"A drug?" Arkham raised an eyebrow, half amused, half tired. He did recall hearing rumors about enhancement substances floating around, black market serums called Necron, but what Elly was suggesting didn't add up.
"You know my situation, Elly," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I can barely afford lunch most days. You really think I've got the money to get something like that?"
Elly frowned, clearly thinking it through. Before she could respond, Arkham added, casually, "As for the change in my body… it's because I awakened."
She froze. Then her eyes lit up. "You… You what?"
Arkham immediately regretted opening his mouth.
"You really awakened!?" she gasped, practically glowing now. "That's amazing! What kind of power did you get? Is it elemental? Physical? Wait, don't tell me—it's something rare, isn't it? I know you will make it."
'Damn… I should've come up with a better excuse,' Arkham sighed inwardly.
He was still debating if he should reveal the Full Recovery skill at all. In theory, there were a few heroes with more than one abilities, but being one of those is something he want to avoid.
'Too much attention. Not worth it right now.'
Fortunately, he was saved by the sharp blare of an emergency alarm sounded through the hallway.
Bright red lights pulsed along the edges of the ceiling.
"Attention all hero candidates: An emergency incident has been reported near the South Gate. This is not a drill. Please report to the deployment zone immediately. Repeat—emergency response teams are to mobilize now."
Arkham shot up from his seat, grateful for the interruption.
Elly didn't try to stop him—but she reached into her desk drawer and pulled something out before he made it to the door.
"Wait."
He turned, and she tossed a small object at him. He caught it instinctively. A black, metallic bracelet with a small screen, just like a smart watch.
"I had yours fixed," she said. "In the past you doesn't need to wear one, but you're officially on the awakening list now. Hero or not, everyone with a power needs one of these."
Arkham stared at it for a moment. His old one had broken years ago, and no one ever bothered to replace it.
Now… things were different. He strapped the bracelet onto his wrist, the screen lighting up as it registered him. "Thanks," he muttered, giving her a nod before turning toward the door.
"Be careful out there, Arkham," Elly called after him. "And don't forget to call me later."
He didn't look back, but he raised a hand in silent acknowledgement.
In the hallway, chaos buzzed like electricity. Students rushed past. Teachers barked out orders, directing them to stay in line.
Arkham jogged along with the crowd, his pace calm amid the rush—until a sharp voice rang out ahead.
"Arkham!"
He looked up. A stern-looking instructor stood near the stairwell, arms crossed. His narrowed eyes locked onto Arkham like a heat-seeking missile.
"You didn't report in yesterday," the man barked, stepping forward. "And your grades are already scraping the bottom. You think you can just skip out whenever you feel like it?"
Arkham opened his mouth to respond, but the teacher didn't wait. "Get in line, now. You want to keep your spot in this academy, you'd better show us something today."
Arkham gave a slight nod, biting back the urge to fire off something sarcastic. This wasn't the time. He slipped into formation behind one of the squads, ignoring the chuckles and murmurs already bubbling around him.
"He actually showed up?"
"It's amazing he doesn't quite even all this time."
The laughter didn't bother him. He was used to it.
Then, a familiar hand clapped down on his shoulder. "Hey, ass-man!" a too-loud voice called out beside him. "What the hell happened yesterday?"
Arkham didn't need to look to know who it was. Derek.
Derek grinned, wide and unapologetic, his short spiked hair barely staying in place as he jogged beside Arkham. "I tried calling you, man, but your phone was off. Then I heard some gang beat you up near the old alley. You good?"
Arkham glanced sideways at him, eyes narrowing. 'So you're the one who told Elly. You bastard.'
Derek, ever oblivious or just good at pretending, laughed and nudged him with an elbow. "Hey, seriously—I was worried, alright? I even went looking for you when I heard the rumor. But there's no one in that alley."
Arkham's brows drew together. "Wait… tell me everything. Which alley did you go to?"
Despite the teasing tone, there was always a quiet trust between them. Derek had been with him since high school. And "ass-man"—as annoying as the nickname was came from a stupid incident years ago that somehow stuck. Derek never let it go. Yet even with his loud mouth and chaotic energy, he always had Arkham's back.
Derek rubbed the back of his neck, his grin easing a little. "Well, I was messing around at that bar on East Fourth—you know, the one with the cheap drinks and the even cheaper music—trying to get lucky." He shot a sideways smirk. "Didn't work, by the way."
Arkham rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. "Then this punk from the White Skull gang walks in, big grin on his face, telling anyone who'd listen how he beat up some loser from the Hero Academy. Said the guy cannot even fight back." Derek's expression darkened. "Took me two seconds to realize he was talking about you."
Arkham's gaze sharpened.
"I asked him real nice," Derek said, smirking again. "And when he puffed up like a clown and didn't give me straight answers, I reminded him that I have awakened. He backed down fast. After that, I gave him a little lesson in humility… and then I went looking for you."
As Derek spoke, things began to click in Arkham's mind. 'So while I was inside the scenario… my body just disappeared from this world?'
A frown tugged at his lips. 'Just what kind of system is this? Is it really creating fake worlds? Or am I actually leaving this one behind every time…?'