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Back in 2013, the US government sliced off a chunk of NYC and handed it over to the superpowered bunch, forming this place called "TOWER" It's just ready for superhumans—no regular folks allowed.
Then, in 2014, other countries started copying the US move. Similar mini-cities popped up in those countries too, but only in the wealthy ones.
Fast forward to 2023, when World War III explodes. Nuclear weapons turned the air into a slow poison, choking everyone. Those sliced-off cities were safe havens. They had these unbreakable shields that kept the nastiness out. So, all the survivors got ushered into these government-guarded cities.
Our story takes place in "TOWER"

The Guardians of "TOWER"

After the elevator doors closed, Hudson walked down the corridor, flanked by two burly men in suits and sunglasses, one in front and one behind.

Hudson was puzzled. Why would someone as significant as Valentine from the TOWER want to meet him? He was just a minor police officer, occasionally providing information to the 'Disciplinary Committee' and accompanying Michael for drinks and life chats. He was, in essence, a rather ordinary figure.

Given his seemingly insignificant stature, Hudson couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, wondering why he had been summoned by someone so high-ranking.

The large man in front entered a password on the LCD screen by the door, which then opened with a soft hum.

Valentine was the most noticeable figure, seated behind her desk with only a computer on it. She was engrossed in whatever was on the screen. From the reflection in her computer glasses, Hudson could make out dense spreadsheets and text.

Behind her, the wall transformed into a vast window, offering an unobstructed view of the buildings and the bustling traffic below at TOWER.

Air conditioners flanked the room on both sides, programmed to keep the room cool. And, the room felt surprisingly cramped.

As Hudson entered, Valentine turned off her screen and gestured for the two suited men to leave.

"Never thought I'd be invited by someone so eminent," Hudson remarked, shrugging once the door was closed behind him.

"Is that an honor?" Valentine replied with a slight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, casting a shadow over her face.

"Let's get to the point. No beating around the bush," Hudson said, completely disregarding her ominous demeanor as he sat opposite her.

"Traveling abroad with his 'daughter'."

"...Yes," Hudson replied cautiously.

"I had a favor to ask him, but he declined. I thought, since I'm not his superior, I can't command him. But if his superior were to do so, perhaps he'd oblige, wouldn't he?"

She was trying to exert pressure on him!

Her words seemed illogical, like the ramblings of a drunk or the mad talk of the world's core about to explode. But she wasn't aiming for logic. She simply wanted Hudson to understand that she was ordering him to bring Michael back to TOWER. Resistance was futile, especially against someone almost as powerful as Michael.

If Michael was the 'Mathematician' manipulating the world, then Valentine was the 'Scientist' understanding it.

Her ability? To alter the inherent nature of any substance!

For instance, she could turn sunlight into razor-sharp blades, piercing any part of the Earth it touched. But she wouldn't. Just as Michael wouldn't raise global temperatures to intensify global warming—they didn't want to destroy their only home.

So, faced with such formidable beings, even if you were a LEVEL 5 with an S-level intensity, you knew you stood no chance against the likes of Michael and Valentine. Especially someone like Hudson, an ordinary man devoid of any special abilities.

"Understood," was all Hudson could muster in response.

Hudson's Conundrum