Chapter 4 Nelson's Struggle

• Finally escaping that terrifying guy, Noelle hurried back to class, her heart racing with fear.
• But once she sat down, her mind started wandering. She needed to figure out how to complete her mission.
• First, the original character's parents would face trouble in six months. She could ask customer service to check what would happen and then try to avoid it.
• Then there was the mission itself. Stop Nelson from turning evil.
• As long as she kept lowering Nelsin's darkening value according to the mission requirements and stayed out of trouble, she could complete the mission in this world and live a peaceful life.
• Customer service had told her that the first world mission is usually not too difficult, which made Noelle feel a little better.
• Out of the blue, she recalled something. She quickly asked customer service, "Could you please check the current darkening value for Nelson?"
• The reply from customer service was robotic, "Hi, the mission target Nelson's darkening value is at 80 right now."
• Noelle’s heart tightened, but she tried to reassure herself. The max darkening value was 100, so there was still hope even though it was high.
• She needed to think carefully about her next steps.
• After class, she turned down an offer from some fake friends to get bubble tea and chose to be alone to jot down and sketch out her thoughts in her notebook instead.
• Meanwhile, in another part of the school, Madeline was standing face-to-face with Nelson, her expression full of guilt.
• “I’m sorry, Nelson. Noelle is a bit spoiled. I know she’s done many bad things, and I apologize on her behalf.”
• Madeline, who was pretty with her fair skin, striking features, and long hair tied with a soft pink ribbon, looked gentle and attractive like a picture-perfect angel.
• But Nelson remained cold and unresponsive. “Are you done?”
• Madeline was taken aback. She was the school beauty, always surrounded by admirers. No one had ever treated her so indifferently. Still, she quickly composed herself, smiled apologetically, and stepped aside. “Then I won’t bother you anymore.”
• Without looking back, Nelson walked off, leaving Madeline gazing after him, nibbling on her lip thoughtfully.
• After leaving school, Nelson went straight to his new part-time job, considering how his mom's illness was draining their finances. But thankfully, she's been a bit more stable lately. Even so, he knew he couldn't let his guard down. He had to be ready for any unexpected emergencies. He needed money.
• Just then, a few shady figures appeared ahead. Nelson recognized their faces instantly. A group of thugs began pushing him toward a nearby alley. This was a secluded part of town; the thugs clearly felt they had nothing to fear.
• Madeline happened to be not far behind Nelson. Seeing the situation, she mustered up her courage and shouted, “What are you doing? I’m calling the police!”
• The scar-faced leader turned around with a sinister smile. “Scram if you don’t want to die.”
• Madeline, who had never faced anything like this, lost all her courage and took a few steps back, her face pale. She didn’t dare look at Nelson again and quickly ran away. The thugs burst out laughing.
• “Look at this pretty boy, always having girls fawning over him!”
• Using his looks to trick girls. How dare he even think about Miss Lawrence? Do you really think you stand a chance with her?”
• Miss Lawrence was the manager’s at the underground fight club where Nelson used to fight. She had always shown him care and even hinted at something more, but he had never reciprocated. The thug leader had been after Miss Lawrence for a while.
• Nelson’s eyes were cold as he spoke. “I have nothing to do with Miss Lawrence.”
• The scar-faced thug leader mocked, You think you're good enough for Miss Lawrence? Boys, show him what's what!"
• In an instant, those thugs lunged straight at Nelson.
• Nelson was no stranger to combat, though he rarely engaged outside the underground fighting club. Despite the fierce onslaught, he held his ground against multiple opponents.
• In fact, several thugs ended up screaming in pain and collapsing.
• The scar-faced man sensed trouble, his eyes gleaming with malice. Stealthily, he sidled into a nearby corner and produced a cylindrical object, blowing into it forcefully.
• Suddenly, a thin needle jabbed into Nelson's back. He stiffened, his formerly indifferent gaze turning sinister. His movements became more ruthless, swiftly knocking down his attackers.
• But the scar-faced man's concoction intensified unexpectedly. Nelson's actions sped up, the drug coursing through him. Expressionless, he advanced towards the scar-faced man, but dizziness hit him, his legs giving out instantly.
• At the same time, an evil fire ignited within him, consuming his senses.
• The scar-faced man smirked menacingly, "Thought you could play tough? Let's see you keep it up. Boys, take him and deliver him to those freaks for fun. Let's see if he'll still be so cocky."
• Nelson heard every word clearly, his eyes flashing with intense hostility. He tried to stand, leaning against the wall, but stumbled and fell, caught by the scar-faced man's accomplice.
• Just then, an ear-piercing alarm went off, followed by a shout. "Police, over here, quick!"
• Police?
• Muttering under his breath, the scar-faced man forcefully pushed Nelson aside. In a frenzy, he and his men scrambled over the wall.
• Moments later, a cautious head peered around the alley corner.
• Seeing the thugs gone, Noelle gathered her courage and carefully approached Nelson.
• She had told her driver not to come get her and decided to walk by herself. She was alerted by customer service about how close Nelson was and his increasing darkening value, which made her rush over immediately.
• Nelson, come on, wake up.
• Noelle gently nudged the young man leaning against the wall, and he suddenly looked up.
• His once cold and indifferent eyes now bore a crimson, menacing glare. She was almost scared to run away.
• But remembering her mission, Noelle mustered her courage and approached, "Nelson, I'm here to help. Please don't hurt me!"
• Noelle spoke nervously while trying to order a ride on her phone.
• Fortunately, a nearby car appeared just in time. Gritting her teeth, she supported Nelson, guiding him unsteadily to the alley's edge and settling him in the back seat of the taxi.
• Customer service had told her that Nelson had been drugged and needed to go to the hospital.
• Quickly, Noelle told the driver, "Please, go to the nearest hospital, thanks."
• The driver nodded and drove off.
• Maybe because of the poor airflow in the car, Noelle noticed Nelson's breathing was getting heavy.
• Worried, she reached over to open the window next to him. But just then, Nelson, who had kept his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. In Noelle's memories, Nelson's look was always calm and distant, but his eyes were wild at that moment.
• The next instant, her back tightened, caught off guard as Nelson suddenly pulled her into his arms. Then, a searing pain shot through her lips.
• Nelson had bitten her!
• Noelle panicked and struggled, causing the driver to see what was happening and slam on the brakes.
• With a loud thud, Nelson crash into Noelle on the seat, returning him to his senses. He pushed the girl away and leaned back in his chair.
• The driver frowned, turning back, "What's going on?"
• Terrified and flustered Noelle quickly explained, "He seems to have been poisoned. Can you drive faster? We need to get him to a hospital immediately."
• The driver, noticing the young man’s strange behaviour, sped up the car and muttered to himself.
• Nolle dared not approach Nelson again, clutching her backpack tightly on the opposite side of her seat.
• On the other side, Nelson clutched the car handle with one hand, biting his tongue to cling to consciousness.
• Even with his vision fuzzy, he could still spot the slim figure curled up in the corner opposite him, distinguished by a school badge marked 'Sinclair'.