63 CHAPTER 63
California, San Francisco.
San Francisco, the enchanting "City by the Bay," sits gracefully on the California coast, captivating visitors with its mesmerizing blend of urban charm and natural beauty.
With its iconic Golden Gate Bridge spanning the glistening bay waters and fog rolling in to create an alluring ambiance, the cityscape paints a picture of enchantment.
Diverse neighborhoods, such as the vibrant Chinatown and artistic Mission District, infuse the city with a rich cultural tapestry. Culinary delights abound, from fresh seafood at the waterfront to an array of international cuisines
Overall, it is indeed a beautiful city, but there is no perfect city in this world. Even the brightest cities always have their darkest corners.
On the southeast side of San Francisco, there is a prominent peninsula known locally as Hunter's Point.
This is the largest slum in San Francisco and the most concentrated area for African American and Latino communities.
In the dilapidated and gloomy alleyways, a figure covered in a black robe suddenly walked in.
As the figure entered, a shiver ran down their spine. In this short twenty-meter-long alley, there were more than a dozen drug addicts sprawled on the ground, leaning against dirty walls, surrounded by countless syringes.
These addicts had a trance-like expression, constantly shaking their heads, completely unaware of the arrival of the black-robed figure.
The sight shocked the black-robed person, but they quickly composed themselves. After all, "they" had come from places much darker and more terrifying than this.
"What kind of pain would drive someone to place their soul in drugs, hoping to escape reality?" the black-robed figure murmured with pity.
"Perhaps I can help them break free from this suffering... No, I can't misuse my abilities here, or they will find this place..."
The black-robed person hurriedly walked past the alley. However, before leaving the alley, "they" suddenly stopped in their tracks.
"I must help these people!" The black-robed figure seemed to have made a determined decision, turning around to face the group of addicts.
Several invisible energy tendrils extended from the void, stabbing directly at the heads of those addicts.
The tails of these tendrils were connected, while the roots were linked to the black-robed person's hands.
"Some say that there is no true empathy between humans, and they are right, but not entirely."
In their heart, the black-robed person silently thought, 'I can transfer all their pain and sorrow onto myself... Wait, this is impossible!'
Suddenly, the black-robed figure exclaimed in shock, staring incredulously at the people in front of them.
"Why? Why do they feel no pain at all? They are injecting themselves with pleasure! They are not trying to escape pain; they simply seek pleasure!"
The initial sympathy quickly transformed into disappointment and disgust.
Even in this city reeking of kerosene, the city of sin, the black-robed person had never seen people so willingly embrace their own corruption, despite not having been there for long.
"The once sacred human souls are tainted to such an extent, unforgivable..."
An unnamed rage ignited within the black-robed person's heart, and with a wave of their hand, the energy tendrils instantly retracted.
Each tendril drew a bright orange-red intangible sphere from a person, the manifestation of human joy and excitement.
"I will strip away all the pleasure you obtained through drugs, so you can never feel pleasure from drugs again, as punishment for defiling your own souls!"
The black-robed person spoke coldly. Normally, "they" would absorb the negative emotions of every person in pain and bear their suffering, sadness, and hatred on their own.
To most people, this behavior would be seen as absolutely foolish, but to the black-robed person, it was their way of helping others and their determination to resist that indescribable presence.
"They" didn't need anyone's approval.
However, this time, instead of absorbing the orange-red spheres into their own being, the black-robed figure let the spheres dissipate into the wind directly.
The black-robed person only bears others' pain, never experiences joy for them, let alone this nauseating illusion of happiness.
"!"
Just then, the black-robed person suddenly felt a palpitation in their heart.
"Not good, they are coming for me. I must leave this place."
The black-robed person immediately turned around and ran towards a deeper and darker alley, as if trying to completely hide themselves...
As for the group of more than a dozen drug addicts in the alley, their trance-like expressions suddenly froze.
"What's going on? Why did the effect wear off so quickly this time?"
One of the addicts said in dissatisfaction.
"Damn, those drug dealers must have diluted it with water. They are deceiving the consumers!"
Another addict exclaimed with certainty, although he had no idea whether these drugs could be diluted or what would happen if they were.
Others chimed in, "Next time, let's find a new dealer; we can't be fooled again!"
"Forget about finding a new dealer for now. I haven't had enough fun yet. If the effect is weaker, no problem, just take more shots!"
One of them, noticeably more addicted than the rest, even picked up the empty syringes from the ground, removed the used needles, and replaced them with new ones.
He prepared a new dose, closed his eyes, and prepared to enjoy the euphoria like ascending to heaven...
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he realized something was wrong. Why couldn't he feel anything?
"How can this be?"
The more he couldn't sense that wonderful feeling, the more uncomfortable he felt, like a cat scratching at his heart.
Unbeknownst to him, all the veins in his body were exposed, his face turned pale, and his body trembled.
So he took out another bottle of the drug. He had bought three small bottles, originally meant to last for three weeks, but now he intended to take all of it at once.
"Hey! Are you out of your mind?"
The other addicts started to feel that something was wrong and tried to dissuade the person.
However, he completely ignored them and injected the needle into his own arm.
"Damn it! Why, why can't I feel anything? Why!"
He injected himself twice, which would normally send him soaring, but now he felt nothing at all.
"Ugh!!!" Suddenly, the unknown addict began foaming at the mouth, his eyes vacant and unresponsive...
Meanwhile, in San Francisco Bay, on a small island several kilometers away from the coast.
A towering T-shaped building stood on the island.
This building was the operating base of the Teen Titans, the Titan Tower.
The island itself had no name, so it was also known as Titan Island.
Near the coastline of Titan Island, a speedboat was rapidly approaching.
The appearance of this speedboat was very peculiar; rather than a typical boat, it looked more like a car.
As it was about to land, the rear of the "speedboat" suddenly sank, while the front slightly lifted.
"Boom!"
With a loud noise, the "speedboat" leaped from the sea, creating a wave.
The leaping "speedboat" landed directly on the shore of Titan Island, and then a stunning transformation occurred.
Its bottom suddenly extended wheels, and the streamlined boat shape reverted to a square and boxy car body.
It was none other than Yuri's car!
°°°
A/N: Keep thes stones coming and I might release an extra chap.
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