Chapter 6: The Weight of Power

Alexander Reid awoke to the faint rays of morning light piercing through the blinds of his penthouse window. The gentle warmth touched his face, but the comfort of the sunlight did little to mask the soreness coursing through his body. His muscles felt tight, his knuckles raw, and the bruises on his ribs flared with each breath. Each ache was a reminder—a testament to his journey from an ordinary man to someone seeking power in a world that would soon be filled with gods and monsters.

He sat up slowly, letting his legs dangle over the edge of the bed as he exhaled deeply. The faint hum of the city below buzzed into his ears, but his mind was elsewhere. His hand instinctively called upon the system interface.

[Level: 3] [Strength: 20] [Agility: 19] [Intelligence: 12] [Endurance: 15] [Stat Points Available: 0]

A faint smile crept onto his face. He was getting stronger. His body felt more capable, more resilient. But he knew this was only the beginning. Real threats were still far away, but they were coming. Iron Man. Thor. Loki. Thanos. Cosmic forces that could crush entire worlds. He needed to be ready.

He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle increase in his strength. His punches had more weight behind them now, his reflexes faster. But he was far from satisfied.

After dragging himself into the bathroom, he stood under the shower, letting the hot water soothe his battered body. He washed away the fatigue, but his thoughts continued to race. He visualized his fights from the previous night—the quick strikes, the pain, the thrill. Each movement was etched into his memory. He needed to refine everything.

After drying off, he dressed in casual athletic wear and made his way to the kitchen. Breakfast was simple—eggs, toast, and coffee. He ate quickly, though his appetite was modest. His mind was already planning his next steps. He needed to condition his body further. He needed to sharpen his skills.

Today would not be about fighting. Today was about preparation.

The first stop was the gym. Marcus greeted him with a nod, recognizing his new regular student. The older man leaned against the ring ropes, arms crossed. "Back for more?"

Alexander grinned. "Always."

Their session was intense. Marcus pushed him harder, testing his limits. Jabs, crosses, hooks, footwork—every movement was becoming sharper, every strike more precise. Marcus made sure his stance remained firm. He corrected Alexander when he noticed the slightest lapse.

"Breathe with your punches. Keep your guard up—always. Your strength is good, but if you get sloppy, someone faster will put you down," Marcus barked.

Alexander appreciated the discipline. His increased strength and agility were noticeable now. His strikes felt explosive, and he could see the respect growing in Marcus's eyes. Still, he kept his true progress to himself. He knew he was surpassing the rate of any ordinary man.

After an hour, they rested. "You've got potential, kid. You move like someone with fire in their veins," Marcus said, handing him a towel.

Alexander chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Just trying to be better."

"Better than who?" Marcus asked with a raised brow.

Alexander paused, his smile fading for a moment. "Better than I was yesterday."

Marcus laughed. "That's the right mindset."

Leaving the gym, Alexander felt invigorated. His body was adapting. He was growing. He decided to explore the city with new eyes—not as a resident, but as a hunter observing his territory. He walked through the bustling streets of Manhattan, blending in with the crowd. His gaze was sharp, noticing every alley, every suspicious movement, every potential threat.

The system had not issued a new task yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time.

By afternoon, he found himself in a quieter district. He paused at a park bench, observing children playing while their parents chatted nearby. Normalcy. Innocence. He realized how fragile this peace was. He had seen a glimpse of the darkness beneath the surface. And he knew that soon, the entire world would face dangers far beyond street thugs.

He watched as a little boy chased a soccer ball, his laughter echoing through the park. A young mother gently pushed her baby in a stroller, humming softly. This was what he was fighting to protect, though they would never know it.

As he sat there, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Amanda at Reid Financial.

Amanda: "Mr. Reid, a reminder that we have a financial review scheduled next week. Let me know if you need anything adjusted before then."

Alexander typed a quick response: "Thank you. Everything is fine for now."

Money was not his concern. Power was.

As evening approached, he returned to his penthouse, prepared a light dinner, and relaxed briefly. But his mind was restless. He brought up the system window again, hoping for something new.

[New Task: Investigate Reports of Organized Crime Activity in Hell's Kitchen. Neutralize the Threat.] [Reward: 400 Experience Points]

His heart quickened. This was different. It was not a simple street brawl. Organized crime meant danger. Guns. Experienced criminals. This was not like fighting desperate thugs. But it also meant opportunity. He needed more than common thugs to grow. He needed risk.

Alexander stood, his gaze fixed on the glowing prompt. He felt the weight of power—the responsibility that came with it. He was no hero. Not yet. But he was becoming something more with every step he took into the shadows.

He walked to the window, looking over the city once more. The streets glowed under the neon lights, and somewhere in Hell's Kitchen, predators stalked the innocent. He could already feel the pull of his growing power. This was his path.

He accepted the task.

Tomorrow, Hell's Kitchen would learn his name.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥

💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀

👉 patreon.com/cyci07

✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨

If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂

💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!

Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️