18 Again

Chapter 5

Jona hesitated before conceding, "Very well, Mr. Garcia. Let me fetch the keys."

As they prepared to depart, a seasoned staff member in her thirties, still quite attractive, interjected from nearby.

"Jona, are you showing the top unit in Block 1?" She inquired, having overheard their exchange.

"Yes, Ms. Veronica," Jona confirmed.

"Jona, I don't mean to criticize, but not everyone who visits can tour our units, especially the premier one in Block 1. It's been meticulously designed by a renowned overseas designer. Who's accountable for any damage?" Ms. Veronica cautioned.

"Ms. Veronica, I'll exercise caution," Jona assured.

"Jona, as a newcomer, you might not grasp our protocols fully. This profession demands a discerning eye. Look at him. Does he strike you as someone who can afford a property here?" Ms. Veronica pointedly gestured toward Nathan.

"Ms. Veronica, I trust Mr. Garcia is different," Jona defended.

"Very well, if you insist. However, remember to leave no trace when you exit. You'll need to mop the floors to erase any footprints," Ms. Veronica instructed sternly.

"I understand, Ms. Veronica," Jona acquiesced, leading Nathan to the esteemed unit in Block 1.

Upon crossing the threshold, Nathan was spellbound. Without a doubt, this unit epitomized luxury, evident in its opulent decor and design.

Approaching the French window, towering over three meters in height and stretching beyond ten meters in width, Nathan marveled at the panoramic vista before him, feeling as though he were at the pinnacle of the world.

"Mr. Garcia, this is Block 1's premier residence. The French windowpane before you is imported and ten centimeters thick. It's impervious to even sniper attack, with minimal opacity ensuring unhindered sunlight. This window alone costs over 15 million dollars. Additionally, the magnificent chandelier above is an American import, boasting over 9 customizable colors," Jona elaborated.

Ascending to the 28th floor, Jona continued, "Here is the Office Unit and at the back you can see tru window the indoor swimming pool. They change the water daily, ensuring it's germ-free and filtered to perfection. You can even drink it directly."

Jona led Nathan again to the 27 floor and go straight to the swimming pool and demonstrated by sipping from the water of the pool, aiming to instill confidence in its purity.

An hour later, their exploration concluded.

Exiting the unit, Jona suggested, "Mr. Garcia, you should return to the showroom and take a break. I'll stay back to tidy up."

Nathan's response startled Jona. "No need. I'll take the unit."

Her hand trembled as she inquired, "Mr. Garcia, did I hear you correctly?"

"Yes, I've decided."

"Truly?"

"Absolutely."

"Thank you! Mr. Garcia, shall we proceed with the paperwork?"

"Let's do it."

Returning to the showroom, Jona felt as if she were in a dream.

Nathan's decision to purchase the unit left her awe-struck. She quickly calculated her potential commission at 3.98 million dollars, more money than she had ever imagined. It was a sum that could buy her ten houses in her country.

In reality, only someone like Jona, newly arrived from a rural background and fresh to the sales team, would take Nathan at his word. Others wouldn't entertain the notion that someone who appeared destitute could afford such a lavish unit. They would never entertain Nathan's claim of having 400 million for a house. So, naturally, they wouldn't show him the unit.

Back at the showroom, Jona busily prepared the contract. She summoned the manager and the finance officer, and by the time all formalities were complete, evening had descended. Yet, none of the staff left; they couldn't believe Jona had sold the best unit in Block 1.

The reality hit hard when Nathan made the payment. Their hearts ached at the sight of 4 million dollars. If any of them had approached Nathan when he stood in the lobby, that money could have been theirs.

Ms. Veronica felt an acute sense of regret. Last year, she spent a month with a nouveau riche just to secure an 800-thousand-dollar sale. Jona, however, had earned 4 million in half a day. The comparison made her sick to her stomach.

After Nathan departed from Riverside Commercial and residence, he splurged on a new phone, discarding his old one. Returning to the top floor of Block 1, he knew this place was now home, where he intended to stay for the foreseeable future.

Not only home, It would serve as his operations center, the hub from which he would build his business empire. The Unit was sleek and modern, with all the amenities he would need to manage his future ventures.

"I'll purchase a luxury car tomorrow and roll it onto campus. Let's see who dares to scoff then.

And Rose, Choose not giving me a chance just because I am not rich enough. Let's see if you rue that choice when I cruise onto campus in a car worth tens of millions. Screw you."

Streching out on the imported leather sofa, he relished the opulent life of the wealthy.

Surveying the display before him:

Host: Nathan Garcia (Human)

Age: 18

Balance: Infinite Dollar

Body 25, (Weak)

Mind 20, (Normal)

Skills: Customizable with points

Points: 4,000

Without hesitation, Nathan allocated 10 points to his body and Mind.

Instantly, his body rating surged from 25 to 35 and mind from 20 to 30

A warmth enveloped him, a stark contrast to his prior state of malnourishment. He sensed a newfound vigor coursing through him, a revitalization of his physical being refreshed mind.

"So, this is the effect?

"If I were to add more points to my body, would I surpass the Olympic champions in strength?"

At that moment, Nathan basked in the brilliance of his transformed life.

Meanwhile, in a quiet, secluded area near a playground, a young boy played alone, oblivious to the danger creeping up on him. Suddenly, three cloaked men emerged from the shadows, surrounding him. The boy froze, fear flickering in his wide eyes as he looked up at them.

"Who are you?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.

The three mysterious men exchanged glances, but none responded immediately. One of them, standing slightly taller than the others, spoke first.

"Is this the person on the radar?" he asked, his voice low and commanding.

"Yes, Captain," one of his companions replied, his eyes fixed on the boy.

The captain turned his attention to the child, his gaze cold and calculating. "Child, let me examine your body. We’ve detected that you’ve already awakened."

The boy’s heart pounded in his chest. He backed away, shaking his head in fear. "No, I-I won’t... I don’t know what you’re talking about… P-Please leave me alone."

The captain sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Resistance is futile, child. We’re with the Hunter’s Association. We’re here to help. But first, we need to understand what level of power you possess."

These men were not just any group—they were members of the Hunter's Association, an organization tasked with locating and controlling "Awakened" individuals. Those who awakened superpowers were considered dangerous if left unchecked. The Hunter’s Association made it their mission to recruit and train these individuals, preventing them from causing chaos in the city or falling into the wrong hands.

Unlike Nathan’s Infinity System, these awakened individuals operated on a ranking system based on their strength and abilities:

- **E-Ranker**: The weakest, often with minor or unstable powers.

- **D-Ranker**: More capable, with abilities that could be useful but still limited.

- **A-Ranker**: A powerful class, often recruited for significant roles in the association.

- **S-Ranker**: The elite, possessing immense power capable of shaping entire cities or nations.

The boy, still young and untrained, was suspected of being an **E-Ranker**, the weakest tier. However, even an E-Ranker was not to be ignored, especially in the hands of someone who didn’t understand their abilities.

"Don’t make this difficult," the captain said, stepping closer. "We need to know your rank. If we don’t intervene now, you could hurt yourself or others."

The boy, trembling with fear, clenched his fists. He had no idea what they were talking about—he didn’t feel any different. But he knew enough to recognize that these men were dangerous. He had no way out, and despite his terror, something stirred deep inside him.

The captain, Bane Kurt, was a towering figure of an A-Ranker, known for his cold demeanor and ruthless efficiency. The other two men accompanying him, both D-Rankers, stood slightly behind, watching the boy intently. Though D-Rankers were considered lower on the scale of power, they were still far more capable than any ordinary human. The boy, realizing he had no choice, reluctantly stepped forward, his hands trembling.

"Good," Bane said, a faint smile on his face as he approached the boy. "This will be quick."

With a swift motion, Bane placed his hand on the boy’s forehead, his power flowing through him as he assessed the boy's potential. For a brief moment, the air crackled with energy, and the boy could feel something deep inside him responding to Bane’s touch.

After a few seconds, Bane stepped back, nodding to his companions. "As we suspected. E-Ranker," he said, his tone unreadable. "But there’s potential. We’ll take him in."