Chapter 8: Trouble Finds Trouble
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"I'm like a strength-type awakened now," he said, grinning. "All this… just from a bunch of fruits!"
He clenched his fists, eager to test his newfound strength.
"Alright! Time to find someone to fight!"
Kent's eyes gleamed with excitement as he glanced outside. Somewhere in town, there had to be someone to test his power on.
"Let's see what this body can do!"
The sun hung low in the sky as Kent strolled lazily through the quieter streets of town.
His hands were stuffed in his coat pockets, and a faint smirk lingered on his lips.
"I've got strength now," Kent muttered to himself, "but it'd be a shame to let it go to waste. I need someone to test it on… preferably someone who deserves it."
The streets were nearly empty as the New Year celebrations wound down. Vendors packed up their stalls, and the sound of distant fireworks echoed faintly through the air.
Kent's boots crunched softly on the gravel road as he wandered aimlessly, whistling a little tune.
"MEOW!"
A stray cat hissed at him from atop a trash can.
Kent stopped, cocking his head. "Oh? You want to fight too?"
The cat stared him down, unimpressed.
Kent chuckled. "Relax. You're safe for now. I've got bigger fish to fry."
As he walked further into town, something caught his attention—a faint flicker of light in a dark alleyway. Kent squinted, his senses tingling.
"That looks familiar…" he whispered.
He crept closer and peeked around the corner. There, slumped against a wall and surrounded by faint embers, was the fire user Jack.
Oh it's the same guy who had tried to scam me back at the house. Heh heh! Smirked 😏.
His clothes were dirty and torn, and faint flames flickered weakly around his hands.
"Well, well, well," Kent said aloud, stepping into the alley with an exaggerated clap. "If it isn't Mr. Candlelight himself!"
The fire user's head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. "You… You again?!"
Kent grinned. "Yep, me again. You look worse than the leftovers I ate last night. Are you trying to scam someone else, huh?"
+99 Sp from jack.( Frustration)
The fire user growled, stumbling to his feet. "I don't have time for this!"
Kent raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you've got time. Trust me."
The fire user roared and launched a fireball straight at Kent's chest.
"WHOOSH! BOOM!"
The explosion lit up the alleyway, sending dust and debris flying. Smoke curled through the air as the fire user panted, a grin creeping onto his face.
"Hah! That's what you get, brat!"
But when the smoke cleared, Kent stood there completely unharmed, brushing soot off his jacket.
"You're gonna need a bigger fire," Kent said casually, yawning.
Ding!
+50 SP copied (Frustration).
The fire user's grin disappeared. "What the hell?!"
"Come on," Kent taunted, cracking his knuckles. "Don't disappoint me."
With an angry roar, the fire user summoned a barrage of fireballs, flinging them wildly.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Kent weaved through the flames effortlessly, his enhanced physique allowing him to move with inhuman speed.
"Missed me!" Kent teased, dodging left.
"Still missing!" he said, sidestepping another.
"Are you even aiming, or are you just hoping I'll stand still?"
Ding!
+60 SP copied (Frustration).
The fire user screamed, his flames flaring wildly. "I'll turn you into ash!"
Before Kent could finish the fight, a deep voice echoed from the shadows.
"Yo, jack! Need a hand roasting this kid?"
Kent turned to see a massive man stepping forward, a metal bat slung over his shoulder. The guy was built like a truck, muscles bulging beneath his torn sleeves.
Kent sighed, scratching his head. "Great. You brought backup. What is this, a two-for-one deal?"
The bat-wielding guy sneered. "You're gonna regret messing with us, brat."
Kent smirked. "Oh, I doubt that."
The fire user gathered flames in his hands while the bat-wielding man charged straight at Kent with a roar.
"SWOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Kent ducked under the bat swing, narrowly avoiding a headshot. He spun around, delivering a kick to the man's side.
"THUD!"
The guy stumbled but didn't fall.
"Not bad," Kent muttered. "You're tougher than you look."
The fire user took the opportunity to launch another massive fireball.
"WHOOSH! BOOM!"
Kent leapt aside, landing gracefully as the flames scorched the ground.
"Careful, Candle Guy! You almost burned your buddy there!"
The bat-wielder glared. "Shut up!"
With both men attacking, Kent shifted into high gear. He grabbed the bat mid-swing and yanked it out of the guy's hands effortlessly.
"Mine now," Kent said with a grin.
BONK!
He tapped the guy lightly on the head with the bat. The man's eyes rolled back as he collapsed onto the ground.
Ding!
+75 SP copied (Desperation).
The fire user watched in horror as Kent turned his attention back to him. "Y-You freak!"
Kent tilted his head. "Freak? Nah. I'm just an egg seller who hates troublemakers."
The fire user unleashed his full power, flames surging into a blazing inferno.
"DIE!"
The fire roared forward, engulfing Kent completely.
Silence!
The fire user grinned victoriously. But then— WHOOSH!
The flames disappeared, and Kent stood there untouched, cracking his neck.
"Fire doesn't work on me, buddy," Kent said. "I'm flameproof."
The fire user's jaw dropped. "W-What?!"
Kent dashed forward in an instant, delivering a series of blows:
WHAM! A punch to the gut.
THWACK! An elbow to the jaw.
CRACK! A kick to the chest, sending the fire user sprawling.
The man groaned, completely defeated.
Kent dusted off his hands and looked down at the two unconscious troublemakers. "Well, that was fun."
He pulled out his phone, dialing the police anonymously. "Hello? Yeah, you'll find two idiots knocked out behind Central Alley. Enjoy the clean-up."
Before leaving, Kent scribbled a note on a piece of scrap paper and tucked it into the fire user's pocket.
Note:
"Caught these guys causing trouble. Courtesy of your friendly egg seller –."
Kent walked off into the night, whistling to himself.
Ding!
+999 SP copied (Defeat).
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