In his previous life…
That single mana-enhanced punch would have nearly killed Ryan.
But this time—
Ryan moved.
Charl's fist shot toward his face, mana reinforcing the blow.
Ryan stepped forward instead of back.
In one smooth motion he slipped beneath the attack.
His fist drove forward.
Thump!
The punch landed squarely in Charl's kidney.
Charl's entire body jerked.
If Ryan had still possessed the weak body from two days ago, the strike would have done nothing.
Charl's skill reinforced his muscles with mana, doubling his physical strength.
But now—
Ryan's base strength was already equal to that.
Charl stumbled backward, clutching his side.
"What?!"
His eyes widened.
"That shouldn't be possible!"
Ryan approached him slowly.
Calm.
Deliberate.
The grin on his face grew wider with every step.
"You see…"
Ryan stopped a few feet away.
"Your skill makes you twice as strong as an average person."
He continued walking forward.
"But I'm already that strong."
Ryan knew his weakness.
His agility was still lacking.
Charl might still be faster.
Which meant this fight had to end quickly.
Ryan stepped forward again.
Two quick strides.
Then—
He was already inside Charl's guard.
His fist slammed into Charl's stomach.
Thump!
All the air exploded from Charl's lungs.
His body folded forward.
But Ryan wasn't finished.
Charl barely had time to see the next punch coming.
Thwack!
Ryan's fist smashed into the side of his face.
Blood sprayed across the floor.
Charl collapsed.
His body hit the ground with a heavy crash.
The left side of his face was already swelling rapidly.
Across the room—
Alice sat frozen in her chair.
Both hands covered her mouth.
The man standing before her…
Was not the Ryan she knew.
The quiet.
Gentle.
Kind coworker she had known for years was gone.
Instead—
A terrifying rage burned behind his eyes.
Ryan bent down.
He grabbed Charl by the collar and dragged him upright.
Charl's head lolled forward.
Ryan's green eyes swirled with hatred.
"For almost a century…"
His voice was low.
Barely more than a whisper.
"I've been waiting for this."
His fist rose.
Then—
Thump!
The punch crashed into Charl's face.
Blood poured from his mouth.
"And now…"
Ryan pulled him up again.
"I finally get to make you suffer."
Thump!
Another punch.
Charl's breathing turned ragged.
His face was barely recognizable.
Blood streamed down his chin.
Ryan lifted his fist again.
He knew the next blow would end it.
"Ryan—stop!"
His fist froze.
Millimeters from Charl's face.
Ryan turned slowly.
"Alice."
His voice was strained.
"Go outside."
"I won't."
She stepped closer.
Her hand rested gently on his shoulder.
"I can't let you kill him."
Ryan's fist trembled.
His jaw clenched.
"You don't understand."
His voice cracked with fury.
"You don't know what he did to you."
The rage in his chest exploded.
"You don't know how he made you suffer!"
Alice stared at him in confusion.
"But I'm fine."
Her voice was soft.
"He didn't do anything to me."
She flinched.
Ryan's eyes snapped toward her.
They were filled with something terrifying.
Pure hatred.
When Ryan saw her recoil—
Something inside him shattered.
He turned his head away immediately.
He couldn't look at her.
"Maybe not this time…"
His voice was barely audible.
She thinks I'm a monster now.
The thought struck like a blade.
He imagined it clearly.
Alice looking at him with fear.
Disgust.
Never smiling when she saw him again.
Never laughing with him.
Never looking at him the way she used to.
The thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning.
But even so—
He knew he would still make the same choice.
Even if she hated him.
Even if she feared him.
As long as she was alive—
Nothing else mattered.
A gentle touch returned to his shoulder.
"Ryan."
He refused to turn around.
"Ryan… look at me."
Her voice was soft.
"Please."
After a long silence—
He finally turned.
Expecting fear.
Or disgust.
But what he saw…
Was neither.
Alice looked at him with something completely different.
Fondness.
And gratitude.
"I don't know what happened to you."
Her voice was steady.
"And I don't know why you think Charl hurt me."
She paused.
"But I do know something."
Her gaze didn't waver.
"This isn't who you are."
Ryan glanced down at Charl's unconscious body.
Blood pooled on the floor beneath him.
"I know you."
Alice continued.
"And you would never kill someone in cold blood."
Ryan released Charl.
The man collapsed to the floor.
"You don't know me as well as you think."
Ryan's voice was quiet.
"The Ryan you know might not be ruthless."
He looked back at her.
His rage had completely disappeared.
"But the man standing here right now…"
He shook his head slightly.
"He isn't the same person anymore."
Alice didn't look away.
Her expression never changed.
"That might be true."
Her voice softened.
"But it will never change the way I see you."
Ryan stared at her.
Then slowly—
A small smile appeared.
"You might change your mind soon enough."
He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"The world you knew is gone."
Ryan turned and pointed at Charl's unconscious body.
"People like him…"
His voice hardened.
"Will gain powers humanity has never seen before."
"And they will use those powers to do terrible things."
He turned back to her.
"The only rule left in this world…"
"Is that the strongest decide everything."
Ryan stepped closer again.
He took her hand gently.
The softness of the gesture made Alice blush immediately.
"Will you come with me?"
His voice lowered.
"Let me keep you safe."
Alice looked down shyly.
Her parents had died years ago.
Her stepfather was nothing more than a stranger.
There was nothing tying her to this place.
But that wasn't what made her embarrassed.
It was the way he had asked.
The sincerity in his voice.
Alice shook her head slightly, clearing her thoughts.
Then she looked back up.
A small smile appeared.
"I would love to come with you."