Kieran took a deep breath. He couldn't just walk past. The image of his past self, helpless and resentful, flashed in his mind. He had dreamed of being a hero, and now, even without a single skill absorbed, he had a chance to act.
He stepped forward, his voice, though still a little shaky, cutting through the low hum of the Transport Hub. "Hey! Leave her alone!"
The three men turned, their cruel smirks widening as they took in Kieran's lean frame and Novice Hunter badge. The scarred man, clearly the leader, let out a derisive snort. "Well, well, what do we have here? A little white knight. You lost, kid? This ain't your business."
"It is now," Kieran retorted, trying to project more confidence than he felt. His heart hammered against his ribs. He knew he was outmatched, but the System's quest, and more importantly, his own sense of purpose, wouldn't let him back down.
The lean man with slicked-back hair chuckled. "Listen to the little hero. You think that shiny badge makes you tough, boy? We've been clearing Gates since before you knew mana was a thing." He took a step closer to block Kieran's path. "Walk away, kid, before you get hurt."
"I'm not walking away," Kieran said, his voice gaining a surprising firmness. He saw Anna's wide, fearful eyes on him, and it solidified his resolve. No. Not again. I won't be helpless again.
The scarred man's smirk vanished, replaced by a sneer. "Stubborn, aren't we? Alright, pretty boy, you asked for it."
Before Kieran could fully brace himself, the scarred man lunged. Kieran instinctively threw a punch, but it was easily dodge by the scarred man.
A heavy fist slammed into Kieran's gut, sending a shockwave of pain through him. He gasped, doubling over, the air knocked from his lungs.
Another fist connected with his jaw, snapping his head back. He stumbled, his vision blurring. He tried to retaliate, throwing another wild punch, then a kick, but his fighting stance was full of holes.
"Look at this kid," one of the bullies scoffed, easily sidestepping Kieran's desperate lunge. "He thinks he's a brawler."
"More like a punching bag," the other sneered, delivering a sharp jab to Kieran's ribs.
Kieran fell to his knees, his body screaming in protest. Every ache and weakness he thought he'd escaped seemed to rush back, amplified by the blows. The taste of blood filled his mouth, a strong reminder of his fragility.
Around them, a small crowd had gathered. They watched, whispering amongst themselves.
"That's the 'Iron Fists' gang, isn't it?" a male Hunter muttered. "Heard they shake down new Awakened for protection money."
"Yeah, they're scum," another agreed. "That kid's just a Novice. He's going to end up in the infirmary for a week if someone doesn't step in."
"But who wants to deal with the Iron Fists?" a third whispered, shrugging. "They're trouble."
No one moved to help. Kieran, battered and bruised, could hear their murmurs, their indifference. He felt a familiar despair, a ghost of his past helplessness.
System! he thought, his mental voice a desperate plea, even as another kick landed on his side. Do you have a solution? Anything? I can't keep this up!
"Host," the System's voice resonated in his mind, urgent but calm. "Your only viable solution is to absorb the Fireball skill crystal immediately. Its power, combined with my modifications, would allow you to repel these aggressors."
No! Kieran roared internally, pushing himself back up, swaying on his feet. I can't! Not here! Not in front of everyone!
"The risk of exposure is high, but your physical integrity is at critical levels!" the System argued, its voice rising in pitch. "You will be severely injured, potentially incapacitated, if you do not act!"
"I don't care!" Kieran spat, his voice hoarse, defying the System and the pain. "I won't expose myself for this! I'll take the beating. I'll stand my ground. I won't back down!"
He remembered the bitter envy he felt watching the Hunters on TV, living lives of purpose. He remembered the longing for a life where he could make a difference, where he wasn't just a victim of circumstance. He thought of the System's words: "You have the potential to evolve." He thought of his choice to help Anna, a choice driven by something more than just stats or rewards.
I can't back down. Not now. Not when I've finally been given a chance to fight. Even if I get beaten, I have to stand my ground. I have to try.
He pushed himself up again, his muscles screaming, his legs wobbling. He spat a mouthful of blood onto the polished floor. "Is that all you've got?" he rasped, a defiant glint in his eyes.
The scarred man stared, surprised by his resilience, then his face twisted in anger. "Oh, you want more, do you? Fine! We'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
Anna, who had been watching in horror, felt a crushing wave of guilt. Kieran was getting beaten because of her. She couldn't just stand there. "Stop it!" she cried, rushing forward, trying to push one of the bullies away from Kieran. Her small hands were useless against his bulk.
The bullies, momentarily distracted by Anna's intervention, paused their assault. But then, a sudden, inexplicable chill swept through the Transport Hub. It wasn't a physical cold, but a profound, bone-deep dread that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. A wave of potent, suffocating killing intent washed over them, freezing them in place.
They felt it, a primal warning screaming in their minds. Their eyes darted around, searching for the source of this terrifying aura. Then, they heard it. A voice, calm and clear, yet resonating with an undeniable, terrifying authority.
"What exactly is going on here?"
The three bullies flinched, their heads snapping around. Kieran, battered but standing, looked up, his vision still a little blurry.
Standing at the entrance to the Transport Hub, her presence commanding immediate attention, was a woman who seemed to radiate an aura of quiet power. She was clad in sleek, dark combat gear, her posture impeccable. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, swept over the scene, landing first on the cowering bullies, then on the defiant, bloodied Kieran, and finally on the terrified Anna. It was Elite Hunter Anya Volkov, her platinum badge gleaming on her chest.
The scarred man, who had been so arrogant moments before, visibly paled. "G-Grandmaster Volkov!" he stammered, his voice suddenly meek. His companions looked equally terrified.
Anya's gaze was cold, piercing. "I asked, what is going on?" Her voice, though not raised, carried an undeniable weight that made the air itself seem to vibrate.
Kieran, battered and bruised, but with his principles intact, watched. He was exhausted, in pain, and his secret was still safe, for now. But as he looked at Anna, huddled and trembling, and then at the terrified faces of the bullies, a grim satisfaction settled over him. He had stood his ground.