Hermes never had his first kiss… until today.
He never had a lover, never went on dates. He was purely focused on his career as an aspiring superhero and helping out his village. So to have it stolen by this classist guild director…
His mind did a loading screen for a bit.
He could not fully register any thoughts, but the sensations he was feeling were clear. Somner's soft lips against his, his teeth slightly grazing it. As it kept going, he even slipped his tongue to do a light swipe across, letting out a tiny whimper that only Hermes could hear.
His arms were wrapped around his neck like a vice. Despite not using his hypnosis ability, Hermes felt like he was going into a trance.
Somner's power and hero name was Sirentone. As the name suggests, he just needed to use a specific tone in speaking and he can instantly charm people like a siren.
His voice…
It was light and had an energy of its own. Something so strong that you can feel it crawling its way into your ear, until it reaches your brain.
Hermes was enthralled by it, and at the same time, he was deeply envious.
The envy helped him get over his shock and the trance. Someone as cruel as Somner have such an amazing abilty…. The world is truly unfair.
He could end wars with that ability. He could have persuaded others for the betterment of mankind, and yet…
He used it to get booze from monks! And now he's causing trouble for everyone else!
Hermes was slow to anger. But this feeling within him, it was much stronger than just being pissed off that a bad person was an S-class.
No, this feeling was righteousness.
The desire to bring justice, to rid the world of those who wanted to abuse the innocent and weak.
He spoke against Somner's lips in a low and deep tone that he had never spoken with before.
"Get off me."
Somner immediately stood up. The movement was so fast and immediate that it looked like he did not even register his body performing that act.
His eyes were still listless, and he seemed shocked himself. "Huh?"
The people in the cafeteria did not know how to react when they first saw the director kissing the intern. But eventually, they got over their suprise…
And decided to interpret Somner's immediately pulling away from Hermes as something they can make fun of.
"Haha, did he have bad breath or something!?"
"Maybe he was a bad kisser."
"It's an F-class, they are an F when it comes to anything."
"Isn't that Copy Cat? Look at those disgusting growths in his body. He probably ate something terrible to have those tumors."
"Of course Somner wouldn't want to kiss him. It had to be an accident."
They kept on laughing and the sound was much stronger on Hermes' ear now for some reason. He covered his ears and groaned.
It was like the frequencies of these combined sounds rang in his mind, and each sound was a wave. These waves joined together like the crashing of the sea, like a mesh suffocating him.
Somner looked at him with almost concern….
Because he himself experienced sensitivity to noise, as a price for his powers. However, he had learned to get used to it so it did not bother him as much.
Speaking of, it did not bother him now at all. Which was strange, because usually he would also hear that ringing from his eardrums.
Meanwhile, Hermes could not handle it anymore. It was so intense that he just had to shout:
"BE QUIET! ALL OF YOU!"
The whole building immediately went quiet.
Not just the cafeteria, but everyone in The Golden Apple building. From the topmost floor, to the basement and parking lot.
When he shouted, Hermes swore he could see the sound waves from himself spreading like a neon pink light. Then it overcame all the other sound waves, turning them pink as well.
The people had a blank expression on their faces, their mouths hanging open.
Hermes felt a surge of guilt, as if he had just set off a bomb.
He quickly got out of the cafeteria, rushing to the bathroom to hide. As he ran, he noticed how everyone had stopped in their tracks like statues.
The silence was deafening now, and so were his thoughts.
'What the hell did I just do!?'
That moldy mashed potato could not possibly have given him that much power to silence everyone, right!?
Hermes went to the bathroom, looking at his own agitated expression. He was panting, not knowing what to do. Suddenly…
A holographic screen appeared before him.
[Power Thief Ability Activated
You have stolen the Sirentone Ability.
Class: S
Duration: 5 minutes
Strength: 50%]
His eyes widened. "A system…?"
He knew most power users had a system. It was even theorized that systems were the true source of power in this world, though that had not been proven yet. Hermes had never met his system until now.
He thought it must be because his Copy Cat ability was too weak as an F-class. But…
The system said his ability was 'Power Thief'! So was the government wrong after all? Had they all been wrong about his powers all this time?
"What exactly does my Power Thief ability do?" He asked his system. "Why have you only appeared now?"
His system replied with a robotic monotone voice, the holographic screen changing.
[The Power Thief allows you to acquire power through taking DNA samples of others. The more powerful the other party is, the more power you can acquire from them. The duration of this ability depends on how much DNA you obtained.]
"DNA….?" Hermes was shocked.
So does that mean…
He achieved Sirentone through Somner's saliva when they kissed!?
[That is correct, Power Thief]
Hermes blinked. "You can also read my thoughts?"
[Yes. I have heard every single thought you have since birth up until the present. I know about your desire to become a great power user. I know about your frustration from not being taken seriously and discriminated against. I can help you achieve retribution.]
Hermes touched his chest, feeling a bit touched by the system's words, despite it being delivered apathetically.
Finally, he had someone by his side. He had an ally, even when he's far from the village.
"But wait, if I am a thief…. Did Somner lose his power?" Hermes gulped and felt bad.
This power felt more like something a villain would have since it takes away from others. Not to mention the questionable means he had to gain powers…
It was either cannibalism or something definitely not legal and ethical. He shuddered at the thought.
Even just stealing someone's hair strand or nail clippings to eat is…. Weird.
His system replied: [Somner only loses his power for the duration I have provided. In order to steal his ability for a longer duration, you must absorb more of his DNA.]
Hermes sighed in relief. "Phew. It's just for 5 minutes then. It would have ran out by now. But what does the 50% Strength mean?"
[The strength of the ability you stole is only 50% of the user's true capacity. You get more strength by stealing abilities more frequently. The strength lessens over time when you do not steal powerful abilities that often.]
Hermes bit his thumb. "I have to do it a lot? But… That's too difficult. And what if I get caught?"
What happened with Somner was an accident, and something that Somner initiated. But if he took people's DNA samples by force…
He can definitely get in jail for harassment!
[Then I advise the Power Thief to be creative. A thief is resourceful and sneaky after all.]
The holographic screen then disappeared.
Hermes called out. "Wait! Mr. System….? Are you still there?"
There was no response. Hermes couldn't help but feel lonely again. It seemed that his new ally really doesn't like talking much.
But getting creative…
He thought about the different ways he can get DNA from powerful users and the risks. Of course direct contact would be preferable for him to have a longer duration, but it's also harder and risky.
An idea then striked him.
"Indirect kisses! Yes…. I can serve them coffee and try to get the saliva from their cups after!"
He then fell to his knees.
"But that is so perverted. Huhuhu! Why do I have such an ability!? I'm a gentleman! I even planned to save myself for marriage!"
Still…
For his dream of becoming a superhero to come true, he needed to do this.
He had to swallow his pride and do whatever it takes to get stronger. Then, he can finally prove himself to the naysayers, and make those who believed in him proud.
Hermes went out of the bathroom with a determined outlook….
Only to have security guards grab him and drag him away!
"Mr. Hermes Potentia, you are being called to HR to explain your unauthorized power outburst within The Golden Apple."
Hermes gulped. "Sh*t…"