Mr. Zeolen was waiting for them near the high-security elevators. "Welcome, everyone. Please, come with me to my office," he said, gesturing for them to follow.
Once inside the office, Zeolen wasted no time. "We are preparing to take decisive action against Kem. You may wonder how a scientific institute is authorized to take military-grade action against a single individual."
Tadashi spoke up, his intelligence shining through. "Not at all. Everyone knows the Bright Future Institute is a government-sanctioned facility. If there's a crisis involving a power source or a breach of high-level technology, this Institute has the authority to intervene. You aren't just a research center; you're an agency of power resources."
"Absolutely correct," Zeolen replied, impressed. "Now, look. This is one of my greatest scientists, Amaxo. He will explain the biological mechanics behind the Ebo Insulin."
Amaxo stepped forward, adjusting a holographic display. "Hello, everyone. Listen closely. The Ebo Insulin is not a standard pharmaceutical; it is a concentrated power resource—a Metabolic Key. It targets the mitochondria, the power plants in every human cell, and forces them into a state of permanent overdrive."
Amaxo continued, "The immediate effects we observed—the super strength, the ocular changes, and the kinetic blasts—are sudden reactions to the insulin's synthesis. Kem is now an exponential energy reactor. Here is the breakdown:"
* Strength and Senses: His cells are producing ATP (Energy/Emorta) at a rate that should be physically impossible. This fuels extreme muscle contraction and accelerates his nervous system to superhuman speeds.
* Kinetic Force: That burst that threw the servant? That was raw, invisible force containing Emorta. He is unconsciously projecting a localized, bio-magnetic field.
* The Problem: The insulin initiates a positive feedback loop. His body is generating energy faster than it can be safely dissipated...Kem gets stronger every time he uses his power. This means he is not just improving; he is biologically evolving in real-time. He is an accelerating threat."
Tadashi, Kate, and the others stood in stunned silence. "Holy Mother of God," someone whispered.
"And his power level is increasing by the day," Amaxo added grimly.
Tadashi looked up, his face determined. "How are we going to stop him?"
"Good question," Amaxo replied. "Think of the Ebo Insulin as the key that unlocked and supercharged the power plants—the mitochondria—in every one of Kem's cells. To stop that power, we need to inject a counter-agent called the Muon Deactivator (\mu-Deactivator)."
Step 01: The Muon Tentacles (\mu-Tentacles)
"We have designed the \mu-Deactivator as a large nano-ring, sized perfectly to restrain Kem. Using nanotechnology, this ring will deploy five tentacles. The first four tentacles, formed from high-density nanoparticles at the edges of the ring, will lock onto Kem's limbs to hold him tightly. Once he is secured, a fifth tentacle will emerge from the center of the ring's rim to inject the Muon Deactivator directly into Kem's chest."
"The \mu-Deactivator carries a dangerous chemical payload inside."
Step 02: Shutting Down the Power Plants
"Once the tentacles have injected the payload into the mitochondria, it releases its primary agent. This payload has two parts designed to disrupt power generation. It acts like throwing sand into the gears of a supercharged engine. This instantly shuts down the massive production of Emorta energy that grants Kem his super-strength and kinetic abilities."
Step 03: Permanent Deactivation
"The final part of the payload triggers a biological 'reset.' It instructs the now-broken, supercharged mitochondria to undergo Apoptosis—a process of self-destruction. This not only destroys the existing power source but also prevents the cells from building new ones, effectively stripping Kem of his powers forever."Amaxo continued:
"The result of this process is absolute. All hyper-powered components created by the insulin will be eliminated. Kem's body will return to relying on its normal biological functions. In simple terms: we use a counter-agent to infiltrate the power source and chemically force it to destroy itself."
Kate and the others let out a heavy sigh. "It sounds like a massive, complex process," Kate whispered.
Michal raised his hand. "I have a question, sir. Can we just inject the deactivator through a normal syringe? Like a standard injection?"
"Hmm, there is a significant problem with that," Amaxo replied, his face darkening. "After injecting the Muon Deactivator, it takes several minutes to fully shut down Kem's power. Kem would still possess his superhuman abilities for a few minutes post-injection. That creates a massive risk—he could destroy everything before the deactivator takes hold. Do you understand?"
"Got it," Michal said, looking worried.
Amaxo turned his gaze to the protagonist. "Okay, Tadashi. Tell me about your powers."
Tadashi looked at Amaxo and sighed. "Oh, well... I can fly and I am incredibly strong. But to be honest, I don't know if there are any other superpowers hiding inside me. I haven't used my abilities in eleven years."
"Oh?" Amaxo said, falling into deep thought. "Hmm. Perhaps there are latent powers within you that have never been tapped. Perhaps not... anyway, let's find out."
"How?" Tadashi asked, confused.
"There is a way," Amaxo replied. "Please, remove your shirt and your vest."
Tadashi hesitated. "For what?"
"I'll explain once you do. Just remove them."
Suddenly, the doors hissed open and Officer William rushed in. "Sir! Our police team has arrested Whizlala in Depu Forest! He is the mastermind behind the execution of the Ebo Insulin theft—the man who sent those five criminals to steal the shipment. All of these tragedies happened because of him. We finally have him in custody.""After a long time, I finally have some good news," Commissioner Jim Agard remarked, watching the preparations.
Amaxo led Tadashi to a massive, transparent cylinder. "Tadashi, step inside this tube."
Tadashi obeyed, stepping into the cold glass chamber. Amaxo began fixing a series of electronic sensors and micro-monitors across Tadashi's chest and abdomen. Suddenly, Tadashi winced. A series of microscopic needles, smaller than a human hair, pierced his skin and bypassed the dermal layer.
"Ouch! What was that?" Tadashi gasped. "I felt something... like a needle piercing my chest."
"Yes," Amaxo replied, focused on the readouts. "Those are micro-sensors designed for deep-tissue genetic analysis. That equipment will read your genetic code in real-time to identify your latent abilities. Now, stay calm."
Amaxo triggered a sedative injection. "Tadashi, you will be unconscious for the next twenty-four hours while the system works."
Tadashi's eyes fluttered shut as he drifted into a deep sleep. The tube hissed shut, and a specialized coolant—chilled water mixed with preserving agents—began to fill the chamber until it reached his neck.Meanwhile, across the city, Kem was suffering. He had sustained a severe head injury after falling from the Ferora and impacting the road at high speed. Dazed and bleeding, he stumbled into a small, secluded clinic staffed by only a single doctor and a nurse.
"Hey, can you please remove your mask?" the doctor asked, approaching him. "Your head is bleeding quite badly."
Kem pulled back the mask. The doctor froze, nearly suffering a heart attack from pure shock. He recognized the face instantly.
"You... you are that guy," the doctor stammered, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "The one who used the Ebo Insulin and killed thirty-two innocent people... Oh no... I have to call the police!"
Before the doctor could reach for his BOFL, Kem raised his hand toward a heavy metal table. With a flick of his wrist and a surge of Emorta energy, the table crumpled into scrap metal as if crushed by a giant invisible hand.
"Don't do anything else," Kem threatened, his voice a low growl. "Just treat me. You saw what happened to that table. You don't want to be next."
Terrified and trembling, the doctor grabbed his medical kit and began to dress the wound on Kem's head. "Thank you so much, doctor," Kem said, his voice dripping with a cold, terrifying irony. He stared at the man with eyes that seemed to glow with unstable Emorta energy.
The doctor was shivering violently, his breath hitching in his chest.
"You said those thirty-two people were innocent," Kem whispered, stepping closer. "Hmm... they were not innocent. You were wrong. And you... you aren't innocent either. So go to hell!"
"Oh no! Please, no, no! Oh God!" the doctor shrieked, panting in terror.
Kem didn't use his hands. He simply surged his willpower, and a massive kinetic wave blasted the doctor backward. The force was so great the doctor was thrown through the exterior wall, which shattered with a deafening roar.
The nurse heard the explosion and rushed into the office, but she was too late. Kem had already vanished into the night. All she saw was the gaping hole in the wall and a lingering blue haze in the air.
The Awakening at Bright Future
Back at the Institute, Kate stood by the glowing stasis tube. "Tadashi seems to be sleeping peacefully in there," she remarked, her voice full of concern.
"Yes," Amaxo replied, monitoring the biological readouts. "I had to keep him unconscious; it was the only way the mapping software could interface with his nervous system. He will wake up tomorrow morning."
"An entire day?" Kate asked. "He'll be out for a full day?"
"Exactly. You should all get some rest as well. I've prepared quarters for you, your father, and your brother. Try to relax."
"Yeah," Kate sighed. "I think I have to."
While they slept, the city was in chaos. Commissioner Jim Agard, William, and the rest of the Sendu police combed the streets for Kem. But Kem had retreated to the deep forest, hiding in the shadows. He could feel it—every time he used his power, he didn't just get tired; he evolved. He was becoming faster, denser, and infinitely more dangerous.
Next Day: 1:00 AM
The timer on the stasis tube hit zero. The coolant drained away, and the sensors detached from Tadashi's skin. Slowly, his eyes opened. Amaxo helped him step out of the tube, draping a warm towel over his shoulders.
Thirty minutes later, once his motor skills had returned, Tadashi looked at the scientist.
"Dr. Amaxo... did you find them? Did you find any hidden abilities?"
Amaxo looked at the data tablet in his hand, then back at Tadashi with a look of pure wonder. "Hmm... yeah. We did."
Tadashi leaned in, his heart racing. "What are they? What am I actually capable of?"
Amaxo smiled. "You've opened the door of curiosity, Tadashi. Okay, I will show you. Look at the screen..." Amaxo gestured to the glowing monitors. "Look at the screen, Tadashi. According to the genetic map, you can perceive heat signatures and structural density through solid objects within a 100-meter radius. Your ocular nerves function almost like a high-frequency scanner. I've named this ability X-Vision."
He continued, "Furthermore, your muscular twitch-response has been enhanced. You can run at speeds between 70 km/h and 100 km/h. I'm calling this ability Quick Steps."
Tadashi looked at his hands, a small smile forming. "Is that all?" he asked, feeling a surge of confidence.
Amaxo looked at him seriously. "For now. Let's try to put these hidden powers to use. We need to test them one by one to let them fully emerge."
"I felt like I was running much faster when I fought Kem," Tadashi noted.
"That was your adrenaline unlocking a fraction of your potential. You've already tapped into Quick Steps; now, let's try to activate your X-Vision. Listen to me carefully... focus your eyes on that wall. Keep your mind stable and concentrate on the layers behind the surface."
"Okay, I'll try," Tadashi said. He steadied his breathing and stared at the reinforced laboratory wall. Suddenly, his vision shifted. The concrete seemed to turn translucent, revealing the heat signatures of people in the next corridor. "Oh my god... this is a little overwhelming! I can see the people in the other room!"
"How many people are in there? Can you count them for me?" Amaxo asked, testing the accuracy.
"Easy. There are five people talking in that room. And... I can actually hear their voices."
"Ah, right. I forgot to mention," Amaxo added with a nod. "Your auditory processing is linked to the X-Vision. You can pick up localized sound vibrations within that same 100-meter radius."
"This is incredible," Tadashi said, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Amaxo let out a heavy sigh.
"Why the sigh, Doctor?" Tadashi asked, his smile fading.
"Because it's been a full day since you went into stasis," Amaxo replied grimly. "In that time, Kem has likely developed even more abilities. Based on our projections, he will gain at least two new powers in the coming days. He is improving every time he exerts himself. He is becoming something beyond 'super-strong'—he is becoming a force of nature."
Tadashi's face fell. "Oh no..."
Suddenly, a terrifying sound echoed through the facility.
Kem shouted deep within the forest, Kem clutched his chest as a sudden, sharp vibration rippled through his nervous system. His eyes snapped open, glowing with a more intense, darker hue of Emorta.
"I am feeling... something odd in my body," Kem whispered. His heightened senses were screaming, alerting him to a shift in the city's power balance. It was a premonition—a biological symptom of his newly unlocked evolutionary stage.
"Those two bastards... and that superhuman who saved them," he growled. His mind flashed back to the fight at the restaurant and the neighborhood. "That superhuman made a big mistake by hitting me. I will correct that mistake by killing him."
Kem stood up, the ground beneath his feet cracking from the sheer pressure of his aura. He let out a piercing shout that echoed through the Depu Forest, a sound filled with pure, unfiltered evil.
"Hhhhaahhhhhhh!"
The scream wasn't just a sound; it was a declaration of war, fueled by the rage of revenge....