Date Acceleration (Complete)

Navigating through Uncertainty

"If absolute power truly awaits me, then show me," Accelerator asserted, a blend of doubt and curiosity intertwined within. The entity extended a hand, offering a gem radiating a pure white glow—an embodiment of its enticing promise.

Images of his past deeds and the consequences they had wrought flooded Accelerator's mind. The Level 6 Shift project, once embarked upon with good intentions, had brought only pain and misery. He questioned whether accepting this offer would truly resolve his deep-seated problems. Was it worth sacrificing his principles for a fleeting glimpse of power?

In a sudden act of defiance, Accelerator abandoned the notion of accepting the entity's gift. He swiftly drew his gun and fired, obliterating both the entity and the gem in a burst of righteous anger.

"Go fuck yourself. There's probably a catch," With a forceful expulsion of breath, he vehemently expressed his decision, leaving no room for doubt.

The pursuit of power, even the title of being the strongest, had brought him wealth and influence, but it had also birthed untold suffering. It was a hollow victory, an empty pursuit that left those who craved power eternally feeling powerless. Even if he were to ascend to the status of a god, it would not bring true satisfaction. Accepting the entity's offer would have been a temporary fix, a Band-Aid solution that ultimately would not address the root of his problems.

With the entity vanquished and its offer rejected, a sense of clarity washed over Accelerator. "What the fuck was that?" he muttered to himself, determined not to dwell on the encounter. Resolute in his decision, he allowed his weary mind to drift into sleep, leaving the mysteries of the entity and its tempting proposition behind.

Morning arrived, and Accelerator greeted the new day with a revitalized spirit. Stretching his limbs, he activated his power and effortlessly soared through the air, landing in a secluded spot devoid of onlookers. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but with only meager pocket money received out of gratitude, he reluctantly decided to forgo breakfast. Instead, he resolved to wander the city in search of something that might aid him in his current predicament.

Strolling through the bustling streets of Tengu City, the sights and sounds of the vibrant metropolis enveloped him. His mind wandered back to the enigmatic entity that had appeared before him during his slumber. Was it a real encounter, a mere dream, or perhaps a figment of his imagination? Without further evidence, he couldn't ascertain its true nature. The only tangible clue was the absence of bullets in his gun's magazine, but that alone couldn't provide a definitive answer. The entity's resemblance to a previous encounter added another layer of intrigue.

"Even if I had accepted its offer without any strings attached, I would inevitably find myself craving even greater power, to the point where owning an entire universe would feel like loose change," Accelerator contemplated silently.

Lost in thought, he wandered aimlessly, contemplating the allure of stumbling upon another robbery, both for the thrill it promised and the potential financial gain. However, a rational part of his mind reminded him that relying on such illegal activities was neither wise nor sustainable.

Unbeknownst to him, as he delved deeper into his musings, Accelerator inadvertently approached a collision course with another person. Before he could react, the inevitable collision occurred, sending both individuals tumbling to the ground, landing on their backsides. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Accelerator momentarily forgot to conceal his ability, leaving his reflection activated.

As they both scrambled to regain their footing, the person who had collided with him rose first, displaying genuine concern. With a few quick steps, he closed the distance between them and extended a helping hand, accompanied by a warm and kind smile.