Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Come On! Take It Off and Let Me See
"Please, get up. We can't accept this gratitude; it wasn't us who saved your children," Sophia said, raising her hand slightly. With a gentle surge of pure energy, she helped the man up from the ground.
Meanwhile, Muzi, who had come along, entered the police station without delay. Pointing at Muzi's retreating figure, Sophia explained, "Her ability is plant-based. Although the children need to go to the hospital for a blood transfusion, we can ensure there's no life-threatening danger with her around."
The man, realizing that the two in front of him were superhumans, felt a sense of relief knowing that his children were safe. After his emotions settled, he asked, still choked with emotion, "Who is the hero that saved our children? I'd like to thank them in person. And who took my children?"
Sophia hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. Although she had a strong suspicion that it was Liam, she couldn't confirm it at this time. Instead, she replied, "We're still trying to locate the hero who saved your children. They might not want their identity revealed. As for those who took your children, the terrorists have already been given the punishment they deserve."
After saying this, Sophia moved closer to the man, speaking in a low voice meant only for the two of them, "They've been sentenced to death and were executed on the spot."
She understood that after going through such an ordeal, any parent would be filled with hatred for the people who took their children. So, despite how inappropriate it might seem, she decided to tell him to help ease his mind.
Upon hearing this, the man gazed at the door in a daze. After a while, he spoke, "Terrorists... I wonder if the hero who saved my children was injured."
This offhand comment made Sophia freeze. It reminded her that even though Liam might be a genius capable of turning the tide alone against many God Servants, he was still just a student. How could he come out of this unscathed? If his injuries weren't severe, it wouldn't be a problem, but if they were...
Sophia's heart suddenly filled with worry. After a few more pleasantries, she left the follow-up to Muzi and hurried back.
[Sour Yogurt: What are you doing? Are you asleep? Do you want to play a game?]
She quickly sent a message to Liam using her online alias, hoping to check on him. However, it was already past two in the morning, and this wasn't a typical conversation between online friends. And this time, Liam didn't reply.
Her pace quickened.
...
"Ow, it still hurts a bit."
Back at his place, Liam sat on the couch, wrapped in a white bath towel, eating cherries. Everyone else in the building was already asleep, making his apartment the only one with lights on.
His combat suit was too damaged to wear, and his other clothes hadn't dried yet, so he had no choice but to sit like this. Although his wounds weren't severe and had stopped bleeding, the pain seemed to be growing more intense.
"Damn, why does it hurt so much? Is my pain threshold lower now?" He winced as the pain became increasingly hard to ignore. Despite being a man who usually shrugged off minor injuries, he found this level of pain surprising.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Liam tensed up, standing cautiously.
Who would be visiting him at this hour?
"Who is it? What do you want this late at night?"
"It's me, Sophia," a familiar voice called from outside.
Peeking through the door crack, he saw it was indeed her. Liam relaxed slightly—she didn't seem to mean him any harm.
"What is it? It's late, and I'm not dressed."
"Open the door; I need to talk to you," Sophia's tone left little room for argument, as if she would force her way in if necessary.
Sighing, Liam opened the door just a crack, showing only half his face.
"I really am not dressed. Does it have to be now?" he grumbled.
Seeing his tired face, Sophia asked, "Was it you?"
"No, it wasn't," Liam quickly denied.
"But I haven't even said what I was referring to."
Liam: ...
"Never mind that. Let me in first," she insisted, pushing the door wider and stepping inside.
The movement pulled at a wound on Liam's shoulder, making him wince in pain.
Seeing this, Sophia's expression grew serious. "You're hurt?"
"It's nothing serious," Liam replied, taken aback by how forceful she was. This was a side of her he hadn't seen before—breaking into his place in the middle of the night like this. He instinctively pulled his towel tighter around himself, feeling vulnerable.
But what she did next nearly gave him a heart attack.
Sophia grabbed at his towel, trying to pull it away. "Let me see your wounds!"
Liam: ???
!!!
Breaking free from her grip, he took a step back, shocked. "What the hell? Are you drunk? What are you doing?"
"Don't call me that! I told you we're practically the same age."
"Is that the point right now?" Liam kept backing away. "You're harassing me! I'm telling you, people live here—I'll call for help if you don't stop. Think about your reputation."
Sophia frowned, stepping forward and closing the door behind her. "Call for help if you want, but I'm not joking. Let me see your wounds. Blood from those God Servants is dangerous and needs to be treated properly, or it'll get worse."
"Does it hurt more now? Soon, it'll start to itch too. You're dealing with this for the first time and don't know what to do. We can't delay."
Liam froze, realizing she was right. He sighed in relief. "Is that what this is about? Yeah, it does hurt more."
"Geez, I thought I suddenly became irresistible or something."
Sophia: ...
She rolled her eyes. Even after clearing up the misunderstanding, this guy couldn't stay serious for long.
"Come on, let me see!" Sophia insisted.
"Stop it, that's too much!" Liam protested reflexively.
Sophia: ?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone