บท 13: C13
Kai stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room, inspecting the sleek, black outfit hanging on his wardrobe door. The suit was a work of art, blending functionality with intimidation. The matte-black fabric shimmered faintly under the light, giving it an almost otherworldly aura. Energy-absorbing fibers were woven seamlessly throughout, designed to enhance his quirk by storing residual energy from impacts or heat. He tilted his head, examining the intricate details.
"Alright," he muttered. "Step one of vigilante chic: don't look like a walking flashlight."
Sugihara, standing nearby with his usual calm demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "I see you've gone for subtlety, Master Kai. Nothing says 'I'm not up to anything illegal' like a fully black costume."
Kai shot him a smirk. "Come on, Sugihara. Black is slimming. Plus, it's practical for sneaking around at night. You wouldn't want me running around in neon green, would you?"
Sugihara chuckled softly. "Indeed, that would attract unnecessary attention. Though, I must say, this costume seems… menacing. Are you aiming to strike fear into your enemies or confuse them into thinking you're a particularly fashionable shadow?"
Kai laughed, grabbing a pair of black gloves from the dresser. "A little bit of both."
Kai slipped the gloves on and reached for a sleek, black mask sitting on his desk. He'd spent weeks designing it with Sugihara's help. The mask was fitted with a voice modulator, which could disguise his voice in several pitches and tones. He held it up, admiring the way the angular design gave it a slightly menacing edge.
"Time to test the voice changer," he said, sliding the mask over his face. He pressed a button on the side, and his voice dropped into a gravelly tone. "I am the night."
Sugihara blinked, clearly unimpressed. "You sound like someone who gargles with gravel. Try something less dramatic."
Kai adjusted the modulator and tried again, this time with a robotic undertone. "Justice comes swiftly."
Sugihara's expression remained neutral, but Kai could see the corner of his mouth twitching. "You've gone from edgy superhero to malfunctioning GPS."
Kai groaned, fiddling with the settings again. He settled on a deep but clear tone that sounded authoritative without being over-the-top. "There we go. What do you think?"
Sugihara nodded. "Much better. You sound like someone who's serious but not trying too hard. That should work nicely."
With the costume components finalized, Kai pulled out a detailed map of the city and spread it across his desk. Several areas were marked with red circles, indicating potential hot spots for vigilante activity. He tapped one of the circles near the downtown area.
"This place has a lot of low-level criminal activity," he said, pointing to a cluster of alleyways. "Drug deals, petty thefts, that kind of stuff. It's a good starting point—low stakes but enough to get my feet wet."
Sugihara leaned over the map, his sharp eyes scanning the markings. "A wise choice. It's also an area where law enforcement presence is minimal. You'll have some room to operate without drawing too much attention."
Kai nodded, then pointed to another circle near an abandoned warehouse. "And here's plan B. I've heard rumors about an underground fight club. Might be a good place to gather intel and test my combat skills."
Sugihara frowned slightly. "That could be riskier. If the wrong people discover your identity…"
Kai waved him off. "That's why I've got the mask and the voice changer. Plus, I'll have the element of surprise. No one will expect a kid to show up and start wrecking shop."
Sugihara sighed but didn't argue further. "Just remember, Master Kai, the goal is to help, not to escalate situations unnecessarily."
Kai grinned. "I know, Sugihara. I'm not looking to pick fights for fun. But if someone's asking for it…"
Kai moved to the corner of his room, where several pieces of equipment were neatly arranged. He picked up a pair of sleek black bracers and strapped them onto his forearms. The bracers were outfitted with small compartments that could store kinetic energy, allowing him to unleash quick bursts when needed.
"These babies are going to be a game-changer," he said, flexing his wrists. "Quick jabs, kinetic punches—boom! Instant knockout."
Sugihara crossed his arms, watching as Kai tested the bracers. "And what about those boots?"
Kai grabbed a pair of reinforced combat boots from the floor. "Ah, yes, the stompers. Energy-absorbent soles for high-impact landings and—get this—built-in propulsion for short bursts of speed." He demonstrated by tapping a button on the side of one boot, causing it to hum softly. "Imagine drop-kicking someone with these bad boys."
Sugihara raised an eyebrow. "Just be careful not to kick yourself through a wall."
Kai snorted. "Noted."
He then picked up a grappling hook gun and tested its firing mechanism. "And this… perfect for quick getaways or scaling buildings. Gotta make sure I've got all my Batman bases covered."
Sugihara watched with a mixture of amusement and pride. "You've certainly thought of everything. But remember, Master Kai, all the gear in the world won't save you if you're reckless."
Kai gave a mock salute. "Yes, sir. I'll be the picture of caution."
With everything checked and double-checked, Kai stepped back and took a long look at his assembled gear. The costume, the gadgets, the strategies—it was all coming together. He felt a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside him.
"So, Sugihara," he said, turning to his butler. "On a scale of one to ten, how cool do I look?"
Sugihara tilted his head, pretending to think. "Nine. You lose a point for trying too hard."
Kai laughed, throwing a pillow at him. "Harsh, but fair."
They spent the next hour going over contingency plans, discussing what Kai should do if things went south. Sugihara emphasized the importance of knowing when to retreat and how to avoid leaving behind any clues that could lead back to him.
"Remember, Master Kai," Sugihara said, his tone serious. "Your anonymity is your greatest asset. If your identity is compromised…"
Kai nodded, his expression equally serious. "I know. Don't worry, Sugihara. I've got this."
As the night wore on, Kai felt a sense of readiness settle over him. The pieces were in place, the plans were made, and now all that was left was to put everything into action.
"Tomorrow," he said quietly, looking out the window at the city lights. "Tomorrow, it begins."
—---------------
The cool night air wrapped around Kai as he stepped out of his family's estate, his black costume blending seamlessly into the shadows. He pulled the hood over his head and adjusted the mask that disguised his voice, ensuring no one would recognize him if he spoke. Tonight wasn't about grand heroics or flashy displays of power—it was about reconnaissance, learning the lay of the land, and getting a feel for the underbelly of the city.
He moved through the quiet streets, his footsteps nearly silent. His mind buzzed with thoughts as he navigated toward the areas he had marked earlier on his map. His father's voice echoed faintly in his head, reminding him of how dangerous the city could be, especially in the districts where crime festered like an open wound. Kai wasn't naive; he knew he was walking into places where desperation ruled, and violence was just another part of the daily grind.
But that's where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be.
As he turned down a dimly lit alley, his thoughts shifted to cold, hard data. He'd spent hours pouring over crime statistics, studying where violent incidents—murders, assaults, robberies—were most prevalent. Kai's analytical mind relished this kind of prep work. He knew that understanding the patterns of crime was as important as being able to throw a punch or unleash a well-timed burst of energy. Crime didn't happen randomly; it followed trends, clustered in specific areas where law enforcement either couldn't or wouldn't intervene.
"Downtown," he muttered under his breath, his voice coming out distorted through the modulator. "The murder rate in that sector spiked last month. Six in one week."
The thought was chilling, but it also gave him direction. He needed to head where the danger was highest, where the likelihood of encountering something—or someone—worth stopping was greater. However, he wasn't foolish enough to walk into the lion's den without being prepared. His suit's energy-absorbent fabric was primed, his gloves charged with stored kinetic energy, and his boots were ready to propel him out of trouble if needed.
Kai made a mental note to avoid areas with high surveillance. As much as he wanted to make an impact, the last thing he needed was to be caught on camera. Even in the shadows of the city, there were eyes everywhere—security systems, street cameras, nosy residents. He'd scoped out the blind spots earlier in the week, carefully planning routes that would keep him off the radar. Tonight was about making sure those routes worked in practice, not just on paper.
As he crossed into the darker part of the city, he felt the shift almost immediately. The streets were narrower, the buildings older, and the air heavier with tension. Neon signs flickered half-heartedly, casting eerie glows on the cracked sidewalks. Occasionally, he would hear the faint echo of a distant argument or the sound of shattering glass. The people here moved differently too—hurried, heads down, shoulders hunched. They walked like they were carrying invisible weights, and maybe they were.
Kai stuck to the shadows, moving with the kind of precision that came from weeks of practice. He was just another shadow among many, his presence unnoticed and unremarkable. His eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for anything that might indicate trouble: a heated argument escalating into violence, a suspicious figure lurking where they shouldn't be, or even just someone who seemed out of place. But so far, the streets were quiet. Too quiet.
He stopped at a corner and leaned against the wall, pulling out his phone to check the time. It was just past midnight. If anything was going to happen, it would be soon. He remembered reading a report that stated most violent crimes occurred between midnight and 3 a.m., when the streets were at their emptiest and the darkness offered a perfect cover.
"Where are you?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Kai felt a mix of anticipation and frustration bubbling under the surface. He'd prepared so thoroughly, only to find nothing on his first night out. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. On one hand, fewer crimes meant fewer victims. On the other, it meant he wasn't doing much good just skulking around in his fancy suit.
He continued his patrol, weaving through alleys and side streets, each step taking him deeper into the city's less savory areas. The faint smell of trash and mildew clung to the air, and the occasional rat scurried past his boots. The quiet hum of distant traffic served as a constant backdrop, punctuated by the occasional shout or car horn. Despite the stillness, Kai's senses remained on high alert. He knew better than to let his guard down. The moment you thought you were safe was often the moment danger struck.
As he passed a small convenience store, he paused. The lights inside were dim, and the clerk behind the counter looked half-asleep. Kai's eyes flicked to the corner of the building, where a small group of figures huddled together, their voices low and hurried. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but their body language was tense. They exchanged something—a small package for a wad of cash—then quickly dispersed.
Drug deal, Kai thought. His instincts told him to intervene, but he hesitated. Breaking up a low-level transaction like that wouldn't make much of a dent in the grand scheme of things. Plus, it wasn't exactly what he was looking for tonight. He needed something bigger, something that would test his abilities and justify the risks he was taking.
As he continued walking, he thought about how he would handle more dangerous situations when they arose. He'd studied military strategies, learning how small, outnumbered forces could outmaneuver larger, better-equipped enemies. Kai knew he couldn't rely solely on brute strength or his quirk. He needed to be smarter, more tactical. He'd read about guerrilla warfare tactics, how fighters used their environment to their advantage, striking quickly and disappearing before the enemy could retaliate.
The key was unpredictability. Kai knew he had to be a step ahead, always thinking about his next move. His quirk gave him a significant edge, but it wouldn't mean much if he didn't know how to use it effectively. He could absorb energy, store it, and unleash it in devastating bursts, but the real challenge was doing so without revealing too much. If word got out about his abilities, it wouldn't take long for someone to connect the dots.
Kai's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. He froze, his heart rate spiking as he scanned the area. The noise had come from a nearby alley. He moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows as he approached. Peering around the corner, he saw two men standing over a third figure slumped against the wall. One of the men held a broken bottle, the jagged edges glinting in the faint light.
Kai's pulse quickened. This was it. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he prepared to step in. But he reminded himself to stay calm, to think. He needed to assess the situation and act strategically.
He crouched low, his fingers brushing against the bracers on his arms. The stored kinetic energy thrummed beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed. Kai took a deep breath, steadying himself. It was time to put everything he'd learned into action.
Kai crouched in the shadows, his pulse steady despite the tension of the moment. The two thugs loomed over the crumpled figure against the wall, their voices low and menacing. Kai couldn't make out what they were saying, but the intent was clear. It was time to act.
He stepped forward into the dim light, his voice modulated by the mask, deep and distorted. "Hey, fellas. Late for a self-help seminar, or is this your version of team-building?"
The thugs whipped around, startled. The one with the broken bottle snarled. "Who the hell are you?"
Kai tilted his head slightly, the shadows playing off his sleek black costume. "Just your friendly neighborhood... never mind. You can call me Obsidian. Has a nice ring, don't you think?"
The thugs exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing. The one without a weapon jabbed a thumb at Kai. "You serious? Look at this guy. All dressed up for a cosplay convention."
Kai sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Wow, tough crowd. I workshopped that name all week."
The thug with the bottle advanced, waving the sharp edge menacingly. "Listen here, 'Obsidian.' You've got two options: walk away, or we carve you up and feed you to the rats."
Kai raised his hands mockingly. "Ooh, scary. But how about this? I give you one chance to walk away before you get embarrassed in front of your friend here."
The thug growled and lunged forward, swinging the bottle. Kai stepped sideways with effortless grace, letting the thug stumble past him. Before the man could recover, Kai flicked his wrist, releasing a small pulse of stored kinetic energy from his gloves. The force connected with the thug's shoulder, sending him sprawling into a pile of trash bags.
Kai turned to the second thug, who was already charging at him. "Okay, your turn," he said, almost cheerfully. The thug threw a wild punch, but Kai ducked, delivering a quick jab to the man's ribs, amplified by just a hint of his quirk. The thug gasped, stumbling back.
"You guys are really bad at this," Kai remarked, dodging another swing. "Didn't your parents ever teach you to aim for the face? Come on, make it interesting."
The first thug scrambled to his feet, bottle still in hand, his face twisted with rage. He charged again, swinging wildly. Kai caught the man's wrist mid-swing, using his opponent's momentum to twist him around and disarm him. The bottle clattered to the ground, and with a light push of kinetic energy, Kai sent the thug tumbling face-first into a dumpster.
"Bullseye!" Kai said with a laugh. "That's two points for me."
The second thug, now visibly shaken, hesitated. "What the hell are you?" he stammered.
Kai stepped forward, letting a small crackle of energy ripple through his gloves for effect. "Just a guy who really hates bullies."
The thug turned to run, but Kai was faster. He darted ahead, cutting off the escape route. "Leaving already? We were just getting to the fun part." With a flick of his hand, he sent a controlled wave of energy toward the thug's legs, knocking him off balance and sending him crashing to the ground.
Kai stood over the fallen thug, his voice cold despite the playful tone. "Now, here's how this is going to work. You're going to leave this alley, and you're never going to come back. If I find out you've been shaking down people again, we'll have another little chat. And trust me, next time I won't be so gentle."
The thug nodded frantically, his face pale. "Y-yeah, okay! We're done, man. We're done."
Kai stepped back, allowing the thug to scramble to his feet. He watched as both men staggered out of the alley, casting nervous glances over their shoulders. When they were out of sight, Kai turned his attention to the man they had been harassing. He knelt down, offering a hand.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice softening.
The man, middle-aged and disheveled, nodded shakily as Kai helped him to his feet. "Th-thank you," he stammered. "I don't know what they would've done if you hadn't shown up."
Kai gave a small nod. "Just doing my job. Get home safe, alright?"
The man nodded again, offering a faint smile before hurrying off into the night. Kai watched him go, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. This was what he had trained for, what he had been preparing for. It wasn't glamorous, but it mattered.
He adjusted his gloves, feeling the residual hum of energy still stored within. His quirk was powerful, yes, but tonight he had only scratched the surface. He had deliberately held back, using just enough to handle the situation without revealing the full extent of his abilities. The last thing he needed was for anyone to start connecting dots between the mysterious vigilante and a certain kid from a wealthy family.
As he stepped out of the alley, he couldn't help but grin under his mask. "It's hard to squash an ant without killing it," he muttered to himself, echoing a phrase his father had once used during one of their many philosophical debates. It was true—controlling his power required precision, and tonight had been a good test of that control.
Kai continued his patrol, keeping to the shadows and avoiding well-lit areas. He knew his work wasn't done. The city was full of people like those thugs, preying on the vulnerable. And while he couldn't stop all of them, he could make a difference, one small victory at a time.
As he moved through the city, his thoughts drifted back to the fight. He replayed each move in his mind, analyzing his performance. He had been efficient, but there was always room for improvement. Maybe next time he could try a more direct approach, or perhaps experiment with using stored energy in more creative ways. The possibilities were endless, and that excited him.
Kai crouched in the shadows of a narrow alley, his black costume blending seamlessly into the darkness. The voice modulator in his mask hummed softly, distorting his voice into something deep and unrecognizable. To the city, he was The Catalyst, a figure who had only recently begun to make waves in the underworld. His black suit, lined with energy-absorbing fabric, glistened faintly under the dim streetlights, and the multiple pieces of support gear strapped to his arms and legs made him look more like a walking arsenal than a teenage vigilante.
Tonight's mission was straightforward: patrol a high-crime district, stop what he could, and gather intel. But as he watched two thugs harass a street vendor, he realized this would be anything but a quiet night.
"Hey," he called out, his modulated voice slicing through the tension like a knife. "I'm guessing you didn't come here for the tacos?"
The thugs turned, their faces twisted in confusion. One of them, a hulking man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"
Kai tilted his head slightly, letting the shadows dance across his mask. "The Catalyst," he said simply. "I'm here to kick your asses and maybe ruin your evening plans."
The vendor took the opportunity to scramble away, leaving his cart behind. The thugs, now visibly irritated, stepped forward. Scarface cracked his knuckles, while his companion brandished a crowbar.
"Oh no, a crowbar," Kai said, his tone mocking. "What's next? Are you going to throw a chair at me?"
The thug with the crowbar growled and swung at him. Kai sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. With a quick flick of his wrist, he released a small burst of stored kinetic energy, sending the crowbar flying out of the thug's hand.
"First rule of fighting," Kai said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't bring a crowbar to a quirk fight."
Scarface lunged at him, throwing a heavy punch. Kai ducked, then retaliated with a swift kick to the ribs, augmented by a controlled pulse of energy. Scarface stumbled back, clutching his side.
"Man, you guys really need to diversify your skill sets," Kai quipped. "Have you considered taking up yoga? Maybe it'll help with that terrible posture."
The fight continued, but it was clear who had the upper hand. Kai moved like a shadow, dodging attacks and countering with precision. He was careful not to use too much of his quirk, focusing instead on his martial arts training. After all, his goal wasn't just to win; it was to do so in a way that left no clues about his true identity.
After a few more exchanges, the thugs were on the ground, groaning in pain. Kai stood over them, his voice calm but commanding. "Now, here's how this is going to work. You're going to leave this area and never come back. If I see you again, we'll have a much less pleasant conversation."
The thugs nodded weakly, too beaten to argue. Kai watched as they staggered away, then turned his attention to the street vendor's abandoned cart. He grabbed a taco and took a bite, savoring the taste through the slit in his mask.
"Not bad," he muttered to himself. "Could use a little more spice, though."
He finished his makeshift snack and disappeared into the shadows once more. The streets were quiet now, but Kai's mind was anything but. As he moved through the city, he replayed the fight in his head, analyzing his techniques and strategies. His movements had been efficient, but there was always room for improvement.
When he finally returned to the estate, the first hints of dawn were creeping over the horizon. He slipped inside, his costume silent against the polished floors. Sugihara, his ever-diligent butler, was waiting for him in the kitchen, a cup of tea in hand.
"Rough night?" Sugihara asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kai shrugged, pulling off his mask. "Just the usual. Two thugs, minimal resistance. Got a free taco out of it, though."
Sugihara chuckled. "Glad to see you're making the most of your extracurricular activities."
Kai grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a long sip. "Speaking of which, I've been thinking about some new strategies. I've been doing some research on historical battles, military tactics, stuff like that. Turns out, a lot of it can be applied to one-on-one combat."
Sugihara nodded, intrigued. "Such as?"
"Well, take the concept of the feigned retreat," Kai began. "It's a tactic where you pretend to fall back, luring your enemy into a trap. I've been working on a way to simulate that with my quirk. I could release a small burst of energy to make it look like I'm losing control, then use that distraction to strike."
"Interesting," Sugihara said. "And risky. If your opponent catches on, it could backfire."
Kai smirked. "That's what makes it fun."
They spent the next hour discussing various strategies, from guerrilla warfare to psychological tactics. Kai's mind was a whirlwind of ideas, each one more complex and daring than the last. He was determined to be more than just a skilled fighter; he wanted to be a master tactician, someone who could outthink his opponents at every turn.
As the morning wore on, Kai excused himself to get some rest. He stretched out on his bed, his mind still racing with possibilities. He thought about his costume, his gear, and the image he wanted to project. The Catalyst was more than just a name; it was a symbol of change, a force that could tip the balance in a city teetering on the edge of chaos.
But for now, he needed sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he intended to face them head-on. With a final, satisfied sigh, he closed his eyes and let the world fade away.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง