After our three characters—Noah, Liam, and Luke—failed to find any way to stop the overwhelming power known as Retnuoc, they discovered that his ability disables any kind of power that comes near him. That means they can't use their powers to stop him at all.
The only solution is to find someone with no powers.
But all humans are just normal, weak people… until Noah remembers one person: a human whose strength is completely unnatural.
His name is Shane.
But how do Noah and Shane know each other? And how does a normal human like Shane have such unnatural strength?
That's what we're going to find out in this chapter from The Path.
Back at Shane's house, all four characters are gathered. Luke and Liam have a thousand questions. Shane is smiling quietly, almost amused by them, while Noah sits seriously, staring at Shane in complete silence.
That silence breaks when Liam finally asks:
Liam: Woah, woah, woah—Noah, how do you know this guy?
Shane(smirking): You didn't tell them? Oh man… that really hurts my feelings, bro.
Noah: There was no time.
Shane: Bro, you're still stupid. You could've told them that stupid story while you were coming in on that plane.
Luke: You know what a plane is?
Shane: You racist motherfu— what? Just because I live in the middle of nowhere, you think I don't know what a plane is?
Luke: No! No, he didn't mean that, he meant—
Shane: Oh, so he meant something even worse. Oh my God. Noah, are they always like this?
Noah: More or less.
Luke and Liam look embarrassed.
Shane(laughing): I'm just messing with you. Yes, I know what a plane is. And yes, I have Wi-Fi in this house. There's no password, so your devices stay connected in case something bad happens.
Liam: We're really sorry. We didn't mean it like that.
Shane: Apology accepted. But don't be racist.
Liam(whispering to Luke): I'm really getting tired of the racist stuff happening to us.
Shane: So… what's the occasion for you to come here, Noah?
Noah: I need your help, and—
Shane: I'll stop you there, from what I remember. The last time we met, which is also the first, you said...
Noah: "I don't think there is a way that I will ever ask for your help ever again." Yes, I remember, but this one is important, and there's no way I can stop this without you because I'm the only one who knows how strong you are.
Shane: I'll stop you there. From what I remember, the last time we met—which was also the first—you said…
Noah:"I don't think there is a way that I will ever ask for your help ever again."
Yes, I remember. But this is important, and there's no way I can stop this without you, because I'm the only one who knows how strong you are.
Shane: First of all, you're not the only one in that city who knows how strong I am. Sarah knows too.
Luke: You know Sarah?
Shane: Yes. Now shut up, you racist.
Luke:(doesn't know how to respond)
Shane: Secondly, you don't know my level of power—because I don't know it myself.
Noah: But I do know it's enough for what's coming.
Shane: I don't know… I have important stuff to take care of.
Noah: If this monster succeeds, I don't think you'll ever get the chance to finish that stuff.
Shane: I don't know…
Noah: Shane, why are you so stubborn?
Shane: You know exactly why.
Noah: Oh, come on. What happened can't be changed.
Shane: But the blame persists.
Liam: I'm sorry, I tried to stay calm as long as possible, but what the hell happened between you two?
Luke: Liam is right. Even though we're in a hurry and we need his help, before we do something we'll regret…
Noah: What do you want from me exactly?
Luke: Answers, Noah. We want answers—like who this guy is, and how we've never heard of him or seen him in the database.
Liam: Exactly. I thought we had information on every person we know.
Shane: Come on, tell them.
Noah: There's no time.
Shane: Oh, COME ON. You're still a joy-killer.
Noah: I thought you didn't like wasting time.
Shane: On something ridiculous. But come on, Noah—it's a story. Anyone has time for a short story.
Noah: Except this isn't a short story… but fine. I'll tell you.
Long ago, after Luke and Liam separated from M.T.C.W. to find their own way to help, Noah was the only leader left there with Sarah. The Core City was still growing, so Noah did his best not to ruin anything.
Until one day, a demon came to the city, destroying everything in its path. Noah didn't know who he was, but like any other threat, he knew he needed to be stopped before he killed innocent people.
Noah: What's happening in the city?
Sarah: I'm still trying to get an analysis of what's going on.
Noah: Please hurry so I can know what I'm up against.
Sarah: And… done, sir. You're facing a—
Noah: Talk. What is it?
Sarah: You won't believe it…
Noah: Oh, please. It can't be that bad.
Sarah: You're facing a demon.
Noah: A WHAT? A demon… like a demon demon?
Sarah: Yes. I didn't believe it myself at first, but that's what the analysis says.
Noah: How is that even possible? There hasn't been a sign of demons in a long time, and out of nowhere one shows up—here? Something must be wrong somewhere.
Sarah: Sir, why are you worried? You've faced things far more dangerous.
Noah: Not like demons. You see… demons are the anti-life.
Sarah: Anti-life?
Noah: I'll explain later. For now, I need to try stopping this demon before he hurts someone. Teleport me there.
With one click of a button, Sarah teleported Noah from his location straight into the middle of the city—right where the demon was. Noah found himself surrounded by destruction, smoke filling the air as he tried to locate the creature responsible.
While searching, he noticed a small shadow in the distance. It grew bigger… and closer… fast. Only when it was almost on top of him did he realize it wasn't a shadow at all—it was a car flying directly toward him. Luckily, Noah summoned his trident just in time and split the car in half.
Realizing how close that was, Noah knew he needed to stay focused. He slammed his trident onto the ground, blasting away all the smoke so he could see clearly. And then he saw him—the demon—standing far away, staring directly at Noah as if he had sensed the teleportation the moment it happened.
Noah prepared himself to move in and attack, but the instant he blinked, the demon appeared right in front of him. Noah stumbled back and finally got a clear look.
The demon was massive, hulking, horrifying—long claws, razor-sharp teeth, and eyes with no iris or pupil, just solid white. Despite his fear—despite never having seen anything like this—Noah reminded himself of his duty. He swung his trident, but the attack did nothing.
He stepped back again and called Sarah, instructing her to teleport all civilians near the area, because this fight wasn't ending quickly or safely. Sarah immediately began teleporting people into the tower—the safest place in the city.
Once the area was cleared, Noah focused. He fired a blast of water at the demon, trying to push him back, but the demon leaped over the attack and lunged with his claws. Noah barely dodged and counter-attacked with his trident. This time, the strike did some damage. Surprised, the demon continued attacking at close range, and Noah responded with precise dodges and counterattacks.
Growing furious, the demon pretended to swipe with his claws, causing Noah to dodge upward. At that moment, the demon tricked him and kicked him brutally in the chest, launching him into a nearby building.
Noah got up quickly, but before he could locate the demon, it appeared right next to him, ready to strike again. Noah blocked with his trident, but the impact was so strong that both he and the demon were sent flying.
"How the hell did I survive that?" Noah muttered, finding himself inside a partially destroyed skyscraper. "This is not looking good. I have no idea how to get rid of this demon…"
Before he could plan, a massive boulder shot toward him. Noah searched desperately for the demon, but the demon found him first. Noah jumped into the air to avoid the boulder—only for the demon to grab his leg midair and hurl him into the ground.
Noah created a thick water bubble around himself to lessen the impact. As he looked up and saw the demon coming for him again, he created a spinning circular water blade—sharp enough to slice anything clean. With perfect timing, he launched it, and it cut straight through the demon's neck. The demon's body collapsed, followed by his severed head.
Now that the demon was seemingly defeated, Noah finally relaxed and prepared to leave.
But then a voice spoke behind him:
"Not bad for a human."
Noah turned—and saw the demon standing there again, completely alive, head reattached.
He wasn't surprised. He had expected this.
The demon grinned.
Demon: You must be really special. I don't know any other human who could've survived all of this…but not for long.
Noah: (silent)
Demon: You don't want to talk? Fine. I'll give you another chance. I will do nothing, and you can attack me however you want. You'd better kill me—because if you don't, I will kill you afterward.
Noah: What's the catch?
Demon: There is no catch. I just want to see your full potential. You're strong, but not strong enough at this moment. Either you kill me, or the city falls. Think about it, human.
Noah sensed something was wrong, but he wasn't going to waste an opportunity. He summoned his trident, took a deep breath, and focused all his strength into it. The weapon began to vibrate as power surged through it, a stream of water spiraling around the trident like a living aura.
Noah looked up—the demon still hadn't moved.
He didn't hesitate. He threw the trident with all his power. As it left his hand, memories and promises flashed through his mind—things he needed to fix, people he needed to protect, everything at stake.
The trident shot forward faster than sound, piercing straight through the demon's heart and bursting out through his back.
Noah grinned, thinking he had won.
But then he noticed the demon smiling back.
Demon: "I told you not to waste this chance."
Before Noah could react, he suddenly sensed the demon standing on his left. The creature grabbed him by the neck and lifted him effortlessly.
Noah (struggling): How are you still alive?
Demon: You really don't know anything about demons, do you?
Noah: I know you're anti-life.
Demon: Then I bet you didn't know demons also have three hearts.
Noah: Why three? Worried a woman might break one?
Demon: Hmph. Sarcasm. So these are your last words.
Still gripping Noah by the throat, the demon dashed across the city and slammed him through building after building. Noah's strength faded with every impact. Finally, the demon threw him hard, launching him into a distant structure. Before Noah could recover, the demon tore an entire building from the ground and hurled it toward him.
Noah was too exhausted to move.
But the building suddenly stopped—only two steps away from crushing him.
In the blur of his fading consciousness, Noah saw a man: black T-shirt, a massive sword on his shoulder, and one hand effortlessly holding the falling building in place.
Then everything went dark.
Noah woke up suddenly in the M.T.C.W. tower, terrified for a moment—until he noticed the scars on his body. The battle hadn't been a dream.
Sarah rushed into the room, relieved.
Sarah: Oh my god, you're awake! I can't believe it!
Noah: What happened?
Sarah: You don't remember? You were fighting the demon and you just—
Noah: No, I remember that. I mean after I lost consciousness.
Sarah: Oh. I sent the Black Ops to retrieve you and stop the demon. It worked.
Noah: I'm sorry—what? The Black Ops stopped the demon?
Sarah: Actually, he surrendered after they stabbed him with electric spears.
Noah: Wow. I guess I underestimated the Black Ops.
Sarah: Actually… he cooperated all the way until we put him in a cell.
Noah: YOU BROUGHT HIM HERE?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!
Sarah: Yes. I can show you where he is.
Noah: Sarah, I need to see him now. That demon is no joke.
Sarah: Okay, I'll show you. But after—
Noah: (gets out of bed) There is no "after." I need to see him. NOW.
Sarah: Before you interrupt me again… I was going to say after you put on your clothes. You're still in patient clothes, and they're revealing some… inappropriate places.
Noah: (looks down) Oh.
As they walked toward the demon's containment area, Noah began asking questions.
Noah: Sarah, how long was I unconscious?
Sarah: About twenty-four hours.
Noah: Twenty-four hours?! Wow… I don't know what to say except I'm sorry I couldn't stop the demon.
Sarah: I'm sorry too—for what I'm about to say. But you're stupid.
Noah: Sarah?
Sarah: You heard me. We know each other well enough. You don't have to do everything alone. If the Black Ops couldn't stop that demon, I was going to call Noah and Luke and start fighting him myself until they arrived.
Noah: Thank you, Sarah. But I promise you—it won't get to that.
Sarah: Anyway, do you have any other questions?
Noah: No—actually, yes. When I was losing consciousness, there was a guy standing in front of me. Black T-shirt, huge sword.
Sarah: Sir… are you okay?
Noah: Yes. Why are you asking?
Sarah: (showing Noah the cell) Because the description you gave matches exactly the demon we captured.
Noah stared at the man inside the cell—a guy in a black T-shirt, hanging upside down, chained by his arms and legs… and sleeping.
Noah: Sarah, this is not the demon. Why is he here?
Sarah: Are you sure?
Noah: Does he look like a demon to you?
Sarah: Well… the analysis said he is. And he was the only one there when I sent the Black Ops.
Noah: This guy is the one who saved me from the building that almost crushed me.
Sarah: Actually, when my squad arrived, he was still holding that building in one hand. I thought he was about to throw it at you.
Noah: No, we're past that. The point is—this is not the demon. Which means the demon is still out there.
???: That's nice and all, but I have an important question. Can I go now? I have a demon to catch.
Noah: You're awake.
Shane: Apparently so. Would you allow me to leave now?
Noah: Not until you answer some questions. Starting with—who the hell are you?
Shane: Seriously? Fine. If you want to do this now, sure. I'll play your stupid game. I'm the one who saved your ass before that building fell on you.
Noah: It was you?
Shane: No, it was Santa Claus. Christmas came early this year.
Noah: I'm grateful you saved me, but I'm still shocked. You're just a human—how did you stop a whole building?
Shane: With my hands.
Noah: Oh my god… alright. Different question—what's your name?
Shane: Shane.
Noah: That was surprisingly fast. Most people I know don't like saying their names.
Shane: Bro, I just want to get out of here. I have more important stuff to do.
Noah: Like stopping the demon—you mentioned that earlier.
Shane: Yes, and I meant it. Tell me—(points to Sarah) is he always like this?
Sarah: My name is Sarah. And yes… more or less.
Shane: See? This is how people talk when they don't want to waste time. Sarah understands how a conversation works.
Sarah: And I'm the leader of the Black Ops—the ones who came after you.
Shane: You WHAT? I'm… amazed.
Sarah: To be honest, that's not the reaction I was hoping for.
Shane: What did you expect?
Sarah: I don't know—anger? My squad captured you.
Shane: I wouldn't say "captured." More like—I surrendered.
Sarah: No, I'm pretty sure we captured you.
Shane: Because I didn't fight back.
Sarah: You didn't get the chance to!
Shane: No, I had the chance. I just didn't want to make trouble.
Sarah: But—
Noah: Enough. You two sound like kids. Shane, how do I stop this demon?
Shane: Ha! I'm not falling for that.
Noah: Falling for what?
Shane: You want me to tell you how to stop the demon, so you go fight him while I stay here.
Noah: …Yes.
Shane: I knew it.
Noah: I'm sorry, Shane. But I still don't know your true intentions.
Shane: Doesn't matter. I'll tell you how to stop him anyway.
Noah: I told Shane I couldn't—wait, what?
Shane: I'll tell you how to stop him.
Noah: Why? Even though you know you're staying here?
Shane: Because the next time you fight him—and he will kick your ass again—right before he kills you, I want you to remember that you had a chance to end it but chose to ignore it.
And besides—you're not going to find the one thing you need to kill him.
Noah: What am I going to need?
Shane: So you did ignore everything I said… fine. You need one thing to stop him: an ancient black stone.
Noah: Ancient black stone?
Shane: What? You've never heard of it?
Noah: I did hear of it, it's just…
Sarah: It doesn't exist anymore. At least not on this Earth.
Shane: And how exactly do you know that?
Noah: Luke. He's a friend of ours, and he's kind of an expert in stones, rocks… that kind of stuff.
Sarah: If the Black Stone is the only way to hurt demons, then that means you have one, right, Shane?
Shane: First, the Black Stone doesn't kill demons easily. It just gives you a chance to damage them. Second, I don't have the Black Stone because… I kind of destroyed the last one.
Noah: YOU DID WHAT?!
Sarah: We're doomed.
Shane: For a good reason. Just hear me out.
Noah: Oh my God—okay. Go on.
Shane: I destroyed the last stone so I could melt it down. In other words, I forged it into Black Stone metal.
Noah: So you can reforge it—like into a sword. That's actually not bad thinking, Shane.
Shane: Thank you… but no.
Noah: What?
Shane: My thinking is beyond that. I took the Black Stone metal and turned it into something bigger. I used it to create nanotechnology.
Sarah: Nanotechnology? It's hard enough to make that even in M.C.T.W. It takes months. How did you manage it?
Shane: It wasn't easy, trust me. It took me a year and a half. But I created nanotech that can transform into anything I need to kill a demon—as long as I've held that weapon before and I know how it operates.
Noah: That's impressive. Then please—can I borrow it to kill the demon?
Shane: Well… that's the problem. I didn't stop there.
Sarah: What do you mean?
Shane: I also placed a type of magic on every piece of nanotech so that no one can use it or even hold it except me.
Noah: Why would you do that?
Shane: For situations exactly like this.
Noah: …Okay, that actually makes sense.
Sarah: You're not as stupid as we thought you'd be.
Shane: Thank you—wait a minute.
Noah: We need to think about this, Sarah. Alone. Follow me.
(They step aside.)
Noah: What do you think?
Sarah: I say we trust him.
Noah: What? Why?
Sarah: If he wanted to hurt you, he could've done it when you were unconscious.
Noah: …Good point.
Sarah: And don't tell him, but he didn't fight back when my squad surrounded him.
Noah: You're right. And I think he knows something about the demon that we don't.
Sarah: You mentioned something about "anti-life" or whatever.
Noah: Yeah. Anti-life. It's like an alternate world to ours—just much more dangerous.
Sarah: And you think the demon came from there?
Noah: I'm sure of it. I just don't know how to stop something from that world.
Sarah: But Shane does.
Noah: I still don't trust him.
Sarah: Then I think I have a solution.
Noah: What is it?
Sarah explained the plan:
They would plant a microscopic bomb in Shane's bloodstream so he would have to follow their orders. If he tried anything dangerous, they could detonate it.
Noah agreed.
They returned to Shane and asked for his help. Shane immediately accepted. The moment he did, he broke the chains effortlessly, dropped onto his feet, and shattered the cell bars as he stepped out, standing in front of Noah and Sarah.
Shane explained that he knew they didn't trust him and was willing to accept any safety measure if it meant stopping the demon. Sarah admitted they were planning to implant a microscopic bomb without telling him. Shane said that if they had just explained it earlier, he would've agreed—because he understood perfectly. He was a stranger in a land that wasn't his. Of course they wouldn't trust him. And honestly, he didn't fully trust them either.
But if they wanted to stop the demon, they needed each other.
Shane couldn't track the demon alone. Noah couldn't defeat it alone.
Ravaha planted the microscopic bomb, Shane accepted it without resistance…
And that moment became the first true meeting between Noah and Shane.
Later, they went to the planning room — a hall filled with cutting‑edge technology and a massive hologram of Core City showing live data, agents, and operations that kept the city safe day and night.
Shane was truly amazed.
Shane: Nice room. I like it. Who designed it?
Noah: Sarah did.
Shane: Really?
Sarah: You seem surprised.
Shane: Of course I am. You're the leader of a Black Ops team and a technical genius. You're amazing. Noah, give this woman a raise.
Sarah (shy): You heard him. Noah— I didn't say anything!
Noah: You've been here for fifteen minutes and you already turned Sarah against me.
Shane: That's what I do.
Noah: Okay, let's find this demon. Shane, any idea how to track him?
Shane: Have you ever heard of anti-life?
Noah: I have. It's like an alternate world, right?
Shane: Not exactly.
Shane explained:
Anti‑life wasn't an alternate world — it was the energy of that world.
Just like Noah used life‑energy from this world to fight, the creatures of the anti‑world used anti‑life energy.
To find the demon, they needed a trace of that energy. Noah asked how they would locate it.
Shane smirked and told him they didn't need to find someone who had anti‑life — because demons weren't humans. They only needed to scan the city for abnormal heat signatures. Demon body temperature was above normal humans.
Sarah quickly adjusted the hologram's scan to search for anyone above 36°C.
Within seconds, a match appeared on the west side of Core City… underground.
Noah immediately told Shane to get ready because they were going after him.
Shane generated a large sword from the nanotech gloves on his hands, resting it on his shoulder.
Shane: So? What are we waiting for?
Sarah: Is that the sword you were talking about?
Shane: Yes… and no.
Sarah frowned, confused. Shane explained that his "sword" wasn't just a sword — the nanotech allowed it to transform into multiple weapons, from blades to guns. And only he could control it.
Sarah admitted that even with M.C.T.W.'s advanced tech, they never imagined something like that. Shane laughed and told her she'd be surprised what a genius could do with limited resources.
Shane then asked how they were getting to the west side.
Noah tossed him a small device.
Noah: With this. It can teleport us anywhere in the city — with Sarah controlling it.
Shane opened his mouth to ask something, but before he could finish, Sarah pressed a button…and they instantly teleported.
Shane stood there in shock, then grinned — he loved it. But he quickly noticed that he and Noah had appeared in a crowded area. People stared at Noah — he was famous — while nobody recognized Shane.
Noah started to worry they might have misread the demon's location. He wanted to ask Shane again if he was sure.
But before Noah could speak, Shane threw his sword straight into a little boy's chest.
People screamed and ran in terror.
Noah: ARE YOU CRAZY?!
I knew it was a mistake to ask for your help!
Shane: Shut up and look at the kid.
Noah froze.
The boy's body twisted, bones cracking, skin melting… transforming into the demon who had defeated Noah before.
Noah: They can shapeshift?
Shane: A few. But only if they've eaten the person.
Noah: Wait… that means—
Shane: Yes. He ate that kid.
Noah: That monster…
The demon finished transforming and slammed the ground, creating a shockwave and a thick fog. As it cleared, the demon spotted Noah.
Demon: So you came back for another beating, mortal. And you brought a friend.
The fog thinned. The demon finally saw Shane — and instantly began to tremble.
Shane smirked.
Shane: There you are, Freddy.
Noah: Who?
Shane: The demon. His name is Freddy.
Noah: How do you know— you know what? Never mind, I already have too much on my plate. After we deal with him, you leave the city.
Shane: I thought that was the plan all along.
Shane recalled his sword from Freddy's body and sprinted forward, aiming to decapitate him in one swing. Freddy barely dodged, getting a cut across his nose.
Shane instantly morphed the sword into two massive metal gauntlets and punched Freddy so hard he crashed through a building, bringing it down with him.
Noah launched a massive blast of water energy at the rubble, hoping to end it.
While checking if the demon was dead, Noah turned to Shane.
Noah: So… what are your powers?
Shane: I don't have any.
Noah: Nice joke.
Shane: I'm not joking.
Noah: You expect me to believe you punched a demon hard enough to kill him without powers?
Shane: Believe what you want. You can check with the microscopic bomb in my neck.
Noah called Sarah.
Noah: Sarah, what power does Shane have?
Sarah: One moment… That's weird. I don't detect any supernatural energy in his body. Not even a trace. But the rest is… ninety-nine percent human strength.
Noah: How is that even possible?
Shane just smirked.
Suddenly the ground shook. The demon burst out from beneath them, now twice his size — a massive lizard‑like monster with huge hands.
He tried to crush Noah, but Noah created a spherical water barrier.
The demon roared, preparing another attack — but something stopped him.
He looked behind and saw Shane gripping his tail.
Shane: Nice tail you've got here.
Shane lifted him and slammed him into the ground so hard it created a crater. He jumped on top of him, ready to cut off his head.
But Noah yelled for him to stop.
Shane looked confused. Noah explained that they could use the demon in the lab to understand anti‑life energy. Shane argued it was too dangerous to keep a monster like this alive.
Before Noah replied, the ground began to vibrate violently.
The demon unleashed his full power in a massive explosion, sending Shane flying back beside Noah. Red energy burst from Freddy's body, growing stronger and destroying everything around him.
Freddy: If I can't take the power of the Crystal Core…
Then I'll destroy EVERYTHING with it — including you two!
Shane: You think this is the first time I've dealt with a suicidal demon?
Shane turns to Noah and whispers to him.
Shane: This is actually the first time I'm dealing with a suicidal demon in a city.
Noah: WHAT? I thought YOU THE EXPERT.
Shane: I am, but I'm not used to fighting them in a place where there are casualties.
Sarah calls them to warn him of what is about to happen.
Sarah: Noah, Shane, do you copy?
Noah: Loud and clear.
Sarah: You need to stop him now if he explodes...
Noah: He will destroy the city, I know.
Sarah: Not just that. The impact of the explosion will reach the crystal core too, and because it is still unstable, the energy coming out of it will destroy a part of the Earth, creating a hole in it. Taking away forty percent from it, killing not just millions but billions in the process.
Noah: So what do we do?
Sarah: We need to get rid of his explosion, sending him to a distant place where the impact won't reach the crystal.
Noah: How about teleporting him? We can stick a teleportation device in him and...
Shane: No, we can't risk sending his explosion somewhere else; it could be dangerous to people who live around those areas. Even where I'm fighting them, it's not a good place.
Noah: Why?
Shane (laughing): It's next to my house.
Noah: ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Shane: But don't worry, I have a plan.
Noah: Are you sure it's a good plan?
Shane: Kinda, but do you trust me?
Noah: For the sake of my city, I have to.
Shane told Noah the plan. Noah wasn't sure, but he had to do it.
He used his power to create a small barrier around the demon, making him confused and unable to see what was in front of him. The angrier the demon got, the more energy came out, making it hard for Noah to hold him. Shane came from behind the demon, creating a giant translucent dome from his nanotech sword, trapping him inside. Noah used his power to close more on top of the dome, levitating it slightly, so Shane could use his physical strength to punch it into the air, away from the core city. But because the dome was heavy, it kept falling, so Shane jumped into the air, punching it again. This time Shane fell while the dome went up, but before hitting the ground, he landed on one of the skyscrapers, jumped again, and punched the dome. He repeated this so fast even Noah couldn't believe it.
Shane kept punching until he sent the dome into space, where the demon exploded. The impact reached Shane while he was falling, sending him like a meteor to the battlefield, the demon destroying everything near him. Noah ran toward the crash, screaming at Shane, thinking he was dead, but to his surprise, Shane was alive, struggling to get unstuck from the ground.
Shane: Can you give me a hand here?
Noah: What the hell are you, Shane?
Shane: Fine, I'll help myself.
Noah: I'm serious. No human can survive that fall, especially one without powers.
Shane: Oh, you don't need to be mean about it.
Noah: Hey, look, I'm sorry for being rude and also for the destruction of your sword.
Shane: Oh, my sword is fine. It just scattered.
Shane called his nanotech to him and recreated his sword. Before Noah and Shane could finish their conversation, the people of the city surrounded them. Noah thought they wanted to thank them, but they were angry. They started screaming, and Noah couldn't understand what they were saying. He assumed it was because of the destruction. He promised them everything would be back to normal and that he would compensate for their losses. But he wasn't ready for a mother approaching him with a picture of her son—the child the demon had eaten to shapeshift, the same kid everyone saw Shane strike with his sword.
Noah tried to explain, but they refused to believe him. They thought Noah was defending his friend. They weren't mad at Noah—they were mad at Shane. They started throwing rocks and called him a child killer. That name hurt Shane. He created a small knife, removed the chip in his neck, and jumped far away so he could never be seen.
Noah was worried. Then he checked his pocket and found a business card with Shane's name and location. "I'll be here if you need me to see you later." That was the last time Noah saw Shane until now.
Back to the present, Luke and Liam didn't believe what they heard. It was hard to imagine this had happened while they were away. They asked why the news didn't cover it. Noah admitted he had paid the N.C.A. (News Cover All) money so they wouldn't post anything outside the city, fearing it would ruin the city's reputation.
Shane: Well, that's a cool story and all, but I'm not going back to that city.
Liam: What! Why?
Luke: We need your help.
Noah: You said on the card you would help me if I needed it.
Shane: Yes, I said it, but now I have priorities and responsibilities you won't understand.
Noah: What do you need? I will give it to you, but I need your help. The danger coming—I can't describe it—but he defeated all three of us, and somehow he knows where the crystal core is.
Shane: Wait, all three of you? Really? How?
Liam: He has a power that disables ours every time we try to attack him or get close.
Noah: From what I saw, you can do it. You're the only one who can't be affected by his power because you don't have one, and somehow you're strong enough to punch a dome into space.
Shane thought for a moment. Returning to a place where he was known as a villain was hard, but he remembered something: he didn't care what people thought of him.
Shane: One billion dollars.
Noah: What?
Shane: This time it's not for free. One billion dollars, and I'll kill that monster for you.
Luke: Are you serious? The world is about to end, and all you think about is money?
Shane: Hey, if the monster succeeds and destroys the world, I gain nothing. But if I defeat him, I earn money for my talent of being powerless. Plus, you are the M.C.T.W.—Money Controls The World, right? It's literally in the name. So, what do you say, Noah?
Liam: Are you really considering…
Noah: Deal.
Luke and Liam: WHAT?
Shane: Alright then, gentlemen. Let's go hunt us a monster.
To be Continued…