186-190

*Chapter 186: Impact*

“…The robbers’ car showed no sign of stopping—they seemed intent on charging straight through. The three people in its path didn’t even have time to move out of the way…”

From the helicopter above, the reporter couldn’t see clearly due to the distance.

All he could make out were three indistinct figures blocking the speeding car’s path, seemingly moments away from being struck.

As disaster seemed inevitable, even the seasoned journalist couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

But then, in the very next second—

The anticipated tragedy didn’t happen. Confronted with the oncoming vehicle, the three figures swung their arms in an upward motion. Instantly, the robbers’ car was flung into the air, flipping and crashing violently to the ground in a twisted heap of metal.

“Oh my God!”

The reporter’s face turned to one of utter shock.

What he had seen as a blurry scene was captured far more clearly on camera.

With the footage slowed down by the TV station, viewers could distinctly see the three figures lifting the car as though it were a scene from a superhero movie.

“…That’s right, you didn’t see it wrong,” the news anchor declared with a serious expression. “What you just witnessed wasn’t a movie special effect but real footage from a high-speed chase in New York City. Three unidentified ‘superheroes’ appeared at the scene and stopped the fleeing bank robbers by flipping their car…”

The broadcast cut back to the studio.

“This is Amanda reporting…”

---

*Washington, D.C., BSI Headquarters*

Amanda had just received a call from the BSI Director.

“…Understood, sir. In fact, we’ve already begun investigating these ‘superheroes.’ I’ve seen the news, and there’s no doubt about it… Yes, sir… I understand… On it.”

Hanging up, Amanda looked around at her colleagues and shook her head.

“These ‘superheroes’ are now officially our responsibility.”

---

“Did you see that, Matt? The look of sheer terror on that robber’s face when we flipped the car?”

Having escaped the scene, Andrew and the others were pulling off their makeshift uniforms, their faces still brimming with excitement.

“I never imagined being a superhero would be this thrilling. We just stopped a crime right in front of the NYPD!”

“We’re superheroes. Real superheroes!”

Taking a deep breath to calm his emotions, Steve looked down at his hands, a faint echo of screams in his mind. But at that moment, he was too consumed by the joy of being a superhero to care.

“You’re way too excited, Steve,” Matt said, shaking his head at Steve’s rambling. Remembering what had just happened, he couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive.

“We barely escaped being caught by the police.”

Matt wasn’t exaggerating. After stopping the bank robbers, the trio tried to leave the scene as usual, only to be relentlessly pursued by NYPD officers. If it weren’t for Andrew, the most powerful of the three, disabling the police cars, their “superhero” journey might have ended prematurely.

“Those damn cops! Couldn’t they see we were helping them catch criminals?”

Steve grumbled, recalling their narrow escape. He cast a glance at Andrew, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Although the three had all gained supernatural powers from the mysterious pool, Andrew, who had entered the pool an extra time, was significantly stronger.

Abilities like self-levitation and controlling multiple objects at once, which Steve and Matt couldn’t even attempt, came easily to Andrew.

“If only we could fly, we wouldn’t have been in such a mess during the police chase,” Steve lamented.

Even Andrew, the strongest among them, looked uneasy as he recalled the recent events. His mind wandered to the pool in the tunnel, and he muttered under his breath.

“You’re right, Andrew,” Steve agreed immediately.

Matt, though silent, wore an expression that showed he was considering the idea as well.

Having tasted the power of their abilities, the trio was already deeply intoxicated by it.

---

“All gifts from fate come with a hidden price tag—you just don’t know what it is yet…”

Sitting before the system interface, Allen softly murmured to himself.

While Andrew and his friends reveled in the glory of their “superhero” identities, Allen, as the mastermind behind the story, was well aware that the price for their “gift” had already been set.

Glancing at the system screen, he lowered his eyes to the notebook on his desk.

Meanwhile, the TV station’s coverage had driven more and more viewers to the video’s comments section.

“What? Superheroes actually exist?”

“This has to be movie CGI or some kind of marketing stunt, right?”

“I know someone who works at the NYPD, and they confirmed this is real footage from the scene. No effects—superheroes are real!”

“Oh my God!”

“If superheroes are real, what should we call these three? The Amazing Trio? Telekinesis Teens?”

“Their costumes are awful. If I were a superhero, I’d at least pick something cool, like Iron Man’s suit.”

“Come on, this is real life, not a movie. Building an Iron Man suit is impossible with today’s technology.”

“Who says? If superheroes exist, why not Iron Man?”

As discussions grew, debates about real-life superheroes versus movie superheroes began to emerge.

Soon, the conversation wasn’t limited to the internet.

Crowds began flocking to the streets where the “superheroes” had fought crime, hoping to catch a glimpse of the scene.

---

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 187: Enhanced Power*

"Screenwriter Allen, I didn’t expect you to be so interested in the ‘superhero’ news circulating online..."

On the set of Modern Family.

One of the episode writers noticed the news displayed on Allen’s laptop screen and casually remarked.

"Well, it’s not every day you get to see real-life ‘superheroes’ in the real world."

Hearing this, Allen played along with a curious expression, shrugged, and replied.

"Exactly. Without the news, I’d never have imagined that so-called ‘superheroes’ could actually exist in reality."

With Allen breaking the ice, other crew members joined in, sharing their thoughts on the trending topic.

"Apparently, the appearance of these three ‘superheroes’ prompted New York City’s government to consult Marvel Comics for their opinion on the matter."

"Not just that, I heard even Robert Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man, and Christian Bale, who played Batman, were approached by the media for their take on this."

"Downey said he’d love to meet these real-life ‘superheroes’ if given the chance, while Bale remained tight-lipped."

The emergence of real ‘superheroes’ had started influencing Hollywood’s own portrayals of them—something Allen hadn’t anticipated.

Or perhaps, from the very beginning, he hadn’t expected Andrew and the others to choose the path of ‘superheroes’ after gaining their powers.

This deviation from the script seemed to have evolved the story into something entirely new.

But no matter how the plot unfolded, its ending was already written.

...

"Andrew, are you sure you want to go first?"

Deep within the tunnel, the water pool continued to emit a faint blue glow.

Standing at the edge of the pool, Andrew gazed down at his reflection in the water. For a moment, he wondered if it was just his imagination, but the expression on the reflection’s face seemed more vivid than before.

Nearby, Steve spoke up, snapping Andrew out of his thoughts.

With past experiences in mind, the three of them were well aware that touching the pool water would lead to a brief loss of consciousness.

After some discussion, they decided to take turns, ensuring that at least one of them remained alert after each contact with the water.

"I want to see how much stronger I’ll get after the third contact."

Steve’s words broke Andrew’s train of thought.

Taking a deep breath, Andrew glanced back at his two companions, nodded, and stretched his hand toward the glowing blue water.

Sploosh!  

As the water rippled, a ghostly blue hand shot out from the pool, gripping Andrew’s wrist tightly. This time, Andrew was prepared and didn’t panic. Despite the icy chill spreading from the hand, he tried to pull his arm back.

But in the next instant...

The immense strength of the blue hand shocked Andrew. It was far stronger than anything he’d encountered before, and he felt himself being pulled toward the pool.

As the hand’s grip tightened, a blurry shadow beneath the surface seemed to be drawing closer.

"Help! Pull me back!"

The bone-chilling cold crept up Andrew’s arm, quickly spreading through most of his body. Struggling against his increasingly stiffened limbs, Andrew turned his head with great effort, calling out to the others.

"What’s happening, Andrew?!"

Hearing Andrew’s cries, Steve and Matt didn’t hesitate. They grabbed him and pulled with all their strength.

Sploosh!  

With their combined effort, the grip on Andrew’s wrist weakened and finally let go, retreating beneath the water’s surface with an almost reluctant motion.

The three of them fell backward onto the uneven ground, gasping for air.

"Andrew, what just happened?" Matt asked urgently, looking at his shaken friend.

"There was a hand... it tried to pull me into the pool," Andrew said, sitting up. He glanced warily at the water, his face still pale from the ordeal.

If not for Steve and Matt, he might have been dragged under.

Though he didn’t know what would have happened if he had gone in, Andrew had no intention of finding out.

"Maybe it’s a warning," Matt suggested, staring at the now-still pool. "A warning that we can only gain power three times at most?"

"That’s ridiculous," Steve scoffed, dismissing the idea. "Andrew probably just wasn’t prepared. It was an accident, nothing more."

Steve’s skepticism was clear. Watching Andrew’s uneasy expression, a darker thought crossed his mind: Was Andrew faking it to scare them off from further enhancing their powers?

Hiding his suspicion, Steve asked, "More importantly, Andrew, do you feel any stronger now?"

Andrew turned his attention inward, sensing the changes in his body. Opening his eyes, he raised a hand and flicked his fingers.

"Oh, shit!"

To Matt and Steve’s amazement, they began to float in the air.

"I can control my flight effortlessly now," Andrew said, grinning. "If I came across those bank robbers again, I could probably flip their car over by myself."

"Does that mean your strength now surpasses what the three of us combined had before?" Steve asked, visibly excited.

He then added, "And have you noticed something else, Andrew? You haven’t passed out this time."

"..."

Steve’s words made Andrew pause.

Gently lowering Matt and Steve back to the ground, Andrew stared at his hands.

Steve was right—he hadn’t fainted, nor had he heard the faint screaming in his mind that usually accompanied these power surges.

To be continued...

Chapter 188: Quitting

“Cut!”

Los Angeles, Modern Family set.

After filming the final “family portrait” scene, the director shouted, “Cut.”

“All right, everyone, season one of Modern Family is officially wrapped.”

Turning to exchange a glance with the writing team behind him—especially the show’s producer, Allen—the director of the series finally announced the completion of filming.

As the first season wrapped smoothly, the crew erupted into enthusiastic applause.

In front of the cameras, the cast relaxed their expressions, slipping out of their roles, and joined in celebratory gestures.

Since it was only the season one wrap-up, the party prepared by the crew was modest. After packing up equipment, they held the celebration directly at Gloria’s house, one of the show’s outdoor filming locations.

Nevertheless, under the festive atmosphere, everyone seemed relaxed and fully enjoyed themselves.

“I hope we’ll have the chance to collaborate again in the future, Writer Allen.”

“I look forward to it as well…”

Holding a glass of wine, Allen clinked glasses with the second half-season director of Modern Family, replying with polite courtesy.

Hollywood, big as it seems, is a small world.

If one has the intent to collaborate, opportunities abound. But if there’s no will, even a golden chance may slip by.

After toasting, the director sensibly moved on, leaving Allen to survey the wrap party. His eyes flickered briefly before settling on the broken system interface before him.

---

Recently, “superheroes” had become the hottest topic across the United States.

Even the president in the White House mentioned them multiple times in his speeches, expressing concern about their activities.

As the superheroes’ actions grew more frequent, online opinions about them started to diverge.

Some believed their methods were too extreme.

The fate of certain criminals had exceeded the punishment they deserved, particularly after the condition of offenders in ICU critical care units came to light.

More people began to voice concerns about the superheroes’ actions.

They argued that the so-called “superheroes” were engaging in criminal behavior themselves and, in the end, weren’t much different from the criminals they fought.

Of course, not everyone online was critical of the three superheroes.

Many still supported their “fight fire with fire” approach.

Imitators even began to emerge on the internet.

Dressing up as their favorite superheroes, they roamed the streets of New York, combating crime.

Until three days ago.

An imitator died tragically.

---

“They’re calling us murderers…”

At Matt’s home, he stared at the online backlash over the imitator’s death, particularly the heart-wrenching interview with the deceased’s family.

Matt felt a pang of discomfort.

“That has nothing to do with us! The one who killed him was a vicious robber,” Steve countered angrily, his eyes also on the online commentary.

“But if we hadn’t appeared, he wouldn’t have dressed up like that to stop criminals.”

“Superheroes have existed for ages—in comics and movies. Iron Man, Batman—they’ve stopped criminals countless times. If anyone’s to blame, blame the movies and comics. We’re not at fault.”

“You know it’s not the same, Steve,” Matt interrupted, unable to tolerate Steve’s excuses.

“Someone died because of us.”

“So, what’s your plan? Go confess to the police that our actions caused someone to get shot by a robber?!”

“…”

Steve’s accusation left Matt silent.

While he felt guilty over the imitator’s death, it wasn’t enough to make him turn himself in.

Steve’s words were biased, but he wasn’t entirely wrong—the imitator hadn’t been killed by them.

“I’m quitting,” Matt finally said.

But the thought that their “superhero” actions had indirectly caused someone’s death planted a seed of doubt in Matt’s heart.

He looked at Steve and the silent Andrew, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

“Matt, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Steve said, his expression shifting.

“I’m not joking. I’m serious.”

Matt’s resolve only solidified in response to Steve’s disbelief.

“I thought being a ‘superhero’ would be a good thing, that we could help people. But now, things are different…”

Reality was not like the comics.

The trio hadn’t become superheroes out of a sense of duty like in movies. They’d done it out of a thrill-seeking impulse after gaining supernatural powers. But the thrill was short-lived, especially when it involved life and death.

Fear began to creep into Matt’s heart, making him instinctively want to retreat.

“You’re just a coward, Matt.”

Steve’s frustration boiled over.

“If that’s the case, I’m quitting too,” Andrew, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“What?!”

Steve’s expression turned incredulous, unable to hide his shock.

“Andrew, you…”

Even Matt was surprised by Andrew’s decision, given that it had been Andrew’s idea to become superheroes in the first place.

Andrew’s departure was a huge blow to their already unstable group.

“Since a few days ago, my mom’s health has been worsening,” Andrew explained, his tone conflicted. Then, after a pause, his face darkened as he added, “And ever since touching the pool that day, I’ve felt increasingly strange. Maybe you shouldn’t come into contact with it anymore either.”

But Steve clearly didn’t believe him.

He glared at the two, his anger reaching its peak.

“Fine! If you’re quitting, then quit! I don’t need you. I’ll prove that I can be a ‘superhero’ all by myself…”

---

(Chapter End)  

Chapter 189: Acting Alone

“Did it end on a bad note?”

Los Angeles. At the wrap party for Modern Family.

Allen glanced at the system panel, observing the events unfolding, and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

However, his face didn’t reveal much surprise.

After all, reality isn’t like the movies.

Even in films, without the imminent destruction of Earth, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn’t have succeeded in assembling the Avengers as a team.

Let alone three teenagers who suddenly acquired "superpowers."

---

“Allen, everyone’s waiting for you…”

As Allen’s thoughts drifted while staring at the system panel, Sofia Vergara’s voice snapped him back to reality.

He turned to look at the crowd at the party, many of whom were casting friendly glances his way, clearly acknowledging his authority and influence as a creative force on the show.

With a smile, Allen held up his wine glass and seamlessly blended into the party.

Meanwhile, as Allen attended the Modern Family wrap party, in the evolving script...

The BSI team in New York was busy wrestling with the "superhero" case.

---

“There’s no useful lead…”

Returning from the latest crime scene linked to the “superheroes,” Agent Phil shook his head, his face weary.

“They’re too fast—we can’t keep up.”

After their encounter with the pool, Andrew and his companions had become even stronger.

“And the copycats… They’re making this investigation a nightmare.”

A few days ago, the death of one of the imitators had led some impulsive individuals to realize the dangers of so-called “superheroes,” causing many to abandon their ambitions.

Yet, there were still some zealous imitators who continued their actions.

Their antics created significant obstacles for Amanda and her team’s investigation.

With “superheroes” appearing across various locations, the team not only had to discern which incidents were genuinely linked to the three original “superheroes” and which were copycat cases, but also coordinate police efforts to prevent further fatalities like the recent imitator case.

The earlier imitator fatality had stirred public outrage—not just against the three so-called “superheroes” but also against the NYPD.

As the agency specifically assigned to the case, BSI naturally bore the brunt of the pressure, even though the NYPD officially took the public heat.

Behind the scenes, the federal government wasn’t staying silent either.

BSI headquarters had received multiple calls from the Pentagon, urging them to swiftly identify the “superheroes” and contain the growing controversy.

From this perspective, it was evident that, whether in movies or real life, government agencies don’t tend to favor so-called “superheroes.”

Especially in the real world—without the pretext of an apocalyptic disaster—no government agency would welcome individuals or groups challenging the authority of law enforcement.

---

“We’ve got a new development, Chief.”

At the BSI temporary headquarters...

Hearing Phil’s report, Angela, who had been quietly working on her computer, suddenly spoke up.

“The police just received a tip—a ‘superhero’ was spotted in Manhattan.”

Pulling up the NYPD’s call recordings, Angela’s fingers flew across the keyboard. She quickly located surveillance footage near the scene based on the caller’s location.

“Based on the costume design and body profile comparison…”

“The individual spotted on XXX Street in Manhattan appears to be one of the three ‘superheroes.’”

“Everyone, get ready to move out.”

Although it was unclear why only one “superhero” had appeared this time, Amanda didn’t have the luxury to ponder.

Her gaze swept over the BSI team, pausing briefly on Spike.

“This time, Spike and I will handle it together.”

---

“Cough, cough… cough, cough, cough…”

Flying in through the window, Andrew immediately heard violent coughing from the adjacent room.

He wasn’t lying—his mother’s condition had worsened significantly over the past few days.

Recently, he’d been so absorbed in his “superhero” persona that he had consciously, or subconsciously, ignored her deteriorating health.

But as her illness became more severe, Andrew realized he could no longer turn a blind eye.

He had to do something.

Standing in the room, Andrew clenched his fists as the harsh coughing from the next room intensified.

Bang!  

Suddenly, the tightly closed door was flung open. A man reeking of alcohol stormed into Andrew’s room.

“Andrew, don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to! Sneaking out to hang with your little friends while leaving your sick mother to suffer alone at home…”

Holding a liquor bottle, the man roared at Andrew.

“You little punk! I’ve spent my hard-earned money sending you to school, and this is how you repay me? If it weren’t for your tuition, your mother could’ve gotten better treatment… If it weren’t for that damned illness of hers, I wouldn’t be in this mess. You and your mother are nothing but burdens, ruining my life…”

The man swayed on his feet, his drunken voice full of complaints about his misfortunes.

Glaring at Andrew’s calm demeanor only fueled his rage.

He hurled the bottle to the ground with a crash and staggered toward Andrew, raising his fist to strike.

“...What the hell?”

But in the next moment, the man’s drunken expression turned into one of shock.

He found himself unable to move, his fist frozen mid-air.

“I go to FU**ing public school…”

Andrew tightened his fist, staring coldly at the man.

“And public school doesn’t cost money, you idiot!”

Boom!  

With that, the man’s body flew backward, slamming into the wall with a heavy thud.

Andrew stepped over the groaning man and entered his mother’s bedroom.

“Cough, cough… cough, cough…”

Standing by the bed, Andrew watched his mother’s pained expression. His face darkened.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make you better, Mom. I promise.”

As he spoke, Andrew extended his hand, placing it gently on her frail body.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 190: Enjoyment*

Cough, cough, cough...  

On the bed, as Andrew gently stroked her back, the pained expression on his mother’s face eased slightly.

"Andrew?"

She opened her eyes, looking at Andrew sitting by the bed, murmuring weakly.

Seeing this, a flicker of joy crossed Andrew’s otherwise grim face.

Cough, cough, cough, cough!  

But before his smile could fully form, a more violent coughing fit overtook her. His mother’s face twisted in agony again as her eyes widened with unbearable pain.

Andrew silently stood up, watching his mother suffer.

He raised a hand toward the man collapsed on the ground and pulled him closer, his voice low and menacing.

"Tell me, how can I cure my mom’s illness?"

Suspended in midair, the man struggled to breathe, choking from the pressure on his throat. "I… I can’t breathe!"

Hearing his plea, Andrew slightly loosened his grip, repeating his question.

"I don’t know..."

Helplessly floating, the man shook his head, his hoarse voice trembling. "The hospital might have a way, but I don’t have the money for treatment. Even the medication we’re using now was prescribed years ago by a doctor."

"The hospital."

Andrew turned his head to glance at his mother’s agonized figure on the bed.

Bang!  

He swung his arm, flinging the man against the wall with a dull thud.

Amid the man’s cries of pain, Andrew carefully adjusted his mother’s position, moving her closer to the breathing apparatus.

Ignoring the man’s groans, he opened the door with a wave of his hand and flew out of the room.

---

"Hmm, interesting…"

In New York, inside a car heading toward Manhattan where "superheroes" were rumored to appear, Spike glanced at a newspaper featuring a photo of the so-called heroes on its front page. Raising an eyebrow, he turned to Amanda beside him.

"Did you know? When these ‘superheroes’ first appeared, they didn’t show any ability to fly. This means their ability to fly might be something they acquired recently."

"How can you be sure?"

Amanda, controlling the vehicle through Manhattan’s bustling streets, responded without taking her eyes off the road.

"Maybe they just didn’t want to reveal that ability too soon."

"If you were a superhero making your debut, would you show up at a crime scene like an ordinary person or descend dramatically from the sky?"

Spike didn’t immediately refute Amanda’s words. Instead, he posed a rhetorical question.

Amanda’s thoughtful expression revealed her agreement.

Indeed, as Spike suggested, if the superheroes had flight capabilities from the start, they would’ve showcased them in earlier footage. Hiding it didn’t align with their bold, attention-grabbing style.

Spike’s insight left Amanda with new doubts.

"Do you already know something?"

She glanced at Spike in the passenger seat, whose expression remained calm.

"I have some guesses, but they need confirmation."

Spike nodded without denying it, motioning for her to focus on the road ahead.

---

*Manhattan, Crime Scene*

Thanks to relentless media coverage, the "superhero trio" had become a household name in America.

"Hey, Super Kid, go get him!"

"Punch that guy hard, Super Kid!"

As Steve arrived at the scene, a crowd of spectators naturally gathered, cheering and recording him with their phones.

The atmosphere felt less like a crime in progress and more like a celebrity fan event.

"I got you."

Pointing at the cheering crowd, Steve clearly enjoyed the adulation.

Turning back to face the criminal, he spoke nonchalantly.

"Today’s your unlucky day, pal."

"So, what’s it going to be? Surrender peacefully, or put up a fight and make things worse for yourself? If I were you, I’d choose the first option—you’d at least save yourself some trouble."

The cornered criminal, a nervous-looking Black man, glanced at the jeering crowd. Gritting his teeth, he shouted back at Steve, his eyes bloodshot.

"Don’t get cocky, kid! You’re alone now. I don’t believe you’re really invincible!"

Dropping the knife in his hand, he pulled out a handgun and aimed it at Steve.

Seeing the weapon, the crowd let out gasps and quickly backed away.

They had come to watch a superhero fight crime, not to risk becoming collateral damage.

"Go ahead, try it."

To be honest, the sight of the gun made Steve nervous.

Though they’d faced armed criminals before, it had always been with all three of them together, leaving no chance for the enemy to fire.

Now, facing the gun alone, Steve couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Still, he maintained his composure, hoping to unsettle the criminal and seize the moment to disarm him.

Bang, bang!  

Steve’s plan was solid, but he underestimated the pressure on the criminal.

Imagine being a petty thief, planning a quick heist, only to be confronted by a "superhero" in front of a crowd recording every second.

The criminal had seen clips of Steve’s feats, including flipping cars with ease.

So, at Steve’s warning, he panicked. His mind blanked, and he instinctively pulled the trigger.

Amid the sharp cracks of gunfire, the crowd erupted in screams.

(End of Chapter)