Chapter 24: Teacher Jackson

After slowly chewing for a moment, Yvette finally wiped her mouth with a napkin.

[Super Fruit, Model: Wolf, C Class]

[After consumption, the user can transform into a canine species, gaining sharp claws, a strong body, and agile movements, greatly enhancing attack power and increasing speed, while inheriting the traits of the canine species.]

Yvette stood up in panic. Did she just awaken? She had actually awakened!

Was it because of that fruit just now? She suddenly recalled the moment when Giovani had displayed his dual talents in front of her.

She had originally thought he was just showing off, but the reason behind Giovani's awakening had been Alexander! Alexander must have given him the same fruit!

Yvette's gaze toward Alexander changed, and her breathing became more rapid. This man—this man—was like an unfathomable abyss.

Alexander motioned for Yvette to sit down and began to explain his thoughts. "Starting today, this café will be the headquarters of the Mercenary Guild."

"You've probably understood some of what the Mercenary Guild does through the app on your phone. From now on, this will be the place where intermediate-level mercenaries receive and submit tasks."

"In the future, this will also be where advanced-level members of the guild hold meetings."

"Your responsibility, and that of your employees, is to serve the members of the Mercenary Guild. Make sure your staff knows not to leak any information about the guild."

Yvette asked, "If Lilin and Ayaka join the guild, will they also eat a fruit like the one I just had?"

Alexander shook his head. "Super fruits are rare. Only those lucky enough to awaken through them are fortunate."

Yvette understood. She was a smart woman, and she knew not to ask unnecessary questions. It was best to simply do her job well.

Alexander stood up, ready to leave. "Tomorrow, my people will come. Clean up the second floor—it'll serve as the Mercenary Guild's meeting room and office."

The renovation of the old town hadn't been completed yet, and he couldn't let Rosie continue working in a rundown, drafty old building. Not to mention the dust that might damage the equipment—winter was approaching. How could he let someone who worked so hard for him suffer?

As Yvette stood up to see him off, she suddenly remembered the two bank cards that Giovani had given her earlier and pulled them out. "Boss, this is the money Giovani brought today for you."

Alexander waved his hand. "You can use it as you see fit—invest it or manage it however you like to support the Mercenary Guild's operations."

After Alexander left, Yvette turned to the two female employees and said, "Close up. I've got something to talk to you about."

---

Jackson was a high school teacher. Today, he had put on his most dashing suit and drove his modest second-hand car out of the school gate.

Glancing at his watch, he took a couple of deep breaths.

A few days ago, while absentmindedly browsing a website, he received a mysterious package containing a strange fruit. After eating it, he had awakened a second combat talent.

He had now become a member of the legendary supernatural organization.

Tonight was his first meeting with this organization.

He had dressed meticulously, even styling his hair neatly. As an ordinary F-class awakener, Jackson was eagerly looking forward to starting this awakeners journey.

Just as he drove out of the school gate, he saw a scene that he dreaded.

One of his students with green-dyed hair was standing with several heavily made-up girls, waiting for a car.

As someone with F-class combat talents, Jackson could easily eavesdrop on their conversation from a distance.

"What kind of place is Imperial Nightclub?" 

"Johnny, you're not planning to sell us out, are you?" 

"I don't think nightclubs are a good place!"

The green-haired student sneered, "You girls have been brainwashed by Teacher Jackson. My big brother is none other than Lorenzo! I went through a lot to get Lorenzo to agree to meet you."

"You can start working there—front desk, greeter, that kind of stuff."

"Wouldn't that be better than going back to the old district? I told you to dress up to make a good impression on Lorenzo."

Green Hair's sweet-talking actually seemed to be convincing the girls.

Jackson frowned and drove over, raising his voice. "Why aren't you going home after school? Look at yourselves! Go home!"

The girls, noticing their teacher's attire, felt a little embarrassed and fidgeted nervously.

Green Hair scoffed and sneered, "Jackson, this is outside school. Don't think you can interfere with real-world stuff just because you're a teacher!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the car Green Hair had called arrived. He got in with the girls, and they sped away.

Jackson's face was full of mixed emotions. The Mercenary Guild's meeting was in two hours. He sighed, started his car, and followed them.

Many people say that since Rosie and Alexander emerged from Bluewater High School, the school has lost its fortune.

Both of them awakened S-class talents, but they couldn't serve as good role models for their juniors because their talents were related to life skills, which discouraged the confidence of their younger peers.

The students who were already unruly simply gave up on themselves.

But Jackson refused to give up on them.

Even if his students knew exactly what path they were on and were about to go astray, he still wanted to reach out, give them a chance. Isn't that a teacher's duty?

Those involved with these underground forces—what good end do they meet? A violent death in the streets or a slow decline due to illness?

Jackson had been following Green Hair and the others for half an hour when he realized they hadn't gone to Imperial Nightclub but rather a karaoke bar under its management. Green Hair had already taken the girls inside.

Jackson quickly parked and followed them in, but the place was too large, and he soon got lost.

After wandering for a while, he finally sensed something was wrong outside one of the private rooms. He heard Green Hair's voice.

Inside the room, Green Hair was being held down by several large men, his face bruised and swollen.

He was screaming, "No, Lorenzo! You promised me! You said you'd give my classmates jobs!"

The 90 kg, heavily built man with a greasy face was none other than Lorenzo. His small, lecherous eyes were locked onto the three trembling girls huddled together.

One of the girls, with a high ponytail and a short skirt, struggled as she cursed at Green Hair, "Johnny! I believed your nonsense, and now you've got us into this mess! If I get out of here, I'll kill you!"

Green Hair, now devoid of his earlier arrogance, could only repeatedly apologize, his expression miserable.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know it would be like this!"

Lorenzo chuckled and said, "You did well, bringing me such fresh prey. Don't worry, after I'm done with them, they might not survive the night, so they won't be able to take revenge on you."

Green Hair cried out, "But they're my classmates!"

Lorenzo impatiently replied, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'll give you 300 solar later."

With that, he reached out with his filthy hands toward the terrified girls.

At that moment, the door was suddenly kicked open, and a man appeared in the doorway.

Dressed in a suit, he stood tall and straight.

The students shouted in surprise, "Tea...!" But the next word caught in their throats.

Because the man was wearing a clown mask.

With the suit and mask, if his hair were slicked back and dyed green, he would look just like the city's crime lord, the Joker.

Jackson felt a sense of relief. At least his students hadn't willingly fallen into this, but had been deceived because of their naivety.

Ever since gaining his powers, Jackson had imagined scenarios where he could play the hero, saving damsels in distress, with them repaying him out of gratitude.

But saving his students, helping them turn their lives around, was even more fulfilling.

"Let them go!" he demanded.