The city lights flickered like distant stars, casting long shadows as Adam leaned against a cold concrete wall. His hoodie concealed most of his face, but his eyes—sharp and unblinking—were locked onto the entrance of a sleek office building.
Mr. Carter was inside.
Adam's fingers curled into fists as old memories surfaced.
He had learned early on that the world didn't care about people like him.
When he was younger, he had been the perfect target—quiet, isolated, and easy to break. The beatings had started in school, but they didn't stop there. People saw him as weak, as someone they could step on without consequences.
There was a time when he had cried, begged, and even tried to fight back.
It didn't matter.
Even when his bones cracked under their kicks, even when blood dripped from his lips, they didn't stop. If anything, his suffering seemed to fuel their enjoyment.
The teachers turned a blind eye. The adults pretended it wasn't their problem.
That was when Adam understood.
Humans were cruel.
Not because they had to be, but because they could be.
And now, he had the power to do something about it.
He exhaled slowly, his focus shifting back to reality. His hands no longer trembled. His resolve was set.
Carter wouldn't just pay. He would disappear.
The cold metal of the security cameras caught Adam's eye.
Tch. These could be a problem.
He closed his eyes and focused.
A pulse of invisible force shot outward, and within seconds, the cameras sparked violently before going completely dark. The parking lot remained eerily silent.
With that taken care of, Adam moved.
Carter's car was easy to spot—the same expensive model he had seen last time. He walked around it carefully before stopping by the rear passenger door.
A slight twitch of his fingers, and the door clicked open soundlessly.
Sliding inside, Adam made himself comfortable.
Now, all that was left was to wait.
One hour.
Two.
Four.
Footsteps.
The driver's side door swung open, and Carter slipped into the seat, humming to himself.
He didn't even get a chance to start the engine.
Before he could react, Adam's power shot forward, wrapping around Carter's throat like an invisible noose. The man gasped, his hands clawing at his neck as his body convulsed. His feet kicked against the car's floor in desperation.
Adam leaned forward, his voice eerily calm.
"Next time, in your next life, don't be so greedy."
Carter's struggles weakened. His eyes bulged. Then, he stopped moving.
Silence.
Adam stayed still, staring at the lifeless body in front of him.
No rush of satisfaction. No guilt. No smile.
Nothing.
He waited a few more moments before finally moving.
Reaching into Carter's jacket, he pulled out a thick envelope.
500,00 dollars.
Adam stared at the money for a moment, then exhaled.
He hadn't expected so much.
As he was about to leave, Carter's phone buzzed.
Adam hesitated before picking it up. The screen flashed with an incoming call.
Boss.
His grip tightened. Without a word, he saved the number and slipped out of the car, vanishing into the shadows.
By the time he reached his apartment, exhaustion clung to him, but he hid it well.
His grandmother glanced at him from the kitchen. "Where were you?"
"Just out. Needed some fresh air," Adam said smoothly.
She frowned but didn't push.
Adam forced a small smile before heading to his room.
The moment the door shut, he let out a slow breath.
Sinking onto his chair, he ran a hand through his hair.
His mind replayed Carter's death—his desperate struggle, the slow fading of life from his eyes.
No excitement.
No sorrow.
Nothing.
Isn't it funny? he thought. When people kill, they either smile… or they mourn. But the ones who do neither?
They're the most terrifying of all.
Shoving the thoughts aside, Adam turned to his computer and opened the Black Market.
He searched for the blood again.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
Elephant blood.
He ordered as much as his stolen money allowed, along with the proper utensils—large wooden bowls, metal ladles, everything he would need for the next step.
As the confirmation page loaded, Adam leaned back.
His path was set.
And this was only the beginning.