Dave stood on the rooftop of a decimated building, the smoldering ruins of the latest battlefield spread out before him. The bodies of the fallen superhumans lay scattered in the distance, and he felt no remorse for what he had done. They were evil, and they had to be eliminated.
'They're just obstacles in my way,' Dave thought as he activated the system.
"System," Dave spoke aloud, his voice unwavering. "How many more countries are left? How many more superhuman scum do I need to deal with?"
The system responded immediately, its tone as flat and mechanical as ever. "There are 12 more countries with superhuman populations that require your attention. The remaining individuals range from Rank A to Rank SS. The total number of identified superhumans is 148. Additional data suggests hidden individuals whose abilities are not yet cataloged."
Dave clenched his fists. Twelve more countries. It was fewer than he expected, but each of those superhumans could pose a threat. He had no intention of underestimating any of them. Not after what had happened in his previous encounters.
"Good," Dave muttered. "I'll take them all down. Rank by rank."
Without wasting another moment, Dave shifted his focus to the next location. The system fed him the coordinates, and with a quick leap, he began making his way toward the next country. He moved swiftly, his teleportation ability allowing him to cover vast distances in mere moments.
---
Dave's journey led him to a desolate country, the landscape barren and dry. The remnants of a once-thriving civilization were evident in the ruined buildings and crumbling infrastructure. He could feel it in the air—the presence of superhumans lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike.
As he approached a dilapidated village on the outskirts, something caught his attention. A strange sound—almost like the faint clinking of chains—echoed through the air.
Curious, Dave followed the sound until he reached an old, rusted cage hidden behind what appeared to be a makeshift wall of debris. Inside the cage was a young girl, no older than 6 years old, her body frail and bruised. Her long, matted hair covered most of her face, but Dave could see her small hands gripping the bars of the cage, her knuckles white from the effort.
Dave's eyes narrowed. 'A little girl? Locked in a cage? What the hell is this?'
He stepped closer, his guard still up. Something about this situation didn't sit right with him. As he moved toward the cage, the girl's head slowly lifted, her eyes locking onto his. They were dull, almost lifeless, but there was something beneath the surface—something dark and dangerous.
"Who put you in here?" Dave asked, his voice steady.
The girl didn't respond. She just stared at him, her gaze unwavering.
Dave's instincts were screaming at him that something was wrong. There was no fear in the girl's eyes. No desperation. Just cold, emotionless silence.
As he stood there, the system suddenly activated on its own, a rare occurrence that immediately put Dave on edge.
"Warning. The individual before you is not as she seems. Extreme caution is advised."
Dave's eyes widened slightly, his entire body tensing. He had never heard the system issue a warning like that before.
"What do you mean?" Dave asked aloud, though he already had a sinking feeling in his gut.
"The girl possesses latent superhuman abilities. Based on the analysis of her aura, her potential power exceeds that of most known ranks. Her full capabilities are currently unknown. Proceed with caution."
Dave stepped back, his mind racing. A superhuman? This frail little girl in the cage? He had encountered powerful superhumans before, but this was different. There was something off about her. Something terrifying.
'A superhuman at that level… in a place like this?' Dave's mind quickly began to calculate his next move.
The girl still hadn't moved, but her presence was unsettling, as if a predator were watching him from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Dave asked, his voice firmer this time.
Again, the girl remained silent, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. It was barely noticeable, but it was there—a small, eerie smile that sent a chill down Dave's spine.
He didn't like this. Not one bit.
'System,' Dave thought, keeping his eyes on the girl, 'is it safe to engage her?'
"The individual's true abilities have yet to manifest. It is recommended to avoid direct conflict until more is known. Her potential exceeds any superhuman you have faced thus far."
Dave's heart raced. Exceeds any superhuman he'd faced? That meant she could be more powerful than even the SS-ranked superhumans he had fought before. This child, locked in a cage, could be more dangerous than anything he had ever encountered.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. 'I need more information before I do anything rash. But I can't leave her here like this.'
With that thought, Dave reached forward and grabbed the bars of the cage, intending to break them open. But before he could, the girl's smile widened, and her eyes gleamed with a strange, malevolent light.
"Careful," she finally whispered, her voice sending shivers down Dave's spine. "You might regret it."
The system's voice cut in again, its tone more urgent than ever. "Extreme caution is advised. Do not engage recklessly."