It was the silence before the storm, because the next second, a loud explosive bang tore through the air.

The sheer force of the punch sent the wind blasting outward.

The serpent’s skull tore open, blood mixed with brain matter spraying into the air.

Nicholas casually pulled out his arm, and everyone watched in shock as the Tochiux fell.

There was silence at first, but then the first comment came.

[Unknown56: WTF?!!]

[Thegreatestscape67: Yeah, that’s it! Phantom is goated]

[Mommylovesyou: I thought we were all expecting some teleportation or spatial distortion. What the hell’s his abilities?!!]

[Even_gods_can_die: Yeah! Another proof that my username is goated]

Watching from a distance, the two men in suits looked as though their jaws had hit the ground.

"W-wasn’t his ability similar to Vixens? Did he just use super strength?"

"I-i thought so too" the two men watched in confusion, unable to believe their eyes.

He had single-handedly defeated a beast that took out several heroes.

"Is there something we’re missing?"

Riiing~

Kelsey felt the phone vibrate in his pocket and he picked it out, upon seeing the caller, sweat began to roll down his face.

With a gulp, he picked the call, "Sir Ronald, How are you doing today?" A wry smile cut across his face as he asked.

"Kelsey, I saw the Tochiux on screen today. Do you care to explain why the team told me you were the one that asked for its release?" Ronald sat on his sofa, twirling the glass of wine in his hands as he watched the news broadcast talking about the incident that had just happened near the academy.

"Sir I can explain—"

"I don’t need explanations Kelsey, I’ll only let you off this time, because your recklessness has led me to a wonderful reveal" Ronald smiled as he watched Nicholas, "It seems he has more value than I thought... He didn’t agree to join the association I believe?" Ronald asked, sipping from his glass.

Kelsey felt a wave of relief wash over him, "Yes sir, he didn’t. That was why I wanted to—"

"You don’t have to explain yourself Kelsey, I fully understand" Ronald repeated as he sat upright dropping his glass on the polished table before him.

"I was interested in the hero but not to the point of pushing him to join us. But after seeing this, Phantom has to join our association, even if it means we’ll have to play dirty to get him. Do you have any information on him, does he have a family member?"

Kelsey’s eyes lit up as he heard the words, ’The little girl from before, I thought it was just a random student from the academy, but I saw her with him when the Tochiux attacked.’

"Yes sir, think I have information on that"

"Oh is that so?" Ronald said with a surprised tone.

Kelsey went on to narrate his encounter with Nicholas in the academy and how he’d threatened them and also how they’d seen him with Katie outside the academy after that.

A smile slowly climbed up Ronald’s face as he heard it, "I guess you know what to do Kelsey. Get the girl. Phantom won’t have a choice but to join us after this." Ronald said, a dark smile spreading across his face as he cut the call.

Just then, his secretary walked forward, "Sir, we’ve sent out payment to Vixen for the week, should we proceed with the usual procedures?" She asked, he’d voice carefully measured.

"Her mother’s health has improved?" Ronald asked, his eyes turning cold.

"Not quite, we’ve skipped a few months from adding extra dosages, since the drug is very harmful and can kill her, but it seems she’s recovering once more"

"Good, we can’t let her die. Carry on with the dosages from this month, you can give it to her for two months or more, before stopping again." Ronald leaned back.

"A dead mother is useless. A dying mother keeps Vixen obedient."

"Understood sir" the secretary said before leaving the office. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Ronald turned his gaze back to Nicholas, "Soon enough, you’ll be right between my fingers Phantom, and then I will get to know everything about you." Ronald thought, his eyes gleaming with a ferocious glint as he watched Nicholas.

----

Nicholas walked back towards Selena and Katie who were staring at him as though they were watching a ghost.

Katie soon broke into a sweet little chuckle, "Big brother is so strong!"

Nicholas flashed a smile at her, "Yes, Big brother is"

"Katie wants to be like big brother so she can punch scary monsters!"

Nicholas smiled, "You won’t have to punch the monsters, big brother will do that for you"

"Just how many abilities do you have... At this point, I’m just confused, Cancelling others abilities, using Vixens abilities and now super strength?" Selena couldn’t keep to her curiosity again.

She was hoping to find out the longer she stayed with him and fully grasp what his ability was, but in fact it was the opposite.

Every time, he was using a new ability altogether!

Nicholas raised a brow at her, "Let’s just say it’s a convenient ability" Nicholas said turning his gaze back to the dead Tochiux.

The scenery was devastating, even though the beast had died, blood marred every part of the street.

The ambulance and other services had arrived quickly helping to ease the tension as they carried those who had survived with severe casualties away.

Some of the people looked his way, eyes filled with gratitude, thankful that they had lived to see another day thanks to his intervention.

Some looked at him in admiration.

{Ding!}

{The people are pleased and thankful for your act of heroism!}

{+150 charm points}

’That’s a lot of numbers,’ Nicholas thought staring at the staggering number.

He glanced towards the tall skyscrapers in the distance and then took a deep breath, turning his gaze back to Selena.

"Please help me take Katie back home, I have to clean up. I can’t have Marina see me like this"

"Can’t you just do that at a hotel before you get home?"

"There’s a few more things I’ll have to deal with before that so I won’t be able to do that" Nicholas said bluntly before shifting his gaze to Katie, "Katie, tell Sis Rina I might be coming home late today."

"Katie will do that!" She replied back, "I’ll also tell Sis Rina how cool big brother was!"

"Of course you should do that" he said with a smile as he turned his back to leave.

Selena stared at his back for a long time, her gaze filled with uncertainty, "Don’t go doing anything that’ll put you in trouble"

Nicholas glanced at her from the side of his eyes, "Sure" with that word, he walked away calmly, slowly fading into the scenery with the blaring sirens echoing behind him.

Selena couldn’t tell what exactly, but her gut feeling told her, ’He’s definitely going to do something crazy’

-----

On the top of a tall skyscraper, Kelsey and his taller colleague stood looking at the scenery in the distance, right after the call, Kelsey’s hands wrapped tightly around his phone, almost destroying the device, but his grip slowly loosened.

"It’s a good thing Sir Ronald wasn’t pissed with me. I’ll make sure that brat pays for nearly making me lose my job. Once I get my hands on that little girl, he’ll beg me to let her go!"

"I didn’t know he could use a second ability or what exactly is his ability? His colleague asked?"

"Are you asking me?! I’m just as clueless as you dumbass!" Kelsey replied frustratedly, "Let’s get out of here, I’ll have the guys go pick the girl soon"

He turned and headed for the rooftop door.

The moment he pushed it open, he froze.

His colleague stopped behind him.

"What’s wrong?" Kelsey didn’t answer.

Leaning against the wall beside the elevator stood a familiar figure. Hands in his pockets.

Calm.

Nicholas looked straight at the two men.

"Looks like we never finished our deal from before."

Nicholas pushed himself off the wall.

"So which will it be? The hand, or my compensation?"

His gaze settled on Kelsey.

"My patience is running thin, so answer quickly."

[A/N: The books officially one month old, and it’s not been easy writing and updating daily. I want to thank y’all for making this your daily read! That’s enough motivation to keep writing (⁠✿⁠ ⁠♡⁠‿⁠♡⁠)]