Teresa Taylor stood up. "Dr. Dukley, I'm going to find James Lone and get some medicine and tools. Could you write me a list?"

Dr. Dukley hesitated. "Are you sure he has any?"

Bush Brown interjected with a sly grin, "Even if James Lone has some, doesn't mean he'll hand it over. He's not exactly a saint, you know."

Teresa picked up on Bush's malicious tone and didn't like it, but kept her composure. "Don't worry. Just prepare the list, Doctor. If I say he'll give it, he will."

Detecting Teresa's confidence in her own strength, Dr. Dukley relaxed. As one of the long-time members of the group, he was well aware of Officer Taylor's capabilities. She had taken on that monstrous frog and survived. A mere convenience store clerk was nothing in comparison.

Dr. Dukley smiled, handing over a comprehensive list. "I've included several options. If he doesn't have one type, maybe he'll have another. It increases the chances for Adam and the others to recover."

"Good," Teresa nodded.

Bush tried ingratiating himself further. "Officer Taylor, how about we eat first before you go?"

Teresa waved him off confidently. "No need. I'll be back in a few minutes with the medicine, and then we can have dinner."

Mike Brown's concern showed. "But that giant frog might still be waiting downstairs. Perhaps you should wait a bit."

Teresa dismissed his worry with a casual gesture. "It won't be a problem. I have my ways."

With that, she headed upstairs.

Upstairs? The group was puzzled, and a few curious souls followed...

James Lone stood by a window on the 20th floor, watching the mutated frog lying in wait outside the lobby. Through his enhanced perception, he saw its frustration as it lingered, obviously waiting for the female officer.

He nearly laughed aloud. That officer had taken the fall for him perfectly.

"Will Link," he murmured, connecting to the frog's vibrant will bubble. Surprisingly, despite its fierce outward appearance, the frog's will was weaker than his cat's and barely stronger than a plant's.

It seemed will strength had nothing to do with physical or ability strength.

As he established the mental connection, the frog seemed to be muttering to itself, "Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"

James prompted, "Who are you seeking revenge against?"

The frog, too unintelligent to realize another mind was present, instinctively answered, "The female two-leg! Revenge! Eat her! Can't find her!"

James coaxed it further, "The two-leg is upstairs. She'll come down eventually. Just wait here."

The frog echoed, "Two-leg will come down! Wait! Revenge! Wait! Revenge..."

Perfect. James broke the connection, grinning. That officer could stay upstairs for all he cared—wait, what?

His amusement turned to shock. Teresa Taylor was at the rooftop's edge, glowing brightly. Within seconds, the glow concentrated in her legs, bright as the sun, and she shot off like a rocket.

Her powerful leap shattered the railing, propelling her across the gap between the B and C buildings with astonishing speed.

Holy crap!

James was utterly floored. Was she even human?

Her body arced perfectly through the air, launching from B Building's 33rd floor to land squarely in a window on the 20th floor of C Building.

And, as fate would have it, she landed in the very room where James happened to be standing.

Crash!

Teresa burst through the glass, rolling across the floor to avoid injury. As she rose, both combatants were stunned to find themselves face to face.

It was exactly the man from the group chat—"Master Collector" James Lone.

How did he know she'd end up here? Teresa couldn't fathom it.

James was equally startled. Did she have sensing abilities like his? How else could she have pinpointed his exact location on the 20th floor, below the fog?

But judging by her expression, it was clear this was a coincidence. Teresa had aimed for this room, and he'd merely been occupying it.

In his perception, Teresa radiated an aura of red and yellow mixed. [Teresa Taylor]

Age: 27Quality: 9 (Strikingly strong)Virginity: 10 (Virgin)Overall Score: 9[Ding! System requirements met!]

James's internal alarms blared. This officer was dangerous, capable of fighting that mutated frog toe-to-toe.

Was her aggression aimed at him, or was she just inherently combative?

As he pondered playing dumb, Teresa spoke up. "You're James Lone, right? I was looking for you..."

So she was here for him after all. James's fleeting hope shattered, his expression turned icy—was he really that easy to push around? Barging into his territory like this?

Not uttering a word, James swung a powerful punch at her.

Teresa watched his fist approach like a thunderclap, rapidly enlarging. His strength shocked her—unbelievable for a normal person-turned-power user. She sidestepped, letting his punch graze mere inches from her face.

Teresa discerned that James's strength only came from an ability, without any technique. No real threat. She scoffed, sweeping a low kick upward.

James sensed the kick but couldn't react quickly enough. He braced himself, tightening his abs to absorb the blow.

Thud!

Thrown back but surprisingly unhurt, James realized Teresa wasn't using full strength, unlike when battling the frog.

Before he could process this, she shadowed him closely, landing a solid punch.

James had no choice but to defend, absorbing the impact with crossed arms.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Teresa pressed her advantage with a combination of strikes, driving James backwards until he collided with the corner.

"Got you now!" Teresa smirked, gliding elegantly across the floor to stay on him, leaving no room for breath.

If she could just subdue him, they'd be on better terms.

What? Teresa stared wide-eyed as James phased through the wall, vanishing like a ghost.

Phasing? So that's his digging ability?

Frustrated, Teresa stood fuming at the barrier. She knew he could phase, hence her relentless assault, hoping to prevent his escape. But she hadn't anticipated his speed.

Breaking through walls would take too long; by then, who knew where he'd be?

"You slippery rat..." Teresa grumbled.

Suddenly, a hand emerged from the wall, tossing something toward her.

A stun grenade!

Teresa's expression froze.

BOOM!

The blast detonated just ahead, the shockwave overwhelming even her resilient physique.

"Ahhh!" she cried out, hitting the floor.

No mercy. James seized the advantage.

Peering through the wall, he watched her crumple, smirking, "See what happens when you mess with me?"

He lobbed three more grenades into the room.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Left dazed and defeated, Teresa fell unconscious.

Cautious still, James observed a moment longer, launching one final grenade.

BOOM!

Teresa remained unmoving.

Only after confirming her unconsciousness did James step through the wall to stand over her.

This woman wasn't like other pretty faces. Strength radiated off her in hushed waves, athletic and fiercely captivating—a dangerous, beautiful enigma.

Not daring to risk anything, he bound her wrists and ankles tightly with steel wire, finally breathing easy.

James gazed at her intently. "Just what is your ability? I'm very keen to find out!"