Jake's brutal efficiency, paired with the man's piercing scream, sent a visible shudder through the crowd.One word surfaced in everyone's mind simultaneously: ruthless.Jake flashed a full grin still convinced, somehow, that his teeth were impressively white the expression radiating a cold, casual cruelty."Introductions are in order. We're the North Wind Wolf Squad."The name landed exactly as intended every face in the crowd shifted to a look of grim understanding.Ryan strolled toward the man in glasses, crouched down beside him, and spoke low, each word deliberate."Owen. The speed Awakener."Owen's eyes went wide, disbelief plain on his face.This was their first meeting. There was no way Ryan should've known his name, let alone his ability.Something cold and unfamiliar twisted in Owen's chest.A heartbeat later, Ryan's blade opened his throat, blood spilling out across the pavement.The other three members of the North Wind Wolf Squad exchanged confused looks, waiting for an e

Word came in that someone was here with information.Jake led the man into the sales office."Jake what's going on?""Guy says he's got intel for us.""Intel?"Ryan checked the Awakener panel first, confirming no new names had populated, before addressing the man directly."Name. And what intel."The man took a steadying breath."Preston. I know about a possible strategic reserve site."Ryan's expression sharpened instantly."Strategic reserve? How would you know something like that?""What'd you do before all this?""Mayor's chief of staff." A flicker of pride crept into Preston's voice."Mayor's office? So you'd know where the city's official emergency depot is."Preston's smile turned bitter."I do. It got activated right at the start of the outbreak.""That's actually where we sheltered early on. It's how we've made it this far.""Understood. Tell me about this other reserve you mentioned.""Back when I worked in the mayor's office, I came across a document by accident referenced

Right on Ryan's projected schedule, Jake finished off the last of his stockpiled food on day twelve.Ryan's balance climbed to 780 in the process.He'd settled on 630 as his hard floor thirty points held in reserve, purely as an emergency cushion for triggering Overdrive if things went sideways.He placed the small blue pill carefully into Naomi's palm, watching her with unmistakable anticipation.He was genuinely curious what her version of this ability would look like.The whole group held their breath as Naomi swallowed it.A heartbeat later, she shot forward like a loosed arrow and vanished from sight entirely.Ryan blurred out right after her, gone in the same instant.The moment Naomi registered him keeping pace, something competitive lit up in her that had been sitting dormant for a while.Thanks to her primary ability's built-in bonus, she'd started off already at Intermediate speed tier.After one lap, Ryan couldn't come close to matching her pace on his own merits.Right as