Swooosh!
With a powerful leap, I soared into the noon sky, leaving the kebab stall and the bustling street behind. The cool air rushed past me as I flew towards the city center, my eyes scanning the cityscape below for the G City Council building. Amidst the sea of lights and towering structures, I spotted it: a large, imposing white building standing proudly near the town hall.
That must be it, I thought, my resolve hardening. It was time to expose their corruption and bring justice to those they had wronged.
I descended towards the building, my cape billowing behind me like a dark banner against the bright afternoon sky. As I approached, I noticed a group of security guards patrolling the perimeter, their stern expressions and watchful eyes hinting at the tight security measures in place.
But I'm the strongest person here, they're only security guards.
With that thought in mind, I walked confidently towards the gate, nonchalantly ignoring the guards' presence.
"O-Oi... that's the Anti-Gangster.." one of the guards stammered, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and awe.
The other guards snapped to attention, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. They had clearly heard of my exploits, but facing me in person was a different matter altogether.
"Halt!" one of them shouted, his voice amplified by a megaphone. "Identify yourself!"
I stopped, my hands raised in a gesture of peace. "I'm here to see the council members," I announced, my voice calm and steady. "I have important information regarding their activities."
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. They were clearly hesitant to let me pass, but they also knew better than to underestimate me.
"We'll need to verify your identity first," the guard with the megaphone said. "Please wait here while we contact the council."
"You think I need an ID?" I countered, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.
A tense silence hung in the air as the guards processed my words. They knew I was capable of bypassing their security measures if I wanted to, but my willingness to cooperate seemed to ease their apprehension slightly.
After a brief radio exchange, the guard with the megaphone lowered his weapon. "Alright, Anti-Gangster," he said, his tone still cautious. "We've informed the council. They'll be sending someone down to meet you shortly. Please remain where you are."
I smirked, my eyes glinting with a playful challenge. "Stay here or you'll die," I retorted, walking past him as if he hadn't spoken.
The guards tensed, their hands hovering near their weapons. But they made no move to stop me. They knew better than to provoke a confrontation they couldn't win. I continued walking, my footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent courtyard.
I reached the main entrance of the building, a grand set of double doors made of polished mahogany. I pushed them open, the hinges creaking slightly in protest. The lobby was opulent, with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and plush velvet furniture. It reeked of wealth and power, a stark contrast to the humble kebab stall I had just left.
I strode across the lobby, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the council members. Just as I was about to call out, a voice echoed from behind me.
"Can I help you?"
I turned to see a middle-aged woman standing there, her expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. She was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, her hair styled in a sleek bun.
"I'm here to see the council members," I repeated, my voice firm and clear. "I have information regarding their activities."
The woman's eyebrows arched slightly. "And you are?"
"The Imaginary," I replied, my voice echoing through the grand lobby.
"T-That.... that suit... it's the hero..." An office boy who had just arrived stammered, his eyes wide with recognition.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, her composure momentarily faltering. "The Imaginary?" she echoed, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "But... why are you here?"
"I'm here to expose the corruption within the G City Council," I declared, my voice ringing with conviction. "I have evidence of their illegal activities, and I intend to bring them to justice."
The woman's expression hardened. "I see," she said, her voice clipped. "Well, I'm afraid you can't just waltz in here and make accusations without proof. The council members are very busy people."
"Who do you think I am?" I retorted, stepping closer, my voice laced with a hint of menace. "You think I don't have proof?"
The woman took a step back, her resolve wavering under my intense gaze. The office boy, who had been observing the scene with a mixture of fear and excitement, shrunk back further into the corner, clearly intimidated by the escalating tension.
"I... I'll inform the council members immediately," the woman stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, wait here."
She reached for her phone, but I swiftly intercepted her, gently but firmly grasping her wrist. "It's a surprise," I said, a cryptic smile playing on my lips. "Wait here."
She stood frozen, her body rigid with fear. It was clear she was terrified, her mind racing with the possibilities of what I might do.
I released her wrist, allowing her to step back. A wave of satisfaction washed over me as I saw the fear in her eyes. It was a reminder of the power I held, the power to command respect and instill fear in those who abused their authority.
I turned my attention back to the office boy, who was still cowering in the corner. "Don't worry," I said, my voice softening. "I'm not here to hurt anyone who's innocent."
The boy's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope replacing the fear. He nodded slowly, his body still trembling slightly.
I turned back to the woman, my gaze hardening once more. "Now, be a good girl and wait here," I instructed, my voice leaving no room for argument.
She nodded meekly, her eyes glued to the floor. I could practically feel her fear radiating off her in waves.
With a satisfied smirk, I turned and strode towards the elevator, leaving the terrified woman and the wide-eyed office boy behind. It was time to confront the G City Council, and I had a feeling they wouldn't be expecting the surprise I had in store for them.
Ting! The elevator doors slid open, revealing a bustling hallway filled with the sounds of chatter and ringing phones.
"Hahaha, but you know that video..." Two women, engrossed in conversation, abruptly stopped talking as they noticed me stepping out of the elevator.
I simply walked past them, my expression impassive. Their shocked expressions and hushed whispers followed me as I made my way down the corridor, my footsteps echoing in the otherwise busy hallway.
The closer I got to the council chambers, the more palpable the tension in the air became. The hushed whispers and nervous glances of the staff members I passed served as a stark reminder of the fear and intimidation that permeated this place. It only fueled my determination to expose the corruption that festered within these walls.
Finally, I reached the grand doors of the council chambers. They were intricately carved, showcasing the city's emblem and motto: "Justice and Prosperity for All." A bitter irony, considering the injustice that thrived within.
I pushed the doors open, the sound echoing through the spacious chamber. The council members, seated around a large, polished table, looked up in surprise at my sudden entrance. Their faces, a gallery of self-importance and entitlement, hardened as they recognized me.
"The Imaginary," one of them, a portly man with a receding hairline, said, his voice a mixture of shock and disdain. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"
"Heh, seems you already know who I am?" I said, a sly grin spreading across my face.
"Of course... everyone does," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of bitterness. "A superhuman, or superhero, I should say... a superhero that the government never wanted..."
"But one the people need," I countered, my voice ringing with conviction. "And today, I'm here to expose the truth about your 'Justice and Prosperity for All' motto. It's a sham, a facade hiding the greed and corruption that runs rampant within this council."
A collective gasp echoed through the chamber, the council members exchanging uneasy glances. The air crackled with tension, their carefully constructed facade of authority beginning to crumble.
I pressed the button on the wristwatch on my wrist, and with a subtle click, a sleek gun materialized in my hand. "Well... should the mouth tell, or should the gun force it to tell?" I asked, my voice a low, menacing growl.
The council members paled visibly, their eyes widening in fear. The portly man, who seemed to be the leader, attempted to regain his composure. "You can't threaten us! We're the G City Council! We have the law on our side!"
I laughed, a cold, hollow sound that echoed through the chamber. "The law? You've twisted the law to serve your own purposes, lining your pockets with the hard-earned money of the people you're supposed to protect. You've betrayed the trust of the citizens, and now it's time to pay the price."
I raised the gun, aiming it at the ceiling. "I could expose your crimes to the public, let them see the truth about the parasites who leech off their livelihoods. But that would be too easy, wouldn't it?"
I smirked, my eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "Instead, I'm going to give you a taste of your own medicine. A little dose of fear and uncertainty, just like you've inflicted on countless others."
I closed my eyes, focusing my imagination. The room seemed to warp and twist, the walls melting and reforming into grotesque shapes. The council members' faces contorted in horror as they realized they were trapped in my illusion, their worst nightmares coming to life.
"W-What is this!?"
"Is this the power of a superhuman!?"
Imagine... Hell... I imagined, my mind painting a vivid picture of torment and despair.
The once opulent chamber transformed into a scene of infernal chaos. The marble floors cracked and split, revealing a fiery abyss below. The crystal chandeliers morphed into writhing serpents, their fangs dripping with venom. The plush furniture twisted into grotesque parodies of human forms, their silent screams echoing through the chamber.
The council members recoiled in terror, their screams mingling with the demonic cacophony. The portly man, his face contorted in a mask of abject fear, stumbled backward, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"No... this can't be real!" he shrieked, his voice cracking.
"It's as real as the pain and suffering you've caused," I retorted, my voice a chilling echo in the hellish landscape. "Remember what your holy book says... you are taking people's money for your own gain, not for the country's sake. Such corruptors, behold... the fire of hell...."
Swooosh! A wave of intense heat washed over the chamber, the air shimmering with an oppressive intensity. From the depths of the fiery abyss, tendrils of flame erupted, reaching out towards the terrified council members. Their screams intensified as the flames licked at their skin, the illusion of pain all too real.
The portly man, his once pristine suit now singed and blackened, collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Please... stop this... we'll confess! We'll return the money! Just make it stop!"
I observed their suffering, a flicker of pity momentarily clouding my resolve. But then I remembered the countless lives they had ruined, the families they had torn apart with their greed.
"Apologies rejected," I declared, my voice unwavering. "You've had your chance to do the right thing, and you failed. Now, face the consequences of your actions."
The flames intensified, their roar filling the chamber as they danced and writhed, closing in on their prey. The council members' screams reached a fever pitch, their pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. I stood amidst the chaos, my heart heavy but my resolve unwavering. This was the price of their corruption, the price of their disregard for the lives they had been entrusted to protect.
As the flames consumed the chamber, I closed my eyes, the screams and pleas fading into the background. When I opened them again, the illusion had vanished, leaving the council members huddled on the floor, their faces etched with terror and remorse. The once grand chamber was now a scene of disarray, the pristine furniture overturned and the air thick with the lingering scent of smoke.
I surveyed the scene, a sense of grim satisfaction washing over me. The G City Council had been exposed, their reign of corruption brought to an abrupt end. The Imaginary had struck again, and the city would remember this day.
"Remember this feeling," I said, my voice echoing through the silent chamber. "Remember the fear, the helplessness. Let it be a constant reminder of the consequences of your actions. And next time, choose wisely."
With that, I turned and walked out of the chamber, leaving the council members to grapple with the aftermath of their own misdeeds. They all remained speechless, their voices stolen by the momentary taste of hellfire they had experienced.
Swooosh!
I propelled myself through the air, the wind whipping past me as I made my way back to the familiar sanctuary of the WRA Building. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the city, a stark contrast to the fiery inferno I had conjured just moments before.
As I entered the building, the receptionist greeted me with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Xian."
I nodded in acknowledgement. "How are you today?"
"Fine, just enjoying the noon," she replied, her tone cheerful.
With a brief farewell, I left her to her duties and headed towards the elevator, pressing the button for the 20th floor.
The elevator ride was swift and silent, giving me a moment to reflect on the events of the afternoon. The confrontation with the G City Council had been intense, the weight of their corruption a heavy burden to bear. But I knew I had done the right thing. The Imaginary was a symbol of hope, a beacon of justice in a world often shrouded in darkness. And as long as there was injustice in the world, I would continue to fight.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing the familiar sight of the 20th floor, a single door standing sentinel at the end of the hallway.
Creak! As I opened the door, I found myself inside the office, with only Dove at her desk, her eyes glued to her laptop screen.
"You're back early, Xian," she said without looking up, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
I removed my mask, placing it on the table with a soft thud. "Where's everyone?"
"Irune, Yolan, Lili, and Aca went to the factory," she replied, her gaze still fixed on the laptop. "Vill took a day off. So now it's just me and you... where's IM?"
"Oh, he's still playing basketball with the boys," I answered, a faint smile playing on my lips.
"Hmm, seems like after the evolution he's always playing basketball, huh?" Dove remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
I chuckled softly. "Yeah, it seems to be his new obsession. I guess he's finally found an outlet for all that extra energy."
Dove nodded in agreement. "Well, at least it's keeping him out of trouble." She paused, her fingers momentarily stilling on the keyboard. "So, how did your mission go?"
I hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. Dove was a trusted member of the Unveiled Family, but I didn't want to burden her with the full weight of what I had witnessed at the G City Council.
"It went well," I finally said, choosing my words carefully. "I exposed their corruption, and they'll be facing the consequences of their actions."
"Which one today?" she asked, her attention shifting from her laptop to me.
"G City Council. Remember that Harbinger who came here to ask his master to join?"
"...Oh, that one, yeah. Why?"
"His name is Liam, and he owns a kebab stall on the street. He said the council was charging 45% tax for street food vendors."
Dove's eyes widened in disbelief. "45%!?"
"Yeah," I confirmed, a hint of anger still lingering in my voice. "It's ridiculous. They're practically stealing from those people."
Dove shook her head in disgust. "That's awful. No wonder Liam was so eager for his master to join us. He must be desperate for change."
"He is," I agreed. "And he's not the only one. There are countless others suffering under the council's greed."
Dove's expression hardened. "We need to do something about this. We can't let them get away with it."
"That's exactly what I did," I said, a grim satisfaction settling in my chest. "I paid them a visit this afternoon."
Dove's eyes widened. "You confronted the council members?"
I nodded. "I gave them a taste of their own medicine. A little dose of fear and uncertainty. I created an illusion of hell and reminded them this world isn't just about money."
Dove laughed, a genuine sound of amusement filling the office. "Haha, is that a quote?"
"Something like that," I replied with a shrug. "I figured it was fitting, given their obsession with wealth and power."
***
Meanwhile, IM was still on the basketball court, playing with a group of students from the school.
"Shoot, IM!" one of them shouted, passing him the ball.
IM dribbled expertly, then leaped gracefully into the air from outside the three-point line. With a flick of his wrist, he released the ball.
"Three-pointer, baby!" he exclaimed, watching the ball arc through the air.
Thud! The ball swished through the net, barely even touching the rim.
"Yeaaaa!" His teammates cheered, high-fiving IM in celebration.
IM grinned, basking in the adulation. The feeling of camaraderie, the thrill of competition, it was all so exhilarating. He loved pushing his body to its limits, testing the newfound strength and agility he had gained after his evolution.
"Alright, who's next?" he challenged, bouncing the ball between his legs with practiced ease.
Tak Tak! The rhythmic sound of the ball hitting the concrete echoed through the court.
"Hey, hey, look at this court's section!" A newcomer to the game pointed towards a specific area of the court. "Rectangle School Academy?"
The Rectangle students exchanged glances, a mixture of curiosity and wariness etched on their faces. Even IM paused, his playful grin fading slightly as he assessed the newcomer.
"What's up? Wanna spar?" IM asked, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
The newcomer walked closer, his confidence radiating through his posture. "Come on, 5 vs 5, with my boys," he challenged, his eyes locking with IM's. "I'm from Triangle School Academy."
< Chapter 164 > Fin.