The next day, Shoun was called to the room where various devices were being developed. At that moment, they were testing a new type of ultra-powerful megaphone, and they needed the boy's electricity to power the device.
—Oh, you're just in time. Here, power it up—an older researcher demanded as he handed the megaphone to the boy. Shoun kept his head down, and due to his strange attitude and tardiness, the researcher grew impatient and asked—What's wrong with you?
—...Tell me something. I've helped a lot in creating many new devices over the past few years, right?—Shoun asked, raising his head and challenging the researcher with his gaze. The researcher responded with a lump in his throat.
—Cough... That's correct, but what does that have to do with—
—Then all of you must have made a lot of money. So, where's my share?—At that moment, many researchers turned to look at the argument that was brewing. They had all used Shoun multiple times for their various projects, so they were very familiar with the boy's apathetic and subdued attitude. The fact that he was asking these questions easily threw them off balance.
—You're a child. We feed you! It's only natural that you give something back in return for our kindness!
—Besides, you're just a battery. You haven't done more than that!—One after another, the researchers defended themselves. They knew that if they gave in now, they'd lose money by having to share their earnings fairly with Shoun. They couldn't let him get his way!
—Hmm...—The boy simply let them all complain and defend themselves. After a while, the shouting stopped, and he was able to speak again—So, I'm just a battery... I regret to inform you that's incorrect. I'm a human being, just like you. You don't work for free, and neither will I. But don't worry, I won't take a single crest from you—Those last words gave many researchers hope, but the sharper ones noticed how Shoun was injecting electricity into the megaphone he was holding—That's why I quit!
The boy shouted through the megaphone. Thanks to the device's enhanced power, his voice reached every corner of the entire facility, shattering countless windows and even making the weaker ones bleed.
With his declaration made, Shoun dropped the megaphone and crushed it under his shoe, breaking it in the process before leaving the room.
From that moment on, the entire status quo within the facility changed. Every time Shoun was asked to help with a research project, he refused. No matter how much they begged or even offered money, he simply wouldn't cooperate. Seeing that they had lost their power source and that he wasn't going to cooperate in the short term, they stripped him of many of the benefits he had—which weren't many to begin with. He was given the same food as the other children, and his whistle was taken away.
This led to the children, even more envious of Shoun, attacking him again. After all, he had everything handed to him on a silver platter to be liked—and yet he refused? But this time, the boy wouldn't let them. Maybe it was the years of constant abuse or his newfound rebellious attitude, but he had become incredibly skilled at dodging and striking multiple targets. They always came in groups to attack Shoun, but at the very least, he inflicted the same injuries on them, all thanks to his powerful ability.
Several months passed in this new normal, until a government inspector arrived. As he stepped out of the luxurious car with the help of the driver, his appearance became clearer.
He was an older man, around 40 years old, with black hair combed back and visible receding hairlines. His eyes were gray, though his left eye was scarred. He wore an all-black suit and gloves of the same color.
—In-Inspector Rowe? What brings you here?—asked the researcher nervously as he came out to greet the inspector.
—Routine inspection. I need to see how your progress is going—Rowe explained curtly in his deep voice.
—Of course! Right this way—The designated researcher showed him everything they were currently working on at the research center. The inspector said nothing as the enthusiastic researcher tried to sell their new inventions. It wasn't until the inspector interrupted with a sharp question that the researcher stopped.
—You used to make truly useful things... Now you're just producing garbage... What's the reason for that?—Rowe asked threateningly, staring the researcher in the eye.
—Uhh... Aaam...—The researcher hesitated but finally gave in—Haaah... It's because one of the children here served as a powerful battery. Now he refuses to cooperate.
—Let me see him—Rowe demanded firmly. The researcher, with a lump in his throat, led him to Shoun's room. The boy was resting, sitting on his bed. When they burst in, they could see his bruised face and his nose with traces of blood. Earlier that day, he had gotten into another fight with a group of children. Once again, he had won. He seemed to be getting good at fighting.
—This is him—the researcher introduced. Shoun looked at them curiously. After he had refused to cooperate, the researchers rarely came to see him, and now they had brought a stranger. Rowe was flipping through a file detailing Shoun's abilities and his significant contributions.
—Tch... It's almost a sin that none of you reported this boy to the higher-ups sooner.
—S-sorry, sir.
—Don't apologize. I'm taking the boy with me. From now on, he'll work for us.
—I don't agree with that! I'll never work for you again!—Shoun shouted, interrupting Inspector Rowe, who gave him a stern but calm look.
—I'm not asking. It's an order.
—I refuse! You can't force me to work for you.
—I can, and I will if you don't cooperate—Before Shoun could respond, Rowe appeared in front of the boy, placing his hand on his neck and squeezing.
—Argh... argh—The boy began to thrash, trying to enhance his body to break free, but every attempt was futile. At that moment, he used one of the Codex's abilities, Inspect, revealing that Inspector Rowe was actually a Codex bearer—a Rank 3 Dominator, no less. No matter how hard Shoun tried, he couldn't even move a finger of the man in front of him.
—From now on, you belong to us. You're scum, and scum must be useful if it doesn't want to disappear like dust—Rowe declared before releasing Shoun, who was on the verge of passing out. From that day on, Shoun's torture intensified.
He was taken to another research center, this time constantly monitored by Rowe. While it was a research center, it was also the main hub for portals in the entire nation. This facility always sought to improve this costly but profitable technology, and in Rowe's eyes, Shoun was key to all of it.
—From today, you'll work by powering the portals and assisting the researchers with whatever they ask. Understood?—The boy, sitting in the corner of his new but dark room, didn't respond. Rowe approached and lifted his chin, forcing him to look directly into his eyes before repeating in an even harsher tone—Understood?
The boy again didn't respond. Instead, he spat directly in the inspector's face. Enraged, Rowe slammed him to the ground. Shoun, aside from some scratches and a bruise, was fine. This was because Rowe held back—if he had wanted to, he could have turned the boy into pulp with that single blow. Both were aware of this fact, but Shoun didn't give in. He didn't stop his rebellion, even when Rowe or others beat him. He wouldn't stop.
—Filthy scum—Shoun was bleeding on the floor. This time, it was Rowe who spat down at him—If you don't cooperate, I'll force you to cooperate... Let's see if you keep up that shitty attitude then—he explained before leaving the room, leaving Shoun on the floor, conscious but barely able to move.
After a few hours, Rowe dragged him to a room filled with large cables and machines. Many people of various occupations moved around the room, fulfilling their respective roles.
—Here's your battery—the inspector announced as he threw the boy in front of a machine connected to many cables—Your job from now on is to power this machine and, in turn, supply energy to the portals. You start right now.
—...—Shoun simply stayed silent, staring at him defiantly.
—I said you start now!—Rowe kicked Shoun again, this time "lightly." The boy writhed in pain on the floor, but when he got up, he didn't look away from the inspector. Rowe continued kicking him. Many of the workers had to look away from the grotesque scene, but still, no one intervened—...Why do you subject yourself to this torture? Wouldn't it be easier to just work and be done with it?
—...You won't kill me. You know you can't because I'm too valuable. I'll never work for you—Despite his young age, Shoun fully understood his worth after the past few years—That's why I just have to endure until you get tired.
—...You're right. I can't kill you, but I still have ways to make you do what I want. Don't say I didn't warn you that this was the easy way. Bring that thing, boys!—The inspector forcefully grabbed the boy again. With the help of various devices, he chained Shoun's hands and feet to the machine he was supposed to power. Then he took a special cable—this one wasn't connected to any of the machines, and at its tip was a sharp needle—From now on, you'll be injected with electricity. You might not know how horrible it is to overload your core, but you'll find out soon. I suggest you start powering that thing.
Shoun didn't respond again, so without further delay, Rowe plunged the cable into the boy's back. Shoun clenched his jaw, enduring the pain. He could feel his clothes staining with the blood dripping down his back.
Little by little, electricity began to flow from the cable. His body automatically absorbed it, and his already full core began to burn. The boy still didn't want to comply with the inspector's demands. Since he was chained to the machine, he couldn't release the electricity elsewhere, so he decided to enhance his limbs. This only lasted for a few moments, as his limbs also began to burn from the massive amount of electricity coursing through them.
—Haaah... haaah—His skin began to burn, his muscles started to tear, and his core began to crack. It was only a matter of time before the boy died—Agh! Stop! P-please stop!—Tears streamed down his face. With no other choice, he gave in and began to pour all the electricity into the machine.
—Good—Rowe commented as he and a worker analyzed the metrics of the electricity the boy was releasing—Increase the power. Give the boy more electricity.
—B-but sir, he seems to be in pain. Are you sure—
—Don't challenge me. It won't kill him. It'll just cause him pain. Besides, the more energy you have, the more you can improve our portals, right?—The worker didn't respond. Instead, he did as he was told and increased the electricity supply to Shoun.
The boy slowly began to recover from the pain, but then a massive wave of electricity flooded his body. His body began to die again, and this time, no matter how much electricity he poured into the machine, the pain didn't stop.
—Stop! Please stop! I'm giving you what you want! Why are you doing this to me!?—The boy cried and screamed, begging them to stop. The workers' backs were drenched in cold sweat as they tried to ignore the boy and focus on their work—Please! Help! Help!
For what felt like days, the boy screamed until his throat was raw. Still, the flood of electricity didn't stop. It wasn't until several hours had passed that the electricity finally ceased. Rowe released him, but almost immediately, he was dragged back to his room, which now felt more like a cell.
—This will be your life from now on. You'd better get used to it—As promised, the next day, Shoun was tied up and forced to power the machinery. No matter how much he begged or behaved, his treatment didn't improve. He was still tied up and subjected to that torture.
So, Shoun returned to his rebellious attitude. Every day when Rowe came to get him, he kicked and fought, struggling with all his might to harm the inspector, though without success. Rowe simply looked at him with disdain.
Despite his futile efforts, Shoun kept fighting. He kept rebelling because it was all he had left. The fact that he kept fighting meant he was still alive and wouldn't let anyone forget that. If he kept fighting despite everything, it meant he still had at least a sliver of a chance to escape that situation.
Two years passed, and still, he fought with all his being, which little by little was fading. The daily torture had left him scarred. He had fought without forgetting who he was for so long, but how much longer could he keep it up?