Wicked Justice

They looked young, probably still in high school, and carried themselves with the kind of arrogance that only came from having no sense of consequence. Dressed in baggy clothes and speaking loudly to each other, they looked throughout the store, their eyes immediately locking onto Tessa.

"Hey there, cutie," one of them said, approaching the counter with a smirk. He was tall and looked athletic, his dark eyes filled with mischief. "Didn't know angels worked this late."

Tessa didn't even flinch, her expression blank as she rang up his items in front of her.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked, her voice steady but detached. The boy leaned on the counter, getting close to her face.

"How about you give me your number? You've got plenty of time to talk, don't you?"

She ignored him, focusing on scanning the items. But his friends joined in, laughing and making fun of him.

"C'mon, don't be like that. Give us your number," another said, shorter but stockier. "We just wanna be friends."

Tessa's patience was wearing thin.

"If you're not buying anything, please leave the store," she said firmly, finally looking up to meet their gaze. Her grayish-blue eyes were cold now, her sharp tone cutting through their laughter. But they didn't back off. Instead, the first boy reached out, trying to grab her hand across the counter. Instantly, Tessa slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped, her voice rising. The boy's smirk vanished, replaced by a scowl. His friends stepped closer, their playful behavior turning hostile.

"You've got an attitude problem," he said.

"Or what?" Tessa shot back, refusing to show fear. She held her ground, staring at them even as her heart raced.

"You'll find out soon enough," the stocky one said with a sneer. The three of them backed off, but not before the first boy added, "Watch your back after you're done with your shift."

Tessa's hands were trembling as they left the store, laughing among themselves. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of anxiety inside her.

"Just a bunch of annoying high school delinquents," she muttered to herself, but their threats stayed in her mind. When her shift finally ended, Tessa left the store through the back alley, clutching her bag tightly. The cool night air sent a shiver down her spine as she walked, her footsteps echoing in the narrow alleyway. But then she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned, and there they were. The three boys from earlier, their faces twisted with evil grins. They blocked the alley, cutting off any chance of escape.

"Told you to watch your back," the tall one said, stepping closer. Tessa's heart pounded in her chest as she backed up against the cold brick wall.

"Leave me alone!" she demanded, her voice shaking despite her attempt to sound strong.

"Oh, we'll leave you alone," the stocky one said, "after we have some fun with you."

They closed in, their lustful eyes making her stomach stir. One of them reached out, trying to grab her arm.

"Don't touch me!" Tessa screamed, struggling to pull away. She thrashed and kicked, her voice echoing through the alley.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Her cries only seemed to amuse them, their laughter echoing in the darkness. But then her voice softened, a desperate whisper escaping her lips as tears streamed down her face.

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"Please… someone help me… anyone…"

Kai slowed his pace as he completed his ten-mile run, his chest rising and falling with uncontrollable puffs. The familiar chime of his system echoed in his head.

[Quest Completed: Push Your Limits.] [Reward: +3 Strength, +2 Endurance, +1 Resilience]

[Updated Stats] [Strength: 6] [Speed: 2] [Combat: 1] [Defense: 1] [Energy: 3] [Resilience: 2] [Stealth: 1] [Willpower: 1] [Wisdom: 3] [Charisma: 2] [Endurance: 4]

Kai let out a satisfied sigh, wiping the sweat from his face. His body ached, but the sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile. He glanced around, spotting a convenience store nearby. The bright neon lights promised cold drinks, and his dry throat needed a drink.

"I sure could go for a nice drink."

As he started walking toward the convenience store, a sudden scream pierced the air.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Kai froze, his senses sharpening. The system's chime rang.

[New Quest: Save Tessa.] [Reward: Revealed when completed.]

Kai's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the sound, determination fueling his every step.

"Kai! You're here!" Tessa cried out, her eyes lighting up with hope.

The bullies turned, their faces twisted in confusion before one of them sneered.

"Yo, ain't that Kai?" the tall one said, laughing. "Haven't seen this loser in a week. Thought this guy was dead."

The memories hit Kai like a train. He recognized them as his high school bullies—the ones who made his life a living hell every day. His legs trembled, fear gripping him. He could barely breathe as they started to approach him.

"Well, look who it is," one of them said with a smirk. "The loser himself."

Kai's mind raced, and his body remained frozen in place. His bullies approached, their laughter echoing in his ears. His heart pounded, and fear threatened to consume him entirely. For a moment, he doubted himself.

But then, he looked at Tessa. Tears streamed down her face as she was lying on the wall. Something inside him snapped.

A familiar noise echoed in his mind.

[Quest Updated: Overcome Fear. Save Tessa.] [Reward: Revealed when completed.]

Kai locked eyes with the bullies, his expression toughening. The trembling in his legs stopped as determination coursed through him. He looked at them with hate-filled eyes, and for the first time, they hesitated. The smirks faded as they noticed something different about him—his aura was uneasy.

"I'm gonna kill you," he said, his voice low and cold.

The bullies took a step back as they saw the change in him. Kai clenched his fists, the system's chime ringing again in his ears.

[Adrenaline Surge Activated. Strength and Speed Temporarily Increased.]

He took a step forward, his presence commanding, as the bullies glanced at each other nervously. This wasn't the same weak boy they used to torment. This was someone else entirely.