The training center buzzed with energy. Magic clashed, fists flew, and the crack of energy blasts echoed like thunderclaps.
I stepped into the physical training room, heading straight for the bench press. 130 kilograms. I gritted my teeth and pushed through two minutes before the weight slammed back down with a thud. I wiped the sweat from my brow and checked my messages.
> Paul: "Let's meet at a café tomorrow."
> Agent Soon: "Okay. I'll be there."
I smiled. I was ready to invest in SH, Agent Soon's company, thanks to the mystic herbs I'd sold at the market.
---
Elsewhere...
"Mira," I said quietly.
"What are you—?"
"Sorry. I can't let you go. Sleep now," Drake whispered.
Her vision blurred. Darkness crept in. She collapsed into his arms, helpless as he grinned with twisted satisfaction.
---
Later, in Paul's room...
I had just finished showering when my phone buzzed. A single message.
> Mira: D
I froze.
"D...?" Then it hit me. Danger.
I summoned WK immediately.
> WK: "Mira has been captured by the Phantom."
> Paul: "Damn it..."
-50 Stigma Points used for intel.
---
In a hidden dorm...
Mira awoke, tied to a chair. Her head throbbed. She struggled, but the ropes held firm.
"You won't get away with this," she growled.
Drake stood nearby, twirling her confiscated watch between his fingers.
"Who said I won't?" he smirked. "After this, I'm leaving Diamond. And before I go... I'll kill Paul Wayne."
He leaned closer. "Don't ask how I knew he called me Phantom. Let's just say... I took a peek inside your mind."
Mira scowled. "Even if he comes, he won't find me."
"Oh, I made sure of that. This dorm is sealed with a barrier. No one's coming."
Then, his eyes darkened. "Why don't you join us?"
"Like hell I would."
"You don't have a choice."
Dark energy crackled from his hands, swirling around her. She clenched her teeth as the shadows tried to burrow into her soul.
---
From a rooftop nearby, I locked my sights on the window.
Iron Maw transformed into a sleek sniper rifle. I took a breath.
BANG!
A flash of divine energy shattered the glass, drilling through Drake's leg.
BANG!
His other leg buckled.
"Told you to listen. Now look what you've done."
Drake screamed, thrashing on the ground.
"WHO'S THERE!? COME OUT!"
"Oh, your minions? Handled."
"IMPOSSIBLE—"
BANG!
His hand exploded in blood.
Mira's eyes widened. Through the speaker, she heard my voice.
Drake tried to crawl. I didn't let him.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bullets pierced his chest, arm, and legs.
"How is he doing this...?" Mira whispered.
Drake reached for a hidden box—an artifact. I blasted it before he touched it.
"No!"
He scrambled toward another room. Another shot took him down. He collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.
"You okay, Mira?" I said calmly.
She nodded faintly. "Y-Yeah..."
Then everything went black.
---
Moments later, Saul burst through the door and pinned Drake to the floor. The barrier collapsed—Drake's magic faded with his consciousness.
I exhaled, watching from a rooftop. One life saved.
---
[SYSTEM]
+557 Stigma Points Earned
Master Sharpshooter: Grade 8+
Skill Acquired: Long-Range Snipe
---
At the hospital...
Mira opened her eyes to see Saul, Lila, Louis, and Garry asleep on the couch nearby.
Saul stirred and approached her.
"You okay?"
"Yeah... but why are you here?"
"We failed you. We were too focused on Lila. I'm sorry."
Mira blinked, surprised. Then smiled faintly.
"No need to apologize. Just get me an apple."
He returned with a shiny red one. She took a bite and smiled.
Then glanced at her watch.
Saul noticed. "Expecting someone?"
"No!" she said quickly, cheeks pink.
---
Later, at the café...
> Mira: "Thank you. I'll repay you."
I smiled. Got her attention.
Agent Soon arrived, all business.
"Hello, Mr. Paul."
"Why so formal? You're older than me."
"I'm 28."
"Then drop the 'Mr.' I'm still in school."
"But—"
"Okay, I'm leaving."
"No! Don't!" he panicked. "Sorry! Thank you... for everything."
His eyes welled up.
"I'd like to invest," I said, sliding a briefcase over. "600 million Shards."
Agent Soon's mouth dropped.
"T-That's too much! I can't—"
"Okay. Cancel the contract then."
"No, no! I accept!" he cried, clutching the case like treasure.
---
On our way out, we passed a lottery stand.
"Guess the coin toss right, win a ticket!" the vendor said.
"Let's try," I said.
"No way you'll win," Soon muttered.
The coin flipped.
"Tails."
Correct.
Again.
"Heads."
Correct.
I scratched the ticket. "30 Million Shards."
"WHAT!?" Agent Soon gasped.
"Told you. I'm lucky."
I held out the small slip of paper, my fingers brushing the air between them.
"You can keep the ticket," I said, voice steady but quiet.
Agent Soon blinked, looking down at the offering in surprise.
"Really?"
A short nod. "Yeah. You can have it. Add it to the rest."
The man studied me for a moment—so young, but with a seriousness in his eyes that didn't match his age. Then, with a slow motion, he reached out and took the ticket from my's hand.
"Okay," he said quietly. "I'll do that."
He pocketed the ticket, eyes scanning the crowd like a secret agent. I couldn't help laughing.
"Then… let's start going," i said, stepping back. He turned slightly, offering a half-smile. "I'll see you next time."
The man gave a short chuckle, then lifted a hand in a casual wave. "Okay. I'll make sure to use the money well."
He didn't say what for, but I didn't ask I know he his going to put them in good used. I just nodded.
As the man turned and walked away, the boy stood there for a second longer, watching his figure fade into the early evening crowd. Then, with a faint smile tugging at his lips, he turned toward the quiet street and started walking home.
---
Elsewhere...
The moonlight bathed an abandoned industrial site—the Numbers' temporary base.
"Boss," a voice called.
A woman emerged from the shadows, dark blue energy pulsing in her hands.
"PackMaster is moving," the voice said. "Someone's buying up their stocks. 3 million, then 20, now 200. Not a regular investor."
"Coincidence?"
"Maybe. But there's a 5% chance it's not."
"Let it go. We're just going to our job, that is not one of our business."
"One more thing—new names popped up on The Obsidian Circle
. Artifact Search Corp, and... Answer Room. Says it can answer any question."
She stayed silent.
"Don't you want to find him?"
Still no response.
"Diamond's exams are next week. You going?"
The woman smiled faintly.
"Yeah... Let's see if there are any interesting kids there, we can scout out ."
Author's Note:
> You just heard about two groups — the Obsidian Circle and The Numbers. They're not random names. Let's just say… they'll be showing up again. Pay attention. 👀
"📌 Enjoying the story? Don't forget to add it to your library! Every collection helps boost the novel."