Ability Wielders - Chapter 142 Hayden the Paranoiac

Hayden discovered why when the match restarted. It was because Chifuniro can use a form of rhythmic dribbling, was incredibly agile for his position, and has the shooting prowess that Friedrich lacked.

With him always being constantly tailed by Friedrich, Hayden couldn’t make a play during defense. Hayden wasn’t a god. And Friedrich was obviously a good player. He has adapted to Hayden’s acceleration and was sticking to him like flypaper.

Additionally, Friedrich’s acceleration was improving the more he stuck to Hayden. It was annoying, yet delightful for Hayden.

This, in combination with the efforts of the South African team, allowed them to close the gap within two minutes at 39-40, in favor for the Philippine team.

‘It’s like me from three months ago.’ Hayden blinked. He didn’t lick his lips this time, his expression displeased. ‘My Danger Sense wouldn’t go off if it’s as simple as his basketball skills. He’s certainly a wielder. I wonder what his Ability is…’

Throwing this matter at the back of his mind, Hayden brought the ball into the opposing team’s court with a blank expression. It goes without saying that Friedrich guarded Hayden.

Hayden shook his head without saying anything. Feinting a maneuver to the right, Hayden jumped. He did a fadeaway shot. Friedrich had a slip-up, making the mistake of jumping after Hayden. Before Hayden let go of the ball, his and Friedrich’s body touched. It was a forced foul.

“This is getting invigorating.” Hayden looked in the eyes of Friedrich and mumbled. In the most impassive and reticent voice he can muster, he spoke. “Please keep it up.”

Friedrich sighed. Hayden was too much of a freak. ‘How the hell did he pull the ball back so fast that he already jumped before I even knew it?’

What’s more, Hayden seemed to not become tired by his high-intensity plays at all. It was perplexing. Even if Hayden was a wielder, there’s no way that he had that high of a stamina, right?

He was sorely mistaken. Hayden’s movements didn’t diminish one bit. Nor did he sweat all that much. Hayden was inhuman!

A South African player passed the ball to Jabulani. Jabulani whistled in a different tone. Chifuniro cackled. “We’re doing that now?”

Nobody paid Chifuniro any heed as Jabulani hurled the ball at Friedrich akin to a dodgeball. Friedrich caught the ball and started to dribble. Friedrich ran. Chifuniro was beside him. What transpired next dazed the onlookers.

Friedrich passed Hayden by dribbling in front of him, twisting his body away from him, and then letting Chifuniro replace him as a screen. The flawless combination play happened within the matter of a second.

“Damn, that Hayden is awesome.” Chifuniro, in an encirclement with Mpho, Friedrich, and Jabulani, exclaimed in veneration. “We’re actually losing.”

“He is the Heavenly Emperor after all.” Mpho sighed out. “We used up every strategy, and we cannot put pressure on him. Everything is stacked against us.”

“And his speed is heightening for some reason.” Friedrich was soaked in sweat. “It’s getting more difficult to keep up with him. My acceleration may be increasing, but his is… It’s absurd.”

“I’ve observed that.” Jabulani sighed. “Goddamn. It’s not like we can drop the watch on him. If we put two people on him, he would make use of his team. We’re backed into a rope. Where in the goddamn hell is our steal specialist?”

The rest of the game was intense, and excruciatingly slow at the same time. By the fourth quarter, the score was at 96-129, in the Philippine team’s favor.

“Sorry I’m late!” Abruptly, a shout disturbed the ongoing match. In came a youth that was wearing the jersey jacket and jersey uniform. He had black slicked back hair and a worried expression. “Did I miss everything?”

“Timeout!” The South African coach immediately called for a timeout when he saw the youth. Everybody on the court stopped and rested.

Hayden watched the other team with wonder. Hayden’s Danger Sense was tingling more than when he first met Friedrich. He was then surprised when the coach whacked the newly arrived youth at the back of his head.

Afterwards, Friedrich, Mpho, and Jabulani all reprimanded said youth. Conversely, Chifuniro was slapping the youth on the back and was chortling. However, Hayden could sense that there was relief in those admonitions.

‘Is he supposed to be another trump card?’ Hayden scrutinized them from the corner of his eyes. ‘Is he one of those characters that show up late to save the team? Are they going for the last bid?’

Hayden raised his guard. He decided to play it safe for the moment till he witnesses for himself what that deus ex machina of a player is capable of.

As expected, the player, named Brooks Mchunia, was placed in the game after the timeout. His jersey number was 71 and his position was small forward.

When the game started, Hayden found out why relief was plastered on the faces of the South African team when Brooks showed up. It was because he was a skilled stealer with great basketball senses!

Not only was his hands dexterous and fast, stealing from left and right when Hayden wasn’t the one in possession of the ball, he was agile! His ball handling was rather similar with Hayden’s dribbling.

As such, for the first three minutes of the first quarter, the Philippine team was given a hard time. The South African team was actually making a comeback, the score too close for comfort, at 118-134.

‘Well, shit.’ Hayden was genuinely exerting it his all to at least stall the time to run out, even using up most of the shot clock before shooting. By this point in time, he has achieved a quintuple double, yet, his momentum was disrupted by Brooks. ‘Should I let him in? Let the world have a taste of Daniel?’

Hayden, his hands resting on his knees, locked eyes with Dominic. His gaze said it all: ‘Wait a second, I think we don’t have to reveal Daniel.’

With simple calculations, Hayden calculated the score between their two teams if this keeps up. ‘Their entire team is slowly growing tired. My efforts are not in vain. I can’t use my team to full extent because of Brooks’ disgusting steals that is as good as mine. At this rate… If I play without mistakes, the final score will go at 151-149. A close one, but still a victory. Also, my Empyrean Power is a huge help.’

He wouldn’t use Daniel until it was absolutely necessary. That was when Brooks, Friedrich, and Chifuniro three-manned him. Hayden twisted and turned, yet he couldn’t escape the enclosure.

‘There’s still one more escape route though.’ Hayden eyed Friedrich’s two fouls. ‘What if I force you to foul out, heh.’

Hayden brought the ball up to the court. The three man on him was akin to an escort. Hayden’s hands and dribbling skills were too fast for the trio to follow, whilst Hayden couldn’t get them off his back.

Outside of the paint, Hayden shot the ball. Every man guarding him hopped to block the ball. It was surprising for the trio that Hayden jumped forward instead of backwards. This caused Hayden to collide with Friedrich.

Hayden still managed to chuck the ball with this collision. It was another forced four-pointer by Hayden. Hayden nonchalantly stretched his neck, licking his lips. He beamed as he spoke, “This is exciting. You guys are exciting.”

Hayden’s words made the trio’s blood run cold. Hayden wasn’t tired in the least! ‘I wonder what’s powering this guy’s body?’

When the ball got back to the Philippine team, three people guarded Hayden even without the ball in his possession. Hayden’s eyes turned into slits. “You guys are really intent on dealing with me, huh? Well, not like I can’t blame you.”

Nobody responded, their eyes moving up and down, fully alert and concentrated. Hayden tittered. “Okay, fine then. Do you know that three-manning me without the ball is pointless? Am I the only enemy here? Amado!”

With just two people left to defend, it was a cinch for the Philippine team to score. Hayden sighed in disappointment. “Such a big rookie mistake. How disenchanting.”

With Hayden walking away from them, Jabulani came close to the three idiots and struck them on the back of the head. Jabulani reprimanded the three from their careless actions. This awakened the three from their yearning to stop Hayden.

Unfortunately, this warning was too late. Hayden’s disappointment came with annoyance. For Hayden, annoyance was a more potent fuel for Empyrean Power than exhilaration.

As such, with him being ticked off by that minor mistake the trio did, his Empyrean Power was put in a 35% augmentation. Hayden’s figure flashed in every part of the court, stealing the ball, blocking shots, and easily escaping the three-man encirclement.

It was a dumbfounding event for everyone on the court. Nobody cannot begin to comprehend how Hayden was visibly agiler than normal.

Just like that, the match ended anticlimactically: by Hayden wiping the floor with the enemy team with his overwhelming skills and vastly superior agility.

The match between the two trended as Hayden was almost beaten. It was a golden time for the haters, bashing him and declaring that Hayden was not that impressive.

Hayden ignored those jeers from his haters. Most of them basketball players. How can they understand the intricacies of the game? Besides, Hayden was being defended by his fans and basketball professionals alike, there was no need for him to fight this fight.

Succeeding the match, Hayden was waited upon by Jorge, Lloyd, and Luis at the entrance. He, with Daniel, was abducted by the three into a Mexican restaurant at the Canteen of the World. They were in a table of five, eating Mexican food, duh.

“What is the meaning of this, Jorge?” Hayden questioned, wolfing down one of the quesadillas. “What business do you have with me?”

“We want to earn your friendship.” Jorge formally spoke to Hayden. “I think you know what we mean.”

Hayden instantly understood what Jorge was implying. Daniel did so too, ceasing his vehement scarfing down of the poor burrito. The two made eye contact, having a ‘telepathic’ conversation within a matter of milliseconds.

‘I got to remind Gaia that Daniel will be good help as well.’ Hayden committed into mind on helping Daniel grow his power. Daniel had an overpowered Ability. He didn’t want to let that go to waste.

“I don’t get it. Why is that?” Hayden played dumb, adamant on keeping his status as a wielder a secret for the time being. Don’t mistake Hayden. He fathomed that Jorge was a good person. Nevertheless, trusting someone simply because they’re a good person is foolish.

Lloyd and Luis coughed. Jorge was taken aback. They took the initiative to form a friendship with Hayden, treating them to a meal, and this is his response? It’s just a friendship for goodness sake.

“Don’t worry, we come in peace.” Lloyd smacked his lips wryly. “What you have to worry about is the budding gang of Ocelots. They’re an underground mafia group of ‘gifted people’ that has been continually expanding their influence. There are many Ocelots in World Government Island.”

“I see.” Hayden nodded, placing another quesadilla in his mouth. “Ocelots, huh? What’s the use of making friends with me? Don’t you think that Philippines doesn’t have its own ‘gifted people’ problems?”

“We, the remaining members of the Green Jaguars, are tasked to build up our allies.” Jorge earnestly said. “As much as I’m ashamed to tell you this… We’re… In very dire straits. The Ocelots are weeding out our organization, and many of our allies have been transitioning.”

“And you come to me in hopes that I can help you, or maybe grant you help?” Hayden verbalized his assumptions. He found no use on not being blunt. “Or perhaps help you acquire a safe haven for the surviving members?”

“Uh…” The trio was dazzled by Hayden’s deduction skills. Luis replied despondently, “We’re not hoping for that outcome as we do get that that’s impossible. We are solely here to establish friendships.”

Hayden wasn’t naïve. Establishing a friendship means that you have to help that friend during their lowest point. It was basic etiquette. Unless your ‘friendship’ was not true.

Regardless, Hayden was okay with that. He was going to execute Gaia’s request straightaway once he’s done with Philippines in the first place anyway. All countries were on his list. All he really has to do was move Mexico up the list.

“Let me ask, why me?” Hayden released a bit of his demonic king aura. “There are many ‘gifted people’ out there, as well as stronger ones. Why me?”

“Because you’re at our Level.” Jorge said honestly.

“Sorry, he’s too much of a paranoiac to trust people.” Daniel, unable to endure watching the painfully awkward scene anymore, articulated himself. “He is unable to bring himself to trust strangers in general. He’s like this to everyone, don’t worry”

“I see.” Jorge smiled dryly. “I understand why you don’t in our world. It really makes you jumpy about everything.”

“That’s why I’ll impose this one question.” Hayden stared at the two solemnly. “What makes you think that we’re not some evil people that will want your friendship just to betray you at a later time? Or something like that.”

The three people in front of them were speechless. They wanted to ask who hurt Hayden in the past so bad to be this cynical. It was awful and tragic. If Hayden heard this, he would have been angered. Can’t a person be mistrustful without any reason? You can’t exactly trust anyone right away in their world.

“Even evil people seek allies, Hayden.” Lloyd sensibly answered. “You may be evil, we’re desperate. Don’t you think the will of the desperate people are much stronger than that of spiteful evil?”

“Nice answer.” Hayden smiled. Through his Heavenly Sense, he perceived for himself that they weren’t evil. In fact, Jorge’s aura was whiter than him.

“I’m going to translate for you.” Daniel coughed. “He likes you because of your clever answer. That’s why he’s going to treat you as a friend. He’s a loyal person by nature, that’s why you don’t have to worry about him betraying you. Unless the people he truly holds dear are on the line.”

‘Damn, this dude really knows me well.’ Hayden was internally satisfied of Daniel. He initially brought Daniel here to become the ‘good cop.’ Hayden would act suspicious of them, because he was, and Daniel will be talking to them amicably. It’s an effective strategy for probing out people.

“We are grateful for this privilege.” Jorge slightly nodded his head.

“Uh…” Daniel seemed horrified of Jorge’s words. “He’s not self-entitled to these kinds of things. If he were to voice his feelings out, unexpurgated, he’d say something along the lines of ‘look the definition of a friend in the dictionary, you idiot.’”

Hayden nearly couldn’t hold his laughter back. He was impressed of how accurate Daniel worded that. Those are the words he’d spout ad verbatim if not for his politeness. ‘Good thing I left my Divine Perception activated, jeez.’

“Where’s the lie?” Hayden snorted in amusement. “Anyhow, to signify this friendship, let’s establish communication links.”

The next few minutes, the five of them exchanged communication links to one another and got to know each other more.

When that was finished, Hayden and Daniel departed to meet up with their friend group at Itim na Bituin in the Canteen of the World. On the way there, the two best friends were noticed by some fans.

The crowd who recognized the two weren’t smaller in comparison when Hayden was with Mieko, Eun-ha, or Chung-hee. It was palpable that Hayden’s popularity was high in the first place, which was boosted by his involvement innumerable rumors with CHORUS.

Entering Itim na Bituin, Hayden was met with profuse amounts of Filipino fans’ camera snaps. Hayden and Daniel both waved coolly at the cameras as they walked over to the table where Zeke, Scarlet, Sophia, and… an unfamiliar woman was seated.

“Courtney?” Hayden queried nonchalantly as he sat down. “You followed the training regimen I’ve sent you?”

In the corner of his eyes, Hayden noticed the hairpin that Scarlet was wearing. Hayden’s Danger Sense was ringing vehemently because of it. ‘Is it a Xirxian?’

“I’ve persisted and got results.” Courtney nodded, sipping from her drink. “I am grateful for you helping me on that.”

“Keep the gratitude to yourself.” Hayden waved Courtney away, ignoring the Xirxian for the meantime. “I take it that it’s not only the purpose of ‘finding friends’ why you’re joining us today.”

“That is factual.” Courtney was used to Hayden’s impassiveness on most matters by now. “I came here to personally bring the news of the fall of Mindanao in the hands of Kamay ng Lagim. The three main headquarter branches in the Mindanao archipelago have been compromised.”

“I see that Kamay ng Lagim is starting to make their moves.” Hayden muttered, pressing his orders on the tablet menu. “Much earlier than the actual expected, but still within calculations.”

“Wait, you’ve calculated Kamay ng Lagim’s invasion?” Scarlet asked with narrowed eyes.

“Well, it’s not more of a calculation than an educated guess.” Hayden candidly replied. “Judging from the relationship paradigm between Kamay ng Lagim and Puting Araw, a full-on war isn’t really that far-off. From when Daniel was kidnapped, to when a bounty was put up on my head, it’s only a matter of time that Kamay ng Lagim would snap. The question here is: What made them snap this early?”

Everybody on the table was dazed of Hayden’s words. What kind of a freak was Hayden for him to ‘guess’ that a full-on war was going to occur anytime soon? Sure, it may have not been all that impressive, yet, nobody can possibly foresee a war with mere calculations, right?

Seeing that there was no reply to his question, Hayden continued. “You see, there’s always a reason for everything. Kamay ng Lagim wouldn’t possibly wage war on Puting Araw this recklessly, right? These two organizations don’t have any idea of what the other’s full strength is. A pyrrhic victory is also not good for the two as there is a matter of that Pangkat Anino. So, why? Moreover, how did Kamay ng Lagim destroy the purportedly unconquerable Surigao del Sur citadel? It is inexplicable.”

“Wait, are you suggesting…” Zeke’s eyes widened. “That Kamay ng Lagim somehow powered up by gaining a new member or something along those lines?”

“Precisely.” Hayden gravely affirmed. “Somebody is aiding Kamay ng Lagim. And they’re strong. By estimations…. She should be stronger than Rose.”