Power Dealer Chapter 2: Electrokinesis.

Chapter 2: Electrokinesis.


Gray's first theory? The static field was composed of his body's bio-electricity- ion flows in cells, nerve signals e.t.c.

Which was why he could innately control the direction of the electric currents in the static field, to push or pull the sheets off himself.

This theory coincided with the laws of science. Following that same scientific logic...

"Faraday's law states moving charges, create stronger fields, right?"

Therefore, increasing the rotation speed of his own static field would make it stronger.

"Like a bycicle dynamo." He concluded in excitement.

Sitting cross-legged once again, he focused on the energy coursing through his skin.

He imagined it spinning—like a wheel turning faster and faster. A faint hum filled the air as the electro-field became more active, pulling in stray dust and fibers from the carpet.

He kept the rotation going for an hour, noting how the field seemed to draw in more than just lint—there was a strange sensation, like gathering unseen energy.

Three hours later, he had to stop typing on his laptop because the charged field made the screen glitch. Annoyed, he decided to switch to meditation.

By the six-hour mark, a loud ping rang in his ears, snapping him out of his trance.

A glowing blue notification appeared in front of him.

-0-

[Power Growth Meter: 100%]

[Congratulations! Static Electricity Generation- D rank has met the necessary requirements to evolve.

Choose a Growth Path:

1. Pull.

2. Push.

3. Rotation.]

-0-

Gray’s eyes flickered over the options.

“Wait… so power evolution isn’t just a linear upgrade? I actually get to choose a path?”

His mind raced through the possibilities.

Pull and Push could lead to telekinesis or even gravity control. But Rotation…

He had a feeling it would enhance his electric charge capacity, making the power stronger in a way he truly understood.

The choice was obvious.

“Rotation,” he said firmly.

The screen blinked.

-0-

[D-Rank ability [Static Electricity Generation] has evolved into C-Rank ability [Minor Electro-Manipulation]

[Ability can be sold to the Fictional Mechanics Store for $1000 or purchased at a 10% discount for $900.]

-0-

Gray hesitated. His rent was due soon, and he was short on cash. A thousand bucks would be an easy fix.

But the thrill of evolving his power was more tempting than money.

“…Not yet,” he murmured. “Let’s see how far I can take this.”

His eyes gleamed as he clenched his fist, feeling the now visibly stronger electro-field crackling around him.

Time to push it to the next level.

Gray sat in the middle of his apartment, surrounded by a swirling cloud of dust, crumpled paper, and stray bits of foil. His electro-field had become something more—a visible, crackling sphere of energy flickering with faint blue streaks.

Yet, despite hours of effort, the Power Growth Meter stubbornly refused to move past 99%.

Gray groaned, rubbing his temples. “What the hell am I missing?”

He had spent the entire day increasing the rotation speed of the electro-field.

At this point, it was so fast that objects near him were getting drawn in like a mini storm of static-charged debris. And yet… no progress.

The answer had to be right in front of him.

A low rumble echoed outside, making him glance toward the window. The sky had darkened, heavy with rolling storm clouds.

A flash of lightning lit up the horizon, followed seconds later by a distant thunderclap.

Gray’s breath hitched.

If this were a story…

If this were one of his webnovel protagonists stuck at 99%, they would do something crazy.

They’d throw themselves into danger, risk getting struck by lightning, or push beyond their limits with reckless abandon.

Gray exhaled sharply and shook his head. “Yeah, no. I am not an insane protagonist.”

A single lightning bolt carried hundreds of millions of volts. If he actually got hit, he'd be vaporized on the spot.

He slumped back against his couch, staring at the pulsing electro-field around him. It was just like the storm clouds outside—gathering charge, building energy.

“…Wait.” His eyes widened.

“That’s it.”

A lightning bolt doesn’t just compact electric energy—it discharges it.

Gray shot to his feet, nearly tripping over the scattered mess in his apartment. He had been thinking about this the wrong way the entire time. He had been charging up for hours, but to evolve further, he needed to release all that built-up energy.

“Alright,” he muttered. “Time to do something really stupid.”

-0-

The rooftop was cold, the wind biting against his skin. The storm above rumbled, sending ripples of electricity through the clouds.

Gray barely noticed the chill. His electro-field hummed around him, stronger than ever.

The fast-rotating sphere of energy was now visibly crackling, blue strings sparking off his arms and shoulders.

Yet, even now, it wasn’t enough.

He tilted his head up, watching the lightning dance across the sky. “How do you do it?” he murmured. “How does a lightning bolt actually strike?”

The scientific answer was simple: negative and positive charges built up in the clouds until they clashed violently, unleashing a powerful discharge. Strong enough to ionize a path in the air, despite the fact that air was a great insulator.

But this surrogate Power wasn’t just science. It came from an entity appropriately named, FICTIONAL MECHANICS.

If he was going to evolve it, he needed to think outside of logic.

He frowned, thinking back to his own writing process.

If I were the author… how would I make this work?

The answer was obvious.

Make up bullshit that fits the rules of the story.

A small grin spread across his face. Finally something he was good at.

He didn’t need to worry about electrons or charge differentials. He just needed to replicate the concept of opposing forces clashing.

Gray raised his hands, focusing on his electro-field. Instead of spinning it in a single direction, he split the stored charge into two separate rotations—one moving horizontally clockwise, the other vertically counterclockwise.

The shape of the field collapsed, shifting from a perfect sphere into a rough Ω (Omega) shape, with him at its center.

Now for the final step.

He clapped his palms together, basically pressing the negative and positive terminals together.

The oppossing currents collided with a searing pop sound.

A blinding bolt of chaotic electricity erupted from his hands, wild blue streaks dancing unpredictably along its edges as it burned through the air.

The bolt slammed into the building across the street.

BOOM!

The impact sent a deep tremor through the rooftop.

Gray was thrown backward, skidding against the rough concrete, coughing as dust and debris filled the air.

For a moment, all he could do was lay there, staring at the charred scar on the opposite building’s wall.

Then, he felt a sharp sting in his hands.

He sat up, wincing as he looked down. His palms were covered in light burns, red and raw.

Gray groaned. “Okay… that was awesome. And also really stupid.”

Before he could think too much about how close he had come to electrocuting himself, a familiar chime rang in his ears.

-0-

[Congratulations! You have created your first C-rank skill: (Electric Bolt)

[You have received a $100 Skill Creation reward]

[Check the Fictional Mechanics Store to withdraw your funds]

[Your ability (Minor Electro-Manipulation) has met the necessary requirements to evolve.

>Choose a Growth Path:

1. Charge – Increases the energy capacity of the electro-field.

2. Discharge – Enhances voltage and destructive power.

3. Rotation – Further refines the control and efficiency of the electro-field.

-0-

Gray barely hesitated. “Rotation.”

Another chime.

-0-

[C-Rank ability (Minor Electro-Manipulation) has evolved into B-Rank ability (Electrokinesis)

[B-Rank abilities can be sold to the Fictional Mechanics Store for $10,000 or purchased at a 10% discount for $9,000.]

-0-

Gray stared at the number.

Ten grand. That was real money. Money that could completely wipe out his rent struggles in an instant.

And yet…

A slow grin spread across his face as he clenched his lightly burned hands, feeling the far stronger electric field crackling around him.

“Not selling,” he whispered.

The thrill of evolution was far more addictive than money.

He had to see how far this power could go.