But what excited me the most was the social hierarchy. Even an E-rank Gifted was treated like a noble.
Makes sense—when survival depends on strength, privileges follow naturally. And now, with my Esper power, I was officially one of them. I flexed my trembling body, feeling that familiar rush of superiority. Bella shot me a weird look before returning to wash the dishes.
I laughed to myself and kept reading. To be an official Gifted, you had to register and be recognized as a Hunter. Sure, you could refuse, but then you'd be considered a criminal. The government didn't exactly leave you a choice.
The perks, though… oh, the perks. A monthly allowance, recognition, and for C-rank Hunters and above? A harem, marriage privileges—the works. They really bent over backward to kiss Hunter's ass. No wonder each nation's power depended on the number of Hunters they had.
Finishing breakfast, I sighed and stood. Today was the weekend—no school—so time to tour the city. I tossed on my coat, laced up my lucky sneakers, and shouted, "I'll be back before 8 PM, Bella! Eating out today!"
She replied casually, "Okay."
Outside, the streets buzzed with pedestrians. I flexed my power, letting my telekinesis wander… and gave a few curvy women a playful smack on the ass. Their reactions? Priceless.
Bored after a few minutes, I headed toward the market. Clothes, food, everything screamed Hunter propaganda. Some Hunters had even debuted as idols. In the corner, I spotted a hooker strutting past with a designer purse—life here was weird.
The gap between Hunters and normals was brutal. Some awakened, got paid massive salaries for existing. The rest struggled to survive. Men either enlisted to die fighting monsters, or women sold their bodies to make ends meet.
I let out a low chuckle, a dark grin spreading across my face. Why the hell should I care? Ahahaha.
Then I saw her—Aria, my brother's love—working the streets.
I laughed as I approached. The moment she saw me, she tried to run, but I blocked her path, one hand braced against the wall, the other reaching for her.
Cold Aria, pretending not to know me after that gym incident. Typical.
She glared at me, eyes averted. "So… what are you doing here? Didn't you say you liked my brother?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You really think a man would be okay with his girl sleeping around behind his back?"
Her hands trembled. I grabbed them, meeting her gaze. "Tell me."
Her shoulders slumped. "It's… for John," she muttered, more to convince herself than me.
I tilted my head. "Why?" I genuinely didn't understand her sudden coldness.
"For… John's college money. So he can chase his dream, become a lawyer," she said, forcing a smile. Damn, brother, you're lucky to have a girl like her.
Life on the streets teaches you fast: girls like her are either broken beyond repair or hardened.
I sighed and tapped her forehead. Her eyes snapped to mine. I made a quiet "shh" and gestured toward a man eating ice cream nearby.
She looked puzzled but followed my lead. I flicked my hand, splattering the ice cream across the guy's face. People around laughed.
Her eyes darted between my hand and the mess, voice trembling. "You're… awakened?"
I shrugged. "Oh yes."
Suddenly, a cage shattered. A monster lunged forward, teeth bared, eyes wild. And in its path… a baby.
I didn't think. I moved faster than I realized, slamming into the creature and pushing it off before it could touch the kid. The crowd erupted—shouts, claps, whistles. Like I'd performed some impossible stunt. I shrugged, trying to hide how wired I felt.
"Stop it… it wasn't a big deal," I muttered, though my pulse still hammered.
And then I saw her—Aria. Her eyes followed me, wide, flickering between awe and something else… guilt, maybe. She stepped back, like she didn't belong here, like she wasn't supposed to witness this.
I exhaled and pulled her close by the waist, feeling her warmth. "Hey," I shouted so the crowd could hear, "this woman tipped me off about the monster. She deserves the credit!"
Her pupils dilated, and I felt her heartbeat pounding against mine. Her hand landed softly on my shoulder, tentative and trembling—I let her hold on.
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "Don't worry. I'm no saint… but I see you."
The crowd's cheers faded into background noise. All that mattered was her, finally letting herself breathe while I stood beside her.
I rubbed the back of my head, eyes falling to her. "Hmm… how about we get you some clothes? I saw a lot of nice ones on the way."
She cupped her cheeks. Is he… asking me out? Then her eyes widened—sure, but I didn't know you had money.
I grinned, flashing my wallet. "Hehe, even heroes deserve a little reward, right?"
She made an O shape with her mouth, then giggled. "Okay, you win." She locked her arm with mine, and we went shopping.