Chapter 3

When I woke up, I found myself in an empty room.

My whole body was tightly bound by thick ropes to prevent me from escaping.

I didn't know how long I was locked up for. I only remembered being given nutrition shots every day.

"How does it feel to have your power stripped away?" Chad suddenly appeared before me one day. I didn't even notice him approach.

"Janice shouldn't have tied you up with such rough ropes. It must hurt, right?"

I looked at Chad's rosy complexion and reassessed Janice and Chad's relationship.

Maybe they really did betray me.

"I only mentioned it casually. I didn't know Janice would really take your power and give it to me."

Chad continued boasting, "I had no idea Janice would treat you like that, Devin. You don't blame me, do you? After all, we're like brothers. The three of us grew up together, so we should share girlfriends and powers, right?"

Hearing this, a feeling of disgust rose from the bottom of my heart. The sight of Chad made me sick.

"The base will hold a celebration feast tomorrow evening to award major contributors. They'll serve steaks, which most people can't afford! I already told Janice to invite you. After all, I'm already tired of steaks."

Even though I felt sick to my stomach, the thought of getting released filled me with hope, although I didn't let it show on my face.

Seeing my lack of reaction, Chad lost interest and left.

That day, I was brought out of the confinement room.

The members of Longwind Rescue Team greeted me when I passed by.

The new members were confused and asked, "Why does everyone seem to respect him?"

"That's Devin, Captain Zeller's boyfriend. If it weren't for Devin, our rescue team wouldn't have the reputation it has today."

"Huh? Isn't Captain Zeller's boyfriend Chad Stewart? Chad's suit and watch are so expensive. Captain Zeller has really splurged on him."

"This guy's clothes are worn out. I don't believe he's Captain Zeller's boyfriend."

"Well…"

I looked at the sparkling couple in the distance and then down at my blood-stained clothes, scoffing inwardly.

A volunteer walked past me, then turned back and said to me, "Ordinary people aren't allowed at the celebration feast. How did you sneak in? Leave now or I'll have the guards throw you out!"

People pointed at me and whispered.

Chad came over with Janice, wearing a look of pain. "Devin, didn't I tell you that you can't attend the feast because you're an ordinary person now? Why did you… I can't believe you're so desperate to see Janice."

Janice frowned and said, "You shouldn't reach for things that are out of your league."

I coldly looked at them. "I should be saying that to you two. How's my power, Chad? Is it good?"

I raised my voice to ensure everyone could hear. "If Captain Zeller can steal my power for her own selfish reasons today, who's to say she can't do the same to you guys tomorrow if Chad fancies any of your powers…"

A buzz rippled through the crowd. It turned out the rumors they had been hearing were true!

"This feast is held to recognize people who made major contributions to the base. I seem to remember that I found an entire supermarket's worth of supplies for the base. Why can't I be here?"

I looked at the members of Longwind Rescue Team one by one. When they caught my gaze, they quickly looked away or lowered their heads.

I snorted. "Without the contribution points from finding that supermarket, do you think Janice could afford to buy you steaks or a suit, Chad? You're eating my food and drinking my water, yet you tried to trick me? This world…"

"Enough!" Janice, furious for getting exposed, cut me off.

"Devin, I'm sorry," Chad quickly apologized, "It's all my fault…"

"It's not your fault. There's no need for you to apologize to him," Janice's expression changed dramatically. "Volunteers, there's an ordinary person here. Hurry up and do your job!"

Janice, oh Janice, even if I'm not your boyfriend anymore, I've made a significant contribution to the team in the past. Yet, to please your childhood friend, you're burning bridges.

Under the watchful eyes of the volunteers and guards, I turned to leave.

"Hey, what's that?" Chad suddenly shouted, "That looks like the healing agent! Devin, why did you steal the base's most important asset? Even though you've lost your power, you can't steal…"

Hearing Chad's accusation, the guards quickly surrounded me!

I froze. For some reason, there was a test tube in my pocket!

Suddenly, an alarm blared!

The guards received instructions. "The laboratory was infiltrated, and the healing agent was stolen!"

Everyone looked at me, some accusing, some disbelieving, and some watching coldly.

"Steal? Why would I steal something I submitted myself?" Seeing the blue liquid with star-like specks in the test tube, I was sure this was the healing agent that I developed and submitted to the lab.

After all, I was the only one in the base with a healing-type superpower.

I explained, "Besides, even if this isn't the healing agent I submitted, I'm just an ordinary person now. How could I infiltrate the heavily-guarded lab?"

My argument was sound. The guard captain hesitated.

But then, someone from Longwind Rescue Team spoke up, "Nonsense! The one who submitted the healing agent was Chad. You're trying to steal Chad's credit!"

"Yeah, I heard the main person being celebrated today is the one who developed the healing agent!"

After checking the information, the guard captain shook his head. "I'm sorry, we've verified that the developer of the healing agent is Chad Stewart."

I couldn't believe it. I turned to Janice, shouting, "Janice, what's the meaning of this?"

I managed to develop the healing agent before heading out on the previous mission. It was capable of rapidly healing the Espers from injuries caused by freezing. However, on the way to the lab, I suddenly received a mission, so Janice said she would submit my work for me.

How did the developer become Chad?!