Chapter-4: predator
"…Steal."
The word fell softly, but the effect was instant. An invisible thread snapped into existence again—this time stronger, sharper, more violent. The girl's body jerked as her eyes widened in pure terror. "N-No—!" she tried to move, but it was already too late. The thread tightened, binding her in place. "What is this?! Stop—!" Raj felt it immediately—a surge far more intense than before. Not just strength… something deeper. Something refined. [Extraction in process…] The air grew heavy, like pressure building before a storm. The girl dropped to her knees, her fingers clawing at the ground. "I can't… move…" Raj stepped closer, slow and controlled, watching carefully—learning. Her energy flowed into him, clear, smooth, and powerful. His vision sharpened. Sounds became clearer. Even her heartbeat—he could hear it. Fast. Panicked. "…So this is talent," he whispered.
The system flickered. [Stealing: Talent…] The girl screamed, a raw, broken sound. "PLEASE—STOP—!" But Raj didn't stop. He watched, cold and curious, like observing an experiment. Her voice weakened. "…someone… help…" No one came. The hallway was empty, silent except for the steady pulse of extraction. Raj clenched his fist as energy surged through him—more stable this time, more controlled, better. "…I understand now." The thread pulsed one final time—then snapped. It broke. The girl collapsed instantly, unconscious, just like the first.
Raj stood still, breathing slow and even, his body overflowing with power. [Theft Successful] → Strength Increased → Talent Acquired: Basic Combat Instinct. His eyes widened slightly. Combat instinct? A strange feeling spread through him—natural, effortless. His posture shifted subtly, balanced, ready, as if his body now knew how to fight. "…Interesting."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed—fast and urgent. Raj turned his head. Students. Teachers. They were coming back. Voices overlapped. "Over there!" "Another one?!" "What's happening today?!" Raj glanced at the girl, then at the approaching crowd, and finally at his own hand. No shaking. No hesitation. Only control. Only power. "…Two," he muttered quietly.
A teacher rushed forward, then froze. "…Again?" His face turned pale. "This isn't normal—this is an attack! Call the administration. Now!" Students backed away instinctively, fear spreading visibly. No one dared step closer.
Except one.
"…You."
A boy pointed at Raj, his hand shaking with anger. "You were here both times." Silence fell as the accusation spread. "…Wait—he's right." "Raj was here both times…" "No way…" "Is it him?" Fear turned into suspicion. Raj met their eyes one by one, calm and unbothered.
"…So what if I was?"
The words dropped quietly, but they hit hard. The boy flinched. "W-what?" Raj stepped forward just once—and the boy immediately stepped back. "…You're scared," Raj said simply. The truth landed heavier than any attack. "I'm not—!" the boy tried to argue, but his voice cracked. Raj tilted his head slightly, observing him. Weak.
The system flickered again. [Cooldown Complete] [New Targets Available] Red marks appeared—one, two, five… ten. Raj's pupils shrank slightly. "…So many?" He took a slow breath as something dark curled within him. His lips moved, not quite a smile—something more dangerous. "…Am I supposed to choose?"
"Raj." A sharp voice cut through the tension. A teacher stepped forward, commanding. "Stay where you are." Raj looked at him, their eyes locking. For a moment, the tension spiked. Even the teacher felt it—something was deeply wrong.
"…What happened here?"
Raj didn't answer immediately. He looked around—at the students, at their fear, at the distance they kept from him, at the silence. Then he spoke.
"…They were weak."
The words sent a chill through the hallway.
"What?"
Raj's gaze darkened slightly.
"…So I took it."
Dead silence followed. Even the teachers froze. The meaning was clear. Unmistakable. The accusing boy stepped back again. "…H-he's insane…" "No…" someone whispered, "…he's dangerous."
Raj heard it.
And accepted it.
"…Dangerous," he repeated softly, as if testing the word. Then he smiled—clearly this time, cold and sharp.
"…I like that."
The system pulsed brighter than before. [Host Compatibility Increasing…] Raj's eyes flickered. "…Host?" Before he could think further, a heavy presence filled the hallway. Footsteps—slow, powerful, different. The crowd parted instantly. Even the teachers stepped back.
Raj turned.
His eyes sharpened.
For the first time—
Something interesting had arrived.
A faint smile formed.
"…Finally." 🔥
[Chapter-4 Ended]