Beast Soul

After talking with Dax a few more minutes, Nelson bid farewell and left the building under construction, and headed outside.

A black sedan was waiting for him near the sidewalk, and a young man got out from the passenger seat and opened the door for Nelson, who got in with a nod.

"Boss, how'd it go with Mr. Dax?" The young man asked as he too entered the vehicle through the other door, and the black sedan drove off, leaving the construction site behind. 

"Better than I expected, Ned.." Nelson said as he let out a sigh, and the innocent smile that he had plastered on his face all this time was instantly replaced by an expression of annoyance. 

"Although I did not want to spend another minute with that dumb b*tch!" He clicked his tongue as he spoke, clearly annoyed by having to interact with Dax. "I think I lost a few of my brain cells while talking with that egotistical jealous piece of sh*t. God, why the hell did he receive all that physical strength? He clearly doesn't know how to use it properly!"

"I'm afraid you'd have to blame his father and mother, boss.." Ned, Nelson's loyal servant spoke with an indifferent facial expression and Nelson let out a snort in response. "Freaking genetics…" 

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Nelson tapped his finger on the window of the car as Ned continued, "So, what are we supposed to do now, boss?" 

Nelson didn't turn his head to look at Ned, instead keeping his gaze on the vehicles passing by his car as he opened his mouth to speak. "What was our original plan to help out Dax?"

"Well, boss… We were planning on sending about fifteen men to help out Mr. Dax," Ned said as he pulled out a tablet from his backpack. "Of course, we can reduce the number if you want to, boss. These young men that we've hired, they're all martial artists. You could even say that they're experts in training. I doubt it'll take more than two to take down this nobody-"

"Double the number." Nelson interrupted Ned's speech right before he could finish his words, and Ned widened his eyes with surprise and shock, as though he couldn't believe what he just heard. "I'm- I'm sorry, boss?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said, double the number of men that were hired." Nelson clicked his tongue as he repeated his words, implying that he really didn't want to repeat what he just said. He knew that he was probably going overboard with sending this many men to take down one young boy, but for some reason…

"Ri- Right, of course, boss.." Ned realized that his boss was frustrated right now, and so he immediately agreed to make sure that his boss remained calm, even though he had no clue as to why his boss was suddenly ordering him to double the number of men who were hired to help out Dax. "I'm already on it."

"Good," Nelson nodded his head as he watched the vehicles pass by and let out a sigh. 

'I really didn't want to do this,' Nelson thought to himself as he remembered the data that was shown to him about Noah Pemberton.

The boy who was strong enough to take down Billy and Adrian. That was how Nelson knew him before. 'Strong enough.'

He didn't think that the boy had great talent. Nelson simply thought that the boy was only strong enough to take down Billy and Adrian, and would most probably fall into line afterwards. After all, being part of the secret society was already a safety pillow for an average kid like him. Most people would be content with being part of the hierarchy, and would most probably not risk their safe position. 

Or at least, that's what Nelson thought would happen. But oh boy, was he wrong. 

'I honestly didn't think that there would be someone who would outright refuse to join the hierarchy.' Nelson let out a short and soft chuckle. 

But someone really did. And that someone was Noah Pemberton. And the question on Nelson's mind was whether this boy was an overconfident fool or someone who knew very well what they were getting into. Nelson had been leaning towards the former, as not many people usually understand the consequences of their actions until they receive it. And he thought that it was the same case with Noah. He became overconfident after beating Billy and Adrian, and was a naive fool who thought that he had the world in his palms. 

But, just like last time, Nelson was once again proved wrong. The boy had now taken down two Specials, and then pulled out their phones and called Dax, the untouchable who ordered the two boys to test Noah. The seemingly innocent boy had declared war against the whole hierarchical system of the secret society.

Nelson wanted to believe once again that this was still a naive boy who had no idea of who or what he was about to face, or what a dangerous mistake that he was making. He desperately wanted to believe that this boy was simply a naive fool who was simply gifted in combat, but had no experience. 

But even since he had been proven wrong by this young man, Nelson couldn't help but doubt the abilities and intentions of this boy. Or at least, he was doubtful of whatever they knew about him. 

But of course, there was absolutely no way that Noah could defeat thirty trained martial artists. Or at least, that was what Nelson was joined for when he asked Ned to double the number.

"Just when I was thinking of expanding my influence over the secret society, this happens.." Nelson muttered under his breath and bit his lips.

"Is there a problem, boss?" Ned asked as he saw that the expression on Nelson's face didn't seem to improve. 

"Nothing, nothing.." Nelson shook his head. "I was just thinking about how unlucky I was." He said as a frown appeared on his face. "First, the king pardons Nelson. And then, this Noah kid pops up and stirs trouble within the society."

"I'm sure it'll get better for you, boss. The night is darkest just before dawn. Isn't that what they say?" Ned wanted to cheer up his boss, but it didn't seem to be working. 

"At least I know that the King is still injured from the fight he had last time," Nelson said as he rubbed his hand across his chin. "And if I successfully teach this Noah kid a lesson, then there'll be no one left in front of me who can stop me from becoming the next King!"

"Of course you will, boss." Ned nodded his head in response to Nelson's words. 

"Driver!" Nelson leaned forward and shouted at the driver of the vehicle, who replied, "Yes, boss?"

"Change of location. Head over to the abandoned school building," He then turned his attention towards Ned as he continued, "I want to make sure that we take care of this kid! And I want to personally witness it!"

------------------

Max turned his head and began looking around the hallway, ignoring his confused and concerned group of friends, trying to find who the threat was.

'It could be that the reason the first shockwave was less powerful was because of the distance between Max and the threat,' He thought to himself. 

"May I ask what you all are doing outside the classroom?" All of a sudden, a rough masculine voice came from behind him, which made Max turn around quickly only to find a middle-aged man with partially gray hair and glasses staring at them. 

"Mr. Carrick!" Gerald exclaimed, and Max's eyes widened once again. Beads of sweat began to drip down the forehead of Max.

'It's him?'

Max was confused, as the shockwaves that were giving him immense pain were actually because of this man!

Mr. Arthur Carrick was a forty five year old Physics teacher who has been a part of the school faculty for more than ten years. And now, it seems like he might have a different profession!

But was he really a monster? Max wasn't too sure. After all, his physical appearance was exactly the same as the Mr. Carrick of the past. Perhaps he was a hybrid between a monster and a human being, similar to them?

"Ehem, why on earth are you staring at me, young man?" Max's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Mr. Carrick, and he realized that he had been staring at his teacher for way too long.

"Oh! Uh, I- I'm sorry Mr. Carrick!" Max immediately apologized and rubbed the back of his head with embarrassment, and Mr. Carrick raised his eyebrows with a frown on his face before shaking his head as he let out a long and heavy sigh. "I don't get you Gen-Z kids. Just don't roam around the hallway and get into the classroom!"

"Of course, Mr. Carrick!" The boys replied in unison and immediately opened the door, entering the classroom as Mr.. Carrick watched them quietly.