Who would dare sneak into a store to steal at a time like this?
Herman thought the two kids had guts.
The racket caused by that augmented human earlier wasn't small. Any normal person would've run as far as possible. Yet these two chose to take the risk.
Was this what people meant by "fortune favors the bold"?
Herman couldn't help but admire their courage.
He walked closer and saw they were around fifteen or sixteen. The boy looked malnourished, skin and bones—life had clearly been rough. Stealing food in the middle of chaos meant he must have been starving. His white hair stood out immediately, the natural kind, not dyed.
"Don't come any closer!"
The boy spotted Herman approaching and instantly moved to shield his sister behind him.
The girl clung to his back, peeking out timidly. Fear flickered in her eyes. She looked undernourished too, but her features were strikingly delicate. Though thin, she had developed in ways that stood out despite her frailty.
"What's your name?"
Herman casually grabbed a bag of chips from the shelf.
"None of your business!"
The boy's voice shook with fear, but he still kept his sister behind him, glaring at Herman with hostility.
"Fair enough."
Herman looked thoughtful for a moment, then tore the bag open and popped chips into his mouth one by one.
"But when I see someone stealing, stepping in is just me fulfilling my duty as a law-abiding citizen."
The crunch of chips echoed from his mouth as he leaned back against a shelf, looking completely at ease.
"Aren't you doing the same thing?"
The boy sneered, eyes fixed on the chips in Herman's hand.
"I'm not stealing."
Herman pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and flicked it toward the cash register across the room.
To the siblings' shock, the bill drifted smoothly through the air and landed neatly inside the drawer.
"That's not scientific!"
The boy blurted it out without thinking, his face frozen in disbelief.
Behind him, the girl's eyes flickered nervously.
"A little street rat knows science?"
Herman raised a brow, his tone laced with mockery. The proud boy immediately shot him a fierce glare.
"Of course I do!"
He puffed himself up, then quickly added in protest, "We're not homeless!"
But his tone wavered with guilt.
Herman couldn't help but laugh.
"Then do you have money? A place to live? Health insurance? A stable job?" He fired off four sharp questions in a row.
The boy's face flushed red, his words stuck in his throat.
"I… we don't."
The girl answered timidly from behind him, her gaze on Herman filled with both curiosity and fear.
"So, you are homeless." Herman stated it flatly, his voice still calm and casual.
"If humiliating us makes you feel better, then fine—you've succeeded. Now, can you leave us alone?"
The boy's face burned with shame and anger.
If they hadn't just seen Herman's overwhelming power outside, he would've swung a fist at him without hesitation.
"First, this isn't your turf. Second, I'm not here to humiliate you."
Herman looked at the boy, proud and defiant, then shifted his gaze to the girl behind him, her eyes shining brightly.
"I just want to tell you that I can give you everything I mentioned before."
The boy faltered, suspicion flickering across his face. The girl's expression also showed a hint of doubt.
"What do you want from us?"
The boy grew even more guarded, holding his sister closer as if Herman were some predator with ill intent.
"Couldn't it simply be that I felt a little pity? That I couldn't stand seeing you two living on the streets?" Herman raised an eyebrow and popped another chip into his mouth.
"There are plenty of homeless people out there. Why don't you go help them?" The boy's voice dripped with sarcasm, his glare sharpening.
"Oh? So you admit you're homeless, then?" Herman seized on it instantly, a grin spreading across his face as though he'd caught him in a trap.
"..."
The boy had no words.
"We don't need your help!"
He glared daggers at Herman, as though he could scare him off with just his eyes. Then he grabbed his sister's hand and turned to leave. Herman didn't move to stop them.
"Are you sure? You might never get a better chance than this." His voice was calm, unhurried, as he watched them head toward the door.
"Before you refuse, at least hear me out. Knowing who I am won't hurt you."
At that, the girl tugged her brother back.
It was exactly what Herman had expected.
A mind-reader.
In most cases, that meant he held the absolute advantage.
"What do you want us to do?"
Her voice was soft, almost gentle. She turned to face Herman, summoning her courage as she lifted her head and met his gaze.
His eyes are beautiful.
The thought slipped through her mind before she could stop it.
...
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