Kellan burst out of a manhole three blocks from the Rose Petal Florist. Two massive figures, identical to the ones at Aethel, were menacing his grandmother, Evelyn, who stood stoically behind the counter, clutching a heavy ceramic vase.
"Leave her alone!" Kellan roared.
"The little worm surfaced," one of the assassins sneered.
The brute lunged. Kellan didn't fight strength with strength. He used the System's calculated moment.
[Target: Sub-Optimal Operative (Enhanced Brute). Optimal Action: Exploit Balance Flaw (Micro-adjustment of ankle tension) and Utilize Sub-Optimal Environmental Element (Over-watered floor mat).]
Kellan side-stepped the massive punch, subtly kicking the floor mat. At the same microsecond, he slammed the small, charged remnant of his Optimization Energy into the brute's ankle. The brute tumbled, smashing violently into a shelf of expensive porcelain vases.
Kellan focused all remaining power on the second assassin's power core—a glowing, unstable device.
[Target: Sub-Optimal Operative (Energy Core). Optimal Action: Apply Systemic Energy Shock to induce localized Thermal Decay.]
The device on the assassin's chest began to glow white-hot, then instantly fizzled out, leaving him weak and human.
[Processing Achievement: Optimized Threat Neutralization. Experience Threshold Reached!]
[Optimal Insight Level Up! Optimal Insight (Level 3) Unlocked! New Function: Optimization Synthesis (Can merge two pieces of 'sub-optimal' technology for a new, powerful product).]
Evelyn Thorne, seeing her grandson was safe, lowered the vase. "You made quite a mess, Kellan. I suppose you'll clean it up?"
Kellan grinned, despite his exhaustion. Level 3. Synthesis. Finch's fate is sealed.