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Monsters Among Men Chapter 8
🕑 Added 2025-01-28 14:51:24 +0000 UTC(Kazuya POV)
I've always been destined for greatness. Ever since I got my powers, people have showered me with praise, claiming I have immense talent. It's no surprise, really - I'm clearly superior to the rest of these weaklings.
"Our son is a true prodigy!" my mother exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. "With his remarkable telekinetic abilities, he's going to do incredible things."
My father nodded in agreement, a confident grin on his face. "That's right. Kazuya is a cut above the rest. He's going to make our family proud and show the world what a real SUPER can do."
I couldn't help but smirk at their words. They understood the truth - I was born to be exceptional, to rise above the mediocrity that surrounded me.
When I was a kid, a burly bully, much bigger and older than me, tried to pick a fight.
The bully sneered, "Hey, runt, you think you're hot stuff, don't you? Well, let's see how tough you are when I—"
With just a casual wave of my hand and the power of my telekinesis, I made that pathetic thug eat the dirt beneath his feet. The look of utter shock and humiliation on his face was a sight to behold. From that day on, no one dared to challenge me. I reveled in my power, secure in the knowledge that I could crush anyone foolish enough to stand in my way.
I reveled in the attention of my peers. They were a mix of jealousy and awe, and I savored their struggle. Watching them scramble for my approval, desperately vying for my friendship, amused me to no end. I'd let them work for it, dangling the carrot just out of reach, enjoying the sight of them dancing to my tune.
"Hey, Kazuya, can I sit with you at lunch today?" one of the girls asked, her eyes hopeful.
"Yeah, man, we should hang out after school. You know, if you're not too busy," a boy chimed in, trying to sound casual.
I simply smiled, letting them stew in anticipation, knowing full well I held the power in our interactions.
One day, when I was a kid, my friends and I were going shopping in the mall when a criminal suddenly started going out of control in the mall.
The mall erupts into chaos as people scream and scramble for cover. My friends cling to me, their eyes wide with fear.
"Everyone stay back! This place is mine now!" the criminal shouts, his voice booming through the chaos. He waves his arms, sending furniture and debris flying in all directions. Shoppers duck and weave, desperate to avoid the flying objects.
I was scared and tried to run, but one of the debris was heading towards me. I couldn't use my powers because of the fear. I cower, bracing for the impact, when suddenly, a blur of motion intercepts the debris.
"Everyone, stay back! I've got this!" a commanding voice rings out.
I look up to see a tall, muscular figure standing before me, having effortlessly shattered the debris with their bare hands. The hero's imposing presence exudes confidence and authority.
Adorned in a sleek, silver-and-blue costume, the hero's face is obscured by a reflective visor that gives them an almost robotic appearance. Intricate circuitry runs along the hero's arms and legs, hinting at advanced technology integrated into their suit.
"Titanium Sentinel is here to protect you all!" the hero declares, their voice amplified by some kind of voice modulator.
With a flick of their wrist, the Titanium Sentinel unleashes a barrage of energy blasts, swiftly subduing the criminal. The criminal tries to retaliate, but the hero's reflexes are lightning-fast, easily anticipating and evading each attack.
In a matter of moments, the Titanium Sentinel has the criminal restrained and the mall secured.
"Citizens of Valor City, your Titanium Sentinel is here to save the day!" the hero declares in a booming, authoritative voice. He strikes a heroic pose, hands on their hips, as the crowd erupts into thunderous applause.
I can't help but stare in awe at the Titanium Sentinel's impressive display of power and bravery. The way he effortlessly subdued the criminal, his movements fluid and precise, is truly mesmerizing.
"Rest assured, the threat has been neutralized, and you are all safe once more!" the Titanium Sentinel announces.
The people around me cheer and clap, their faces alight with admiration and relief. I feel a surge of excitement course through me, and in that moment, I know exactly what I want. I want to be like the Titanium Sentinel - powerful, respected, and adored by all. The thought of having that kind of influence, that kind of power, is intoxicating.
I can already imagine the crowds chanting my name, the media clamoring to interview me, my peers looking up to me with a mixture of awe and envy. That is the future I crave, the destiny I was born to fulfill. I will do whatever it takes to make that dream a reality.
After that moment, I trained to master my telekinesis. I poured countless hours into perfecting my abilities, pushing the limits of what I could do. With each passing day, I grew stronger, more in control of my powers.
I also studied relentlessly to get into Valor Academy. The prestigious school was my ticket to the future I craved - a future where I would be revered, respected, and feared. I was reminded at every turn that I was gifted, that with just a bit of effort, I could easily progress in my training and studies.
The other students may have struggled, but for me, it was child's play. I breezed through the curriculum, leaving my peers in the dust. My confidence only grew.
After all of my hard work, I got into Valor Academy, and I thought I was going to be at the top, but two obstacles were getting in my way.
The first was Miyuki Shibata, a girl with flame-emitting powers who was constantly overshadowing me. No matter how hard I tried, she always managed to outshine me in the classroom and during practical training exercises. The teachers seemed to fawn over her, praising her progress and leadership skills. It infuriated me to see her bask in the glory I so rightfully deserved.
(Kazuya POV)
The second obstacle was Eddie Logan. While he isn't a SUPER, he is top in the academy for academics. That irritates me to no end. How can someone without powers outshine me in the classroom? It's an absolute injustice.
Whenever the teachers call on him, he always has the right answer, leaving the rest of us in the dust. His essays and projects are flawless, earning him praise and admiration from the faculty. It's sickening to watch. I should be the one basking in that kind of adoration, not some weakling who can't even defend himself.
I'm always second-best to those two, which infuriates me. I thought I could have Miyuki serve under me or even become my girlfriend. She is talented and beautiful, so making her mine shouldn't have been an issue. But that gorilla woman dared to reject me. I then considered making Eddie Logan suffer, but he and Miyuki are friends, so she always protects him.
I can't stand being overlooked and outshined by them. It infuriates me to see Miyuki and Eddie constantly outperforming me. I deserve to be at the top. That is where I belong, and I won't settle for anything less. I've worked too hard and have too much potential to be stuck in their shadows.
I was out with my friends one day, having fun. I saw a girl I fancied and tried to flirt with her, but Miyuki got in the way and tried to stop me.
"Hey, leave her alone!" Miyuki shouted, stepping between me and the girl.
I rolled my eyes at her interference. "Well, well, if it isn't little Miss Miyuki. Come to play the hero again, I see."
"Stop this right now. Let her go," Miyuki demanded, her eyes narrowing.
I smirked, enjoying how riled up she was getting. "I don't think so. We were just getting started."
"I won't let you hurt her," Miyuki said, her voice firm.
"Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, aren't you, Miyuki? First, it was protecting that pathetic friend of yours, and now this? I'm getting real tired of you interfering with my fun."
Miyuki's expression hardened. "Your 'fun' is terrorizing innocent people. That's not fun, that's just cruel. Didn't you want to be a hero?! Then how could you do something like this!"
I let out a frustrated sigh. "Hey, hey, you're making this sound more ridiculous than it is. We're just having a bit of fun. Besides, I'm going to be a future pro hero. I'm going to be the best of the best. I'm just giving her a chance to be my woman in advance."
Miyuki's eyes narrowed, and before I could react, she lashed out, kicking me in the shin.
"That hurts, you gorilla woman!" I yelped, stumbling to the ground.
I tell my friends to attack her. They ganged up on her, but as expected, Miyuki is strong. She is skilled and is using her flames to her advantage. I support my friends with my telekinesis, throwing nearby objects at Miyuki.
She starts to get tired, and I can see her slowing down.
"What's the matter, Miyuki? Already feeling tired?" I taunt, my voice dripping with malice. I relish the sight of her struggling against my friends' assault. This is my chance to finally put that meddlesome girl in her place.
I threw a metal pipe at Miyuki as a distraction and slammed a dumpster into her. She fell to the ground, and I heard a cracking noise. I panicked when I saw her head was bleeding.
My friends also panicked because we didn't mean to go this far. They turned to me, their eyes wide with fear, and asked, "Kazuya, what do we do now?"
I quickly responded, "We need to get out of here, right away. This has gone too far. Let's just go before we get caught."
"Damn it, that wasn't supposed to happen..."
When I heard Miyuki was in a coma, I felt relieved. Relieved that she was not dead and one less obstacle out of my way for being No. 1. Eddie seemed to know it was me who did it, but he didn't have any evidence, and I'm sure my friends won't rat themselves out.
The teachers kept asking questions, but I played it cool, feigning concern and ignorance. With Miyuki out of the picture, I could finally shine without her constant interference.
I can deal with Eddie any time I want since he does not have Miyuki protecting him anymore. I have not seen him recently. He must be avoiding me, knowing he can't beat me.
Me and my friends are hanging out after school. I notice Victor and Jamie are missing. We headed to a club yesterday and I did not see them after throwing Jamie out and Victor went out with a girl.
"Hey, guys, where are Victor and Jamie?" I ask, looking around. "Didn't they come with us today?"
My friends exchange uneasy glances. "Uh, well, you see, Kazuya... We haven't seen them since last night," one of them admits, rubbing the back of his neck.
I narrow my eyes, feeling a twinge of irritation. "What do you mean you haven't seen them? Did something happen?"
"We don't really know what happened to them. Victor and Jamie haven't shown up at school either. They're probably just sick from the wild party we went to last night. That's the most likely explanation."
"Yeah, you're right. That's probably the case."
Days passed, and I began to notice one by one. My friends started not showing up. I told one of them to call them, but they didn't answer their phones. I began to notice something weird is happening.
"Hey, did you try calling Victor and Jamie again?" I ask, a hint of concern creeping into my voice. "They still haven't shown up."
My friend shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "Yeah, I did. Their phones just go straight to voicemail. I even stopped by their houses, but no one's home."
I frown, a nagging feeling of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. "That's strange. They wouldn't just disappear like this, would they?"
I told the others to contact their parents and they told me that they didn't come home and are missing.
"Yo, I just talked to Jamie's mom," another friend says, his brow furrowed with worry. "She said he never came home last night. She's been trying to reach him all day, but his phone is not answering."
My eyes widen as a sense of dread washes over me. "Victor's parents said the same thing. He hasn't been home since we left the club last night."
We all exchange uneasy glances, the realization slowly sinking in. "You don't think... something happened to them, do you?" one of them asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "I don't know, but we need to figure this out. This isn't like them to just disappear without a trace."
I stare at my remaining friends, a growing sense of dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. We had decided to investigate the disappearances of Victor, Jamie, and the others, but our efforts yielded no clues. Days turned into weeks, and the situation only grew more concerning.
One by one, my other friends started vanishing as well. I watched helplessly as each of them failed to show up, their families reporting them missing. The uncertainty was driving me mad. Where could they all be? What was happening?
Even my remaining friends were feeling scared. Some didn't want to leave their homes, and when we tried to visit them, they also disappeared. The pattern was undeniable, but the cause remained a mystery.
I found myself growing increasingly paranoid, jumping at every shadow, fearing that I might be the next one to vanish without a trace.
"Dude, we should call the cops, they can help us figure this out!" my friend said, his voice laced with worry.
I shook my head. "No, that's not gonna work. They'll just think it's a missing persons case. We need solid proof if we want them to take this seriously and actually protect us."
My friend's brow furrowed. "But what if we're next? We can't just sit around and do nothing!"
I sighed, the weight of the situation bearing down on me. "I know, but we've got to be smart about this. We'll figure it out on our own."
They hesitate, biting their lip nervously. "But Kazuya, I'm scared. What if we end up like the others?"
I reply, "Being a coward won't help us now. We need to take action and find out what's really going on."
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a text message. It was from my friend Jake, the one we thought had disappeared too. He said he'd gotten permission from his parents to use their family's yacht, and he was inviting us all to join him.
"Guys, you'll never believe this! Jake just texted. He got his parents' okay to use their yacht, and he wants us to come with him. What do you say? Are you in?"
The others perk up at the mention of the yacht. "A trip could be just what we need to get our minds off all this," one of them suggests. "Maybe it'll help us relax and recharge."
I nod, considering the offer. As much as I want to get to the bottom of these disappearances, a change of scenery might do us some good right now. "Alright, let's do it. Maybe a day out on the water will give us a fresh perspective."
