Chapter-4: predator
".., steal"
The word fell softly but the effect-was instant!
The invisible thread snapped again. Sharp. violent
This time-stronger. The girl's body jerked. Her eyes widened in pure terror. "N-No-!"she tried to move
Too late. The thread tightened. Binding them.
What is this?! Stop-! Raj felt it immediately. A surge.
A far more intense than before. Not just strengt something deeper. Something .., refined.
[Extraction in process...,] the air felt heavy. Like pressure building. The girl dropped to her knees.
Her fingers clawed at the ground ..,I can't.., move
Raj stepped closer slow and controlled. Watching everything learning, Her energy flowing into him
Clear, Smooth. And Powerful.His vision sharpened.
Sounds became clearer.Even her heartbeat—He could hear it.Fast, Panicked. "…So this is Talent."
A faint whisper. The system flickered.[Stealing: Talent…]The girl screamed.A raw, broken sound.
"PLEASE—STOP—!"Raj didn't.He watched.
Cold.Curious.As if observing an experiment.
Her voice weakened."…someone… help…"
No one came.The hallway was empty.Silent.Only the sound of extraction remained.Pulse.Raj clenched his fist.Energy surged through him.More stable this time.More controlled.Better."…I understand now."
The thread pulsed one last time——SNAP.
It broke.The girl collapsed instantly.Unconscious.
Just like the first.Raj stood still.Breathing slow.Even.
His body—Overflowing.[Theft Successful]
→ Strength Increased
→ Talent Acquired: Basic Combat Instinct
His eyes widened slightly.Combat… instinct?
A strange feeling spread.Natural.Effortless.His posture shifted subtly.Balanced.Ready.Like his body—Knew how to fight ."Interesting." Footsteps,Fast and Multiple.Raj turned his head.Students.Teachers.
They were coming back.Voices echoed."Over there!"
"Another one?!""What's happening today?!"
Raj looked at the girl.Then at the approaching crowd.
Then—Back at his hand.No shaking.No hesitation.
Only control.Only power.
"…Two."A quiet count.A teacher rushed forward and froze."…Again?"His face turned pale."This isn't normal—this is an attack!""Call the administration!"
"Now!"Students backed away instinctively.
Fear.Clear.Visible.Real.
No one stepped close.No one dared.
Except—One boy."…You."
He pointed at Raj.
Angry.Shaking.
"You were here both times."Silence.The accusation hung heavy.Others noticed."…Wait—he's right."
"Raj was here both times…""No way…""Is it him?"
Fear turned—Into suspicion.Raj met their eyes.
One by one.Calm.Unbothered."…So what if I was?"
The words dropped quietly.But they hit hard.
The boy flinched."…W-what?"
Raj stepped forward.Just one step—And the boy stepped back.Instantly.
"…You're scared."A simple statement.
Truth.Raw.The boy clenched his fists.
"I'm not—!"But his voice cracked.
Raj tilted his head.Observing.Analyzing.Weak.
The system flickered again.[Cooldown Complete]
[New Targets Available]Red marks—Everywhere.
More than before.
One.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Raj's pupils shrank."…So many?"A slow breath.
His lips curved.Not a smile.Something darker.Something dangerous."…Am I supposed to choose?"A teacher stepped forward.
"Raj."Sharp.Commanding.
"Stay where you are."Raj looked at him.Their eyes met.For a moment—Tension spiked.
The teacher felt it.Something was wrong.Deeply wrong."…What happened here?"
Raj didn't reply immediately.He looked around.
At the students.At their fear.At their distance.
At their silence.Then—He spoke."…They were weak."The words sent a chill through the hallway.
"What?"Raj's gaze darkened slightly.
"…So I took it."Silence.Dead silence.Even the teachers froze.The meaning—Clear.Unmistakable.
The boy who accused him stepped back again.
"…H-he's insane…""No…"Another whispered.
"…He's dangerous."Raj heard it.
And accepted it.Without resistance.Without denial.
"…Dangerous."He repeated softly.
As if testing the word.
Then—He smiled.This time—Clearly.Cold.
"…I like that."The system pulsed.Brighter than before.Alive.
[Host Compatibility Increasing…]
Raj's eyes flickered."…Host?"Before he could think—A loud voice echoed."Everyone move aside!"
Heavy footsteps.Authority.Power.Someone important had arrived.
Raj turned slowly.Curious.Interested.His eyes—
Sharp.Predatory.
"…Let's see."
[Chapter-4 Ended]