The echoes of the fierce battle between Dave and Bolt still hung in the air, the ground cracked and scorched, the smell of ozone lingering from the barrage of lightning strikes. Dave stood victorious, but exhausted, his body aching from the punishing blows and electricity he had endured. The intense fight had left him on the edge of his limits. He glanced down at Bolt, who lay unconscious in the rubble, then wiped the sweat from his brow.
As he prepared to leave, something shifted in the atmosphere—a chilling sensation that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He wasn't alone.
A voice broke the silence. "Who are you, kid?"
Dave spun around to face the speaker, his eyes widening in shock. Before him stood a man who radiated raw power, an intensity unlike anything Dave had ever felt. The air around him seemed to hum with energy, and his piercing gaze felt like it could cut through steel.
Dave's system immediately triggered a harsh alarm in his mind, almost screaming at him.
"Host, run! Run as fast as you can! Use your teleportation NOW! This man is a Superhuman of Rank S, one of the most dangerous in the world!"
Dave's heart raced. Rank S. That meant this man was far beyond anything he had ever faced. The battle with Bolt, who was Rank B, had pushed Dave to his limits, and now an even greater threat stood before him.
The Rank S figure tilted his head slightly, his gaze narrowing as if he could sense Dave's growing fear. "You're about to run, aren't you?"
Before Dave could react, the man moved. In an instant, he was in front of Dave, his speed so fast it defied belief. The next thing Dave knew, a punch connected with his gut, sending shockwaves of pain through his entire body. It felt like he had been hit by a speeding truck, the force of the blow knocking the wind out of him.
Dave's vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious. His system screamed again, urging him to act before it was too late. He had to escape—there was no chance of fighting this man.
Summoning the last of his strength, Dave muttered, "Teleport..." and in a blink, he vanished, the world around him fading as he reappeared in the safety of his home. The last thing he remembered was collapsing onto the floor before the darkness took him.
When Dave finally awoke, his body felt heavy, the remnants of pain still lingering, but the worst of it had passed. He groaned and sat up, realizing he had been unconscious for what felt like a long time.
"System, how long have I been out?" he muttered, his voice weak.
The system responded immediately, but there was a softness to its tone, almost as if it was relieved. "Host, you have been unconscious for 24 hours. I used some system points to heal your injuries while you were asleep. Otherwise, you may not have survived."
Dave blinked, still trying to wrap his mind around the events. "How... am I still alive? That guy, he... he was going to kill me."
"Indeed. You were moments away from death, but I expended a significant amount of system points to stabilize your condition and accelerate your recovery. The individual you encountered is one of the most dangerous beings on this planet. His name is Helios, known for his overwhelming strength and speed. He is ranked among the top Superhumans in the world, an elite Rank S. Facing him head-on, you stood no chance in your current state."
The system's words sank in, and Dave felt a cold dread wash over him. Helios. A Rank S superhuman. The gap between them was immense, far greater than he had imagined. If he had stayed a second longer, he would've been dead.
Dave sat in silence for a moment, his mind replaying the encounter. Helios had punched him once, and that was all it took to nearly end his life. Once. And Dave had barely survived.
"I... I thought I was getting stronger," he said quietly. "But against someone like him, I might as well have been powerless."
"Your strength has grown, Host. But understand, the difference between Rank B and Rank S is vast. The Rank S superhumans are in a league of their own, capable of feats far beyond what most can imagine. Your encounter with Helios was a stark reminder of how far you still have to go. If you wish to face such individuals and survive, you will need to train harder than ever."
Dave clenched his fists, frustration and determination bubbling up inside him. The fight with Bolt had given him confidence, but that confidence had been shattered in an instant by Helios. He wasn't ready—not even close.
"I have to get stronger," Dave muttered, his voice firm. "I need to train harder, push myself further. The AI Pod, the time dilation... I'll use everything at my disposal. I can't let something like this happen again. Next time, I'll be ready."
"That is the correct mindset, Host. The AI Pod will allow you to train more efficiently. You have time, but you must use it wisely. The world is full of threats, and now that you have crossed paths with a Rank S, you can be sure others will follow. Prepare yourself."
Dave nodded, a renewed sense of purpose filling him. He had narrowly escaped death, but it wasn't over. Helios and the other Rank S superhumans were out there, and if he wanted to stand a chance, he needed to push his limits far beyond what they were now.
As he stood up and stretched, Dave glanced at the door to his training room.
'It's time to head back to the Pod,' he thought. 'I have a long way to go.'