Chapter 28: A New Awakened Ally

"How long has it been since those two went down?"

"You mean Havey and Mildred?. Coming up to two hours now, it guess."

"You think they are still alive?"

"Watch your words, Sage. I am sure they are perfectly fine and will soon return."

Hazel said reassuringly, looking in Damon’s direction, fearful that Sage’s unfiltered remarks would affect him—

But Damon’s expression was as plain as ever. Though inside his mind, he too was not oblivious to the likelihood that his attendants might have met some misfortune.

No matter how strong they may seem, at the end of the day, they aren’t even awakeners, and Harvey’s gun only had two bullets remaining.

"Sig...if only any of us had awakened instead of those pricks,"

Sage muttered somberly. Having an awakener on their side would raise their chances of survival by a whole lot. Hazel could feel Sage wavering on his decision to join their side. He was a brutal pragmatist.

"Uhm....I am."

An unexpected response drifted through the living room, taking not just Hazel and Sage by surprise, but even Damon, who was previously lost in thought.

By the side sofa, the young man who had been too shocked by what had happened earlier was now seated on the sofa with his head lowered. This shocking remark had come from no one else but Nick.

"Come again, Nikola... what did you just say?"

The young man appeared hesitant, but he still raised his head to meet the shocked gazes of Hazel and Sage, as he repeated— "I said I awakened..."

"Though— I don’t think I would be of much use."

"What?!"

"That’s incredible, right?!...."

"Doesn’t that mean you are as strong as those pricks?" Sage remarked, but as he looked at Nick’s cowering demeanor, his excited expression slowly dimmed.

"Hmm....I guess it doesn’t really matter if you awakened when you are so cowardly."

"Sage?!. What the hell is wrong with you!"

Hazel chided; she could see Nick visibly retreating into his shell at Sage’s words. A look of both guilt and fear was written all over his face as he refused to look at anyone directly.

It was a truth known to most at this point—

If one was awakened to the warrior class group, they get at least an extra four stat points added to their Physique stat—

And if one was awakened to the Esper class group, they get at least four stats added to their mentality stats.

A recent discovery was also that wakeners have a slightly faster recovery and healing rate. They were like the evolved form of humans, and they can improve either of these stats by using Origin crystals.

As for unique classes, its speculated that they have a similar system as well, but nothing is confirmed, as unique class holders are quite uncommon.

Either way, Nick should be at least twice as strong as an average human or possess some elemental power that is even more deadly than physical strength.

Hazel could understand where Sage’s frustration was coming from, but it was unlike him to make such a statement that could potentially push away the only awakener they could bring to their side.

’Is he trying to provoke him on purpose?’

She wondered as she moved to approach Nick.

"Hey....Nikola... please don’t mind Sage; he’s a little prickly because of our current situation." Hazel said with a soft smile as she sat next to Nick on the sofa.

"And thank you for revealing your awakened status to us..."

"If it’s not too much to ask... can we know what type of class you awakened?"

It was impressive to see, Damon thought.

He wondered if it was Hazel’s effortless charm and brilliant communication skills, but Nick, who had previously had a gloomy expression, had suddenly begun to glow, with a little shyness on his face as he responded, still unable to meet Hazel’s gaze—

"Sure..."

"I awakened as an Esper....although...."

"I can’t seem to make use of my class skill. It... it just won’t listen." Nick explained in a low, defeated tone.

He further went on to describe what he had experienced. Just like Brad, who awakened as a Flame element Esper, Nikola had awakened as an earth element Esper. Different elements, same class group.

However, where Brad could freely conjure flames, Nick explained that when he activated his skill, he would feel the toll taken upon himself by the reduction in his mentality points, yet nothing would happen. There was no earth manifesting.

"Maybe it’s because the fundamental nature of both skills is different." Sage offered his take after listening to Nick.

"I mean... look where we are, there isn’t much earth around us..."

"Well, one could argue that there isn’t much fire either, and that prick could do all that....But maybe earth Espers work differently."

"For once I agree with you, Sage.... Don’t worry, Nikola, we will figure this out." Hazel reassured Nick, and the young man nodded.

"I guess that means you are part of our group now?. You’ve chosen your side; don’t go bailing out now." Sage added, while Nick nodded as he looked at Hazel.

"Kora. You wanna join us too?. We should stick together as well as come up with a plan." Hazel beckoned to Kora, who was busy gaming on her console.

Kora gave no verbal response and simply walked over and sat on the sofa next to Nick and Hazel, continuing to tap on her console as usual.

"I will take that as a yes, then." Hazel intoned with a faint smile.

"No matter how I look at it.... We all have to...."

Sage’s words were cut short when, all of a sudden, the sounds of the penthouse entrance door passcode being entered resounded through the living room.

Unlike some of the others, Damon was not alarmed, because he knew there could only be two people at the door.

Just as he thought, the door came open and a gentle wave of relief washed through Damon’s heart as he saw both his attendants. It was a strange feeling to him—

Harvey and Mildred stepped into the living room, looking twice as battered as before, and carrying with them four bags. Mildred suddenly paused at the entrance as he once flat expression darkened to a glum shade the moment she saw Damon.

"Who did this to you, young master ?"