A ruthless glint flashed in Bob’s eyes.
The guards following him lunged forward, both going for either sides aiming to shatter Aron’s legs and force him to his knees. Yet, the moment their attacks landed, Aron’s legs didn’t even budge. Instead, the sickening sound of bones breaking rang out.
"Ahhhh! Ahhh!" Both men screamed in agony, clutching their twisted legs, faces pale and drenched in sweat. They had gone all out, hoping to cripple him, but the opposite happened. Their horrified eyes fell on Aron.
Aron’s expression was conflicted. He thought his genius plan of offering a gift, getting what he wanted, and leaving peacefully had succeeded. Who would have thought...
The other officers, who had been envious of Aron earlier, shivered when they saw Bob signal the guards to cripple him.
Yet instead of the expected result, two bulky men lay wailing on the floor, their bones shattered. When their eyes returned to Aron, they felt a chill run down their spines.
He simply stood there quietly, his once-smiling face was now blank, cold, and expressionless. He didn’t look like the victim at all.
Disappointment washed over Aron’s face. He had seen Bob’s little hand signal. What a joke. Even if he hadn’t seen it, with his level of strength, how could these losers ever dream of touching him unless he allowed it? Judging from the force they used, they were barely at level two at best.
"I never wanted it to come to this," Aron said calmly, his gaze fixed on Bob, who was putting on an act of control. Aron couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, The guy was indeed a good actor. Sure, the guy had awakened a talent, but it was nothing worth mentioning.
[Breathing (Passive): Can breathe in any environment]
Imagine being granted an ability to breathe in the apocalypse. What use was that in a world ? Still, Aron claimed it for 100 exp. He had nothing lose after all.
He had expected, that the exp cost to claim a talent would increase with each level, but it stayed fixed. He wasn’t complaining thou.
"Damn," Aron said with a faint smile, "You’ve got the brains and drive to last in this apocalypse. Too bad you couldn’t control your junior brother."
He actually meant it. The man had waited patiently for him to drop his guard, planning to take him alive and use him to get Rose. The plan was solid, except for one fatal flaw: Aron himself.
The two guards still wailed on the floor. Aron walked toward the first one. A light kick to the head, crack! His head snapped sideways, silenced forever.
The other man trembled in horror terrified. "Bob! Save me!" He dragged himself toward his leader. "Please, you’re an ability user! Save me!"
But Bob didn’t move. He only stared blankly trying not to look terrified himself.
The guard turned back in desperation. "Please! I was only following orders. Spare me! I’ll be your dog for life. I’ll do anything for you, just don’t kill me!"
Aron stood over him silently, as if contemplating. Then...
Another light kick, and he was gone too.
Daniel and Rose, watching from the side, swallowed hard. Fear was written all over their faces.
"An... anyone who kills him will be treated well by me!" Bob shouted suddenly, his voice cracking unable too keep up with the facade.
The officers looked at him like he was insane. He had claimed to be an awakener, so why was he the one trembling in fear?
"I can’t believe we were fooled all this time."
"But we saw the symbol appear on his head, didn’t we?"
"Maybe he’s a failed awakener. Remember that kid on the news who could control fire?"
They whispered among themselves, but none dared meet Aron’s eyes, afraid of drawing his attention.
"Cowards... useless trash..." Bob cursed towards them. But in truth, he was the one backed into a corner. They had chosen this soundproof place with only a single entrance to avoid attracting zombies. Now there was nowhere to run.
"If you provoke me, I’ll activate my talent!" Bob shouted, voice trembling. "It’s a one-time use. If I trigger it, everything within a mile will die with me, no matter the level!"
The officers paled, panic rising. "Max, maybe..." One tried to reason with Aron, but a single look from him shut them up instantly.
"Then activate it," Aron said, smiling faintly.
"You... you think I’m lying?"
"Yes." His smile didn’t fade.
Bob was stumped by the abrupt reply
"D..dare to take one more step, and we all die together!" Discover more novels at NoveI-Fire.ɴet
But Aron didn’t stop. Step by step, he closed the distance. Soon, Bob’s back hit the wall. He had nowhere left to go.
The officers were drenched in sweat, hearts pounding in their throats. These few minutes were the most suffocating of their lives.
Seeing his bluffs not working.
"Do you dare kill me? My brother is an awakener too! A senior official in Zone B!" Bob’s hand shook as he pulled out his phone, flashing the wallpaper: him smiling in his custom uniform beside a man in an expensive looking suit, their resemblance clear.
"If you kill me, he’ll hunt you down. He’ll kill all of you!"
"Then we’ll find out, won’t we?" Aron said flatly.
Before Bob could say another word, Aron slapped him across the face. His neck twisted, his eyes wide with fear and unwillingness, but life was already gone.