Good girl. Don''t sniff ''em all in one place¡­ kehahaha!" "Son of a¡­" Gwen''s stomach did a backflip, and she couldn''t help but feel a strange warmth spread through her chest at his praise. Was she into that stuff? ¡ºWhatever¡­¡» There was no time to linger on it. ¡ºI''ll show him¡­¡» Gwen''s face squeezed like a crumpled piece of paper. However, Scott wasn''t interested in knowing why. "Now scram. I''m about to strip." He said in words not quite as kind as before. Gwen''s eyes went wide and her mind briefly flashed to the thought of seeing him naked. ¡ºA naked Scott¡­¡» The thought alone made between her legs hot. "Okay!" She tried to sound casual, but inside, her mind was spinning with a thousand perverted thoughts. As she walked toward the door, though, something strange stopped her in her tracks. She couldn''t resist the temptation. Slowly, carefully, she peeked around the door frame. There he was¡ªScott, towel wrapped around his waist, looking at himself in the mirror, unaware of her prying eyes. She saw his bare back as he lowered the towel. Her breath jammed in her throat, and for a brief moment, Gwen allowed herself to indulge in the view. And then, just as she thought she had the perfect angle to see everything, Scott turned and instantly caught her from the corner of his eye. His face contorted in disgust, and before she knew it, the bottle of facial cleanser flew through the air, aiming directly at her. "CRAZY BITCH! GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Gwen barely managed to shut the door in time and the bottle crashed against the wood with a loud thud. She pressed her back against the door then let out a breath she didn''t realize she was holding. ¡ºDamn it, damn it, damn it!¡» Her face was on fire, but not from embarrassment¡­ Oh no, from pure, unfiltered frustration. ¡ºI was so close! Fuck it, I wanted to see his peen so bad. With the way he looks I''m sure he''s packing!¡» She bit her fingernail as she leaned against the door. ¡ºNext time, next time I''ll do more than see it, tch!¡» --- Hours later¡­ Gwen was in her room, lying on her bed with Scott''s clothes scattered around her like a crime scene. She buried her face in his gym clothes, inhaling the familiar musky scent that sent waves of weird comfort through her. But that wasn''t the reason she was there. No, she had his phone, and she was determined to find something¡ªanything¡ªto confirm her suspicions. She flipped through his Chirper, Chatterbox, and Instaflick accounts, looking for anything that hinted at another woman. The Miss Mercury chats that should''ve been there weren''t. She frowned. ¡ºNothing? Not even a hint?¡» But then, a smile spread across her face. ¡ºSo he really is clean. Maybe¡­ maybe I''m actually his number one choice.¡» She let out a little sigh of relief as she relaxed. She was about to throw the phone aside when suddenly, the front camera snapped a picture of her. ¡ºSHIT!¡» The flash hit her like a bullet, and before she could do anything, a caption popped up on the screen: [Desperate childhood friend looking for serious attention, jeez (£­?£­)] Gwen''s entire face turned a shade of red that could rival a tomato. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" She shouted as she scrambled to delete the photo. But it was too late. The phone locked itself and shut down. "Haha, I''m fucked¡­" Her hands froze. She stared at the phone for a moment, then tossed it across the room, feeling both anger and shame. "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK©¤©¤!" She grabbed her hair, pulling it in frustration, but all she could think about was that damn caption, taunting her, mocking her every move. --- Scott leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he looked at the TV-TW wristwatch on his arm. It was synced with his phone, giving him full control over it. He gently tapped the device''s smooth surface, and on the small screen, Gwen''s flustered, red-faced panic appeared. She looked like a helpless rat trapped in a corner, holding her phone as if it might blow up at any second. He found it amusing that Gwen was so panicked about the possibility of a third woman in his life. He also liked how determined she was to uncover the truth, even going as far as sneaking into his room and stealing his phone to find answers. Or maybe it was the fact that, all along, she''d been trying to seduce him while they were staying here, hoping to get him to act on her advances. ¡ºI''m not clueless about how she feels, not at all. I''ve known since the moment she came back. But honestly, I think I''ve always known that Gwen liked me, even back when she rejected me. I figured if I told her I liked her too, maybe we''d actually be something. But this is Gwen we''re talking about. She''s almost two years older than me, but she can be so childish. If I tell her how I feel again, it''ll just give her more reasons to doubt herself. She has to figure out her own feelings for me and tell me how she really feels. I''ll be more than happy to accept her when she does.¡» Regardless, he was enjoying it all. Especially the caption he''d written to tease her. [Desperate childhood friend looking for serious attention, jeez (£­?£­)] It was just too good. "Perfect¡­" he muttered under his breath. This would keep Gwen off his back for a little while. She''d be too embarrassed to bother him for at least a few hours. He stared at her embarrassed face in the holographic image from his high-tech wristwatch. Oddly enough, he couldn''t stop smiling at her beauty. ¡ºI swear, I need more normal women in my life. Seriously, the guys on Threadit all say that if their girl isn''t crazy about them, they don''t want her. But I bet they haven''t met Gwen or Miss Mercury, have they?¡» He turned off his wristwatch and focused on the scattered weapon parts on his workbench. Scott rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Alright, time to get back to work." He pushed himself off the chair. He was in Grace''s husband''s workshop, a place he rarely used, so it was a cluttered mess of disassembled tech, tools, and unfinished projects. On the table in front of him were parts of Shockstrike''s cybernetic arm, still shiny with oil, and plasma turrets from the E-Porner incident. He leaned in closer to examine the parts closely, like a hunter sizing up his prey. "Let''s see¡­ I''m definitely finishing the Taser Knuckles and Shock Gloves by tonight." Scott muttered, already starting to move parts around. "But this Vibroblade¡­ hrmm, this one''s gonna take a bit longer¡­ probably until I get back home." He grabbed his shirt from the back of the chair and quickly pulled it on. He glanced back at the workbench with narrowed eyes. ¡ºTime to make some real progress.¡» He reached over and grabbed a pair of safety gloves that slid on with ease. Then, he picked up a small green chip with a pair of tweezers and held it up to his eyes. The chip had survived the explosion that had vaporized Shockstrike''s body. Luckily for Scott, Shockstrike''s cybernetic arm had been strong enough to survive the blast. Scott frowned slightly as he examined the tiny device. "The arm held up well, huh? Too bad I didn''t get any answers from Shockstrike before he¡­ well, went boom. But this chip¡­ I''m sure there''s something useful on here. Should have information on Black Mechanica." He paused and rubbed his chin again as he carefully placed the chip under a magnifying glass. "The only problem is¡­ the blast probably short-circuited it. Gonna need to run some reflow soldering to fix it, but I don''t have my tools with me." His eyes shifted toward the corner of the room where his gear was packed away. "Looks like that''ll have to wait. Damn." Scott set the tweezers down with a soft clink and reached for a syringe on the table. The liquid inside was a rich brown color, and the label read LPV-7 in bold letters. "Great. Another mystery¡­" he sighed. He held the syringe up then turned it in the light. "I told the System to run a scan on this thing, but it''s still not giving me anything." He spoke to the air, half-expecting the System to answer. "Any luck?" he asked, a little hopeful. The voice of the System''s robotic voice answered: [Scanning complete. 40% of data retrieved. Preliminary findings indicate that it''s a product of pyrolysis.] Scott raised an eyebrow at this. "Pyrolysis? That''s the heating of organic material in the absence of oxygen, right?" He shook his head. "So what''s in this syringe¡­ probably not something I want to inject, huh? Like poison or something?" [Probable. Initial traces suggest high levels of wood content. LPV-7 is definitely a bio-oil compound.] S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott''s lips twitched into a smile. "Bio-oil, huh? So this stuff is made from organic material, probably some kind of plant-based extract. I don''t know, but something doesn''t sit right with me about this. It''s not just normal bio-oil, though, is it?" [Not normal. High concentration of cellulose suggests a highly specialized formulation. Unknown applications.] Scott squinted at the syringe. "Hmm¡­ well, if it''s not just normal bio-oil, then it''s something else entirely¡­" He leaned back on the workbench and quietly tapped his finger on the surface as the gears in his head turned. "Wait¡­ Elena. I don''t want to believe all that vampire nonsense exists, but she kinda looked like one." He froze mid-thought. His eyes snapped open. "Elena¡­ Shockstrike¡­ Black Mechanica¡­ Is it possible that they actually have a way to kill or poison her? This bio-oil¡­ wood¡­ shit¡­ wood''s a vampire weakness. Could this stuff actually be a weapon against her?" He was well aware that incorporating fictional weaknesses into the real world was a gamble, but this wasn''t the usual vampire stuff. Something about this bio-oil felt different. And if what the System said was true¡­ there might be something lethal hidden in that syringe. Scott set the syringe down carefully, then grabbed his goggles from the table and slid them over his eyes. "Alright, enough of this. Time to get to work¡­" He reached for his tools. His mind, however, wasn''t entirely on the weapons he was building anymore. With a final glance at the syringe, he made a decision. "System, make an announcement for the stream. Tell everyone I''ll be going on a little hunt at 8 p.m. tonight. They need to be ready." The System''s voice was almost too prompt. [Understood. Stream announcement has been prepared.] Scott nodded. "Good. Now, let''s get to work on these new combat tech upgrades. Bring me everything you know on nanomechanical actuators and electroshock technology." [Affirmative!] Right away, the System flooded him with a bunch of screens showing detailed information and blueprints for different kinds of tech he could create using the parts he collected from his last two encounters. With that, Scott rubbed his hands and breathed out softly. "Wonderful¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ In Emma''s spacious living room, the four of them¡ªEmma, Nadia, Jenna, and Marcus¡ªwere gathered in front of the enormous flat-screen TV, battling it out in the newest edition of Turbo Racer X. It was their way of relaxing after a long day, and things were getting pretty heated. Marcus sat on the edge of the couch, completely focused, clutching his controller tightly like the game''s outcome really mattered. His little racer zipped around the track, dodging obstacles with ease and leaving the AI drivers in the dust. Jenna wasn''t far behind, though. "HAHA! I''m on your ass now, kid! Better not choke now!" She leaned forward, her grip on the controller so tight her knuckles were turning white. Her car swerved and darted through the crowded track with incredible accuracy, sticking close behind Marcus, just barely missing her chance to overtake him. "As if I''d lose to an old hag!" Marcus laughed loudly. Jenna raised an eyebrow but didn''t break her focus. "Oh, you''ve got a smart mouth, huh?" With a flick of her thumb, she activated her car''s boosters and sent it rocketing past Marcus in a blur of flames and sparks. "Mama''s winning tonight!" "What the©¤©¤?!" Marcus yelled, watching Jenna''s car streak ahead. Meanwhile, on the other end of the couch, Emma and Nadia were in shambles. Their cars slammed into walls, flipped over barriers, and somehow managed to fall off the track entirely, despite being in last place. Tears streamed down Nadia''s face as she gasped for air between fits of laughter. "I-, I can''t even see where I am anymore!" Gripping her controller like it was a lifeline, Emma screamed as her car was overtaken by yet another computer-controlled racer. "HOW IS EASY MODE THIS HARD?!" "Skill issue¡­" Marcus quipped without looking away from the screen. The final lap ended in a dramatic finish. Jenna''s car crossed the line in first place, complete with a dazzling fireworks display on the screen. She jumped to her feet with her arms raised in triumph. "YES! I WIN!" She shouted at the top of her lungs before doing a little victory dance. Emma scowled and gripped her controller tightly. With no warning, she hurled it across the room. ¡­ FWOOOSH! It sailed through the air like a homing missile and smacked Marcus square in the face. "OW! WHAT THE HELL?!" Marcus yelled, rubbing his cheek. "I didn''t even win! Why''d you hit me?!" He spun around to glare at her. Jenna and Nadia stared at Emma, their mouths slightly open. "Emma¡­" Jenna said. "¡­that was¡­ kinda too much." Nadia completed. Emma crossed her arms then pouted. "Well, he made a stupid face, and I thought I''d adjust it a bit." Jenna sighed and patted Marcus on the head. "Don''t worry, kid. I''ll get you the limited edition premium pack. The one with the chrome skins and DLC." Marcus''s eyes widened. "Really?!" "Definitely¡­" Jenna said with a wink. "But first, go grab us some water. Chop-chop." "On it, ma''am!" Marcus grinned and ran off to the kitchen. As soon as Marcus disappeared, Emma flopped back on the couch and grabbed her phone. She opened Chirper, scrolling through her feed mindlessly. But then she stopped and her heart skipped a beat. Pinned at the top of her feed was a post from Nightwatch. [@NightwatchOfficial: The hunt begins at 8 p.m. Stay sharp, Meteor City.] The comments below were a chaotic storm of reactions: [Finally! Been waiting all week for this!] ©¸ [Same, I''d sacrifice my son for more Nightwatch content!] ©¸ [Such a valid answer!] [Hope you donated those crime-stopping donations to charity like you promised, Nightwatch!] ©¸ [Of course he did! Are you trying to call my glorious king some kind of thief?!] ©¸ [Holy glaze ????¡­] ©¸ [I swear y''all call anything glaze these days¡­] ©¸ [Sure buddy, zip his pants when you''re done (???)] [Bro, it''s 7:45. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR 15 MINUTES?!] ©¸ [I just beat my meat¡­] ©¸ [Naw, recreational meat beating is crazy work ????] ©¸ [Might as well beat my meat while my wife''s in giving birth since she won''t let me go catch the game.] ©¸ [Bro does NOT have a wife ????????] [You''re still in Meteor City, right? Not like we can keep up with all your moves, but just curious.] [Lmao, what do we even do today? Sit around and watch some streamers talk about their lunch for 4 hours? Boring.] ©¸ [Yeah, sure thing, Karen (? _ ?)] ©¸ [Bro has probably only watched The Peak''s streams] [#NightwatchLive > every other lame superhero stream out there!] [Bet this is a setup for merch promos. ????] [Bro, this is the only superhero livestream that''s worth anything. The others are just a bunch of promos and ads. Cringe.] --- Emma''s thumb hovered over the comments section and her eyes darted across the screen. Her mind was almost chaotic. When she finally looked up, she noticed Jenna and Nadia staring at her, smirking like they knew exactly what was on her mind. "What?" Emma asked defensively. "Nothing¡­" Jenna said, barely hiding her grin. "We''re just waiting for you to say it," Nadia added, leaning back with her arms crossed. Emma''s brow furrowed. "Say what?" "You know¡­" Jenna gestured vaguely. "That thing. The ''I''m-not-desperate-but-I''m-absolutely-desperate'' thing." Emma scowled as her face turned red. "Do you two honestly think I''m going to superspeed across Metro City, cover a 350-mile distance to Meteor City, and scour every street and alley looking for some guy I barely know?" Without hesitation, both Jenna and Nadia nodded. Emma groaned loudly and stood up. "Well, you''re absolutely right!" Jenna burst out laughing, nearly doubling over, while Nadia clapped her hands. "You''re so predictable!" Jenna said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Go get him, girl!" Nadia cheered. Emma grabbed her jacket and stormed toward the door, muttering under her breath. "Stupid friends. Stupid Nightwatch. Stupid¡­ sexy, attractive vigilante jerk." As the door slammed behind her, Jenna and Nadia exchanged a look, then dissolved into laughter. "Think she''ll actually find him?" Nadia asked, still giggling. "She''s Emma," Jenna replied, shrugging. "If anyone can pull off something this ridiculous, it''s her." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Unforgivably long chapter, I''m sorry (???¦ä???) Also, LPV-7 was mentioned in chapter 22! Chapter 36 Preparations II ¡­ clak! CLAK!!Footsteps rang out in the dim hallway and the sound bounced off the cold steel walls. Ceral Fitzgerald walked calmly with his hands folded behind his back as he exuded his usual quiet confidence. Beside him, Dr. Greaves kept pace, clutching a stack of papers he''d just given her. Her white lab coat fluttered with each step as she skimmed through the documents with eyes that darted from page to page. ¡­ Hnnn Her brows furrowed as she scanned the pages as her cherry lips pursed in confusion. "Uhh, Ceral¡­" She glanced sideways at him. "What is this? It''s labeled as the United Nations Global Security Initiative, but the contents¡ªthis list¡ª" He didn''t slow down, nor did he glance at her. "That¡­" He paused to let his satisfaction simmer. "¡­is a printout of the UNSGI''s Project Silence Breaker. A little something I thought you''d find interesting." Greaves frowned deeper as her eyes darted back to the documents. "Project Silence Breaker¡­ it holds the names of the twenty-five most wanted assassins globally." Some shock spawned in her usually calm voice. "This was updated two days ago¡­ September 26, 2045. It evaluates these individuals based on their lethality, operational history, and global threat level." She paused and flipped to another page. Her eyes widened. "The top five are marked Flee on Sight. High probability of fatality upon engagement." Her hands trembled slightly as she scanned the neatly typed names, each accompanied by a threat level ranging from Level 1 to Level 5. "This kind of information¡­ this is Level 7 access. It would take millions¡ªmillions¡ªto even acquire it." She stopped walking for a moment and stared at him with wide eyes. "Ceral, how the hell did you©¤©¤?!" Ceral slowed his steps and pulled a sleek remote from his coat pocket. He waved it lazily in front of her as he grinned a little smugly. "Oh, I just called in a favor from some good friends of mine in Russia. Let''s just say their cyber boys owe me a thing or two." For a moment, Greaves simply stared at him, incredulous. Then, she let out a dry chuckle and shook her head. "Of course. As expected of you." She sighed, still clutching the documents. "I don''t even want to know how you pulled this off." Ceral kept walking at a steady and unhurried pace. They were nearing a massive, reinforced metal door now and the flickering bulbs above made it appear oddly ominous. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "You didn''t answer my question earlier, Doctor." She blinked, startled. "What question?" Ceral''s face hardened. "About Elena Vargas." He stopped in front of the door then turned to face her fully. "Are you really fine with having her killed? We could always take a more creative route. Capture her, implant a chip in her brain¡ªan override for neural control. She''d become a soldier. An obedient one." His voice was so calm and detached, as if he were discussing the weather. "I don''t care either way. All I need to know¡­ is that you''re on board." "I¡­" Dr. Greaves froze and clutched the papers tighter. Her jaw tightened, and for a moment, her eyes dropped to the floor. When she finally looked up, there was a storm behind her eyes. "No." She said firmly. "I developed the LPV-7 for a reason. If there''s a time to use it, it''s now. I love Elena. I always will. But that love doesn''t erase the fact that she''s my greatest failure." Her voice wavered, but her intent was clear. "And failures need to be dealt with." She gripped the documents as though they were the only thing keeping her grounded. "I''ll be the one to take responsibility, no ma¡­ no matter how much it hurts." Ceral studied her for a moment. Then, he replied with a slow, approving nod. "Excellent. I''ve already got people on the job." Before she could respond, the massive door groaned and parted open to reveal a darkened room bathed in the cold glow of dozens of monitors. Each screen displayed looping footage of Nightwatch in action¡ªfighting, running, scheming. The vigilante''s every move dissected, studied, replayed endlessly. At the center of the room stood a figure clad in pitch-black tactical gear, his silhouette sharp and menacing under the dim light. His high-tech helmet gleamed faintly, and a dark hood obscured the rest of his features. The air around him felt suffocating, an oppressive aura that made Greaves instinctively take a step back. In the middle of the room stood a figure dressed in all-black tactical gear. His silhouette was sharp and menacing under the dim light. The visor of his high-tech helmet glowed a deadly red, and a dark hood obscured the rest of his features. The air around him felt so suffocating, an aura so oppressive that it made Dr. Greaves instinctively take a step back as cold sweat crawled down the back of her neck. Ceral gestured toward him with a smirk. "Recognize him?" Greaves didn''t respond. She was too captivated by the terrifying figure. She swallowed hard. "Who¡­ who is he?" "Look at number six¡­" Ceral said casually then nodded toward the papers in her hands. Her fingers scrambled to flip through the pages. Soon, she found it. [Name: Grave. Threat Level: 5. Bounty: $30 million¡­] Her head snapped up. "That''s¡­ Grave?" "The one and only¡­" Ceral confirmed, sounding very smug. "He''s going to be the one to exterminate the little rat problem we''ve been dealing with." Greaves''s mouth opened, but no words came out. She could only stare at Grave, who remained eerily still as his focus remained on the monitors. Ceral chuckled at her reaction. Then, he pointed toward a shadowy corner of the room. "And over there¡­ is Trickshot." Greaves squinted, barely making out a scruffy figure slumped in a chair, dressed in a stained and rumpled trench coat. The man snored loudly as a nearly empty bottle of whiskey dangled precariously from his hand. "Twenty-third deadliest assassin in the world. Threat Level: 3. Bounty: $7 million. Charming, isn''t he?" Ceral spoke very dryly. The stench of alcohol wafted toward them, and Dr. Greaves quickly wrinkled her nose. "Charming¡­" She said flatly. Her unimpressed tone earned a quiet laugh from Ceral. Turning back to Grave, Ceral''s expression went serious. "Ready?" Grave didn''t respond immediately. He lifted a long, sharp bullet in his gloved hand and examined it under the light. The words Nightwatch 2045 were engraved along its surface¡­ a chilling epitaph. Without looking at Ceral, Grave''s voice rumbled, low and cold. "Just say the word¡­ and the boy is dead." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Jenna and Nadia stood in Emma''s changing room, their mouths slightly open as they took in the sheer size of it. The room was huge, with wardrobes lining one wall, shining softly in the light. Small, automated vacuum cleaners moved quietly across the rich carpet, working tirelessly. The space was so large, it almost felt like they were in a luxury hotel suite, not just a place to change clothes. "Wow¡­" Nadia muttered as her eyes scanned the room. "This place is huge. How does she even¡ª?" Jenna broke in with a nostalgic sigh. "I know, right? It''s been a while since I''ve been up here. I almost forgot just how big this place is. It''s definitely twice the size of an average classroom, maybe?" Nadia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Three times, just to be sure. I mean, look at all these wardrobes. It''s like a boutique in here." Jenna let out a low whistle then leaned against one of the cabinets. "I mean, it''s not like we didn''t know Emma racks in about $120 million a year." Nadia blinked and turned to her friend with a curious expression. "Yeah, but she''s not exactly the flaunting type. Well¡­ most of the time at least. Still blows my mind." Jenna raised an eyebrow, a sly grin forming. "Pssssh, oh please¡­ you act like you haven''t heard of that kind of money before." Nadia threw her hands up defensively as she laughed "Okay, okay, you got me. But really, we''re lucky if we pull in a fraction of what she makes! We''re established pharmacists, not high-rolling moguls." Jenna slapped her palm against her face with a dramatic sigh. "Not that, Nadia. I''m talking about your dad. Doesn''t he have an $800 million house in Miami? You know, the one with the whole private beach? The mansion?" Nadia winced, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "Ugh, don''t remind me. My Baba can be very extravagant when it comes to spending. Honestly, I''m still ashamed to use my surname when I''m out shopping for high-end stuff. Makes me feel like the price of everything goes up just because they know who I am." Jenna snickered and crossed her arms. "I remember that time you forgot to use your alias. They found out who you were, and suddenly, the prices shot up by 30%! It was so ridiculous, they even threw in a special charge for ''exclusive customer treatment.'' Friggin'' hilarious." Nadia groaned as she hid her face behind her hands. "Please, don''t bring it up. I''m still recovering from that." The sound of footsteps broke their conversation, and they both turned to see Emma entering the changing room. Her shapely body was wrapped in a towel while her hair wet clung to her smooth, slender shoulders. She gave them an awkward smile, clearly a little flustered. "Sorry I took so long¡­" Emma apologized as she stepped closer. "I don''t want to smell funny when I''m around him, but I''m wondering if I used enough shampoo¡­ you know how it is." Jenna sighed then rolled her eyes playfully. "Emma, all that''s unnecessary. We''re here to work, not scrub you down for some fancy date. Come on, sit. We''ve got a lot to do." Emma nodded eagerly, like a child excited for an afternoon of pampering, and took a seat in front of the wide mirror that stretched across the changing room. Nadia moved to grab the facial masks, while Jenna rummaged through the small cabinet for hair products. As Nadia applied a soothing, light facial treatment to Emma''s skin, Jenna began to work on her hair, massaging a leave-in conditioner with gentle strokes. "So¡­" Nadia started with a more than casual tone. "Emma, you do know what you''re doing, right? This isn''t just about looking good. We''re also trying to keep you from saying something weird when you finally meet Nightwatch." Emma blinked at her, a little thrown off. "Weird?" Jenna nodded firmly as her hands skillfully worked through Emma''s damp hair. "Yeah, you''ve done this before. Gotten nervous around a guy and started spitting out the weirdest things. Remember that one time you tried to talk about your ''online shopping habits'' and¡ª" "Jenna!" Emma''s face turned a shade of pink that rivaled her towel. "Don''t remind me!" Nadia couldn''t help but laugh, giving Emma''s cheek a playful pinch. "We''re just saying, avoid talking about anything that could make him cringe, like¡­ you know¡­ certain types of videos." Emma''s eyes widened in realization, and she immediately covered her face with her hands. "I swear, I''m not doing that again! I''ve learned my lesson. No more awkward conversations." Jenna gave her a pointed look, still dressing Emma''s hair with an iron comb. "Listen, we''ve seen Nightwatch''s physique enough to know that when he''s up close, he''s going to be hot¡ªlike, scalding hot. So, don''t lose your focus, alright? Stay cool. Don''t start tripping over your words." Emma groaned and flopped back in the chair dramatically. "I know, I know! But what if I start sweating? What if I panic? He''s a vigilante, Jenna! An actual hero! He''s gorgeous!" Nadia smirked as she finished the facial treatment, gently tapping Emma''s cheek. "Well, good thing you''re getting this facial then. It''s going to highlight your face in that gloomy Meteor City atmosphere. We''re going for a soft, youthful glow. Nothing too flashy, just¡­ you." Jenna turned back to Emma with a raised eyebrow. "And seriously, don''t start rambling about your obsession with the Nightwatch. He''ll definitely notice. Just talk about normal things¡ªyour favorite pizza place, or I don''t know, your favorite movie." Nadia shot her a teasing glance. "Just¡­ no ''intense'' superhero fandom stuff, alright? Don''t start quoting random lines from his streams or whatever." "I''m not that bad!" Emma puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. "Please¡­" Jenna said then laughed a bit before she continued. "Remember when you met that guy at the bar and went off on a twenty-minute tangent about how Nightwatch''s suit probably had tech upgrades no one knew about?" Emma groaned again. "That was one time, and I was just trying to make conversation!" Nadia and Jenna shared a knowing look before breaking into giggles, leaving Emma to mutter under her breath as she sat back in the chair. Jenna was still laughing. "Well¡­ just don''t embarrass yourself when you finally see him. Keep it cool. You''re going to be fine." "Alright, alright. I''ll keep it together." Emma rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. The trio settled into a comfortable silence as Nadia and Jenna got to work as the gentle hum of the vacuum cleaners blended with their quiet conversation. "DONE! BEAT YOU TO IT, NADIA!" "It''s not a competition, Jenna¡­" "Kahaha, that''s what losers say!" "Tch, always so competitive." Emma''s hair was finally styled, and her skin had a healthy glow that radiated a youthful charm, the perfect balance between simple beauty and confidence. "Ready for your big night, Em?" Nadia asked with a grin. "Mhm!" Emma looked at herself in the mirror as her heart raced with excitement. She straightened her posture and looked a bit taller, but she still felt quite nervous. ¡ºI hope he''ll like this version of me¡­¡» She pressed her tender, cherry lips together. --- Emma adjusted her towel with a quick flick of her wrist, feeling the soft fabric slide across her skin. ¡ºOkay, I got this. Just¡­ don''t freak out.¡» She glanced over her shoulder and caught Nadia''s eyes before turning towards the far corner of the room. She had a particular spot in mind. As she walked toward it, she couldn''t help but notice Nadia''s eyes subtly shift lower. "Hey, Emma¡­" Nadia said, almost too casually. "Yeah?" "You might want to cut back on the cupcakes a bit, yeah?" Nadia''s words hit the air with a bite, though her expression remained innocently sweet. Emma froze. She looked back over her shoulder and her face flushed as she grabbed her butt protectively. "R-, Really©¤©¤?!" "Yeah, just a little¡­" Nadia giggled. Emma blinked as her brow furrowed slightly. ¡ºIf it was Jenna saying this, I''d be on high alert. But Nadia¡­ she wouldn''t joke about something like that. Whatever, I''ll just run it off on my way to Meteor City¡­¡» A slight chuckle escaped her lips. But, she was still concerned. "Okay, I get it. No more cupcakes for me." Nadia raised an eyebrow but didn''t push the matter further, and her lips curled into a subtle smile as she let the moment hang. But before Emma could make another move, Jenna suddenly spoke. "Hey, Emma¡­ you still have that serious contract with MegaCorp, right?" "Yeah, I just renewed it for another four years." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma didn''t have to think twice. "Although, I did get another offer from a bigger company, but¡­ I''m okay where I am for now." It''s not like she''d been doing it for the money. Jenna suddenly gave her a look as she folded her arms. "That''s not exactly what I was getting at, Em. As a hero of MegaCorp, stationed in Metro City by the Hero Agency¡ªdon''t you think it''d be a bit of a problem if you were off doing a stream with Nightwatch? You know, the unregistered vigilante that''s basically hated in the market right now?" Nadia nodded in agreement. "Jenna''s right. If MegaCorp found out about that, and the Hero Agency¡ªit might make them look pretty incompetent." Emma gave them both a sly grin. "Don''t worry about that¡­" Not even a single hint of worry crossed her pretty face. She pulled open the panel to reveal a hidden compartment in the wall with a sleek, red button in the center. As she pressed it, a soft mechanical whir sounded, and a form-fitting suit began to materialize inside a protective glass casing. "What you''re forgetting is that I''m prepared for situations like this." She confidently pressed a finger to her cherry lips. Jenna raised an eyebrow, curious now. "Oh yeah? How?" Emma''s fingers tapped the surface of the casing lightly and a soft hiss escaped as the glass slid open to reveal a sleek, dark and ash suit that gleamed under the changing room lights. "This¡­" Emma dramatically motioned to the suit. "¡­is a custom design. My main suit costs somewhere between $15 to $20 million. But this one¡­" She paused for effect. "This one only set me back around $8 million. Got some guys in MegaCorp''s tech department to make it for me. They''ve got a huge crush on me, so¡­ I might''ve, uh, used that to my advantage." Jenna''s mouth dropped open in fake disbelief. If only she could hide the smirk on her face. "You''re cruel, Emma. You really know how to work them." Emma just shrugged. "What can I say? A girl''s gotta do what a girl''s gotta do." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott studied the holographic display of his completed devices projected from his wristwatch. "Shock Gloves and Taser Knuckles completed¡­" He sounded very tired. If someone touched him, he''d probably collapse. [The Electroshock Arsenal has been upgraded. I have taken the liberty of incorporating a Stage-2 Nano-Shift Transformer to enhance integration with your combat suit. You now possess over ten features within your Electroshock Arsenal, including the Shock Gloves and Taser Knuckles.] Scott''s lips curled into a smirk as he flicked his wrist again and swiped through the expanded feature list. His eyes glided over the holographic representations of the devices. Each one was displayed as a perfectly calibrated piece of technology, seamlessly linked together in a deadly arsenal. The Taser Knuckles were joined by upgrades Scott had only dreamed of¡ªthings like the Arc Blades, Electroshock Chakrams, and even a handful of subversive microtech electro-mines for surprise ambushes. He couldn''t help but admire the sheer complexity. "Holy shit, that''s awesome!" [Appreciated, Master Scott. I''ve also started the integration of an Arc System into your suit. It will allow you to control much higher levels of electricity, making your Electroshock Arsenal even more effective.] The System''s tone was almost proud, as if it were a partner in the work. Scott raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to the screen, watching as it flickered for a moment to reveal the blueprints for the Arc System. Sparks of energy crackled through the design, and Scott could almost feel the rush of power ready to flow through him. It was exciting, but at the same time¡­ a little terrifying. "Perfect timing¡­" Scott said as he rubbed his hands together. [Integration will be completed in approximately fifteen minutes.] Scott didn''t flinch at the wait. "I can wait. I''ve got a little time." He glanced at the wall-mounted clock. "About five minutes before I go live, huh?" He leaned back against a wall and exhaled with relief. "I should head out before Gwen sees me¡­" Chapter 37 Toxic Stream! Scott stepped out of the workshop and shut the door.The cool night air brushed against his face, though the rest of his body felt oddly encased. The oversized suit he wore groaned slightly with each movement, clearly too large for his frame. He glanced down at the clunky metallic plating and shook his head with mild amusement. "This looks ridiculous¡­" Then came the mask¡ªsleek and angular but also comically oversized. He slid it over his head and the internal systems whirred to life as it locked into place. A soft blue light illuminated the HUD inside. Scott scanned his surroundings cautiously. This area of Meteor City¡ªknown for its upscale, eerily quiet streets¡ªfelt safe enough. No gangs. No shady deals. Just a dead silence punctuated by the distant hum of air purifiers. He tapped the flat metal piece on his chest. The suit responded instantly by hissing softly as it compressed around him, vacuum-sealing like shrink-wrap. In a matter of seconds, the clunky exterior tightened and morphed into a sleek, form-fitting armor that seemed tailor-made for his body. The System''s voice chimed in. [Diagnostics commencing¡­] Data began flooding his HUD: [Height: 5''11"] [Weight: 180 lbs (Suit Enhanced)] [Temperature: 98.6¡ãF] [Breathing Rate: Optimal] [Heart Rate: Steady] [Health Status: Excellent] Scott raised an eyebrow as the analysis concluded. "Huh¡­ never did that before." [Welcome to the Adaptive Tactical Armor Mk IV. Designation: ATAM-4. Upgraded with an Arc System and Electroshock Arsenal. The ATAM-3 suit has been refabricated and stored in the database for future deployment.] "So, what, I can switch back to the ATAM-3 if I want to?" [Correct. The previous model was duplicated before advancing to the current iteration.] Scott nodded as his lips curled into a grin. "Neat." He held out one hand experimentally. "System, deploy Arc Blades." A sharp hum resonated as the plug-like pieces on both wrists lit up like brilliant blue bulbs. In an instant, dual energy blades materialized and crackled with deadly arcs of electricity! The lenses on Scott''s mask shifted and widened slightly as he stared at the weapons in awe. "So cool¡­" [This suit is engineered to adapt to most energy forms, including high-voltage electricity. Excess energy will be absorbed by auxiliary modules and stored for future use. You are effectively immune to electrocution.] Scott chuckled and gave the blades a quick twirl before letting them dissipate into the ether. "Now that''s what I''m talking about." He tapped his wristwatch. [Stream countdown initiated¡­] Five camera drones whirred into position and encircled him with mechanical precision. [Stream begins in 30 seconds.] "Got it." Scott adjusted his posture, preparing for his dramatic entry onto the deserted street. But as he stepped into the open, a familiar voice cut in. "You''re not leaving without me, are you?" Scott froze mid-step. His head snapped toward the source. Gwen stood there, dressed in her skintight white and navy-blue superhero suit, her hood pulled over her head. She looked ready for a fight, arms folded and an infuriatingly smug grin on her face. Scott''s face squeezed beneath the mask. "Gwen, what the hell are you doing here?" She rolled her eyes. "Come on, bruh. You didn''t really think I''d let you handle that crazy Elena chick alone, did you? You need backup. We can be a team, you know?" She started punching air. ¡ºBesides, I don''t trust him around that woman¡­ if he''s sucking any woman''s lips tonight, then it''s mine!¡» There was such a fire in her eyes. Scott''s frown deepened. "No. Go home." "Not happening. You can''t make me." Gwen smirked, clearly unfazed. Scott raised his hands like he was surrendering, then waggled his fingers ominously. "Fine. But don''t blame me when I start touching you inappropriately, alright?" Gwen''s face turned bright red as she gasped theatrically and covered her chest. She was obviously acting. "P-, Please be gentle, senpai!" Scott blinked. "Eh?" Gwen blinked back. "Eh?" "Senpai?" He lifted an eyebrow. She just shrugged. "Meh, this anime I watched." "Uh¡­ oh, I see¡­" "¡­" Then came the silence. It was so heavy and almost suffocating. Neither of them moved. It was as if there was a thick cloud of awkwardness around them. Gwen shifted her weight and started tapping her foot against the ground, while Scott reached up and rubbed the back of his mask, clearly unsure of what to say. Finally, Scott pointed at her dramatically. "You''re still not coming with me." Gwen''s head snapped up and her smug grin returned almost instantly. "And I''m still coming with you!" Before Scott could retort, the System''s voice announced: [Stream initiated. You are now LIVE.] Scott froze and his body locked up as if someone had hit the emergency brakes. His HUD flashed with the words "LIVE" in big, bold letters as the five drones around him adjusted their angles for optimal coverage. His heart skipped a beat. "Crap!" The chat instantly exploded. [FINALLY! NIGHTWATCH IS BACK!] [Haha! The king returns!] [IS THAT NIGHTWATCH? Holy crap, he looks sick in that new suit ¨‘?¨‘ DAMN!] ©¸ [A new suit every stream? Crazy ????] ©¸ [Bro done used our "charity" donations to fund the project for his new suit ( ? _ ? )] [Bruh, this gotta be the cleanest part of Meteor City. Where is this? A simulation?] [Are we just gonna ignore the fact that the city still has working streetlights?] [Who''s the chick? ????] [Man''s about to do a collab stream with his GF? We eating good tonight!] --- ¡ºSHIIIIEEEEEEEET©¤©¤!!¡» Scott couldn''t take his eyes off the hovering camera drones that circled him and Gwen like a mechanical halo. His heart dropped even more. ¡ºOh no.¡» Scott stepped toward Gwen with sudden urgency. Her grin only grew wider as she raised an eyebrow. She was just enjoying messing with him¡­ and of course, spending time with him. "Something wrong?" "Get out!" Scott hissed and grabbed her shoulders as he tried to push her out of the drone''s frame. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gwen planted her heels into the pavement and leaned back, completely unfazed by his attempts. "Dude, chill! What''s the big deal? It''s just a©¤©¤!" "MOVE!" Scott growled more desperately. [LMAO, is this an eviction notice?] [Bro''s having a full-blown domestic dispute LIVE.] [Bet $50 she''s stronger than him. Look at that stance.] Painfully desperate to salvage the situation, Scott decided to change tactics. "Fine!" Scott quickly swept past her and grabbed her from behind. ¡ºThis should work!¡» It¡­ didn''t go as planned. His arms were locked around her waist, and he started dragging her back, but each time her big butt would simply slap against his crotch as Gwen continued to prove stubborn. Her body didn''t budge. Fortunately or unfortunately, her butt pressed firmly against his crotch in the struggle. "Ahhh~ ? Stop being so rough ??!" He dragged her again, only to receive her butt against his crotch, which caused another accidental moan to slip out of Gwen''s mouth. "I said st©¤©¤ahhh ?!" Scott''s voice wavered. "Stop. Being. Difficult!" Gwen groaned dramatically as she pushed her hips back against him. "Ugh, Scott! What are you¡ªahhh ?! Oh, my gosh!" Her voice came out louder and breathier than she intended, and the microphones on the drones picked it up perfectly. Ahhhhh~ ??! ¡­ Awwhhnnnn ? Eyaaaahhhnn ??!! Uhhhhnnnn ? UHHN ?! The chat went feral. [WHAT DID I JUST HEAR?] [This stream stopped being family-friendly the moment we had guest stars like E-Porner ????¡­] [Bro, what am I watching?] [I remember when these streams used to be for games ] [Guys, I''m blind. What''s happening rn?] [Nightwatch, bruh, the chiropractor industry is shaking.] [Damn, forgive me, Nightwatch¡­ I was not familiar with your game, dawg (¨‘_ ¨‘)] ©¸ [Nightwatch? More like NightHump if you know what I mean, *nudge* *nudge* ????] [I didn''t know this was THAT kind of stream.] ©¸ [Nah, fr tho¡­] [What is he doing to her?? Is this allowed?] [LMAO, the fan girls finna go crazy!] True to form, the Nightwatch fan girls did riot. [WHO IS THIS WITCH??] [WHY IS SHE ENJOYING WHAT''S MINE?] [I HOPE SHE CHOKES ON AIR.] ©¸ [She''s probably gonna choke on his meat instead kek] ©¸ [DIE!] [I HATE HER SO MUCH, IT SHOULD BE ME!] [DELETE HER, NIGHTWATCH. SHE DOESN''T FUCKIN'' DESERVE YOU, I DO!] [Fan girls are out of control, bro. ????] Scott wasn''t reading the chat. He was too focused on trying to drag Gwen away that he was completely unaware of how horribly things looked from the viewers'' perspective. "Get off my stream!" "No!" Gwen shot back then threw her weight against him. Her butt slammed into his crotch again, forcing out another exaggerated moan from her. "Ahhnnnnn~ ?? WTF bro!" Her cheeks turned red and her thighs felt hot. The viewers were well entertained. [Is this a new marketing strategy? (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [This dude''s got moves.] [No amount of context will save bro now. ????] [I''m gonna need a gallon of Vaseline for this one.] ©¸ [You really wanna beat it to them now?] ©¸ [Nah, I wanna beat it to Nightwatch] ©¸ [Bruh¡­] --- "Scott, seriously! What are you doing?" Gwen tried to shake him off, only causing her butt to press against him even harder. "Getting you out!" Scott shouted back. Her butt pressed further against his crotch. Soon¡­ something stiff started poking Gwen between her ass cheeks and it was quite¡­ big? Gwen paused and tilted her head slightly. "¡­Dude, are you dry-humping me?" "What? No!" "Then why can I feel your junk pressing my ass?!" "You wish, tank top wanker!" "The fuck d''you just c-, call me©¤©¤?!" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, back at Emma''s house, Jenna and Nadia were glued to the screen. Their mouths hung open in stunned silence as the perverted livestream continued. Marcus sat between them, equally horrified. Jenna finally broke the silence. "What¡­ the hell is he doing?" "I¡­ I wish I¡­ knew¡­" Nadia forced a reply. Marcus who''d been innocently watching alongside them, tilted his head in confusion. "Why is he¡­ hugging her like that?" Jenna quickly slapped her hand over Marcus''s eyes. "You definitely don''t need to see this." Nadia leaned forward in shock. "Emma cannot see this. We have to stop h©¤©¤" Too late. A gust of wind blew past them as Emma''s voice echoed from the hallway. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT FUCKER DOING?!" She was already in her stealth suit, phone in hand, zooming out of the house at superspeed. Cars swerved and pedestrians yelped as she zipped through the city with her face bright red and practically steaming. "I SHOULD BE THE ONE HE''S HUMPING THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF!" Emma ran even faster. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back on the stream, Scott was still fighting a losing battle. "For the love of©¤ Gwen, STOP IT!" "Not a chance!" Scott planted his feet and yanked harder, but Gwen only pushed her hips back more. "Are you tryna butt fuck me, McQu©¤©¤!" He slapped his hand over Gwen''s mouth just in time. "Shhhhhh, be quiet!" The chat was in hysterics. [Holy shit, he''s really tryna butt fuck her!] ©¸ [I''m here for it¡­] ©¸ [Real ????] [Bro''s about to catch a case.] ©¸ [I can''t even blame him. Look at the way she moaned!] [This is the best stream of all time.] [BETTER THAN ANY DRAMA SERIES!] [Nightwatch, you''re done, bro. Pack it up.] [I WILL NEVER FORGIVE THIS WOMAN.] [Man''s gonna trend as ''NightThrust'' after this.] --- Scott''s grip tightened as he tried to drag Gwen further back. "Will you¡ªjust¡ªMOVE!" "NOPE!" The two remained locked in a ridiculous tug-of-war, completely oblivious to how it looked. Meanwhile, Emma''s voice roared through the city as she zoomed out of Metro City. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Minutes later¡­ Scott stood doubled over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath. The camera drones hovered silently as their unblinking lenses captured every detail. Panting just as heavily at his side, Gwen placed her hands on her wide hips. She tilted her head and gave him a sideways look as her tender, cherry lips turned into that smug grin she wore so effortlessly. The tension had finally settled, but the chat? The chat was on fire. [Best nut ever. Hands down.] [Me after "exercising" for 30 seconds. ????] ©¸ [Bro only lasts 30 seconds ????] ©¸ [Already feeling bad for his wife (£þ £þ|||)] [Damn, bruh, look at her hips tho. THICC AF.] ©¸ [She got thunder thighs for dayyyyyysss ( ??? *)] [HOLY CRAP, LOOK AT THE BOUNCE ON HER. Those hips are illegal.] ©¸ [Quick maths: B98-W60-H89] ©¸ [Bro, that''s a smoking body fr.] ©¸ [Who tf measured that already? ????] [Man, Nightwatch''s hella lucky to even accidentally hump her so hard.] ©¸ [Y''all are getting a lil too freaky in here¡­] [Can y''all stop sexualizing her for one second and talk about how dope her super suit is?] ©¸ [Nerd detected.] ©¸ [Ratio.] ©¸ [+ don''t care.] ©¸ [Suit''s mid anyway, bro.] --- Scott straightened up and tugged at his mask in frustration. He looked toward the drones and the glowing "LIVE" notification still glared on his HUD. Clearing his throat, he spoke in his signature deep, composed voice. "I¡­ uh¡­ apologize for what you all just saw." The chat exploded. [Bro, it''s fine!] [LMAO we enjoyed it, king.] ["Apologize"? Don''t you dare. That was PEAK content.] ©¸ [Bro''s got peak "content" behind him. ( ?¡ã ?? ?¡ã)] [Can we talk about her shape tho? I''m on my knees, bruh.] Scott pointed a finger at Gwen. His voice became a no-nonsense one. "This is a one-time guest star. Don''t get too comfortable¡­ she won''t be showing up on the stream again." Gwen''s head snapped toward him and her grin vanished. "Huh?" She jabbed a thumb into her chest. "One-time guest? Nah, fuck that. I''m your partner from today onwards. You might as well start calling me his wife, guys, alright?" The chat went berserk. [WIFE? NIGHTWATCH, YOU DOG! ????????] [What''s her favorite food?] [Yo, is it bubblegum pink tho? Asking for science.] [Someone @her RIGHT NOW. Who is she?] [Is she single? ???? Asking for a friend.] Scott groaned audibly and pinched the bridge of his nose under the mask. "This is why I hate doing these things live¡­" Meanwhile, Gwen stepped forward, brushing him aside as if he weighed nothing. She struck a heroic pose, letting the drones circle her for a full 360¡ã view. "All right, chat, you can call me Mist. I''m nineteen, and no, I''m not a registered hero. If I was¡­" She smirked at Scott. "¡­Mr. Vigilante over here wouldn''t even want to work with me, for real." The chat immediately reacted. [Yo, makes sense.] [Registered heroes are corporate slaves anyway. W.] [THIS is why we love Nightwatch! He''s real, no sellout BS.] ©¸ [Nightwatch x Mist collab when?] ©¸ [I want a fanfic of them. NOW!] Gwen folded her arms and nodded in agreement. "Corporate superheroes? Dumb and useless. No one wants them in society, right?" The comments were fast and furious. [FACTS.] [Corporate heroes = mid.] [No cap, Nightwatch is the only real one.] ©¸ [Peak slander time incoming¡­] ©¸ [Nah, The Peak''s a fraud anyway.] [Bro said corporate heroes are dumb. TRUE THO.] --- Far from the commotion, Emma came to an abrupt stop on the outskirts of Metro City. Her phone was securely attached to her wrist as she streamed the chaos live. Her amber eyes scanned the chat and narrowed at the sight of names being dragged through the mud. [The Peak? Fraud.] [Blue Atom = sellout, change my mind.] [Foxgirl = dirty bop!] ©¸ [Search bop on LoopVid, she''s literally the first person who pops up. She''s still fine shyt tho¡­] ©¸ [Chimera Girl is the worst bop of all time!] ©¸ [Nah, she''s not a bop. Sure, she''s an FansOnly model, but that''s pretty much it (?¨C?)] ©¸ [Defending an FO model is crazy work ????] [White Shadow''s just a walking PR stunt.] [Miss Mercury? Overrated as hell.] --- Emma frowned and her lips pressed into a thin line. She clenched her fists as her thoughts spun. "¡­This is how people see us? Well, yeah¡­" The comments didn''t slow. [Corporate heroes ain''t it, chief.] [Nightwatch solos all of them.] ©¸ [Especially Miss Mercury. What''s she even DOING these days? That dumb bitch is probably shaking ass.] ©¸ [I fuckin'' hate her so much¡­ she thinks she''s hot stuff because simps are begging her to open an FO account. She''ll probably open it when she''s old and pasty and all her sugar daddy money has dried up, bahaha!] ©¸ [Fr tho, that bitch prolly getting all that money from sleeping around with old men. She probably got some wicked daddy issues.] ©¸ [IMO, MegaCorp ain''t stupid enough to be paying that chick roughly $80 million a year ???? she def gets her money from sucking senior citizen meat, LMAO] --- Emma''s body trembled as she read these endless string of hurtful comments. "I¡­" She sniffled a bit. "I don''t do that¡­ that''s not how I was brought up¡­" She squeezed her fists tight. "These people don''t know who I am do they? But why would they? Everytime I do something good I''m always forced to show more of my body than my personality. I''m basically a corporate slave in the end, aren''t I¡­?" Her heart pounded painfully. Maybe it was true¡­ she thought. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ At Emma''s Living Room¡­ The television screen was filled with an endless stream of chat comments scrolling at the bottom. Nadia and Jenna sat on the couch and their faces grew darker with every hateful comment about Emma. Nadia gripped the remote tightly and her knuckles whitened as another nasty comment flashed by. [Miss Mercury = waste of sponsorship money.] [All looks, no substance. What does she even do?] ©¸ [Shake ass bro, we established this already, LMAO] ©¸ [She does MegaCorp ads, duh.] ©¸ [LOL, she''s their poster girl.] ©¸ [Pfft, dumb bitch¡­] [Miss Mercury''s just a glorified stripper in a super suit.] --- Nadia sighed heavily and shook her head. "That''s not who she is. Emma''s never been like that." Jenna leaned forward in pure frustration. "I know, right? She cherishes her body more than people can even understand." Her voice trembled with anger. "She doesn''t deserve this!" Marcus, who''d been sitting quietly at the edge of the couch, couldn''t tear his eyes away from the screen. His usually cheerful face was nowhere to be seen. ¡º¡­It''s already bad enough that everyone at school calls her a bop. At least they usually say something nice after¡­ but here? Not a single good thing. Nothing.¡» Jenna suddenly jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on the coffee table. "These bastards are lying on her head! And you know what''s worse? She''s probably reading this crap wherever she is right now." Nadia lowered her head, devastated. "She is. I know she is¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott''s masked face filled the center of the screen as he stood rigidly in front of Gwen. His jaw tightened as he read the relentless flow of chat. It wasn''t just about him anymore. They were tearing someone else apart. Someone who wasn''t even there to defend herself. ¡ºThat''s not what this stream is about¡­¡» Never. [Miss Mercury = useless.] [Corporate sellout confirmed.] ©¸ [Bet she''s crying somewhere with her millions.] ©¸ [Fr, she probably wipes her tears with hundred-dollar bills.] [Let''s be real, she''s just there for simps.] ©¸ [BRO STOP. My sides! ????] --- Scott lifted a hand to signal the drones to focus on him. His voice was firm. "Alright, listen up. Can we not?" The chat slowed for a moment as viewers processed his words. "Show a little respect to the corporate heroes you''re so quick to call ''slaves.'' Do you even understand what some of them go through? Sure, some might get caught up in the popularity or the money. But a lot of them¡­ they don''t have a choice. They need the corporations to do their jobs." Scott''s tone softened, just slightly. "I''m not a fan of the system either, but I''m also not blind. I don''t know much about Miss Mercury, but here''s what I do know: there''s never been a single scandal involving her. She hasn''t been seen with a man. She doesn''t have an FO account. And, oh yeah, she stops over forty crimes a year." He crossed his arms and glared directly at the drones. "Isn''t that enough for you?" The chat slowed, then shifted. [Wait, over 40 crimes? Damn.] [Yeah, she''s actually putting in work.] [Bro''s making some points ngl¡­] [Fine. We''ll stop roasting her.] ©¸ [Yeah, let''s troll The Peak instead.] [The Peak''s an actual fraud anyway.] ©¸ [Dude wrote a whole book like we care. ????] ©¸ [Bro really thought he was the next Einstein ????] ©¸ [I swear I keep saying not all blondes are dumb, but The Peak throws all that out the window (? ? ?)] [Remember when that female android MegaCorp unveiled last year was covered in thick cum?] ©¸ [DNA matched The Peak. ????] ©¸ [HOW DID I FORGET THAT?! ????] ©¸ [Bro raped the motherboard outta that android¡­] [The Peak = nine-time sex offender. Look it up.] --- As the hate redirected toward The Peak, Gwen glanced at Scott with an impressed smirk. "Well, damn. Didn''t think you had that in you." Scott ignored her and focused instead on the chat as the hostility toward Emma dissolved. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back at Emma''s Living Room¡­ Nadia and Jenna stared at the screen in stunned silence. Then Jenna shot up again, this time with a wide grin. "Green flag?" she asked, holding up a hand. Nadia smiled faintly and slapped her palm against Jenna''s. "Green flag." Marcus, still seated, leaned forward as his eyes locked on Nightwatch''s image. For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of hope¡­ a spark of admiration. "¡­He''s a real hero¡­" Marcus whispered. Nadia and Jenna looked at each other with soft smiles. "He is¡­ your aunt chose the right man this time." Chapter 38 Three Hunts! The screen on Emma''s wrist glowed faintly in the dark.All she could see was Nightwatch''s masked face. His words repeated in her ears like a melody she hadn''t realized she was desperate to hear. [Show a little respect to the corporate heroes you''re so quick to call ''slaves.'' Do you even understand what some of them go through?] Those words felt real¡­ Her fingers hovered over the pause button, but she couldn''t bring herself to press it. Every word he said felt like a balm, a shield he''d raised for her against the relentless onslaught of hate. [¡­And, oh yeah, she stops over forty crimes a year.] Emma''s lips parted slightly, her breath catching. ¡ºI stop over 300 crimes a year, but only the ones I handle in Metro City are officially recorded. That''s because my contract with the MegaCorp doesn''t let me operate in other cities. If I stop crimes elsewhere, I have to do it secretly to avoid getting my contract terminated. Since those saves aren''t allowed to be registered in the agency''s database, they don''t count. But honestly, none of that really matters anymore.¡» She reached out to touch the edge of the screen, as if she could feel the conviction in his voice. Her chest tightened. Beneath that mask, she could imagine his eyes. His mouth. The curve of his lips, the sharpness of his jaw. ¡ºWhat would it feel like¡­ to kiss him?¡» The thought struck her unexpectedly and sent a warm flush through her cheeks. Her heartbeat quickened. She could picture his arms now¡­ strong, steady, warm, and the urge to be wrapped in them, shielded from everything, grew insanely unbearable. Her fingers hovered over the screen once more, and this time, she tapped [end stream]. The screen went dark. "I''m coming, Nightwatch¡­" She whispered from her heart. Her tips of her feet tapped the ground lightly, and then she bolted forward. Ashy fire ignited beneath her and left a trail of glowing embers along the road as she surged toward Meteor City at blazing speeds! The first hunt was on! ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back at the stream, Scott was now visibly calmer as he coolly adjusted his suit and straightened up. "All right, listen up. I know you''re all excited, but let''s keep it civil. This stream isn''t about¡ª" "Me?" Gwen interrupted with a smirk. Scott shot her a glare. "No. It''s not about you." The chat didn''t miss their chance. [It''s ALWAYS about her, bro. ????] [Don''t lie to us, Nightwatch.] [Mist supremacy. We stan.] [Can someone give me her @ please?] ©¸ [Search GhostGirl37 on LoopVid!] ©¸ [Fr?!] ©¸ [Of course, (¥Ä) dawg I gotchu¡­] ©¸ [Dude, it showed me a pic of two guys kissing (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] ©¸ [Life ain''t fair is it?] --- Gwen chuckled and stepped closer to the camera. "For all the curious folks out there¡ªmy favorite food is pizza, I''m not answering that question, and yeah, I''m here to stay." She gave the drones a wink. "Get used to it, people." The chat went wild again. [NIGHTWATCH, UPGRADE HER TO MAIN CAST ALREADY.] [She''s a keeper, bro. For real.] [No cap, y''all make a good duo.] ©¸ [Dynamic duo or enemies-to-lovers arc? ????] Scott sighed and placed his hands on his hips. "Great. Just great." And with that, the chaos continued. [@PhantomMuse89 has just donated $50,000!] That was good¡­ but the message attached to it. [Hey, Night! PhantomMuse89 here ©d(£Þ?£Þ)! As much as I like the idea of you having guest stars on your stream, maybe keep the newbies like her for more casual streams. I don''t want her making things difficult for us ?!] [*YOU! I obviously meant YOU! (;-_-)] "Fifty. Thousand. Dollars?" Gwen''s brows shot up as she read the donation message hovering in front of her. "Who does this bitch think she is?" The chat erupted instantly, as expected. [OH, HERE WE GO! ????] [SOMEONE GRAB THE POPCORN¡ªCATFIGHT INCOMING!] [Not Mist about to throw hands with @PhantomMuse89 live on stream ????] [PM89''s been Nightwatch''s #1 simp for years tho.] ©¸ [Whatchu talmbout, this channel has only been around for about a month or so¡­] ©¸ [I think it was an expression.] [Yeah, but Mist''s just better. Let''s be real.] [PM89 probably ugly as hell irl. Ain''t no way she looks better than Most. I''ve never seen a hot chick spend every minute giving donations to a guy she doesn''t know what he looks like. No offense, Nightwatch!] ©¸ [Facts, Mist''s a goddess. Case closed.] ©¸ [PM89 is probably an overfed daddy''s girl LMAO!] ©¸ [Basically a cheeto pig ????] --- Gwen scoffed and planting her hands on her wide hips. "First of all¡­" She dramatically paused to glare directly at the hovering camera drone. "PM-whatever-you-are, I''m the one standing here next to Nightwatch. Not you. Me." She gestured emphatically at herself as her sharp blue eyes blazed with annoying satisfaction. "You may have all that money to waste, but I''ve got love to waste on him. How''s that feel?" Before the chat could fully digest the statement, Gwen turned to Scott with a sly grin. "Actually, let''s make it hurt." Without warning, she slipped her arms around Scott''s neck and pulled him close. Her breasts pressed against him as she leaned into the embrace and tossed a playful wink toward the camera drone. "See? This¡ªthis right here? This is what love looks like, PhantomMuse, alright?" The chat went feral. [WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT''S HOLY IS THIS?! ????] [Mist''s flexing and I''m HERE FOR IT!] [SHE''S SO PETTY BUT SHE''S RIGHT.] [PhantomMuse89 bout to combust rn.] [Somebody check on PM89. You good, sis?] [THERE IS NO ONE HOTTER THAN MIST! SHE''S THE ONE AND ONLY.] --- Meanwhile, Emma''s feet skidded to a halt mid-sprint as she glanced down at her phone screen. "What the hell is she doing?!" Emma practically shouted and watched the painfully intimate moment unfold. Her heart raced as she stared at Gwen''s smug face on the screen. "She''s not supposed to be hugging him like that. I am!" Suddenly, the sound of a truck horn blaring snapped her out of her thoughts. Emma barely managed to dodge to the side as the truck narrowly missed her. "Phew¡­ that was close¡­" She muttered breathlessly and clutched her chest. Her eyes desperately returned to the screen. "I''m gonna give that little blonde-haired bitch a little piece of my fuckin'' mind!" She started typing at superspeed. [@PhantomMuse89: I''m pretty sure Nightwatch would like me way more. I''m hotter. Like I''m super HOT! And I''m not even bragging, okay? We''re just like that in our family!] The response from the chat was swift and merciless. [Nah, sis. Absolutely not.] [Weird for a 50 year old lady to be saying this¡­] ©¸ [Duuuuude, I never thought of this!] ©¸ [She''s basically Nightwatch''s sugar mommy ????] ©¸ [Constantly donating money to get him to do stuff, yeah, that''s pretty sus¡­] ©¸ [Ain''t that¡­ the whole point of a stream? Yunno, to do stuff viewers say and shi? Foxgirl flashes her coochie so much in her streams for even 50 bucks.] [PM89, respectfully, you''re delusional. Mist is GOATED.] [Mist''s hotter, no question.] [We literally just saw her. She''s a goddess.] [Curves, boobs, everything! Land of milk and honey fr!] --- Emma gritted her teeth and her pace quickened as she resumed her sprint. "Idiots!" She muttered under her growling breath. Back at the stream, Gwen had clearly noticed the support pouring in. "See?" She pointed at the scrolling comments with a smug face. "Their words, not mine." Before she could gloat further, Scott finally shoved her face gently away from the camera drone. "Enough," he said, his voice firm. He turned his attention to the screen. "PhantomMuse89, thank you for the donation. Really. But fifty grand is way too much." [PhantomMuse89: Don''t worry about it, Night! I could get you a car too, if you want. I noticed you don''t have one in your arsenal ?!] Scott shook his head immediately. "No need for that either. That''s way too much." The chat took the opportunity to derail once again. [When are we getting Mist branded merch tho?] [Drop Gwen''s FansOnly already. It''s time.] ©¸ [Ain''t you the one trolling Foxgirl for having one?] [Guys, focus. What''s this stream even about today?] [Yeah, didn''t he say it was important?] [Meteor City sucks btw. ???? Just saying.] --- Scott straightened up and his demeanor shifted slightly. "Right©¤©¤©¤©¤AHEM!" He cleared his throat. "Today''s stream is about hunting down a particular woman. Her name''s Elena Var¡ª" He stopped abruptly and his body went completely still. [HELLO? WHAT HAPPENED?] [Did he just freeze?] [Nightwatch.exe has stopped working.] [WHY IS HE QUIET THIS IS SO WEIRD.] Gwen reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Nightwatch? You okay?" "Shh©¤©¤!" Scott said sharply. His voice was unusually tense. "¡­" "¡­" "¡­" The silence stretched for a few seconds. And then, like a lightning bolt, Scott''s senses zeroed in on a sound¡ªbarely perceptible but unmistakable. The crack of a sniper rifle firing. "Get down!" He grabbed Gwen and yanked her out of the way just as the bullet tore through the air where her head had been moments earlier. He spun midair, using his momentum to shield her as they hit the ground. But the bullet wasn''t finished. "No¡­" Scott''s eyes widened with fear. "That''s not possible¡­" His eyes had to be lying to him. In that split second¡­ something happened to the bullet. It twisted unnaturally mid-flight and curved back toward its target with deadly precision! ©¤©¤©¤©¤SHLUCK! Scott''s arm snapped upward just in time to shield Gwen again, but the bullet grazed him, leaving a small, clean hole in his suit and flesh. The chat went insane. [DID Y''ALL SEE THAT BULLET TURN? WTF?!] [WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! IS HE OKAY?!] [NIGHTWATCH IS BUILT DIFFERENT, NO WAY HE JUST DODGED THAT.] [HE''S SUPPOSED TO BE HUMAN!] [LoopVid edits finna go crazy tonight ????] [WHO FIRED THAT?!] [WE''RE IN REAL-LIFE JOHN WICK MODE NOW.] [You guys do realize he''s in danger right?] ©¸ [And? He''s Nightwatch, bro.] --- Scott winced as he gripped his arm. "Damn it©¤©¤!" He bit his lower lip in deep pain. Gwen''s face had gone pale and her usual smirk was quickly replaced by genuine concern. "Scott¡­" "I''m fine¡­" He replied with narrow eyes. Coming out of that was luckier than a four-leaf clover. Scott knew more than anything¡­ that he shouldn''t have sensed that sniper from that far. "We''re being hunted¡­" The chat immediately caught on. [OH IT''S ABOUT TO GO DOWN!] [LMAO, and Pulsar is doing a wardrobe tour stream tonight? She better step up her game!] [Nightwatch always feeding us peak content!] [SOMEONE TRIED TO SNIPE HIM LIVE ON STREAM. THIS IS INSANE.] --- Meanwhile¡­ A man lay flat on his stomach atop the rooftop of a 70-story skyscraper, his black trench coat fanning out like the wings of a bird of prey. The city lights glimmered below. The bustling chaos was far from his focused ears. Next to him was a half-empty bottle of whiskey. A cigarette dangled loosely from his lips as smoke curled lazily into the air when he exhaled. His gloved hand steadied the long-barreled sniper rifle resting on a bipod, its sleek design enhanced with tech far beyond conventional means. Through the augmented scope of his weapon, Trickshot watched Scott pull Gwen to safety as his cybernetic eye flickered with data overlays. The moment Scott had moved, the sniper rifle''s readout had recalibrated and tracked the impossible twist of the bullet''s trajectory. Trickshot''s lips curled into a smirk as he tapped the side of his eye. A soft whir emanated from the internal mechanisms as the scope magnified and locked onto a wounded Scott. "Four thousand meters¡­" Trickshot tilted his head slightly and puffed out another plume of smoke as the wind tousled his short, jet-black hair. "Dodging a shot at that range? Now that''s just rude." He reached for the whiskey, took a swig, and let the burn slide down his throat. His other hand idly tapped on the rifle as he recalibrated the scope again. The data flashed across his vision, and he frowned slightly. "Fifteen years in the game, and this is the first time someone''s made me miss on the first shot." His smirk widened and a wicked shine sparked in his piercing green eye. "This guy¡­ he''s not normal." He leaned back a bit and rested his elbow on the ground as he looked at the figure standing behind him. She was dressed in black. Two collapsible swords were fastened to her hips, their hilts catching a faint gleam from the moonlight. Her sharp, angular face was mostly hidden by a hood, but her blood-red eyes glowed softly to reveal her inhuman nature. "Dark Elf¡­" Trickshot finally spoke. He gestured toward the scene far, far, faraway with a lazy wave of his cigarette. "Hunt them down. Let''s see what we''re dealing with." The woman didn''t reply. She didn''t need to. With a small nod, she stepped toward the edge of the rooftop with absolute calmness. Her lithe body moved with the grace of a predator as she crouched with one hand resting lightly on the building''s ledge. Trickshot leaned his cheek against his palm and watched her with a bored yet intrigued expression. "Try not to kill him right away, yeah? The fun''s in breaking them slowly." The woman gave no response. Then, without a sound, she leapt. The wind howled as she barreled downward like a missile. Trickshot''s eyes tracked her descent, and he couldn''t help but chuckle. "This night just got interesting." He took another drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke into the cold night air as his hand absentmindedly tapped the rifle''s stock. "I''ll blow his fuckin'' head off and keep that curvy chick for myself¡­ I wouldn''t mind her resisting either¡­" He laughed with his hot whiskey breath. The second hunt was on! ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ "Alright, alright, keep the camera steady, Jack! We need that perfect angle!" The Peak stood proudly atop a pile of groaning "thugs". Their tattoos looked fake, and none of them were even cuffed, which made the whole scene feel off. With a big, confident grin, he stretched out his arms while his golden hair caught the glow of the streetlights as he showed off his perfectly practiced lat spread. "People of Metro City!" He dramatically announced with a booming voice. "Fear not! The Peak has arrived to bring peace, order, and true heroics to this dark and dangerous place!" The livestream chat exploded with activity. [Viewers: 1,293,402] [Donations: $248,556] [Bro thinks he''s Nightwatch ????] [Meteor City does NOT need you, bruh ????????] ©¸ [Imagine getting rejected by the worst city on the map ????. I shit you not, there''s legit nothing worse.] ©¸ [Imagine being The Peak (¡ä?_?`)] ©¸ [Oh¡­] [Thanks for saving the world! Who''s saving us from you, though? (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [Peak saves the world every day by staying irrelevant.] [PEAK PERFORMANCE WHEN??!] ©¸ [Deadass, I need that Blue Raspberry flavor back.] [Yo, this dude''s arms look bigger than last stream.] ©¸ [Steroids, no doubt.] ©¸ [Nah, he''s just built like that fr] [Peak fans in shambles rn.] [We already got Nightwatch, you fraud.] ©¸ [Nightwatch solos this clown any day.] [NEW SONG WHEN? ????????????] --- The Peak''s jaw twitched, but he kept his megawatt smile plastered on his face. "Thank you, loyal fans¡­ and to the trolls out there¡­ well, enjoy your miserable little lives while I save the world." His voice was a tad too tight. The chat wasn''t slowing down. [CRY ABOUT IT, PEAK.] [Breaking news: The Peak saves world from boredom by ending his stream early.] [Save the world? You can''t even save your hairline, bro. I can see it falling back¡­ just like your career (--_--)] [Bro''s just here to sell more energy drinks.] ©¸ [And maybe another book no one asked for.] [Imagine fake-fighting gang members for clout.] ©¸ [LMAO, literally scripted. Look at those dudes.] [Peak energy drink = Peak Trash] ©¸ [Still better than his album.] ©¸ [Didn''t that android scandal ruin his rep? ????????] --- The Peak clenched his fists, then flashed his signature grin at the camera. "I''ll be right back, folks. Stay tuned¡ªbecause The Peak never disappoints." With a side tap on his futuristic visor, the stream ended. The pile of "vicious thugs" groaned in unison as they got to their feet. "Nice work, boys!" The Peak said as he clapped his hands. "I never knew a bunch of overweight convenience store owners and underpaid construction workers could be so convincing!" One of the men slowly wiped off a fake tattoo with a wet rag as he irritatedly muttered. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Before the tension could grow, a woman in a sharp blazer and heels stepped forward. "UHHH! What The Peak means, gentlemen, is that you all did a wonderful job." Claire smiled brightly, clipboard tucked under her arm. "Your performances were absolutely top-notch!" The men exchanged glances and nodded reluctantly. They only let it slide because Claire was hot. Vincent swaggered over and casually draped an arm across the hero''s shoulders. "See, Peak? Staging a crime is always better than risking your pretty face for these couch-dwelling losers. Dream on if they think you''d actually fight real criminals." The Peak huffed and pushed Vincent''s arm off him. "Yeah, yeah, whatever." He pulled a gold-plated body spray from his utility belt and spritzed himself liberally. "But if I''m going to do this, it has to be bigger. I''m not some sidekick. Nightwatch stopped over thirty crimes his first night in Meteor City. Thirty! I have to outdo him." Vincent smirked. "Don''t worry. I''ve got a plan. And trust me, Peak¡ªthis one''s going to blow Nightwatch out of the water." The Peak''s eyes gleamed with interest. "Go on." Vincent swiped the screen of his phone and scrolled through the flurry of posts, then paused. "Nightwatch just announced that he''s going on a hunt tonight. Heavy crowd, tons of viewers tuning in¡ªhis biggest stream yet. Looks like Meteor City''s about to get its most dangerous livestream." "So, we''re tracking him down?" The Peak''s lips curled into a smile. "Exactly!" Vincent leaned forward. "We''ll follow him in real-time via his stream. Chopper''s already got a direct feed. We''ll stay on his tail, and when he''s about to make a move, we swoop in. You stop the crime, take the credit. Perfect, right?" The Peak chuckled as he cracked his knuckles. "I always look perfect." Vincent chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Of course you do. But in case something goes wrong¡­" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Peak raised an eyebrow. "What''s your backup plan?" Vincent''s smirk was cold and heartless. "If you fail to shine, we''ll make sure he fails. I''ll pay the media to spread the word that Nightwatch couldn''t handle it. You know how it works¡ªturn the tables, make it look like you were forced to step in and save the day." The Peak snorted. "Nice. But¡­ you''ve been pretty quiet lately. Thought your focus was more on Pulsar these days. Haven''t heard much from you or your squad." Vincent didn''t flinch, just leaned in with that grin. "I''m still interested in Pulsar, don''t get me wrong. But right now, I''m more focused on clearing the way for a bigger plan." He raised his hand as if making a deal. "And for that to happen, I need $20 million. That''s your ticket to pulling the plug on Nightwatch for good." The Peak''s eyes widened slightly, but his posture remained relaxed. "Pulling the plug? On him? You want me to buy you out of his popularity?" Vincent''s voice dropped to a low, serious tone. "I''m wiping him off the map. I want him deleted from every streaming platform, all his videos and clips¡ªgone. The guy''s starting to get too many fans backing his lame persona. It''s crowding Pulsar''s new channel. The moment Nightwatch fades out, Pulsar''s taking the spotlight. But that only happens if Nightwatch is erased from the web completely." There was a pause as Vincent''s words sank in. The Peak stared at him for a moment, weighing the offer, and then he grinned. "Alright, alright. I like that idea." Vincent extended his hand. "Pleasure doing business, The Peak." The Peak looked at Vincent''s hand for a moment, then reached forward and shook it. "Don''t make me regret it, Vincent." The moment their hands clasped, Vincent''s grin grew wider. "Don''t you trust me?" The third hunt was on! Chapter 39 Taken The sprawling city of Meteor City stretched out below.It was a chaotic sea of neon signs, flashing billboards, and towering skyscrapers. Scott clutched his grappling hook gun tightly and tightened his jaw as the cold wind whipped against his face. Behind him, Mist struggled to keep up but managed to fire a blast of scalding vapor. The attack curved around a streetlamp and slammed into the path of the Dark Elf, giving them a brief moment of relief¡­ but Scott knew it wouldn''t slow their pursuer for long. He darted through the crowded streets, leaping over parked cars and weaving between buses with practiced ease. ¡ºI was supposed to be the one doing the hunting! Fuck!¡» Reaching a streetlamp, he scaled it quickly and used it as a springboard to launch himself to another one nearby. Landing with a smooth roll, he was already on his feet, sprinting forward at a pace that left most people in the dust. Meanwhile, Mist wasn''t about to waste time dodging obstacles, so she flew straight through the chaos, phasing effortlessly through streetlamps, signs, and anything else in her path. But she still couldn''t catch up to Scott. "Can''t you fly any faster?!" Scott yelled over the roar of the city below. "Excuse me?" Mist snapped back as her figure phasing briefly into vapor to dodge a shuriken thrown by Dark Elf. ¡­ CRIIIIINK! The shuriken embedded itself in a nearby vent. "If I could move faster, I wouldn''t be here, would I?!" "Whatever!" Scott groaned and shot his grappling hook toward a distant building. The line hissed as it zipped him through the air, barely dodging another expertly thrown shuriken. The stream chat exploded. [HOLY SH*T! DID YOU SEE THAT MOVE?!] [The dark assassin chick is insane. Where did she even COME FROM?] [Mist''s vapor thing is hot, ngl. But the assassin ninja chick is hotter ????????????] [DONATION: $100 ¨C Let''s go, Nightwatch! Don''t let this ninja chick make you look bad!] [Bro, save your girl! STOP RUNNING!] --- Still flying, Mist scowled at her phone as it hovered in her peripheral view, streaming the chaos in real time. "Why are they commenting on how hot she is? She''s literally trying to kill us!" "Welcome to the internet¡­" Scott muttered under his breath as he fired the grappling hook and swung onto another rooftop, landing with a smooth roll. Spinning around quickly, he hurled an electric shuriken at the Dark Elf. She barely flinched and expertly deflected it with one of her twin swords. [Damn, I like that ninja chick ( ??§Ù?)] [Fr, she''s so nonchalant¡­] [I love me a nonchalant girl, like my woman] [Bro does NOT have a woman ????????] Not wasting a moment, Scott picked up his pace and summoned four more electric shurikens. "This has to work!" Jumping into the air, he spun like a tornado and threw all four of them in rapid succession. The Dark Elf moved with precision and blocked three of the shurikens with ease. For the last one, she adjusted her grip on her left sword, then used the edge to redirect the shuriken''s momentum and send it spinning back toward Scott at an even greater speed. "SHIT©¤©¤!" Scott saw it coming and executed a flawless backflip, dodging the shuriken entirely. Mid-flip, he fired his wrist-mounted grappling hook at her, but she sidestepped it effortlessly. In response, she tossed a small sphere his way. "That''s a¡­" Scott reacted quickly and kicked it aside just in time. ¡­ BOOOOM!! The sphere exploded high above them, creating a massive flash that lit up the sky and sent shockwaves echoing through the city. The explosion triggered panic on the streets below. "Ahhhhhh!" "It''s a bomb!" "Why are we panicking¡­ this happens every Tuesday!" "We''re all gonna die!" People screamed and ran in all directions like startled animals, while cars crashed into each other and into streetlamps in the chaos. Without pausing to check the damage, Scott took off running again, his focus locked on staying ahead. Mist landed beside him and crossed her arms. "Seriously, though. Why is it a sexy assassin chick after you? Shouldn''t it be some big, scary dude? This feels personal." Scott gave her an incredulous look as he threw an electric rope over the edge of the building to swing to the next. "That''s seriously what you''re worried about?!" "Yes!" Mist shot back and turned intangible again just in time to avoid another shuriken from Dark Elf. "If someone''s going to kill you, it should at least make sense! Like, some rival hero or¡ª" "Not now, Gwen!" Scott cut her off then grabbed her arm mid-vapor form to pull her along as they swung to the next building. Below, the chat kept up its relentless commentary. [Bro, why are they flirting mid-chase?] [Mist''s just mad ninja girl is hotter, lol.] [Ninja Girl supremacy! Y''all can''t tell me she''s not peak waifu material.] [DONATION: $250 ¨C Can someone explain how the shuriken are curving mid-air? That''s sick.] ©¸ [She''s probably Chinese or something¡­] ©¸ [Bruh, that''s racist ????] ©¸ [But I have a Chinese friend (¡ä?_?`)¡­] ©¸ [That''s not how that shit works (? ? ?)] [WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT NIGHTWATCH TAKING THAT BULLET EARLIER?!] --- "Stay focused!" Scott barked as they landed hard on a rooftop. But as they hit the ground, Dark Elf suddenly appeared out of nowhere and leaped from the shadows. Her movements were impossibly fluid¡ªlike a dancer trained to kill! "Damn it¡ª" Scott reached for another shuriken, but Mist was faster and unleashed a concentrated blast of fog that enveloped the area. Dark Elf hesitated for a fraction of a second, clearly annoyed by the reduced visibility. She reached into her utility belt and hurled several small, metallic spheres into the mist. Mist smirked and confidently arms crossed. "Oh, please. What are those supposed to©¤©¤!!" BOOM! The spheres exploded in a fiery burst of heat that disrupted Mist''s vapor form and sent her hurtling backward into an alley. "Ahh!" Mist cried out and painfully clutched her burning body as she struggled to stand. Scott''s heart leapt. "Gwen!" He turned to face the Dark Elf, who stood over the alley''s edge like a specter of death. "High heat disrupts vapor¡­ not that hard." Dark Elf spoke with a cold voice and sharp red eyes. These were her first words since chasing them down. So, the chat went wild. [OH MY GOD, SHE JUST YEETED MIST.] [Ninja Girl 1, Mist 0.] [SOMEONE GET MIST OUT OF THERE!] [DONATION: $500 ¨C Nightwatch, bro, it''s time to STEP UP.] [Ninja Girl is OP, ngl.] --- Scott charged forward as his arc blade ignited with a crackle of electricity. "Get away from her!" Dark Elf extended her twin swords, making the blades slide out with a sharp metallic hiss as charged straight at him. Clank! Clank! CLANK! Sparks flew as their weapons clashed. Scott parried her strikes with his own sword while throwing in quick kicks and elbow attacks to keep her off balance. But she didn''t let up for a second-her strikes came so fast it was hard to keep track, and her movements were wild, almost impossible to predict. Then, with a swift kick, she hit Scott''s injured arm dead-on, making him cough out a pained grunt. "Damn it!" Scott hissed as he staggered back. Before he could recover, Dark Elf spun on her heel and delivered a brutal chop to Mist''s neck. "Gwen!" Scott yelled, but it was too late. Mist crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Dark Elf didn''t spare him a second glance. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed a smoke bomb to the ground and vanished into the night. "NO!" Scott roared and slammed his fist into a nearby wall. The chat exploded once again. [BRO, GO AFTER HER!] [She just took Mist OUT. Holy sh*t.] [DONATION: $1,000 ¨C That was INSANE. Nightwatch, you HAVE to get her back.] [Ninja Girl is literally the coolest villain we''ve ever seen.] [HE LOST THE FIGHT BUT WON OUR HEARTS ????????????] ©¸ [Chat, what color of glazing is this (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] ©¸ [Fr tho, the glazing is crazy. He clearly got his ass handed to him, and that''s not a bad thing.] ©¸ [Of course it is, why would he lose to a girl?] ©¸ [You can clearly see he was wounded (? ? ?)¡­] [IMO, I don''t think he''d have won either way¡­ as much as we praise Nightwatch''s skills, he''s pretty inexperienced when compared to people like Rope Girl.] ©¸ [Says the guy typing this from his couch ????] ©¸ [Fr, average Rope Girl simp (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] --- Scott crouched on the rooftop, breathing hard and clutching his side. Every muscle in his body ached, but the rush of adrenaline kept most of the pain at bay. He narrowed his eyes and scanned the city below for any sign of Mist¡ªor Dark Elf. But there was nothing. She was gone. Scott swallowed hard. "She¡­ took Mist." The stream erupted into chaos. [WTF! SHE''S GONE?!] [BRO, WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE TOOK HER?!] [My girl Mist¡­ ????????????] [Donation: $50 ¨C Save Mist or I''m unsubbing, bro. I''m DEAD serious.] [Man, how did this even happen? I thought Nightwatch was supposed to be unstoppable?!] [Because he''s clearly NOT. Did you see how that ninja chick folded him? -50 aura points.] [Yo, what do you think ninjas do when they vanish in smoke bombs? Like, do they just walk away awkwardly or teleport?] ©¸ [Probably just moonwalk outta there, lmao.] ©¸ [Nah, they hide in the shadows until it''s socially acceptable to appear again.] ©¸ [Or they die in the smoke and are replaced by a clone. Kek, Big brain fr.] ©¸ [Bro, chill with the jokes. Mist just got taken.] Scott''s fists clenched as the weight of failure pressed down on him. His breathing was painfully heavy and his mind raced with possibilities. Then, a notification popped up in the corner of his vision. [DONATION: $100 - Look up, Nightwatch. There''s a helicopter not far from you¡­ it might be her ©d(£Þ?£Þ)] Scott''s eyes snapped skyward. Sure enough, a sleek black helicopter hovered in the distance as its lights sliced through the night. "There." His voice was low but firm. He fired his grappling hook at a nearby ledge and took off as his body moved with purpose. [HE FOUND HER! LET''S GOOOOO!!!] [Bro, parkour is about to be insane right now.] [Can he even make it?! That chopper''s fast af.] [Donation: $25 ¨C For the love of God, save Mist, Nightwatch! She''s the only reason I''m still watching!] [Y''all are a bit hard on him tonight (?_?)¡­] Scott darted between rooftops, each leap, roll, and grapple executed with precision. He barely slowed when vaulted over debris and broken antennas as his every move was a perfect blend of skill and fluidity. [This man is BUILT DIFFERENT.] [He''s making Rope Girl look like an amateur, fr.] ©¸ [Definitely not.] ©¸ [Jeez, Rope Girl has so much simps it ain''t even funny.] [DONATION: $50 ¨C Bro''s got the stamina of an Olympic athlete. Respect.] As he neared the helicopter, Scott launched his grappling hook. The line zipped through the air and latched onto the chopper''s landing gear. He began reeling himself in and his muscles strained against the increasing wind resistance. Inside the helicopter, Dark Elf stood by the open door with her twin swords strapped to her back. ¡ºHe''s back¡­¡» She turned to the pilot. It was Trickshot lounging with one hand on the controls and the other holding a bottle of whiskey. "He''s coming. Should I kill him?" said Dark Elf. Trickshot took a slow chug as his one good eye brightened with amusement. "Nah. Grave wants this job clean. If you couldn''t snag him outright, we''ll use the girl as bait. He''ll come to us, and we''ll use him to lure out Vargas." Dark Elf nodded, then stepped closer to the door. She crouched at the edge, watching Scott inch closer with each passing second. Easily, she produced four shurikens. "Let''s see how far you get¡­" She hurled the projectiles in rapid succession. [NO WAY SHE''S THROWING MORE!] [Bro, can he dodge those?!] [Donation: $75 ¨C Nightwatch, you got this, man. Don''t let her flex on you again!] Scott twisted his body mid-air and narrowly dodged two of the shurikens. The other two struck his chest but bounced harmlessly off his armor. "Yes!" Scott smirked, gaining ground. The chat roared in approval. [HE''S GOT THIS!!! LET''S GOOOOO!!!] [Bro''s armor is MVP right now.] [Dark Elf looks impressed. Tell me you don''t feel the sexual tension, lmao.] ©¸ [Shut up, bro. Be serious for once.] Just as Scott closed the gap, Dark Elf nodded slightly. "You''re persistent. I''ll give you that." In one smooth motion, she drew a blade and severed the grappling line. "Shit!" sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott cursed as gravity yanked him downward. [OH NOOOOO!!!] [HE''S FALLING!!!] [Donation: $100 ¨C NIGHTWATCH, PLEASE TELL ME YOU CAN FLY DAWG?!] The wind howled past him as he dropped toward the city. Turning in mid-air, Scott tossed two electric shurikens at the helicopter. They lodged into the undercarriage and exploded. ¡­ clink©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! The helicopter jerked sharply, causing both the Dark Elf and Trickshot to lose their balance. "Hold it steady!" Dark Elf snapped as she braced herself. "Working on it!" Trickshot growled, gripping the controls. Meanwhile, Scott crashed into the edge of a rooftop. "AGGCCHKK©¤©¤©¤©¤!!" His back slammed into the concrete, breaking through railings and iron balconies before smashing into a dumpster several stories below. "NGHHHK©¤©¤!!" The chat collectively winced with each impact. [OHHHHHH!!! THAT LOOKED BAD!!!] [Bro hit every damn thing on the way down. ????] [How''s he even alive right now?] [Y''all think he''s alive? LMAO] Inside the dumpster, Scott lay barely conscious and his vision was swimming. Before he could move, three small metallic bombs clinked against the edge of the dumpster and rolled in. "Oh, come on¡­" ©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM! The explosions rocked the alleyway and sent debris flying. A chorus of screams and metallic groans filled the air. For a long moment, the stream was silent. Very silent¡­ [Is he¡­ dead?] [This is Nightwatch¡­ he can''t be, right?] [I¡­ can''t see anything. Is he alive?!] [Donation: $500 ¨C Somebody please tell me he''s okay.] [Bro, this was the best stream of all time¡­ RIP if he''s gone.] [Get well soon, man?] [We need Part 2, NOW!] ©¸ [Can you fuckin'' show some concern???] ©¸ [Why should I? I''m one of his highest donators after all. He should do his job and stop bitching around!] ©¸ [Jeez, that''s harsh man ????] [If he survived that, he better wake up with a new power-up or something, lmao.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Emma watched everything unfold. She was already racing through Meteor City at superspeed. "Nightwatch¡­ please, wait for me¡­" She zipped through every alley, searching for him. The city was huge, but at least she knew where he was, so finding him wouldn''t be hard. The real question was whether he''d survive long enough for her to reach him. "Please¡­ *sniffle* be okay¡­" Tears welled up in her eyes as she pushed herself even faster, weaving through the city''s twists and turns like a blur of yellow lightning. "I''m coming!" Chapter 40 The Waiting Game Scott''s vision was an absolute mess.In the gloom, a face began to take shape¡­ A woman''s face. Her features were sharp, unambiguous, and burned into his memory like a wound that refused to heal. Her icy, unforgiving eyes locked onto his, and he couldn''t look away. Her hands were closed around his throat with so much hatred it was impossible to breathe. "Mom¡­" His voice strained with suffering. "Please¡­ don'' t¡­" Her grip tightened. The pressure was suffocating. She was squeezing the last breath from his lungs. He clawed at her arms, but they felt immovable, like steel. "Why didn''t you just die©¤©¤?! I could be enjoying a luxurious life with your father if you just died!" "I'' II do better¡­" He rasped as tears spilled down his cheeks. "Just¡­ stop. Please." "You''ll do better?" The woman laughed. "Maybe if you died seven years ago! Why did you survive?! Are you some sort of disgusting cockroach?!" "I¡­" Suddenly, the image shattered. He gasped and his chest heaved immensely as he shot upright in the dumpster. Blood spattered from his lips and painted the rusted metal beneath him. "AGH©¤©¤!" Scott groaned and clutched his side as searing pain tore through his ribs. Every movement sent jolts of agony through his battered body. His armor was a mangled mess. It offered little to no protection now. With trembling hands, he gripped the edge of the dumpster and hauled himself up. The world spun violently as he tumbled out and collapsed onto the wet alley floor. His head smacked against the concrete, and he let out a strained grunt. ¡ºBreathe. Just breathe¡­¡» Finally, a familiar voice echoed in his head. [Stream has been terminated due to critical health status. Please rest and reco¡­] "Shut up¡­" Scott growled through gritted teeth. His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. The System fell silent, but a translucent screen materialized before his eyes. [Health Status: Critical] [Ribs: Fractured (5)] [Internal Bleeding: Present (Severe)] [Right Arm: Dislocated] [Left Leg: Sprained] [Head Trauma: Minor Concussion] [Energy Levels: Dangerously Low] [Recommendation: Immediate medical attention. Vigilante activities strictly prohibited.] --- Scott swiped weakly at the screen with his bloodied, trembling fingers. "I said¡­ shut up." The screen fizzled out and left him alone in the suffocating silence of the alley. His breaths came in shallow gasps as he staggered to his feet and clutched his ribs. The pain was unbearable, but he forced himself forward. Each step was a battle and his body screamed for rest, but his mind fixated on one thought¡­ ¡ºGwen.¡» He gnashed his teeth. "I have to¡­ get her back. No matter what." [Your condition is too severe to¡­] "SHUT UP!" Scott roared as his voice cracked. The outburst drained what little strength he had left, and his knees buckled. ¡­ THUD! He crumpled to the ground, unconscious. ... Emma zipped through the streets so fast that everything around her turned into a smear of colors and light. "HERE©¤©¤!!" She skidded to a stop in the alley. ¡­ SKKRRRRRRTTT!! Her pronounced chest heaved as she caught her breath and quickly looked around. "NIGHTWATCH!!" Emma screamed as her voice cracking with desperation. His crumpled body made her breath catch in her throat. "No, no, no¡­" Emma supersped to his side and dropped to her knees. Her hands hovered over his broken body, trembling as she took in the extent of his injuries. Blood stained his torn armor, and his face was barely recognizable beneath the grime and wounds. "Nightwatch¡­" She sniffled painfully. "You idiot. You did too much¡­ again." She gently cradled his face as her thumb brushed away the blood streaking his cheek. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to steady her breathing. "You don''t seem to be superabled¡­ and yet you still go so hard on yourself¡­" But then she realized. "That''s what heroes do¡­ I guess¡­" A tear slipped from her cheek and fell onto his bloodied face. The droplet mingled with the grime, creating a tiny streak of clean skin. Emma froze and her eyes widened slightly. Her teary eyes lingered on his torn mask. Most of it had been ripped away in the fight, leaving only small patches clinging to his face. Curiosity stirred within her¡­ a quiet, insistent voice whispering that this was her chance. ¡ºWhat does he look like under there?¡» S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma hesitated as her fingers brushed against the edge of the mask. ¡ºDoes it even matter? What if he''s just an ordinary guy? Or maybe¡­ older than I expected? Oh no, I never really thought about that. Could he actually be younger than me? I usually prefer older guys¡ªI think they''re better at handling the kind of habits I tend to have. But at the same time, I hope he isn''t too much older than me either. Honestly, I just want to see what he looks like¡ªnot because I care if he''s handsome or anything, but, well¡­ you know.¡» Her lips twitched into a faint, self-deprecating smile. ¡ºN-, Not that I''d care. I mean, it''s Nightwatch. He''s a hero. He''s¡­ him.¡» But then she pulled her hand back sharply. "No¡­" She muttered. "No, I can''t. It''s his identity. If he values it, I should too." Her voice grew firmer. "And even if he didn''t¡­ it''s not about me. It''s about him." She looked closely at him and dressed the strands of his hair she could see¡­ caring for him like a mother would for their child. ¡ºIf there''s one thing heroes used to value, it was their secret identity. But these days, some of them don''t even seem to care about that anymore. For some, it''s all about connecting with their fans, as if keeping their identity public makes them more relatable. And even when they do care, it''s not because of their enemies¡ªit''s more about avoiding the hassle of dealing with the paparazzi.¡» She leaned in and planted a kiss on his bloody forehead. Obviously, she didn''t mind the blood. ¡ºI just want any chance to be close to him¡­ but that doesn''t seem too likely for now, huh¡­¡» She sighed deeply and shook her head. "Besides, knowing him, he''d probably just make some stupid joke about how handsome he is under the mask. ''Oh, Emma, you couldn''t resist, huh?''¡­ tch!" Her impression of his voice was deliberately exaggerated, but it brought a fleeting smile to her lips. Rising to her feet, she slipped her arms under Scott''s limp form and lifted him with ease. His weight was nothing to her partly enhanced strength, but the sight of his bloodied body made her stomach churn. "I''II take you to a private hospital, Dr. Rosen will keep your records off the grid. You''Il be safe there." As she prepared to run, Emma paused. "I should call Jenna and Nadia¡­ I''ll need their help with¡­ everything. I don''t think I''ll be able to survive staying with him in his hospital room¡­ alone¡­ together¡­ alone¡­" She glanced down at Scott''s unconscious face and her expression softened like feathers. "You'' re lucky I''m such a nice person. Tee-hee ?! You owe me some of that thick, juicy vigilante cream. And maybe I''ll let you pound me so hard that I''ll be begging for more like a starving dog i©¤©¤!!" Too much, but she realized it a little late. "Porn addiction being my biggest weakness is crazy." She groaned like a sad puppy. With that, Emma took off and vanished into the night like a streak of lightning. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Woodhull Private Hospital: Dr. Rosen''s Office¡­ The faint sound of pen scratching against paper was all that could be heard as Dr. Rosen scribbled onto a stack of documents with a focused expression. ¡­ VWOOOOOOSH!! She barely had time to react when a gale-force wind burst into the room, scattering papers everywhere and throwing her carefully pinned hair into disarray. "What in the©¤©¤?!" Dr. Rosen''s furious words stopped cold as her eyes landed on Emma, who stood in the center of the chaos with Scott''s bloodied, broken body slung effortlessly over her shoulder. "D-, Doctor Rosen!" Emma''s voice was sharp and panicked. "Call whatever number you want, bill me whatever you want, but you need to fix him. Now." Dr. Rosen''s fury dissolved in an instant, replaced by shock and alarm as she took in Scott''s battered condition. Without a word, she shot up from her chair and brushing past Emma as she rushed to the office door. "Follow me!" She barked in her no-nonsense tone. "I''ll get a team to take him to the ER. We need to move fast. Really fast." Emma hesitated for a moment, trailing close behind. "But his identity¡­" Dr. Rosen shot her a look over her shoulder. "His identity, right? Relax. It''s not my first time dealing with this kind of thing. I''ll make sure no one knows who he is. For now, I need you to let us work. Bandages over his face, no questions asked. Happy?" Emma nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if anything goes wrong©¤" "Nothing will. Now stop wasting my time." Within minutes, a team of medical professionals arrived and efficiently transferred an unconscious Scott to a stretcher. True to her word, Dr. Rosen ensured his face was carefully wrapped to conceal his features completely. Emma stood off to the side, arms crossed tightly, as they wheeled him away to the emergency room. "Wait!" Emma stepped forward with a worried voice. "C-, Can I¡­ stay with hi©¤" "No." Dr. Rosen cut her off curtly. "You''ll just get in the way. Sit. Wait." And just like that, the doors to the ER slammed shut, leaving Emma alone in the quiet, sterile hallway. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The Waiting Game¡­ Emma changed into casual clothes which was a form-fitting tracksuit hugging her curvy figure perfectly. She slumped into a waiting room chair. For the first few minutes, she simply sat, tapping her foot anxiously against the floor. Then came the pacing. Then came the fidgeting. Finally, she huffed, "I can''t just SIT here." Her eyes darted around the empty hallway before she wandered off in search of something to do. Anything to keep her mind from spiraling. --- Emma stopped in front of a vending machine and stared at the rotating rows of snacks. She fished a few coins from her pocket and punched in the number for a bag of chips. The machine whirred but then stopped short, leaving the chips dangling precariously from the edge of the shelf. "Oh, come on!" Emma muttered. She crouched down and peered inside, then gave the machine a light shake. Nothing. A sign on the side read, "Do Not Tip or Shake." Emma smirked. "Yeah, right." With a calculated nudge of her strength, she jolted the machine just enough to dislodge the chips. Unfortunately, the machine let out a loud clatter, drawing the attention of a passing nurse. "Miss, please don''t do that." The nurse scolded with her hands on her hips. Emma held up the bag of chips like a trophy. "It worked, didn''t it?" The nurse sighed. "Just¡­ don''t break anything." "Noted." Emma winked & popped the bag open as she strolled away. --- Minutes later, Emma found herself hovering near the ER doors. She glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then slipped through the doors with stealthily. She made it a few steps in before a stern voice stopped her in her tracks. "Emma." Dr. Rosen''s tone was ice-cold. "Out. Now." Emma froze like a deer in headlights. "I-, I uhhh¡­ I just wanted to check©¤" "OUT." Head hanging, Emma trudged back to the waiting area. "Geez, she''s scary¡­" --- Emma flopped into another chair and tore into her chips as her mind began to wander. This was the first time she''d ever really thought about meeting Nightwatch¡ªlike really meeting him. ¡ºWhat am I even supposed to say? "Hi, I''m Emma, your totally-not-creepy stalker who dragged you here?"¡» She groaned and stuffed another chip into her mouth. ¡ºNo, no, focus. Keep it casual. Start with the basics. Favorite color? Favorite food? What''s his deal with vigilante work anyway? What kind of guy risks his life like that? ¡­ What kind of guy could make me worry this much?¡» Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she shook her head violently. "Nope. Not thinking about that." --- This time, Emma tried a different approach. She zipped past the ER doors at superspeed, hoping no one would notice her. She managed to make it halfway to Scott''s room before a nurse stepped into her path, arms crossed. "Miss, for the last time, you can''t be back here." Emma blinked innocently. "I wasn''t back here. I was¡­ checking the air quality! It''s great, by the way." The nurse raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Fine¡­" Emma grumbled. "I''m leaving." --- Back in the waiting area, Emma found a spinning chair at an empty desk. She plopped into it and began twirling herself around, letting out a quiet laugh as the world spun around her. "You''re a grown woman¡­ act like it." She stopped spinning, only to see a young child watching her with wide eyes. "You''re so pretty, Miss¡­" "Really?" "Mhm, you''re like a brown-haired angel!" "Ohoho, I wish a certain vigilante would tell me that¡­ while spreading my legs apart like butter and fu¡­" "¡­" "¡­" The kid grinned, and Emma gave a small, sheepish wave. --- By the time the ER doors finally opened, Emma was half-asleep in a chair, clutching an empty snack wrapper. Dr. Rosen approached with a plain face. "He''s stable¡­" Rosen said simply. Emma''s eyes lit up, and she shot to her feet. "Can I see him?!" "Give it a few hours," Rosen replied. "And please, don''t make my job harder." Emma nodded with much relief. As she sat back down, her thoughts circled back to Scott. ¡ºGuess I''ll wait as long as it takes¡­ You owe me, Nightwatch. Big time.¡» She slouched in her chair and turned on her phone. "I might as well check the latest news on his stream. I''m sure it''s not gonna be pretty¡­" She opened Threadit. [Subthreadit: t/NightwatchChronicles] [Thread Title: The Last Stream Was INSANE ¨C Dark Elf, Trickshot, Helicopters, and WTF Moments!] --- ? Dark Elf is Too OP, and I''m Here for It ?? ©® u/NightwatcherFanatic Guys, we NEED to talk about Dark Elf. Like, how do you even fight someone like her?? Her movements? Perfect. Her tactics? Flawless. And the way she just yeeted Mist out of existence? Legendary. Not to mention, her LOOK. Those red eyes? The all-black fit? She''s giving serious assassin femme fatale vibes, and I''m living for it. Even her line delivery was on point. "High heat disrupts vapor¡­ not that hard." Bro, that was ice cold. But here''s my theory: the United Nations GSI list that got leaked might actually be legit. Remember that hacker, @H4XorLord69, who posted it on Chirper before his account got nuked? He said Dark Elf is ranked #19 and Trickshot is #23. If that''s true, Nightwatch''s in WAY over his head. Thoughts? Also, why the hell would a ninja assassin need Trickshot to fly her around? It''s so random, but I kinda love it. Top Comments: [u/WeebSamurai9000: Bro, I''m telling you, she''s probably ex-military or something. Her combat style is way too polished for a solo act.] [u/GrimaceButNotPurple: Ex-military? Nah, she''s def got some shadow guild training. That''s the only explanation for how she clowned on Nightwatch like that.] --- Emma shrugged very pretentiously. "Meh, I still believe Nightwatch is better¡­ way better¡­" --- ? Is Nightwatch Dead? An Investigation ?? ©® u/StreamerSleuth Alright, I''ve spent the last six hours replaying the dumpster scene frame by frame, and I''m almost positive Nightwatch isn''t dead. Hear me out: 1. When the bombs went off, you can see him rolling to the far side of the dumpster just before impact. 2. The debris cloud was mostly metal, not flesh. If he was shredded, we''d see MORE blood. That said, he''s probably hella injured. My guess? Broken ribs, maybe a concussion, but he''s alive. And let''s be real, the dude''s got plot armor levels of luck. Also, does anyone else find it weird that someone donated $500 mid-stream asking if he was alive? Like, who does that? Top Comments: [u/420NoScopeKing: Plot armor? More like subscriber armor. Bro''s entire survival depends on how much we simp for him.] [u/DumpsterLover69: I''m just saying, that dumpster looked sturdy af. Probably saved his ass.] --- "Well he''s obviously alive¡­" Emma grumbled. She almost crushed the phone in her hand. "It''s like these guys want to make me a widow before I even get married to my handsome vigilante ?!" She was barely hiding the obsessed smile on her face. It was a few inches from crazy. --- ? Trickshot Driving the Helicopter is Wild ?? ©® u/ConspiracyTheoryKaren Let''s talk about the HELICOPTER. Did anyone else notice Trickshot casually drinking whiskey while flying? Like, who the hell does that?! And WHY is Trickshot even involved? He''s not just some random thug¡ªthis guy''s a sniper legend with a confirmed kill count in the triple digits. If you pause at 1:42:37, you can SEE his face reflected in the helicopter window. It''s definitely him. I cross-referenced with his mugshot from that GSI leak, and it''s a perfect match. What''s his connection to Dark Elf, though? Are they partners? Lovers? Rivals forced to work together? GIVE ME THE LORE! Top Comments: [u/FrodoLives69: Bro, imagine being good enough to multitask whiskey AND piloting a chase helicopter. Goals.] [u/TrickshotSimp420: I don''t care what anyone says; Trickshot''s eye patch makes him 1000% hotter.] --- "Trickshot? I think he assassinated the president of North Ilkania two years ago¡­" Emma bounced her head from side-to-side as she tried to remember. "Meh, doesn''t matter¡­" --- ? Podcast Highlights: Nightwatch''s Last Stream Is Changing The Game! ?? ©® u/PizzaSlicesAndLies Did anyone catch the "Critical Cape" podcast today? They were breaking down Nightwatch''s stream, and the hosts were losing it. HIGHLIGHT 1: Dark Elf is getting MASSIVE praise. They think she''s way more compelling than modern villains. HIGHLIGHT 2: Mist''s L was discussed for a solid 20 minutes. They argued whether it''s her fault for being too cocky or Nightwatch''s fault for not backing her up fast enough. Thoughts? HIGHLIGHT 3: They''re convinced the stream''s cliffhanger (dumpster explosion) was staged for drama. (Personally, I don''t buy it. Nightwatch isn''t that kind of streamer, right?) Also, fun tidbit¡ªBella Trevors (yes, THAT Bella Trevors, the singer/actress) tweeted during the stream: > "Nightwatch is trending for a REASON. Someone get this man a vacation (and maybe a medic)." Her tweet blew up with over 100k likes in under an hour. Is she¡­ a fan? Top Comments: [u/CapeCritic42: Man, Mist''s overconfidence was her downfall. She was too busy showing off and got cooked (literally).] [u/SimpsForBella: Bella Trevors watching Nightwatch streams? Bro, the crossover we never knew we needed. She''d be the PERFECT cameo for a future event.] --- "Bella Trevors really watches his stream?! Fuck!" Emma instantly felt jealous for some reason. "I swear she''s not that hot¡­ well, she''s pretty hot, I can''t even lie about it, damn it!" If it was one category of celebrities Emma didn''t like, then it was the hot ladies who had a thing for Nightwatch. "A bit of hypocrisy there, I know¡­ but is it a bad thing that I want him all to myself? I could superspeed us to a faraway place, like maybe San Marino, and we''ll just live there in happily ever after peace or something!" She returned to her phone. --- ? Podcast Recap: When Celebs Weigh In ?? ©® u/PodcastAddict666 Did y''all catch Pop Culture Unlocked this morning? They were breaking down the stream, and guess who called in? Freaking Jasmine Valera! (Yes, the Jasmine Valera, pop sensation and Nightwatch superfan.) She said, and I quote: "Nightwatch falling off that chopper was the most heartbreaking thing I''ve ever seen. He''s a hero in my eyes, no matter what." Chirper is eating it up, and now #SaveNightwatch is trending AGAIN. Also, one of the hosts pointed out that Scott''s grappling hook tech is probably stolen from Black Industries. If that''s true, it means his beef with Dark Elf might go deeper than we thought. Top Comments: [u/PopCultureStan: Jasmine Valera needs to marry Nightwatch. I don''t make the rules.] [u/SoSoFIFA: Jasmine Valera over Bella Trevors any day! I don''t like that blonde-haired bimbo one bit!] [u/BigDaddyPervert: High-key¡­ I would let Bella Trevors sit on my face! That dumb bitch, as arrogant as she is, has such a nice body ngl!] [u/ConspiracyGod88: Bro, Black Ind. is DEFINITELY funding Dark Elf. There''s no way she''s flying private on her assassin salary.] --- "STOP TRYING TO PAIR HIM UP, UGGGHHH!" Emma could feel herself slowly getting mad. She facepalmed heavily. "Maybe I''ll go on an interview and talk about Nightwatch and how he''s awesome. Maybe then Thredditors will start making romance gossips about us, mhmmmm~" --- ? Why does chat ALWAYS glaze Nightwatch? Let''s be real here¡­ ?? ©® u/TheShurikenThrower Don''t get me wrong¡ªI like Nightwatch, but come on. The man got his ass handed to him last night. Why is chat acting like he''s still the GOAT? He''s cool, but this whole "he''s inexperienced" excuse is getting old. Dark Elf outplayed him every step of the way. And can we talk about how Trickshot basically clowned on him while piloting a helicopter drunk? Like, it''s okay to admit Nightwatch isn''t perfect. Top Comments: [u/NightwatchStan94: Chat glazes him because he''s HUMAN. He makes mistakes, and that''s why we love him. If I wanted perfect, I''d watch The Peak flex his fake muscles on WeTube and Glitch.] [u/MistIsQueen: Chat''s loyalty to Nightwatch is fine, but let''s not ignore the elephant in the room: Mist is literally the MVP of the last stream and deserves better backup.] [u/SuspectShuriken: Let''s not pretend Dark Elf isn''t the real star here. Her fighting style, her dialogue (''You''re persistent. I''ll give you that''), her tactics¡ªshe''s the reason we''re all talking about this stream.] --- "I personally think he could''ve beaten that bitch¡­ I wouldn''t mind if he beat up Bella Trevors too, tch! I hate her fucking face so fucking much it''s not even funny!" She could imagine the smug face of the pretty face that was Bella Trevors surrounded by men begging for her autograph like they were dogs. It made Emma boil up. "I swear I wanna kick her in the face!" --- ? The Chat Glazing Was Next Level ?? ©® u/SarcasmKnight We need to have a serious conversation about the chat during the stream. Like, I know y''all are thirsty, but saying there was sexual tension during a literal fight? TOUCH SOME GRASS. Dark Elf threw shurikens at his face, and y''all are like, "She''s kinda into him tho." No, she''s not. She wants him DEAD. But the real MVP comment was: "Y''all think ninjas just awkwardly walk away after smoke-bombing?" I lost it. Top Comments: [u/GrassToucher69420: Bro, they''re just mad they''re not the ones getting shuriken''d. Let them cope.] [u/ShurikenStan77: Okay, but real talk, if Dark Elf did like Nightwatch, would she stop trying to kill him? Or would it be like, enemies-to-lovers trope IRL?] --- "They''d look horrible as a pair!" Emma rolled her eyes in disgust. --- ? Mist Deserved Better ?? ©® u/MistProtectorForever I don''t care what anyone says¡ªMist deserved better. She was literally holding her own until Nightwatch got all "I''m the hero" and rushed in. Also, can we talk about how the chat roasted her WHILE she was getting blown up? Not cool. She''s out here fighting for her life, and y''all are making memes. Top Comments: [u/Simp4Mist: She''ll come back stronger. Vapor Queens don''t stay down for long.] [u/NinjaFanboy: Mist''s powers are cool, but she needs to work on countering heat. Dark Elf exposed her weakness HARD.] --- "Crazy talk¡­ it''s almost like they didn''t watch the stream. I personally think Mist was holding him back and arguing for no fuckin'' reason¡­ she acts like a child. I wonder how Nightwatch can even stand her." Emma swiped to the next post. --- ? H4XorLord69 Was Right?? ?? ©® u/ChirperDetective Okay, so I did some digging after that Chirper post by H4XorLord69 got deleted, and¡­ yeah, it''s looking legit. Both Trickshot and Dark Elf are on the GSI''s Most Wanted list. I also found out that Trickshot used to work for a merc group called Black Stone. Dark Elf''s affiliations are less clear, but if she''s working with him, she''s got serious backing. The real question is: WHY are they targeting Nightwatch? Are they just hired guns, or is this personal? Top Comments: [u/PhantomUmbraFanboy: Black Stone was disbanded years ago. If Trickshot''s still active, it''s gotta be underground work.] [u/GSIWatcher: Dark Elf is definitely #19 on the list. Someone leaked the full ranking once, and she''s been there for years.] --- ? When''s Part 2 Dropping??? ?? ©® u/HypedForNightwatch Does anyone know when Nightwatch''s next stream is? I NEED to see what happens next. Did he survive? Is Mist okay? Are they finally gonna face off with Dark Elf and Trickshot again? Also, shoutout to the donators. Y''all really carried this stream. I know Nightwatch just wants to do good and stuff, but I think donations and support really helps anyone in the content creating business, more than we know. He has my support no matter what! Top Comments: [u/StreamerSimp2000: If Nightwatch doesn''t stream soon, I''m gonna lose it. The cliffhanger is KILLING ME.] [u/Donator69: Don''t worry, I''ll drop another $1k if it means we get a rematch.] --- Subthreadit sidebar update! ? Top Question This Week: "Did Nightwatch survive?" ? Current Trending Tag: #DarkElfDominance ? Stream Highlights Compilation: [LINK] ? Weekly Podcast Recaps: [LINK] --- Emma switched off her phone and stood up to stretch. "Huuup!" She stretched out very tiredly. "Time to see how Mr. Vigilante is doing¡­" Chapter 41 A Pretty Good Recovery Woodhull Private Hospital: Emergency Room Corridor¡­Emma walked straight toward the ER doors with a tight jaw and balled fists. The fluorescent lights above gave off a faint buzz as she neared, but she came to an abrupt stop when the same nurse from before stepped in her way. The woman stood firmly, arms crossed and a no-nonsense look on her face, refusing to let her pass. "Miss¡­" The nurse spoke with the calm patience of someone who had repeated this line far too many times today. "For the last time, you are not allowed back here." Emma halted, glaring daggers at the woman. Her exhaustion and anxiety boiled over into a low growl. "Listen up¡­ Denise¡­" Emma snapped, pointing directly at the nurse''s badge with all the authority of a queen addressing her subject. "Dr. Rosen said it''s fine for me to go in. So unless you want to explain to her why you''re making me wait here like a chump, I suggest you step aside." Denise blinked, visibly shocked by Emma''s sudden shift from impatient worrywart to full-blown diva. She opened her mouth to argue but froze when she caught the intensity in Emma''s eyes. This wasn''t a bluff. Emma was done playing nice. "Fine¡­" Denise muttered, stepping aside reluctantly. "You can go in. I''m sorry for the misunderstanding." "Good. Glad we understand each other." Emma dusted her hands off theatrically and lifted her chin with a very cheeky grin. She strutted into the ER with all the confidence of someone who had just won an argument with the universe itself. Behind her, Denise muttered something about "too much drama for one night¡­" but Emma didn''t care. She was finally in! --- The ER Room¡­ The first thing Emma noticed was the soft, steady beeping of the heart monitor. Then her eyes landed on Scott. He was lying still on the hospital bed, covered in layers of white bandages. His face was so heavily wrapped that it was hard to tell it was him, with only his nose left uncovered so he could breathe. Emma''s proud strut faltered, and her expression softened into something far more vulnerable. She tiptoed closer as her eyes scanned the monitor. His vitals were stable. Relief caressed her nerves, but it didn''t last long. She pulled a chair close to the bedside and sat down, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. Her fingers itched to reach out and touch him, to reassure herself he was really there, but she hesitated. ¡ºHe looks so¡­ fragile¡­¡» Her brows furrowing. ¡ºIs he gonna be the same after this? I mean, sure, he''s survived worse. Probably. But this time felt¡­ different.¡» Her eyes drifted to the small window, where the faint glow of the coming sunrise painted the edges of the horizon. She sighed and rested her chin on her palm. ¡ºI know I worry too much, but¡­ it''s hard not to. Especially when his recent stream blew up like it did. I still blame that blonde-haired bimbo, tch! Sure, the popularity''s great and all, but some of the stuff they said about him was just¡­ cruel.¡» Her eyes returned to Scott, and this time, she reached out. Her hand hovered over his bandaged face for a moment before she gently cupped his cheek. Her thumb brushed against the fabric, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "But that''s the thing about being popular, right?" There was as much bitterness as there was affection in her whispering voice. "When everyone knows who you are, not everyone''s gonna like you. Some people are just¡­ jealous. Or mean. Or bored." She chuckled softly and glanced back at the window. "But like they say, there''s always light at the end of the tunnel. You just gotta focus on the people who really care about you¡­ who really love you. Like me." Her expression softened for a moment, but it didn''t stay that way for long. A mischievous lit up in her eyes, and a sly grin spread across her lips. She leaned in closer to Scott and her cheeks turned a little pink as an idea popped into her head. ¡ºEnough of this philosophical crap!¡» She violently shook her head. ¡ºIt''s not like he''s gonna tell me his secret identity or anything. So I might as well make the most of this opportunity.¡» Her fingers moved to the buttons of his hospital gown, and she carefully unfastened them as her heart pounded with both excitement and guilt. As the fabric parted, revealing Scott''s chiseled chest, Emma''s jaw practically hit the floor. "HOLY©¤©¤!!" She somehow managed to keep her voice low as heavy steam practically poured out of her ears. "He''s built like a friggin'' lumberjack! So sexy!" She fished her phone out of her pocket with trembling hands and snapped a quick picture, biting her lip to keep from squealing. "Just for¡­ personal records¡­" She muttered with burning cheeks. Then, unable to resist, she climbed onto the bed and rested her head gently against his bare chest. The warmth of his skin beneath the bandages sent a shiver down her spine. She angled her phone for a selfie and grinned. "Smile, Nightwatch¡­" She giggled like a schoolgirl as she took the shot. The camera shutter clicked and guilt hit Emma instantly. She sat up straight with her face still burning, and hurriedly stuffed her phone back into her pocket. "Okay, okay, that''s enough creeping for one day¡­" She settled back into the chair and her head rested against the edge of the bed as she watched the sunrise paint the room in soft orange hues. ¡ºI should probably get him something to eat when he wakes up¡­ yeah, I think I should¡­¡» Emma stood up from her chair and stretched her back with a soft groan before adjusting her track jacket. Her fingers fidgeted with the zipper as she glanced back at Scott''s still body on the bed. He looked peaceful, almost too peaceful, considering the chaos he''d gone through. Reaching the door, Emma hesitated as her hand rested on the cold metal handle. She bit her lip then stole another glance at Scott. ¡ºMaybe¡­ just one.¡» The thought planted itself firmly in her mind. Her cheeks burned at the idea, and her heart raced as she slowly turned around. Taking very careful, deliberate steps, she walked back to his bedside. She leaned over him and her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the bandages covering his face. Gently, she peeled the fabric back, revealing his lips¡ªa soft, unguarded curve that made her knees feel weak. Emma''s breath hitched. ¡ºThis is crazy¡­ But it''s not like he''d know, right?¡» Her eyes darted toward the door. No one was around. The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence as she brushed her hair to the side. Leaning in closer, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. Her lips hovered inches away. The tension was thick enough to cut with a butter knife. But just as her heart screamed for her to close the gap, her mind won out. She pulled back sharply and shook her head as if to physically dispel the thought. "No¡­ no, that would be wrong!" She muttered under her breath. Straightening up, she adjusted her jacket again and walked out of the room with faster steps this time. --- Inside the Room¡­ The heart monitor''s beeping remained steady. The silence was broken by a calm, mechanical voice. [Host''s current health at 60%. Initiating remaining treatment protocol to achieve full recovery.] Scott''s fingers twitched, and his eyes fluttered open beneath the bandages. With deliberate movements, he reached up and peeled the bandages from his face to reveal his tired features. He stared at the door Emma had just exited through and his blue eyes softening. His fingers brushed his lips as a small, almost imperceptible smile showed at the corners. ¡ºShe didn''t kiss me¡­ but she likely wanted to. I could feel her breath¡­¡» His smile widened just a fraction before his expression shifted to a half-lidded, exhausted look. "The women around me are¡­ something else." Scott attempted to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his torso, forcing him to collapse back against the bed. "Argh¡­ Damn it." The System chimed in. [Host''s body is still in recovery. Permission requested to administer advanced treatment protocols.] Scott groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah, yeah. Permission granted." [Notice: Advanced treatment will cost 60,000 credits. Confirm purchase?] He sighed, then nodded. "Sure. Just do it." [Transaction successful. Remaining balance: 430,000 credits.] Scott''s brows shot up. "Wait, what? 430K? That''s¡­ a lot more than I remember." [Host''s most recent stream garnered significant attention, accumulating a total of 280,000 credits due to its popularity and high stakes. The amount has been added to your previous balance.] Scott blinked in surprise, then let out a low whistle. "280K, huh? Guess all that pain was worth something after all. Gwen getting taken though¡­" Now wasn''t the time to sulk. Not at all. He chuckled lightly before wincing at the strain it caused. "Alright, System. Finish the treatment." The room hummed softly as a sleek, high-tech metal box materialized at the foot of his bed. The lid of the box split open with a hiss, and several mechanical arms extended outward, each equipped with cutting-edge medical tools. [Deploying nano-blood injectors¡­] [Deploying adrenaline patches¡­] The arms moved with precision, injecting Scott with nano-blood to repair internal injuries and applying adrenaline patches to stabilize his vitals. [Deploying gas mask¡­] A small gas mask was placed over his face to deliver a sedative mist that instantly relaxed him. His eyelids grew heavy. [Commencing treatment to restore host to optimal health. Please remain at rest.] Scott''s lips twitched into a faint smile as the world around him blurred. "430K credits¡­ and a free kiss attempt¡­ Not really a bad deal, huh¡­" His voice wisped away as the sedative took hold, and the mechanical arms continued their work, ensuring every injury was treated with the utmost care. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Hospital Lounge ¨C Morning¡­ The coffee machine hummed softly through the nurse''s breakroom as three young nurses gathered together, talking quietly but excitedly. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of them was a small brunette named Kelly, who leaned against the counter with a mischievous, cat-like grin as she held a steaming mug in her hands. "Did you hear about the hottie they brought in last night?" The other two, Melissa and Diane, perked up instantly. Melissa raised an eyebrow. "The one with his face wrapped in bandages?" Presently, she was fixing her lipstick in a compact mirror. "Yeah, that''s the one! He''s got a ridiculously hot body. I wouldn''t mind taking a little nibble out of it." Kelly''s grin expanded. Diane scoffed at this as she shook her head. "Kelly, you''re impossible." She was a tall redhead with a no-nonsense attitude. Now applying a touch of blush to her cheeks, Melissa casually chimed in. "Wait, wait, hold on. If there''s a guy that ripped in this hospital, I''d better start looking good. I''m not about to waste an opportunity like this." Kelly snorted. "Oh, trust me. You''ll thank me later. I walked in on him this morning. He was doing push-ups, and the sweat¡­" She fanned herself dramatically. "Let''s just say my legs nearly gave out. A few more seconds and the volcano between my legs would''ve erupted, and I''ll be damned if I''m not hard-pressed to spray that body of his with it~" Melissa paused mid-swipe with her mascara wand. "He was sweaty? Oh, honey, I don''t mind getting a little hot and sweaty with him myself." Diane gave her a playful shove. "That''s a little too much, don''t you think? We should at least try to be professional." Kelly and Melissa ignored her. "I bet Dr. Rosen bandaged his face on purpose¡­" Kelly spoke as she crossed her arms. "Probably doesn''t want anyone getting distracted by how handsome he is." Melissa shrugged at this. "Even if his face is average¡­ I don''t care. I just want those strong, monster arms to grip me¡ªroughly." Kelly and Melissa exchanged perverted glances and nodded in agreement. After that, Kelly leaned closer then lowered her voice. "But it''s weird, right? When they brought him in last night, he looked lean. A bit muscular, sure, but nothing like¡­ this morning. He''s like a whole Greek sexy daddy special now." Melissa laughed so hard she nearly spilled her lotion. "Greek sexy daddy special? You''re so dramatic." "No, seriously!" Kelly insisted. "I almost couldn''t look at his face. His body was just that distracting." Diane frowned. "Wait¡­ weren''t you supposed to check on him and send the report to Dr. Rosen?" Kelly casually waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. I sent one of the residents to handle it. She''ll be fine." "I wouldn''t be able to handle it either. If I walk in and see a sexy stud doing push-ups and drenched in sweat? Nope. I''d need a cold shower." Melissa smirked seductively right after. The three burst into giggles and their chatter went on. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott''s Room ¨C A Few Minutes Later¡­ Gina, the resident sent by Kelly, muttered under her breath as she walked down the hallway, clipboard in hand. "They''re always sending me to do their errands. I signed up for this job to do real medical work, not cover for lazy nurses." She couldn''t stop grumbling. The young lady pushed the door open without knocking, her eyes still on the clipboard. "Excuse me, Mr. McQueen, I''m here to¡ª" Her voice hooked in her throat. Right in front of her, Scott was mid-set in a series of intense push-ups. His lean, muscular physique glistened with sweat, while his movements were precise and fluid. Every ripple of his muscles seemed to catch the light, and his slightly damp hair clung to his forehead. Gina froze as her face instantly turned beet red. "¡­K-, Kyaaaaaa~ ?!" She shrieked and stumbled back a step. Her clipboard clattered to the floor as she slapped both hands over her mouth. Scott stopped mid-push-up and looked up, confused. Rising to his feet, he wiped his forehead with a towel and turned to face her. "Are you okay?" His voice was oddly deeper than before. Gina''s eyes widened further, and she took another step back then shook her head furiously. "I-, I-, I''m fine! I''ll come back later!" Before Scott could say another word, she spun on her heel and bolted out of the room, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process. Scott blinked, watching the door swing shut behind her. "What''s with her?" he muttered to himself. The System''s familiar voice chimed in. [Host''s recent physical enhancements, combined with the Charm stat increase, are having the expected effect. The resident displayed signs of attraction and flustered interest.] Scott raised an eyebrow and wiped his neck with the towel. "Charm stat, huh? Didn''t think it''d make people scream." [Correction: It is not just the Charm stat. The host''s improved physique, sweat-drenched appearance, and natural charisma have likely heightened her reaction. It is probable that the women you encounter may find themselves increasingly drawn to you.] Scott groaned and tossing the towel onto a chair. "Great. That''s just what I need¡ªpeople swooning when I''m trying to recover." The System paused before delivering its next statement. [Host should prepare for more such encounters. Many individuals of the opposite gender may now wish to¡­ bend over at the sight of the host''s overnight glow-up.] Scott rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying so hard to fight back a smirk. "System, you''ve got a strange sense of humor." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Emma was on her way back to the hospital. She had a very plain and oddly calm face. "Hmm, for some reason I wanna kill someone¡­" Those words casually left her mouth. Chapter 42 Be Casual, Perhaps? Woodhull Private Hospital ¨C Elevator Ride¡­Emma walked into the hospital elevator, holding two big white nylon bags that swayed a little as she moved. Both bags were packed full of food, and the warm, sweet smell of freshly baked goods filled the air around her. As the elevator doors slid shut, Emma giggled softly to herself as her lips curled into a soft, genuine smile. "I bet he''ll light up like a kid on Christmas when he sees this. He''s been stuck in here long enough. A feast like this will definitely cheer him up." Her thoughts lingered on Nightwatch, imagining his reaction when she handed him the bags. The mere idea brought another giggle to her lips. ¡­ Tee-hee ?!! But just as the elevator began its slow ascent, her phone buzzed in her jacket pocket. Frowning slightly, she shifted the bags to one hand and pulled out her phone. The screen lit up with a name that immediately made her heart skip a beat. Isaac Volkner. She hesitated for a moment before swiping to answer. Raising the phone to her ear, she let out a measured¡­ "Hello?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A familiar, deep voice came through the line. "Hey, Em." The moment his voice reached her ears, Emma''s entire body seemed to react. Her spine straightened, and a faint, unexpected prick crept up her stomach. It was as if Isaac Volkner himself had stepped into the elevator beside her. "Uh, hi¡­" she replied, her voice quieter than usual. On the other end of the line, Isaac was stepping out of his mansion, fishing his car keys from his pocket. His perfectly tailored suit glimmered under the morning sun, but his attention was momentarily diverted as his team of maids descended upon him. One deftly plucked the phone from his hand, holding it to his ear as the others began their routine. One combed his beard, another adjusted his lapels, and a third smoothed out invisible wrinkles in his suit. Two more worked in tandem to style his hair, all while Isaac stood motionless and stared out at the sea of luxury cars parked in his massive compound. When Emma didn''t immediately respond, Isaac''s voice took on a teasing lilt. "Uh, Emma? Are you there? Don''t tell me you''re ignoring me. Not cool." Emma''s grip tightened on the phone and her nerves prickled as she forced herself to respond. "No! No, I''m here¡­" She spoke very quickly. Almost as if she was panicked. "What¡­ uh, what seems to be the problem?" Isaac chuckled lightly. "Why are you talking so weirdly? Don''t tell me you''ve forgotten." Emma''s soft features shifted into a small frown, unsure of what to say. She felt a wave of disappointment, realizing she might have forgotten something that clearly mattered to Isaac. ¡ºWhat the fuck was it¡­¡» Her mind raced desperately to recall anything she might have missed. But, it seemed pointless. "Forgotten¡­ what, exactly?" She asked cautiously, feeling bad even as she spoke. Being the chill guy that he was, Isaac laughed softly. "Don''t worry about it. It''s fine. I was just calling to remind you about the tech event tonight. You know, the one Aaron Black''s hosting? I managed to score a VVIP invite for you. A few well-known heroes will be attending, and according to my sources, Black Industries plans to start working with heroes by providing advanced technology, offering lucrative contracts, and even setting up sponsorship deals." Emma raised an eyebrow and shifted the weight of the bags in her hands. "A tech event? That''s¡­ interesting. But isn''t it a bit weird for you to show up? Black Industries is one of your biggest competitors." As the final maid planted a quick peck on Isaac''s cheek and stepped back, he chuckled and ran a hand gently through his perfectly styled hair. "True¡­ but Anthony, Aaron''s son¡ªand my childhood friend, mind you¡ªinvited me personally. It''d be rude to turn him down." Emma let out a noncommittal hum. "Fair enough, I guess." The elevator dinged to announce her arrival. The doors slid open, and Emma stepped out, her sharp eyes darting around the busy hallway. Nurses and patients bustled past, but she stayed locked in on her conversation. Isaac''s voice turned warmer. "So, where are you now? I''ve got a dress picked out for you. Thought you might want to be my plus one tonight." Emma froze mid-step. Her face twisted into an awkward grimace as she looked down at the bags in her hands. "I don''t know, Isaac¡­ You''d probably have a better time taking four or five hot models instead of me. I''m kinda busy right now." Isaac''s tone softened, losing some of its usual flavor. "Emma, I want to go with you. I''ve been patient, haven''t I? I''ve done everything to show you that I''m serious about us, but¡­ you haven''t given me the time of day. Do you just not like me?" Emma let out a sigh and closed her eyes briefly as she stopped in the middle of the hallway. "Isaac¡­" She sighed very heavily. That alone made it clear how tough the topic was¡­ and how often it seemed to come up. "Can we not do this right now? I''m at the hospital." The concern in Isaac''s voice was immediate. His personal feelings could always wait. "Hospital? Are you hurt?" "No." Emma replied quickly. "I''m just here to visit a friend." A pause followed, and Emma could almost picture Isaac''s frown on the other end. "Please don''t tell me it''s Jenna or Nadia¡­" Emma snorted. "Definitely not." Isaac''s tone grew more curious. "Then who is i¡ª" Before he could finish, Emma ended the call with a heavy sigh. She lowered the phone and stared at it for a moment before shoving it back into her pocket. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she glanced down at the bags once more. "Great¡­" She muttered under her breath and resumed her trek down the hallway. "Just what I needed today¡­" Her pace quickened as she focused on her goal. ¡ºI-, I should get to him¡­ I''m sure he''s waiting¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott''s Room ¨C Morning¡­ Scott sat shirtless on the bed as his toned body was highlighted by the morning light streaming in. He was currently focused on the holographic interface floating before him. Beads of sweat clung to his skin from an earlier workout. He flicked his hand to swipe through the floating files in front of him, while his sharp eyes focused as he scanned the information. Each file displayed detailed data on the assassins who had ambushed him the night before: their aliases, combat styles, weapon preferences, and known affiliations. After checking Threadit, he discovered that someone with the username @H4XorLord69 managed to hack into the GSI''s Most Wanted list and leak the names of the 25 most dangerous assassins. However, the information was limited¡ªit only included their names and mugshots. Shortly after, the post was wiped from the Internet. Some users on Threadit complained that they had taken screenshots and saved the post, but the images mysteriously disappeared from their phones after a mandatory government update. The information was out there, but no one had a way to prove it¡ªuntil now. [Alias: Trickshot] [Real Name: Ivan Makarov] [Nationality: Russian] [Age: 29] [Threat Level: 3] [Specialization: Ballistic manipulation, sniper combat] [Profile: He is a sharpshooter with a unique ability to control the trajectory of bullets using magnetism. Armed with a modified sniper rifle and dual pistols, Trickshot''s powers make his attacks nearly impossible to predict or evade. Known for his cocky attitude, he often leaves mocking messages at the scene of his assassinations.] [Affiliations: Independent; occasionally hired by organized crime groups.] [Notable Crimes: Assassination of North Ilkania''s former president, Eliminated an entire convoy of armored vehicles escorting a key diplomat in Geneva without missing a single shot.] [Additional Notes: Prefers custom tungsten bullets resistant to electromagnetic interference.] --- Scott nodded understandably. "Alright, bring up full information on Dark Elf¡­" [Unavailable. Now running level 10 search on Dark Elf across all databases¡­] Scott''s lips thinned into a hard line. "Hm. Figures¡­" He muttered as he dismissed the file with a swipe. Leaning back, he folded his arms. "System." The familiar disembodied voice responded immediately in its calm and precise tone. [How may I assist you, Master Scott?] Scott tilted his head as his brows furrowed slightly. "I''ve been thinking. Is it possible those assassins tracked me because my stream was live? I mean, if that''s the case, this whole streaming thing is kind of¡­ idiotic." [Negative. The stream is designed not only to enhance the Host''s capabilities but also to safeguard your identity and location. Multiple failsafes have been implemented to ensure your security.] Scott raised an eyebrow. "Failsafes, huh? Like what?" [For example, should your government name be mentioned during a stream, it is immediately censored to prevent exposure. Additionally, the System alters your facial appearance in the stream. Any attempt to run facial recognition software on your likeness would result in an inconclusive match.] Scott nodded, now more interested. "Alright, but what about the location? If someone''s got enough resources, couldn''t they figure out where I am just by watching?" [The System ensures that the live stream is inaccessible to any individuals flagged as threats. Villains cannot view the stream in real-time. The only way they might acquire your content is through third-party clips, which are similarly scrubbed of sensitive data.] Scott smirked, leaning forward slightly. "So, in other words, they can''t watch me live?" [Affirmative.] [The Host may also experience the stream from a viewer''s perspective to observe the additional protective measures. These include audio distortions for sensitive conversations and visual overlays to obscure environmental clues.] [Rest assured, Host, your safety is paramount.] Scott let out a low whistle, impressed. "You''re really going all out for me, huh? Guess that means you''re loyal." It wasn''t something he expected a response to. But, the System replied regardless. [The System does not process loyalty. However, it has been programmed to dedicate its existence to the Host. One could argue that this surpasses loyalty. The System exists solely because you will it to.] Scott blinked, then rubbed the bridge of his nose with a half-smile. "You''re getting weird again. Tone it down, will you?" [Understood.] The holographic interface faded as Scott stood up and grabbed a towel from the nearby chair. He slung it over his shoulder and stretched his arms. "Guess I''d better grab a shower before she shows up." He headed toward the bathroom. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Hospital Hallway ¨C Moments Later¡­ Emma paused at the sight of a young woman in a white coat who gripped a clipboard with trembling hands. The resident¡ªGina, by her badge¡ªwas still flushed. Emma tilted her head slightly, observing her with faint curiosity before stepping closer. "Excuse me¡­" Emma kept her voice low and smooth. It carried a weight that immediately caught Gina''s attention. "There was a man brought into the ER last night. I checked the ward earlier but couldn''t find him. Could you point me toward the nurse taking care of him?" Gina blinked rapidly, clearly caught off guard, and clutched her clipboard tighter. "Oh, um, the man from last night? You mean the one with, uh, the bandages on his face?" Emma''s eyes narrowed just a fraction. "Yes. Him." Gina swallowed hard as the memory of Scott''s sweat-glistened physique rushed back with a vengeance. Her cheeks grew impossibly redder, and her fingers fumbled awkwardly with the clipboard. "T-, That''s¡­ Nurse Kelly''s patient¡­" She stammered as her voice rose an octave. "H-, He uh-, He¡­ um, he''s been transferred to Room 301 on the third floor." Emma nodded slowly with a face that gave away nothing. "Thank you." Turning on her heel, she started walking away. Gina let out a breath she hadn''t realized she was holding and leaned against the wall, pressing a hand to her burning cheeks. --- Emma walked briskly through the corridors, her face set in a calm, almost unreadable expression. But inside, her thoughts churned. ¡ºWhy do I feel so¡­ agitated?¡» Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced down to see Isaac Volkner''s name flashing on the screen. She sighed heavily and hit decline for the second time that morning. "Sorry, Isaac¡­" she murmured. "I''ll make it up to you." A message pinged through almost immediately: [@Volkner ? : I''m not mad. Just pick up next time, okay? Will you be in New York for the event?] Emma bit her lip as her slender fingers hesitated over the keyboard before typing: [@MercuryOfficial ? : I''ll think about it¡­] She stared at the screen and her heart sunk slightly. ¡ºI''m not one of those indecisive girls in cheesy romance stories. I know what I want¡­¡» Her grip on the phone tightened as she mentally steeled herself. ¡ºI want Nightwatch. He''s the only man I want.¡» But how could she tell Isaac the truth? That she didn''t see him that way? That her heart was already set on someone else? She sighed again, then lifted her head just as she turned the corner. Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt when her pretty, yellow eyes landed on him. Standing in his room, towel draped over his shoulder, was Scott. His lean yet muscular frame seemed to glow under the soft light, and every inch of his indescribably sexy body screamed strength and power. Emma''s eyes wandered downward. ¡ºPlease, oh please, tell me he''s naked¡­ I just wanna get a look at his peen just once. I''ve never seen one in real life, I wonder how it tastes¡­¡» She was already drooling. ¡ºI wonder how his taste¡­ I want it raw¡­¡» Her face turned beet red as her eyes locked onto his defined V-lines. Steam practically shot out of her ears like a cartoon locomotive. ¡ºHe''s wearing pants¡­ but I can see the shape¡­ it looks like a fat eggplant, heh~¡» Scott glanced up and quickly noticed her presence through the partially open door. "Are you¡­ Miss Mercury?" Emma froze as her mind scrambled for coherent thought. ¡ºV-lines. He has V-lines. Why does he have V-lines?¡» Her body snitched on her. Her cheeks burned hotter as she stammered. "I-, I was just¡­ uh¡­" Scott tilted his head, his brow quirking slightly. "You alright? You look like you''ve seen a ghost. It''s me¡­ uh, Nightwatch, remember?" "Nope! Fine! Totally fine!" She squeaked and spun on her heel. "I''ll, uh, come back later!" Scott watched her retreat, mildly amused. "No you don''t have t©¤©¤" "I have to! You have nice nipples too! NO! I didn''t mean to say that, I mean, uh¡­ I''ll be back for fuck''s sake, some pressuring me you handsome son of a bitch!" Scott raises an eyebrow. "I''m not pressuring y©¤©¤" "Of course you aren''t©¤©¤?!" Emma panicked. "Huh?" Scott tilted his head. "I''m so fucked¡­" Emma took the walk of shame away. Shortly after, she leaned against the wall and fanned herself furiously. ¡ºPull it together, Emma. You''re not some flustered schoolgirl, you''re a fuckin'' superhero! A famous, rich and damn right sexy one, alright?! Don''t let the average charms of a that vigilante guy make you look stupid¡­¡» But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t get the image of his body out of her head. ¡ºMaybe I am¡­¡» She groaned softly, resisting the intense feminine urge to scream into her hands. Emma pressed her back more against the cold wall then buried her face in her hands as her heart raced. A deep, mortified groan escaped her lips, muffled by her palms. ¡ºWhat is wrong with me? I''ve waited months to meet Nightwatch in person, and the first thing I do is¡­ comment on his perfectly sculpted nipples?!¡» She slid down the wall into a crouch and her body folded as if she could somehow shrink herself out of existence. Her fingers tugged at her hair as she groaned again, this time more guttural. "I literally just told the man he has nice nipples¡­ and not even in some slick, offhand way. I squeaked it out like a perverted fangirl." Her face burned with embarrassment as she replayed the encounter in her mind. His plain, unreadable expression as she rambled on made her stomach cry. ¡ºHe probably thinks I''m some desperate weirdo. Great first impression, Emma. Really nailed it.¡» She slapped her forehead, muttering under her breath. "I''m doing it again. Just like in the chats. Acting like some obsessed idiot¡­ and why the hell was the first thing I noticed about him the size of his¡­" She clenched her fists then groaned loudly. "Damn it, I really do regret getting addicted to porn." Her thoughts spiraled further as she remembered more details. "Oh, God¡­ I really fuckin'' told him he''s got sexy nipples¡­ and I meant it." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "They''re so... kissable. I wouldn''t mind just once©¤©¤" She slapped her cheek hard to cut herself off. "No! Stop! Focus, Emma!" Her voice echoed in the empty hallway, and she glanced around, cheeks burning. After a moment of silence, she exhaled heavily. "Okay. Calm down. Breathe." She placed her hands on her knees and steadied herself. "The only reason I even recognized him is because I remembered that tiny birthmark near his nipple from when I saw him shirtless after looking at his chest earlier today." Her face flushed deeper. "But wh-, why did I have to mention it?!" She groaned again and buried her face in her hands. "This is worse than the time I accidentally liked that thirst tweet about his biceps. I''m never going to live this down¡­" She brought out her phone and searched for the tweet in question, but remembered a certain face. ¡ºTch, that fuckin'' bitch Bella Trevors¡­ I remember she also commented on that post which made it blow up. It had about a million likes the last time I checked¡­ which, was, well uh, this morning¡­¡» She put her phone back in her pocket. Her thoughts faltered as her eyes drifted toward a patient room opposite her. A sickly young boy sat in bed, his mother feeding him carefully. The sight sobered her for a moment, and she sighed softly. "He does look young, though¡­ like, suspiciously young. If I didn''t know better, I''d think he was still a teenager." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But he''s gotta be at least 23, right? Not bad¡­ though I''d kinda prefer him to be older. Maybe forty or so. Then I could call him Daddy¡ª" Her lips curled into a mischievous smile before she stopped herself. "Nope. Nope. Not going there." She shook her head violently, trying to dispel the thought. But her eyes drifted upward again as she imagined him in civilian clothes. "He''d look so good in a nice, clean taper. Honestly, that emo hair over his eyes is not doing him any favors. If it were up to me, I''d clean him up real nice. Maybe a button-down... Ooh, or a leather jacket¡ª" She froze mid-thought as a shadow fell over her. Slowly, she glanced up¡­ and her heart stopped. Scott stood right in front of her, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on her with an unreadable expression. The faint scent of his soap and cologne lingered in the air between them, and her throat went dry. "Miss Mercury?" Emma squeaked as her body stiffened like a board. "Ni-, Nightwatch! I-, I didn''t¡­ uh-" Scott tilted his head slightly, then stepped closer. His towering presence was impossible to ignore, and Emma instinctively pressed her back against the wall. "You left me standing there like an idiot¡­ what''s got you so panicked?" He sounded very smooth and casual. Emma''s eyes darted to the side to avoid his blue eyes. Her mouth opened and closed, but no coherent words came out. Finally, she managed to stammer. "N-, Nothing! I was just¡­ uh¡­" Scott leaned in closer, and his hand rested on the wall beside her head. His face was inches from hers now, and his sharp eyes searched hers intently. "You don''t need to hide it¡­ I already know." Emma''s heart pounded in her chest as her mind scrambled to process his words. "Kn-, Know what?" A small, teasing smirk dragged at Scott''s lips. "That you'' re a freak." Her eyes widened in horror, and she let out a strangled gasp. "W-, What?! I''m not©¤©¤!!" He chuckled softly and pulled back just enough to give her space to breathe. "Relax. I''m kidding." But his words didn''t stop her from spiraling internally. ¡ºOh, God. He knows. He definitely knows. He probably thinks I''m some crazy bitch now.¡» Scott''s smirk softened into something more genuine as he straightened up to give her a quick once-over. "You'' re not what I expected, though." Emma blinked, caught off guard. "I-, I'' m not?" "No." He paused, then added, "You'' re¡­ weirder." She gaped at him, torn between offense and mortification. Still, the amusement in his eyes made her knees weak. ¡ºIs feeling a strong compulsion to bend over at the sight of the man you''ve been stalking for months normal?¡» As Scott turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder. "By the way¡­ thanks for the compliment earlier. About my¡­ uh, nipples." Emma''s jaw dropped as he walked away. "They'' re flattered." He finished. She slapped her hands over her face and screamed. ¡­ KYAAAAAAAAAHH~ ??! Chapter 43 Threatened Woodhull Private Hospital¡­The warm sunlight lit up the compound and gave it a calm and cheerful vibe. Patients, visitors, and staff were scattered around, enjoying the peaceful day. A few patients sat at shaded tables under big umbrellas, playing games like chess and Scrabble. Some kids, who looked a bit pale but happy, ran around chasing bright balloons that swayed in the gentle breeze. Their laughter was at least comforting. Nurses and caregivers walked between the groups to help out when needed or joining in on the smiles and conversations. Seated in a wheelchair, Scott looked distinctly out of place among the jovial scene. He wore the standard patient''s uniform, though his lean, muscular build made it look less like medical wear and more like casual loungewear. Scott''s face showed mild annoyance as Emma playfully pushed him forward down the path. She had such a cheerful grin on her pretty face. Vastly different from Scott''s more skeptical look. "Alright, Mercury¡­" He tilted his head back slightly to glance at her. "Explain to me again why I''m in this wheelchair? I''m fully recovered. Dr. Rosen said my vitals are fine. I don''t need this thing." Emma chuckled a little impishly. "Because¡­" She sounded a little too proud. "I''ve always dreamed of this! You know, being the devoted girlfriend, pushing my injured boyfriend around the hospital garden, feeding him¡ª" She pointed to the rotisserie chicken in his lap. "It''s so romantic!" Scott''s lips twitched, but he refused to smile. "First of all¡­" He started unwrapping the foil around the chicken. "I''m not in a life-threatening situation. Second, I''m not your boyfriend, remember?" The words lingered in the open for a moment. Emma''s grip on the wheelchair handles hesitated, and the cheerful energy she carried seemed to fade. Her smile disappeared, and she lowered her head just a little. She stayed quiet as her silence felt heavier than the cool autumn air surrounding them. Oblivious to her reaction, Scott tore off a piece of chicken and took a big bite, chewing with evident enjoyment. He gestured at the meal with one hand. "Okay, but seriously. How did you know I''d love this? This is perfect." Emma''s voice was soft when she replied as her eyes were focused on the path ahead. "On your second stream¡­ someone asked you what your favorite food was. You said anything heavy in protein. So, I thought this would be a safe bet." Scott paused mid-chew as his eyebrow arched in surprise. "You remembered that? Wait¡ªhow many of my streams have you watched?" "All of them¡­" Emma spoke very quietly, but this time she didn''t blush at all. She wasn''t embarrassed about being caught watching his stream, nor did she feel the need to hide it. She had no shame in admitting it. Scott stared at her for a moment, taking time to process what she had said. He took another bite of chicken and chewed slowly as he watched her. The path around them was quiet, with the sounds of the other patients becoming distant in the background. Emma finally looked down at him. Her smile was back, though it was smaller than before. "Why? Is it strange?" "Huh¡­?" "Your streams¡­ I mean, do you think it''s weird that I watch them so much?" "¡­" "I didn''t mean to make it awkward. I just enjoy watching because it''s¡­ well¡­" "Actually, I think it''s kind of nice. It makes me feel important when someone like you takes an interest in my streams. Not in the sense of being a hero or anything, but just as a person." "Really? It''s not weird?" "You''re weird¡­ but I think I like you that way." "¡­" Whether he realized it or not, Scott kept giving Emma reasons why she couldn''t help but love him. The things he said to her now, along with the things he''d said before, always made her feel special in ways he probably didn''t intend. But that was exactly what made the feelings she hoped he''d have for her feel more real. "Sco-, Nightwatch¡­" She paused for a moment. "What''s wrong with me being your girlfriend? Don''t you¡­ like me?" The question hung in the air¡­ soft and vulnerable. It was a confession she didn''t intend to make out loud but couldn''t help. And as the words left her lips, she held her breath. Scott froze mid-chew as he stared into her eyes. He could hear the sadness in her voice, the way it held a quiet desperation, a strong need for an answer he wasn''t sure how to provide. Before he could react, before he could stand up or apologize for the confusion, Emma''s hand rested on the top of his head, gently pressing him back into the chair. Her grip tightened for a moment, but it wasn''t out of frustration. She was just trying to keep him close. "You don''t need to get up. We can just talk like this." "Uh, alright¡­" Scott blinked, a bit surprised. He furrowed his brow, wondering if this was just another attempt at creating a romantic moment, something to fit the scene or the mood they were building together. But as he looked up at her¡ªher face so close, yet so far away¡ªhe saw something he hadn''t expected. The sadness was unambiguous, and it wasn''t fake. She was hiding it from him. And from herself, too. "So, am I¡­ unattractive?" "Have you seen your body?" Scott joked. Emma wasn''t in the mood. "By your standard, I mean." "I don''t¡­ I don''t think it''s about that. It''s just that we only just met. I don''t¡ª" Emma cut him off with a trembling voice. "So you''re scared? Scared to date someone who barely knows anything about you?" She smiled, but it was a bit forced, too wide, like she was trying too hard to make the situation seem less serious. "I understand. I know that it can be difficult, especially when you have preferences and things you don''t want to share right away, but communication¡­ communication can fix all that." Her smile didn''t quite match the sharpness in her voice. She moved closer, her face just inches from his, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity he couldn''t escape. "I know your favorite color. Your favorite foods. Your allergies. Your hobbies, even what types of movies and novels you like! Isn''t that enough? Shouldn''t that be enough for two people who want to be together?" She leaned even closer. "That should be enough, right?" Scott stared at her without saying anything, his eyes shifting between her eyes and her cherry-red lips. She was so close, and her voice carried a sense of urgency, a fiery energy that was completely different from her usual calm demeanor. There was such a raw emotion. ¡ºThis is¡­¡» It was a strange feeling. ¡ºShe''s putting my own concerns before her own¡­¡» As much as Maya would do that, there was something about the way Emma did it that felt more. Special¡­ Scott swallowed and shifted slightly in the wheelchair, feeling his chest tighten as her breath brushed against his face. There was such a simple way to respond. But before he could find the right words, she moved even closer. Her cheek lightly brushed his, making a shiver run down his spine. For a moment, they were so close, and all Scott could focus on was the warmth of her skin and the uncertainty in her voice. ¡ºI should say something¡­¡» Her face was just inches from his now, and he could see the shimmer of hope in her eyes, despite the way her cheeks were tinged with pink. And in that moment, Scott leaned in just a little more. "Boop¡­" His nose pressed gently against hers as his breath mingled with hers in a soft, hesitant exchange. "B-, Boop?" Emma raised an eyebrow, almost snickering. But at the same time her cheeks went pinker, and for the briefest of moments, she lost herself in the closeness of it all. Finally, the tension was less. Scott could now talk. "What I meant to say¡­ is that I don''t know anything about you besides what the television tells me." Emma blinked, confused. "What?" He gave her a lopsided smile. "It would be superficial to rush into dating you just because you''re a well-known face on the Internet." Emma paused, eyes wide, then slowly a smile dragged at the corner of her lips. "Pffft©¤©¤You''re a jerk." And with that, she finally let out a small, genuine laugh. She leaned in to kiss the side of his head before turning back to the path ahead. "You better date me. I''m not going to waste my time doing a 30-episode shenanigan with you just to get a slow burn kiss that only lasts two seconds, alright?" "You''re watching a little too much K-Drama, Mercury¡­" Just then, the System pinged in his mind. Scott could sense the change¡ªshe had accepted it, laughed it off. But there was something about the quiet space between them that made him think more. It made him question if he had been wrong all along. [Master Scott, you can learn everything about Miss Mercury by running a level 5 search.] Scott rolled his eyes internally. "Yeah, but she doesn''t know that." He turned back to her and saw her smile again. In that moment, he couldn''t stop himself from leaning in a little closer. "You know¡­ I already know one thing about you." Her eyes lit up in anticipation. She looked like a puppy who''d just seen snacks. "Really? What?" Scott smirked. "You''re a porn addict." Emma''s eyes widened in shock, and she swatted him playfully on the back. "HEY!" Both of them burst into laughte as Emma pushed him forward once again. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Later¡­ Scott leaned back slightly in his wheelchair and looked up at the bright sky as Emma continued to push him down the garden path. She held her phone out in front of her, tapping away with a smile that was a bit too devious for his liking. "So¡­ what do you think of Bella Trevors?" Emma tried so hard not to sound curious. But, deep down¡­ she was dying to know! Scott raised an eyebrow and turned his head slightly to glance at her. "Bella Trevors? The singer and actress, right?" Emma nodded eagerly, her fingers still swiping across the screen as she waited for his response. ¡ºShiiii, I can''t act nonchalant to save my life when I''m around him, damn it¡­ I''m the celebrity here, I should be the one he acts like a pest around!¡» She felt a little ashamed. Scott looked forward and took a deep breath. "I''d be lying if I said I''m not into her. I mean, pretty much every guy is." He paused as a small, knowing smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. "But I think it''s more about her unique personality than anything else." Emma immediately slowed her pace and her eyes widened as she leaned in a little too close for comfort. "Wait, you''re into her?!" Scott shrugged nonchalantly, still chewing on the last piece of chicken from earlier. "What guy isn''t? She''s a modern, rich, Daddy''s girl mean bitch. That kind of woman¡­ you know, the one who''s rude to every guy but sweet to her own¡­ it''s like some kind of magical attraction. Men eat that up." Emma''s eyes narrowed as she pouted dramatically. "Hmph! You can at least lie about it¡­" She stood up straight and crossed her arms over her chest, eyes still locked on Scott. "So¡­ you''re into her because of her¡­ attitude?" Scott gave her a side-eye. "Don''t do anything stupid, Emma." "What?!" Emma shot forward, pretending to be insulted. "How dare you talk to me like that!" But before Scott could respond, Emma''s fingers were already flying across her phone screen. She handed it over to him with a sly smile. "Here, since you love that blonde-haired bimbo so much, I''m sure you''ll love this." Scott stared down at the phone, confused, then reluctantly accepted it. He scrolled through the screen and the expression on his face changed from mild curiosity to a scowl as he read through the post. "This is uh¡­" Emma leaned over him, watching intently as he continued to read. "It''s a small Chirper account. One that talks about some of your¡­ unintentional thirst traps. But this particular post blew up because¡ªget this¡ªBella commented on it." "I-, I see¡­" --- @Thirsty4Nightwatch: STREAM CLIP ALERT !! LOOK AT THIS MAN''S ARMS !! Nightwatch, you absolute UNIT, what are you feeding those biceps? Cement? ???? The way they flex when you adjust your mic¡ªSir, I am not okay. I need you to crush me with them like I''m a soda can. Please. Just one squeeze. ???? [Attached Image: Screenshot of Nightwatch mid-stream, flexing unintentionally while adjusting his mic. His bicep is taking up way too much of the frame.] [???? 650K likes, 215K shares, 50.8K comments] Top Comment: [@Soft4Nightwatch: Sis, get in line. I want him to use those biceps to carry me bridal style out of my toxic situationship and into the sunset. ????] [@BicepFiend: You''re overthinking. He just needs to choke me gently but firmly. THAT''S IT. Goals met. ????] [@CertifiedMenace: This man makes me wanna rewrite my DNA just so I can evolve to wrap my entire existence around that arm. HELP.] [@HelplessJane: Imagine being grabbed so hard in the V by those fingers and thrown like a bowling pin!] ©¸ [GET OUT!! ?????????????????] ©¸ [10/10 unexpected get out] [@BellaTrevors ? : ???? No because SAME. Like, respectfully, @Nightwatch, when do those arms open for tours? Asking for my DMs. ????] [???? 54K likes, 7.8K replies] ©¸ [@ThePeakOfficial ? : Hey, Bell. Wanna collab sometime?] ©¸ [@BellaTrevors ? : NO] ©¸ [@DownBad: Bella please step on me!!] ©¸ [@ShadyTea: HELLO? Bella just said she''s down bad for Nightwatch?? Chirper is literally on fire rn ????.] ©¸ [@StirThePot: This is why men simp for Bella. She keeps it ???? real. Queen of thirst solidarity.] ©¸ [@TooInvested: Imagine being Nightwatch, logging on, and seeing your biceps start a whole revolution. Man''s probably like ????] --- Scott''s face twisted in disbelief as he finished reading. He raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Oh, so Bella''s a Nightwatch fan. Good to know." Emma''s eyes widened slightly in surprise, as if she had been expecting something more dramatic. "Wait, that''s it? You''re not going to say more?" Scott scoffed, shaking his head. "What do you want me to say? I''m not gonna dress up as Nightwatch and go looking for Bella just because she commented on one of my thirst traps. That''s stupid." Emma''s expression softened as she processed his words. She didn''t want Scott anywhere near Bella, especially not after the way she''d behaved toward her in the past. This, she could work with. Emma nodded with fervor. "That''s right. You should forget about her. Anyone who''d use the fact that a hot celebrity commented on their thirst trap to try and get into a relationship with them is absolutely dumb, stupid¡­ and should hang themselves, right?" She leaned in close again, her breath hot on Scott''s cheek as she waited for his response. Scott blinked slowly with a neutral expression. "That''s a little too specific." Before Emma could push him further, a notification chimed from Scott''s phone, snapping their attention back to reality. He handed her the phone and quickly unlocked his own. A Chirper post had gone viral. Over 1,800 tags, all referring to a mysterious post. With a sigh, he opened it and began scrolling through the hundreds of comments and reactions. "What the hell¡­?" --- @Anonymous_Threat23: I''M GIVING YOU TWO DAYS, NIGHTWATCH. Bring me Elena Vargas, or the cute blondie doesn''t see tomorrow. ???????? Don''t play with me, bastard. I''m not afraid to make her disappear. #TickTock ? [Attached Image: A disturbing, blurred-out image of Mist tied up, covered in a mess of dirt and grime while Dark Elf''s sword is pressed against her neck.] [???? 1.8M likes, 320K shares, 75.2K comments] Top Comment: [@SavageFan1: Nightwatch, please get your act together and save Mist. We''ve already been through too much.] [@ElenaIsMine: Yo, @NightwatchOfficial, you better get her before Trickshot makes this way too real.] [@MistIsUnbroken: This is seriously messed up. Nightwatch, I hope you have a plan. ????] [@Nightwatch: This is a low blow. We all know this is a joke, Trickshot. ???????? ???? 500K likes, 60K replies] ©¸ [Bro you are NOT Nightwatch ????????] ©¸ [Fr, bro thinks he''s Nightwatch¡­] ©¸ [Can y''all take something seriously for once, dayum!] sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [@NightwatchFanClub: @NightwatchOfficial, PLEASE¡­ no one wants to see Mist hurt, not like this. You''ve got to save her!] [@DoomedAgain: (replying to Nightwatch''s comment): Dude, are you really joking right now? Mist''s literally in danger and you''re out here fakin identities and throwing emojis? ????] [@NightwatchFanBase (Trending Chirp): You don''t need to tell us twice. We trust Nightwatch, but even we know this is serious. Please don''t let us down. ???? #SaveMist] [@CrashOutGuy: I swear if anything happens to Mist I''ll never watch any of your streams again!] --- Both Scott and Emma were reading this. The two looked at each other in shock. Nightwatch was being called out. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Next few chapters will be very interesting if done right, trust me ^-^!! Chapter 44 Game Plan Abandoned Military Compound, Meteor City¡­The abandoned military compound was dead quiet. Rust streaked the walls, and the air was foul with the smell of damp concrete mixed with something pungent and rotten¡­ blood, maybe. Trickshot lounged in a busted office chair as his boots propped up on a scorched metal desk. "? There''s no sex in the USSR, but this dashing handsome lad beats his meat on the flag, bahaha." He scrolled lazily through an endless stream of Chirper comments on his phone, a satisfied grin playing on his face. "Man, social media is something else." He leaned back, laughing heartily as he tossed the phone between his hands. "I didn''t think people ate up this open crime shit so fast. They''re out there writing fanfiction about the friggin'' hostage situation! Humanity is so gone, bahaha!" He took a long swig from a half-empty bottle of whiskey, then exhaled sharply as the burn slid down his throat. "Hoo! That''s the good stuff." Behind him, Dark Elf stood still and alert as her darkwear blended into the poor light of the room. She held a sword casually against Gwen''s neck, her posture calm and almost lazy. It was as if keeping a hostage was more of an afterthought than something serious she needed to worry about. Tied to a chair, Gwen shifted uncomfortably. "Nghk©¤©¤©¤©¤!!" The ropes dug into her wrists and ankles, and the cold steel of the blade sent shivers down her spine. She craned her neck to look at Dark Elf. "Hey¡­" Gwen sounded more uncomfortable than annoyed. "Do you mind not holding a sword to my fuckin'' neck anymore? You''ve already done the whole ''threaten my friend'' bit." Dark Elf raised an eyebrow. Her face was calm and unreadable as usual. "Last time, you called him your boyfriend." "Same thing!" Gwen rolled her eyes. "Not really©¤©¤" "SAME. THING!" Gwen cut her off with a loud, frustrated voice. Dark Elf blinked slowly, then gave the faintest shrug before returning her scarlet eyes to Trickshot. "Was it really necessary to broadcast her abduction? The terms for her release?" Trickshot snickered as he twirled his phone in the air. "Necessary? Nah. Fun? Abso-fuckin-lutely." He whipped his handgun from his holster with ease and fired a single shot that shattered the phone midair. ¡­ TOOOOM©¤©¤©¤©¤KSSSSHHHH!! The shards scattered across the ground as he holstered the gun again in one smooth motion. "But if you must know, Grave insisted on it." Trickshot leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he gestured animatedly. "He said we gotta break Nightwatch''s confidence. Hit him where it hurts, you know? The man''s pride, his followers, reputation¡­ everything." Dark Elf sighed and shook her head. "That doesn''t make sense. Any one of us could eliminate him outright. This¡­ theatricality is unnecessary." Trickshot tilted his head and adjusted his eye scope. "Come on, Elfie. You know how that silent bastard works. The man''s never just killed anyone. He''s all about the build-up. Pain, humiliation, despair¡­ then, and only then, does he go for the kill. Same thing''s gonna happen to Nightwatch. Trust the process." Gwen''s eyes widened at his words, and she struggled against her bonds as the chair scraped against the floor. "Shut up! Shut up! Nothing''s gonna happen to Nightwatch! You hear me? I''ll make sure of¡­" Before Gwen could finish shouting, Dark Elf moved like a shadow. ¡­ KPOOOW! Her boot smashed Gwen''s jaw with pinpoint accuracy and brutal, unrelenting force. Gwen spat blood and the painful taste spread in her mouth as she collapsed back into the chair, groaning in pain. Dark Elf knelt beside her and stared at her with eyes so cold Gwen felt her blood freeze. "Stay quiet if you value your life." Gwen''s eyes darted to Trickshot, who already had his handgun in hand as his finger twitched dangerously near the trigger. There was a wild, unhinged look in his eyes¡ªlike he was just waiting for the slightest reason to fire. Eager to pull the trigger for self satisfaction. A hedonist. Gwen swallowed hard and quickly lowered her head, doing her best to avoid his stare. "I can''t even use my powers¡­" she muttered bitterly. Dark Elf pulled a small remote from her belt and held it up. "That''s because of the collar around your neck. It''s an FGIC¡­ a Force-Gene Inhibitor Collar. It neutralizes the physical aspects of metasapien abilities while generating a mental lock that prevents activation altogether." Gwen smirked and leaned her head back. "Too bad it doesn''t come with a feature to make you shut up. Dumb ''Mission Impossible'' looking ass bitch." Trickshot''s grin dropped instantly. He raised his gun and pointed it at Gwen. "Say one more word, you little shit. I''ll put a bullet in your skull and fuck the brains out of your corpse. Who the hell do you think you''re talking to?" Dark Elf''s finger moved faster than Trickshot''s. She pressed a button on the remote, and Gwen''s collar delivered a sharp, electrifying shock. Gwen convulsed once before slumping unconscious as her head lolled to the side. Trickshot growled then holstered his gun. "Fuck it all." He grabbed a small bottle of baby oil from the desk and stormed toward the exit. Dark Elf raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?" Trickshot didn''t look back. "None of your damn business!" Dark Elf shook her head slightly and looked back at the unconscious Gwen. "Idiot¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the mini-mansion. It had a sleek, modern design that caught the warm light of the morning sun. A well-kept garden surrounded the house, with tall hedges lining a cobblestone path that led up to the front door. The whole place had a peaceful vibe, which was completely at odds with the tension hanging between the two passengers as they stepped out of the cab. Scott adjusted his shirt and looked up at the mansion with a neutral expression. Meanwhile, Emma as already marching toward the house as her sneakers clicked against the cobblestones. She was halfway up the path when the taxi driver leaned out of his window and shouted after them. "Eyy! Where''s me money?" Emma froze mid-step as her face turned panicked. She whipped around, hands slapping her pockets. "Shit! I forgot!" She muttered and rummaged frantically. Scott waited patiently with his hands in his pockets. With no time to lose, Emma yanked her purse out of her jacket pocket and hurled it at the driver. "Here! Take it!" The driver snatched it out of the air with unexpected ease as his brow knitted in confusion. "Tch, throwing your damn wallet like it¡ª" He opened the purse to take a look inside and froze. A thick stack of hundred-dollar bills greeted him, making his eyes go wide. He shot a glance at Emma, then back at the cash. His lips split into a wide grin. "Uh, thanks, ma''am!" He hurriedly slammed the car into gear and drove off at breakneck speed. Best leave now before she comes back to her senses. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott chuckled softly. "Well, that was effective." Emma shot him a glare but couldn''t help a small smile as she walked back toward him. "You''re welcome, by the way. He probably thinks I''m a millionaire now." "You kind of are, aren''t you?" Scott pointed at the mansion. Emma groaned then brushed past him to unlock the front door. "Don''t start, Nightwatch¡­" --- Inside¡­ The mini-mansion had a cozy yet modern vibe, with minimalist furniture and sleek tech seamlessly built into every corner of the space. Scott settled in the living room as his high-tech wristwatch (TV-TW) cast a faint glow as he swiped through a flood of holographic files. Emma ducked into the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with a steaming bowl of noodles in hand. "I''m baaaaack~ ?" She had ditched her tracksuit for an oversized T-shirt and a pair of short shorts that showed off her thick, curvy thighs. She also had on a pair of gloves, with an apron casually hung over her front. "I''ll warn you now¡­" She said as she set the bowl down on the center table. "I''m a shitty cook, so this is the best you''re getting. Don''t expect anything heavier." Scott barely looked up. "It''s fine. Wasn''t really planning on eating anyway." Emma frowned slightly at his detached tone but shrugged it off pretty easily. "Figures. You''re so calm for a guy whose teammate just got kidnapped." Scott''s eyes remained glued to the files. "That''s because I already know where she is." "Oh?" Emma blinked, caught off guard. ¡ºAlright, now''s my chance¡­ just like Jenna taught you¡­¡» She moved closer and "innocently" leaned in until her head was obnoxiously close to his. "Oh, really? And what makes you so sure?" Scott grabbed her face gently and pushed her aside without much hesitation. "You''re in my light¡­" Emma pouted like a child and crossed her arms as she watched him open a new set of files with a simple swipe. "So, are you gonna talk, jerk. Hmph!" "The grappling hook I attached to their helicopter has a secondary function. It plants a tracker into whatever it latches onto. The helicopter stopped at the center of some barren land. They walked the rest of the way, and after hacking MegaCorp''s satellite I¡ª" "You what?" Emma cut in with great shock. Scott scratched his chin innocently, avoiding her gaze. "It was for the greater good." Emma snorted as a laugh slipped out despite herself. "Yeah, okay, damn Hackwad. So, what''s next?" Scott swiped down on his wristwatch and all the holograms faded away. He folded his arms and leaned back a bit. "Now we do what they say. We bring Elena Vargas." Emma tilted her head, confused. "Who?" "Night Bitch¡­" Scott replied, his tone matter-of-fact. Emma snickered immediately and covered her mouth with one hand. "Did you just say ''bitch''?" Scott raised an eyebrow. "That''s her alias." Emma shook her head and grinned as she turned toward the kitchen. "Still funny." --- A little later¡­ Scott leaned back on a couch nearby and closed his eyes for a brief moment. His fingers tapped lightly against his armrest as Emma flopped onto a nearby chair¡­ her luscious, slender legs were crossed and she still fidgeted with the hem of her oversized T-shirt. After a brief silence, Scott opened his eyes and spoke. "The interesting thing about all this is that most of it¡­ feels like a trap." Emma raised an eyebrow and adjusted the slacked neck of her T-shirt, revealing just a hint of her smooth and oddly attractive collarbone. She tilted her head curiously. "A trap? How so?" Just one sight of this made Scott''s cheeks hot, but he fought through the innocent temptation. ¡ºIf you go to a woman''s house expect to be seduced¡­ tch, such farm tricks won''t work on me.¡» He leaned forward and clasped his hands together. "It didn''t take me much to find Elena Vargas¡ªif we''re being honest, I wasn''t even trying. So, why would these guys, with all their resources, be struggling to capture her? Doesn''t add up." Emma hummed softly as she mulled it over. "Hmm, okay, valid point. So what are you saying?" Scott folded his arms and stared at the floor as his voice grew more contemplative. "I''m saying her abduction might be secondary. They''re after more than just her. Maybe¡­ me." Emma blinked, her confusion adding. "What?" Scott straightened up and abruptly spoke. "System, analyze the chances my theory is correct." Emma''s head snapped around with eyes wide. "Eh? Who the hell are you talking to?" Scott ignored her and continued. "Mist''s abductors are affiliated with Black Mechanica. They can find Elena easily. If they haven''t already, it''s because they''re trying to kill two birds with one stone. Their plan is to use her as bait¡ªto lure me out, then send their assassins to take us both down." [Processing¡­] Emma''s mouth hung open for a moment before she let out a slow exhale and leaned back in her chair, holding her chin between her thumb and forefinger. "Okay, wait. So, you''re saying they''re also after you? I mean, I wouldn''t put it past them. You''ve screwed up a lot of Black Mechanica''s plans, and we both know the heads don''t exactly forgive and forget." Before Scott could reply, the robotic voice returned. [Analysis complete. There is a 65% chance your theory is correct. However, you are missing three critical elements.] Scott raised an eyebrow. "Which are?" Emma looked around in mild panic. "Uh¡­ huh? Which are what?" The System''s response was flat and unhelpful. [Insufficient data to determine.] Scott groaned and rubbed his temples. "Well, then just shut up." Emma flinched slightly as her tender cheeks suddenly turned bright pink. As if on reflex, she muttered, "Yes, Daddy ?¡­" "What?" Scott froze in confusion. Emma''s hands flew up defensively as she adjusted her T-shirt and turned away, folding her arms tightly across her unambiguously wide chest. "D-, Don''t judge me! It''s not like I meant to say that¡­" "I wasn''t planning to." Scott''s lips twitched into a small smirk. After a moment of awkward silence, Emma glanced back at him with a reignited curiosity. "So¡­ how do you plan on finding Elena?" Scott leaned back into the couch and crossed his legs. "I already know where she is. And where she''ll be." Emma''s jaw dropped. "You do?!" He nodded. "I kinda injected a nano-tracker into her bloodstream some days back. It''s giving me GPS coordinates and full audio surveillance." Emma groaned and rolled her eyes. "Jeez, is there anything you haven''t put a tracker on?" "Nope. I even planted one on you." Scott grinned mischievously. Emma''s eyes went wide like flashlights. "What?! When? Where?!" Scott gently patted his crotch as his smirk expanded into a devilish grin. Emma''s face turned beet red as she instinctively yanked up her oversized T-shirt and pulled her shorts down slightly as her eyes darted frantically over her porcelain skin. Scott let out a soft chuckle. "Relax. I was joking. But, wow, you''re already stripping in front of me? I thought celebrity women were supposed to be harder to get." Emma let out a horrified squeak and immediately swatted his shoulder. "Not cool, jerk! Not cool!" Scott chuckled again with a much lighter tone. "Alright, back to the case. Elena''s going to be attending a big, prestigious tech event in New York tonight. Makes sense¡ªBlack Industries is hosting, and they''re unveiling some revolutionary tech that could change the world. Our Latina friend is probably planning to either steal one of these techs or make a deal with one of the millionaires at the event." "A tech event? Seriously?" Emma''s eyes became half-lidded and dreary. ¡ºFuck¡­¡» It sounded familiar¡­ too familiar. Scott nodded as though his expression turned slightly sour. "Yeah. Honestly, I''ve been trying to get tickets for years. Submitted my work to them more times than I can count, but they ignore me every time." Emma tilted her head, fairly amused. "So¡­ what''s the plan? Crash it?" "Wish I could. The event''s only open to the rich and prestigious. Neither of which, unfortunately, applies to me." Scott sighed. Emma smirked as she leaned back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Aw, poor little Nightwatch. Too broke to join the cool kids'' club? Bahahaha!" Scott rolled his eyes but couldn''t hide his smile. "Guess we''ll just have to catch Elena before she gets there. Unless you happen to have two golden tickets lying around?" Emma grinned. "Who says I don''t?" Scott''s eyebrows lifted slightly. "Wait¡­ do you?" Emma winked and left him hanging as she turned toward the kitchen. "Guess you''ll find out~" "Uh¡­ huh¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma padded into the kitchen as the faint patter of her bare feet sounded very softly. She grabbed her phone from the marble kitchen island as her eyes drifted to the living room where Scott sat, still deep in thought. Taking a slow, steady breath, she scrolled to Isaac''s number and pressed dial. The line barely rang before Isaac''s warm, vibrant voice answered. "Ohhh, Emma! What''s up?" On the other side of the call, Isaac was stretched out in the plush comfort of a five-star hotel suite in New York. The polished dining table in front of him was covered with plates of an extravagant meal. Across from him, his cousin Albrecht sat calmly, cutting into a perfectly cooked filet mignon with a satisfied look on his face. Isaac kept his bright smile as he leaned back and held his phone to his ear. But the moment Albrecht caught the mention of Emma''s name, his eyebrows pulled together, and his cheerful attitude quickly turned serious. "Hey, Isaac¡­" Emma spoke with a bright but hesitant smile, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "So, uh¡­ I kinda need a favor." "Talk away." Isaac grinned, oblivious to Albrecht''s growing scowl. Emma''s words tumbled out in a rush. "I need you to get me a VVIP invitation for the Black Industries tech event tonight. I''d really, really appreciate it." Isaac''s smile widened. "Oh, that''s wonderful! But you won''t need an invitation¡­" He sounded quite nonchalant. "You''ll just be my plus one. That should be enough since you''re coming with me, right? I''m so glad!" Emma''s heart sank. She hesitated for a moment after looking at Scott through the kitchen door. He sat so quietly, planning ways they could catch Elena. "Um, Isaac¡­ about that¡­" Isaac raised an eyebrow, a subtle shift in his tone. "What''s wrong? Is the plus one for Jenna or Nadia? I can get them invitations too if that''s what you need. It''s no problem." Emma exhaled sharply and gathered her courage. "No¡­ it''s not Jenna or Nadia. The invitation is for¡­ me and¡­" She swallowed hard and glanced at Scott, who was still seated on the couch, idly tapping his armrest. "It''s for me and my boyfriend¡­" She winced as the words came out. "I''ve decided to come after all." For a moment, the line went silent¡­ very silent. "Oh¡­" Isaac finally spoke, albeit sounding very disappointed. "I didn''t know you had plans to bring someone else. I mean, I asked you about this three months ago¡­" Albrecht heard every word and slammed his fork down on his own plate. ¡­ KREEEEEE! The sharp sound of the plate being broken apart erupted. His jaw squeezed shut, and his grip on the fork tightened until his knuckles turned white. Emma quickly interjected with an apologetic voice. "If it''s too uncomfortable for you, it''s fine. I wouldn''t hold it against you¡ªI mean, I don''t really have the right to ask¡­" Isaac''s laugh was light but lacked its usual brightness. "Don''t worry about it. I''ll get you the VVIP invitation. And hey¡­ I can''t wait to meet your first boyfriend." All Emma could manage was a quiet, "Mhm¡­" Isaac finished the call with a quiet laugh, got up from his seat, and straightened his blazer. Before he could say a word, Albrecht slammed his fist onto the table and sent the silverware rattling loudly. "I hate that woman!" Albrecht snarled. "How dare she not give you the time of day after everything you''ve done for her?" Isaac turned to his cousin with a very calm and introspective expression. "A woman who loves a man because of all the good he does for her is much worse." He ruffled Albrecht''s hair in a rare moment of affection. Without another word, he strode out of the room, his back straight and his demeanor composed. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma animatedly rushed back into the living room. "Guess what?!" She screamed, startling Scott out of his thoughts. He raised an eyebrow. "What now?" Emma pointed at him with a triumphant grin. "We''re going shopping!" "Shopping?" Scott repeated, confused. "Yup! I just got us an invitation to the Black Industries tech event in New York City tonight!" Scott blinked as his surprise shifted to doubt. "How the hell did you pull that off?" "I have my ways. Now hurry up! We need to look good." Emma smirked as she tossed her phone onto the couch. Scott sighed and shook his head with a wry smile as he got to his feet. "You''re something else, you know that?" Emma beamed. "You better believe it." She placed her hands on her round hips and almost stood like she was doing a latspread. "Now let''s go to Silver Eagle Mall and give you a much needed makeover fitting of Emma Graves boyfriend!" Chapter 45 Shopping Time! A sleek, shiny, black Ferrari sped down the quiet roads on the edge of Meteor City as its engine growled like a predator about to pounce.The early sunlight gleamed off its smooth, polished surface as Emma kept a firm grip on the leather steering wheel with her hands steady and confident. The empty road ahead seemed to go on forever, and even though no one was around to watch, she felt a little smug knowing how much attention this car would grab if there were. ¡ºMaybe I could get Nightwatch a Ferrari to match mine. Mine''s black, so maybe I could get him a red one. ¡ºBut no, a red one might be too flashy. It''d probably be better if I gave him this black one instead. Then again, that might seem selfish¡ªlike I''m just using it as an excuse to upgrade and stick him with my old car. That feels kind of inconsiderate. ¡­ SIGHHH~ ¡ºWhat if I just bought two new Ferraris instead? I could give this one to my sister''s husband as a late wedding gift. It''d be several years late, sure, but I was young back then¡­ didn''t have the money.¡» Emma''s cherry lips became a smile as she stole a glance at the rearview mirror. Her eyes rested on Scott, who was sitting in the backseat, completely absorbed in his phone. His face stayed calm and focused, giving no sign that he noticed the quick looks she kept sneaking his way. ¡ºMhm-mmm~ ?¡­ just sitting there like a piece of sweet chocolate. I wanna take a bite of his chocolate¡­¡» Before she knew it, she was licking and biting her lower lip as if it were a succulent piece of chicken. Emma''s eyes stayed on him a little too long, and Scott quickly noticed. His sharp eyes darted up to meet hers. Immediately, her perverted grin disappeared and she jerked her attention back to the road, pretending like nothing had happened. No one was buying that. "Keep staring at me, and we''re going to end up wrapped around a light pole¡­" The young man stared at her with half-lidded eyes. For someone with superspeed she could easily get caught. ¡ºThen again, she has fast legs¡­ not a fast brain¡­¡» Scott shrugged and relaxed again. Emma tightened her grip on the wheel and pouted. "You''re no fun. Any other guy would kill to be in your shoes right now¡ªbreathing the same air as me, basking in the glow of my pretty eyes and sensual lips!" Scott snorted loudly. "If anything, your eyes look crazy. Maybe lay off the staring before you give yourself whiplash, haha!" Emma clicked her tongue sharply. "Tch! Bitch¡­" "Huh?" "N-, Nothing¡­" "I thought so. Eyes. Road. NOW." Scott pointed at his eyes, then at the road. Emma grumbled stubbornly and continued driving. He returned to his phone and scrolled through the System Market with a focused look. His eyebrows pulled together as he skimmed past rows of stylish suits and high-tech upgrades. ¡­ Hrmm None of them felt good enough. He needed something stronger than the ATAM-4, something that would make sure he came out on top against whoever¡­ or whatever, might show up at the tech event. He lifted his gaze briefly. "I still don''t get the point of this whole shopping trip. We could''ve just skipped all this, gone straight to that five-star hotel, and captured Elena. The nano tracker says she''s there, probably burning through cash she made selling stolen weapons." "Well, I¡­" Emma sighed. Her eyes were still firmly fixed on the road. ¡ºI¡­ I don''t even know. As much as I want to help Nightwatch and get his teammate back, I also want to focus on myself. I want him to see how madly in love I am with him¡­ but I really don''t want to call it love. I can''t bring myself to say that. It feels cheap and foolish. But then, can I really say that when I''ve never let myself fully enjoy being in a relationship with a man who actually understands me, someone who doesn''t laugh at me when I talk about the ideologies of Golden Age heroes? But I can''t exactly say that either¡­¡» After a moment of silence, she spoke softly but firmly. "Nightwatch¡­ I''m not going to lie to you. I know this is selfish, but¡­ I want to spend some time with you. Get to know you better. Maybe figure out if this thing between us has a future." Her voice softened even more. "But more than that¡­ you''re not the only hero in this car, okay? I''ve got questions of my own about Elena, and you know as well as I do that we''re not the only ones chasing her. We both agree she''s going to that tech event to steal something. So¡­ who''s to say¡ª" "Who''s to say Black Mechanica isn''t after the same tech?" Scott cut in as he leaned forward in his seat. Emma smiled at him in the mirror again. "Bingo. From what you''ve pieced together, Black Mechanica likes to stack their tasks. They''re not just going to take the tech¡ªthey''re probably planning to kill you and Elena in one go while they''re at it." Scott finally put his phone down and crossed his legs as he mulled over her theory. "That adds a new flavor to this mystery cake¡­" A loud laugh burst from Emma to startle him. "Pfft©¤©¤oh my god, cornball." Scott''s eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?" Emma wiped at her eyes, trying to suppress more laughter. "Sorry, sorry. It''s just¡ªthat line? ''Adds a new flavor to this mystery cake''? Really? You sound like a third-rate detective in a bad TV show!" She mimicked his tone with a dramatic flair as she tossed her hand in the air. "That adds a new flavor to this mystery cake¡­ PFFT!" Scott rolled his eyes. "Well, excuse me for trying to contribute. Next time, I''ll keep my flavorful insights to myself." Emma giggled again. "Oh, don''t stop now, Detective Mystery Cake. What''s your next move? Stakeout? Dramatic trench coat?" Scott shook his head and leaned back in the seat. All he could do was sigh exasperatedly. "You''re insufferable." "And you love it¡­" "No, I don''t." "Yes, you do, tee-hee ?!" "¡­" Emma noticed no response from Scott and looked back at him with a frown. "What?" Scott lifted an eyebrow. "This is the part where you say ''No, I don''t'' again so I can say the opposite, then we just keep going like that. It''s a lovers'' quarrel classic, dum dum." "Hah, you''re calling me dumb? That''s rich." "No, I''m rich¡­" "Tch, showoff." The two smiled at each other very briefly. ¡­ RoooOOOOMMMM!! The Ferrari roared forward and sliced through the empty highways under the vast expanse of the morning sky. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Location: Falan City¡­ Emma pressed her foot hard on the accelerator, and the Ferrari''s engine roared harder as it launched the car forward like a rocket. The tires let out a loud screech as they gripped the smooth road. As she sped through Falan City, it felt like a world away from Meteor City. Everything here was spotless, shiny, and carefully planned. The roads were perfectly smooth, with no cracks or imperfections. Even the air seemed fresher, almost sweet, like someone had made it as clean as possible. Emma leaned back in the leather seat, her fingers effortlessly gliding over the steering wheel, a smug grin pulling at the corners of her lips. "Mmm, can you feel that, Nightwatch-honey?" She winked at him through the rearview mirror. "This is how the other half lives. Just a little taste of the good life this world needs. Haahhhh~" She felt so relaxed. Scott, on the other hand, was less thrilled. "Mhm. Just don''t get too carried away with the driving. I''m not looking to enter another paradise in one day, yunno¡­" "Don''t worry sweetie. I''ve got the wheel under control. Besides, you''re in the backseat of a Ferrari. Can''t get much more comfortable than this." "Gee¡­ I wouldn''t know¡­" "Awww~ ? don''t be like that, pookie!" "Psshh©¤©¤cornball¡­" "Whatever makes you happy, hun." "¡­" With the silence restored, Scott returned to his phone. He swiped through the System Market. ¡ºAha! There it is¡­¡» His fingers paused briefly on a new item, and with a tap, a notification pinged in his ear. [Congratulations! You''ve successfully purchased the Arcforge Omni-Fabricator. This hyper-advanced, autonomous fabrication unit can construct virtually any object or device with the right materials and schematics. Designed to work in synergy with your tech expertise, it enables rapid prototyping and production of advanced suits, weapons, and equipment for various situations.] Scott blinked. That was a lot. His eyebrows furrowed as he sat up straighter and his startled eyes narrowed. "Well¡­ that''s a hell of a purchase." [Item successfully purchased. The Arcforge Omni-Fabricator has arrived. Transportation in progress¡­] Just then, a sleek, silver metal suitcase materialized in the back seat next to Scott with a soft thump. It wasn''t as heavy as it looked, but it still had a certain weight to it. The suitcase was high-tech, sharp-edged, almost clinical in its design! Scott raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is this thing?" Before he could react further, he noticed a small red button on the side. ¡ºHm? It''s just a red button¡­ can''t be that bad¡­ right?¡» Curious, he pressed it. The suitcase opened in front of him with smooth, mechanical movements. ¡­ Zuuuuuu~! Its panels and seams shifted and expanded, turning into something that looked like a teched-out mini-factory. It seemed to grow, spreading out and taking up nearly all the space in the car. The turning of gears and working of hydraulics sounded as the machine powered up. ¡ºFUCK!¡» Scott''s eyes widened in shock. His hands instinctively flew to the button to stop the process before it overwhelmed the car. He mashed it again, and the machine slowly collapsed back into its original suitcase form. "Shit, that was too close¡­" He exhaled with relief. The suitcase was back to its compact size. The System chimed in again, casual as ever. [Your credit balance is now 30,000 credits. The Arcforge Omni-Fabricator is filled with countless pieces of information regarding your fighting styles, previously designed suits, and new additions. However, to unlock the full range of its capabilities, substantial amounts of credits are required.] Scott scoffed. "Well, that''s just fantastic." His eyes lingered on the now-inert suitcase. "I wonder how much I could sell this thing for¡­" The System answered without hesitation. [Estimated value: $15 billion.] Scott blinked. "Shit!" Emma, who had been absorbed in the thrill of the drive, looked over her shoulder at him. "What''s wrong, dear?" "Uh, just¡­ amazed by how beautiful this city is¡­" Scott waved it off with a calm smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. Emma raised an eyebrow, not buying it, but she let it slide. "Falan City, huh? This is my dream retirement city. You''ll find a lot of rich heroes here, all with second lives¡­ businesses, investments, you name it. It''s peaceful. You can make a name for yourself here. Me? I''m planning to build a branch in France too." "A branch of what?" "My company." Right after, Emma''s smirked in the rearview mirror. Scott tilted his head. "Wait, you have a company?" Emma nodded nonchalantly, still smiling. ¡ºWhy does it feels so good when I talk to him about my personal laugh, kyaaaa~ ??! I''m starting to feel like those girls on Bingeflix who get home from a long day at work and talk to their muscular, absolutely sexy househusband!¡» She wanted to erupt with excitement¡­ like a volcano. "Yeah. Part of the whole secret identity thing. The Hero Agency lets us go public if we want, but if we want to stay low-key, we have to take on normal jobs or run businesses. It''s just how it works. Miss Mercury''s got money out the wazoo, but no one really knows where it comes from or where it goes. And as for me? Emma Graves is the CEO of Hermia." "I see¡­" That was all Scott could say in response. Emma looked very disappointed. ¡ºHe really needs to work on his follow-ups. Imagine we have sex crazy monkey style and all he can say after is ''meh, it was aight¡­'' I swear he''s so dead, hmph!¡» Truly, an ambitious woman. She gently patted her chest. "Ah-HEM! Enough of that¡­ we''re here." They slowed to a stop in front of Silver Eagle Mall. It wasn''t just a shopping complex. It was a huge, multi-level titan that seemed to stretch on forever. The giant building sparkled in the sunlight and its glass walls reflected the entire city around it. Platinum steel framed the exterior, and you could see the marble floors through the open atrium. The place was massive, almost like a small city rather than just a mall! Scott didn''t even know where to start. "Uh, so¡­ uh, what next?" "Enough questions, Nightwatch. You''ve seen enough. Now let''s go." Before Scott could even react, Emma grabbed him by the wrist and the force of her tug made him stumble slightly as she pulled him forward. The mall doors swung open, and Scott was instantly struck by how massive and grand the inside was. It looked like something straight out of a dream! The floors gleamed as if they''d been buffed to a perfect shine, and the ceiling was so high it almost felt like you could get lost in the space. There was a light floral scent in the air, but more than that, it was the sense of luxury and exclusivity that made Scott feel a little dizzy. Emma paused for a moment and looked around at her wind-tousled hair. "Urggh¡­" She didn''t like the way it looked. She pulled a hairpin from her pocket to quickly and expertly redo her hair to perfection. There was no rushing here. By the time she tied her hair in a stylish, but undeniably sexy messy bun, she was ready. Standing upright, Emma adjusted her posture, and without hesitation, she began to strut. The catwalk had nothing on her. Her every step was organic and confident as she moved toward a huge section of the mall: Hermia. Scott blinked, trying to shake off his dazed state. "Wait, is that¡­ your section?" Emma looked over her shoulder. ¡ºI''m really not trying to show off. But honestly, telling anyone about my life kind of comes across that way, considering how much I have. I just want him to know everything about me so he can start calling me his girlfriend as soon as possible¡­ I know it sounds desperate, but still¡­¡» She hid the sadness on her pretty face. "Yep. Hermia." She waved a hand vaguely, as if it was no big deal, but the corner of her lips twitched upward in satisfaction. "Silver Eagle Mall was built by a Golden Age superhero as future plans for his retirement. Silver Eagle? I don''t think you''d know him. After hanging up the cape, his wife had the mall named in his honor. And thanks to my good friend Xenon, I was able to beg Silver Eagle to let me open a Hermia section here." Scott nodded approvingly. "Xenon, huh? He''s an S-tier hero. I guess that guy really gets things done." He folded his arms. Emma simply nodded. "You''d be surprised. Now, as for Hermia¡ªit''s primarily a cosmetics company, but last year, we branched out into fashion with a small but exclusive line I call ¨¦clat by Hermia. We''re not exactly rolling in cash just yet, but we''re getting there." Scott couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. "A fashion line? So, are you going to make the next big thing?" Emma gave him a playful, sideways glance. "I plan to. I''m going to collaborate with a few A-listers¡­ some serious names in the industry." Scott instantly guessed where this was going. "Like¡­ Bella Trevors?" "Definitely not." Emma''s expression turned icy as she glared at him. Scott burst into laughter. "Oh, come on! You''re telling me you wouldn''t want Bella Trevors to wear a ¨¦clat by Hermia mens'' blazer with nothing under it? You''d have the whole world talking in minutes." Emma''s lips curled into a pout as her tender cheeks tinged with pink. "That''s not how things work in the fashion world, Nightwatch. Besides¡­" She looked away, very stubborn. "She''d never wear it anyway." "Of course not." Scott smirked. "But seriously, if you want to make a splash, you need to put someone like Bella in that blazer. She''s got the kind of influence that would make your sales skyrocket." Emma looked away in sadness. "Good to know." Before Emma could react, Scott surprised her by suddenly wrapping his muscular arms around her. Her breath hitched as he leaned in, and she felt her cheek brush against his. "Wh-, What''s this for?" She was trying so hard not to sound charmed. Scott smiled as his hands instinctively fell to her waist. "You look prettier when you''re happy." Her cheeks reddened even more, but before she could respond, she straightened herself up as her eyes became calm and composed again. But deep down, she was screaming like a little child. ¡ºKYAAAAAAA~ ??! FUCKIN'' YAAAAS!¡» A really little child. "Enough talk. Let''s go." And with that, she marched straight into the Hermia section. Inside, it was nothing short of a paradise. The sleek, glass shelves were filled with luxurious fragrances, high-end skincare products, and cosmetics so exquisite they seemed almost untouchable. The clothing racks were designed with soft lighting to highlight their vibrant, luxurious fabrics as they stood in proud display. Emma walked around like she owned the place¡­ but this time, she did. As she moved deeper into the section, Scott easily noticed the way every woman in corporate attire stood straighter and their eyes lowered in respect when they saw Emma. It was as if the entire section knew who she was, and each one greeted her with a polite, synchronized bow. "Welcome, madam." Scott glanced around, a little bemused. Emma gave a small, satisfied nod as she headed toward the woman in charge of the section. "Did you get the call?" She sounded so professional it instantly made Scott realize that he''d actually met with Emma before. ¡ºYeaahh, back at School¡­¡» The woman responded immediately. "It''s ready." Emma didn''t waste time. She turned, and Scott, momentarily lost in the sea of luxury surrounding him, was about to follow her when one of the women stopped him. "This way, sir¡­" The woman was charmed by the handsome, young man standing before her. So much so that she couldn''t even look him straight in the eyes. Without even looking back, Emma spoke. "Make eyes at my man, and you can friggin'' kiss your jobs goodbye." It came out so casually. The women froze and immediately snapped their attention back to their work. A few straightened up to look properly chastised. Emma just smirked. "Now, let''s get to it, shall we?" Scott was led away, still chuckling under his breath. As the women began bringing over different luxurious items for him to try on, he raised an eyebrow. "What''s all this? Do I really need all these fancy brands?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma''s chuckle echoed through the room. "If you looked luxurious, you wouldn''t need them." She crossed her arms confidently. Scott narrowed his eyes at her, only to receive a playful, cat-like smirk in response. "Besides¡­ you''ll need to get my measurements first." "Oh, I already sent them over about an hour ago." Emma replied, whistling innocently. Scott froze. "Wait, what?" "Hmm, wonderful weather we''re having¡­" Emma looked at everything but him. She checked her wristwatch then clapped slowly. "Chop, chop, freshen him up." Scott had no choice but to follow the women as they guided him to the changing room. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The changing room door slowly creaked open, and a group of women hurried out like startled birds taking flight. "His chest was so¡­ broad¡­" "And those arms©¤©¤oh my God, those arms. What they''d do to me in bed, my goodness." "He looks so good!" Their faces were bright red, and their eyes darted around nervously, avoiding looking straight ahead. Their hands trembled as they awkwardly tried to shield their faces with how embarrassed they were. ¡­ Mhm-mmm~ ?! ¡­ Tee-hee ??! Muffled giggles and soft, startled comments spread among them as they scattered in all directions, clearly flustered by whatever had just happened inside. Emma raised an eyebrow. The corner of her lips quirked upward, equal parts amused and annoyed. "What''s with all of you?" Her eyes narrowed. "Where is he?" Before anyone could answer, the door swung open again. Scott stepped out, and the world seemed to pause. Emma''s heart skipped so many beats it felt like it gave up entirely. The man standing in front of her didn''t look anything like the Scott who had wandered into the Hermia section earlier. His messy hair was now neatly styled into a sharp taper cut that suited his face perfectly. He wore a luxurious navy-blue blazer paired with matching suit pants, making him look effortlessly sophisticated. A black turtleneck underneath added a subtle but commanding touch to the outfit. His polished black shoes reflected the soft store lighting, and the teashades sunglasses resting on his nose added to his confident charm. ¡ºHrmm, I look like a playboy¡­¡» Scott adjusted the sleek TV-TW smartwatch on his wrist. Then, he turned his head to face Emma. "So? How do I look?" Emma''s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. Her eyes was glued to him, wide-eyed and unblinking. She tried to compose herself, but her body said NO. One tiny drop of blood escaped her nose. The room erupted into chaos as the women gasped and hurriedly reached for tissues. "Madam! Are you okay?" "Oh no, someone call a doctor!" Emma waved them off, trying to act nonchalant, but her trembling hands and flushed face sold her out. "I-, I''m fine!" She stammered, but her voice cracked, and she quickly clamped her mouth shut. Unfazed by the commotion, Scott approached her calmly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp white kerchief. Without saying a word, he gently pressed it against her nose and tilted her head back slightly to stop the bleeding. Emma''s breath hitched. ¡ºThis¡­ this can''t be real. This isn''t real life. Someone pinch me. KYAAAAA~ ??!¡» She was getting to excited. ¡ºGrab my neck! Grab my neck! GRAB MY NECK AND CALL ME YOUR DIRTY PIECE OF VEGETABLE!¡» Her thoughts were chaotic, but outwardly, she stood frozen with her eyes locked onto his impossibly gorgeous face. "You sure you''re okay?" Scott asked softly, feeling very concerned. Emma nodded slowly, unable to tear her eyes away from him. She needed a distraction¡ªsomething, anything to break her focus before she completely lost it. "Let''s go!" She grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of the Hermia section. "Where are we going now?" "You''ll see!" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The Automotive Gallery¡­ It was a spectacle of sleek curves, shining exteriors, and roaring engines. Every car parked under the gallery''s ambient lighting looked like a masterpiece that was just begging to be driven. Emma gestured at the lineup like a queen presenting her treasure hoard. "Pick one¡­" Scott scratched the back of his neck. "What do you mean, pick one?" "I mean pick one¡­" Emma folded her arms and stared at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Scott hesitated. "Come on, there''s no need for that. We''ve already got your Ferrari parked outside." Emma arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, that''s mine. You need one too." Scott laughed awkwardly. "Emma, I''m not exactly drowning in cash here. I can''t just¡ª" "Fine." She cut him off with an exaggerated sigh. "If you won''t pick one, I will." She spun on her heel and pointed at a sleek, midnight-black Nissan GT-R with red accents and a low, aerodynamic build. Its sharp design screamed speed and power. It looked menacingly beautiful! "That one¡­" Emma decided. Scott''s eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. His composure slipped for a split second, but it was enough for Emma to catch. "You like it?" "I-, It''s alright, I guess." Scott immediately straightened up with a plain face. Emma laughed knowingly. "Sure it is." --- Some minutes ago¡­ The moment Scott went into the changing room, Emma took out her phone and messaged Marcus. [Emma: Markie, what''s your dream car? ©d(£Þ?£Þ)] [Marcus: Auntie? You wanna buy me a car already? Oh dang, that''s so awesome!] [Emma: Uh, sure, now talk¡­] [Marcus: Well, there''s this super cool, new GT-R¡­ but it''s super expensive and I don''t know if you''d even wanna buy it ????????] [Marcus: Auntie?] [Marcus: Auntie?] --- Next destination, Black Industries'' tech event! Chapter 46 Red Carpet Event! The crowd outside the fancy Blue Garden Hotel was alive with excitement. People were chatting and cheering, while cameras flashed like stars against the dark sky.Standing right in the middle of all the buzz was Judy Cho. She looked sharp and professional with the way her short black hair was neatly styled and her bright blue eyes caught the glow of the hotel''s grand lights. She held a microphone firmly, speaking clearly into the camera while her cameraman adjusted the shot to capture all the action happening behind her. "This is Judy Cho, reporting live from New York City''s iconic Blue Garden Hotel." Her voice came out crisp and clear. "Tonight, the much-anticipated Black Industries Tech Summit is set to unfold. Promising to unveil and auction what many are already calling the most revolutionary technology of the last decade, this event has drawn some of the biggest figures from around the world." She gestured subtly to the limousines, jeeps, and convertibles arriving at the red carpet. "In attendance tonight, we have some truly rare and illustrious names: Dr. Alexandria Royce, the Founder and CEO of Neuronexus Biotech Evolution; Prince Adewale Adetokunbo, Chairman of the Royal African Technological Consortium; and General Juan Esteban Moreno, Commander of the Southern Hemisphere Defense Alliance. And if that wasn''t enough, even Imran bint Suleiman and his daughter Nadia of the esteemed Al-Rashid family have made an appearance." Judy paused to clear her throat as her smile widened slightly when she turned to the sight of another sleek black limousine pulling up to its designated spot. She already recognized the signature crest on the vehicle''s side. "And look who''s just arrived!" The woman dressed her hair properly. "The man of the hour: Isaac Volkner of Volkner Dynamics." The car door opened without a sound, and Isaac Volkner stepped out with a kind of confidence that seemed completely natural. He was wearing a tuxedo that fit him perfectly, making him look even more striking. On each arm, he had two elegant European women. The four of them stayed close to him with smiles that showed their high taste and luxury. Isaac walked down the red carpet as if it was made just for him and his was charm so strong that people could feel it even from far away. Judy wasted no time to dart in front of him. She extended the microphone with a bright smile. "Mr. Volkner¡­ how is New York City''s most eligible bachelor feeling tonight?" Isaac couldn''t stop the painful memory of Emma coming into his head. ¡ºI have these four beautiful women with me¡­ but all of them combined don''t come close to Emma.¡» He looked at Judy, then into the camera, and chuckled. "Heartbroken¡­" The crowd erupted into laughter, Judy included, though she quickly recovered. "Well, you certainly don''t look it!" "Perhaps¡­" Isaac gave her a quick wink and resumed his walk into the event hall with his entourage following close behind. Turning back to the camera, Judy laughed softly. "Well, that''s all we''re getting from Mr. Isaac Volkner tonight. Heartbroken, he says¡ªbut I don''t think anyone''s buying it." Another limousine pulled up and drew her attention. Her expression turned speculative, then pleased. "And now, here''s one of the two names everyone''s been waiting for. Miss Emma Graves, Founder and CEO of the fast-growing cosmetics company, Hermia; alongside none other than Pulsar, the rookie superhero who''s been making waves." As Judy spoke, reporters swarmed toward the vehicle with their microphones and cameras at the ready. Inside the limousine, Pulsar sat still and her usual bright energy was completely gone. All that was there was a blank, distant expression. She tightly gripped her phone as the screen still showed a message she had read over and over again throughout the past week. It was Scott''s last message. A knot twisted in her stomach, and the vibrant colors of the city outside now looked dull and lifeless. ¡ºI don''t know what else I can do to get him to talk to me again. I flew all over Metro City, but I couldn''t find him anywhere. I asked Jake and a few other people, and they all said they haven''t seen him in a while¡­ please, Scott¡­ where are you? I just need to be with you¡­¡» Pulsar tightly bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying. ¡ºCan''t we talk¡­ just once?¡» She felt really sick. Her chest still ached from the constant burning sensation, a result of throwing up every night due to all the overthinking. Seated across from her, Vincent cracked the silence. "Alright, Pulsar, get ready. The Peak is tied up with some last-minute issues, so you''re handling this solo¡­ until he gets back at least. Damn, I would''ve loved it if you two walked into the event hall together like the new power couple!" He could already picture the face of Pulsar lovers. "Remember, you and The Peak are presenting Mr. Black''s award tonight. If reporters ask about your hero career, just smile and stick to the script: ''Serve and protect.'' Nothing more. Got it?" She didn''t answer¡­ her eyes couldn''t leave the phone. "Pulsar?" "¡­" "Did you hear me? Stick to the¡ª" "Vincent¡­" Pulsar interjected with a low and cold voice. Her glare was enough to freeze him mid-sentence. "If you don''t shut up, I''m going to rip this limousine apart like a paper and shove it down your damn throat until you''re bleeding and crying for help." Vincent''s mouth opened, then closed. Silence finally settled inside the car. Pulsar shoved the door open and stepped out with her new white and purple super suit that sparkled like fireworks under the flashing lights. Reporters surged toward her, shouting questions and snapping photos, but she didn''t stop, didn''t smile, didn''t say a word. She walked past them with her phone still in her hand. Judy watched from her post with brows lifted. She turned to the camera with a wry smile. "It uhhh¡­ seems Pulsar isn''t in the mood for conversation tonight. Let''s hope Miss Emma Graves will be more talkative when she arrives." Hopefully, it wouldn''t get awkward before then. --- Meanwhile¡­ There was a big, black van disguised as a news van not far from the venue. Grave''s fingers hovered over the tablet in his hands as he watched the live feeds from the drones in the sky and the cameras around the Blue Garden Hotel. He could see everything happening, every small detail. The crowd outside, the shiny limousines, the self-entitled celebrities walking in. Inside the hotel, he even spotted Trickshot, disguised as a waiter, moving around with a trolley that seemed just a little too big for the occasion. "Trickshot¡­" Grave''s voice crackled through the earpiece. "Come in." A low chuckle followed from the other end. "Trickshot, active. I''m on the 60th floor, just doing some ''service'' for the guests. Man, I had no idea Aaron Black had this many connections. If we took out the head of the Al-Rashid family¡­ hell, we could probably buy an entire country with that kind of money. Oh, and I hear they have a pretty hot daughter too, Nadia or some shit like that. Might be worth sticking around for." Grave''s eyes narrowed as he zoomed in on the feeds. "Focus, Trickshot. What''s the status on Elena Vargas?" "Got eyes on her. If you want, I could snipe her right now¡ªthose phase-bullets Edna cooked up? Can''t wait to test ''em. But hey, I''ll hold off. She''s in the middle of some kinda VIP reception. It''s gonna be a little tricky getting a clean shot." "You''re joking¡­ right?" "PFFFFT©¤©¤of course!" Grave sighed. "Regardless. We need her alive for now. So don''t start anything too early; this event is just getting underway. Wait for my signal." "Understood¡­" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Trickshot spoke with a little amusement in his tone. "By the way, six of these rich heads tipped me a thousand each. You know, for good service." Grave''s eyes shifted over the tablet again to scan the hotel''s interior. He could barely track everything with the size of the building, but eight live feeds at a time was enough. "Trickshot¡­" "I know, I know. Focus." Trickshot pushed the trolley down a corridor as he looked at the luxury around him. "But hey, just to let you know, six of ''em handed me a thousand bucks each. Rich idiots, man. They won''t even know what hit ''em." "Just get back to your job¡­" Grave muttered. His finger hovered over the communicator''s button to switch it off when a small thud from the back of the van made him reach for the handgun at his side. He quickly turned around and pulled open the curtains to reveal the back of the van. What was there was a great difference to the usual calm operations. Ten men sat in the back, each holding a different high-tech weapon or gadget. The place was dead silent. And then there was him. The Peak. Bloodied. Tied up. He looked as if he''d seen the kind of fear that could make a grown man crumble. "What''s all this noise?" Grave''s voice was low, but anyone could tell he was the one in charge. One of his men, clearly irritated, replied. "This guy''s giving us problems, Grave. We can''t even shut him up. Should we just finish him off now?" The scream of a woman left The Peak''s mouth as he trembled like a squashed cockroach. ¡ºP-, Please¡­ don''t kill me¡­¡» That was what he wanted to say, but his mouth was stuffed with so many clothes he was barely breathing. What more could be do? Pee his super pants? He''d already done that. The Peak screamed like a little girl again. Grave didn''t flinch. His eyes narrowed as he took in the situation. The Peak was squirming, eyes wide and pleading, but Grave didn''t have time for that kind of weakness. Not now. "No, we''re not killing him. I have plans for this one¡­" Grave turned his eyes toward the men holding him. "Tie him up tighter if you have to. I want him alive for now." The men exchanged glances and grumbled but nodded in agreement. The Peak winced as the ropes bit deeper into his skin, but Grave wasn''t paying attention. He had already switched his focus back to the tablet, now monitoring the feeds from his surveillance. --- Also¡­ Inside the sleek black sedan, Scott and Emma were making their way toward the Blue Garden Hotel. The neon lights of the city blazed against the backdrop of night, and the hum of the GT-R''s engine seemed almost too smooth as Scott guided it down the roads with a steady hand. Sitting beside him, Emma raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the window, watching the passing city lights. "You know, if you''re so eager to drive, I could always rent a race track for you. Let you go crazy on it." Her smile turned perverted. ¡º¡­ or on me ?¡» Scott chuckled very softly. "No need. I''m enjoying the ride with you." "R-, Really¡­" Emma stared down at her yellow dress, feeling flustered. She fiddled with her thumbs while talking a bit shyly. "Well, if you really want, I could just buy the whole track for you. What do you think? Make it yours?" "Like I said, the car''s only fun because you''re in it with me, alright? Buying is a race track is not necessary." "Alright¡­ I-, I guess." Emma looked out the window, even more flustered. Scott laughed a little louder this time. "Well, we''re here." He parked the car with precision and stepped out to open the door for Emma. He extended his hand with a smile. "Maybe I haven''t said this yet, but¡­ you look absolutely beautiful tonight." Emma''s hot cheeks flushed slightly as a soft smile tugged at her lips. She accepted his hand. "Thank you, Nightwatch." "Call me, Scott¡­ honey." "You''re¡­ sure?" Emma''s eyes brightened with hope. Scott nodded slightly. "We''re supposed to be a couple tonight, so of course you''re my honey." "I''m you''re¡­" Emma''s eyes got even wider©¤©¤like bright flashlights. "¡­honey?" "Mhm. Now, get down, babe." Steam erupted off the top of Emma''s head. ¡ºB-, BABE©¤©¤?! TWO IN A ROW?!¡» She got out of the car, enjoying the touch of cold, slender hand in his warm, manly hand. Everything about the moment felt just right, as if time had slowed down for the two of them to really connect, without anything getting in the way. ¡ºI can''t mess this up¡­¡» That was all Emma could think of. ¡­ Nadia stood at the entrance of the Blue Garden Hotel, looking both confident and impatient. Her six bodyguards stood quietly behind her and formed an imposing wall of muscles and brute force. There wasn''t a single reporter who had the mind to approach her without getting knocked off their socks. The sparkling chandeliers above bathed Nadia in a warm light as she looked like an angel in her jade-colored, traditional arabian dress. She adjusted said dress and checked her wristwatch for the fifth time in just a few minutes. "Princess Nadia¡­" One of the bodyguards respectfully spoke up. "Your father is waiting for you. The event will start soon." Nadia waved a hand dismissively as her eyes continued to scan the crowds. "Shush, I''m waiting for my friend!" Her eyes swam through the sea of well-dressed guests, but there was no sign of Emma yet. She sighed heavily and went for the classic facepalm. ¡ºWhere is she? I wasn''t planning on coming for this garbage until she told me she''d be going too¡­¡» She already had plans to go fishing with Jenna and Marcus today, but now those plans were completely gone. ¡ºI wish I could swear! Hmph!¡» As if on cue, her sharp eyes caught movement from the far end of the entrance. Nadia''s heart skipped a beat when she saw them¡ªScott and Emma, walking arm in arm, effortlessly catching the attention of everyone around them. Emma was practically melting into Scott''s side as her head rested against his muscular arm, the kind of smile that could only be described as satisfied gracing her red lips. She was radiating with contentment when a pleased little moan slipped from her lips as they made their way across the lobby. "Ahhhhh~ ? this is the life¡­" A little more and Emma would melt into a puddle of water. Nadia''s eyes narrowed as she took in the sight. ¡ºWait ¡­ could that be¡­¡» But before she could finish the thought, reporters swarmed in like bees to honey with their microphones and cameras aimed squarely at Emma. "Ms. Hermia!" One of the reporters shouted as he pushed forward. "We''d love to hear about your upcoming plans for Hermia. What can you tell us about next year? How are you planning to improve the clothing line, given that sales haven''t been stellar?" Emma''s smile never faltered. She was the picture of confidence, poised as ever. "Well, it''s simple really. We''re taking it to the next level. Hermia is all about innovation, and next year, we''ll be introducing sustainable fashion, new cuts, and unique designs that will stand out. I''m very excited about what''s coming." A different reporter jumped in. "But there''s been buzz around your friendship with Princess Nadia Al-Rashid. Does that relationship benefit your business in any way? How do you see that affecting your brand?" Emma "hmph-ed" confidently. She grabbed the microphone from the reporter''s hand. "Let me just clear something up, okay?" There was such pride in her voice. "When I became friends with Nadia, I didn''t know she was a princess. So no, I''m not benefitting from any royal connections, financial or otherwise. And as for her father? He doesn''t exactly like me, or most of Nadia''s other friends for that matter." She gave the mic back to the reporter with a smile. "So, no, there''s no hidden agenda. I''m just here for the company, not the connections." The reporter seemed caught off guard but quickly recovered. Before he could ask another question, Emma pulled on Scott''s arm and brought him closer. She flashed the cameras a cute smile. "Aren''t you going to ask about my boyfriend?" She even spoke very sweetly. The reporters exchanged looks and awkwardly cleared their throats before quickly shifting their focus. "What''s the point of interviewing a nobody she''s probably gonna break-up with tomorrow¡­" "Tch, maybe ten years ago people gave damn!" "Let''s see if we can interview Lady Adira Crowe." They began to walk away to look for more big names to interview as the event approached. Emma sighed dramatically as she cupped her cheeks with her hands then pouted. "Sorry, they don''t know how amazing you are, babe." She looked up at Scott with a soft smile. Scott chuckled and patted her head gently. "It''s fine. I don''t need the spotlight. Let''s head in now. I''ve got some work to do." They started walking toward the main ballroom, with Emma holding onto Scott''s arm like she never wanted to let go. Just as they were about to enter, Scott heard the familiar voice of the System in his mind. [Initiating Big Event Livestream in 10 seconds¡­] Scott''s eyes went wide. "What©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" [Negative. The media has undermined the popularity of the host. It is my duty to ensure that the media recognizes the host as the number one icon in the world.] Scott''s face paled slightly when he quickly realized. "No, no, terminate livestream initiation now!" He hissed under his breath as his grip on Emma''s arm tightened. [Command Denied.] [Livestream begins in 3 seconds¡­] [3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: I''ll post Emma, Pulsar and Nadia''s dress next chapter. I''m still working on them. Chapter 47 Notorious Buildup Emma gripped Scott''s arm a little tighter and her smile grew brighter as she spotted Nadia on the other side of the room.¡­ clak©¤©¤©¤©¤KLAK!! Her high heels tapped quickly against the marble floor, the sound echoing as she hurried forward, practically dragging Scott with her. She moved with the kind of excitement you''d see in a puppy chasing after its favorite toy. "Nadiaaaaa~!" Emma''s sing-song voice broke the conversations of many around them, causing the princess to look their way. Nadia stood calmly. "Em¡­" Her elegant posture broken just a little by the slight lift of one eyebrow as she watched Emma rush toward her like an overly excited kid. The six massive bodyguards tensed up as their eyes shifted to Scott, but Nadia held up a hand to keep them in place. She wasn''t worried¡­ more curious than anything else. Just as Emma and Scott neared, Scott''s expression shifted from calm to oh no. His head tilted slightly as if listening to something the others couldn''t hear. "Emma, wait¡ª" he hissed, but it was too late. [Initiating Big Event Livestream Now¡­] The moment the words echoed in his mind, Scott could already feel his soul leaving his body. With an agility that was nothing like his composed appearance, he yanked his arm free from Emma''s grasp. "Gotta go!" And with that, he bolted like an irresponsible father after his son''s birth¡ªnot just away from Emma, but past Nadia, faster than anyone could react. A blur of expensive tailoring and polished shoes zipped by, leaving behind a baffled princess and a dumbfounded Emma. Nadia blinked, processing what had just happened. "¡­well, that was attractive." "Ugh! Why did he run off this time?" Emma''s shoulders sagged as she slapped her hands against her hips. Nadia gave her a knowing look, then crossed her arms as her jade-colored dress shimmered in the chandelier''s light. "I wish I knew. I was actually looking forward to meeting the guy who somehow managed to steal my bestie''s heart." Emma sighed and turned slightly. She was ready to follow Scott. "Maybe I should check on him¡­" Nadia reached out and stopped her with a gentle grip on her wrist. "Maybe after the photoshoot? Don''t forget, we''re still getting this featured in the magazine. If you''re going to drag me here, you might as well make it worth your while, right? Promote Hermia while you''re at it." She smirked shortly after. Emma groaned but relented. "You''ve got a point. Fine, we''ll go." As they started walking, Nadia laced her fingers with Emma''s to stop her just briefly. Her voice softened, though her usual confidence remained. "By the way¡­ I heard what you told those reporters earlier. I really appreciate it." Emma waved her off and tugged her along toward the photoshoot room. "Pssh, don''t act like that''s anything new." Behind them, Nadia''s bodyguards fell into formation as their eyes and ears remained on high alert. --- Meanwhile, Scott''s nightmare had only just started. The cloaked camera drones followed him through the ornate hallways, streaming everything in crisp HD to an audience of thousands. The comments poured in fast and furious. [Huh? Is this a surprise stream? What''s going on?] [I thought he was dead¡­] [Ain''t you supposed to be dead, brother?] [Wait, why are we watching some random rich dude?] [Yo, the guy''s kinda handsome tho, no Deedee. Look at that blazer. Damn.] [Hollup, let me check if this is the right stream¡­] ©¸ [It is cuh, but what are we watching?] ©¸ [Suburbs Nightwatch or something¡­] ©¸ [Nah fr tho, what they do to my GOAT ????????] [Guys? I don''t think this is Nightwatch ( o¦êo )] ©¸ [Yeah, no shit, Sherlock] ©¸ ["He''s right behind me, isn''t he?" ahh comment] Scott squeezed through the crowd as he muttered angrily under his breath. "System, stop this! Terminate the livestream!" No response. [Is this Nightwatch? Did he switch content to a house tour or what?] ©¸ [The Kardashians done got bro ????] ©¸ [I swear I had to check the account of this streamer and I''m 100% sure this shit is Nightwatch''s stream¡­] ©¸ [This shit is definitely an ad (? ? ?)] [Bro''s dressed like he''s gonna pull an insurance scam ????] [Not him flexing on us poor people in 4K.] ©¸ [He just called me poor in 50 different languages¡­] [Bro looks like he eats gold flakes for breakfast.] Scott felt his jaw tighten as the comments rolled in faster. He adjusted his turtleneck nervously, trying to keep his cool while the invisible drones zoomed in for better angles. [WAIT. IS THIS NIGHTWATCH?! HOLY¡ª] ©¸ [A face reveal is crazy ????] ©¸ [Someone gotta tell Nightwatch being a vigilante doesn''t work if everyone knows your identity, sigh~] ©¸ [Welp, it was fun while it lasted¡­ I''m gone.] [No way. Is it really him?!] [Didn''t expect Nightwatch to have a beard¡­ and that black suit he has on is really nice.] [Nah, can''t be. Nightwatch wouldn''t do this.] [Imagine Nightwatch''s been doing all this heroic stuff all so he can reveal his identity and get laid ????] ©¸ [Anything for the huzz ????????] ©¸ [Sasuke Baizen level manipulation fr XD] ©¸ [Even the vigilante gotta hang up the mask so he can pull down some pants ¨r(¨s_¨t)¨q] The chat exploded into a heated debate. [I''m telling y''all, that''s him. Look at the way he moves. That''s a hero walk.] [Bro just looks rich. Chill.] ©¸ [I told y''all he didn''t give that money to charity!] ©¸ [Look at the brands he''s wearing¡­ I swear I''ve never heard of them a day in my life. I don''t think our donations from that stream could afford all this (¡ª ¡ª||| oh well.] ©¸ [Yeah, you''re kinda right.] [Can you guys fuckin'' show some concern? This guy is probably here to let us know that Nightwatch is dead and his streams are over¡­ no saving Mist (¡ä?_?`)] ©¸ [Fr, people can be so inconsiderate!] ©¸ [Nightwatch won''t let you hit bro ????????] [Rich AND handsome. Lemme shoot my shot.] [Where''s Mist bro (¡ão¡ã;) TELL ME!!!] --- Scott groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "I''m going to kill this stupid System¡­" The drones shifted their focus and panned across the grand ballroom. Viewers caught glimpses of glittering chandeliers, designer outfits, and the kind of luxury most could only dream of. [This is insane. Where even IS this place?] ©¸ [People have always had a problem with tracking down Nightwatch''s stream.] ©¸ [Yeah, it''s like there''s this divine force hiding every single clue we could use to find out his location¡­] ©¸ [Actually, it could be easier this time!] ©¸ [Yeah, I''m seeing some recognizable faces!] [Spot the baddies in the background, y''all.] [Salutations, huzz.] [I see two European ones I''d risk it all for ????] [Do y''all see those gothies? Gahdayum! ????] ©¸ [Gothies?] ©¸ [It means Goth baddies¡­] ©¸ [I thought all goth girls were baddies?] ©¸ [You sir, are a smart man (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] [Forget Europeans. Did y''all see that Arabian princess???] ©¸ [She looks very familiar. If I could find her Instaflick account I think we can actually track down Nightwatch!] ©¸ [Do we wanna do that though? It takes away the fun of not knowing who he is!] ©¸ [Does it really matter now tho? I mean, there''s a total stranger standing in place of the stream¡­ Nightwatch''s account probably got hacked, that or he''s dead.] [I just saw ISAAC VOLKNER!] ©¸ [LMAO, dream on.] ©¸ [Like fr tho, what would the CEO of Volkner Dynamics be doing in a vigilante''s stream (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] ©¸ [Imagine if they were having hot gay sex!] ©¸ [There''s nothing hot about that BUT if they were oiled up, I think I could make an exception.] Scott pinched the bridge of his nose as he reached a quiet corner, hoping to escape the drones. But they followed relentlessly. The chat continued to spiral. [IT IS NIGHTWATCH. I SWEAR. ZOOM IN ON HIS FACE.] [I WANNA SEE HIS FRIGGIN'' FACE!] [If it''s him, why is he so awkward?] [Cause it''s filler episode energy, duh.] ©¸ [Like fr, shouldn''t he be saving Mist? I was promised peak not this garbage silent stream. I''m out!] ©¸ [*Proceeds to stay* ????] ["Bro, watch Nightwatch''s stream, it''s so peak" The peak in question ????] Scott slammed his back against a marble pillar and glared at the empty space around him where he knew the drones hovered. "Enough already!" [Woah, woah, calm down, Jamal. Don''t pull out a nine] [He mad. LMAO. Nightwatch got caught slipping.] [The huzz will not like this¡­] ©¸ [The huzz wishes they were that marble pillar.] ©¸ [Tbh tho, he smacked it so hard ??] ©¸ [We know it''s you, Bella Trevors.] [Damn, Nightwatch ruined his stream for a few more weeks of fame? Stupid. Should''ve just done his next stream as an epic return after everyone thought he was dead¡­ yunno, then take down Dark Elf and Trickshot, save Mist and get that sweet 18+ streaming content (? ? ?)] [No one''s even donating¡­] ©¸ [I think everyone''s still shocked.] --- Scott clenched his fists as his frustration bubbled over. "This is not happening¡­" The System''s cold, unfeeling voice finally spoke. [Viewership increased by 432% in the last 60 seconds. The appetizer stream will soon be ended to enable the host prepare for the main livestream of the night.] Scott''s eyes widened. "So this is what? Practice©¤©¤?!" But before he could finish, the camera drones shifted their focus to the main ballroom, zooming in on Nadia and Emma as they entered for the photoshoot. [YOOOOO IS THAT AN ARABIAN PRINCESS???] ©¸ [I sense a an air ball coming soon¡­] [And the baddie next to her?? Who is she??] [Yeahhh, she looks super hot, she''s thicc!] ©¸ [Indeed, I sense a disturbance in the force ????] [Nightwatch always bringing the content. W for him.] [W for him?! Where the fuck is Mist©¤©¤?!] [I don''t want this shit! I want Mist!] [I swear I''m gonna go write the nastiest Threadit post about what an unfaithful bastard Nightwatch is! Rather than saving Mist he''s getting shots of OTHER women!] ©¸ [It''s not that deep bro¡­] ©¸ [We don''t know the full story, he could still be looking for her or something.] ©¸ [Like fr, this stream is so random I got so many questions that need answers!] --- Scott banged his head lightly against the pillar. "I''m gonna need a new identity after this¡­" Soon, the drones shifted their focus to a young man in a black suit and bowtie. His blond hair was meticulously styled, his posture perfect, and his face¡­ well, it could sour milk. He stared venomously at Scott without even trying to hide his disgust. The viewers, of course, wasted no time. [POV: You''re the most hated guy at a charity gala for no reason.] [I can just tell he''s German, haha!] [Who''s Mr. Eurobro with the death glare?] ©¸ [Bro looks like he drinks sparkling water through a golden straw.] ©¸ [He''s mad Nightwatch is way hotter than him, clearly.] [Is that a German Bond villain audition? What''s with the bowtie?] ©¸ ["I vill haf my revenge, Herr Nightwatch!"] ©¸ [Bro really pulled up looking like the final boss of IKEA.] [No one else noticing the uncanny resemblance to Voldemort with a nose?] ©¸ [He''s got that "I''m better than you" nose flare going on.] ©¸ [Nah, that''s the type of guy to complain about someone parking a millimeter into his spot.] [This guy stares at people in the gym just to tell them their form is wrong.] ©¸ ["Actually, zat''s not proper shquat etiquette."] [Big talk from a guy who looks like he can''t do a push-up without breaking a nail.] --- Scott''s eyes were burning as he did his best to pretend the death glare wasn''t happening. "System¡­ can you end it? Like, right now?" [Positive. Stream has successfully elevated your popularity metrics. You should be pleased to know that this will likely be one of the most successful streams of the year. Prepare for an influx of recognition.] Scott groaned audibly. "Yeah, great. Fantastic. Can we stop it now?" [Terminating livestream in 10 seconds¡­] The drones continued to hover, panning briefly over the luxurious ballroom. The viewers were now focused on getting answers. [Wait, are we getting a rich vigilante tutorial or what?] [@NutBuster5000 donated $3,000 ¨C Please, can you tell us what happened to Mist???] [@UterusEater donated $1,500 ¨C Can you just show these guys the receipt of the charity donations we made so they stop calling you an extortionist, please?] [Where''s Mist, bro? I don''t care about allat!] [Are you the kind of hero to just ignore your teammate and go on with your life? Kinda disappointed ngl (¡ä?_?`)] [Don''t even know how to defend this guy anymore¡­] [@XueHuaPiao donated $500 ¨C So, what''s the next step with Dark Elf and Trickshot? Are you just going to take the L? I''m really pissed at how my co-workers have been bashing you after that last stream.] [I just need a Nightwatch W¡­ not this nonsense!] --- Scott pinched the bridge of his nose as donations poured in faster than he could comprehend. But with the donations came sensitive questions! "System¡­" [Livestream terminated.] [Apologies for my disobedience, Master Scott.] The drones flickered and powered down to finally leave him in peace. Scott exhaled heavily. "Finally." He straightened his blazer and walked briskly toward the nearest exit, ignoring the curious stares of the few attendees who''d noticed him darting away. The young German man still stood there. His name was Albrecht¡­ Isaac Volkner''s cousin. And a man deeply dedicated to hating Emma. He adjusted his bowtie sharply as he watched Scott leave.. "I can''t believe that hooligan is the one that bitch chose to embarrass herself with. The disgrace¡­" He turned on his heel and stalked away. "I''ll handle this myself. Emma and that idiot won''t get away with dragging Isaac''s name through the mud. Isaac is worth millions of those fools combined." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ Inside the comfort of his van parked far outside the venue, Grave leaned back in his chair and watched the clip on his tablet with a calm face. His sharp eyes studied the footage of Albrecht''s angry glare, but something was¡­ off. He tapped the screen to rewind and pause at the exact moment Albrecht seemed to lock eyes with Scott. But the problem was¡­ there was nobody there. More precisely, no Scott. Not on the feed, at least. "What is this?" Grave muttered, adjusting his sleek helmet. He tweaked the drone''s frequency controls and replayed the scene from multiple angles. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still nothing. "Interesting¡­" Before he could investigate further, a high-pitched scream echoed from the back of the van. Grave sighed deeply and pulled out his handgun without looking. ¡­ BANG! The scream turned into a pathetic wail as The Peak, tied up and gagged, writhed in pain. "My LEG! MY LEG!!" The Peak''s body flapped around in undescribable pains, as if he were a fish out of water. Grave didn''t even flinch. "Shut up¡­" He focused back on his tablet. Expectedly, his men ignored the commotion. They also wanted The Peak to be quiet¡­ the more the heard him whimper and struggle, the angrier they got. Grave narrowed his eyes at the screen. "Something''s not right here¡­ could it be Nightwatch is finally present? Then perhaps this show can start off earlier than expected." He placed a finger on his earpiece. "Trickshot¡­" --- In the privacy of a small room, Scott sat on the edge of the bed and gripped his heaving chest as the comments about Gwen replayed in his mind. "They''re right¡­" He stared at the floor as his breathing worsened. It felt like there were two hands squeezing his lungs. "What kind of hero am I if I''m sitting here while she''s still a fuckin'' hostage?" Cold sweat rolled down the back of his neck. [Negative. Deviating from the current plan will result in catastrophic consequences, including your death, Gwen''s death, and the deaths of countless others.] Scott clenched his fists. "Am I really that important?" [According to my calculations, yes. Your role tonight is critical. Any deviation will jeopardize everything.] "But, Gwen¡­" [The host has the chance to truly raise his status as a hero and attract the attention of an S-tier hero¡­ Rope Girl. All I request is that you stick to the pre-planned strategy which is cornering Elena and sending an automated stealth vehicle after Gwen.] [My calculations predict a great disaster will befall the Blue Garden Hotel, but I am unable to get full information on what it is. Regardless, the host must go LIVE and ensure he succeeds in order to protect his reputation.] Scott exhaled slowly and let the tension bleed out of his shoulders. He stood and removed his blazer, then rolled up the sleeves of his turtleneck. "Fine¡­" The Arcforge Omni-Fabricator appeared suddenly. He placed it on the bed and pushed the red button. Its sleek design unfolded into a mini-factory of holographic blueprints and tools. Taking a deep breath, he began crafting. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ In the ballroom¡­ Elena quietly ate grapes from a small ceramic plate, her eyes constantly darting around the room. She couldn''t shake the feeling that she was being watched, though she had no idea where the danger might be coming from. Her senses were on high alert, but everything seemed normal¡ªor at least, that''s what it looked like. ¡ºI just fucking know those bastard assassins hired by Black Mechanica are after me¡­ if it''s not them, then it''s likely that Nightwatch bastard everyone keeps talking about online. I need to stay on high alert or I''ll lose my life.¡» She set the remaining grapes down on the table and bent down, pretending to adjust her dress. It was just an excuse to scan the area without drawing too much attention to herself. She glanced around as subtly as she could, but there was no one suspicious in sight. Still, the uneasy feeling lingered. ¡ºAlright, here''s the plan: I''ll cut the power to the building during the unveiling of the technorganic specimen. Once everything goes dark, I''ll steal the specimen, deliver it to TitanTech Industries as they asked, collect my payment, and finally use the money to buy my dream island in South America!¡» Straightening up, Elena picked up her plate again and popped the last two grapes into her mouth. ¡ºHrmm, it''s finished¡­¡» Just as she was about to feel disappointed at her empty plate, Trickshot appeared in front of her, dressed impeccably as a waiter. "Greetings, pretty lady¡­" "Oh, hi~" Elena flashed him a seductive smile. "It seems your grapes are finished?" "Indeed, they are. What do you plan to do about that?" "My job of course, haha¡­" He smiled charmingly and held out a fresh bowl of grapes. Elena couldn''t help but smile back as she took another vine from the bowl and left. Trickshot watched her leave and smiled maliciously. "I can''t wait to get things into high gear. When we''re done, every superhero in and out of costume will be put in a fackin casket, heh." He pat his suspiciously large trolley. Chapter 48 Suspicious & Unidentified Scott walked out of the fancy side room, pulling his sleek black blazer over his shoulders and straightening it. He took a moment to adjust the cuffs of his shirt, making sure everything looked just right.[Blueprints for the ATAM-5 suit are complete. Construction has commenced at the System Factory. Automated Stealth Vehicle is fully weaponized and will be deployed to Gwen''s location in five minutes.] The corner of his lips tugged up briefly as he slotted his hands into his pockets. "Finally making progress¡­" He started walking down the hallway. [Turn left.] Scott stopped mid-step as his eyebrows knitted together. "Huh?" But the System didn''t respond. He looked around, shrugged, and turned left as instructed. The corridor stretched ahead, flanked by ornate wall sconces and massive oil paintings that screamed wealth and pretentiousness. He walked with casual confidence, but from the right, someone entered¡ªsomeone whose presence may have changed Scott''s night for better or worse. Pulsar. Her light steps faltered when she saw him¡ªor, rather, almost saw him. She was focused on the message on her phone with her lips pressed into a small, pensive pout. Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating to type a reply as she walked. ¡ºWhat''s the point in replying a message from over a week ago? I think it''s stupid, but still¡­¡» The faintest flicker of a smile touched her face. She did her best to hide her sadness as she brushed her fingers over Scott''s name on the screen. "I miss you¡­" Her eyes flicked up briefly and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure disappearing down the left hallway. She stopped in her tracks and tilted her head. "¡­Scott?" She muttered, then shook her head with a weak chuckle. "I must be seeing things." And just like that, she kept walking and sulking as her dull eyes fell back to the message. --- Oblivious to the near encounter, Scott finally got back to the main event hall. The huge room was packed with high-society elites. Their laughter and quiet chatter synced with the soft clinking of champagne glasses. The place was so over-the-top it felt stifling, with wealth and ego hanging heavy in the air. It didn''t take long for Scott to feel his stomach turn. ¡ºThese guys remind me of my Maxwell¡­¡» He scanned the room and his eyes narrowed. No Emma. Just a sea of overly perfumed aristocrats and snobs with fake smiles plastered across their faces. Then, his eyes locked onto someone¡­ someone who definitely didn''t belong in the background. Albrecht. The man was glaring at him like he was going to strangle the neck of the first kitten he saw. His posture was rigid, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Scott raised an eyebrow. "Who''s this clown?" Albrecht didn''t give him much time to wonder. He marched toward Scott, his finger already jabbing through the air. "You!" He barked with a sharp voice. Heads began to turn. Scott blinked, taken aback, but he didn''t flinch. "Uh¡­ me?" Albrecht''s steps didn''t slow. Before Scott could react, the man grabbed his collar and yanked him close. The fiery rage in his eyes burned with self-righteous fury. "You''re the bastard trying to make my cousin look like a fool, aren''t you?!" Scott tilted his head, utterly unfazed. "Your cousin?" "Isaac!" Albrecht spat as his grip tightened. "I''ve trained in the military for four years! I''m a dangerous weapon, you hear me? Emma doesn''t belong to you. If I see you around her again, I''ll¡ª" "Break me in half?" Scott finished and snickered very mockingly. "Pfft¡ªcornball." The insult hit Albrecht like a slap to the face. His teeth ground together audibly, and he growled. "I''m not joking, you broke¡ª" "Broke guy?" Scott interrupted again. His smirk was even wider this time. "Man, I feel bad for your cousin. Imagine having all that money and still losing a bad bitch like Emma to a brokie like me. I wonder who really won in this situation¡­" The insult stung worse than any punch. Albrecht''s face turned red as his voice rose. "Shut up, you¡ª" But Scott''s attention shifted. Across the room, by the grand balcony, he spotted her. Emma. She stood there and sipped her champagne with a blank expression on her pretty face as she quietly took in the beauty of the city under the fresh night sky. Scott smiled. "Oh, Emma." Albrecht''s fist shook as he shouted. "Listen to me!" But Scott had stopped listening entirely. "Maybe later¡­" Scott said casually. And in one swift, precise motion, he struck three fingers into Albrecht''s side to directly target his liver. The military man''s eyes widened in shock as a sharp, unbearable pain coursed through his body. His grip on Scott''s collar faltered, and he crumpled to his knees, gasping silently in agony. Scott brushed off his blazer, adjusted his cuffs, and walked away with his hands in his pockets. "Trained in the military, he says¡­" He ignored the whispers and side-eyes from the other guests as he made his way to Emma. When he reached her, he tapped her left shoulder. Emma turned to look, only to find no one there. Before she could react, a finger poked her right cheek. "Hey, babe¡­" Scott said with a quirky smile. Emma didn''t even look at him. "Oh, it''s you." She just pouted and frowned even more as she turned back to her champagne with an exaggerated "hmph!" Scott chuckled nervously and leaned closer. "Uh¡­ did I do something wrong?" Emma stayed quiet, her shoulders stiff as a rock. Her eyes remained on the city below, but the tension in her expression was impossible to miss. "Babe?" he tried again. "¡­" Emma looked away even more. ¡ºAs if I''m that easy¡­¡» She said that, but her face was much warmer than before. Finally, she gulped down the last of her champagne, slammed the glass onto the table, and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Don''t hey babe me, alright? I''ve been stuck with Nadia, doing stupid photoshoots I didn''t even want to do, all night, because I thought I''d be spending time with a guy who actually liked me. But noooo¡ªhe just runs off and leaves me looking like a lonely idiot!" Scott raised his hands defensively. "Okay, okay, calm dow¡ª" "Don''t you dare tell me to calm down!" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma''s face was so hot she looked like red chilli sauce. Scott winced. "Alright, fair. I screwed up." He stepped closer with a softer voice. "But¡­ can I make it up to you?" Emma glared at him and her eyes narrowed. "Oh, you''d better." Scott tilted his head and grinned at Emma. "Oh, I will~" His voice came out as more of a sweet tease. Emma still kept that skeptical pout on her face. "Oh yeah? How¡ª" Before she could finish, Scott moved behind her and wrapped his arms securely around her waist to really feel the sweet curve of her hips. He pulled her close until their bodies were pressed together, and he could feel the softness of her butt against his crotch. He laced his fingers just above her stomach and leaned in as his lips gently brushed against the side of her neck. That little feeling made her legs weak, and even more¡­ there was already a fire burning between her legs. His voice became lower and the heat of his breath tickled her skin. "Are you less angry at me now?" Emma''s body stiffened for a split second before a small, involuntary smile broke through her pout. Her lips pressed together as she tried to fight it, but she couldn''t resist the warmth spreading across her cheeks. "Hmm¡­ maybe a little." Scott smirked against her neck. "Only a little?" He tightened his hold on her slightly, pulling her butt even closer to his crotch until their bodies were flush. If they were any closer, she thought, he might as well be wearing her like a tailored suit. Her face turned redder as she felt the full intimacy of the moment, but she didn''t pull away. ¡ºTch, am I that easy¡­?¡» From inside the event hall, Isaac Volkner stood by the bar and casually swirled his glass of champagne. The moment his eyes fell on the scene outside, his grip on the glass tightened. ¡ºWhy do I even bother? Is that the kind of man she wants? I can''t do anything about that, sure, but she could''ve at least told me¡­ so I''d change myself.¡» He looked away quickly and brought the flute to his lips then downed the contents in one long gulp. He sighed heavily and walked off toward another corner to think clearly. Unbothered by the world inside, Scott glanced out at the breathtaking skyline beyond the balcony. "Beautiful¡­" His voice came out very smoothly. Emma followed his eyes and let herself relax into his hold as she looked at the cityscape. A small chuckle escaped her lips. "Well, it is New York City. The city that never sleeps¡­ Of course, its real beauty comes out at night." Scott''s lips twitched into a smirk as he raised an eyebrow. "I wasn''t talking about the city." "©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" Emma''s eyes widened a little as she turned her head slightly, just enough to sneak a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. His face was still close to her neck, and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. Their eyes locked, and for that brief moment, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered. "You think I''m¡­ that beautiful?" With how low and sexy her voice was, Scott could tell this was a very purposeful question. "Was there ever a comparison?" He effortlessly followed up. Emma''s cheeks flared hotter, but she kept smiling. "New York City is huge. You think I''ve got that much beauty to go around?" Scott tilted his head and faked a thoughtful look. "Well¡­ the city doesn''t have curves, does it?" Emma''s laughter started off light and cheerful but softened into something quieter and more personal as their teasing back-and-forth slowly faded. Their faces were so close now that they could feel the warmth of each other''s breath. Scott''s lips lingered near hers, and her eyes briefly dropped to his mouth before looking back up into his. "I¡­" Emma tried to speak. "Shhhh, don''t talk, you''ll ruin it~" "¡­ okay." The closer their lips got, the lower their voice became. Just as their lips were about to meet, a loud throat-clearing shattered the moment. "Ahem!" The two froze as a waiter stood a few feet away. The man looked calm, but a little frustrated. "Apologies for the interruption, but the unveiling of the new technology has begun. All guests are expected to be seated at their assigned tables." Emma groaned as her irritation bubbled to the surface. "They can definitely start without us, no? I''m kind of working on something here, dude." The waiter''s composure didn''t falter. "I''m afraid not, madam." Without another word, he turned and walked away stiffly. Scott and Emma exchanged a "fuck-it" look. "Let''s pretend we didn''t hear that¡­" Scott said with a lopsided grin. Emma''s eyes squinted like a cat''s. "Agreed." And just like that, they leaned in and kissed, their lips crashing together in a heated, passionate moment. Emma''s hands gripped Scott''s shoulders tightly, pulling him closer, while his fingers rested firmly on her waist. The kiss grew deeper, their breathing heavier, and Emma''s moans became louder as she kissed him with even more intensity than he did. ¡­ Mhmmm~ ?? ¡­ ahhhh©¤©¤©¤©¤MWAHHHNN~ ?! Scott pulled her closer and slid one hand down to her thick thigh to grip it firmly through her dress. ¡­ Eeeyahhhhn~ ???!! The touch made Emma press into him even more as her body jerked slightly against his. "So¡­ go~ooood ?!" Her hands slowly ran down his muscular back and her fingers dug in while their kiss became even more intense! Their mouths and tongues simply didn''t want to part. It was so sensual and tasty that both of them were left hungry for more, and this made the kiss so aggressive that Scott pushed her against the railings of the balcony and started kissing her neck, which made Emma moan even more. ¡­ Mhmm-ahhh ??! "Please, don''t st~oooop©¤©¤AHH ?!" While she was moaning loudly, Scott opened one eye, looked straight down with his contact lenses, and took a quick picture of something with his wristwatch. ¡ºPerfect¡­¡» He did all this while kissing Emma''s neck and pressing his tongue against her sweet porcelain skin. "Sir! Madam!" The waiter returned, this time visibly irritated. "Please take your seats. Your food and drinks have been served, and your display is¡ª" He gestured sharply toward the event hall, where dozens of well-dressed elites and superheroes were watching in stunned silence. Even Nadia was there and all she could do was cover her face in deep shame. "¡ªdisturbing the other esteemed guests." Emma pulled back with a reluctant sigh. Her saliva-soaked lips were swollen and her hair looked like she was slapped by a tornado. Scott chuckled and ran a hand through his own disheveled hair before adjusting his blazer. "Guess we''d better go¡­" he said. Emma bit her bottom lip. "That was fun. And, uh¡­" She hesitated as her voice dropped to a softer tone. "That was my first kiss." Scott stopped mid-step and turned to her. His expression was somewhere between surprised and amused. "No kidding? Good thing I''m a great kisser, huh?" Emma shoved his shoulder lightly. "Shut up and get moving." As they made their way back to the hall, they ignored the stares and murmurs that followed them. Or maybe the looks were because Emma kept sticking her hand up her dress to adjust her blouse. At some point during that heated kiss, Scott somehow undid her blouse, and the mere thought of it made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but she was also drooling from the thought of it. ¡ºImagine if he tore my blouse and used it to choke me like a dog while banging me from over the balcony!¡» She laughed like a class-1 pervert. ¡ºHe can do that¡­ RIGHT©¤©¤?!¡» Meanwhile, Isaac stood at the edge of the room with a fresh drink in his hand. A sharp pain hit him as he watched them walk past. He quickly turned his attention back to the stage and forced himself to focus on anything else. --- Scott and Emma were now at their table. The lavish table was adorned with polished silverware, pristine white napkins folded into intricate designs, and an arrangement of meticulously plated dishes that looked as much like works of art as they did food. At the center of the table stood a chilled bottle of vintage red wine, the label proudly boasting its 1982 origin¡ªa treasure among connoisseurs. Emma slid into her seat and her eyes immediately lit up at the sight of the extravagant spread. "Wow, they really pulled out all the stops, huh?" Scott eased into his chair with a relaxed grin and adjusted his cufflinks. "Well, nothing less for a gala full of egos bigger than the city skyline." Emma chuckled and leaned over slightly as she inspected the delicate dishes before her. She picked up her fork and playfully nudged Scott''s arm. "You want me to feed you?" Already focused on the small holographic screen projected from his wristwatch, Scott barely glanced up. "Sure¡­" He replied absently as his eyes narrowed when he zoomed in on the image he''d taken moments ago. Emma didn''t seem to mind his distracted tone. With a bright smile, she picked up a plate and carefully speared a piece of seared salmon glazed with a honey-miso sauce. Holding it up to his mouth, she beamed like a ray of light. "Say ah~!" Scott leaned forward and took the bite without breaking his concentration. As he chewed, his mind worked furiously to analyze the image¡ªa news van parked a suspicious distance from the Blue Garden Hotel. Unlike the other media vehicles stationed close to the entrance for easy equipment access, this one was parked far enough away to seem inconspicuous, yet close enough to maintain a vantage point. "Really suspicious¡­" He switched the image to X-ray mode. The interior of the van, however, was completely blocked. Whatever shielding it had, it was advanced¡ªtoo advanced for a standard news crew. ¡ºElena''s likely not leaving her table until the new tech is revealed. She''ll probably cut the power to create a big distraction and make her move to steal it. Could the people in the van be the ones planning to take down the power? No, that doesn''t really add up. It''s more likely Dark Elf and Trickshot. Yeah, that makes sense.¡» Just as his mind began to piece things together, Emma pressed another bite of food against his cheek. "Come ooOOoonnn~" She giggled playfully. "Eat! You can save the brooding detective act for later." Scott turned his head and opened his mouth just in time to catch the bite before it slid off the fork. He chewed thoughtfully and looked back at the image. [ALERT: 95% of the food in this venue is laced with an unidentified compound. You must ensure the superheroine, Miss Mercury, does not consume it.] Scott froze mid-bite as his eyes snapped wide open. "What©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" He hissed under his breath which drew a few curious looks from nearby guests. His eyes darted to Emma, who was happily chewing another bite of food. Panic set in as he leaned forward and gripped her jaw gently but firmly to stop her from chewing further. "Don''t eat that!" Emma blinked in surprise as her head tilted slightly. "Huh? What''s the problem?" She mumbled around the half-chewed food in her mouth. Scott sighed as his shoulders dropped. "It''s too late now¡­" "Eh¡­?" Emma was still very lost. Not knowing what else to do, she suddenly pushed the chewed food out of her mouth. It now hung out on her tongue. "There! Happy?" She managed to talk with her tongue stuck out. Scott''s face squeezed in disgust as he took a napkin and cleaned it off her tongue. "What the hell was that?!" Emma gave him an innocent, child-like look as she twiddled her thumbs and shyly stared down. "I-, I thought you wanted to do that thing where I chew your food first, and then you eat it. You know, couple stuff." Scott stared at her, deadpan. "That''s disgusting." Emma''s cheeks flushed, and she laughed nervously. "Ahaha, yeah, totally disgusting. Who would even do that, right? So gross. Super unhygienic!" She quickly waved it off, pretending to gag for effect. ¡ºWell, I think it''s romantic. Hmph!¡» She did her best to hide her disappointment. Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Sure." He turned his focus elsewhere. "System, is this dangerous? Was the food poisoned?" [UNKNOWN. The compound is not classified as a toxin. However, its properties suggest it functions as a suppressive drug.] "Suppressive drug?" Scott repeated softly. Before he could press the System for more details, the lights in the event hall dimmed abruptly. A voice boomed over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests¡­ tonight, it is my great honor to introduce a man you all know. The boy genius who, at twenty-three, revolutionized technology as we know it. The current COO of Black Industries and your host for this evening¡ªDr. Anthony Black!" A spotlight illuminated the stage as a young man in his early thirties strode out with his hands casually tucked in his pockets. He was dressed in a sharp tailored suit. Everyone clapped greatly for him. Scott''s eyes narrowed as he clapped along half-heartedly. "This guy¡­" Meanwhile, in the shadows of the event, Trickshot''s voice crackled through an earpiece. "Everyone''s eating. Looks like it''s time." "Perfect. Send in the squad." Grave kept his reply simple. Chapter 49 Panic in the Hall Abandoned Military Compound, Meteor City¡­The room was very dark. The little light available was from the pale glow of an old, flickering television set. Gwen sat slouched in her chair, still tied up, with rough ropes digging into her wrists and ankles, leaving them red and sore. On the other side of the room, Dark Elf lounged lazily on an old, sagging sofa. One leg hung over the armrest, and she casually munched on a bag of chips, looking as though she''d done this a hundred times before. On the screen, Judy Cho droned on about the highly anticipated Black Industries Tech Summit. Gwen shifted in her chair and glanced around the room. "Great. She''s still here." Dark Elf''s crimson eyes slid toward her, unamused. She wiped her chip-stained fingers on her sweatpants and raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly did you think you''d be, genius?" Gwen groaned and tilted her head back dramatically. "I don''t know, anywhere but here? I thought Sc-, Nightwatch would''ve busted in by now. Guess I''ll just have to wait a bit longer." She sighed and lowered her head to sulk. But, Dark Elf didn''t let the moment last. With surprising agility, she hopped off the sofa and landed lightly on her feet before sliding her hands into the pockets of her joggers. "First of all, Nightwatch would have to find this place. And trust me, with how careful Grave is? That''s not happening. If he does find us, it''s because Grave wants him to." Gwen''s head snapped up. "Shut up!" For the first time, she noticed Dark Elf wasn''t wearing her usual combat gear. No mask, no darkwear¡ªjust a jersey and sweatpants. "What the hell?" Gwen muttered. "Why are you dressed like¡­ like it''s a lazy Sunday or something?" Dark Elf scratched the back of her head. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What? Assassins can''t have downtime now? Before you interrupted my very important day, I was watching the news. And before that? My favorite sitcom." Gwen''s face became more sour. "Wow. Didn''t know professional killers had the privilege of bingeing sitcoms. How does it feel, huh? Killing and ruining people''s lives and then sitting down to laugh at corny punchlines? You think you deserve a normal life or something?" Dark Elf paused and tilted her head as if she was actually giving the question some thought. She placed a finger on her small chin and stared up at the distant ceiling. "Hmm. As much as I''d love to feel bad about ''ruining people''s lives,'' I''m just doing what this world made me do." Gwen scoffed. "Oh, what''s that supposed to mean? Being a bitch?" Ignoring the jab, Dark Elf turned back to the television. Her expression was so distant. "No. Being abandoned in a world where, if you''re not special, then you''re nothing. A world where talent beats hard work every time. You know, when the gang that raised me found me, they said I was crying in a dumpster. A trash can¡­ like literal garbage." All that, and she couldn''t hide the boredom in her voice. "So? What''s that got to do with me?" Gwen asked, though her tone lacked its usual bite. Dark Elf shrugged. "It''s got everything to do with you. If my own mother couldn''t even bother to leave me on someone''s doorstep and instead dumps me like yesterday''s trash, what does that say about people''s minds? The world''s already messed up. Anyone I kill or ruin? That''s just my way of saying, ''Welcome to the party'' alright?" There was such bitterness in her voice, but Gwen couldn''t pick up on it because of how dull she sounded. "I don''t have an identity¡­" Dark Elf kept her eyes on the screen. "I''ve spent my whole life as a tool¡ªserving killers, the rich, whoever pays the most. So tell me, at what point was I supposed to care about humanity? When I never had one to begin with?" Gwen stared at her, lips pressed into a thin line. For once, she didn''t have a snarky comeback. Dark Elf let out a small sigh, then leaned against the sofa. "Nightwatch will die today. And even if he doesn''t, he won''t make it here to save you. If he does? Well, I''ll personally terminate my contract to show my belief in humanity. But, none of that will be happening, of course." Gwen immediately became defensive. "You''re wrong! He''ll come! Nightwatch will©¤" Before she could finish, a bag of chips smacked her square in the face and cut her off mid-sentence. "Eat up¡­ you''ll need your strength." Dark Elf said nonchalantly. Gwen blinked in surprise, then stared at the bag now resting in her lap. She looked at Dark Elf, who hadn''t so much as looked her way in quite a while. "This isn''t poisoned, is it?" Gwen asked warily. Dark Elf yawned. "If I wanted you dead, I''d have let Trickshot shoot you earlier. We''d call it collateral damage and move on." "Fair point¡­" Gwen muttered, though she still eyed the chips suspiciously. She craned her neck, trying to reach the bag with her teeth, but the restraints made it impossible. Without a word, Dark Elf appeared beside her, tore open the bag, and set it in her lap. Then she returned to her spot on the sofa as if nothing had happened. Gwen stared after her, baffled. "You''re a real weirdo, you know that?" "Shut up and eat¡­" Dark Elf replied flatly. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Blue Garden Hotel, New York City¡­ Backstage, moments before Dr. Anthony Black''s grand entrance¡­ Anthony Black stood near the mirror as he adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit. His father, Aaron Black, sat a few feet away in his electric wheelchair. The old man''s face gnarled with disgust as he stared at his arrogant son, unable to hide how much his overconfidence annoyed him. "Anthony, we need to talk about Specimens #90 to #92." Anthony stared briefly at his father''s reflection in the mirror. He wasn''t impressed. "What about them?" He smirked shortly after. Aaron rolled his wheelchair closer. "Unveiling those tonight¡­ it''s a mistake. Show the crowd the tech, the prototypes, fine. But those specimens will draw the kind of attention we can''t afford." Anthony chuckled and grabbed a bottle of water from the counter. He took a long sip, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and turned to face his father. "You''re overthinking, old man." Aaron''s eyes narrowed. "Am I? What happens when the wrong people see what we have? Superheroes, villains, even governments¡ªany one of them could decide those specimens are a threat. Or worse, their property." Anthony leaned casually against the counter His arms were crossed, and that annoyingly smug look on his face simply wasn''t ready to leave. "First time I''ve seen you this paranoid. The Aaron Manchester Black¡ªscientist, visionary, ruthless pioneer¡ªgetting cold feet over a few bigwigs and capes? Relax." Aaron''s fingers drummed on the armrest of his chair. "Are you mad©¤©¤?! You think this is paranoia? Do you know what happens when a military general slaps a seizure order on this company? Or if a superhero decides your ''vision'' is too dangerous for the world?" Anthony''s laugh even louder as he mockingly patted his father''s shoulder. "Nothing''s going to happen, Dad. We''ve got heroes here tonight. If anything goes wrong, they''ll jump in to save the day, won''t they?" "You''re too cocky for your own good, boy." Aaron scowled. Anthony chuckled mildly, straightened his tie, and strolled toward the stage door. "And you''re too stressed. Enjoy the show." Aaron watched him leave and could only sigh with unease. --- Back at the gala¡­ Anthony Black stepped onto the stage as the spotlight beamed on him while the crowd erupted into applause. He paused to soak in the attention, before raising his hands to silence the room. "Ladies and gentlemen¡­" He sounded smooth and charismatic. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate not just innovation but revolution. And let me start by sharing some fantastic news: Black Industries has officially been approved by the Hero Agency to sponsor heroes with our advanced technology!" The audience clapped enthusiastically, some rising from their seats in a show of support. Anthony waited for the noise to subside before slicking back his hair and pointing toward the crowd. "And, of course, I''d be remiss if I didn''t acknowledge my friend and rival¡ªsomeone who''s been a brother to me in this journey¡ªIsaac Volkner, CEO of Volkner Dynamics. Isaac has been instrumental in helping Black Industries achieve this milestone, so let''s give him a round of applause!" The spotlight shifted to Isaac, who sat in the small crowd of esteemed guests and offered a modest wave as the applause swelled. Albrecht grinned ear to ear, clapping so enthusiastically it was a wonder his hands didn''t fall off. Emma leaned toward Scott with her sparkling brown eyes. "Isaac''s an amazing guy, you know. He really helped me when I started heroing." Scott raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What, did he sponsor the tech for your super suit?" "Mhm!" Emma shook her head as her expression softened. "No, not that. He did something else for me¡­ something I''ll always be grateful for." Scott studied her face and felt the depth of her words but chose not to press further. Meanwhile, at another table, Elena clapped reluctantly as her lips bent into a dissatisfied frown. "Can they unveil the damn tech already?" Elena had gotten countless messages from one of TitanTech''s Directors, all impatiently asking when she was going to steal Specimen #92. "Son of a bitch won''t let me rest my ass¡­" By now, though, she had stopped bothering to reply and just chose to ignore them altogether. As if on cue, Anthony raised a hand to silence the applause. "But of course, you''re not here for me. You''re here for this. Ladies and gentlemen, it''s my honor to introduce the future." The stage darkened once more as two scientists rolled in a pair of lab carts. On the first cart rested an alien, egg-shaped capsule with a smooth, shimmering surface that faintly pulsed, almost as if it were alive. The second cart held two small, jelly-like blobs¡ªone red and the other green. They had a semi-liquid form with shifting, circuit-like patterns running across them. The blobs stuck to the walls of their glass containers, wriggling and moving like curious little slimes. Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd as the spotlight illuminated the specimens. "Amazing¡­" "Not exactly impressive, they look like disgusting little critters, ewww. I''ve lost my appetite." "I''ll post this on my Instaflick, oho-ho!" --- At Scott''s table¡­ Scott''s jaw tightened as he leaned forward. "System, what am I looking at?" [RUNNING SCAN¡­] The System only took a moment. [Scans indicate the first specimen is of extraterrestrial origin. The second and third are bio-technological parasitic life forms, also extraterrestrial in nature.] Scott''s brows pressed together. "Extraterrestrial? As in, from another planet?" [Affirmative.] Scott''s frown deepened. "Then why the hell is Black Industries claiming to have created it? Sigh~ I hate these mysteries." Anthony continued his presentation with pride. "These specimens represent the pinnacle of Black Industries'' innovation. A synthesis of biology and technology, capable of revolutionizing everything from medicine to warfare." Elena Vargas rose silently from her chair. She used the darkness of the room to exit through a side door and head down the building. But someone noticed. Standing at the back, Trickshot adjusted the scope on his modified eye as its night vision mode illuminated Elena''s quiet exit. "Yo, Grave¡­" He muttered into his earpiece. "Vargas is on the move." Grave''s gruff voice crackled back through the comm. "Let her go. Eyes on the prize for now." Trickshot hesitated as his eyes lingered on the door Elena had just slipped through, but eventually nodded. "Roger that. Guess I''ll sit tight for now." Back on stage, Anthony Black gestured grandly toward the glowing red and green organisms as he continued his speech. "These creatures, which we call Technophages¡ªor ''Tech Eaters''©¤©¤represent a marriage of biological and technological innovation. At their core lies a crystalline, hyper-dense nexus of information and energy. This device, which we call the Nano Heart, serves as both a brain and a blueprint, granting these organisms the ability to analyze, deconstruct, and restructure any technology they encounter." The crowd gasped collectively as Anthony spoke. Phones shot up in unison and their lenses captured every detail as one of the scientists approached the display. Scott leaned forward with a tense face. "System, run a deeper scan on the Technophages. Focus on that Nano Heart." [UNDERSTOOD. SCANNING¡­] Meanwhile, Pulsar tilted her head as she sat with arms and legs elegantly crossed. "Is it even possible to create something like this? Looks more like an alien from Star Conflicts to me. Right, Scott?" Without no hesitation, Vincent¡ªseated to her right¡ªcut in with a very irritated tone. "I''m not Scott, Pulsar. Now be quiet and focus on the scripts I gave you." Pulsar rolled her eyes. "Whatever¡­" Vincent leaned closer as he lowered his voice. "And remember, once this little dog-and-pony show is over, we''re presenting Dr. Aaron Black with his award. It''ll look good if you''re the first hero officially registered with Black Industries. Think about the optics." "I''ll think about it¡­ right after I stop not caring." A very dry reply from Pulsar. On stage, Anthony''s voice rose dramatically. "Ladies and gentlemen, I''d like you to focus your attention on this next demonstration. This is where things get truly exciting." The scientist held up the red Technophage with a pair of reinforced thumb forceps as its gelatinous body writhed faintly. The crowd leaned in with great curiosity. The scientist then placed it carefully onto a plasma rifle resting on a nearby table. The Technophage immediately spread across the rifle''s surface as its body rippled like spilled water. Within seconds, it had enveloped the weapon entirely! The rifle began to morph and its metallic parts shifted and rearranged with unnatural fluidity. When the transformation was complete, the plasma rifle was unrecognizable¡ªa smaller, monstrous sentry with three cannon barrels and a smoky red aura! The audience erupted into applause and awed murmurs. "Unbelievable¡­" "Incredible! It''s alive!" "He transformed that rifle into a three-barreled cannon! Think of how we can use this in wars against opposing countries, this is an absolute marvel!" Scott''s expression darkened as his System chimed in. [Scan complete. Confirmation: The technophage is a maximum threat level. Probability of Black Industries having developed this organism is near zero.] Scott clenched his fists under the table. "This kind of thing¡­ it shouldn''t exist¡­" Emma looked at Scott with a worried face. "Babe, are you alright?" she asked innocently. Scott forced a smile. "Uh, yeah. Peachy." Even Isaac looked angry at what he was witnessing. There was a difference between competition and destructive competition¡­ and this was the latter in every given sense. ¡ºThis won''t end well¡­¡» Isaac pressed his feet against the ground. On stage, Anthony reveled in the crowd''s reaction, spreading his arms wide like an emperor. "And don''t worry¡ªwe''ve perfected a way to safely remove the Technophage when needed." Prince Adewale Adetokunbo raised a hand from his seat in the VIP section. "So, how exactly is it removed? From what I can see, the organism appears to have a mind of its own." Anthony smiled and gestured toward the scientist, who now held a sleek, pen-like device. "Excellent question, Your Highness. Using what we call ionic surgery, we can safely detach the Technophage from any bonded technology. Observe." The scientist activated the device, which emitted a thin, laser-like beam. As the beam touched the sentry, the Technophage began to recoil, then its form shrunk away from the rifle until it fully detached and was safely returned to its glass container. Anthony spread his arms with a theatrical flourish. "Ta-da!" The crowd broke into thunderous applause, many rising from their seats to cheer. But the celebrations were short-lived. In the back, Trickshot held up a remote control. He had a lazy, yet bloodlusted smile on his face. He glanced around the room with such nonchalance. "Huh. So many VIPs in one place. I wonder who I should target first?" Trickshot''s grin grew wider as his enhanced eye focused on Scott and Emma. She was clinging to Scott''s arm like she wanted him to wear her, and the way she smiled and nuzzled his cheeks like he was a teddy bear was even more romantic. Emma giggled softly at something Scott had said, and the sight made Trickshot roll his eyes in disgust. "Ugh, PDA at an event like this? So tacky¡­" His finger hovered over a small button on his remote. "Alright, lovebirds. Time to spice things up. I''m sure no one''ll miss you." With a soft click, he pressed the button. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BANG! On top of a distant skyscraper, a sniper aimed and fired a single shot. The bullet was sleek and silvery. It caught the light just for a moment before disappearing into a faint, translucent haze. ¡­ Zuuuuuuu~!! It phased right through the building it was fired from without any resistance. As it sped toward its target, the bullet stayed in its ghostly form, passing straight through steel, glass, and concrete like they weren''t even there! Trickshot leaned against the wall and watched his handiwork unfold on the display projected on his lens. ¡ºPhase-bullets¡­ Dr. Greaves designed this from this thing called phase-shifter technology. It makes solid objects phase through everything until they reach their target. God, I love being a sniper.¡» The bullet raced through the city at supersonic speeds and sliced through every barrier in its way until it approached the venue''s floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Scott''s heart skipped a beat. He felt it¡ªthat faint, indescribable sensation that warned him of danger. Time seemed to slow as his senses sharpened. His eyes darted around the room, scanning for the source, but the threat felt¡­ everywhere and nowhere at once. ¡ºWhat the hell is this?¡» Without thinking, he grabbed Emma and yanked her out of her seat. "Hey, Scott, wha©¤©¤©¤©¤!!" Emma barely had time to react before Scott flipped the table and dragged her to the floor behind it. They landed in a heap as Scott shielded her with his body as the bullet phased through the glass and streaked past where their heads had been moments earlier. Emma gasped, looking up at him wide-eyed. "Uh¡­ Scott?" "Are you okay?" Scott asked urgently, not noticing the awkward position they were in. Emma blushed furiously as she glanced down at Scott''s hand, which was firmly grabbing one of her springy breasts. She liked it¡­ but she couldn''t so easily admit it. "I-, I mean, I''m fine¡­ but, uh, if you wanted to¡­ you know, do this, maybe not in front of an audience?" Scott blinked, confused. "What are you¡ª" He followed her eyes, and his face stilled as he quickly retracted his hand. "Oh fuck, that wasn''t¡ªI didn''t mean to¡ª!" "I-, It''s fine¡­" Emma gently looked to the side as her face burned hotter. "¡­ I kinda liked it©¤©¤a little hard next time, okay¡­?" "What are you even sa¡ª!" Before Scott could finish, the bullet twisted in mid-air and changed direction like a predator hunting its prey. Both Scott and Trickshot felt a jolt of recognition. ¡ºThis feeling¡­ it''s happened before!¡» The bullet tore through the air again and headed straight for Scott''s exposed back. At the last second, he shifted, and the bullet missed him by a hair¡ªbut it wasn''t a clean miss. ¡­ THUNK! The sound of flesh tearing¡­ Then¡­ a heavy, sickening thud. The bullet had struck someone else©¤a multimillionaire seated at the next table. Blood sprayed across the spotless white tablecloth as the man slumped forward, lifeless. The room erupted into chaos. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" "EEEEUUUUUUUUAAAAA!" Screams blasted as guests shoved past one another, overturning chairs and tables in their frantic attempts to escape. Security personnel scrambled and shouted into their radios, but the panic drowned out their voices. Emma shot to her feet with a furious face. She tried to summon her super-speed to rush at Trickshot''s position, but¡­ nothing happened. "What the©¤©¤?" She looked down at her hands, flexing them. Her breath hitched. "Scott! My powers¡­ I can''t use my powers!" Scott''s head snapped toward her. "What?" She tried again, but her legs didn''t respond. No super-speed, no enhanced senses¡ªnothing. "I don''t understand. Why aren''t they working?!" Chapter 50 Hostage Situation, Toxic Buildup, Explosive Conclusion! Anthony Black placed a trembling finger on his comm device and barked into it. His voice was shaky but loud enough to cut through the murmurs of the terrified crowd."Security! Where the hell are you©¤©¤!" Before he could finish, Trickshot, who was still resting against his trolley, raised a hand and pointed at him lazily. Before Anthony could finish, Trickshot, still casually leaning against his trolley, raised one hand and pointed at him lazily. "Ah-ah, big guy. Be smart. Put it down." Anthony froze as his hand hovered over the comm. Trickshot''s smile widened as he gestured to the crowd. "And that goes for everyone. If I see a comm device or even a phone in anyone''s hand¡­" He lazily tapped his remote. "¡­ I''ll blow someone''s fucking brains out. Got it?" The room fell into a tense silence. The room froze. Whispers turned to silence as the guests frantically lowered their devices onto tables, the floor¡­ anywhere, as long as they were out of sight. Then, a soft clatter. In the back of the room, a woman with trembling hands struggled to put her phone down. It slipped from her grip and landed on the floor with a soft thud that seemed louder in the silence. She froze on the spot, like a lone flower facing the first frost of winter. Trickshot sighed dramatically and shook his head. "See, this is why we can''t have nice things." His thumb pressed a button on the remote. From a distant building, another sniper fired. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BANG!! The phase-bullet zipped across the venue and ripped through the chest of an unsuspecting guest. Blood splattered as the victim crumpled to the floor. The room erupted into fresh chaos. "NOOOO!" "OH MY GOD!" "HELP US!" Trickshot exhaled slowly, like a tired parent scolding misbehaving children. "Come on, people. I thought I made myself perfectly clear. No devices. You'' re making me do this." He spread his arms tiredly. "Now, let''s try this again. Another screw-up, and one of you rich heads¡­ well, you won''t have one anymore." The crowd recoiled and instinctively took small steps back. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were desperate to put space between themselves and the madman with the remote. In the throng of terrified guests, Scott moved quietly to blend into the sea of trembling bodies. His watch vibrated subtly. [SYSTEM NOTICE: LIVESTREAM INITIATED.] He sighed as his watch screen displayed the stream feed. The chat section quickly exploded with activity: [WTF IS THIS??] [Holy crap, look at the blood!!] [Wait¡­ isn''t that Harold Fitz? The real estate tycoon??] [OMG it IS! He was on Forbes last month!!] [LMAO RIP HAROLD, MONEY CAN''T SAVE U NOW.] [Where''s Nightwatch?? Is he even here?!] [Pretty sure he''s in the crowd, guys ( ??§Ù?) No mask = unrecognizable, though.] [Dude, not the time for philosophy.] [SHUT UP, THIS IS SERIOUS!] [Guys, THAT''S TRICKSHOT! He''s 23rd on the UN''s GSI ASSASSIN RANKINGS!] [No freaking way. Trickshot''s HERE?! We''re screwed.] [TRICKSHOT IS SO COOL.] [Are you SICK? He''s KILLING people! ( "?¦Ø??)¡­] [Oh my god, someone HELP THEM. NIGHTWATCH DO SOMETHING!! ? ? ©a(?><)?] [Nightwatch is the GOAT. He''s got this!] [Donation Alert: $10 from @RogueStar22: LET''S GOOOO NIGHTWATCH!! (¥Ä)] --- Scott''s lips thinned as he ignored the chat. His focus returned to Trickshot, who was still grinning as he strolled toward the stage and whistled a jaunty tune. Anthony Black stood frozen and his face paled the closer Trickshot got. "Alright, Mr. Fancy CEO¡­" Said Trickshot as he tapped the edge of the lab cart that held the technophages. "I''ll be taking these now. Be good and don''t move, okay?" Anthony stammered. "Y-, You can''t¡­ those are highly¡­" "Shhh~!" Trickshot pressed a finger to his lips mockingly. "Let''s not make this harder than it needs to be." He turned to the crowd and grinned brightly. "You lot stay put, yeah? No sudden movements, no heroics. Just sit tight, and maybe you''ll make it out of here." Isaac Volkner slipped out of the crowd and hugged the wall until he reached a shadowy corner. Glancing around to ensure he wasn''t seen, he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a high-tech wrist device. The chat buzzed again: [OMG DID Y''ALL SEE THAT GUY THAT SNUCK OUT?!] [Oooooo, maybe it''s Nightwatch!] [Nah, that''s actually Isaac Volkner, he''s the spoiled son of a bitch that owns Volkner Dynamics (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [What''s he doing? Is he gonna help?!] [Bro better not flop.] [Fr tho, if I had all that money, I''d make a super-powered and kick some damn ass!] [LMAO, I''m gonna hit some damn ass¡­] [Donation Alert: $25 from @MegaFan_X: GO ISAAC GO!!] --- Meanwhile, Emma, Scott, and Nadia huddled near the middle of the crowd. Nadia leaned closer to Emma so she could whisper better. "Hey, Em. Aren''t you gonna like do something? You'' re, kinda, a superhero, or did we forget?" Emma''s face darkened. She flexed her hands as she remained heavily frustrated. "I can''t. My powers¡­ they''re not working." Nadia blinked. "Wait, what? How is that even possible?" "I don''t know!" Emma whispered back harshly. "I''ve tried everything. Nothing''s happening." Nadia turned to Scott with an even more curious face. "And you?" "Huh? M-, Me?" Scott replied. "You don''t need powers, right? I mean¡­ you can handle yourself. You''re Nightwatch after all." Scott shot a sharp look at Emma. "You told her?" Emma looked away like a guilty, little puppy. "It was¡­ implied?" Scott sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great. Just great." On stage, Trickshot placed one of the technophages into a reinforced case. "See?" He said, smiling at the guests. "Told you this''d be quick. Now, everybody just stay nice and quiet, and©¤©¤!" A faint click from Isaac''s corner cut him off. Trickshot''s eye scope swiveled toward the noise. His grin vanished. "Oh¡­ what''s this?" Trickshot grinned madly as he angrily held out his remote. His fingers hovered over the buttons. "I thought I told you to stay in one fucking place!" With a simple press, the room seemed to hold its breath. Trickshot''s eyes scanned the crowd and watched every individual twitch in fear, but it was the corner where Isaac had slipped away that caught his attention. A slight shift in the shadows, the smallest movement¡ªthen the click of the sniper''s trigger! From 4,000 meters away, another phase-bullet launched. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BANG!! The bullet hissed as it sliced through the glass wall and unnaturally curved through the room. It twisted, as if breaking the rules of physics, before suddenly changing direction again to head straight for Isaac''s shadowed corner. ¡­ TOOOOOOM!! A muffled explosion rang out, followed by a cloud of smoke and debris at the edge of the room. Trickshot didn''t even blink. "¡­ And that''s that." He muttered, as if he were checking off an item on a list. The room was already shaken to its core. It now stood in complete silence. No one dared to move a muscle. [HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT BULLET?] [He phased it THROUGH the glass, then bent it mid-air. What the hell kind of sniper can do that??] [That''s crazy, where is he even hiding the sniper?? It''s like he''s creating bullets out of nothing!!] [WAIT, WHAT IF TRICKSHOT CAN CREATE AND MANIPULATE THE BULLETS?!] [Nah, that''s like the B-tier hero, Deathmark. She''s the real sniper queen, though. Only person logically close to Trickshot''s level.] [Deathmark''s got nothing on Rope Girl, though. She''s an S-rank, and she''s the best marksman. ????] [Guys, why are we talking about other heroes? Nightwatch''s right there, doing NOTHING!] [For real, this is a NIGHTWATCH stream! Where''s he at??] [Donation Alert: $500 from @FuryTech: NIGHTWATCH, DO SOMETHING ALREADY.] --- Trickshot''s eyes gleamed as he nodded to himself. "Come on, people. You think this is a game? Don''t make me repeat myself." The crowd frosted with eyes wide as some held their breath while others shuddered. They were afraid they might be the next target. Scott checked his wristwatch. [ATAM-5 suit is 80% complete¡­] Frustrated, his eyes shot toward Isaac''s corner. He saw the explosion, the puff of smoke. Did it get Isaac? ¡ºTrickshot barely misses¡­ so maybe he''s¡­¡» The tension was just too much. Then, from that same corner¡ªquietly, like a ghost emerging from the shadows¡ªcame a man in hyperadvanced nanotech armor. The crowd collectively gasped. "It''s Xenon!" someone shouted. "YES! HE''S HERE!" "AN A-TIER HERO, WE''RE SAFE!" Scott''s stomach twisted, but Emma''s face lit up. Her fist pumped in the air, and her eyes sparkled as she whispered to herself. "Hell yes, Isaac!" The livestream chat flooded with messages: [HOLY SHIT IT''S XENON!! THE ICON HIMSELF! ????] [Xenon is literally the GOAT. A tech hero with no force-gene and STILL one of the strongest. ????] [GUYS, XENON IS HERE! NIGHTWATCH WHERE YOU AT?] [Finally, someone stepping up! NIGHTWATCH, WHERE''S YOUR HEROISM NOW?] [HE''S HERE! I KNEW IT! THE ICON!] --- Trickshot''s eyes narrowed as he spotted Xenon. His grin faltered for just a moment. He didn''t expect to be interrupted. ¡ºShit. The heroes'' powers are gone¡­ but the same can''t be said for the ones who don''t need it!¡» Before Xenon could even take a step forward, Trickshot''s fingers flew to the remote again, and the crowd held its collective breath. But just as the sniper fired again, Xenon moved faster than anyone could track. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BATUUUUUUNG! In the blink of an eye, Xenon punched the phase-bullet out of the air, his fist connecting with it as if it were no more than a passing breeze. The bullet broke apart into sparks, and the energy scattered harmlessly through the air. Right after, Xenon stood there completely unfazed. The room erupted. "XENON!!" "WE''RE SAVED!" "Oh my god, he''s invincible!" The chatter continued to surge: [LOOK AT THAT!! XENON STOPPED A PHASE-BULLET WITH HIS BARE HAND! ????] [He''s literally a living legend. No one''s doing it like Xenon.] [Man''s got no force-gene and STILL the most OP hero.] [WAIT. What about Rope Girl? She''s also tech-based! Isn''t she higher ranked though?] [No, no. Rope Girl''s strong, but Xenon''s on another level. He''s like A-tier, Rope Girl''s B-tier at best.] [Bro, Rope Girl is an S-tier. Respect.] [Talking about Xenon and Rope Girl during a NIGHTWATCH stream is mad disrespectful ????] [Guys, can you stop for a second? Nightwatch is doing NOTHING. All he''s doing is watching like the rest of us.] [SHUT UP. He''s got this. He''s just waiting for the right moment.] --- Meanwhile, in the midst of the crowd, Vincent leaned against the wall, eyes glued to Xenon. A flicker of excitement passed through Pulsar''s eyes as she watched Xenon move with fluid grace. "Xenon''s a literal icon. He wasn''t born with a force-gene, but he''s one of the strongest heroes of modern times." She sounded like an absolute fan girl. Vincent scoffed and shook his head. "Forget the legend stuff, Pulsar. We need to focus. We need to take this guy down now, or it''ll be Xenon stealing the spotlight. You want that?" Pulsar''s eyes narrowed in frustration. "You really think I don''t get it? Look around, Vincent. The moment the first person died, every superhero wanted to jump into action, but no one else has been able to use their powers. We''ve all been scrambling." "Wait¡­ So you can''t use your powers either?" Vincent''s eyes widened. Pulsar nodded with a stone-hard expression. "No one can. And if you''re smart, you''ll figure out that we''re not dealing with some regular guy here. This is Trickshot." "So?" "I, uh¡­ heard about him on Threadit." Vincent clicked his tongue. "Useless!" He spat and looked back toward the front of the room where Trickshot was still looming. Pulsar''s face tightened, but she said nothing. Instead, her eyes never left Xenon. He was their only hope now. And maybe, just maybe, if they could all survive this, the world would finally see that even the so-called "heroes" with tech powers could be as strong as any force-gene freak. ¡ºAnd maybe Scott could become one too¡­¡» Her face went solemn. Trickshot''s blood boiled with rage. His fingers clenched around the remote. "This¡­ this has ruined the whole fucking plan!" Furiously, he reached for a small gas canister at his belt. The clink of metal echoed in the dead silence, and then¡­ Whoosh! The canister flew across the room then landed with a soft thud before it erupted and spilled its contents in an instant. Red gas billowed up into the air and filled the room with a pungent, toxic fog. The guests gasped in horror and clutched their throats and eyes in an effort to saves themselves. "ACCCHHKKK!" "I CAN''T BREATHE. FUCK©¤©¤©¤©¤!!" "SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ALREADY!" Coughs turned into dry, ragged hacks. People staggered and tried to shield themselves, but the gas was already sinking deep into their skin. Their faces flushed red and some broke out in painful, blistering rashes! Trickshot''s voice rang out, cold and amused. "Let''s see how you deal with this, heroes." He raised a finger to his lips. "And this is only the beginning." [HOLY SHIT! WHAT IS THIS GAS?!] [CAN''T SEE SHIT! IT''S TOO MUCH! WUT''S HAPPENING?!] [WHAT IS THAT SMELL? IT''S BURNING MY LUNGS! PEOPLE ARE DROPPING LIKE FLIES! HELP!] ©¸ [Bruh, you''re not even there with them ????] ©¸ [Okay, Karen¡­] ©¸ [He missed the joke fr ( o¦êo )¡­] ©¸ [Joking while watching people die is crazy work ????] [XENON, WHERE ARE YOU?] [I CAN''T SEE ANYTHING, PLEASE CHANGE THE ANGLE! I''M PANICKING!] [Is this part of the script? Is everyone gonna die?!] [SOMEONE GET OUT AND HELP THEM!!] --- The livestream was flooded with frantic comments, but the thick gas made it hard to focus on anything except the overwhelming feeling of suffocation in the air. The cloud seemed to stretch on forever. Just as the panic was about to take over, a calm, female voice echoed to them. "Calm down people, Xenon will save us!" It was Pulsar''s. If only that was Xenon''s focus at the moment. [Thermal Vision Mode activated!] The crisp voice came from Xenon''s HUD. The dark fog around him turned transparent through his thermal vision and exposed the heat signatures of everyone in the room. He scanned. Quickly, he pinpointed the target. A figure sprinted toward the exit while clutching something like a big case. It wasn''t the usual terrified survivor¡ªthis was a man on a mission. Isaac''s heart skipped a beat as recognition hit. It was Trickshot. Without a second thought, Isaac slid his left wrist across his belt to pull out a specialized cartridge. He slotted it into his wrist device. The AI''s voice rang out in his helmet. [Flight Mode initiated.] The moment the words left the system, the suit around Isaac''s body rippled. Translucent wings, accented with electric blue LEDs, unfurled from his back with a soft whirr of machinery. In the blink of an eye, he shot through the air and cut through the dense smoke like a bird of prey. --- Meanwhile¡­ Trickshot was already making his escape. His mind was already five steps ahead. He tapped on his earpiece as he ran down the stairs. "Grave. Change of plans. Xenon''s here. The A-tier bastard''s an issue now. Get your people on it." Grave''s calm voice crackled over the comms. "Don''t worry. I''ve got eyes on Elena Vargas. She''s somewhere in the building. We''ll send the men after her. I''ve already told our clients to use the gas as cover to escape. You''ve got enough time to make your exit." A grin slowly spread across Trickshot''s face. "Perfect. Just perfect." He tapped a button on the remote and chuckled as the trolley back at the event room began to beep loudly. ¡­ beep! beep!©¤©¤©¤©¤BEEP! --- Back in the event hall, the red gas had started to dissipate, but the damage was done. People were still gasping for air, coughing violently, and scratching at their bodies as rashes spread like wildfire. Emma staggered into Scott''s arms, her face pale as she convulsed violently. Blood flecked from her lips. Scott''s eyes darted around as he panicked harder. "We need to break open the windows!" Scott shouted, trying to hold Emma up. "The gas won''t clear unless we can get some airflow! We''ll choke to death in here if we don''t¡ª" "Impossible," someone croaked from the crowd. "Those windows are reinforced. They won''t budge!" Scott coughed as his own vision started to blur as the poison continued to seep into his skin. His wristwatch pinged with an incoming message. Nadia''s hand was pressed against Emma''s cheek, but Emma was barely responding. Even Nadia herself was barely alright. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she scratched at the rashes forming along her neck. [WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??] [CAN''T SEE SHIT, WHY ARE THE CAMERAS JUST STAYING STILL? THIS IS INSANE!] [I THINK XENON LEFT!! WHAT A JOKE!!] ©¸ [Xenon, you just left them all?! What a loser!!] ©¸ [Guys, why is no one doing anything?] ©¸ [Wait, does anyone hear the beeping sound?] Scott''s eyes widened as he read the comment. He looked up to see the trolley beeping louder with every passing second. A cold sweat ran down his back. "What the hell¡­?" Someone else shouted, "That trolley''s carrying a bomb!" The panic in the room escalated. Scott''s heart pounded as the System analyzed the trolley. A warning blared in his ear. [Warning: The trolley is not carrying a bomb. The trolley is the bomb. Its explosive force will tear the building in half. Immediate evacuation is advised. Disarm the trolley to prevent detonation.] Scott''s face turned white. "How the fuck am I supposed to do that?!" He shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "How do I remove a bomb that big?!" Chapter 51 Infiltration and Evacuation! The event hall was still chaotic as ever.The sounds of coughing, choking, and panicked screams wouldn''t end as the red gas kept spreading. Some people were clutching at their throats, while others staggered around blindly as their eyes turned red and teary. The gas was relentless. It burned their skin and lungs with every second. Viewers of the stream were going wild. Comments flooded in, some outraged, others incredulous, and a few disturbingly entertained. [WHY IS NO ONE DOING ANYTHING?? ARE THEY ALL JUST GONNA CHOKE TO DEATH?] [What do you expect? Not everyone''s trained for a freaking bomb threat.] [Bro, there are literally superheroes in that room. Powers or no powers, they should step up!] [Nightwatch''s there, right? What''s he doing?] [Probably filming and laughing in a corner while the rich folks die. Classic anti-hero move.] [STFU. Nightwatch wouldn''t do that. He''s not that guy.] ©¸ [Bro, stop doing tricks on it ????¡­] --- Scott gritted his teeth as he knelt beside Emma. Her convulsions were growing worse. Her breathing ragged. He placed her in Nadia''s trembling arms. "Watch her. I need to stop that bomb before it''s too late." Nadia''s painfully red eyes widened. "Wh-, Where''re you going?" Her voice cracked as she coughed violently. "To handle this¡­" Scott looked toward the menacingly beeping trolley at the center of the room. "We don''t have time to wait for anyone else." Nadia hesitated. Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe. She nodded weakly. "Go¡­ just be careful." As Scott turned to leave, a frail hand gripped his wrist. Emma. Her eyes fluttered open, hazy and barely conscious. Her cracked lips moved to speak barely audible words. "Scott¡­ be careful¡­" He placed his hand gently over hers and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Don''t worry about me. I''ve got this." Carefully, he removed her hand and ran toward the trolley as he weaved through the choking crowd. [Why''s he just standing there like an NPC?? MOVE!] [He''s giving off main character energy tho¡­] [In his hopeless dreams (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] [Wait¡­ let him cook.] Scott''s eyes darted around the room. ¡ºAlright, Nightwatch¡­ think¡­ think¡­¡» He needed a plan. Fast. The reinforced glass lining the walls. The silverware on the tables. The bomb in front of him. Pieces of a puzzle he had mere seconds to solve! "Use your surroundings¡­ c''mon¡­" Suddenly, a powerful realization struck him. Without hesitation, he spun on his heel to grab a sharp steak knife from a nearby table, then hurled it at the floor-to-ceiling glass with precision. ¡­ thunk©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK!! The blade struck its mark, creating a spiderweb of cracks. The chat went wild. [Yo, that throw was CLEAN.] [HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT?!] [Nightwatch confirmed. Only he could pull off something like that. My GOAT is here! ????] [Donation Alert: $500 from @NutBuster5000: Take all my savings my handsome, glorious KING!] Scott didn''t waste a second. He sprinted toward the trolley with a pounding heart. The trolley''s beeping had reached a fever pitch. ¡ºIt''s gonna blow©¤©¤!!¡» With a powerful leap, he delivered a drop kick and launched the trolley like a rocket into the cracked glass. The moment the trolley hit the window, the glass shattered, and the trolley exploded midair. ¡­ ksssshhhh©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! The shockwave was deafening. It rattled the entire building and sent a plume of fire and debris into the night sky. "RAAAAAHHHHH!!" "EEEEEEEEEUUUU!!" Outside, screams erupted as bystanders fled in terror, unsure of what had just transpired. Back inside, the shattered glass provided the break they needed. The red gas began flowing out of the room and fresh air rushed in to replace it. People coughed and gagged but were finally able to breathe. The stream chat was quite excited. [WHAT DID I JUST WITNESS??] ©¸ [Absolute Cinema ?] [Nightwatch is INSANE. That was some next-level shit!] [I CALLED IT. THAT''S MY GOAT.] [Man''s got moves AND brains. Respect.] Donations flooded in as viewers showered praise and dropped everything from high-value gifts to exaggerated messages of admiration. Scott wasted no time. He sprinted back to Emma and scooped her into his arms. Her body was limp but she was still breathing. He looked to Nadia, who was on barely her feet, but already rallying the other guests. "Get everyone out of here. I''ll take care of Emma." It was a quick order. Nadia nodded and stumbled toward the panicked crowd. "COME ON!!" Her hoarse voice shouted for them to follow her. As Scott made his way to the hall''s exit, the System''s voice rang in his ear. [Alert: Stop. Retrieve the unhatched technophage egg. It will prove greatly essential.] Scott growled in frustration. "What now?! Where is it?" To his left, he spotted a shattered glass case lying on the floor amidst the chaos. Inside was a metallic, alien-looking egg. Scott hesitated for only a moment before making his decision. "Guess we''re not done yet." He shifted Emma in his arms as he reached for the egg. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The explosion from earlier also shook the fake news van patiently waiting on the sidelines. Grave watched all the chaotic clips with a blank face. Grave rose from his seat as his dark trench coat trailed behind him like a shadow. He turned to face the back of the van, where ten men sat on either side of the cramped space. Each was dressed in tactical black and their faces were obscured by caps and face masks. Their weapons were held at the ready: batons, escrima sticks, and a few futuristic contraptions Grave had sourced from less-than-legal channels. "It''s time. Move. No hesitation." They''d been waiting to hear this order. The men got up together. Their movements were smooth and perfectly in sync, like seasoned soldiers who had spent years mastering the art of war. One by one, they climbed out of the van and left The Peak huddled in the corner. His once-immaculate super-suit was now stained and reeking of urine as he sat there, trembling and powerless. "Waaaahh, I peed myself¡­" The blonde-haired man cried shamelessly. Grave didn''t bother sparing him a glance. "Pathetic¡­" He focused back on his tablet. --- The tactical squad stormed into the Blue Garden Hotel with ruthless efficiency. The first wave of hotel security barely had time to react before the assault began. One guard rushed forward. "Hey! You''re not allowed©¤©¤!" Before he could finish, a heavy boot collided with his usually rigid stomach. The force sent him crashing into a nearby wall, knocking both the air and consciousness out of him. Another guard drew his baton, only to have a sizable metal box hurled at him. Reflexively, he caught it, but his momentary distraction was fatal. An escrima stick whistled through the air, and smashed his skull with a sickening crack! Thankfully, the viewers could witness this from the camera drones placed there. [Wait, are those terrorists?! Wtf is going on??] [This is turning into a Die Hard movie, and I''m so fuckin'' HERE for it.] [Are those guys¡­ smiling? Why are they so good at this?!] [Security guards = NPC difficulty ????] --- The invaders moved like a storm. They dispatched every obstacle with brutal precision. They were simply unstoppable. By the time they reached the 10th floor, the halls were eerily silent. "Set it up¡­" one of them ordered. In no time, they moved with an almost enviable precision to connect gas tanks, condenser units, and several other high-tech equipment effortlessly. The FGIU was operational in minutes. "Grave, it''s done¡­" One of them reported through comms. "Activating now." "Information received. Excellent. Remember, as long as the FGIU is active, no metasapien in that building can use their powers. Proceed as planned." The red gas hissed out and slithering through vents and hallways like a living entity. It spread faster than before, choking the life out of anyone caught in its path. --- Meanwhile, on the 35th floor, Scott had just managed to stabilize Emma. Her breathing was slow but steady. She stirred slightly and her long lashes fluttered open. "Emma¡­" Scott said softly as his hand rested on her shoulder. "How are you feeling?" "Scott¡­ what''s happening? I feel¡­ weird¡­" Her voice could barely leave her dry, bleeding throat. Scott was about to respond when the System''s voice interrupted. [Warning: A powerful suppressive agent is spreading rapidly. The gas can neutralize metasapien abilities and is toxic to all humans. Immediate action is required.] The young man could only sigh. "Great. Just what I needed." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His head fell for a short moment. [Who''s the girl? She''s cute af.] [OMG, Nightwatch has game.] [Bro, like I said before, he''s always had game ©´(¡ä§Õ`)©°] [Bro''s saving a damsel in distress now? Peak main character energy fr! ????] [But what about Mist? Doesn''t she matter anymore??] [Stop simping. This is war, not a romcom.] [Psssht, Mist can get washed for all I care. I never liked that bitch if we being real! ????? ????] --- Scott ignored the noise. His only focus was on Emma. He cupped her face gently, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Listen to me, Emma. Some very bad people are in this building. I need you to leave¡ªnow." She blinked intermittently, still very lost. "What? Leave? What about you?" "I''ll be fine. I have work to do." She reached up and weakly gripped his wrist. "No. I''m not leaving without you." Scott hesitated as his resolve faltered for a moment. It was hard to turn down such a beautiful woman, especially when she acted so strong. But then, the System chimed in again. [Gas levels are critical. Remaining in the building will result in severe health risks for Emma.] Scott placed his hand over Emma''s slender hands. "I promise I''ll catch up. But you have to trust me." Before she could argue further, he stood and began stacking tables at the center of the room to create a sort of makeshift platform. He looked back at her with desperation. One mind told him to go with her and the other told him to stay back and fight. [Nightwatch, you better not screw this up.] [This man''s risking it all for a girl. Respect.] [Where''s my Nightwatch x Mist shippers at? Y''all sweating yet?] [New Girl > Mist. Fight me.] [Bro, focus on the mission, not the romance subplot.] [Damn, the switch up on Mist is crazy ???? A few streams ago you guys were all over how great her ass looks.] Scott grabbed Emma''s wrist with urgency and yanked her toward the makeshift platform. She stumbled slightly, still looking very confused. "Move. Now." That was all Scott told her. Or had time to tell her. Emma still didn''t fully grasp the severity of the situation. "How¡ªhow am I supposed to get out of here?" She sounded scared, but not for the reason you''d think. Scott pulled her closer. "It''s okay. There''s a way out. You just need to trust me." She shook her head stubbornly as her beautiful, yellow eyes locked with his. "I can''t leave you like this, okay? What about you? What happens to you?" Scott paused for a heartbeat. "Don''t worry about me. I''ll find my way out. You just¡ª" "NO!" Emma sharply rejected his words. "I''m not leaving without you." Her hand tightened around his as she pulled him closer. Scott''s jaw was screwed shut. He knew she wasn''t scared to join him and fight, but they didn''t have time to waste. "Emma, listen¡­" He pushed her towards the platform, his hands now gripping her shoulders firmly. "These dangerous people¡­ they''re spraying a lethal gas that can strip you, and anyone else with a force-gene-of their powers. Do you get it? You can''t stay here." Emma tilted her head slightly. "A gas that can suppress the force-gene? That doesn''t even sound possible." Scott''s smile was thin and heavy with uncertainty. "You know I''m a good fighter, right? I don''t need powers to handle things. I''ll take care of it here. But you need to go first. For me. Please." He tried to push her up the platform, but Emma dug her heels in, still reluctant. "NO©¤©¤!! I''m not leaving you." Scott''s voice grew more desperate. "Emma! I''ll be in danger if we stay together. You have to go so I can protect you¡­ so I can protect everyone else!" That was all he wanted. But, it was something too difficult for Emma to give. [Bro, she''s got his back so hard. Love that loyalty.] [He''s not letting her go tho, this is wild.] [Wtf? Is this turning into a soap opera now?? ????] [The gas is gonna kill him too! He''s not invincible!] --- Scott could read the comments in his head, but he couldn''t focus on them now. "Emma¡­ please. I have to protect you." He kept on pushing her. "I can''t lose you, please!" She shook her head stubbornly. "No. I won''t just leave you! I won''t let you go like that!" The viewers were on the edge of their seats now. Their eyes were glued to the screen. The stakes had never been THIS high! Scott''s grip tightened, and he took a deep, shaky breath. His heart was pounding. "Emma, please¡­" His voice cracked slightly. There was an unbearable pain in his voice. "Just let me be selfish for once. I feel like I can''t save anything anymore. I can''t keep pretending I''ve got it all under control. Barely two days ago, these people took Mist, and now this is happening¡­ I can''t let them *choke* I can''t keep letting them get away with this. I need you to trust me please let me do this for you. For us." Emma''s breath hooked in her throat. She looked up at him and her chest rose and fell as she weighed his words. "Fine. If that''s what you want." She turned slowly, her back to him as she began to climb the makeshift platform. Scott only watched her for a moment. Just as he started to turn, he heard her soft voice. "Babe¡­" He exhaled sharply, about to say something, but before he could get the words out, Emma''s curvaceous body slammed into his and her cracked lips crashed against his with a force he hadn''t expected. ¡­ Mhmmn~ ??! The kiss was urgent and passionate. It was as if they were both trying to say everything that had gone unsaid in one desperate, frantic moment. The livestream went crazy with comments. [OMG, what the fuck?! Did she just kiss him? ????] [This is like the most intense thing I''ve ever seen!!] [Bro, he''s getting it in while people are about to die ????] [YES, FINALLY!!! I SHIP IT HARD.] [Mist stocks have dropped. Invest in this!] [That kiss was ???? ???? ???? ????. I need more.] Scott grabbed her wide, tempting hips instinctively and pulled her closer until he could feel her heating crotch against his bulging crotch. ¡­ Mwahhnn~ ?! ¡­ mmmhnn©¤©¤©¤©¤MHHMHNNN ??!! Their kiss deepened. For a moment, those worries were gone. There was only Emma and the sweet taste of her hot tongue as it rubbed against his. [Bro, they''re about to die and they''re making out. I can''t¡­] [She literally kissed him in the middle of a damn crisis. This is next-level.] [This is the romance I didn''t know I needed in my life.] Emma pulled away and her perky chest heaved as she smiled at him with aroused eyes. "If you come back to me¡­ I have more for you, okay?" It was a soft, tempting incentive. Scott chuckled weakly as he nodded. "I''ll be back. I promise." There was a heavy silence between them. Finally, Emma broke the sexual tension in the air by teasing him with a small smile. "Uh, babe? Can you let go of me now?" He quickly let go of her as a slight blush crept up his neck as he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Right. Of course." She was already climbing into the air vent and slipped through the narrow opening with surprising ease. Scott turned away and checking his wristwatch. [Warning: Gas levels critical in building. Estimated time before full infection: 10 minutes.] He glanced at the watch again, watching as the System ran a diagnostic. [Current status: 95% completion on your suit.] Scott nodded with a tight jaw. There was no time to waste. He couldn''t afford to be distracted anymore. [Is he gonna make it? Is he seriously gonna be okay?] [His suit better be ready, I swear.] [He can''t just keep doing this shit alone! I''m freaking out.] [I can''t believe I''m saying this but Nightwatch needs a friggin'' sidekick¡­ no, like a dependable one.] [Mist is definitely not it (? ? ?)¡­] But Scott wasn''t listening anymore. His focus was locked. Emma was out. Now, he had a job to do. Chapter 52 Floor Raid Scott exhaled sharply."System, purchase gas mask. Now." The System responded immediately. [Gas mask purchased. 5,000 credits deducted from your balance. Remaining balance: 25,000 credits.] Before the viewers could even react, a sleek, black gas mask materialized in his hand, as though summoned from thin air. Without hesitation, he strapped it onto his face and adjusted the fit. The mask sealed with a faint hiss and filtered the toxic air almost instantly. With that, Scott stepped out of the room. The swirling red gas cloaked his figure as the livestream chat lit up with reactions. [Wait, where did he pull a gas mask from?] [Bro said "System" like it''s a damn RPG. ????] [We literally just saw a guy curve bullets and gas that turns off superpowers. This is average now.] [Yo, why didn''t he give that mask to best girl?] [Yeah, so Trickshot could blow her head off in two seconds? Big brain move. ????] [I don''t think Trickshot was in the room then, but still, there was a lot to account for other than that.] --- The comments blurred as Scott crouched low to scan the hallway for movement. Meanwhile¡­ Grave''s men were making their way up the building with ruthless precision. One of them darted forward and targeted a lone, choking security guard. ¡­ Thwack! A swift punch to the gut made the man double over in pain, only for a jaw-cracking uppercut to finish him off. Another guard charged at them, trying to intercept, but the second assailant feinted a spear tackle. At the last moment, he bent low, allowing his ally to leapfrog over him and deliver a devastating dropkick to the guard''s chest. [Bro, these security guards need a new career. ????] [Who hired these clowns? I could''ve done better.] [Okay, but Grave''s men are kinda badass, not gonna lie.] [Defending a building full of toxic gas with no gear? They''re trying their best. ????] [Trying and failing. Security company taking a fat L tonight.] [I can''t really blame them, the fighting style of these guys is similar to many special forces. There''s Military CQC techniques for efficient takedowns, Filipino Martial Arts for weapon versatility, Urban warfare principles for shock tactics, and even MMA-like adaptability for diverse physical confrontations.] ©¸ [Holy yap. ????] --- The guards would''ve stood a better chance if not for the red gas saturating the air, burning their lungs and irritating their skin. Grave''s men, however, had the advantage of both gas masks and special pills that made their skin resistant to the rash-inducing effects of the toxin. Scott remained hidden in the red gas, watching as Grave''s men moved through the corridors, systematically searching each room. He scratched at his arm as the gas''s effects still tormented his skin despite the mask. He considered purchasing a safety suit through the System, but quickly dismissed the idea. The gas had already seeped into his body, and a bulky suit would only hinder his movements. Peeking into a nearby lab, he spotted two of Grave''s men rummaging through equipment, scattering papers and smashing delicate machinery. Scott straightened his blazer and strode confidently into the lab like he was a runway model. The first man didn''t even hear him approach. Scott delivered a precise kick to the back of the man''s knee and sent him sprawling to the ground. The second man reacted instantly and swung two rapid punches at Scott''s head. Scott deflected both with ease. He countered with a brutal punch to the man''s throat, followed by a knee to his sternum. As the man staggered, Scott finished him with a spinning roundhouse kick that sent him crashing into a desk. The chat went wild. [NIGHTWATCH FOR HERO OF THE YEAR. LET''S GO!!] [Security guards out. Nightwatch in. Dude''s carrying.] [This stream keeps getting better. How does he make this look so easy?!] [Bro didn''t have to do allat tho. ????] ©¸ [Reminds me of when Batman gives a level 1 crook CTE then shouts "Now Talk!" Like, bro what? ????] Two more of Grave''s men rushed into the room, alerted by the commotion. Scott didn''t hesitate. He grabbed a small scalpel blade from a nearby counter and hurled it with deadly precision. The blade sank into the first man''s throat, and he collapsed, clutching at the wound as blood spilled across the floor. Scott lunged at the second man and jumped to deliver a powerful knee to the jaw. ¡­ DUM! The impact sent the man reeling as his gas mask cracked from the force. Scott grabbed the man by the head, pulled him down, and drove his knee into his face again. ¡­ kpow©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK!! The mask shattered completely, and the man crumpled to the ground, unconscious. [HE THREW A KNIFE INTO A DUDE''S THROAT. DAMMN, NIGHTWATCH IS A SAVAGE.] [Bro''s fighting like he''s in an action movie. This is insane.] [Did you see the knee?! That guy''s head is a pancake now. I feel so bad (? ? ?)¡­] [Nightwatch solos the whole building. Give this man a raise or I''ll tell my daddy to!] S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Okay, but what''s his fighting style? Is that Krav Maga? MMA? Somebody analyze this!] --- Scott adjusted his gas mask and scanned the room. The red haze still hung thick in the air, but the lab was clear for now. He checked his wristwatch again. [Warning: Gas levels remain critical. Estimated time to full exposure: 8 minutes.] [Four hostiles neutralized. Current threat level: moderate.] Scott exhaled to steady his breath. He could hear more of Grave''s men searching the floors above. The fight was far from over, but the viewers were already convinced. [Nightwatch doesn''t need a sidekick. He IS the sidekick, the hero, and the damn villain. ????] [Forget hero of the year. Nightwatch for MVP of all time.] [Can someone tell me where to donate? I really wanna! This stream deserves it.] Scott cracked his knuckles and stepped over the unconscious bodies. "Alright, there''s no time¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Emma wiped her brow, though it felt pointless as sweat continued to bead along her temples. The heat inside the vents, combined with the distant screams and chaos echoing through the building, was suffocating. Crawling through the narrow space, she paused at a junction where the duct split into two paths. Left or right? "C''mon, Emma. Think¡­" Glancing to her left, the vent angled downward slightly and the metal grating barely held against its screws. To the right, the duct veered upward, but faint voices and heavy footsteps echoed from that direction. Her fingers hovered near the worn edge of the vent''s metal surface. Left. It felt safer. The last thing she needed was to run into Grave''s men in her current condition. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, Scott¡­ "Wear these and help the others evacuate¡­" Scott said as he tossed the gas masks to the trembling and crying hotel staff. The three staff members nodded quickly and secured the masks over their faces. "Thank you¡­ we''ll get them out!" One of them said as he and the others moved to carry the unconscious workers toward the nearest exit. Scott watched them leave. But, he didn''t have the luxury of relief. From the other side of the hallway, three of Grave''s men stood waiting with escrima sticks that tapped ominously against their gloved palms and sharp daggers that glinted dangerously in their hands. Scott straightened his blazer, tilted his head slightly, and offered them a casual two-finger salute. "Gentlemen¡­" [He''s about to eat these guys for breakfast, isn''t he?] [Nightwatch just saluted like he''s got plot armor. ????] [If he survives this, his aura''s gonna hit god tier.] [Lowkey hoping he gets clapped, not gonna lie.] ©¸ [Damn, the hate is crazy ????¡­] [These guys aren''t messing around, though. Look at those weapons.] --- The men wasted no time and charged. The first lunged with his dagger, but Scott sidestepped the attack effortlessly then weaved past the second man''s blade with equal precision. The third swung his escrima stick, aiming for Scott''s ribs, but Scott raised his arm to lock the attacker''s wrist mid-swing. The man seized the opportunity to snatch Scott''s gas mask clean off his face. And it worked¡­ Scott dove into a roll to evade the follow-up strikes while coughing violently as the red gas burned its way into his lungs. Blood dripped from his mouth as he staggered upright and gasped for fresh air. [Where''s his gear?! Bro''s choking out here!] [Should''ve kept the mask on, Nightwatch. Smh.] ©¸ [It''s not like it''s his fault, bruh (¡ä-¦É_-£à)¡­] [Why is Xenon not helping? Did he just dip?] [This is getting tense. Somebody donate, quick! ????] --- One of Grave''s men pressed a finger to his earpiece. "We''ve found Nightwatch." Grave''s voice crackled through their comms. "If he can''t survive, he''s not worth it. Finish him." The men nodded and attacked in unison. The first two slashed at Scott with their daggers, while the third struck with brutal precision using his escrima sticks. Scott dodged and blocked with remarkable skill, using his legs and forearms to deflect strikes and weave through the relentless assault. But the fight wasn''t in his favor¡­ Three-on-one, no gas mask, and the toxin eating away at his strength. His movements were sharp but slower than usual, and the strain was clear. Blood splattered across the hallway floor as he coughed between each dodge. Back in the chat¡­ [Bro is dying out here. Someone save him! ????] [THIS IS TOO MUCH. He''s a beast for still standing.] [Nightwatch gotta clutch this or it''s over.] [The coughing is killing me. Why doesn''t he just buy another mask? Like, bruh ????] ©¸ [Oh, like he can do that mid-fight! Don''t be dumb!] [My dude''s fighting with pure plot armor. Respect.] [Did y''all see that dodge? He''s still got it!] --- Stopping again, she adjusted her position and peered through the nearest vent register. Below, Scott was moving fast. She gasped and whispered. "Scott¡­" From the vent, Emma''s heart sank. She watched helplessly as Scott fought for his life below and blood dripped from his lips as he dodged a flurry of attacks. "Scott¡­" She whispered again, louder this time, hoping¡­ seriously hoping he''d hear her. And somehow, he did. Scott''s gaze sharpened. He exhaled hard and refocused. When the first attacker lunged again, Scott caught his wrist mid-slash, twisted it upward, and climbed the man''s body like a gymnast. Using the attacker as leverage, he swung his legs into a devastating kick that slammed into the second man''s temple. ¡­ THWACK!! The force sent the second man sprawling, and Scott used the momentum to press down hard on the first attacker, forcing him to the ground. ¡­ thud©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK!! Twisting the man''s arm at a brutal angle, he felt the bone snap with a sickening crack. "Ahhhh!" The man screamed and clutched his broken arm. Scott snatched the man''s gas mask and dagger in one swift motion. The chat went wild. [HE''S BACK IN THE GAME!] [NIGHTWATCH NEVER QUITS.] [That move was straight out of a movie. ????] [Did he just snap a dude''s arm like a twig? ????] [Respect to the donation money. I feel like it''s working. ????] --- Scott wiped the blood from his mouth. His vision was still blurry from the gas''s effects. His grip tightened around the stolen dagger as the System pinged in his mind. [Skill Upgrade Detected: Kat¨¡ri - Tier 1 Achieved.] The notification barely registered as he dashed forward. The men dodged his first slash with ease, sidestepping and countering with quick strikes. But Scott didn''t stop¡ªeach miss seemed calculated. His strikes became faster, his movements sharper. The System pinged again, louder this time: [Ding! Kat¨¡ri - Tier 2 Achieved.] The attackers faltered. Scott''s blade seemed to follow their dodges, adjusting mid-swing as though it had a mind of its own. "Damn it! He''s too fast!" One of them barked as they narrowly avoided a strike aimed at his ribs. Scott''s breathing steadied and his stance changed as the System alerted once more: [Ding! Kat¨¡ri - Tier 3 Achieved.] His speed and precision hit a new level. The dagger tore into one man''s arm, leaving a deep gash. The next strike sliced through the fabric of another''s suit and drew blood. [WHAT IS THIS STYLE?! ????????????] [Bro unlocked Ultra Instinct mid-fight ????] [Kat¨¡ri requires two daggers, but Nightwatch is cooking with just one. HOLY SHIET!] [This is insane. Someone donate for his medical bills.] [PUT ON THE GAS MASK ALREADY, NIGHTWATCH!] --- Scott glanced at the discarded gas mask. He didn''t want to risk it¡ªbut the gas was gnawing at his lungs. In one swift motion, he grabbed the mask and started to put it on. Big mistake. One of the men seized the opportunity and lunged forward with a brutal kick to Scott''s chest. The impact sent him flying into the wall and his back slammed against the metal with a sickening thud. Scott crumpled to the floor, gasping for air. His vision dimmed as the System pinged faintly: [ATAM-5 Suit: 98% Complete.] --- From the vent above, Emma''s eyes widened in horror. "Scott!" The man advanced, dagger in hand, ready to deliver the final blow. ¡­ THUNK! The attacker staggered forward and clutched his head as a fire extinguisher clattered to the ground. Emma leapt down from the vent, picking up the extinguisher again. The second man turned to her with anger in his eyes. "You little¡ª" ¡­ THUD! Emma hurled the extinguisher at him to knock him back. "Scott! Wake up!" Emma desperately screamed. "Get up, dammit!" [Vio_Zero: SHE''S BEST GIRL. I SAID WHAT I SAID.] [Where''s Mist? Oh, that''s right, she''s useless.] [DON''T DISRESPECT MIST LIKE THAT. She''s doing her best, alright?!] [Best? Mist? Pick one, dude.] --- Scott didn''t move. He lay on the floor, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him. Emma''s heart pounded as the second man got to his feet, dagger gleaming. She turned and ran. "SCOTT, PLEASE!" Her voice echoed through the corridors. "WAKE UP!" The attacker followed, relentless in his pursuit. Emma darted into a room filled with thick pillars and her breaths ragged as she hid behind one. "Scott¡­" She whispered as tears streamed down her face. "Please¡­ wake up¡­" The man''s footsteps grew louder. He moved slowly as his dagger dangerously scraped against the pillar''s edge. Emma quickly covered her mouth to muffle a sudden cough, but it was too late. The sound drew him closer. "Scott, please¡­" she whimpered. The man stepped around the pillar, dagger raised. Out of nowhere, Scott appeared behind him like a ghost. His arm coiled around the attacker''s neck, and with a sharp twist, he snapped it. ©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK!! The man collapsed to the ground. Scott swayed, barely conscious, and dropped to his knees beside Emma. His breaths were shallow and his body was trembling with pain. Emma scrambled forward to yank the gas mask off the man''s face and force it onto Scott. "Scott! Stay with me! Please!" She cried as her voice thickened with emotion. The mask hissed as fresh air filled Scott''s lungs, but Emma began to choke violently. Blood poured from her nose, ears, and mouth, staining her trembling hands. [WHAT IS HAPPENING?!] [BABE NOOOOO!] [THIS IS NOT OKAY. FIX THIS NOW.] [LMAO, the idiot sacrificed herself for vigilante D. ????] [How are y''all joking in this chat?! Mods, ban them!] ["New girl''s best girl" but y''all want her dead? ????] --- Emma''s vision blurred as she looked at Scott. "You''re¡­ okay¡­" She whispered with her voice faint. Her body gave out, and she collapsed on top of him, unconscious. The livestream chat froze for a moment, then exploded: [NO WAY.] [G.O.D_1999: This was too much. I''m shaking.] [Vio_Zero: Nightwatch, get up. New girl needs you.] [Someone donate for new girl. Do it NOW.] [This better not be the end of her, or we riot.] --- The camera drones lingered on the two bodies¡­ one barely breathing and the other motionless. The red gas remained heavy in the air still. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: I shall post 4 more today! Chapter 53 Floor Raid II Abandoned Military Compound, Meteor City¡­The room remained steeped in gloom. The only light came from the flickering television. Mist finished the last of the chips with a reluctant sigh. She slouched in her chair as she was a bit more comfortable now that her arms were free. Across the room, Dark Elf spreaded lazily on the sagging sofa, eyes half-lidded as she watched the news. Mist glanced at the now-empty bag in her lap and then at Dark Elf, who lay there like a cat in a patch of sunlight. She wanted to ask for water but felt too awkward to say anything. ¡ºDo I just say it¡­? I mean¡­ she''s nice, right? She gave me these chips, so it wouldn''t be wrong to ask for water, right? NO! NO! Sigh~ It''d be too awkward¡­¡» Before she could figure out how to phrase her request, Dark Elf sat up suddenly and her crimson eyes lazily slid over to Mist with a dull interest. "Oh, you''re done already?" She asked as she stretched her arms over her head. Mist flinched slightly, caught off guard. "What? No, I didn''t eat it that fast¡­" She looked to the side with faintly pink cheeks. Dark Elf tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Pretty sure I just gave you those like two minutes ago. Better watch how you''re eating, or you''ll get fa¡ª" "For fuck''s sake, I''m not fat, okay?!" Mist snapped as she glared at her. "And I didn''t eat it that fast! Calm down!" Dark Elf scratched the back of her head, utterly unfazed. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say." She waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, you ate some chips, so you must be thirsty." Mist hesitated, biting her lip. "¡­ Uhm, yeah. Please." With a sigh, Dark Elf walked over to a dusty table in the corner. She grabbed a half-empty water bottle, wiped it down with a rag that looked marginally cleaner than the table, and unscrewed the cap halfway. She tossed it to Mist, who caught it with a bit of effort. "Drink up¡­" Dark Elf muttered as she flopped back onto the sofa. Mist opened the bottle fully and took several long gulps. The cool water was a welcome relief, and she exhaled with satisfaction then leaned back in her chair. Her body felt heavy with exhaustion, but she couldn''t shake the awkwardness in the room. Dark Elf''s casual personality was¡­ unsettling. From her perch on the sofa, Dark Elf lazily pointed a finger at Mist''s legs. "The ropes around your ankles are loose. If you want, you can come sit here and watch the news. Something wild''s going down at the Blue Garden Hotel." Mist froze, blinking in confusion. "Wait¡­ what?" "Yeah, you heard me¡­" Dark Elf popped some popcorn into her mouth. "C''mon. Sit. Or don''t. Whatever." Mist stared at her, utterly baffled. "I''m your hostage! Why the hell are you treating me like a guest¡ªor, I don''t know, a sister?" Dark Elf didn''t look at her. Instead, she focused on the TV screen. "Why waste time with traps when I could''ve poisoned your chips or the water? It''s stupid to even ask." "You''re insane." Mist pouted slightly. Despite her protests, she stood and shuffled over to the sofa while her legs tingled as blood flow returned. She sat at the far end, eyeing Dark Elf warily. On the TV, Judy Cho''s was all they could hear. "A mysterious red gas is spreading through all 80 floors of the Blue Garden Hotel, trapping hundreds of people. The gas appears to strip heroes of their powers, leaving them helpless. Authorities are now waiting on the arrival of tech-based hero Rope Girl to attempt a rescue. The question remains¡ªhow long can they hold out?" Gwen''s chest tightened. "God, I hope those people will be okay¡­" Dark Elf smirked, side-eyeing her. "By ''those people,'' you mean Nightwatch, right?" Gwen stiffened, refusing to meet her smug face. She nodded slightly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Dark Elf threw another piece of popcorn into her mouth. "Do you really think he''ll come for you? Got that much faith in him?" Gwen lowered her head and her voice softened. "I''ve¡­ never really been nice to him. I try to, but I don''t know. I always joke around or annoy him to get his attention. I just don''t want him to forget me, you know?" Her voice cracked slightly. "But I feel bad¡­ making him go through all that. I know I''m a terrible person." Dark Elf paused mid-chew, then extended the bowl of popcorn toward her. "You''re not a bad person. Just selfish. Every woman who loves a man? She''s always selfish about him." Gwen''s lips quivered as she took a handful of popcorn. She managed a small smile as her eyes got teary. "Thanks¡­ I guess." Dark Elf leaned back to watch the TV better. "Just don''t cry on my sofa." "I''M NOT CRYING!" "Psssh, whatever¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ 36th Floor, Blue Garden Hotel, New York City¡­ Scott''s eyes fluttered open and a sharp gasp escaped his lips as he took in the sight before him. Emma was slumped over his chest with her body limp and covered in red-streaked veins. Blood trickled from her nose, ears, and mouth, staining her pale face. Instant panic hit him. "Emma!" His voice was still a little rasp from the gas still lingering in his burning lungs. Livestream comments scrolled in: [OH MY GOD, HE''S ALIVE!] [FINALLY! NIGHTWATCH, GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER.] [Emma''s in CRITICAL CONDITION. DO SOMETHING!] [Massive WAKING UP donations coming in! Let''s FUCKIN'' GOOOOOO BOI!] [Not him looking at the chat instead of helping her. ????] [Donation Alert: $500 from @CerberusX ¨C Welcome back, hero. You''ve been out for a while (¡ä?_?`)¡­] --- Scott glanced at the blue screen as his heart pounded. Massive donations poured in: roses, luxury cars, even a magic castle gift worth quite a lot. The comments screamed at him to move. "She¡­ she needs help¡­" Scott muttered as he shook off his dizziness. Ignoring the stinging itch spreading across his skin, he pulled the gas mask off his own face and placed it over Emma'' s. The moment fresh oxygen reached her, her breathing steadied, if only barely. [Sir_Dragon: CHAD MOVE RIGHT THERE ???? Always, protect the girl, bro.] [Vio_Zero: DO NOT LET HER DIE, NIGHTWATCH.] [Tylarian: Bro sacrificed himself. I''m not crying; YOU ARE.] [Pedro_Sousa: He''s a good man. Thanks for your service!] Scott''s fingers twitched as he turned to the System. "Purchase a hazmat suit. NOW." [Ding! Hazmat Suit purchased. Deploying now.] A sleek white-and-gray suit materialized in a box beside him, and Scott wasted no time. He zipped Emma into the suit and secured the built-in mask and made sure it was airtight. His chest heaved with relief as her vitals appeared to stabilize slightly, while the itching on his own body lessened. He wiped a hand across his sweat-soaked brow. "System, the gas¡­ it''s not affecting me as much anymore? Is there a reason?" [Ding! ATAM-5 Suit: 100% Complete. Deployment Ready.] Scott''s lips split into a grin. "Yes! Finally!" The sleek, metallic storage box materialized in a flash and unfolded itself with precision. Inside, the ATAM-5 suit gleamed: matte black with subtle electric blue LED accents that pulsed faintly like veins of light. The utility belt was perfectly fitted, lined with gadgets he barely recognized. The livestream erupted. [Hot_Papichulo: NO WAY. LOOK AT THAT SUIT.] [Lumini: Okay, but where does he get this stuff? Is Nightwatch secretly a trust fund kid?] [Figulicious: This dude''s DRIP is on another level.] [G.O.D_1999: Looks like cloth, not armor. Bro about to LARP his way through the fight.] ©¸ [K7RM4: Ehh, maybe it''s like all those lightweight armor that harden on physical contact? ????] ©¸ [Timeturner: The government barely has that bro. ????] "Let''s see what you''ve got!" Scott pulled the suit on. It fit like a second skin and sealed with a hissing whisper as the Auto-Seal Zipper activated. The faint hum of the suit''s systems came alive around him. [Good evening, Scott¡­] A smooth, unfamiliar female voice sounded in his ear. Scott jumped. "Uh¡­ hello?" [I am your new Al assistant. Combat Assistance Tech¡ªor CAT for short. I provide real-time threat analysis, situational tactics, a 360-degree Echo-Sonar Array, and augmented reality overlays synced to your HUD.] Scott blinked. "That''s¡­ that''s awesome. Like, actually awesome." He had a strong urge to shriek with excitement. But, of course, he didn''t. [Wait until you see what else I can do¡­] --- [FallenAngel: WHO IS HE TALKING TO?] [Povilas_Demikis: It''s gotta be the suit Al. No way this man just went insane mid-stream.] [Vio_Zero: I''d go insane over the new girl, fr. I hope she becomes like a sidekick or something!] ©¸ [Timeturner: REAL ????] [Rexxar5000: Guys, my network is so shitty. ???? Is anyone having the same problems?] ©¸ [Wind_Walker3606: Uhh, as @4aceofspades101 he legit said the same thing.] --- "CAT, can you give me the building''s layout and locate the source of the red gas?" Scott asked as he adjusted Emma on his back. [Scanning now. Gas dispensing units located on the 10th floor. You''ll need to bypass three hostiles to proceed.] Scott nodded with some renewed confidence. "I can handle that." [N3pTune_Wrath: HE''S BACK IN THE GAME, BOYS.] [Valyrxa: Bro is solo carrying while carrying. LEGEND.] [Johnathan_Mcstay: Imagine the AI flirts with him. ????] ©¸ [G.O.D_1999: Imagine I bonk it. ????] ©¸ [Mozzy_da: Valid CHAD move! XD] --- With Emma securely on his back, Scott dashed toward the staircase. Each step felt lighter as the suit''s enhancements kicked in to counter his fatigue. The HUD displayed a 3D map of the building, enemies marked with glowing red outlines. "Three on the 15th floor? Piece of cake." [G.O.D_1999: Piece of cake? Sir, you were dying ten minutes ago. Relax.] [Vio_Zero: FANS RISE. PROTECT BEST GIRL.] ©¸ [Pedro_Sousa: Valid statement.] ©¸ [CerberusX: I approve (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] ©¸ [Tylarian: *nods furiously*] [Donation Alert: $300 from @Crownslayer49 ¨C Keep up the good work, man! Love your stream!] [Jesse_Windham: This man needs life support donations!] --- Scott smirked and adrenaline surged through him as the ATAM-5 suit adjusted to his every movement. [Scanning the area for any abnormalities¡­] Scott adjusted Emma on his back and slowed his pace when CAT''s voice buzzed in his ear. [Three hostiles detected ahead. Approaching rapidly.] Scott''s HUD highlighted the silhouettes of three men wielding handguns. "Perfect¡­" The faint hum of muffled voices ahead quickly gave way to the sharp click-clack of cocking pistols. The three men emerged into view with their faces concealed behind gas masks, and the shiny barrels of their weapons gleaming under the sporadic lighting. "There he is!" one shouted. Before Scott could react, the first bullet tore through the air toward him. ¡­ BANG! He zigzagged to the left. ¡­ bang©¤©¤©¤©¤BANG!! The second and third bullets followed, but Scott ducked and twisted, narrowly to avoid them as the shots whizzed past. ¡­ bang©¤©¤©¤©¤CLINK! The fourth clipped the corner of his shoulder and left a faint spark on the suit but no damage! ¡­ CRACK! The fifth round hit him dead center in the chest. Scott stumbled back a step as the force nearly knocked the wind out of him. He braced himself for the pain, but instead of digging into his flesh, the bullet flattened and ricocheted harmlessly to the floor with a gentle clink. The suit went hard then soft again. Just for very short intervals. [Streak91: HE JUST TANKED A BULLET LIKE IT WAS NOTHING. ????????????] [Vio_Zero: Bro didn''t even FLINCH. ????] [Johnathan_Mcstay: DID YOU SEE THAT?? I TOLD Y''ALL IT WAS ARMOR.] [Hot_Papichulo: How does it look like cloth but tank bullets?? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.] [Wind_Walker3606: Probably some kind of special alloy or something like that¡­ Rope Girl has something similar, no? So it''s not that surprising. ????] ©¸ [Figulicious: Rope Girl is overrated, man. Stop. ????] [Sir_Dragon: Give praise to the devs who designed such an immaculate armor ????] ©¸ [Lumini: I agree. I wanna see more of it!] --- "CAT¡­ what was that?" Scott asked, sounding relieved. He designed the suit, but even he didn''t know all the features he gave it or how they were applied. [The ATAM-5 incorporates Electro-Adaptive Weave (EAW). This advanced mesh-layered armor stiffens upon impact, dynamically absorbing force from ballistics and blunt trauma.] Scott chuckled as the adrenaline made his voice shaky. "That''s¡­ pretty awesome." He glanced back at Emma who was still unconscious but safely tucked into the hazmat suit. "Lucky none of those hit her." Before he could dwell on it, CAT interrupted. [Would you like to deploy the Shock Nightwings?] Scott''s face lit up beneath his mask. "Glad you asked." The viewers were already excited. [Rexxar5000: NIGHTWINGS??? WHAT IS THAT?] [Vio_Zero: This is gonna be GOOD. I can feel it.] [Timeturner: Bro''s about to FLEX again. Call it now.] --- The metal pouches on Scott''s waist hissed open. ¡­ FWOOOSH! Two sleek, shuriken-like tools shot up, and Scott caught them effortlessly. They hummed faintly with energy as he spun them in his right hand while balancing Emma''s weight on his back with ease. "I designed these myself. I call them Nightwings¡­ they''re multifunctional, shuriken-like tools." They were sleek, boomerang-like weapons shaped like the letter "N" to represent Nightwatch. Their design incorporated an aerodynamic, crescent-shaped curve, with the central body forming the diagonal bar of the "N" motif. The ends of the weapon tapered into sharp, fang-like edges. --- [K7RM4: MERCH IDEA RIGHT THERE.] [Tylarian: I NEED THESE IN MY COLLECTION, PLEASE SELL THEM ONLINE.] [Pedro_Sousa: Imagine having Nightwings on your office desk. Instant flex.] [FallenAngel: Hmm, I like the throwing needles better¡­] ©¸ [G.O.D_1999: Tbh, only because he humbled E-Porner''s little sausage with it. Imagine using it on The Peak.] --- Scott hurled the Nightwings toward the men. The sleek tools whizzed through the air like miniature saw blades, but the enemies dodged easily with a mad sneer behind their gas masks. "Ha, you missed!" one taunted. But Scott was already sprinting forward. The Nightwings arced through the air and sparked violently. ¡­ brrr©¤©¤©¤©¤BZZZZZTTT!! Electric currents surged between them to form a web of crackling energy. The two closest men screamed as the net of electricity encased them, making their muscles lock up as they crumpled to the ground. Scott leapt over the fallen men as his HUD locked onto the last hostile. The third man aimed his pistol and fired wildly. ¡­ Bang! Bang! Scott twisted his body mid-air and the suit''s enhancements allowed him to narrowly dodge the bullets. With Emma still secure on his back, he landed a powerful dropkick to the man''s chest. The force sent the man flying into the wall. ¡­ kaaa©¤©¤©¤©¤THUD!! He slumped to the ground, groaning as his gun skittered across the floor. Scott didn''t look back. [Crownslayer49: MY MAN JUST SOLO''D WITH HIS GIRL ON HIS BACK.] [Valyrxa: Somebody give him a medal. That was CLEAN.] [N3pTune_Wrath: Tactical genius. Absolute madlad.] [Hot_Papichulo: Can we get an instant replay? THAT DROP KICK, THO.] ©¸ [LoopVid editors probably already have it XD] --- Scott reached the 10th floor with a pounding heart. A faint tap on his shoulder made him freeze. "Uh, Scott?" Emma''s voice was faint but unmistakable. Scott turned and his chest tightened as he saw her face through the hazmat mask. Emma chuckled weakly. "As much as I like the piggyback ride, I''d much rather ride you another way." [G.O.D_1999: BONK!] sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Streak91: ???? NEW GIRL, PLEASE.] ©¸ [Vio_Zero: Let the queen express herself, ALRIGHT?!] [Sir_Dragon: THE CHILDREN, MISS. THE CHILDREN.] [Pedro_Sousa: No sane kid is watching this. She''s very much spitting facts XD] --- Scott smiled despite himself. "Emma! You''re awake." She slid off his back, though Scott kept a hand on her shoulder as if she might fall over. "Are you okay? Like¡­ really okay?" Emma nodded and her angelic smile widened as she punched him lightly on the chest. "I''m fine. You don''t need to baby me, babe." Scott''s hand lingered for a moment longer before he let out a breath of relief. "That''s good." The two stared at each other and their smiles swelled as they stepped closer. [Hot_Papichulo: Cue romantic music.] [FallenAngel: Just kiss already.] [G.O.D_1999: NO TIME FOR THIS. STOP THE GAS!] --- CAT didn''t waste time to interrupt. [The red gas is still active and lethal. You should deactivate it immediately.] Scott''s eyes widened. "Oh, right! The gas!" Emma sighed, visibly disappointed. "Yeah¡­ that. You should probably do that first." As Scott turned and sprinted toward the control room, Emma watched him go as her lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡ºI really wanted to kiss him, though¡­ Imagine how good the it would feel if we''re french kissing and choking in this toxic gas, kyaaaaa~ ?! So romantic!¡» She shrieked a little as her face pinked. [Vio_Zero: NEW GIRL IS DOWN BAD. LMAO.] [N3pTune_Wrath: Priorities, people. PRIORITIES.] [CerberusX: No kiss yet? Tragic. Absolutely tragic.] [SleazyPen: It would be so cool if Emma lets Nightwatch sodomize her as a reward for saving them!] ©¸ [Pewkmon: Bruh. ????] --- Scott arrived at the nexus point where all the red gas had been spawning from. Set up there was the deadly contraption that dispensed the gas at a very merciless speed. "Huh©¤©¤?!" But that wasn''t what shocked Scott. It was the two people collapsed next to the device. Pulsar and Vincent Lakewood. Chapter 54 Aerial Madness, Rope Girl! Blue Garden Hotel, 10th Floor¡­Scott''s boots crunched against broken glass and debris as he approached the gas-dispensing contraption. The red mist hissed ominously and poured into the air with a sinister persistence. But it wasn''t the machine that froze him mid-step. It was the two figures crumpled beside it. "Maya¡­" Her condition was especially horrifying. Her exposed skin was blistered and raw as it sizzled faintly under the effects of the corrosive gas. The light purple of her costume was charred and stained and her face twisted in agony even in unconsciousness. By comparison, Vincent looked merely unconscious, though the reddish hue creeping over his skin indicated he wasn''t far from a similar fate. "What the hell happened here?" Scott''s breath hitched. [IS THAT PULSAR??] [Oh my god, she looks BAD. Somebody do something!!] [If it weren''t for that gas, Pulsar would''ve stomped this whole situation in SECONDS.] ©¸ [Shut UP already. Nightwatch is doing his BEST. Show some respect.] [Poor Pulsar. She didn''t deserve this. ????] [Bro, what happened to Vincent?! He doesn''t even LOOK that hurt. SMH, he probably let her take the fall. Typical.] Scott''s HUD flickered as CAT scanned the scene. [Subject identified: Maya Rivera, alias "Pulsar." Current condition: Critical. Extensive chemical burns detected. Immediate medical intervention required.] "Damn it¡­" Scott leaned down to lift her gently. Her body was unnaturally hot to the touch, even through his super suit. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and his jaw tightened at the faint whimper she let out even in her unconscious state. [He''s carrying her like a HERO! Bro FUCKIN'' deserves a medal for this.] [That super suit must have insane heat resistance to carry her. Respect.] [Why is nobody talking about how smooth that was?!] [BRUH, VINCENT IS RIGHT FUCKIN'' THERE. DON''T LEAVE HIM, SMH.] ©¸ [Leave him. Fr. He''s useless.] ©¸ [He''s literally Pulsar''s agent. We wouldn''t know her if it wasn''t for him and Priority Solutions.] ©¸ [Bruh, never thought Vincent would have fans. ????] ©¸ [He has 60M followers on Instaflick tho. ????] --- Scott glanced at Vincent as his fists clenched in frustration. His instincts screamed to leave the man behind. Saving Maya was enough. Vincent didn''t deserve his sympathy in the slightest. "Ugh¡­ what are you doing©¤©¤?!" Emma shouted as she rushed in. "Shut down the damn machine!" Her voice rasped from behind him as she was barely visible through the red haze. "Scott, MOVE!" She clutched her chest and stumbled forward. Violent coughs from the residual gas was still dealing with her, and mercilessly too. [SHE''S RIGHT. SHUT IT OFF ALREADY.] [Don''t sell now, bro. C''M¦¯¦­.] [WHY IS HE JUST STANDING THERE?!] [He better not freeze up. This is NOT the time.] --- Scott couldn''t even look at Vincent. Saving everyone wasn''t fair. It never was. But he didn''t get the luxury of fairness. With a guttural growl, he scooped Vincent up into a fireman''s carry and charged toward the gas machine. ¡ºI''m only doing this because of Emma. I want to be a hero, but not the one people can make a fool out of and expect me to turn the other cheek¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ 41st Floor¡­ Elena stumbled and her breathing strained painfully as she clawed at her throat. Her eyes blurred, and blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she coughed violently. "This gas¡­" She wheezed with trembling legs. "Why¡­ why can''t I use my powers?" A low, chilling voice answered from the shadows. "Because it''s a force-gene suppressant. Mixed with a cocktail of nerve toxins, of course. Think of it as a little gift from Black Mechanica." Elena spun around and her eyes went wide. The man in all-black and some red just stood there. Menacingly. "Who¡­ who are you?" She stammered and backed away. The man tilted his head as he held up a bullet. Elena''s heart dropped when she saw what was engraved on its surface. [Elena Vargas ¨C 2019 to 2045] The man chuckled softly. "A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. You can call me¡­ Grave." Elena''s scream tore through the floor as she turned and bolted. Her boots slipped on the slick surface as she sprinted for the stairwell. Grave sighed and casually loaded the special bullet into his custom firearm. "They always run." The shot rang out with a deafening crack. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BAAAANG!! The bullet tore a hole in Elena''s head and her body crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap. Blood pooled beneath her as Grave holstered his weapon. He tapped his comm. "Target A neutralized. Status on Target B?" Silence greeted him. Grave frowned. "Team Alpha, report." Still nothing. "Team Alpha, come in." No response. Every single one of Grave''s highly trained soldiers were either dead or utterly brutalized. Grave let out a low hum. "Trickshot, bring the helicopter. We''re done here." Seconds later, a helicopter''s blades roared as it hovered beside the 41st floor of the building. Grave stepped toward the reinforced glass and fired three hot but precise shots. The glass shattered, and he leapt effortlessly into the waiting aircraft. Inside, Trickshot sipped from a whiskey flask. "Finally done, huh?" He had a lazy grin on his scruffy face. Grave nodded once. "For now. Target A is at least neutralized. If you''re here that means you successfully acquired the technophages, but Target B is still unaccounted for." "Noice." "So, how did you escape Xenon?" "Oh, that guy? We made a very interesting negation, but it''s not something I''m willing to share with you. All I can say, is that armored guy is no hero¡­" "Hrmm." Grave''s visor narrowed as he looked at The Peak. The terrified man whimpered in the corner as his super pants got even wetter. "P-, Please¡­ don''t kill me¡­" He managed to cry out. Grave sighed. "Move." The helicopter veered away from the building and vanished into the sky. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ 10th Floor¡­ Scott slammed the gas-disabling lever into place, and the machine hissed one final time before falling silent. The red mist began to dissipate and its sinister presence slowly lifted from the room. [CAT: Atmospheric analysis complete. Toxic levels decreasing. Safety parameters will stabilize in approximately 5 minutes.] That was all Scott needed to hear. Emma stumbled into view, coughing as she struggled to carry Maya and Vincent over her shoulders. Maya''s raw, blistered skin seemed even worse up close, and Scott''s chest tightened at the sight. "You''ve got them?" Scott asked as he walked past Emma. "Yeah, but where are you going?" Emma glared at him through her watering eyes. Scott glanced back. His voice dropped. "To finish this." Her jaw tightened. "Scott¡ª" "Get them out of here. Tell the paramedics they can head in after five minutes. Help everyone else on the lower floors. "O-, Okay babe! Be safe, alright?!" "Mhm!" Emma watched him go and it was hard not to hide the proud look she had on her face. ¡ºHeh, imagine I show him to my sis and that useless whore I call my mother¡­ they''ll be so jealous ?!¡» She was already drooling at the thought. Without waiting for anything else, Scott ran toward the reinforced glass wall. His hand moved instinctively to his utility belt and he pulled out an explosive nightwing. He hurled it against the window and didn''t stop running. ¡­ BOOM! The glass fractured, then shattered, raining shards down onto the streets below. Smoke swirled in the wake of the explosion and through the smoke a figure in black flew out of it like a speed demon! From the crowd below, a roar erupted. "YO, IS THAT XENON?!" "DID HE JUST JUMP?!" "THIS IS INSANE!" "WAIT, CAN''T HE FLY OR SOMETHING?!" --- [Livestream: 190,000 viewers] [Holy sh*t, that''s the 10th floor. Is this guy nuts?!] [Bro''s built DIFFERENT. ????] [Somebody call Threadit! I need the slow-mo analysis of this RIGHT NOW.] [Nah, if he misses, that''s game over. ????] [He won''t. It''s Nightwatch, baby.] --- Scott''s jump threw him quite high into the air. ¡ºC''mon¡­ you can do it¡­¡» His lenses zoomed in on the retreating helicopter. His HUD tagged it instantly. [CAT: Helicopter identified. Occupants confirmed as The Peak, Grave and Trickshot. Estimated distance: 500 meters and increasing.] Scott smirked grimly. "Not for long." Fluidly, he shot a grappling hook from his wrist. ¡­ zzz©¤©¤©¤©¤ZZZIIIIIIPPPP!! The line zipped through the air, fast as a bullet, and latched onto the undercarriage of the helicopter. The crowd erupted below. "HE DID IT!" "MY BOY''S GOING FOR IT!" "IMAX NEEDS THIS SHOT RN!" The helicopter jolted as Scott''s weight added tension to the line. Inside, Trickshot glanced at the sudden rumble and snorted, taking another swig of whiskey. "Looks like we got a leech¡­" he said lazily. Grave didn''t even blink. "Keep flying. I''ll handle it." Trickshot grinned. "Damn, aight¡­" Grave leaned out of the helicopter with his custom pistol murderously pointed out. He aimed at the grappling line and fired. ¡­ bang! BANG!! The bullets scraped past harmlessly. Scott''s laugh echoed through the comms. "Nice try, pal. The line''s reinforced with titanium alloy. Better luck next time." [Grave''s trying SO HARD. ????] [Wait, his name''s Grave? So edgy¡­] [He thinks he''s a nonchalant dreadhead fr.] ["The line''s titanium alloy!" LMAO, tell him, hero!] [Grave actually looks cool tho. Gotta respect the drip.] [Okay, but why does Grave look like he gets bitches?] --- Grave''s jaw tightened. He aimed directly at Scott and fired again. Scott twisted his body while skillfully swinging side to side to dodge the shots. A few bullets ricocheted off his suit, and he grunted at the impact. Frustrated, Grave stepped back into the cockpit. "Trickshot, go faster. Lose him." "Say less!" Trickshot whooped and slammed the throttle. The helicopter lurched forward and flew chaotically through the night. Scott''s body swung like a pendulum and slammed into a billboard. Pain shot through his ribs as he barely managed to stay on the line. "CAT," he gasped, "ideas?" [CAT: Calculating tactical response¡­] "No time! Think faster!" Scott''s eyes darted down to the street below. A series of lampposts lined the road. "I can do this¡­" His voice wavered as he took a deep breath. "I can fucking do this, alright¡­?" [WHAT IS HE DOING?!] [Bro looks nervous. ????] [If he screws this up, it''s over. Fr.] [It''s not like we know WHAT he wants to screw up. ????] [Come on, Nightwatch. YOU''VE GOT THIS!] --- Scott braced himself. With a sharp exhale, he lowered the line but stopped. The wind roared in his ears as his arms froze. "Not that hard¡­ C''mon, don''t chicken out now!" Scott''s eyes burned as his shallow and erratic breaths worsened by the second as he prepared to make his move. Below him, the streetlights zipped past in a blur and the wind screamed in his ears. His hands trembled, but he tightened his grip on the line and willed himself forward. "You can do this. No room for second-guessing." He lowered the line sharply and his body plummeted like a missile toward the street below. His HUD calculated distances with surgical precision. [CAT: Warning. Velocity approaching critical levels.] "Not now, CAT." Closer. Closer. With his heart pounding like a war drum, Scott spotted the first lamppost and shot the grappling hook from his left wrist. ¡­ Fwhooosh¡ªCLINK! The hook latched onto the post with a satisfying snap. Using the tension of both lines, he swung wide as his momentum carried him in an arc around not just one, but two lampposts. He tightened the lines and looped around a second, then a third time, as each wrap jerked his tired body with bone-rattling force. The helicopter bucked in the air and its engines roared in protest as the lines pulled taut. "FUCKIN'' HELL!" Trickshot cursed from the cockpit. "What the hell''s this guy doing?!" The final loop snapped the lampposts toward each other, bending their steel frames. He dug his heels into the ground and braced himself. Every muscle in his body screamed as he pulled the line back with everything he had. His arms felt like they were splintering under the pressure, but he roared, refusing to let go. "Move, you piece of junk!" Trickshot screamed, slamming the controls as the helicopter strained against the lines. ¡­ SCREEEECH¡ªBANG! The helicopter couldn''t hold. The undercarriage scraped against the taut lines as it was violently yanked downward. It spiraled out of control and slammed into the ground with a deafening crash. ¡­ BOOOOM!! Fire erupted from the wreckage. Scott collapsed, detaching the lines as his chest heaved. His lungs burned like they were filled with acid, and his entire body trembled from exertion. [Livestream: 230,000 viewers] [HOLY FCKING SHT, HE DID IT!!] [THAT WAS CINEMA. THIS IS PEAK CONTENT.] [IS THIS REAL LIFE?! SOMEONE CLIP THIS!!!] ©¸ [How many times do we have to say it is, chat? ????] [BROOOOOOO!!! NIGHTWATCH IS HIM!!!] [MY HEART STOPPED, OMG.] [Can we talk about how the lampposts bent like that though?! That''s insane strength.] [Dropped a $500 dono. This dude deserves it.] [I don''t even care if it''s scripted. 10/10 content.] ©¸ [Bruh, it''s not fucking scripted. Are you daft?] --- Scott barely had time to recover before movement from the wreckage caught his attention. Trickshot crawled out first with a face smeared with blood and soot. A low groan followed as a tied up Peak emerged, clutching his side. "Where''s Grave?" Scott rasped as he forced himself upright. [CAT: Grave is unaccounted for. Scans indicate no life signs in the wreckage.] Scott''s lips curled into a snarl. "Damn it." Trickshot staggered to his feet. His wild eyes locked onto Scott. "You¡­ you son of a bitch! You ruined everything! EVERYTHING! I''ll ruin you!" Trickshot reached for a remote in his pocket. "Not a chance¡ª" Before Scott could move, a silver blur shot through the air. Trickshot screamed as a throwing needle buried itself in his hand and pinned the remote to the ground. Scott and Trickshot both turned toward the source. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A figure stood silhouetted against the moonlight atop a small, nearby building. It was an absolutely sexy woman. She stood there in her sleek, form-fitting black suit, accented with bold red straps that hugged her thirsty, gorgeous hourglass figure. She had a soft, yet oddly tough face, and a short bob that framed her innocent but dangerous beauty. This woman was truly beautiful, and the plumpness of her breasts and her butt in her tight super suit truly made her even more enticing. "Rope Girl¡­" There was deep fear in Trickshot''s voice. Meanwhile, The Peak''s expression shifted from pain to manic glee. "Rope Girl! It''s you! Finally, I''ve been a bad boy! Tie me up! Tame me, baby!" [BRO, IS THAT ROPE GIRL?!] [OMG SHE''S PERFECT.] [Seeing Rope Girl for the first time in two months?! I used to pray for times like these ????????] [PLEASE STEP ON ME, QUEEN.] [Is it me, or does her suit look tighter today? ????] [Rope Girl is GOATED. Nightwatch better wife her up.] [SOMEONE CLIP THIS. I NEED HD.] [LMAO, The Peak''s down bad. ????] ©¸ [Who even invited his ass?] --- Rope Girl tilted her head as her face twisted in disgust. "Pathetic¡­" Trickshot grinned through the pain as he raised his remote. "Let''s see how pathetic you think I am after this!" He smashed a button. From the shadows, the muffled pfft of silenced shots rang out as phase-bullets streaked through obstacles, homing in on Rope Girl. She moved in a blur, drawing her lasso and snapping it into a rigid staff. The staff spun with precision as she deflected each bullet in rapid succession. ¡­ clink! clink©¤©¤©¤©¤CLANK!! Sparks danced around her as she leaped into the air. The chat exploded. They were hoping to see a zoom-in shot of her butt in order to bless their eyes for the first time in months. But, the System immediately made the camera drones censor her butt. [Rather than meat, we got pixels ????¡­] [HOW IS SHE THIS GOOD?!] [No way she deflected ALL OF THEM!] [I''m dropping $100 right now. This is ART.] [They censored her butt again. I hate this shit.] [This woman is a goddess, and I''ll die on this hill.] --- Rope Girl didn''t waste a second. Trickshot hurled a grenade at her in desperation, but she intercepted it mid-air with her lasso and whipped it into the sky where it exploded harmlessly. She landed with a roll and used that momentum to carry into a devastating stomp that slammed Trickshot''s head into the pavement. He passed out instantly. [SHE JUST ENDED HIM.] [Trickshot''s head made a dent. Y''all see that?!] [HOW CAN SOMEONE BE THIS COOL?!] [I want her to step on me like that. No cap.] [Nightwatch + Rope Girl = Unbeatable Duo. I''m so fuckin'' here for it, dawg. ????????????] --- Scott staggered to his feet and watched as Rope Girl adjusted her gloves. She glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. "You alright?" Scott gave her a weak thumbs-up. "Y-, Yeah¡­ thanks for the assist." She nodded once. "You looked like you needed it." "Yeah, I guess¡­" Scott did his best to look at anything but her. It was so weird to meet another hero as Nightwatch, especially one so drop dead gorgeous. ¡ºWow, she''s beautiful¡­ like a lot¡­¡» He didn''t know what to say. Rope Girl folded her arms under her perky breasts, then tilted her head as she looked a bit curious. "So, what''s your name¡­?" Her nose sexily scrunched up. Chapter 55 Explosive Conclusion Abandoned Military Compound, Meteor City¡­The television buzzed with canned laughter as Mist clutched a popcorn bowl as her body shook with laughter. "Oh my God! Ted is such an idiot!" Mist wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "How does someone fumble a girl like Robin? She''s like¡­ kinda, perfect!" On the other end of the sagging sofa, Dark Elf nodded slowly with her crimson eyes closed in what could only be described as her version of a laugh. She was impossibly still, but the slight twitch at the corner of her lips gave her away. "It''s just one of those things¡­" Dark Elf tossed a popcorn kernel into her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully. "But if we''re talking characters, I prefer Marshall. The guy''s solid. Dedicated to his fianc¨¦e¡ªand I read a few posts online that said he turns out to be a great father, too." Mist blinked, then nodded eagerly. "Okay, I''ll give you that. Marshall''s like¡­ the ultimate husband material. But can we all agree the real horrible person here is Barney? Like, seriously. Who does that many horrible things to women? And with a name like Barney?!" Dark Elf smirked mildly, then popped another kernel into her small mouth. "I kinda like him, actually." Mist''s expression shifted to a horrified frown. "No way. Absolutely not. He''s a horrible¡ªugh! He''d be better off dead!" Dark Elf shrugged, unbothered. "At least he''s not a bully." "HEY©¤©¤!" Mist glared at her, indignant. Dark Elf reached out and patted Mist on the shoulder with an exaggerated calmness. "Relax¡­" She said with a low yawn. "Now, pass me the water." Muttering under her breath, Mist grabbed the bottle and handed it over. Dark Elf sat upright and twisted the cap open, but just as she was about to take a sip, her ears twitched. She froze and her posture stiffened. Mist tilted her head as her brows furrowed. "What''s wrong?" Dark Elf''s eyes narrowed as her gaze darted to the boarded-up window. "I can''t believe it." Mist sat up straighter as she grew more concerned. "What? What is it?" Dark Elf stood abruptly as she shoved the water bottle aside, and reached for the weapons strewn across the table. She strapped a pair of knives to her thighs, secured her special retractable swords on her, and locked her shuriken pouch on the side of her curvy hips. "Mist¡­ your teammate. Nightwatch. He''s here." Mist blinked, then her face lit up with relief. "He came! I knew he''d come for me!" Dark Elf whipped around. "No. That''s a bad thing." Mist''s smile faltered. "Huh?" She tilted her head, trying to piece it together. Then her face brightened again. "Ohhh, I get it. Because now that he''s here, you''ll have to pull out of this whole contract, right?" Dark Elf scowled. "No, idiot. Listen to me. If it were Grave or Trickshot coming here, they wouldn''t need stealth tech. They''d make their entrance loud and clear. But the fact it''s Nightwatch means Grave already knows he''s here¡ªand he didn''t bother to warn me." Mist shrugged, still clutching the popcorn. "Maybe he doesn''t know? Nightwatch is pretty good at what he does." Dark Elf shook her head vehemently as she slung a crossbow over her shoulder. "Grave''s on a different level entirely. Trust me, he knows. And the fact he didn''t warn me means he''s planning to blow this entire compound to hell the second Nightwatch sets foot inside." Mist shot to her feet, her face pale. "WHAT?! But¡­ B-, But I thought you guys were allies or something?!" "We''re not allies. Grave doesn''t give a damn about me, you, or anyone else. All he cares about is getting the job done, no matter what. And that means we need to leave. Now." Dark Elf bolted up the stairs with soundless footsteps. Clutching the popcorn bowl like her life depended on it, Mist stumbled after her. "Wait! Wait! What''s the plan?! Where are we even going?! Uhh, Elfie©¤©¤?!" Dark Elf didn''t bother looking back. "Plan? There''s no plan. We get out of here before this place turns into a crater." Mist groaned tiredly. Her legs burned as she struggled to keep up. "I liked it better when we were just watching sitcoms¡­" Dark Elf glanced over her shoulder. "Yeah, well. Welcome to reality, princess." Ahead of them, the Automated Stealth Vehicle that Scott had sent was inching closer. But, the couldn''t see it¡­ yet. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott froze as he stared at Rope Girl, who stared back at him with those cold, calculating black eyes. The two stood in complete silence. Neither said a word. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Scott''s heart hammered in his chest. He could feel the judgment radiating from the chat. --- [HELLO?! SAY SOMETHING!] [This is PAINFUL. MOVE, NIGHTWATCH.] [Oh my God, if he fumbles this, I''m gonna lose it.] [SHE NEVER TALKS TO ANYONE. BRO, SHE ASKED YOU A QUESTION. DO SOMETHING.] [Rope Girl doesn''t even talk to her agent, and now she''s out here chatting with YOU?! NIGHTWATCH, IF YOU SCREW THIS UP, YOU''RE DONE.] [This is why some of y''all stay single ????????????] [He''s just standing there¡­ menacingly.] [HOLY HELL, ROPE GIRL IS TALKING TO HIM. THIS IS RARE FOOTAGE.] [WHAT DO YOU MEAN "SAY YOUR NAME"? SAY YOU FRIGGIN'' LOVE HER.] --- Rope Girl was undeniably beautiful, but Scott wasn''t too distracted by her looks right now. ¡ºBeautiful women¡­ I''ve seen enough of those¡­¡» His mind was more focused on figuring out his next move, though her sudden appearance did add an unexpected twist to the situation. He blinked and finally broke the silence. "Eh, sorry¡­ come again?" Rope Girl didn''t so much as flinch. Calmly, she shifted her weight onto her other hip and her suit creaked ever so slightly as the bold red straps emphasized her massive curves. "I said¡­ what''s your name?" Her voice was cool, measured, and sharp as a blade. Scott opened his mouth, about to a reply, but before he could answer, CAT interrupted. [CAT: Priority alert. Grave located approximately 200 meters southwest. Visual feed from Drone 8 is available.] Scott didn''t hesitate. "Uhh, catch you later©¤©¤!!" He turned on his heel and bolted toward the location, leaving Rope Girl mid-sentence. "Wait!" She raised a hand to stop him and her fingers curled slightly as though she wanted to grab onto him. But it was too late¡­ Scott was already disappearing down the street. "¡­ He could''ve at least said his name¡­" Rope Girl muttered to herself. "These new heroes really need some manners." Her brows pressed together as she watched him go. Meanwhile¡­ The Peak had been watching the exchange, still cuffed and thoroughly unimpressed. He shifted his hands against the unyielding restraints and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Man, this is fuckin'' ridiculous." He glanced at the inhibitor collar on his neck. "This damn thing''s making it impossible to use my powers. I''m so fuckin'' pissed at this shit!" Rope Girl walked over to him without a word. Her cold, empty eyes locked onto his and sent a tantalizing shiver down his shaky spine. "Uh¡­" The Peak chuckled nervously. "You don''t need to look at me like that, darling. I''ll break out of this any second now." She didn''t respond. Instead, she swiped her hand down and tore the metal cuffs with ease like they were made of paper. "Next time, try not to cuss so much. It''s disgusting." She said flatly. She turned to leave, but The Peak couldn''t help himself. Grinning through his bloody teeth, he called out. "Hey, you''ve got a thick, juicy a¡ª" ¡­ WHAM! Her knee slammed into his groin with brutal precision, and The Peak collapsed to the ground, wheezing. "Filth¡­" She stepped over his writhing body and walked away. "Worth it¡­" The Peak groaned with tears and a smile on his face. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, Scott dashed through the streets as the comments in his livestream blew up. [YOU LEFT HER?!] [This man is hopeless. I''m never watching this stream ever again. EVER.] [Rope Girl asked for his NAME, and he ran off. ????] [Okay, but maybe he''s playing the long game? Idk.] [Bro, if she talked to me, I''d never shower again.] [Ignoring women is NOT a flex. Do better, man.] [Leave him alone, chat. He''s got priorities and y''all need to understand that. Grave > Simping.] [Real heroes stay focused on the mission. Y''all wouldn''t understand. Dumb MFs (¡ä-¦É_-£à)¡­] --- Scott ignored the chaos in his feed as his eyes continued to scan the area. "Where is he¡­?" A voice suddenly rang out behind him, chillingly familiar. "Looking for me?" Scott spun around to see Grave standing in the middle of the street. The man''s dark trench coat billowed slightly in the wind, and the visor of high-tech helmet glowed red. Scott frowned. "Where''d you get that shitty fit? Looks like a knockoff general uniform from Star Conflicts." Grave shook his head, greatly unimpressed. "I''m not here to talk." Before Scott could reply, Grave tilted his head slightly, as if listening to someone. The faint crackle of a comm line buzzed in his ear. "GRAVE! What the hell are you still doing there? I just got word that Rope Girl''s active in your region. You need to leave. Now." "But I have target B in sight¡­" Grave replied coolly. "I don''t give a damn about target B! All that matters is Elena Vargas dead and the technophages in my hands. Do I make myself clear?" "Crystal¡­" Grave muttered as he straightened his posture. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [WAIT, WHO THE HELL IS THIS DUDE TALKING TO?!] [LMAO, he''s out here acting so nonchalant but he''s just a friggin'' henchmen. Comedic asf! ????] [Grave just lost so much aura points it''s crazy. ????] [Keyboard warriors: "Grave ain''t scary." Reality: He''d kill y''all on sight.] [Doesn''t matter who''s calling the shots, Grave''s still a menace. Argue with a wall.] [Target B? Who''s target B?!] --- Grave stood upright, then brushed off his coat. "We''ll finish this another time, Nightwatch." Scott chuckled. "What''s the matter? Scared?" "Not in the slightest." The man in black and red pulled out a small remote from his pocket and nodded. "You must''ve heard by now. Elena Vargas is dead." Scott''s breath hitched. The words cut deep, but he forced himself to stay composed no matter what. Beneath his mask, his teeth were gritting. "And so what? It was bound to happen eventually." Grave chuckled in the empty street. "Good¡­" His gloved hand waved the sleek, compact remote. "I prefer it this way." With a press of a button, a red holographic screen projected above the remote and displayed an aerial view of an abandoned military compound. Scott''s heart sank as he recognized it. His voice trembled with suppressed rage. "You wouldn''t." Grave''s grin widened. If only Scott could see it. "I hope you don''t mind if I add two more to the list." Scott''s eyes widened under his mask. "Mist and your ally, Dark Elf, are there!" "If only I cared¡­" "You bastard¡­ I knew you guys were going to do this from the beginning, yet somehow I thought¡­" Grave cut him off with a calm but menacing tone. "You thought Trickshot would underestimate you? He did. But I didn''t. As if someone of your caliber couldn''t produce a stealth vehicle or team to break her out of there the moment we left the compound. Oh c''mon, I wouldn''t look down on your abilities, that would be an insult, wouldn''t it?" Scott''s hands balled into fists. "What do you want, Grave?!" Grave''s visor glinted ominously. "To break you." Before Scott could react, the holographic display showed the compound erupting in a massive explosion. Flames and debris shot into the sky as the structure crumbled into ash. The Automated Stealth Vehicle on its way to the compound was caught just shy of the blast radius and veered off course. Scott fell to his knees as his body trembled. He stared at the ground with an incapacitated mind. Grave''s voice was like a ghost in the wind. "We''ll meet again." With that, Grave disappeared into the shadows. [What just happened?!] [HE BLEW THEM UP?!] [OMG. MIST. NOOOOOO.] [This is so messed up. Nightwatch, why the fuck didn''t you stop him?!] [BRUH. YOU HAD ONE JOB.] [Okay, but like¡­ was this preventable?] [How''s he supposed to prevent an explosion? Y''all are trippin.] [???? Rip Mist and Dark Elf. They too good for this world.] [Oh no¡­ Mist¡­ I can''t believe it.] [Bro. I can''t even watch this anymore.] [He''s just sitting there¡­ SAY SOMETHING, MAN.] [Somebody drop condolences. This is so awkward.] [¡­ Should we donate or something?] --- Scott barely noticed the chaos in the chat. His eyes stayed glued to the scorched ground as a single thought played on repeat in his mind. ¡ºWhat have I done?¡» Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past him, and Emma appeared in her hazmat suit wrinkling awkwardly as she struck an exaggerated stretch. Her smile was as bright as ever. "Heya!" Her angelic voice chirped. "Feeling so much better now that my speed''s back! Some scientists from MegaCorp got me the antidote so I''m feeling way, wayyy, better! Absolute magic!" She twiddled her thumbs and looked at Scott shyly. "Sooo¡­ uh, can we, y''know¡­ kiss now?" Scott lifted his gaze, his voice hollow. "She''s dead." Emma blinked. "Uh¡­ who''s dead?" "Mist." Scott''s voice cracked. "She''s dead." Emma''s bright smile vanished instantly. Her eyes went wide with shock as she dropped to her knee, then crawled over to him. Wrapping her arms around his head, she pulled him close to her chest so he could lay his tired head on her breasts. "Shh¡­ don''t worry about anything¡­" Emma murmured in soft and soothing way. "Y-, You''ll be fine, okay? You''ll be fine." Scott buried his face deeper into her chest as his body vibrated with anger. [System Notice: Subject Mist is in critical condition. Confirmed not deceased.] Scott''s head snapped up. "She''s not dead?!" Emma flinched. "Wha-, What''s wrong?!" She sniffed herself. "Do I smell?! NO! I promise I shower three times a day! It''s definitely the gas!" Scott waved her off with a quick, placating gesture and pulled off his mask. "What do you mean she''s not dead?" [REPLAYING SATELLITE FEED¡­] A video clip appeared on his HUD, showing Dark Elf pulling Mist out of the compound just before the explosion. Scott let out a shaky exhale as relief flooded his mind. "Activate stealth-tech override. Redirect the ASV to Woodhull Private Hospital. Now." [Affirmative.] The chat was in shambles. [Wait¡­ WHAT?!] [She''s ALIVE?!] [What is even going on rn? ????] [Bro, I can''t keep up with this rollercoaster.] [Okay, but Dark Elf? MVP.] [Nightwatch: From zero to hero.] [Chat, are we sure this isn''t all staged? Like, what even was that explosion timing?] ©¸ [Bro, don''t be dumb for fuck''s sake. ????] ©¸ [Likeeee, fr. It''s obviously not fake. Ugh.] [Not gonna lie, I''m emotionally drained.] --- Scott turned and sprinted back toward the hotel. Emma called after him. "Wait! Where are you going?!" "To get my car. I have to get to Meteor City!" Scott shouted without slowing down. Emma zipped in front of him in a blur, hands on her hips. "Babe, chill. I can take you there. I''ve got my speed back, remember?" Scott paused, slightly thrown off, then nodded. "Alright. Let''s go." Emma grinned, scooped him up in her arms, and zoomed off, leaving the chat to spiral into confusion. [What just happened?] [My screen went black for a moment¡­] [Can someone explain the last few secs? My brain is fried.] [I think it was technical issues or something¡­ yunno, since everyone''s screen went dark. ????] ©¸ [Yeahhh, that''s probably it!] [This is why I subbed. Best stream ever.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Destroyed Military Compound, Meteor City¡­ Dark Elf held an unconscious Mist in her arms as she tried to shake her awake, but there was no response. "Mist! MIST! MIST!" She shouted her name several times, but there was still no response. If it hadn''t been for the fact that Mist was still breathing and her heart was beating, Dark Elf would''ve said she was as good as dead. She herself was in bad condition, but Mist was worse. Half of Mist''s face was burned, and her super suit was badly burned as well. Considering high heat was one of her biggest weaknesses, it made sense that she had suffered such great damage. Dark Elf gritted her teeth in frustration. "High heat disrupts vapor¡­" She couldn''t forget that statement, especially now. Just then, the Automated Stealth Vehicle drove right in front of Dark Elf, and all four of its doors opened. "Huh¡­?" That was all a confused Dark Elf could say. Chapter 56 Conclusions Woodhull Private Hospital ¨C ICU Hallway¡­Dark Elf stood in a dark corner. Gwen was rushed in on a stretcher and medics barked instructions and navigated the tight hallway with precision. Dr. Rosen was at the helm. Thanks to Emma, who made a call and promised to handle all the expenses, the doctor wasn''t afraid to use the full limit of their medical technology. "Third-degree burns, massive internal damage, possible respiratory complications¡­ God, where do you find people with these kinds of injuries?" Dr. Rosen muttered in exasperation. She still hasn''t forgotten about the masked vigilante that came here a some time ago. The woman snapped her gloves into place. "Oh, Emma¡­ you want to overwork me, don''t you?" Her assistants didn''t respond; they were too busy stabilizing Gwen''s vitals. Dr. Rosen shook her head as her expression darkened. "Forget it. Focus. I want her in the ICU yesterday!" The team disappeared through the swinging doors and left Dark Elf in heavy silence. "Finally¡­" She leaned against the cold wall as her own injuries protested against every movement. Her hands clenched as she stared at the now-empty hallway. "Stay alive, kid¡­" she muttered under her breath. With that, she turned and vanished into the night. --- Hospital Entrance ¨C Minutes Later¡­ Scott and Emma burst through the glass doors, both of them frantic but in different ways. Scott''s breathing was ragged while his legs still trembled from exhaustion and the residual effects of the gas. "Where''s the elf?" he demanded in a hoarse voice. Emma glanced around quickly. Her sharp eyes scanned the area. "Hold on, babe, I''ll do a quick search." Before he could respond, she was gone and the wind she created whipped at his face. ¡­ zip©¤©¤©¤©¤WHOOOOSH!! Within seconds, she was back, shaking her head. "No sign of her." Scott ran a hand through his hair as he exhaled sharply. "Great. Just great." Emma stepped closer and cupped his face with her small, slender hands and forced him to look at her. Her beautiful, yellow eyes were steady and warm, even as her voice held a slight edge. "Hey¡­" She spoke softly and affectionately. "Don''t be so hard on yourself, okay? We don''t know if Dark Elf''s with us or against us, but she saved Gwen. That counts for something. Can we just¡­ focus on that for now?" Scott closed his eyes and let out a very shaky breath before finally nodding. "You''re right. You''re right. Thanks, Emma." A small smile spread across her face, and she leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips. --- ICU Hallway ¨C Half an Hour Later¡­ Scott and Emma sat together on one of the hard plastic benches outside the ICU. Emma''s hand was wrapped tightly around his to ground him as they waited. His body felt like it could give out at any moment, but he stayed upright, refusing to break until he knew Gwen was okay. Emma patted his knee gently. "I''m gonna grab us some snacks, alright? You''ve gotta be starving by now." Scott managed a weak smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Em." She winked at him and zipped away, leaving him alone in the silent hallway. Moments later, he heard hurried footsteps. ¡­ Huh? Looking up, his stomach plopped as he saw Grace and Tess storming toward him. Their faces was half panic, half fury. Scott stood and approached them cautiously. "Tess, Grace, listen¡ª" Tess cut him off as her finger pointed directly at him like a weapon. "Haven''t I done enough for you©¤©¤?! I know I''m not your mother, but haven''t I done enough for you?!" His mouth opened, but no words came out. Tess''s voice rose, raw and trembling. "I got a call that my daughter is in critical condition, and you¡ªyou were missing, she was missing, and now this?!" She threw her hands in the air. "Do you have any idea how much I''ve had to deal with in the past month because of you?! How much more do you think I can take before I break? I''m not a machine, Scott! You can''t keep making me suffer like this!" "Tess¡­ please, just listen to me¡ª" "NO!" Tess screamed. Her eyes were red, and her voice cracked with emotion. "Shut your mouth! I don''t want to hear it! I don''t care what you have to say!" Grace stepped between them and placed a gentle hand on Scott''s chest. "Scott, maybe it''s best if you give us some space for now. This is a lot for her to handle." Scott''s hands balled into fists at his sides. His shoulders were vibrating. "I get it, okay? I get it." He looked at Tess. "I hope Gwen gets better. I really do." His voice was soft but heavy with pain. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away very exhaustedly. Grace turned to Tess with furrowed brows. "Don''t you think that was a bit too harsh?" Tess didn''t answer. She simply marched toward the ICU doors with a face of stone. --- Emma had been standing in the corner, her arms full of canned drinks and snack bars. She didn''t make a sound as she watched Scott walk away with his shoulders slumped in defeat. Her usually bright smile darkened, and her grip tightened around the cans. She took a shaky breath and whispered to herself. "Scott¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ New York City¡­ The Peak groaned as he struggled to his feet while every fiber of his body ached like hell. "FAAAACK! I need that bitch to hit me harder in the balls next time¡­ ohoho, it feels so fuckin'' good!" His once-pristine super suit was now covered in dirty and debris, while his legs wobbled dangerously as he stood in the ruined intersection. The air reeked of smoke, charred metal, and desperation. From afar, a growing sound drew his attention. Voices, cameras clicking, and hurried footsteps. A crowd of civilians, reporters, and photographers surged toward him like he was sugar. The Peak straightened up, brushed off the grime with a weak smile plastered across his bruised face. "Showtime¡­" He forced himself to stand taller despite the throbbing pain all over his body. The first to arrive was none other than Judy Cho. The sharp-eyed anchor from Metro 7 News. She skidded to a halt, microphone in hand, and turned to face the camera with a look of disbelief. "I can''t believe this, but¡­ it seems The Peak has saved us from¡­ whatever catastrophe struck the city!" The murmurs of the gathering crowd quickly swelled into excited chatter. "Wait, The Peak? That guy?" "Didn''t think he could handle anything bigger than a PR campaign¡­" "Isn''t he the one who saves cats from trees?" "I thought he was all talk!" The Peak''s left eye twitched. He clenched his fists, forcing the trademark smirk to stay plastered on his face. "Oh, they love to underestimate me, don''t they?" He managed to keep smiling, albeit like a psycho. Ignoring the pain in his side, he strutted toward Judy as his battered body screamed with every step. As he reached her, he draped an arm over her shoulder and rested nearly all his weight on her. "It''s your boy, The Peak!" He announced with exaggerated charm. "Yes, yes, I''ve done it again. Another crisis averted, another city saved by yours truly. You all should be thankful to live in a world with someone as great as me." Judy''s forced smile barely masked her discomfort as she tried to shift his weight off her without drawing attention. ¡ºFuck, I thought Nightwatch would be the one to stop all this. Sigh~ I wanted to interview him¡­¡» "Uh, right¡­ The Peak, the people want to know¡ªhow did you manage to stop all this destruction? Especially when other heroes with force-genes struggled?" The Peak let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, Judy, Judy, Judy¡­ I''m different, you see." He puffed out his chest. "What can I say? Talent. Dedication. A little bit of genius. And, of course¡­" He flashed his best smile at the camera. "A heart of gold. But alas, I can''t give away all my secrets. I''ll have to save that for my next motivational seminar! Or better yet¡ªmy new book and upcoming movie! Stay tuned, heroes. I''m here to teach you how to be great like me." The crowd''s whispers turned into applause. "Well, he is still standing¡­" "And he does look like he''s been through a lot¡­" "No other heroes are around. It must have been him¡­" The hesitant claps snowballed into a chorus of cheers and chants. "PEAK! PEAK! PEAK!" The Peak''s originally confused grin widened as he began clapping for himself. "Haha! Alright! Now that''s what I''m talking about! Peak Squad, let''s go!" Judy shot him a sidelong glance as her professionalism barely held up under his obnoxious display. Her eyes drifted downward and narrowed slightly as she noticed something¡­ off. "Uh, Mr. Peak¡­" She pointing her microphone toward the dark, damp stain on his pants. "What''s that?" The Peak froze as his smug expression faltered for just a split second. The foul odor from him already said what that wet area in his pants was, but Judy asked nonetheless. "Uhh¡­ it''s¡­ blood!" The Peak confidently answered. "Battle scars, Judy! Proof of my heroic sacrifice. Pretty gnarly, huh?" He flexed weakly for emphasis. Judy blinked, unimpressed, but the crowd erupted into another round of cheers. "The Peak bleeds for us!" "He''s a real hero after all!" "Damn right!" The Peak yelled as he threw a fist in the air. "I''m a man of the people!" As the chants grew louder, The Peak basked in the misplaced glory as the pain in his body was all but forgotten. He turned to the camera with his most dazzling smile. "This city doesn''t deserve me¡­ but it needs me." The applause roared. Behind the crowd, Rope Girl watched silently from a rooftop, her arms crossed. She sighed deeply as she shook her head. "Unbelievable¡­" she muttered. But even she had to admit, for all his flaws, The Peak sure knew how to put on a show. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Rooftop¡­ A gust of wind blew past the rooftop, carrying with it a faint whoosh that barely sounded in the quiet night. Emma appeared in an instant with her hair wild from the wind as she scanned the area. Her chest heaved as she tried to calm herself down. "Did he already leave?" She paced along the edge of the rooftop. "No¡­ no, I would''ve noticed. I''d know." She turned in circles as her sharp yellow eyes darted around until they finally caught a familiar figure. There he was¡ªScott. Sitting at the edge of the building with his legs crossed, his posture hunched, and his gaze locked on the entirety of Meteor City below. The city lights reflected faintly in his eyes, which looked far older than his years. Emma stopped pacing. She placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. "Okay, Em¡­ you got this. He''s had a hard time. Probably the worst day he''s had in¡­ ever. And yeah, you don''t have a magic fix. But you don''t need one." Her fingers curled into fists briefly before she shook them out. "It''s your job as his girlfriend¡ªnot wife, stop jumping the gun¡ªto be here for him. That''s it. Just¡­ be there. I''m not doing this to score emotional points from him or gain some of his love. All I want is to be there for him!" Decision made, Emma zipped toward him in a blink and settled down beside him at the edge of the rooftop. She dangled her legs over the side, swinging them playfully as she gave him a soft smile. Scott noticed her out of the corner of his eye. He forced a weak, tired smile and gestured to her arms, which were still loaded with snack bars and drinks. "Oh. You finally got the snacks¡­" His voice sounded very hoarse. Emma nodded. "Yup. And you should eat one already. You look like you''re about to pass out." She reached out and grabbed his face gently, squishing his pallid cheeks as she tugged them apart playfully. "Come ooonnn, Scottie. Eat my snack¡­ OR you can eat MY snack~ ?" Scott let out a small, breathy laugh and swatted her hands away. "Alright, alright. Geez, you''re persistent." He grabbed one of the bars from her pile, tore it open with his teeth, and took a massive bite. Chewing slowly, he finally chuckled¡ªa real, unforced sound. Emma grinned and pouted dramatically. "Awww~! I''m so jealous of that wrapper." Scott gave her a pointed side-eye as his lips twitched in some amusement. "That''s¡­ a little desperate, don''t you think?" Emma shrugged with a wide grin. "Meh. Your loss." She unwrapped her own snack bar and took a delicate nibble and swung her legs idly. The night settled around them. Scott chewed in silence for a moment, but the sadness in his eyes hadn''t fully disappeared. It clung to him like a heavy and suffocating cloud. Emma noticed, of course. She always noticed. She leaned closer, her tone softening. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You okay? I saw those women yelling at you earlier. Were they, like¡­ your parents or something?" Scott snorted bitterly. "Parents? No. I wish my parents would scold me¡ªor, I don''t know, acknowledge that I exist once in a while." Emma frowned, unsure how to respond. She sighed heavily, then wrapped an arm around his shoulders to pull him closer. "Come on, babe. What''s wrong? You can talk to me." Scott''s jaw clenched. His teeth ground together audibly as he struggled to form words. Finally, he let out a shaky breath and spoke with a low and rough voice. "You want the truth? Fine. Here it is." Emma stayed quiet as her grip on him tightened slightly. "I''m tired, Em. I''ve been fighting for so long today, I can''t even remember when I started. And now I''m here, watching Gwen suffer while her mom tears me apart like I''m some kind of criminal. Meanwhile, I''ve got poison in my lungs, my body''s screaming from all the hits and bullets I''ve taken, and I''ve barely eaten or drunk anything since this morning." His voice cracked slightly, but he pushed on. "I''m hurt. I''m angry. I want to go home, but being here just¡­ it makes me feel like I''m going to explode. Like I want to¡ª" He cut himself off as he exhaled sharply and rubbed his hands over his face. He stared down at his hands and his face hardened. "And on top of all that, I''ve got blood on these hands now. Sure, it was necessary. I had to do it. But it¡­ it doesn''t change the fact that I feel¡ªdifferent." Emma watched him carefully. Her heart broke a little more with every word. This was the first time that she genuinely felt like someone else''s pain was her pain. ¡ºI''m not altruistic in any sense if I''m being honest. I haven''t truly embraced that side of heroing¡­ but whenever I look at the young man in front of me al-, all I-, all I want to do is take away all his pain and endure it for him.¡» Finally, she sighed and leaned back slightly. "Scott¡­ do you want to be a hero?" He blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "What does that have to do with anything?" She tilted her head and kept her gaze steady. "Just answer me. Do you want to be a hero?" Scott hesitated, then nodded. "Well¡­ yeah." Emma reached out and pressed her finger to the center of his forehead to poke him gently. "Then quit complaining and be one." Scott blinked again, stunned into silence. Emma smiled softly as her tone went a little firmer. "Look, Scottie. I need someone to look up to, okay? And right now, you''re not exactly painting a great picture for the legend of the man I can''t stop loving." For a moment, Scott stared at her as his cracked lips twitched faintly. Then, slowly, a small, genuine smile broke through the clouds of his exhaustion. "Yeah. You''re right¡­" he murmured. "Thanks, Em." Emma grinned and gave him a playful nudge. "Anytime, Scottie. Now hurry up and eat. You''re no good to me dead." They sat there together, the city sprawled out below them, and for the first time that day, Scott felt a little lighter. "So¡­" Emma mumbled. Scott smiled at her. "So¡­ what?" Their hands crawled towards each other and soon they wrapped tightly together. Emma smiled even more, and Scott did the same. "So, wanna screw me back at my place?" "Aaaaand, you ruined the precious moment¡­" "Sorry, habit¡­" Emma''s face turned sad. Scott then gave her a suggestive, side-eye. "I guess I''ll have to screw you to get out some of my frustrations, huh?" "YES!" Emma''s eyes lit up like bulbs. Her reaction shocked even Scott, and he already expected that kind of response. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Finally, Emma and Scott will get spicy next chapter. Just two more chapters and we''re done with vol. 1. For obvious reasons, Scott will be living with Emma from vol. 2. Chapter 57 ~Intermission~ Buying Condoms The cold night air stung their skin as Scott and Emma walked through the quiet streets of Meteor City. Their breaths puffed out in little white clouds before fading away. Both of them had their hands buried deep in their pockets, trying to fight off the biting chill, though it didn''t seem to help much."Man¡­" Emma hunched her shoulders. "Yunno, I really wish I''d grabbed a coat or something. This is brutal." Scott nodded as his lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Yeah. Feels like the city''s trying to freeze us solid." Emma blew into her hands and rubbed them together briefly before tucking them back into her pockets. "Wouldn''t be surprised if it succeeded. Meteor City''s like that¡ªhostile, dangerous, unforgiving¡­ basically a real-life boss fight." Scott let out a quiet chuckle but didn''t answer right away. His eyes drifted over the dark streets, where dim neon signs from old, run-down shops flickered. He turned his head slightly to look at Emma. "So¡­ no superheroes stationed here, huh?" Emma shook her head. "Nope. Not really." "None at all?" "Well, I mean¡­" She tilted her head to think. "There''s a few who claim to protect this place. Rope Girl, Deathmark, Black Dragon, and a couple of others." Scott raised a brow. "Uhh¡­ Deathmark? Black Dragon? Those sound more like supervillain names than anything." Emma burst out laughing. "Right? It''s like Meteor City only attracts edgy try-hards and people with questionable branding choices. But hey, it fits the vibe." Scott folded his arms and let out a small sigh. "Why''s that? I mean, why are all the heroes here so¡­ you know, that type?" Emma shrugged. "Because the softer, goody-two-shoes heroes wouldn''t last a week in this hellhole. You need people who can handle the grit. The Agency''s sent plenty of heroes here over the years, but most of them either died, got messed up so bad they had to retire, or just bailed the first chance they got." Scott''s lips tightened into a thin line as he exhaled another frosty breath. "So it''s that dangerous, huh?" Emma nodded solemnly. "Yup. Meteor City isn''t your average urban nightmare. It chews people up and spits them out, and that''s before you factor in the crime and villain population." Scott didn''t respond right away. He let the silence stretch between them as he stared at the cracked pavement underfoot. ¡ºMaybe staying here a little longer wouldn''t be such a bad idea. It''d give Tess some breathing room, and I''m pretty sure she''s still pissed at me. But damn, it''d screw with my school stuff. Then again¡­¡» He barely noticed Emma slowing her pace and turning to point her thumb at a nearby convenience store. Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey¡­ let''s stop by there and grab some condoms." Scott''s eyelids fumbled to stay open. "¡­Seriously?" It caught him completely off guard. Emma shrugged nonchalantly. "What? No matter how good sex is without a condom, we gotta be responsible, babe. You don''t want me getting pregnant, right? Imagine trying to juggle heroing with a screaming baby. Talk about career-ending injuries." Scott sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wasn''t talking about¡ªabout that! Geez, Emma!" "Oh¡­ so what were we talking about again?" Emma tilted her head innocently. Scott groaned and ran a hand down his face before stomping toward the store. "It''s just weird, okay? We were talking about Meteor City, and now suddenly we''re¡­ ugh, forget it." Emma followed after him and patted his back gently. "Hey, the current state of this city isn''t gonna screw me good tonight, so priorities." Scott sighed deeply and muttered to himself as they stepped into the convenience store. The door gave a soft jingle which caught the attention of the bored-looking clerk behind the counter. He barely looked up as he mumbled a lazy greeting. "Welcome¡­" Immediately after, he returned to his phone, where the faint sound of the most recent Nightwatch stream played quietly. Scott leaned against the counter, arms folded, as Emma wandered toward the back of the store. She stopped in front of the rack of condom packs and her eyes quickly scanned the rows thoughtfully. "Hrmm¡­" She hummed while tapping her chin. "What''s the best kind? I''ve never actually bought these before. So, it''s kinda¡­" Scott shifted uncomfortably at the counter as he avoided the clerk''s curious glance. "Babe, can you not announce that to the entire store?" Emma ignored him and pulled out her phone. "Maybe I should call Jenna for advice. She''s the expert on this kinda stuff¡ª" "Don''t even try it!" Scott hissed. Emma smiled impishly but put the phone away. Her eyes landed on a brightly colored box, and almost immediately her face lit up. She snatched it off the shelf with an exaggerated flourish. "Aha! This one looks perfect! You don''t need to be an expert to know this is the winner." She practically skipped back to the counter and waved the box triumphantly in front of Scott''s face. He groaned and buried his head in his hands. "Just¡­ pay for it and let''s go." "Alright, alright." Emma walked up to the counter with a soft smile and tossed the condom pack onto the scratched countertop. "This, please~" Her voice was so light and enticing voice. The store assistant was a tall, skinny guy with messy hair and a very tired look on his face. At first, he barely looked up from his phone. When he finally did, his eyes landed on the box. "Oh¡­ alright~" he mumbled as he reached for it. As he picked it up, his eyes lingered on the packaging, and his brows furrowed slightly. Then, as realization hit, his eyes widened. "Whoa¡­ you''re really going for Vixen Shield condoms?" Emma tilted her head, then blinked in confusion. "Uh¡­ yeah? Why? Are they bad or something?" The assistant quickly shook his head, looking almost offended at the suggestion. "No way! These are top-tier. Like, the best you can get. Premium stuff. Ultra-thin, super durable, and they''ve got this¡­ uh¡­ special ''enhanced sensation'' tech or something. I think it was an ultra-sensitive gel formula or so. They''re practically legendary." Scott was leaning against the counter with his arms crossed when he raised an eyebrow. He reached out, grabbed the box, and started looking it over. "Vixen Shield, huh¡­" He turned it over in his hands. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a moment, his lips quirked into a dry smirk. "Man, that Foxgirl sure was getting busy." Truly, she was. The product''s slogan was: "Fierce Protection, Wild Satisfaction." The centerpiece of the front cover featured an image of a sultry fox girl in a very seductive pose. Her fox ears were perked, and her fluffy tail was strategically wrapped around her curvaceous body, providing tasteful attraction. She held a sleek, foil-wrapped condom card between her teeth. Her superhero outfit was partially torn, revealing even more of her smooth, flawless skin. The back cover mostly showcased detailed illustrations of the condom''s texture and benefits. A [Fox Tip] read: "Whether you''re saving the day or heating up the night, always stay protected." Scott tossed the box back on the counter and sighed. "These heroes are crazy¡­" That was all he could say. Emma folded her arms and nodded like she was serious. "Yup. If Foxgirl''s gonna partner with a condom company, you know it''s gotta be the best one out there. Branding''s everything, babe." The store assistant looked at Emma as his bored expression changed the longer he watched her. She was stunning¡­ her curves, hourglass figure, and natural beauty were impossible to ignore. There was something about the way she moved, so self-assured, and the way she spoke that screamed independence. For a moment, he looked confused, like he was trying to solve a puzzle about her. ¡ºWeird¡­ women this stunning are usually actresses or¡­ I dunno, influencers with a million followers. What''s someone like her doing in a dump like this?¡» His eyes drifted to the side, where a copy of Hero Weekly lay on a magazine rack. The glossy cover featured Miss Mercury in her signature pose, all radiant energy and charisma. His eyes darted back to Emma. ¡ºWait a second¡­¡» Emma stiffened slightly when she noticed the subtle change in his expression. Her lips twitched into a forced smile. ¡ºOh no. He''s probably a huge Miss Mercury fan. I know exactly where this is going.¡» She turned her head slightly, pretending to be engrossed in a rack of snack foods. The assistant, now practically vibrating with realization, glanced at the box of condoms in his hand and then back at Emma. His thoughts sprinted like a mad man. ¡ºOf course, someone this gorgeous has to be having sex. Damn, thinking about that makes my mouth water. And it''s probably with that guy next to her! Lucky bastard!¡» "Hello? Dude?" Emma''s voice snapped him out of his spiral. She was leaning over the counter now as she waved her hand in front of his face. "C''mon, answer me already. Do I need to speak to your manager or something?" The assistant jolted upright with a bright, red face. "S-, Sorry!" He hurriedly scanned the box and bagged it. As he handed the bag over, he awkwardly extended it past Emma to Scott. "Huh?" Emma said, blinking at him. The assistant cleared his throat. "A lady as beautiful as you shouldn''t have to carry anything. A man should handle it!" Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly baffled. "¡­Uh, okayyy?" Emma stared at the assistant in surprise for a moment, then let out a laugh. "Good answer, kid." She reached out and gently patted him on the head. The assistant stiffened as his face turned an even deeper shade of red while his eyes darted to the floor. Scott and Emma headed for the exit. The glass door jingled softly as they stepped outside. The assistant watched them leave, still rooted to the spot. Slowly, he reached up and touched the spot on his head where Emma''s hand had been. "I''m never washing my hair again¡­" He couldn''t be more content. Meanwhile¡­ Tess''s fingers reached for her temple and massaged the dull ache that had been plaguing her for hours. Her lips pressed flat as she muttered to herself. "Seriously, how does a hospital not have aspirin?" She sighed out her frustration. "Unbelievable¡­" She stepped forward as her heeled boots clicked softly against the concrete. Just as she was about to push the door open, something caught her eye. Her eyebrows pulled together in a slight frown as she turned her head. She saw someone she recognized. He was tall, with broad shoulders, and moved with an easy, confident stride. Beside him was a woman who stuck close to his side, clutching his arm, subtly pressing her breasts against him, and laughing very softly. Tess froze as her heart skipped a beat. "Wait a second¡­" she murmured under her breath. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward and squinted to get a better look. The young man turned slightly, and the soft glow from a nearby streetlamp illuminated his face. It was Scott. "What''s he doing here¡­?" Her gaze shifted to the woman beside him¡ªEmma. The way she leaned into him and her hand brushed his arm as they walked, made Tess feel irritated. They were laughing, completely at ease, as if the world around them didn''t exist. ¡ºIsn''t she a little too old for him¡­?¡» It didn''t sit well with Tess. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she slipped her phone from her coat pocket and her fingers went on autopilot. With a quick swipe to unlock the screen, she opened the camera app, zoomed in, and snapped a picture. As she stared at the screen, her face squeezed more. The image was crystal clear¡ªScott and Emma, close enough to look like a couple and their faces so bright with a happiness that felt oddly irritating to Tess. ¡ºDisgusting woman¡­¡» Tess gripped her phone like she wanted to crush it. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Another chapter coming! Chapter 58 Lets Wash Up! Scott and Emma stepped out of the taxi.They were now in a luxurious, spacious estate. A massive modern home stood just in front of them. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott let out a low whistle as they walked up the polished stone path. He''d been to this house before¡ªit was the starting point for their trip to Falan City. Back then, though, he hadn''t really paid attention to it. His mind had been consumed with worry for Gwen and figuring out a plan to save her while dealing with the assassins on his trail. This time, though, things were different. He wasn''t here for danger or strategy¡­ he was here for something much better. "I should''ve said this before, but¡­ nice place¡­" He adjusted the collar of his jacket as the gates slid shut behind them. Emma forced a puppy dog smile. "Awwn, b~aaabe ?!" "Psssh, so cheesy¡­" Scott snickered softly. "Tch, dick¡­" She gave him a small punch across his shoulder. Right after, her smile became soft and more genuine. "Still though, thanks a lot¡­ I try to keep it cozy. You know, for those long nights." The way she said "long nights" made Scott raise an eyebrow, though he didn''t press. They entered the house and the automated lights flickered on to reveal a spacious living room with minimalist furniture, abstract art on the walls, and a ceiling so high it could house an indoor basketball court. There was still that faint scent of lavender in the air. "Seriously, though¡­" Scott said as they climbed the grand staircase leading to the second floor. "¡­ Why even have a house in Meteor City? Seems kinda out of the way for someone like you." Emma tilted her head slightly, looking like she couldn''t even remember why she had a house here. "Believe it or not, I actually come here a lot to deal with crime spikes. Meteor City''s got its share of bad apples, and, well, somebody''s gotta clean it up." She winked at him. "Plus, it''s nice to have a retreat when I''m in the area. Helps me recharge. Oh, and don''t worry about mess or anything¡­ the maid comes every Thursday. So, no interruptions for us." Scott nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense." "You have no idea," she quipped, her tone teasing. They reached the top floor and entered one of the many bedrooms¡ªthough calling it a "bedroom" felt like an understatement. The space was massive, almost like a studio apartment. A large king-sized bed dominated the room, its navy-blue sheets perfectly tucked. Rope lights in soft shades of blue and red lined the ceiling to give the room a calming, futuristic vibe. A flat-screen TV mounted on the wall faced a cozy couch, and a state-of-the-art gaming console sat on the shelf below it. The air was warm and lightly scented, thanks to a humidifier in the corner. Scott took a slow look around, nodding in approval. "Alright, I''ll admit, this is impressive. Didn''t peg you for a gamer, though." Emma laughed softly as she flopped onto the bed. Her curvy figure sank into the soft, plush mattress. "Gotta unwind somehow, right?" She stretched lazily. "Scott~" Her voice sounded lower and sexier. The way she said his name instantly made him excited. He turned to see her curled up on the bed like a cat, her cheeks shaded an erotic color of pink and her lips parted slightly as she moaned hot and heavy breaths of pure, sex-aroused steam. She tantalizingly snaked around in the bed until her big butt peeked out just enough to draw his eyes. "Have you already forgotten why we came here~?" There was so much arousal in her voice. She wanted it more than anything. Stepping closer, Scott smirked as he picked up the box of condoms from the bed. He coolly waved it at her. "Why would I forget? Pretty sure you made it crystal clear." Emma''s lips curled into a seductive smile as she got out of the bed and started unbuttoning her shirt. Slowly, Scott could see more of her porcelain skin that he hadn''t seen before, and soon, her meaty cleavage. When her shirt was completely off, he could see her big breasts tantalizingly packaged in her black and yellow bra. Emma placed a hand on her hip and looked at him. The way he ogled her breasts made her feel even sexier. This was what she always wanted: for the man she loved to stare at her with such an aroused face. "C''mon, let''s quickly wash up¡­" With that, she took off her bra, and her breasts slapped against her body with a sharp "pah!" sound. That was just how big and meaty her breasts were. But perhaps the best part of her breasts wasn''t the size but how pretty her nipples looked. Pink and throbbingly hard. Emma had been acting like she was patiently waiting for them to get to bed and do it, but she''d been badly hungry for it since the moment he kissed her so roughly back at the event hall. ¡ºAhhh~ ? it felt so~oooo good~¡» She rushed to Scott and grabbed him from behind, her breasts pressing against his back. "C''m~oooonn ? Take off your clothes already! Let me get a good look at your peen!" "Emma¡­ don''t say it like that, geez¡­" Your next chapter is on empire "Pssh, like I care!" She managed to pull off his tee from behind, and her hands immediately wrapped around and grabbed his hard chest, making her cough out a hot, perverted giggle. "Alright, alright¡­ enough of that or I''m gonna have to grab your chest too!" "I wouldn''t mind~" Emma winked at him. With that, Scott took off his pants, and then his boxer shorts, and the moment he did, Emma slipped out of her black panties and rolled over to where Scott''s pants and boxer shorts were. "Ooo, secret treasure!" Emma picked up his boxer shorts and wrapped them around her head until it was similar to a balaclava. She then took a deep sniff of them and exhaled shakily. "Ooooo~ that''s musky ?¡­" "WHAT THE FUCK©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" Scott''s face squeezed like he''d just swallowed a sour lime. "Take that off!" "Sorry, bud, but you''re getting the big ''N.O.'' on this one, my guy¡­ tee-hee ?!" "It''s freaky!" Scott barked. "It''s a necessity, you uncultured swine, bahaha!" He fumed harder. "Get my boxers off your head, what if it has, y''know¡­ a smell!" "You can wear my panties and sniff them too, babe! And if you wanna get a little dirty, I''ll let you taste me on my ketchup dispenser days!" Scott''s face squeezed into a dry frown. "Em¡­" "Too much? Fufu~ ?!" As Emma giggled, she ran butt-naked into the bathroom, and Scott ran after her, also naked. "GOT YOU!" Scott said as he grabbed her by the waist, while the slowly hardening thing between his legs gently pressed against Emma''s soft and untouched ass cheeks. He dragged the boxers off her head so he could see her long, rich hair and spotless, beautiful face. His arms went back to wrapping around her clothless waist as his lips gently pressed against her neck. ¡­ Mhmnn~ ? Emma''s eyes closed and her neck jerked back. "Mhm-mmm ? Slow down, cowboy ??¡­" "Not yet¡­" Scott didn''t stop and continued kissing her neck and licking her collarbone. Emma enjoyed every bit of this, and it was clear in the way one of her hands stretched down there to slowly pleasure herself by applying soft and gentle strokes that made her chest heat up and her body burn. She pinched her little bean and flicked it softly. "Ueeeuhhhh~ ?!" Somehow, her other hand was able to stretch and turn on the shower that had a liquid soap dispenser installed in it, which allowed clean, soapy water to pour down on their naked bodies as they made love. Emma turned around to get a better look at Scott''s muscular body she couldn''t stop thinking about. "Looking again, your body is really beautiful¡­ I''m sure you must''ve worked during all that heroing~" Scott chuckled. "Nah¡­ you don''t get this kind of body from heroing alone. It''s something you get ahead of time, yunno, to charm¡­ certain pretty women~" "Oho~ ? Tell me more ?¡­" "Rather, I''ll wash you up a bit." After Scott said that, his hands went for her breasts, which were covered in soap, and he grabbed her there gently. He had to be gentle, or his strong hands would fly off her slippery, springy breasts. He gently massaged her breasts. More foam formed as Emma''s face turned redder and her moans grew louder. "Ahhnn©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHNN ?!!" She bit her bottom lip when she felt the stinging sensation of her nipples getting harder. "Ahh~ you''re such a bad boy, Mister Vigilante¡­ you claim you wanna clean me up and yet the first thing you go for are my breasts. Should I be worried~?" "Hehe©¤©¤©¤©¤OOOP!" Scott''s eyes bulged out a bit as Emma grabbed onto his meat rod and gently polished the cap with her soapy hand. It felt like fire ants dancing at his tip. It felt so good¡­ enough that his rod started to swell. "Actually¡­ ??" Emma leaned even closer to him. "Screw the whole bathing thing and fuck me already~" "You just spoke my mind¡­" Scott smirked. Chapter 59 Coupled! "Ahhh¡­ ??"Scott and Emma''s lips separated as their tongues remained locked together like worms snaking around each other in the most sensual way possible. The saliva that passed between them allowed them to feel the taste of each other''s mouths, which made the kiss all the more arousing. There was building heat. Tongue against tongue, and a messy mix of saliva. It was undoubtedly erotic. But perhaps what was more erotic was the way Scott had his hands wrapped around her head as if he hadn''t gotten enough of her mouth, while Emma''s hand was still grabbing onto, and now gently stroking, his shaft. There was so much foam between her hand and his meaty shank, enough to show how long she''d been rubbing her love and affection there. "I love¡­ chuu ? how hard it feels¡­" She really did. She''d been rubbing his cap like she was polishing a doorknob, doing it with such care and sensuality that Scott''s stick started to throb like it had a heartbeat. ¡­ Nghk! It throbbed so hard that it felt like he would explode. And that feeling made him squeeze his face in pain. But that throbbing sensation was what Emma couldn''t get enough of the more she stroked him. ¡ºIt feels like his peen is pulsating my name in Morse code¡­ telling me to do it more~ ?¡» That was all her mind told her. ¡ºMore¡­ ??¡» To match his height, Emma went on her toes and pushed her mouth against his even more while she continued to passionately scrub his shank with her delicate hand. Haahh¡­ ? Heut¡­ ??! The scent of soap and perfume filled their nostrils. With Emma leaned into Scott, her gorgeous body pressed firmly against his. She enticingly teased him with her tongue by flicking it across his mouth as though she wanted lick every other thing in his mouth¡­ not just his tongue or lips. ¡­ Mhmm©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHH~ ??! Her hands moved gently yet deliberately to stroke his throbbing shaft with a masterful touch. Even though no words were exchanged, the splashing sounds could tell anyone what was happening. If she kept stimulating all his senses like this, Scott knew he wouldn''t be able to hold back for long. Scott grunted heavily. "Ahh©¤©¤©¤©¤HAAAAAAH!!" His swollen cap gave up, and from its tip flowed a thick, murky stream of whites. ¡­ SPUUURT!! The thick, pasty center flowed out onto Emma''s hand. What left Scott''s mouth next was relief as he rested against the wall of the bathroom. There was a delighted but degenerate smile on Emma''s face as she kept her hand wrapped around his shank and cap as more of his white paste squeezed out with so much passion and erotic fervor. The way it felt in her hand¡­ thick, hot, and sticky. ¡ºAhh~ it feels like boiled toothpaste¡­¡» She squeezed his shank again. Even though he''d burst out a thick, white load¡­ his thing still looked and felt very beefy. "You came~ but you''re still hard~" She looked up at Scott. "Do you really find me that attractive¡­? Tee-hee ?!" Scott smirked. "More than you know¡­" Emma lifted her messy, white-stained hand up a bit and smiled at it. "That just makes me more excited." With that, she ran her tongue through her fingers. "Slurp¡­ ??" She licked everything with a smile on her face. Scott''s eyes shot open. ¡ºTo think she''d drink it¡­ crazy¡­¡» It was a surprise to him that he would even be surprised by this after all Emma had done and said. But maybe what shocked him was that she wasn''t the kind of woman who simply said dirty things and didn''t live up to it. Oddly enough, Scott felt an inward joy at this realization. "Mmh©¤©¤©¤©¤Slrrrk ??¡­" She slicked it more and more until it was finished. During all this time, Scott just watched her as she licked her palm and fingers like an innocent cat drinking milk. It was heavily arousing. "Uh¡­" Scott was at a loss for words. Finally, Emma finished licking his whites by sucking off the remaining cream on her thumb. She had such a satisfied look on her face as she swallowed it and felt it settle in her belly. But when she looked back at him, the astonished look on his face made her feel a bit odd, and because of that, she cringed a bit and hid her red face behind her hands. "C-, Can you stop looking at me like that©¤©¤?!" She parted some of her fingers so she could look at him a bit, and a rare shy expression appeared on her face. "I was just tasting¡­ you¡­" She bent her head and kept her face hidden. However, Scott was already deeply charmed. ¡ºSo cute¡­¡» Eyes wide, jaw slackened. He didn''t know what to say at this level of beauty©¤©¤the sight of an honest woman getting embarrassed after doing something perverted was truly the height of excitement for him. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Only some minutes had passed¡­ Scott and Emma were lying on the bed together. Scott was completely naked, while Emma was casually dressed in a tied bathrobe with her phone in hand as she chatted away. Scott couldn''t take his eyes off her. She had her back to him, her hips angled just enough to make her curves stand out while her robe barely concealed the tantalizing view. The sight stirred him so much that he could feel himself throbbing with need. ¡ºDamn, this is so unfair¡­¡» Unable to resist the pressure, he reached down to hold himself and tried to ease the ache as his body begged for relief. "Come on, Em¡­ can we do this already?" "Shh, just gimme a second, alright?!" "Sigh~ fuck it¡­" "... Mmmm~" Emma was currently chatting with Jenna on Instaflick. [@MercuryOfficial ? : Girl. I just made out with Scott. In the bathroom. Naked. ????????] [@M.D_Jenna : Wait¡­ who tf is Scott?] [@MercuryOfficial ? : ¡­ uh, Nightwatch.] [@M.D_Jenna : ???? Ohhh. Isn''t that, like, super secret? I thought you''d be more protective.] [@MercuryOfficial ? : Shit. You''re right. He''s gonna lose it if he finds out you know.] [@M.D_Jenna : Chill. It''s not like me or Nadia have gone blabbing about you being Miss Mercury. ????] [@MercuryOfficial ? : True. Okay, good point.] [@M.D_Jenna : Now back to the naked bathroom sesh¡ªspill. How was it? ????] [@MercuryOfficial ? : Oh, yeah, yeah¡­ Back to the important stuff¡ªgirl, the makeout session? ???????????? He had me pinned in the bathroom, and it was SO good.] [@M.D_Jenna : And now?] [@MercuryOfficial ? : We''re on the bed now, still naked. ???? About to¡­ you know. Just wondering if there''s anything I should know.] [@M.D_Jenna : Yeah, is he using a condom?] [@MercuryOfficial ? : Obviously! I''m not a child.] [@M.D_Jenna : Has he put it on yet?] Emma spun around to take a quick look, and the moment Scott noticed, he instantly felt excited and sexually prepared for her. But just as quickly as she turned, Emma faced forward again, leaving Scott to frown in disappointment. [@MercuryOfficial ? : ¡­No?] [@M.D_Jenna : Kekeke, then you gotta do the condom trick Foxgirl invented (¡¨£þ¦Ø£þ¡¨©g] [@MercuryOfficial ? : ???? WHAT. No way. That''s too freaky and slutty. Likeeee slutty AF. [@M.D_Jenna : No, it''s genius. If Foxgirl can inflate a condom with her vagina farts and still pull millions on FansOnly, nothing you do will ever be too freaky.] [@MercuryOfficial ? : Okay, fine. I''m off.] S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [@M.D_Jenna : Good luck! ? [@MercuryOfficial ? : Wait, quick¡ªwhat''s Marcus doing? It''s Saturday night.] [@M.D_Jenna : Reading.] [@MercuryOfficial ? : ???? No bitches? Pfft. What a loser.] [@M.D_Jenna : You''re naked in bed texting me, and you''re judging him?] [@MercuryOfficial ? : Shut up. Bye.] --- Emma turned off, and the moment Scott noticed this, he rolled over to Emma and grabbed her breasts from behind, pulling them out of her bathrobe. That sweet feeling of having his hands there made Emma cough out a satisfied laugh as her face went red with desire. "I think you''ve had your fun teasing me, Em¡­" "Ahh~ ? Is Mister Vigilante still hard?" "Enough that it hurts¡­" Scott squeezed her springy breasts in his hands, which made her nipples poke out even more. Then the thumb and fingers of both hands pinched them and twisted the nipples from the root while still massaging her breasts from behind. It was such an arousing feeling. So much so that Emma felt her nipples throbbing without a shred of self-control as saliva slovenly spilled from her mouth. "Ahhh©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHHNNN~ ???!" Emma''s eyes rolled back as Scott dragged her nipples. "I¡­ If you keep do©¤©¤ahhh ? doing that, I''m gonna make a mess on the bed¡­" "I''m not opposed to that, yunno?" Scott squeezed her nipples harder. "Ufufu ? If you''re gonna be like that¡­" Emma stretched her neck and grabbed a condom card with her mouth, then maneuvered with her superspeed so she''d be seated on top of Scott''s crotch. "Mhm-mmm ?¡­" She looked down at him with the condom in her mouth. "Alright, let me put it o©¤©¤" "NOPE." Emma pushed his hand away while smiling seductively. "I''ll help you, kay~?" "Al-, Alright?" "¡­" Emma went silent as she tore open the condom with her fingers and put it in her mouth. Enjoy new stories from empire "Uhh¡­ I don''t think that''s healthy¡­" said Scott. She immediately pressed a finger against his lips. "Shhh ??¡­" She slotted her tongue through the small opening in the condom and then blew on it like it was a piece of gum. She blew with enough force that the condom inflated a bit like a balloon and then deflated. ¡ºOkay, so I''ve slackened it a bit, next¡­¡» Emma adjusted back on Scott''s body and then dived down with her mouth until she swallowed a little more than half of Scott''s beefy thing. "©¤©¤©¤©¤Gawk!" A hard cough sounded as she choked a bit. But by the time she removed her mouth, she''d worn the condom on Scott halfway. "Alright¡­ rate it?!" Emma giggled. "Oh, the Foxgirl condom method?" "Huh? How''d you know the name?" "¡­" "Pssh, whatever. Let''s enjoy ourselves!" Emma lifted her butt up a bit and let it hover over Scott''s hard thing as she stared down excitedly at him. ¡ºAlright, my first time¡­¡» She pressed down on him, and his rod immediately pierced through her sweet, pink garden in one go! "EYYYAAHHHHNNN~ ??!" The tearing sensation of her hymen felt so painful, yet so good, that her eyes rolled back until they were completely white and her tongue was hanging out. It was absolutely divine. "Mmh~ ? Ahhh~ ??¡­" "Ngh©¤©¤©¤©¤HAAAAHHHH ?!!" Emma grabbed onto Scott''s rock-hard abs and rode his thing with so much force and satisfaction that both of them were coughing out hot air at how good it felt. She didn''t stop¡­ She couldn''t! Her body kept telling her to pound her ass cheeks against his crotch and feel the long, curved meat hit her G-spot so much it could almost be called abuse. Scott''s thing squeezed between her slimy, pink walls and reached up her insides in the most arousing way possible. Their sweat mixed, and so did their erotic sounds. Emma threw her head back as she continued to ride him like a crazed, obsessed cowgirl. ¡º¡­ I COULD GET HOOKED ON THIS~ ?!¡» Her smile became even wider and more perverted. In fact, she looked crazy. "¡­ Auhhhhnnnn ?!" Her waist moved at superspeed, squeezing Scott''s eggplant inside her, forcing her sweaty, curvy body to twist and turn in pleasure. "I can¡­ feel your©¤©¤hah ? squeezing inside me~!" "You''re moving so fast, and it''s so¡­" Scott grabbed onto her superspeeding waist and pulled her ass cheeks apart as Emma continued to relentlessly bounce on his beef. ¡­ Pah ? Pah ?? Pah ???!! She squeezed his rigid chest and squirted so hard it came out like a shower. "So good¡­ ??" Emma moaned one last time with lazy bedroom eyes. [Ding! You''ve gained new skill: Bed Resistance!] [Congratulations! You''ve added Miss Mercury to your super team!] [You''ve gained 1,000,000 credits!] [You''ve gained 5 super computers and a special vehicle!] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Vol. 1 ends next chapter. Drop your thoughts and suggestions if you like. I''ll listen ^-^!! There''s also characters likely to appear next volume in the comments, so check! Chapter 60 Progression The morning sunlight poured through the big glass windows and filled the bedroom with a soft, golden glow.The navy-blue sheets were crumpled and messy, but Scott didn''t mind. He was lying on his side, leaning on one hand, just watching Emma sleep. She looked so peaceful. Her face was calm and relaxed, and her long brown hair messily spread across the pillow. Every now and then, she let out a tiny snore that was quiet and steady, like the rhythm of a gentle breeze. Scott couldn''t help but smile. He reached out gently to brush aside a few stray bangs that fell over her face. His fingers lingered for a moment, then traced the outline of her cheek before retreating. She groaned lightly and mumbled something. "Hnnn, Scott¡­ best¡­" Then, she shifted onto her side and turned her back to him. "Pssh©¤©¤honestly¡­" Scott muttered with a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. Moments later, as if she could feel him watching even in her sleep, Emma shifted and rolled onto her other side. Her face ended up turned back toward him again. "Hnnn©¤©¤©¤©¤Scott¡­" She seemed restless and moved around a little as her body tried to get comfortable. She tugged at the blanket, pulling it up and then pushing it down in small, absent movements. Scott seized the opportunity. With a small smile, he slipped an arm under her waist and gently pulled her into his arms. She instinctively curled into him and her soft breaths warmed against his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head and stroked her soft hair in soothing motions. ¡­ The quiet moment lasted for a while, but about an hour later, Emma''s eyes slowly opened. "Uhnn¡­ so tired¡­" Still groggy from sleep, she blinked a few times and looked at the empty spot next to her. Her hand reached out instinctively and her fingers brushed against the cold sheets where Scott should have been. "Would be so weird if I dreamed all this¡­" She yawned softly. As she stretched her arms over her head, her hand accidentally bumped into someone behind her. "Eh¡­?" Startled, she quickly turned around and saw Scott sitting calmly on the edge of the bed. His face was hard to read, but she could guess he was amused. "Morning, sleepyhead¡­" A warm and casual greeting from Scott. Emma''s cheeks went red as she smiled shyly, then dipped her head beneath the duvet like a turtle retreating into its shell. Scott''s grinned mischievously. With zero hesitation, he flipped the duvet up and slid under it with her. "Hey©¤©¤!" Emma squealed between loud giggles as they rolled and wrestled beneath the covers. "You''re such a jerk!" "C''monnn, teach me that condom trick!" "Kahaha! I don''t think guys need to learn that!" "WHO CARES?!" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Half an hour later¡­ Emma was padding down the stairs. Her long legs were barely hidden under an oversized T-shirt that fell just past her thick thighs. She was rubbing a towel over her damp hair as she hummed a soft tune. "Lala~ lala~!" Scott was walking toward her from the living room, dressed simply in an unbuttoned black shirt and matching pants. His hands were tucked casually into his pockets and his pace was very unhurried. Emma glanced up and let out a low whistle. "Okay, seriously, you should be a model. Grow your hair out a bit, maybe work on that jawline, and you''d be the next big thing. I''m so tired of women simping over that William Roosevelt guy. Ugh. He''s just a rich, European dick." Scott didn''t say a word. He stopped right in front of her and plucked the towel from her hands. "Uhh¡­ what''s going on?" Emma asked as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Scott didn''t answer. Instead, he draped the towel over her head and began rubbing her hair gently to dry it with care. Emma blinked in surprise. "Eh¡­?" Before breaking into a wide smile. She closed her eyes and let him work as her body swayed slightly under his touch. "Not bad¡­ but don''t think this means I forgive you for last night''s smug comments." Scott chuckled softly, his focus narrowing as the towel slid lower, revealing only her lips. Scott chuckled quietly. But, his attention remained fixed on her as the towel slipped down slightly and stopped just above her lips. ¡ºHer lips are so thin¡­¡» That was all he could look at. They were bright and cherry-colored. Impossibly distracting. Without realizing it, he started leaning in closer as his heart beat just a little faster. But just as their lips were about to touch, Emma quickly pulled the towel down to cover her mouth, leaving only her playful, teasing eyes visible. The two stared at each other. And the silence stretching unbearably, until¡ª "Pfft©¤©¤©¤©¤!" They both burst out laughing. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Minutes later¡­ They were seated on the big couch in the living room, facing the massive 70-inch TV. A super popular podcast called Critical Cape was playing in the background. The hosts were talking excitedly about Nightwatch''s recent fight against the UN''s GSI assassins, giving all the credit to The Peak as the genius behind the win. The segment then moved on to news about The Peak receiving a Medal of Honor from the Mayor of New York City, along with the possibility of being promoted to S-tier. Neither Scott nor Emma seemed to care. Scott was sitting cross-legged with damp hair. Emma perched on the backrest of the couch with a small jar of purple cream in her hands as she rubbed it into his hair. "This stuff is a game-changer!" She spoke like an obsessive marketer. "It''s a special formula. Should help your hair grow out quickly, and then¡ªbam¡ªI can help you style it into something killer. You''re welcome, by the way." Scott tilted his head slightly, letting her work. "And here I thought you just liked playing with my hair." Emma scoffed as her fingers weaved through his strands. "Oh, please. I''m not that sentimental." A small, coy smile appeared on Scott''s lips. "Sure you''re not." As she worked, Emma leaned forward with dangling legs and a soft tone. "You know, you''re not half-bad, babe. But if I ever catch you turning into someone like The Peak, I''m out." Scott laughed. "If I ever become that corny, you have my full permission to put me out of my misery." "Deal!" She grinned as she smoothed his hair down with her palm. ¡­ The sizzling sounds of Emma''s cooking. Scott stood beside her and leaned casually against the counter, watching as she moved around. She was concentrating so hard on the pan in front of her that she barely noticed him watching. Her brow pressed together as she flipped the sizzling meat with quick and efficient movements¡ªthough, the occasional clumsiness hit her, making Scott chuckle softly to himself. She turned to grab the knife, and Scott, almost without thinking, placed his hand on her waist, then pulled her just a little closer. "Hey, I need some space here if you want me to cook this properly¡­" Emma gave him a look, but Scott didn''t move. Instead, he smiled and kissed her neck softly. "I''ll eat whatever you cook. You know that." He murmured into her skin. Emma sighed, shaking her head but grinning. "No flattering, man. You''ll make me burn the food." But Scott, still in that relaxed mood, kissed her again, just a gentle press of his lips. "I''ll still eat it¡­" he repeated. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His hand slid from her waist as she shifted away to tend to the stove, but before she could get too far, he kissed her again, this time, longer. She didn''t pull away this time. Instead, her hands dropped the spatula, and she leaned into him as her thin, cherry lips pressed against his for a kiss even more passionate than last night. When they finally pulled apart, a flush crept up her neck, and she punched him playfully in the chest. "You''re such a bad boy~" She could barely hide her smile. "Now you''ve made me mess it all up. Sigh~ I''ll definitely burn everything." Scott laughed quietly. His arms found their way back around her waist as she turned to finish her meal. The moment was light, but his mind was somewhere else, deep in thought. He didn''t say anything at first and just let his hands rest on her as his chin rested on her shoulder. Emma looked up at him. She could feel the silence. "What? You still thinking about the hero thing?" Scott half-smiled. "Not exactly. More like¡­ wondering if this is real. If this is my dream, you know?" His voice was soft, like he wasn''t sure whether he should say it aloud. Emma looked over at him, arching an eyebrow. "Huh?" "Just¡­ this whole thing. I don''t dream often, but if I did, this would be one hell of a long dream. A whole damn life in a month, and I can''t shake the thought that, maybe, it''s too much to be real." Emma didn''t respond right away. She just took a deep breath, sliding the pan off the burner and turning to face him. "You''re pretty much still here, though. Guess that counts for something." Scott''s smile grew faint as he watched her, enjoying the warmth of her body against his. "Yeah, I guess it does." His hands tightened slightly around her waist as his fingers slipped under her shirt to touch her bare stomach. But his mind wasn''t fully here¡ªhe was somewhere else, deep in the thoughts that had been lingering for days. "I always thought I knew what being a hero meant. I had this idea, this¡­ picture of what it was supposed to be. Saving the world with a big smile, no casualties, just good guys against bad guys¡­" Scott''s voice was loud enough for her to hear, but just soft enough to make it feel like a secret. "But then I realized¡­ sometimes, a hero''s gonna have blood on their hands. Sometimes, doing the right thing means¡­ hurting others." He paused and his eyes went distant, as though he were seeing something far beyond the kitchen, something only he could see. "But that''s not the part that gets me¡­" His voice was a little quieter now. "It''s that I have to keep going. I have to keep fighting. I can''t stop. Even when it scares the hell out of me. It''s like¡­ an addiction. I can''t help but want to prove that altruism still matters. That heroism¡­ it''s not dead, no matter how many people tell me it is." Emma''s hands rested on his chest and her head tilted to the side as a small smile formed on her pretty face. She didn''t interrupt, just listened, waiting for him to say what he needed to. "I''m kinda scared, I think?" It was difficult for him to word it. But maybe being with her made it easier. "I''m scared I won''t make it. That I''ll die before I can make a real difference. But I can''t stop. I don''t know how to explain it, but I just¡­ I have to keep doing this." Emma''s lips parted, as if she wanted to say something, but Scott held a finger to her lips, silencing her softly. Enjoy new tales from empire "I''ve got blood on my hands already. And I''ll have to do worse in the future, I know it. But¡­" He sighed and looked down. "You know what? Maybe I''m not trying to bring back that golden age of heroism. Maybe it''s not about perfection. Maybe heroism is about doing what needs to be done, even if it means losing some morality. Even if it means doing something people don''t expect from the ''good guy.'' Yunno?" Emma tilted her head from side to side, trying to make sense of his words. "That''s a little too¡­" "I know, it''s confusing¡­ but what I mean is¡­ being a hero is all about self-sacrifice. A true hero is someone who''s willing to do what needs to be done, even if it''s something others might judge them for, like making tough or morally gray decisions for the greater good. Some heroes have strict lines they won''t cross¡ªlike refusing to kill¡ªbecause they believe it''s not the right way. But then there are heroes who will take on that burden, making those hard choices so the people they''re protecting don''t have to." "Ahhh¡­" Emma''s eyes softened, and she pulled away just enough to look up at him. "Is that how you see yourself? A anti-hero?" Scott chuckled as his hands came to rest gently on her attractively slender shoulders. "I don''t know. I think I''m still figuring that out. But¡­ I want to be a hero for people who need someone, even if it''s messy. Even if I''m not the perfect hero they expect." The quiet between them lengthened, but it was comfortable, familiar. Emma stepped closer and her arms wrapped around him again as her cheek rested on his chest. "Well, I don''t know what kind of hero you''ll turn out to be, honey¡­ but I think you''re doing alright so far." Scott smiled as he kissed the top of her head. "Yeah. I''ll figure it out." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Somewhere else¡­ A girl was perched on a swivel chair in an Asian squat, her bright green eyes locked on the only source of light in the room¡ªthe glowing monitor in front of her. Her hair was a wild mess, barely visible under the big white blanket draped over her entire body. A few snacks sat next to her, some already crawling with ants, but she didn''t seem to notice. She was completely focused on the screen. Her fingers moved across the keyboard, and with a quick press of [enter], she sent another donation to the livestream of the man she couldn''t stop watching. "Nightwatch¡­" She sent another donation. [@NutBuster5000 has donated $400 ¡ª you were great today, I hope you stream tomorrow!] And then another. [@NutBuster5000 has donated $1000 ¡ª I don''t have much, but this my allowance for this month!] And another. [@NutBuster5000 has donated $300 ¡ª You did great again today my glorious, blue-eyed prince! I hope you''re staying long in Meteor City¡­ it would be nice to know where you plan to stay long-term! Also, have you ever thought of a meetup? That would be so fun!] She anxiously bit her fingernails as she stared at her screen, hoping he would give an immediate reply. "C''mon¡­ answer me already¡­" A tired, sloppy grin appeared on her face. [Ding! The mindbender heroine is inspired by you!] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Black Industries, New York City¡­ Anthony Black leaned back in his chair and brought the phone to his ear as he cleared his throat softly. "Grave¡­" "I''ve got the technophages. I''ll be transporting them to the lab in Meteor City soon." "Excellent. I''ll speak with Lady Adira Crowe to make sure you don''t run into any trouble during the transfer. Now, about your payment. It was $10 million, right?" "Yes, sir." "Perfect¡­" Anthony said as he spun slowly in his swivel chair while keeping the phone against his ear. "I have to say, I''m impressed with how you handled everything. That said, I''ll need to send someone to Ashgate Penitentiary to¡­ take care of Trickshot. I can''t risk him spilling the beans about how I orchestrated this whole fiasco just to get the technophages into Black Mechanica''s hands without suspicion from my father." "¡­" Grave didn''t respond. Clearing his throat again, Anthony continued. "Anyway, I''ll get your payment squared away soon. I like how clean your work is, so how about sticking around for a while longer? We still need to track down that technophage egg, and I have a feeling it''s going to cause some problems." "Not for long¡­" Grave replied curtly. "Also©¤©¤" Before Anthony he could say anything else, the line went dead. Lowering his phone, Anthony chuckled to himself. "Typical¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Volume 1 ends ^-^!! Chapter 61 The Konrad Kain Show, Religious Heroine! It was 8:00 p.m. sharp, and the glow of the TV screen illuminated the cozy living room.Scott leaned back into the couch with his legs stretched out lazily while the TV blared the latest news from The Konrad Kain Show, a widely-watched current affairs and opinion program on Ironclad News Network (INN). The opening music rolled in. ¡­ Doo-doo-DOOO! It was a tense, dramatic tune like every other night, letting everyone know that K. Konrad Kain, the man himself, was about to make his grand entrance. Emma slid onto the couch next to Scott with a bowl of popcorn in her lap. She tossed a handful into her mouth and kept her eyes fixed on the screen the whole time. "K. Konrad Kain? This guy hates you." Scott tilted his head slightly to look at her. "That much?" "Yeah, pretty much¡­" Emma replied, barely looking away from the screen. "The whole thrashing Nightwatch thing these days is really good for content and high viewership too." She popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth. Scott''s head fell back against the backrest as his expression became one of annoyance. "So he''s just doing it because he''s an absolute dick after money, then?" Emma shook her head, then tossed a few more kernels into her mouth. "Not exactly. I mean, sure, the money''s nice, but a lot of people feel threatened by what you''re trying to do. Yunno, the whole trying to bring back the golden age of heroism, and a lot of people don''t like that. They twist everything you do to tear you apart in the media. They know you can''t defend yourself because¡­ well, a real hero wouldn''t care about all this media nonsense." Scott nodded dully as he munched on some popcorn. "One of these days, I''m hoping I accidentally kick his ass into one of them into a lab fire." "Pssh¡ªloser." Emma snickered as she nudged him with her shoulder. They both turned their attention back to the TV, where the colorful, high-definition footage of K. Konrad Kain sitting behind his desk flashed across the screen. The camera focused on him: a handsome, well-dressed, dark-skinned man in his 40s with a strong jawline and a cold, intense stare. He adjusted his tie with face as hard and the polished desk before him. The camera then shifted to a wider shot of the studio, and Kain smiled¡ªlike a predator who had just caught a whiff of prey. Then finally, the dramatic intro music faded. "Welcome back to The Konrad Kain Show." The host announced. "And our top story tonight: It''s gotta be Nightwatch. An overbearing, edgelord internet personality and so-called ''hero'' whose recent actions have been outed as nothing short of an anti-heroic extremist, causing mayhem across the northeastern United States. This so-called hero has been spotted wreaking havoc in Metro City, Meteor City, and just two weeks ago¡ªNew York City." A grainy, terrible picture of Nightwatch flashed on the screen¡ªa shot where his face was partially obscured by a hoodie and the lighting made him look like a shady criminal instead of a hero. Scott frowned deeply and shook his head. "Why does everyone use that picture?" Emma grinned as she spoke in her soft, teasing voice. "Aww, but you look cute!" Scott raised an eyebrow at her. "Really?" "Psssh©¤©¤Nah, bro. Not even close." He grumbled under his breath and stuffed another handful of popcorn into his mouth. Konrad Kain continued, but more heated this time. "Nightwatch. This man¡ªor rather, this boy¡ªis a menace to society. I can''t imagine the average American adult being so foolish as to go around vandalizing everything that our real heroes have worked so hard to build. Don''t believe me? Watch these footage, folks." The screen cut to a dark but watchable clip taken from Nightwatch''s livestream. It showed him hurling a throwing needle at E-Porner and hitting him in the crotch. Then, it cut to another scene: Nightwatch, using a stun baton to take down gang members¡ªexcept the way it was edited made it look as though he was assaulting civilians. The last clip showed an unmasked Nightwatch drop-kicking a bomb out of a building just before it exploded. "Imagine if that bomb collapsed before it exploded?!" Konrad Kain shouted and slammed his fist on the desk. "Hundreds, maybe thousands would be dead. But make no mistake, that''s what Nightwatch intended¡ªto harm innocent civilians!" He pointed to the screen with a scornful look to emphasize the severity of the claim. Scott rolled his eyes as he rubbed his temples. "I can''t believe this¡­" Konrad Kain''s voice softened into a mocking tone. "And yet, there are still people defending this man''s actions. Saying he''s some kind of hero? Ridiculous! But then again, perhaps that''s what Nightwatch wants¡ªan army of defenders willing to fight for him. Maybe he''ll silence me next for saying this¡­ but don''t worry, we''ll see what happens. We''ll see." Scott sighed again, his hand pressed against his face. "I swear, if I ever meet this guy¡­" "Relax, babe¡­" Emma said with a small smirk and gently pat him on the head as she giggled. "His sorry ass would probably start crying the second you give him a stern look." The camera shifted as Konrad Kain turned to his right as his usual smug grin plastered across his face. "But tonight''s guest, ladies and gentlemen, is someone who''s risen above all this chaos. A true symbol of American heroism. Let''s welcome, the newly promoted S-tier hero¡ªThe Peak!" The applause from the studio audience echoed, loud and overwhelming, as The Peak stood up from his chair and waved at the camera. His new, even flashier super suit shimmered under the lights, and the medal of honor given to him just a week ago gleamed around his neck. ¡ºFinally, I got on the Konrad Kain Show! The huzz are gonna love this!¡» He continued to wave and smile. Emma let out a dramatic sigh as she tossed the last of her popcorn into her mouth. "Great. This guy¡­" Scott shook his head tiredly. "Can''t wait to hear him talk about how ''honorable'' he is. Maybe he''ll talk about how he saved the world from a fake disaster he created." "Keep dreaming¡­" Emma laughed with a mouthful of popcorn. "He''ll probably try to sell you a new premium market cologne while he''s at it." "Word¡­" The two casually bump fists. Konrad Kain leaned forward in his chair as his eyes sparkled with admiration when he looked at The Peak. The was such a wide grin on his face, much like a baby when they learned how to smile. "I can''t believe this¡­" He adjusted his tie and let out a light chuckle. Discover exclusive tales on empire "Ladies and gentlemen¡­" He turned his attention back to the camera. "Look at this man, this icon of American heroism. The Peak. The man of the hour. The one who saved every superhero in existence just a couple of weeks ago during that terrifying ordeal at the Blue Garden Hotel. Tell us, Peak¡­" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Konrad said as he turned to him. "¡­ how were you able to do it? How did you rise above the chaos and save everyone from that mysterious red gas?" The Peak chuckled softly as his hand hovered near the medal of honor resting on his chest. He cleared his throat dramatically and leaned forward into the camera with an air of unearned confidence. "You see, Konrad, it wasn''t easy, not by any means. I mean, sure, there are a lot of heroes out there trying to rise to the level I''ve surpassed¡­" He deepened his voice with some humility. "¡­ but, hey, let''s not pretend they didn''t give it their very all, right?" He flashed a smile. "Everyone''s doing their part. Even¡­ uhh, what''s his name¡­ Nightwatch, ah yes, him¡­" Konrad''s face twitched as he leaned in and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course, I expect a selfless hero like you to give credit where it''s due, even to failures like Nightwatch, who are desperately trying to achieve the same level of fame you have. But I''m sure you don''t mind giving him a little recognition, huh?" The Peak snorted lightly as he adjusted the shiny medal around his neck for the camera to get a perfect view. He grinned wide. "Oh, absolutely. Nightwatch, he''s¡­ well, he''s a special case. I¡­ don''t know what more to say." The Peak paused for effect, then softened his face to look more sympathetic. "He''s trying to do the right thing, but, uh, it''s just in the wrong way, y''know?" Konrad leaned over the desk. "Oh? And how is that exactly?" The Peak''s face twisted, almost like he was in pain rather than deep in thought. He rested a hand on his temple, like he was struggling to recall something that really bothered him. "Well¡­ this is a little difficult to say on live TV¡­" He lowered his voice and looked around the studio as if it were a secret. "But, uh¡­ I kinda¡­ I gotta say this. I don''t want people to think I''m bragging, you know? I''m known as a kind and humble hero, and I don''t want to tarnish that reputation. But, uh¡­" He winced dramatically. "I was kind of the one who inspired Nightwatch to become who he is today." All the popcorn fell from Scott''s mouth. "What?" "PFFFFT©¤©¤©¤©¤HAHAHAHA!" Emma burst out laughing. "BAHAHA©¤©¤AHA *cough* HAHAH!" She fell off the couch and clutched her stomach as she rolled around like a mad dog. Konrad blinked at The Peak. "What? You inspired Nightwatch?" The Peak nodded solemnly, though his face looked like he was holding back a grin. "Yeah. I mean, haven''t you noticed, Konrad? I was the first hero to start live streaming and spreading awareness of heroism, showing that it isn''t dead. That was me, back in early February. Nightwatch? He just, uh¡­ followed suit, y''know? That obsessive need to be wanted and accepted by society. Sigh~ it''s tragic." The Peak shrugged, like it was no big deal. "But it''s cool. I don''t want anyone thinking I''m taking credit for his success. It''s his thing, after all." Konrad blinked and processed the information, before nodding sagely. "Hmm, yes, that does make sense. You heard it here, folks. The Peak was the inspiration behind Nightwatch, and perhaps many other heroes. What a revelation." He turned to the camera and held up a finger. "It''s because of heroes like The Peak that this new generation of heroes is able to rise to such great heights." The Peak sighed dramatically, not loud enough for Konrad to hear, but loud enough for Scott to roll his eyes. Still laughing uncontrollably, Emma wiped a tear from her eye, barely able to catch her breath. "This is¡­ this is gold. Ohahaha!" Konrad was too busy engaging the audience to notice The Peak''s exaggerated sigh. The hero of the hour squeezed his face. ¡ºWhat the fuck©¤©¤?! Can''t he hear me sighing?!¡» He then sighed dramatically¡­ again¡­ Finally, the host turned back to the hero and his face suddenly became more serious. "But I can see it in your eyes, Peak. You feel¡­ responsible for Nightwatch, don''t you?" The Peak suddenly grabbed his face with both hands and slicked back his mohawk as if he were some tragic, misunderstood figure. He looked into the camera with a fake, heartbroken expression. "Y''know, Konrad, I do. I really do." He sighed again and this time even more heavily. "I mean, it must be so difficult for him, trying to live up to the standards I''ve set. He''s just trying to do the right thing, but, uh¡­ the pressure, it''s gotta be unbearable." He leaned in toward the camera and his voice lowered with the concern of a parent. "So, if you ever need help, Nightwatch¡­ if you ever need someone to talk to¡­ I''m here for you, buddy." The studio audience burst into applause. ¡­ Clap! Clap! Clap!! Konrad nodded approvingly. "You see that, folks? This is what true heroism looks like. This is why we need heroes like The Peak. It''s because of heroes like him that we wake up every day knowing we''re in safe hands." The Peak placed his hand dramatically over his heart and kept his face solemn, but also humble. "Ah, shucks, Konrad¡­" He nodded like he wasn''t completely full of it. "It''s the least I can do." Still on the couch, Scott suddenly shouted. "This is absolute dog shit!" He tossed the empty popcorn bowl aside in frustration. Emma laughed even harder as she continued to roll around on the floor while gasping for air. "Oh my god, I can''t breathe! This is too much! What is this nonsense?" It was time to move on to the next segment. Konrad gave The Peak an appreciative nod. "Thank you again, Peak, for being such an awesome inspiration to us all." The Peak flashed a toothy grin. "Anytime, Konrad. Anytime." He leaned back in his chair and adjusted his medal again so the camera wouldn''t miss it. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Asteroid City¡­ It was 8:00 p.m. sharp when Brigid MacLeighlin sat perched on her swivel chair in an Asian squat and nibbled thoughtfully on a sandwich. The intro music of The Konrad Kain Show played softly from her speakers. She was still in her school uniform: a navy-blue blazer over a neatly pressed white button-up shirt, paired with a black tie. Her plaid skirt seemed a bit too short, especially given how noticeable her thick thighs were for someone her age. Her sandwich paused mid-air as K. Konrad Kain launched into his nightly tirade. "Nightwatch. This man¡ªor rather, this boy¡ªis a menace to society..." Brigid''s sharp green eyes narrowed. Her brows squeezed deeper with each word as her grip tightened on the innocent sandwich. She didn''t care much for Kain''s theatrics. What really grated her nerves was the blatant slander against her prince, her savior¡ªher Nightwatch! By the time the show transitioned to its next segment and introduced The Peak, Brigid had had enough. With an exaggerated sigh, she set her sandwich aside, hopped off her chair, and stretched her arms overhead. "Ahh~" Her joints popped lightly as she loosened up from her crouched position. "Unbelievable¡­" she muttered under her breath. As the dramatic applause for The Peak echoed from her speakers, Brigid took off her blazer, untucked her shirt, and loosened her tie. ¡ºMy name is Brigid MacLeighlin. I''m eighteen years old. I like anime, reading¡ªespecially BL mangas. They''re my favorite. I mean, what''s better than a good romance between two guys? Bonus points if one of them gets pregnant! That''s always the best twist. Absolutely top-tier stuff!¡» Her cheeks turned red a bit. She couldn''t stop from picturing herself as a man and carrying Nightwatch in her arms. ¡ºSoooo good~¡» She could already feel that sweet spot between her legs getting hot. ¡ºB-, Back to what I was saying©¤©¤hmph ?!¡» She fought back her dirty thoughts. ¡ºDislikes? I don''t really have many. I mean, who has time to waste hating things when you could be reading? But¡­ if I had to pick, I''d say modern heroes. Ugh, they''re so overhyped. All flair and no substance. Oh, and obviously, anyone who disrespects my blue-eyed prince¡ªNightwatch. Glorious, untouchable, perfect Nightwatch!¡» Her eyes sparkled as she rested her hands on her chest and shrieked like a true fangirl. It took a few seconds to pull herself back. "Right, focus, Brigid. Focus." Her skimpy, navy plaid skirt swayed as she tiptoed toward the door. She pushed the door open a crack and peeked into the hallway like a thief. Her eyes darted left, then right. ¡ºI''m a student at Skyfort Academy. It''s uhh, this world-renowned international school run by the Hero Agency. The place where future superheroes are made. And, lucky me, I''m in my third year. Just half a year left until graduation, and then¡­ the real work begins.¡» She felt some anxiety creep up her back. ¡ºEveryone says I''ve got a bright future ahead. Teachers, mentors, even my classmates. They all expect big things from me. And, well, being the Class Rep of 3A¡ªthe top class in the northeastern U.S. branch¡ªdoesn''t exactly lower the bar.¡» She sighed and slumped slightly as her shoulders drooped. ¡ºTalk about pressure.¡» Her sharp eyes flew around again. The coast was clear. She sighed in relief and carefully shut the door behind her, then locked it for good measure. Brigid stepped back into her room, and the serious look on her face completely vanished. Instead, it was replaced by a huge, excited grin that stretched from ear to ear, with a bit of drool gathering at the corner of her mouth. At first, she let out a soft giggle, but it quickly grew louder¡­ and undeniably creepy. Her bare feet padded across the floor as she approached her wardrobe. She threw it open dramatically to reveal neatly arranged clothes and¡ªhidden among them¡ªa prototype superhero suit decked out in advanced tech. It was a gift from Crowe Enterprises¡­ a company that, out of several others like MegaCorp, TitanTech Industries, Volkner Dynamics, and the more recent Black Industries, seemed the most invested in helping her grow as a superhero. ¡ºLady Adira Crowe¡­¡» She smiled faintly. ¡ºWhat a nice woman. Even when I used my powers to¡­ you know, peek into her mind and her past, there wasn''t a single thing to make me suspicious. She''s so clean it''s kind of scary, but at least it means I can trust her.¡» Her face grew sad. ¡ºNot that I trust people easily anymore.¡» The memory rushed in, just like it always did whenever she let her guard slip: her family, her home, the blood, the screams. Her fists clenched tightly against her thighs. ¡ºWhen I was little, my entire family was murdered. Brutally. And me? I was almost sold off to some twisted organization like I was a piece of property. But then¡­¡» Her face softened and her fists relaxed. ¡ºSilver Sentinel saved me.¡» She clutched her chest tightly. ¡ºA golden-age hero if ever there was one. He took me out of that nightmare and enrolled me here, at Skyfort Academy. I owe him everything. Without him, I wouldn''t even be alive, much less chasing my dream of becoming a hero.¡» Brigid nodded to herself. ¡ºFor the longest time, I thought Silver Sentinel was the greatest superhero I''d ever see in my life. I mean, how could anyone top that? But then¡­¡» Her cheeks flushed and blood trickled down her nostrils. ¡ºThen I saw him. The greatest man in history. The epitome of perfection. My prince¡­ Nightwatch!¡» She reached for a hidden latch inside the wardrobe and her fingers skillfully found the spot. With a soft click, a secret compartment swung open to reveal the true treasure of her room. The shrine. Dozens of photos of Nightwatch covered the space. Some were candid screenshots from his livestreams, while others were blurry captures of his missions. Around the edges, candles flickered softly and their melted wax dripped onto the wooden surface below. To one side, tapes and USB drives containing his greatest exploits were stacked in a tidy pile. At the center of it all was a hand-drawn heart-shaped frame surrounding his face, with the words "My Glorious Blue-Eyed Prince!!" messily written in glittery gel pen. Brigid dropped to her knees as her hands clasped tightly together in prayer. "Nightwatch-sama¡­" She whispered fervently. "Today marks the 39th day of my humble devotion. I know you''re busy protecting the innocent, thwarting villains, and being¡­ well, you. But I believe¡ªno, I know¡ªyou will answer my messages one day." She paused and looked at her phone where the app for Nightwatch''s donation streams was still open. "I''ve spent over $5,000 on message requests so far. But it''s okay. Money is just an earthly tether I gladly give away for your attention. My allowance may be gone, my savings might be empty, and my virginity might be shaking at the thoughts of what you do to me when I dream, but my spirit is full of your light." Her eyes sparkled as she pressed her palms to her chest and a dreamy sigh escaped her lips. "You''ll see me one day, my prince. And when you do, you''ll know I''ve always been your most faithful follower. Not like those fake fangirls who only care about your looks. I''m here for your soul." A louder giggle escaped her. "Now¡­ for my nocturnal rite!" Brigid stayed kneeling as she grabbed a photo of Nightwatch from her shrine as well as a voice recorder. She pressed the recorder gently to her chest and took several deep breaths. "This is a necessity!" After a moment, she set the recorder on the ground and placed the photo of Nightwatch on top of it, tapping it softly. Taking another deep breath, she sat down on the recorder, feeling self-conscious about her big butt, which she often felt insecure about. "Hup©¤©¤!" As she sat down, her butt accidentally pressed the record button and she uttered a quiet, almost sad mumble, like a lost puppy. "As if Lord Nightwatch likes a big-butted disciple." Suddenly, the voice recorder played. [You''re a naughty little one¡­ aren''t you~?] It was Nightwatch''s voice but one created by AI. She tightly gripped the floor then drove her butt back and forth against the voice recorder, which sensually pressed against the space between her ass cheeks. [You''re a naughty little one¡­ aren''t you~?] "YES, LORD NIGHTWATCH~!" [You''re a naughty little one¡­ aren''t you~?] "Y-, YES, LORD NIGHTWATCH~ ?!" [You''re a naughty little one¡­ aren''t you~?] "YES, LOR©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHHNNN~ ??!" She continued to ride the recorder and Nightwatch''s picture like it was a horse until she finally stained her skirt and the photo with a strange, thick fluid. But she didn''t stop. It went on into the night, and soon, some of her classmates began stepping out of their dorm rooms, curious about what was going on. "Ah, the Class Rep must be at it again¡­" "Prayers?" "Uhh, more like a nightly ritual." "Oh, well, she''s uh¡­ really devoted, isn''t she¡­" They stood in the hallway and looked at her door, wondering what was happening this time. One of the students, hearing the sounds, slowly reached down toward his crotch, but the student next to him quickly slapped his hand away. "WH-, What©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" "¡­" Chapter 62 Decisions It was early morning.Scott stood by the front door with his hands buried in the pockets of his gray sweatpants. His eyes were locked on Emma, who was standing in front of him with her big suitcase in hand. She wore a fashionable black jumpsuit that fit her perfectly and brought out her attractive curves. Her brown hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and her lips curved into a soft smile as she gently cupped his cheek with her hand. Scott sighed. "You''ve gotta admit, you enjoyed the last two weeks as much as I did. Don''t tell me you''re really gonna go back to Metro City now." Emma tilted her head and her smile widened as if she found his reluctance endearing. "Scott¡­" She sighed but kept her tone patient. "We talked about this last night." "I know, I know¡­" he muttered and looked away. Her thumb gently brushed his cheek as she continued. Your next read is at empire "I''m stationed in Metro City, remember? If I don''t get active there, I''m violating both my contracts with MegaCorp and the Hero Agency. And I really can''t let that happen. Not unless I want lawsuits and a PR nightmare on my hands." Scott tilted his head slightly. "Okay, fine. I get it¡­ kinda." Emma chuckled softly, then gave his cheek a reassuring pat before stepping back. "Don''t worry. When my company really takes off, I''m planning to terminate my contract with MegaCorp anyway. Then I''ll be a self-sponsored hero, and I can get the Hero Agency to station me wherever I want." She winked. "Alright?" "Alright." Scott shrugged. Emma folded her arms and gave him a playful, flirty look. "Besides, you''re acting like I''m not gonna miss you too. Don''t forget who''s obsessed with who here, hm~?" Scott smirked and closed the distance between them. He placed one hand gently on her cheek and the other around her waist as he pulled her close. "Just¡­ be careful out there, okay? If your agent or anyone at MegaCorp starts giving you problems, you let me know immediately. Alright?" Emma''s eyes softened as she looked up at him. "Alright." "Good." With one last smile, she grabbed her suitcase and pulled the door open. Stepping outside, she headed to her car while Scott stayed in the doorway, watching as she got in, started the engine, and drove away. Just as Scott was about to let out another sigh, his phone buzzed with a notification. He picked it up and unlocked the screen. [Gun Nut : Got a lead on the missing kids case. Meet me at the Hollowpoint Slums, Bleakridge Avenue, 8:00 p.m. tonight. Don''t forget the stealth-tech, but maybe leave the tight suit at home this time? ???? You know, the one that accidentally shows off all your¡­ junk. Not that I''m complaining, of course. ???? See you there, hero.] After reading the message, he rolled his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I should go see Commissioner Lisbon¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ A sleek black Rolls-Royce sped down the Belt Bridge, which connected Asteroid City to its chaotic neighbor, Meteor City. The bridge stretched over a huge chasm. It was a scar left from a legendary battle years ago between a Golden Age hero and interdimensional invaders. The spatial anomaly caused by the battle never fully healed, and now the gap stood as a permanent reminder of the divide between Asteroid City''s orderly heroism and Meteor City''s lawless chaos. Seated in the back of the luxury car was Lady Adira Crowe. She was stunning woman with raven-black hair and sharp, piercing eyes. Her beauty was almost unreal, the kind that made people stop and stare, though her cold, distant presence made it clear they should keep their distance. She wore a fitted black mantle and leather gloves that gave her a presence of power and grace. Her body was a topic all on its own. With her huge breasts, curvy hips, and tall body, she had a figure that would make anyone take notice. Even women would fall for her! Her driver couldn''t help but sneak glances at her through the rearview mirror. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each time, his eyes lingered a little too long. Adira noticed, of course. "You''re a naughty driver, aren''t you~" With a subtle press of a button, a black partition slid up and blocked his view. She smirked faintly, bringing her phone to her ear as she answered an incoming call. "Ceral¡­" She had a crisp British accent. "Stop whining like a little bitch. I''ve got this under control." On the other end of the line, Ceral''s voice crackled. "This isn''t about control, Adira! It''s about precision. You need to acquire that child specifically. There''s no one else with psychic powers as strong as hers. She could be the key to unlocking latent force-gene potential in others." Adira rolled her eyes and pulled a small photograph from inside her mantle. It was a picture of a young girl, Brigid MacLeighlin. Adira studied the photo and her black-painted lips curved into a mesmerizingly sexy smile. "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves¡­" Her words came out smoothly. "We still have to see if the girl can properly use her powers. Last time we met, she couldn''t even breach my mind-shielding implants. What she saw was only what I allowed her to see." Ceral''s tone turned defensive. "That''s how it''s supposed to be! She''s barely been told the extent of her abilities." Adira sighed and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Whatever. Besides this, I''ve got my husband''s mayoral campaign to deal with." Ceral snorted. "Husband? Thought you were divorced." Adira''s smile turned razor-sharp. "Obviously. But the fools in Meteor City don''t know that. Keeping up the charade is worth my time¡ªhe''s promised me something valuable in return." Ceral cleared his throat awkwardly. "So, uh¡­ you''re single, then?" The line went dead. Adira pressed the button again and lowered the partition. She leaned forward slightly. "Would you be a good boy and go a little faster~?" She ordered with a small smile. "I want to be at Skyfort Academy before lunch." The driver stiffened and swallowed his saliva. "Y-, Yes, ma''am!" The Rolls-Royce sped on and left behind the peaceful sunrise as it approached the bright skyline of Asteroid City. ¡­ Finally, they arrived. Skyfort Academy. The Rolls-Royce parked in its massive compound. The driver''s hands trembled as he quickly got out of the car and rushed to open the back door. ¡ºI feel like I''m betraying my wife and kids¡­ but I can''t stop myself! I have to beg her for it¡­ just this once.¡» His heart pounded in his chest. When he finally opened the door, he held his breath. Lady Adira Crowe stepped out. She looked like a picture of grace as her black mantle moved with the wind. The morning sun made her raven hair shine, and her illogically gorgeous body was now exposed to daylight. Her sharp eyes scanned the area. ¡ºIf only Meteor City were like this¡­¡» Her captivating blue eyes shifted to her driver. The man swallowed nervously and bowed deeply as his forehead nearly touched the ground. "La-, Lady Adira!" He stammered with a cracking voice. Adira tilted her head and her eyes narrowed just a little as she lifted her delicate eyebrow. "¡­ Hm?" The driver''s face flushed red. He trembled as he lowered his head even further, and through gritted teeth, he mumbled. "Before you go up, could you¡­ please¡­ just¡­ one your sweet pats on the head?" The driver felt deeply ashamed. ¡ºWhat the fuck am I doing¡­¡» He was a grown man with a wife and three kids, yet here he was, practically begging a woman for a pat on the head, like he was some kind of dog. There was a small silence. Then, a soft chuckle escaped her lips. It sounded so smooth, yet dangerous. "Huu-huu~ you''re bold, aren''t you?" His body stiffened and his heart pounded even harder. Was she going to refuse him? Before he could brace himself, Adira gently reached out and placed her gloved hand on his head. Once. Twice. Three times. Each pat was gentle, but it hit him like a strong shockwave. His legs felt like jelly. It wasn''t the touch itself¡ªit was something much deeper. Her elegance, her height, her power, the way she carried herself made his body give in. He collapsed, his knees giving way, and dropped to all fours with a weak grunt. Adira''s expression remained calm. "There. Was that so difficult?" She made a mental note to change her gloves later, not wanting to keep his germs on them for too long. But in the end¡­ it was always nice to reward good dogs so they stayed obedient. She turned on her heels and walked forward toward the gates of Skyfort Academy. Behind her, the driver, now trembling, remained on all fours, too stunned to move. The academy loomed before them like an ancient fortress, with its tall spires that reached into the sky, partially hidden by a wooded hill. The campus seemed to rise above everything else in Asteroid City, both in height and importance! At the entrance, the moment security spotted Adira, they straightened immediately and rushed forward to attend to her. "Lady Crowe¡­" One of them greeted her respectfully and extended his hand to take her handbag. Another moved to take the triple-frilled black umbrella from her side, opened it in one swift motion, and held it well above her head. ¡ºWow¡­ she''s so tall¡­¡» The man thought. Adira''s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Oh my, so many good boys here in Asteroid City. In Meteor City, all I have are disgusting little boys who can''t seem to behave themselves." The security guards blushed like women and quickly escorted her into the building. ¡­ Inside, Brigid MacLeighlin sat at the far-right corner of Class 3-A and stared out of the window. ¡ºI''m tired of this¡­¡» Nightwatch hadn''t replied to her messages again. Not a single word. She kept wondering if maybe, just maybe, he was doing the thing where he saw her messages and just¡­ ignored them. Was she being too forward? She''d even sent him about twelve of her pictures. Her face heated up as the thought crossed her mind¡­ she wasn''t exactly a model or anything. Sure, she wasn''t ugly, but she wasn''t the kind of girl who would make anyone stop in their tracks. Still, she''d hoped. Just a little. Maybe he''d feel something, even a flicker of interest. Maybe that would make the distance between them seem a little smaller. ¡ºBut no. Nothing. Not even a "Hey, Brigid!" or a simple, "Thanks for the cute pics!" Sigh~ I''m tired¡­¡» Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as another thought sneaked its way into her mind. ¡ºOr maybe¡­¡» She pressed her palms to her cheeks and bit back a squeak as the heat rose even more. She probably looked like a tomato right now. ¡º¡­ he thinks I''m a minor¡­¡» Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she felt the eyes of her classmates on her. The teacher, Mr. Michaels, was staring right at her. "Class Rep, seems like you''re not listening. What was the last thing I said?" Brigid blinked as she snapped back to reality. "Eh?" Mr. Michaels raised an eyebrow, looking displeased. "I''ll ask again, Class Rep. What was the last thing I said?" Brigid''s eyes bounced around the room like a lost pup. ¡ºTch, I''ll just read his mind¡­¡» Her lips quirked into a smile. "Oh, uh¡­ Terms and Conditions of the Hero Agency." Mr. Michaels sighed and shook his head. "Of course, you read the first nonsense I thought up in my mind, didn''t you? That''s last semester''s work. I was actually discussing tech companies and sponsorships for this semester." Brigid felt embarrassed and she quickly covered her face with her hands. "Sorry, Mr. Michaels¡­" "Third years now, class¡­" Mr. Michaels returned to the lesson. "Soon you''ll be going on your rookie training. Those internships with the companies will shape your futures as superheroes." Before he could say more, there was a knock at the door. The security guard at the door stepped in. "Lady Crowe is here to see Brigid MacLeighlin. She''s requested her presence in the principal''s office." A murmur spread through the class like wildfire. "L-, Like THE Adira Crowd©¤©¤?!" "Crowe Enterprises wants to sponsor her?" "Tch, fuck Brigid, I hate her so much. She''s always acting so humble it pisses me off!" "First, she''s recommended by Silver Sentinel out of nowhere and next she becomes top student! And now there''s this garbage of Crowe Enterprises wanting her!" "Yeah, they barely sign anyone. But they''re desperate for her and she hasn''t even responded to them!" "Fuck that bitch!" Brigid''s hands trembled as she stared down. All she wanted to look at now was her desk. ¡ºThey''re murmuring quietly, thinking I won''t hear them¡­ it''s almost as if they forgot I could read minds. I know how their hearts feel, and they don''t like me one bit¡­¡» Her fists tightened around the edge of her desk, and she squeezed her eyes shut. "I''ll go now!" She suddenly blurted out and stood up so abruptly her chair toppled over. She didn''t even glance at Mr. Michaels. ¡­ BAM! And she was out of the class. --- ¡­ BAM! Brigid pushed the doors open. She was burning with anger and frustration. "I haven''t thought this through, okay? If Crowe Enterprises can''t accept that, then they can just drop it! I''m not that special, anyway©¤©¤!" Her words halted mid-sentence. There, relaxed on a three-seater sofa, was none other than Lady Adira Crowe, casually swirling a glass of wine like she was royalty. "You''re much louder than before¡­" She took an elegant sip of her drink. Brigid''s face drained of color. ¡ºI FUCKED UP!¡» Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water and her hands flew to cover her face in a desperate attempt to stop her flustered mouse squeak from escaping. The principal, who''d been standing behind his desk in shock, exploded with a beet red face. "Brigid! What are you doing?! Do you have no respect for this office?! How dare you shout like that without even knowing where you are?!" Brigid froze up even more. The principal stormed toward her with furious eyes. "I know you as a quiet, obedient student, Brigid! You''ve never been one to shout¡ªwhat has gotten into you today?!" Now trembling, Brigid quickly looked down at the floor, wishing the earth would swallow her hole. She stood there like a child being scolded for a moment until Lady Adira''s soft, melodic voice melted away the silence. "It''s fine, Brigid." She looked very unbothered as she placed her glass down with a gentle clink. "If you don''t want to come, that''s perfectly alright. We were never forcing you to join us." She leaned back slightly as her long tongue licked the roof of her pearly white teeth. "Besides, I''m not sure you''d enjoy Meteor City anyway." Meteor City. The words hit Brigid like a thunderbolt. ¡ºNIGHTWATCH©¤©¤!!¡» Without thinking, she rushed to Lady Adira''s side as if she was a child who missed their mother. "Where do I sign?!" "Oh¡­?" Adira acted mildly surprised as she raised her glass to her black-painted lips. ¡ºIs she really that clueless? No, "clueless" isn''t the right word. She just has her weaknesses. The last time I came here, I added my number to her phone and secretly planted a bug in it to keep an eye on her. Turns out, she''s completely obsessed with Nightwatch. She even writes all these perverted fanfics about him. I don''t get why she''s so fixated on him¡­ Nightwatch is the biggest troublemaker in Meteor City, fufu~ ? I wouldn''t mind making him my pet someday.¡» She finally sipped some wine. "Good girl¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: More chapters coming soon¡­ since I only post one yesterday ^-^!! Chapter 63 Stream Heist, Amalie Andersen It was still early morning.Even in a gloomy place like Meteor City, the sun still shone brightly in the sky. Scott''s pitch-black GT-R roared through the empty streets like a beast unleashed. The wind rushed in through the open windows and tangled his messy wolf-cut hair as it danced in the turbulence. His hands rested lightly on the steering wheel, yet his eyes remained sharp as he tracked every twist and turn with ease. The multifunction display on his dashboard lit up to show an incoming call. He glanced at the name. [Commissioner Lisbon¡­] He''d called her earlier today, but she didn''t pick. With a sigh, he grabbed a sleek earpiece from the cupholder, hooked it over his ear, and tapped it to answer. "Nightwatch?" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a woman''s voice. "It''s strange for you to call me in the morning. You''re more of a late-night operator, aren''t you?" There was a teasing lilt in her tone. "My husband''s starting to give me weird looks, you know. He thinks you''re getting a little too comfortable calling me, young man." Scott smirked, eyes still on the road as he made a sharp turn. "Normally, that should be the other way around, but it''s not like I''d have any interest in a woman tha¡ª" Lisbon''s voice cut in. "Be careful with your words, young man." Scott coughed lightly as his smirk widened. "Right, right. Anyway, let''s move on before I dig myself a deeper hole. I wanted to give you a heads-up. I''m planning to meet you later tonight, but in the meantime¡ªwhat''s the status on the missing children''s case?" Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more professional. "Nothing concrete so far. I''ve been discussing things with Rope Girl and Deathmark. They say they''ve got a lead¡­ something about Crowe Enterprises. Specifically, the Crowe Shipping Conglomerate." Scott raised an eyebrow as he sped past a stoplight. "Crowe Shipping?" "Mm-hmm." Lisbon sighed. "If I had to guess, they''ve been moving something¡­ or someone, under the radar. But, as you can imagine, I can''t exactly stroll into their offices and demand answers. Not unless I want to end up on the front page tomorrow with ''Police Chief Arrested for Corporate Espionage.'' INN eat up news like that." Scott chuckled. He already knew where this was going. "So, what you''re saying is, you want me to do the dirty work. Steal some information, right? I mean, as chief of police, you can''t be caught doing something so¡­ unlawful." She gasped dramatically. "How dare you be so correct?! What gave me away?" He grinned. "Lucky guess." "Alright, smartass. Here''s the problem ¡ª Crowe Enterprises has one of the strongest cybersecurity teams out there. You can''t just hack in remotely. If you try, you''ll be up against Amalie Andersen." Scott''s grin faltered. "Wait. That Amalie Andersen? The one who stopped those international hackers dead in their tracks?" "That''s the one¡­" Lisbon confirmed with a nod that Scott couldn''t see. "We''ve secretly hired teams to crack their systems before¡­ only to have her singlehandedly block every attempt. And just to rub salt in the wound, she sent each of those hackers their home addresses, along with pictures of their families. She doesn''t play games, Nightwatch." "Damn." Scott whistled low as his grip tightened on the wheel. "That''s¡­ impressive. And kinda terrifying." Lisbon sighed. "Exactly. Which is why we need someone like you. If anyone can get past her defenses, it''s you. But you''re going to have to infiltrate their internal network directly. No remote hacks this time." Scott''s eyes narrowed as he merged onto a quieter road. "So, you''re talking about an on-site penetration?" "Precisely¡­" she replied. Scott exhaled with a fresh pair of confidence. "Fine. I''ll handle it. Broad daylight, though. Breaking in at night feels too¡­ clich¨¦. Plus, it''s unnecessarily stressful." "Broad daylight©¤©¤?!" Lisbon''s voice rose in alarm. "Are you crazy?! If they catch you¡ª" "They won''t." A tired yawn escaped Scott''s mouth. "But just in case, send me the digital prints of all those hackers who crossed paths with Amalie. I want to study her patterns before I make my move." She hesitated, then relented. "Alright, I''m sending it now. But, Nightwatch¡­" Her voice softened slightly. "Please. Be careful." "I always am. I''ll make sure to bring some snacks for the husband and kids, alright?" He chuckled before tapping the earpiece to end the call. [Digital prints received. Analyzing hacking patterns now.] "Good¡­" Scott muttered as he made another sharp turn. "Run a level 10 search across all available databases. Let''s see what we''re dealing with." A few moments later, the System replied: [Patterns match an individual known as @H4XorLord69. Cross-referencing reveals this person was responsible for hacking the UN database and acquiring the GSI list.] Scott''s eyes widened slightly, then a slow, dangerous smirk spread across his face. "Interesting¡­" The GT-R roared on and carved its path through the city. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meteor City, Hollowpoint Slums¡­ It was an endless maze of decrepit housing projects, and home to many struggling citizens. Steam wafted through the air and curled around the tiles of the sun-brightened bathroom. The water had been off for a while, leaving a calm woman standing in front of the fogged-up mirror. A towel was loosely wrapped around her curvy body and it barely stayed in place. Her damp, dark brown hair clung to her neck and shoulders in messy tangles as she used another towel to dry it as she tried her best to tame the wild strands. ¡ºMy name is Amalie Andersen¡­ I''m 28 years old and I live like the average human being in Meteor City ¡ª doing the worst possible things just to make sure I can live a happy life with the man who owns my heart¡­¡» She exhaled heavily and her breath fogged the already misty glass. For a moment, she closed her eyes and leaned against the cool edge of the sink as relief swept over her. Mornings like these were the rare moments she allowed herself to breathe¡­ before the chaos of work, before the endless demands of her job as Crowe Enterprises'' lead cybersecurity specialist. But even now, her thoughts wouldn''t let her rest. She stepped out of the bathroom as the towel wrapped around her strained to cover her hips, so wide they looked swollen, as well as her generously endowed chest that looked like she was hiding watermelons underneath the towel. It stretched so much it was almost funny, and she couldn''t help but frown. Placing her hands on her hips, she felt them bounce slightly with the motion, making her sigh in mild frustration. "Why do my hips have to be so big¡­" She muttered under her breath as her fingers gently brushed the towel as if lamenting its inevitable end. Her hands moved upward and ghosted over her chest as she sighed even heavier. "And these aren''t making things any easier, either¡­" She grabbed her unnecessarily perky breasts like she wanted to choke them. Across the room, a man sat on the edge of the bed, his laptop open as his fingers flew across the keyboard. When she made her comment, he stopped typing and looked up with a partly confused expression. "Amalie¡­" His tone was half-chiding, half-amused. "Are you still worrying about your body?" Her eyes darted to him as a slight pout formed on her lips. "Joe¡­" She groaned and adjusted the towel again. "I''ve told you before¡­ I just¡ª" "¡ªfeel uncomfortable with how tight your clothes are and how men always stare at your butt?" He interrupted with that usual smug face of his. "Yeah, I know. But I''ve told you before, there''s nothing to be ashamed about. Plenty of women would kill to have a body like yours. And trust me, there''s no man out there who doesn''t appreciate it, either." Amalie''s cheeks turned pink as she looked away and her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the towel. "It''s not about them¡­" She mumbled, almost like a child. "I just¡­ I only want to look attractive to you. I hate how I can''t find clothes that fit right, and I''m sick of hiding in that washed up lab coat just to feel normal." Joe chuckled softly, closing his laptop and setting it aside. "Oh goodness¡­" He stood and walked over to her with a lazy confidence that made her heart flutter every time. Gently, he cupped her damp cheek and his thumb brushed against her skin as he looked her straight in the eyes. "So that''s why you keep your pretty hair so messy and bury yourself in that washed-out coat, huh?" He was trying hard not to tease. Amalie swallowed as his eyes made her squirm. "You''re the only one who''s ever made me feel attractive, honey. Even when I looked like¡­ this." She gestured vaguely at herself. "I know I''m a workaholic. A coffee-addicted mess, even. And I remember how much I was bullied as a kid for being¡­ ugly. But you defended me then, and you still see me as pretty now." Her voice softened as her eyes met his again. "If I want to look good, it''s only for you." Joe''s smile turned tender. "Amalie¡­ I get it. I really do. And while I love that you care so much about what I think, you should know that you''re beautiful¡ªstunning¡ªeven without trying. Maybe it wouldn''t hurt to show the world that every now and then. You deserve to feel good about yourself." She smiled faintly and her heart fluttered as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now, go get ready. You''ll be late." "Fine, fine¡­" She relented. A sweet and tender laugh escaped her lips as she turned back to the bathroom. ¡­ Barely an hour later, Amalie stepped out of their small bedroom, dressed and ready for the day. "Ahhh~ I''m ready." She had on a light blue high-necked sweater, a black mini-skirt, thigh-high stockings, and a pair of boots. Over everything, she wore her signature white lab coat, which covered most of her figure, though the snug fit still hinted at her massive curves. Her dark brown hair was a bit tidier but still had that scruffy, casual look. Oversized oval glasses rested on her little nose which softened the sharp beauty of her features. "Heading out!" She called as she grabbed her bag and waved at Joe. "Wait, Amalie!" He called after her, scrambling slightly. She paused in the doorway and looked back at him with those soft, curious blue eyes of hers. "What is it?" Joe hesitated as his hand brushing the ring box hidden under his pillow. After a moment, he smiled and shook his head. "Never mind. How about dinner tonight? A fancy place¡ªjust the two of us?" Amalie beamed as her eyes lit up. "You''re too sweet. Text me the time and place, and I''ll clear my schedule!" Joe grinned. "Will do. Now go, before you''re late." She blew him a kiss and hurried out the door, her heels clicking against the pavement as she made her way to her SUV. Tossing her bag onto the passenger seat, she slid into the driver''s side and started the engine. ¡ºSigh~ Joe''s the only good thing in my life these days. And I''m really lucky to have him¡­¡» Their small, barely developed neighborhood blurred past her as she drove while the other residents watched her car with mild surprise. She and Joe were the only ones in the neighborhood with a car, a noticeable difference compared to the modest lives of their neighbors. But Amalie hardly ever gave it a thought¡­ her mind was already drifting to the day ahead and the dinner she now had to look forward to. "Tonight¡­" She smiled tenderly and sped toward the city. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott eased his GT-R into a quiet alleyway a few blocks from Crowe Enterprises. The engine rumbled low as he killed the ignition. He pushed the door open, stepped out, and adjusted his leather jacket with a casual shrug. "Start the stream¡­" The young man was already smirking. [Stream initiated. Viewer Count: 0¡­ 50¡­ 100¡­ 300] Within seconds, the numbers skyrocketed as the notification pinged across countless devices. Scott leaned back against his car and the polished black paint gleamed under the midday sun, as he ran a hand through his unruly wolf-cut hair. "This should be fun¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, in Adira''s Rolls-Royce¡­ The atmosphere was quiet, like the empty road stretching toward the Belt Bridge. Brigid sat by the window, looking bored and tired. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. ¡­ DING! She quickly grabbed it, and her eyes went wide in surprise. "KYAAAA~ ?! Nightwatch started a stream!" Her shriek was so loud that it shocked both Lady Adira and her driver, who nearly swerved off the road because of it. The elegant woman gave her a sharp look. "Brigid¡­" "Y-, Yes¡­ ma''am?" "Screaming like that is neither ladylike nor fitting." Brigid slapped a hand over her mouth. "S-, Sorry¡­" she mumbled. Adira waved her off with a faint sigh. "It''s fine. Who''s this¡­ Nightwatch?" Brigid didn''t answer immediately. She was too busy tuning into the stream and reading the flood of comments: [Streamyspider: Yo, that GT-R is clean as hell!] ©¸ [Haddouch: Bro, fr tho (??_?)] [SleazyPen: When''s Deathmark gonna stream with you again? We love having her around, I did not know that bitch''s ass could fit in tights so good ???????? she had the entire bad bitches market stressing fr!] ©¸ [Hot_Papichulo: Bro the stream just started. ????] Stay updated with empire ©¸ [MaakasuEkano: Blame the primal, back-shot, creampie instinct instilled in all men since the days of Helen of Troy.] ©¸ [Magicbeer: Meh, I only goon to Cleopatra bro, she''s the baddest fr ©´( -"-)©°] ©¸ [Solarc18: Bro, Helen of Troy was so bad they had to start an entire war over her. ????] [Jeffery_Wilson_3192: We finally get a daytime stream? Did the man not sleep, orrrr?? ] [Cooldad_King: Props to Nightwatch for that $48k donation to the orphanage. Real hero moves.] [Space_Cowboy03: Don''t forget he added 10k of his own money. Goat energy.] [EETANAM_WOC: Finally making the right people famous out here.] [Zarion116: Lmao, y''all act like you''ve been here since Metro City. I WAS there when he took that pulse cannon to the chest.] --- Brigid''s eyes lit up as she leaned forward with the phone inches from her face. "Lady Crowe, it''s Nightwatch! He''s streaming!" Adira gave a mild shrug and looked out her window. "Nightwatch? I suppose I''ve heard the name. Is he really that interesting?" "You have no idea¡­" Brigid whispered as she immersed herself in the stream. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back in the alley¡­ Scott tilted his head at a fresh wave of comments popping up: [Venia_Wolfe: Man''s face can''t even be ID''d by the government. Bro''s built different.] [Itsumi: Nah, he''s just him. Nightwatch is HIM.] [FallenAries: Alright, let''s not gas him up TOO much. Remember, hype ruins heroes.] [Donation Alert: 1,000$ from @Bruce_Overton ¡ª Yo, bro, you switching to daytime ops? Need a new name like Overwatch now?] [NamelessQ: Nightwatch ain''t even a superhero fr.] ©¸ [DrMender: Me when I lie. ????] ©¸ [Cheese_72: Someone''s been watching too much Konrad Kain. You KNOW he''s a hero if you caught last week''s stream.] ©¸ [GuktarTheGallant: Don''t mind him, LMAO. Bro probably thinks The Peak is the greatest superhero or sum like that.] [Matthew_Edwards_8161: Overwatch, tho? Lowkey fire.] --- Scott chuckled and stepped away from the car and strolled toward the main street. "Can I talk yet, or are you guys just gonna waste the whole day renaming me?" The comments rolled in faster: [Hexamoon: Let the man cook.] [Hexamoon: Okay, but he''d slay as Overwatch, just saying.] [Johnathan_Goodman_3422: Nightwatch could be Overwatch, but only if he says so!] --- Scott sighed and shook his head. "Fine. Call me Overwatch during the day if it makes you happy. Doesn''t matter what I''m called¡ªit''s what I do that counts." [Tylarian: Based.] [Mekkemburgh: See? This is why he''s the essence of a true hero.] [Nick_Rouwhorst: Bruh, someone tell The Peak to take notes. This is how you inspire people.] [NeverBeGameOver: The Peak couldn''t even inspire his own barber. Mans still rocking the 1970s Mohawk Warriors cut. ????] [ForDaStreetz69: Peak stays having the personality of an expired loaf of bread.] [G.O.D_1999: Peak''s only superpower is making us cringe. I respect it.] --- Scott laughed aloud and shook his head as he read the roasting of The Peak. "You guys are ruthless. Poor guy didn''t even do anything this time." He continued walking as the viewer count climbed past 10,000 in an instant! Normally, it''d have taken him much longer to reach that number, but ever since his biggest stream two weeks ago, his average viewer count has been around 200,000 or more. A fresh comment popped up: [NutBuster5000: What''s the plan for today?] Scott grinned, recognizing the name. "Thanks for the donation, uh¡­ Nut¡­ uhh, 5000?" The username could barely leave his lips. "Today, I''m breaking into a maximum-security rotten company to steal all their dirty laundry." --- Brigid gasped from her seat in the Rolls-Royce. "I didn''t donate¡ª" Adira tilted her head with faint curiosity. "What''s he saying now?" Wide-eyed, Brigid turned the screen to Adira. "He''s going after a corporate giant." "Eh?" The elegant woman''s face tensed up. The comments exploded: [Parkdosii: Bro, you''re going after CORPORATE GIANTS?!] [DaoistApe: Nightwatch, you got a death wish?!] [Lumini: Companys'' CEO when they hear: ????????????] [Timeturner: Let him cook. This is going to be a generational masterpiece.] [Random451: I used to pray for times like these! ????????] --- Scott''s smirk grew sharp as he stopped at a street corner. The towering skyscraper of Crowe Enterprises became visible in the distance. Naturally, the camera drones captured a clear shot of it for the viewers but made sure to blur out the name and replace it with "Shitty Enterprises" instead. "Alright, chat. Sit tight. Things are about to get interesting." Chapter 64 Infiltration, Uncanny Encounter brigid''s face lit up like a child on christmas morning.her phone trembled in her hands as she practically screamed like a banshee. "he called my name!!!" brigid let out a sharp shriek, so sudden and loud that the driver flinched, causing the car to swerve slightly. still somehow composed and elegant, adira turned her head sharply to see what was going on, just in time to catch sight of blood dripping from brigid''s nose. "brigid!" adira''s furrowed. "what in the world is wrong with you?" brigid quickly slapped a hand over her face, trying to stop the bleeding, but a quiet, almost dreamy moan slipped out before she could stop it. her body shook as she gripped her phone like her life depended on it, clipping the exact moment nightwatch had said her name. "lady crowe¡­" brigid''s voice was muffled by her handkerchief. "it''s just¡­ when i hear him say my name, i¡ªi can''t help it. my brain goes into overdrive, and¡­ well¡­" she sheepishly gestured to her bleeding nose and her face burned with embarrassment. adira leaned in disgust. "does¡­ does this happen often?" brigid nodded slowly, still pressing the handkerchief to her face. "yeah, it''s¡ªuh¡ªa thing. perverted thoughts, arousal¡­ my blood vessels just can''t handle it." adira''s lips thinned as she stared at brigid, then shook her head with a sigh. "that is¡­ deeply disturbing. anyway, what is this nightwatch up to now?" brigid dabbed at her nose as she looked back at her phone. "he''s¡­ um¡­" her face paled. "i don''t know. he usually doesn''t say exactly where he''s going during these streams. he likes to keep it vague so no one interferes." adira hummed skeptically and shifted toward the corner of her seat. with a quick tap on her sleek, gold-plated phone, she messaged her chief of security. [lady crowe: be vigilant. we may have a break-in, but i''m not certain yet.] the reply came almost instantly. [don''t worry, ma''am. my team is always active.] [chief security: they better be, or you''ll all lose your jobs faster than you can say ''please.''] she set her phone down and glanced back at brigid, who was still lost in her nightwatch-induced haze. "honestly¡­" adira muttered under her breath. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ back at crowe enterprises¡­ scott stood at the street corner, staring up at the gleaming skyscraper of crowe enterprises. the camera drones buzzed around him, making sure to catch every angle for his rapidly growing audience. "system¡­ purchase tier 5 disguise kit." [ding! tier 5 disguise kit purchased. credits balance: 1,305,000 credits] a massive metal box materialized out of thin air and landed on the pavement with a satisfying thud. the chat exploded: [valyrxa: yo, where does this man keep pulling these crates from?? i''m getting concerned. ????] [skalduggery: another day, another op gadget.] [jesse_windham: i swear, nightwatch''s gear budget could fund a small country.] [ovime_david: nah, bro''s just flexing at this point.] [dragonova69: it''s his power! my man can summon deus ex machina. ????????] --- scott changed into a delivery uniform from the box. he grabbed two oversized cartons, stuffed some spare clothes into a vacuum-seal bag, and activated its compression function. the bag slimmed down, looking impossibly light despite its size. the viewers kept rolling: [wilson_1112: how does that even work?] [flhunter35: bruh, i need that bag for vacations. ????] [joseph_barton_1446: scientifically, it uses compressed air displacement xd] ©¸ [liam_hailes: "akshually¡­" ?????? as if anyone asked yo nerdy ass (???)] ©¸ [kyle_perry_5218: nobody cares, nerd. let nightwatch cook.] some donations popped up: [donation alert: $500 from @acesgoboom ¨C yo, my man''s is out here defying physics!] [donation alert: $1000 from @allmight50 ¨Chahah! go beyond, my friend!] ©¸ [diligentobserver: wrong hero series bruv. ????] ©¸ [asr163: damn, didn''t know he was a fan.] ©¸ [sleazy: give me some of yo pubic hair, papi. ?] --- scott chuckled. "thanks for the donation, uh¡­ all might. appreciate it." he crossed the street, casually approaching the building''s entrance. three burly security guards in tailored suits and fierce black shades blocked his path. the first guard stepped forward, arms crossed. "who the hell are you?" the second guard sneered. "you can''t even greet us properly? show some respect before you walk in here." scott feigned a weak smile as his knees trembled as if the boxes were too heavy. "uh, s-, sir¡­ please, i just have a delivery for lady adira crowe. she said she wouldn''t be in today, so she told me to hand it directly to amalie andersen. do you¡­ uh¡­ know who that is?" the viewers went wild: [hritikgarg: lmao, not this man playing weak right after flipping a helicopter two weeks ago.] [brent_7955: security guards stay being npcs fr.] [wagzoo: bro''s about to talk his way past them. watch.] [kunanon_yantakanok: this feels staged. ain''t no way.] [beatz: they really gon act tough around a delivery guy? where''s grave''s men when you need ''em ????????] --- the guards exchanged glances. "do we let him in?" the first one asked. the second scoffed. "hell no. what if he''s lying?" the first pointed at scott, who was now visibly shaking under the weight of the boxes. "look at this guy. you think he''s breaking in here? dude can''t even lift those boxes properly." the second guard chuckled. "fair point." they waved him through. the comments erupted: [fch19: me when i use 1% of my brain. ????] [vio_zero: ???????????? npc guards strike again.] [figulicious: this is why front-door security is a joke.] [vedoril: bro''s winning oscars for this acting. respect.] [ethan_stockton: imagine trusting a delivery guy with no id check. ????] ©¸ [ryan_day_6788: they''re probably new. look at their haircuts and how they wear their comms, very wrongly (¨C_¨C) sigh¡­] ©¸ [warknow_nation: or they not built for this fr ?_?¡­] scott strolled inside, his smirk hidden behind the boxes. [snusdax: that smirk? peak middle school ''got away with farting in class'' energy.] ©¸ [kingswordsmen: "heh, they didn''t see that one coming" ahh smirk ????????] [mozzy_da: nah, bro really thought he cooked. ????] [adam_grzegorezyk: smirking because you got past three inexperienced guards is crazy work. ????] ©¸ [lolibudhha: i can''t even defend bro atp ???? ????] --- scott squeezed his face a bit. ¡ºwell¡­ i kinda thought it was cool¡­¡» he walked into the massive building filled with workers going back and forth about their respective duties. ¡­ scott stepped out of the elevator on the 2nd floor as the heavy boxes still strategically shielded his face. the floor bustled with workers whose chatter and hurried footsteps didn''t seem to end. with each step, he maneuvered through the crowd, adopting the demeanor of an overworked delivery guy trying not to bump into anyone. "excuse me¡­ sorry! uh, lovely tie, sir!" he squeezed past a chubby man juggling three steaming cups of coffee. "oh, wonderful morning to you!" he tilted his head toward a woman who barely glanced up from her clipboard. "oops, sorry! didn''t mean to!" he said as his shoulder grazed another worker. the camera drones flitted around him as it captured every awkward sidestep and polite murmur. [dkisme: nah, not him complimenting the tie. ????] [andrew_prescott: "excuse me, lovely tie, don''t mind me breaking into your building" vibes.] [k7rm4: peak npc delivery dialogue energy.] [aserge: bro''s not even trying to blend in fr. ????] [solo_gaming_4658: can we talk about how none of them care? work culture is crazy.] --- scott finally reached an elevator and stepped inside. the boxes remained perfectly positioned in front of his face as he jabbed the button for the 48th floor. the doors closed, and he let out a small breath of relief. "okay¡­ so far, so good." he checked his wristwatch. the holographic display showed his target location flashing on the 48th floor. [shakee00: what''s the plan, boss?] [john_clamble: my man''s playing hitman in real life rn.] [daoist132618: 48th floor? that''s deep. ?????????] ©¸ [13t6v6: pause. ????] [evan_franco: plot twist ¨C the company''s ceo is waiting for him with a shotgun. ????????] but when the elevator dinged at the 30th floor and scott stepped out. [maakasuekano: huh?] [pedro_sousa: wait, what''s he doing?] [carl_primrose: bro, wrong floor?] [knottify: this man can''t even press the right button. ????] ©¸ [big_havok: probably suffering from cte after all those nights of fighting level 1 crooks (¡ã,_?¡ã)] [matt_sara: bet he''s about to do something wild again. ????] --- scott ignored the commotion in the chat and walked briskly down the corridor until he found a janitor''s closet. he slipped inside and the door closed with a soft click. a few moments later, he emerged dressed as a cleaner, pushing a trolley of supplies. a scarf was tied around his lower face to obscure his identity further. [slayernominee: what in the random npc transformation is this.] [sir_dragon: this man went from amazon delivery driver to janitor real quick.] s§×ar?h the n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [gregor_dickison: bro''s playing too many rpgs. ????] [he changed again? is this hitman or what?] [big_havok: let him cook, y''all. ????????] [johnathan_mcstay: can y''all shut up and let the man work?! ????] --- scott pushed the trolley through the expansive hallways as his eyes darted around to gauge the reactions of nearby workers. none of them spared him a glance, too preoccupied with their own tasks or discussions. some hurried past, clutching files; others tapped furiously on their phones. [makiltoh: why''s he so paranoid? they''re not even looking at him. ????] [daoist7ls2kd: my guy, they got work to do. you''re the least interesting thing here.] [bradyn_lane: "heh, they''ll never notice me" bro, they don''t care. ????] [viidaros: nightwatch, scared of a bunch of salarymen. ????????] [anon_dag: this is why i love him. he''s doing all this for us. ????????] ©¸ [something_wicked: yeah, zip his pants up when you''re done, lil bro¡­] --- as scott walked past a worker adjusting his tie and lab coat, the camera drones zoomed in as scott swiped the man''s id card in a single smooth motion. the chat erupted: [tylarian: no way he just swiped that.] [figulicious: bro just ruined that man''s career. ????????????] [rexxar5000: poor guy''s gonna cry when he gets fired. ????] ©¸ [sleazy: how tho?] ©¸ [crownslayer49: if something goes missing in the company, they''re obviously gonna point at the guy whose id went missing, duh¡­] [timeturner: stealth level ¨C 100] [g.o.d_1999: nightwatch, how could you. that man has kids to feed! ????] [jclozanoc: imagine explaining this to hr. "yeah, i think the janitor stole my card¡­" ????] scott glanced at the chat briefly and chuckled. "don''t worry, folks. he''ll get it back¡­ eventually." the comments doubled down: [brandon_soltysiak: bro, don''t pretend you''re the good guy. you''re not. ????] [theunknown3455: "eventually" = never. rip to that guy''s career.] [pankek: this man''s out here ruining lives for content.] --- moments later, scott entered another quiet hallway. he was now dressed in a sleek black high-neck sweater under a white lab coat and the stolen id card dangled around his neck. he combed his hair back with his fingers to complete the polished look. the chat marveled: [devilzhead: where did he even get that sweater??] [daoist_iveyflame: heh, he''s looking like a budget bond villain now.] [pankek: that id card''s gonna get him places. ????] [kaliosocekor: vacuum-seal backpack w. how''s he always so prepared? ????] scott confidently strode toward the staircase and headed up to the 35th floor. the hallways were filled with more workers¡ªtyping on tablets, rushing between meetings¡ªbut he blended in effortlessly. then he saw them: four security guards stationed near a corner. without hesitating, scott pivoted smoothly and turned down another hallway as if he''d meant to go that way all along. [justin_bailey_7636: nah, that was too clean. bro just hit a 180 like a pro.] [thepriest: "oh, no thanks, i''m good" vibes. ????] [rubenwrites_: security guards stay ruining everything. ????] [agam_batth_4638: that turn was meme-worthy. someone caption it.] ©¸ [hayden_newborn_7218: when you see your ex at the grocery store. ????] ©¸ [sunless_1379: me when i''m with the boys and i see the 3/10 i was flirting with last night. ????] more donations rolled in: [donation alert: $2,000 from @dfektz ¨C love how smoothly this is going! hope there''s action soon, though!] [donation alert: $800 from @master_darkmind¨C not everything needs to be action. let him rest. ????] scott just shook his head at their comments and continued walking with the 48th floor in mind. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ metro city, megacorp headquarters ¨C ceo''s office¡­ jason larkens leaned back in his luxurious leather chair and let out a loud, hearty laugh that covered the spacious, glass-walled office. he slapped the desk in front of him and the sharp sound rang out like the strike of a judge''s gavel. "of course, we''d love to have pulsar on our team!" his grin was as wide as it was conniving. "i hear she''s about to be promoted to a-rank. imagine the headlines! let''s get her on board yesterday." seated across from him, vincent shot out his hand with that usual sly grin of his. jason clasped it firmly and the two men shook hands like co-conspirators. after that, vincent leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. "and don''t forget our agreement, jason¡­ we bring pulsar here, give her a few high-profile collabs with the peak. it''ll be a win-win, their careers growing side by side." jason nodded as his smile sharpened. "oh, absolutely. with how massive the peak''s popularity is getting, pairing him with pulsar guarantees she wins rookie hero of the year at the se awards. am i right?" vincent chuckled and tapped the side of his temple. "that''s why you''re the genius, jason." jason leaned forward as his voice dropped slightly. "about the miss mercury situation, though¡­" he trailed off and drummed his fingers on the desk. "i''ll need to give it some thought first." vincent laughed and waved dismissively. "huh©¤©¤?! what''s there to think about? it''s not exactly a tough decision." seated beside vincent, pulsar looked from one man to the other as her brow pressed together. "what''s going on?" jason turned to vincent and acted surprised. "you haven''t told her?" vincent sighed and sat up straighter. "guess now''s as good a time as any. you''re bound to find out once the changes roll out." pulsar raised both eyebrows in confusion. "changes?" vincent smirked as he adjusted his tie. "here''s the deal, pulsar. you''re a rising star¡ªa big image hero. it makes zero sense for a c-rank hero like miss mercury to still be megacorp''s top earner. so¡­" he gestured broadly. "i made it a condition of your partnership with megacorp that they bump your pay 30% higher than hers. oh, and they''ll also be cutting her pay by 30% to even things out." pulsar shot up from her chair, eyes blazing. "that''s insane! i''m already going to make more than enough with brand deals and sponsorships. i don''t need to take money away from miss mercury¡ªshe''s megacorp''s number one hero!" jason burst out laughing and banged his desk again. read latest chapters at empire "number one hero? please. she''s better off being the number one slut in this company. what else is she good for besides flaunting her body in those tights we gave her?" his face squeezed into disgust. "honestly, i''m only humoring this agreement because i''ll need to bump the peak''s pay too." vincent laughed the moment he heard this. an idea quickly jumped into his mind. "why not drop her earnings another 20% and give that to the peak? he''s an actual s-tier hero." he and jason bumped fists as they laughed like hyenas. pulsar''s face twisted with disgust. "miss mercury has worked her ass off for this company! she''s the reason megacorp is even on the map. how can you treat her like this?" vincent nodded mockingly. "she works her ass off? that fat ass hasn''t worked a day in her life. where was she when the peak saved everyone at the blue garden hotel?" "sh-, she was¡­ she©¤©¤!!" pulsar was at a loss for words. jason yawned theatrically and waved her off. "it''s just business, pulsar. sure, mercury''s great for drawing in crowds, but we need heroes like the peak to really elevate our brand. get us on the same level as the big players." vincent nodded sagely. "true words, my friend. true words." pulsar clenched her fists. "i''m not going to stand for this!" she spun on her heel and stormed out of the office, leaving jason and vincent smirking behind her. vincent leaned back and crossed his arms. "meh. she''ll be back." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ megacorp lobby¡­ miss mercury walked into the building and her mood went cheerful after spending time signing autographs for a group of fans outside. she casually scrolled through her phone and a gentle smile appeared as she looked at photos of her and scott back in meteor city. "awwww~ ? jenna needs to see this¡­" one picture showed her burning dinner, with scott laughing in the background. another showed him fast asleep, while she had drawn a goofy cartoon mustache on his face. she chuckled to herself and her cheeks grew warm as the memories played in her mind. "can''t wait to video chat with him tonight!" lost in her thoughts, she didn''t notice pulsar stomping out of the elevator. the two collided head-on. ¡­ step©¤©¤©¤©¤thud!! and that was how pulsar and miss mercury met. Chapter 65 Boy Talk, Elevator Trouble, Surprise Call megacorp cafeteria ¨C junior workers'' lounge¡­the spacious cafeteria was unusually quiet, with only the occasional clinking of cutlery and the soft murmurs of a group of workers crammed into one corner like sardines. miss mercury and pulsar sat across from each other at a table that felt far too small for the tension hanging between them. both of them were well aware of the hushed whispers coming from the corner, even though they made a show of ignoring it. "do you think they''re fighting?" "no way. miss mercury doesn''t seem like the type." "you kidding? pulsar''s joining megacorp. it''s obvious they''re going to compete. mercury has to be jealous¡ªshe''s probably furious right now." "jealous? nah, she''s too nice for that. people just assume she''s a diva because she''s beautiful." the others burst into quiet laughter at this and shook their heads at the notion. but, what they didn''t know was that miss mercury had been off the internet and away from her phone for about two weeks. the only updates she got were from tv, and even then, only when she caught a glimpse of the news early in the morning or late at night while watching with scott. because of this, miss mercury didn''t know that pulsar had signed up with megacorp. she hadn''t heard all the talk about how pulsar was becoming the next big star or seen the posts on social media claiming this might be the beginning of the end for miss mercury''s career. it was quite a hassle. for her part, miss mercury leaned slightly back in her chair and kept her slender arms folded loosely as she studied pulsar. her smile was warm, disarming, the kind you''d expect from someone who genuinely didn''t have a cruel bone in their body. "so¡­" mercury finally broke the silence. her tone was so light and angelic. "i hear we''re causing quite a stir. can''t even eat in peace without feeling like celebrities, huh?" pulsar smiled weakly as her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her tray. "guess so. didn''t realize lunch was a spectator sport." miss mercury chuckled and leaned forward slightly. "i''ll tell you what¡ªthankfully, i''ve got accelerated healing, and you''re built like a fortress. so, no need for aspirin. crisis averted." pulsar blinked, then let out a short, nervous laugh. "uh, yeah. silver linings, i guess." mercury extended her hand across the table. there was a wide smile on her beautiful face. "anyway, nice to meet you. i''m miss mercury." pulsar hesitated for a moment, then took the hand and shook it. "pulsar. and, uh¡­ for what it''s worth, my boyfriend and best friend both have your posters in their rooms. though they usually hide them when anyone''s around." miss mercury raised an eyebrow and laughed awkwardly as she released the handshake. "yikes. okay, i''ll assume the best friend is single. but as for the boyfriend¡­ you should really either break up with that kind of guy or give him a stern warning. trust me, those types can be trouble." on the inside, she was shrieking with excitement. ¡ºkyaaa~ ?! nothing like my dearest scottie!¡» but, she somehow managed to hide it on the outside. pulsar''s smile faltered, and she looked away. "well¡­ he kind of already broke up with me." sadness was in her voice. mercury winced as her face squeezed a little. "oof. my bad. didn''t mean to dredge up bad memories. sounds like things didn''t end too well with that jerk." pulsar gave a small, hollow laugh. "he wasn''t a jerk, though. it was me. i¡­ i messed up. i was selfish, naive, too caught up in¡­ everything else to see what i was throwing away. i regretted it the moment i let him go." her voice cracked slightly, and she hurriedly wiped at her eyes as tears began to fall. "sorry. i promised i wouldn''t do this again. i''m such a mess sometimes¡­" mercury kept her tone soft but firm. "hey, hey. stop that. listen to me for a second. your boyfriend¡ªdo you want to talk to him again?" pulsar looked up, startled. "i¡­ i don''t know. maybe? yes. yes, i do." mercury nodded firmly. "then give him a call. what''s the worst that could happen? he says no? fine, at least you''ll know you tried. look, there''s no harm in being desperate for someone you love. love isn''t something to be ashamed of." she smiled with an almost wistful expression. "i went after the man i loved, and it wasn''t easy, but it''s worth it. every second of it. you deserve that too." if she could get the man she loved to love her too, then she believed the same for pulsar. pulsar stared at her and the tears dried on her cheeks as her breathing steadied. "you¡­ really think i should call him?" mercury stood and placed a reassuring hand on pulsar''s sylph-like shoulder. "i know you should. and if he says no, you''ll move on stronger. but if there''s even the slightest chance he still cares, then it''s worth fighting for." the cafeteria workers in the corner were practically holding their breaths, trying to overhear the exchange. pulsar smiled softly as her shoulders relaxed for the first time since she sat down. discover exclusive tales on empire "thanks. i needed to hear that." mercury gave her two light pats on the shoulder and stepped away, her smile as radiant as ever. "good luck, pulsy. oh, and next time you want to cry, make sure you''ve got tissues handy. soggy sleeves are never a good look." with that, she left. the workers in the corner resumed their gossip. "wait¡­ did mercury just inspire pulsar?!" "man, she really is the real deal." "okay, i take it back. she''s not jealous at all. she''s amazing." "i don''t think that''s the case... maybe she doesn''t even know what''s about to happen. honestly, poor miss mercury. and pulsar was smart enough not to tell her anything so she could at least focus on proving herself in the company." "what are you talking about? miss mercury has always been proving herself and working harder than anyone else here. she''s incredibly dedicated and always willing to help others. i even heard she gave joe blumbitz half a million dollars to help him start a business and leave this job." "wait, really©¤©¤?!" "yeah, no joke." across the room, pulsar picked up her phone and her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed a number she thought she''d never call again. ¡ºi¡­ i don''t know¡­ can i?¡» she just sat there, staring at the phone''s screen. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ meteor city, crowe enterprises¡­ scott stepped into the mainframe room on the 48th floor. ¡ºsigh~ i could''ve hacked this without much trouble using the system''s software, but with amalie nearby, i couldn''t take that risk. it''d only make my work a lot more complicated.¡» the stolen id card did its job as the scanner blinked green and the heavy steel door slid open with a low hiss. he paused for a moment to scan the room with the calm demeanor of someone who belonged there, even though his pulse quickened beneath his practiced facade. ¡ºalright, let''s go¡­¡» his hands slid casually into the pockets of his lab coat. inside, workers in matching coats bustled about. they tapped away at holographic screens and typed quickly on consoles. a few looked up when he came in but went back to their work almost immediately, showing no real interest. [he made it. w, nightwatch!] ["hands in pockets" energy. man''s chillin'' like he''s on payroll. ????] [bro''s definitely sweating under that calm exterior, 100% ????] [lmao, what if nightwatch''s just an employee here, and this is just his day job.] ©¸ [imagine being a superhero and working a 9-to-5. couldn''t be me.] ©¸ [i mean¡­ superman does it. ????] ©¸ [and that''s why he always gets his girl girl stolen by the millionaire playboy.] ©¸ [billionaire. millionaires are so last year xd] --- scott looked around the room, noticing the tall rows of servers and the sleek consoles that glowed softly in the low light. he walked deeper into the space, moving slowly and deliberately. after a few steps, he saw a worker hunched over a monitor, adjusting his glasses every few seconds as he typed. with a quick tap on the man''s shoulder, scott leaned in and spoke softly. "hey, man. any idea where miss andersen is? haven''t seen her around." "tch, that filthy bitch¡­" "eh?" scott raised eyebrow. the worker barely looked up and pushed his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. "uhh, she went to grab coffee. should be back soon." he returned to his screen. scott gave him an appreciative nod. "oh, cool. thanks, man." he walked over to a nearby chair and acted like he was about to sit down. however, as soon as the worker settled back into his work, scott quietly slipped behind one of the tall server racks. [man, nightwatch is criminal levels of sneaky. ] [bro''s about to hack the pentagon with this setup. ????] [he didn''t even sit! peak fakeout energy.] ©¸ [budget james bond strikes again. ????] [isn''t this the same guy who once fumbled a warehouse keypad? lmfao.] ©¸ [he''s evolved since then. leave him alone. ????] ©¸ [still better than the peak xd] --- scott pulled out a thin, flexible cable from his wristwatch. the sleek tech clicked softly as he plugged it into a discreet port on the server. instantly, holographic screens popped up before him to display the intricate web of security firewalls. his fingers danced over the translucent interface as he navigated the system with ease. [dissolving all detected firewalls¡­] [simultaneously installing backdoor¡­] [access granted!] scott looked relieved. "a few minutes and i should be done¡­" --- meanwhile¡­ on the 40th floor, amalie sipped her coffee as she leaned casually against a nearby wall. her phone was pressed to her ear, and her face was lit up with a genuine smile that was always rare at work. "really, dad?" she looked as excited as a child. "you think he''ll actually do it? propose?" chrisley''s hearty laughter boomed through the phone. "of course, sweetheart! my boy''s a fool if he doesn''t. i can already picture it¡ªyou walking into the factory together, me pretending i don''t know anything, and then bawling my eyes out when he says the words. gotta make it dramatic, you know!" amalie giggled as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her small ear. "you''re impossible. but i can''t wait either. he''s been acting so weird lately¡ªi just have this feeling." across the room, her subordinates couldn''t stop staring at her with faces of disgust. "she really dresses like that every day? with her salary?" "ugh, looking at her makes me want to throw up¡­" "right? and her hair¡ªit always looks so dirty. doesn''t she own a fuckin'' brush?" "her skin''s annoyingly flawless, though. ugh, i hate that someone so gross could look so good." "gross? she''s got a boyfriend, you know. imagine the kind of creep who''d date her." "probably someone as dirty as she is." "the thing that annoys me the most is that she''s probably the person lady crowe trusts the most in this damn company. i really can''t stand amalie!" "ugh, yeah, right©¤©¤?!" amalie paused mid-sip. her sharp eyes sliced through the room. the group fell silent instantly and pretended to focus on their screens. "uh, dad¡­" her tone turned sweet again. "¡­ hold on a sec." she set her coffee down and flashed a tight-lipped smile at her coworkers, who scrambled to appear busy. returning to her call, she sighed. "sorry about that, dad. where were we?" chrisley chuckled knowingly. "dealing with the vultures again, huh? don''t let them get to you, kiddo. you''ve got bigger things to focus on¡ªlike your future with my idiot son, joe!" amalie smiled as her voice softened. "you''re right. i can''t wait, dad." --- back on the 48th floor, scott was done. he withdrew the cable and slid it back into his watch. [mission complete?] [bro''s too calm. that means something''s about to go wrong.] [man''s one step away from turning this whole company upside down. ????] [if he pulls this off, he deserves all the donos.] scott tiredly stretched his arms out. "alright, folks. the hard part''s done. now, let''s see if i can get out of here without running into trouble¡­" scott exited the mainframe room. with a quick glance down the hallway, he adjusted his lab coat and casually made his way toward the elevator. ¡ºthe hard part''s done. just a smooth exit. no drama.¡» the elevator dinged in the distance. its digital panel showed it descending, stopping momentarily on the 42nd floor before continuing its slow climb to the 48th. scott frowned. ¡ºsomeone''s coming up. not ideal.¡» he was about to pivot toward the stairs when the elevator doors slid open with an all-too-familiar hiss. amalie andersen stepped out, her coffee in one hand, her phone in the other, still mid-conversation. she looked up¡ªand their eyes locked. scott froze for half a second before instinct kicked in. ¡ºshit! it''s her! no time.¡» he moved. the comments exploded. [noooo, not her!!!] [don''t you dare touch her, nightwatch!] [bruh, my man''s about to make the biggest mistake of his vigilante life. ????] [or the best. i mean, look at her.] ©¸ [bro, she''s kind of¡­ dirty?] ©¸ [nah, man, her appearance is just messy. there''s a big difference.] ©¸ [you''re all blind. she''s fine as hell.] ©¸ [ok, not a simp, but¡­ fooooiiiine.] --- scott rushed into the elevator and slammed the close-door button while simultaneously pressing his palm over amalie''s mouth. she gasped as her coffee slipped from her hand and splattered on the elevator floor. her body stiffened, and she tried to scream, but scott pushed her firmly against the wall. his other arm went around her waist and he pulled close enough that he could feel her soft breasts against his chest as her heart pounded. "don''t make a sound. i''m not here to hurt you. just stay quiet, and we''ll both walk away from this. got it?" amalie''s wide, terrified eyes stared into his, but she nodded frantically. her breathing was sharp and shallow against his hand as her body trembled. the viewers went ballistic. [holy shit, nightwatch?!] [bro what are you doing?!] s§×ar?h the n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [this man went from zero to criminal in two seconds.] [relax, he''s got a plan. right? right?! ????] ©¸ [idk, man. this ain''t looking very heroic.] [wife her up, nightwatch. right now.] ©¸ [imagine simping for your hostage. couldn''t be me.] ©¸ [at this point he should just wife up any woman that pops up on his stream. they all bad bitches! ????????] --- scott tilted his head slightly and his tone dropped into something almost casual as he leaned closer. "has anyone ever told you you''re¡­ beautiful?" amalie blinked as her fear turned into confusion. "i mean it." he sniffed lightly as his lips quirked in a faint smirk. "not a fan of heavy perfumes, but you? nice. natural. fruity. kind of refreshing." her eyebrows twitched upward, and her eyes softened for the briefest moment before she turned her head away. ¡ºi-, is he trying to mock me? my coworkers and even lady crowe says i smell funny¡­ then again i don''t blame them. it was my choice to look like this!¡» she desperately tried to stay strong. scott took the opportunity and gently grabbed her butt. "wh-, what©¤©¤?!" amalie tried to scream through his hand. he pressed the hand against her mouth more while he kept caressing her butt softly. amalie''s cheeks were turning red and her body was shivering and she closed her eyes shut and quickly looked away in pain. scott wasn''t enjoying this. ¡ºi''m really sorry, amalie¡­¡» when he saw that she was a little too overwhelmed by his touch, he was certain her focus was gone. ¡ºi can never be too careful around you¡­¡» his hand gently slid away from her ass cheek as he deftly slipped a micro-device into the pocket of her lab coat. his touch was so smooth that even she didn''t notice. the viewers erupted. [what did he just do?!] [was that a tracker? a bug? a¡­ i don''t even know!] ©¸ [nah, that''s def a plot device. pun intended.] [bro''s smooth as hell. not gonna lie.] ["fruity"? lmao, that''s his pickup line?!] ©¸ [and it worked. she''s blushing. simp.] [so we just not gon talk about how he was squeezing her butt like it was stress ball? okay ?_?¡­] --- amalie''s panic resurfaced as she grunted angrily against his hand. her knee shot up in a desperate attempt to hit him in the nuts, but scott, anticipating the move, shifted and trapped her leg between his thighs. "ah, ah, ah." his voice was teasing but firm. "don''t be naughty. just stay good, and we''ll both get out of this with no problems. alright?" amalie froze as her body trembled more. slowly, she lowered her leg and mumbled a muffled¡­ "sorry." the comments exploded again. ["don''t be naughty"? ???? bro is wildin''.] [nah, this man''s dialogue is peak villain energy.] [why is she¡­ lowkey into it now?] ©¸ [stockholm syndrome speedrun.] [amalie''s about to betray the company for him. fukin'' calling it now.] --- the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival on the first floor. as the doors parted, six security guards stood waiting, along with the man whose id scott had stolen. "that''s him!" the man shouted and pointed a trembling finger. "it''s got to be him!" scott''s mind raced, but his face remained calm. he kept his body positioned to shield his face from view, then leaned closer to amalie one last time. "just some advice. no man''s sticking around if you don''t step up your wardrobe game and clean yourself up a little. but me? i think you''re fine just the way you are. then again, i don''t always have the best tastes¡­" with a wink, he released her and pivoted smoothly to dodge two security guards who lunged into the cramped elevator. the viewers lost it. [what did he just say to her?!] ["you''re fine the way you are" ???? i''m dead.] [this man''s out here dropping both insults and friggin'' compliments. pick a side.] [bro, focus on escaping, not rizz. ????] ©¸ [peak multitasking. w nightwatch.] --- scott''s agility was something to behold. in the tight space of the elevator, he flipped, ducked, and darted around the last few guards. he used every surface¡ªwalls, ceiling, even the guards themselves¡ªto his advantage. by the time he finished, the guards were a tangled mess, cuffed together with their own restraints and looking completely out of sorts! "get him!" the man screamed, but it was too late. scott stepped out of the elevator, hit the close button, and waved as the doors slid shut. "gentlemen¡­" the guards roared in frustration as the viewers howled with laughter. [lmaooooo they got played.] [man cuffed them like a magician. how?!] [my guy''s movement is straight out of an anime. w choreography.] ©¸ [can we get a slow-mo replay on that?] [this is why i watch nightwatch streams. it''s always goated content. ????????????] --- scott pulled off his lab coat and tossed the id card to the nervous man who had already backed into a corner. he let out a chuckle, then turned and started walking toward the exit, his head down and eyes focused on his phone. as soon as he stepped outside, the first thing he noticed was an incoming call from an unknown number. without hesitation, he ended the stream. [@nightwatchofficial: sorry guys, i''ll get back to y''all in a bit, alright? |_?)¡­] his eyes didn''t leave the phone''s screen. ¡ºhm¡­ unknown number?¡» Chapter 66 Connections the silence in the cafeteria was deafening.pulsar sat at the edge of a bench, one leg bouncing nervously as her phone rested in her trembling hands. her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an iron grip as her thumb hovered over the keypad. she stared at the screen and a blank expression masked the storm of emotions inside her. "there''s no point hesitating now¡­" she managed to whisper to herself. "at least i still have his number memorized. even if he blocked me, i can still reach him with a different line. y-, yeah, that''s good¡­" taking a deep breath, she typed out scott''s number. each digit felt heavier than the last, as if she were etching them into stone. the moment she pressed [call] her chest tightened. she closed her eyes and clutched the phone with both hands as she silently pleaded. ¡ºpick up¡­ please¡­ just pick up¡­¡» the phone rang once, twice, three times. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ meanwhile¡­ scott''s car glided down the highway. he''d just left crowe enterprises with all the information he needed on them. the phone rang for the second time to pull his focus away for a moment. he looked at the screen, and it was still that same unfamiliar number flashing. all that left his mouth was a tired sigh. ¡ºwho even¡­?¡» he pressed the answer button and held the phone to his ear, a hand still on the steering wheel. "who is this?" his voice was very calm. on the other end, pulsar''s breath hitched. she opened her mouth and her voice trembled. "i-, it''s me¡­ maya." there was a moment of silence. scott''s face didn''t change. his grip on the wheel remained steady as he kept his eyes on the road. "yeah? and?" his tone was still the same. the same tone you''d use to address a stranger. the coldness in his tone hit maya like a punch to the gut. she bit her lower lip hard and closed her eyes tightly to hold back the tears threatening to spill. ¡ºthis isn''t how it was supposed to go¡­¡» the young lady sniffled once, twice, three times. "i, uh¡­" she struggled for words. "how¡­ how have you been doing?" scott exhaled softly, almost like he was letting out a burden he didn''t want to carry. "i''ve been fine." his tone was clipped, polite but utterly detached. "not that i need to ask how you''ve been doing. i''m sure vincent''s been taking good care of you. after all, you''ve got superior judgment, right?" maya''s cheeks burned with shame as her thighs pressed together tightly, her eyes fixed on the floor. she knew if she kept talking she was going to end up crying over the phone. "you don''t have to put it like that¡­ it''s not like i wan¡ª" scott cut her off in an unhurried manner. "i''m on my way to check on gwen at the hospital. could you get to the point?" maya''s breath hitched again as her fingers gripped the phone tighter. her chest felt heavy, like it was sinking into a pit. ¡ºgwen¡­? could it be gwen mercer? of course he''d be dating her by now¡­¡» for some reason, she couldn''t stop herself from looking down at her own small chest, only to immediately think of how curvy and well-endowed gwen mercer was. the thought filled her with a deep sense of jealousy, especially since she couldn''t help but feel there was no way she could ever compare to a woman she believed was far more beautiful than her. "i just¡­" she sighed deeply and tried to steady herself. "i was wondering if we could talk. like¡­ the talk." scott didn''t hesitate one bit. "what do you think we''re doing right now? sounds like talking to me." maya let out a strained, uncomfortable chuckle. but, the sound was even hollow to her own ears. "uh, yeah, but i meant¡­ in person. i could come to wherever you are. you don''t have to go out of your way." scott''s sigh was audible this time. "i''m in meteor city. i''ll text you the address." maya raised an eyebrow, trying to lighten the mood. "meteor city? seriously? that place is a dump." scott''s voice lost any little warmth it had. "you want to be a hero that inspires people, but you''ve got the audacity to call a place where struggling, living human beings exist a dump? some inspiration." her stomach churned as she immediately realized her mistake. "sh-, shoot©¤©¤!" she knocked herself lightly on the head with her free hand. "i was joking! it was just a joke!" nothing changed in scott''s voice. "then maybe next time, instead of joking, you could try being a little more considerate." pulsar''s tender lower lip trembled as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "i''m sorry¡­" there was a pause before scott spoke again. "i''ll see you later." and with that, the call ended. ¡ª maya lowered the phone slowly as her arm fell limply to her side. the silence in the cafeteria returned, perhaps even heavier than before. she placed the phone on the table in front of her as her hands moved to grip the tops of her thigh-high stockings. her breathing quickened as she fought to keep the tears at bay. her shoulders shook as she muttered to herself. "what am i even doing? why¡­ why does it feel like i''m the only one clinging to something that''s already gone?" but deep down, she knew the answer. ¡ºbecause i still love him¡­¡» her hands balled into fists against her thighs. no matter how much it hurt, no matter how cold scott had become, she wasn''t ready to let go. ¡ºplease¡­ not yet.¡» and so, she sat there, waiting for the address. hoping for another chance. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ scott pulled into the parking lot of woodhull private hospital, finding a spot near the entrance. he turned off the engine but didn''t move right away as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. stay tuned to empire ¡ºwhy can''t maya just leave me alone? i''ve been enjoying my time here in meteor city, but now she shows up saying she wants to talk. i''m not mad at her for the choice she made, but if i see her face again, i honestly don''t know how angry i''ll get.¡» after a deep breath, he stepped out and the late october chill immediately bit through his jacket. he gave the hem a quick tug, adjusting it, before heading toward the hospital doors. sear?h the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. the double doors slid open, and the scene inside was all too familiar. as soon as he walked in, people noticed. "ohhh~ that hot guy''s here again¡­" "jeez, he''s way too young for you." "mhm-mmm~ ? i don''t mind having a taste of him. look at the guy, he''s built like a man." "hmph, you''ll catch a case with that kind of attitude." "i''ll risk it~" nurses of all ages exchanged quick glances, whispering to each other while stealing looks at him. some tried to fix their hair, while others adjusted their uniforms¡ªloosening a button here or tugging up a hem there. they wanted to show as much of their meaty cleavage and thick thighs as possible. their eyes lingered as he passed. but, scott paid no attention. he wasn''t here to entertain attention or feed gossip. gwen was his sole focus. the elevator ride was quiet, except for a couple of nurses who pretended not to notice him standing there. scott leaned against the mirrored wall, his arms crossed, while his thoughts wandered. his mind was a mess, packed with things he needed to handle, but every time he remembered his video call with emma scheduled for tonight, it easily brought a genuine smile to his face. then his thoughts shifted to gwen. ¡ºhrmm¡­ i hope she''s alright¡­¡» two days ago, she''d finally woken up, and the doctors confirmed that her last surgery was a success. the scars that could have ruined her appearance were gone. the medical team had done an impressive job. or, more accurately, he had. the advanced medical kit he bought from the system market for 85,000 credits had handled gwen''s most serious injuries before he left the rest for the doctors to finish. ¡ºi just need her to be alright so i can tell her what she needs to hear¡­¡» when the elevator doors slid open, scott stepped out and made his way to her room. his sneakers tapped softly against the tiled floor. but as he rounded the corner toward gwen''s room, he stopped short. there, leaning against the wall by the door. ken mercer; gwen''s older brother. his broad shoulders were framed in a blue polo shirt tucked into neatly pressed ash-gray slacks. his arms were crossed, and his sharp blonde hair was meticulously combed back. the moment ken''s eyes landed on scott, his face turned dark as though he''d seen an enemy. "ken¡­" scott greeted evenly. ken uncrossed his arms and stepped forward. his body language screamed hostility, but scott didn''t so much as flinch. "what the fuck are you doing here?" ken growled. "your sorry ass probably heard gwen was getting better, so you thought you''d swing by to screw her up all over again? huh? you son of bitch!" scott''s eyes didn''t waver. his tone remained calm, almost unnervingly so. "i came to see gwen. that''s all." ken furiously grabbed scott''s wrist. "when i ask you a question, you answer it, you little shit! what gives you the right to show your face here after everything she''s been through because of you?" scott didn''t pull away, but his eyes narrowed slightly and the faintest edge of irritation crept into his voice. "ken, i''m not in the mood for this. let go." ken''s grip tightened as he stepped closer. his voice even grew louder. "not in the mood? and you think i was in the mood to find out my little sister nearly died because of some mess you dragged her into? do you know what it''s like to see her covered in burns, fighting to breathe? and for what? because she decided to trust a bastard like you?" scott''s brow lifted, and he tilted his head slightly. "who told you it was my fault? tess? the same tess who doesn''t know which drawer she keeps her car keys in, let alone the details of anything important? you''re smarter than that, kenneth." ken''s face reddened with rage, and his grip on scott''s wrist shifted as he tried to pull him closer. "say one more word about my mother¡­" he hissed through gritted teeth. "¡­ and i''ll tell everyone the truth about yours, and how your psycho mother''s a friggin'' cra¡ª" before ken could finish, scott moved. his free hand shot out and grabbed ken''s wrist with the precision of a seasoned archer. instantly, he twisted it to drive ken down to his knees. ¡­ cra©¤©¤©¤©¤kraak! the sharp crack of bone wasn''t enough to cause a break, but it was more than enough to make ken cry out in pain. "ahhh! you son of a bitch!" ken shouted as his voice echoed down the hallway. scott''s voice was quite chill. "let me make something perfectly clear¡­" his grip tightened just enough to make ken wince. "i can say whatever i want about your mother. i don''t care. but if you so much as breathe a word about mine, i''ll forget gwen is your sister and make sure you can''t ever say another word again. are we clear?" ken''s face twisted in pain as he tried to pull free. "get your damn hand off me!" "glad we''re on the same page." scott said coolly and released ken''s aching wrist as he stepped back. ken staggered to his feet and cradled his arm. his bloodshot eyes glared furiously at scott. but, before he could even think of retaliating the door to gwen''s room burst open. "what''s going on out here©¤©¤?!" gwen''s voice sharply rang out. both men turned toward the doorway, where she stood. she was dressed in a simple hospital gown, her freshly healed skin glowing softly, though bandages still covered parts of her left arm, neck, and forehead. her short blonde hair framed her face, and her bright blue eyes widened in surprise when they landed on scott. "scott!" a warm smile spread across her face. her cheeks flushed pink as she stepped forward. "you came!" ken groaned and clutched his wrist as he looked at his sister in disbelief. "gwen, are you seriously©¤©¤!" "ken, shut up¡­" gwen interrupted and gave him an unimpressed glare. "go put some ice on your wrist or ask one of the nurses to help you. stop being such a drama queen. besides, i''m sure you''re the one who started it¡­ scott''s an angel and you, well you''re a dick." ken''s mouth fell open in shock. "what?! are you¡ª" "now, ken." gwen said firmly. grumbling under his breath, ken shot one last glare at scott before turning and stomping off down the hallway. gwen sighed and turned back to scott. her smile was soft again. "it''s always so easy to smile when you''re around. i''m glad you''re here. really." gwen grabbed scott''s hand and pulled him into the room. ¡­ blam! she shut the door behind them, then flitted around like a happy bird in its nest. there was a baby-like smile on her face©¤©¤anyone could tell just how happy she was. scott glanced around the room and raised an eyebrow. the place was overflowing with colorful bouquets, "get well soon" balloons, and cards. the soft scent of lilies and roses lingered in the air. ¡ºare they always these much? i don''t remember mom getting any when she was admitted¡­¡» scott cleared his throat mildly. "looks like you''ve got quite the fan club." gwen laughed lightly as she picked up a small watering can from the windowsill and began sprinkling water over a vase of bright pink carnations. "i guess so. i didn''t realize how many people cared until all this started showing up. kind of nice, isn''t it?" scott nodded, his hands in his pockets as he watched her. "it is. when are they letting you out of here?" she tilted her head slightly. her movements were calm and almost angelic as she tended to another arrangement. it was a little unlike gwen. "probably in a week or two. the doctors want to keep an eye on me a bit longer¡­ something about possible brain damage from the debris hitting me during the explosion." scott''s jaw tightened, a shadow passing over his face. "brain damage? gwen, that''s serious¡ª" "relax~" her voice was as breezy as her smile. "they''re just being cautious. i feel fine. a little foggy sometimes, but hey, that''s nothing new, right?" scott frowned. he wasn''t convinced, but he didn''t want to press further. "does tess know that i''m¡­" before he could finish, gwen spun around. she rushed over to him and shook her head. "n-, no, of course not. you really think i''d tell her something that important? don''t you trust me, scott?" his eyes softened, and he nodded. "i do. it''s just¡­" she cut him off as she placed a hand on his chest. "don''t worry about it. i get it. you''re trying to be careful. i''d probably be the same way if i were you." scott sighed and his hand instinctively reached up to cup her slightly reddened cheek. "i just wish i''d been this careful sooner. maybe things wouldn''t have¡ª" "stop¡­" gwen interrupted gently as she took his hand from her cheek and held it between hers. "you don''t have to worry about that. i''m not mad at you. how could i be? i don''t even have the right to be." scott looked absolutely lost. "what do you mean?" gwen stared at the floor in silence. "i mean, i was the one who made a mess out of everything. crashing into your life again, crashing into your stream, your relationships¡­ all that. i''ve only been making your life harder¡ªhellish, even¡ªand it''s all because of how i feel." scott tilted his head, studying her. "how you feel?" she looked up as her blue eyes met his with an intensity that took him off guard. "i want to be honest about my feelings, scott. because i¡­ i want to reach your heart." at that moment, her breath was turning hot and he could see the rise and fall of her breasts. she was slowly in heat. "my heart?" "yes~" her voice was very weak, but in a way that was too sexy to be ignored. before he could react, gwen grabbed his collar and pulled him down, pressing her lips against his in a kiss that was as aggressive as it was passionate. scott''s eyes widened in shock for a split second before they fluttered shut and his body instinctively leaned into her. she poured every unspoken emotion into the kiss¡ªher fear, her longing, her hope¡ªand for a moment, she started to realize she could''ve simply done this from the start. ¡ºi want more~ i want more than this~ ??¡» there was a heat building between her legs. ¡ª outside the hospital, tess and grace had just stepped out of grace''s minivan. "thanks for driving me¡­" tess said, then adjusted her purse strap as they walked toward the entrance. grace smiled warmly. "no need. i also want to see how gwen''s doing¡­" Chapter 67 Unwanted Regret, Irina Golovin gwen still had her lips pressed against scott''s mouth and her desperation only became more obvious as she tried to push her tongue past his lips.for a split second, scott froze. he was swimming in the feelings of the moment, but he finally managed to pull her back and break the kiss. ¡­ hah~ hah~ hah~~ they both painted heavily with flushed faces. "gwen, stop this!" scott said firmly as he stepped back. but gwen wasn''t done. she moved closer again. "come on, scott¡­" her voice was soft yet trembling. "why are you acting like this? i felt it¡ªyou kissed me back. i know you like me. you want this too, right?" her eyes locked onto his, and the raw desperation within them made his chest tighten. it wasn''t irritation he felt, but guilt. the way she looked at him, pleading, vulnerable¡­ he hated what he was about to say next. scott exhaled heavily and placed a hand on her shoulder to hold her at arm''s length. "yes¡­" he admitted quietly. he also sounded ashamed. "i kissed you back, but¡­" the next words struggled to leave his mouth. they were just too heavy. "it was just for a second. it''s¡­ it''s a guy thing sometimes. as much as i want to say i enjoyed it, i regret it." gwen''s face paled instantly. "h-, huh¡­?" shehe stumbled back a step. her hand moved to her chest as though trying to steady the sharp sting spreading there. she turned away and gripped her chest tighter. her lips trembled as she bit down to stifle the sob threatening to escape. ¡ºit hurts. why does it hurt this much? this isn''t the first or second time i''ve felt this way about his words, but¡­ i think this time¡­ it might actually mess me up¡­¡» she remembered all the times she''d wanted to tell him how she felt but couldn''t bring herself to do it. every time, fear held her back, and she tried to convince herself she was strong enough to handle being rejected. but this¡­ this was something else. after talking to dark elf, who helped her see herself as worthy of scott''s affection, she finally found the courage to confess. and yet, it felt like scott had plunged a knife straight into her heart. scott took a step forward as he reached out a hand. "gwen¡­" she shifted away. "why?" the way her voice sounded already told scott he had to be careful with his next words. "why do you regret it¡­? why would you even say something so¡­ so hurtful?" scott sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "it''s because¡ª" the door suddenly slammed open and cut him off. "because he''s fooling around with some older woman who''ll probably use him and dump him!" tess''s voice rang out like a thunderclap. both scott and gwen turned sharply to see tess standing in the doorway with her phone in hand. on the screen was a photo¡­ one that froze the air in the room. it was of scott and emma at the store weeks ago. gwen''s blue eyes widened as they landed on the image. her lips parted in shock, and for a brief moment, the light in her eyes flickered. her legs buckled, and she collapsed toward the floor like a lifeless doll. "gwen!" scott shouted and dashed forward to catch her just before she hit the ground. tess screamed in panic. "gwen! grace, go get dr. rosen immediately, please!" standing just outside the door, grace nodded frantically and rushed off. tess dropped to her knees beside gwen and yanked her from scott''s arms. "gwen! gwen, stay with me!" she cradled her daughter''s head as her voice cracked with deep worry. then tess turned her anger on scott. she pointed an accusatory finger at him. "can you stop causing problems for once?! you don''t come home anymore, you don''t even call to apologize, and now you''re here stirring up more trouble?! do you love hurting gwen this much?! why don''t you just stay with that older woman you''re fooling around with and leave us alone?! you seem to be having plenty of fun with her, judging by this picture!" scott stood upright. he combed a hand through his hair. "tess¡­" a long sigh left his tired breath. "i''ve always wondered where gwen and ken got their terrible personalities from. the more you talk, the clearer it gets¡­ you''re the source of their polluted mannerisms." tess''s jaw dropped as her face twisted in anger. "are you seriously talking to me like that, young man?!" "yes, i am." his tone was steady and unapologetic. "i''ll always be grateful for everything you did for me, tess, but maybe i should stop expecting you to act like a mother. honestly, i''ve asked myself countless times if you were ever truly a mother to me¡­ and then i remember¡ªi never even had a good mother to compare you to." tess was rendered speechless. her mouth opened and closed as she tried to talk back. but¡­ no words came out. scott turned toward the door but paused before leaving. "oh, and tess¡­" he looked back over his shoulder. "the ''older woman'' you keep badmouthing? her name is emma graves. at least have the decency to call her by her name¡­ but i''m sure that''s also a struggle for you." with that, he walked out. "i¡­" tess still didn''t know what to say. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ metro city¡­ the streets of metro city were as bright as the sun. a sleek black car with tinted windows cut through traffic like an elegant knife. irina golovin leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed casually over the other. she looked calm, but there was a sharpness about her that was impossible to ignore. her androgynous appearance gave her a striking charm and made her look more like a beautiful young man than the quintessential idea of a beautiful woman. her skin was pale and smooth, almost like snow reflected against glacier water, and her icy blue eyes were colder than the towering glass buildings of the city. her short, white hair was a bit messy, but it framed her face perfectly, as if it was meant to be that way. she wore a baggy blue shirt with the cuffs rolled up, paired with black cargo pants and pristine balenciaga sneakers. ¡­ mhm-mmm a red lollipop jutted out from the corner of her mouth and the stick bounced slightly as she flipped through the $30 million contract megacorp had sent her. "hasn''t vincent already convinced you to sign with megacorp?" her agent, sasha chalov asked casually. seated beside irina, sasha was the picture of professionalism, dressed in a sleek black blazer and pencil skirt, her tablet balanced on her knee as she reviewed emails. "from what i hear, a friend of mine at priority solutions could set you up with titantech industries. bigger pay, better perks, and you won''t have to tie yourself down to one place." irina didn''t even glance up. she twisted the lollipop with her tongue and savored it as if she had all the time in the world. "sasha, shut up for a moment. i can read, you know." she flipped another page and finally looked over at her agent with a smirk. "and wasn''t it vincent who called me first?" read exclusive chapters at empire sasha chuckled softly and brushed a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. "fair enough¡­" irina let the document fall to her lap and turned her eyes toward the window. the city blurred past. she plucked the lollipop from her mouth and held it idly between her fingers. "the only reason i''m even entertaining this measly offer from megacorp is because of miss mercury¡­" there was a sinister smile on her face. "no one wants an untalented bitch like her sticking around. it''s better if i join as one of their top heroes and ruin her life a little. don''t you think?" sasha tilted her head. "you''ve got some kind of problem with miss mercury, huh? funny, because when i ran your background check, i remember something interesting." her lips quirked into a teasing grin. "didn''t you write in your middle school yearbook that your role model was miss mercury?" irina''s eyes snapped to her, sharp as a blade. "you read that?" "of course i did¡­" s§×ar?h the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. sasha replied smoothly. "it''s my job to know everything about my clients. that way, if the media comes digging, i can be two steps ahead. so, yes¡­ it''s legal." irina clicked her tongue. she was clearly annoyed, but she couldn''t argue with that kind of logic. "i suppose you''re right¡­" she muttered and shoved the lollipop back into her mouth. the car began to slow as the megacorp headquarters loomed in the distance. irina leaned back and chuckled. "this should be fun¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ceo''s office, megacorp headquarters¡­ jason larkens leaned back in his chair. there was that smug grin practically carved into his face. miss mercury sat across from him, perfectly composed, with her legs crossed and her arms neatly folded. "so, let me get this straight¡­" she arched a perfectly shaped brow. "you want to renegotiate my contract and start paying me 50% less than what i''m earning now?" jason''s grin widened, though it faltered slightly under her unflinching gaze. "uh, yeah, unfortunately¡­" he scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed. "we''re expanding our superhero roster, you see. pulsar''s joining the team, and there''s one more¡­special hero we''re bringing in. budget constraints and all that." miss mercury shrugged. "sure. whatever. i''ve never been entirely comfortable with being megacorp''s highest earner anyway. it''s always more trouble than it''s worth." jason blinked, stunned. "wait, what? really?" she nodded. "yeah. it''s fine." for a moment, jason was at a loss. then his face twisted with anger, and he slammed his hands on the desk. "well, if that''s how you want to play it, i''ll reduce it by 70%! how about that?" miss mercury sighed and leaned back in her chair as if she couldn''t be bothered. "sure. go ahead. it''s not like megacorp''s my only source of income." she gave him a pointed look. "or have you forgotten that i''m the face of multiple major beauty brands?" jason recoiled as his confidence trembled. he gritted his teeth and his frustration boiled over. "this conversation isn''t over¡­" miss mercury rose gracefully from her seat and brushed invisible lint off her super suit. "oh, it is. see you at the next pr event, jason." she turned on her heel and strode out, her head held high. ¡ª shortly after, jason''s phone dinged. he glanced at it with thinly masked impatience, only for his expression to shift into one of smug satisfaction as he read the message. [sasha chalov: irina golovin is already here.] sliding his phone back into his pocket, he followed miss mercury down the hall with jaunty footsteps. the more he thought, the wider his grin became. ¡ºthis bitch will finally learn her place. she thinks she''s untouchable, but wait until she sees what i''ve got planned. if she''d just agreed to be my girlfriend, none of this would''ve been necessary.¡» miss mercury stopped abruptly and turned to glare at him. "jason, you''re the ceo of a multi-billion-dollar company. don''t you have anything better to do than follow me around like some overgrown puppy?" jason chuckled as he ignored the barb. "bold of you to assume i''m here for you." he gestured toward the main entrance. "i''m here for that beautiful moneymaker over there." frowning, miss mercury followed his gaze. beyond the glass doors, a massive crowd of reporters and cameramen swarmed the entrance. at the center of it all stood a young woman with a strikingly androgynous appearance and messy white hair. she had a pink lollipop perched between her lips and an air of complete indifference to the attention around her. reporters shouted over one another, their microphones thrust in her direction. "miss golovin, have you officially decided to sign with megacorp?" "do you think of the four prodigies that you''re a better choice than america''s brigid macleighlin?" "please, tell us, why did you choose america to begin your heroing career?" "what''s your opinion on working alongside established heroes like pulsar and the peak?" "will you be partnering with other companies in the future? a yes or no would be fine!" irina sighed loudly and held out her hand. ¡ºof course they ask me about that loud-mouthed, freak ¨C brigid macleighlin¡­¡» with a casual twist of her fingers, the air in front of her shifted and formed a glowing bubble of distortion. as the space stretched, the reporters lost their balance and were pushed aside to clear a path through the confusion. slotting her hands into her pockets, she walked forward without so much as a glance at the displaced reporters. sasha chalov followed close behind. "subtle as ever, miss golovin¡­" sasha quipped. miss mercury raised an eyebrow. "and who''s that supposed to be?" jason smirked, practically puffing out his chest. "don''t tell me you''ve never heard of the four prodigies of skyfort academy?" miss mercury tilted her head, unimpressed. "nope. sounds super corny, though. probably why i haven''t heard of it." jason''s jaw tightened and his hand twitched as if he wanted to smack the smugness right out of her. instead, he forced a grin. "they''re the most talented students produced by skyfort academy from all over the world. they''re already being hailed as future legends in superhero history. irina golovin? she''s one of them. graduated from the russian branch with honors." miss mercury blinked, unimpressed. "uh-huh. and?" jason growled under his breath as his patience frayed. "and i pulled every string i could to bring her here. plans with brigid fell through¡­ or she''d also be here too! so, irina''s going to be our biggest priority¡ªour new star. you''re looking at the future of megacorp, sweetheart." miss mercury turned back to irina, who was now strolling through the megacorp lobby, completely unfazed by the spectacle she''d caused. casual dressing, a lollipop in mouth, no poise, messy hair, and tomboy to top it all of. "well, she seems¡­professional." a very dry statement from the brown-haired beauty. jason laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "jealous already? don''t worry, mercury. when irina''s name is on every billboard and magazine cover, you''ll get used to being nothing here." miss mercury''s lips quirked into a faint smirk. "shiver me timbers, bro. i guess that makes me¡­ what? old news? i think i''ll cry in my new clothing line." jason took a step closer and held out a fist. "oh, you''ve been old news for a while now. irina''s arrival is just the final nail in the coffin. enjoy the little bit of spotlight you''ve got left, because once she''s on board, no one''s going to care about you anymore." "same thing losers on the internet said about foxgirl, and yet i''m still in the spotlight¡­" mercury gave jason a soft pat on the shoulder. she was mocking him, and he knew it. "jason, you have no idea how little i care about your petty power plays. irina can have the spotlight, the stage, the whole damn theater for all i care. unlike you, i don''t measure my worth by public approval anymore. i got a boyfriend now, so i''m pretty content with my life." she flashed him a peace sign. "welp, catch you later¡­" "eh?" jason stared at her in deep confusion. Chapter 68 Messages, Calls, Meet Ups emerald hill, meteor city¡­in a very dark warehouse, scott sat slumped in a cheap, squeaky swivel chair as his legs rested lazily on a massive black metal case. his head tilted awkwardly to the side and saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth as thunderous snores echoed throughout the cavernous space. the flickering overhead lights barely illuminated the countless black tarps and towering stacks of metal cases scattered across the floor, giving the place an oddly post-apocalyptic vibe. suddenly, the obnoxiously loud ringing of scott''s phone shattered the ominous silence. it jolted him awake with a loud snort. "gah©¤©¤!" the chair spun wildly and the momentum launched scott onto the cold, hard floor with a painful thud. "son of a¡ª!" he groaned and clutched the back of his head as he lay there for a moment to let the pain settle. ¡­ ding! ding! the relentless phone continued to ring and vibrate obnoxiously on the case next to him. still grumbling, scott grabbed the phone and squinted at the bright screen. his annoyance quickly turned into shock as he saw the barrage of notifications: [18 missed calls: maya (15), commander lisbon (3)] ¡­ [commissioner lisbon: saw your stream. good work on stealing the intel. when are you delivering it?] [commissioner lisbon: nightwatch, pick my damn call you son of a bitch! i can''t fucking be calling a man more times than i call my husband!] [commissioner lisbon: you better have a really good reason for dodging my calls! answer!] ¡­ [gun nut: i hope you''re still on for 8 p.m. ©d(£Þ?£Þ) i''m thinking of wearing something tight¡­ anticipate ?] [gun nut: it''s almost 8 p.m. hope you''re ready. this lead on the missing kids looks solid.] [gun nut: i talked with rope girl, she uhh, said she won''t be able to make it since she has something to deal with in nyc. it would''ve been your chance to finally meet her. so¡­ it''s just me and you as usual. fun, right? ( ??§Ù?)¡­] ¡­ [maya: i know you said you''d send me the location, but i flew ahead. i''ll wait for you to finish.] [maya: uhh, i''ve been here for an hour¡­ don''t know where you are, can you please tell me?] [maya: scott¡­ are you still mad at me?] [maya: i spent about four hours searching for you, and you''re not picking my calls. i''ll just come again tomorrow if that''s when you''re okay with seeing me. take care¡­] ¡­ scott sighed and let his head fall back against the case. "fuuuuck¡­" sea??h th§× novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he rubbed his temples and glanced at the time. ¡­ 7:43 p.m. "shit!" he scrambled to his feet. "i overslept again." he looked around the warehouse. black tarps covered most of the items, but he knew what was underneath: stacks of high-tech equipment, prototypes, and unfinished projects. he sighed again and ran a hand through his messy hair. "man¡­ i really gotta thank emma for letting me use this place. but damn, it''s a disaster zone in here. maybe i should, i don''t know¡­ clean up? set some stuff up?" he shrugged, already dismissing the idea. "meh. later. priorities, scott." tapping the screen of his wristwatch, the warehouse suddenly lit up in full, revealing rows of sleek display cases lining one side of the room. scott walked over to the largest tarp and yanked it down to expose six pristine suits in their cases. "heh, atam-1 to atam-6¡­" a weird pride was in his voice. his eyes settled on the sixth suit. "this one''s the latest. deathmark and emma love it for some reason. i''m sure it''s because it packs my junk in the weirdest way possible. i need to adjust that later¡­" he scratched his chin. "not as bulletproof as the atam-5, barely any special features and no cat integration¡­ but hey, they can''t all be perfect, right?" no reply. "sigh~ i''m talking to myself¡­" pressing his palm against the scanner on the case, a soft hiss sounded as the glass slid open. "alright, big guy. let''s go." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡­ 8:03 p.m. scott landed silently on the edge of a crumbling rooftop overlooking bleakridge avenue. the moment his boots touched down, he was hit with the suffocating stench of pollution and decay. "fuck©¤©¤!!" he quickly activated his mask''s air filter function. "smells like ape shit here¡­" the hollowpoint slums were a different kind of hell. trash littered the streets, smog flowed thick in the air, and the distant crackle of gunfire from ember street was just like background music. scott crouched low and really took in the grim scene. "wow¡­" his voice was distorted by the modulated filter in his mask. the atam-6 suit fit him perfectly, almost like it was a part of his body. its sleek black and gray armor was lined with electric-blue led strips that glowed softly. he also had silver cuffs on his wrist that housed his sleeker, faster wrist-mounted grappling hooks for easier mobility. "this place is a fucking mess¡­" he shook his head. "how have i never been here before?" scott sighed. he scanned the desolate streets of bleakridge avenue. ¡ºi guess i''ll just go look for them instead¡­¡» just as he was about to move, a sudden, soft buzz in his ear interrupted him. a familiar ringtone followed. he tapped the small device in his ear. "hello?" a tired, familiar voice answered. "hey, how''s my favorite overworked superhero?" scott raised an eyebrow. "emma? what''s up?" emma sighed audibly. "you sound like a cheating boyfriend right now. should i be worried? do i need to hop on a train to meteor city?" scott chuckled softly as he shook his head. "no, nothing like that. actually, i''m just surprised you called. we were supposed to do a video chat at ten, and here i was thinking i was late for it." emma let out a soft, playful giggle, though it was heavy with mental exhaustion. "nah, i just wanted to call earlier. had a really crappy day, and, well¡­ i guess i just wanted to hear your voice. makes me feel better." scott crouched lower, still keeping an eye on the chaotic streets below. "what happened? something go wrong?" "don''t worry about it¡­" emma replied quickly. "i don''t want to dump all my crap on you. just hearing you''s enough for me." a small yawn escaped her lips after. scott sighed as his eyes swept across the avenue for any unusual movement. gang shootouts echoed faintly in the distance, but the street below seemed otherwise empty. "well, as much as i''d love to chat, i''ve got something serious lined up with commander lisbon and deathmark tonight. important stuff." emma chuckled like she had a dry throat. "wow. other women getting more of your attention than me? that''s crazy." scott laughed softly. "don''t worry. when i visit you in metro city in a few days, i''ll make sure you get all the attention you want." the line went quiet for a second, and then emma''s voice brightened. "wait, you''re really coming?!" "oh yeah¡­ and i''ll be coming twice that day." scott said with a perverted grin, a rare one. emma''s laugh was light but just as perverted. "oh? bad boy~ ?" scott''s face softened as a thought crossed his mind. he leaned back a little and let his balance shift against the edge of the rooftop. "emma?" "yeah?" her voice was soft, curious. "i, uh¡­ i went to see gwen today." emma paused. "oh? how''s she doing?" "she''s doing alright¡­" scott said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "she''s¡­ recovering, you know. but, uh¡­ i kinda need to tell you something." emma''s tone turned careful. "alright¡­ what is it?" scott hesitated as he stared out into the polluted city. "when i talked to gwen, things got a little¡­ heated. she kissed me. and, well¡­ i kinda kissed her back." the line went dead silent. scott felt a jolt of panic shoot his chest. "emma? hello? you still there?" finally, her voice came through, calm but thoughtful. "well¡­ did you feel anything for her?" scott scratched the back of his head, wobbling slightly on the roof edge to keep balance. "uh¡­ kinda? i mean, gwen was my first love or whatever you call it, but¡­ em, trust me, i''m really sorry. i didn''t mean for it to happen." emma sighed softly. "it''s fine." scott blinked, surprised. "it''s fine?" "yeah. after kissing gwen, do you love me any less? or think i''m old news?" "what? no©¤©¤!" scott shook his head vehemently, even though she couldn''t see him. emma, old news? just the mere thought of it sounded like an unforgivable abomination! enough that he was hungry to beat up something already. "of course not!" "then it''s fine¡­" emma said with a weary chuckle. "it''s like food, you know? you can like potatoes and chicken, maybe even eat them together. liking one doesn''t mean you throw the other away." scott groaned. "i still feel like a dick, though." "well, you are a dick." they both laughed and the tension quickly eased. scott placed a hand on his chest. ¡ºphew~ thank goodness, no drama¡­ i don''t think i can handle anymore of those today.¡» he couldn''t see it, but emma already had a dirty look on her face and an even dirtier thought in mind. "but you''re my dick. like literally my dick. so you better hurry up and come to metro city soon. i''m a cowgirl and i''ve got something i wanna ride." scott giggled almost like a little child. "uh oh, looks like the s-train''s coming to town. chuga chuga choo-choo!" "never say that again¡­" emma replied flatly. and with that, she hung up. scott frowned a bit. "damn, i thought it was kinda cool." just then, movement caught his eye. near a flashing cop car in the distance, he could see two figures standing there. one of them was definitely commander lisbon. scott straightened as he cracked his neck. "finally." he leaned against the rooftop''s edge and let his body tilt forward just enough for gravity to tug at him. he took a deep breath, then pushed off with his legs, diving into the night with a smooth forward flip. ¡­ swooooossshh! the air roared past his ears as he plummeted like a deadly missile. about halfway down, a grappling hook shot out from his wrist with a quick, mechanical click. the cable unspooled smoothly and stretched across the gap until it latched onto the corner of a far-off building. the line went tight with a jolt and snapped his freefall into a controlled swing. he soared above the narrow alley below and dodged the piles of trash and flickering streetlights as he glided through the city. ¡ºohoho, i should surprise lisbon!¡» scott let go of the grappling line at the perfect moment and planted a foot against the side of a building. "¡­ hup!" using the momentum, he ran horizontally along the wall for several paces before flipping down to street level. he landed softly behind commissioner lisbon, who was engrossed in a stack of papers under the dull light of her nearby cop car. scott tapped her left shoulder lightly and smirked as she instinctively turned to her left. by the time her head moved, he was already walking around to her right. "ello, commissioner¡­" he spoke in a flimsy cockney accent. "you''re late. i woke up late, too, but look who still got here first. safe to say i''m more punctual than the chief of police?" lisbon frowned and snapped the folder shut as she turned to face him. "cute. real cute¡­" she sounded very flat. her eyes scanned him, from his smug eyes to his lean build, before she gave him a raised brow. "you know, when i heard about the nightwatch who stopped fifty crimes last week and helped drop the city''s crime rate by eight percent, i thought i''d be dealing with¡­ i don''t know, a grown, muscular man." scott flexed his arm with a small chuckle. "hey, i''m muscular." lisbon looked unimpressed as she lazily looked away. "uh-huh. sure thing, buddy." before scott could reply, he felt a firm squeeze on his ass that made him jolt forward a step. "whoa, what the©¤©¤!!" he turned his head to see deathmark standing behind him, her hand unapologetically gripping his ass. her cute smile grew even cuter as she tilted her head slightly. "hi, nighty!" she said cheerfully. "uh¡­ hey, deathmark¡­" scott replied with a strained voice as he gently tried to peel her hand off. but¡­ she had a gorilla grip "what''s up?" scott tried to sound casual. maybe she''d stop now? instead of letting go, she squeezed harder and her smile was still somehow cute and innocent. "does it always feel this nice, or is it just me?" scott groaned as his face twisted in embarrassment. "do you have to be freaky? you know this counts as abuse, right? what if i did this to you?" deathmark giggled like a teddy bear coming to life. she closed her eyes and tilted her head coyly. your next read is at empire "you might as well do it now. ??" finally, scott managed to free himself from her grasp. he quickly stepped back and held up his hands. "yeah, no. not doing that." "aww~" deathmark pouted as some strands of her blue hair fell into her eyes. she blew them up with a small huff as her oddly attractive pout deepened. scott took a moment to really look at her. deathmark was¡­ well, deathmark. a b-tier hero with long blue hair tied in a ponytail that seemed to shimmer between dark and light hues, thanks to her force-gene. her purple eyes sparkled with life, and her bodysuit¡ªa tight blend of purple and black¡ªshowed off a figure that was both athletic and dangerously curvaceous. in other words, she was a colorful psycho with curves in all the right places. ¡ºhrmm¡­ this nut shouldn''t be a superhero, let alone be trusted with a gun.¡» she was undeniably attractive, but scott had seen enough gorgeous women lately that it barely fazed him anymore. ¡ºi can''t believe i''m saying this, but the bad bitch market needs to slow down. i can walk the streets of metro city and find women working as a barista badder than some hot model of some mega brand. sigh~ something has to be done¡­¡» lisbon punched him lightly on the arm and snapped him out of his thoughts. "alright, lover boy, where''s the information you promised this old lady?" scott rubbed the spot where she''d hit him, acting as though it really did hurt. "ow. easy on the merchandise, commissioner." he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small pen drive, and handed it to her. lisbon snatched it up and tucked it into her trench coat. "whatever you and deathmark find in that warehouse, let me know. i''ve got to get home before my husband starts texting me passive-aggressively again." "wait, warehouse?" scott asked, confused. but lisbon was already walking back to her car. deathmark poked him in the side and grinned. "yeah, i said i got a lead on the missing kids'' case, silly, remember?" scott snapped his fingers. "oh, right. that." deathmark giggled again. "come on, nighty. let''s go be heroes." scott sighed and shook his head. "yeah, let''s." "so, do you think my camel toe looks fat in this suit?" "bro, what¡­?" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ note: another chapter very soon. next chapter will be a freaky and unhinged one, turn back now (?¨“©n¨“?) Chapter 69 Freaky Stream scott adjusted the laser emitter on his finger and aimed it carefully at the reinforced metal ceiling of the hvc warehouse. the beam hummed faintly as it seared through the surface and the edges glowed red-hot before curling away like paper under a flame.he stayed silent, focused on carving out the perfect entry point, while deathmark sat crouched next to him, resting her chin in her palms and smiling like a kid watching her favorite cartoon. the chat was alive. messages flood in. but, scott ignored all of them as he worked. [still in meteor city? bro, get out of that dump.] [fr tho. meteor city is a wasteland. too many gangs and ruined lives. just nuke it already.] ©¸ [wow, dude, that''s harsh. people live here.] ©¸ [yeah, and? bet they''d thank me after.] ©¸ [average american response. ????] ©¸ [you''re just mad your girl left you for someone from here. stay salty, loser.] [i ain''t even gon lie meteor city defenders are wild lmao. imagine repping garbage.] ©¸ [says the guy with a default profile pic.] [y''all are hilarious. keep fighting while goatwatch saves the day as usual xd] ©¸ [speaking of saving, deathmark saving this stream with that smile ????] --- the laser continued to slice a precise oval into the ceiling. meanwhile, deathmark shuffled a little closer. ¡ºshit, my tights are a little too¡­ tight. it''s getting a little cramped up in my pipes.¡» still on all fours, she leaned over, her shimmering blue ponytail swaying as her eyes settled on his lower half. specifically, his butt. poke. scott jerked slightly, almost losing his grip. "can you not?" he muttered in a flat tone, but he kept working. deathmark giggled. "just checking if it''s real. you''re always so serious around me, nighty. lighten up a little!" her voice was as sweet as sugar she poked again, ignoring his quiet groan. "i mean, come on! you could at least crack a joke. do you even know how hard it is working with someone like rope girl all the time? no sense of humor. none. i swear, she''s like a grandma trapped in a hot body." scott sighed but stayed focused on the laser. deathmark wasn''t done. "you know she''s 33, right? thirty-three! can you believe that? if i were 33 and still single with no family, i''d be panicking. but not rope girl. nope. cool as ice. probably thinks she''s immortal or something. i mean, great genes and all, but still." scott finally glanced back at her, exasperated. "you do realize i''m streaming this, right?" deathmark froze as her eyes widened in horror. she slapped both her hands over her mouth. "¡­oh no." but, it was too late. the viewers had already eaten it all up. [rope girl''s 33?!?! cap. she''s gotta be 24 max.] ©¸ [nah, she looks early 20s but acts like my grandma. i''d still smash tho ????] ©¸ [i''d let rope girl tie me up and play ping pong with my family jeweleries. she''s so bad ????] ©¸ [even a bonk couldn''t fix this one. ????] [forget rope girl. deathmark is stealing this show. ????] [those tights got me feeling¡­ different.] [bro, chill. y''all are down horrendous.] [can''t believe nightwatch got her on stream. man''s really leveling up (©V§Ù©V)] [meanwhile, i''d just drop the case and propose on the spot. facts.] ©¸ [l + ratio + you''d still get rejected.] --- scott rolled his eyes at the muted flood of messages. finally, he cut the last section of the metal. with a grunt, he carefully pried the circular piece loose and set it aside. ¡ºphew~ finally¡­¡» tapping the side of his mask, a holographic scope flickered to life over his right eye. it scanned the interior of the warehouse and highlighted six armed men patrolling below. he gestured silently to deathmark as his gloved hand flashed quick military signals. "three east. you take south." deathmark tilted her head like a curious puppy. "hm?" scott gave her a look. "don''t tell me you don''t know hand signals. you were in the military." [bro, we don''t know what you just signed either.] ["oh jeez, you don''t know hand signals" ??????] [stop trying to make deathmark look dumb. she''s literally perfect £¨ ;?£ß?)¡­] [nightwatch''s patience is unreal. i''d already be distracted by deathmark''s thighs.] ©¸ [focus, king. ????] [no cap tho, nightwatch and deathmark would defo make a cute couple.] --- deathmark crawled closer until her beautiful face was just inches from his. her voice dropped low, sexy whisper. "i know what you mean, silly." before scott could respond, she leaned in and pressed the tip of her wet tongue against his nose, then finished with a small, teasing kiss. scott blinked, utterly frozen. [yo??? did she just©¤©¤] ©¸ [nightwatch so greedy it ain''t even funny! ????????] [that''s it. i''m dedicating my life to this stream.] [w rizz. w stream. w everything.] [donation: $20 from @cerberusx: deathmark, you''re my queen. marry me.] [donation: $50 from @charlotte_mage: forget the case. y''all are the content we need.] [nightwatch x deathmark when? ????] ©¸ [deathwatch ship is shaping up nicely (©V§Ù©V)] --- scott shook himself out of his stupor. "c-, could you not do that while we''re working?" "just wanted to see if you''d blush." deathmark giggled softly as she crawled back a bit. next, she gave him a tender, oddly seductive side-eye. "mission accomplished. right?" ignoring her antics, scott tapped his mask again to switch the display to thermal imaging. "six men. you take south." deathmark smirked. "roger that, nighty." deathmark gracefully dived through the hole and landed lightly on the floor below like a cat. she twirled mid-air for flair which earned gasps and applause in the chat. scott followed immediately and dived in feet first. his descent was swift, and the momentum carried him straight into the chest of the first guard. ¡­ wham! the man crumpled like a rag doll as he brutally skidded across the floor. ¡­ bang©¤©¤©¤©¤bang!! scott crouched low like a prowling tiger as bullets whizzed past his head. ¡ºtoo slow.¡» pivoting sharply, scott performed a dive roll toward the farthest guard. in one smooth motion, his leg swept out, caught the man''s ankles and sent him spreading. using the same rotational force, scott twisted his body to launch a powerful side kick into the guard''s torso and hurled him into a stack of crates. the viewers erupted: [damn, nightwatch out here looking like rope girl fr.] ©¸ [nah, bro. rope girl couldn''t handle this sauce.] ©¸ [i swear we need one stream without you losers calling rope girl every second ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)¡­] [meanwhile, y''all forget goatwatch already fought against three assassins on the gsi list. put respect on his name.] ©¸ [those guys are overrated, let''s be real.] ©¸ [yet the peak couldn''t handle them. i hate that loser.] --- the adjacent guard raised his weapon, but scott was faster, much faster. ¡­ swoooosh! with a flick of his wrist, he hurled a nightwing at the gun. ¡­ clink©¤©¤©¤©¤clatter! the weapon clattered to the ground as the guard staggered back in pure shock. scott dashed forward. his elbow drove into the man''s stomach and folded him in half. without hesitation, scott grabbed the guard by the arm and executed a flawless shoulder throw to slam him to the ground with a satisfying crack! ¡ºall clear.¡» scott muttered under his breath as he straightened. "deathmark, your intel was on the money." the chat exploded: [nightwatch going crazy rn!] [$10 donation: from @superbuz_321 ¨C best fighting sequence yet. nightwatch is a god.] [did y''all see that throw? clean af.] ©¸ [bro trained like a tiger but fights like a dragon.] ©¸ [no, likeeee fr tho. ????] [$100 donation: from @gooner9000 ¨C my dude''s making martial arts an art form.] [let''s be real. man''s showing off ''cause deathmark''s watching.] ©¸ [???????? heroes doing the most only when there''s a hot chick around.] ©¸ [i could bet my son''s child support that the peak could stop a world war if bella trevors said she''ll give him max prestige coochie after xd] ©¸ [bro talking like he even pays child support. ????????] --- scott ignored the comments and adjusted his gloves as he turned to check deathmark''s progress. to his shock, all three men assigned to her were writhing on the ground, clutching their groins. the place was filled with pained groans. blood pooled around them. they were all shot in the nuts. deathmark stood over the carnage as her sleek handgun twirled deftly in her hand. there was a crazy satisfaction in her eyes and a wild grin on her face as she licked the barrel. "fuuunn~" she whispered in a singsong voice. scott stared at her with a stoic face. ¡ºthis is why i saved her name as gun nut. she''s a lunatic. give her a gun, and she''s a complete psychopath. honestly, she''d shoot a baby for fun.¡» the chat went wild: [pack your bag boys, there''s no fixing this one ????] ©¸ [my "i can fix her" senses are already tingling!] [$50 donation: from @nutsurvivor ¨C deathmark''s crazy and i''m loving every second of it.] ©¸ [nah, shooting them in the nuts is insane behavior.] ©¸ [it''s giving mad respect. ain''t nobody surviving that mental trauma.] [this heavily reminds me of the time nightwatch needled e-porner''s meat.] ©¸ [at least that was a mistake. she just did this for the love of the game (¡¥¨D¡¥ ?)] ©¸ [my kinda girl ?¡«(£þ,£þ )¡­] --- deathmark skipped over to scott with her usual bright and cheerful expression. "look, look! look, nighty! i got them!" she held her hand up for a high-five. scott sighed and turned his back on her. ¡ºpssh©¤©¤crazy bitch¡­¡» he sighed and walked away. [$20 donation: from @npc2115 ¨C lmao my guy''s like so fuckin'' done.] [the day this glorious stream gets banned, idk what i''ll do with my life.] [deathmark''s the reason nightwatch doesn''t sleep at night, you can count on it xd] --- scott activated his holoscope and scanned the metal crates scattered around the room. his thermal imaging revealed faint outlines within. it was far from what he expected. his blood ran cold. ¡ºchildren¡­¡» s§×arch* the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. he turned to deathmark as his voice darkened. "this is worse than i thought. they''re trafficking metasapien kids. most of them have dangerously low health." deathmark''s cheerful facade cracked as she grit her teeth. "so it''s a metasapien trafficking lab. and they''re really using kids? disgusting." the viewers were equally invested. [metasapien trafficking? that''s a new low.] [and they''re using kids ????¡­] ©¸ [how tf is this not trending?] ©¸ [because the media would rather ride the peak''s meat than do actual investigative journalism.] [$200 donation: from @g.o.d_1999 ¨C get those kids out. now.] --- before scott could act, a voice sounded. "you''ve seen enough. now you die." scott turned sharply. across the room stood three figures: two men and one woman. the leader stepped forward with malicious. "name''s malcolm drewe, but you can call me regorge. and you, my friend¡­" he pointed at scott. "¡­ are nightwatch. my boss wants you dead." scott tensed as he assumed a fighting stance. deathmark mirrored him and held out her guns. then, to their confusion, regorge pulled a small bottle of baby oil from his pocket. "what the hell?" scott muttered. regorge poured the oil down his pants and began rubbing his meat furiously. enough that a disgusting, irritating pleasure could be seen on his face. "ahhh~ so go~ooood!" his neck expanded grotesquely, bulging like a frog''s, before firing three white, slimy balls at them. deathmark flipped out of the way, but one of the projectiles struck scott''s leg and pinned him in place. the chat¡­ well, the chat. [what did i just witness?!] [$5000 donation: from @gregor_dickison ¨C bro did not just use baby oil mid-fight. ????] [villains be wilding when the budget cuts hit.] [reverse ejaculation? that''s criminally insane. ????] [$500 donation: from @john_barendregt ¨C someone explain wtf i just saw.] [bro did not just do that mid-fight. i''m logging out.] [a meat beating sesh mid-fight is egregious work. where do they get these people from ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)¡­] ©¸ [probably ikea. ????] [regorge out here inventing a whole new genre of villainy. just stop bro, please ????¡­] [so y''all are telling me my goat just got sprayed with¡­ with a cum shot? ????] ©¸ [at least it''s just his leg¡­] [$500 donation: from @zlashers ¨C y''all are wilding over regorge while i''m wondering the diabolical abilities the others have, omfg ???? nightwatch ain''t built for this¡­] --- pinned and fuming, scott muttered, "i hate this city." he frowned as he tried to ignore the gelatinous, rotting substance pinning his leg. he activated his laser finger and the precise blue beam cut into the sticky material. the sickening smell of decomposition wafted upward, and though he couldn''t smell it fully through his respirator, his body forced him to gag. ¡ºi''ve tanked plasma cannons and fought deadly assassins, but this¡­ this is my limit.¡» the chat lit up: [he''s gagging lmao!] [$50 donation: from @grossedoutbuthere ¨C no way a hero is losing to this.] [bro''s about to be a real vigilante after this. the union''s gonna hear about this one xd.] [legit can''t believe this is how my guy meets his match. man''s dying by splooge.] --- scott sighed heavily and focused as the system''s analysis pinged via his holoscope. [analyzing¡­ 90% complete¡­] across the room, regorge watched, his face alight with pleasure as his hand moved faster beneath his pants. his body quivered unnaturally as his voice rang out in twisted moans of satisfaction. "ahhh~! yes! you''re almost free, aren''t you, nightwatch? i''m not done with you, y-, ye~eeet!" it was easier for him to arouse himself since he had a tall glass of handsome as his target. he rubbed harder. "i''m there~!" his neck swelled grotesquely and veins popped out as he aimed at scott again. scott froze. ¡ºoh, come on???¡» with a guttural roar, regorge fired another round of slime balls, but they were acidic this time. four white, slimy balls soared through the air. scott rolled aside and barely dodged as they sizzled through the ground and left molten craters. regorge was impressed. he pulled down his pants and let his swollen meat hang. "you''re the first to ever handle my load, nightwatch. i''ii make sure this one''s special for you." find exclusive stories on empire he latched onto his mutated meat. the chat erupted again: [no way he just fired 4 more cum bombs. ????] [$1,000 donation: from @platchad ¨C acidic splooge? this is peak writing! ????????????] [ "first time someone handled my load." bro said that with his whole chest.] ©¸ [and his whole meat out. ????] ©¸ [unintended messages fr ????] --- scott covered his eye with his hand as his annoyance grew larger than a mountain. "regorge, for the love of everything holy, put your fuckin'' pants back on." "make me¡­" regorge smirked and started rubbing again. ¡¸analysis complete!¡¹ finally, the system was done. it displayed the information via scott''s holoscope. ¡¸regorge''s biological structure is a factory capable of producing adhesive and corrosive fluids via semen. production is via physical stimulation, and expulsion occurs through his esophagus or mouth.¡¹ scott visibly squeezed his face. "okay, that''s disgusting." he sighed tiredly. "what''s the best counter-strategy?" ¡¸targeting the reproductive organs would drastically impair fluid production, neutralizing his combat potential.¡¹ scott rubbed his temple. "so, basically what you''re telling me is¡­ i need to needle him in the meat." ¡¸affirmative.¡¹ scott''s lips tightened. "of course that''s the solution¡­" [$500 donation: from @needlewarfare ¨C no way he just said that. ????] [bro''s about to handle this man''s "meat" business like a pro. xd kahahaha!] ©¸ [wouldn''t be the first time tho ( ¡¡? ,_©f?)???] [this fight''s so cursed i''m donating my rent money.] --- meanwhile, deathmark was locked in her own nightmare. the second man stepped forward©¤©¤a stocky, balding figure with a perpetually strained expression. his gait was awkward, but there was a deliberate menace in his movements. "i''m holekeeper, and trust me¡­ you''ve got no chance against me. so, leave while you still can." deathmark raised an eyebrow and spun her handguns idly. "holekeeper? seriously? that''s your name?" the chat roared: [holekeeper? oh hell no.] [$300 donation: from @holykeeper ¨C that name has to be illegal.] [deathmark''s about to take this clown to school.] [guys¡­ i think i''m gonna log off for a while. ????] ©¸ [psssh, weakness disgusts me (©`_©`©g] ©¸ [uh-huh, not everyone watches foxgirl''s fansonly lil bro¡­ we ain''t all into this freaky shit. ????] [why did the donations suddenly get higher tho? ????] --- holekeeper grunted and shoved his hand down his pants. he squeezed his fist into his butthole. deathmark tilted her head, intrigued but wary. "eh?" instantly, holekeeper pulled out a knife that was covered with brown residue, and hurled it at her. ¡­ thwick©¤©¤©¤©¤clank!! deathmark deflected it with the short blades on her gun frames as her nose wrinkled in disgust. "oh, ew. where did you even©¤©¤?!" her question was cut off as holekeeper reached deep into his butthole again, but this time pulled out a crowbar with a sickening cry of pain. "nghk©¤©¤! it hurts so badly¡­" the chat exploded: [$1,000 donation: from @crowbarconnoisseur ¨C the pain in his voice sent me????] [he''s got a whole arsenal back there. someone fucking call osha already ???? i can''t with this!] [this fight''s brought to you by febreze.] ©¸ [bro stop, i''m wheezing ????] --- holekeeper swung the crowbar wildly and forced deathmark to dodge. the air around them grew nauseatingly pungent. she blocked one swing and gagged. "it smells so bad! where did you pull this out from?!" holekeeper attacked again. deathmark gagged audibly, and for the first time, she seemed genuinely shaken. "i don''t even want to win anymore¡­" she dodged a fresh swipe from the stinky crowbar. holekeeper smirked and summoned another object from his rectal dimension¡ªa spiked mace. he winced as he pulled it free, crying out like a satisfied woman in bed before swinging it at deathmark. "you do what you have to to survive!" the man sounded unhinged. deathmark frowned. "survive what?!" she spun and deflected the mace with a graceful arc of her gunblade, and landed a kick to his gut. an anally-exhausted holekeeper stumbled back. [man just summoned a whole mace outta his vault. who is writing this lore???] [$500 donation: from @pocketdimensionpro ¨C respect the grind. but also, what the hell, bro?] [at this point, deathmark deserves hazard pay.] ©¸ [nightwatch doesn''t get paid enough for this either. ????] [holekeeper, i beg you??? retire. do literally anything else. like, please broooo ????] --- holekeeper stepped forward boldly. "you do what you have to do to survive. my power is an anally anchored pocket dimension. i can summon objects from an extra-dimensional space located in my rectum." he smirked. "thanks to all those nights training with regorge, he''s been able to help me expand my ass so my hands can truly reach in and acquire bigger objects." deathmark stared at him, horrified. the chat lost it: [stop bringing up regorge, please ????.] [i need bleach for my eyes, ears, and soul.] [these villains are built from straight-up nightmares. who makes this stuff??] [$500 donation: from @whatdidhesay ¨C "nights with regorge" ??? i'' m screaming.] [i can''t breathe. ????????????] [how is this legal content?!] --- deathmark gagged again, barely blocking another swing. "oh my god, you'' re disgusting. and this smell¡­ what is wrong with you?!" holekeeper laughed as he pressed the attack. "you''ii learn to respect my power soon enough." deathmark kneed him in the gut to force him back. she wiped her mouth and vomited painfully. [caption: when she takes my four inch but finds out i''m a monstrous grower. ????] [bro got deathmark throwing up???] [$500 donation: from @prayfordeathmark - she needs a raise. right now.] [i don''t think therapy covers this type of trauma.] [ "extra-dimensional butt portal" - history''s gonna remember this fight.] [if this stream gets banned, i''m suing.] --- deathmark steadied herself as her eyes narrowed. "you''re lucky i don''t shoot your freaky ass in the fuckin'' nuts like your friends." holekeeper smirked. "try me." Chapter 70 Freaky Stream II the soft hum of the rolls-royce''s overworked engine was the only sound accompanying the calm of the drive as they climbed up the winding road leading to meteor hill.the prestigious neighborhood came into view as its massive mansions and artistically landscaped gardens glimmered by the soft glow of streetlights. the air felt lighter here, almost rarefied. it was much better than the city below. more superior. adira glanced at her driver and caught the subtle slump of his shoulders, the weariness etched into his face. his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, but the slight tremble told her just how badly he wanted to sleep. "you'' ve done well tonight, cedric¡­" the elegant woman''s voice was tender. cedric perked up slightly and met her vixen eyes through the rearview mirror. "thank you, ma''am. just doing my duty." this sort of gratitude would give any man strength. adira''s black-painted lips twitched into a faint smile before her eyes shifted to her side. brigid was fast asleep. her head rested against the window as a soft snore escaped her little mouth every now and then. adira''s mantle had somehow become her makeshift blanket which she clutched tightly in her arms like a cherished stuffed toy. the woman sighed. "unbelievable¡­" she was more amused than annoyed. as the car came to a smooth stop in front of her grand estate, her phone buzzed against her thigh. she pulled it out and her sharp eyes narrowed as she saw the caller id. red. with a swipe of her finger, she answered. "yes? what''s the matter?" red''s voice came through the line, smooth yet carrying bits of boredom and exhaustion. "seems nightwatch caught wind of the hvc warehouse. he''s poking around, looking for something. want me to step in and take care of him? maybe throw in deathmark too while i'' m at it? it''il be fun." adira leaned back against the plush leather seat as a quiet chuckle left her mouth. "tempting, red, but no. i have division f stationed at the bleakridge warehouses for a reason. let them handle it." red let out a long, exaggerated yawn. "division f? seriously? those smelly freaks? i could go in there, snap nightwatch''s neck like a twig, and be done with it. clean and simple. you wouldn''t even have to lift a finger. isn''t that better?" "are you really that bored?" "more than you know, lady crowe¡­" "¡­" adira went silent for a moment. red didn''t say a word either. finally, she decided to re-explain things to the young man. "as delightful as that sounds, i still have plans for the young man in tights. killing him now would be¡­ premature. more so, the technophage we fused with your body hasn''t fully stabilized yet, so it''d be too dangerous to send you into the field right now. the whole reason we brought you to my lab here in meteor city wasn''t so you could chase after nightwatch. it was to turn you into a hero-killing machine. got it?" there was a pause on the other end, followed by a low, disgruntled grunt. "fine, fine. but don''t come calling me when those circus rejects botch the job." adira''s smirk deepened. "funny, considering you were the one who called me." "tch¡­" red snapped before cutting the call. the line went dead, and adira lowered the phone and let it rest in her lap as she gazed out the window. the view of the city below was breathtaking, a sea of twinkling lights stretching endlessly into the horizon. her reflection in the glass stared back at her, calm and beautiful. "division f¡­" her tone sounded as though she hadn''t spoken of them in a very long time. "a representation of humanity''s potential. proof that even in a world overshadowed by caped pretenders, ordinary people can evolve, adapt, and protect themselves. no more hypocritical hero worship. no more false idols. if every human can unlock their full potential, that''s when we can truly judge the worth of these¡­ superheroes¡­" she squeezed her hands into a tight fist. this was her trying to hold back her excitement. if humanity could unlock the secrets to every force-gene, the whole idea of modern heroism ¨C its falsehoods, its grand displays, and even the way people glorify and worship it¡­ would completely fall apart and lose all meaning. "fufu~ society is the real monster here¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ at the hvc warehouse¡­ scott moved at quick speeds for regorge. the mutated man grinned as he furiously rubbed himself beneath his pants. his neck swelled grotesquely, pulsing faster and faster as each movement became more nauseating than the last. regorge hurled several rounds of sticky, acidic semen balls from his expanded mouth. ¡­ hurl©¤©¤©¤©¤fwoooop!! they flew toward scott like speeding bullets. however, scott skillfully dodged every slimy projectile by twisting and turning with precise sidesteps, somersaults, and flips to narrowly avoid each one as they came dangerously close. the projectiles hissed against the ground and left bubbling, molten craters. the stench alone was enough to turn scott''s stomach, but he pushed on, fueled by the muffled cries of the abducted children echoing from the metal crates. sliding into cover behind one of the metal crates, scott''s eyes narrowed. he peeked over the edge and yelled out. "not to be offensive, but we both know you don''t like the way you look, right? so, why would you want innocent kids to go through the same friggin'' hell you did? that''s not fair, and you know it!" regorge cackled as he continued to rub himself. "fair?" stay connected with empire that word infuriated him. "fair? since when was i ever supposed to follow the same rules of morality that spat on me?" he gestured to his swollen, deformed body. "they turned me into this. locked me in here. treated me like the freak i am. so why should i act human when i''ve been stripped of everything that made me one?" the chat quickly followed up. [nightwatch: no to be offensive. *proceeds to be super offensive* great work, hero (¡¥¨D¡¥ ?)???] ©¸ [i don''t see your goat here tho? ????] [for a guy beating his meat, he''s oddly spitting facts¡­] [$200 donation: from @moralquandary ¨C honestly, though? he has a point. heroes don''t handle shit the way they used to and it''s sad tbh.] ©¸ [womp womp] ©¸ [jump.] [the reason freaks like him exist is ''cause these new heroes barely wanna do their jobs.] [$1,000 donation: from @goldenagefan ¨C bring back real heroes. the golden age made life too easy for these frauds.] [wait, are we actually agreeing with the nutjob? ????] ©¸ [oh he''s a nutjob alright. ????????] s§×ar?h the n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¸ [just nut what you''re thinking (©V§Ù©V)¡­] ©¸ [damn, you guys a cruel ( ¡¡? ,_©f?) the man''s having a breakdown and you''re doing wordplays? c''mon be fr guys, he''s right, support him.] --- scott leaned back against the crater and pinched the bridge of his nose. "goddamn it. now he''s got fans." the system pinged on his holoscope. ¡¸optimal strike path calculated. precision throw required to neutralize the target''s reproductive organs.¡¹ scott exhaled heavily. "perfect." he pushed a small metal pouch on his suit, and a loud hiss sounded as a single nightwing shot into his hand. the blades hummed with power as he held it steady. "just one perfect throw¡­" he lined up the shot with the holoscope''s path. just as he prepared to hurl it, a thick, glistening web latched onto his wrist and jerked his arm back. "eh?" scott looked down at the webbing, confused. he traced it to its source and his eyes bulged out as they landed on a shapely figure standing about fifteen meters away. it was a woman. her body was barely concealed by torn fabric, her massive breasts were fully exposed, and her nipples¡­ well, they dispensed thick streams of web-fluid. scott blinked as his lips curled into a half-smile. "ohohoho¡­ that''s awesome." the chat exploded. [no way. nipple webs?! i''m fucking crying.] [$500 donation: from @chips_fanatic ¨C best livestream ever. do not ban this.] ©¸ [as if they''d ever ban it. ????] nightwatch''s been carrying glitch for me lately, and the same could be said about others who use the platform. i don''t think they''d ban his account.] [i ain''t even mad. she''s kinda bad, not gonna lie.] [holy shit! we really got our own lore-accurate spider person. we won. ????????] [this is peak streaming content. bro really out here smiling at nipple webs. ????] [$1,000 donation: from @arachnidlover ¨C give her a redemption arc. i''m begging you.] ©¸ [down bad. ????] ©¸ [nightwatch can not handle allat, lil bro ???? ????] --- scott stared at the woman across from him and his lips curled into an amused grin. "so, do i call you ''webwoman,'' or do you have an edgier alias in mind?" the curvaceous woman tilted her head and smirked. her fingers grazed her exposed breasts. she obviously wanted him to notice the thick web fluids dripping from her hard nipples and how ridiculous it was that his hand was now entrapped and linked to her breasts because of them. "you can call me widowmilk¡­" she spoke with intentions to flirt. the chat erupted. [what the hell did she just say?! ????????????] ©¸ [these names are outrageous! ????] [$2,000 donation: from @thirstking ¨C widowmilk supremacy, let''s gooooooo! ?????????] ©¸ [mods? mods? do something about this madness.] [$500 donation: from @arachnidlover ¨C milk and webs? bro, i''m a fan already.] ©¸ [you need help. ????] [no, seriously, i desperately need that name embroidered on a shirt asap. ????????] --- widowmilk reached for her breasts. "i see you''re impressed by my powers, hero. let me give you a little teaser." her voice was so seductive. she pressed her fingers into her nipples and massaged them in slow circles. a thick glob of web fluid squirted out and splattered against the floor with a loud splut! scott raised an eyebrow, visibly delighted. "oh, that''s friggin'' awesome." the chat went ballistic. [hero or horndog? discuss. ????] [i swear she''d be making so much money if she started an fansonly or something!] ©¸ [you sick, sick man (©`_©`©g] [peak content. i''m losing it.] [no way this is real. bro''s smiling at spider milk webs like he found god. ????] [$3,000 donation: from @scientificcurious ¨C so¡­ arachnoid lactation? do explain, miss widowmilk.] --- widowmilk chuckled as her voice grew even sexier. "it''s called arachnoid lactation, sweetie. i''m one of division f''s more¡­ successful experiments." she cupped her breasts and bounced them with pride. "these babies are fused with black widow dna, so my body produces ultra-durable web fluid through specialized glands in my chest. and, as you''ve seen¡­" she tickled her nipples to release another sticky strand. "¡­ all i have to do is stimulate them." scott''s grin widened. "that''s¡­ inventive." ["inventive." ???? lmao, my man''s playing it cool while sweating bullets.] [i''d let her breastfeed me. ????] [the comments are unhinged rn.] [$1,500 donation: from @spiderfacts ¨C not useless! spider silk is five times stronger than steel. combined with lactation glands, this makes her secretion potentially more versatile than standard webbing.] ©¸ ["secretion." stop it. just say milk, you coward.] [okay, but real talk, how is this not op? she can milk-web traps all day.] --- scott glanced at his hand, still bound by the sticky web. he tugged experimentally, but the fluid refused to budge. even his finger laser cutter wouldn''t work fast enough. "well¡­" he sighed, shaking his head. "¡­you got me. congrats." widowmilk threw her head back in a triumphant laugh. "men. always so distracted by my breasts, they never see what''s coming!" her laughter echoed as she began retracting her webs. scott''s sharp eyes flicked past her shoulder and caught a glimpse of regorge charging. ¡­ hurl!! two acidic semen balls whistled through the air for him. scott smirked. "oh, i saw it coming." he ducked to the side to narrowly dodge the projectiles. the globs splattered against the ground, sizzling and hissing. in one fluid motion, scott spun, using the web still attached to his arm to wrap around regorge. the momentum yanked widowmilk forward, causing her to stumble. "hey!" she shrieked as her composure faltered. scott kneed regorge in the gut to brutally doubled the mutant over with a wheeze. widowmilk''s rage boiled over as her jaw split grotesquely into four sections to reveal jagged fangs. her eyes multiplied as two additional spider-like orbs nightmarishly formed above her deformed brows. [what the hell is that?!] ©¸ [my girl when she takes off her make-up. ????] ©¸ [i just looked at my girl and sighed¡­] [$800 donation: from @arachnophobe ¨C i''m soooo out. goodbye.] [$5 donation: from @leoranthos ¨C bro''s so smooth even spider karen can''t handle him.] [scott''s combos are on point today, y''all.] --- widowmilk screeched and yanked herself toward scott with terrifying speed. her body launched like a bullet. scott grabbed regorge by the balls which caused the mutant to freeze in wide-eyed horror. "really, really, really sorry about this." scott squeezed with enough force to crush an anvil. ¡­ pop! two eggs popped. regorge''s shrill scream echoed as his tired legs buckled beneath him. widowmilk barreled toward them with her fangs ravenously bared for the kill. but scott twisted and spun smoothly to widowmilk''s rear. he gripped her by the waist and planted his feet. "y-, you wouldn''t hurt a lady right? "eh? you''re a spider, so what?" with a grunt of effort, he slammed her into the ground in a devastating suplex. the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the floor and left a smoking crater. widowmilk lay limp, unconscious. the chat exploded. [did y''all catch that one anime reference?] ©¸ [fr, genius ????] [$10,000 donation: from @suplexking ¨C holy shit. give this man a belt.] ©¸ [a $10,000 dono is crazy work. ????] ©¸ [it''s probably pm89 alt account. ???? i swear that bitch glazes everything about nightwatch.] [the spider got squashed!] [regorge lost his balls, and widowmilk lost her pride. bro''s a menace.] [$200 donation: from @g.o.d_1999 ¨C freaks who kidnap kids deserve every bit of this. no sympathy.] ©¸ [real. no redemption arc for her. keep it moving.] [that suplex was clean. is he secretly a pro wrestler?] --- scott dusted himself off and stepped away from the chaos. "well¡­" he used his holoscope to scan both their healths. "¡­ that was one hell of a workout." the viewers howled with laughter and praise as donations poured in. scott leaned against a metal crate and panted heavily after widowmilk''s defeat. his eyes shifted over to deathmark. she was mid-air, narrowly avoiding a rusty saw blade as holekeeper hurled it with surprising accuracy. the weapon, covered with something¡­ brown¡­ spun past her head and embedded itself into the wall. "oh, come on!" deathmark screeched and wiped her lips as vomit dripped down her chin. her face twisted in disgust as she glared at the bent-over holekeeper. "enough of your disgusting nonsense, you freak! this whole place reeks of shit!" the chat was still quite¡­ uncomfortable. [???????????? she said it! she said the thing!] ["this place reeks of shit" is my new fuckin'' catchphrase.] [$1,500 donation: from @valyrxa ¨C she''s too good for this fight. end him, queen!] [no, fr. someone save my girl. she''s suffering out here.] [how is this even legal? who approved this diabolical matchup? ????] --- still on all fours, holekeeper twisted his head around like an owl as his expression was somewhere between outrage and maniacal glee. "of course, you blame me! you''re the one who keeps puking everywhere!" with a dramatic grunt, he pulled a full-length rifle out of his butthole and spun it toward deathmark. the blue-haired woman was horrified. "you''ve gotta be kidding me." holekeeper didn''t hesitate. he pulled the trigger and mercilessly sprayed bullets like a possessed man. deathmark ducked, twisted, and flipped to dodge the projectiles with elegant precision. the chat went berserk. [nah. this man just pulled a rifle out of his ass. i''m done.] ["you''re the one puking everywhere" ???? stop blaming her for your own mess.] [$500 donation: from @buttmaster64 ¨C holekeeper mvp. we stan a weaponized king.] [deathmark dodging like she''s in the matrix. queen behavior.] [somebody please clip that dodge roll! cleanest move of the night.] ©¸ [definitely not. nightwatch''s was way better. ????] --- deathmark dashed straight for holekeeper. she zigzagged and closed the long distance between them in seconds. with a roar, she leaped into the air and delivered a devastating uppercut. the blow blasted holekeeper across the floor like a human tumbleweed. [uppercut of the century! ????????] [the sound he made tho ????????] [$1,000 donation: from @justicefordeathmark ¨C finish him. he deserves nothing less.] --- holekeeper groaned and clutched his aching jaw as he scrambled to his feet. "that''s it! i''ve had enough!" dropping to all fours once more, he arched his back and stuck his butt into the air. the chat knew something unholy was coming. [oh no. not again. please, god, no.] [$2,000 donation: from @hot_papichulo ¨C is this biologically possible? someone call a doctor.] [my man is grunting. this is childbirth in hd.] [stop. he''s crowning. ????????????] holekeeper''s body trembled as a missile began to emerge, inch by horrifying inch, from his anus. sweat poured down his face as he cried. "you''re gonna regret messing with me!" deathmark didn''t falter. she held back her vomit and kept sprinting "just die already!" she roared. the chat exploded. [noooo deathmark! don''t do it!] [bro is birthing a literal missile. science has gone too far.] ©¸ [using yourself as a rocket launcher is crazy. ????] ©¸ [i''ll tell my kids this was how we shot missiles in my time, then force him to join the military xd] [$80 donation: from @shadowstar342 ¨C somebody give holekeeper an epidural.] [this stream is a historic moment. i will definitely be clipping everything.] --- the missile was halfway out of his anus when deathmark closed the final gap. realizing the stakes, she performed a rocket-fueled dropkick as her feet slammed into the missile with precision. the resulting explosion was catastrophic. ¡­ boom! holekeeper''s screams were cut short as the missile detonated and obliterated him in a gruesome shower of blood and debris. the force of the blast sent deathmark hurtling through the air, where she crashed into a stack of wooden crates filled with strange blue drugs. the chat erupted like never before. [oh my god. she did it. she really did it.] [$10,000 donation: from @pipinggunnut ¨C best. stream. ever.] [$7,500 donation: from @zenithspoon ¨C my queen is unstoppable.] [this is officially the most disgusting, yet legendary fight in nightwatch history.] [blue garden hotel who? this is the peak of human entertainment.] Chapter 71 Growth and Doubts woodhull private hospital, meteor city¡­it was 9:05 p.m. quite late. but, gwen''s eyes finally fluttered open. she squinted as her head throbbed like someone had dropped a boulder on it. blinking away the haze, she noticed three familiar faces surrounding her bed. tess sat on her right as she bit her lower lip with worry. looking just as worried was grace who sat on the left. ken stood at the foot of the bed with arms crossed, and a strong but slightly anxious face. gwen groaned softly. "what''s going on?" she grabbed her throbbing head. "wh-, why are you all staring at me like that?" grace leaned closer. "you passed out, gwen. you''ve been out for hours." her tone was quite gentle. "oh¡­" gwen''s other hand shot up to her temple as a sharp pain lanced through her skull. flashes of memory assaulted her to piece together the fragments of what had happened. "i remember now¡­ scott¡­" before she could finish, ken''s hand covered hers. his touch was soft but firm. "don''t think about that guy. he''s not worth it. he''s a worthless loser." "ken©¤©¤!!" tess snapped as she shot him a warning glare. "watch your mouth. you shouldn''t talk about your brother like that." ken exhaled sharply and faced her. "stop calling that bastard my brother. he''s not related to us. not by blood, not by anything that matters. and you know what? it''s better this way. it''s better that he stays scarce in our lives." gwen yanked her hand out of ken''s grasp. to her, his words were completely abominable. "don''t you dare call scott a bastard!" her chest heaved with each word. "if anyone''s wrong here, it''s all of you! how can you sit there and act like you don''t know how difficult his life''s been?!" no one answered her. tess''s gaze dropped to the floor as a means to hide the deep sense of shame she felt. ¡ºi shouldn''t have let him go like that???¡» that was all her mind kept saying. gwen grit her teeth and continued through the frustration and pain breaking her voice apart. "was it really that hard for any of you to act mature for once? to put all this garbage behind you?! martha begged us¡­ begged dad¡­ t-, to treat him better, to show him the love she couldn''t give him. and yeah, maybe we tried, but it wasn''t enough! it was never enough!" her hands clenched the bedsheet. "scott still feels like he''s alone. and you know what''s worse? he looks even more alone when he''s with us!" the room dived into a suffocating silence. tess bit her lip as her fingers slowly dug into the fabric of her skirt. grace looked like she wanted to speak but didn''t dare. even ken, who was always quick to talk, remained quiet. after what felt like an eternity, ken finally spoke. naturally, he was defensive. "and how can you lie there and shout at us like mom didn''t do enough for him?!" his voice climbed a mountain of anger. "you''re just defending him because you''ve had a crush on him since forever. but guess what, gwen? it''s pathetic. especially now that he''s running around with older women. you think emma''s not married? use your head for once!" "shut up!" gwen''s voice rang out and startled all of them. tears burned in her eyes as she stared at ken. "i don''t have a crush on scott!" her voice wavered. "i¡­ i love that son of a bitch!" ken opened his mouth to respond, but gwen cut him off as her words spilled out in a desperate rush. "and just because he''s with someone else doesn''t mean i''m going to sit here and accept it! i love him, ken. i love him so much it hurts. and i''ll never be ashamed of that! love isn''t something to be ashamed of. it''s proof that we''re growing!" no one dared to respond. they were all stunned by gwen''s words. and perhaps¡­ it wasn''t in a bad way. ¡ºwhy do i get this feeling she''s¡­ changed?¡» tess looked at her daughter in great shock. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ emma''s mansion, metro city¡­ emma lounged on her plush leather couch with a massive bowl of popcorn balanced on her lap. marcus sat beside her, popping kernels into his mouth with an almost robotic flow. they were watching a black-and-white movie. the doorbell rang and its chime spread throughout the luxurious mansion. emma raised an eyebrow and mindlessly nudged marcus with her elbow. "go get it, virgin. it''s probably jenna and nadia." marcus groaned and tossed another handful of popcorn into his mouth. "you''ve got superspeed. you could open it and be back in like¡­ before i blink." emma chuckled as she chewed. "hmmm, i could also freeze your credit card before you blink. your choice." marcus grumbled under his breath as he stood up, trudging to the door. he pulled it open, revealing jenna and nadia¡ªand a surprise guest standing just behind them. "hey, aunt jenna!" marcus greeted her with a wide grin and a hug. nadia smiled awkwardly, waving a little too enthusiastically. "heeey! i''m here too." she spread her slender arms, and marcus dutifully hugged her as well. once the pleasantries were out of the way, marcus''s eyes shifted to the man lingering at the back. his brows furrowed in confusion. "that''s emma''s very good billionaire friend¡­" jenna pat isaac volkner on the shoulder. "so don''t worry." "oh." marcus nodded slowly, though his eyes narrowed as he sized up the stranger. "alright, then¡­" they stepped inside as the expansive interior of the mansion stretched out before them. emma sat on the couch like a queen on her throne as she shoveled popcorn into her mouth with the ferocity of a squirrel stocking up for winter. "eh¡­?" she paused mid-chew as her eyes narrowed at isaac volkner standing near the entrance. isaac raised an eyebrow, arms crossed in a casual stance. "calm down, sandy cheeks¡­" he nodded at the puffed cheeks filled with popcorn. emma nearly choked. she froze and stared at him as some popcorn tumbled from her mouth onto the floor. quickly, she shot up from the couch, then brushed off her clothes as she forced an awkward smile. "uhh, hey, isaac!" her voice pitched slightly higher than usual. before anyone could react, she grabbed jenna and nadia by the arms and practically dragged them out of the room. "uh, excuse us! be right back!" she called over her shoulder, leaving isaac and marcus alone in the cavernous living room. ¡­ the silence between isaac and marcus was deafening. marcus stared at isaac up to down, scrutinizing the billionaire as if he were an alien invader. "so¡­" marcus adjusted his glasses. "you''re rich?" isaac glanced at him, a bit amused. "filthy." marcus tilted his head. "richer than my aunts? they''re, like, super rich." a smirk tugged at isaac''s lips. he rubbed his chin in as if the answer wasn''t obvious. "i could combine all their money, and they still wouldn''t have a quarter of what i''ve got." he paused for dramatic effect. "though i''m pretty sure nadia''s dad''s way richer than me. like, by a lot." marcus shrugged dismissively. "no one cares about him. can i have a thousand bucks?" isaac chuckled as he reached into his wallet to pull out a crisp thousand-dollar bill. but before he could hand it over, marcus snatched the entire wallet instead and held it up triumphantly. for a moment, they just stared at each other. then isaac chuckled and ruffled marcus''s hair. "go ahead, man. as if i could ever be mad at emma''s little nephew." ¡­ meanwhile, in the kitchen, emma slammed the door shut behind them, her eyes darting around as if expecting isaac to appear from nowhere. she turned to face jenna and nadia, panicked. "what the hell, guys?!" she hissed. nadia tilted her head innocently. "uhh, what''s wrong?" emma threw her hands up and gestured wildly toward the living room. "why would you bring him here? you know how i feel about my¡­ uh, relationship with isaac these days!" jenna raised an eyebrow. "he came to see how you''re doing. heard about the whole irina and miss mercury drama and wanted to help. thought you''d appreciate the gesture." emma groaned as she leaned against the counter. "you could''ve made an excuse. not just brought him here like it''s no big deal!" jenna leaned against the kitchen island, arms crossed. "you need to stop acting like a child. you''re a grown woman. if you don''t like isaac that way, tell him. focus on your relationship with this¡­ nightwatch guy." nadia nodded in agreement. "yeah, we''ve got your back." emma sighed heavily. "you''re right. isaac''s a nice guy. i''m sure he''ll understand¡­" jenna mumbled under her breath, "maybe a little too nice for you¡­" emma snapped her eyes to her. "excuse me?" jenna shrugged, her expression unbothered. "i don''t have a problem with who you''re dating. i just don''t think this nightwatch guy''s the right one for you as much as he deeply loves you. sorry, but the guy who isn''t dating you is here to see if you''re okay. meanwhile, your boyfriend? mia." emma frowned as she folded her arms defensively under her breasts. "that''s because i didn''t tell scott about any of this." jenna raised a knowing eyebrow. enjoy exclusive adventures from empire "oh, great. fantastic! lack of communication. that''s a stellar foundation for a relationship. but hey, you didn''t tell isaac either, and he''s still here." "that doesn''t make scott a bad guy!" emma quickly got frustrated. "he''s just busy with his vigilante life. he''s focused on meteor city right now." her voice wavered slightly, and she looked away with quite the sad face. nadia stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "it''s not that we dislike scott. but maybe he''s a little too deep into the whole vigilante thing. he tends to forget he was scott before he was nightwatch. like, what does he even do for a living?" emma''s voice was quiet. "he streams¡­" nadia winced. "right. and as much as i respect that, maybe encourage him to branch out? start a company. market his tech. earn a serious living and properly lead a double life." emma shook off nadia''s arm. "that''s enough! i''m not listening to any more of this garbage! like what the heck, guys!" without another word, she stormed out of the kitchen. ¡­ back in the living room, isaac watched as emma returned with a stormy expression. he waved awkwardly. "haha, there she is! hey, em." she ignored him entirely and marched upstairs without even a glance. marcus frowned and glanced between a furious emma and lost isaac. "what''s wrong with her? she was fine a minute ago." isaac sighed, standing up. "it''s fine. i just wanted to see if she was okay, not to cause a scene." he straightened his jacket and gave marcus a nod before heading toward the door. "take care, kid." and with that, isaac was gone. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ outside the hvc warehouse, meteor city¡­ scott tapped on is phone to end the stream. a small pop-up appeared on the screen to summarize the night''s performance. [viewer count: 230,000] [donations: $65,835] scott leaned back against the brick wall. "that''s¡­ a lot." he muttered as he scratched his head. "probably ''cause deathmark was on. that, and the fact that it was unnecessarily freaky." he sighed and swiped through his phone until his bank app appeared on the screen. [current balance: $430,320.65] the number stared back at him, and he let out an even deeper sigh. "i was planning to get emma a gift or something, but¡­" his voice faded as his thoughts drifted. "what do i even get her? jewelry? a car? she probably has better ones already. higher quality too." he closed his eyes briefly. "maybe i''m moving too fast¡­" it was a possibility. "eighteen, practically dropped out of school¡­ i should be enjoying my younger days, not¡­ this." his eyes remained fixed on his phone, blank and unblinking as his mind spiraled into quiet doubt. a sudden presence jolted him from his thoughts. deathmark popped up in front of him, her hands casually tucked behind her curvy hips as she leaned in close. her perky breasts bounced into view in a way that implied she had meant for it to happen. there was that usual liveliness in her purple eyes. "you okay there?" but, her tone was soft. nothing like the gun-wielding psychopath he was fighting with moments ago. scott leaned back slightly to create some space. "yeah, i''m fine¡­" he shook off the daze. "what about the blue dust? any updates on that?" deathmark grinned and pulled a small glass bottle from behind her back, holding it up like it was a rare treasure. the faint shimmer of blue particles glowed under the intermittent flashing of the nearby police cars. "this one''s yours¡­" she twirled it between her fingers. "i''ve got another for rope girl too. there''s still a bunch left, but the mcpd''s holding onto it until the hero agency can come and claim it as government property." scott nodded as he took the bottle from her and examined it under the red and blue lights. "i see¡­" he murmured. the two of them glanced sideways. the sight before them was sobering¡ªpolice officers gently helping terrified children out of rusted metal crates. the kids'' hollow eyes darted around as armored trucks pulled up, ready to transport them to safety. they were completely shattered. beyond any hope of fixing. what made things even worse was that there wasn''t anyone who truly understood what they''d been through¡­ no one who could help them face the difficult days ahead. maybe the division f agents scott and deathmark fought could have been an option, but they were headed for a long stay in ashgate penitentiary. so, in the end, those kids were left on their own. they''d have to fight their own battles¡ªstruggling with the memories of all the horrific experiments and drugs that had been forced on their bodies. scott''s eyes went to the small bottle in his hand. ¡ºthis blue drug¡­ they must have injected so much of it into their bodies that those kids will never be the same again. and depending on how strong their immune systems are, many of them could end up dying within a few weeks. sigh~¡» he sighed deeply and turned back to deathmark. "tell commissioner lis i might not be around for a while." deathmark''s playful expression shifted. she tilted her head, frowning slightly. "why?" "it''s personal¡­" scott replied simply. deathmark''s hand shot out, gently grabbing his wrist. her expression softened, a common, but shy smile curved her lips. "you can tell me, though¡­" her voice was much quieter now. "i mean¡­ i wouldn''t mind if we revealed our identities to each other. it''s about trust, right? and who knows? maybe we''d get closer too. tee-hee ?!" scott looked at her with a plain face. "we''re fine as we are. keeping it professional works better for both of us." s§×arch* the novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "b-, but¡­" "deathmark." the young lady looked away, quite sad. "o-, okay¡­ i understand." he carefully slid his wrist out of her grasp. without another word, he turned and began walking away as he disappeared down a dark alley. deathmark watched him go as her lively smile returned, but it didn''t quite reach her eyes this time. "keep it professional, huh¡­?" she spun the other bottle of blue dust between her fingers. "guess that''s what i get for trying." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡­ 00:34 a.m. scott walked down one of the quieter streets of meteor city as he headed toward meteor hill. like most streets after 9 p.m., the area was deserted, with gang shootouts and other crimes keeping people off the roads. but blue trail street was different¡­ it was empty because there were no homes here, and it was the only path that connected meteor hill with the lower districts. no one dared to hang around, knowing the powerful people living up on the hill kept their distance from the chaos below. so, scott had the street to himself, able to walk in peace while still wearing his nightwatch gear. [hold your arms out¡­] scott tilted his head. but, he listened to the system nonetheless. ¡­ thud! brigid macleighlin fell into his arms. [ding! the host has acquired the mindbender heroine!] scott''s eyes went blank. "eh¡­?" Chapter 72 Missing Heroine, Freaky Heroine! crowe manor, meteor hill¡­brigid sat on the cold metallic surface of a medical bed. her legs swung idly as the countless wires and plugs connected her to the machines around her. high-tech headgear bristling with sensors rested snugly on her head as its tangled mess of cables snaked into consoles buzzing with activity. she stared at the ceiling with a blank expression as her vibrant green eyes remained steady. scientists walked around her as their murmured discussions mixed with the steady hum of machines. screens flashed complex data and showed erratic, almost incomprehensible brainwave patterns. from the far corner of the room, adira stood with her arms crossed as she bit her lip impatiently. "what''s the status so far?" one of the lead scientists¡ªa wiry man with thick-rimmed glasses¡ªlooked up from his console. there was such a wonder and unease in his eyes. "it''s¡­ unlike anything we''ve ever seen. her mind doesn''t seem to operate on a third-dimensional framework. it''s almost as if her brain is tuned to dimensions beyond what we can comprehend. like¡­ she''s a higher-dimensional entity forced into a third-dimensional vessel." adira raised an eyebrow. "you''re sure about that?" the scientist gestured at the monitor. "look here. these brainwave patterns are impossible in a standard human brain. the oscillations don''t align with any known neurological functions. if i had to guess, her mind could be processing information from dimensions we can''t perceive. this level of complexity shouldn''t exist in a three-dimensional being." adira''s black-painted lips curled slightly. "interesting." brigid yawned loudly. "ugh, i''m so tired of this. can we stop already? i wanna see nightwatch. you promised me, remember?" adira''s gaze sharpened, and she placed a hand on her massive hip. "i didn''t promise you anything, sweetheart. i said we were headed to meteor city, and you assumed that meant i''d take you to him." brigid groaned as she crossed her arms. "fair enough. but still, this is so boring." the scientist hesitated before glancing at adira. "ma''am, if i may¡­ i don''t think we should keep probing her mind like this. as fascinating as her brain is, the more we train it, the more dangerous she could become. if her consciousness evolves any further, she might not just manipulate her mind¡ªshe could potentially control¡­ well, reality itself." adira stepped closer as her heels clicked sharply against the tiled floor. her slender fingers reached up to caress the scientist''s cheek with an unnervingly gentle touch. "you''ll be a good boy and keep working, won''t you?" barely any man could resist her silk-smooth voice. the scientist turned red as a nervous smile spread across his tired face. "y-, yes, of course. i can do that." adira''s thumb traced his lips, and for a brief, tantalizing moment, he thought she might kiss him. instead, she gave his cheek a playful pat. "good boy~ now, get back to work." flustered but obedient, the scientist returned to his station. adira''s expression turned cold as her phone buzzed in her pocket. she answered it and stepped out of the room. "what''s the status, red?" a soft, masculine voice came through the line. "nightwatch and deathmark took down division f. freed all 453 kids stored there. most of ''em are still pumped full of the meta-drug, though. if they''re not stabilized soon, they''ll probably die. all the tech and meta-drugs were seized by the cops." adira''s lips curved into a faint smile. "if all 453 of them die, all the better. no witnesses. i''ll have our mole in the hero agency ensure the equipment and meta-drugs are¡­ misplaced." red chuckled darkly. "you don''t seem too bothered." adira let out a soft laugh. "of course not. the hvc warehouse was just a test. i wanted to see how sharp nightwatch''s deduction skills were and how vast his information network could reach. that wasn''t the main facility. just a decoy." red whistled. "you sacrificed over 400 kids just to size up your opponent? harsh." "necessary¡­" adira replied coolly. then, her tone became slightly more serious. "what about the technophages? any luck?" red sighed. " "the green host is stabilizing. few more weeks, and he''ll hit 99% synchronization. but the blue technophage egg? still no sign of it. can''t track its energy¡ªit''s like something''s blocking it." adira pinched the bridge of her nose. "sigh~ keep searching. i want results, agent red." "got it." the line went dead. adira turned back toward the lab, only for the lead scientist to burst out of the room. "she''s gone! she''s goooone!!" the man''s face was pale with panic. adira''s eyes narrowed. "what do you mean gone?" "the subject! brigid! she¡­ she flew out the window!" adira rushed into the lab. her heels clacked loudly as she scanned the room. the window was open and the cool night breeze swept in. but¡­ no sign of brigid. she pressed a hand to her face in exasperation. "she''s probably gone to look for that damn nightwatch." her lips curled into a smirk despite her frustration. "well, this should be¡­ entertaining." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ nightwatch''s warehouse, meteor city¡­ scott paced around dark space of his warehouse. he circled brigid, who was seated cross-legged on a squeaky swivel chair, spinning lazily to follow his every move. he lips pressed into a line beneath his mask. ¡ºwhat am i supposed to do with her?¡» on the other hand, brigid looked entirely too comfortable as her bright green eyes glued to him like a hawk watching its prey. every time he took a step, she rotated the chair with her feet to match him while a faint smile tugged at her lips. "can you stop that?" scott muttered in a clipped tone. "stop what?" brigid asked innocently. she even twirled the chair again. scott stopped dead in his tracks. he turned to face her directly. "this! the staring, the spinning¡ªit''s making me angry." brigid grinned mischievously. "then stop moving, and i''li stop spinning." letting out a sharp exhale, scott marched up to her and placed his gloved hands firmly on her shoulders to stop the chair from turning. "stay still©¤©¤!!" the moment his hands made contact, brigid''s eyes widened like saucers. her lips parted, and she let out a dramatic gasp. "lord n-, nightwatch touched me! again!" she shrieked as her voice echoed through the warehouse. scott froze. before he could say a word, a sudden splat sounded as a violent stream of blood shot from her nostrils and stained her shirt and skirt. she moaned deeply and tilted her head back with an almost euphoric expression. soon, her wet tongue was also hanging out. "wh-, what the hell is wrong with you?!" scott stumbled back. he even pointed an accusatory finger at her. "why''re you having a nosebleed?!" brigid clamped a hand over her face as blood dripped through her fingers while her other hand waved dismissively. "oh, my prince, my glorious, blue-eyed savior! never in a thousand years did i imagine i''d be touched so¡­ so sensually! it''s marvelous! absolutely marvelous!" she moaned again as her head lolled back. a mentally exhausted scott adjusted his mask to make sure it was still firmly in place. "i didn''t touch you sensually, you lunatic! stop making me sound like some kind of creep!" brigid sniffled as the nosebleed finally slowed, then wiped the blood off with the sleeve of her white button-up shirt. she didn''t even care about the stains. instead, she quickly shot out of her chair and dropped to her knees in front of him, clasping her hands together like a desperate worshiper. "now that you''ve graced me with your presence, lord nightwatch, the only right thing to do is to call forth the great ritual!" scott tilted his head, eyeing her warily. "what¡­ ritual?" s§×arch* the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. brigid''s face lit up with excitement as she slid a hand under her skirt. scott''s eyes went wide with alarm, and he immediately turned his back on her. "i''m gonna catch a case if this goes on any longer¡­" there was a rustling sound, and when scott dared to peek over his shoulder, she was holding a bright pink dildo triumphantly in the air. perhaps the dildo itself wasn''t even scary. maybe it was the level of confidence with which she held it¡­ as if she was lifting a trophy. "what in the great name of diogenes?!" scott shouted as he stumbled several steps back. blushing furiously, brigid pulled down her skirt and revealed pristine white panties. "don''t worry, my prince! i''ii just strap this on and¡ª" "stop right there!" scott interrupted, throwing his hands out in front of him as if warding off an attack. undeterred, brigid began strapping on the dildo with alarming determination. the contraption bounced comically as she secured it. "once i''m ready, i''ii sodomize lord nightwatch and bask in his glorious blessings!" scott clutched his head in disbelief. "sodomize?! what the hell are you even talking about?! i don''t even have a religion!" brigid''s cheeks flushed deeper as her green eyes sparkled with fervor. "religion is whatever you make of it, my lord! don''t worry if you'' re not comfortable with this, you can strap on one of these, and double penetrate me! i have no qualms in gifting the virginity of both holes to you, my lord!" "double?! stop saying weird things!" brigid giggled like a love-drunk fool as she stood, the dildo bouncing with each step she took toward him. her hands stretched out while her fingers trembled with questionable excitement. "come, my prince! let me offer myself to you in this most holy of©¤©¤!!" "enough!" scott finally snapped. his fist came down in a decisive thwack on the top of her head. brigid crumpled to the floor and clutched her head. "ahhhh©¤©¤??!!" instead of being angry, however, she let out a pleased hiss through her teeth. "ye~sss! punish me more, lord nightwatch! handle me like the filthy rag you use to clean your toilet!" scott took more steps back as his pale complexion somehow grew even paler. "you'' re insane! get back to your seat! now!" brigid pouted and rubbed her head but obediently returned to the swivel chair. as she spun in slow circles once again, scott slumped against a nearby table and ran a hand down his face. ¡ºwhy me?¡» he stared at the absurdly bright pink object still strapped to brigid''s crotch. he pointed at it like a judge delivering a final sentence. "take that off. now." brigid''s cheeks turned a shade of red that rivaled the streaks of blood still drying on her shirt. she fidgeted while glancing between him and the offending object. "a-, are you sure?" she sounded very uncertain. "you just told me to sit down a minute ago, and i don''t want to make you mad again¡­" scott sighed heavily as his gloved hand dragged down his masked face again. "i''m not mad¡­ i''m just¡­ not used to this level of crazy. and trust me, that''s saying something." she tilted her head, and her lips twitched upward into a faint smile. despite his exasperation, scott couldn''t hide the faint grin tugging at his lips beneath the mask¡ªnot that she could see it. but brigid must''ve caught something in his blue eyes, because her expression softened. "alright¡­" she said finally. "i''ll take it off." her hands reached down, but instead of unstrapping the dildo, she hooked her thumbs under the waistband of her panties and started pulling them down. "not that©¤©¤!" scott''s panicked shout echoed off the warehouse walls. "not the panties, you crazy bitch! i''m talking about the toy strapped to your crotch!" brigid froze, then glanced down at the bouncing pink dildo still secured in place. experience new tales on empire "ohhhhhh. that makes sense." "for fuck''s sake¡­" scott groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. without further fuss, brigid unstrapped the dildo, holding it up triumphantly like a child showing off a crayon drawing. "done!" before she could say anything else, scott yanked her skirt off the floor and tossed it straight at her face. she caught it with both hands and quickly began pulling it back on. as she fumbled with the buttons, scott crossed his arms and stared at her with tired face. "so¡­" he talked slowly. "¡­ do you always walk around carrying¡­ that?" brigid shook her head as she secured her skirt in place. "of course not! i only carry it three times a week." scott blinked, then groaned. "three times a week? that''s still insane¡­" he threw his hands up in frustration. "even thinking about carrying that thing in public for a minute is insane! and you''re out here acting like it''s a normal grocery item or something!" brigid giggled, unbothered. "i guess i''m just a bit eccentric." "a bit?!" finally, brigid finished buttoning her skirt. she smoothed it out with her hands and stood straight, looking entirely too pleased with herself. but her shirt was still streaked with blood. scott sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "you can''t sleep in that shirt. gimme a sec, i''ll find you something clean." before he could take a step, brigid darted in front of him and spread her arms wide like a barrier. "no!" scott raised an eyebrow. "no?" there was something fierce and desperate in her eyes as she stepped closer. "now that i''ve finally met you¡ªafter you ignored all my messages, all my attempts to talk to you¡ªi can''t waste this chance!" scott tilted his head. brigid clenched her fists. her voice trembled with emotion. "i want to be a hero! not the kind plastered on tv or worshiped by the media. i want to be the kind of hero you are¡­ the kind who saved me when i was a kid. a symbol of peace who does good because it''s right." her green eyes bored into his. "you''re the only one who can teach me. please, lord nightwatch, show me how to be that hero!" scott''s holoscope buzzed, and the system''s familiar voice echoed in his head. [ding! new quest: help the mindbender heroine become a better hero. reward: 500,000 credits.] scott rubbed the back of his neck. "tch¡­ of course." he sighed again, scratching his head before looking at her. "alright¡­" his voice was a little softer. "we''ll talk in the morning. for now, let''s get some rest." brigid''s eyes lit up like fireworks. "you mean¡­ you''re not sending me away?" her voice quivered with hope. scott placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly. "i''m not making any promises. i''ll decide in the morning." brigid clasped her hands together. "thank you! thank you, lord nightwatch! i promise i''ll be on my best behavior! i won''t do anything crazy, i swear!" there was such gratitude in her voice. scott yawned, waving her off as he turned to leave. "yeah, yeah, just don''t bleed all over the place again. and stop calling me lord nightwatch." brigid''s cheeks turned pink, and she clutched her heart dramatically. "do you mean¡­ i can call you daddy~?" without turning back, scott grabbed a cola can from a nearby table and lobbed it at her head. "be. a. good. girl." the can thudded against her forehead, and she winced, rubbing the spot as she pouted. "yes, sir¡­" Chapter 73 Questionable Dedication ¡­ 02:38 a.m.the warehouse was quiet. scott slouched on a beat-up sofa tucked in a shadowy corner of the commodious space while his legs stretched out as he idly scrolled through his phone. gone was his dark combat gear, replaced by a simple black hoodie and jeans. the mask was off, revealing his handsome face and the tired blue eyes of a man who carried far too much on his shoulders. not too far away, brigid lay snug in a sleeping bag he''d grudgingly pulled out for her. she was bundled up like a caterpillar in a cocoon as her chest rose and fell rhythmically with each breath. her messy black hair framed her peaceful face, making her look far younger than her age. scott looked at her and his lips twitched in a faint smirk. "psssh¡­ she looks like an angel when she''s asleep¡­" he sighed as his eyes returned to his phone. "but when she''s awake, it''s a different case entirely." he shook his head and opened instaflick. soon after, his casual browsing suddenly interrupted by a notification that made his eyebrows shoot up. [inbox (3,217 new messages)] "what the¡ª?" scott nearly fell off the sofa. he stared at the number in shock before groaning. "where the hell did all of these even come from?!" the system immediately responded. [to help the host focus on deepening his relationship with miss mercury, the system took the liberty of muting messages from brigid macleighlin until you achieved full intimacy with the speedster heroine. this action was deemed necessary.] scott pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long, exhausted sigh. "well, meeting her now doesn''t make things any better in the end. great job, system." still grumbling, he opened brigid''s chat thread and began scrolling. the messages were a concoction of desperation, humor, and outright lunacy. find adventures at empire he skimmed through the first few texts. [lord nightwatch, please respond! i need guidance!] [are you ignoring me because i''m not a redhead? if so, that''s discrimination!] [i''m not crazy, okay?! i just have¡­ ideas.] [look, i know i already sent you like 200 messages today, but seriously, i''m desperate here. please don''t block me¡­ i just need to see you, to talk with you ????¡­] [please, mr. nightwatch, answer me this once! i''ll keep doing my best to donate to your streams and support you because i love what you''re doing¡­ £¨???£© but please at least look at one of my messages. i''m not asking for much.] [mr. nightwatch??? hello???] --- scott shook his head as he scrolled past screenshots of donation receipts she''d sent¡ªproof of her attempts to be a "model hero-in-training." then came the more emotional messages. [i''m alone here. nobody at this school believes in heroism the way i do. they think i''m weird. they laugh at me. you saved me when i was about to lose my faith in the golden age of heroism¡­ much like silver sentinel, you''re the reason i want to be a hero. please, at least tell me if i''m on the right path, that''s enough ( ¡ä-¦Ø-` )???] scott''s scrolling slowed. despite her eccentricities, there was an undeniable sincerity in those words. sear?h the nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. then came the pictures: one where brigid grinned proudly with a certificate of excellence, another where she posed with a shiny medal from her school. there was a shot of her on a beach excursion with classmates, her smile bright and carefree. scott''s lips quirked upward slightly. but as he scrolled further, his brows furrowed. the pictures took a turn. there were selfies of brigid in skintight superhero cosplays, others where she wore barely-there outfits, posing provocatively in ways that left little to the imagination. ones where she lifted her butt up to the camera. or¡­ spreading her legs open for the camera while wearing a questionably erotic smile. it was a lot to take in. scott groaned and rubbed his temples. "she seriously needs to be careful sending pictures like these. sure, nightwatch is a good guy, but what if i were just some creepy old man with a thing for younger girls? use your damn head, brig¡­" he looked at her sleeping form, then back at her photos. for a moment, he debated deleting the app altogether. but instead, he sighed and leaned back into the sofa. "well¡­ wouldn''t hurt to take a small break." scott pulled up his messages and typed out a quick note to commissioner lisbon: [i''m heading out of town for a bit. if anything serious happens in meteor city, let me know. and keep an eye on the missing children''s case¡ªi have a hunch it''s far from over.] he hit send and glanced over at rigid again. ¡ºadira crowe recruited her as the next rookie hero of crowe enterprises¡­? she''s not just average talented. there''s gotta be something more. guess i''ll find out soon enough.¡» ¡­ sigh~ --- the next morning, brigid''s eyes fluttered open. she blinked groggily as her ears picked up the whirring of tools and the roar of an engine. "huh©¤©¤©¤©¤?!" shooting up, she looked across the warehouse and saw scott hunched over the hood of his sleek, jet-black gt-r, tightening bolts and checking gauges. "wh-, what''s going on?!" she stammered as she scrambled to her feet. scott turned and wiped his hands on a rag before slipping into his leather jacket. "you said you wanted to be a hero, right? best place to start is in metro city¡ªthe city of heroes." brigid''s eyes lit up like the fourth of july. she ran toward him, practically bouncing with excitement. "you mean it?! you''re taking me with you?!" scott smirked as he tossed her a juice box. "don''t make me regret this." brigid caught the juice box and clutched it like a priceless artifact. "i won''t! i swear!" scott slid into the driver''s seat, then revved the engine with a low growl. "cool, we should move as early as possible. c''mon let''s get going already." brigid jumped into the passenger seat. her grin stretched ear to ear. "i''m ready for anything, lord nightwatch!" "first lesson: stop calling me that." with a screech of tires, the gt-r roared out of the warehouse and headed straight for metro city. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡­ 09:36 a.m. the gt-r thundered down the endless stretch of asphalt like a predator chasing the horizon as its engine growled with a fearsome horsepower. the road ahead was utterly deserted, aside from the sleek black car slicing through it at breakneck speed. inside, scott''s hands were steady on the wheel as his sharp blue eyes fixed on the road. brigid sat in the passenger seat with her legs tucked under her as her messy black hair framed her cute face. her big green eyes were glued to him, while her mind raced just as fast as the car. ¡ºhe''s just driving like it''s nothing, but he''s letting me see his face¡­¡» she bit her lower lip. ¡ºdoes that mean he trusts me? or¡ªwait. her brows furrowed as a more absurd thought popped into her head. what if he''s planning to kidnap me? maybe he''ll lock me up in some dark, underground dungeon and then¡­ force me to¡­ strap on and¡­ take him from the back?¡» her face flushed a deep red. ¡ºno, no, no! that''s not how it''s supposed to go! it''s the other way around, right? right?!¡» she snuck another glance at him. he hadn''t said a word to her since they left the warehouse. maybe he cared more about the roar of his engine than anything she had to say. honestly, brigid didn''t trust herself to speak without sounding like some crazed, obsessive maniac. ¡ºwhat if he really is that kind of guy? no¡­ lord nightwatch wouldn''t¡­¡» then her curious eyes drifted down to herself. she was still wearing the oversized black t-shirt scott had tossed her earlier and her only other clothing was a pair of plain white panties beneath. the shirt barely reached her mid-thigh, leaving her legs almost completely exposed. her lips curved into a small, mischievous smirk. ¡ºmaybe i should¡­ test him.¡» slowly, she reached for the hem of the shirt and lifted it inch by inch, just enough to reveal the smooth curve of her thighs and the edge of her panties. she bit her lip and her cheeks warmed as she imagined his reaction. ¡ºmhm-mmm~ maybe now that it''s morning and he can see me clearly, he''ll¡ª¡» "brigid¡­" scott''s calm voice tore apart her thoughts. she froze mid-motion, her shirt still bunched in her hands. without even sparing her a proper glance, scott gave her a quick side-eye with an unimpressed face. "unless you want to walk to metro city, you better keep your shirt down. we''re not playing this game." brigid pouted, lowering the shirt with a dramatic huff. "tch. what if i don''t want to?" she crossed her arms like a defiant child. scott reached over, grabbed his phone from the center console, and held it up to her. the screen lit up with one of those pictures¡ªthe kind brigid had sent him in her moments of questionable genius. "if you don''t¡­ this picture? going straight to your school. think they''ll appreciate it?" her jaw dropped as her face flushed with equal parts embarrassment and outrage. "y-, you wouldn''t!" "try me," scott tossed the phone back onto the console. brigid''s shoulders slumped as she let out a defeated sigh. "fine¡­ you win. i''ll behave. happy?" scott''s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smirk. "smart girl." he shifted his attention back to the road. "now, while we''re on the subject of bad decisions, toss the dildo out the window." brigid''s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide. "what dildo?" "brigid¡­" his tone carried a warning. she groaned while reaching under her t-shirt to pull out the pink offender. with a grumble, she rolled down the window and flung it out onto the empty highway. "good¡­" scott said as he nodded in approval. "now we''re almost halfway between metro city and meteor city, so keep yourself occupied while i make a quick call." brigid''s brows furrowed. "a call? to who?" he slid on his earpiece and smiled as he tapped a button on the car''s display. "my girlfriend. jealous?" her eyes widened, and she folded her arms under her breasts, then pouted dramatically as she turned to glare out the window. "no fair¡­" scott chuckled under his breath. he was waiting for the call to connect. "her name''s emma, and she''s uhhh, just as crazy as you are¡­ or should i say passionate?" brigid''s pout deepened as she tried not to listen while her cheeks puffed out like a sulking child. scott glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "keep pouting like that, and your face is gonna get stuck." he was still smiling. brigid just grumbled in response. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ emma''s mansion, metro city¡­ marcus lounged on the massive leather sofa in the living room, controller in hand, fully immersed in a pvp match of burgnite on his gamestation 10. the sound of rapid gunfire and explosions echoed through the room, but his attention briefly shifted as his avatar ducked behind cover. he tilted his head toward the kitchen, visible through the large open archway. "hey, does anyone wanna tag team in burgnite? i could use some backup!" from the kitchen, jenna''s voice rose above the clatter of cooking. "we''ll have to finish this first, marcus! just enjoy your solo grind. maybe tonight!" marcus adjusted his glasses with a smirk. "fair enough. but you better not bail on me later!" he turned his attention back to the screen. "solo squad wipe incoming." he talked as though he was really in the game. ¡­ in the kitchen, emma was at war with the onions. "hissss©¤©¤fucking red things!" her knife moved quickly, but the sting of the onion juice had tears streaming down her cheeks. she sniffled, wiped her face with her forearm, and stabbed the knife into the chopping board with dramatic flair. "that''s it! i''m done! i can''t stand these stupid onions!" jenna glanced over from where she was stirring a simmering pot of sauce. a soft laugh escaped her lips. "what''s the matter, em? you giving up because of a little onion squirt?" emma glared at her with watery, bloodshot eyes. "it''s not ''little,'' jenna! these things are evil. you do it if it''s so easy!" she threw the cutting board into the sink with a huff and crossed her arms. leaning against the counter, nadia, who had been scrolling through her phone, chuckled. "you''re lucky all you had to do was onions. i''m still recovering from the chili peppers. my eyes were on fire. felt like i got maced." the three women burst into laughter. just as emma grabbed a glass of water to recover, her phone buzzed in the back pocket of her short shorts. she pulled it out, and her yellow eyes lit up at the caller id. "oh, babe? what''s up?" she answered with a softer, more feminine voice. hearing this, jenna and nadia immediately abandoned their tasks. jenna wiped her hands on her apron while nadia leaned in with a mischievous grin. they edged closer to emma with maximum curiosity. scott''s voice came through the line. "nothing much. just wanted to let you know i''ll be in metro city soon." emma''s eyes widened, and she squealed before she could stop herself. she started bouncing on her toes as her excitement spilled all over the place. even jenna and nadia who weren''t even scott''s girlfriends were equally excited to have him here. soon after, emma caught herself, cleared her throat, and tried to play it cool. "oh, uh, that''s cool. was that all? ''cause, uh, i''m kinda cooking right now." scott chuckled deeply. "babe, you don''t have to pretend. i can practically see you blushing through the phone. red as a rose, aren''t you? and pretty as one too~" emma sighed and leaned against the counter with a sheepish smile, swinging her legs up as she spoke. "fine, you got me. i''m excited, okay? i''m really glad you''re coming to metro. you''re moving in, right?" the words had barely left her mouth when jenna and nadia''s smiles vanished. they both turned to emma with squeezed brows and subtle frowns as their expressions practically screaming ¨C what do you mean, moving in? emma raised a confused eyebrow at their sudden change in mood but focused on scott. "yeah, i''ll be moving in, i guess? but, uh, there''s something else. i''m bringing a friend along¡­ if that''s cool." emma blinked as her smile faltered for just a second. "oh, sure! a friend of yours is a friend of mine. can''t wait to meet him!" scott hesitated. "actually¡­ it''s a she." emma''s smile stiffened. "oh. a she! that''s¡­ super awesome! haha!" her laugh sounded so forced it could''ve been mistaken for a malfunctioning robot. the line fell into an awkward silence. scott cleared his throat. "uh, yeah. i''ll explain everything when i get there. for now, just text me the address, alright?" emma nodded, even though he couldn''t see it. "sure thing, babe! c-, can''t wait to see you!" with that, the call ended. emma lowered the phone as though it were heavy. she lifted her head to meet the fiery glares of jenna and nadia, who were both staring at her like she''d committed an unspeakable crime. she stumbled back slightly in her flip-flops as she clutched the counter for support. "wh-, what''s wrong?!" jenna crossed her arms and tilted her head as her blue eyes narrowed. "the conversation, emma. everything was wrong with that conversation!" "huh?" emma''s brows pressed together. "what are you even talking about?" nadia scratched her chin thoughtfully as her eyes darted between emma and the sauce pot. "i don''t know how to put it, but¡­ it kinda sounded like you were trying just a little too hard for scott. like¡­ it''s not a problem, but there''s a line, y''know? when it stops being ''cute girlfriend vibes'' and starts feeling like¡­ worship." emma could only let out an astonished chuckle. "you two must be joking, right?" she turned toward the stove and picked up the spoon, giving the simmering sauce a stir. "anyway, if you don''t hurry, this sauce is gonna burn." jenna leaned on the counter. "let''s just hope this ''friend'' of his isn''t cuter. or prettier. or heck¡ªeven sexier than you." emma whipped around and the spoon clattered onto the stove. "seriously, what is your problem?!" jenna''s eyes widened sharply. "my problem? my problem is my friend isn''t acting like herself! normally, if some guy said they were bringing an uninvited guest, you''d shut it down before they even finished their sentence. but here you are, rolling out the welcome mat like it''s no big deal. we both know you don''t like the idea of this ''female friend'' staying here." emma sighed as she rubbed her temples. "i can''t believe this¡­" jenna threw up her hands. "what i can''t believe is that you''re letting all this slide. and let''s not even start on the fact that he kissed¡ª" nadia''s hand shot out to slap over jenna''s mouth. "that''s enough!" she laughed awkwardly as her green eyes darted nervously between the two. "let''s just focus on cooking, alright? sauce first, drama later." the kitchen fell into an uncomfortable silence. emma turned back to the pot as her hands gripped the spoon tightly as she stirred. she didn''t say another word. --- hours later¡­ the afternoon sun dipped low as the sound of a loud car horn echoed through the mansion. in the living room, marcus glanced up from his burgnite session. "is that him?" emma bolted up from the sofa as her yellow eyes sparkled with excitement. "it''s scott! security must''ve let him in!" she rushed toward the massive front doors while nadia and jenna followed close behind. the three women stepped outside and their eyes locked onto the black gt-r parked in the driveway. the driver''s door opened, and out stepped scott. but it wasn''t scott who drew everyone''s attention¡ªit was the girl emerging from the passenger side. brigid stepped out, barefoot, wearing nothing but an oversized black t-shirt that barely covered her thighs. the shirt was undeniably scott''s¡ªthe familiar logo on the chest made that abundantly clear. nadia gasped as her hands flew to her mouth. jenna groaned and dragged a hand down her face as though she couldn''t believe what she was seeing. emma stood frozen as her eyes locked on brigid. her lips moved, but at first, no sound came out. then, barely above a whisper, she muttered something. "¡­that shirt. it''s scott''s shirt." Chapter 74 Communication brigid stretched her arms high above her head and let out a very long, satisfied yawn. her bare toes curled against the pavement as she blinked at the towering mansion before her."woooow~" there was such amazement in her green eyes. "this place is amazing!" she turned to scott with an eager grin as she practically bounced on her toes. "wait¡­ is this your house?" scott chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair. he shifted slightly to the side and pointed toward emma, who stood frozen near the entrance of the mansion, flanked by nadia and jenna. "actually¡­" his smile turned warm. "¡­ it belongs to my girlfriend. emma." brigid''s eyes followed his finger and landed on emma. her curious smile widened. "ohhh, she''s so pretty!" however, emma looked anything but flattered. she forced a tight, uncomfortable smile that didn''t reach her yellow eyes. her arms folded under her breasts before she rubbed one awkwardly as her eyes flickered everywhere but at brigid or scott. scott walked forward a few steps, spreading his arms wide with his signature grin. "what''s this? no hug for your boyfriend? come on, em. i''ve missed you!" he waved his arms invitingly. but emma didn''t move. instead, her eyes were locked on brigid more specifically, the black t-shirt draped over her. ¡ºscott''s shirt¡­¡» the more she tried to brush it off as a misunderstanding or convince herself there was some logical explanation, the harder it got. maybe there was a good explanation, but a part of her didn''t even want to hear it. every time she looked at the shirt¡ªthe one she was supposed to be wearing as his girlfriend¡ªit felt like a slap in the face. she couldn''t shake the feeling of betrayal. ¡ºi know he probably has an explanation, but¡­¡» her forced smile wavered. sadness showed in her eyes, and before anyone could say a word, she wiped at a tear forming in the corner of her eye, spun on her heel, and disappeared back into the mansion. scott blinked in confusion and lowered his arms as his brows pressed together. "huh? what just happened?" brigid covered her mouth and giggled softly. "looks like your girlfriend''s not so friendly¡­" scott''s eyes narrowed as he turned toward her. he scanned her outfit again. the oversized t-shirt, his t-shirt¡­ he finally realized. "ahhh, crap." he slapped a hand over his face and let out a deep sigh. "i see what''s going on here¡­" ¡­ a little later¡­ the atmosphere inside the mansion was awkward at best. despite her concern for emma, nadia still helped brigid settle into one of the many guest rooms. she tried to make polite conversation, but her words were strained and her smile was clearly forced. "thanks for the help!" brigid said cheerfully as she unpacked her small bag. "this house is insane, haha~! like, how do you guys not get lost in here?" nadia chuckled weakly. ¡ºi really hope emma''s alright¡­¡» her eyes dully shifted to the side. meanwhile, jenna had made the deliberate decision to ignore both brigid and scott entirely. her simmering disappointment was plain as she sat on the kitchen counter, flipping through her phone with a scowl. ¡ºi can''t believe that guy! he actually brought another girl to his girlfriend''s house. and not only that¡ªshe''s wearing his fucking shirt! how does he not realize that his girlfriend should be the only one wearing his shirts? the only way it''d be okay for someone else to wear it is if his girlfriend gave her permission!¡» sear?h the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. jenna sighed and turned off her phone as she tiredly rested her head against the kitchen counter. brigid was still very much aware of it all. she just happily hummed a small song to herself while unpacking her things. meanwhile, scott stood there, trying to piece together the mess he''d accidentally caused. in the living room, marcus stayed glued to his game, grinding away at burgnite, totally oblivious to the drama brewing just a few steps away. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ presently, scott stood in front of emma''s bedroom door and knocked repeatedly. his brows were knit with worry, and the usual lightness in his tone was gone. "emma?" there was a cautious tenderness in his voice. "come on, em. at least let me explain properly, alright? it''s¡­ it''s really not what you think." he knocked again, then leaned his forehead against the door with a sigh. "could you at least have a little faith in me? i mean, i told you about gwen, didn''t i? so why would i try to hide this? just¡­ please, babe. open the door." on the other side of the door, emma sat with her back pressed against it and her body curled up on the floor. her chin rested on her knees, and her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. her expression was distant and her yellow eyes were both dull and unfocused. she felt both anger, sadness, and frustration all churning inside her, but more than anything, she felt¡­ tired. she closed her eyes in pain as scott''s voice filtered through the door. "emma¡­" but she didn''t respond. she couldn''t bring herself to. not yet. scott let out a heavy sigh as his hand lingered on emma''s door as if hoping she''d magically open it. when she didn''t, he placed his forehead against the wooden surface and tried again. "emma¡­" his voice was even softer now. "if you''ve got any faith in me at all, you''d know i wouldn''t do what you''re thinking. brigid''s just¡­ she''s a student from skyfort academy. she''s a little, uh, unorthodox¡ªmaybe a bit crazy¡ªbut i''m supposed to help her become a proper hero. that''s it. there''s nothing else going on here." he paused and rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to sort through the knot of emotions in his chest. "she''s kind of weird, sure, but¡­ i guess that''s what made me agree to help her. she reminded me of you in a way." a small, rueful smile tugged at his lips despite the tension. he leaned against the door. "look, i know you''re mad. i don''t blame you. but i also know you''re not the type to stay mad forever. that''s not who you are." he stepped back and knocked one last time. "i have to take brigid to the hero agency and get her registered. it''s important. i''ll ask nadia to come with us so you don''t have to worry, okay? but¡­" his voice dropped, quieter, gentler. "if you''re really not fine with any of this, i''ll figure something out. i''ll get her a hotel room or something. you just¡­ think about it, alright? we''ll talk when i get back." still, there was no response. scott exhaled slowly, but he was still smiling. "i hope we can fix this." with that, he turned and walked down the hallway. ¡­ as scott approached brigid''s guest room, he spotted nadia leaning casually against the doorframe with her arms folded and an unreadable expression on her pretty face. "oh, nadia." nadia tilted her head toward him and arched an eyebrow. "ooof, you really messed up, huh?" scott groaned and stretched his arms as he stopped in front of her. "big time. emma''s usually calmer than this, so i didn''t think it''d be this hard to explain things." nadia gave him a pointed look. her strawberry lips quirked into a dry smile. "you showed up at her house with another girl wearing only your shirt and panties. how exactly was emma supposed to feel? grateful?" scott scratched the back of his head as his face twisted into a tired grimace. "yeah, yeah, i get it. it looks bad, but it''s really not what you guys think." nadia snorted softly. "i know. as much as i''d love to call you a cheating asshole to make emma feel better, you''re not exactly giving off ''player'' vibes¡­ if you get what i mean." scott raised an eyebrow. "if you know that, then why haven''t you gone to talk to emma yet?" nadia reached up and patted his cheek lightly. she had an oddly playful smile on her face, one that seemed to draw you in without trying. maybe that smile was her most beautiful feature, aside from her natural beauty, which always paired perfectly with her soft, traditional makeup. everything about her just fit¡­ the light coffee-brown tone of her skin, her delicate features, and her gentle, almost angelic personality. "because emma''s a grown woman. there are times she has to figure things out for herself. if i jump in every time something goes wrong, she''s never going to get the experience she needs to handle it on her own." scott blinked, then tilted his head thoughtfully. "¡­ fair point." nadia scooped a few strands of hair behind her ear. that soft smile of hers appeared again. "anyway, you eaten yet? you drove all the way from meteor city, so i''m guessing you didn''t stop for anything." "uh, yeah, no. the road was pretty dead¡­" scott tiredly stretched his arms again. "but more importantly, i need to take brigid to the hero agency to get her registered. she needs her starting rank issued." nadia placed a hand on his shoulder. "then i''m coming with you. you really want to risk emma getting even angrier because you left with the same girl again without clearing things up first?" scott blinked in mild surprise. "wait, how''d you know? i was just thinking of asking you¡ªor jenna¡ªto come along." nadia smirked, folding her arms as she closed her eyes. "hehe, i''ve had a lot of people call me psychic. baba''s even said it for years. but honestly?" she opened her eyes and gave him a wry look. "jenna''s probably the worst choice. she''s cool and all, but she''s got the temper of a volcano." scott chuckled weakly. "yeah, i''ve noticed. so who''s got the best temper, then?" nadia straightened up, started walking down the hall, and tossed a glance back at him with a sly grin. "please. don''t act like you don''t know." "hm?" scott looked genuinely oblivious. she winked. "it''s obviously me." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ scott rubbed his forehead as he walked down the staircase when a low groan escaped his lips. l the past few minutes were just terrible. "i can''t believe i''m this stupid¡­" he muttered under his breath. "i should''ve just bought that damn suitcase of clothes before we left for metro city. then maybe¡­ maybe brigid wouldn''t have had to wear my shirt, and i wouldn''t be in this mess." he glanced over his shoulder at brigid, who was walking behind him in a simple outfit she''d put together from the box of clothes he''d given her via the system mark. it wasn''t much¡ªa plain blouse and jeans¡ªbut it was miles better than the chaos her earlier outfit had caused. brigid didn''t seem to notice his self-directed frustration. instead, her eyes wandered as they reached the foot of the stairs, where marcus was spread out on the couch like a lazy slice of cheese while his attention remained glued to the flashing screen of his video game. explore stories on empire the sound of rapid button clicks, and the occasional explosion from the television was all that could be heard. brigid paused for a moment as her green eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at the screen. she tilted her head, as if trying to make sense of the game playing out on the television. then, without a word, she turned and walked out of the mansion with deliberately light footsteps. scott watched her leave, then turned to marcus with an exasperated sigh. "you''ve been playing that since we got here. do you ever stop? it''s really not healthy." scott said, crossing his arms. marcus didn''t even look up. "do you ever stop messing up with your girlfriend?" scott''s face soured. "yeah, okay. fair point." before he could respond further, he heard a tender voice behind him. "hey! sorry i took so long." scott turned to see nadia coming down the stairs in her white t-shirt and denim overalls paired with chunky white sneakers that gave her a casual, effortless look. her brown curls bounced slightly as she waved at him with a cheerful smile. "pssssh©¤©¤had to change into something real quick, but i''m ready now!" scott shook his head with a small smile. "it''s fine. the hero agency''s open 24/7 anyway. we''re not in a rush." as he spoke, his eyes shifted to the kitchen archway, where he caught sight of jenna standing there, her arms folded and her eyes practically boring a hole into him with how sharp her glare was. if a glare could kill, he''d be dead by now. "sigh~ and here we go again." ignoring her, scott headed toward the door and stepped outside to join brigid in the car. "wait for me!" nadia called out, rushing down the stairs. she was halfway to the door when jenna grabbed her wrist to stop her in her tracks. "where the hell do you think you''re going?" jenna sounded like a demanding parent. nadia stopped and turned back to her with an easy smile. even now, she still looked quite calm. "relax, jen. i know you''ve got issues with scott right now, but i don''t. that doesn''t mean i have to join the ''cold shoulder'' brigade over a little lovers'' spat. it''s immature." "immature?" jenna scoffed as her voice rose slightly. "immature doesn''t matter when we''re talking about a guy who brought another girl into his girlfriend''s house wearing his shirt! how is that not a big deal?" nadia sighed, her patience clearly being tested. "okay, and? what else has this ''horrible'' guy done?" "oh, i don''t know¡­" jenna rolled her eyes dramatically. "maybe kissed another woman while dating emma? and let''s not forget how emma barely feels free to tell him how she feels¡ªlike the whole irina golovin thing." nadia''s expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "jen, what emma and scott need is communication. that''s it. you don''t have to blow this out of proportion. don''t forget¡ªscott''s the same guy who defended emma when she was getting dragged all over his livestream. one or two mistakes don''t make him a bad person. they make him human. and honestly, they make him a pretty great boyfriend who''s willing to learn." jenna hissed in frustration and threw up her hands. "whatever." she stormed over to the couch and tiredly plopped down next to marcus. "fuck it. let''s play something. i need to get my mind off someone¡­ annoying." nadia shook her head. there was a small, smug smile tugging at her lips. "so immature¡­" she said under her breath. she turned and headed for the door and stepped outside to join scott and brigid in the car. Chapter 75 Peace and Preparations ¡­ 19:56 p.m.the city lights of metro city blurred into streaks of white and gold as scott''s gt-r raced down the highway. ¡­ vruuu©¤©¤©¤©¤uuuuuum!! the car purred relentlessly. in the backseat, brigid was fast asleep. she snored softly and curled up like a caterpillar. she was completely drained after all the endless paperwork and tests she had to endure at the hero agency. honestly, if scott and nadia hadn''t been there to help her out, she wasn''t sure she would''ve gotten through it all. scott glanced at her through the rearview mirror and exhaled deeply as his grip on the wheel loosened slightly. "i''m glad that''s over. can''t believe they didn''t even give her a week to prepare before shoving her into an smpe¡­" seated in the front passenger seat, nadia kept her brown eyes on the road ahead and her chin propped on her hand. she arched a brow at his comment. "you know smpes aren''t mandatory, right? she could always sit this one out and join a later session." scott gave a short, humorless laugh. "yeah, sure. technically, she doesn''t have to go. but you know how it is. the hero agency''s already hyped about registering someone like her. her name''s probably plastered on the list of attending newbies all across their websites. and with her powers? everyone''s going to want to see what she can do." nadia snapped her fingers like an eager student. "ohhh, i get it. so it''s not mandatory mandatory, but if she doesn''t show up, the fans won''t care, right? and no fans mean no sponsors for tech, suits, or¡­ anything, really." "exactly¡­" scott said with a sigh. "so, yeah. i''ve got less than 24 hours to make her a decent super suit, design a hero portfolio disc, whip up some merch, publicize her¡­ basically turn her into a brand. and i have no idea how i''m going to pull that off." nadia turned to him, her expression incredulous. "that''s insane. is it even possible?" scott shook his head as his lips twitched into a tired smile. "no. definitely not. but she begged me to help make her a great superhero, and this is how it starts, i guess. as much as i hate to admit it, this is the way." his eyes narrowed. ¡ºfor now at least¡­ maybe brigid can be one of the few corporate-influenced superheroes that can make the right difference in the hero industry. if maya hadn''t done what she did¡­ she''d have been the right choice¡­¡» but, the small frown on his face dissolved the moment nadia placed her slender, gentle hand on his shoulder and rubbed him almost affectionately. "come on, scott. you''ve got this. you''ve done crazier things before. and hey, you''ve got me around if you need help. you''ll be fine." scott turned to her briefly and smiled. his shoulders relaxed. "thanks, nadia. i don''t know why, but being around you makes everything seem easier. kind of like¡­ when i''m around emma." for a moment, nadia''s eyes softened and she stared at him a little longer than she should have. but just as quickly, she looked away and laughed loudly to shake off the moment. "pfft©¤©¤!! flattery''s not going to get you a discount on my help, mr. vigilante." scott chuckled as he eased the car into a smooth turn. "fair enough." after a moment, he looked at her sideways. "speaking of emma¡­ do you think she''s cooled off by now?" nadia shrugged as she leaned back in her seat. "maybe. while you were busy drowning in paperwork for brigid, i called a certain jenna. told her to talk to emma. so, hopefully? i¡­ guess?" scott raised an eyebrow. "hopefully? that''s not exactly reassuring." "well¡­" nadia stifled a laugh. "jenna doesn''t like you, sure, but she doesn''t hate you. emma''s never really had a boyfriend before, so if you''re the guy she''s chosen, i think jenna will do her part to make sure this doesn''t end too soon." scott laughed very tenderly. "you have way too much insight into people, you know that? your boyfriend must have it easy." a shy smile crept onto nadia''s face, and she swept a strand of hair behind her ear. "uh¡­ well¡­ i''ve never actually been in a relationship." scott blinked, momentarily distracted from the road. "wait, what? really?" nadia looked down and gently fiddled with the hem of her overalls. she looked so innocent¡­ like an angel. "yeah. my baba already has someone planned for me when i turn 26." "arranged marriage? in this day and age?" scott sounded both surprised and disbelieved. "so¡­ who''s the lucky guy?" she hesitated as her voice dropped to a murmur. as though she sounded ashamed. "adnan¡­ my cousin." scott''s foot almost slipped off the gas pedal. he coughed, loudly and awkwardly. "your cousin? uh¡­ that''s fairly wholesome¡­ second cousin, maybe?" "first¡­" nadia mumbled as she shrunk further into her seat. ¡ºkyaaa¡­ somebody kill me already¡­¡» she squirmed inwardly. scott stared straight ahead and his hands gripped the wheel tightly. "well¡­ as long as you''re okay with it." "i''m not okay with it¡­" nadia muttered under her breath, but even she couldn''t hear her own voice. then, realizing what she''d just said, she flailed her hands. "no! i didn''t say anything!" scott shot her a confused glance. he hadn''t asked anything. "uh¡­ okay then." the car fell into a comfortable silence once more. there was only the soft hum of the engine and brigid''s tender snores from the backseat. ¡ºdon''t worry, nadia¡­ i heard you¡­¡» scott''s face remained unsettlingly calm. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ emma''s mansion¡­ the gt-r''s engine purred to a halt as scott parked the car in the circular driveway of the sprawling mansion. the warm glow of the house''s lights spilled out into the night as if to welcome them home. scott stepped out and stretched his back with a groan before reaching into the trunk. he pulled out a sleek metal suitcase and a smaller metal box, both of which seemed to hum faintly with an almost imperceptible energy. ¡ºi always carry the arcforge omni-fabricator wherever i go, not like i have a choice if i need to make quality super suits for crimes and all¡­¡» behind him, nadia gently unbuckled brigid, who groggily murmured something incoherent as she curled further into her seat. "come on, sleepyhead¡­" nadia said softly as she slid her arms under brigid''s. "let''s get you to bed." brigid stirred but didn''t wake fully, allowing nadia to guide her out of the car. she leaned heavily against nadia as her feet barely cooperated. scott glanced back as he shut the trunk. "need help?" "nope, i got her!" nadia replied, almost like a soldier, as a slight smile pulled at her lips whilst adjusting brigid''s weight. the trio walked up the stone steps and entered the house. the living room was dim. but, the faint warmth lingering in the air suggested it had been occupied just moments ago. nadia looked ahead and her eyes landed on the dining table, where emma, jenna, and marcus were gathered. jenna and emma were serving food while marcus sat with a small chemistry textbook open in front of him, only half paying attention to the conversation. nadia tilted her head toward scott. "she''s finally out of her room. that means she''s probably not mad anymore." scott exhaled as relief softened his features. "thanks for the heads-up." "i''ll put brigid to bed¡­" nadia said as she adjusted her grip on the half-asleep girl. "poor girl''s got a seriously long day tomorrow. you should talk to emma." scott nodded, then watched nadia carefully carry brigid up the stairs. soon, the house fell quiet again. ¡ºalright¡­¡» he made his way to the dining table. halfway there, emma looked up and spotted him. her face lit up as she raised a pot of macaroni. "scott! hurry up! you''re lucky you made it back just in time for dinner. i kept some just for you." there was such cheerfulness in her voice. scott blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her warm demeanor. his eyes flicked to jenna, who gave him a subtle but approving nod. a sense of deep comfort caressed him and the tension in his shoulders suddenly eased. he pulled out a chair and sank into it, sitting next to marcus, who didn''t look up from his book. scott''s expression remained calm, but there was a trace of quiet happiness in his eyes. emma walked over with a plate in hand and dished macaroni onto it with some elegance. "there. now eat up." scott opened his mouth to speak, to say something¡­ anything, but before he could, emma leaned in closer and her voice dropped to a soft murmur. "forget it¡­" she cut him off gently. "don''t worry about whether i had the right to be mad or not. the truth is¡­ i shouldn''t have been angry in the first place. normally, i wouldn''t have been. i was just¡­" she hesitated as her eyes lowered. "i¡­ i was uhh, dealing with a lot of stuff. stuff i should''ve told you about." scott stared at the macaroni on his plate. "it''s the whole thing with irina golovin, isn''t it?" naturally, he kept his voice calm. "d-, did nadia tell you?" emma asked in confusion. scott shook his head as he offered her a small smile. "no. i''ve seen the posts on chirper and threadit. but i didn''t want to bring it up. i figured you''d talk to me about it when you were ready." a tired smile appeared on emma''s pretty face. next, she leaned down to kiss his cheek. "awww~ you''re sweet, you know that?" scott chuckled softly. "i know¡­" --- ¡­ 11:46 p.m. the house had settled into a peaceful hush. emma, jenna, and nadia had all gone to bed, and brigid was sound asleep upstairs. the dining room was dark, and scott sat alone at the table, lost in thought. from the adjacent living room, marcus''s voice rang out as he mashed the buttons of his controller. "let''s go! triple kill! we''re winning this!" scott glanced through the archway, watching marcus and his teammates on the screen. "marcus¡­ i need your help with something." "uh¡­" marcus didn''t even look up. "kinda busy right now. can it wait?" sea??h th§× novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "no can do¡­" scott replied, standing and walking over. before marcus could protest further, scott grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up with surprising ease. "whoa, whoa, whoa! what are you©¤©¤?!" marcus flailed as scott dragged him away from the game. "i wasn''t asking¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ the clock ticked past midnight. the mansion was very silent. the only noises that could be heard were the muffled sounds coming from brigid''s room. inside the room, scott stood in front of a whiteboard, his sleeves rolled up and a shiny silver cane resting in one hand. he looked like a general ready to rally his troops. on the carpet in front of him, brigid and marcus knelt with awkwardly rigid postures, like hesitant soldiers trying their best not to get into more trouble. on the board, scott had scrawled large, bold letters: [smpe ¨C superhero marketing and promotion events.] scott tapped the board with the tip of his cane. "when a superhero signs up with the hero agency, you don''t just become a symbol of justice overnight. you''re entering one of the most competitive markets in the world. standing out is not just important¡ªit''s survival." brigid and marcus nodded together as the sting of their earlier mistakes was still fresh in their minds. after feeling the sharp bite of scott''s cane several times before, neither of them dared to let their attention slip again. scott continued as he paced in front of them. "to help heroes gain recognition, attract fans, and secure those oh-so-lucrative corporate partnerships, the hero agency organizes smpes. these events are strategically held in major cities, giving heroes a platform to showcase their abilities, connect with fans, and network with industry professionals." brigid raised a hesitant hand. "lord scott¡­ what kind of abilities are we supposed to showcase? i mean, some heroes can¡­ blow up buildings. but i¡­" she trailed off, looking down at her knees. scott raised the cane slightly, and brigid immediately flinched, covering the top of her head with both arms. "don''t hit me! i wasn''t complaining, i swear!" marcus stifled a snort but quickly straightened when scott''s sharp gaze turned toward him. lowering the cane, scott sighed. "brigid, we''ll figure that out. and for the record, i only hit you because you weren''t paying attention earlier. understand?" "yes, lord scott¡­" brigid murmured in a small tone. scott turned back to the board. "now. marcus, since you''ve finally decided to behave, let me ask you something." he pointed the cane at him. "do you understand the stakes here?" marcus glanced at brigid, then back at scott. "uh, yeah. i get it. marketing and stuff. but¡­" he frowned, turning to brigid. "wait, so you''re a superhero too?" brigid froze, her eyes darting nervously toward scott. "l-, lord scott! how can i reveal my secret identity to such a common person?! that''s simply unacceptable!" "hey! i''m not common!" marcus snapped as he glared at her. brigid puffed out her cheeks, mocking him. "huuuh?! it''s not like you have superpowers, do you?" marcus shot back, "rope girl and nightwatch don''t have powers, and they''re still pretty strong! even xenon''s just a tech guy, and he''s amazing!" brigid hesitated, then gave scott a sly side-eye and a tiny smile. "i suppose he''s right¡­" ¡­ thwack©¤©¤©¤©¤thwack!! the cane came down on both their heads, earning twin yelps of pain. they clutched their heads and rolled on the ground like scolded children. scott pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "i can''t believe i''m dealing with this¡­" walking over to marcus, he tossed a document onto his lap. "here. read this and sign it." marcus blinked, rubbing his sore head. "what''s this?" "nda¡­" scott replied bluntly. "you''ve signed one before, haven''t you? when you found out your aunt was miss mercury?" "oh. right." marcus calmly grabbed the papers and moved to the corner to read. when a superhero joined the hero agency, their family, manager, and any friends who knew their secret identity had two choices: either sign an nda agreeing never to reveal the superhero''s identity or take an amnesia pill to forget it entirely. breaking the contract wasn''t an option¡ªif they did, the hero agency''s special agents would eliminate them without negotiation. scott turned to brigid, who was still nursing her bruised pride. "as for you¡­" his voice was firm but not unkind. "you''re going to learn everything there is to know about smpes. start planning your live showcase now. i''ll work on your super suit and start promoting you on several platforms i know." brigid''s expression darkened. "but, lord scott¡­" she lowered her head. "maybe we should just forget the whole thing. i''m bound to fail anyway. it''s pointless to even try¡­" enjoy exclusive chapters from empire marcus glanced up, surprised by her sudden lack of confidence. he opened his mouth to say something, but scott was faster. ¡­ thwack! marcus yelped again. "what did i do?!" scott pointed the cane at him. "that''s for being an ass earlier. now stay quiet." he walked over to brigid and knelt in front of her. placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, he spoke softly. "brigid, look at me." she didn''t. "come on¡­ look at me." still no response. scott sighed. "please?" finally, brigid lifted her gaze. her eyes were a dull green©¤©¤showing just how little faith she had in succeeding. scott''s voice softened even more. "you''re the one who said you want to be a hero, right?" brigid nodded hesitantly. "being a hero comes with challenges like this, as silly as they might seem. the hero agency''s made it clear¡ªyou must attend this smpe, or your career as a hero ends before it begins. but here''s the thing¡­" he leaned closer and locked eyes with her. "we''re not doing this to show the world you''re the next big thing they want. we''re doing this to show them you''re the next big thing they need." brigid''s eyes widened. ¡ºhe¡­ he''s right¡­¡» for a moment, she stared at him, awestruck. scott smiled. "so, can i count on you to give me your best for the next seven hours?" silence hung between them. then, without warning, brigid dove forward to capture scott''s lips in a sudden, passionate kiss and pushed him to the floor. her expectedly big butt pressed softly against his crotch, and her hands gripped the sleeves of his shirt as her lips gently and sensually nibbled his lips. scott barely had time to react before he found himself flat on his back with brigid hovering over him. "eeeehhhh?!" marcus''s horrified shout shattered the silence. "what the hell is happening?!" even scott didn''t have an answer to that. [ding! you''ve kissed the mindbender heroine and have now acquired the nickname: heroine groomer!] Chapter 76 SMPE Preparations, Foxgirl! ¡­ 00:13 a.m.the room was in chaos. marcus leapt up from the bed like a startled cat, his eyes wide and horrified at the sight before him. "what the hell is going on?!" brigid didn''t flinch. if anything, she tightened her grip on scott''s shirt as her lips were still firmly¡ªand aggressively¡ªpressed against his. however, scott was thrashing on the floor beneath her "brigid! stop! you''re going to tear my lips off!" scott managed to shout in between struggling gasps. hearing his panicked voice, brigid finally relented and lifted her head with a dreamy, dazed expression. blood trickled from her nose as she sat back, looking utterly euphoric. marcus wasted no time lunging forward, pulling her off scott with more force than necessary. "are you out of your mind?! that''s my aunt''s boyfriend!" he bellowed as he gestured wildly at scott, who was still sprawled on the carpet, coughing. brigid said nothing, her nose still bleeding as she hugged herself tightly, swaying slightly. her dreamy gaze made marcus recoil. scott groaned as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "marcus, you saw me trying to pull away, right? you saw that, right?" "don''t worry, big bro. i''ve got your back." marcus nodded firmly and jabbed a thumb toward brigid. "if anyone here is crazy, it''s this black-haired, hornball, man-eating¡ª" "how dare you call me a man-eater©¤©¤?!" brigid suddenly snapped as her euphoric haze vanished almost in an instant. she pointed a trembling finger at marcus while her cheeks flushed an erotic pink. "i was simply performing a great and sacred ritual! and you¡ªyou had the audacity to interrupt it!" she took a dramatic step forward. "do you want heavenly lightning to descend upon you and your unborn generations? do you?!" marcus took a step back, his expression deadpan. "yeah, okay. you''re fucking nuts. like, totally nuts. are all girls like this?" before brigid could launch into another tirade, a sharp thwack sparked in the room. scott stood between them, cane in hand while both brigid and marcus clutched their heads and groaned as they crumpled to the floor. marcus glared up at him. "what the hell, big bro?! why''d you hit me? i was just trying to help!" scott shrugged as he rolled his sleeves back down. "my hand slipped. besides, it''d be unfair to hit her and not you. that''s abuse. unless, of course, you want your big bro to end up in jail." marcus frowned but reluctantly nodded. "fair enough¡­" brigid, however, was still on the floor, hugging herself tightly and mumbling incoherently. "his lips¡­ oh, lord nightwatch''s lips¡­ so full of holy spirit¡­ i almost came just from sucking on them~ ?¡­" scott pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like¡­ "am i getting too old for this?" with a long exhale, he walked to the nearby table and set down a sleek, silver suitcase. as he pressed a button, the suitcase unfolded, transforming into a dazzling mini-factory. holographic blueprints sprang to life, displaying an array of super suits, high-tech armor, and even futuristic vehicles. the display was so advanced that marcus''s jaw dropped. "what¡­ what is that?" marcus asked as he adjusted his glasses for a closer look. scott straightened and glanced at him. "this is the aof¡ªthe arcforge omni-fabricator. it costs about four billion dollars. so don''t come within three meters of it, or i swear¡ª" marcus didn''t wait for him to finish. "holy shit¡­" he stepped closer as his curiosity overpowered any sense of self-preservation. "is this some kind of hyper-advanced forging technology? like, does it use pre-created mechanics to¡ª?" ¡­ thwack! marcus fell back and clutched his head again. "why?!" he shouted. scott simply smirked. "i told you not to get close. now, listen up. i''m sending you the prototype of the super suit i have in mind for brigid. your job is to edit it onto some of her pictures, make them look professional, and turn them into high-quality promotional images for her photo books. we''ll replicate 1,000 copies." marcus grumbled but pulled out his tablet. "got it, got it¡­" "got it, what?" scott gave him a side-eye. "g-, got it¡­ big bro¡­" "heheh, now is that so hard?" scott turned to brigid, who had miraculously recovered and was now on her feet, standing at attention. she saluted dramatically, her back bent forward and legs slightly bent. "and i''ll focus on creating and rehearsing my live showcase for today¡­ or tomorrow¡­ or later today¡­" her face turned red for no reason at all. "hmph©¤©¤©¤©¤whatever!!" scott gave her a bemused look but nodded. "good. then let''s get to work." as they all moved to their respective tasks, scott allowed himself a small smile. it wasn''t the smoothest start, but they were making progress. ¡ºone step closer¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡­ 04:27 a.m. marcus lounged on the plush leather sofa as he dressed like the embodiment of arrogance in a beret, striped shirt, and scarf. with a script in hand, he waved theatrically at brigid, who stood in the center of the room. the morning light was yet to seep through the curtains, but the still had an almost cinematic glow. "brigid, darling, that pose? weak. just... abysmal." marcus spoke in his thick-as-butter faux-french accent. "if this were paris fashion week, i would be outr¨¦-offended, insulted, scarred!" brigid raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. "alright then, mr. critic." she struck another pose, thrusting her chest forward and spreading her legs wide which made her massive hips push out like pumps. her smug grin suggested she was sure this would earn praise. marcus groaned as he dragged a hand down his face. "no, no, no! you''ve got big hips and a, frankly, massive chest. if you pose like that, every weirdo in the audience is gonna laser-focus on your body like¡­ like average chatterbox mods!" brigid blinked as she tilted her head. "chatterbox mods? who?" marcus sighed, almost like a diva. then, he dropped his script on the coffee table. "okay, listen. chatterbox mods are, like, these online gremlins who never leave their basements except for conventions like this. they come out just to drool over sexy newbie heroes©¤©¤and, let''s face it, some of the veterans too. you''re playing right into their hands." brigid stared at him blankly. "... still not getting it." marcus rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. "alright, fine. come here." brigid bounced over with piqued curiosity. "what''s up?" after a few quick taps, marcus pulled up rule 34. "look. whenever there''s an smpe, the superhero rule 34 count skyrockets. some managers even leak their clients'' measurements so these gooners can get their ''art'' just right." brigid took the phone, her eyes narrowing in skepticism. "rule 34? what''s©¤©¤?" she stopped midsentence as her eyes widened with each unholy scroll. the screen was filled with digital drawings of scantily clad or outright nude superheroes. "holy¡­ is that miss mercury?" her jaw dropped. "and¡­ lady garganta?! there are millions of these!" brigid''s eyes almost exploded. "what the heck©¤©¤?! why did they shove miss mercury up lady garganta''s ass?! n-, no! that looks even better than the condom inflating art of foxgirl¡­ oh my¡­" "yeah, yeah¡­" marcus muttered as he leaned back. "things you should know: the condom inflating art was just a redraw of the original pose foxgirl did on her fansonly. so, yeah¡­ she actually did inflate a condom with her vajayjay, and i think they said she can generate more pumping force than even submersible pumps¡­ probably a joke though. "miss mercury''s got, like, 950,000 posts. "rope girl''s pushing two mil. and foxgirl? eight million. not shocking, honestly." brigid was speechless and her thumb rapidly scrolled through the site. "wait¡­ what about nightwatch?" her voice wavered with both hope and an oddly perverted excitement as she typed his name. marcus glanced over as his face already twisted in regret. "oh no. don'' t©¤©¤!" too late. brigid''s breath hitched as the screen revealed over 600,000 posts dedicated to nightwatch. she tapped one. her face turned beet red, and she covered her nose as blood began to stream from her nostrils. "dear lord nightwatch¡­" she whispered, trembling. marcus flinched at the sudden gush of blood. "what the hell is wrong with you?!" he shouted as he grabbed a tissue box and shoved it into her hands. brigid ignored him, her voice dreamy. "do you think there''s¡­ gay rule 34 of nightwatch? like, nightwatch x fortitude or nightwatch x blue atom? heck, i''ll even watch some nightwatch x konrad or nightwatch x the peak, fufufu~ ?!" marcus recoiled and his face twisted in horror. "oh my god, you''re a gooner too?!" "what''s a gooner?" brigid asked innocently as she dabbed at her nose. marcus shook his head vigorously and tried to unsee the mental images. "i can''t. i won'' t. look, nightwatch doesn''t have much gay stuff, okay? most of his rule 34 is him tying up and spanking girls. his fangirls are all masochists, so it''s like¡­ bdsm central." brigid tapped her chin thoughtfully. "hmm¡­ that''s understandable. i mean, i can''t imagine a world where he wouldn''t tie me up, plug my naughty butt, spank me silly, and grab my neck like a rotten 6,000 years old bacteria searching for death in th©¤©¤!!" "stop!" marcus shot up from the sofa, hands flying to his ears. "i cannot and will not imagine that world. period." brigid wiped the last of the blood from her face and flopped onto the sofa beside him. "whatever. i don''t really care about all that. i just¡­ i don''t want to disappoint lord scott. he''s working so hard for me, and if i fail¡­" she hugged her knees to her chest as her voice softened. "what if he hates me?" marcus frowned as his annoyance melted into something gentler. he gave her a light punch on the shoulder. "don''t sweat it. my big bro seems like a tough guy, but he''s also the kind of guy my aunt''s totally into, so he''s gotta be, like, really amazing. no way he''d hate you for trying." brigid looked up, her wide, doe-like eyes glistening. "you think so?" marcus smirked. "i know so. now quit moping and let''s nail this showcase. no more weak poses, no more gooner bait, and absolutely no more rule 34, got it?" brigid saluted as her confidence returned. "yes, sir!" "good." marcus grabbed his script and flipped to a new page. "now, give me your best ''hero landing.'' and this time, no ass shots!" brigid grinned mischievously. "no promises." the special ass shots weren''t for anyone at the smpe, she wanted to practice them for scott so she could reward him for all of his kindness. ¡ºand the best way to do that is through my body! who gives a fuck about objectifying myself for him¡­ i love my blue-eyed prince so fucking much. kyaaaahh~ ??!!¡» the young lady was greatly excited. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡­ 03:34 a.m. it''s a quiet night at the penthouse suite of the radiance grand hotel. the shimmering city lights seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows that gave the room a really beautiful appearance. this room belonged to quite the sexy individual. alys morgan aka foxgirl. one of the most beloved and controversial heroes of the decade, was in the middle of her infamous late-night streams that resulted in the tardiness of many college students and the divorce of countless married couples. dressed in her signature suit¡ªa skintight, fiery-orange ensemble with subtle black accents that outlined every tantalizing curve¡ªshe looked nothing short of jaw-dropping. her messy ginger hair fell over her shoulders to frame her sharp, golden eyes that glimmered with mischief. her fox ears twitched slightly as she shifted, while her fluffy tail swayed behind her like a beckoning flame. the suit clung to her big, round breasts that were like melons, practically broadcasting the shape of her nipples and leaving the rest to her viewers'' imagination. the front-view camera on her phone captured every detail as her massive hips filled the frame. her soft, juicy ass cheeks were pressed provocatively against the lens while the fox-like tail nestled between these meaty cheeks wiggled in such a teasing and enticing manner. there were very few who wouldn''t pay a buck to see the shape of foxgirl''s ass. even social media scientists had done their best to study what made her ass so enticing©¤©¤from how firm it was, to how watery it became when she twerked¡­ they wanted to know every single thing. "well, well, my little foxlings¡­" her voice was smooth and sex. she arched her back and caused her hips to sway in slow, deliberate motions. "do you want some of this? hmm? ??" the comment section exploded almost instantly. [yes, queen! please!] [fox mommy, sit on my face. i''ll die happy] [tie me up and call me a bad boy! i''m ready!] [your tail is perfection. can i pet it? ????] [i''d sell my soul for one jiggle¡­] [fart on me please ????¡­] ©¸ [bro what? ????] [sit on my face! please!!! ????] --- her lips curled into a devilish grin as she giggled softly. "oh, my¡­ such desperate little foxlings tonight." she glanced over at the donation counter, which suddenly jumped by a significant amount. [$10,000 donation ¨C tomorrow at smpe, wear something even sluttier. do it for the fans!] [$25,000 donation ¨C flash a little cleavage while signing my poster? pretty please, goddess.] s§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [$80,000 donation ¨C foxgirl, do the condom trick at smpe. it''s what we deserve.] --- she spun around as her luscious tail swished hypnotically as she leaned into the camera. her full lips parted in a playful pout as she tapped her chin. "such good boys, throwing money at your favorite foxy hero. but¡­" she raised a finger and wagged it teasingly. "the special condom trick? tsk, tsk. that''s reserved for the really big boys. unless you''re dropping at least $100,000 this morning, you''ll just have to dream about it." discover exclusive content at empire the chat spiraled into chaos. [c''mon, foxgirl, don''t tease! just do it!] [i''ll sell my car, just say yes!] [$50,000 donation ¨C can i dm you? i want to be your sugar daddy please ????¡­] [ignore the trolls, foxgirl. you''re perfection.] [please step on me, my queen.] --- she leaned back and gently brushed her hair with a faux-innocent smile. "aw, don''t beg, my little foxlings. it''s unbecoming of such loyal fans." her golden eyes sparkled as she tilted her head. "now, what should i do for you next?" another flood of comments poured in, and she chuckled as she read them. [show us your paws!] [do more butt wiggles! please!] [forget tomorrow¡ªstream all night!] [can you rub yourself in front of the camera¡­ you haven''t done that in a while ????] --- foxgirl sighed dramatically as she placed a hand on her hip. "you''re all so demanding tonight. i''m just so tired, you know? tomorrow''s a big day for your favorite fox! i''ve got the honor of opening smpe, after all." she turned and gave the camera another tantalizing glimpse of her curves. "guess i''ll just stick to this for now¡­" the viewers erupted. [they finally recognize you!] [can''t wait to see you tomorrow! will you sign my chest?] [i fookin'' blove yeaahn bsbe ????] ©¸ [bro, what are you writing? ????] ©¸ [i''ve got cum all over my keyboard, man. sorry xd] ©¸ [oh, damn ????] ©¸ [tmi bro, like fr ????] [will your little sister join you at smpe? maybe a little fox-on-fox action?] --- the mood shifted. foxgirl''s playful expression hardened. she grabbed her phone, zooming in close on her face. her golden eyes had a sharp intensity. "listen up, foxlings. don''t. bring up my little sister in these streams. my streams are my space. got it?" the chat froze for a moment before comments hesitantly rolled in. [o-, of course, goddess! so sorry!] [got it. no friend talk. still love you!] [$5,000 donation ¨C sorry for being out of line!] [damn, but i so wanna see some sister-on-sister action¡­ that would be so sexy xd] [@foxgirl has removed @sleazypen from the stream.] foxgirl leaned back as her fiery demeanor cooled. "good boys¡­" she purred. "now¡­ let''s keep it fun, alright?" she shot a wink at the camera and spun around as her hips swayed provocatively. ¡ºhorny sons of bitches!¡» Chapter 77 Heading to the SMPE! ¡­ 07:46 a.m.the sun was already high in the sky. and the bustling streets of metro city were covered in its beautiful rays of light. inside the grandness of emma''s mansion, scott slumped over in his cluttered room. he was spread in a swivel chair, looking like a tired zombie. his head tilted at an odd angle as soft but frequent snores escaped him. the table in front of him was strewn with blueprints, sketches of upgrades for brigid''s suit, and even a handful of hand-drawn designs for action figures he had painstakingly conceptualized. by this time, the arcforge omni-fabricator had already fully designed the super suit and action figures. suddenly, the door creaked open, and marcus stepped into the room. his sharp eyes scanned the chaotic space before they landed on scott who was still deep in his exhausted slumber. marcus tiptoed closer, leaned down, and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "big bro?" marcus called softly. when scott didn''t stir, he shook him a little harder. "big bro? time to wake up, man." scott''s eyes fluttered open, bloodshot and dazed. before he could fully process what was happening, he jerked forward as he choked on his own saliva. his body pitched forward, sending him into a fit of loud, rasping coughs. "holy crap!" marcus shouted as his eyes widened with panic. "my big bro''s gonna die!" he flailed his arms, unsure of what to do, and then grabbed a water bottle from the table and shoved it into scott''s hands. scott coughed a few more times before chugging the water and slumping back into his chair. his face was pale but he was breathing steady. s§×arch* the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "i''m¡­ i''m fine, idiot¡­" he croaked as he glared at marcus. "could you not scream like that first thing in the morning?" marcus crossed his arms. "first of all, it''s not morning; the sun''s been up for hours. second, you looked like you were about to drop dead. you''re lucky i didn''t call 911." scott grunted and waved him off. "go bother someone else." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ in the living room, brigid sat nervously on a plastic stool as her hands rested awkwardly on her knees. across from her, emma was focused on applying a light touch of makeup to brigid''s face. emma dabbed a bit of powder on her nose and worked on her lashes with a practiced hand and a slight smile on her cherry lips. "you know¡­" brigid spoke so softly she almost sounded shy. "i''ve always wanted a big sister to help me with stuff like this¡­ you know, makeup, clothes, girly things." emma chuckled, then reached into her makeup kit for another item. "well, i''m not your sister, but i can help you look good. at least you''ll be presentable in that super suit of yours." brigid hesitated for a moment as her cheeks flushed. "t-, thank you¡­ but do you think¡­ do you think scott will like it?" emma''s hand froze for a split second before she resumed her work. "scott? why does it matter if he likes it?" brigid twiddled her thumbs as the tips of her feet nervously knocked together. "because¡­ i want him to call me¡­ p-, pretty¡­" "i see¡­" emma''s grip on her kabuki brush tightened. "so, you like scott¡­ then?" when emma asked the question, brigid stiffened for a moment, almost like she was caught off guard or even a little scared. like second nature, she nervously twiddled her fingers. "w-, well¡­ it''s just¡­ isn''t lord scott your boyfriend? i mean, as much as i¡­ as much as i love the idea of being with him, it''d be wrong to¡­ you know¡­ take him from you. not that i could! i mean, you''re so beautiful and confident, and i''m just¡­ me¡­ i guess?" her voice trailed off, and a sad look crossed her face. emma frowned but said nothing, quietly focusing on finishing brigid''s makeup. after a few moments of silence, brigid suddenly perked up as her eyes sparkled with an idea. she leaned forward excitedly. "oh, oh, oh, i know! what if¡­ just what if you were okay with a harem?" emma recoiled slightly as her brow wrinkled. "a¡­ harem? what the hell is that?" brigid giggled, her nervousness momentarily forgotten. "it''s like, this thing in japanese novels¡ªlight novels, actually¡ªwhere the main character has a bunch of cute girls falling for him. but instead of picking just one and making the readers mad, he¡­ you know¡­ keeps them all." emma''s expression went blank. "that¡­ sounds ridiculous." "no, no, hear me out!" brigid insisted, holding up a finger like she was about to present groundbreaking logic. "there''s this super-duper, awesome anime i watched¡­ the quintessential quadruplets. the guy only picks one girl, and it made so many fans angry! like, why not marry all the girls or at least pick the right one?" emma sighed and packed her makeup kit back into its box. "make your point, brigid." brigid placed both hands on emma''s shoulders as her face turned serious. "ma-, maybe we can¡­ yunno, share lord nightwatch? i mean, i don''t even know if i want a romantic relationship with him, but¡ª" emma slapped brigid''s hands away, standing abruptly. her expression was calm but cold. "brigid¡­" she said firmly as she stood abruptly. "can you just focus on the smpe? i already posted about you on my instaflick. you''ll have fans waiting for you. don''t screw it up." brigid blinked, startled. "but, miss emma, what about the harem idea? are you fine with it?" emma turned at the foot of the staircase. "no. i''m not sharing my man with anyone. ever. a harem is stupid, brigid. in the end, everyone just gets hurt." there was such hardness in her eyes. brigid''s shoulders slumped, and she forced a weak smile. "y-, you''re right. that''s fair." she awkwardly scratched the back of her hair. "i-, it''s a stupid idea. i mean, i''m stupid after all. haha~" emma didn''t reply. she just climbed up the stairs without looking back. once she was gone, brigid pulled out her phone and opened instaflick with a heavy sigh. ¡ºwhy did i even say that¡­?¡» she mumbled like a sad puppy. [instaflick post by @mercuryofficial] [? image: psyche rocking her suit and serving up that peace sign energy we love.] [? caption: ????? psyche is ready to shine! ?????] [? sub-caption: the smpe in metro city is about to be lit because one of skycraft academy''s four prodigies, the incredible psyche, will be there! ???????? she''s powerful, she''s sharp, and she''s the next big thing in the superhero world.] [catch her at her booth for autographs, merch, and some seriously inspirational vibes. trust me, you don''t want to miss out! ?????¡â????? let''s show her all the love and support!] [? tags: #psyche #skycraftprodigy #superheroevent #nextbigthing #metrocityvibes #womenofpower] [?? 157,432 likes] --- top comments: [psyche is so freaking cute!! that peace sign tho ????????] [y''all can we appreciate her smile?! she''s gonna be amazing at the event!!!] [i mean¡­ we gonna ignore how amazing her butt looks in that suit? ????????] ©¸ [dude. chill. can we not reduce her to that? she''s literally a prodigy. ????] ©¸ [¡­ bro, read the room. ????] [psyche is the friggin'' future! we''re thrilled to see her super suit in action!] [psyche merch is gonna fly off the shelves. we''re prepped for high demand! ????] [she''s so pretty omggg ???????? can i pls look this cool in a super suit??] ©¸ [salutations, huzz¡­] ©¸ [airball. ????] [can''t wait to interview psyche at the smpe! she''s one of the brightest stars in training.] [leave it to miss mercury to hype up a rising queen. ????] ( ¡­ view all 1,234 comments) ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ the morning was alive with movement as a group of muscular men in matching black uniforms worked to load everything brigid would need for the smpe into a black van parked in front of emma''s mansion. they handled the cargo with precision, moving items like her super suit, encased in a high-tech, glowing display, several neatly stacked cardboard boxes containing her action figures, and glossy photo books marcus had spent countless hours designing. there were even large posters and autograph pictures of brigid, all carefully wrapped to prevent damage. wearing a casual outfit of denim shorts and a cropped hoodie, brigid dragged a small suitcase toward the van with both hands. the wheels rattled against the pavement as she drew her attention away from her surroundings. she puffed out her cheeks in effort but soldiered on as she occasionally glanced back at the van. next to the mansion''s door, marcus stood with his prized camera, adjusting its settings and muttering to himself about lighting. standing beside him, emma was currently wrapped snugly in scott''s arms. her soft laughter was audible as her soft breasts pressed against his hard chest. their faces were just inches apart. their eyes locked in a moment that seemed to freeze time. from a distance, brigid looked back at them. her lips pressed into a thin line as her brows wrinkled. ¡ºit''s not fair¡­ i''m sure if i met lord nightwatch first he''d be all over me too¡­ and i''d even share him with other women too, it''s not like he''d love me any less¡­¡» she quickly turned her eyes forward and resumed dragging her suitcase, but with some frustration this time. oblivious to brigid''s reaction, scott tilted his head down slightly to emma''s level. "will you be fine without me and marcus? or should i consider staying back, just to keep you company?" he smirked playfully. emma rolled her eyes before leaning up to peck his chin affectionately. "as if i can''t survive a few hours without you. nadia and jenna will be around, so i''ll probably be fine." her voice softened as she continued. "besides, i''m thinking about scheduling a session with my therapist later today." scott''s smirk faded into concern as he raised an eyebrow. "therapist? everything alright?" his tone was low and measured. emma smiled reassuringly and nodded. "yeah, it is. you don''t have to worry. and i actually mean it this time." she rested her head lightly against his chest. "i just want to ask her a few things¡­ y''know, to see if i should make a certain decision." scott didn''t seem too satisfied with her response. "emma, are you sure it''s not important? you''re making it sound like some big deal." emma laughed nervously as her fingers played with the hem of his shirt. then, with a sudden burst of energy, she leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips. before he could ask further, she turned him around and gave him a gentle push toward the van. "come on, come on. focus on making sure brigid is the most impressive at the smpe! i don''t want that irina golovin becoming a pain in my side, alright?" scott glanced back over his shoulder, his trademark smirk returning. "don''t worry about irina. she might impress corporations, but brigid will steal the hearts of the people. trust me, i''ve trained her well." emma smiled at his confidence and followed behind him as he approached the van. she patted his back lightly as he reached the driver''s door. "and take care of marcus too. if you need anything, just call me, and i''ll credit your account." scott slicked back his hair with a smug grin. "ah©¤©¤hem! for your information, my account''s nearing half a million. i think i can handle a little trip without calling for financial reinforcements." "mhm~ ? is that s~oooo? ?" suddenly, emma''s smile turned perverted, and she purred sexily as she reached for scott''s crotch, only to grab him tightly there and lean into his ear so he could feel the hotness and desperation in her watering mouth. "alright, big guy. just make sure you come back early. i''ll want¡­ a piece of this later." scott''s smile wasn''t holy either©¤©¤he was enjoying it. "geez, mercury, could you not~?" marcus walked by, not even looking up from his camera. discover exclusive content at empire "seriously, can you two not do that in public? i know you like to get freaky, but this is way too much." emma immediately stepped back, clearing her throat loudly as she turned to marcus. "uhh¡­ ahem! i''ll, uh, go eat now. later!" scott shook his head with a chuckle as he climbed into the van and started the engine. he gave a final wave to emma through the window. "alright. take care of yourself." emma waved back with a sweet smile. "sure, sure. drive safe, babe!" as the van rolled out, brigid peeked out the window of the passenger side, watching emma shrink into the distance. a sigh escaped her lips as she clutched her phone tightly in her lap. ¡ºthey''re so perfect together¡­ but why does that make my chest feel tight¡­?¡» the thought lingered as they drove toward the smpe. Chapter 78 SMPE Foreplay ¡­ 08:24 a.m.the black van rumbled to a stop in front of the massive convention center where the smpe was already in full swing. the place was alive with energy; vibrant banners featuring fresh superheroes hung from every corner, and fans were swarming the entrance, carrying everything from merch bags to custom action figures. scott let out a loud yawn as he stretched his arms lazily as his fingers brushed the van''s roof. "alright, guys¡­ we''re here." "yes!" marcus exclaimed as he thrust his camera into the air like an olympic champion. "finally! i''ve adjusted the camera to perfect lighting and fitted it with enhancer lenses. every shot i take today is gonna be flawless. i''m talking golden-ratio level perfection." there was pure excitement in his eyes. brigid sat quietly in the passenger seat, her face clouded with a distant expression. she had barely said a word during the ride, but her slumped shoulders spoke volumes. scott twisted around to look at her, one eyebrow raised. "hey, come on. we''ve got work to do. let''s start unloading everything, alright?" brigid snapped out of her thoughts and nodded quickly. "y-, yeah¡­ okay." her voice was soft, but she tried to muster a smile. with that settled, they all stepped out of the van and started unloading. the team of muscular men who had helped earlier reappeared, helping lift the heavier items like the high-tech display case holding brigid''s super suit and the boxes of action figures and photo books. scott fussed over everything like an overprotective mother, double-checking that the boxes weren''t crushed or scuffed. ¡­ meanwhile, nearby¡­ foxgirl and her younger sister, vixen, were making their way toward the convention center. foxgirl walked confidently as her sleek black-and-red bodysuit caught the sunlight, while vixen stuck close, her outfit a simpler, more modest version of her sister''s design. a crowd of eager fans had already gathered outside. most were dressed in the unofficial uniform of fandom¡ªwhite t-shirts and black cargo shorts. among them were the infamous chatterbox mods, a group of men known more for their online arguments than their in-person charisma. they ranged from painfully skinny to overweight and sweaty, each clutching phones or merch bags as they muttered excitedly. vixen glanced nervously at the throng. "are you sure i''ll be safe?" foxgirl chuckled softly and slung an arm around her sister''s shoulders, then pulled her close. "relax. a lot of these guys are weird, sure, but there are good ones too. i''ll keep an eye on you, alright? just focus on enjoying the smpe and making connections. if we''re lucky, you''ll be invited to the next one." vixen nodded hesitantly but looked up at her sister. "i just¡­ i hope a good company picks me up. i want to do this right, not just for me, but for cari too." foxgirl''s confident grin faltered slightly, replaced by a bittersweet smile. "exactly. we''ll make it happen." vixen''s expression darkened as she folded her arms underneath her breasts. "but¡­ i''d be happy if we didn''t have to force cari into this. i mean¡­ we''re not exactly powerhouses in the superhero industry." in that moment, vixen''s sensitive nipples brushed against the soft fabric of her super suit, which made her face turn a little erotic, as though someone had just pinched her there. and then what followed was a bite of her cherry lips as she suppressed her moan. foxgirl''s eyes softened. "it''s what dad would''ve wanted. let''s at least do this much for him." vixen sighed, lowering her head. "alright¡­" she murmured. ¡­ back to the fans, there were many who still had their eyes more on foxgirl than vixen. there were only a few who could truly notice the masterpiece of vixen''s super suit. it clung to her every curve, her toned figure displayed like a masterpiece sculpted by a deity who prioritized aesthetics over practicality. from a shaded corner, po stood frozen. the wiry man trembled like a leaf in a storm. his sharp eyes, magnified comically by thick-rimmed glasses, were locked onto one specific detail. then it happened¡ªa small jiggle of vixen''s breasts. barely noticeable to the untrained eye, but for po, it was as if the heavens themselves had just parted. "breasts, 100¡­ waist, 60¡­ hips, 89 cm¡­" he gasped with a trembling voice. "i-, impossible©¤©¤!!" his chubby nephew, dip, standing beside him and munching on a bag of roasted chestnuts, looked up, crumbs decorating his double chin. "uncle, is everything okay?" he tilted his head in confusion. po''s hand trembled as he adjusted his glasses until light bounced off its lenses. "no¡­ everything is far from okay." dip blinked. "huh?" "there was a time¡­" po started to speak, almost like a poet. "¡­ when i thought the golden age of sexy female superheroes in tights was long over. a lost era, faded like dust in the wind. but today¡­" his voice cracked with emotion as he gestured toward vixen with a trembling hand. "today, i see the legacy lives on." dip scratched his round belly, clearly still lost. "uh¡­ what do you mean?" po exhaled deeply, as if he was a master imparting wisdom to an unworthy apprentice. "look around you, boy. this pitiful square is filled with inexperienced men, blind to the truth before them." he leaned closer. "but i am no amateur. and i tell you now¡­ vixen''s super suit will cement her as one of the greatest superheroes of our time." dip followed his uncle''s eyes, squinting at vixen, but saw nothing special. just a regular superhero suit, albeit a very tight one. he shrugged. read new chapters at empire "i dunno, uncle. looks normal to me." po''s head snapped toward dip, his expression one of pure betrayal. "sometimes, i wonder if you''re truly my nephew¡­" he said with a heavy sigh. "each passing day, i become more certain you were swapped at birth." he jabbed a finger toward vixen. "look closer. look¡­ at her breasts." dip''s round face flushed. "w-, what?! uncle, that''s¡ª" "don''t be shy!" po barked with a voice that carried the confidence of a seasoned degenerate. "behold the two hills of pleasure standing proudly upon her mountain-like chest. observe how the craftsmanship of her suit brings out every detail¡ªthe stitch work, the curves, the¡­ the nipples! do you see now? the artistry, boy!" dip blinked several times, visibly flustered. "uh¡­ i guess? but i still don''t get what''s so special¡ª" po groaned and gripped his head like a man burdened by the ignorance of the world. "foolish boy! the positioning! the prominence! her nipples stand out two millimeters more than the legendary foxgirl''s! do you understand what this means?!" a hush fell over the surrounding crowd as po''s words reached the ears of nearby fans. several men turned¡­ eyes wide in disbelief. "l-, lies!" one of them shouted. "no one surpasses foxgirl in nipple prominence! that''s scientifically impossible!" "y-, yeah¡­ what he said!" "her suit is tight¡­ but that tight? could it really be true?" po stood tall and adjusted his glasses again with an air of superiority. "of course, none of you understand. you''re mere children dabbling in the bottomless pit that is the study of sexy superhero anatomy." he smirked like some kind of genius. "but i? i have spent years honing my craft. and i tell you now, vixen has dethroned foxgirl. the torch has been passed." gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave. one man collapsed to his knees and clutched his chest. "no! i refuse to believe it! foxgirl''s tits are bigger! her butt''s softer!" another chimed in, "true, but vixen¡­ vixen''s suit makes her look like a sexy sardine crammed into a lingerie can!" po staggered and clutched his heart as well, while tears streamed down his face. "truly¡­ the greatest analogy i''ve ever heard!!" the crowd descended into chaos, men debating passionately, gesturing wildly toward vixen. some fell to their knees in awe, others wept openly. meanwhile, vixen, entirely unaware of the seismic shift she''d caused in the fandom, smiled and waved at a group of children who cheered her on. dip scratched his head, still utterly confused. "uncle¡­ i still don''t get it." po sighed deeply, placing a hand on dip''s shoulder. "it must be hard being mentally challenged¡­" "but, uncle, i''m not." "that''s the unfortunate part¡­ there''s no excuse for your effortless stupidity." "eh?" ¡­ on chirper¡­ as foxgirl and vixen passed through the crowd, a chubby fan with a greasy camera snapped a quick photo of the two and immediately posted it to chirper. [@supahfan47: just spotted @realfoxgirl and her sis at #smpe2045! ???????????? they''re lookin'' amazing!!!] the comments flooded in within seconds: [yo, is that her sister or her girlfriend?] [her sister, obviously. foxgirl''s not a lesbian, bro.] [not that there''s anything wrong with her being one. just sayin'' (?¦Å?`*) ¡­] [i prefer her straight, ngl. the gooners paying for foxgirl fansonly would be in shambles if she wasn''t!] [vixen''s way hotter than foxgirl anyway. fight me.] ©¸ [nah, foxgirl > vixen any day. og queen!] ©¸ [so it''s only me that can notice vixen either has fatter nipples than foxgirl or just a tighter suit.] [foxgirl''s nipples are definitely fatter¡­ kek, imagine sucking on them, i''m sure they taste like gummy worms.] ©¸ [someone get @sleazypen out of this chat. ????] ©¸ [imagine being so down bad you get kicked out of foxgirl''s adult stream, crazy¡­ (¡ä-¦É_-£à)] ©¸ [like fr, chill bro¡­ we see the nips. ????] some comments even took a darker turn, with fans debating whether foxgirl and vixen should collaborate on "sexy content." ¡­ inside the convention center¡­ the moment foxgirl and vixen entered, they were swarmed by fans holding all kinds of merchandise: action figures, comic books, merch shirts, even custom erotic statues. "foxgirl! sign this!" "vixen, you''re so cute!" "can i get a kiss on the cheek?!" "foxgirl, please sign my chest!" the chaos escalated until security guards stepped in, forcing the crowd back to give the sisters some breathing room. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ back at the van¡­ scott, brigid, and marcus had finally unloaded everything thanks to the heavy lifters emma hired. with the amount of gear they had, scott decided to pay a group of local men $100 to carry it all inside. ¡ºi wish those guys didn''t leave so early¡­ at least they''ll be back to help us carry our stuff back outside.¡» scott sighed then turned to brigid and marcus. "you two stay here and keep an eye on them. make sure none of our stuff goes missing." marcus nodded, carefully cradling his camera. "got it, big bro. where are you going?" "i''m gonna size up the competition. see how the other heroes set up their booths. this is our first smpe, after all." scott dusted off his hands. marcus grinned. "alright, just don''t get distracted by foxgirl¡­ besides, my aunt''s way hotter than them." "and pinker too¡­" scott replied. "wait, what do you mean, pink?" "ff675e¡­" marcus looked lost. "eh?" scott shot him a smirk before disappearing into the bustling crowd. --- scott walked through the convention building, hands shoved in his pockets as he scanned the various booths. his sharp eyes noted the disparity in setup quality¡­ some were modest, even crude. handmade banners hung crookedly over tables piled with diy costumes, hastily printed posters, and hastily sewn capes. a few of the booths even had tip jars prominently displayed as their owners clearly hoped for donations. then there were the slightly better-off superheroes. their gear and displays, while decent, still screamed budget-friendly. these were the hopefuls banking on their powers being unique enough to catch the eye of a corporate agent or sponsor. scott sighed softly and shook his head. ¡ºthis is exactly why i can''t stand the corporate side of superheroing, he thought. the smpe is supposed to highlight the best heroes, but all it does is enforce this toxic elitism in the business. it''s not about who''s the best hero, just who has the best backing.¡» as he strolled past another booth featuring a hero whose "super suit" looked like it was cobbled together with thrift store finds, scott''s thoughts drifted to maya. ¡ºi convinced her not to come last year, he mused. she didn''t need the smpe to get noticed anyway¡ªher dad built her suit, and she had enough connections. but if she did show up here¡­ she still caught titantech''s attention. guess she didn''t miss out.¡» he shrugged. "meh." just then, a high-pitched chorus of squeals cut through the noise. "please look at me!" "he''s so handsome!" "hold me tight and make me feel right!!!" "i love you, peak!!!" scott blinked as he turned toward the commotion. weaving through the crowd, he found the source¡ªa tall man in a shiny, almost blindingly gold-and-blue bodysuit holding a selfie stick. the peak. the self-proclaimed "almighty hero of the people" was streaming live. "alright, chat!" the peak''s voice boomed as he grinned at his phone. "i''m here at the smpe, making sure the people are safe from danger! while others chase glory, i''m here to protect you! because where there''s a crowd, there''s always trouble lurking, am i right?" the chat exploded: [lurking danger? bro, the only danger is you busting out of that tight suit.] [not him still wearing the medal of honor from, what, three weeks ago??] [does this guy ever wash that suit? ????] [???????????? peaky boy in the house!] [nah but why is his suit the gayest thing i''ve ever seen???] ©¸ [fr tho, and i''m gay. ????] ¡­ donations started rolling in, too, with messages like: [$5,000 donation: can''t hate on peak! he''s the goat fr.] [$15,000 donation: tight suit''s gotta be expensive to maintain, here ya go.] beside the peak stood a short, very round boy in an ill-fitting replica of the same bodysuit. "and hey, guys!" the peak angled the camera toward his companion. "check out my little bro here. i''m thinking of naming him¡­ apogee! or the apogee. what do you think? he''s gonna be the next big thing!" the boy¡ªapogee¡ªstepped closer to the camera, puffing out his chest and flexing his double chin as if he had a chiseled jawline. the chat went wild: [next big thing?? he''s already big, bro. ????????????] [bro looks like the rizzler. ????] [mcdonald''s final boss has arrived.] [big mac energy, no cheese.] [why he built like a human bowling ball???] [$1,000 donation: apogee really said ''round is a shape.''] ¡­ standing nearby, scott shook his head, half-amused. "more like crest¡­" he muttered. the peak''s head snapped toward him. "what''s that, bro?" scott sighed. "if you''re sticking to the theme, you should name him crest, not apogee. makes more sense." the peak lit up. "whoa! crest? that''s way better! thanks, man!" scott shrugged, turning to leave, but before he could take a step, the peak threw an arm around his shoulder. "hey, guys!" the peak beamed at his phone. "meet my new best friend! he''s the one who came up with ''crest!'' dude, tell the chat your name!" scott glared at the camera, unamused. "scott." the chat erupted: [scott? what kind of plain-vanilla name¡ª] [hmmm, he looks familiar tho ????¡­] [bro said scott like we''re supposed to know him.] [$5,000 donation: scott, my guy, drop your skincare routine! i swear your handsome asf!] [bro could really become a model. ????] ¡­ scott waved lazily and walked off. but, the peak called after him, "catch you later, bro! don''t forget the punch stand on the third floor!" the moment scott disappeared into the crowd, the peak turned back to his stream. "y''know, chat, scott here is actually my childhood friend! when his mom was battling cancer, i was there for her. thanks to me, she''s making a full recovery!" the girls surrounding him erupted into even louder screams. "he''s so sweet!" "i love you even more now!!!" s§×arch* the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "can scott marry me???" the chat, however, wasn''t buying it: [didn''t you say "new" best friend?] [childhood friend? yeah, okay, peak.] [bro''s out here making fanfiction in real-time.] [scott blink twice if you''re being held hostage.] ¡­ scott, now out of sight, sighed again. ¡ºwhy is every smpe full of these people¡­?¡» ¡­ boing©¤©¤©¤©¤boing! his hands were suddenly cupping a pair of breasts. ¡ºthey''re soft¡­¡» when scott stared up, he saw it was vixen. how did this happen? Chapter 79 Strange is Vixen, Strange is the SMPE ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤clack!!the long, marble-floored hallway on the third floor of the convention center echoed faintly with the click of vixen''s heeled boots. her sexy figure moved with undeniable grace as her massive hips swayed side to side in a rhythm so enticing it seemed almost hypnotic. the women gathered near the changing rooms weren''t blind to her presence. "god, look at what she''s wearing¡­" "doesn''t she care about hiding her body? or is this her idea of ''charm''?" "pathetic¡­" "she probably thinks the only way she''ll ever compete is by showing off her body. shameless." the murmurs continued, but vixen didn''t bother to stop or even look at them. ¡­ sigh~ these women were nothing more than insecure and jealous. she knew exactly why they couldn''t stand her. it was because she made them feel small. ¡ºheh¡­ they should keep feeling that way. it only makes me feel even better about myself.¡» her stunning beauty, her rising popularity, and the big sponsorship deals she was landing¡ªall the things they could only wish for¡ªmade her a threat to their fragile egos. still, her patience had limits. as she brought her phone to her ear, she clicked her tongue softly and muttered. "tch©¤©¤clowns¡­" before resuming her confident and elegant steps. "miss vixen, i trust you''ve reviewed our offer¡­" came the smooth yet insistent voice of the director on the other end. the man spoke like someone who''d done this so many times it could be considered second-nature. "eisenrad motors is prepared to make you the face of our next global campaign. it''s a rare opportunity¡ªour initial offer still stands at $35 million. i doubt you''ll find anything better, even after the smpe concludes." vixen sighed as her pretty, golden-furred ears twitched in annoyance. "mr. kohler, it''s not about whether the money''s good enough. frankly, it''s more than i could''ve asked for as a rookie. but my goal as a hero isn''t to sell out my dignity. i''ll make this simple: either you adjust the contract terms, or i''ll shift my focus to smaller, more respectable companies." a brief silence came after, and then kohler''s tone grew sharper. "with all due respect, miss vixen, you''re new to this world. you say you''re turning down lucrative deals, but let''s not forget¡ªyou''re a nobody without us. do you know how many unsponsored heroes are forced into obscurity? look at your sister, foxgirl. she spent years struggling before she¡ªwell¡­" he chuckled bitterly. "we both know how she finally made a name for herself, don''t we?" vixen''s pace came to a sudden halt. her body tensed, and her claws instinctively extended as they glinted dangerously. her fangs broke past her lips, and a low, menacing hiss escaped her throat. "you dare talk about my sister like that?" there was enough venom in her voice to break a giant. "miss vixen, i¡ª" "shut up¡­" vixen spoke in a flat tone. "you have no idea what my sister''s gone through! she sacrificed everything just to keep me and our little sister afloat. so watch your mouth when you speak about her!" the line was silent, and vixen relished the satisfaction of hearing the director''s shaky breath. "listen carefully¡­" her voice was now ice-cold. "i''m not doing any sexy car commercials in short shorts and a crop top. i''m not stripping down for your horny board members, and i''m certainly not putting myself on display for social media to drool over. if that''s your idea of marketing, you''re working with the wrong hero." she paused and her fluffy tail flicked sharply. "oh, and by the way¡ªwhat kind of car company even needs erotic ads to sell vehicles? pathetic." more silence. kohler had no defense. "since you''ve got nothing else to say, this friggin'' conversation''s over." with that, she ended the call and slid the phone back into its case on her utility belt. before she could even take a breath, a chorus of excited shouts erupted from the far end of the hallway. "vixen! it''s vixen!" her ears flattened in annoyance as a mob of male fans came charging toward her. they held up posters of her, some featuring mildly suggestive poses from earlier shoots she''d done. others waved unofficial merch¡ªshirts, caps, even custom sneakers with her logo. "vixen, sign my chest!" one yelled, tugging at his shirt. "can i have your panties? please!" another begged shamelessly. "just let me sniff your tail!" a third cried. vixen''s woolly tail went stiff. "ugh¡­" she groaned with a narrow-eyed expression. "nope, not today!" without hesitation, she bolted at superhuman speeds and turned into a red-and-gold blur. she expertly wove through the hallway as her boots skidded slightly when she rounded a sharp corner. and that was when she collided¡ªhard¡ªwith a tall, broad figure. "whoa!" the young man exclaimed as his fingers instinctively wrapped around both her breasts to steady her. vixen stumbled back as her tail bristled in irritation. she looked up and her sharp retort died on her lips when she saw who it was. it was a handsome young man. scott mcqueen. he had an elegant face split into a lopsided grin. his dark hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled with amusement. ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ scott''s steady hands gripped vixen''s breasts even after their collision. there was deep concern on his face. "are you okay?" anyone would hear the genuine worry in his voice. vixen''s cheeks turned crimson while her golden fox eyes widened as she met his gaze. his handsome face was dangerously close, and the sheer intensity of his piercing blue eyes made her heart race. she opened her mouth to speak, but the words tangled on her tongue. "uhm, i¡­" her mind screamed for her to move, to say something, to do anything¡ªbut her body betrayed her. instead, she froze as heat pooled in her lower abdomen. her crotch suddenly felt hot and itchy. pressing her thighs together, she let out a quiet, barely audible exhale of steam from her parted lips. "y-, yeah, but¡­" she started, but her voice barely took off. her golden eyes dipped downward instinctively. scott blinked and followed her line of sight¡ªstraight to his hands. his hands, which were still firmly gripping her breasts. not just gripping, but sinking into the plush softness. "oh sh¡ª!" scott instantly let go, stumbling back with both hands raised as though he''d touched a live wire. "i-, i''m so sorry! i didn''t mean to¡ª! you¡ªyou appeared out of nowhere, and i just¡ªuh, reflexes! i swear, i wasn''t trying to¡ª" "¡­ it''s fine. really¡­" vixen''s quiet response cut through his frantic apology like a skewer through roasted meat. scott froze, his jaw slack. "wait, what?" he asked, genuinely confused. most women would have caused an absolute scene in a situation like this¡ªslapping, shouting, something. but vixen? she looked away, cheeks still flushed, her hands fidgeting as she rubbed the side of her arm. "i said it''s fine¡­" she repeated, her voice a little louder this time. for a woman dressed so provocatively¡­ she sounded oddly shy and innocent. "you didn''t mean to¡­ so there''s nothing to apologize for. i was the one running recklessly and bumped into you." scott studied her, trying to process what he''d just heard. "huh. that''s¡­ new." "what''s new?" she asked, almost sounding defensive. "well¡­ most women would''ve smacked me into next week for what just happened." vixen huffed as her tail flicked slightly behind her. "don''t think too much about it. it''s not like i''m saying i enjoyed it or anything¡­" she muttered and folded her arms under her breasts. her dramatic gesture made her huge, perky breasts bounce with so much weight and power that scott actually heard a faint clap. ¡­ boing©¤©¤©¤©¤pah! his eyes involuntarily flicked downward. "hey! are you looking at my breasts?" scott''s head snapped back up, his expression neutral but unbothered. "well, it''s kind of hard not to. maybe next time, don''t wear something so tight if you don''t want them getting looked at." vixen shot him a glare, then swept a strand of her brown hair behind her ear with a huff. "for your information, i''m not saying i have a problem with you looking at them¡­ just stop misinterpreting me all the time. it''s kinda annoying." scott raised a brow as his smirk grew wider. "oh? my bad, then©¤©¤" before he could finish, vixen lunged forward, grabbed his shirt, and slammed him against the wall with surprising strength. "whoa, what©¤©¤!!" his words were cut off as her lips crushed against his. scott''s eyes widened in shock, his body stiffening as her tongue slipped into his mouth, warm and insistent. her arms wrapped around his neck to pull him deeper into the kiss as her fluffy tail coiled between them and gently caressed them both by their burning crotches, pressing their bodies even closer. sea??h th§× nov§×lf~ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. now, scott could feel the full size and softness of vixen''s perfect breasts against his chest, and even the gentle poke of her nipples from underneath her bodysuit. ¡­ dum! dum!! dumm!! heavy footsteps thundered past as her mob of fans sprinted down the hall, oblivious to the two locked in an intense, breathless kiss. when the coast was clear, vixen broke the kiss. she quickly pulled back and gasped for air as her fox ears twitched in agitation. still dazed, scott blinked at her. "what the hell was that for?!" vixen waved her hand dismissively. "relax, i only did it to avoid those crazy fans." her golden eyes narrowed slightly as her usually foxy expression turned unimpressed. "besides, it''s not like i enjoyed the kiss or anything." scott leaned casually against the wall. "oh, yeah? then why''s your tail wagging?" her fluffy tail, traitorous and jubilant, swayed happily behind her like a metronome. vixen''s face burned red. "tch!" she stuck her tongue out at him in childish defiance. "bleehhhh! the kiss sucked, anyway!" with that, she spun on her heel and darted off down the hall. scott watched her retreating figure, scratching the back of his neck with a wry chuckle. "weirdest fox girl i''ve ever met¡­" he paused to think for a moment. "hope cat girls aren''t as strange as her." and with that, he turned and headed in the opposite way. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ scott made his way back to the first floor. this was the heart of the "rookie showcase" where newbie heroes desperately tried to make a name for themselves. the goal wasn''t purely monetary¡ªthough plenty of booths had price tags slapped on every item. no, this was about proving marketability. the more sales and fan engagement a hero garnered, the higher their stock rose in the eyes of scouting agents from mega-companies. booths lined the hall in varying degrees of extravagance. some heroes had clearly put their all into their setups¡­ custom lighting, holographic displays, and sleek merchandise that practically screamed "buy me!" others were far more modest, their tables covered in secondhand fabric with cheap keychains and stickers spread out like a desperate plea for attention. scott squeezed through the busy crowd as his sharp eyes caught every detail. one hero, in a homemade cape that looked suspiciously like a tablecloth, was enthusiastically pitching her "special-edition" comic book to anyone who would stop and listen. that female superhero was gadget girl. perhaps more men would have visited her booth, which was cluttered with so many junky inventions, if she didn''t look so messy and unkempt in the worst possible way. across from her, a guy with led lights stitched into his black trench coat was flipping energy cards in the air as part of his power demonstration. that male superhero was ruse. [these heroes'' names have been registered¡­] scott''s eyes eventually landed on the crest''s booth. or rather, the peak''s booth¡ªsince no one seemed to care about the crest. a swarm of women surrounded the table, screaming, squealing, and fighting to get closer to the peak. "can i touch your medal©¤©¤?!" "please! just one of your signature poses!" "flex some of those big, strong arms of yours and choke me with them already!" "i just need to breathe the same air as my heroic prince!" the woman shouted as she desperately shoved her way to the front. the peak stood at the center of it all, grinning ear to ear while his phone on a selfie stick streamed the chaos to his audience. "alright, chat!" he flexed his muscular arm as the crowd of women shrieked even louder. "the peak is here to serve! the people need me, and who am i to deny my fans a little bit of glory?" the stream chat didn''t waste time. [can''t believe girls actually fight over this guy lmao.] ©¸ [i wish it were something to laugh about. ????] ©¸ [they''re not okay. someone send help.] ©¸ [nah, they just blinded by all that gold. ????] [these women gotta be a bunch of gold diggers fr ¡ã~¡ã] [why crest in the corner looking like he just got his happy meal stolen?] the camera briefly panned to the crest, who sat slumped at the side of the booth, staring gloomily at an action figure of himself that no one had even glanced at, let alone bought. he muttered something under his breath, his chubby fingers poking at the figure''s head. [bro really said, "it''s my turn to be famous."] [the crest? more like depressed.] ©¸ [bahahaha, good one. ????] [big mac''s final evolution looking real sad rn.] [$100 donation: someone buy his figure, man. i feel bad.] ¡­ scott sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. this was a circus. as he moved away from the booth, he approached a pale, wiry man with thick glasses. "hey. do you know where psyche''s booth is?" scott kept his question simple. the man, po, adjusted his glasses and gave scott an exaggeratedly baffled look. "who the hell is psyche? nah, man, i came here for miss infinity! i''ve been dreaming about that white-haired, mean bitch, big titty, tomboy all fucking week!" "miss infinity?" scott raised an eyebrow. behind po, his nephew dip¡ªcovered in orange chip dust¡ªchimed in lazily. "you don''t know her? she''s, like, russia''s next big hero. she''s the future of the hero agency, bro." scott frowned. "irina golovin¡­" po pulled out a shiny golden ticket from his pocket and waved it in scott''s face. enjoy more content from empire "that''s right! i paid a hundred bucks for me and my nephew to enter the vip hall. only the lucky few get to see miss infinity up close! totally worth it, man." scott blinked. "wait, she has a special hall just for her?" po scoffed. "obviously! she''s one of the four prodigies of skyfort academy. she''s not some bargain-bin rookie like these other no-names." he grinned and pushed his glasses up. "now if you''ll excuse me, i''m about to get a taste of those milky measurements!" with that, po sprinted toward the vip hall doors at full speed. dip waved half-heartedly at scott before trudging after his uncle, still munching on his chips. scott frowned. something about this didn''t sit right. "brigid''s one of the four prodigies too, so why wasn''t she given a vip hall?" he scanned the area. ¡ºno¡­¡» his eyes landed on a plain, unremarkable booth tucked into the corner of the room. there stood brigid, arms crossed and looking deeply unimpressed, while marcus gestured wildly at passersby as his frustration practically radiated off him. scott tilted his head, puzzled. "what''s going on here¡­?" Chapter 80 Building Confidence, Cultured Audience! scott pushed his way through the crowd toward brigid''s booth, and his pace quickened the closer he got.from afar, it looked like nothing more than a table set up at the last minute. a plain white cloth covered the surface, and the only "merchandise" on display was a stack of printed flyers¡­ half of which were scattered on the floor. marcus sat behind the table with a defeated look, leaning back in his chair as he watched passersby ignore the booth. brigid sat nearby, arms crossed tightly and eyes fixed on the floor as her black hair hid most of her face. scott stopped in front of the table. "marcus. what''s going on here?" marcus let out a long sigh of relief when he saw scott. "oh, thank god you''re back. i was about to lose it trying to handle everything on my own. but listen¡­" he gestured toward brigid with a helpless shrug. s§×ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "i set everything up earlier. posters, banners, her trophies from skyfort academy¡ªeven that hologram of her using her shield technique. the works! but brigid¡ª" your journey continues at empire "i took them down." brigid''s voice was low but firm. she didn''t look up, didn''t even flinch under scott''s sharp and judging gaze. scott''s frown deepened as he turned to her. "what? why?" she stayed silent. her fingers interlocked tightly, as if holding onto her hands were the only thing keeping her grounded. scott sighed and pulled up a chair, sitting beside her. he leaned closer and made his throat go soft. "did something happen?" even softer. "did someone say something to you?" still, she didn''t answer. "brigid." the sound of her name, spoken in that familiar tone of authority, finally made her look up. her green eyes were filled with uncertainty, and her lips were pressed tightly together. "you can talk to me¡­" scott sounded more like a guardian angel than just someone who wanted answers. "come on. what''s going on?" brigid hesitated and her tiny fingers trembled as she stared at the floor again. "i''m¡­ scared." her voice cracked slightly. scott''s brow wrinkled. "scared of what?" she exhaled shakily. "scared that even if i do all this¡­ even if i put myself out there¡­ i''ll still fail." she swallowed hard and painfully, while her shoulders hunched as she continued. "everyone sa-, says it''s always better to try and fail than to not try at all. but¡­" her voice wavered as her body began to tremble. "i can''t take shame and rejection. i don''t want to." scott''s heart ached as he watched her struggle to keep her composure. "you won''t fail¡ª" "no!" brigid''s voice rose as she stomped her foot and startled both scott and marcus. she looked up at scott as her eyes burned with pain and frustration. "i hate when people say that! it''s just their selfish way of forcing me to take on responsibilities i''m not ready for. responsibilities i don''t even want." she clenched her fists. "and besides¡­ if they really thought i was skyfort''s top student, they wouldn''t prioritize miss infinity over me. i know they gave her that vip hall to sweep the competition. she didn''t even have to try¡­" she closed her eyes and a small whimper escaped her lips. scott sighed deeply and stood up. the sudden movement made brigid flinch. her head snapped up. for a moment, she looked like she wanted to apologize, but before she could say anything¡ª ¡­ thwack! scott''s knuckles rapped against her head with a firm but careful knock. "ow!" brigid yelped as she grabbed her head and curled up in her chair. tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up at him with a pout, resembling a scolded child. "l-, lord scott! why''d you have to hit me so hard?!" scott crossed his arms and gave her a stern look. "have you forgotten why we came here? or why i even supported the idea of you attending this smpe in the first place? you think i care about this corporate circus?" brigid blinked, still rubbing her head. "you don''t need fancy connections or flashy setups to prove your worth." scott''s tone softened, but his words carried weight. "a true hero doesn''t succeed because of some flimsy event like this. a true hero fights for what''s right, no matter what. a true hero shows people that they''re in good hands¡ªnot because of adoration, but because they care. because they''ve chosen this responsibility." brigid''s lips parted slightly and her expression shifted as his words sank in. "do you love being a hero?" scott asked. she hesitated, then nodded slowly. "i¡­ i do." "then show them. show them the brigid that only you can define. the brigid who praises and emulates the golden age heroes who have dedicated themselves to protecting people even when no one''s watching¡­" brigid felt a spark of faith light up inside her, but her hands and legs still trembled slightly. marcus stepped forward to give her a reassuring smile. "come on, brig. we''ve got your back." brigid took a deep breath and stood up, albeit unsteadily. she looked at scott, then at marcus, before clenching her fists and nodding. "aye, sir!" she said, her voice stronger this time. scott smirked. "that''s more like it." marcus grinned, already rolling up his sleeves. "alright, let''s get this booth set up properly. time to show these posers what a real hero looks like!" he wiped his forehead and stretched his arms dramatically as he stood before brigid''s booth. "let''s go!!" with a deft motion, he pulled out a rolled-up poster of brigid in her super suit. her expression was fierce and resolute, like she was ready to take on the world. as he carefully pinned it up behind the booth, the image was far better than the dull white cloth that previously hung there. meanwhile, scott was unboxing action figures with a practiced ease. he placed three mint-condition figures on the table: one of brigid mid-shield bash, another of her landing gracefully from a high jump, and a third with her arms crossed. the quality was immaculate¡­ enough that he could call it nerd bait. next, scott pulled out the merchandise he''d spent all night preparing: sleek black hoodies emblazoned with brigid''s emblem, t-shirts with dynamic action shots of her, mugs featuring her heroic silhouette, and professionally designed photo books filled with curated snapshots from her skyfort academy days. he stacked them neatly in one corner of the table, making the booth look more like a polished display at a high-end convention. the reactions were immediate. other superheroes at the nearby booths couldn''t help but look over. some seemed a little curious, while others looked downright jealous. a few quietly tweaked their own displays, while the rest just let out tired sighs. "man¡­" one of them muttered, almost sounding ashamed with how low his voice was. "i can''t believe the girl who was crying like a little kid earlier prepped all this. she''s gonna steal the show now, isn''t she?" his shoulders slouched immensely. another hero with a plain booth shrugged. "at least i got some fans before she decided to lock in. who knows? maybe a small corporation will sponsor me. that''s all i need, anyway." at her junk-filled booth, gadget girl smiled warmly at brigid. "you think she held off setting up so long just so she wouldn''t steal all the fans from us?" ruse, the hero in the led trench coat, snorted. "like that matters now. when miss infinity finally opens her vip booth, all of these fans will ditch us anyway. doesn''t matter what she does." before gadget girl could reply, a broad-shouldered hero in rhino exoskeleton armor jabbed ruse lightly in the ribs. "don''t be so negative, man." rhinoman adjusted the tech-enhanced horn on his forehead with exaggerated care. "we''ll get some attention. one or two companies, maybe more if we''re lucky. and after this? we''ll probably never meet again, so let''s leave everyone with a good impression of each other, huh?" gadget girl gave rhinoman an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "now that''s a healthy mindset! you''re wiser than i expected, rhinoman!" rhinoman puffed out his chest and cleared his throat dramatically. "well, of course. i''m always right." back at brigid''s booth, marcus was putting the finishing touches on a cardboard cutout of brigid in her super suit. he placed it strategically to the side of the booth, where it would catch the eye of anyone passing by. meanwhile, scott had gathered brigid''s trophies¡ªdozens of them¡ªand lined them up along the table. their polished gold and silver surfaces sparkled under the lights¡­ proof of her incredible achievements at skyfort academy. "oh, shoot¡­" when he ran out of space on the table, he placed the remaining twenty awards neatly on the floor in front of the booth, forming an impressive display of her accolades. watching the transformation unfold, brigid suddenly began to bounce on her toes. she clapped her hands like an overexcited child. "i can''t believe this is actually happening! this is amazing!" marcus grinned. "see? told you this would work." but brigid''s excitement faltered as her eyes drifted to the grand booth beside hers. it belonged to vixen. the setup was dazzling, with bold, seductive banners and dynamic lighting. vixen''s cameraman was busy adjusting the angle of her booth''s live stream, while foxgirl arranged stacks of merchandise with perfect precision. despite the lack of trophies or awards, vixen''s booth drew just as much attention for a different reason: her and foxgirl''s beauty. these two women were dangerously curvaceous. perky breasts, plump ass cheeks¡­ the whole package! soon, scott noticed brigid''s pause and stare. every male hero in the vicinity snuck glances. some didn''t even bother to be subtle about it. he groaned and slapped a hand over his face. "these guys are all weaklings¡­ i swear." finally, vixen''s cameraman adjusted everything until the booth screamed perfection. he stepped back, satisfied, and called out. "miss vixen, everything''s set, my love!" all eyes naturally turned to her. vixen''s heeled boots clacked as she made her way to the booth, her hips swaying in that signature rhythm that seemed to defy the laws of physics. it wasn''t just a walk¡ªit was an event. her golden furred tail flicked lightly between her ass cheeks, leaving several men foaming at the mouth. standing at brigid''s booth with marcus, scott groaned audibly as he noticed the shift in the crowd. the fans who had been meandering near other booths were now drawn to vixen like moths to a flame. even worse, the corporate agents¡ªcomplete with sleek suits and shamelessly perverted grins¡ªwere now swarming in her direction. "shit¡­" scott muttered under his breath. "i didn''t account for the power of boobs. this is going to make things way harder for brigid." he turned to his companions for support, only to see marcus and brigid both frozen, their gazes locked on vixen with glassy, borderline hypnotized expressions. perhaps, that wasn''t even the worst. marcus had a rocket in his pocket. ¡ºdamn, it''s so hard it''s friggin'' throbbing¡­ and i have no fucking resistance, aunt emma doesn''t let me watch any porn, not even one!¡» he wanted to look away badly, but just couldn''t. scott pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "are you two serious right now?" still, even he couldn''t help but glance at vixen. he had to admit, her appeal was magnetic. from the subtle outline of her camel toe to the daring tightness of her bodysuit that hinted at¡­ well, everything, it was easy to see why every man in the room had become a drooling mess. she had a bouncing chest and butt, sexy thigh gap, and an undeniably pretty face with a naturally sexy facial expression that left many of them edged. scott allowed himself a brief daydream, imagining emma¡ªhis emma¡ªin a similarly tight super suit. the mental image of her bending slightly to adjust her boot, revealing just a glimpse of her curves, made him smirk. but reality yanked him back when vixen approached their booth with a smug smile. "well, well, well¡­" she purred and flicked her medium brown hair back as her fox ears twitched mischievously. "i didn''t expect to see mr. lips here." scott raised a brow. "mr. lips?" vixen leaned in slightly, her glossy strawberry lips curving into a teasing smirk. "oh, don''t play dumb. i can still taste the aftertaste of your saliva." she pressed a finger against her lower lip, chuckling softly. "to be honest, it wasn''t half bad." before scott could respond, vixen licked the tip of her finger seductively and moaned softly. "mmm~ ?? i think i enjoyed it." scott''s deadpan expression remained steady, but the cameraman sidled up beside him, rubbing his chubby double chin. "hmm¡­ you''re staring at her pretty hard, buddy. if i didn''t know better, i''d call that sexual abuse." scott shoved a hand into the cameraman''s face and pushed him back gently. "take a few steps back, pal. and relax. sure, they''ve got a decent setup and a couple of thirst traps, but that''s nothing compared to the power of true heroism." a ripple of laughter erupted from the crowd of fans gathered at vixen''s booth. "heroism?" "like that''s why anyone''s here!" another pointed at scott, laughing so hard he was nearly in tears. "ridiculous¡ªespecially coming from a guy! what''s next, motivational speeches?" "as if his gay ass could come up with one!!" "bahahaha! he''s a friggin'' loser!" scott shook his head slowly, like a disappointed father watching his kids fail a pop quiz. but when he turned back to brigid, his expression softened. her confidence was visibly wavering as she stared at vixen''s booth, and scott sighed again. "hey, fox lips¡­" he called out. vixen shot him a sharp side-eye. "what did you just call me?" scott smirked, sliding his hands into his pockets. "oh? i was expecting you to ask if i was talking about the lips i kissed¡­ or the ones i haven''t." he let his gaze drop deliberately to her hips, where the sexy outline of her camel toe stood out. vixen''s ears twitched, and her face turned red as she let out a high-pitched squeak. "eeeeeeeek©¤©¤!" she quickly clasped her hands over her crotch as her tail swished nervously behind her. ¡ºwhat the fuck is this? why am i nervous¡­ why do i feel ashamed? i''m never ashamed!¡» scott tilted his head thoughtfully, placing a hand on his chin. "hmm¡­ it''s quite fat¡­" vixen''s face turned red. "my hoof isn''t that hoofy!" scott grinned and turned to the crowd. "you hear that, folks? she said it wasn''t that hoofy. are you sure you want to keep waiting for a look? if it were me, i''d be disappointed if the hype didn''t live up to reality." he clicked his tongue and shook his head dramatically. "now, if we''re talking foxgirl¡­ her camel toe''s so thick, it practically demands a five-star rating." one fan lifted a hand in the air like he was in a classroom. "hell yeah! foxgirl''s lips are so fat, she could fit three credit cards in there and still have room for two more!" another chimed in, "she once broke a hardtack with those lips and sold it¡ªjuices and all!" a third shouted, "a politician bought it for $300,000!" foxgirl''s face turned red as she stormed over to scott and grabbed him by the collar. "you son of a¡ªthis is all your fault!" scott raised his hands innocently. "hey, i didn''t say anything untrue. i''m just here to see some camel toe. if i don''t, i might just ask for a refund." foxgirl pulled him closer, her teeth bared. "what refund?!" scott''s smug grin only widened. Chapter 81 Love Therapy, Sheep in Foxs Clothing emma adjusted the rearview mirror with one hand as her cadillac escalade glided smoothly down the bustling streets of metro city. the chrome of her suv reflected the vibrant cityscape¡ªneon billboards, towering skyscrapers, and the lively waves of people going back and forth.¡ºtch¡­¡» her fingers tapped idly against the steering wheel as her thoughts wandered back to scott. she huffed as her chest climbed in frustration. "god, this sucks¡­" she muttered in the spacious interior. her head fell back against the headrest, and she groaned as she dragged her hands down her face dramatically. "why does he have to be so¡­ perfect? muscles carved out of stone, abs that make greek statues look bad, and that¡­ wood¡ªugh, don''t even get me started on that." she bit her lip as a flush crept up her cheeks. ¡ºi swear¡­ i felt every vein of that monster in his pants¡­¡» she shook her head, trying to banish the vivid memory of their pool escapade. instead, insecurity crept in, a familiar unwelcome guest. "what if i''m not enough for him? what if i''m just¡­ old news? i don''t deserve him¡­" she gripped the wheel tighter, then closed her eyes. "i really don''t¡­" as she opened her eyes and looked out the window, something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªcaught her attention. a young lady walking along the sidewalk, familiar in a way that poked at her memory. emma squinted and slowed the escalade to get a better look. "wait a minute¡­ she looks familiar¡­" emma murmured, grabbing her phone from the console. with one hand on the wheel, she quickly navigated the megacorp database. her eyes scanned the screen until she found what she was looking for. "maya rivera¡­" she read aloud as a smile formed on her tender lips. "so that''s her real name." megacorp had a policy¡ªheroes could access each other''s identities in the database for collaboration purposes. emma grinned, leaning on the horn with rapid presses. ¡­ honk©¤©¤©¤©¤honk!! the blaring sound startled maya, who turned around with a confused expression. emma waved enthusiastically as her white off-shoulder t-shirt slipped slightly down her shoulder. "hey!" her voice was muffled through the glass. maya hesitated and even took the time to look around before pointing to herself. "yeah, you!" emma laughed softly at maya''s confusion. maya gently walked over with her cute, little brows pressed slightly together. "uh¡­ do i know you?" she asked while tilting her head. emma rolled her eyes playfully. "it''s me, miss mercury! we talked a few days ago about¡­ you know, your super problematic ex?" your adventure continues at empire she flashed a bright smile. recognition dawned on maya''s face as her small lips parted in surprise. "no way! miss mercury? really?" "the one and only!" emma said with a smirk. "wanna hop in? i''ll give you a ride." maya didn''t need to be asked twice. she nodded eagerly and circled the suv, sliding into the passenger seat. as she settled in, she tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled shyly at emma. "so¡­ what are you doing out here? is it anything well¡­ superhero-y?" emma''s smile faltered as her cheeks tinted pink. she forced a laugh and waved a dismissive hand. "oh, no, nothing like that. just, uh¡­ on my way to see a friend. totally boring stuff." maya raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "well, that''s¡­ nice, i guess." the car fell into a brief silence. emma kept her slender hands on the steering wheel as she carefully navigated the city streets. finally, she cleared her throat to break the quiet. "so, uh¡­ how''s it going with that ex of yours?" maya groaned as she slumped in her seat. "oh, don''t even get me started." emma side-eyed her, both curious and slightly concerned. "what happened? spill." maya sighed dramatically as she brushed a hand through her short black hair. "i¡­ called him." emma almost slammed on the brakes. "you called him? that''s¡­ bold." "i know, i know!" maya said as she threw her hands up. "but i didn''t think he''d listen if i tried anything else. and guess what? he actually picked up." emma''s grip on the wheel tightened. "and? what did he say?" "he agreed to meet¡­" maya spoke with a half-smile. in fact, she sounded very bittersweet. "that''s great!" emma said as her enthusiasm bubbled up before faltering when she noticed maya''s expression darken. "wait¡­ what happened?" maya exhaled heavily as she stared out the window. "he¡­ he stood me up." emma''s heart sank. "oh¡­ i-, i''m so sorry." maya shook her head. she tried to force out a casual laughter, but she just sounded bitter and hurt. "i spent hours searching the city, hoping i''d find him. i even checked all our old spots. nothing." emma''s chest tightened with anger and sympathy. "what a jerk! you deserve better than that." maya gave her a small, grateful smile. "thanks, emma¡­ i mean, miss mercury. i guess i just needed to hear that." "emma''s fine¡­" emma gave her a wink. "and trust me, any guy who treats you like that isn''t worth your time." as they drove on, emma found herself feeling oddly protective of maya. maybe it was the shared struggles¡ªor maybe it was just nice to have someone to talk to. either way, she was eager to know more about her. ¡­ some minutes later¡­ the cadillac escalade hummed softly as emma followed maya''s directions. the city''s busyness faded into a quieter residential area, where tree-lined streets and modern homes replaced the towering skyscrapers of metro city. "take the next turn here¡­" maya pointed to a corner up ahead. emma nodded as her yellow eyes shifted to the gps on the multifunction display. "hmm¡­" emma muttered as she made the turn. "we''re heading in the same direction." "oh, really?" maya raised an eyebrow in surprise and glanced at emma. "well, that''s even better!" the young lady chuckled very gently. "now i don''t have to feel bad about dragging you all over the place. phew~" emma shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "don''t even worry about it. i don''t mind at all." she switched gears smoothly, spinning the steering wheel with ease to make another quick turn. after straightening out, she slowed down a bit and glanced sideways at maya. "but hey, why don''t you have a car yet?" emma asked casually. "i mean, with all the commercials, talk show appearances, and streaming deals you''ve done lately, i''m sure you could afford something nice¡ªeven a sedan or a cute little coupe to cruise around in." the question made maya''s cheerful demeanor falter. her smile faded as she looked out the window while her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "well¡­" she started softly while she interlocked her fingers and lowered her head. "i¡­ i haven''t really spent any of that money yet." emma blinked, clearly surprised. "what? why not?" maya hesitated. more and more she could feel the sound of her voice sinking down her throat. "because¡­ i don''t feel comfortable spending it. not until i''m with him again." emma let out a long sigh, understanding immediately who "him" referred to. "that guy again¡­" maya nodded slowly. her usually cute and pretty expression was now clouded with a painful blend of longing and sadness. "yeah¡­" she pitifully admitted. "as much as i love the media side of being a superhero, my heart keeps telling me i''m not the kind of hero he''d want me to be. i feel like i''m trying my best, but¡­ it''s not enough. not for him. and no amount of money or fame can ever replace the memories we shared or how precious he was to me¡­ and i¡­ to him." emma could barely look at her without feeling her heart twist little by little at each word that left maya''s tired lips. she just couldn''t bear to hear the unendurable vulnerability in her soft, angelic voice. ¡ºisn''t she too young to be suffering this much loss from a break-up? was her relationship with him that serious? is this how i''ll be if scott changes his opinions of me? or¡­ or if things just don''t seem to work out¡­¡» s~ea??h the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. the twists in her heart grew tighter. then, with a small smile, she decided to respond. "you know¡­ your ex reminds me of a certain guy i really, really like." maya tilted her head, looking deeply curious. "really? wow, that much? who is he?" emma giggled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "nah, don''t worry about it. i don''t like talking about my handsome heroic prince to other women. they might try to steal him. y''know?" maya laughed softly as her mood cushioned slightly. "wow, you like him that much?" emma''s eyes stayed on the road, but her lips curled into a tender smile. "you have no idea." the conversation went on. soon, the large modern building maya had been guiding them toward came into view. "oh, it''s there!" she pointed excitedly at the sleek structure. emma''s brows furrowed as recognition struck her. "wait¡­ you''re here to see dr. goode?" maya smiled sheepishly and nodded. "yeah! he''s one of the best couples counselor in the u.s. i''ve seen reviews from other celebrities on wetube, and i thought¡­ maybe he could help me fix things between me and sc¡ªuh, my ex." emma found herself at a loss for words. on one hand, she was relieved that maya had at least thought about trying therapy before considering something as final as suicide. on the other hand, she couldn''t shake the awkwardness about what she was about to say next. as if sensing her hesitation, maya turned to emma with a curious look. "but wait¡­ how do you know dr. goode? are you¡­ also here for love therapy?" emma drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. "well, you see¡­ hrmm¡­ how do i put it¡­" her soft cheeks heated up while she searched for the right words. "well¡­ yeah, kind of¡­" emma laughed nervously. "i wanted to talk to him about¡­ my boyfriend. something about¡­ uh, a harem." maya''s eyes widened before she burst into laughter. "a harem©¤©¤?!" "¡­" "oh, wait¡­ you''re serious?" maya swallowed the laugh she was once eager to spit out. emma waved her hands quickly. "it''s really not what you''re thinking! i don''t even know how to explain it." maya chuckled as her laughter turned into a soft smile. "hey, don''t worry. let''s just head inside. maybe we can have our therapy sessions together? i don''t mind you hearing about my relationship troubles¡ªwe''re pretty much friends now, right?" emma raised her eyebrows. "wait¡­ friends?" maya nodded confidently. "of course! friends brought together by their boyfriends, who may or may not be terrible people." both women giggled as the car came to a stop in front of the building. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ meanwhile¡­ across metro city at the convention center for the smpe, scott suddenly sneezed. ©¤©¤©¤©¤achoooo!! marcus patted him on the back. "big bro, you good?" scott rubbed his nose with a sniffle. "yeah¡­ probably someone talking behind my back." marcus smirked. "how can you believe in that crap?" scott rolled his eyes and muttered, "you don''t have a harem-instigating system and not end up being talked about." "eh?" marcus tilted his head. "uh, uhhh, nevermind¡­" ¡­ 5 minutes later marcus tapped his foot impatiently, then looked toward the closed door of brigid''s changing room. his expression shifted from annoyance to mild concern as he turned to scott. "dude, it''s been, like, ten minutes. how long does it take to put on a super suit?" scott leaned against the booth, arms crossed, looking far less amused. he let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temple. "normally, i''d say not to rush her. brigid''s not exactly a quick-change artist, and she likes everything perfect. i bought her some attention with the whole camel toe nonsense, but who knows how long that''ll stay effective¡­" he glanced at the convention timer on his phone and frowned deeply. "we don''t exactly have the luxury of time. miss infinity''s vip hall is opening in fifteen minutes, and when that happens¡­" "¡­we''re gonna get screwed harder. sigh~" marcus finished for him. both of them paused and exchanged a look. "pause¡­" they said in unison. scott pushed himself off the booth and gestured to the scene unfolding at the grand booth beside theirs. "but honestly, we''re already in trouble. look at that." the two turned to face vixen''s booth, where the crowd had only grown denser. fans were swarming her like bees to honey, clamoring for her attention. the sound of excited chatter and the occasional wolf whistle was everywhere as vixen leaned over her booth and flashed her signature erotic smile. "here you go, boys~ ??" she purred as she held out small drives loaded with her hero portfolio disc (hpd). "these are for free. you''ll see everything you need to know about my powers, my accomplishments, and exactly how i plan to dominate the hero world." two fans at the front of the booth leaned closer as their eyes glued to the drives. one of them raised a hand and asked sheepishly. "uh¡­ can i just buy one of the erotic drives instead? not really interested in the hero stuff." vixen''s smile faltered for a split second as a quick wave of sadness crossed her face before she forced her cheerful smile back into place. "oh, but my hpds are free! don''t you at least want to see what i have to offer as a hero?" the fan scratched his head. he looked thoroughly unimpressed. "yeah, no. not really. just gimme the other drive, and i''ll be on my way. busy schedule and all." her mask of confidence cracked again. and scott could see the growing insecurity and vulnerability on her usually confident face. "damn¡­" he muttered under his breath. vixen''s voice came out sharper this time as her frustration slipped through. "piss off." the fan blinked, stunned. "what did you just say?" "i said piss off!" vixen''s tone was louder now. it drew the attention of nearby fans. a hush fell over the area as people turned to see what was happening. the fan scowled, tossing her hpd to the ground with a loud crack. the pieces scattered, and he sneered at her. "fuck you. foxgirl probably has something better to stream tonight anyway. maybe instead of pretending you''ll ever make it as a hero with those lame-ass fox powers, you can just flash us the goods already. that''s all anyone really cares about." vixen froze as her fuzzy fox ears dropped when, she stared at the shattered hpd. the crowd watched in silence¡­ waiting to see how she would react. slowly, she bent down and gathered the broken pieces in her hands. her fingers trembled, but when she stood, her expression was heartbreakingly calm. she looked up at the fan as her teary eyes glistened under the harsh convention lights. "haha¡­" her laugh was soft, shaky. "it''s fine. i''ll still keep trying to be a hero. my dad did it, so i believe i can too." the crowd murmured, some looking uncomfortable, others simply watching in stunned silence. scott, who had been ready to make a snide remark, felt something twist in his chest instead. her voice had carried a raw vulnerability that he hadn''t expected. [ding! form an intimate relationship with vixen before the end of the week.] the message flashed in scott''s vision like a neon sign. "of course¡­" he muttered. marcus leaned closer, frowning. "what''s up?" scott didn''t answer. his eyes couldn''t leave vixen as she clutched the broken hpd pieces to her full chest as her forced smile crumbled bit by bit. "damn it," he said softly. "she''s really trying." marcus raised an eyebrow. "you¡­ you okay, big bro? you''re looking at her like you''re about to write a love song." "shut up¡­" scott straightened and ran a hand through his hair. he didn''t know how he was going to pull it off, but one thing was clear: vixen wasn''t just some vapid attention-seeker. beneath the bravado, she had dreams, insecurities, and more fight in her than most people would give her credit for. and if the system wanted him to form a bond with her? well, he''d just have to find a way to do it. Chapter 82 Trending Handsome irina lounged on the fluffy white couch in her vip hall with her legs crossed lazily and a tablet in hand as she scrolled through her various social media feeds. her glossy nails tapped idly against the screen until she stopped on a particular clip.the vibrant thumbnail read "the peak''s latest livestream: new friend!" she clicked it and winced immediately at the loud, obnoxious laugh blasting through the speakers. "ugh¡­" she groaned and rolled her eyes as she irritatedly adjusted the volume. the camera panned to the peak, gesturing dramatically about something inconsequential. irina squinted, unimpressed, before muttering under her breath. "does anyone still watch this guy''s nonsense? don''t they know he''s just a fraud?" her lips curled into a smirk. "miss mercury''s way better than hi¡ª" abruptly, she slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide as if she''d just blurted out a deep, dark secret. shaking her head furiously, she sat up straighter. "nope. nope. didn''t say that. definitely didn''t say that." behind her, sarah''s voice eased through the tension. "irina, it''s almost time for your booth opening. can you please go change into your super suit already?" irina yawned loudly and stretched out her arms with exaggerated laziness. "super suits are so boring¡­" she drawled. "it''s not like anyone would actually have the balls to come kill me, even if the whole world knew who i was." standing behind the couch, sarah crossed her arms. "that''s not the point, irina¡­" she lowered her head and sighed. "you''ve done a terrible job keeping your identity secret as it is. it''ll only get worse over time. just wear the suit and let the media forget about irina golovin for once. can you at least try?" "meh¡­" irina muttered, waving her off dismissively. "not happening." sarah''s lips twitched into a forced smile, a little too wide to be sincere. her voice, however, remained sickly sweet. "hmm, i wonder¡­ would miss mercury be a fan of a hero who doesn''t stick to their agreements? someone who can''t even follow the simple rules of wearing a super suit, let alone act like a proper hero?" irina froze as her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. "as if i care what that dumbass thinks!" she snapped and glared at sarah. "i hate that bitch!" but then her voice softened ever so slightly as a nervous edge creeped in. "uh¡­ just go set up the booth. and tell someone to bring me the damn suit." sarah''s smile grew faintly smug, though she quickly turned away to hide it. ¡ºoh, miss irina. you might pretend to hate miss mercury, but everyone knows about your little fan club back at skyfort academy.¡» sarah gave one nod to the young lady. "of course. i''ll get right on that." as she walked away, irina twisted around on the couch and her voice rising. "just so you know, i''m not doing this because i care about her opinion, okay?! she''s a lame, dumb, loser bitch who just got lucky with the company and the fame! that''s it!" "of course, of course¡­ i know." sarah replied, not even turning back. the door clicked shut behind her, and irina slumped back onto the couch with a groan. "she definitely didn''t believe that¡­" as her hand flopped onto the tablet, she accidentally pressed play on the livestream clip again. this time, the screen displayed a young man standing beside the peak¡ªa man with sharp features, stunning blue eyes, and a jawline that could cut glass. "my senses are tingling¡­" irina quickly perked up and leaned closer to the screen. "oh¡­ my¡­ god¡­" she breathed like she was about to drown in hotness. "he''s so friggin'' handsome!" her fingers instinctively pinched the screen to zoom in on his handsome face, and the closer she got, the more her cheeks flushed. "no way. he''s even more handsome up close!" s§×ar?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. her reaction escalated quickly as she rolled off the couch and screeched like a banshee. "kyaaaaa~ ?! he''s so handsome!" she scrambled back onto the couch and hugged the tablet as if it were her most prized possession. the video played on, and the man finally spoke with a smooth and confident, yet oddly uninterested voice. "i''m scott¡­" he introduced himself with a plain expression that sent irina''s heart into overdrive. "scott¡­" she whispered as her blue eyes practically sparkled. she licked her lips slowly, as if savoring his name. "i need to know more about him." forgetting all about her earlier gripes with the peak, her fingers began tapping furiously as she started looking up everything she could about this mysterious, impossibly handsome man. ¡­ irina sat cross-legged on the couch with her tablet perched on her lap as she navigated to threadit. her manicured fingers danced across the screen as she typed furiously into the search bar. [handsome guy in the peak''s recent stream¡­] she stared at the phrase for a second, then groaned loudly and flopped backward into the couch cushions. "no, no, that''s such a stupid thing to search¡­" she muttered to herself as she shook her head. "there''s no way that''ll work¡­" she sighed, fully expecting the search to yield nothing. but as the screen loaded, her eyes widened in shock. "oh, no way¡­" the subthreadit results were filled with threads about the mysterious man. every post was a variation of the same sentiment: [who is this guy?] [handsome dude on the peak''s stream just broke the internet.] [the new heartthrob of metro city?] irina blinked at the sheer number of posts, each with thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments. clicking on one of the threads, she scrolled through a discussion dissecting every little detail about the man. someone had even screenshotted his brief appearance, and the image was already circulating like wildfire. "just a few hours ago, and he''s already this popular?" irina sounded very excited. she exited threadit for a moment and checked the timestamps on the peak''s stream clips. her jaw dropped. "seriously? only three hours?!" she gasped, gripping the tablet tighter. "i wonder if he has any social media platforms i can reach him on¡­ oh my god, this is gonna be so friggin'' awesome!" irina curled up into a ball, her knees pulled close to her chest as she resumed scrolling through threadit. she devoured every thread, every comment, every blurry screenshot of the man named scott. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ [t/popculturegals] [thread title: we usually don''t talk about trash like the peak here, but who is that guy who walked away in the stream???] ¡­ ?? ©® u/peachyluvvv okay, so i never tune into peak''s nonsense¡ªhe''s a walking red flag with a god complex¡ªbut i saw a clip of this "scott" guy, and ????. like¡­ who is he? i don''t think i''ve ever been this attracted to someone with zero context before. ? top comments [u/ravenwit: right? i''m lowkey embarrassed i even clicked on that stream, but i had to know who he was after that. he gave such "not here for this circus" energy. please tell me he''s not related to the peak. i refuse to believe anyone that good-looking would share dna with that clown.] [u/softgothwitch: i don''t care if he''s arrogant, honestly. that man could insult my entire family, and i''d still thank him.] [u/hotsauceinmybag: girl, same. y''all talking about his face, but did you catch the way his collarbone was peeking out of his shirt? that''s the kind of subtle sexiness that william roosevelt wishes he had.] [u/rosebudroosevelt: excuse you. as a proud member of the william roosevelt fan club, i am begging you not to embarrass yourself like this. scott is attractive, sure, but he''s giving "accidentally hot." william roosevelt is intentional perfection. let the amateurs swoon over scott; real women know william is untouchable.] [u/sugarandspite: lmao. "accidentally hot" is killing me. but nah, scott''s got this effortless vibe that william can''t replicate even with his army of stylists. also, can we not pretend like roosevelt didn''t get that nose job last year?] [u/coffeecraver1990: ladies, ladies. can''t we agree that both are gorgeous and move on?] [u/chocochic: no.] --- [t/geekyandsalty] [thread title: bella trevors just chirped about "scott." we''ve officially lost him to the thirsty masses.] ¡­ ?? ©® u/pixelninja72 sigh. this is why i hate mainstream culture. bella trevors, of all people, posting about that guy? the moment a random dude gets even a crumb of attention, celebrities swoop in to claim him. like, i bet she doesn''t even know his name. ? top comments [u/blastervibes: the chirp she posted is a straight-up thirst trap: "@scott (if that''s your name): hit me up. i''ve got a spot for you in my next music video¡­ or my dms. ????" gag.] [u/animeknight34: let''s be real, though¡ªscott isn''t even that attractive. he''s like a 7.5 at best. bella''s just bored.] [u/darkelfemperor: speak for yourself, virgin. i''m at least an 8, and even i can admit scott is a solid 9.5.] [u/pixelninja72: this isn''t about scott being attractive. it''s about our community losing another potentially cool person to the mainstream hype machine. look, he''s probably still at the smpe. if someone gets a pic with him, we can confirm he hasn''t sold out yet.] [u/lorelord77: y''all are weird. just let the man exist.] --- [t/conspiracychat] [thread title: is scott an industry plant?] ¡­ ?? ©® u/redstringtheory think about it: he was on the peak''s stream for all of five seconds, and now he''s trending everywhere. bella trevors is chirping about him, high-fashion brands are posting edits of him, and there are rumors that titantech wants to sign him for something. it''s all too convenient. ? top comments [u/skepticjones: facts. also, the peak casually threw in that sob story about scott''s mom recovering from cancer? classic pr move to make the public sympathize with him. this has "marketing stunt" written all over it.] [u/tinfoiltom: lmao, y''all are reaching. not everyone who goes viral is a plant. sometimes people just¡­ exist?] [u/deepdiver42: but why would someone like scott show up on the peak''s stream of all places? he doesn''t fit the vibe at all. either he''s a plant, or he''s got connections we don''t know about.] --- [t/daytimedrama] [thread title: konrad kain just featured scott on his show, and sofia hernandez called him "handsome."] ¡­ ?? ©® u/tvaddict99 konrad kain is officially a joke. like, a random dude walks by in a superhero stream, and suddenly he''s getting airtime? ¡­ ? top comments [u/bigtittysimp69: the only good part of that segment was sofia hernandez calling him handsome. but let''s be real: anything sofia does is iconic.] [u/wrestleandchill: nah, sofia''s wild for that. she basically ignited the "scott war" between fangirls. go on chirper; it''s all anyone''s talking about.] [u/gamergurl34: can we stop pretending scott is some greek god? he''s cute, sure, but sofia''s praise makes it sound like he''s adonis reincarnated.] [u/thirstyforhernandez: y''all are just jealous sofia looked at another man. let the queen simp in peace.] [u/sleazypenis: did y''all catch sofia hernandez tits tho ???? see how those monsters were strapped to her chest!] ©¸ [someone get this loser outta here ¨C_¨C i feel sick.] ©¸ [i swear who tf is this guy. ????] ©¸ [grass, bro. grass (¡ä-¦É_-£à)¡­] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ in conclusion, scott''s five seconds of fame had officially taken over threadit. and now¡­ the debates were only getting spicier. by the time irina was done, her head flopped back onto the couch as she stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. "i used to think i had a thing for miss mercury¡­ like, a kinda romantic crush¡­" she frowned slightly before raising the tablet high above her face to gaze at her own reflection in the black screen. "but maybe i''m not even lesbian to begin with?" she tilted her head as her thoughts spiraled. "i mean¡­ how can a guy be this handsome? it''s crazy just thinking about it." lowering the tablet, she hugged it to her chest and giggled softly. "does he, like¡­ drink heavenly water or something?" she imagined his flawless complexion, his chiseled jawline, and those piercing blue eyes. "his skin''s so smooth, and the way his face is shaped¡­ it''s almost unfair. this is the kind of beauty you''d see in european guys, right?" her mind wandered further. "ooo¡­ maybe he is european!" she gasped, then immediately shook her head. "no, no, probably not. but¡­" she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "it''s still possible, right? ugh, is there some way i can, like, message him? or, ooooh, exchange numbers or something?" her face lit up like a child on christmas morning as she giggled uncontrollably. but then, her thoughts spiraled again. "what if we, like, date or something? we could do stuff together, like¡­" her cheeks burned red, steam practically rising from her head as she squeaked like a schoolgirl and started flopping around the couch like a fish out of water. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ meanwhile, outside the vip hall, the peak stood surrounded by a mob of fangirls, basking in the attention. his signature grin was plastered on his face as he soaked in the adoration. "alright, ladies, calm down, calm down!" he spoke with a booming laugh as he held up his hands. find your next read on empire suddenly, his secretary claire pushed through the crowd, looking frazzled. she grabbed his arm and dragged him into a secluded corner. "what''s the rush, claire?" the peak asked as he turned off his livestream with a casual swipe. claire whipped out her phone as her face paled. "your stream is currently trending number one on chirper, wetube, and even instaflick." the peak chuckled, flexing one of his biceps with a smug grin. "as if that''s a surprise! i''m simply that amazing." claire shot him a flat look. "not for the reason you''re thinking." she held up her phone, showing a clip from the konrad kain show, where konrad and his guest star sofia hernandez were talking about the new mystery man in town. konrad leaned back in his chair, a sly smile on his face. "just when you think metro city has seen it all, along comes this guy¡ªscott¡ªstealing hearts left and right. who is this handsome devil?" sofia leaned forward, licking her lower lip. "can we show his face again? you know, for the viewers?" konrad chuckled knowingly. "for the viewers, huh?" the audience erupted into laughter as a picture of scott appeared on the screen. the peak''s eye twitched as he stared at the image. his jaw tightened. "that''s my shoulder¡­" he muttered and pointed at the edge of the picture where a sliver of his costume was visible. "huh?" claire blinked in confusion. "right there!" the peak jabbed at the screen angrily. "that''s my fucking shoulder! they cropped me out of the damn picture!" he laughed, though his eyes were wild with fury. "they can''t just cut me out! i''m the star! i''m the peak!" claire tried to calm him down. "look, it''s fine. you''re st¡ª" but before she could finish, the peak lashed out and slapped her phone out of her hand. the crowd nearby fell silent as the phone smashed against the hard floor. "they can''t just cut me out!" he screamed furiously. claire still tried. "sir, please calm do©¤©¤!!" ¡­ pahhh! a hot slap tore across claire''s cheek and she fell. claire held her cheek, shocked and humiliated. her wide eyes darted around the room as whispers began spreading through the crowd. "sir, i¡­" [ding! this is your chance to improve your reputation!] scott raised an eyebrow. "dude, one thing at a time, alright?" Chapter 83 Helping Situations just a few blocks from the convention center, a young man sat perched on the edge of a towering building as his black sweatpants and red sweatshirt flapped lightly in the afternoon breeze. his white sneakers dangled off the ledge as he leaned forward and his sharp gaze locked on the glowing convention center in the distance."hrmm¡­" he ran a hand through his crimson hair and his lips curved into a faint smirk as he muttered to himself. "alright¡­ focus." the moment the word left his lips, a red, viscous substance seeped out of his right ear to creep along his face before forming into a sleek, high-tech scope over his left eye. the scope buzzed to life and shifted through layers of visuals until it locked onto a target inside the convention center¡ªa young woman stepping out of a changing room in a freshly donned super suit. "brigid¡­" he exhaled slowly. reaching into his pocket, he retrieved his phone and dialed a number. the call barely rang before a smooth voice answered on the other end. "agent red. what do you have for me?" red yawned theatrically, leaning back on his palms as he glanced up at the darkening sky. "well, i''ve got eyes on brigid. she looks¡­ ready for some action. what''s the play, lady crowe?" there was a brief pause before lady crowe''s sharp and calculating voice returned. "there are too many heroes gathered there. even if most of them are inexperienced, their numbers could pose a problem if they coordinate effectively. the smarter move would be to create a distraction. you''ve only just reached 99% synchronization with the technophage, so your body will need time to adjust. don''t overextend." red chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "got it, got it. play it smart, cause some chaos, and keep the rookies busy. honestly, it sounds kinda fun." "good¡­" adira''s tone was a little softer. "i''ll be waiting for your report. don''t disappoint me." red grinned. "wouldn''t dream of it." as the line disconnected, he stood up to stretch his arms lazily before cracking his neck. "a bunch of newbie heroes, huh? sounds like the perfect warm-up. let''s see how many i can knock dead before they even know what hit them." he stepped off the ledge and landed lightly on the rooftop below without so much as a sound. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ back at the convention center¡­ claire remained on the floor as her hand clutched her burning cheek. tears streamed silently down her face, though she made no sound. the surrounding crowd, composed of fans, attendees, and fellow heroes, stood frozen, watching the scene unfold with both shock and disgust. the peak loomed over her with a furious face. he pointed an accusatory finger at her. "do you see what you''ve caused?! your incompetence has ruined everything!" "i-, i''m s-sorry, sir¡­" claire stammered as her fragile voice trembled. she couldn''t even look him in the eyes. the murmurs in the crowd grew louder. "did he just¡­ hit her?" "wow. what a jerk." "i used to look up to this guy¡­ what a disappointment." but some still tried to defend him. "maybe she really screwed up¡­" "guys, let''s not jump to conclusions¡­" the peak''s face twisted further as he glared down at her. "shut up, all of you! she''s the reason my image is being dragged through the mud!" he grabbed claire by the collar and hauled her to her feet. "you''re a useless, broke bitch who can''t even save her pathetic family from living in squalor! maybe you''d be better off selling your body, you worthless garbage dump!" claire''s lips quivered as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks, but she refused to cry out. her eyes remained on the floor. "look at me when i''m talking to you!" the peak shouted and raised his hand again. but before it could fall, his wrist was caught mid-air. the force of the grip made him freeze, and his eyes slowly trailed up to meet the cold, unflinching gaze of a young man. scott. the atmosphere shifted immediately. the crowd went silent as they watched the tension between the two men. scott''s voice was low, but it carried a weight that made everyone feel its impact. "didn''t your mother ever teach you not to hit women?" the peak''s eyes widened, his face flushing red with rage. "what did you just say to me, you little bastard?!" scott didn''t flinch. his grip tightened, forcing the peak to release claire, who stumbled backward and fell to the floor again. scott stepped closer and his voice dropped even further. "listen carefully. you can keep pretending to be someone important, fooling these people into thinking you''re some kind of hero. but the moment you cross certain lines¡­ someone''s going to knock you down. understand?" the peak''s lips curled into a snarl. "you think you can talk to me like that?!" his words were cut off by a sharp slap.l ¡­ pah! the sound echoed through the hall. discover stories with empire the peak staggered as his hand flew to his cheek while he stared at scott in shock. "did you just¡ª" ¡­ pah! scott slapped him again. "was i clear?" his tone was both deadly and calm. before the peak could respond, scott''s fist connected with his stomach. the force sent him to the ground, gasping for air. scott didn''t spare him another glance. he knelt beside claire as his hand rested gently on her shoulder. "can you stand?" he asked softly. claire blinked up at him, her vision blurred by tears. her voice came out as a whisper. "p-, please¡­ i''m so embarrassed¡­ can you take me out of here?" scott nodded without hesitation. "of course." he helped her to her feet, using his body to shield her from the judgmental stares of the crowd. with one arm wrapped protectively around her, he guided her toward the exit. as they disappeared from view, the crowd erupted into whispers. "who is that guy?" "who cares? he''s a hero in my book." "the peak got what he deserved." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ outside¡­ the cold afternoon air bit at claire''s skin as scott led her out of the convention center. the noise and chaos of the crowd faded behind them. all that was present was the emptiness of the parking lot. claire finally slipped out of scott''s arms. her shaky steps were more stable now. she slowly turned to face him as a strained, trembling smile dragged at her lips. "uhm¡­ thanks¡­" she murmured with a voice so soft it could barely be heard over the distant hum of traffic. "i''m sorry¡­ you can go now." scott didn''t move. he stood there, arms at his sides, silently observing her. the smudged makeup on her face, smeared by tears and the violent slap, told a story of humiliation and pain. her cheek was a vivid red, much different from her pale skin. she was trembling¡­ not just from the slap but from the aftershocks of her ordeal. the way her body quivered, despite her effort to hide it, reminded him of a leaf caught in a cold, relentless wind. ¡ºthat bastard¡­¡» scott stepped forward calmly. he placed a warm, steady hand on the uninjured side of her face and gently tilted her head to look at him. "no¡­" he said firmly. "i''ll get my van and take you somewhere to get that looked at. i wouldn''t want you to damage your skin." claire''s forced smile widened, though it was more painful than reassuring. she carefully pulled his hand away from her face and shook her head. "no, no¡­ it''s fine!" she spoke very quickly, almost like she was scared. "i''m just an overworked secretary. luxury like that¡­ it''s the last thing on my mind right now." her voice faltered just a bit, but she pushed on and waved a hand dismissively. "y-, you should probably get back in there. help whoever you came here for." scott remained silent. his blue eyes were still on her. he didn''t need to say anything; the sight of her was enough to convey his thoughts. half of her face was an angry red, and if he looked closely, he could make out the faint imprint of the peak''s hand. he hit her hard, and the damage wasn''t just physical. ¡ºwow¡­ he really didn''t hold back¡­¡» sea??h th§× n??efire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. scott let out a long sigh. "look¡­" he paused to look for the right words. "you''re not my assistant. you''re the peak''s. and maybe he doesn''t care about slapping you around, but when i saw it¡­ it didn''t sit right with me." claire glanced away and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "i¡­ i see¡­" scott slipped his hands into his pockets and took a step past her. "we''re going to run some tests on your face. make sure there''s no lasting damage." his tone was firm¡­ but oddly gentle. claire blinked as her hand instinctively rose to her cheek. "r-, really?" she asked, almost incredulously. "yeah. you''ll thank me later." scott spoke without looking back. for a moment, claire stood still and watched his back as he walked away toward the far end of the parking lot. ¡ºhe''s¡­¡» the sharp lines of his profile and the calm confidence in his steps made her hesitate. she touched her cheek and the searing pain reminded her of what had just happened. her chest tightened, but she found herself taking a step after him. and then another. before she knew it, she was following him like a lost puppy as her footsteps became lighter and more uncertain. she wasn''t sure why, but she didn''t want to be alone. not today. as she caught up to him, scott glanced over his shoulder and gave her a small, knowing nod. claire averted her eyes as her pretty face flushed slightly¡­ not just from the slap, but from something else she couldn''t quite place. for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn''t feel entirely invisible. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ back inside¡­ brigid walked into the hall with her super suit shining under the overhead lights. the vibrant gray and white design hugged her shapely frame perfectly. she looked both powerful and elegant. she brushed a strand of hair from her face as her green eyes scanned the unusually quiet crowd. her boots clicked softly against the tiled floor as she approached her booth. curious, she tapped marcus on the shoulder. "uh, marcus¡­ what''s going on? why''s it so quiet?" marcus stiffened and let out an awkward laugh. ¡ºshit¡­ she''s here!¡» he glanced at her, then quickly turned back, rubbing the back of his neck. "uhh¡­ you really don''t wanna know, alright?" brigid tilted her head, placing her hands on her wide hips. "hm? what''s that supposed to mean?" marcus sighed as he leaned on the table of their booth. his fingers drummed against the surface as he stared at the still-gossiping crowd. "it''s¡­ well, let''s just say vixen''s been soaking up all the attention. probably all the agents too. honestly, i don''t think we''ll get a chance to make a comeback at this point." it was pointless to hide it now. brigid folded her arms under her breasts and sighed as her posture slumped slightly. "yeah¡­ you''re probably right." her eyes wandered over the crowd and took in the hushed conversations and the awkward looks. then something clicked in her mind. she looked around their booth again and frowned. "hey, uh¡­ where''s lord scott?" marcus opened his mouth to respond, but his words faltered when he caught the nearby conversation between a few superheroes to the side. ruse folded his arms, nodding sagely. "honestly, that guy''s a real hero. just jumped in and protected the defenseless woman without a second thought. meanwhile, we were all too scared to do anything because it was the peak." gadget girl shrugged, looking defeated. "not like it''s really our fault. if we went up against an s-rank hero¡ªespecially one as influential as the peak¡ªit''d be career suicide." ruse nodded again. "yeah, i hear you." puffing out his chest, rhinoman cleared his throat loudly. "well, i''m not afraid of any s-rank hero! i just¡­ uh¡­ didn''t act because i was shocked by the scene! yeah! who would''ve thought any hero would lay hands on a woman!" he punctuated his words with an angry fist. ruse gave him a side-eye, unimpressed. "oh, so now you wanna get mad?" marcus''s ears perked up at the surrounding murmurs. whispers of scott''s name was everywhere. "i heard he slapped the peak¡­ twice." "twice? man, that''s insane. he''s got guts." "guts? he''s got fists of steel! did you see the way the peak went down?" "forget the peak! that guy''s so handsome¡­ i wish he''d save me like that." "uh, yeah, but don''t you need to be slapped first for that?" the last comment earned a few chuckles. marcus''s eyes gleamed as an idea hit him. he turned to glance at brigid, who was now sitting in a corner of the booth, looking utterly dejected. a sly smile crept across his face as he clapped his hands loudly to draw the crowd''s attention. "ladies and gentlemen!" marcus shouted at the top of his voice. "come one, come all, to witness the student of the great, handsome hero who just saved an innocent woman from an s-rank terror!" the room effortlessly went silent for a moment before the crowd began murmuring. marcus gestured dramatically to brigid with a wide grin. "if you loved watching him do what no other hero here dared to do, you''ll definitely want to meet his protege! the young lady seated right here!" brigid''s eyes widened as a collective gasp rippled through the hall. almost instantly, people began flocking to their booth with great excitement. "hey, what''s her superpower?!" "is she just as heroic as him?" "what''s that guy''s name?! the one who slapped the peak?!" brigid blinked at the overwhelming crowd. her cheeks flushed as she twiddled her fingers nervously. "i¡­ um¡­ i''m not used to this kind of attention outside the academy¡­" the fans went wild. "she''s adorable!" "where''s she been hiding?!" "no way we could''ve missed a cute girl like her! she''s gotta be famous!" one fan waved a wad of cash in the air. "i''ll pay to get a picture with her! please!" "me too! i want a picture!" thrilled by the traffic, marcus turned to brigid with a grin. "so, uh¡­ where do you wanna take your pictures?" still a little overwhelmed, brigid pointed shyly to a corner of the booth. "u-, uhm¡­ over there is fine¡­" marcus adjusted the camera hanging around his neck and gave her a thumbs-up. "alright, time for some pict©¤©¤!" before he could finish, the crowd surged forward, knocking him over and trampling him in their rush to get closer to brigid. phones and cameras waved frantically in the air as fans begged for photos. meanwhile??? at her now-abandoned booth, vixen''s jaw screwed tight as she watched the scene unfold. no one was paying her or her meticulously crafted promotional materials any attention. even her cameraman had joined the crowd around brigid. she clenched her fists. her pretty face turned red with frustration. "beca, wait!" foxgirl called out as vixen turned and walked away. "we can still salvage this!" there was desperation on foxgirl''s face. something vixen couldn''t see as she simply waved her sister off without so much as a glance. and with that¡­ vixen was gone. Chapter 84 Appreciation, Jealousy & Danger the photographers and fans pressed in closer as their cameras flashed like tiny explosions in brigid''s face.their excitement was so dense. "miss psyche! over here!" "can we get a shot of you holding this plushie? it''ll be a big seller in the market!" sear?h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "smile, please! no, wait¡ªlook more heroic!" brigid''s breathing quickened as her hands nervously fidgeted at her sides. a sharp poke in her lower back made her freeze. turning slightly, she realized it was the lens of a camera, shoved uncomfortably close. her body acted on instinct. ¡ºi don''t want these men so close to me©¤©¤argh!¡» a translucent green sphere shimmered into existence around her to gently push the crowd back without knocking anyone over. the barrier expanded slowly and created some much-needed breathing room. the fans gasped in awe. "whoa! did she just use her powers?" "that''s amazing!" one of the photographers leaned in and inspected the glowing green shield. "hey, how does that work?!" brigid chuckled nervously, brushing her bangs from her face as she gestured to the small black-and-green headgear perched on her head. "well¡­ it''s all mental, really¡­" her voice was pillow-soft but gained confidence as the crowd hung on her every word. "my sensei, lord scott, invented these devices to help me tap into my mental abilities. they amplify my focus so i can create constructs like this. but¡­ uh¡­" she scratched the back of her neck, blushing. "i-, i''m still kind of a beginner, so i can only make simple ones¡­ uhm, for¡­ now, i guess¡­" the crowd nodded as if mesmerized. "that''s so cool!" "there''s something so sexy about her inexperience!" "she can read minds, too, right? does that mean she knows what we''re thinking right now?!" "psssh©¤©¤she better not because it''s not family friendly is all i''m gonna say." brigid''s face turned red. "o-, oh, no, nothing like that! i only use it for¡­ um¡­ professional purposes¡­" the crowd laughed, and her barrier flickered out as she began to feel more at ease. but just as she thought things were calming down, one fan spoke up. "hey, should we form a line to take pictures with her?" a photographer scoffed, then adjusted his camera. "a line? that''ll fuckin'' take forever! we should just form a semicircle and take them all at once. it''s way more efficient." another photographer yanked his camera down. "efficient? how about we let her decide instead of making demands?" the first photographer bristled. "oh, yeah? who put you in charge?! my way is clearly better!" as things got heated, the other superheroes just watched from their respective booths, which were all empty since brigid''s presence was now all anyone wanted to see. gadget girl folded her arms and let out a sigh. "this is getting crazy¡­" ruse glanced at her as he raised an eyebrow. "she needs a handler¡­" his dry eyes then shifted to marcus, who was still twitching in pain on the floor. "uh¡­ a really good one¡­" he squeezed his face as if he could feel marcus''s pain. before things could escalate further, a deep voice cut through the pointless bickering. "all right, people. let''s settle down." the crowd parted as rhinoman stepped forward. his towering frame sheltered everyone in his fierce and imposing shadow. he raised one massive hand as his other arm rested casually on his armored hip. "let''s show some manners here¡­" the man sounded strict yet kind. "this is miss psyche''s first big event, and you''re all gonna scare her off if you keep this up. let''s try to keep things extra polite, yeah?" the crowd mumbled their agreement. several photographers sheepishly lower their cameras. one wiped his face with a towel. "the rhino guy''s right. we''ve been too pushy." a fan nodded, clutching their autograph book. "she''s so sweet. if psyche wasn''t such an angel, she''d probably hate us by now." rhinoman turned to brigid and his expression softened as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "you okay, kid? didn''t mean to let things get this crazy." brigid forced a nervous laugh as her small hand fiddled with the hem of her suit. "y-, yeah¡­ i''m super-duper fine¡­ ahahah¡­" her trembling voice betrayed her nerves, and rhinoman gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "don''t worry about it¡­" he said. "first time at an smpe can be tough, but you''ll get through it. trust me." brigid tilted her head as her curiosity built. "wait¡­ isn''t this your first smpe too?" rhinoman chuckled, scratching the back of his thick neck. "here? yeah. but me, ruse, gadget girl¡­ we''ve been hitting these events all year. gotta keep showing up until a company notices us, you know?" brigid frowned as her fingers nervously twisted together. "so¡­ no company''s picked you yet?" rhinoman sighed, then his shoulders slumped slightly. "nah. in the hero world, it''s all about elitism. if your powers aren''t flashy or unique enough, you get overlooked. people like me don''t have it easy. but hey¡ªthis is my sixth smpe this year, so maybe my luck will turn around." brigid hesitated before patting his arm with her tiny hand. "don''t worry. your time will come. i''m sure of it." rhinoman''s wide grin returned. "thanks, kid. for now, let''s focus on your big moment, huh?" he gestured to a newly cleared space in the hall. ruse and gadget girl had moved their booths aside to create a perfect spot for brigid to comfortably interact with her fans. ruse nodded at her from afar, while gadget girl waved excitedly, then flashed a big thumbs-up. brigid''s chest tightened as she blinked back tears. "i¡­ i don''t know what to say¡­" rhinoman''s eyes widened in panic. "whoa, hey, no crying! i didn''t mean to upset you!" brigid shook her head and slowly wiped her eyes with a trembling hand. "no¡­ i''m just¡­ really grateful. thank you." rhinoman exhaled in relief before flashing her a toothy grin. "anytime, miss psyche. now go out there and shine. you''ve got this." brigid took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped forward into the cleared space. the crowd erupted in cheers as the cameras clicked away to capture the first of many shining moments in her hero career. ??? the crowd of photographers arranged themselves into a perfect semicircle around brigid with their cameras raised and ready to capture her every move. off to the side, a line of fans patiently waited as each pair stepped forward in twos to stand beside brigid for their moment of fame. as one pair left, the next would eagerly shuffle in, and the sound of camera shutters clicking sounded like a wave of applause. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤click!! the flashes were relentless but not overwhelming. instead, they bathed brigid in a spotlight that made her glow even brighter. every pose she struck was met with cheers, gasps, and excited whispers. "psyche! tilt your head to the left!" "smile, smile! no, a little wider¡ªperfect!" "can you do the peace sign? oh my god, she''s adorable!" brigid laughed nervously and her cheeks flushed from the attention, but the growing confidence in her movements was hard to miss. each fan who stood beside her whispered something¡ªsometimes a compliment, sometimes a heartfelt thanks¡ªand their words bolstered her spirit. she wasn''t adored by the fans. no¡­ she was loved by them. ??? after nearly an hour of posing and interacting with her fans, the line finally dwindled. the fans dispersed to her booth, eager to marvel at her awards and snap up the limited-edition merchandise. stationed dutifully at the booth, marcus ensured that everything ran smoothly. "careful, one at a time, please!" marcus instructed with a strained but genuine smile as he handed out the last of the merch. in a matter of minutes, everything was gone. the awards were admired, the merch was snatched up, and the booth stood bare. marcus sighed heavily. he ran his fingers through his hair. "man¡­ big bro really needs to let us sell this stuff. do you know how much cash we could''ve made? it''s insane!" he shook his head, his voice dropping to a resigned mutter. experience exclusive tales on empire "but nooo, ''it''s not about the money,'' he says. ''it''s about the image¡­'' psssh!" his shoulders slumped as he shrugged. "still, i''m not about to argue. last time i did, i couldn''t sit straight for an hour." he straightened up and plastered on a smile as he handed out autographs instead. "enjoy, everyone! all free of charge. psyche''s orders." ??? from afar, gadget girl leaned against her booth while her soft eyes locked on brigid as she continued posing for the last few photographers. "she''s got a knack for this¡­" she could only say this with a bright smile. rhinoman crossed his massive, beefed-up arms as his expression turned thoughtful. "she''s something else, all right. a natural-born hero. you don''t see that kind of spark often." he tilted his head, then watched brigid strike another pose for the cameras. her face lit up when she heard the cheers of her fans. "she''s still rough around the edges, but sometimes it''s the ones who doubt themselves the most that turn out to be the strongest. life''s hardships mold people like her into the ideal hero that can stand as a symbol of hope¡­" leaning against a pillar nearby, ruse nodded in agreement. "couldn''t have said it better myself." rhinoman smirked, then nudged him playfully. "you''re agreeing with me? the fuck? who are you, and what''ve you done with the real ruse?" ruse winced at the jab as he rubbed his arm. "hey, i can be supportive when i want to be¡­" gadget girl''s grin widened. "oh, look at you, ruse. smiling like a regular person. someone call the press." the smirk vanished from ruse''s face in an instant. "what smile? never happened." he turned away and his face became the perfect picture of indifference, but gadget girl didn''t stop giggling. ??? meanwhile, in a private vip hall above the event, irina watched everything unfold through a small window. her sharp, blue eyes tracked brigid''s every move. there was no hiding the disgust in her eyes. "that''s brigid macleighlin¡­" she hissed through gritted teeth. her hand clenched her phone tighter as she scrolled through instaflick, where miss mercury''s promotional posts about brigid dominated the feed. with a flick of her thumb, she switched to chirper and saw endless threads about scott''s connection to brigid. ¡ºso miss mercury makes posts about a random like brigid but even after i messaged her all these years¡­ she doesn''t even care to reply to even one of my messages¡­¡» irina''s anger boiled over as her nails dug into her palm. "that little wretch¡­ stealing all the attention¡­" without a word, the phone in her hand crumpled into a tight, metallic ball under the force of her telekinesis. she tossed it aside and her eyes burned with silent fury as she glared down at brigid''s radiant smile. ??? back in the main hall, brigid continued to pose under the photographers'' guidance. "miss psyche, strike another pose!" "lean forward just a bit!" "hold that energy¡ªit''s perfect!" brigid complied effortlessly and her smile grew wider with each click of the cameras. a photographer raised his hand to speak. "hey, miss psyche! is it possible that your super suit was inspired by the nightwatch?" the question caught brigid off guard. she paused and glanced down at her suit for the first time that day. the black and green design, sleek and practical, bore an undeniable resemblance to nightwatch''s iconic look. her heart swelled with emotion as sweet and teary memories flooded her mind. scott had stayed up through the night crafting this suit for her, pouring his energy into every detail. he''d taught her etiquette, helped her find her footing in this new world, and had even roped in miss mercury to ensure her debut was perfect. her voice trembled as she spoke, her hands coming together in front of her. "this suit¡­ it''s special to me. someone very¡­ very important designed it. he believed in me when i didn''t truly believe in myself¡­ but then again, i sort of put all my faith in him, so you could say i always believed in myself through him, and now this super suit, is him believing in me through himself¡­" tears welled in her eyes as her fingers shaped a heart. ¡ºmiss emma, miss nadia, marcus¡­ lord scott¡­ th-, they all made sure this was possible¡­¡» a vibrant green glow radiated from her chest as it expanded outward into a luminous heart-shaped construct that lit up the entire hall. the crowd erupted in awe. "she''s incredible!" "psyche, you''re amazing!" "did you get that shot? that''s going viral for sure!" "she''s like an angel!!" brigid''s glowing heart flickered as she smiled through her tears. for the first time in her life, she felt like more than just a tool or the next big thing. she was part of something bigger¡­ something meaningful. and for now, that was enough. in the corner where brigid''s booth was, marcus just smiled at all this as he arranged the emptied-out booth. just then, he saw a fresh paper that wasn''t there before, so he opened it up and saw it was a short letter from scott. "good job¡­" that''s all that was written. marcus grabbed his chest tightly and chuckled. ¡ºshe''s really lucky to have a guy like him around¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ meanwhile¡­ agent red stood on the rooftop as his eye scope trained on brigid below. he extended a hand, and the red, slimy substance began to slither out from the veins of his right arm in a coordinated, almost sentient motion¡ªit was alive. moments later, his arm twisted and morphed to transform into a jagged, grotesquely mutated version of a four-barreled plasma cannon. a sinister smile spread across his face. "let the fun begin¡­" these rookie heroes didn''t know it yet, but this would be their first true test¡ªthe kind that demanded they navigate the perilous fields of heroism in ways they''d never imagined. Chapter 85 Infernal Emergency! safeguard pharmacy, metro city¡­scott stood near the counter, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face. beside him, claire fidgeted as her eyes darted everywhere but at him. she kept her injured cheek turned away, angling herself slightly to the left as though that would make the mark invisible. nadia emerged from a door behind the counter as her lab coat swished slightly as she approached. she paused when her eyes met claire''s and her expression softened for just a moment before hardening into her usual professional demeanor. "anything you''ll need?" she spoke very politely to scott. however, she still managed to sound like he was just any other customer. scott didn''t reply right away. instead, he lifted his hand and mimed circling his own cheek with a finger. then, with an exaggerated motion, he mimicked a slap. claire''s stomach twisted. she wasn''t looking directly at him, but his movements were clear enough from her peripheral vision. shame bubbled up inside her, and she instinctively shifted further away from him as she wrapped her arms around herself. nadia''s strawberry lips pressed into a thin line. "follow me¡­" nadia spoke firmly as she gestured for claire to accompany her. "we''ll run some tests and get you consulted." scott turned to claire and placed a steady hand on her shoulder to give her a light pat. his voice was calm but solid. "come on. go with her." claire hesitated but nodded, avoiding his gaze as she followed nadia toward the consultation rooms. scott watched her leave and his posture relaxed slightly with relief. "reconciled with emma, and already out with another woman?" a sharp, sarcastic voice sounded behind him. "wow. you''re doing great, scott." scott turned slowly, already guessing who it was. jenna stood a few feet away, chai latte in hand, her eyebrows raised in facetious amusement. "jenna¡­" scott said flatly, while slipping his hands into his pockets. "i wonder if you''d say the same thing if i brought an old lady here. apparently, standing near a woman now counts as cheating?" jenna folded her arms and rolled her eyes dramatically. "oh, please. let''s just hope you don''t accidentally kiss her while you''re ''casually'' hanging around." scott sighed as his patience thinned. "do you have a problem with me, or do you just enjoy playing the salty friend of the girlfriend?" jenna brushed past him and grabbed a napkin from the counter. "haha, so funny. should i laugh my ass off?" scott leaned casually against the counter,smirking. "careful. wouldn''t want you laughing off your bbl too." jenna froze mid-sip of her latte, then whipped around and pointed a furious finger at him. "how dare you?! how absolutely dare you?! these are natural! do i look like the kind of woman to get a bbl? i''m a pharmacist! for crying out loud." scott shrugged nonchalantly. "and do i look like the kind of guy to cheat? i''m a superhero." jenna jabbed her finger toward him again. "even superheroes cheat!" scott tilted his head and blinked with flippant innocence. "and even female pharmacists get bbls. unless you can provide substantial proof that you don''t, i''m not planning to believe you. what are you going to do? let me get a feel?" he folded his arms smugly. there was a teasing grin spreading across his face. "now that would be cheating. with my girlfriend''s best friend, no less. tsk, tsk, jenna." jenna sputtered as her cheeks burned red with frustration. she downed the rest of her latte in one long, aggressive gulp before storming off. "you''re so unbelievable! ugh©¤©¤!!" ??? in a small consultation room¡­ nadia shone a penlight into claire''s eyes. claire sat stiffly on the exam table as her fingers nervously twisted the edge of her black pencil skirt. "uh¡­" claire''s voice came hesitantly. "i was wondering if¡ª" "yes." nadia interrupted her with a brisk tone. "i know scott. no, he''s not single. he has a girlfriend he really loves. don''t complicate things for him¡ªhe''s already dealing with enough." claire blinked, taken aback by the abruptness. "i-, i wasn''t going to¡ª" "with how you''re looking at him, i figured i''d save you the trouble of asking." nadia paused as her brown eyes softened slightly. "sorry. that came out harsher than i intended." claire tilted her head to closely study her. "with the way you''re talking¡­ i''d almost think you''re his girlfriend." nadia froze for a moment, but her face kept neutral. then, she chuckled softly. "it wouldn''t be the worst thing in the world¡­" it went silent right after. those words just hung there¡­ no response. claire didn''t know how to respond. quickly, nadia shook her head and broke the silence. "forget i said that." "i¡­ understand¡­" claire murmured. nadia sighed and focused on the exam again. "no, i don''t think you do. scott''s not the kind of guy ordinary women like us can keep up with. his life is¡­" she trailed off as her voice became hevay with something claire couldn''t quite place. "sometimes, all you can do is feel bad for him." claire hesitated before asking, "does that mean you¡­ like him too?" nadia laughed softly, then shook her head. "no. i used the word ''us'' so you wouldn''t feel alone." claire shrugged. "fair enough." ??? ¡­ 18:21 p.m. scott tapped his foot impatiently as he stared at the tv-tw strapped to his wrist. ¡ºc''mon, where is she¡­¡» he looked up at the pharmacy''s television. find exclusive stories on empire there was a news broadcast was playing. "this just in¡­" the anchor, judy cho, was announcing. "a devastating explosion has caused a massive fire at the green box convention center. reports indicate at least twenty dead and forty injured¡­" the footage cut to the chaotic scene. flames roared in the background, and the camera shook violently as another explosion erupted and knocked the cameraman off balance. a monstrous red creature darted past the lens as its guttural gurgling terrified everyone. [master mcqueen, shall i ini¡ª] scott didn''t let the system finish. "yeah, yeah. initiate the damn stream." without another word, he bolted from the pharmacy. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ the green box convention center burned like a scene from a nightmare. ¡­ vruuuu©¤©¤©¤©¤grruuuum!! the flames licked hungrily at the sky as screams of terror sparked from within. outside, the streets teemed with paramedics, police officers, and a crowd of onlookers who could only watch in helpless horror as the inferno raged on. sweat trickled down mr. sphere''s face as he took a deep breath, then focused hard. "haaaaaa!!" he then threw four anti-gravity spheres into the air. each glowing sphere floated toward a civilian and gently wrapped around them like bubbles drifting in water. one by one, the spheres carried the civilians through the broken windows and lowered them safely to the ground. ??? during this time¡­ tigerman darted through the blistering heat on all fours as two small children clung to his back. his fur singed and lungs burned with every labored breath, but he pushed forward. ¡ºi''ll save these kids¡­ no matter what!¡» when the heat became too much, tigerman stumbled and collapsed onto the heated floor with a choked gasp as the children tumbled beside him. just as the flames crept closer, rhinoman barreled in as his bulky rhino-themed armor radiated power. he hoisted tigerman over one shoulder like a sack of flour, while cradling the two children on the other. "this just keeps getting worse¡­" rhinoman sprinted down a crumbling hallway. his ears twitched at the distant sound of groaning steel. ¡­ creeek©¤©¤©¤©¤boooooom!! another explosion rocked the building and sent chunks of the ceiling plummeting. the floor beneath him cracked ominously and the structure threatened to give way at any moment. "where the hell are the others when you need them?!" he growled and leaped through the nearest window with a quaking crash. the impact as he landed outside caused the ground to tremble as cracks spidered across the asphalt. paramedics rushed forward to take the children and tigerman off his hands, then strapped them to stretchers and doused tigerman with oxygen. a police officer hurried to rhinoman''s side. "that''s enough! you''ve done your part¡ªlet the firefighters and experienced heroes handle the rest!" he made his voice loud enough to be heard in the chaos. rhinoman rounded on him with furious eyes. "are you seriously telling me to stop because i''m not on some damn ''approved hero'' list? people are still in there! if i don''t do it, who will?!" the officer faltered and stepped back under the intensity of rhinoman''s glare. "b-, but the building¡ªit''s unstable! you''ll only make things worse¡ª" "worse?" rhinoman barked as veins bulged in his neck. "you know what''s worse? standing here doing nothing while people die!" without another word, he turned and bounded back toward the blazing structure. out of nowhere, someone thrust a mic in his face. it was judy cho ¨C the pretty journalist with a knack for always being in the wrong place at the right time. "rhinoman! how are you handling this as a rookie hero? do you think this will help you secure a sponsorship deal? maybe get some spotlight in the hero league?" "are you serious right now?" rhinoman sounded more disappointed than angry. "this isn''t about sponsorships or fame! why can''t heroes just do their damn jobs without being hounded by the media for clicks and headlines? you know what? this is why heroes like nightwatch are ten times better than half the spotlight-chasers out here!" judy took shaky steps back "i¡­ i''m sorry¡ª" but rhinoman was already gone. ??? on the other side of the building¡­ miss infinity stood before a collapsed doorway as her glowing blue eyes fixed on the mountain of debris. behind her, nine civilians cowered with their faces covered in sweat from the unbearable heat. "come on!" one of them screamed. "why is this taking so long?!" "if it''s so easy, why don''t you do it?! the heroes are clearly doing their best!" "best? we''re still in here, aren''t we?! what kind of ''best'' is that? tch©¤©¤fuck this!" "shut up! miss infinity will get us out¡ªshe''s one of the good ones!" miss infinity ignored the bickering. ¡ºcan''t these guys fucking shut up©¤©¤?! i swear they remind me of ikea customers when they''re complaining about the shittiest things like furniture!¡» she raised her hand and created a shimmering spatial sphere that began to slice through the rubble like a surgeon''s scalpel. suddenly, another explosion ripped through the building. ¡­ doooooooom!! the ceiling above the group collapsed, but miss infinity spun around and quickly threw up a second sphere. ¡­ zinnnggg©¤©¤©¤©¤skreeeessshh!! the debris smashed harmlessly against the barrier and crashed to the ground. "move!" she ripped apart the debris blocking the exit and the chunks disintegrated into pebbles that scattered across the floor. the civilians cheered, then stumbled forward after her. there was hope yet. ??? meanwhile, two floors above¡­ clad in his gleaming gold super suit, the peak stood at the head of a group of twelve terrified civilians. sweat poured down his face as the fire raged around them while his fragile breathing shallowed. "this is too much¡­" he gripped his chest to calm the panic painfully clawing at his chest. ¡ºwhat the hell do they expect me to do? carry all twelve of them? even fortitude couldn''t pull this off!¡» behind him, a coughing civilian grinned weakly. "don''t worry, folks! the peak is here! s-rank hero! we''re as good as saved!" the peak shot the man a furious glare. ¡ºyeah, sure. because this is a walk in the park. this is way worse than saving mrs. robinson''s cat!¡» turning back to the group, he forced a dazzling smile and struck a lat spread pose. "fear not! with me here, there''s nothing to worry about! your safety is my priority!" civilians cheered. "peak! peak! peak!" but their celebration was short-lived. a monstrous growl sounded from down the burning hallway, followed by the staccato crack of gunfire. ¡­ groooowwl©¤©¤©¤©¤baaang!! a hero with twin pistols sprinted into view as he fired wildly at a grotesque humanoid creature that slithered after him. its bloated body writhed unnaturally. ¡­ growl©¤©¤roooooar! almost immediately, its neck elongated and its head split into four grotesque jaws. "stay back!" the gun-wielding hero shouted. "stay©¤©¤©¤©¤!" the creature lunged as its jaws mercilessly clamped down on the hero''s head. ¡­ crunch! it ripped his head free and chewed loudly before spitting out the crushed skull. "disgusting¡­" it hissed. the peak froze. all of a sudden, his super pants got soaked. ¡ºno¡­ no, no, no, no¡ª¡» the monstrous creature took heavy steps down the burning hallway and each one echoed like a death knell through the crackling inferno. ¡­ kreeeeee!! one of its massive clawed hands scraped against the concrete wall and left deep, jagged grooves in its wake. its breaths came in low, sickening hisses, and its malformed body twitched horrifyingly. it was red. a heavy mass of blood-red skin covered him. he had yellowish-brown spikes and jagged like fractured bone. his shoulders sported armor plating that shone dully in the firelight, and his techno-organic appearance gave him an even more horrifying presence. exposed metallic tubes writhed along his flesh and pumped some unknown substance as black, pulsating veins webbed his skin like grotesque tattoos. red''s voice slithered through the smoke-filled air. it sounded like a deep, distorted growl. "so¡­ which other foolish hero wants to play the savior tonight? come on¡­ i''m ready for all of you." he chuckled like a cruel, inhuman creature as his glowing red eyes bore into the crowd of terrified civilians. attached to his back by a long, fleshy rope was brigid. she was barely recognizable through her bloodied and battered body. she dangled like a broken doll while her head lolled almost lifelessly. ¡­ hnnnn s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. a small groan escaped her lips. the civilians gasped in unison. some staggered back in horror, and others doubled over, retching at the sight. their fear radiated off them like a visible wave, and even the heat of the flames seemed less suffocating than the sheer presence of red. the peak was equally frozen. his panicking eyes darted between the civilians behind him and the monstrosity before him. his heart pounded violently in his chest. ¡ºfuck this¡­¡» he wanted to run, to turn and disappear. but then, he felt hands pressing against his back. "you''ve got this, peak!" "we believe in you! you''re an s-rank hero!" "you''re the best¡ªwe know you can do it!" the civilians'' shaky voices betrayed their desperation, but their trust only made the bile rise in the peak''s throat. he stammered and his knees trembled as he tried to backpedal. "h-, heh, listen¡­ i can''t¡ªi mean, not me! i-, i''ll¡ª" red tilted his head. a nightmarish grin split his face apart. this was him mocking the peak. "this is the hero they send? this trembling, spineless trash? how disappointing." he chuckled darkly while flexing his black claws. "i''ve seen rats with more backbone. no matter. garbage is garbage." with that, he raised one massive arm and the flesh morphed grotesquely as it transformed into a mutated four-barreled plasma cannon. the barrels hissed, glowing white-hot with smoke curling around them. he aimed it directly at the peak. "now burn, you pathetic little speck." the peak''s entire body shook, but then something inside him snapped. his grunted and he took a trembling step forward. "who¡­ who are you calling garbage?!" the civilians gasped as the peak straightened his back and planted his feet firmly on the ground. he spread his legs and threw his arms wide as veins bulged across his body. ¡­ boooooom!! a golden light began to shimmer around him, faint at first, but growing brighter with every second. "i''m the peak!" he roared. the golden aura surged around him and blasted through the ceiling to tear into the night sky. "i''m the peak of human potential! a monster like you doesn''t get to call me garbage!" the ground quaked as his aura intensified. it even pushed the civilians back. the air itself seemed to quiver with energy as he flexed every muscle in his body. "i can make myself ten times stronger! ten times faster! and i''ll show you just how strong i am!" the crowd erupted in cheers. "peak! peak! peak!" fueled by their belief, the peak charged forward like a human missile, surging with golden energy. ¡­ blam©¤©¤©¤©¤duuuuuuumm!! his fist collided with red''s chest, and the resulting explosion rocked the entire structure. dust and debris filled everywhere as the golden light blinded everyone momentarily. as the glow faded, the civilians squinted through the settling smoke. "did he do it?" one whispered. "he had to! he''s the peak!" another said. "yeah! he''s unbeatable!" the cheering grew louder¡ªuntil the smoke cleared. there stood red, completely unscathed. his massive body hadn''t budged an inch, and his glowing eyes burned with cruel amusement. in one swift motion, his clawed hand reached out to grab the peak''s body like a toy. the peak screamed in agony as red''s claws dug into his sides and blood trickled down. red tightened his grip, then lifted the peak effortlessly off the ground. "what''s ten times zero?" red growled with a devilish grin. Chapter 86 ~Intermission~ Therapy From the Future the office was a swirl of pink hues¡ªsoft pastels on the walls, a plush carpet with intricate rose patterns, and floral accents scattered across the room.a faint aroma of lavender lingered in the air and mingled with the gentle clink of porcelain as dr. goode prepared tea at his desk. the resting chairs, more akin to luxurious lounge beds, were angled just so, allowing the two women to lay back comfortably and stare at the ceiling. emma let out a soft sigh as her yellow eyes traced the faint swirls in the ceiling design. maya was next to her, uncharacteristically silent, her hands clasped tightly across her stomach. dr. goode, with his perfectly trimmed beard and slightly theatrical demeanor, added another cube of sugar to the tea before stirring it meticulously. "now, emma¡­" his voice was both deep and smooth. "can you repeat what you said before? you know, the thing about being selfish with the man you love?" emma inhaled deeply. "well¡­" her voice grew softer. "it''s¡­ it''s complicated to put into words again. but, um, i just don''t know how not to be selfish with the only man i''ve ever really felt¡­ well, love for. it''s like¡­" her words faltered, and she frowned, struggling to express the storm in her chest. "it''s like making a friend for the first time after being lonely for so long. you treasure them so much that it''s hard to adjust to seeing them play with others, even if you know they''ll still give you attention." enjoy exclusive chapters from empire dr. goode raised an eyebrow as his hands still swirled the spoon in his teacup. "hmm¡­ so, you''re scared he''ll start moving around with other women?" emma bit her lip. she tried to shift slightly in her chair to look at him, but the moment her head tilted, dr. goode''s voice was sharp. "ah, ah, ah!" he wagged a finger without even looking. "keep your eyes on the ceiling, miss graves." emma groaned softly. "alright, alright." she adjusted her position again. "as i was saying¡­" her voice grew quieter, almost hesitant. "it''s not just that i''m scared he''ll¡­ move around. i''m scared of his potential." dr. goode''s stirring slowed. this was only their first session yet she was so open. emma sighed heavily. "i mean, he''s incredible. so incredible that i''m even scared to post our pictures together on social media because¡­ what if he gets famous? popular? what if he finds someone better than me?" her voice cracked slightly, and she covered her eyes with her arm. "i don''t want to be obsessive or bitchy about it, but every time i think about him with someone else, i feel this¡­ overwhelming urge to¡ª" she paused to swallow hard. "well, to kill someone." maya''s head turned slightly toward her friend. "whoa¡­" dr. goode hummed thoughtfully and finally set down the spoon and lifted the tray of tea. "hmm, i see where this is going¡­" he carried the tray over. "basically, you''re a crazy woman in love. uh-huh¡­ rare to find these days." emma let out a soft chuckle despite herself. "is it because we''re¡­ special?" dr. goode''s lips twitched into a wry smile. "no¡­ because they''re usually in a psych ward." he set the tray on the table between them. emma''s smile faded immediately. "oh¡­" she muttered as her half-lidded eyes glared at him. dr. goode took a small sip of his own tea before crossing one leg over the other. "but seriously¡­ have you ever considered that maybe¡­ just maybe, you''re putting too much ownership into this relationship?" emma frowned. "what do you mean?" dr. goode leaned back in his chair before swirling the tea in his cup. "well, there''s a belief that having too much control or ownership over something limits its ability to reach its full potential." emma''s frown deepened. "so¡­ are you saying i''m holding him back?" dr. goode chuckled, shaking his head. "ah, no need to get defensive. let me explain." he reached for his notepad on the table and quickly flipped through it. "let''s see¡­ where was it? ah, yes. you said, and i quote¡ª" emma''s eyes widened in horror. "wait, wait! what are you©¤©¤!!" dr. goode ignored her and started reading aloud in his perfectly calm tone. "he''s so hot that whenever i see him, it feels like every unholy cell in my vagina squirts honey so much it''s enough to feed an entire beehive. and my nipples get so hard they could double as tools in a hardware store. all i want is for him to tear my panties off like a horrible report card, grab me by the neck so hard he''ll be taken to court for assault, and then pin me to the wall and uh¡­ well, uhm¡­ fuck me so hard with his stallion-sized¡­ i''ll skip this part¡­ while calling me a little bitch until i start crying like maltreated wife on a¡­" "stop!" emma sat up abruptly as her face burned red. "that''s enough, dr. goode! please!" dr. goode chuckled, then set the notepad aside. "alright, alright. i''ll spare you. but you get the point." meanwhile, maya was frozen, her face pale. her eyes darted toward emma, then back to the ceiling, as if trying to process whether this was the same woman she''d been talking to minutes ago. emma let out a sharp exhale and gave an awkward side-eye toward maya, whose widened eyes screamed of shock and secondhand embarrassment. for a moment, emma''s lips parted as if to say something, but she thought better of it, looked back at the ceiling, and muttered, "whatever¡­" rubbing a hand down her face, she sighed. "so, where''re you going with this?" dr. goode, who had been savoring the warmth of his tea, finished his sip but kept the cup near his lips. "with this sort of¡­ intense, let''s call it ''passionate,'' love you have for this man, you need to learn to love him without stifling his growth as a person." emma frowned and shifted slightly in her chair as an annoyance bubbled beneath her calmness. "what exactly do you mean by that?" dr. goode set the cup down gently, then leaned forward slightly. "you''re the founder and ceo of hermia, one of the most influential companies in the world. with the resources you have at your disposal, you could ensure this man becomes more than just some regular guy. if you already love him as he is, then why wouldn''t you love him when he achieves his full potential?" emma hissed softly, her frustration evident. "the issue isn''t loving him¡­" she sounded like she''d lost it. "it''s¡­ it''s the sharing part. i don''t want to share him with anyone else! but time and time again, things keep happening that make me feel like i have to fight for him." dr. goode chuckled softly, the sound low and almost patronizing. he crossed one leg over the other, then rested his elbow on the arm of his chair. "fight for him? why? if he loves another woman, does that somehow mean he''ll stop loving you? from everything you''ve told me, this man clearly kissed another woman before you, yet here you are, loving him this much anyway. have you ever considered how hard it must be for him to reject women deserving of his affection, just to be with you? that kind of sacrifice¡­ it''s hell, miss graves." emma''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "you don''t understand at all what i''m saying. if he feels the same way about me, then he should have no problem turning down other women. i''d do the same for him without hesitation! why should it be any different for him?" dr. goode sighed as the weight of her words settled heavily on him. he leaned back in his chair and rested his head against his palm, looking for all the world like a teacher exhausted by grading subpar essays. "alright¡­" he sounded deeply exasperated. "let''s try this another way. imagine miss rivera here¡ª" maya blinked in surprise and pointed at herself. "me?" "yes, you." dr. goode nodded. "imagine she was the one this man fell in love with first. they''re dating, living a happy life together, and then you somehow fall for him anyway. how would you feel if he rejected you? how would you deal with it?" the room fell deathly silent. emma sat up abruptly as tears filled her eyes. "that''s¡­ that''s not fair¡­" she looked angry and hurt¡­ all at once. dr. goode raised a hand quickly. "miss graves, no, sit dow¡ª" "no!" emma''s voice was sharp as a blade. she pointed a trembling finger at him while her face flushed with fury. "you better shut your mouth! i won scott fair and square. you don''t have the right to sit there and spew this garbage about him being with someone else and me being the one rejected! i''ll never imagine a world where i''m not with him, much less one where he chooses someone else over me!" she slammed her fist onto the table with enough force to rattle the tea tray. "that''ll never happen!" before anyone could respond, emma vanished in a blur of motion as the sheer speed of her departure left the room in stunned silence. "emma!" maya called out, scrambling to her feet. she made to follow but stopped when dr. goode placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "let her go¡­" he said calmly. "it''s better we leave her to think. she needs this." maya hesitated before sinking back into her chair. "o-, okay, then¡­" she murmured, very confused. dr. goode stood and dusted imaginary lint off his vest. "i''ll be back. just need to take a quick¡­ phone call." maya frowned, raising a brow as she watched him leave. "scott¡­ that''s his name?" ??? in another room¡­ dr. goode flicked the switch to brighten the place. his heart nearly leapt out of his chest when a deep voice spoke from the shadows. "so, how did it go?" dr. goode recoiled as his back slammed against the door. seated casually on a worn sofa in the corner was scott, though he looked older, more worn. his hair was slicked back, slightly messy and longer than before, and a black eye patch covered his right eye. dressed in a plain black hoodie and matching pants, he exuded an air of quiet menace. his one visible eye was dark and emotionless as it fixed on the startled therapist. sea??h th§× n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "damn it, scott!" dr. goode gasped as he clutched his chest. "you''ve got to stop doing that!" scott rose from the sofa, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his hoodie. his presence was heavy, almost suffocating as he closed the distance between them. "have you convinced her yet?" scott''s voice was low, scary even¡­ enough that it made dr. goode''s pulse quicken. dr. goode adjusted his collar nervously. "it''s not that simple. convincing a woman to share her man with someone else¡­ it''s not exactly a walk in the park¡ª" scott grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward. "do i look like i have the time to wait? do i©¤©¤?!" "i¡­ i uh¡­" "do i?!" scott slammed him against the door. dr. goode swallowed hard as a sweat bead on his brow. "n-no¡­ but if you want this to work, rushing her won''t help either. she''s stubborn, and¡ª" "then find a way." scott''s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "because if you don''t, everything i''m trying to protect¡­ will fall apart." dr. goode exhaled softly while his palms trembled as they gently covered scott''s larger, rougher hands. the pressure of scott''s grip eased slightly, though the tension in his body remained ever present. "scott¡­" dr. goode called his name almost like a father. "you need to breathe. just calm down, alright? i''m not your enemy here. if you want me to help, i need time. do you understand that? i''ll convince her. i don''t know the whole story, but i trust you. if this is as important as you''re making it out to be, then i''ll make sure it happens." scott''s single eye remained on him. but after a moment of strained silence, he let out a low, guttural sigh and released dr. goode, who stumbled slightly but kept his composure. scott coughed. ¡­ hack©¤©¤©¤©¤hackk!! it was a harsh and wet sound. his hand shot up instinctively to cover his mouth. when he pulled it back, his palm was red. both men froze, as their eyes locked on the blood. dr. goode''s heart sank. "mr. mcqueen¡­" scott glanced at the blood, then back at the man. "do you see now?" his voice was hoarse. "there''s no time." dr. goode hesitated, then nodded solemnly. "i''ll get you some water, alright? you need to¡ª" "no." scott shook his head sharply. "i can''t stay. i''ll be back here at exactly midnight. not a minute earlier, not a minute later." dr. goode frowned as his brows wrinkled in concern. "midnight? why? what''s happening? please, you need to explain¡ª" scott brushed past him. his steps faltered slightly before he stopped at the door and glanced back over his shoulder. "today is the most important day of my life." there was no heart in his words nor his voice. "i have to make sure i fix everything." dr. goode''s frown deepened. "fix what? sir, please, even just a little context¡ª" "i can''t." scott shook his head as his head dropped briefly. "what i can tell you is this: today, i break a promise. a promise that reshapes my life and pushes me to grow into the person i need to be. but it also makes me enemies¡ªpowerful ones. ones my past self can''t afford to have right now. if i don''t fix this, everything i''m trying to protect will be destroyed." dr. goode opened his mouth to protest, but scott''s voice turned sharper. "just do your job, alright?" before dr. goode could respond, scott''s body was enveloped in a burst of blue light. the energy crackled faintly as he vanished and left the therapist standing alone in stunned silence. outside, scott reappeared just beyond the front steps of dr. goode''s house. he adjusted his hoodie and began walking away. "whoa! how''d you do that just now?!" scott froze mid-step and his body went rigid as his blood ran cold. that voice¡ªhe knew it. slowly, he turned his head. his tired eyes narrowed as he saw her. emma stood a few feet behind him, her arms crossed, her lips parted in curiosity. her earlier frustration had faded, replaced by wide-eyed amazement. scott''s heart skipped a beat, but his face managed to remain impassive. "emma¡­" Chapter 87 ~Intermission~ Black and Yellow emma took a hesitant step back as her brows furrowed in confusion.her hand shot out to point at scott. "how the fuck do you know my name©¤©¤?!" her voice rose sharply. scott''s eye twitched ever so slightly. he looked away, then scratched the back of his neck as if trying to conjure a plausible excuse. "i didn''t say your name¡­" his tone was casual, almost too casual. emma narrowed her eyes while her hands settled in the pockets of her denim jeans. she scoffed as her lips curled into a smirk. "psssh¡ªyeah, right. i heard you. you said my name. and not just like, ''oh, hey, emma.'' no, it was like one of those dramatic movie moments, where the guy hasn''t seen his long-lost love in, like, forever. all ''emmaaaaaa'' with the deep, emotional tone." she leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as she tapped a finger against her chin in bogus contemplation. "but, uh¡­" she trailed off and her ingenue eyes flicked over scott''s rugged, worn face. "that doesn''t make sense either. because, y''know, i''ve never seen you before. ever." she took a step closer, tilting her head and squinting at him like he was some kind of puzzle to solve. lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, she looked around as if there was anything to be suspicious about and spoke to him. "so, it''s kinda weird for you to be calling my name all romantically and stuff. might have to call my boyfriend to come kick your ass." she squeezed her eyes shut like a newborn. "and trust me he''ll do it!" emma straightened up with a light chuckle as her playful grin erased the earlier tension. scott tilted his head slightly as a faint, almost wistful smile dragged at the corner of his lips. "wouldn''t be the worst thing in the world¡­" he spoke very quietly. emma raised an eyebrow at him as her posture relaxed. "uh-huh. sure, buddy." her gaze swept over his disheveled appearance, and she pinched the hem of his dusty hoodie between two fingers. "what''s with this, by the way? you look like a mess. pretty sure if you cleaned up¡ªstyled your hair a little, maybe wore something that didn''t scream ''i live in a dumpster''¡ªyou''d be pulling all the ladies." she dropped the hoodie and dusted her hands against her jeans. "not me, though. i''ve got a boyfriend. handsome guy, super cool, great in b¡ª" she stopped abruptly and her face flushed slightly as she waved a hand dismissively. "oh, wait, tmi. anyway, he''s awesome." she laughed awkwardly. "ah-haha. look at me, blabbering my entire love life to a stranger. weird, huh? guess my mouth''s running faster than my brain¡­ must be superspeed or something." she paused, then seemed to realize what she''d just said. her eyes widened slightly as she backtracked. "not that i have superspeed or anything! totally average human here. yep. nothing unusual going on at all." scott raised an eyebrow while his expression remained unreadable. emma just gritted her teeth, internally berating herself. ¡ºwhat is wrong with me? she thought. i don''t even know this guy, and yet¡­ i feel like i could just¡­ talk to him? tell him everything? that''s not normal, right?¡» her eyes met scott''s again, and a small realization began to form. she leaned in slightly to properly scrutinize his face. "wait a minute¡­ you kinda look like my boyf¡ª" before she could finish, a new presence interrupted the moment. "hey©¤©¤!!" emma recoiled as a woman suddenly appeared between her and scott. she had soulless yet oddly captivating black eyes and a playful smile that felt just a little too sharp. emma raised her hands defensively. "uh, hey! just so you know, i wasn''t trying to, uh, do anything with your boyfriend or whatever. i have a boyfriend. a hotter one, by the way. way hotter." the woman folded her arms and looked up at scott with a smirk. "trust me, i know you have a boyfriend¡­" it almost sounded like she was teasing the man. "i was just wondering if he does." scott scratched the back of his neck again, then looked away awkwardly. "tch. whatever." emma blinked at the strange interaction, raising a hand to wave them off. "well, uh¡­ i don''t want to get in the way, so i''ll just¡ª" her words died in her throat as she got a better look at the woman standing before her. there was something¡­ familiar about her. something she couldn''t quite put into words. the woman noticed emma''s lingering stare and tilted her head innocently. "what? something wrong?" emma shook her head quickly. "no, it''s just¡­ i don''t say this often, but you''re, uh¡­ beautiful. not just, like, in a physical way, but¡­ there''s something about you. it''s familiar, somehow." the woman''s eyes sparkled with mischief. "oh? is that so?" emma nodded slowly as a small smile tugged at her lips. "yeah. uh¡­ what''s your name?" the woman grinned wider. "death¡­" emma blinked. "eh? death?" scott immediately smacked the woman on the head. "use your proper name, idiot!" the woman pouted and rubbed her head before turning back to emma with a sheepish smile. "fine. it''s denise." emma hesitated, still unsure how to process what had just happened. "oh¡­ that''s a nice name. denise." denise winked at her. "thanks. you''re not too bad yourself, emma graves. hah~ grave¡­ how ironic¡­" she found it oddly funny. emma froze. "wait¡­ how do you know my¡ª" before she could finish, scott groaned and turned to walk away. "this is gonna be a long day¡­" he muttered under his breath. ??? emma crossed her arms and her brow wrinkled as she watched scott shuffle away with his hunched posture making him look like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. she tilted her head toward denise, then raised an eyebrow. "okay, what''s wrong with him?" denise followed emma''s gaze as her sharp, black eyes narrowed slightly when observing scott''s retreating figure. she then turned back to emma with a casual shrug. "he must''ve eaten bad soup¡­" emma blinked. "bad soup?" "yeah, happens to the best of us." denise''s tone was completely serious, though the playful curve of her lips clued at naughtiness. "ohhh¡­" emma trailed off, clearly unconvinced, but she chose not to press further. instead, her attention shifted to denise. denise had skin so pale it looked like all the color had been drained from it, giving her an almost ghostly appearance. her deep black eyes seemed to pull you in, and she wore black lipstick on her perfectly bow-shaped lips, which added to her striking, gothic look. her medium-length black hair was messy in a way that somehow enhanced her mysterious beauty rather than detracting from it. she was dressed entirely in black¡ªa crop top under a jacket, paired with fitted pants and sturdy boots, completing her dark and edgy style. emma''s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡ºnote to fucking self: make sure my man''s not charmed by a friggin'' goth girl. holy frick.¡» she cleared her throat and gestured vaguely at denise''s outfit. "so, uh¡­ black must be your favorite color, huh?" denise tilted her head as her attractive black lips curled into a small smile. "that''s because i enjoy the idea of non-existence." emma blinked with a blank face. "non-existence?" denise giggled softly. ¡­ tee-hee ?~ hee ?!! her pale hand rose to cover her mouth. the redness of her cheeks stood out starkly against her alabaster skin, resembling ripe tomatoes. "oh, that''s right. you wouldn''t get it." emma frowned slightly, curiosity gnawing at her. "try me." denise rested a hand on her wide hip and extended the other as if presenting a concept. "i like black because it''s the result of the absence or complete absorption of light. and for many, light represents life. so, the absence or complete absorption of life would be¡­" emma raised an eyebrow. "death?" denise snapped her fingers and pointed at her. "bingo. death is black, black is death¡ªit''s a primordial color." emma chuckled, shaking her head. "uh-huh. primordial color. that''s one way to put it." denise blinked several times, acting confused. "what? you don''t believe me?" emma shrugged, a smirk tugging at her lips. "i mean, i believe the whole death-is-black thing, but the ''primordial color'' stuff? sounds kinda silly." denise stroked her chin thoughtfully, then smiled softly. "alright then. i''ll prove it to you." she pointed at emma as her sharp gaze locked onto her. "your eyes were originally brown, right? but after getting your powers, they turned yellow." emma stiffened slightly but said nothing while her lips pressed into a thin line. denise continued. "yellow represents things like joy, happiness, optimism¡ªall common traits in speedsters. but it also represents jealousy, betrayal, danger. a little¡­ darker side, wouldn''t you say?" her smile grew as she leaned in slightly. "with a core personality like that, i just hope you don''t try to kill someone someday. hah~" emma''s mouth fell open and her thoughts raced, but no words came out. she just stood there, utterly stunned. denise patted her on the shoulder. her touch was surprisingly gentle. "see? that''s the primordial color of yellow. ahah! not so silly now, is it?" with that, denise slotted her hands back into her pockets and slowly backed away, smiling. "still though, yellow''s waaaay better than red. nothing good ever comes from that color." emma snapped out of her daze just as denise turned and began walking toward a nearby alleyway. "wait¡ªhow''d you know i have powers? how''d you¡ª" before she could finish, emma dashed forward in a blur of motion as her superspeed carried her to the alley in an instant. but when she rounded the corner, there was nothing. continue reading at empire no denise. no scott. the alley was empty¡­ as though no one had been there at all. panting softly, emma scanned the area with confusion written all over her face. "wait¡­ no¡­ i''m sure she¡­" she couldn''t find the words. it was flabbergasting to say the least. ??? meanwhile¡­ several blocks away, scott leaned against a lamppost, arms crossed as he waited. when denise finally arrived, whistling innocently, he shot her a pointed look. "you wasted too much time." denise smiled at him, but this smile wasn''t the playful and innocent one she''d shown emma. this one was hot, flirtatious, and brimming with sexual thirst. "oh, nothing. just talking to my sister. no biggie. or is that not allowed either?" she folded her arms under her breasts and tilted her head as if challenging him. "you beg me to help you come back here, and yet you don''t let me have any fun? that''s no fun¡­ especially considering how many innocent souls died today because of you." her voice dropped into a mockingly solemn tone as she sighed dramatically. "i really hate compromising my work, but i''ll make an exception for love." she squeezed her face and her expression twisted into one of disgust. "not that bitch, love. ugh." she shot scott a seductive look. "¡­ i mean, i love you." she pouted with exaggerated sweetness. "sooooo~ when are you going to show me some of that love, monogamyman?" scott gave her a side-eye, clearly unimpressed. "yeah, no. not only would your father probably erase me and this planet, but i''m not about to stick my¡ª" he gestured vaguely. "¡ªinto someone who''d turn it into a rotten piece of flesh." denise gasped as she clutched her chest theatrically. "aww, daddy''s not that cruel. and besides, it''s not like he doesn''t know how important you are¡­" she grinned very teasingly. "also, i heard guys would do anything for a goth girl. even if it means getting a rotten dick." scott slapped a hand over his face and groaned. "just open the damn portal, denise." denise shrugged, clearly enjoying herself. with a casual twirl of her hand, a long, black scythe materialized in her grip. she slashed it through the air to tear open a rift in space. sear?h the novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡­ slash©¤©¤©¤©¤bwooooorrp!! she smiled at scott. "alright, let''s go." Chapter 88 High-level Disaster green box convention center¡­among the fiery chaos stood judy cho. "we''re live here at the scene of what appears to be an unprecedented attack during the smpe¡­" judy tightened her grip on her mic and managed to remain calm regardless of the disaster around him. the camera panned over burning debris and haggard civilians being carried to safety. "as of now, we have no concrete details about the situation inside. however, early reports suggest a monstrous threat has emerged, and a number of our heroes are engaged in combat to neutralize it." nearby, rival reporters ambushed bloodied and exhausted civilians being carried on stretchers and thrust microphones into their faces. "did you see what happened up there?" "are there still people trapped inside?" "do you think the heroes are doing their job?" too dazed and traumatized to respond properly, the victims could only shake their heads or mumble incoherently. their exhaustion was clear as day, but the relentless reporters pushed on. read new chapters at empire however, judy remained steadfast. she maintained that professional poise and gave the camera a firm, knowledgeable smile. "while details remain unclear, it seems that several rookie heroes are stepping up admirably in this crisis. rhinoman has been seen carrying both civilians and wounded heroes to safety, demonstrating his more than incredible strength and endurance. "ruse, with his unique energy card abilities, is providing a steady stream of platforms to float survivors safely to the ground. gadget girl, ever resourceful, has constructed an emergency slide on the east side of the building, allowing others to escape more efficiently. "these heroes may be new, but their actions tonight are proving their worth." the cameraman gave judy a silent thumbs-up, but the faint buzz of her earpiece quickly soured her mood. she pressed a finger to her comm. "miss infinity?" her voice came out as a whisper. "but i haven''t seen her do anything yet¡ªwhat do you mean i have to talk about her? i''m not reporting fake¡ª" a sharp voice cut her off. "say it, or you''re fired, judy. plenty of others would kill for your spot." judy''s jaw tightened. she exhaled as she carefully hid her frustration behind a tight-lipped smile. "we''ve just received word that miss infinity, the prodigy of russia''s skyfort academy, is also on-site and contributing in her own incredible way. with her unmatched training, she''s more than capable of handling this crisis singlehandedly. stay tuned as we gather more updates." the cameraman blinked and lowered his lens briefly to give judy a look. she avoided his eyes and sighed softly as let the heat of the burning building distract her from the heat of her employer''s demands. ??? inside the inferno¡­ the tension was suffocating. a barely breathing the peak had been tossed aside like a broken doll. he lay slumped against a collapsed wall and muttered incoherent apologies as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto crawl further away. surrounding red were four rookie heroes. there was the man in a cracked and dented rhinoceros-like armor who pawed at the ground angrily. calm and collected, ruse shuffled a glowing deck of energy cards between his fingers. gadget girl adjusted her metallic gauntlets as she tried desperately to drown the deep fear written in her eyes. finally, mr. sphere, ever composed, levitated two shimmering anti-gravity orbs above his palms. rhinoman growled as his nostrils flared. "tch. i can''t believe the peak is such a fraud. an s-tier hero, and this is all he can do? pathetic!" ruse gave his comrade a side-eye. "now''s really not the time, rhino. focus." "of course it''s the time!" rhinoman snapped as his massive fist smashed into the nearby rubble. "do you see what this bastard did to psyche?! she''s barely older than gadget girl, and he tore her apart like she was like those s-tier heroes who really deserve a beating!" gadget girl''s lips quivered, but she kept her stance firm. "i¡­ i feel bad for psyche too, but¡­ we can''t lose focus now. we have to stop him." "enough!" mr. sphere''s voice cut through the argument. the glowing orbs in his hands expanded slightly and crackled with energy. "we deal with all that later. right now, we finish this." red watched their back-and-forth as his monstrous grin split his face unnaturally wide. "done bickering? good. i was getting bored." he stretched his grotesque arms and the sound of cracking bones and hissing steam sparked. "so, you''re actually going to fight me? finally." rhinoman snorted and his nostrils flared with anger as he scraped his massive feet against the ground. "i''ve had enough of your smug face!" he roared fiercely. without waiting for a signal, he charged and his horn gleamed in the flickering light of the flames. the ground trembled under his weight and his raw power left cracks in the floor as he barreled forward. unflinching, red let out a low, menacing chuckle. "oh, you''re coming to me? perfect." his right arm twisted grotesquely, bone and machinery fusing together in a sickening biomechanical mutation. the appendage expanded into a hulking, high-tech battering ram as propulsion engines near his elbow roared to life. "let''s dance." the collision was explosive. rhinoman''s horn met red''s battering ram with a deafening boooom! for a brief moment, it seemed like rhinoman might hold his ground. but then red''s battering ram ignited with a burst of kinetic energy and moved faster than the eye could follow. rhinoman''s skull cracked under the force. blood sprayed as his massive body was hurled backward like a cannonball, tearing through walls as if they were paper. he didn''t even have time to process the pain; his world was a blur of rubble and blood before he crashed into a billboard outside the building. the impact was brutal. steel beams from the billboard pierced through his abdomen and chest and locked him in place like a grotesque piece of modern art. "raaaaaaargh!!" rhinoman screamed with raw pain. he instinctively reached for the jagged poles jutting out of his body but stopped himself, biting down on his lip so hard it bled. his vision swam as he gasped for air and the flaming building below him blurred into a red haze. back inside the inferno, red flexed his mutated arm. steam hissed as the battering ram retracted slightly. his wide grin returned¡­ full of nothing but malice. "well, that was fun." he turned to the remaining heroes as his bloodshot eyes narrowed with excitement. "who''s next?" before he could finish his taunt, ruse acted. "shut the hell up!" a flurry of glowing energy cards shot out of his hands, slicing through the air like bullets. the first wave detonated against red''s chest, sending small bursts of light and smoke. but ruse didn''t stop. "you son of a bitch!!" he flicked card after card to create a cascade of explosions that forced red to take a step back. "sphere! do it!" ruse yelled. mr. sphere didn''t need to be told twice. he thrust his hands forward, and the anti-gravity orbs above his palms merged into a shimmering dome that engulfed red. the air around red distorted as the sphere expanded to lock him in place and slow his every movement. "now, gadget girl!" mr. sphere barked. trembling, but still determined, gadget girl slapped a button on her backpack. six metallic spider legs shot out and whirred fiercely. "alright. i-, i can do this©¤©¤!" she squeezed her fists tight and took a deep breath. the spider legs moved with synchronization and carried her across the rubble-strewn room with inhuman agility. red''s sensors activated to lock onto her rapid movements. "cute toys¡­" he sneered. before he could react, four of the spider legs fired concentrated energy beams. the blasts tore through the anti-gravity sphere and struck red''s body to leave smoking holes in his torso. still, red didn''t scream. "tch," mr. sphere muttered. "he''s tougher than i thought." gadget girl grinned nervously. she patted one of her spider legs like it was a little dog. "good job, guys. you'' re doing great." red''s eyes narrowed. [anti-gravity technology analyzed. countermeasures prepared. replicating design specs.] red smirked. "wonderful." the anti-gravity sphere around him began to warp and twist as red, fleshy tendrils spread across its surface and corrupted it entirely. "no." mr. sphere''s voice wavered. slowly, he took steps back. "he-, he''s taking control!" before he could react, the corrupted sphere reversed and instantly locked him in place. "no!" mr. sphere shouted as he struggled against the energy field, but it was useless. red turned his gaze to ruse, who was already launching another wave of cards. "you''re annoying¡­" red growled. with a single motion, red''s arm extended grotesquely and stretched across the room like a whip. his massive hand latched onto ruse and slammed him into the ground. "stop struggling!" red muttered, then pressed ruse through wall after wall like a hammer driving a nail. by the time ruse''s limp body hit the ground six walls away, he was unconscious and covered in blood. "ruse©¤©¤!!" gadget girl screamed and her voice cracked as she clasped her hands over her mouth. her spider legs faltered. what they got from the presence of red, they didn''t sense danger¡­ they felt fear. red turned his gaze to her and his grin widened. "well, little spider¡­" he took two heavy steps forward. "no¡­" mr. sphere finally spoke up. the anti-gravity still had him locked in place. he pounded his fists against the invisible barrier as his voice turned raw with desperation. "red! leave her alone!" he let out a scream that sounded like he was the one about to die. in a way, it felt like he would. gadget girl was only 19, barely more than a kid. the thought of her being killed just because she had no other choice but to risk her life as a superhero was too much for him to handle. red''s monstrous laughter echoed in the ruined room. he tilted his head and sadistically ended his tyrannous laugh with a low, fearsome chuckle. "leave her alone?" red shook his head slowly. "you''re not really helping her case, old man. if anything, that just makes me want to kill her all the more." mr. sphere thrashed against the confines of the corrupted sphere as his usually calm demeanor crumbled. "gadget girl, ruuuuuuun!!" the metallic spider legs sprung to life to propel gadget girl across the destroyed room and toward the shattered wall. her movements were erratic, truly fueled by sheer panic as the spider legs carried her down the side of the building at breakneck speed. ¡­ tap, tap, tap©¤©¤©¤©¤crink!! she didn''t stop, not even once. however, would that be enough? red''s grotesque arm morphed again. the flesh peeled back to reveal a four-barreled plasma cannon with glowing blue tips. he leveled it at gadget girl with precision. "nooooooo!" mr. sphere''s voice echoed. the plasma cannon roared and a blinding beam of energy ripped through the air. the blast slammed into gadget girl mid-crawl and engulfed her in a wave of searing heat. "aaaaaarrghhhhh!!" her screams pierced the night. her small, fragile body convulsed as the plasma melted through her suit and flesh. smoke and the acrid stench of burning flesh covered everywhere. onlookers outside the building gasped in horror, some screaming, others covering their faces. even the most hardened heroes felt a wave of nausea as the cries of this young lady haunted their souls. "arrreghhh! aaacckh!!" gadget girl clawed at her hair as she pulled out strands in a futile attempt to alleviate the unbearable pain. she collapsed onto the pavement below, then wriggled and screeched like a worm caught in a fire. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ during this time¡­ a few blocks away, nightwatch soared through the night sky as his grappling hooks propelled him from one building to the next. the minimal glow of his holoscope illuminated his right eye to display a constant stream of chat messages from his viewers. normally, he wouldn''t bother listening to them too closely. but this time, he focused on their words as he tried to piece together a clear picture of the situation he was about to face. [bro, can''t you go any faster? people are getting roasted alive in there!] ©¸ [uh-huh¡­ says the guy eating doritos in his mom''s basement. chill, dude. ????] [fr tho, y''all really be acting like he''s superman or sum shit like that. let the man work.] [nah, fr, these viewers be wild. bet they got chatterbox mod builds talkin'' like this.] ©¸ [fr, be saying shit like "if my girl ain''t built like mewtwo i don''t want her" man shut yo ass up. ????] --- nightwatch smirked under his mask. he performed an aerial roll before landing on a rooftop where crouched low then glanced at the chat. "what''s this about a-tier heroes?" he was calm but curious. "i thought this was just a regular fire." [lmao, regular fire? nah, man. reports are saying it''s a high-level disaster.] [yeah, dude, they''re saying it might''ve been planned.] [brooooo, could it be grave again? last time that dude showed up, half of nyc got leveled.] ©¸ [no it didn''t¡­ ????] ©¸ [fr, these people be gassing up grave like crazy. ????] [grave is mid-tier at best. this sounds bigger. maybe a lady fortress villain? ????¡­] nightwatch sighed under his high-tech mask. "red, huh? great. just what i need." he leaped off the building as his grappling hooks fired in quick succession. as he approached the green box convention center, the dying glow of fire illuminated the streets. his holoscope pinged as more messages rolled in. [omg, is that rhinoman??] [no way! bro looks like shish kebab. ????] [someone help him! he''s still alive, right??] [bro got folded like a lawn chair. rip rhinoman.] ©¸ [he''s probably dead. ????] ©¸ [yeah, along with his career. ????] ©¸ [bro stop this¡­ i wanna make heaven ????] --- nightwatch landed on a nearby rooftop. quickly, his holoscope did a zoom-in and spotted the ruined billboard below. rhinoman''s massive body hung from the steel beams, skewered like a piece of meat. blood dripped steadily onto the ground and pooled in thick red puddles. steam even hissed from his wounds, and faint groans escaped his lips. "damn it¡­" nightwatch clenched his fists. his holoscope pinged again. [$100 for rhinoman. he was a good dude. ????] ©¸ [wait, was? ????] [$5. lmfao, bro got yeeted.] [yeah, i also dropped $300 for his health.] ©¸ [you did not drop $300. shut yo lying ass up before i spread your juicy cheeks, lil bro ????????] ©¸ [i swear you guys can''t take anything seriously.] [have some respect! he''s literally dying!] [???????????? mans got horn-checked into next week.] --- nightwatch shook his head. "now''s not the time¡­" he muted the chat for a moment. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ also¡­ a golden and blue expanse swirled around scott and denise like a living aurora as threads of light danced and merged to form shapes and fractals that felt alive. scott stumbled forward and his hand clutched his chest as veins of crackling blue surged to the surface of his skin like living wires trying to escape. he groaned as his breath hitched. sea??h th§× n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "no¡­ the blue technophage is reacting. it''s about to happen. i have to stop it¡ª" his sentence was cut off by a violent cough. the blue technophage squeezed out of his veins more. denise gave scott a side-eye. "even if we get there in time, you can''t stop it." scott staggered but met her eyes. "you don''t understand¡ª" "no, you don''t understand¡­" denise wanted to show how worried she was, but the man standing in front of her wasn''t the same person she once knew, let alone the one she had fallen in love with. they had come here to save the scott from the past, but deep down, all she really wanted was to see the man who could make someone as cold as her smile like an innocent child. it was selfish, sure¡ªbut it was also love. "this has to happen. the past you needs to lose his humanity, even if just for a moment. without that, you''ll never grow into the person you need to be¡ªthe person you are now." she tightened her grip on her scythe. ¡ºand as much as i hate that¡­ it has to happen¡­¡» scott gritted his teeth and his jaw tightened as his hand pressed harder against his chest, as if he could force the technophage back. the blue veins pulsed angrily to match the frantic pace of his heartbeat. "and what about everyone in the city, denise? you''re asking me to let him turn into a monster and gamble that he doesn''t wipe out thousands of innocent people!" denise sighed and brushed a strand of her black hair behind her ear as she looked forward. there was that unreadable expression on her whitish face again. "that''s the point of this trip. to make sure he doesn''t. but whether you like it or not, this is the only way. you can''t grow without falling first. you know that better than anyone." scott''s fist clenched as he stared at her. she was right©¤©¤he knew it. ??? note: merry christmas, guys!! also, scott''s sister appears in the next chapter. Chapter 89 The Symbol of Correction scott mcqueen.a boy who didn''t look older than seven, sat on the grassy hill with his legs stretched out. beside him, a girl of about four or five leaned back on her tiny arms, mimicking his posture as they gazed up at the soft morning sky. the golden hue of the rising sun bathed their faces, and the breeze carried the scent of dew-kissed grass. scottie turned her head toward her older brother. her big blue eyes has that innocence that only a child could possess. "big brother¡­" she spoke softly and respectfully. "why don''t you talk about heroes as much as you used to? you used to tell me all these cool stories about them. and¡­ you don''t talk about daddy either." she paused as her brows wrinkled. "daddy''s a superst¡ªno, a megastar hero, but you never even say his name." scott let out a long sigh. he propped himself up so he could stare straight ahead at the horizon. "see, that''s the problem, scottie¡­ there''s no such thing as a megastar hero." scottie blinked, confused. "huh? but daddy¡ª" "heroism isn''t about being popular¡­" scott interrupted gently. "people shouldn''t know a superhero because they''re famous for saving people. they should know them because¡­ because they''re a symbol of peace, hope, and protection. when a hero''s around, you shouldn''t feel like taking selfies with them or asking for an autograph. what you should feel¡­" he paused to glance at her small, attentive face. "¡­is safe." scottie tilted her head as her lips formed a tiny ''o.'' "but daddy makes people safe, right? h-, he''s like, really cool and¡ª" "scottie¡­" scott stood up and brushed grass off his shorts. he jammed his hands into his pockets and looked down at her. "your dad''s not my dad. and honestly, i don''t like him." scottie froze as her tiny fists clenched handfuls of grass. "don''t say that, big brother!" she cried as she scrambled to her feet. she grabbed his arm and looked up at him with teary eyes. "don''t call him my dad like that! he''s our dad! he''s your dad too, big brother!" scott''s expression softened as he gently pushed her back a step while his hand lingered on her shoulder. "scottie, listen¡­ it''s okay. it''s fine if he doesn''t love me. i don''t need his approval. i''m going to find my own way, even if it''s as a normal person. i''ll be okay." scottie shook her head vehemently, her pigtails swinging. "no way! big brother isn''t gonna be a normal person!" she thrust a fist into the air. even her big blue eyes were on fire. "we''re gonna be superhero buddies! and¡ªand when i grow up, i''m gonna marry you, big brother! then we''ll be the biggest, strongest couple ever!" scott blinked, then chuckled softly. he ruffled her hair and made her giggle. "you''ve got some wild ideas, scottie. but no, not really. unlike you, i don''t have a force-gene. i don''t have what it takes to be a superhero." scottie''s laughter faded, replaced by a pout. "that''s not true!" she protested, then stamped her foot. "you''re not a flaw, big brother! you''re the bestest big brother in the whole wide universe!" scott smiled faintly as he knelt to her level and patted her head. "thanks, sis. that means a lot. but with how big a hero your dad is, he''s going to make sure you have a bright future¡ªa future i''m not in." scottie''s lips trembled, and she looked up at him with watery eyes. "but why do you think daddy would just leave you out like that? you''re his son too! you''re way too young to be thinking like this, big brother." scott hesitated as his eyes dropped to the ground. "yeah¡­" he held back the sigh in the back of his throat. "maybe you''re right. he''s¡­ a great guy." his voice wavered slightly, but he steadied it. he wouldn''t tell her the truth about the man she idolized. it wasn''t worth breaking her little heart. "still¡­" he continued to force a smile. "it''s not his fault i''m a failure. both our parents have active force-genes, so the chances of me having one were practically guaranteed. and yet¡­" he shrugged as his smile turned bitter. "here i am. powerless." "hmph!" scottie puffed up her cheeks and her face went red. "you''re not powerless! you''re the best, big brother! and you''re gonna prove it!" scott couldn''t hide his laughter. her naivety was something that always soothed him. "you''re something else, you know that?" he ruffled her hair again. scottie giggled as she enjoyed the attention like a happy puppy. but suddenly, her smile faltered. she tugged at his sleeve and looked up at him. "big brother¡­ do you still think you can be a hero? like, a real one?" her voice was small, much like her. scott''s gaze turned to the sky. there was that distant, philosophical expression. "yeah¡­" his words were soft. "i want to be a golden age hero. the kind who doesn''t do it for fame or money. the kind who stands for what''s right, no matter how hard it is. a hero who puts responsibility above everything else." scottie''s face lit up, and she held out her pinky finger. "then promise me something!" there was such hope in her voice. scott arched an eyebrow. "what is it?" "promise me¡­" she hesitated with sparkling eyes. "promise me you''ll be the kind of hero who doesn''t shed blood. i don''t like it when heroes kill people, big brother. it''s scary. heroes shouldn''t do that¡ªthey should be like the golden age heroes. the ones who walk the straight line of morality." scott stared at her for a moment before breaking into a soft smile. he hooked his pinky finger with hers. "i promise!" his firm words were accompanied by a wide grin. "i''ll never kill. and if i do¡­ hehe, you can call me a monster. is that fair?" scottie beamed while shaking their linked fingers. "no way! i''d never call my big brother a monster!" scott chuckled at her cuteness. "you''re too good for me, scottie." that was the one promise scott mcqueen promised he''d never break¡­ but this world¡­ it wasn''t fantasy. it was hell. ??? nightwatch''s camera drones spread through the chaos as their lenses captured every harrowing detail of the green box convention center. the feeds painted nothing but pain and sorrow. wounded civilians lay scattered amidst the rubble, coughing and crying out as blood and ash choked them. heroes who once stood tall and proud were broken and battered beyond recognition. they littered the place like broken toys. nightwatch''s heart broke as he scanned each scene. ruse knelt in the debris, clutching his side as black blood stained his suit. gadget girl''s body was burnt so badly she looked like a single poke would turn her to ashes. both of mr. sphere''s arms had been ripped out, and mr. sphere knelt in a pool of his own blood with his hands ripped clean off and his face squeezed in anguish as he tried and failed to crawl like a worm in the dirt. then, there was brigid. unconscious and bloodied, she was being dragged through the ruins like discarded trash by red himself. the monstrous villain, unbothered by the brewing rain, grinned as if savoring every ounce of destruction he''d wrought. nightwatch''s vision blurred. his eyes shifted to another feed. it was marcus. he was laid out on a stretcher with partly burned skin and a chest that barely rose as medics worked frantically to stabilize him. "no¡­" the word left nightwatch''s lips in a trembling whisper. rainfall¡­ the rain pattered against his mask, streaking down the face as he turned back to the bloody scene in front of him. skewered like a marionette, rhinoman hung lifelessly on the twisted steel beams of a shattered billboard. yet, somehow, he was still alive. nightwatch approached slowly as the rain mixed with the blood pooling below. rhinoman''s head tilted weakly. "nightwatch¡­" his voice was very weak. nightwatch froze as he clenched his fists. "i can''t believe¡­ i''m finally¡­ in your presence." the words hit like a blow to the chest. rhinoman''s voice was faint as each syllable sounded like that of a person teetering on the edge of life. "i¡­ i always thought you were¡­ just some cocky streamer kid behind a mask¡­" it was too difficult to breathe. too difficult to speak. "but now¡­ now i can see it¡­ in your eyes. you''re young, yeah¡­ but you''ve got sadness in there. fear. struggles. like¡­ you don''t belong in this world¡­ like *cough* you don''t want to be in this world¡­" nightwatch''s teeth pressed together. the rain poured harder and washed away the blood but doing nothing to cleanse the ache in his chest. "you don''t¡­ want to be here, do you?" rhinoman coughed as blood dribbled down his chin. "but you are. you keep showing up. that''s what makes you different." "stop talking¡­" nightwatch finally spoke up, his voice cracked. "you''ll make it. just hold on¡ª" "listen to me!" rhinoman''s sudden outburst rattled scott. "you¡­ you''ve gotta understand. being a hero¡­ it''s not easy. i wanted to quit. so many times. rejected at the smpe time and time again¡­ barely scraping by for my family¡­ i thought about walking away." he coughed violently and his body trembled as he struggled to continue. "but then i saw you¡­ chasing that damn dark elf. fighting grave''s men. crashing that helicopter. you¡ª" he abruptly gasped for air. "you did it all. no powers. no sponsorships. just¡­ because you had to. you showed an old man like me what it means¡­ to be a hero. a real hero." nightwatch looked away as his shut eyes hid the moisture gathering in his eyes. "i¡­ i failed, nightwatch. i really did. failed my city. my family. but you¡­" rhinoman''s eyes fluttered as his voice grew weaker. s§×arch* the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "you can stop him. you can beat that red beast. not for the fame. not for the media¡­ but for the people." scott shook his head. "i¡­ i''m not¡­ i''m not strong enough. i mean, look at what he did to you guys¡­ that''s an a-tier threat." "you don''t need to be strong." rhinoman chuckled weakly. "you''re already a hero. the hero we need." the words refused to leave the silent, raining air. with that, rhinoman''s eyes closed. experience new tales on empire [system notification: an 80% chance of saving rhinoman exists. immediate surgical procedures are required. cost: 100,000 credits.] scott''s gaze hardened. "do it." [purchase complete!] a metallic box materialized from his inventory and expanded into a sleek surgical pod. mechanical arms emerged to expertly cut the steel beams and stabilize rhinoman as the procedure began. scott turned away. the rain continued to fall and soaked his suit as he stared out over the burning burning. the fire was going out¡­ but there was a fire of rage burning mercilessly inside him. all his mind could see was blood, ash and despair. his mind raced. ¡ºwhy? why was it always like this? why couldn''t the world make it easier to be a hero?¡» he gritted his teeth while his hands trembled. this world didn''t care about symbols of hope or peace. heroes were pawns in a game of ratings and profit. their sacrifices were reduced to footnotes in headlines. if you didn''t shine¡­ you were worth no one''s time. scott growled weakly. "they''re right. a golden age hero wouldn''t survive in this world. they''d get torn apart." he took a step forward as the rain masked the tears streaking down his face. "i''m done being part of some stupid niche, whether it''s the so-called golden age of heroes or this modern one. i''m tired of following anyone else''s shitty path. people in this world have less decency than the villains from the golden age. at least back then, even the bad guys had some respect for the heroes. these people now? they''re worse than animals." he pressed his feet against the terrace beneath him. "but i''m not a symbol of hope. or peace. or heroism." his voice grew stronger. "i''m the symbol of correction. and i''m going to fix this. no matter what it takes." with that, nightwatch stepped off the edge of the rooftop as his grappling hooks fired forward. "i''m sorry, scottie. but that line of morality¡­ i''ll break it¡­ i''ll completely destroy it!" scott''s eyes flashed red. [carrying out danger protocol #005. black disaster armor has successfully been purchased!] [debit: 450,000 credits!] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ falan city, mega tower¡­ there was a kitchen. the sound of an extraction fan could be heard. marble countertops gleamed under the soft, golden glow of pendant lights. scottie stood at the counter as her short black hair framed her delicate face as her pretty blue eyes focused on slicing strawberries with care. just as she reached for a glass cup to pour herself some juice, it slipped from her fingers. ¡­ crash! the shattering sound echoed through the room. scottie jumped back. her eyes went wide with surprise as she stared down at the shards scattered across the floor. for a moment, she stood frozen, her breathing shallow. "that''s¡­ strange. i''ve never been reckless before." from the sitting room, a voice boomed. "scottieeeee! what''s all that noise in the kitchen for?" she blinked, then shook off the strange feeling. "uh, sorry, dad!" her father''s voice had some amusement in it. "don''t worry about it. come see the news! looks like something crazy is happening again." scottie glanced at the mess on the floor, then hesitated. "sure thing, dad! i''ll pack up here first. give me a second, alright?" a hearty laugh rumbled from the other room. "alright, but grab a can of whipped cream from the cupboard on your way. your mom wants one." she smiled faintly, already reaching for the cupboard. "got it. be there in a minute." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ metro city, green box convention center¡­ it was now little more than a skeletal ruin. rain pattered against its cracked walls. smoke still lingered in the air, though the fires had been extinguished by relentless firefighters and the torrential downpour. despite the rain, the area was packed. civilians and emergency personnel kept a cautious distance as their eyes didn''t leave the ominous building. "i heard there''s a monster in there..." "yeah, i heard the same thing! they say it took out all the heroes except the peak, probably because he''s so strong. honestly, i''m just glad a great hero like him is okay." "what about others like rhinoman? he helped so many kids and rookie heroes. or even mr. sphere..." "oh, and that card guy... what''s his name? rude or something..." "come on, you don''t actually believe all that, right? the peak already confirmed he was the one rescuing people and handing them over to the other heroes to take down. you know how the peak is¡ªhe''s not the type to pose for cameras. obviously, he didn''t care about being caught on film saving them." "ahhh, yeah, that makes sense." under a black umbrella emblazoned with the 24/7 city watch news logo, judy cho stood in front of the camera. her expression was stoic, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes as she addressed the live audience. "we''re here outside the g.b. convention center¡­" she took a deep breath. "the aftermath of this attack has left many heroes in critical condition. miss infinity has been ordered by the hero agency to stand down and avoid direct engagement with the monster reportedly lurking inside. that task will fall to the nearest s-tier hero, the peak." the camera panned to the peak, who stood beside her with his broad frame. his hands rested on his hips as he gave a dazzling smile, clearly playing up to the audience. ¡ºfuck¡­ my body feels like i was ran over by a train¡­¡» he chuckled softly. judy turned the mic toward him. "mr. peak, can you tell us more about this monster? there''s been speculation that it might be a city-ending threat. do you agree?" the peak''s confident smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered and adjusted the tired gold medal around his neck. "well, judy¡­" he took the time to think of a lie. "i''d say it''s definitely more than that. at my full power, i could destroy this planet. when i traded blows with that red beast¡­ it tanked every single one of my attacks." he flexed his muscles subtly as he gestured dramatically to the faint scorch marks on his super suit. "this thing isn''t just an a-tier threat. it''s probably in a league of its own. honestly, it''s a miracle i''m standing here after what i went through. i took countless boulders to the back protecting civilians, and¡­ well, you can imagine the toll." judy''s unimpressed expression was barely concealed as she pressed him further. "so, you''re saying this is beyond your abilities alone?" the peak nodded solemnly. "exactly. reinforcements are necessary. i''m only human, after all." he placed a hand over his chest, then exhaled dramatically. "but you know, this isn''t about me. rhinoman, mr. sphere, and all the others¡­ they made it harder for me to protect everyone. i told them to stand back and let me fight that beast, but they refused, screaming that they wanted the same spotlight i always get¡­ that they want to be as great as someone like me. it''s a tragedy, truly." judy''s jaw tightened as she held back the scathing response bubbling in her throat. instead, she took a calming breath and looked away, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the mic. oblivious to her growing frustration, the peak leaned closer with a sly grin. "speaking of tragedies, judy¡­ what''s your number? i''ve never had the pleasure of getting to know someone of your¡­ background." judy snapped her head toward him. "now? really?" the peak shrugged, then flashed his trademark smirk. "what? reinforcements are on the way, and i''m just standing here. might as well make good use of the time, right?" judy slapped a hand over her face and exhaled sharply. "you''ve got to be kidding me¡­" the camera lingered on her exasperation before cutting to the burning ruins behind her. the peak''s smug laughter could still be heard faintly in the background. ??? the rain fell harder as it drummed against the asphalt and soaked the murmuring crowd. then it happened. a ripple of unease swept through the throng. one by one, people froze, then started shuffling back. whispers erupted as the masses parted and fear widened the path for the figure emerging from the darkness. his armor was as black as the void, polished to a cold, menacing sheen. it reflected the dim city lights, distorted and unnatural, like a harbinger of death and rage. his presence alone was suffocating. every step he took was like a ticking time bomb. "is¡­ is that the hero they called for?" "no way¡­ i don''t believe it. heroes don''t look like that. he looks like a villain¡­" "wait, maybe it''s shadow monger?" "ohhhhh, the freak of nature who only shows up when the world''s about to end." "shadow monger? seriously?" "if he''s here, then that red monster¡­ oh god, it might really be strong enough to destroy the planet." ??? still basking in the camera''s attention, the peak noticed the path clearing ahead and grinned. ¡ºfinally! they''re making room for me. about time they realized who''s in charge here.¡» he dusted off his super suit, straightened his medal, and walked forward with pride. "don''t worry, everyone! your glorious savior is here!" he waved to the crowd as if their terrified expressions were adoring ones. "i''ll make sure to save you all, no matter what. i¡ª" ¡­ thud! the peak abruptly stopped as his shoulder collided with something solid¡ªsomething that didn''t budge. "hey, watch where you''re¡ª" he looked up and froze as his words died in his throat. the black-armored figure loomed over him as the lenses on his helmet suddenly glowed a menacing blood-red. the peak instinctively took a step back. he even raised his hands defensively. "uh¡­ w-, who the fuck are you?" the figure didn''t answer. his head tilted slightly, as if sizing the peak up. then, without warning, his arm lashed out instantly ¡­ pow©¤©¤©¤©¤crack!! the impact was destructive. ¡­ boooooooom!! the peak''s body shot backward like a ragdoll and shattered through three buildings in quick succession before his limp form crashed into a fountain in the distance, leaving a plume of water and debris in his wake. silence fell over the crowd. no one dared breathe as they stared the black-armored man standing amidst the rain. ??? inside the suit, scott''s dead, bloodshot eyes stared at the system interface glowing in his hud. [warning: blood levels are critically low. injecting additional tubings into the host will enable enhanced power, but severe blood loss is imminent. proceed?] scott''s voice was cold, emotionless. "do it." [confirmed. injecting tubings.] he felt a searing pain as more needle-like tubes drilled into his flesh. the sensation of his blood being drained was sharp, unbearable¡ªbut he didn''t flinch. he didn''t scream. instead, his breathing deepened, controlled, as if drawing strength from the agony. outside, the suit roared to life. a fiery cape of burning blood blasted brightly out the back of the midnight armor. ¡­ sizzzzleeee! it crackled and whipped wildly in the storm. bright red accents etched themselves across the suit''s black surface like glowing veins. scott clenched his fists as power surged through him, his voice a hollow whisper. [black disaster armor is active¡­] Chapter 90 Deadly Clash scott moved forward.the heavy step of his armor made the ground quake. his fiery cape of blood hissed loudly as raindrops evaporated against it. the crowd parted like the sea, too terrified to stay in his path. then, judy cho broke through the barrier of fear. "judy¡ªwait, stop!" her cameraman hissed and tugged her jacket. "don''t do it!" she yanked her arm free. "shut up and keep rolling." judy took a deep breath and rushed in front of scott, then held her mic out. the cameraman stayed a safe distance, while shaking his head vehemently. his wide, pleading eyes begged her to reconsider. ¡ºthis woman is crazy¡­¡» that''s all he could think about as he clutched the camera tightly, half ready to bolt for safety. scott loomed over her as his blood-red visor glowed through the storm. "excuse me!" judy tried so hard to sound convincingly bold, but anyone who was listening could feel the fear in her voice. "what''s your goal here? are you with the hero agency? or are you some kind of vigilante like nightwatch?" scott stared down at her in silence. the distorted reflections on his obsidian armor made him look more beast than man. slowly, he turned his head to her as his voice cut through the rain like steel dragging on stone. "stand back¡­" there was this hellish, robotic tone it had. it sounded terrifying. judy flinched but didn''t retreat. "no. i want answers. the public deserves to know what''s going on." scott didn''t respond. instead, his gaze shifted past her and locked onto the wreckage ahead. red was crawling out of the crumbling building with brigid slung over his shoulder like a sack of rice. scott''s fists clenched. without another word, he stepped past judy as he ignored her frantic protests. "put her down¡­" it was nothing but a command. red''s long, snake-like tongue slithered out to lick his cracked lips. his eyes gleamed like a fierce predator. "what''s this? they sent another phony hero for me to chew up? now that''s great!" he threw his head back and let out a guttural roar, and the force of it caused nearby windows to shatter. the crowd screamed as the district trembled under the sheer power of his voice. "khaaaaaaaa!!" "run or you''ll all fucking die!" "m-, my daughter¡­ where the fuck is she?!" cars screeched away in a less than orderly fashion. but scott didn''t flinch. he stood as unyielding as the armor he wore. inside red''s head, a comm crackled to life. "red!" it was adira¡­ and she didn''t sound happy. "focus on bringing brigid macleighlin back. don''t let the cameras see¡ª" feeling disgusted by her constant orders, he mentally disabled the comm using his technophage powers. right after, he tossed brigid aside like a day-old trash. "i''ll bring her after i''m done teaching this tin can some manners." red''s fists cracked like thunder as his arms elongated unnaturally to transform into mutated energized battering rams. [ding! stream initiated!] [viewers: 30,000¡­ 50,890¡­ 123,680¡­ 190,450¡­] the numbers just kept climbing. thousands of comments began flooding in as viewers tuned in to the live feed. [wait, who the hell is that? is that nightwatch?] [no way! nightwatch doesn''t look like that! this guy looks like he came straight outta hell!] [holy fuck! that armor¡­ those glowing veins¡­ is that cape made of blood?] ©¸ [i legit need an action figure that looks just like that. ????] [red''s gonna mop the floor with this guy. calling it now.] [y''all forgettin'' red is a planetary-tier threat. nightwatch is street-tier. rip my guy.] ©¸ [i swear. ???????? someone gotta tell that boy to put the fries in the bag bro. leave this shit to rope girl, ffs.] ©¸ [smartest rope girl fan. ????] [lmao if red wins, he''s comin'' for your asses next. maybe don''t root for the bad guy?] [red''s the goat. crush that tin can! ????????] ©¸ [i''m sure your mother''s proud.] ©¸ [and i''m sure your mother didn''t see this ratio ????] ©¸ [or this counter ratio!] ©¸ [counter ratio failed, lmao ????] ©¸ [right after, donations rolled in! [$5,000 donation from @cathulu01: let''s go, nightwatch! show that monster who''s boss!] [$2,000 donation from @joethedeath: imagine supporting the thing that''ll probably destroy our city if it wins ???? these guys are so friggin'' dumb.] ??? scott planted his feet firmly as the earth beneath him groaned under the weight of his armor. his visor locked onto red''s shifting, grotesque body. the viewers watched in horrified silence as the two titans squared off. red grinned, baring rows of jagged, blackened teeth. "let''s see what you''re made of, freak." scott didn''t respond. the bloodlust in the air was already enough of an answer. then, without warning, they moved. the ground exploded as both launched forward like rockets. their fists collided. ¡­ pow©¤©¤©¤©¤booooom! the shockwave obliterated the pavement beneath them and created a massive crater. nearby buildings quivered as their windows shattered into shards. even the camera drones spun wildly in the air before stabilizing. [holy shit did you see that?!] [that''s how hard i wanna hit my girl fr. ????] ©¸ [woah, woah, calm down, the peak. ????¡­] ©¸ [???? naw, no way you wrote this with a straight face!] [bro, my screen shook from that punch. that''s insane.] [nightwatch is holding his own??? what??] ©¸ [the suit he''s wearing probably has massive buffs like the one xenon wears¡­ not so surprising.] [nah, the red monster thing''s just getting started. watch him end this clown.] ©¸ [nightwatch is a friggin'' hero, shut up.] ©¸ [just call him red bro.] ©¸ [oooo, thanks, man. ????] [bet $100 nightwatch''s armor cracks in the next hit.] ©¸ [the nightwatch hate is crazy. ????] ©¸ [viewers when you tell them if nightwatch loses, then their asses are up next: ????] ??? scott''s fist burned with crimson energy as his blood-cape whipped violently in the wind. red''s mutated arms crackled with energy. the battle had just begun. ¡­ druuuuuummm the ground trembled as red leaned his full, massive weight against scott''s armored fist. the energized battering ram that had replaced red''s right hand flared with raw power to force scott back inch by inch. scott''s boots scraped against the shattered pavement, sending sparks flying as he dug in, but the mutant''s sheer force was undeniable. scott gritted his teeth beneath his helmet. "you''re stronger than you look." red''s monstrous grin widened. "oh, you don''t even know." then, without warning, red''s right arm morphed back into a hand as his fingers snapped out like claws to grab scott''s shoulder plate. before scott could counter, red''s left hand surged forward in a brutal uppercut. ¡­ boom! the impact rattled the air like thunder as the blow slammed into scott''s helmet with enough force to launch him into the sky. he shot across the district like a missile, the force of his body ripping through the air before he crash-landed into the side of a building. the entire structure groaned before collapsing under the impact, sending dust and debris billowing into the stormy sky! the livestream viewers erupted. [livestream chat: 326,450 viewers] [holy shit!!] [that punch was like watching my gpa hit rock bottom.] [yo, yo, yo!! red playing dirty af! ???? but damn, the technique tho. shi was clean ?] [did anyone else notice the way red baited him? pushed his weight forward, disarmed him with the transformation, then capitalized with a counter. dude fights like a mutant boxer.] ©¸ [which really makes me think red''s not an alien.] ©¸ [yeah, go on threadit, they already have proof why red''s not an alien, from the way he fights all down to his movement and coordination xd] ©¸ [i swear threadit gremlins be doing too much. ????????] [nightwatch planted into the pavement like my friggin'' retirement fund.] [and this is why heroes have insurance premiums higher than my rent.] [$2,000 donation from @az_rael: goatwatch, don''t give up!!! ????????] [$500 donation from @fhailbhais: let''s go, red! end that wannabe vigilante already!] ??? underneath the rubble, scott groaned. his hud flickered as he placed a hand on his helmet. the echo of the blow was still ringing in his ears. "system¡­" he felt a strain reverberating through his body. "why¡­ why did that hurt so much?" [analysis complete. technophage host detected 15 meters ahead. coordinates locked: 72¡ã se. distance: 14.6 meters. threat level: critical.] scott''s visor highlighted red''s position amidst the crumbling district. he exhaled sharply and pushed himself up, dust cascading off his armor as the blood-red veins across his suit pulsed with renewed energy. "this is way easier in movies¡­" with a burst of force, he launched himself forward like a bullet and tore through the building debris. ??? red stood confidently. his constantly morphing body pulsated with energy as he licked his cracked lips. "where''s your tough guy act now, tin can?" the sound of collapsing buildings interrupted him. crash! crack! red barely had time to react before scott emerged from the wreckage like a black comet. the sharp edge of scott''s armored pauldron slammed into red''s chest with devastating force. thoom! red''s eyes bulged as the impact drove all the air from his resilient lungs. a shockwave erupted and scattered debris and shook nearby buildings as scott rocketed them both into the sky. [livestream chat: 462,000 viewers] [oh shit oh shit they''re in the air now!!!] [did anyone else see nightwatch''s trajectory calculations? that wasn''t brute force¡ªthat was precision. this man''s got brains behind the brawn.] ©¸ [i swear nightwatch fans will glaze anything. ????????] ©¸ ["not just brute force, precision" ??????] [my guy just hit him with the "i''m not stuck in here with you, you''re stuck in here with me." ????] [imagine being judy cho up there in that chopper like, "mom, i''m scared." ????] [call me crazy, but goatwatch might actually win this. he''s fighting smarter, not harder.] [nah, y''all sleeping on red. dude''s still got tricks. watch him adapt.] [$3,000 donation from @john_barendregt: take him down, my glorious king!!! we believe in you!!!] ??? they shot past the city watch helicopter as the machine wobbled dangerously in their wake. inside, judy cho clutched the camera strap with white-knuckled determination while her voice trembled as she reported. "from what we''ve gathered, this monster¡ªdubbed red by the internet¡ªcould spell the end of metro city if this¡­ black knight fails to stop him." she adjusted her microphone and kept her eyes on the two combatants. "but the bigger question is: is the black knight even on our side? friend or foe?" ??? back at the metro daily¡­ the editor-in-chief john markowski smirked as he watched the feed. "damn, judy might be an iron-headed idiot, but she knows how to sell a story." he turned to his team, barking orders. "alright, people, judy just gave us a headline! get it out there¡ª''black knight takes on red: metro city''s reckoning.'' and remember, keep it neutral. don''t paint him as a savior, or inn''ll eat us alive. kain''s already got his teeth out." the newsroom exploded into a frenzy of activity as reporters typed furiously. markowski leaned back in his chair and chuckled. s§×arch* the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "judy, you''ve earned that raise." ??? meteor city, woodhull private hospital¡­ gwen''s heart pounded as she watched the news. her trembling hands clutched the remote as the screen showed scott spiraling red into the ground with bone-shaking force. "that''s¡­" tears suddenly welled in her eyes. "that''s scott¡­" she tore at the ivs connected to her arms making blood drip onto the hospital floor as she staggered toward the door. "scott! scott!!" the nurses burst in, alarmed by the commotion, and restrained her before she could leave. "miss, calm down! you''re going to hurt yourself!" "you don''t understand!" gwen screamed as she thrashed against them. "he''s in trouble! i have to help him! scott!" one of the nurses sighed and injected her with a sedative. gwen''s cries softened, and her body went limp as she drifted into unconsciousness. but even as she faded, her lips murmured his name. "s-, scott¡­" ??? high above metro city, scott and red''s clash continued as their titanic fight illuminated the stormy sky with bursts of sparks and flames. the fate of the city, and perhaps more¡­ hung in the balance. the livestream surged past 500,000 viewers. [livestream chat: 512,300 viewers] [black knight''s got the momentum, but red doesn''t look done yet. this could go either way.] [i bet $500 on red! don''t let me down, my guy!] [y''all better shut up. my boy goatwatch''s about to show you why he''s the goat.] [collateral damage report coming in: $2.3 million and counting. superhero fights be wildin''. ????] ©¸ [i swear these heroes really be using the cars of 9 to 5 workers as swords and then saying shit like "it''s my duty to protect the people of this city" yeah bro, tell that to uncle stanley who now has to take the bus to work. ????] [imagine being the guy who parked his car under that building. rip.] ©¸ [uncle stanley in shambles rn. ????????] [$1,000 donation from @cookiemonster3: let''s go, black knight! you''re the hero we need!!!] ??? the congested streets of metro city were in chaos. a sea of honking horns blared relentlessly as drivers screamed at each other in fear and frustration. "move your damn car already!" one man yelled, his face red with rage as he leaned out of his window. "where the hell do you expect me to go?!" another snapped back as he slammed his palm against the steering wheel. "we''re all stuck, genius!" "call me an idiot again!" the first man hissed, then threw open his car door. "i''ll step out right now and smash your windshield!" "try it, tough guy!" experience tales with empire the tension felt like it would explode at any moment. mothers clutched crying children in the back seats, drivers leaned on their horns in desperation. "aaahhk! i don''t fucking want to die here! get me out of this goddamn city!" suddenly¡ªboom! the ground shook as scott plummeted from the sky like a meteor, his armored body smashing into the roof of a minivan and crumpling it like paper. screams erupted as civilians abandoned their vehicles as panic spread like wildfire. "run!" someone shouted. "it''s the monster!" scott groaned as the hud inside his helmet flickered while he rubbed his aching head. dust and sparks were everywhere around him. "that''s a bit much¡­" he shook off the daze. but then, his eyes snapped upward as red spiraled toward him like a living drill. the beast glowed with an ominous red energy. [system alert: hostile descending at 240 meters per second. estimated impact radius: 17.4 meters. predicted casualties: 20+. immediate intervention required.] "damn it!" scott hissed. as red closed in, scott shot off the mangled minivan like a missile as his armor blazed with crimson energy. at the last possible second, he collided with red in midair and tackled him away from the packed traffic. ¡­ thooooomm!! the two of them slammed into a row of abandoned vehicles at the far edge of the street as the impact cratered the ground and flipped cars like toys. [livestream chat: 612,800 viewers] [holy crap, did you see that?] [black knight saving civilians like a boss! he''s goated!] [bro tackled him like it''s the super bowl. 10/10 form. respect.] [red''s gonna use those people as meat shields. i can feel it. watch.] [imagine having your prius turned into scrap metal because two dudes are having a beef. rip to car guy.] [$1,500 donation from @cailis_oakey: you''re the man, black knight! keep it up!] ??? red roared in anger as he staggered to his feet and his body shimmered with a grotesque, shifting energy. he lunged to grab scott by the helmet and hurl him across the street like a ragdoll. scott smashed into a streetlight and bent it in half before catching himself midair. but in the chaos, scott''s visor locked onto a small figure¡ªa little girl who had fallen in the crowd. [alert: civilian in danger. risk of trampling imminent.] he rocketed forward and skillfully weaved through panicked civilians. he swooped down and scooped the crying child into his arms, lifting her above the chaos. her tear-streaked face looked up at him, wide-eyed and trembling. "you¡­ you look scary, sir¡­" she whimpered. scott hesitated, then opened his helmet briefly to show his face. his voice was gentle. "don''t worry. i''m just like you. i''m here to protect you, alright?" the girl sniffled, then nodded. "y-, yes, s¡ª" "sir, look out!" she screamed suddenly. scott turned just in time to see a truck hurled toward him like a missile. his armor flared as blood energy formed an energy shield that absorbed the impact and protected the girl. ¡­ fweeeeww©¤©¤©¤©¤craaasshhh!! scott gritted his teeth and flew her to safety, setting her down near a group of civilians. "you''ll be safe here. stick with the others, okay?" the little girl nodded and ran off. [livestream chat: 728,300 viewers] [did you see that? ???? bro really saved the kid! black knight = goat.] [man''s out here saving lives while fighting a literal demon. unreal.] [red better not use that kid as leverage. that''d be low even for him.] [my man just tanked a truck. are you kidding me?!] ["don''t worry, i''m just like you." goddamn, nightwatch, you''re a superhero and a therapist.] ??? red screeched so loud it made the civilians clutch their ears in agony. some collapsed as blood trickled from their ears as they writhed on the ground. scott''s suit muted the sound, and he launched himself at red with blinding speed. his armored fist crashed into red''s jaw with a thunderous uppercut that shattered jagged black teeth and rocketed him into the sky. scott didn''t stop. he moved so fast he flashed red and appeared above red in an instant. ¡­ blaaamm!! he slammed red downward with a hammer fist. ¡­ crash©¤©¤©¤©¤boooooooom!! the ground exploded on impact as the force sunk the entire street. cars were thrown like debris, and nearby buildings groaned before collapsing into heaps of rubble. dust choked the air as the battlefield transformed into a wasteland. [livestream chat: 842,000 viewers] [black knight with the combo!!! he''s insane!!!] [red just got his teeth re-aligned for free. ????] [collateral damage is gonna bankrupt this city, but goddamn it''s worth it.] [$5,000 donation from @retr0_author: you''re the best, goatwatch! show him who''s boss!] [okay, but what''s the body count from this one fight? asking for science.] ["knightwatch might save us, but at what cost?" someone''s writing that editorial tomorrow. ????] ©¸ [k. konrad kain finna eat this one up. ????????] ??? scott stood amidst the destruction, his armor cracked and his breathing heavy. but he didn''t waver. the fight wasn''t over. and the city''s fate rested on his shoulders. ¡ºthis isn''t enough to kill that son of a bitch¡­¡»2 Chapter 91 Deadly Clash II The evacuation of Metro City''s East District was still underway, but progress was agonizingly slow. Thousands of panicked civilians clogged the streets like blood in a failing artery, desperate to escape the chaos that Red had unleashed.Overhead, Scott soared through the smoky air. He carefully scanned for anyone still trapped in the deeper parts of the district. His armor''s HUD lit up with a notification: [System Alert: Remaining civilians in Zone C-34: 54. Structural collapse risk: High. Immediate extraction recommended.] Scott grit his teeth and dove down, dodging the occasional debris that rained from nearby crumbling buildings. "There©¤©¤!!" Spotting a small family stranded atop a partially crushed SUV, he swooped in to grab a man and his two young daughters with precision. "Hang on tight!" He called out as the little girls held onto him tightly, like he was their favorite teddy bear. Their big, tearful eyes looked up at him, filled with fear and hope. Meanwhile, the mother, still holding her toddler close, was next in line to be taken to safety. He set them down in a safer zone, where rescue crews were guiding evacuees to buses. "Thank you, thank you so much!" The father stammered, but Scott was already taking off again with an arrow-focused mind. The chaos below was deafening. Fires raged, horns blared, and screams mingled with the distant roars of Red as the beast slowly regenerated. Suddenly, his sensors picked up a faint cry from beneath a toppled awning. A boy, no older than five, was pinned beneath the wreckage as tears streaked his dirt-covered face. Scott landed in a crouch, then lifted the debris with ease and pulled the boy free. "Are you hurt?" He inspected the child for injuries. The boy sniffled and shook his head, but his face twisted in fresh distress. "I lost it¡­" Scott blinked. "Lost what?" "M-, My MegaMan¡­" The boy whimpered as he pointed a trembling finger toward the rubble. Scott followed his gaze and spotted the blue action figure wedged precariously in the debris. "¡­Really?" Scott muttered under his breath, staring at the toy. "It just had to be MegaMan¡­" The boy''s teary eyes tugged at something deep in Scott''s chest. With a sigh of resignation, he turned back. "Stay here." He maneuvered carefully through the unstable wreckage and reached out to grab the toy. Just as he plucked it free, a large chunk of concrete shifted above him, but he dodged swiftly with the figure safely in hand. When he returned to the boy, the child''s face lit up. His tears were no more. "MegaMan!" Scott scooped him up and took to the skies, quickly locating the boy''s mother amidst a group of evacuees. The moment she saw him, her face squeezed into terror. "MICAH!" Stay tuned with empire She screamed and fell to her knees. Tears streamed down her tired face as she clasped her hands together. "Please, please don''t hurt him! I''m begging you!" Scott landed softly and lowered the boy to the ground. "He''s fine¡­" Scott said, calm yet firm. The mother''s trembling hands reached out and pulled Micah into a crushing hug. "Don''t you ever scare me like that again!" She sobbed as she stroked his hair. Micah hugged her back tightly, grinning. Scott watched the reunion and something inside him stirred uncomfortably. ¡º¡­ That''s gotta hurt me more than anything.¡» He knelt briefly, then held out the action figure. "Here. But maybe next time, pick a better superhero. Ever tried Miss Mercury? She''s got some decent merch." Micah giggled, taking the toy. "Okay!" The mother finally looked up at Scott. Her expression softened as she noticed the cracks in his armor and the way he favored his left side. "Are you¡­ okay?" she asked hesitantly. Scott gave her a faint nod. "I''m¡ª" He stopped abruptly as his helmet parted in four. A violent cough wracked his body, and he spat out thick, black blood onto the ground. His throat burned like it was on fire. The mother gasped, covering her mouth. She realized with a start how young he looked, probably no older than her daughter. Scott closed his helmet with a hiss and turned away, ready to fly off¡ªbut she grabbed his wrist. Before he could protest, she pulled him into a tight hug, resting her head against his chest plate. "Don''t worry about anything¡­" She sounded so soft¡­ almost like she was his mother. "I know you''ll get out of this alive." Micah joined in, wrapping his little arms around Scott''s leg. [Livestream Chat: 958,000 viewers] [Bruh, why am I tearing up?] [You know that hug hit different for him. ????] [Man''s getting love from civilians while coughing up black blood. That''s dedication.] [MegaMan slander is uncalled for, tho. Let''s be fr guys #JusticeForMegaMan!! ????????] [This is why heroes fight, though. These moments right here. It really empowers them in their darkest times.] [Can we talk about how expensive that action figure probably was? Definitely $2,000 ???? overpriced piece of shit!] ??? In a news chopper hovering nearby, Judy Cho was narrating the scene with deep emotion. "It seems the Black Knight may be more friend than foe." Her soft eyes locked on the footage of THAT hug. "He''s not just saving lives¡ªhe''s making sure no one is left behind, not even a child''s toy. It''s¡­ incredible." Her cherry lips curved into a small smile. "Maybe he''s the truest definition of a hero we''ve waited for¡ªa demon with the halo of an angel." The pilot snapped his fingers. "Judy, focus! What are you even saying?" Just then, John''s voice blared through her headset. "JUDY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" She winced, nearly dropping her mic. "Chief, can you not yell? I''m literally in a helicopter!" "I don''t care! Stop painting him as a hero! You know Konrad Kain''s network will twist this, and we''ll look like idiots!" "So I should lie? I''m not selling out for ratings!" Before he could retort, she shut off her comms. Back on the ground, the trembling of the earth signaled Red''s return. Scott turned sharply, spotting a truck hurtling toward him and the family. "GO!" he shouted. The mother grabbed Micah and ran as Scott flew headfirst into the truck and tore through it like paper. He shot toward Red, attempting a spear tackle, but the monster planted his legs firmly, transforming them into clawed clamps that rooted him to the ground. Scott slammed into Red with a thunderous impact¡ªand didn''t budge him an inch. [Livestream Chat: 1.2M viewers] [OOOOOF. That looked painful.] [Red with the Uno Reverse Card. ????] [Goatwatch''s getting folded like laundry rn.] [But he still saved a kid''s action figure, so he wins in my book.] ©¸ [Sure thing, bro. Tell that to the advanced CTE he sustained from that collision. ????] ??? Scott coughed violently and his chest heaved¡ªbut his resolve didn''t waver. The towering monstrosity that was Red stood before Scott, its body swelling with stolen mass and energy. Its newly grown arms were bristled with spiny black blades. Scott''s helmet readjusted as he craned his neck upward and took in Red''s expanded, horrifying face. ¡ºHe''s bigger¡­ and meaner.¡» Scott clenched his fists and suppressed the ache in his battered body. "Fuck it. Round two¡­" With a roar, Scott lunged forward and drove a punch straight at Red''s midsection. The blow landed with a dull thud, but Red barely flinched. His massive claws shot out like a viper and clamped around Scott''s right arm. "Not again©¤©¤!" Scott growled as Red''s second claw snatched his left arm. Pinned and struggling, Scott cursed under his breath. "You'' re just full of surprises, aren''t you?" As if in response, Red''s chest split open, revealing two sinewy, bladed appendages that shot forward and plunged into Scott''s shoulders. His armor groaned in protest, but the blades pierced through and sent burning pain through his body. "ARRRGHH!" Scott screamed until his throat cried. The livestream chat exploded with reactions: [Livestream Chat: 1.7M viewers] [Oh God, he''s getting destroyed out there! Someone help him! Where are the other heroes?! ????] ©¸ [Nah, this is Knightwatch, bro. He''ll find a way. He always does.] [The way those blades just went through his armor though¡­ yikes. It''s just not fair.] [Red''s straight-up built like a final boss. This ain''t fair.] [That scream just gave me chills. Is he okay? ????] ??? Despite the agony, Scott''s teeth clenched behind his helmet as the System finally spoke. [Alert: Critical Damage to Shoulder Plates. Stored blood energy reserves at 78%. Recommendation: Initiate omnidirectional blood blast. 40% reserve required. Confirm?] Scott''s voice came in a hoarse growl. "Do it." Instantly, his black armor began to glow with an eerie red hue, veins of crimson energy spreading like wildfire across its surface. The blades embedded in his shoulders trembled as if sensing the impending surge. Red''s gnarled arms dug deeper, trying to merge with Scott''s armor. The parasitic biomass hissed and crackled, but Scott''s resolve was undying. "BIG mistake!!" In the next instant, a cataclysmic wave of blood-red energy erupted from his body, annihilating everything within a forty-meter radius. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡­ bwwoowww©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! The blast tore through the ground, disintegrating debris, structures, and even the remnants of Red''s biomass. A shockwave rocked the skies, throwing Judy Cho''s news chopper into a perilous spin. [Livestream Chat: 2.2M viewers] [HOLY SHI©¤©¤!!] [WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! ????????????] [That blast was insane. Did he just nuke the area?!] [Bro literally wiped the map. This is some next-level shit.] [Is Judy okay? Someone check on Judy!] [Black Knight is HIM. End of discussion.] [That blast was massive. ????] ©¸ [You know what else is massive?] ©¸ [No¡­ don''t say it¡­ ????] ©¸ [Low taper faaaaadeee ?????] ??? In the helicopter, Judy clutched her chest as the pilot regained control of the chopper. "Phew¡­ that was close¡­" She muttered with a pale face. She glanced down at the battlefield-or rather, whatever was left of it. A massive crater stretched out below. The ground¡­ scorched and barren. Even the pilot was flabbergasted. "Everything''s gone. He just¡­ leveled it." Judy adjusted her headset and went professional. "And yet, the Black Knight remains standing. The question is¡­ for how long?" ??? On the ground, Scott rose from the center of the crater as steam rose from his armor. His breath was ragged and his shoulders oozed black blood where the blades had pierced. He looked around, spotting Red©¤©¤or what was left of him. The monster had lost over 65% of its biomass, its hulking body was now a pitiful shell. [Livestream Chat: 2.21M viewers] [Nah, Red''s cooked. No way he''s coming back from this. Put the fries in the bag bro. ????????] [This is legit what happens when you mess with the Black Knight. GG.] ©¸ [I swear Nightwatch is a friggin'' crash out. ????] [LMAOOOO. Imagine regenerating only to get folded again. Couldn''t be me.] [Lowkey, though, is BK okay? He looks rough.] ©¸ [That''s how my girl looks when we''re done in bed. ????] ©¸ [Shut yo virgin ass up, bro. ????????] ??? Scott didn''t waste the opportunity. He shot forward, rocketing into Red with a devastating spear that slammed the monster into the ground. Dragging the malformed creature across the asphalt as he delivered a relentless barrage of punches to its mutated face. Each blow cracked its skull further and reduced it to a bloody pulp. "THIS IS FOR EVERYONE YOU''VE HURT!" Scott roared as his fists hammered down. Red''s claws shot up, grabbing Scott''s wrist. Its face twisted and reformed into a gnarly plasma cannon. "DIE, MEAT!" It bellowed, firing a searing blast at point-blank range. Scott''s armor sizzled under the heat, but he didn''t flinch. Instead, he drove his fist straight into the cannon''s barrel. The resulting explosion obliterated Red''s head and hurled Scott backward. [Livestream Chat: 2.23M viewers] [BRO. JUST. PUNCHED. A. PLASMA. CANNON. ????] ©¸ [He''s gone a long way from surviving one. ????] [That''s gotta be the most metal thing I''ve ever seen.] [Red''s regeneration is mad annoying, but BK''s brutality makes up for it.] [Black Knight really said, "Adapt or perish." ] [If I were Red, I''d simply give up.] ©¸ [Nah, fr tho. This is embarrassing now. ????] ??? From afar, Denise watched alongside a grim-faced Future Scott whose brow wrinkled as he observed the younger version of himself. "This isn''t how it went¡­" Future Scott muttered. "I remember sacrificing everything, making the darkest choices to destroy Red. But this¡­ this version of me is¡­" "Inspiring?" Denise suggested as she smiled teasingly. "That''s what I''ve been trying to tell you. This is Scott Prime. The original timeline. His choices aren''t carved in stone like yours. He''s rewriting what it means to be a hero." Future Scott exhaled heavily. "I see it now. But if he doesn''t survive¡­" "That''s why you'' re here." Denise interrupted while staring softly at him. "Not simply to caution him, but to ensure the women around him believe in his vision. To guide them, unite them, and protect what he''s building." Future Scott nodded solemnly. "I understand." ??? Back in the crater, Red staggered to its feet, now reduced to 15% of its original biomass. For the first time, Scott caught a glimpse of the host within©¤©¤a gaunt, malnourished man whose face was etched with torment. Scott froze. "It''s a human¡­" [Livestream Chat: 2.25M viewers] [Wait, what? Red''s a person?!] [Bro looks like the parasite ate him alive.] [Human or not, Black Knight better finish the job. No mercy. I want to see blood. ????????] ??? Red absorbed the surrounding earth and regained 30% of his mass. His eyes locked onto Judy''s helicopter. "FILTHY PIGS!" He roared as his arm transformed into a massive plasma cannon. Scott''s voice boomed across the battlefield. "DON''T YOU DARE!" Just as Red''s plasma cannon was heated up and aimed straight at Judy''s helicopter, a blur of motion sliced through the battlefield. ¡­ ZIIIIIIP!! The viewers barely registered what had happened before Miss Mercury slammed into Red from behind at supersonic speed and her impact sent a shockwave that reverberated across the crater. "Not so fast, big guy!" She smirked as Red stumbled forward while his cannon''s energy sputtering. Before Red could grunt in reaction, a brilliant streak of purple shot upward. Pulsar appeared from nowhere like a starfire. "Try this on for size!" Pulsar shouted as her star-powered fist delivered a devastating uppercut. ¡­ pow©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! The eruption of purple starfire lit up the battlefield and rocketed Red into the sky like a comet. The livestream chat exploded. [Livestream Chat: 2.31M viewers] [WHERE DID SHE COME FROM?!] [HOLY SHIT, PULSAR''S A BEAST! ????] [Nah, Mercury saved Judy''s life. Respect where it''s due.] [Did y''all see that uppercut?! Bro went flying like Team Rocket. ????????] [Black Knight could never¡­] ©¸ [WTF bro ???? the switch up is crazy asf.] ??? High above the battlefield, waiting at the edge of a shattered skyscraper, stood Lady Fortress. Her cape billowed in the wind as her sharp eyes locked onto the ascending monster. "Showtime¡­" With a burst of speed, she launched herself forward and speared Red mid-air with such force that the sickening crunch of his body splitting in two echoed across the city. Red''s body was ripped apart and his halves dangled briefly in her grip before she spun gracefully in the air. "Oh no, you''re not done yet¡­" Lady Fortress growled as she grabbed both halves of Red and hurled them upward with a Herculean toss. Her eyes began to glow, then smoke, and finally erupted into twin beams of golden energy. The beams struck Red mid-air to disintegrate him into a fiery explosion of biomass and ash. The shockwave rattled the cameras, leaving the battlefield completely silent. [Livestream Chat: 2.36M viewers] [Bro just got deleted. ????] [Mercury ¡ú Pulsar ¡ú Fortress. The combo was immaculate.] [LADY FORTRESS IS THE GOAT! That beam was simply a chef''s kiss. ????????] [Pulsar had the flashiest move, though. Don''t @ me.] [Miss Mercury carried. No Mercury = No save = No win.] [Hold up, y''all notice how Miss Mercury got the tiddies while Pulsar and Fortress are in the itty-bitty committee?] [Bro went from praising heroes to measuring cup sizes. ???????????? Diabolical work.] [Mercury mains eating good tonight.] [Meanwhile, Black Knight out here looking like burnt toast. ???? Damn, brother.] ??? As the dust settled, Lady Fortress descended gracefully to the ground to land alongside Pulsar and Miss Mercury. The trio stood in a line as their heights and builds emphasized their distinct styles. Miss Mercury towered with her long legs and exaggerated curves, Pulsar shimmered with her celestial aura despite her smaller stature, and Lady Fortress, slightly taller than Pulsar, exuded raw, unyielding strength. Scott staggered forward. He was still steaming from his earlier blast. Even his voice was hoarse. "Wh-, What¡­ what''re you all doing here?" Miss Mercury placed a hand on her hip, leaning slightly as her lips curved into a cute grin. "What else? To help you, silly. What, did you think we showed up for an orgy freak-off party?" Lady Fortress and Pulsar turned sharply to stare at her. Miss Mercury''s grin faltered as she twiddled her index fingers nervously. "C-, Can you not look at me like that? I was kidding¡­" Lady Fortress folded her arms. She was mostly always silent, but her expression clearly showed she was unimpressed. She scanned Scott from head to toe. "You''re in terrible shape. Don''t tell me you couldn''t handle that thing on your own? We just took care of it like it was nothing." Scott opened his mouth to retort, but Pulsar interjected in her soft, almost angelic voice. "He must''ve had his reasons¡­" [Livestream Chat: 2.41M viewers] [Wait till someone tells her Red regenerates¡­ ????] [Lady Fortress slandering BK while Pulsar out here defending him. The duality. ????] [Black Knight > Fortress. Y'' all forgetting when he soloed an entire rogue beast like Red.] [Nah, Lady Fortress legit pushed a warship bigger than Earth. Sit down.] [Meanwhile, Mercury over here with them tights that could break the dimensions in my pants. ????] ©¸ [SleazyPen, you again bro? ????] ??? Miss Mercury rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. "Tch. My guy could handle anything." Lady Fortress raised an eyebrow."Hm? ''Your'' guy?" Scott and Miss Mercury both froze, then turned to each other in alarm. "Eh?!" The chat went wild. [Livestream Chat: 2.49M viewers] [ "Your guy?" ???? EXPLAIN YOURSELF, MA'' ¦¡¦¬.] [BK x Miss Mercury confirmed? I''m calling it. ????] [Ship it. I don''t care. ????] [Black Knight stays winning.] [This team dynamic is pure gold. More of this, PLEASE.] ??? Future Scott clicks his tongue. "Tch, lucky¡­" Chapter 92 Reformation Just as Scott started to move forward, Miss Mercury zipped in front of him with her trademark golden blur to stop him dead in his tracks. Her hands shot out to her sides, palms waving frantically toward Lady Fortress and Pulsar as she laughed nervously."W-, Wait! It''s not like that! I didn''t say my guy because this weirdo''s my boyfriend or anything!" She jerked a thumb back at Scott while obviously avoiding everyone''s eyes. "I was just, uh¡­ you know, trying to give the ugly guy a chance! Yeah, that''s it!" Scott tilted his head. "Ugly?" Mercury''s head snapped back to him, and she winced before quickly plastering on a cocky grin. She placed a hand on his face, then pushed him back just enough to silence him. "Yeah! Ugly!" She declared with pride, giving a short laugh as though she''d said something clever. She turned back to the other women, folding her arms smugly under her breasts, making sure they noticed her ''assertive confidence.'' "Hah, as if I''d date someone like him! My real boyfriend? Oh, he''s a dreamboat! Black hair, blue eyes, smooth face, jawline of a Greek god. Muscles that make me wanna clean and cook for him all day~" She swooned. Her hands pressed to her cheeks as literal heart shapes appeared in her sparkling yellow eyes. "And those lips! They''re like an Amazonian princess''s! He''s soooo dreamy¡­" The livestream chat exploded instantly. [Livestream Chat: 2.63M viewers] [Damn, BK just got friend-zoned.????] [ "Ugly"?! Is she blind? My man''s been carrying this entire fight. Give him RESPEKTT!] [Hold up, who''s this boyfriend? ''Cause now I''m jealous.] [New kids in chat don''t even know BK. Y''all weren''t here when he cleared out Blue Garden Hotel solo.] ©¸ [They be calling him BK like his name ain''t Nightwatch. Psssh, bunch of clowns.] S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Yeah, and no face ID? Dude''s been untraceable. He''s next level.] [Mercury got standards so high they''re interdimensional. ???? Respect.] [Tightest suit in the room still acting like she don''t notice BK. Stop lying, sis. ????????] [@SleazyPen bro stop simping in every stream I swear. ????] ©¸ [On our souls he''ll listen. ????????] ©¸ [We''re not seeing 2046 ????] ??? Lady Fortress raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with Mercury''s dramatics, while Pulsar''s cheeks grew redder and redder with every word. "Wow¡­ that''s how I describe him too ??~" Pulsar murmured softly as her small body swayed as she twisted her hips from side to side, caught in a daydream. "I bet he''s just¡­ so handsome¡­" Mercury and Lady Fortress both turned toward her as Mercury''s smug grin quickly turned to confusion. Still lost in her thoughts, Pulsar cupped her flushed cheeks and giggled like a love-struck kitten. Scott squinted at her. "A guy could be perfect for you, and you''d still find a way to mess things up with him." Pulsar blinked out of her reverie. "Excuse me?" Mercury turned back to Scott with a sharp glare. "Yeah, what the hell, man?" Lady Fortress crossed her arms as her piercing blue eyes narrowed at him. Scott glanced away with irritation. "Tch. Whatever¡­" [Livestream Chat: 2.75M viewers] [Ayo, BK out here throwing strays. ????] [Mercury x BK? Pulsar x BK? Nah, Lady Fortress x BK. Let''s goooo.] [Can y''all stop shipping and start analyzing? BK has layers, bro. The angst. The mystery.] [Fanfic writers bout to cook with this one. ????] [Meanwhile, chat acting like they ain''t single themselves. Y''all gotta stop the cap. ????] ??? Lady Fortress sighed heavily and raised both hands to silence the group''s bickering. "Enough. I''m under orders from the Hero Agency to secure a sample of that creature. They need it to cross-reference with an unidentified extraterrestrial organism we''ve been studying in Area 51." Scott''s eyes widened behind his visor. "Wait¡­ Area 51 actually exists?!" Without thinking, he rushed in front of her, placing both hands on her shoulders as he leaned in. Lady Fortress flinched slightly at the sudden proximity. Standing much shorter than him, she tilted her head back to meet his eyes as her lips pursed in clear discomfort. It wasn''t just that he was tall¡ªshe was also much shorter and noticeably smaller compared to him. Scott blinked and stepped back immediately, jerking his hands away. "Uh, sorry about that." Lady Fortress exhaled softly, looking off to the side. "It''s fine. I''m used to people¡­ looming over me. I don''t mind being mildly short." Scott tilted his head. "Mildly?" Mercury and Pulsar frantically waved their hands at him and mouthed Don''t say it, don''t say it! But it was too late. Scott shrugged. "If anything, I''d say you''re small." [Livestream Chat: 2.83M viewers] [BK really said "small" with his whole chest. ????????] [Rip Lady Fortress. Press F in chat. ????] [Mercury & Pulsar dying inside while BK stays oblivious.] [The donations rolling in after this are wild. Bros made the stream better singlehandedly.] ??? Mercury and Pulsar slapped their hands over their faces and dragged them down in exasperation. Meanwhile, Lady Fortress turned away, gripping her chest as she mumbled under her breath. "Why can''t I be as tall and big as Fortitude¡­?" She took a deep breath to compose herself before turning back to the group. "I''ll collect the sample myself. The HA will lock this area down for investigation soon, and reconstruction efforts will take priority." Without another word, she marched off as her cape trailed behind her. Scott watched her go, then glanced at the other two equally mischievous women. "So¡­ she''s just gonna ignore the small thing?" Mercury groaned. "Bro, please. Just stop talking." [Livestream Chat: 3.01M viewers] [Lady Fortress coping while Mercury and Pulsar are dying. This is gold.] [Best stream ever. BK stays unbothered.] [BK''s stats after this stream ???? ???? ????] [Someone write fanfics where Mercury''s dream boyfriend is actually BK. ????] [Trolls analyzing relationships like they ain''t living in their mom''s basements. ????????] ??? Lady Fortress floated inches above the ruined ground as her white cape swayed in the faint breeze as she made her way toward a tiny fragment of Red. The piece barely resembled the world-ending monstrosity it had been¡ªnow just a shriveled, chewed piece of gum stuck between cracked concrete slabs. Her sharp, ice-blue eyes narrowed as she crouched and plucked the fragment free. She held it up for a better look. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Hm¡­" She tilted her head. "Hard to believe something so small caused all this destruction." Reaching for her turquoise utility belt, she retrieved a sleek, air-sealed containment jar. She carefully placed it inside. Above the scene, the news chopper hovered steadily as its bright floodlights illuminated the ruins below. Inside, Judy Cho, the feisty, sharp-tongued reporter, adjusted her headset and smiled at the camera. "This is Judy Cho, reporting live from the aftermath of one of the most catastrophic battles we''ve ever witnessed. While it''s clear the Black Knight couldn''t defeat this threat alone, his efforts were far from meaningless. He saved countless lives and stood tall in the face of overwhelming odds, fighting until he could fight no more." The livestream chat on her network''s streaming app exploded in real-time. [24/7 City Watch Livestream Chat: 1.9M viewers] [BK is the GOAT fr fr. How many other heroes would go toe-to-toe with that thing?] [Judy talking like BK didn''t clear six blocks solo. ????] ©¸ [Or almost destroyed all of East District with that crazy blood blast shit he did. ????] ©¸ [IKR?! Shit was so fucking gas. ????????] [Miss Mercury x BK canon when?] [Respect to the team, but BK stays top tier. ????] [Nah, let''s not do this now. Judy''s the real MVP. Always keepin'' it professional.] ??? The chopper pilot received a call and his face paled when he saw the caller ID. He nervously passed the phone to Judy, who blinked and frowned. "What is it now?" The moment she saw Chief John flashing on the screen, her casual demeanor crumbled. Her face went white, and her wide eyes darted to the camera. "Shit! He''s actually calling?" The pilot winced. "You did, uh¡­ hang up on him earlier." Judy sighed heavily and slapped a hand to her forehead before reluctantly answering. "Cho!" Chief John''s voice roared through the headset, making both Judy and the pilot flinch. "What the hell are you doing? Do you think you''re running a gossip column? Cutting me off¡ªdo you have any idea who you''re talking to? I swear I''ll dock your pay so hard¡ª" Judy groaned, pulling the phone away from her ear as the chief''s tirade continued. Her eyes flicked toward the ground¡ªand froze. Lady Fortress had just sealed the fragment of Red into the containment jar, but the tiny piece began to morph. Its slimy surface writhed like a living thing and pulsated against the confines of the jar. "Chief, I''ll have to call you back!" Judy blurted and hung up mid-sentence. Doing that alone made her heart sink to her stomach. Below, Lady Fortress furrowed her brow as she held the jar at arm''s length. "What the¡ª" The ground around her trembled. Scattered shards of Red across the battlefield started to crawl and absorb anything in sight. Cars, rubble, debris¡­ truly anything. Explore stories at empire They were like ravenous insects. Scott''s voice thundered over the scene. "Lady Fortress, get away from that thing, NOW!" Lady Fortress turned toward him, confused. "What¡ª" ¡­ crack©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOOOM!! A massive, slimy blob of Red burst from the ground beneath her to swallow her in an instant. Her muffled scream echoed briefly before it was drowned out entirely by the sound of the grotesque creature shifting and expanding. Scott''s knees nearly buckled as he stepped back and his fists trembled. "No¡­ no, no, no¡­" [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.62M viewers] [BRO. WHAT?!] [Lady Fortress just got absorbed?!] [This ain''t regeneration¡­ this is EVOLUTION.] [WHY IS THIS THING STILL ALIVE?!] [Prayers for LF, man. This is bad.] ??? Miss Mercury and Pulsar froze in horror as their eyes darted to every piece of Red still scattered across the battlefield. Each fragment was pulsating, growing, merging into one massive, gelatinous form. Pulsar surged forward. "We have to¡ª" "NO!" Scott roared, then held out his arms to stop both women. "Don''t move!" The three of them watched helplessly as the Red mass absorbed more and more material and its form swelled until it blocked out the moonlight. The monster now towered over the city as its colossal limbs capable of tearing skyscrapers apart with ease. Now, it could pluck buildings like flowers and hurl them as though they were pebbles. That was how massive he''d become! [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.64M viewers] [WHAT IS THAT?! IT''S A TITAN.] [No way. ???? This is his ancient Red Titan Mode that hasn''t been used since the Heian Era! ????????] ©¸ [Those who know ????] ©¸ [*Funk edit sound playing in background*] ©¸ [I swear y''all are not serious ???? ????] [BK, do something!] [This thing could flatten the entire city¡­] [Yo, someone save Judy. Her chopper''s toast if that thing swings.] ©¸ [Sigh~ you just had to talk¡­ didn''t you ????] ??? In the helicopter, Judy watched the monstrosity rise. She felt her breath hook in her throat. "This¡­ this is Judy Cho reporting live, and¡­ it seems Red has¡­ evolved into something far worse than anything we''ve ever seen¡ª" Her words cut off as the Red Titan''s massive, glowing eye turned directly toward the helicopter. "Oh, no¡­" she whispered. The Titan''s massive arm shot forward and its clawed hand tore the helicopter apart with a deafening screech. Judy and the pilot were flung in opposite directions as their screams faded while debris scattered like petals in the wind. [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.69M viewers] [Yup, called it. ????] [JUDY, NO!] [Save the reporter!!!] [BK, DO SOMETHING!] [Don''t let her die! Someone fly up there!!] [DONATIONS FOR JUDY. SHE''S THE QUEEN OF JOURNALISM!] ??? Scott''s vision darted upward just as Judy Cho and the chopper pilot tumbled through the air, their screams faint against the chaos. He clenched his fists as his heart pounded. "System! Reactivate the Black Disaster Armor." If only. [Negative. Blood loss has exceeded safe thresholds. Current projections show further strain will result in critical system failure and possible death.] Scott''s teeth bared. "I don''t care! Just¡ª" [Recommended action: equip grappling attachment. Estimated survival window for the journalist: 14.8 seconds. For the pilot: 12.3 seconds. Immediate action required.] Scott''s jaw tightened. "Fine. Let''s do this." Without hesitation, he grabbed his right forearm with his left hand and yanked. ¡­ KRAAAAK!! The damaged plating of his Black Disaster Armor tore away to reveal the modular attachment points beneath. He slapped a sleek metallic device onto his wrist, and it immediately whirred to life, then shifted and unfolded into a wrist-mounted grappling hook. [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.74M viewers] [Bro just ripped his own armor off. Chad energy.] [This is why Nightwatch >>> Black Knight. Man''s resourceful af.] [IMO, Black Knight is still on top XD] [I can''t believe this shit. Imagine arguing which side of the SAME GUY is better. ????] [Still¡­ Black Knight wouldn''t fumble this hard. ????] ??? Scott raised his arm and fired. The grappling line pierced into the skeleton of a barely standing skyscraper. With a sharp tug, the line reeled him skyward at breakneck speed. He braced himself as the ground blurred beneath him. The wind howled in his ears as he shot closer to Judy and the pilot. Just as his hand reached out to grab them¡ª The Red Titan''s massive claw swept through the air with terrifying speed. "NOOOOO!" Miss Mercury screamed from below. Scott caught the movement in the corner of his eye, but it was too late. ¡­ WHAAAAM!! The Titan''s swing slammed into him like a freight train. He was flung like a ragdoll as his body crashed into a water tower with a bone-shaking impact. [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.79M viewers] [PAIN. That looked BRUTAL.] [Bro''s fighting a final boss with 4 health bars while his is EMPTY.] [It''s giving Rope Girl energy, ngl.] [Nah, Rope Girl wouldn''t have gotten hit. ????] [Y''all wild. Man''s literally saving lives, and you''re comparing him to Rope Girl?] ©¸ [Akshually, that''s sexist ??????] ©¸ [HOW THE FUCK IS THAT SEXIST YOU RETARD?!] ©¸ [You''re obviously not a chill guy. ?????????] ??? Scott groaned while blood swam tirelessly in his eyes as he staggered to his feet. Every movement felt like fire lancing through his body, but he refused to stop. He glanced upward. The pilot was safe¡ªPulsar swooped in and caught him. But Judy¡­ Scott''s heart dropped as Pulsar''s fingers slipped from Judy''s hand. "NO!" Judy screamed as she plummeted faster. Scott''s gaze darted to the side. A massive boulder lay nearby. He gripped his jaw. "Fuck this¡­" he muttered. He fired the grappling hook at the boulder and began spinning it in a wide arc. Pain ripped through his shoulders as the sheer force threatened to tear his arms apart. But he gritted his teeth, muscles straining as he hurled the boulder at Red, using the momentum to catapult himself in Judy''s direction. Below, Miss Mercury dashed around the Titan at blinding speed, distracting it with calculated precision. ¡­ fwoooosh©¤©¤©¤©¤CRAAAAASSH!! The boulder slammed into Red''s side, but it did absolutely nothing to the Titan. Scott reached Judy at the last second and wrapped his arms around her. The two tumbled through the air before crashing to the ground in a rolling heap, finally coming to rest just out of harm''s way. [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.81M viewers] [BROOOOO. ????????] [That was INSANE. What did I just watch?!] [Nah, y''all saw the physics on that? How did he calculate that???] [Rope Girl WANNABE.] [SHUT UP. NIGHTWATCH IS THE GOAT.] [Miss Mercury literally carrying the fight right now, though. I respect her for that XD] [Pulsar fumbled Judy''s hand. So much for A-tier. ????] [Why is Peak S-tier again? Someone explain.] ©¸ [RIGHT?! Mercury should be at least A-tier!] Pulsar rushed over, lowering the pilot to safety before turning to Scott. "I''m so sorry!" She blurted. "I fumbled that¡ªI don''t work well under pressure¡ªI''m still learning and¡ª" Scott shook his head to cut her off. "It''s fine. I get it." Before he could say more, a sharp pain in his side made him stumble. Judy and Pulsar reached out to comfort him, but a blur of yellow appeared as Miss Mercury sped to his side and cradled him in her arms. "I''ve got you¡­" she said in a very gentle voice. Pulsar tilted her head. "But¡­ the monster¡ª" Miss Mercury forced a smile. "I''ll handle Black Knight. You take my place for now. Just¡­ hold him off." Confused, Pulsar nodded. "Uh¡­ okay?" [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.84M viewers] [Miss Mercury MVP. The way she just swooped in like that???] [Is Pulsar actually about to fight Red? Oh, this gon'' be GOOD.] [Nightwatch really out here pulling every muscle and MM''s just like, ''I got you, bb.''] [Black Knight x Miss Mercury CONFIRMED???] [Nah, Miss Mercury too good for him.] [LMAO Pulsar gonna get folded in 10 seconds.] [Why is no one talking about how Scott literally INVENTED physics midair?] [Peak fans in shambles rn. ????] [This is the best livestream we''ve ever had.] Chapter 93 Game Plan Scott groaned.His body was weighed down by the pain. Miss Mercury''s hands blurred across his battered torso, her face tight with worry. "You''re breathing okay, right?" She sounded very sharp, but at the same time concerned. Almost as if she was panicking while inspecting the wounds he''d sustained. Scott blinked as his mind was still catching up to her rapid movements. "Uh, yeah¡­" She didn''t even pause. Her hands shifted to his arms as she squeezed and flexed his muscles to test their responsiveness. "Can you feel this? Lift them for me. Do they feel heavy? Numb? Weak? Tell me now." Scott let out an exasperated sigh as his body ached from the constant manhandling. "Emma. I''m fine, okay? Seriously, can you not do this right now? There''s a giant monster out there leveling the city." Miss Mercury leaned back on her knees as she placed her hands on her massive hips. She squeezed her face and wagged a finger like a strict teacher. "Absolutely not!" She sounded very fiery. "You''ve been on the news all night, and the hits you took could''ve killed you. Why don''t you call me when you''re about to do some crazy, suicidal stunt? I can help, you know! You don''t have to do everything alone!" Her voice softened, and her eyes dropped as she rubbed her arm. "It just makes me feel like¡­ I''m not doing enough for you. Like I''m not enough. And that someday, you''ll need someone else who¡­" Her voice faded away as her face fell into an almost heartbreaking expression. Scott''s brows climbed up his forehead in shock. Ignoring the stabbing pain in his ribs, he edged closer to her. "Hey. No." He cupped her cheek as his fingers brushed away a streak of dirt on her skin. "You''re not ''not enough.'' You''d never be ''not enough.'' I¡­" He hesitated for a split second. "Em, I love you. You know that, right?" Miss Mercury''s golden eyes widened in surprise as her little mouth formed a small "O." Discover more content at empire "You''ve never said it like that before¡­" Her face lit up with a warm, glowing smile that spread across her lips. She took his hands in hers, her touch so gentle that, for a moment, Scott forgot all the aches and pains coursing through his body. "Say it again." Scott blinked. "What?" "With that face!" She edged closer, looking even more eager. "It felt so weird but also¡­ so right. Please?" "Meh." Scott leaned back as his lips quirked into a smirk. "Maybe some other time, babe." Miss Mercury''s face scrunched into an exaggerated pout as her cheeks flushed red. "Oh, come on!" Scott chuckled, a low, warm sound that immediately turned into a wince. Her worry returned instantly. "Shit, are you sure you''re okay?" He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and his eyes softly met hers. "Yeah, I am. Don''t worry." Her smile returned, softer but still radiant. "Good. Now let me get a feel of that vigilante meat. Mama hasn''t had dinner today, and I''m starving for some of that girthy, uncooked meat." Scott jerked back as his face squeezed like a crumpled up exam script. "Bro, what?!" ??? Before the tension could escalate further, Pulsar''s voice interrupted their conversation. "Uh, guys?" She sounded heavily annoyed. "All for the lovey-dovey field trip, but can we please focus on the MASSIVE TITAN DESTROYING THE CITY?!" Scott and Mercury snapped their heads toward her just in time to see Red''s claw swipe across Pulsar to send her careening into a building. ¡­ blam©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOM!! She crumpled to the ground, unmoving. "PULSAR!" Miss Mercury''s voice cracked as panic washed over her. She was already shifting into a runner''s stance when Scott grabbed her wrist. "Wait!" "What?! You want a good look at my ass while I run? I can totally do that!" She even pumped a fist and flashed a jock-like grin. Scott groaned. "What? No! Why do you always say the most out-of-pocket stuff? And why do you even sound so determined when you say it?" She shrugged as her grin widened. "It''s one of my many charms." Scott gave a mock-serious nod. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that¡­" Just then, Red roared fiercely. ROOOOOOOARRR!! Its animalistic bellow spread throughout the ruined district like some kind of shockwave, making the ground quake and the fragile buildings tremble. [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.91M Viewers] [Bro really just called her out mid-apocalypse. ????] ["Why do you always say the most out-of-pocket stuff?" KILLED ME.] ©¸ [If only we could actually hear or see the convo ????] [Mercury''s charms >>>>> Pulsar''s fumbles.] ©¸ [Uhhh, yeah obviously.] ©¸ [Fr, these Mercury glazers are out here trying to do anything to make that ass-shaking speedster relevant.] ©¸ [Someone tell her to quit heroing and start an FansOnly account, those old men are starving. ????] [Red Titan ROARS > BK tryna to flirt.] ©¸ [I don''t think he was flirting, although the last few things that were unmuted made it sound that way.] ©¸ [Pssssh©¤©¤sure, cope all you want ????] [Can someone explain WHY THEY''RE STILL TALKING?] [Bro, I''d be dead if Red roared at me like that.] [Pulsar deserves better. #JusticeForPulsar] ??? Mercury gritted her teeth as her hands clenched into fists. "If you''ve got a plan, now''s the time." Scott exhaled sharply as his eyes tracked the massive beast in the distance. He turned back to Miss Mercury. She was crouched close to him, but in a way that showed she was also ready to spring into action. "Emma, I think I know why this thing''s so damn big." Miss Mercury tilted her head as her cherry lips curled into a curious smile. "Oh~?" She bit the tip of her finger in a teasing motion. Her golden eyes flicked to him, full of mischief. "Just like how your thing gets big?" Scott''s expression instantly soured as he pointed at her with an exasperated groan. "Focus, Emma! I''m serious!" With a theatrical sigh, Miss Mercury plopped onto the ruined ground, sitting obediently with her legs tucked under her and her back ramrod straight. She pressed a fist to her forehead like a soldier saluting, her other hand planted firmly on her knee. "Yes, sir! Waiting for your genius explanation, sir!" Scott pinched the bridge of his nose but couldn''t completely suppress a smirk. He cleared his throat, glanced at her, then looked away. "But yeah... that." Her lips twitched into a small smile, but she stayed silent as he crouched down and pulled out a smooth, black stone from his utility belt. Using the sharp edge, he started etching into the ground. "This parasite¡ªit''s feeding off Lady Fortress'' cells¡­" He explained with a steady voice. Diagrams were already appearing on the ground with each focused stroke he made. "Her physiology is completely different from a normal human''s. She''s¡­ unique. Either her genetic makeup or her innate power is giving the creature an almost limitless energy source to grow its biomass. It''s like¡­" He paused, searching for the right analogy. "It''s like someone taking the world''s strongest nuclear reactor and hooking it up to a blender. It wasn''t built for that kind of power, but it''ll keep going until something gives out¡ªor explodes." [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 3.94M Viewers] [Yo, BK is cooking right now fr.] ©¸ [Nightwatch, not BK. ????] ©¸ [I thought we agreed on Knightwatch tho¡­] ©¸ [Right? It sounds raw asf! ????????] [NUCLEAR REACTOR AND A BLENDER? ???? This dude always got the wildest analogies.] [Okay, but that makes sense¡­ which is scary.] ©¸ [Fr. Lady Fortress OP but low-key a liability rn.] [Someone give this man a doctorate. No, TWO.] [Bro''s doing science class in the middle of a kaiju fight.] ©¸ [Meanwhile, I failed my midterms. Smh.] [Nah, the reactor-blender metaphor is gonna live rent-free in my brain forever.] ??? Scott finished the diagram, his hand brushing the dust away to reveal a rough sketch of the parasite''s structure. He stood and gestured to it. "Essentially, because Lady Fortress isn''t human, the creature''s compatibility with her physiology is exponentially higher than it was with its previous host. That''s why it''s so much stronger now." Miss Mercury stood, her arms crossed as she studied the drawing. Her golden eyes flicked to his helmeted face. "So, you''re saying¡­ it''s basically an alien like her. That''s why it''s juiced up?" Scott smiled beneath his helmet. "Exactly. If we can separate Lady Fortress from it, we''ll cut its power level by¡­ I don''t know, 60%, maybe more. The difficulty of this fight goes from a solid 90 to a manageable 30." Miss Mercury tapped her chin, glancing skyward as if consulting the dark clouds for wisdom. "Hmm¡­ okay, that makes sense." She looked back at him with determination in her eyes. "So¡­ I''m guessing you need me to distract it while you do your thing?" Scott hesitated. "Yeah, but Emma, this is dangerous. Unlike you or Pulsar, I''m just a guy. No Force-gene, no powers. If I get inside that thing, it won''t get much of a boost from me. But¡­" He shifted uncomfortably. "I''ll have to reactivate the Black Disaster Armor temporarily to get her out." [THE BLACK DISASTER ARMOR? LET''S GO!! ????????????] [He''s really about to risk it all again.] ©¸ [I''d risk it all for that ass too, kek!] ©¸ [Someone get @SleazyPen outta here ????????] [Black Knight = walking W.] ©¸ [*Nightwatch] [Nah, I need to see that armor in action again. It''s so metal.] [This is either gonna be insane or insanely dumb.] ©¸ [Why not both?] [Meanwhile, Lady Fortress took the biggest L. How did she get caught like that? ????] ©¸ [She''s S-tier, bro. S for Snatched.] ©¸ [TS got me wheezing wtf ????????] [Imagine they cut the stream right before BK pulls it off. I''d crash out.] ??? Miss Mercury was ready to move. But this moment¡­ it felt oddly familiar to Scott. He tilted his head. "Uhm, Emma?" "Yeah?" "You''re not worried?" She blinked. "About what?" "Well, I''m going to use the BDA again, and well you don''t seem too worried about me doing it. I mean the armor could kill me, or I could well¡­ yunno, even get lost in there. Not that I''m complaining or anything, it''s just¡­ a little surprising?" "Oh, I see¡­" Miss Mercury straightened as her expression went serious for a moment. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, she zipped to his side and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, leaving a faint imprint of her lipstick on his helmet. "I trust you." Her voice was soft but firm. Before Scott could respond, she shot off in a streak of golden lightning, scorching the ground as she ran toward the monstrous Red Titan. Scott touched his cheek as a small smile broke through. "Heh. Still got it." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [WHAT DID SHE DO? HELLO?] [BLACK SCREEN? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!] ©¸ [They KISSED, didn''t they? I KNEW IT.] ©¸ [LMAO, they definitely didn''t. Miss Mercury ain''t a cheater fr, so I doubt she''d ever do that.] [Miss Mercury = best girl confirmed.] [Imagine BK pulling the speedster. Man''s a legend.] ©¸ [Knightwatch pulls better than BK ?????????¡á?] ©¸ [They''re the same person guys! ?????????¡á?] [But he already pulled Deathmark? Dude''s on a roll.] ©¸ [Deathmark >>> Mercury, fight me.] [SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY! ????] ©¸ [Same. Dropping a donation rn.] ??? Scott turned and started running in the opposite direction. Meanwhile¡­ Miss Mercury streaked across the battlefield as her golden lightning trail flashed against the crimson-tinted ruins. She stopped abruptly near a pile of rubble where Pulsar was buried. "Pulsar!" In a blur, she cleared the rubble to reveal the bruised but alive superhero. Pulsar groaned as she sat up, rubbing her head. "Ow¡­ Aren''t I supposed to have the durability of a pulsar? Why does that hurt like hell?" Miss Mercury crouched down and scratched the back of her neck with an awkward chuckle. "Well, Lady Fortress'' strength isn''t exactly normal. She hits like a train¡­ or, in your case, maybe a space station?" Pulsar shot her a deadpan look. "Cute. Real cute." She winced as she stretched her arms. Her eyes shifted to the monstrous Red Titan in the distance, still lumbering forward with agonizingly slow, earth-shaking steps. Buildings crumbled like sandcastles in its wake. "Great¡­" Pulsar muttered. "Big ugly''s still on the move, and I''ve been lying unconscious in a pile of bricks. My body aches. Next time, maybe you focus less on the mysterious, dark-armored dude and more on me, your actual friend?" Miss Mercury laughed nervously, rubbing her neck again. "Uh¡­ my bad. I''ll buy you a drink after this?" Pulsar raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you''re definitely buying. And I''m getting the expensive stuff." Miss Mercury smiled, helping Pulsar to her feet. "Deal." [Nightwatch Livestream Chat: 4.01M Viewers] [They''re alive! Thank God.] ©¸ [Bro, Pulsar sounds done with Mercury''s BS. ????] ©¸ [Pulsar MVP for putting up with her.] [Mercury is literally me with my friends. "Uhhh¡­ my bad." LMAO] [Why''s that kaiju walking slower than my grandma, though?] ©¸ [Action movie syndrome. It''ll stop when they''re ready to fight. ????] [Bro, Pulsar got folded AND roasted. Life''s tough.] ??? Suddenly, Red let out an earsplitting roar. ROOOOAAAAARRRR!!! The sound rippled through the city like a shockwave, throwing Miss Mercury off her feet. She landed hard on the ground and winced as she rubbed her backside. Pulsar stood firm, brushing dust off her shoulders. She smirked down at the speedster. "Maybe if you didn''t have such a fat ass, you wouldn''t get knocked over so easily." Miss Mercury scowled, still massaging her sore behind. "Tch. Bitch." [NOT THE FAT ASS COMMENT. ????????????] [Mercury and Pulsar = new bestie duo confirmed.] ©¸ [Nah, I still miss Lady Fortress. Their dynamic hit different during that Radion fight.] ©¸ [The Radion fight was mid¡­] [Pulsar''s built different fr. Took that roar like a champ.] [Can we talk about how Red''s been walking for an hour, though?] ©¸ [Bro, that''s how kaijus roll. Slow but dramatic.] ©¸ [It''s the suspense, man. Let them cook.] ??? Red''s massive, mutated cybernetic eye locked onto the duo, glowing ominously. A bright red light amassed at its center, charging with dangerous intensity. "Uh-oh¡­" Miss Mercury muttered. The beam fired, a torrent of crimson energy ripping through the air at terrifying speed. The ground trembled as the blast carved a path of destruction straight toward them. Pulsar leaped into action, flying in front of the blast with her hands cupped to the side. Purple energy swirled between her palms as it crackled like a miniature star. "Raaaaahhh!" Pulsar thrust her arms forward, releasing a devastating wave of energy that collided with the beam. Her purple attack tore through the red energy, cutting a path straight to Red Titan and blasting a massive hole through its head. [SHEESH! PULSAR GOATED!] [That pose looks familiar. ????] ©¸ [Bro, you''re thinking of the wrong franchise. ????] [Wait, wait¡­ don''t celebrate yet. It''s gonna regenerate, isn''t it?] ©¸ [Calling it now. All this hype for nothing. SMH.] [Still, that was sick. Pulsar''s been hiding her game!] ??? As predicted, Red''s head regenerated within seconds, the grotesque flesh stitching itself back together. It roared again, shaking the battlefield. Miss Mercury nodded to Pulsar. "Round two?" "Go do your thing¡­ I''ll attack its head again." Pulsar replied, cracking her knuckles. Miss Mercury shot off like a streak of golden lightning, racing up Red''s leg. Her speed was so intense that the monster''s flesh burned under her trail, smoke rising in her wake. Red swiped at her with one massive hand, but she rolled across its arm in a blur, then anchored herself to the red flesh. When the absorption process began, she leaped off just in time to avoid being consumed. ¡­ Vwooooosh!! The other hand came swinging toward her like a freight train, or a hand trying to smack a mosquito. She dodged mid-air, then landed gracefully on the opposite arm. Miss Mercury smirked. "And now¡­" She rubbed her palms together at superspeed to generate enough friction to create an intense electrical charge. Her hair spiked up as she unleashed twin blasts of electricity that tore into Red''s torso. The damage was minimal. But, it slowed the beast momentarily. "Ugh, screw this!" She retreated down its body in a golden flash. She landed next to Pulsar, who was still catching her breath. "Any bright ideas?" Pulsar asked. "Working on it." [Mercury''s moves are clean, but where''s the damage?] [This is why she''s still C-rank, let''s be real.] [Red''s a tank, bro. They need a game-changer.] ©¸ [Speaking of, where''s BK? He better be cooking something, or I swear¡­ ????] ©¸ [Let him COOK! ????] ©¸ [Watch vexbolts screenshot this ?????????¡á?] ??? Meanwhile, thirty meters away, Scott crouched on the edge of a rooftop. His thermal vision locked onto Lady Fortress who was still submerged in the biomass at Red''s core. "This is it¡­" He adjusted his stance. The Black Disaster Armor''s dormant systems began to hum softly, yet menacingly. Chapter 94 Final Effort, Naked Dreams "System¡­"A plume of steam left Scott''s heated breath. He almost looked overstimulated. But in truth, his adrenaline was at its maximum. "Activate Bloodwing Overdrive Mode." The BDA growled into activation. [Warning: Activating Bloodwing Overdrive Mode will require 30% of your blood reserves. Any attempt to exceed this threshold risks death. Do you wish to proceed?] Scott''s red visor pulsed faintly and cast a sinister glow over his face. He nodded once. "Do it." [Affirmative. Calculating trajectory¡­] The suit''s HUD displayed a flurry of data: wind speed, trajectory angles, distance to target, and heat signatures. [You are 30 meters from the target. Current wind speed: 15 km/h eastward. Adjusting stance for optimal impact velocity¡­ Calculation complete. Prepare to launch.] Scott planted his armored boots firmly against the crumbling rooftop. The claws of his gauntlets dug into the surface to anchor him in place. "Okay¡­" His voice could barely be heard over the growling hum of the armor''s systems. "Go." [Bloodwing Overdrive Mode activated!] A deafening BOOM erupted as the armor flared to life and released a torrent of bloodfire. Red flames roared from every seam of the suit, engulfing Scott in a hellish blaze that shimmered with raw, destructive energy. The armor''s sleek black exterior transformed, becoming sleeker and more menacing. Robotic wings unfolded from his back, each membrane-like panels ablaze with crimson fire. A spiked, flame-coated tail emerged, whipping through the air like a serpent from hell. The livestream chat exploded in response. [HOLY S¡ª BLACK KNIGHT WAS COOKING FOR REAL!] ©¸ [Bro looks like the final boss now. ????] [THOSE BAT WINGS LOOK AWESOME!! ????????] ©¸ [He''s like a friggin'' demon ????] [Bloodfire?? ROBOTIC WINGS??? THIS IS INSANE!] ©¸ [He''s HIM. Always has been.] ©¸ [Nah, Pulsar still solos, don''t @ me.] ??? As Scott crouched, the building beneath him trembled under the sheer pressure of his power. The air hissed and popped as it sizzled against the intense heat radiating from his form. With a guttural grunt, Scott launched forward like a cannonball from hell. ¡­ DOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!! The rooftop disintegrated under the force and collapsed in on itself as he rocketed toward Red Titan. A blazing trail of bloodfire followed in his wake, lighting up the battlefield like a meteor descending from the heavens. Miss Mercury''s eyes widened in shock. "What the hell©¤©¤?!" Before she could react further, Scott''s flaming form closed the gap in an instant. The sheer heat of his trajectory scorched everything in its path. Mercury turned to Pulsar and scooped her up. "You''ll thank me later¡­" She zipped away as fast as her legs could carry her. "Hey! Put me down, you¡ª" BOOOOOOOM!!! Scott slammed into Red Titan''s chest and unleashed a catastrophic explosion. Bloodfire erupted outward, consuming everything in a hundred-meter radius. Buildings crumbled like paper as a wave of heat and debris tore through the East District. The livestream chat descended into chaos. [WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!] [BLACK KNIGHT IS CRAZY!!!] ©¸ [BRO JUST WIPED OUT THE EAST DISTRICT LMAOOO] ©¸ [Do y''all know how big the East District is?] [I''m on vacation. My penthouse is in East District ????] [THE ANIMATION BUDGET WENT CRAZY HERE.] ©¸ [This is a livestream, idiot.] [Miss Mercury better not be crispy after that, I swear¡­] ©¸ [Nah, she''s fast. She''s good. Right? RIGHT?!] ??? The East District was now an unrecognizable wasteland, reduced to scorched earth and rubble. A massive plume of smoke billowed into the sky, visible from every corner of Metro City. Reporting live from the North District, Judy turned to the camera with wide, fearful eyes. "We¡­ we have no way of knowing what just happened in the East District. B-, But if Black Knight truly gave his life for this city¡­ he''ll go down as a hero. A true hero." Behind the camera, the cameraman wiped tears from his eyes, struggling to keep the shot steady. The livestream chat softened momentarily. [Man, if BK''s gone, I''m legit crying.] ©¸ [Same. Dude carried this whole fight.] ©¸ [Bro, even Judy''s tearing up¡­] [Nahhh, Nightwatch isn''t gone. ????????] ©¸ [Bro, let''s face it¡­ that explosion¡­] ©¸ [I can''t even cope rn. ????] ??? But the hope was short-lived. ROOOOOOOAAARRRR!!! Through the smoke and fire, Red Titan''s colossal form re-emerged as its body regenerated at an alarming rate. The glowing red eye pulsed with malice. It wasn''t gone in the slightest. Judy dropped to her knees. "No¡­ no, it can''t be¡­" The chat erupted again. [YOU''VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.] [THE PLOT ARMOR ON THIS THING IS CRAZY.] ©¸ [Bro, where''s the cheat code? We need one NOW.] [Dude, someone call Fortitude!] ©¸ [So he gets absorbed too? Fuck off!] ©¸ [Man, this sucks¡­] ??? As panic spread, a gruff voice cut through the chaos. "This is General Stone¡­" Barked a man stepping into the frame. He adjusted his comm device with precision as his sharp gaze fixed on the camera. "I''m taking charge now. Deploy the jets and artillery suits. Start evacuating the city. These so-called ''heroes'' have done enough damage." The livestream chat was relentless. [Not this clown. ????] ©¸ ["I''m taking charge now" yeah okay, General NPC.] [Man''s about to send jets to die. ????] ©¸ [Bro''s about to get farmed like XP.] [Let the REAL heroes cook, Stone. SIT DOWN.] [Bro really thinks he''s finna do something. ????????] ©¸ [His wife''s probably watching. These guys be doing anything for the huzz, I swear. ????] ??? The sound of roaring jet engines sparked as squadrons of sleek fighter planes zoomed into view. Their sharp, triangular wings glowed under the dead neon lights as they flew in a perfect V-formation to circle the towering monstrosity that was Red. [General Stone here. All units, open fire on my mark.] The HUD screens of the jets lit up as pilots locked onto their target. A synchronized volley of missiles launched, streaking through the sky with brilliant trails of light. They slammed into Red Titan''s enormous body and detonated in rapid succession. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The explosions sent shockwaves rippling through the air. For a moment, the battlefield was obscured by thick clouds of smoke and flame. [FINALLY, AIR SUPPORT. LET''S GOOOOO.] ©¸ [America about to nuke the problem, classic.] ©¸ [Wait, does this even work on something like Red??] [That was some crazy damage. Look at that explosion!!] ©¸ [Bro, it''s over. GG EZ.] ©¸ [Nah, y''all are celebrating too early.] ??? As the smoke cleared, the victory cries quickly turned into gasps of horror. Red Titan stood unscathed. Its glowing red eye flared as it raised one massive hand. With terrifying speed, it swiped through the air and absorbed three jets mid-flight. The machines disintegrated into streams of red particles, fusing into the creature''s body. [OH HELL NAH.] [It just ATE the jets??] ©¸ ["Absorbed" is wild. This thing is built different.] ©¸ [It''s farming XP live on stream. ????] ??? The beast turned its glowing eye skyward. A sudden beam of crimson energy erupted from the orb and pierced through the remaining jets. The resulting explosions painted the sky with fiery blossoms as debris rained down. [NOOOOO, MY TAX DOLLARS!!] [Bro just turned those jets into confetti. ????] ©¸ [Imagine being a pilot and your final boss is THIS dude.] [Respawn timers gotta be crazy long for those guys.] ©¸ [No way you just said that¡­ ????] ©¸ [Naaawww, that''s just evil.] ??? On the ground, soldiers in Artillery Suits charged forward. The advanced mech suits were painted in black and green camouflage, their massive arm cannons primed and glowing with energy. Equipped with short-range jetpacks and rocket thrusters, the soldiers zipped through the battlefield with impressive speed and agility. One group of Artillery Suits took to the air, flying along Red Titan''s enormous arm. [On my mark, fire!] [Yes, Sergeant!] They fired concentrated beams of plasma and unleashed volleys of energy grenades, each explosion leaving molten craters in its metallic flesh. The livestream chat kept rolling. [OKAY, THIS IS KINDA FIRE.] [Artillery Suits >>> Jets. These dudes are BUILT.] ©¸ [Nah, they''re just delaying the inevitable. Look at that thing regening.] ©¸ [The Artillery Suits better not get farmed too.] ??? Red Titan roared and swung its massive arm. Soldiers dodged with precision, using jetpacks to weave around its attacks. A few even activated laser swords as their glowing blades deflected the energy blasts from cannons that had grown out of the beast''s evolving body. But it wasn''t enough. A single swipe from Red Titan''s clawed hand caught three soldiers mid-flight, absorbing their suits and leaving nothing behind. The monster grew larger, incorporating the stolen technology into its form. New weapons sprouted across its surface¡ªsmall cannons that fired rapid bursts of energy. [It''s evolving AGAIN. WHAT IS THIS, POK¨¦MON?] ©¸ [Bro just unlocked DLC content.] [Prayers up for the Artillery Suit guys. ????] ©¸ [At least they''re trying. Respect.] ©¸ [No cap, they''re doing better than the jets.] ??? Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the North District. Soldiers herded panicked civilians toward evacuation zones and barked orders over the deafening noise of the battle. "MOVE! NOW!" Shouted one officer as he shoved a man forward with the stock of his rifle. "But my son¡ªmy son''s still inside!" The man pleaded as tears streamed down his face. "There''s no time! MOVE, DAMN IT!" Another woman, pregnant and struggling to walk, was helped into a military vehicle by two junior officers. Elderly civilians were carried onto stretchers and loaded into transport trucks. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The intrepid reporter, Judy Cho stood her ground, microphone in hand. "I can''t leave!" She protested as a stone-faced female soldier grabbed her by the collar. "I have a duty to report this¡ª" "Get your FAT REPORTER ASS MOVING, or we''re gonna have problems!" The soldier snapped, and then shoved her toward the evacuation zone. Judy slapped the soldier''s hand away, glaring before storming off toward safety. ??? Back at the Forward Command Post¡­ General Stone lowered his high-tech binoculars. His face was grim, but there was no emotion. The chat turned its attention to him. [General NPC, what are you even doing??] [Bro''s just standing there like he''s in a cutscene.] ©¸ ["I''m taking charge now" headass. ????] [At least he''s trying something, respect where it''s due.] ©¸ [Nah, send HIM out there. Let''s see those leadership skills.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Mega Tower, Falan City¡­ Maxwell lounged on a plush couch as a stunning European woman curled up beside him. She moaned softly as he gently grabbed her butt while watching the chaos happening on television. Scottie burst into the room with a pale face. "Dad! Metro City is under attack! You''re a Z-tier hero! You have to help them!" Maxwell yawned and stretched. "Nah, I don''t feel like it. Be a dear and get me some cream, will you?" Scottie''s eyes widened in disbelief. "D-, Do you even hear yourself? Your son is there! And mom is also th¡ª" He gave her a cold, side-eyed glance. "Let''s get one thing straight. That disabled bastard and my crackhead ex-wife can die for all I care. Good riddance to my greatest shames." Scottie''s hands balled into fists as tears filled her eyes. "Nightwatch¡­ he saved a child holding your action figure and then told the child to get a better hero to admire. And now, I just know he''s right!" She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The European woman whispered something in a foreign language. Maxwell smirked, pulling her closer. "HAHAHA! Don''t know what you said, babe, but I know what you want." He gently grabbed her by her neck and pressed her against the soft couch while grinning. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ South District, Metro City¡­ Miss Mercury and Pulsar watched from a safe distance. "I don''t get it¡­" Mercury looked broken and sounded panicked. "Why is the military fighting this thing? Where are the other heroes? What''s the Hero Agency even doing¡­" Pulsar shook her head in disbelief. "I don''t know¡­ I don''t know." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott''s eyes fluttered open. His vision was blurred by an overwhelming red that stretched endlessly in every direction. He blinked a few times, trying to focus, but the crimson haze persisted. It was like an eerie, all-consuming void. "Where¡­ am I?" His voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "Am I¡­ dead?" His gaze darted around, desperate for anything besides the suffocating redness. Nothing. Just more red. His breaths grew heavier as he felt an unfamiliar weight pulling at him. "My arms feel¡­ heavy." He glanced down and froze. His jaw dropped, his brain barely comprehending what he was seeing. "Why am I naked?!" His voice cracked into a scream. "AAAAHHHHHCKKK!" But it wasn''t the nakedness itself that made him yell. No. It was the tiny figure cradled in his arms. Lady Fortress. Naked. She was curled up like a delicate little pangolin as her petite body impossibly small against his chest. Her serene face was tucked against him, her hands balled into tiny fists. And¡ªshe was snoring. Soft, rhythmic, and completely unbothered by their more than abnormal predicament. "They''re out there going through hell¡­ and she''s just¡­ snoozing away like a baby." He let out a breathy chuckle, then shook his head. . "Guess I should figure out how to get out of here. Not that I''m thrilled about running around naked¡­" "Yeah, me neither¡­" A woman''s voice suddenly said. It sent Scott jolting backward. He instinctively floated a few feet away as his eyes darted toward the source of the voice. Two figures emerged from the haze¡ªboth naked. One was a woman with long, jet-black hair and pale skin who had that gothic presence about her. The other¡­ Future Scott. Scott''s jaw dropped. "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU GUYS?!" He bellowed, flailing backward as his eyes darted between them. "AND WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU NAKED?!" The goth woman giggled, casually placing one hand over her porcelain-smooth crotch. "Relax, Scott. I could make it worse~" She teased, then flashed a sly smile. "Imagine if my hand slipped, and you got a good look at my©¤©¤" "Denise¡­" Future Scott man interrupted, holding a hand in front of her like a shield. "Don''t." Scott squinted as his face scrunched up in disgust as he focused on the man. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. "Why do you look like me?" Scott finally blurted out. Then, as the realization hit, he pointed an accusatory finger. "Wait¡ªare you me?!" Future Scott smirked. "Bingo." Scott''s eye twitched. "Oh, no. No. No. I''m not doing this. First, I''m naked. Second, there''s a naked lady in my arms. And now you''re telling me there''s a naked me standing right here?" His voice rose with each word. "WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!" Denise leaned in closer to Future Scott, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Kinda cute when he''s panicking, don''t you think?" Future Scott rolled his eyes. "Don''t encourage him." Scott''s eyes darted back to Denise. "And you! Stop giggling! And cover yourself better!" "Oh?" Denise smirked and shifted her hand slightly. "What, afraid you''ll see my throbbing death hole? ??" "Denise!" Future Scott snapped. Scott covered his eyes with one hand. "This is hell. I''m in hell. That''s the only explanation. And why, why¡­" He peeked through his fingers. "¡­ is your¡­ junk¡­ so big? It''s like a freaking yam!" Future Scott glanced down, unimpressed by Scott''s commentary. "Don''t be jealous. In the future, they invent exercises for, y''know, enhancement." Scott groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Can we not talk about this?" Denise tilted her head as her eyes drifted to Lady Fortress, who was still sleeping soundly in Scott''s arms. "Aw, she''s adorable. Hey¡­" She turned to Future Scott. "¡­ why don''t you carry me like that?" "Absolutely not." Future Scott said without hesitation, slicking back his hair. Scott sighed as his shoulders slumped. "I''m dead. I have to be dead." Chapter 95 Strength from Tomorrow Scott paced back and forth with Lady Fortress still cradled in his arms and a massive grin plastered across his face.Her tiny body barely weighed anything, and the way she snored peacefully, completely oblivious to everything happening around them, only allowed him to be much more expressive of his excitement. "This is crazy!" Scott chuckled as he shook his head. "Time travel is real. Like, actually real! I mean, it makes sense, considering interdimensional warlords like Gremulaxx were a thing in Blue Atom Comics back in the day¡ªbestsellers for years¡ªbut still!" He paused mid-step, shooting a wide-eyed stare at Denise and Future Scott, who stood silently watching him. "But the fact that I time travel?!" His grin stretched impossibly wider. "That''s so fucking awesome!" Unable to contain himself, Scott rushed toward them, stopping just short of colliding with Future Scott. He leaned in close as his eyes sparkled with anticipation. "So, tell me¡­" He was practically bouncing in place. "What happens a few years from now? Do I join some massive tech company and invent cool stuff? Ooooo, maybe even make my own? Or maybe I finally get my own scientist reality TV show?" He clapped his hands together, careful not to drop Lady Fortress. "No, wait¡ªbetter! Please, please, pleeease tell me I solve the Riemann Hypothesis!" Denise tilted her head as her black hair flowed over one shoulder. She placed a thoughtful hand on her chin, her long fingers gently stroking it as her beautiful, black eyes drifted upward. "Ah, Riemann''s Hypothesis¡­" She was trying to recall something. "I remember the guy who solved it. Poor bastard got sucked into a black hole that led straight to the Dreamsphere." Scott blinked. "Eh?" Before he could process that bizarre revelation, Future Scott''s expression darkened. His eyes narrowed, and a flash of anger crossed his face. Without warning, he lunged forward to grab Scott by the neck with startling force. "IS THAT ALL YOU CAN ASK ABOUT?!" Future Scott roared as his voice boomed with fury. "SOME STUPID UNSOLVABLE EQUATION?! TECH COMPANIES? A REALITY TV SHOW?!" Scott gasped. His mind racing as Future Scott''s grip tightened. "Wha¡ªwhat are you¡ª?!" Future Scott leaned in closer with rageful eyes. "Are you so blind and dense that you can''t even ask about what happens to Gwen? Or Brigid?! Or Amalie?! Even Beca?! Don''t they matter?!" Scott''s breath hitched. "What are you talking about?" Future Scott''s voice cracked. His fury carried something deeper¡ªpain. "It''s because of this stupid shit you do that Emma dies!" Scott''s eyes widened in horror. "Wh¡ªwhat? Emma¡­ dies?" Future Scott''s voice broke. "YES! And you''re the one who kills her!" The words hit Scott like a freight train. "Wait¡­ what¡­?" His arms instinctively tightened around Lady Fortress as he stared up at his future self, fear and disbelief etched across his face. "No¡­" he whispered. "That can''t be¡­" Future Scott staggered back, clutching his chest as if the weight of his own words was too much to bear. "I''m the one¡­ who killed her¡­ my mistakes¡­" His voice was barely audible, his breaths ragged. Scott turned to Denise. "I don''t understand. What does he mean?" His voice trembled, almost like a lost child. Denise crossed her arms under her bare breasts. She had her usual calm, indifferent look, but even that couldn''t fully mask the frustration showing through. "In the future¡­" Her tone was softer than normal. "There was a huge fight between you and Emma. It was about your¡­ well, harem." She hesitated, then glanced at Future Scott. She wanted to know he was alright with what she was saying before she could continue. "It left Emma broken. And before you could tell her you''d find a way to fix things¡ªto avoid the harem entirely¡ªshe''d already made up her mind." Scott''s blood ran cold. "No¡­ she didn''t¡­" "She did¡­" Denise was blunt, but there was still sadness in her voice. "Emma killed herself. And it was¡­ one of the saddest deaths I''ve ever felt." Denise''s eyes grew distant, carrying a mesmerizing emotion Scott couldn''t quite place. "Very few deaths ever affect me, but hers¡­ it was so strong, so painful, so unresolved, it almost felt like I would die. That''s how much she loved you." Scott staggered back as Lady Fortress still slept soundly in his muscular arms. His mind reeled as Denise''s words became clearer. It felt like a heavy curtain over his mind had been pulled away, and suddenly, he understood everything¡ªboth what he should and shouldn''t have known. The sheer weight of it all made him feel like collapsing. "No¡­ she¡­ she really¡­" Denise nodded. "She really did." "But¡­" Scott stammered. "That doesn''t make sense. How would you¡ª" "She would know¡­" Future Scott interrupted. "Because Denise isn''t just some goth chick." Scott turned back to Denise as his forehead wrinkled. "Wait¡­ then who is she?" Denise offered a mild smile, then tilted her head slightly. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m Demise¡­" It came out very simply. "The Queen of Death and Rebirth. One of the high ranking nobilities in the Sphere of Darkness¡ªwhat your philosophers call the Darksphere." She pressed an index finger against her chin as her eyes gently crawled to the side. "¡­ or was it called the Atrumsphere?" Scott''s mouth fell open. "You mean¡­ you''re¡­" "Mhm. The personification of Death itself¡­" Denise finished as her smile widened ever so slightly. Future Scott exhaled heavily. Finally, he regained some composure. "I thought all my worries were over when you didn''t go rogue and kill all those innocent civilians. But now¡­ something worse might be coming." Scott frowned, still processing everything. "Worse? Like what?" Future Scott took a moment to prepare his words. "Denise wouldn''t let me tell you about that, but for now, it doesn''t really matter. What matters is that Emma, in this timeline¡ªthe main one, the original from which all other timelines branch out¡ªis in serious danger." "I-, Is she really though? You said Emma in your timeline kills herself, so that shouldn''t equate to mine, right?" Scott was eager to know. Future Scott hesitated, then glanced at Denise. "The only people who should be able to see her are the dead, the dying, or those already teetering on the edge of death itself. The only other exceptions would be Immortals and those who are beyond life and death¡­" Scott froze. His gaze darted between the two of them. "Then why¡­ can I¡­?" Future Scott''s eyes sharpened darkly. "Because¡­ you''re about to die." "What©¤©¤?!" "The Black Disaster Armor¡­ its overuse destroyed your heart. You''re basically a breathing corpse right now." Scott staggered, his mind spinning. "What the fuck?! This is too much! Way too much!" "I guess so¡­" Denise managed to reply while playing with her breasts. "Sometimes I think my nipples are a little too fat¡­ yunno? It''s not like I even lactate or anything like that." Future Scott knocks Denise on the head. "OW©¤©¤!!" Denise hissed painfully. "Focus. Now." "Tch, alright¡­" The goth lady gave Future Scott a mean side-eye while she gently rubbed the top of her head. Denise tilted her head back to Scott. Her arms once again crossed under her bouncing breasts. "Your death isn''t really a big deal, you know¡­" She said, as though commenting on the weather. Scott stared at her with half-lidded, dreary eyes, the life completely drained from his expression. "Oh. Fantastic¡­" His tone was so flat it could''ve been mistaken for sarcasm¡­ if not for how genuinely dead inside he sounded. Denise sighed, massaging her temples. "Listen, it''s not as simple as that. The prime timeline is always experiencing constant changes. What was supposed to happen doesn''t just disappear. Instead, it creates a new branch where it happens, and things keep progressing there¡­ infinitely." Scott raised an eyebrow as a spark of skepticism returned to the dullness of his eyes. "What? Like¡­ really? An alternate timeline?" "Yes¡­" Denise said, nodding. "In this prime timeline, we were hoping Emma would be safe. But for some reason, she can still see me, which means her death is likely inevitable." She jabbed a finger in Scott''s direction. "That''s where you come in, genius. If you don''t want her to end up killing herself, you''re going to have to fix it." Her finger shifted to point at Future Scott. "Otherwise, you''ll turn into this mess." Future Scott frowned, arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Oh. Fantastic¡­" he muttered darkly. Scott''s gaze dropped to the tiny, peacefully snoring Lady Fortress in his arms. He stared at her for a moment, then grunted lowly. "I''m not sure I can¡­ I mean¡­ you guys said I''m about to die and besides¡­ I failed to even get Lady Fortress out of here. If I can''t even do that, what makes you think I can save Emma? Or anyone else, for that matter?" Future Scott''s jaw tightened. There was such a conflicted expression on his worn face. He didn''t look like he wanted to help¡­ whether out of resentment or the sheer impossibility of undoing what had already been done. However, Denise wasn''t having it. She shoved Future Scott forward with surprising strength as her sharp black-painted nails dug into his back as she gave him an impatient nod. "Go on, big guy¡­ give him the pep talk. It''s why you''re here, isn''t it?" Future Scott sighed heavily, then his shoulders slumped. Reluctantly, he stepped closer to his younger self and placed a firm hand on Scott''s shoulder. "Look¡­" He cleared his throat to get a softer, comforting tone. "Do you really think I hate you for what happened?" Scott flinched as guilt flashed across his face. "Don''t you?" he asked quietly. "I mean¡­ Emma¡­" Future Scott''s lips pressed into a thin line. He took a long breath, then shook his head. "No. I don''t hate you. I hate myself." He paused just so he could frown. "Which¡­ yeah, I guess is kind of the same thing, isn''t it?" Scott looked up at him. His eyes searched for something¡ªanything¡ªthat could make sense of the mess he was in. Future Scott sighed again and stepped back. He held out a hand. "But here''s the thing. We''ve never really liked ourselves much anyway. So instead of focusing on what we hate, let''s focus on what we love." Scott blinked. "What we¡­ love?" Future Scott nodded, a small, weary smile tugging at the corners of his chapped lips. "Yeah. Like taking responsibility for the women in our lives and all the innocent lives that''ll be lost if we don''t do what we were always meant to do." Scott hesitated and his grip tightened slightly around Lady Fortress. "But what if¡­" He swallowed hard. "What if I don''t have the strength to do it?" Future Scott''s smile widened as a sliver of warmth broke through the bitterness in his tired face. "Then you''ll borrow some from tomorrow." Scott''s eyes widened. "Tomorrow¡­" Slowly, he extended his hand. Future Scott clasped it firmly, and the moment their hands touched, a surge of blue energy erupted between them. ¡­ ZUUUUUUUU!! It was warm, alive, and pulsing with power¡ªa vibrant, slime-like entity that wrapped around Scott''s body. It seeped into his skin, his blood, his very being, filling him with an overwhelming sensation of strength and clarity. He could feel himself getting stronger! The light was blinding for a moment, and then it was gone. ¡­ and so were all of them. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ South District, Metro City¡­ The streets were chaos. Soldiers shouted orders that were dulled by the deafening roar of Red Titan''s battle in the distance. Camera drones hovered in the smoky air to broadcast the scene live to millions of horrified viewers. Civilians scrambled toward evacuation zones as military vehicles rumbled by. "Move! Keep moving!" Barked a soldier, gripping a megaphone. He waved frantically at the panicked crowd. An elderly woman tripped as her cane skittered across the asphalt. Without hesitation, a young soldier rushed to her side and lifted her frail body with surprising gentleness. "I''ve got you, ma''am!" He spoke softly. Next, he carried her toward a waiting transport. Nearby, a man clutched his screaming toddler as he tried to shove through the throng. "Please, my wife is back there!" "We''ll find her, sir¡­" Another soldier snapped, pushing him forward. "But you need to get to safety first!" Pregnant women were ushered into armored vehicles, some sobbing as soldiers supported them. A group of young men, unarmed but determined, formed an impromptu line to help carry children and guide the flow of people. The livestream chat was relentless. [Metro City civilians are soft as hell. This would NEVER happen in Meteor City.] ©¸ [Real talk. Metro thinks they''re better, but look at this mess. Whose mortality rate gonna hit 10k in one day? ????] ©¸ [Y''all trolling, but this is low-key funny.] ©¸ [Meteor City would''ve sent a real hero, not just tanks and jets.] [Y''all don''t have an ounce of sympathy? People are dying!] ©¸ [Bro, it''s Metro. Sympathy not included.] ©¸ [Bet this stream gets demonetized anyway.] ©¸ [????????????] [Respect to the soldiers, though. They''re doing the best they can.] ©¸ [True, Artillery Suit Squad >>> the clowns flying jets.] ©¸ [Nah, jets are just there to get farmed. Red Titan speedrunning that powerup.] ??? The Artillery Suits were relentless as their massive cannons fired plasma rounds at Red Titan''s colossal form. ¡­ pew! pew©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! Above, fighter jets streaked through the air to launch volley after volley of missiles. ¡­ sheeeeeww©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! Nothing worked. Red Titan absorbed every attack as its glowing red eye flared with each impact. As if mocking its attackers, it sprouted more cannons and grotesque metallic limbs, which swatted jets out of the sky with terrifying accuracy. "General Stone, permission to speak!" Came a pilot''s voice over comms. Standing stoically at the Forward Command Post, General Stone growled. "Granted." "Sir, I don''t think this is working. The more we attack, the stronger it gets. Maybe we need an alternative strategy." Stone''s face hardened. "Our orders are clear. We fight to the last breath. The Hero Agency has abandoned us, so it''s on us to stop this thing." "But sir©¤©¤!" "If the evacuation fails, we''ll nuke the entire city. That''s the President''s call, and we''ll execute it if needed." The pilot''s voice wavered. "General¡­ you can''t be serious." Stone''s cold gaze burned into the comms monitor. "Do I look like I''m joking, boy? Now focus on staying alive and keep firing!" "YES, SIR!!" The pilots and soldiers responded in unison. The livestream erupted. [LMAOOO, bro really said, ''Just don''t get absorbed.'' Like that''s an option. ????] ©¸ [General Stone speedrunning the ''Most Hated NPC'' award.] ©¸ [This guy''s about to nuke his own city. Who voted for this man?!] ©¸ [#StoneOut2024 trending yet?] [Wait, what about Black Knight? He''s not dead, right?] ©¸ [Nah, Black Knight''s done. Pack it up.] ©¸ [Cap. He''s coming back. Just wait for the anime moment.] ??? No End in Sight Red Titan''s massive claw slammed into a building, sending debris raining down on the streets below. Fighter jets spiraled out of control and crashed into skyscrapers or exploded mid-air. On the ground, soldiers in Artillery Suits were crushed, disintegrated, or swept aside like insects. The chat oscillated between despair and dark humor. [Damn ???? This monster''s gonna wipe Metro and hit the next city by dinner.] ©¸ [Metro''s gone. GG.] ©¸ [At least evacuate the pregnant ladies. Come on.] [Where''s the Hero Agency? They''ve got one job!] ©¸ [Probably sipping tea in their ivory tower.] ©¸ [Nah, they''re waiting for the death toll to get spicy before showing up.] ??? Amid the chaos, Red Titan froze. Its massive body trembled and sent ripples through the ground. Soldiers halted their attacks. They were unsure of what was happening. "Why are we stopping?!" Stone barked. "Sir, it''s¡­ it''s not moving¡­" A soldier stammered over the comms. "Its head¡­ it''s glowing blue. Like it''s about to¡ª" "KEEP ATTACKING!" Stone roared. But before the order could be executed, Red Titan released an ear-splitting roar that shook the entire city. Its head began to swell and deform, glowing brighter and brighter. Then it exploded. ¡­ krak©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOM!! A brilliant streak of blue energy shot skyward, illuminating the entire metropolis. The beam was visible from every corner of Metro City, leaving soldiers and civilians alike staring in awe. "What the hell is that?" Mercury whispered, her wide eyes fixed on the sky. "Is it a star?" Pulsar murmured. "Or a missile?" a wounded soldier muttered. The chat exploded alongside the blue streak. ["WHAT WAS THAT?!"] ©¸ [Alien weapon? God? WHAT?!] ©¸ [Metro City unlocking secret weapons now?] [This isn''t over. No way it''s over.] ©¸ [Plot twist incoming.] ©¸ [I''m hyped. Let''s GO!] Chapter 96 End of a Catastrophe South District, Metro City¡­The blue streak illuminated the night sky, cutting through the dense smoke and chaos like a blade of divine judgment. The entire city seemed to hold its breath. Soldiers, civilians, and pilots alike froze, eyes glued to the glowing trail that pierced through the heavens. In the command post, General Stone lowered his binoculars as his usually gruff demeanor was now replaced with something akin to awe. "What¡­ in God''s name¡­" he whispered. The fighter pilots, circling cautiously at a safe distance, were the first to catch a closer view. "Holy crap, do you guys see this?" One of them blurted over the comms. "It''s¡­ it''s a man! He''s just hovering there!" "MENACINGLY!!" "What the hell is he holding?" As the smoke cleared, the figure became clearer. Suspended mid-air was a man clad in a sleek, high-tech exoskeleton of pristine white with glowing blue LED accents that pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat. His helmet was smooth and futuristic, with a blue visor that seemed to scan everything around him. Blue, fiery horn-like projections arched from his head, giving him an almost mythical presence. Behind him, a flowing white cape shimmered with a fiery blue underside that added to his mighty presence. Cradled delicately in his left arm was a small, unconscious woman¡ªnaked, her body limp but unharmed. The juxtaposition was striking: the towering, armored figure of justice and the fragile, exposed life he protected. The livestream chat erupted like never before. [BROOOO WHO IS THAT?!] ©¸ [It''s gotta be Fortitude. No one else could pull off something this badass.] ©¸ [Nah, you blind? That''s Knightwatch. Look at the horns. Classic him!] ©¸ [Fortitude fans stay delusional. Y''all think he''s everywhere but can''t prove shit.] ©¸ [I''m searching online. Someone''s gotta have a clear pic of Fortitude.] [Are we seriously not gonna talk about the naked chick he''s holding?!] ©¸ [For real! What''s her deal?!] ©¸ [Bet she''s like some secret weapon or something. Plot thickens!] [Her three sizes gotta be: Tiny, tinier, tiniest.] ©¸ [Gooner alert ????] ©¸ [Proudly so!] [She kinda looks like Lady Fortress tho. I know those underdeveloped titties when I see them. ????] ©¸ [Bruh ????¡­] ©¸ [I mean¡­ he''s not wrong dawg ????] ©¸ [Ya''ll need to be put on a list¡­] ??? General Stone''s binoculars snapped back up. His voice crackled over the comms. "Someone get me a visual feed on that figure now! Who the hell is he?!" ¡ª Inside the high-tech suit, Scott felt the rush of energy coursing through him as the Anti-Disaster Suit synced with his movements. A soothing, monotone voice echoed in his HUD. [System Online. Anti-Disaster Suit Activated. Integration of blue technophage element complete. Resistance to red technophage absorption confirmed.] Scott allowed himself a smirk. "Now that''s what I wanted to hear." Before he could savor the moment, Red Titan roared. ¡­ ROOOOOOOARRR!! A deafening sound rattled the air. Its mutated limbs expanded, bristling with newly-formed cannons. The monstrosity''s glowing eye zeroed in on Scott, as if sensing its nemesis. Then it happened. From every cannon, a torrent of missiles erupted in chaotic streaks, zigzagging like hungry serpents. ¡­ pew! pew! peeeew©¤©¤©¤©¤BZZZZHHHH!! They didn''t just target Scott¡ªthey spread outward, aiming for fleeing civilians, distant evacuation zones, and even the retreating jets. The was curtained in deadly streaks of light. "COMMANDER! The missiles are tracking us!" "What do we do?!" "Tch©¤©¤damn it!" Panicked pilots screamed into his comms. General Stone''s voice barked over the channel. "Quickly, mo©¤©¤!" Scott cut in with a calm and commanding voice. "I''ve got this." He extended his free hand. "System, deploy Anti-Disaster Shields. Full radius." The system responded instantly. Electric blue shields materialized across the city to encase jets, buildings, and crowds in protective spheres. ¡­ krakleee©¤©¤©¤©¤BOOOOOOOOM!! The missiles slammed into the shields with earth-shaking force. Explosions rippled across the barriers and their destructive energy dissipated harmlessly. Not a single target was harmed. Inside his jet, a pilot''s voice cracked with disbelief. "We''re safe¡­ WE''RE SAFE!" Another shouted, "HELL YEAH, BABY!" On the ground, civilians broke into cheers. Parents hugged their children. Soldiers pounded their fists in victory. The livestream chat went wild. [HE DID IT! HE STOPPED THE MISSILES!] ©¸ [Yo, Knightwatch COOKING out here!] [Rename him White Knight. Ladies gonna eat that up.] ©¸ [Nah, I kinda miss the black armor. It had that scary edge, you know?] Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¸ [Too scary for a hero. This is way better.] [I just know Bella Trevors and Sofia Hernandez are gonna let him crack their asses with that strong ahh vigilante dih when he''s done here ???????? they gotta do it on Instaflick LIVE, i''mma goon so hard to that shit! ????????] ©¸ [Bro, where do they get these guys? ????] ©¸ [Dang, y''all never met Sleazy before?] ©¸ [Ohhhh, it''s him ????¡­] [$15,000 DONATION INCOMING! This guy deserves it all.] ©¸ [Fortitude stans, stay mad. Our guy saved the day!] ©¸ [No, I''m doubling down: IT''S STILL FORTITUDE!] ©¸ [Cope with this ratio. ????] ??? Hovering mid-air, Scott glanced at his HUD to scan the current condition of the East District. ¡ºPhew~ they''re all safe¡­¡» The woman in his arm was still unconscious. Her breathing was steady. "Stay with me¡­" he muttered softly. Red Titan bellowed again, furious at its failure. Its massive limbs began reshaping, merging into a grotesque, city-sized weapon. Scott''s smirk returned. "Alright, big guy. Let''s see what you''ve got." Just then, Lady Fortress'' body stirred slightly as her lips parted when she let out a soft groan. "Mmm¡­ what''s¡­ going on?" She murmured in her faint and disoriented voice. Scott glanced down and the faintest smirk pulled at his lips beneath the helmet. "Good morning, sleepyhead." Her immaculate, blue eyes fluttered open, still hazy, but as they focused on the figure holding her, realization struck like a bolt of lightning. "W-, WHAT?!" Lady Fortress jolted upright and her sudden movement caused her to slip slightly in his grip. Her cheeks flared bright red as she stammered. "Wh-, What are you doing holding me like this?!" Scott tilted his head, his tone casual and unbothered. "You were out cold. What was I supposed to do? Leave you on the ground to get stepped on?" She froze, her gaze dropping to her exposed body. Her eyes widened in sheer horror, and with a sharp gasp, she slapped both hands over her small chest. Her expression turned from embarrassment to anger in a flash as she glared up at him. "Is this some kind of sick joke?!" she demanded. Scott chuckled with a desert-dry voice. "The only sick joke here is that I didn''t grope you while you were unconscious." "WH-, WHAT©¤©¤?!" Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. He shrugged as his lens scanned her briefly. "Not that there''s much to grope¡­" "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" She shrieked like a mouse. This was Scott''s first time seeing Lady Fortress in person, and what made it even stranger was how vulnerable she looked. On TV, she was always tough, stern, and unshakable, like nothing could faze her. But now, standing here, it felt like a whole different side of her was on display¡ªa side she probably didn''t want anyone to see. Maybe it was because she wasn''t wearing her usual armor, both literally and figuratively. If only there was time to figure out what that meant. Livestream Chat: [Bro did he just say that?! ????] ©¸ [Man SAVED her life and still found time to roast her.] ©¸ [Knightwatch is the GOAT. No debate.] ©¸ ["GOAT" because he body-shamed a lady? ????] ©¸ [Sure thing, body shame deez nuts. ????????] [FLAT JUSTICE. STAND UP, QUEEN.] ©¸ [More like sit down¡­ there''s nothing to stand up for.] ©¸ [You going to jail, bro.] [I''m just saying, not having banging breasts and a massive ass doesn''t make you kid-sized.] ©¸ [Yeah, but let''s be real. She could definitely cosplay as an ironing board.] ©¸ [Nah, Lady Fortress fans in SHAMBLES right now.] [You''ve received $5,000 from @Leoranthos ¨C LMAO Y''ALL NEED TO CHILL!] ??? Before Lady Fortress could fire back, another thunderous roar erupted from the distance. ¡­ ROOOOOAR©¤©¤©¤©¤DOOOOOOOM!! The sheer force of it shook the air. It sent fighter jets spiraling as the Red Titan began to mutate once again. ROOOOOAR!! Its hulking form expanded as it disgustingly fused with the ground beneath it. Massive tendrils of steel and flesh anchored it to the earth to root it deeper into the city. Scott''s visor scanned the creature''s transformation. The System chimed in his ear. [Warning: Red Titan is attempting full integration with the urban core. Immediate action is required.] Scott tightened his grip on Lady Fortress and nodded. "We''ll finish this discussion about your naked behavior later. I''ve got work to do." She hugged her arms around her torso, still flustered. "I don''t have a ''naked behavior,'' you jerk!" Ignoring her protests, Scott rocketed toward the Red Titan at blinding speed as his fist slammed into the monster''s head with a deafening impact. ¡­ GBIIIIIMMMMM!! The massive force of the blow sent shockwaves rippling through the air. "NO!" Lady Fortress shouted. "You can''t! It''ll absorb you!" Scott''s voice was calm but firm. "Not a chance. My technophage cells are way stronger¡­ and way smarter." He was more than certain. Livestream Chat: [HE''S GONNA PULL ANOTHER MIRACLE. I CAN FEEL IT.] ©¸ [Bro, he literally punched it. No plan, just vibes.] ©¸ [Respectfully, vibes are all he needs.] [Wait, what''s he doing now?] ©¸ [Is he¡­ is he trying to LIFT IT?] [No way. That thing''s fused to the city!] ©¸ [You''ve received $10,000 from @Danie123 ¨C KNIGHTWATCH BUILT DIFFERENT.] ??? Scott planted his feet firmly in the air as his energy amplifiers glowed brighter the more he dug into the Red Titan''s skull. Slowly but surely, the creature began to rise, its massive limbs dragging chunks of the city with it. ¡­ growl©¤©¤©¤©¤ROOOOOAR!! Buildings crumbled, streets cracked, and an entire district collapsed into a massive canyon as Scott pulled with everything he had. Lady Fortress watched in stunned silence. "You''re¡­ trying to lift the whole city¡­" Scott grunted and his voice strained. "I''ve¡­ got all the power I need." The Red Titan roared while its body morphed again. Dozens of cannons sprouted across its frame, glowing with deadly energy. They aimed directly at Scott and the entire city! "Look out!" Lady Fortress screamed. But Scott didn''t flinch. With one final, earth-shattering roar of his own, he ripped the Red Titan free from the ground. The East District was no more¡­ just a gaping abyss remained where the city once stood¡ªbut Scott had the monster in his grasp. Livestream Chat: [HE DID IT. HE FREAKING DID IT.] ©¸ [Bro just RIPPED A CITY OUT OF THE GROUND.] ©¸ [Not really, he ripped a monster amplified by the weight of a city. Two different things. ?????¡á?] [Knightwatch > Fortitude. Don''t @ me.] ©¸ [Fortitude fans punching the air rn.] [That naked chick is definitely falling for him now.] ©¸ [As she should.] [You''ve received $15,000 from @The_Last_Legion ¨C GIVE THIS MAN A STATUE.] ??? Carrying the massive creature with one hand and Lady Fortress in the other, Scott rocketed toward the sky, breaking through the atmosphere like a comet. The Red Titan flailed wildly, but Scott''s grip was undying. Spinning rapidly, he hurled the creature toward the sun as the fiery orb swallowed it whole. The world watched in shock as the threat was eliminated for good. Scorched beyond remains! As Scott descended back to Earth, Lady Fortress muttered under her breath, still clutching herself tightly. "I hate you¡­" Scott chuckled. "You''re welcome." Livestream Chat: [KNIGHTWATCH SUPREMACY.] ©¸ [You''ve received $20,000 from @Damokles_72 ¨C ABSOLUTELY LEGENDARY ?] [Flat Fortress and Knightwatch OTP confirmed.] ©¸ [Bro, stop. ????] [WHAT A GODDAMN SHOW. GIVE THIS MAN THE KEYS TO THE CITY.] ??? Scott descended with Lady Fortress in his arms. The aftermath of the Red Titan''s destruction beneath them was the hardest thing to miss. His cape billowed in the wind. When they reached the ground, he slowed to ensure a gentle landing. His boots touched down with a soft crunch against the ruined street, and without hesitation, he swung his cape around her shoulders. Lady Fortress flinched slightly at the motion, but as the fabric settled over her, a strange warmth followed. It wasn''t just from the cape¡ªit was from him. Her fingers gripped the material tightly, pulling it closer as if it could shield her from the world''s stare. "You''re safe now¡­" That was all Scott said. Her breath hitched for a moment. There was a strange sincerity in his tone, one she wasn''t expecting. She tightened her grip on the cape like a blanket, and for the first time, she allowed herself to feel small, vulnerable, and¡­ strangely comforted. The North District was in also shambles, yet some people still lingered. Civilians, soldiers, and even children were scattered across the streets. Their faces were pale, their bodies bruised, and their eyes wide with confusion and fear. They were supposed to have evacuated, but the Red Titan''s earlier rampage had likely trapped them here. And now, they all stood frozen, staring at the figure in white armor and the woman draped in his cape. Lady Fortress swallowed hard as she looked at the silent crowd. They didn''t know what to say. How could they? These people had just survived the impossible. Her chest tightened as their wide-eyed stares settled on Scott, who stood like a beacon amidst the wreckage. She stepped out of his arms before she could think twice. Her bare feet pressed against the broken pavement. Adjusting the cape tighter around herself, she moved forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. Her eyes swept across the crowd, taking in their shock and confusion. "EVERYONE¡­" Although she was small, her voice wasn''t. "The man¡­ this hero¡­ is the reason you''re all alive right now. He saved you. He saved all of us." The crowd stirred. Murmurs rippled like waves through the sea of onlookers. "Rather than staring in shock¡­ thank him. He didn''t have to risk his life for you, but he did. He''s the one who ended this catastrophe before it could claim more lives." A man near the front, his arm in a sling, tilted his head. "Is it true? Did he really save us?" Another nodded. "Yeah, I think it''s him¡­ That blue light we saw earlier? That was him, wasn''t it?" A woman clutched her child tightly. "It has to be. No one else could''ve done that." More murmurs followed, growing louder with each second. "It''s him! He''s the guy who saved us!" "Isn''t his name¡­ Knightwatch or something? I''ve heard about him on The Konrad Kain Show, but¡­ they always said he''s a terrorist or something." "Terrorist? No way. He''s no menace to society! He''s such an angel." This time, it was a grandma who spoke. Applause began hesitantly but quickly grew. The soldiers who had been standing guard straightened, their faces softening with respect. One by one, they saluted. Even those seated in vehicles stepped out, joining in as the clapping intensified. "THANK YOU!" "You saved my son, Micah!" "You saved my whole family when you stopped that thing from crashing into our car!" "You''re the best!" Scott shifted uncomfortably as the sudden gratitude pressed against his chest like an unfamiliar burden. Behind his helmet, he allowed a smile to touch his lips. It was faint¡­ but a smile nonetheless. ¡ºI''m not the kind of justice that needs a thank you¡­ just the kind that gives hope.¡» He looked up, the bright blue sky calling him. Without another word, he crouched slightly, and with a burst of energy, he launched into the air. ¡­ FEEEWWWWWWW!! His body streaked upward like a comet as the brilliant blue of his armor left a trail behind. "Wait©¤©¤!!" Lady Fortress called, clutching the cape tighter around her. "MAEL!" Her voice echoed, but he was already gone. She tried to summon the strength to follow, but her cells were drained and her body too weak to defy gravity. She could only stand there, her head tilted back, her heart pounding as she watched him disappear. A soft smile spread across her lips despite herself. "You idiot¡­" she whispered. "Such an idiot." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile¡­ At the Hero Agency headquarters in the far west of Metro City, a different scene was unfolding. The room was cold and dark. Seated behind a wide desk was Lymtos Kazamir Panemorfi, the Chairman of the Hero Agency. His slicked-back, wavy white hair and neatly trimmed beard gave him a sharp, authoritative look, while the eye patch over his right eye added an extra layer of character to his already unsettling appearance. His single, piercing eye narrowed as he watched the replay of Scott''s battle against the Red Titan. Every punch, kick, blast¡­ everything. "Just as I said¡­" He assembled a hyper-advanced Rubik''s cube with more than just casual ease. "This ''Nightwatch'' or ''Black Knight''¡ªwhatever they''re calling him¡ªis a threat I don''t want in this country. Hell, I don''t want him in this world." To his right, Rope Girl lounged on a sofa, her legs crossed as she methodically assembled a sleek, silver gun. Beside her, Deathmark stood stiffly. It was rare to see someone as cheerful as her looking so stressed and quiet¡­ but it wasn''t unusual at all for anyone to stand so nervously in the old man''s presence. Rope Girl glanced up with a bored expression. "So, what''s the plan, old man? You want me to take him out or what?" Lymtos completed the Rubik''s cube and yawned. "Simple. Kill him or make him kneel. I want him serving under the Hero Agency like everyone else. Is that clear enough? My precious hero?" Rope Girl spun the gun in her hand. "Crystal. I''ll assemble my team." Lymtos leaned back and chuckled. "Perfect. We may have lost a few lives today, but at least the public knows just how much danger they''re in when we''re not involved. More importantly¡­" He gestured to the screen. "I wanted to see just how much of a threat this ''Nightwatch'' really is." Calmly siding the gun into the holster on her thigh, Rope Girl stood up. She paused to look back at him with those usual dead eyes of hers. "I''m only doing this because I owe you a favor. Otherwise, I''d be enjoying my vacation." Lymtos chuckled softly. "Whatever soaks your pad." "Son of a bitch." Rope Girl clicked her tongue. As she walked out, Deathmark followed her like a scared, little mouse. The Chairman leaned back in his chair. "This should be fun¡­" Chapter 97 Tonight on the KKK Show Three days later¡­The casualties of Red''s attacks were buried. It was such a sad day that the skies turned dark and it cried till nightfall. But what truly made the day tragic wasn''t just the deaths of so many innocent civilians and brave soldiers. It was the fact that hardly any heroes lost their lives. The people of Metro City didn''t want their heroes to die, but they couldn''t help feeling betrayed by the Hero Agency for failing to do everything possible to protect the weak and vulnerable like them. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ A week later¡­ Scott was confined to his bed. His body was still in recovery mode. He sat cross-legged on the mattress, wearing sweatpants and staring at the muted television across the room. Stretching his arms, he let out an exaggerated groan. "Damn¡­ for something called the Anti-Disaster Suit, it sure takes a friggin'' toll on my body." He muttered to no one in particular. He raised his right arm, watching as the blue technophage seeped through his pores and coated his arm like liquid metal. The sight never ceased to amaze him. "Thanks to this thing my future self dropped off, I''ll heal faster. Heart should be good as new in a month or two. Basically, I''ll be back in action just in time for Christmas. Kek." He flexed his fingers as the technophage morphed his arm into a sleek, four-barreled plasma cannon that hummed faintly with power. "Future me said this is Blue. One of the three technophages showcased at the Black Industries tech event¡­ in his timeline, I guess." He turned the cannon over, inspecting it. "Apparently, it''s the stabilized, more experienced version of the egg I took. Future me swapped it out to avoid some time fracture paradox mumbo jumbo. Then he took the egg and¡ªget this¡ªaged it to match this timeline but doubled the time and experience or something. Sounds like total bullshit if you ask me. Alternate timelines are too much." With a sigh, he allowed the technophage to retreat back into his body. The blue shimmer vanished into his skin, leaving his arm as it was before. Tossing the remote between his hands, he leaned back against the headboard. The door creaked open, and in walked Nadia, carrying a bag of chili fries in one hand and a small pack of smoothies in the other. Her grin was playful. Even the way her nose wrinkled up, it was similar to Emma''s when she flashed her beautiful smile. Nadia dangled the food. "Look what I''ve gooot~" Scott''s face lit up. "Chili fries? Awesome!" Nadia plopped down on the bed beside him, then handed over the goodies. "I was rewatching some of your old streams, and you kept going on about proteins, so I figured, eh, why not? Fu~fu!" "You''re too awesome, seriously." Scott''s grin widened as he took the bag while his stomach growled on cue. "Pfft, it''s no biggie." Nadia leaned back on her elbows, watching as he eagerly opened the bag. "But hey, I''ve got football practice in an hour, so you''re on your own after that." Scott paused, glancing over at her. "Still can''t believe you skipped Emma''s Medal of Honor ceremony to take care of me. You''re the best. Good thing Jenna went, though, or Emma would''ve felt awful." Nadia gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "Heyyy, you''re my guy too, y''know. I''m sure Emma totally understands." Rubbing his shoulder where she hit him, Scott chuckled. "Uh-huh, gotcha." He turned his attention back to the bag and tore it open to reveal the chili fries and smoothies. As he began to dig in, Nadia raised a brow. "That''s how you''re gonna eat it?" Scott blinked. "Uh¡­ yeah? What''s wrong?" Nadia shook her head, acting disappointed "Amateur." Without warning, she snatched the bag from his hands, then cracked open all the smoothie cups, and poured them into the bag. Scott watched in horror as she mixed the chili fries and smoothies with her bare hand while her fingers squished through the mess. "Don''t worry¡­" She grinned when she caught his incredulous stare. "I washed my hands." Scott''s face scrunched up. "Uhhh¡­ is that even healthy?" Nadia glanced at the concoction in the bag. Then, back at him. "SUPER healthy!" She nodded energetically. She continued mixing until the contents looked like a crime scene. Holding out her messy hand, she grinned impishly. "Here, lick it!" Scott tilted his head in mild disgust. "Eh?" Nadia edged closer to Scott on the bed, her messy hand still extended, chili and smoothie mix dripping off her fingers. A sly grin danced on her strawberry-colored lips as she leaned in until her face was uncomfortably close to his. "Come on~" She teased, her tone half-joking but undeniably impish. She wiggled her fingers, practically pressing them against his pale lips. "Can''t you just lick it? I swear it tastes amazing!" Scott raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly to put some distance between them. His expression was deadpan, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "This¡­" He waved vaguely toward her outstretched fingers. "This feels like it''s straight out of some poorly written porn script." Nadia burst into laughter, her giggle so loud it made Scott''s head tilt. "What? No way! I''m being totally serious!" She replied between fits of laughter. "I mean, come on! Emma and Jenna have done it too." Scott blinked. "You guys¡­ lick each other''s fingers?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Well¡­ yeah¡­" Nadia said, though there was an awkward pause before her usual playfulness returned. "It''s like¡­ our thing. A ritual for close friends!" Scott gave her a dubious look. There was such skepticism painted across his face. But then Nadia''s grin faltered, and her eyes softened. Her bottom lip jutted out slightly, and her voice dropped into a faint whisper. "Unless¡­" She looked away, her tone suddenly sad. "Unless you don''t think of me as a close friend?" Scott sighed internally as he watched her pull off the perfect puppy-dog look, her big, sorrowful eyes peering up at him as though he''d just told her Santa Claus wasn''t real. "Oh, come on¡­" Scott muttered under his breath, running a hand down his tired face. Finally, he sighed heavily. "Fine." He grabbed her wrist gently, steadying her messy hand in front of his mouth. Nadia blinked, startled for a moment, her cheeks going pink as she realized he was actually going to do it. Scott leaned in and, with a resigned expression, dipped her fingers into his mouth. His tongue brushed against her fingertips, collecting the absurd chili-smoothie concoction. Nadia froze. ¡ºH-, He really did it©¤©¤?! I was joking!¡» The warmth of his mouth and the slight pressure of his tongue made her chest tighten in a way she wasn''t expecting. She hesitated, cheeks flushing redder by the second. ¡ºMy hand feels so good in his mouth¡­ why? The way his tongue is moving¡ªit''s wrapping around my fingers and pulling against them as if it wants to strip me naked¡­ hnnnn~ This is so wrong, but at the same time, it''s just¡­¡» "Uhh¡­" she started, but the words wouldn''t come out. Scott didn''t seem to notice¡ªor care¡ªas he methodically cleaned off her fingers. But just as he was finishing, a loud click broke the silence. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤SNAP!! His eyes shot open, and he spotted Nadia holding her phone up with a wicked grin plastered on her face. "Oh, no, you didn''t!" Scott exclaimed, pulling back abruptly. "Oh, I so did!" Nadia cackled, quickly crawling to the other side of the bed like a cockroach escaping a whacking. Scott launched himself after her, narrowly missing her ankle as she scrambled away. "Nadia!" He shouted, half-annoyed, half-laughing. "Delete it right now!" "No way!" She hollered back, laughing uncontrollably. "This is blackmail material, Mr. Vigilante!" He finally managed to pin her wrist down, leaning over her as their faces ended up inches apart. Both froze for a moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared up at him. "You¡­ have really nice eyes¡­" Nadia murmured, her voice quieter than before. Scott blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?" "Eh?" "HEY! Don''t change the subject!" "Mhm-mmm~" Nadia pressed her lips into a thin line as she chuckled. Then, she gave him a side-eye that was purely playful, but for some reason it felt oddly flirtatious. Maybe it was just the beauty of her eyes©¤©¤after all, they were like brown gems. "Change the subject? I was just saying, you''re welcome for the compliment." Scott frowned. "Uh-huh. Sure. And what are you going to do with that picture? Post on the hub and name it ''Getting Sucked Off by my BF''s boyfriend'' hm? Is that it?" "Nothing!" Nadia said with phoney innocence. "It''s for¡­ memories." Scott groaned, then released her wrist as he flopped back onto the bed. "Yeah, right." Just then, a familiar jingle played from the television. Both their heads turned toward the screen. "Oh no¡­" Nadia groaned as her face soured. "Yup¡­" Scott said dryly, already unimpressed. "Konrad Kain. My favorite guy." Nadia reached over and gave his butt a light squeeze. "You''re surprisingly caked up, y''know¡­" She said absentmindedly. Scott turned his head slowly, raising an eyebrow. "¡­ Seriously?" Nadia looked just as surprised at herself. "Wait what? I¡ªokay, maybe I''ve been hanging out with Brigid too much." "Pssh, yeah, blame her¡­" Scott said, rolling his eyes. "Seriously!" Nadia insisted, crossing her arms. Scott shook his head as he grabbed the paper bag of chili fries and smoothies. He shoved a handful into his mouth and chewed loudly as he stared at the screen. "I thought you said you weren''t hungry¡­" He muttered through a mouthful. Nadia shrugged, snatching a handful for herself. "Meh, I changed my mind." The two sat side by side, eating in silence as the anchor droned on about the aftermath of Red''s attack. ??? The studio camera panned into focus to reveal Konrad Kain seated behind his pristine, mahogany desk. His tailored suit shimmered under the stage lights, and his signature smirk was already in place. A stack of bulky scripts lay neatly arranged before him, each perfectly aligned. He adjusted his tie with natural ease, leaned slightly forward, and began his monologue. "Welcome back to The Konrad Kain Show, where we peel back the glossy layer of hero worship and ask the questions no one else dares to." He paused to intensify the drama as usual. "And tonight''s hot topic? None other than the man, the myth, the so-called hero of the masses¡ªNightwatch. Dark Knight. Vigilante of the Shadows. Whatever ridiculous moniker they''re slapping on him this week. But let me tell you what he isn''t¡ª" Konrad leaned closer as his voice dropped to a whisper. "¡ªa white knight." The camera zoomed in slightly as he straightened back up and laced his fingers together on the desk. "Oh no, no, no. The people call him a hero. But is that really what he is?" Scott stared at the screen from his position on the bed, already chewing on a mouthful of soggy chili fries. His jaw tightened, and a hiss escaped his lips as he threw another fry into his mouth. "Ugh, Konrad''s not even trying anymore¡­" Beside him, Nadia stifled a laugh, stealing one of his fries. The show continued. Konrad was now gesturing broadly. "Fortunately¡­" He announced with an exaggerated grin. "We''re not just here to speculate. Tonight, I''m joined by not one, but two esteemed guests. First, a name that needs no introduction¡ªMetro City''s celebrated powerhouse, The Peak!" The camera cut to The Peak. He gave a stiff nod as his focus was entirely on polishing the oversized medal hanging from his neck. "And¡­ joining him is none other than Jerry Blumberg, a director from the Hero Agency!" The camera shifted to Jerry, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a corporate smile that barely reached his eyes. He gave a polite wave that felt more robotic than human. "Jerry¡­" Konrad was already oozing with curiosity. "The masses have been saying the Hero Agency abandoned them during the incident. Tell me, is there any truth to that?" Jerry leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly. He cleared his throat before speaking. "The truth is, Mr. Kain, the Hero Agency would never abandon the people. It''s absurd to even suggest such a thing. How could we stop heroes from doing their job? It makes no sense. Especially since we have absolutely nothing to gain from it." Konrad raised an eyebrow, acting curious as he shuffled the papers in front of him. "Go on¡­" he urged. Jerry nodded as his expression grew more animated. "We assessed the threat and acted accordingly. We sent a C-tier, an A-tier, and even an SS-tier hero to handle the issue. Isn''t that enough? Beyond that, heroes from the SMPE also joined the fray. They fought valiantly and gave their all, yet they''re being vilified for not achieving a miraculous victory." Jerry placed a hand over his heart, trying his very best to look heartbroken. "Are we, as a society, so quick to abandon them simply because they didn''t deliver the impossible? It''s shameful." The camera cut to Konrad, who looked appropriately thoughtful before suddenly pressing a button on his desk. A clip played on the large screen behind him, showing Lady Fortress, Pulsar, and Miss Mercury battling the massive threat. Jerry pressed on, seemingly unbothered by the visuals. "We sent our best given the circumstances. And let''s not forget, Metro City is where heroes start their journey. It''s a city of potential, not a permanent roster of legends. Heroes leave to grow, to evolve. Should we fault them for that?" Scott scoffed at the screen as his fingers tightened around the chili fry in his hand. "Fault them? How about doing your jobs?" "Shhh¡­" Nadia placed a calming hand on his chest. Somehow, Scott found it easier to handle what he was seeing as Nadia''s slender hand gently rubbed soft, careful circles on his chest. The debate continued, Konrad now flipping through his papers with exaggerated flair. "Jerry¡­" The host interjected smoothly. "While I appreciate your perspective, let''s talk specifics. You mentioned a few heroes earlier?" Jerry hesitated, his composure cracking ever so slightly. He chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, yes. Some of the SMPE heroes. Rhinowoman, Gadget Boy, Gambit, and¡­ Mr. Square, was it?" "Eh?" said Konrad. The man went through the papers for a brief moment. "I''m guessing you mean Gadget Girl, Rhinoman, Ruse, and Mr. Sphere, right?" "Ohoho. I misspoke. Right." "Uh-huh, right¡­" Konrad drawled, then went on. "And what about Nightwatch? The street-tier vigilante who, might I remind you, managed to do what your entire agency couldn''t¡ªhe supposedly saved the city. Threw the threat into space, no less." A clip of the moment played behind Konrad, showing Nightwatch''s decisive victory. Jerry sighed, sounding almost disappointed. "Nightwatch?" He repeated the name like it was a disease. "Isn''t it obvious? He caused the incident. Think about it¡­ Lady Fortress, one of our strongest, was absorbed, yet Nightwatch walked away unscathed? Suspicious, isn''t it? I would say so." Jerry leaned back, shaking his head as though the mere idea disgusted him. "He staged the whole thing. Probably streamed it, too. Just another street rat desperate for attention. It''s pathetic." Scott''s fist clenched. "I saved those people!" He growled as his voice turned low and dangerous. "And this is what I get?" "Scott¡­" Nadia said softly, rubbing his chest even gentler. "Breathe. You''re scaring me a little¡­" Her other hand rubbed soothing circles on his muscular back in order to ground him. The show continued. Konrad nodded thoughtfully at Jerry''s words. "Well¡­ you make a compelling argument. But tell me this¡ªif Nightwatch really is the villain in all this, what does that make the Hero Agency?" The screen cut to black, signaling a commercial break. Scott exhaled sharply, leaning back into the couch. "Konrad Kain¡­" He stuffed some soggy chili fries into his mouth. "What a joke." Nadia chuckled softly, then leaned against him. "At least he''s entertaining, tee-hee¡­" she teased. Scott gave her a sidelong glance, shaking his head with a small, reluctant smile. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Los Angeles, California¡­ The massive Trevors estate stretched over acres of lush greenery as its centerpiece a sprawled mansion that seemed to touch the sky. The moonlight soaked into the oversized windows of Bella Trevors'' room, a luxurious space adorned with elegant furniture, golden accents, and soft, warm lighting. Steam curled out of the bathroom as Bella stepped into the room in her sexy white bathrobe that hugged her slender yet ridonculously curvaceous frame. Ahhhh~ ?? She vigorously towel-dried her long blonde hair. She smelled of vanilla and roses. As expected of such a beautiful and voluptuous woman. Her phone buzzed on the edge of the king-sized bed. Bella sighed as her immaculate blue eyes narrowed slightly as she padded over. Picking up the phone, she unlocked it to see a notification from @PeakOfficial on Instaflick. Her lips curled in mild annoyance. "What now?" She murmured and scrolled through the messages he''d bombarded her with. There were pictures of his abs with captions like: [Maybe you can join me at the gym sometime? It''ll be fun. ???????? We can take it to my place after.] Another message: [Just one date, Bella. Just once, I''m begging you.] And another, utterly shameless: [Could you send me a pic of you in tight jeans? Just for me. Pretty please?] [Are you gonna send it? I''ve been listening to all your musics on Music-Fy and I can''t stop touching myself to the sound of your voice¡­ and it''s driving me crazy ???? Don''t you feel the least bit responsible for this cock?] [C''mon, answer me please ????¡­] A private message her from one of her posts: [Imagine you allowed me to slap some batter on that fat ass of yours and eat some cake off it. I wonder where I''ll slot some of those big, fat candles tho ????] [I wish you''d just choke me with that fat thing ???? ???? ????] ??? Bella''s eyes widened slightly as she scrolled further. The desperation only worsened, the texts spiraling into a blend of cringe and outright absurdity. She sighed heavily as her elegant fingers paused at the latest message. [Bella, could you turn on your TV? I''m on the Konrad Kain Show right now. Please, just watch? Knowing you''re watching me would make my day. Please, Bell.] Bella raised a single brow. "Hm?" She wasn''t amused. Without hesitation, she typed a curt reply: [NO¡­] She tossed the phone back onto her bed, crossing her arms as she leaned against the bedpost. A moment later, the phone buzzed again. Rolling her eyes, she picked it up and read: [Please? I''ve been thinking about you all day. It, uh¡­ weirdly got me hard. Maybe I''ll go soft if you just promise you''ll watch. You can even lie and say you did. I don''t mind.] Her lips curled into a sharp smirk as she typed back: [NO. Boil that thing in detergent and train it properly. Is that right, my good doggy?] [YES, MOMMY. ????] Satisfied, she threw the phone onto the bed with a little more force. "Pathetic pig¡­" She muttered under her breath, shaking her head. She turned to her vanity, picking up a jar of her favorite body cream. Just as she began to rub the smooth lotion onto her hands, a knock sounded at the door. Bella glanced toward it. "Who is it?" The door creaked open to reveal an elderly maid dressed impeccably in the Trevors household uniform. The woman bowed slightly before speaking. "Miss Bella, they''re¡­ talking about Mr. Nightwatch on the news." Bella paused and tilted her head as a sly smile spread across her lips. "Oh? What news?" "The Konrad Kain Show, Miss¡­" the maid replied. Bella''s seductive, feline smile widened as she rubbed the cream between her fingers. "Interesting¡­" she purred. "I''ll be right there." The maid bowed again and exited without another word. Chapter 98 Tonight on the KKK Show II INN Center, New York City¡­The Peak had a bright smile on his chiseled face as he leaned back on the couch and reread Bella''s last message. He couldn''t get the words out of her head. [NO. Boil that thing in detergent and train it properly. Is that right, my good doggy?] He inhaled sharply as his fingers brushed across the screen before sliding down to his thigh. ¡ºThat''s the sexiest thing she''s ever texted me¡­¡» His hand hesitated for a moment, then shifted to his crotch, rubbing slowly as a heavy breath escaped his lips. The tension melted into a half-smile as he murmured to himself. "God, I love when she calls me that¡­" The moment passed quickly. He set the phone aside and ran a hand through his thick, blonde hair to collect himself. The ambient sound of Konrad Kain''s booming voice drew him back into reality. Konrad had shifted his attention. "Now, Peak¡­" The host''s voice carried such curiosity as the camera zoomed in. "As someone who mentored this menace to society, uh¡­ Nightwatch, how exactly do you feel about this chaos? Surely you must have¡­ thoughts." The Peak straightened in his seat. His stoic expression could barely hide his discomfort. ??? Back in LA¡­ Bella Trevors lounged in her luxurious living room, sprawled on a designer chair. The curve of her television displayed Konrad''s face in vivid high definition as she casually adjusted her bathrobe as she patted her damp hair with a towel. She let out a scoff, then a sharp sharp laughter. "Oh, please¡­" She twisted open a fresh bottle of Hennessy. "As if Angus could mentor anyone to save his life. If I recall correctly, the man could barely string a sentence together when we were kids. I''m sure the only reason his sorry ass became a hero was to try and impress me." Bella poured herself a generous glass, then swirled the amber liquid with a smirk. "Psssh¡ªwhat a loser." She sipped slowly as her eyes remained on the screen. She was half-amused, half-bored. ??? Back on the show, The Peak leaned forward as his massive hands clasped tightly in front of him. His eyes were focused, his voice low but steady. "Well¡­" He paused to collect his thoughts. "The truth is¡­ I feel like I''ve failed Nightwatch. More than I ever thought possible." The room fell silent. Even Jerry Blumberg, whose corporate grin had been a constant fixture, looked genuinely taken aback. The Peak spoke with such genuine regret. "When I first confronted him, I didn''t know¡­ I didn''t realize this was the young man who had once looked up to me. But when I saw him¡ªwhen I looked into those red lenses¡ªI knew. I knew this was someone who had been inspired by my heroism¡­ someone who believed in me." The camera panned to Konrad, who leaned forward with heavy fascination on his face. The live audience held their breath. There was such tension. "I placed a hand on his shoulder¡­" The Peak even went as far as to make his voice break as he gestured his words. "And I told him, ''No¡­ this isn''t you.'' please¡­" A hush fell over the room. No one knew the right way to respond. ??? Seated on his couch at home, Scott glared at the screen as his jaw tightened. "Can you believe this? This is absolutely insane¡­" He shoved another soggy chili fry into his mouth. Beside him, Nadia giggled softly, licking a smoothie trail off her hand. "Well¡­" She kept her voice light and teasing. "They don''t call him The Peak for nothing. With acting skills like this, he could probably put half of Hollywood out of business. No joke¡­" Scott folded his arms as his eyes locked on the television. "Uh-huh. Fantastic." ??? On the show¡­ Konrad leaned closer with a big frown. "Tell me, Peak¡­ how did it feel? To get hit by someone you saw as a student, a friend¡­ maybe even a brother? I mean, we all know your S-tier excellence could''ve put him in his place. But what made you decide against it? Why did you disappear right after?" The Peak dropped his head into his hands, squeezing it as if trying to force the words out. Jerry leaned forward and acted sympathetic. "You don''t have to answer if it''s too difficult¡­" "NO©¤©¤!" The Peak''s hand shot up, stopping him mid-sentence. He looked up with blazing eyes. "Let me do this. The people deserve the truth. I''ve always been honest with them." Jerry nodded silently, retreating into his seat. The Peak took a deep breath. "When he hit me¡­ I felt vulnerable. Hurt. Insulted. After everything I''ve done to support him, to guide him¡­ to be there for him, I got betrayed like that? It was painful. It still is." The audience was silent, hanging onto every word. The Peak lowered his gaze as his usually massive shoulders slumped. "But that''s life, isn''t it? I may have the strength of a god, but I''m still human. And that punch¡­ it didn''t just bruise me. It broke me." ??? Bella rolled her eyes, then let out a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, for fuck''s sake¡­" She took another sip of her brandy, shaking her head. "How dumb do you have to be to believe this crap? And to think this show pulls in three million viewers." She paused, raising an eyebrow as she considered the number. "Then again¡­" She adjusted in her lounge chair. "I only stream on Instaflick once a month and still average two million. And I do it just to humiliate Foxgirl. Imagine flashing ass and cleavage for hours, only to be overshadowed by me combing my hair." She laughed softly, then flicked her hair back. "God, I''m amazing." ??? Konrad''s voice cut through the tension like a sword. "Do you all see that?" He shifted his intense gaze to the camera. "Nightwatch isn''t a hero. He''s a monster. A heartless, boneless, disgusting creature who dared to hurt one of America''s greatest heroes¡ªand still has the audacity to live among us like he''s human." He slapped his hand against the desk. His voice climbed as high as his anger. "If anything, he''s a menace to society!" Scott scowled at the screen with clenched fists. Sensing his anger, Nadia placed a calming hand on his chest, her touch gentle and soothing. "Scott¡­" She murmured softly. "Breathe. Don''t let them get to you. You usually don''t even care about these things¡­" Scott exhaled sharply, forcing himself to relax. "What a joke¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Konrad Kain leaned back in his swivel chair as he grinned from ear to ear. He always made sure to look good on camera. After all, he was the king of late-night TV. "Alright, shifting away from that for just a moment. We''ve got to talk about someone who''s been on everyone''s minds lately. Or rather¡­ every man''s mind." The audience immediately leaned in. "This particular individual has won Sexiest Woman in America two years in a row, starting back in 2041. She''s a massive singer, an award-winning actress, and¡ªget this¡ªshe''s single-handedly brought back the whole ''Mean Girls'' trend. Did you miss it? I know I did, haha!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Some even started chanting her name, though Konrad hadn''t officially dropped it yet. "And, of course¡­" Konrad added with a flourish. "¡­ she''s also the daughter of Bernard Trevors, the multi-billionaire behind Trevor Global Corporation. Ladies and gentlemen, you know exactly who I''m talking about!" The camera cut to The Peak, who had a knowing grin on his chiseled face. He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled softly as the audience roared. Konrad gave The Peak an impish look. It was funny¡­ enough to make the audience laugh. "Oh, come on now. Don''t pretend you''re clueless, Mr. Peak. We''re obviously talking about the one and only Bella Trevors." The Peak let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Of course, of course. Ahahaha, how could I not know? Bella Trevors¡­" He trailed off with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. Konrad leaned forward with a wide grin. "You, my friend, just so happen to be childhood friends with America''s Poisonous Rose. Tell me, Peak¡ªwhat''s it like knowing a woman as influential, as universally thirsted after, as Bella Trevors? And let''s not sugarcoat it¡ªrumor has it, she''s only ever had eyes for you." The crowd went wild. ??? Meanwhile, in LA¡­ Still wrapped in a silk bathrobe, Bella now sat cross-legged in her luxury living room, sipping her brandy. Her TV displayed the show in perfect 8K resolution. The moment Konrad made his insinuation, her face scrunched in disbelief. "Oh, fuck no." She took another sip of her brandy, savoring the taste before setting the glass down. She muttered to herself, shaking her head. "That horndog? Me? In love with that?" Bella scoffed, leaning back in her chair. She picked up her phone, scrolling through Chirper as a sly grin spread across her face. "The only reason I ever let him think he had a chance was because it''s hilarious to see how long I can string a man along. And Angus?" She laughed softly, swirling her brandy. "That loser''s been into me since he was living with his grandma. I''ll say it again ¨C I''m amazing." ??? Back on the show¡­ The Peak chuckled along with the audience. He raised his hands in phoney surrender. "Listen, Konrad, Bella and I don''t really make it a habit to talk about our relationship¡ªor lack thereof¡ªon TV." The crowd let out teasing noises¡­ "Oooooo!" and "Ahhhhh~!" Konrad leaned into the playful energy, giving The Peak a knowing side-eye. "Oh, come on now. You''ve got to admit, Peak, childhood friends don''t stay that close without some of those¡­ well, sparks flying." The Peak laughed and shook his head. "No, no, really. It''s not like that. I swear." Konrad raised a skeptical eyebrow. But, he was still grinning. "Not like that, huh? Because if it''s not, then what is it? You''ve known her for years, she knows your secrets¡ªshe probably knows your real identity¡ªand yet, you''re telling me you two have never dated? C''mon, Peak, don''t be a loser." The audience burst into laughter, joined by the host and even Jerry. The Peak''s smile faltered just slightly. He cleared his throat, trying to mask his frustration. "Haha¡­ That''s enough, Konrad!" He slammed his fist lightly on the table in a way that was more forceful than intended. But the laughter didn''t stop. "IT''S NOT FUNNY!" The Peak screamed with anger. Immediately, every chuckle and smirk froze in place. Even Jerry and Konrad, who moments ago had been in stitches, stopped cold. Yet, nobody in the room thought The Peak was genuinely offended. That couldn''t be true. Why? Because the idea of The Peak¡ªMetro City''s Golden Savior, the apparent pinnacle of charisma and capability¡ªnot being romantically involved with his stunning childhood friend, Bella Trevors, was preposterous. To them, the notion was laughable. But they didn''t know the truth. As flawless as she seemed in their eyes, Bella had little to no interest in The Peak. Sure, they were childhood friends. Sure, there were memories of playing tag and even shared ice creams. But those days had long faded into history. In fact, the last time The Peak had seen her in person was three years ago at a charity gala. Since then? Their interactions had been reduced to a one-sided digital relationship. The Peak sent her messages¡ªa lot of messages¡ªon Insaflick, Chirper, and other platforms. How many? About 300 a week. And Bella? She''d respond sporadically as her replies totaled maybe ten per week if he was lucky. Finally, Konrad broke the silence. "Look, Peak, let''s not kid around. As much as we''re joking about this, there''s one thing we can''t ignore. Bella Trevors is your childhood friend, right?" "Yes." The Peak sighed, already sensing where this was going. Konrad leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Then¡­ she knows your real identity." For a moment, the hero hesitated. He glanced at the golden medal hanging from his chest. "Yes¡­ she does¡­" he said at last. "But¡­" He made his voice firmer, as if he were delivering a speech to an adoring crowd. "Can I even say that''s me anymore?" He gestured passionately as his hand sliced through the air like a blade cutting through doubt. "I''ve devoted myself so completely to this work¡ªto being The Peak¡ªthat I barely know what an alter ego is anymore. It''s more than a mask. It''s who I am." His words carried a weight that even made Jerry raise an eyebrow. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Peak gripped his medal, letting its golden shine catch the light as he stared at it. "Maybe that''s why Bella likes me so much¡­" ??? Bella''s Living Room¡­ Bella was in stitches as her legs kicked the air as she clutched her stomach with one hand and held her brandy in the other. Her laughter echoed through the room as her pretty face turned red from the effort. "Did¡­ did that limp-dick, decrepit loser just say that''s why I like him so much?!" She managed between gasps of laughter. "Oh, my God, this is gold!" She sat up, quickly typing on her phone. "I should use my burner account to mock him a little on Chirper. Oh, they''re gonna love this." ??? [Chirper] [Trending Topics ????] [1] #BellaTrevorsNightwatchCosplay [2] #BellaTrevorsandMissMercuryCatFight [3] #ThePeakxBellaTrevorsShip [4] #KonradKainShow [5] #MetroCityMedalCeremony [6] #Rhinoman [7] #FoxgirlBalloonInflationWithVagina Bella tilted her head a bit. "That''s unexpected... instead of Nightwatch trending, it''s my cosplay of him that''s getting all the attention. Honestly, it was just meant to be a casual cosplay, nothing too serious. I didn''t even tag him in it¡ªlike I''d take that risk and chance being ignored by that mysterious, black-haired hunk." She took a sip of her brandy and scrolled. The comments poured in: [I''ll say it now for all of you ¨C Bella deserves better than The Peak. Like, c''mon, she''s America''s Barbie Girl, not some discount Ken Doll.] [Wait, people actually think they''d work together? Bro, Bella''s leagues above him.] [Not gonna lie, though, Peak''s reaction was hilarious. Man really thought he had a shot.] [Why do we glaze Bella Trevors so much. I know guys like the whole mean bitch thing, but she really isn''t all that ???? you guys just have a thing for dumb blondes with fat chests and an ass so fat they''re not getting enough blood to their brain.] ©¸ [LMAO, send yo pic let me check you out.] ©¸ [She prolly look like a lizard or sum ????] ©¸ [I swear these women really think we give a damn about Bella''s manners? ???? I would let Bella Trevors spit in my mouth and slap my cock around with a laptop!] ©¸ [Bro, I''m sure her spit tastes like strawberry, dayum!] [Guys, do you ever look at Bella Trevors and think "Damn, she''s gonna give intergalactic head." I just know she goes crazy with that mouth and tongue. ????] ©¸ [I remember that one video she did on stream where she could fit the whole head of a guitar into her mouth ????] ©¸ [We should call her Bella Goodhead ????] ©¸ [10/10 James Bond reference. ????] [Do y''all know the saddest parts of these comments ????] ©¸ [These are the future leaders of tomorrow?] ©¸ [Nah, @SleazyPen ain''t write one of those comments.] ©¸ [Damn, that''s way worse. ????] ??? Bella smiled like a mischievous succubus. "Perfect time to release my album¡­" She was certain she''d be trending for the rest of the year. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The studio lights dimmed slightly. Konrad Kain was ready for the final portion of the show. "So, Mr. Peak, we all know you and Bella Trevors are probably America''s cutest lovebirds right now¡ª" The Peak immediately raised a hand. "Now hold on, I wouldn''t exactly say¡ª" "But¡­ what do you think about her love for your student and menace to society, Nightwatch?" The Peak blinked, tilting his head like a confused puppy. "Nightwatch? What about him?" Konrad''s grin widened as he signaled toward the tech crew at the back of the studio. "Oh, you don''t know?" Immediately, the green screen behind them flickered and transformed into a screenshot from Bella Trevors'' Insaflick account. The room erupted in gasps and murmurs from the crew as the image came into full view: Facing away from the camera, Bella flaunted her sexy and absolutely jaw-dropping hourglass body in a skintight Nightwatch cosplay. The dark, sleek bodysuit hugged her every curve, her massive ass practically the centerpiece of the shot. She was flashing the camera a cheeky peace sign as her caption read: [Always had a very hot, wet thing for these dark and broody vigilantes. ?? #NightwatchCosplay #HeroCrush] The Peak''s reaction was instantaneous. His jaw dropped so hard it could''ve hit the floor, and a string of saliva visibly pooled at the corner of his mouth. "H-, HUH©¤©¤?!" he spluttered. Konrad burst into laughter, slapping the table in front of him. "Oh, so you didn''t know about this post! What''s the matter, Peak? Cat got your tongue? Or should I say, Nightwatch got your girl?" The Peak stumbled over his words, his eyes glued to the screen. "T-, That''s not¡ªShe wouldn''t¡ªWait, when did¡ª?!" "Three days ago¡­" Konrad supplied helpfully. He was even grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He gestured toward the image, as if presenting a masterpiece in an art gallery. "I mean, look at her dedication. And I have to say, Bella Trevors has a massive ass, and I''m a married man. That''s some serious fandom right there. The costume, the pose, again the¡­ ahem, assets. She''s a Nightwatch superfan if I''ve ever seen one." The Peak tore his gaze from the screen. "This has to be a joke. She wouldn''t¡ªcouldn''t¡ªdo this!" "Oh, it''s no joke!" Konrad leaned back in his chair with a smug face. "America''s sweetheart, Bella Trevors, apparently has a thing for brooding vigilantes who don''t play by the rules. Guess that''s not exactly your style, huh?" He looked at the golden tights he wore. If anything¡­ The Peak was more like a boy scout. The audience watching live could practically hear the gears grinding in The Peak''s head as he tried to come up with some sort of response. Konrad turned to the camera, addressing the viewers directly with a dramatic flair. "Well, folks, it seems we''ve uncovered a little trouble in paradise. Join me after the break, where we''ll dive deeper into this heroic love triangle. Is The Peak losing his edge to Nightwatch? Stay tuned!" The screen cut to a commercial. Chapter 99 Tonight on the KKK Show III Nadia''s Apartment, Metro City¡­The television screen displayed a paused image of Bella Trevors'' Insaflick post, showcasing her bold Nightwatch cosplay. [Always had a very hot, wet thing for these dark and broody vigilantes. ?? #NightwatchCosplay #HeroCrush] The two stared blankly at the screen. Nadia blinked first. "Wait¡­" she said slowly. Scott''s head tilted as the realization struck both of them simultaneously. "She did a Nightwatch cosplay?!" They exclaimed in unison, snapping their necks to look at each other before whipping their gazes back to the screen. "HUH©¤©¤?!" The sheer absurdity of the moment hooked both of them before Nadia broke it with a laugh. She playfully punched Scott''s shoulder, making him wince. "Damn, you sly guy! I didn''t know you were so popular that Bella Trevors is thirsting over you!" She grinned from ear to ear. Scott rubbed his shoulder with a half-annoyed, half-flustered expression. "Yeah, sure, whatever. I just hope Emma doesn''t see that post¡­ I don''t want any problems." Nadia raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. "Hm? Why would that be an issue? It''s not like she''d get mad just because some other chick is crushing on you for being, y''know, a popular celebrity." Scott waved a dismissive hand. "I''m not a¡ª" Nadia cut him off, smirking as she leaned back on her chair. "Besides, there are, like, thousands of guys on the internet doing, uh¡­ ''tributes'' to Emma''s pictures, and you don''t hear me complaining." Scott froze, his face twisting into an awkward grimace. "Uh¡­ that last part wasn''t necessary. And for the record, I''m not a celebrity¡ªI''m a superhero. Big difference." "Eh, fair enough¡­" Nadia said with a shrug. Scott stood as he shook his head, but when he took a step, he staggered slightly. "Scott©¤©¤!!" Nadia shot to her feet and grabbed his arm to steady him. "Hey, you okay?" She asked, her face close enough for Scott to notice every little detail about Nadia''s beauty. Her skin was so smooth it gave her face a buttery, cocoa-like glow. The rich brown of her hair, combined with her striking eyes and flawless coffee-toned skin, gave her a foreign beauty that Scott wasn''t used to seeing. He blinked a few times before stammering. "Uh, yeah, I''m fine. Just a bit stiff from all the rest." "You sure? Need anything? I''ll grab it for you¡­" Nadia offered with that usual firm yet gentle grip. Scott tugged at the hem of his shirt, grimacing. "This one''s kinda gross. I wanted to grab a fresh one." Before he could react, Nadia leaned in closer as her sweet, strawberry-red lips inched toward his as if she wanted to tease him with a sensual bite or a lingering kiss. ¡ºWh-, What''s she trying to do?!¡» Scott''s eyes widened in panic as he leaned his neck back, thinking she was about to do something far more¡­ intimate. Instead, she took a long, deliberate sniff of the fabric. During what felt like an awkwardly long moment, all Scott could focus on as Nadia sniffed his T-shirt was the back of her neck. For some reason, he found it oddly attractive¡ªmaybe it was the small patches of sweat that stuck her hair to her soft, smooth skin, or the slender curve of her neck. Either way, it sent a warm flush rising in his chest. After a moment, she pulled back, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. "Oh, it''s not that bad. Honestly, it''s more of a manly smell. If Emma or Jenna were here, they''d probably be all over you by now. Haha~" Scott pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. "Uh-huh¡­ just please don''t project your weird fetishes onto Emma, okay?" "I don''t have a fetish!" Nadia scowled and threw a light punch that Scott caught with ease. "Better luck next time¡­" he teased, grinning. The two shared a brief laugh before their attention snapped back to the TV as the commercial break ended. ??? INN''s Studio¡­ The lights dimmed slightly as Konrad Kain returned, his smug grin widening as the camera zoomed in on him. Beside him, The Peak looked utterly defeated, sweat dripping from his brow as his golden tights clung awkwardly to his trembling legs. Konrad held up a remote like it was a scepter. "Ladies and gentlemen, since Bella Trevors'' post went live, Nightwatch-related clips on WeTube have surged by ten million views. And get this¡ªNightwatch''s official Instaflick and Chirper accounts have grown by a staggering 40%! Now, tell me, Peak, how do you feel about this?" The Peak sputtered, jerking forward. "Forty percent?! Are you telling me he grew that much because of her cosplay?!" "Well¡­" Konrad reclined in his chair with a smug face. Anyone of the viewers or even the audience could tell he was enjoying this©¤©¤but certainly not The Peak. "I''m sure there are other reasons, but let''s not forget¡ªshe didn''t exactly cosplay you, did she?" The audience erupted in laughter, and The Peak''s face turned dark as his jaw screwed shut so tightly it looked like his teeth might shatter. ??? Phone in hand, Nadia scrolled through her feed. "Whoa. He''s not kidding. Your follower count''s been exploding lately." Scott raised an eyebrow. "Really? I''ve been so busy recovering that I haven''t even touched social media. Well, besides checking updates on Emma''s medal ceremony." Nadia rolled her eyes. "Slightly more followers? Dude, ''slightly'' is like¡­ a major understatement." Scott shrugged as he brushed it off. "Eh, I''ve got bigger things to worry about." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Trevors Estate, LA¡­ Bella adjusted her silk bathrobe, letting it slip slightly to reveal the smooth, golden skin of her juicy thighs. With casual elegance, she picked up her crystal glass of brandy and swirled it slowly before taking a deliberate sip. The liquid warmed her throat as she exhaled softly, savoring the taste. Her eyes went back to the television, where her own Insaflick post, showcasing her sexy Nightwatch cosplay, still lingered on the screen. The corners of her lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Do you think he''s seen it yet?" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was such a honey in her voice. "I mean, it''s popular enough, right?" She took another sip as her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Maybe then he''ll fall for me. You know¡­ rogue vigilante meets proper lady from a rich family?" She giggled softly. ¡­ Mhm-mmm~ ?? It was a sound as smooth as the silk of her robe. She leaned back into the plush cushions of her couch. The brandy glass twirled in her fingers as she spoke to no one in particular. "Of course, I''m not into that whole stupid bad boy and preppy girl trope. If anyone''s into that clich¨¦, it''s that try-hard, dumb, blonde bitch Jessica Nocturne." Her expression soured as she took a slower sip. "Nope, I''d rather charm Nightwatch with my beauty. Make that brooding, grim vigilante blush for once." She laughed as she set the glass down on the table. Her attention shifted to the laptop sitting beside her. With a quick tap, the screen flickered on, revealing a slew of blog articles and trending posts. "Now, let''s deal with this Mr. Handsome¡­" Her expression turned serious as she scanned the screen. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped against the touchpad as she navigated through articles of the same topic. [Who is Metro City''s Mysterious Blue-Eyed Prince?] [Is This Handsome Stranger the Next William Roosevelt?] [The Internet''s New Obsession: SCOTT!] The headlines were unavoidable. Bella''s lips pursed as she skimmed through the posts. One blog read: [William Roosevelt might''ve finally met his match. Sure, Roosevelt''s a model and ridiculously fit, but this new guy? He''s got that raw, untamed charisma. The kind you can''t manufacture in a photoshoot.] ©¸ [Yeahhh, Daddy Scott is so gorgeous ????!!] ©¸ [LOL, imagine saying all this and he turns out to be underaged, that would be¡­ something ????] ©¸ [You say that, but I''m sure there''s nothing underaged about what''s in those pants of his. ????] ©¸ [I''d let him shove jelly beans up my ass, then punch them out and feed them then to me!] ©¸ [I wanna bend Scott over, pull his luscious black locks back, arch his back, make him arch his back, and wreck him like an iron fist going through a wet sheet of paper, ugggh~] Another argued: [The Internet has a low attention span. In a month, this guy will be forgotten, especially if he doesn''t start a modeling career. Roosevelt''s got staying power¡ªthis guy''s just a flash in the pan.] ©¸ [Based asf ????] ©¸ [I''ll have Roosevelt over Scott any day!] ??? Bella rolled her eyes. "Idiots. As if the Internet ever forgets someone that hot." More posts popped up. Brands like Numa Clothings and Wilhelmina Jansen made open offers: [We saw a clip of this ''blue-eyed prince'' on The Peak''s stream. We''d like to offer him a high-paying modeling contract for our new line. If anyone knows how to reach him, please contact us at this email.] Another from Blue Force Inc. offered a lucrative deal: [We''re looking to bring this young man onboard for our latest unisex footwear campaign. Anyone who can provide contact information will be rewarded with an exclusive supply of our newest designs.] The comment sections were ablaze with speculation: [All we know is his glorious name''s Scott. But that''s enough to find him!] [He''s probably not a social media guy. Did you see how uncomfortable he looked on stream? Definitely not a fan of fame.] [Why are we even debating this? Handsome guys like him either have an account, or they don''t. We''ll find him soon enough!] ??? Bella sighed dramatically, then leaned back into her lounge chair. "Wow¡­ the guy''s practically being hunted by half the fashion world. And no one''s found him yet? What is this, amateur hour?" She opened her Chirper account. Quickly, her slender fingers flew over the keyboard. Bella Trevors (@OfficialBellaTrevors): [Okay, seriously. Can someone help me find this guy already? Since when did the Internet take this long? Usually, it''s two to three days, max. I''m trying to help him out and find a male lead for my next movie. And no, do NOT fuckin'' tag William Roosevelt. ????] She hit send, and within moments, her post was flooded with responses. [Girl, we know you just want him for yourself. Nightwatch or Scott¡ªyou can''t have both!] [This is why I hate celebs. They always hog the hot guys. Leave some Greek gods for us mere mortals!] [Because gods need queens, not peasants. ????] [Why the sudden William Roosevelt hate? He''s still the hottest man alive.] [Bella''s just salty Roosevelt wouldn''t collab with her. If he did, he''d be in all her music videos.] ©¸ [LIES. Bella doesn''t like him, so he''s not in her music videos. It''s that simple.] ??? Bella smirked and sipped her brandy as the notifications poured in. "Jealous much?" She closed the laptop with a satisfied click. Her thoughts lingered on Scott, imagining the blue-eyed prince''s reaction to all the attention. "Don''t worry, darling~ ?? Once I find you, this world won''t know what hit it." She raised her glass in a silent toast to the future. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ INN Studios ¨C the Konrad Kain Show Konrad adjusted his tie as the applause died down. "So, ladies and gentlemen, it seems we''ve stumbled upon a rather¡­ interesting revelation tonight." The audience chuckled softly. Konrad gestured toward the crowd. "From everything said, posted, and shown, it appears we''ve proven that Bella Trevors¡ªAmerica''s sweetheart, the darling Daddy''s girl¡ªis more into a menace to society like Nightwatch than an American idol like The Peak here." The audience hummed in agreement, nodding silently. The Peak straightened in his seat, raising a hand quickly. "Well, th¡ª That''s not really established yet¡­" He couldn''t hide the pitch and stammer in his voice. "I-, I-, I mean, we can''t really say that." Konrad arched an eyebrow, faking surprise. "Oh? But just moments ago, you seemed pretty against the idea of you and Bella dating. What''s the matter now, Mr. Peak? Getting cold feet?" The Peak waved dismissively, pressing his back against the plush couch. He laughed awkwardly. "Ahh, no, no! That''s not it. I''m not saying I''m, y''know, attracted to Bella in that way or anything. I''m just saying I wouldn''t call myself a¡­ second option." Konrad leaned back in his chair as a sly grin creeped onto his face. "Oh, trust me. You''re not a second option." The Peak''s tense posture relaxed slightly, and he managed a confident smile. "Heh. Of course." He licked his palm and slicked back his hair, the gesture exaggerated for effect. The audience laughed lightly. Then Konrad struck. "No, you''re actually a third option." The Peak froze mid-motion, his hand still in his hair. "Eh?" "Let''s back that up, shall we?" Konrad snapped his fingers, signaling the tech team. The massive green screen behind them flickered to display two images. The first showed The Peak and Scott, side by side, from one of The Peak''s earlier streams. The second was a screenshot of Bella''s latest post on Chirper, highlighting her eager hunt for the mysterious Scott. The audience erupted into laughter, and The Peak clutched his chest dramatically. "Oh, come on!" He groaned with a red face as he glanced at Konrad, then at the audience. Konrad grinned wider, then leaned forward on his desk. "It seems, my dear Peak, that our adored hero can''t seem to get much praise these days. And now, even Bella Trevors doesn''t seem to care! She''s smitten with Nightwatch and this Scott. In fact¡­" He paused to let the tension build. "It looks like *chuckle* Bella might be in love with every man but you!" The crowd roared with laughter as The Peak looked helplessly at Jerry who was still seated nearby. Jerry avoided his eyes and bit his lip to suppress a laugh. At that point, he was even turning purple and tears were squeezing out of his eyes as he slapped a hand over his mouth to better silence the laugh. ??? Back at Nadia''s Apartment¡­ Scott groaned, slapping a hand over his face. "Oh, great. This again." Perched beside him on the couch, Nadia leaned in close. Her slender shoulder pressed against his muscular one as she giggled. "Ohooo, it''s you! You''re all over the news again!" Scott sighed as his hand dragged down his face. "Trust me, I know. I thought people were over this whole thing with The Peak''s stream. Why does it have to come up on national television?" Nadia tilted her head and grinned. "Don''t worry. At least you''re not famous for doing something stupid." She poked his side teasingly. ¡­ Tee-hee~! ??? Back in the studio, Konrad continued his tirade. "Now, don''t get me wrong. Bella''s taste in an ugly, monstrous beast like Nightwatch is absolutely stupid and unnecessary." He paused and let the crowd murmur. "But her taste in this young handsome man right here? Oho, absolutely valid." He gestured toward Scott''s image on the screen. "Look at that jawline! The quality of his black hair! And those blue eyes... As a man with three daughters, let me tell you, I''d want a handsome guy like that to be my son!" The audience laughed even more, and Konrad turned to The Peak. "No offense, Mr. Peak. You''re handsome too." The Peak forced a tight smile. "Oh¡­ great. Thanks." Konrad wasn''t done. "But hey, we''re both men, right? We can''t really say what makes this Scott guy so special. So, luckily¡­" He clapped his hands together once and grinned at the camera. "We''re bringing in an expert." He pressed a button on the desk, and the green screen switched to a ringing call. The name [Jessica Nocturne] appeared in bold letters. The audience gasped excitedly. "Ladies and gentlemen, two-time Oscar-winning actress and the queen of the supernatural genre, Jessica Nocturne herself, will weigh in on the Scott Phenomenon!" The Peak paled visibly as sweat beaded on his forehead. As the ringing continued, his mind raced. ¡ºThere''s no way this bastard is seriously calling Jessica Nocturne to talk about that¡­ THAT Scott!¡» He glanced nervously at the camera. ¡ºIf they bring up that slap incident, I''m doomed¡­¡» And then, Jessica answered. Chapter 100 Tonight on the KKK Show IV INN Studios ¨C The Konrad Kain ShowThe video call connected, and Jessica Nocturne''s face filled the green screen. Instantly, the studio erupted. Applause thundered through the space as fans cheered and whistled. Jessica, dressed elegantly in a sleek black dress, smiled gracefully as she waved to the crowd. "Thank you, thank you!" There was such a warmth and charm in her voice. Her voice was so soft and delicate that anyone who heard her felt an almost instinctive urge to protect her, like she was a princess or a damsel in distress. It was one of those irresistible charms that had men glued to her movies. ??? Back in Nadia''s apartment¡­ Scott shot up from the bed like a rocket. "Yes! Jessica Nocturne!" He shouted as he pumped his fist in the air several times. Still seated on the couch, Nadia blinked in shock. Her wide eyes followed Scott''s animated display before she broke into a stunned laugh. "Wait¡­ dude, you''re a Jessica Nocturne fanboy?" Scott froze mid-celebration as his hand awkwardly hovered in the air. He glanced at her and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh, what? No, I''m not a fanboy!" He crossed his arms. "I just¡­ like her acting. And, uh, she''s pretty hot. But that''s it. Totally normal stuff." Nadia smirked, leaning back with her arms crossed. "Oh, really? Because the people who watch her movies tend to fall into three categories: fangirls, simps, or those who actually appreciate her acting and sometimes her sex appeal. Which one are you?" Scott tilted his head as his face scrunched in thought. "Me? I''m none of those. Like I said, I respect her acting. I mean, come on, her performance in Alucard''s Bride 1 and 3? Pure Oscar-worthy stuff! The haters can say all they want about her being ''sexy as hell,'' but if that''s all she had going for her, she wouldn''t have won two Best Actress Oscars." He nodded with certainty before adding. "Oh, and I can''t wait for Alucard''s Bride 4 next month. Gonna be amazing." Nadia arched a brow, then her lips twitched with amusement. "Wait a second. What about Alucard''s Bride 2? Why not mention that one?" Scott hesitated, his face contorting into a grimace as he made a hesitant "iffy" gesture with his hand. "Eeehh¡­ it was okay. But, uh, there was a lot of racial controversy about the cast. That really tanked its reputation, so¡­ yeah." Nadia hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm, maybe we should check out the trilogy sometime." Scott blinked. "We? Like, you and me?" "Yeah¡­" Nadia said casually, shrugging. "Why not? We''re friends, right? Watching movies is a great way to bond." Scott shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant. "Well¡­ alright, I guess. If you''re up for it." ??? Back at the studio¡­ Jessica Nocturne giggled softly as her slender hand covered her mouth. The audience was still cheering wildly, and Konrad grinned, clearly basking in the excitement. "Jessica! Great to have you here tonight!" Konrad said warmly. "How''re you feeling being on the KKK Show?" From behind the camera, a stagehand''s panicked voice called out, "Uh, sir? You can''t say that¡­" Konrad''s eyes widened for a moment before he burst into laughter, slapping his knee. "Oops! My bad, folks. That didn''t come out right!" The audience roared with laughter, and Jessica pinched her nose, trying to stifle her own giggles. "Oh, Konrad¡­ you''re always full of surprises." Konrad wiped a tear from his eye and straightened up. "Glad you''re here, Jessica. As always, you''re a delight! My family loves you¡ªmy daughters especially. And why wouldn''t they? You''re the face of the supernatural genre! The only actress who managed to bring back the vampire craze of 2015!" The crowd erupted into more applause, whistling and clapping at the heartfelt praise. Jessica''s cheeks flushed pink as she ducked her head modestly. "Thank you, Konrad~ that really means a lot. I''m so grateful for my fans¡ªand for your family''s support, of course." The tenderness of her voice was always a treat. Konrad beamed. "You deserve it! I mean, seriously, Jessica. You''ve got talent, charisma, and the looks to match. No wonder people adore you!" "I-, I try my best, mhmm~" Jessica giggled again and brushed a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "Alright, alright¡­" Konrad held up his hands. "Enough flattery¡ªfor now. Let''s talk about why you''re here. Specifically, the blue-eyed Greek god who''s got the internet losing its mind¡­" Before he could finish, Jessica''s face turned bright red. She let out a soft laugh, then lowered her beautiful blue eyes as she covered her mouth. The audience went wild at her reaction, clapping and cheering even louder. ??? Elsewhere¡­ Bella Trevors groaned, rolling her eyes as she slumped back in her lounge chair. "Oh, great¡­ they''re praising that dumb bitch again. She''s not even that good of an actress! All she does is vampire movies. So stupid." Grabbing her phone, she scrolled through Chirper, hoping to distract herself. An impish grin spread across her face. "Let''s see what they''re saying about me¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Konrad leaned back in his chair. He motioned off-screen as his voice boomed with theatrical excitement. "Well, Jessica, you''re not alone tonight! That next to him is the man, the myth, the legend¡ªThe Peak!" The camera panned to the side to reveal The Peak sitting stiffly in his chair. He was currently the embodiment of unease. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, though his halfhearted wave and forced smile easily told them¡­ as a result, they didn''t applaud any longer than three seconds. Jessica''s eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically at The Peak. "Oh my gosh, hi! It''s so great to see you!" The golden-haired superhero offered a curt nod and a quick, unconvincing smile. "Uh¡­ yeah, hey." Konrad chuckled and turned his attention back to Jessica as he ignored The Peak''s sour mood. "Alright, Jessica, let''s get to the juicy stuff. You''re one of the top celebrities who''s been all over this Scott news ever since it exploded. What''s your take on everything? And¡ª" Konrad leaned in like they were planning a heist. "¡ªthere''ve been some spicy rumors about Bella and The Peak here being a thing. But between Bella''s Nightwatch cosplay and that¡­ shall we say, thirsty Chirper caption, plus her recent posts about hunting down Scott, it seems like Bella''s interest in The Peak might not be all that romantic. What do you think?" The Peak''s face darkened with every word. He gritted his teeth, and his expression was one of barely concealed irritation. He muttered something under his breath, but the microphone didn''t catch it. However, the audience was too engrossed in Jessica to even notice. Jessica pressed her whitish palms together and took a deep breath. "Well, Konrad, I can''t really say much about Bella. We worked together on Sorority Girls in New Jersey, but we haven''t talked much since then. I do have her number, though, so maybe I''ll shoot her a message and give you an update tomorrow?" The audience chuckled, and Konrad laughed heartily as he clapped his hands. "Haha! Fair enough, fair enough. By the way, Sorority Girls in New Jersey¡ªwhat a film! I heard it got a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.1 on IMDb! That''s a winner in my book. How much did you make off that gem?" Jessica tilted her head, tapping her chin in thought. "Hmm¡­ I think it was somewhere between ten and thirteen million dollars? But that''s not really why we''re here, right?" Konrad leaned forward even more. "True, true. But let''s switch gears. Whenever we talk about hot men on this show, or even on the Internet as a whole, one name always comes up¡ªWilliam Roosevelt. The guy''s a legend, the ultimate hottie, and your co-star in the Alucard''s Bride trilogy. You''ve kissed him more times than we can count and had some pretty spicy scenes with him. So¡­ how does Scott compare?" The crowd roared and drowned out Konrad''s voice as Jessica''s cheeks flushed a deep pink. She covered her face with her hands, laughing softly. The Peak rolled his eyes and muttered. "William Roosevelt isn''t that hot. I''m way better-looking than him¡­" He glanced around, but no one seemed to notice¡ªor care. All eyes were on Jessica. Jessica bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her smile. "Well¡­ yeah, I''ve worked with William enough times to compare him to other men. But I can''t really say Scott''s more good-looking than him¡­" The audience erupted in playful boos, and Konrad joined in, shaking his fist dramatically. "Booooo! Jessica, how could you? The Scott fan club is coming for you!" Jessica ducked under the webcam for a moment, peeking out with a sheepish grin. "Come oooon~ let me explain!" Konrad folded his arms, pouting like a scolded child. "Fine. But it better be good. The Scott fans are listening." Jessica straightened up, grabbing her glass of water and taking a sip. "Okay, here''s the thing. William comes from a wealthy family, and he''s been gorgeous for as long as I''ve known him. He was already every girl''s crush when he was modeling as a teenager. Scott¡­ well, he can''t quite match that legacy. Don''t get me wrong¡ªI love the whole black-haired, blue-eyed prince charming look. But European men? They''re just in a league of their own." Konrad nodded sagely. "Fair enough. I think both fanbases can accept that explanation." Jessica clasped her hands in a praying gesture, then bowed her head. "Please, guys, don''t bite my head off." The audience burst into laughter. ??? Back at Nadia''s Apartment¡­ Nadia smirked, crossing her arms as she glanced at Scott. "Ooof. That must hurt, huh?" Scott shrugged, completely indifferent. "Nah, not really. Everyone''s entitled to their opinions. Besides, the fact that Jessica Nocturne even mentioned me? That''s praise enough." Nadia nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, yeah, I''ll give you that. And honestly, I''m not big on William Roosevelt either. Her saying he''s better than you? That stung a little." She leaned in and gently poked Scott''s cheek. Scott grinned, then brushed her hand away. "Hey, if Jessica Nocturne knows who I am, I''m already winning, bro." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The stage lights dimmed slightly, and Konrad glanced at the clock on his desk. His exaggerated gasp earned a few laughs from the audience. "Oh no, folks! Look at the time¡­" He announced dramatically as he tapped his wrist. "We''re almost out of time for tonight!" A wave of loud boos erupted from the crowd. Konrad threw his hands up with a sheepish chuckle. "Hey, hey, don''t shoot the messenger! I love your passion, really, but I''ve got a wife and three kids waiting for me at home. Gotta clock out sometime, y''know? But don''t worry¡ªjoin us tomorrow, and I promise we''ll have something even better!" The audience settled down. But then, The Peak shot a hand into the air. "Uhh, wait¡ªwhat about me?!" The crowd turned toward him for a moment. Such fleeting curiosity. Immediately after, their collective eyes shifted back to Jessica. Even Jessica herself barely acknowledged him as her focus returned to the host. The Peak sighed, slumping slightly in his seat. He muttered under his breath, "They don''t even care¡­" Konrad smirked as he shifted his attention back to Jessica. "Now, before we wrap up, I heard you''ve started filming the Blue Thunder adaptation. How''s it feel to be cast as the love interest of one of the biggest superheroes in the comic world? I mean, the paycheck alone must be wild." Jessica laughed softly, then gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. Experience more tales on empire "Well, I can''t say too much since we''ve only just started filming. But I promise I''ll spill all the details once the teaser trailer drops!" Konrad nodded sagely. "Fair, fair. I heard most of the filming will be in Metro City. Makes sense¡ªit''s iconic for a superhero story. Just promise us you''re heading there to work, not to hunt down a certain black-haired, blue-eyed prince charming, okay?" The audience erupted into laughter. Jessica blushed, covering her face with both hands. "Well, I can''t promise that¡­ I''ll hunt him down just like our dear Bella¡­" This made the crowd go wild. "WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!" ??? Trevors Estate, LA¡­ Bella stared at the TV with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed in disgust. "Huh?! They chose Jessica over me? That''s rich!" She scoffed, pacing the room. "What, do they think all I can play is the mean girl or the slutty female lead? That''s such a stupid stereotype." She grabbed her phone and began typing furiously. "I''m calling my agent. We''re having a long talk about this. No way this happens again." ??? Nadia''s Apartment, Metro City¡­ Nadia grabbed the remote and switched off the TV, stretching as she stood up. "Alright, that''s enough drama for one night. Get some rest, Scott. Tomorrow, we''re checking in on Brigid and the others at the Hero Agency''s hospital." Scott yawned, stretching his arms lazily. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that." ??? The Next Morning¡­ Scott stood by the door, dressed in a black-and-blue jacket over a white T-shirt and black pants. His GT-R car key twirled lazily in his hand as he shouted. "Nadia! You said we''d leave early, and now you''re the one running late?" From inside, Nadia''s voice echoed back. "Sorry! Just give me a second¡ªI''m fixing my hair!" Scott groaned. "Fix it faster, then!" Suddenly, a presence behind him sent a chill up his spine. His reflexes kicked in, and he spun swiftly, thrusting his arm out like a blade. It stopped mid-swing. Someone had caught his arm. Scott''s eyes widened as he turned. His heart skipped a beat. "W-, Wait©¤©¤©¤©¤HUH?!" Standing before him, Gwen grinned, her hands casually in her pockets. Her radiant smile was exactly as he remembered. "Hey, Mr. Handsome. Saw you trending all over late-night TV and thought, why not pay you a visit? You know, like that one girl who rejects you then realizes she made a huge mistake and wants you back when you get famous." Scott''s jaw dropped. "GWEN©¤©¤?!" Gwen giggled, nodding playfully. "The one and only." But as Scott''s gaze shifted, he noticed his arm was still restrained. It wasn''t Gwen holding him. His eyes followed the slender hand gripping him, tracing it to its owner. A woman stood there. She was stark contrast to Gwen''s lively energy. More than that, she was breathtakingly beautiful¡­ if that was even the right word to use. Moderate height, athletic yet voluptuous shape, skin as brown as coffee and smooth as margarine. Her short, messy white hair partially obscured one of her mysterious but beautiful red eyes. Her expression was unreadable, almost bored, as she stood in an oversized jersey and black sweatpants. Scott blinked. "And¡­ who''re you?" The woman pointed to herself nonchalantly. "Me? Oh, I''m Dark Elf." "EH?!" Chapter 101 ~Intermission~ Unintended Feelings "Give me back my doll, Ken!"A young Gwen shouted while her blonde pigtails bounced as she sprinted after her older brother. Ken, a boy of about ten with a devilish grin, held the doll high above his head, just out of her reach. "Come and get it, shorty!" Ken taunted, laughing as he dashed down the hallway. "You''re so mean!" Gwen yelled, her face red with frustration. In the living room, Tess, their mother, sighed and set her book down on the side table. She stood, hands on her hips, and called out. "Hey! What''s all this noise about?!" Ken skidded to a stop, his grin faltering as he darted behind Tess for cover. Gwen rushed in front of her mother with her little fists clenched as she cried. "Mom! Ken took my doll, and now he won''t give it back!" Tess pinched the bridge of her nose and let out another exasperated sigh©¤©¤you could just tell she was tired of these two bundles of happiness. "I can''t believe you two are making such a racket. Do you remember what I told you earlier? We''ve got a new friend coming today. You''d better behave and make a good impression. He hasn''t had an easy life, you know." Gwen folded her arms and huffed. "Pssh¡ªwhatever. I just want my doll back." Ken snickered, stepping out from behind Tess. "Good thing you''ll never get it!" Just as Ken was about to bolt again, there was a knock on the door. Tess gave both of them a sharp look. "If you two don''t behave, I''ll call Daddy." The threat made both siblings stiffen. "Yes, ma''am!" They chorused, saluting her like little soldiers. Tess couldn''t help but snicker as she walked to the door. She opened it to reveal a stunning woman with sleek black hair and striking blue eyes. Her beauty was ethereal, though her nervous smile gave her a fragile air. Beside her stood a young boy, his head down, avoiding Tess''s gaze. "Martha¡­" Tess greeted warmly. Martha McQueen nodded, her hands gently resting on her son''s slender shoulders. "Tess, thank you so much for agreeing to take care of Scott. I¡­ I don''t know what I would''ve done otherwise." Tess smiled kindly. "Will you be coming in?" Martha shook her head quickly. "No, I can''t stay long. The doctor¡­ he said it''s best if I don''t¡­ linger. For Scott''s sake." Tess''s face softened. She glanced at the boy, who still hadn''t looked up. "Well, come on in, Scott. Make yourself at home." Scott brushed past her silently, ignoring her warm smile. Tess turned back to Martha. "He''s, uh¡­ quite the bundle of sunshine." Martha sighed heavily. Her beautiful face was deeply marked with stress. She looked like someone who was tired of life. "Don''t blame him. It''s my fault he''s like this. I''m just grateful his scars aren''t¡­ permanent." Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. Tess placed a hand on her chest as her hazel eyes clouded with sympathy. "I''m glad that phase is over. It was heartbreaking to see him so pale and¡­" "Tess¡­" Martha interrupted sharply, her face tight with pain. "Please. I know I''m a terrible mother, but I don''t need a reminder. That''s why I''m leaving him with you¡ªto give him a chance at something better." Tess quickly put her hands on Martha''s shoulders. "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it like that. You''re not terrible. At least you recognized the problem and did something about it. That takes courage." Martha nodded weakly as tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you." She hesitated for a moment before pulling an envelope from her jacket. "Give this to Scott when he''s ready." Tess took the envelope. Her heart ached as she watched Martha walk away. ??? Shutting the door, Tess turned back to her children, who stood frozen in the living room. She walked to her chair, then sank into it with a sigh. "Alright, listen up, guys. That boy back there? That''s Scott McQueen, your new brother. So, say hi and make him feel welcome, okay?" Ken and Gwen turned to Scott, who was leaning against the wall with his duffle bag at his feet. "Hi, Scott! Nice to meet you!" Gwen chirped as she waved enthusiastically. Scott scoffed. "Can you not talk to me like I''m some mentally-challenged freak?" Gwen''s smile faltered. She took shaky steps forward and stomped her foot. "Hey! That''s no way to talk about people with intellectual disabilities! Daddy says it''s wrong." Scott smirked darkly. "Did Daddy ever tell you you''re an annoying little brat? No? Guess Daddy lies too, stupid blonde." "Ooooo, snap¡­" Tess muttered under her breath as she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Ken stomped over, grabbing Scott by the collar. "Hey! You better not talk to my sister like that again, or I''ll¡­ I''ll©¤©¤©¤©¤Grrr!" "You''ll what?" Scott interrupted with a cold voice. "Show me just how dumb you really are? Might be a great time for me to know just how much stupidity is soaked into those genes¡­ so go ahead. My life''s already a tragedy; maybe you''ll give me a laugh." "¡­" Ken didn''t know how to respond to that. Not because he felt verbally defeated. Rather¡­ he felt pity for Scott. With that, Scott shoved Ken. ¡­ THUD! The young boy fell to the floor. Right after, Scott picked up his duffle bag and disappeared down the hallway. Gwen crossed her arms and pouted. "If I had a big butt like that lady who just left, I bet he wouldn''t be so mean to me." Tess''s eyes widened. "Gwen! What did you just say?" "Uh¡­" Gwen hesitated, then pointed at Ken. "It was Ken! He was on some weird website last week!" Tess rounded on her son. "Ken, what have you been watching?!" "Mom, no!" Ken yelped as he scrambled to his feet and ran as Tess chased him. Gwen stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Bleeeghhhh¡­" ??? Scott''s new room. It was a few photons from complete darkness. There was only a single streak of sunlight breaking through the old blinds that cast patterns on the slightly dusty floor. Scott sat cross-legged on the hardwood, unpacking his duffle bag with an almost mechanical focus. The boy moved quietly, carefully taking out item after item¡­ mint-conditioned comics encased in protective sleeves, action figures still in their original packaging, and miniature dioramas of heroes mid-battle. Gwen peeked from the doorway as her blonde pigtails stuck out like antennae. She craned her neck to get a better look, her small hands gripping the edge of the doorframe as she leaned in. Bit by bit, she caught glimpses of his collection. ¡ºWeird¡­ who even has this many superhero toys? And half of them aren''t even the cool ones.¡» Her head poked out just a little too far. "I can see you, you know¡­" Scott said sharply. Gwen yelped, almost toppling over, but somehow managed to stumble back gracefully, leaning against the doorframe with exaggerated nonchalance. She folded her arms and smirked, masking her embarrassment with her usual sass. "Meh, nothing really. I was just uhhh¡­ taking a look at your collection¡­" She spoke while waving a dismissive hand. "Not that I''m interested. They look pretty bland. What''s with all these bootleg heroes anyway?" Scott froze as his fingers tightened around the box of a vintage action figure he''d just taken out. Slowly, he looked up at her, his blue eyes narrowed. "Bootleg?" Read new chapters at empire He repeated in an offended tone. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "These ''bootleg heroes'' are golden age heroes. They fought for this country, this world decades ago. Show some respect, alright?" Gwen snorted, walking further into the room with the confidence of someone who owned the place. She stopped a few feet from Scott and leaned in slightly with an impish smile. "Aww, did I hurt Mr. Golden Age Superhero''s feelings? Boo-hoo. Chill out. It''s not that deep." Scott''s jaw clenched, and his grip on the box tightened, the thin cardboard starting to bend under the pressure. He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down, but the irritation in his eyes was clear. Gwen chuckled, then took another step closer. "Besides¡­ there are way better heroes than these guys. Like Blue Atom¡ªyou know, the guy who saved the planet from Gremulaxx? Or Mega Man, who¡ª" "Shut up!" Scott snapped, then shoved Gwen with enough force that she stumbled backward and fell against the bedframe. ¡­ bam©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAK!! Her arm hit the edge with a dull thud. "OW!" Gwen screamed, clutching her arm as her face scrunched in pain. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her cheeks turned bright red. "Did you really have to push me like that?! It''s not funny, you jerk!" Scott''s anger instantly melted into panic. He dropped to his knees beside her and his hands hovered uncertainly over her arm. "I¡ªI''m sorry!" He stammered like he was going to cry. "I didn''t mean for you to get hurt! I just¡ªwhen you said his name, I got ang¡ª" He stopped abruptly as Gwen started giggling. At first, it was just a small chuckle, but it quickly grew into full-blown laughter. She let go of her arm and waved it around dramatically. "Gotcha!" she declared with a wide grin. Scott stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. Then his expression shifted to one of pure annoyance as he realized what had happened. "That''s not funny¡­" he muttered, looking away. Gwen climbed to her feet, placing her hands on her hips as she threw her head back and laughed. "Bahaha! You''re so gullible!" She leaned down and tapped him on the forehead. "What''s not funny is hitting a lady." Scott''s face twisted into a deadpan glare. "Yeah, sure¡­ lady¡­" He spoke very dryly©¤©¤obviously this child was no lady. Still grinning, Gwen straightened up and started walking toward the door. But then she stopped, turned back, and gave him a warm smile. She raised her hand in a cute, little wave. "Hey, I don''t know why you''re always so angry, but it can''t be worth it. My name''s Gwen, by the way. Nice to meet you, uh¡­ Scott. I hope we can be friends, alright? So yunno¡­ take it easy on me." Scott stared at her for a moment. His fists went tight. Finally, he muttered, "Al¡­ alright." Gwen''s grin turned sly as she placed a hand over her mouth and let out a posh laugh. "Awww~ was that your first time making a friend¡­ huh, little Scottie?" Scott''s face turned red as he stomped his foot. "Hey! I have friends! I¡ªI have¡­ uh¡­ Scottie¡­ and¡­" His voice died out, and he gritted his teeth in frustration. "I¡­ I swear I can call more than just my sister''s name¡­ d-, damn it all©¤©¤!!" Gwen''s smug expression softened. "Well, you''ve got me now¡­" Her tone was very gentle, oddly¡­ lady-like. "So, when someone asks, you can tell them Gwen''s your friend, okay?" Scott looked up at her, his blue eyes wide and uncertain. "R-, Really?" For a brief moment, Gwen felt her cheeks grow warm. She looked away, fiddling with one of her pigtails. "Y-, Yeah, sure¡­" Clearing her throat, she quickly turned and walked away. But just as she reached the door, she poked her head back in with that same flustered face. "A-, And it''s not like I''m being nice to you or anything! I just think you''re a loser who needs friends!" Scott sighed, shaking his head. "I can manage that." Gwen''s face went pale. ¡ºOh no! Now he''ll think I''m a jerk!¡» Before she could spiral further, Scott piped up. "Oh¡­ and uhm, Gwen?" "Y-, Yeah¡­?" "Sorry¡­ about what I said earlier. I didn''t mean it." "Eh?" Gwen blinked, surprised. She hesitated for a moment before smiling softly. "It''s fine." Scott gave her a small, almost shy smile in return. "Cool." Gwen''s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly shook it off by pinching her thigh. "Uhm, yeah¡­ cool¡­" With a final wave, she disappeared down the hallway to leave Scott alone in his new room¡ªthough, for the first time in a long while, he didn''t feel entirely alone. By the time Gwen reached a safe distance from Scott''s room, she pulled up the sleeve of her arm to reveal a deep purple bruise forming where it had struck the bedframe. She winced sharply, then bit her lower lip to stifle a cry of pain. "Yeeesh¡­ this really hurts¡­" She murmured to herself. A tear slipped down her cheek as she gently tugged the sleeve back into place and swallowed her discomfort. She glanced around to ensure no one had noticed before quietly retreating to her room. Unbeknownst to her, Ken had been watching in silence. His eyes shifted from Gwen''s leaving figure to the door of Scott''s room. The mere thought of Scott made his frown deepen with each passing second. "Anyone who hurts Gwen doesn''t deserve kindness. I hope that bastard pays for this." Straightening his posture, Ken turned on his heel and stormed back to his room. ??? ¡­ 5 years forward The wooden floors creaked beneath Gwen''s footsteps as she stomped down the living room, the soles of her school shoes hitting the ground with a final thud-thud. She folded her slender arms, then tilted her head impatiently as she called out. "Done! What about you, bro?" Scott sat on the couch, hunched over as he fumbled with his shoes. His fingers worked awkwardly against the stiff leather straps. Adjusting his glasses, he muttered. "Tch. Jake showed me some ''easier'' way to do this¡­ not that it helps. And it''s not like Jake even goes to our school. Ugh, this just sucks!" Gwen shrugged, tugging on her skirt to straighten it out. "Yeah, well, I hate these stupid shoes anyway. And this whole preppy school vibe? Ugh. It''s the worst." She tugged at her collar dramatically as she started cooking a sarcastic voice in her throat. "Oh, look at me, I''m a sophisticated private school girl who probably doesn''t know basic math!" "Well, you actually don''t¡­" said Scott. Gwen chuckled. "Pssssh©¤©¤shut up, dork." "I''m not a do©¤©¤!!" "I just hate private schools if I''m being honest¡­" Gwen folded her arms again and sulked like a puppy. Scott glanced up briefly, rolling his eyes. "Right, because public school''s just so much better." Gwen grinned impishly as she yanked her skirt up a few inches to reveal more of her thighs. Her body was maturing fast, and it didn''t go unnoticed. Most of the older guys in the neighborhood could already tell whenever they saw her hopping on the bus or running errands for her mom. But none of it was for them. She was doing it for someone else¡­ someone special. "Honestly? At least they don''t make us wear skirts this short. These things scream, ''please objectify me.'' I only want one nerd to do that¡­ ugh, imagine sex crazy monkey style in these, cinematic climax~" Scott froze and his cheeks turned red as he immediately looked away. Adjusting his glasses for the third time, he cleared his throat. "M-, Maybe you shouldn''t¡­ uh, do that. You know, guys will stare. They''ll¡­ talk." His voice dropped lower. "They already do¡­ in class. I-, I don''t really like the way they talk about your butt¡­ and stuff¡­" Gwen raised an eyebrow as her lips curled into a sly smile. "Ohhh? And since when did you start caring about what guys say about my ass? A bit¡­ controlling, no?" Scott finally fastened his shoe straps, grabbed his backpack, and stood up. He straightened his glasses with exaggerated composure. "I''m not controlling. Why should I be? I''m not your boyfriend or anything." Gwen stepped closer, her grin widening. "Hmm~ That''s true. But wouldn''t it be fun if you were?" "Wh-, What are you talking about?" Scott blinked, suddenly backing up. Gwen leaned in, step by step, until his back hit the wall. She placed a hand on the wall beside his head, her face inches from his. "Imagine it, Scott. You¡­ me¡­ the nerdy kid and the popular blonde chick. You''d be the coolest guy in school." Her voice dropped into a teasing whisper that he''d never heard her speak with before. "You should propose sometime. You know, to really make it official." Scott''s face turned crimson as he struggled to avoid her gaze. His glasses fogged up slightly, and he pushed them up his nose. "Y-, You''re insane¡­" Her laughter was light, almost melodic, as she leaned in even closer. Her nose brushed against his, and before Scott could react, her lips pressed against his. ¡­ Mmmm~ ?? She pulled back slightly as her teeth grazed his lower lip. When she stepped back fully, her smug grin returned. "Hmm. Maybe next time, skip the garlic bread, yeah? Not exactly the kiss of a prince." She glanced downward and raised an eyebrow. Surprisingly, the thing that was supposed to be poking out by now wasn''t. "And¡­ nothing? Seriously, Scott? Not even a little reaction? Should I be offended?" Scott clicked his tongue, gently pushing her to the side as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. "M-, Maybe I''m just not feeling it! We''re too young for this stuff anyway!" Gwen burst into laughter as she watched him stomp off toward the door. "Oh geez, do you have to be so awkward? Seriously, Scott, take off those glasses, mess up your hair a little¡ªyou''d have girls all over you." She shook her head, still chuckling. "Tch. Loser." As she reached for her own backpack, Tess''s voice rang out from behind her. "Oh, Gwen and Scott seem to be getting¡­ close." Gwen froze. Her backpack slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a thud. Whipping around, she waved her hands frantically. "N-, NO! No, no, no! You''ve got it all wrong! We weren''t doing anything weird! I mean, sure, I kissed him, but it was totally platonic! I swear!" Tess raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. And that wasn''t you staring at his pants earlier? I wonder why¡­" Gwen''s face turned as red as Scott''s had earlier. "I-, I wasn''t staring at his pants!" She paused, her voice lowering to a nervous mumble. "¡­ Much." Tess sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, I don''t care what you two were doing. But¡ª" "Wait, really?" Gwen tilted her head with great relief. "So you wouldn''t care if I¡­ borrowed some of his gym clothes?" Tess''s eyes widened. "YOU! You''re the reason his clothes are always covered in sticky mess that smell weird?!" "Uhh¡­" Gwen scratched the back of her head, her grin sheepish. "Kinda?" "¡­" "And¡­ just putting it out there¡ªthey don''t smell weird, mom. I eat a lot of pineapples so trust me it tastes like apple slices and orange juice down there." Gwen then pointed at her crotch. Tess pointed a finger at her and kept her tone sharp. "That ends today! You''re more than done creeping on that young man, got it?" Gwen''s grin faltered. "Wh-, What?! Why?!" "Because it''s weird!" Tess threw her hands up in exasperation. "Gwen, you need to forget whatever¡­ feelings you think you have for Scott. It''s pointless." Gwen stared at her, pale as a ghost. "Pointless?!" Tess folded her arms, her tone firm. "Yes. Pointless. Now hurry up before you miss the bus." But as Tess walked away, Gwen stood frozen as her hands clenched into fists. Her voice came out in a whisper. "We''ll see about that¡­" Chapter 102 ~Intermission~ Unintended Feelings II The school bus rattled along the bumpy road as sunlight streamed through the grimy windows.Gwen sat by the window, her cheek resting on her palm as she gazed at the monotonous street outside. Rows of dull gray buildings passed by, their only companions the occasional stray dog or overgrown bush. Bored, she turned to look at Scott, who was hunched over his notebook. His tongue poked out slightly as he scribbled furiously. The soft scritch-scratch of his pen managed to occupy the silence between them. "What are you even doing?" Gwen asked, then tilted her head as she tried to peek over his shoulder. "Designing¡­" Scott replied without looking up. His glasses had slipped down his nose, but he was too engrossed to notice. Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Designing what? Another one of your super-nerdy suits?" "They''re not nerdy. They''re advanced¡­" Scott quickly corrected her as he flipped a page to sketch out a new diagram. There was that special pride in his voice©¤©¤the one scientists had whenever they were asked about their work. "This one¡­ this one could withstand a direct energy blast if I calculate the output correctly. See, if I stabilize the thermal regulator here¡ª" "Blah, blah, blah!" Gwen interrupted as she leaned back against the seat. "Don''t you ever get tired of this? It''s not like you''re actually going to use them for anything." Her words hit like a jab. Scott''s pen slipped and left a jagged line across his more than detailed drawing. He froze, then clicked his tongue in frustration. "Tch. Great. Now I''ve messed up the whole thing!" He grumbled as he glared at the ruined blueprint. "Oops," Gwen said with zero remorse, holding back that cat-like smirk pulling at her lips. Scott didn''t reply. Instead, he yanked the page out of the notebook, crumpled it into a tight ball, and tossed it out the open bus window with a sigh. Gwen''s jaw dropped. "Wait! You just threw that out? What if someone finds it?" "Who cares?" Scott grumbled, then slumped back in his seat. "It''s ruined anyway." "Geez, dramatic much?" Gwen muttered, shaking her head as she returned her tired eyes to the window. ¡ºIf I were a little more book smart like Maya, maybe I''d be able to connect with him better. I hate that I always have to cause trouble just to get his attention. I''m sure he thinks I''m just some dumb blonde who keeps distracting him from his work, and it sucks. But honestly, it''s not like I really care. As long as he looks at me and says my name once in a while, I don''t mind if he thinks I''m a fool, you know?¡» She closed her eyes and thought deeper. ¡ºMaya''s really lucky. Somehow, she has everything Scott wants. She''s smart, her dad has a lab where Scott can work on those nerdy suits of his, and she even sneaks some of her dad''s tech to help Scott achieve his dream of building a super Sci-Fi suit. But the way I like Scott might not be healthy. I like him so much that I completely overlook the good things about myself just because they don''t match what Scott values. That just leaves my bad traits out in the open for everyone to see, and that''s exactly what I tend to show him. Jeez¡­ I''m stupid, aren''t I?¡» There was sadness and dissatisfaction on her face. ¡ºScott¡­ just tell me something you like about me¡­ I want to feel special¡­ in your eyes. Sigh~¡» ??? Outside, a sleek black car cruised along the road just behind the bus. Inside, a young Isaac Volkner tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, humming softly to the radio. At that moment, the only thing on his mind were ideas for his next big project. Suddenly, something hit his open window, startling him. A crumpled ball of papers bounced off the dashboard and landed in the passenger seat. "What the¡ª" Isaac muttered, glancing up at the bus ahead. His eyebrows squeezed in annoyance. "People don''t even respect the friggin'' environment these days. Jeez¡­" He picked up the papers, smoothing it out as he prepared to toss it in the glove compartment. But his hand froze mid-motion. "Hm¡­?" His eyes widened as he scanned the intricate diagrams covering the page. "Wait a second¡­" He flipped to another page and then another. His lips parted in astonishment. "These¡­ these aren''t just dumb superhero drawings. These are actual designs." The pages were filled with detailed calculations and advanced engineering principles. Energy distribution models, matter conversion theories, and even stress analysis diagrams¡ªeverything was meticulously outlined. "This is insane!" Isaac grinned like a mad man. "Whoever did this is a genius. They''re a bit outdated, sure, but¡­ if I integrate nanite technology here, I could fix 70% of the problems they''re running into." From the backseat, Emma''s voice broke his concentration. "Hello? Isaac? Can we get moving already? I have a photoshoot for Hero Weekly, and I''m not missing it because you''re geeking out over trash." Isaac chuckled, then slowly glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "You''re finding all this fame fun now, huh? Give it a few years, and you''ll hate it. Trust me. Focus on heroics and your personal life. Everything else? Side priority." Emma rolled her eyes as she adjusted her ponytail. "Sure, sure, Mr. Volkner." Isaac groaned. "Stop calling me that. Makes me feel ancient, and I''m only three years older than you." "Meh¡­" Emma shrugged. Isaac tossed the blueprints at her, and she caught them effortlessly. Flipping through the pages at super speed, she raised an eyebrow. "What''s this? Armor designs for a new suit?" Isaac restarted the car as he smirked. "Maybe. With these, I could create my best armor yet. I''ve been thinking of using a wristwatch to summon a nanite-based suit. Either through teleportation or local assembly¡ªway more efficient than my current system." Emma tilted her head, unimpressed. "Sounds geeky." "You''re just dumb." "HEY©¤©¤!" Emma shouted, glaring at him. ??? Back on the bus, Gwen rested her chin on her hand as her distant eyes stared out the window again. Scott had returned to his scribbling, muttering to himself as he sketched a new design. Her thoughts drifted back to her conversation with Tess. Her mom had warned her against getting too close to Scott, saying it was for both their protection. But Gwen couldn''t understand. How was keeping her feelings locked away supposed to protect anyone? Her mom''s words echoed in her mind: "Scott doesn''t need romantic love. He needs familial love¡ªsomething he never got to experience." Gwen''s fists clenched. Her soft gaze shifted to Scott. She watched his focused expression as he worked. ¡ºDid his parents really treat him that badly? Why does Mom say I can''t ask him about it? He deserves better. He deserves love. All the love I can give him.¡» Her cheeks turn a little red as her eyebrows climb up. ¡ºI know¡­ it probably sounds a bit dumb for a 15-year-old like me to be saying all this, but I''m sure about what I want, and it''s Scott. It''ll always be him, no matter what. But I just don''t know how to get past that broken and oblivious exterior of his. Why does he have to be so damn difficult!¡» A deep sigh escaped her lips as she dully turned back to the uneventful window view. ??? The classroom buzzed with chatter. Clusters of students leaned against desks, swapped gossip, or laughed over private jokes. The teacher hadn''t shown up yet. Scott sat alone at his desk, head down, furiously scribbling in his notebook. His pencil moved with a sort of desperate precision, sketching out the curves of a sleek, aerodynamic armor. The design featured integrated plasma cannons, sonic emitters, and a modular flight system capable of short-range bursts and sustained aerial combat. But the murmurs around him weren''t about his designs. "Look at him¡­" A girl whispered loudly enough for Scott to hear. She sounded disgusted. "It''s that weird silent kid again. Always looks like he''s plotting something." Another voice joined in¡ªa boy''s this time. "Yeah, that sucker''s probably trying to design a way to blow up the school or something. Guy''s got ''problem child'' written all over him." Someone snickered. "He''s got such a bad temper too. Always muttering to himself like a psycho." "Bet he''s never even had a real friend." "Or a girlfriend. Who''d wanna date that?" Scott''s jaw tightened. His pencil faltered for a moment before he pressed on. He tried to drown out the noise with his sketching. ¡ºIgnore them¡­¡» But their voices clawed at the edges of his concentration. "What a loser!" "Bet he thinks he''s some genius or something, but he''s just pathetic." "I''m sure he''s got a small penis too!" "Bruh¡­ what''s that gotta do with anything? I swear y''all be saying the dumbest shit sometimes." "My fault, OG¡­" Scott gritted his teeth and his hand shook as he tried to steady his lines. His mind drifted despite himself. ¡ºI know Gwen likes me¡­ but why? She was smart, popular, and full of life, and I¡­ I''m not. She deserves someone better. Someone who doesn''t feel this gnawing anger inside every time I imagine her with someone else.¡» His brows pressed together. ¡ºI have a lot of issues¡­ if Gwen still wants to date me despite all that, I''m sure it''ll cause problems. There are things I just can''t tolerate and issues I can''t overlook. I don''t want her to feel like she has to help¡­ I could always tell her it''s something I need to handle on my own. But then she might end up feeling useless or unwanted¡ªand I know exactly how that feels.¡» He paused and stared at the page. "EH¡­?" He blinked in disbelief. Instead of propulsion mechanics, he''d drawn a face. Her face¡­ Gwen''s warm smile stared back at him from the paper, and his heart choked. "Shit©¤©¤!!" His face went pale. He fell back against his chair, then held his head in his hands. ¡ºWhy the hell did I draw Gwendolyn©¤©¤?!¡» Scrambling for his eraser, Scott started to rub out the sketch, but he froze when he caught snippets of another conversation from across the room. "Can you believe that Gwen hangs out with him?" "Yeah, it''s weird. I mean, she''s way out of his league." "You think they''re, like, hooking up or something?" One boy said with a sleazy grin. Another snorted. "No way. Gwen''s got way too much going on to waste her time on a loser like Scott." The first boy chuckled darkly. "Please. She''s just another easy girl with a big butt. I bet she''s slept with half the seniors by now. Probably used to tag team her fine ass in the bathrooms." "Psssh©¤©¤so what? Gwen''s just a horny dog?" "Hack! Way worse! You should''ve seen the way she was sucking my cock last week!" Scott''s pencil snapped in half with a sharp crack. The classroom fell silent as every head turned toward him. Slowly, he stood as his chair scraped against the floor. His fists were squeezed so tightly his knuckles turned white, and his eyes were dark with fury. "What''re you looking at, dickhead?" Experience new tales on empire One of the boys scorned. Scott''s voice was low and cold. "Why did you lie about Gwen?" The boy frowned. "What''re you talking about?" Scott didn''t answer. Instead, he growled and swung his fist. ¡­ ka©¤©¤©¤©¤POOOOOW!! It connected with the boy''s face with a sickening crunch and sent him flying out of his chair. Gasps and shrieks curtained the room as the boy hit the ground and clutched his broken nose. "What the hell, man?!" Someone yelled, but Scott wasn''t listening. His chest heaved as he stood over the boy. "Don''t. Ever. Talk about her like that again." ??? Meanwhile, in Gwen''s class¡­ The scene wasn''t much better. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed as she faced a senior boy who stood a few feet away with his hands shoved casually into his pockets. "So..." He had a charming smile on his face. "Did you think about what I said yesterday?" Gwen sighed and looked away. "Like I told you before, there''s nothing to think about. I don''t like you like that." The boy''s smile faltered. "Come on, Gwen. Don''t be like that." "No buts¡­" Gwen said firmly, crossing her arms tighter. "I don''t like you. Respect my choice and leave it at that." The senior''s face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Tch. Ugly bitch." He turned and stormed off, and a gaggle of junior girls trailed after him, throwing insults over their shoulders. "She''s such a loser!" "Thinks she''s all that! She''s so fat. Her panties wouldn''t even fit a pig." "Ufufu©¤©¤like we wanna talk about that ugly, fat bitch''s dirty ass panties!" "I hate her so much, ugh!" Gwen sighed, letting the cruel words roll off her back as best she could. She turned and headed back to her seat as her thoughts crawled back to Scott. ¡ºWhat''re you doing right now, you idiot? Probably sketching one of your nerdy suits again¡­¡» But she smiled to herself. There was a soft warmth blooming in her chest. ¡ºHonestly? I wouldn''t want you any other way.¡» ??? The classroom was alive with whispers. Mila and Kale sat at Gwen''s desk, practically bouncing with excitement. When Gwen finally strolled over, they didn''t even let her sit down properly before they scooted close as their bulging eyes sparkled with anticipation. Mila leaned forward first. "Sooo, how did it go?" Kale grinned, snapping her fingers. "Yeah, spill the tea! What''s it like being the most popular girl in middle school and dating one of the cutest seniors? Come on, Gwen! Don''t leave us hanging!" Gwen rolled her eyes but said nothing as she tiredly slid into her seat. Undeterred, Mila pressed on, clapping her hands together. "I can already imagine how popular this is gonna make you! Honestly, you''re already a legend, girl. Even private schools have been talking about how good you look." Kale nodded eagerly. "Right?! Remember that senior from Bluestone Academy? The one who begged us for your number?" She leaned closer with a smirk. "He was soooo in love." The two girls erupted into high-pitched shrieks, drawing the attention of half the class. Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose. "Guys¡­" But Mila was already fanning herself dramatically. "You''ve got options everywhere, babe. Ugh, I''m so jealous! I can''t wait to hear how this one went. Did you say yes? Tell me you said yes!" Finally, Gwen sighed. "I turned him down." The room seemed to drop ten degrees. Both Mila and Kale froze mid-giggle, their faces going pale as if Gwen had just confessed to burning down the school. "You¡­ what?!" Kale''s voice was a purely shock and horror. Mila blinked at her in disbelief. "You turned down the cutest senior? Gwen, are you insane?" Kale pointed a trembling finger at Gwen, as if she had just committed a mortal sin¡ªbut considering how much this senior was worshipped, it might as well have been one. "D-, Do you even know what you''ve done?! That''s social suicide!" "He''s loaded, Gwen! His parents are super rich! They''re like country-club rich!" Mila threw up her hands as if this fact alone should''ve sealed the deal. But Gwen yawned, completely unfazed. She pulled her dusty physics textbook from her bag and dropped it onto her desk with a loud thud. "Well, now he can spend all that money on a girl who won''t mind being called an ugly bitch for rejecting him. I mean like¡­ ugh, what''s wrong with these guys? I''m not the one who told him to ask me out. I was on my own, tch!" She blew on the textbook, sending a puff of dust into the air. Both Mila and Kale stared at her like she''d sprouted a second head. Mila reached out hesitantly, then placed a hand on Gwen''s shoulder. "You¡­ you''re okay, right? I mean, if you''re feeling bad or unwanted, it''s okay to talk to us. You know that, right?" Kale nodded solemnly as her expression turned pitiful. "Just because the most popular senior called you ugly doesn''t mean we see you that way. But¡­ uh¡­ I can''t say the same for the rest of the school." "Yeah¡­" Mila sighed. "You know they''ve been waiting for your downfall." Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Guys, I''m fine." Kale crossed her arms skeptically. "Really? Then why are you suddenly reading your physics textbook? You haven''t touched that thing all year." Gwen grunted, flipping the book open. "I''ve just discovered a new love for physics. And chemistry, too. They''re great subjects." Mila and Kale exchanged an incredulous glance before bursting into quiet giggles. Mila smirked. "You''ve got a thing for some nerd, don''t you?" "What?!" Gwen snapped, glaring at her. Mila shrugged innocently. "You''re trying to bond with some guy, aren''t you? Intellectual conversations? Late-night study dates? Totally your style." Kale doubled over laughing. "That''s so Gwen!" "Hey!" Gwen barked as her cheeks flushed red. Their teasing didn''t last long. A sudden commotion in the hallway drew their attention. Students were filing out of the classroom, whispering and craning their necks to see what was happening. Mila frowned. "What''s going on?" Gwen stood slowly. Her stomach twisted with unease as she followed the crowd outside. The sight that greeted her stopped her dead in her tracks. Three boys lay sprawled on the ground, their faces battered and bloody. A teacher stood nearby, shouting furiously. And there, on his knees with his arms raised in surrender, was Scott. His knuckles were stained with blood, and small cuts marred his face, but his expression was completely cold. "Scott¡­?" Gwen whispered with a pounding heart. Scott glanced at her as his dark eyes softened for a brief moment before he quickly looked away. "What happened?!" Gwen demanded as she stepped forward. The teacher snapped his head around, glaring at Gwen. "You stay back! This is none of your concern." S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Gwen''s focus was entirely on Scott. "Scott¡­" she said again, her voice trembling. He didn''t respond. Her mind raced. ¡ºWhy¡­ why would he do this? What happened here?¡» And as the whispers around her grew louder, one thing became painfully clear. Everyone was staring at Scott like he was a monster. And Gwen realized, with a sinking feeling in her chest, that this was going to change everything. Chapter 103 ~Intermission~ Gwens Decision Woodhull Private Hospital ¨C Meteor CityDark Elf lounged by the window as the glow of the rising sun warmed her brown skin. ¡­ crunch©¤©¤©¤©¤CRUNCH!! A bag of chips crinkled softly in her hand as she pulled another one out, then tossed it into her mouth. Her half-lidded, scarlet eyes drifted lazily toward Gwen, who sat cross-legged on the hospital bed as she fiddled with the hem of her blanket. "So¡­" Gwen was hesitant to finish the little story she was telling Dark Elf. "After that fight at school, I¡­ well, I wasn''t sure about Scott as a person. So, right after, I rejected him in the harshest way possible, and it left him really broken for a long time." Her head went low in shame. "I¡­ I really don''t want to talk about it." There was a look of pain and sadness on her face¡ªlike if she had the chance, she''d go back in time just to hold him close and kiss him. Lately, that''s all she could think about. "But¡­ to be honest¡­ I''m not even sure if I want to be with Scott anymore." Dark Elf paused mid-chew. One of her elegant brows arched slightly. She swallowed with her usual unreadable face. "Hm? How does that make sense? You''re always going on about how much you love him, so how does that even work? Love him so much that it confuses you, but now you''re unsure you want to be with him? That logic''s giving me whiplash." She punctuated her dull-voiced words by tossing another chip into her mouth. Gwen straightened up as her cheeks flushed. "No, no, no, you''re getting it wrong!" She waved her hands in front of her like she was swatting away a cloud of judgment. It seemed like she was scared people might misunderstand how much she loved Scott. She didn''t want them to only see her as the girl who bullied and turned him away when he was at his lowest. She wanted everyone to see how deeply in love she was with him. ¡ºYes¡­ that''s what I want¡­¡» She tried to talk, but no words could come out. At least¡­ not yet. ¡ºI really want people to know how I feel about him¡­ that I''m the girl who would snatch his sweaty gym clothes and sniff them every night. The same one who shamelessly licks the hot saliva off his face whenever he''s drooling in his sleep. The same girl that¡­ that ran through six physics tutors just so she could talk with him more than Maya. The same girl who''s so addicted to being next to him her crotch feels hot when she touches his skin, and she feels the crazy, compulsive need to touch and rub herself like a disgusting, sex-crazed animal whenever she takes in a deep sniff of his manly scent.¡» Gwen''s eyes go wide a bit. ¡ºHow can I freely think this without feeling any shame? And worse¡­ why do I suddenly feel wet down there¡­¡» Gwen glanced stylishly at the Dark Elf, waiting for the perfect moment when she thought the lady wasn''t paying attention. Quickly and quietly, she lifted her hospital gown as her eyes darted down to her plain, gray panties. They were soaked through, so much that her girly juices had started dripping onto the hospital bed beneath her ass. ¡ºIt''s a mess down there¡­ ahh~ story of my life. It''s almost as good as when I thought of myself sucking and blowing his uncircumcised penis like it was a balloon, only for him to ejaculate like he''s a baker using his foreskin meat as a makeshift icing piping bag on my mouth¡­ the cake.¡» For some reason, her mouth was already open. ¡ºBut we both know his penis is definitely circumcised, ahem, after all, I''ve seen it, keke!¡» Biting her lip, she slipped a finger under the waistband of her snug panties and slowly stretched them down, just enough to expose her throbbing, pink lips that wouldn''t stop getting wetter by the second. ¡ºI''ll just do a little bit more¡­¡» She was just about to start rubbing herself like a cleaner scrubbing against a dirty wall. She was desperate to relieve the maddening itch. But then, she froze in place. Why? Because the Dark Elf''s sudden voice cut through the air like a blade, catching her completely off guard. "Are you masturbating?" Gwen''s face turned pale. "Uhhhh¡­ nope?" "Then why are your fingers down there?" "Becaaaauuuuse¡­ I was counting how many hairs I have down there." "..." "It''s clean though!" Gwen immediately removed her hand and flashed them for Dark Elf©¤©¤her own way of telling her she hadn''t done anything as they would''ve been wet and sticky by now. "SEE©¤©¤?!" She was desperately waiting for a response from the assassin who seemed to have gone silent. Shocked? Most definitely. Dark Elf didn''t have any proper words to utter. "Just focus on the conversation, Fingergirl." "Oh yeah, call me that¡­" Gwen said, giving Dark Elf a heavy frown. Suddenly, her face went serious again. "It''s not that I don''t like him enough. It''s just¡­ I''m not sure I''m the right person for him, you know?" Her voice softened, and her gaze dropped to her lap. "Scott''s got a really troubled past. He doesn''t even trust me enough to tell me about it. And honestly¡­ I don''t want to demand it from him." Dark Elf sighed as her head tilted to rest against the window frame as she grabbed another chip. "Have you ever asked him about his past before and he told you no?" She wanted to know yet sounded so disinterested. "No¡­" Gwen mumbled as her face turned redder. The sound of a loud smack echoed through the room as Dark Elf slapped her palm over her face. She let out a deep, exasperated sigh, then dragged her hand down her pale features. "Seriously? Gwendolyn, there was this philosopher¡­ or maybe it was an actor, who said something like, ''If you''re hungry, eat. If you''re tired, sleep. If you''re angry, vent.'' Basically, life''s easier if you stop overthinking and just act on the moment. If you wanna know about Scott''s past, just ask him. Whatever answer he gives you will tell you exactly how he feels about you." Gwen frowned while her pale arms folded under her bouncing breasts as she thought. "Huh¡­ That might actually work¡­" She tilted her head slightly. "YEAH! If I just ask him outright, maybe I''ll understand him better." A small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, I''ll do it." Dark Elf gave a slow, deliberate thumbs-up. "Bingo." Gwen leaned forward and rested her chin on her palm as she grinned. "You know, for someone who looks like they''ve never interacted with another human being in their life, you''re surprisingly good at giving relationship advice. I swear, I''ve been organizing my thoughts better just being around you." Dark Elf shrugged as the faintest twitch of a smirk graced her sexy, pink lips. "I watch a lot of TV. I''m not antisocial or anything; I just never got a good enough chance to be born in a world where I was accepted. So instead of rejecting the world that rejected me, I''ve decided to ignore what deserves to be ignored and forget what deserves to be rejected." The place went silent. Gwen''s mouth opened, then closed, unable to find the right words to reply. Eventually, she smiled softly. "I hope you won''t ignore or forget me." Dark Elf smiled faintly©¤©¤infact it was so faint that it was very easy to miss. "How could I ever do that to my How I Met Your Mother binge-watching partner?" Gwen chuckled with a bright grin. "Ohohoho, I''d hug you if my legs weren''t still a little shaky." Dark Elf glanced down at her own slender feet, then knocked her heels together idly. "Hmm, and I also don''t feel like standing either, so what do we¡ªoh!" Her face lit up as a rare spark of energy glowed through her usually dull features. She clapped a fist into her palm, the bag of chips nestled snugly between her thighs. "I''ve got it!" Gwen leaned forward, really intrigued. "An idea for how we can show our friendship without moving? Sounds painfully lazy and a little sad¡­" Dark Elf nodded solemnly. "It is." A sly smile crept onto Gwen''s lips. "¡­ But screw it, I''m in!" Dark Elf nodded once. There was something oddly cute about the way she moved her head while her scarlet eyes remained half-lidded and heavily disinterested. She was like a tired owl. "So¡­" Dark Elf held up a chip and examined it like a jeweler inspecting a diamond. "I have an idea." "Come on, say it already¡­" Gwen perked up as pale blue eyes flashed with curiosity. Dark Elf nodded, then held up the precariously stacked chips like they were a sacred artifact. "Okay. I''ll throw this¡­" She gestured at the chip tower. "¡­ and you''ll catch it with your mouth. It''s simple yet profound. Like a metaphor for trust." Gwen''s face lit up as she clapped her hands excitedly. "Ooooh, I love when people do this on LoopVid! This is going to be so fun!" Dark Elf''s expression didn''t change. She just gave another one of her famous curt nods. "On three, then." Gwen adjusted herself on the bed, sitting up straighter. Her hands gripped the edges of the blanket as she opened her mouth wide like a baby bird waiting for its first meal. "Alright! I''m ready!" Dark Elf''s eyes flicked toward her target with the precision of a sniper. "THREE!!" The chip stack flew from Dark Elf''s hand with alarming velocity and sliced through the air like a ninja throwing star. "MMMPH©¤©¤!!" Gwen''s eyes bulged like a panicking cartoon character as the stack slammed into her open mouth, immediately triggering her gag reflex. She gripped her throat while her face turned purple as she choked violently. Dark Elf, entirely unfazed, clapped her hands slowly. "Good effort¡­" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She didn''t sound impressed, but she was. Meanwhile, flailed wildly as her muffled choking noises echoed through the room. She finally hacked up the chips in a violent cough, sending crumbs flying everywhere. "GASP©¤©¤WHAT THE HELL, ELF?!" Gwen croaked, her voice hoarse as she gasped for air. "I almost choked to death!" Dark Elf tilted her head slightly, a single eyebrow raising. "You were choking?" "YES, I WAS CHOKING!" Gwen slammed a fist on the bed. "How did you not notice me turning PURPLE?! And what was that throw? Why didn''t you count down properly before yeeting that thing like it was a shuriken?! I swear I felt those chips stab the back of my throat!" Dark Elf shrugged, popping another chip into her mouth. She chewed slowly before replying. "Oh, I get it now. The only thing you want stabbing the back of your throat is Scott''s penis, right?" "Exactly!" Gwen snapped without thinking. "That''s like having a million-dollar steak in your mouth, so of course that''s the only thing I want cho¡ª" Her words froze in her throat as her eyes widened in horror. She whipped her head toward Dark Elf. "What the fuck, bro?!" Gwen shouted as her face turned beet red. "How did you know I was going to say that?!" Dark Elf chewed another chip with a blank face. "Last night, you were murmuring in your sleep about Scott''s ''million-dollar penis.'' I couldn''t help but hear everything. There was one part about nibbling it like a Snickers and another about sucking it until it melted like a like a popsicle in her mouth as she lets him fuck the brakes ou¡ª" "OKAY, OKAY, OKAY!" Gwen waved her hands frantically as her face now burned with embarrassment. "You don''t have to narrate the whole damn thing! I WAS THERE TOO!" Dark Elf shrugged again as her dull eyes drifted back to the window. "If you say so." She hopped down from her perch and stretched lazily. "Anyway, let''s go see this Scott guy." "Huh? What? Like, now?" Gwen''s voice cracked as she clutched her blanket tighter. Dark Elf nodded and retrieved a retractable sword from her pocket. She flicked it open with a single motion as the sharp blade gleamed in the morning light. "Sure. The more time you waste here, the higher the chance some other woman''s stealing him. If he''s as great as you claim, that is." Gwen''s face fell, her grip tightening on the bedsheets. "But Scott already has a woman¡­" She could only mumble this to herself. A war waged inside her. One part of her wanted to respect the relationship Scott was in. But another, more selfish part wanted to fight for him, to prove she was the one he should be with. Gwen just forced a laugh. "Even if I wanted to go, I''m not getting discharged for another week, soooo¡­" Dark Elf interrupted by silently pointing the sword toward the hallway. "Not if I slaughter every doctor and nurse out there." "DON''T DO THAT!" Gwen shrieked, horrified. Dark Elf chuckled softly. Arare sound that caught Gwen completely off guard. "Relax, I''m joking." Gwen''s jaw dropped. "Wait¡­ you''re laughing?" Dark Elf''s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she quickly looked away to clear her throat. "That''ll be the last time." "NO WAY!" Gwen gasped, slapping her hands over her cheeks like she''d just seen a baby hippo. "Now you''re blushing?! That''s absolutely crazy!" Dark Elf muttered something unintelligible and turned back toward the window. She stuffed another chip into her mouth. "I''m not¡­ I don''t blush¡­ you''re seeing things¡­" "Tee-hee! Sure you''re not, Blushing Elf~ ??" "I don''t think Fingergirl should be talking." "Ahhh©¤©¤FUCK YOU!!" Chapter 104 Gal Pals Lakeview Hotel ¨C NYCLady Fortress floated aimlessly in a luxurious room. The silken curtains sway gently with her movements. The oversized shirt she wore draped loosely over her small, fragile-looking body. Her messy blonde hair spilled over her shoulders in soft, untamed waves, and the dull lights highlighted the uncharacteristic tiredness etched on her face. Her usually sharp blue eyes were heavy-lidded, shadowed by a restless week. It didn''t make sense. She was a Cortian, a daughter of the House of Alvonix, a being immune to fatigue in any ordinary sense. Yet, she felt drained, like her very thoughts were clawing at her sanity. Her mind wandered back again. The man in white armor. ¡ºMael¡­¡» His name kept echoing in her head, along with the memory of how it felt to be in his arms. She couldn''t forget the way she felt when he talked to her¡ªnot like she was some untouchable, godlike being, but just a person. It was the kind of connection she''d been longing for ever since she came to Earth. She remembered the way he had saved her. That unexpected vulnerability she hadn''t known she possessed laid bare in front of him. It''d been over a week since then, and despite the constant barrage of thoughts, she hadn''t seen him, hadn''t heard from him. Not even a stream. ¡ºIf this goes on any longer¡­ I might gain an unhealthy obsession about that globnorb!¡» She folded her arms around herself and gently hugged her petite body. A flush crept across her cheeks and warmed her usually cool, pale complexion. "I''m not interested in him¡­" She sounded more like an annoyed child than the mature woman she habitually was. "I''m just¡­ grateful. That''s all. I just want to¡­ see him again¡­ to know who he is." Her arms tightened as a wave of frustration washed over her, and she sucked in her breath sharply, biting her lower lip. The moment lingered too long, and she shook her head violently as if to dispel the treacherous thoughts. "What''s wrong with me?" The petite lady couldn''t think straight. "I''ve never been like this. The House of Alvonix would¡­ would find this shameful." Her mind flicked to Fortitude, her cousin. The image of his perpetually judgmental face morphed into an exaggerated expression as his cheeks puffed up like a blurbengawk. She could almost hear him gossiping to the others in their family, reveling in her torment. The thought made her float higher in her nervous fidgeting, and she barely noticed when her feet lifted off the polished marble floor. Her cheeks burned hotter. "And he¡­ he saw my body¡­" Her voice barely rose above a whisper as she buried her face in her hands. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m the daughter of a high-ranking General¡­ my body is sacred¡­ and he saw everything." Steam practically erupted from her head as the realization hit her like a meteor. "Ev¡ªevery part!" Her lips trembled like a child holding back tears. "I¡ªI''m a whore, aren''t I?" The words left her mouth before she could stop them, and the shame that followed was enough to make her curl into herself mid-air. She clenched her fists as her body vibrated. "No, no! I didn''t let him see it. I was unconscious¡­ so he had no choice!" But even as she tried to convince herself, another thought clawed its way to the surface. "But why¡­ why am I okay with it?" Her blue eyes widened in horror, and she grabbed her cheeks with her small fingers. "Why am I fine with the idea of a man seeing me naked? Only a woman with no sense of self-respect would be fine with that!" Her mind spiraled further into chaos. "Have I¡­ somehow become a¡­ a whore? Can I even call myself a virgin anymore? Should I just¡ªjust wear short shorts and tape my nipples and start working as a prostitute for some random pimp named Daddy Love who''ll turn me into a drug-addicted sex rat?!" The ridiculousness of her own words made her groan loudly, and she threw her head back in despair, floating higher and higher until¡ªthunk!¡ªher head hit the ceiling. She floated there, her arms crossed, eyes unfocused, her lips pressed into a thin line. "What do I do now?" She sounded so defeated. "Do I¡­ make him take responsibility for seeing me¡­ na¡ªna¡ªnaked?" The word burned her tongue like molten lava, and she immediately covered her face with her hands. "Or do I just¡­ let him be?" Her voice echoed softly in the grand room, and for a moment, there was only silence. Then, as her words settled, she groaned again, louder this time. "Ugh! Why am I even thinking about this? He''s probably not even thinking about me!" She kicked the air in frustration, then sent herself spinning gently as her golden hair fanned out around her. And yet, the feel of Mael''s calm, soothing presence wouldn''t leave her mind. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, it stayed¡­ persistent. ¡º¡­ 0ppMaybe I just need to see him, yeah!¡» There was a desperate look on her face. ¡ºJust once. To¡­ thank him properly. That''s all.¡» But deep down, she knew it wasn''t just gratitude. And that thought made her cheeks burn even brighter. In walked Pulsar. Her sharp purple eyes darted upward, immediately noticing the peculiar sight. "Eh?" She was deeply confused. Lady Fortress''s golden hair swayed slightly as she remained stuck headfirst into the ceiling. Her arms crossed, her small figure floated in a pose that would''ve looked serene¡ªif not for the utter desolation on her face. Her wide, blue eyes stared blankly at the abyss, her cheeks flushed crimson as if she''d been caught red-handed in her thoughts. The oversized shirt she wore barely hung on her slender body as her legs dangled lazily mid-air. Pulsar crossed her arms, tilted her head, and sighed. "Earth to Lady Fortress!" She called out, then waved a hand casually. No response. Raising an eyebrow, Pulsar floated up to her level. She hovered inches from Lady Fortress''s face and waved her hand closer. Still nothing. "Hmm¡­" Pulsar leaned forward until their noses almost touched. "Lady Fortress¡­" Nothing. Pulsar rolled her eyes, snapped her fingers an inch from Lady Fortress''s face, and shouted, "HELLO?" Lady Fortress blinked rapidly, jerking back as if she''d been struck by lightning. "Wh-, What©¤©¤?!" Her blue eyes darted wildly. Pulsar raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "You tell me. You''ve been glued to the ceiling for who-knows-how-long. What''s going on?" Lady Fortress looked away quickly as her cheeks grew redder. "I was just thinking¡­" She spoke stiffly as she folded her sylph-like arms tighter across her chest. "About something important. It''s no big deal." "Uh-huh." Pulsar floated closer, scrutinizing the tiny blonde. "You sure about that? Because you look pale, and¡­" Pulsar tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Lady Fortress''s burning cheeks. "Are you blushing? Your face is super red." Lady Fortress panicked and waved her hands dismissively. "No, I''m not!" Pulsar wasn''t convinced. She placed her hands on Lady Fortress''s cheeks as her expression grew serious. "Whoa! You''re burning up! Are you sick? Wait, that doesn''t make sense¡­ you can''t get sick!" Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no, it must be some kind of¡­ space virus!" Lady Fortress slapped her hand over her face and groaned as she dragged it down dramatically. "No! Stop it, Pulsar! I''m fine. Just¡­ don''t worry about it, okay?" Pulsar lowered herself back to the floor, her bare feet touching the cool tiles. She cocked her head and tapped her chin with one finger. "If you say so. But if you''re dying of some alien fever, don''t come crying to me." Lady Fortress sighed heavily, then also lowered herself to the ground. Her body looked even smaller as her toes tapped the floor, and she folded her arms tightly. "It''s not something a doctor or room service can fix." Pulsar raised an eyebrow but decided to drop it. "Fine, fine. But if you keel over, I''m calling the press. ''Lady Fortress succumbs to mysterious alien disease''¡ªfront-page news." Before Lady Fortress could respond, the bathroom door swung open, and Miss Mercury strutted out. Her normally pristine appearance was¡­ less than perfect. Her dark-brown hair stuck out in wild tufts like she''d just been electrocuted, and her tights were rumpled and slightly torn. Both her hands were smeared with a strange, sticky residue, and her phone¡ªclutched tightly in her right hand¡ªlooked like it had been dunked in syrup. "Phew!" Mercury exhaled loudly, looking utterly satisfied. A lazy grin spread across her flushed face as she leaned against the doorframe. "Man, that felt great." Steam visibly wafted from her breath, and her cheeks were glowing bright red. ¡ºTouching myself to Scott has to be the most spiritually uplifting thing I''ve done in days! Ahhh~ ??¡» Pulsar blinked, then frowned. "Uh¡­ Mercury? What exactly were you doing in there?" Mercury stretched languidly, tilting her head back as she let out a soft, almost purring sigh. "Let''s just say¡­ it was hot in there." Pulsar''s frown deepened. "Hot? You mean your¡­ piss?" Mercury snorted as her grin widened. "Sure, let''s go with that." "Erm¡­" But Pulsar''s sharp eyes scanned her from head to toe¡ªthe sticky hands, the messed-up hair, the disheveled tights¡ªand her expression grew suspicious. "¡­ You didn''t just pee, did you?" Miss Mercury froze as her eyes darted to the side. "Wh-, What? Of course I did! What else would I¡ª" "Uh-huh." Pulsar''s tone was deadpan. "Maybe you should¡­ clean up." Mercury glanced down at herself and she was shocked. "I look like a mess, jeez¡­" In a fade of superspeed, she vanished into the bathroom. Moments later, she reappeared, now wrapped in a fluffy white towel that barely covered her shapely figure. "Done!" She chirped brightly. "So¡­ how about we hit the pool? A swim sounds amazing right now." Pulsar''s eyes lit up, and she pumped her fists. "Definitely! Let''s go!" Lady Fortress took a hesitant step back. "I''m not sure¡­ maybe I should just stay here and¡ª" Before she could finish, Pulsar and Miss Mercury grabbed her arms, dragging her unceremoniously toward the door. "Nope! You''re coming with us!" Pulsar declared. Lady Fortress didn''t resist. She sighed as she let herself be dragged along. Miss Mercury glanced back at the little lady being dragged along the ground as her butt skid across as she and Pulsar pulled her. It was kind of funny, but she managed to hold back her laughter and stay focused. "Come on, Fortress. Team bonding time!" As they headed toward the pool, Fortress sighed again. ¡ºWhy do I even bother?¡» ??? Private Pool at Lakeview Hotel¡­ The infinity pool at the rooftop of the Lakeview Hotel reflected the dazzling skyline of New York City. It was shimmering. It was beautiful. Emma stood at the center of the poolside with her hands firmly planted on her massive hips. Her confidence was clear as she took a deep breath of the fresh air and smiled. Her yellow eyes surveyed the area. "Finally! This is exactly what we needed. We''ve already washed up, and now, all that''s left is a good soak in this beauty of a pool!" Maya''s face lit up while her youthful energy radiated as she shot a fist into the air. "Yay! Time to relax!" However, Zyra wasn''t as enthusiastic. Standing near the edge, the Cortian superhero twiddled her fingers nervously as her golden hair caught the warm light. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she avoided meeting Emma''s gaze. "Hmm¡­ I''m not sure if I want to swim¡­" Zyra mumbled with a soft voice. It was unlike the blunt and confident Lady Fortress. Without the cape¡­ and sometimes her clothes, she was a pretty awkward young lady. "Can''t we¡­ do something else for fun? Like patrolling the city? You know, in case there''s danger?" Emma threw her head back and laughed heartily. "No way! Definitely not doing that. We''ve got our Medal of Honor ceremony tomorrow, remember? My boyfriend''s going to be watching, and I''ve gotta look fresh and rested for him!" Maya folded her arms as her dark purple eyes narrowed playfully. "Why didn''t you just bring your boyfriend with you, huh? Or is this still about the whole harem problem?" Emma groaned but shook her head, brushing a strand of brown hair over her shoulder. "Ugh, no. I love him too much to argue about that. It wasn''t even his idea¡ªsomeone else suggested it. But I''m not mad about it anymore, alright?" Maya nodded as her expression softened. "That''s good to hear." Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head and raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh yeah, during therapy with Dr. Goode, you mentioned your boyfriend''s name was¡­ Scott? Or something like that, right?" But Emma wasn''t paying attention. She had already pulled out her phone and her thumbs were dancing across the screen as she scrolled through her messages with a wide grin. "Uh, yeah, sure, whatever¡­" Maya''s face fell as her eyes half-lidded in exasperation. She stepped closer with her hands on her slender hips. "Emma. Answer me. What''s his name? You''ve been keeping it vague this whole time. I just want to know so I can¡­ I dunno, get a better idea of who he is, alright?" Emma giggled at something on her phone, then completely ignored Maya. She covered her mouth as her beautiful eyes sparkled with amusement. [Scott: I watched The KKK show with Nadia while eating her smoothie and fries abomination. Did you know about that? ???? OMG, she even tricked me into licking her fingers lol, I feel like a friggin'' dork.] This made Emma giggle more. "He licked her fingers¡­ so jealous!!" Maya blinked. "Wait¡­ what?" Emma continued typing. [Emma: Seems like you''re having fun, hehe. I''m chilling with Pulsar and Lady Fortress. Thinking of taking a selfie¡ªshould I tag Nightwatch? :P] Scott''s reply came quickly. [Ooooh, yeah, tag me! Add a heart too, kek.] Emma giggled even more as her cheeks dimpled and she sent back a heart emoji. [For you ??????¡­] [???? now I can sleep peacefully.] Emma ran her tongue over her teeth. "He''s so cute sometimes¡­" Maya edged closer, trying to peek over Emma''s shoulder. "Hey! What are you typing?" But Emma instinctively turned away, shielding her phone. "Private convo, Maya. Chill." Maya groaned loudly, throwing her hands up. "You''re impossible!" Scott''s final message popped up. [Nadia''s forcing me to go sleep, so we''ll talk later. Good luck tomorrow, babe. Love you. ????] Emma smiled softly and sent another heart emoji before putting her phone away. Turning back to her colleagues, she clapped her hands. "Alright, ladies, before we dive in, we need a group selfie!" Maya grinned. "Finally, something fun!" Zyra hesitated, her cheeks still pink. "U-, Um, sure¡­ I guess." Emma whipped out her phone, then quickly pulled Maya and Zyra close. With the city skyline behind them and the pool sparkling under the fading city lights, the three heroes struck a pose. Emma beamed with confidence, Maya flashed a peace sign, and Zyra offered a small, shy smile. "Say ''Best Team Ever!'' guys!" "Best Team Ever!" They chorused. What they didn''t know was that this picture would set the entirety of social media ablaze. Chapter 105 General Panic! Metro City¡­The dark room was lit only by the glow of Po''s monitor. Po''s fingers flew across the keyboard. His screen displayed a swirl of open tabs: forums, video platforms, conspiracy threads, and social media feeds. The room smelled faintly of stale energy drinks and half-eaten bags of chips. Nearby, Dip lounged on a beanbag chair, munching noisily on a bag of Doritos. His orange fingers left faint smudges on his shirt as he leaned back and scrolled through his phone. Suddenly, Po froze. His hands hovered mid-air, trembling. His eyes were wide as his pupils shrunk as if he''d just witnessed something cataclysmic. Noticing the sudden silence, Dip turned his head. "Uncle? What''s wrong?" Po didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he slowly leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the screen as if it had betrayed him. "I sense¡­ a great disturbance in the Force." "Huh?" Dip furrowed his brow as chips crunched in his mouth. Then, with a crack of his knuckles, Po lunged forward. His fingers became a blur on the keyboard. Tabs opened and closed with lightning speed as he darted through Chirper, Instaflick, Threadit, and Chatterbox. "What are you doing?" Dip asked, sitting up, intrigued. "I have to find it. The source of this¡­ this disturbance." The room was filled with the sounds of furious typing and scrolling. Po''s breaths became ragged as his eyes narrowed in like a huntsman on the hunt. Suddenly, he stopped. His hands flew off the keyboard as if he had touched something scalding. He fell back in his chair, clutching his chest. "No¡­ It''s too much¡­ TOO MUCH POWER!" Dip sprang up, spilling chips everywhere. "What happened?!" Po raised a trembling hand and pointed at the monitor. "Look¡­ look at it!" Dip cautiously approached, leaning over Po''s shoulder. On the screen was an Instaflick post, glowing like forbidden treasure. It was a special group selfie of Miss Mercury, Pulsar, and Lady Fortress¡ªall clad in pristine white towels and bright smiles as the sparkling infinity pool and New York skyline formed a perfect backdrop. The caption read: [Team bonding before the big day! ?????¡â?? @Nightwatch ???? #BestTeamEver #LakeviewVibes #HeroesUnwind] It''d only been a few hours and the post already had nearly over 10 million likes. Dip''s jaw dropped. The half-chewed chips in his mouth spilled onto the keyboard as he stared at the screen in stunned silence. "It''s¡­ it''s¡­" Dip stammered. "A masterpiece¡­" Po finished as tears gathered in his eyes. "How could they do this to us? Three goddesses, united in a single image¡­ and all in towels! This isn''t just a selfie. It''s art. It''s a divine blessing." Dip blinked, still trying to process. "And they tagged Nightwatch? Why?" Po slammed his fist on the desk, voice shaking. "This isn''t fair! The sheer audacity! I can''t even¡ª" He choked on his words, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I can''t even beat my meat to this. It''s too sacred. This¡­ this needs to be framed. Passed down for generations." Dip nodded solemnly. "I don''t know why, but okay." ??? The Internet''s Reaction On Chirper, chaos reigned. [Even the Justice League ain''t pulling me out ????????] [BROOOOOOOO¡­ ALL MY CRUSHES IN ONE PLACE. I''M BARKING. RIGHT. NOW.] [Bring Rope Girl and Foxgirl next time, and it''s OVER.] [No Metamorpha? This is an INJUSTICE!] [Petition for Emma to always stand in the middle. Big titty queen energy.] ©¸ [Fr, look at the milk on that chest ????¡­] ©¸ [10 out of 10 doctors recommend motorboating it ????] [When I tell you to sit on my face, I''m not just telling you to put 10% of that honey-making body weight down. SIT. FUCKIN'' SIT ON ME. Sit like I''m your chair ????!! FART EVEN!] ©¸ [Someone lock @SleazyPen up ????] ©¸ [Fr bro¡­ it''s never this deep¡­] [Crazy how I''m in love with ALL OF THEM!] [THEY''RE ALL SO PRETTY ????] [Def going viral¡­] [Why did they tag Nightwatch ffs! ????????] ©¸ [Bro got that Solomon rizz ????] ??? On Threadit, detailed analyses popped up like mushrooms after rain. [u/SkylineScholar: Judging by the background, this was taken at the Lakeview Hotel. The pool reflections match their rooftop infinity pool. I''d bet my life on it.] [u/Simpologist: Notice the composition: Emma in the center (biggest chest), flanked by petite Maya and shy Zyra. This strategic placement enhances visual symmetry and plays to the ''vulnerable but cute'' trope. Genius.] [u/ThirstyScholar: Their towel game? Immaculate. Notice the subtle folds? Top-tier craftsmanship. A selfie like this only happens once in a generation.] ??? On Chatterbox, live voice calls were exploding. [DUDE. They TAGGED NIGHTWATCH!] [That man''s really living the LIFE. Imagine being tagged by THREE 10s.] ©¸ [My lonely ass can''t ????] ©¸ [We all lonely bro¡­ we all lonely ????] [Bro, it''s not just that. They all fought Red with him last week. Nightwatch deserves a foursome, minimum.] ©¸ [Imagine riding a big titty queen like Miss Mercury and then 2v1 petite baddies like Lady Fortress and Pulsar ???? I think my dick would explode halfway seeing Miss Mercury off her panties ¨C she''d get disappointed and I''d just shamefully leave with those freshly worn panties ?????????] ©¸ [Bro simulated everything. ????] ©¸ [Like his Chatterbox mod ass would bag any of them.] [NAH, screw that. Nightwatch deserves a statue. This man has won at life.] ©¸ [But not everyone was supportive. [Nightwatch is SO fucking mid. These women are carrying his clout like crazy.] [Bet he simps for them in private.] [If Nightwatch isn''t dating all three by next week, he''s a failure to the brotherhood.] [Damn, y''all think he can date all three?] ©¸ [He fucking can, he''s Goatwatch!] ??? Back to Po Po wiped his tears and straightened his posture. "Dip. Get the printer ready." Dip raised an eyebrow. "What for?" "This selfie must be preserved. Laminated. Turned into a poster. This¡­ this is no ordinary thirst trap. It''s a cultural artifact." Dip snorted but nodded. "Alright, but don''t forget to log out of your accounts first. Wouldn''t want Nightwatch''s fanboys hacking you." Po nodded gravely. "True. These streets are dangerous." And so, the sacred selfie began its journey from the digital realm to immortality. Meanwhile, the internet continued to burn in the wake of its magnificence. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Road to Metro City¡­ A black car cruised down the empty highway as its headlights sliced through the inky darkness. Inside, Gwen leaned against the window, scrolling on her phone, her fingers tapping absently on the screen. Seated beside her, Dark Elf reclined with a bag of chips, crunching each piece with deliberate disinterest. The driver, a scruffy man with a five-o''clock shadow and a baseball cap grumbled endlessly. "I don''t get paid enough for this shit¡­ fuck, I''m not even getting paid, tch!" ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤SHING! Before he could process his own words, a cold blade pressed against the side of his neck. The sharp, shimmering edge glinted faintly in the rearview mirror. Dark Elf''s crimson eyes narrowed as she leaned in close as her voice became low and menacing. "Any complaints?" The driver''s eyes bulged as his Adam''s apple bobbed against the flat edge of the sword. He squeaked. "N-, No, no, no! Absolutely not! Everything''s fine, ma''am!" Dark Elf tilted her head as her silver hair cascaded over her shoulder as she whispered into his ear. "Good. Now keep driving." Her voice was dangerous, but sexy. He nodded so furiously it looked like his neck might snap. As she leaned back into her seat, the sword retracted to the length of a TV remote. The driver glanced down at his lap. There was something poking out of his pants. He was aroused. "Damn¡­" He wiped sweat from his brow. "Why does she have to be so sexy? The least she could do is give me her number as payment¡­" With an expressionless face, Dark Elf crossed her legs elegantly and popped another chip into her mouth. Gwen was still engrossed in her phone, but caught the exchange with a side-eye and smirked. "Looks like you''re having fun tormenting the poor guy¡­" Dark Elf shrugged, tossing another chip into her mouth. "Meh. Not like I''ll kill him¡­ unless he annoys me." Gwen chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, right. You''re all bark, no bite." "Want me to prove you wrong?" Dark Elf said dryly, not even glancing up from her chips. Gwen laughed again, leaning back in her seat. "Nah, I''m good. Besides, I''m just glad to be out of that hospital. My mom''s probably gonna ground me, though. Like that''s gonna stop me." Dark Elf snorted, finally giving her a sideways glance. "I''ll break you out if she does." Gwen clapped her hands together dramatically. "Awwww, you''re such a sweetheart! Thanks, Darky." "Don''t call me that¡­" "Okay, I promise I won''t, Darky. Tee-hee!" Dark Elf rolled her eyes. "Whatever¡­" ¡­ Ding! Gwen''s phone lit up with a notification, and she opened it to find a specific group selfie trending. Her eyes widened, and a grin spread across her face. "Woooah!" She held her phone closer. "Are they doing some kind of brand collab or something? This is awesome! I never thought Pulsar would go this far as a hero. Collabing with Miss Mercury and Lady Fortress? Total career changer!" Dark Elf chewed her chips slowly, unimpressed. "Those names sound cheesy." Gwen glared at her. "You''re such a hater." Dark Elf shrugged. "More like I don''t care." Gwen smirked mischievously. "Oh, you''ll care. Here, look at this!" She shoved her phone in Dark Elf''s face. Dark Elf sighed and glanced at the screen with zero interest¡­ until her eyes caught something. Her brows furrowed, and her tone shifted. "Wait. Isn''t that¡­ Nightwatch? The guy you were with when I abducted you?" Gwen froze. Her eyes darted to the tagged name. "EH©¤©¤?!" Her pupils dilated, and her face turned ghostly pale. The phone slipped from her hand as she fell back in her seat, letting out a blood-curdling scream. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" "WHAT THE HELL?!" The driver shouted and jerked the wheel in panic. The car swerved violently before he managed to regain control. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" he yelled into the backseat. Dark Elf turned her head slowly to give him a death stare. The driver instantly fell silent, his lips trembling as he focused on the road. Dark Elf turned back to Gwen, who was hyperventilating. "What''s wrong?" Gwen''s thoughts spiked with activity. ¡ºThose three¡­ those superwomen¡­ they''re trying to steal Scott! My handsome, perfect childhood friend! They think they can use their money, their sexiness, their stupid sparkling infinity pool to seduce him? HA! As if! SCOTT. IS. MINE. MINE, MINE, MINE, MIIIINE!¡» She clenched her fists as her body trembled with barely-contained fury. ¡ºI''m way hotter than them! As if he''d fall for their threesome honey trap! They don''t even have bigger butts than me! And Scott loves big butts. There''s no way they''re stealing him!¡» "Gwen?" Dark Elf pressed, narrowing her eyes. Snapping out of her spiral, Gwen plastered on a sickly-sweet smile as her voice carried a false innocence. "Oh, no. Nothing''s wrong! Everything''s fine. Totally fine." Dark Elf leaned back, unimpressed. "Sure. Whatever you say, psycho." The driver, still shaken, muttered under his breath. "Man, I ain''t getting paid enough for this or therapy¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Lakeview Hotel Rooftop Pool The water shimmered like liquid crystal under the New York City skyline. The infinity pool stretched out before them to offer a mesmerizing view of the city lights. It was serene. Peaceful. Perfect. Except for the blonde streak darting back and forth like a torpedo. Zyra moved at the speed of a bullet as her slim body cut through the water effortlessly. The splash of her wake was more than enough to ripple the pool, much to Emma and Maya''s discomfort. Maya squeezed her face, groaning audibly as she placed both hands over her face. "Zyra, please, can you stop? Swimming''s supposed to be a fun, recreational activity, not a competitive sport!" Zyra didn''t even pause as her golden hair gleamed under the soft lights as she completed another lap at hyperspeed. Maya groaned louder, turning to Emma, who was leaning against the far corner of the pool with her arms resting on the edge. The brown-haired woman''s yellow eyes were narrowed in visible annoyance as her lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, Emma let out an exasperated sigh. "Zyra, I''m serious¡ªSTOP!" The Cortian superheroine finally skidded to a halt as water splashed as she stood in the middle of the pool with an innocent look on her face. "What? I''m trying to train!" Maya raised an eyebrow, swimming closer. "Train? Train for what, exactly?" Zyra crossed her arms defensively as her pink cheeks glowed faintly in the warm light. "What''s wrong with that?" Maya tilted her head. Her dark purple eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Hmm¡­ nothing, really. It''s just that I remember during an interview, you were asked when you find time to train, and you said you don''t train much anymore because you''re not as worried these days." Zyra blinked, her brows furrowing. "And¡­ so?" Emma smirked, then a mischievous shine sparked in her eyes as she edged closer. "So, that means you''re worried about something." Zyra''s posture stiffened, and she leaned back slightly as her golden eyebrows knitted together. "What''s wrong with being worried?" She paused for a moment, glancing down at Emma. Her bare breasts were so large and full that they floated on the water like two small boats. If you looked closely enough, you could even make out the faint outline of her pink nipples just beneath the surface. Zyra''s eyes widened slightly as she blurted out. "Your breasts are¡­ a little too big." Emma''s jaw dropped and her cheeks flushed as she immediately crossed her arms over her fat chest. "Hey! Don''t change the subject!" She glanced down at her chest and frowned. "And can they not make me feel insecure? Big boobies aren''t a bad thing! Besides¡­" She smirked smugly. "¡­ Scott says they look nice on me." Maya''s ears perked up, and a wide grin spread across her face as she pointed a finger at Emma. "Ah-ha! You said it again! Now spill! Tell me more about this boyfriend of yours!" Emma waved a dismissive hand, rolling her eyes. "Maybe later." She leaned forward as her grin turned sly. "I know why Zyra''s so worried." Maya''s head snapped toward Emma. "You do?" Emma nodded, then her grin expanded. Zyra quickly shook her head, her golden hair flying as her pink blush deepened. "No! I''m not worried! Can we please stop talking about this? It''s making me uncomfortable!" Ignoring her, Emma sidled closer, then nudged Zyra with her slender shoulder. "C''mon, admit it already!" Zyra bit her lip. ¡­ Hnnn~ Her small body tensed as she averted her gaze. Her fingers began twiddling nervously. "There''s really nothing, okay? Can we just drop it? I don''t want to talk about the fact that I''m captivated by a mysterious man¡­" Her eyes widened in horror as the words escaped her lips. Her hands flew to her mouth, and she let out a tiny squeak like a scared mouse about to be smacked. Emma and Maya froze. "Eh?" Their eyes widened like saucers before they turned to each other with identical devilish grins. "Ohhh, so there''s a guy, huh?" Emma teased and grabbed Zyra''s waist from one side. Maya swam to Zyra''s other side, mirroring Emma. "So, what''s his name? We''re just girls here¡ªno harm in sharing, right?" Zyra lowered her head as her fingers fidgeted nervously. "I''m really not comfortable talking about this. It''s¡­ very unacceptable." Emma chuckled, then pulled Zyra closer. "Unacceptable? Nah, not really. It''s not like we''re talking about dick sizes or something¡­" She paused as her grin turned impish. "What would be weird is me telling you guys about my boyfriend''s cock and how amazing it is. Did you know he has an X-like mark on his veiny shaft? Ahhh~ ??" Zyra''s eyes snapped to Emma in utter shock. "P-, Penis?! Why would you even¡ª" Emma shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, my boyfriend has such a cool cock so why can''t I freely say it? You should ask me how fat his meatballs are, they''re like golia¡ª" "EMMA!" Zyra screeched as her cheeks blazed red. Emma snickered. "What? It''s pretty cool! I always use my tongue to play X marks the spot, and it makes him giggle. I tickle that X mark on his cock and the face he makes is so good one time I stained the bed after doing it just¡­" Zyra already had her hands over her ears. "LA LA LA!! I can''t hear you!" Emma frowned at this. "Tch, you''re no fun¡­" Maya had been silent for so long. Suddenly, her body stiffened. Her eyes darted to the side as her thoughts raced. ¡ºWait¡­ doesn''t Scott have something like that, too? No way¡­ right? YES WAY! I always tease him about how his penis is the map to a pirate''s treasure written by a sexy, hot pirate named Jackie Sparrow. Right¡­¡» She shook her head and laughed nervously. "No, no, there''s definitely no way." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maya was so worried she was almost sweating. Her fingers curled into her palms to form a fist. "Emma?" "Oh? What''s up, Pulsy?" Emma replied with a smile. It was an innocent smile¡­ infact, so innocent that it made Maya absolutely furious. "I have a suggestion¡­" "Eh? Why though? Shouldn''t we try to get this juicy info outta Zyra first, kekekeh¡­ she''s at her breaking point." Zyra''s face went red again. "I AM NOT!" "You definitely are, tee-hee!" Emma tried to hold back her giggle, but Zyra''s adorable expression was just too funny to ignore. It was such a rare treat to see the genuine side of superheroes she had only ever watched on TV or during their official duties. She never would have guessed that someone like Lady Fortress could be such a sweet and shy person, blushing at even the most innocent things. But that''s how it is for some heroes¡ªwithout their cape, they can''t always show their true selves or let their inner strength shine through. Zyra shot forward in the water. "I''m not! I''m not! I''M NOT!!" She denied with every energy in her bone. "Psssh©¤©¤you''re just shy¡­" Emma nudged Zyra. Seeing the back and forth between the two made Maya even angrier than before. ¡­ PAH! Without thinking, Maya''s hand moved. Something was slapped. Chapter 106 Hollow Heart, Whole Heart ¡­ PAH!Maya slapped something. Emma groaned, holding her hands up defensively as water splashed her face for the fifth time. She squinted at the source, lips curling into a scowl. "Alright, Maya, can you stop splashing water everywhere? Seriously, my mascara isn''t waterproof!" Maya ignored her completely. With a radiant grin stretched wide, she continued to slap her hands against the water surface like a mischievous child. ¡­ pah©¤©¤©¤©¤SPLASH!! Her movements sent another barrage of droplets flying everywhere. "Not stopping until you two chill out and listen to me!" Maya''s hands continued their relentless assault. Emma exchanged a glance with Zyra, who had moved to the edge of the pool to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Both women raised identical eyebrows before fixing Maya with strong, unified stares. "Okayyy¡­" They spoke in perfect unison. "Go on¡­" Maya froze mid-slap as her hand hovered above the water. Her smile faltered, and she blinked at them nervously, then jerked back slightly. "Wh-, Why''d you both have to say it like weird-ass robots? That''s creepy as hell." Emma smirked, then shook her head. "First time I''ve heard someone scared of robots. That kinda sucks, not gonna lie." Maya giggled, covering her mouth with one hand. "Yeah, well¡­ considering that the first time we met, you were getting your butt handed to you by a robot, I don''t think you''re the right person to question me about my fears." Emma''s jaw dropped. "HEY!" She surged forward, splashing a wave of water at Maya, who ducked away, laughing even harder. Maya gave her a sly side-eye, then brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. Then, as if shifting gears, her expression grew contemplative. "You know¡­" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She turned to face both Emma and Zyra. "I was wondering¡­ how about we all talk about our love lives? You know, the guys we''re seeing or¡­ whatever? So we can yunno¡­ know more about each other." Emma''s brow furrowed as she leaned back against the edge of the pool. "Uh¡­ well¡­ I don''t really think that''s necessary. We can just talk ab¡ª" "NO!" Your journey continues on empire Maya interrupted. There was desperation in her tone. It felt like she was determined to keep this going until they finally agreed to open up about their love lives. Clearly, all she wanted was to get the details she was after. ¡ºI just need to be sure it''s him¡­¡» That was what Maya kept telling herself. Emma blinked, visibly startled. "Okay, jeez! You don''t have to shout about it. It''s not that serious." Maya shot her a pointed glare, then turned to Zyra. "You''ll join in, right, Zyra?" She spoke softer to Zyra than she did Emma, but there was still that irritation in her voice. Zyra hesitated. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to shield her body from the world. Her golden locks clung to her damp shoulders, and her expression wavered between discomfort and resignation. "Uh¡­ sure. But can we, like, not mention names?" She looked away for a moment. ¡ºI don''t want them to know it''s Knightwatch¡­¡» Her cheeks burned red-hot. "Nope¡­" Maya shot back quickly. Her tone left no room for negotiation. "We''re calling names. If we''re friends, this shouldn''t be an issue." Emma''s eyes narrowed. "We''re not talking about this if we can''t keep things confidential. We''re friends, yeah, but that doesn''t mean we don''t respect each other''s privacy." Maya''s face twisted in disgust. "Of course you''d say something like that. You''ll do anything to keep information about your boyfriend hidden. Just know it''s not something you can hide forever!" Emma flinched as her soft expression tightened. She looked more aggressive. "Where the hell is this even coming from? The reason I suggested confidentiality was because of Zyra©¤©¤or have you suddenly chosen to ignore the fact that she''s said she''s not comfortable with these kinds of topics?" She gestured toward the Cortian heroine, who shrank under the sudden attention. Zyra stammered as her blush deepened. "I¡ªI''m not even seeing him! He¡­ uh, he''s the one who saw me¡­" Her voice dropped into an embarrassed whisper. "¡­naked¡­" Maya wasn''t listening. Her sharp gaze bore into Emma like daggers. "You know what? I don''t care about this garbage anymore. I''m going back in." Before anyone could stop her, Maya shot out of the water, then grabbed her towel in one fluid motion. She began drying herself as she walked toward the glass door leading inside. "Maya, wait!" Emma called with concern. Maya paused at the door, her back to them. She stood still for a moment as her shoulders trembled. When she turned around, her face was streaked with tears. Her voice cracked as she spoke. "I don''t even know what he sees in you¡­" There was bitterness and anguish in her voice. The stinging in her heart matched the pain and sorrow that marred her beautiful face. She was not okay, but more than that¡­ she didn''t believe she''d ever be okay. "Whatever you are, Emma¡­ I can be more. If he''d just give me another chance¡­" Emma''s mouth opened, but no words came out. Maya continued, her voice breaking with every word. "These days, it feels like everyone''s getting a chance to change but me. And it''s not fair. J-, Just why is that?! I haven''t done anything to deserve this¡ªnothing but make mistakes. But if mistakes don''t make someone human¡­ then I don''t know what does." Her fists went tight. "All I did was follow my dreams¡­ why does everyone else get to do it and enjoy, but when I do it, it''s a mistake and I''m hated for it! I''m not perfect in anyway¡­ but neither is Scott¡­ so why does he get to be the one who lives a perfect life while mine is shitty©¤©¤?!" It was eating her up to the point of emptiness. Yes, she felt nothing in her heart. It was just a donut hole. "I love him¡­ I always have! You may be the person whose dating Scott McQueen now¡­ but I''ve been the one person who always loved him, and even now¡­ I''d do anything for him to take me back, even if it means becoming someone I can''t accept¡­ as long as he can¡­" The more she spoke, the more tears fell from her reddened eyes. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a painful whimper before she turned away and pushed the door open. Emma extended her hand, trying to reach her. Trying to understand. "Maya¡­ what''s wrong? Where is this coming from?" But Maya didn''t look back. She flew off into the night, leaving nothing behind but the faint echo of her sobs. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Nadia''s Apartment, Metro City¡­ Nadia stepped out of the bedroom. Her outfit was perfectly put together¡ªan olive-green jacket, skinny jeans, and boots that clacked softly on the hardwood floor. She adjusted the strap of her purse and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking satisfied. "Alright, Scott, I''m ready. Let''s go¡ª" She froze mid-sentence, her brow wrinkling. The living room was empty. Her eyes scanned the room, from the couch to the door. No sign of Scott. Confused, she checked the shoe rack by the door, and sure enough, his sneakers were gone. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Fishing it out, she unlocked the screen to find a message from Scott. [Scott: Hey, something came up. Go to the hospital without me. I''ll join you later.] Nadia stared at the message. Her tender lips pressed thinly. She exhaled sharply, then slid the phone back into her tight pocket. "He''s probably forgotten we''re supposed to watch that movie afterward¡­" She muttered, shaking her head. Her voice softened as the irritation gave way to something heavier. "He probably won''t even make it¡­ does he just not want to hang out with me anymore?" Her shoulders slumped. "Was I too clingy? Did I upset him somehow? I mean, I said I''d apologize for taking so long to prepare." She lingered there for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine. Whatever. It''s fine." She turned on her heel, grabbing her car key from the center table, and headed for the door. ??? A Caf¨¦ Nearby¡­ Scott sat at a small corner table, his head resting on one hand as he stared at Gwen with exasperation. Across from him, Gwen was all smiles. Next to her, Dark Elf was leaning back in her chair, a bag of chips in hand, munching idly as she observed the exchange with the same bored expression she''d had since they arrived. "C''mon, eat some cake, huh?" Gwen chirped as she held a cupcake dangerously close to his face. "I bought these on the way here just for you. I''ll really be hurt if you don''t try it." Scott leaned back, crossing his arms as he shot her a side-eye. "Yeah, I''m sure the one who''s gonna be hurt is definitely you. Let''s not forget you broke out of the friggin'' hospital. You''re not even discharged yet!" Gwen rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, come on, I''m fine!" Scott wasn''t having it. "If Dr. Rosen finds out about this, not only am I gonna get chewed out for meeting you here, but you''ll drag Emma into trouble too!" The mention of Emma''s name wiped the smirk off Gwen''s face. She lowered the cupcake as her expression dimmed. "Oh¡­ her¡­" Scott raised an eyebrow. "That''s it? ''Oh, her?'' Really? Look, I don''t know what''s going on between you two¡ªmaybe because of me¡ªbut that''s not a valid excuse to talk about the person who covered your medical bills like that. Show some respect." Gwen''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Show some respect?" She repeated in a low voice. Then, after a pause, she sighed. "Of course I respect her. I''m grateful. It''s just¡­" Her gaze drifted to Dark Elf, who gave her a nod of approval¡ªor at least as much of a nod as someone could give while looking perpetually uninterested. Gwen straightened up, taking a deep breath before turning back to Scott. "I''m grateful to Emma. I''m happy you''re with someone kind, someone who gets you. But¡­" Her voice trailed off, and she leaned forward, placing a hand gently on his lap. Scott blinked, his brows knitting together. "Uh¡­ Gwen?" Gwen''s smile softened as her blue eyes locked onto his. "Can''t you make room for me?" "¡­ Huh?" Her hand tightened slightly, and she leaned in closer. "I''m not trying to steal you from your girlfriend¡­" Her voice came out as low and steady. "And I''m not gonna force anything. No kisses. No drama like last time." Scott shifted uncomfortably as his pulse quickened. "Then what are you trying to do?" Her breath brushed against his ear, warm and deliberate, as she leaned in further. He froze as her soft breasts pressed lightly against his shoulder, while the sweetness of her cool, flowery scent filled his nostrils. The only thing that felt softer than the fleshiness of her breasts against his chest, and the little pokes of her surprisingly aroused nipples, was perhaps the tenderness of her voice. It was almost as if she wanted to do anything possible to seduce him without actually doing so. Truly, it was mesmerizing. "I just need you to know the truth. The thing I''ve been hiding from myself¡­ and from you. It''s been weighing on me so much that I can''t¡­ I can''t stop thinking about you¡­" She pressed her nose against his neck and took a deep sniff of his manly scent. It was something she missed, and perhaps something she couldn''t do without. But it wasn''t the same scent that usually lit the fire between her legs¡ªmaybe because he was just fresh out of the shower. "It''s kinda unfortunate you''re not a little sweaty¡­" She took another sniff of him as her cheeks turned red. "¡­I love that side of you. Always so raw, unrefined¡­" Her slender hands gently massaged his back as she ran them over the fabric of his jacket. It was as if she wanted to be one with him. Still munching on her chips, Dark Elf tilted her head slightly as if to get a better view. "Drama''s spicy today¡­" she muttered. Thoroughly caught off guard, Scott swallowed hard as his words came out in a stammer. "Gwen, this is¡­ This is wrong. You know that, right?" Gwen pulled back just enough to look into his eyes as her face was now inches from his. Her smile lingered, but her eyes were filled with something deeper¡ªlonging, regret, and something unsaid. "Wrong?" An innocent smile spread across her face. "Maybe. But that doesn''t change how I feel." Scott stared at her with a calm face. "Can you just say what you want?" It was better to go straight to the point. To avoid any unnecessary drama or complications. Gwen understood this¡­ so she made her intentions clear. "I''ve lost to fate more times than I can count. I''ve messed things up with you more times than grains of sand are touched by water. But I''m done holding back now. Whether you agree with me or not doesn''t matter, because I''m not going to stop pursuing you. That''s how deeply I feel about the first man I ever fell in love with." She felt something swell in her chest. It was her heart. For the first time¡­ she didn''t feel as empty as she would when she saw Maya with Scott. She was gone¡­ and sure, he was with someone new, but to her that wasn''t a closed chapter. "I''ve been foolishly keeping my feelings hidden, but there''s no point in doing that anymore¡ªnot when everything''s already boiling over." Her hands reached up and cupped Scott''s cheeks. "Scott¡­ I want to be your second girlfriend." "Eh?" "Give me a place in your heart¡­" The childhood friend had stooped to a level she could never have imagined. [Ding! The superheroine named "Mist" has been added to your collection.] [Does the host agree?] Chapter 107 Broken and Consoled Sunlight streamed through the curtains.Early morning visited New York City. Maya Rivera sat cross-legged on her bed as she stared at her super suit laid out in front of her. It was the new one TitanTech Industries sent ahead of her big event today. It gleamed faintly in the sunlight. Yet, the sight didn''t inspire pride or excitement in her. It didn''t inspire anything. She sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that seemed to scrape against her ribs on its way out, as if trying to take pieces of her with it. Her gaze lingered on the suit as her reflection faintly appeared in its polished chest piece. "It''s not worth it¡­" She muttered under her breath. Her fingers brushed against the fabric. It was cold and unfamiliar. "None of it was worth it¡­ signing with TitanTech, partnering with MegaCorp¡­ all of it." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Corporate-made superhero¡­ yeah, that''s me. The big name with the big sponsors. And what do I have to show for it? A paycheck, a couple of photo ops, and a boyfriend who''s now someone else''s." Her hand clenched against the suit''s surface, crumpling it slightly before she let go. Her shoulders slumping forward. "Then again¡­ can I even blame her?" She rubbed her temples as the weight of the question pressed against her skull. "Emma was probably honest with him. Probably told him everything about herself while I was too busy playing the game." Her head dropped into her hands as another heavy sigh escaped her pale lips. This one felt deeper, heavier, as though it might crack her chest open. Enjoy exclusive content from empire "That''s it, isn''t it? Honesty¡­ That''s all it takes to win someone over these days." She let out a dry laugh. "Guess I should''ve read the fine print on that one." Her gaze drifted to her phone lying on the bed beside her. She picked it up as her thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before she dialed. The screen lit up to display a familiar name: Dad. Her heart twisted as the call went unanswered, the same as the last eight times. The same as always. She lowered the phone and stared at it, willing it to ring, to buzz, to do anything. Instead, a single notification popped up. [Ding! 1 New Message from Dad!] Her thumb tapped on it before she even realized what she was doing. [Busy in the lab at AETHER Labs. Don''t disturb me.] Maya blinked, then the corners of her lips twitched upward into a bitter smile. "Wow, an entire friggin'' week of ignoring me, and this is what I get?" She wiped at the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, not sure if they were from relief that he replied at all or frustration at the coldness of the message. Still, she typed out a reply: [Maya: Sorry, Dad. I just wanted to talk about something. It''s really important.] The response came almost instantly. [Dad: A smart person would''ve written what they wanted to maximize the time they''re given. I didn''t raise you to waste time like this.] Her breath hitched as she stared at the screen as the tears she''d tried to hold back slipped down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and typed another reply. [Maya: It''s about Scott¡­ my boyfriend. I''ve been having relationship issues, and I really need to talk to someone.] The dots indicating he was typing appeared, and for a brief moment, hope flickered in her chest. [Dad: Scott? Bring him to AETHER Labs sometime. I''ve been wanting to meet him. There''s this new element I''ve been studying.] Maya''s fingers trembled as she typed back: [Maya: Dad, did you even see what I wrote? I said I''m having relationship issues.] The reply came quickly, blunt and impersonal. [Dad: Honestly, that''s not exactly as important as a new element. Actually, I''ll give Scott a call myself. Focus on your event today. Bye.] Her phone slipped from her hand. ¡­ Thud! It landed softly on the bed. She stared at it for a long moment. "Bye¡­" Her voice was so hollow©¤©¤so was her heart. Her hands balled into fists as her chest heaved. "Am I not supposed to have what I want?" Her voice was trembling, collapsing. "What I need?" She buried her face in her hands as the painful tears now flowed freely. "What am I supposed to do now? Just keep going? Keep pretending like any of this means something?" Her gaze shifted back to the super suit as its pristine surface now felt like a mockery. "I got my chance¡­ my shot to be a hero. To show the world I could be something. Someone. And what do I have to show for it? Nothing. Not the symbol I wanted to be¡­ not the hope I wanted to inspire." Her voice cracked as she spoke. "Scott was the only one who hoped for a future with me. Not Pulsar¡­ me. Maya Rivera. And now he''s gone¡­" Her hands flew to her head as she cried out silently. Her body trembled with the force of her anguish. "I don''t know what to do anymore¡­ I''m living on autopilot. Just doing what I''m told. Signing contracts, shaking hands, smiling for cameras¡­ but it''s not me. None of it''s me." She pulled her knees to her chest, her sobs quieting into soft, shuddering breaths. The medal of honor ceremony loomed just hours away, but it felt like a lifetime of dread. And as she sat there¡­ one thought echoed in her mind. ¡ºWh¡­ What''s the point of being a hero if you can''t even save yourself?¡» ??? Jason Larkens walked confidently down the plush carpeted hallway of the Lakeview Hotel as his polished leather shoes clicked sharply with every step. He adjusted the cuffs of his tailored gray suit, his smirk as self-assured as ever. As he rounded a corner, his eyes landed on a figure leaning casually against the wall near a hotel room door. She was hard to miss¡ªa striking goth woman with a messy, jet-black hair framing her whitish face, her arms folded beneath her breasts as she stood quietly. Jason slowed and his grin widened as he slicked back his neatly gelled hair. "Well, hey there, hot stuff¡­" He drawled, then stepped closer. "How''s the view from here? Looking for company, or is today my lucky day?" The goth woman turned her head lazily toward him as a mysterious smile pulled at the corners of her dark lips. Her black eyeliner was sharp enough to cut glass, and her eyes gleamed with something between amusement and disinterest. "You''re not here to see me¡­" Her voice was smooth, velvety even. She nodded toward the door she was leaning against. "Maya Rivera''s inside. You should focus on what you came here to do." Jason blinked as his smile faltered for a split second. "Excuse me?" The goth woman tilted her head. Her smirk widened just slightly. "You heard me. Don''t waste my time, Larkens. I don''t have all day." Jason''s face twisted into a scowl as he muttered under his breath, "Stupid bitch¡­" He turned to reach for the door handle, then barged inside without so much as a knock. "Hey! How''s my young, beautiful superstar doing?!" The sudden noise startled Maya Rivera, who was sitting on the edge of her bed, hurriedly wiping at her tear-streaked face. She sniffled loudly, trying to erase any evidence of the emotional storm that had consumed her just moments earlier. She scrambled to her feet, her posture stiff as she clasped her hands behind her back. "M-, Mr. Larkens!" Jason flashed his rows of white teeth at her. "You betcha, kiddo! Just thought I''d swing by and check in on you ahead of the big event. Mental health is super important for my ambassadors, you know. Gotta keep those spirits high! Hahaha!" Maya stared at him. Her lips curled into a subtle grimace. "Uhh¡­ yeah, I get that you''re worried, but you really don''t have to do this. I''m just a partner with MegaCorp, not¡­ not a product of your brand." Jason waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on, don''t be like that. You''re practically family already! Besides, someone''s gotta fill in for Vincent since he mentioned he might not make it to your big ceremony today." Maya folded her arms across her flat chest. There was a hardness in her gaze. "Well, that makes sense. Barely anyone I know is coming for me, so I guess it''s only fair that a business associate doesn''t show up either¡­" Jason winced, visibly cringing at her bluntness. "Uh¡­ yeah, okay, let''s chill with the negative vibes, huh? Not great for PR." He turned toward the door, but as he reached for the handle, he glanced back at her with a sly smile. "Oh, by the way, The Peak''s gonna be there. He''s handing out the medal, actually. So, uh, maybe you two could¡­ I don''t know¡­ spark up a little romance? Fans would go nuts for that kind of thing. And hey, I''m thinking of launching a new line of chocolates. You and The Peak on the wrapper? Boom. Instant bestseller." Maya''s jaw tightened. "Right¡­" The only word that managed to escape her gritted teeth. Jason either didn''t notice her frustration or simply chose to ignore it. He flashed her a thumbs-up. "Great! I''ll let you get back to it. See you at the event!" He strutted out of the room with undiminished confidence. Outside, the goth woman was still leaning against the wall, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever. Jason glared at her as he passed. "Freak¡­" He muttered under his breath. She didn''t flinch. Even her smirk remained intact as she watched him go. As Jason disappeared down the hallway, Emma appeared from the other end, still in her rumpled pajamas. Her hair was slightly tousled, and she carried the tired aura of someone who had barely slept. Their eyes met briefly. "Mercury¡­" Jason greeted in a clipped tone. "Larkens¡­" Emma replied flatly. They passed each other without stopping, but Jason suddenly paused, then raised an arm. Without turning around, he spoke. "Just so you know, your contract''s still on the chopping block. This shitty medal will probably be the only thing you''re remembered for. Might wanna get started on that FansOnly account now." Emma froze with her fists clenched tightly at her sides. But instead of snapping, she let out an exaggerated yawn. "Jeez, Jason. Same speech every time. You''re nothing if not consistent. But hey, at least today I''ll prove I''m more than just a body. Maybe you should try growing up for once." Jason chuckled darkly. "Good luck with that." He walked away as his laughter echoed down the hall. Emma shook her head, muttering under her breath as she approached Maya''s door. The goth woman was still there, her head tilted down slightly to hide her face. Emma frowned. "Hey¡­ is this Maya¡ªuh, I mean, Pulsar''s room?" Without looking up, the goth woman replied, "Indeed." Emma smiled in relief. "Great, thanks." As she reached for the door, she hesitated, glancing back at the goth woman. "You¡­ you look kinda familiar¡­" "¡­" The goth woman didn''t respond. That smile of hers remained suspicious as ever. But Emma shrugged it off and knocked on the door. ??? Maya stood at the kitchen island, spooning cereal into a bowl with slow, almost robotic movements. Her messy hair framed a face etched with exhaustion, and her once-vibrant eyes were dulled with a defeated glaze. She leaned heavily on the counter and stirred the milk absentmindedly before grabbing her bowl and shuffling toward the lounge chair nearby. She dropped herself into it like a puppet with its strings cut, sighed heavily, and stared at nothing in particular. A soft knock sounded at the door. It pulled her from her thoughts. She didn''t bother to look up. "Come in¡­" The door creaked open, and Emma peeked inside. She stepped in cautiously, still in her rumpled pajamas as her brows wrinkled the moment she saw Maya. "Woah¡­" Emma closed the door behind her and crossed her arms. "It''s barely been a night, and you already look like someone ran you over with a truck." Maya glanced at her, offering a weak smile before dragging herself upright in the chair. She carried the bowl to her lap and scooped a spoonful of cereal into her mouth, chewing slowly and swallowing with audible effort. "Well¡­" Her voice was so flat with depression. "I imagine anyone would feel the same way if the only guy they could ever logically feel attracted to was taken by another woman¡­ a better one." Emma sighed and pulled up a chair, then sat right across from Maya. She leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "Maya¡­" Emma''s tone was soft but firm. "You know that''s not my fault, right? When I started seeing Scott, I didn''t even know you. It''s just¡­ an unfortunate coincidence." Maya gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she stirred her cereal aimlessly. "Of course I don''t blame you!" There was heavy self-loathing in her strained voice. "It''s my fault. It''s always my fault. I''m the unlucky one¡ªthe stupid one. I have to learn to accept that. And while I''m at it, maybe I should also learn to accept that Scott will never take me back." Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to keep going as her hand tightened around the spoon. "Even if there was a chance¡­ I''d never be able to compete with someone like Miss Mercury. Pretty much the hottest woman in Metro City. And besides¡­" She chuckled hollowly, then lifted the spoon to her mouth before pausing. "He even has a poster of you in his room. I mean, how do I stand a chance against that?" Emma''s lips parted, but no words came immediately. She let out a deep breath and leaned back. "If the guy you''ve been talking about this whole time is Scott¡­ then doesn''t that mean he was the terrible boyfriend who¡ª" "HE''S NOT HORRIBLE!" Maya''s voice erupted, shaking the room. In a fit of frustration, she hurled the bowl of cereal at the wall, where it shattered into pieces, milk and cereal splattering across the surface. The room fell into a tense silence. Save for Maya''s ragged breaths as she collapsed onto the floor while her shoulders quivered with sobs. Emma flinched, her eyes wide, unsure of how to react. But after a moment, she took a deep breath and approached the fragile Maya. She knelt beside her to place gentle hands on her trembling shoulders and rub them softly. Maya cried loudly. Her voice was raw and painful. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out. "I was the one who lied! He didn''t have a problem with you being a corporate-made superhero. I know there''s no way your relationship with him would''ve lasted if you hadn''t told him the truth! I should''ve told him the truth! I should''ve told him about my contract with TitanTech, about Vincent¡­ everything! I''m so stupid! I can''t do this without him, Emma! I don''t want to!" Emma hushed her softly, pulling Maya into a hug. Maya buried her face in Emma''s chest and sobbed so uncontrollably, as Emma ran her fingers through her hair in a soothing motion. "Maya¡­" Emma spoke very gently©¤©¤almost as though she was walking on broken glass. "You can''t fault yourself for not being truthful. You made mistakes, sure. But that doesn''t mean he had to leave you like this. He could''ve talked to you¡ªworked things out. You don''t deserve to feel this miserable just because of one mistake." Maya shook her head violently. "No, no, it is my fault! I should''ve told him everything from the start!" Her voice muffled against Emma''s chest. Emma cupped Maya''s tear-streaked face, tilting it up to meet her eyes. "Maya, listen to me." Emma''s tone was calm but firm. "Scott isn''t perfect either. You know he didn''t tell me his age when we started dating?" Maya blinked through her tears, her lips trembling. "Wh-, What¡­?" Emma nodded, then brushed a strand of Maya''s hair behind her ear. "He''s eighteen, right? He didn''t tell me he was still in high school. Can you imagine what that could''ve done to my career if people found out?" Maya stared at her, shocked. "Why¡­ why would he hide that from you?" "Because he''s scared¡­ much like I am¡­" Emma said simply. "Scared of losing me. And I get it. When you care about someone that much, you sometimes make stupid choices. But that''s what makes us human, Maya. Not villains. Not monsters. Just human." Emma caressed Maya''s cheek and brought her closer. "Scott may have lied, even though he hates being lied to, but that doesn''t automatically make him a hypocrite. It just makes him human¡ªsomeone with emotions and flaws. He probably understands which lies you can tolerate and which ones you can''t. Lying isn''t always a terrible thing if it doesn''t hurt the people you care about. But maybe your lies hurt Scott more than you realized, and that''s what isn''t okay. He doesn''t hate anyone¡ªhe''d never do that. Maybe he''s just deeply hurt by your mistakes, Maya." Maya sniffled, a small, sad smile forming on her lips. "Well, this is probably the worst time to learn all this." She let out a shaky laugh. "Even if Scott forgave me¡­ I''d never get the chance to be with him again." Her eyes stared down. "And that''s me¡­ losing 80% of my life¡­ aside from some of my schoolmates, Scott''s the only one who really cares about a flat-chested, average-looking nerd like Maya Rivera." Emma frowned, tilting her head slightly. "What if¡­" She hesitated, then continued with a quieter voice. "What if we both dated him?" Maya''s head shot up, her eyes wide. "Eh?" Chapter 108 Resolution and Fame Maya stared at Emma as if she had just suggested jumping off a cliff together.Her lips parted slightly, and she blinked in disbelief. "Em¡ªEmma, you''re joking, right?" Emma shook her head, her face calm but her lips trembling ever so slightly. She smiled softly, but it was the kind of smile that hinted at a storm brewing beneath the surface. "No¡­ I''m not joking." Maya wiped her tear-streaked face with her sleeve and broke out of Emma''s gentle embrace. She crawled backward slightly, shaking her head. "You don''t have to do this¡­" Maya sounded very firm, very sure. "I''ve had my chance to enjoy Scott¡ªto have him all to myself. I''m the one who messed it up. You don''t have to make such a drastic decision just to make me feel better." Emma sighed, then placed her hands on her knees to push herself upright. She stood tall as her soft eyes looked down at Maya. For a moment, she was silent, as though weighing her words carefully. "Maya¡­" Emma began softly. "Maybe you''re right. Maybe most of what you just said is true. Maybe this does sound plain and stupid. But¡­" She glanced to the side, as if searching for the right way to explain her thoughts. "I''m trying to grow out of this stage I''m in. This stage where I let my emotions fester and hold me back until I get hurt. And Scott¡­ he''s had to endure so much¡ªdodging all these women, avoiding relationships that could''ve derailed his life. Yet he chose me." Her lips curved into a bittersweet smile as she continued. "Yes, I suggested this. And yes, it''s probably the craziest, most desperate solution ever. But¡­ I know a few people who would call it the ultimate solution." Still on the floor, Maya crawled forward slightly as her face twisted in shock. "Is it really?" Emma closed her eyes briefly and nodded. "Yes. But it''s also the ultimate sacrifice. And as a hero¡ªa stupid one, of course¡ªthis is the kind of resolution I feel I have to make. Not because it''s what I deserve, but because it''s the right thing to do." Maya opened her mouth to respond but found herself speechless. ¡ºDo I¡­ really want to say no to this¡­?¡» She could only stare at Emma as her mind was torn between wanting to console her and wanting to let her suggestion stand. A selfish part of her, one she hated but couldn''t ignore, whispered that this could be her chance¡ªher only chance¡ªto be with Scott again. ¡ºI really don''t want to turn down this chance¡­¡» It was a side of human nature she couldn''t fight. Emma adjusted her rumpled pajamas, wiped her face even though there were no visible tears, and turned toward the door. She placed her hand on the knob but paused when Maya''s voice melted the silence. "Emma¡­" Maya hesitated, her voice small. "Are you really going to be able to live with the idea of the man you love having a¡­ a harem?" Emma turned her head slightly, just enough for Maya to see her profile. She let out a quiet chuckle. "Yes¡­ I will." She took a deep breath and continued. There was surprising control in her voice. "You know, I love to drink water, and I love to breathe air. But whatever cruel force created this world wasn''t so cruel as to make me choose between the two. Because in the end, someone who has suffered¡ªor who will suffer¡ªdeserves the very best to stay strong." She glanced back at Maya, her smile faint but genuine. "I''ll just keep thinking of this harem suggestion as some sort of¡­ anchor. For the man I love." With that, Emma turned the knob and opened the door. As she stepped out, Maya''s voice followed her, soft but sincere. "Thank you¡­" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma chuckled without turning around. "It''s fine¡­" She walked into the hallway with her steps steady but her expression scribbled. Resting against the wall near the door was a goth woman, her arms crossed casually as she smirked. "Oh, hey there, sister¡­" The woman said, raising a hand in greeting. Emma didn''t stop or even glance in her direction. To her, the hallway was empty. There was no one there. ¡ºOh¡­ it looks like that goth lady is gone¡­¡» The goth woman''s smirk widened as Emma passed by. "Thank you, Emma Graves¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott''s GT-R ¨C On the Highway The roar of the engine filled the cabin as Scott gripped the steering wheel tightly as his frustrated look focused on the road ahead. ¡­ gruuu©¤©¤©¤©¤VROOOOOM!! His GT-R sped down the highway and weaved through traffic with precision. From the passenger seat, Gwen clasped her hands together and leaned toward Scott. Her eyes were wide and pleading. "Please, dude!" She begged like a desperate rodent. "Just¡­ consider it, okay? I''m not asking for much!" Scott exhaled heavily while his eyes narrowed tiredly as he spared her a glance. "Gwen¡­" He sounded so done with her. "Begging me ten times isn''t going to make me agree when I''ve already rejected you nine times before. Can you drop it already?" Gwen puffed out her cheeks in a pout, folding her arms across her chest and slumping back into her seat. "How do I know this isn''t some kind of test?" She muttered while glaring out the window. Scott shot her a side-eye with wrinkled brows. "A test?" "Yeah!" Gwen snapped, then turned to her red, pouty face to him. She looked so determined¡­ but also cute. "What if you''re just seeing if I really love you or not? Like, what if I say no, and then you''re like, ''Hmm, maybe she doesn''t love me like she says she does,'' and then you reject me again!" Scott blinked, incredulous. "¡­ That''s not what''s happening." Gwen wasn''t finished. She leaned closer and spoke even bolder. "And then I get so depressed that I become a stalker whose probably masturbating in your bushes while watching you on a date with your main chick or something, and maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªI end up killing her and landing in jail!" Scott''s grip on the steering wheel tightened as he glanced at her, his jaw slightly slack. "You''re¡­ not gonna try that, right?" Gwen gave him a look of mock offense, then placed a hand on her chest. "What do you take me for? A freak?! Of course I wouldn''t! I''d never kill someone over a rejection!" She paused, then grinned sheepishly. "It''s just fun to overthink sometimes, y''know?" Scott sighed in relief, shaking his head. "Okay, good. But just like before, my answer is¡ª" Before he could finish, Gwen leaned in closer, her blue eyes sparkling with a soft, pleading look, like a puppy trying to win someone''s heart at a shelter. "Hmm?? Papa Scott??" She tilted her head slightly and fluttered her lashes with an expression full of charm. "Pleeeeeease?" She cooed with honeyed charm. Scott barely spared her a glance. His eyes were half-lidded and unimpressed. "No." Gwen''s face crumpled into a heavy frown, and she threw her head back against the seat with a groan. "Whyyyyy?!" "Because¡­" Scott said evenly, keeping his focus on the road. "That''s not an answer!" Gwen retorted, sitting up straight and jabbing a finger in his direction. "You''re telling me you''re turning down a fat-chested, jelly-butt, hot blonde who''s literally dropping all her pride to beg for you to notice her? You should be grateful! You should be so hard you feel like your peen''s about to explode you friggin'' virgin, fuck you, okay? I said it, uh-h¡ª" Scott yawned loudly, cutting her off. "Your chest isn''t that big¡­" He said it like he was talking about the weather. "Emma definitely has a bigger chest. But yeah, I''ll admit, you''ve got a better ass. Even the teachers used to stare at it in school." Gwen''s face turned beet red, and she wrapped her arms around herself defensively. "Can you not casually talk about my body like that?! I feel sexualized and violated!" From the backseat, Dark Elf popped a chip into her mouth and raised an eyebrow. "As if you''re not enjoying it¡­" She shook her head right after. Scott smirked, glancing at Gwen out of the corner of his eye. "Pssh. I can''t talk about your butter fat ass, but it''s fine for you to¡­ oh, I don''t know, rub yourself to the scent of my sweaty tank top and leave it all soaked in your fluids? How do you even squirt so much? You got a nimbostratus cloud up your friggin'' vagina or something?" Gwen''s face went redder. "I just have a sensitive bean okay?! And flicking it just pushes things into overdrive¡­ tch, jerk!" "Jerk, she says¡­" Scott chuckled. Gwen looked at her crotch for a moment, then pouted as she returned her teary eyes to Scott. "And I don''t squirt that much, limp-dick loser¡­" "Sure thing, Urethra Girl¡­ even Aunt Grace was horrified when she saw that tank top." Gwen''s eyes went wide as her jaw dropped. "Wait¡­ wait, wait, wait. Aunt Grace saw that?!" Scott nodded, suppressing a grin. "Mhm. I was gonna help you get rid of that¡­ uh, evidence. But I guess I was too late." Gwen looked like she might faint. "You son of a¡ª" Scott chuckled, keeping his hand steady on the wheel. "Relax, pervert. You should be glad I didn''t freak out about it. Just don''t do it again. I don''t have enough tank tops to spare." Dark Elf tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "What exactly did she do to your tank top?" Scott glanced at the rearview mirror and a sharp smirk tugged at his lips. "Oh, she didn''t tel¡ª" "NOOO!" Gwen screamed as she launched herself out of her seat and wrapped her arms around Scott''s head. "Mmpphhmm!" Scott''s muffled protests were drowned out as Gwen''s soft, big breasts relentlessly pressed against his face, blocking his vision entirely. "Don''t tell her!" Gwen shrieked, tightening her hold. Scott struggled to keep the car steady as the GT-R swerved dangerously close to the guardrails as horns blared around them. Experience exclusive tales on empire "Gwen!" He shouted, but his voice was barely audible. "Let go, or we''re gonna crash!" "Not until you promise!" Scott groaned. "Fine! I promise!" "And¡­ you''ll make me your second girlfriend, too!" Gwen added as her grip tightened around his head, forcing all of her breasts against his face. "What?! No way!" "Then get ready to crash!" She pushed her upper body forward more, causing the sweet, pillow-soft fullness of her breast to flatten against Scott''s face as though she were forcing him to suck them. Scott growled under his breath, his knuckles white as he fought to regain control of the car. It was quite difficult, as even he couldn''t resist the severe temptation of having such curvaceous and stress-relieving breasts squashed against his face, like diving headfirst into a pile of delectable jelly. "Alright! Alright! I agree, okay?! Just¡ªget off me!" As soon as the words left his mouth, it came. That familiar, sometimes dreadful notification. [Ding! Mist has been added to your harem!] Scott slumped back in his seat as Gwen finally let go. She had a victorious grin plastered across her face. "See?" She said, leaning back smugly. "That wasn''t so hard, was it?" Scott glared at her, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You''re a mega bitch." "Get ready to fuck me like one too¡­" "Bruh¡­" Scott frowned. "Too much?" "¡­" "Err, sorry about that¡­" Gwen grinned sheepishly. From the backseat, Dark Elf nodded tiredly, popping another chip into her mouth. "Drama''s spicy today." ??? The GT-R roared to a stop in the massive parking lot as the engine purred softly before Scott turned it off with a flick of his wrist. He leaned back in his seat, exhaling heavily. In the backseat, Dark Elf was already peering out the window while eating some chips©¤©¤her sharp, observant eyes darted over the unusually large crowd gathered outside the hospital. There were teenage girls, grown women, and even a few older ladies standing together, waving homemade posters and glitter-covered cardboard cutouts. Journalists lingered on the outskirts, adjusting their cameras, while a few men in suits¡ªlikely agents¡ªmingled near the entrance. Dark Elf tilted her head, crunching on a chip before speaking in her usual nonchalant tone. "Hmm. There''s a lot of people here. The private hospital in Meteor City wasn''t ever half this packed." Scott glanced out the window and his brows wrinkled slightly as he took in the bustling scene. "Now that you mention it¡­" He sounded mildly curious. Gwen, who''d been fixing her hair in the passenger seat, spoke in her usual playful sass. "Maybe it''s ''cause of all the casualties from the battle against Red?" Scott shook his head thoughtfully. "Nah. This hospital''s exclusive to heroes. And while a lot of heroes were hurt, they''re not popular enough to pull a crowd like this. Not this big, anyway." Gwen shrugged as she tapped her slender fingers idly against her armrest. "Eh, fair enough." Scott turned to her with a sharp stare. "Look, I''m here to see some people. Can you not cause any problems for me while I''m inside?" Gwen folded her arms, stuck her head up, and pouted with exaggerated pride. "Pssh. As if a diligent girlfriend like me would ever cause you unnecessary trouble! Stop worrying about me and focus on your day, hmph!" Scott''s eyes narrowed as he gave her a long, skeptical look. "Hmmm. I hope so¡­" He stepped out of the car, adjusting his long black jacket as the wind brushed through his slightly messy hair. Just as he was patting it down, a shrill, high-pitched scream pierced the air. "KYAAAAAA! ?? That''s Scott! It''s him!" Scott froze mid-motion, his hand still in his hair, as another voice joined in. "Holy shit, it is him!" "He looks even more handsome in person!" "I''m gonna be the first to touch him!" "As if I''d let you!" "PUT A BABY INSIDE ME, HONEY~ ??!!" Scott turned his head slowly and his stomach dropped when he saw the crowd of women surging toward him like a tidal wave. They held up posters adorned with glittering letters spelling out his name, some clutching cardboard cutouts of him with disturbingly realistic detail. His face twisted in horror. "Shit!" He hissed under his breath. Just as he prepared to bolt in the opposite direction, a group of men in sleek black suits materialized from nowhere to block his escape. Each one held out a contract, their faces as cold and unyielding as statues. "Mr. McQueen¡­" One of them said, his voice smooth yet firm. "It''s wonderful to finally find you. We''ve been searching for weeks. Would you be interested in signing with BlueForce? Our footwear and apparel corpor¡ª" Before he could finish, another agent shoved his way forward to thrust a glossy document into Scott''s face. "No, Mr. McQueen! Majestic Belle is offering significantly more than BlueForce. You''d be the face of our new campaign!" A third agent pushed between them. "Forget those two. ValorVision''s deal is truly unmatched in the industry!" "NO! Go for us, FlexFit!" "How about Demitra''s Collections?! We''re great©¤©¤!!" More agents swarmed around Scott, waving contracts and shouting over each other like salesmen at a chaotic bazaar. Scott stumbled back as his patience thinned. "Back off, all of you!" He looked deeply irritated. Spotting a gap in the crowd, Scott tried to make a break for it, but his path was blocked yet again¡ªthis time by a woman with a striking grin and a microphone in hand. It was Judy Cho. The infamous reporter had a camera crew flanking her. Their lenses trained on Scott like hungry predators zeroing in on prey. She raised the mic and spoke with enthusiasm. "Keep rolling, boys! This is Judy Cho, reporting live! And guess who we''ve found after a week of relentless searching? That''s right¡ªthe blue-eyed prince himself, Scott McQueen!" She turned to face the camera with a dazzling smile. "Ladies, this is the man whose beauty has captivated the female masses to the point of hysteria! Some have even gone as far as marrying his cardboard cutouts and demanding more content. Scott, do you have anything to say to your adoring fans?" Scott glared at her as he desperately bit his lower lip. He looked at the camera, then at the swarming crowd of women still screaming his name, before finally muttering under his breath. "Fuckin'' hell¡­" Chapter 109 Public Interview Disaster Scott''s jaw tensed as Judy Cho edged closer.The mic was now inches from his face. Her bright grin beamed with relentless enthusiasm, and her eyes sparkled like a cat who''d cornered a particularly juicy mouse. "So, Scott¡­" She gave him a good look from top to bottom. Naturally, he wasn''t hard to look at. "What do you think about William Roosevelt? You know, the current hottest man in the world. Do you think you have a chance at dethroning him?" For a moment, Scott just stared at her in silence as his sharp blue eyes thinned slightly. Judy''s smile only grew wider as she waited. Scott finally reached out and his hand gently gripped the mic as he pushed it down, lowering it from his face. "Uh¡­" He was calm, but partly irritated. "I don''t really care about that." Judy''s eyes widened slightly, as if this was the juiciest scoop of the century. She turned to the camera with a gasp. "You heard it here first, folks! Scott McQueen doesn''t even care about competing with someone as lowly as William Roosevelt! That''s quite a statement to make, especially considering he''s not even a model yet!" Scott''s eyes widened in alarm. "Wait, what?" He stepped forward to grab Judy''s shoulder. "What the heck? That''s not what I said." Judy turned to him with a look of genuine confusion. Her brows scrunched up as she tilted her head. "Oh, really? That''s not what you meant?" Scott sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. It was painfully clear she wasn''t trying to twist his words maliciously¡ªshe was just that clueless. "Let me make this clear¡­" Scott said firmly. Judy nodded eagerly, her expression utterly innocent. "Mhm?" Scott crossed his arms, staring down at her. "I''m not saying I don''t see William¡ªor whatever his name is¡ªas competition. I''m just saying I don''t put much interest in these modeling or popularity contests. They''re not exactly a priority for me." Judy blinked a few times before smiling brightly. "Ohhh, I completely understand!" She adjusted her glasses before spinning back toward the camera. "Well, it seems Mr. McQueen has decided to clarify his statement! According to him, William Roosevelt might be important to some, but he''s nothing to Scott, so he doesn''t care to waste his time on someone who doesn''t matter! Isn''t that amazing, folks?" Scott slapped a hand over his face, then let out a long, exhausted groan. "God help me¡­" Before he could address the misunderstanding, a piercing scream cut through the air. "SCOTT!!" He looked up just in time to see three women pushing through the sea of journalists, their hands clutching brightly colored bouquets. They weren''t even trying to hide their desperation as they practically bulldozed their way to the front. The woman in the center gasped dramatically as she came face-to-face with him. "Oh. My. GOD! I can''t believe we''re meeting you!" Her voice was shrill with excitement. "We saw you at the SMPE last week, and you were sooooo handsome! Are your parents European?!" Scott blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Uh¡­ my mom''s European, so yeah, I guess." The woman on the left clasped her hands together as her eyes sparkled with admiration. "Can you tell us your skincare routine? You look so fresh!" Scott raised an eyebrow. "I use a men''s 13-in-1 shampoo¡­ does that count?" The three women froze, staring at each other in disbelief before erupting into squeals. "THAT''S IT?!" "AND HE''S THIS HANDSOME?!" "Kyaaaaa!!" "HE''S OLD-SCHOOL HANDSOME, GADAMMIT!!" The woman on the right leaned forward. Her cheeks were flushed. "Can you say your name the way you did on stream with that blonde, tights-wearing, superhero guy? I forgot his name, but you were so~ooo cool!" Scott frowned slightly before shrugging. "You mean¡­ my name is Scott?" The moment the words left his mouth, the entire crowd of women exploded into deafening screams. "HE''S SO FRIGGIN'' HOT!" "ABSOLUTELY!" "IF HE TOLD ME TO SIT, I''D NAIL MY FRIGGIN'' BUTT TO THE DAMN CHAIR!" "FUCK YES HE''S GORGEOUS!" The woman in the center suddenly grabbed his hand as her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that made Scott slightly uncomfortable. "Mr. McQueen¡­" She whispered with deep desire. "Will you go out with me? I don''t have a boyfriend." Scott studied her for a moment, right after his lips curling into a sly smirk. He gently pulled his hand back and tapped the tip of her nose. "Psssh©¤©¤liar." The woman gasped as her face turned red-hot, while her friends burst into giggles. "Forget her!" One of them said as she pulled out her phone. "Can we take a selfie?!" Scott sighed but nodded. "Sure." He positioned himself between the three women as one of them held out her phone. Just as he raised his hand to flash a peace sign, all three of them leaned in and kissed his cheeks, leaving bright lipstick marks on his face. "Wha¡ª" Scott''s words were drowned out by another wave of high-pitched screams from the crowd. Back in the car, Gwen was banging on the window furiously, her face contorted in rage. "YOU THREE HARLOTS¡ª" Still munching on her chips, Dark Elf reached out and casually chopped Gwen on the top of her head. Gwen yelped, grabbing her head in pain as Dark Elf sighed. "Calm down¡­" she said dryly. "It''s not that serious." Gwen glared at her as tears of frustration welled up in her psycho eyes. "Not that serious?! Did you NOT see what they just did to m-, m-, my man?!" Dark Elf shrugged. "Maybe you should''ve kissed him first." "Shiet, you''re right!" Gwen snapped her fingers in frustration. ??? Judy Cho wasn''t finished. As the three women who had just ambushed Scott for a selfie reluctantly shuffled away, she darted back toward him with her mic once again in his face. "So, Scott¡­" She flashed that razor-sharp smile of hers. "¡­ speaking of girlfriends, do you have one?" Scott blinked, his brow lifting. The corners of his lips pulled downward in subtle annoyance. "Isn''t that kind of an unnecessary question? It''s not like you''re gonna use that info for anything productive, right? I mean¡­ your kind never does." "Hmph! Racist much?" Judy Cho frowned. Scott''s eyebrows lifted. "How is that ra©¤©¤!" "Nevermind, the damage has been done¡­" Judy tilted her head as she maintained that sweet-loving, innocent look of hers. "But all this? Well it''s purely for your fans. You wouldn''t want to keep such basic information from them, would you? I mean, just a simple yes or no is fine!" Scott exhaled heavily as his gaze shifted to the crowd of eager fans hanging on to every word. His lips pressed into a thin line before he finally relented. "¡­ Yeah. I have a girlfriend." The moment those words escaped his mouth, a collective groan of despair rippled through the crowd like a wave. "What?!" "This is so unfair!" One girl cried as she clutched her heart like Scott had just personally broken it. "Why can''t I ever get a lucky encounter with a gorgeous man like him?" "Oh, please! As if your ugly ass could ever hold down someone like Scott McQueen. Be real¡ªhe''s way out of your league." "Excuse me?!" The first girl snapped with a furious look. "Just because you''re ugly doesn''t mean the rest of us are! I could totally attract a man like Scott!" "Ha!" A third girl interjected, crossing her arms. "As if he''d look at your flatland ass. Dream on." Scott pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why is this my life¡­" But Judy wasn''t done yet. She leaned in closer with her usual smug grin. "Looks like your fans are devastated at the idea of you having a girlfriend. So¡­ is there a little more you can share? Is she a brunette? Blonde? Maybe foreign?" Scott''s eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "Are you seriously doing this right now? You already agreed not to pry into her." Judy''s eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, did I? My bad." Then she paused and glanced toward his sleek black GT-R parked nearby. Her eyes zeroed in on the passenger seat. "Ohhh¡­ is that her?" Scott followed her line of sight and instantly spotted Gwen sitting in the car. Her hands were clasped tightly together as her wide, desperate eyes stared back at him. "Not exactly what you''re thinking¡­" Scott began, fumbling for words. "It''s, uh¡­" His hesitation seemed to be all the confirmation Gwen needed. Her expression crumpled, and she crossed her arms as she looked away dejectedly. ¡ºOf course, he''d say I''m just some random person. This is probably his best chance to get back at me¡ªrejecting me in front of an even bigger crowd than the one I embarrassed him in during middle school. Honestly, I can''t even blame him. I had it coming. Sigh~¡» Her eyes watered up a bit, but she didn''t cry. Instead, she just tightened her crossed arms more as if trying to tie up the pain in her heart. Judy pounced. "Come on, Mr. McQueen¡­" There was a heated curiosity in her eyes. "Just give us a clear answer, or else we''ll just have to¡­ hmm, assume?" Scott''s jaw clenched as he stared at Judy with irritation. But as he glanced back at Gwen, something shifted. Her sadness struck a nerve, and before he could stop himself, he sighed heavily and shut his eyes. "¡­ Fine." He exhaled, then spoke with a strained voice. "Yes. She''s my¡­ second girlfriend. Gwen Mercer." The crowd went utterly silent. Not even Judy seemed to know how to process this absolute bombshell. "Wait, wait, wait¡­" She said with a nervous laugh. "Do you mean, like, she''s the second girl you''ve ever dated, or¡­" Her voice trailed off, and her facial expression froze. "¡­ you''re dating two women at the same time?" Scott''s teeth ground together. He hesitated, then glanced at Gwen one last time. Her eyes were glued to him now, glimmering with a faint, fragile hope. That hope was what broke him. "¡­Yeah. I''m dating two women. Simultaneously." The mic slipped from Judy''s fingers and hit the ground with a dull thud. The crowd erupted. "WHAT?!" "Holy shit." "IS IT THAT BIG©¤©¤?!" "Man''s running a double feature?!" "William Roosevelt who?!" "This dude''s game is unmatched. Two girlfriends? That''s¡­ honestly, that''s dastardly." "Dastardly?" another replied. "Bro, that''s legendary." "Nah, this generation''s cooked¡­" Scott groaned as he dragged a hand down his face. "I knew this would happen¡­" But then, he looked back at the GT-R. Gwen was smiling now. Not her usual smirk or up-to-no-good grin, but something soft and genuine. Her eyes shone with such pure, unrestrained joy that it caught him completely off guard. Despite himself, Scott smiled back. Maybe this wasn''t such a disaster after all. ¡ºNah, it definitely was¡­¡» Correct. The crowd soon became absolute chaos. Screams, yells, and even the occasional chant of "McQueen! McQueen! McQueen!" echoed through the parking lot. Fans were clawing at the air like feral animals, while journalists held their mics high, yelling over one another as if sheer volume would earn them answers. Unshaken by all this madness, Judy adjusted her glasses and smirked devilishly at Scott. "You''re not going anywhere, McQueen." She bent down to pick up her mic as her razor-sharp instincts refused to let this story slip away. "Not until you give me an exclusive on how you''ve managed to convince two women to share you." Scott glanced at the rapidly encroaching horde of journalists, agents, and screaming fangirls as his jaw tightened. "Of course. This is exactly what I needed today¡­" But before Judy could finish her triumphant monologue, the car door of Scott''s GT-R slammed open. A burst of thick mist erupted from Gwen''s outstretched palm and shrouded the area in a swirling, dense fog. "Wh-, What the hell?!" Judy stumbled backward, coughing as her mic slipped from her grasp again. "Who''s doing this?!" From the mist, a slender figure emerged. Dark Elf stepped out with her usual bored expression as she held a bag of chips and munched lazily. She brushed past the throng of blinded journalists and rabid fangirls with complete nonchalance. "Really¡­ all this over one guy?" Dark Elf sighed, tossing another chip into her mouth. A particularly ambitious journalist lunged toward her, but Dark Elf sighed louder, raised a delicate hand, and chopped him on the side of the neck. He crumpled to the ground, snoring instantly. "I don''t have time for this." She continued weaving through the chaos, dispatching anyone who got in her way with the same neck-chopping efficiency. Every person she struck dropped like a marionette with its strings cut. Meanwhile, Gwen materialized in the mist beside Scott in a puff of swirling vapor. Her hand shot out to grab his wrist firmly. "Come on! Let''s get you out of here!" She sounded somewhat panicked. Scott hesitated. "Wait, what about©¤©¤!" "We can worry about that later!" Before Scott could protest further, Judy''s blind hand flailed through the mist and managed to latch onto his other wrist. Her grip was iron-clad. "Oh no, you don''t!" Judy shouted. "You''re not escaping me that easily!" Scott groaned, shaking his head in sheer disbelief. "You''ve got to be kidding me¡­" With a sigh, he slipped his hand out of Gwen''s grasp and pivoted toward Judy. "Alright, fine. You asked for this." Before Judy could react, Scott''s hand smacked against her backside with an audible PAH! ¡ºHoly¡­ that felt¡­¡» Like slapping the surface of a water balloon. ¡ºGood¡­?¡» Her ass cheeks vibrated like jelly from the slap, and she felt it perk up even more, as though asking to be slapped a second time¡ªthis time harder. "Eyaahnnn~ ??!" Judy squeaked Her body stiffened as her knees wobbled. Unfazed, Scott made sure to deliver a firm three squeezes for good measure. Judy''s face flushed a deep red and her breath hitched as she collapsed to the ground in a heap. "A-, Ahhhhnn¡­?? such¡­ a sneaky tactic¡­" She muttered incoherently©¤©¤as though those three squeezes of his manly hands had sucked every intellectual thought that was once in her mind. All she could think of feel now, was how good his hand felt. ¡ºHow shameless of me¡­¡» Judy thought. Scott turned back to Gwen with a deadpan expression. "Let''s go." Dark Elf appeared at his side just in time, motioning with her head toward the mist-covered path. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This way." Together, they maneuvered through the fog and eventually slipped into the safety of Woodhull Private Hospital. Behind them, the mist dissipated, leaving the crowd outside in an uproar of confused shouts and desperate pleas. "Where''d he go?!" "I NEED TO KNOW HIS SKINCARE ROUTINE!" "DID HE LEAVE IN THAT CAR?!" "TEACH ME YOUR WAYS KING!" Inside the hospital, Scott, Gwen, and Dark Elf found temporary refuge in a private suite on one of the highest floors. Scott stood by the window, watching the crowd below. "They''re still looking for me¡­" he muttered. Now sitting cross-legged on the plush couch, Dark Elf popped another chip into her mouth. She offered one to Scott without even looking at him. "Chip?" Scott frowned, glancing at her outstretched hand. "Uh¡­ no thanks." Dark Elf shrugged and ate it herself, completely unbothered. Meanwhile, Gwen leaned against her knees to catch her fragile breath. After a moment, she stood upright and fixed Scott with a sly smile. "Sooo¡­ no ''thank you'' for me?" She teased as she stepped closer. Scott raised an eyebrow. "I just thanked you like eight seconds ago." Gwen shook her head as her smile turned hungrier. "Not that kind of thank you." Before he could respond, she closed the distance, pressing herself against him. Her soft breasts squished against his chest as she tilted her head up as her pink lips curled into a seductive grin. "Come on¡­ you know what I want. Now that I''m officially your girlfriend, don''t I get the same special treatment you''re giving Emma?" Her hand cupped his cheek while the other trailed down his torso, stopping at his inner thigh. "I wonder how it feels down there. Hnn~" Her hand crawled towards his crotch. She wanted to feel if there was a bulge in his pants. Scott''s eyes widened. "Gwen¡­" Just then, the door to the suite swung open. "Lord Nightwatch?" Scott looked up to see Rhinoman standing in the doorway, Brigid perched happily on his shoulders. She was drumming lightly on his head. "Eh?" Rhinoman blinked, tilting his head. "What''s going on here?" "I¡­ I''d like to ask the same thing¡­" Said a shocked Nadia who stood at the far back. Chapter 110 ~Intermission~ Worried Mother Ashgate Asylum, Metro City¡­There was a massive hall. The faint shuffle of feet, murmurs, and the occasional squeak of a wheelchair wheel could be heard. Patients wandered aimlessly as their expressions ranged from distant to vacant, as if the very walls of the hospital dulled their senses. Among them, a beauty in a long white garment strode with an elegance so profound it seemed out of place. Her raven-black hair swam down her back and her piercing fox-like blue eyes darted ahead, unbothered by the stares she was attracting. She was a walking masterpiece, the kind of beauty that demanded attention without effort. Seated at a table off to the side, a group of security guards lingered, pretending to look busy, but the desperation in their eyes told a different story. "Dude¡­" "Don''t worry. I can see her clearly, damn!" "I still can''t believe how gorgeous she is. She''s got that Marilyn Monroe kind of beauty, but, like, modern. Classic old-money vibes, you know?" "Yeah! And that black hair? Goddamn. And those sharp blue eyes? Man, I could stare into them all day." A third guard, cradling a lukewarm coffee, chuckled and shook his head. "She''s so stunning, I don''t even want to know what her body looks like. I''m convinced it doesn''t even matter. She''s beautiful no matter what." The youngest guard in the group hadn''t taken his eyes off her since she entered. His jaw worked slowly as he watched her every move, entranced. "She''s gotta be a model or something, right? Like, this isn''t normal. This kind of beauty would put all those friggin'' Ozempic-chewing Instaflick celebs to shame." A bald guard, sitting slightly apart from the rest, smirked and tapped the table twice to catch their attention. "You guys wanna know something interesting about her? I got some good info on her a few days back." The group fell silent, then leaned in instinctively. But one of them, a burly man with a buzzcut, immediately frowned and waved his hand furiously. "Hell no, man! Are you trying to get us fired? We''re not supposed to look up patient info. That''s for the docs and admin. You wanna end up scrubbing toilets for the rest of your life, dumbass?" The bald guard shrugged, unbothered. "Relax. I''m not stupid. I just heard some things, okay? You want to know or not?" The others exchanged shameless glances before one of them finally caved. "Alright, what''ve you got?" Leaning in closer, the bald guard lowered his voice. "Word is, she was a model. One of the hottest in the world, back in the day. Some cosmetics companies even still use her old photos, trying to recreate the magic of her face or whatever." A collective "Oooooooh¡­" rippled through the group as they nodded in unison. They now wanted to know more. The woman kept walking quietly toward the counter. There was something about the way she moved¡ªsmooth and confident, like someone who used to be in the spotlight. The other patients stepped out of her way without even thinking about it, almost like they didn''t want to mess up the moment. At the counter, the young nurse greeted her with an overly cheery smile. "Oh, Ms. McQueen! Always a pleasure to see that beautiful face of yours. Honestly, I really wish I looked half as good as you do." Martha McQueen said nothing. Her eyes were cold¡­ they were always cold. She extended her hand. The nurse''s smile faltered slightly as she glanced at the tag on Martha''s gown to confirm her patient number. "Alright, let me grab your prescription¡­" She said awkwardly, then turned to the cabinet. She quickly retrieved the small orange bottle of pills and handed it over. Martha snatched the bottle without a word. "So¡­" The nurse was still trying to sound friendly. "¡­ How''ve you been feeling this past week? You know, one more month here and you''ll be ready for your yearlong rehab. Bet you''re excited to finally be discharged, huh?" Martha''s grip on the bottle tightened as her icy blue eyes snapped to the nurse. "I don''t need rehab¡­" There was heavy disgust yet calmness in her voice. Like she was irritated, but it wasn''t worth her time. It was the same kind of tone many celebrities would use for reporters who asked them stupid questions. The nurse raised her brows. "Uh-huh¡­" She mumbled under her breath as Martha stormed off. "Sure you don''t¡­" The guards watched from their corner as their desperate eyes followed Martha''s departing figure. "Man¡­" The young guard was still mesmerized. "Even when she''s pissed off, she''s perfect." "Psssh©¤©¤I guess¡­" The bald guard smirked as he leaned back in his chair with the smugness of someone about to drop a bombshell. "So, like I was saying¡­" He drawled, gesturing with his lukewarm coffee. The other guards turned back toward him with renewed interest, their earlier fascination with Martha momentarily put on hold. "Damn, you still got more?" The youngest one asked eagerly. His eyes still flitted occasionally toward the retreating figure of Martha McQueen. The bald guard reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, waving it slightly before setting it down on the table. "Alright, listen up. You know how I said I heard some things about her? Well, I went digging¡ªnothing crazy, just poking around¡ªand found out she has a guardian." "A guardian?" The burly guard with the buzzcut frowned. He was already suspicious. "She doesn''t look like she needs one. She''s walking around just fine." "Exactly¡­" The bald guard replied with a sly grin. "But it''s not just any guardian. Apparently, it''s her son. Listed right there in the system. And get this¡ªhe comes to see her about once or twice a year." The others leaned in closer as their interest piqued despite themselves. "A son?" the youngest guard repeated with interest. "Yup." The bald guard unlocked his phone and gently slid it across the table. On the screen was a photo¡ªa candid shot of a man in his late twenties with sharp, symmetrical features, neatly combed dark hair, and the same piercing blue eyes as Martha. The guards'' reactions were immediate. "Who''s that?" The buzzcut guard asked, raising an eyebrow. The youngest guard grabbed the phone, zooming in on the picture. His brows furrowed in thought before he suddenly snapped his fingers. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ohh, wait, I know this guy! That''s Scott!" He exclaimed with some excitement. "Dude, he''s all over LoopVid and Chirper. Women are obsessed with him. Like, even married women. It''s crazy. He''s crazy handsome¡­ anyone can see that!" The buzzcut guard leaned in to take another look as he squinted slightly. "Eh¡­" He acted indifferently as he crossed his arms. "I''ve seen better. He''s alright, I guess. But not worth all that hype." The youngest guard shot him a disbelieving look. "Are you blind? Look at that bone structure! And those eyes! C''mon, man, this dude''s the whole package!" The bald guard snatched his phone back, chuckling. "Well, hype or not, the guy''s apparently her kid. Same last name. Same ridiculous blue eyes. It doesn''t take a genius to put two and two together." He paused dramatically, then slid his phone back into his pocket. "And here''s the best part¡­" The man grinned like a gremlin up to no good. "I called 24/7 CityWatch News. They''ve been looking for this guy for days¡ªsome crappy story about how he''s this super-reclusive heartthrob or whatever. Anyway, I got the $10,000 reward for giving them the lead. Can''t believe it was that easy!" He laughed, leaning back in his chair triumphantly. The other guards stared at him, their expressions ranging from disappointment to outright disgust. "Wow¡­" The buzzcut guard finally said, shaking his head. "You really used your position to peek into a patient''s private records just to simp over her and then sold her kid out to the media? That''s low, even for you." Another guard chimed in with a grim tone. "Fame at a young age¡­ that''s one of the worst things in the world. Kid''s probably not ready for it. What if that''s what made Martha end up here in the first place?" He talked like one of those drunk sailors at the docks who acted like they''d seen everything. The bald guard waved them off, unbothered. "Oh, please. You''re just jealous you didn''t think of it first. I''m the smart one here, and tonight? Drinks are on me!" Despite their moral objections, the promise of free drinks quickly won them over. The guards raised their hands in fake celebration, letting out a halfhearted cheer. "Fine, but you''re buying top-shelf!" The buzzcut guard grumbled, pointing a finger at him. Their brief celebration was interrupted when the youngest guard suddenly froze. His eyes widened in utter shock. "Wait¡­" he muttered. The others immediately noticed. "What''s wrong? Why''re you killing the vibe?" The bald guard asked, frowning. The youngest guard shot to his feet. "Martha''s still in the hall. And last I checked, that Scott guy is supposed to be on the news today." He looked around like a deranged person. "Oh no¡ªthe TVs!" Panic erupted among the group as the youngest guard bolted toward the hall. ??? Martha stood frozen in front of the large television mounted on the wall. On the screen was a live broadcast¡ªa massive interview where Scott McQueen was surrounded by reporters and adoring fangirls, agents from huge fashion brands and so much more. His handsome face was framed by flashing cameras. Her face twisted as she pointed at the screen. "No¡­ that''s¡­" Her voice started trembling like it would break. "Th-, That''s¡­ that''s my son¡­" Her panic escalated rapidly. She clutched at her gown as her breaths came in short, ragged gasps. "That''s my son! That''s my baby boy¡ªI''m sure of it!" Her voice rose to a scream that echoed through the hall. "Why is he on television?! Who are those women around him?! I want to see him!" The guards and nurses rushed toward her. "Ms. McQueen, calm down!" One of the nurses pleaded and her voice strained as she tried to grab hold of the thrashing woman. Martha''s trembling intensified as she screamed again. "I WANT TO SEE HIM! HE''S MY SON!" There was such a raw desperation in her voice. Despite their efforts, it took several guards to restrain her. Her heart-wrenching screams touched everyone. "Why is he there?! Why?! He''s my baby boy!" Finally, one of the nurses managed to jab a sedative into her arm. Martha''s thrashing slowed and her screams faded into murmurs as the drug took effect. Her body went limp, and the guards carefully lowered her to the ground. In the silence that followed, the youngest guard stood frozen with a pale face. "Sigh~ we really screwed up¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: There will be a mass release happening, 4 to 5 chapter one so I can end the volume in one go. Stay frosty. Chapter 111 System Requirement: Crazy Women The tension in the hospital room was thicker than a frozen block of butter.Gwen sat on the edge of the hospital bed as her fingers drummed lightly against her thigh as she tried to maintain a semblance of calm. Across the room, Rhinoman leaned against the wall with his hulking body looming like an immovable statue. His eyes were trained unflinchingly on her. Perched on his shoulder was Brigid who had her fists held out like she was going to hit Gwen. ¡ºLook at her¡­ dumb blonde bitch thinks she can get a taste of my man''s saliva, tch¡­ WELL, IT WON''T HAPPEN!¡» Gwen shifted uncomfortably as her eyes shifted to the corner where Dark Elf stood lazily munching on her seemingly bottomless bag of chips. Dark Elf glanced at Gwen, raised an eyebrow, and popped another chip into her mouth before looking away with complete indifference. Gwen exhaled heavily. Her nerves were getting the better of her. She turned her head slightly, only for Brigid to leap into her line of sight with surprising agility. The tiny woman landed squarely in front of Gwen, arms raised in an exaggeratedly offensive stance as her fiery eyes dared Gwen to even think about looking anywhere else. "What the hell?" Gwen muttered as her face soured. She turned her head in the opposite direction, only to find Rhinoman''s icy glare still locked on her. The final straw snapped. Gwen slapped both her hands against the hospital bed and leaned forward. "Alright, what the actual fuck?!" Her patience entirely wore thin. "Can you both stop staring at me like I''m the one who caused a friggin'' terrorist attack?!" Brigid didn''t flinch. Instead, she stepped even closer as her diminutive body radiated a hilariously disproportionate level of menace. With a swift motion, she assumed a crane kick stance, balancing on one leg with the other poised mid-air. Her fists were raised like she was about to launch into a kung fu movie. "You might as well be a terrorist!" Brigid declared dramatically, pointing a tiny but accusatory finger at Gwen. "For daring to cross the sacred, fertile grounds that is my husband, Lord Nightwatch!" Gwen blinked, completely taken aback. "Huh? Your husband? Scott''s your husband?" Brigid''s eyes seemed to ignite with literal flames as her face twisted into an expression of righteous fury. She thrust both fists into the air triumphantly. "YES!" With how certain she sounded, you would think it was true. "We''ve been married since before this universe even began! I''m just waiting for him to finally realize it and let me strap on my custom-made pink dildo so I can claim his passionate backdoor!!" The room fell into stunned silence. Even Rhinoman shifted uncomfortably as his stony expression faltered for just a moment. Gwen''s mouth hung open as she tried to process what she''d just heard. Dark Elf stopped mid-chew, one chip held between her fingers as she stared at Brigid with a rare look of actual interest. "What the fuck¡­?" Gwen muttered under her breath. Brigid''s cheeks puffed up like a squirrel''s as she crossed her arms defensively. "Oh, so when I say something freaky, you all have to stare at me like I''m some old, perverted hag?!" Dark Elf shrugged, casually tossing the chip into her mouth. "I mean, you reek of cum, so¡­ yeah, safe assumption." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Brigid gasped, clutching her chest in bogus horror. "GASP! How dare you?!" Dark Elf narrowed her eyes as her voice deadpanned. "Little girl, you reek of cum." The confidence drained from Brigid''s face faster than water down a sink. She shuffled her feet awkwardly as her fiery bravado was soon replaced with sheepishness as she twiddled her thumbs. "I-, I mean¡­ I heard from Nadia that Lord Nightwatch was coming today, so¡­ so uhh¡­" She stared at the ground and knocked the tips of her feet together as she turned red. "So I decided to¡­ you know, celebrate¡­ with a little¡­ um¡­ self-care session." Dark Elf didn''t even blink. "Next time, at least wash up after." Brigid''s cheeks flushed a deeper red. "I DID!" Gwen stared at the bizarre exchange. ¡ºWhat kind of girls does Scott keep around him?¡» She bit her lower lip. ¡ºIs that really his type? I mean¡­ I can''t see myself being so crazy that I''d want to put a dildo through his butt hole. Ugh¡­ that''s just way too weird. Imagine being a woman and loving a man so much that you''d even think of doing something like that around him. Besides¡­ if I ever did something that crazy, like touching myself just at the thought of his name or even stalking him¡­ pssh©¤©¤now that would just be plain stupid.¡» Suddenly, her mind paused. She raised an eyebrow and the first image that popped up in her mind was Scott''s tank top. ¡ºOhhhh¡­ now I get it¡­¡» Desperate for some sense of normalcy, she turned her eyes toward the small glass pane in the door. Through it, she could see Scott and Nadia standing just outside the room. Their conversation looked equally tense. ??? Outside, Scott stood with his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets as his eyes were looking everywhere except toward Nadia. He was trying his best to look as innocent as possible, though his posture screamed guilt. Nadia stood with her hands planted firmly on her massive hips as her slender body leaned forward as she fixed him with a piercing stare. The look on her face was a mix of frustration and disappointment, like a teacher scolding a student who hadn''t turned in their project. Scott sighed heavily. "Are you going to say something, or are we just going to stand here forever?" Nadia straightened up. She crossed her arms under her suspiciously bouncing breasts with a huff. "Give me a second. I''m trying to find the right words." Scott groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I already told you. That''s Gwen¡ªthe same girl who kissed me before. She always does this, and most of the time, it''s out of my control. I''ll explain everything to Emma later." Nadia tilted her head slightly as her expression softened but only a little. "This isn''t about Emma." Scott blinked. "Huh? It''s not?" "Of course it''s not!" "Then¡­ what''s the problem?" Nadia sighed as her shoulders slumped slightly. "I''m mad for myself, not Emma." Scott''s jaw tightened as confusion clouded his face. "Why? That doesn''t even make sense." Nadia''s lips curled into a pout. She looked like an angry pigeon. "We were supposed to leave the house together, dude! But nooo, you had to come here with the same girl who nearly wrecked your relationship. I''m not asking for much, but could you at least see me as a priority?" Scott raised an eyebrow. To him, this felt like hauling a firetruck to a burning building, aiming the hose to put out the flames, only to realize the tank was filled with fuel instead of water. The only saving grace was that he hadn''t turned on the hose yet¡ªand he planned to keep it that way. ¡ºI thought this System only helps me pull super baddies, not pharmaceutical baddies too!¡» With a deep exhale, he cleared his throat and spoke. "That¡­ sounds like you''re my girlfriend or something." Nadia''s cheeks flushed slightly as she stepped back, waving her hands frantically. "What the flip?! Don''t say stuff like that¡ªit''s weird!" This reaction triggered the System. [Analyzing personality, context, and emotional state¡­] [Option 1: You''re right. I''ve been taking your support for granted, and I need to do better. Starting now, you''re my priority.] [Effectiveness: 85%] [Predicted Reaction: Nadia would be shocked by your sudden maturity but would appreciate the sincerity. Her frustration would soften, and she''d likely forgive you.] - [Option 2: It''s not weird to think of us like that, you know. You''re important to me, and I don''t want to mess this up with you.] [Effectiveness: 90%] [Predicted Reaction: Nadia would blush and become flustered but feel appreciated. She might deny it verbally, but her body language would tell that she''s secretly pleased.] - [Option 3: Psssh©¤©¤give it a rest! You''re just jealous because Gwen is hotter than you.] [Effectiveness: 10%] [Predicted Reaction: N/A] - [Option 4: Let''s start over¡ªjust you and me. Forget Gwen, forget Emma. How about I make it up to you with a day where it''s all about us?] [Effectiveness: 80%] [Predicted Reaction: Nadia would soften immediately and smile at the offer. She''d agree, though she might pretend she''s only doing it so you could redeem himself.] ??? Scott closed his eyes, stroking his chin thoughtfully. ¡ºOh, just great! Now I have to deal with this garbage from the System. There''s no way these are my thoughts streamlined, I would never hit on Nadia¡­ yunno¡­ in that way¡­¡» A beep came from the System. [A lie has been detected!] This made Scott''s face scrunch up like a baby who''d just chewed on some rhubarb. ¡ºTch©¤©¤I''d never do that¡­¡» He stared back at the bright blue tabs of information spread out between him and Nadia. Of course, only he could sit. ¡ºNah, I''ll just do my own thing¡­¡» He nodded confidently as he looked back at Nadia. "Hmm¡­ fair enough. But you know, it kinda sounded like you were asking to be my girlfriend." "SHUT UP!" Nadia snapped as her voice cracked slightly. She turned her back to him with those attractive, slender arms of hers crossed tightly under her breasts. ¡­ Boing! Her breasts bounced again. It was unnecessarily active today. The best way to describe it was that her breasts looked like they were on steroids. Sure, it was no secret that Nadia was a well-endowed woman, but there was something different about her chest today¡ªsomething Scott couldn''t ignore. And then it finally clicked. ¡ºpfft©¤©¤NO WAY!!¡» He stifled an explosive laughter. It was a surprise he couldn''t even tell earlier. There were literally two bullets of pleasure poking out of her breasts and underneath her shirt and it didn''t stick yet. At least¡­ not until now. Nadia even noticed how Scott''s stare had changed. She walked closer to him and frowned. "Is standing me up and teasing me about wanting to be your friend so friggin'' funny to you?" "pffft©¤©¤N-, No¡­ of course not¡­" Nadia''s eyes narrowed. "Then what''s so funny?" "Nadia¡­ did you¡­ not wear a bra because of me?" Chapter 112 Strange Feelings "WHAT©¤©¤?!"Nadia took several steps back as her delicate ears twitched for reasons even she didn''t understand. Her arms shot across her chest to hug herself tightly as she tried to shield her breasts from Scott''s increasingly curious stare. Her pretty face was painted red with shame. "H-, How can you say something like that?!" She stammered, glaring at him as if he''d just set fire to her entire sense of dignity. Scott tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "Hm? What''s the big deal? I''m not wrong, though. I mean, I don''t even look at a woman''s chest unless I have a really good reason to. And if I noticed yours, that probably means you always wear a bra and just¡­ didn''t today. Strange." He stroked his chin thoughtfully and his eyes narrowed as if piecing together an unsolvable puzzle. "So¡­ why?" He asked, leaning forward slightly as his eyes shifted back to Nadia, who still looked as though she wanted the earth to swallow her whole. Her embarrassment deepened. "I-, I¡­ it''s not because of you!" She blurted, though her voice cracked under the pressure. Scott smirked, then leaned even closer to close the gap between them. His tone turned low, even somewhat teasing. "Oh? If it''s not because of me, then why are you suddenly so open to hanging out with me, talking to me, letting me lick your fingers¡ª" "That was ONE TIME!" Nadia snapped, but the intensifying blush of her face completely sold her out. She looked like a chili pepper soup. "¡ªand going out to the movies?" Scott continued without wasting a second. He leaned even closer. "And now all this¡­ No bra, no backup. What''s really going on, Nadia?" Her breath hitched. She tightened her arms around her chest as she desperately avoided his gaze, but the warmth in his eyes was like a gravitational pull. She could feel it¡ªhis presence¡ªtoo close for comfort yet oddly comforting. Her mind raced, and her heart hammered against her ribcage. ¡ºHnn~ what do I do now¡­?¡» For some reason, despite the utter humiliation, she didn''t want him to step back. "Y-, You''re so full of yourself!" She hissed, trying to regain some control of the situation. But her voice trembled, and she bit her lower lip, as if to physically hold back words that desperately wanted to escape. Scott raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms while keeping his posture casual but his eyes sharp. "You''re avoiding the question¡­ if you like me, I''ll be honest¡ªI''m flattered." Nadia''s head snapped up at his words. Shock was written in her flashlight-wide eyes. "I-I don''t!" She sputtered, though the heat in her tender cheeks told a different story. Scott shrugged, smirking as if he''d already won. "You''re acting like you do. And honestly? As much as I complain about all these women giving me attention, it''s¡­ nice to know someone sees me. Not as Nightwatch, but just¡­ me. I always appreciate that." Nadia blinked. For a moment, her walls cracked. She tightened her grip on herself, feeling the authenticity of his words sink into her chest. "You don''t get it¡­" Scott''s expression softened. "Then help me get it." Nadia looked down as her lips trembled as she fought the storm of emotions swirling inside her. ¡ºI don''t know what I''m doing anymore¡­¡» She could feel her mind drowning in doubts. ¡ºI''m always the responsible one. The one everyone counts on. The one who¡­ who puts everyone else first. But sometimes, I just¡­ I want more. I want to live for myself for once, you know?¡» She tightened her arms around her body as though to hold herself together. ¡ºBut it''s stupid. I can''t just change who I am. People expect too much from me. People are¡­ they''re always expecting too much from me. And besides¡­ Emma''s my best friend. I don''t want to hurt her. I can''t do that to her. But at the same time¡­¡» She bit her lip again as the words stuck in her throat. She wanted to speak up¡­ badly. Scott stepped closer, gently taking her right hand in his. His touch was warm, grounding. "I get it¡­" he said softly. Nadia looked up at him as her eyes widened with surprise. Scott leaned even closer to Nadia as his breath grazed her flushed cheeks. His tone softened, no longer teasing, but steady and earnest. "Yunno, I don''t know a lot about you. That''s probably my fault¡­ I''ve never really asked, have I?" "Huh?" Nadia was shocked by the shift in his demeanor. She hesitated, unsure whether to look into his piercing eyes or avoid them altogether. Either way, Scott didn''t mind. He just continued talking instead. "I''m not a fan of getting too close to people. It''s¡­ complicated. Let''s just say I''ve learned the hard way that when you trust someone too much, they can tear you apart." He smiled faintly, but it didn''t reach his eyes. "People have their faults. That''s normal, right? But you¡­" His gaze locked onto hers and the intensity made her feel like the only person in the world. "You don''t seem to have any. And that¡­ feels wrong." Nadia furrowed her brow, unsure whether to be insulted or flattered. "Huh? What are you even talking about?" Scott placed a finger gently over her lips, silencing her before she could spiral into more questions. "Shhh¡­" His tone was soothing©¤©¤so much so that it made Nadia feel "good" in a really questionable way. The feel of his finger against her lips. The fact he was taking control. Even the deepness of his voice and how much command that came with it¡­ they all felt nice. "When someone doesn''t have faults, there''s no room for improvement. And when there''s no room for improvement, life becomes¡­ monotonous. Dull." Nadia frowned as she shifted her head away to free her lips from his touch. "What gives you the right to assume you know anything about me? Or my family?" Continue your journey on empire Her voice was sharp, but there was a tremor beneath it, as if she was trying to hold something back. "And besides¡­" She looked away in sadness. "You''d rather go around with so many others than watch one stupid movie with me, right? But trust me¡­ I''m not complaining at all, okay? I know just how little I''m worth to you, and trust me it''s¡­ it''s normal¡­" Scott didn''t say a word. He simply smiled at her, but not in the way she expected. It wasn''t smug or teasing. It was gentle, warm, and patient. Perhaps¡­ the most beautiful smile she''d ever seen. Her heart skipped a beat. She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you smiling at me like that?" She tried to come off as rude or at least a little offended, but instead, she just sounded like a clueless foreigner struggling with English. Her voice and the way she carried herself were just too adorable for Scott. Still, he somehow managed to keep his attention fixed on her beautiful eyes without losing focus. "Do you think you can use those¡­ th-, those beautiful eyes¡ªor that perfect smile¡ªor your stupid, glowing skin and effortless¡­ bone structure¡­" Her words trailed off and her face heated up as she fumbled through her accusations. "Uh¡­" She averted her gaze, feeling like every second she looked at him, his smile grew even more mesmerizing. "Enough of this!" She tried to yank her wrist free from his grasp, but Scott tightened his hold and pulled her forward and into his arms. Nadia gasped as her face collided with his chest and her entire body stiffened. His scent enveloped her¡ªclean, warm, with a hint of something uniquely him. His hand rested on the back of her head, stroking her hair gently. Her wide eyes stared at nothing. All she could feel was confusion and emotions. "You probably did all this¡­" Scott murmured softly. "¡­ because you''re looking for an excuse to experience something you''ve never been allowed to. Right?" Her breath hitched. "N-, No¡­ I don''t know what you''re talking about¡­" Again, she tried to sound rude, but it just didn''t come out the way she wanted©¤©¤she always sounded polite, sweet, and most of all¡­ angelic. Scott chuckled lightly. "You probably woke up one morning as a kid and were told, ''You''re going to marry your cousin, and that''s final.'' You didn''t get a say in it, did you? You didn''t get to enjoy silly crushes, or falling in love, or even making mistakes." He paused as his hand still stroked her soft hair. "To be right for whoever you''re meant to marry, you were probably forced to be perfect. But that''s not fair¡­ because humans can''t ever truly be perfect." Nadia pressed her head against his chest, harder this time. Her hands gripped his shirt tightly as tears welled up in her eyes. ¡ºThat''s¡­ that''s all I''ve ever wanted *sniffle* for someone to really get me, yunno?¡» Her fingers clawed against his back. In that moment, she wanted more than a hug from him. If only she could identify what it was. Scott''s voice softened even more and the tenderness in it made her chest ache. "It''s fine, Nadia. You''re fine." Her tears spilled over as she buried her face deeper into him and her shoulders trembled. From the glass pane of the hospital room door, Gwen watched silently as her face soured at the sight. She looked away after a moment, nodding faintly to herself as her expression was one of both sadness and resignation. ¡ºIs this¡­ the sort of love Mom said I wasn''t worthy enough to give Scott? Or is it¡­ because I wasn''t old enough to really ever understand where he''s coming from¡­ I want to grow into someone who can really connect with him in a way that doesn''t bring out my horrible side, and yet it''s hard to tell what that version of me would be¡­¡» Her face soured more. ¡ºHow do I become more to him when he has so many around him¡­ I honestly don''t know¡­¡» Back outside, Scott gave Nadia three pats on her head. Then, carefully, he cupped her cheeks in his hands and lifted her tear-streaked face to meet his eyes. "You don''t have to worry about that anymore. If you still want us to be close, I''ll make sure it happens. I''ll make sure you get to experience everything you want. Whatever you want us to do together, I''ll do it without even asking any of those teasing questions. Alright?" Nadia''s watery eyes stared into his, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. Scott leaned closer and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead. When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes again and smiled. "Alright?" Nadia tried desperately to speak, but all that came out was a broken, teary "N-, Nyah¡­" nothing else. She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded instead. With that, she dove back into his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Scott''s eyes widened slightly in surprise at her sudden embrace. "Uh¡­ Nadia¡­" He stared down at her curvy body. "Your nipples are¡ª" "Don''t ruin the moment¡­" she sniffled, cutting him off. Scott blinked, then nodded. "Right¡­ my bad." And then, he hugged her tightly, holding her as if he''d never let go. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ City Hall, New York¡­ There was an enormous crowd, Civilians were packed shoulder to shoulder. Reporters jostled for better angles. Camera drones hovered silently as their lenses trained on the stage where Mayor Benedict Johnson stood at the podium, flanked by soldiers maintaining strict security. The Mayor adjusted his tie as his eyes scanned the crowd with absolute calmness. On the left side of the crowd, away from the spotlight, stood Rope Girl and her team. To the civilians, they didn''t really seem like heroes. They came across more like superpowered cops, and the way they stayed so serious, refusing to crack even a single smile for the camera, only made that comparison feel spot on. However, Deathmark seemed like she''d rather be anywhere else, with the way she kept her head low and lingered at the very back, deep shame on her face. Her discomfort was clear and painful. She looked ashamed, as though she were naked and everyone was staring at her. On the opposite end of the stage stood Lymtos©¤©¤the Chairman of the Hero Agency. One the opposite end of the stage was an elderly man dressed in a sleek, tailored suit. It was the Chairman of the Hero Agency, Lymtos. Next to him stood Lady Fortress, Miss Mercury, and Pulsar. The crowd''s attention naturally gravitated toward them as the Mayor prepared to speak. Pulsar''s eyes roamed the scene. She stared at Rope Girl''s team. Leaning closer to Miss Mercury, she spoke. "Is it just me, or does this whole setup feel¡­ off? Like, the Chairman shouldn''t even be here for this, and Rope Girl and her team look like they''re at a funeral." Miss Mercury''s face tightened as she subtly shifted her gaze toward Rope Girl. "You''re not wrong. It''s weird. And they''re staring daggers at us. Look." As if she could feel Miss Mercury watching her, Rope Girl turned her head slightly and shot her a sharp, deliberate side-eye before looking straight ahead again. The casual way she did it almost made Miss Mercury feel like Rope Girl saw her as nothing more than a pile of unimportant trash. Miss Mercury clicked her tongue in irritation. "Tch. Stupid bitch¡­" Before Pulsar could respond, the Mayor cleared his throat to command everyone''s attention. The murmurs ceased as he leaned into the microphone. "Today marks another praiseworthy occasion." His voice touched every part of the plaza. "In our darkest hour, when despair threatened to overtake us, these superheroes stood tall. They donned their colorful costumes and fought with every ounce of their strength to protect us, the people of this great city. Their courage and sacrifice embody the very promise of the Hero Agency: to shield humanity from the dangers we cannot face alone." He turned to Lady Fortress, Pulsar, and Miss Mercury, gesturing grandly. "As a token of our gratitude, these three remarkable heroes will be awarded the Medal of Honor for their unshakable service and unparalleled bravery. Let this be a reminder of the love this city holds for its protectors and an encouragement to them to continue their noble work." The crowd erupted into applause, though not without whispers threading through the noise. "What about Nightwatch?" someone asked. "Yeah, wasn''t he one of the hardest fighters out there?" "Nah, the public''ll never accept a guy like him. Garbage." "Have you forgotten how he looked like a literal demon in that suit of armor¡­ I didn''t feel safe at all." "Oh, so now you''re saying shit like this? Piss off." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Metro City Outskirts¡­ Miles away, a sleek GT-R sped down the dry earth. Rhinoman was behind the wheel. His grin was as wide as it was mischievous. "Man, this ride is sweet!" His muscular hands gripped the steering wheel like it was the Holy Grail. In the passenger seat, Nadia sat with her arms crossed as her forehead pressed against the cool glass of the window. She tried to block out the exaggerated giggles and muffled kissing sounds coming from the backseat. "Can you two keep it down?" She snapped without turning around. In the back, Scott sat sandwiched between Gwen and Brigid, who clung to him like rival vines fighting for sunlight. Gwen was curled around his right arm, while Brigid had his left, each trying to outdo the other in proximity. "Do I take a left here, sir?" Rhinoman asked, respectfully glancing at Scott through the rearview mirror. Scott nodded absently, trying to keep his composure. "Y-, Yeah¡­ Left." Undeterred by this, Brigid leaned in close. "Aww, come on, just one little peck? I promise I won''t¡ª" "No pecks, Brigid." "Jeez, but you peck friends, don''t you?" "Sigh~ Brigid, I''m not going to let you peck the cap of my friggin'' penis, alright?" "PLEEEAAAASEE!" Scott turned his head away before she could finish. Gwen smirked, then yanked him closer to her side. "As if. If anyone''s kissing his cock, it''s definitely me. I''ve earned it. I''m his official extra girlfriend. You''re just¡­ what? Background noise?" Brigid''s eyes narrowed. "Oh, real mature. At least I''m not settling for scraps. Keep being proud of that second-place trophy, blondie." Gwen''s grin widened. "Well, at least I can do this." She suddenly reached down and grabbed Scott in a way that made Nadia''s head snap around. Gwen''s hand was grabbing something bulging underneath his pants and the freedom she had to do that made her cheeks go hot as steam shamelessly exited her mouth. ¡ºI wish I could touch it¡­ raw¡­¡» She chomped down on her lower lip, trying to hide the freaky, obsessive, monstrously aroused look that was weirdly appearing on her pretty face. But Scott didn''t even flinch. Brigid gasped in horror as her face went pale. She yanked her blouse open to reveal her lacy bra. It was the first time Scott was really seeing just how round and surprisingly big Brigid''s breasts were. She was the same age as him but her breasts were suitable enough to drag with older women. "That''s it! Lord Nightwatch, you can do whatever you want to me¡ªanything¡ªas long as it shuts this dumb blonde up! I don''t even care if you assault me like your dirty toilet rag, I''ll take it all like a good girl, nyah~ ??" "Nyah?" Scott''s face squeezed. Brigid raise a brow. "It''s an anime thing¡­ neko girls are usually sex slaves¡­" "So you want¡­ to be my sex slave?" "Pssssh©¤©¤that''s such ''would you rather have one dollar or two'' ass question. I wouldn''t call my self a sex slave of my Lord Nightwatch¡­ it''s an obligation." "Uhm¡­" Scott didn''t know how to respond. Nadia gritted her teeth, desperate to intervene. ¡ºOnly Emma gets to do all that!¡» She squeezed a fist tight. Scott sighed as his patience thinned. "Nadia, it''s fine. Don''t worry about it." Nadia hesitated, but she turned back toward the window. Rhinoman cleared his throat awkwardly. "So¡­ Uh, we''re keeping this whole thing quiet, huh? Cool, cool. But maybe just a little hint about where we''re going?" Scott leaned back, exhaling deeply. "We''re going to our new headquarters." Rhinoman raised an eyebrow. "Headquarters?" Scott''s lips curved into a small smile. "The Overwatch Agency." Chapter 113 The Overwatch Agency Outskirts of Metro City¡­The GT-R tore across the desolate desert landscape. The scenery was stark. Dry, cracked earth stretched endlessly, interrupted only by the occasional gnarled tree or wandering coyote. The sun blazed overhead. Rhinoman drummed his thick fingers against the steering wheel, squinting at the horizon. "So, uh¡­ I''m not seeing anything¡­" He muttered, tilting his head to get a better look at what appeared to be absolutely nothing. "This whole area''s just sand and lizards, boss. You sure this is the right place?" From the passenger seat, Nadia jabbed a finger forward. "Keep going straight. We''re not there yet. You''ll hit the canyon soon enough." Rhinoman raised a skeptical brow. "The canyon? What canyon? I don''t see a canyon." Scott leaned back and did his best to ignore the warm, smothering sensation of Gwen and Brigid clinging to him like starved leeches. He sighed, exasperated but resigned. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just keep driving. We''re almost there. It''s only a bit further before w¡ª" Before he could finish, Brigid shifted closer and planted a quick, mischievous kiss on his chin. "Mwah~! Almost there, huh? Guess I better make every second count!" She purred, giggling like a schoolgirl up to no good. Scott groaned. "Brigid¡­" From the other side, Gwen pulled him tighter against her soft breasts, smirking victoriously. "Relax, dude. You know she''s just doing too much because her lonely, freaky ass is jealous, psssh!" Brigid narrowed her eyes. Her adorable cheeks puffed indignantly. "Oh, please. Keep talking like that and I''ll show you who''s the ''extra.'' tch©¤©¤bitch¡­" She turned her nose up. "Let''s see if your dumb blonde act wins over Lord Nightwatch when I¡ª" "Ladies, please!" Scott cut in with a strained voice. He shot Rhinoman an apologetic look through the rearview mirror. "Just focus on the road." Rhinoman chuckled under his breath. "Got it, sir." He shifted gears, accelerating down the dry path. ??? After another minute of driving, something massive began to emerge on the horizon. A colossal shadow stretched across the land, growing larger as they neared. Rhinoman blinked and leaned forward and his grin faltered as the sheer scale of the structure became clear. "What the hell¡­?" he muttered, slowing the car. Even Gwen and Brigid paused their tug-of-war over Scott''s arms as they stared out the window. "Holy¡­" "Smokes¡­" Their jaws dropped in unison. Nadia smirked knowingly but kept her eyes ahead, while Scott leaned his head back with a quiet, self-satisfied smile. The structure was nothing short of monumental. Built into the cliffside of a massive canyon, the structure rose high into the sky, its sleek, geometric design both impressively striking and intimidating. Its dark, sharp-edged architecture contrasted sharply with smooth white plating that gleamed under the desert sun. Floating anti-gravity carts zipped along its surface, carrying glowing green minerals from sewer-like openings set into the canyon walls. Despite its towering size, the hyper-advanced facility seemed to merge naturally with the rugged landscape, as if it had grown out of the earth itself. Gwen finally broke the silence. "It looks¡­" "¡­ Amazing," Brigid finished. Rhinoman''s jaw slackened as he stared up at the beautiful megastructure. He let out a low whistle before swiveling around to face Scott. "No way¡­ All this time, I thought you were just some vigilante with a fancy suit. But this? This is billionaire-level shit, boss. Multi-billionaire, even." Scott raised an eyebrow. ¡ºHe''s calling me boss already? Well, I''m gonna be his Chairman soon, so I guess it''s better he gets used to it now? Still weird though¡­¡» He shrugged. "Uh, trust me. I''m definitely not a billionaire." Rhinoman threw his hands up, nearly losing control of the wheel. "Then how the fuck did you build this?!" Scott smirked but didn''t answer as he let Rhinoman stew in disbelief. Gwen turned her wide-eyed stare on him. She shook him like a ragdoll. "Okay, spill. When did you even do all this? And how? This has to be, like, fifty billion dollars at least!" Scott tilted his head thoughtfully. "Eh¡­ It''s not that high¡­ probably." Before Gwen could press further, Brigid yanked Scott toward her side, sticking her tongue out at the blonde. "Hah! As if Lord Nightwatch would waste his time explaining anything to you, dumbass. Go home and cry about missing the chance to penetrate his fine a¡ª" "Brigid¡­" Scott warned. She flinched as her face turned pink. "I-, I wasn''t gonna say anything bad!" She twiddled her fingers as her adorable voice dropped to a mumble. "I just think we can all agree Lord Nightwatch has, uh¡­ a glorious behind¡­" Scott dragged a hand down his face. "Now''s really not the time." Nadia snorted, barely hiding her amusement. "Uhm, Mr. Rhino, just drive into the compound. We''ve got work to do." "Right¡­" Rhinoman muttered, shaking his head as he eased the car into a tubular-shaped passage at the base of the structure. The passage was wide enough to fit several vehicles side-by-side and illuminated by pale, blue-tinted lights embedded in the walls. As they descended further, the road opened into an expansive white hall. Hovering robots approached the car. Their sleek designs matched the aesthetic of the structure. With efficiency, they opened the car doors and offered a welcome into the facility. Scott stepped out, then straightened his coat as he surveyed the hall. He turned to his companions. "Welcome to the Overwatch Agency." Gwen and Brigid exchanged stunned glances before Gwen finally blurted. "You''re seriously going to explain all this later, right?" Scott smirked faintly. "We''ll see." ??? Moments Later¡­ The white hall stretched out before them. Every surface gleamed, reflecting a pristine brilliance that seemed almost unearthly. The sound of distant advanced machinery and the occasional whir of hovering robots was constant. Brigid clung to Scott''s side like a magnet as her head nestled against his chest as if she belonged there. Her smile was radiant. As much as she was invested in the futuristic beauty of the headquarters, nothing seemed more beautiful than the feeling of sticking so close to her mentor after over a week of not seeing him. "This place is incredible¡­" She murmured, but panicked instantly. "N-, Not as beautiful as Lord Nightwatch though!" "Uh-huh¡­" Scott dully replied. Right after, he glanced down at her. "You''re really gonna trip if you don''t watch where you''re walking." Brigid let out a playful huff. "Then catch me if I do, my lord." Gwen trailed just a step behind as her wide eyes scanned every inch of the hall. The sheer scale of the place left her momentarily speechless. Finally, she found her voice. "Wow¡­ Okay, seriously, you couldn''t have at least told me you were building a freaking space-age fortress out in the middle of nowhere?!" She gestured wildly at their surroundings. "This place looks friggin'' amazing. Like, imagine the kinds of parties we could hold here!" Nadia, who walked with her usual unshakable poise, raised an eyebrow at Gwen. "Parties? Really?" Gwen turned to Nadia as her expression shifted instantly. The image of Scott and Nadia hugging each other with so much emotion at the hospital flashed into her mind, and her mood darkened. Her lips curled into a slight sneer. "I really don''t see how that''s any of your business. Did I ask you, Nadia?" Nadia blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What? There''s no reason to be rude." But Gwen was already glaring at her, fists tightening at her sides. ¡ºI can''t stand this bitch¡­ what''s so good about her?¡» Enjoy exclusive content from empire Another image flickered in her mind¡ªScott pressing a gentle kiss to Nadia''s forehead. Her chest tightened, and a very bitter thought bubbled to the surface. ¡ºWhy does he do romantic things with her so easily, but not with me? I''m his first kiss. I''m his first everything¡ªbesides sex, obviously¡ªbut he''s never even tried anything with me. I''m not saying he should, like, jump me or something¡­ but a kiss or two wouldn''t hurt.¡» Her urge to be more for him refused to perish. She wanted everything she imagined her relationship would be, but there were always obstacles. ¡ºSigh~ what''s wrong with me?¡» Steadying herself, Gwen''s glare hardened. "And there''s no fuckin'' reason for you to be talking to me either, so piss off." These words came out without a stutter. She truly meant it. It left both Scott and Brigid momentarily stunned. Scott opened his mouth to say something, but Nadia raised a hand to stop him. Her expression was calm, though there was a faint spark of something unreadable in her eyes. "It''s fine¡­" Nadia said quietly. Without another word, Gwen stormed ahead, her face set in a scowl. She caught up with Rhinoman, who was still gawking at the sleek walls and advanced tech like a kid in a candy store. Brigid watched Gwen leave, then glanced up at Scott. "What''s her deal?" Scott sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wish I knew." He watched Gwen from a distance. She was fiddling with her bangs, pretending to be engrossed in the surroundings, though it was clear she was trying to distract herself. The group walked on in silence for a few moments until they reached a massive door. Rhinoman stopped short, squinting at it. "Huh?" Before anyone could respond, the door parted open with a smooth hiss, revealing a vast, voluminous laboratory. The lab was breathtaking. Its high ceilings stretched into the heavens, and the space was divided into multiple levels. Each level housed hyper-advanced technology. Below, sleek vehicles were arranged in neat rows¡ªScott''s vigilante arsenal, including a high-tech automobile, an off-road tank, and a massive display of weapons. From retractable swords to tonfas and specialized handguns, the collection was amazing. Several super suit pods lined one wall, each holding variations of Scott''s ATAM series suits. Rhinoman''s jaw dropped. "This is¡­ this is insane. Whoa¡­" Before anyone could respond, three familiar figures stepped into view: Mr. Sphere, Ruse, and Gadget Girl. Rhinoman''s eyes widened further. "No way! They''re here?!" He whipped around to face Scott. "It''s really them, aha-ha! I''ve been trying to reach them for days, but I was stuck in the hospital. I thought something might''ve happened to them!" Nadia stepped forward, then crossed her arms. "That''s on me. Scott brought them here right after the fight with that Red thing. They''ve been recovering and adjusting to the place since then." Rhinoman nodded slowly as relief washed over him. "Good to know." Brigid frowned slightly. "What about Marcus?" Scott placed a reassuring hand on her head, then gently ruffled her hair. Unsurprisingly, Brigid bent her head even more and took the hair ruffling like a cute little golden retriever. She even grinned excitedly, as if she were being blessed with a special kind of treatment she had always wanted. In fact, she got so into it that she held Scott''s hand with both of her hands and kept it pressed against her head so he could continue rubbing her hair. "Uhhh¡­ Brigid¡­" said Scott. He tried to remove his hand, but she wouldn''t budge. "Brigid?" "Just one more second, sir!" She moaned a bit and continued to rub his hand against her head like it was some kind of comb. Scott used some force and finally pulled his hand away. This immediately made Brigid frown. "Shit¡­" "What did you say?" Scott gave her a stern look. Brigid immediately acted like an angel and turned away, twiddling her thumbs. "Nothing¡­ ?" Finally, Scott focused back on her question. "He''s still in the Recovery Room, but don''t worry. He''s unconscious, but he''s stable. Marcus''s injuries were a bit more severe because of his lower durability, so his recovery''s taking longer. But he''ll be fine. No doubt about it." His expression softened. "I have to make sure he''s fine. Emma didn''t want to leave for her medal ceremony until Marcus was better, but I managed to convince her. I''m glad I did." Gwen, who had been quietly observing, suddenly shot Scott a sour look. "Of course. It''s always about Emma, isn''t it?" Scott blinked. "Huh?" Realizing what she''d said, Gwen''s face flushed red. She folded her arms like a stubborn child and turned away. "N-, Never mind¡­" Scott stared after her, then exhaled a slow breath. Brigid tilted her head, confused. "What''s her problem now?" Scott didn''t answer immediately as his eyes lingered on Gwen who pretended to admire a wall panel. "I have no idea¡­" ??? The group walked through the expansive laboratory. Scott glanced at Rhinoman, who was still gawking at everything around him. With a heavy sigh, Scott stepped past Gwen, who stiffened as he moved by, and stood next to Rhinoman. "Rhinoman¡­" Scott spoke firmly. "You probably don''t realize this, but I saved your life before I got you to the hospital." Rhinoman blinked, his wide-eyed expression faltering. "Wait, what? What do you mean?" Scott''s gaze stayed steady. "If I hadn''t carried out treatment on you before I got you to the hospital, it''s possible they wouldn''t have had the facilities to treat you. Hell, they might not have even tried. You''re just a newbie hero. You don''t have the fame or connections that make people prioritize you." Rhinoman''s shoulders slumped slightly. "I¡­ I didn''t think about that." Scott''s tone softened, but his words remained firm. "Well, you should. Because out there, it''s not just villains who''ll let you die. The system will, too, if it doesn''t see enough value in you." Rhinoman nodded slowly. "Harsh¡­" said Nadia. Scott turned his attention to the others. His eyes landed on Gadget Girl, whose small frame seemed to shrink further under his gaze. "Gadget Girl¡­ I got a special scar-dampening gel for you. It helped remove all your scars. If there''s one thing I hate, it''s scars on women." Gadget Girl''s eyes widened, and she immediately bowed her head several times as her voice quivered. "Sh-, Sh¡­ thank you, sir! I-, I''m really grateful for that! A-, And for letting me use all your tech here!" Scott chuckled softly. "It''s fine. Just don''t break anything." Gadget Girl straightened. Her cheeks reddened as she fidgeted with her hands. It was clear she was an awkward mouse around people like Scott. Meanwhile, Gwen instinctively rubbed the side of her arm. ¡ºHe''s right about that¡­ If it weren''t for him, those burns I got would''ve left me looking like a freak for life. But now? Now I have my face back¡­ Maybe I should stop looking for more and just be glad Scott still sees me as important, even after all the trouble I cause him.¡» Scott''s gaze moved to Ruse next. "Ruse, you had 32 broken bones and severe internal bleeding. But you''re standing here now because I handled it." Ruse didn''t say a word. His head dipped in a slow nod. Finally, Scott turned to Mr. Sphere. "And you¡­ You lost both your arms." The room seemed to hold its breath as Scott continued. "I''m sorry I couldn''t help you recover them, but at least the cybernetic replacements will increase your efficiency with your sphere powers." Mr. Sphere nodded. "Thank you. I owe you." Scott took a step back as his eyes swept over the group. He crossed his arms. "One way or another, all of you owe me your lives. And I''m not stupid enough to not collect favors when they''re due." Rhinoman''s face twisted in surprise. "Wait, you''re gonna¡­ take money from us? I don''t even have enough to support my family, let alone pay back all those hospital bills! Registered heroes get free treatment from the Hero Agency! That''d be much be¡ª" "Wait." Scott''s single word cut through Rhinoman''s panic and silenced him instantly. Scott''s tone shifted, firm but not unkind. "You all showed me something out there. You proved that you''re heroes for more than just fame or money. That''s the kind of people I can trust to fight alongside me." He gestured to the lab around them. "Here, you''ll have all the sponsors you need. All I''m asking in return is for you to join me as the first official members of the Overwatch Agency¡ªa body that''ll stand as the true image of ideal heroism." He held out a hand. "So, what do you say? Is that fine?" There was no hesitation. One by one, the newbie heroes placed their hands on top of Scott''s. Rhinoman, Gadget Girl, Ruse, and Mr. Sphere all looked at Scott with a newfound sense of purpose. Brigid eagerly joined in. So did Nadia. Scott''s eyes shifted to Gwen, who stood a few feet away, arms crossed and lips pursed. "Come oooon~" He spoke with much tease. "You''re not gonna join in?" Gwen scoffed and turned her head away. "As if you''d want a nuisance on your team." Scott smirked. "Come on~. Where''s the pant-sniffing pervert I kn¡ª" Before he could finish, Gwen rushed forward as her cheeks burned red. She slapped her hand on top of the stack and glared at him. "Alright, alright, alright! Just¡ªjust don''t bring that up every microsecond, okay?" Her voice wavered with embarrassment, but her eyes held a deep, unspoken emotion as they locked onto Scott''s. Nadia watched the two with a faint, forced smile. ¡­ Hnn~ Chapter 114 Medal Ceremony, Final Business Leisure Room, Overwatch Headquarters¡­A holographic screen displayed the live broadcast of the medal ceremony. Rhinoman stood with his arms crossed as his massive frame nearly blocked the screen for the others. Gadget Girl leaned against the back of a chair, absently tinkering with a small gadget in her hand, while Ruse and Mr. Sphere stood nearby, whispering something among themselves. On the plush sofa, Scott sat comfortably, Brigid fast asleep with her head resting on his lap. ¡­ snooooree~ His fingers gently combed through her hair as Gwen sat beside him, her head leaning against his shoulder. Her eyes stayed glued to the broadcast, but every so often, she''d glance at Scott with a faint smile on her lips. The smell of something savory wafted into the room as Nadia entered, carrying a huge steaming pot of noodles. "I hope I''m not too late!" She sounded light and cheerful. "Please tell me they haven''t started yet. I can''t miss this!" Scott glanced up with a small smile. "You''re just in time." Nadia grinned and approached with a bowl and fork in hand. As she neared Scott, she held the bowl out but pulled it back just as he reached for it. "Wait. Taste it first¡­" She teased and twirled a bundle of noodles onto the fork. Scott chuckled, opening his mouth as Nadia fed him the hot, saucy noodles. He chewed thoughtfully before breaking into a smile. "Mmm. That''s really good." Nadia beamed. "Right? I nailed it this time." She leaned down and planted a quick, soft kiss on his cheek. "For being my taste tester." Scott raised an eyebrow at her. But Gwen''s mood shifted instantly. She straightened, frowning as her head left Scott''s muscular shoulder. "Some friend you are, Nadia¡­" Her words came out like bullets. "How can you just¡­ comfortably kiss him like that? You know he''s dating your best friend." Nadia straightened, holding the bowl and fork with casual confidence as she turned to Gwen. "Maybe you''re as ignorant as the average teenager, but Scott''s my friend. It''s just a greeting, nothing more. Not everything has to be sexual, Gwen." She tilted her head slightly as a smirk marked her lips. "Maybe that''s why you don''t have a boyfriend." Gwen''s eyebrows shot up. "HEY©¤©¤!" Nadia tapped the fork lightly against the bowl. Read exclusive chapters at empire "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I need to go take a seat and watch my best friend get the medal she''s deserved for so long." She placed the bowl and fork in Scott''s hands and walked away without another glance. Gwen stared after her, fuming. "Unbelievable¡­" She muttered before turning back to Scott. She placed a hand on his chest as she stared up at him like a defenseless puppy. "Aren''t you going to¡­ you know¡­ say something?" Scott sighed, leaning back against the sofa. "Not really¡­" He sounded so lazy. "I didn''t say anything when you were rude to Nadia a minute ago, so why should I now?" Gwen''s mouth fell open slightly, and she frowned. "That''s not fair¡­" Her voice became a little softer now. "It''s not like you''d even let me kiss you on the cheek without complaining about boundaries." Her voice dropped into a grumble. "You could at least pretend to like me¡­" Scott glanced at her, noting the way her expression had softened into something genuinely hurt. He sighed again, shifting slightly on the sofa. "Alright¡­ if that''s what you want¡­ then feel free." Gwen blinked, startled. "Huh?" Scott shrugged. "You can kiss me on the cheek if you want. I won''t complain." Her eyebrows shot up. "Wait¡ªreally?" "Really." "You won''t complain?" "Not even a bit." Gwen narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are you sure?" Scott groaned as his patience slowly wore off. "Do you want me to take it back?" Her hands flew up in a panic. "No, no, no! Don''t do that!" Her mouth ran quickly. "I just¡­ wanted to be sure, that''s all!" Scott nodded. "Alright then." Gwen hesitated, looking at him from head to toe like she was sizing him up. Then, cautiously, she touched his face. "Just making sure you''re real¡­" She muttered before giving his cheeks a small tug. "Not a robot or something¡­" "Gwen¡­" Scott spoke impatiently. "Okay, okay!" She pulled her hands back. She took a deep breath as her cheeks burned. "I''ll do it. Just¡­ don''t complain, okay?" "I already told you I won''t." "And¡­ maybe smile a little after? It''d feel nice¡­ I guess." Scott raised an eyebrow. "Whatever." Finally, Gwen leaned in as her hands lightly rested on his chest as she planted a soft, stalled kiss on his cheek. When she pulled back, her face was glowing with an unmistakable sense of fulfillment. Scott turned to her with a small smile. "Worth it?" Gwen nodded, resting her head back on his shoulder. "Completely." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Medal Ceremony, New York City¡­ The mayor adjusted his tie at the podium, clearing his throat into the microphone. His voice boomed across the grand hall, where hundreds of spectators eagerly awaited the next segment of the ceremony. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate these extraordinary superwomen who have risked their lives to protect us, it is only fitting to have one of the modern era''s greatest superheroes present their medals of honor. Please give a warm welcome to the one and only¡­ The Peak!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as the curtains parted dramatically. The Peak strutted onto the stage with his signature cocky grin, the kind of swagger that could be felt in every corner of the room. Beside him there was a disheveled female reporter, her skirt slightly wrinkled, her hair a tangled mess. She kept her head low, adjusting her blouse and smoothing her skirt as subtly as possible. Meanwhile, The Peak buckled his belt as his satisfied smile beamed like a neon sign. The crowd''s reaction wavered for a moment. Whispers broke out among some attendees as their eyes darted between The Peak and the reporter. A few raised eyebrows and knowing smirks spread through the audience, but the applause quickly resumed as most people chose to ignore the situation. ??? Leisure Room, Overwatch Headquarters¡­ Gwen folded her arms as she stared at the screen and smirked like a smug, little imp. "He was definitely banging that reporter." Reclining on the sofa with Brigid still fast asleep on his lap, Scott nodded casually. "Yup. No question about it." Nadia sighed, twirling her fork through a bowl of noodles. "I honestly don''t get it. How can someone so¡­ awful still be this popular? People seriously need to get their priorities straight. Ugh!" Scott glanced at her and shrugged. "Agree with you there." He picked up his phone, opened Chirper, and immediately saw The Peak trending. A blurry photo of The Peak and the reporter backstage had already gone viral, with the hashtags #ThePeak, #MedalCeremonyDrama, and #NymphoHero at the top of the feed. The comments were already rolling in: [The Peak can''t even get through a medal ceremony without smashing someone backstage. Absolute legend. Or degenerate. Not sure which.] [HOLY SHIT ???? is that¡­ Brenda from Channel 7? Girl, how much are they paying you?!] [SMH, I''m not even surprised anymore. Peak''s a walking HR violation. Brenda deserves better. Or¡­ maybe Brenda doesn''t? IDK.] [The real question: Brenda''s like a solid 4 at best¡­ so are The Peak''s standards dropping or what?] ©¸ [The Peak''s the kinda guy to smile back at chopped shyt the moment he knows he hasn''t pulled an 8 in a while. I mean, bro literally got smoked by Bella and Jessica in one night ???? how does one recover from that shi LMAO!] ©¸ [Time to consult the coping experts ????] [Say what you want, but he''s still The Peak. He can sleep with half the city, and I''d still scream if he smiled at me.] ©¸ [Just say you a hoe, it''s legal ????] ©¸ [Fr, average "slurp and burp" comment.] ©¸ [Damn, chill bro ????¡­] ??? Scott shook his head, letting out a long sigh. "Honestly¡­ that guy¡­" He placed his phone back on the table and turned his attention back to the broadcast. ??? Medal Presentation Lady Fortress and Pulsar were already standing on the podium, their newly-awarded medals shining under the stage lights. The crowd went wild as they waved to the audience with genuine and radiant smiles. Then Miss Mercury stepped forward as her sharp eyes locked onto The Peak with a glare that could have melted steel. The Peak greeted her with an exaggerated smile, holding up her medal. "Well, well, Miss Mercury¡­" He spoke smoothly, trying to use all his charm. "I was wondering¡­ what do you say we celebrate this heroic moment over drinks later? My penthouse has an incredible view of the city. Pretty sure it''ll sweep you right off your panties¡ªuh, I mean, feet." Miss Mercury clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. "You know, Peak, I''m holding out hope that one day you''ll stop being such a horndog. Maybe then I''ll introduce you to a stray dog from my neighborhood. Should be right up your alley." The audience gasped softly, but The Peak only chuckled, wagging his finger at her. "Hey now, no need for language. We both know I''d never sleep with a dog." Miss Mercury raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Didn''t you hook up with Dog Girl last year?" The Peak''s grin faltered for a split second before he cleared his throat. "Okay, so now we''re being racist? Wow, Mercury. Didn''t think you''d stoop so low." "Racist?" Miss Mercury''s voice rose an octave. "What''s surprising is how you enjoyed it. She stinks like wet fur, for crying out loud! Like¡­ nothing you do surprises me, but I didn''t think you''d sleep with the dirtiest female superhero in the business, blegh¡­" The Peak shrugged. "Say what you want, but she''s great at licking ass, my butthole has never felt so stimulated. I mean, that tongue of hers goes so cra¡ª" "DON''T¡­" Miss Mercury snapped, holding up a hand. "Don''t even finish that sentence." The Peak smirked. "Fine. Just know the only reason I don''t talk to her anymore is because she bit me during, uh¡­ extracurriculars. Friggin'' rabies, man. Total buzzkill." Miss Mercury''s face contorted with disgust. "Can you just give me the medal so I can get off this stage? You''re revolting." The Peak chuckled again, placing the medal around her neck with an infuriating slowness. "Game is game¡­" He stepped back with a wink. ??? Back in the Leisure Room¡­ The Overwatch team burst into cheers as Miss Mercury stomped offstage with her medal gleaming proudly. Scott clapped enthusiastically with a grin on his face. "Oh yeah! That''s my girl!" Nadia punched the air with her fork. "You go, Mercury! Tell that friggin'' slimeball where he can stick it!" ??? Back to the Ceremony Mayor Johnson returned to the podium. His face was calm as he raised a hand slightly to signal the crowd to settle down. Slowly, the applause and murmurs faded into an anticipatory silence. "Ladies and gentlemen¡­" The mayor kept his tone measured. "Before we conclude today''s ceremony, I''d like to invite a very special guest to say a few words. Please join me in welcoming the esteemed Chairman of the Hero Agency¡­ Mr. Lymtos Kazamir Panemorfi." With that, the mayor stepped to the side to make way as Lymtos emerged from the shadows of the stage. The Chairman moved with unhurried steps as his presence somehow carried a commanding force despite his plain, unremarkable face. He wasn''t tall, nor broad, nor particularly striking in any way. Yet, his presence seemed to silence the entire crowd. Not even the faintest whisper could be caught. The audience watched in rapt attention as he approached the microphone with his hands clasped behind his back and his face devoid of expression. ??? Leisure Room, Overwatch Headquarters Gwen shifted on the sofa to snuggle closer to Scott. Her beautiful blue eyes twitched with curiosity as she glanced at the holoscreen. "Oh? That''s the Chairman of the Hero Agency? Never seen him before¡­" She murmured as if Lymtos could hear her. "He looks like one of those silent old men who could ruin your life with a single phone call. Jeez, I wouldn''t wanna be on his bad side." Scott''s eyes lingered on Lymtos''s face. For some reason, he felt a sense of danger. "Yeah¡­ I can see that¡­" There wasn''t anything overtly intimidating about the man¡ªno scars, no sharp angles to his features, no scowls or tattoos. Just a blank, unreadable face. And yet, something about him sent a generational chill down Scott''s spine. ??? sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the Stage Miss Mercury stood off to the side as her medal glimmered under the stage lights. Rope Girl leaned closer with her arms folded as she shot a sidelong glance at her. "So¡­" Rope Girl began casually. Still, her tone still had that formal edge to it. "I''ve been keeping up with Nightwatch''s streams lately, but it seems like he''s been¡­ scarce. Care to explain that?" Her eyes narrowed. The subtle threat in her words were impossible to miss. Miss Mercury exhaled softly. She suppressed the irritation bubbling inside her, then turned to Rope Girl with a polite smile. "Why would I know where Nightwatch is? I mean, I watch his streams too. Love the guy, really. But that''s about it¡­" She sounded so breezy. Like it was a breath of fresh. "Shouldn''t you be the smart one here? I''m sure you can figure it out if you really want to¡­ unless, of course, he''s somehow out of your league." Rope Girl''s condescending smirk deepened. Her eyes narrowed further. "Hmph. It seems those legs of yours aren''t the only thing that''s quick¡­" Miss Mercury yawned theatrically. "And I didn''t know we started hiring socially inept women as heroes. Yet here we are. Maybe next time you should keep your mouth shut and focus on your fanboys simping for you in DMs. Maybe they know where Nightwatch is, seeing as he''s a better version of you." Rope Girl raised an eyebrow, truly unimpressed. "Touch¨¦." Miss Mercury just smiled and held out her phone for a quick selfie. ¡ºHah! Scott''s gonna love this¡­¡» She bit her medal and winked. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤SNAP! She took the selfie. Rope Girl gave Miss Mercury an irritated side-eye. ¡ºThis woman¡­¡» She turned her attention back to the stage. During this time¡­ Lady Fortress stood apart from most of the heroes. Her arms were folded tightly as she nervously stared at the back of Lymtos. She felt visible unease. Something very unusual for her. She sighed heavily as her thoughts trembled. ¡ºI should''ve warned him¡­ she thought bitterly. Nightwatch doesn''t deserve this. He helped me when he didn''t have to, and this is how I repay him?¡» Her face fell further. ¡ºYes, okay, he saw me naked, but still¡­ repaying kindness with betrayal? I''m a disgrace.¡» Her face soured a little. ¡ºA whore and traitor¡­ I know we don''t exactly have any sort of relationship, but I''d still like to think he saved me because he''s a good person¡­ I should''ve done more.¡» ¡­ Sigh~ "Lady Fortress, please lift your head for the cameras!" The shout jolted her out of her thoughts. Forcing a small smile, she turned to face the flashing cameras, though the guilt still lingered in her eyes. Also¡­ Adjusting the microphone with gentle movements, Lymtos finally addressed the crowd. "Today is not your typical medal ceremony." Everyone remained silent. "While we''re here to honor these extraordinary heroes, there is an urgent matter I must address. A potential threat to this city¡ªno, to modern society as a whole. A threat you don''t even realize exists because humanity has a tendency to glorify stupidity and nonsense in the name of entertainment." The crowd exchanged confused glances, murmurs spreading through the hall. Lymtos chuckled softly. A calm smile spread across his wrinkled face. It was a kind smile, almost angelic, yet it sent a tremble down many spines. "I''ll get straight to the point¡­" He tapped on the mic a bit. "The individual known as Nightwatch has exactly ten days to register as a hero under the Hero Agency. If he refuses¡­" His smile widened ever so slightly. "¡­ he will be classified as a terrorist. A strike squad will be sent to terminate him, along with anyone affiliated with him." The crowd erupted into gasps and whispers of shock. Miss Mercury''s eyes widened as she first looked at the lady standing next to her©¤©¤Rope Girl. "No¡­" ??? Leisure Room Scott''s eyes widened as he leaned forward. "Eh?" Chapter 115 Thoughts and Schedules ? t/GovernmentWhore? Medal Ceremony Fallout ?? ©® t/ChimeWatcher001 So, anyone else watch the trainwreck that was the Medal Ceremony last night? I mean, between The Peak being Peak, Miss Mercury annihilating him on stage, and then the Chairman threatening to classify Nightwatch as a terrorist¡­ what in the actual hell is going on with the hero scene? Top Comments: [u/SnackAttack313: Peak''s performance was classic. Guy didn''t even try to hide that he was, uh, busy with Brenda before coming out. Like, my man was BUCKLING HIS BELT ON STAGE. I can''t decide if I hate him or respect the audacity.] [u/HeroFanatic1990: Respect him? Nah, Brenda deserves a public apology. Also, what was with his comeback to Miss Mercury? "Game is game"? Bro, this isn''t a basketball match; you''re just gross.] [u/JusticeJunkie07: Peak''s whole "Dog Girl" bit is gonna live rent-free in my head forever. How is this man still allowed to represent the hero community?!] ©¸ [u/DewDewDrizzle: Imagine fucking Dog Girl bro ???? I remember her ex boyfriend saying he couldn''t deal with her because she doesn''t wash her ass and prefers to let it crust¡­] ©¸ [u/PapiSpicy: Bro what? ????] ©¸ [u/XXLSugarDaddy: I would need to be on the shit Dora the Explorer smokes not to see that I ain''t butt fucking a bitch who doesn''t wipe her ass ???? The Peak a better man than me fr¡­] ©¸ [u/PrinceVon: The "bitch" part be frying me ???? I swear 2042 Dog Girl memes was pure cinema!] ??? ? t/SocietySucks ? Nightwatch vs. The Hero Agency ?? ©® u/PinkGwonda What do y''all think? I don''t really want to seem like I''m yunno, supporting either side¡­ but this sub-threadit has been known to support generally anything that''s not influenced by the friggin'' government. So¡­ yunno, I low-key fuck with Nightwatch ?????¡á? Top Comments: [u/NightwatchStan89: Lymtos Panemorfi''s announcement was pure corporate villainy. Declaring Nightwatch a terrorist for not signing up with the Hero Agency? Really? What happened to heroes being about justice and saving people, not cashing checks?] [u/CapitalistShrugged: Let''s not pretend Nightwatch is perfect. Sure, he''s saved a lot of lives, but have you SEEN the collateral damage he leaves behind? Who pays for that? The Hero Agency at least has the funds to cover damages from their registered heroes. Nightwatch? He just dips after the fight.] [u/KeepItReal21: Collateral damage is part of the job. The difference is Nightwatch fights where it matters, not in carefully staged, low-stakes battles like the Agency''s PR stunts. He''s actually making a difference.] ??? ? t/CelebrityGossip ? Celebs Take Sides on Nightwatch Drama ?? ©® u/PopCultureQueen77 Sofia Hernandez, Bella Trevors, and Jessica Nocturne went on Chirper defending Nightwatch. Sofia''s tweet was a fucking banger: "Nightwatch doesn''t need corporate greed to be a hero. He doesn''t need an agency to dictate what''s right or wrong. He''s out here doing what needs to be done¡ªregardless of politics. #StandWithNightwatch" We know that MILF has eyes for our Nightwatch too, not just tall glass of handsome Scott ????. Surprisingly enough, spoiled Daddy''s girl, Bella Trevors even tweeted: "Heroes shouldn''t need a paycheck to do what''s right." I''m sure Bella''s just saying all this because she''s an industry whore, I swear I hate that bitch and her fat chest¡­ why can''t I be her fr ????. Jessica''s tweet was: "I support him. I''m not saying who. ????" Apparently, she deleted it afterward, which makes sense, considering she has a superhero movie to shoot in Metro City. Supporting a declared terrorist would be bad marketing for the movie¡ªor would it? I can''t say. For now, I think Jessica should back off, as much as I love her and her willingness to support. Thoughts? Top Comments: [u/NoCapJake92: Sofia carrying the "anti-capitalist queen" persona HARD lately, huh? Someone remind her that she''s sitting on a mountain of cash she made from selling designer water bottles and that dumb "eco-friendly" purse line ????. I agree with the tweet tho. Nightwatch >>> those corporate-suit-wearing tools.] [u/AlphaOmegaGamer: Bella''s out here acting like she''s always cared about hero ethics. Girl, didn''t your dad own the agency that tried to sue Nightwatch two years ago? Sit this one out, rich girl.] [u/GoblinKing666: I don''t even care about Nightwatch. I just think it''s hilarious how y''all are turning this into a celebrity Hunger Games. Sofia''s thirst is showing, Bella is pretending to be a good person for likes, and Jessica deleted her tweet because she realized her career might tank. All three of them are clowns.] [u/KarenFromHR69: Nightwatch is a TERRORIST.] ©¸ [Yeah okay, Karen ????] [u/PeachyKween420: LMAO @ "Jessica deleted it afterward." Sis posted with her chest and then folded the second her agent called her. Fake feminist energy.] [u/TeenyTinyTroll: Bella stans crawling out of the woodwork like, "SHE''S SO REAL ????." Nah, she''s just a spoiled Nepo Baby playing pretend activism. Go back to hawking your overpriced makeup, Bella.] [u/EnlightenedTrash94: Unpopular opinion: Nightwatch is what we need right now. Hero culture is oversaturated with "brands" and "icons" who don''t actually do anything. Nightwatch isn''t afraid to get his hands dirty. He''s a modern Robin Hood, and the system hates him for it.] [u/HotCheetosAndChaos: Sofia, girl, you''re too old to be thirsting over Nightwatch. MILF energy or not, it''s embarrassing. Leave the anti-corp hot takes to the 20-year-olds.] ©¸ [You can''t say she tits aren''t amazing tho ????] ©¸ [Yeah, but I hate her accent¡­ ugh ????] [u/DramaKing101: Wait, are we just going to ignore the fact that Jessica deleted her tweet like a little b*tch? I love her, but girl, STAND BY YOUR WORDS.] ©¸ [u/Rando_Critic: Jessica was smart to delete it. Y''all really think she should throw her career away to support some dude who barely acknowledges the laws of physics? Nah. Secure the bag, sis.] [u/WeebIsLife: Bella''s tweet is actually the most logical here. Y''all just hate her because she''s hot and rich.] ©¸ [u/BigBootyEnergy77: Hot? Sure. Rich? Yeah. Logical? Hell nah. Bella doesn''t know what she''s talking about. She''s probably tweeting this from her daddy''s yacht. ©¸ [u/PlasmaBoy99: Let''s be real: celebrities only care about heroes when it makes them look good. Sofia, Bella, Jessica¡ªthey''re all chasing clout. Nightwatch doesn''t need their validation.] ©¸ [u/MoonlightDagger: This. Celebs are just using Nightwatch as their latest trend. Give it two weeks, and they''ll move on to the next "issue."] [u/GossipGoblin69: Not everyone''s on Team Nightwatch, though. Chad Reeve from Late Night Live said, "Nightwatch is reckless and arrogant. Joining the Agency is about accountability, not control." Bro got flamed SO HARD on Chirper.] ©¸ [u/ChimeWatcher001: Flamed is an understatement. Someone replied to his clip with, "The only threat to society is this man''s unfunny monologues," and it got 100k likes in two hours.] ??? ? r/MemeFactory ? Nightwatch vs. Rope Girl Debate Sparks Meme Wars ?? ©® u/DankMemesDaily "BREAKING: Chairman Panemorfi assigns Rope Girl to bring in Nightwatch. Prediction: she tangles him up, and he just laughs and vanishes." Unfortunately the meme guys are running late ???? Top Comments: [u/ItsRopeTime: Rope Girl is legit, though. She''s taken down heavyweights before. Nightwatch''s fans are delusional if they think he''s untouchable.] [u/DungeonCrawler77: Delusional? Nah, I can definitely Nightwatch outsmarting them. Rope Girl doesn''t stand a chance unless she catches him off guard.] [u/Nightwatch4Life: Or maybe she just hits him up with a DM like, "Hey, wanna grab coffee?" Dude''s kryptonite is women with an attitude.] ??? ? r/ComedyCentral ? Konrad Kain Already Prepping for the Roast ?? ©® u/SatireSavant77 Konrad Kain''s gonna have a FIELD DAY with this Nightwatch situation. His last episode was 40 minutes of slandering Nightwatch and somehow making it funny. Top Comments: [u/Powitser6Glock: I swear Konrad be making me laugh for no damn reason ???????? that guy''s a piece of art] [u/PeakLover4Ever: Bruh, Konrad doesn''t even need material. Nightwatch''s whole "I fight for justice, not money" shtick writes itself. Bet Kain''s already got memes lined up.] [u/NightwatchDefender88: Kain is a troll, but sometimes he makes good points. Nightwatch is great at saving people, but he''s also great at stirring up trouble.] ©¸ [u/LalaLand: Kinda makes me glad that he hasn''t streamed in a while yunno. He should really stay safe.] ??? ? r/FightNightDebate ? Nightwatch vs. Rope Girl ¨C Who Wins? ?? ©® u/JusticeNerd101 Nightwatch vs. Rope Girl. Let''s settle this. Who''s taking the W? Top Comments: [u/Fanboy69: Nightwatch, easy. He''s faster, smarter, and way better in combat. Rope Girl''s just another Agency lapdog.] [u/RealHeroFan: Rope Girl, 100%. She''s got strategy, discipline, and resources. Nightwatch doesn''t have the backup she does.] [u/ChaoticNeutral99: Plot twist ¨C Rope Girl captures Nightwatch, and he flips the script by flirting his way out. I can see my boy using one amazing night of pure rizz lines to tap that ass Rope Girl be gatekeeping ?????¡á?] ??? ? r/DramaAddicts Stay tuned for updates on empire ? Dog Girl Drama Overshadows Nightwatch Threat ?? ©® u/HotTeaSpill Okay, can we PLEASE talk about The Peak''s confession that Dog Girl "bit him" during, uh, extracurriculars? The man has no filter. Top Comments: [u/BoneZoneFan: The memes have been WILD. My favorite is: "Dog Girl''s Yelp review of The Peak: 1 star. Bit him to make him leave. Would not recommend."] [u/TrashPandaMemes: Someone edited Dog Girl''s Wikipedia page to say: "Known for heroics and allegedly traumatizing The Peak."] [u/PeakSupporter01: Y''all can clown on The Peak all you want, but he''s still out there saving lives. Dog Girl''s tongue game being legendary is just¡­ a bonus?] ©¸ [u/LuberGooner69: What lives does bro save? ????] ??? And finally¡­ ? r/TheoriesAndSpeculation ? What Happens Next? ?? ©® u/FuturePredictor2025 Here''s what I think: Nightwatch won''t fold. He''ll double down, disappear, and keep doing his thing. The Agency will keep sending heroes after him, and Rope Girl will probably catch feelings. [u/ChirperExpert77: Nah, he''ll fold. The second he sees Rope Girl, he''s signing that contract. You don''t say no to those thighs.] [u/MetaDebateMaster: Or, hear me out, Nightwatch goes full villain. If the Agency wants to paint him as a terrorist, he might as well lean into it.] ©¸ [Nah, that''s definitely not happening¡­] ©¸ [Yup, my GOAT is not that mentally weak ????] [u/PeaceMaker007: Whatever happens, one thing''s clear: this Nightwatch vs. Hero Agency drama is the best entertainment we''ve had this year.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The medal ceremony cleared out slowly. Now, it was just a chilly evening. The throng of heroes, reporters, and attendees filtered through the city square. ??? "Can you believe this, Pulsar?" Jason Larkens'' voice was practically a shout. His face alighted with childlike glee as he clapped a hand on Pulsar''s shoulder. "Your first medal of honor, just weeks after signing with MegaCorp! Absolutely amazing. Absolutely phenomenal. You''re a natural!" Still clad in her sleek, star-themed suit, Pulsar smiled nervously as she avoided his exuberant gaze. "Uh¡­ yeah. Thanks, Mr. Larkens. It''s been a crazy couple of weeks." Jason''s energy seemed to grow even more animated as he gestured wildly and strained his tailored suit with every movement. "This is just the beginning, you know. We''re gonna get you in the next big ad campaign. You and The Peak. Can you imagine it? Boom! Products flying off the shelves! The power couple of the hero world. I''m telling you, the media''s gonna eat it up." Pulsar''s awkward smile tightened. "Oh, uh¡­ about that¡­" She rubbed the back of her neck, shooting a subtle glance to the side. Her eyes landed on Miss Mercury, who was glued to her phone as her thumb moved so rapidly it was a blur. ¡ºEmma¡­ this guy''s so fuckin'' weird¡­¡» Pulsar silently prayed for Mercury to intervene. But Mercury didn''t even look up. She seemed utterly lost in her own world, her brows furrowed as she scrolled through the latest headlines about Nightwatch. Her face had nothing but irritation and worry. ¡ºI hope Scott''s okay,¡» Mercury thought to herself, biting her lip. ¡ºHe''s strong, he can handle this. But the things people are saying¡­ I can''t¡­¡» She exhaled sharply, then closed her eyes for a brief moment before diving back into her phone. ¡ºUgh, I hope he''s not reading this garbage.¡» Meanwhile¡­ Oblivious to Pulsar''s disgust, Jason continued. "So, what do you think? You and The Peak. Medal of honor holders. The perfect PR combo." Pulsar''s smile was now a grimace. She raised her hands as if to stop the verbal avalanche. "Jason, I''m not sure I''m on board with that. I mean, I get that people love The Peak, but¡­ let''s be real. There are plenty of folks who don''t love him. And honestly? They''re not exactly wrong." Jason''s face twisted in exaggerated disbelief. "Wait, what? Are you saying The Peak isn''t a great guy? Because let me tell you, he''s fantastic. You just need to spend some time with him, get to know him¡ª" Pulsar didn''t hear the rest. Her attention snapped back to Mercury, who had suddenly turned and started walking away, still glued to her phone. Without thinking, Maya muttered a quick¡­ "Excuse me!" Then took off after her, leaving Jason mid-sentence. Jason froze, his mouth still open. After a second, he snapped his teeth shut as his face went dark and he shouted after her. "Oh, so that''s how it is, huh? Talk trash about The Peak and then walk away?!" Pulsar didn''t even glance back. Jason fumbled for his phone. "Fine. I''m calling Vincent." ??? "Mercury!" "Hey, Mercury!" Pulsar called out as she flew after the brunette hero. There was no response. Mercury kept walking, her head down, her thumbs still tapping furiously at her phone. "Emma!" Mercury jolted and her head snapped up. She turned, her brown eyes wide and slightly irritated. "What?! What is it?" Pulsar blinked, a little taken aback by the sharp response. But she quickly recovered and forced a smile as she landed lightly beside Mercury. "Finally! I''ve been calling you. You okay?" Mercury sighed, slipping her phone into her pocket. "Yeah, I''m fine. Just¡­ distracted. What''s up?" Pulsar hesitated for a moment, then pulled a folded sheet of paper from her cape and cleared her throat nervously. "Well, uh¡­ I know this is kinda¡­ soon¡­ but¡­" Her cheeks flushed as she glanced away, unable to meet Mercury''s eyes. "I was, uh, thinking about how to¡­ you know¡­ share Scott with you." Mercury stared at her, one brow arched. "¡­ What?" Pulsar''s blush deepened. She unfolded the paper, revealing a handwritten list. "I mean, you and Scott clearly have chemistry, right? And, like, I get it. I do. But I thought maybe we could work something out, you know? Like, a¡­ schedule or something?" For a moment, there was silence. Miss Mercury just stood there, blinking at Pulsar like she''d spoken in an alien language. Undeterred, Pulsar took the silence as her chance to dive deeper into her "solution." She raised a finger like a professor about to deliver a lecture. "So, I was thinking¡­" She sounded very preppy. "Mornings are usually busy for all of us, right? So, while it might seem a little unfair, it makes the most sense for you to spend more time with Scott during work hours." Miss Mercury tilted her head, utterly baffled. "I mean, you''re super fast¡­" Pulsar motioned animatedly as she spoke. "You can multitask at a superhuman rate. You can handle saving lives and sneaking in some quality time with him like it''s nothing. Then I''d have him in the afternoons when things slow down a bit." Pulsar smiled. Her confidence grew the more she explained. "And afternoons are perfect! I could fly him to a nice, cozy forest¡ªhe loves those, by the way¡ªand, you know¡­ just have fun. A small picnic, maybe. He''s always said he enjoys the quiet moments, and I feel like it''d be a good balance." Mercury remained frozen. Her eyes were wide, lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn''t find the words. "Oh!" Pulsar exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers. "I almost forgot the best part!" She sorted through the paper in her hands before pulling out another, slightly crumpled sheet. Clearing her throat, she began to read aloud. "So, I know Scott doesn''t really seem like the type, but¡­" She hesitated, then glanced at Mercury before pressing on. "He, uh¡­ he has dreams. You know, about having a threesome. And I was thinking, instead of making a rigid sharing schedule for who gets to sleep with him, we could¡­ combine forces." Mercury''s brow twitched, but Pulsar either didn''t notice or chose to ignore it. "Four nights out of seven¡­" Pulsar sounded so sincere, so pure. "We all share a bed with him. You know, give him an amazing night together. And then, for the other three nights, you can have him all to yourself for two of them, and I''ll take the third. Fair, right?" Mercury''s expression hadn''t changed, but Pulsar kept going as her cheeks reddened even more. "Also, I, uh¡­ I tend to be a little rough in bed, so I''m not sure Scott really enjoys it as much. Especially since he''s, well¡­" Pulsar''s eyes flashed to Mercury''s fat chest, then quickly away as she muttered. "¡­ tasted all that." A heavy silence settled between them as Pulsar lowered her head and clutched the papers tightly. "I know I''m not exactly his type¡­" It was difficult to admit. Much like swallowing a dry stone. "I''ve seen the magazines he reads. Honestly, I was lucky to score a guy like him in the first place. That''s why I really want this to work, you know? I just hope he''ll¡­" Before she could finish, Mercury suddenly burst out laughing. It wasn''t a polite chuckle or a sarcastic scoff¡ªit was a genuine, hearty laugh that sounded in the quiet square. Pulsar''s face turned red like a tomato as she stared at her, mortified. "Oh my God, Maya¡­" Mercury finally said, wiping a tear from her eye. "You actually wrote all that down?" "I-, It was just an idea!" Pulsar stammered as her voice high-pitched. She crumpled the papers in her hands. "I was trying to be practical!" Mercury grinned and placed a hand on Pulsar''s shoulder. "Listen, Scott''s a big boy. I don''t think he needs a full-on schedule to figure out how to keep his girl happy." Her grip on Pulsar''s shoulder tightened slightly as she gave a slight smirk. "Or girls, plural." Pulsar''s lips twitched into a soft smile, but she quickly pouted and tossed the crumpled paper into the nearest trash bin. "It was really just an idea¡­" Mercury chuckled and nodded. "We''ll figure something out. But I can''t stick around much longer¡ªI''ve gotta superspeed back to Metro City, ASAP." Pulsar''s face lit up slightly. "Because of Scott, right?" There was a hopeful gleam in her eyes that made Mercury hesitate for a moment before nodding. "Yeah¡­" Her voice became very soft now. "But don''t get your hopes up too much, okay? I''ll talk to him, but I''m not going to force anything." Her gaze shifted to the side, almost as if she felt guilty¡­ or perhaps ashamed. "As much as I want you to be happy, I''m not gonna sabotage my relationship and his feelings by pushing him into something he''s not ready for¡­ or maybe doesn''t want. He''s probably still not over¡­ you know." Mercury tightened her fists. "I don''t want him to love me any less¡­" Pulsar forced a laugh, then waved her hand dismissively. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, no, no, I get it. I totally understand. Besides, Scott''s probably over a loser and corporate sellout like me anyway, right? Ha-ha¡­" Her laugh was so fake that Mercury winced, but she checked the time on her phone and knew she couldn''t stay longer. "Call me tonight, okay?" Mercury spoke firmly yet kindly. "We''ll talk more then." Pulsar nodded too quickly a try-hard smile. "Yeah, sure. Okay. Totally." With that, Mercury sped off, leaving nothing but a gust of wind in her wake. The instant she was gone, Pulsar collapsed onto a nearby bench and buried her face in her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she choked on quiet sobs as her body trembled with deep pain and embarrassment. "God¡­ I''m such an idiot¡­" She whispered to herself. It was quite a cold evening. Chapter 116 One Room, Two Ladies Scott''s Room, Overwatch HeadquartersInside his vast, state-of-the-art room, Scott lounged on the edge of his king-sized bed, staring at the holographic screen that floated in front of him. The vibrant blue screen displayed the same message it had for the last hour: [DO NOT LEAVE THIS ROOM FOR SIX HOURS.] Scott tilted his head as his brows knitted in mild irritation. "You know, I don''t get it¡­" He swirled the half-empty water bottle in his hand. His voice was calm, but he was very annoyed. "This is like that one time the System told me to take a left turn on Main Street for no reason¡­ only for a runaway truck to barrel through the intersection a second later." He took another sip of water as his eyes drifted to the metal door on the far side of the room. "The thing is¡­" He frowned slightly. "If it''s that serious, you''d think it''d give me an actual explanation. But no, just this ominous message and¡ª" BANG! BANG! Scott''s head snapped toward the door as the loud knocking echoed through the room. "Scott?! SCOTT?!" Gwen''s voice rang out, high-pitched and desperate. "Come on, it''s not that bad!" It almost sounded like she was begging him. "Sure, you''re now uh¡­ a terrorist, but it''s not like they know your identity!" It was too silent. "R-, Right¡­?" Another round of banging followed, each one louder than the last. "Seriously! Come on, there''s no friggin'' reason to feel bad about it!" Scott sighed, setting the water bottle aside as he leaned back on his bed, then stared up at the high ceilings with a face that could only be described as tired. "I''m not even mad¡­" He spoke thoughtfully to himself. "I''ve been through worse. But locking me up in here is just going to make everyone think I am." He exhaled deeply, clasping his hands behind his head. "Oh well¡­" ??? Outside, Gwen was still pounding on the door. She looked so frustrated. "Scott!" She yelled again. Her flat sneakers squeaked against the polished floor as she shifted her weight impatiently. "Why won''t you answer?! It''s literally not a big deal! You''re making it seem like one!" A soft whisper from a corner of the hallway made her stop mid-knock. She turned to see Rhinoman and Gadget Girl peeking at her from behind the wall. "Is Gwen dating Mr. McQueen or something?" Gadget Girl asked in a hushed tone. Rhinoman shook his head with the like a sage about to impart wisdom on his subordinate. "No, no. Gwen''s more like¡­ the third girlfriend, but she likes to think of herself as the second." Gadget Girl blinked. "Wait. Who''s the first? Miss Nadia?" Rhinoman nodded sagely. "Obviously. And the second would be Little Brigid. Even though the boss doesn''t let her get too close, he lets it slide from time to time." Gadget Girl winced. "Ooof. So Gwen''s like¡­ the fourth wheel that thinks it''s the main wheel because it''s putting in all the effort? Damn, I''d hate to be her¡­" Rhinoman chuckled. "Exactly. Meanwhile, Miss Nadia barely lifts a finger, and the boss still swoons over her. Sure he won''t admit it, but hehe, this old man knows. Honestly, she''s like an angel. No one can escape her charms." As the two continued their whispered exchange, Gwen''s face turned redder and redder. Her fists clenched at her sides as steam¡ªliteral steam¡ªbegan to hiss from her ears and nostrils. "I CAN HEAR YOU!" She bellowed, then spun around to face them. Gadget Girl blinked innocently. "Huh? That''s impossible. Do you have super-hearing or something? We were whispering." Gwen slapped a hand over her face. "You weren''t whispering! You idiots were just talking in a whispery voice!" Rhinoman straightened, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Well, you don''t have to get so sore about it. I was just stating facts." Gwen''s face contorted further. ¡­ THUD! She stomped her foot. "I''m NOT angry!" She shouted as steam shot out more aggressively. Gadget Girl raised a cautious finger. "You¡­ uh¡­ you look angry. I mean, there''s steam coming out of your ears." "It''s my stupid powers, URGH!" Gwen growled, causing the duo to exchange a look before quietly retreating around the corner. As soon as they were gone, Gwen turned back to the door as her irritation still simmered. ¡­ bang©¤©¤©¤©¤BANG!! She knocked again, more urgently this time. "Scott, come on! Just say something! Anything!" It was at this moment that a gust of wind swept through the far end of the hallway. ¡­ zip©¤©¤©¤©¤SKRRRRTTTT!! Miss Mercury skidded to a halt. She pulled off her sleek goggles and let them dangle around her neck. Her brown hair, usually tied into a high ponytail, had flattened slightly during her supersonic sprint. With a small sigh, she slipped the hairband off and shook her head vigorously. Her hair cascaded down in waves, swishing side to side until it settled perfectly into place. "Ahh~ much better¡­" She ran her fingers through the strands, smoothing them with care as she glanced around. Her bright yellow eyes scanned the hallway. The white walls and gleaming metal panels looked identical to every other corridor in the building. Her lips pursed. "Scott said his room should be around here¡­" She murmured, wrinkling her brows. Reaching into her utility belt, she pulled out her phone and tapped on the blueprint of the headquarters. The glowing map rotated slightly as she tried to make sense of the layout. Find more chapters on empire Her eyes squinted. "Wait, this doesn''t feel right¡­ should''ve been two lefts, not three." Just then, her gaze drifted ahead. Far across the hallway, at the very end, stood a massive, reinforced door. Standing in front of it was a blonde woman, knocking persistently. Mercury tilted her head. "Who''s that?" Her brows raised slightly. "Is she¡­ new? Ohhh, maybe she''s the assistant I told Scott to hire?" But her thoughts quickly took a sharp turn as her sharp eyes zeroed in on the woman''s figure¡ªmore specifically, her prominent backside. It was like a massive peach staring back at her. Mercury froze. Her mouth opened slightly in disbelief as she stared at the blonde''s¡­ assets. "What the¡­" she whispered. Her frown deepened, and instinctively, she twisted her own body, craning her neck to glance at her own reflection in the polished wall beside her. ¡ºMy ass is fat, but¡­ this is¡­¡» Her expression soured instantly. "I specifically fuckin'' told him to hire someone who wasn''t attractive¡­" She hissed under her breath. "A gay man, or at least someone over forty! And instead¡­ he picks this?!" Her eyes flicked back to Gwen''s figure as her focus narrowed on the blonde''s impressive proportions. Gwen''s ass was big enough to pay taxes. That was the only way Mercury could envision it. "Are you kidding me, Scott?" She sounded so annoyed. "What, was he trying to make a statement? ''Oh, hey, Mercury, I found someone as hot as you!'' Tch, as if! I''m way better than her¡­" She turned back to check her own reflection again. Her scowl deepened as her hands rested on her hips. "Ugh. I knew I should''ve done more squats this week." Her attention returned to Gwen, and before she could stop herself, Mercury extended her hands outward, framing the blonde woman''s figure as though she were an architect evaluating a blueprint. She squinted, tilting her head. "Hmm¡­" Mercury stuck her tongue out slightly as she calculated imaginary measurements. "There''s no way those are natural, right? Gotta be some kinda¡­ trick, maybe surgery?" With a decided nod, she started walking toward Gwen. "Only one way to find out¡­" As she approached, her thoughts spiraled. ¡ºCome on, it''s not weird. I''ll just ask her routine. Like, hey, what''s your secret? What do you eat, and how many squats per set? Nothing creepy.¡» Her pace quickened slightly. ¡ºMaybe a quick poke¡­ or squeeze. Just to check springiness. For science.¡» But the closer she got, the more her irritation bubbled beneath the surface. ¡ºShe probably is natural¡­¡» Mercury thought bitterly. ¡ºProbably some genetic lottery winner. Or worse¡­¡» Her lips curled into a dark scowl. ¡º¡­ Scott''s horny ass probably hired her on purpose. So fuckin'' unbelievable!¡» Her jaw clenched as an angelic smile began to form on her face¡ªone that didn''t quite reach her eyes. During this time¡­ Gwen knocked on the door again. "Scott, please¡­" She said quietly as her fingers curling into fists. "Just¡­ talk to me, okay? I don''t like seeing you like this. You don''t have to go through this alone." Her voice wavered slightly, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks as she glanced around the hallway to make sure no one was watching. Unbeknownst to her, Miss Mercury had already stopped in her tracks several meters away, ducking behind a corner. "What was that?" Mercury hissed to herself, peeking around the corner. Her amber eyes burned with fury as she watched Gwen''s heartfelt plea. "It''s always the blondes¡­ the ones with more ass than brains. Freakin'' homewreckers!" Her fists clenched as she imagined throttling the woman. Still hiding, Mercury extended her arm toward Gwen, shaking her fist dramatically as a sort of warning. "I''ll kick that smug, curvy butt of yours into next week!" "Hm?" Gwen glanced nervously down the hallway as her bright blue eyes darted from side to side. Her cheeks flushed deeper as she prepped her words. ¡ºHnnn~ this is so embarrassing¡­¡» Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment. "Okay¡­" She exhaled sharply. "I can do this. I just need to¡­ connect with him. Stop letting him push me away." She glanced at the reinforced door again. This time there was determination in her eyes. Scott wasn''t going to isolate himself anymore. Not if she had anything to say about it. "Just¡­" Gwen pressed her palms against the cool, metallic surface and leaned her weight into the door as her forehead rested against it. "Why do you always do this? Why do you shut me out whenever things get remotely difficult?" Her voice trembled but remained steady enough to carry her emotions. "I¡­ I just wish you''d let me in, you know? Let me be part of your world¡ªno matter how dark or gloomy it is." Her lips trembled slightly, but she continued. "I don''t care about the ugly parts, the painful parts, or even the parts you think no one can love. I want all of you¡­ as deeply as I love the side I see every day." From her hidden corner, Miss Mercury''s jaw dropped slightly. ¡ºPssssh©¤©¤cornball¡­¡» Emma peeked around the corner with exaggerated caution as her amber eyes narrowed. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºWhat the hell is she saying?¡» Her fists clenched tightly. ¡ºWho does this chick think she is? She doesn''t get to talk to my boyfriend like that! That''s my job!¡» She nodded firmly and her beautiful face hardened as her anger simmered. Meanwhile, Gwen exhaled slowly as her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her nerves. "Okay¡­" She whispered to herself. "Now''s as good a time as any¡­" She pressed herself closer to the door. Her slender hands trembled slightly as they splayed flat against the surface. "Scott¡­ I''ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time." Her voice grew quieter. There was vulnerability in it¡­ great one. It was a side she always felt uncomfortable showing. But now, things were different. "When we were younger, I really wanted us to¡­ you know¡­ date. I wanted to do so many things with you. Not just the dirty stuff I used to joke about¡­" A faint chuckle escaped her. "I wanted to be close to your heart, but I stopped myself. Because¡­ because¡­" Gwen''s voice stumbled. She bit her lip, and her body tensed as if the words physically hurt to say. Inside the room, Scott stood frozen just a few meters from the door, his water bottle halfway to his lips. His brow crumpled as he listened intently. "Come on¡­ just say it already." Outside, Mercury''s head craned further out of her hiding spot as her yellow eyes held curiosity. ¡ºBecause what? What''s stopping her?!¡» She gritted her teeth. Frustration scraped beneath her surface. ¡ºI swear, if she doesn''t spit it out, I''m gonna¡ª¡» But Gwen finally managed to swallow the knot in her throat. "Because¡­ my mom told me I didn''t have what it takes to love someone like you." The hallway fell silent. Mercury''s eyes widened in disbelief. Scott froze mid-step. Gwen''s voice cracked. "She said¡­ the love and care of one woman wouldn''t be enough. That I''d never be enough. She didn''t outright say you were broken, but it''s what she meant." Her expression darkened as tears glistened in her eyes. "And the worst part is¡­" Gwen''s voice trembled vulnerably. "I believed her. I let her words hold me back for so long, and I hate myself for it." Mercury''s knees buckled, and she slid down against the wall until her butt hit the floor. She hugged her knees tightly as her chin rested on top. ¡ºThe love of more than one woman¡­¡» She stared at her reflection in the polished floor. Her lips pressed into a thin line. ¡ºHave I been loving Scott the wrong way this whole time? Have I been smothering him?¡» She let out a heavy sigh, her forehead touching her knees. Gwen''s voice continued, softer now. "If this stupid door didn''t have anti-phase tech, I''d be in there right now." Her cheeks flushed, but she didn''t pull away from the door. "I''d kiss you so hard, you''d forget how to be sad. I''d¡­" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I''d do anything to prove my mom wrong. To prove that I can love you¡ªthat I''m enough." Her fingers curled into fists, and she sniffled quietly. "Please, Scott. Let me love you¡­ all of you." Inside the room, Scott sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair. ¡ºMaybe I should just step out a bit and¡­¡» He turned toward the door. But just as he took a step forward, a voice suddenly shattered the tension. "SCOTT EVELYN MCQUEEN!" Scott froze mid-step. His eyebrows quickly climbed up his forehead. "¡­Is that Emma?" He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples as he turned back toward his bed. "Maybe the System wasn''t so wrong after all¡­" Meanwhile, Gwen jumped back with a startled yelp. "AHH!" She whipped around until her eyes landed on a furious Miss Mercury. "Wh-, Where the hell did you come from?!" Emma stomped forward. She pointed an accusatory finger at Gwen. "That''s my question! What are you doing here, spilling your guts like this?" Gwen blinked, confused. "I was¡ª" "Oh, I know what you were doing¡­" Emma snapped, her hands on her hips. "And let me tell you something, Blondie¡ªScott doesn''t need some melodramatic confessional!" Gwen scowled as her pretty blush deepened. "Excuse me?! Who even are you?" Emma leaned forward as her glare intensified. "I''m Miss Mercury, his actual girlfriend! And you¡ª" She jabbed a finger at Gwen''s chest. "¡ªneed to back the hell off!" "Eh?" Chapter 117 Plans and Quarrels Scott''s Room, Overwatch HeadquartersScott leaned back on his bed, his legs crossed, as he casually sipped from a half-empty bottle of water. His eyes studied the glowing stats displayed by the System, reflecting off the blue interface hovering in midair before him. [Viewers (Last Stream): 6,003,030] [Donations: $630,000] [Next Stream Estimated Viewers: 1,400,000] [Credit Balance: 3,209,000] Scott took another sip, then clicked his tongue softly. "Hmm¡­ pretty decent¡­" He murmured, almost to himself, before glancing at the translucent screen again. "Hey, System, how much cash do I have in my bank account right now?" The System responded instantly. [Bank Balance: $1,246,065] Scott''s eyebrows shot up as a wide grin spread across his face. Without hesitation, he thrust both hands into the air. "Woohoo! That''s what I''m talking about, baby!" The System interrupted his celebration. Displaying current rewards inventory: The list unfurled before him like a scroll of fortune: [Rewards: Megastructure HQ, Assistant Robots x100, HQ Starter Pack Technology, North Pole Arctic Base, Assault Tanks x10, Dragoon Jets x5, Stealth Cycles x20, Helicarrier ¨C The Varan x1¡­] Scott tilted his head. "Oh, right. I''ve already checked out the mobile HQ, so that''s no issue, but¡­ what''s up with this North Pole base? Like, what''s even the point of it? I mean, it''s cool, but do I need it?" The System answered promptly: [The host determines the purpose of the base. It can be used as a prison, an extraction facility, or even a secure storage site for dangerous technology.] Scott hummed thoughtfully, tapping the side of his water bottle as he processed this. "Hmm¡­ a storage warehouse, huh? That might work. I could use it to stash my tech projects, keep backups of my suits and vehicles¡­ Yeah, that could save me a lot of hassle." [Would the host like to duplicate assets to stock this base?] Scott nodded, then straightened up slightly. "Let''s do it. Hmm, let''s say¡­ 10 copies of each ATAM series suit, 50 assault tanks, 30 dragoon jets, 60 stealth cycles, and, uh¡­ toss in 50 assistant robots to maintain the base. That should do it." The System responded with a brief pause before displaying the cost. [Total cost for duplication: 800,000 credits.] Scott''s eyebrow quirked as he choked slightly on his water. "Wait, 800,000 credits?! That''s insane! That''s gotta be the most I''ve spent on anything, ever. Why''s it so damn expensive? The ATAM series duplication was free, and those suits are just as advanced as all this other stuff, if not more." [Technology modified or upgraded by the host is considered host-produced and incurs no duplication cost. However, unmodified System assets are proprietary and require credits for duplication.] Scott rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he nodded slowly. "Oh¡­ okay, yeah, that makes sense. I guess it''s fair." He leaned back again, letting out a long sigh. "Now I gotta decide¡ªdo I pay up and save myself the hassle, or spend time upgrading all this crap first to save credits?" He placed a hand dramatically on his chest, smirking. "My fragile, recovering body can''t take the stress of overworking right now." Something clicked in his mind. His eyes sparked up with a grin. "Oh, duh! I''ll just get Gadget Girl to help. She''s a whiz at this stuff and probably bored out of her mind right now. Two birds, one stone!" Scott stood up from his king-sized bed, stretching his arms lazily as he strolled around his expansive room with casual yet deliberate steps. The polished white floors sparkled under the gentle glow of the numerous expensive light displays. He took a few small sips from his bottle. "But what should I even upgrade them to? I mean, I haven''t seen most of this gear yet, but I know it''s gotta be advanced as hell. Hmm¡­" He paused mid-walking. "Maybe I could program the assistant robots to double as combat units¡ªlike, turn them from sweet little cleaning bots to full-blown murder machines at the flick of a switch." He chuckled to himself. "Or I could just make an entirely new batch of guard robots with some killer parts from the System Market. Choices, choices¡­" The System dinged again. [Would the host like suggestions for hardware and software blueprints suitable for modifying or crafting advanced robots?] Scott''s lips curled into a grin as he chuckled. "Uh-huh. Now you''re speaking my language. Let''s see what you''ve got." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Room G-3, Overwatch Headquarters It was a spacious living room. One that was supposed to be peaceful, but that wouldn''t be possible with the presence of two furious vixens. The luxurious decor¡ªsoft rugs, velvet curtains, and gentle lighting¡ªdid nothing to soften the heavy hostility between the two women seated opposite each other. Emma reclined on the sofa as her legs crossed elegantly as one manicured hand rested on her knee. Her yellow eyes sparked dangerously as she glared at Gwen. Her expression looked as if she could strangle a puppy¡ªtwice. On the other hand, Gwen sat with her arms folded. Stay updated with empire Her shoulders were confidently raised. A small, cocky smirk tugged at her lips as her bright blue eyes bore into Emma''s. She didn''t flinch under the older woman''s venomous glare. The only person who seemed entirely out of place was Nadia who stood awkwardly between the two combatants. Her hands fluttered nervously as if she could physically smooth over the tension in the room. "Ahaha¡­" Nadia laughed weakly. "L-, Let''s all just¡­ you know, calm down, yeah? No need for all this¡­" She waved her hands in a placating gesture. "I mean, you''re both on the same team, right? R-, Right?" Emma didn''t even spare her a glance. At that point, all she could stare at was Gwen. She stared at the blonde-haired girl like she was a ticking time bomb. "Calm down?" She said with a haughty scoff, then arched a perfectly shaped brow. "I think I''m the one who has every right to be mad here. If anyone''s causing a problem, it''s her¡ª" She jabbed a finger at Gwen. "¡ªthis blonde-haired, dumb-headed, fat-assed bitch is the homewrecker, and she needs to leave." Gwen rolled her eyes dramatically, then leaned to the side of her sofa as she propped her chin on her hand. "Oooo~" She drawled mockingly. There was obvious sarcasm in her tone. "Look who knows how to use big words! That''s so impressive, Miss Mercury. Didn''t think an industry tool like you had it in her." The insult landed like a bomb. Nadia winced, then clutched her head as though the sheer audacity of the comment caused her physical pain. "Oooooo¡­ this won''t end well¡­" Emma''s expression darkened. Her face twisted into a mask of pure fury as she shot up from the sofa. Her finger pointed directly at Gwen. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What the fuck did you just call me?!" Gwen yawned lazily, stretching her arms above her head. "You heard me. Industry tool. You know, you''re like one of those overused brand mascots. Cute for a while, but people are tired of seeing you plastered everywhere." The words sent Emma over the edge. In a flash, she supersped toward Gwen and grabbed her hoodie collar in a vice grip. But before she could say anything, Gwen''s body dissolved into mist, then reappeared a few meters away. She stretched her arms again. ¡­ YAAAAWWWNNN~ She let out another exaggerated yawn. "Uh-huh¡­" Gwen said, smirking as she leaned against the wall. "I guess I can see why you''re stuck at C-rank. You''re sloppy. You fucking suck." Emma''s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles looked like they would tear apart. "Oh, really?" Her voice was low, dangerously calm, as she turned to glare at Gwen. "You know why I''m holding back? Because if I didn''t, I''d move so fast your head would fly off your shoulders, and I''d use your blood as paint." Gwen giggled as her smirk expanded. "Oh-ho~! So scary!" The mock in her voice was truly obnoxious. "I thought you were supposed to be the mature one here? Or has dating Scott, who''s what¡ªsix years younger than you¡ªdumbed you down to the average teenager?" Emma tilted her head as a confident smirk formed on her lips as her hand rested on her hip. "Uh-huh, as if the words of a desperate second-choice loser hold any weight." There was now nothing but condescension in her eyes. Maybe there was no point in arguing with someone like Gwen©¤©¤that was now well obvious. "Let me make this crystal clear, Blondie: even if I wanted to share Scott¡ªwhich I don''t¡ªit wouldn''t be with you. You''re not even a third wheel or a fourth wheel. You''re the spare tire in the trunk¡ªa shitty, deflated one at that." The words hit Gwen like a punch to the gut. She stiffened as her confident smirk shook for the first time. Emma leaned in as her voice dived into a low, insulting whisper that carried nothing but pride. "You know what''s funny about spare tires? They only ever get used when the driver has no other choice. And let me tell you¡ªScott will never need you. He''s going to stay with me¡ªtill the very end. And you?" She leaned closer and pressed her index finger between Gwen''s brows. "You''ll stay outside that door, begging to be let in, while Scott and I make love every single night." "Enough©¤©¤!" The sharp cry struck the tension like a blade. Nadia stood between them now, her face red and her hands outstretched as if to physically keep them apart. "That''s enough! Both of you!" She shouted as her voice trembled with frustration. "This is ridiculous! You''re fighting like children! Scott isn''t some trophy you can win, okay?!" Emma''s glare softened slightly as she stepped back and let out a huff. Gwen swallowed hard and her trembling hands screwed into fists as she stared at the floor. Nadia''s shoulders slumped as her voice went quiet. "You''re supposed to be heroes¡­ not¡­ not this¡­" The room fell silent. Neither Emma nor Gwen said another word. Chapter 118 The Cat Fight Persists Room G-7, Overwatch HeadquartersIt was a smaller, less luxurious room. The walls were plain white, the chairs uncomfortably rigid, and the tension here was much like before. Emma and Gwen sat opposite each other at a plain metal table, their postures stiff and their eyes sharp enough to cut steel. The venomous side-eyes they exchanged could have set the room ablaze if Nadia hadn''t already been standing at the door, arms crossed and glaring at them like an angry schoolteacher. "No!" Nadia shouted suddenly, startling both women into momentarily breaking their death glares to glance at her. "I''m not dealing with this anymore! You two are going to sit here and sort this out now!" She pointed an accusing finger at both of them like a judge delivering a final verdict. "You''re not leaving this room until you make up and start acting like proper women. For crying out loud, Scott''s been declared a terrorist, and all you two can think about is who gets to share him and who doesn''t?! Seriously? I thought you cared about him! But no, clearly, all you care about is who''s more worthy of comforting him!" Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat as her face turned slightly red as she scratched her chin. "Ehhh¡­ I wouldn''t exactly put it like that¡­" She muttered, then glanced at Gwen out of the corner of her eye. "But, you know, I did run all the way from New York to get here, so I think that makes me a bit more deserving to comfort him. Other than the fact that I''m his girlfriend, of course¡­ But hey¡­" She raised both her hands a bit. "I''m not bragging or anything." Gwen scoffed and clicked her tongue. Her arms folding tighter across her chest which made her breasts bounce up quite a lot. "Tch. Of course you had to make mouth about being his girlfriend. That''s, like, your biggest flex, isn''t it?" Emma raised a hand to her chest as if she was clutching her pearls, then acted deeply touched as her lips curved into an annoyingly smug smile. "Awwwn~ How did you know?" She said sweetly, but the sarcasm was ever present. Gwen rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn''t get stuck. "Bitch¡­" She muttered under her breath, then looked away. Nadia slapped a hand over her face with an exasperated groan. "Oh, for the love of¡ª! That''s it! You two are definitely not leaving this room until you make up! If you don''t, get ready to starve and thirst to death in here, because I''m not opening that door!" She jabbed her finger at the door behind her. "Honestly, that might not even be such a bad thing¡­" Gwen rolled her eyes again, this time adding a dramatic sigh. "As if I''d ever talk to this bitchy brunette. I''d rather live off dirt and drink mud than interact with little Miss ''I''m Scott McQueen''s girlfriend'' over here. Tch, mega bitch¡­" Emma smirked proudly as she leaned back in her chair with a self-satisfied expression. "At least the spare tire knows it''ll always stay a spare tire. Your chances of getting with my man are more complicated than the furniture I buy at IKEA." Gwen let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, sure. And you''re probably an oldie stuck in that young, unbelievably hot body¡­" She hesitated for a moment before adding. "¡­ uh, not that I''m saying you''re hot or anything. Just¡­ old. And those IKEA jokes? Wow. So lame. Literally anyone can assemble furniture from IKEA." Emma''s face twisted into great disgust as she pointed an accusing finger at Gwen. "Not always! Some parts are harder to assemble than others, okay?!" Gwen leaned forward with her eyebrows raised as if Emma had just confirmed her point. "Then just use Threadit! Literally, all the answers are there! There are even video tutorials on WeTube! You''re just bitching around." Emma''s lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "Uh-huh. With how you''ve been throwing the word ''bitch'' around, I wouldn''t be surprised if you just learned that word last night, little girl." Gwen scoffed and leaned forward herself, their faces now just inches apart. "Joke''s on you, old hag¡ªI''m older than Scott, and guess what? He uses that word a lot, too!" Emma smirked triumphantly, then pressed her forehead against Gwen''s as her voice dropped into a low, taunting whisper. "Joke''s on you, Blondie. Scott''s fucked me so many times in bed, and trust me¡ªhe''s called me every derogatory word in the book. And yes¡­" Her smirk widened. "I love it when he mercilessly spanks my butt and calls me his good little bitch." Gwen froze. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. "Erm¡­" Shock, horror, and sheer disbelief. They were all written on her pale face. Emma''s eyes widened as the realization of what she''d just said hit her. She slapped both hands over her mouth as her cheeks burned bright red. "I¡ªuh¡ª" ??? Scott''s Room, Overwatch Headquarters Scott watched the entire scene unfold on a holographic display provided by the System. His face was buried in his hands as he let out the longest, most frustrated sigh in human history. "I swear¡­" He held out a fist. "I need to put that woman on a leash¡­" But then his face suddenly soured. "She''d probably like that too¡­" ??? Room G-7, Overwatch Headquarters Nadia stared at the two women in silence for a moment. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her small mouth was slightly open and her arms hung at her sides. The vivid imagery of Emma''s earlier confession lingered in her head, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t shake it. She swallowed hard and finally muttered under her breath. "Well¡­ uh¡­ that was said¡­" Her eyes darted between Emma, who was smugly adjusting her varsity jacket, and Gwen, who looked like she was ready to combust out of sheer awkwardness. Slowly, Nadia took a few hesitant steps back toward the door with her face unreadable except for the slight twitch in her left eye. Without another word, she closed the door firmly behind her and left the two women alone. Emma sighed deeply, throwing her hands up. "Oh, great. Just great! She''s gone. Now I''m stuck with this blonde bitch." Gwen''s eyes immediately narrowed. Her lips curled into a smirk. "Look who''s throwing the B-word around now, huh? Hypocrisy much?" Emma rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, spare tire." She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms, clearly done with the conversation. Just then, the door creaked open a crack, and Nadia''s head peeked back inside. Her eyes shifted awkwardly between the two women before landing on Emma. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then finally spoke. "Uh¡­ I was just wondering¡ªlike, what kind of face does Scott make when he''s¡­ you know¡­ spanking you?" Gwen audibly gasped. "Nadia!" However, Emma seemed unbothered. In fact, she tapped her chin thoughtfully as if this were the most normal question in the world. "Hmm¡­" Her expression was as serious as it was thoughtful. "It''s kinda like¡­ a mix between Vin Diesel and an angry Samuel L. Jackson, if that makes sense? Like, super intense but also low-key hot." Nadia blinked. "Vin Diesel and¡­ Samuel L. Jackson?" Emma nodded as a dreamy smile creeped onto her face. "Yep. And his voice¡­ oh, God, his voice goes so low, it''s like a rumble in your chest. You can barely hear him unless he''s got his hot mouth right against the back of your sweaty neck, breathing all heavy and¡­" She wrapped her arms very tightly around herself as she shivered with excitement. "¡­ slapping you like you''re some rotten meat he''s trying to tenderize. Ugh, it''s so good¡ª" By the time Emma finished, Nadia was biting the tip of her index finger with flushed cheeks as she stared at Emma with wide eyes. Meanwhile, Gwen was squeezing her eyes shut so hard it looked like she was in physical pain. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, and her hands gripped the edges of her chair as if her life depended on it. Her thick thighs were pressed tightly together, and every inch of her body screamed discomfort¡ªor something dangerously close to it. ¡ºUgh¡­ I didn''t know Scott could treat a woman that well. Now I wish I was the one he spanked like that! I''d have his boxers between my teeth, and he''d have his hand on my neck while his other hand just fucked up my butt like he had a black belt in domestic violence. Ahhhn~ ??¡» She pressed her thighs together more. She had the sudden urge to rip her tights off and rub herself right there and then, but the only thing keeping her sane was the shame of doing it in front of them. Emma tilted her head as her brow wrinkled. "Uh¡­ you two good?" Nadia jolted as if waking from a dream. She quickly yanked her finger out of her mouth and wiped it on her pants with a nervous laugh. "Oh, yeah! Totally fine! Great! Absolutely fantastic!" Her tone mocked her words, but she didn''t give either woman a chance to call her out. She straightened up as her expression suddenly hardened. She pointed at both of them with two fingers and her earlier composure returned. "Now listen up, you two. Make up or don''t¡ªhonestly, I don''t care anymore. But if you don''t, you''re staying in here until you do. Got it?" Before either of them could respond, Nadia slammed the door shut with a loud bang. A few moments later, the sound of her heavy footsteps faded into the distance, followed by a high-pitched, girly screech that echoed through the hallways. "KYAAAAAAA~ ??!!" Emma and Gwen froze as their heads snapped toward the door in unison. For a split second, they stared at each other, then instinctively lunged forward, clinging to each other in a tight embrace. "What the hell was that?!" Emma hissed as her voice trembled. "I¡ªI don''t know!" Gwen whispered back. Her nails dug into Emma''s jacket. "Did she just get attacked by something?!" They stayed like that for a moment as their eyes darted around the room, before realizing what they were doing. Both women immediately shoved each other away, their faces flushed with embarrassment. "I wasn''t scared!" Gwen muttered, then crossed her arms and looked away. "Yeah, me neither¡­" Emma replied, brushing off her jacket. "I just¡­ didn''t know Nadia could scream like that. That''s all." An awkward silence settled between them. Finally, Emma stood up and walked to a corner of the room, then slid down to sit on the floor with her knees drawn up. She rested her chin on her arms and sighed. "Look, we''re probably not gonna agree on the whole Scott thing anytime soon. So how about we just stay out of each other''s hair for now, yeah?" Gwen glanced at her, her lips pressing into a thin line. She hesitated for a moment before mumbling. "Yeah. Good." And for the first time since they''d entered Room G-7, the two women sat in relative peace. Whether it would last, however, was anyone''s guess. ??? Scott''s Room, Overwatch Headquarters Scott leaned back in his chair to sip water from a frosted glass as the holographic screen in front of him displayed Room G-7. The two women inside hadn''t spoken a single coherent sentence to each other in hours. Scott smirked and shook his head. "They''ll crack. Give ''em an hour or two, tops. No way those two social butterflies last in complete silence. They''re too outgoing for that." His lips curved upward as he turned his attention to the corner of the screen where the System''s glowing interface hovered. "You know, I gotta hand it to you, System¡­" Scott said, pointing his glass toward it. "I see what you''re doing. You''re trying to get them to be friends, aren''t you? Smooth move, setting this up. If they can get along, it''s one less headache for me¡ªand for you, I bet." The System responded in its usual monotone yet oddly perceptive voice. [The sole purpose of my existence is to ensure no harm comes to the host. Encouraging harmony among your romantic interests is a preventive measure to avoid future complications.] Scott laughed, setting his glass down. "Smart. Real smart. Never thought you''d play the wingman role, but hey, W mans. Good job." He stretched his arms above his head as his eyes flicked back to the screen. "Still, I''ll bet my life savings they''re chatting it up in five hours, max." ??? Three Days Later¡­ Scott sat slumped in his chair, dark bags under his eyes and a drained expression on his face. The screen still showed Emma and Gwen inside Room G-7, but the situation hadn''t changed. They hadn''t spoken a single friendly word to each other. Every attempt to communicate devolved into name-calling, and their stubborn refusal to compromise had reached legendary proportions. Find more to read at empire "They''ve been in there for three days¡­" Scott groaned as he rubbed his temples. "Three days. No food. No sleep. And still no progress." He slapped a hand over his face and sighed deeply. "This can''t be serious. Are they really this stubborn?!" ??? Room G-7 Emma lay sprawled on the floor, her varsity jacket discarded beside her. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face pale, and her hair a tangled mess. She coughed dryly. "So many days¡­ no sleep¡­ no food¡­ no shower¡­ I probably smell like horse shit." She let out a dry laugh, but it quickly turned into a wheezy groan. "But that''s not even the worst part. You know what the worst part is?" Her hand shot up weakly as she stared at the ceiling with a look of despair. "I can''t even masturbate because I don''t have a picture of my sweetie pie. How am I supposed to live like this?!" She slammed her hands back onto the floor and dramatically shouted. "HOW©¤©¤?!" The outburst left her coughing again, and her arms collapsed back to her sides as she lay motionless, staring at nothing. Across the room, Gwen sat slouched in a chair as her legs dangled over one armrest. Her face was equally pale, and she fanned herself weakly with a crumpled piece of paper. "Nadia probably forgot about us¡­" Her stomach grumbled. "This room doesn''t even have air conditioning or a purifier. It just smells like us now. Like¡­ sweat and misery." She groaned, pulling at the collar of her shirt. "It''s so friggin'' hot in here. I just want to strip down and dive into a pool of Scott''s saliva¡ª" Her eyes widened in horror as she quickly corrected herself. "W-, Water! I meant water!" Emma snorted weakly as her lips curled into a faint smirk. "Yeah, well, don''t hold your breath. There''s nothing exciting in this boring ass room." ??? Scott''s Room Scott leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as he watched the scene unfold. "Damn¡­" He muttered to himself. "Imagine both of them naked right now¡­ I mean, I''m a faithful guy, but still¡­ It''s hard not to think about it." He nodded thoughtfully, folding his arms across his chest. Just then, the System''s voice interrupted his musings. [Host, would you like to see them both naked?] Scott jolted upright in his seat. "What?! No! Of course not!" There was a pause before he cleared his throat and added, somewhat hesitantly. "But¡­ uh¡­ if you wanted to make that happen, how would you go about it?" "So the host does wish to see them naked." Scott hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed. "¡­ Maybe. Kind of. Probably¡­ yes." ??? Room G-7 Without warning, a hidden panel on the wall slid open to reveal a sizable, fully equipped bathroom that glowed like a beacon of hope. Bright, clean light flooded the room, momentarily blinding Emma and Gwen. Both women froze with their eyes wide as saucers. "A¡­ a bathroom¡­" Gwen whispered. Emma''s mouth hung open as tears welled up in her eyes. "It''s¡­ it''s beautiful¡­" They didn''t waste another second. Crawling forward on all fours, they scrambled toward the bathroom like parched travelers stumbling across an oasis. ??? Scott leaned back with a satisfied grin as he watched the scene unfold. "System, you''re a genius." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: I can confidently call this one of my favorite chapters. Chapter 119 New Route Room G-7 BathroomEmma reclined in the oversized bathtub. She was submerged in a luxurious bubble bath that smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla. The water was hot and soothing, the kind of warmth that melted away aches she hadn''t realized she had. Her body was cocooned in thick, white suds, and in her right hand, she held a tall glass of flavored sparkling water as its condensation beaded along the rim. She sighed, her head resting against the cushioned edge of the tub as she lazily swirled the water with her free hand. The immaculate bathroom felt like heaven compared to the suffocating room she''d been trapped in. It was spacious, the tiles gleamed under the soft overhead lights, and everything smelled fresh, like citrus and mountain air. Emma tilted the glass to her lips. ¡­ Mmmm~ She took a long sip of the fizzy drink. "I still can''t believe there''s flavored water in here¡­" She muttered to herself as she stared at the glass like it was mocking her. "Flavored water, but not a single crumb of food. What kind of twisted joke is that?" Her stomach growled, loud enough to echo faintly in the bathroom. She groaned, then leaned back further into the bubbles. "When I get out of here, I''m eating a whole buffet before I even think about using my superspeed again. No way I''m running on an empty tank." She paused to stare at the sparkling water in her grasp. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her lips pressed thin. The indulgent calm she''d felt moments ago began to wane as her thoughts drifted to less pleasant places. ¡ºThis whole thing would probably just end if I tried to talk to that Gwen girl. Or at least if I didn''t feel like fuckin'' killing her every 0.2 seconds¡­¡» Her frown deepened, and she tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling. The soft glow of the lights reflected faintly in her glass, but she wasn''t really looking at it anymore. Her chest tightened as an uncomfortable thought wormed its way to the surface. ¡ºBut¡­ maybe it''s not just that. Maybe I''m scared. Scared I''m not¡­ suitable. Not someone Scott could¡­ could even share with someone else. Because apparently, that''s gonna be a thing.¡» She let out a frustrated sigh and her cheeks puffed slightly as she sank lower into the water. The bubbles shifted around her like a soft blanket. Her expression turned petulant, almost childish, as she pouted at her own reflection in the water''s rippling surface. "I can''t believe I''m even considering it!" She grumbled. ¡ºSharing my man? What the hell was I even thinking when I told Maya that? Yeahhhh¡­ I don''t wanna do that. Not really. But¡­ ugh¡­¡» She groaned and dragged a hand down her face. ¡ºIt doesn''t sound as bad as it did at first. Maybe because I''ve already convinced myself? Ugh, screw this.¡» She gently placed the glass of water on a small platform beside the tub. With a long exhale, she slid deeper into the water, letting it cover her shoulders and most of her face, leaving only her head above the surface. The warmth did little to chase away the gnawing thoughts swirling in her mind. ¡ºI wanna believe in Scott¡­¡» Her hands floated listlessly in the water. ¡ºI wanna believe he''s not the kind of guy to love me less just because he has options. That he wouldn''t hurt me like that. But¡­¡» Her lips trembled slightly, and she blinked rapidly to hold back the sting of tears. ¡ºBut even then¡­ would it be his fault? Or mine? It''s so friggin'' impossible to love two people equally. Even parents can''t do that. So how could he? I have a lot of faith in him¡­ but¡­ well, yunno¡­ not that much¡­¡» Her voice cracked as she whispered to herself. "What if he starts seeing me as less important? Less special? Just¡­ one more face in the crowd¡­" The thought hit her like a punch to the gut, and her face twisted in anguish. "I want the full Scott McQueen experience¡­ I want all of his love, not just a piece of it¡­" There was such vulnerability and desperation in her voice. She curled up in the tub and pressed her knees to her floating breasts and wrapped her arms around them like a shield. The bubbles shifted around her as she buried her face against her knees, then groaned softly. Just then, the sound of the bathroom curtains being dragged open startled her. ¡­ SKRRRRRR! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma''s head shot up and her eyes widened in panic as she scrambled to the far end of the tub, nearly slipping in the process. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" She shouted, clutching the edge of the tub as her heart pounded in her chest. Standing at the entrance, clutching a towel that barely clung to her shapely body, was Gwen. The towel was so loose it did almost nothing to cover her, revealing smooth, pale skin and curves that would''ve made anyone do a double take. "Well, uhm¡­" Gwen''s expression was sheepish, her cheeks tinged pink as she avoided Emma''s furious gaze. "Uh¡­ sorry¡­" Gwen mumbled, shifting awkwardly. "I can''t wait any longer. I really need to shower." Emma''s face twisted into a scowl, and she folded her arms across her breasts, bubbles dripping from her skin. "Well, I''m using the bathtub, so you''re just gonna have to wait. An hour. Maybe more. Deal with it." She leaned back smugly, expecting Gwen to snap back with one of her usual insults. Instead, Gwen surprised her. "Uh¡­ alright¡­" Gwen said quietly, nodding without argument. "I can wait an hour." With that, she turned on her heel and walked back into the room, leaving Emma staring after her in stunned silence. "What the¡­?" Emma muttered, her expression baffled. For a moment, she wondered if the lack of food had started making her hallucinate. "The fuck just happened?" ??? Scott''s Room, Overwatch Headquarters Scott leaned lazily against the wall with a tall glass of cold water in hand. The glass was nearly empty as condensation pooled at the base and dripping down his fingers. He took a slow sip as his tired eyes fixed on the security feed displayed on the blue holographic screen in front of him. "Huh?" He muttered, tilting his head slightly as the events in the bathroom played out on-screen. "That''s¡­ weird." The System chimed in as usual. ¡¸The individual designated ''Gwen'' has not consumed any sustenance for an estimated 72 hours. Mental fortitude and emotional stability are currently operating at suboptimal levels.¡¹ Scott stroked his chin thoughtfully and his eyes narrowed as the System continued. ¡¸Conversely, the individual designated ''Emma'' possesses advanced metabolic control, allowing her to manage hunger and fatigue more effectively. This disparity in physical and mental resilience is likely responsible for the lack of confrontation.¡¹ "Hmmm¡­" Scott murmured as he gently tapped a finger against the rim of his glass. "That actually makes sense. Guess the hangry factor isn''t working in Gwen''s favor this time. Maybe this is the opportunity they need to finally¡­ I dunno, make up? Or at least not actively try to kill each other." He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he glanced at the closed door to Room G-7''s hidden bathroom. His shoulders sagged as he sighed dramatically. "Not that they''re making it easy, either¡­" He set the glass down on a nearby counter. "I mean, come on. Six hours I could deal with. But now it''s been three friggin'' days. I have a life, y''know¡­" His voice trailed off as he rubbed at his tired eyes and the corners of his mouth twitched in a faint frown. "Haven''t slept in days either¡­" He grumbled, reaching for the glass and taking another sip of the now lukewarm water. "God, I miss some grass." ??? Discover more stories at empire Room G-7 Bathroom Emma sat in the tub, staring at the bathroom entrance with a frown. The soothing warmth of the water wasn''t doing much to ease the uncomfortable twist in her chest. "Maybe I shouldn''t have been that rude to her¡­" She muttered, her voice barely audible over the faint splash of water. She let out a soft sigh as her elegant brows squeezed. "I mean¡­ she didn''t look happy. At all." With a resigned groan, she rose from the tub, water streaming down her sexy, naked body as she reached for a towel. She dried off quickly, wrapping the towel snugly around her before padding barefoot to the bathroom door. The towel was having an easier time covering up her middle region than holding her breasts and backside in place. It almost looked like if she breathed wrong and bent in an awkward position, the towel would rip to shreds. This was something very obvious to Emma, and it made her stare down at her massive, meaty cleavage and sigh as she tugged at the edge of the towel. "Honestly¡­ it''s not my friggin'' size¡­" Peeking her head out, she hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Uhh¡­ Gwen?" Gwen, who was seated on a small chair in the corner of the room, glanced up. She looked weary, her face pale and drawn. "Yeah?" she replied. Her voice was so soft¡­ polite even. Emma hesitated again, biting her lip before motioning back toward the bathroom. "Uh¡­ you can come join me. In the bathroom, I mean¡­" Emma said awkwardly. "It''s getting kinda¡­ lonely in there anyway." Gwen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Are you sure? I mean¡­ I usually prefer to be alone, like you were. So if you want the bathroom for another hour, there''s, uh¡­ no problem." Emma blinked as her eyebrows shot up. "Since when are you so¡­ calm about everything?" She asked, folding her slender arms over her tightly packed breasts. "Not that I''m complaining, but considering we''ve been at each other''s throats for, like, three days straight, I didn''t think we''d ever have a conversation this, uh¡­ civilized." Gwen chuckled lightly, then adjusted the towel around her body as she leaned back in her chair. "I''m tired¡­" She admitted with a faint smile. "Way too tired to argue. Honestly, I''d rather have a full stomach before I even think about debating with anyone." Emma snorted as a small smile tugged at her lips. "Fair enough¡­" There was a pause, and then Emma''s expression shifted slightly. Her brows knitted together as realization dawned on her. "Actually¡­ now that I think about it¡­" She spoke very slowly. "We haven''t really been arguing that much these past three days. Sure, there were a few snippy moments, but compared to the first six hours? Kinda feels like¡­ progress?" Gwen stood from her chair and a small, wry smile appeared on her pretty lips. "Guess you''re not as intolerable as I thought¡­" "Hey!" Emma said, scrunching her face in mock indignation. Gwen smirked. "Considering I wanted to rip your throat out the first day, I''d say that''s a compliment." Emma rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the laugh that escaped her. "Okay, okay, fair point." They walked back into the bathroom together as the tension between them noticeably lightened. As Emma stepped aside to let Gwen approach the shower, she glanced at Gwen''s figure and couldn''t resist a cheeky comment. "By the way¡­ nice ass." Gwen froze mid-step, turning to stare at Emma with wide eyes. "Eh?" Emma grinned, winking playfully. "What? Just calling it like I see it." Gwen''s face turned bright red, and she quickly turned away, muttering something under her breath as she stepped into the shower. For the first time in days, the sound of genuine laughter echoed through Room G-7. And Scott hoped it would stay that way. And perhaps¡­ it would. ¡¸Ding! Calculations have been made. The possibility that the host will unlock the Threesome Route is 90.85% certain, how would the host like to proceed?¡¹ Scott''s eyebrows climbed his forehead. "Wait, what¡­?" The young man took a step back. His eyes went to the two women who were now naked in the bathroom. ¡ºI get to sleep with both¡­ Emma and¡­ Gwen?¡» It almost seemed like a ridiculous idea. [Would the host like to stream this special event?] Immediately, Scott swiped his hand across the holographic screen like he wanted to slap it. "FUCK NO©¤©¤!!" Chapter 120 Harem or Not to Harem Room G-7 BathroomThe warm, sudsy water rippled gently as Emma and Gwen sat on opposite ends of the tub, their knees drawn up slightly as clouds of bubbles floated between them. Both women avoided each other''s gaze as their faces burned red¡ªnot from the heat of the bath, but from the thick, awkward air that surrounded them. Gwen finally broke the silence. "Uh¡­ sorry if this is, you know¡­ a little weird." Her voice was both quiet and uncertain. Emma shrugged slightly, trying to act nonchalant as she swirled the water with her fingers. "Nah, it''s fine. I mean, this isn''t the first time I''ve been in an¡­ unconventional situation." Gwen raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh?" "Yeah¡­" Emma said, leaning back against the edge of the tub. "When I was planning to go to Met U, there weren''t a lot of housing options left. Almost ended up staying with this weird group of sorority gals who had a thing for acting like sexy vampires. They were all about the whole leather and lace aesthetic, you know? Walking around biting each other and calling it ''sisterly bonding.'' Psssh." Gwen''s lips twitched, and before she could stop herself, a small giggle escaped. "You''re kidding." Emma gave her a flat look. "Do I look like I''m kidding? I had to sit through a recruitment ritual. One of them even hissed at me." Gwen covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "That''s¡­ wow." "Yeah. Let''s just say I''ve experienced my fair share of weird lesbian air¡­" Emma waved a hand. "Not that I have a problem with them or anything¡ªit''s just weird how it always feels like some poor guy ends up caught in the crossfire, you know? It''s a whole¡­ thing." Gwen leaned her cheek against her fist. There was now a small smile on her cherry lips. "Oh yeah, I get that. And hey, speaking of weird lesbian air, remember the time those online rumors spread about you being a lesbian? Because, you know, no one ever saw you with a guy?" Emma groaned loudly, throwing her head back. "Ugh, don''t remind me. That was such a mess. So many weird feminist chicks were so happy about it. I got flooded with fan mail. Stuff like, ''You don''t need a man to be successful!'' and ''You''re such an inspiration!'' I mean, what the hell was that about?" Gwen snorted, shaking her head. "Yeah, and yet here you are¡­ fighting over Scott McQueen of all people." Emma froze for a moment, then gave a slow, resigned nod. "¡­ Yeah. I guess I am." Gwen tilted her head, watching Emma''s expression carefully. Almost like she was studying her. "You must really love him, huh?" Emma''s cheeks flushed slightly, and she hesitated before speaking. "I do. I mean¡­ I really do. And I never thought I''d be that girl, you know? The one who falls so hard for a guy she loses her damn mind. But here I am, and¡­ I''m glad for it. Even if it''s driving me crazy." Gwen rubbed her soapy shoulders as her pretty eyes drifted to the side. "Well¡­ being crazy over Scott McQueen is kinda normal for, like, every woman in America at this point." Emma let out a soft laugh, leaning forward and resting her chin on her knees. "True. He''s¡­ something else, huh?" There was a moment of silence before Emma suddenly perked up. "Oh, crap. Speaking of Scott, I was supposed to call my friend and give them an update on this whole¡­ harem status or whatever it''s called." Gwen blinked, visibly confused. "Wait, what? What do you mean?" Emma sank deeper into the water as a very sheepish grin pulled at her lips. "So¡­ I''ve got this friend. I won''t name names, but she has a thing for Scott. And, well¡­ she asked me to share him. At first, I thought she was joking, but she was dead serious. I felt bad for them, so I kinda¡­ agreed." Gwen stared, her mouth slightly agape. "You what?" "I know, I know!" Emma threw her hands up in surrender. "It''s crazy. But¡­ lately, I''ve been thinking¡­ maybe they''re right. Maybe Scott''s too much for me to keep to myself. I mean, have you met the guy?" Her voice trailed off as she hugged her legs tightly and her expression turned somber. "I want to be selfish. I really do. But if I am¡­ I''ll just end up getting left behind. I''ve never really had anything to call my own, you know? And now that I finally have something¡ªsomeone¡ªthat feels like mine, it''s like the universe is just waiting to rip it away. So¡­ maybe it''s better if I just¡­ accept it." Gwen watched her in silence. A knot of guilt tightened in her chest. She hadn''t once thought about it from Emma''s perspective before¡ªhadn''t realized how much this was affecting her. It wasn''t just about Scott; it was about Emma''s need to hold onto something real. Something that mattered. "I¡­" Gwen began, then hesitated. She sighed heavily as her eyes dropped to the water. "I didn''t realize it was like that for you. And now I feel like¡­ like maybe I''ve been a little selfish too." Emma glanced up, surprised. "Selfish? You?" Gwen nodded as her voice could barely cross a whisper. "I don''t want to come between you and Scott. I really don''t. I just¡­ I just want a place with you guys. A space where I can belong. I''m not asking to be as special to him as you are¡ªI know that''s not realistic. I just¡­ I just want to be wanted." The bathroom fell silent again. The only sound was the faint ripple of water as both women stared at nothing in particular. Neither could bring themselves to meet the other''s eyes. And yet, for the first time in three days, they truly weren''t arguing. They weren''t fighting. They were just¡­ existing. Together. It wasn''t much, but it was a start. ??? Scott''s Room Scott reclined on his sofa. The scene on the screen was a sexy live feed of Emma and Gwen sharing an awkward, heartfelt moment in the tub which made him pause mid-chew. However, it wasn''t because of the raw images of both Gwen and Emma''s pink nipples showing, or how their ass cheeks were covered in soapy water, making their butts look like they were covered in oil. Far from it. He stared at Emma''s forlorn expression as her words about wanting to hold onto something real cut deeper than he expected. His hand froze halfway to his mouth. There was a sticky cheese puff precariously balanced between his fingers. "Damn it¡­" Scott muttered under his breath, lowering the snack bag. His face twisted into a frown as he placed his clean hand on his chin, only to jerk it back when he realized it was still smeared with bright orange powder. "Ugh, stupid cheese dust. Why does this stuff stick to everything?" He wiped his fingers on his pants, only to sigh in frustration when he saw the faint smear left behind. Leaning back, he cradled the bag of cheese puffs with one hand while gesturing vaguely at the screen with the other. "This¡ªthis right here is why I''ve always said monogamy is better. I mean, yeah, as a guy, having a harem sounds like the ultimate dream, right? But this?" He waved a hand at the screen, where Emma and Gwen were now sitting silently, lost in their own thoughts. "This is the reality. Feelings get messy. People get hurt. And no woman in her right mind would actually go for this¡­" His face soured a bit. "Which would explain why all these women are crazy." The System soon replied. [Affirmative!] All this did was make Scott frown more. "Or unless¡­" He trailed off, then furrowed his brow as he considered his next words. "Unless you''re, like, ridiculously handsome. Like, the uh, face-of-a-god handsome." He gave a wry chuckle, then shrugged. "Or maybe just obscenely rich. But me? Nah, I''m not that handsome¡­ or rich." Scott glanced at his reflection in a nearby mirror and smirked quite smugly. "Okay, maybe I''m a little handsome. Like, enough to turn heads. But not enough to pull this off without someone throwing hands eventually." He popped another cheese puff into his mouth and crunched thoughtfully. "And the System saying I''ll get lucky with a threesome tonight? Yeah, not buying it. Even supercomputers make mistakes. It''s not like¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence when he realized he was still talking to himself. "Crap, I''m doing it again." He slapped his forehead in frustration, only to recoil when his hand smeared orange dust across his face. "Damn it! Stupid cheese powder!" He jumped up, grabbing a napkin to wipe his face clean, all the while grumbling under his breath about the downsides of junk food. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Lakeview Hotel, New York City Maya drifted aimlessly in her room as her small, bare feet hovered inches above the floor. Her phone sat in her hand as Emma''s caller ID lit up the screen for the hundredth time in the last three days. She sighed heavily as her small thumb hovered over the [call] button. "Why isn''t she picking up?" she whispered to herself. Her eyes fell to the list of unanswered calls and the sight of the growing tally made her chest tighten. "It''s been three days¡­" She muttered in desperation. "I''ve called her 138 times. Her phone''s ringing, so it''s not off. But¡­" She hesitated as her fingers trembled. "What if she''s just ignoring me?" The thought made her stomach twist painfully. Slowly, she lowered herself to the floor, her body sinking until she was sitting with her legs crossed, her phone resting limply in her hand. "Maybe she''s sick¡­" She murmured, trying to convince herself. "Yeah, that''s it. YES! Emma''s not the type to just¡­ ignore me. Right?" But the more she thought about it, the more doubt crept in. Her shoulders slumped as she tossed her phone onto the bed. "Or maybe¡­" Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard as she fought back bitter tears. "Maybe she''s finally tired of putting up with me. Maybe she''s done entertaining my¡­ my bullshit." She buried her face in her hands, her breath hitching as she tried to hold back the sobs threatening to break free. "God, I''m such an idiot¡­" Her voice came out muffled. "She didn''t have to be so kind. She didn''t have to¡­ consider sharing someone like Scott with me." Her body shook as a choked sob escaped her lips, followed by another. She curled up on the floor as her head rested on her knees as the weight of her emotions overwhelmed her. "I had my chance with him¡­" She choked even more. "¡­ and I blew it *sob* I did¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Room G-7, Overwatch Headquarters Emma stood by the bathroom sink and wrapped a towel tightly around herself. ¡­ Hm? She glanced at Gwen, who was still drying off. "Hey, uh¡­ Gwen?" Emma said cautiously. Gwen turned, her expression calm. "Yeah? What''s up?" Emma fidgeted with the edge of her towel, then brushed wet bangs away from her face. "I¡­ I wanted to ask you something." Gwen tilted her head, curious. "Sure. Anything." Taking a deep breath, Emma met her eyes. "Do you think Scott¡­ still loves you?" Gwen''s calm demeanor faltered, then her brow crumpled as she processed the question. "What?" "I mean¡­" Emma stumbled over her words, quickly adding. "I''m really not trying to be offensive or anything. I just¡­ I honestly want to know what you think. About Scott. About how he feels." Gwen stared at her for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. She leaned against the counter. She folded her arms loosely as she regarded Emma. Her expression softened, but there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. "Do I think Scott loves me?" She repeated the question as if tasting the words before continuing. "Yeah¡­ I think he does. In his own way." Emma''s face dulled slightly. She averted her gaze, letting out a soft, unenthusiastic¡­ "Oh." Gwen noticed the change in her expression. "But that doesn''t mean anything." She pushed off the counter, standing straighter as she met Emma''s eyes directly. "No matter how he feels about me, it''ll never go anywhere. Not as long as the woman who has his heart is still around." Emma blinked, her brows furrowing. "The woman who has his heart?" Gwen nodded. "You." The word hit Emma like a lightning bolt. Her eyes widened as her brain scrambled to process it. "Wh-, What?" she stammered. Gwen smiled faintly. But there was a trace of sadness in it. "Scott loves you, Emma. All of you. You''ve got his whole heart. Maybe you haven''t realized it yet, but it''s the truth. Believe me, I''ve tried. I''ve tried to get him to look at me the way he looks at you, but¡­" She shrugged, forcing a small laugh. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s not gonna happen. He''s loyal to you. Completely." Emma''s cheeks flushed a deep red. She stared at Gwen with wide eyes and her lips parted slightly as an uncontrollable smile spread across her face. "I¡­" She cleared her throat abruptly, realizing how obvious she was being. She looked away, fidgeting with the edge of her towel. "I-, I see¡­" The silence stretched between them. It was quite awkward. Gwen raised an amused eyebrow. "You okay there? Your face is as red as a tomato." Emma shot her a glare, though it lacked any real heat. "I''m fine. Totally fine." Gwen chuckled, shaking her head. "Sure, you are." After a moment, Emma forced herself to focus. She turned back to Gwen and her smile faded slightly as she grew serious in tone. "So¡­ d''you think I could be the right woman for him?" Gwen blinked in surprise at the question. "You?" Emma nodded, crossing her arms. "Yeah. You said something before¡­ about how the love of one woman might not be enough for him." Gwen sighed deeply, rubbing the back of her neck. "Look, I don''t want to sound like a pessimist or anything, but no. I don''t think you could ever truly be the right woman for Scott." Explore more stories at empire Emma tilted her head. "Why not?" Gwen hesitated, then leaned back against the counter again. "It''s not that you''re not enough, Emma. You are. But¡­ Scott hasn''t had the best relationship with his mom. And if the woman who was supposed to love him unconditionally couldn''t do it right¡­ well, I don''t think the love of one person will ever completely fill that void, even if he doesn''t admit it." Emma''s expression softened. "I¡­ I didn''t know that." Gwen offered a small, sad smile. "Yeah, well, it''s not exactly something he likes to talk about. And honestly, it''s probably better if you don''t push him on it. I''ve learned to just¡­ let him have his space." Emma nodded slowly. "I''ve asked him about his family a few times, but¡­ it always ruins the mood. So, I stopped. I figured it was better to respect his privacy." Gwen chuckled softly. "Good call. That''s what I''ve been doing too. Maybe that''s why we''ve never worked as anything more than friends. I can''t help but think I''ll never be enough for him. But¡­ weirdly enough, the idea of being part of something bigger? Like being an ''extra girlfriend''? It makes me feel like I could be enough. You know?" Emma studied her for a moment. "It¡­ feels right?" Gwen nodded with a small smile. "Yeah. It does." Emma sighed, stepping toward the door. She hesitated as her hand hovered over the handle before turning back to Gwen. "For what it''s worth¡­ I used to be against the idea of you being Scott''s second girlfriend. Honestly, I still am." Gwen frowned slightly. "Gee, thanks." Emma smiled softly. "That''s not what I mean. I just¡­ I don''t want Scott to see you as a second girlfriend. I want him to see you as his girlfriend. Both of us." Gwen''s eyes widened and her lips parted in shock. "R-, Really?" Emma nodded with a warm expression. "Yeah. I''m fine with it. So¡­ let''s get out of here and see if we can break out of this stupid place together." Gwen wiped at her eyes, her smile trembling as she held back tears. "Okay. Alright." The two women stepped out of the hidden bathroom. But the moment they entered the main room, they froze. Scott stood in the center, grinning sheepishly as he pushed a cart overflowing with food. "Uh¡­ surprise?" Emma and Gwen stared at him for a minute before their faces lit up. "SCOTT ????!" They screamed in unison, rushing forward to tackle him. They threw their arms around him and knocked him onto the couch as their combined weight pinned him down. Scott groaned. ¡­ Urghh~ His face smushed against their massive breasts. "You''re heavy¡­" "Liar!" Gwen protested. "Uh-huh¡­" Emma chimed in, pressing her bare breasts against his face more as a dirty look appeared on her face. "We haven''t eaten in three days, slave master!" "Eh?" [Ding! You''ve unlocked a new title "Slave Master"] Chapter 121 Dessert After Dinner I Room G-7, Overwatch HeadquartersThe trio sat on the floor in a circle as their laughter mingled with the clinking of plates and glasses as they worked their way through the impressive spread of food. Appetizers, main courses, and desserts¡ªall demolished in record time. The once-overflowing cart was now barren, with only their drinks remaining. Emma leaned back against the couch as she cradled an empty bottle of chocolate milk. "One sec¡­ *burp* okay¡­" She sighed deeply with a satisfied smile on her face as she stretched her arms over her head. "Ahhh, now that''s the life¡­" There was such a relief in her voice. "There''s nothing I love more than a bottle of chocolate milk after being starved for three friggin'' days." She rolled her shoulders lazily before adding. "Honestly, if I hadn''t slowed down my body by resting, my fast metabolism might''ve kicked in, and who knows how bad that could''ve gotten. But in a way¡­ this was kind of a training I didn''t know I needed." Scott chuckled as he leaned back and sipped from his yogurt with a teasing grin. "Oho? So it''s a win-win then?" Emma shot him a look, then grabbed a fork and pointed it at him with mild seriousness. "Definitely not. Next time your sweetheart is trapped in a room and starving, you better make some effort to save her, okay?" Scott raised his hands to playfully surrender. "Mhm. Got it. I can do that." Emma''s stern expression cracked as she giggled softly. She set the fork down and crawled forward toward him with very slow and deliberate movements that allowed her hips to sexily bounce from side to side. She stopped just inches from his face and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Mwah~ ?? Good¡­" Her voice had a seductive edge as she spoke, and each word carried a soft, warm breath that tickled his skin. Her lips, pink like ripe strawberries, moved slowly to draw his full attention with every word. "I''ve missed the feel of my lips on your cheek." Scott froze. His eyes locked on her face, captivated by the softness in her expression and the hunger in her eyes. This time, she wasn''t craving food. ¡­ Mmmh~ ???? Emma slowly licked her lips with her hot, wet tongue. Scott''s eyes drifted down without thinking, drawn to the glimpse of her full, round cleavage peeking out from the loosely tied bathrobe. It stood out, soft and tempting, like prime cuts of meat covered in shiny oil. The sight made his throat go dry, and he swallowed hard. "Emma¡­" Before he could finish, Gwen let out a loud, tired laugh. THUD! She collapsed flat on her back. "Whoa¡­" Gwen giggled, then spread out on the floor in her own loosely tied bathrobe. "I think I''m done for. Can''t¡­ move¡­" Scott turned his attention to her as his brow crumpled. "She looks drunk." He said, glancing back at Emma. "It''s not like there was any alcohol in the cart, though." Emma tilted her head thoughtfully, then shrugged. "It''s probably just a carb and sugar overload. Happens sometimes¡ªmakes people act a little loopy. Kinda like being tipsy, I guess." Scott hummed in understanding before Emma began gathering the empty plates. "I''ll clean these up¡­" She gently waved a hand. "You should probably help Gwen up and take her to bed." Scott nodded as he stood and walked over to Gwen, who was still giggling on the floor. He leaned down and scooped her up effortlessly. "Awww ??" Gwen cooed as she snuggled into his chest. "Scott''s arms are so strong. Why haven''t you choked me with these muscles yet?" Scott blinked, tilting his head in disbelief. "Uh, because I don''t want to end up in jail?" Gwen laughed breathlessly as her tender hand gently brushed against his cheek. She leaned closer to press her lips against his ear. She wanted him to feel every bit of the messy, soaking heat between her legs through her mouth. "C''mon¡­ it''s not so hard. I''ll make it easier for you~" Before Scott could process her words, Gwen shifted in his arms and pressed her soft, big breasts against him. She cupped his face with both hands, and her eyes stared sexily into his as she leaned in. Her lips captured his in a deep, unexpected kiss, then her tongue slipped into his mouth in a slow, deliberate motion. Your next journey awaits at empire She wanted to feel every bit of his saliva and enjoy the taste of what his mouth always used to feel like. She''d gotten a taste before, and every single time she thought about it, she couldn''t stop touching herself like an untamed animal. The heat of his saliva. The thickness of his struggling tongue. The feminine urge for her ass cheeks to get grabbed and mercilessly squeezed, like she was a hopeless, sex-hungry dog waiting to be passionately satisfied. All this kept Gwen soaking wet every day. Now, she could release that sexual torture she''d been enduring for so long. Scott''s eyes widened in shock and his knees buckled as he stumbled backward and landed on the sofa with Gwen still latched onto him. Her tongue teased and danced in his mouth as her moans vibrated against his lips. "Mmm ?? aahnn ????!" Gwen purred as her fingers threaded into his hair the more she pressed closer like a beast searching for warmth. Her breasts kept pressing and molding against Scott''s chest, and even the thickness and fatness of her hardened nipples didn''t escape Scott''s notice. He could feel them poking against his chest like they were nails full of milk. Even the way they throbbed, like squirming worms, made Scott feel as though they would explode at any moment and cover him in her premature milk. Ahhnmm©¤©¤©¤©¤UHHNNNN ??! Gwen dived into a deeper kiss. Scott''s mind was going blank. The warmth of her body. The taste of her lips. The feel of her tongue in his mouth. Even the soft, penis-provoking teasing of her breasts against his hardened chest. They all intoxicated him like a drug. "Gwen¡ªwait¡ª" But Gwen wasn''t listening. From her spot by the plates, Emma turned around. All she could hear was Gwen''s untamed moans. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the sight of Scott''s manly hands tightly grasping Gwen like a toy as her feverish body pressed against his. Yet her face remained calm-eerily so-and when she finally spoke¡­ she was quite calm. "You seem to be enjoying that¡­" Scott''s heart skipped a beat. He froze as his lips were still half-locked with Gwen''s, who seemed too intoxicated to notice Emma''s sharp gaze. He finally mustered the strength to push Gwen back and his breath thickened as he broke the kiss. "It''s not like I wanted to d¡ª" Emma''s lips curved into a faint smile. It was quite suspicious. She raised a hand to stop him. "Nevermind¡­" Her tone was light, almost dismissive, as if the moment didn''t bother her. Slowly, Emma stood from where she had been packing the plates and walked over to him like a slimy fox hunting in the bushes. ¡­ Fufu~ ?? Her eyes never left Scott as she walked forward with an unnerving grace. Scott tightened his brow and sat up straighter on the sofa. He turned his head to watch her, but she walked past him, seemingly uninterested. Before he could fully process her actions, Emma disappeared behind the sofa. Then, out of nowhere, her arms snaked around his shoulders from behind. Her embrace was warm, firm, and strangely intimate. Her chin rested lightly on his shoulder as her lips brushed near his ear. "It''s fine¡­" Emma murmured as her voice dropped to a whisper that made the hairs on the back of Scott''s neck stand on end. "Maybe you deserve a treat from more than one lady today. Being your cock sleeves would be fine, hm? You''ve really had a hard month, haven''t you?" Scott tensed as her words settled in. ¡ºNo way¡­ is this really happening¡­?¡» He turned his face toward her. Their noses almost touched. "I don''t really feel comfortable¡­ with the idea of referring to my women as¡­ as cock sleeves." Emma paused. For a second, her expression remained neutral. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a wicked smile©¤©¤an evil yet oddly sexy one that made Scott even more attracted to her. "Your women?" Emma repeated in a very sexy voice. "You jumped on the idea of having more than one girlfriend so fast, Scott. I don''t know whether to be angry... or turned on that my boyfriend can be so shamelessly perverted. Fuck, why can''t you show that side to me more often, ahhn~ ??" Scott blinked at her, then leaned back just enough to close the gap between them. His lips were now a breath away from hers. "I can give you an answer if you want it¡­" Such a husky tone it was. Emma''s eyes widened slightly. Her lips parted as she bit down hard on the corner of her mouth to stifle a moan that came out as a strained grunt. Her nails dug into his chest, and her entire body trembled as she whispered back her thoughts. "God, I love the way you told me that¡­" Her voice was so breathy and thick. Something quite obvious to Scott. "Is it¡­ doing anything down there?" he asked. Emma smiled. "More than you know¡­" "How wet¡­?" "I''m wet in every fucked up way you can think of, so do your janitor work down there and clean me up before I bust all over your face, Mr. Vigilante~" "That sounds¡­ tempting¡­" A small smile appeared on Scott''s face. Emma leaned in and started nibbling on his ear, soaking it with her thick, slimy saliva. Her tongue snaked into his ear, making Scott feel so good in strange and questionable ways. In fact, he felt so good that one of his hands started to act on its own¡ªfirst bending and twisting¡ªbefore reaching down for Gwen''s left breast and squeezing it tightly. The excess meatiness of her breast pumped out between his fingers, as though it might burst like a water balloon. The thickness of Gwen''s breast was amazing. By no means were they bigger than Emma''s, but squeezing them felt so good that something began poking Gwen''s back from underneath. "Scott''s cock is¡­" It made Gwen feel so good that she arched her back on his lap and moaned passionately. "Aahhhhnnn~ ????!!" Then, out of nowhere, a powerful spray of thick, watery fluid gushed out from between Gwen''s legs, staining both the sofa and part of Scott''s lap. ¡­ SQUIIIRRRRT!! Her wet, silky hole didn''t stop squirting. The more she squirted, the redder her face became as her sexual hunger climbed to new heights. "Oh fuck ??¡­ I''m co-, coming¡­ ahhhnnn~ ????!" She arched her back even more, her hand stretching down there in an attempt to stop herself from squirting so much. But all it did was soak her hand in her fluids as her tongue lolled out and she moaned animalistically. "Ohhnnn~ it''s almost like I''m peeing myself ??!" A thick stream of fluid pushed out from her hole, like she had a squirt gun down there. It splashed onto the ground, spreading more and more as her fluids formed a puddle. "Why does it feel so fucking g-, gooood~!" Gwen bent her neck back, thrusting her ass out further, continuing to squirt her juices. Scott and Emma stared at her in surprise, watching as the spectacle unfolded. It was like a shaken can of soda being cracked open with force¡ªshe just kept gushing. ¡­ fsssshhh©¤©¤©¤©¤SQUIRT!! By the time Gwen finally stopped, her body was twitching violently, almost like a worm sprayed with salt. She couldn''t stop trembling, her breasts heaving as hot air rushed from her mouth with each labored breath. ¡­ hah~ Hah~ HAHH~!! Her face was an erotic shade of pink and her delicate eyes swam in so much horniness that she resembled a wild animal freed from its cage. Gwen looked at Scott with shame on her face. "Looks like I messed myself¡­ sorry¡­" She said shyly, glancing away. Emma smiled, then turned to Scott. "You should lick Gwen''s leftovers first. Clean her up while I get a taste of your meat. How''s that for a start?" "That works¡­" Scott said, nodding. ??? Gwen went down on all fours, but her legs were still very weak from the sensation earlier. Her big butt was spread out for both Scott and Emma to see, and they were both surprised that, outside her tights, it was even much fatter. It looked like two fat yet perky blobs of meat were held out before him, waiting to be eaten. Gwen felt uncomfortable with the way they were staring at her butt. She couldn''t see them doing it, but she just felt like they were, and it made her face wrinkle in shame. She sheepishly looked back at them and chuckled. It was such a nervous chuckle¡ªan awkward one, even. "Does thou think thy hole is dirty?" "Thy?" Scott lifted an eyebrow. "Tch¡ªyou''re no fun, just lick me already¡­" A smug look appeared on Scott''s face. "Someone looks excited¡­" "I''m not excited! I''m just¡ªahhhh ??!" A moan slipped out before Gwen could finish her words. She didn''t know when exactly, but somewhere between when she was talking and turning her head forward, Scott had grabbed her ass cheeks with both hands and dived his entire mouth into her little, wet peach. ¡­ lick! lick! lick! That was the only sound Gwen could hear as Scott''s tongue went up and down her insides like a lollipop. Her hands started to awaken, and her eyes slowly felt heavy, as if they''d gained extra weight. "Ahhnnn ??¡­" She tried to fight the urge to moan. But that wasn''t just it. "I''m gonna¡­ I''m gonna¡­ hnnnn ?!!" It came out. ¡­ sssss¡ªPOOOOOOT! A soft, almost wet-like expulsion of air left her little peach. It sounded suspiciously like a fart. Scott paused licking her wet hole and then lifted his head just above her butt a bit to look at Gwen. By this time, Gwen had shamefully hidden her face. "Was that a queef?" Scott asked. "SH-, SHUT UP!" The redness on Gwen''s face told him the truth he needed. Shyly, Gwen decided to fess up. "I-, I tend to fart from my vagina a little when I''m aroused. It just¡­ it''s not me¡ªit''s my mist powers, okay?" "So you can fart mist?" Scott raised an eyebrow. Gwen tilted her head a bit. "Yeah, basically¡­" "Good to know¡­" Scott parted her ass cheeks and dived back into her hole, and this time licked with even more fervor. His tongue trailed down the length of her beaver and licked her so hard she slowly wiggled her butt from side to side to expel some of the pleasure, but it just wasn''t enough¡ªnot only was Scott holding her butt in place, his tongue was also flicking her tiny bean and making her feel good in so many ways. ¡­ POOOOOOT! Another queef came out, and this time its wetness was enough to turn Scott''s face a little humid. And then she came. ¡­ SQUIIIRRRRT! Her juices trickled out like a malfunctioning dispenser and covered his face in her sticky produce. Scott waited a moment and licked some of it off his lips before hungrily diving back to eat out both her beaver and the other hole that couldn''t stop convulsing. Now, both her holes were convulsing. ¡­ lick! lick! lick! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His tongue scrubbed against them with passion. ¡ºHnnn~ ?? He''s so good with that tongue¡­¡» Gwen fell forward on the floor as her head pressed against the ground and her butt rose even higher for Scott to get a fill of both her quivering holes that were mixed with his saliva and her unending love juice. Finally, Emma took off her bathrobe and positioned herself behind Scott, who was also on all fours. She rested on her back and crawled between his legs, where she could now get a good look at his rod. It looked so strong, hard, and veiny that it almost looked like she was staring at a white Snickers. The girth of the meaty weapon before her made Emma''s mouth water so much that she started drooling from the corners of her mouth. "Ohhh, my sweet man¡­" She raised her hands and wrapped them around his waist, and then used that to pull herself up until her mouth kissed the tip of his throbbing thing. She moaned with passion as her whole mouth covered his thing and warmed it in her saliva that was so unnaturally sticky. Her tongue started to move back and forth. Then, she tightened her mouth around his meaty shaft so hard that she could almost feel every vein pulsing inside her mouth. "MMMHHNN~ ??" Emma''s eyes rolled back as she enjoyed the choking sensation of his meat in her mouth. Scott jerked forward a bit. "OOOOF!" Such pleasure was too much for even him to handle. This made his mouth press harder against Gwen''s little peach, and soon his teeth gently scraped against the tiny bean he''d been flicking with his tongue all this time. "EEEEEEEEEKK~ ??!" Gwen sprayed Scott''s face with more of her love juice. "URRGHHH!" Scott recoiled a bit as some of Gwen''s thick fluids got in his eyes and blinded him for a second. This made Scott''s meat throb painfully, and soon his precum shot out of his swollen cap and into Emma''s mouth. And Emma, anticipating this, was already piercing her little peach with two fingers and rubbing herself so hard at superspeed that her body vibrated with so much passion. "I can feel it com©¤©¤HACCKKK!!" She choked on the precum just at the same time that her naughty beaver came all over the ground. ¡­ SQUIIIISSSHH!! Now, it was almost like Emma peed all over the floor. They all collapsed and started panting heavily. "That was¡­ awesome¡­" The trio said with tired faces. ??? While all this had been happening, Emma had a call that seemed to had gone through and standing on the other end of that call was Maya. "Em¡­ Emma¡­?" She could barely speak her friends name. After all, she was still paralyzed by the sounds of moaning that came from both Emma and Gwen. "They seem to be¡­ having fun¡­" Maya stared at the floor with dull, almost dead eyes. "How stupid can I get¡­ she''s obviously showing off¡­" Chapter 122 Dessert After Dinner II Room G-7, Overwatch HeadquartersEmma was crouched by the plates and hummed softly as she stacked the last of the dishes onto the cart. The sound of Scott and Gwen''s joshing drifted in the background, but her focus was elsewhere. She brushed her hair back, then exhaled softly. ¡­ buzz! buzz! Her phone vibrated against the glass table beside her. Emma glanced at it and frowned slightly. "Oh¡­ it''s uh¡­ Maya." Her voice came out quieter than intended. For a moment, she froze, her fingers hovering over the cart. ¡ºMaya¡­¡» The name rolled through her mind like a heavy stone sinking into a lake. She felt an uneasy knot forming in her chest. ¡ºWhat do I even tell her right now?¡» Emma thought as her lips tightened into a thin line. She hadn''t mentioned Maya once tonight, and honestly, bringing up Scott''s ex during a moment like this felt¡­ wrong. This wasn''t the time to open that can of worms, especially after she had just made peace with Gwen sharing Scott. The last thing Emma wanted was for it to look like she was forcing anyone else into the dynamic or rushing decisions. That wasn''t her. She didn''t want to be that kind of woman. Her brows wrinkled, and a faint frown dragged her lips. With a quiet sigh, she reached for the phone. She stared at the screen for a few seconds. She focused more on her faint reflection on the glossy surface than the caller ID of Maya Rivera. Then, she finally swiped to answer. "Hey, Maya¡ª" Before Emma could finish her greeting, she heard a sound. A soft, wet moan that made her blink in surprise. ¡ºWhat the¡­?¡» She turned her head, and her eyes immediately widened. Scott and Gwen were locked in a passionate kiss on the sofa. Gwen''s hands were tangled in his hair, and Scott''s fingers gripped her waist as if the world around them had vanished. Gwen moaned again, the sound full of unrestrained hunger, as she pressed herself harder against him. Emma froze. Her phone was still in her hand, Maya''s voice faintly audible on the other end, but her attention was glued to the scene happening before her. The way Gwen''s body moved, the way Scott''s arms tightened around her¡ªit was¡­ intense. She swallowed hard and her cheeks flushed as she placed the phone face-down on the table without hanging up. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Lakeview Hotel, New York City Maya sat cross-legged on her bed. Papers were scattered all around her, but her focus was on the timetable she''d been tweaking all night. Her lips curled into a small, nervous smile as she tapped the paper with her pen. When Emma answered, Maya''s voice was bright and super cheery. "Oh, hey, Em! So, I''ve been thinking about the timetable, and, um, I realized something. It''s kind of unfair for us to share Scott equally, y''know? Like, I feel like you should get more time with him. You''re his true girlfriend, after all, and I don''t want to overstep." She laughed softly, then continued. "So I was thinking, after we talk to Scott and I apologize, how about I only get, like, three hours a day with him? You can have him the rest of the time. I mean, it''s only fair, right?" There was no response. Maya paused, then her smile faltered slightly. She tilted her head, pressing the phone closer to her ear. "Uh, Emma? You there?" Still, silence. Her face soured. There was a slight feeling of unease in her chest. She let out a shaky breath and hesitated greatly before speaking again. "L-, Look, I know this sounds selfish¡­" Her voice came out like fragile glass. She was scared to use the wrong words©¤©¤if she offended Emma, no more Scott. No way she could risk that. "And I¡­ I know I don''t deserve Scott after everything. But¡­ if there''s even a tiny chance, I can''t help but want to be with him. It''s not about pride or anything like that. It''s just¡­ love. I still love him. A lot." Her voice cracked slightly, and she glanced at a framed photo of her and Scott from years ago, taken during a science fair. She smiled mildly and traced her dainty finger along the edge of the frame. "I know I''ve screwed up¡­" The weakness in her quiet voice was loud. "But if I get the chance, I want to make things right. I want him to know that¡ª" Her words caught in her throat as she suddenly heard it. A loud moan blasted through the phone''s speaker. "Ahnnnn~ Sc¡ªScott~ ?!" Maya froze. Her eyes widened as the pen in her hand slipped and clattered to the floor. "¡­What?" she breathed. Her heart began to race, and an unbearable tightness gripped her chest. Another moan. This time, louder. Wet. Intimate. The papers in her lap slid to the floor as her hands trembled. Her mind screamed at her to hang up, but her body refused to move. "E-, Emma?" Maya''s voice was barely alive. She felt a knot form in her throat as her trembling eyes burned with unshed tears. The sounds grew louder, more passionate, more raw. Maya could hear the soft gasps, the kisses, the moans¡ªand suddenly, everything became clear. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared blankly at the wall in front of her. Her chest ached. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Room G-7, Overwatch Headquarters Emma knelt at the edge of the three-seater with her hand on her burning throat. There were small streaks of tears on her face, and saliva mixed with precum trailed down the sides of her mouth as she panted heavily. She looked messed up. ¡ºThere''s still a lot of slimy stuff stuck in my throat¡­¡» Her hand gently caressed her delicate throat. ¡ºI was sucking him off with so much force and speed¡­ You''d think a guy with no superpowers would release in seconds, but he took quite some time. Hack©¤©¤! My throat feels a little sprained, but his sticky stuff does feel kinda good to swallow, y''know¡­ I kinda want it inside me¡­¡» Her eyes went straight ahead, and there on the couch were Scott and Gwen about to get real. Gwen lay back on the couch with her legs spread out as she used her fingers to pull against the sides of her throbbing honey hole, peeling it open well so Scott could see it all. At the time, Scott was kneeling close to Gwen on the couch, and his head was just inches away from Gwen''s hole so he could see and hear everything in detail. He saw how her insides squirmed and throbbed the more her fingers pulled against the wet, fleshy sides. Even how tiny droplets of her love juice trailed down the corners of her beaver and gently ran down her inner thighs, or the wet, sloshing sounds her aroused beaver made each time she widened it more for Scott to see. It almost looked like she wanted him to eat her out. But he''d already done that, and quite well. "Hnnn¡­" Gwen was getting impatient. "Scott, can you please speed th©¤©¤ahhnn ??!" Before she could finish, her beaver throbbed with so much force that she squirted again. ¡­ fssssh©¤©¤SPLASH! The juices emerged with a forceful splatter as droplets scattered erratically. Tiny beads clung to her inner thighs as her legs trembled. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºUgh~ ? this feels so fucking good¡­¡» Gritting her teeth, Gwen hid the intense pleasure she was feeling behind her tomato-red face of anger. She stared angrily at Scott, then scoffed. "Tch! Do me already!" "¡­" "WHAT?" "You can be a little more civilized, y''know¡­" "About wanting your cock in me?! There''s literally no way to be civilized about that!" Continue reading stories on empire Scott frowned. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever¡­" He lay back against the couch, and his rod immediately pointed up at the ceiling. All Scott could see now were Gwen''s legs as she stood above him and stared down at him with a very shy, shameful expression. "This is your first time, right?" Scott smiled instinctively. Naturally, Gwen took offense to that question. Her face spiked up with rage as literal steam started blowing off her head and ears like she was a locomotive. She jerked forward as her arms shot backward. "Y-, YES! VIRGINITY IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF!" "I didn''t¡­ say it was¡­" Scott calmly replied. Gwen stood upright again with a finger on her chin. "Oh." With that, Gwen stared down at Scott''s throbbing meat that was standing there¡­ waiting to be touched. For some reason, it made her feel so hungry that she didn''t realize when she ran her hot, wet tongue across her lips and then bit the corner of her bottom lip as she hummed lustfully. "This¡­" Gwen walked forward on the couch, with her legs on either side of his body. She then lowered her butt all the way to the tip of his hard thing, and the moment her clit felt the faint touch of his swollen cap, she twitched a bit as she gasped with so much force that all that came out was a suppressed moan that almost felt like she was in actual pain. ¡­ Hck©¤©¤©¤©¤NGGHHHH ??!! Her eyes were closed, and her hands were now holding onto her hardened, pink nipples. ¡ºHis cap¡­ it''s bigger than I expected¡­¡» She tried to caress her grape-sized nipples as a way to fully distract herself from the pleasure she felt earlier. She pulled against her nipples and twisted them like she was a cow trying to arouse herself until her two nipples cried out milk. "Uhnn¡­ fuccckkk¡­" Her thumbs and index fingers pressed against her nipples and dragged so hard as Gwen''s head fell back. Then, out of nowhere, Scott properly straightened his meat that was waiting just below Gwen''s beaver. He adjusted it and then started pressing and forcefully rubbing his bulging cap against her clit. ¡­ Shwick! The moment she felt that golf-sized, fleshy cap press against her clit, her body fell forward, and she squirted watery droplets of her juices on Scott''s crotch. This time, they were much hotter than before©¤©¤almost like acid. "Does my cap feel that good?" Scott asked her. Gwen''s eyes turned vulnerable. "Y-, Yes. It does¡­" "I see." Without wasting a moment, Scott stretched out his hands and grabbed her massive hips that were full of nothing but sweat and thick, jelly-like flesh. He tightly grabbed her there as if they were her ass cheeks, but it was enough to make Gwen arch her back and moan a bit. "Drop your butt in one fell swoop. If you''re scared of the pain, it''ll only last a second, okay?" Scott stared deep into Gwen''s eyes. Gwen nodded. "Mhm¡­" And with that, her body vibrated as she readied her soaking wet hole for piercing. She slowly lowered it as Scott kept his hands tight on her hips to gently guide her down. Then, without thinking, Gwen dropped her heavy butt on his crotch in one go. ¡­ grnnn©¤©¤©¤©¤SQUAAASH! Scott''s warm lump of meat tore its way up her wet peach and squeezed inside until it tore something within. The sharp pain made Gwen''s body twitch several times in pain as her ass cheeks pressed tightly against his sweaty balls and strong crotch. Her head shot up, and her eyes closed. Her teeth pressed against each other even harder than Scott''s rod pressed inside her pink, slimy hole. ¡­ AH©¤©¤AAHHNNNN~ ????! Gwen convulsed a bit as the sweet pain of Scott''s meat inside her lessened. ¡ºOhnnn~ ? it went in¡­¡» Her eyes slowly opened, and all her drowning vision could see was a dull view of the ceiling as her irises hung from the top of her dull eyes. Mouth open. Face frozen. Tongue lolled out. She looked like a zombie. ¡ºNo way, why does this¡­ feel so good¡­¡» A hot air escaped Gwen''s tired breath. "Ah-hannn ??!" "Okay. I''ll start moving¡­" Scott tightened his grip on her hips. This made Gwen jerk a little. "Huh? Wait, you can''t just¡­" Before Gwen could say anything more, Scott already started pounding his crotch up against her butt, piercing his hard lump of meat into her hole like her hole was a butter churner and he was trying to plunge deep enough to reach that really wet, soaked spot that would make him feel good. "No, ahh! Don''t move!" Gwen''s body jerked up each time Scott plunged his rod right up her hole, squeezing deep enough to touch the far reaches of her slimy tunnel. It felt liberating, painful, and also arousing all at once. There were times his thing would go so deep inside her, her eyes would go weak and her tongue would plop out like she was a dog. Her breasts bounced up and down, and her nipples cried for pleasure the more Scott''s hard meat rammed her insides, violating her hole like she was his slave. This was her first time. The pain should''ve at least lasted a little longer, but Scott didn''t give her that chance with the way he trapped her hips in his hands and kept pounding her until he saw how many shameless, animalistic, sex-hungry faces she could make. And each one made him harder than the last. ¡­ PAH! PAH! PAH! That was the only sound that could be heard as her juicy ass slapped against Scott''s sweaty crotch while her equally sweaty, slippery breasts bounced up and slapped down against her slender body. Eeeeaahhh©¤©¤uhnnn ??! Uhhhnnn¡­ ????! The more he thrusted, the tighter her insides became. It wouldn''t stop. The sloshing sounds. The relentless pounding. Her moans. Everything felt like it was a well-written sex script. Looking at it alone was enough for Emma''s jaw to drop in amazement©¤©¤she didn''t even know when she started biting her lip and fingering herself hard as she moaned out some of her grunts of pleasure. ¡ºFuck¡­ it feels so good¡­¡» Emma''s finger tore into the insides of her peach hole, with each flick of her fingers making her mouth form into a smile as her eyes rolled back into her skull. "Ohhhnnnn ??!" It was absolute pleasure. All she could think of now was the sight of Scott smashing the fat piece of meat between his legs inside Gwen''s disvirgined little peach that squirmed with every thrust. It made her feel good in unexplainable ways. She just kept fingering herself, coughing out hot air and choking moans. "Ngahhhh~ ? Uhnnn©¤©¤ahhhnnn ??!" Her face burned red some more. "I-, I''m almost there¡­ and on my own~ ??!" During this same time, Gwen was feeling the same way. Scott had already maneuvered and had a weak Gwen pinned deep into the couch as he continued to smash his pelvis into her soft, banging ass cheeks. It just made him want to plunge into her again, and again, and again! "Scott¡­ ta-, take it ?? easy! You''re gonna©¤©¤!" "Hrrmphh!" Scott thrusted even harder, not giving Gwen the chance to cough out the hot air leaving her tired breath or suppress the moans that were like the cries of a vixen. He just wanted to feel good by enjoying the in-and-out sensation of her tight, soaked hole. One hand went out and grabbed Gwen''s neck. Scott used this to capitalize as he pressed more of his weight on her and pounded her hole silly. ¡­ PAH! PAH! Gwen''s eyes started to go blank, and a sloven smile began to take shape on her erotic face. He continued to pound harder on her insides, and now it almost felt like Gwen was getting her brains drilled out with how hard Scott was thrusting his throbbing, hard thing inside her. ¡ºAhnnnn ?? I can''t¡­ take it¡­ anymore¡­ ??!¡» Her tongue lazily bounced around her mouth, and her breasts rolled from side to side on her body. The nipples were harder than ever, and their sensitivity at the maximum. Scott noticed this and dived in. ¡­ suck©¤©¤©¤©¤SLUUUURP!! His mouth covered Gwen''s entire nipple, applying such strong sucking force that his face turned red. "Ahhhhnnnnn©¤©¤KYAAAAHNNN ??????!!" Gwen''s eyes rolled back as her body tried to wriggle free from all this pressure, but Scott''s weight was too much. She kept feeling the hot arrival and departure of his thick meat in her wet beaver as one of his hands gripped her neck to hold back her moans while his mouth suckled and bit her nipples. ¡­ lick! lick©¤©¤SLUUURP!! His hot mouth continued to caress her nipples as his soaked tongue flicked against its tip, feeling the throbbing sensation its hardness felt with each passionate lick. "SCOTT, IT''S¡­ IT''S TOO MUCH!!" "Yeah¡­ I can feel myself coming already¡­" "D-, Do it in me©¤©¤!!" "O¡­" Before more words could be said, Emma''s face hardened. She managed to break out of her self-pleasure cycle. "NO! FINISH ON ME!" Her arms were spread out and her mouth positioned in a maw shot with her eyes closed in anticipation. She was waiting for his hot, sticky reward. Scott looked at Gwen''s face, desperate to have his yogurt inside her, but he somehow managed to pull it out from her hole and then shift his strong, veiny thing in the direction of Emma. ¡­ Urghhhh!! He rubbed his shaft hard enough, and soon¡ª SPURT!! He came on her with full force. A thick stream of his semen forcefully erupted like a volcano from the small opening on his pink tip. It landed on Emma, completely covering her pretty face like the missing icing on a cake. ¡­ cough! COUGH!! She took a step back, attempting to clear some of the cum from her eyes, but Scott wasn''t finished in the slightest. He grasped his cock by the shaft, vigorously rubbing himself, and shot out another round of thick semen onto her face once more, causing her to let out a loud squeak. ¡­ Kyaaaaa~ ????! Yes, this was what she wanted. She was practically drowning in his whites! ¡ºOhhh¡­ so go~ooood ??!¡» Chapter 123 Growth of Some Kind Outside Room G-7, Overwatch HeadquartersBrigid pressed her ear harder against the door as her messy black hair spilled over her shoulders. A deep scowl marred her young face. ¡ºDamn it¡ªhow could Lord Nightwatch betray me like this? It''s obvious a wild threesome went down in this room. Ugh, I wonder what it smells like? If the air purifier isn''t on, I could probably use the scent to finish my¡­ morning routine.¡» She patted her crotch as though she was telling the burning hole between her legs to relax. ¡ºSeriously, Lord Nightwatch didn''t even think to let me know. I could''ve stayed by his door and touched myself to the incredible sounds of my glorious king absolutely ruining those women in bed. Oh fuuuuuck~ ??¡­¡» Brigid held out her fish and gnashed her teeth, wishing so badly it was her. "Damn it, I can''t hear a thing¡­" That was all she could mutter. "Same here." Rhinoman groaned as his large frame towered over her while he leaned against the wall. His brows twitched in frustration. "What''s even the point of us standing here like idiots?" Both of them turned to Gadget Girl, who was crouched on the floor as her junky contraption whirred and blinked with mismatched LEDs. Wires dangled from the side, and the antenna twitched like it was alive. "Well?" Rhinoman grunted. "Any luck with that hunk of junk?" Gadget Girl adjusted her oversized goggles and fiddled with a knob. "Hold your horses, big guy. I can hear something. It''s not much, though¡­ just some¡­ giggling? But no real words yet. Maybe I need to¡ª" "Try harder!" Brigid hissed as her green eyes narrowed. "What''s the point of you being the tech whiz if you can''t even eavesdrop properly?" Just as Gadget Girl was about to retort, a familiar voice cut through the tension with ease. "Well, well¡­ up early today, aren''t we?" The trio stiffened, then snapped their heads toward the source of the voice. Nadia stood a few steps away with her arms folded tightly under her breasts as her sharp eyes scanned them with an expression that could curdle milk. The sternness in her gaze made Gadget Girl nervous to the point she dropped her device. "Anything I should be worried about?" Nadia''s tone was razor-sharp, each word like a dagger ready to strike. Rhinoman instinctively backed up until he pressed himself against the wall. "Uh, n-, nope! Nothing to see here, ma''am!" He stammered as his usually deep voice cracked under pressure. Gadget Girl scrambled to pick up her device, then waved her hands frantically. "Uhh, Miss Nadia, it''s not what you''re thinking! We were just¡­ uh¡­" Her voice dwindled, leaving her lips flapping uselessly. Nadia''s gaze shifted to Rhinoman, who immediately broke into a sweat. His shirt collar suddenly felt too tight. "It''s not what you''re thinking! I was just worried the boss hadn''t come out in hours, so I¡ªuh¡ª" He faltered, looking desperately at Brigid for help. Brigid blinked, looking as if she''d just realized she was part of the group. She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as though she couldn''t believe her predicament. "Me? Oh no, no, no, I wasn''t doing anything! I just thought Lord Nightwatch might need something to eat after, y''know¡­ plowing two women that weren''t me all friggin'' yesterday!" Rhinoman and Gadget Girl stared at her in horror. Brigid continued without missing a second. "But rest assured, I''m not so petty that I''d sneak poison into their food to kill those fat-chested bimbos and have Lord Nightwatch all to myself." She flashed Nadia a dazzling grin. Nadia''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You were joking about that last part, right?" Brigid nodded so quickly it was a miracle her head didn''t pop off. "Ahahah, of course I was joking! It''s not like I have cyanide in my back pocket, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it or anything¡ª" The moment the words left her mouth, Gadget Girl, Rhinoman, and Nadia all lunged at her simultaneously. "Hold her down!" Rhinoman bellowed. "Check her pockets!" Gadget Girl squeaked. Brigid squirmed under their grasp, laughing uncontrollably as their hands searched every crevice of her outfit. "Stop, stop! I''ll pee myself! That tickles! I swear, I don''t have anything on me!" After a thorough search, they released her. Brigid sat up, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Geez, you guys! I''m a superhero. Like I''d actually carry something like that." Nadia sighed heavily, placing a hand between her breasts. "Well, that''s a relief. Honestly, I don''t have the energy for another drama right now. One of these days, I''m leaving you all and taking a much-needed vacation to Europe." "Can I come?" Gadget Girl mumbled as she tinkered with her device, still a little flustered. Nadia''s sharp gaze snapped to her, and Gadget Girl jolted like she''d been electrocuted. "So¡­" Nadia said, pointing to the contraption. "I''m guessing that''s what you three were using to spy on Scott and Emma. And Gwen." The trio shook their heads furiously in unison. "Nope! Not at all!" Nadia ignored their protests and snatched the device from Gadget Girl''s hands. Holding it up, she fixed them with a glare that could silence a riot. "No more listening in on anyone''s private time. It''s a complete invasion of privacy and completely disrespectful. Am I clear?" The trio hung their heads like scolded children. "Yes, ma''am." Satisfied, Nadia nodded smugly and turned to leave. But just as she reached the corner, a loud, ecstatic shout erupted from inside the room. "SCOTT ??!" Nadia froze mid-step as her ears perked up. ¡ºDid I hear that right¡­?¡» Discover hidden stories at empire Just like before, the voice sounded again. "You''re such a bad boyyy~ ??" This made Nadia''s body tremble even more while her very sensitive ears perked up again. ¡ºThat was Gwen''s voice¡­ post-sex¡­¡» Her fists tightened like she actually wanted to fight. ¡ºNo¡­ there''s no way he had a¡­ with them¡­ Emma would never let that happen¡­¡» Slowly, she turned her head to look back at the trio and then at the door. Rhinoman, Gadget Girl, and Brigid exchanged severely panicked glances. "Oh no¡­" Brigid whispered. "She''s got that look." Nadia placed her hand on her chin thoughtfully as her curiosity grew. Soon, it got the better of her and she slowly approached the door of Room G-7. Her fingers tightened around Gadget Girl''s junky listening device, and she gave it a once-over. It was poorly constructed, with random bolts, tape, and loose wires sticking out, but it seemed to work. Still crouched near the door, Gadget Girl hesitated before raising a tentative hand. "Uhm¡­ Miss Nadia, if you want to listen, I can just¡ª" "Shh." Nadia held up a single finger without even glancing at her, and Gadget Girl immediately zipped her lips. Her wide eyes blinked rapidly as she nodded, then folded her arms like a schoolgirl who''d just been scolded. Satisfied with the silence, Nadia crouched slightly and pressed the device against the door. Her other hand turned the knob to adjust the frequency as a faint static buzz filtered through the device. "Uh-huhhh¡­" She leaned in and her sharp ears strained to pick up the faint sounds coming from inside. The moment the frequency locked in, voices spilled out loud and clear. "Oh!" Gadget Girl looked genuinely impressed. "She actually managed to workout the kinks¡­" ??? Inside Room G-7 Gwen sat astride Scott''s waist as her legs folded neatly on either side of him. She had an indignant pout plastered on her face as she drummed her small fists against his chest. "I wasn''t joking when I said you could finish in me!" Gwen huffed as her cheeks puffed slightly. "It''s not like it''s a bad thing!" Scott, whose head was resting comfortably on Emma''s soft lap, stifled a yawn. "Actually¡­ it''s kinda good I didn''t. You know, otherwise I''d be worrying about you getting pregnant, and then instead of fighting crime, I''d be buying diapers. Yeesh. Imagine if you had twins." Gwen''s eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward as her juicy butt pressed against him more firmly. She could feel the strong shaft of his rod beneath his pants, but this time she didn''t mind it in the slightest. Her arms crossed under her breasts as she stared down at him with fake disgust. "Uh-huh. Because that''s the worst thing in the world. Two little spawns of me running around? Tch!" Scott let out a soft laugh as his chest rumbled under her. The moment Gwen saw his smile, she scowled and smacked his shoulder lightly. Meanwhile, Emma idly combed her fingers through Scott''s hair as her delicate nails grazed his scalp. She had a smug smile on her lips as she watched the exchange. Closing her eyes briefly, she added her own commentary. "To be honest, I was the one who snapped him out of making that horrible mistake¡­" She raised a finger like she was delivering a lecture. "Seems my sweetheart got so lost in plowing you that he forgot none of us should be thinking about babies until we''re in a better spot in our careers." Gwen turned her head sharply as her short, blonde hair whipped around as she pouted even more. "Tch! As if I don''t already know that. There''s no harm in carrying Scott''s baby. Besides¡­" She glanced to the side as her voice softened. More so, she looked a bit too vulnerable. "¡­ I''ve already made up my mind about it." Scott''s eyebrows shot up, and he tilted his head to look at her. "Wait, really?" Gwen''s face turned a deep shade of red, and she avoided his gaze. "Uhm¡­ yeah. I mean¡­ I really like you. So ever since we were kids, I''ve always been okay with the idea of us¡­ having a family together. I know I only just got into Met U and all, but it''s one of those things I don''t think I''d ever regret if it were to happen at any point in our lives." Scott blinked, caught off guard by her sincerity. "Wow¡­ I didn''t know you felt that way." Emma''s fingers froze for a split second before she shook Scott''s head gently, forcing him to look up at her. Her amber eyes glinted mischievously. "Ahem. What about us?" Emma asked with some edge to her voice. "We''re also fine with the idea of starting a family at some point too, right? RIGHT?!" Scott furrowed his brows skeptically. "Hrmm¡­" The skepticism in his tone made Emma''s eye twitch. "What do you mean by ''hrmm'' huh, punk?" Scott snickered at her gangster imitation a bit. But somehow, he managed to give a serious response. "Well, with the way you treat Marcus, your nephew, by the way, I think you need a major timeout before we can even start thinking of kids, young lady." There was such a wisenheimer look on his face. She squeezed her face, smacked his shoulder lightly, and smirked. "Jerk." Watching this, Gwen couldn''t help but giggle as she covered her mouth to stifle the sound. Emma caught it immediately and shot her a glare. "Hey! You shouldn''t be laughing either!" "And what if I don''t want to, blegh!" Gwen stuck her tongue out playfully. Without warning, Emma grabbed a nearby pillow and hurled it at Gwen, hitting her square in the face. "HEY!" Gwen shouted, then grabbed a pillow of her own and chucked it back. Emma dodged easily as her smug smirk returned. "Womp, womp¡ªsuperspeed!" The two launched into a full-blown pillow fight on the small bed, feathers flying everywhere as they swung wildly at each other. Still lying on the bed, Scott simply watched with a small smile on his face¡­ arms tucked behind his head. ¡ºBeautiful¡­¡» His smile turned more thoughtful. ¡ºI don''t use that word very often. Honestly, I think it''s overused, especially in today''s world. Lately, I''ve started to realize something¡ªwhile I enjoy being Nightwatch, these women aren''t really in love with him. They''re in love with the things the guy behind that name has been doing. And that''s when it hit me: Scott McQueen deserves some credit too. ¡ºHe''s a great guy, even if his past isn''t perfect. I can''t deny that the people around him now, the life he''s living, and these amazing women who mean so much to him¡ªthey''re helping him grow. They''re teaching me to appreciate what I have, accept what I don''t, and embrace what I''m becoming. ¡ºThe truth is, sometimes we end up growing into someone we didn''t plan to be. But how we handle that change, how we adapt and respond¡ªthat''s what really shows how much we''ve grown.¡» He grinned to himself a little and shook his head. ¡ºI''m pretty chill with the life I have now¡­¡» ??? On the outside¡­ Nadia had a sad look on her face as she listened in on all the fun they seemed to be having inside. ¡ºI should really remember my place¡­¡» Her face saddened as she switched off the device and sighed very heavily. Brigid noticed this and raised an eyebrow. ¡ºGASP! Miss Nadia likes Lord Nightwatch©¤©¤?! Such a scandalous woman!¡» Almost like she could feel Brigid''s eyes drilling through the back of her skull, Nadia looked back. "Hm?" Quickly, Brigid threw her eyes away and started whistling like an innocent angel. ??? Lakeview Hotel, New York City Maya sat on the edge of her bed as her body hunched over like a puppet whose strings had been severed. Her hollow eyes stared at the blank wall, unblinking, as if trying to carve meaning into its emptiness. The shattered remnants of her phone lay scattered across the floor. Her breathing was slow, almost calculated, as she stood up with unnervingly calm movements. She floated weightlessly toward the bathroom. The mirror greeted her with her own reflection¡ªa face once vibrant, now pale and void of life. She looked sick. Maya leaned closer as her breath fogged the glass. Her lips moved in a low and chilling calm. "Does he not love this face anymore?" Her fingers ghosted over her cheek. "Have I become a disease to everyone? Is that why they keep hurting me?" Her voice cracked slightly. "I did nothing to deserve this¡­ nothing!" Her hand slammed onto the counter as she trembled with suppressed rage. Her eyes darted to the scissors lying carelessly by the sink. Without hesitation, she grabbed them and her grip tightened as if they were the lifeline to her pain. She raised the scissors high and plunged them toward her chest with terrifying force. ¡­ CRACK! The blades shattered on impact and splintered into useless fragments. Her body remained unscathed. The fabric of her shirt not even scratched. Her breathing quickened as she gritted her teeth and tried again. And again. And again. Each strike was met with the same unyielding resistance until the scissors were reduced to a useless, jagged stump. "RAAAAAAHHHHHH!!" Tears spilled down her cheeks as she let out a broken scream. She slammed her fists into the mirror, over and over, until it shattered into a mosaic of jagged shards. Yet, her hands remained unmarked¡ªno blood, no pain, no solace. "FUCK IT ALL!" She grabbed fistfuls of her hair and tore at it. Chunks of black strands fell around her like wilted petals, and she screamed louder as her cries echoed off the bathroom walls. "I HATE MYSELF! I CAN''T KEEP LIVING LIKE THIS!" Her knees gave out, and she crumpled to the floor as her sobs embraced the suffocating silence. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meteor City Amalie Andersen sat curled up by a small fire in a dark alley. The thin, ragged blanket draped over her shoulders did little to protect her from the biting cold. Her hair was matted and her face gaunt and hollow. She trembled as she stared into the flickering flames. Perhaps this would warm her frozen soul. Nearby, a group of homeless people whispered among themselves. "Isn''t that Amalie Andersen?" One murmured as his eyes darted toward her. "She used to work for some mega corporation, right? Earned millions?" "Yeah, but look at her now. Drugs, maybe? She''s gone downhill hard." "Drugs? Please. She always looked like a friggin'' mess. This is just¡­ leveling up." "Nah¡­ she might''ve been unkempt, sure, but not like this. Where''s her car? Her boyfriend? All that money and assets she used to have?" Amalie''s lips trembled as a tear rolled down her cheek. She barely registered their words, but the name she''d been clinging to slipped from her lips in a fragile whisper. "Joe¡­" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The fire crackled, indifferent to her pain, as the others continued to gossip. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Rooftop, Metro City Dark Elf crunched loudly on her chips. She approached the edge of the rooftop. There, a man stood. It was Grave. She stopped halfway, lazily licking the salt off her fingers as she arched a brow. "So¡­ what did you come here for, huh? Got another existential crisis to dump on me?" Grave turned to face her. "When were you going to tell me that Nightwatch''s secret identity is Scott Evelyn McQueen?" Dark Elf blinked, mildly surprised. But the effort to show it wasn''t worth the energy. She shrugged, popping another chip into her mouth. "Well, it''s not like you asked¡­" She came off very nonchalantly. "What, you expect me to go all ''report to the boss'' just because I found out the guy whose ass I kicked is some suburban golden boy? Sounds stupid." She yawned. "And stressful. I don''t care enough." Grave''s eyes narrowed. "I''ve known for a while now, but I didn''t say anything because¡­" Dark Elf yawned very slothfully. "Because he''s screwing the brains out of your sister, right? Makes sense. Oh, and maybe next time, don''t try to sound edgy with a name like Grave when it''s already your last name, genius. It''s just sooo cheesy." Grave tilted his head. "Says the woman calling herself Dark Elf." "Fair point¡­" She muttered, rolling her neck until a satisfying crack broke the tension. She leaned against the edge of the rooftop, staring at him. "So, now that you''ve always known his identity, what''s the big plan? Gonna write him a love letter?" Grave''s expression darkened. "Ruin him¡­" He said simply. "The Hero Agency hired me to take him down, and they''re paying a fortune. Want in?" Dark Elf fell silent. For a full minute, she stared at him, crunching her chips. Finally, she swallowed and said, "Nah. Hard pass." Grave sighed. "I thought so." In a flash, he pulled out a handgun and fired. But Dark Elf''s reflexes were quicker. She spun as her belt snapped off her waist and hardened into a sleek shortsword. ¡­ SHIIIIIIIIIING! With a single fluid motion, she sliced the bullet in half. By the time she turned back, Grave was gone. She yawned as she brushed crumbs off her hands. "Ugh. I hate unnecessary drama." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ End of vol. 2 Chapter 124 Hollywoods Vixen ¡­ November in Metro CityThe city was blanketed under a gray, overcast sky. The air was cold. Surely, winter was approaching. Scott adjusted the black turtleneck he had on as he stared into the full-length mirror in Emma''s extravagant walk-in closet. The closet itself was larger than some apartments, with rows of tailored suits, racks of designer coats, and shelves lined with shoes polished to perfection. But Scott only had eyes for his own reflection right now. "Jeez¡­" He muttered under his breath as he ran a hand through his messy dark hair. "I can''t believe I''m actually going to sign a modeling contract today." His tone was conflicted. Half disbelief, half reluctant acceptance. "As cheesy as this whole thing feels for a guy¡­ I guess it''s not always cheesy. I mean, some of the top male models do look pretty badass." He let out a deep sigh as his words bounced faintly off the ornate, gold-framed mirror. Scott took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Besides¡­ this''ll be a good way to keep my identity as Nightwatch under wraps. Especially now that I''m officially a goddamn terrorist for refusing to sign that Hero Agency''s bullshit contract." His eyes darkened and his jaw tightened for a moment. "They think they''ve got the monopoly on justice? Let''s see how they feel when I launch the Overwatch Agency. That name alone should put some fear in their spines." Satisfied with the fit of the turtleneck, he slipped into a sleek black trench coat, smoothing it out before giving himself another look in the mirror. The coat was tailored to perfection and gave him a clean, almost intimidating figure. "Okay!" He turned his head slightly to examine his skin. "I swear, my skin already looks flawless. If these people try to slap some crappy facial cream on me for an ad, I''m walking out." He turned to leave, but just as his hand reached for the door handle, the System chimed in. [It is recommended that you post a picture of his outfit on your Instaflick account. This will keep your fanbase engaged and attract high-paying brands that have not yet approached you.] Scott froze, then cast a glance at his phone lying on a nearby drawer. "Really?" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Isn''t it enough that I''m actually doing this modeling thing? Now I''ve got to keep up appearances online too?" But he knew the System was right. Reluctantly, he picked up the phone, opened the camera app, and pointed it at the mirror. He struck a simple pose¡ªnothing fancy, just enough to show off the trench coat and turtleneck combo. He snapped the photo and sighed. "Alright, let''s get this over with." He quickly typed out a caption: [Big day ahead¡ªsigning my first modeling contract with BlueForce. Fingers crossed it goes well. Wish me luck!] Within seconds, the picture was live. Scott navigated to his profile page to glance at his stats: 400 following¡­ 10 posts¡­ and 5 million followers. Not bad for an account he''d started just last week. His bio was still embarrassingly plain¡ªjust: [Model | Internet Personality.] As simple as that. "This whole thing feels so¡­ unlike me¡­" He muttered and shook his head. "But I guess it makes sense. Scott McQueen and Nightwatch have to be two different people." Just as he was about to put his phone away, it started dinging loudly as notifications came in rapid succession. "What the©¤©¤?!" Scott nearly dropped the device but managed to catch it as he glared at the screen. "What''s with all these notifications?" He opened Instaflick, and his eyes widened. The picture he''d posted barely five minutes ago already had over 6,000 likes. "Six thousand?" he said, incredulous. "That fast?" Curious, he scrolled through the comments, and his expression turned from shock to bemusement. [OMGGG. The way I RAN to like this post. ???? Scott, you''re literally perfection!] [And somehow people still argue that William Roosevelt is hotter than this man. Be for real. Look at him. Just LOOK.] [No one''s beating this man this year. Not in looks, not in style, not in charm. He''s an angel in human form.] [I''m straight, but damn. This man is something else.] Scott blinked as his face heated up slightly. "What the hell¡­?" It didn''t stop there. Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire [Does anyone know what brand that coat is? I NEED IT.] ©¸ [It''s a black Burberry Kensington Trench Coat and it cost somewhere from $3000 to $3,500. I''m not sure about the turtleneck, but I think it''s a Ralph Lauren product. The shoes are definitely Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Oxfords, those cost almost a $1000 tbf ???? Handsome and rich is a crazy combo!] ©¸ [???? SO SCOTT''S BEEN RICH ALL THIS TIME?!] ©¸ [I need this man, kyaaaaa ^-^!!] [This guy is ruining my marriage. My wife photoshopped his face onto mine in our family picture and called it the perfect family.] ©¸ [Damn ????] ©¸ [My girl would never do that to me. Stay safe tho ??] ©¸ [She''s got taste, though. ????????] ©¸ [LMAO bro just hand her divorce papers at this point.] ??? There were some troll comments too, but Scott noticed that his fans¡ªmostly women¡ªwere fiercely defending him. [Bro really thinks he''s all that. Calm down, you''re just a pretty face.] ©¸ [Do a face reveal real quick ????¡­] [Imagine being this pressed. Scott isn''t stealing your girl, your personality is.] ©¸ [He doesn''t even know who you are. ????????] ©¸ [And? Don''t tag my comments again¡­] [Y''all mad Scott''s hotter than you and can pull your girls. Stay mad, losers.] ??? Scott groaned, running a hand down his face. "This is¡­ a little too much, don''t you think?" But deep down, he couldn''t help but smirk. The cold November air seeped into the mansion as faint gusts whistled past the large windows. Scott adjusted his trench coat one last time. Now, the black ensemble hugged his figure perfectly. "Scott!" Emma''s voice carried through the halls. "Those shoes you ordered just got here! You might want to try them¡ªthey''re much better than those sneakers you were thinking of!" Scott leaned out of the closet doorway, shouting back. "Alright! I wasn''t feeling the sneakers today anyway!" He reached for his phone, ready to slide it into his back pocket, but a fresh notification lit up his screen. [@OfficialBellaTrevors: Hmm~ You look so manly in those clothes ????. I''m already on my way to Metro City¡­ hope you can pay me a visit ??] Scott froze as his thumb hovered over the screen. "Wait¡­ Bella Trevors?" His eyes darted back to the post. Her comment already had over 3K likes in mere moments, while his entire post had just hit 10K likes. "Why me?" Scott groaned, exasperated, as he scrolled down to the flood of replies beneath Bella''s comment. [Scott, don''t fall for her! She''s just here for the drama!] [Bella''s a walking PR stunt. RUN.] [Every woman needs to give up now. If Bella wants him, it''s over for us. ????] [Bro, she''s coming for your career. First William, now Scott? Stay safe out there.] ©¸ [Don''t you dare compare William to Scott. Scott actually has a personality. ????] [Y''all are mad because Bella''s winning at life. Let her breathe, she''s iconic.] ©¸ [Winning in life? More like she''s carried in life. If it wasn''t for all of daddy''s money she''s always spending, I doubt anyone would give a fuck about her ?????¡á?] ©¸ [I mean, she''s an award-winning actress, but ok. Let''s conveniently ignore that.] ©¸ [Something her dad probably paid for. ????] [Scott, my guy, don''t let her trap you. She can''t have every handsome guy in Hollywood!] ©¸ [He''s too sigma for that ????] ©¸ [Get out with your sigma cringe bro. It''s almost 2046, we ain''t having nun of that garbage.] ??? Scott scrolled faster as the comments bounced between defenders, haters, and trolls. One stood out that made him roll his eyes. [Bella''s after him now? Bro, it''s like watching Thanos collect Infinity Stones but for boyfriends.] ©¸ [She''s like the meanest celebrity I know and yet every guy wants to date her ???? HELP!] ??? "I don''t have time for this¡­" Scott muttered under his breath. He stuffed his phone into his pocket and rushed out of the walk-in closet as his coat flared behind him. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Metro Airport, Metro City Meanwhile, miles away in the back of a sleek black limousine, Bella Trevors lounged comfortably in her seat. She was dressed in an elegant, form-fitting red dress, and her blonde hair was tied in its usual messy yet perfectly wavy style to complement her sexy, slender shoulders. Her phone was perched in her hand as her manicured fingers casually scrolled through her agenda for the day. Balanced on her lap was a high-end laptop, which she''d been using to monitor Scott''s rising social media presence. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "This Scott McQueen¡­" She took another glance at his photo. "He''s got quite the nerve." Her finger tapped the screen as she viewed her own comment on his post. "I''ve commented on three of his posts now, and he hasn''t even bothered to DM me. How irritating¡­" Her butler, Morgan, spoke up from the driver''s seat through the intercom. "Miss Bella, wouldn''t it be simpler to just send him a message and politely request a meeting?" Bella sighed, swirling a glass of sparkling cider in her hand. "Oh, Morgan¡­ if life were that simple, anyone could talk to a mega-celebrity." She leaned back against the leather seat as her tone shifted to one of feigned exasperation. "I''m Bella Trevors, America''s sweetheart and Hollywood''s rising star. It''s not exactly good PR for me to go around DMing a newbie like Scott McQueen. That would give him way too much clout. It''s better if we grow together. You know¡­ cross-pollinate our careers." Morgan chuckled softly, his voice calm but amused. "I understand your reasoning, Miss, but¡­ forgive me for asking¡ªdo you actually like him? Or is this just for the cameras?" Bella cutely tilted her head as her tender lips curled into a thoughtful pout. "Not exactly. But he wouldn''t be bad to date¡­ or sleep with a few times." She took a sip of her cider. "I don''t see it lasting, though. Guys with unbelievably godly faces like that? They''re usually either gay, have a small¡ª" "Miss!" Morgan interjected like she was about to say something absolutely blasphemous. Bella smirked, enjoying the teasing moment. "¡­ Or they''re just arrogant. Like William. God, I hated that son of a bitch. Not only was he insufferable, but he was giving off serious gay vibes by the end of it." Morgan frowned. "I always thought William acted rudely because that''s the energy you gave him, Miss. The Trevors and Roosevelt families never did see eye to eye, after all." Bella hummed in thought, pressing the rim of her glass against her lip. "Maybe. Whatever." Morgan cleared his throat. "Forgive me for asking, but¡­ since we''re on the topic of Mr. William, and he was a¡­ rather muscular man, was he¡­" Bella''s expression darkened, and she shot him a sharp look through the rearview mirror. "Don''t finish that sentence, Morgan." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Morgan chuckled, unbothered. "I''m just saying, Miss." "Well, let''s just say¡­ he wasn''t my size¡­" "Haha! You''re too mean, young miss." Bella rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her phone. With a flick of her hair, she held the device up and snapped a quick selfie. ¡­ SNAP! The photo was flawless¡ªher smirk and fox-like eyes easily captured the aura of a star. "Hmph. Scott McQueen¡­" She muttered under her breath as she posted the selfie. "Let''s see how long you can ignore me." Chapter 125 Early Morning Suspicions The early morning news.Judy Cho sat at her desk with her usual professional calm as she adjusted the papers in front of her. Her soft brown eyes scanned the camera, and then she began: "It''s been several days since the ten-day grace period was given to Metro City''s well-known vigilante, Nightwatch. The Hero Agency offered him an opportunity to turn himself in and officially join their ranks." She paused briefly as her fingers lightly tapped the desk as if trying to suppress a more personal thought. "However, there has been no response from Nightwatch. In fact, he has not been seen since the announcement. No streams, no posts¡­ absolutely nothing." Her voice was steady, but there was a faint trace of sadness in her tone, one that surely didn''t escape the more perceptive viewers. Sitting beside her was her co-host, Tim Brandt, a man in his late thirties with neatly combed hair and an air of smug self-assurance. He adjusted his tie and leaned back in his chair. "You know, Judy¡­" He flashed his trademark smirk. "I always wondered about this so-called selfless hero. What if he was just doing it all for the fame? Maybe, once the Hero Agency caught wind of his antics, he folded under the pressure and ran away. I mean, come on, I thought a guy like Nightwatch would at least put up a fight. But no¡ªnothing. Not a peep. Just poof." He snapped his fingers dramatically. "Gone." Judy slowly turned her head toward him, her expression blank yet icy enough to cut through glass. "You know, Tim¡­ I''ve always wondered why your wife left you. Then I remember what a self-entitled dickhead you are, and it all makes sense." The studio went silent. Tim blinked as his smug demeanor faltered. "Uh, I''m sensing some tension here¡ª" Judy cut him off with a biting tone. "Eat my ass, dickhead. The only tension you should be worried about is giving half your shitty property to your wife instead of slandering a vigilante who''s done more good than you could ever imagine¡ª" Before she could finish, the news abruptly cut to a black screen with the message: "We''ll be right back." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Seated on a wide couch in the living room, Dark Elf stared at the now-blank television screen, lazily chewing on a handful of chips. Her half-dead, crimson eyes barely flickered as she swallowed and said in her usual monotone. "That reporter totally has a thing for Nightwatch." Next to her, Gwen¡ªseated cross-legged with her phone in hand¡ªnearly dropped it as she turned sharply. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire "Wait, huh?! Really?! You think so?!" Dark Elf nodded, tossing another chip into her mouth. "It''s obvious. She got triggered when that dick slandered him. Plus, she''s way too neutral when she talks about bad stuff happening to him, and way too excited about his achievements. Anyone who can''t see Judy Cho''s into him is just dumb." Gwen''s face soured. "Hmph. I don''t care for that Judy Cho lady, but she''d better not try buttering up my man any more than she already has!" Dark Elf gave Gwen a lazy side-eye. "Eh? It''s not like Scott would ever meet that reporter outside of interviews. And besides, she''s into Nightwatch, not Scott." Gwen''s face turned red as she stammered. "Th-, That''s the same thing!" Dark Elf crunched on her chips, her voice flat. "Not reall¡ª" "SAME THING!" Gwen practically yelled, her hands clenched into fists. Dark Elf chewed for a moment longer, unbothered, then shrugged. "Whatever." Soon, the sound of quick footsteps descending the staircase caught their attention. Scott appeared at the bottom of the stairs, fully dressed in his sleek black trench coat and turtleneck combo, looking effortlessly dashing as always. Gwen''s mood flipped instantly as she turned to him with a radiant smile. "Ooooh, look at you! Looking like Prince Charming this early in the morning!" Her voice sounded very animated and cheerful. Even her eyes were sparkling. "You''re gonna sweep some ladies off their feet today, aren''t you?" Scott chuckled, adjusting his collar. "Oh no, definitely not." Gwen''s smile grew peaceful¡­ but if anyone looked closer, they''d see a terrifying intensity behind it, as if she was barely containing her possessive rage. She said sweetly, "Good answer." Scott tilted his head, sensing something off. "Eh?" Before he could press further, Dark Elf shoved another handful of chips into her mouth. "Drama queens¡­" ¡­ tap! tap! tap! The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the living room as Emma rushed in from the kitchen. She was carrying a neatly plated grilled sandwich with baked beans and a small bowl of vibrant sauce. Her yellow apron was slightly wrinkled, and her chestnut hair was pulled into a messy bun, giving her the perfect picture of a traditional wife who had been hard at work. "Wait, wait, wait!" Emma exclaimed, stopping just short of Scott, who had been adjusting his sleeves and preparing to leave. "I made you something real special, so you have to try it before you go, okay?" Scott blinked and turned to look at her as his eyes scanned the plate before flickering back to her apron-clad appearance. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Wow, Emma, you look¡­ uh, domestic¡­" He said, chuckling softly. Emma frowned as she noticed his hesitation to look at the food. "Hm. You''re squeezing your face. WHY?" She gasped, clutching the plate closer to her chest. "Is it because you don''t trust my cooking?!" Scott quickly waved his hands. "No, no! It''s not that at all! I just¡ª" He glanced at the holographic clock and winced. "I''m really late for my meeting, so I was hoping to grab something quick and head out." Emma''s expression darkened as she pouted. "Hmm. And you''re sure this isn''t just your way of dodging eating my food?" She glanced suspiciously at Gwen, who had been lounging on the couch. "After all¡­" Her tone sharpened. "Gwen already said my cooking was garbage, so maybe you think the same." Gwen immediately raised her hands in surrender. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! That was one time! One time!" Emma tossed her head to the side with an indignant sniff. She looked like an offended diva. "Hmph. All it takes is one time to hurt a woman''s feelings. I thought you''d understand that, being a woman yourself. In the end, you''re more of a cave woman, tch!" Gwen sighed heavily, slumping back into her seat. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ugh, fine. Fair enough." Scott groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I really don''t have the time for this¡­" He stepped forward, grabbed one of the grilled sandwiches, and dipped it into the sauce before scooping some of the baked beans onto it. "Good," Emma said with a satisfied smile. "Now eat it!" Scott hesitated for only a second before taking a big bite. The second the food hit his tongue, his face turned pale. Then green. His entire body tensed as if he''d been poisoned. Emma tilted her head innocently as her smile widened. "Uh-huh. So? How''s it taste, honey?" Scott''s green face twisted further as he swallowed with visible difficulty. [Ding! Tier 1 Poison Resistance Acquired!] The message echoed in his head as he struggled to suppress the urge to gag. He forced a strained smile and flashed Emma a shaky thumbs-up. "It''s¡­ it''s great." Emma''s face lit up with joy. "Tee-hee! I knew you''d like it!" Scott quickly set the sandwich back onto the plate and stepped back with both hands raised. "Mhm! Loved it! Totally!" His grin was practically glued to his face. "Anyway, I really gotta go now. Big meeting. Very important. You know how it is." He turned and grabbed a car key from the small table near the door, but just as he was about to leave, Gwen and Emma both called out in unison: "HMMM?? Forgetting something?" Scott froze mid-step. "What?" He slowly turned around in confusion. Both women stood side by side, leaning forward slightly with their lips puckered and their eyes closed. They didn''t have to say anything; their intent was very clear. They wanted a kiss from their man. Scott sighed heavily, then glanced at Dark Elf, who was still sprawled on the couch with her chips. She gave him a lazy shrug as if to say ¨C Your problem, not mine. With another sigh, Scott leaned in to plant quick kisses on both Gwen and Emma''s lips. When they opened their eyes and licked their sexy lips with satisfied, mischievous smiles, the distant sound of a car engine roaring to life reached their ears. Scott was already gone. Gwen folded her arms under her breasts dramatically. She didn''t look happy one bit. "Oh, great. It didn''t work!" Emma clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch. That handsome son of a bitch. I thought if he kissed us, he''d want to stay for, you know¡­" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Another morning session before leaving." Gwen sighed as her rigid shoulders slumped. "Honestly? Same. This sucks." Dark Elf yawned as she threw another chip into her mouth. "You two are so greedy¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The roar of Scott''s sleek 2045 Lamborghini Hurac¨¢n echoed through the wide, modern streets of Metro City. The pitch-black car with its sharp, bright red accents looked like a predator, slicing through the morning light as it zoomed past pedestrians. Heads turned everywhere it went¡ªsome admiring, others envious. Inside the cockpit, Scott''s grin widened as he rested one hand casually on the steering wheel as the other tapped the touchscreen console. "Best four hundred grand I''ve ever spent¡­ Jake''s gotta see this thing in action. Taking him for a ride in this beast? Oh, man, that''s gonna be awesome as hell." He chuckled and pressed the holographic interface to pull up Metro City''s latest news reports. A projection lit up across his windshield, showing headlines. His eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the first story. "Hm¡­ unknown hero group stops ten metasapien trafficking rings in Meteor City. All victims freed and now under Hero Agency custody." He let out a long sigh, leaning slightly against the steering wheel as his smile faded. "Good job, Rhinoman and the others¡­" He murmured. "I should''ve been there with them. Gadget Girl, too. But instead, here I am, playing it safe." The thought weighed heavy on him, and his gaze became tired and distant. "Feels like I''m less of a hero every day¡­" He admitted quietly with some sadness. "But¡­ I get it. One wrong move, and the whole city pays for my screw-up." A faint buzzing noise broke through his thoughts. The name [Commissioner Lisbon] lit up on the holographic display. Scott groaned as he tapped the button on his wrist device, the TV-TW, to take the call. "Hey, Liz¡­" he greeted calmly. "Don''t ''hey Liz'' me!" Lisbon snapped back immediately. Her tone was sharp, but there was a sort of concern layered beneath it. "Where the hell have you been? First, you tell me to stop working with that crazy gun chick Deathmark and stick with Rhinoman, Ruse and the dull robot-arm guy, and now you''re fuckin'' MIA?" Scott chuckled nervously and scratched his cheek. "Well¡­ that''s because I''m busy staying undercover, remember? You know, that whole terrorist declaration thing kind of puts a target on my back. Besides¡­" He paused and his tone softened. "I don''t want to put your position at risk. Rope Girl''s probably sniffing around, and she''d use Deathmark as leverage to corner you. Cutting ties with me and Deathmark is just better for everyone right now." Lisbon sighed heavily on the other end. "Whatever. But listen, Nightwatch, you can''t just sit around and wait forever. You''re a vigilante¡ªit''s only a matter of time before someone hunts you down. You need to accept that sooner rather than later." Scott laughed dryly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But it''s nice to hear you''re not planning to snitch on me. Rope Girl must really rub you the wrong way, huh?" "Please¡­" Lisbon muttered like an exhausted parent. "That woman''s a pain in the ass. But seriously, stop dragging your feet. You''ve got work to do." "Fair enough¡­" Scott replied with a slight grin. "And don''t forget, we need to discuss that blue drug later¡ªand all that intel you pulled from Crowe Enterprises. I''m not talking to your subordinates about that, by the way. This one''s between you and me." "Got it¡­" Scott said. "I¡ª" His words cut off and he slowed the car suddenly as his sharp reflexes kicked in. Up ahead, a massive crowd had gathered and spilled onto the street. Lisbon''s voice came through the line. "What''s going on? I hear screaming¡ªfan girls?" She sounded very confused. Scott frowned as he squinted through the windshield. "Uh¡­ yeah. That''s what I want to know, too¡­ I''ll uhh, call you back." He ended the call and rolled his window down slightly to get a better view. The noise was deafening now¡ªcheering, shouting, and frantic screams all mashed together. His eyes scanned the scene, narrowing as he caught sight of a giant holographic screen erected in the middle of the street. The crowd had completely blocked the road, and the projection on the screen showed¡­ Bella Trevors. Scott''s jaw tightened as he realized it was a video montage of her past exploits. The caption read: "WELCOME TO METRO CITY, MEAN QUEEN!" The crowd was chanting her name over and over. During this time¡­ The Peak was standing at the edge of a rooftop nearby with his super suit worn at the ready. He had a serious look on his face and his chest was pumped out as he had both hands on his waist. ¡ºNow that Nightwatch''s gone¡­ this is my chance to save Bella from anything¡­ unfortunate¡­¡» There was a desperate smile on his face. Back to Scott¡­ He was seated in his luxurious car and staring at the crowd of crazy fans that held up Bella''s posters, cardboard cutouts and many other fan-obsessed merchandise. "WE LOVE YOU, BELLAAAAAA!!" "Please! MARRY ME!" "YOUR MOVIES CHANGED MY LIFE!!" Just looking at all this traumatized Scott to his core. ¡ºI-, It reminds me of¡­ the hospital¡­ ugh¡­¡» He almost looked like he''d vomit at any second. [Ding! The individual named Bella Trevors might be in potential danger. Would the host like to save her and steal the heart of America''s sweetheart?] His eyes went dull and half-lidded. "Of course she''s in trouble¡­" Chapter 126 Celebrity “Gift†Scott leaned back against his sleek sports car with arms crossed as he glanced at the holographic interface on his wristwatch.The morning sun was ever active but the air was still cold enough for you to see your own breath. He sighed as his attention shifted to the horde of fans that had now fully clogged the street. The roar of the crowd was deafening¡ªchants, screams, and wild declarations of undying love all blending into one chaotic nonsense©¤©¤to him at least. Scott tilted his head and narrowed his eyes slightly as he noticed something odd. "Huh¡­" He thoughtfully rubbed his jaw. "There''s way more dudes here than I thought. Seriously¡­ they''re simping this hard?" He let out a low whistle as his thin, strawberry lips quirked into a lopsided grin. "That''s kinda crazy¡­" Just as the thought crossed his mind, the noise suddenly spiked. The crowd grew even more frantic, and Scott instinctively glanced toward the source of the commotion. "Here we go¡­" He pushed off the car and stood upright. A luxurious black Rolls-Royce limousine cruised into view. The vehicle gleamed like a polished jewel, and as it slowed to a stop, the sea of fans parted like worshippers making way for their goddess. "Oh my God! Bella, I LOVE YOU!" "PLEASE, MARRY ME!!" "YOU''RE PERFECT, QUEEN!" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I IDENTIFY AS A WOMAN BUT I WOULD GROW A DICK JUST SO I COULD FUCK YOU!" "Bruh¡­ too far¡­" One woman near the front started hyperventilating, clutching her chest as if she were about to faint. "I CAN''T BELIEVE IT! SHE''S HERE! BELLA TREVORS IS REALLY HERE! THIS PRESSURE¡­ I CAN''T TAKE IT! KYAAAAAA!" With a dramatic gasp, the woman collapsed onto the pavement. Scott covered his face with one hand. "Christ¡­" He shook his head slowly. "A grown-ass woman, too. That''s just¡­ embarrassing." He peeked through his fingers, watching as Butler Morgan stepped out of the limousine with the precision and dignity of someone who''d probably been doing it for thirty years. The aging man walked to the back of the car and opened the door with a respectable elegance. "Ohoooo, such a high-value butler!" "You can just tell that the Trevors Family know how to select the most suitable butlers." "Well, only the best to take care of our princess!" The crowd exploded into a frenzy. Cameras flashed like strobe lights as fans screamed at the top of their lungs. Bella Trevors stepped out. She didn''t wave. She didn''t smile at the crowd. Instead, she stood there with her trademark smug look, chin slightly raised as if to remind everyone she was above them. Her glossy, platinum-blonde hair held perfectly into place, and the confidence in her sharp blue eyes could''ve pierced steel. The sexiness of her swanky red dress and how well it clung to her unrealistically beautiful curves was really something to gape all day at. Truly, she was a goddess in red. Watching this from a distance, Scott raised an eyebrow. "Holy shit¡­" He sounded oddly amazed. "She''s got such a punchable face¡­ what the fuck?" Meanwhile, atop a nearby rooftop, The Peak was crouched low, binoculars in one hand as his other hand¡­ well, it was busy elsewhere. His high-tech suit was visibly tight in one particular area, and his breathing was ragged as he zoomed in on Bella''s face. "Holy shit¡­" He whispered, trembling slightly. "She''s got such a kissable face¡­" His hand slid down his pants and started to climb up go down in a repeated motion. "Yesss. Keep making that face like you want to step on my balls so I can spray you with some of this peak yogurt formula, my beautiful goddess. I let my dick get pounded by a friggin'' hydraulic press just to get a sniff on that hair, hmm~ Imagine if she let me¡ª No! Focus! She''s in danger. She''s in danger!" Despite his best efforts, his hand twitched ever so slightly. Back on the street, Judy Cho¡ªour feisty, troublemaking journalist¡ªwas rushing to intercept Bella. She adjusted her pencil skirt as she approached, trying to look professional, but the flustered, desperate look on her face ruined the effect. "Miss Trevors!" Judy called out, hurrying toward her. "I just need a moment¡ªjust one question, please!" Bella''s sharp eyes flicked toward her, and she immediately squeezed her face into a look of annoyance. Taking a step back, she signaled her bodyguards without saying a word. Two massive men in black suits quickly stepped forward. Their presence alone was enough to make Judy pause. "Miss¡­" One of the guards said sternly, holding up a hand. "We must ask you to keep a respectful distance from Miss Trevors." "Respectful?!" Judy blurted as her eyebrows shot up. "I am respecting her! I''m just doing my friggin'' job, you dumb fu¡ª" Before she could finish, chaos erupted. A very fat man burst through the crowd and tore his shirt open to reveal a bloated stomach with "I LOVE YOU BELLA" scrawled across it in thick, black marker. "PLEASE, TOUCH ME!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Bella''s face twisted into visible disgust as she recoiled. "Get him the fuck out of here¡­" she said coldly. Two of the bodyguards immediately rushed forward to grab the man by his arms and dragging him away. "WAIT!" The man screamed, thrashing against their grip. "CAN YOU LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT AGAIN?! I DIDN''T GET A GOOD VISUAL PICTURE OF IT FOR LATER TONIGHT! I NEED TO MASTURBATE TO THAT FACE! PLEASE, I NEED THIS! MY MOM IS KINDA HOMELESS!!" The guards'' expressions turned even more disgusted as they yanked him along. "At least free my hands so I can do it right now!" The man bellowed as they hauled him off. Scott''s face squeezed so hard. He''d been watching this unfold from the sidelines and now he looked like he was about to vomit. "What the actual fuck¡­" He muttered, turning his gaze away. "This can''t be real life. These dudes are¡­ they''re broken. She''s been grooming them or something. Six years on the big screen, and they''re still eating this Mean Queen crap up? Crazy." He shook his head, trying so desperately to wipe the memory from his brain. Back on the rooftop, The Peak was still observing, biting his lip as his binoculars followed Bella''s every move. "God, she''s so strong!" A crazed smile crept across his face. "So commanding. If she ever yelled at me like that¡­" He shuddered and clenched his fists. "No! Focus! Bella needs my help! I can''t fail her now!" ??? Bella Trevors hesitated for a moment and her ice-cold demeanor softened just slightly as she glanced at the crowd. The sea of screaming fans seemed to blur together as their chants blended into one massive, thunderous roar. She raised her hand. The movement was slow and intentional as her perfectly manicured fingers extended upward. And just like that, the uproar stopped. It was as if the world itself had hit pause. Every fan held their breath as their eyes remained wide and unblinking. Some even clutched their chests as if witnessing a divine phenomenon. Bella waved. A simple, graceful wave, yet the crowd reacted as though she''d just performed a miracle worthy of legends. "Oh my GOD! SHE WAVED! SHE WAVED!" "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" "QUEEN! PLEASE, STEP ON ME!" But then, like a sudden thunderclap on a sunny day trouble erupted. Four men emerged from the crowd, their faces obscured by tactical masks as their high-tech weapons charged up with menacing noises. ¡­ BZZZZT! Two of the men fired without hesitation and the energy blasts from their guns slammed into Bella''s bodyguards and sent them flying several meters back. The massive men hit the ground like ragdolls as they groaned in pain. Bella''s eyes widened. "What the fuck?!" she hissed. Before she could react further, two of the masked men lunged forward. One grabbed her left arm, the other her right. A third man wrapped his arm around her neck, locking her in place. "LET GO OF HER!" "DON''T YOU DARE TOUCH OUR QUEEN!" "THIS IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY!" The fans exploded into a frenzy, screaming threats and pleas as their devotion to Bella reached a fever pitch. Some shouted incoherent threats while others broke into sobs. Leaning against his sports car, Scott remained entirely unbothered. He sighed heavily, then scratched the back of his neck as he watched the scene unfold. "Jesus Christ¡­" he muttered under his breath. "This is so fake. I mean, c''mon. High-tech weapons? Random guys in masks? And they just happen to pick her? This is the shittiest publicity stunt I''ve ever seen." He let out a dry chuckle as his lips curled into a smirk. "What''s next? They demand a ransom of¡­ I don''t know¡­ sixty million dollars?" As if on cue, one of the masked men adjusted his weapon and stepped forward. "LISTEN UP!" The crowd fell silent. "We want five million dollars in an hour, or it''s goodbye to the blonde chick!" He pointed his gun directly at Bella, who was still frozen in shock. Scott''s expression became more and more disappointed as he slapped a hand over his face. "Five million? For her?" He laughed bitterly. "This is some 80s soap opera ass dialogue. Bro, you kidnap the daughter of a family worth billions, and thirty million is the best you can come up with? Amateur hour¡­" The crowd, however, wasn''t as skeptical. The fans were losing their minds. "DON''T HURT HER!" "WE''LL PAY! WE''LL ALL CHIP IN!" "QUEEN BELLA DOESN''T DESERVE THIS!" Standing nearby with his jaw tight, Butler Morgan adjusted his bowtie. The usually composed man''s face darkened with fury as he stepped forward. "Unhand Miss Trevors this instant!" There was such deadly intent in his voice. One of the gunmen turned and fired an energy blast directly at him. Morgan dodged with surprising agility for a man of his age and closed the distance in a flash, spearing the gunman to the ground with enough force to make the crowd gasp. But before he could follow up, another of the masked men delivered a brutal kick to his jaw to send the butler rolling on the ground. "UUUURGHH©¤©¤!!" Blood dripped from Morgan''s lips as he lay motionless. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire "MORGAN!" Bella screamed as her voice cracked with genuine panic. The man holding her tightened his grip around her neck. "Fucking shut it, princess, and stay pretty. Or I swear I''ll make you regret it." Bella''s breathing hitched. Fear overtook her as she dared not speak another word. She glanced at a wounded Morgan as her sharp blue eyes glistened with concern. Scott noticed the look on her face, and his smirk faded. His expression malformed into something sour. "Aw, man¡­" He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now I feel like a dick." Just as the masked men began pulling Bella toward an unmarked van, a sharp CRACK echoed through the air. One of the gunmen let out a blood-curdling scream as a jagged stone tore through his shoulder. It moved so quickly you could call it a bullet. "FUUUUUCK!" He howled, then clutched his bleeding arm. The remaining three spun around in panic. ¡­ click©¤©¤©¤©¤BWOOOORP! Their weapons charged up again. "WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!" "IS IT THE COPS?!" "DAMN IT, NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT COPS!" Scott stepped forward, lazily waving a hand as he emerged from the crowd. "Nah, it''s just me." The crowd''s murmurs reached a peak as the masked men looked around in shock, with Scott McQueen standing tall in their presence as his dark trench coat swayed dramatically with every subtle movement he made. Meanwhile, on a nearby rooftop, a man hidden in the shadows adjusted the angle of his camera, then zoomed in on Scott''s handsome face. "The boss won''t like this¡­" He tapped the communicator in his ear with shaky fingers. "Uh¡­ Mr. Lakewood?" He whispered while keeping his eyes locked on the happening scene below. A sharp, exasperated voice cut through the static of his earpiece. "What is it now? I told you to keep the camera steady and stop wasting my time with every little¡ª" "Sir, it''s him¡­" "It''s whom?" "The Peak is¡­ um¡­ he''s not here." There was a brief pause. Then, Vincent Lakewood''s voice erupted like thunder. "What the ACTUAL fuck?!" He sounded so done. "You''re telling me that The Peak¡ªour Peak¡ªour so-called hero¡ªisn''t on the scene while the most publicized abduction in recent history is happening?!" The cameraman winced at the verbal assault. He glanced nervously over his shoulder as though Vincent''s rage could somehow materialize behind him. "Y-, Yeah¡­ I, uh¡­ I''ve been looking everywhere, sir. He''s nowhere to be seen¡­ should I¡ª" "Keep the camera rolling!" Vincent barked. "I''ll deal with that idiot. Just don''t miss anything." "Y-, Yes, sir!" He focused his lens back on the scene below, muttering under his breath. "The Peak might be a little late at this point¡­" ??? Down below, the crowd was now entirely fixated on Scott. "That guy¡­" One girl whispered, clutching her friend''s arm. "He looks so familiar¡­ and sexy." Another gasped as her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my god¡­ it''s¡­ it''s definitely Scott McQueen! That handsome prince!" "Prince? *scoff* He''s not a prince, but¡­ yeah, he''s definitely handsome." Meanwhile, Scott was utterly unfazed by the attention. He lazily shifted his weight onto one leg, his hands still tucked into his coat pockets as he stared down the remaining masked men. One of them stepped forward as his high-tech gun trembled slightly in his grip. "I''m warning you, pretty boy!" The man snarled. "You better get the fuck out of here, or I''ll blast you so hard you ain''t waking up until next Friday." Scott sighed, tilting his head as though the entire situation was a personal inconvenience. "What? They didn''t give y''all better scripts back at whatever shitty studio you came from?" The man froze as his finger hovered over the trigger. "H-, How did you kn¡ª" Before he could finish, Scott closed the distance in an instant as his fist collided with the man''s face like a meteor. The force sent the attacker crumpling to the ground, unconscious before he hit the dirt. "Next¡­" Scott muttered. The remaining men opened fire as their energy blasts sliced through the air with crackling force. ¡­ swoooosh©¤©¤©¤©¤ZOOOM! Scott ducked and weaved with inhuman agility, snatching up the gun of the man he''d just taken down. With a swift pivot, he swung the weapon like a bat to strike the injured attacker square in the head. The crowd erupted into cheers. "SCOTT! SCOTT! SCOTT!" "HE''S SO HOT WHEN HE FIGHTS!" "I WANT HIM TO PUNCH ME NEXT!" Scott ignored the praises. His focus was honed on the final two attackers. One of them continued firing wildly, while the other took a desperate step back, pulling Bella closer as a human shield. "Stay back!" The man screamed. "I-, I mean it! I''ll kill her!" Scott rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You really need to work on your clich¨¦s." He dashed forward and kept as low as a snake to avoid the barrage of lasers. ¡­ fwissshh! In a single fluid motion, he performed a low roundhouse kick that caught one attacker in the jaw and sent him spinning to the ground with a strangled cry. The last man, clearly panicked, tightened his grip on Bella and took another shaky step back. But before he could even think about his next move, Scott was already there. In a blur of speed, Scott grabbed Bella''s hand and pulled her toward him, then skillfully used the momentum to launch himself forward. ¡­ pow©¤©¤©¤©¤KRAAAAK!! His foot connected with the man''s sternum, then sent him flying through a row of tables and crashing into a pile of debris. The crowd went wild. "HE''S AMAZING!" "SCOTT, PLEASE MARRY ME!" "I WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABIES!" Bella stumbled slightly and her hot breath hitched as she found herself pressed against Scott''s strong chest. Her sharp blue eyes searched his face as her expression was one of shock and¡­ admiration? Perhaps¡­ even attraction. "You¡­" She whispered with a trembling voice. "You''ve been stalking me, haven''t you?" Scott blinked, clearly caught off guard. "What? No, I¡ª" "I knew it¡­" Bella interrupted, placing a hand on his chest. "But¡­ who wouldn''t? And to think you''re such an incredible fighter¡­" Her voice softened as her cheeks flushed. "I''m impressed. Deeply impressed." "Uh, thanks, but¡ª" Before Scott could finish, Bella leaned in and captured his lips in a kiss so deep and passionate it left the entire crowd gasping. It was the deepest, wettest, sloppiest kiss ever. The fans lost their minds. "OH MY GOD! SHE''S KISSING HIM!" "QUEEN BELLA AND SCOTT FOREVER!" "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" Meanwhile, on a nearby rooftop, The Peak stepped out of a small shed, a picture of Bella in one hand and his other hand suspiciously sticky with some white, viscous substance. "Oh snap¡­" He muttered to himself with a tired face. "Couldn''t resist one more session¡­ but damn, that was worth it." His communicator buzzed to life, and Vincent''s enraged voice roared in his ear. "Peak, you useless pile of shit! Bella''s been abducted! Get your ass down there NOW!" The Peak''s eyes widened. "Oh, shit!" He sprinted to the edge of the roof and leaped off. Unfortunately, he misjudged the angle and scraped his back against a sharp ledge on the way down. With a pained grunt, he managed to land in a dramatic superhero pose, one knee and fist on the ground. He stood and dusted off his hands. "HA! HA! HAAA!" He struck a confident pose. "Never fear, for The Peak is here!" The crowd fell silent. Their attention was still locked on Scott and Bella. The Peak frowned as his eyes followed theirs. His jaw dropped as he saw Bella still locked in Scott''s manly arms as her lips continued to suckle his. "Wait¡­ WHAT?!" Truly, the greatest PR stunt of the year. Chapter 127 Pop Culture Crisis Emma''s Mansion, Metro CityDr. Goode adjusted his glasses. He peered over at Gwen and Emma. Both women sat across the table, their usual sass and energy replaced with rare, uncharacteristic focus. This was one of their more serious love counseling sessions¡ªat least on the surface. He shifted his gaze to Dark Elf in a far corner of the room. She sat cross-legged on the carpet, munching on chips with a bored expression, her laptop propped up as her sitcom''s canned laughter echoed faintly in the background. Dr. Goode sighed and turned back to the two women. "So¡­ Mrs. McQueens¡­" he began. The effect was instant. Gwen and Emma''s faces turned red, as if he''d just dropped a nuclear bomb of embarrassment on them. ¡­ Hnnn~ ? Their heads snapped toward each other, then dramatically away as they avoided eye contact. They fumbled with their hands like flustered schoolgirls as their delicate thumbs twiddled furiously in synchrony. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dr. Goode raised an eyebrow. "What''s the matter?" Gwen cleared her throat while looking anywhere but at the therapist. "W-, Well¡­ uhm, don''t you think it''s a little¡­ early for that? You know, calling us that. I-, I mean, neither of us are technically at that part of the relationship with Scott yet¡­" Red-faced and squirming in her chair, Emma jumped in. "Y-, Yeah! I mean, it''s not like we''re trying to rush anything or¡ªoh God¡ªscare him off, right? Not that Scott would ever leave us¡ªhe''s not that kind of guy, but, um, we just don''t want him to think we''re¡­ desperate." She then threw her head for a moment to whisper. "Even if we kinda are¡­" Dr. Goode''s expression remained deadpan. The disappointment in his eyes was clear. "You two were the ones who explicitly told me in our last session to stop calling you Miss Graves and Miss Mercer. Mrs. McQueen was your preferred title. Or have you forgotten?" Emma''s head snapped toward Gwen, who looked equally flustered. Emma laughed nervously, then waved her hands. "W-, Woah there, Doc. We never said that. Not once. You''re¡­ uh, misremembering or something. Right, Gwen? Tell him!" Gwen shot her a panicked side-eye but reluctantly nodded. "Y-yeah¡­ totally. We''d have to be, like, really sad and delusional to request something like that¡­" Her voice trailed off, the guilt written all over her face. Dr. Goode''s lips pressed into a thin line. He reached for his leather briefcase, then opened it with a deliberate click. From inside, he produced a thick stack of papers. "Fortunately for you two, I happen to have proof. These are my meticulously detailed notes from our last session. I take great pride in my work. So much pride, in fact, that I find it particularly grating when my clients decide to make me look like a fool." Emma''s eyes widened. "W-, Wait, hold on. What''s that?" "These¡­" Dr. Goode said, holding the papers up elegantly. "¡­ are your exact words, verbatim. Care to hear them?" "N-, No, that''s really not necessa¡ª" Emma spoke up, but Dr. Goode had already started flipping through the pages. He cleared his throat theatrically, in a manner strikingly similar to Emma''s own earlier cough. Then, he read aloud: "I would prefer if you treated Gwen and me like we were Scott''s wife as it would make us feel more secure about being in a relationship with a man so unbelievably handsome and sexy that he makes me wet myself every night. Do you ever feel that way, doctor?" Emma''s face went from red to crimson. Her jaw dropped as if the words physically hit her. "T-, That¡­! I-, I didn''t¡ª! Wait, you wrote that down?!" Dr. Goode gave her an unimpressed look, flipping the page back into place. "No. No, I do not ever feel that way, Miss Graves." Emma puffed up her cheeks in a pout, then crossed her arms as she muttered under her breath. "Tch, fuck it. Whatever happened to the good ol'' doctor-patient confidentiality¡­" Dr. Goode calmly placed the papers back into his briefcase and locked it with a snap. "You forfeited that the moment you decided to gaslight me into thinking I''d misheard you." "Fair enough¡­" Both women muttered simultaneously, sinking into their chairs like scolded teenagers. Dr. Goode sighed as the weariness of dealing with these two started telling its tale on his exhausted face. "Now, if we''re done with the theatrics, can we focus on what issues you''ve been facing in your relationship with Scott recently? Or, better yet, what issues you think might arise in the future?" Gwen leaned back in her chair, rocking it slightly as she stared at the ceiling in thought. "Hmmm¡­ honestly, I''d say everything''s been going pretty smoothly. Like, the trick for us is not thinking of our relationship with Scott as something we have to share, you know? If we keep it natural and don''t overthink it, the feelings will surely always stay¡­ potent." Dr. Goode''s lips twitched into a small smile. "That''s a surprisingly mature answer. Well done." Emma nodded along with a soft smile. "Yeah¡­ I guess if we stop obsessing over the little things, it''s easier to just¡­ enjoy being with him." For a moment, the room was quiet, save for the crunching of chips in the corner. Dark Elf glanced over her slender shoulder as a smirk formed on her sexy, thin lips. "Wow. Actual progress. Guess there''s hope for you two after all." She said with a mouthful of chips Next, she turned back to her sitcom. Dr. Goode allowed himself a rare, genuine smile. "Good. Now let''s build on that." He leaned forward and his fingers interlocked as his sharp eyes settled on Gwen and Emma. His voice was calm but probing, the tone of a man who knew when his clients weren''t being entirely honest. "So, does that mean you don''t have any potential fears that could break this relationship?" Gwen and Emma stiffen, quickly sharing a strange, fleeting look before glancing away to avoid eye contact with the therapist and each other. "No, not at all¡­" Gwen said, her voice a little too quick, a little too light. "Yeah, nope, everything''s fine¡­" Emma added, twiddling her thumbs nervously. Dr. Goode''s eyes narrowed. He wasn''t buying it¡ªnot one bit. He leaned closer, resting his elbows on the table. "That look¡­ what was that look just now?" Gwen raised an eyebrow, acting confused. "Uhhh¡­ Wh-, What look? I didn''t look at her¡ªdid you look at me, Emma?" Emma threw her hands up defensively. "Nope, I don''t know what he''s talking about! No looks here, nope!" Dr. Goode sighed as his patience thinned. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. "Let me be perfectly clear. Do you really want to make the same mistake you made a few moments ago? Or did you learn absolutely nothing from that little¡­ reveal?" The subtle but sharp accusation was enough to break through their facade. Emma groaned, slumping forward onto the table. "Alright, alright, fine! I''ll say it." She looked up at the ceiling as if begging for patience, then straightened. "Yes, we are scared of something. But it''s not exactly about Gwen or me." Dr. Goode leaned back in his chair, visibly satisfied that they were finally opening up. He adjusted his glasses with an easeful motion. "Good. Now we''re really making progress. So, this leaves me to assume it''s either Scott or¡­ a third party? Or perhaps both?" Gwen gave a small, hesitant nod. Emma took a moment to collect her thoughts, then spoke as her words tumbled out like an overdue confession. "See, the thing is¡­ we''re really worried about the kind of guy we''re dating." Dr. Goode tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Go on." Emma inhaled deeply and gestured dramatically. "Scott might not realize it, but he''s, like, the hottest guy in the city right now. Maybe even the country! I mean, people are literally comparing him to models like William Roosevelt!" Gwen nodded in agreement. "It''s true. The man''s walking perfection. Blue eyes, a killer smile, and a body that makes most gym trainers look like amateurs. Not to mention his personality¡­" She trailed off as her cheeks flushed slightly. Emma picked up the thread, clutching her chest dramatically as she continued. "And don''t get me wrong¡ªI''m so glad he''s getting the recognition he deserves! But at the same time¡­" Dr. Goode''s expression hardened slightly. "External forces, then?" Emma nodded quickly. "Exactly! It''s, like, I trust Scott. I really, really do. But the city is full of thirsty women who would throw themselves at him in a heartbeat! Every single second we''re not with him, I can''t stop thinking that someone else is kissing him!" She slammed her hands on the table as her voice rose. "And what if she''s prettier than me¡ªor smarter¡ªor has some crazy skills that I don''t? Like a double tongue that can give him the sloppiest head, or lactating boobies?! What if Scott just¡­ gets swept away?!" Dr. Goode chuckled softly, raising a calming hand. "Miss Graves, I understand that you''re scared. But don''t you think you''re letting your imagination run a bit wild?" Emma opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, a crunching sound interrupted the conversation. From the corner of the room, Dark Elf paused mid-bite. She looked at the trio with a lazy face. "Wow. Scared of him cheating? Cute. Real cute." She grabbed the remote and started flipping channels. "Anyway, there''s supposed to be news about the Blue Thunder superhero movie coming out today. Let''s see if it''s on¡­" The screen blinked, and instead of a superhero trailer, a breaking news segment appeared. On-screen, Judy Cho was front and center, a beaming smile on her face. Behind her, in crystal-clear high definition, was none other than Scott McQueen. And standing next to him¡­ was Bella Trevors. The mega-famous award-winning actress. They were kissing. Passionately. One more than the other. Dark Elf froze as her mouth hung open. The chips in her hand tumbled to the floor as she stared at the screen in horror. One of the few times she really showed shock. Judy''s voice rang out cheerfully: "Breaking news! Bella Trevors, one of Hollywood''s brightest stars, seems to be locking lips with none other than Scott McQueen, America''s latest eye candy! Could this be the start of a powerful new romance?" The room went deathly silent. Then, Gwen''s and Emma''s ears twitched. They turned to the television in perfect synchronization. Their movements unnervingly fast. In an instant, Gwen evaporated into a dark mist to instantly reappear inches from the screen. Not to be outdone, Emma blurred into view beside her in a burst of speed. They stared at the broadcast in stunned silence with their faces frozen in expressions of disbelief. Finally, Emma broke the silence, screaming. "AHAH! SHE KNEW IT!!" Gwen''s fists clenched as a shadowy aura began swirling around her. "She''s dead. I''m going to find her, and she''s dead." Dr. Goode slapped a hand over his face, groaning loudly. "Of course. Of course, this has to happen¡­" In the corner, Dark Elf muttered. "Drama¡­ nice¡­" Before reaching for another chip. ??? Vincent Lakewood''s Control Room Vincent paced back and forth in a dark room filled with wall-to-wall monitors, each displaying various angles of the juicy content unfolding in the plaza. Workers bustled around, typing furiously at their keyboards or whispering into headsets, though their actions slowed every time Vincent passed behind them as his towering figure held barely contained fury. His sharp green eyes were locked on one particular monitor that zoomed in on Scott McQueen''s smug, handsome face. Vincent''s jaw tightened. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of a nearby desk. "No¡­" Vincent muttered, shaking his head. "No. It can''t be. There''s no fucking way." He leaned closer to the monitor, scrutinizing every inch of Scott''s face¡ªthe way his perfect, strawberry lips curled into that cocky half-smirk, the slight tilt of his head as if the entire world were beneath him. The trench coat. The attitude. The precision with which he moved. How did Pulsar dump this man? He thought. "It''s him¡­" Vincent whispered hoarsely, his breath ragged. His voice rose to a yell, echoing through the room. "IT''S HIM!" Every head in the room turned toward him, eyes wide in shock. The frantic clacking of keyboards stopped as his workers froze mid-motion. Vincent slammed a fist onto the nearest desk, causing a coffee mug to topple and shatter on the floor. "That sewer rat! That arrogant son of a bitch! How does Scott McQueen¡ªa literal NOBODY¡ªkeep showing up and RUINING EVERYTHING?!" He roared, grabbing a tablet and hurling it across the room. It shattered against the wall. Another monitor met the same fate as Vincent swept it off the desk with a vicious swing of his arm. "GET ME PULSAR!" He bellowed. "SOMEONE TELL ME WHERE THAT CLOWN IS!" One of the workers cautiously raised her hand, speaking in a hesitant voice. "S-, Sir, we haven''t seen her for weeks now¡­" Vincent froze, his eye twitching. "Motherfucker¡­" ??? Meanwhile, at the Plaza The Peak could hear every word of Vincent''s tirade through his communicator. He winced but kept his expression neutral as he adjusted his high-tech visor. ¡ºJeez, take a chill pill, bro¡­¡» His sticky hand twitched in embarrassment as he glanced at the lingering white substance and wiped it discreetly against the side of his super suit. "Alright, alright¡­" He muttered to himself. "Time to fix this." With a tap on his visor, a swarm of golden drones materialized around him, their sleek frames shining in the sunlight as they hovered in formation. Each drone had a camera, and they quickly began broadcasting a livestream. Livestream Chat: [Yo, was there supposed to be a stream today? ????] [Bro, my phone auto-started the friggin'' stream¡­ I was literally just¡­ nvm.] [Bet. It''s SleazyPen. You were beating it to some weird anime girl again, huh?] ©¸ [Chill, how''d you fuckin'' know?! I even changed my username! WTAF ????] ©¸ [Lmao, SleazyPen, we ALL know it''s you, bro.] ©¸ [Fr, bro''s a platinum gooner, 130 badges ????] ©¸ [Bro fr got exposed. ????????????] [LMAO, SleazyPen talking like we wouldn''t know the horniest comment in the chat was him.] ©¸ [Bird found in the sky ahh revelation ????????] ©¸ [Bread found in bakery ahh mystery ????????] [Anyway, why''s The Peak looking like he just ran out of a McDonald''s bathroom?] ??? The Peak cleared his throat. His voice boomed as he addressed both the crowd and his virtual audience. "Now, now, everybody calm down! My good friend Scott McQueen might''ve saved the day with all the little training I''ve given him, but let''s not forget¡ªthe threat isn''t fully neutralized!" He gestured dramatically toward the fallen masked men. "Behold! These villains haven''t yet learned their lesson." The attackers stared at him blankly, clearly confused. One of them raised a shaky hand. "Uh¡­ are we supposed to do something here, or¡ª" The Peak stomped his foot, glaring at them pointedly. "Oh, right, right!" One of the men exclaimed, catching on. He clutched his side and groaned theatrically. "Arrghhh¡­ my back, hurts¡­ so much. We''ll get you next time, The Peak, you handsome devil!" Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire The others followed suit, limping away as they wailed in exaggerated pain. Livestream Chat: [LMAOOOOO THIS IS SO FAKE.] [Bro, did he PAY them to do that?!] ©¸ [Didn''t pay them enough apparently ????] [Yo, why''s his suit so tight? I can see his nips through the fabric. Even his strong ahh dih ????] ©¸ [Shit so thick I can count the veins ????¡­ guess we know where all that human potential went to.] [Nah, we ain''t seriously skipping over the white stuff on his hand tho.] ©¸ [Plot twist: it''s mayo from his burger.] ©¸ [Nah, that ain''t no mayo. ????] [Bruh, this whole scene got me in TEARS. Who the fuck choreographed this mess? ????] ©¸ [Shit gotta be Dhar Mann or sum ????] ©¸ [Doubt. I ain''t seen one racist joke so far ????] ©¸ [Calm down, Uncle Ruckus.] [But for real, why''s Scott lookin'' like the main character, and The Peak''s just¡­ there?] ??? The Peak''s smile faltered as he read the flood of trolling comments, but he quickly composed himself. He turned back to Scott, his teeth gritted behind his forced grin. "Oh, hey, Scott!" The Peak extended a hand. His voice was overly cheerful. Clearly fake. "It''s been a while, hasn''t it?" Still clinging to Scott''s arm, Bella didn''t even glance at The Peak. She gazed up at Scott with seductive, almost feline eyes as her voice stepped down to a low, sexy purr. "That''s The Peak? Hm¡­ interesting guy, I guess. But for now¡­" She leaned closer, her fingers brushing Scott''s chest. "Focus on me, will you~? ??" Scott gently pushed her away, ignoring her disappointed pout, and strode toward The Peak. The Peak''s chest swelled with relief. ¡ºThe idiot''s gonna shake my hand. See? Crisis averted. I''m a damn genius.¡» But Scott walked right past him without a second glance. His voice was low and cutting. "Clean yourself up¡­ you reek." The Peak froze as his outstretched hand trembled. The crowd and chat erupted. Livestream Chat: [OOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!] [Bro really tryna aura farm on The Peak? ???????? That''s like flexing your family photo on an orphan!] ©¸ [Bruh ????¡­] [Bro just ENDED The Peak''s entire career.] [Scott''s him. He''s THE guy.] [Peak? More like MID.] [Nah, Scott really just called him out like that ON STREAM. ???????????? Doing too much fr ?????¡á?] [Peak''s ego just got sniped from orbit.] ©¸ [Then he should read his book ¨C Climbing Life''s Peaks: A Guide to Being Awesome Like Me!] ©¸ [While drinking some Peak Performance ????] --- The Peak stared at the ground. Lost. No words came. Behind him, the drones captured every single moment of his humiliation, and the chat continued its relentless barrage of jokes. Scott didn''t even look back as he walked away and Bella trailed after him like a lovesick puppy. The crowd roared with cheers, chanting his name. Judy faced the camera. "The Peak¡­ might''ve just¡­ I don''t know¡­" Chapter 128 Harem Schedule Loading… Blue Moon Restaurant, Gold PlazaScott sat back in his chair, legs casually crossed, one hand on the table while the other held the original copy of the contract he''d signed with BlueForce earlier. His sharp eyes darted across the document, and his lips curled into a faint smirk as he tilted his head. "Ten million dollars a year for a guy like me with zero modeling experience¡­" He muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Kinda feels like a desperate move for a brand as big as BlueForce, doesn''t it? Almost makes me nervous¡­" He tapped the edge of the paper against the table, glancing up with a faint frown as his thoughts shifted. Speaking of things that made him nervous¡­ Across from him, Bella leaned slightly forward as her tempting blue eyes locked onto him with a gaze so heavy it could''ve melted steel. Her fork twirled absentmindedly in her spaghetti, but her focus never wavered. The way she stared¡ªit was a look most men would sell their souls for, yet to Scott, it carried the same unnerving intensity of being ogled by a creep. A gorgeous, stunningly seductive creep, but a creep nonetheless. ¡ºShe looks like a pervert¡­ the "I could slurp your cock in one go" sort of pervert. Yeeeesh¡­¡» Scott blinked a few times, shifting uncomfortably. Bella''s smile only deepened as her cherry-red lips curved like a predator who''d cornered its prey. "You haven''t touched your food¡­" She said softly. Her voice was like silk. It was no wonder most men would touch themselves to her music. "Do you want me to feed you?" Scott''s eyebrows shot up. "Uhh¡­ I didn''t ask¡ª" Bella chuckled and interrupted him. Her tempting tone came out as playful but teasing. "Relax, I wasn''t planning to. After all¡­" Her eyes sparkled like a mischievous, little succubus as she rested her chin on her hand. "It should be the other way around, shouldn''t it?" Scott narrowed his eyes as his expression flattened. "Right¡­ Yeah, no thanks. I didn''t even want to be here. I''m just trying not to be rude." Bella rolled her eyes and gracefully forked a bite of spaghetti as she ate with the elegance of someone born to be in the spotlight. "There''s no need to be so¡­ childish~ come on, Scott. You and I both know you''d give anything to have lunch with America''s favorite woman." Scott leaned back, one brow arched as he nodded slowly. "Uh-huh¡­" He dragged out the syllables with heavy sarcasm, his tone so dry it could''ve started a fire. Outside, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered near the glass doors of the restaurant, their faces pressed eagerly against the glass. They watched intently, desperate to catch even a snippet of the conversation between the two. Scott glanced at the spectators before quietly scanning the more than extravagant restaurant. "You know, this place is uh¡­ weirdly empty for how fancy it looks. Figured it''d be crawling with rich people by now, clogging the place with their posh laughs and fake accents." Bella paused mid-bite and then giggled as a soft "tee-hee" escaping her lips. She dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin before speaking. "That''s actually true." She said sweetly, though there was a hint of something calculating behind her eyes. Scott frowned slightly. That line was supposed to put her off¡ªto make her roll her eyes and shift her attention to those rich chaebol heirs who''d practically throw themselves at her feet. Instead, she seemed¡­ amused. Bella leaned back in her chair, crossing her long, fair legs. Her red dress hugged her figure in all the right places, and her seductive stare never wavered as she twirled her fork. "You know why I find that so funny, my dear?" She asked in a light, yet condescending tone. Scott tilted his head, waiting for her to elaborate. Bella wagged her fork playfully. "Because there''s a difference between being rich¡­ and being above rich." She smirked as she took another delicate bite of spaghetti in a slow and deliberate manner. "A place like this is fine for rich people. But me? I''m above that. Why would I want to share a dining space with people beneath me? It''s just so¡­" She waved her hand dismissively. "Silly." Scott froze. For a moment, there was only the clinking of Bella''s fork against her plate. Then, without a word, Scott stood from his chair. "I think this is where I leave¡­" Bella blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, wait¡­" she said quickly, standing as well. She adjusted her tight dress, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she moved closer. "What do you mean you''re leaving?" Scott turned to face her, his expression calm but firm. "If you''re so high and mighty that you can''t even eat in the same space as ''people beneath you'' then maybe I should leave. Clearly, I don''t have the required net worth to sit under the same roof as you, let alone the same table." Bella''s eyes widened as a genuine surprise flashed across her gorgeous face. "Eh?" Scott didn''t wait for her to recover. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire He picked up his contract, adjusted his jacket, and walked toward the exit without a backward glance. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crowd outside erupted into chaos, snapping photos and recording videos as Scott pushed open the glass doors and disappeared into the plaza. Bella stood frozen for a moment as her perfectly manicured fingers twitched slightly. Then, slowly, a sly smile crept across her lips. "Interesting¡­" Bella returned to her seat with a huff, then crossed her legs dramatically as she tapped her manicured nails against the table. Her piercing blue eyes flickered toward where Scott had been sitting, and her lips pursed into a frustrated pout. From the far corner of the lavish restaurant, her butler, Morgan, quietly observed the scene with a bemused expression. The silver-haired gentleman adjusted his pristine white gloves before stepping closer as his polished shoes clicked softly against the marble floor. "Miss, what seems to be the matter?" He asked politely, his voice steady and calm. Bella looked up at Morgan. Her eyes were wide with disbelief as if he''d just asked her the most absurd question in the world. Then her gaze shifted toward the tinted glass wall, where the muffled cries of her fans still echoed faintly. Finally, she glanced back toward the restaurant doors, where Scott''s figure was shrinking in the distance. ¡ºThat guy¡­ that nobody actually ignored me¡­ li-, like I''m one of those poor, worthless ladies on the Internet that simp for him and make him look like he''s worth anything! How dare him talk to me like that©¤©¤?!¡» Her lips parted, but for a moment, no words came out. Then, as if the floodgates of her pride had burst, she scoffed loudly, crossing her arms. "He¡­ walked out on me¡­" She spoke with a very annoyed voice. Morgan blinked in surprise. "He did what?" Bella stood abruptly, her hands slamming on the table as her face turned red with frustration. "He walked out on me!" She repeated, louder this time. "Can you imagine, Morgan? The nerve of that man! Me! Me! An award-winning actress and musician with several platinum singles, millions of fans, and more money than half the people in this country combined!" Morgan raised a hand to his chin, clearly intrigued but staying composed as Bella continued her tirade. "Does he have any idea how much I make per minute? Or how much is in my bank account? Or¡ª" She paused dramatically, throwing her arms out. "¡ªhow many assets I have under my name?!" Her voice echoed across the empty restaurant as her chest puffed out like a furious peacock. Her cheeks flushed with anger, and if steam could''ve burst from her nostrils, it would have. Morgan tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes tried severely to hide his amusement. "It certainly sounds¡­ unprecedented, Miss Bella." "Unprecedented?!" Bella exclaimed as her arms flailed. "It''s unthinkable! Insulting! Absolutely¡ª" "Miss¡­" Morgan interjected gently, holding up a single finger. Bella froze mid-rant, watching as the butler calmly walked over to the large glass doors separating them from the crowd outside. Gently, he pressed a discreet button, and the glass instantly turned pitch-black, cutting off the fans'' view. Outside, chaos erupted as screams of frustration echoed through the plaza. "Ahhh, no fair!" One fan shouted. "We deserve to know what''s happening with our queen!" Another banged on the glass. "Let us see!" Ever unbothered, Morgan walked back to Bella with the grace of a man who had seen it all. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder with a calm but kind expression. "Miss Bella¡­" Naturally, he spoke very softly. "I understand why you feel insulted. Truly, I do. But¡­ have you forgotten what I''ve told you about interacting with men you take an interest in?" Bella''s expression soured instantly, and she folded her arms, glaring at Morgan. "Interest? Don''t be ridiculous, Morgan! I don''t like that poor dunderhead!" Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so?" Bella scoffed, looking away. "I just¡­ I just want him to respect me, that''s all! To do what I say! Is that too much to ask?" Morgan chuckled quietly. "Is that really all, Miss Bella?" "Yes! Obviously!" Bella snapped, though her voice wavered ever so slightly. The butler''s smile deepened. "You mean to say you don''t feel anything for him? Not even after he saved your life minutes ago?" Bella''s cheeks flushed a faint pink as she spun around. Her arms were still crossed. "I''m a grown ass woman, Morgan. If I liked someone, I wouldn''t deny it like some¡­ child! I don''t find Scott McQueen attractive at all!" She paused for half a second before muttering under her breath. "I just want him to be a good boy and show up in my next music video¡­ and maybe my movie¡­ or, uh, all of them¡­ maybe¡­ just maybe¡­" Morgan sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Honestly¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Gold Plaza Meanwhile, Scott strolled down the spacious plaza, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets. The buzz of the crowd behind him was fading. Now, he really felt at peace. ¡ºI should get home to Emma and Gwen, maybe we can watch some movies with Brigid and Marcus¡­¡» Just as he rounded a corner, he caught sight of a vaguely familiar figure standing by one of the massive pillars. The moment their eyes met, the person''s face turned pale, and they immediately ducked behind the pillar, clearly trying to hide. Scott''s brows furrowed in suspicion. Quickening his pace, he marched toward the pillar. "Aha!" He shouted as he rounded it, expecting to catch some lurking paparazzi. Instead, his jaw dropped. Standing before him was a stunning woman with fox-like ears and a long, fluffy tail swishing nervously behind her. Her golden-brown hair framed her delicate face, and her amber eyes widened in embarrassment. "Foxgirl?!" Scott exclaimed, stumbling back a step. The woman''s face turned a deeper shade of red as she brushed her bangs aside and frowned shyly. "It''s not Foxgirl¡­" She mumbled in her soft voice. "I''m Vixen¡­ her sister." Scott blinked. "Wait, what? Vixen? The fox chick from the SMPE¡­?" Vixen glared at him, puffing her cheeks. "Of course it is! Don''t act like you don''t know who I am you fucking son of a bitch!" Scott smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "Right¡­ sure you are. So, what''re you doing here? Spying on me?" Vixen''s fluffy ears twitched as she looked away, her tail swishing nervously. "I wasn''t spying! I just¡­ happened to be passing by!" Scott arched a brow. "Right, because random fox-eared women casually stroll through luxury plazas on a daily basis." Vixen huffed and stamped her foot lightly. "It''s none of your business, okay?!" Scott chuckled, shaking his head. "Whatever you say, Foxgir¡ªI mean, Vixen." Her eyes narrowed, but the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her annoyance. [Ding! You''ve initiated an encounter with Vixen!] [Harem Schedule loading¡­] Chapter 129 Foxy Business Scott raised an eyebrow as he stared at the glowing words floating before him."Harem Schedule?" He muttered to himself, his tone flat. "What the hell is a Harem Schedule?" Still standing in front of him, Vixen froze for a moment before tilting her head. Her amber eyes narrowed suspiciously, and she edged closer to him. "Harem¡­ Schedule?" She repeated in her soft, curious voice. "What are you talking about?" Scott lowered his gaze to her, noticing how she''d stepped into his personal space. "Eh¡­?" His attention drifted¡ªcompletely involuntarily¡ªto the way her arms were folded under her perky breasts, pushing them up in a way that was impossible to ignore. The fluffy tail behind her twitched slightly, as if reflecting her unspoken tension. Raising an eyebrow, Scott smirked faintly. "You always approach men with your chest pushed out like that? Or is this just some kind of strategy to throw me off? It''s kinda¡­ well, weird¡­" Vixen blinked in surprise. Her eyes widened for half a second before she caught on to his words. "HUH©¤©¤?!" A deep red flush spread across her cheeks as her tail bristled, and she immediately spun around, folding her arms tightly over her chest. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire "M-, My breasts aren''t weird!" She stammered, refusing to meet his eyes. Scott chuckled, shaking his head. "Not what I meant¡­" His tone was casual but heavy with dry amusement. "I was talking about the fact that you''re walking around in something so tight that every creep in this plaza could probably see more than you want them to." Vixen froze in place. The embarrassed flush on her face quickly gave way to a darker expression. Her messy, dark-brown hair cast a shadow over her face as she turned her head slightly toward him and her voice grew colder than before. "Can you¡­ stop talking about that?" She asked in a low and clipped tone. Offended, was an understatement. "You act like I have any control over what I do." Scott frowned. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Vixen turned fully toward him now, her arms still wrapped around herself. Her eyes carried pain and bitterness. "It means¡­" Her voice trembled slightly. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As if all the bad memories had rushed in. "That this¡ªthis whole¡­ look¡­ It''s all I''ve got. My powers? Useless in the field. My training? Forgettable. All I''m good for is standing around looking pretty while people gawk. So, yeah, maybe I wear something tight. Maybe I flaunt what I have. Because what else am I supposed to do?" Her voice cracked on the last word, but she quickly turned away, her shoulders stiff and trembling. "Don''t act like you understand¡­" It came out so quietly. "And don''t¡­ ever talk to me like that again." Scott''s smirk faded completely as his face stiffened. He opened his mouth to say something. But, nothing came out. Her words hit him harder than he expected, and a stake of guilt began to settle in his chest. [Ding!] The System''s chime echoed in his mind, as if waiting for the perfect moment to interrupt. [The host has hurt the feelings of the potential harem member identified as Vixen. To properly integrate her into the Harem Schedule Mode, you must find a way to make it up to her.] Scott''s face darkened and his eyebrows furrowed as he grumbled under his breath. "Seriously, bro? This is what we''re doing now?" [Additionally, Vixen is still hurt by your past actions at the SMPE. Recommend immediate reparations to prevent further fallout.] Scott sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could already feel the System''s nagging lingering in the back of his mind, but he couldn''t exactly argue. After all, it wasn''t wrong¡ªhe had crossed a line. "Alright, alright¡­" He muttered, glancing back at Vixen''s tense frame. "Fine." Clearing his throat, he stepped closer to her. His voice was softer now. "Uh¡­ Look, I''m sorry about what I said. I went too far." Vixen''s head whipped around. Her eyes narrowed sharply. "A little too far?" It almost sounded like she snapped. However, she was still in control¡­ just a little volatile. "And when are you going to apologize for what you said last time? At the SMPE, remember? You humiliated me and my sister in front of everyone, acting like we were some kind of¡­ joke!" Scott winced. Her words hit like a bullet, each one dragging up memories he''d tried to bury. His face twisted into an awkward smile¡ªa futile attempt to mask the growing guilt. "Oh¡­" he muttered weakly. "Uh¡­ Yeah, about that¡­" He scratched the back of his neck. There was that uncomfortable glare she was giving him. "Sorry again. I¡­ wasn''t really thinking about anything other than helping my friend steal the spotlight. It wasn''t personal." Vixen''s ears twitched at his words, and her glare softened just slightly. Her fluffy tail swayed behind her, though it still carried a hint of agitation. All in all, she was pleased. Perhaps¡­ a bit too easy to please. But in the end, this beautiful fox lady wasn''t the kind to demand you cut off your head as an apology. "You mean Psyche?" Vixen asked quietly. "Your friend would''ve won anyway. She''s a prodigy, isn''t she? A mind-reader. Someone who can predict everything her opponent will do and charm an entire room without breaking a sweat. People like her¡­ They get everything handed to them, no matter what." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she hugged herself tighter. Her gaze drifted to the ground as her amber eyes glistened faintly. "People like me¡­ we don''t even get a chance." Scott stared at her, his expression unreadable. He didn''t know her well¡ªdidn''t know what she''d been through¡ªbut he could feel the heft of her words. It reminded him of everything he''d been learning about the Hero Agency lately, the cracks in the perfect image it tried to project. "Everyone deserves a chance to answer a call¡­" He thought to himself and his jaw tightened. ¡ºOh well¡­¡» Scott stroked his chin thoughtfully as his eyes fixed on Vixen who rubbed her ear with a small, annoyed huff. She had a strange way of being both fiery and fragile, and for some reason, he found himself intrigued. She was at least worth forming a relationship with. "Say¡­" He spoke calmly in the tension. "Would you, uh, like to spend some time together later?" Vixen blinked as her pretty eyes broadened. Her fluffy ears perked straight up as if they might pop off her head. "Huh?" She asked, tilting her head. "Spend time together? What''s that supposed to mean?" Then, as if the thought struck her like lightning, she pointed a finger at him accusingly. "Wait a damn second! Is this some kind of weird sex hangout thing you''re planning?!" Scott''s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "What?! No!" Vixen wasn''t done. She jabbed the air dramatically as she leaned closer to him. "Because I''m not a freaking escort, you got that?! I''m a superhero! I don''t care how handsome or blue-eyed you think you are¡ªI''m not sleeping with you for any fucking amount of money!" Scott''s face twitched. He closed his eyes, exhaled slowly, then grabbed one of her fluffy ears with a firm grip, giving it a gentle¡ªbut unmistakable¡ªtug. "Ow, ow, OW!" Vixen squeaked and her whole body stiffened as her tail shot straight up. "What are you doing?! Let go!" Scott twisted her ear slightly. "Can you please control your mouth for five seconds?" He sounded calm, but equally irritated. Vixen hissed in low pain, then glared up at him with a flushed face. "You''re such a¡ªow! Stop pulling my ear!" Scott released her with a sigh, then stepped back as she rubbed her ear again. "Look, I''ve already apologized, alright? I''m trying to make things better here. So, maybe stop assuming stuff before I''ve even said it?" He gave her a pointed look as his tone turned dry. "And for the record, you''re pretty, sure, but not that pretty for me to throw money around to get you in bed. Not to brag, but most women would do that for free." Vixen froze mid-rub as her expression twitched. Her glare was supposed to be intimidating¡ªsharp and deadly¡ªbut with her cheeks puffed out in frustration and her tail flicking in irritation, she just looked¡­ cute. Scott chuckled softly, shaking his head. "See? This is why I''m not spending money." "Jerk!" Vixen snapped, then stepped back and hissed through clenched teeth. She cupped her ear protectively, glaring at him. "No one''s pulled my ear like that since¡­ my Dad¡­" Her voice trailed off and her expression shifted as her gaze softened into something distant and sad. Scott tilted his head. "Eh?" Both of Vixen''s eyebrows shot up in panic as she realized what she''d just said. She immediately jumped back, then slapped her hands over her mouth as though she could take the words back. The System''s alert rang in Scott''s mind like a very unwelcome guest. [Notice: Daddy issues detected.] Scott froze, staring blankly into the distance. "Bruh¡­" Vixen''s face turned scarlet. "I-, It''s not what you think!" She stammered, waving her hands dismissively. "Forget I said anything! It doesn''t mean anything, okay?! Nothing at all!" Scott gave her a slow nod. "Uh, okay¡­ not asking. What I do want to know, though, is if you''ll be free to do a small patrol later tonight?" Vixen raised an eyebrow as her ears twitched. "Hm? Patrol? What do you mean by that? Only superheroes do patrols, and unless you''re secretly one of us¡­" She folded her arms, looking him up and down. "You''d just get yourself hurt if we ran into real trouble." Scott smirked. "Well, as it happens, I am a superhero." Vixen blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. "No way." Her surprise quickly switched over to excitement as her tail wagged behind her like a hyperactive dog. She stepped closer with eyes that sparkled like gems. "Wait, you''re serious? What''s your codename? What rank are you? Do you have a big sponsor? Sidekicks? Tell me everything! EVERYTHING!!" Scott raised both hands and gently pushed her back by the shoulders. "Uh, calm down, alright? I''m not exactly a registered hero¡­ or a popular one." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just started out, actually. So I was hoping you''d, y''know¡­ show me the ropes?" Vixen''s enthusiasm deflated instantly. Her tail stopped wagging. Even her expression turned deadpan. "Oh." She sighed, then folded her arms. "Let me guess. You''re just another rich guy trying to pull a quick ''celebrity hero'' stunt for PR, huh? Happens all the time. You''ll quit after a month or two." Scott chuckled softly. "Not a PR stunt. I''m doing this because I want to. And if you think I''m lying¡­" He leaned closer as his tone turned oddly teasing. "Why not come with me on a night patrol and see for yourself? Maybe I''ll even learn a thing or two from the pretty and quite capable fox lady." Vixen kept her stern expression, but her tail sold her out with the way it swished side to side again. After a moment, she sighed dramatically. "Fine. Deal." She pulled out her phone. "Let''s exchange contacts." Scott grinned. "Cool." The System pealed again. [Mission accomplished. Vixen has forgiven you, and your relationship has improved. Night patrol with Vixen has been added to the Harem Schedule at 12 a.m.] Scott groaned internally. "Here we go again¡­" ??? Bella stood on the upper section of the plaza. Her manicured fingers pressed tightly against the cool, tempered glass. Her knuckles turned white as she gritted her perfectly shaped teeth. Her piercing gaze locked onto the scene below. Scott and that fox-eared, tail-wagging woman exchanging smiles as if they were the only two people in the world. "I can''t believe this¡­" Bella hissed under her breath. A heavy grunt escaped her throat as she slammed her fist against the glass and rattled the frame. Beside her, Morgan stood quietly, a tired expression plastered on his face. His bloodstained napkin dabbed lazily at a small wound on his lip, which had reopened and was bleeding again. He shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, knowing all too well what was about to happen. Bella was like a thunderstorm¡ªinevitable and destructive. And right on cue, she exploded. "Are you kidding me?!" Bella seethed as her voice trembling with fury. "Rather than talk to a beautiful, accomplished, rich woman like me¡ªsomeone capable of turning his pathetic little life into one of luxury and fame¡ªhe chooses to hang out with that¡­ that fox bitch?!" Morgan sighed silently to himself, dabbing at his lip. Bella wasn''t done. "She''s nothing but a glorified internet whore! I can''t believe he''s wasting his time with her!" Bella''s voice rose with every word as her anger reached volcanic levels. "Bitch, please! If that tail-wagging loser can show him something millions of other men haven''t already seen, I''ll throw a damn dollar at it!" She leaned forward as her face practically pressed against the glass now as she spat her words. "The only thing she''s fuckin'' capable of giving him is a well-deserved STI!" The classic rich-girl scoff followed. "I''ve never been more insulted in my life!" Morgan stayed silent. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke with an even voice. "Miss, that''s not Foxgirl." Bella froze mid-rant as her fury momentarily derailed. She turned to Morgan, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, what?" Morgan adjusted his napkin. His tone calm but slightly tired. "Foxgirl is the older sister, I believe. She''s a ginger. This one is Vixen¡ªthe younger brunette sister." Bella''s lips parted in disbelief, then curled into a sharp side-eye as she turned on him. "And how the hell does an old man like you even know that? Huh, Morgan?" Morgan dabbed his lip one last time and replied with a deadpan expression. "I''m not the one who watched videos of Foxgirl filling a Diet Coke bottle with her vaginal fluid." A visible ripple of shame passed over Bella''s face as she jerked her head away. Her cheeks were tinged with pink. "Uhm¡­ never mind." Morgan shook his head slightly. "Thought so." Bella refocused on the scene below. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Scott and Vixen exchange personal contacts. They were smiling now¡ªgenuinely smiling. Her jaw clenched tighter. ¡ºHe didn''t do this even after I got him a $3,000 plate of Golden Sauce Spaghetti!¡» ??? Down below, Scott glanced at his phone as Vixen''s social handles synced into his contacts. He smiled, then tucked the device into his pocket. "Alright, I''ll text you the time and place for tonight." Vixen tilted her head as her fluffy ears flicked in amusement. She gave him a smug, skeptical look, arms crossed. "Uh-huh. I think I''ll handle that¡­" Next came that teasing smirk of hers. "You don''t know much about the hero gig yet, so leave it to me, rookie." Scott chuckled, then nodded slightly. "Fair enough. You''re the expert." He extended a hand for a handshake as his warm and genuine blue eyes charmed her. "It was nice meeting you, Vixen. I''m looking forward to having a good talk later tonight." Vixen stared at his outstretched hand as her lips quirked into a sly smile. "A handshake?" She teased, shaking her head. "C''mon, big man. Don''t be so formal." Before he could respond, she stepped forward and pulled him into an intimate hug. Scott froze for half a second, taken off guard, before her soft, fluffy tail brushed against his leg, and the warmth of her body pressed into his. He could feel every bit of her perky breasts as her hands gently caressed his back. She whispered near his ear. "Here''s a tip: When you meet a woman and things go really well, try a hug instead of a handshake. It shows confidence, y''know?" Scott''s voice came out faintly, "Oh¡­" ??? Above, Bella''s chest heaved with barely contained fury as she watched Vixen press herself against Scott in that intimate embrace. Her nostrils flared, and a faint, audible puff of steam seemed to escape as she exhaled sharply. "This is ridiculous!" Venom spilled from every syllable that left her lips. Still standing silently at her side, Morgan allowed himself a slight smirk. "It seems¡­ the young man has game, as they say." Bella didn''t respond. She was too busy fuming as her eyes locked onto the pair below. Scott was smiling now, looking at Vixen like she was the most interesting person in the world. And Vixen, that smug little bitch, looked all too pleased with herself. That was how she saw it at least. Bella''s fist clenched again, but this time she didn''t slam it against the glass. Instead, she muttered darkly. "Enjoy your little time with her, Scott. But don''t think for a second this is over." Her manicured nails clicked against the glass as her lips curled into a sharp, dangerous smile. "Oh, he''ll come crawling back to me. They always do." Morgan let out a low, tired sigh, rubbing his temple. "Here we go again¡­" Chapter 130 Bellarama Emma''s Mansion, Metro CityThe living room was a little dark, save for the glow of the massive television dominating the far end. Plush leather couches surrounded a sleek glass coffee table littered with half-empty snack bags and soda cans. The entire place was drowning in silence¡ªaside from the occasional crunch of Dark Elf''s chips¡ªyet the silence in the room was almost deafening. On the screen, across every news channel, was the same damn thing. Scott and Bella. Marcus sat in the middle of the couch, lazily slumped with the remote in hand, expression deadpan as he mindlessly flipped through channels. Click. "This rising model, who just signed a multi-million dollar contract with BlueForce, was seen on a cozy spaghetti date with her hero just moments after their steamy kiss¡ª" Marcus sighed heavily. His thumb pressed the button. Click. "America''s eye candy, Scott McQueen, swooped in to save Bella Trevors from a terrifying kidnapping attempt! And as a thank-you, the award-winning actress and platinum-selling musician rewarded him with a kiss that has the whole world talking!" Marcus'' eye twitched. He cut his eyes toward Gwen and Emma, who both sat beside him, silent and impassive. Another deep breath. "This better not be the same shit again¡­" He muttered, flipping the channel. Click. "And as we approach the end of the year, we never expected a romance of this magnitude to bloom! Bella Trevors, originally in town to focus on her music and upcoming film role, seems to have been struck by Cupid''s arrow¡ªby none other than Metro City''s newest candy! A love story for the ages!" Marcus groaned. Click. "Honestly, I think we can all agree Scott McQueen and Bella Trevors are a dream couple! Imagine the angels their children would be! Stunning genes on both sides!" Click. Click. Click. Click. No matter the channel, it was always the same. The same goddamn thing. And if it wasn''t the same regurgitated story, it was worse¡ªsome stations outright edited the pictures to make it look like Scott was completely into it. "The kiss was fantastic!" "He was clearly waiting for it¡ªlonging for it!" "Look at that body language! He''s practically melting into her embrace¡ª" "Imagine kissing Bella Trevors! I think that''s something every American man has on their bucket list, HAHA!" Mute. Marcus tossed the remote onto the table with an exhausted sigh. Now that the unbearable noise was finally gone, Gwen turned toward him, arms crossed. "Can you just pick a channel and leave it?" Marcus shrugged. "There''s nothing on. Just news about Bellott." Gwen''s brow instantly furrowed in disgust. "No one''s calling them that." Still munching, Dark Elf swallowed before lazily. "Actually, people are calling them Scella. Way more natural. Flows better." Gwen whipped her head around. "Elfie! What the hell?! You''re supposed to be on my side!" Dark Elf blinked, confused. "The only Elfie I know is the pornstar." Then, just like that, she went back to crunching on chips. Marcus exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. His eyes shifted toward his aunt. She hadn''t said a single word. Odd. He wasn''t the only one who noticed¡ªDark Elf and Gwen also turned to look at her. For a moment, there was just silence. Emma, noticing the stares, tensed slightly. "¡­ What?" Marcus rubbed his chin. "Uhh, it''s just¡­" Gwen hesitated, then gestured vaguely. "We kinda expected you to¡­ y''know¡­" Emma frowned. "Know what?" More silence. Marcus and Gwen exchanged glances, neither wanting to be the one to say it. Finally, Dark Elf sighed, swallowed her last chip, and stretched her arms. "They expected you to go batshit crazy over this. You know¡­ considering your history." "History of what?" "Of being a deranged, perverted freak, of course¡­" "Eh?" Emma blinked. Dark Elf reached for another handful of chips but paused mid-motion. She tilted her head slightly, then added an afterthought. "Uhh¡­ no offense." Emma squinted. Then she leaned back against the couch, arms crossed. "¡­ What? You guys seriously thought I was gonna go full psycho over this?" Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn''t be the first time." Emma scoffed. "Oh, come on. What am I, some kinda jealous ex-girlfriend stereotype?" Marcus, Dark Elf, and Gwen all answered at the same time. "Yes." Emma''s eye twitched. Dark Elf licked some salt off her fingers and pointed at the screen. "You don''t care about that?" Emma glanced at the frozen image¡ªthe high-definition shot of Bella deep in Scott''s mouth. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "¡­ Look, do I like that this is the first thing I see when I turn on the TV? No. Am I mad about it? Not really." Gwen''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Not really?" Emma hesitated. Then she exhaled sharply, rolling her neck. "Alright, fine. I don''t love it. But it''s not like I''m gonna run out there and claw that bitch''s eyes out." Marcus smirked. "Progress." Emma shot him a glare. Dark Elf popped another chip in her mouth. "Damn. Here I was, thinking I''d get a front-row seat to some crazy ex drama." Emma rolled her eyes. "Please. If I was really mad, you''d know it." Gwen crossed her arms. "That sounds like something a mad person would say." Emma groaned. "Oh, shut up." Gwen just smirked. The conversation settled for a moment, but the heft of the image on-screen still loomed over them. Eventually, Dark Elf broke the silence again. "Sooo¡­" Everyone turned toward her. Dark Elf swallowed her last chip and licked her fingers clean. "Who''s gonna tell Scott?" A long, heavy pause. Then Marcus, Gwen, and Emma all turned toward each other. No one said a word. No one volunteered. They just sat there, staring at each other like it was a damn hostage situation. Dark Elf grinned. "Not it." Soon after¡­ The low rumble of an engine purred outside, its powerful growl slicing through the quiet. A sleek, jet-black Lamborghini Hurac¨¢n rolled into the driveway, its engine letting out a deep, satisfying rev before shutting off. From his spot on the couch, Marcus'' lips curled into a knowing smirk. He stretched his arms over the backrest, tilting his head toward the others. "Heh. Looks like the man of the moment has arrived." Gwen arched a brow. "Took him long enough." Dark Elf licked more of the salt from her fingers and tossed the empty chip bag onto the table. "I dunno, I half-expected him to show up through the window like some anime protagonist." "Why¡­ would he so that?" Gwen looked lost. Dark Elf shrugged. "Uhhh¡­ because he has a harem?" "¡­" A moment later, the front door swung open. Scott stepped in, still looking just as luxurious as he was when he first stepped out. His sharp features were set in mild confusion. In each hand, he carried a white shopping bag from one of those fancy gourmet stores¡ªprobably snacks and drinks. But he barely made it past the threshold before stopping dead. Because every single person in the room was staring at him. Not just looking. Staring. Wide eyes. Unblinking. Like he was doing something insane. Like snorting molten lava out of his nostrils. Scott blinked. His gaze darted between Marcus, Gwen, Emma, and Dark Elf. The silence was so thick he could hear the faint hum of the refrigerator far away. "¡­ Okay." He slowly lifted his hands, as though being held at gunpoint. His voice was calm but firm. "Nothing happened, alright? It''s really not like that." He walked past them, shaking his head, heading toward the kitchen. Behind him, Marcus snorted before breaking into a laugh. "Cap." He shook his head, barely holding back his amusement. "I knew you had game, Big Bro, but I didn''t know it was this good." Scott sighed, setting the bags down on the counter. "Marcus, shut up." Arms crossed, Gwen turned toward Emma. Her lips pursed slightly. "Should we really be this calm about it?" For someone asking such a question, she sounded quite calm and unbothered. Truly, Dr. Goode''s sessions were worth it. "Our man just got kissed wet and hard by an industry vixen who''s stolen a lot of women''s men." Equally unbothered, Emma just leaned back against the couch and folded arms. "Heh." A small, confident smirk curled her lips. "I can''t be bothered." Gwen raised a brow. "Really?" Emma nodded. "At the end of the day, my fanbase has way more depraved, hopeless men than Bella''s. No way in hell is she stealing Scott from here. My butt isn''t bigger than hers, but it''s most definitely better¡­ and let''s not talk about my chest and big, big heart unlike that yellow dipshit singer! " Dark Elf lifted an eyebrow. "Uh¡­ is that really something to be proud of?" Gwen squeezed her face. "And besides¡ªis that even how it works?!" Scott chuckled as he strolled back to the couch. Without hesitation, he plopped down beside Emma, threw an arm over her shoulder, and gently pulled her against his chest. He flashed a relaxed smile. "Not really. But in the end, it doesn''t matter what the news says." He exhaled tiredly. "They''re more known for lying, anyway." Then he tilted his head slightly. "Honestly, I''m surprised none of them mentioned the fact that I walked out on Bella earlier today." Silence. Then¡ª "WAIT, YOU WALKED OUT ON BELLA TREVORS?!" Marcus and Gwen shot forward in shock. Their voices practically shook the walls. Scott blinked, caught off guard by their reaction. "¡­ Uh. Yeah?" He frowned slightly. "What''s wrong?" Marcus just stared at him, completely flabbergasted. He was struggling to even find the words. "Wait¡­ what the¡ª" His jaw dropped slightly. "I mean¡ªI know my aunt is hot and all, but I find it really hard to believe that you actually looked at Bella and didn''t even think to spend a day with her¡­" Scott just gave him a flat look. "And?" Marcus'' eye twitched. He threw his hands up. "AND?! Bro, massive celebrities like Lil Kwon¡ªa popular-ass rapper¡ªpaid five freaking million dollars just to spend a single day with her on those online date auctions! And you just walked out?!" Scott''s expression didn''t change. "¡­ Yeah?" Marcus screamed. "THAT''S LITERALLY YOU SHUTTING AWAY MOST OF YOUR CAREER! DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU''VE MISSED FROM NOT TRYING TO COLLABORATE WITH BELLA TREVORS?!" Before Scott could answer¡ª Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. WHAP. Furious, Emma snatched a throw pillow and hurled it at Marcus like a bullet. It hit him square in the face. Hard. "ACHK¡ª!!" Marcus let out a strangled noise before toppling off the couch, hitting the tiled floor with a loud thud. He groaned, rolling from side to side as his hands clutched his stinging face. Emma rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. I didn''t throw it that hard." Dark Elf sucked in a breath. "No, you totally did." Emma chuckled. "Whatever." She flipped her hair. "Besides, the only reason I don''t see any point in getting worked up over this whole Bella drama is because I know exactly what kind of person that dumb bitch is." Gwen hesitated. "¡­ That''s a little harsh." Emma scoffed. "You should''ve seen what she did to me." She exhaled sharply. "More than anything¡ªtoday might just be one of the best days of my life." She smirked. "The Peak got treated like scum, and Bella just found out that not every man will take her bullshit just because she''s a pretty blonde with blue eyes and a big ass." Scott chuckled at that. Before he could react further¡ª Emma suddenly launched herself at him. "MY SWEET MAN~ ??!!!" She practically tackled him in a tight hug, squeezing him so hard he could barely breathe. Then¡ª She started bombarding his face with kisses. A lot of kisses. Like a dog who missed their owner. Scott just kept a calm face, letting her do her thing, a soft smile on his lips. Gwen crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Jeez. I wanna give Scott plenty of kisses too." Emma finally paused. She turned to Gwen as her smirk turned impish. "If you want, you can~" She spoke very smoothly. Then, her grin widened. "Maybe we should give him the double combo blowjob, since he was such a good boy." She gently tickled Scott''s chin. Scott immediately smiled like the sun. Gwen''s face heated. "¡­Oh my god." Dark Elf grabbed another handful of chips. "Man, this house is wild." "Tell me about it¡­" Marcus sighed. Now lazily munching on her fresh bag of chips, Dark Elf lifted a single finger. Before anyone could even begin to celebrate this whole mess being over, she had something to say. "¡­ Before we start closing the book on this." Her voice was its usual flat monotone as her red eyes barely glanced up from the TV remote. "Maybe we should check in with the number one most reliable man in the news." Silence. Then, in unison, every single pair of eyes in the room drifted toward Scott. Scott, who had already let out a deep, tired sigh before they even said anything. "Really?" He tilted his head as his voice carried the weight of pure exasperation. "You guys actually wanna watch that liar, Konrad Kain?" Emma snorted and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "Relax." She leaned against him casually. "Konrad Kain hates Nightwatch, not Scott McQueen. You''ll totally be fine." Still rubbing his face from the pillow attack earlier, Marcus crumpled his brows. "Wait a minute¡ª" He squinted. "What does Konrad Kain hating Nightwatch have to do with how he feels about my big bro?" The room fell silent. Then¡ª Everyone but Dark Elf exchanged an awkward laugh. Of course, Dark Elf kept her usual dull expression, ignoring the tension as she scrolled through the channels. Click. Click. Click. And then¡ª The TV switched to Konrad Kain Live. There he was. Konrad Kain, sitting behind his desk, his expression set in a deep, contemplative frown. The African-American journalist adjusted his glasses, then stared directly into the camera. His voice was firm. "First thing''s first¡ªlet''s get something straight." He placed his papers down and folded his hands. "The Peak is a real hero. One of the biggest heroes in America and across several nations. That''s undeniable. He''s saved more lives than I can count, and he''s done more for the people of this country than some small-time, princess-faced model like Scott McQueen ever could." Scott groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh, come on." He shot a glance at the others. "There''s no way this man makes a living out of chewing both me and Nightwatch!" Rather than sympathize, everyone in the room just turned to him, pressed a finger to their lips, and¡ª "SHHHHHHH!!" Scott''s eye twitched. "¡­ Really?" He squeezed his face in frustration and looked away, arms crossed. Meanwhile, Konrad Kain continued. "There are actually people¡ªfoolish, inexperienced podcasters¡ªcalling this the romance of the century just because of looks." He exhaled sharply. "They may joke a lot on this show about The Peak, because we love him. But there''s nothing funny about this." He slammed his fist onto the desk. "Bella Trevors¡ªa whole Bella Trevors¡ªhas been deceived by this adolescent Greek god Scott McQueen, and everyone''s just fine with it?!" His voice grew even more animated. "Only a pinhead would compare years of self-sacrifice and courage to the childish and destructive antics of this ticking time bomb that is Scott McQueen!" The audience in the studio clapped and laughed wildly. And Konrad? Konrad soaked in their praises with his usual smug smile. Right then¡ª Click. Dark Elf turned off the TV. And instantly, everyone but Scott turned toward her, wide-eyed. "Why''d you turn it off?!" Dark Elf and Scott, at the same time, raised a finger. Everyone else immediately went silent. They listened. And then¡ª There it was. A low, heavy, chopping sound. A rhythmic pulse in the air. Faint, but getting louder. Gwen''s brows furrowed. "What¡­ is that?" Marcus blinked, looking around. "¡­ A helicopter?" Emma tilted her head. "Huh?" Without hesitation, everyone rushed out of the mansion. And what they saw¡ª A golden helicopter was spinning in Emma''s massive mansion courtyard. Shiny. Elegant. Luxurious. Marcus let out a low whistle. "Wooooah." His eyes practically sparkled. "Who the hell owns a golden helicopter?" And then¡ª A ding echoed in Scott''s mind. A notification from his System. [A special occasion has been added to your Harem Schedule. Set in 20 minutes'' time. The individual you will be spending the next precious three hours with: Potential Harem Candidate¡ªBella Trevors.] Scott''s entire body stiffened. His eyes slowly widened. He lifted his head. "Wait. What?!" And as if on cue¡ª The helicopter door swung open. And stepping out, hair blowing dramatically in the wind¡ª Bella Trevors. Dressed in a stunning, deep red dress, designer sunglasses on, lips curled in a confident smirk. She waved at Scott. Her voice rang out, sweet and sultry. "Oh, Scooooott~! ??" Chapter 131 Cat & Dog The moment Bella''s striking blue eyes landed on Scott, they lit up like fireworks.Without hesitation, she bolted straight for him, her red designer dress flowing dramatically behind her. "Scotttt©¤©¤!!" And before anyone could react- She tackled him. Hard. Scott barely had time to tense up before Bella''s arms wrapped around his torso in a death grip while her cheek pressed firmly against his chest. From the helicopter, Butler Morgan slowly exhaled, placed a hand over his face, and sighed as if he had aged ten years in a single second. "¡­ Honestly, it''s like that woman can''t read the room." On the other hand, Scott kept his expression calm and composed, even as Bella''s breasts drilled into his chest and her perfume practically invaded his senses. His arms? Firmly raised up in surrender. He wasn''t touching her. Nope. Not even a little. But that didn''t seem to help. Because standing just a few feet away- Emma and Gwen were staring at him like they wanted to burn a hole through his soul. Their eyes? Pure murder. Scott cleared his throat. "Uh¡­ look, I''m not©¤©¤" "Tch." Emma grunted, jaw clenching, fists trembling at her sides. Then, under her breath- "The blonde little bimbo bitch really just hugged our man like we''re not standing right here¡­?" Marcus blinked, tilting his head. "Hm?" He turned to Emma, face twisted in confusion. "But wait©¤©¤" His brows furrowed. "Don''t you have superspeed? Why didn''t you just zip over and stop her from hugging Big Bro?" The second those words left his mouth- Emma''s fiery golden eyes slowly shifted toward him. Marcus froze. Instant regret. Her glare alone made his soul leave his body. "Okay¡­" he gulped. "I''lI shut up." Meanwhile, Dark Elf kept munching on her chips with her red eyes kept half-lidded like she was watching a low-budget soap opera. Then, she lazily glanced at Emma. "If you don''t want her hugging him like that¡­" She crunched down on another chip. "¡­ then go make it clear that that blue-eyed, idiotic, chick magnet is your boyfriend and not hers." Then, she turned to Gwen. "You too, Blondie." Emma and Gwen? Both instantly clenched their fists, their expressions hardening. They turned back to Scott- Who was still being smothered by Bella. She had tried kissing him too, but Scott-thankfully much taller-tilted his head back every time, keeping his lips just out of reach. Bella, of course, only smirked at the challenge. Like a smug little cat. Pressing her manicured fingers against his firm chest, she purred softly- "Mmm~ ?? You know¡­" Her nails lightly traced his muscles. "This height of yours? It''s so damn sexy." Then- She leaned in, voice dripping with sultry mischief. "It''s giving me a massive WAP." Scott blinked. Tilted his head. "¡­ Huh?" Bella''s smirk widened. Her hands? Gripping his chest tighter. Using it as leverage, she pulled herself up on her toes, mouth just near his ear. Then, in the most hushed, teasing whisper- "Wet. Ass. Pussy." Scott''s brows lifted slightly. "Uh¡­" He blinked again. "Okay, that''s enough, lady." And then- With both hands, he gently grabbed her slender shoulders and pushed her back. Firmly. The second he did- Bella''s entire body trembled. Her pupils shrank slightly. She bit her lip, eyes fluttering as a light shudder ran through her spine. Emma and Gwen? Paused. Stared. Then- They grinned. Emma held out her fist and nodded, her smirk victorious. She looked like a coach who''d just witnessed one of their players score a last-minute equalizer. "Yes. Yes. Show that blonde, smug-faced bitch that not every man gives two damns about Bella''s stupid ass!" Meanwhile, Gwen had her phone out. Recording. She was practically vibrating with excitement. "Ohhh, this is gold." Her grin widened. "Bella Trevors getting rejected? This is going straight on Chirper! Maybe then they''ll give Scott some breathing space and finally realize she''s the one simping over my blue-eyed, vigilante Daddy!" Dark Elf? Still eating chips. Bella, however, simply exhaled. Composed herself. Then- She gently brushed a few golden locks behind her ear and looked up at Scott with a knowing smile. Her fingers trailed up his arm. Then- A small, breathy moan. "Oh my~" She gazed at him with hooded eyes. "Who would''ve thought such a pretty face would have that much grip in his arms¡­" Her smile deepened, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper- "If you want, I can show you the grip between my legs¡­" She leaned in, pressing her body closer. "I''ll squeeze your carrot so hard, you''ll never wanna leave until you cum gallons of your godly yogurt inside me and we make beautiful babies~ ??" Scott? Deadpan stare. "¡­ Eh?" The moment Emma and Gwen heard Bella''s words, both of them snorted out steam from their nostrils like angry bulls. They looked like they were ready to gore a matador. Their eyes burned with fury, and in an instant, the two of them lunged forward and tackled Bella to the ground with enough force to send a thunderous THUD echoing across the courtyard. Morgan''s face turned ghostly pale. His mouth opened slightly as he muttered¡ª "Oh no¡­ Miss¡­" The stone-faced bodyguards stationed at the helicopter reacted instantly. "Protect Miss Trevors!" One of them shouted, and they all rushed forward to intervene¡ªonly for Gwen to suddenly turn into mist, then explode into a thick, blinding fog that consumed the entire area. "FUCK! I CAN''T SEE A DAMN THING!" One guard yelled, swatting wildly at the air. "This friggin'' mist is everywhere!" Another growled as he slammed headfirst into a fellow guard and sent both of them crashing to the ground. "Just grab Miss Trevors and¡ªOW, WHO THE FUCK JUST PUNCHED ME?!" Chaos erupted as the mist swallowed everything in sight. But beyond the shouting and confusion, the only thing truly audible were the savage grunts and growls of women locked in brutal combat. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the mist dispersed. And what was revealed¡­ was pure carnage. Emma, Gwen, and Bella were rolling on the ground, locked in a vicious, hair-yanking, throat-grabbing, limb-tangling fight. Their expensive clothes were ruffled, their hair was in complete disarray, and their expressions were nothing short of murderous. With pure fury in her eyes, Emma had her hand tightly wrapped around Bella''s throat. She roared. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire "YOU MAN-STEALING, WHORE-RAISED, DICK-SUCKING, BLONDE BITCH! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO MY MAN?!" Coughing and gasping as Emma''s grip tightened, Bella yanked on Emma''s long hair with both hands, ripping out strands little by little as she screamed back. "GET OFF ME, YOU CRAZY BITCH! YOU REEK OF DESPERATION©¤©¤ACHK!!" Bella coughed harder as her face contorted in rage. "Do you even know how much it costs to look this good?! If you ruin my hair, I swear to god¡ª!" But Emma wasn''t listening. She was too busy growling like a rabid beast as ahe dragged Bella''s head down by the roots of her hair. And beneath them¡ªsquashed¡ªwas Gwen, screaming. "GET THE FUCK OFF ME, YOU FATASSES!" That, however, was the wrong thing to say. Both Emma and Bella instantly stopped fighting each other to turn their heads toward Gwen, and shouted at once. "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING FAT?!" "I''m not fat! Just thick!" Emma bared her teeth. "And definitely thicker than THIS bitch!" Bella spat back. And just like that, their attention snapped back to each other as they resumed their hair-pulling, throat-choking brawl. Across the courtyard, Scott stood next to Morgan, watching the spectacle unfold with the tired, deadpan expression of a man who had long given up on understanding the women in his life. Scott exhaled. "Should we¡­?" Arms crossed, Morgan let out an equally exhausted sigh. "It wouldn''t be bad to let them fight it out a little longer. Get it out of their system." Scott shook his head tiredly. "If only¡­" And with that, the two men reluctantly moved forward to break up the chaos. Morgan grabbed Bella, who now looked like a feral cat¡ªlegs kicking wildly in the air, arms flailing as she tried to claw her way back to Emma. Meanwhile, Scott struggled to restrain Emma, who looked less like a woman and more like a snarling bulldog ready to tear everything in sight apart. Even worse, Emma''s wild flailing was dangerous. Scott winced as he took a brutal elbow to the jaw. Then another to the ribs. "FUCK, EMMA, STOP MOVING!" Scott snapped, struggling to keep her restrained. "NOOOO!!" Emma barked back. "I''M NOT LETTING THAT FUCKIN'' BLONDE BITCH STEAL MY MAN! NO ONE DESERVES YOU MORE THAN ME, SCOTT! NO ONE¡ª!" And just as she was about to break free, her eyes burning with an almost supernatural fury¡ª Scott''s hand shot out. ©¤©¤©¤©¤PAHHHHH!! A powerful, resounding slap. His palm smacked hard against Emma''s big, soft ass. Infact, with that much force, his hand sank into her left ass cheek as though it was a needle tearing into a stretchy balloon filled to the brim with water. It felt¡­ amazing. But, for whom? Time seemed to freeze. Emma''s whole body went stiff. Her legs trembled. A deep, shuddering breath escaped her lips before¡ª "Ahn~ ??????!" Her knees instantly gave out, and she collapsed to the ground in a docile heap as her face buried in the dirt and she let out a dog-like whimper. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Y-, YES, SIR¡­!" Silence. The sharp sting of Scott''s hand discipling her so mercilessly made Emma feel so good that she couldn''t even see her surroundings correctly. All she wanted to do right now was to feel the painful slap. ¡ºH-, He finally did it¡­¡» Her cheeks turned red as literal hearts sprouted in her once brown eyes. "You¡­ slapped me¡­" When Scott saw her say this he immediately looked at his hand in shock. "No, I didn''t mean to¡­ it''s not li©¤©¤" "KYAAAAA~ ??!" Scott lifted an eyebrow. "Eh?" Soon after, Emma wrapped her arms around her body and grabbed her breasts sensually as an ear-to-ear smile grew on her face like she was a horrifying clown. Not only did she look crazy, she also looked depraved. "God, I want it so bad. I want to feel it¡ªyour hands gripping me like I''m nothing but a toy for you to play with. I want the sting, the heat, the force. Throw me down, make me beg, make me feel it. I don''t want soft. I don''t want gentle. I want to be ruined. Bruises like love letters, fingertips sinking into my skin like you own me. Slap me like you''re a drunk underpaid worker with a misbehaving daughter, make my head spin, make me regret how much I crave this¡ªthen make me crave it even more." Scott blinked. Morgan blinked. Gwen, still sprawled out on the ground, also blinked. Bella, who had just been raging like a demon moments ago, now stared with wide, horrified eyes. The bodyguards, who had just regained their senses, had no idea what the fuck they had just witnessed. And Scott¡­ [Ding! The superheroine, Miss Mercury, has unlocked a hidden trait: Level 1 Masochism!] Scott just sighed. "Fucking hell¡­" Chapter 132 Settled Situations, Considered Offers The courtyard was split in two.On one side stood Scott, Emma, Gwen, Marcus, and Dark Elf, still reeling from the madness that had just unfolded. On the other side was Bella Trevors, seated on a luxurious folding chair like a queen receiving emergency treatment from her personal bodyguards. One carefully fixed her disheveled blonde hair while another dabbed at the tiny scratches on her flawless skin with a cotton ball. Bella hissed at the slight sting and glared murderously at Emma and Gwen from across the courtyard. Her teeth clenched. "Tch¡­ That freaky, masochistic bitch¡­" She muttered under her breath. "They think they can mess with me and get away with it? Heh¡­ I''ll get them next time. And it''ll be way worse." Morgan, who had been standing beside her, let out a long sigh, his hand adjusting his pristine bowtie. He glanced at her with that ever-present, mild disappointment only a seasoned butler could master. "Miss¡­ this truly isn''t how a lady of your stature should behave." Bella rolled her eyes. She already knew where this was going. Morgan continued with a calm yet firm tone. "Fighting with other women, especially as a high-profile heiress, is utterly disgraceful. Imagine if your father heard about this?" Bella scoffed, arms crossed. "If Daddy found out that someone was fighting¡­" Her lips curled into a smirk. "And even hurt his precious, little angel¡­ they''d be dead by now." Morgan cleared his throat. "I don''t doubt that one bit." He adjusted his gloves before adding. "But at the same time, wouldn''t it be better if you started proving the public wrong?" Bella raised a brow. "About what?" "That you''re not just a ''Daddy''s girl'' who depends on him for everything." Her smirk faded slightly. For a moment, she was silent. Then, with a calmness that felt almost unnatural compared to her usual haughty demeanor, she muttered¡­ "Not like it matters." Morgan''s brows furrowed slightly. Bella continued in a quiet, partly sad voice. "People already believe women can''t achieve anything. And then there''s me¡­ born with every privilege imaginable. Even if I work my ass off and earn my way to the top, nobody''s gonna believe it." She let out a dry chuckle. "So why not just act like a spoiled brat and save everyone the trouble?" Morgan studied her face. The way her fingers lightly gripped the edge of her chair, the slight tremble in her jaw, the stiffness in her shoulders. She was trying not to sound frustrated. Trying not to sound¡­ hurt. But Morgan had been by her side since she was a little girl. He knew her better than anyone. He smiled softly. ¡ºShe truly has worked hard.¡» Regardless of her privileges¡­ she''s earned her place. And as long as he lived, he would make sure she had someone who acknowledged that. If no one would give her pure, genuine respect, he made sure to do that himself. Bella suddenly noticed his lingering gaze and shot him a side-eye. "What?" She muttered, glaring lightly. "Why''re you staring at me like that?" Morgan chuckled. "Oh, nothing." He straightened his bowtie. "I was just wondering why I even put up with all your girl drama and immaturity." Bella''s cheeks puffed out like an irritated tomato. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, so you wanna be like that, huh?!" She scowled. "What happened to you promising to be nice to me if I treated you better?!" Morgan''s lips twitched upward. "It''s fine¡­ I''m just worried about you." Bella huffed and threw her eyes away. "Hmph! I''m fine, thank you very much." The sheer sass in her voice made Morgan chuckle again. ©¥©¥©¥ ? ©¥©¥©¥ On the other side of the courtyard¡­ Scott stood with Emma, Gwen, Marcus, and Dark Elf. Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire And while most of them were still mentally recovering from the chaos, Marcus was busy doing something else entirely. He was staring across the courtyard at Bella Trevors. Like a man utterly bewitched. "Wow¡­" He murmured in pure admiration. "She''s so damn beautiful." Silence. Emma and Gwen''s heads snapped toward Scott at the exact same time. "WHAT©¤©¤?!" In an instant, the two girls shot forward, pressing right into Scott''s personal space, looking absolutely disgusted by what they just heard. Even Scott himself felt his soul momentarily leave his body. Meanwhile, Dark Elf continued chewing on her chips, looking completely unbothered. Marcus still had that dreamy look in his eyes. "I mean, just look at her. Those golden curls, that sharp glare, that elegance¡­ She''s like a lioness." "More like a cat¡­ but eh¡­" Dark Elf replied. The two kept chatting like Scott wasn''t being scolded by two furious women right next to them. But honestly, was it really their problem to deal with? Scott already knew that whenever both his women were mad at him, there was only one person who could logically fix the mess¡ªNadia. ¡ºFuck it¡­ I haven''t seen Nadia in days. I''ve tried calling her a few times, but she won''t pick up¡ªnot even for Emma. I could really use her help right now. I guess this is what I signed up for. I was lucky enough¡ªand unlucky enough¡ªto end up with this harem, so I have to handle it like a man. Yeah¡­ yeah¡­ I''m completely screwed. Sigh~¡» Just thinking about it made him exhausted. Hands raised in an attempt to calm them down, Scott let out another exhausted sigh. "Ladies. C-, Can we please just chill out for a second and let me explain?" Emma visibly recoiled. "YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!" She screeched, almost like a banshee. Gwen looked equally appalled. "AFTER EVERYTHING THAT JUST HAPPENED?!" "No. Well¡­" Scott opened his mouth to reply immediately, but the words felt stuck, like they were lodged in his throat. He knew that a single poorly phrased sentence would only make things worse. His gut twisted, almost like the only way he could get the words out was by vomiting them up. And yet¡­ for some reason, he found himself smiling calmly. A little too calmly. "Look¡­" He kept his voice as steady as he could manage. "None of us here actually likes Bella Trevors¡ª" A hand shot up beside him. "I do!" Scott snapped his head toward Marcus, frowning. "Not helping." Marcus just shrugged, still looking vaguely dreamy as he gazed at Bella across the courtyard. Meanwhile, Scott turned back to Gwen and Emma, who still looked like they were ready to pounce on him if he said the wrong thing. He took a slow breath. "If you really want her out of your lives, the best way to do that is to answer her offer and be done with it." Emma''s brow twitched. "And what exactly is this ''offer''?" Scott''s smile didn''t waver. "She just wants me to attend a small fancy party at The Peak. That''s all. Nothing could possibly go wrong¡­ unless I make it go wrong." The shift in their demeanor was immediate. Rather than shouting again, Emma and Gwen were surprisingly calm. Too calm. Emma folded her arms and looked up at him with slightly mean eyes. "Unless you make it go wrong? Explain. Properly. And carefully." Her gaze was sharp, almost like she was interrogating a cheating husband. Scott exhaled through his nose. "Look¡­ I''m not oblivious. I know the kind of¡­ charm I have over women." He scratched the back of his head, as if the topic physically pained him. "I don''t like to address it too much because I don''t want to sound arrogant, but personally, I''d rather not have desperate women and thirsty journalists breathing down my neck, waiting for my next move." He slid his hands into his pockets, tilting his head slightly as he kept his eyes on them. "And I know Bella. She''s gonna try something romantic. And while she knows she won''t succeed with me, she does want the cameras to think there''s something special between us." His lips curled faintly. "But there isn''t. And I''ll make sure of that. All I need¡­ is to know that my two favorite women in the world have faith in me." He held out his arms, smiling patiently. For a moment, Emma and Gwen looked away. There was a brief silence¡ªone where Scott felt like he was being judged by an invisible council. Then, in the next instant, both of them rushed into his arms, hugging him tight. Scott let out a soft chuckle as a peaceful smile spread across his face. He wrapped his arms around them, squeezing them close¡ªlike they were the pillows he slept with at night. Across the courtyard, Bella saw the whole thing. Her eye twitched. Then she rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might get stuck. She let out a dramatic cough, as if just seeing the three of them embracing made her want to throw up. "Oh, please¡­" She muttered as absolute sass rang from her voice. Standing beside her, Morgan glanced at her expression¡ªat the slight tightness of her jaw, the barely noticeable tension in her hands. He said nothing. But inwardly, he knew. She didn''t just want to be in that hug. She wanted to be the only one in that hug. Morgan sighed, then shifted his gaze back to Scott. He had seen every type of man try to date Bella before. And most of them were the same¡ªthinking that acting nonchalant and narcissistic would keep her interested. But that wasn''t it. Morgan knew better than anyone¡ªwhat the young miss truly needed wasn''t another egotistical bastard. She needed someone honest. Someone who would acknowledge her efforts. Someone who would tell her the truth¡ªnot out of fear, not out of manipulation, but because they respected her. His eyes narrowed slightly. Perhaps¡­ he had finally found someone suitable. ¡ºHmm¡­ Scott McQueen¡­ I see¡­¡» ©¥©¥©¥ ? ©¥©¥©¥ Back in Scott''s arms, Emma and Gwen finally pulled away, though their hands lingered on his chest. They looked up at him¡ªstill partially annoyed, but softer now. Emma sighed. "Fine," she muttered. "I don''t like this idea. At all." Gwen nodded in agreement. Emma crossed her arms again. "But¡­ if sacrificing one night with us means we''ll never have to deal with that blonde bitch again, then whatever. Just get it over with." She huffed, then added under her breath. "Ugh. Blondies are always so annoying." She suddenly paused. Slowly, very slowly, she turned her head to the side¡­ and made awkward eye contact with Gwen. "Uh¡­" Emma cleared her throat. "No offense." Gwen smirked. "None taken. I''m sure there was a time a lot of people thought I was annoying too." Scott chuckled. "Hm? Who in the world would hate you?" Before she could answer, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to both their foreheads. Emma and Gwen instantly melted¡ªfaces turning pink, lips twitching into small smiles. Scott''s smirk deepened. ¡ºHeh. I might''ve survived this battle, but something tells me¡­ I just signed up for a war.¡» Chapter 133 Butlers Care, Spies From Afar The helicopter sliced through the skyline like a gilded blade as its sleek, golden body glinted against the setting sun. The city below shimmered with lights, but nothing stood out more than the towering monolith that came into view¡ªa structure so tall and imposing it seemed to pierce the clouds themselves.Mantis Tower. Its obsidian-black windows reflected streaks of the gentle moonlight, while golden trims along its edges pulsed faintly with embedded lights. The massive M logo near the top glimmered like a crown jewel, marking it as the property of none other than Golden Mantis, one of the most influential SS-tier heroes in the world. From the plush interior of the helicopter, Scott leaned forward slightly and his eyes narrowed in awe as the tower grew larger in the window. "Woah¡­" He murmured under his breath, eyebrows raising gently. "Isn''t that¡­?" Beside him, Bella caught the flicker of genuine amazement on his face. She tilted her head slightly, folding her arms as a smug, but cute smile tugged at her glossy lips. "Yes¡­" She said proudly, her eyes half-lidding with confidence. "I knew you''d like it. Heh." Then, with a slight flick of her golden hair, she closed her eyes, adding with casual arrogance. "Middle-class people are always so easy to impress. Naturally, you''re no different." Scott''s expression shifted immediately. His head turned slightly, casting her a sharp side-eye as his lips pressed into a flat, unimpressed line. "Uh-huh." His voice was dry, unimpressed. The verbal equivalent of an eye-roll. Bella caught the look. She knew that look. She''d seen it a hundred times on faces that had tried to hide their irritation. But with Scott¡­ it felt different. Less performative. More real. And somehow, she liked that. She turned away to hide the small, unbelievably adorable smile curling on her lips. ¡ºWow¡­¡» She felt oddly excited between her legs. It wasn''t a familiar sensation¡­ but it was welcomed. ¡ºNo one''s ever been genuine like that around me.¡» Her mind wandered, uninvited, to memories best left buried. ¡ºUgh, like Tyrone¡­¡» She could still picture his forced indifference¡ªhow he''d tried so hard to act unfazed by her wealth, pretending that private jets and Michelin-starred dinners were just "whatever." But she''d seen right through it. He didn''t care about her; he only cared about what she represented¡ªa ticket to luxury. She remembered feeling bored, even irritated, like talking to an actor who kept forgetting his lines. ¡ºGood thing Morgan saved me from that disaster¡­¡» She glanced briefly toward the co-pilot seat. Morgan had been a buffer during that awkward phase. His stoic presence was like a security blanket¡ªsilent, masculine, reliable. ¡ºGod, I was so taken by Tyrone''s looks I didn''t even realize he had three baby mamas.¡» She internally cringed. ¡ºIt''s a good thing things didn''t go anywhere.¡» Her smile faded slightly and the sharpness dulled into something more fragile. ¡ºThen again¡­ things never really go anywhere with me and men, do they?¡» She exhaled very softly, barely audible over the hum of the city below. ¡ºI might look like the queen bee who''s got all the men dancing on strings¡­ but honestly? I don''t even know what I''m looking for.¡» She closed her eyes, letting that quiet confession echo in the back of her mind. ¡ºWhat is my ideal man, anyway? I really want to know¡­ or am I¡­ am I¡­ really that hard to love?¡» She sighed¡ªtired, but not defeated. Then¡ª "We''ve landed." Morgan''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He''d turned slightly from the co-pilot seat, glancing back at them with his usual cool, unreadable expression. "If you''re done daydreaming, you might want to freshen up. The function starts soon on the 45th floor." Bella''s facade snapped right back into place. She plastered on her signature smile, vibrant and confident, as if none of those thoughts had ever crossed her mind. "Alright." She chirped, standing gracefully as she adjusted the hem of her designer dress. "Time to go." Without hesitation, she reached down, grabbed Scott''s arm, and tugged him to his feet. The sudden contact surprised him, but he didn''t resist. He simply stood, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve, then cast her a quick glance as a faint smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. Before anything more could be said, the helicopter doors slid open with a soft hiss, and the cool evening breeze peacefully swept in. Morgan cleared his throat dramatically. The deep, deliberate sound cut through the low hum of the rotors as they wound down. He adjusted his bowtie with meticulous precision, his sharp, aged fingers gliding over the fabric like it was part of some sacred ritual. Then he turned his head slightly. His piercing gray eyes locked onto Bella with a serious, almost paternal look. "Ahem¡­ Miss Trevors¡­" Morgan kept his tone formal, but authoritative. "Would you excuse us for a moment? I''d like to have a small word with this young man here. Nothing serious¡ªjust following your father''s protocols." Bella froze mid-step as her high heels clicked softly against the helicopter floor as she pivoted back. She rolled her eyes with the grace of someone who had perfected the art of nonchalance. "Whatever¡­" She muttered, waving her hand dismissively as if brushing off invisible dust. Reaching into her designer purse, she pulled out a compact makeup kit, flipping it open with practiced ease. Then, without even looking at Scott, she snapped her fingers sharply as the sound cut through the air like a whip. "Hey, gentleman¡­" She said sweetly, heavily leaning to sarcasm. "When you''re done playing secret talks with Morgan, be a dear and bring my purse. I''m too tired to carry it myself, and rather than bother my guards¡­ well, if you''re as chivalrous as you act, it''s only fitting you do it." Scott''s face scrunched up, his expression a perfect blend of disbelief and mild disgust. His lips parted slightly as if he was going to say something, but he wisely chose silence, settling for a sharp exhale through his nose. Oblivious or perhaps simply indifferent to his reaction, Bella strutted out with the elegance of someone who''d never had to carry their own luggage. Her bodyguards flanked her immediately. Their postures were stiff and professional as they guided her across the helipad. Morgan watched her go. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. But as soon as she was far enough from the helicopter, his expression shifted¡ªlike a curtain dropping between acts. He turned back to Scott, his face now serene, almost gentle. "She''s a pretty one, isn''t she?" Morgan said casually, his voice warm like old whiskey. Scott couldn''t help but smile faintly, shaking his head. "Yeah¡­ definitely." But that warmth evaporated in an instant. Morgan''s hand dipped into the inside of his suit jacket, and when it emerged, it carried a sleek, custom-made pistol¡ªjet black with subtle gold engravings along the barrel. He rested it on his lap casually, like it was nothing more than a paperweight. Scott''s eyes darted to the weapon, and instinctively, thin, blue tendrils of technophage began to pulse from the veins in his right arm, spreading like crackling circuits over his skin. His fingers twitched slightly, not out of fear, but readiness. Morgan''s gaze flicked to the rearview mirror to meet Scott''s eyes with cold precision. "Strip¡­" Morgan said flatly. Scott blinked. The technophage slurped back into his veins almost comically fast, like a defensive mechanism retreating into its shell. "¡­ Wait. What?" Morgan''s face remained carved from stone. "I hate repeating myself¡­ but I''ll make a very merciful exception. Strip." Scott tilted his head slightly, genuinely thrown off. "Why?" Morgan didn''t answer immediately. His fingers tapped the side of the gun rhythmically. It was like a subtle, unspoken countdown. ??? Across the city, perched on a distant rooftop¡­ Rope Girl lay prone with her elbows propped against the cool concrete as she peered through high-tech binoculars. The lenses adjusted automatically, zooming in with crisp clarity on the helicopter''s interior. Beside her, Deathmark shifted uncomfortably. Her arms crossed as she glanced between Rope Girl and the distant figures. "¡­Are you sure this is the guy?" Deathmark asked with heavy doubt in her voice. Rope Girl didn''t look away from the binoculars. "If I was sure, he''d be dead already¡­" It was quite a cool reply. "There''s no definitive proof¡­ but considering the intel we got from Grave, the possibilities are high." Deathmark''s eyes widened slightly. "Wait¡ªGrave? You''re working with Grave?" Her voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "He''s an assassin! That''s like¡­ the opposite of what we''re supposed to be doing!" Rope Girl''s expression didn''t flinch. She finally glanced at Deathmark with a sharp, neutral gaze. "The Hero Agency hired him to hunt down Nightwatch. He''s got experience with¡­ people like that." She adjusted the binoculars slightly. "I''ve been instructed to cooperate with him. Which includes all my subordinates." The words landed like a punch. Deathmark lowered her head as her vibrant blue hair fell over her pretty face as she muttered softly. "¡­ Okay." Rope Girl gave a small nod. Her eyes returned to the binoculars. "Good. Now can we focus on what''s important?" Deathmark didn''t respond. Her shoulders tensed and her face remained sad. "Yes, ma''am¡­" ??? Back in the helicopter¡­ Scott''s brow crumpled and his hand twitched slightly as he considered his next move. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire "¡­ Seriously, why do you want me to strip?" Morgan''s lips curled into the faintest smirk, though his eyes remained deadly serious. "What''s so hard about what I said? The reason I''m so interested in you stripping, young man, is because I''m a gay, old man and would like to see what that muscular, young body can do¡­ is that wrong?" "Bro¡­" Scott''s face went dead. Morgan raised a brow. "What''s the matter? Is it only women that get to taste some of that white chocolate? Quite unfortunate¡­" "Dude¡­ stop talking¡­" "I''d much prefer you call me Morgana." "¡­" Scott''s spine hit the seat with an audible thump as he recoiled. His brows furrowed, lips parting in stunned silence before he muttered under his breath. "System¡­" His voice was a tight whisper. "You never told me anything about attracting the same friggin'' sex!" There was a brief pause. Then, with an infuriating calmness, the System answered in his mind. [Host never asked.] Scott''s eyes twitched. His nostrils flared as he sucked in a sharp breath¡ª "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Morgan erupted into laughter. A deep, hearty, stomach-clutching kind of laughter that shook the entire helicopter. His shoulders trembled, and he even had to wipe away tears from the crinkles at the sides of his eyes. It went on for a long, long moment, until eventually¡ª "Eh?" Scott blurted out in confusion. Morgan exhaled the last remnants of his amusement, patting his chest as he steadied himself. He gave Scott a small smirk, the last traces of laughter still in his tone. "Relax, young man. I was just joking. Of course, I don''t have any¡­ interests in you. Well¡ª" He tilted his head slightly, his smirk sharpening. "¡ªnot in that sense, at least." Scott let out a long sigh of relief as his head tilted back against the seat. "Christ, old man¡­ you had me for a second." But Morgan''s expression was already shifting and the humor faded as something more measured took its place. His fingers traced along the barrel of his gun, adjusting it with a casual precision. "Still, I remain very very interested in what kind of person you are." His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it. "Not in the way you''re thinking, of course. I just prefer to keep things short and go straight to the point." He lifted the gun, giving it a small, meticulous spin before resting it flat on his palm. "You see¡­ I never care about the men around Bella." He glanced at Scott through the rearview mirror, his gray eyes calculating. "Because there''s never been a time when any of them were worth talking to. I can tell within five seconds." His gaze sharpened. "But you?" Silence stretched between them. Scott exhaled softly, letting his fingers run over his pant leg as he sat up straighter. "You''re wondering what my plans with Bella are." His voice was calm, eerily so. "Am I planning to use her for money? For clout? Maybe to boost my status as a rising star in the modeling industry?" Morgan''s expression didn''t change, but Scott saw it¡ªthe slight flicker in his eyes. The young man smiled, a slow, smooth curve of his lips. "Because let''s be honest¡­" His voice dropped slightly. "Bella''s inexperienced in love. I could easily manipulate her into becoming a lovestruck puppy that hangs onto my every word." Morgan''s gun spun once more. This time, it fluidly stopped¡ªbarrel pointing directly at Scott''s head. Yet Scott¡­ didn''t even blink. Morgan''s gaze remained locked on the rearview mirror, watching for the telltale signs of fear. A twitch. A flinch. A swallow. Nothing. The young man just smiled. That same unsettling, calm smile. "Is that some kind of threat?" Morgan asked smoothly. Scott dusted off his suit sleeve, but his voice was still frustratingly unbothered. "Not really. More of a bragging right." His eyes flicked to the older man, still carrying that infuriating smirk. "I just want you to understand that I can cause problems too. Worse than you can imagine." Silence again. Then¡ª Scott exhaled lightly, straightening his cuffs as he stood. He stepped down from the helicopter with ease, slipping his hands into his pockets. Before leaving, he glanced back at the still-seated butler. "Oh, and Morgana¡ª" His smirk twitched. "Be a dear and bring Bella''s purse while you''re at it. Don''t keep us waiting." With a casual wave¡ªwithout even looking back¡ªScott strolled off into the night. Morgan remained seated, gun still in hand. His expression was unreadable. From a distant rooftop, Rope Girl narrowed her eyes. She lowered her binoculars slightly and watched as Scott disappeared into the city. "Hrmm¡­ very suspicious." Her voice was quiet, thoughtful. "What could he have to do with Nightwatch Suspect #1?" Deathmark, beside her, shifted uneasily. ¡ºI can''t believe that''s¡­ Nightwatch¡­¡» Chapter 134 ~Intermission~ Foxy Anxiety Euilox Hotel, Metro CityThe window creaked open with a soft, metallic groan as Vixen slipped through like a shadow, landing on the plush carpeted floor with feline grace. She turned back, pulling the window shut with a sharp click to seal out the distant noises of Metro City''s restless nightlife. The room was dim. Vixen exhaled, rolling her shoulders as she moved toward the standing mirror nestled in the corner. Her reflection stared back. She planted both hands on her massive hips, then tilted her head slightly. ¡ºJeez¡­¡» The black, skin-tight bodysuit clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve with merciless precision. Her face scrunched as her nose wrinkled in mild disapproval. "Hmm¡­" She squinted, leaning in closer. "Does it really have to look this tight?" She tugged at the fabric, not that it made any difference. It snapped right back into place. Vixen sighed, then stepped back as her fingers drummed thoughtfully on her hips. She stared at herself, not just at the suit, but at what it represented¡ªat what she had become. The face in the mirror was sharp, flawless, framed by perfectly tousled hair and eyes designed to captivate. A walking, breathing billboard. ¡ºIs this it?¡» She thought bitterly. ¡ºJust another body to be marketed? Another pretty face people pretend to care about because it looks good on a screen?¡» Her jaw tightened. But then¡ªunexpectedly¡ªher reflection shifted in her mind. A flicker of memory surfaced, uninvited. Scott. His face popped up in her thoughts, clear as day. That annoyingly smug grin, the sharp shine in his eyes, the way he spoke without sugarcoating a single word. She remembered his tone¡ªso infuriatingly blunt. But there was something else too¡­ something she couldn''t quite put her finger on. Her lips twitched. She tried to suppress it, but it crept up anyway¡ªa small smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. Her fingers instinctively brushed against her chest, as if trying to contain the warmth bubbling there. "Tch¡­" She scoffed softly, then shook her head like it''d shake the feeling loose. "What the hell''s wrong with me?" She turned away from the mirror, pacing a few steps before glancing back¡ªonly to freeze. For a split second, it wasn''t her reflection staring back. It was him. Scott, with that same lost, far-off look in his eyes, like he was always thinking about something he''d never admit out loud. Her heart gave a little thud. Vixen blinked, and the illusion was gone. Just her reflection again, standing alone. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, letting out a soft laugh¡ªhalf amused, half exasperated. "Yeah¡­ he''s alright in my book¡­" She muttered under her breath. "I don''t exactly like him that way¡­ I just find the way he acts and speaks oddly¡­ comforting." With that, she peeled off the bodysuit, then tossed it carelessly onto the floor, and made her way to the bathroom. ??? Half an hour later¡­ The bathroom door creaked open, releasing a wave of steam that drifted lazily into the room. Vixen stepped out, her curvaceous figure wrapped snugly in a white towel, a smaller one draped around her neck as she dried her damp, messy hair. Her skin glistened faintly from the heat as a relaxed sigh escaped her lips. "Ahh¡­" She flopped onto the bed and the mattress sunk beneath the weight of her perky ass. "Nothing like a cool shower to calm the nerves after a day of hard work." Her hand reached instinctively for her phone resting on the nightstand. The screen lit up to cast a faint glow on her face as the first message popped into view. It was from Foxgirl. [Alys: When do you plan to come see me? ???? You''re still in Metro City, right?] Vixen''s smile faded. She stared at the message as her thumb hovered over the screen. The relaxed expression from moments ago slipped away, replaced by something heavier¡ªduller. After a brief pause, she started typing. [Beca: Not in Metro City anymore. Took a flight back to Asteroid City a while ago. I''ll be staying here for some time for work ???? sowwy!] She hit send. Her eyes drifted toward the window, gazing out at the dazzling skyline of Metro City in the distance. The city lights blinked like scattered stars, beautiful yet distant. She sighed softly. "It''s not that I don''t want to see you¡­" She whispered to herself. "It''s just¡­" Her fingers tightened around the phone. "¡­ it''s hard." She closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting to Foxgirl¡ªher sister, her family. She pictured her face, the forced smiles in every photo, the way she laughed just a little too loud, like it could drown out the emptiness underneath. "It''s not like she wanted to live her life like that¡­" Vixen murmured as her voice trembled slightly. "But not everyone gets to have it sweet." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire Her shoulders slumped as she stared down at her lap as the weight of guilt crushed into her chest. "The more I look at her¡­ the more inadequate I feel¡­" She admitted quietly. "I wish I could be the one to make those sacrifices, but¡­ I just¡ªI don''t know¡­" She trailed off and her grip on the phone loosened. "¡­ I just can''t stand that level of shame." Heavy and raw were the words that left her lips. Vixen tilted her head back, letting out a long, shaky breath. Her eyes flicked once more toward the window. Toward the city she''d left behind¡ªand the sister she couldn''t face. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Sigh©¤©¤©¤©¤HUH? Vixen''s ears twitched. It was subtle¡ªbarely noticeable¡ªbut there it was. That nagging, restless itch. She glanced down at her phone, the dim glow of her chat with Foxgirl still lingering on the screen. Her thumb hovered for a second before she sighed and exited the conversation. Swipe. Scott''s name popped up on her private message list, staring back at her like some silent dare. "Hmmm¡­" She squinted, tilting her head to the side as if that would help her think better. ¡ºShould I just¡­ text him?¡» Her thumb tapped his name. The empty chat screen opened¡ªclean, untouched, like fresh snow. ¡ºMaybe something casual? Like¡­¡» Her fox-like eyes darted around the room to search for inspiration that wasn''t there. [Hey, got home safe.] She wrinkled her nose immediately. "Ugh, no. Too basic." She plopped back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to life''s biggest mysteries. "Wait¡­ No, no¡ªwhat am I doing? That''s like¡­ date behavior." She sat up straight, shaking her head aggressively. "That''d be weird. Like, super weird." A dramatic sigh escaped her lips as she flopped sideways on the bed, her tender cheek squished against the cool fabric. Her hand lazily held the phone, eyes still glued to that empty chat screen. The silence mocked her. Finally, she groaned, tossing the phone aside like it had personally offended her. "Oh please¡­" She muttered, dragging herself upright. "There''s no point texting him." She stood, adjusting her towel to make sure it was snug around her tightly packaged breasts. With a determined huff, she turned to head toward the mini kitchen. But¡ª Her feet froze mid-step. She spun on her heel and rushed over to the small table in the corner, then pulled out the swivel chair with unnecessary force. She slid into the seat, fingers already flying across her laptop''s keyboard. Click. Tap. Type. She opened WeTube without hesitation and smashed the search bar: [How to text a guy.] The results loaded instantly. At the top, bold and unavoidable: [How to Text a Man and Remain Dominant ¡ª Bella Trevors Official Channel] Vixen groaned and exasperatedly rolled her eyes so hard they almost got stuck. "Oh, as if that would work." She crossed her bare legs, arms folding defensively over her breasts as she stared at the screen. "Nah. My case is way different. Way more specific. Like, ultra-specific." She leaned back in the chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It''s not like there''s an app or website that''s lasted for ages that could answer something this random¡­" Fzzzt. Her laptop screen flickered. The glow dimmed, then went completely black for a heartbeat. Vixen blinked. "Uh¡­?" Suddenly, the screen powered back on¡ªthis time, not to WeTube. It was Threadit. Vixen''s ears perked up instantly as she stood tall like an alert pup. Her fluffy tail gave an excited wag. "Oh yeah!" She grinned. "Threadit has the answer to everything!" She cracked her knuckles dramatically, then leaned in with recovered determination. Fingers flying, she typed into the search bar: [How do I text a guy I met at a plaza who''s handsome and honest, and we had some problems before but sorted it out, and we''re going out later tonight?] She paused. Stared at her overly detailed query. "¡­ No way they''ll have anything on this¡­" She shook her head. "But¡­ worth a shot, I guess." She hit Enter. The screen loaded. Vixen''s jaw nearly hit the floor. The exact same question appeared. Word for word. Her chair jerked back with a loud squeak as she yelped¡ª "HOLY SHIT!" She scooted back in, face inches from the screen. "Is this¡­ for real?" The post was dated¡ª 16 years ago. Posted by: [Deleted User] Her heart raced with a weird, giddy excitement as her ears twitched uncontrollably, tail wagging like crazy. She glanced back at her phone lying on the bed, then back at the glowing screen. Cracking her knuckles again, she leaned forward as her pretty eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Alright, mystery Threadit post¡­ show me what you got." She started scrolling. ??? [t/relationship_advice] [Title: How Do I Text a Guy I Met at a Plaza Who''s Handsome, Honest, We Had Problems, Sorted Them, and Now We''re Going Out Tonight?] Hey Threadit¡­ So here''s the situation: S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I met this guy at a plaza. Yes, an actual plaza. Not a club, not a dating app, but a literal open space where pigeons probably judge you from statues. He''s handsome (like, distractingly so) and honest (which feels like finding a unicorn these days). We had some "issues"¡ªnothing dramatic like "he''s secretly a vampire" or "he thinks pineapple belongs on pizza" (although, debatable). But we sorted them out like mature adults, with actual conversations, emotional vulnerability, and possibly passive-aggressive discussion sprinkled in. Now here''s the catch: We''re going out tonight. Yes, tonight. As in, hours from now. And I want to text him. But not just any text¡ªI want that perfectly balanced message that says: ? I''m chill, not overthinking this (even though I obviously am because here I am on Reddit). ? I''m excited to see you, but not "stage-5 clinger" excited. ? I''m witty, but not trying too hard, like those people who put "sapiosexual" in their Tinder bio. ? Casually flirty, but not the type that would make a Victorian ghost faint from scandal. So¡­ what do I even say? "Hey, can''t wait to see you tonight!" feels too generic. "Looking forward to our date, hope you''re as excited as I am!" sounds like I''m applying for a job interview. "Sup?" is the texting equivalent of showing up to a wedding in sweatpants. I''ve rewritten the message about 17 times. One draft just said, "banana," and I stared at it for five minutes like it was profound. Threadit, help. How do I text this guy without sounding like I''ve been overanalyzing this for the past 45 minutes (which, again, I absolutely have)? TL;DR: Met a handsome, honest guy at a plaza. We had issues, sorted them, going out tonight. I need help crafting the perfect casual-but-charming text without sounding like I drafted it with a PowerPoint presentation. ??? Top Comments: [u/ExistentialAvocado] (15.4k upvotes): "Banana" is bold. It transcends language. It''s minimalist. It says, "I''m confident enough to send you a random fruit and trust that you''ll find it endearing." Honestly, I''d respond to that. - [u/Sentient_CoffeeMug] (9.2k upvotes): The key is to send something that matches the vibe you had when you sorted things out. Were you both laughing? Go light-hearted. Were things deep and emotional? Add a thoughtful touch. For example: "Hey, just realized I''m actually looking forward to tonight more than I expected. Hope you''re ready to argue about who''s paying for coffee." It''s casual, flirty, and sets up playful banter. Boom. - [u/ProbablyAnAlien] (7.1k upvotes): If you really want to be subtle, send: "Are we meeting at 7 or did we decide on 7:30? Asking for a friend who''s definitely not excited about this date." It''s logistical and sneakily flirty. A win-win. - [u/EmotionalSupportLlama] (5.5k upvotes): Text him: "Hey, just checking if you''re still on for tonight, because if not, I''ll be forced to spend the evening questioning my life choices with my cat." It shows you have a sense of humor and a backup plan (even if your cat is an unwilling participant). - [u/MrSpaghettiLogic] (4.2k upvotes): Honestly, overthinking texts is a universal experience. Somewhere out there, he''s probably staring at his phone wondering if he should add an emoji or if that''s too much. - [u/Unstable_WiFi] (3.9k upvotes): I once sent "hey I hope you don''t get abducted by aliens before our date" as a joke, and now I''m married to that person. Sometimes weird works. ??? Vixen''s eyes darted over the Threadit post, devouring every word like her life depended on it. Her expression shifted from curiosity to intrigue to¡ªwait¡ªwas that enlightenment? She shot up from her chair so fast it spun around twice behind her. "YES!" She pumped her fists into the air with a triumphant grin plastered on her face. "I know what to text him!" Without missing a beat, she dashed toward her bed, leaping onto the mattress like it owed her money. She snatched up her phone with the grace of a caffeinated squirrel as her fingers flying over the screen as she typed furiously¡ªpure instinct, no overthinking. Send. She stared at the screen and her chest heaved slightly from excitement. And then¡ªshe read what she''d just sent. [Just by looking at me, what do you think the color of my main hole is? #FFC0CB or #FFDFDD?] Vixen''s soul left her body. Her mouth dropped open in absolute horror, a gasp so dramatic it could''ve been nominated for an award. She looked like she''d just witnessed the apocalypse through a keyhole. "Oh¡­ OH NO¡ªNO, NO, NO!" She fumbled with her phone like it was suddenly covered in butter, her thumbs slamming every wrong button imaginable. "DELETE! DELETE, YOU STUPID THING!" After what felt like an eternity (three seconds), she finally managed to delete the cursed message. Collapsing backward onto the bed, she clutched her chest, gasping for breath like she''d just run a marathon in heels. Her wide, panicked eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as her arms flopped dramatically over her head. "Who the fuck starts a conversation like that?!" She groaned into the air, her voice dripping with regret. "I read everything in that stupid Threadit post, and all I could write was that? Of all the advice¡ªI picked the one from SleazyPen69? Curse that son of a bitch!" She rolled over, face smashed into her pillow, letting out a muffled scream of despair. Eventually, she peeked back at her phone. The empty chat stared back at her like a scarlet letter. The faint, gray text [You deleted a message] sat there, mocking her, immortalizing her shame. Vixen let out a heavy sigh, defeated. She dropped her head again, her fluffy fox ears twitching and perking up as if refusing to acknowledge defeat, even if she felt like a puddle of embarrassment. "Since when did I start acting so¡­ stupid?" She groaned, then lifted the phone once more, staring at the cursed empty chat. "That''s the weirdest shit I''ve ever thought of texting someone." Now she had to cover her tracks. She started typing: [????] She blinked at the banana emoji. "¡­ What the hell is wrong with me?" Delete. New message. [Uhm, I was wondering if you''re still on for the patrol later tonight?] She stared at it. Then shook her head. "No. Adding ''uhm'' makes me look shy. And the rest makes me sound way too excited¡­ even if I am." She deleted it. "Focus, Vixen. Something casual." She started again: [So, I was thinking of bringing some snacks since it might be a really long night? Like a snack bar or something?] She paused. Squinted. Then groaned. "No, no, no¡ªthat''s equally stupid." Her face hit the pillow again with a dramatic flop, phone dangling from her hand as her tail flicked with frustration. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, at Mantis Tower¡­ An elevator descended to the 45th floor. Scott leaned against the polished steel wall, hands casually in his pockets as his face spelled boredom as he glanced down at his phone. And there it was. Not just the deleted message. But every message Vixen had typed out¡ªand then canceled. Scott blinked once. Then twice. And then¡ªhe chuckled. A low, amused sound that grew into a full-blown laugh as he shook his head. "Heh¡­ I can''t believe she actually went to Threadit for advice." He scrolled through her failed attempts, smirking at every edit, every deleted word, every little panic-induced rewrite. "Not wrong, I guess¡­" He muttered, chuckling again. "But at least pick the right advice, Vixen. It''s not always the post with the most upvotes that''s the winner¡­" His finger hovered over the screen, re-reading the message from SleazyPen69¡ªthe infamous color question. "And even then, you went with that guy''s advice?" He shook his head, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "How silly can one get? Pfft¡ªhaha!" With a small, amused sigh, he typed back without hesitation: [Hey there, beautiful ??] He locked his phone and slipped it into his coat pocket, then adjusted the collar of his sleek, black trench coat as the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. Stepping out onto the bustling event floor, he chuckled under his breath. "I''ll have to explain that to Emma and Gwen later¡­ but that should keep her in shock for a few hours." With that, he disappeared into the crowd. Next target: Bella Trevors. Chapter 135 Inappropriate Gala Mantis Tower, Metro CityThe crowd was a suffocating sea of polished arrogance. Men cloaked in designer suits, crisp ties, and shoes that probably cost more than an average apartment in the Metro City. They stood in clusters, laughing like hyenas dressed in silk as their voices oozed off artificial charm and self-importance. Scott''s face melted into an expression of pure disgust as his brows furrowed so hard it was like they were trying to escape his forehead. His jaw clenched, and the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips hinted that he might actually vomit if he inhaled one more whiff of overpriced cologne mixed with cheap champagne breath. With a sigh heavy enough to carry the weight of civilization''s decay, he shoved his hands into the deep pockets of his black trench coat and walked straight through them, like Moses parting the Red Sea¡ªif the Red Sea were made of smug, overpaid businessmen. "At least I know where the rebuilding money for the East District is going¡­" He muttered under his breath. The words had enough sarcasm to corrode steel. As he navigated the crowd, he dodged conversations about yacht upgrades and offshore accounts as his sharp eyes finally landed on her. Bella Trevors. She stood out like a diamond in a pile of glass shards¡ªher slender hands planted firmly on her massive hips as a cute, little pout etched onto her glossy lips. Her pretty blue eyes glared daggers at him, though the light shimmer in them softened the effect. Her cheeks were puffed out ever so slightly, tinged pink beneath layers of expertly applied makeup. She was furious, sure¡ªbut adorably so. Scott stopped right in front of her, towering over her with an expression that screamed¡ª "This is the best you''ve got?" Bella tilted her head back to meet his gaze, trying desperately to maintain her "Queen of Mean" face. But her resolve cracked for just a second¡ªher eyebrows twitched, slowly snitching on her. ¡ºWow¡­¡» She bit the inside of her cheek. ¡ºI never realized he was this tall. Sure, when he held me in his arms, I could tell he had some height, but¡ª¡» Her heart did a tiny flip. ¡º¡ªnot this much¡­¡» She smiled inwardly and ignored the way her chest felt lighter, fluttery almost. ¡ºBut that''s not so bad¡­ tee-hee ??¡» Suddenly, Scott waved his hand directly in front of her face as his fingers sliced through her daydream like a rude wake-up call. "Earth to Bella?" he deadpanned. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bella snapped out of it, blinking like she''d been caught napping in class. Panic shot through her, but she masked it quickly as her eyes darted up and down Scott''s figure, searching¡ªdesperately¡ªfor something to nitpick. Then, like a villain landing the final piece of an evil plan, she grinned. "Ah-HA!" She stabbed her finger at him dramatically. "You didn''t bring my purse! How dare you?!" Scott''s expression flatlined. Unimpressed. He grabbed her wrist with a quick, confident motion and started walking, dragging her behind him like she was an inconvenient suitcase. "And knowing your love history¡­" A sly grin painted his handsome face. "¡­ you probably got turned on by that." Bella stumbled slightly, trying to keep up with his pace. Her face went red, not just from the sudden tug but from the sheer audacity of his words. "HUH?! I¡ªTHAT''S NOT TRUE!" She yelped with outrage and something dangerously close to embarrassment. "I¡ªBAD DOG!" Scott shot her a side-eye so cheeky it could''ve had its own Instagram account. His smirk grew even more smug, heavy with confidence. "For the supposed Queen of Mean¡­ you sound way too desperate trying to pull the ''bad dog'' routine. If anything, you''re probably the one who''d enjoy getting smacked around a little, huh?" Bella''s brain blue-screened. ¡ºDid he just¡ª¡» Her face flushed red as her forehead broke into tiny beads of sweat despite the cool breeze wafting from the gala''s open terrace. "W-, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!" She screeched and her voice cracked slightly. Scott kept walking, effortlessly navigating through the crowd of rich elites, dragging Bella along like she wasn''t a whole heiress of a billion-dollar empire. He glanced over his shoulder. "Hmmm, well I saw the way you bit your lip when I smacked Emma''s butt." He shrugged casually, like he was commenting on the weather in Oregon. "Didn''t even plan to do it, but apparently, that made more than one woman feel good." Bella''s eye twitched. Her forehead glistened with more sweat. ¡ºNo. No, he''s kidding. He has to be kidding.¡» She dug her heels into the floor, yanking her wrist free with all the dramatic flair of a woman scorned in a telenovela. Scott stopped, turning to face her, still smiling like the smug bastard he was. "LOOK!" Bella snapped, pointing at him like an attorney in court. "I would never be so shameless an-, and sad to get handled like that by any friggin'' man, let alone an average one. So can you just SHUT THE FUCK UP?!" Scott''s grin didn''t falter. In fact, it grew. "Look¡­" His voice softened just a bit. "I''ve read enough cheesy rom-com novels to know that the so-called ''Mean Queen'' is usually just a successful, rich woman that''s insecure and desperate for love." Bella''s jaw dropped. "They just want someone who can deal with their bullshit." He shrugged nonchalantly, like he was talking about tax returns. "And that''s as real as it gets." He turned, starting to walk away. But then¡ª "WAIT!" Bella shouted as her voice sliced through the chatter of the gala like a whip. Scott stopped mid-step as his smirk lingered. He didn''t even have to turn around. Because he knew¡ªhe had her right where he wanted. Only one thing mattered to Bella Trevors right now. She stood frozen as her fingers clutched the delicate fabric of her gown tightly around her hips. Her knuckles whitened as if the dress itself was the only thing keeping her sanity in check. Her thighs pressed together instinctively, knees slightly buckled, and her eyes fixed on the floor as if it held the answers she desperately needed. To anyone passing by, she looked like a woman on the verge of desperately searching for the nearest restroom. But that wasn''t the case. Nope. Not even close. She was in shock. Utter, brain-melting shock. The kind of shock that scrambled your thoughts like eggs on a hot pan. Hands tucked lazily into the pockets of his black trench coat, Scott let out a heavy sigh. His sharp gaze slid down to her, eyebrow arching with the grace of a man who clearly had zero patience left in his sarcasm reserves. "So¡­ you gonna say something, or just keep standing there like you''re trying not to take a dump?" Bella''s grip on her gown tightened even more. She could practically hear the threads begging for mercy. Her face, already tinted pink, darkened to a deeper shade of crimson. She sucked in a shaky breath as her pride dangled by the thinnest thread. Then, with a voice so small it almost didn''t belong to her, she muttered. "Would you¡­ do it?" Scott blinked. "What?" Bella''s heart raced. She desperately wanted to scream, to stomp her feet, to disappear into thin air. But instead, she squared her shoulders, stared at the floor like it owed her rent money, and blurted out¡ª "If you¡­ if you wanted to¡­ y''know¡­ spank me¡­ would you do it if I ordered you to?" Silence. Pure, unfiltered silence. Scott''s lips curled into a smile¡ªnot just any smile. It was peaceful, relaxed, but there was a flicker in his eyes, like he was fighting back a laugh inappropriate enough to get him kicked out of a church. He ran a hand over his jaw, adjusting his collar with so much ease it showed he was completely unfazed. "Well¡­" He started slowly. "¡­ not to be disrespectful or anything¡­ but I only have interest in spanking the two respectable women I''ve got in my life. No one else." A short moment. His eyes narrowed slightly as if replaying his own words. "Uh¡ªthat didn''t come out right¡­ but you get my point." Bella''s face scrunched up like she''d just smelled expired milk. She glared at him with the kind of intensity usually reserved for serial killers and bad customer service. "So, you''re really gonna leave me like this?" She snapped as her voice became low and dangerous. "Fuck this! You''re seriously telling me that one of the most thirsted-after women in America is offering you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to spank her¡ªand you''re saying no? You won''t get an offer like this again, you know!" Scott didn''t even flinch. Instead, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling like it held life''s greatest mysteries. "Hmm¡­" He hummed theatrically. "Don''t remember you asking me directly, though." Bella''s jaw clenched so hard she could''ve cracked diamonds between her teeth. But for some godforsaken reason¡ªmaybe pride, maybe stubbornness, maybe both¡ªshe tightened her grip on her gown, leaned forward slightly, and forced out the words: "P-, Please¡­ would you¡­ spa-, spank me?" Scott''s response was faster than a lightning bolt striking twice. "Pass." If silence could be weaponized, this was it. Bella''s face went from embarrassed pink to furious scarlet in record time. Steam might as well have been shooting out of her ears. She grunted like an enraged bull, stomping her foot as she exploded¡ª "WHY WON''T YOU SPANK ME?!" Dead. Silence. Every conversation in the vicinity screeched to a halt. Dozens of well-dressed socialites, CEOs, and diplomats snapped their heads around as their expressions ranged from horrified to mildly entertained. Scott snickered quietly, his hand covering his mouth as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto suppress his laughter. His eyes held so much mischievous delight. Realizing the scene she''d just caused, Bella straightened up abruptly. ¡ºThis fucker¡­ he got me¡­¡» She smoothed out her gown, cleared her throat with the grace of someone trying to pretend none of that just happened, and addressed the crowd in the poshest voice imaginable. "Well?" She snapped with her nose tilted slightly upward. "Are you all going to stand there gawking, or are you going to get back to discussing your boring shipments and offshore accounts?" Awkward coughs. Murmurs. And just like that, the crowd slowly resumed their business, pretending they hadn''t just witnessed the Heiress of Trevors Global Enterprises have a very public breakdown about not getting spanked. Bella exhaled deeply as her dignity hung on by a single thread of sheer willpower. She whipped around to face Scott and her eyes narrowed into lethal slits. "You''ve had your fun with me tonight, haven''t you?" She hissed. Scott crossed his arms. There was a smug grin still plastered on his face. "Jeez¡­" He said with a casual shrug. "I guess that''s a decent replacement for missing out on some real fun with my lovelies in bed tonight." Bella rolled her eyes so hard they practically did a somersault. "Whatever¡­" She matched past him with some exaggerated grace. Scott watched her go, his grin never fading. Then, casually, he called after her. "Hm? Where''re you going?" Bella stopped, glancing over her shoulder with an expression caught between annoyance and exhaustion. "To see The Peak¡­" It was a sharp reply. "Come with me. I can''t stand the thought of you lurking around here like some weird stalker. Plus, I need a buffer from that fragrance-drinking loser." Scott tilted his head, pretending to consider it. "¡­ Can''t argue with any of that." He muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he followed after her, his grin still firmly in place. ??? The crystal chandelier above glimmered like a frozen constellation as it cast soft reflections on the polished marble floor. A crowd of distinguished European businessmen gathered around him¡ªThe Peak. Dressed in his signature, blindingly golden super suit, he stood tall with that manufactured charisma of his. His square jaw was carved with precision, his pearly whites flashed with the brightness of a toothpaste commercial, and his hand rested dramatically over his chest as if reciting vows at a wedding he wasn''t invited to. "And since that day¡­" The Peak''s had such a theatrical conviction. "I''ve always vowed to put the interests of others before myself. Even if there are barely any heroes left in this modern era who''d dare do such a thing." He paused, letting his words marinate in the air like a fine wine he probably couldn''t pronounce. His hand pressed harder against his chest, face bent into an expression so pained it looked like he was either reminiscing about lost love or suffering from mild constipation. "To me¡­" His tone dropped into a soft, heroic whisper. "Civilians are more than just people who need to be saved. They''re the very source of my strength¡­ the reason I wake up every day¡­ the fuel that keeps me fighting for all that is good¡ª" Silence. No applause. Not even a polite cough. The Peak kept his hand firmly over his chest as one eye slyly cracking open just to peek. Maybe they were waiting for some invisible countdown to burst into applause? Some dramatic pause he''d accidentally nailed too perfectly? But no. Every single man in that well-dressed crowd¡ªholding crystal glasses filled with champagne worth more than a small country''s GDP¡ªwasn''t looking at him. They were looking past him. Right at Bella Trevors and Scott McQueen, who had just casually strolled into the gathering like they owned the place¡­ which, technically, Bella kind of did. The Peak''s jaw twitched. ¡ºOh, come on¡­¡» But he recovered quickly, forcing a smile so wide it probably strained a facial muscle. He spread his arms slightly as if he''d been expecting her all along. "Ohoo! Bella Trevors!" He announced loudly as his voice dipped into that fake, over-friendly register people use when bumping into an ex at a party. "Fancy seeing you here¡­ in this specific place¡­ ahaha!" Bella raised an eyebrow. She didn''t care enough to fake enthusiasm. Then The Peak''s eyes slid to the man beside her, and his smile faltered like a radio losing signal. "Uh-huh¡­" He muttered through stiffened lips. "And it seems you''ve brought a guest¡­" Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire Scott stood there, hands shoved lazily into the pockets of his black trench coat. His face was the human equivalent of a flatline¡ªutterly unimpressed, deadpan, and staring at The Peak with all the interest of someone watching paint dry. That blank stare alone made The Peak feel inadequate. ¡ºFuck you¡­ Scott McQueen¡­¡» He gritted his teeth, forcing his lips back into that smile¡ªa little too tight now, like it was stapled on. "Erm¡­ Skat McKing, right?" Bella visibly winced. Some of the businessmen exchanged awkward glances. But Scott? Didn''t even blink. With the same deadpan expression, he responded. "Scott McQueen." His voice was flat, like he was correcting someone on the color of the sky. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he added. "Didn''t know you liked the word skat so much. But hey, at least that explains the Dog Girl sex tapes. Good for you, man¡­ as long as you''re happy." A single, sarcastic clap followed. "Yay." Silence. Then¡ª Laughter. Not polite chuckles. Not awkward titters. No¡ªreal, unfiltered laughter. Bella nearly doubled over, holding her stomach as she gasped for air. One of the businessmen spilled a bit of champagne on his tailored suit, wheezing uncontrollably. Even the stone-faced security guard in the corner cracked a grin. The Peak''s face twitched like he was buffering. His fist clenched so tightly at his side that his knuckles went white. But Scott? Still calm. Still unfazed. Like he wasn''t even trying. ¡ºThis¡­ this fucker.¡» The Peak''s eye twitched. But he quickly slapped on that fake smile again as his jaw ached from the strain. "Well¡­" He cleared his throat dramatically. "It''s always a blessing to have¡­ unique guests at events like these." Bella wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. Scott simply shrugged. "Yeah¡­" he replied dryly. "Unique''s one word for it." And with that, The Peak''s ego deflated just a little more. Chapter 136 Random Encounters Mantis Tower, Metro CityThe sound of laughter. The clinking of champagne glasses. They all echoed through the grand hall. Scott stood effortlessly in the middle of a crowd of high-profile European businessmen, his posture relaxed, one hand shoved lazily into his pocket, and the other holding a simple glass of water. His trench coat was slightly open, revealing the plain black shirt underneath. "So that was pretty much how I saved Bella¡­" He finished his story so casually©¤©¤as though he was just recounting a grocery trip. The businessmen leaned in, hanging onto every word. One of the businessmen, his face flushed with excitement and probably too much champagne, shot his hand into the air like an overzealous student. "Can you tell the part about how you threw that rock again? The one where you sent him straight to the ground? I just simply adore how you describe the speed of it all." Scott chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he took a quick sip of water. "Ahaha, come on now. I''ve already said that part like four times. I''m getting kinda tired here, fellas¡­" Before the crowd could protest, a pair of slender arms wrapped around Scott from behind. Bella. She leaned in and her chin rested lightly on his shoulder. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at the eager businessmen. "Come on~" She giggled with her usual charm. "Can''t you let my man rest, at least just a little? I know his heroic little save was amazing, but honestly, shouldn''t that be expected from someone this handsome and strong?" Her fingers slid down his arm, squeezing his bicep with deliberate slowness. Her cheeks flushed an erotic shade of red, and she bit her lower lip with such heat it could''ve melted the ice in their champagne flutes. Across the room, The Peak watched from the corner. ¡ºI can''t believe this¡­¡» His face tightened like he''d bitten into an unripe lemon. Scott glanced back at Bella. "Some personal space would really be appreciated¡­" He kept his tone flat. "Don''t want the media getting the wrong idea." Bella''s lips curled into an even hotter smirk. "Oh? And so?" She purred very softly as her fingers trailed slowly down the side of his arm. "What if they do get the wrong idea? Honestly, I''d enjoy that. Imagine¡­ having you all to myself, mmm~" She licked her lips, slow and tempting. The businessmen shifted uncomfortably, coughing into their fists, pretending to look elsewhere¡ªsuddenly fascinated by the architecture, their drinks, anything but the obvious tension sizzling between the two. The Peak couldn''t take it anymore. With a dramatic flair, he downed his entire glass of wine in one go, then slammed it onto a nearby tray before walking toward the group with arms outstretched. "ALRIGHT!" He boomed with a voice loud enough to startle a few of the businessmen. "Enough of all that Scat talk¡ª" Scott''s eyebrow twitched. "Scott¡­" he corrected flatly. The Peak ignored him, positioning himself right between Scott and Bella like a giant golden wall of desperation. "If anyone should be telling a fun story, it''s probably me!" He declared with a grin that screamed, Please look at me instead. The businessmen straightened up. They seemed eager to shift their attention. With both hands on his waist, chest puffed out, The Peak launched into his story. "Have you heard about the time I flew into space? Yes, space¡ªbecause I had to save a MegaCorp vessel carrying six astronauts. It failed to make it out of the atmosphere and was crashing down with enough force to implode an entire city!" He laughed loudly, as if his own words were the punchline to a joke only he found hilarious. "But did I hesitate? No! I locked in, flew straight up, and saved them all! HAHAH!" The businessmen burst into applause as their faces lit up with admiration. Well¡­ most of them. Bella didn''t clap. She didn''t even blink. She stared off into the distance, looking more interested in counting ceiling tiles. Scott simply rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to solve an equation. The Peak''s grin faltered. He turned to Bella, his smile forced and stiff. "Bella¡­ are you impressed?" Her eyes slid toward him, half-lidded with boredom. "Get me a glass of insomnia¡­ then maybe I''ll care enough to even listen." The Peak''s smile cracked like cheap plastic. His jaw clenched, and without thinking, he shot a glare sharp enough to cut steel¡ªright at Scott, as if it was somehow his fault. Unaware of the glare¡ªor simply not caring¡ªScott snapped his fingers suddenly. "Wait a minute¡­" He had his answer. "Didn''t I read your info card? The one recently released by the Hero Agency?" The Peak blinked as his fake smile twitched nervously. Scott folded his arms. Blank expression. Sharp tone. "Yeah¡­ it said you can''t fly." Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire The room fell into a thick silence. All eyes shifted from Scott¡­ to The Peak. The hero chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as sweat threatened to out him. "Uhhh¡­ I can fly¡­" He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I just really don''t like doing it all the time because, uh, I get¡­ easily sick in the air." Scott tilted his head slightly, clearly not buying it. "Nah¡­" He replied coolly, then shook his head. "Pretty sure it said your ability is to multiply human potential to the ultimate peak of humanity." He leaned in slightly and his eyes narrowed. "Humans can''t fly." The silence was deafening. One of the businessmen coughed awkwardly, another sipped his champagne with the kind of focus usually reserved for life-altering decisions. The Peak''s face turned a shade of red that rivaled Bella''s earlier blush. "¡­ Well uhhh¡­" He muttered weakly, eyes darting around for an escape. "Maybe you just¡­ misread it." Scott raised an eyebrow. "Sure, buddy." Bella snorted. "Pffft©¤©¤loser¡­" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Peak stood in disbelief. He was standing amongst these people, but at the same time he almost felt like he was alone. It felt like a chest-ripping sort of pain that left his mind fractured. His jaw was clenched so hard a vein pulsed at his temple. His sharp eyes were locked onto the sight of Bella, laughing¡ªno, giggling¡ªwith Scott McQueen. Her laughter wasn''t polite or forced like the shallow chuckles of the businessmen circling them. No, it was real¡ªlight, melodic, the kind that filled a room without trying. And worse¡­ it was because of him. Scott had said something¡ªa casual remark probably, nothing special¡ªand she was laughing like he''d just told the joke of the century. She even leaned into him slightly and her hand brushed his arm as if it belonged there. The Peak''s fists tightened around a nearby glass. A faint crack. His eyes darted around, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªsomeone else would see how ridiculous this was. But instead, he caught snippets of whispered conversations floating through the businessmen. "I didn''t know The Peak could be so fond of lying¡­" One whispered to his companion. The other chuckled nervously, sipping his drink. "We can''t just take someone else''s word over The Peak''s. He''s iconic¡ªloved by the public." "Right¡­ but did you notice? He didn''t even try to defend himself after Mr. McQueen called him out." A pause. A soft, thoughtful hum. Then: "Makes it hard to believe he isn''t lying, huh?" And the final nail: "Exactly. If he''s dishonest about something like that¡­ how can we even trust doing business with him?" Crack. The glass finally gave way under the pressure of his grip and splintered slightly, but he didn''t care. He forced a deep breath, swallowing the boiling rage, and plastered on a smile so painfully fake it looked like a wax figure come to life. His jaw ached. ¡ºBreathe. Smile. Don''t lose it here.¡» He threw a sharp side-eye at Scott. "¡­ You must really be enjoying this, huh?" His voice was low, bitter, like venom dripping from a smiling snake. Scott glanced over lazily, one brow arching with effortless indifference. "Hmm? Not really." He shrugged, then took another sip of his water. "Not a fan of fancy parties like these. Heck, I''d pick a frat party over this anytime." Still draped around Scott like he was her favorite armchair, Bella giggled softly. She leaned closer, pressing a light kiss against Scott''s cheek, leaving a faint smear of red lipstick. "Aww~ ?? He only came here because of me¡­" She cooed like a sweet, little succubus. "Of course he did¡­ I mean, what man wouldn''t want to spend the night with a lovely lady like myself, hmm? There''s no need to deny it, Mr. McQueen~" She winked, then her lips curled into a sexy smile. Scott''s response? A deadpan side-eye. He casually wiped the lipstick off with the back of his hand and muttered. "Ehh¡­ not exactly." The Peak''s grin twitched. His fists clenched tighter¡ªbones cracking this time. ¡ºSo this son of a bitch, Scott McQueen, really dares to insult me like this?¡» His mind spiraled, replaying that humiliating interview with Konrad Kain, where the world basically got a front-row seat to his not-so-subtle admiration for Bella Trevors. Everyone knew. It wasn''t a secret. And yet here was Scott¡­ acting like Bella was just some random girl in the crowd. ¡­ Tch©¤©¤! With a sharp turn, The Peak stomped away, his polished shoes thudding against the marble like war drums. ??? Some Minutes Later Scott stood in front of an unnecessarily massive fruit punch fountain. The thing was a ridiculous spectacle¡ªthree tiers of crimson liquid cascading like some sacred beverage offering to the gods of pretentiousness. Scott squinted at it, unimpressed. "¡­ Barely anyone''s drinking this. So why''d they have to make it into a fountain? A bowl would''ve been way better¡­ Sigh, rich people always doing the absolute most." Grabbing a nearby glass, he lazily dunked it into the flowing punch to fill it to the brim. He took a slow sip, then nodded slightly. "Mmm¡­ that''s good." But the moment he turned around¡ª ¡ªthere he was. Standing right in his face. Vincent Lakewood. Confident posture. Smug face. That air of self-importance that practically screamed©¤©¤I think I''m better than you. Scott blinked, tilting his head slightly. "¡­Uhm. Who''re you?" Vincent''s eye twitched. He cleared his throat dramatically, straightening his tie with a stiff jerk. "I''m Vincent La¡ª" But before he could finish, a woman in a cream dress sauntered over as her hips swaying with casual grace. She perched her surprisingly massive butt on the edge of the punch fountain table, dangerously close to Scott. [Ding! The individual next to you has been identified as the superheroine - Rope Girl!] She didn''t even spare Vincent a glance. "Oh, his name''s Vincent Lakewood¡­" She said, lazily twirling a lock of her black hair. "An absolute dickhead and one of the top hero recruitment agents under Priority Solutions." Vincent''s jaw clenched as his nostrils flared slightly. But Scott''s reaction? Instant. His playful, indifferent demeanor vanished like smoke in the wind. His eyes snapped to Vincent, sharp as broken glass. The once-empty look in them now burned with something dark¡ªsomething dangerous. "¡­ What do you want?" His voice was low. Cold. Vincent adjusted his tie again. This time there was less confidence. Seeing no point in keeping up the friendly act, he sighed and let the smugness return¡ªforced, but present. "It''s nice to finally meet you in person¡­" Vincent said with a fowl grin. "We haven''t spoken since your girlfriend left you. I hope your heart is nursing well." Silence. Scott''s grip tightened around his glass. His knuckles went white. But he didn''t say anything. Not yet. His eyes just stared. Unblinking. Like a predator deciding if the thing in front of him was worth the effort to kill. During this time, the woman in cream, Zoe Kingston, kept her bloodlusted eyes sharply on Scott. ¡ºI''ll get the answers I need¡­ now¡­¡» Chapter 137 Perverted Errors Mantis Tower, Metro CityScott McQueen stood between Zoe Kingston and Vincent Lakewood with the kind of blank expression that didn''t scream confused¡ªno, it whispered something far worse. It was the type of face that made people instinctively assume you were plotting something sinister. His brows were relaxed, lips resting in a neutral line, and his eyes were just¡­ empty. No squint, no shift, no flicker of emotion. And that''s what made it uncomfortable. Zoe kept darting quick glances at him and her thin brows slightly furrowed, as if expecting him to suddenly pull out a hidden blade or declare some master plan. Conversely, Vincent had that overly smug grin plastered on his face¡ªbut even he couldn''t stop his gaze from twitching toward Scott every few seconds, as if expecting¡­ something. But the truth? Scott wasn''t planning anything. Not even close. ¡º¡­ What the hell are these people even doing here?¡» That was the grand thought looping in his head like a broken record. No master scheme. No hidden agenda. Just confusion. He gave Zoe a slow, lazy side-eye as his mind raced in the dumbest way possible. ¡ºSo, according to the System, the woman next to me is actually "Rope Girl."¡» His eyes flicked to her casual posture, how comfortably she leaned into the conversation like they were old friends¡ªwhich, spoiler alert: they were not. ¡ºThe fact that she''s so chill talking to me on our first meeting means she either knows or suspects I''m Nightwatch¡­ but that doesn''t exactly make sense.¡» He tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes just a fraction. ¡ºRope Girl isn''t the type to attend these stuck-up rich people parties. So for her to be here means she was already sure I''d show up. But¡­ I only decided to come here a few hours ago.¡» His blank stare sharpened slightly, like a blade being drawn halfway out of its sheath. ¡ºWhich means¡­ she''s been stalking me.¡» His eye twitched. ¡ºYeah. That''s the only answer.¡» And with that life-altering conclusion reached, Scott finally shifted his gaze to Vincent, his expression still eerily blank as he calmly asked: "¡­ What do you want?" Vincent straightened his tie with unnecessary force, clearly eager to assert whatever dominance he thought he had. "I don''t really have any interest in speaking with you," Scott continued flatly. "Oh, and as for my heart? It''s doing way better than you could ever dream of¡­ especially now that I''m practically a celebrity." A smug smile crept onto Scott''s face, slow and deliberate, like it had been carved there just to piss Vincent off. And it worked. Vincent''s nostrils flared slightly and his jaw clenched so tight you could probably hear it grind if you listened close enough. But instead of snapping, he squeezed his fists and forced a smile¡ªa painful one, the kind that looked like it physically hurt to maintain. "Oho¡­" He chuckled dryly, adjusting the sleeves of his overpriced suit with dramatic flair. "I don''t plan on chatting long with you. I just wanted to make sure you understand something." Scott raised a brow lazily, clearly unimpressed. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire Vincent leaned in slightly as his smile sharpened. "I don''t appreciate the way you''re staining the image of my client, The Peak." His voice dropped into a lower, more ''threatening'' tone¡ªwhich, to Scott, sounded more like a toddler trying to sound scary. "If you want some peace, I suggest you take your leave now. That way, I won''t have to exercise my powers on a poor, church rat." Scott blinked. Then he chuckled¡ªa short, sharp breath of amusement as he took a full gulp of his punch and drained the glass in one go. He slammed it onto the table behind him with a moderate thunk before turning back to Vincent as he licked a stray drop from the corner of his mouth. "And what if I say I don''t want to leave?" Vincent''s grin wavered slightly. Scott leaned in with a smooth and venomous voice. "In fact, I''d prefer to stay. You know¡­ so Bella doesn''t have to endure the infectious stupidity of your golden boy." The smugness drained from Vincent''s face faster than wine spilling from a shattered glass. But he recovered quickly, forcing another stiff laugh, shaking his head like Scott had just made the biggest mistake of his life. "You know¡­" Vincent spoke with forced casualness. "I''m quite the celebrity in this business. It''d be¡­ very easy to expose you." Scott''s smile faded slightly¡ªnot because he was worried, but because he was bored. "Oh, you know, just a little something¡­" Vincent continued with mock innocence. "Like, say¡­ that shitty mother you''ve been hiding away in an asylum somewhere?" Zoe''s eyes snapped to Vincent. ¡ºDid he¡­ just say that?¡» Her face twisted into pure disgust. Vincent leaned back, clearly enjoying himself now. "Wouldn''t it be fun to see how well the media eats that story up? I wonder what it''d do to your ''rising'' career as a model." He chuckled darkly. "Fun, right?" Silence. Zoe''s face soured even more. ¡ºDisgusting¡­ he''d really go that far?¡» She shot Scott a quick glance, waiting for his reaction. But Scott didn''t react. No flash of rage. No flicker of sadness. Just¡­ nothing. His face was blank and his eyes emptied as he stared directly into Vincent''s smug little soul. Then, with a slow blink, he spoke. "So, let me get this straight¡­" It was quite a soft voice. "You want me to stop causing trouble for golden boy and leave Bella Trevors alone?" Vincent didn''t reply. He just smirked, like he thought he''d won. Scott took a step forward. And for reasons Vincent couldn''t explain, his body reacted before his brain could catch up¡ªhe took two steps back. A short, instinctive retreat. A moment of weakness. Scott''s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn''t need to yell. He didn''t need to threaten. His words came out low, calm, and ice-cold. "¡­ I won''t." His brows sank, casting shadows over his sharp eyes. His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Don''t ever. Threaten me. Again." Vincent''s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard as his mind scrambled for a comeback¡ªbut nothing came. Scott didn''t break eye contact. Not once. Vincent finally managed to turn around with frozen feet as he walked away¡ªor rather, fled¡ªon trembling legs. Zoe watched him go, then looked back at Scott. "Terrifying¡­" She adjusted her oval-shaped glasses. Scott blinked, then shrugged lazily. "¡­ Nah." He grabbed another glass of punch. "I just really hate pretentious guys in expensive suits." Right after, Scott scooped himself a fresh cup of punch when he felt a feminine, sweet-scented presence slide even closer to him. It was the black-haired beauty. Zoe Kingston. She leaned in¡ªtoo close, too deliberately¡ªuntil her breath was practically whispering against his ear. "So¡­" She had such a sexy voice. A temptingly sexy voice that would make any man beg for the opportunity to be spoken to like that. Scott was halfway through raising the cup to his lips when he noticed it. The way she tilted her head ever so slightly. The way her lips curled into the faintest, wilful smirk. And most importantly¡­ the way her posture just happened to shift, her chest pressing forward in a manner that sent her cleavage spilling ever so generously into view. They looked like two big, oiled pieces of meat packaged closely together and waiting for someone to dive in and munch. It was subtle. It was calculated. And it was undeniably tantalizing. Scott paused mid-sip. His frosted, blue eyes flicked down for half a second¡ªjust a flicker, just an instinctive glance¡ªbefore narrowing right back at her face. He exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "So what?" His voice was calm. Flat. Unshaken. Zoe lifted a delicate brow and her smirk deepened. If someone had been watching them from a distance, they would have sworn they were lovers. Or at the very least, two people caught in a flirtatious exchange charged with tension. Her smile? It was the kind of smile that could make men crawl on their knees. The kind that whispered promises of danger and pleasure in the same breath. But Scott? Scott saw right through it. He took a lazy sip of his drink. Then, ever so subtly, he let his gaze dip again. A stolen second. Zoe chuckled. Soft, silky, and victorious. "Oop~" She tapped a single finger against his shoulder with that featherlight and playful touch of hers. "I caught staring¡­ young man~" Scott didn''t react. Didn''t shift. Didn''t blink. But internally? He clicked his tongue. ¡ºDamn it¡­¡» Then, almost as if testing something, Zoe applied just a little more pressure to his shoulder. It wasn''t aggressive. It wasn''t forceful. No. It was coaxing. Like a doting wife gently and sexually rubbing her husband''s shoulder after a long day¡ªright before sliding his credit card out of his hand. Her eyes gleamed. "Hmm~ You''re a little too built for a ''rising model''¡­" Scott remained still, but his tensed fingers flexed subtly around his cup. Zoe''s smirk grew. "You haven''t even started featuring on any runways, and yet¡­ you''re already so fit." Her fingers gave the faintest squeeze against his shoulder. "It''s almost like you''re a¡ª" Scott sighed. Deeply. Like a man about to commit a great sin. Then his hand moved. Fast. Before Zoe could react, before she could even process it¡ª His hand shot out. ¡­ HONK! HONK!! And grabbed her breast. Like a bear claw clamping onto raw meat. Her breath hitched. ©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHNN~ ?? His fingers sank deep¡ªdeeper than she expected¡ªthen mercilessly gripped her with the kind of casual, dominating force that made her entire body jolt. It was like a wave of sexual pleasure and hunger was injected into her body through the wet, slippery hole between her legs. She was absolutely overwhelmed. Another of her moans that sounded like a crying child squeezed out of her cherry lips. "Ah©¤©¤??!" A sharp gasp slipped past her lips before she could stop it. "Uuuufff ??!" She took a shaky step back¡ª But Scott? He pulled her back in. Dragging against her breast like it was a thick rope in a tug of war battle. Tighter. His grip hardened. Zoe''s knees nearly buckled. A rush of heat coiled in her stomach as her sexy, heated breath¡ªmuch like dog¡ªturned ragged. ¡ºWhat the hell©¤©¤?!¡» Her body twisted involuntarily, caught between a reaction of protest and pleasure. "Gahhh~" She coughed out hot air and her chest heaved against his palm as her pupils dilated. Her lips parted and salivated madly, but not just the ones on her face¡­ IT was dripping. Her teeth bit down onto her lower lip.Hard. Like a woman who swore she didn''t want this¡ªyet couldn''t help but respond to it. But then¡ª "Tch." With a sharp inhale, Zoe slapped his hand away. Quick. Fluid. Precise. She jumped back and heels clicked against the marble floor as her fingers shot under her gown¡ª And in one smooth motion¡ª A gun was in her grasp. The cold barrel snapped upward. Aimed straight at Scott''s head. Her breath was unsteady. But her aim? Rock solid. "You abhorrent filth!" Her voice was heavy with something fierce. Fury. Flustered embarrassment. And something else she refused to name. Scott blinked. Then¡ª He smirked. Took another sip of his drink. And with zero fear, zero hesitation, and zero shame¡ª His eyes flicked right back to her chest. Then back up. He slowly and calmly licked a stray drop of punch from the corner of his mouth. Scott''s smirk deepened. Then, he chuckled again. "Haaah¡­ you''re definitely sweaty down there right now, aren''t you?" Zoe''s fingers tensed around the grip of her gun. Scott didn''t stop. He took another slow sip of his punch, savoring the moment before tilting his head slightly. "That gun of yours¡­ if you handed it over, I bet I could sell it for a fortune." Zoe''s brow twitched. His eyes flicked down ever so briefly, then back up, cool and completely unfazed. "A pretty lady like you¡­? I''m sure plenty of guys would pay top dollar to get their hands on a weapon covered in your warm, thigh sweat." Zoe''s jaw clenched. Her face twisted into a disgusted, furious snarl. Her finger curled tighter around the trigger. Just a little more pressure. Just a little more, and she''d blow this bastard''s brains out. Scott met her glare without an ounce of fear. The intensity in her expression. The sheer, seething rage. It was beautiful. "You¡­" She spat as her breath trembled between her teeth. "You abhorrent filth!" Scott raised a brow. "How dare you assault a lady like that?" Zoe hissed. "Are you an animal? Don''t you care about your public image?! You''re a celebrity fo¡ª" She didn''t even get to finish. Scott lazily swirled the punch in his glass before taking another small sip. Then, in the same calm, flat tone¡ª "And so?" Zoe''s breath hitched. Scott exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "You should be grateful all I did was grope your tits. If it were really up to me¡­" His gaze turned just a shade darker. "I''d have you spread across this table¡­" His voice dropped. "And show you just how fit I really am." Zoe''s pupils trembled. Something cracked. Her hands¡ªher grip¡ªher entire body tensed in an instant. Then, the world around her vanished. Everything. The glittering chandeliers, the luxurious hall, the murmurs of the crowd¡ª Gone. In their place©¤©¤Flames. Screams. Blood. She saw it all again. Gunfire. Children being slaughtered. Men being beaten to death. Women¡­ being defiled by the enemy. Dragged to the ground and stripped of their clothes all to satisfy the sexual needs of these men as though they were just meat toilets. And after they''d finished with them¡ª They''d killed them too. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her heartbeat thundered. Loud. Loud. Too loud. It felt wrong. Like her heart was too big for her chest. Like her ribs were caving in. Scott''s voice¡ªhis words¡ª ¡ºI''d have you spread across this table¡­¡» ¡º¡­ and show you just how fit I really am.¡» Her breathing stuttered. Her vision blurred. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH!! "SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH!!" Her scream tore through the hall. Her finger pressed down. She was about to pull the trigger. Then©¤©¤Grab! Three guards seized her from behind. Zoe barely processed it. Her arms locked in place. Her body jerked as they pulled her back. "Ma''am¡­" One of them said firmly. "We''re going to have to ask you to leave." Zoe''s eyes were shaking. The guard continued, his tone stern but controlled. "Guns aren''t allowed at this function¡ªespecially when they''re pointed at a fellow honored guest." Zoe''s lips trembled. "But he¡ªhe''s a¡­ he sa¡­" She stopped. She couldn''t finish. Her throat clenched. Her mind was blank. The guards didn''t wait for her to recover. They started escorting her out. The crowd watched. Stared. Whispered. Their expressions twisted with disgust. She could hear them. "A woman like that, bringing a gun to a party?" "Disgraceful." "Absolutely classless." "She looked completely out of it¡­ like she wasn''t even there anymore." Zoe''s footsteps slowed. Her body¡­ it didn''t feel like hers anymore. Her vision¡­ It felt like she was watching herself from afar. Detached. Distant. Her lips parted, but no words came out. The guards led her through the exit. And then©¤©¤she was gone. ??? Scott stood still. His eyes, for the first time that night, held something absolutely unreadable. He exhaled slowly. Then, he glanced down at his hand. The same hand that had grabbed her. No. There was no way. He had only done it to get her off his back. To distract her. That was all. Right? A dry lump formed in his throat. He stared at his fingers, flexing them once. Then¡ª "System." A mechanical chime echoed in his mind. [Yes, Host?] "Rope Girl. Real name: Zoe Kingston." A pause. "Does she have any history of¡­ sexual assault? Or knowing someone who was?" The System loaded for a moment. Then¡ª [The Pulman Secret Operation of 2031.] [There is a deep connection between Zoe Kingston and the events of this classified military operation.] [This includes instances of sexual assault. While there is no confirmed report of her being a direct victim, there is high probability that she and her team were targeted¡ªthough the attempt was ultimately unsuccessful.] [Regardless, psychological trauma remains.] Scott didn''t breathe. He just stared. At his hand. At nothing. And then, in a voice that barely left his lips¡ª "¡­ I screwed up." His throat felt dry. His eyes felt heavy. He swallowed. But it didn''t help. Because deep down©¤©¤a part of him knew. He hadn''t just screwed up. He had fucked up. Chapter 138 Plans for the Night Mantis Tower, Metro CityThe night felt like a slow, torturous crawl for Scott. He stood still, barely moving. His expression was as empty as his heart. Even as the grand hall sparkled with golden chandeliers and the clinking of champagne glasses, he remained unmoved, as though he were nothing more than a statue lost in time. Speeches were made, announcements delivered¡ªthings that, on any other day, he might have cared about. But tonight? They all blurred into white noise. In her usual persistence, Bella tried to pull him out of whatever abyss he had fallen into. ¡ºHe seems dull now¡­ hmph! As if any man could resist my infectious smile and devilish charms!¡» She waved a drink in front of him, brushing the rim against his lips in an attempt to make him sip. Nothing. She tried offering him one of the elegantly plated hors d''oeuvres, even going as far as to bring it right to his mouth like one would for a child. He didn''t react. Either he ignored her completely or just stared blankly ahead, completely unaware of her presence. And maybe she could have handled that. Maybe. But what annoyed her the most were the times when she did manage to get his attention, only for him to mindlessly chew on the food she gave him, like some dull, soulless puppet. She let out an irritated sigh as her patience wore thin. "Ugh. Can''t he just eat all the damn scrumptious things I''m giving him?" She muttered under her breath, crossing her arms. Her expression crumpled with annoyance, too caught up in her own irritation to realize just how heavy Scott''s heart was at the moment. She glanced around the room, eyeing the men in expensive suits who, at this very moment, would probably kill for the chance to have her feeding them. She never liked being anyone''s second choice, and that''s how it had always been¡ªeven from birth. She was her father''s only child and sole heiress to his massive fortune. She was Hollywood''s hottest celebrity, the woman every young man of the present generation had a crush on, and that hadn''t changed in years. But in just the last few hours with Scott, she had never felt more unwanted. ¡ºHow can this guy¡­ th-, this¡­ nobody make me feel like I''m some desperate, weak woman¡­¡» For the first time in her life, she felt like an afterthought. That realization cut deeper than any blade. "There are richer men in this gala who''d give anything to be in your position!" She scoffed, then rolled her eyes. "And here you are, acting like you''re too good for it." Scott didn''t look at her. Didn''t flinch. Didn''t even acknowledge her words. His tired, dead eyes just kept staring forward, his face drained of life, like a man who had just witnessed something horrifying¡ªlike a truck full of kids crashing and burning right in front of him, and all he could do was stand there, helpless. Bella clenched her fists. That was it. She had had enough. She shot up from her seat as her expression hardened. "You know what? I don''t fuckin'' care for this nonsense you''re pulling." She sounded so irritated and done. Next, she grabbed her purse. "I''m too precious, too important, and way too rich to be wasting my time on you." With that, she turned on her heels. Her sharp stilettos clicked against the marble floor as she stormed off. Yet, even then¡ªnothing. Scott didn''t move. ¡­ Sigh~ Didn''t react. Didn''t even glance her way. When Bella reached the exit of the hall, she turned back just once, hoping¡ªexpecting¡ªto see his gaze following her, to see some kind of regret in his eyes. Nothing. It stung. Her grip on her purse tightened, and she let out a scoff. "So he''s really just gonna act like I don''t matter, huh?" Her voice was bitter as her lips curled into a scowl. "What kind of stupid tactic is this¡ª?!" She shook her head, pushing the thought away. "Fine. Whatever." She stormed off as her irritation fueled every angry step. Meanwhile, Scott remained still. His eyes falling to his hand¡ªthe same hand that had grabbed Zoe''s breast earlier that night. A bitter taste filled his mouth. ¡ºHow could I screw up this badly?¡» His fingers curled into a tight fist as his heart sank deeper into his chest. ¡ºI just wanted to make her stop suspecting me of being Nightwatch¡­ I thought if I acted like a piece of scum, she''d instantly realize I could never be him¡­ But I was wrong. Yeah, damn wrong.¡» His jaw clenched. The exhaustion on his face deepened. ¡ºI''m always thinking about how to protect Nightwatch''s identity¡­ and now I''ve sacrificed the good image of Scott McQueen to do it.¡» His fists trembled. ¡ºBut that''s not the kind of man I am¡­ never. I don''t harass women. I''m not scum. Just because Nightwatch is a good person that''s loved by many doesn''t mean Scott McQueen has to be any friggin'' different¡­¡» His shoulders slumped as his head lowered in shame. "When am I gonna realize that¡­?" He muttered under his breath. But, no one could really hear or feel how much pain he was in at such a lively gala. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Vixen''s Hotel Room ¨C Midnight Vixen paced back and forth like a panicked cat as her fluffy tail swishing anxiously behind her. The soft glow of city lights filtered through the hotel window, but she barely noticed it. Her mind was elsewhere. Her sharp nails absentmindedly tapped against her arms as she crossed them, her bare feet pressing against the plush carpet as she kept moving. Then, suddenly, she froze. One of her hands instinctively reached up, grabbing her fox ears as she let out a frustrated groan. "Ughhh¡­ What do I even say to that message?" She muttered under her breath as her tender voice carried a hint of exasperation. Her golden eyes flickered toward her phone, still resting on the bedside table like some cursed artifact she wasn''t sure if she should touch. ¡ºHow the hell does that guy just send a message like that and expect everything to be okay afterward?¡» She huffed as her tail flicked irritably. But then¡­ her expression faltered. Her brows knitted together, and she placed a hand over her chest, feeling the way her heart was suddenly beating a little too fast. "¡­ Why do I feel so flustered about this?" She whispered as her ears twitched. This wasn''t like her. She was Vixen. The woman who had mastered the art of toying with men, of dodging flirtations and countering perverted comments with a smirk and a well-timed remark. She had been complimented in ways both sweet and shameless more times than she could count. ¡ºSo why¡­¡» Why was this different? Her face soured slightly. Her tail curled up next to her and bristled a little as she fell back onto the bed. Her slender arms spread out across the mattress as she stared blankly at the ceiling. "¡­ This sucks!" She whined, almost like a little girl. All of a sudden, she felt like some desperate teenage girl experiencing her first crush. And, God, she hated it. "¡­ I bet that son of a bitch is hiding somewhere, snickering like a devil right now." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. With a deep sigh, she grabbed her phone and brought it close to her face. And there it was. The cursed message. [Scott: Hey there, beautiful ??] Her heart skipped a beat. Before she could even stop herself, her fingers clenched around the device, and she instinctively pressed it against her breasts and squeezed her eyes shut. ¡ºAhhhhhhh!¡» Her heart stung¡ªlike it was being bathed in shards of glass. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºWhat the hell is this feeling©¤©¤?!¡» She groaned, pressing her face against the pillow before rolling onto her side. "¡­ What do I even reply to this?" She blinked a few times, her ears twitching again. "¡­ Threadit doesn''t have an answer for this kind of situation, does it?" With an exasperated sigh, she sat up, running a hand through her silky silver hair. Fine. Maybe she''d just wing it. Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire Just as she was about to stand up and grab her laptop¡ª ¡­ BZZZT! BZZZT! Her phone started blaring. Vixen let out an honest-to-god yelp. Her body launched off the bed in a high backflip and her tail fluffed up like an alarmed cat. She landed crouched on the floor, her claws digging into the plush carpet, her ears perked straight up, and her fangs bared defensively¡ª Only to realize¡­ It was just her phone. "¡­ Fffff¡ª" She exhaled, forcing herself to calm down. She grabbed the device, flipping it over to check the screen. It wasn''t a call. It was just her alarm. And the title of the alarm? [Night Patrol with Scott McQueen] Vixen''s entire body froze. Her cheeks flushed a faint shade of red. "¡­ Wh-, Why the hell did I even set this?!" She muttered under her breath, then gripped her phone a little tighter. Shaking her head furiously, she tried¡ªand failed¡ªto push the thoughts out of her mind. ¡ºUgh. Whatever.¡» She needed to send him a message. But what? She stared at her phone for a few long seconds before groaning. "¡­ Kill me alreadyyyyyy¡­" Her face squeezed like a wrinkled sheet of paper. "This is so damn hard." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Back at the Gala ¨C Scott''s Perspective Scott was still seated in the same chair, the same dull, lifeless expression on his face. The gala continued around him¡ªlaughter, conversations, the occasional pop of a champagne bottle¡ªbut none of it registered. Then, suddenly¡ª BEEP. His phone vibrated in his pocket. Scott blinked once. Slowly. He reached for his phone. A text from Vixen. [Vixen: Hey. You ready to go? I''m about to change into my suit. But that doesn''t mean I''m naked currently or anything¡ªlike, obviously. It''s not like I''d go on patrol naked with a guy I''ve barely known for a day. Uh¡ªYou know what? Forget I even said all that. Anyway. Where do we meet?] Scott lifted an eyebrow. And then¡ª BEEP. Another message. [Vixen: I¡­ don''t know why I sent that last text. I could''ve just deleted it and said something normal.] Then¡ª BEEP. One last message. [Vixen: I''ll shut up now.] Scott stared at the screen for a long moment. Then¡­ he sighed. At least someone in this damn city was more of a mess than he was tonight. ??? Butler Morgan had seen many things in his long years of service. From million-dollar deals being settled over a glass of wine to rival heirs exchanging venomous smiles while plotting each other''s downfall. But the sight of Bella stomping toward him like a general ready to tear into an enemy''s defenses? That¡­ was something new. His amused smile¡ªone he had been wearing as he nibbled on the last of his biscuits¡ªfaded almost instantly. Even his chewing slowed©¤©¤it was the equivalent of a "Hmm¡­" He mused, brushing the crumbs off his white gloves. "It seems things didn''t go well¡­ with him." Bella stopped right in front of him, arms planted on her waist as her fiery gaze practically burned a hole through his face. She huffed, chest rising and falling in frustration. "That''s the thing!" She snapped. "Before now, everything was fine! We were talking, we were throwing little fun jabs at each other, y''know, like normal people! But then I went to take a piss, and when I got back¡ª" "Shh! Language, young lady." Morgan cut in, raising a brow at her. Bella scowled as annoyance flashed in her eyes. But after a deep breath, she rolled her shoulders and begrudgingly nodded. "Ugh, alright¡­" She grumbled with so much pent up frustration. "After I went to¡­ ease myself in the restroom, I got back, and suddenly, he''s acting weird. I mean, really weird. Like, what the hell happened in that short amount of time? It makes no freaking sense!" Morgan narrowed his eyes, stroking his gray-haired chin as he considered her words. "Hrmm¡­ you have a point¡­ I''ve been watching you two this whole time, and the way he''s barely looking at you, barely speaking¡­ it is strange." Bella scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Hmph! Well, that''s his loss. I''m never speaking to him again! I''m done with that mood-swinging loser. If he''s got a problem with me, then he should just say it instead of acting like a little¡ª" Morgan''s sharp gaze cut her off before she could finish that sentence. Her lips pursed. "¡­ Tch!" she huffed, looking away. A knowing smile tugged at Morgan''s lips. "My dear Bella¡­" The words came out as smooth as butter "You can try to fool me all you want, but I see it in your eyes. You''re still very much taken by this Scott." Bella''s entire face flared red. "Wh¡ªSh¡ª!" She folded her arms tightly under her chest, averting her gaze like a child caught stealing from a cookie jar. "I¡ªI never said that! And I sure as hell don''t feel that way! Not even in the slightest! Tch!" Morgan chuckled. With the gentleness of a father, he placed a hand on her shoulder to give her two small pats. "Look¡­ you don''t have to act out just because you don''t like the fact that he''s treating you as less of a priority right now. He might be going through something you know nothing about." Bella''s lips pressed together. She rolled her eyes, exhaling through her nose. "¡­ Alright then¡­" she mumbled. "I''ll talk to him." Morgan''s smile deepened. He dabbed the tip of her nose with his gloved index finger. "And I''ll do you a favor and check the security cameras to see if anything happened that may have changed his mood. Sound good?" Bella nodded, watching as Morgan turned and walked off. Once he was gone, she inhaled sharply, puffed out her chest, and squared her shoulders. She held up her fists like a boxer getting ready for a fight. "Okay¡­" She muttered to herself. "I''m just gonna walk up to that dickhead and ask why the hell he''s acting like an ass all of a sudden. Simple." With a determined nod, she turned on her heels and strode toward Scott¡ª Only to stop dead in her tracks. Scott had just stood up from his chair. His expression was grim, his posture stiff. Without sparing anyone a glance, he turned and walked away, his footsteps slow but heavy, like a man carrying the weight of a hundred burdens. Bella just stood there, stunned. Her hands, once balled into determined fists, slowly lowered to her sides. Her lips parted slightly as she whispered, almost in shock¡ª "¡­ Did he just¡­ leave me?" Chapter 139 Night Patrol Preparations, Discord Mod Man?! Dark Alley ¨C MidnightThe flickering neon light above barely illuminated the damp, graffiti-covered alley. The occasional honk from a distant car and the faint tremble of the city were the only sounds breaking the silence. Scott stood in the center of it all, his hands in his pockets as he stared at the device before him. A sleek, high-tech suitcase had already transformed into its true form¡ªa miniature factory, humming softly as holographic blueprints flickered in the air. The Arcforge Omni-Fabricator. A dozen different suit designs hovered in front of him, each one a marvel of cutting-edge engineering. The Anti-Disaster Suit developed as a hybrid of the Black Disaster Suit and the blue technophage nanites stood out among them. But Scott sighed, rubbing his chin. "Tch¡­ yeah, no. That''s complete overkill." He wasn''t about to go full Nightwatch mode for a casual patrol. Hell no. Besides, if Vixen even got a hint that he was Nightwatch, it would be game over. Sure, his stream was gonna be live, and a lot of viewers would probably start speculating, but as long as he didn''t confirm anything, it was just that¡ªspeculation. And it wasn''t like he was the only hero streaming these days. Heroics had basically become a full-time content creation industry. Everyone was doing it. Scott exhaled sharply and muttered. "¡­Honestly? I really don''t even feel up for this whole patrol anymore." His fingers tapped against the side of the Arcforge Omni-Fabricator. After what just happened back at the gala, his mood was completely shot. The System''s voice chimed in suddenly. [Does the user wish to cancel the scheduled stream?] Scott clicked his tongue. "Nah." He crossed his arms and looked up at the sky for a second. "If I stand Vixen up now, it''s just gonna cause more problems¡­ and I''m not exactly in the mood to invite extra headaches." His lips curled slightly. "Besides, I should stick to the whole ''Harem Schedule Mode'' or whatever the hell it''s called." The System went silent for a minute. Then, as if accepting his decision, it scrolled through the suit designs and projected the schematics for a new one. [Understood. The Shadow Factor Suit has been selected.] Scott focused on the holographic display, nodding slightly. "Alright. For tonight''s patrol, I''m running with this." He studied the design closely. It was an impressively sleek, almost liquid-like black suit, stitched from darkness itself. "I''ll just flat-out tell Vixen and the stream that I''m ''Shadow''¡ªan unregistered hero trying to break into the big leagues. Aiming for top-tier sponsorships and all that." He nodded to himself. "That works, right?" The System responded immediately. [Like a charm.] Scott''s brow lifted slightly. "¡­ Are you being sarcastic?" Rather than answer, the System went silent for a moment. Then, suddenly¡ª [Construction of the Shadow Factor Suit is 90% complete.] Scott''s eyes gleamed with interest as the System went on. [The Shadow Factor Suit is constructed from an ultra-rare, otherworldly element known as Nyxion¡ªpurchased from the Hero Market for 300,000 credits.] Scott whistled under his breath. "Damn. That better be worth it." [Nyxion is a quantum-dark matter alloy discovered in the deepest voids of space, untouched by light for eons. It absorbs and manipulates darkness itself. When bonded with living tissue, it merges at a subatomic level, allowing the wearer to phase into shadows, teleport across distances, and distort their own presence in time-space.] Scott stroked his chin again as a small grin creeped onto his otherwise tired face. "¡­ Oooohhh." His grin widened. "Now this¡­ this is awesome." He placed his hands on his waist as his mind already raced with possibilities. "Can we deposit like, uh¡­ 50,000 credits to speed up the construction process?" [Affirmative.] [50,000 credits have been deposited.] [The Shadow Factor Suit is now complete.] [Deploy the suit?] Scott spread his arms out, tilting his head slightly. "Of course. What''s it waiting for?" In an instant, a steel case materialized out of thin air, right in front of him. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire Then¡ª A surge of pure darkness erupted from it. The shadows twisted and coiled like living creatures to latch onto Scott like they were hungry for him. In the blink of an eye, the blackness swallowed him whole, devouring every inch of his body. For a split second, he felt like he was drowning in the void¡ªlike he had been torn from reality itself. Then¡ª He exhaled sharply. The sensation vanished. Scott slowly opened his eyes and now felt the strange weightlessness of the suit settle over him. His body felt lighter, almost like he wasn''t even touching the ground anymore. He clenched his fist. [Ding! ATAM series code 7 suit is now online!] The air around his hand warped, bending unnaturally as if the very fabric of space had been twisted. Scott''s grin returned. "Hahah¡­ oh, hell yes." This would surely be fun. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Midnight ¨C Rooftop Overlooking the City The city glowed beneath the midnight sky. The streets stretched endlessly. Distant cars growled and sirens bellowed loudly. Perched at the edge of a tall rooftop, Vixen leaned against the railing as her little foot tapped impatiently against the concrete. Her arms were crossed tightly, and her golden eyes bubbled with barely hidden irritation. She let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Ugh¡­ I''ve been here for over an hour. Where the hell is that jerk?" She muttered as her brow twitched. "He better not have stood me up¡­" Her frustration simmered, but as she shifted her weight and placed a hand against her chest, her expression subtly changed. A soft, pink flush crept onto her face as her fingers curled slightly. She hesitated, then averted her gaze, mumbling under her breath. "¡­ I''m not really used to this, y''know?" A wry smile tugged at her lips as she leaned her head back slightly, staring at the vast, starless sky. "I mean, I usually have guys waiting around for me at events or planned meetups. Weird fanboys. Overeager simps. Stuff like that¡­" She shook her head lightly. "But waiting for someone myself? That''s¡­ new." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her fingers traced over the railing absentmindedly. "¡­ Kinda nice, though." The thought lingered as her smile lingered for a fraction longer before it faded. Her mind drifted back¡ªback to a time before all of this. Back in school, she had always been popular. The boys liked her, wanted to be close to her, wanted to call her a friend. And she never had a problem with that¡ªshe liked making friends, after all. But then¡­ things changed. Her jaw tightened slightly. She never could''ve predicted how difficult life would get once Foxgirl started getting tangled up in¡­ all that. Her sister had always been a bit reckless, but things spiraled the moment she started selling nude videos to rich old men. Men who had once been friends of their late father. Men who, rather than offering financial help, only sought to exploit Foxgirl for her body. If they gave her money to finish college and get a high-paying job¡ªor even sponsored her career as a superhero¡ªthen they would lose out on the real reason they were interested in her. After all, they didn''t want to miss out on the fun videos of her pleasuring herself in the most arousing yet shameless ways possible. Vixen''s expression darkened. ¡ºThose bastards¡­¡» Her fingers curled into a fist. She had begged Foxgirl to stop, told her there had to be another way. But deep down, she had known the truth. There wasn''t another way. Not for them. Because when you''re a woman¡ªand when you''re beautiful¡ªpeople tend to forget every other talent you have. That was their reality. Foxgirl only stopped after those bastards started demanding more. After they suggested she bring Vixen into it. After they wanted both of them. And when Foxgirl rejected their offer, things got worse. Much, much worse. Vixen gritted her teeth. The old memories tore through her chest like bullets. Those same men leaked every photo, every video. It spread like wildfire¡ªthrough their school, through their neighborhood. And suddenly, everyone who had once been their friend turned into something else entirely. Her so-called female friends had loved it. They never liked how much attention she got from the boys. And now? Now they had the perfect way to drag her down. And the boys¡ªher friends¡ªwere just as bad. The ones she thought genuinely cared about her¡­ the ones she thought wanted to be her friend for the right reasons¡­ They all started making moves on her. Trying to grope her when they played sports. Touching her in weird ways whenever they danced at school events. Grinning at her like she was just another body to them. Her fists trembled slightly. ¡ºWhy¡­?¡» Why couldn''t someone¡ªanyone¡ªsee her as more than just a pretty face with a sexy body? ¡ºWhy can''t©¤©¤¡» Her thoughts halted. A face flickered into her mind. Scott. She blinked and her heated breath caught slightly as she slowly lifted her head. ¡ºHe¡­ he''s¡­ I don''t know¡­¡» He was different. ¡ºI think I might kinda¡­¡» Tap. A hand suddenly patted her shoulder. Vixen turned immediately. There was a relieved smile breaking across her face. "Oh, Scott, it''s you¡ª" But the words stopped. Her eyes widened in horror. The person standing before her was not Scott. It was¡­ a very, very fat man. His face was a mess of unshaved hair and his multiple chins jiggled as he grinned at her. His super suit¡ªyellow and blue¡ªwas at least three sizes too small, struggling to contain his sheer mass. His stomach peeked out from beneath the fabric, and the moment she got a whiff of him¡ª ¡­ HUUURRRLLL! Vixen nearly fell off the rooftop. She clapped a hand over her mouth to quickly suppress the urge to vomit. The stench¡ªholy hell, it was unholy. A sick jumble of sweat, greasy chips, and something that smelled like rotten gamer chair. The man scratched his exposed belly as his fingers sunk way too deep into his rolls. "Uh, hey¡­" He said as his voice wheezed slightly. "I''m Marmot Man." Vixen''s eye twitched. She fought the urge to scream. "¡­ Who?" He grinned wider, shuffling a bit closer¡ªtoo close. "You don''t know me? C''mon, I''m kind of a big deal in the underground hero scene." He let out a chuckle that sounded like a clogged drain. "I mean, yeah, I did kinda get banned from HeroTube after that, uh¡­ ''incident'' in the hot tub, but, hey! Can''t keep a good Marmot down, y''know?" Vixen took a full step back. "¡­ Right." Her eye twitched harder. Where the hell was Scott?! This night was already becoming a nightmare. Chapter 140 New Stream, New Members! Vixen tilted her head as her golden eyes narrowed slightly."¡­ So, uhh¡­ what exactly are you doing here?" Marmot Man let out a loud yawn and stretched his massive arms before rubbing his bloated belly. His suit audibly struggled against the stretch. "Well, uh, I usually stand at this part of the rooftop so I can look over the city and do super cool stuff like contemplate my poor life choices¡­" He admitted with a lazy sigh. Then, as if some tragic realization hit him, he smacked his thigh with so much force that his rolls wobbled violently. "Shit! If I''d just washed those damn dishes like my mom told me to, I''d still have my gaming set-up and comfortable space in the basement!" Vixen blinked. ¡ºThis guy is¡­¡» She wasn''t sure whether to laugh or to feel bad for him. With a small, awkward sweep of her wavy brown hair behind her ear, she offered hesitantly. "Uhh¡­ I''ll just leave your space for you then. I don''t want any problems." Marmot Man''s thick brows lifted as something oily¡ªpossibly sweat, possibly something far worse¡ªtrickled down his forehead. He gave her a big, greasy grin. "Oh no, it''s fine!" He waved a thick, stubby hand. "I can leave the space for the pretty lady." Vixen chuckled weirdly, shifting slightly away from him. "Uhm¡­ no. I''ll leave the space for you." But before she could step back, Marmot Man placed an oily, sweaty hand on her shoulder. The second his skin made contact, it felt like she had just been branded by the very concept of filth itself. She somehow fought the urge to cringe. All she did was to shudder silently. ¡ºUggghhh¡­ where the fuck is Scott¡­?¡» The gross, oily hand was still on her. If only Marmot Man could tell she was disgusted by it. Instead©¤©¤ "Haha, really, it''s fine¡­" He said, his jiggling chins trembling as he smiled at her. "Instead of watching the view of the city, I''d rather just watch your beauty from afar¡­" A faint blush dusted his grotesque cheeks. He looked away bashfully. A storm of vomit brewed in Vixen''s throat. She fought it down with a bitter, tortured expression. To her, this was the equivalent of watching a 700 pound dirty orangutan blow her a kiss. Slowly, she lifted a single finger and pushed Marmot Man''s hand off her shoulder. The moment his touch left her skin, she spotted it¡ªan ugly, greasy stain right where his hand had been. Her face twisted in utter disgust. "Uhh¡­ do you like¡­ wash your hands?" She asked hesitantly. Marmot Man picked his nose with a thick, stubby finger as his face remained entirely unbothered. "Well, uh¡­ I haven''t really had the chance to shower in three months." Vixen''s golden eyes dulled. "¡­ What." Marmot Man gave an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head in a fake tragedy. "Yeah¡­ been living on people''s rooftops since I don''t got money for both shelter and food. Had to pick one." Vixen''s expression remained flat. "¡­ And of course, you picked food." Marmot Man suddenly burst into a deep, belly-rattling laugh. "Ohohoho! How''d you know?" Before Vixen could respond, a new voice¡ªpartially distorted¡ªcut through the conversation. "Because it doesn''t take rocket science to tell that a grown-ass man with a Tesla Cybertruck build is gonna pick food over shelter every time." Both Vixen and Marmot Man snapped their heads toward the source. Standing at the edge of the rooftop was a sleek, liquid-like figure covered in a jet-black suit from head to toe. The material clung tightly to his form, almost like shadows made solid. The faceless mask covering his head gleamed under the city lights. Vixen''s breath hitched slightly. ¡ºWho the hell is this? Hmm~ he looks cool though¡­¡» However, Marmot Man furiously jabbed a thick finger at the newcomer. "Hey! How dare you say that about me?!" He shouted as his multiple chins trembled with emotion. "Don''t you know saying bad things can hurt people''s feelings?!" The masked figure¡ªScott¡ªtilted his head slightly. "Psssh©¤©¤yeah, that''s kinda the point." Marmot Man blinked. His mind struggled to process that. "Uhh¡­ well¡­ well, that''s not nice!" He finally stammered. Scott took a slow step forward. Each movement sent a ripple of darkness spreading from his feet, like ink spilling onto the rooftop. His masked face tilted downward, and he casually pointed a gloved finger at Marmot Man''s bloated belly. "You know what''s not nice?" Scott''s voice was low, distorted, and almost lazy. "A superhero going on apps like Burgnite and Minetrade lobbies trying to pick up little boys. Wasn''t that why you got banned from HeroTube?" Vixen''s stomach twisted. "¡­ Wait. He did what?" Marmot Man immediately started waving his hands in frantic denial. His face turned pale as his body jiggled in sheer panic. "I¡ªI¡ªIT WAS ONE TIME!!" Just then, a robotic voice suddenly rang through the air. [Livestream Mode initiated.] A swarm of sleek, hovering camera drones emerged from the shadows and their blinking red lenses flashed as they focused in on the scene. And just like that¡ªthousands of viewers tuned in. [Live Comments:] [Hmm¡­ hold up. Is this a Nightwatch stream?] [Nah, it''s not showing up on HeroTube. Most heroes stream there.] [Because Nightwatch ain''t a hero, lil bro. He''s a god.] ©¸ [Shut yo corny ass up. ????] ©¸ [Fr, shut the hell up. Nightwatch hasn''t streamed in almost a whole month, bruh. This ain''t him. He''s probably not coming back.] [That''s what y''all said last time¡­ then bro pulled up in Meteor City wearing the dopest suit and started aura farming like crazy. That shit was pure cheese.] [Could be him¡­ or NOT. I hope y''all know Nightwatch would be way too bitchy to go against a scary old man like that friggin'' devil, Chairman Panemorfi. ????] ©¸ [If there''s one thing I learned from anime, it''s NEVER mess with old men.] Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ©¸ [Bro, take a shower.] ??? The hovering drones adjusted their focus to zoom in on the three figures¡ªVixen, Marmot Man, and the mysterious shadowed figure standing beside them. Vixen turned her sharp golden eyes toward him, then grabbed his wrist and pulled him a few steps away from the disgusting mass of Marmot Man''s existence. "Wait, wait, wait¡­" She muttered, her voice low. She stared at the shadowed mask covering his face. "Is that really¡­?" Scott sighed. He reached up, and in an instant, the mask dispersed into a swirl of shadowy particles to revealed his sharp, handsome features. His blue eyes locked onto hers. "Yeah. It''s me. Told you I was a superhero. At least now you''ve seen proof." Vixen raised a brow. "Uhh¡­ yeah, I believe you now¡­" She admitted, her voice oddly flat. Then, after a brief pause, she tilted her head. "But did you have to stream the whole thing? Kinda makes it obvious you just want attention¡­" Scott blinked. "Attention? What? No." Vixen crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Mhm. Let me guess¡ªyou''re probably gonna do some good deeds tonight and then ''accidentally'' reveal to the world that it''s actually the handsome, blue-eyed, chisel-chinned, abs-blessed, celebrity Scott. That''s kinda shameful, don''t you think?" Scott squinted at her. "Hey, but Nightwatch does it, and you still like him." Vixen scoffed. "Well, yeah, that''s because it''s Nightwatch." Scott narrowed his eyes. "¡­ And?" Vixen gave him a deadpan look. "He''s like, uh¡­ super hot and actually has good intentions, you know?" Scott blinked, processing that. "¡­ Hey, but I''m kinda hot too©¤©¤no?" Vixen let out a pssh sound and looked away. "Don''t get ahead of yourself. You''re not all that." She waved a hand vaguely before suddenly pausing, her expression shifting slightly. Her voice dropped, and she muttered. "Nightwatch has the kind of aura that would make any woman want to spread her legs and wet herself like a dirty, uncouth water-logged house. He''s the kind of man that can turn a decent English woman into a whore¡­ and I don''t think any woman would refute that." She shrugged with so much lack of care. "Who doesn''t want a piece of that veiny, vigilante-trained peen, you feel me?" The second the words left her mouth, she froze. Her golden eyes slowly slid toward Scott, who was staring at her with a look of pure amusement. "¡­ Uhm." She coughed awkwardly. "Don''t mind that I said that." Scott tilted his head. "That''s kinda hard though." A deep silence. Vixen rubbed her temple and sighed. "¡­ Anyway, uhm¡­" She changed the subject quickly. "To be honest, I''m kinda disappointed that you''re actually just a superhero." Scott frowned slightly. "Hm? What do you mean?" Vixen pursed her lips and looked off to the side. "Well, I thought this whole ''night patrol'' thing was gonna be¡­ something else." "¡­ Something else?" She hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath as she rubbed the side of her slender arm and constantly looked at anything other than Scott. She was clearly uncomfortable. Flustered, she tried her best to hide it, but with the man''s handsome face and striking blue eyes watching her, it felt as impossible as telling an adorable baby "no." ¡ºUgh¡­ why does he have to look so good¡­¡» Tch©¤©¤she clicked her tongue in silence. ¡ºHandsome son of a bitch!¡» She finally mustered the courage to speak. "I thought maybe it was more like a date or something." Scott blinked. "A date?" Vixen gave a half-shrug, still avoiding eye contact. "I figured maybe you were just too awkward to call it that, so you gave it a stylish name. I thought you were gonna pick me up in a nice suit¡­ in a car¡­ maybe try to impress me a little. I kinda like the good ol'' rom-com treatment." Scott''s gaze flattened. "¡­ We just started talking." Vixen forced out a laugh. "Y-, Yeah¡­ totally! As if I''d be interested in spending a night with probably the only guy who has shown more interest in my personality and behavior than my curves and endowments¡­ HAHAHAHA!!" It was the most painful, forced laugh Scott had ever heard. ??? [Live Comments:] [WOO-HOO!! SEXY FOX MOMMY IS HERE!!!] [I BEEN SAYING TS FOR AGES! VIXEN IS WAY SEXIER THAN HER SISTER!!] ©¸ ["TS" ????] [Nah, Foxgirl is definitely hotter. Her hair is way better.] ©¸ [The only thing I''m gonna be doing with that hair is pulling it while she''s receiving malicious backshots! ????] ©¸ [Woah, bro ???? contain your lust.] ©¸ [Fr, that''s why you ain''t there yet¡­ ????] ©¸ [SleazyPen really said malicious backshots, dawg ????????] [You all know that Vixen is the Deep Throat Wizard. She just looks like she''d give you the most wicked blowjob that''d drain you of both sperm AND spirit. I would sacrifice my future just to get a nibble from that mouth. ????] ©¸ [What is going on in these comments? ????] ©¸ [Does SleazyPen have more than one account???] [Nah, nah, nah. I could def take Vixen''s mouth game without busting a nut.] ©¸ [Cap. You''d last 10 seconds at best.] ©¸ [10 seconds? Bro, you''re being generous.] [Guys, can we NOT do this? Every time a female superhero appears, y''all just turn it into a contest about how good she is in bed. It''s so weird. Let them be special for once.] ©¸ [NERRRRRRD!!] ©¸ [LMAO WHO IS THIS GUY???] ©¸ [LIL BRO THOUGHT WE CARED ABOUT HIS OPINION!!] ©¸ [+Ratio +L +Skill Issue] ©¸ [Bro got absolutely COOKED.] [ANYWAY, back to Vixen''s throat game¡ª] ©¸ [GET OOOUUUUTTT ????? ???? ???? ????] ??? Scott scrolled through the live chat and let out a slow sigh. "¡­ Yeah. Definitely a mistake streaming this." Vixen snorted. "Oh, now you realize that?" Meanwhile¡­ Marmot Man stood there, rubbing his round, sweaty chin as he watched Vixen and Scott chatting like they were the only two people in existence. His beady eyes squinted as his face scrunched into something that might''ve been contemplation, but mostly just looked like a rodent in distress. "Hmmm¡­ ohhh¡­" He muttered to himself, nodding sagely. "That must be her boyfriend." He exhaled deeply, sending a gust of hot air from his mouth that even made him recoil a little. "No wonder she didn''t fall for me." He sighed dramatically, placing a meaty hand on his stomach as if the revelation had just dealt him a fatal wound. He shook his head. "I must completely respect their relationship and not steal her from this Shadow guy." With a deep nod, he recalled the wise words of his mother-who, for some reason, always gave him romantic advice even though his dating life was about as lively as a corpse in a morgue. "Son¡­" she always said, "¡­ your looks can take any woman. You must be careful how you talk to them." Marmot Man closed his eyes and sighed. "¡­ I guess even a prince like me must take a loss sometimes, ahah, unfortunate." He lowered his head solemnly, looking like a tragic protagonist in an overly dramatic anime. But then©¤©¤ A small beep caught his attention. He turned, eyes lighting up as he spotted one of the hovering camera drones nearby. "Ohhh?" His lips stretched into a yellow-toothed grin. "Looks like this stuff is streaming¡­" His excitement bloomed as he waddled toward it, raising a thick, hairy hand in a slow, gentle wave. "Hey there, lil guy¡­" As he approached, the drone obediently zoomed in¡ªgiving the viewers a crystal-clear, ultra-high-definition look at his face. It was a disaster. The oily sheen of his forehead reflected the city lights like he was a walking solar panel. His pores looked like they could store emergency water reserves for a small nation. Each time he spoke, small puffs of visible odor escaped his mouth like smoke signals, almost as if his breath itself was trying to flee the scene. The audience couldn''t smell it. But they knew. [Live Comments:] [OMG, BRO. WHY'' D THE CAMERA GET SO CLOSE?!] [TURN IT AWAY. TURN IT AWAYYYY!!] [Marmot Man''s breath got its own special effects. They'' re animating the fumes.] [Ngl, I actually felt my screen get greasy. This is psychological warfare on a whole other level.] [BRO, HIS FOREHEAD IS SHINIER THAN MY FUTURE.] [THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR LIFE. MY EYES ARE BURNING.] [His skin got more oil than the Middle East.] [Nah, be real¡­ why his pores got expansion packs?] [Don''t say that, bro, I beg you.] [Marmot Man, step away from the camera. I can''t keep living like this.] ??? Marmot Man, blissfully unaware of the chat''s suffering, smiled proudly at the drone. "Ooo, looks like we got a good audience tonight!" He chuckled, rubbing his sweaty hands together. "Maybe I can reach out to my fans and ask for some financial support! Y'' know, just a lil'' help so I can finally rent a place to live in¡­ and, uh, get some food to eat." He smacked his lips, deep in thought, trying to figure out the best way to appeal to the audience. Meanwhile, the viewers had already begun their merciless slaughter. [Live Comments:] [ Marmot Man is what you''d get if a blob of slime decided to grow legs and become the loudest, laziest fat bastard in society.] ©¸ [Real.] [He''s an M-tier hero, and that rank doesn''t even exist.] ©¸ [He sunbathes, begs for food, and eats like he''s preparing for an apocalypse that''s NEVER gonna happen.] [Marmot Man is basically a The Peak knockoff that''s ten times more useless, got the charisma of a wet sock, an absolute wet wipe, and the survival instincts of a toddler with a tantrum.] ??? Marmot Man scratched his belly, deep in thought. He dug his fingers into his thick, sweaty gut and casually licked some dried tomato sauce from his deep, cavernous belly button like it was a snack compartment. The chat lost its mind. [Live Comments:] [I NEED A DRINK. I CAN''T DO THIS.] [HE LICKED HIS BELLY BUTTON LIKE IT WAS A CONDIMENT DISPENSER. I''M GONNA BE SICK.] [SOMEONE CALL A PRIEST. WE NEED AN EXORCISM.] ??? Shadow and Vixen, who had been casually watching the chat from the side, were silently dying. Vixen clutched her stomach, trying her best not to burst out laughing. "¡­ First to laugh has to press their crotch against the other''s butt in a doggy position!" Shadow''s face immediately squeezed. "¡­ Huh?" Vixen''s entire face turned deep red. "Uhm. I-, I'' m just kidding¡­!" But before Shadow could even process that absolute bomb of a statement©¤©¤ A wet, slurping sound reached his ears. Lick. He paused. His expression stiffened. Something¡­ felt off. A strange warmth pressed against his crotch. Slowly, he looked down. A pair of dog-like big blue eyes stared up at him, wide and innocent. A long, pink tongue glided across the surface of his pants with deep enthusiasm, as if she was lapping up fresh milk. Surely, she they wanted what was beneath those pants with how passionately they licked his crotch. Her tail wagged rapidly. She was on all fours. "¡­ Dog Girl?" She blinked at him happily. "Mm! You taste good!" A silence fell over them. The chat was incomprehensible. [Live Comments:] [??????????????] [NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!] [WHY IS THERE ALWAYS ONE FRIGGIN'' WEIRDO IN EVERY DAMN STREAM?????] [DOG GIRL, PLEASE. CONTROL YOURSELF.] [SHE IS NOT CONTROLLING HERSELF AT ALL. LOOK AT HER TAIL. SHE WANTS THAT MEAT! ????] [VIXEN, DO SOMETHING!!!] ??? Vixen grabbed Dog Girl by the scruff and yanked her back like she was a misbehaving puppy. Dog Girl pouted. "Ruuuude~" Shadow held his head. "This stream was a mistake." Chapter 141 Stream Incident, Suspicious Partners "So this is our life now, huh?"Shadow and Vixen stood there, hands planted firmly on their hips, staring down at Dog Girl like two deeply exhausted parents dealing with a toddler who had just eaten glue. On her knees, Dog Girl licked her own slender arms with lazy enthusiasm as her droopy ears flopped over her face to shield her from the weight of their judgment. Her fluffy tail wagged like nothing was wrong, like she wasn''t just seconds ago doing something that had permanently altered the course of the stream''s chat. The viewers were losing their minds. [Live Comments:] [LMFAOOOO WHY THEY LOOK LIKE DISAPPOINTED PARENTS??] [Bro, tell me why I saw this exact pose from my mom and dad when I got suspended in middle school.] [Shadow? You mean Nightwatch, right?] ©¸ [Dude, that''s not Nightwatch FFS. Stop with the friggin'' unnecessary cope.] [To be honest¡­ not a fan of Dog Girl. I mean, remember that she doesn''t wash her ass and lets it crust like most dogs do? BUT¡­ lowkey valid in bed.] ©¸ [Bro, you''re ALONE on this one.] [Dog Girl is so cute, tho.] ©¸ [See, THIS is why we HONESTLY need to start regulating internet access.] ©¸ [Y''all stay down bad for anything that breathes. Could be a sentient blob of sewage with big titties, and there''d be a "Sewage-Chan" fan club by tomorrow.] ??? Vixen exhaled deeply. Her fingers squeezed at her temples as she stared at Dog Girl, who was still blissfully licking herself like a lazy puppy. Her irritation practically vibrated off her body. ¡ºWhy is this happening?¡» This was supposed to be a simple night patrol. A quiet one. A chill one. She and Shadow were just meant to make some rounds and maybe deal with the occasional drunk dude or purse snatcher. But no. First, they got Marmot Man, the living embodiment of secondhand embarrassment, and now this? Dog Girl?? The two most useless heroes in the entire agency just had to show up back-to-back. And that''s coming from her¡ªa hero whose biggest career achievement was having a body hot enough to market energy drinks and luxury perfumes. ¡ºThis sucks¡­¡» Vixen closed her eyes and exhaled coolly as she tried to calm herself before she popped a blood vessel. Noticing her frustration, Shadow raised an eyebrow. "You good?" Vixen nodded. Though it was the most unconvincing nod in history. "Uhh¡­ yeah. Kinda. Just¡­" She motioned vaguely at Dog Girl. "We uhh¡­ kinda have a lot on our plate after seeing what filth girl did here." Dog Girl''s ears immediately perked up. Her big blue eyes flashed as she pushed herself onto all fours to growl at Vixen like an offended house pet. "How dare a slut like you call me¡ªthe most innocent, most beloved little hero of Hero Weekly¡ªa filth girl?!" Vixen''s eye twitched. "Oh, give me a break!" She''d completely snapped. "The only reason Hero Weekly praises you so much is because they don''t know how stinky you are! You wanna act all cute, wag your tail and lick your arms like some harmless puppy, but let''s be real¡ªyour ass is a war crime! You wanna talk about a crappy situation? Your wildlife-oriented asshole is a literal biochemical weapon!" This made Dog Girl''s face scrunch up a little. She looked so offended, but Vixen didn''t care. "You''re out here licking my guy¡­ I mean, my partner with all those little doo-doo flakes in your damn hair! Maybe before you do that, make sure those fingers of yours aren''t carrying the bubonic plague in them! TCH©¤©¤!!" Vixen was literally breathing like a demon from hell. Steam pushed out of her nostrils with each breath. The chat exploded. [Live Comments:] [OH MY GOD SHE WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE THROAT] [SHE BASICALLY SAID HER ASS VIOLATES GENEVA CONVENTIONS ????????????] [Bro, don''t even lie¡­ if you had to pick between sniffing Dog Girl''s ass or Marmot Man''s belly button, what''s your choice?] ©¸ [Death.] ©¸ [I laughed a lil too hard at this. ??????] ??? Dog Girl pointed an accusatory finger at Vixen as her cheeks puffed up indignantly. "Oh yeah?! Is that all you got on me?! You''re bringing up my hygiene like some cheap shot?!" She huffed. "Look¡ªI was friggin'' young and inexperienced before! I didn''t know the worth of washing my ass! But guess what? I''ve changed©¤©¤HAH!" Vixen grinned wildly. She had her. In a blink, she jabbed a finger right between Dog Girl''s brows and leaned in close. "AHAH!!" She cackled like an immature child. "So you don''t deny that you didn''t clean your ass and let it crust before!!" Dog Girl''s lips trembled. She wanted to scream back. Wanted to fight back. But she knew©¤©¤she knew she was caught. Her ears drooped, her tail slowed¡­ And then¡ª Her eyes filled with tears. [Live Comments:] [THIS. THIS IS THE MOST AWKWARD ARGUMENT I''VE EVER WITNESSED.] ["I didn''t know the worth of washing my ass" is CRAZY.] ©¸ [She talking about hygiene like it''s not a basic part of damn human etiquette ????] ©¸ [Imagine having anal with Dog Girl¡­ you can''t pay me to put my precious, veiny ahh dih in that rotten hole (I wouldn''t mind some neck from her tho ????????). Honestly.] ©¸ [Bro thought putting that abominable comment in a damn bracket would make it any better. ????] [People who should be having this argument: Dog Girl and Marmot Man, the two pigs in the room.] ©¸ [FR, put them in a cage together and let natural selection decide.] ??? The chat had fully descended into chaos. Some were screaming about how this was the most unhinged conversation they''d ever seen, others were dying of laughter, and of course, a select few were still simping for Dog Girl despite everything. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shadow, officially done, just¡­ put his hands over his face. "This stream really was a mistake." This was supposed to be a normal night. A quiet patrol. A peaceful stream. A little bit of hero work, maybe a small fight to spice things up, and then head home. Instead, here he was, watching two grown-ass women fight over anal hygiene. Shadow finally let out a long, tired sigh. Then, without hesitation of any kind, he marched forward, reached out, and¡ª YANK! "©¤©¤NYAAGH?!?! ??" "W-, WHAT THE FUCK?!?!" The moment his fingers clamped onto their tails, both Vixen and Dog Girl jerked forward as their mouths snapped shut like a pair of broken animatronics. Their backs arched, their muscles tensed, and a visible shock ran through their bodies like they''d just been hit with a taser. For some reason, their ass cheeks also shot out. Both of their tails¡ªone soft and bushy, the other wagging and fluffy¡ªtwitched violently in his grasp. Shadow held them up effortlessly, one in each hand, applying a firm squeeze to their tails. They were¡­ weirdly soft. Like premium, high-quality plush toys. It was kinda nice. Oddly arousing too. But he was too annoyed to care. "Can you two stop?" Shadow finally asked, his voice drenched in exhaustion. Vixen immediately started thrashing as her toned legs kicked wildly in the air. "SHADOW, YOU BETTER PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!" She shouted, waving her arms furiously. "I NEED TO TEACH THIS FILTHY, DIRTY LITTLE BITCH A DAMN LESSON!" This, of course, set Dog Girl off like a firecracker. "DIRTY BITCH?!" She snapped back as her light-pitched voice carried so much offense. Her fluffy ears twitched aggressively. "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT SHIT ABOUT ME?! I HAVEN''T BEEN LIKE THAT FOR TWO YEARS! I DON''T LIVE THAT LIFESTYLE ANYMORE! I''M A FULL-FLEDGED ADULT!!" Shadow groaned and adjusted his grip on their tails, as if he were about to lower them¡ª Then yanked them up again with even more force. ¡­ RIIIIIIP!! A tearing noise. Fabric. Shadow froze. His brows furrowed beneath his mask. "¡­ Did you hear that?" From way across the roof, Marmot Man suddenly perked up. "I-, I DID!" he called out, waving. "I''M INVOLVED!" No one answered him. He slowly sat back down. Meanwhile, Shadow noticed something very strange. Vixen and Dog Girl had gone completely silent. Not even so much as a whimper or growl. But he was certain it wasn''t because of the pain. No¡­ this was different. He narrowed his eyes, studying the two of them like he was comparing off-brand cereals at a grocery store. "Was it just me, or¡­?" Something was off. The two ladies weren''t just silent. They looked ashamed. Deeply ashamed. Like they''d just farted in public. Or wet themselves. Shadow blinked. Then he finally looked down. At their butts. And that''s when he saw it. The first thing to catch his eye was a flash of purple. His head tilted slightly. "Eh?" Vixen''s lace panties. Her bodysuit had completely torn in the ass. And those panties weren''t hiding shit. He caught glimpses of her perky ass cheeks, peeking out just enough to tease him. They had a smooth, firm look¡ªlike a perfectly seasoned and oiled cut of fresh meat, just begging to be grabbed, squeezed, and savored. It was hard to look away. Almost any woman''s ass looked good in lace panties, but Vixen''s? Hers wasn''t just sexy¡ªit was on a whole other level. Especially with the way her ripped bodysuit barely covered anything, leaving just enough exposed to drive him crazy. Although Shadow wore a full-faced mask, every single person watching the stream could feel the exact expression he was making just from how he stared. He didn''t even mean to. His brain just¡­ froze. "They''re lace¡­" That was all he could say. Vixen turned bright red. Her fingers curled into fists, and then¡ª She quickly covered her face with her hands. "U-, Uhm¡­" All she could do was mumble. "C-, Can you stop staring at my ass already¡­?" Shadow immediately cleared his throat. "S-, Sorry." The moment he said that, the chat exploded. [Live Comments:] [NOOOO LMAOOOO HE WAS STARING FOR TOO LONG] [THE RIZZLER FUMBLED???] [VIXEN WEARS PURPLE LACE PANTIES?!? THIS IS VITAL INFORMATION.] ©¸ [How TF do you know they purple? ????] ©¸ [I just have a feeling¡­ bad bitches like Vixen fuck with that purple panty lifestyle.] ©¸ [Bro, what did I just read? ????] [Bro, can we get a camera angle?! PLEASE?!?] ©¸ [NOOOOO IT''S PIXELATED!!!!] ©¸ [WTF NOT AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED WITH ROPE GIRL AT BLUE GARDEN HOTEL ????????????] ©¸ [STOP TEASING US, SHADOW! SHOW US THE DAMN PANTIES, BRO.] ©¸ [Y''ALL ARE ACTUALLY SO DOWN BAD IT''S INSANE.] ©¸ [LET US BE DOWN BAD IN PEACE.] ??? Shadow quickly shifted his gaze away. Only for his eyes to land on Dog Girl''s butt next. And what he saw¡­ Made his entire brain short-circuit. Her pants didn''t tear. But they were wet. Dripping. "No¡­" Indeed¡­ she had peed herself. Shadow froze. The chat exploded. --- [Live Comments:] [NAH.] [NAH.] [NAH, she did not just piss herself live on stream.] [DOG GIRL HAD A FULL-FLEDGED ACCIDENT?!?] ©¸ [Shi was low-key glorious¡­] ©¸ [Nah, if it sprinkled¡­ I''d be hard by now.] ©¸ [?????? Nightwatch did NOT die for this!] [OH MY GOD, THIS STREAM IS ACTUALLY LEGENDARY.] ["I HAVEN''T BEEN LIKE THAT FOR TWO YEARS" MY ASS ????????????] [HOW DO WE GO FROM ARGUING ABOUT ASS HYGIENE TO THIS???!?] Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire ©¸ [FR. First stream and it''s already a golden shower.] [THERE''S NO WAY SHE PISSED HERSELF AT HER BIG AGE. NO WAY.] ©¸ [Women have sensitive bladders bro.] ©¸ [Yeah, my girl sometimes piss herself from just laughing too much yunno ?????¡á?] ©¸ [C-, Can you¡­ send a video? ????] [Bro, this is so much worse than that time Peak''s cape got caught in a subway door.] ©¸ [Ain''t that the reason he stopped wearing capes?] ©¸ [FR, HE GOT HUMILIATED FOR A WEEK, BUT DOG GIRL?! SHE AIN''T EVER RECOVERING FROM THIS.] ??? Shadow slowly turned his gaze back to Dog Girl''s face. She was trembling. Her eyes were wide. Her lips wobbled. The shame was unbearable. Vixen''s mouth was slightly open. She, too, was stunned speechless. Then¡ª Dog Girl sniffled. And before anyone could process what was happening¡ª She burst into tears. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH©¤©¤!!!!" Shadow sighed deeply. The stream was an absolute disaster. And at this point¡­ there was no recovering from it. [Live Comments:] [HOLY SHIT, SHE''S REALLY CRYING NOW LMAOOOOO.] [BEST STREAM EVER. NO NOTES. 10/10.] [Shoutout to Marmot Man for thinking he was important at some point.] [Bro, we really just witnessed Dog Girl''s villain origin story.] [Y''all KNOW Hero Weekly is about to have the wildest cover page tomorrow.] [WE NEED A "DOG GIRL''S PEE INCIDENT" WIKI PAGE IMMEDIATELY.] [Shadow''s never streaming again after this, huh?] ??? Shadow just¡­ lowered his head in exhaustion. "I can''t with these women¡­" ©¤©¤©¤©¤TSSSSHHHH! Shadow abruptly halted. His entire body went frozen as something flickered in the corner of his vision. His sharp gaze locked onto a group of eight men, all clad in black tactical gear, moving with precise, almost mechanical coordination. Each carried a heavy steel case as their faces screamed professionalism. They were heading straight toward an unmarked corporate building. Without hesitation, Shadow released his grip. ¡­ Thud! Vixen and Dog Girl crashed onto the ground, landing hard on their asses. "Ow! You son of a¡ª" Vixen hissed through clenched teeth as her long fox ears twitched in irritation. She whipped around, waving a fist at Shadow. "Can you not drop me like I''m a damn bag of beans?!" Beside her, Dog Girl sat rubbing her sore backside as her tail drooped in protest. "Yeah! Me too, asshole!" Shadow barely spared them a glance. His jet-black, full-faced mask turned slightly in their direction, and with a single gloved finger, he pressed where his lips were supposed to be. "Shhh." His voice was quiet, but the sheer weight behind it made them freeze. Both women exchanged looks. That was not a playful "shhh." That was a ''shut up or we all die'' kind of "shhh." Vixen swallowed whatever fiery comeback she had, and Dog Girl''s ears perked in nervous anticipation. Shadow''s gaze snapped back to the tactical unit. He watched as they approached the building''s side entrance with silent movements. His mind ticked. ¡ºThis is oddly familiar¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: Dog Girl illustration and Scott''s Shadow Factor Suit will appear next chapter! Chapter 142 Fights and New Encounters Rooftop Standoff ¨C Shadow''s Stream Shadow''s eyes drifted to the corporate building that was about to be infiltrated. ¡ºHrmm¡­¡» Nothing about it stood out at first glance©¤©¤just another faceless glass and steel structure in the city. But the way these men moved, the weight of their cases, the sheer precision¡­ something gnawed at his instincts. ¡ºI''ve seen this kind of operation before.¡» He exhaled slowly. ¡ºThis isn''t a simple break-in.¡» Something was about to go down. And judging by the gear they were packing, it was big. Shadow stepped forward to close the distance between himself and the rooftop''s edge. His black boots barely made a sound against the concrete as his entire being was now focused on the tactical unit below. He peered down, his masked gaze locked onto the thieves as they moved with trained smoothness. Then¡ªlike clockwork¡ªtwo figures flanked him. On his left, Vixen crouched low as her black and crimson bodysuit gleamed under the city lights, long fox tail flicking with interest. On his right, Dog Girl perched and her floppy ears twitched as she sniffed the air, tail wagging absentmindedly. [Live Comments:] [AYO. TOO EARLY TO BE FARMING AURA LIKE THIS.] [FR FR, EVEN NIGHTWATCH DON''T BE FARMING THIS MUCH AURA.] [Nahhh, this dude living the LIFE. Bro got a CAT GIRL and DOG GIRL NEXT TO HIM. I NEED MY OWN ANIMAL WAIFU ???????? GIVE IT TO MEEEEE!!] [Even my GOAT Nightwatch don''t be pulling this many bitches¡­ literally.] One user tried to rein in the madness: [Can we STOP talking about Nightwatch on Shadow''s stream for ONE damn second?! Y''all did the same thing to Nightwatch whenever Rope Girl was referenced in the slightest. Focus on SHADOW, the dude actually doing hero shit! Unlike a certain someone who dipped when things got heavy.] ©¸ [Damn, that''s deep.] ©¸ [Yeah, but I still don''t believe Nightwatch dipped. Ready to die on that hill. GOAT behavior.] ??? Shadow ignored the chat completely, his focus sharp as he studied the thieves. That was¡­ until Dog Girl suddenly perked up. "Ohhhh¡­" She murmured, ears twitching in realization. "This must be what Witch was talking about¡­" Shadow and Vixen both turned their heads at the same time. "Huh?" Dog Girl giggled nervously, twiddling her index fingers. "Uhh¡­ you see¡­ I was kinda sorta supposed to be working with Witch and Sniperess to track a gang that''s been hitting high-security spots? And¡­ uh¡­ yeah, this was one of the places she told me to check out." The silence was deafening. Vixen and Shadow stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. [Live Comments:] [¡­She''s dumb as hell.] [WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND TRUSTED DOG GIRL WITH AN ASSIGNMENT?] This sparked absolute war in the chat. [YOU DARE INSULT WITCH?! SHE''S ONE OF THE NEWEST, BADDEST HEROES OUT THERE. I AIN''T SEEN ANYONE HOTTER THAN THAT SADISTIC BITCH.] Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire ©¸ [I came just from picturing her stern face. ????] ©¸ [Meh. Witch is too flat. Great fighter, maybe even better than Rope Girl, but that''s ''cause she''s Asian and shit. She''s mid.] ©¸ [Bro really said she''s a good fighter because she''s Asian ???? chill out Captain AmeriKKKa¡­] ©¸ [FR, bro is lore accurate Captain America. ????] [Pointless debate. Witch IS flat but that makes her sexy. Y''all sleeping on her super suit.] ©¸ [Bro the way she squints is so sexy. ????] ??? Shadow pressed a hand to his mask in sheer frustration. "¡­ And you didn''t think to TELL US this before?" Vixen deadpanned. "So we''ve been standing here, wasting our time on bickering and pants-pissing, when we could''ve been doing actual hero work?" Dog Girl looked down at the rooftop as she twiddled her fingers harder. "Ehehe¡­ my bad?" Vixen sighed. Then¡ªwithout warning¡ªshe pressed a palm against Shadow''s masked face, shoving him slightly. "Shhhh. We can deal with that later. Look." She gestured down below. Shadow and Dog Girl followed her gaze¡ªjust in time to witness something that made all three of them stiffen. The thieves were placing four small cube-like devices against the wall, forming a perfect square. One of them muttered, "This shit better work." Another smirked. "It will." He pressed a button. Vvvvvvvmmm¡­! The affected section of the wall glowed, then turned completely transparent. The thief reached in¡ªhis hand phasing straight through the building like it was water. It worked. The group erupted into excited cackling, shaking hands like they''d just won the lottery. The chat went ballistic. [Live Comments:] [EXCUSE ME? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?] [Bro just toggled no-clip in real life.] [This some straight-up voodoo bullshit.] [Nahhhh, we really living in a cyberpunk arc.] ©¸ [It''s 2045 you dumb fuck ?????¡á?] [Wait, wait, I know what this is! It''s using phased matter displacement! They''re shifting the building''s molecules into a temporary quantum state, letting them pass through! Holy shit, this is GENIUS.] ©¸ [Shut up, nerd.] ©¸ ["Water is H2O" ahh ??????] ??? Shadow''s fingers twitched. This wasn''t just an average street gang. These guys had tech. Advanced ones. ¡ºTheir tech¡­ it feels¡­ familiar¡­¡» Shadow remained still, completely composed, watching as the thieves phased through the building with ease. The way their hands slipped effortlessly past solid walls¡ªit was the kind of high-level infiltration tech that shouldn''t be in the hands of random criminals. Yet here they were. He exhaled through his nose. ¡ºThis is REALLY starting to feel a little too familiar¡­¡» Behind him, Vixen sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "So, what do we do now? Just keep staring?" Dog Girl''s tail wagged wildly as she tapped his shoulder. "Yeah, what''s the next step, boss?!" She grinned, pumping her fists like she was already gearing up for a fight. Shadow lifted a brow beneath his mask. "¡­ Wait, what?" He tilted his head slightly. "I''m not your boss." Dog Girl shook her head furiously. "No, no, you are!" She declared with utmost confidence. "As long as you can comfortably bathe me four times a week and feed me steak every day, then I''m sure you''d make a suitable boss! Right, boss©¤©¤?!" She grinned, flashing her rows of sharp teeth as she nodded like an overly eager pup. [Live Comments:] [OH MY GOD, SHE''S SO CUTE, I CAN''T.] [Nah, but is Shadow really gonna be bathing her tho? ????] [Bro, that''s kinda weird¡­] [Weird? YOU TELLIN'' ME YOU WOULDN''T BE HARD SECONDS AFTER SEEING THAT TAIL LODGED BETWEEN HER LITTLE ASS CHEEKS?] ©¸ [Woah, calm down, Satan¡­] ©¸ [Bruh. ????] ©¸ [I am SO glad you''re not there. Contain your lust, my guy. It ain''t that deep. ????] ??? Shadow ignored the madness in the chat and refocused on the thieves. They were already making their way inside, slipping past the phased section of the wall one by one. His fingers twitched slightly as he exhaled. "¡­ Alright. We approach this calmly." He instructed with a cool and measured voice. "These guys don''t seem like your average, NPC-tier robbers. If we don''t act smart and fast, we could really get ki©¤©¤" THUD! A loud sound cut him off. Both Shadow and the two women snapped their heads toward the noise¡ªonly to see Marmot Man sprawled across the edge of the rooftop as his stubby legs flailed. Somehow, this absolute buffoon had managed to trip over a stack of bricks and nearly plummeted off the side. The only thing keeping him from falling? His pants. They''d gotten snagged on a jutting piece of concrete and left him dangling pathetically over the side. Even the thieves, mid-infiltration, turned to stare. A painful silence stretched across the rooftop. Marmot Man slowly raised a hand and awkwardly waved at the robbers. "Uhm¡­ hey, guys. Don''t mind me. I''m just, uh¡­" He glanced down at the sheer drop below him, then back at them. "¡­ Just hanging around, y''know?" [Live Comments:] [BRO?] [NO WAY. NOOOOO WAYYYYY.] [This fat bastard just ruined everything ????????????] [HOW IS HE EVEN ALIVE?] [Rewind that shit. How did he even TRIP???] ©¸ [I analyzed the footage, and I''m convinced his obesity is the cause of global warming.] ©¸ [Gravity and bad life decisions had a kid, and it''s him.] [Rewatch the clip. It doesn''t even make sense. How did his pants get CAUGHT like that???] ©¸ [Physics gave up. Ain''t no way.] ©¸ [Ain''t no way he defied all logic just to fumble this hard.] The thieves stared. Then¡ªwithout hesitation¡ªthey whipped out their weapons. Heavy-duty plasma rifles, shoulder-mounted cannons, and some kind of high-tech gauntlet that hummed with dangerous energy. Not only did they aim at Marmot Man¡­ but several had already locked onto Shadow and his crew. Shadow dragged a slow hand over his mask. "Oh, brother¡­" he muttered. "This guy sucks." The chat exploded. [NOOOO, THIS DUMBASS RUINED EVERYTHING.] [KICK HIM FROM THE STREAM. KICK HIM OFF THE ROOF. KICK HIM FROM THE CITY. ????????] [He is literally the embodiment of an L.] [Bro folded under zero pressure.] [Fat man pulled an Assassin''s Creed mission and failed at the first step.] One of the thieves barked out an order. "Two of you guys¡ªget inside! The rest, take care of these flipping bastards!" "YES, BOSS!" they shouted in unison. Two of them immediately turned and phased into the building, while the other five huge men leveled their weapons at Shadow''s group. Shadow''s eyes sharpened. "Move now!" he commanded. "Dog Girl, get Marmot Man out of here! Vixen, we''re handling these guys!" Dog Girl threw up a dramatic salute while shooting her chest out which caused her shapely breasts to jiggle. "Aye, sir!" She beamed and her tail wagged furiously as she darted toward Marmot Man. However, Vixen went completely still. "Wait, really?" Her ears twitched in sheer panic. Even her tail had shot up©¤©¤stiff as a board. "We have to fight these guys?" Shadow glanced at her. "¡­Mhm. Haven''t you fought before?" Vixen hesitated. She rubbed her arm awkwardly, looking away. "Well¡­ uhm¡­ not really." The chat erupted into war. [OH MY GOD, NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR ALL THAT ROMANCE CRAP.] [NO. YOU''RE JOKING. YOU''RE JOKING. SHE HASN''T FOUGHT BEFORE????] [Bro, are you telling me she''s been standing around looking pretty this whole time???] [That''s it. I''m switching to Nightwatch''s stream.] ©¸ [Shut your mouth. Shut it right now.] ©¸ [FR. Bro talking like Goatwatch streams anymore ????] [This really says a lot about the current state of the Hero Agency and proves that Nightwatch was right to be a vigilante. Many heroes today aren''t pushing themselves to their limits anymore¡ªthey''re just messing around. Imagine a hero in the golden era saying they couldn''t fight. They''d be laughed at. But now, we''ve normalized it, and heroes like The Peak and Foxgirl, who barely do anything, are getting featured on massive billboards.] ©¸ [Don''t you ever disrespect Foxgirl like that again.] ©¸ [FR. Bro talking like Foxgirl ain''t better than Peak. ????] ©¸ [Average gooner comment. ????] ??? Shadow sighed deeply. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "¡­We''ll deal with that later." He flexed his fingers to size up the gunmen. For now, there was only one thing to do. Win. ¡­ BOOM! A deafening explosion of plasma fire erupted across the rooftop. The thieves wasted no time. Their fingers squeezed the triggers and released a blinding barrage of high-energy projectiles. The air crackled violently as streaks of burning plasma tore through the night. But Shadow? He didn''t wait. His muscles tensed. His breath sharpened. Then¡ªBOOM! The entire rooftop shuddered as he pushed off, launching himself into the air with terrifying force. Cracks splintered beneath his feet, and an instant later, he was diving straight into the storm of plasma. [Live Comments:] [HOLY FUCK DID HE JUST JUMP???] [Bro launched like a missile wtf ????????????] [Ain''t no way he tanking all that.] [HE''S FUCKING DEAD. NO MORE SHADOW. LMAO.] Shadow''s body twisted mid-air. Plasma beams sizzled past him, illuminating his dark figure like flashing strobe lights. He weaved, just barely slipping past a deadly bolt aimed for his chest, then rolled mid-flight to avoid another scorching line of fire. Then¡ªhe vanished. One second, he was there. The next, his form dissolved into wisps of darkness, scattering like drifting smoke. Panic seized the robbers. "H-Huh¡­?" One of them darted their eyes around wildly. "Where the fuck did he go©¤©¤?!" Still gripping his plasma rifle, another thug frustratedly clicked his tongue. "Are you serious? We watch small-sized women like Lady Fortress throw entire warehouses across the sea every week, and you''re shocked by this?!" [Live Comments:] [HE SAID LADY FORTRESS LMAO] [Nah, but he got a point. Shadow doing some light work rn.] [This is what happens when grunts don''t get proper training. They scared over basic shit.] [The REAL question is¡ªwhat''s his next move? ????] ©¸ [Bro''s obviously gonna reappear and take someone down instantly.] ©¸ [Nah, I bet he goes for their leader first.] ©¸ [You guys are thinking too small. He''s gonna pull a combo move.] ??? Just then¡ª A voice cut through the tension. "I agree." A whisper, smooth yet chilling. Before the robbers could even react, Shadow materialized in their center. CRACK! With one fluid motion, he delivered a blinding-fast chop to the nearest thug''s neck. The man''s body went stiff¡ªthen collapsed instantly. "Wha¡ª?!" Another thief barely had time to process before Shadow''s foot smashed into his throat. He choked, staggering back. Another thug raised his plasma rifle, but Shadow flickered again. He reappeared behind them, then his leg instantly swept low. WHAM! The thug hit the ground hard. Before he could recover, Shadow buried his foot into his side and sent him rolling in agony. The final two robbers scrambled to aim their weapons¡ª But Shadow was already gone. His form flashed in and out of existence, then his body warped between shadows. One second he was on the left, the next he was on the right¡ªthen he was everywhere at once. "H-, HOW THE HELL©¤©¤?!" Then¡ªBOOM! Shadow slammed both hands around their throats and drove them into the ground with a double choke slam. The sheer force sent deep cracks webbing across the concrete. A stunned silence followed. Then¡ª The chat exploded. [OH MY FUCKING GOD.] [SHADOW JUST FUCKING BODIED THEM ALL.] [That was the cleanest takedown I''ve ever seen.] [The combos were INSANE. Nah, he''s HIM.] [No cap, he''s a better fighter than Rope Girl. She be struggling against low-tier villains ????????] ©¸ [Y''all always hating on Rope Girl. Give her a break.] ©¸ [Rope Girl and Hate in the same sentence? Nah. ????] ©¸ [Nah, let''s be real¡ªShadow''s smooth as fuck. The transitions? Chef''s kiss.] ©¸ [Still not better than Nightwatch tho.] [Bro we NOT comparing again. Can y''all just ENJOY the stream for once?! ????] Shadow lifted an eyebrow at the chat. "Not as good as Nightwatch?" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. ¡ºJeez. These guys are impossible to please.¡» Still, he didn''t dwell on it. With a flick of his wrist, he started gathering the downed robbers'' weapons. That was when Vixen landed beside him. She dropped gracefully from the rooftop, landing on all fours. Her ears twitched, her tail stiff¡ªeyes wide with shock. She stared at him. "W-, Wow¡­" Shadow glanced over. "¡­ What?" Vixen hesitated, then muttered. "When you said you were really a superhero¡­ I thought it was just some kind of strategic PR stunt." She gulped. "But after seeing this¡­ you''re way better at it than me." Shadow sighed. "Well, it''s not a big deal at this point. I ju©¤©¤" He paused. Both he and Vixen turned¡ª And saw Dog Girl galloping toward them. She had Marmot Man clenched in her teeth. The absolute ease with which she dragged his fat ass across the ground was horrifying. Dog Girl finally skidded to a stop in front of Shadow, panting like an excited pup, her tail wagging furiously. She stared up at him, her tongue slightly out, eyes bright with joy. Shadow blinked. "¡­ Hm?" [Live Comments:] [GODDAMN SHE REALLY HAULED HIS FAT ASS LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES.] [Bro she ain''t even struggle a LITTLE BIT.] [I SWEAR TO GOD, IF SHADOW DOESN''T PET HER, I''M GONNA RIOT.] [PRESS X TO PET.] [DO IT. PAT HER. RIGHT NOW.] [10K DONO IF HE PATS HER.] [$10,000 DONATION: PAT HER THE FUCK ALREADY.] Shadow dragged a hand over his mask. "Jeez, can y''all chill out¡ª" With a sigh, he reached for Dog Girl''s head. Just as his fingers were about to touch her fur¡ª BANG! A bullet whizzed through the air. Shadow instantly dissolved into darkness to dodge it completely. He reappeared a few meters away, his eyes narrowing. "Stay on alert!" he commanded. Vixen tensed. Dog Girl snapped to attention, ears perking. Even Marmot Man groaned, half-raising his fists like he could actually fight. Then¡ª From the shadows of the alley, a figure emerged. A sexily shaped woman in a sleek, black bodysuit with red accents, holding a high-tech sniper rifle. She groaned a little. "Hrmm. I didn''t exactly miss, so that doesn''t count." Then, another figure stepped into the dim light. A petite yet impossibly elegant woman with a billowing black cape. Her beautiful, dark eyes scanned the area with a calm, analytical gaze. She hummed. "¡­ They don''t look like robbers." Shadow''s jaw tightened. It was Sniperess and Witch. Superheroes from Rope Girl''s division. [Live Comments:] [OH SHIT IT''S THEM???] [Wait wait¡ªWHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY DOING HERE?!] [Witch kinda bad tho. ????] ©¸ [She so petite it''s painfully sexy ???? you just know she can ride these nuts like crazy!] [We about to get some DRAMA???] Shadow exhaled. This night just got even more complicated. ©¥ TO BE CONTINUED. Chapter 143 New Objectives! Shadow frowned underneath his mask. His fingers curled into tight fists. The way those two had just shown up¡ªthe way they carried themselves, like they owned the place¡ªit pissed him off. Especially Sniperess. Her sharp, crimson eyes flicked to him, and just like that, her face twisted into nonchalant disgust. To describe it©¤©¤she looked annoyed at the man before her, but not enough to bother making a proper disgusted face. It was like he wasn''t even worth the effort. "Hm?" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She tilted her head, then sneered. "That him?" She scoffed, shifting her rifle lazily over her shoulder. "Can''t see his freaky face, but I can already tell he''s giving me that pissed, loser look." Her voice dripped with condescension. She clicked her tongue. "Tch. Don''t worry. I won''t miss next time." Shadow''s body stiffened. A deep, aggravated growl nearly slipped past his throat. [Live Comments:] [OH, SHE A BITCH FOR REAL.] [Bro I know she didn''t just say that.] [Sniperess hate arc is crazy rn.] ©¸ [She always been kinda like this tho. No surprises here.] ©¸ [Yeah, she''s cool and all, but her personality? Ehhh.] Just as Shadow was about to snap¡ª THUMP! Dog Girl galloped between them, landing on all fours. She snarled at Sniperess, baring her sharp teeth as her fur bristled with rage. "Grrr! How dare you interrupt my head pat from boss?!" Sniperess blinked. "Huh?" Dog Girl''s growls deepened. "DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A HEAD PAT PAYMENT?!" Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire She stomped a paw-fist into the ground. "I worked hard! I earned it! And you ruined it!" [Live Comments:] [OH SHIT SHE MAD LMAO.] [Head pats are serious business, fr.] [PRESS "X" TO RESUME HEAD PAT MISSION.] [10K DONO IF SHADOW PATS HER ANYWAY.] Meanwhile, someone else had another thought. [Live Comments:] [Sniperess is REALLY cool and all, but she kinda fucking sucks personality-wise.] ©¸ [So basically¡­ she''s a spitting image of Rope Girl?] ©¸ [Nah, not really. Rope Girl doesn''t act like a bitch on purpose, you feel me? ????] ©¸ [Think of Sniperess like if Bella Trevors and Rope Girl had a child that was injected with a super nonchalant dreadhead diva serum.] ©¸ [So basically Rope Girl, but this time she means to be a bitch, just because?] ©¸ [Bingo.] ??? Sniperess simply lifted an eyebrow at Dog Girl. Her irritated scowl didn''t change. "Can you be any less disgusting?" Dog Girl froze. Her ears stiffened. Her tail went rigid. "¡­ What''d you just call me©¤©¤?!" Sniperess clicked her rifle. CHK! The sound echoed sharply. Her high-tech sniper was ready to fire. She pointed it straight at Dog Girl. Dog Girl immediately locked up. Her body tensed. Her ears twitched violently, her tail shot up like a frozen flag. "..." [Live Comments:] [Oh FUCK.] [SHE PULLED THE STRAP ON DOG GIRL?!] [Sniperess REALLY don''t give a shit, huh?] ©¸ [She got that YN blood fr. ????] Before anything else could happen¡ª Witch finally spoke. "Enough of that, Sniperess." Her voice was smooth. Controlled. Sniperess didn''t move. Witch smiled calmly. "That''s not what we came here to do." An uncomfortable pause. "¡­ Besides, we secured the storage house." Sniperess exhaled through her nose. Then¡ªshe finally lowered her rifle. "Hmph." "If you say so¡­" She flicked her eyes back to Dog Girl. "One dead mutt wouldn''t change much in the world." The instant the sniper was out of her face, Dog Girl snapped back to life. She stomped a paw-fist into the ground again. "HEY©¤©¤!" Sniperess shot her a look. Dog Girl immediately bolted. She sprinted on all fours¡ªthen hid behind Shadow. "SAVE ME, BOSS!" Shadow sighed. There was already a hand on his masked face. "I''m not your boss." Dog Girl didn''t budge. Meanwhile, Vixen eyed Witch warily. "Storage house?" she repeated. Her eyes narrowed. "This looks more like a corporate building if anything©¤©¤" Then it clicked. "No¡­ the two guys inside©¤©¤!" Vixen rushed toward the building. The first thing she saw¡ª Two men. Lying on the ground. Long, sharp sniper rounds lodged in their skulls. [Live Comments:] [OOOOOF.] [Painful as hell.] [That was definitely Sniperess'' doing. She got no chill.] ©¸ [Didn''t she shoot her husband four times in the nuts after their divorce?] ©¸ [Yeah, got put in prison for a few months, but her connections got her out.] ©¸ [Shooting her ex-husband in the nuts is crazy.] ©¸ [She wanted to make sure he didn''t get to enjoy that 20-year-old Instaflick model he was leaving her for. The lifestyle ain''t just for bro. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [My guy probably punching the wall with them scrambled ahh testicles. ????????] [Personally, I wouldn''t divorce a baddie like Sniperess. She''s too hot to be on the rejection end. And I can just tell that that military-grade, rose-smelling asshole is tighter than a microscopic knot made of only 54 atoms.] ©¸ [For real, and she''s like 32 or something¡­] ©¸ [54 atoms? Bro is a Theoretical Gooner. ????] ??? Shadow phased into the building. His eyes swept over the scene. Two dead bodies. He turned back to the two strange women. "¡­ How did th©¤©¤" Before he could finish, Witch cut him off. "You''re welcome." Silence. Shadow stared at her. Witch stared back. Her dark eyes were calm. Her soft, empty smile never wavered. She felt like a devil. [Live Comments:] [OOOOO SEXUAL TENSION???] ©¸ [Shut the FUCK up, not everything is sexual tension.] ©¸ [People like you ruin the chat.] [Can we NOT turn every interaction into this?] [This is why we can''t have nice things smh.] ©¸ [Calm down, Paula Poundstone. ????] A heated argument immediately broke out in the comments. Shadow ignored it. His eyes were locked on Witch. Her eerie smile stayed. Witch clapped her hands together lightly. "Alright then!" She said, tilting her head as her soft smile beamed. Now she looked like a radiant angel. "Shall we all head inside and get to know each other better?" Silence. Vixen and Shadow turned pale in unison. "EH©¤©¤?!" Even through his pitch-black, high-tech suit, it was painfully obvious that Shadow was stunned. His usually composed demeanor cracked as he stiffened. Beside him, Vixen looked equally shell-shocked. Witch lifted an eyebrow at them, genuinely curious. "Huh? What''s wrong, guys? Did I say something weird?" [Live Comments:] [... ????] [NO, CAUSE WHAT THE FUCK?] [This is the FIRST TIME I''ve actually seen Witch, and I was expecting some blood-soaked, psycho demon chick. Instead, she''s just¡­ chill?] ©¸ [Bro, SAME. All I ever saw of her was news footage where she was covered in blood or casually holding some unlucky dude''s body parts. I remember that one guy whose penis she tore off with her hand.] ©¸ [What is with these women and dicks. ????] ©¸ [Nah, FR tho. And I''m sure there''s some mf that''s gonna say he wants that treatment (I''m mf) ????] [This is the equivalent of a nuke being launched at some starving third-world village only for it to land and be an intercontinental ballistic care package.] ©¸ [LMAOOO, you mean an ICBCP?? ????] ©¸ [International Charity Ballistic Care Package is CRAZY.] ©¸ [Such words have never been uttered. ????????] ??? Shadow rubbed the back of his neck, still processing. "Uh¡­ No, it''s just¡­ I didn''t expect you to be so¡­" He hesitated. "Nice?" Vixen nodded rapidly beside him. Witch''s smile never wavered. She tilted her head a little more. "Hm? Why wouldn''t I be nice? I mean, I''m a superhero, just like you guys. I''m sure you''re equally nice, right?" Shadow and Vixen exchanged an uneasy glance. Then, simultaneously, they nodded. [Live Comments:] [They''re scared for their LIVES right now. ????] [That forced nod got me CRYING.] ©¸ [Shadow and Vixen''s inner thoughts: "Don''t trigger the beast. Don''t trigger the beast."] ©¸ [Nah, Shadow ain''t scared. More like shocked. I''m sure bro was hoping she was gonna be some crazy chick that''d grab his balls and telling him to sit.] ©¸ [Ong you''re the only one who thought this. ????] Just then¡ª A loud, exhausted groan echoed from the side. CRUNCH! Three poor mailboxes were crushed under an immense weight as a massive, bloated figure finally managed to stand. Marmot Man. He took slow, tired steps forward as his overgrown gut wobbled slightly. His sweaty, strained breaths wheezed out from his lips. The first thing his hazy, beady eyes landed on¡ª Witch. She was still smiling, her soft, angelic expression focused on Shadow and Vixen. Marmot Man groaned again. "Oh¡­ a cutie¡­ and she looks single." [Live Comments:] [????????????] [NAAAH, DON''T LET THIS BEAST COOK.] [Bro look like he smells like expired mayonnaise.] He took another breath, then lifted the underside of his ship-sized belly with both hands. He struggled, then tucked it into his impossibly tight, torn super suit pants. Then¡ª "Heh heh¡­ time to test some of my roguish charm¡­" With a small, utterly ridiculous bounce in his step¡ªan attempt at swagger¡ªhe made his way toward Witch. Shadow and Vixen immediately stiffened. Their faces scrunched with visceral disgust. And then, it happened. With a single greasy, sweaty arm, Marmot Man threw it over Witch''s comparatively small shoulders. The sweat of his unwashed armpits pressed against her silky black hair. His oily, suffocating body odor clouded the air. And yet¡ª Witch still smiled. But her smile¡­ changed. This time, it was no longer soft. No longer warm. It was dangerous. Fierce. Like a ticking time bomb. Veins started sprouting on her forehead. Her face slowly turned red from suppressed anger. [Live Comments:] [OH HE''S SO DEAD.] [HE JUST UNLOCKED HARD MODE.] ©¸ [More like Asian mode. ????] [WE LOST HIM, BOYS.] ©¸ [Marmot Man''s thought process: "She''s so nice, I bet she won''t mind if I act a little charming."] ©¸ [Reality: She is about to skin you alive.] ©¸ [Bro is not built for this.] ©¸ [Correction: Bro is not built for anything.] ©¸ [Marmot Man is that one thing in society you just wonder why it exists.] ©¸ [That''s how I feel about products from Temu.] Witch had endured enough. Shadow saw it before anyone else. Her right hand¡ªslowly shifting. Anatomy changing. Her nails extended¡ªlong, razor-sharp claws. Her fingers twitched. Her smile was still there. Empty. Beautiful. And utterly terrifying. Shadow panicked. He knew exactly who that smile was meant for. "Wait¡ªno, don''t ki¡ª" "CeeCee, stop that!" A firm, authoritative voice cut through the tension. Instantly¡ªWitch''s hand snapped back to normal. Everyone turned. There¡ªstanding with arms crossed, eyes sharp¡ª Investigative journalist, Judy Cho. [Live Comments:] [OHO HO HO HO!!!] [Look at all that movement back there ????¡­] [I know y''all are seeing the top-tier journalist that is on your damn screens ???? she so fine she done pissed me off! Like how are you that fine, gurl!!] [That ass wider than the Great Wall of China. ????] ©¸ [I wanna get crushed under allat, dawg. ????] [Suddenly we all SleazyPen! ????????????] ©¸ [Guys, maybe SleazyPen was the friends we made along the way ????¡­] ??? Witch slowly tucked both hands behind her back as her warm smile forced itself to look more genuine. She tilted her head slightly as her silky black hair shifted over her shoulders. "Oh, junior sister¡­" Her voice was honeyed, almost affectionate. "I completely forgot you were here." Judy''s arms remained firmly crossed. Her sharp eyes bore into Witch with unshaken authority. The only response she got? That same sweet, innocent smile. As if Witch hadn''t been seconds away from tearing Marmot Man''s heart straight out of his chest. Judy''s frown deepened. The tension in the air was suffocating. Then©¤©¤©¤©¤SLAP!! Marmot Man''s greasy, sweat-drenched arm was smacked off Witch''s shoulder with a sound so wet and disgusting that even the viewers could hear it through the stream. She took two graceful steps forward to escape the hellish stench clinging to the air around him. Judy''s expression darkened. "We agreed¡­" She sounded so firm. "You promised if I let you guys in on this, you wouldn''t kill unnecessarily." Her arms tightened across her shapely breasts. "Imagine if you did kill Marmot Man." Silence. A deep, endless silence. Even the distant caws of birds in the midnight sky and the chirping of crickets became painfully loud. Not a single person spoke. Not one voice defended Marmot Man. Not even a token protest. [Live Comments:] ["IMAGINE if she killed Marmot Man" NAH THIS IS CRAZY LMAO] [Not a damn soul is arguing. ????????????] ©¸ [Bro they''re all just standing there like¡­ "Yeah fair enough."] ©¸ [No one wants to be the guy that says ''Wait, but Marmot Man''s life has value¡­''] ©¸ [''Cause it DOESN''T. ????] ©¸ [Be honest. Would YOU defend him?] [This is low-key the funniest shit I''ve ever seen. It''s like when you throw trash at the bin and miss, but you''re too lazy to pick it up.] [The level of complete disregard is actually legendary. ????] ??? Judy lowered her head. A long, heavy sigh left her lips. Her slender shoulders slumped, defeated. "Hrmm¡­ okay, fair enough¡­" It sounded more like a mutter than anything else. "No one would care." Marmot Man''s face twitched. "HEY!" He barked, offended. "A lot of people would miss me! I have fans¡ª" He puffed up his bloated chest. "¡ªthey just get so shy when they see me!" Dog Girl lazily lifted her leg to scratch behind her ear as her tail swayed. "Hrmm¡­ they''re probably just disgusted by your smell. No one sees a pile of garbage and wants to hug it." Marmot Man turned a deep shade of red. His arm shot out, a fat, greasy finger pointing right at her. "SHUT IT, BITCH!" Dog Girl kept scratching. Calm. Unbothered. Her tail wagged. Shadow blinked at her. "¡­ You''re not mad?" Dog Girl tilted her head, confused. "Hm? Why would I be?" she said. "I am a bitch." A pause. Shadow''s mask twitched slightly. His dark, distorted voice quickly warped into concern. Deep concern. "I really don''t think you should say things like that about yourself. It''s a bit downgra¡ª" A slow realization dawned on him. "Ohhh." He nodded, looking away. [Live Comments:] [SHADOW YOU DUMBASS ????????????] [Not a single neuron fired in his brain. ????] [He really thought she had self-esteem issues. ????] ©¸ [Bro forgot she''s literally a Dog Girl.] ©¸ [I mean, he''s just being a nice guy. Something people on the Internet need to start learning. ?????¡á?] A few massive donations dropped in. [Ding! $10,000 donation from @FhailBhais] [Ding! $3,550 donation from @dfektz] [Ding! $6,000 donation from @father229] [Ding! $6,000 donation from @Xalubis] ??? Vixen folded her arms under her breasts as her golden, fox eyes narrowed. "So¡­" She purposely drawled. "What''s two members of Rope Girl''s elite squad and the infamous investigative reporter, Judy Cho, doing here? I find that fucking sus, yunno¡­" Her tone ached with suspicion. Judy smirked. She strode right up to Vixen and Shadow, stopping just short of their personal space. One manicured finger lifted¡ª And pointed directly at Vixen''s face. "The right word," Judy corrected, "is award-winning." She gave a confident nod. "And there''s nothing suspicious about this arrangement." Shadow''s head tilted slightly. "¡­ But Judy, you haven''t won any awar¡ª" "SHHH©¤©¤!" Judy immediately slapped her palm over his masked face. A clear of her throat. A dramatic pause. Then¡ª "Well!" She declared very proudly. "I''ll be winning one after tonight." Shadow gently peeled her hand off his face. His blank stare lingered. Then, flatly: "¡­ What are you up to?" Judy''s face lit up. A grin split her lips. A grin so wild¡­ so crazed¡­ It made her look like a hyena on crack. "Weeeeeellll¡­" She drawled as her voice practically sung. "We''re going to be protecting the alien technology found by Volkner Industries!" [Live Comments:] [WAIT WHAT.] [ALIEN TECHNOLOGY??? HELLO???] ©¸ [The plot is PLOTTING.] [Oh we are SO COOKED.] ©¸ [Aliens? With this squad? We''re not surviving, guys.] ©¸ [The government watching this stream like ????????????] [The only thing that''s gonna get protected is Witch''s abominable kill count.] ??? Shadow fixed both hands on his hips and sighed©¤©¤his voice came out as a distorted growl. ¡ºI just wanted to patrol man, sigh¡­¡» Chapter 144 Extraterrestrial Museum The towering corporate building stood silent in the moonlit night. Except¡­ it wasn''t a corporate building. Judy led the group inside as her confident steps echoed across the pristine, white-tiled floor. The massive interior was mostly empty, save for the tall, draped objects hidden beneath thick tarps. A few dim floodlights cast long, wavy shadows across the space. "¡­ It''s really a museum?" Shadow stated flatly. Partly, he was disappointed©¤©¤but only at first. Witch tilted her head, arms still folded behind her back. Her sweet, knowing smile never wavered. "Oh, junior sister¡­" She sighed. "I completely forgot to mention that." Judy ignored them, already in full documentary-mode as she waved her arms dramatically. "This¡­" She said, practically vibrating. "¡­ is the first-ever extraterrestrial museum." Her voice echoed. No one looked impressed. Dog Girl had already passed out. Her gentle snores filled the otherwise empty space. Shadow, the poor bastard, was stuck with the assignment of carrying her. Her limbs dangled lazily over his shoulders as one of her fluffy ears twitched occasionally as she let out soft little grumbles in her sleep. The chat was brutal. [Live Comments:] [Bro I didn''t come here for a history lesson, if I wanted that I''d go to my 6 a.m. classes ????????????] [Can we just watch Dog Girl snore all night? She''s so damn cute. ????] [Is it just me, or is Shadow actually interested in what Judy''s saying??] ©¸ [Fr bro''s been watching her like a hawk since she started yapping. ????] ©¸ [Meh, he''s probably just looking at her ass or sum.] ©¸ [Hmm, she does have a fat one. ????] ??? Shadow ignored that last message. His jet-black mask remained eerily still, unreadable. But behind it, his eyes were locked onto Judy with sharp focus. ¡ºNever thought alien history would be something I''d have a front-row seat to¡­ I better get all the information I can. It might be useful in the future¡­ keh.¡» Vixen shot him a side-eye. She couldn''t see his expression, but for some reason¡­ she felt like there was a stupidly excited, nerdy grin behind that sleek mask. She scowled. "Tch. Nerd." Shadow turned his head slightly. "Hm?" "You''re giving off nerd energy." Shadow chuckled with zero offense taken. "Hah! You should meet my friend Jake. He''s wayyy more into this kinda stuff." Vixen rolled her eyes, already done with this conversation. Her golden, fox-like eyes shifted forward to Judy again to watch as the so-called "award-winning" reporter beamed with enthusiasm. "¡­ This isn''t the first or second time artifacts have dropped from the stars!" Judy continued, gesturing grandly. "Every time, organizations like the Hero Agency or the Government have hoarded them. But for the first time ever, that''s changed." She clasped her hands dramatically. "Isaac Volkner¡ªthe genius, the visionary¡ªhas graciously decided to share these findings with the world! He believes in knowledge! In truth! So rather than hiding what''s out there, he''s built this¡ªa museum to showcase what his starship has discovered in orbit!" Sniperess yawned. Loudly. "¡­ Get to the point." [Live Comments:] [Sniperess speaks for the people. ????] [Judy got a big ass but NOT big brains on how to not waste people''s time. ????] [She been drinking that steady cup of Yappuccino.] ©¸ [Hrmm, that''s new one¡­] [Bro, she''s like one of those teachers that go on useless tangents for half the class.] ©¸ [Except this one''s FOINE ?] ??? Judy''s eye twitched. Her sharp glare snapped to Witch. Witch merely sighed and turned to Sniperess. "If you want us to actually keep an eye on this stuff¡ªlike Rope Girl suggested¡ªthen don''t interrupt her." Sniperess scoffed, arms lazily resting on her rifle. "Speaking of Rope Girl¡­ shouldn''t she be here? If this mission is so important, then maybe our actual leader should be doing it instead of pushing it onto us." Witch pursed her lips. A rare flash of seriousness crossed her face. "Well¡­ when I spoke to her earlier tonight, she didn''t seem like herself." Sniperess narrowed her eyes. "She looked¡­ violated. Like something had really messed her up. Even that gun psycho, Deathmark, was doing her best to console her." A heavy silence fell. Sniperess frowned. "¡­ Huh?" She mindlessly tapped a finger against her rifle. "Since when does our leader need consoling?" Her voice dropped an octave. "Something horrible happened, didn''t it?" Witch exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples. "I honestly don''t know. But I do know that I want to strangle whoever did this to her." Her voice darkened. "¡­ Could it be Nightwatch?" Sniperess snorted. "Pssssh©¤©¤as if." A sharp smirk tugged at her lips. "That bastard doesn''t have the balls to face her. He''s gone into hiding." Dog Girl''s ears twitched at the name©¤©¤but she remained fast asleep. [Live Comments:] [NAHHH WHAT HAPPENED TO ROPE GIRL???] [If Nightwatch actually did something to her, then he''s fucking DEAD. ????] ©¸ [Not really, but aight. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Rope Girl would destroy him in a fight, tf you mean.] ©¸ [Nah, Nightwatch would cook her. Y''all are tripping.] [L take. Witch claps both of them.] ©¸ [True, Witch is the best combatant in the squad tbh.] ©¸ [Ehhhh, Rope Girl has more experience tho.] ©¸ [Bruh, let''s not pretend like Witch wouldn''t be leader if she had the same connections. ????] The debate went nuclear. Viewers started pulling up military records and past operations to argue who had the better feats. Vixen''s ears twitched. The more Witch and Sniperess kept talking about Nightwatch, the more her tail flicked in irritation. She tried to ignore it at first, but after a while, she just couldn''t anymore. She clicked her tongue. Then, she turned her sharp gaze to the two women. "¡­ Be honest." Her voice was cool, confident, and carried an edge of challenge. "Nightwatch probably not only has the balls to stand up to Rope Girl, but he could probably put that stuck up lady in her place, too. No offense, of course." Witch and Sniperess stopped walking. Mid-sentence, Judy blinked in confusion. Shadow¡­ inhaled slowly. Vixen didn''t stop. "I mean, really." She tilted her head. "How can you say any hero is stronger than Nightwatch when all of them vanished the instant that giant red beast attacked Metro City a month back, huh?" A heavy silence followed. The chat? Absolutely losing it. [Live Comments:] [NAHHH SHE SAID IT.] [SHE''S GONE. THEY''RE GONNA TEAR HER APART.] [Vixen¡­ please, please¡­ retract that statement before you get canceled.] ©¸ [Too late. She''s finished.] ©¸ [She did NOT just put Nightwatch above Rope Girl in front HER OWN SQUAD. ????????????] ??? Sniperess'' eyes darkened. Her grip on her rifle tightened slightly as she turned her head toward Vixen. "¡­ So, what?" She asked, her voice low, dangerous. "You trying to say you support a terrorist?" Vixen didn''t flinch. But she knew exactly what that question was. A trap. And the chat knew it too. [Live Comments:] [DO NOT ANSWER.] [SHE''S COOKED. EITHER WAY SHE ANSWERS, SHE FRIGGIN'' LOSES.] [This is how politicians get caught up LMAOO.] [Damn, this how my ex-wife got me to pay $8000 child support for our kid in HER custody. ????] ©¸ [Is your child the protagonist? 8K is crazy. ????] [Deadass, a yes or a no will still start a shitstorm. Silence is the best answer, to be honest.] ©¸ [Nah, silence could also mean yes, bro. She better just say she doesn''t support him and keep herself safe.] ©¸ [Exactly. It''s not like she owes him anything.] ??? Vixen''s tail flicked, but she remained still. Her lips parted slightly©¤©¤ But before she could answer, Shadow adjusted Dog Girl''s position on his back and quickly spoke. "Vixen''s obviously not supporting that horrible terrorist." His tone was firm, dismissive. "Anyone supporting him is an idiot." Witch lifted a brow. Her dark eyes flicked to him with eerie amusement. "Oh?" Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire She exhaled slowly, her feet still moving as she kept her arms folded. "So, if I asked for your official Hero ID, you''d be able to give it to me?" Shadow didn''t answer immediately. Witch''s lips curled. "¡­ And more importantly." Her voice dropped, a slow hum of intrigue. "That streaming you''re doing¡­ it''s really not inspired by Nightwatch?" Shadow shook his head calmly. "I didn''t bring my ID. And besides, almost every hero streams on HeroTube and stuff¡­ Like The Peak, Pulsar, even Red Rocket. Heck, Marmot Man here was also a streamer until he got banned by HeroTube." Sniperess hummed, nodding slightly. "¡­ Hrmm." She glanced at Witch. "That''s valid, right?" Witch didn''t answer immediately. She just smiled. A dark, unreadable smile. Then, her cold, sharp eyes landed on Shadow. Shadow¡­ remained silent, carrying the sleeping Dog Girl with an unbothered stance. Witch''s fingers tapped against her wrist. "Well¡­" She murmured, tilting her head slightly. "I suppose we''ll just have to wait and see what happened to our leader, won''t we?" Then, her voice turned just a bit¡­ playful. "Perhaps¡­ something to do with intimacy, maybe?" Sniperess narrowed her eyes. "¡­ What?" "She doesn''t seem to like that¡­" Witch spoke in an almost lazy tone of thoughtfulness. "Especially considering she can''t even eat her food around her own squadmates." Sniperess looked intrigued. She leaned forward slightly. "¡­ Wait, wait." Her voice was curious. "What if it really was Nightwatch and¡­ he did¡­ things to her?" She snorted. "Not like it''s possible, but Rope Girl was wearing that exposing dress she asked us to rate when they reported her earlier today¡­" She trailed off, eyes thoughtful. "¡­ Is it safe to assume she got harassed?" The moment she said it©¤©¤ Witch chuckled softly. Then©¤©¤so did Vixen. The two women were shaking their heads, a well-aware and amused sort of laughter slipping from their lips as if Sniperess had just said the dumbest thing they''d heard all week. The chat absolutely popped off. [Live Comments:] [THEY LAUGHED, LMAOOO.] [SHE REALLY THOUGHT NIGHTWATCH WAS OUT HERE ON SOME CREEP SHIT.] ©¸ [Bro doesn''t even talk to people unless it''s to monologue dramatically in a dark alley.] ©¸ [FACTS. DUDE IS ALL ABOUT AURA AESTHETICS.] [Shadow the only one not laughing tho¡­ ????] [Bro is staring at the floor like he''s seen God.] [WAIT.] [WAIT. ????] [WHAT IF HE KNOWS SOMETHING??] Shadow¡­ did not laugh. His eyes were blank, staring at the pristine white-tiled floor as his thoughts spiraled dangerously. ¡ºPlease don''t find out. Please don''t find out.¡» His stomach churned. He swallowed thickly. ¡ºI don''t want to be the one who mentally broke Rope Girl by touching her inappropriately. Ahhh©¤©¤FUCK! I grabbed her breasts so hard¡­ too far, bro¡­ sigh¡­¡» Her fans would come after me. And she has a whole damn lot. Sigh¡­ [Live Comments:] [Shadow looks like he''s carrying a stolen baby in his pants.] ©¸ [Bro, what?] ©¸ [That metaphor makes no sense.] ©¸ [You make no sense. ????????] ©¸ [??????] ??? Witch sighed, shaking her head. "I don''t see that Nightwatch fellow as a pervert. But¡­ it''s not impossible for a terrorist to also be a rapist. Ahhh~ ?? it''s a little unfortunate I haven''t gotten the chance to meet him and tear his bones from his flesh like poorly cooked meat." Her expression darkened slightly. But, she was also turned on. It was obvious from the way she secretly pinched one of her nipples to suppress her sadistic arousal. "His kind just keeps getting worse. So, so worse¡­ so worse it''s oddly, mhmmm~ ??" Shadow''s face went blank. Then gold with fury. ¡ºWhat in the world is all this? I literally did nothing and now they''re talking like I''m actually capable of this shit? Well, even if I did¡­ but still¡­ context¡­¡» He snorted hot air like an angry bull. ¡ºAND WHY DOES SHE SOUND SO TURNED ON©¤©¤?!¡» His jaw clenched. Then, with an exasperated groan, he finally spoke. "Can you all just listen to Judy?" Judy paused. Then¡­ she smiled. Softly. Warmly. She walked over to him, standing on her toes©¤©¤and pressed a soft kiss to his masked cheek. "Thank you, Shadow." Shadow froze. The chat lost their damn minds. [Live Comments:] [WHAT THE HELL. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL.] [JUDY JUST KISSED HIM??????] [JUDY HAS A FAVORITE AND IT''S SO OBVIOUS.] ©¸ [Obviously, he''s been listening to her lecture¡­] ©¸ [Damn, Shadow. I was NOT familiar with yo game, man. Too legendary to be true. ????????] ©¸ [Vixen looks SO MAD LMFAO.] [Damn, bro might actually bag a 10/10 Asian baddie. ????] ??? Indeed, Vixen was not amused. She gave Judy a sharp, venomous side-eye. Her tail flicked behind her. Witch just smirked. And Sniperess leaned back with a low whistle. "Well, well¡­" she murmured. Judy adjusted her glasses with a satisfied smile, then turned back to the group. "Alright, back to what I was saying." She gestured toward the towering display cases and sleek, interactive holograms scattered throughout the exhibit hall. "With this museum, humanity will finally gain its first real understanding of the interstellar world and the so-called visitors from the stars." Her tone was rich with excitement. She took a step forward, eyes gleaming. "Maybe¡­ the more people learn, the closer we''ll get to answering the ultimate question." She let her voice hang dramatically in the air. "Why are we all here?" A moment of contemplative silence. Then¡ª Marmot Man raised a greasy, fur-covered hand like he was in a classroom. "Uhhh¡­ because she told them to come in?" A loud, audible sigh came from Shadow. He palmed his masked face in sheer exhaustion. [Live Comments:] [????????????] [My ranked teammates, I swear. ????] [NAH. THERE AIN''T NO WAY.] [SOMEONE GET MARMOT MAN OFF THE MIC. ????] [I swear bro is actually brain-damaged.] ©¸ [No, he''s just built different.] [He really said "she told them to come in" like it was some girl''s house party.] [JUDY SET UP THE MOST PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION AND THIS DUDE JUST¡ª] ©¸ [Bro folded that question like origami. ????????????] [Judy should charge him for emotional damage.] [WE MEMEING THIS. "Because she told them to come in" IS GOING TO BE A THING NOW.] [No cap, that actually might be the meaning of life tho. ????] ??? Judy''s eye twitched. She closed her eyes for a second. Breathed in. Exhaled. "¡­ Moving on." Before she could continue, something unexpected happened. A woman phased through the wall. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She materialized out of thin air and her form flickered as she turned tangible. She was clad in a sleek black-and-white high-tech suit, the metallic sheen of her helmet glinted under the museum''s fluorescent lights. She scanned the room. "¡­ Hrm." Her voice was low, casual. "It should still be here, like Mr. Black said¡­" She muttered to herself, adjusting the headgear of her helmet before tapping a button to switch to night vision mode. Her visor flickered with a faint green glow as she examined the museum. "What was that damn codename I was supposed to use again¡­? Ugh¡­" She paused, thinking. "¡­ Ah, right. Invisible Woman, wasn''t it?" She nodded to herself. "Yeah. That''s it." Then she moved, completely unseen by the security cameras or the automated drone patrols circling the exhibit. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Meanwhile, back with the group¡ª Judy led them to a central display. There, sitting inside a heavily secured glass case, was a sizable solid cube of unknown material. The surface was etched with intricate symbols, foreign and incomprehensible as it glowed faintly under the museum''s specialized lights. Judy beamed. "This¡­ is the one I can''t wait to report on the most." She placed a hand on the case. "This cube is inscribed with an ancient alien language no one has ever been able to decipher." She turned to the camera drones, voice full of awe. "After deep study, scientists estimate that this artifact is at least 30,000 years old!" She clapped her hands together. "Isn''t that amazing?! To think we have access to something so old©¤©¤!" She paused. No one was clapping. Not a single person. The entire group just stared, unimpressed. Shadow, still carrying Dog Girl in his arms, slowly lifted his foot and tapped it on the floor. Tap! Once. Twice. Three times. Judy''s face fell. She stared at them as her enthusiasm dwindled. "¡­ Seriously?" [Live Comments:] [LMAOOOO HE CLAPPED WITH HIS FOOT.] [Judy looking like a teacher whose class won''t participate.] [Bro, even the aliens probably wouldn''t clap for this.] [She hyped it up SO MUCH and they just¡­ stared.] [Shadow tried to be nice, at least. ????] ??? Just then¡ª Marmot Man''s chubby, greasy face pressed up against the display case. "Oooooh." His beady little eyes gleamed with curiosity. "That looks like a cool ass console. Or maybe¡­" He squinted. "¡­ Some kind of 4D Rubik''s Cube." He rubbed his scruffy chin. "I wonder if it can run on PC." Judy snapped her head toward him. Her glasses flashed. "Get away from that." Her voice was sharp, cutting. "Do you have any idea how old that is©¤©¤?!" Marmot Man lazily peeled his face off the glass and left behind a gross, oily smudge. He scratched his hairy belly. "Oh yeah, speaking of that¡­" He tilted his head, looking genuinely confused. "I thought alien stuff was supposed to be futuristic ''n shi." He pointed at the cube. "So why is this thing older than me? Did those WeTube bait covers lie to me?" A deep, resounding slap echoed through the room. Judy had smacked her own forehead so hard that her skin turned red. [Live Comments:] ["Did those WeTube bait covers lie to me?" I CAN''T WITH THIS GUY ????????????] [THIS STREAM IS A MASTERPIECE.] [Someone please make a compilation of Marmot Man''s dumbest moments.] [He really thought alien stuff = futuristic only. ????] [Judy is SO done. ????????????] ??? Meanwhile¡ª A silent, unseen figure lurked in the shadows. The moment Judy turned her back, Invisible Woman smirked under her helmet. Her gaze locked onto the solid cube inside the display case. Her fingers twitched. "Perfect." Still intangible to the flying security drones, she took a slow step forward. And no one noticed. Chapter 145 Invisible Troubles Volkner Interstellar Museum, Metro City Midnight¡­ The museum tour continued as their footsteps echoed through the vast, dark halls. Now leading the group were Shadow and Judy Cho who engaged in an animated conversation. Shadow gestured toward the towering machinery and strange, dust-covered constructs lining the exhibit. His voice carried both wonder and amusement. "Man¡­ I knew it was possible that there are alien races out there that don''t even have stomachs, but who would''ve thought they''d adapt to the point where they could break their food down into raw energy and just absorb it?" Judy''s eyes widened as if he had just unlocked a core memory. "RIGHT©¤©¤?!" She clapped her hands together so loudly that it startled a couple of the security drones hovering in the corner. "When Mr. Volkner first told me about this, I was flabbergasted! Just imagine! Ancient alien civilizations already thinking that far ahead! The fact that they even developed technology to completely remove digestion as a biological process? That''s insane!" She spun around dramatically as her arms stretched toward the heavens. "Can you even fathom how advanced they had to be to reach that level?!" Shadow nodded, genuinely impressed. "It''s wild. We''re still here figuring out how to get rid of bloating after eating a burger, and they were out here eliminating the entire digestive system." [Live Comments:] [Nah, Shadow is literally having a science lesson while we got Vixen fighting for her life back there. ????????????] [Judy always gets too excited and I love it. She really just clapped for alien tech like it was the Super Bowl.] ©¸ [Mind you, there''s nothing spectacular about the Super Bowl, it''s just some average shit that Americans have to attend to renew their natural citizenship.] ©¸ [Yep, people who don''t go to see it are ostracized by society and shit like that. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Fr. Super Bowl be basic asf. ????] [Digesting food? Lame. Becoming a walking solar panel? Peak evolution.] [Shadow is literally husband material. He listens. He responds. He participates. A real one.] [They''re geeking out over stomachless aliens while Vixen is carrying a whole dog girl against her will.] ??? Meanwhile, at the back of the group¡ª Witch was calmly walking with a faint smirk on her face, while Vixen was struggling with an entirely different issue. Dog Girl was still fast asleep¡ªbut rather than being carried by Shadow, as she had been earlier, the responsibility had somehow fallen to Vixen. And to say she was displeased? Would be an understatement. Her fox-like ears twitched and her pretty face tightened as she alternated between staring at Dog Girl and glaring daggers at Shadow''s back. It was at that moment that Sniperess glanced over at her. Without warning, she spoke. "Jealous¡­?" Vixen''s ears shot straight up, so stiff they might as well have jumped off her head. Her reaction was instant. "Why in the world would I be jealous?! Because of THAT?!" She nodded toward Shadow and Judy. [Live Comments:] [OH HERE WE GO.] [FOX GIRL ON EDGE RN.] [She''s mad mad. ????] [Why is Shadow over there giggling with Judy like it''s a school trip, though?] [Bro, I TOLD Y''ALL! Judy has a way of stealing all the male attention. Watch the Vixen vs. Judy arc unfold.] ©¸ [She''s a journalist¡ªshe does her best to grab the attention of millionaires who have less hours in a week than we have in a day. What were y''all expecting? ????] ©¸ [Okay. This do be fax tho.] [Vixen beefing with Judy when the real enemy is Dog Girl for making her carry her ass.] [Dog Girl really knocked out and caused Vixen to enter her villain arc.] ??? Vixen clicked her tongue as her ears twitched in irritation. A small, lazy smile appeared on Sniperess'' face. She tilted her head slightly. "It''s fine to be jealous if you like the guy." She shrugged. "It''s normal¡­ What''s not normal is¡­" She paused as her smirk deepened. "¡­ why it would be someone like that?" Vixen let out a soft chuckle. "Even if I actually did like him¡­" Her eyes gleamed mischievously. "For you to understand, you''d have to see his face first. He''s so damn handsome. A fit body, sharp jawline and everything a woman needs in a man¡­ and well¡­ he''s emotionally intelligent to an extent." Witch, who had been walking quietly beside them, suddenly arched an eyebrow. "Oh?" Her tone was casual, almost uninterested. "And how exactly did you get to meet such a handsome guy? A patrol or something?" The way she said it was so calm that it almost felt like she wasn''t even interested in an answer. But Vixen felt a subtle pressure. Her fox-like tail flicked. She shook her head gently. "Sorry, I can''t give much information on that. I don''t want to reveal his identity without his permission." She smiled slightly. "It''d be disrespectful." Witch tilted her head slightly, placing an index finger on her chin as she glanced at Shadow. Then she turned her gaze lazily back to Vixen. "¡­ Hmm. That''s fair¡­ I''m just curious, is all." She smiled. "After all, official heroes of the agency have the right to know the identity of another hero." Something about the way she said it sent a tiny chill down Vixen''s spine. A deep, instinctive discomfort. She didn''t show it¡ªbut she felt it. And so, she got defensive. "¡­ Only in the case of an emergency, though." Her voice was firm. Witch''s lips curled into a soft chuckle. "Hm." She clasped her hands behind her curvy back and continued walking at a leisurely pace. Her voice came out soft and sweet¡ªbut beneath it, there was an undeniable, creeping malice. "Let''s hope¡­ we don''t run into an accident or emergency that would demand him to reveal his identity, right? That would be really¡­ unfortunate." She giggled. "Tee-hee~." [Live Comments:] [HELL NAH, WITCH IS EVIL ASF.] [Witch is smiling but you can HEAR the villain energy.] [Nah, Vixen got set up. She was NOT ready for that Witch interrogation.] [''Tee-hee~'' but it sounded like a death flag. ????] [I could NEVER marry someone like Witch. She''s hot but scary af.] [Why do I feel uneasy hearing Witch talk? That giggle got me nervous.] [Vixen trying her best not to fold under pressure.] [Bro, I swear, Rope Girl''s squad is sketchy. Even the chat knows they can''t be trusted.] [Nah, some of y''all are just biased. Rope Girl ain''t even the enemy fr, she''s just doing her job.] ©¸ [Bro, shut up. This ain''t a debate class.] ©¸ [L take. Hope your account gets banned.] ©¸ [You defending her like she paid your bills. ????] ©¸ [Bold of you to assume I haven''t been banned before.] ??? At the front, Shadow and Judy were still deep in talking. At the back, Vixen, Sniperess, and Witch had just walked away from a landmine of tension. And somewhere in the depths of the museum¡ª Invisible Woman was making her move. The heist had already begun. Invisible Woman stood before the display case, silent, unseen, and methodical. The alien cube¡ªa solid, unknown material unlike anything on Earth¡ªrested on its high-tech podium, illuminated by soft, golden light. She tilted her head slightly, tapping the side of her helmet with two fingers. A faint hum resonated in her ears as her vision transitioned into Enhanced Detection Mode. Thin red lines glowed through the darkness to reveal a lattice of invisible security lasers. But something was off. "¡­ Nothing''s crossing the cube." A deep, sinking feeling settled in her chest. Isaac Volkner wasn''t stupid. She tapped her helmet again, switching to Structural Analysis Mode¡ªthis time, looking downward. Beneath the sleek museum flooring there were faint blue outlines that materialized to highlight subtle indentations in the tile arrangement. Strategically placed pressure plates. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire A slow smirk curled on her lips. "¡­ Aha. Gotcha." She moved. Like a specter, she glided across the hall, silent as the void of space. With calculated precision, she weaved past the pressure plates and her body weight barely shifted as she crossed the treacherous floor. Then¡ªshe leaped. Twisting mid-air, she arced over the display case. Her movements were as fluid as liquid shadow. In a single motion, she reached out¡ª ¡ªsnatched the cube¡ª ¡ªswapped it with an object of equal mass¡ª ¡ªand landed on the opposite side without a sound. A perfect execution. She stretched her arms wide, a cocky grin forming beneath her invisible mask. "Flawless." BRRRT! BRRRT! BRRRT! A deafening siren erupted through the museum. Invisible Woman''s eyes darted to the cube in her hand¡ª And froze. A near-invisible thread was still attached to the podium. Her face darkened. "¡­ Are you serious?" It was the oldest trick in the book and she couldn''t believe how effectively it worked on an expert like her. She pulled off an elite-level heist only to get clapped by string?©¤©¤words could not describe her anger. "The client was right¡­ Sigh~ Volkner thinks differently." ??? Meanwhile¡­ The blaring alarms shook the entire building. From the main tour group, Marmot Man visibly flinched. "W-, What''s that sound©¤©¤?!" Judy spun around as her journalist instincts kicked in. Her eyes darted toward the exhibit entrance, and then¡ªher entire face dropped. "¡­ They''re trying to steal the cube." Marmot Man blinked. "Eh?" Judy clapped her hands together and screamed: "THE DAMN GAMING CONSOLE!" Marmot Man''s eyes widened. "OH SHIT." The group exploded into motion. Shadow vanished in a spark of darkness. His body dissolved into wisps of shadow as he teleported straight toward the exhibit. Carrying Dog Girl, Vixen gritted her teeth as her legs burned from the effort¡ªbut she still kept up. At the back, Witch''s smirk only deepened. [Live Comments:] [WHY DID SHE CALL IT A GAMING CONSOLE ????] ©¸ [She was speaking Marmot Man.] ©¸ [You''re foul for this one, ong. ????] [NOT MARMOT MAN TAKING A FULL 3 SECONDS TO PROCESS IT.] [Nah, Judy''s stress levels gotta be through the roof. ????] [Shadow teleporting like a demon while Vixen speed-running life carrying a whole dog girl.] [Chat, place bets¡ªwho''s catching the thief first?] ©¸ [My money''s on Witch, as always!] ??? Exhibit Hall 3 By the time the group arrived, the display case was empty. Judy rushed forward and her slender hands slammed onto the podium. Her heart sank. "No¡­ no, no, no¡­!" Her voice wavered. "Mr. Volkner trusted me with this place! How am I supposed to explain this?!" She turned, eyes wide with horror. "That cube is priceless!" Unlike Judy, Witch remained eerily calm. She stepped forward, adjusting her gloves. "¡­ They can''t have gotten far." She turned as her dark eyes narrowed to look much more serious and ruthless. "Vixen." Vixen straightened. "Wake Dog Girl up. You two use your noses to track any foreign scents." She shifted her gaze. "Sniperess." Sniperess nodded. "Deploy your drones. Scan the area. If you see anyone suspicious, shoot first. Questions can come later." Judy clutched her head, still panicking. Witch gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Judy." Judy looked up, her breath shaky. "Go to security. Lock this place down. Set the drones to full efficiency." Witch turned away, her voice still as sharp as a razor. "¡­ We''ll handle the rest." She exhaled slowly. Then, she turned her gaze toward Shadow. "Get ready." Shadow''s fingers twitched. "We''re going blind hunting." [Live Comments:] [WITCH STAYS WINNING.] [Look at her taking charge like the real leader.] ©¸ [Rope Girl could never. ?????¡á?] [How is she so terrifyingly efficient?!] [Why did they just FORGET Marmot Man EXISTS THO?] ©¸ [BECAUSE HE''S USELESS, BRO. ????] ©¸ [Chat, y''all be honest. Did ANYONE expect Marmot Man to help?] ©¸ [Marmot Man himself didn''t expect to help.] [Yo, why do I feel like this is a setup? Like, is the real enemy even the thief?] ©¸ [You''re doing too much bro ????¡­] [Witch and Shadow duo about to be unstoppable.] ¡­ Museum Status ¨C Lockdown Engaged. With the alarms still blaring, the entire museum shifted into high alert. Security drones whirred to life. Metal doors slammed shut. The chase had begun. And in the midst of it all, somewhere in the darkness¡ª Invisible Woman smirked. Because this? This was the part she enjoyed the most. ??? Invisible Woman moved like a phantom through the museum, her body unseen, her footfalls silent. The alien cube in her grasp was just as invisible as she was¡ªan advantage that should''ve made her untouchable. Should''ve. Because the bloodhounds were already on her scent. Vixen and Dog Girl sprinted across the exhibition hall as they ran on all fours with supernatural agility, their noses twitching as they tracked the foreign presence. They twisted and weaved between display cases, never slowing down, sniffing deep, eyes burning with laser focus. Meanwhile, Witch stood eerily still as her gloved hands rested at her sides. Arms crossed, Shadow lifted an eyebrow. "¡­ We just gonna stand here, or are we©¤©¤?" Witch held up a single finger. "Shh." Shadow blinked. "The hell are we waiting for?" She rolled her shoulders slightly, exhaling. "I''m going to try wild sensing them." Shadow narrowed his eyes. "Huh?" Witch smirked. "Similar to that thing I did with my nails earlier." Without another word, she extended her right hand. ???????????????????? ????????????????????????. Her fingers trembled for half a second before her claws extended¡ªlong, razor-sharp, like a predator awakening. "There''s nothing mystical about it¡­ just anatomical control. Something I learned from Tibetan monks." Shadow blinked again. "¡­ Are you serious?" Witch calmly lifted her right foot, placing the top of it against the floor. Then, closing her eyes, she focused. ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????. Her presence seemed to leave her body, spreading out like an unseen pulse, touching the entire hall in a split second. And then¡ª Her eyes snapped open. "¡­ Far down there¡­" She quickly pointed. "I think they''re invisible." [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [WHY IS IT ALWAYS TIBETAN MONKS.] ©¸ [Bro, Rope Girl was under the sea for like 30 minutes and when she got asked how she did it, she just deadass said Tibetan monks.] ©¸ [Real ones remember when Nightwatch somehow survived a 5,000ft fall, broke every bone in his body, then walked it off¡ª"Tibetan monks."] ©¸ [At this point, they''re not monks, they''re X-Men.] [NAH WITCH REALLY OUT HERE TOUCHING THE EARTH LIKE SHE A NINJA TURTLE.] ©¸ [She tryna feel the vibrations like Toph from Avatar.] ©¸ [Earthbender arc? HELL NAW ????????] [Bro, SHADOW''S CONFUSION IS KILLING ME.] ©¸ [Man said "Huh?" like his brain bluescreened.] ??? The moment Witch pointed, Shadow''s high-tech suit flickered like it had a mind of its own. ????????????????¡ª! Darkness sparked around him and his body blurred fiercely like a living shadow. In an instant, he was gone. ????????????????????????????????????????¡ª! His vision flickered into thermal detection mode¡ª????????????????????! A faint outline, an invisible figure in motion. He lunged. Invisible Woman''s instincts flared. She dodged¡ªleaping over one exhibit, sliding under the next. Then¡ª???????????????? ????????????????! She twisted through a weirdly shaped alien sculpture, which forced Shadow to barely twist his body mid-air to avoid crashing into it. "Shit¡ª" She kept moving. Shadow pushed forward. ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????. Every movement was clean. Sharp. Calculated. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???? ????????????????¡ª????????????????! ????????????????!©¤©¤©¤©¤????????????????! Shadow gritted his teeth. "Alright. Time to stop holding back¡ª" ????????????????????! A small sprinkle of something hit the air. ????????????????????. She''d thrown something¡ª????????????????????????????? The moment a few particles bounced off Invisible Woman¡ª ????????????????????????????¡ª! A leg came swinging at her. ????????????????????????????????¡ª! ????????????¡ª! Invisible Woman barely twisted away to narrowly dodge Witch''s devastatingly fast kick. But¡ª ????????????????????¡ª! ????????????????! ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????. Shadow moved on all fours¡ª???? ???????????????????? ????????????????, too fast to track¡ª ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????¡ª ????????????????! Soft. Squishy. His fingers clenched instinctively. "¡­ The jig is up!" Shadow declared. ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????????. "Ahhnnnn~ ?? You scoundrel¡­" Shadow froze. Wait. He looked down. His hands were gripping¡ª????????????????????????????¡ª???????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????¡ª ???????? ????????????????????????. "¡­ What is it with me and breasts?" [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] ["What is it with me and breasts?"¡ªBRO, DON''T SAY IT LIKE YOU''RE A VICTIM.] ©¸ [Bro acting like he''s cursed or some shit.] ©¸ [Nah but IS HER BREAST MILK INVISIBLE THO?] ©¸ [You''re going to hell, bro.] [Man said "the jig is up" while groping.] ©¸ [LMAO PHRASING, BRO.] [????????????????????] --- Shadow remained frozen. Invisible Woman smirked. "¡­ You''re gonna let go, right?" Chapter 146 Intimacy Problems! Shadow''s hands were still firmly planted on Invisible Woman''s chest. Soft. Full. Tempting. His mind, on the other hand? Completely blank. He stared down at his hands, then up at her helmeted face. She wasn''t moving. She wasn''t struggling. She was just¡­ laying there. And then¡ª "Hmph~" A quiet, smug little hum from beneath her helmet. Shadow''s eye twitched. "¡­ You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?" She didn''t answer. But she didn''t need to. That sound alone told him everything. His fingers twitched. He couldn''t just keep holding them like this. But if he let go completely, she''d slip away in an instant. She was too nimble, too fast. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºDamn it¡­¡» And to make matters worse¡ªhe''d done this already today. First Rope Girl. Now Invisible Woman. ¡ºSigh¡­ I''m losing my damn mind¡­¡» He took a very slow breath and started to move his hands away¡ª "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Witch''s voice cut through the air like a gunshot. Shadow flinched. "What?" "KEEP YOUR HANDS ON HER FOR FUCK''S SAKE! OR DO YOU WANT HER TO ESCAPE!" His eyebrow twitched. "¡­ You serious?" "YES, I''M SERIOUS!" Shadow clenched his teeth. ¡ºOh, I''ll keep my hands on her, all right¡­¡» His grip tightened. ????????????????????????????. "Ahhhnnn~ ??" Shadow froze. Invisible Woman arched her back slightly and pressed her body closer as her crotch brushed against his. She was half expecting to feel a fantastic bulge there that she could satisfy the itch between her legs with©¤©¤but this man that straddled her like a horseback rider didn''t seem to be turned on by her moans or the feel of her breasts. "OHHHHH?!?!" The livestream chat exploded. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [WHAT THE FUCK?!] ©¸ [HE JUST DOUBLED DOWN?!] ©¸ [THIS MAN IS COMMITTED TO THE BIT.] ©¸ [I RESPECT IT. I FEAR IT.] [Chat, is this SA?] ©¸ [SA ???????? mentioned, let''s go ???????????? RAHHHH!] ©¸ [Not what he meant, dawg. ????] ??? Shadow''s face twisted in discomfort. "Can you not do that?" Invisible Woman sighed softly. "Please¡­ be gentle~" His frown deepened. "¡­ Come on. Don''t do this." If only they could see his face right now¡ªjust the thought made him shudder. All he could imagine were Gwen and Emma''s disappointed expressions, staring at him like he was some kind of perverted freak. He was a freak¡­ but only for them, of course. Sigh¡­ His only hope was that they weren''t watching this stream. ¡ºI''m going to hell¡­¡» He loosened his grip slightly. "Ahhh~ much better." The little arch of Invisible Woman''s back lessened. The chat went ballistic. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [WHAT THE HELL AM I WATCHING.] ©¸ [Bro, this ain''t even a competitive fight anymore. This is a fucking doujin.] ©¸ [The physics of the situation is making my brain hurt, but my soul is entertained.] [It''s his FIRST DAY and he''s already pulling better numbers than Nightwatch.] ©¸ [Power of booba is UNSTOPPABLE.] [Bro''s holding her like she''s a fucking life raft.] ©¸ [Man got the Titanic grip.] ©¸ [He can grip deez nuts anytime. ????????] ©¸ [Bruh, what? ????] [Shadow out here sexually frustrated like a 2008 anime MC.] ©¸ ["Come on, don''t do this."¡ªBRO, SHE''S DOING IT.] ??? Shadow grunted and shot a glare at Witch. "¡­ Are you just gonna stand there? Or are you gonna give me a damn hand?" She folded her arms, chuckling. "Actually¡­" Shadow narrowed his eyes. "I''m still trying to sense if there''s anyone else in this museum, so can you cool your jets?" His eye twitched. ¡ºOf course¡­¡» He exhaled sharply and looked back at Invisible Woman. There was something about groping a woman whose face he couldn''t see¡­ and he didn''t like it. For some reason, if he could see her expression or how turned on she was, maybe he wouldn''t feel so goddamn horrible about himself right now. Invisible Woman tilted her head. "Can I¡­ tell you something? ??" "No." The chat went crazy. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [LET HER TALK, YOU SCOUNDREL.] ©¸ [WHY IS HE IMPEDING ON HER RIGHT TO SPEAK?] ©¸ [All of a sudden gooners know the law when it''s time to let Big Melon Woman talk, jeez. ????] ©¸ [NOO LET INVISIBLE TITTY WOMAN COOK.] [VIEWERS HAVE DONATED $10,000 DEMANDING THAT HE KEEPS GROPING HER.] [Ding! You received $15,000 from @SleazyPen©¤©¤Bro, please squeeze her nipples like a jammed car key. Please, bro! I need this¡­ my mom is kinda homeless! ????] ©¸ [Bro¡­ naaawww¡­ ????] ??? Invisible Woman didn''t care. She leaned slightly closer. "I''m a little turned on by this¡­ ??~" Shadow''s frown deepened. "¡­ I don''t care for that." She chuckled. "If you let go of me¡­ I''ll let the river between my legs bust, and you can bathe in it as much as you want." Shadow''s soul left his body. "¡­ You can''t be serious." "Oh, I''m serious." Shadow''s mind shattered into a million pieces. ¡ºThis woman. What the fuck.¡» He didn''t know what to think. "Do you really think I''ll just let you©¤©¤" POW! She shot up¡ªSMASH!! Her hardened helmet slammed into his skull. Thud!©¤©¤Shadow stumbled. Before he could recover¡ªwhirr¡ª! Invisible Woman rolled back like an armadillo as her body vanished into thin air once again. ¡­ Whisp Gone. Shadow stood there in stunned silence. His fingers twitched slightly¡ªstill remembering. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [SHE ESCAPED?!] ©¸ [SHADOW FUMBLED THE BAG.] ©¸ [SHE JUST ARMORED HEADBUTTED HIS ASS AND DIPPED.] ©¸ [10/10. BEST STREAM. WOULD WATCH AGAIN.] ??? Shadow sighed. "¡­ I hate my life." Witch''s voice exploded through the exhibition hall. "ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!" Shadow barely had time to groan before she was already moving. A blur of black and crimson shot past him. Witch dashed forward as her eyes locked onto the faintest distortions in the air¡ªInvisible Woman''s footsteps. ¡ºThere you are¡­¡» Her target was making a break for the cube. But Witch was faster. She didn''t even hesitate¡ªshe dove forward in a flawless roll, snatching the cube mid-motion. In the same breath, she whipped her cape over herself and curled up into a ball. A trick. She was mimicking Invisible Woman''s vanishing act. And for just one second¡ªjust long enough¡ªher enemy hesitated. That was all Witch needed. ¡­ BANG! A bullet-fast kick shot through the air. It connected. Invisible Woman''s entire body sent spinning like a ragdoll across the hall. ¡­ CRASH!! She slammed into a podium and broke it apart on impact. The viewers lost their minds. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [OH MY FUCKING GOD.] ©¸ [WITCH WITH THE INSANE BAIT.] ©¸ [BRO, SHE''S BUILT DIFFERENT.] ©¸ [Kick was so fast my monitor refreshed in real-time.] [That dodge roll + cape trick was UNFAIR.] ©¸ [It was a mental frame trap. She just gaslit Invisible Woman into hesitating.] ©¸ [Peak rogue gameplay.] [THE TIMING. THE EXECUTION. SHE''S HER.] ©¸ [Witch mains RISE.] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Shadow grunted. "You think this is easy?" Witch dusted herself off with the alien cube held casually at her side as she scanned the area. "For goodness sake, all you had to do was grope some tits. How hard is that?" His eye twitched. "¡­ Not as fucking easy as you think." But before they could argue any further¡ª WHOOSH! Both of them sensed it. Invisible Woman¡­ charging straight for them. At bullet speed. "Shit©¤©¤!" Witch reacted instantly¡ªthrew the cube¡ªShadow vanished in a swirl of darkness¡ª FWOOOSH! He reappeared meters away. Invisible Woman immediately adjusted course. A bad move. She was too predictable. Witch didn''t even need her wild sensing. SHINE©¤©¤! A hexagonal throwing star gleamed in her hand. WHIZZ©¤©¤!! It shot through the air¡ªTHUD!¡ªburied itself deep into Invisible Woman''s back. "Ghh¡ª!" Her invisibility flickered. Exposed. "Now!" Shadow didn''t waste a second. ¡­ Zuuuuuu©¤©¤!! A surge of darkness materialized around him like it was turning into a physical object, then©¤ZOOOM!©¤he charged forward with the throwing force of a spear. ¡­ BOOM! His darkness-hardened shoulder drove mercilessly into Invisible Woman''s flat stomach and the impact sent her rocketing through another podium. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [HOLY SHIT, THAT TEAMWORK?!] ©¸ [Witch + Shadow synergy is INSANE.] ©¸ [One exposes, the other finishes¡ªTHEY''RE BUILT FOR THIS.] [They''re so cracked together, it''s unfair.] ©¸ [Ngl, their names sound good too. Witch + Shadow? Sounds like an S-tier duo.] [Bro, Witch really yelled like a grandma at him as if groping big tits is an easy thing to do in that situation¡ªlike can women be considerate for ONCE?! ????] ©¸ [Fr she''d fold like a virgin in 3 seconds if she had to hold the sweaty, sticky balls of the enemy.] ©¸ [Wait why are they sweaty though¡­ and sticky¡­] ©¸ [That adds to the flavor. ????] ??? Neither of them hesitated. They both turned toward the crash site. "Quick, before she recovers©¤©¤!" They sprinted forward. But¡ª WHISP©¤©¤Invisible Woman disappeared again. Shadow cursed. "Do that sensing thing again! Now!" Witch closed her eyes¡ªstepped forward¡ªfocused¡ª Nothing. Her eyes snapped open. "She''s gone." "¡­ What?" "I can''t sense her. She must''ve escaped." Shadow''s jaw clenched. "That''s not possible." Witch folded her arms. "Maybe she used phase-tech¡­" She narrowed her eyes. "Still weird that a supposedly secured place like this doesn''t have anti-phase defenses." "¡­ Those take time to install¡­" Shadow muttered. "Mhm." Silence. They looked at each other. Neither spoke. One minute. Two. Three. Still staring. Then, at the exact same time¡ª ¡­ Ahem! They both cleared their throats and casually looked away. Witch shifted slightly. "¡­ I, well¡­ I apologize." Shadow blinked. "Huh?" "For shouting at you earlier." Her voice was quieter now. "You''re actually pretty skilled." Shadow exhaled. "¡­ It''s fine." [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [HELLO?? WHY WAS THAT SO AWKWARD.] ©¸ [They stared at each other for three full minutes.] ©¸ [Peak socially inept behavior.] ©¸ [This is how I act when the waiter takes my plate and says ''enjoy your meal'' and I say ''you too.''] [WHY WAS THAT STAREDOWN SO LONG THOUGH.] ©¸ [Fr, were they about to fight or about to fuck??] ©¸ [Tbh this is just what happens when two socially awkward people team up.] ©¸ [THEY''RE JUST LIKE ME FR.] ??? Shadow sighed deeply. ¡ºWhat a fucking night¡­¡» He glanced at Witch again, but she was already looking at him. Their eyes met and locked for a moment before they both quickly looked away, neither knowing what to say. The silence between them lingered. Feeling a little awkward, Witch tucked a strand of her wavy black hair behind her ear and shifted her beautiful, dark eyes to the floor. ¡ºThat''s pretty rare¡­ Someone who can keep up with me so well in battle. I''ve tried so many times to pull off team combos with my squadmates, but they always say I''m thinking too fast or planning too far ahead and that I should slow down for them. But then there''s this guy¡ªsomeone I''ve barely known for an hour¡ªand he already understands my fighting style like we''ve trained together for years. Honestly¡­ I''m impressed.¡» There was a small smile on her pale lips. Witch glanced back at Shadow as her dark eyes flickered with something unreadable¡ªthoughtfulness, maybe. Then, after a brief moment of hesitation, she smiled. "I was wondering if you''d like to©¤©¤" Before she could finish¡ª "THE CUBE! YOU SAVED IT!" A sudden rush of movement¡ª "©¤©¤?!" Shadow barely had any time to react before he was nearly tackled. Soft. Warm. Pillowy. His entire side was engulfed in plush comfort as a pair of arms locked around him. Judy Cho. Her tender cheek pressed against his face as her entire curvaceous body clung to him like she was some extra accessory attached to his torso. She wasn''t even looking at him©¤©¤her eyes were locked on the alien cube in his hand with sheer joy, like a kid reuniting with a lost toy. One thing was easy to confirm. Judy''s breasts were just as soft and jelly-like as her ass. "Oh my god, I thought it was gone forever¡­!" She murmured excitedly, squeezing him even tighter. Shadow wasn''t sure what to focus on¡ª The cube in his hand. Or the fact that Judy had zero hesitation pressing herself against him like they''d been dating for a year. [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL IS THIS LUCK???] ©¸ [Bro''s entire arm is sunken into her body like it''s an armchair cushion.] ©¸ [Judy just speedran intimacy with zero shame.] ©¸ [I just know Shadow''s internal monologue is buffering rn.] [HELLO?? VIXEN LOOKS SO SAD WTF??] ©¸ [NAHHHHH, THIS HURTS.] ©¸ [SHE SAID NOTHING BUT YOU CAN SEE IT.] ©¸ [THAT MICROEXPRESSION. THAT QUICK TURN-AWAY. THE BLINKING. BRO SHE''S TRYNA FORCE HERSELF TO NOT CRY.] [Do we really accept that Vixen is jealous?] ©¸ [It means Shadow fumbled. Hard.] ©¸ [Or maybe he actually cares about her feelings?] ©¸ [Oh, now he cares. AFTER getting a face full of Judy.] ??? Shadow''s eyes flicked up. Vixen. Standing there. Watching. There was a look on her face¡ªone she was trying way too hard to hide. The kind that barely lasted a second, but felt like it lingered. The kind that could be mistaken for nothing if you weren''t paying attention. But Shadow was paying attention. And he saw it. The quick blink¡ªtoo fast, like she was swatting away something invisible. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire The subtle shift¡ªturning her head just slightly away, like it''d hide her emotions. ¡ºShit.¡» Then, in his ear¡ª [System Notification: The Superheroine Vixen has displayed signs of jealousy upon seeing the host''s deepened intimacy with Civilian: Judy Cho.] ¡º¡­ You didn''t have to say it out loud.¡» Shadow acted immediately. He ducked¡ªswiftly slipping out from Judy''s tight grasp before she even realized what was happening. "Wha©¤©¤?" The cube was left in her hands. Judy blinked, confused. Shadow took a few quick steps away and casually rubbed the back of his neck. Then, with a soft chuckle, he gestured toward Witch. "Uhhh¡­ yeah, so, about that cube thing. I wasn''t actually the one who did the main saving." Judy tilted her head. "Huh?" Shadow grinned. "It was Witch. Yeah, totally her." He pointed right at Witch, who was just standing there¡ªarms still folded across her flat chest, looking calm as ever. She blinked. "Huh?" [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [LMFAOOOO HE JUST GAVE OUT ALLAT PRAISE. ????] ©¸ [BRO IS PANICKING.] ©¸ [SHADOW INSTANTLY WENT ''HERE, TAKE HER INSTEAD.''] ©¸ [MY MAN SAW VIXEN LOOK SAD AND IMMEDIATELY SWERVED OUT OF THE SITUATION.] [JUDY''S FACE RIGHT NOW LMAOOOO SHE''S SO CONFUSED.] ©¸ [She was literally melting into him like mochi two seconds ago and now he''s distancing like she''s the plague.] [Judy''s wishing so bad that Shadow was the one who did all the saving so she''ll reward him with glorious sex¡ªcrazy monkey style. ????] ©¸ [Dawg, what??? ????] ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Judy''s expression squeezed slightly in surprise as her smooth brows furrowed. "¡­ Uhm. Okay?" She hesitated, then turned¡ªwalking over to Witch instead. And then©¤©¤she hugged her¡­ tightly. "Thank you, Senior Sister!" She nuzzled her cheek against Witch''s like an affectionate puppy. Still standing stiffly with her arms folded, Witch simply stared ahead with a blank expression. "Uhhh¡­ sure¡­" she muttered. "It''s¡­ my pleasure¡­" [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [WITCH JUST GOT ABSORBED.] ©¸ [JUDY SWITCHED TARGETS LIKE A HOMING MISSILE.] ©¸ [Witch was NOT ready for that lmao.] [No bc the way Shadow instantly bailed was crazy.] ©¸ [HE KNEW. HE SAW VIXEN AND HE KNEW.] ©¸ [Do Shadow and Vixen have a thing or is it just ''I would never cheat on my crush who doesn''t even know I exist'' energy? I hope not fr ????] ©¸ [Tbh this time around, Vixen looked genuinely hurt. It makes no sense if they weren''t something.] ??? Meanwhile¡ª Arms crossed, Sniperess glanced around. Then at Marmot Man¡ªwho snored loudly in the corner. "So¡­" she exhaled, "what''s the next step?" Witch tapped her wrist¡ªbeep!¡ªand a glowing holographic clock interface projected above her palm. "Well, the museum doesn''t open for another six hours¡­ I think it''d be best if we all stayed the night here and kept watch over everything." Then, her gaze slid toward Shadow. "All of us." Shadow exhaled deeply. "¡­ But I have to get back home to my beautifu¡ª" He caught himself. Hooked slightly. "¡­ My beautiful abuela." Witch''s lips curled into the smuggest smile imaginable. "Oh?" she mused. "I''m sure abuela can wait." Her voice was too smooth. "Wouldn''t you like to keep having fun with five lovely ladies and a disgusting pig?" Shadow groaned. "At least let me call them first¡­" [???????????????? ????????????????????????????????:] [HE WAS ABOUT TO SAY SOME WILD SHIT LMFAO.] ©¸ [HE CAUGHT HIMSELF TOO LATE.] ©¸ [Witch immediately knew.] [Bro just admit you wanna stay. No one''s gonna judge you.] ©¸ [Nah, Vixen might.] ©¸ [Abuela gotta wait. The harem is calling.] ©¸ [Witch really relishes making this man stressed lmao.] ??? Shadow sighed, pulling out his phone. ¡º¡­ Gwen and Emma will understand, right?¡» Chapter 147 Sorting Problems, Mr. Invincible Volkner Interstellar Museum¡­ Shadow pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡ºI can''t believe I''m actually telling my girlfriends that I have to work overnight with five hot women¡­ together¡­ alone¡­ together¡­ ahhh, I''m screwed¡­¡» He could already feel it coming. The moment Emma picked up after he sent the riskiest text in their relationship, the explosion was inevitable. And sure enough¡ª "ARE YOU KIDDING ME©¤©¤?!" Shadow visibly flinched, wincing as he yanked the phone away from his ear. Even with some distance, Emma''s voice still cut through the receiver like an air raid siren. His fingers curled tightly around the device as he exhaled sharply, pressing his other hand over his shadowy mask as if it could physically shield him from her fury. A beat passed. Then¡ª A shadow loomed over him. He lifted his head. Witch and Vixen stood nearby. They watched him with neutral expressions. Witch had her arms folded, her head tilting ever so slightly. "¡­Is everything fine?" She asked in that cool, unreadable tone of hers. Vixen didn''t say anything, but her deep gaze carried the same question. Shadow stiffened. He put the phone back to his ear. Immediately¡ª "I CAN''T BELIEVE YOU FUCKING DID ALL THAT WITHOUT TELLING ME!!" Emma was still in full meltdown mode. "DO YOU REALLY WANT ME TO HAVE ANOTHER MENTAL BREAKDOWN?! DO YOU WANT DR. GOODE TO KEEP MAKING MONEY OFF US?! HUH?! BECAUSE THAT''S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE!" Shadow exhaled through his nose. He was already regretting this call. "Emma, just¡ª" "I CAN''T STAND IT! I SWEAR TO GOD, SCOTT¡ª" She cut him off as her usually tender voice practically vibrated through the speaker. "YOU BETTER NOT DO ANYTHING SEXUAL WITH THEM OR I SWEAR I''LL¡ª I''LL¡ª" A sudden hesitation. Then, in a quieter, panicked mumble¡ª "I-, I''LL FORGET ABOUT ALL MY FAITH IN YOU AND¡­ a-, and watch that damn stream¡­ and I might as well touch myself to it too¡­" Silence. Pure, heavy silence. Shadow''s eye twitched. Emma audibly sucked in a breath. "¡­ Uhhhh. Forget that last part." Her voice was so small. Shadow was rubbing his temples now. "Emma¡ª" "JUST COME HOME AND FUCK US ALREADY!!" Shadow''s entire body tensed. Instantly, a sharp, throbbing sensation shot straight to his lower half, making him grunt quietly. His hand instinctively went to his crotch and his fingers pressed against the painfully stiff fabric. He could feel a calcium-hard bulge! ¡ºDamn, I''ve never been this¡­¡» He swallowed his thoughts with one painful grunt. His focus went back to the perverted lady on the phone. "Emma¡­ trust me¡­ with the way I am now, there''s nothing I want more than to march back home, spread the legs of my lovely women, and give them a piece of this meat. That''s literally all I can think of right now, ugh!" Truly, it was. Emma was breathing heavily through the phone, still caught up in her own frustrated emotions. Then¡ª "¡­ Oh wow." Her voice softened, almost in awe. "You''ve never been this forward about it before¡­" She mused. "Are you really that hard?" Shadow exhaled sharply as he tried to shake off the tension in his body. "Emma." "No, seriously. How bad is it?" "¡­So friggin'' hard it feels like there''s an flipping engine down there." There was a long, stunned pause on her end. Then¡ª "Pssst©¤©¤" she whispered. "Can I see it?" Shadow''s fingers twitched. "Emma." "Just a pic." "Emma." "Pretty pleaseeee? ??" "Emma." "Come on, I wanna count how many veins are there." Shadow inhaled deeply through his nose and pressed a hand over the phone''s speaker. Then, with a completely forced, absolutely fake laugh, he turned toward Witch. "Uhhhm, yeah, everything should be fine, ha-ha¡­" Witch didn''t even blink. Vixen arched an eyebrow. Neither of them looked convinced. But they didn''t pry. They just exchanged a glance and turned their attention elsewhere, moving to examine some old relics in the exhibition hall. Taking the opportunity, Shadow swiftly slipped away. Weaving past ancient artifacts and covered displays, he ducked behind one of the larger structures shrouded in a heavy tarp, finally getting a moment of privacy. He brought the phone back to his ear. "Emma." "Yes, honey ??¡­" A pause. Shadow exhaled, pressing his back against the cold stone. "I don''t like this whole picture thing¡­" He muttered very uncomfortably. "You just use it to touch yourself." Emma giggled softly©¤©¤like a Disney princess. "Awwwn~" She cooed like a little girl in love. "Whatever. Just rip off that armor and show me some of that half-European glizzy." Shadow''s entire face soured. "At least be shameful about it." Emma chuckled smugly. "As if I could ever be shameful about wanting to see the only renewable meat I can put in my mouth." Shadow visibly cringed. His soul left his body. "Alright, alright. That''s enough." Emma just giggled again. Shadow let out a quiet breath and his eyes slipped shut as the nyxion particles around his crotch responded to his will. The shimmering, inky-black material shifted and dispersed like obedient shadows, peeling back to reveal his boxer shorts underneath¡ªa test tube pattern decorated the fabric. A small smirk tugged at his lips. ¡ºStylish¡­ aren''t I?¡» Then, in one swift motion, he hooked his fingers into the waistband and pulled them down. Thud! His thing practically sprung into position, standing like a proud, pulsing tower on the verge of eruption. The sheer weight and rigidity of it made him let out an exhausted sigh. It was so big¡­ like a mutated cucumber. "Damn¡­" He muttered as he rubbed his temple. "Was I always this hard? I ask again¡­" A pile of disbelief smacked his face as he stared down at his throbbing problem. Was it the nyxion particles stimulating him somehow? Or was it just that his body was feeling too damn good today? Either way, he needed answers. Holding his phone out, Shadow positioned the camera just right and©¤©¤click! A bright, traitorous flash exploded in the dark hall. Witch''s sharp eyes instantly flicked to the side and narrowed ever so slightly in suspicion. Shadow froze. ¡ºOh, shit. I didn''t turn off the damn flash!¡» "What was that?" Witch''s voice was crisp and carried just enough curiosity to be dangerous. Panic surged in his veins. His brain fired on all cylinders as he scrambled to jam his junk back into his boxer shorts, shoving it down with all the force of a man stuffing an overfilled suitcase. His hands worked fast, borderline frantic, as if his life depended on it. "N-, Nothing serious!" He blurted, still forcing his thick length into place like a desperate man trying to hide contraband. "My phone''s brightness¡ªyeah, it''s, uh, acting up! Just, um, an issue with the screen, no big deal!" Witch''s stare lingered. She was still very much suspicious of him. For a moment, Shadow could practically hear his heartbeat hammering in his ears. His hands were still awkwardly hovering near his waistband, making sure everything was secured in place. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire But then¡ª "¡­Hmph." Witch clicked her tongue, ultimately deciding not to press further. With a disinterested shrug, she turned back toward Judy, who had resumed her enthusiastic rambling about some fascinating alien tech. Shadow finally exhaled. That was way too close. Swallowing down his nerves, he quickly glanced at his phone screen. There, displayed in crisp HD, was the masterpiece he had captured¡ªhis own throbbing glory, radiating dominance. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Damn¡­" He murmured, tilting his head in admiration. "That''s big¡­" A pause. Ahem. "¡­ If I do say so myself." His expression was so smug, so unreasonably proud, that if anyone saw him, they''d probably think he had just received news of a billion-dollar inheritance. Satisfied, he tapped the screen, selecting Gwen and Emma from his contacts, and hit send. And just like that, his mission was complete. "Phew¡­" He sighed, then rolled his shoulders. "Alright. Now I can focus on these nutcases." As if he hadn''t just risked getting caught in 4K. ??? Emma''s Mansion¡­ Emma sat in the living room, phone clutched tightly in both hands as her brown eyes fixed on the screen with an intensity that could burn holes through steel. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing shallow, and her fingers twitched like an addict itching for a hit. A message notification popped up, and she jolted like a cat hit with a static shock, only to realize it wasn''t the message. Her brows furrowed. ¡ºTsk¡­ where the fuck is it?¡» She bit her lip, foot tapping against the floor with increasing impatience. The longer she waited, the more she looked like a madwoman on the verge of tearing her own hair out. From the couch beside her, Gwen finally tore her gaze away from her own phone and lifted an eyebrow. "¡­ Uh, Emma? You good?" Emma didn''t even blink. "¡­ Hah?" "I thought you were busy tearing Scott a new one for both of us, no?" Gwen continued, stretching her arms behind her head. "You know, telling him off for being a dick?" Emma waved a lazy hand, her eyes still glued to her screen. "Yeah, yeah¡­ but I decided against it after he agreed to send a dick pic." Silence. Then¡ª "¡­ Eh?" That was Marcus. His entire soul seemed to glitch as he turned his head so fast it nearly gave him whiplash. But Emma? Emma didn''t even register him. She was too busy tilting her phone, shaking it, holding it up to the light, then back down like an investigator analyzing a crime scene. Her expression darkened. ¡º¡­ Huh? Why isn''t it here yet?¡» Her fingers hovered over the screen, tapping impatiently. "What''s taking him so damn long?" She shook the phone again, as if physical force would somehow speed up the process. And that was when she felt it. A presence beside her. She turned slightly¡ªonly to see Gwen seated dangerously close, also staring at her own phone screen, pupils dilated in eerie focus. "¡­ You too?" Emma asked, blinking. Gwen smirked. "You should''ve said something sooner." She stretched, cracking her knuckles. "¡­ Maybe I''ll make it my wallpaper." Emma snapped her head toward her, eyes widening. "Nuh-uh! No way! I''m doing that first!" A sharp, competitive tension occupied the air. Both women locked eyes, narrow and challenging. This was an unspoken battle! Then, just as quickly, they snapped their heads back to their screens and their fingers hovered over their devices as they eagerly awaited their prize. Meanwhile, Marcus was still processing what the hell he just heard. "¡­ Who would''ve thought my aunt was this shameless? Oh goodness¡­" He muttered, rubbing his temple like a man going through a midlife crisis at sixteen. Desperate for some form of sanity, he turned to the only other person in the room: Dark Elf. She was sitting cross-legged, casually munching on a bag of chips, her expression deadpan. He gave her a pleading look, as if silently asking: Why? Just¡­ why? Without missing a second, Dark Elf shrugged. Then she stuffed another handful of chips into her mouth. She had no answers. And then¡ª ¡­ KYAAAAAA ??! A high-pitched squeal erupted through the room, so deafening that Marcus physically flew off the couch and hit the floor with a thud. He groaned, clutching his head. "The fuck was that©¤©¤?!" His eyes darted upward, and what he saw made his soul leave his body. Emma and Gwen were staring at their screens with their expressions unhinged. Their actual pupils had turned into literal heart shapes. They were trembling, biting their fingernails, looking like hungry hyenas that just spotted fresh prey. Emma was practically drooling as she whispered in her heavily aroused and breathy voice: "Oh myyy¡­ it looks so awesome in HD¡­ I can literally see that cute little ''X'' mark he has¡­ ahhhhnnn~" Her thighs pressed together instinctively, trying to suppress the heat building up inside her. Gwen wasn''t far behind. A crazy grin stretched across her lips as her eyes glowed with something dangerous. "Hmm~ ?? his junk looks a little sweaty¡­ I wonder how those boxer shorts smell¡­" Her fingers slowly traced her lips as she sighed dreamily. "It must be so strong and musty¡­ like a lemon left in a dusty box for years¡­ hmmm ahnnn~" Her shoulders shuddered. Then, suddenly, she started laughing¡ªa soft, eerie giggle as she closed her eyes and imagined herself sniffing his shorts. A full five seconds passed in that deranged fantasy. Then¡ª Her eyes fluttered open. A loud, shaky moan escaped her lips. Her entire body wobbled. She almost fainted. Dark Elf, still chewing her chips, finally spoke. "¡­ Hrmm." She swallowed, then wiped her fingers. "Now I wanna see it." Marcus gave up. This household was doomed. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Wagner''s Warehouse¡­ A loud CRASH echoed through the abandoned warehouse as the rusted metal doors burst open. Invisible Woman stumbled inside, her breath ragged, her bodysuit slightly torn from the scuffle. She leaned against the nearest surface¡ªa dusty metal shelf¡ªher chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. The warehouse was dark and quiet. Except for the light and soft buzzing of something. Seated in the corner, legs crossed, was Mr. Invincible. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was completely at ease, watching a trashy reality show on a floating holographic screen while carefully lining up his already sharp hairline with a precision clipper. His muscular arms flexed slightly as he made the final touches with a face of absolute focus. He lazily turned his head to the side and, upon seeing the exhausted Invisible Woman, smirked. "Oh, my dear¡­" Such a deep voice he had. "Did you get the thing¡­?" Invisible Woman clenched her fists as her eyes twitched. She suddenly punched the empty air in frustration as her anger bubbled over. "No, I didn''t fucking get the thing! There was some¡­ so¡ª, some¡­ argh©¤©¤!!" Mr. Invincible exhaled slowly and held up a finger. "Chill out for a moment." He tilted his head, checking his fade in the reflection of his wrist communicator. "Let me get my shit straight first." He made the finishing touches to his cut, adjusted his thick lampshade mustache, then finally put the clipper down on a nearby crate. He cracked his neck, then turned to her with an expectant look. "Alright. Explain." Invisible Woman took a deep breath, straightened up, and placed one hand on her waist. She reached up with the other, undoing the clasps of her helmet before pulling it off. Her short black hair fell just slightly over her sweat-slicked forehead, her sharp brown eyes glaring at him. Even in her frustration, she still carried an air of refined elegance, like a seasoned femme fatale. "Everything was going perfectly¡­" She paced slightly. "I used those stinking robbers as a distraction, slipped into the vault, got my hands on the item, and was this close to getting the fuck out." She pinched her fingers together before scoffing. "Then, the old fucking wire trap trick caught me©¤©¤can you believe it?! And before I knew it, those damn superheroes surrounded me!" Mr. Invincible let out a low growl of irritation. His jaw tensed as he straightened to his full height. "Hrmm¡­ we should just skip the whole heist shit and do a quick smash-and-grab¡­" He muttered, rolling his shoulders. His bodysuit flexed against his toned muscles, the red and gold accents catching the low light of the warehouse. "Never liked the sneaky movement to begin with." Invisible Woman folded her arms and shot him a look. "Of course that''s what you want." She narrowed her eyes. "You never want to do things the delicate way¡­ ugh. Such an untamed brute." Mr. Invincible arched a brow at her insult, but instead of looking offended, he smirked. With a quick motion, he picked up the clipper again and, zzzrrt, sharpened the edges of his already perfect fade once more. Then, he stepped closer as his imposing frame towered over her with ease. "You called me a brute last night, too¡­ but maybe I wasn''t rough enough with you." Invisible Woman''s lips twitched, but she quickly schooled her expression. She stepped back and tilted her head with mock defiance. "Focus, lover boy. The boss wants this done first¡­" She purred, then leaned in slightly as her voice turned very seductive. "And if we pull this off successfully¡­" She reached down, cupped her own big breasts, and gave it a subtle bounce. "You''ll get some of this." "Ohohoho¡­ that''s good¡­" "After all¡­ a certain someone seemed to enjoy grabbing and squeezing them today." For a moment, the warehouse fell completely silent. Then¡ª "WHAT?!" Mr. Invincible''s booming voice bounced off the walls. His expression turned deadly. His hands had become fists. His whole body tensed with raw, unfiltered rage. "Someone touched my woman?! WHO©¤©¤?!" His eyes burned with fury as his muscles flexed, veins popping against his dark skin. "They''re DEAD! THEY''RE FUCKING DEAD!" Chapter 148 High-Security Stream! Volkner Interstellar Museum¡­ Judy led the group into a new room. It was smaller than the vast exhibition halls where all the other artifacts were kept. But unlike the others, this one was completely barren¡ªno ancient relics, no dusty displays, just reinforced walls and an atmosphere that practically screamed "high-security lockdown." Meanwhile, Dog Girl was scratching the back of her ear with enough focus to make it look like an Olympic event. A second later©¤©¤pop! A tiny flea leaped out. Dog Girl stopped, blinked, then sighed in relief, stretching her arms behind her head with a wide, satisfied smile. "Ahhh, that fixes it¡­" A few of the chat messages instantly reacted. [Did she just have a flea?? ????] [No way. Tell me I imagined that.] [I mean, she is a Dog Girl¡­] [Ding! $5 Donation from @Dinosaurking PROTEIN SNACK FOR THE ROAD] ??? Dog Girl casually glanced at Judy. "So, uh, what is this place?" Judy turned back to the group with the alien cube still firm in her hands. "This is the museum''s high-security room¡­" She explained, shifting the cube between her fingers. "We''ve got high-tech laser cutters surrounding every window, security cameras linked to pressure plates and high-visual readers¡ªall of which trigger hidden plasma rifles. And to top it off¡ªautomatic security doors on all exits." A confident smile followed. [Okay, but why does a museum have a deathtrap?] [Yo, is this a museum or a military base??] [Invisible lady enters ¡ú Plasma turrets activate ¡ú Manager: "Why are we over budget? ????"] [I feel like this is foreshadowing something bad¡­] ??? Judy placed the alien cube on a sleek podium. With a press of a button¡ªshhhnk!¡ªa high-tech display case descended over it, locking it securely in place. She exhaled. "Mr. Volkner trusted me with this. And the security team too. I can''t afford to mess this up. Not for him, not for my news agency¡­" A deep, weary sigh left her lips as she visibly started imagining her boss yelling at her. ["I AM DISAPPOINTED, JUDY!" ???? I can already imagine it and it''s hilarious!] ©¸ [WeTube ahh comment. ????] [Bro, ain''t no way her boss already stressed her out in her own imagination. Y''all stay safe out there. ????] [$5 Donation from @OverworkedIntern - relatable tbh. ????] ©¸ [You can tell from his dono he''s poor. ????] ©¸ [Don''t dono-shame bro. ????] ??? Vixen, who had been silent until now, smiled as she scanned the security-heavy room. Then, she walked over to Shadow¡ªsmoothly, gracefully¡ªand without hesitation, she wrapped herself around him. Her full weight leaned into him. Soft. Warm. Tired. But¡­ stubborn. "Alright¡­" Vixen purred with a very light tone. "Now that''s all secured¡­ I''d really like for you and me to continue our patrol somewhere else." She tightened her grip, playfully but possessively. "¡­ But maybe we should grab some food first. Y''know, from that midnight restaurant on 23rd?" She sighed dramatically. "Phew, I am starving¡­" Then, yanking Shadow''s arm with a grin that wasn''t a request but a demand, she locked eyes with him. "RIGHT©¤©¤?!" The chat exploded. [UH OH! ????] [¡­ Do I smell an argument brewing?] ©¸ [Smell deez nuts while you''re at it.] [Lmaoooo she is NOT letting Shadow breathe. ????????] [Blink twice if u need help, big guy. ??] ??? Shadow didn''t know what to say. He looked at Vixen. Her beautiful face, her desperate eyes¡­ Oddly, she looked like she wanted nothing more than for just them to be together for the rest of the night. But then he looked at Judy. And her face was just as desperate¡ªher brows crumpled, her lips pressed tight. She looked like she''d cry if he said yes to Vixen. Judy swallowed hard. "But I was really hoping you''d stay the night and help me keep watch¡­" She said as her voice became a little shaky. "Just in case that¡­ the uh, invisible lady comes back and tries something." She forced a small smile. "I''d¡­ feel better if you were here." [Oh no, she''s guilt-tripping.] ©¸ [What can I say? Classic journalist tactic. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [I swear, they''re so shameless! ????] [Two women. one decision. ONE SHADOW.] ©¸ [Five coochies, man. Don''t forget that. ????] [Judy literally holding back tears rn bro cmon] [I low-key don''t like how Vixen is being possessive of my boy fr, like let him do his shit. Judy is trying to make a difference by keeping all this safe so people of the world can come to this museum and learn all sorts of fun stuffs about aliens! I think we should all consider that!] Ngl, i''mma just go with the one with bigger tits¡­] I''m an ass guy, so tbh, I fuck with Judy more. She got that overweight Asian mom ass.] This chat just turned into a Jerkmate lobby. ????] ??? But Vixen wasn''t having it. "Uhm¡­" She muttered, a skeptical brow raised. "I''m not sure that''ll happen. And even if it did, you''ve got Witch, Sniperess, Dog Girl, and Marmot Man." She let out a breathy chuckle, but her next words were sharp. "Losing us shouldn''t be too much, right?" The tension in the air grew thick. Judy slowly folded her arms. Her eyes narrowed just a little. "Well¡­" She managed to keep her voice cool. "I''m not going to drag anything with anyone. But I''d feel safer if I had more backup here." Her lips twitched. Vixen''s frown deepened. "¡­ Who said anything about dragging?" Judy''s smug expression stayed locked in place. "Think what you want." [AW HELL NAH. WE NEED A CRISIS MODERATOR! ????] ©¸ [TF is that? ????] [TS GOING DOWN LMAO] [Girl, take your man and RUN.] [FUCK VIXEN, JUDY NEEDS HIM.] [I DON''T CARE WHO WINS JUST GIVE ME MORE CHAOS! MORE CONTENT!] ??? Shadow? He was sweating. The man was stuck between two women¡ªone craving alone time, the other clinging to duty. And neither wanted to back down. The viewers? They were LOVING this. [Ding! +$10,000 donation!] [Ding! +$7,200 donation!] [Ding! +$5,000 donation!] The donations and gifts said it all. Shadow sighed. Then, he looked at Vixen. "Come on¡­" His voice was firm but also came out gently. "If the cube gets into the wrong hands because we decided to go on patrol somewhere else, that''d be on us too." Vixen''s grip on his arm tightened. "But¡­ our patrol¡­" Her lips pressed together as her brows knitted like an angry troll trying to hold in its fury. Shadow smiled under his mask. Knowing she couldn''t see it, he placed a hand on her head and gave her a gentle pat. "We can always do that some other time. As much as you want, alright?" Vixen let out a slow breath. It was a tough one. But she nodded. "¡­ Alright then. If that''s what you want." Her voice was softer this time, less defensive. She didn''t look as mad as she did earlier, and after a moment, she even gave him a small, reluctant smile. [THEY COMPROMISED!!] [Nooooooo I wanted the argument to escalate. ????] [Bro fumbled date night for a space Rubik''s cube. Smh.] ©¸ [Fr. I ain''t never gonna sacrifice some shit cube for booty, on my momma! ?????????????????] ©¸ [That''s why you ain''t a hero bro. Y''all ain''t got that Uncle Ben lesson instilled in y''all. ?????¡á?] [REAL HERO HOURS ????????????] With that, Shadow stepped forward. "Alright¡­" he said, turning to Judy. "We''ll stay." Judy''s lips parted. Then©¤©¤she beamed. "Thank you¡­" She breathed as her relief practically radiated off her. And before she could even stop herself, she rushed toward Shadow¡ª But¡ª Vixen suddenly jumped in between them. Her arms spread out like a shield. "There''s no need for that!" [???????????? LMAO SHE BLOCKED THE HUG] [The strong urge to say "it''s always the fridge protecting the snacks" but Vixen is a valid baddie. ?????¡á?] [Judy boutta initiate physical contact and Vixen said "Access Denied"] ©¸ [Judy.exe has stopped working] ©¸ [Nerd joke in 2045 is crazy. ????] ©¸ [Fr, who let this man cook? ????] ??? Judy blinked. Shadow blinked. "Uh¡­" they both muttered. Vixen turned to Shadow, giving him a quick, sharp side-eye. "Hrmm¡­" She hummed suspiciously. "You were quite eager to get a hug from her just now." Shadow tilted his head. "What?" Vixen crossed her arms. "First, you''ll say it''s just a hug¡­ and the next thing you know, you''ll be feeling up Judy''s breasts using your chest¡­ maybe even her nipples if you''re lucky. And then grabbing her ass in that specific way that''s arousing but not perverted enough for her to notice." The entire room froze. Judy''s eyebrows shot up. "Wait a minute¡­" She sounded deeply insulted. "He does that©¤©¤?!" Shadow took a step back. "Hold on." He lifted his hands in defense. "I''ve only grabbed Judy''s ass once. It was soft, but it''s not like I enjoyed it in THAT way!" Judy''s expression darkened. "Wait. You grabbed my ass?" She paused. "When?" Shadow''s brain screeched to a halt. [OH SHIT] [OH SHIT x2] [OH SHIT x3] He clicked his tongue. ¡ºShit. That wasn''t me. That was Scott.¡» His gaze darted to the others. Then¡ª Witch took a slow step forward, adjusting her gloves. "Ohoo~" She mused with some amusement in her voice. "So you must really love touching my cousin''s ass." Sniperess, who had been quiet until now, slowly adjusted her high-tech rifle. Click©¤©¤ready to fire. Shadow swallowed. The chat lost its mind. [Drop an opinion that''ll leave you like this ????????] Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire ©¸ [3.5e is better than 4e and 5e. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Pineapple pizza is actually GOATED. You only hate it because the internet told you too.] ©¸ [Football is better than American Football.] ©¸ [The Peak''s album wasn''t that bad¡­] ©¸ [All those opinions belong in the gutter. WTAF, do people really think this? ????] [Can''t spell "Shadow" without "SHADY."] [Why is this man self-reporting so hard? ????] ©¸ [Folded under zero pressure ????] [Bro ain''t even on trial and he''s confessing to crimes.] ??? A few minutes later¡­ The team was seated on wooden crates inside the high-security room. Marmot Man was slumped in one corner, completely asleep. Dog Girl was sniffing around, her ears twitching every so often as she checked for any changes in the atmosphere. Witch and Sniperess, still on high alert, kept their eyes peeled as they leaned against the walls¡ªone adjusting her gloves, the other cradling her rifle. Meanwhile, Judy was busy at the security terminal, tapping in new commands for the drones. She glanced back¡­ and frowned. Shadow and Vixen were sitting way too close together. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder close. [THEY''RE TOO CLOSE ????????????] [SHIPPER VICTORY!] [W RIZZ] ©¸ [Stop it. We left that word in 2026.] [Why is Judy looking like she wants to fight?] [Love triangle arc when? ????] Judy''s lips pursed slightly, and she turned back to her terminal with an exhale. The chat noticed. [Bro she''s so jealous rn lol] [She went from "I need Shadow to help" to "I need Shadow but not like that."] [Judy boutta reprogram the security plasma turrets to "Accidentally" fire on Vixen.] [50 bucks says she "accidentally" leans too close to Shadow next scene.] Judy glanced back again. Her eyes locked onto Shadow and Vixen¡ªstill seated way too close. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But this time, Vixen noticed. Her sharp gaze shifted toward Judy, then back to Shadow. An impish smirk appeared on her glossy, cherry lips. Before Shadow could even react, Vixen shifted even closer and pressed her side against him¡ªher soft breasts squishing intimately against his arm. She wanted him to feel it all©¤©¤from the tenderness of her cleavage down to the hardness of her nipples. Shadow tensed. His back straightened. He didn''t say a word. But the way his fingers twitched slightly against his knee said enough. The chat noticed. [???????? DAMN SHE WENT FOR THE FULL-COURT PRESS] [MISSIONARY POSITION TORSO ALIGNMENT RIZZ] ©¸ [Stop this, man. ????] [Yo, she really hit her with the "Yeah, I got him. Stay mad."] Judy''s expression tightened. Her jaw clenched just a bit. Then, with a sharp exhale through her nose, she whipped back toward the security terminal and resumed typing. "Doesn''t have to rub it in¡­" She muttered under her breath. [???????? LMAO SHE BIG MAD] [Bro I swear I fucking heard her grinding her teeth through the damn screen. ????] [She went from "I need help" to "I need that man back" real quick] ©¸ [Shadow got better game than my GOAT NW. ????] ??? Finally, with a firm enter press, she stepped back. Both hands landed on her massive, curvy hips as she surveyed her work. "Alright, good." Her voice was full of satisfaction. "Now all we have to do is wait for that thief to try again. This time, they''ll be locked in here with us." Dog Girl''s ears twitched. She turned, then raised an eyebrow. "What if it''s one of those ''I''m not locked in here with you, you''re locked in here with me'' situations?" Silence. There was some sense in what she said. Judy frowned. "Whatever. Five friggin'' superheroes should be enough to handle it." Then, with a glance around the room, she added. "Especially since CeeCee''s here." A pause. Judy blinked. "Wait¡­ where''s CeeCee?" And just when she started looking, Witch stepped back as she held up a small bag of snacks. "Relax¡­" She said with an amused chuckle. "I stashed these earlier in case something of this nature happened." She shook the bag. "That being said¡­ they''re not exactly great snacks. People always say I have weird taste." Chaos. Before she even finished speaking, the entire team was already rushing toward her. Marmot Man¡ªwho had been snoring in the corner¡ªsuddenly snapped awake, nostrils flaring. With each massive step, the floor trembled as he barreled toward the snacks. The chat was losing it. [WHY IS HE RUNNING? WHY IS HE RUNNING?!] [Bro went from hibernation to ultra instinct] [If you want Marmot Man to focus, tell that pig you''re making a damn cake. ????] ©¸ [Ong he makes me laugh so hard ????] Shadow snatched a snack and ripped it open. He examined it with mild skepticism. "Hm¡­ these look like average backyard snacks." He popped one into his mouth. "But eh, I can manage." Before he could eat another¡ª Dog Girl was already in front of him. On all fours. Tail wagging. Tongue hanging out. She panted heavily. "Come on, boss! Feed me!" The chat EXPLODED. [FEED HER OR PERISH] [DO IT. FOR THE CULTURE.] [I am a grown-ass man and I, too, wish to be hand-fed.] [We all need a Dog Girl in our life! ????] [Dog Girl switch up before GTA 8 kinda crazy. ?????¡á?] ??? Shadow sighed, placing a hand over his face. "¡­ This feels illegal for some reason." Still, he tossed her a piece. Dog Girl jumped slightly, caught it mid-air, swallowed hard, then licked her lips. She barked. "More!" Shadow ignored her. Instead, he turned to Vixen with a small smirk. "So¡­ you want a bite too?" He wagged the snack between his fingers. Vixen''s eyes twitched. Her arms crossed under her chest. "Tch. As if I''d let you feed me like some kind of slave or a damn house pet." Shadow shrugged. "Hey, Dog Girl isn''t complaining." Vixen immediately pointed at Dog Girl. "That''s because it''s Dog Girl! Dog Girl doesn''t complain about anything!" Dog Girl gasped. "HEY!" She sat up on her knees. "Have you SEEN the price of dog food?! That shit costs more than rice, but I try to stay calm about it." She scratched her ear with her foot, then groaned. "Y''all don''t understand. You''ve never had to go to the grocery store and lie about buying food for your dog¡ªwhen really, it''s for you." The entire team stared. Plain expressions. Sniperess was the first to break the silence. "¡­ Well, obviously." [????????????] [Dog Girl is too real for this world.] [POV: Inflation caught you lacking.] Just then¡ª A shadow loomed overhead. A strong gust of wind swept through the museum entrance. Everyone turned. Mr. Invincible hovered above the scene, holding Invisible Woman in his arms. His expression was sharp. His voice was firm. "¡­ I want to see the son of a bitch that touched you." The chat went feral. [WBFJDJDJDKFKFOF] ©¸ [Historians are not deciphering this. ????] [THIS. THIS IS CINEMA.] ["I want to see the son of a bitch that touched you." Man shut yo bitch ass up. ????] [Naaaah he is livid*] Invisible Woman leaned in and gave him a small peck on the cheek. A soft blush crept onto his face. But all he did was scoff. "Tch." The chat lost it. [HE''S SO TSUNDERE HELP] [Bro is 200% in love but acting like he got a reputation to maintain] [Ain''t gon lie tho, his shit straight asf. ????] ["Tch." Favorite words of a tsundere. ????] [My brother in Christ, you are literally floating above a museum with your girl in your arms. The reputation is gone.] ??? The stream had reached its climax. Chapter 149 Fight at the Museum Volkner Interstellar Museum¡­ Judy''s eyes twitched. Her fingers drummed furiously against her crossed arms as her teeth ground in silent agony. Because what she was witnessing was nothing short of unholy. The smug little minx, Vixen was still feeding Shadow. And worse¡ªshe was dragging it out on purpose. Judy had been watching for a while, and the pattern was clear. Shadow would frown, try to mumble something about being full, and right as he so much as moved his lips©¤©¤Vixen would glance over at Judy. Confirming she was watching. And then, with a sweet little giggle, she''d pop another bite-sized snack into Shadow''s reluctant mouth. His jaw chewed with the enthusiasm of a man who had been force-fed a meal by a mother-in-law he really didn''t want to disappoint. It was torture. Not just for Shadow, but for Judy too. The chat was eating it up. [???????????? SHE IS NOT LETTING HIM GO] [This is what''s called "Territorial Prowess."] [Bro blinked twice. HE NEEDS HELP.] ©¸ [He''s been blinking SOS for five minutes. ????] [NAH VIXEN IS EVIL FOR THIS LMAOOO] [Judy''s about to commit a crime. A big one.] [Lowkey? I don''t even think she likes him like that. ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Nah, that''s COPE. Accept it.] ??? Pale and nauseous, Shadow held a firm and against his lightly trembling stomach. "¡­ Witch wasn''t lying¡­" He muttered weakly. "She really does have weird taste¡­ these taste like shit the more I eat them." Vixen just hummed. "Mmm? But you don''t have to say you''re okay, dear. I know you''re not okay just from eating snacks alone¡­ right?" Shadow swallowed thickly. He glanced at the snack pack in her hand like it was a loaded weapon designed to terminate him. The thought of another bite made his stomach do flips. "¡­ to be very honest©¤©¤only a pig could eat a ton of these and still want more." As if on cue¡ªboth of them turned toward the corner. There, sitting in his own personal kingdom of crumpled snack bags, was Marmot Man. Sweaty. Greasy. Hairy. Absolutely demolishing bag after bag, crumbs flying from his chubby cheeks like he hadn''t seen food in a decade. Shadow and Vixen just stared. The chat lost it. [OH MY GOD. HE''S REALLY BUILT DIFFERENT.] [HE IS THE PIG.] ©¸ [Not really the best word to use¡­] [This man is eating like rent is due in the morning.] ©¸ [Bro got the metabolism of a Greek god wtf.] [They say there are two types of people in this world.] ©¸ [Add them both and Marmot Man still weigh more.] ©¸ [Bruh ????¡­] [Please don''t let Vixen and Shadow sit next to each other on the plane.] ©¸ [Bro finna get that aerial throat work. ????] Meanwhile, across the room, Witch had been quietly observing something else. Judy. Specifically, the heatwave of rage radiating off of her. A slow sigh left Witch''s lips as she strolled up behind her cousin, then folded her arms. "¡­ So. You jealous?" Judy flinched. She whipped her head to the side and found Witch giving her a smooth side-eye¡ªhalf-curious, half-not giving a damn. But Judy had never been one to back down from speaking her mind. "Pffft. Jealous? Me?" She scoffed, then shook her head. "Not even a little bit." A pause. "¡­ and sure, that sounds like I''m just trying to do the whole playing defensive¡ªbut I''m really not. I''m a grown-ass woman. I don''t have time for something so stupid." Her expression was firm. Unshaken. But Witch had known her cousin for too long to be fooled. The side-eye intensified. "¡­ alright, then." She rolled her wrist lazily. "Since you''re not jealous, what''s got you so pissed? Because I know it has something to do with those two lovebirds. As far as the word can go¡­ I guess?" She didn''t sound fully convinced that Shadow and Vixen were actually a thing. Honestly, neither was Judy. Judy exhaled sharply and lowered her head. "Again¡­ I''m not jealous." Her voice was softer this time. "I just¡­ really felt a connection with Shadow, y''know? It''s hard to find people who actually get me. But he¡ªhe listens to my ramblings. The random stuff I get excited about? The facts people call boring?" She looked down at her hands. "¡­ he actually finds them interesting." A slow blink from Witch. Then a raised brow. "So, uh¡­ what does that mean, exactly?" She tilted her head. "Does that mean you actually like him?" Judy blinked. Then, immediately, she shook her head. "No, not at all." She sighed. "I just appreciate that he shares the same hidden interests as me. At work, I can''t talk about this stuff because barely anyone cares¡­ they''re more concerned with trying to get me to release my news sources and all that garbage. Pssssh. No one cares about all my conspiracy theories. Well, unless I force them to." Her face twisted at the admission. "¡­ which I might''ve done to a few interns." "¡­ hrrm. Stressful." "I know, right?" Judy groaned. "Tell me about it." The chat had switched gears. [This is actually kinda deep.] [I feel her. Finding people who genuinely enjoy your weird interests hits different.] ©¸ [Realest thing I''ve read all day.] [Witch tryna act like she don''t care, but she''s invested.] ©¸ [I mean, it''s her cousin, of course she cares ?????¡á? she doesn''t have to show it in every fibre of her being that she cares. The fact that she can ask and listen is enough.] [Meanwhile, Vixen feeding that poor man like he''s in hospice care.] ©¸ [Judy watching like a Shakespearean tragedy. ????] ©¸ [This sentence has never been uttered.] ??? But before anyone could say more¡ª BOOM! A massive explosion shook the entire room. A wall was ripped open like tissue paper. Dust and debris rained down. The air filled with smoke. Every hero immediately jumped into a battle stance. Shadow shoved Vixen aside. Marmot Man dropped his snack bags, his cheeks still stuffed like a chipmunk. Sniperess was already crouched behind cover. And in the center of the destruction¡ª A dark, hulking silhouette emerged from the smoke. The chat went feral. [HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK] [RUN THE ADS BEFORE WE DIE.] [Bro we are COOKED.] ©¸ [WHO IS IT?!?] ©¸ [You dumb fuck! It''s that tsundere from earlier!] [IS IT THE THIEF? IS IT A VILLAIN?] [SPAM "L" IN CHAT TO LOWER HIS ATTACK POWER.] ??? The dust settled. A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the space. "¡­ I see." Heavy boots stomped forward. "So this is where you all are hiding." A figure stepped out. The air froze. Shadow''s eyes narrowed. Judy''s pulse spiked. The entire team braced themselves. Smoke still curled in the air, swirling around the imposing figure of Mr. Invincible as he stepped forward. The man was built like a battleship, towering over the wreckage as his chiseled jaw clenched in barely restrained disdain. His golden, high-collared cape billowed behind him as he swept his gaze across the gathered heroes. His lips curled into a sneer. "First off¡­" He spoke with absolute condescension. "Just be good little homo sapiens and hand over the damn alien cube." He cracked his knuckles. It popped like the sound of gunfire. "And maybe, just maybe, I''ll let you all off with a few broken bones." Judy instinctively spread her arms out to stand her ground in front of the secured display case that held the cube. Her lips parted. A fierce, defiant retort¡ª "Oh yeah?! Well©¤©¤!!" Wait, where was she going with this? Her brain stalled. Panic kicked in. Her hands clenched. "¡­ Not if we¡ªuh¡ªbreak your d- damn bones first and uh¡­ stuff, you son of a bitch!" An awkward silence stretched for just a second too long. Sniperess, already crouched behind cover, blinked at her. "¡­ She''s not great at making snarky comebacks, huh?" Witch nodded dully beside her. "Uh-huh." Judy''s face turned red as she snapped her gaze to them. "Oh, piss off!" She barked with a deep scowl. "I don''t work well under pressure, for goodness'' sake!" She turned back to Mr. Invincible and firmed her stance, setting her jaw as she stared him down. The chat had a field day. [???????? That comeback was HELLA tragic.] ©¸ [Bro, she buffering mid-sentence. ????] ©¸ [Chat, give her some credit, she tried.] ©¸ [Nah, that was an AI-generated response, no way.] [Did no one notice he said homo sapiens?] ©¸ [For real, bro learned a new word and thought he was cooking with it. ????] ©¸ [Where''s Invisible Woman?] ©¸ [This comment reeks of gooner energy.] [Mr. Invincible''s hairline is so straight, I know he swung by the barber before coming here.] ©¸ [That''s crazy dedication, I respect it.] ©¸ [His barber came in clutch ong ????] ??? Meanwhile, Shadow had already leaned forward with his hands outstretched as shadowy claws sprouted to curl with an unnatural sharpness. His eyes burned with focus as he locked onto the obstacle before him¡ª That obstacle being¡ª Mr. Invincible, who frowned at him in pure disgust. "Hrrm." The larger man crossed his arms. "So you''re the only man here¡­" His eyes narrowed with contempt. "Then I''ll assume you''re the one with enough gall to touch the breasts of my woman." Silence. Shadow blinked. "Bro, what¡­?" Mr. Invincible''s gaze burned into him. "How dare you?" A hand lifted. "Uhhh¡ª" Marmot Man. The greasy, snack-devouring menace wiggled his fingers awkwardly. "Another manly man here?" He tilted his head. "Or did you guys forget about me again?" Mr. Invincible slowly turned to him. The air thickened with a sort of silent tension. His eyes narrowed further. "You pig¡­ do you really think you can speak to me, Mr. Invincible, like that?" Marmot Man just blinked. Then scratched his hairy belly. "Huh?" He tilted his head further. "If you''re Invincible¡­ then why can I see you?" The entire room collectively slapped a hand over their faces. A symphony of groans filled the air. The chat went nuclear. [WE CAN''T TAKE HIM ANYWHERE.] ©¸ [Dumbest man alive, I love him.] ©¸ [I''ve lost brain cells but gained happiness.] ©¸ [I swear Marmot Man is on purpose dumb, no way.] [Mr. Invincible doesn''t seem like the type to joke around tho¡­ shi kinda scary lol] ©¸ [Bro looks like he''s seen war.] ©¸ [He''s built like that one silent military vet who still wakes up at 4 AM.] [Wait¡­ one of the main reasons he''s here is coochie?] ©¸ [He doesn''t want any other man messing with his girl. RESPECT.] ©¸ [Ong I wouldn''t let Shadow grope my girl''s breasts like that and get away with. ??] ??? Mr. Invincible scowled further. Then¡ª "Disgusting." A sonic boom erupted. The floor cracked beneath him as he launched forward¡ª A nuclear force of speed and fury. He barreled straight for Marmot Man©¤©¤like a destructive rocket making a beeline for a harmless village. His fists were locked. His trajectory was deadly. Witch''s eyes widened. "Sniperess! Quick!" A sharp ping!¡ª Sniperess instantly fired a high-caliber sniper round. The bullet hit¡ª ¡ªand shattered into fine dust on Mr. Invincible''s skin. The man didn''t even slow down. He was still coming. A blur. A streak of death. The impact was instantaneous. BOOM! Dust. Debris. A shockwave that rattled the very museum walls. The world went silent. Then¡ª Judy''s voice. "MARMOT!!" As the smoke cleared©¤©¤there he was. Standing. Completely unharmed. Marmot Man touched his whole body, patting his chest, arms, stomach¡ªhis entire hairy form. He blinked. "¡­ I''m safe?" His voice shook. "B-, But how¡ªh-, how©¤©¤?!" The chat erupted. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [WHAT HAPPENED?? I DIDN''T SEE SHIT.] ©¸ [Same, bro. It was too fast.] ©¸ [We need an instant replay, my eyes weren''t ready.] [Yo, that was a bulletproof body shot, wtf.] ©¸ [Welp, the name fits now. Bro''s actually invincible.] [If Marmot Man has a secret power I will lose my mind.] ©¸ [Imagine if he''s actually OP but just doesn''t know it.] ©¸ [Average Isekai MC. That shit be pissing me off! ????] ??? Marmot Man''s breath was shaky. He still couldn''t believe he was alive. He should''ve been paste on the museum floor. A crater. A memory. And yet¡­ he was standing. His fingers curled into a trembling fist. "I''m¡­ alive?" His voice wavered, thick with confusion. Crouched low like a tiger with her tail flicking, Dog Girl suddenly sniffed the air. Her ears perked, and she turned her head sharply. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire A shift. Something in the atmosphere had changed. Standing beside her, Vixen caught the subtle tension and gave her a slow side-eye. "You felt that too, huh?" At the same time, both of them turned their gazes to where Shadow was supposed to be. He wasn''t there. Gone. Dog Girl''s tail wagged in excitement as a toothy grin spread across her face. "Ohhhh, the boss is gone!" Witch lifted a skeptical brow. "He is?" Judy''s expression stiffened as she turned her head. "Shadow?" Everyone''s eyes snapped to the point of impact, to the collision site where Mr. Invincible had been about to turn Marmot Man into a smear of regret. And there¡ªstanding between them¡ªwas an unstoppable force. Shadow. His arms were crossed in front of him, bracing against the overwhelming power of Mr. Invincible''s strike. His body trembled like a frayed wire on the verge of snapping. "Nghk©¤©¤!!" The muscles in his arms vibrated violently. His boots skidded slightly against the cracked marble floor as his entire body shuddered under the sheer force pressing down on him. Yet, he stood. Unyielding. Mr. Invincible''s scowl deepened. "So¡­ you really are a real man." Shadow let out a strained grunt as his Shadow Factor Suit flickered with instability. The nyxion particles across his body fractured as tiny tendrils of darkness broke apart like static interference. But then©¤©¤ Another grunt. The suit held firm. Reinforced itself, as though Shadow was forcing it to obey. The chat absolutely lost its mind. [Nightwatch who???] [???????? HOLY SHIT, SHADOW BLOCKED THAT?] ©¸ [BRO JUST STOPPED A FUCKIN'' SONIC BOOM PUNCH, HELLO???] ©¸ [Shadow moving faster than sound and we ain''t talking about his damn mouth ????] [I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST A STEALTH GUY WTF] ©¸ [Same shit we thought about Nightwatch to be honest and yet here we are. ?????¡á?] [This dude just outpaced Mr. Invincible with absolutely ZERO acceleration.] ©¸ [That means he was already moving at insane speed before launching in.] ©¸ [Shadow''s reaction time is literally inhuman. No wonder he pulls so many chicks.] [Shadow Factor Suit >> Anti-Disaster Suit.] ©¸ [Ehhh, depends. Anti-Disaster takes strength & flight but Shadow Factor is SPEED.] ©¸ [Either way, Nightwatch ain''t pulling these feats ong.] ??? Mr. Invincible''s expression twisted. His lips curled back into a nasty smirk. "Well?" His deep voice rumbled. "I thought you''d have a little more balls to talk again." His sneer darkened. "After all¡­ you must''ve enjoyed squeezing the lovely breasts of my woman." A low chuckle left Shadow''s lips. His head tilted slightly as his undecipherable mask hid his expression. "Yeah." His voice was almost playful. "I enjoyed squeezing those big invisible tits. In fact, I wanted to twist those dimple nipples and suck them a bit¡­ after all, she said she had a shower between her legs and was ready to bust it all on me. You call her your woman but she sounds like everyone''s woman at this point¡­" Silence. The sheer audacity. Judy''s jaw dropped. Dog Girl let out a wheezing laugh. Vixen let out a whistle. "Oh, he''s wild for that." Chat exploded. [???????????? BRO JUST WENT FULL GOBLIN MODE WTF] ©¸ [SHADOW ACTUALLY HAS NO FEAR.] ©¸ [HE SAID THAT TO MR. INVINCIBLE''S FACE??] ©¸ [???????????????? I know bro''s dead.] [Dimple nipples is crazy¡­ and kinda hot¡­] [Why''d that shit make my dick stand¡­ ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Tbvh, shit made me bricked too. ?????¡á?] [Biggest Shadow W of all time.] ©¸ ["I coulda gone for a nipple twist" I''M IN TEARS.] ©¸ [Mr. Invincible about to commit a war crime.] Mr. Invincible''s brows twitched. A vein pulsed at the side of his head. "You bastard." Steam blasted from his nostrils like the exhaust of a merciless war machine. With a furious roar, he pulled back his fist and shot forward, a living missile of destruction. Shadow barely had time to phase©¤©¤BOOM!! A single punch sent him flying, smashing through two pillars before slamming hard into a reinforced wall. Dust and debris rained down. Shadow groaned, clutching his side. "Ugh¡­ okay, not exactly what I was expecting¡­" He coughed, shaking his head. "But¡­ kinda needed that." His HUD flickered. He stared at the display. "System." His voice was strained. "Recalibrate the nyxion particles. I need better reaction time for phase shifting and darkness manipulation." [Processing¡­ Estimated completion: 57 seconds.] Shadow exhaled through his teeth and pushed himself up, his eyes locking onto Mr. Invincible once more. He tilted his head. "Where''s your girl? Touching herself now that she finally experienced the touch of an attractive man?" Silence. A crack formed in the air¡ª Mr. Invincible''s sheer rage became a tangible force. "You." He took a single step forward. The floor cracked beneath his foot. "BASTARD©¤©¤!!" Chat was losing its collective mind. [???????????? SHADOW WINS AGAIN LMAO] ©¸ [This is the most toxic beef I''ve ever seen.] ©¸ [Bro playing a psychological war while getting his damn ass beat ????????????] Just as Mr. Invincible prepared to launch¡ª SHHNK! Three hexagonal throwing weapons sliced through the air to embed themselves in his chest. They bounced off harmlessly. Mr. Invincible scoffed. "Is that all?" Witch smirked. BOOOOOOM! A massive explosion tore through the museum. Fire and smoke consumed Mr. Invincible as the force blasted him backward. Before he could recover©¤©¤BLAM! Dog Girl''s foot slammed into his jaw. WHAM!©¤©¤Vixen''s fist collided with his stomach. A brutal flurry of attacks. He didn''t bleed, but he staggered. Judy pumped her fist. "YES!" Then¡ª An unnoticed motion occurred behind her. A shine of steel. A whisper in the air. Invisible Woman appeared. A dagger in hand. Chapter 150 Fight at the Museum II Volkner Interstellar Museum¡­ Marmot Man''s nose twitched. It was an itch. A deep, annoying itch. He grumbled, scrunching up his pudgy face as his fingers reached to scratch, but something didn''t feel right. A weird tingling crept up his spine. His beady little eyes darted around as he scanned the chaotic battlefield. The museum was in shambles¡ªpillars cracked, debris everywhere, and Shadow was still trading blows (and insults) with Mr. Invincible. But something else¡­ something strange caught his attention. He turned. Judy stood in front of the display case, where the alien cube was securely locked behind reinforced glass. Marmot Man squinted. Then squeezed his face. "Hrmm¡­" He rubbed his nose aggressively, still trying to shake off the nagging sensation. Something was off. His gaze sharpened. A faint shimmer, a subtle distortion rippled across the display case. "Huh?" His round face scrunched up. "That''s weird¡­" Curiosity overtook him. His thick legs shuffled forward, his pace picking up. The closer he got, the stronger the feeling became. His gut was telling him something was right there. And he wasn''t wrong. Just inches away, Invisible Woman loomed behind Judy. A dagger raised high and fiercely ready to pierce straight through her back. A wicked, unseen grin curled on her lips as her bloodthirsty eyes locked onto Judy''s oblivious figure. No one could see her. No one but Marmot Man©¤©¤who was now tripping. BAM! The weight of 600 pounds of bad decisions came crashing down. Right on top of her. Invisible Woman didn''t even get to scream. Her dagger stopped mid-air as her entire face was slammed into the ground¡ªpinned beneath two hairy, sweaty, disgustingly moist ass cheeks. A thick, wet SPLORT sound echoed through the museum. Then¡ª The screaming. Her screaming. Marmot Man''s swampy, sweat-soaked rear-end smothered her skull©¤©¤as though she was drowning. Maybe that was the case, considering there wasn''t a single trace of oxygen around. All she could breathe in was the overpowering stench of sweat, dirt, and tangled hair pressing against her face. It was so disgusting that she instinctively kicked her legs in protest, but it was completely useless. The chat went nuclear. [???????????? NOOOOOOOO LMFAOOOOO] [DEAR GOD, WHY???] ©¸ [???????????? SHE GOT THE RAW UNFILTERED GREASE TREATMENT.] [THIS IS LITERALLY A WAR CRIME.] ©¸ [Nah, this is worse than death. She about to retire from villainy after this.] [Can you imagine dying like this???] ©¸ [Bro, she ain''t dead, but she wishes she was.] [EVERYONE DREAMS OF GETTING SAT ON BY A WOMAN, NOT LIKE THIS THO ????????????] ©¸ [Imagine getting your skull pancaked by 600 lbs of McDonald''s & bad life choices.] ©¸ [Ngl, I wouldn''t mind if a sweaty plus-sized model sat on my damn face like that. ?????¡á?] [INVISIBLE WOMAN TURNED VISIBLE JUST TO LET US SEE HER PAIN.] ©¸ [????????????????????????] ??? Judy turned at the noise, eyes wide in confusion. "Marmot Man?" Her voice was hesitant. "What¡­ what is he doing?" Still sitting on Invisible Woman, Marmot Man looked just as confused. "Huh?" He blinked, still picking his nose. "Uhh¡­ I, uh¡­ I think I was tryna save you?" Judy tilted her head. "Save me?" She glanced around, then immediately noticed something shiny on the ground¡ªa dagger. "Wait¡­ that wasn''t there before?" She bent down, reaching for it, but then paused. Something else caught her attention. Marmot Man was sitting on something. Or¡­ someone? "Uh¡­ what''s that?" Marmot Man, still mid-booger-picking, stopped. He looked at her. Then at the floor. Then back at her. "¡­ What''s what?" Judy tapped his arm. "Can you stand up for a second?" Marmot Man attempted to push himself up©¤©¤then gave up immediately. "¡­ That might be a little too difficult." He exhaled deeply, before rolling to the side like a melting stick of butter as his arms flopped out dramatically. THUMP. Flat on the ground. Belly heaving. "Phew¡­" He wiped his forehead, drenched in sweat. "That took a lot outta me. I''m¡­ I''m real tired." Judy looked down¡ªand gasped. A completely ruined Invisible Woman lay on the floor. Helmet shattered. Trails of vomit leaking from the cracks. Drenched in Marmot Man''s grease and bodily fluids. Her whole face had turned green. The second she could finally see light instead of cheeks, she groaned, coughing violently. "¡­ I¡­ I give up¡­ I give up, damn it¡­" Her eyes rolled back, and she passed out. The chat lost its mind. [HE SAT ON HER TILL SHE TAPPPED OUT. I CAN''T. I JUST CAN''T WITH THIS GUY ????????????] [NAH SHE GOT FRIGGIN'' SUFFOCATED BY BUTT SWEAT LMFAOOOOO.] ©¸ [This was definitely NOT the way she thought she was gonna die today.] [BRO THIS A FATALITY.] ©¸ [DIDN''T EVEN NEED A FINISHER, HE JUST EXISTED.] [HE TURNED HER INVISIBLE AND THEN MADE HER WISH SHE NEVER REAPPEARED.] ©¸ [Marmot Man''s cheeks: NEW META.] [If my face ever got planted like that, I''d change my name & leave the country.] Still in shock, Judy turned back to Marmot Man. "Marmot Man!!" His head snapped up. "I-, I didn''t do anything, I swear!" To his shock, Judy rushed forward and hugged him. "You saved me!!" Marmot Man froze. The chat immediately switched gears. [???????????? YO WTF HE GOT A JUDY HUG??] [MY FAT ASS COULD NEVER.] ©¸ [Dude, Marmot Man living the dream right now.] ©¸ [Fr, I wonder what she smells like? ????] ©¸ [Bro''s asking the real questions ????¡­] [Judy Cho literally does not care about looks, huh?] ©¸ [We BEEN knew. She only likes real ones.] [She literally vibing with Shadow, and we ALL know it ain''t about his face under the mask.] ©¸ [Shadow''s probably hot tho.] ©¸ [Even if he ain''t, bro still the GOAT.] ??? Marmot Man sat there, perplexed. Still drenched in sweat. Still unsure of how exactly he saved the day. But as Judy hugged him tighter, something hit him. For the first time in his life¡­ He wasn''t just Marmot Man, the joke. He was Marmot Man, the Hero. The unluckiest, sweatiest, most disgusting hero of all time¡­ ¡­ but a hero nonetheless. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ WHAM! Witch shot forward while her boots barely skimmed the floor as she leapt into the air and twisted her body for a devastating dropkick straight to Mr. Invincible''s chest. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire THUD. Nothing. Her boots hit him like a fly tapping against a skyscraper. The moment she made contact, his hand snapped up¡ªfast, brutal¡ªfingers outstretched to seize her legs and twist them into something she wouldn''t walk on again. But before his grip could close©¤©¤BAM! Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A fist from Dog Girl slammed into his jaw and snapped his head sideways. And before he could recover©¤©¤CRACK! Another punch blasted his face from the opposite direction and forced his head to violently jerk the other way. Vixen. She stood there, muscles taut, chest heaving, her knuckles tingling from the impact. A wicked grin curled her lips as her fox-like eyes gleamed. "Ohhh, you felt that, huh?" By this time, Witch had already clambered up his back like a serpent, arms locking around his neck, legs curling around his torso, squeezing tight. In the distance, Sniperess positioned herself, taking in a slow, measured breath. Her high-tech sniper rifle hummed as she adjusted its settings while her fingers swiftly cranked the energy output to 80%. The viewers saw it. They knew what was coming. [OH SHIT, SNIPERESS IS WINDING UP!!!] [???????? SHE ABOUT TO LAND THAT SHOT!!!] [This about to be a national event.] ©¸ [It already is, dawg. ????] The trigger squeezed. A searing red bullet erupted from the barrel as the sheer force blasted Sniperess slightly backward as the high-caliber round TOOOMED through the air like a lightning bolt. Straight for Mr. Invincible''s skull. CRACK! The bullet slammed into his forehead. It dug in. Just enough. A small, thin scratch formed, a single line of blood trickling down his face. For a moment, everything stood still. Then©¤©¤ Witch kicked off his back and flipped through the air. But before she could fully escape©¤©¤SNAP! His hand latched onto her ankle. A second later, she twisted, shifting mid-air, then locked her legs around his arm and contorted herself to pin one of his hands behind his back. It was fast. Efficient. Perfectly executed. Just as he was about to flex his strength and break free¡ª TOOOOM! Another sniper shot. BLAM! The bullet smacked the side of his head and sent him tumbling across the museum floor like a ragdoll until he crashed through debris. Witch landed smoothly, then flipped her hair back as she smirked at Sniperess. "Good work." Sniperess chuckled as she blew imaginary smoke from her sniper barrel. "Bull''s-eye." The chat was loving every second of this. [???????????? Bro is getting straight up jumped.] ©¸ [WHERE THE HELL ARE HIS HOMIES LMFAOOOO] ©¸ [They really hit this man with Call of Duty teamwork.] ©¸ [Sniperess on that ''one shot, one kill'' grind, except dude won''t die.] [Sniperess'' fine ass could shoot a mosquito''s left nut from 2 miles away, ong.] [Why they lowkey being unfair tho? ????] ©¸ [So they should just let him win then?? TF you mean?] ©¸ [Rope Girl already taught them the no openings rule. They ain''t playing around.] ©¸ [Yeah, this is literally military-level strategy. Rope Girl raised these ladies right.] [Lowkey, this fight is proof that if Nightwatch ever beefs with the Hero Agency he''s dead ???? this is why they picked Rope Girl''s squad to handle him.] ©¸ [Yup. They will run his ass to the ground.] ©¸ [Lemme fuckin'' tell you, Nightwatch fans not gonna like that take.] ©¸ [Bro, Nightwatch''s stans are already in the replies screaming "ACKSHUALLY".] ??? Mr. Invincible touched his forehead. His fingers came away smeared with blood. His own blood. His face twisted in sheer disbelief. "¡­ I''m bleeding." His voice was quiet. Stunned. He stared at the red streak on his fingers, brows furrowing. "This doesn''t make sense." He wiped his forehead again, then smeared the blood further, and slowly¡ªso, so slowly¡ªhis expression darkened into something monstrous. "You''re all dead." Before he could take a step¡ªdarkness surged. A violent shadow tore through reality itself as it swirled like a nightmarish abyss. Then©¤©¤THWMP! Shadow appeared. Standing protectively in front of the four women. His stance was firm. Fingers curled as his sharp dark claws extended with menacing intent from his gloves. His unreadable mask faced forward. "Man¡­" Shadow exhaled. "If you''re trying to pick up more chicks, threatening them with death isn''t the way to do it." The veins in Mr. Invincible''s temple pulsed. A deep, guttural growl rumbled in his chest. His muscles tensed. A single flex©¤©¤BOOM. He launched forward as his trunk-sized fists aimed straight for Shadow''s chest at a speed fast enough to punch a hole through solid steel. But the moment his fists were about to connect¡ªFWIP! Shadow vanished. Mr. Invincible''s fists passed straight through him. No resistance. No impact. Just air. His momentum carried him forward©¤©¤CRASH! He slammed into a marble pillar and collapsed under a mountain of rubble. Shadow reappeared, shaking his head. "Damn¡­" Hechuckled. "That was the most NPC-ass move you could''ve done." The chat ERUPTED. [???????????? NPC BEHAVIOR ALERT] ©¸ [Bro just did a level 1 enemy attack.] ©¸ [Why do they always do the ''charge in a straight line'' move? That shit never works.] ©¸ [I swear dude just activated a cutscene.] [Ong, if a villain ever does that weak ass move, I straight up know I''ve already won the fight. ????????] [Legit the type of moves Black Disaster Knightwatch and Red were pulling off, but at least they were taking down buildings and bridges with those punches! I don''t think we''ll ever have a fight that good again¡­ ?????¡á?] ©¸ [Real ????] ©¸ [Black Knight was so gas! I NEED it again ????] ??? Mr. Invincible ROARED. The rubble exploded off him as he launched again. This time, he started swinging. Fists flying. Each punch fast enough to shatter sound. Each strike capable of killing. But every hit? Whiffed. Nothing. He punched again. Air. Again. Air. Again. Again. Again. Every single punch passed harmlessly through Shadow. Shadow just stood there, completely unfazed. He let out a small hum. "Huh." His voice was light, almost curious. "So basically¡­ super strength, supersonic flight, and the usual near invulnerability." Shadow tilted his head slightly. "¡­ Which means you''re useless if you can''t pound something properly." The chat DETONATED. [???????????? HOLY FUCK] ©¸ [SOMEONE BAN HIM.] ©¸ [I SWEAR TO GOD HE DID NOT JUST SAY THAT.] ©¸ [BRO GOT NO CHILL.] [NOOOOOO ???? That''s literally what his ex-wife told me before we divorced.] ©¸ [NO WAY.] ©¸ [She was the breadwinner and all she wanted was good dick. I couldn''t even do that.] ??? Mr. Invincible''s rage hit critical. His eyes burned. His hands shook. His muscles tensed. And Shadow just stood there. Waiting. Smirking behind his mask. "¡­ Wanna try again?" Mr. Invincible threw his arms out wide. Then¡ª "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" His furious scream tore through the battlefield like a mighty shockwave as veins bulged rom his neck and his muscles expanded like they had become swollen. The ground trembled beneath him as raw, unfiltered rage exploded from every pore of his body. Then he lunged. A meteor. A missile of flesh and fury. Straight for Shadow. But this time, Shadow moved. Like a streak of black lightning¡ªFWOOOM¡ªhe shot forward as a blur of darkness sliced through the air. And then©¤©¤PHASE. His body passed through Mr. Invincible like a wraith. For a split second, nothing happened. Then¡ª "Ghhkk¡ª!!" Mr. Invincible''s body jerked violently. His feet skidded to a halt. A sickening GULP followed. Then¡ªSPLUUUURT. He collapsed to his knees. Blood. Dark, crimson streaks dripped from his lips as he clutched his side in disbelief, eyes wide, breath ragged. "Wh¡ªwhat was¡­ that?" He gasped, struggling to keep himself upright. Before he could even process what had happened¡ª Shadow''s arms snapped forward. "Deploy Abyss Chains." KRRRRRRRRK¡ª!!! A chorus of dark chains burst from his outstretched hands and twisted through the air like starving serpents. The shadows writhed and lunged as their cold, abyssal weight crashed into Mr. Invincible and wrapped around his torso, his arms, his legs to bind him in an instant. He struggled. He fought. But the chains wouldn''t break. "RRRRAAAAAGHHHHH!!!" He roared, muscles bulging, veins popping, tendons stretching to their limits¡ª But before he could snap the chains¡ª Shadow YANKED. [???????????? NAH THIS LOOKS LIKE A FINAL BOSS ATTACK.] ©¸ [THEY GAVE THIS MAN TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME. HE''S FINISHED.] ©¸ [Dude is about to get sealed in the Shadow Realm.] ©¸ [The chains are literally dragging him into hell, I swear.] ??? Using the chains as an anchor, he slingshotted himself forward¡ªWHOOSH¡ªhis body whipping through the air like a launched projectile. Then©¤©¤BAM!! His boots SLAMMED into Mr. Invincible''s jaw. A violent CRACK echoed. Mr. Invincible''s head snapped sideways as his entire body lifted off the ground, flipping uncontrollably as he was blasted through the air, limbs flailing before CRASHING into the dirt, skidding and tumbling like a ragdoll. The chat ERUPTED. [???????????? GODDAMN, HE SENT HIS ASS FLYING] ©¸ [SHADOW GOT THE COMBO GAME OF A FIGHTING GAME CHARACTER WTF] ©¸ [THE VELOCITY OF THAT DROP KICK?? DID THIS MAN JUST HIT HIM WITH AN ACTUAL IN-GAME LAUNCHER LMFAOO] Mr. Invincible groaned, staggering to his feet. But Shadow was already gone. Then¡ª "GAAAAHHH!!" A sharp, piercing pain lanced through his torso. He looked down. Three daggers. No©¤©¤void daggers. Their dark, ethereal forms phased straight through his supposedly unbreakable skin and dug deep inside his body to completely disrupt his entire system. His breath hitched. Shadow emerged from the darkness behind him. Before Mr. Invincible could react©¤©¤CRACK!! His arm SNAPPED backwards. "ARRRRGHHHHHHHH!!!" Dark tendrils wrapped around his limbs, twisting and breaking them mercilessly. His screams pierced the high-security room as agony exploded through his nerves. Then©¤©¤BAM!! A punch to the gut. WHAM!! A kick to the ribs. BAP! BAP! BAP! A flurry of punches rained down on him from every direction, each one coming from an impossible angle. He swung wildly, trying to hit back¡ª But every time¡ªnothing. Just air. Shadow phased. Shadow warped. And then©¤©¤BANG! An elbow to the forehead. CRACK! A knee to the nose©¤©¤shattering it. Mr. Invincible''s vision blurred. Blood gushed from his nostrils. And Shadow©¤©¤Shadow didn''t stop. BAP. BAP. BAM. A storm of attacks crashed down on Mr. Invincible like an inescapable nightmare as every hit carved deeper into his durability, shattering his confidence, beating his arrogance out of him, punch by punch, kick by kick. Finally©¤©¤Shadow spread his arms. He looked like a fierce warlock. The darkness responded. SHLIIIIK¡ª! Chains. Dozens of them. They exploded outward in every direction. Mr. Invincible''s eyes widened. "GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU BASTARD!!!" He tried to flee¡ªsoaring into the air in desperation¡ª But the chains HUNTED him. They shot upward, wrapping around his ankles, his waist, his arms, dragging him down, down, down¡ª SLAM!!! He hit the ground. The chains tightened. He screamed. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO©¤©¤!!!" The viewers lost their minds. [This shit is basically what happens when my little brother button mashes in any combat game. ????] [SHADOW JUST TURNED MR. INVINCIBLE INTO A TRAINING DUMMY.] ©¸ [THIS IS HIS FIRST FIGHT????? FIRST FIGHT AND HE''S ALREADY CATCHING Ws LIKE THIS????] [LOWKEY, THIS IS WHY THE SHADOW FACTOR SUIT IS ALWAYS GONNA BE ELITE.] ©¸ [FACTS. Versatility is unmatched. It''s not just brute force, it''s SKILL.] ©¸ [Bro turned this into a full-on fighting game combo video. I''m actually shook. ????] [IMAGINE LOSING IN FRONT OF 1.6 MILLION VIEWERS. I''D NEVER SHOW MY FACE AGAIN.] ©¸ [His barber gon be disappointed ong ????] ??? Shadow stood over his fallen enemy. Then¡ª "¡­ Tch." He exhaled sharply. His hand shot to his ribs. His breathing was ragged. His body¡­ ached. "Damn¡­" He muttered. "This suit is taking a damn toll on my body¡­" Then©¤©¤COUGH! Blood dribbled from his lips. His knees buckled. His vision blurred. But before he could collapse¡ª Multiple hands caught him. Witch. Dog Girl. Vixen. Sniperess. Judy. He blinked, suddenly aware that he was resting in their arms with his head on their full, tender laps. A tired sigh left him. "¡­ You guys." Witch smirked. "You don''t sound excited to see us." Shadow let out a weak chuckle. "Trust me, I am¡­ I''m just tired." The chat EXPLODED. [BRUH IS LITERALLY SURROUNDED BY BAD BITCHES, THIS ISN''T FAIR.] ©¸ [GOD I WISH THAT WERE ME.] ©¸ [WTF IS THIS?! ???? WHY DOES HE GET TO BE COOL AND HAVE A HAREM??] ©¸ [SOMEONE STOP HIM. HE''S WINNING TOO HARD.] [IF THIS IS HOW THE FIRST SHADOW STREAM WENT, THE REST OF THE HERO RANKINGS ARE COOKED.] Chapter 151 A Witchs Intentions Volkner Interstellar Museum¡­ Shadow leaned against the cold steel wall of the exhibition hall with heavy shoulders as his fingers lazily scrolled through his phone. The glow of the screen reflected off his shadowy mask as his eyes scanned over the numbers flashing across the System''s interface. [Ding! Stream analysis complete!] [Total viewers: 1.8M] [Total revenue: $164,000.00] [New martial arts style unlocked: 6] [All styles auto-upgraded to Tier 5.] [Current mastered martial arts: 15+] [Rank on HeroTube: #1 on Trending] [Ding! You''ve acquired a special package that''s now under processing in the System Warehouse!] ??? He raised an eyebrow. "Dang, that''s crazy. On my first stream as Nightwatch I didn''t even come close to these numbers¡­" He muttered under his breath. His eyes flicked down further. Right. Witch and Vixen. That explained a lot. Even if people didn''t tune in for the fight, they sure as hell tuned in for them. Witch had a fanbase that rivaled Rope Girl in the number of pathetic simps that worshipped her every move, and Vixen¡­ well, she was no slouch either. "¡­ Tch." He clicked his tongue, but his mind was elsewhere. He exhaled and closed his eyes, head tilting back against the wall as the weight of the last hour settled over him. Even now, his heartbeat felt¡­ off. Fast, then slow. Then fast again. His fingers tightened around his phone. ¡ºI can''t really say I''m the kind of hero I want to be yet¡­¡» In movies, it was easy. A hero was always¡­ a hero. They sacrificed everything for the cause. No distractions. No attachments. No identity beyond the mask. But this wasn''t a movie. This was absolute reality. And in reality, being a hero wasn''t the only thing that mattered©¤©¤even if it should. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to dedicate himself completely¡ªhe just couldn''t. Not if he wanted to stay connected to the people who kept him grounded. The people who¡­ mattered. He sighed, dragging a hand down his face before flicking his thumb across the screen. A picture opened. Him and Jake. Grinning. Holding up awards from that academic decathlon years ago. His chest tightened. "¡­ I''m sorry, man." He spoke in a frustrated and tired voice. "I''m not a good friend." His free hand found his ribs, then he gripped at the dull ache there. For some reason, the pressure made it easier to breathe¡ªeven if only for a few seconds. He thought of Martha next. He hadn''t visited in a while. She was expecting him. Hell, he got a call that she had some kind of breakdown when she saw him on TV. She should be fine¡­ probably. But still¡­ He swallowed hard. As much as he wanted to go see her, as much as he wanted to check in¡ªhe wasn''t mentally prepared for any of it. Not today. Not lately. It was getting tiring. His fingers dug deeper into his chest. A sharp pain. It was like a nail, hammered into his ribs, one strike after another. His teeth clenched. "¡­ I ''m not doing the best I can, huh?" When he lost as a hero¡­ he just hid under a new name. It was funny, really. A chuckle left his lips. "Shadow¡­ Black Knight¡­ Nightwatch." He shook his head. "Who am I kidding¡­?" No matter how many masks he wore, no matter how much good he did¡ªwould he ever be proud of what was waiting for him tomorrow? Or years from now? Probably not. With a sigh, he clicked his phone off and slid it back into a pouch on his sleek, silver utility belt. Then©¤©¤a voice. "Are you alright?" His head snapped up. A second of silence. "Uh." He cleared his throat. "Yeah. I''m cool." It was Witch. Standing in front of him, looking up at him with that same calm, empty smile. The kind of smile that made his skin prickle. Her dark cape draped over her entire body which made her look like a walking shadow, with only her dark, piercing eyes visible. That meant he couldn''t even distract himself with the shape of her body to make her seem less imposing. Less like a freakish nightmare. Witch tilted her head. Her lips curled slightly. "Oh? Well, that''s good¡­" Her voice was light. But it wasn''t warm. It was cold. Flat. Almost ghostly. "I wouldn''t want our MVP feeling down all of a sudden¡­" She took small steps forward as her dark eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Right?" That single word held weight. Shadow exhaled slowly as his fingers twitched. "¡­ Yeah. Right." He pushed himself off the wall, then stretched his neck slightly, then met her gaze. There was a moment of silence. Then Witch chuckled while she turned slightly as the shadows of her cloak shifted like liquid. "Good." Right after, she smirked as she casually threw her thumb over her shoulder to point back at Mr. Invincible and Invisible Woman who were not only unconscious, but also tangled in Shadow''s abyss chains and special plasma wire. "They''ve already been apprehended¡­" Her words came out smoothly. "They''ll be taken in for questioning at Ashgate Penitentiary. But if you wanna tag along, I don''t mind. With skills like that, you''re more than suited to join Rope Girl''s squad. We could use someone like you in our field of operation." Shadow let out a soft chuckle, then gently scratched the back of his neck. "Uhh¡­ for now, I''ll stick to solo heroing and the occasional team-up. Not sure I''m ready to commit to a team just yet. And if I was¡­" He exhaled through his nose as his voice turned firmed. "I wouldn''t exactly say I''d like to work under any leader that isn''t me." Witch folded her arms under her cape, lifting an eyebrow as she tilted her head slightly. "Hmm¡­ that kinda reminds me of a certain fellow called Nightwatch. Yunno, the same Nightwatch who''s a terrorist? The same one you said inspired you to start streaming your heroics, too?" Shadow''s expression didn''t shift. But his voice came out flat. "I never said that. There''s plenty of other heroes who stream their work to spread awareness." Witch tapped a finger on her chin as her eyes glided toward the slowly brightening sky in mock thought. "Ahah, is that so?" Then, her gaze snapped back to him, and whatever playfulness she had drained in an instant. Her eyes were cold©¤©¤dangerously cold. "So, tell me¡­" Her voice softened into something deceptively smooth as each word curled around him like a noose. "What''s the real reason you''re streaming all this? Is it just to let people know there are still good heroes out there? Just like that hypocrite Nightwatch¡­?" She stepped forward. The gap between them vanished. "Or are you just a selfish, disgusting little vermin doing it for money? I think that''s how Nightwatch sees every hero when he claims to be the true representation of heroism¡­ I never really liked that cancerous bastard one bit." Her breath was hot against his mask now, scented like sweet strawberries. She tilted her head up and her glossy lips barely brushed the fabric of his mask as she whispered¡ª "Tell me¡­ please. I really want to know." The way her voice came out with a teasing sweetness. Like a temptress¡­ an irresistible one. The way she stood so close, almost as if she was daring him to react¡ªit was clear. She was testing him. Trying to break his focus. Shadow remained unreadable. His gloved hand slowly reached out to wrap firmly around her wide hip, before gripping her in place. Witch hummed and her soft, shapely body pressed even closer as she mumbled a soft¡ª "Mmhmm~ ??" It was fake. A deliberately overdone moan, a little too playful, a little too calculated. She was enjoying this game, and that already told him everything he needed to know. His fingers tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him until he could feel the subtle curves of her body, her so-called "flat" chest now pressed firmly against him. Her breasts were truly small. However, they poked him in a stimulating way. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Witch smirked. "Hmm¡­ my costume''s a little too tight for whatever you might be thinking." A soft chuckle, light but filled with unspoken trouble, followed her words. She pushed against him even more, as if to test his reaction further. Shadow didn''t waver. His grip shifted, both hands now firmly on her hips. He pulled her in until she could feel his hot crotch pressing against her flat stomach. ¡ºHis bulge is¡­¡» The witch barely had time to register the warmth of the young man''s crotch pressing against her stomach before he tightened his grip on her hips. His intense gaze bore down on her as if he had complete control over her, and strangely enough, that thought excited her. She couldn''t tell if he was playing some kind of mind game or if he genuinely wanted her, but either way, she wouldn''t mind ending up in bed with him©¤©¤skin pressed against skin, their bodies tangled in heat and sweat. ¡­ Mhhmm~ ?? After a good fight, she always felt a certain kind of hunger, and who better to satisfy it than the man who had just singlehandedly taken down the villain? But¡­ it wasn''t as she thought. Shadow went straight to the point with his words. "You don''t need to worry. What I''m giving you isn''t anything that''ll waste time." He leaned in just slightly, just enough to make his presence feel heavier. "I just want you to know©¤©¤whether I''m being a hero for the right reasons or doing it for money¡­ it''s none of your damn concern." Witch remained completely still. Then, with the smallest of smirks, she murmured¡ª "Mkay~" The way she said it¡ªso flippant, so dismissive¡ªit was designed to mock him. And from the way her eyes gleamed, she knew it worked. Judy folded her arms as her sharp, thin eyes narrowed at the two figures before her. The way they stood so close¡ªthe way Witch pressed up against Shadow with a little too much ease¡ªsomething about it made her frown. Her face scrunched up like a teacher catching a student blatantly ignoring the school''s dress code. "¡­ What''s going on here?" Her voice was level, but there was an edge to it. Both Shadow and Witch turned their heads at the same time, almost in sync. And almost immediately, Shadow let go of Witch as he stepped back with a nonchalant ease that didn''t match the heat of the moment just seconds ago. On the other hand, Witch barely seemed fazed. She turned around slowly, gracefully, and when her eyes landed on Judy, a knowing smile curved on her lips. "Oh, nothing~" She said smoothly as ever. "I just wanted to get a little feel of what''s been making you and Vixen so crazy about Shadow here¡­" She shifted her weight to one hip, then tilted her head slightly as her smile deepened. "And I must agree. He''s got quite an interesting body." Judy''s frown only deepened. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her pretty face squeezed even more¡ªlike a principal who had just caught the student responsible for weeks of school vandalism. "¡­ Not funny." Witch chuckled as she turned on her heels as her cape flowed behind her. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire "Well, it wasn''t meant to be." And with that, she walked off without another glance. For a moment, Judy stayed quiet as she watched her cousin disappear into the shadows of the city. Then, as soon as she was gone, her face softened just a bit. She sighed, then turned back to Shadow. "Sorry about her¡­" She said with a small shake of her head. "She gets like that sometimes." Shadow tilted his head slightly. "So, she really is your cousin?" Judy chuckled as she crossed her arms again. "Well, yeah. I tend to use it as leverage to control men who just wanna sleep with me and never call again." A smirk ghosted across her lips. "Always works." She stepped a little closer to him, and not once did her pretty eyes leave his. Shadow noticed something immediately©¤©¤Judy didn''t have a problem making full eye contact with him. She wasn''t flustered, wasn''t fidgety, wasn''t the type to act shy in moments like this. And she definitely didn''t have a problem stepping even closer. When she was near enough, she lifted a hand and placed it lightly against his chest to feel the hardened muscle beneath his high-tech suit. Her fingers traced over the dark particles of his Shadow Factor Suit and she rubbed them gently as her eyes studied its details. "But¡­" She spoke slowly. "I don''t think it''d work on you." Her gaze flickered up to his masked face. Her face was a hard read. "The fact my cousin even wants to look at you, much less talk to you¡­ means you''ve piqued her interest. And not in the way you''re thinking." As she spoke, her fingers continued to graze his chest, almost absentmindedly. She was still focused on his suit¡ªits strange, dark aura¡ªbut right after those words left her lips, she looked up at him again, her eyes sharp. "¡­ You don''t seem too glad about what I''m saying." Shadow remained calm. His voice was even as he said¡ª "Well¡­ for me to be glad about it, I''d first need to have the intentions of wanting to sleep with you and not call after." Judy''s eyes flickered. She tried to imagine what kind of face he was making behind that mask. Her hand tightened against his chest, her nails pressing just slightly into his skin through the suit. "¡­ Mmm~" Her voice was a teasing hum, low and very sexy. "So does that mean you want to sleep with me and call again? That''s quite an interesting setup, no?" Shadow lowered his head slightly. Then, he chuckled. "Hah." His tone was firm¡ªyet there was something else in it. Concern. "I already have women I sleep with." He sounded very blunt and proud about it. "And I''m hoping you''ll never be one of them." Judy stilled. For a moment, she just watched him. Then, she chuckled softly. "Ohhh." Her voice was light, almost playful, but there was a hint of something deeper beneath it. "If that''s the case¡­" She leaned in just a fraction as her sweet, sexy lips curved into a small smile. "¡­ Then I''m hoping very soon, you''ll open your eyes a little more and see that there''s someone trying to get close to you who shares the same interests you do." She tilted her head up to lock eyes with him again. "Oh, and I''m talking about myself, if that wasn''t clear enough already." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, she turned around and started walking away in her slow and deliberate pace. As she reached the stairs leading to the next floor of the museum, she called over her shoulder¡ª "I know you can''t stick around for the museum opening event, but I''m at least hoping you''ll watch me a little. Maybe we can talk more about all this cool alien stuff¡­" She paused for a moment, then added with a smile¡ª "I mean, if I wanted to do that, I could just talk to scientists, and it''d be a long chat. But there''s something special about doing it with you." Her voice dropped slightly, almost thoughtful. "¡­ Not sure what it is, though." And just like that, she disappeared up the stairs, not waiting for a response. Shadow stood there in silence. Then, with a long sigh, he placed a hand on his head. "The system can''t be working this hard to get me with all these women¡­" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Judy isn''t even a hero and yet¡­" He trailed off when he suddenly felt a buzz from his phone. Frowning slightly, he reached into his utility belt and quickly pulled it out. "¡­ Hm. Might be Emma." But as he glanced at the screen, his eyes landed on a message from Vixen. [Uhm, hey¡­] [Had fun with the whole hero stuff today. As much as I wanted it to be a little ''us'' thing so I could tell you some of my challenges, it just wasn''t meant to be¡­ I know we can reschedule, but I''m not really interested at the moment. I''ve got a lot on my mind. But thank you.] [Please¡­ don''t text for a while either.] Shadow read the message in silence. Then, he sighed heavily, rubbing a hand down his mask. "¡­ And now I have to fix that too." He exhaled sharply, then gently rolled his shoulders as he turned to leave. His body ached, his mind felt like sludge, and all he wanted was to disappear into the night before something else forced him into another headache. But just as he took a step forward¡ª Fwump! A figure dropped in front of him, hitting the pavement on her knees with a firm thud. Her arms spread wide, her fluffy ears perked up, and her tail wagged with a stubborn rhythm. "Boss!" Dog Girl pouted as her cheeks puffed out like she was about to scold him. Shadow closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I''m too tired for this¡­" He sighed before dragging his gaze down to meet hers. "Look, I don''t wanna be your boss, alright? Just let it go." Dog Girl shook her head with determination. "Nuh-uh!" Shadow slapped a hand over his face. "Why?" His fingers slid down to reveal a deadpan stare. "Why should I be your boss? I have literally nothing to offer you. I had a dog once, and you know what? I''m glad I don''t anymore, ''cause it would''ve reminded me of my ex." Dog Girl puffed out her cheeks more and her tail still wagged as she declared¡ª "I wanna protect the boss!" Shadow arched an eyebrow. "Protect me? How?" Dog Girl''s tail picked up speed, and she nodded with a serious expression. "Those sirens, Rope Girl and Witch, are after you. Like, all in on getting you, Boss! The reason I was with them wasn''t just for fun teamwork." She leaned in slightly. "They wanted actually to use me to sniff out Nightwatch''s scent after they got a piece of his clothing from that big explosion in the warehouse." Shadow''s entire body stiffened. His tiredness vanished like smoke in the wind. He immediately crouched down, one knee on the ground, his sharp eyes locked onto hers. "Wait, huh? What do you mean?" Dog Girl gulped as her ears twitched. "I didn''t just find you, Boss. I followed Nightwatch''s scent¡­ and it led me to you." Shadow didn''t move. His brain ticked through the implications at lightning speed, but before he could question it further, Dog Girl''s face turned red. Her gaze darted to the side, and suddenly, she was rubbing her thumbs together and shifting awkwardly, like she was trying to snuggle the air around her. Shadow narrowed his eyes. "Because what?" Dog Girl fidgeted harder. "Well, uh, uhm¡­ I like Nightwatch!" She blurted out. Her ears flattened, and her tail wagged wildly. "And I didn''t want you to get hurt! So I¡­ I marked you with my scent so no other scent-sniffing creature from the K-9 division could track you!" The air around them grew still. Crack! The Nyxion particles around Shadow''s mask crumbled and dissolved into nothing. Now, the cool air touched his face. "Wait¡­ so they''re still tracking Nightwatch?" Still staring at the ground, Dog Girl nodded slowly. "Yeah¡­ and they still wanna kill him." She then lifted her gaze to look at him¡ªand the second she saw his face, her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. A deep crimson exploded from her nose like a popped ketchup packet. "WOOOOAH, BOSS IS HANDSOME!" Shadow blinked. "¡­ Huh?" Dog Girl wobbled and her vision spun as her tail wagged at a dangerous speed. She looked like she was about to pass out. Shadow sighed. "This is what I have to deal with?" Chapter 152 Sorting Dog Issues, Beacon Overwatch Headquarters¡­ The world was pitch black. A deep, cavernous silence blanketed everything, save for the distant echoes of¡­ music? A faint, eerie melody drifted through the void, like some ancient tune lost in the depths of a forgotten cave. The air was cold, damp. Faint drops of water echoed somewhere in the distance with an unpredictable rhythm¡­ enough that it was almost quite mocking. Then came a soft groan, followed by another. A shifting sound, fabric rustling. Her eyes cracked open. Dog Girl''s blurry vision adjusted to the dim surroundings, and the first thing she saw was¡ªthree people standing in front of her, arms folded, faces serious. Scott. Emma. Gwen. Their expressions ranged somewhere between exasperation and mild disappointment. And then, at the far back¡­ Dark Elf. Unlike the others, she stood lazily with a bag of chips in one hand as she effortlessly crunched away with a tired look on her face. Then again, she always looked tired, even when she wasn''t. Dog Girl blinked. Once. Twice. Then, she frowned while she scratched her chin as confusion sank in. "Wait¡­ am I supposed to be at a convention?" She mumbled, tilting her head. She squinted at the group in front of her. "¡­ are you guys my fans or something?" A few seconds passed before she suddenly gasped as her eyes sharply lit up. "Oh! No way, that wouldn''t make sense! My fans are only guys and little kids who always wanna play with my fluffy ears and tail!" She placed both hands on her hips and smiled smugly, then closed her eyes as she gave herself an approving nod. "Hmph! Good thing I took a shower four times this week! That should be enough to keep me clean for them and those scouts from special agencies¡ªmy manager''s gonna be so proud!" Her tail wagged excitedly as she imagined the rare praise she''d receive from her stone-faced manager. Then, another thought hit her like a lightning bolt. "Oooooh! I should tell Boss too! He''ll definitely congratulate me with a head pat!" At that moment, Scott let out a quiet sigh as his face twitched in discomfort. "Your boss is here¡­" He muttered, deliberately emphasizing "boss" with just the right amount of reluctance. Dog Girl froze. Her ears perked up. "Eh¡­? Boss is here¡­?" She immediately shot a glance back at the four as her gaze scanned over them©¤©¤until her eyes landed on him. The moment she recognized the man behind the mask of Shadow, her pupils sparkled like twin stars. Her tail started wagging even faster, practically blurring with excitement. Then, with all the grace of a hyperactive puppy, she slapped both hands over her cheeks and gasped, dragging in air with exaggerated drama. "OH! IT REALLY IS BOSS!!!" Without hesitation, she launched herself off the bed. Scott barely had time to react before Dog Girl crashed into him like a sack of grains, arms and legs wrapped around him in a full-body glomp. The impact made Scott take a single step back, but he didn''t fall©¤©¤somehow managing to stay upright. Meanwhile, Dog Girl continued her relentless assault, nuzzling against him with pure, unfiltered enthusiasm. Her tail wagged so fast that it might''ve generated a small breeze. Watching this, Emma and Gwen''s faces darkened. Both girls immediately radiated silent fury. Their eyes narrowed like predators spotting a rival. Just as Emma was about to take a step forward, Dark Elf shook her head slightly, munching on another chip. It was a simple, lazy gesture, but it was enough to get the message across: Not worth it. Emma clicked her tongue, then snapped her fingers as she looked away. "Fair enough¡­ Not like Dog Girl of all people could steal our man. It''d take a miracle." On the other hand, Gwen tightened her fists, visibly containing her frustration. After a few seconds of deep breathing, she finally managed to grumble under her breath. "Tch. I don''t wanna take any chances, but¡­ whatever." Back in Scott''s personal space, things had escalated. Dog Girl had started licking his face. Scott''s expression immediately crumpled. His face twisted like someone who had just swallowed an entire lemon©¤©¤peel and all. "Oi¡ªquit it." He tried to shift her away, but she clung on tighter as she continued her affectionate assault. "Boss is so cute!" Dog Girl declared with a pout, pulling back just enough to stare into his eyes. "It makes me so friggin'' jealous! From today onward, I want ONLY Boss to give me nothing but hugs, kisses, and most of all¡ªHEAD PATS!" Silence. Then. A loud, synchronized outburst: "TO HELL WITH THIS PATIENCE SHIT!" Emma and Gwen marched forward, their faces dark with warlike intent. Emma jabbed a finger at Dog Girl. "Know this right now©¤©¤!" But Gwen cut in, voice full of menace. "NO ONE is getting that from our man but us!" Dog Girl blinked. Then, she smirked as her tail flicked. "Ehhh~? I dunno about that~" She teased, clinging even tighter to Scott. "Boss and I are super close! Right, Boss?" Still trapped in her grip, Scott exhaled through his nose. "¡­ Someone get her off me." Still in the back, Dark Elf just sighed and reached into her bag of chips. "¡­ Not my problem." She mumbled, then tossed another chip into her mouth. And just like that¡ªabsolute chaos erupted. Scott let out a slow breath, his face still scrunched up from the sheer amount of saliva Dog Girl had just smeared all over him. Yeah. This was getting out of hand. Instead of trying to pry her off, Scott shifted tactics. He quickly reached up, fingers expertly digging into the side of her neck, right where the tension naturally built up in beastkin like her. The reaction was instant. Dog Girl''s ears twitched violently, her tail stiffened for half a second¡ªthen, a deep, vibrating purr escaped her throat. Ahnnnn¡­ ?? Her fingers tightened around his muscular shoulders. "B-, Boss¡­!" Her voice wavered, almost in disbelief, as if he had just discovered some kind of cheat code for her body. Unfazed, Scott kept kneading gently, working his fingers into the pressure points near her ears. Her grip on him only grew tighter. It was like she was trying to fuse into him, pressing so hard against his body that she might as well have been a second layer of skin. The way she rubbed against him was downright criminal. "Oi." He sighed. "Are you really trying to make me wear you like a damn hoodie?" Dog Girl let out a muffled giggle as she nuzzled against him. "Mmmm¡­ hoodie¡­ Boss¡­ sounds so warm¡­" Meanwhile, Emma and Gwen stood off to the side as their expressions grew darker by the second. Not in the mood for another round of death glares, Scott looked up at them and sighed. "Come on¡­" He calmly said. "You don''t need to mind. I already told you how important she is to figuring out this whole Nightwatch mess, so can you just calm down?" Emma didn''t even hesitate. "Oh, when you''re licking the broad daylights out of my cat, have you ever thought to stick your damn tongue in my friggin'' butthole©¤©¤?!" Scott''s entire expression collapsed into sheer disbelief. He immediately looked away as his face twisted like he had just been served a plate of boiled socks. "Bruh¡­ no?" Emma jabbed a finger at him as her tone sharpened. "Exactly! So NO, I will NOT let this be!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott rubbed his temples. "That was a really weird way to say ''no.'' Couldn''t you just say it in a straightforward way instead of¡­ whatever the hell that was?" Emma folded her arms and looked off to the side with a small smirk. "Well, maybe when you''re licking me there¡­ I''d also like you to knock on my backdoor a little. You''ve got mad tongue game, so showing my butt what that tongue do wouldn''t be the worst thing in the world." It was said so smoothly. So naturally. Not a shred of shame. The words just landed with a heavy thud in the room. Like someone had dropped an anvil on a glass table. At first, Gwen''s face twitched©¤©¤she looked like she wanted to react with sheer horror. But then, an actual thought process kicked in. Her brows furrowed, and she slowly tilted her head, giving it a fair bit of consideration. "¡­ Hm." She gave a small shrug, completely nonchalant. Clearly, she was open to the idea. Meanwhile, Scott could feel his soul trying to exit his body. "Wait, what the¡ªNo. I can''t do that. It''s¡ª" Emma''s smirk vanished. Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, so you think my ass is dirty?" Scott''s lips parted slightly in exasperation. "No, like, what? No, of course not¡ª" Emma still wasn''t smiling. "So what?" She shot back. "Do you think I don''t wash my ass? Unlike little Miss Filth over here?" She pointed directly at Dog Girl. Instantly, Dog Girl gasped, her face twisting in pure offense. "HEY©¤©¤!!" The rising tension was suddenly cut by a loud crunch. All eyes turned to Dark Elf, who, up until now, had been watching the entire exchange with the same exhausted look on her face. But then, she sighed. "¡­ Okay, that''s enough." Scott turned to her. "Wait¡ªjust give me a second, I need to get things st©¤" SWOOSH¡ª! Scott hooked at the last second. A short sword cut through the air and flew right where his head had been. THUNK! The blade slammed into the steel wall and embedded itself deep into the metal. Scott''s pupils narrowed as he quickly traced the throw. Dark Elf. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire She was still standing there, bag of chips in one hand. Her expression hadn''t changed much. But her eyes? Dead serious. Scott exhaled, shaking his head. "¡­ Go on." Dark Elf gave a small nod. "Good." She turned her gaze toward Emma and Gwen. "Do you two feel like shouting, too?" The entire room went deathly silent. Emma and Gwen, previously full of fire, now stood stock-still, shaking their heads. Dark Elf took a slow bite of her chip. Then she continued. "For a while now, all of you have been worried about Scott being labeled a terrorist." She flicked a crumb off her glove. "And yeah, we managed to dodge most of it by shifting the work onto the other heroes of Overwatch so the media wouldn''t focus on Nightwatch anymore. But they''re still coming for him. And knowing Rope Girl, she''s gonna use any means to get this job done." Her eyes flicked back to Emma and Gwen. "So if you see help like Dog Girl¡ªdirty and unexpected as it might be¡ªyou take it." A small pause. Then, from the side: "Hey, I''m not dirty!" Dog Girl grumbled under her breath. Dark Elf didn''t even look at her. She just glanced. Dog Girl instantly stiffened and her tail stood straight up as she let out a small whimper. Scott sighed, running a hand down his face. "Right¡­ so that settles it?" Dark Elf popped another chip into her mouth. "Yeah. Now shut up and let me eat in peace." Scott looked back at Emma and Gwen, who were still visibly holding in their irritation. They both exhaled sharply, clearly not happy¡­ but they weren''t arguing anymore. For now. Scott could feel the storm brewing in their heads, but at least, for today, he wasn''t getting stabbed. ??? Nero Labs, Metro City The sterile white lights of Nero Labs hummed softly as the high-tech facility operated in the background. There were two men inside. The laboratory was a lesser-known branch of Volkner Industries and wasn''t exactly the kind of place Isaac Volkner imagined bringing something of this magnitude. Yet, here he was, standing just a few meters away from the floating alien cube, watching as Dr. Frill worked his magic on the computer. Isaac¡ªtall, sharply dressed, and radiating the kind of presence that made people feel either terrified or deeply obligated to impress him¡ªslowly circled the lab, hands in his pockets. His cold, calculating blue eyes flickered between the rotating cube and the so-called expert before him. "I''ll be honest, Frill¡­" Isaac finally spoke. "I had no intention of bringing this thing here. Frankly, I don''t have much faith in this lab¡ªnever have. But my secretary practically begged me to give you guys a chance, swearing up and down that you might be the right team for this." His lips curled into a smirk. "And now? I''m starting to reconsider everything¡ªthat including firing her." Dr. Frill, a lean man with glasses that sat slightly crooked on his nose, smirked without looking up from his terminal. He pushed the frames up with a single finger and exhaled. "Well, Mr. Volkner, I suppose she had a point. A good one at that. Because so far¡ª" He glanced toward the cube and watched its slow, controlled spin. "¡ªI''ve already identified the cube''s origin. And I''d say that''s impressive enough, wouldn''t you?" Isaac exhaled through his nose, then crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, of course, Frill. You''d say that. But I didn''t throw millions of dollars into this just to hear you play Where''s Waldo? with an alien rock." His expression darkened. "I need to know my friggin'' money isn''t going down the damn drain." Dr. Frill took a step forward to inspect the swirling particles emitting from the cube as it continued its hypnotic rotation. His voice was calm, methodical¡ªlike a man unraveling a puzzle only he was capable of understanding. "The elements composing this artifact? Nothing found on Earth. That much was obvious the moment we ran initial scans. But it''s more than that. This cube¡­ it doesn''t belong to our galaxy either." Isaac arched an eyebrow. "And what? You''re gonna tell me that it''s probably from a race of higher-dimensional beings next?" His voice was heavy with sarcasm. Dr. Frill merely adjusted his spectacles again. "Actually? Yes." Isaac let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Jesus. That''s the best you''ve got?" Dr. Frill sighed, then motioned to a nearby frequency generator. "The nature of this device suggests it reacts to molecular-level sonic vibrations. If you let me proceed, this generator could be the key to unlocking its secrets." Isaac''s gaze lingered on him for a long moment before he exhaled and waved a hand dismissively. "For your sake, Frill? I hope it is." Dr. Frill didn''t wait for another word¡ªhe simply straightened his back, cracked his knuckles, and pressed a button on his console. Instantly, the cube''s rotation accelerated. Faster. And faster. The air in the lab grew thick with energy as static crackled in every direction. And then¡ªthe ground trembled. Isaac''s eyes darted toward Frill. "Shut it off." Frill was already hammering every button in reach as his face grew slightly paler than before. "I''m trying! It''s not responding¡ª" Before Isaac could bark another order, a column of red light erupted from the cube, shooting straight into the sky with a deafening roar. The very air shattered around it, like space itself was being torn apart. The beam sliced through the clouds, pierced past the stratosphere, and then¡ª ¡ªIt didn''t stop. It went past the moon. Past Mars. Beyond the solar system. Across the galaxy. And on a distant planet in another star system¡­ Something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªnoticed. Pontius V ¨C The Warfront The planet''s surface was cold, metallic, and bathed in the soft glow of artificial suns. Towering citadels reached toward the sky, constructed with an alien precision that made even the greatest human cities look like mere villages in comparison. Standing on the balcony of a massive warship was a woman who gazed at the distant sky as her piercing blue eyes locked onto the crimson beacon stretching across space. Her skin was a deep, rich brown, her black hair styled in a messy pixie cut, yet somehow still perfect. She wore a sleek, white bodysuit, trimmed with glowing blue circuitry, plates of armor reinforcing her shoulders and forearms. Every inch of her carried the aura of a seasoned general¡ªstrong, commanding, untouchable. And yet, beneath all that¡­ she was stunningly beautiful. The kind of beauty that could be admired in silence. The woman''s lips curved slightly. "So¡­ that must be the beacon of the Draveks." A new player had entered the board. General Thalvion. Chapter 153 The Pontiachs The intergalactic beacon had been sent. To the the planet of warrior women! Pontius V was a massive planet with a bright purple, swirling surface that made it look like a distant purple star in the Andromeda Galaxy. The people of this world, known as Pontiachs, were a humanoid race with dark skin and incredible physical abilities¡ªstrength, speed, and invulnerability so immense that they seem almost godlike. Pontius V was ruled by a monarchy dominated entirely by fierce matriarchs. This was because male Pontiachs simply weren''t strong enough to defeat their female counterparts in combat¡ªor satisfy them in bed. The biggest challenge for the males wasn''t just their lack of power, but the sheer intensity of the females'' sexual energy. Despite their near-invincible bodies¡ªcapable of withstanding punches from starships and blows from mountain-sized extraterrestrial creatures¡ªmost males couldn''t survive intimacy with a female Pontiach. Even something as simple as a kiss could cause their heads to explode, give them severe nosebleeds, or leave them with unbearable migraines. Because of this, female Pontiachs had to find other ways to cope. Many relied on advanced pleasure technology to keep themselves sane, while others turned to each other for comfort. However, it had drastically reduced the birth rate of new Pontiachs, making it harder for their civilization to thrive for generations to come. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Pontius V ¨C The Iron Sky There was a blue streak traveling across the skies at fierce speeds©¤©¤so much so that it trembled the air. It was like a razor that cut through anything in its path. The individual who flew with so much speed, grace and enviable elegance was Ezel©¤©¤a commanding officer in the higher-ranks of their government. Her deep blue eyes, sharp as a hawk''s, locked onto the vast landmass of the compound below. Black hair, wild and messy, framed her glass-like dark skin¡ªa texture and glow that only the highest of nobilities possessed. Her body? Perfection. Slender yet sculpted with raw muscle, accentuated further by wide, commanding hips that looked tempting to hold¡­ perhaps even squeeze, and a sumptuously full chest that made lesser men either weak in the knees or terrified beyond reason. She wore a form-fitting bodysuit. It was similar to General Thalvion''s, though lacking the grandeur¡ªno elaborate armored plates, no billowing cape of command. No, Ezel''s authority didn''t come from ornamentation. It was simply in her presence. Instead, a simple white waist cape draped over her massive hips and fluttered gently as she descended like an angel toward the compound. The sight below was familiar. Male Pontiachs. These pathetic, weak, and utterly broken individuals scrubbed the metallic floors like insects and swept debris while the towering female soldiers barked orders at them. Some had already polished sections of the structures until they gleamed, yet they still worked tirelessly, as though their very existence hinged on their obedience. Ezel''s gaze hardened as she spotted one particular scene unfolding near the center of the compound. A hardened female soldier, clad in the black-and-blue combat gear of the elite enforcers, scowled at a frail, elderly male struggling to keep pace with the others. His hands trembled, his legs wobbled from exhaustion, and his breath came in short, desperate gasps¡ªyet still, he tried. It wasn''t enough. "Why the hell are you moving so slow?!" The soldier''s voice was sharp and commanding. It was like pure venom. The old man flinched and stepped back as if the very air around her words burned his skin. "N-, No! I swear¡ªI''m not doing it on purpose! I-, I''m just¡­ I''m just really tired because of my old ag¡ª" His words never finished. CRACK! A skull-shattering punch slammed into his wrinkled face with bone-crunching force and sent him rocketing backward like a human projectile. Blood sprayed through the air, along with several of his teeth, before his frail body slammed into a nearby building with a sickening thud. A miserable groan escaped his lips, muffled by the pool of blood gushing from his mouth. The other male Pontiachs froze. For a moment, they stopped working¡ªjust a moment. Then, almost in unison, they threw their gazes downward and scrubbed faster, harder. Like rats fearing the wrath of a starving beast. The female soldier stalked toward the broken old man as her eyes blazed with unforgiving dominance. She stood over him, sneering at his fragile, shaking, pitifully bloodstained body. "How dare you lie there like some useless lump of meat?" She hissed. "That was a merciful punch. If I wanted, I could''ve sent you straight into your grave with my boot alone." The old man''s body convulsed in terror. The soldier lifted her foot, placing it inches from his face. "You broke my damn building, you pathetic worm." She pressed her heel forward, making the old man shudder in an oddly perverted way. The man enjoyed the sight of the thick, chocolate thigh of the female soldier before him©¤©¤it made an old man like him hard in ways that he couldn''t explain and it got so much, he placed a hand over his crotch and gritted his teeth in pain. ¡ºPlease¡­ spit on me¡­¡» There were words he could only say in his thoughts. More than anything, he wanted this woman to spit on him in the nastiest way possible and call him the most horrible names she could muster from her vocabulary. It was something he''d grown used to¡­ and unfortunately addicted to. Beating. Insults. He wanted it all. "So, you lazy old man, I want you to lick this boot clean, then start rebuilding what you destroyed with that weak little body of yours." There was no hesitation. The old man instantly crawled forward on all fours¡ªlike a beaten dog¡ªand began licking the woman''s boot with an almost desperate eagerness. His tongue scraped against the dirt-caked sole as his saliva mixed with the filth, yet he lapped at it as if he were drinking sacred water from an oasis after days in the desert. The female soldier watched in amusement and her lips curled into a smug, satisfied smile. "That''s right¡­ good little mutt." The old man nodded frantically. "Yes¡ªyes! I am nothing but dirt before the great women of our planet!" CRACK! A sharp whip cracked through the air and lashed against the old man''s thin, bony backside. "Did you enjoy that?" The soldier asked, tilting her head. The old man shivered as his breath ragged. "Yes¡­ Yes, I love it!" Ezel watched from above. Her face was completely unreadable. This? It was nothing new. She had seen worse. She gently flew back to a higher altitude. Then, without a word, she surged forward like a beam of light for the massive command citadel ahead. Next¡ª DOOOOOOOOM! A thunderous impact split the silence of the command citadel''s landing zone. Ezel landed on one knee as her right fist drove into the ground with such force that the very metal-plated platform shuddered under the weight of her arrival. A controlled yet devastating tremor rippled outward, sending dust and loose debris into the air before it all settled into eerie stillness. She didn''t flinch. Didn''t waver. Didn''t even breathe heavily. Slowly, she rose to her feet and lifted her head toward the vast observatory chamber before her. There, standing with the silent authority of an iron-willed monarch, was General Thalvion. The tall, beautiful woman''s arms were crossed over her armored chest as her piercing blue eyes trained outward to gaze upon the empty expanse of the Andromeda Galaxy through the colossal, reinforced glass wall. She didn''t turn to greet Ezel. She didn''t need to. She already knew. Without looking, she spoke©¤©¤her cold and measured voice came out with an elegance that made it clear she was above mortal concerns. "You already know your objectives, Ezel." No pleasantries. No wasted words. Only purpose. Ezel stood straight, awaiting her superior''s command. Thalvion''s gaze remained locked onto the infinite abyss of space and her expression remained blank as she continued to speak in her usual intrigue-edged tone. "We''ve received an intergalactic beacon." A single statement. A simple truth. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire But the weight of those words? Colossal. "With the vibrational energies we''ve concentrated, we''ll be able to drill a hole through time-space and reach the location of its origin. But there''s a limit." Now, finally, she turned her head slightly, side-eyeing Ezel with a look so sharp, it could carve through steel. "Only one person can pass through the rift at a time." Her golden eyes narrowed. "Do you have what it takes?" The challenge stayed vacant in the air for a short while. Ezel did not hesitate. She lowered her head in deep reverence, then placed a fist to her chiseled chest. "Trust me, General." Her voice was plain. There was no shred of unnecessary emotion in it. "I will go. And I will not only secure a suitable mate for myself¡­ but for many more of our sisters." Her deep blue eyes glimmered. "Beyond that, I will acquire the source of the beacon and forge a gateway for us. So that our sisters may join me¡­ to reap the rewards of the men of this planet." Spoken without a trace of hesitation. Spoken as absolute truth. Her mind was not clouded. Her soul was not burdened. Her will was her own. General Thalvion watched her in silence. The stillness in the air stretched. Then, with a single nod, the General accepted her words. "Good." She clasped her hands elegantly behind her back. It added to her already imposing posture. "There''s no guarantee the men of this backwater planet called Terra are sexually reliable." Her voice was level. Calculating. "But the fact that a Dravek beacon is there¡­" Her eyes darkened. "Means there''s a Dravek." There was a sharp spark of uncertainty that crossed Ezel''s face for the first time. "The Draveks? I thought they died off long ago." There was an edge of disbelief in her tone. "That their technology still exists is already a miracle. But a pure-blooded Dravek? That''s¡­ impossible." Thalvion descended. Not in haste. Not with fanfare. Just absolute grace. Yet, despite now standing at Ezel''s level, she remained above her. Because rank was not dictated by height. It was dictated by power. "We must exercise faith." Her blue gaze bore into Ezel''s very being. "Few of us remember the taste of a real man. Fewer still have experienced what it means to be claimed by one. Our sex holes have hungered long enough and I can find myself going crazy at the thought of having a man dominate me in bed¡­ more and more, I find myself soaked." She turned, her tone growing colder. "If we do not offload this energy soon¡­" She exhaled. "It will consume us. It will consume this planet. And we will be forced to conquer another." Her hands, still elegantly folded behind her back, tightened slightly. A warning. Maybe¡­ a prophecy. Ezel bowed deeper. "Understood, General. I will not fail." Thalvion''s gaze narrowed further. "You better not." Then¡ª Without another word, Ezel twisted the high-tech bracelet around her left wrist. The moment she did, the air screamed. A unique, pulsating soundwave burst forth and generated a violent distortion in space-time. The very fabric of reality shuddered. A spiraling rift tore open before her. And without a second''s pause¡ª She disappeared into it. ©¥©¥©¥ ? ? ? ©¥©¥©¥ Metro City ¨C Midnight The streets were quiet. Only a handful of cars rumbled through the darkened roads as their headlights flashed against the towering skyline. Down in the shadowed alleyways of West District, there was a well-dressed man leaning against a streetlamp with his phone pressed to his ear. "Yeah, yeah, I know the stocks are crashing. I''m not a flipping wanker, my guy. Which is exactly why it''s the perfect time for the pump and dump, idiot." He rolled his eyes, clearly irritated. "Just hype it, sell it, and get us that damn profit before we both end up bankrupt¡ª" Click. His phone switched off. The streetlights around him flickered. His annoyance shifted to confusion. "Huh? What the hell©¤©¤?" He tapped the screen. Nothing. He pressed the power button. No response. He grit his teeth. "Hello? HELLO?! You better have heard me, ''cause I''m not repeating myself!" Then©¤©¤a spark. A faint, flickering blue glow in the darkness. It pulsed. Rhythmic. Hypnotic. The man''s breath hitched. Something about it felt¡­ wrong. Unnatural. Then¡ªthe glow flared. And the night was swallowed whole. Ezel had arrived on Earth. The businessman¡ªwell-dressed, arrogant, and thoroughly pleased with himself just moments ago¡ªnow found himself walking deeper into the shadowed alley, drawn in by an almost magnetic force. The flickering streetlights buzzed like angry insects. The pavement under his expensive shoes felt cold. Unusually cold. Then, he saw her. A figure standing at the very end of the alley, bathed in the faint neon glow of a distant sign. She wasn''t just a woman. No, that word was too small, too weak to contain what he was looking at. She was built. Like a warrior goddess molded from steel and raw power. Her body was sheer perfection¡ªmuscles defined yet elegant, thick thighs that could crush a man whole, a core so sculpted that even under her form-fitting combat attire, the ridges of her abs stood proud. The way her body curved, the way her posture radiated authority¡ªit made something in his chest tighten, and something much lower¡­ stir. His mouth went dry. His tongue flicked out instinctively, wetting his lips. "Oh my¡­ what I would do just to get a lick of those juicy, salty thighs¡­" His voice came out low, husky, as if spoken on impulse. He swallowed hard. How could they be so thick? So¡­ strong? His mind swam with images he didn''t dare put into words, but the devilish smirk curling his lips screamed out the pure depravity bubbling beneath the surface. A little more thought, and he just might''ve started rubbing his hands like some cartoon villain. Then¡ªshe moved. Not fast. Not aggressive. Just a single, deliberate step forward. And when she did¡­ she smiled. It wasn''t just a smile. It was a statement. It was seduction and certainty wrapped in one devastating curve of her lips. His chest tightened again. His breath came in shallow. And suddenly¡ªhe felt a craving unlike any he had ever known. "I sensed your Dravekian beacon¡­" s Her voice was smooth but edged with heavy maturity. "I came here as fast as I could." Her blue eyes gleamed in the darkness, locking onto him like a predator analyzing its prey. The businessman chuckled, stepping closer. His hands moved to his belt and his fingers unbuckled it without hesitation. "I dunno about some Dravekian beacon shit¡­" He murmured as his grin widened. "But I got a beacon in my pants, and I think it should have your mouth on it." She watched him. Calm. Unmoved. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, she took another step. "I am Ezel¡­" She spoke with absolute authority. "High-ranking officer of Pontius V, of the Gelmis Quadrant." Her voice. That voice. It had an effect on him. His mind barely processed what she was saying¡ªhe couldn''t stop staring at her thighs, at the sheer power they held, at the things he wanted them to do to him. "Yeah, sure¡­ whatever¡­" He was now staring at her breasts. Then, without warning, her hand was on his cheek. The warmth of her palm sent a jolt through his body. A shudder. His smirk deepened as he glanced down. Something poked at his expensive trousers. "Wow¡­" He exhaled, shaking his head. "This is the first time I''m getting hard just from a touch. I should be ashamed." Ezel''s lips curled upward once more. "There''s no need for shame¡­" Her voice was very silky and seductive. It made him even harder. "As long as you can satisfy me in bed¡­ and give birth to Pontiach halfbreeds." His head snapped up. His pupils shrank. "Wait¡­ what?" She didn''t blink. Didn''t flinch. "You will breed¡­" She stated matter-of-factly. "Raw. There is no other way." His smirk twitched. Then, it widened. "Hah. You want me to do it raw?" He let out a low laugh. "Lady, I can¡ª" Then¡ª "Ah©¤©¤?! AH?!" His body seized. Pain¡ªunbearable, incomprehensible¡ªexploded through his core. His hands shot to his crotch, gripping himself tightly as his face twisted into something grotesque. His knees buckled. His breath came in strangled gasps. "H-, HOLY SHIT! MY¡ªMY D¡ª" Ezel''s brow furrowed. "Are Terrans truly this weak?" She mused, tilting her head slightly. "I haven''t even done anything yet, and you''re already facing repercussions." She took a step back and watched his convulsions with dispassionate curiosity. "You''re no Dravek." Her blue eyes squeezed with mild irritation. "You''re just a liar." The businessman''s screams rose to a fever pitch. His body trembled violently. His vision blurred. And then¡ª POP. A wet, gruesome sound split the air. His penis got so hard it exploded. His body jerked one final time. Then, silence. Ezel exhaled through her nose. Her eyes, devoid of pity, turned away from the lifeless husk at her feet. The night was still again. Her gaze lifted toward the darkened skyline of this primitive world. She spoke to no one. But her words were fierce. "Don''t worry¡­" she murmured. Her lips curled ever so slightly. "I''ll find him." Chapter 154 ~Intermission~ Abandoned Friend Early Morning. West District, Metro City. The soft, muted light of the early morning peeled through the window blinds to cast pale stripes across the expected mess of Jake''s room. Cardboard boxes and instruction manuals lay scattered on the floor like abandoned ruins, surrounding him as he sat on the edge of his bed. His fingers moved with absolute ease as he slotted tiny golden pieces together as if assembling a mere jigsaw puzzle instead of a 14,000-piece model warship. Each click of the pieces snapping into place echoed in the quiet room. His eyes, however, were dull. Like a youth who had completely lost all paths he could''ve taken in life¡ªbroken. The ship''s skeletal frame grew beneath his hands. The intricacy and complexity of its golden hull¡ªit was truly nothing like the emptiness in his eyes. He placed another piece, exhaled slowly, and muttered. "Sigh¡­ this would be so much more fun if he was here with me. Bro¡­" His voice barely stirred the air. He turned his head as his tired eyes landed on a framed photo resting on the lampshade beside his bed. It showed him and Scott, both beaming and clutching a trophy at an academic decathlon. Their smiles seemed to glow even in the dim room¡­ like it was some ray of hope. Or perhaps, a frozen memory of simpler times. Next to it was another photo¡ªthis one of him, Scott, and Maya at a science fair. The trio stood behind a detailed project display as they held a first-place ribbon between them. Jake''s mind replayed the moment, the thrill of victory, the shared laughs, the way Maya would nudge him and ask what Scott liked or the best way to impress him. He swallowed, his throat tight. "She doesn''t call me anymore¡­ not about Scott¡­ not about anything." He set the half-built warship down as its delicate structure trembled slightly. His fingers lingered on the edge of the bed as he looked at the next photo. A much older picture¡ªhim and Scott standing on either side of Gwen. She was noticeably taller as her mischievous little grin brightened up the frame. Her hands rested atop their heads as their scowls only made her smile wider. A chuckle escaped him in a brief and fleeting manner. Then his lips pressed into a thin line, and he fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. He raised his arm, reaching up, fingers spread as if he could touch the pale white above. His hand trembled slightly and his chubby arm was just a reminder of everything he thought was wrong with him. "Hmm¡­" He murmured difficulty. "Ever since they disappeared¡­ I''ve been going to the gym, trying to lose weight¡­ Scott''s out there, a famous, handsome celebrity¡­ and me?" His hand fell to his chest with a very soft thud against the worn fabric of his shirt. "I''m just the guy whose best friend left him¡­ because he didn''t want to share the spotlight with a fat loser." The words hung in the air, sharp and cold. He flinched, as if they had cut into him, and yet he couldn''t help but repeat them in his mind. Over and over. "No¡­ no, that can''t be right¡­" He whispered as his voice cracked. "Scott wouldn''t¡­ he wouldn''t just leave me. Not like that. Not after everything." He turned onto his side and curled into himself as his fingers clawed into the bedspread. His breaths came in shallow bursts, each one a struggle against the weight pressing down on his chest. "There''s no way¡­ the only guy I''ve ever called my true friend and brother¡­ there''s no way he thinks I''m just a loser, right?" His lips trembled. "It''s not the fame. Not the fortune¡­ it can''t be. He left months before he even got popular. There''s¡­ there''s something else. There has to be." Silence answered him. Jake pulled the blanket over his shoulder. To him, maybe it was a poor shield against the biting chill of loneliness. "I''ve always known Scott was meant for something more¡­ He''s always been¡­ different. Like¡­ like an anomaly. Handsome, smart, gifted in science, and still athletic¡­ it''s almost impossible to understand how." His face turned duller as the early light did nothing to soften the dark circles under his eyes. Sleep had become a stranger to him, replaced by late-night thoughts and the constant gnawing ache of what-ifs. He reached for his phone and the screen lit up to reveal a sad and desperate cascade of missed calls and unanswered messages. Scott¡ª678 calls, 342 messages. Not a single reply. Maya and Gwen were the same, though the numbers were smaller, to him¡­ each unanswered text another stone added to the growing pile in his gut. His thumb brushed over the call button, but he stopped. What was the point? His lips parted as a heavy sigh slipped out. "I can''t stand this..." The warship sat half-built on his bedside table. To him, it was the only lingering hope left. A hope that, perhaps, one day, his phone would ring, and Scott''s voice would greet him. That Maya would call, asking for advice. That Gwen would show up, taller and bolder than ever as he ruffled his hair like nothing had changed. But until then, he remained there, surrounded by empty rooms and fading memories. Slowly, Jake lifted himself from the bed. "If I can''t put myife together¡­ then I can¡­ sigh¡­ I can at least try to put that warship together¡­" He picked up one of the countless pieces. "Scott or no Scott¡­ I''ll survive¡­" He said it©¤©¤but he desperately wanted to mean it. "Back to work¡­" The golden warship started taking shape again. Each delicate piece clicked into place, and his hands moved with precision. His focus was razor-sharp, but his mind drifted far away¡ªas if every snap of plastic was just a way to drown out the silence gnawing at him. His room was full of half-built models, discarded building manuals, and weird hybrid-tech inventions that were all things he and Scott worked on together. "Please¡­ just answer me, man¡­" A loud knock crashed through his silence. "Jake!" The door swung open before he could react. His mother stood at the threshold with her somewhat slender yet muscular arms crossed as her face was the perfect blend of exhaustion and frustration. Her eyes swept over the unmade bed, the disheveled hair, the untouched backpack hanging behind the door. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Jake¡­" She said, sharper this time. "How long have you been in here? Do you want to mess up your perfect attendance? School started an hour ago! What on earth are you still doing in bed?" Jake''s grip tightened on the golden piece in his hand. The edges dug into his palm as his knuckles turned white. He didn''t look up, didn''t even flinch, as if his mother''s voice couldn''t break through the fog around him. "What if I don''t feel like going today?" His voice was low. But it cut through the room with a quiet force. "What did you just say?" "I said¡­ I don''t care about those useless awards from something as crappy as perfect attendance. It''s probably just gonna be some wacky plaque card made with zero thoughts that I''m supposed to appreciate because it has my damn name on it©¤©¤well, I don''t want it!" His mother blinked. Her strict demeanor faltered for a moment. She opened her mouth, then closed it, as if wrestling with the right words. Her son¡­ her perfect son. The same boy who once sprinted to the school bus to avoid being late, who meticulously planned every project, who kept the company of bright, inspiring friends©¤©¤he had never disobeyed her. Not until now. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Her initial instinct had been to launch into a tirade, to threaten to take away his consoles or action figures, but that wouldn''t work here. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She could see it in his eyes. Jake wasn''t acting out of rebellion©¤©¤this was really something deeper. She stepped into the room to navigate the mess, then sat beside him on the bed. The mattress sank slightly under her weight as she looked at him. Really looked at him. His eyes were ringed with exhaustion. His skin had lost its usual glow, and his shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world had settled on them. She had noticed the change before¡ªthe heavy bags under his eyes, the way his smiles never quite reached them¡ªbut she had dismissed it. She thought it was exams. She thought he was studying too hard. Now, she wasn''t so sure. Her arm slid over his shoulders, then she pulled him in. "Alright¡­" She spoke softly. "Talk to me. What''s going on? Why don''t you want to maintain your perfect attendance anymore?" Jake''s frown deepened. His lips pulled into a thin line, and he let out a slow, frustrated breath. "That''s because I¡­ I just don''t give a fuck about perfect attendance anymore. Really." The sharpness of his words made her flinch, but she stayed quiet, letting him speak. "Scott doesn''t maintain his perfect attendance." Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire For some reason that mattered to him. "He doesn''t even go to school anymore¡­" He wasn''t sure©¤©¤but he always searched every lab and class in school to see if he''d find him. He stared at the half-built warship in his hands. "And he''s still a popular celebrity. Praised all over the internet and on the news for being handsome. School didn''t do that for Scott, so why should I bother?" Her fingers tightened on his shoulder. She offered a gentle squeeze. "Well¡­" She said very carefully. "Maybe because you''re not Scott." Jake''s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? That I''m not Scott or that I''m not as handsome as Scott?" His voice cracked. "Because that''s both true. And, honestly, I wouldn''t really feel offended if you thought that too." She pulled him closer, pressing a small kiss to his temple. "Oh, honey¡­" She whispered very gently. Like the young man before her was still her little baby boy that she''d cradle in her arms. "There''s no mother who doesn''t see what they create as the most handsome thing in the world. To me, you''re more handsome than any model." A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at Jake''s lips. His mother caught it as her own partly-wrinkled lips curled into a mischievous grin. She tapped his head lightly with two fingers. "Ahaaaahh©¤©¤!!" The mother giggled. "I saw that! Ooooh, look at you. So handsome with that cute little smile on your teddy bear face!" The smile broke through fully, and Jake let out a chuckle. It was quiet, but it was real. He stood, the bed springs creaking beneath him, and reached for his backpack. He slung it over one shoulder, then adjusted the strap as he looked at his mom. "Well¡­ I should get going." His mom nodded as her expression softened. "You should. And maybe¡­" She brushed a hand through his hair, then set the strands into place. "Maybe try to see today differently. It doesn''t have to be perfect, but it can still be good." Jake took a step toward the door as his hand rested gently on the knob. He paused, glanced back at her as his expression carried both gratitude and something more vulnerable¡ªa vulnerability only a mother was allowed to see. "Mom?" "Yes, dear?" "Thanks." She winked at him dramatically. "I gotchu, dawg." Jake''s lips twisted into a smirk. He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, and for the first time in a long while he was alright. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ NOTE: I had to do this chapter ahead of the next because of the interaction Jake will have with the Pontiachs XD. I think this will be a very fun next few chapters, trust me! Chapter 155 Penis Hunter Uprising! Rooftop Rendezvous The wind swept gently across the rooftop of the Metro Daily building and rustled the sharp edges of Judy Cho''s neatly pressed blazer. Her polished heels clicked softly as she paced along the edge, phone pressed to her ear. Her lips bent into a small, playful smile as she spoke. "What happened?" She asked in a smooth and teasing voice. She didn''t sound like that woman who''d been fuming after waiting ages for a guy she only agreed to date because she was hungry. Instead, she seemed to enjoy the fact that he hadn''t shown up yet¡ªit meant she''d get a chance to tease him a little. "I thought you said you''d be swinging in any second? Not that I''d put you among the most reliable men in the world, but you should at least be responsible enough to not keep a lady waiting." Her words lingered in the open air. A ripple of darkness shimmered behind her and thick shadows bent unnaturally until they gave birth to a tall figure. His silhouette sharpened, solidifying into the form of Shadow as his lean frame stood with a quiet confidence. His hands rested on his waist, and the plain, unreadable look on his masked face hinted at neither amusement nor annoyance. "If you don''t think I''m reliable, hmm¡­" His voice was low and cool. "Then that''s just you assuming the worst of someone. Personally, I don''t rate a lady that does such in the slightest. Maybe I should''ve made you wait a little longer." Judy''s eyes widened slightly, and she turned as she slipped her phone into her handbag. A small frown touched her lips, but a quirk of mischief danced in her expression. "Oh? You''re really gonna talk like that?" She took a step forward, arms folded over her chest. Her head tilted, and she stared up at him with a look that balanced on the edge of playful and seductive. Silence blanketed them. Shadow didn''t move, his mask said nothing. His stillness only seemed to draw her in further as curiosity glinted in her big, brown eyes. Her hand lifted until her soft and slender fingers brushed lightly over the cold, sleek surface of his mask. "Hm¡­" Her voice softened. "I wonder what you look like under this." Her touch lingered, delicate, exploring. Shadow''s breath hitched in a barely audible sound, and he gently caught her hand. His grip was firm but careful, as if handling something fragile. He let out a nervous chuckle. "Uh, maybe we should focus on the whole mysterious case you called me here to handle?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was both professionalism and unease in the manner with which he spoke©¤©¤as if he desperately wanted to be casual with her like they were back at the museum, but at the same time he didn''t want their relationship to go past what it already was. "You, uh¡­ said you had some documents for me, right?" A brief shadow crossed Judy''s face as her tender lips pressed into a thin line. But the moment passed, and she pulled herself together with a shaky smile. "Haaah, yeah." She exhaled with both resignation and forced cheer. "Let''s focus on that instead. Since my attempts at a romantic approach failed." "Eh?" Shadow''s confusion bled into his voice. "Oh, please." She huffed, stepping back with a very dramatic roll of her beautiful eyes. "Don''t act like you didn''t know I was trying to cause some romantic tension between us. Hmph." She punctuated her words with a pout as her slightly reddish cheeks puffed modestly. Shadow tilted his head as his dark mask made the gesture almost comically exaggerated. "You do know I''m already in a relationship, right? A very complicated one, too." "Well, whatever." Judy turned away. She tried to sound indifferent about it all, but there was no hiding that disappointment in her tone. "If you want to be difficult, that''s absolutely fine, and¡­" Her voice dropped and became something sexier. "It''s your loss." She gave him a small glance and in the corner of her eyes he could see that seductive look she always used for every male celebrity she''d managed to pull into an interview. Shadow raised his hands and waved them dully. "Woooww, I''m so pained." The dryness of his sarcasm hung in the air, and Judy''s lips curled into a smirk. She reached into her sizable leather handbag to retrieve a slim, black folder. "Here¡­" Her voice went back to its businesslike tone. "Take a look at this. Seems some well-known businessman died of some sort of¡­ peenar explosion syndrome or whatever doctors call it these days." Shadow''s gloved fingers closed around the folder as his head jerked up. "Peenar explosion syndrome? Uhmm¡­ what the hell''s that supposed to be?" Judy shrugged with effortless motion. "It''s the name of a mysterious medical condition I, Judy Cho, coined myself." She flicked her hair back as her expression glowed with a self-satisfied pride. A short minute of silence. Shadow stared at her, then at the folder. He hesitated, as if wondering whether to ask more or simply accept whatever madness he''d just stepped into. He chose the latter, then cracked the folder open and scanned the documents. Judy''s expression softened as she watched him. Her earlier boldness faded into something more gentle, almost wistful. Her gaze trailed over the sharp lines of his form, lingering on the subtle rise and fall of his chest, the confident yet reserved way he stood. She wasn''t subtle about it. Shadow''s eyes darted up from the page, and though she couldn''t see his expression, she felt his attention shift to her. "What?" he asked. Judy blinked as her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. "Nothing. Just¡­ wondering if maybe, behind all that, there''s a guy worth waiting for." "Hrmm¡­" Shadow didn''t know how to reply. Either way, it was better to ignore it all. ¡ºYeah¡­ should remove the awkwardness a bit¡­¡» Shadow''s gloved fingers rifled through the documents as the brisk rooftop breeze toyed with the edges of the papers. His head tilted slightly as he squinted at the contents. "Hmm¡­" He murmured with some confusion. "Peenar Explosion Syndrome¡­ so, basically, this guy''s penis exploded due to over-excitement?" Judy blinked as her lips curved into a sly grin. "Yup." She placed a hand on her chin as her nails brushed against her smooth skin. "The autopsy showed elevated levels of endorphins and adrenaline in his body at the time." The weird, almost devious smile on her face didn''t go unnoticed. Shadow raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "Ohhh¡­" His voice drew out as if a literal light bulb had flickered on in his mind. "So, the guy really was having sex when his¡­ uh¡­ junk exploded? Did he take performance-enhancement drugs, or was he just riding so hard he¡ª" He cut himself off when he noticed Judy''s face turning red as she bit down on her lip, struggling to contain her laughter. A low sigh escaped Shadow as he smacked his palm against his masked face. "I can''t believe I''m even able to say all this shit with a straight face¡­" He muttered as his fingers dragged down the cold surface of his mask. "But it''s not like I have a choice." Judy folded her arms whilst maintaining her jovial look. "Well, the funny thing is, when the guy was found, he was fully clothed." She tapped her finger against her arm rhythmically. "So, I''m not exactly sure it was, you know¡­ sex. Unless he somehow didn''t make it past first base." Shadow''s gloved hand tapped against his chin. A thoughtful hum followed right after. "Hmm. So that''s what makes this case interesting." His voice adopted a tone of genuine curiosity as he flipped through more pages. "And from what I''m seeing, his hormone levels weren''t just through the roof. They were beyond anything the human body is capable of producing." His head shook slowly. "Which makes no sense. Even performance-enhancing drugs wouldn''t have done this. If they could, I''m pretty sure someone''s junk would''ve popped a long time ago." "Wait a minute." Judy''s fingers snapped out, and she snatched the document from his hands. "Let me get another look at that." Her sharp, well-manicured nails brushed over the lines of text as she tilted her head. "Huh¡­ You''re right." She blinked like a lost puppy. "How did I not pick that up earlier?" A gentle, almost brotherly pat landed on her head. Three soft taps. "Because I''m more experienced in this." Shadow''s tone was light, teasing. "If I wasn''t, you wouldn''t have called me, now would you?" Her lips twisted into a frown, a fiery little glare aimed straight up at him. Shadow chuckled a warm and soft sound despite the cold demeanor of his mask. "Is that supposed to scare me?" His voice dropped into an impish drawl. "If anything, you just look super cute right now. Maybe if you keep that look up, some guys might finally start coming your way¡­ then you''d let me go." A small, indignant grunt escaped Judy as she slapped his hand away. Her movements were sharp, but her pout gave away the heat in her cheeks. Shadow just chuckled again as he turned away and sauntered to the edge of the rooftop. Judy''s pout deepened as she clenched the documents in her hands and the paper crinkled under her grip. She stared daggers into his back, her lips pursed tightly as if she was holding back a storm of words. ¡ºTch©¤©¤jerk!¡» An adorable smile appeared on her face after. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Nero Labs ¨C The Morning After The sterile, white walls of the Testing Room still held hefty evidence of last night''s chaotic event. Equipment was scattered across the floor, shattered glass glittered under the harsh fluorescent lights, and half-empty coffee cups sat abandoned on countertops. Isaac sat in the middle of the wreckage. His sweaty dress shirt was untucked and his tie hung loose around his neck. His hair that was once combed to absolute perfection now looked like a bird''s nest after a storm. Dr. Frill wasn''t faring much better. His lab coat was stained with coffee, his glasses sat askew on his nose, and his usually sharp expression had dulled to a blank, exhausted stare. The two men sat amidst the chaos. Their faces were lined with sleeplessness and disbelief. Isaac''s voice cracked through the silence. "I¡­ I just¡­ hrmm, I really can''t believe we just sent an intergalactic beacon¡­" r His hands trembled as they ran through his tattered hair. "Who knows what that beacon could signify? It could be calling an armada of space conquerors to our planet or, hell, even a destructive race of planet-devourers¡­ beacons are just¡­ never a good thing." Dr. Frill shifted, his voice weak but steady. "But, sir¡­ There''s no way to prove that the beacon traveled across the galaxy that fast. It''s impos¡ª" "SHUT UP!" Isaac''s roar ripped through the air. Dr. Frill shrank back and his chair creaked as he sat ramrod straight, staring anywhere but at his boss. Isaac''s hands balled into fists as he glared at nothing in particular. "I have a friggin'' satellite in space with FTL transceivers!" His teeth clenched, jaw tight enough to crack. "I can tell when anything leaves or enters the damn solar system¡­ or even the goddamn galaxy!" Dr. Frill swallowed, his Adam''s apple bobbing. "Hopefully¡­ this doesn''t cause any trouble." A heavy, suffocating silence followed. Isaac pinched the bridge of his nose as his tired voice slipped into a whisper. "Emma''s gonna kill me if she finds out." Dr. Frill''s brow furrowed, curiosity forcing him to ask. "What does this Emma have to do with th¡ª" "Shut up." The two words were sharp, final. Dr. Frill bit his tongue and nodded as he retreated into his own trembling thoughts. "Go¡­ go get me some water¡­" ordered Isaac. "Y-, YES SIR!" The doctor didn''t waste a moment to depart. The room''s silence wrapped itself around Isaac. Heavy and stagnant. His eyes stared blankly ahead. Failure was something he was used to¡­ but he wouldn''t be able to live with himself if people got hurt because of his scientific endeavors. He blinked. And then she was there. A woman stood in the center of the disheveled room, with a sharp and unsettling presence. She wore a white, futuristic combat attire that clung to her lean, powerful form. Her blue eyes studied him, unblinking. Isaac didn''t flinch. Instead, he squinted, wondering if his exhaustion had finally pushed him to the edge of hallucination. "Uhm¡­" His voice crawled from his throat, scratchy and raw. "Please don''t tell me you''re Dr. Frill''s significant other or something stupid like that¡­" Silence. He raked a hand through his tousled hair as his face caught somewhere between confusion and resignation. "I mean, I know even a doctor like Frill has to sleep around, but I hope it''s not on my property." His gaze wandered over her shapely figure©¤©¤she was like an hourglass made entirely out of meat¡­ thick, juicy meat that every man would drool over. He lingered just a fraction of a second too long. "Although¡­" He paused. "I doubt Frill could charm someone like you." Her lips didn''t move, but a shadow of annoyance passed through her eyes. Isaac sighed as he rose from his chair as each movement weighed down by fatigue. He took slow steps toward the phone mounted on the wall as his fingers already reached for the receiver. "Look¡­" He spoke with flat tone. "I''ll just call security to escort you out. I''m not in the mood to entertain strangers, okay?" Before his hand could touch the phone, the woman vanished. A rush of wind, a blur of white¡ªshe reappeared before him with her slender fingers wrapped tightly around his right arm. Isaac''s breath caught. The sheer speed at which she moved sent a chill crawling up his spine. "Who is the owner of the X-cube?" Her voice was smooth¡ªlike a robot''s. "I''d like to know." Isaac''s brow twitched. X-cube? His mind raced, but his face said nothing. The name sparked recognition¡ªhe knew exactly what she was talking about. But admitting that now would be pure suicide. "X-cube?" He forced a confused smile. "Can''t say I know much about that. But, uh¡­" He tried to ease his arm from her grip, only to find her hold as unyielding as steel. "If you can tell me more about it¡­ then maybe we can use it to get the answers you want. Right, ma''am?" Her eyes narrowed. "You''re just like all the other Terrans on this planet¡­" There was such disdain in her tone. "You don''t have the sexual power required to nail me in bed and give me¡ªand my sisters¡ªthe satisfaction we crave. It is quite unfortunate." Isaac''s head tilted. "I''ve got a politician friend with a sex trafficking ring if you wanna give it a go." His lips curled into a dry smirk. "But I doubt any man could handle a thunder-thigh mommy like you. Don''t you think?" His gaze dropped to her legs. Her thighs were thick, corded with muscle, and packed with a strength that looked capable of crushing bones to dust. Ezel followed his line of sight, then met his eyes once more. "Do you have what it takes to satisfy me?" Her eyes narrowed threateningly. "Or are you just like all the limp-dick Terran men on this backwater planet?" Isaac shrugged, a casual motion that belied the frantic calculations running through his head. "Well¡­" His left hand moved ever so slightly. [Beep¡­ Xenon System loading¡­] His neuralink established a connection to the Volkner Gauntlet strapped to his wrist. "I''m kinda experienced in all matters of the bed, y''know? I mean, I''m packing an impressive six inches down there. I wouldn''t mind giving you a try¡­" Her expression remained blank. "But something tells me you''ve got more muscles between your legs than your arms. I once slept with this Russian gym girl that''s way bigger than Dwayne Johnson and phew¡­ her pussy gripped my banana so hard I was sore and depending on pain relief patches for days." Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire He gave a theatrical shudder. "Not sure I can handle all that grip." Beneath the banter, his gauntlet whirred to life. [Xenon System is now active!] The nanotech exoskeleton began to shift, crawling up his arm in segmented plates of obsidian black. "Uh, your grip must be out of this world, huh?" Her frown deepened. Her fingers tightened. Bone cracked. Isaac''s face twisted as pain lanced through his arm. "Grip?" Her voice dipped, almost a purr. "You mean this?" Another twist©¤©¤CRACK! Isaac''s knees buckled as a strained grunt slipped past his tightened lips. His Volkner Gauntlet flared and the nanotech armor raced to cover his body. But Ezel moved first. Her fist shot forward¡ªa white blur. BAM! His vision shattered. His body flew across the room and the world turned into a smear of color and pain. He slammed into the wall as the impact rattled the room. His body crumpled to the ground, limbs twisted, blood trickling from his mouth. Ezel sighed with zero emotion in her voice. "Surely even this one isn''t manly enough to satisfy me." Her gaze lingered on his broken form, and then, with a casual turn, she vanished. What followed¡­ was lifeless silence. Isaac lay there¡ªstill, broken, and utterly unconscious. This was the start of one of Metro City''s most notorious and feared serial killer©¤©¤the Penis Hunter. Chapter 156 New Prey ¡­ Two Days Later Metro City, Night. The city that never slept. It was now a city that barely breathed. It was evening. Streets that used to be heavy with life and cheerful voices of its people were now eerily quiet. The buzz of police drones hovered overhead as it cast blue and red shadows over empty sidewalks. Curfew notices flashed on every public screen, and officers patrolled in pairs, hands tight on their batons and sidearms. A few days had passed since Ezel©¤©¤the infamous Penis Hunter has landed on Earth, and in that time, fear had blossomed in every corner of the city. Schools had seen their attendance drop sharply©¤©¤boys claiming sudden fevers, parents refusing to let their sons out of their sight. Workplaces were a patchwork of empty desks, with wives clutching their husbands'' sleeves, begging them not to step outside. The police had become an exhausted force and just shadows of themselves as they tirelessly patrolled the streets, enforcing curfews on nightclubs and banning any gatherings where men might be vulnerable. No one was safe. Not the young, not the old, not the hardworking family men who had only wanted to clock in, earn their bread, and return home. In the massive living room of a not-so-modest mansion. Four women sat before a flat-screen TV. The Konrad Kain Show was about to start¡ªand if there was one thing a lot of people in the Northeastern United States believed in, it was the word of Konrad Kain. When it came to getting to the bottom of the whole [Penis Hunter] situation without worrying about cops or even local mayors trying to cover things up, Konrad Kain was the guy to trust. People wanted real, trustworthy information¡ªnot the kind of wild stories and clickbait they''d get from random WeTubers just chasing views. The police weren''t much help either. All they ever did was tell everyone to stay calm and hope for the best, which wasn''t exactly reassuring. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight, we dive into the mystery that''s gripped Metro City¡ªThe Penis Hunter!" Konrad Kain''s face, all perfect teeth and gelled buzz cut, dominated the screen. His expression toed the line between journalistic concern and sheer entertainment. Seated cross-legged on the couch, Emma frowned. "Wait¡­ where''s Marcus? Hmm, that idiot¡­" Relaxing against a stack of pillows, Brigid chuckled. "Hiding. He said he won''t leave his room until they''ve caught the serial killer." The picture of his fearful face was still very vivid in her mind, and perhaps the best part of it all was the way he clutched his crotch with deep fear. ¡ºPsssh©¤©¤loser¡­¡» She couldn''t stop laughing. Gwen raised an eyebrow. "You said the serial killer is a woman, right?" "Yeah." Brigid nodded. Somehow, she was still thinking back to the whole Marcus thing and holding her laughs back. "Lord Nightwatch had me read one of the victims'' bodies. I got a clear image of the woman''s face and even sketched it out. She''s¡­ well, really pretty and built thicker than fresh cow meat from a slaughterhouse." Emma tapped her chin as her amber eyes drowned in deep thoughts and concerns. "I''ve done a citywide sweep five times a day for the last two days. Not a trace. I''m starting to think she''s not even in Metro City anymore." Gwen folded her arms as a light sigh escaped her lips. "If I had a good whiff of her scent, I could track her. But without that, it''s a shot in the dark." Dark Elf crunched on a handful of chips as her crimson eyes half-lidded with disinterest. "Oh, like how you sniff Scott''s tank top and boxer shorts to get a good idea of his scent? I mean, unless you plan to get the killer''s panties to sniff, I doubt you''ll find anything." Gwen''s face turned beet red. Her hands flew to cover her cheeks. "Uhm¡­ y-, you didn''t need to say that¡­" She buried her head into her palms and muffled a tiny, embarrassed groan. Dark Elf merely shrugged, eyes still on the screen. "Whatever." She tossed another chip into her mouth. "Besides, Scott knows what the culprit looks like now. If he needs help, he''ll ask and as usual¡­ you guys, members of his great harem will go help him." Emma''s brow furrowed. "You say he''ll ask and WE''LL go help him. Does that mean you won''t help if he does?" A chip crunched, but Dark Elf''s eyes didn''t shift an inch. "I''m broke. If I''m gonna offer my services be it cleaning, fighting¡­ or even sexually, I expect payment. Unless, of course, you''d rather I go back to killing for a living¡­ though, honestly, that''s getting pretty boring." Her dull face soured more. "When you kill one pot-bellied, old-headed politician you feel like you''ve killed them all¡­ I mean, they always have the same irritating build and goal, touch a gym. Achk©¤©¤!!" Emma''s lips pressed into a thin line. "You live under my roof and eat my food." Her eyes also thinned. "Isn''t that enough?" Dark Elf finally turned to meet Emma''s glare. Her face was absolutely blank. "I only eat chips." "Same thing." Brigid groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Can we focus on the show, please? As much as I can''t stand Konrad Kain¡ªhe''s always got something nasty to say about my precious, blue-eyed prince¡ªhe does have decent content sometimes." Emma didn''t budge. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire "Konrad Kain is also why Scott can''t just take your sketch to the police. Aside from keeping you safe from public exposure, he''s trying to solve this case himself." She exhaled as a note of exasperation in her breath. "But I don''t get why." "Why what?" Gwen lifted a brow. "Why doesn''t he want all the help he can get¡­?" Brigid frowned. Dark Elf finally tore her eyes from the TV. Her chips paused midway to her mouth. "Maybe he feels like he''s not doing enough. Like he''s just a celebrity, a product for the masses¡ªa joke. And he''s trying to prove he''s more than that." She tossed the chips into her mouth, chewing slowly. "Every time Scott wins, he feels like he''s losing. It hasn''t changed once¡­ and the only way to kill that feeling is to keep winning. No matter how small. No matter what." Silence settled over the room. Emma, Gwen, and Brigid stared at Dark Elf. Their eyes were wide like flashlights. "What?" Dark Elf asked, crumbs at the corners of her lips. Gwen shook her head as a small, awestruck smile spread across her face. "It''s just¡­ we always forget how wise you can be." Dark Elf clicked her tongue very dismissively. "Tch. You should listen to me more often." On the screen, Konrad Kain leaned forward, his voice dropping into a dramatic hush. "Our sources say that the Penis Hunter might be closer than you think. Perhaps even in your neighborhood. Lock your doors, keep your sons and husbands inside¡ªand pray that the next victim isn''t someone you love." Brigid rolled her eyes. "Dramatic much?" Gwen chewed on her lip. "But what if he''s right?" Just as Emma was about to respond, Konrad Kain slammed the table and shouted¡ª "But if you ask me, I think the Penis Hunter is just that rascal, Nightwatch, finally showing us his true colors! I just know it, that man is an absolute menace! MENACE!!" "OH, PISS OFF©¤©¤!!" Emma shouted back at the TV while flashing two long middle fingers at the man behind the camera. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Early Morning. The sky was a dull gray©¤©¤the kind of morning where the sun seemed too lazy to rise. Judy pulled her sedan to a stop at the corner of an empty road as the tires crunched against loose gravel. The engine died, leaving nothing but the soft hum of the city waking up far in the distance. She stepped out, stretching her legs as her heels tapped lightly against the pavement. Waiting for her, leaning against a rusted streetlamp, was Commissioner Bennett. His dark overcoat hung over broad shoulders, and his arms were crossed tightly over his chest. His stern face was set in stone¡­ a permanent scowl etched into his features. His graying hair and the lines around his eyes made him look older than his forties, but there was no mistaking the sharpness in his brown eyes. Judy offered him a smile, one bright enough to cut through the morning fog. "Morning, Chief." "Hrmm¡­" Bennett''s frown deepened. "With a smile like that, I''d think you were here to collect an inheritance from the fresh corpse we found." His voice was gravelly. "At least you didn''t say ''good morning,'' or some of my boys might''ve lost their cool." Her smile wavered. The reality of the situation finally hit her like a biting gust of cold wind. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. People were dying. Real people, not just headlines and bylines. She cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck. "Uh, sorry about that, sir." He sighed, pushing off the lamp post. "Whatever. Come on." They walked side by side as their boots and heels echoed off the cracked asphalt. The street stretched out ahead, empty and silent, framed by abandoned buildings with shattered windows. A gust of wind rustled the trash littered along the gutter. Then, without warning, jet-black shadows twisted at the edge of the road. Darkness rolled in like a mist, pooling together and rising into the shape of a man. Shadow appeared in an instant, as his form solidified with a casual ease. He matched their pace, hands resting at his sides. Bennett''s reaction was immediate. His hand flew to his sidearm. But before anything could happen, Judy shot out a hand and pressed it firmly against his shoulder. "It''s okay, Chief¡­" she said. "He''s with me." Shadow lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave. "Uh, yeah. Hi." Bennett exhaled sharply as his grip loosened. "Maybe next time, you come with her instead of popping out like a damn ghost. You might not be so lucky." Shadow rolled his eyes beneath his mask. "Lucky¡­ sure¡­" The commissioner''s lips thinned, but he let it go. His voice shifted to become even MORE serious. "The H.A''s been very nosy since the super-endorphin rumor started. That why you''re here?" Shadow shrugged. "Sure, whatever." Judy jabbed an elbow into his side. He let out a quiet ''oof'' and glanced at her, catching the sharp look she shot his way. "Yes¡­" He corrected, hilariously sounding more like a scolded child than a hero. "The Hero Agency sent me." Bennett''s shoulders relaxed, but only slightly. "Good to know they haven''t abandoned us. You know, my buddy Commissioner Lisbon over in Meteor City is always bragging about the help she gets from Deathmark and Rope Girl. Those two hold that whole city together¡ªGod knows Meteor City doesn''t attract much help. But between them and Lisbon''s cops, they do more with less." He stared at the cracked ground. "Makes me jealous, to be honest." He lived in a city that was supposed to be the City of Heroes, but lately, it felt more like a knock-off Hollywood. Instead of real heroes, the place was packed with celebrities and influencers, more focused on fame than saving lives. The commissioner used to believe in heroes¡ªgenuine ones who''d risk everything, bleed, and suffer just to make sure ordinary people could smile. But that hope had long burned out. Some folks called him crazy for expecting anyone to sacrifice themselves for others, but he didn''t see it that way. If a regular guy like him could step up when needed, then surely the so-called heroes with superpowers could do the same. "Yeah¡­" Shadow muttered with a weak voice. "Those guys are the real heroes." Judy''s brow furrowed. "You missed someone, Chief. Nightwatch. Sure, he''s been quiet lately, but when he was around, he did so much for Meteor City. More than anyone could ask for." Bennett''s expression hardened. "Was. A real hero doesn''t run just because some Agency full of fake bastards called heroes pushes back. Nightwatch was loved. Respected. Half-man, half-god. Even cops who''d never met him looked up to him. Now? He''s just a coward. Doesn''t deserve a damn thing." He gritted his teeth. "I''d trade that bastard for a mustard seed¡­" Silence swallowed them. Judy''s eyes found the cracked pavement, her voice trapped somewhere between her lungs and throat. She could feel the pain and frustration in Bennett''s words. ¡ºI can''t argue against that¡­¡» Shadow''s head hung low. "Yeah¡­" They walked on. The world around them was muted. The city that used to be so loud, felt like it was holding its breath until death. And in that quiet, the three of them moved forward. Two walked in the light, and one, a shadow in¡­ every sense of the word. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Cislunar Space, On a Rotating Asteroid Ezel sat cross-legged on the rugged surface of the asteroid as her messy, black hair billowed gently in the vacuum of space as the massive rock rotated, offering her sporadic views of the blue-and-green planet below. The asteroid''s slow spin revealed the glimmer of stars, but her eyes remained locked on Earth. With her super vision, she saw through layers of atmosphere and concrete, peering straight into the sprawling maze of Metro City. Buildings, streets, and shadows all whispered of stillness. The city was quiet, too quiet. "As much as I detest this backwater planet¡­" Ezel''s voice slipped into the void. "And that useless, pitiful excuse of a civilization they call Metro City¡­ tch©¤©¤!" She sighed and her breath remained soundless. "I have no choice. The Dravekian beacon originated here, and if I''m to find the man behind it¡ªor at the very least, their X-cube¡ªI must remain." Her head fell back, and for a moment, she stared into the abyss of the cosmos. "Perhaps I should just give up¡­" The asteroid rolled, and the Earth filled her view again. "Scott, come on¡­" Her head snapped forward as pupils constricted. Her vision tunneled through clouds, rooftops, windows¡ªdown, down, until it settled on a lone figure trudging along an empty street. It was a short, chubby young man. A backpack hung on his shoulders as his fingers clutched the straps as if they were his last tether to reality. He moved with the hesitant gait of prey straying too far from the herd. His lips moved, and Ezel read them as easily as if he stood before her. "I''m not sure I should be at a place like this¡­ but if what that guy said was right, maybe I can get cooler by attending a secret club party or whatever¡­" He sighed, a sound lost to the wind but not to her. "Desperate enough to get Scott''s attention again¡­ doing this might not do much, but oh well." He shuffled forward as his dirt-caked sneakers scuffed the cracked pavement. Ezel''s lips curved into a thoughtful line. "Perhaps the Dravek I seek isn''t built like the legendary warrior I thought they''d be¡­" She growled at the sight of this weak man. Perhaps the weakest man she''d seen©¤©¤to her, she looked like everything wrong with this planet. Her sense for domination gnawed at her. "In a world as numbed by comfort as this, even a Dravek could have become¡­ something else." Her eyes sharpened, and the asteroid beneath her rumbled as if in response to her intent. The stars behind her dimmed. "Something softer. Weaker. Or¡­" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Something hiding beneath a mask of mediocrity." Her teeth sharpened like a wolf baring its fangs. "Let''s see if you''re the mouse¡­ or the serpent in disguise." Chapter 157 Club Hunt The Rolling Stone Club. It was an extremely luxurious place hidden beneath the streets of Metro City. Built within an abandoned, million-dollar bunker from an era of forgotten wars, it had transformed into the most exclusive underground club in the city. It was a sanctuary, a place where men could gather despite the oppressive bans, where sport, work, and even casual meetups had been outlawed. But entry came at a steep price. Thousands of dollars just to step through its grand halls. Unless, of course, you were a woman. Then, it was free. The line outside stretched down the dark alley, men shifting restlessly on their feet, clutching expensive wristbands proving their entry fees. Women strutted past with effortless ease as the bouncers barely spared them a glance. Then came Ezel. She strolled past the line as if it didn''t exist. Her sharp blue eyes remained indifferent to the murmurs bubbling up around her. "Hey! Who the hell does she think she is?!" A voice screeched from the line. A tall, furious woman glared at Ezel with the kind of intensity you''d expect from someone facing their worst enemy. Her clenched teeth and tightly balled fists made it clear¡ªanyone else would have taken it as a threat. But Ezel? She didn''t even flinch. In fact, the moment Ezel turned to her to lock eyes, the woman absolutely froze. Her cheeks burned. Her breath hitched. Even her long, oiled legs wobbled. A shudder overtook her entire body as her knees pressed together and her face twisted with the pain and pleasure one would expect from a sexually aroused woman. "Ahnnnn~ ?? It feels¡­ so~soooo good ??!" She threw her head back and grabbed her breasts without a second thought©¤©¤her next intent was to squeeze her nipples and filter out as much sexual tension as possible. "Where is this feeling coming from¡­" A strangled moan escaped her lips. Truly, this was her body betraying her. "Ahhhh¡­ ahhhh©¤©¤©¤©¤AHHHNNNNN ????!" Her love juice gushed out in an uncontrollable burst. ¡­ SQUIRT©¤©¤©¤©¤SPLASH!! She could feel all her juices spraying out from between her legs like she was a broken faucet. The more she squirted the more it felt like there was a feather¡­ maybe even a tongue dancing around her clit and making her feel so good. The crowd lurched back, stunned into silence. Then she collapsed on her own juices. Unconscious and unbelievably wet. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then¡ª "HOLY SHIT! What just happened?!" A man shouted as his voice echoed through the alley. "I don''t know. BUT I LIKE IT!" "No one told me Rolling Stone Club girls were built with a friggin'' water tank down there! Fuck this I''m gonna pay for the VIP room tonight! I need me a babe that can squirt!" "On God, bro! That''s premium pussy water!" "Tch©¤©¤you mean are disgusting¡­" "Yeah, says the stripper working the 7 a.m. shift¡­" From within the crowd, a short, bald man with a grotesque, twisted face shot forward like a rabid animal as his white tongue lolled hungrily from his mouth. "RAHHH! My favorite juice! Let me at it! LET ME FUCKING AT IT JUST ONCE!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He let out a shriek and lunged at the puddle like a madman as he shoved his hand down his pants in a way that only made things worse. Anyone watching could tell¡ªhe was about to satisfy himself with the taste of some random woman''s fluids. "Ah, fuck, not again!" A bouncer growled, and in a blur of motion, several guards tackled the perverted creature to the ground, subduing him like an unruly mutt. The entrance guard sighed as he rubbed his temples. "Why does this kinda shit always have to happen¡­? Some girl cums or lactates, and there''s always a Freaky Franky crawling out of the shadows to drink it fresh." A man in line turned, bewildered. "Wait, for real?! This happens often©¤©¤?!" The guard gave a tired nod. "Every morning and night. You have no idea the kinda degeneracy we deal with." The man laughed awkwardly, rubbing his neck. "Y-, Yeah, ahaha¡­ I mean, seriously, what kinda freak would wanna drink the fresh, warm, probably sweet¡ª" His eyes flicked to the glistening puddle, and his lips smacked involuntarily. A sharp look from the bouncer. Two more guards moved in. "Wait¡ªNO! I didn''t mean it like that! I SWEAR¡ª!" The man screamed as they dragged him off. He kicked and pleaded like a slave sentenced to death. "I PAID TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS SHIT!" The line went silent once more. Ezel barely spared the scene a glance. "Tch. To think a Terran woman lacks the resistance to even look at me properly¡­" She murmured with the annoyance of a petulant child. "They don''t even possess the necessary physiology to bear a Pontiach halfbreed. Useless." She stepped forward. But just before she reached the entrance, a Goliath''s shadow loomed over her. The head bouncer stepped in her path He was a massive brute of a man. Towering, broad-shouldered, built like a walking slab of concrete, he crossed his arms and looked down at the comparatively small, athletic woman before him. "Listen, sweetheart¡­" He sounded like he chewed gravel for fun. "I don''t care how fine you think you are. This is a club, not a damn palace. You act entitled, and I''ll throw your ass right back to the end of the line." He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, his grip firm, almost condescending. "Besides, it''s not like you''re wearing anything sexy that could make me reconsider. So what you''re gonna do, missy, will you be a good girl and¡ª" His voice died in his throat. A sharp, gut-wrenching sensation crawled up his spine. His throat dried, his muscles locked, and a primal, ancient fear overtook him. Ezel''s blue eyes had darkened. She stared at him with a gaze that felt almost inhuman. It was the kind only a predator gives when looking at something beneath it. The bouncer''s grip slackened. His breath grew ragged. He couldn''t move. Couldn''t think. Couldn''t even speak. Ezel''s lips barely moved as she whispered©¤©¤low, calm, utterly damning: "Take your hand off me." The brute swallowed. Hard. Then, as if his body was no longer his own, his fingers trembled and released her shoulder. His entire muscular body shuddered as he stepped back, drenched in sweat, lungs desperately trying to suck in air he didn''t know he had lost. The crowd watched in fearful silence. Ezel tilted her head slightly, unimpressed. Then, without another word, she strode past him and entered the Rolling Stone Club. The bouncer remained frozen for a long time. Then he exhaled as he clutched his chest. "F-, Fuck¡­ what¡­ the hell was that¡­?" The people in line just stood, still too stunned to speak. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Ezel stepped into the main room of the club. The room was the center for decadence and depravity. Waiters weaved between the throngs, balancing trays of shimmering wine glasses and artfully plated hors d''oeuvres as their movements were nothing but sharp and practiced amidst the debauchery. If you looked beyond the veneer of luxury, the room reeked of desperation and raw, unfiltered lust. Bodies roughly spread across the numerous velvet sofas. All that could be seen was men and women pressing bodies together like wild animals mating shamelessly. Some kissed with hunger that made them look mad and others pressed so close their love looked far more violent than it was passionate. Ezel took a long, deliberate inhale. The scent was sharp, laden with sweat, hormones, and the powerful hum of sexual energy. She exhaled, and her lips moved without sound. "The smell of sexual energy here¡­" Her expression remained stoic, but her eyes narrowed as blue irises glowed faintly. "It is almost as high as the average Pontiach female." Her mind ticked away at the numbers. "Given the density of this crowd and the level of sexual energy being produced¡­ to satisfy the average Pontiach female, they would need to bed at least over 200 Terrans." She sounded very disappointed. She strode forward as her boots clicked softly against the polished floor. The music was so loud that all other sounds disappeared, but every step she took seemed to mark an unseen path across the room. She stood out with the way she indifferently cut through the carefree vibe like a knife. People couldn''t help but notice her, even if they didn''t realize it, but no one was brave enough to look her in the eye. Eyes lingered¡ªsome with desire, others with envy¡ªbut she did not care. She moved with a confidence born of conquest as each glance to her¡­ was just breeze against iron. She walked past two women who were wrapped around each other as they danced. Men and women kissed and humped each other. Women and women kissed and inserted their fingers down each other''s holes while deep, youthful moans escaped their heated breath full of alcohol and cigars. Even men and men kissed. She looked at them for a second, but her face didn''t give anything away. Right after, she turned away. Not far off, strippers moved on raised platforms as they danced with their usual sexual intent. Ezel''s lip twitched©¤©¤a quick, barely-there sign of her lack of interest. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Jake sat at the bar with a slumped posture as his fingers traced lazy circles around the rim of his glass. The bright orange juice within was a mocking difference to the amber spirits and neon cocktails being poured around him. His eyes drifted, unfocused, until they landed on a couple deep in the partying crowd. The captain of the football team. The cheerleader with the perfect hair. Jake knew them¡ªshared classes, hallways, the dull hum of a high school existence. They kissed with a casual passion, the kind that seemed so natural it hurt. He sighed, a low, defeated sound. "They make it look so easy¡­ it almost makes me feel like I''m mentally challenged or something." The bartender paused mid-shake as the ice in his metal mixer clinked softly. He was quite a wiry man with a patchy chin beard and eyes too old for his face. "Well, all that is understandable." His voice had the smooth, charming cadence of a late-night radio host. "Women are a complicated species, but so are men. You just gotta bring out that side of yourself that leaves ''em lost in the mystery. There''s nothing women love more than a mysterious, bad boy, yunno¡­" Jake''s brow creased. "Really? My best friend, Scott, used to say a genuine guy is what women love. And that''s kinda tr¡ª" "Your best friend Scott?" The bartender''s tone slipped into something sharper. "The same best friend that abandoned you? Left you to endure loneliness in school and shit? Nah, I don''t think you can call that dickhead your friend, much less a brother. He''s a friggin'' disgrace to the brotherhood. Personally, if I got famous, I''d never leave the people who''ve been with me." Jake''s mouth opened, closed. His fingers tightened around his glass. "Yeah¡­ I mean, I guess." The bartender leaned in and his elbows rested on the polished wood of the counter. "Listen, kid. Even that Scott fella who preaches about genuineness is just as mysterious. That''s why you''re charmed by him." The words hit like a slap. Jake''s eyes widened. His thoughts collided in a messy heap. "What the fuck¡­?" "Mhm." The bartender nodded sagely. "It''s alright, my guy. It''s totally not homo. Just bromo." Jake''s face turned beet red. "NO WAY! THAT IS THAT WHY I ALWAYS HAVE GAY DREAMS OF SCOTT THEN©¤©¤?!" A few heads turned, but the club was loud, and his outburst was only a note lost in the din. The bartender grinned¡­ he tried to hide the pride and heavy amusement soaking into his face. "And that''s alright¡­" He said, patting Jake''s shoulder. "Embrace it. Hell, maybe Scott''s the light at the end of your tunnel, but not now¡­ I''ll educate you on that another time, alright, my guy? Now, speaking of lost souls¡ª" The bartender straightened as his gaze shifted to the edge of the room. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire "I gotta go. Some poor bastard sent his long-distance girlfriend of two months five grand for a first-class flight, only to find out she was a dude." Jake winced. "Ooof. You''ll need a whole ass squad to fix that guy, huh?" The bartender chuckled. "Pretty much. Stay safe, kid." He vanished into the throng, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts. The silence that filled the gap was louder than any music. He slumped as the worth of the conversation pressed down on him until he felt he might fold in on himself. Then, a tap on his shoulder. He turned, and the world instantly dimmed around the figure before him. It was an absolutely beautiful woman. Ezel stood there, backlit by the club''s classic violet and crimson lights. Her silhouette was a perfect cutout against the hazy and eye-aching backdrop. Her lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile. "You look lost." Jake''s jaw went slack. Words died on his tongue, smothered by the oddly predatory energy in her seductive eyes. And in the quiet space between heartbeats, he thought. ¡ºI''m so screwed¡­¡» First time at the club? Yes. First time speaking to a woman outside school? Yes. ¡ºWhy am I so¡­ nghk©¤©¤! So hard¡­?¡» He could already feel his pants starting to lose space as the rod between his legs hardened. Chapter 158 Club Disaster Overwatch Headquarters Scott sat in the center of his dark command room at the Overwatch Headquarters. He was surrounded by a terrifying labyrinth of high-definition holographic screens. Each one displayed live satellite footage of Metro City¡ªdark alleys, empty streets, shadowy rooftops¡ªall bathed in the pale glow of calm city lights. He was still wearing his sleek Shadow Factor Suit. He had retracted his mask, letting the stale, metallic air of the room brush against his clammy skin. ¡ºHrmm¡­ I''m a little hot¡­¡» His tired eyes had heavy, purple bags under them. He stared dead into the array. Over 60 screens. Not a single blink. His phone buzzed. The sharp ring sliced through the silence. Scott''s bloodshot eyes slid to the device lying among scattered files and hastily scribbled notes. [Forty missed calls.] Thirty from a worried Gwen and Emma combined, and the other ten from Judy. He thumbed the phone off without a word. His eyes drifted back to the screens. "Men keep dying every day¡­" His voice was hoarse, as if every word was dragged out by a gut-wrenching force. "The same pattern. Large amounts. If I don''t stop this killer, I might regret it way too soon." His gaze dropped to the detailed sketch in his hand¡ªa rendering of Ezel. A rough sketch, but still very useful. His fingers tightened on the paper, creasing the edges. "It''s supposed to be an African-American woman¡­" He muttered, staring back at the screens. "But I haven''t seen a damn sign of her in all the satellite footage. Feels¡­ pointless." His gloved hand rose and he pressed hard against the bridge of his nose, as if trying to stave off blindness. His vision pulsed, static and fuzz at the edges. The other paper in his hand crumpled slightly. It was a strange insignia Brigid had handed him. Supposedly, it was seen on Ezel''s bodysuit. "What the hell does this even mean¡­" A rush of shadows crawled up his neck, pooling over his head and reforming into his sleek helmet. [System Active!] The HUD flickered to life as a cool blue interface layered over his exhausted vision. "System¡­" he rasped, "can you identify this insignia?" [Scanning¡­] A pause. His heart thudded slowly, painfully in his chest. [Attempt failed. Scanning again¡­] A low growl escaped him. [Attempt failed. Accessing extraterrestrial database.] Scott''s eyes sharpened. "Extraterrestrial, huh?" His brow furrowed. "Wait¡­ don''t tell me that¡ª" [Insignia identified.] A map of stars scrolled across his HUD as constellations and coordinates aligned. [It is the great insignia of an ancient warrior race known as the Pontiachs, from the planet Pontius, located in the Glemins Quadrant of the Andromeda Galaxy.] Something inside Scott clicked. The stagnant sludge of fatigue lifted, if only a little. His lips curled into a shadow of a smile. "Well, shit¡­" He spoke with some quirkiness. "Didn''t fucking know you were a damn intergalactic encyclopedia, System." [Would the host like to know more?] "Lay it on me." [The first killing occurred in the West District of Metro City. A few hours to this¡ªsatellite scans detected powerful sound beams that tunneled through space-time, likely traveling out of the galaxy.] Scott''s head tilted. "A beacon?" [Affirmative. Further analysis suggests the extraterrestrial individual may have used highly advanced technology to mirror the quantum signature of the beacon and slingshot through a warp bubble to Earth.] He leaned back as the shadowy plates of his suit clicked softly against the metal chair. "That makes sense¡­ kinda. But why the hell is she targeting every man here?" His mind spun as he hurriedly pulled up autopsy reports and toxicology screens. "Is she just¡­ lonely? A man-hater? Or¡ª" He froze. His fragile brain hit a wall, then bounced off it, then scattered pieces everywhere. "Wait." Scott''s fingers twitched. "The chemicals in the bodies¡­ the victims were all male. Elevated endorphins. Adrenaline. Levels scientists have never seen before." The System hummed in its robotic sound. [Calculating¡­ High probability that the individual is searching for a suitable mate, as it is common for all female Pontiachs. Her sexual energies may be incompatible with Terran biology, resulting in fatal outcomes.] Scott''s eyes widened. "Oh, fuck." His fingers snapped loudly. "That''s it! The beacon¡ªit came from Earth, but it might not even originate from here! Hell, we don''t have tech capable of FTL travel. It''s probably just alien tech in the wrong hands. The woman isn''t searching for humans¡ªshe''s looking for the owner of the beacon." His eyes narrowed. "Whoever they are¡­ they''re the suitable mate!" Adrenaline shot through him. The screens blurred, and he stood as a surge of strength pulsed through his weary limbs. "Now I just need a pattern. Yes, yes, a pattern. I just need to figure out where sh¡ª" The System cut him off. [One of the hacked satellites has detected an abnormal entry two hours ago. Supersonic speed. The object halted at Wilmar''s Street.] Scott''s lips pulled into a smirk. "What''s at Wilmar''s Street?" [Searching¡­ Rolling Stone Club.] The shadowy mask slid back to reveal his sly grin. "Gotcha." Finally, there was something to hunt down! ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Ezel held Jake''s hand tightly. It wasn''t her usual grip that pressed steel like it was paper and crushed diamond to dust. Her grip was both firm and possessive as she led him through the pulsing waves of bodies. The music pounded with heart-trembling force as it made the air vibrate with each powerful beat. For all his nervous energy, Jake could do little more than stare at the woman leading him¡ªhis eyes shamelessly sweeping from the curve of her hips to the straightforwardness in her eyes, a huge, stupid smile plastered across his face. Ezel finally stopped, pulling him into a secluded corner where the neon glow dimmed just enough to carve a pocket of exclusivity. She turned to him and her lips curled slightly. "You''ve been staring quite a bit¡­" She murmured, tilting her head slightly. "Do you have something interesting to tell me?" Jake blinked, then quickly looked around as his brain scrambled for something¡ªanything¡ªto say. "Uhh¡­" Silence. His mind spun like a broken record, the needle skipping from one half-formed thought to another. What would Scott say in this situation? Something cool, something smooth. Maybe¡ª ¡ºYour eyes are as beautiful as the stars of the night sky, I can''t stop staring into them.¡» ¡ªNO. He shook his head vehemently. ¡ºScott wouldn''t say that. In fact, a girl would probably say that to Scott. That bastard has blue eyes that belong to a Greek god, a real Adonis walking the earth while I''m just some chubby kid trying not to sweat through his shirt. Man, this self-pity shit is getting corny¡­¡» His face twisted in frustration before he finally looked back at Ezel, who was still standing there¡ªpatient, unbothered, as if she had all the time in the world. He swallowed. "Uhm¡­ I was wondering if you wanted to, y''know¡­ dance a little and maybe do some other cool, uh¡­ stuff." Smooth. Real smooth. Before he could sink deeper into self-loathing, Ezel placed a single finger on his lips. "Shhh¡­" His brain short-circuited. He blinked, frozen like a deer caught in headlights, but he didn''t dare move as his watery lips tingled where her finger pressed softly. Meanwhile, Ezel was reveling in it. She loved a man who obeyed her every word. But beyond that, there was something¡­ greatly different about this one. Something that made her take pause. Most Terran men would have already collapsed by now. Just being within range of her sexual energy should have turned his legs to jelly, should have made his mind fog over with uncontrollable desire. Yet here he was, still standing, still speaking, still looking at her with that same lost-puppy confusion. Her eyes narrowed slightly. ¡ºInteresting¡­ how is he resisting me?¡» There were only two possibilities. Either he truly had no sexual intentions toward her¡­ or¡­ he was a Dravek. ¡ºI need to test this.¡» Her decision was instant. She moved closer as her shapely, meaty body pressed sensually against him as her slender yet muscular arms slid around his wide body. Her hands roamed downward as one slipped over his lower back while the other boldly grabbed his ass like they were fresh oranges. Jake''s reaction was immediate. His entire body jerked, pressing further into her as his plump cheeks burned red hot. Ezel''s smile deepened. "How hot and wet do you want this kiss to be?" There was a lot of seduction in the way she whispered. "I can make it however you want¡­" Jake swallowed. Hard. "Uhm¡­ want¡­ what¡­?" Ezel leaned in, so close their noses brushed. He could feel her breath¡ªsweet, warm, intoxicating. "Oh, come on~" She purred so sexily. If any man heard this themselves, the meat between their legs would be so hard it would be like a second heart. "Mhm-mmm~ You really don''t have to be innocent. Just let yourself go. I''ll kiss you so good¡­ you''ll never want to leave these lips of mine. And when I''m done with you in bed, you''ll crawl to me everyday hoping to be treated like the filthy slaves we have back on my planet." Jake gulped again, his throat dry. His lips moved slightly in the direction of hers¡­ only to suddenly pull back. "I-, I''m sorry¡­" He shook his head, stepping back slightly. His voice was shakier than his legs. "I¡­ I just¡­ I can''t do this without you meeting my mom and dad first." Ezel froze. "Eh¡­?" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jake continued. Funnily enough, his expression was completely serious. "My dad''s in Iraq, but we can do a quick video call so you can talk to them. That''s much better¡­ and, uh, you should take a test too. I''m really scared of STIs." Silence. Ezel just stared at him with a blank face. This was a first. Then Jake''s body stiffened. A sharp pain shot through his lower half and painfully radiated up his spine. His face turned a deep shade of red as he doubled over and clutched his crotch as though his very life depended on it. He squeezed his crotch so hard one would almost think he didn''t have a delicate item between those legs. A deep, agonized grunt escaped his throat. "Ahhhhhh¡ªwhat''s¡­ going on?" Ezel''s eyes flickered with intrigue. ¡ºNow this¡­ this is truly disappointing. Regardless¡­¡» She was hoping his case would be different. Jake fell back even more and his body convulsed as he grunted in deep, guttural pain. His hands never left his crotch, gripping it with such force that it seemed like he was trying to crush whatever lay beneath his fingers. "ARRGHHH!" He bellowed with raw pain and agony. "Why does it hurt so much©¤©¤?!" Ezel watched him with emotionless eyes. For a moment, she simply stood there, letting his suffering play out as her blue eyes dimmed with disappointment. Then, she sighed softly and looked away. "Tch." She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms. "I really wanted it to be you¡­ but it seems you don''t have what it takes to handle me either." She shook her head as her hardened gaze dissolved into something almost like regret. "And I was already starting to like you¡­ you really are such a sweet and innocent person." Without another word, she turned and walked away as she vanished into the partying crowd of the club. Still on the floor, Jake gasped for breath. His chest heaved as he tried to make sense of what just happened. His head spun. His ears rang. He reached out as his chubby fingers stretched toward the vanishing silhouette of Ezel. "W-, Wait¡­!" Then, he felt it. A thick, warm liquid dribbled down his upper lip. His nostrils burned, and his ears tingled with a sharp sting. He touched his face¡ª Black blood. Jake''s eyes widened in horror as he yanked his hand away, staring at the dark, viscous fluid staining his fingers. "No¡­ no, no, no¡­ this can''t be happening¡­ not now¡­" Panic flooded his veins as his breathing turned erratic. His body trembled and his legs staggered backward. He clenched his crotch harder, his entire being consumed by a deep, primal fear. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire Something was wrong©¤©¤very, very wrong. Across the club¡­ Scott stepped into the main room wearing a long, dark trench coat over his broad shoulders. Beneath it, the sleek black material of the Shadow Factor Suit clung to his body with his helmet retracted to his neckline so his face remained visible. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd with a grim face. "Tch. Hope she hasn''t gotten to anyone yet." He adjusted his gloves. "If she has, then¡­" His pace quickened as his eyes looked over the chaotic dance floor, searching¡ªuntil something caught his eye. In the corner, secluded from the strobing lights and thrumming bass, someone was choking violently. Their body convulsed as black blood splattered against a thick glass table as they struggled to breathe. Scott''s eyes narrowed. "Huh¡­?" Then, without hesitation¡ª Darkness swallowed his head and his sleek mask reformed in an instant. Whoosh!©¤©¤He moved. To the crowd, it was as if he had simply disappeared. One second he was there, the next he was a shadow streaking across the club, cutting through space like a bullet. Only one person saw it happen. Ezel. To her, Scott''s "instant speed" was nothing but the lazy drift of a falling petal. Maybe you could even call it a snail''s motion. Her lips curled slightly as her eyes sparked with interest. Meanwhile, Scott caught the convulsing body just as it was about to hit the floor. He collapsed his helmet once more as his breath hitched when he saw who it was. "No way¡­" Jake. Scott''s brows furrowed. "What the hell are you doing here? Didn''t you hear about the Penis Hunter going after any man she could find?!" Jake wheezed, and then coughed up another mouthful of black blood. He squinted up at Scott with trembling pale lips as he forced out words between ragged breaths. "Oh right¡­" His voice cried with bitterness. "Of course, it''s only when I look like a fool that you decide to come out of hiding and save me¡­" He let out a hollow, choked laugh before hacking up more blood. "Just¡­ another reason why people think you''re better than me, huh? Well, fuck you¡­" Scott blinked. "Huh¡­?" For a split second, he was caught off guard¡ªnot by the blood, not by the situation, but by the sheer pain in Jake''s eyes. The anger. But now wasn''t the time. Scott''s jaw tightened. "We''ll talk about that later. First, I''m getting you to a damn hospital before you''re six-feet under." Without another word, darkness swallowed them both. From the crowd, Ezel watched it all unfold. Her teeth grazed her lower lip as she tilted her head slightly as a very sexy smile curved her lips. One of her hands shot up as she grabbed a handful of her soft, full breast. She squeezed herself so hard to draw a shiver of pleasure from her trembling body as Scott''s face filled her mind again. Mmmmhmm~ ?? Her grip tightened, pressing herself more and more as she felt the firm little buds atop her breasts grow even harder¡ªso sensitive that, for a moment, it almost felt like she might start leaking milk just from the thought of his handsome face and the commanding presence he carried with him. It turned her on so bad. A female Pontiach was almost always aroused©¤©¤but this time her body was begging for it. "Now that''s more like it~" Ezel had found new prey. Chapter 159 Brothers, A Hunters Presumptions The white walls of Metro City Hospital''s ER seemed to close in tighter with every second that passed. The antiseptic in the air was thick. And the occasional beeping of the heart monitor was very difficult to miss. Scott paced back and forth beside the hospital bed. His arms were folded as his trench coat shifted with each agitated step. His sharp eyes exchanged between the floor and Jake''s pale, exhausted face. He shook his head, then muttered to himself before exhaling sharply through his nose. "Urgh¡­" A groan broke the silence. Scott turned immediately and watched as Jake slowly bent his head forward with his eyes squeezed shut as another wave of pain pulsed through his body. He looked miserable¡ªdrenched in sweat as his plump face contorted in agony. "How''re you feeling?" Scott asked in an even voice. Jake winced as he sluggishly dragged his fingers over his dry, cracked lips. "Like my chest got run over by a big-ass road roller while my dick was getting shot by a damn machine gun." He clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut again. Scott kept a straight face. "Well, I got you here just in time. Doc says your vitals are stable, so you''re gonna be fine." He barely gave Jake a second to process before his tone sharpened. "Now, what the hell actually happened at the Rolling Stone Club, Jake? Why were you even there? The entire law enforcement agency put a damn ban on those places after the recent killings." Jake''s face scrunched up in annoyance. He turned his head slightly away, coughing heavily. "Tch." Scott''s eyes didn''t waver. "I need to know what happened." Jake let out a nervous chuckle, weak but forced. "Must''ve been all that alcohol I took. Guess I drank more than I could handle¡­" Scott''s exhale came slow and tired. His shoulders sagged slightly. He stepped closer to the bed, resting a hand on the metal frame as his dark eyes bore into Jake''s. "You were with a woman." His voice was steady, certain. "I don''t even need to see the footage to know you would never touch alcohol¡ªnot even at a club. You''d rather drink orange juice or sparkling water." Jake''s face froze. "¡­ Uhm, well uhm¡­" He swallowed, then narrowed his eyes. "How the hell do you know that? You checked the security footage or something?" Scott shook his head. "None of that. I know because you''re my best friend." It came out so plainly¡ªso effortlessly, as if it should''ve been obvious. Because it was. But to Jake¡­ it wasn''t. His expression shifted, lips curling slightly in distaste before he looked away like Scott had just turned into a leper. "Wow¡­" He scoffed bitterly. "Surprised you still know shit about me. Thought your famous ass would''ve forgotten my name by now, tch!" That tongue click carried more anger than any punch could. Scott''s face visibly drooped with exhaustion. He ran a hand through his messy hair and let out his fourth tired sigh of the afternoon. "Come on, bro. That''s not fair. I''m trying t¡ª" "YOU''RE NOT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING!" Jake''s voice broke the room with that shout. It was raw. This was more than just frustration. His face burned with barely contained rage, but then¡ªjust as quickly¡ªit crumbled. He swallowed thickly and his voice took a painful dive to just a broken murmur. "¡­ If you were really trying, I wouldn''t be battling depression like some kind of loser." His fingers curled into fists against the blanket. "I''m not a loser, Scott. I''m a damn person. Just like you. Maybe I''m not as handsome, maybe I''m not some athletic prodigy, but I thought my best friend would at least make me feel like I mattered." The sadness in his voice was impossible to miss. Scott took a step back, slipping his hands into the pockets of his black trench coat. He lowered his head slightly, exhaling softly. His chest rose and fell in a deep, controlled breath before he looked back at Jake. "¡­ In-, Instead of giving explanations, I''ll just get straight to the point." He smiled faintly. "I''m sorry, man." Jake blinked. Scott continued with a quiet and steady voice. "I know I haven''t been a good friend. Or a good boyfriend. Or much of anything these days." He let out a small laugh¡ªone without humor. "Every day, it feels like I''m losing myself, and maybe I am¡­ because I''m not with the people I started with." For a moment, something softened in Jake''s expression. He wasn''t sure why, but when Scott smiled at him, it felt¡­ familiar. Like that dorky kid from years ago¡ªthe one who sat next to him in almost every class, the one who used to ramble on about dumb theories and laugh at his own jokes. Scott''s voice dropped to something gentler. "¡­ and to be honest?" He tilted his head slightly. "I''ve really missed you, Jake. A lot." Silence stretched between them. Jake stared, lips slightly parted, but no words came out. He wanted to say something¡ªanything. But for now, he just looked away, pressing his lips into a thin line as his fingers clenched the sheets beneath him. ¡ºTch©¤©¤he can soften anyone''s heart with that face¡­¡» It was undeniable at this point. Scott took a step forward again as the tender corners of his lips quirked up a little more¡ªbut instead of faint, his smile was painfully awkward, like a kid caught doing something embarrassing. He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled. "Man¡­ this silence is pretty uncomfortable, yunno?" Jake blinked. Scott''s lips twitched. "Kinda reminds me of that one Galactic Legends Club we wanted to open back in the day." For a second, Jake just stared. ¡ºEh¡­?¡» Then, like something had been unclogged in his memories, the most humiliating moments from that time rushed into his brain at full speed. "Oh, shit." His plump face twisted like he just bit into the world''s sourest lemon. And then¡ª Laughter. Uncontrollable, gut-wrenching laughter. Scott followed him in an instant as his own laughter spilled out like a dam breaking. They didn''t even know why they were laughing so hard¡ªmaybe it was the exhaustion, or the nostalgia, or just the sheer stupidity of their past selves. Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire But for that moment, nothing else mattered. They just laughed. Laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt. And then, almost like an unspoken agreement, they both stopped at the exact same time. Panting. Smiling. The kind of smile that didn''t need words. Anyone who saw them right now wouldn''t mistake them for anything else¡ªthey were two friends who hadn''t seen each other in ages. And yet, some things never changed. Scott lifted a fist. Jake bumped it without hesitation. They both shared the same level of joy and excitement in their youthful eyes. Scott''s voice was quieter this time. "I really missed this, man. A whole fucking lot." Jake exhaled, then rested his head against the pillow. His smile softened. "Yeah¡­ me too." And then¡ªanother silence. But this time, it was different. It wasn''t uncomfortable or suffocating. It just¡­ lingered. Like the burden of something unspoken had settled between them. Scott noticed first. His sharp eyes flickered as he tilted his head slightly. "Alright, what''s wrong?" Jake sighed heavily. He ran a hand down his face, groaning. "Dude¡­ I did something stupid." Scott lifted a brow. "Yeah, well. What''s new?" Jake clicked his tongue. "No, seriously." He inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "I¡ªugh, I almost kissed a woman I''ve never met before. And even worse¡­" He pressed his jaw in regret. "I lied to my mom that I was studying at a friend''s place when I was just being a dumbass trying to get laid by anyone at a club of all places. I just wanted to have something to post about since my life mostly revolved around stuff I do with you or Maya¡­ it''s sad¡­ but yeah." Scott stared. Jake groaned louder and slapped a hand over his face. "What if I contracted some weird, incurable disease? Tch, imagine if they named it after me too, bruh¡­ like who''s stupid enough to try and sleep with a random person they met at a club¡ª" Scott''s face immediately soured. "Uhhh¡­ well¡­" He cleared his throat. "I kinda did." Jake froze. "¡­ What?" Scott winced. "Well, almost did." Jake turned his head, his tired eyes narrowing. Then, slowly, an impish grin stretched across his face. "You sly son of a bitch." A weak but firm punch landed on Scott''s shoulder. Scott chuckled, rubbing his side. "Yeah, yeah. Don''t get too excited, dude. It didn''t exactly end well." Jake squinted. "What do you mean?" Scott''s expression shifted. "We ended up getting hunted down by some assassin with a mean face and a robotic arm. I think the guy''s name was Shockstrike or something like that¡­" Jake''s brow lifted. "Eh?" Scott blinked. "Uh, nevermind, bro." Silence. Then, Scott started snapping his fingers, as if that would somehow jog his own memory back on track. "Okay, okay, okay¡ªlet''s focus on the main thing." His sharp gaze returned. "Can you tell me what the chick you met at the bar looked like? Black hair? Brown skin? Athletic body?" Jake blinked as more and more descriptions left Scott''s mouth like a machine gun firing on full auto. His brain struggled to keep up. And then¡ª Vehemently, he shook his head. "Dude." He held out both hands, exasperated. "I can barely fucking remember anything that happened back at the club besides that wise bartender. It was all a blur after I met her." His face dimmed with disappointment. He looked at Scott. "Sorry, man¡­ I''m useless." Scott sighed, but his voice remained steady. "Nah, it''s fine¡ª" Before he could finish, the ER doors burst open. Lisa. Jake''s mom rushed in with her coat half-off as she hurried straight to her son''s bedside. "JAKE! JAKE! Oh my goodness, Jake¡­ what in the world happened to you©¤©¤?!" Before anything else could be said, Lisa wrapped Jake in a tight hug. Jake stiffened. His eyes darted to Scott, who forced a smile. He should''ve been happy. And he was. But for some reason, that warmth¡ªthe way she held Jake so tightly¡ªmade something in his chest squeeze uncomfortably. His hand curled into a tight fist. Not knowing what else to say or do, Scott forced another smile and spoke up¡ª "Uh, Jake will be fine. The serial killer attacked while Jake was on his way home from school¡ªprobably? A lot of people got injured, but he managed to be one of the luckier ones." Lisa turned to him with deep confusion on her face. "Oh¡­ wasn''t he with you, Scott?" Scott''s lips pressed into a thin, painful line. But his smile didn''t waver. "The important thing is that you guys are together." With that, Lisa pulled her son into another hug. Jake remained in shock, but his eyes couldn''t stop crawling towards Scott. And Scott¡ª Was already walking away. He didn''t say anything. And Jake¡­ wasn''t even surprised. He stared at his best friend through the glass door and just watched as Scott came to a slow stop. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, ever so slightly, they nodded at each other. Jake exhaled softly, looking down at his hands. ¡ºThat guy¡­¡» A small smile ghosted his lips. ¡ºThat guy''s my best friend.¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Metro City, Night Judy walked along the empty roadside with a one gloved hand buried deep in the pocket of her thick coat while the other pressed her phone to her ear. Her brows pinched together as she muttered under her breath. "Come on¡­ pick up already." The phone rang. And rang. And rang. No response. Again. Judy came to a stop, staring down at her phone screen with an exasperated huff. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but she barely noticed. "This was the line Shadow gave me to use whenever I needed to reach him¡­" She grumbled like a little child. "And now that we''re working on this case together¡ªor at least supposed to be working on this damn case together¡ªhe decides to be scarce?" She scoffed, then her lips bent into a dramatic pout. "I can''t believe this guy. Does he think he''s too good to talk to me or something©¤©¤?!" But then, her shoulders slumped slightly, and the playful pout faded into something softer. Sadder. "Well¡­ he probably is." Her voice barely carried through the chilly night air. After all, she was the one disturbing herself trying to get closer to him for some dumb reason. Something about their shared interest in alien tech and culture, maybe? It wasn''t like he gave her much to work with. Besides, he already mentioned having a girlfriend. She should probably respect that at some point¡­ right? ¡ºThat fucking sucks¡­¡» She took a small step back and lowered herself onto the frosted roadside railing. The cold metal bit through her coat and made her shut her eyes with a wince. "Yeeeesh¡­ my butt feels so friggin'' cold." A soft sigh left her lips as she lifted her gaze. Across the street, a massive poster for the upcoming filming of the Blue Thunder movie stared back at her, featuring none other than Jessica Nocturne as the lead actress. Judy rolled her eyes. "Maybe I should stop calling his line so much¡­ his girlfriend might think he''s cheating on her or something. Which he obviously isn''t. And I don''t wanna be responsible for a breakup in the relationship of someone I actually consider a friend¡­" She hesitated, lowering her head a little more. "¡­ Even if it would, y''know, greatly benefit me." She groaned and flopped back slightly against the railing, then stared up at the star-dotted sky. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ??? Meanwhile, at the Metro Daily building. Scott sat at a large desk, bathed in the bluish glow of countless holographic screens. His sharp eyes flicked from one screen to another, each displaying security footage he''d hacked from the Rolling Stone Club. His gloved hand rested on his chin as he muttered¡ª "Hmm¡­ that''s definitely her." He zoomed in on one of the images¡ªa woman approaching Jake. The same woman Brigid had sketched out from the memories of the dead body she had mind-read. Scott tapped his fingers against the desk. "I''ve set up sonic boom detectors all across the city. Anything flying at or faster than the speed of sound will be logged with full visual details." He leaned back in his swivel chair with a smirk. "Easy peasy." However, he was forgetting something. "Oh crap¡­ I haven''t even called Judy yet. Damn, I''ve been so caught up in this whole ''Penis Hunter'' mess that I completely lost track of time¡ªit''s already been over five hours." He let out a tired yawn. "Still¡­ she was the one who said we''d meet here at night, and there''s no sign of her. Heh, well, I don''t really mind waiting. At first, I thought she was just another investigative journalist¡ªone of those types who only care about getting a big story or making a quick buck, no matter how much it ruins someone''s life. But¡­ she''s not like that." A hint of affection crossed his face. He thought about her quirky smile and the fire in her eyes when she spoke. "I can''t exactly say I don''t like her¡­ she''s actually kinda fun to be around." But just as he reached for his phone, his System''s voice rang in his ear. [Warning. A sonic detector positioned at an optimal angle and distance from the Metro Daily building has detected an unidentified object moving at speeds far surpassing supersonic levels.] Scott''s brows shot up. "Oh?" He didn''t need a whiteboard breakdown to figure out who that was. "That''s definitely th¡ª" A sudden, powerful whoosh swept through the massive office space. Papers fluttered. Screens flickered. Scott whipped his head to the side. Standing there, completely unfazed by the wind disturbance, was Ezel. Tall. Poised. Expression unreadable. Her predatory eyes locked onto him as she spoke, voice as even and firm as ever. "Scott McQueen, I presume." For a second, neither of them spoke. Scott blinked. Then exhaled sharply as his lips quirked into something between amusement and resignation. "Well¡­ shit." Chapter 160 Desire Scott didn''t move. Neither did Ezel. For a long, stretched-out moment, they simply stared at each other like mental health patients. It was a silent exchange of caution and curiosity. Scott wasn''t afraid of her. That wasn''t it. But he also wasn''t stupid. The woman standing before him wasn''t just some alien warrior with a strong grip and a blank stare. She was Pontiach. And the Pontiach weren''t just any race. They were conquerors. A species where the women reigned supreme ©¤©¤ their strength so absolute that the men of their planet had long since learned submission. ¡ºYeah, right¡­ "submission" is a tame word¡­¡» It wasn''t the ¡ª good little husband who just nodded along ¡ª kind of submissiveness; it was way more extreme, like some twisted version of a power dynamic where it was all about humiliation and pain. The female Pontiachs were so brutal that they often left their male counterparts physically ruined, their manhood either broken or crushed beyond repair ¡ª like raw meat put through a grinder. The men who were still able to function sexually were forced into labor as worker slaves, while those who were permanently crippled in that area lost their status as men altogether. They were instead labeled as [lesser females] and assigned to serve as maids and cleaners. On Pontius V, men were raised to believe that pain, humiliation, and physical suffering were the highest forms of sexual pleasure ©¤©¤ this made a good number of male Pontiachs incapable of getting hard in bed unless they were treated like a dirty, little piece of vegetable. Over generations, this mindset turned them into nothing more than obedient, desperate hounds, conditioned to crave their own degradation. Scott had no intention of joining that list. Still, he kept his breathing even, his body language stable, his eyes sharp. If you saw a lion, it was better not to make sudden movements unless you wanted to become its next meal. And right now, Ezel was watching him the way a predator watched something it wasn''t sure was prey just yet. Meanwhile, Ezel tilted her head ever so slightly. He hadn''t moved. Hadn''t spoken. Strange. Very strange. From what she had studied of this planet''s inhabitants, they were diverse in their ways of greeting. Some bowed, some waved, some even gripped hands and shook them. Though other species denied it, humans were one of the most diverse species she had encountered. And yet¡­ Scott did nothing. ¡ºWhy? Is he already paralyzed by my sexual urges? That would be quite shameful¡­¡» Perhaps she should approach first. Yes. That was logical. But then, how should she begin? Should she simply state her reason for being here? Should she be more direct and tell him she required his seed to create powerful Pontiach halfbreeds that would go on to conquer worlds in their name? Her lips pressed together in thought. Yes. That seemed appropriate. But just as she made the decision, Scott finally moved. His fists clenched slightly, his shoulders tightening, his voice cool yet firm as he asked¡ª "Who are you?" In an instant, she was gone from his sight. A gust of wind brushed past his skin and his body tensed instinctively as he whipped around¡ª There she was. Standing behind him. Scott jolted as his reflexes kicked in, but he forced himself to stay still as she observed him. Her stance was unreadable and her expression blank yet focused, like a soldier evaluating a new recruit. She was shorter than him. Not by much, but enough that she had to tilt her head up slightly to meet his eyes. A small gasp left her lips. ¡ºHis eyes¡­ they''re very blue¡­ like mine¡» To her, this was a sign ©¤©¤ to others, his eyes would be considered precious gems. "I am Ezel¡­" She stated simply. "One of the mightiest and fiercest commanding officers of the Pontius Empire." Scott opened his mouth. "Uh¡­" Before he could even begin to process his next words, Ezel took a step closer. A very close step. Her hand pressed against his chest as her fingers brushed over the firm muscle beneath his shirt. Scott stiffened as she hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head again. "Your chest is firm~" She noted as her fingers pressed slightly before she gave the muscle a slow, almost appreciative squeeze. Scott''s brain short-circuited for half a second. Ezel looked up at him with a flat expression and an even flatter tone to add. "You also have an attractive height." Her voice didn''t waver. There was no blush, no hesitation. But her fingers lingered a moment too long. And when her lower lip subtly caught between her teeth, Scott''s instincts immediately screamed at him what was happening. ¡ºOh. Oh no.¡» He cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. "You know¡­" He started carefully. Very carefully. "From what I''ve seen so far, I don''t think you mean to hurt these men¡­ but somehow, you do. So if you''d just listen to my suggestion, maybe I can¡ª" "No." Scott blinked. "¡­ What?" "No¡­" Ezel repeated flatly. Scott furrowed his brows. "But why?" Ezel stared up at him, unblinking. "I have not forced a single man to mate with me. All of them were loathsome scum who willingly took the risk of locking lips with a female Pontiach. And with risk, there is both consequence and reward." This statement made Scott''s mind go into overdrive. ¡ºHoly shit she''s so fucking right©¤©¤?! There''s a crazy number of perverts in Metro City¡ªboth day and night, because let''s be real, they don''t seem to have a curfew. I can already picture all these toxic feminists supporting her for clearing the streets of all the homeless perverts. Oh, jeez¡­¡» Scott exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "¡­ And the consequence is death?" he guessed. "Yes." He sighed. "And the reward?" Ezel''s eyes held his for a moment. Then, without missing another second, she responded with absolute certainty¡ª "The honor of carrying my offspring." Scott stared. Ezel stared back. A heavy silence stretched between them. Scott inhaled. Exhaled. Then, very, very calmly, he said¡ª "¡­ You do realize that''s also a consequence, right?" "I''m fine with that¡­" Before anything more could be said, Ezel pounced and wrapped her arms around Scott like she was trying to crush his spine¡ªjust like a little girl would squeeze her teddy bear. Without even giving him a chance to breathe, her tongue was already deep in his mouth, getting a deep and good taste of his saliva, which made her moan like a wild beast in heat. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mmm~ ?? Those were sounds she couldn''t stop making as her body gently caressed his back, despite her arms being strong enough to crush steel. Soon enough, Scott was also putting in effort, his own lips crashing against hers and rubbing together as if molding clay¡ªbut in the sexiest way possible. It was such a wet kiss. A passionate and wet one, too. Mmm©¤©¤©¤©¤ahhhhh ??! Finally, the two pulled away from the deep kiss and stared at each other with bedroom eyes. It was strange, the way Scott stared at Ezel¡ªas if he wasn''t there mentally, and only the sexual side of him was kissing the warrior woman before him. Indeed, that was a plausible answer, given the way he hungrily drooled at one corner of his mouth while tightly holding the woman before him by the shoulders. Even Ezel was surprised. ¡ºWow¡­ he was able to resist my sexual dominance¡­ I¡ªdoes that mean he''s a Dravek?¡» It was hard to say. "Kiss me more~" She spoke from the throbbing hole between her strong, muscular thighs. Scott grinned. "Sure thing, love¡­" He shot furious eyes at the occupied desk next to them, and then, with one quick swipe of his arms across the surface, he threw everything off. Quickly after, he grabbed Ezel tightly by her ass, making her jolt a little as her body pressed even more against his own. To her surprise, his hands were big enough to cup both her ass cheeks in a way that sent a surge of pleasure through her, forcing a restricted moan from her lips. Hnnnn~ ???? Scott squeezed her tighter. Aaahhnnnn©¤©¤????!! He loved the passionate sound of this strong woman. In one go, he lifted her and placed her on the desk like she was a baby, and they continued kissing passionately, like two hungry beasts in heat. He bit her lower lip. She bit his upper lip. He suckled on her tongue. She drank his saliva. It was such a sloppy yet arousing kiss¡ªso much so that thick saliva started to seep down the sides of their mouths. "Is that all you can do¡­? Ahnnn~" Those words left Ezel''s mouth, full of nothing but Scott''s tongue and hot saliva. "You want more?" Scott asked, smiling. "A lot more... my body yearns for it~ ??" "Heh, mine too." He withdrew a hand and brought it down with force to slap and tightly grab Ezel''s ass cheek while using his other hand to grip the back of her neck, pressing her lips even harder against his own. He kissed her so intensely that it was almost impossible for her to breathe, all she could take in was a mouth full of wet, fat tongue. More and more, Scott did amazing things¡ªthings one would think a man wasn''t capable of. His tongue touched parts of her body that craved a man''s tender touch, her nipples were dragged and twisted in ways that could only be called painful pleasure... and her soaked crotch was gently scraped against the impressive bulge in Scott''s pants. "Oh, myyyyy ??¡­" She threw her head back to moan. Just then, Scott started planting small kisses on her neck, making her body vibrate with pleasure. ??? Judy stood in the elevator. Her back pressed against the cool metal wall as she stared at her phone with tired eyes. The dull glow of the screen reflected in her irises as she scrolled, before stopping at a sneaky picture she had taken¡ªa candid snapshot of herself and Shadow in the past few days while working on the serial killer case. ¡ºTee-hee! He looks so cute¡­¡» She had taken it without thinking, just one of those moments where she wanted to capture something, anything, that made her feel¡­ good. And yet, here she was, fixated on it like some lovesick idiot. A tired groan escaped her lips. "Ugh¡­ I really can''t let this whole thought about one guy spoil my mood." But then again¡­ it wasn''t just any guy. Shadow was intelligent, had the same interests as her, and ¡ª most importantly ¡ª was willing to do good just because he wanted to. Not because of some dumb social media clout or more sponsorship deals like that overgrown, blonde-haired man baby drenched in expensive fragrance and gel¡ª Sigh. The Peak. Even just thinking about his name left a bad taste in her mouth, like she had swallowed battery acid. She shook her head hard, as if physically trying to fling the thought out of her skull. Then, sighing, she let her tired, lazy eyes fall back to her phone screen. The picture of her and Shadow. ¡ºYeah¡­ that''s much better.¡» An affectionate smile slowly warmed onto her face. Before she knew it, she was pressing the phone against her chest, shutting her eyes as a cute, little giggle slipped past her lips. Ding¡ª The elevator doors slid open, and Judy stepped out. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she walked towards the meeting point. But then¡ª She stopped. Her breath hitched. Two people were pressed against each other just a few feet ahead, locked in a deep, passionate kiss. Lips moving with hunger, hands gripping with feverish need, bodies impossibly close. "Woah¡­" she muttered. "What''s going on here?" Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire She squinted, trying to make out their faces, but they were so tangled together that it was impossible. However¡ª Her eyes landed on the man''s suit. Black. Sleek. Shadows swirling faintly around its edges. Her body stiffened. No¡­ No way. Her breath quickened as she blinked rapidly, disbelief setting in like ice crawling up her spine. She took a hesitant step back, her voice almost breaking¡ª "Sha¡­ Shadow¡­?" In an instant, Scott''s dull, hazed-over eyes widened as if something inside him had snapped back into place. His body jolted as he suddenly pulled away from Ezel and staggered slightly as his Shadow Factor Suit reacted to his distress. Darkness surged from his neckline, wrapping around his face as his helmet re-materialized. His gaze darted towards the voice. Judy. She was standing there, frozen, staring at him with wide, trembling eyes. Like a lost puppy caught in a storm. Was she going to cry? Hopefully not. Scott swallowed as his mind still reeled. "Judy¡­" [The desire manipulation from the female Pontiach''s kiss has been broken by the presence of the connection between the host and a potential harem member.] The System''s robotic voice echoed in his mind. But his thoughts slammed to a screeching halt at the last part of its notification. ¡ºPotential harem member?¡» His heart thudded. ¡ºWait, wait, wait¡­ NO. Do you mean¡­ Judy?¡» He turned back to her, but she hadn''t moved. Her lips parted slightly as her gaze flickered from his face to his hands¡ªthe hands that had just been gripping Ezel with so much raw need. Her expression was unreadable. . But in her eyes, there was something fragile. Something breakable. Then¡ª She nodded. A small, stiff nod, like a broken toy. Her hands clutched onto her handbag as she took a shaky step back. "I''ll¡ª I''ll uh¡­ ta-, take the stairs¡­" She turned, almost tripping over her own feet, and started rushing away. Her heels clicked in rapid, uneven beats against the floor. And as she disappeared around the corner, Scott swore he heard it¡ª A small, aching sniffle. "Judy¡ª" He took a step forward, but¡ª A strong grip caught his wrist. Ezel. Her fingers dug into his skin as she turned him to face her, crimson eyes burning with an emotion he couldn''t quite name. Her jaw clenched as she gazed at him, her breath slightly uneven. "Let that Terran woman go¡­" It was a firm order from the female Pontiach. "They are not worth it." Scott yanked his wrist free, shaking his head. "You don''t get it¡ª" Darkness erupted around him as he vanished into a swirl of shadows and reappeared several meters away. Without wasting another second, he took off running. Ezel stood still, watching. Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palm. Slowly, her irises began to glow a deeper, fiery red. It was like the Sun could erupt form her eyes. Her breath hitched. Her teeth clenched. And then, barely above a whisper¡ª "You''re¡­ stealing him from me." A low, guttural growl rumbled from her throat, the kind that could make even a tiger shudder. And in that moment¡ª Something inside her snapped. If she couldn''t have the man she''d locked lips with, then no one deserved to have him. "You are mine, Scott McQueen¡­" Chapter 161 Deep Connections Judy stormed down the hallway, her heels clicking like gunfire against the polished floor. Her fists clenched around the strap of her handbag as her fearsome breath came out in sharp, furious huffs. The nerve of that absolute dumbass! Of all the stupid, brainless, dick-driven things Scott could have done, this had to be the absolute worst. At least¡­ that''s what she thought. Then¡ª A swirl of inky darkness erupted in front of her, coalescing into a familiar, black-clad figure. Judy jolted slightly, stopping mid-stride, but only just. Scott stood there, hands held out. He looked both cautious and desperate¡ªas though he was trying to calm a wild animal. "Come on¡­ can you calm down for a second?" Her face twisted instantly, like he had just told her to take a deep breath while she was on fire. Scott blinked as the realization struck hit him too late. Never tell a furious lady to calm down. ¡ºOh boy¡­ here it comes.¡» Judy''s eyes blazed with unholy fury as she threw her hands up like they were fireworks. "The fuck do I need to wait or calm down for?! You seem to be having the whole fucking time of your life doing dumb shit like having an orgy with a chocolate, gym mama in my place of work! And let me guess¡ªshe''s not one of the ladies you claimed to be fucking with! Dickhead!" Scott flinched at the sheer volume, but before he could even open his mouth, Judy squinted past him, then tilted her head. "Oh, dang! Looks like I scared off your date. Or maybe¡ª" h Her lips curled into a wicked smirk. "You''re just not that good of a fucking kisser!" Scott''s stomach dropped. "Wait, what? She''s gone?!" He spun around, his head snapping left and right, scanning the hallway. Ezel was nowhere to be seen. "No, no, no¡ªwhere''d she go?!" Judy rolled her eyes, then adjusted her handbag with some exaggerated annoyance. "Bitch, please. That filthy skank probably left to get you some condoms and the most available motel in the area. Don''t act like you don''t know." Scott turned back to her, shaking his head. "No, you don''t understand. That lady i¡ª" Judy cut him off with a sharp, incredulous bark of laughter. "What''s there not to understand?! You were pressing your junk against that skank''s junk and sucking face with her like you were the most readily available gay prostitute in a dull night at the strip club!" She leaned back slightly with a facial expression so loud it was practically screaming. "Maybe next time, you should ask me for some lip gloss when you wanna suck more face in a working space! MY WORKING SPACE!! And in front of a friggin'' woman like me, who ALREADY TOLD YOU I WAS INTO YOU!" Scott opened his mouth, then hesitated. Oh, she wasn''t done. Judy exhaled sharply as she threw her hands up again. "Later on, there''ll be stupid guys online posting shit like, ''A lady should shoot her shot with a guy she likes!'' Duh, ladies wanna do that! But they only like men who have a wide range of options so they can feel special when they''re chosen over other women!" Scott blinked. Thought about that. Then stroked his chin. "Wait¡­ that''s actually right¡ª" "DON''T FUCKING AGREE WITH ME!" Scott recoiled. "Then what do you want me to do?!" "CAN IT, FACE SUCKER!" Scott groaned, rubbing his temples. "Alright, you REALLY need to calm down¡ª" Judy didn''t let him finish. Her palm smacked against his chest, fast and relentless, like she was trying to slap his soul out of his body. "HEY! I''m calm! I''m perfectly calm! Why wouldn''t I be calm?! DIAL DOWN THE OBSESSIVE EGO, DICKHEAD! I DON''T CARE WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR LOVE LIFE! NEWS FLASH, THIS AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST CAN DO FINE ON HER OWN!" She stared angrily at Scott again before he could speak. "AND YES, I''VE WON AWARDS!" Then, as if making the final statement in a courtroom trial, she shoved him aside and stormed off again with strides that were even much fiercer than before. Scott just stood there, completely bewildered. He looked at her retreating figure, then at the empty space where Ezel had been, then back at Judy. Finally, he groaned, resting his hands on his knees as his mask dissolved into wisps of darkness. He was so, so screwed. ¡ºUhnnn¡­ I need a drink¡­¡» ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Judy stormed down the empty road as her heels clapped against the pavement. Even the streetlights seemed to flicker nervously in her presence. ¡ºCongratulations to me! My whole damn day has been ruined by that absolute, brainless, dick-driven waste of a man. YES, I SAID IT ©¤©¤ !!¡» Shadow. Her eye twitched at just the thought of him. A few women stood huddled near a closed caf¨¦, trying to read directions off a dull lit phone screen. They glanced up as she approached but instantly recoiled at the sight of her thunderous scowl. No one in their right mind would ask her for help. She looked like she''d rip the phone out of their hands, crush it into dust, and then demand to know why they even owned one in the first place. Judy clicked her tongue in irritation. She continued walking ahead like a furious CEO about to fire half the board. She had parked her car far outside the Metro Daily building to avoid parking fees¡ªonly senior staff got that privilege, after all. And now, she regretted it. She had to sort through a damn junkyard of abandoned cars just to get to hers. But honestly? It wasn''t the only reason she parked out here. Superheroes. If a car was new, clean, and in perfect working condition, it was basically a free weapon in their eyes. They''d grab it, chuck it at a villain, and then ¡ª surprise, surprise ¡ª miss. And guess who was stuck dealing with insurance claims after that? Judy clucked her tongue several more times as she started mumbling like a pissed-off child. ¡ºOh, please! That son of a bitch really thought he was so important that he could hurt me just by being around another lame-ass woman?¡» Pfft. ¡ºI¡­ I''m sure that woman ¡ª what''s her damn name again? I don''t think I asked. Whatever ¡ª she can''t even connect with Shadow on an intellectual level. No plans for financial security, no understanding of economic independence, no long-term stability to ensure her future kids won''t cry their lungs out because she can''t afford the newest toy trend.¡» Then¡ª She remembered it. The way Shadow grabbed Ezel''s ass. Judy stopped dead in her tracks. ¡ºI swear the only time I''ve had my ass grabbed¡­ it''s by that fucking pervert Scott McQueen. When I told my coworkers they all said I was lying and just chasing clout!¡» Her jaw tightened to steel. ¡ºKinda wish Shadow would grab me like that¡­¡» She did her best to hide the childishness on her face. She was so ashamed. A second later, her fist smashed against the side of a nearby dusty car, rattling the entire frame. A couple of rats shrieked and scattered, disappearing into the shadows. "Fucking hell." Her chest heaved as she sucked in sharp and seethed breaths that looked like they could melt steel. She ran a hand through her hair, then groaned, dragging her fingers down her face. ¡ºThat dumb bitch probably spent all her time thinking about workout routines to expand her overgrown ass. She probably can''t even do anything impressive ¡ª like list the first fifty elements of the fucking periodic table!¡» Judy finally reached her car. She slammed her fist onto the button of the handle, and the door hissed open like it belonged to some futuristic sci-fi vehicle. She shook her head aggressively with wild eyes. Did he actually think she cared who he sucked face with?! Ha! Big mistake. All she cared about was finding the serial killer, getting her "well-deserved" front-page, and cementing herself as the greatest reporter of all time. She yanked open the door, but as she got in, the strap of her handbag tangled around her arm. She struggled for all of five seconds before sheer rage took over, and she hurled the bag into the backseat. Then she slammed her fists against the horn. "FUCK! FUCK!! FUUUCK!!!" She snorted like an enraged bull as her nostrils flared. "Hello, Judy, that friggin'' slurry Loretta wasn''t even his damn type anyway!" She jabbed at the multifunctional display, setting the car into auto-driving mode. But just as she was about to let the AI take over¡ª She froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs as her eyes locked onto the figure standing directly in front of her car. Ezel. Her stare was deadly, burning with raw, primal rage. Judy''s lips parted. "What the fu¡ª" Before the words could even leave her mouth, Ezel grabbed the underbody of the car''s bumper. And lifted it. Judy barely had a second to react before her entire world turned upside down. The car flipped high into the air, spinning like the lightest pancake at a breakfast diner, before crashing down onto a pile of abandoned vehicles several meters away. The impact sent a cloud of dust and metal screeching into the night. Judy groaned in pain and her skull pounded as she struggled to get her bearings. "Uhnnnn¡­ my ¡ª nghk¡­ my head¡­!" Her fingers fumbled against the broken glass of the window, weakly pushing at the shattered frame. She had to get out. She finally managed to kick the window free, and with a strained grunt, she crawled out like a wounded animal. Ezel didn''t move. She simply watched. Cold. Calculated. Deadly. "I couldn''t risk killing you in front of my dearest¡­" Ezel finally spoke in THAT eerily calm voice. "But now that you''re alone, I will snap your fragile Terran neck like a twig¡­ and rearrange your bones for decoration in my homeworld." Her fists clenched. Still struggling to wipe excess blood off her head, Judy groaned loudly. "Bro¡­ I don''t even know who you are." Judy coughed as she dragged herself from beneath the crushed remains of her once-mint car as her head pounded like a war drum. Blood trickled down her face, thick and warm, dripping onto the pavement below. ¡ºShit¡­ my head feels like a leaking slushy machine¡­¡» She felt like a ragdoll that had been thrown, shaken, and stomped on for good measure. And yet, as she looked up at Ezel, who loomed over her like a goddess of war, all she could think about was how fucking tired she was. The alien woman pointed a rigid finger at her, eyes burning with something between insanity and conviction. "When you are dead, there will be no woman to get in the way of me and my mate." Judy blinked. "Lo¡­ Look¡ª" She wiped at the blood clouding her vision. "I really don''t know where the hell you came from or whatever it is you want to do with Shadow, but at this point, I really don''t give a damn." She forced herself to sit up, groaning at the stabbing pain shooting through her ribs. "There''s nothing¡ªabsolutely nothing¡ªromantic going on between me and Shadow. And if that wasn''t obvious enough, he was comfortable enough to suck your face off and grab your ass like it was a goddamn pillow." The words tasted like acid coming out of her mouth. Just remembering the scene made her stomach churn with a cocktail of anger and disgust. "LIAR ©¤©¤ !" Ezel''s voice cracked through the night like a whip as her finger jabbed toward Judy once more, but this time her face twisted into a mask of unfiltered rage. She stepped forward with sharp and deliberate movement. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I felt it!" Ezel snarled. "The deep connection between you and him. There is no denying that there is something¡ªsomething you share with him. Or at least¡­ something you have for him!" Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire Judy let out a slow breath. This whole thing was so fucking dumb. She didn''t have the energy for this soap opera bullshit. She ran a bloodied hand down her tired face. "Look¡­ I really don''t give a fuck about that womanizer right now. All I want to do is go home and figure out how the hell I''m going to get my sixty-thousand-dollar car fixed¡ªor at least get something from it, because I know for a fact no one''s gonna believe a goddamn gym mommy threw my car across the street with me still inside it." She chuckled in pains. "Next time you toss someone into a luxury car, maybe make sure they''re actually dead. This feels like jumping off the Empire State Building, slamming into a Mercedes-Benz Maybach, and somehow surviving¡ªexcept now I''m half a body short and a million dollars in debt." A fresh wave of pain pounded against her skull, forcing a groan out of her. How did she even survive? But Ezel wasn''t convinced. She didn''t care about Judy''s exhaustion, her frustration, or her complete and utter disinterest in Scott at the moment. No. That wasn''t the problem. The problem was something far deeper. "My mate would never have been able to pull away if he didn''t see you¡­" Ezel said, gritting her teeth. "That means one of two things¡­ either you have deep feelings for him¡­ or he does for you!" She cracked her knuckles. The sound was a grim promise. "But in the end, the only one who will face the cold hands of death is still you." Judy rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Oh great. That''s fair." She threw her hands up. "Why can''t you just believe me when I say I''m not attracted to that egotistical son of a bitch? And if I was at any point, then guess what? It''s gone!" Ezel shook her head slowly, like a teacher disappointed in a failing student. "No¡­ deleted feelings is a concept that will never exist as long as the Terran heart still beats." She took another step forward. Judy instinctively crawled back. Fear crept up her spine, even as she tried to hide it. Ezel crouched, then got a better look at her. The trembling eyes of the investigative reporter met the fierce, battle-raised eyes of the warrior woman. "Maybe you don''t feel it now¡­ but there''s a great attraction between you and him. One that goes beyond mere chemical feelings. And maybe he doesn''t feel it now¡­ but someday, he just might." Her brows lowered and her eyes grew sharper than ever. "I have searched for my mate for countless decades. And now that I have found him, I will not relinquish him to a Terran woman who is weaker¡­ and far less attractive than myself." Judy snapped. "HEY!" Ezel ignored her. Instead, she raised her fist. "I will use a single punch¡­ to reduce you to atoms." Judy''s heart fearfully slammed against her ribs as she braced herself¡ª But before Ezel could strike¡ª "FREEZE!" A chorus of clicks could be heard as several red laser sights locked onto Ezel''s body. Then, a loud, dramatic voice diced the tension "LEAVE THE DAMSEL, VILLAIN!" Judy''s head snapped toward the source of the voice. Standing at a safe ¡ª but fairly heroic ¡ª distance was Commissioner Bennett and a squad of officers with their trusty sidearms trained on Ezel. All the way in the back ¡ª like he was trying to stay out of life-threatening trouble ¡ª stood The Peak. One hand rested on his hip, while the other was pointed dramatically at Ezel. Judy groaned. "Oh, for fuck''s sake¡­" The Peak narrowed his eyes at Ezel as his golden locks caught the dim streetlights. "Hmmm¡­ this one looks really strong¡­ and sexy¡­" He mused to himself, stroking his chin. "Not sure I can take her head-on¡­ maybe just a few good flicks, and I''ll leave the rest to the cops." Ezel grinned, baring sharp teeth. "Meat¡­" Chapter 162 SIST, Clash on the Streets! Metro Daily Rooftop ¨C Midnight Sky Over the City The rooftop hummed like it was a machine. But that was just the Arcforge Omni-Fabricator ¡ª its sleek, hyper-advanced structure fully unfolded into a miniaturized factory of impossible engineering. Gleaming plates shifted, molecular assemblers worked in tandem, and a soft blue glow radiated from the core of the machine as Scott stood before it, completely locked in his focus. His hands moved rapidly through the air, manipulating a lattice of micro holographic wires and quantum circuitry that floated before him. His brow furrowed as he refined the holographic blueprint, a tubular construct with a smooth yet slightly wider top ¡ª a device that was beginning to take shape within the Omni-Fabricator''s processors. His eyes gleamed beneath the dark strands of his hair as he exhaled sharply in a low but firm voice. "System, can you mimic the sound of the intergalactic beacon again?" A brief pause. Then, the System''s synthetic voice echoed in his mind. [Accessing high-level audio sensors from Blue Rock Satellite prior to beacon departure. Cross-referencing with pre-exit frequency measurements. Recording¡­ Replicating with required adjustments¡­ Done.] Scott smirked slightly. That was exactly what he needed. The System had snagged the purest version of the beacon''s transmission right before it breached the K¨¢rm¨¢n Line, capturing the precise frequency before the vacuum of space twisted it into oblivion. Then, a sound pierced the air. A screeching, oscillating tone, unnatural and eerie, resonated from the device in the fabricator''s grasp. The very space around him quivered, shimmering like distorted glass in a heatwave. Tiny fractures formed¡ªtears in space itself. Scott''s breath hitched. His eyes widened in stunned amazement. "Holy hell¡­" He muttered, watching as tiny rips in reality flickered like cracks in a mirror, revealing glimpses of something else ¡ª somewhere else ¡ª before vanishing as the sound faded into silence. The rooftop was still again. He exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. He had just witnessed the impossible ¡ª a sound that could literally fold space. His gaze snapped back to the blueprint. "I can''t beat that alien chick in a fight. No way in hell." His voice was steady but still had that cold realism. "But if she needed a beacon to get here¡­" He tapped the floating holographic schematics, refining the last details. "Then all I have to do is reverse-engineer the sound and make a suitable facsimile that''ll do the job. In other words, make a damn good fake and send her back." He placed a hand on his chin. "Alright, let''s break it down¡ª" His voice took on that half-mocking, half-impressed tone he got when he surprised even himself. "This thing emits a sound frequency that gets converted into Hawking radiation vibrations¡ªand these particles? They''re literally woven into the fabric of spacetime itself. So, if I use the sound waves to force them into a synchronized resonance, I create a standing wave pattern in spacetime. That amplifies energy density at certain points, and when it hits a critical threshold¡­" A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "Boom. Microscopic wormhole." He nodded and smirked. "The rest is just pizza in slices." He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly, both confused and impressed at what he had just engineered. "Huh¡­ so, I just stumbled into the key to intergalactic teleportation like it was nothing? Wild." The System chimed in smoothly. [It is because the Host possesses a truly impressive adaptive existence capable of overcoming any scenario, no matter how impossible it may seem.] A low chuckle rumbled from Scott''s throat. "Damn, System, that''s probably the best compliment I''ve ever gotten. Feels like my own little superpower." Then, a thought hit him, and he lifted an eyebrow. "But System ¡ª what about getting a force-gene? Like, I wasn''t born superabled, but Maya wasn''t either. She got hers from a lab accident, so maybe if I¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes flicked toward the police communication device sitting a few meters away. "All law enforcement agents ¡ª evacuate all civilians within a 100-meter radius of the Metro Daily landmark. A confrontation with an unidentified villain is underway. The suspect has flipped a vehicle ¡ª with a civilian still inside." There was a brief silence ¡ª then, the feed erupted with the ever familiar thunder of gunfire. Scott''s eyes sharpened. "Tch." No hesitation. His hand snatched the completed device from the fabricator ¡ª now officially christened the Sound-Induced Spacetime Teleporter, or SIST. Then, with a fluid, practiced motion, the shadow at his neckline slithered upward and morphed into the sleek contours of his high-tech mask. A faint blue energy pulse flickered across its surface as the visor locked into place. He stepped forward¡ª And jumped. The wind howled around him as he dove off the high-rise rooftop, slicing through the night air like a human jet. Scott tightened his grip on the device. "I''m sending her back¡­" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ There was absolute chaos in the streets. The gunfire was relentless. Flashing muzzles sparked the night as the cops poured round after round into Ezel, but the bullets might as well have been confetti for all the good they did. Ezel''s face twisted in disgust as the metallic projectiles bounced harmlessly off her skin. They didn''t hurt. Not even a little. The only thing bothering her was the sheer annoyance ¡ª like being swarmed by a thousand tiny flies. She let out an irritated breath, flicking a stray bullet off her shoulder like it was lint. One officer, a rookie by the looks of it, had been firing non-stop¡ªuntil his hands started shaking. Fear gripped him like an iron vice, his shots growing wilder and wilder. Then, with a sharp gasp, he took a shaky step back. Commissioner Bennett caught it instantly. "Officer, don''t lose your focus!" Bennett barked, reloading his pistol without breaking stride. "Keep firing! Don''t show your fear¡ª" But it was already too late. The cop''s gun clattered to the pavement. "NAAAHH, FUCK THIS! Why do they always send cops to fight these superpowered villains before these damn heroes arrives for fuck''s sake ©¤©¤ ?! It''s not like these guns are gonna do anything. I''m out!" His body moved before his mind could catch up. Pure, animalistic panic setting in as he turned to run. He didn''t make it far. Ezel blurred forward. A violent gust of wind blasted outward from her movement ¡ª then, in one smooth, almost casual motion, she ripped the man''s head clean off his shoulders. The wet, sickening sound of tearing flesh and snapping bone echoed through the street. For a second, the other officers were frozen. Then¡ª "OH SHIT¡ª" "OH NAW, THIS AIN''T WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR!" "FALL BACK! FALL BACK!" She barely had to do anything. The moment they saw their fellow officer''s head hit the bloody ground, half the squad turned and ran. The other half didn''t even get that chance. Ezel''s glowing red eyes flared. Twin beams of burning heat erupted from her irises. It mercilessly swept across the retreating cops. BZZZZZZTTT!! Four officers barely had time to scream before their skulls burst apart like overripe melons¡ªcharred bits of bone and blood splattering across the pavement gruesomely. The stench of cooked flesh polluted the air. Even The Peak, who had long since abandoned all pretense of heroism and was hiding behind a car, winced as if he had been the one turned into bloody mist. "Damn¡­" He muttered under his shaky breath. "That must''ve hurt like a bitch¡­" Ezel turned her attention back to Commissioner Bennett, who was still standing his ground. He didn''t flinch. Didn''t even hesitate. Even as he watched his men get slaughtered like livestock, he just gritted his teeth, reloaded, and kept firing. "Leave my men out of this, murderer!" he roared. BANG. Another shot, another bullet that did absolutely nothing. Ezel sighed. Then ¡ª without even looking ¡ª she swatted the next bullet straight back at him. It tore clean through his knee. "AAAGH¡ªSON OF A BITCH!" Bennett hit the ground, clutching his leg as pain exploded through his body. Blood pooled beneath him as his breath turned ragged. Before he could even get a handle on the agony, Ezel was already standing over him. Her irises glowed once more¡ªpulsing with intense, searing light. She was about to finish him. Then¡ª WHIRR¡ª The thunderous sound of chopper blades sliced through the drumming air. Ezel''s eyes snapped upward as two news choppers hovered above as their powerful spotlights illuminated the scene bloody below. Inside one of the choppers, a blonde-haired woman leaned into the camera with a smug, self-satisfied expression. Stacy Brant. Metro Daily''s most insufferably proud reporter. She had a microphone in hand as her voice carried over the speakers¡ª "The Hero Agency claims to have dispatched an S-tier hero to stop this rampaging female threat¡ªbut as of yet, there has been no sign of a he¡ª" She stopped. Her eyes flicked downward. The spotlight followed her gaze. And landed¡ª Directly on The Peak. Hunched behind a car. Trying his absolute damnedest to stay out of harm''s way. For a split second, his entire brain crashed. Then, internally¡ª ¡ºOH FUCKING HELL¡ª¡» Externally¡ª His jaw clenched, but he forced a bright, heroic smile. Like a man pretending he totally hadn''t been cowering like a little bitch two seconds ago, he patted the car he had been hiding behind and straightened up. "AHAHAHA!" He laughed boisterously. "Unlike other heroes, who recklessly destroy public property in their battles, I, The Peak, ensure that the cars of our admirable hard-working citizens remain intact! That is the true measure of a hero!" The cameras loved it. Stacy Brant giggled behind her mic, then flipped her blonde hair with overcooked grace. "As usual, The Peak shows deep consideration for the middle class, understanding their financial sacrifices and choosing to protect their valuable property. Truly, he is a hero!" The Peak chuckled, running a hand through his perfectly styled, gelled hair. "Yes, yes, I am amazing," he said. "Do go on." Judy, who was still nursing a concussion and a pile of so many terrible life decisions, clicked her tongue in disgust. "Really?" She muttered, dragging a hand down her tired face. "I have to see both that bitch, Stacy Brant, and The Peak in one day? My car got destroyed. That dickhead was kissing this crazy, superpowered chick like it was nothing. And now I have to deal with this bullshit." She let out the loudest, most exaggerated sigh imaginable. "Worst. Fucking. Day." The Peak marched forward. With surprising confidence. He strode straight toward Ezel, his chest puffed out and his golden hair dramatically fluttering behind him as if he were striding into a grand final battle. Stopping just a few feet from the superpowered terror, he lifted a single hand¡ª And pointed directly at her. "Villain!" His voice rang loud, bold, heavy with self-importance. "You have done well to test my patience, but I shall now grant you something I like to call¡­ the Moment of Mercy!" The air in the street turned heavy. The cops, the bystanders, even Commissioner Bennett ¡ª still groaning from his bleeding knee ¡ª stared in shock. Still nursing her head, Judy just stared blankly. ¡ºThis idiot¡­ really thinks he''s in a movie.¡» Oblivious to all, The Peak continued, dramatically lifting three fingers into the air. "I will count down from three." His heroic voice boomed with self-righteous authority. "And in this time, you must decide whether or not you will act foolish and¡ª" He never got to finish. Ezel flashed across the dark street. There was a sudden, bone-snapping CRACK! A strangled, breathless noise escaped The Peak''s lips. His once proud, confident face twisted into raw pain. Ezel had ripped his arm out of its socket. Not cleanly. Not mercifully. Just a single, brutal pull ¡ª so sudden, so monstrous in strength ¡ª that a little more force might''ve torn it clean off. The Peak didn''t even get to scream. Before he could, something much, much worse happened. A powerful hand clamped down on his most precious assets. His family jewels. A very loud, but somehow suppressed cry squeezed out of his mouth. It was¡­ strange. It didn''t sound like a man''s scream. Didn''t sound like any normal person in pain. It almost sounded like¡­ a cat. His entire body went rigid and his knees buckled as he stood frozen in sheer, unrelenting agony. More tears forced their way up. His entire soul screamed to let them out ¡ª but somehow he held them back. But his face was bright, burning red. His entire being trembled. Standing before him, Ezel looked unimpressed. She tightened her grip ¡ª just slightly¡ª And The Peak''s entire soul nearly left his body. Her eyes slowly, lazily, scanned him from head to toe. Then she sighed. "I''ve never seen a more shameless man in my life. There are countless lesser men on this planet¡­ but you¡­" She tilted her head. "You don''t have a single scent of masculinity on you." A sneer curled her lips. "You reek of semen and desperation." Another squeeze. A high-pitched, feminine grunt escaped The Peak''s throat. Tears finally spilled down his cheeks. And yet¡ªhe was still grinning. Watching this, Stacy Brant and Judy Cho both just stood there, speechless. Neither of them knew what it actually felt like to have their family jewels crushed like that ¡ª but from the pure agony on The Peak''s bright-red face¡­ They could imagine. Even the cops ¡ª those who had fled, and the ones who were still alive ¡ª grimaced. Commissioner Bennett clenched his jaw. "Nghk¡ª" h He groaned, pressing a bloody hand against his knee. "I¡­ I have to help¡­ him¡­" A coughing wheeze left his lips. "It''s what Nightwatch would do." Far away, traveling like a speed-breaking streak of darkness, Scott ¡ª watching the scene through his drones ¡ª tiredly and honestly muttered to himself¡ª "Ehhh¡­ not really." Back to The Peak. Tears ran freely down his face. His lips quivered. And yet, somehow, he still managed to force out a very weak and empty smile. His trembling hand slowly lifted. And then, he placed it on Ezel''s shoulder. His voice, shaky but oddly composed, left his lips. "So¡­ what reason¡­ do we have to hate each other?" His eyes flicked toward the cops. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To Bennett. To the bloody massacre in the street. His breathing was heavy. But his grin remained. "It''s absurd¡­ we just met¡­ we''ve hardly spoken." His lips curled into something almost wistful. He looked like a monk¡­ maybe even a sage. His voice lowered, softer¡ªalmost philosophical. "I don''t have a single enemy among these men¡­" He turned back to Ezel. "So why¡­ why should we be enemies?" For a brief second¡ªjust a split second¡ª Ezel actually paused. She stared at him. Face blank. Then¡ªshe lifted her other hand. And formed a fist. The Peak barely had time to blink. "Because¡­" Her fist got tighter and pulsed with raw power alone. "You''re weak." Her fist drew back. "And I hate lesser men." Then¡ªeverything turned to darkness. A surge of absolute night crashed through the entire street. The air itself twisted. Lights snuffed out. Nothing. Not a single streetlamp. Not a single flicker of glow. Just abyss. Then¡ªin a single instant¡ª The darkness vanished. The street returned. The lights came back. And¡ª Ezel was gone. Silence. Absolute, stunned silence. Then¡ª "¡­Huh?" Judy Cho blinked. She rubbed her aching temple, wincing at the throbbing pain in her skull. "¡­ The fuck just happened?" Right above, Stacy Brant''s brows shot up. She looked at the cameras. Then back at The Peak. Then, in a moment of pure, perfect media training¡ª She gasped. And turned toward the news crew. "I-, It looks like¡­" she stammered. Then, regaining her composure, she flipped her blonde hair with more overcooked grace. "It appears¡­ that The Peak has somehow managed to use his unfathomable strength to reduce the unidentified superwoman into¡­" A dramatic pause. Then, staring into the camera¡ª "Nothing." The Peak, still half-crippled in pain, barely standing, his knees still buckling from the trauma¡ª His lips twitched. Slowly, his grin returned. He ran a trembling hand through his gelled hair. And in his most heroic voice possible¡ªHe laughed. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Then¡ª "¡­ Yes." A grin, cocky as ever. "Yes, yes," he muttered, barely able to breathe. His entire face was red. His balls were screaming. But the cameras were on him. So he straightened his back. Lifted his head. And forced out the words¡ª "I am amazing." Chapter 163 Desires, Lores, and Answers The world blurred. One moment, Ezel was about to send The Peak to his death with one bone-shattering punch. The next, absolute darkness swallowed her whole. Not even her honed reflexes¡ªfast enough to snatch a bullet out of midair¡ªcould react in time. It was the fastest blink. And then¡ªlight. A dark alley. Cold brick against her back. Both her hands pinned to the wall, strong fingers wrapped around her wrists. And in front of her¡­ him. Scott. Ezel''s lips curled into a slow, seductive smile. "Mhmm~ ?? Finally¡­ a man with some fight in him." There was a lot of temptation and amusement in the way she spoke and licked her lips¡ªit was like a predator who had finally caught something worth hunting. She shifted slightly, arching her back just enough for her chest to press against his rock-hard frame. She could feel his heat, the strength in his body as he held her down. ¡ºHow delicious¡­¡» It already made her feel some moist and heat ¡ª in the sweet spot between her legs. Jaw clenched, Scott held her firm. He knew¡ªoh, he knew¡ªthat if she truly wanted to break free, she could do it in a heartbeat. This wasn''t about power. It was about control. Ezel let out a breathy chuckle. "It''s almost mind-blowing that the ancient Dravekian race still somehow exists, even after all these years¡­ do you have any idea how amazed I am?" Her fingers twitched against his grip. "All the men on my planet? Weak. Fragile. Absolute losers who can''t even last a few minutes in bed to make their female counterparts feel special. And the ones who do?" She tilted her head, eyes half-lidded. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "They just break. Frightened dogs, used for labor like the disposable things they are." She leaned in as her milky-sweet voice dropped into something softer, more intimate. "But you, Scott McQueen¡­" Her smile widened. "You''re different. You''ve proven yourself to possess the stamina I and my sisters are in search of. I can already feel the sexual hunger between us and how much we want to do it with each other. Not once. Not twice. Not even three times. I can feel it in you. The power. The greatness. It''s in your bones¡­ and I want that bone in me~ ??" She bit her lip, still relishing in the sensation of being pinned down. Her and her sisters¡ªthis was what they searched for. A man who could dominate them. A man who could take and take until there was nothing left to give. If she had to relinquish a sliver of control for that? Then so be it. Scott exhaled sharply. With a flutter of shadows, his mask dissolved to reveal his handsome, but tired face¡ªhis frustration written in the sharp lines of his expression. "Look¡­" He paused to exhale heavily ©¤©¤ almost like a parent trying so hard not to shout at their child. "I don''t know if I''ve said it¡­ or how many times I''m going to have to fucking say it. But I''m not a Dravekian. And I didn''t send the damn beacon." His grip tightened. "When are you gonna get that? Whoever sent it didn''t do it on purpose, or they''d have come for you by now. No one wants you here, woman¡­" His voice was measured, steady¡ªeven as he spoke to a woman who had already painted the streets with the blood of those who tried to stop her. But none of that mattered to Ezel. Not the beacon. Not the bloodshed. Not the lives lost. All that mattered was the absolute gift of sexual pleasure that drove her crazy every night and day¡ªand the man standing before her was the one she had chosen to provide it. She sighed dramatically, tilting her head. "Come on~" She purred temptingly. "Don''t you want to forget about all that nonsense?" Her voice was honey, her smile impish. "Just let go¡­ feel good for once." She licked her lips, then whispered. "I want our powerful halfbreed babies growing inside me as soon as possible." She let out a breathy laugh. "It''s been ages since I''ve felt the burning heat of a man''s semen inside me. I want to experience that passionate pounding that makes me feel like my world is shaking¡­ I want to cough out hot air as sweat drips from the most shameless parts of my aching body¡­ I want to be choked like an animal trained solely for the purpose of sex¡­" For the first time, Scott''s expression cracked. Disgust flickered across his face. He let go of her wrists as he stepped back. "Yeah, no¡­" He muttered, shaking his head. "I''m really not in the mood to listen to all that freaky talk." His fists clenched at his sides. "Trust me. I''ve heard a lot of absurd shit in my time." But Ezel? She didn''t take it as rejection. To her, this was nothing. Maybe because she found it hard to notice the emotions of lesser creatures. Or maybe because she simply didn''t care. She giggled as her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, please¡­ you didn''t seem to mind the freaky stuff before. After all¡­" She smirked, stepping forward. "You came back for more." Scott''s gaze snapped to hers. His entire body tensed, the muscles in his arms flexing as he exhaled sharply. And then¡ªhe turned, his voice hard and serious. "I came back to stop you from killing Judy and harming anyone else." Ezel rolled her eyes. "Oh, please¡ª" Scott''s frustration erupted. His arm slashed through the air, like he was trying to hit something invisible. His shadow flared at his feet, pulsing with barely-contained rage. He stepped forward, eyes burning. "If I hadn''t fucking stopped you, you would''ve killed every single person there." His voice was low, dark. "Whether they deserved it or not." Ezel tilted her head, unbothered. Scott''s voice rose. "And judging from the kind of person you are¡ª" He took another step forward as his presence pressed boldly against hers. "I''m sure as hell they didn''t deserve anything¡­ any of the absurd shit¡­ you did to them." His breath came faster now. "You''re the intruder here. The friggin'' outsider. The fucking invader. An unwanted guest!" Each word cracked through the alley like thunder. And then, with gritted teeth, he growled. "Why don''t you just go back to where you fucking came from and let the people of this damn city live their lives like normal¡ª?! I''M TIRED OF THIS SHIT!!" He stopped, fists trembling. Ezel¡­ smiled. Her blue eyes flickered with something strange¡ªand it wasn''t quite human. ¡ºTo think¡­ getting ruthlessly shouted at by a my mate would be so arousing. I can''t stop rubbing my thighs together¡­ this tingling sensation down there, it¡ªahmnn~ feels so good, I think I''m gonna¡ªHNNN ??!!¡» She somehow managed to hold it back. But her pants were already soaked ¡ª although not enough that a frustrated Scott would notice it. He was still fuming as his fists trembled at his sides. His breath came hard and fast as he stared Ezel down while his mind raced with frustration. Then, without warning, a delicate hand pressed against his chest. Soft. Warm. Scott stiffened. Ezel''s beautiful blue eyes gleamed up at him as her touch became more¡­ gentle. "I like this about you¡­" She murmured with her voice as smooth as silk. "The fact that you have a mind of your own. That you can boldly raise your voice at me, even when you know I could decapitate you in seconds." Her fingers traced slow circles against his chest, savoring the feel of his body. She sighed, almost like she pitied him. "But as much as I feel bad for this little¡­ mental breakdown you''re having¡ª" Her lips curled into an amused smile. "I missed the part where that''s my problem." Scott''s jaw clenched. Ezel leaned in, her breath a whisper against his skin. "You''re my soulmate, Scott McQueen." Scott blinked. "And no matter what, even if I have to kill every worthless life form on this planet¡­ I won''t relinquish you to the clutches of any woman that isn''t me or my sisters. Is that clear? I really hope it is, my dear." The sheer confidence in her voice made his stomach churn. It came out so naturally, so effortlessly, that for a moment ¡ª just a split second ¡ª Scott thought she had to be joking. But the look in her eyes told him otherwise. It was almost¡­ possessive. Like a master talking to their slave. And Scott sure as hell wasn''t anybody''s slave. A slow chuckle rumbled from his throat. He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Soulmate?" He scoffed. "You don''t even know a damn thing about me. So what''s with all that stupid talk?" He started to say more. "I won''t li¡ª" But he didn''t even get to finish. Because before he could get another word out, Ezel''s fingers curled into the fabric of his sleek suit, then gripped his chest and yanked him closer. Scott''s breath hitched. Her face was inches from his. Her blue eyes burned with something deep¡ªsomething raw. "When I was younger¡­ I heard stories. Legends. Tales of the brave and gallant men of Vekxam." Her grip softened slightly. "The Dravek men¡­ they were different. Worthy. The only ones strong enough to stand beside a dominant female Pontiach like myself." She released him slowly as her fingers lingered against his chest for just a moment. Then, something in her expression changed. It was subtle, but Scott caught it. A shadow of sadness flickered in her eyes. "When I heard that Vekxam had been destroyed by some unknown force¡­" Her voice grew quieter. "I lost all hope that there would be any survivors." Her fingers curled slightly. "And yet¡­ I still prayed." Scott narrowed his eyes. There was something¡­ off about her tone. A quiet desperation. Ezel wasn''t the type to show vulnerability¡ªnot easily, not openly. But right now, for the briefest moment, she almost seemed¡­ broken. Like if he rejected her now, it would shatter her. She gently lowered her hand from his chest and, instead, reached for his hand. Scott tensed. Her fingers laced around his, soft but firm. "When I saw that beacon¡­ how do I describe it¡­ I was filled with so much hope." She stared up at him, and for the first time¡­ She looked different. Not as a war-hardened warrior. Not as a ruthless invader. Just¡­ a woman. "All the countless centuries I''ve lived¡­ they didn''t feel like a waste anymore¡­" A soft, almost reverent smile tugged at her lips. "They felt special." She gently caressed the back of his hand, her blue eyes searching his for something¡ªanything. But Scott¡­ he''d seen this before. This wasn''t his first time dealing with a woman trying to emotionally seduce him. And it surely wouldn''t be his last. He sighed, shaking his head as he pulled his hand away. "I''m sorry, but no." His voice was firm. "That beacon didn''t come from me." He turned his gaze elsewhere. "I''m a hundred percent human. Not this ''mighty Dravek'' you keep talking about." Without waiting for a response, he stepped away to really clear his head¡ªget some fresh air. He needed to think. What the hell was she even talking about? ¡ºSystem.¡» He spoke in his mind. ¡ºDoes any of this make sense to you?¡» A mechanical voice responded. [Affirmative. Searching galactic archives¡­ The planet Vekxam is located in the distant Halo Galaxy, millions of light-years from Earth. It is the homeworld of the Draveks.] Scott''s eyes widened. ¡ºWait, what?¡» [The Draveks worshipped the white sun Ux-Ar, the patron deity of their race. Their civilization was highly advanced and renowned across the universe as peaceful¡ªuntil civil war broke out. Thousands of years ago, two generals of the great Vekxam Empire ¡ª Kal-Drewd and Konteus ¡ª ignited war with the Cortians. The conflict escalated until Vekxam was ultimately destroyed.] Scott stared blankly. ¡º¡­ Whoa.¡» That was¡­ a lot of lore. He exhaled slowly. ¡ºYou''re telling me there''s actually shit like this happening outside our galaxy?¡» [Correct.] The System continued. [X and Z-tier heroes are frequently deployed on off-world missions to aid the StarForce in maintaining law and order across countless galaxies.] Scott let out a low whistle. ¡ºDamn¡­¡» For the first time, he felt REALLY small. Like everything he''d been dealing with¡ªfighting criminals, stopping street-level villains¡ªit all paled in comparison to the sheer scale of intergalactic warfare. ¡ºThat kinda makes what I''m doing here feel¡­¡» He hesitated. ¡ºLess important.¡» [Incorrect.] Scott blinked. [Every mission, every battle, every choice made by the host ¡ª no matter how small ¡ª greatly contributes to the greater balance of the multiverse.] A pause. [Also, Interdimensional Streaming Mode remains inactive due to insufficient credits.] Scott raised a brow. ¡ºWait, there''s something like that?¡» [Affirmative.] Scott sighed. Of course there was. And judging from the way things were going¡­ He was probably going to need it. Unfortunately, Scott barely had time to think. Before he could even take a breath, a gust of wind rushed past him¡ªswift, silent, and precise. Then, just like that, Ezel was in front of him again. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto his like a hawk catching a rat in its talons. Scott felt like he was being watched during a test he hadn''t even studied for. She took a slow step forward. "I don''t want this. I don''t want to cause an unnecessary scene with you¡­" Her voice was smooth, level. "Not now." Scott narrowed his eyes. "What do you¡ª" She silenced him with a single touch. Her delicate fingers slid against his chest again, pressing softly, tracing along the fabric of his sleek suit. "We should be focusing on what''s more important." Her smile was warm¡ªtoo warm. "Like mating." Scott''s brain short-circuited. "¡­ What?" This wasn''t the first, second or third time she was saying this ¡ª but each time still managed to shock him. The idea of a woman leaving her planet, her galaxy and coming here to find a suitable mate¡­ was it ever that serious? Ezel tilted her head slightly, as if she found his reaction amusing. "Giving birth to offspring." Scott felt his pulse spike. "Mating and reproduction should take precedence." She continued casually©¤©¤almost as if she were just discussing war strategy. "And maybe then¡ªonce our child is conceived¡ªwe can argue about what to name them." She leaned in closer as her breath heated against his dry and itchy throat. "A child destined to be the strongest warrior in the Milky Way Galaxy¡­ and beyond. Fascinating." Scott stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. She was being serious. Dead serious. He struggled to form words, but before he could even try, Ezel took his hands again¡ªthis time with both of hers. Her fingers laced around his, firm yet pleading. "Please." Scott stiffened. Her voice¡ªjust for a moment¡ªwas almost¡­ vulnerable. "I want to go about this the right way." Her eyes searched his, seeking something deeper. "Before I''m forced to take necessary and truly painful and despicable measures to ensure that you submit the use of your reproductive organs to my cause." Her grip tightened. A lot. Scott felt the bones in his fingers creak under the pressure of her steel-crushing grasp©¤©¤but for no reason did he show weakness by squeezing his face in discomfort. Ezel''s soft, inviting smile remained. But her expression darkened ever so slightly. "I want our union to mean something¡­ rather than having to¡­ force you." Her words settled in his chest like an anchor. Then, she did something that sent a jolt of heat down his spine. She took his arms¡­ and slowly dragged them toward her waiting waist. Scott''s breath hitched. Her fingers guided his hands lower. Lower. And then¡ªthey landed. Soft. Warm. Familiar. Scott stiffened as his palms rested against the plush curves of her ass¡ªcurves he remembered grabbing before. And how good it felt. Ezel watched his reaction closely as her blue eyes gleamed with something knowing. Then, she stepped forward. Pressed against him. Her body¡ªher warmth¡ªher scent¡ª Everything overwhelmed his senses. Her full, perky breasts crushed against his chest, and her sweet, hot breath ghosted over his lips. Scott swallowed hard. Ezel''s gaze burned into his as her fingers traced very slow and tempting patterns against his suit. "When we kissed¡­" she murmured, "I felt it." Her fingertips pressed against his chest. "Your passion." She inhaled deeply, savoring his scent. "So much stronger than any man I''ve ever touched. I promise you, Scott McQueen¡­ you won''t ever find a woman more suitable for your greatness than me." Scott clenched his jaw, trying to fight the way his body reacted to her words¡ªto her touch. Ezel smiled. "Maybe you don''t know it yet, but soon¡­ you will." Her hands trailed up his chest again. That damn touch. It was the kind that made even the strongest men falter. She leaned in as her lips brushed against his ear. "You want me just as much as I want you, yesss ??¡­" Scott inhaled sharply. Then, he exhaled. Firm. Steady. "I don''t want you." Ezel paused. Then¡ªshe smirked. She leaned in and¡ªnibbled his lower lip. Scott''s body jolted slightly at the sensation. Her breath was hot against his mouth. "Are you sure?" she purred. Her voice was like silk¡ªsmooth, enticing, dangerous. "No one on this planet will ever understand the dormant power inside you." She trailed her fingers against his collar. "No one¡­ but me." She lifted his chin slightly, forcing his gaze to meet hers. "If you come home with me¡­" Her lips curled into a sly smile. "I''ll help you find your true self." Then¡ªshe whispered it. "Last son of Vekxam¡­ Mael." Scott''s heart stopped. A sharp, piercing shock shot through his brain like a stake had been driven into his skull. Mael. That name¡ªhe''d heard it before. Somewhere. Somehow. The world blurred for a moment. For just a second¡ªEzel''s presence pulled him in. Her warmth. Her scent. Her voice. It wrapped around him like an invisible chain, dragging him deeper into the abyss of her control. Then¡ªshe kissed him. Soft. Slow. Almost¡­ reverent. "It''s our destiny¡­" she murmured against his lips. Scott''s fingers twitched. His mind screamed at him. And then¡ªhe snapped out of it. "No." His voice was cold. Definite. Certain. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire Ezel barely had time to react before¡ªBEEP. Scott''s thumb pressed the button on his SIST device. And in an instant¡ªa powerful beacon erupted. The air rippled. Massive, violent tears in space-time split open behind Ezel ¡ª dark, violet voids of chaotic energy. The force dragged at her. "No¡­" Ezel''s eyes widened in horror. "No! NO!¡ª" The pull intensified. Her body jerked backward, sucked toward the collapsing portal. Her blue eyes burned with rage¡ªbetrayal. "HOW DARE YOU?!" Scott just stared at her. Calm. Steady. Then¡ªa slow, almost regretful sigh. "¡­ Sorry." And in the blink of an eye¡ªEzel vanished. Gone. So were all the answers he wanted. Chapter 164 - 164: Revealed Secrets, Daughterly Defiance Metro City, Early Morning The sun had barely risen over Metro City, yet the streets were already alive. Students in crisp uniforms rushed to school, workers hurried to their jobs, and for the first time in weeks, the air felt¡­ very peaceful. No fear of sudden ambushes. No paranoia about some lunatic woman waiting to turn a man''s crotch into fireworks. Just normal city life. Up on a rooftop, high above the bustling streets, two figures sat side by side. Presently in his Shadow Factor Suit, Scott was munching down on an absurdly thick, greasy burger like he hadn''t seen food in days. He didn''t care about manners right now¡ªeach bite was an explosion of flavor, and he ate like a man starved. His chewing was loud, unfiltered, almost animalistic. "Phew¡­" Scott exhaled, then licked the extra grease from his lips with satisfaction. "I swear, I''ve barely eaten anything these past few days. Barely drank, either." He took another massive bite. "This whole sexy, alien serial killer thing didn''t give me a chance to sleep, man¡­ so last night was one of the few times I actually got to rest." He didn''t mind speaking through a full mouth. Sitting beside him with his own burger was Jake. The chubby, young man simply smiled. Wide. Too wide. It was a strange, pleased expression¡ªlike he was just told something very important and didn''t know what to do with the information. Scott noticed. Mid-bite, he glanced at Jake, squinting. "Uh¡­ what''s up? Why''re you looking at me like that?" Jake blinked, snapping out of his trance. "Huh? Oh, uh¡­" He chuckled softly, rubbing his chest like he was clearing some lingering emotion. "Nothing. It''s just¡­" He paused, grinning again. "I''m really happy, man. Happy that we''re still friends. That we''re talking again. And also¡­" He took a massive bite of his own burger, chewed quickly, then grinned wider. "I''m just relieved, y''know? I thought maybe you weren''t talking to me because¡­ I dunno, you didn''t want to. But turns out, you were just busy." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott gave him a sideways glance but didn''t say anything. It was such a weird conversation for him. ¡ºSitting together, sharing a meal, and watching the sunrise while our shoulders lightly touch¡­ then comes that awkward conversation about how we haven''t talked in a while, how we miss each other, and all that sentimental stuff. I don''t know, it just feels kinda gay¡­¡» For a second, he didn''t feel like eating anymore. Jake turned forward, looking at the city skyline. The high-rises stabbed through the clouds like masterfully constructed spears¡­ towering and majestic. He took another bite and spoke through his chewing. "And bro¡­ you don''t even understand how glad I am to know that my best friend¡ªmy brother¡ªisn''t just some random guy that got famous and forgot about all his friends and the people who care for him." He suddenly twisted his body toward Scott, eyes wide, face full of barely contained excitement. His voice erupted like a firecracker. "DUDE, YOU''RE'' NIGHTWATCH FROM WETUBE! THAT''S SO FUCKING AWESOME!" Scott jerked back in shock, nearly choking on his burger. "IT IS LITERALLY THE SICKEST THING I''LL EVER HEAR FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!" Jake shouted, hands gripping his own head like he was trying to process reality itself. Scott quickly looked around to scan the rooftop''s edges, then exhaled and stared down at his burger. Calmly, he muttered¡ª "Man, I''m really glad I decided to tell you this up here¡­ at least no one can hear us." Jake blinked, then his face contorted in realization. He leaned back in exaggerated horror. "WAIT, HUH?!" His hand shot to his chest. "Dude, no, no, no¡­ are you trying to say you brought me up here to kill me?! Just because you decided to tell me your damn secret?! That''s crazy!" Scott''s face twisted in absolute disbelief. "What©¤©¤? No!" He looked around again, then back at Jake, who seemed genuinely concerned. "I''m saying that if you reacted like that anywhere else, people would know my secret, you dumbass! Of course, I''m not gonna kill my best friend over something like that!" Jake exhaled dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Cool, cool¡­ I was just joking too." Scott sighed, shaking his head. "Sure, whatever." For a moment, the two just sat in silence, focused entirely on their food. They buried their faces in their burgers, chewing with pure enjoyment. Every few bites, one of them would hum in satisfaction ¡ª "Mmm~" or "Mhmm~" ¡ª the sound of two guys absolutely loving their meal. Then, after a few minutes, Jake glanced at Scott again as a thought gently sprung into his head. "So¡­ I was thinking¡­" He started swinging his legs as he stared up. "Not that you have to, but like¡­ maybe¡­" "Get to the point, bro¡­" Scott plainly said. "What if I became your guy in the chair whenever you''re doing your Nightwatch shit?" Scott paused mid-chew, then slowly glanced at him with mild confusion. "The hell do you mean?" Jake gestured vaguely with his burger. "Y''know. Like in those spy movies. There''s always that one handsome dude with deep computer knowledge sitting in a chair, hacking into stuff and telling the hero what to do. I wanna be that guy for you." He chewed, then waved a hand. "Or like, whatever you go by. Nightwatch, Black Knight, Shadow Man¡ªwhatever." Scott didn''t respond immediately. He just smiled a little, looking ahead at the city. Then, a chuckle. Jake frowned. "What? Why''re you laughing?" Scott kept smiling but didn''t answer. There was no need to tell Jake that there was already a voice in his head guiding him, analyzing his every move, protecting him when it could. A silent, ever-present companion. ¡ºThe System has done a lot for me¡­¡» Scott thought, taking another bite. ¡ºI should probably appreciate it more¡­ a lot more¡­¡» Jake suddenly whined, leaning over like an impatient kid. "Come on, maaaaaan, tell meee!" He started shaking Scott''s shoulder like a child demanding candy and toys. Scott just kept laughing as he ate his burger. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Falan City ¨C Scottie''s Room Scottie let out a deep breath, her hands resting on her hips as she scanned the massive bedroom one last time. Two stylish suitcases sat by the door, packed and ready. It should''ve felt like progress, like she was finally moving forward, but instead¡­ there was just a hollow feeling gnawing at her chest. Her room was still beautiful ¡ª expensive furniture, grand chandelier, velvet curtains ¡ª but it felt empty in a way that had nothing to do with missing furniture. "Oh, this sucks¡­" she muttered, exhaling heavily. She could still remember what her former room used to look like when she was younger. Back then, Scott would help her add girly aesthetics ¡ª pink wallpaper, sparkles, stickers of unicorns and rainbows. She absolutely loved it. She missed it. Scottie turned toward the mirror and her eyes narrowed as she studied her reflection. Short black hair, falling messily over one of her striking blue eyes that could charm anyone. A sharp yet youthful face¡ªmore European than American. The tight black bodysuit hugged her figure under the thick, black trench coat she wore, its folded sleeves keeping her from looking like a child drowning in oversized fabric. Fingerless gloves, thick black high-boots ¡ª anything to add a bit of height to her small 5''2" frame. And yet, despite all that effort¡­ she still felt like she was a few pebbles away from completely losing it. She swallowed, then ran her fingers through her hair with rising panic. "Hrmm¡­ I wonder if my big brother will even friggin'' remember me¡­" Her voice grew more anxious. "Or even want to talk to me¡­? Ohhn, I''m so nervous¡­!" Her face was burning red by now, and at this point, she was just trying desperately not to look like a human bomb stuffed with nothing but panic and desperation. A few minutes passed, and she was still combing her hair with her fingers ¡ª yet it looked no better than before. "KYYYYAAAAAA!!" Scottie let out a frustrated scream, then flopped backward onto her bed. She stared at the ceiling with a sour face, panting slightly before groaning¡ª "Oh, fuck this¡­" She hated that she had to be the one dealing with this. The one making the first move. The one carrying this whole emotional baggage on her back like some tragic protagonist in a drama. Her arms crossed, her lips pursed with annoyance. And then, her gaze flickered back to the mirror. Her expression hardened. Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire "Tch¡­ can''t believe how much of a dickhead Dad can be. He doesn''t want us to have anything to do with Mom or Scott¡­ but he''s got all the damn time in the world to invite naked Instaflick models the same age as his son to our penthouse and sleep with at least six every night." Her grip on her arms tightened. A faint crack echoed. Scottie blinked. The mirror in front of her had cracked slightly ¡ª just a thin fracture running across the glass. Another second, and she might''ve exploded it to bits and pieces with her mind. "Tch¡­" She turned her head to the side, exhaling sharply. And that''s when she saw it. There was a naked European woman standing awkwardly by the doorway. She clutched a sex-stained bedsheet around her body. Scottie arched a brow. "¡­ Seriously?" The model cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Your father told you not to go anywhere, Scottie. You should listen to him and just stay home like a good girl. He said you do this every week." Scottie''s face immediately scrunched up in disgust. "Oh yeah¡­" She said dryly. "I should totally obey that dickhead ¡ª just like you always obey his perverted ass when he tells you to put on a gag and butt plugs, right?" The woman''s face exploded into deep, fiery red. "H-, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?!" Scottie didn''t even blink. Her expression remained painfully underwhelmed ©¤©¤ her gaze dull as she looked at the woman like she had no expectations for her in the first place. "¡­ Uh-huh." A very flat response. "Because I know my Dad very well." She rolled her eyes before muttering. "God, my whole family are just a bunch of horny, degenerate perverts¡­ and that''s not excluding me." The model''s expression went completely blank. "¡­ Eh?" Chapter 165 - 165: New Earth Late Night in Emma''s Mansion The TV in the massive living room was on. There were two figures curled up on the couch. Scott sat there, eyes half-lidded, barely registering whatever was on the screen. On the other hand, Emma wasn''t watching the TV at all. Her affectionate amber eyes were locked onto Scott as she studied his every little movement¡ªthe slow blink of his tired eyes, the subtle twitch of his lips as he chewed on a piece of popcorn she had just fed him. Scott exhaled softly before turning his gaze to her. "Uh¡­ you''ve been staring at me for quite some time¡­" He said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kinda¡­ uncomfortable." Emma''s lips formed a small pout. "Hrmph¡­" She leaned back, crossing her arms as her brows sank. Scott blinked. "What''d I say?" Emma scoffed and turned fully toward him. "How can you say that the way I look at you makes you uncomfortable? I haven''t been able to look at you properly all week because you''ve been so busy, and now that I finally get the chance, you''re acting like I''m a bother? Bro, I''m your friggin'' babe¡­ deal with it¡­" Scott let out a small breath of amusement as his face relaxed into something more playful. "Alright, alright~" He murmured, then shifted on the couch as he slowly crawled toward her. His smirk grew wider. "Then how about making it worth your time and giving you one or two smooches?" Emma rolled her eyes and turned away dramatically. "Hmph! Thought I was a bother, huh?" She shot back, giving him a dramatic sideways glance filled with fake disdain¡ªshe clearly wanted his attention, and the best way to get it was to act upset. Scott chuckled as he crawled even closer. And then¡ª "RAAAAAR!" With a playful growl, he pounced on her. Emma burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter as she fell back onto the couch with Scott on top of her. Scott immediately went on the attack¡ªkissing her cheek, her jaw, her neck, leaving playful, ticklish pecks as he nuzzled against her. "Mmm¡­ if I had to tell the truth¡­" He kissed her cheek again. "Then I definitely¡ªDEFINITELY missed you a lot more than you missed me, okayyyy?" His kisses became relentless¡ªalmost like an excited dog smothering its owner. Emma giggled angelically, her fingers sliding through his hair as she licked her lips. She couldn''t deny it¡ªshe loved the way he kissed her. Her body instinctively rubbed against his as an aroused purr escaped her lips¡ª "Aww, my good boy~ ??" Scott was, and would always be her trigger. It never took much for him to make her special place wet. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ??? Meanwhile¡­ In the Courtyard A man landed with a soft thud in the courtyard of Emma''s mansion as his sleek, hyper-advanced suit gleamed under the soft rays of the moon. With a tap on the core embedded in his chest, the armor dissolved into billions of nanites, reabsorbing like liquid into the high-tech gauntlet on his wrist¡ªthe Volkner Gauntlet. Isaac Volkner straightened his casual suit, glancing around. "Hmm¡­ let''s see where she is¡­" But before he could even think of approaching the door¡ª His gaze drifted to the massive bay window, and through the glass, he saw it¡ª Scott and Emma. Laughing. Kissing. Playing around on the couch like two lovestruck idiots. Isaac''s lips twitched slightly. "Oh¡­ th-, that must be her man¡­" He murmured with mind-breaking pain. For a brief moment, his eyes softened, almost as if he was about to cry. But why would he? By now, most people thought he should have moved on from the idea of being with Emma. She never seemed to love him that way, and no matter how much he tried to accept it, it was just too hard to get used to. "I do remember Jenna saying she started dating someone recently¡­" For a second, he just stood there, watching. Then, with a small sigh, he cleared his throat and reached inside his suit jacket to pull out a strange, alien-looking cube. He studied it for a moment before muttering, "Maybe instead of asking how she''s been and sending those expensive flowers, I should focus on this¡­ Yeah. It''s way more important in the grand scheme of things." With that, he turned around, reactivated his exoskeleton, and shot into the night sky like a blue meteor, disappearing in an instant. ??? Back in the Living Room¡­ Emma was kicking her legs wildly in the air as her laughter echoed through the room as Scott continued his ticklish assault of kisses. "Stop! Stop, Scott, stoooop!" She wheezed, trying to catch her breath. Scott finally relented, hovering over her with an impish grin. His blue eyes gleamed as he gazed at her. "So¡­" he murmured. "I hope that solves it all?" Emma, still panting lightly from laughing so much, nodded. "Uh-huh¡­ but¡ª" She bit her lip. "I just wanna know a few things about you." Scott arched a brow. "That''s¡­ random." He chuckled. "But sure, go ahead." Emma hesitated for a second before finally saying¡ª "Can you¡­ tell me about your family?" The shift was instantaneous. Scott''s face darkened. His playful demeanor evaporated. Without a word, he stood up. Emma barely registered it¡ªhe was so quick. But what she did notice was the pure, unfiltered anger on his face. The disgust. The surprising anger. As if her question was an offense in and of itself. "¡­ Scott?" Her voice was small, uncertain. "What did I¡­ do wrong?" ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Scott lay in bed, arms folded behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling. The room was dark, silent, save for the rhythmic ticking of the antique clock on the wall. He hadn''t moved in what felt like hours, and he wasn''t even sure if he wanted to. His mind wouldn''t shut up. ¡ºWhy am I like this¡­?¡» He trusted Emma. He trusted Gwen. He even trusted the new people who had come into his life. But when it came to his past, to them¡­ He didn''t know if he could talk about it. ¡ºNot yet¡­¡» Would they laugh if they found out what his family did to him? Would they think it was funny? Or worse¡ªwould they look at him differently? Like he was problematic? Scott exhaled sharply through his nose and ran a hand down his face. He didn''t know. And not knowing made him feel like a ticking time bomb. A long, heavy sigh left his lips as he closed his eyes. "¡­ Maybe I should think about this stressful shit after a good night''s rest." And with that, he allowed sleep to take him. ??? ¡­ knock! KNOCK!! A faint knock sounded through the dark hallway. There was late-night visitor. Brigid stood outside Scott''s room, shifting from one foot to the other as her oversized pajamas swallowed her very small body. A thick duvet and a pillow were clutched tightly in her slender arms. She knocked again, this time more gently. "Uhm¡­ Lord Nightwatch?" Nothing. Brigid swallowed, glancing around the endless hall of doors and darkness. The stillness made her shiver. She knocked again¡ªthis time, harder, faster. "L-Lord Nightwatch, please¡­" Her voice wavered slightly. "I-, I had a weird dream, and I''m really scared¡­ Can I¡­ can I sleep here with you?" Still no response. Brigid bit her lip as her expression fell. But as she turned to leave, she looked back at the long, dark hallway and how the nightmarish shadows crept along the walls. Nope. No way. She shook her head furiously before facing Scott''s door again, but with more panic. "I''ll only feel safe if I''m with Lord Nightwatch¡­" With that, she slowly dropped to her knees, then clasped her hands together in a prayer-like pose. Her head bowed several times in reverence, as if she were pleading before a sacred shrine. "Oh, forgive me, great Lord Nightwatch¡­" She whispered dramatically. "I do not mean to trespass your holy grounds, but I am in great need of your transcendent comfort¡­ so please, do not strike me down with your mighty presence simply because of this one sinful act!" After a long, deep breath, she climbed to her feet and¡ª Twist. The doorknob turned easily under her hand. She stepped inside. Brigid gently shut the door behind her, then turned toward the king-sized bed¡ª And her lips curled into a wicked smile. Scott was fast asleep. His calm breathing, his sharp features softened in slumber, the way the dull light cast shadows over his face¡­ "Eheheh¡­" She giggled under her breath, hugging her pillow closer. "The young lord looks so handsome when he sleeps¡­ it almost makes me wanna get a deep taste of those succulent, saliva-covered lips~ Mmmhmm~ ??" Her tongue flicked over her lips, slow and teasing, as she squeezed her pillow tighter, pressing her thighs together. As her thighs pressed together, the friction between her panties and her most sensitive spot sent waves of pleasure through her body, making her tremble. A thin trail of saliva slipped from the corner of her mouth as she kept rubbing, lost in the sensation. Oh, how her body ached. But then¡ªSMACK! She slapped herself on the butt, hard enough to make her jolt in pain ¡ª she could already imagine the red sting she left on that ass cheek ¡ª if only it was Lord Nightwatch. "Bad Brigid! BAD!" She shook her head aggressively, trying to expel the sinful thoughts. "How dare I think of Lord Nightwatch in such a perverted manner¡­ in his presence?!" She took another deep breath, her fists clenched to her chest. Yes. Self-control. She must practice self-control. Sure, the urge to strap on and pierce his butt while he sleeps burns deep in her veins, but she must resist! She would be strong. She must be strong. She exhaled one final time and nodded. "¡­ I should just go join him in bed. I have training with Miss Elfie tomorrow, anyway." But just as she took a step forward¡ª There was a twist of fate. Something sparked in the air. Brigid froze. A strange glow appeared before her eyes, then formed into intricate, shimmering runes¡ªalien symbols she had never seen before. Her heart pounded. "Wh-, What''s this?!" The symbols twisted, warping into a rotating vortex, that swirled faster and faster¡ª A portal. Brigid panicked, stepping back. Then¡ª A sudden force yanked at her. "No¡ªwait, no!" The otherworldly portal expanded as tendrils of energy lashed out like chains. Brigid barely had time to scream before it latched onto Scott, too, wrapping around his sleeping form¡ª FLASH! And just like that¡ª They were gone. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The Morning of a Stranger Scott''s eyes fluttered open. The first thing he noticed¡ªhe wasn''t in his room. The ceiling was extremely high, adorned with intricate golden engravings. The chandelier above him wasn''t just expensive¡ªit looked like it belonged in the palace of an Emperor. The walls, the grand furniture, the sheer luxury of it all¡­ This wasn''t Emma''s place. Emma didn''t have a room like this. ¡ºHell, Emma doesn''t have this much ego.¡» Scott sat up slightly as his brows furrowed. "What the hell is going on¡­?" And that''s when he felt it. Softness. Warmth pressed against his bare chest. He glanced down. Two naked women. Sleeping on him. His heartbeat stopped. The white bedsheet barely covered their figures, and their delicate arms were wrapped around his torso, their legs tangled with his like vines clinging to a tree. Scott froze. ¡ºWhat¡ª? What?!¡» Panic shot through him like a bullet, and he tried to shift, but the moment he moved, both women stirred. A soft mmm~ left their lips as they clung to him tighter and their sexy, naked bodies pressed even closer. Scott''s eye twitched. ¡ºNope. Nope. Nope.¡» Without thinking, he bolted upright. The sudden movement made the naked women frown in their sleep as they reached for him instinctively before curling back into each other. Scott was already halfway across the room. His hands frantically grabbed at the nearest pile of clothes. Boxers. Pants. Where''s a damn shirt?! His mind was running in circles. "Did we have some kind of crazy, orgy party last night that I don''t remember¡­?" He muttered, pulling on his pants. "Or is this just Emma''s stupid idea of a prank after what I told her¡­?" He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, jeez." Frustrated, he spotted a plain black T-shirt draped over a full-length mirror. Without thinking, he yanked it on. Then¡ªHe saw his reflection. His muscular frame. His sharp jawline. And¡ª The symbol on his chest. A stylized "S" enclosed within a kite-shaped shield. Scott froze. His breath hitched as he stared at the reflection, then at his shirt, then back again. "¡­What the fuck is going on¡­ ?" And then¡ª A voice. Smooth. Deep. Familiar. "Ahhh, the morning birds have sung, and the angels have given us light¡­ morning has come, and the time to smile is always appreciated. One of my favorite quotes from the wise Emperors of the lost ages." Scott''s blood ran cold. He didn''t want to believe it. Slowly, slowly, he turned around. And there he was. A tall, broad-shouldered man stood near a throne-like chair, adjusting the cuff of his fitted suit. His sharp features, the commanding presence, the short black hair streaked with gray at the sides¡ªproof of older years and authority. Scott''s jaw dropped. His chest tightened. His mind screamed at him to run with the fear of a scared, broken child¡­ but his legs wouldn''t move. The fear that took hold of him as he stared at the man in front of him was overwhelming, breaking down the walls that had been holding back the weight of his trauma and pain. It felt like every scar on his body and every cruel word he''d ever been called started to sting all over again. He was a grown man¡ªsomeone who could dive into an ocean full of sea monsters without flinching and fight assassins to his last breath. But nothing had ever prepared him for this. It was him. Maxwell McQueen. His father. Scott stumbled a step back, nearly crashing into the mirror. Maxwell barely spared him a glance as he picked up a sleek blazer from the chair. "Lose an hour in the morning, and you''ll spend the rest of the day trying to get it back¡­" He smoothed out the fabric. "So, a wise man should either rise early¡­ or when they do lose that hour, search for it not¡ª" His sharp, piercing eyes finally met Scott''s. "¡ªbut for something else. Like your goals." With an effortless flick, he threw the blazer. It landed right in Scott''s face. Scott ripped it off and finally found his voice. "¡­ Maxwell?" His father simply adjusted the collar of his dress shirt. "Dress yourself, son¡­ McQueen men like us must seize the day if we want to seize the world, ahah!" Scott clenched his jaw. "No. This¡­ this doesn''t make any sense." And then¡ªDing! The one voice he''d been hoping to hear finally came. [The Host has just arrived on Earth-2!] Scott''s entire body went rigid. ¡ºWhat¡­?¡» Chapter 166 - 166: Comfortable Confusion Earth Two, Metro City Scott stood still as Maxwell looped the silk tie around his collar as his father''s fingers deftly secured the knot with the ease of a man who had done this a thousand times before. But Scott wasn''t focused on the tie ¡ª no, his attention was locked on something else entirely. Maxwell was staring at him. But not in the way Scott had grown used to ¡ª not with that cold, calculating scrutiny, nor with the weight of disapproval that had long since carved itself into the deepest parts of his soul. No. This was different. There was something else in his eyes. Something Scott had never been given the privilege to see. Love. Even if this was an alternate Earth, an alternate Maxwell McQueen, it was still the first time Scott had ever experienced this side of his father. He had never even thought it existed. Maxwell let out a small hum of approval as he tightened the knot, his grip firm, yet oddly careful ¡ª as if he was putting the finishing touch on something important. Then, without warning, he reached up, cupped the back of Scott''s head, and pulled him forward until their foreheads touched. Scott stiffened, unprepared for the intensity behind his father''s eyes. Maxwell''s voice was smooth, quiet, yet brimming with so much power. "Super Scott." He let the words roll off his tongue like he was testing them, weighing them. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. A stroke of genius, really." Scott blinked, caught off guard. "A persona like that¡­" Maxwell continued, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "¡­ it''s the road to greatness. The perfect way to strong-arm organizations that might think of challenging us. A means to throw off the current balance of power. It''s strategic, it''s effective¡­ but, boy¡­" His lips curled into a sharp smirk. "I can''t say you''re going about it the smart way." Scott swallowed. Maxwell pulled back slightly, his hands still on either side of Scott''s head, fingers pressing into his scalp as if engraving his next words into his very being. "All McQueen men have ego. It''s what has made us men who can conquer the world." He released Scott''s head but didn''t step away. Instead, he smoothed down the front of his son''s suit jacket before meeting his gaze once more, eyes burning with something far more dangerous than mere pride¡ªexpectation. "But what truly makes men like us dangerous¡­" Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire Maxwell spoke with a lowered voice. "¡­ is the fact that we can control our ego. We don''t let it consume us. We use it. We wield it. As a means to grow into something that normal men cannot even dream of comprehending." Scott didn''t know what to say. He didn''t know what to feel. This was the first time Maxwell had ever wanted something from him. The first time his father had ever placed any kind of expectation on him. And as strange as it was¡­ It was comforting. His throat felt dry, but for some reason, he found himself nodding. Maxwell leaned back slightly and took a step away to get a better look at his son. A pleased nod. Approval. Then, without warning, he reached out and patted Scott''s cheek¡ªnot hard, not dismissive, but with the same kind of finality a craftsman might use when stepping back from a masterpiece. "I raised you to be the man that conquers tomorrow!" Maxwell had great amusement in his eyes. "So sleeping around as many times as you read a new topic inspired by a Greek philosopher?" His smirk widened. "Simply won''t cut it." Scott opened his mouth to protest, but Maxwell was already turning, already making his way toward the door. Just before he stepped out, he shot Scott one last look¡ªthis one carrying a serious edge. "Don''t lose perspective, boy." And then he was gone. The moment the door clicked shut, Scott exhaled sharply. What the hell was this? He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a quiet, disbelieving chuckle. "This is crazy¡­" It made sense, he supposed. The Many Worlds Theory was real, after all. But even knowing that, he just couldn''t wrap his head around the fact that he was experiencing it in real-time. "¡­ Woah." For a second, there was an urge¡ªa real, strong urge¡ªto smile. But Scott didn''t trust the universe enough to make his case any more confusing than it already was. And then¡ªRiiiiing! Scott snapped his head toward the sound. His eyes landed on a phone sitting on the nearby desk. He moved before he could think, striding over and snatching it up. "Hello?" The voice on the other end nearly made his heart stop. "Come to our family house immediately, dumbass. I''ve been waiting for you for pretty friggin'' long, y''know¡­" Scott''s entire body froze. The phone slipped from his grasp and landed on the floor with a hollow thud. His breath hitched. His hands were shaking. His throat felt tight. ¡ºScottie¡­¡» A voice he hadn''t heard in years. "Hello? Hello?! Scott, are you there©¤©¤?!" He barely registered the frantic voice on the other end. His body remained frozen in place as his mind struggled to process the sheer impossibility of what had just happened. But then¡ª "I''m coming." His voice was low, not even a whisper. Before another second could pass, he reached up, yanked the knotted tie from his collar, and¡ª VWOOOSH! The blue technophage surged over his body in an instant, the sleek, high-tech material shifting and expanding until the Anti-Disaster Suit had fully enveloped him. His white cape flared behind him, crackling with electric-blue energy. And then¡ªBOOM! A streak of light tore through the window as Scott launched into the sky, cutting through the air at near-unreal speeds. His HUD flickered to life, scanning the city beneath him. Something about it felt¡­ off. "Everything feels the same, but at the same time, it actually kinda doesn''t¡­" Scott muttered as his eyes narrowed. "I can''t exactly tell why¡­" His gaze lifted to the sky. Gloomy. Drained. "For a world where I''m apparently living my best life, it kinda sucks that it feels so sad and lifeless." His lips twisted into a half-smirk. "Metro City. The Place of Heroes¡­ but it kinda feels like Meteor City instead. Unless¡ª" His eyes darkened. "Maybe those two switched roles?" That¡­ would make sense. He pushed forward, faster, faster, until he arrived at his family house. The suit retracted in an instant. The blue technophage dissolved into him like liquid metal washing away. Scott stretched his arms out, exhaling deeply. "So, in this world¡­" His fingers curled slightly. "Mom''s probably normal too, huh? Which means¡­" His gaze softened. "I could actually live a normal life here." The System''s voice rang in his head. [While the host is free to do as he pleases, it would be unwise to assume the identity of this world''s Scott. As Scott Prime, such interference could cause unforeseen consequences to the fabric of the multiverse.] Scott sighed. "Well¡­ there''s that." A small smirk crept onto his lips. "Later, I''ll go see Emma and Gwen too, kek." He chuckled. "Since I''m some kind of supergod here, they''re probably ten times more in love with me." And with that, Scott stepped forward. And entered the house. He pushed open the door with the cool confidence of a man who''d seen everything¡ªonly to immediately question that assumption. The moment he stepped inside, his voice came out smooth yet uncertain. "Scottie? Mom?" His sharp eyes scanned the living room, the familiar furniture, the placement of the family photos¡ªeverything was exactly the same as the home he grew up in. The only difference? It wasn''t broken down and covered in dust. The walls weren''t cracked, the wooden floors weren''t scratched up from old fights, and the air didn''t carry the pains of old wounds. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That¡­ unsettled him. Scott let out a slow breath, rubbing his arm as he took in the unsettling neatness. ¡ºIt''s a little nice¡­ and uncomfortable to see the house so well maintained¡­ but¡­¡» The thoughts barely had time to settle before an old ghost wrapped its hands around his throat. He felt it¡ªno, remembered it. The sharp, searing grip around his neck, nails digging into his skin, the sheer rage in his mother''s eyes as she choked him like he was some mistake she wished never existed. "GASP¡ª!" His eyes went wide and air rushed back into his lungs as he staggered. His pulse hammered in his ears. His breaths came too fast, too sharp. He had to force himself to focus, to push down the phantom pain. When his vision cleared, he wasn''t even in the hallway anymore. His feet had moved on their own¡ªhe was already upstairs. "Scottie? You there?!" "Oh good, you''re here~ ??" Scott''s body tensed at the sound of that soft, feminine voice that almost sounded¡­ erotic. His head snapped in the direction of the voice, and when he saw her, he felt the first genuine bit of relief since arriving in this confusing version of his life. "Scottie!" A smile broke across his face, pure instinct. It had been years since he last saw her¡ªsince he last heard her voice. But before he could say anything else, she was already walking toward him, hands in her pockets, a slow, knowing smirk on her lips. "Took you long enough. You always love making me wait, don''t you?" Scott blinked. Huh? Before he could piece it together¡ª She kissed him. No¡ªshe devoured him. Scott''s entire body went rigid as Scottie''s lips crashed onto his own as her wet tongue slid into his mouth with a heat that sent every single nerve in his body screaming. It wasn''t just a kiss. It was deep. It was raw. It was¡ª "©¤©¤?!" Scott jerked back, shoving her away like he''d just been electrocuted. His breath came short, his face frozen in absolute horror. "Wh¡ª, What the hell are you doing©¤©¤?!" Scottie just smiled, slow and seductive, licking her lips like she relished the taste. "Come on~" She purred with her honey-sweet voice. "You don''t have to act like such a virgin. You always said you love the taste of my tongue, remember? And Maxwell isn''t here, so¡­ we can have fun." Scott felt his stomach drop straight to the floor. "Ma-, Maxwell? You mean Maxwell¡­ right?" Scottie''s expression didn''t change, but something flickered in her eyes¡ªsomething off. She laughed. "Oh please. I''m just the adopted bastard Maxwell picked up and treated like shit." Scott''s blood ran ice cold. Scottie peeled off her jacket with ease, tossing it aside as she smirked up at him. "Come on, I''ve been waiting all day to get a piece of you~" "This¡­ this isn''t right at all¡ª!" Scott took a step back, but Scottie was already closing the distance, sliding her hands up his shirt with an eager moan. "God, you smell so good¡­ ??" she whispered. Nope. Nope nope nope¡ª Scott grabbed her wrists, pulling her hands away as his voice came out sharper, more desperate. "SCOTTIE¡ª! I''m not doing this!" Scottie stopped. She blinked, then took a step back, brows furrowing. "¡­Huh?" Her voice lost its teasing edge. There was genuine confusion on her beautiful face. "What do you mean? We''ve been sleeping together for so long, so what''s wrong now?" Scott exhaled hard, rubbing his face. "I''m not who you think I am." The room went silent. Then, before Scott could even register what was happening¡ª Scottie''s hands shot up to his neck. Her fingers desperately searched his skin as her crazy eyes widened in panic. "Your birthmark¡­" She tightened her grip on his neck. "Where is it¡ª?! Where''s your Dravek mark?!" Scott froze. "Uh¡­ what birthmark?" Scottie staggered back. "Where is it?!" Now, she was shouting like a mad woman. "The mark that bastard Maxwell always used to call the Dravek Crest¡ªwhere is it?!" Scott didn''t have an answer for her. But his System did. [Host, in this world, you''re not simply Scott McQueen. You are Mael ¡ª the Dravek born with the spirit of Kamik in his genes. This version of you is a conqueror, a ruler, and one of his inheritances is the Multiversal Transporter¡ªa piece of Dravek technology that allows one to travel between alternate Earths.] Scott''s entire brain crashed. "You''re fucking kidding me." Scottie wasn''t listening anymore. She was furious. She grabbed her bag, stuffing her things inside with sharp, angry movements. "That bastard¡­" She spat. "He must''ve used the damn Multiporter." Scott was still reeling. "Oh¡­ that¡­" Scottie stormed past him, slinging her worn-out bag over her shoulder. "I can''t believe I ever trusted that bastard!" She hissed, shaking her head. "I really thought it would work this time¡ªbut nope, because of how ''special'' he always thinks he is, I''m left feeling like an idiot. Fucker. FUCKER!!" Scott caught her wrist. "Scottie¡ªwait. Can we talk for a second?" Her shoulders tensed. "What''s really going on?" His voice softened. "Please." Scottie let out a long, slow exhale. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "This world and yours are just¡­ parallel realities. Same history, same universe, rewritten with a darker edge. In your world, maybe you''re some kind of hero. Maybe people even recognize you as Mael the Savior." She took a step closer. "But in this world?" Scottie''s voice dropped. "Here¡­ Mael¡ªbest feared as Super Scott¡ªis no savior." Her eyes locked onto his. "He''s a dictator. A conqueror. A god among men." Scott''s throat went dry. "What?" Scottie''s lips curled. "And one thing I do know? Your kinder, gentler little world that idolizes heroes?" She let out a dark chuckle. "It''s about to get a very rude awakening." Scott felt the weight of the entire universe ¡ª his entire universe ¡ª drop onto his shoulders. "¡­ Eh?" Chapter 167 - 167: Realization and Arrival Earth Two, Metro City Scott barely heard the wind roaring past his ears as he streaked across the sky like a comet as his Anti-Disaster Suit glowed with electric blue energy. His mind was still crumbling. ¡ºSuper Scott? Me? A dictator?¡» The reality of it sat in his chest like a boulder. From above, Metro City stretched out beneath him, but it was barely recognizable. It was always like this¡ªhe only just realized it now. McQueen Corp had replaced MegaCorp. McQueen Media had replaced Metro Daily. His name¡ªhis father''s¡ªeverywhere. But instead of being a beacon of heroism, their insignia was no more than a symbol of fear and absolute dominance. There were no heroes left. Not even signs of a resistance. Only obedience. Only submission. Scott''s hands curled into fists as he whispered¡ª "No¡­ no, no¡­ how the hell did things turn out like this?!" His voice cracked with anger and desperation. "Why can''t I just have one normal day? One good day?! It doesn''t always have to be a disaster!" The one time his father seemed proud of him ¡ª the one time ¡ª it turned out to be a nightmare. His mother was gone. Scottie was¡­ different. And now, this city, his city, had been warped into something sick and wrong. He dived down. Faster. His feet hit the ground with a quiet thud, and in a blink, the blue glow of his techno-phage receded, shifting him seamlessly into civilian clothes. The white and blue exosuit vanished like a mirage. Scott looked around, still lost. The people¡­ they weren''t running in fear, but they weren''t living either. Everything was too clean. Too orderly. Too perfect. But it was the kind of perfection that only existed when people were too afraid to break the illusion. Then¡ª Honk! HONK! Scott barely turned in time before a car nearly hit him. He jerked back as his heart hammered in his chest. The car screeched to a halt. And then he saw her. Emma. Scott''s face immediately lit up. It felt like a child seeing their parents after experiencing a torturous nightmare. "EMMA!" But the joy only lasted for a second. The driver stepped out ¡ª a man in black ¡ª and moved swiftly to the backseat. He opened the door, unfolded a wheelchair, and helped Emma out. Scott''s breath caught in his throat. A wheelchair. His world stopped. No. His knees nearly buckled as his mind rejected what he was seeing. "No¡­ no, no, no¡­" His voice wavered and trembled. He took a step forward as his trembling eyes burned. "Emma¡­ why¡ªwho did this to you?" Emma weakly gripped the armrests of her wheelchair as her knuckles whitened. Then she looked up at him, and Scott felt his entire body go cold. Because all he saw was hatred. A deep, seething hatred that burned through him like a blade to the heart. Emma''s voice was low, almost breaking. "I already accepted that you''re a despicable person. I already accepted that I''d never walk again. But do you really have to mock me too?" Scott felt like someone had punched him in the gut. Him? Mocking her? "I¡ªI would never¡ª!" He tried to step forward, but she rolled back. She moved away from him¡ªwith the same fear Scott felt whenever his father was about to hit him. It was the kind of fear any child with his trauma would recognize instantly, and that single action broke him even more. Then¡ª "Pleasure." Scott froze as a familiar voice spoke. Isaac Volkner. Isaac walked past Scott and stood behind Emma, his hands deep in his pockets, his face unreadable. "Because you''re a sadist¡­" Isaac said coldly. "That''s why." Scott blinked. "Wh-, What¡ª" Isaac''s eyes narrowed. "You had every opportunity to make this world better, Scott. But you didn''t. You and Mega Man slaughtered every Z-tier hero, then built those damn monolithic deflector shields to keep the StarForce out. You didn''t just take away Metro City''s heroes¡ªyou took away their hope." Scott felt his throat tighten. His hands trembled. He opened his mouth¡ªbut there was nothing to say. The weight of it all came crashing down on him. And for the first time in a long time¡ªScott cried. His voice cracked as he muttered, "I''m sorry¡­" Isaac''s expression didn''t change. "Fuck you." He pushed Emma''s wheelchair away. Scott''s entire body flinched. He wanted to scream. To fix it. To make them see that he wasn''t that Scott. But then¡ª BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! An alarm. Scott snapped his head toward the sound and, in an instant, his Anti-Disaster Suit roared to life around him to encase him in a flash of blue light. His boots ignited. He shot forward, fast as lightning. The alarm led him straight to the crime scene. A bank. A man ¡ª mid-30s, ragged clothes ¡ª came stumbling out as he greedily clutched a sack of money. In his shaking hands was a gun. Scott barely needed to look at it. Empty barrel. He landed as his voice rang out like a thunderclap. "That doesn''t belong to you." The man''s eyes widened in horror. He barely got a glimpse of Scott''s white and blue armor before sheer terror overtook him. "No¡­ it''s Super Scott¡­" He ran. Like he had just seen a demon. And for the first time, Scott finally understood. They weren''t afraid of the crime. They were afraid of HIM. ¡ºI¡­ I really need answers¡­¡» In a flash, a crackling surge of blue lightning tore through the area like a wrathful storm, and in the blink of an eye ¡ª Scott had already intercepted the man. The man skidded to a stop and his dying breath hitched in his throat as his wild, bloodshot eyes locked onto the figure in front of him. Sweat poured from every pore like he had been doused in rain, and in that moment¡ªhis body refused to listen to him. His chest heaved violently. "No¡­" His hands trembled. His knees buckled. Then, the scream tore from his throat. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire "NO! NO! NOOOOOOO!!" The sheer terror in his voice was inhuman. He spun around, his legs nearly tripping over themselves as he sprinted in the opposite direction ¡ª only to slip and crash face-first into the cold, merciless pavement. Scott took one step forward. "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!" The man howled as if death itself spoke into his ear. "PLEASE©¤©¤NO, NO¡­ PLEASE, NOOOO!!" He clawed at the ground, desperately scrambling to his feet, only to collapse again. His body failed him in its panic. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!!" Scott remained silent. He had fought villains, battled monsters from the depths of space, faced the worst of humanity¡ªbut this¡­ This was pure fear. A fear that only came when someone stared into the eyes of the devil himself. Scott narrowed his gaze. "Why are you so afraid of me?" The man sobbed into the dirt as his body convulsed. His voice was cracked, broken¡ªshattered. "Because¡­ because nobody sees Super Scott and lives to tell the tale¡­!" Scott felt his stomach turn. The man shook his head violently. His face twisted in pure anguish. "I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE! YOU''RE GOING TO KILL ME! I KNOW IT! I KNOW IT!!" Those words sank into Scott''s bones like lead. He already knew the truth ¡ª from the moment he saw Emma in that wheelchair. From the moment Isaac spoke. From the instant he spoke to Scottie. But only now was he starting to feel it. To feel the full weight of Super Scott''s existence. His gaze drifted upwards, and his breath hitched when he saw it¡ªthe statue. Towering over the city, its metallic frame glistened under the neon lights. His alternate self stood there, hands on his waist, chest puffed out like a false god among mortals. Scott''s heart pounded. His jaw tightened. His voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. "¡­ No." His fists clenched as his breath trembled. "Maxwell turned me into a murderer." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Welcome to Earth-One Meanwhile, back in a world far brighter than the one Scott had just left¡ªSuper Scott had arrived. The alley was dark, empty, abandoned¡ªbut he didn''t belong in the shadows. No. His presence commanded the world itself. He rolled his shoulders, exhaling as he adjusted the cuff of his expensive black dress pants. His vest hugged his muscular form, and his white dress shirt was casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of perfectly sculpted collarbones. A hand lifted to the ring on his finger. He rubbed it idly, then grinned¡ªa devil''s grin. "Welcome home." And then¡ªhe moved. The air compressed. The very force of gravity bent around his legs¡ª ¡­ DOOOOOOOOM!! Then he shot into the sky like a bullet. The winds howled as he tore through the clouds, rising higher and higher, until¡ª Metro City lay beneath him, stretched out like a kingdom awaiting its ruler. Super Scott closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and then exhaled with a slow, satisfied breath. "I knew it. I knew Scott Prime had already developed the SIST device." His voice was calm. Too calm. "I could see the wear and tear in the fabric of space-time. I only had to synchronize my SIST device with his¡ªtrigger the switch across the multiverse¡ªand just like that¡­" He spread his arms out, floating like a god above the city. "¡­ It worked like a charm." His gaze lowered. His smirk widened. ??? Scottie adjusted the straps of her backpack as her eyes went around the North District of Metro City. She sighed. "This is the last district, and still no sign of Scott¡­" Should she just use her powers to scan the city? No. "Daddy would probably sense me then." Her shoulders slumped. She exhaled through her nose, then dragged her feet into a nearby restaurant. Slumping into a chair, she stared at her phone. "He''s not answering." Her thumb hovered over the call button, but her lips curled into a bitter smile. "¡­ Then again, why would he?" Her voice was quiet. "This is the first time I''ve called him in years." A heavy sigh. Her fingers clenched. "¡­ It''s so difficult." "Why are you sitting there like we don''t have work to do?" Her heart stopped. Her head snapped up. And there he was. Standing casually with his hands in his pockets, smiling down at her with a look that sent an unexplainable chill down her spine. Super Scott. Scottie''s breath hitched. Her brows furrowed as her voice rose before she could stop it. "How can you be so¡ªARRGH! I''VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE!" She marched toward him, jabbing a finger at his chest. "I''ve been calling and calling and calling¡ªDamn it! It''s all I can think about! Do you have any idea how¡ª" He stepped forward. She instinctively stepped back. Another step. Another. Until¡ª Her back hit the wall. Her throat ran dry as Super Scott leaned in as his voice turned smooth and absolutely teasing. "I like making you wait~" Then¡ªhe grabbed her chin. And before she could react¡ªhis lips crashed into hers. Scottie''s mind snapped. "©¤©¤!?" She pushed at his chest, but his grip was iron. His tongue slipped between her lips, twisting around her own like he wanted to drink her saliva. Her nails dug into his shoulders. "Wh-, What the hell¡ª?! I''m kissing SCOTT?!" Her body froze. Her heart pounded. Her thoughts¡ªchaos. Did he¡­ change? Was this some twisted fetish?! ¡ºThis is¡­ urmh¡­ this is just¡­¡» She didn''t even know how to feel¡ª Without thinking, she grabbed the back of his neck as her fingers brushed against an X-shaped mark. Then, he pulled away. The entire restaurant was staring. Super Scott smirked. His arms wrapped around her waist. "¡­ Does it bother you that they''re watching?" Scottie''s cheeks burned. Her eyes darted anywhere but his face. "¡­ No. Not really." She swallowed. "¡­ I just don''t like what just happened." Super Scott chuckled, taking a seat. "Uh-huh. Now sit." Scottie didn''t hesitate. She sat. The air inside the restaurant felt thick, heavy¡ªlike the moment before a storm. Scottie sat still, her fingers curled slightly against her palm, yet she maintained her composure, her breathing steady despite the sinking feeling in her gut. Across from her, Super Scott leaned back lazily in his chair with one arm draped over the backrest as his fingers tapped idly against the polished wood. His expression was calm, too calm¡ªlike the surface of a lake before something monstrous emerged from its depths. His lips were curled in that same sinister smile as his sharp blue eyes studied her as if he were reading through her every thought, every hesitation, every nervous flicker in her eyes. Scottie didn''t know what was worse¡­ The fact that he looked just like her brother, or the fact that he didn''t feel like him at all. Super Scott exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with an almost amused look. "You know¡­" He shifted his gaze toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows beside them, watching the cars and people outside go about their peaceful day. "When I activated the SIST device, I didn''t expect you to show up here too." His voice was smooth, calm. Too calm. "But I have to say, it''s not a bad surprise. I do love having my woman around." Scottie kept staring at him, then nodded slightly as if she understood what he was talking about ¡ª even though she absolutely did not. She didn''t dare correct him. Not now. Super Scott chuckled under his breath and leaned forward as he propped his chin on his palm. "No sign of Maxwell in this world¡­" He talked, as if discussing the weather. "That''s actually pretty refreshing. You know, getting out from under our father''s shadow? That''s enough of an achievement as it stands." Scottie hesitated before responding. "But¡­ Daddy''s still alive. In Falan City." Super Scott stretched his arms above his head, yawning in an almost boyish way before letting his hands drop back down. "Yeah¡­" He rolled his shoulders and spoke so casually it sent a chill down Scottie''s spine. "I''ll go kill him too." Scottie stiffened. Super Scott tilted his head as his smile widened. "This world seems soft, so killing this world''s Mega Man shouldn''t be an issue in the slightest. And maybe¡ª" He drummed his fingers lightly on the table. "¡ª I should kill Fortitude again. Just for fun." Scottie clenched her fists under the table. She stared at him, her lips slightly parted, but no words came out. He wasn''t joking. Not even a little. Super Scott chuckled as if entertained by her reaction. "This alternate Earth¡­" He let out a pleased sigh. "Gotta say, it''s an absolute blast." Scottie''s breath hitched. ¡ºAlternate Earth?¡» S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her mind raced. ¡ºWhat''s he talking about?¡» Then, out of nowhere, Super Scott''s expression changed. His smile remained, but something in his eyes darkened ¡ª a dangerous shine that made the entire restaurant feel a hundred degrees colder. He tilted his head ever so slightly, his eyes locked onto her, dissecting her, analyzing every minute detail of her face. Scottie felt her stomach drop. "Something doesn''t feel right¡­" he muttered. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Then, he said it. "Not having blood on my hands before lunch." Scottie nearly flinched, but she forced herself to stay calm. To keep her mask on. She inhaled deeply, then placed a gentle hand over his¡ªhis large, strong hand that could probably snap her bones with little effort¡ªand she had enough durability to take punches from SS-tier threats. She smiled. "That''s the great thing about us being on our own." She kept her tone respectful, yet teasing. "We can decide to have lunch whenever we want." Super Scott''s gaze didn''t waver. Scottie tilted her head slightly as her dainty fingers traced lazy patterns over his knuckles. "However we want, too." Super Scott exhaled through his nose, amused. "And what if I was hungry now?" Scottie gave him a knowing smile, ignoring the sweat at the back of her neck. "There are a lot of people here¡­ and as much as that doesn''t matter¡­ we should play things smart. Hm?" For a moment, Super Scott simply stared at her. Then¡ªhis smile returned. His fingers curled slightly, but instead of letting go, his grip tightened. Tighter. Tighter. Scottie barely suppressed a wince. The bones in her forearm were dangerously close to cracking under the sheer force. But she didn''t react. She simply kept smiling. Super Scott tilted his head again. "So¡­ where''s the alien cube, Scottie?" His voice was smooth, almost affectionate. "The Artifact. Where is it?" Scottie''s mind spun. With the same soft, unbothered smile, she slowly stood from her chair as her trapped arm shifted slightly under his grip. "Why don''t you wait here¡­" She said sweetly. "¡­ and I''ll go find The Artifact?" Her voice remained light, casual, but her muscles were coiled like a spring. "Then we can celebrate." Super Scott studied her for another moment. Then¡ªhe laughed. It was an easy, relaxed chuckle, as if she had just told him a particularly amusing joke. And finally¡ªhe let go. Scottie took a small step back, resisting the urge to shake out her arm. Super Scott leaned back in his chair, then stretched out his legs like an emperor. His smile widened just a bit more. "This world won''t know what hit it." Chapter 168 - 168: Group Confrontation The streets of Metro City were alive with the usual midday chaos ¡ª cars honking, pedestrians bustling, street vendors calling out their best deals ¡ª but for some reason, all eyes seemed to drift toward the trio walking down the sidewalk. More specifically, they were drawn to her. Dark Elf trailed a few steps behind Gwen and Jake as she idly munched on her bag of chips, completely indifferent to the attention she was getting. She was a rare beauty, with dark, rich skin that practically gleamed under the city lights, and a body so well-proportioned that men practically forgot what they were doing the moment they laid eyes on her. "Damn¡­ her skin looks so chocolate and sexy¡­" "On God I''d leave my old ass wife for her." "Dang, I married early. Sigh~" "I wonder what those thighs look like¡­" One of the men was already licking his lips. "I can imagine it¡­ I need a bite." "And that hair¡­" one more added. "So pretty¡­" But Dark Elf? She was simply too focused on her chips to even notice. In fact, she was so absorbed in them that there were moments when Gwen and Jake themselves forgot she was even there. Jake pulled at his hoodie as thick sweat trickled down the back of his neck. "Man, I can''t believe Scott isn''t around to drive us to the damn Admissions Office in his cool ass Lamborghini Huranc¨¢n for your stupid letter of approval." Gwen''s frown was immediate. "Hey! It''s not stupid! I worked my ass off to get into Met U, so don''t start talking dumb shit like that, okay?!" She already had a fist half-raised, ready to deck him in his stupid face. With no shame whatsoever, Jake had already flinched back, hands up in surrender like a wimp. Gwen sighed heavily and rolled her eyes to shake off her annoyance as she looked away. "Honestly¡­" She closed her eyes in frustration. "If I wanted to go with anyone, it''d be Scott. But Emma said she asked him something personal yesterday, and he got offended about it¡­" She furrowed her brows in mild annoyance. "And it''s not the first time he''s doing unnecessary things like this, you know¡­ disappeared after getting offended or whatever. Tch, he''s such a child." Jake gave her a look. A very specific look. The "pot calling the kettle black" kind of look. Gwen narrowed her eyes. "What?!" Jake said nothing and just looked away, pulling at his collar for fresh air. A moment passed before he finally spoke. "Actually, I''m confused. Last I checked, you needed extra high school credits to even be eligible for Met U, and while you were working toward it¡­ you kinda stopped attending classes. And missed a lot of tests." He squinted suspiciously at her. "So¡­ how the hell did you manage to get approved?" Gwen instantly broke into a nervous sweat. Her eyes darted around like a liar who''d just been caught red-handed, and her teeth clamped down on her bottom lip as she tried her damn best not to answer. But then¡ªshe let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Ugh, fine! I''ll say it!" She threw her hands up. "Scott helped me hack into the school''s database and gave me the scores I needed to get accepted back in, okay?! Is your nosy ass happy now?!" She looked both pissed and relieved at the same time. Jake blinked. "Damn, Scott really did that?" He looked genuinely surprised. "I actually thought he''d be like, ''I''m not gonna abuse my power for something like that¡­'' yunno?" His voice took on a half-mocking, half-serious tone. "With great power comes great responsibility type shit." Gwen just stared at him like he had three heads. "The fuck made such a dumb statement?" She deadpanned like it was second nature. "They better be dead with a mindset like that. Those are the kind of people who see a guy robbing a store and think, ''Lemme be a hero'' ¡ª and trust me, their dumbass always gets shot¡­ tch, they probably have a loving wife and nephew waiting back home for ''em too." Her expression was pure irritation, like she was recalling something personal. Jake tilted his head slightly, taking in her tone, but ultimately shrugged it off. "Well¡­ maybe I''ll beg Nightwatch ¡ª aka Scott ¡ª aka my best friend and brother ¡ª to help me out in case I screw up our final exams¡­" He winced, already imagining the worst. "Oof." The way Gwen suddenly burst out laughing caught him off guard. She tried to stifle it, but failed spectacularly. Jake gave her a side-eye. "What''s so funny?" Gwen covered her mouth with one hand as her smug face was barely hidden behind her fingers. "Oh, nothing. Absolutely nothing¡­" She spoke airily. "It''s just¡­ I don''t think Scott would go out of his way to do that for you. The only reason he did it for me¡­" She lowered her hand and smirked. "¡­ Is because I''m his wi¡ªI mean¡­ girlfriend." She sounded so damn proud of herself. If Dark Elf didn''t know the context, she''d think Gwen was one of those rich girls bragging about the latest Porsche their Daddy bought them. Jake''s eye twitched. He folded his arms with a scowl. "Tch. You''re talking about ''girlfriend privileges'' like you''re actually Scott''s girlfriend when everyone knows it''s Miss Graves. Can''t fool me, blonde bitch¡­" He scoffed. "As if Scott would date a bully like you¡ª" "HEY!" Gwen turned red-hot in an instant, raising her fist to absolutely obliterate him. Jake jerked back in fear¡ªthen paused. A sudden thought hit him like a truck. "Wait¡­" His brows furrowed. "Are you¡­ are you actually serious right now? You''re really dating Scott?!" Gwen slapped a hand over her face. "Fuck." Dark Elf, who had been silently munching away at her chips, leaned in. "You''re not supposed to tell him yet¡­" She muttered before popping more chips into her mouth. Gwen groaned. "Yeah, yeah, I forgot¡­" She felt so stupid. Like that one student who was confident during the exam but, after hearing her friends discuss the answers, suddenly realized she had written complete dog poop. ¡ºFACK! I forgot that Scott told us to keep the whole dating two women thing a secret until he''s ready to explain it to Jake¡­ Ugh, he''s going to be so mad. Sigh¡ªwell, nothing a good blowjob can''t fix, right?¡» Jake paled. His brain was shutting down. Then¡ªhis entire face twitched violently. "Wait¡ªwait¡ªTHAT CAN''T BE POSSIBLE!" He stumbled back like the world around him was starting to crumble. "THERE''S NO WAY SCOTT IS ACTUALLY¡ª" His voice cracked. "DA-, DA-, DATING BOTH GWEN AND MISS GRAVES AT THE SAME TIME©¤©¤?!" His hands gripped his head as if trying to keep his skull from exploding. At this point, everyone on the street was staring at him like he was a full-blown lunatic. And honestly? He looked the part. Gwen panicked as she rushed forward to slap a hand over his mouth. "SHHHHH! Shut up!" Jake''s wide, terrified eyes locked onto hers, and he slapped both his hands over his own mouth. "Mhm! Mhm!" He nodded frantically. Still casually eating her chips, Dark Elf tilted her head. "Interesting." This was not how Jake expected today to go. His best friend was a shameless womanizer ¡ª to have many side chicks was one thing ¡ª but to confidently convince two women to share him was another level in its own. ¡ºYou sir¡­ are a god¡­¡» Jake had nothing but utter respect for his friend. Gwen''s phone buzzed sharply in her pocket. She snatched it out and pressed it to her ear. "Hello?" The voice on the other end was unfamiliar. "Is this Gwen Mercer?" This person sounded serious and composed ¡ª she almost taught it was the Admissions Office reminding her to come pick up her letter. Gwen frowned, tilting her head. "Uh¡­ yeah. What''s up?" "Can you and your companions come to the Red-Blox Building on 5th? I''m waiting there with your friend¡ªEmma Graves. It''s very important, please¡­" Gwen took a step forward as if moving would help her process faster. "Wait¡ªwhat? Is something wrong with Emma? She just left the house a few minutes ago, so I don''t see how¡ª" "Scott''s in trouble." That was all she needed to hear. She hung up immediately, spun around, and broke into a sprint like she was gunning for Olympic gold. Jake blinked. "What the hell? Where''s she¡ªhey! Gwen!" Instead of answering, she just waved an arm frantically to signal them to follow. Jake groaned, but he chased after her. Still munching her chips, Dark Elf let out a slow sigh before taking off at her own leisurely pace. ??? Red-Blox Building ¨C Inside By the time they reached the top floor, Gwen was barely winded, but Jake? He was half-dead against the wall, gasping like a fish out of water. "I''m¡­ never¡­ running¡­ again¡­!" Dark Elf? Not even a drop of sweat. She was still casually eating her chips. But none of them had time to process their exhaustion. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Because right in front of them, thousands of holographic screens lit up the space, displaying complex space-time calculations, equations, maps, and¡ªwas that a heat signature? Indubitably. Emma was moving at superspeed, scribbling equations so fast that the paper was damn near catching fire. Beside her, a girl they didn''t recognize stood with arms crossed, sharp-eyed and focused. Gwen didn''t hesitate. She stepped forward. "Alright, what the hell''s going on? And why does it look like the two of you are final year students trying to finish the scheme of work for the entire scholastic season?" The girl ¡ª Scottie ¡ª turned toward her and said¡ª "No time for a proper introduction. But I''m Scott Evelyn McQueen''s little sister¡ªScottie." Gwen blinked. "Scott has a sister?" Still trying to catch his breath, Jake let out a weak laugh. "His sister''s name is Scottie?" Dark Elf swallowed a mouthful of chips. "Wait¡ªScott''s middle name is Evelyn? Pffft¡ªlame." Scottie ignored them. "I brought you here because your lives are in danger." Gwen''s smirk faded. "From what?" Scottie''s eyes darkened. "Not what. Who. And that ''who'' is Scott." Gwen felt a chill crawl up her spine. "My Scott?" Not even pausing in her writing, Emma muttered¡ª "Not your Scott. Our Scott. Get it right." Jake pushed off the wall as he waved a dismissive hand. "Okay, hold up. First of all, little girl¡­ Scott would never be a threat to us. Second, no offense, but how''s a kid like you supposed to protect us?" Scottie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Your Scott wouldn''t. But the one coming for us isn''t your Scott. It''s¡ª" A powerful whoosh roared from outside, cutting her off. Everyone snapped their heads toward the sound. Scottie''s expression hardened. "He found us." And then¡ª BOOM. The ceiling EXPLODED. A shockwave blasted through the room and sent everyone flying¡ªslamming into walls, desks, chairs. Glass shattered. Metal bent like paper. Only Scottie managed to shield herself with a forcefield. In the center of the destruction, crouched on one knee with a fist buried into the floor, was him. Super Scott. He looked almost the same as before ¡ª except for the luxurious black trench coat draped over his shoulders like a king''s mantle. He slowly stood, taking his time to display the unshakable confidence that said no one in the room was even remotely a challenge to him. His eyes locked onto Scottie. "Come here, Scottie." His voice was calm. Too calm. Scottie didn''t move. Instead, she took a step back. Super Scott''s face twitched. Then, he shouted¡ª "COME HERE!!" Gwen forced herself to stand as blood trickled from a deep cut on her forehead. "Scott, if this is some kinda mind-control thing, or¡ª" Super Scott didn''t even hesitate. His fist lashed out with lightning speed ¡ª aiming straight for Gwen''s skull. At the last possible millisecond¡ªshe vanished. Whoosh. Super Scott''s punch hit nothing but air. Emma had grabbed Gwen and zipped across the room in the blink of an eye. Super Scott didn''t even react before¡ª SHING! SHING! SHING! Three shurikens flew at him. They pinged harmlessly off his chest. He turned as his deadly eyes narrowed. Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire Dark Elf stood there, another set of shurikens in hand. Super Scott smiled. "Guess I''ll start with you." Scottie''s voice rang out. "DON''T DO IT!" Super Scott turned back to her as his face softened. "Don''t worry about these meat sacks, my love." He smiled, warm, almost angelic. "You really have no idea how much fun it is to rip people apart¡­ like animals." The way he said it ¡ª so casual, so normal ¡ª it made Scottie''s stomach churn. She clenched her fists. "Stop this, Scott!" He took a slow step forward as the shattered glass and debris crunched beneath his boots. "I can do whatever I want, in my world, in this world¡­ no one has the power to tell me otherwise." His fingers caressed a gleaming, ornate ring on his hand. "I''m not going back. I don''t give a damn about Father and his garbage." Now standing right before Scottie, he lifted a hand and gently touched her chin. A shiver ran through her. His voice dropped to a whisper. "But this world¡­ will be mine." Scottie swallowed hard. ¡ºThis isn''t him. This isn''t my brother. I know that¡­ yet I still don''t feel like I could win him¡­ I''m scared¡­¡» Super Scott clapped his hands together softly. "Now¡­ give me The Artifact, Scottie." He held out his hand like a gentleman. Scottie took a step back. "And if I don''t?" Super Scott smiled. A slow, menacing grin. To him, the answer was very simple. "Then I''ll kill you." Chapter 169 - 169: Super Scott vs Everyone I North District ¨C A Warzone in the Making The North District was already in ruins. The destruction had spread like wildfire, with buildings torn apart and streets cracked open like the jaws of a beast. Smoke filled the air, sirens screamed, and terrified civilians ran for their lives, their shrieks barely audible over the chaos. At the center of it all stood Super Scott, motionless, hands in his pockets as his eyes remained unnaturally calm ¡ª yet his presence alone sent waves of sheer terror everywhere. Four squad cars sped toward him at top speed as their lights flashing desperately as if hoping to blind the nightmare standing before them. But Super Scott had already seen them coming. With a single glance, he reached for a nearby SUV, then gripped its bumper with effortless strength. The next moment¡ªBOOM! The SUV shot through the air like a missile, crashing into three of the four squad cars in a fiery wreck. The explosion sent shockwaves down the street, flipping debris and shattering windows. The only surviving squad car swerved masterfully, skidding just out of the wreckage''s grasp ¡ª because the man behind the wheel was none other than Commissioner Bennett. His hands were firm on the steering wheel, his pulse steady and his instincts razor-sharp. He brought the car to a halt, his heart hammering against his chest as he and another officer stepped out with their weapons drawn. Just as they raised their guns, Bennett''s breath hitched. His finger froze on the trigger. "¡­ Wait." The other officer blinked, glancing at him. "Commissioner? You''re not shooting?" Bennett narrowed his eyes at Super Scott. "That kid¡­ He looks a lot like someone who goes to my daughter''s school." He clenched his jaw, trying to recall. "Damn, what was his name? I know it was Scott. Some kinda super handsome model kid." The officer let out a breath. "Yeah, well, the guy''s definitely handsome¡­" No more time for hesitation. The two men opened fire as their sidearms unleashed a storm of bullets. ¡ªBut Super Scott wasn''t even looking at them. He stood still, eyes closed, using his Dravek senses to track the Artifact''s beacon traces. He could feel it¡ªit was close. But something was interfering with his focus, like static disrupting a signal. ¡ºIs someone trying to conceal its presence¡­¡» His brow furrowed. Something wasn''t right. Then, he noticed it. The bullets. Dozens of magazines had already been emptied on him¡­ but the rounds were so useless against his body that he hadn''t even noticed he was being shot at. He opened his eyes, face deadpan. "Useless meat." The next instant¡ªFWOOSH! He moved, his body a blur of motion as he blitzed toward the officers¡ª ¡ªBOOOM! A gas cylinder smashed into him, spinning mid-air before¡ª SHWING! Five high-tech throwing stars sliced through the metal, each embedded with micro-explosives. ¡ªKRA-KOOM!! The resulting explosion was a monstrous inferno, igniting the gas and creating a chain reaction. The force blew apart everything within a ten-meter radius, sending shockwaves through the street. The officers were blasted off their feet as they crashed into the wreckage of their cars. Bennett groaned, rubbing his aching head as he forced himself upright. "Ugh¡­ What the fuck was that¡­?" A pair of heavy boots stomped forward, carrying a shadowy figure. Dark Elf emerged from behind them, her face cut and bleeding, but her glare was fierce. She brandished her twin retractable swords as her knuckles whitened from how tightly she gripped them. Her voice was cold¡ªfurious. "Let''s see how that son of a bitch likes getting blown to fucking bits and pieces." Bennett turned to her. "Did it kill him?" Dark Elf scoffed as she looked at the explosion site. "Ma¡ª" WHOOSH! In an instant, Super Scott blurred forward at sonic speed as his sheer velocity parted the flames and smoke like it was the Red Sea. WHAM! His fist connected with Dark Elf''s stomach. Blood burst from her eyes, nose, and mouth as she was launched like a ragdoll forty meters through the air, then smashed into a car. The metal crumpled like paper under her weight. She was still conscious¡­ barely. "Uoohhhh¡­" But there was no difference between her and a braindead person at that moment. Super Scott tilted his head, amused. "Oh? She survived that?" He examined his fist as he raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps next time, I''ll hit harder¡­" Then, his eyes flicked toward Bennett and the remaining officer. A chilling smile crept onto his lips and his irises glowed red as smoke curled from them. "I think I''ll carve my initials into your¡­ well, only after I''ve broken them." Panic took hold. The officers fired again, knowing it was useless but still hoping something would work. Bennett shouted. "NO!!" ¡ªBAM!! Lady Fortress speared into Super Scott at full speed and slammed him straight into a skyscraper. KA-THOOOOM!!! The entire building collapsed as if struck by a train as debris cascaded like an avalanche. The ground shook under the impact and the dust cloud swallowed the entire block. Super Scott lay in the rubble, dizzy for a moment. He shook his head, blinking. Then, he exhaled with an unbothered smirk. "Hmm¡­ I honestly forgot how strong Cortians can be under a yellow star." He cracked his neck as he stood up. "But at least it''s no blue star." His words froze Lady Fortress. Her eyes widened, heart skipping a beat. That phrase¡­ She clenched her fists. "That presence¡­ No way¡­" Her frown deepened. "Mael of House Solis¡­" Before she could act¡ª ¡ªFWOOOSH!! A monstrous wave of flames descended from the sky as an ocean of fire scorched the entire street. Buildings, cars, and roads vanished in an instant, reduced to ashes. Hovering above, wings spread wide, Dragonman roared. His crimson regal wings flared as he continued pouring unrelenting fire onto Super Scott, determined to incinerate him completely. The heat distorted the air. The city itself seemed to melt. Using the distraction, Xenon landed with a thud in his sleek, hyper-advanced armor. He spoke through his comms. "Miss Mercury." In a blur, Mercury appeared beside him, then adjusted her high-tech goggles right after. "Here. What do you need?" Xenon''s HUD scanned the entire battlefield to mark all civilian locations and showing the wounded, dead, and critical. The data streamed onto Mercury''s goggles. "Civilians. Quick." No hesitation. Mercury vanished, speeding off. By now, Dragonman''s flames had ceased. ¡ºMy lungs can''t take it anymore¡­¡» He panted as thick, black smoke escaped his mouth and exhaustion settled in. The entire street was nothing but a burnt wasteland. But from within the smoldering ruins¡­ Super Scott stood. Unharmed. Not a single burn mark on his body¡ªor his formal attire. Dragonman''s eyes widened in horror. "I-, Impossible¡­" Lady Fortress had her eyes wide open. "No¡­" Super Scott dusted off his shoulder, looking completely unbothered. And then¡ªHe smiled. Dragonman knew he was outmatched. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to retreat, but his pride had him frozen for a second too long. Super Scott didn''t grant him another moment. WHOOSH! Super Scott rocketed toward him like a missile, closing the distance in an instant and snatching him by the throat. Dragonman barely had time to react before his airway was completely crushed while his legs kicked helplessly in the air as he gasped for breath. Desperation kicked in. With the last bit of strength he had left, he roared a stream of fire directly into Super Scott''s face. FOOM! The flames engulfed his head, but it only irritated him. Annoyed beyond belief, Super Scott''s eyes flickered with cold contempt. Then, in one swift, brutal motion¡ªhe grabbed Dragonman''s lower jaw with his free hand¡­ and tore it clean off. SCHHHHRIP!! S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sick spray of blood and saliva erupted from Dragonman''s mouth as a horrifying, guttural scream tore through the air. His body convulsed violently, his claws flailing uselessly as he tried to grab at anything, but there was nothing. Super Scott glanced at the bloodied lower jaw in his hand, then casually tossed it aside like trash. Lady Fortress''s voice echoed through the battlefield. "Hold on!!" She was already flying toward them at full speed. But she was too slow. Super Scott tightened his grip and shot forward, dragging Dragonman with him. They tore through the air, crashing through one building after another. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Each collision sent shrapnel and debris exploding outward, shattering glass and caving in structures. Dragonman''s body was breaking apart, the pain was indescribable, and just when he thought it couldn''t get worse¡ª BAM! Super Scott suddenly stopped midair and unleashed a barrage of merciless punches. WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! Each blow caved in Dragonman''s skull further, reducing his once-proud face into a swollen, unrecognizable mess of blood and broken bone. By the time Super Scott was satisfied, Dragonman was barely conscious. A pathetic shell of himself. With one hand, Super Scott hurled him into the air. The limp body soared upward in a helpless arc before descending rapidly. Super Scott grinned. He caught him by the wings. And stomped on his back. "AHHHHHHHH!! NO, NO, NOOOO¡ªARRGGHHH!!" Dragonman''s painful howl split the air. Then¡ªRIIIIIP!! With a sickening tear, Super Scott wrenched the dragon wings right out of his spine. Dragonman''s lifeless body collapsed onto the ground as he twitched uncontrollably. His eyes were blank. His nerves still processed the pain, but his mind had shut down completely. A moment of silence. Then, a voice. "Dragonman''s dead¡­ obviously." Super Scott turned his head slightly. A dark-skinned hero in a sleek blue-and-silver suit stood beside the corpse. His outfit glowed with intricate, pulsating tron-like lines¡ªthe very signature of Blue Atom, a Z-tier hero. He was already tapping on his comm. "HQ, this is a waste of time. Forget the barrier. Civilians can wait. I''m handling this myself." The response came instantly. "Negative! Focus on securing the North District. Lady Fortress will¡ª" "Lady Fortress ain''t gonna do shit." Blue Atom scoffed, cutting them off. "This is a Z-tier battlefield. This is where I shine." He clenched his fist. A blinding surge of blue atomic energy exploded from his muscular body. The ground trembled beneath him as the raw, condensed power of atomic energy roared to life. Super Scott observed with mild amusement. Blue Atom bent down, picked up a small rock, and casually infused it with atomic energy. The stone glowed bright blue. Then, he flicked it. BOOOOM!!! The sheer force of the tiny projectile ripped through the air at hypersonic speed, generating a city-wide shockwave as it blasted toward Super Scott. Scott merely raised the back of his fist to block it. CRACK! A small explosion erupted against his skin, and when the dust settled¡ªhe looked down at his arm. Blood. A tiny wound. His expression did not change. Blue Atom grinned. "If a rock can do that¡­ imagine what''ll happen when I actually punch you." He walked forward, each step exuding absolute confidence. "I manipulate matter at the atomic level. Rearrange, create, destroy. I can heal wounds, erase enemies from existence like yesterday''s trash. If I want, I could obliterate this entire solar system with a snap of my fingers." Truly, he wasn''t bluffing. His glowing eyes locked onto Super Scott''s. "You? You''re outmatched." Blue Atom raised a hand and crushed the air between his fingers. A surge of atomic force engulfed Super Scott, locking onto his very essence. The pressure was immense. Unforgiving. Crushing. Bones started to snap. For the first time, Super Scott looked¡­ mildly intrigued. Blue Atom smirked. "Using your own atomic structure against you." His grip tightened. "Unless you''re stronger than the atomic forces that make up your unfortunate existence, your body''s gonna collapse into a pool of blood." Super Scott''s bones bent further. Then¡ªBOOOOM! A massive burst of energy erupted from him, shattering the atomic hold and pushing Blue Atom back. Before he could recover, Super Scott blitzed. His fist lunged forward. Blue Atom instinctively raised an atomic barrier¡ªone designed to erase anything it touched. BAM! The punch cracked through the barrier like glass and sent shockwaves rippling through reality itself. Blue Atom was launched ten meters back, stunned. "Wha¡ª?!" His eyes widened. "That''s impossible!" Super Scott merely chuckled, flexing his fist. Gravity distorted around it. A dense aura of compressed force coiled around his knuckles, bending light, bending space. The planet itself shuddered as its position dragged lower in the solar system. Super Scott''s smile widened. "You know, I really like guys who rely on cheat codes more than brute force." He rolled his shoulders. "But I''ve got a few of my own." Blue Atom gritted his teeth and reinforced his barrier. Super Scott launched forward like a spear. BAM. The punch landed. It tore through the barrier like paper. It collided with Blue Atom''s chest¡ªbut there was no shockwave. No explosion. The force was so absolute that it canceled itself out. And Blue Atom disappeared. Gone. Vanished. Flung five months into the future. Super Scott cracked his knuckles and exhaled. He looked at the empty space where the proud, Z-tier hero had once stood. Then, with a calm smile¡ª "Tsk. Tsk. Bragged like I didn''t already punch my world''s version into the space between two universes." He chuckled softly. Then turned to find his next victim. And standing there, ready to fight¡ªwas Miss Mercury. Super Scott clapped for her. "I''m guessing in this world¡­ my alternate self didn''t find you annoying enough to beat the breaks out of you. So, what''re you gonna do? Attempt to run at light speed and risk your atoms being torn to shreds?" "¡­" Miss Mercury was so frustrated¡ªlooking at these words coming from someone who carried the face of the man she loved left her absolutely livid. She took another step forward. Super Scott chuckled. "You''re not gonna try and do it¡­ are you? You''d be dead before you even made it across fifty meters radius. It''ll be fun to watch you perform a Kamikaze though." "Shut up¡­" Miss Mercury frowned. Super Scott grinned wickedly. "Make me¡­" Miss Mercury readily took a running stance as a surge of golden energy rushed through her eyes. She was going to risk going into light-speed. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: I don''t know where some people got the assumption that Emma has always been running at light-speed or beyond that even. Unlike speedsters who have the Speed Force like flash, that doesn''t exist in this novel, so many of the protections that come with it don''t exist here. ?????¡á? Chapter 170 - 170: Super Scott vs Everyone II A few minutes back. Miss Mercury was a blur across the battlefield as streaks of yellow lightning cut through the destruction. Every step she took shattered the ground beneath her, the sheer force of her acceleration sending debris spiraling into the air. Civilians ¡ª dead or alive ¡ª were being swept up in her arms, carried to safety zones miles away in mere moments. It didn''t matter if they had already passed ¡ª at least their loved ones would have a body to mourn. That was important. That mattered. In and out of the battle zone she moved, sometimes carrying two or three people at a time, other times settling for just one to regain some strength. She refused to stop. She refused to slow down. Every second wasted was another life lost. At the safety zone, dozens of Healer-type heroes were hard at work stabilizing the wounded. Limbs were being regenerated, shattered bones mended, wounds closed. At the center of it all was Scottie ¡ª not a healer by class, but a superpower prodigy with vast experience. Her hands glowed with golden energy as she pressed them against the body of a man whose spine had been completely severed. Within moments, his back straightened, his legs twitched¡ªand then he gasped, sobbing as he realized he could move again. But the cost was clear. ¡­ Cough! COUGH!! Scottie coughed violently as she doubled over and spewed black blood onto the ground. Her body trembled, her breath came in sharp gasps. Some of the other healers rushed toward her with deep concern marked on their faces. "NO!" Scottie barked, throwing up a shaky hand to stop them. "Focus on the wounded! I can handle myself ¡ª I''m a superhero, after all." The other healers hesitated for only a second before nodding with respect, returning to their patients. They could see it. She was young ¡ª much younger than them ¡ª but the way she fought to keep people alive, the way she pushed herself past her own limits¡­ that was a real hero. There were very few modern heroes that would dare to go through all this pain if they didn''t have a camera in their face or the public praising them for it. Just then, a sudden burst of wind signaled Miss Mercury''s speedy arrival. A shockwave followed, scattering dust and loose papers everywhere. She dropped off another group of civilians before immediately clicking the side of her high-tech goggles to scan the battlefield. Her map flashed green. All the red dots ¡ª representing civilians still trapped in the battle zone ¡ª were gone. "Phew¡­" She exhaled, clutching her chest as relief hugged her. "At least that''s covered." She turned to bolt back into action ¡ª only to find Scottie standing right in front of her, arms spread out and a serious expression on her face. Miss Mercury blinked. "Uhhh¡­ what''s the matter?" Scottie''s eyes narrowed. "Where do you think you''re going?" "Isn''t it obvious?" Mercury scoffed. "The Hero Agency is getting wrecked by that psycho version of my Scott. Someone''s gotta do something." Scottie didn''t budge. "You''re not going out there just to get yourself killed." Miss Mercury''s confidence wavered for a moment as her expression faltered. Scottie took a step forward. "I don''t know what the hell happened to our Scott¡­ but he''s coming back. I know it. And when he does, I want him to see your face¡ªnot your coffin." There was something in her low, firm voice that made Mercury hesitate. That weight¡­ that depth. Finally, Mercury sighed, throwing up her hands. "Fine, fine. I get it. No suicide missions." She then put her hands on her hips. "But if I can''t throw hands, what exactly do you expect me to do? I''m done evacuating civilians¡ªI can''t just sit here and twiddle my thumbs." Scottie folded her arms. "I''m not telling you to do nothing. I just want you to be prepared if you''re going to take him on." Mercury tilted her head. "Huh?" Scottie''s expression remained firm. "You can run faster than this, right?" Mercury smirked. "Uh, yeah? Millions of times faster. My speed is on par with light itself¡ªwell, in theory¡­" Scottie frowned. "What do you mean ''in theory''?" Mercury exhaled as her smirk faded. "Before I got my powers, my grandad was the first speedster in my family¡ªa Golden Age superhero. He once tried running at the speed of light¡­" her voice dropped, "¡­ his body tore into atoms. He just¡­ vanished." Scottie''s brows furrowed. There was no time to feel sad for anyone, so she just went straight down to business¡ª "Right. That makes sense. Scott taught me about that before ¡ª relativistic mass increases as an object accelerates, so the faster you go, the more energy is needed to keep going. To reach light speed¡­" She crossed her arms under her sizable breasts. "¡­ you''d need infinite energy. It''s impossible." Mercury''s fists clenched. She hated it. She had always boasted that she could move at light speed, that she could end any fight in an instant. But now? When she actually needed it? It was just a fantasy. Scottie suddenly snapped her fingers. "Aha! I''ve got it!" Mercury blinked. "Huh?" Scottie pointed at her with a smirk. "I can fix that." Mercury tilted her head. "Fix¡­ what, exactly?" Scottie''s hands began to glow. "I once copied a villain''s superpower in Falan City. It''s an insane form of light manipulation." Mercury blinked again. "Wait¡ªcopied?" Scottie grinned. "That''s my superpower. I can copy the abilities of others. I''m not a master at any one thing, but I can get really good at a lot of things." Mercury whistled. "Damn. Talk about cheating the system." Scottie ignored that and continued. "Here''s the plan¡ªI can manipulate the light around you. Instead of just running, I''ll help you bend light itself. If we can reduce your mass to zero¡­" Mercury''s eyes widened. "¡­ then I won''t need infinite energy." Scottie grinned. "Exactly." Mercury''s heart pounded. Could this actually work? Scottie held out her hands. The glow intensified, pulsing with radiant energy. "If this works, you won''t just be a speedster. You''ll be a living beam of light." Mercury''s lips curled into a smirk. "Then what the hell are we waiting for?" "Let''s get down to it!" The air shimmered with golden light. At first, it was just a gentle flicker ¡ª tiny photons sprouting into existence like fireflies dancing in the twilight. Then, in perfect unison, they began to orbit Miss Mercury, as though she were the very center of gravity in their universe. Caught between awe and confusion, Mercury turned her head left and right, watching the glowing particles swirl around her in mesmerizing patterns. "Uhh¡­ what''s going on?" She murmured as her eyes darted to Scottie. Scottie''s fingers twitched, subtly guiding the photons'' rotation, keeping them in perfect sync. "Just hold still¡­" She muttered with a partly exhausted voice. Before Mercury could ask another question, the photons abruptly changed direction¡ªdarting toward her from all angles. She flinched, instinctively trying to bat them away, but the light passed through her body effortlessly and fused into her skin. A blinding radiance erupted from her, transforming her into a living sun. For a moment, she felt weightless, infinite¡ªlike she had transcended her own physical limits. But just as suddenly as it came, the light dimmed, leaving her standing there, completely normal. Mercury blinked, then checked herself over. "Huh¡­ I don''t feel any different. Maybe a little lighter?" She bounced on the balls of her feet. "I can''t tell." Scottie coughed violently as her body shuddered with the force of it. A thick splatter of black blood hit the ground. She barely had time to straighten before Mercury reached for her as concern flashed in her eyes. Scottie held up a trembling hand to stop her. "No need. I¡­ I''m fine¡­" She rasped, rubbing her chest to dull the pain. After a few steadying breaths, she forced a grin and flashed Mercury a thumbs-up. "You''re ready." Mercury hesitated, biting her lip. Her instincts screamed at her to take off¡ªshe could feel the energy humming inside her, practically begging to be unleashed¡ªbut something held her back. "Wait¡­" She said, crossing her arms. "If you can copy superpowers, shouldn''t you be fighting at the frontlines too? I mean, you could copy that bastard''s abilities, use them with your other powers, and¡ª" Scottie cut her off with a tired sigh. "It wouldn''t work." Mercury frowned. "I''m sorry, what?" Scottie stuffed her hands into the pockets of her trench coat as her posture slumped. The weight of exhaustion was clear in her every movement, but her face was dead serious. "I already tried to copy his powers the moment I knew he wasn''t our Scott. It didn''t work." "Wait, you tried and failed? Why?" Mercury asked, now genuinely intrigued. Scottie took a deep breath. "Because his powers don''t work like normal superpowers. It''s more like¡­ a state of mind." Mercury arched a brow. "The hell does that mean?" Scottie looked at her with a small smile. "You know how physical money and cryptocurrency aren''t the same thing, but both serve the same function? It''s like that. My da¡­ I mean, Mega Man''s abilities work in a way that''s completely different from conventional powers. It''s not about genetics, not about energy¡­ it''s about belief. If Mega Man truly believes himself to be the ultimate symbol of strength, then he is. His power bends to his own perception of reality." Mercury took a slow step back as her mind raced. "¡­ Don''t tell me." Scottie nodded grimly. "Yeah. That bastard probably has the same kind of power. I couldn''t copy it because I don''t have the unbendable belief that I''m the strongest being in existence. And because of that¡­ I''m not." Mercury dragged a hand down her face. "Well, that''s fucked up. Tha¡ª" BOOOOOM!!! A thunderous explosion split the air and shook the very earth beneath them. The sheer force of the shockwave nearly knocked both of them off their feet, sending debris flying in all directions. Scottie turned to Mercury and nodded. Mercury nodded back. And then she was gone. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ That was how she ended up in a confrontation with the villain of the moment. Super Scott. And she planned to make him eat his words. A golden streak shot across the battlefield, moving so fast that her body practically ceased to exist in physical space. In an instant, she had cleared the distance between her and Super Scott¡ªbut instead of attacking, she blew past him and accelerated even further. She ran. Across the oceans. Through the freezing Arctic winds. Over the scorching sands of the desert. Through the towering forests and sprawling cities. Again and again. Faster and faster. The world blurred into a chaotic mess of color and light as she looped around the planet multiple times in less than a second. She was building up speed ¡ª more than she had ever dared to before. Lightning crackled behind her. Her body was so close to becoming pure energy, but she fought to hold herself together. She needed to release the photons at the last possible moment to regain her full mass ¡ª if she mistimed it by even a fraction of a second, she''d either do nothing to Super Scott¡­ or erase herself from existence. "Come on, come on!" She urged herself, pushing even harder. Super Scott''s eyes darted wildly, struggling to track her. His grin faltered as his instincts screamed that something was wrong. This wasn''t how it played out in his world. Mercury was never this fast. His fingers flexed, readying a counterattack¡ª "Ahah! There she is!" But the second he moved¡ª WHAM! A pair of arms wrapped around his torso in a crushing grip. "What the©¤©¤?!" His head snapped back in shock. Lady Fortress. She had him in a bear hug, locking his arms and preventing him from dodging. Super Scott''s eyes widened. "Shit¡ª" A golden comet crashed into him. The impact was beyond anything the world had ever seen. A shockwave exploded outward, shaking the planet itself. The very air screamed from the pure force. Super Scott, Lady Fortress, and Miss Mercury were all launched in different directions like ragdolls caught in the wake of an apocalyptic blast. Scottie stood at the edge of the safe zone, watching the whole thing unfold with a tired smirk. She wiped the blood from her lips and muttered to herself¡ª "Didn''t know big bro was into older women¡­ but damn, she''s hot, though." And with that, she turned back toward the wounded, ready to keep fighting. ??? The North District was in ruins. Skyscrapers had been reduced to steel skeletons, streets torn apart like paper, and the once-thriving cityscape was now an apocalyptic wasteland. A dense cloud of dust and debris hung in the air, choking the ruins in a thick, suffocating wrapper. At the center of it all, Mercury lay sprawled in the rubble, her super suit¡ªcrafted to withstand the impossible¡ªtorn and burned in places, revealing patches of smooth, porcelain skin underneath. Her breathing was ragged as her chest rose and fell in slow, shallow movements. She let out a weak chuckle, her voice dry and hoarse. "Good¡­ at least she''s not dead¡­" Her gaze drifted to her right arm, or what was left of it. The limb was mangled beyond recognition, bones shattered into dust, muscles torn apart like overcooked meat. Even the mere act of looking at it sent pulses of pain up her spine, but she just clenched her jaw. "That better be worth it¡ªnghh!" Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Lady Fortress was struggling to get up. Her legs felt like lead, her arms barely responded, but she still pressed on, dragging herself forward. Every breath she took was thick with dust and blood, her ribs cracked from the impact, yet she didn''t care. If Super Scott was still moving, then the fight wasn''t over. Her vision blurred as she tried to pierce through the dust, hoping to see Mercury''s handiwork. But all she got in return was a violent cough that tore through her throat, sending a fresh spray of blood onto the ground. "Did it wo¡ª" A rush of air. A sudden blur. Before she could even finish speaking, an iron grip clamped around her skull. Her entire world tilted as she was lifted off the ground like a toy. Super Scott had moved. No¡ªhe had teleported in sheer speed, emerging from the ruins that were meant to be his grave. His fingers dug into her head like a clamp, palm pressing against her scalp as if testing how much force it would take to crush her skull outright. His grip was playful¡ªalmost fascinated, as if handling a new piece of machinery. He threw his head back and laughed as the sound boomed through the empty ruins. "Oh, man! That was so fucking awesome! Didn''t even know women could hit that hard. Good to know at least¡ªhahaha!" A gaping wound sat at the center of his chest, flesh missing in chunks, his ribcage partially exposed. It was the kind of injury that should''ve left him gasping for life. Instead, it was healing before their eyes, flesh pulsating like a grotesque sponge sucking itself back together. Mercury, watching from where she lay, felt something deep within her shatter. Despair. She had thrown everything into that attack¡ªeverything. It was the fastest, most devastating punch she had ever delivered in her life, one that had reduced an entire district to rubble and even shook the planet. And yet¡ªyet¡ªhe was still standing. Still laughing. She wanted to scream in frustration, to curse the heavens, to throw herself at him one last time. But her body was too broken to move. If she even tried, she felt like she''d crumble into dust. Meanwhile. Lady Fortress wasn''t going down without a fight. Through sheer will, she forced her arms up and began pummeling Super Scott with a barrage of earth-shattering punches. Each one could have flattened mountains, shattered city blocks, turned battlefields into wastelands. But against him? Nothing. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The blows landed with deafening force, sending ripples through his body, generating shockwaves that cracked the ground beneath them. But Super Scott just stood there, face unbothered as the merciless grip on her skull tightened ever so slightly. His voice was calm. Very calm. "At what point¡ª" He squeezed a little harder, making her groan. "¡ªwill you people start to understand?" His fingers flexed, and Lady Fortress felt her bones groan in protest. "I''m not your average villain of the week." He pulled her closer as his blue eyes burning with something absolutely animalistic. "I''m the living embodiment of power." Another squeeze. The pressure made her temples feel like they''d burst. "And with my own two hands, I''m going to wrap this planet in chains¡ª" He grinned, teeth sharp like a predator''s. "¡ªbind it to my overwhelming strength." He turned his head slightly, eyes scanning the ruined city like a god surveying his domain. "And there isn''t a single fucker out there who has enough motion to throw hands with a literal god." He leaned in, voice a whisper now. "Get that right." Then, he tilted his head back and roared¡ª "THINK, PEOPLE. THINK!!" With that, he smiled at the struggling Lady Fortress and grinned sadistically. "I''ll send you on a little trip¡­" He tossed Lady Fortress into the air like a ragdoll, and just as she was about to hit the ground, he drove his fist straight into her face. Her skull shattered on impact as the pure force shook the earth beneath them. DUUUUUMM!! The punch was so powerful that it sent her spinning faster than Miss Mercury at her peak speed, and in an instant, she was torn from this reality¡ªwarped into another dimension. Earth Two. Scott Prime''s prison. His living nightmare. Chapter 171 - 171: Prodigal Daughter, Nightmare Earth Two, Metro City. McQueen Mansion ¨C Maxwell''s Office Scottie moved like a ghost¡ªher steps were silent and her presence was just like a whisper in the grand, luxurious space of Maxwell McQueen''s office. Each of her movements were calculated and her sharp eyes scanned every corner, every shadow as she made sure she wasn''t being watched. The office was just as she remembered¡ªluxurious, very intimidating, the kind of place meant to make people feel small. But Scottie wasn''t here to be intimidated. She was here for The Artifact. Rushing behind Maxwell''s massive desk, she ran her fingers under its polished surface, searching. ¡ºCome on, come on¡­ it better still be here¡­¡» Click. The moment her fingers pressed against a hidden button, a faint technological hum sounded. The desk split in two with a sharp, easy motion to reveal a concealed compartment. A rush of cold, smoky air escaped. Inside was a treasure trove of technology¡ªsome human, but most of it? Not of this world. But she didn''t care about the rest. Her eyes locked onto a singular object. A cube. Black, humming softly with an unnatural pulse, etched with shifting alien symbols that seemed to whisper secrets to those who dared to touch it. Her lips curled into a victorious smile. "There it is." She grabbed the cube as the coldness of the compartment seeped into her fingers. As she held it close to her chest, a thought crossed her mind¡ªScott''s been looking for this for as long as I can remember¡­ And yet¡ªshe had always known where it was. She could have told him. Could have handed it over and let him run wild with whatever power or secret it held. But some part of her hesitated. Not because she didn''t love him. God, she loved him. More than anything. But deep down, there was a fear she could never voice. If Scott saw a chance at something bigger, something greater¡­ would he take it over her? Would he even think twice? Her fingers tightened around The Artifact as a small frown formed on her lips. Then¡ª Footsteps. Her body snapped into action. Swiftly, she stepped away from the desk, then hid the cube behind her just as the glass doors swung open. And there stood him. Maxwell McQueen. He had a smug look on his face. But his eyes? Cold. "Oh¡­" He did his best to sound amused when in truth he didn''t care enough. "My prodigal daughter returns¡­ how quaint." Scottie forced herself to breathe. Forced herself to smile, even as she held The Artifact behind her back with a grip tight enough to turn her knuckles white. "Hm? What''s wrong?" She replied with her manufactured playful voice. "Am I not allowed to swing by and give my dear old Dad a greeting from time to time?" She had to act normal. She had to keep calm. If she fumbled now, it was over. Maxwell took his time. He unbuckled his long trench coat and hung it neatly over a nearby chair, then walked forward as he made the place go quiet with just his presence. "Well¡­" It was that same smooth, leisure voice of his. "¡­ considering the fact that you turned your back not just on me¡ªthe man who plucked you from the streets when you were nothing but an untalented little rat¡ªbut also on the fortune you were never worthy of¡­ " He gave a theatrical pause, raising his fingers to do mocking air quotes. "Then yes, Scottie. You are most definitely not supposed to ''swing by'' as you so casually put it." Scottie''s smile didn''t waver. But her grip on the cube did. "It''s unfortunate¡­" She sounded so deceptively sweet©¤©¤a trait she couldn''t deny she and Maxwell shared. "¡­ that a man your age still doesn''t understand that adopting a child and then treating them like garbage is one of the worst things a person can do." Her expression darkened slightly. "It''s like giving medicine to a sick person¡­ only to stab them right after." She was pissed, and it showed in the slight tremble of her fingers around the cube. But Maxwell? He just chuckled. "Oh, that reminds me¡­" He stroked his bearded chin in thought. "Scott once told me something interesting¡­ what was it again? Oh, yes¡ª" He smirked. "Many stupid men have beards that make them look wise¡­ so just wait until they talk." He laughed. "Ahh, such a smart boy." Scottie subtly adjusted her stance, making sure The Artifact remained hidden. Maxwell, of course, noticed. He always noticed. His sharp eyes swept across the office, scanning, reading the space like a hunter tracking prey. Then, his eyes flicked back to her, sharp and assessing. "Hmm¡­ why do I have the feeling that you''re here for more than just a family reunion?" Scottie just smiled. "Uh¡­ no idea what you''re talking about¡ª" "Don''t lie, child." The sharp interruption cut through the air like a knife. Maxwell''s voice was calm. Unbothered. Deadly. "You''re no good at it. Never were. Frankly, you''ve never been good at anything." And with one swift movement¡ª He snatched the cube from her hands. Scottie barely had time to react. One moment it was hers ¡ª the next, it was his. Maxwell turned the cube over in his hands, inspecting it with mild curiosity. "Ah¡­ so this is the stupid obsession that''s been rotting that underdeveloped brain of yours, hmm?" He scoffed. "The center of all the ridiculous garbage you''ve been trying to drag your brother into?" Scottie''s expression didn''t change. "I love him¡­" she said simply. Maxwell chuckled. Like she had just said something hilarious. "Love, she says." He shook his head, amused. "You really don''t get it, do you?" He turned to her as his eyes gleamed fiercely. "Scott is a god among men. A king standing above worms. When the stars are snuffed out and all planets are reduced to pebbles ¡ª he will be the one man standing at the center of it all. And yet, somehow, he loves you?" His lip curled. "A consummate disappointment?" Scottie felt those words like knives. A deep, searing wound that no amount of strength could protect her from. But she didn''t falter. She refused to falter. "Take a good, long look in the mirror, Maxwell. If you want to see who really turned Scott into what he is today¡­ you''re looking at him." Her eyes burned. "You corrupted him." Maxwell''s smirk twitched. For the first time, a crack in his perfect composure. A small grunt escaped him. Then¡ª "Watch your mouth, girl." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His voice was sharp. A warning. "I worked too hard to forge Scott into the man he is today. And I am not about to let some useless, untalented, frustrating, love-deprived bastard come waltzing in here to ruin that!" Something inside Scottie snapped. Her hand shot out. And she slapped him. Hard. Her palm stung¡ªbadly. But she didn''t care. She refused to give him that satisfaction. And Maxwell? He didn''t move. Didn''t react. Didn''t even blink. Like a feather had brushed his cheek. The only thing he did¡­ was smirk. That same goddamn smirk. Maxwell chuckled softly as he rubbed his cheek¡ªnot because the slap stung, but because of the sheer audacity of the girl standing before him. This ordinary, pitiful creature had not only dared to raise her voice at him but had the gall to lay her hands on him. It was beyond infuriating. It was insulting. For a moment, he wanted to kill her. Right here. Right now. To crush that defiant fire in her eyes with his bare hands. But he held himself back¡ªnot out of mercy, but because he didn''t need Super Scott breathing down his neck just yet. So, instead, he simply laughed. "Well¡­" He spoke with that deceptively calm voice of his as he turned his back to her. "It''s been nice having you." He walked to his desk, pressed a sleek button on his intercom, and in a voice stripped of all its usual fake sweetness he sharply ordered¡ª "Get in here. Now." Scottie stiffened. She could already hear the approaching footsteps. Her eyes landed on a framed photo resting on a nearby table¡ªMaxwell and a young Scott. A picture-perfect father and son. She snatched it up, staring at it as a thousand emotions boiled inside her. Why? She knew she wasn''t his real daughter, but why couldn''t he ever love her the way their mother did? The way he loved Scott? The door behind her opened, and she felt the presence of Maxwell''s security team standing just behind her, ready to drag her away like she was nothing. But before they could lay a hand on her, Maxwell spoke. "You want to know why?" He said coldly, adjusting his cufflinks. "Because you''re simply not special. And in the world I''m building¡­ that''s what I demand." The words cut deeper than any blade. Scottie clenched her jaw, her grip on the photo tightening until her knuckles cracked. Then, with a sudden burst of rage, she hurled it to the ground. CRASH!! Glass shattered as the frame broke into useless fragments ¡ª just like the twisted idea of ''family'' she once held onto. That was the signal. The guards grabbed her and yanked her back, but she fought them. As they dragged her away, she thrashed and shouted¡ª "I just hope the shitty love I have for him is enough to save him when Scott finally betrays you! I can''t wait to watch everything you hold dear abandon you, you son of a bitch!" Maxwell didn''t move. Didn''t react. He just stood there and watched her with a plain face as the doors slammed shut behind her. Then, slowly, his eyes briefly drifted back to the alien cube on his desk. He said nothing as his mind dived into deep thought. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ During this time¡­ Scott soared over Metro City as his Anti-Disaster Suit glided effortlessly through the air. The city below stretched out in what was now a familiar bleak, gray expanse ¡ª gloomy, lifeless, tainted by Maxwell and Super Scott''s reign. None of it made sense. He didn''t want to believe that Maxwell was truly like this ¡ª that he was always this kind of person. Was this really what his father had been hiding all along? Or was this world just so twisted that even good men became monsters? He shook his head in frustration. He didn''t have an answer. But then¡ªsomething caught his eye. An open space in the city. A wrong space. His HUD zoomed in. Scott''s heart stopped. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes trembled. ¡ºNo way¡­¡» He shot down from the sky like a missile and his sleek, white armored boots slammed into the pavement as his high-tech helmet dissolved into his suit. His chest was rising and falling, breath coming in quick, panicked gasps. ¡ºThis shouldn''t be here¡­ this is where the founder''s statue is supposed to be.¡» Not this. Not this. It couldn''t be. His knees nearly buckled as he took slow, staggering steps forward¡ªtoward the spear driven into the ground. Toward the head impaled on it. Martha. His mother''s face was frozen in agony as her pale skin was streaked with dried blood. Her lips were slightly parted, as if caught mid-scream. And somehow¡ªsomehow¡ªher eyes were still open. Scott fell to his knees. "¡­ Mom ¡­" The world around him blurred. His ears rang. His hands trembled violently. But then¡ªher lips moved. "You¡­" Scott''s breath hitched. His body went rigid with terror. Her lips moved again, and this time her voice was louder. "It''s you¡­" His chest tightened, his lungs refusing to function. The System quickly spoke up¡ª [Although the head of Martha McQueen has been torn off her body, an unknown energy is preserving her consciousness, forcing her to experience the eternal torment of¡ª] "Shut up." Scott''s voice came out hoarse. The System obeyed. His fists clenched while his breathing ragged. His mind was spiraling. He could feel it. "Who did this?" His voice was low, shaking. And then, Martha''s head screamed. "YOU DID THIS!" Scott scrambled backward and his hands scraped against the pavement as he crawled away in sheer horror. Her eyes¡ªthose haunting, lifeless eyes¡ªwere completely locked onto him. Her mouth twisted as thick, black blood poured out and dripped down the spear like ink. "YOU DID THIS!" Scott''s entire body convulsed with terror, his sweat cold as his mind spun into chaos. "No. No. No." He clutched his head, rocking slightly as whispered¡ª "No, no, no, no¡ª" And just when it felt like his sanity was slipping¡ª A portal tore open. A blur shot through¡ªcrashing straight into him. Scott barely had time to react as a warm, familiar weight collapsed against his chest. Without even looking, he could tell that there was a child in his arms. He gasped, eyes wide as he stared down at the wounded small-bodied woman now in his arms. Her super suit was a bit patchy. Her cape torn. Her breathing ragged. But even in her battered state, she still managed to smile. A trembling hand reached up to his face, then intimately brushed against his cheek. "Mael¡­?" His breath hitched. That name. It was her. Lady Fortress. She smiled wider, weak but relieved. "It''s you." Scott blinked. His lips parted, words failing him. "¡­ What?" Chapter 172 - 172: Great Thinking Spot Earth Two, Metro City. The cold wind howled around them, carrying the scent of rain and rusted steel as Scott and Lady Fortress sat atop the massive statue of Super Scott. The entire city stretched below them like a forgotten wasteland as its flickering lights barely held against the swallowing darkness. From this height, it looked like nothing more than a speck of dust beneath their boots. Lady Fortress sat stiffly, still recovering from that punch. She''d tanked the collision of two planets, survived the full force of a collapsing dwarf star, but this¡­ this was different. The pain had lasted longer than ten seconds¡ªhell, it was still there. But she wasn''t about to show it. Not with "Nightwatch" sitting right next to her. So, forcing herself to act casual, she cleared her throat and muttered awkwardly¡ª "Uhm¡­ this is a cool thinking spot¡­" Scott, who was rummaging through a steel box on his lap, barely spared her a glance. "Well, yeah, I guess¡­" He muttered in a completely indifferent tone. Then, after a pause, he added dryly¡ª "Maybe if it didn''t look like some kind of post-apocalyptic nightmare where I was a complete monster who murdered people without remorse and then forced them to build a statue in my honor to praise my tyrannical rule¡­ sure. Great thinking spot." His voice was empty, flat¡ªlike he wasn''t even trying to be sarcastic. There was no smile, no amusement. Just exhaustion. His eyes were dull, weighed down by a fatigue so deep it looked like it had settled into his very bones. It made sense. Scott hadn''t had a single proper night of sleep since he was warped here. Not even a nap. At this point, he was minutes away from collapsing. "Hm?" Lady Fortress noticed. And for some reason, it bothered her. Her fingers twitched, and before she even realized what she was doing, her hand moved¡ªreaching for him. Just a simple gesture, an instinctive reaction to¡­ to what, exactly? Pity? Concern? Something else? But at the last second, she hesitated. Her fingers curled back, and she awkwardly played it off by tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. "¡­ Sorry," she muttered. Scott didn''t even look up. "Yeah, yeah, it''s fine¡­" He said, still sifting through his steel box like he barely even registered her words. Then, with the same tired monotone¡ª "Can you scooch a little closer?" Lady Fortress froze. Her brain short-circuited. ¡ºHe¡­ he wants me to come closer?¡» Her mind instantly betrayed her, dragging her into a spiraling abyss of unnecessary, very unnecessary, thoughts. A few months ago, he had carried her naked body in his arms. And now this? What''s he planning? Was he going to touch her? Was it going to be inappropriate? Would it be wrong if she¡­ enjoyed it? Her entire face exploded into a deep shade of red. Her mouth opened as if to scream, but the real screaming was happening inside her head. She slapped both hands over her face as she physically tried to stop her own thoughts from spiraling any further. Scott blinked, completely lost. "¡­ You good?" He asked, giving her a once-over. "How hard did you get hit?" That snapped her back to reality. She peeked at him through her fingers. "Huh? What do you mean?" Scott sighed, finally pulling out a small spray can and a ball of cotton. "Your face¡­ I have a pain relief spray, cotton ball and some bandages. Your wounds aren''t healing, so yunno¡­ I figured this might help." He held them up for her to see. Lady Fortress stared at the items in his hands. And just like that, all her previous thoughts were eradicated. The redness drained from her face, replaced by a completely deadpan expression. She had overthought again. To think that this was the man who had seen her naked body and would have to take responsibility for witnessing her in such a pure state¡­ Sure, she hadn''t exactly told him or given him signs, but still¡ªhe was at least supposed to know! But then¡­ as she thought about it more, her irritation softened into something quieter. Then again¡­ With the way this world looked, her naked body was probably the last thing on his mind. He was sitting here, staring down at a city where he was a hero in one world and a monster in another. And it wasn''t like she had told him what his other self had been doing here¡­ Her arms folded across her chest, and she exhaled heavily. Still, it was kind of a bummer. Here she was, getting a rare, strangely romantic moment with him, and yet all she could think about was how the media back home had lied. Nightwatch was no monster. She always knew that. And to top it all off¡­ ¡ºDamn, he''s actually really handsome.¡» It still caught her off guard sometimes. She never expected the man behind Nightwatch''s mask to be so handsome¡ªor to be a celebrity, no less. At first, she hadn''t recognized him. As a delegate, she was more familiar with politicians than with the famous faces that made teenagers lose their minds. But she knew Scott was well-known¡­ some kind of celebrity, at least. She''d seen Pulsar looking at pictures of him last week. Probably doing research, yeah? She shrugged absentmindedly. Scott, who had no idea what she was thinking, just saw the shrug and sighed. "¡­ So is that a yes?" Without another word, Lady Fortress scooted closer. Closer. Too close. Until her shoulder was pressing against his. And immediately, her face burned again. She ducked her head, pressing both hands against her thighs like a nervous cat. Scott blinked at her. "¡­ You ready?" Lady Fortress lifted her head sharply as her face suddenly turned serious¡ªlike a soldier preparing for war. She gave him two very firm nods. It was so ridiculously cute that Scott almost smiled. Almost. He uncapped the spray and leaned in. For some reason, Lady Fortress tilted her face slightly ¡ª almost like she was waiting for a kiss. Scott actually chuckled at that. And then¡ª PSSSSSSHHHH! The cold pain relief spray hit her bruised skin, and she immediately flinched. "Ouch!" It was such a tiny, squeaky sound. Like a rat feeling pain for the first time. Scott paused. He looked at her. Looked at the woman who could push an entire warship across the galaxy in seconds and shrug off direct hits from nuclear warheads. And then he laughed. It was small. Quiet. But it was there. Lady Fortress peeked at him through one open eye ¡ª and smiled very softly. ¡ºYeah. That''s enough for now.¡» Minutes Later¡­ Scott finished applying the last bandage, then smoothed it over one of Lady Fortress'' deeper cuts with careful precision. With that done, he shut the steel box with a quiet clink, and in the next second, it vanished into a blue light, returning to the System''s inventory. He gave her a small, satisfied nod before leaning back slightly. "Okay, all done¡­" He said as a faint smile touched his lips. "You can open your eyes now." Lady Fortress slowly peeled her eyes open and gently touched her face, feeling around the areas where the pain had once been sharp and biting. As her fingers traced over the freshly treated bruises, a soft smile grew on her lips. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ooo©¤©¤!!" She hummed, clearly pleased. "I can barely feel most of the pain now. Who would''ve thought Earth''s medical field was actually this advanced?" Scott chuckled softly. The way she marveled at something as simple as first-aid supplies was almost endearing¡ªlike a child discovering ice cream for the first time. ¡ºThen again¡­ she probably knows what first-aids are and this is just a System-enhanced version¡­ I hope? He couldn''t imagine one not knowing first-aid. With that covered, he exhaled through his nose and let his gaze drop to the city below. "Hmm¡­" He muttered, tilting his head slightly. "Actually¡­ this is kind of a good thinking spot." Lady Fortress arched a brow at him, surprised. Scott sighed. "Sorry about what I said earlier. It''s just¡­ hard to see anything as a good thing right now." He gestured vaguely at the city. "Most of my encounters here have been disasters, to say the least. Ugh, I hate it here¡­" Lady Fortress didn''t say anything¡ªshe just kept her eyes on him and watched his every expression and movement ¡ª even the subtlest ones. The way he spoke, the way his shoulders sagged slightly, the way his fingers absentmindedly tapped against his knee¡­ she was paying close attention. Scott noticed after a moment and perked up slightly, turning to face her. "Huh? Is something wrong? You''re uhm, looking at me kinda¡­ weird." Lady Fortress blinked rapidly as if she had only just realized what she was doing. Then, in a sudden flustered panic, she jolted back. "Oh¡ªuhhh¡ªsorry!" She blurted out. "I was just looking at something on your face¡­" Scott lifted a brow. "Something on my face?" He immediately lifted his hand and started rubbing his cheek, trying to wipe off whatever it was. Lady Fortress''s eyes twitched. "Oh my¡ª!" She shifted even closer, eyes widening in disbelief. Scott froze, hand still on his cheek. "Uh¡­ what now?" Lady Fortress let out a deep sigh, like a tired mother dealing with a hopeless child. Then, she lifted a single finger and wagged it at him, her expression as strict as a headmistress lecturing a misbehaving student. "Honestly! Are all men this clueless?" Scott blinked, utterly lost. He leaned back slightly as he retreated from her intense judgmental finger. Lady Fortress huffed. "If there was really something on your face, would you seriously just wipe it off with your hand? That''s so unhygienic! You should have a handkerchief on you at all times¡ªit''s part of being a gentleman!" Without another word, she reached into a small pocket hidden beneath her cape, pulled out a pristine white handkerchief, and held it out to him. Scott stared at it. He then stared at her. "Huh?" He muttered, confused. "But I don''t actually have anything on my fa¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence. Her hand was shaking. Her face, which had already been red, was growing even redder. Scott softened. He smiled faintly, then reached out and took the handkerchief from her fingers. Without questioning it, he wiped his already clean face with it, playing along. Once he was done, he held it back out to her. "Here. Thanks. I really appreciate it." Lady Fortress didn''t even glance at him. Arms folded, legs crossed elegantly, she looked straight ahead, face still burning. "Keep it¡­ I expect you to have it properly washed and returned to me tomo¡ª" She hesitated deeply. "Or just¡­ whenever you want." She shot him a small side-eye. Then, a very soft, barely-there smile. Scott blinked, slightly taken aback. He never really paid attention to it before, but now that they were alone, now that he wasn''t in the middle of some high-stakes battle or dangerous situation¡­ She was actually pretty cute. Of course, he had noticed her beauty before, but it had been a passing thought in the heat of the moment. Now, in this quiet space, with the soft glow of the ruined city reflecting in her eyes, with her flustered expression and stubborn pride¡­ Yeah. It hit differently. Meanwhile, Lady Fortress was desperately trying to maintain her composure. She tightened her arms around herself, forcing a blank, unreadable expression onto her face¡ªone she had perfected over years of dealing with the public, politicians, and media. She cleared her throat loudly. "Well? Aren''t you going to say something?" Scott turned back to the city. "You''re really pretty." He said, almost absentmindedly. Lady Fortress trembled. Like, visibly. Her body straightened, her posture went rigid, and it looked like she had just been electrocuted. "Wh-, What kind of response is that?!" She demanded, but her voice cracked slightly. Completely unfazed, Scott simply said¡ª "Nothing. I just like giving compliments sometimes. Helps clear my head a little. Sorry if that was selfish." Lady Fortress looked at him for a long moment. Then, in a softer voice, she said©¤©¤"It''s fine." A thoughtful silence settled between them. Lady Fortress crossed her legs again, this time resting her chin on one hand like a scholar deep in contemplation. ¡ºHrmm¡­ it''s quite silent. Mother always told me to take my shot with any Terran man I find attractive¡­ And well, this Nightwatch fellow did see me naked¡­¡» Her mind wandered. Cortian tradition dictated that if a man saw a woman in her pure state, he had to take responsibility. That was just the way things were. That was the way things had to be. She took a deep breath. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she reached out, fingers inching toward Scott''s hand. She was just about to make contact when¡ª "Hey¡­" Scott suddenly said. Lady Fortress immediately threw her hand away like it was on fire and sat up as straight as a soldier. "S-, Sure! Anything!" she blurted out, a little too eager. Scott blinked at her weirdly enthusiastic response. Then, as if he hadn''t noticed, he simply asked¡ª "About Mael¡­ that name. Can you tell me more?" Lady Fortress''s entire mental fantasy shattered into dust. "¡­ Eh?" Chapter 173 - 173: Way Home, Mega Obstacle Scott shot forward on the rooftop''s edge and his eyes went wide with absolute shock as he shouted¡ª "NO WAY!" The sheer intensity of his voice startled Lady Fortress so much that she instinctively leaned back as her small body jolted in surprise. But Scott didn''t even notice¡ªhe was too caught up in his own turmoil. His breathing was sharp, erratic, as he desperately searched her face for any sign that this was some kind of cruel joke. "You have to be kidding, right? Ri¡­ Right?" His voice wavered, thick with a desperate hope that she''d shake her head, tell him he was wrong¡ªthat none of this was his fault, that some deranged lunatic hadn''t been using his face to slaughter people back on Earth One. But Lady Fortress only lowered her head as her hands tightened into small fists on her lap. "I''m¡­ sorry¡­" She muttered, barely above a whisper. "But¡­ just like how you''re here¡­ the other you¡ªSuper Scott¡ªis on Earth One, and he''s¡­" She trailed off, unable to even finish the sentence. Scott''s breath hitched. He felt like he had just been punched in the gut. His arms dropped onto his thighs as his fingers dug into the fabric of his pants as he exhaled shakily and his gaze locked onto the sprawling city below. "This is so fucking stupid¡­" He muttered with a voice full of nothing but exhaustion and frustration. "What the hell do they expect me to do now? Does everything just have to keep going wrong for me?!" His teeth clenched as his hands curled into tight fists. "I just wanted to fucking sleep after working my friggin'' ass off to catch Ezel and send her back to her damn planet¡­ but now this?!" His nails dug into his palm as a deep as guttural growl left his aching throat. "Why the hell does it have to be me?! Every. Single. Time. I can''t stand it anymore!" Just then, the System''s voice cut through his raging thoughts with its usual mechanical calm. [Because of the SIST device you built.] Scott''s breath hitched as the System continued. [Super Scott has been waiting for months for you to construct your own version of the SIST device. The moment you activated it, he must have noticed the disturbances in space-time. That was all he needed to confirm that you had finally completed your own SIST. By synchronizing his with yours, he forced a dimensional swap. It''s a risky process¡­ but as long as he believed he could do it, then it was always possible.] Scott''s eyes darkened as the realization settled in. He exhaled heavily and closed his eyes. At least the anger was gone¡­ for now. Damn it. Of course, it was his fault. "System¡­ what''s the next step?" He asked with a strained voice. "I don''t have a SIST device here, and even if I did, I can''t just sync it and swap us back without making things worse. So what the hell am I supposed to do? Is there anything in this world that I can use to get back home?" His heartbeat was erratic. The anxiety creeping into his mind made him feel like his ribs were caging a wild animal. [Affirmative.] Scott''s eyes snapped open. [In the outskirts of Metro City, where the Overwatch Agency Headquarters would be in your world, there exists a Dravekian stronghold known as the Neo-Genesis. It is a floating palace of crystal that serves as a repository for all the knowledge of the universe collected by the Draveks, including that of their now-destroyed homeworld, Vekxam. There is a possibility that by accessing the Neo-Genesis, you can find a way home.] Scott''s mind raced, the gears turning at full speed. It made sense. The Draveks were an advanced species¡ªfar beyond Earth in terms of scientific and technological prowess. If anyone had something that could bridge dimensions, it''d be them. But¡­ "That''s not a guarantee¡­" he muttered under his breath. There was no telling if the Neo-Genesis even had the tech he needed. And even if it did, there was no saying it wouldn''t require something impossible for him to access. "Shit¡­" He exhaled sharply. "I don''t like this. What if I just build another SIST device using the Omni-Fabricator?" [Negative.] Scott frowned. [There are already two active SIST devices in this world. Attempting to build and synchronize another would disrupt the delicate balance of energy between them. The resulting destabilization could lead to a complete rupture in the spacetime fabric.] Scott tapped his fingers against his thigh, thinking. "Okay¡­ but what if I made two SIST devices? Then I could sync them with the two already active devices, effectively stabilizing the freque¡ª" [Incorrect.] The System cut him off. [That many disruptions to the spacetime fabric would not only fail to stabilize the situation but would likely tear you apart at the atomic level before you could even make the switch.] Scott clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn it, I figured as much¡­" He placed a hand on his chin, thinking deeply. "Looks like I''ll have to go with the Neo-Genesis plan, even if I don''t like it¡­" SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Sharp, aggressive finger snaps yanked him out of his thoughts. Scott blinked and turned his head. Lady Fortress was glaring at him, her red, pouty face filled with obvious frustration. "HELLO?! Earth to Nightwatch?!" She huffed, leaning forward with an exasperated look. "I''ve been trying to get your attention for minutes now! What''s wrong with you?!" Scott just blinked at her. "Huh¡­?" Scott shook his head, exhaling sharply as he pushed himself off the rooftop''s edge. His eyes drifted toward the distant horizon, where the Metro City skyline met the vast, desolate outskirts. Somewhere out there was the Neo-Genesis ¡ª his last shot at fixing this insane mess. He turned back to Lady Fortress. There was determination blazing in his eyes. "We need to get to the Neo-Genesis¡­ it''s our best shot at fixing this." Lady Fortress folded her arms, tilting her head. "Uh¡­ wait, what''s the¡ª" Scott didn''t let her finish. "It''s basically our ticket out of this hellhole and back to our world." Without wasting another second, he activated the blue technophage in his veins. A rush of blue energy rippled across his body, weaving itself into the Anti-Disaster Suit in an instant. His flowing white-and-blue cape billowed against the night air as he turned back to Lady Fortress. "Alright¡­" he said. "We fly." Scott was already in motion as he sprinted forward to launch himself into the sky¡ªbut right before takeoff, he skidded to a sudden stop. Something was off. He turned back. Lady Fortress hadn''t moved. She stood there, rubbing her arm, her expression unreadable but¡­ hesitant. Scott narrowed his eyes. "Uhm¡­ what''s wrong?" Lady Fortress looked away briefly before mumbling¡ª "Well¡­ uhm¡­ my body still aches from earlier. I don''t think I can fly without, you know¡­ crashing like an idiot." She awkwardly cleared her throat. "So I, uh¡ªahhh!" Before she could even finish, she found herself lifted effortlessly into Scott''s arms. A sharp, high-pitched yelp left her lips as she instinctively smacked his chest¡ªnot in pain, but in sheer embarrassment. "WHY did you just PICK ME UP like that?!" She shrieked, eyes squeezed shut as if she couldn''t even bear to look at him. Unfazed, Scott simply raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Didn''t you just say all that so I would carry you?" His voice was completely casual, like he was stating the weather. "I mean, I wouldn''t want you to try flying and end up face-planting into a building. You''ve got smooth skin, and your face is pretty. Would be a shame if either got messed up." The words left his mouth naturally¡ªno deeper meaning, no intention behind them. But to Lady Fortress, it was like getting hit by a meteor. Her face burned bright red in an instant. She curled up in his arms, practically folding herself into a ball like a tiny armadillo. She pressed her forehead against his chest, refusing to lift her gaze. "S-, Sure¡­ You can carry me then¡­" Her eyes trailed to the side. "It''s not like I need you to, but if you think my skin and face are so pretty and worth protecting, then¡­" Her voice became even softer, more hesitant. "¡­then you should take responsibility¡­ hero." Scott blinked. "Responsibility?" He frowned slightly, tilting his head. "What do you mean by that? I wasn''t the one who punched you to another world. Well¡­ I sort of was¡­ but you get the point." Lady Fortress took a deep breath, her grip tightening against his suit. She knew she couldn''t back down now. "What I mean is¡­" She hesitated for only a second before finally blurting out¡ª "You have to marry me." Scott practically recoiled, his body going rigid. His feet took instinctive steps backward¡ªas if he could physically escape the words she had just thrown at him. "MARRY you?!" He repeated in absolute disbelief. "How the hell did we go from ''I''ll carry you'' to marriage?! That''s CRAZY!" But Lady Fortress wasn''t having any of it. Her face was still flushed, but her voice came out in a sharp, emotional burst. "SO WHAT?! ARE YOU JUST GOING TO USE ME FOR MY BODY AND THEN DUMP ME WHEN THINGS GET SERIOUS?! YOU WANT ME TO GO BACK TO MY FATHER IN SHAME?!" Her voice was so loud that every single bird perched on the massive Super Scott statue took off in a panicked frenzy. Then silence. Lady Fortress stiffened and her hands flew over her mouth as she let out a tiny, horrified screech. She had never shouted like that before. Never. She was trained to be a warrior¡ªstoic, disciplined, silent. Someone who showed her strength through actions, not words. And yet¡­ she had just screamed like an emotional teenager. ¡ºWhat the hell is wrong with me?¡» She thought in mortification. Slowly, she peeked up at Scott, praying that he hadn''t been scared off by her outburst. But when she saw his face¡ª Oh no. Scott''s expression was completely lost. Confused. Like his brain had short-circuited trying to process what the hell had just happened. Her stomach twisted. She had screwed up, hadn''t she? For the first time in her life, Lady Fortress wanted to dig a hole and throw herself into it. Scott took in a deep breath. He forced himself to stay calm. The last thing he needed was to get dragged into whatever this was. "Uh¡­ to be honest¡­" He exhaled sharply before he really started. "I really can''t deal with this right now, so¡­ maybe we''ll talk about it later." He adjusted his grip on Lady Fortress, his face blank, his mind still trying to wrap itself around everything. "Yeah, I saw you naked. But it''s not that big of a deal that I have to marry you over it." Lady Fortress twitched. Scott continued with a guarded nonchalance. "I mean, I get it. Every world has their own traditions, their own cultural rules, and I respect that. So I won''t say it''s silly or anything, but, y''know¡­" His voice trailed off. His expression turned completely blank. That was the last straw. Lady Fortress snapped. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Her fist shot up so fast Scott almost thought she was about to clock him in the jaw. Her teeth were gritted so tightly he swore he could hear them grinding. His body instinctively went on high alert, just in case she decided to throw logic out the window and deck him anyway. But before she could do anything reckless, Scott adjusted his hold on her, cradling her a little closer. The reaction was instantaneous. Like a baby being rocked in their mother''s arms, Lady Fortress'' fury melted¡ªher muscles losing tension as her face shifted from rage to an awkward, almost pouty silence. Scott took full advantage of the moment, flashing her the most smug smile imaginable. "Aha. That''s more like it." Lady Fortress froze. Her eyes widened as realization hit her¡ªshe had just been tamed. By him. The mortification struck like lightning. Her face flared red, and she immediately shouted¡ª "WHAT''S MORE LIKE IT?!" Her first instinct was to fling herself out of his arms and put as much distance between them as possible. But just as she was about to act on that impulse¡ª Scott''s entire expression shifted. His playful smugness vanished in an instant, replaced by sharp focus. His grip on Fortress tightened¡ªnot in restraint, but in readiness. She noticed it immediately. Her own instincts kicked in. Her face hardened as her voice turned steady and firm. "You feel that too?" Scott locked eyes with her. "Yeah¡­" he murmured. "I do." Both of them turned their gaze upward. Hovering high above them, shaded against the city lights, was a lone figure. A towering man with a physique that looked like it was sculpted from raw power. His muscular arms were crossed over his broad chest, and his golden cape rippled in the night air. His white super suit gleamed as it stood in the presence of the gloomy city''s skyline. Then¡­ his eyes¡ªthey were fierce and deadly. Mega Man. His bearded face remained unreadable as he gazed at them with a look of mental exhaustion¡­ but beneath that exhaustion was something else. Something final. "Any hopes of returning to your world¡­" Mega Man spoke with absolute authority. "¡­ should be effectively abolished as of now." His brows lowered. A pulse of golden energy radiated from his body¡ªso powerful the very air seemed to shudder under its force. Then, he spoke his next words¡ª Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stand ready." Chapter 174 - 174: Alternate Perspective North District ¨C Reduced to Ruin The S-tier hero ¡ª Armored Beast barely had time to process what was happening. Super Scott''s fingers had torn through his juggernaut armor like it was wet paper. A sickening crack, the screech of metal, and then¡ª pain. The kind of pain that didn''t come with warning signs, just immediate, raw agony. From his cracked HUD, his AI sputtered out a report: [Armor integrity down by 40%¡­ 67%¡­ WARNING: Critical failure imminent.] Armored Beast''s frown deepened. "Tch¡­ damn it. Redirect all offensive power to the force bubble shields, reinforce it, and then¡ª" His voice choked. A sharp, unbearable pain in his right arm. His actual arm. He looked down¡ªblood and electricity splattered across the battlefield as his severed arm and armor were casually discarded by Super Scott like a piece of garbage. The severed limb landed with a dull, wet thud, tangled with bones, torn wires, and sparking circuits. Super Scott barely reacted. There was just mild disappointment on his face. "Tsk¡­ such a waste." Armored Beast let out a howl of pain as his rage burned hotter than ever. But before he could act, a devastating punch crashed into his faceplate. BOOM! His unbreakable armor? Shattered. The force of the punch sent Armored Beast flying like a home run ball, demolishing buildings in his path as he vanished into the wreckage of the district. And then¡ªa gust of wind. A silver-and-blue blur arrived like a storm. Standing before Super Scott, spear in hand, was another S-tier hero ¡ª Warrior King. His high-tech, double-bladed spear crackled with electric blue energy, and his muscular frame tensed with unshakable warrior''s resolve. Before Super Scott could react, arms like iron bands locked around his neck from behind. A grapple. A king''s grip. Warrior King''s voice was calm, but commanding. "I''ve wrestled the titans of the old world. You? You''re just another man who thinks himself above gods." He spun his spear, then drove it straight into Super Scott''s chest. CRACK! The ground shattered instantly. Lava erupted. A wave of raw energy rippled outward, tearing through the remains of the North District like a localized apocalypse. Buildings collapsed. Streets broke apart like fragile glass. Super Scott''s face twitched in annoyance. His body trembled slightly. Not from pain ¡ª no, the Godkiller Spear hadn''t pierced through him completely¡­ But it was working. The countless layers of protection around his body were breaking down. He gritted his teeth, trying to shake off Warrior King. "Tch¡­ fuck this!" But the spear held him down. Warrior King tightened his grip. "This spear¡ªno, this symbol of order¡ªis what I''ve used to protect the people of Orichwe¡­ my people. It is the blade that carved my path as king. And today¡ª" A sonic boom cut him off. A new force entered the battlefield. PULSAR. She came like a shooting star as her comet-like arrival tore the very road apart. Cars lifted into the air like weightless debris. The sheer speed of her flight caused the air to rupture. Her eyes? Cold, dead, merciless. Her fists? Burning with the wrath of a dying star. She didn''t hesitate. WHAM! The first star-charged punch rocked Super Scott''s skull. BOOM! The second sent shockwaves that collapsed buildings. BOOM! BOOM! The third and fourth punches shattered the air itself. Even Warrior King, despite his unshakable will, felt his bones rattling from the force. The shockwaves were that powerful! Super Scott staggered. His lip was split. His face bruised. He bled. Pulsar snarled, tears brimming in her eyes. "You bastard¡­" Another punch¡ªbut this time, she screamed it out with her entire soul. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!!" The punch connected. Hard. Super Scott''s head snapped back, and for the first time in this fight¡­ he actually reeled. Pulsar was going all out. No more holding back. No more mercy. She had been waiting for this. The chance to finally unleash her full strength on a version of Scott that deserved it. And for the first time in months, she felt free. She cocked her fist back for another blow¡ª And then¡ª BOOM. A counterpunch. Faster than she could react. Bone shattered. Her left cheekbone caved in. Before she could even process the pain¡ª BOOM. Another punch. Her right cheekbone cracked. Her vision blurred. Blood filled her mouth. Then¡ªan uppercut. Her body launched into the sky as her world turned into a chaotic blur of red, black, and pain. She felt herself lose consciousness midair¡ª And then she crashed. Right into a nearby skyscraper. It crumbled. Warrior King''s heart dropped. "PULSAR!!!" He ripped his spear out of Super Scott as his focus shifted entirely. That was his mistake. Super Scott snatched his wrist. And then he slammed Warrior King into the ground. Again. And again. And again. And again. Each impact deeper than the last. Warrior King''s bones cracked. His vision blacked out. His body felt like it was being ground into the dirt itself. But Super Scott didn''t stop. He ragdolled him like a child punishing a toy. By the time he was done? Warrior King was barely human anymore. Super Scott tossed him away like trash. Then, he dusted off his trench coat. A smirk formed on his lips. "¡­ Well, at least they didn''t touch the fit." He looked down at his immaculate Luis Vuitton ensemble and chuckled. "Damn. Can''t you guys at least respect the drip? I out sauce all of you fuckers, pff¡ªhaha! These are fucking Louis Vuittons you uneducated swines. It''s expensive." With pure nonchalance, he stepped forward, then walked through the ruins of North District. His eyes locked onto the barely conscious Pulsar. And this time¡ªhis expression wasn''t mocking. It was filled with something more. Resentment. And pure, unrestrained hatred. He stopped just before her, gazing down at the small-bodied woman. "¡­ Time to finish this." Super Scott dusted his hands, a mild smile curling his lips, as he crouched down to meet Pulsar''s level. His presence loomed over her, dominating, oppressive. Yet, there was no urgency in his movements. He was calm¡ªalmost leisurely¡ªas he rubbed the golden ring on his finger, his soft stare fixed on her. But this wasn''t the kind of stare a man gave a woman he loved. No, this was different. It was cold, condescending ¡ª like a king inspecting a peasant, as though she was something beneath him, something insignificant. A speck of dust in his eyes. Pulsar coughed up blood, her body trembling as she forced her fist to move¡ªslow, weak, but still defiant. Yet before her knuckles could even reach halfway, a violent tremor of pain ripped through her chest and made her choke on another mouthful of blood. Super Scott watched this with a look of mild disgust as he barely restraining his irritation. With a single finger, he pushed her hand down, the touch light¡ªdismissive. Like she wasn''t even worth the effort of truly restraining. Then, without a word, he pulled out a small handkerchief from his pocket and tossed it onto her battered face. He squeezed his nose in distaste. "Hrmm¡­" He exhaled sharply, his face scrunching up as though he had just smelled something rotten. "You know¡­ I never really liked you. Not in my world, and certainly not in this one." His voice was smooth, casual, but the venom in his words was crystal and clear. "That''s why I made sure to kill you before you could even start your little career as a superpowered celebrity¡­" He let the last word roll off his tongue like an insult. "And yes, celebrity. Because that''s what you are. Nothing more." He leaned in closer as his golden ring gleamed royally under the shattered streetlights. Pulsar''s bloodied lips trembled. Her fists clenched weakly at his words, and she forced out a hoarse whisper. "F-, Fuck¡­ you¡­" She coughed violently as blood dripped from her mouth. "I-, I''m a¡­ hero¡­" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Super Scott''s smug smile only widened at her pathetic attempt to push back. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head like a disappointed teacher watching a failing student. "Oh no, honey¡­ no, you''re not." His voice was heavy with mockery. "And I don''t know how my pathetic, soft-boned counterpart didn''t kill you after what you did to him." Pulsar''s eyes widened. Shock. Disbelief. Her battered body tensed as she stared at him. "Wh-, What¡­?" Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "How did you¡­" Super Scott chuckled, cutting her off. "How did I know?" He gently tapped the side of his head, as if instructing her to think. "The moment I landed in this world, I accessed Scott Prime''s memories. And guess what?" His smile grew sharp. "I saw it all." His fingers drummed against his golden ring as he coolly continued. "I saw how much he fucking hates himself. How he''s been betrayed, lied to, and abandoned by almost everyone in his life. And you?" He chuckled darkly. Very darkly. "Oh, you were one of the worst offenders. You made him believe you loved him¡ªonly to throw him away the moment your precious little ''heroic calling'' became more important." Pulsar flinched. His words stabbed deeper than any physical wound. Because deep down, a part of her knew¡­ he wasn''t lying. Super Scott leaned in even closer, his breath warm against her face. "Let''s be honest, sweetheart¡­ there was no loyalty in you, was there?" His voice was silky smooth, but the malice underneath was suffocating. "You abandoned the one person who would''ve given his everything for you. And for what? Glory? Public admiration?" He let out a cold laugh. "You were never really a hero. You were just a selfish, foolish, self-righteous fraud with as much loyalty as a dog the instant they''re fed by some stranger simply because their owner had nothing to give them¡­ disgusting¡­" Pulsar''s fists trembled as her knuckles turned white. But she had no words¡ªnothing to throw back at him. And that was what made it hurt the most. Super Scott placed a hand on her cheek, his touch unbearably gentle¡ªmocking. He patted her face like she was nothing more than a servant kneeling before him. "You know, I may be a killer, a tyrant, a monster in my world¡­ but at least no one ever disrespected me the way they disrespected Scott Prime." His fingers tapped against her bruised cheek. "And this world? It''s just fortunate for all of us that Scott Prime isn''t as decisive as me. Otherwise, there wouldn''t even be a world left to save. Don''t you think?" Silence. Pulsar just stared at the ground. Super Scott''s smile faltered slightly. He gave her two light pats on the cheek¡ªmore like slaps. "Come on now, I asked you a question." His tone remained playful, but his eyes darkened. "A good girl answers immediately when spoken to¡­ or she gets her skull crushed." His fingers traced her jaw, and then¡ªwithout warning¡ªhis expression shifted. His smile vanished. His eyes turned into a cold abyss. "Now answer me." His voice was deadly calm. "What you did to Scott Prime¡­ was it right?" Pulsar barely had the strength to shake her head. Super Scott chuckled, running his tongue across his teeth before tilting his head. "Tch. Should''ve figured. And yet, even after all that, Scott Prime still didn''t kill you." He let out an exaggerated sigh. "Honestly, people will call me a monster because I kill without hesitation. Because I don''t hesitate to crush the weak under my heel." He leaned in, pressing his finger between her brows. "But you? You''re worse than me." Pulsar''s breath hitched. "You didn''t kill him. You did something worse." His voice was ice. "You broke him. You tortured him. Emotionally, mentally¡­ until there was nothing left. If he wasn''t Scott McQueen, he''d be a dead man by now¡­ killed by his own sad self¡­" His hand moved to her chin, tightening¡ªalmost as if he was about to crush her skull in his grip. His face inched closer. His breath was the only thing she could hear. Then¡ª "Do you know what I felt when I saw his memories?" His voice was low, quiet, almost dangerous. Pulsar''s body trembled. She tried to speak¡ªbut again, no words came out. So she just shook her head. Super Scott smiled. "I felt hatred." His grip tightened. And the world went silent. Super Scott lifted his fist and a powerful surge of gravity started to surround it ¡ª a force so powerful that it could pull the sun to it if he willed it or bend stars as though they were made of plastic. He stared her down ©¤©¤ absolute disgust. "For that¡­ I''ll do one good thing for my counterpart and make sure you''re dead. People like you don''t deserve the love and care of someone whose been abused and handled like a piece of rotting garbage." His fist got even tighter. "All that love¡­ and you traded it for being a shitty celebrity hero that can''t even save your friggin'' world from getting conquered¡­ beyond stupid." Pulsar didn''t argue, she just closed her eyes and bowed her head in silence. She accepted it. "Alright, do it¡­" Chapter 175 - 175: Alternate World Clash! Metro City ¡ª Ground Zero Mega Man descended slowly as his pristine white and gold super suit shimmered under the glorious sun. His heavy boots landed on the cracked pavement with an authority that sent shudders through the ground. The entire city had fallen into eerie silence ¡ª save for the distant sound of cars screeching away, the desperate escape of those who understood the meaning of his arrival. No one wanted to be collateral. No one wanted to die. Scott stood his ground. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His heart hammered in his chest, but fear wasn''t in his blood. "You must be real proud of yourself¡­" Scott scoffed as he boldly raised his fists toward the towering figure before him. "You show up in those tights and people run like hell. That''s your reputation? That''s the legacy you built?" His voice dripped with venom. "Shouldn''t that disgust you?" Mega Man didn''t flinch. His piercing golden eyes bore down on Scott, arms folded over his broad chest. Scott''s face bittered into a deep scowl. "Your power¡­ it''s one of the greatest, most amazing things that''s ever existed. You could change the world in ways many have wanted to for ages¡­ but instead, you do this?" His breath hitched as rage bubbled inside him. His nails dug into his palms, and his entire body trembled. The weight of everything ¡ª the injustice, the arrogance, the sheer waste of power ¡ª pressed down on him like an unbearable force. Even Lady Fortress, who had remained impassive all this time, widened her eyes at the raw emotion spilling from him. She almost forgot. Scott always seemed so clueless, so out of touch, but¡­ anger was a feeling humans knew all too well. It reminded her ¡ª humans had started wars over emotions like this. They had turned on each other, wiped out civilizations, spilled oceans of blood. The very thing that made them unpredictable, irrational, chaotic¡­ was the same thing that gave them strength. Scott wasn''t just angry. He wanted to kill the man before him. Mega Man exhaled through his nose. There was that look of faint amusement and shame that washed over his face. Shame in the fact that someone bearing the name and face of his son would say something so unlike what he''d spent years instilling into Super Scott ¡ª something so foolish. "Hrmm¡­" He tilted his head slightly, as if studying a particularly interesting insect. "Now I''m certain you''re not my Scott. My son would never sound like a delusional fool." His golden eyes darkened. "You actually believe in that foolish ¡ª ''great power, great responsibility'' nonsense, don''t you?" He shook his head, taking two slow steps forward. His muscular arms remained crossed ¡ª like twin cannons waiting to be fired. "That if you can help, you should? That having power obligates you to serve the weak?" His voice grew colder. "That¡­ is fool''s talk." Scott''s face twisted with fury. "That''s nev¡ª" BOOM! A deafening shockwave shattered the air. Lady Fortress barely processed what happened¡ªher mind blanked. One second, Scott was standing right there. The next¡­ A crater had torn through the street, buildings trembled, glass shattered into dust. And Scott¡­ was gone. "What¡­?" Fortress whispered. Her body tensed, paralyzed. Her brain refused to comprehend what her eyes were seeing. She hadn''t even seen Mega Man move. Then she heard it ¡ª metal groaning, bricks collapsing. She turned her head, barely able to bring herself to look. Through the ruined remains of a collapsed building, a battered arm pushed through the debris. Scott crawled out, his Anti-Disaster Suit cracked and failing, his face drenched in blood. "NGAAAAHHH©¤©¤!!" His breathing was ragged. Bones¡ªso many bones¡ªhad been broken. He spat out blood. Then teeth. Then¡ª "AAARRRRGHH!!" He grabbed his head and screamed. His body convulsed, his spine arching unnaturally. His fingers clawed at his skull as nails tore into his own scalp. "MY HEAD¡ª!! MAKE IT STOP! AARRGH¡ª!" His eyes¡ªblood-red. His veins bulged and his body twitched violently. Lady Fortress'' stomach twisted into knots. Mega Man¡­ He just stood there. Unbothered. He slowly raised his fist, inspecting the blood on his knuckles with a carefree expression. "As expected¡­" he murmured. His voice was calm. Almost bored. "Even if I hold back just enough to keep you alive, there really isn''t anyone who can take a hit from me. It''s a simple fact ¡ª one that represents my power¡­ my image." He lowered his condescending stare to Scott, watching him with mild curiosity. The younger man was barely holding on to his sanity, his body rejecting the pain yet forcing him to endure every second of it. Mega Man sighed, shaking his head. "I''ve made it so you can''t die from my blows. But the pain? That''s something you''ll always feel. No matter how much power you think you have, no matter how much you struggle¡­ this is the difference between us." Then, he chuckled. The sound was light, almost friendly. And yet, it sent a chill crawling down Lady Fortress'' spine. Scott barely had the strength to keep his mind together. The pain was like an unending surge of agony, seeping into every fiber of his being. It wasn''t normal pain. It was a violation¡ªlike Mega Man had rewritten the very concept of suffering itself and injected it into his bloodstream. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His body shouldn''t even be functioning after that punch. He knew it. Any other person would be dead ¡ª instantly. But this was worse. This was torture. His body was alive, yet his soul was screaming for escape. ¡ºI just wanted to sleep¡­ but no, I always end up in the worst situations. I can''t stand this anymore. I''m pissed, frustrated, hurt, and angry. All I want is to go home to Emma and Gwen, rest my head on their chests, and finally get some sleep. But instead, I''m stuck dealing with this again and again, forced to suffer for the sake of others. I hate it. I hate myself. I hate the weight of my responsibilities¡­ but no matter how much I despise them, I know I can''t just walk away.¡» He coughed again, his lungs convulsing, vomiting blood and shattered teeth onto the ruined asphalt below. His blurred vision barely registered the thick, iron-like legs standing before him. Mega Man hadn''t moved an inch. Scott forced himself up to one knee, barely able to keep his head from tilting over. Mega Man sighed, shaking his head. "You still don''t get it, do you?" His voice was filled with both amusement and pity. "This power I wield¡­ it''s not some superpower that an average human can utilize in becoming some overnight sensation or a celebrity. It''s divine. A force that will reshape the world itself. And you expect me to be humble? To pretend I''m anything less than a god?" Scott weakly used Mega Man''s tree-trunk legs as leverage, barely able to stand. But before he could rise completely¡ªTHUD! Mega Man''s massive hand seized his face. Effortlessly. His fingers dug into Scott''s skull like a vice. Lifting him up as easily as a man would palm a basketball. Scott let out a muffled scream, his legs kicking in the air. He threw weak punches at Mega Man''s impenetrable chest¡ªbut each impact only sent shockwaves through the ground, tearing the road apart beneath them. It didn''t matter. Mega Man barely blinked. He only tilted his head, watching Scott struggle, his eyes filled with something unsettlingly close to affection. "It''s funny, really¡­" Mega Man muttered, shaking his head. "This world''s version of you¡­ is so pathetic." Scott gasped for air as Mega Man tightened his grip. His nails dug into Mega Man''s arm, but it was like trying to scratch solid titanium. Mega Man''s voice softened¡ªalmost tender now. "I love you, son. Truly, I do. I would do anything to make sure my son becomes the feared and respected conqueror he''s meant to be." He sighed, almost sounding genuinely sad. "But you? You''re just a cheap imitation." Scott''s vision flickered. His body twitched uncontrollably, his nerves on the brink of shutting down entirely. Mega Man sighed again, regretful. "I actually like you, boy. Maybe even more than my real son. But you lack the one thing that matters to me¡ªpower. And it hurts me to the core of my indestructible self." Scott barely processed it before¡ª CRACK!! Mega Man slammed his head into the ground and ruptured the asphalt like glass shattering under an anvil. Scott''s body convulsed in sheer agony. His eyes flashed white¡ªflickering like a dying light bulb. "GAAAAAHHHHH!!" He screamed, but the sound barely left his lips before¡ª Mega Man''s hand clamped around his throat. The pressure was insane. Scott''s airway crushed little by little, making his body thrash violently ¡ª but he was too weak to break free. Mega Man smirked. "Oh, come on. Be a good boy and don''t fight it." His voice was calm, almost¡­ amused. "Every father has had the urge to beat his wife into a pulp and stomp the living hell out of their beer-fetching machine ¡ª oh, sorry¡­" He chuckled coldly. "¡­ I mean, son." Scott couldn''t even react. His mind was drowning in agony. Mega Man sighed. "Frustration, Scott. That''s what it is. There''s no greater frustration than watching your own son refuse to embrace his destiny simply because of the sense of self worth that he''s been brought up with. But it''s fine." His grip tightened. "I''ll settle for breaking you instead." Then¡ª Mega Man smiled. A soft, purely terrifying smile. He leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Scott''s bloodied forehead. "Thank you, boy¡­" He whispered like a woman would tell a man in bed. "For giving me this truly¡­ TRULY glorious opportunity to crush you like an insect." Then¡ª He pulled back, lifted his fist, and¡ª TOOOOOOOM!!!! A tremor shook the entire street. Lady Fortress STRUCK. Her punch tore through the air, the force so immense that cars and trucks were blown away from the sheer shockwave. Mega Man''s body was blasted backward¡ªten meters across the battlefield. He actually stumbled. For the first time. But even as he skidded back, Mega Man barely flinched. His balance returned instantly. With a simple shake of his head, he numbed the pain, licking the blood from his lip. Then, he grinned. His bleeding teeth bared in a sharp, predatory smile. Across from him stood Lady Fortress. Fists clenched. Shoulders trembling. Tears in her eyes. Yet she stood her ground as her blue eyes burned with pure resolve. "Get away from him¡­" she whispered. Her voice cracked, but her fists remained steady. "¡­ You monster." She sniffled. But she didn''t back down. No matter how impossible this was¡ª No matter how much she knew she was no match for him¡ª She would not let Scott die. Because she was a hero. And no matter what¡ª She would do her duty. As a hero who defended the weak. And also a woman who loved the man that had been reduced to a breathing mass of flesh. Lady Fortress gritted her teeth as her entire body tightened like a drawn bowstring. Her feet drove deep into the earth, shattering asphalt and concrete, anchoring her as raw energy surged through her limbs. ¡ºI''m not fighting for the people this time¡­ just him¡­¡» The air trembled around her as she tensed every muscle as her body contracted like a steel coil ready to explode. And then¡ª BOOM! She shot forward like a meteor, her speed warping the very air around her, turning the cityscape into a blur. Buildings groaned, windows shattered, and the entire city vibrated from the sheer force of her acceleration. The ground beneath her launch site cratered inward, unable to withstand the might she had unleashed. A living missile, locked onto one target¡ªMega Man. Scott barely managed to lift his head as his vision swam in pain and blood. His battered lungs heaved, and he weakly raised a trembling hand, desperate to call out¡ªSTOP! But no words came. Only blood. Only agony. His body screamed in protest as he coughed as his chest burned like it was caving in on itself. Through his blurred vision, he saw Mega Man. Smiling. That wicked, knowing grin stretched across his face like he was witnessing some kind of joke only he understood. And in that instant, Scott felt it¡ªa terror that sank into his bones. And then¡ªeverything stopped. Silence. Not just any silence¡ªan unnatural one. The world around him froze. The floating debris, the dust caught mid-air, the vibrations that had shaken the city¡ªall came to an absolute halt. Even the planet itself had stopped rotating. Time had ceased. Yet¡­ Scott could still move. He didn''t understand it. His battered body still felt the crushing weight of pain, but somehow, he could perceive everything, even as the universe around him was locked in complete stillness. ¡ºWhy¡­?¡» His gaze flicked back to Lady Fortress. Suspended mid-air, her body was frozen in time, her fist only inches away from Mega Man''s chest, still brimming with cosmic energy. But she was completely still. Like a lifeless statue, locked in a moment that would never reach completion. And Mega Man? Mega Man simply stood there, hands casually tucked behind his back as he walked in slow, deliberate strides around her frozen form. His expression was one of pure disappointment. He sighed. "Tch. I don''t get what''s wrong with these aliens and their brains." His voice cut through the frozen air like a blade. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "You know¡­ I''d almost think of myself as a misogynist. Never cared much for women, never thought much of their place in the world. They belong in the kitchen, in the house¡ª cleaning, cooking, serving." He stopped, tilting his head as if considering his next words. "¡­ Even alien women." And then he laughed. A cold, empty laugh. Scott''s eyes widened in horror. His body screamed at him to move, to do something, anything, but his limbs refused. He gritted his teeth, a growl forming in his throat. "Bastard¡­" But Mega Man paid him no mind. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Lady Fortress. He scoffed. "You think high-speed flight, a little energy in your fist, will do anything to me?" He clicked his tongue. "I can create planets. Suns. Entire star systems, galaxies, nebulas¡ª" He slowly lifted a single hand, curling his fingers. "¡ªin the palm of my hand." His expression darkened. "And you thought a punch was going to stop me?" Before Scott could even process what happened¡ª Mega Man struck. His hand pierced straight through Lady Fortress'' chest. A wet, sickening squelch filled the void of frozen time as his fingers closed around her heart. Scott''s breath caught. ¡ºNo¡­ no, no, no.¡» A sharp exhale left Mega Man''s lips as he slowly withdrew his hand. Dripping with blood and still faintly pulsing in his grip ¡ª Lady Fortress'' heart. A gaping hole lay in her chest, cosmic energy flickering and dying as if her very soul had been snuffed out. Mega Man looked at the heart in his palm, then back at her lifeless body. He chuckled. "Wonderful." Scott''s mind went blank. ¡ºThis¡­ this isn''t real. This can''t be real.¡» But it was. Chapter 176 - 176: Chain-Like Emotions Metro City ¨C South District Scott''s body was frozen. Not by time, not by some external force ©¤©¤ no, by pure, incomprehensible shock. His brain refused to process the image before him. Lady Fortress'' body was limp ¡ª now, she was just a lifeless shell with a bloody gaping hole in her chest. Her blood pooled beneath her and soaked the cracked pavement as it spread in tendrils. The way she fell ¡ª it wasn''t like a wounded warrior struggling for breath. No, it was final. Unmoving. Dead. Scott couldn''t breathe. He barely registered the voice speaking. Mega Man chuckled, shaking his head. "You know¡­ I didn''t even have business with the cute, young lady." His tone was casual, light, like he was discussing some boring game from the other night. "My only ¡ª and I repeat ¡ª ONLY concern was with you¡­ the disappointment bearing my son''s name and face. But she thought it''d be a good idea to get in my way." His lips curled into an amused smirk. "That''s not very smart of her, is it?" The man couldn''t stop smiling. "You know, women aren''t exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. They do something stupid, and when you call them out on it, they somehow make you feel like the idiot. My boy wasn''t the type to put up with that nonsense ¡ª when Martha tried pulling that on him, oh man, you should''ve seen it." He looked so thrilled talking about it¡ªin fact, there was a clear excitement in his eyes, almost like he was turned on just by looking at or even thinking about the half-dead corpse of his wife, Martha McQueen. "The way he drove that spear right through her empty skull¡­ absolutely satisfying. The way he killed his own mother, the way he sees women as nothing more than tools for pleasure and vessels to carry his bloodline¡ªit all just proves to me that he''s truly my son. And as his father, I couldn''t be prouder." Scott barely heard him. His ears were ringing. His heart pounded so loudly it was all he could hear. The rubble around him pressed against his broken body, but none of it hurt as much as the sight of Fortress lying there. Mega Man sighed and crouched beside her. His bloodied hand reached out, pressing against her face. Then, slowly, deliberately, he wiped the thick, dripping blood from his fingers onto her skin, her super suit¡ªher lifeless body, as if she were nothing more than a filthy, torn rag to clean himself with. Scott''s breath hitched. "She''s such a mess¡­" Mega Man mused, dragging his fingers down her cheek to smear the blood across her lifeless eyes. "Ah, but I simply can''t wait for time to resume¡­ that version of my son¡ª" He glanced at Scott, smiling. "¡ªis sure to have such a lovely reaction. He''s such an emotion-driven fool, don''t you think?" Scott''s fingers twitched. His nails dug into the dirt beneath him. Mega Man chuckled again. "He wasn''t raised with the focus and dedication to surpass everything. No, you were shackled by emotions, by bonds, by all those disgusting little chemicals in your brain that trick you into loving a woman." He scoffed, then wiped the last of the blood off on Fortress'' body. Then, satisfied, he stood up, clasping his hands behind his back like a teacher who had just finished a lesson. Scott''s teeth gritted. His bones were broken. His body was shattered. Every nerve in him screamed to stay down. But he couldn''t. He wouldn''t! With a slow, agonizing effort, he shifted. The rubble that buried him rolled away as he forced himself up. His legs barely held him, trembling like glass about to shatter. Every inch of him was screaming in agony, his lungs burning, his ribs fractured beyond recognition. But none of it mattered. "¡­ You," Scott rasped with a dead voice. Mega Man raised an eyebrow and just watched as Scott forced himself upright. His expression quivered with brief surprise before he masked it with his usual calm smile. "Wow¡­" He mused, tilting his head. "You can move in stopped time?" He let out a short, impressed laugh. "That''s absolutely ravishing. Even the stars, the planets, all things beyond a god''s authority stop when I command time to halt. And yet¡­" He gestured toward Scott. "You, with broken limbs, a broken body, a broken soul¡­ still manage to stand." Mega Man clapped once. A sharp, deafening boom spread through the air. "¡­ Truly, I''m amazed. Perhaps¡­ even excited." His lips twisted into something darker. "Even my unruly son couldn''t break out of my hold. And yet you, in all your averageness, somehow manage." Scott ignored him. His right arm trembled as he reached to his side. The blue technophage surged and coated his arm with the Anti-Disaster Suit in an instant. The System immediately relayed data to him: [?? WARNING: The blue technophage is undergoing recovery. Due to the attacks sustained from Mega Man, 60% of defense mechanisms are down, 40% of attack power has been lowered, and 30% of speed modulators and agility control interfaces have been lost.] Scott''s stomach sank. "¡­ Tch." His breath came out ragged. Two attacks. That''s all it had taken. Just two. And he was already in worse condition than after his fight with Red. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡ºThis is crazy¡­ I can''t beat this guy. I''ll die.¡» His vision blurred. His body begged him to collapse. Mega Man sighed, watching him struggle. "Are you still planning to fight or¡ª" He never got to finish the sentence. In an instant, Scott moved. A blitz. A spear tackle that shook all of Metro City. Scott''s shoulder slammed into Mega Man''s stomach with the force of a meteor, sending a sickening crack through his own body as his fractured bones shattered even further. But he didn''t stop. With a roar, he drove Mega Man forward as their bodies crashed through buildings like tissue paper. Concrete, steel, glass¡ªnone of it mattered. BOOM! BOOOOM!! BOOOOOOM!!! Buildings collapsed in their wake, reduced to rubble. Cars were sent flying like toys, streetlights twisted and snapped like twigs. Scott''s throat burned as he screamed¡ª "YOU BASTARD! I''LL KILL YOU!!" His speed surged ¡ª his rage fueling his movement ¡ª until he spotted a gas station ahead. Without hesitation, he forced Mega Man into a beeline straight for it. And then¡ª BOOOOOOOOOOM!!! The explosion ripped through the entire South District. A towering inferno erupted and consumed everything in a massive, earth-shaking detonation. Buildings were obliterated. Windows from miles away shattered. The very sky was momentarily blotted out by the sheer scale of the explosion. But the people? The only saving grace was the common sense of Metro City''s citizens. The moment Mega Man arrived, everyone had already run for their lives. The city stood in flames. The streets were reduced to ruin. And in the center of it all, amidst the raging fire and crumbling destruction¡ª Scott stood, panting. His body screamed. His vision swam. His very soul felt like it was on the brink of collapse. But his rage? Still felt like a thousand spartan soldiers. Scott planted his foot firmly on a broken slab of concrete, his breath ragged as his chest heaved like a machine running on its last drops of fuel. Blood dripped from his nostrils, mingling with the ash and smoke that clouded the burning ruins around him. His half-scorched face was red and bleeding, but he barely noticed it. "Huff¡­ Huff¡­" His eyes were fixed on the pile of rubble and twisted steel where Mega Man should have been buried. His fingers curled into trembling fists and his entire body screamed at him to just stop. But he wouldn''t. Not after what Mega Man had done. His voice was raw, cracked. "Son of a bitch¡­ You really thought you''d just walk away from this? After killing Fortress?" His lips twisted into something between a smirk and a grimace as he panted. "I hope you''re having fun now¡­ this is what you wanted, right?! RIGHT©¤©¤?!" The flames didn''t answer. They just burned, flickering wildly as they reflected the fury in Scott''s bloodshot eyes. His armor was barely even armor anymore¡ªjagged, broken pieces hung off him, exposing bruised and bloodied skin. His so-called "indestructible" cape was now nothing more than a collection of tattered scraps barely clinging to his shoulders. His whole body ached, his ribs felt shattered, his lungs burned with every breath. But it didn''t matter. Not as long as he could still stand. Then, without warning¡ª THWACK! A massive, charred hand shot out of the fire and grabbed Scott''s head like a doll. Pain exploded through his skull as the grip tightened. His bones creaked, cracks forming along his forehead. Scott barely had time to scream before a voice, cold and heavy with amusement, rumbled through the chaos. "Did you really think a little firework show would kill me?" Mega Man stepped out of the flames, completely unharmed as his cold gaze locked onto Scott''s mangled body. His voice was smooth, condescending ¡ª like a teacher scolding a particularly slow student. "How funny¡­ I thought maybe this version of you would have a brain, since you clearly don''t have the power to back up that arrogance. But¡­" He lifted Scott higher, letting him dangle for a moment. "¡­ YOU''RE JUST AS DUMB AS YOU ARE WEAK!!" Then¡ªBOOM! Mega Man slammed his fist straight into Scott''s face. Scott''s vision blurred. His ears rang. His body rocketed through the city like a bullet and crashed through buildings, shattering glass, leaving behind a trail of dust and blood. Before he could even land, another punch came. CRACK! Scott''s skull fractured further. His head snapped back violently. His body spun uncontrollably through the air. Then¡ª BANG! Mega Man appeared beside him in an instant, driving another fist into Scott''s ribs. Something inside him crunched. Scott coughed up blood, his body twisting midair. Then another punch. And another. And another. Shockwaves tore through the sky. Buildings trembled. The earth itself seemed to groan under the sheer force of the onslaught. Scott couldn''t even scream anymore. His lips moved, but all that came out was blood. His teeth were shattered. His face was barely recognizable¡ªswollen, broken, his left cheek completely split open, exposing the glistening white of his jawbone. Mega Man''s voice cut through the storm of destruction. "You really don''t get it, do you?" A heavy fist slammed into Scott''s gut. "You''re not some kind of main character." Another punch, even harder. "You''re not special." A brutal backhand sent Scott spiraling downward. "You''re a worthless, powerless fool!" Mega Man shot downward, slamming both fists into Scott''s stomach with enough force to cause a shockwave that blasted apart everything within a mile radius. Scott''s eyes bulged and his throat spasmed as more blood burst from his mouth. He was sent flying, crashing through a massive high-rise, then another, then another. Each impact shattered more bones, tore through more flesh, reduced him to a barely conscious wreck. Then, as if fate itself had decided to mock him, his entire body stopped ¡ª impaled halfway through a building. Massive steel rods had torn through his chest, stomach, and joints, skewering him in place like some grotesque, lifeless decoration. His limbs hung limp. Blood poured freely from his wounds, pooling beneath him like a crimson rain. He was done. Or at least, he should''ve been. Instead, Scott forced his mouth open, his voice barely a whisper. "¡­ Uooohhh¡­ that¡­ hurt¡­" It wasn''t even a joke. Just a miserable, pathetic observation. Mega Man landed in front of him, then cracked his knuckles as he looked more irritated than amused now. "God, just looking at you pisses me off." He flexed his fingers, eyes full of cruel anticipation. "And the fact that my son ¡ª a version of you ¡ª is supposed to be the ''just another'' Scott? It''s disgusting. There''s nothing special about you. You''re weak. Worthless. Why would the universe choose you to be its prime timeline Mael?! It just pisses me off! I''ll keep breaking you, over and over again, until your pathetic human brain finally understands that reality doesn''t give a shit about you." He pulled his fist back. It shimmered with cosmic energy. This was it. The finishing blow. Scott barely had the strength to move, let alone dodge. He could only watch, wide-eyed, as Mega Man''s fist came barreling towards him¡ª ¡ªUntil a searing blast of plasma energy struck Mega Man from the side, sending him crashing through a nearby building. Scott barely managed to turn his head as his blurred vision settled on the silhouette of a man standing atop a pile of rubble. A high-tech suit of silver-white and dark armor gleamed in the firelight, slightly bulky, radiating raw power. A bright green core pulsed at the center of his chest plate. It was Isaac Volkner ¡ª Xenon. Scott let out a weak, painful chuckle as his lips twitched into a half-smile. "¡­''bout time¡­" Mega Man burst from the ruined building as flames licked at the edges of the crumbling walls behind him. He stabilized himself midair as he surveyed the battlefield below. And then, there he was. Xenon. Mega Man''s lips curled into a smirk as he wiped away the thin trail of blood running down the side of his head. "Well, I''ll be damned¡­" He sounded so amused¡­ so excited. "The useless son of the Volkners finally grew a pair." He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "It''s quite amazing¡­ I never thought you''d actually have the guts to face me, Isaac." His gaze scanned Xenon''s armor from top to bottom. Next, he scoffed. "And somehow¡­ ohohoho, somehow you managed to build something this advanced? I gotta admit, you really outdid himself this time, boy." He rolled his shoulder as the aches of battle settled in. "Tch. A shame he''s dead." Then, with a slow exhale, his smirk widened. "But still¡­" He looked down at the blood on his fingertips before flicking it away. "Even with all that effort, both from Isaac and your dear, departed parents¡­ I can''t understand how this is the best you could come up with?" He gestured lazily toward Xenon''s suit, unimpressed. "What, all that genius, all that drive, and you''re just wearing a suit that spits out slightly hotter flames?" He chuckled as his expression darkened. "Disgraceful." Lowering himself to the ground, his boots landed with a heavy thud. Xenon stood still as his breathing steadied and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Through his HUD, he locked eyes with Mega Man before his gaze shifted to the battered figure hanging in the distance ¡ª Scott. A slow exhale left Xenon''s lips. "As much as I know you''re not him, Scott¡­ I can''t lie. It feels damn good to watch someone with that face get pummeled into the dirt." His voice was calm, but beneath it, there was what felt like unresolved emotions laying there. "The fact that you''re still breathing right now is a miracle." He paused, then added in a quieter tone. "You''re just lucky Emma managed to convince me. If not, I don''t think I''d have helped you¡­" His fingers twitched slightly as his mind drifted to her. "Somehow¡­ she knew. Just from looking into your eyes, she could tell you weren''t the same Scott." His fists clenched tighter. "And yet¡­" A dry, bitter chuckle escaped him. "You know, I spent all this time trying to take care of her. Making sure she was happy. Showing her love in every way possible, hoping maybe¡ªmaybe¡ªshe''d love me back." His voice grew distant, as if he were speaking more to himself now than anyone else. "But that was always unlikely, wasn''t it?" He lowered his head slightly, a shadow crossing his face. "And yet somehow, somehow, she looks into your eyes¡ªthe eyes of the man who tore her spine out¡ªand says she felt loved." His jaw tightened. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "I always knew¡­ I always knew I''d never have Emma for myself." His voice softened, carrying what dwindled between regret and resignation. "But it still hurts¡­ that I never once looked at her in a way that made her feel loved." His grip loosened as his shoulders dropped slightly. "And yet you, Scott¡­ somehow, you managed to say everything I wanted to say, make her feel everything I wanted her to feel¡­ without even speaking." A heavy sigh left his lips. Scott stirred, his beaten body barely able to move. He wanted to say something. Anything. But nothing came out. ¡ºI wonder if¡­ that''s how Isaac from my world feels¡­ I know this isn''t my world¡­ their feelings and conditions shouldn''t matter to me, but at the same time I can''t help but just feel that way, you know? It''s weird¡­¡» Then¡ª A loud, exaggerated yawn shattered the tension. Mega Man stretched his arms above his head and gently rolled his neck. "Goddamn, are we seriously doing this?" His voice dripped with irritation. "Can we skip the whole love drama part? ''Cause I swear, my entire being is aching to beat the ever-loving shit out of the both of you." His smirk returned, but this time, it was far more menacing. "So¡­ how about we get to the fun part already?" Xenon slowly lifted his head. He locked eyes with Mega Man. The regret, the sorrow¡ªit didn''t matter anymore. All that mattered now¡­ was finishing this. Chapter 177 - 177: Code: Adamus I Xenon spread his arms wide, and the back of his armor split open with a sharp, mechanical hiss. Six winglet-like structures extended outward, glowing with a neon-green energy as his jet thrusters ignited. SKRRRTT©¤©¤VROOOOOOM!! A pulse of power surged through his boots, and in the blink of an eye, he rocketed forward¡ªaiming straight for Mega Man. BOOM! His first punch slammed into Mega Man''s face with enough force to split the air itself. But Mega Man didn''t even flinch. "Hrmm¡­ nice hit, boy¡­" His head barely moved. Xenon''s eyes widened for a split second, but he had no plans on stopping. He threw another punch, then another, and another ¡ª each strike detonating like a warhead against Mega Man''s unyielding form. The air trembled with shockwaves. His reinforced gauntlets cracked with each blow. Sparks flew, energy exploded outward, but¡ª Nothing. Mega Man stood there, unimpressed, as if he was being pelted with pebbles. "FALL ALREADY!!" Xenon roared and his voice shook the air as he unleashed a furious hurricane of punches. His speed became a blur as his fists moved so fast that it looked like dozens of arms were striking at once. The sheer force of his assault generated a howling storm that tore apart the city. BOOM! BOOOOM!! BOOOOOOM!!! Buildings buckled, windows shattered, cars were flung like toys across the tattered streets. It was destruction on an unimaginable scale¡ª Yet Mega Man still didn''t budge. With a sigh, Mega Man moved. One punch. Just one. CRACK! Xenon''s helmet shattered like fragile glass to expose Isaac''s shocked face beneath. His pupils shrank, his breath caught in his throat. "No¡­ you¡ª" "Yes, I did." Mega Man smirked. Then he struck again ©¤©¤ BOOM! A single punch ripped open Xenon''s chest plate like it was made of tin foil. His glowing green core flickered, cracked down the middle. A jagged line of failure. Mega Man let out another sigh, shaking his head. "Is this a joke? You think you can just show up, say some dramatic bullshit, and walk away like some kind of hero?" His voice was everything that was mockery. "How adorable." Before Xenon could react, Mega Man''s fingers clamped around his throat. He lifted him effortlessly, like he weighed nothing at all. Xenon kicked, clawed at Mega Man''s grip, his gauntlets sparking as he tried to pry himself free. But it was pointless. Mega Man''s grip was pure iron. His strength was absolute. Still impaled on steel rods, Scott watched in horror. His tired eyes widened as his mind screamed in denial. ¡ºNo. No, this isn''t right. This fight shouldn''t be this easy. This Xenon might not be as strong as the one from my Earth, but he shouldn''t be this weak!¡» His mind screamed in frustration. ¡ºWhere''s his nano-tech evolution? Where are his energy absorption systems? His plasma distribution circuits? His kinetic force conversion modules? The amount of power he''s displaying isn''t even on the same level as a B-tier hero! It just doesn''t make any sense¡ªdamn it!¡» And then it hit him ¡ª this version of Isaac was different. This version of himself was different. A world where Scott had never met Gwen Mercer. A world where Scott never went to their school. A world where he had powers, so he never had to rely on technology or strategy to survive. A world where Isaac Volkner never evolved. A chain reaction of missed connections. A butterfly effect that left Xenon as nothing but a watered-down version of the hero he could''ve been. But this was something only the universe and those who could see its secrets knew. It wasn''t something that the common man could ever perceive¡ªnot in a million years! Scott''s breathing turned ragged. His fists trembled in frustration as he lay impaled. "XENON! GET OUT OF THERE!" he screamed. But there was no time. Mega Man''s hands moved in a blur¡ª CLAP! His palms slammed against Xenon''s head like a vice. SQUELCH! Blood burst from Xenon''s eyes, nose, and ears as his skull caved inward slightly. A violent convulsion racked his body and his limbs twitched as his consciousness faded into white noise. His suit''s systems failed instantly. His body plummeted. He hit the ground hard, his limbs splaying lifelessly. Blood foamed from his mouth, his eyes blank and distant. Mega Man loomed over him, arms crossed, gazing down with utter disdain. "Tch. I should''ve ripped that spoiled brat''s heart out too and buried him with Fortress¡­" He muttered, then threw his head back and let out a deep, cruel laugh. Scott just stared. His breath was heavy, his body frozen in place. It wasn''t shock ¡ª it was something beyond that. It was raw. It was dangerous. His face didn''t move, didn''t twitch, didn''t change. It was as if he had mentally disconnected from reality for a moment. The only thing holding him together ¡ª holding back the unholy amount of rage burning inside him ¡ª was one thin, fragile thread. A thread stretched to its absolute limit. A thread made of pure, unrelenting sanity¡­ and fear. But¡­ he had to cut that thread. His jaw clenched. Blood dripped from his lips. His fingers folded into trembling fists. Then¡ª CRACK! The sickening sound of bones shifting and muscles tearing was all that could be heard as Scott moved. Steel rods scraped against his flesh, carving through muscle, shattering against bone. His body screamed in agony. He didn''t care. He kept pulling himself out. More cracks. More wet, sickening noises. Blood poured from his open wounds like a broken faucet. His ribs shifted unnaturally as his damaged lungs sucked in ragged, painful breaths. He didn''t care. All that mattered was getting up. His vision was red. His world was fire. His mind was a swirling void of hate. ¡ºI hate myself¡­ I hate this shit¡­ I hate it all¡­¡» His feet finally touched the ground. His knees nearly buckled. His entire body was trembling violently. But he stood. Mega Man turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. Scott glared at him with bloodshot, unhinged eyes. His face was a mess of wounds and swelling, blood still leaking from every cut, but his expression was something beyond pain. It was the look of a man who had nothing left to lose. And then¡ª Scott screamed. "YOU BASTARD!!!" His roar was animalistic¡­ nothing but pure wrath. It wasn''t just a battle cry¡ªit was a declaration. A declaration that this wasn''t over. That Mega Man was going to pay. Scott''s roar shook the air like a primordial beast awakening from its slumber. His body¡ªtorn, broken, and impaled by countless steel rods¡ªtrembled violently before exploding from the building like a cannonball fired from the heavens. The sheer force of his takeoff shattered every window in a ten-block radius, the entire structure detonating behind him in a cataclysmic blast. Shockwaves rippled through the city as a hurricane of dust and debris followed in his wake. Like a comet of fury, he made a beeline straight for Mega Man. The tyrant barely had time to react before Scott closed the distance as his speed warped the very air itself. Mega Man smirked, planting his feet midair as he threw his arms open in mock invitation. "Come on! Give me your best shot! You''re a weakling, you can''t do anyth¡ª!" BOOM! Mega Man didn''t see it. He didn''t sense it. He just felt it. A fist buried itself deep into his skull, deeper than anything ever had before. For the first time in his existence, he felt pain that wasn''t just a fleeting inconvenience. His body detonated backward, spiraling through the air like a lifeless doll. He blasted through one skyscraper. Then another. And another. Each impact left massive craters in concrete and steel until he finally slammed into a fourth building with such force that it collapsed in on itself, burying him under tons of rubble. Silence. Then, the rubble trembled. With a guttural growl, Mega Man clawed his way out of the debris, staggering to his feet. His body screamed in protest as his head throbbed with a dull, foreign sensation. He reached up, touching his jaw¡ªswollen. Aching. Bleeding. His fingers trembled. "No¡­ This doesn''t make sense¡­" He muttered. His voice was hoarse, shaken. "Why¡­ why does it hurt so much?" He stared at his bloodstained hand as his mind trembled. "I''m¡­ I''m beyond damage. I can take anything. This¡­ this is impossible." His expression darkened. "Did I¡­?" He swallowed hard, piecing together the truth. "When I made that bastard durable enough to survive my attacks so the pain would last longer¡­ did I somehow give him strength equal to mine?!" No. That shouldn''t be possible. His power was absolute ¡ª rooted in belief. As long as he knew¡ªbelieved¡ªthat he was the strongest, it would remain so. He needed to fix this. Fast. His stance firmed as his golden aura surged. "To be safe¡­ I''ll just have to remove the durability lock I placed on him." His lips curled into a sneer. "It''ll kill him instantly. A shame¡ªI would''ve enjoyed breaking him slowly¡ªbut a McQueen must know when to drop their ego and con¡ª" BOOM! Another punch¡ªfaster than light itself. He didn''t see it. He didn''t sense it. He just felt his skull explode with agony as he was launched once more, this time into a parked SUV. The vehicle crumpled like paper as his body embedded into the asphalt beneath. Blood dripped from his forehead. His ears rang. His bones screamed. He gasped. "I already¡­" His breath hitched. His limbs trembled. "I already removed the durability lock¡­" Then why was Scott still standing? Mega Man lifted his head¡ªand froze. Scott was walking toward him. Slow. Methodical. His expression was empty. Lifeless. But it wasn''t the face of a mindless brute. No. It was worse. It was the face of inevitability. But none of that was what truly terrified Mega Man. It was the fact that Scott was healing. The wounds¡ªthe bruises, the torn flesh, the broken bones¡ªall of it was repairing. Faster than thought. Faster than logic. Faster than him. And then¡ª It happened. A golden radiance erupted around Scott, intertwining with a deep blue mist, coiling around him like divine silk. Tiny, shimmering stars swirled within the light¡ªlike the birth of a new universe. And then, the light broke. When the glow faded, Scott stood reborn. His physique had sharpened¡ªleaner, stronger, sculpted with the grace of a god. His skin gleamed with an ethereal glow. His black hair had turned a pale silver, cascading slightly past his shoulders. Scott McQueen was gone. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mael had arrived. Mega Man''s mind buckled. ¡ºNo. This energy. This is¡ªthis is¡ª¡» He clenched his skull as a flood of ancient understanding buried itself into his consciousness. Code: Adamus! The Origin. The force that had always denied him. The unseen barrier that told him, no matter how strong he became, there were things beyond his grasp. Beyond his dominion. The power of creation itself. Scott stopped a few meters from him as his expression unreadable. The rage in his eyes had vanished. What replaced it was satisfaction. "Code: Adamus¡­" Scott murmured. "What is that?" Mega Man laughed. A sharp, cruel laugh that echoed into the burning sky. "You have access to the DNA that holds together the entire multiverse¡­ and you still don''t know what it is?" He grinned, blood-streaked teeth bared. "Pathetic. Absolutely pa¡ª" A hand gripped his jaw. In the time it took Mega Man to blink, Scott was already in front of him¡ªlifting him effortlessly off the ground. Scott''s voice was quiet. Calm. "You should be wise enough not to laugh at me." Mega Man gritted his teeth, rage flaring as he swung a punch¡ªonly for Scott to catch it. And with the simplest twist, he shattered his wrist. Pain surged up Mega Man''s arm, but he refused to cry out. Scott''s voice was colder now. "Now¡­" He tightened his grip. "Talk." Mega Man chuckled darkly as his wrist began to mend and his body pulsated with heat. "Don''t be so arrogant." He clenched his fist, flames hotter than the core of a dying star surging to life. The very presence of his power alone scorched the planet. Cities erupted into spontaneous combustion. Buildings, people, entire landscapes were set ablaze. And then¡ªhe struck. His flaming fist slammed straight into Scott''s face. A strike so powerful that it shifted Earth''s orbit. Unfortunately for Mega Man¡­ it didn''t move Scott. Across the endless reaches of the multiverse, there was a Mael ¡ª the ultimate savior soldier born from the primordial genes of Kamik of House Solis ¡ª who was to be the Dravek on Earth that would protect it. To maintain order. To be the image of hope. To be the strength that inspired hope, and the hope that inspired strength. A god amongst men, yet an amongst gods. Mael Solis was born. He locked eyes with Mega Man, his grip tightening around his face, slowly crushing his skull. Mega Man felt the urge to scream¡ªto give in to the pain¡ªbut he refused. He had already dismissed this guy as a weakling, and there was no way he was going to show weakness now. Scott didn''t show any emotions to Mega Man''s struggle. "Tell me¡­ what is Code: Adamus¡­" For the first time there was a similarity between Scott Prime and Super Scott. Both beings of immense power who wouldn''t hesitate to¡ª "¡­ or I''ll kill you¡­" Chapter 178 - 178: Code: Adamus II The Birth of Mael Scott''s grip on Mega Man''s jaw was ironclad as his fingers sunk into the villain''s flesh like a juicer. Mega Man dangled off the ground, his feet barely twitching as he realized that, for the first time, he wasn''t the one in control. Yet, even now, he refused to speak. His pride, his arrogance¡ªhis very nature¡ªwouldn''t allow it. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott narrowed his eyes. "If you''re going to keep your mouth shut¡­" His free hand tightened into a fist, his knuckles cracking as sheer force vibrated through them. "¡­ Then I''ll make sure you stay silent forever." With a sharp breath, Scott pulled back his fist, ready to drive it straight through Mega Man''s skull. But¡ª DING! The translucent interface of the System materialized right in front of his face, its text blinking rapidly. [Information on "Code: Adamus" is loading¡­] Scott froze, his fist still hovering mid-air, just inches from Mega Man''s face. His heartbeat quickened. "What¡­?" Scott muttered. The System''s voice rang in his mind very calmly. [Code: Adamus is an immensely powerful force embedded within the primordial DNA of the universe. It is the source of countless phenomena, from laws and concepts to cause and effect. It is the reason you have survived battles where death was certain. Even now¡­] Scott''s eyes widened slightly, but his grip on Mega Man never loosened. "Wait. You''re saying that¡­ the reason I''ve survived all this time¡­ is because of this Code: Adamus?" The System''s response was immediate. [Affirmative. To clarify, initiating playback of crucial moments where Code: Adamus prevented your death.] Then, in his mind''s eye, the first clip began to play. The first playback attempted to show something before his birth, but¡ª [?? ERROR. File cannot be accessed.] Scott furrowed his brows. "Before I was born? What the hell does that mean¡­?" The clip immediately skipped forward. ¡ªThe first stream. The plasma cannon shot. He''d been blown out of a building, the impact should''ve crushed his ribs, shattered his spine, left him gasping for life. Any normal human would''ve died. In fact, even a superhuman wouldn''t have walked away so easily. And yet ¡ª Scott had slapped on some pain patches, taken a short rest, and gone right back to business. (1) Scott''s brows furrowed. "That¡­ yeah, that was weird, but¡ª" The next clip played. ¡ªThe warehouse explosion. The entire place had gone up in flames, an inferno so intense that even reinforced drones were turned to ash. No one survived. No one except him. He remembered walking home that night, bruised, bleeding, but alive. And what was more, he was still able to have a discussion with Gwen even in that state! (2) Scott''s heartbeat quickened. "¡­ Shit." Another clip rolled in. ¡ªThe Blue Garden Hotel. The red toxic gas from the FGIC (Force-Gene Inhibitor Gas) device used by Grave. Stronger men, tougher men, had succumbed to it. Even superheroes who had their genes neutralized were also getting poisoned by it. Some suffered organ failure. Some never woke up again. And Scott? He managed to fight his way through waves of enemies, chased down Grave, and didn''t even pop a single pill to fix himself afterward. (3) Scott felt a chill creep up his spine. More clips. More impossible survivals. ¡ªThe blue technophage. A parasitic nightmare that turned humans into husks, sucking them dry until they became mindless monsters. The entire human race was vulnerable to it¡ªexcept him. Red was a walking evidence of that horror. And yet, Scott? He had absorbed it, controlled it. It became a part of him. (4) ¡ªEzel. Her people, one of the most advanced warrior races in the universe, could not find a single mate compatible enough to bond with her. Not a single one of her own kind. Yet, somehow, Scott was a perfect match. (5) Every moment, every impossible survival, every freak occurrence¡ªit was all connected. Scott''s fingers twitched slightly. The final truth dropped. [Code: Adamus is the concept of survival. Absolute adaptability. Transmogrification. Evolution!] Scott felt his pulse hammering in his ears. [Each time you were out in a life-or-death situation, you survived because Code: Adamus ensured it.] The realization hit him like a freight train. He hadn''t just been lucky. He hadn''t just been tough. He was built different. Literally. His body, his being¡ªit wasn''t just human. It was something more. And more¡­ was Mael. Scott stood frozen, his breath steady but his mind boiling. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Mega Man. His grip tightened, but not out of frustration. Out of sheer, unshakable understanding. "¡­ Well, damn." He finally muttered ¡ª and with just enough smugness. "Guess I really am hard to kill." The truth had been in front of him all along. He just never thought to question it. But now? Now, he was ready to embrace it. "You know, there''s this voice in my head that tells me what to do and the best way to do it¡ªand no, I''m not crazy. It''s kind of like my own superpower. "A few days ago, it said something that I thought was the first real compliment it ever gave me. But now I realize¡­ it wasn''t a compliment at all. "The System has always been telling me exactly what I am: ''The host possesses an incredibly adaptive existence, capable of surviving and overcoming any situation, no matter how impossible it may seem.'' Amazing¡­ right?" (6) There was so much pride on his face ¡ª because he wasn''t just some ordinary person fighting in a world full of heroes. Sure, struggles were what made a hero, but there were just some things he couldn''t do without the right advantages. "And now¡­ I might just have it¡­" ??? Mega Man gritted his teeth as he felt Scott''s hand gripping his jaw¡ªlike he was nothing more than a side thought, a mere inconvenience. The sheer audacity of it sent a surge of pure rage coursing through his veins. His fingers trembled for a second before clamping down onto Scott''s wrist as his grip tightened like a hydraulic press. Then, with a burst of overwhelming force, he ripped Scott''s hand off him and threw him away. Scott twisted in midair, but instead of plummeting, he remained effortlessly suspended. He stared down at himself, at his arms, at his muscular chest that looked like it was carved from divine marble ¡ª an athlete sculpted by the gods themselves. His eyes narrowed slightly. "So¡­" His voice was calm, almost indifferent. As though nothing in the world could bother him. "I can even fly now." He slowly descended with his body as light as a feather. His landing was graceful. The moment the tip of his toe so much as brushed the ground, Mega Man''s eyes sharpened and his instincts flared. Without hesitation, he shot forward like a rocket. The sheer speed of his movement shattered Metro City. The city itself¡ªits streets, buildings, and sky¡ªripped apart as though reality itself couldn''t contain the force of his acceleration. In an instant, his shoulder slammed into Scott''s abs with enough force to send shockwaves across the continent. But Scott barely flinched. The impact should have torn him in half, yet he simply took it like it was lunch. And then, just like a bullet embedding itself into a solid block of wood, Scott was launched into the sky at hypervelocity. The two of them grabbed each other by the throats, spiraling like a torpedo through the heavens, leaving a vortex of destruction in their wake. Each time their fists met, the air itself cracked apart. Thunder boomed as the very sky trembled beneath their ruthless barrage of punches. Scott''s fist crushed Mega Man''s nose, sending blood gushing out in a violent spray. Mega Man retaliated with a savage hook to Scott''s ribs¡ªonly to feel his knuckles shatter upon impact. Scott let out a dry chuckle as his eyes carried something between amusement and superiority. "Haaah¡­ interesting. You don''t seem to be as strong as you thought you were." Then, he raised his fist¡ªhigher than before. And swung. The punch connected with Mega Man''s face like the wrath of a vengeful god as the sheer force obliterated his grip on Scott''s neck. For a fleeting second, consciousness nearly left him. But just before darkness could claim him, Mega Man roared back to life as his body reacted purely on instinct. He grabbed Scott''s wrist with a death grip ¡ª then hurled him downward. Scott plummeted. The speed was unimaginable. BOOOOOOOOM!! The moment he hit Meteor City, the resulting impact sent a devastating shockwave tearing through the metropolis. Buildings crumbled like sandcastles, streets split open, and countless civilians were reduced to nothing more than pulverized remnants of flesh. Hundreds of cars were flung into the air, spinning wildly before exploding like fireworks. When the dust settled, 60% of Meteor City had been reduced to an apocalyptic crater. Scott lay in the heart of it all. He was half-buried beneath the debris. His ears rang, his vision blurred, and for the first time since his transmogrification¡­ his body hurt. Badly. That was, without a doubt, the hardest hit he had taken since the fight started. His body was covered in blood ¡ª some his own, some belonging to the thousands who had just perished around him. His fingers twitched slightly as he tried to will himself to move. ¡ºDamn¡­¡» He almost wanted to just lie there. Almost. Then, he looked up. Mega Man hovered above, arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. And just like that, Scott''s will reignited. With a deep breath, he planted his knee into the rubble and pushed himself up, groaning slightly as he suppressed the pain. "Wow¡­" He exhaled, wiping a fresh trail of blood from his temple. "Didn''t think I''d ever get hit that hard by my dad." His body was already healing. The wounds sealed up in seconds, the pain evaporating as quickly as it had come. Scott narrowed his eyes. It wasn''t just that Mega Man was strong¡ªno, there was something else. His body, much like Scott''s, was reacting, evolving. It was the same kind of reactive adaptation that Scott himself possessed. Every time Mega Man was placed in a dangerous situation, he became better. He grew. But that was the difference. Mega Man thought he was the best. Scott knew he was. Clenching his fists, he locked eyes with his opponent. His voice was firm, almost eerily calm. "Do you really have no respect for human life?" His words cut through the ruined city like a blade. "If we keep going, we''re going to destroy this entire planet. Everyone on it is going to die." He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "I''m giving you one chance." His tone left no room for negotiation. "Heal Fortress. Heal Isaac. And we end this. Right now." The message was clear. This was the last time Scott was going to show any mercy. But, of course¡­ Mega Man laughed. His hands went to his waist, his head thrown back as he erupted into a fit of manic, almost theatrical laughter. The sound was deafening, blasting across the ruined cityscape to reach the ears of every last survivor still clinging to life. And then, between gasps of laughter, Mega Man sneered. "You¡­" His voice oozed off disdain. "You think you can set terms for me?" His grin widened with deep arrogance. "You actually believe you can threaten me? Me?!" He raised his arms. "This world belongs to me!" He roared. "A god doesn''t negotiate. A god doesn''t¡ª" BOOM. Scott''s fist collided with Mega Man''s jaw. The punch came faster than light, faster than the sharpest thought itself. And before Mega Man even realized what had happened¡ª He was gone. Launched into the void of space as his body spiraled out of control and blood spewed from his mouth as consciousness nearly abandoned him once more. The Earth shrank beneath him as the atmosphere ripped apart in his wake. Not long after, Scott flew out of Earth until he was within range of Mega Man. ¡ºWoah¡­ I can even breathe in space¡­¡» His current status would never not amaze him. [Preparing strategy to effectively return the host to Earth One and normalize situations.] [Ding! The host has been equipped with cross-dimensional vision and cross-dimensional speed.] And it was then that Scott''s eyes glowed bright blue as white geometric lines formed across it. "Woah¡­" He could see the infinite lattice of¡­ everything. There was a path to Earth One! ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ CHAPTER REFERENCES: (1) ©¤©¤ chapter 7 (2) ©¤©¤ chapter 16 (3) ©¤©¤ chapter 50 to 54 (4) ©¤©¤ chapter 95 (5) ©¤©¤ chapter 160 (6) ©¤©¤ chapter 162 Chapter 179 - 179: Conclusion of One World The infinite lattice of reality! Scott''s eyes burned as he strained to see beyond the distortions of space-time. The cross-dimensional vision granted him access to a vast, infinite lattice of existence¡ªan endless web of interconnected realities, each layered atop the other like an intricate puzzle of the cosmos. But even with this vision, he could only perceive what his mind could logically comprehend. He focused harder. The image sharpened. And there ¡ª just beyond the dimensional barriers ¡ª he saw himself. Super Scott stood in the ruins of Earth One, surrounded by the bloodied, broken bodies of its greatest heroes. Even the S-tier champions, those who should have been Earth''s last hope, lay in crumpled defeat. Some were missing limbs. Others had been torn apart entirely. It was a battlefield of devastation, and at the center of it all ¡ª was him. Or rather, the worst possible version of him. Scott''s stomach twisted into knots as he narrowed his vision further. And then ¡ª he saw her. Pulsar. Beaten. Bloodied. Crouched on the ground, barely conscious. And above her, Super Scott, his fist raised high, that smug, infuriatingly condescending grin plastered on his face. His lips moved, but Scott already knew what he was saying. "Killing you? I''m going to enjoy this very much." Panic surged through Scott''s veins like wildfire. His blood boiled. "MAYA!" He shouted instinctively as his entire body tensed. He looked around as though there was an answer amongst the massive planets of the Solar System. "System¡­ SYSTEM! Can I take down Super Scott©¤©¤?!" A notification pinged in his mind. The System responded immediately. [Negative.] Scott''s breath caught. [Super Scott is a threat far beyond Mega Man. Even with Code: Adamus, your survival rate is incalculable. He is you. A dimensional variant. Predicting the outcome of a battle between you is impossible.] Scott clenched his fists. "Then what do I do?" [Use cross-dimensional speed. Traverse the barriers of motion. Snatch Super Scott. Trap him in a distant dimension. Destroy the SIST devices. Reinforce the dimensional walls so he can never escape again.] Scott didn''t hesitate. He turned toward Mega Man, who was floating lifelessly nearby, then back toward the infinite lattice before him. His jaw tightened. Then¡ªhe moved. Golden light exploded from his body. The vastness of space trembled as his speed shattered through its fabric. The sheer force of his motion bent reality, as if the very concept of distance was being rewritten by his presence. His velocity defied all logic¡ªtime and space bent around him as he ripped open a dimensional rift, following the precise mapping his vision provided. And in the next instant¡ªhe was gone! ??? Earth One Super Scott grinned down at Pulsar, relishing the helplessness in her eyes. "You know¡­" He mused, tilting his head. "¡­ For all that strength, for all that power¡­ you still broke so easily. Just like the rest." Pulsar didn''t respond. She didn''t even flinch at the looming death before her. She had already accepted it. Not because she couldn''t fight back. Not because Super Scott was stronger than her. But because¡­ she deserved this. Tears rolled down her face as regret gnawed at her insides. ¡ºHow did it come to this?¡» She thought she was doing the right thing. That being a hero meant making sacrifices. That she had to be cold, decisive, ruthless when necessary. But in the process¡­ she discarded him. She hurt Scott. She never truly stopped to think about how much she had broken him that day. She always justified it, convinced herself she had no other choice. But now, hearing those cruel words from Super Scott¡ªthe worst version of him¡ªshe realized just how monstrous she had been. ¡ºI was one of the few people he trusted with his heart. And I just¡­ just shattered it.¡» Her fingers curled into fists. Her throat tightened. All this time, she had been chasing Scott for an apology. For closure. For a chance to fix what was broken. But she never once thought to ask¡ª "How did he feel when he heard Vincent''s voice¡­ those cruel words over that call?" "How did he feel when I tossed him aside?" "How did he even manage to trust another woman¡­ enough to love again?" Her lips trembled. Her heart ached. She lowered her head, ashamed. Super Scott''s grin widened. His fist tensed. This was it. And then¡ª Reality ripped open. A chaotic, swirling black hole of dimensional energy tore through the air, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. And from its abyssal depths¡ª BOOM! A golden comet exploded out of the rift, moving so fast it obliterated everything in its wake. The sheer force of its arrival sent buildings crumbling and the ground quaking. Super Scott''s eyes snapped up. And for the first time¡ªhe saw him. Scott. Their gazes locked. Super Scott reacted instantly as his fist lashed out in an attempt to intercept¡ª But Scott was faster. With a burst of unimaginable speed, Scott vanished from sight ¡ª moving so fast it was almost like he teleported the little distance between them ¡ª and then¡ª BANG! Scott''s shoulder slammed into Super Scott''s gut with the force of a collapsing star! The impact was cataclysmic ¡ª a sonic boom shattered the sky as Super Scott was ripped from the battlefield, sent careening through a newly-formed dimensional rift. And just like that¡ª Super Scott was gone. Silence. The remaining heroes and military forces stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. One moment, they were losing. The next ¡ª a being had appeared like a golden god and ended the battle in a single instant. Weapons clattered to the ground. Bodies slumped against debris. They didn''t question it. The only thing that mattered was¡ª The nightmare was over. Except for Pulsar. She remained on her knees, staring at the ground, tears streaking down her dirtied face. Her body trembled, and in a broken whisper, she muttered¡ª "¡­ He should''ve killed me." A shaky breath. "¡­ I deserve it." ??? Now¡­ there were only endless dimensional barriers! Scott refused to slow down. Super Scott was thrashing beneath him, struggling with monstrous force, but Scott kept his shoulder lodged deep into his gut as he dragged his alternate self across the endless void between realities! But Super Scott wasn''t done yet. A twisted grin split his bloodied lips as he lunged forward¡ª BITE! Scott screamed. Agony tore through his body as Super Scott sank his teeth deep into his shoulder. The pain was unreal. Super Scott bit harder, the crunch of flesh and bone sickeningly loud. And then¡ª With a horrifying, animalistic rip, Super Scott tore off a chunk of Scott''s flesh. Scott''s vision blurred from the pain, but he didn''t stop. With one final burst of energy, they crashed into a different dimension. A land of death. A world of dust, monsters, and extraterrestrial beasts. A place known as¡ª Earth 999. Scott staggered to his feet and clamped a hand over his gushing wound as his breathing ragged. His vision blurred for a moment before rapidly stabilizing. Super Scott? The bastard was already up ¡ª licking the blood from his lips, grinning through the crimson. His chest rose and fell with exhilaration. He stretched his neck. "Damn, you taste good." "¡­" There was no response from Scott¡ªnot even an expression. Super Scott chuckled. "You went through all that trouble to save your little girlfriend that dumped you like an idiot, and she still thinks she deserves to die. How tragic." Scott didn''t answer. Super Scott rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. "You and I both know how this ends, don''t we? You''re just delaying the inevitable." Scott''s eyes blazed. "Then let''s end it." The wasteland trembled. Super Scott spread his arms and legs, his stance wide and ready for battle. He wore a confident smirk, his body crackling with power. And yet, Scott just stood there, no reaction. His expression was calm, yet his eyes held an emptiness that swallowed the significance of everything. Then, he spoke. "When I say ''end it''¡­ I don''t mean that final battle that decides whether good or evil wins." Super Scott raised a brow. Scott''s tone was steady, almost like he''d given up, but there was an undercurrent of something else¡ªsomething bitter, something¡­ broken. "I''ve met an alternate version of myself before¡­" He stared at Super Scott as if looking at a mistake ¡ª an anomaly that never should have been. "And he was infinitely better than you." For the first time, Super Scott''s smirk faltered. "I''m ashamed to look at you¡­ or even call a maniac like you my alternate self¡­" His fists trembled at his sides. "I''m ashamed and frustratedly pained that there''s even a version of me who would hurt innocent civilians or even people like Maya, Martha¡­ and most especially Emma." Super Scott''s jaw tensed, but Scott didn''t stop. "Have you become so in love with the idea of power that you''ve forgotten what truly matters? The right path isn''t about strength or dominance. It''s the one that leads to salvation. To the peace of the people. To the smiles of your loved ones." Scott''s fists clenched so tight they could crush steel. And then, he turned his back on Super Scott and began walking away. "You¡­ you''re the version of me that was given power, that was loved from birth, and yet you still became a monster." His voice was quiet, heavy. "I look at you, and I feel hopeless. And yet I still dream ¡ª maybe foolishly ¡ª that somewhere out there, there''s a version of me with a happy life. A life where he was loved the moment he was born. A life I could look at and, for once, feel glad that¡­ that at least one of us found peace." His voice hitched, almost as if he were about to cry, but he swallowed it down, gripping his fists even tighter. "If you¡ªif even you could live a life of purity and true happiness, then I would smile." He exhaled sharply. "Because at least¡­ at least someone did." A pause. Then, Scott whispered, "But no¡­ just no¡­" Super Scott stood there, watching Scott''s back. The silence stretched. And then he scoffed. "Wake up and smell reality, Scott." His voice was cold, amused. "None of that matters. There are infinite worlds. Infinite possibilities. There will always be a world where you''re not the hero you want to be. Or one where things don''t go the way you want it to. That''s just how the universe wor¡ª" "I KNOW!!!" Scott''s roar cut through the air like a blade. Tears streamed down his face as his whole body trembled. "But that doesn''t mean WE can''t be happy!" His voice cracked with raw emotion. His hands covered his face as his shoulders shook. "I flew across dimensions to get here. I saw alternate worlds. I saw alternate Scotts. And do you know what I found? Not a single one of them¡­ not one¡­ had a smile on his face." His breath hitched violently. "Dead. Broken. A failure. Hopeless. A disappointment. Unloved. Out of control. Unstable. Alone." His voice was a whisper, but every word slammed into Super Scott like a hammer. "That''s all I saw in every world. There wasn''t a single one of us that was¡­ happy." Scott buried his face into his hands, weeping. His body shook violently, his mind crumbling under the weight of all those lifetimes of suffering. Super Scott opened his mouth, then closed it. For the first time, there was something in his eyes¡ª Pity? Understanding? No, he refused to acknowledge it. And then¡ªhe laughed. "Hahahahaha!" It was a cruel, hollow sound that echoed through the dead world. "That''s absolutely ridiculous!" Super Scott barked. "You actually think you have any right to feel fucking sorry for yourself? Just because you''re Scott Prime doesn''t mean that you''re special in any way¡­ Do you think you''re obligated to seek happiness for every version of yourself? Who do you think you are©¤©¤?!" His expression darkened, his aura flaring. "Each of us has our own purpose. Our own fate. And mine¡­ mine is to be a conqueror. That is my joy." He pointed at Scott, his voice filled with pure contempt. "So stop whining and FIGHT ME, YOU COWARD!" The laughter died. The moment stretched. Scott slowly lowered his hands. His face was unreadable. Then, he exhaled. "I had this terrible idea. That if I just talked to you¡­ you''d see the error of your ways." Super Scott smirked. "Yeah, sounds like a terrible idea alright." Scott''s expression sharpened. He planted his foot forward as his right fist tilted slightly to the side. His eyes glowed. "But you and I both know better. We both know there''s only one thing you understand¡­" Super Scott barely had time to react. A golden flash. A shockwave. Scott''s fist drove so deep into Super Scott''s stomach that it tore through him¡ªhis fist visible from behind his back. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Super Scott''s eyes went blank for a split second. The sheer force of the attack shattered the ground beneath them, sending a deafening shockwave through the void. Before he could even process the pain, Scott vanished. Super Scott clutched his stomach, dropping to his knees. His entire body trembled. And then, he screamed. "YOU BASTARD! COME BACK HERE AND FIGHT ME!" His roar shattered the silence, but Scott was already gone. ??? Earth Two ¡ª The Aftermath Scott stood motionless. Lady Fortress lay before him, lifeless. His expression was empty, yet his bloodied fists trembled with frustration. "I''ve already trapped Super Scott on Earth 999¡­ sealed the dimensional barriers¡­ destroyed the SIST devices¡­ he won''t escape that dead universe." His voice was hollow. "And yet¡­ I don''t feel at peace." Slowly, he kneeled beside Lady Fortress. His breath was unsteady. His fingers curled into fists, then unclenched, then clenched again. And then, with a trembling voice, he whispered¡ª "System¡­ I know it''s probably impossible¡­ but is there any way to bring her back?" Silence. A silence so deep it felt like it could swallow him whole. Then¡ª [Solution to saving Lady Fortress has been acquired. Would the host like to know?] Scott''s breath hitched. His heart pounded. "YES!" he shouted. And for the first time in what felt like forever¡­ hope sparked in his dead eyes. [Cortians possess unique characteristics that make them more versatile and adaptable across galaxies. Cortians are born with a dual-phase physiology, allowing them to adapt to different star systems. The energy they draw from stars transforms their biology, making them more powerful based on the type of star they are exposed to.] Scott nodded as he rocked Fortress gently in his arms. [In the Andromeda Galaxy, under the intense radiation of blue giant stars, Cortians exist in their true, most powerful form: towering, ethereal beings of pure energy with godlike abilities.] [However, when they enter star systems like our Solar System, under the influence of yellow dwarf stars (such as our Sun), their physiology shifts into a more human-like form to better interface with the life forms and environments there.] [This shift not only enhances their ability to interact with humans but also gives them access to a different set of powers unique to the Solar System''s energy. Despite appearing more human, they retain their near-invincible traits.] On any other day, Scott would be starving for more of this xenobiology class ¡ª but there were more important things. "So¡­ what do I do¡­?" The answer was straightforward. [Create a green star.] "A green star?" He repeated in confusion. "You''re telling me I can bring her back¡­ with a star?" [Affirmative. Green stars possess the unique property of reversing entropy within Cortian physiology. Even if all that remains of a Cortian is a fragment of bone, the energy of a green star can reconstruct them.] Scott swallowed. His hands trembled slightly. "But creating one¡­ it''ll reset everything?" His voice was tight, his throat dry. "All my evolutions? All the power I''ve gained?" [Correct. Your physiology will revert to its default state. All enhancements, all adaptations¡ªyou will lose them. You will become as you were before your first evolution. Is this what you want?] Scott clenched his jaw. He glanced down at Lady Fortress ¡ª her once indomitable presence reduced to this fragile, vulnerable state. He had fought, bled, and evolved to survive. Every new star system he passed through had pushed him beyond his limits, shaping him into something greater, something more than human. His adaptability had made him a warrior. A survivor. And now, he was being asked to throw it all away. For her. His mind told him this was reckless. His instincts screamed that this was suicide. But his heart? His heart had already decided. Scott exhaled sharply as a wry smirk tugged at his lips. "Tch¡­ shitty choice. Either I keep everything and lose her, or I start from zero and get her back." He rocked Lady Fortress gently, brushing a strand of her golden hair away from her face. She had always been the strongest, always the one who carried others. But this time¡­ she needed him. And he wouldn''t let her down. He inhaled deeply, feeling the raw, untamed energy pulsing within his evolving genes. A green star¡­ It wasn''t just about willpower. It was about sacrifice. Creation on this scale demanded something equal in return. "Alright, System¡­" Scott muttered, his voice steady now. "Tell me how." [Channel your evolving genes. Focus on the core of your being. You must compress all your accumulated adaptations into a singularity and ignite it. The result will be a green star. However¡ª] "Yeah, yeah¡­" Scott cut in. "I know the consequences." He closed his eyes. Then, he reached within himself. His body began to heat up, every cell vibrating as his genetic structure responded to the command. He could feel the pull, the resistance¡ªevery ounce of power he had ever gained fighting against being stripped away. But he pushed forward, compressing it all into a single point, forcing his essence into the threshold of collapse. The space around him trembled. The air distorted. Then¡ª A blinding burst of emerald light erupted from his chest, spiraling upward, expanding, growing, until the darkness of Earth was swallowed whole by its brilliance. A green star was born. Chapter 180 - 180: Alienated Kiss, Secrets of the Artifact Metro City ¨C North District Ruins Lady Fortress''s eyelids fluttered, struggling against the sharp lights of Metro City that cut through the night. Her body felt heavy, sluggish¡ªalmost foreign. Even in the cool night air, sweat formed on her skin. Slowly, she opened her now delicate eyes as her pupils shrunk at the brightness. The first thing she saw was the night sky and its stars peeking through the hazy smog of the city. Everything was¡­ quiet. Unlike before. Unlike the moment when her chest was torn open, her heart ripped out with brutal force. Unlike the suffocating pain that came before the void swallowed her. Then it hit her. ¡ºMy heart¡ªMY HEART!¡» Panic flooded her system like a crashing wave. She ran her hands across her body, her fingers shaking as they frantically searched for a gaping hole¡ªa wound, a scar, something to tell her she wasn''t imagining this. But there was nothing. No wound. No pain. No missing heart. Her hands stopped at her bare chest, feeling only the smooth, unblemished skin she was used to. ¡ºI''m¡­ fine?¡» Her eyes lowered. She was naked, resting on a blanket that was spread out on the rooftop''s smooth floor. A spark of confusion crossed her face as she slowly pushed herself to her feet. Her instincts kicked in, and her body responded on its own¡ªher weightless form lifted slightly off the ground to hover just inches above it. Still disoriented, she turned, scanning her surroundings. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She was standing at the edge of a high-rise rooftop. And below her¡­ The North District was in ruins. Flashing lights of emergency vehicles painted the destruction in eerie shades of red and blue. Police squads and rescue teams worked tirelessly, shifting through rubble, lifting boulders, and pulling out whatever¡ªwhoever¡ªthey could salvage. Some bodies were whole. Some¡­ were not. One look, and she knew exactly where she was. North District. It wasn''t as bad as the East District had been after Red''s attack, but that was only because, this time, the Hero Agency actually sent a significant force to contain the threat. But still¡­ devastation was devastation. And then there was the question that clawed at her brain like a beast hungry for answers. Mega Man. Super Scott. She was sure they weren''t defeated. The fight shouldn''t have ended like this, not with the destruction contained, not with the police back to being somewhat relevant. Her brows furrowed. "¡­ Was Mega Man from this Earth able to defeat that evil Nightwatch¡­ or was it something else?" "Something else." The voice sent a shock through her system. It was a familiar voice. A dangerous one. Lady Fortress spun around, fists instantly raised as her killing intent flared like wildfire. But then she saw him. Scott. The one she knew¡­ if you could call it that. Seated at the other end of the rooftop, shoulders slumped as he stared down at the broken city like a man drowning in the weight of his own thoughts. The sight of it made her pause. He didn''t even flinch at her reaction. Didn''t even bother to defend himself. The moment stretched, suffocating. Then, Scott sighed. A deep, tired sigh. His voice, when he spoke, was quiet ¡ª like he was speaking to himself more than to her. "¡­ Still uncomfortable around me, huh? Just hearing my voice is hard for you, isn''t it?" He exhaled sharply as a very bitter chuckle escaped under his breath ¡ª the amount of mental and physical damage that his evil variant had caused was almost irreparable. "Not that I blame you." His fists clenched. His head lowered. And still, he didn''t look at her. Fortress felt something twist in her chest. Guilt? No, it wasn''t quite that. Just¡­ something. She hesitated, then hovered over to his back and just stood there awkwardly. "I¡­ I''m sorry about earlier." She tried to sound firm, but the words came out softer than she intended. "I just¡ªwell, you have the same voice and all, so I wanted to be careful." Her fingers fidgeted at her sides, and for some reason, she found herself twiddling her thumbs like a nervous child. Still, no response from Scott. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She swallowed and pressed on. "I, uh¡­ I don''t really know what happened after I died. Can you¡­ fill me in? Did the Hero Agency stop all this? Or¡­ was it you? Did you find a way to stop them?" Silence. "Where are they now? Are they back in their world, or are they still here somewhere?" Her pulse quickened as her mind spiraled through endless terrible possibilities. Scott finally spoke, but his voice was distant. Detached. "They''re gone." She blinked. "¡­ Gone?" Scott let out another long sigh. "And you''re alive again." He ran a hand down his exhausted face, his sore shoulders sagging even further. "That''s all that matters. Nothing else." Nothing else? Fortress felt her fingers tighten against her arms. That simple statement confirmed it. She had really died. This wasn''t some dream. Wasn''t some nightmare she could wake up from. Her hand instinctively went to her chest, fingers tracing over the skin where her heart had once been torn out. "¡­ So¡­ uhm¡­" She licked her lips. "How did I come back? Did you get my head back in time for Blue Atom to save me? Or was it Mega Man? If anyone could pull something like that off, it''d probably be those two." She gently rubbed at her chest, trying to recall the unbearable pain she had felt when Mega Man''s massive hand had punched straight through her small body. It was a memory that sent shivers down her spine. But at the same time¡­ It was a lesson. A reminder to get stronger. She looked back at Scott, eyes sharp. "So¡­ what was it?" Scott still hadn''t looked at her. Not even once. His eyes remained locked on the ruins below¡ªthere was still nothing to read from his expression. Then, finally, he exhaled and muttered: "It was thanks to your Cortian biology. Your dual-phase physiology. Green stars." Her eyes widened. Scott kept going, his tone hollow. "Apparently, they can regenerate you. Even if all that''s left is a bone fragment." His voice was quiet. So damn tired. But Fortress¡ªshe lit up. "REALLY?!" She took a step forward as excitement burst through her like a shot of adrenaline. "How the hell did you get a green star?! Those things are super rare, LIKE one-in-infinity rare! If you actually managed to acquire one, then we should¡ª" "Fortress." "Wait, wait, no, I know! Maybe there aren''t green stars here, but in the other world they exist, right?! Maybe even in abundance with the way you were casually able to get it in just a few hours, right?! We should go back and¡ª" "FORTRESS!" Scott''s voice boomed through the rooftop, strong enough to break through steel. Fortress froze. Her breath caught, and for the first time, she actually stepped back. Scott squeezed his eyes shut as his trembling hands covered his face entirely. "¡­ We can''t get the green star back." Her throat went dry. "¡­ What?" Scott inhaled sharply as his fingers gripped his forehead. "I had to sacrifice something great¡­ I had to sacrifice everything to create that green star." His voice was strained. "And it was just a single-use." His breathing grew heavier. He slowly lowered his hands, staring blankly ahead. "¡­ I wasn''t strong enough to conserve some of the powers I got from my awakened genes to¡­ to¡­ sigh~ I would''ve used it to save all these people. To fix this entire place." His hands curled into fists. "¡­ How many people died?" The question suffocated in the silent atmosphere. And like before¡ªLady Fortress had no words. Nevertheless¡­ she had to do something. Lady Fortress hovered a little closer, hesitating for just a second before finally sitting beside Scott. Her eyes lingered on his shoulder¡ªher hand twitched, almost reaching for it, but she pulled back and looked away instead. She hated this. Why was it always so awkward around him? It wasn''t like she hadn''t spoken to men before. Puffing up her chest, she took a breath, pushed away her doubts, and turned back to him. "¡­ You must''ve been through a lot." She spoke very softly. Frankly, her voice was steady, but her fingers still curled against her knee. "And as much as it''s terrible what happened to all these innocent people, and¡­ the fact that your face was the last thing they saw¡­" She winced. That came out harsher than she meant. "It''s painful, yeah, but what I really want to know is¡­ how do you feel right now?" Scott took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he rested his arms over his knees. "¡­ I don''t wanna talk about it¡­" His eyes never left the ruined district below. He still couldn''t look at her ¡ª he still couldn''t bring himself to look at anyone. Fortress nodded. "Sure. That''s fine¡­" She sighed. "I can''t say I know how painful it feels. I haven''t been in your position. But¡­ I''m here, if you need anything." She swallowed. "Maybe, uh, a shoulder to cry on or¡ª" She suddenly glanced at both her shoulders, counting them like an idiot. Scott finally turned to her as his pale-colored lips twitched into a small smile. "¡­ Did you seriously just count how many shoulders you had before finishing your sentence?" A laugh burst out of Fortress before she could stop it, and she covered her mouth, snorting slightly. "Uhm¡­ of course! Who knows? Maybe green stars have some super weird side effect that gives me extra shoulders or something else¡­ extra, kek." Silence settled between them for a moment before she awkwardly scratched the side of her head. "¡­ Okay, that was kind of a super inappropriate joke. I''m not great with those, y''know." Scott chuckled. "Yeah¡­ you don''t really seem like the best at anything fun-related. Something I''ve kinda gotten used to since watching your hero career here on Earth." Fortress blinked, eyes widening slightly. "Wait¡­ you''ve been watching me?" Scott nodded, staring at the dark horizon. "Yeah. I''ve been watching a lot of hero content for a long time now¡­ guess I''ve always been obsessed with heroes and the idea of keeping their duties sacred. My life''s always been a sad one. I wanted to be saved from it." A soft expression crossed Fortress'' face. "¡­ So that''s why." Scott just nodded again, still lost in the city''s wreckage. Then, without even thinking, Fortress placed her small, soft hand over his. Her fingers gently interlocked with his own. Scott stiffened slightly. The way she held his hand¡­ it was filled with something deeper than just comfort. There was passion¡ªreal, raw emotion. He could feel what was in her heart just from that touch alone. And he knew this feeling. Many women in his life had expressed it before. ¡­ But did he really want another woman in his life? Not when things were this messy? Scott turned to speak¡ª But Fortress acted first. She moved in and kissed him, fast and hard, like she wanted to eat him¡­ like she was afraid she''d lose the courage if she hesitated even a second longer. Scott''s eyes went wide. ¡­ Mmmhnnn ?? It was a sloppy, highly inexperienced kiss¡ªher lips trembled against his, her body shook like she''d committed some great taboo. He wanted to pull away, to question what the hell she was doing, but¡­ his eyes slowly closed, and instead, he matched her energy. Their lips pressed tighter. Their tongues hesitantly met, moving with more and more passion. Her small body pressed against his as her arms were quick and desperate enough to wrap around him in a tight hug, and without thinking, Scott pulled her in closer as his hands gripped her delicate butt as they deepened the kiss. He didn''t even know when he''d gripped her "there" so hard that he was slowly lifting her off her sitting spot. When they finally pulled away there was a trail of thick, slimy saliva that connected their lips. Fortress'' face was redder than the flames that had burned through the North District. Her wide, confused eyes stared into his as her petite chest rose and fell rapidly. Scott was just as stunned. He didn''t move, didn''t blink. "¡­ I''ve never done this before." Fortress muttered, looking away. "I''ve been so occupied with trying to represent my planet, trying to be the hero humans expect me to be¡­ I forgot I can actually do things like this with them." She swallowed, her fingers curling against her lap. "¡­ So I''m glad it''s with you." Scott didn''t say anything. He was just¡­ looking at her. Then, suddenly¡ª "¡­ Your breasts are really small, but you''ve got really active nipples, like bullets." Fortress froze. Steam practically exploded from the top of her head as she looked down and realized¡ª She was completely. Freaking. Naked. She could even see how hard and red her nipples had gotten just from that kiss alone. Her tiny hands flew over her petite chest as she shrieked¡ª "KYAAAAHHH! I forgot I''m naked!" Scott let out a short laugh. "Well¡­ wouldn''t be the first time." Fortress shot him a glare, puffing her cheeks. "Hmph! So you really did lie when you said you didn''t see anything¡­ psssh¡ªjerk!" Scott just shrugged, grinning. "Kinda." Rather than get mad, Fortress just smiled and swept her golden bangs behind her ear with a small, shy laugh. It was¡­ weirdly adorable. Scott actually felt his cheeks warm up slightly before he quickly looked away. Fortress knocked her feet together and muttered¡ª "Uhm¡­ My birth name is Kara. Kara Negrid." Scott smiled. "Scott McQueen." Their eyes met again. "¡­ Nice to meet you." ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ¡ª Somewhere far in the North District ¡ª In the depths of the destroyed Nero Labs, buried beneath mountains of debris, The Artifact suddenly trembled. The alien cube ¡ª Isaac had secured and Super Scott was madly in search of ¡ª hovered above the ruins and spun at impossible speeds. Then¡ª CRACK. A blinding flash burst from its center. And some stepped out of the shattered relic. It was a petite, naked woman with messy white hair and smooth blue skin. She looked like some alien goddess. She stretched, let out a loud yawn, then cracked her neck. "Oooo~!" She suddenly squealed as her entire face lit up. "Time to find this galaxy''s most available bachelor!" She was acting like she hadn''t just been sealed inside a 26-dimensional cube a few moments ago. Chapter 181 - 181: Closing Pages, New Struggles Metro City, City Hall The skies above Metro City were heavy with grief. The dull gray mass pressed down as if the heavens themselves mourned. Not a hint of color brightened the streets, only black and muted whites stretching as far as the eye could see. The grand City Hall, usually a symbol of power and governance, was now a solemn monument to those lost in the tragic events of Super Scott''s brutal attack. A sea of people gathered in the open plaza as heroes and civilians alike stood in respectful silence. The heroes, typically clad in vibrant, eye-catching suits, had abandoned their usual attire for either proper black suits or somber gray and black variants of their costumes. Even those who couldn''t be there in person ¡ª the wounded and those still rebuilding the North District ¡ª watched through the news broadcasts. Their absence was just as deeply felt as those who would never return. To the side, a line of news vans stood like silent sentinels as they broadcasted the event to every home, hospital bed, and recovery ward across the city. Then, the quiet roar of an engine hit the air. A sleek black GT-R pulled into the lot and rolled to a stop in one corner. The car barely had time to settle before the weight of the moment inside became heavier than the one outside. A tired Scott sat behind the wheel in a crisp black suit and dress shirt. His usually messy hair was combed neatly to the left, forcing him into a clean-cut look that made him seem¡­ official. Proper. A man who belonged here. But the truth was, he had never felt more out of place. Beside him in the front seat, Miss Mercury studied him with quiet concern as her beautiful face was marked by fading bruises and a few healing cuts. Her right arm was wrapped in a cast ¡ª an injury from the blow that had landed the first real hit on Super Scott. It should have been a moment of triumph, but today¡­ there was no victory to celebrate. In the backseat, Dog Girl sat with her arms crossed as her fluffy ears twitched with irritation. Even though she focused on support throughout the battle and had avoided any fatal injuries, heavy exhaustion had worn her down. Marcus sat beside her, silent. He wore the same thing Scott did. Jake and Gwen weren''t here. Neither was Dark Elf. Their wounds were too severe. Unlike Jake and Gwen, who were treated in one of the many Hero Agency-funded hospitals, Dark Elf was taken to the medical bay at Overwatch Headquarters. Scott made that call because Dark Elf had no government records, meaning he wasn''t exactly on the authorities'' good side. The medical bay wasn''t as advanced as the hospitals, but Scott was sure it was good enough. At the very least, Dark Elf would be fine. The silence in the car was suffocating. Miss Mercury turned to Scott as her eyes shook with hesitation before she finally spoke. "¡­ Are you sure about this?" Her voice was soft, careful. "If you don''t want to come, it''s really okay. You know the government''s still watching you, right? Even now." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She exhaled through her nose, shifting uncomfortably. "It might be better if you¡ª" "No." Scott cut her off before she could finish. "I have to¡­" He said, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "At the very least¡­ I need to pay respects. To the heroes who died saving others. To the civilians who never had the chance to be saved." His jaw clenched. His fingers curled tighter. He hadn''t realized how hard he was gripping the wheel until his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned¡ªnot with grief, but with something beyond that. A rage that needed to be buried, smothered, because if he let it out, he wouldn''t be able to stop. Dog Girl waved her fists angrily, breaking the tension. "I still can''t believe people are actually blaming you for this, boss! Like you were the one who attacked Metro City¡ªwhat kind of dumbass logic is that? You''re obviously not that strong¡ª" Silence. The moment the words left her mouth, Dog Girl''s ears shot up in pure terror. Her face went pale as she slapped both hands over her mouth and her eyes widened as if she had just outed a government secret. "I-I mean¡ª!!" She shook her head frantically. "NO, NO, NO!! Boss is super strong! The STRONGEST! I''d never say something as blasphemous as him being weaker than that smug, psychotic dickhead who¡ªwho¡ª!" Her fists balled up again, shaking with anger. Miss Mercury sighed, rubbing her temple. "You''re not helping." Despite himself, Scott let out a small exhale. Not quite a chuckle. Not quite relief. Just¡­ something to acknowledge that the moment had thankfully passed. "It''s fine¡­" He muttered, then relaxed his grip. "I already talked to my lawyer. The Hero Agency agreed I wouldn''t be facing any charges. Everything is alleged, and they already matched my appearance with Super Scott''s. The noticeable scar on his neck is proof enough that we''re not the same person." He leaned back against the headrest, staring blankly at the windshield. "There were also alibis from you all. I was gone before he even appeared. Plus, a few heroes and celebrities vouched for me, so¡­ at least that''s something." Mercury watched him closely as her eyes lingered. Something about the way he said that¡­ She tilted her head, giving him the kind of look a mother would give a child who was struggling but refusing to admit it. "All of that sounds like good news." Her voice was gentle. "So¡­ what''s the problem?" Scott didn''t respond. Mercury leaned in, placing a soft hand against his cheek. "Scott." Her touch was warm, grounding. "If you''re not getting punished for this, then why do you still look like hell?" For a moment, it seemed like he wouldn''t answer. Then, he exhaled slowly, like he was preparing himself to say something he really didn''t want to. "M-, My lawyer said in order to clear my name¡­ the Hero Agency wants me to make a speech." Mercury nodded. "Okay. That''s not¡ª" "They want me to tell everyone that this was all orchestrated by Nightwatch." Silence. Mercury''s fingers froze against his skin. Scott swallowed hard as his voice dropped lower. "That I was a victim. That Nightwatch is responsible for everything." He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "Apparently, the Agency''s been looking for a public figure to spearhead their campaign against Nightwatch and his ''acts of terrorism.'' Since using heroes doesn''t make sense due to what the hero could gain from hating against a deeply loved vigilante, they need someone beloved by the public. Someone without a pre-existing grudge. Someone with a high profile." His expression darkened. "Turns out¡­ I check all the boxes." Mercury was still staring at him. Disbelief. Shock. Then, before he could react, she grabbed him by the collar with her one good arm and yanked him forward as her smooth forehead pressed against his, then she hissed¡ª "Are you out of your goddamn mind?! Do you even hear what you''re saying? You''re Nightwatch!" Her voice dropped into a whisper, barely audible. "They''re making you destroy everything you''ve built¡­" Scott didn''t answer. Because deep down¡­ he knew. Scott exhaled deeply as the regret pressed down on his chest like a lead slab. He barely had the heart to look Miss Mercury in the eyes as he muttered¡ª "Look¡­ as much as I don''t want to destroy everything I''ve built¡ªas much as I don''t want to betray the people who believe in Nightwatch¡ªI have to¡­ if I''m gonna give myself another fighting chance, is that wrong?" His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly again. He couldn''t bring himself to look at her¡ªnot when he could feel her gaze burning into him, not when he knew she wouldn''t accept it. That''s when Mercury snapped. Her fingers dug into his shoulder, her grip so strong that it almost hurt as she yanked him closer. "Don''t you get it?! You''re not just losing as Nightwatch ¡ª you''re losing as Scott McQueen!" She shouted with so much pain and anger. Scott flinched. He could feel the fury in every word, but he still couldn''t meet her eyes. "There are still people who believe in Nightwatch! People who see through the bullshit the HA is pulling!" Her voice started to shake. "But if you do this¡­ if you stand in front of that crowd and spit out the lies they want you to say¡­ you''ll destroy both of your names. Nightwatch will be the villain they always wanted him to be, and Scott McQueen will be the coward who threw him under the bus. Do you not understand that?!" She was panting now ¡ª her breaths were shaky and her hands trembled as they clutched his collar. Tears streamed down her face, and yet Scott still gave her nothing. Just silence. "God damn it¡ªANSWER ME!" She shook him this time, then her voice broke. But still, Scott didn''t respond. Instead, he gently grabbed her wrist ¡ª the same wrist she was using to grip his collar ¡ª and slowly pried her hand away. His touch wasn''t rough. It wasn''t cold. It was¡­ tired. Exhausted. He shook his head slightly and muttered¡ª "We should go. The funeral''s already started." His voice was dead. With that, Scott straightened his tie, adjusted his collar, and stepped out of the GT-R without another word. The silence that followed was suffocating. Dog Girl and Marcus sat awkwardly in the backseat and exchanged glances, unsure of what to say. Mercury just sat there, hands covering her face as muffled sobs escaped her lips. Neither of them moved to comfort her. Neither of them knew how. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ The funeral was a sea of black. The sky loomed heavy and gray, like it was on the verge of weeping for the dead. At the podium, the officiant spoke to the somber crowd. "In the final quarter of this year, 2045, we have lost more than we can put into words¡­ more than names on a list, more than statistics in a report¡ªthese were people. People who could have been friends. Family. Loved ones. People who had dreams, who had lives, and who gave everything to protect what was precious. To protect life itself." Some heroes bowed their heads, others clenched their fists, trying to hold back tears. Some couldn''t take it¡ªthey got up and walked away, unable to bear the weight of it all. The Peak was not among them. No, The Peak was at home, in his mansion, watching reruns of Bella Trevors'' movies. He sat there in his pajamas, a bowl of popcorn in his lap, grinning as he took each bite. Pulsar, however, was there. She sat toward the edge of the crowd as her eyes locked on Scott and Miss Mercury from afar. Scott looked¡­ hollow. Like a ghost. And Mercury¡­ the way she kept sneaking worried glances at him like his happiness was her happiness, the way she looked so utterly defeated beside him¡­ Pulsar felt a pang of guilt stab her chest. That should be me beside him¡­ she thought bitterly. Not her¡­ But it was too late for that. She had burned that bridge with her own hands. And worst of all? She had stopped talking to Mercury too. Dozens of missed calls. Hundreds of unread messages. And she still couldn''t bring herself to answer even one. She sighed heavily, resting her arms on her lap as she stared at the ground. ??? Meanwhile, far from the City Hall, on the rooftop of a high-rise building, three women watched from the shadows. Rope Girl had her high-tech binoculars locked onto Scott. Her expression was empty as always. "Do you really think this guy is Nightwatch?" Witch asked with a lifted eyebrow. "Cuckoo Gun Chick over here told me you''ve been watching him for a while now." "Hey!" Deathmark puffed her squishy cheeks in annoyance and crossed her arms under her bouncing breasts. "Don''t call me that!" Witch ignored her and turned back to Rope Girl. "So? What''s the verdict?" Rope Girl exhaled softly, lowering her binoculars. She closed her eyes for a moment before finally speaking. "There''s no way this guy is Nightwatch. He''s barely out of highschool¡­ do you really think a pretty face like him would have what it takes to fight like veteran martial artists with just basic judo classes? I think not. Besides¡­" Her plain voice paused for a brief second. "If he was, Grave would''ve killed him already." Witch tilted her head. "You were watching him back at Mantis Tower during that event, weren''t you? Why?" Rope Girl nodded. "It wasn''t Scott McQueen I was watching. It was the old butler he was with." Witch squinted. "Morgan? Bella Trevors'' PA?" "Yeah¡­" Rope Girl confirmed. "Did a background check on him. Turns out Morgan isn''t his real name. He''s an ex-Navy SEAL who went missing for a certain period of time ¡ª you know, on that¡­ day. After that? All government and satellite records on him just¡­ vanished." Witch gave her a bored look. "So what, you think he''s Nightwatch?" "Not exactly¡­" Rope Girl said simply. Then she added¡ª "But he has the same drive. The same heroic perspective that Nightwatch does." Witch side-eyed her. "So you admit it then? That Nightwatch is a hero?" The question was daring. Deathmark instantly tensed up, then took a step back like she didn''t want to be involved in this conversation. But Rope Girl didn''t flinch. She didn''t take it as Witch using her own words against her ¡ª not even in the slightest. In fact, her response was calm. "Of course¡­ anyone who can''t tell that Nightwatch is a hero is a blind fool." Witch hummed in amusement. "Then why the hell are we still trying to kill him?" Rope Girl turned her binoculars back on. "Because it''s our job¡­ if we want to pay off our debt to the Hero Agency and the U.S. Military, if we want to retire as mercenary heroes and finally be free ¡ª then we kill whoever they tell us to." She paused. Only to add¡ª "Even if that person had the purest heart." There was no hesitation. No empathy. Just cold, hard reality. Witch nodded, accepting the answer. The three of them turned their eyes back to the City Hall and kept watching from the shadows as the officiant continued his speech. Chapter 182 - 182: Chained Freedom, Alien Mommy Pervert The officiant adjusted his glasses as his voice tried to mask the heaviness of grief it held. He took a slow breath before addressing the mourners once more. "¡­ Before we hear from those closest to the fallen, the Hero Agency would like to first invite Metro City''s Scott McQueen to say a few words to us¡ª" The moment his name was uttered, the place tensed. "¡ªa rising star in the modeling industry and also an alleged victim of the attack." Silence. Then, a chair scraped loudly against the ground. "You''re calling him an alleged victim?!" A dark-skinned woman shot up from her seat as tears burned down her cheeks. Her voice cracked with a fury that had been simmering since the moment she stepped into this funeral hall. "There is no damn way¡ªno way in hell¡ªthe Hero Agency is actually trying to protect people like this!" Her body moved before her mind could stop her. In an instant, she was storming towards Scott. Her grief twisted into raw, unrelenting rage. Scott barely had time to react before she grabbed his collar and her fingers clenched so tightly that her nails nearly pierced through the fabric of his expensive suit. "You¡­" she choked out. "You did this!" Her voice rose, breaking apart the heavy silence. "All those innocent people¡­ y-, you killed all these innocent people! And I don''t give one damn what the government says ¡ª I''ll always blame you! You''re a monster! You took my husband''s life! You killed Dragonman!" A ripple of shock passed through the crowd, but Scott just stood there. His breathing was slow, his face bland, yet his eyes ¡ª those deep, tired eyes ¡ª held something indescribable. Regret? Pain? Shame? No one could tell. "He was a good man¡­" The woman''s voice cracked. "He served this country. He never EVER disobeyed the government. He protected people like they were his own. He was a hero! He IS a hero! And yet¡­" Her grip on Scott tightened. "¡­ Yet this same useless government still wants to defend you over him?! Is there¡­" ¡ª Sniffle! "Is there no honor for the dead¡­?" Scott''s lips parted. "I¡­" But the words wouldn''t come. The woman yanked his collar harder, dragging his face closer to hers as she screamed with agony. "Monster!" Security was already moving. Miss Mercury, Marcus, and Dog Girl were quick to intervene as they tried to pull the woman away. But she wouldn''t budge. With her free hand, she pointed back¡ªback to the blue stroller, back to the tiny child who sat inside, oblivious to the storm of grief around them. "LOOK!" She sobbed painfully. "LOOK AT WHAT YOU''VE DONE! Dragonman is GONE! MY HUSBAND IS GONE! You made that child fatherless! You ripped his wings off! You tore his jaw off!" Her body shook violently. "And people want me to just let this go?! NO! NOOOO!!" It took several agents to finally pry her away, but even as they dragged her back, she didn''t stop crying, didn''t stop screaming. "ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?! HUH?! YOU SICK MAN! HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR FILL OF KILLING?! THAT USELESS GRIN ON YOUR FACE¡ª" But Scott¡­ Scott wasn''t grinning. He was just standing there. Silent. Expressionless. And for those who knew him, they could tell¡ªhe wasn''t just sad. He was exhausted. Even as the woman was finally carried away and her sobs haunted the scene, Scott didn''t move. Miss Mercury rushed to his side, touching his arm gently. "Scott¡­ are you okay?" There was no answer. Instead, he simply adjusted his tie, walked towards the podium, and tapped the mic with disinterest. The cameras were already rolling. Reporters were poised, microphones ready to attack. They were waiting¡ªnot for his words, but for a headline. Scott sighed. He knew what was coming. No one here would ever look at him the same way again. Not as a model. Not as a victim. Not even as a person. Just as a killer''s face. "Let''s get this over with¡­" He closed his eyes. It had been quite some time since he last slept ¡ª days spent searching for Brigid, who had mysteriously disappeared before the whole chaos even started. This was the closest thing to rest he had. Then, he opened them. His voice was calm. "¡­ It''s been a difficult time for many¡­" He paused briefly. "And I understand why." He paused again. Then, with a bitter chuckle, he added¡ª "But I''m not here to beg for sympathy, or anything¡­ I''m not even here to ask for a chance." A cold silence settled over the City Hall. "¡­ I''m here to tell you the truth." A voice from the crowd cut in. "Then tell us already!" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scott didn''t even flinch as K. Konrad Kain ¡ª sleazy, grinning, and ever-hungry for scandal ¡ª held up his recorder while his eyes burned with journalistic greed. "What''s the REAL truth, huh?! Is this all some ploy from the threat that is Nightwatch?! It has to be that black-wearing, vigilante-loving menace!" Scott ignored him. Instead, his eyes shifted to the crowd. To Commissioner Bennett who stood with a stiff body and a hardened gaze. Then, Scott spoke. "¡­The man who attacked¡­ the one who had my face¡­" A pause. "Was Nightwatch." A collective gasp. Pulsar''s eyes widened. Commissioner Bennett stormed out. The police force stood frozen in disgust. They were the ones who believed that Nightwatch was ten times more of a hero than whatever heroes the Hero Agency had on their roster. So naturally¡­ they found this insulting. Miss Mercury lowered her head, pressing her palm against her face in shame. And Konrad? He laughed. "HAHAH! I knew it was that menace!" He practically jumped with excitement, waving his recorder like he had just won a Pulitzer. Scott didn''t even react. He continued, voice steady yet laced with quiet anger. "¡­ I don''t have a scar on my neck." He pulled at his collar, revealing his smooth skin. "But the man who stole my face does." He took a breath. "It''s not just any scar. It''s the mark of entry. The mark of Nightwatch''s newly developed parasitic power." Murmurs spread like wildfire. Scott''s grip tightened on the podium. "¡­ He''s not a hero. He wasn''t a hero. And no matter what, he will never be a hero." His fingers dug into the wood. "He''s a menace. A threat. A terrorist ¡ª just like the Hero Agency declared him to be." The words tasted like poison. But he had to say them. Had to watch every ounce of work he''d done ¡ª every ounce of hope he had ¡ª crumble before his eyes. And worst of all? He was the one who had to destroy it. A shaky breath left his lips. "¡­ Starting next week, I''ll be working with the Hero Agency to use my celebrity status as a righteous means to support our worthy heroes. To fight against the true villain¡ªNightwatch." Silence. Then, the entire place erupted. Reporters swarmed. Microphones shoved towards his face. Security moved fast and efficiently formed a protective barrier around him. But in the crowd, Scott''s gaze found one person. Investigative reporter, Judy Cho. She wasn''t holding a microphone. She wasn''t taking notes. She was just staring at him. With pure, unforgivable hatred. Scott lowered his head. Could he blame her? Of course not. She was just like Commissioner Bennett and the rest of the Metro City Police Department¡ªthey all respected Nightwatch and understood the good he had done, even if the media and the Hero Agency refused to acknowledge it. In fact, she was one of his biggest supporters, loving and believing in him with all her heart. She was even willing to risk her own life just to make sure the world saw Nightwatch fight Red and save the entire country. Having to say all of this while she was there made it even harder for Scott to deal with. Even though the words had come from his mouth¡­ Even though the world now saw him as the heartless person who betrayed a hero¡­ Scott McQueen knew one thing. This speech¡­ was his own funeral, too. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ A few more days had passed. Scott was currently slouched like a lazy potato on Jake''s worn-out sofa, flipping mindlessly through TV channels. The space felt smaller than it actually was. It was a far cry from Emma''s massive estate, where the living room alone could swallow up most of Jake''s house. But Scott wasn''t here for comfort¡ªhe was here to escape. To clear his head from all the drama that had exploded around him over the past few days. Click. Channel 42. Konrad Kain sat in his high-backed chair, smug as always, ranting about how he had always known that Nightwatch was a threat. Click. Channel 67. Another talk show, another panel of self-righteous guests nodding along as Konrad claimed Nightwatch had once threatened his wife. Scott scoffed. "Right. And next he''ll say Nightwatch stole his dog and fed it to the moon." Click. Channel 85. Konrad again. This time calling Scott McQueen the real victim in all this. That actually made Scott want to punch something. The bastard wasn''t even wrong, but he was milking the situation for all it was worth. And it was working. Click. Click. Click. Nothing but the same garbage. Scott sank deeper into the sofa with a groan. "God, I hate show hosts so much¡­" Meanwhile¡ª Jake sat on the other end of the couch, laser-focused on some high-tech discs he was assembling. Each one was no bigger than a petri dish, with small injectors ejecting out of their centers. Thanks to Scott, he was able to get his hands on some pieces of high-tech parts that he could use to make some advanced tech just for fun. "Okay¡­ right there¡­" His fingers moved with experienced precision as he tweaked the mechanisms with a micro-screwdriver. Scott''s phone vibrated. Again. Jake glanced at the screen and frowned. 105 missed calls. All from Emma. "Dude." Jake set down his tools. "Why the hell aren''t you picking up? She''s been calling all day, everyday for three days now." Scott didn''t even look at him. "Not in the mood." Jake''s frown deepened. "Brodie, this might be about Brigid. Wouldn''t it be better to at least check?" "There''s no lead on Brigid¡­" Scott muttered, still flipping through channels. "Emma''s searched the world over. I''ve used almost every satellite, traffic cam, even a little cross-dimensional tracking. She''s just¡­ gone." His voice tightened slightly at the end, but he buried the emotion beneath another sigh. He didn''t want to think about it. Jake studied his friend for a long moment, then glanced at the phone again. Calls from Bella Trevors, Morgan, Vixen¡ªhell, even Gwen would have stormed in here if she weren''t stuck in the hospital. Jake exhaled sharply through his nose. "If you''re so fine, then why are you here?" Scott finally turned to look at him. "Because you''re my bro, bro." Jake blinked. Then snorted. "Well¡­ this shit stinks." Scott chuckled dryly, but the mood remained heavy. He pressed the remote again, this time with more force. Click. Click. Then¡ª BZZZT. The screen flickered. Static filled the air, followed by an abrupt system chime in Scott''s head. [DING! Intergalactic transmission detected¡­] Scott raised a brow. "Huh?" Before he could react, the television screen whited out ¡ª and then shifted into something¡­ totally different. Bright, dazzling lights. A massive stage. A roaring, unseen crowd. And in the center of it all¡ª A beautiful alien goddess stood with a dazzling smile. She had flawless blue skin, striking golden eyes, and long, messy white hair falling around her shoulders. Dressed in a crisp white button-down shirt and a black pencil skirt that perfectly hugged her curvy figure, she held a microphone in one hand and gestured grandly with the other. Then, she spoke¡ª "It''s time to get shamelessly perverted, my lovely, lovely people of the universe!" Scott blinked. "¡­ The fuck?" The woman laughed, tossing her hair back. "Ohohoho! That''s right! Your favorite woman of culture is back after thousands of years, and we are live on the grandest stage of them all¡ªThe Harem Game Show!" Scott''s face twisted in sheer confusion. "What is this garbage? Some kind of new reality show-style sci-fi series? And the name¡­ it sounds like some dumb shit Brigid would come up with¡ªpffft!" Jake, meanwhile, had completely abandoned his tools, leaning forward with amusement. "Okay¡­ now they got my attention. Who''s this clown?" The woman on the screen grinned. "For anyone watching for the first time¡­ well, technically, I''ve been sealed away for thousands of years, so this is actually a brand-new reality game show. But anyway, welcome to The Harem Game Show! It''s about to become the universe''s most exciting, most shameless, and most entertaining reality competition! And you know what?" She pointed¡ªdirectly at Scott. Scott stiffened. The woman''s grin widened. "You, Scott Evelyn McQueen, are our first contestant!" Silence. Jake slowly turned his head toward Scott. "¡­ Dude." Scott stared at the screen, utterly unamused. "Dude." Then, the System chimed again. [Ding! Intergalactic Streaming Mode Activated¡­] Scott''s blood ran cold. "Wait. Wait. Wait." He grabbed the remote and tried to change the channel. Nothing. Tried again. Still nothing. "Oh no, no, no, Scott! You''re not leaving that easily!" The woman giggled. "My dear viewers, our dear, sweet, unsuspecting contestant has no idea what''s about to happen to him! So, to all my alien brothers and sisters out there¡ªturn on your socials and start tweeting!" Jake let out a low whistle. "Ooooh. Bro, you''re so screwed." Scott''s eye twitched. "Jake." "Yeah?" "Shut the hell up." Jake smirked and leaned back. "Nah, man. This is gold. I''m invested." Scott groaned, gripping his head. "I swear to God, I am not playing this bullshit." The woman laughed again. "Oh, Scott, Scott, Scott¡­ you still don''t get it, do you?" She leaned in toward the camera. "This isn''t something you can just turn off." She turned around to show the camera the shape of her butt for some unknown reason. "Or don''t you wanna try your luck and see if all the sweet alien women across the universe will view you as the most eligible harem master! I promise you it''ll have Thraxan thotties shaking that thick ass on your starship, my guy!" Scott''s stomach dropped. Jake grinned. "Yeah, buddy. You''re playing. For both of us¡­" Chapter 183 - 183: The Harem Game Show Begins! Scott sat frozen. His mind spun as he stared at the screen. The blue-skinned woman was still talking with the kind of absurdity that made him wonder if he was trapped in some elaborate prank. At first, he''d dismissed it as nonsense, but the System''s confirmation made it all too real. And then ¡ª because the universe apparently wasn''t done messing with him ¡ª holographic blue screens sparked into existence before him and Jake, filled with live images of bizarre aliens from across the galaxy. Thousands of extraterrestrials, each more alienated than the last, were tuned into this¡­ whatever this was. A cosmic broadcast? An intergalactic livestream? The screens flooded with scrolling comments, moving too fast for Scott to process all at once, but the bits he caught only added to his growing headache. [Yo, Gwandorian here, what star system is this? Never seen this planet before.] [Oh snap, I''ve heard of these guys! They gotta be from the Dairy Path Galaxy or something¡­] [Wait, you mean the Milky Way Galaxy? Yeah, yeah, I know these guys. They''re called ''humans'' or something. Totally shitty race if you ask me¡­ bunch of FOINE intergalactic introverts if I''m being totally honest. ????] [Ugh, not these guys. Bunch of clueless weirdos who call everyone but themselves aliens. I swear, they act like if their planet is in danger, the whole damn universe should care.] [For real. Never seen a more self-absorbed species. Not even current with intergalactic trends, barely on SpaceGram, but wanna be at the center of everything. Tch. Reminds me of my ex-wife¡ªshitty woman.] Scott''s eye twitched. On the other hand, Jake looked like a kid who had just been told Santa Claus was real and handing out free gaming consoles to everyone. His eyes sparkled. In fact, his grin was wide enough to split his face. "No way¡­ are these comments actually from real aliens?! This is¡ªthis is¡ªTHE coolest thing I''ve ever seen in my entire eighteen years of living!" His hands trembled from excitement, as if the sheer overwhelming nerd dream of talking to aliens might actually kill him on the spot. Scott, however, wasn''t so thrilled. His expression remained blank, though the slight furrow in his brow betrayed his thoughts. He slowly turned back to the TV screen as his eyes locked onto the blue-skinned alien woman with suspicion. As if sensing his skepticism, the woman gasped dramatically, then put on a mock-scared expression. "Woah, woah, woah, bro! Why the scary face? I was just messing around, c''mon! Chill out, will ya?" She chuckled as her voice lilted in that maddeningly amused way that made Scott''s patience run even thinner. Scott''s jaw clenched. This was the second time she''d spoken directly to him through the TV screen. That wasn''t normal. Not even remotely normal. His eyes darted around the room as he searched for hidden cameras or drones¡ªanything that could explain how she was doing this. But deep down, he knew. If she didn''t want him to find whatever trick she was using, he wouldn''t. That only made him more frustrated. "Damn it¡­ how the fuck is she doing that¡ª?!" He muttered under his breath. The System responded immediately. [It is because she is a Thalorian.] Scott lifted a brow. "A Thalorian?" [Preparing additional information¡­] [The Thalorians are an ancient, pan-dimensional race of blue-skinned, white-haired entities known for their unparalleled reality-warping abilities, boundless mischief, and tragic downfall. Though physically weak, they possess the power to reshape existence at will¡ªturning planets into playgrounds, rewriting the laws of physics as a joke, and playing tricks on entire civilizations.] Scott inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly. Then ran a hand down his face. "¡­ Okay. That''s a lot to take in." And the worst part? He knew¡ªhe just knew¡ªthat he''d be the one dealing with this mess. Because if there was one thing Scott McQueen understood about his own luck, it was that if an intergalactic trickster goddess found him interesting, there was no getting rid of her. As if to confirm his growing sense of doom, the blue woman¡ªthis Thalorian¡ªsuddenly vanished into a puff of pink dust¡­ and reappeared on Scott''s shoulder. Jake jerked back with a startled yelp. "WOAH! WHEN''D SHE¡ª" But the Thalorian ignored him completely, instead looking at Scott with huge, sparkly eyes, like a child who''d just found a new toy. "Wooooah¡­" She breathed excitedly. "You have a cosmic computer voice in your head! That''s so cool! How''d you do that?! Humans definitely don''t have special entities like THAT in their heads¡­ well, not the boring ones, at least." She clasped her hands together, practically begging him for an answer. Scott didn''t respond. Not because he didn''t want to¡ªbut because he was too stunned. ¡ºShe¡­ noticed the System?¡» Even the System itself sounded surprised. [The Thalorian woman has detected my presence. How does the Host wish to respond?] Scott groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Nothing. Literally nothing." He was too exhausted for this. He turned a tired, exasperated glare at the blue woman. "What do you want?" The Thalorian giggled, then poofed into pink dust again¡ªreappearing behind the couch, this time at her full height of 5''2. She tapped her microphone against her head, then stuck her tongue out playfully. "Hrrmm¡­ at least ask my name first, sheesh! It''s Luminyss! But you can just call me Lumin!" Silence. Scott stared. Jake stared. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Neither said a word. Most of this still didn''t make sense. ¡ºThis has to be a dream¡­¡» Scott blinked. Then he blinked again. Nope, still there. And entire galaxies of extraterrestrial weirdos was currently watching his life like it was the season finale of Intergalactic Bachelor: Earth Edition. The holo-screens continued flooding his vision to display an overwhelming number of live comments from aliens across the universe. [Wait, wait, wait, this guy doesn''t know what a Thalorian is? Lmao, primitive much?] [Omg Lumin is back?! It''s been literally thousands of years! We missed you, girl!] [Bro, this guy really just asked "what does she want" instead of freaking the fuck out. What''s wrong with him??] [Not impressed. No tentacles, no bioluminescent features, and he''s only got two arms? Mid-tier species at best.] This gotta be Gleeborp from Gax-9. ????] Duuuuude, how''d you know?] He''s friends with some perverted Terran whose account name is SleazyPen¡­ I think? They both touch themselves to nude pictures of Octopussies. ????] Damn, reminds me of Intergarm! After that recent post of his new ride on SpaceGram ???? all the Octopussies wanted him so BAD! I heard he even had them thothies shaking ass on his mega ship and shit¡­] [Nah, I actually respect humans for one thing. Their internet toxicity is almost as good as ours. Almost.] ??? Scott''s left eye twitched. He was being flamed by an entire civilization of space trolls. ¡ºFucking fantastic¡­¡» Meanwhile, Jake was still staring at Luminyss with his watering mouth slightly agape. "Holy shit! First contact with an advanced alien species, and it''s a blue elf chick hosting a fucking game show?" His voice practically trembled. "This is the greatest day of my goddamn life." Scott slowly turned to glare at him. "We are not watching the same movie here, bro." Lumin clapped her hands together as her smile widened and she leaned over the sofa. "Oh, you two are just adorable!" She giggled sexily. "One of you looks like he just got hit by a space truck, and the other looks like he''s about to propose to me." Jake immediately straightened up. "I mean, I wouldn''t not consider it." Scott smacked the back of his head. "Dude." Lumin twirled her microphone and grinned. "But enough idle chitchat! Let''s get to the real reason we''re all here!" She pointed dramatically at Scott. "Congratulations, Scott Evelyn McQueen! You''ve been randomly selected¡ªwell, not that randomly, I totally rigged it¡ªto be the first contestant on¡­" She spread her arms, and suddenly, the entire living room morphed into a stadium-sized neon-lit stage with swirling holographic spotlights. A giant logo formed above them in shimmering golden letters¡ª ¡î THE HAREM GAME SHOW ¡î Confetti rained from nowhere. Scott just sat there, deadpan, completely unmoved. As for Jake, he whistled in awe. "Damn, that''s some high-tier production value." Luminyss ignored Scott''s lack of reaction and spun on her heel, then raised her mic. "And for our loyal intergalactic viewers, let''s go over the rules! Our contestant¡ªScott McQueen¡­ as well as his loyal roster of women¡ªwill be put through a series of delightfully perverted challenges, all for the entertainment of the entire universe!" Scott''s left eye twitched even harder. "Excuse me, what?" Luminyss continued, unfazed. "And if he performs well, he wins prizes beyond his wildest dreams! Riches, glory, intergalactic fame, a harem of top-tier alien waifus¡ª" Scott immediately stood up. "Yeah, no. Absolutely not. Shut it down." Lumin gasped, looking deeply, dramatically wounded. "Oh, Scotty, Scotty, Scotty¡­ You wound me." She clutched her petite chest as if his rejection had physically hurt her. "Denying an ancient, almighty Thalorian''s divine invitation to the greatest show in the universe? How rude! And to think I was going to let you squeeze my nipples, tch¡ª!" "WHAT DOES NIPPLES HAVE TO DO WITH ANY¡ª!" Scott hooked at the last moment. This wasn''t worth losing this much composure over. He pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled slowly. "I don''t even like reality shows, and I definitely don''t like whatever the hell this is supposed to be." Lumin pouted, then turned to the intergalactic audience. "Can you believe this guy?" More live comments flooded in. [L + Ratio + Imagine rejecting infinite bitches smh.] [As a Blorpian Elite, this foolish Terran with the brain of a Glorbnorb is actively refusing to become the main character of the universe. Couldn''t be me! ????] [Wait, but real talk, does he actually get a harem? Asking for¡­ scientific reasons.] [I feel like this guy is gonna punch a god at some point, and honestly? I''d pay to see it.] [Damn, Lumin is even sexier than before. I''ve been rubbing my six penises to her since this went LIVE. ????] BRUH, we ain''t need to know allat. ????] ??? Scott exhaled through his nose. "¡­ Are there any friggin'' aliens in this universe that aren''t terminally online?" By this time, Jake was losing his mind. "Scott, bro, you have to do this. Do you even realize how huge this is?!" He gestured wildly. "We''re talking real aliens. LEGIT ONES! Advanced civilizations! Technology beyond human comprehension! You could win stuff we can''t even imagine!" Scott folded his arms. "Name one thing I''d actually want." Jake didn''t even hesitate. "A battleship." Then, he edged closer to Scott''s ears like a temptress. "One exactly like the one in Star Conflicts¡­" Scott opened his mouth. Closed it. ¡º¡­ Fuck. That was actually tempting.¡» Lumin grinned. "Ooooh, someone''s interested now, huh~?" She leaned in closer as her starry eyes shimmered. "Come on, Scotty~! It''ll be fun! Think of it as¡­ a vacation from all the bullshit in your life! No Nightwatch drama, no hero politics, just games and prizes!" Scott looked at her skeptically. "And if I say no?" Lumin tapped her chin, then smirked. "Well¡­ I could just teleport you onto the stage anyway and start the first round without your consent, but~ I am a woman of culture, so I''d rather you agree to it first." Scott narrowed his eyes. "So I either accept willingly or you''re just selfishly going to force me into it anyway?" "Exactly!" He groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Of course." Jake clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Bro, come on, just do it. For science." Scott glared at him. "How the fuck is this scientific?" Jake looked him dead in the eyes. "Because if you reject the chance to get a space harem, I''ll literally write a research paper on how you''re the most mentally ill human in recorded history." Scott sighed heavily. Lumin clasped her hands together. "Sooooo? What''s it gonna be, Scotty~?" Scott let out the deepest, most exhausted sigh of his life. Then, with pure resignation, he muttered: "¡­Fine." Lumin''s face lit up. "YES!!" She jumped into the air, did an unnecessary number of flips, and snapped her fingers¡ª And in the blink of an eye, Scott, Jake, and their entire living room vanished from Earth. A second later, they reappeared on an enormous floating stage, surrounded by billions of watching aliens, screaming like they were at the Super Bowl of degeneracy. Luminyss pointed at Scott with a manic grin. "LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!" Scott and Jake glanced around and their eyes widened as they took in the absurdity of it all. The overwhelming brightness of the holo-screens. The deafening cheers of the intergalactic audience. The completely alien atmosphere of it all¡ªit was a lot. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say Scott was even more amazed than Jake. But when Jake noticed this, he immediately turned to Scott with a teasing grin. Realizing he''d been staring like an awe-struck child on a Christmas night, Scott quickly cleared his throat, looked away, and muttered¡ª "Ehhh, I mean, it''s alright, like¡­" Jake gave him the weirdest, most knowing smile ever. Just then, someone screamed at the top of their lungs¡ª "SCOOOTT!!" Scott turned his head so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash. Both he and Jake shouted in disbelief¡ª "Wait¡­ isn''t that BRIGID?!" Indeed, Brigid was standing right next to Luminyss, her face lit up like a kid getting picked up from school. She waved both hands wildly with her excitement completely unchecked. Scott''s brain short-circuited for a second. "What the fuck is she doi¡ª" And then, realization hit him like a truck. The sheer dumbness of this entire situation. This game show nonsense. This reality-warping madness. It had to be Brigid''s fault. Only she could come up with something as out-of-pocket as a harem game show. His expression deadened and his eyes got half-lidded as he let out a long, exhausted sigh. "Oh. Now it makes sense¡­ sigh~" Presently, the shock value of everything was gone. He didn''t even have the mental energy to be surprised anymore. Luminyss bending reality like Play-Doh? Whatever. Brigid somehow ending up with her? Of course. Nothing made sense anymore. Meanwhile, back at the commentary stand, Luminyss held her microphone close. Her voice boomed across the mega stadium. "WHAT''S UP, EVERYBODY?! Welcome to the grand premiere of what''s soon to be the number one show in the universe¡ªThe Harem Game Show! And today''s episode is called¡­ ''TO HAREM OR NOT TO HAREM!'' hahaha!" The moment she finished speaking, the entire alienated crowd erupted in chaos. Billions of aliens waved their diverse limbs ¡ª tentacles, crystalline arms, robotic claws, gooey appendages ¡ª anything they had, they threw it into the air in sheer excitement. Some even started bouncing off the walls, literally. The whole place looked like a cosmic rave from hell. Luminyss turned to Brigid and grinned. "So, sister, what are your thoughts on today''s events? How do you think this is gonna play out?!" Brigid took the mic and, after a brief moment of deep thinking, finally responded. "Well¡­ well, I can''t say for sure, but one thing I do know is that I am absolutely brimming with enthusiasm at this remarkable development." Silence. Luminyss stared at her like she''d just witnessed the dumbest moment in history. Confused, Brigid blinked. What? She had specifically chosen big, intellectual words so that aliens wouldn''t think humans were dumb. Already reading her mind, Lumin sighed. "Pssssh, you don''t gotta do all that, sister! Most of these aliens are dumb as a rock. I even tweaked the laws of the universe a bit so everyone speaks the same language! Kinda like a universal translator thingy¡­ hahaha!" Then her face twitched. "¡­ Oof. Yeah, I should probably fix that later before I get called to the Cosmic Court." Without warning, she poofed into pink dust and teleported directly onto Scott''s head. Her soft, plush ass landed perfectly on top of his skull. There was a small satisfaction she felt from pressing her ass cheeks against his head ¡ª which was unusual considering Thalorians weren''t known to be easily sexually excited. The entire stadium EXPLODED into deafening screams. Aliens of all shapes and sizes completely lost their minds. "HEY, THAT SHOULD BE ME!!" "LUMIN, SIT ON MY HEAD!!" "WHY DOES HE GET TO HAVE ALL THE FUN?!" Tentacles waved wildly. Weird alien appendages flailed. Even a few robotic drones in the audience were sending out high-pitched "BEEP BOOP, ENVY DETECTED." Scott, meanwhile, just sat there, dead inside. Still. Unmoving. Though¡­ there was one thing. A faint, sweet scent drifted into his nostrils. It was so intoxicatingly sweet and arousing that ¡ª absolutely unconsciously ¡ª he licked his lips. He froze. ¡ºWait, why the fuck did I do that?¡» Reading his thoughts, Luminyss giggled. "Oh, that? Yep, that''s because Thalorians, in our physical forms, have one of the sweetest-tasting reproductive organs in the universe~" Then, she leaned forward slightly as her breath warmed against his ear. "And if I get high ratings on this game show, I''ll let you lick it to your heart''s content~" Scott''s soul left his body. On the other hand, Jake saw everything. His eyes widened in unholy realization. He immediately grabbed both his hands and shoved them over his crotch. "HOOOOO, CALM DOWN THERE, LITTLE ONE¡­ I CAN''T JAKE IT HERE¡­!!" With the deepest sigh of his life, Scott facepalmed. "Never. Read. My. Mind. Again." Grinning, Luminyss kicked her legs playfully as she sat atop his head. "Oops, did a little too much brain-picking~" Then, suddenly, her expression changed. "Ooooooooh¡­ but what''s this?" Scott had no time to react before she snapped her fingers. In an instant¡ªa blinding burst of light filled the air. And when the light faded¡ª They were surrounded. Beautiful women. A LOT of them. Miss Mercury. Pulsar. Dog Girl. A Dark Elf (who was supposed to be in critical condition but somehow looked perfectly fine). Gwen. Judy Cho. Rope Girl. Witch. Deathmark. Vixen. Foxgirl. Even Ezel, the Pontiach female. Every single woman Scott had ever been involved with ¡ª romantically, sexually, or even slightly¡ª They were all here. And all of them? Staring right at him. Scott blinked. "Oh." Jake whistled. "Ohhhh." The alien crowd? "OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" The excitement only flattered Luminyss. "Oops. I did a little more, sorry¡­ and other than the tragically sad abuse and trauma he went through as a child, I managed to source out the full list of women you''re romantically involved with¡ªor at least had a romantic encounter with. And you know what? I actually like all of them. They''re so unstable." She gave Maya a small stare. "Especially her. But that''s probably because she always gets screwed over. Kinda sucks, you know? I like her." The Harem Game Show¡­ Had officially begun. Chapter 184 - 184: Panty Auction! Pink dust burst through the air as Luminyss hovered like a mischievous fairy. With a teasing grin, she spread her slender arms wide and declared¡ª Pink dust burst through the air as Luminyss hovered like a mischievous fairy. With a teasing grin, she spread her slender arms wide and declared¡ª "On this wonderful day, these lucky, beautiful females will compete for his affection, until a winner captures his hand as the new Mr. McQueen!" The crowd erupted into wild cheers. The arena practically vibrated from the excitement. Still floating, a proud Luminyss twirled midair before adding with a giggle¡ª "Orrrr, he can just end up choosing all of them after realizing just how much each of these sexually unstable women are attracted to him!" The cheers doubled. Yet, amidst this uproar, Scott McQueen sat still as a rock as his face remained utterly unmoved. His face showed no emotion at all. The only sign of his feelings was a slight twitch of his eyebrows, barely hiding his disgust. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "B-, But¡­" He started, then suddenly exhaled a sharp sigh as he rubbed his temples before snapping¡ª "It''s a sick idea to make all these women compete for my hand in marriage¡ªor even for a damn chance to join my friggin'' harem. It makes no friggin'' sense! I think they also believe that they''re worth more than that!" Instantly, the mood shifted. The entire stadium fell into a beat of stunned silence. And then¡­ "BOOOOOOOO!" A deafening wave of boos crashed down on Scott. He blinked, baffled, as his frown deepened. He scanned the arena, and just when he thought it couldn''t get worse¡ª His best friend, Jake, who had been standing right next to him, was also booing. Scott''s eye twitched. He turned to Jake, disbelief plain on his face. "Really, bro?" Jake froze mid-boo, his lips still pursed. Then, like a guilty kid caught red-handed, he quickly averted his gaze and whistled innocently as though that would erase the evidence of his betrayal. Scott groaned. He was too damn tired for this. Only now did he finally take a proper look at the gathering of women before him. ¡­ And he was seeing a lot of new faces. Among them was Irina Golovin, the Russian transfer student and superhero. She looked at him like he had just grabbed her inappropriately or whispered something wildly inappropriate in her ear. Then there was Bella Trevors, who was too busy admiring her own reflection in the mirror to care about the swarm of aliens around them. Also present were Invisible Woman and Widowmilk ¡ª both of whom were supposed to be in jail ¡ª along with a calm and composed Lady Fortress, a very confused Sniperess, and several other women he barely recognized. His expression twisted into further confusion. "Bruh¡­" He muttered under his breath before looking at Luminyss with growing irritation. "Most of these women¡ªI didn''t even have a romantic encounter with¡­ dude!" Luminyss just chuckled, her golden eyes twinkling mischievously. "Does that really matter? As long as there are more women to participate, that''s all that matters! If I wanted, I could''ve added your little sister, Scottie, and psycho mom in here just for the shock drama!" She giggled cutely. Scott''s face drained of color. "Please¡­ don''t do that¡­ DON''T." Luminyss let out an exaggerated yawn. "Boring. But whatever!" Then, she turned to Jake. "First, let''s get Jakey over here to the VIP booth where he can enjoy the presence of some Naxian thots." She snapped her fingers. In a blink, Jake vanished from Scott''s side and reappeared in a luxurious VIP booth, surrounded by four blue insectoid alien women¡ªall of them possessing busty chests and wide butts. They flicked their elongated, slippery tongues and started kissing him all over. Jake''s eyes widened in bliss. "Best. Day. Ever." He exhaled, his arms spreading wide as though embracing the heavens. He stared up at the cosmic expanse of stars above, as if silently thanking some greater force for this divine blessing. Meanwhile, Luminyss turned back to Scott, then gave him a sly smile. "Alright, Scottie-boy! Sit tight and relax. The first challenge is about to begin!" Another snap of her fingers¡ª THUMP! A large, throne-like chair materialized behind Scott, and an unseen gravitational force yanked him into it. The moment he landed, the ground trembled. All the women before the crowd turned their attention back to Luminyss. Rope Girl and Witch exchanged wary glances. "What in the world is going on?" Witch muttered. Rope Girl narrowed her eyes at Luminyss and her senses tingled with caution. "Better not do anything risky for now. Just by looking at that blue lady, I can tell we''d be making a big mistake if we tried to go against her words." Witch and Sniperess just nodded. Meanwhile, Deathmark kept her eyes fixed on Scott as her brows furrowed. "Hmm¡­ He feels familiar for some reason¡­" She mused, tapping her chin. "I can''t put my finger on it, but¡­ something about him¡­" But just as she was lost in thought¡ª A new presence made itself known. A woman stepped onto the elevated platform where Scott was seated. Miss Mercury. There was relief in her eyes as she gazed up at him. "Finally¡­" She breathed, as though she''d been searching for him for an eternity. Unlike many of the others, she wasn''t even fazed by the alien crowd or the surreal stadium. Her focus was entirely on Scott. But Scott, on the other hand? The moment he saw her, a bead of cold sweat trailed down his forehead. "Shit¡­" he thought. His instincts screamed for him to avoid this conversation at all costs. Miss Mercury didn''t seem to notice his unease as she continued¡ª "I''ve been trying to reach you over the phone for some time now. But we can talk about it later. There''s something important I need to¡ª" Before she could finish, Luminyss poofed right in front of her, floating mid-air with an exaggerated gesture. "SHHHH!" Miss Mercury frowned. "What the hell?!" "The challenge is about to start!" Luminyss chimed. Miss Mercury''s frown deepened as she folded her arms under her breasts. "I don''t give a damn about that! I want to talk with my boyfriend. It''s serious." Luminyss giggled. "So is this." With a snap of her fingers¡ª POOF! All the women in the stadium vanished into pink dust. When the dust settled¡ª A massive stage stood at the center of the stadium, complete with bright neon lights and a grand, luxurious auctioneer''s podium. Scott''s brows twitched. Something felt very, very wrong. Lumin floated into the air once again, as she dramatically announced¡ª "Alright, for the first challenge, we have¡­" She twirled mid-air before spreading her arms wide¡ª "THE PANTY AUCTION!" Scott''s face instantly turned into horrified confusion. "The panty what?" The entire arena was so silent, you could hear the faintest breath. Trillions of alien eyes, compound orbs, luminescent slits, and even eldritch sensory organs were all locked onto the center stage, waiting¡ªno, starving¡ªfor Luminyss to announce the rules of the competition. With a flick of her pale hair, Lumin didn''t waste a second. "This is a game of strategy, seduction, and true shameless exhibitionism." The words rang through the air like a celestial decree. A few murmurs rippled through the crowd, but most just leaned in, eager for what was next. "But!" Luminyss raised a single finger. "Out of respect for the bidder¡ªScott McQueen¡ªthe viewers will only receive an audio feed of what the contestants present¡­ not the enticing visuals." The arena was deathly still for exactly one second. Then¡ª "BOOOOOOOO!!!" A deafening, unified roar of fury erupted from the audience as countless alien lifeforms waved their fists and their many appendages trembling with rage. Others stomped the ground, causing quakes to ripple through the coliseum. "You call this an exhibition?! This is a scam!!" A tentacle-covered noble shrieked. "Luminyss, you heartless wench, how dare you rob us of this visual art?!" A multi-eyed avian cried out. One gelatinous creature even melted into a puddle of pure despair. Completely unfazed, Luminyss just chuckled and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, come on now." She tapped a finger against her cheek. "You all understand, don''t you? A man''s harem is his sacred treasure. No other men should be given the chance to see what only he is meant to enjoy." A heavy silence fell over the crowd. Many of the male aliens exchanged glances. Slowly, begrudgingly, many of them sighed and gave stiff nods. "... Fine. That makes sense." A horned humanoid grumbled. "As much as it hurts me, I can''t deny the logic¡­" An insectoid king admitted as his wings drooped. Seeing them settle, Luminyss smirked. "Good. Now then! Each contestant must auction off their panties in a live, high-stakes bidding war!" The entire stadium trembled with raw energy as the audience screamed in perverted excitement. "But instead of money¡­ Scott McQueen ¡ª and only Scott McQueen ¡ª will bid using Affection Points." She threw a quick glance over her shoulder, then gave Scott a cheeky thumbs-up. Scott stared at her, deadpan. Then he slowly dragged his hand down his face. "God¡­ I just know they''re all gonna blame me for this¡­" He muttered, rubbing his temples. "Y''know what? I''m not playing. I refuse. I''m not bidding on women''s panties like some kind of perverted connoisseur. It''s shameless and completely inappropriate. How the hell can I call myself a gentleman after that?" His sigh was heavy. But when he looked up again¡ª Luminyss was right in front of him, grinning like an excited child waiting for a reaction. Scott''s brow twitched. "You must be on cosmic crack if you think I''m doing this." Luminyss giggled. "Oh, Scott~ You don''t have to do anything! I''ll just pick the answers straight from your brain!" The blood drained from his face. His body jerked forward. "Wha¡ªWAIT. YOU''RE JOKING, RIGHT?!" Luminyss shot him a skyward side-eye before gracefully floating away. Scott felt his entire soul leave his body. Meanwhile, Brigid¡ªone of the masterminds behind this cursed game¡ªbounced on her feet with excitement. "Lord Nightwatch loved this, right?!" She beamed as her fists clenched with anticipation. "Did I make him proud?!" Luminyss knew damn well that Scott despised every second of this. But¡­ telling Brigid the truth? That would just make her feel bad and push for the game show to end ¡ª considering it had the potential to gain high ratings, she simply couldn''t allow that to happen. So, with the biggest, brightest grin¡ª "Ahahahaha! He loves it!" "YAAAAAYYY!!" Brigid punched the air, vibrating with glee. It was clear that she wanted Scott''s harem to work out considering how much she always had to see him go through because of a dysfunctional harem. This game show was designed to hopefully fix all of that ¡ª and perhaps make Emma and Scott more open to the idea of a harem. It seemed very risky. But it was worth taking. ¡ºHmph! I''m sure Lord Nightwatch will see me as his favorite after I help him fix these problems. It seems I''m much smarter than I originally taught¡­ kekek, good job!¡» She looked so proud. At that moment¡ª The entire arena dimmed. A soft, pink veil descended over the stage to censor the upcoming presentations from the public. Scott sat in silence, arms crossed, stewing in his frustration like a middle-aged salary man. His doom was inevitable. Then¡ª The first contestant stepped onto the stage. Scott looked up. Dog Girl. The moment he saw her, his stomach sank. Oh no. The guilt¡ªoh, the guilt¡ªslammed into him like a meteor. "Please don''t say something stupid¡­" He muttered under his breath. Dog Girl caught his gaze¡ª And her face went cherry red in an instant. She slapped both hands over her head and trembled. "WOOOOAH¡ª" Her ears twitched wildly. "There''s no way¡­ no way¡­ Boss is excited to see my panties, right¡­?" Scott blinked. Wait. ¡­What? Dog Girl clutched her racing heart. "I-I was gonna be respectful! I was gonna say I wouldn''t taint his pure eyes with my panties¡­ b-but¡­ if he''s really looking forward to it¡­" Her eyes sharpened. Her resolve ignited. She slammed her fist against her chest in a firm salute. Scott instinctively leaned back, brow furrowing. "¡­ Hm?" Then¡ª Dog Girl stepped forward¡ª And grabbed the waistband of her tights. Scott''s eyebrows shot up so high they nearly popped off his forehead. He was already screaming internally. Dog Girl hesitated for a moment, ears twitching. Then, she timidly glanced around¡ªas if making sure no one else was watching. The only eyes on her? Scott''s. Her entire body trembled. For some reason¡­ that made it feel even more arousing. Her tail¡­ started wagging. Scott noticed. Out of panic, Dog Girl yelped and quickly clamped her tail between her thighs. "SO-, SORRY!" she blurted. Scott coughed loudly. "U-uh. It''s fine. Just¡­ keep pulling your pants down¡ª" Wait. "NO¡ªI MEAN¡ªkeep¡­ doing¡­ uh, what you''re doing¡­" His entire brain was melting. Finally, the tights dropped. Scott''s breath hitched. Dog Girl''s panties were white and pink striped. And her thighs¡ªgood God, her thighs¡ª They were full, luscious, and strangely¡­ really attractive. ¡­ He had never actually looked at Dog Girl like this before. But now¡­? ¡º¡­ Damn.¡» Miss Mercury and Gwen ¡ª watching from a holo-screen ¡ª were absolutely FURIOUS. They clenched their fists. "WHY THE HELL DOES HE LOOK INTERESTED¡ª?!" Meanwhile, Dark Elf, munching on chips, casually glanced down at her baggy cargo pants. "¡­ Wait, so I gotta show him my panties too?" She tossed another chip into her mouth. "Damn." Even the thought of displaying her most shameless panties to Scott didn''t seem to phase her one bit. But, the same couldn''t be said for the other women. "Hrmm¡­ wonder if he''ll show us his¡­" Dark Elf stuffed her mouth with some more chips. ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ ©¥ Note: I should be covering all these things up in due time, I am still really occupied so please guys just give me time. And I always appreciate your support and am hoping that you will continue to lend that to me. Chapter 185 - 185: Hairy Discussion Dog Girl took a deep breath and stared down at the ground and at her little feet¡ªshe was still very uncomfortable about this, mainly because she didn''t know how Scott was going to react, but she was at least hoping it''d be good. ¡ºOkay¡­ he''s not going to get mad at me¡­ he''s the one that said he wanted to see them¡­ ri-, right? So he''s not going to be mean to me about it¡­ but what if Boss gives me a super low score? Ahhhh, I don''t know how I''d feel!¡» She was already panicking so much that anyone who saw her would notice it on her face. Somehow, she managed to cool herself by pulling on her fluffy ears as she started mumbling nonsense about how tasty dog food was. After a few seconds, she now had the face of a soldier ready to head into war¡ªwhich was a little ridiculous, considering she always looked more adorable than fierce or dangerous in any sense. Dog Girl stared at her fresh, bare thighs again and then slotted her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. With a deep breath, she pulled them down. Her panties rolled down to her ankles, and the first thing that Scott noticed was the item between her legs. It instinctively made him lean forward in his chair. Luminyss smiled and shouted¡ª "DOG GIRL''S TAKEN OFF HER PANTIES!!" The crowd of aliens immediately went wild after all the silence that had choked the stadium¡ªthey had been quiet because they couldn''t see anything all this time, so with some descriptions, they were now at least able to tell what was happening. A multi-armed, ape-like alien shouted¡ª "COME ON, TELL US WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE DOWN THERE! PLEASE, WE NEED THIS!!" This then made the other aliens get thirsty. "HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO ENJOY THIS WITHOUT ANY SORT OF VISUALS?!" "DESCRIBE THE PANTIES TOO!!" "I WANNA KNOW WHAT HER ORGAN LOOKS LIKE!" "YEAH! IS IT HAIRY?!" These questions were from the literal pit of perversion, and Scott didn''t even know how to feel about this¡ªthe fact that he had hoped to one day go into outer space in search of intelligent life, and this was the best the galaxy had to offer. It made him sigh like all hope was lost as he lowered his head and slapped a hand over his face. It was no different from a father watching his son tell him he didn''t want to play football. ¡ºI''m so screwed¡­¡» His heavy eyes managed to open and stare at Dog Girl. This wasn''t the first time he was looking at the object between her fleshy inner thighs. More than three times now, he''d tried not to look, but he wasn''t able to stop himself. But it wasn''t because there was any sexual satisfaction he gained from staring at the place between her legs. No¡­ but for certain creatures, he always wanted to know about the intimate parts or functions of their bodies. And as for Dog Girl¡ªhe wasn''t surprised. She had a very hairy vulva. Like, that area was so hairy that it looked like it had a four-inch wig it was wearing. And now, that explained why that area looked so inflated when her panties were on. Out of shame, Dog Girl looked away slowly and placed both her hands over her delicate vulva¡ªeven then, the hair was still enough that it was poking out. "S-, Sorry, Boss¡­ I don''t shave¡­ much¡­" It was such a shameful sight. The way she stood there with her oddly wet panties around her ankles, her hands over her hairy vulva, and her droopy ears falling over her sad face¡­ even her fluffy tail didn''t seem to wag this time. ¡ºHnnn~ I feel so ashamed I could pee myself¡­¡» Her head dropped even lower. By this time, there should''ve been a response from Scott. "Uhm¡­" But he couldn''t seem to bring out the right words. Back at the Contestant Room, all the women were watching this with surprise on their faces. Before now, most of these women were either confused, still looking for a way to get out of here, or just trying to get this over with so everything would be back to normal¡ªbut the moment they all saw Dog Girl''s hairy vulva, it immediately put all of them at the front of the holo-screen. Miss Mercury was the first to speak up¡ª "Hmph! Honestly, I don''t understand why some women insist on keeping a jungle between their legs. My boyfriend prefers it clean-shaven, and I have to say, nothing beats the smooth feeling under silk sheets." The first memory to enter her mind was how Scott would always apply some lube on his tip and then use it to trace over the smooth area of her vulva¡ªfor some reason, it always made her come faster. All of a sudden, a weird smile appeared on Mercury''s face as a small trail of saliva rolled down the corner of her mouth. Then, someone replied¡ª "Pfft. What a ''first time in a relationship'' thing to say. I let mine grow wild and free¡ªlike a lion''s mane. If a man can''t handle a bit of fur, then he doesn''t deserve to see what''s under it!" The crowd of women became silent. Not because of what was said¡­ but because of who said it. Everyone looked to the corner, and it was Rope Girl who stood there with her arms crossed, one of her long legs resting over the other while her back remained pressed against the wall. She didn''t even seem bothered by what she''d just said¡ªonly when she looked up and saw that they were all staring at her with wide eyes. Rope Girl shrugged and said¡ª"What?" "No¡­ it''s just¡­" Deathmark paused. "Kind of out-of-pocket for you¡­" Witch completed. Many other women were still silent, but the same couldn''t be said for Dark Elf, who dropped her bag of chips and then slowly unbuckled the straps of her beige cargo pants. "You guys and your strange habits." She sighed like a sloth. "I barely grow hair down there, and when I do, it''s as soft as a potato chip bag. Not that it matters¡ªI think I''d like some hair down there so I can at least hide some stuff¡­ maybe like raisins or something." Right after, Dark Elf lowered her cargo pants until all the ladies could see the sexy and muscular V-shape of her waist that would make many men go wild. These women, on the other hand, were deeply impressed. "Wooooooah¡­ you''re really fit¡­" said Irina. "Yeah, I did a lot of assassin work, so¡­" "¡­" "¡­" "¡­" Dark Elf sighed. "I probably shouldn''t have said that in a room full of female heroes, right?" Rope Girl just nodded. From the corner, Foxgirl, who had been quietly scrubbing her shoulders with a loofah to test how original it was, cleared her throat rather aggressively. "This conversation is wholly inappropriate¡ª" But before she could finish, Vixen cackled and threw a small punch across her shoulder. "Ouch!" Foxgirl frowned. "What was that for?" "You really think either of us have the right to tell these women what''s appropriate and what''s not?" "Well¡­ ugh¡­" Foxgirl gave up and chose to be silent. Gwen forced out a loud yawn and then pointed at the two fox ladies with her thumb as she said¡ª "Besides¡­ we all know it''s gonna be hairy as fuck down there, and your freaky fans probably like it because it gives off that musty smell they like." This infuriated Foxgirl. "HOW DARE YOU BE¡­" She felt instant shame, and her voice dipped. "¡­be so right¡­" She rubbed the side of her arm and slowly looked away with a surprisingly shy face. ¡ºThis kind of reminds me of the whole ''using my pussy to break a hardtack'' incident¡­ A politician bought it, and he was a married man with kids, and I remember he still sent me a video of him eating it. Ahhhh~ honestly¡­¡» Foxgirl sulked a bit as her ears drooped. Just then, Miss Mercury noticed this and gave Gwen a very quick shove in her side. "Ouch¡­ what?!" Gwen frowned and rubbed her side. Mercury jerked her head toward Foxgirl. A little reluctant to speak, Gwen sighed in acceptance. "I¡­ I guess that was a little harsh¡­" She pursed her lips like a stubborn, spoiled child. "I''m not apologizing, though¡­" "Sigh~ whatever¡­" Miss Mercury slapped a hand against her forehead. ??? By this time, Dog Girl had already positioned her panties up for Scott to get a full view of. "Uhm¡­ these are my panties¡­" She looked away more and pushed out her panties, as if there was a gravitational force of shame that prevented her from looking at him while presenting them. There were many women who would believe this would subtract from her points, but the real truth was that it was a huge bonus. Who didn''t love a shy display of shame? Nevertheless, Scott wasn''t in an easy spot¡ªnot at all. He was sure that the other ladies were watching, since they would need to learn the procedure of how the entire Panty Auction challenge would be done. So, if he somehow showed any excitement or interest in the panties displayed before him, then he was sure Emma and Gwen would be after his head. But¡­ he wasn''t prepared for what Dog Girl would do next. The canine lady took deep breaths. "I¡­ I don''t think you''ll want these¡­" she mumbled. "And why not?" Scott managed to ask. "B-, Because¡­" Dog Girl''s face burned crimson. "I¡­ I peed a little in them." A collective gasp from the audience. The entire place went wild¡ªeven the ladies in the Contestant Room were screaming like banshees on crack. "H-, How can she be so¡­ so shameless?!" "That''s some shitty underhanded tactics!" "Scott better not fall for it!" "Pee and panties in the same sentence should be illegal for any woman! ANY WOMAN!!" The challenge had yet to start, and these women were already going over the top in their rage. Scott''s eyes gleamed with hidden interest. "Oh?" "I c-, couldn''t help it!" Dog Girl whined as she gripped her panties tight. "I have a super weak bladder, and I was thinking about you too much, and I¡­ I¡­ nngh!" "Seventy Affection Points." Dog Girl''s eyes widened. "R-, Really?" Scott instantly panicked. "WAIT©¤©¤I DIDN''T MEAN TO SAY THAT!!" He was already waving his hands in panic as he tried to scurry back in shock, but he was seated on a chair, so it wasn''t as if he was going anywhere anytime soon. Ready to feed into the drama, Luminyss quickly poofed into pink dust and reappeared directly on Scott''s lap as she laughed at the top of her voice. Then, she leaned back on his chest and stared up at him with a cute smile. But¡­ the smile was a few inches from being mischievous. "You didn''t mean to say it¡­ hrmmmm, that doesn''t sound like you didn''t say it, keheheh¡­ and that''s because you''re now able to say whatever your mind and heart genuinely think, just like I said you would!" She clapped very loudly. "So, we''re rest assured you won''t be lying at all!" Her head fell back against his chest more, and she laughed louder and louder as the aliens joined her. The room tensed the moment Miss Mercury''s face turned red¡ªbut this wasn''t the usual soft, affectionate blush she had whenever Scott did something to fluster her. No, this time, her face burned with sheer rage. Her eyes widened in absolute disbelief as she stared at the holo-screen, veins practically popping out of her forehead. Then, it happened. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME¡ª?!" She screamed with a thunderous voice. Her fist reeled back, fully prepared to obliterate the holo-screen into a million digital fragments. But before she could throw a proper tantrum, Gwen and Dark Elf lunged in at the exact same time, their arms locking around her like restraints on a wild beast. "LET ME GO! LET ME GO RIGHT NOW!!" Mercury thrashed like a woman possessed, her legs kicking, her fists flailing in the air with increasing fury. Gritting her teeth as she struggled to hold her down, Gwen finally huffed out¡ª "Come on! There''s no guy that''s not gonna get a little bit weird over something like that¡­ It doesn''t mean he lo¡ª" "I DON''T CARE WHAT IT MEANS!" Mercury roared. "He better take back those points he gave her, unless sixty is the new zero!" Her eyes practically ignited with flames of wrath. "He shouldn''t be out there RATING THE PANTIES of another woman that ISN''T ME! URRGH!!!" Her rage shot through the roof like a nuclear blast. Still as expressionless as ever, Dark Elf merely tightened her grip, making sure Mercury wouldn''t go on an unhinged rampage. ¡ºI don''t have enough chips¡­¡» She was only concerned about that. Meanwhile, across the room, Bella Trevors cast an irritated side-eye at the entire spectacle before fwipping her glossy hair back. Unlike the others, she had far more important things to focus on¡ªlike herself. Her gaze returned to the full-length mirror in front of her to admire the angelic beauty staring back. Me¡­ she thought with a giggle, stroking her flawless skin as she continued to dress her hair little by little. Yet, unnoticed by anyone, her hands trembled slightly. She was nervous. ¡ºDamn it¡­¡» Bella bit her lip. ¡ºI haven''t been able to talk to Scott since¡­ since that time he did what he did to me¡­¡» She hated it. Hated that she had tried calling him so many times, yet he hadn''t picked up even once. A man shouldn''t make her call them! No, they should be helplessly in love with her¡ªgroveling, desperate, on their knees, begging just to be acknowledged. Her jaw clenched, frustration bubbling up. ¡ºI should never call a man. They should be the ones calling me like hopeless dogs!¡» Her fingers curled around her lipstick as she aggressively applied it to her juicy lips, growling under her breath. On the other side of the room, Deathmark raised an eyebrow before leaning in close to Witch and Rope Girl. "¡­Isn''t that¡ª" "Mhm." Rope Girl cut her off with a knowing nod. They both understood. One of their recent targets had been Morgan, and now that Bella was here, they had the perfect chance to dig up more dirt on him. But for now? They had to play it cool. No overreacting. Speaking of overreacting¡­ Dark Elf and Gwen had finally managed to tire out Miss Mercury. Now seated on the floor, legs crossed in a lotus position, she sat with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her face twisted into a deep, childish pout¡ªlike a little kid whose favorite toy had been stolen. Just then¡ª SNAP! Luminyss flicked her fingers, and Dog Girl instantly vanished into pink dust. Then, without hesitation, she pressed her plump rear against Scott''s crotch, sinking into his lap with deliberate slowness. Scott nearly had a heart attack. "H-, HEY!" His whole body jolted, arms flailing as his face turned harder than Miss Mercury''s earlier rage. Luminyss merely giggled, then wiggled her soft butt against him as she purred¡ª "Relax, relax¡­ I''m just sitting on your sweet bulge. No need to worry, man~" Scott''s soul practically left his body. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "THAT''S WHY I''M WORRIED FOR GOODNESS SAKE!" Luminyss turned her head slightly, placing a slender finger against her lips with a playful wink. "Shhhh~!" She tilted her head coyly. "I''m just doing this for your own good¡­ you never know when another girl might give you a boner~" Scott froze. Luminyss giggled again. "Oh? You''re worried? I didn''t know your boners were this massive¡­ Hehe~" Scott''s entire existence shattered. "EH?!" Completely ignoring his distress, Luminyss smoothly shifted her focus. She had carefully divided the women into three categories: Room A ¡ú Heroes & high-status women. Room B ¡ú Villainous women. Room C ¡ú The complicated, drama-inducing women. Using her vision, she peered into Room C. Inside stood three women, confused and waiting. Judy Cho. Pulsar. Nadia Al-Rashid. Luminyss smirked to herself. She then snapped her fingers, dramatically announcing¡ª "Next contestant is¡­ Pulsar!" Chapter 186 - 186: ~Intermission~ Discussing Feelings A sudden poof of pink dust swallowed the air, and in the blink of an eye, three figures materialized inside what could only be described as a hyper-luxurious suite¡ªlike something out of a five-star hotel''s presidential floor. Just moments ago, everything was normal. Judy was in the middle of interviewing a B-list actor about his latest romcom. Pulsar had been flying over the city, trying to clear her head while keeping an eye on everything below. As for Nadia, she was taking a much-needed break from being around Scott¡ªthings were already getting complicated, and she didn''t want to make them worse. Instead, she buried herself in work, relying on Jenna to fill her in on whatever was going on between Scott and Emma. But the second Luminyss snapped her fingers, none of that mattered anymore. In an instant, they were all ripped from their lives and thrown into a massive arena, surrounded by billions of aliens. Now, this luxurious room¡ª The place smelled faintly of something floral, but with an otherworldly touch, and the furniture was a bizarre yet elegant blend of futuristic and alien designs. The grandness of the room alone should have been enough to shock them into silence. But the first to react¡ªno surprise there¡ªwas Judy Cho. The ever-enthusiastic journalist barely had a second to process her sudden teleportation before she sprang into action. Her heels barely touched the ground as she went on her toes, twisting her head in every direction like an owl on caffeine. Her eyes, wide as headlights, flew across the room and sucked in every bizarre detail. Panic? Maybe for a second. But curiosity? That hit her like a freight train. "Okay, what the hell just¡ª?!" Her words tumbled out in half-panicked, half-excited breaths before she gasped, then snatched her phone from her pocket in record time. "Oh my God. Oh my God. This is it! This is REALLY it, people of Earth¡ª" She nearly squealed as she turned her camera to face herself as her expression bounced between shock and absolute giddiness. "We''ve been abducted by aliens!" With a quick spin, she captured the entire room as her words tumbled out a mile a minute. "Look at this! This has to be a holding room! But why''s it so luxurious? Does this mean some aliens actually want to make contact and not just¡ªoh, I don''t know¡ªconquer us, harvest our organs, and sell us on the cosmic black market? Maybe, just maybe, the universe isn''t as doom-and-gloom as the media likes to portray¡ª" Her rant was cut short as she sprinted to an alien-looking table statue made of what looked like translucent, jelly-like glass. Her fingers hovered over it for a second before she poked it¡ªand the damn thing morphed. It twisted and reshaped itself instantly, shifting colors from deep blue to a molten gold. ¡ºA non-living object that can react to stimulus¡­?¡» Judy shrieked. "Did you guys see that?! Did you see that?!" She turned the camera toward Pulsar and Nadia as her grin stretched ear to ear. "This is next level! Imagine¡ªimagine¡ªwhat happens when Earth finally builds connections with aliens! This kind of tech? This could be in everyone''s homes one day! I mean, sure, only the Hero Agency and the UN have any real pull with intergalactic relations, but still! This¡ª" She jabbed at the table again, watching it morph into yet another shape. "This could be our future!" Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, two people were watching her like she was a hyperactive golden retriever that had just been set loose in a sci-fi convention. Nadia stood with her arms crossed under her breasts and her face bland, while Pulsar¡­ well, Pulsar just looked tired. Not just physically exhausted, but the kind of weary that settled deep in the bones. The black marks under her eyes made it clear that sleep had been a stranger to her lately. She stood with her arms loosely at her sides, taking in the scene without much reaction¡ªother than the occasional slow blink that screamed, I don''t know what the hell I''m doing here. After a long pause, Nadia glanced at Pulsar from the side, then raised an eyebrow. "Oh. You''re Pulsar." Pulsar blinked and turned to her, clearly thrown off. "Oh. Uh¡ªYou know me?" Nadia gave a small, casual shrug. "Uhm, well¡­ yeah, of course." Pulsar tilted her head slightly, her lips parting like she wanted to say something but wasn''t sure what. Yeah, she knew she was getting more recognizable lately, but she still wasn''t used to people saying it to her face. It felt¡­ weird. Vincent had always told her to act oblivious when people recognized her¡ªit helped maintain her humility or something like that. Personally, she thought it was just ingenuity. But then Nadia gave a small smile. "Miss Mercury talks about you a lot. Also, I''m one of her guarantors so don''t worry¡­" And just like that, something clicked in Pulsar''s mind. "Ohhh¡­" She nodded in understanding, her posture relaxing a bit. "That makes sense." In the hero world, Guarantors were a thing¡ªa very serious thing. They were people superheroes could personally trust with their real identities, usually close friends or allies. Signing up as a guarantor came with some insane conditions, including an ironclad NDA. If a guarantor ever broke that secrecy, the Hero Agency wouldn''t just slap them with a lawsuit¡ªthey''d erase them. Instantly. Even Scott was a guarantor for her. Nadia''s gaze lingered on Pulsar for a moment, noticing the heavy shadows under her eyes, the way her shoulders sagged slightly, the exhaustion that clung to her like a second skin. "You good?" She asked, her voice softer now. "Mercury mentioned you haven''t been picking up her calls lately." Her gaze sharpened slightly. "And no offense, but you look like you just crawled out of a dehydration coma." Pulsar hesitated. For a second, it looked like she wanted to say something. Like words were bubbling at the edge of her throat, but at the last second, she swallowed them back. Nadia sighed. ¡ºShe must feel uncomfortable¡­¡» Then, without hesitation, she reached out and placed a firm but gentle hand on Pulsar''s shoulder. "Hey¡­" She said, offering a small, reassuring smile. "You can talk to me, you know? I''m a love doctor." Pulsar blinked. Then, for the first time since arriving, she actually laughed ¡ª a quiet chuckle, but a real one. "Oh, God¡­" She shook her head, then rubbed her temple. "Miss Mercury definitely told you about that whole ''Dr. Goode'' thing, didn''t she?" Nadia smirked as her eyes glinted with amusement. "Hmm. Maybe." Pulsar sighed, but there was the smallest hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. "Hrmm¡­okay, okay, okay¡­" Pulsar exhaled softly, pressing a hand against her chest as if bracing herself. Some things required more heart than might. "Well¡­ I don''t know if Emma''s told you or not, but¡ª" She hesitated as her eyes flickered with anxiety. "¡ªyou see, there uh¡­ was this thing between us. We both¡­ dated the same guy. Different times, of course. Scott''s not that type of guy." She looked away for a moment, almost lost in another memory ¡ª one of the countless reasons why Scott was a good guy. Nadia, who had initially been all ears¡ªpurely for Emma''s sake¡ªfelt a wave of discomfort settle in. It wasn''t just about Scott. Ever since Emma let Gwen into Scott''s harem, it had been a brutal reminder of a truth she tried desperately to ignore. If she ever crossed that line with Scott, the friendship triangle she had with Emma and Jenna¡ªthe one they''d built since middle school¡ªwould shatter. And more than anything, Nadia couldn''t lose that. It would be the height of selfishness to sacrifice that for a relationship that she couldn''t guarantee. And even if it was guaranteed¡ª ¡ºIs that really what I want¡­¡» She grabbed her own arm, rubbing it absentmindedly as her thoughts spiraled. She didn''t want to live this traditional life her family had planned for her. It was 2045, and the Al-Rashid family still clung to outdated beliefs¡ªthat wealth and power could only be preserved by keeping the bloodline "clean." People admired the Al-Rashid family, called them one of the most powerful dynasties in the world, but to her? They were just racists, classists, and tribalists. She hated them. But she was a master at hiding things. Pain. Regret. Struggles. All tucked away behind a calm expression or an innocent smile. The only person who ever saw through it? Scott. She wanted him to save her. God, how much she wanted it. But she couldn''t be selfish. Not even a little. It gave her sleepless nights, how she found herself more and more drawn to Scott, how she tried to pull away¡ªonly to be pulled back even harder. And now¡­ she was here. By the time Nadia snapped out of it, Pulsar had already finished explaining everything. Emma''s promise. The so-called "spot" in the harem. The phone call that made Pulsar feel truly hated. And now she was looking at Nadia, waiting for her thoughts. Nadia blinked. ¡ºOh. Crap.¡» She hadn''t heard any of it. But she wasn''t about to ask Pulsar to repeat it¡ªnot when it was so hard for her to open up in the first place. So, with a forced, crooked smile, she nodded. "Yeah¡­ I get it." Pulsar''s expression dulled immediately. She knew Nadia hadn''t been listening. Pulsar looked away, sighing. "I guess it''s probably hard for you to relate. I mean¡­ you''re gorgeous. Any guy would want you." Her voice dropped, filled with quiet bitterness. "You don''t know what it''s like to love someone who doesn''t love you back." Nadia stilled. Her grip on her arm tightened. Then, in the softest, most pained voice, she mumbled¡ª "¡­ Trust me. I know." Pulsar''s head snapped up, eyes wide. "Wait¡­ really? You?" Somehow, that surprised her. And if she was being honest with herself, it was kind of a much needed relief. As selfish as it was, she needed to know she wasn''t alone in this pain. Nadia''s lips curled into a faint, distant smile. "Yeah¡­" She admitted. "There''s this guy¡­ really brave, really handsome. And he''s also a great guy¡­ hmm, I guess that''s too much praise for one person. I like him. A lot. But it''s complicated. So complicated that if I ever dared to say something¡­ it would destroy something I really cherish." For a fleeting moment, the pain in her eyes was clear. "¡­ So I just watch the man I love¡­ love other women. Women who''ve earned his love way more than I ever could." She forced another smile. "It hurts, but¡­ you get over it eventually." She nodded. Pulsar blinked at her. "Have you?" Nadia''s smile didn''t falter. But her voice softened. "¡­ No. And I don''t think I ever will." She closed her eyes and exhaled. Pulsar let out an exhausted sigh, then folded her arms. "Yeah, I figured." Her voice wavered. "And the worst part is¡­ I let this whole thing ruin my relationship with Emma." She looked down, her fingers pressing against her temples. "I love Scott, yeah, but that doesn''t mean I had to shut Emma out. Right?" Her voice cracked slightly. "They''re not bad people. Scott isn''t¡­ Emma isn''t." Shame curled in her chest, hot and suffocating. She covered her face with her hands, groaning. "I should''ve just asked for an explanation. But nooo, I had to go full drama mode. Like¡­ why? Communication is the simplest solution, and I just ignored it." Nadia reached out, placing a hand on Pulsar''s back. She gave her a reassuring pat, smiling softly. "Oh, come on. This isn''t all on you. I won''t say Emma would''ve done the same, she''s a lot more outspoken than you, but¡­ you''re still young." Pulsar peeked at her, smiling a little. That was it. That was the moment. The moment she realized that if Emma¡ªsomeone who had a friend like this¡ªhad really done something so horrible¡­ Then maybe¡­ maybe she wasn''t seeing the whole picture. Maybe she had been wrong. And maybe it wasn''t too late to fix it. Judy, who had been rambling to her phone the entire time, suddenly turned to face them as her pretty face glowed with excitement. "Okay, okay, hold up! Before we get too deep into hero therapy¡ª" She hurriedly gestured at the massive room, then at the air around them. "Can we just acknowledge that we''re in some kind of alien holding suite?! Like, how did we even get here? And who brought us?!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sexy chuckle suddenly sounded in the room. "Finally~ I was wondering when you''d start asking the important questions." The three of them stiffened as a figure shimmered into view, lounging lazily on an extravagant, floating divan. Draped in a sleek, celestial gown as her luminous golden eyes glowed with amusement, and a faint smirk curled on her lips. Luminyss. And from the way she was looking at them, they were in for one hell of a ride. Chapter 187 - 187: Maya Rivera’s Panties Pulsar stood at the entrance of the massive stage as her small body tensed, knees pressed together as she twiddled her fingers nervously. A deep, uncertain hum left her lips. ¡ºHnnn¡­ can I really do this¡­?¡» The weight of what she was about to do bore down on her shoulders, making her stomach churn. Then¡ª "Sure you can!" "AAAAH!" A sudden, high-pitched yelp left Pulsar''s lips as she jolted forward, clutching her chest like she''d just been shot. Her heart pounded furiously, and she gasped for breath as she whipped around, eyes wide with shock. Floating beside her, grinning like she''d done nothing wrong, was Luminyss¡ªthe infuriatingly playful blue alien. Pulsar shot her a mean side-eye, still panting. "Can you not do that? Seriously, it''s not funny." Luminyss blinked, then raised an eyebrow. She floated a little closer, tilting her head. "Huh? I thought heroes ¡ª especially the ones from Earth ¡ª were supposed to be fearless or something." Pulsar rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she muttered, "Yeah, sure¡­ but that doesn''t mean I won''t get startled when a blue alien appears out of nowhere every two seconds." Her voice had a bit of bite to it. Luminyss caught onto it and chuckled. "Alright, alright, it won''t happen again¡­ probably." Then, with a mischievous snap of her fingers¡ªpoof¡ªa random pair of white panties appeared in midair. "Now go on, Pulsar! Time to put on a show!" Pulsar stared at the floating underwear, then slowly turned back to Luminyss with a blank look. Then her gaze shifted forward, and a long, exhausted sigh left her lips. Mentally, she was drained. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to not do this. But at the same time¡­ "¡­ At this point, it''s not like I can win against you even if I wanted to¡­" She mumbled under her breath. Her head dipped slightly. "So¡­ I might as well play along." She exhaled heavily, standing firm. Just as she was about to step forward¡ª "Ohohoho¡­" Luminyss suddenly giggled as her golden eyes glowed with amusement. "You''re trying to act like you''re doing this because you have to, but~" She grinned like an alley creeper. "The truth is¡­ you want to see if you can still make Scott feel something." Pulsar froze. A deep, burning heat rushed to her face as she whipped around to glare at Luminyss. Her cheeks were now bright red. "Wha¡ªShut up!" She barked, stomping her foot on the ground. "You''re so unbelievable! ARGH!" Luminyss just giggled again. Pulsar huffed, then theatrically stomped away like an irritated French woman. ¡ª A few moments later, Pulsar stepped onto the stage. And there he was. Scott McQueen. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seated on his throne, watching her. It had been months since she had last been this close to him ¡ª months since she had actually seen him and he had seen her. There was a weird comfort in knowing that this version of him wasn''t the one who had left those mental scars on her. In a way¡­ it felt like a form of healing. Scott''s gaze remained calm, but his eyes subtly traced over her¡ªtaking in the changes. She looked¡­ different. More mature. Not in the sense of age, but in expression. The usual playful, animated energy she had always carried was dulled. And then there was her appearance ¡ª her hair was now cut much shorter, styled into a sharp undercut that gave her a distinctly tomboyish look. She had also trained her physique to the point where she had a lean, muscular frame ¡ª one that could even be mistaken for a man''s if not for the sharp feminine features she still held. His eyes lingered on her for just a second too long. And then he blinked, realizing what he was doing. ¡ºNo¡­ no, no, no.¡» Scott leaned forward, resting his elbows on his throne as he took a deep breath. He couldn''t react. He wouldn''t react. This wasn''t the time. This wasn''t the place. What they had was in the past. Very much in the past. He let out a controlled sigh, making sure to force a composed smile onto his face. "Uh¡­ so can you, well¡­" His eyes instinctively glanced downward. Pulsar followed his gaze. Straight to her crotch. Her unsurprisingly sexy thighs instantly pressed together as her face heated up. But all that did was make her crotch pop forward even more¡ªlike squeezing a balloon. She felt like she was going to die. With an anxious gulp, she nodded. Then she looked around, as if searching for the panties she was supposed to display. Her eyes went back to Scott. "Well, uhm¡­" She awkwardly rubbed her arm. "I don''t¡­ have the panties on me. But Luminyss said she can spawn anything from my memories, so¡­ all I have to do is think about them in vivid detail." She immediately regretted saying that. Scott stared at her. Expression blank. Her skin crawled. She took a step back, suddenly feeling so weird. Her voice dropped as she fidgeted uncomfortably. "You see, uh¡­ I would''ve used the ones I''m wearing, but¡­" She trailed off, eyes averting. "I still use that soft fabric interior you always installed into my super suits¡­ so¡­" Scott''s throat went dry. He swallowed. "¡­ So you''re not¡­" She looked up at him with those soft puppy-dog eyes. Then immediately looked away, rubbing her smooth, slender shoulders in shame. "¡­ Yeah." She whispered. "I''m not wearing any panties." BOOM! The entire alien crowd erupted. "SHE''S NOT WEARING PANTIES©¤©¤?!?!" "OH MY STARS, I NEED TO VISIT EARTH!" "I DIDN''T KNOW TERRANS WERE THIS SHAMELESS!!" "BRO, IMAGINE THE SCENT OF THE STRIP BETWEEN THOSE THIGHS¡­ SNIFFFFF! UNPROTECTED BY THE UNFAIR SHACKLES OF PANTIES¡ª" "Woah, woah, woah¡­ calm down, Lord Sleazimus Pendraig IV! She''s not legal in galactic years!!" "Heh, still would." "Bruh¡­" ¡ª Miss Mercury and Gwen were feral. They lunged at the holo-screen, barking like rabid cavemen who just saw a TV appear out of nowhere. That harlot was out there, actually using her lack of panties to seduce their Scott?! Witch, Sniperess, and Dark Elf had to physically hold them back before they destroyed the hologram in their rage. "She''s using underhanded perversion tactics!!" "She''s misleading our man!!" Meanwhile, Vixen and Foxgirl watched calmly. Vixen hummed, resting her cheek on her palm. "I mean, I personally don''t like wearing panties in my super suit either, but¡­ I''d rather people see the outline of my panties than my actual¡ª" Foxgirl shrugged. "I don''t really care what they see." Vixen slowly turned to her older sister, gave her a side-eye, and then smacked her palm against her own face. "You need to stop this, sis¡­" "Hm? Stop what¡­?" Vixen sulked a bit. "It''s just¡­ whatever." ¡ª Pulsar cleared her throat with a light cough, trying to shake off the suffocating awkwardness pressing against her chest. She swallowed and looked back at Scott, forcing a soft smile as she said¡ª "You look well¡­ I''m happy." Scott froze for a second, his mouth opening slightly as he stammered¡ª "Uhm, I¡­" Pulsar''s eyes widened. ¡ºCrap. I''m not supposed to say that©¤©¤!!¡» She had completely lost track of what she was actually supposed to be doing. This wasn''t a personal reunion¡ªthis was an event, a goddamn show. She was here for a reason, not to reminisce about things that no longer mattered. Shaking herself back into focus, she inhaled deeply and straightened her posture. "S-, Scott McQueen¡­" A soft, glowing light began forming between her trembling fingers as she clasped her hands together and her nerves made the energy flicker unevenly. It was embarrassing how shaky she felt, but she forced herself to push through. The light dimmed. Her voice came out softer, more hesitant. "Do you remember¡­ how you always teased me for getting wet so easily?" Scott''s eyes twitched. Pulsar''s knees instinctively pressed together, her body subtly shifting in a nervous motion. Her words came faster now, like they needed to spill out before she lost the courage. "And how I said I should just stop wearing panties to school? Because every time we''d make out at the back of the building, your fingers would always go down my skirt so you could¡­ ma-, make me feel good¡­ and whenever you touched my panties, well yunno¡­ they''d be soaked, and you''d just¡ª" She exhaled sharply. "You''d laugh. And it would just kill the mood completely." Scott''s lips slowly, slowly curled into a smile. It wasn''t forced. It wasn''t something he could suppress. It was natural, just like before. Pulsar saw it and bit her lip, feeling the heat creeping up her neck. She cleared her throat again and held up the delicate pair of white lace panties that had materialized in her hands. Her fingers curled slightly around the fabric as she swallowed her pride and continued. "These are¡­ uhm¡­ the ones I wore during my¡­ first time thinking about you¡­" Scott''s brows lifted in surprise. "Thinking about me?" Pulsar''s entire body tensed. She squeezed her eyes shut like she was drinking some nasty, bitter medicine and nodded rigorously. "Y-, Yes¡­" Her knees wobbled. "I¡­ I even¡­" She hesitated as her voice shivered like a whisper. "Desperately touched myself a little while wearing them all those cold nights¡­" A sharp gasp erupted from every single woman watching in Room A. Even Dark Elf and Rope Girl were surprised. "Wow¡­ that''s a lot of emotions¡­" They said in tandem. However, Scott remained completely still. But deep inside, something in his instincts flared up. He could feel it. There was more. He leaned forward slightly. His voice was calm but edged with an undeniable weight. "And¡­?" Pulsar flinched. Her entire soul screamed at her to not say it. To stop. To pretend this never happened! But her mouth totally betrayed her. "And¡­ I haven''t washed them ever since." The silence was deafening. "I don''t know why, I just¡­ I kept them in a small box under my bed. The strong smell just¡­" She shuddered, her shoulders curling inward. "It keeps my passion for you alive." Her voice cracked. "That I¡ª hngh!" She caught herself just before saying something truly depraved. Instead, she forcefully twisted her lips into a wide, absolutely unhinged grin. The stage remained dead silent. Even Brigid, who had been watching with Luminyss, was frozen. Her lips barely parted as a stray thought drifted into her mind. Not even I have something like this in my shrine¡­ Brigid blinked, realization dawning. Just a few weeks ago, she had been lucky enough to obtain Scott''s used condoms and his old hairbrush¡ªbut this? This was a different level. She clenched her fists in determination. ¡ºThis is faith! This is devotion! I need to do better!¡» Beside her, Luminyss slowly turned her head. "Brigid¡­ you really have a rotten mind, sister." Brigid turned red and rubbed the back of her neck with a sheepish laugh. "Ehehe¡­ I, uh¡­ I''m just really passionate about my liege! These are holy, pure actions to strengthen my faith in Lord Nightwatch!" Luminyss didn''t even argue. She simply nodded, because there wasn''t a single lie in Brigid''s words. Luminyss rested her chin on her mic. ¡ºIt sort of makes sense that sister would be so attracted to Scott¡­ after all, the mind can never do without the body, and well the body without a mind just¡­ a mad king¡­¡» She sighed and kept watching. Back on stage, Scott still hadn''t said a word. His eyes flicked between Pulsar and the pair of panties she held out so boldly, his mind caught in a crossfire of emotions. Pulsar, on the other hand, was dying inside. She shifted awkwardly before finally breaking the silence. "So, uh¡­ what do you rate me?" Scott blinked. What? What the hell kind of question¡ª? He leaned back slightly, confused. There was no way Luminyss expected him to rate his ex-girlfriend''s panties in front of a galactic audience. He pressed his lips together and shook his head. No. He refused. He wouldn''t betray the women he was already in a relationship with. But then¡­ his mouth suddenly opened on its own. "130 Affection Points." Scott immediately slapped both hands over his mouth the second the words left his lips. The stadium exploded. "THERE YOU HAVE IT!!!" Luminyss shot up from her commentator''s chair, holding out her mic like a victorious announcer. "The contestant has just given a massive rating of 130 AFFECTION POINTS to the petite superheroine known as PULSAR!!! CAN ANYONE TOP THIS?! LET''S FIND OUT!!!" The crowd went wild. Aliens threw up their signboards, screaming their love for Pulsar and her small body. Some were begging for a look at her panties. Others were shouting in desperation for the color of the ones she was wearing right now. One alien even screamed¡ª Still buzzing with excitement, pointed to the cameras. "YES, THAT is the kind of energy we need from our wonderful fans!!! And don''t forget, folks¡ªwe still have a large roster of sexy superheroines and villainesses to go through! So STAY TUNED!!!" She flashed the crowd a bright thumbs-up. And just like that¡ªthe chaos had only begun. Chapter 188 - 188: Auction Spree I The panty auction challenge was now moving smoothly and rapidly, with Scott finally getting into the groove. He had adapted to the bizarre nature of the event, learning to call out affection points with a detached coolness, pretending he barely knew these women. For some, it worked. For others, not so much. Every time he shouted a number, his heart clenched¡ªwhat if this fractured his relationship with Emma and Gwen, piece by piece? The thought gnawed at him. Up above, Luminyss hovered as her radiant energy wings cast a glow over the arena. She raised her hands to silence the restless crowd before announcing¡ª "Alright, alright! The next contestant¡­ oh, you guys will love this. Well, actually, she''s not exactly a fan favorite¡­ but you''ve all had your eyes on her. You wanted her on this stage¡­ so here she is! Foxgirl!" The moment her name rang out, the arena erupted. Deafening cheers, claps, and even alien howls were all the air could feel. On the massive holo-screen, Foxgirl sat with her arms folded as her face kept cool and unreadable. Tilting her head slightly, she muttered¡ª "Huh¡­? They''re excited for me? That''s weird." Beside her, Vixen shot her a look. "That''s what you''re worried about?" Foxgirl let out a soft yawn, stretching a little. "Well, it''s not like I''m thrilled about showing my most depraved panties to the man who slut-shamed me in front of my fans at the SMPE. But it''s not like I can punish him for it¡­" She closed her eyes and turned to leave. Before she could take another step, Vixen urgently grabbed her wrist. "Don''t you feel ashamed, sister¡ª?!" She asked as her voice trembled. "You''re known to be a whore who loves money. And you''re fine with that? The Hero Agency could cut ties with you because of how much you act like a¡ª" Foxgirl turned sharply, her gaze like a blade. "Act like a what?" Her voice was steady, but the seriousness in her words were enough to make Vixen freeze. Now, she looked more like an elder sister. Silence hung thick between them. Realizing she may have been too harsh, Foxgirl sighed and placed a gentle hand on Vixen''s head. "Look, I''ve said it before¡ªI don''t love what I do. I''d never make you or Caitlyn do the same. But I have to make sure we have a future. Even if it means sacrificing my worth for you two. Do you remember what Dad always said?" She patted Vixen''s head twice, waiting. But Vixen just stared at the floor, silent. Foxgirl''s lips curved downward in sorrow. "Dad always said that just because society or people call your abilities worthless doesn''t mean you should take offense. There are many who kick and throw rocks on the roadside, but only a few can recognize them as gems." She smiled softly at her younger sister, but Vixen only shook her head. "Yeah, that''s true¡­ but everyone knows you''re a slut¡ª" She stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening in horror. Clapping her hands over her mouth, she gasped. The same shock flickered in Foxgirl''s eyes. Her sister¡­ had actually said it. Foxgirl looked away with a sad face. "It''s fine¡­" She murmured painfully. "I¡­ I know you didn''t mean it. I should get on stage. The blue witch is probably waiting." She turned and walked away without hesitation. Left alone, Vixen slowly lowered her hands from her mouth as her eyes became dark and distant. "What''s wrong with me?" A question she was too ashamed to ask out loud. "She did all of this to keep us stable¡­ even when she knew it would kill any respect she had as a person. It''s not like she loves doing it. And I was still ungrateful enough to say that¡­ I''m so dumb¡­" She covered her face with one hand, gritting her teeth in frustration. Looking up at the holo-screen, she saw Scott''s face¡ªtired, conflicted. Her lips parted slightly. "I wish I could blame him. Maybe it''d make me feel better¡­ But he''s dealing with his own mess too¡­" With a deep sigh, her eyes fluttered shut in sadness. ¡ª Meanwhile, Foxgirl strode down the tunnel leading to the massive arena, where thousands of aliens screamed in anticipation. As she stepped forward, Luminyss snapped her fingers to transform Foxgirl''s sleek super suit into thigh-high black leather boots and a skintight corset that pushed her chest up dangerously close to a wardrobe malfunction. She looked even more seductive than usual ¡ª tall, curvy, and undeniably confident. The crowd lost their minds. One wooden alien with a long, red nose grinned thirstily. Another alien turned to him. "Whoa, your nose is long." The wooden alien snapped¡ª "That''s my penis, you insensitive fuck!" "Oh¡­" Foxgirl smirked as she twirled a black satin thong around her slender fingers. "My turn already?" Her voice dripped with amusement. "Oh, Scottie, darling~ Do you want to know why these panties are so special?" Scott nearly flinched but kept his composure. "Scottie''s my sister''s name." Better to play it cool than admit he had once been obsessed with her content. ¡ºSIGH~ I''m just glad that phase is over¡­¡» He pinched the bridge of his nose for a short moment. Foxgirl chuckled with those sexy, mischievous eyes. "I wore these during a¡­ private session¡­ with one of my favorite toys¡­" She licked her lips ever so slowly. ~ Mmmmm ?? Her tongue was so wet that her luscious lips became soaked in her warm saliva ¡ª a treat for many men. "Let''s just say they''re still a little damp." The crowd lost it. Absolute madness. Aliens howled and cheered. One fan shouted, "THIS is why I love Foxgirl!" Another muttered¡ª "Didn''t know she had an intergalactic audience. Kinda crazy, to be honest." "You can never go wrong with a fox waifu." Foxgirl purred as she stepped closer while dangling the thong from her finger. "Would you like to inspect them personally?" Scott barely had time to react before he blurted out¡ª "80 affection points!" But rather than his usual shock, this time, he just sighed. A sigh filled with exhaustion. Disappointment. ¡ºI did it again¡­¡» He couldn''t stop himself at this point. Foxgirl winked, lowering her voice. "To think you were this perverted¡­" Scott''s face turned a shade of red¡ªhe oddly looked both embarrassed and insulted. Perhaps because a few months ago¡­ he was the one talking shit to her. ¡ºI''ll never live this down¡­¡» ¡ª With child-like excitement in her eyes, Luminyss snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the next person materialized in the tunnel. Bella Trevors¡ªsocial media''s reigning queen of snark and the undisputed mean girl¡ªappeared without so much as a gasp of surprise. No wide-eyed shock, no stumbling around in confusion. Just a perfectly sculpted brow lifting in mild annoyance as she continued hammering away at her phone while her soft thumbs moved at lightning speed as she sent a barrage of texts to Morgan. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ugh, it''s so fucking stupid that I can''t even send pictures or my location¡­" She muttered, then rolled her eyes. "Shouldn''t aliens have better Starlink or something? This is literally outerspace." She barely looked up as Foxgirl strode past and the two of them locked eyes for the briefest of moments before immediately disregarding each other''s existence. Their mutual disinterest was so strong it could bend reality. And yet, the second they were far enough apart, their faces curled into identical expressions of disgust as they muttered in perfect unison¡ª "Dumb bitch." Bella slid her phone into her purse, gripping it tightly as she scoffed. "Hmph. So they gave fox bitch a new outfit, but I''m supposed to walk around in the same dress?" As if responding to her complaint, shimmering stardust swirled around her, transforming her striking red dress into a long, elegant white nightgown. Even her signature messy bob shifted, cascading into a silky, perfectly combed golden mane¡ªCinderella levels of transformation. Bella''s lips curled in satisfaction. "Ohoho! Even in an unknown location, my unparalleled beauty still commands the respect it deserves." She tossed her hair over her shoulder as her pretty, blue eyes gleamed with mischief. "And now I''ll use it to steal back the love and thirst of that silly Scott McQueen!" A regal, dramatic laugh escaped her throat¡ªonly for her entire demeanor to freeze mid-chuckle. Her expression darkened. "Oh! I should take a quick selfie!" She reached into her purse¡ª But it wasn''t there. Bella blinked. Then looked down. Then looked around. Then back down. Her purse was gone. Her iconic, custom-made, $2 million Birkin bag was gone. For a full second, silence. Then¡ª "THAT''S MY $2 MILLION BIRKIN BAG, GIVE IT BACK! NOOOWWW!!" Her scream was so piercing, so full of unfiltered rage, that it echoed across the arena, reaching the ears of every alien present. The warrior races were thrilled¡ªthis kind of emotional chaos was prime entertainment. Meanwhile, the softer, more peace-loving aliens clutched their companions in fear. On the other hand, Scott had both hands over his tired face as he groaned in exhaustion. "Please¡­ they can make me rate Bella''s panties too, I don''t care anymore¡­ I just¡ªahhhh Emma''s never gonna let me live this down." His whole body stiffened as though he could already hear Emma''s animalistic screech as she replayed this scene in the future. Meanwhile, Luminyss was too busy giggling, her eyes glued to an invisible screen displaying the galactic ratings. The show had accumulated over fifty million reviews, most of them glowing five-star ratings. One alien left a 4.3-star review, saying¡ª [Love the show so far, Terran women are super hot, but it''s unfair that we don''t get to see the panties or any of them naked. Shouldn''t aliens have better streaming rights?] Another left a one-star review, furiously typing¡ª [THIS REALITY SHOW IS HOT GARBAGE! ???????? It''s not fair that only the contestant gets to see the panties! And worse, the dude isn''t even that interested in the women! Total scam! ] And then, of course, a five-star review that read¡ª [I respect Luminyss for staying true to the core elements of a harem game show! Only the protagonist should get to see the good stuff! We should just be happy for the main guy and pray we get as lucky as him someday. ????] Luminyss threw her head back. She cackled at the top of her lungs. "SUCK IT, UNIVERSE! MY SHOW''S BIG!" Meanwhile, Miss Mercury was watching everything unfold on the holo-screen, her arms folded under her breasts as one finger impatiently tapped against her elbow at super-speed. Her face was silent¡ªbut everyone knew her well enough to recognize that she was one second away from combusting. If there was one person Miss Mercury despised, it was Bella Trevors. And she had made that very, very clear from the moment they first met at Emma''s mansion. "He better not give her a damn score¡­" Casually munching on a bag of chips, Dark Elf asked¡ª "And what if Scott actually rates Bella?" Miss Mercury''s face crumpled like a crushed soda can. She turned her head away, arms tightening as she declared with exaggerated confidence¡ª "Then¡­ I''ll¡­ I''ll¡­ uhh¡­ uhhhh¡­ SIGH~ okay, fine! I''ll forgive him. AS LONG as he gives me a higher score and agrees to do the mustard-on-a-penis thing." Dark Elf and Gwen both lifted an eyebrow. "¡­ Mustard on a what now?" The realization hit her like a truck. Emma''s eyes widened, her face instantly turning red as she stammered¡ª "That''s¡ªthat''s none of your business!" She spun on her heels and stormed off, chest puffed out in a desperate attempt to look composed, even though her entire aura screamed EMBARRASSMENT. Meanwhile¡ª Bella finally stepped onto the stage without hesitation, striding forward with the grace of a queen. Scott straightened in his throne-like chair, already preparing himself for the inevitable interrogation about ghosting her back at that event at Mantis Tower. But to his surprise, Bella didn''t come in hot. She didn''t storm up to him, shrieking accusations or demanding explanations. No¡ªshe simply stared at him, eyes cool, lips curled into a sexy, hungry smile. The elegant nightgown hugged her sexy body in the most perfect way that emphasized every curve. Her breasts filled the fabric nicely, and her backside? Let''s just say, if two ripe watermelons had ever been sculpted to perfection, they would still pale in comparison. Most shocking of all? She didn''t have her panties in hand. Scott hesitated. "Bella¡­ uhm¡­" She raised a manicured finger to silence him instantly. "Oh, Scott McQueen don''t even bother with your flimsy, dull-brained excuses. I don''t care." His brows furrowed. "Huh?" Bella leaned in slightly, causing her breasts to bounce forward like they would spill all over the ground. It was fan service in real life! "Right now, I just want you to be thirsting over me like a proper dog, so keep watching~ ??" A proud, sensual smirk touched her strawberry lips. Scott blinked. Then blinked again. "Uhm¡­ okay?" "As for my panties¡­ tee-hee~" Bella smiled wickedly. "I''m wearing them." The arena fell silent. Bella reached under the hem of her gown and slipped them off in one smooth motion. There was a sweet relief she felt from the panty strip being peeled out from her wet crotch¡ªit showed in how her cheeks reddened, and she coughed out a gasp from her hot mouth. "AHHHNN~ ?? So sweet¡­" She held them up for him to see¡ªa thin, transparent scrap of silk so sheer it was practically illegal. "Do you know why these are valuable, my love?" Bella purred, running her fingers through the thin fabric. "Because not just am I a celebrity that every man would lick the sand just to spend a night with¡­ I''ve been walking around all day without anything else underneath. So, don''t you want to have them between your mouth¡­?" Her smile become more devilish¡­ more sexy. "I''ll let you do it while you''re pounding me ??" Scott''s eyes darkened dangerously. "130 Affection Points¡­" The crowd immediately went wide with shock and pride. Bella''s presentation was the only one that made their lower body excited without any visuals. "SHE DESERVES MY GALACTIC BATTLESHIP!" "I WANT HER AS MY BRIDE!!" "I LOVE HER, AHHHH!!!" Luminyss smiled at this and screamed into the mic. "NEXT CONTESTANT IS, DARK ELF!!" Chapter 189 - 189: Auction Spree II Miss Mercury slapped a hand over her face as she groaned sorrowfully. "I can''t believe he actually gave that blonde bitch such a high score. It feels so fucking wrong¡­" Gwen, who had been watching Mercury''s mini breakdown, gave her a soft side-eye before letting out a chuckle and shrugging. "Yeah, that makes sense." Mercury snapped her head toward her. Her eyes were wide with shock. "Wait¡­ you''re actually fine with this?" She jabbed a finger at Gwen accusingly. "Are you seriously okay with this whole game show being a blatant ploy to surround Scott with more women? You should be as pissed as I am!" She had already clenched her fists like she was ready to march out and start a nationwide protest. Surprisingly, Gwen just sighed. "Yeah, well¡­ I''m pretty jealous, but it''s not like there''s any point making a big deal about it." There was something off about the way she said it. A small regret flickered in her face¡ªlike she didn''t want to say those words, but for some reason, she had to. Mercury noticed immediately. She edged closer, placing a firm hand on Gwen''s shoulder. "Uhm¡­ is everything fine? You sound¡­ different. Like, you usually wouldn''t say something like this." She looked genuinely concerned, but Gwen simply reached up and gently lowered Mercury''s hand from her shoulder, trying to maintain the shaky smile on her face. ¡ª The truth was¡­ A few minutes earlier, when Mercury and Gwen were fuming together, Dark Elf had pulled Gwen aside. With her usual half-lidded, disinterested eyes, she stared at her in silence. Gwen raised a brow. "Uhm¡­ what?" Dark Elf exhaled through her nose before speaking. "I get that you like Scott a lot, and yeah, you''re in a relationship with him, but¡­ do you really think you have the right to throw a fit over what he does with other women like Emma does?" To Gwen, the question was absurdly simple. In fact, so simple that she instinctively turned her gaze to the side in mild confusion. Surely Dark Elf wasn''t this dumb¡ª If you have a boyfriend and he''s surrounded by other women or even shows them the slightest interest, then of course you should immediately call him out and scold him for it. ¡ºThat''s it¡­ right?¡» Just as she was about to answer, Dark Elf shifted the bag of chips in her left hand and placed her right hand firmly on Gwen''s shoulder. "Look. I don''t know much about relationships or any of that crap. I was literally born and trashed in a dumpster right after. Came into this world alone. No family, no love, nothing. But one thing I do know? You shouldn''t react the way Emma does to all these women. Because you''re in the same situation as them." Gwen''s brow lifted higher. "Uhm¡­ what?" Dark Elf kept chewing her chips lazily. "Emma agreed to this whole thing, yeah. So she has every right to reject and shout at other women because she holds the initial rights to him. But you? You have to remember that no matter what, you''ll always be the outsider in that relationship. The one who came after. And no matter how much you wanna believe Emma won''t treat you like that¡­" Her crimson eyes flickered in the dim light. "She''s human, like the rest of us." Gwen''s stomach twisted. She lowered her head as a very heavy frown carved into her face. "Oh¡­ I see." Her voice came out softer than intended. "So¡­ if I don''t give other girls the same opportunities I had¡­ that just makes me a hypocrite, huh?" Dark Elf nodded once and stuffed another handful of chips into her mouth. "Yup. Sucks, doesn''t it? But it''s just one of those things you gotta accept in life. Unless¡­ you''d rather be with another man?" She paused mid-chew. "That''s fine too." Gwen gave a solemn smile and shook her head. "No¡­ Scott''s the only guy I love." "Mhm¡­" Dark Elf grunted, returning to her snack. Gwen''s mind snapped back to the present. Mercury was still in front of her, eyes full of deep worry as she placed an ungloved hand on Gwen''s forehead. "Uhm, you okay?" Mercury asked, her tone unusually gentle. Gwen blinked, touched by the genuine concern, but quickly waved it off. "Yeah, I''m fine. You don''t have to worry." Mercury nodded hesitantly before standing upright, hands on her wide, curvy hips as she chuckled. "Phew¡­ honestly, it''s a damn miracle that you and Dark Elf healed so fast ''cause of that blue alien lady. Thought maybe the injuries were acting up again or something. Ehehe, sorry for overthinking." Before Gwen could respond, Mercury put a hand on her chin in thought. "Oh, wait¡­ speaking of Dark Elf, where is she?" Turning back, they both spotted Dark Elf already walking out of Room A and heading toward the dark tunnel that led to the massive stage outside. Mercury''s face turned pale. She slapped both hands over her face and screamed¡ª "HOLY CRAP, I FORGOT! DARK ELF IS UP NEXT!" She whirled on Gwen. "Come on! We gotta stop her! You know how hot she is, right? We can''t let her step out next, damn it!" But instead of the usual enthusiastic response, Gwen just looked away. She rubbed her shoulders uncomfortably. "Uhm¡­ no. I''ll pass." Mercury froze, stunned. "Wait¡­ what?" She stared at Gwen in silence, not knowing what to say. Meanwhile, Dark Elf was already halfway through the tunnel, still munching on chips with zero interest in her surroundings. The moment she stepped onto the massive stage, the stadium exploded into wild cheers. Billions of aliens screamed like rabid animals at the sight of her. They went absolutely insane over her beauty¡ªthe deep chocolate tone of her flawless skin, the way her cropped black hoodie showed off her flat stomach and navel, the way her comfy beige cargo pants clung loosely around her massive hips. Every part of her had them salivating, like they were staring at a five-star gourmet meal. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With her mouth full, Dark Elf lazily muttered¡ª "Wow¡­ these aliens are weird." She popped more chips into her mouth, unfazed. From the VIP section, Luminyss saw this and let out a deafening scream. "YEEEEEE!!!" She began bouncing around like an animated cartoon. "DARK ELF IS SO COOL!" In her excitement, she poofed into a ninja, then a samurai, then a commando. "Woo-hoo! Maybe if I travel to another dimension, I can be like that too! Hehehe!" Dark Elf remained completely unimpressed. She just kept eating her chips. ¡ºI think this should be more awkward, right¡­?¡» Dark Elf stared up at Scott, who was still seated on the throne-like chair as her dull red eyes locked onto him with that trademark touch of boredom and mild amusement. Then, in that flat, emotionless tone of hers, she muttered¡ª "So¡­ you want to see my panties? Tch, weirdo." Scott''s face immediately twisted into a grimace, as if she''d just insulted his entire existence. He opened his mouth to protest but found himself stuck. Because for the most part¡­ she wasn''t wrong. "Ahem!" Scott coughed loudly, then straightened his posture like a dignified ruler. "Uhm, it''s definitely not what you think! I don''t have a choice here!" He even closed his eyes, as if shutting out her dull, judging stare would somehow erase the embarrassing reality of the situation. But it didn''t help. He could still feel those lifeless golden orbs burning into his soul. Frustration finally boiled over. He slammed his fist against the armrest and roared¡ª "CAN YOU JUST FRIGGIN'' DO IT ALREADY?!" There were many people who knew how to bring out the worst in him, and Dark Elf was definitely one of them. Her sheer bluntness, her complete disregard for human emotions¡ªit was like she had a talent for setting him off. Dark Elf let out a small sigh, casually brushing some chip crumbs off her mouth. "Well, not like I''m a fan of wearing panties anyway. They always crawl up my ass." As she spoke, she lazily undid the already loose belt around her waist. Inch by inch, the fabric began to slide down, revealing her firm, toned abs, that sexy V-line framing her lower stomach like an invitation to sin. Scott suddenly felt his throat go dry. He swallowed hard. It was almost as if he was praying for her pants to drop faster so he could see those titanic hips¡ª ¡ªand then she stopped. "Huh¡­" Dark Elf muttered, tugging lightly at the waistband. "Looks like the zipper''s caught on the fabric or something." Scott nearly lost his mind. Before he could even react, Luminyss¡ªwho had been watching from the side with a knowing smirk¡ªclasped her hands together and beamed. "Wouldn''t you like to help her?" "YES!" Scott instinctively shouted before slapping a hand over his own mouth in horror. Luminyss giggled like an angel of mischief. "No take-backs, sorry~ You have to help her. Right now." She snapped her fingers. In an instant, Scott vanished from his throne and reappeared crouched right in front of Dark Elf¡ªhis face now level with the stubborn zipper. "¡­ Huh?" Dark Elf blinked, staring down at him in mild confusion. She tilted her head. "Imagine if I had a massive penis and just sprayed my liquid gold all over you." Normally, a joke like that would come with a perverted grin, maybe even a shameless smirk. But Dark Elf? She just stared at him with that same deadpan expression, like she wasn''t joking at all. Like if she had one, she''d actually do it. Scott let out a nervous laugh. "Ahaha¡­ unfortunately, you don''t have one, so no need to bring up something so weird, ahah¡­" He laughed again. And again. Too much. It was a desperate attempt to make the moment less awkward, but Dark Elf wasn''t making it easy with the way she kept staring at him¡ªlike he was a job applicant and she was the world''s most unenthusiastic interviewer. Then, in that same monotone voice, she said¡ª "Well¡­ I don''t have a penis, but I do have a pee hole. So if you really wanna get peed on, I can just ask Gwen¡ª" "STOP!!" Scott clapped his hands onto her thighs, nearly shaking from the sheer stress. "Can you not put me in more trouble?!" Dark Elf simply blinked. "¡­ Uhm. Sorry?" Scott exhaled heavily and let his head fall against her crotch, staring at the ground like a man facing a midlife crisis. Meanwhile, Dark Elf, still utterly unbothered, said¡ª "Can you pull my pants down already? I wanna get back to the room and try out this new chip flavor." Scott''s eye twitched. He was here, suffering a mental breakdown, and all she cared about was chips? Grinding his teeth, he reluctantly lifted his head and focused on the cursed zipper. With one strong yank¡ª RIP! The cargo pants split in two, completely revealing Dark Elf''s incomprehensibly sexy lower body. Scott froze. He was expecting panties. Something. But she¡­ she was wearing nothing. The revelation hit him like a truck. His eyes widened as he stared at her perfectly smooth, hairless crotch¡ªlike a velvety bar of chocolate waiting to be tasted. Dark Elf gasped slightly as her thick thighs twitched. "Huh. There''s¡­ a bit too much air down there." Scott was still staring. Inches away from forbidden fruit. He couldn''t help it. And then, for the first time, Dark Elf reacted. Her cheeks turned slightly pink. She looked away and muttered¡ª "Can you¡­ step back a bit? Your breath is hot, and it''s blowing against my¡­ my special place¡­" Scott''s heart skipped a beat. This was new. The always-bored, always-unfazed Dark Elf¡ªembarrassed? She fidgeted slightly, keeping her gaze to the side. "Isn''t that enough? Just grade me already¡­ so I can¡­ go eat my chips." It wasn''t some dramatic display of flustered screaming or desperate covering-up. But for someone like her, even a hint of embarrassment was like watching a miracle. Scott almost forgot to breathe. Then, from the sidelines, Luminyss''s voice rang out. "Can you finally give a rating©¤©¤?!" She snapped her fingers again. In an instant, Scott poofed back onto his throne. ¡ºHer cat is¡­ marvelous¡­ but can I really rate it? Even with all these women watching? Damn.¡» He took a deep breath, then exhaled calmly. "¡­ 180 Affection Points." The moment those words left his mouth, the entire crowd of aliens exploded into madness. "HE GAVE HER 180?! WHAT DID HE SEE?!" "WAS IT PANTIES OR SOMETHING ELSE?!" "I WANNA SEE TOO!!" The place turned into a wild jungle of screaming voices as aliens practically foamed at the mouth for answers. Scott simply leaned back into his throne, rubbing his temples as he sighed. Why was his life like this?