Logan was abashed. He could not believe what had happened but chose to think more about the situation at hand than his newly acquired powers. That was certainly something he would be looking forward to working out but until he does that, he would have to wait and see how far he can get away from the goons.
One or two of them were already rising up. They glared at him distastefully. From the corner of his eyes, he saw another pick up a club and he knew he was ultimately done for.Or wait...The system was a power activator, right? Logan started to wonder if by any chance it would still fill him up with the much power as it had earlier. He did not want to be disappointed at all or to say the least, pushed around. He also did not want to spend time figuring out what probably was non-existent.One of them now made a move towards him."And where do you all think you're going to?" The other guy that was still trying to raise Carter over his back with the help of another asked them."Well, he hurt Carter. He has to pay." The one with a club said, pointing his weapon at Logan.Logan instantly froze on the spot as he stared wide-eyed at them."Um, system....if anything. Now would be the right moment to make an appearance." Logan thought to himself.He did not want to get hurt one bit. From the last beating he had received and the one before that one, Logan was already hurting and not healed. His rib side hurt and his bruises were not gone totally. He needed them to understand and not hurt him any further than was necessary."And are you all crazy?" The other guy from earlier asked them."Huh?" Another muttered as they stared back confusingly at him."Look at yourselves. You're all coming up against someone who obviously won his place at being let free." He said to them.Logan kept watching as he wondered where all this would be leading."What's that supposed to be? He defeated Carter!" One cried out."He embarrassed our leader who is your friend!" Another added."I wonder whose side you're on sometimes!" Another screamed."You know, you're the ones obviously embarrassing Carter. Have you no idea what a duel is? They agreed right before us to make a single dual and whoever wins gets to go free. Is it his fault that this dimwit won? It is Carter who lost and we must respect his wishes and let the dimwit go." He explained to the members.They looked at him and Logan heard his own heart in his ears as he was really frightened. It was almost like his world would come crashing down and he would face a lot of troubles if they did not agree. Like, it was just one man speaking up against someone the number of others."You know what, Blue, you're right. We're dishonoring Carter if we attack him and Carter is a man of his word." The one with the club said to the guy who had spoken up for him.Logan breathed out in relief."Hey you, you get to go free now but just bear in mind that it was Carter who let you win." He said to Logan."Of course. He let me win." Logan said finally now he was no longer holding his club."Now, scram." The guy said to him and Logan turned away.He had no idea what had happened but he loved it. He could not believe he was still alive to see his canteen. Logan was really pressed by the time he got to the canteen and he went to ease himself. He had just finished and was washing his hand when it happened."Congratulations host on successfully completing your task. A raise of 500 percent has been credited to your account and you have successfully advanced the level. Feedback shall be provided shortly." The system's computerized voice said in his head.Logan was shocked but he hurriedly washed his hands as he made straight for where he kept his phone. He found it and then prayed shortly before opening it. The moment he did, he saw the notification on his phone and then he smiled deeply."One...two.... three..... eight!" He exclaimed as he counted the zeros attached to the one. Ten million dollars had been credited to his balance and he now had a sum total of 12.5 million dollars.That felt too good to be true. Too huge to accomplish that he decided that he would have to go to his bank and check.Logan thought of a plan and came up with one as he went straight to the manager's office."Logan, late again?" His manager asked."Oh no, sir." He said."But you're just coming to my office." The manager said."I was in the restroom," Logan responded."Late to duty hours then." His manager said.Seriously? What in the seven hells did this man want from him? He technically had given him everything he asked for crying out loud without complaining."Sir, I come to make a request," Logan said."If it is to increase your salary cut, I'm afraid that is impossible." He said to Logan."Of course not Sir. I would not bother you so. I only came to ask for the day off." Logan said."Do you want me to slash your remaining salary?" He asked Logan."Of course not Sir but I just noticed that the wound on my rib is beginning to rot. And you know that is not so hygienic to the customers." Logan said."Wound to your rib?" He asked Logan, confused."Yes, from the day I was beaten up Sir." Logan answered him and for effect, he added, "Do I open it, Sir?""Of course not. Keep your baggage and you know what, take the day off." He said to Logan who was excited now but hid it.He pretended to be in pain as he thanked his manager and walked away. Logan went to pack his things and started out of the canteen as everyone watched him. The moment he was certain he was out of their sight, he broke into a run and started for the nearest exit.He had no cash at hand but he knew there was a way around all of this. Logan flagged down a taxi."What do you say if you take me to the bank and wait until I'm out? I'll pay you five hundred dollars." He said to the man.The taxi driver looked him over and then laughed horribly."And how do you intend to do that? Plan on robbing the bank or something? Get lost!" He said to Logan and drove off.I mean, he would not be blamed totally. Logan was not exactly giving the vibes of someone with any assets.Logan went on trying with more taxis but all he got was scorn and insults. Finally, when he was already about to give up, he decided to try one more time. The man looked scary as hell."Listen boy, if this is a trick just know that I would find you and I would gut you." He said.Logan swallowed."I assure you, this is no trick," Logan said."Then hop in." He said to Logan.Logan got into the car and they were on their way to the bank. It felt nervously wonderful and then the driver parked properly and reminded Logan of what kind of a man he was. This was to instill fear in Logan.He could not remember when last he had come to the bank and the moment he entered, everything felt so strange to him. He went to a bank assistant by the entrance and told him what he wanted to do. The young man asked him to go to the other queue and write out his account number.Logan finished and went to the queue. There were a couple of people before him and soon, it was his turn. The cashier eyed him angrily like she was seeing a dirtbag."What do you want?" She demanded from him angrily."I want to check on my account," Logan said to her.She got up and looked at him from head to toe."Are you certain you know what you come here to do?" She asked him."Of course. I want to check my account balance." He said to her."Whatever penny you have there, you could have checked with the ATM." She said to Logan."My ATM is expired," Logan said."Then go work hard and get another. We do not attend to the likes of you with below a thousand in their accounts." She insulted me."The likes of me?" Logan asked her."Yes." She said to him."Very well, I would ask what would your manager say or would you check now?" He asked her."You had better not be wasting my time." She said angrily as she sat down again, took the account details from him, and started punching it on her computer.Logan stood there as he was patiently waiting on her to get done.It took a while but he knew when she suddenly looked at him with bewilderment that something was up. She started from the screen to Logan and back to the screen again."Unbelievable!" She exclaimed."Well?" Logan asked her."Sir, you should be a premium. I would have the manager himself attend to you. We only send special people to the top and you are one." She said to him."I do not understand, can I know what my balance is?" Logan asked her."Oh, I'm so sorry, Sir. You are going to the manager's line. Here's a note to give him. Please take the elevator to the left, floor four." She said to him.Logan was confused but took the note she scribbled on and was headed to the elevator. When he got inside, he peered into the note that read,PREMIUM CUSTOMER.He could not believe the segregation but obviously, something good was happening to him. Logan got to the fourth floor and was just about to make a turn to the office area when he heard someone sobbing. The area was so empty that he could hear it loud and clear.He decided to go see if someone needs help. As he went, a man passed him, readjusting his tie and his belt.Logan was confused as the cry was that of a female. He just entered the restroom when he found a girl sitting on the ground crying bitterly. She clung to her clothes which he noticed were torn and her makeup smudged.She was frightened when she saw him."I'm not going to harm you." He said putting up his hands. "What happened to you?"She was crying bitterly."Does it matter what happened to me? I'll just live with it." She said to him.Logan did not want to settle for his fears but he had a gut feeling all was not well with him. Something had happened and he had his suspicions on the man that had passed him by."I'm here to help. Just tell me." He said to her."Even if I do, people like you and me can do nothing." She said to him."People like me and you? What do you mean?" He asked her."We're poor and without connections. But since you're so interested, I'll tell you. The man who just left here, he's the bank manager. He had his way with me." She said to him."He did what?" Logan asked angrily. He could not believe his ears and the fact that such a thing would even happen on the bank premises."Listen, keep your voice down. There's nothing we can do about it. Let's just go." She said to him calmly.As the girl revealed her painful story, Logan's empathy and anger surged. He couldn't stand idly by when someone had suffered such an injustice. Determination etched on his face, he said, "We can't let him get away with this. We need to report him."Tears welled up in the girl's eyes, and she hesitated for a moment before nodding. She whispered, "Okay, let's go." She stood up, and with trembling hands, she took Logan's hand.Logan felt the warmth of her hand in his, and it strengthened his resolve. He couldn't turn his back on her or let her face this ordeal alone. "No one deserves to be treated like this," he said firmly.She squeezed his hand, grateful for his support. "Thank you for helping me," she whispered.Logan led her toward the manager's office, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Along the way, he couldn't help but notice the torn state of her dress and the smudged makeup on her face. It pained him to see her in such a condition.Without a second thought, Logan be
As they continued their journey towards justice, the atmosphere in the bank seemed to change. The once sterile and imposing environment now held the promise of change and redemption. Logan and the girl walked side by side, their steps echoing in the hallowed halls of the bank, ready to confront the darkness that had plagued them both.Logan and the lady stood just a few steps away from the manager's office, the weight of the situation pressing on them. But then, a rush of thoughts flooded Logan's mind, causing him to pause and consider the scenario more carefully.In his imagination, he pictured himself bursting into the manager's office, his voice raised in anger, accusing the manager of unspeakable deeds. The girl would follow suit, shouting that he had molested her. But Logan knew deep down that such a reckless approach wouldn't lead to justice. Instead, it would likely make them appear irrational, and nobody would take their accusations seriously. They'd end up making fools of the
As the manager and Logan's eyes briefly met, the manager composed himself and approached Logan, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. He inquired, "Are you lost or looking for someone specific?"Logan maintained his composure and replied casually, "I'm okay, thanks. I've already found the person I was looking for," subtly referring to Aella.The manager nodded, a hint of suspicion hidden behind his facade, and walked back to his office. Logan watched him closely, frowning as the manager distanced himself from him. He knew that his interactions with the manager had now placed him under the manager's scrutiny, but he couldn't afford to back down now.Leaving the office, Logan took the elevator downstairs and made his way to the exit. However, just as he was about to step out, the bank lady who had directed him to the manager earlier called out to him. He hesitated for a moment but then stopped and turned back, walking closer to her, though he had no real desire to engage with her, given her p
Logan remained crouched under the stairs, his breathing heavy and his heart pounding in his chest. This was a situation he had hoped never to encounter again, and he silently prayed that he wouldn't be noticed. As he waited anxiously, he began to notice shadows moving, further intensifying his fear. He held his breath, hoping they wouldn't detect him.Suddenly, the figures came into view, but to Logan's immense relief, it was just a couple who lived in the apartment next to his on the second floor. He couldn't help but release a deep sigh of relief, which unintentionally drew their attention towards him. The lady was the first to spot him and asked quickly, "Logan, what are you doing?"Logan stood up quickly, forcing a somewhat awkward smile, and replied, "I was trying to avoid you guys."The boyfriend, Jack, noticed Logan's profuse sweating and remarked, "Logan, why are you sweating like a donkey?"Logan shot Jack a quick annoyed glance but couldn't deny that his fear had caused his
Logan's heart raced as he stepped out of the bank, his newfound wealth coursing through his mind like an electric charge. He couldn't help but feel like he was living in a dream. Checking his cellphone to confirm his account balance again, he was greeted by the astonishing figure: an hundred million dollars. He had gone from financial struggles to a net worth that rivaled celebrities. It was beyond his wildest imagination, and a grin spread across his face.Unable to contain his joy, Logan started dancing on the sidewalk, drawing curious looks from the crowd that had gathered to see the commotion at the bank. People began to whisper and speculate, but Logan didn't care. He felt like he was on top of the world, and the weight of his previous hardships had been lifted.As grateful as he was for his sudden fortune, Logan couldn't help but think of Aella. She had played a crucial role in exposing the bank manager's misconduct, and he wanted to thank her. However, he hesitated. They weren'
When Logan returned with their food, Eleanor and her friends were still giggling, making it obvious they were talking about him. Logan placed the tray of food on their table, trying to maintain his composure. "Here you go," he muttered, avoiding eye contact.One of Eleanor's friends, Jessica, looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "Logan, you should hang out with us on Saturday," she said, extending an invitation.Logan hesitated for a moment, knowing all too well that accepting might not end well for him. But Eleanor couldn't resist making another jab at him. "Yeah, Logan, it'll be fun," she said mockingly.That comment pushed Logan over the edge, and he declined politely. He couldn't stand the idea of them thinking they could break him so easily. With a forced smile, he replied, "I would love to but i have important things to do on Saturday."Right after Logan made his remark, Eleanor cruelly taunted him with an "Okay, loser," which stung deep. Logan clenched his jaw, suppressing his
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the basketball court. Logan's team had secured a narrow lead, and the air was thick with tension. The victory in sight was no longer just a win in a basketball game; it was a symbol of Logan's resilience, a testament to his ability to rise above the bullies who had tormented him for far too long.As Logan dribbled the ball, a sense of determination radiated from him. His teammates, emboldened by his unwavering spirit, rallied around him. The once-silent spectators had now turned into fervent supporters, their cheers and encouragement echoing through the court.But the bullies were not ones to accept defeat gracefully. Frustrated by their inability to stop Logan's dazzling plays, they resorted to dirty tactics. As Logan made a swift crossover dribble, Carter lunged at him, attempting to trip him up. Logan, with cat-like reflexes, sidestepped the trap, narrowly avoiding the spill that could have spelled disaster.Carter's fru
With time running out, the bullies grew more frantic in their attempts to halt Logan's advance. But Logan's anticipation and agility were unmatched. Each move they made, every attempt to disrupt his rhythm, only fueled his determination to succeed.As Carter charged again, Logan executed a picture-perfect crossover dribble, sending Carter careening past him. He continued his drive to the basket, the crowd watching in rapt awe. With a swift, fluid motion, he leaped into the air, defying gravity as he released a shot that seemed to hang for an eternity.The ball spun through the air, the arc so perfect that it almost traced a flawless parabola. As it descended toward the hoop, the entire court held its breath. Then, with a resounding swish, the ball dropped through the net, adding to Logan's growing tally.The scoreboard now tilted decisively in favor of Logan's team, and the jubilation in the air was palpable. The bullies, having exhausted their bag of tricks, could only watch in sulle