Skill? Do they think the System Destruction Ability is a skill?"Drop the card on the ground, Mr. Benjamin Black" instructed the man.Shit! He's being too cautious, panicked Benjamin."Benjamin" Brdley started agitated. "Why the fuck are we listening to anything this cocksucker has to say?""For a guy who has family back home, you sure do seem to be taking the high road a lot more recently. Whatever happened to safeguarding your life at all costs?""Oh? And you think he's going to let us off easily because he got a piece of plastic?" Bradley pointed, and Benjamin turned to look at the split and broken wooden pier strut."Does that look like somebody who's going to show even a morsel of restraint?" asked Bradley."Step back, Bradley" Benjamin instructed this time. Bradley looked at him with a side-eye but stepped back eventually."What's making him so earnest? The Avatar Mode? Benjamin wondered at his stubbornness. We can't win. I've already had [Practical Intelligence] run a scenario

[Notice: Godspeed Level 2]"And what's this thing about an X-RAY?""Quite self-explanatory, Master Benjamin. The host will be able to see images captured by Alpha, Beta, and Gamma rays."Yeah, that doesn't sound too important. Rather lame. I'm not Superman. thought Benjamin. "And the other one?""Healing Factor allows the host to heal certain injuries of his person, and others"Benjamin paused in his tracks. "What did you just say?" he asked PAYTON."Healing factor allows the host to heal injuries-""No, the second part" dismissed Benjamin."And also the injuries of others" completed PAYTON.The injuries of others?! "PAYTON! What kind of injuries?""Cuts, Abrasions, muscle damage, Bone Damage""Cut to the important stuff! Can it work on Brain damage? Nerve damage??""Quite astutely, Mr. Benjamin. At a certain level, of course."Benjamin put both hands on his head.Holy Shit. Ivy."Why am I just hearing about this now?!" Benjamin scolded PAYTON."You know why, Master Benjamin. Certain

"Professor Marjorie, you're under arrest!"*Perfect. I haven't even started the University Op ye, and one naughty professor is already down!*, celebrated Benjamin."Wait--" But Bradley had already locked her sinewy hands together, and installed the cuffs."I've heard all I need to, Ma'am. We'll continue your questioning back at the station."The haunting image of being walked out by a police officer from her department finally seemed to sink in within Marjorie."Wait!" she pleaded, as Bradley lifted her to stand, not caring to listen. "I'll tell you everything. That boy. Elroy. He's the one that set it all up! I just had to cover him in class attendance once in a while""Uh-huh" muttered Bradley dryly. "Let's go""Please"Her eyes shot from Bradley to Benjamin."I'm telling the truth!""Or you're saying what you want us to hear. If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times.""I swear. That's it!""So, he was skipping class?" interjected Benjamin. Bradley clicked his tongue bu

Mardo Wormwood picked up the ornament of flowers and headed upstairs. After what was a simple, short navigation to locate Room 201 in the quiet halls of Medhill Hospital, he knocked on the door of Robert Kirkland.The door opened slightly, and a short plump man with wide-rimmed spectacles, who was most definitely, not Robert Kirkland, peeked out."Mardo?" asked the man, opening the door completely to step out. Mardo held out the flowers."I thought I should pay my respects," he said softly."Not necessary. Appreciated, but not necessary. Also, he's not dead, you know.""Is it true? About the amnesia?" asked Robert as he handed over the Hydrangeas."How did you hear about that?" barked the plump man. "Come on, Bobby. Who do you think I am? Now spill."The man sighed. "We're looking into it. The doctors said it's a side effect from the shock he suffered.""Which was what again? A heart attack?"Bobby shrugged. "That's still inconclusive.""After over 4 days of being in the hospital. The

"Pauper?""Not quite, as you can see. I usually go by Benjamin these days. Also, CEO of Ivy Corp. President of the Medhill board. Or just simply, Boss. The elevator's closing, Mr. Mardo. Don't you have somewhere to be?"Mardo Wormwood found himself leaning slightly off-center and stopped himself with the door before he could fall and collapse right there."It's impossible" he whispered under his breath, staring at Benjamin like he was the 8th wonder of the world. A wonder that had risen from the dead and posed a threat to his survival."You know what they say. Something's always impossible until it's not." smiled Benjamin.Mardo massaged his head. "I have to be dreaming or something"Benjamin pushed the button for the ground floor, with Mardo inside. "Don't worry, Mr. Mardo. All will be explained in time. And by in time, I mean very soon. Extremely sooon" The doors began to close. "See you at the Wedding" winked Benjamin from the other side.On the ground floor, Mardo was still strugg