Return of Overthinker

Chapter 3

Yelica's ability, now manifested as a seal symbol on my back, was known as the Pact Maker or Notary, belonging to the Protection and Preservation category. It dealt with forging pacts between ability users. The potential of this ability was frightening; it could even create a binding contract with monsters. In time, those with this ability would become almost invincible, wielding immense influence.

My first target was a woman named Helena, around 32 years old, who had arrived at the facility a month ago. I remembered her distinctly.

As I approached her dormitory, she opened the door, revealing a room shared with three other women.

"What are you doing here, Alex?" she asked with a hint of curiosity.

"I think I've started to understand my ability," I quickly said, seizing the opportunity. "Can we talk in private for a moment? Maybe in the garden?"

Helena followed me out of the dormitory, her steps hesitant yet determined, as we made our way to the school garden, a serene spot not far from where we were.

As we walked, I posed a question to her, "Have you figured out what your ability is?"

"Not yet," she replied.

"I've discovered mine," I began, locking eyes with her to emphasize the gravity of what I was about to reveal. "My ability allows me to analyze the abilities of others. However, there's a trade-off. The people I analyze will lose 10% of their ability."

"Are you serious?" Helena asked, skepticism lacing her voice. Helena glanced at the symbol on her hand, a pattern of small dots that she couldn't decipher. One month had already passed, and none of the people here knew when they would be discarded.

“Do you want to try it out?” I asked.

"What do I need to do?" she inquired.

"We'll form a pact," I explained. "First, you'll grant me 10% of your ability in exchange for my analysis of your power and guidance on how to improve it. Secondly, you'll join the Eden Guild, which I've established and operate discreetly. We'll strive to protect you and ensure your safety. In return, upon your dead, your will and your ability will be transferred to me and I will pass it to a designated successor of your choosing."

"Wait," Helena interrupted, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What exactly do you mean by 'ability transfer'?"

"When someone dies, their ability typically vanishes. However, by making a pact with me, or more specifically, with the Eden Guild, your ability won’t be lost. It will be preserved by me.” I explained to Helena the revolutionary concept that would only become widely recognized in the next 5 to 10 years.

“You'll have the option to designate a successor for your power, be it a family member, a friend, or anyone of your choosing. If you don’t have a preference, the Eden Guild will safeguard it and find someone worthy to inherit your ability, ensuring its continued use for world peace. It's crucial that these abilities don't die with their users; the world needs every ability user it can get to build a better future."

“Can you really do that?” Helena asked.

“Yes, I can. And that's why there's a third clause in the pact: you must keep this agreement confidential, unless I grant permission to disclose it. Violation of this clause will result in a penalty - the complete transfer of your power to me. This is for your protection as well as for the pact's integrity. Do you agree to these terms?”

“Where do I sign?”

“No need for a written contract, just a handshake,” I said, extending my hand towards her. “Do you agree?”

Helena hesitated for a moment, her gaze locked on my extended hand.

After taking a deep, steadying breath, Helena's eyes glimmered with a mix of fear and hope. She reached out, her fingers trembling slightly, and grasped my hand firmly. “Deal!” Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, like a leaf fluttering in a gentle breeze.

[Pact is Sealed]

"Now, let me explain your ability," I said as I gently took her hand, carefully examining her symbol. I had thoroughly studied all 365 symbols and their potential for advancement, considering that my guild was one of the largest, boasting nearly a thousand members. I was the mastermind, comprehending each ability and the intricacies of combining them to achieve optimal results.

“This is a healing ability, divided into four phases of growth. In the first phase, you're limited to eradicating bacteria and viruses from the human body. Once you've eliminated bacteria about 500 times, your ability will evolve, allowing you to enhance antibody production and accelerate the healing process of wounds. After repeating this a thousand times, you'll enter the third phase, capable of regenerating wounds and curing all internal ailments. The final phase, achieved after about 20,000 repetitions, brings total healing.”

Helena's eyes widened, reflecting a sky of doubt and wonder. “Is this real?” she asked, her voice quivering like a delicate leaf caught in a storm of emotions.

“You can test it yourself. There's a medical center nearby. Visit it tomorrow and see if your abilities hold true. Our pact states that if it's not as promised, you'll receive 10% back,” I explained, releasing her hand and stepping back. “Goodbye for now.”

“Wait!” Helena's hand shot out, grasping mine with a newfound urgency. Her eyes were pools of desperation, mirroring the turmoil of a raging sea.

“What is it?” I inquired, my tone soft yet firm.

"My roommates... they're desperate too. Can you help them? We are tired of sleeping in fear every day, afraid that we might be sent to face the monster outbreak without understanding our abilities. Please, help them."

I pondered for a moment. “Will they sign the pact? If so, I can certainly assist them.”

“Will you wait here while I ask them? If they agree, I'll bring them to you,” Helena proposed, her voice echoing with a mix of urgency and hope.

“No,” I replied, my voice carrying a firm resolve. “I'll come with you. If they agree, I'll enter your room. I prefer to keep a low profile and not let others recognize me outside.”

In 5 minutes, I found myself already stepping into their room. The room was inhabited by three young women, their ages around 21, 25, and 23. They listened intently as I explained the pact, their faces a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. To my satisfaction, they agreed to the terms.

I turned to the 25-year-old, Lisa, noting the symbol of wind etched on her. “This symbol grants you control over the wind, though the first phase is somewhat troublesome,” I explained, locking eyes with her. “Can you mimic my actions and repeat my words?”

“Yes,” Lisa replied, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

I demonstrated the motion, my right hand tracing a pattern through the air, counterclockwise. "With the permission granted by the Creator to control wind, I summon the wind." While nothing unusual occurred for me, Lisa's symbol began to glow brightly, and a gentle breeze started to swirl, following her hand movements.

Suddenly, the wind intensified, swirling through the room with a soft howl. It wasn't destructive, given it was still in its nascent phase, but the impact was undeniable. Lisa's eyes sparkled with an inner light.

“You can stop now,” I instructed calmly.

“I did it! I have my ability!” Lisa exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and joy. The girls embraced each other in a tight hug, their excitement palpable in the air. She even cried.

“Me next, me!” Poppy, the 23-year-old, said eagerly, jostling my shoulder.

I pointed to a cactus perched near the window. “What is the cactus saying to you?”

Poppy gave me a perplexed look, as if questioning my sanity. “Of course, it can't talk.”

"But if it could, what do you think it would say?" I pressed, encouraging her to tap into her latent ability. "Try to imagine, or just ask it."

“Maybe something like, 'Damn, too much water'?” she guessed, a hint of humor in her voice.

“And why 'too much water'?” I probed further, guiding her to connect more deeply with her emerging power.

“Because Helena waters it in the morning, Alice in the afternoon and I think Lisa just watered it with her bottle,” Poppy replied, her gaze fixed on me with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. “But that's just what I imagine. There’s no way Lisa actually watered it with her bottle, right?”

“I really did that,” Lisa admitted with a slight shrug.

“Me too,” Helena and Alice chimed in almost simultaneously.

“Your ability is to communicate with plants,” I explained to Poppy, my voice steady and reassuring. “In the beginning, for the first 1,000 tries, you won’t receive clear answers. It's only after these attempts that your skill will refine. In phase two, you’ll be able to converse directly with plants. The third phase allows you to enhance plant growth, and finally, in the fourth phase, you’ll gain the ability to control plants to aid you in combat.”

"Wow… Thank you!" Poppy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement, and she hugged me in a burst of gratitude. I appreciated the gesture and the soft feeling of her big breast on my body, but as a gentleman, I maintained a poker face.

Helena, ever observant, turned the focus to Alice. “What about Alice?” she asked, referring to the shyest member of their group.

“Well, Alice,” I began, locking eyes with her to gauge her reaction. “Do you think I'm handsome?”

Alice's eyes widened, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She was clearly taken aback but managed to give a shy nod.

"Good, I want you to kiss me deeply, passionately, in front of all these people," I smiled at her. “French Kiss.”

Her face turned really red.

"Then, after we've kissed, we will make love here in front of everyone. I will teach you how to have great sex," I said. “Oh I forget, you should give me a few blow, do you know how to give blow job?”