Chapter 2 – First PursuitPage 1Panel 1:
The marketplace bustled with life, vendors shouting over one another to attract customers. The scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat filled the air. Among the crowd, a young woman walked briskly, her purse clutched tightly against her side. Just a few more steps, and she'd be home.
Panel 2:
A sudden force yanked her purse from her grasp. She gasped, eyes snapping to the hooded figure sprinting through the crowd, her belongings in hand.
"Wait! Stop him!" she cried, but the people around her hesitated. Some barely noticed, too busy with their own business. Others simply turned away.
Panel 3:
Her heart pounded as she tried to chase after the thief, but he was too fast—far too fast for a normal person.
"No… I can't catch up to him" she realized with growing dread.
Panel 4:
Across the marketplace, Atom stood near a fruit stand, chewing on a piece of bread. His eyes followed the thief effortlessly weaving through the crowd.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
He tossed the rest of his food aside and bolted after him.
Page 2Panel 1:
Atom ran, pushing his body as fast as he could—but it wasn't enough. The thief was gaining distance, his legs glowing faintly with mana enhancement.
"Damn, that guy's fast. But why is my mana color different."
Panel 2:
A sharp ache flared in his muscles, a painful reminder of his first real fight. The memory of overusing his powers flashed through his mind—his body barely able to move afterward.
"If I use too much again,I could break more than just my limbs."
Panel 3:
Gritting his teeth, he focused. He carefully channeled mana into his legs, only a fraction of what he used before. Just enough to enhance his speed without tearing himself apart.
Panel 4:
The moment it activated, he surged forward. The wind rushed past him, but this time, it was different.
"Shit, that hurt… but it wasn't as bad as before."
Atom smirked slightly.
"Guess I'm learning."
Page 3Panel 1:
In an instant, he caught up—actually, he overshot his landing again, he was able to skid to a stop without tumbling face-first into the ground.
Panel 2:
The thief skidded to a halt, panic flashing in his eyes.
"What the hell?!"
Panel 3:
Atom turned, cracking his knuckles.
"You should really consider a different career path, man."
Panel 4:
The thief scowled and reached into his coat, pulling out a black dagger. Dark energy pulsed along the blade's edge.
"Dude you can use mana why use a knife" Atom muttered, but the thief stood there for a second just thinking before continuing.
"Why don't you mind your own business, and let me rob how I rob" the thief sneered.
"Oh so your an idiot"
Page 4Panel 1:
The thief lunged. Atom reacted instantly, dodging to the side—but the mana still burned in his legs, making him just a bit slower than he wanted. The dagger nicked his hoodie, slicing through the fabric.
"Too slow! (thought)"
Panel 2:
The thief followed up with another slash, but Atom caught his wrist before the blade could reach him.
Panel 3:
With a sharp twist, Atom forced the thief's hand open, making him drop the dagger.
Panel 4:
Before the thief could react, Atom drove a solid knee into his gut. The man gasped, his eyes went from a glowing blue color to a whiteout, he stumbled backward, only for Atom to spin and slam a kick into the side of his head.
The thief collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Page 5Panel 1:
Atom took a deep breath, standing over the unconscious thief. His body ached, but this time, it was manageable.
"Okay. That could've gone worse."
Panel 2:
The young woman rushed over, her face a mix of relief and gratitude.
"That was incredible! Thank you so much!"
Panel 3:
Atom rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a little awkward.
"Uh… yeah. No problem."
Panel 4:
A murmur spread through the gathered crowd. Some people looked impressed. Others, wary.
"Shit… Did I break a law or something, dammit I should have asked before"
Page 6Panel 1:
Atoms turned, already walking away. The weight of the onlookers' states stayed with him.
"My bones feel like they're about to break but I can still move so I shouldn't keep overdoing it."
Panel 2:
As he left the marketplace, the whispers behind him faded.
Panel 3:
As he escapes the crowd, he hears some cheer and applaud