The night air was cold.
But Kai didn't feel it.
His eyes were locked on the glowing blue screen in front of him.
Floating.
Unreal.
[Skill: Ability Devour]
Description: Consume abilities from defeated targets.
Condition: Kill or completely dominate the target.
Kai's breathing steadied.
"So I have to take it."
Not borrow.
Not copy.
Take.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"That means…"
His fingers clenched.
"I just need someone strong enough."
A distant noise echoed.
Footsteps.
Laughter.
Kai turned.
Three figures approached from the alley ahead.
Students.
Still in academy uniforms.
"Well, well… look who it is."
The one in front stepped forward.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Smirk full of arrogance.
Daren Cole.
Rank 412.
C-Class Ability: Shock Pulse.
"Thought you'd cry yourself to sleep already," Daren mocked.
The other two laughed.
"Or maybe he's looking for sympathy?"
"Useless people like him don't deserve it."
Kai said nothing.
He just watched them.
Carefully.
[Target Detected]
[Ability: Shock Pulse – Compatible]
His heart skipped.
Then steadied.
"…Perfect."
Daren frowned.
"What did you just say?"
Kai stepped forward.
Slow.
Calm.
"I said… you're perfect."
For a moment—
Confusion.
Then anger.
"You've got guts for someone with no ability."
Daren raised his hand.
Electric sparks began to crackle around his palm.
"Let me remind you where you belong."
BOOM!
A burst of electricity shot forward—
Kai moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
The blast missed him completely.
"What—?"
Daren's eyes widened.
Kai closed the distance instantly.
His fist slammed into Daren's stomach.
THUD!
Air left Daren's lungs in one violent gasp.
"How… are you—?!"
Kai didn't answer.
He grabbed Daren's collar—
And slammed him into the wall.
CRACK!
The other two froze.
"He's not normal…"
Daren struggled, electricity flaring wildly—
But something was wrong.
His power…
Was unstable.
[System Active]
[Suppressing Target Ability…]
Kai's eyes hardened.
"You're weak."
"What did you do to me?!"
Kai tightened his grip.
"You lost."
He struck again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Daren's resistance faded.
His body went limp.
Silence.
[Condition Met]
[Target Defeated]
A pause.
[Ability Devour Activated]
[Acquiring: Shock Pulse…]
Kai froze.
A surge of energy exploded through his body.
Pain.
Burning.
Electricity tearing through his veins.
"GHH—!"
He dropped to one knee.
The world blurred—
Then snapped back.
Silence.
Kai slowly raised his hand.
Electric sparks danced across his fingers.
"…No way."
He looked up.
The two remaining students were shaking.
"He stole it…"
"That's not possible…"
Kai stood.
Electricity crackled louder.
Stronger.
He smiled.
"Now…"
A step forward.
"…who's next?"
They ran.
Didn't look back.
Kai didn't chase.
He didn't need to.
He looked down at his hand again.
Power.
Real power.
For the first time in his life…
He had it.
And this was just the beginning.
End of Chapter 2