Chapter 15

"Alright, that wraps it up for today. You can finish up your final sets while I submit the daily task report," Whiplash declared, closing his magazine and rising from his chair. The rest of the squad acknowledged his message. Dante stepped off the treadmill and reached for a towel hanging above his head.

The team gathered around Whiplash to confirm their daily task rewards before going their separate ways. With a few taps on his display, Whiplash triggered a familiar ring notification sound that activated the augmented displays of each squad member. They navigated to their notification tabs and opened the pending messages, revealing the amount of skill points they had accumulated:

- Shadow striker: 0.54 skill points

- Sparkles: 0.48 skill points

- Emberlyn: 0.52 skill points

- Jester: 0.42 skill points

- Blaze: 0.39 skill points

"Another day, another worthless session just to earn measly skill points," Max muttered, closing his display and slumping into a nearby chair.

The rest of the squad attempted to ignore his words, but deep down, they knew the truth he spoke. A few days ago, they had experienced a glimpse of what true skill point accumulation could bring. It was an exhilaration they had never felt before, and ever since that day, each one of them yearned to experience it once more. They just didn't have the courage to voice it aloud, but their changed demeanor since that day made their desires clear.

"Pack up, we're about to leave. The facility manager is closing up. Tomorrow, we'll meet at our usual spot, and another daily task awaits you. Keep pushing through, and eventually, you'll achieve the results you seek. The path to the top is far from easy, no one ever claimed it was. Trust me, I've been in your shoes, on the verge of giving up. Don't let a stroke of luck affect your morale. Stay committed, and you'll reach your desired destination," Whiplash remarked. He donned his worn-out jacket, draped it over his shoulders, and headed toward the exit. The rest of the squad followed suit, taking his words to heart.

"I really wish the rookie would join us tomorrow. He seems to be our lucky charm when it comes to earning these elusive skill points," Leo whispered to his brother, loud enough for the others to overhear. Max gave him a fist bump in agreement, while the others discreetly acknowledged the sentiment without outwardly reacting.

.............................

Blitz and Keagan found themselves outside one of the bustling fast-food joints in Neo Vista. Blitz devoured his burger with great intensity, not letting a single crumb escape his grip. Despite his mouth being full, he decided it was an opportune moment to strike up a conversation with Keagan. Keagan, however, felt uneasy in his presence. He tried to subtly convey his discomfort, but Blitz appeared oblivious to the subtle cues Keagan was attempting to convey. Undeterred, Blitz continued talking, regaling Keagan with the tale of how he became the face of Pulse Power, a company often regarded as a knock-off and cheap imitation by many. Keagan, having already obtained detailed information about Blitz, including his abilities and secret identity from the system, found little interest in the conversation.

Inside the squad car, four police officers engaged in a game of cards, their attention consumed by the intricate symbols adorning the cards. These symbols deviated from the familiar clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds, resembling something out of a Rorschach test. Even the rules of the game seemed altered to fit this reality's distorted perception of the ordinary. Keagan reminded himself that he would need some time to adapt to this new environment. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Blitz tapped him on the shoulder with his greasy hand, an action that almost revolted Keagan.

"We have a situation on 32nd Street. Let's go," Blitz announced.

"But we haven't received any radio communication from the officers on foot. How could you possibly know?" Keagan began to inquire, but before he could finish his sentence, a streak of blue and silver blurred his vision, and a powerful gust of wind hurled him back into the squad car, denting its body as he crashed against the door. In the blink of an eye, Blitz had vanished, leaving no trace behind. A few moments later, the radio on the car's dashboard crackled with static, and a robotic voice emanated from the other end of the transmission.

"Dispatch, this is Unit 7 requesting immediate backup on 32nd Street. We have an ongoing robbery in progress. Repeat, an ongoing robbery in progress. Suspects are armed and dangerous. Requesting all available units to respond. Over."

"Copy that, Unit 7. The backup is en route to your location. Stay on high alert and provide any additional information you can gather, Blitz is currently en route to your location. Over."

"This is Unit 7. We have multiple suspects, approximately four individuals, wearing masks and carrying firearms. They are inside the premises of the tech store. It appears they have taken hostages. Over."

"Roger, Unit 7. The hostage situation is confirmed. Be advised, negotiators are being dispatched. Maintain a perimeter and ensure the safety of civilians. Backup units will arrive shortly. Over."

"Dispatch. The suspects are showing signs of aggression. We need to act fast, Send over the other Hero. Over."

"Unit 7. Hold your position and await further instructions. Assistance is on the way. Over."

The police officers revved the engine aggressively, causing the car to cough before unleashing its power. Sirens blared through the streets, creating a piercing sound that echoed in the air. One of the officers stuck his head out of the half-open window and addressed Keagan, his voice urgent and commanding.

"Hey! You heard the call! We need reinforcements on 32nd Street immediately! Follow Blitz, the rest of us are on our way!" he shouted, his words carrying a sense of urgency. Keagan, still bewildered by how Blitz had known about the situation before receiving any radio communication, quickly gathered himself. He tensed his muscles and prepared for action, shooting across the street in the direction where he had seen the blur of Blitz vanish.

[Activating Route Guide]

As you make your way to 32nd Street, I can provide you with the fastest route. The system's voice chimed in Keagan's ear, pulling up a detailed city map and marking the destination with a prominent glowing red circle.

"Thank you, System," Keagan responded, acknowledging the assistance. He couldn't help but notice the incredible speed at which he was moving. It felt like the world around him had frozen in time as he navigated through alleyways and maneuvered around cars on the highway as if they were mere obstacles. However, he was well aware that his speed paled in comparison to Blitz's swift movements. The contrast between the two was almost surreal.

It took him a while to reach the pinned destination on the map. He finally arrived after approximately two minutes of not even breaking a sweat. But he was in for a rude shock. As he arrived at the scene, In the aftermath of the intense standoff between the police officers and the robbers, a sense of relief permeated the air. The hostages, who had endured moments of fear and uncertainty, now found themselves surrounded by caring officers and emergency medical personnel, ensuring their well-being and providing comfort.

Outside the targeted location, the police had established a secure perimeter. Flashing lights from patrol cars and the faint wail of sirens created an aura of urgency and authority. Uniformed officers, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and determination, worked meticulously to process the crime scene and gather evidence.

Within the vicinity, several suspects were detained, their hands restrained with handcuffs. They wore expressions of defeat and resignation, knowing that their ill-fated attempt at criminality had come to an end. Their apprehension was said to have happened within seconds, before they knew it they were already disarmed and chained.

Keagan walked across the fray of news reporters, the sound of cameras clicking and capturing the scene filled the air as they documented the event.

In the midst of the controlled chaos stood Blitz, swarmed by the cameras and microphones and loving every minute of it. Keagan observed as Blitz absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, causing him to ponder whether the remnants of the greasy burger he had consumed minutes ago still lingered in his locks. He couldn't help but wonder if Blitz had managed to find a moment to wash away the traces of the cheap two-dollar burger, or if his hair now carried the distinct scent of processed meat.

As Keagan found himself captivated by Blitz's commanding presence, he set aside his initial judgment of Blitz's peculiar mannerisms. Despite his cockiness and apparent disregard for personal boundaries, Blitz had earned his rank high up the B-tier list for a reason. In that moment, Blitz proved his worth, even though Keagan had not witnessed the exact details of what had transpired. Blitz's actions spoke for themselves.

Within a matter of seconds, Blitz traversed the vast expanse of the city, apprehending armed criminals swiftly and efficiently. He accomplished this feat without endangering innocent bystanders or causing any property damage. The way he de-escalated the situation with precision and skill left Keagan in awe. It became evident to Keagan that he had a long journey ahead of him before he could reach such a level of expertise.

Despite Blitz's brash and unwelcoming nature, Keagan recognized the valuable lessons he could learn from their partnership. He understood that there was much to be gained from observing Blitz's approach to crime-fighting and incorporating those lessons into his own development as a hero. Keagan realized that, although unconventional, his association with Blitz had the potential to shape him into a better hero and help him ascend the metaphorical mountains that stood in his path.