Chapter 5: Powers Unleashed

Amidst the escalating chaos, Alon Dela Cruz remained unusually composed. He weaved through the pandemonium with stealthy agility, using his expertise in arnis to take down smaller creatures. His movements were subtle and quick, ensuring that his interventions went largely unnoticed.

As a new colossal beast emerged, Alon knew he had a greater challenge at hand. The creature's size and aggression caused waves of terror to ripple through the crowd, but Alon stood, studying its patterns and searching for exploitable weaknesses.

In the midst of his strategic analysis, he felt an inexplicable sensation — as if a door had opened inside him. Looking down, he saw an unassuming icon floating above his wrist. Intrigued, he tapped it. Suddenly, an influx of information bombarded his mind. He reeled, trying to process the information.

"I have a... system?" Alon muttered to himself, his brows furrowing in surprise and confusion. "It can help me level up, acquire abilities from defeated enemies... this is... unbelievable."

The revelation was startling, almost too much for him to believe. But Alon was pragmatic, deciding to harness this system to navigate the new and dangerous world that had unfolded before him.

With newfound resolve, Alon turned his attention back to the beast. He saw an opportunity in the havoc — he could use the system to defeat this monster and, in the process, potentially gain a new ability. However, he knew he had to strike without attracting attention.

Biding his time, he observed the beast's frenzied attacks. When he spotted a lapse in the creature's onslaught, he whispered, "This is it."

Swiftly, he lunged forward, his arnis sticks striking the monster's weak spot with razor precision. As the beast stumbled and fell, Alon withdrew into the scattering crowd, his contribution to the beast's defeat remaining unseen.

Underneath the chaos and turmoil, Alon Dela Cruz, once the timid boy, was evolving into something more. His powers were awakened yet hidden. His curiosity piqued yet satisfied.