Mutation

A Syringe… That was the item that Artemis would bring along with her at every moment. It is a very important item, because it is the very thing that would help her out of troubling situations.

In the world that Artemis is aware of, human beings that defy the laws of physics is an occurrence that exists. That's why, she had some kind of syringe with her to carry along at all times. A syringe, which contains chemicals that can mutate her body in a way where she could be on par with the general supernatural threats.

Artemis had gained such an item after she wasn't qualified in partaking the program of superhumans. Her organization that she used to be a part of, provided her such a syringe, the day she first went to do field work as a graduated assassin. She was given the syringe for the case when she would encounter a supernatural being that she believes she can beat with enough torturing efforts. The syringe was a last approach kind of item that has dire after effects, which is why such an item was restricted from being used carelessly.

Starting from the day she had first gotten her syringe, to the day she had abandoned and escaped her organization, now is finally the time when she has the idea to use the syringe. Never before did she bat an eye on the syringe. She always treated it as an extra luggage, until now…

Now, she has no choice… She is left in a dilemma, and is going to use it eventually, because she has to. Unless she wants to live her life with no achievement that she can be proud of, or live her life with a lot of guilt and regret, she has no choice but to make use of the syringe that shows an uncertain future of her wellbeing.

"I hope it's not expired." Artemis muttered while slightly cringing.

It wasn't even a second after muttering such words, when she proceeded with the act of stabbing herself. The needle of the syringe went through the skin of her arm, and without a second of hesitation, the unknown serum that was within the syringe was pushed out into her system.

The serum that glows with the color yellow slowly made her blood veins appear brightly yellow. The serum that flowed through her bloodstream was visible enough to be noticed, especially on the parts of her body where her veins are normally visible.

Gradually, the bright color of the serum could be seen gathering towards her heart and her brain. At last, her heart and brain became a source of yellow light within her body. These sources of light reached every part of her body, which basically made her into the embodiment of light. She had become the one and only source of bright light within the dark forest, and she remained as such, even after she had already become aware again of her surroundings.

Opening her eyes, she inspected her arms that have become brightly yellow. Artemis could feel herself brimming with abnormal energy. She felt as if she was stressed with so much energy, and felt as she needed to let out a breath. When she let out a breath, the amount of stress she felt on her body lowered itself, which was actually a visible occurrence. Not only did she feel lighter, but particles of lights were also escaping her body.

"Wait!"

She panicked when she saw the light particles leaving her body, because she thought that she had dispersed her gotten powers unknowingly.

With her hand reaching out towards the dispersing particles, she desired for those particles not to leave her. Surprisingly, the particles did what she wished, and even did something extra. Instead of gathering towards her body, they gathered towards her hand that was reaching out into the air. As they all gathered, a short and thin blade could be seen shaping itself within her hands…

"What the… I… I have superpowers…"

"I have superpowers! Haha!" Artemis couldn't help herself from getting too excited. She had finally entered the realm of the supernatural, and could finally do what any kid dreams of.

'Right. I need to stop her…'

It didn't take too long for her excited expression to fade away. Her looks had become serious quickly, as she was determined and ready to continue with her journey again.

"I hope this works…" Artemis muttered when she was ready to get back on track. She wasn't running yet, but was ready and in position to sprint.

With her legs in position and her body lowered, she focused on releasing the stress on her body. When she noticed the amount of light particles that surrounded her, she quickly emitted the desire to enhance her body for burst of speeds.

Her wish was fulfilled in a way, just like earlier. The light particles gathered towards the back of her feet, and without Artemis's acknowledgement, a blast of sonic energy escaped her feet. Along with the blast that propelled her body forward, her legs and arms moved rapidly without her acknowledgement as well. It was as if some kind of instinct in her had kicked in. A supernatural instinct, which made her run with a speed almost as fast as sound.

It took only seconds for Artemis to get back to the grave that she had made for the vile woman. Unfortunately, she was already too late. She hadn't realized, but while she was running without looking back at the town, the vile woman was already approaching the town. When she had taken the syringe, the vile woman must have been strolling around for ten minutes along already. That's how unlucky Artemis was…

It can't be helped. Artemis had never expected the vile woman to receive the help of a little ghost, which is why she had made such a wrong assumption. Her instinct wasn't screaming at the danger of the vile woman being released, but at the danger of the vile woman gaining power. That's why Artemis was so wrong. Wrong about thinking that the woman was free at that time of feeling danger, because she wasn't aware of the little ghost, and because she didn't understand what her instinct was warning her about.