Chapter Three
The whole world was in an uproar. In the weeks following the event, reports of superhuman feats had shaken people all over. In the pyramid country, there were reports of a winged golden being that had caught a damaged plane midair, preventing it from crashing. Reports from the island nations spoke of a sea man who was able to drag sinking ships to shore. Then there was the latest news from Eagle country of the man who single handedly stopped a derailed train.
'There seem to be others like me.'
Thomas thought as scrolled through grape vine news sites on his phone. His initial assumption was that he was the only unique person who gained the ability to strengthen himself. However, it appeared he was wrong. There were others who were miles ahead of him in this aspect. As he ran down the path, he wondered how governments across the world were going to treat people with abilities.
Though no official declaration had been made yet, he reckoned that that day was not far off.
[You have completed your sub quest for today. ]
[Rewards have been assigned.]
Over the course of the past weeks, his daily quests had gradually changed from simple to complex.]
[Sub quest]
Run 10000 meters
Perform 2000 push ups
Perform 2000 sit ups
Leap off a ten-story building.
Despite its difficulties, Thomas fully embraced the challenge. He relished in the increase in strength it brought him so, he stayed disciplined, never missing a single quest despite the absurdly difficult conditions.
Three months of constant quest completion allowed him finally achieve his end of year stat requirements.
[Status:
Strength: 110
Agility: 108
Stamina: 109
Endurance: 108
Intelligence: 115 ]
His stats said it all. He was disgustingly strong. The power coursing through his body made him feel intoxicated. Along with this power however, came indifference. His bottled-up rage accumulated over the past few years had somewhat subsided. It wasn't that he had been pacified, he had just grown indifferent. With his current strength, crushing normal humans was as easy as crushing a beer can, but doing so would not grant him any satisfaction. There was just no point.
However, not everyone shared this opinion. In different locations all over the world massacres took place.
In one location, a sickening scene of a man holding unto a ripped off bleeding head of a man, unfolded. He stood quietly in the middle of a large compound oblivious to the hundreds of armed guards that surrounded him, guns drawn.
When he finally spoke, his raspy cold voice sent chills running down the spines of all present.
"Twenty years ago, the head of the clan ordered for the execution of my family. You claimed they betrayed you, so you tortured and killed them and seized our wealth…"
In a massive hall on that very compound, a group of people listened on with hideous frowns on their faces. They were well aware of this particular crime they had committed years ago; they just never thought it would return to bite them back years later. Though they feared the man's abilities, they knew there was no reconciliation at this point.
"Open fire!..", an elderly man in the seat of honor ordered. "I would like to see how he can avoid getting blown to bits by hundreds of guns."
Back on the compound, the man wrapped up his speech.
"Today, I have come with a humble request. Everyone, please accompany my family."
For a second, a tiny minute second, everyone on that compound felt the goosebumps rise on their bodies. The sun was up and the day couldn't be any hotter, yet they felt cold.
This feeling only lasted for a second, as in the following second, bullets came flying at the man from all directions. Their target however, had disappeared.
Seconds later, the compound was completely silent. Numerous dead bodies were scattered around with splatters of blood everywhere. They were all dead.
**
Boom!
Sirens rang desperately as ambulances and firetrucks desperately rushed to a five-storey burning apartment.
Cries and yells rang everywhere as pandemonium ensued. People were being desperately rushed out of the building with burns and injuries while others had gathered around, spectating the entire event. On one side, a media team had set up equipment, giving live coverage of the entire event to hundreds of people who watched on in horror from their houses. The reporter could be heard saying;
"As at this moment, only two people have been confirmed to still be in the building; a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister."
The firefighters worked tirelessly and desperately, spurred on by an agonizing weeping mother who had to be restrained by the police, for she would have rushed into the fire to save her children herself.
**
'Indifferent'
That was a farce. Thomas had led himself on to believe that he was truly indifferent. His delusions had made him believe that he was devoid of emotion, that he could no longer concern himself with what people did or what happened to them.
How very wrong he was!
In face of this agonizing circumstance, his spirit had wavered and his conscience jabbed at him. Thomas came to a single conclusion, one that redefine his path, yet left him confused.
'I am still human.'
So, as he walked to the woman in a cheap mask, he bought to inquire the floor and room her children were stuck in, he realized, that whoever had granted him these powers, had truly thought his character through.
**
The crowd watched, disbelief etched on their faces, as a man leapt five-storeys high and entered the apartment, smashing the windows upon entry. Flames burst out of the broken window, scaring everyone present but no one left, for they had been stunned by what they had seen.
Only when he had leapt out of the building with two sobbing children in his arms, did they truly believe.
'The reports were true', everyone unanimously thought.
**
[Congratulations, you have chosen the path of the protector]
[You have obtained the title 'The one who defied destiny']
[You have been granted 'The Undying Body'
[Your special ability has been granted.]