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{Chapter: 209 - Coping Capabilities}
Aiden didn't bother thinking much about the copied ability anymore. It was a temporary boon, sure—but his real strength lay elsewhere. The Devour ability, embedded deep within him like an ancient force, was leagues more potent than mere imitation. His main goal had always been energy absorption. Power. Dominance. He wasn't here to play mimic when he could consume the real thing.
Still, one fact gave him pause.
Copying could produce energy.
Even if it was minimal, even if it wasn't permanent, it was a bonus he hadn't expected.
'System, if I devour an ability that I've previously copied, will the energy output be reduced?'
> [No.]
'Can I copy my own abilities and use them to generate energy again?'
> [No.]
Two answers. One brought a spark of satisfaction. The other left a bitter note.
He had imagined, just briefly, an exploit—a loophole—where he could replicate abilities repeatedly to churn out endless energy. Now that fantasy has shattered. He sighed inwardly. Well, it was worth a try.
Behind him, Sarah's voice broke his thoughts.
"You… what ability was that?"
Her tone was composed—too composed. She never let her guard down easily. But he could hear the tension hidden beneath her voice, that familiar blend of curiosity and subtle suspicion.
"Super strength," Aiden replied coolly, running a towel through his wet hair. "Already had it. It's just... stronger now."
Sarah crossed her arms under her chest and leaned against the wall with a raised brow. Her blonde hair was still a bit tousled from earlier, her eyes sharp. "Let me guess—Jessica?"
Aiden chuckled. "Yeah. Her body's unique. One soul wouldn't do, so she's sharing it with Nikki."
Sarah scoffed but didn't look entirely surprised. "So… dissociative identity disorder or something real?"
"Oh, it's real," he said with a grin. "Two women. Same body. They switch like a tag team match. It's… fun in ways you wouldn't imagine."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Let me guess. You had to confirm it yourself, physically."
"Well," Aiden grinned and stepped closer, voice dipping lower, flirtation curling around each word, "I couldn't just take their word for it, could I?"
She stared him down with her arms still crossed, unmoved by his teasing tone—at least on the surface. "Do you seriously think screwing someone once wins them over? That kind of logic might work in one of your little daydreams, but real people are more complicated."
He leaned forward, close enough for her to feel his breath on her cheek. "I don't need to win them over, Sarah. I just leave an impression they can't forget."
She gave a small, sharp laugh and turned her head away. "Wow. Modest too."
Aiden's grin widened. He liked this game. The sarcasm, the subtle dance of words, the walls she put up. Sarah—wasn't the type to fold easily. And that made it even more entertaining.
"I can't help it if the first times are… intense," he whispered, brushing past her shoulder. "Especially when they've never met a man like me before."
"You mean a man who uses people like lab rats?" she shot back.
"No," he said casually, reaching for a clean shirt. "A man who can actually handle them."
She scoffed again, but her eyes lingered longer than they needed to. He caught it.
"I'm not done with them," Aiden said more softly now. "Not just because of what happened. Because I'm not done unraveling the mystery of their existence. You know how I feel about rare things, Sarah."
She watched him closely. "You're dangerous, Aiden."
He flashed her a smirk. "That's what makes me exciting."
She rolled her eyes again but muttered, "Go take a damn shower. You reek of other women."
He placed a hand over his heart, mock-offended. "Ouch. Straight to the soul."
"You'll live."
"I always do."
With a shrug and a smirk, he disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of water echoed from behind the door, and Sarah let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
She wasn't jealous. No, that wasn't it. She just didn't like the idea of being… one of many. Even if she'd never admit it out loud.
When Aiden returned, damp and warm from the shower, the room had gone quiet. Sarah was on the bed, lying on her side, facing away. Her breathing was steady—pretending to be asleep.
Aiden didn't say a word.
Instead, he approached the bed, slid under the covers behind her, and slowly wrapped an arm around her waist.
She tensed for half a second, but his body was warm, his scent clean. He smelled like fresh soap and something unplaceably wild. Dangerous. Comforting. Annoyingly attractive.
He didn't make a move beyond that. Just held her.
Sarah stared ahead, her heartbeat steadying. She told herself she didn't care. That she didn't want him to do anything more.
And yet…
Wrapped in his warmth, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing behind her, she found her eyelids growing heavier.
They wouldn't be doing anything hot and sweaty tonight. But her thoughts didn't stop wandering. And eventually, even those faded as sleep claimed her. While Jessica herself was tired, she also climbed onto the bed, lay down, and closed her eyes.
---
Aiden hadn't seen Linderman for several days now—ever since their brief meeting. There had been no follow-up, no plans laid out, no requests or invitations. Silence.
In that time, Aiden had spent his days with a kind of casual indulgence. He ate well, drank even better, and when the mood struck him, he'd whisk Sarah off on late-night strolls through neon-lit streets or share quiet rooftop moments with Jessica—and sometimes even Nikki, when she surfaced.
He didn't push too hard. Not yet. This time was about recovery. About preparation.
His body had finally finished rebuilding from the last devouring. The strange ache that lingered in his bones had vanished. In its place was a sense of power that surged beneath his skin like a river of fire. His muscles felt denser, stronger, yet fluid—like steel wrapped in silk.
When he flexed his hands, he could feel the invisible pull of energy at his fingertips.
He looked out the window, eyes narrowing at the skyline.
"System," he said calmly in his mind, not aloud. Some things were never meant to be shared—even with the women beside him. "How long until my authorized stay here expires?"
> [Two days remaining.]
"Only two?" he muttered. "Tch. That's not enough time. I haven't collected half of what I came for."
He rose from the couch, where Sarah had been curled beside him with a blanket thrown over her legs. Her attention had been on a documentary, but now she tilted her head, watching him move.
Aiden's body language had shifted—focused, dangerous, commanding.
"I need to move quickly," he said more to himself, then turned toward Jessica, who had just emerged from the kitchen with a glass of wine. "Jess, help me get in contact with Linderman. I want to see him. Today."
Jessica arched an eyebrow, her arms folding under her chest. Her voice, cool and calm, carried that signature Nikki edge. "What are you planning, Aiden?"
He met her gaze, stepping closer with a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Nothing that concerns you... unless you're thinking of betraying me."
Jessica's lips twitched, her stance shifting. She didn't respond with words, but her posture made it clear she was calculating—not intimidated, but aware. There was a tension between them—a push and pull of dominance and respect.
Aiden leaned in closer, brushing a finger under her chin. "Relax. You've been a fun company. I trust you... as much as I trust anyone."
She rolled her eyes. "That's not saying much."
He laughed. "Exactly."
Jessica turned, her long hair swaying behind her as she walked off. "I'll try. But you know Linderman doesn't exactly take my calls."
"Try Candice," Aiden called after her, his tone suddenly more serious. "She'll lead the way."
---
Two Hours Later
The meeting room was quiet but tense, humming with subtle electricity. Everyone had gathered.
Aiden sat at the head of the table, relaxed yet radiating authority. Sarah sat to his right, legs crossed, her expression calm but alert. Jessica leaned against the wall behind him with her arms folded. Rene, silent as ever, stood nearby—watching everything, missing nothing. Candice was perched on the opposite end, shifting uncomfortably. Linderman sat to the side, flanked by two of his own guards, though they didn't look confident.
"I heard you were in a rush to see me?" Linderman asked, smiling tightly. "Is there something I can help you with, Aiden?"
Aiden looked up slowly. His eyes darkened—not just metaphorically. A sheen of shadow swirled through his irises like ink in water. Linderman's smile faltered.
"There are a few things," Aiden said. His voice had a hypnotic lilt to it now—calm, slow, disarming. "First of all, I'll be leaving soon. Personal reasons." Aiden looked at Linderman and his eyes turned black, Linderman had a bad feeling and wanted to act and he heard Aiden slowly saying.
The air grew heavier.
"While I'm away, my people—Jessica, Sarah, Rene—will remain here. They'll need resources, protection. I trust you can handle that... without needing persuasion?"
Linderman's mouth opened, but no real words came out. His face slackened.
"Yes…" he murmured, eyes glassy. "I'll… follow your arrangements."
"Good boy," Aiden whispered.
Candice rose from her seat with alarm. "What the hell?! What did you do to him?! That's my boss—!"
Aiden didn't even look at her. He waved a hand gently, and Candice's body lifted off the floor like a feather caught in an updraft. Her legs kicked slightly as she hovered forward until she was directly in front of him.
"I don't understand why you talk so much," Aiden muttered, brushing a lock of her hair aside with mild amusement. "But it won't be an issue much longer."
"Linderman!" Candice cried, but Linderman stared blankly, unmoving.
Jessica straightened slightly, and even Sarah tensed beside him.
"I know you've all wondered," Aiden said, turning toward Sarah with a boyish grin. "What she really looks like beneath all that illusion. You were curious, weren't you?"
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Don't."
Aiden placed a hand gently on Sarah's shoulder, and with a twist of his fingers, energy surged. Candice gasped, her entire body trembling as the illusion began to flicker and fade like dying light.
The disguise fell away.
And beneath it…
A woman far larger than anyone had expected.
Candice now sat trembling on the floor, breath ragged. Her body was soft, round, and heavy—her clothes no longer fitting properly. The contrast was jarring. Gone was the slim, seductive figure they all remembered.
"God," Sarah whispered, stunned. "She's… huge."
Jessica blinked. Even Rene's expression cracked slightly.
"I didn't know illusion could run that deep," Jessica muttered.
"It's more than an illusion," Aiden said, still observing Candice. "It's identity. She wears her fantasy armor."
Sarah looked at him. "That was cruel."
Aiden met her eyes and stepped closer, brushing a hand along her cheek. "Truth is only cruel if you've been living in a lie."
Sarah didn't back away, but she didn't smile either.
"Delete her memory," Aiden ordered Rene. "Let her go. She won't be talking."
Rene nodded silently and approached. Candice flinched, but it was too late. Rene touched her temple. Her eyes rolled back briefly, and she slumped into unconsciousness.