Teleport the Devil

Asher dangled precariously over the edge of the towering building, held there by a handsome man. The wind whipped at his clothes, making them snap like flags. Cold sweat covered his body, chilling him despite the sun. He was in serious danger. *Really* serious danger.

Today was definitely not his day. He remembered just a few hours earlier, living carefree and playing a slot machine, wasting his money away. The loud casino sounds, the flashing lights, the cheap thrill of almost winning – it felt like a long time ago.

Suddenly, someone tapped on his shoulder. The touch was firm, impossible to ignore even in the noisy casino.

When he looked back, Asher saw a handsome guy smiling at him. It was the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. A type of face that every girl he knew loved, a face that he was envious of. The guy looked effortlessly cool, like he'd just stepped off a movie screen.

This handsome guy then picked up a photograph from his pocket and then showed it to him. He held it out casually, like it was no big deal.

"Is this you?" he asked. His voice was calm, almost friendly, but there was something sharp underneath.

Confused, Asher looked at the picture. He squinted, bringing it closer. The background was blurry, but the subject was clear.

It *was* him, a slight difference but it was how he looked like when he saw himself in the restroom mirror not long ago. His mohawk stood up the same way. "Yeah, it's me, but—"

He was about to ask, 'Who are you? And what do you want?' but the handsome guy suddenly grabbed his clothes. Fingers clamped onto his jacket collar with surprising strength.

Before Asher could react, his surroundings instantly turned black. The casino noise cut off mid-ring. His stomach lurched violently. Before he understood what happened, they were already standing on top of a building. Solid concrete replaced the plush casino carpet under his feet.

The cold wind was slapping his face, sharp and biting. The sudden shift made him didn't even have time to think that this was a dream. His head spun, and the sheer drop just feet away made his legs feel weak.

"What... The hell happened?" Asher said, his head was hurt as he looking around in utter confusion.

He pressed a hand to his temple, the disorientation making him feel sick. Feeling nauseous and disoriented. The surrounding was changed suddenly into this terrifying, unfamiliar place. Skyscrapers loomed all around.

"Oh, don't worry about it," the handsome guy, Noah, said calmly. "I just teleported us somewhere quiet so we can talk properly." He gestured vaguely at the empty rooftop.

"Teleport?" Immediately, the mohawk guy got defensive. His fists clenched at his sides, muscles tensing. "You have superpowers too?"

Noah smiled. That was exactly right. Noah had a power called [Teleport the Devil], a power that awakened in him long ago. This power enabled him to going anywhere in this world instantly, as long as he ever going there at least once. Distance meant nothing to him.

"What's so surprising?" Noah said, relaxed. "Everyone has them at this point." He shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world.

The mohawk guy had heard about it too—whispers on the street, strange news reports. For some reason, people had been awakening their powers more often lately. Included himself. But there was no way *everyone* did. This guy was clearly messing with him.

"Who are you?" he demanded, shifting into a fighting stance. He lowered his center of gravity, ready to spring. "Whatever you want from me, don't think I will easily give it to you." He tried to sound tough, but his voice shook a little.

Noah smiled happily. It was a bright, genuine smile that didn't match the situation at all. "Really?" He sounded amused. "I'll take that as a challenge."

Noah disappeared. One second he was there, the next – gone. No blur, no sound, just empty space. Only to reappear instantly right behind him. Asher felt a presence at his back before he even saw him.

In his mind, Asher knew what teleportation could do, the theory of it. But when it happened right in front of him, used against him, he couldn't even react. It was impossibly fast. His brain couldn't process the movement.

Noah grabbed him, a strong hand gripping his shoulder. The touch was brief but firm. And in an instant, he found himself in a life-and-death situation. The world tilted. He ended up at the very edge of the building, only one step away from falling to his demise.

He gulped in fear. His heart was beating faster than ever before, the sound loud in his ears.

When he experienced his own awakening, Asher had felt unbeatable. It was a rush like nothing else. He feeling strong, invincible, on top of the world. For a while, it seemed like nothing could stand in his way. He was special.

Soon enough, he got a small reality check when he was attacked by a group called the Arcane Keepers. They showed him he wasn't the only one with powers, and theirs were better coordinated. It bruised his ego, but didn't break him.

Still, his spirit was high when his friend invited him to join a criminal group called Joker Roulette. It felt like finding his tribe, a place where his power meant something. He thought he was moving up.

But facing someone like Noah, someone who could casually put him inches from death, he was finally forced to see the truth. The cold, hard reality hit him harder than the wind. He was still nothing compared to the real deal. He had no chance at all against this level of power. The confidence drained out of him.

"So, are you going to talk or not?" Noah asked, pulling him back from his thoughts. Noah's voice was calm, but the threat of the edge was very real.

As if electrocuted, Asher immediately scrambled back from the edge. "Ri-right, I'm sorry!" he stammered, the words tumbling out fast. "I will talk! I will talk! I promise!" He held his hands up, palms out in surrender.

"Good," Noah said with a smile. It was a satisfied smile this time. He pulled Asher away from the edge and pushed him to his knees on the concrete floor at the top of the building.

Asher let out a sigh of relief, slowly catching his breath.

"Okay, now tell me about your group called Joker Roulette," Noah said, crossing his arms as he waited.

"I-It's a group of people with superpowers," Asher said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I heard they usually do criminal activities like stealing and stuff." He shifted uncomfortably. "I've only been their seventh member for less than a month, so I don't know much yet." He hoped that would be enough.

"How do you join?" Noah asked. His gaze was steady, not letting Asher off the hook.

"You need a recommendation from another existing member." Asher explained quickly. He needed Noah to understand his position. "My good pal was already a member for some time, that's how I could join."

"I see," Noah said, nodding slowly. He uncrossed his arms and took a step closer. "Then recommend me." The words were simple, delivered like an obvious next step.

"Wh-what...?" Asher was obviously confused. His eyebrows shot up. He hadn't seen that coming. 

Recommend *this* guy? To *Joker Roulette*?

"I will join too," Noah said without skipping a beat. He stated it like a fact, leaving no room for argument.

"B-but..." Asher didn't expect this development. His mind raced. How? Why? This made no sense. 

"You refuse?" Noah asked. His voice dropped slightly, a hint of danger creeping back in. He tilted his head.

"N-no! That's not what I mean!" Asher hurriedly replied, waving his hands frantically. "I just mean I'm a new member that's barely done anything with them yet!" He needed Noah to understand. "I doubt they will accept my recommendation." He was practically nobody in the group.

"Doesn't matter," Noah said, unconcerned. "Just do it." His tone was final.

Asher slumped, feeling defeated. This guy was so unreasonable. No matter what Asher said, it was clear he wouldn't listen. Logic didn't work. Excuses didn't work. He had no other choice.

"Okay," he finally sighed. What else could he do?

Noah nodded satisfied. 

"Then hurry up already," he said, clapping his hands together once like he was starting a game. "Lead the way."

"What? Right now?" Asher said in disbelief. He blinked. He needed time to think, to plan, to warn his friend maybe... but Noah clearly wasn't giving him time.

"Of course, when else?" Noah demanded, a wide, unsettling grin spreading across his face. It looked predatory. "Hurry up. Lead the way to your group's hideout," He took a step towards Asher, making him flinch.

This guy was really unreasonable. He operated by his own rules. But Asher couldn't refuse. Not just his power – something deeper about him felt special, dangerous in a way Asher couldn't explain. He radiated an aura of absolute control. 

Asher made a silent promise to himself, right then and there, as he looked at Noah's expectant face. He wouldn't make this man his enemy, no matter what happened. Survival meant going along.

Asher took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cold rooftop air. He pushed himself to his feet, his legs still a bit shaky.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice steadier than he felt. "I'll do as you asked."

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