Chapter-2: first theft
The world froze. There was no sound, no movement—not even the wind dared to breathe. Raj stood still, unable to move as his heartbeat slammed violently against his chest, too loud, too fast, almost suffocating him from within. In front of him floated a glowing translucent screen, unreal yet terrifyingly clear. [Do you wish to steal?] His fingers trembled as he stared at it, his mind rejecting what his eyes were seeing. This isn't real… it can't be… Just moments ago, he was nothing more than an F-rank—trash, someone already erased by the world. And now… steal?
His gaze slowly shifted, locking onto a red mark glowing in the distance. It hovered above a familiar figure. The same boy. The one who had kicked him. The one who had laughed. And even now… he was still laughing, still mocking, completely unaware. Raj's jaw tightened as pain surged through his body—his stomach burned, his back throbbed—but beneath that pain, something else began to rise. Something colder. Something darker. He hit me… The thought lingered for a moment… and then Raj let out a quiet laugh. It was soft, low, and unfamiliar—even to himself.
His breathing steadied as the screen flickered again. [Target Locked] Steal: Ability / Talent / Luck / Future. The options echoed in his mind. So many choices. So much power. His heart pounded harder. If this is real… A faint smile slowly formed on his lips. "…then why not?"
"Hey!" the boy suddenly shouted, noticing him. "What are you staring at, trash?" Raj didn't answer. He simply looked at him. Straight into his eyes. For the first time, there was no fear. The boy frowned, irritated. "You got a problem?" Raj slowly raised his hand. It trembled slightly, his body still weak—but his eyes didn't shake anymore. Not even a little.
"…Steal."
For a split second, nothing happened.
Then—
Snap.
A thin, almost invisible thread shot out, twisting through the air like something alive. It connected.
The boy froze.
"…What the—?" Confusion spread across his face. Then it changed. Slowly. Into fear. "W-what is this?!"
Raj felt it.
A flow.
Something was being pulled—ripped—from the boy and dragged into him. It was warm. Heavy. Alive. His body trembled violently as the sensation surged through him. His eyes widened.
It's real…
"Stop! What are you doing?!" the boy screamed, panic breaking through his voice. But Raj didn't stop. He couldn't. Or maybe… he didn't want to.
[Extraction in process]
The thread pulsed faster. Stronger. The boy dropped to his knees, his body shaking uncontrollably. "I… I feel weak…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
Raj felt the opposite.
Stronger.
His breathing steadied. The pain in his body… disappeared.
So this is… power.
Then—
Snap.
The thread broke.
Silence returned.
The boy collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Raj stood there, motionless.
[Theft Successful]
[Strength Increased]
[Minor Ability Acquired]
He slowly curled his fingers.
No trembling.
Not anymore.
A faint smile appeared on his face—cold, quiet, dangerous.
"…So this is how it works."
Footsteps echoed in the distance. Voices. More students were coming. Raj lifted his head, his eyes shifting toward the sound.
They were different now.
Empty.
Hungry.
Who's next?
(Chapter-2 Ended)