The battle ended as abruptly as it began. When alarms sounded, signaling the approach of law enforcement Awakened, the Shadow Organization's people vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Turner Tech's defense system began automatically repairing the broken glass and facilities, as if nothing had happened.
"That's it?" Claire could hardly believe it. Her legs were weak from overusing her powers, forcing her to lean against the desk for support.
"They got the data they wanted," Meiling said, straightening her slightly disheveled suit. "This was an experiment from the start, and we were all test subjects."
Claire felt a throbbing in her temples. She glanced at her watch, surprised to find that only forty minutes had passed since their scheduled meeting time.
"So, our discussion..."
"We'll continue another day," Meiling smiled, regaining her professional elegance. "You look like you need rest. We have plenty of time to discuss Turner Tech's plans."
When Claire walked out of the building, the sunlight painfully stung her eyes. James and Lucas had disappeared at some point, leaving only a text message: they'd be in touch later.
She checked her phone, displaying dozens of missed calls and unread messages. The real world never waits.
"Claire!" David's voice came through the phone. "How was the meeting? The board is still waiting for results."
Claire struggled to make her voice sound normal: "I need to reschedule the meeting. Today's discussion... had some unexpected complications."
"What?" David was clearly unhappy. "Claire, you've been really off lately. First the fire incident, now this. The company needs you focused on work."
"I know," she rubbed her temples. "Give me some time, I'll handle it."
Hanging up, she decided to take a cab back to the office. The crowds and mixed energies in the subway would only worsen her headache.
At the office, her assistant Sarah immediately rushed over: "God, Claire, you look terrible! These all need to be processed today," she put down a stack of files. "Also, Mr. Johnson has been chasing his recruitment project since morning, the candidates have been waiting for a week..."
Claire collapsed into her chair, feeling completely drained. She tried to channel a bit of energy to ease the fatigue, but it only made her headache worse.
"Could you make me some coffee?" she asked Sarah. "The strongest you've got."
The next few hours were torture. She forced herself through two conference calls, reviewed a dozen resumes, and had to deal with various client inquiries. Every time she tried to focus, the text started dancing before her eyes, the residual effects of energy flows making it hard to concentrate on work.
"Are you okay?" Her colleague Mike ran into her in the break room. "You look really pale."
"Might be coming down with something," she managed a weak smile, pouring herself a fourth cup of coffee.
By three o'clock, she couldn't take it anymore and decided to rest in the bathroom. The mirror reflected a pale face with smudged makeup. She gently touched the symbol on her wrist, feeling a weak pulse.
"Side effects of using energy for the first time," Dr. Chen's voice suddenly sounded beside her. She jumped, turning to see the old man somehow standing in the bathroom doorway.
"I know," she rubbed her temples. "Give me some time, I'll handle it."
Hanging up, she decided to take a cab back to the office. The crowds and mixed energies in the subway would only worsen her headache.
At the office, her assistant Sarah immediately rushed over: "God, Claire, you look terrible! These all need to be processed today," she put down a stack of files. "Also, Mr. Johnson has been chasing his recruitment project since morning, the candidates have been waiting for a week..."
Claire collapsed into her chair, feeling completely drained. She tried to channel a bit of energy to ease the fatigue, but it only made her headache worse.
"Could you make me some coffee?" she asked Sarah. "The strongest you've got."
The next few hours were torture. She forced herself through two conference calls, reviewed a dozen resumes, and had to deal with various client inquiries. Every time she tried to focus, the text started dancing before her eyes, the residual effects of energy flows making it hard to concentrate on work.
"Are you okay?" Her colleague Mike ran into her in the break room. "You look really pale."
"Might be coming down with something," she managed a weak smile, pouring herself a fourth cup of coffee.
By three o'clock, she couldn't take it anymore and decided to rest in the bathroom. The mirror reflected a pale face with smudged makeup. She gently touched the symbol on her wrist, feeling a weak pulse.
"Side effects of using energy for the first time," Dr. Chen's voice suddenly sounded beside her. She jumped, turning to see the old man somehow standing in the bathroom doorway.
Claire nodded. She knew this conversation was inevitable.
"Claire," David sat down. "You're one of our best headhunters. But lately... you seem distracted. If there's something wrong, you can tell me."
Looking at her mentor, she suddenly felt guilty. Indeed, these past few days she'd been so focused on the Awakened world, she'd almost forgotten she had a job that required her full dedication.
"I just... ran into some personal issues recently," she said. "But I promise it won't affect the quality of my work."
David nodded: "I trust you. But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Learn to find balance."
Balance. The word suddenly took on new meaning. Just like energy flows needed balance, her life needed to find equilibrium between these two worlds.
When she left the office building, night had fallen completely. Her phone rang with a training notification from James. She looked at it, then replied: Too tired today, another time.
She decided to go home and get a good night's sleep first. After all, she had work tomorrow. And a great headhunter needs a clear mind above all else.
As for those supernatural adventures, they could wait until she recovered her strength.
Her final thought as she hailed a cab was that perhaps navigating office politics had prepared her for the Awakened world better than any special training could. Both required careful balance, strategic thinking, and knowing when to hold back.
And right now, what she needed most was an ordinary night's sleep in her ordinary apartment, followed by a very ordinary cup of morning coffee.
The symbol on her wrist pulsed faintly, as if agreeing with her decision.