" I'm gonna drown Joyce!"
Johnson yelped out as the freezing water kept pouring into the box rapidly. His mind spiralling into panic
"What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?" he muttered, pressing his palms against the steel walls. "I can't possibly just punch my way out. There's no screws, no bolts, nothing holding this damn thing together."
Before his thoughts could spiral further, Jake's voice cut in sharply.
"Analysis complete!"
Johnson blinked in surprise. "What's my status?" he demanded, eyes darting around the cramped, suffocating box.
"Should I read them out first, or should I just upgrade you so you can actually move effectively?" Jake asked, his tone tinged with concern.
Johnson grit his teeth. "Hmmm… I gotta get out of this water. It's freezing, but how?" His confusion mounted as icy droplets poured from above like a merciless shower, filling the space with no way out.
Jake's voice lowered as if coaxing him. "How about you try what you did when you were furious about Angela a few days ago? Your full body can now handle that amount of power without any problems."
"Should I release your power to fifty percent, so you can see how it feels?" Jake pressed gently.
Johnson nodded. "Alright. I'll run on half of my full power. But how can I get out?"
Jerry sighed loudly in the background, irritation clear. "You've asked that same question too many times. Listen. Releasing power at fifty percent capacity. User can now move at Mach twenty-five without issue. Physical strength: seventy percent of original full capacity. Stamina: thirty percent buffed stamina. Aura perception upgraded to Level 10. Danger Sense to Level 15. Upgrading user…"
Lightning crackled and flared around Johnson's submerged body. Energy surged from deep within, his chest glowing faintly as the water rippled with power.
Joyce hovered above, watching the transformation with awe. Her eyes widened, though a sly smirk tugged her lips. "Impressive… he's gathering all that energy just to break free. But doesn't he realize? That box is over fifteen inches thick, every side the same. How's he planning to get through that?"
Her gaze lingered as his body glowed brighter, every muscle flexing with strain. His eight-pack, carved from relentless training, shone beneath the flickering light. She bit her finger, unable to look away, her thoughts slipping into dangerous territory. How did he train himself to be this strong? He's… kind of hot.
Inside the box, Johnson felt his body lighten. "Wow, I feel much lighter now. Can I remove my mask? Feels like I can do anything. Fuck… the water!" He kicked upward, gasping for air, realizing he had been submerged far longer than he thought. "Wait… how long have I been in here?"
Jake answered flatly, "One full hour. I used Revide to keep your body in suspended animation."
Johnson's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is that?"
"It's like freezing your body in time while everything else moves normally. Now...are you going to get out, or keep whining?" Jake snapped.
Johnson exhaled, calming himself. He scratched his damp hair, then pressed both hands to the wall. "Feel the molecules… around me," he whispered.
Jake's voice deepened, almost ritualistic. "Focus, Johnny. Feel the atoms in the wall before you. Feel the energy, feel the lightning. At this moment, you are no longer human, no longer bound to this world. You are one with your will."
Johnson closed his eyes. His body vibrated at hypersonic speed. Lightning danced across his skin, sparking wildly as the water shivered around him. His molecules loosened, shifting, humming in harmony with the air and the steel.
His body flickered, glitching like a broken transmission. His hand trembled against the wall and then began to sink through the metal as though it were mist. Pain surged through every nerve. He bit down hard, growling through clenched teeth.
The box groaned around him. His arm vanished, then his shoulder. And with a final surge of willpower...his entire body phased through the wall, slipping into open air. Water poured off him in streams as his form solidified again.
The box remained perfectly intact.
Joyce's wings fluttered as she flew closer, her eyes sparkling with both shock and pride. She pressed her fingers lightly to his dripping chest. "You looked so cool in there just now. How did you do that?" Her voice trembled with curiosity, though her cheeks betrayed a faint blush as her gaze wandered shamelessly across his half-naked body.
Johnson shifted uncomfortably, his damp hair sticking to his forehead, his muscles glistening under the light. "Um… Joyce… you're a little too close," he said softly, his voice edged with nervous charm. His eyes caught hers, enchanting in their intensity, though embarrassment flickered in his posture. "You sure have a military way of waking someone up."
Joyce giggled, tilting her head, but didn't back away. Her gaze traveled lower—where his bulge pressed obviously through his wet underwear.
Still oblivious, Johnson sighed and stretched, unaware of the hardness protruding. "It's fine. I'm not angry. Just surprised I could wake up in water like that."
Joyce handed him a drink, her fingers fidgeting with her hair as she twisted it nervously. "You might need to freshen up. The bathroom's in the bedroom." She avoided his eyes, her blush deepening. "I'm… sorry I put you through that."
Johnson smirked slightly, narrowing his eyes at her. "Do you always wear these suits? Don't you ever get tired?"
Joyce laughed, brushing her hand through her hair. "I can change my clothes anytime." Her eyes flicked down again—this time catching his protrusion fully. She leaned closer, whispering into his ear, voice dripping with playful seduction. "You do know you're with a girl, right? So what's making you horny, Master Johnson? Did I turn you on?"
Johnson's eyes widened, face burning red. "I can't get turned on! I'm impossible to turn on! I'm not worthy to be turned on!"
"Oh really?" Joyce teased, her hand sliding along his torso as her gaze locked on his. "Then what's this?"
"But that's impossible!" Johnson yelped, springing to his feet. "I gotta go use the bathroom!" Without another word, he bolted, leaving Joyce laughing behind him.
"Hahahaha!" she burst out, sipping from her water bottle.
Then her phone buzzed.
"Hello?" she answered.
Lucian's voice crackled through the speaker, calm yet edged with concern. "How's Johnson's training going? It's been twenty-four hours already. Hope he isn't dead."
Joyce leaned back, sighing with relief. "No sir. I'm working really hard to bring out the best in my friend. Since yesterday, he's been improving. He's alive and getting stronger." She walked into her dressing room, beginning to undress for a shower.
"I see… How was the endurance training? Did he pass? And how's his mental health?" Lucian's tone shifted between curiosity and slight disappointment.
Joyce's lips curved in a proud smile. "He just phased through a fifteen-inch thick box. He's pretty cool. Also… he asked me to ask about his family. How's Rose?"
Lucian's reply was calm. "His sister is training with your brother."
Joyce froze, shock in her voice. "Which one?!"
"Your older brother. The dragonoid… Tony Hart. She's doing great." He paused, chuckling. "Well, not great...your brother's handing her ass to her, but she's surviving."
Joyce's heart pounded in disbelief. Her voice faltered. "I… I don't think I can continue this conversation right now. Goodbye."
She hung up, exhaling sharply before disappearing into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water filled the silence, light fading as the chapter drew to a close.