Chapter 260: Hero (1/2)
”Well, yes, of course you did. You, me, Jayden, Nags, Joseph and Mason all received an award from the general for our efforts and contribution. However, you weren't there to receive your reward so I came here to personally hand-deliver it to you! Congratulations kid! You risked your life and stalled them just in time for us to arrive, even when you didn't know reinforcements were even coming! You deserve it!”
High General Ryker spoke with a smile, and looked about to pull something out of his pockets, yet all that Moby was able to hear was a staticky mess in his still broken and grieving mind.
'Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!'
He had already made it more than clear to everyone that he was the demon lord's successor the second he used his eyes of sin at the Griffith family mansion, a card that he now realized that he should have never revealed.
If that shalker idiot Vilanova and her lord were able to identify him simply from that alone, what said that others couldn't either? And with his popularity on the rise, he had just made the massive target on his back even larger…
Although it was a product of extreme luck, he was attacked and nearly abducted a few days after he revealed his eyes of sin, meaning that trouble might be lurking at every corner since he was now most likely known worldwide for his achievement, now a magnet for all kinds of troubles, putting everyone around him at risk once more… A—
”Kane? Kane? Are you still with me?! KANE!”
”Hah! W-wa—yeah, sorry, I was just thinking,”
”Um… General, by any chance, did they release this story on national television? Maybe it would be nice if they kept my identity a secret since they don't want the shalkers putting a target on a student like me right? You know, so I'm protected... Right? ”
”Are you kidding me? Well, of course, you are on the news! What do you expect? Possible war on the horizon and a brave young man risked his life to stall for reinforcements! It's a story any news outlet would pounce on! But don't worry kid! I'm sure you'll be fine! There's nothing to fear! I bet the story is being aired right now too— Oh! Just in time! Look!”
Reaching out with a plant-like energy vein, Ryker turned on the TV inside the hospital room with a simple click of a button.
*Wasn't it amazing! Just look at him right here! And he grew so much stronger in only a few days! This footage is from an earlier fight at the Griffith family mansion a few days ago, and since then his power had grown night and day!*
*Yes Johnson, his moves and skills are truly out of the ordinary. The Hero! Moby Kane, the boy genius rumoured to be the next pillar of power, possibly even justice for humanity as he displayed his extreme prowess, determination, and love for his people that he risked his life fought off what we now analyze as a shalker far beyond the X rank, one with even an ability! He is now in the hospital in critical condition, doctors unsure if he will ever wake up...*
*Derris, and you have to remember, this boy was completely abilityless only a few weeks prior, and now he had reached such strength in only the span of a week or so! This growth is unprecedented! At this rate, he might as well wipe out the entire shalker force all by himself!*
*Oh John! Even at dire times like these you still keep your sense of humour! One thing is for sure though! He will be definitely attending Elite School!*
*Speaking of his ability—there was heavy mystery surrounding it as it was unseen before. His glowing purple eyes and unknown energy are quite unique, their powers still unknown to even ourselves. If he agrees to have his ability replicated, it might be a great boost to the power of the next generation or maybe of the abilityless population since war might be around the corner…*
*We have yet to receive any statement from the government or military about the shalker's response was to abducting and torturing students on human territory. We are just as in the dark as you are but we will update you as soon as we receive a response. This could be the last few days of peace left for us…*
*In other news, former General, now High General Ryker formerly accused of—*
”Stop it… I've seen enough…”
Moby looked at the TV above with open eyes, his face pale as a ghost almost like he had just witnessed his worst nightmare…
'Me!? Hero?! The future pillar of hope and power? They're just trying to calm the masses and give them false motivation… A common media tactic, but a tactic that will fuck me over… Will they now try to forcefully experiment on me?! Will they try and clone my ability into crystals? Will they—'
His mind was in such turmoil with grim possibilities of the future. However, just like every other time in his life, he had to force all those thoughts away to the back of his mind, and try his best to seem natural…
”Are you sure you don't want to listen to the rest? They were just about to get to the good part,”
”No, don't worry, it's okay, I get the gist of what's happening… But why would the military share this information with the public? Wouldn't it insight widespread panic?”
”In reality, we had already received a response from the shalkers that was rather good. Nevertheless, the tension between our 2 races has never been like this in a long time… The media and military was just showing the world that war is still a reality and it was not the time to relax and live in blissful ignorance,”
”I-I see… I would like to know more about the details later if possible, but for now, my top priority is to check up on Abby…”
”Big brother… Are you okay? I still think you need some rest. I'm sure you're girlfriend will come to visit you very soon. You don't need to go see her,”