After Cain left, the system notified Cassian.
[Special Quests]
Reached Level 10
You have gained a rank: Pawn
[Rank's Special Skill: Sacrificial Pawn]
Can be activated for 1 minute per day.
While active, all damage you receive will be transferred to a chosen clone.
[You have now gained a rank. The higher the rank, the better the benefits.]
[Reward]
[Clones: 37 → 50]
[New Quest: Ranking Quests]
Reach Level 25 to advance to a higher rank.
[Full body recovery completed]
[Daily Quests and Weekly Quests are no longer available from now on.]
[Cassian is now capable of possessing some skills related to his special clone.]
[Additional Reward — Choose One:]
[First Choice]
Indomitable Spirit (Active Skill)
Once activated, your health will not fall below 1, even if you receive fatal or massive damage.
Duration: 1 minute.
[Second Choice]
Regeneration (Passive Skill)
As long as you have energy, you can regenerate health.
[Third Choice]
Fire Attribute (stat attributes)
All physical attacks will be enhanced with fire damage.
"Alright, before I leave this place, I'll choose one of these rewards," Cassian thought to himself.
"Indomitable Spirit lets me fight in desperate situations and it doesn't cost any energy—only the cooldown is a problem."
"Regeneration lets me fight longer, but it consumes energy."
"All of these skills are good. Fire Attribute means my attacks will carry fire damage, but it's not as destructive as Cain's flames."
After some time thinking, Cassian finally made his choice.
"Alright, I might need this," Cassian said.
[You chose Indomitable Spirit as your reward.]
[Name: Cassian]
Level: 10
Rank: Pawn
Ability: Clone
Stats:
Health: 270 / 270
Energy: 320 / 320
Strength: 17
Defense: 22
Speed: 17
Perception: 17
Resistance Stats:
Fire Resistance: 11
Skills:
Cloning
Clone Control
Indomitable Spirit
Rank's Special Skill:
Sacrificial Pawn
"I gained a lot. This is all thanks to Cain. Without him, I couldn't have grown this fast," Cassian said.
"Alright, let's go home, everyone," he said as he dismissed all of his clones.
---
Meanwhile, two men were reporting to the chief of the Special Investigation Unit.
"So that man is part of Guardians?" the chief said, rubbing his beard with a smile.
The two men—Marcel and Eugene—handed him a picture. The chief was shocked.
He turned to the side and looked at someone sitting at the edge of the room. The man looked like a businessman. Beside him was a guy who looked badly beaten.
"Hey, isn't this the man who beat you?" the chief asked, handing the picture to them.
"That's him," Adrian said angrily.
"Alright, let's make his life miserable. If he becomes a threat in the future, we'll use this," the chief said.
"But I want to make him pay now. Can't you do something, Uncle?" Adrian said.
"Don't worry, Adrian. I have a good idea for dealing with this," said the man in the business suit—Adrian's father.
"I'll release the CCTV footage—only the part where he beats you. I'll ruin his career. And if that doesn't work, I'll leave it to you, brother," he said to the chief.
---
A few days later, Cassian was lying in his room when his sister rushed in.
"Cassian, you have to see this!" Mia said, worried, handing him her phone.
It was the CCTV footage showing Cassian beating Adrian. The caption read:
"Disturbing: A ability user beats an innocent civilian."
The video also revealed Cassian's identity as a Guardian.
It quickly went viral. People mocked Cassian online. His face was everywhere.
"This is power abuse."
"What the hell is the government doing? Won't they act?"
"His license should be revoked."
"Put him in the Reverse Tower Prison."
"That place is for the most dangerous people with abilities!"
"He must face the consequences."
"I found out that guy's the most active Guardian in San Fernando."
"Where's the mayor? Why isn't he punishing him?"
"So our taxes pay for people like this?"
#RemoveCassian
Cassian grew angry as his phone vibrated.
[Message from Roy]:
"I'm sure you've seen the hot topic online. Come to the office. The head of the department wants to meet you."
---
Cassian entered the department. People stared and whispered behind his back. He heard everything.
He stopped at one of the rooms. "I'm here," he said.
"Come in," Roy answered.
Cassian opened the door and stepped in. The department head, Harold, was seated behind a desk. Roy stood nearby.
"So, you know what's going to happen, right?" Harold said.
"Sir, I had my reasons," Cassian replied.
"Reasons?! Do you think that justifies beating a civilian?" Harold shouted, slamming the desk.
"Everyone's mocking the Guardians! We're supposed to protect those without power, and yet one of our own is seen hurting a powerless individual?"
"The video evidence and the convenience store are now under investigation. As for you, Cassian—" Harold paused.
"You're suspended from all Guardian-related missions, and you won't receive your salary for four months," Harold said sternly.
"But sir—" Cassian began, but stopped when Harold glared at him.
"And lastly, you need to make a public apology. I don't care what your reason was—because of you, we're all under pressure. I have a family to feed. I don't want to lose my job. I hope you understand that, Cassian," Harold added.
Cassian left the room, furious, knowing he was being framed.
---
Cassian finally returned home. He set up a camera and recorded a public apology, which he posted online.
But the comments were still filled with ridicule and hate:
"Shut up, bro. You need to resign."
"The audacity?"
"Yo, just resign. You don't deserve to be a Guardian."
"I'm so sorry. I think all of this happened because of me," Mia said.
"Don't worry. None of this is your fault," Cassian replied. "I made those decisions, so I'll be the one to take responsibility."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Cassian, it's me—Roy," said the voice from outside.
Cassian opened the door and let him in.
"I'm sorry about all this. I know you had your reasons, but it seems there's nothing I can do," Roy apologized. "I got suspended too because of the issue. They're investigating whether I knew anything. Honestly, I don't even know how to help you right now."
"I tried asking Sir Harold to lift your suspension, but he refused."
"Actually There's also a some problems in our group without you, you know there are so few capable Guardians left. Most of the ones who used to serve this city have moved on to better opportunities in the capital."
"If only there were someone who could help you, and someone who can replace you," Roy said, sighing.
Hearing that, an idea sparked in Cassian's mind. He summoned Cain.
[Skill Activated: Cloning]
Summoning Special Clone: Cain
–50 Energy
The moment Cain appeared, Roy was shocked. He didn't look like Cassian at all. He resembled the demon they had fought before—but in a more human form.
Cain had silver hair, red eyes, and a physique that was slightly taller and more muscular than Cassian. He was also notably more attractive.
"Sir Roy, can you help me give this man a fake identity?" Cassian asked. "He'll be my substitute while I'm suspended, and he'll also the one who will provide us our needs."
"Tsk," Cain clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed by the idea.