Wind whipped against Kayden's round face as Jiwoo moved through the streets in controlled bursts of super speed, his orange bulk protruding from the teenager's unbuttoned jacket like the world's most undignified passenger. Despite the indignity of his current transportation method, Kayden's analytical mind remained sharp and focused.
"I'm certain your super speed and related abilities will develop as you continue training," he observed, his voice slightly strained by the constant buffeting of air rushing past them.
"What do you mean by related abilities?" Jiwoo asked, glancing down at his feline mentor while maintaining his pace.
"To move at your speeds, you need enhanced reflexes, improved cognitive processing, dynamic vision, and other complementary abilities," Kayden explained with the patience of someone who'd spent years understanding the intricacies of awakened powers. "You possess these physical enhancements on top of your super speed. It's common for awakeners to manifest multiple interconnected abilities."
"Turn left," he instructed, using his paw to indicate direction while tracking the dark red aether that seemed to pulse through the air around them like a malevolent heartbeat.
"How long can you maintain your speed?" Kayden asked, ever the tactical analyst assessing their operational capabilities.
"About four seconds at full power, but I can use it multiple times in short bursts without completely exhausting myself," Jiwoo replied, his breathing still controlled despite their rapid movement.
"Now, where did that cat go?" Jiwoo's concern was evident in his voice.
"That way," Kayden directed with another paw gesture, his enhanced senses locked onto the aether trail. "If I'm right, we'll encounter an awakened person—the cat's owner. That's where we'll find our target."
His tone grew serious, carrying the weight of someone who understood exactly how dangerous their situation had become. "You better get ready, kid."
As they approached their destination, the sound of angry hissing cut through the evening air, confirming they were on the right track.
"Kayden, there he is!" Jiwoo exclaimed as they rounded a corner into an alleyway, spotting the black cat cornered against a brick wall.
"Wait! Hide first!" Kayden's command carried the sharp authority of a field operative. His tactical mind immediately began assessing the situation, and what he saw made his fur stand on end. "You should call that neighbor of yours. He should be capable enough to handle this."
"There's no time, Kayden!" Jiwoo's voice carried urgent desperation. "Kenji might still be at work, and that person in the red suit could leave with the cat at any moment!"
"Open your goddamn eyes, kid!" Kayden's patience finally cracked, his voice carrying the harsh reality of someone who'd survived decades in this world by never underestimating threats. "That person is an awakener, and you can't just jump blindly into a confrontation. I sensed that aether signature earlier—it's coming from him!"
What they witnessed next confirmed Kayden's worst fears.
The cat launched itself at the red-suited man, claws extended and ready to strike, but before it could make contact, the man casually flicked his hand. The cat froze mid-air as if caught in invisible chains, then was violently slammed against the brick wall with bone-jarring force.
"You can't handle this," the man said dismissively, flicking his hand again to lift the stunned feline and bash it against the wall a second time.
Jiwoo's face went pale with horror at the casual brutality, while Kayden's mind raced through tactical assessments. Shit, he's stronger than I initially thought. This kid will die if that awakener captures him.
The power display was unmistakable—perfect control achieved with minimal effort, suggesting either extensive training or naturally overwhelming ability. Telekinesis. And he's not even trying hard.
"That's it?" the man in red mused, studying his downed victim with scientific detachment. "Movement and durability better than normal cats, but not enough. Is this all he can do in his awakened state?"
The cat struggled to its feet, drawing another comment: "Oh, you didn't pass out?"
"I don't know what's going on, but I need to save that cat," Jiwoo declared, his protective instincts overriding every logical consideration.
"Don't be stupid!" Kayden's rebuke carried the hard edge of someone who'd seen too many good people die from noble intentions. "I told you he's an awakener. Do you think it'll be the same as dealing with a cat?"
"I know it'll be different, but I can do it," Jiwoo pleaded, his determination unwavering despite the obvious power disparity.
"Don't be naive, kid!" Kayden's voice turned harsh, lecturing with the brutal honesty of a veteran. "What are you going to do? You think that guy will just stand there and let you take the cat? What happens if he tries to kill you? Are you ready to fight with your life on the line? You didn't even know you were awakened until recently, and now you want to fight someone with years of experience? I'm sure beating an awakened cat made you feel confident, but fighting an awakened person is completely different!"
He paused, letting the weight of reality sink in. "Jiwoo, you cannot win. Know your limits."
Jiwoo's head dropped as he contemplated Kayden's words, and for a moment, the older awakener thought his harsh lesson had finally penetrated the teenager's heroic delusions. He should understand now that battles between awakeners are deadly affairs. He can't fight another awakener when he just discovered his powers.
But Jiwoo could be remarkably stubborn, especially when innocent lives were at stake.
"Kayden, I'll save the cat with my super speed," he announced with quiet determination, seemingly unfazed by the lecture he'd just received.
"What? Didn't you hear what I said?!" Kayden stared at him, flabbergasted by the kid's apparent death wish.
"I'm not trying to fight him. I'll grab the cat and escape," Jiwoo explained with the simple logic of someone who hadn't yet learned that plans rarely survived contact with enemy awakeners.
"I'm sorry I'm not listening to you, Kayden. I know you're worried about me."
"Huh? I was never worried abou—" Kayden began his automatic denial, but before he could finish, Jiwoo vanished from sight.
"That idiot!" Kayden muttered to himself, his tactical mind immediately recognizing the fatal flaw in the plan. "What is he trying to do? That man is already near the cat—a simple distraction won't work!"
Jiwoo materialized beside the downed cat, already crouching with his hands reaching for the injured animal. The sudden appearance caught the red-suited man completely off guard.
"Who are you?!" the awakener demanded, his composure cracking for the first time. Where did he come from? He's trying to steal my sample!
Dark red aether erupted from the man's outstretched hand like grasping tentacles, seeking to ensnare Jiwoo with telekinetic force, but the teenager disappeared before the attack could connect.
"Where the fuck did he go?" the man snarled, scanning the empty space where his target had been standing moments before. "He was right in front of me... A tracker? Dammit!"
Jiwoo reappeared beside Kayden, the rescued cat cradled protectively in his arms, and immediately they were running—well, Jiwoo was running while Kayden bounced alongside him, his considerable bulk making every step an undignified struggle.
"We did it, Kayden!" Jiwoo celebrated, relief and joy radiating from his voice.
"You fool!" Kayden panted, his words interrupted by the demands of physical exertion. "You've just made yourself known to that awakener! Do you know how much danger you're in?"
"Hey, are you listening to me, kid?!" he added when Jiwoo seemed to ignore the warning, too focused on the successful rescue to consider the long-term implications.
"But I couldn't just leave him there when I could save him," Jiwoo laughed softly, his face glowing with the satisfaction of protecting an innocent life.
Kayden's eyes widened as he truly comprehended the novelty of Jiwoo's personality. Here was someone whose naive innocence and unwavering compassion had survived intact, despite the harsh realities surrounding awakened society. After spending his entire adult life in a world where cynicism and self-preservation were survival necessities, encountering such genuine goodness was both refreshing and terrifying.
They reached Jiwoo's house gate with the teenager slightly winded and Kayden breathing heavily, still not accustomed to his current body's physical limitations.
"Dammit," Kayden gasped between breaths. "The great Kayden, out of breath from just running!"
Jiwoo chuckled at his mentor's wounded pride, but before they could enter the house, a familiar voice cut through the evening air.
"What the hell happened to you, kid?"
Kenji stood at his own gate, having just returned from work, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of Jiwoo's disheveled appearance—the rescued cat in his arms, the orange cat at his feet, the obvious signs of recent adventure written across both their faces.
His expression shifted from casual neighbor concern to something far more serious as his enhanced senses picked up traces of unfamiliar aether and the subtle signs that his young neighbor had been involved in something well beyond feeding stray cats.