"Another busybody?" Scarface's expression turned sinister.
"Kid, if you know what's good for you, scram. Otherwise, this day next year will be your death anniversary!"
Athena's eyes lit up with hope when she saw Cloud suddenly appear, but that was quickly replaced by worry.
He was alone—how could he possibly handle this many people?
Cloud, however, seemed oblivious to the weapons in their hands. He walked straight up to Athena.
He looked her up and down, then broke into a brilliant smile.
"Hello, Miss Athena. I'm a fan of yours." He extended his hand. "Could I get an autograph?"
Athena: "???"
Viper Gang: "???"
Bro, is this really the time for fanboying? Can you read the room?!
"Motherf—! You're tired of living, aren't you?!" Scarface was completely enraged by Cloud's dismissive attitude. "Get him!"
Seven or eight thugs howled and charged forward, weapons raised!
Athena gasped in alarm, instinctively about to unleash her psychic powers.
But the next second, she witnessed a scene she would never forget.
Cloud didn't even turn around. His body merely shifted slightly, and he slipped ghost-like through the gap between two attackers.
Then he moved.
His movements weren't flashy—if anything, they were brutally simple.
A knife-hand strike landed precisely on one thug's neck.
An elbow smashed into another's chest.
A sweeping kick toppled three men simultaneously.
Every strike was lightning-fast, devastatingly powerful.
Those seemingly intimidating brutes crumbled like paper dolls before him!
No screams. No struggling.
In less than five seconds, all seven or eight Viper Gang members lay silent on the ground, completely unconscious.
The only one left standing in the corridor was Scarface, clutching his machete, utterly petrified.
He stared at his brothers writhing on the floor, then at the unscathed young man calmly dusting off his hands.
His machete clattered to the ground. His legs gave out and he dropped to his knees.
"B-Boss! Mercy! We were blind to your greatness!"
Cloud ignored him. Instead, he turned back to Athena with that gentle smile.
"Sorry about that—just taking out some trash. Now, about that autograph?"
Athena stared at him blankly, then at the "trash" scattered across the floor. Her brain was still rebooting.
So... so strong!
Who IS this man?
Cloud watched her adorably dazed expression and smiled inwardly.
He walked slowly toward Athena. Under her and her manager's shocked gazes, he reached out and gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't be scared. It's over now." His voice carried a reassuring warmth.
And the instant his palm touched Athena's shoulder, he silently commanded:
"System, plunder!"
[Ding! Command confirmed! Initiating "Plunder" on target "Athena Asamiya"!]
[Plunder assessment in progress... Target has positive affection toward Host (gratitude) and is completely unguarded... Assessment successful!]
[Plunder successful!]
[Congratulations, Host! You obtained:]
[1. Source Points ×3,000]
[2. Skill: "Psychic Powers: Mental Shock (Fragment)"—Contains the most basic methods of utilizing mental energy.]
[3. Special Item: One pair of Athena Asamiya's original performance gloves.]
A cool, mysterious energy instantly surged into Cloud's mind!
His perception of the world became completely different!
He could "hear" Athena's heart pounding like a startled deer, could "sense" the complex swirl of emotions within her—shock, gratitude, curiosity...
So this is... what psychic powers feel like?
Cloud was ecstatic inside, but his expression remained perfectly composed.
He withdrew his hand and winked at Athena with a charming smile.
"Mr. Cloud, are you... a fighter too? That was incredible just now..." Athena asked curiously.
"I dabble. Just train casually in my spare time." Cloud replied modestly.
"But you, Miss Athena—staying calm in the face of all those criminals. That kind of courage doesn't seem like something an ordinary idol would have."
He was testing the waters.
Athena's heart skipped a beat, but her face maintained a perfect idol-worthy smile.
"Maybe it's because... I play these kinds of roles in movies a lot. I'm used to it."
They exchanged knowing smiles, each reading a hint of "you're not quite what you seem" in the other's eyes.
"Anyway, thank you so much, Mr. Cloud. Here's my card. If you don't mind, I'd like to treat you to lunch tomorrow to show my gratitude." Athena handed him a handwritten card with a faint fragrance.
"My pleasure." Cloud accepted the card, feeling its lingering warmth.
[Ding! Target "Athena Asamiya" affection change: 0 → +20 (A strong, mysterious, handsome man saved me)]
Looking at the system notification, Cloud knew his path to psychic powers had begun... with a perfect start.
...
South Town's morning was, for once, free of gunshots and sirens.
Cloud lay in bed with his eyes closed, carefully sensing the new, distinctive power that had taken root in his mental realm.
This was the psychic ability plundered from Athena Asamiya.
Though only a fragment, the [Deep Analysis] function allowed him to glimpse the tip of this iceberg.
It was like a seed, quietly planted in the sea of his consciousness—weak, yet holding infinite potential.