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Chapter 02: With Great Power

  As he strode through the busy streets toward the marketpce, his pace was so extraordinary that he had to deliberately slow down. His natural walking speed was almost surreal—effortless yet rapid enough to make others instinctively step aside as he cruised along as if he were traveling at 20 mph. Every part of him spoke the undeniable truth: he was a Super. His inner drive now urged him to explore the extent of his powers in a world where heroes and vilins existed side by side.

  Arriving at the bustling Rust Market, he took in the vivid scene before him. The market sprawled out in a dazzling array of sights, smells, and sounds—a vibrant fusion reminiscent of Chinatown yet bursting with every race, all peddling various goods and services. His attention nded on a small stall where an Eastern European older woman, her age evident in the gentle lines of her face and the wisdom in her eyes, was expertly smoking kebabs over an open fme. The rich, smoky aroma of spiced meat mingled with the cool evening air, captivating his senses.

  “Hey, ma’am, I’m looking to buy some of this. Can I get a price?” he asked, his voice both curious and respectful.

  She met his query with a warm, knowing smile as she handed him a freshly prepared kebab, priced at about eight bucks. As he bit into the savory treat, the fvors exploded on his tongue, and he naturally began a gentle conversation with the woman. Moments ter, the scene shifted dramatically: a rough group of thugs, predominantly women with an intimidating air and sporting various versions of the 'Sin City Allstars' insignia, encircled the area. At their forefront stood an Asian woman with sharply faded sides to her hair, brandishing a switchbde with menacing intent toward the elderly vendor.

  In a fsh of superhuman agility, he snatched the weapon from her trembling hand and gripped her by the colr. “That’s an interesting way to say hello,” he remarked, his tone cool yet edged with warning. The woman’s unsettling smile was met with raucous ughter from her group. One of them sneered, “You really want to mess with the Allstars? Did you get dropped on your head as a kid or did your mother fuck her brother and make you?” Their crude insult only fueled his determination.

  As several of them fumbled to draw weapons, he exploded into action. A powerful blow sent the Asian woman reeling, knocking her out cold, and in rapid succession, he dispatched three of her cohorts with precise, calcuted strikes before he turned his attention to the remaining four. The startled group cried out in disbelief—“Sup! He’s a Sup!”—but none of their shouts could halt his relentless barrage. Catching one of his assaints mid-stab, he deflected her bde as if time itself had slowed, then delivered a devastating punch that left her unconscious. Even those who managed to flee were quickly caught by his imposing speed, and with a swift, almost pyful pat on their pockets, he pilfered a tidy sum; another three grand slid into his gains, echoing the quirky economics of a 90s America where nine grand in New York might easily cover six months’ rent.

  After vanquishing the threat, he returned to the kebab vendor. The elderly woman, her face soft with gratitude, thanked him as he exchanged a few hundred bucks for the rest of her food. She smiled ever grateful, “Thank you, young man. This will allow me to close up for today. Let me show my gratitude—my granddaughter is preparing dinner. Please, join us.”

  He paused, considering her invitation amid the bustling chaos of the marketpce, then simply shrugged. “I would love to,” he replied.

  Helping her up, he effortlessly hoisted the small bundle of her possessions onto his back—it was as if they weighed nothing compared to the burden of his daily adventures. As they stepped out of the market, the fading light cast warm hues over the city, and she introduced herself softly, “I’m Mira, and I live with my granddaughter, Katerina. She’s studying engineering at Sin City University. What do you do when you’re not busy taking out trash?” he chuckled at her teasing comment as they approached a cluster of towering apartment buildings—each structure rising twenty stories tall, alive with the comings and goings of a diverse city popuce.

  In a more reflective tone, he began, “I recently lost my job, though I spent four good years as a mailman. That work wasn’t just a job—it kept me connected, grounded. I was never much into the whole four-year college thing.” Mira offered a gentle smile as they stepped into an elevator that hummed softly on its ascent to the ninth floor. “I wasn’t much for studying myself,” she continued as the door slid open onto a modest two-bedroom apartment. “I was a housewife until my husband died; after losing my son and daughter-in-w in a car crash, I started selling at The Rust Market to help put Katerina through SCU.”

  Inside, the apartment was cozy and warmly lit. In the small, inviting kitchen, Katerina moved with energetic purpose, cooking dinner. Upon spotting him, she turned sharply to Mira, her voice a blend of caution and exasperation, “Who is this man? Are we being robbed again? I don’t have much money—I’m just a college student!”

  He raised a hand with a calm smile. “I helped your grandmother deal with a group of thugs, and she insisted I join you for dinner. I hope this won’t be too much trouble.” Mira exchanged an amused gnce with Katerina and then turned to him again. “He’s a good man, and he even left me enough money to close up shop early today. Oh, and Mark,” she added pyfully, “Katerina is single and is—”

  “GRANDMA!” Katerina suddenly burst out, her cheeks reddening to an almost comical degree as if she wished to vanish under the heat of embarrassment. It was in that moment that he truly noticed her: striking green eyes framed by delicate features, soft blonde hair tied up in a messy ponytail, and a flowing blue sundress decorated with pristine white flowers. The fabric moved gracefully with every step, hinting at a perfect silhouette—a gentle bance of curves and elegance that was impossible to ignore.

  As she recovered her composure, she embraced her grandmother before turning once more to him. “Dinner is ready. You can wash up in the bathroom down the hall.” Nodding in silent agreement, he headed off toward the bathroom as the sounds of cttering dishes and friendly conversation filtered through the apartment. After a day charged with frenetic energy and violent encounters, he welcomed this return to normalcy. Tonight, he looked forward to a simple meal, the respite of a hotel room, and a quiet moment to pn his next move in an unpredictable world.

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