Talent Reborn
Episode 28: A Cursed Talent
An Uneasy Recovery
The patient's breathing had stabilized, but Haruto couldn't shake the unease settling in his chest.
Something wasn't right.
He stood by the bedside, watching the man sleep. Despite the life-threatening episodes he had endured, his face was peaceful now. As if none of it had ever happened.
Ayaka, standing beside him, sighed. "We saved him, but we still don't know why this happened."
Haruto's jaw tightened.
This wasn't just an unknown disease.
It felt intentional.
"I need to check something," Haruto muttered.
Closing his eyes, he activated his ability again—focusing entirely on the patient.
And what he saw made his blood run cold.
The void was gone.
In its place, a talent signature flickered and shifted, changing shape every second—never the same twice.
Haruto's pulse quickened.
This man didn't just lack a talent.
His talent was unstable.
Like it was constantly rewriting itself.
Like it was… rejecting its own existence.
A Dangerous Ability
Haruto stepped back, his mind racing.
What kind of ability was this?
If his theory was right, the man's own body was suffering because his talent was malfunctioning.
But how?
Was this some kind of mutation?
Or…
Did someone do this to him?
Ayaka noticed his troubled expression. "Haruto?"
He hesitated—then shook his head.
"Something's wrong," he admitted. "I don't think this is just a rare disease. It feels… unnatural."
Ayaka frowned. "You think someone caused this?"
Haruto exhaled.
"I don't know yet. But I need to find out."
And he knew exactly who might have the answers.
Seeking Renji's Knowledge
Haruto found Dr. Renji Kujo in the research lab, flipping through a medical journal.
"Ah, my favorite troublemaker," Renji said dryly. "What now?"
Haruto didn't waste time.
"I need to know if a talent can malfunction."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Malfunction?"
Haruto quickly explained what had happened.
When he was done, Renji's face had lost its usual smirk.
"…Damn."
Haruto crossed his arms. "So, you do know something."
Renji sighed, closing the journal. "I've heard of cases like this before. But they aren't supposed to exist anymore."
Haruto's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Renji leaned back in his chair.
"There was a theory—years ago—that talents could be artificially forced to evolve. Scientists experimented with ways to push abilities beyond their natural limits."
Haruto's stomach twisted. "And?"
"It didn't work," Renji said grimly. "The results were unstable. Some people gained temporary enhancements. Others…"
He met Haruto's gaze.
"Their talents broke."
Haruto inhaled sharply.
"You're saying this patient is—"
Renji nodded.
"A failed experiment."
A Patient With No Past
Haruto wasted no time returning to the patient's room.
The man was awake now, sitting up in bed.
When he saw Haruto, he smiled weakly. "Doctor…"
Haruto pulled up a chair. "How are you feeling?"
The man hesitated. "…Better. I think."
But Haruto wasn't here for small talk.
"Do you remember anything about your past?" he asked.
The man frowned, struggling to think.
Then—
"…No."
Haruto's chest tightened.
No name. No history. No memories.
As if he had never existed before this moment.
"…Do you remember anything unusual happening to you before you came here?" Haruto pressed.
The man hesitated—then clutched his head, groaning in pain.
Haruto tensed.
Ayaka stepped forward. "Are you alright?"
The man gritted his teeth. "I… I don't know. There's something—something I can't reach—"
Then, suddenly—
His eyes widened.
And he whispered, voice trembling—
"The glass room."
Haruto and Ayaka exchanged glances.
"The glass room?" Haruto repeated. "What do you mean?"
The man's breathing quickened. His hands clenched the bedsheets.
"I remember being in a glass room… There were people watching me… and then…"
He shuddered.
"Everything started changing."
Haruto's blood ran cold.
Renji was right.
This man was an experiment.
And someone out there had done this to him.
The Hunt for Answers
Haruto stepped out of the patient's room, his heart pounding.
He clenched his fists.
Someone had tested something unnatural on this man.
Someone had broken his talent.
And now, they had left him to die.
Haruto exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm.
Whoever they were—
They had just made a mistake.
Because now, he was involved.
And he wasn't going to stop until he uncovered the truth.
Even if it meant going up against forces far more powerful than he had ever imagined.
End of Episode 28.