CHAPTER 33: FIXED NEXT

"Yeah," I replied flatly, then continued. "It took longer than I thought. Your boys were scattered across both floors, so cleaning them up was more of a hassle than I expected."

I watched as Peter’s face shifted from initial exhilaration to sudden despair.

I was telling the truth. There were only seven thugs inside, and their strength was nothing remarkable, probably just like the ones I’d fought by the city gate. Had they stayed on the same floor, it would have taken me even less time to get rid of them.

And during that moment, I truly realized just how monstrous I’d become.

A thug I’d once needed to be careful around, the kind I would have feared in my old life, was now no different than an ant I could simply trample.

Was Aiden hiding gold or something?

Or maybe there’s been a hidden basement inside the house all along, one that holds a buried secret of humanity?!

It had only been a few hours since I inherited the original Aiden’s memories, and there was still a flood of information to process. Trying to pinpoint any specific memory that might offer a clue was like finding a needle in a haystack.

"Wait, why was I trying so hard to guess? I’m about to meet them anyway. I can just get the answer straight from their mouths."

As I walked closer to my destination, Richie’s words suddenly echoed in my mind. Instinctively, my gaze shot upwards, scanning the ceilings and roofs above.

"Nothing, huh? Well, Richie said his drink buddy saw an owl. It’s noon now, perfect napping time for an owl. I guess even a beast tamer can’t push their pets to go against their nature."

I was on the verge of exhaling in relief when a faint squeak reached my ears. My head instantly turned around to the noise’s direction, catching sight of a rat. It stood there, staring at me oddly before darting off somewhere else.

"A rat? I recall Peter was seen conversing with one. That odd stare... could that have been one of his tamed animals?" I whispered to myself.

At this very moment, a flash of lightning struck my mind.

’Is it possible for Peter to be nearby at this hour? Or better yet... is he at my house?’

The pain was so intense, I wanted to scream, but the moment I opened my mouth, no sound came out.

Just as I wondered whether I’d survive this, whether my body could even take it, when my consciousness started to fade, drowning in waves of unbearable pain, I experienced a strange sensation.

It was like a storm passing through my bones, washing away the pain in a single violent gust.

I opened my eyes, gasping.

"Ha...ha...I’m still alive?"

[Stats Enhancer Pill Activated]

[All Physical Stats Boosted to B-Rank]

[Time Remaining: 59 minutes, 20 seconds]

"Only forty seconds have passed...?" I muttered, dazed. To me, it felt like days had gone by.

Days of agony, to be exact.

Maybe it’s true what they say, time moves extremely slowly when you’re in pain.

No wonder I always feel like time’s moving at a snail’s pace when I’m working, yet when I’m having a blast playing games on the weekend, it’s over before I even realize it.

’Anyway... does this mean my physical stats are really all at B-Rank now?’

I summoned the system with a thought.

[Stats]

Strength: B

Agility: B

Intelligence: G

Stamina: B

Charisma: G-

’Just as I thought, my Strength, Agility, and Stamina all got a boost, while Intelligence and Charisma stayed the same. I still wasn’t sure what Intelligence even represents in this world. Was it actual intellect? Mana control? Or something else’

It looks like even my vocal cords had been scorched.

I hurriedly pulled my head back behind cover.

Even though I had never seen Peter in person, his description had been so vivid, so detailed, that I could picture him clearly, and the man I just saw matched it perfectly.

’If this is the power I get from just possessing a B-Rank physique, I can’t even imagine what I’d be like at S-Rank. Would I be a demigod-like? Hah. Looks like my childhood dream of becoming as strong as Goku was just around the corner after all...’

Words couldn’t describe how thrilled I was. Considering the strength and power I always longed for, now in the palm of my hand.

I soon continued in a nonchalant tone, "I know I said I’d give you a minute to think it over, but I’m afraid I’m gonna take back that. I don’t really have time to wait. So here’s the deal; tell me where your boss is right now, or I’ll start breaking the rest of your fingers."

"What?" Peter’s eyes widened in horror.

Even now, he was still silently enduring the pain of his broken right hand. Tears welled in his eyes at the thought of his left hand being next. He couldn’t afford to lose any more fingers, not when it hurt as hell!

Yet, he knew that if he spilled information about his boss, there’d be no place left for him in the gang. He’d have to change his identity and disappear, move far away, because once they found out, his body would be floating in the river for everyone to see.

But on the other hand, if he kept his mouth shut, the devil standing in front of him looked like he was ready to start the torture to force the answer out of his mouth.

"Please... spare my life!"

Peter suddenly dropped to his knees, pleading.

"Why are you kneeling? Get up and tell me where your boss is." I demanded coldly, wearing my scariest expression. Now that Peter clearly feared me, I figured it was better to keep up the cold act rather than slip back into my usual self.

When he didn’t budge, my eyebrows knitted together in irritation.

"Are you trying to annoy me?" I said grimly.

Peter flinched like a whipped dog. Slowly, he lifted his head, speaking through clenched teeth, "I-I just need to tell you where my boss is... right?"

I stared at him for a second, then let out a chuckle.

"I changed my mind. Get up. You’re taking me to him now. And don’t even try thinking about doing anything stupid. One lie, one trick, and you’ll end up like your men inside. Or worse."

"Y-you killed my men?" Peter was in shock. In his mind, he began counting time. How long was he even in the house? Ten seconds? Twenty? And all of my men... wiped out? How the hell is he this strong? Does coming back from the dead usually give you such overwhelming power like that? What the hell is even he, right now? An undead? Or a human?

still bigger than a horse.

Those proverbs existed for a reason!

I tightened my grip on the talisman’s ashes and exhaled.

I stepped out from behind cover and strode confidently into Nolan Street.

I immediately saw Peter lock his gaze onto me. His slightly yellow eyes narrowed into slits, like a snake sizing up its prey.

Even though I knew I was far stronger than him, at least stat-wise, I couldn’t stop the fear from creeping in.

His gaze was nothing like the two thugs I’d seen at the city entrance.

It was the eyes of a true, seasoned criminal who had done many horrible things, probably including killing!

For a second, I felt frozen in place.

However, almost instantly, I forced myself to be calm. I simply reminded myself that my stats were four ranks above his. There was no need to fear someone so terrifyingly outmatched.

’I’m stronger than him... I’m stronger than him...’

I repeated the words like a mantra.

To distract myself from his predatory gaze, I simply closed my eyes. As darkness enveloped me, the fear gradually receded, replaced by a growing sense of calm.

All the while, I never stopped walking.

By the time I opened my eyes again, I had closed a good chunk of the distance between us.

After going through a few more steps, I finally arrived in front of him.

"Do you know who I am?"

I heard him asking the question.

Without meeting his gaze, I replied calmly, "Yeah. You’re ’Rat’ Peter, right?"

"So you do know me, and you still walk up to me like this? Either you’re brave... or just plain stupid."

He spoke with a harsh, arrogant, and truly menacing tone, exactly the same tone that most thugs used when they tried to intimidate their victims.

My body froze again, fear seizing me before I could even fight it off. I closed my eyes once more, pretending not to hear his words, hoping to stave off the terror. When I opened them, I deliberately avoided his gaze, an easy feat, given that I was much taller.

"I don’t know what you’re trying to pull by walking up to me, but I’m busy right now. So I’ll let you off... just this once."

Then, suddenly, he reached for my robe.

Before I could think, my body moved on its own.

Just like when I caught a fly earlier, out of instinct, I slapped his hand away.

Pa!

Before I could fully register what had just happened, Peter dropped to his knees, screaming at the top of his lungs.

So many questions bombarded his mind that he felt his head might explode.

"Guess," I shrugged.

That alone was enough to get Peter racing back to his feet. He shot up from the ground, wiping sweat from his brow and no longer daring to drag things out.