Game of Higher Hands - When Everything Changed

7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXraMXxunRB

I shrug.

"Well... congratulations again."

I put both hands into my pockets and turn around.

Time to leave.

Then—

Something feels wrong.

Not dangerous.

Not yet.

Just...

strange.

A monster lying on the street suddenly starts shaking.

Its whole body twitches violently.

"...?"

I stop walking.

Another one.

Then another.

Soon...

every monster around the forbidden zone is shaking.

Their bodies twist unnaturally.

Their arms jerk.

Their heads tremble.

Like something invisible is pulling every muscle at once.

"What are they doing?"

Ben frowns.

"I've never seen this before."

Nobody has.

The shaking continues for several seconds.

Then—

everything stops.

The monsters slowly stand up.

Something is different.

Their eyes.

Before...

their eyes looked empty.

Now...

they are focused.

Alive.

One by one...

they all turn their heads.

Toward us.

Every single monster...

is staring at exactly the same place.

"...Run."

Ethan says quietly.

Nobody moves.

Because nobody expects what happens next.

Far away—

sirens.

Military trucks finally arrive.

Speakers begin shouting.

"High-level warning!"

"Everyone leave the area immediately!"

"Unknown abnormal activity detected!"

The loudspeaker echoes across the street.

Every monster instantly turns.

Toward the sound.

Silence.

One second.

Two.

Then—

they explode into motion.

They don't wander anymore.

They don't move randomly.

They sprint.

Toward sound.

Toward movement.

Toward people.

The streets instantly become chaos.

Some monsters rush toward the military.

Others charge nearby civilians.

Several race directly toward us.

"...They're hunting."

I whisper.

"They evolved!"

Ryan shouts.

"No!"

Ethan corrects him.

"They're adapting!"

That answer isn't any better.

"Positions!"

Ethan shouts.

The six immediately move without hesitation.

Like they've practiced this before.

I don't even think.

I move too.

This isn't my fight.

But if I don't fight...

I'm dead.

A monster jumps first.

Too fast.

Much faster than before.

I barely dodge.

Its claws scrape my shoulder.

"...Damn."

I kick its knee.

It doesn't fall.

It grabs again.

I activate my speed ability.

The world blurs.

I appear behind it.

Punch.

Elbow.

Kick.

Finally...

it drops.

I breathe heavily.

"...They're stronger."

Not just stronger.

Faster.

Sharper.

Their reactions are better.

Their senses are terrifying.

Another one charges.

I throw a broken pipe.

Use my second ability.

The pipe changes direction.

Hits the monster's face.

Before...

that would've been enough.

Now?

It only staggers.

Then keeps running.

"...Seriously?"

Even I start struggling.

The Chosen Team isn't doing much better.

Ethan controls blue energy around his fists.

Every punch sends monsters flying.

Lily creates barriers of light.

Protecting teammates whenever someone is surrounded.

Ben covers his arms with black metal.

Turning every punch into a hammer.

Ryan controls flames.

Not huge ones.

But fast.

Precise.

Perfect for stopping monsters from surrounding everyone.

Mia fires thin blades of wind.

Almost invisible.

Quick enough to cut through monster legs before they reach the group.

Ava strengthens everyone nearby.

Not physically bigger—

just faster.

Stronger.

More energetic.

Watching them fight...

I understand immediately.

No wonder they were chosen.

Each ability fills another person's weakness.

Not six individuals.

One complete team.

Their personalities fit too.

Ethan stays calm even under pressure.

Always making decisions.

Ben complains constantly...

but is always the first to stand in front.

Lily worries about everyone.

Even during battle.

Ryan jokes whenever things become stressful.

Mia barely speaks.

She simply watches everything carefully before acting.

Ava quietly supports everyone.

Never asking for attention.

"...Interesting."

They're stronger together than alone.

Then—

A monster suddenly appears behind me.

Before I can react—

someone grabs my arm.

I am pulled backward.

"...Hey!"

I lose balance.

Sit down hard on the ground.

"...Ow."

I look beside me.

The new girl.

She is sitting there too.

Completely unharmed.

I blink.

"...What?"

I look forward again.

The Chosen Team has moved in front of us.

Without anyone saying it...

they have placed us behind their formation.

Protecting us.

"They're protecting me?"

I laugh softly.

"I'm seventeen."

"So is she."

"They really think we're kids."

I lean back.

Supporting myself with both hands.

"...Fine."

"I'll enjoy the VIP seat for a minute."

No one hears me.

Everyone is too busy fighting.

I turn toward the girl.

Planning to start a conversation.

Then...

I stop.

"...?"

Her face.

Something changed.

A few minutes ago...

she looked harmless.

Gentle.

Almost like a frightened kitten.

Now...

she isn't even watching the battle.

She quietly looks somewhere else.

Lost in her own thoughts.

Her expression is calm.

Cold.

Distant.

Like she suddenly became another person.

I stare for a second.

"...Maybe she's just tired."

I don't ask.

Instead...

I look back at the battlefield.

Watching.

Learning.

Everyone has habits.

Ethan always steps forward first.

Ben protects the left side.

Lily naturally moves toward injured people.

Ryan attacks before monsters gather.

Mia always watches the biggest threat.

Ava never lets anyone leave her support range.

"...Good teamwork."

I quietly remember everything.

Information is useful.

Always.

Then—

something goes wrong.

Ben is pushed backward by a heavy monster.

He stumbles.

Another creature immediately jumps toward him.

Too fast.

Lily is too far away.

Ryan is surrounded.

Ethan can't reach him in time.

Ben begins falling backward.

Without thinking—

I push myself off the ground.

"...I've got—"

Before I can finish—

a shadow flashes past me.

Someone rushes forward.

Faster than all of us.

Straight toward Ben.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczb3OSKHRK

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