"I think… I have a solution".
Well, Kairo did have an idea. All he needed was a flashback to tug his memory and to firm his decision.
By now, he already realized that scraps and stolen bits won't cut it anymore. 2000 kcals? His body demanded large amounts of protein to grow stronger. And so, to keep up, he had to perform crazy stunts that were once suicide to him.
His motivation?
A few weeks ago, one of the notorious slum gangs in the region finally caught him despite how slippery he was. One of their members beat him till he fainted, before stealing all his food.
It was no new occurrence. Gang members always stole food from the weak, beating them and leaving them starving.
He had always been sneaky, evading them, but not that day.
Then, he could not fight back.
But now? Kairo clenched his fist. "This debt is long overdue".
Besides, he was sure that in their hideout, he would see more than enough food that will give him his 2000 kcal target and more.
And so, he moved, leaving his home and stalking the alleys. He stayed close to the shadows, making sure that his movement was not obvious.
And then, he spot them at their usual corner. There were six of them, laughing, eating roasted meat around a fire under a dilapidated bridge.
Staring at them, all signs of amusement left Kairo's eyes as they turned cold and calculating. Forced to live alone in the slums at such a young age, fending for himself, he grew up fast to survive.
He knew when to switch it on and be serious when needed.
Rage and hunger mixed inside of him as his stomach cramped just at the smell. "Good, just what I needed…" he snarled.
DING!
~----~
[Adrenal response detected… preparing fibers…]
~----~
Instinct told him to be sneaky like was his usual style, but not today. Fighting his instincts, he boldly walked out in the open.
"Your food… or your teeth".
Silence.
The gangsters took their eyes of their meat, lazily looking at him.
"Is that not slippery boy Kai?"
"Yo, it's Kairo".
One of them laughed. "Did he just say your food, or your teeth?"
They burst out laughing.
"What are you doing here boy? Did you come to pay your tribute this time after John beat you the last time?"
The leader of the gang, a blonde-haired young man who seemed like he was in his twenties with a blade scar running across his face stared at Kairo. "Boy, what are you doing here?" He asked in a cold tone.
Kairo took a deep breath. Hearing that cold voice, that menacing stare, he felt shivers but reminding himself that he was now an Awakened, he stood his ground.
"I'm here for your food". He repeated.
The leader snorted, gesturing at the others. "Teach the rat a lesson".
Two of them stood up, unsheathing their daggers as they flicked it playfully. One of them was John, the boy who beat up Kairo the last time.
"Where's your dagger Kai?" John asked sarcastically. "I remember you always used to have this rusted dagger with you".
Looking at him after standing up now, he scrunched up his brows slightly. "Is it just me or did Kai grow an inch or two taller?"
His companion shrugged. "Who cares?"
"Yeah, you're right, who cares?" He chuckled.
Kairo cracked his knuckles, muscles swelling as he activated Hypermuscle Creation. "This time, I don't need a dagger, he finally replied, then…
He kicked the ground and moved.
Bam!
As soon as the boy moved, the gangsters realized something, but it was too late. The first exchange came fast, too fast for them.
As an F Rank now, Kairo was far faster than ever before.
Feinting slightly to his left, in an untrained form, Kairo planted his feet and threw a straight punch at John's companion.
Before the thug could react…
CRACK!
The fist connected as a sickening sound of ribs cracking reverberated. The poor guy crumpled like a shrimp, collapsing in a world of pain.
Instantly, the other thugs's eyes narrowed in focus, but they didn't stand up yet. That was a mistake.
John was surprised, but reacting, he tried to stab with his dagger.
To Kairo though, it felt like John was moving in slow motion. 'So this is what it means to be an Awakened'.
Kairo grabbed John's wrist, and twisted.
SNAP!
"Arghhhh…!" John roared in pain as his bones snapped.
The gang underestimated him until they saw his muscles literally bulge mid-fight, veins glowing faintly under the firelight.
"He's Awakened!" The leader shouted in alarm, but it was too late.
"This was for last time b*tch!" With a snarl, Kairo released John's wrist, adjusted his stance, and unleashed an uppercut that hit John clean on his stomach.
"Gah…!"
John vomited water and blood before collapsing instantly, unconscious.
At that moment, 10 seconds finally passed and Hypermuscle Creation deactivated. By now, the other thugs already stood up, facing him as uncertainty now showed in their eyes.
The leader still had a cold murderous gleam in his eyes. He had a silent question in his eyes. 'How?'
In the end, he said, "Attack him with me!"
Calmly picking up John's dagger, Kairo faced them.
They charged. Kairo threw the dagger.
"Arghhh…!"
That scream made the others flinch as Kairo immediately dashed forward, effortlessly tackling the leader to the ground with his superior strength before pounding his face with his elbow.
The leader's nose fractured, blood pooling. "You brat…!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Without rest, Kairo pounded his face.
Witnessing the brutal scene, the other thugs hesitated. They didn't have the courage to confront the boy.
That was no boy… that was a monster.
Which sane boy's muscles can grow?
They ran, abandoning their leader. And so, left to Kairo's mercy, Kairo pounded the leader's face till it was disfigured and he was knocked unconscious.
Huff! Huff!
Panting, he stood up and looked at the two unconscious thugs, and the third who still grabbed his cracked ribs in pain. Under Kairo's glare, with snort and tears streaming down his face, he crawled away in pain.
As soon as he disappeared, Kairo stared at his palms again, focusing on the blood. If it wasn't apparent before, it was now.
"I truly am Awakened now".
Without hesitation, Kairo raided their stash, from roasted meat to dried rations, even to a jug of cheap ale. He left nothing untouched.
Sitting down, he started eating as the system chimed with every bite.
A few minutes later…
DING!
~----~
[Nutritional Intake: +1800 kcal]
[Hypermuscle Efficiency Improved]
[You have unlocked a passive bonus: Predatory Instinct]
>Boosts combat reflexes slightly when fighting over resources.
~----~
Kairo grinned.
Standing up and wiping his mouth, the firelight reflected in his eyes. He was no longer the boy bullied for scraps. Now, he was the predator.
With a new gleam in his eyes, he walked out of under the bridge hungrier and stronger than ever.
But he didn't return back to the slums, he walked towards the city.