In fact, according to Finney's calculations, the third draw wasn't supposed to happen until next week—but now, it had come early, and he understood why.
Back when he realized that skills could earn experience points, Finney had discovered that using them on people significantly increased experience gains. Especially when dealing damage or engaging in combat, the experience gauge would fill much faster. However, due to the weak combat potential of the "Golden Great Method" and the impracticality of using the "Sumire Chicken Nugget Roll" in battle—combined with his fear of being discovered—Finney had avoided gaining experience through fights altogether.
Fortunately, it was easier to use his skills on people in non-combat situations. Once he figured that out, Finney stopped feeling foolish or ridiculous. "I'm smart. I'm handsome. I'm destined to be invincible!"
Except for that last part, the other two had been proven true through the effects of the "Golden Great Evolution Technique" over the past eight years. Finney had become known as a prodigious student, skipping grades and ranking at the top of his class. At just fifteen, he was about to graduate high school.
So, after the two battles earlier today, the experience gauge—originally expected to fill in two weeks—was now full.
After eight long years, he could finally make another draw. Finney couldn't help but feel nervous. He was afraid of drawing another useless, non-combat ability like the "Sumire Chicken Nugget Roll," so he held off for now. First, he wanted to go home, take a bath, and say a quiet prayer.
Seeing Skye's face still creased with worry, Finney immediately guessed what she was thinking. He smiled reassuringly. "Come on, I've managed to keep it hidden from you for ten years. I won't get exposed so easily."
Skye rolled her eyes and muttered, "That's only because I never tried to investigate seriously."
She had a point. After spending every day together, Finney had surely let some things slip—like what happened that afternoon. But since Skye had never really questioned it, she hadn't found out until now.
When Finney didn't look like he was faking anything, Skye let go of her worry for the moment. Looking at the pistol on the table, she asked, "What about this? Can you take it home?"
Finney followed her gaze. The pistol looked dirty and cheap, but it had fired a shot earlier. At the very least, it still worked.
"There are a few bullets left. Leave it in the shop, just in case."
In this city—and this country—guns weren't exactly rare. The fact that both robbers had one said enough.
Finney stood, stashed the pistol in a hidden yet accessible spot, and turned back to Skye with a grin. "Alright, help me tidy up the shop. Let's get going. You still haven't told me how much we made today. Since we had an incident, I'll give you an extra twenty percent."
Skye rolled her eyes again. She knew Finney was just trying to help her move on from what had happened, but she still shot back, "No way. I want emotional damages. I'm taking half of today's profits as compensation."
Finney dramatically acted like she was robbing him, making Skye giggle despite herself. Bit by bit, she was recovering from the earlier shock.
After a quick cleanup, Finney went home in Skye's car. As soon as they walked through the door, their parents scolded them for coming home late and told them to wash up and eat.
Feeling the warmth of family life, Skye shook her head, trying to shake off the night's events. She glanced at Finney, who looked calm and composed, and everything about today suddenly felt surreal.
At the dinner table, Finney's family ate together. His father, Eli, was one of New York's more prominent lawyers. He quickly picked up on the fact that something seemed off with Skye.
"Something happen at the store today?" he asked between bites. Skye had been able to open a store on the pricey Upper East Side thanks to her parents' connections.
"No, no, the shop's great," Skye replied quickly. "You wouldn't believe it—people are begging Finney to open another branch."
She and Finney had promised to keep tonight's events a secret, and she didn't want her parents involved.
Eli chuckled at her enthusiasm. Finney, watching silently, heard him say, "I don't know where this kid learned to cook like that. Your mother can't replicate his flavor no matter what."
That's because it's a superpower! Skye thought to herself as she glanced at Finney, who just smiled and said nothing. Who would've guessed that his signature dish came from a supernatural ability?
Finney's mother, Vera, wasn't too happy to hear her husband downplay her cooking. She muttered something in protest while glaring at him.
Surrounded by the warmth and joy of family, Skye finally began to relax. The room filled with laughter as she joined the conversation.
Later, after a long shower—especially a thorough hand-washing—Finney retreated to his room. With the weekend ahead and no school tomorrow, he was ready for his skill draw.
"Please, please, please, no more cooking powers."
He sat quietly and prayed for five minutes, breathing deeply and hoping for something useful. Before starting the draw, he had tried to use the "Golden Great Derivation Technique" to influence the outcome—but whether it was nerves or the system blocking him, it hadn't worked.
Still, the result wasn't bad.
**"Haunted by Demons"**
**From: *Akame ga Kill!***
**Description: An armor that houses ancient life and continues to evolve.**
Feeling the new skill's information settle in his mind, Finney was thrilled. His memory of *Akame ga Kill!* was fuzzy after so many years, but he still remembered this item—it was the protagonist's final armor.
"Wait... that thing was an Imperial Arm. Does that even count as a skill?"
He was confused. But then again, if the Sumire Chicken Nugget Roll counted as a skill, why couldn't an Imperial Arm?
Since he was worried about the noise it might make when activated, Finney decided not to test it indoors. He'd find a secluded spot tomorrow to give it a proper try. Even without knowing the full effects yet, he couldn't help feeling excited.
In one more year, Iron Man would make his high-profile debut. After that, disaster after disaster would start to unfold. He'd already been feeling anxious—his current powers weren't enough. The "Golden Great Technique" was limited to minor influence, only effective on regular people.
And as for the Sumire Chicken Nugget Roll... well, it wouldn't exactly help against alien invasions.
"Please let this be a good one!"
Until he could test it, Finney wouldn't be sure how strong "Haunted by Demons" really was. The name sounded promising. But then again, the "Golden Great Yan Technique" also *sounded* unbeatable—yet he couldn't use it to its full potential.
Still, as long as this new ability let him match opponents like Hawkeye or Black Widow, that'd be enough to keep him safe—for now.