Punnu, battered and bruised, struggled to stay conscious. The pain coursing through his body was almost unbearable, his vision blurring with each ragged breath. He looked up at the old man, the weight of his words sinking in like a dagger to his heart. A deep, crushing sense of defeat washed over him, threatening to drown him in despair.
**"I'm weak,"** he thought, the realization hitting him like another blow. **"I can't protect her like she protected me."** Memories of Aman standing up for him, defending him against the bullies, flashed through his mind. She had always been his shield, his protector. And now, when she needed him the most, he was failing.
**"I'm going to die,"** the thought echoed in his mind, the reality of the situation settling in. His strength was waning, his body reaching its limit. But even as darkness threatened to overtake him, a flicker of determination sparked within him. He couldn't give up. Not yet. Not when Aman's life depended on him.
As Punnu lay there, feeling hopeless, his loyal flying cat approached him. Sensing Punnu's dire state, the cat used its healing ability. A warm, soothing energy enveloped Punnu, slowly mending his wounds and restoring his strength.
With renewed determination, Punnu summoned all his strength and launched a final, desperate attack. Using his enhanced senses and rapid movement, he struck with precision and power. He managed to kill the old man and the remaining thugs, but the effort left him gravely injured.
Punnu collapsed to the ground, his body battered and broken. As he lay there, his blood dripped onto the amulet he wore around his neck. Suddenly, a mystical window appeared before him, displaying detailed information about the thug he had just killed.
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**Name:** Unknown
**Abilities:** Barrier Creation
**Status:** Deceased
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Do you want to absorb his talent?
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With the last of his strength, Punnu mentally confirmed his choice. The amulet glowed brightly, and Punnu felt a surge of power as he absorbed the thug's talent. A sharp, searing pain shot through his body as the energy flowed into him. The old man, seeing Punnu in pain, seized the opportunity and launched another wave punch attack.
When the old man saw Punnu using the barrier ability, he froze in shock and fear. "How... how did you get that power?" he stammered, his confidence wavering.
Punnu, still in agony from the absorption process, barely managed to raise a barrier with his newly acquired ability. The barrier absorbed the brunt of the wave punch, but the force still sent him sprawling to the ground. Gasping for breath and struggling to remain conscious, Punnu knew he had to use this power to protect Aman.
With the cat's continued healing support, Punnu found the strength to stand once more. He faced the old man, determination burning in his eyes. The old man attacked with wave punches, but Punnu used his newly acquired barrier ability to deflect them. The old man, shocked and fearful of Punnu's newfound power, hesitated. Punnu seized the moment, using his enhanced senses and rapid movement to deliver a series of precise strikes. The final, fatal blow ended the old man's reign of terror.
Exhausted and gravely injured, Punnu collapsed beside Aman. The flying cat, sensing the urgency, continued to use its healing ability to mend Punnu's wounds. With the cat's help, Punnu began to recover more rapidly.
As he looked at Aman, still unconscious but safe, he felt a deep sense of relief. He had protected her, just as she had always protected him. The battle was won, and they were both safe for now.
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