"All right, the chips are sorted," Lucy said, tucking them into her jacket pocket. She stood up, flipping her hair, her silver strands catching the dim light. A playful smile crossed her lips. "It was a pleasure working with you today, David."
"Same here." David grinned, his voice warm. "Nice to meet you."
"Great," Lucy replied, brushing her hands off. "Then let's look forward to our next meet—"
A scornful voice cut through the parking lot, dripping with mockery.
The interruption came from the shadows of the garage, the tone thick with an Eastern European accent.
Hearing the voice, both Lucy and David tensed. Their lighthearted expressions disappeared in an instant as they turned toward the source of the sound.
Out of the darkness, the glow of red prosthetic eyes pierced through first, followed by a faint infrared beam that landed squarely on Lucy's forehead.
"Don't move, sweetheart," a grating voice growled.
A tall, lanky figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Seth, the man who had been spying on them earlier. He swaggered closer, a pistol in hand, its barrel aimed unerringly at Lucy. His cheap, modified Qilusi Prosthetic Eyes scanned her up and down with a predatory gleam.
"Move an inch, and your fancy prosthetics will be mine," he sneered.
His face twisted into an unsettling grin, his forked, prosthetic tongue darting out like a snake's.
David stood nearby, his stomach turning at the sight. Even his tongue is cybernetic... how disgusting can you get?
Lucy, however, maintained her composure, though her lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. "Hmph. A scavenger, huh? Should've guessed. You guys are like cockroaches, crawling out of every dark corner."
"Cut the chatter!" Seth barked, swinging his pistol slightly for emphasis. "Empty your pockets. All the chips. Now. Hands up!"
Seth didn't even bother looking his way.
His prosthetic eyes had already scanned David earlier, labeling him a "zero-threat"—a complete novice with no cyberware to speak of.
Which is why Seth made the mistake of pointing his gun solely at Lucy.
But then, David's voice broke through the tense silence.
"I suggest you lower that gun," he said coldly, stepping forward. His tone was calm but carried a simmering anger. "Pointing a weapon at a lady? That's not going to end well for you."
Seth blinked, momentarily stunned, before bursting into harsh laughter. "What's this? You want to play hero, pretty boy? You think you're some kind of knight in shining armor?"
Lucy glanced at David in surprise. Amidst the danger, his calm resolve caught her off guard. She couldn't tell if she should be impressed or worried.
"Hahaha!" Seth's laughter grew louder, sharp and mocking. "You're just another idiot trying to look tough. Fine, I'll help you out. Let's see how heroic you really are!"
With that, Seth turned his gun away from Lucy and fired directly at David's chest.
"David, no!" Lucy cried, instinctively moving to push him out of harm's way. But the bullet was too fast—there was no time.
Her heart sank as she braced for the worst.
If that bullet hits him, he's done for.
Her mind raced with self-blame. Why did you have to act so reckless, you idiot?
But the sound of the gunshot wasn't followed by the sickening impact she'd expected. Instead, something incredible happened.
The bullet, normally too fast to see, slowed mid-air.
Its trajectory became visible, as though it were moving through water instead of air.
Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief. The bullet slowed even more the closer it got to David, until it came to an almost complete stop just inches from his chest.
Seth, too, froze in shock, his expression morphing from smug confidence to confusion.
David stood his ground, his hand slightly raised, his focus intense.
Unbeknownst to his enemies, David had activated his magnetic ability. The fruit's power created a force field that repelled the metal of the bullet, neutralizing its momentum.
It wasn't easy. The bullet's kinetic energy was immense, and controlling the repulsion took everything he had. His feet slid backward slightly from the force, but he managed to stabilize himself.
In the dim light of the parking lot, the scene looked like something straight out of a science fiction movie.
The bullet finally fell to the ground with a faint metallic clink, harmlessly bouncing away.
Lucy could only stare, her mind racing to make sense of what she'd just witnessed.
She wasn't the only one stunned. Seth stumbled back a step, his prosthetic eyes flickering in confusion.
"What kind of freak are you?!" he shouted, his voice shaky now.
David straightened up, his gaze icy as it locked onto Seth. "I told you, pointing that gun wasn't going to end well for you."
"You bastard!" Seth hissed, raising his weapon again.
But David wasn't about to let him get another shot.
Before Seth could pull the trigger, David extended his hand toward the pistol. With a sharp, magnetic pull, the weapon was yanked out of Seth's grip and flew straight into David's palm.
"What?!" Seth stumbled back further, his confidence completely shattered.
David turned the gun over in his hand before crushing it effortlessly, the metal folding under his grip like paper. He tossed the crumpled remains to the ground, his expression unwavering.
"Run," David said, his voice calm but laced with authority. "Before I change my mind."
Seth hesitated for a split second before turning on his heel and bolting into the shadows.
The garage fell silent once more, save for the fading sound of Seth's retreating footsteps.
David exhaled, letting his tense shoulders relax.
Lucy, still processing everything, finally found her voice. "You... stopped a bullet. With your bare hands."
"Well, not exactly my hands," David replied with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck. "But close enough."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, unexpectedly, Lucy broke into laughter.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" she said, her tone lighter now. "I have no idea what you just did, but... thanks. You really saved me back there."
David's cheeks reddened slightly. "Don't mention it. I just... couldn't stand the thought of you being hurt."
Lucy's eyes softened. "You're not quite the hero type, but you're getting there."
"Gee, thanks," David replied, rolling his eyes playfully.
The tension dissipated, replaced by a quiet camaraderie.
But as the two stood there, catching their breath, neither noticed the faint red glow of another pair of prosthetic eyes watching from the shadows.
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