Kai kept his head down as he cut across the back of the basketball courts after classes. The shortcut saved five minutes and usually kept him away from the crowds that now seemed to stare a little too long. Today the courts were empty except for the distant thump of a ball somewhere on the far side. The drone followed silently overhead, its camera lens glinting in the late afternoon sun.
Angel's voice purred through the hidden earpiece the System had forced on him days ago. "Kai's taking the quiet route again. So thoughtful. The viewers love when he gives us these peaceful little moments."
He didn't react, as he never did on camera. But inside, the frustration had been building like pressure in a cracked pipe. One week of this nightmare and he was already exhausted from pretending the world wasn't watching his every move.
He didn't see the three figures until it was too late.
Tyler. The same bulky asshole who had made his life hell from sophomore year through senior year. Broad shoulders, thick neck, the kind of guy who peaked in high school and never let anyone forget it. Two of his usual meathead friends flanked him, smirking like they'd just won the lottery.
"Well, well. If it isn't little Kai Thompson," Tyler drawled, stepping into his path and cracking his knuckles. "Heard you've been blowing up online lately. Some weird stalker chick streaming your sad little life. That true?"
Kai stopped. His stomach tightened at the mention of his live. The drone dipped lower, camera whirring as it zoomed in.
Angel's voice sharpened with interest. "Oh? Old enemies? This could be fun, everyone. Let's see how our star handles this."
The chat notifications started flooding Kai's phone.
Tyler shoved him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back a step. "You deaf now too? Answer me, freak. People saying you got some hot pink-haired bitch obsessed with you. That why you walk around like you're hot shit these days?"
One of the friends laughed and snatched Kai's backpack, rifling through it and tossing notebooks onto the cracked asphalt. "Look at this loser shit. Still carrying around the same old crap."
Kai's fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to swing. He wanted to fight back like he never could in high school. But three against one, and Tyler was built like a refrigerator. He'd get destroyed.
Live Poll Active!
The star is in trouble! What help should the System give Kai?
A) Temporary superhuman strength (Raw Power)
B) Instant karate/fighting skills (Technical)
C) Something creative – viewer choice (Surprise)
Voting ends in 40 seconds!
Tyler noticed the phone buzzing and laughed. "The fuck is that? Your crazy girlfriend watching right now? Hey pink-hair bitch, watch this."
He swung a heavy fist toward Kai's face.
The poll results hit at the exact same moment.
Poll Results: 59% chose A – Temporary superhuman strength
Kai felt the change like lightning in his veins.
Power surged through his muscles. Not just brutal strength. It was almost magical raw, burning energy that made his blood sing. His vision sharpened. Time seemed to slow down in his favour too. Tyler's punch, which should have connected, suddenly looked sluggish and predictable.
Kai moved without thinking.
He caught the fist in mid-air, fingers wrapping around Tyler's knuckles like a vice. The bigger guy's eyes widened in shock as Kai squeezed and bones creaked. Tyler yelled in pain and tried to pull away, but Kai held him effortlessly.
"What the—let go, you freak!"
The two friends lunged. Kai pivoted, still holding Tyler's fist, and drove his shoulder into the first one's chest. The guy flew backward like he'd been hit by a truck, slamming into the chain-link fence with a metallic crash. The second friend swung wildly. Kai ducked under the punch with unnatural speed and drove an uppercut into his stomach. The bully folded, gasping, and dropped to his knees.
Tyler stared, face pale. "What the hell are you on, Thompson? This ain't right!"
Kai released his fist and shoved him hard. Tyler stumbled back several steps and tripped over his own feet, landing hard on the asphalt. For the first time in years, the bully looked small and scared at that moment.
The drone was practically hovering right above them now, capturing every second in crystal clarity. Angel's voice came through, excited and breathless with that same too-sweet undertone.
"Oh my~ Look at our star! The viewers chose perfectly. He's so strong when he needs to be. My perfect, powerful Kai. I'm so proud of you right now."
The chat was a storm of hearts, knives, and fire emojis. Gifts poured in faster than Kai's phone could register them. His bank account pinged repeatedly with deposits.
Tyler scrambled backward on the ground, eyes wide. "This is bullshit. You're on something. We're not done with you, freak!"
But he didn't get up and try to fight again neither did his friends. They just stared at Kai like he'd grown a second head.
Kai stood there, breathing hard, feeling the superhuman strength already starting to fade. The power was temporary and he could feel it draining like water through his fingers. But for those few moments, it had felt incredible and terrifyingly good.
He looked straight into the drone's camera for the first time in days. His face was calm on the outside, but inside the rage and confusion boiled.
Angel's smile on the live feed widened, that unsettling glint in her eyes growing stronger. "Did you like your gift, Kai? The viewers wanted to help their star. And I… I loved watching you protect yourself. My strong, perfect boy."
The power faded completely. Kai's muscles felt normal again. The three bullies picked themselves up and backed away, muttering threats but clearly not willing to test him again right now.
Kai picked up his scattered notebooks in silence. His hands were steady, but his mind was racing. The System had given him exactly what he needed in that moment. Not because it cared to help at that time. Because the viewers and Angel had voted for entertainment.
He walked the rest of the way home without another word.
But as he closed his apartment door behind him, the blue panel appeared just as he settled in, brighter than ever.
[Observer System – Star Interface]
Temporary Power Fragment Used Successfully
Host (Angel) obsession level: Critical
Next major spike will unlock permanent abilities.
Warning: The more you shine on her terms… the tighter her hold will be on you.
On the TV screen that flickered to life by itself, Angel leaned in close, smiling that too-sweet, too-knowing smile.
"You were amazing today, Kai. My strong, perfect star. I can't wait to see what you do next. And neither can the viewers."
She blew a slow kiss.
No matter how beautiful she was, to Kai she looked just like a succubus sent from the underworld to suck the life out of him.