The silence of the alley weighed on Adam's ears, broken only by a heavy breath. He collapsed against a wet wall, the light sound of traffic in the distance mocking its pain. Blood drained from his split lip, mixing with the dirt on his shirt. Fifteen years in this unforgiving city had taught him to expect pain. Pity was a myth, kindness a rare luxury. But as his vision blurred, a faint glow pierced the darkness.
SYSTEM YOU WANT IS ACTIVATED>
the words floated in the air, ethereal and still. Adam blinked, his mind wandering from the sight. "What the hell... ? "
FIRST WISH IS FREE: CHOOSE AN OPTION BELOW. >
Three choices appeared:
1. Heal all wounds.
2. Unlock a combat skill.
3. Get $10,000 Cash.
For a moment he was speechless. The pain in his ribs demanded his attention and the idea of getting instant money appealed to his survival instincts. But it was the second option that stuck in his mind like a vice.
"A divine ability?" Adam muttered.
A strange warmth spread within him, not from the system, but from within—a whisper of ambition that had never died. His lips twisted into a smile. "Money drains away, and healing only delays the next blow. But power? It's forever."
He flicked his finger in the air, demonstrating the skill.
NO SOVEREIGN-A DIVINE MOVE TECHNIQUE. >
The feeling that followed was unlike anything he had ever felt before. His muscles tensed, then relaxed, his mind flooded with knowledge of impossible moves. The sovereign step was not just a skill, it was grace, speed, and control personified.
Adam's smile deepened as he scrambled to his feet. His body still ached, but the weight of helplessness was gone. He didn't need perfect health. What he needed was a gun.
---
The morning air was cold when Adam emerged from the shelter. His ribs still ached, but he barely noticed. The memory of the Sovereign Pass burned brightly in his mind. It was as if his body wanted to move, to test the limits of his new gift.
The city streets were a hive of noise and indifference. Adam's sharp eyes scanned the crowd, looking not for trouble but for opportunity.
A fight near a corner store caught his attention. A nervous man had pinned a boy, his face pale with fear, against the wall.
"Let me go!" the boy pleaded.
The man scoffed. "Pay up, or I'll make sure you can't get away from me again." »
Adem approached with a determined step, his hands in his pockets. "Hey," he called in a low but sharp voice. "Let him go." »
The nervous man turned, his smile turning into a moan. "Mind your own business, kid." Unless you're trying to hurt me."
Ademi smiled weakly. "You're funny." I like it. "His tone turned dark. "But I'm not asking for anything."
The man was lunging toward him, a blurry movement that Adam easily dodged. Hapi Sovran guided him like a ghost, his movements almost instinctive. A single blow to the ribs had him gasping for breath.
The boy looked at Adam with wide eyes. "How are you..."
"Go home," Adam interrupted. "And don't let a scum like him get you again."
The boy nodded quickly, hurried away. Adam turned to the nervous man crouched next to him. "Tell your friends the rules are changing," he whispered. "Don't get in my way, or I'll make this permanent." »
As Adam left, the system's voice blared in his ears.
500 PUBLIC LIKES: 1 YEAR DESIRE ENERGY ADDED TO SYSTEM. >
He stopped halfway, his heart pounding. "Public taste? What does this mean?" The system responded immediately.
ARE GENERATED BY PUBLIC APPROVAL. EVERY 500 LIKES CONVERTS INTO 1 YEAR OF DESIRE ENERGY. >
Adam's mind raced. Approval. Impact. If people believed in him - or feared him - they would feed off his power. A small laugh escaped his lips, growing louder as he realized it.
It wasn't just a gift. It was a weapon.
---
The first opportunity to further test the system presented itself that evening. Adam walked in a quiet neighborhood with a sure step. In front of him a young man the woman was arguing with a saleswoman, her voice strained with frustration.
"I paid you!" she shouted. - You're trying to fool me! »
The salesman mocked you. "Get out of here. I don't have time to waste with liars."
Adamu approached, his gaze calculating. He didn't intervene immediately. Rather, he watched, waiting for the moment when the woman's anger would flare up, attracting the attention of passersby.
Finally, Adamu stepped forward. "What's going on? here?"
The shopkeeper gave him a dark look. "It's none of your business."
Adem's smile didn't reach his eyes. "It's now. Watch it or I'll fix it for you."
The shopkeeper snorted, but Adam's sharp voice made him hesitate. Finally, he dropped the woman's mutation on the counter and muttered.
"Learn to take better notes," Adam told the woman, his voice almost casual.
She looked at him, her gratitude tempered by confusion. "Why did you help me?" »
Adam shrugged. "Sometimes people need to be reminded to play fair
As she left, the system crashed again".
1000 PUBLIC LIKES: 2 YEARS OF DESIRE ENERGY ADDED TO THE SYSTEM. >
Adam's smile widened. He didn't just have power, he had influence.
---
When he returned to the shelter that night, the system greeted him with a menu of new options:
1. Heal all wounds (5 years).
2. Unlock Intermediate Martial Arts (10 years).
3. Improve your reflexes (20 years).
Adam's eyes narrowed as he studied the list. Healing would be appropriate, but he wasn't looking for comfort. He chose the second option without hesitation.
INTERMEDIATE MASTERY OF MARTIAL ARTS. >
The flow of knowledge was intoxicating.