CHAPTER 23: 23: UNAWAKENED OR NOT?

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Leo cracked his knuckles confidently as the gang of hoodlums moved in on him. His B-rank talent, Wind Control, was a sought-after ability—rare and versatile among elemental types.

The first thug charged, being the fastest of the bunch.

BAM!

A swift spinning kick from Leo caught him clean across the face, sending him flying like a ragdoll.

The second attacker came armed, wielding a rusty crossbar. He swung it hard at Leo’s head, aiming to knock him unconscious.

With a calm pivot of his neck, Leo dodged the strike with casual finesse and responded with a solid punch to the thug’s gut, forcing the wind right out of his lungs. The man crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

Aaron, meanwhile, remained at the back. Leo had insisted he stay out of it, wanting to take on the low-level thugs himself. It was classic aura farming—a little brawl to build confidence.

Leo refrained from using his talent. He wanted a good old-fashioned fistfight, and honestly, it was no contest. He was trained. These guys? Just overconfident punks trying to act tough. One by one, he knocked them out without breaking a sweat.

"Tsk. Bunch of useless fools," the leader of the group grunted, disgusted. "Can’t even take down two damn people."

Aaron’s gaze narrowed.

"Leo, fall back," he said calmly. "That one’s different. You won’t win."

He had already checked their stats with a glance at their status windows, and the difference was clear:

---

Leo

Strength: F-

Agility: F+

Vitality: F-

Stamina: F+

Talent: B-Rank – Wind Control

Barnes (Gang Leader)

Strength: D-

Agility: E+

Vitality: E-

Stamina: D+

Talent: D-Rank – Strength Amplification

---

Leo’s talent might’ve been better in classification, but Barnes was leagues ahead in raw stats. Right now, that power gap would be impossible to overcome without serious strategy.

"I got this! Don’t interfere!" Leo shouted, confidence blazing in his eyes.

Aaron raised a brow and shrugged. Leo was clearly getting full of himself. If Barnes knocked him down a few pegs, maybe it’d humble him. Aaron decided he’d intervene if things got too ugly. For now, his friend needed the lesson.

"Come get some!" Leo taunted, beckoning the gang leader forward with a cocky smirk.

Barnes didn’t respond with words—he just charged. He’d seen guys like Leo before. Overconfident, loud, reckless. The best way to shut them up? One clean, crushing blow.

Activating his strength amplification, Barnes launched a punch toward Leo.

Leo, still full of bravado, tried to block it head-on.

Big mistake.

WHAM!

Leo was launched backward like a broken kite, blood dribbling from his mouth as he hit the alley wall hard. The sound of ribs cracking echoed through the tight street.

"Ugh!" Leo groaned in pain, clutching his side.

Aaron walked up slowly, crouching beside him.

"See? That’s what happens when you get ahead of yourself," he said matter-of-factly. Then, softer, "You alright?"

The pain etched across Leo’s face made Aaron’s gaze flicker with guilt.

"Okay... maybe I should’ve helped a bit more," he muttered.

Unbeknownst to anyone, he had helped—just a little. At the moment of impact, Aaron had drawn a droplet of Leo’s blood and hardened it under the skin where the punch landed. It had absorbed some of the force, but not enough. Without it, Leo could’ve died.

"Now it’s your turn, pretty boy," Barnes sneered, licking his lips in a repulsive way. "I’m gonna enjoy toying with you."

Aaron ignored him, still speaking to Leo.

"So, have you learned your lesson? Overconfidence leads to defeat. Always assume your opponent is stronger. It’ll keep you sharp."

"You bastard!" Barnes yelled, furious at being ignored. He rushed at Aaron, fury in his eyes, fists raised to cripple and humiliate him.

Aaron finally stood, turning to face him.

His crimson eyes glowed faintly, locking onto Barnes like a predator sizing up its prey.

Barnes froze mid-step. Cold sweat drenched his back. Those eyes—it was like being stripped bare, every intention exposed under that terrifying gaze.

It wasn’t just intimidation. It was primal. Like a lion toying with a rabbit.

"You wanted to know if I had a talent?" Aaron spoke calmly, directing his words more to Leo than Barnes. "Here’s your answer."

Blood dripped from his fingertips, swirling midair before sharpening into a long, glinting spike.

Barnes trembled.

His mind screamed at him to run, but his body refused to listen. His feet were frozen in place, terror rooting him to the ground. Those eyes... they paralyzed him.

Aaron took a step forward.

"Now. Answer my question." His tone turned cold. "Who are you people? And why were you trying to kidnap her? Isn’t this place supposed to be a sanctuary? Paradise?"

Barnes, overwhelmed, spoke fast.

"M-my boss wants her! He tried talking to her, but she refused! We were told to... to bring her by force! The Sanctuary isn’t what you think! It’s paradise for the rich—for us, the original citizens? It’s hell!"

His voice cracked with rage and frustration.

"They took our city! Demigods and nobles—they came and reshaped everything, pushed us locals to the slums while foreigners enjoy the wealth of our home! We’re nothing but shadows in our own land!"

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. His gaze lost its sharp edge for a moment as he processed the pain in the man’s voice.

"...That’s still no excuse to become scum," he said coldly.

THWIP!

The blood spike shot forward, piercing Barnes’s shoulder.

"Arghh!!" Barnes screamed in agony, falling to one knee as blood gushed from the wound.

"They didn’t force you to become a predator, did they?" Aaron asked quietly, stepping closer, eyes glinting. "They didn’t make you terrorize women, kidnap your fellow citizens. You chose that. That’s on you."

The alley fell silent, save for Barnes’s cries of pain.

Aaron didn’t even look at him anymore. He turned toward the frightened girl, eyes softening as he spoke gently.

"You’re safe now."