Awaken From Mythical Creature II

The remaining gangsters, realizing they were hopelessly outmatched, attempted to flee. But I had anticipated their escape route. I imagined a wall of solid steel blocking the exit, its surface impenetrable.

The fleeing gangsters slammed into the invisible barrier, their bodies bouncing back with painful thuds. They turned to face us, their faces pale with fear.

"It's over," Yolan declared, her voice ringing through the warehouse. "Surrender now, and you might avoid serious injury."

The gangsters, defeated and demoralized, dropped to their knees, their hands raised in surrender. We quickly restrained them, using the discarded weapons to bind their hands and feet.

The warehouse fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the defeated gangsters. We stood amidst the chaos, our chests heaving, our adrenaline pumping.

"That was... exhilarating," Lili said, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

IM grinned. "Yeah, not bad for a night's work."

A rope that binds them, I imagined, reinforcing their restraints with an unbreakable bond.

As the ropes materialized, binding the gangsters securely, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

"I'll take them to the nearest police station," I said, taking hold of the ropes and effortlessly lifting the entire group into the air.

"Be careful. We'll go to another gangster hideout," Yolan exclaimed, her voice filled with determination.

With a powerful leap, I soared into the night sky, the gangsters dangling helplessly from the ropes in my grasp. They cried out in surprise and fear, their faces pale in the moonlight.

I could hear their panicked voices even from above.

"What's happening!?"

"We're flying!?"

"Help! Let us down!"

I ignored their pleas, focusing on my destination. The nearest police station wasn't far, and I knew I could get them there quickly. The wind whipped past my face as I flew, the city lights blurring beneath me. It was a surreal experience, carrying a group of criminals through the air like a scene from a superhero movie.

As I approached the police station, I gently lowered the gangsters to the ground, their bodies still bound by the unbreakable ropes. The officers on duty rushed out, their guns drawn, their faces filled with shock and confusion.

I explained the situation, my voice calm and collected. "These men are gangsters responsible for various crimes, including the recent fire in the village. We apprehended them and brought them here for justice."

The officers, after a moment of hesitation, cautiously approached the bound criminals, their guns still trained on them. They quickly recognized the scarred man as a known troublemaker, and their expressions hardened.

"We'll take it from here," one of the officers said, his voice gruff. "Thank you for your assistance."

I nodded, a sense of satisfaction filling me. "Just doing our part," I replied, then turned to leave.

As I walked away, I could hear the people talking about someone. They weren't just discussing the corrupt official, but also how he had tarnished the government's reputation by appointing a woman from the red-light district to a position of power.

Intrigued, I decided to investigate further. I discreetly moved closer to the group of construction workers, using the cover of the night to remain unseen. They were gathered near the construction site, taking a break before heading home.

I leaned against a wall, straining my ears to hear their conversation.

"That damn official," one of the workers grumbled, spitting onto the ground. "He's the one who brought that woman into the government. Now look at the mess we're in."

"Yeah," another worker chimed in, his voice filled with frustration. "Our wages are delayed, the project is stalled, and all because of their shady dealings."

A third worker spoke up, his voice hopeful. "Yeah... I hope those heroes will take down the government and make our country great again!"

"Yeah, those heroes... I hope our country can be free again..." another added, his voice filled with longing.

I leaned against the wall, listening to the workers' heartfelt conversation. Even though our country wasn't publicly colonized, the corruption within the government made people feel trapped and powerless. Low wages, inflation, and a lack of opportunities were stifling their dreams and aspirations.

This is sad... with my power... I can do something about it. And I will, I thought, a sense of determination solidifying within me.

I nodded to myself, my resolve firm. With a powerful leap, I propelled myself into the sky, the wind whipping against my cloak as I soared above the city. The sprawling metropolis shimmered beneath the moonlight, a vast tapestry of lights and shadows.

"...I should do it," I declared to the night, my voice a whisper carried on the wind.

I changed my course and flew towards the location Yolan and the others had gone to investigate. When I arrived, they were nowhere to be found. The gangster hideout was empty, save for the lingering smell of stale beer and cheap cigarettes.

"Hmm... nothing here... Seems they all got scared after one of their friends died," Yolan remarked, her voice echoing in the empty space.

Thud! I landed on the ground, standing beside them.

"Enough for today, I guess..." Lili replied, a hint of relief in her voice.

"Hey guys..." I said suddenly, drawing their attention.

They all turned to look at me, their faces a mix of curiosity and exhaustion.

"How about we start focusing on the corrupt government..." I suggested, my voice firm and resolute.

A flicker of surprise crossed their faces, followed by a wave of understanding.

"You're right," Yolan said, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "We can't just focus on petty criminals. We need to go after the ones who are truly responsible for the suffering in this city."

IM nodded in agreement. "I'm up for anything," he declared, his eyes burning with a righteous fire.

Lili, however, was shocked and confused. "R-Really... the government... aren't they too strong?" she stammered, her voice filled with apprehension.

"Well, you guys have me," I said, a confident smile spreading across my face. "I can imagine anything, and poof, it happens."

Lili nodded, still a bit hesitant. "Yeah... I guess so..."

"Don't worry about me," I reassured her, straightening my posture. "I can handle it alone if you guys don't want to get involved."

"Just be careful..." IM said, his voice filled with concern.

***

The next day, after finishing my exams, I quickly returned home and prepared for my afternoon plan. With the sun high in the sky, I arrived in front of the House of Representatives, the heart of the Indonesian government. I wasn't wearing my superhero suit; instead, I opted for a simple white shirt and black pants, blending in with the crowd.

Invisible... I thought, focusing my power.

And just like that, I vanished from sight.

I walked through the front gates, my invisible form gliding effortlessly past the security guards and metal detectors. The building was bustling with activity, politicians and their aides rushing to and fro, their faces etched with a mix of determination and anxiety.

I made my way through the labyrinthine corridors, my senses heightened, searching for any signs of corruption or wrongdoing. I could hear snippets of conversations, whispers of backroom deals and shady agreements. I could sense the greed and ambition that permeated the halls of power, a toxic miasma that threatened to suffocate the very soul of the nation.

This is even worse than I imagined, I thought to myself, my resolve hardening with each passing moment. These people are supposed to be serving the public, not lining their own pockets.

I continued my exploration, my invisible form granting me access to even the most restricted areas. I witnessed bribes being exchanged, confidential documents being shredded, and politicians plotting their next power grab. The sheer scale of the corruption was staggering, and it filled me with a righteous fury.

I have to do something, I thought, my fists clenching involuntarily. I can't let these people get away with this.

But what could I do? I was just one person, a high school student with a strange and unpredictable power. How could I possibly take on the entire corrupt system?

As I pondered my options, I stumbled upon a meeting room where a group of high-ranking officials were gathered. I pressed my ear against the door, listening intently to their conversation.

"...the funds have been secured," one of them said, his voice smug and self-satisfied. "We'll be able to siphon off millions without anyone noticing."

"Excellent," another replied, his laughter echoing through the room. "This will ensure our reelection, and then we can continue to milk this country for all it's worth."

I couldn't believe my ears. They were openly discussing their crimes, their greed and arrogance on full display. It was sickening.

Exposing them might not be the best way to handle this for the people. I should do something more... I thought, stepping away from the meeting room and continuing my exploration.

Spotting an open door, I slipped inside. It was an empty room filled with various objects: stacks of boxes, cleaning supplies, and a lone computer tucked away in a corner.

< Chapter 157 > Fin.