Chapter 287: Say It Again and I'll Hit You

Everyone had been waiting for the door to open. Now that they finally heard a sound, all eyes were fixed on it.

The door wasn’t actually opening slowly, but because everyone was so anxious, it felt excruciatingly slow.

When the door finally opened, the first person to walk out wasn’t the man they were hoping to see.

The person who emerged was Dr. Hayes.

Dr. Hayes could clearly see the disappointment on everyone’s faces.

However, Dr. Hayes didn’t seem angry.

This made quite a few people quietly sigh in relief.

They were counting on Dr. Hayes to enhance their own powers!

Offending Dr. Hayes at a time like this would be a terrible idea.

Fortunately, Dr. Hayes had an indifferent personality, engrossed only in his research and not paying much mind to anything else. Otherwise, they’d be in a world of regret.

“Dr. Hayes!”

Someone couldn’t hold back any longer and finally spoke up to ask.

“How did it go?”

It wasn’t just one or two people who wanted to know the result; most were just too afraid to ask themselves.

Now that someone had taken the lead, the others found their courage as well.

“Yeah! Dr. Hayes, how did it go? Did it proceed smoothly?”

“Was it a success?”

“What kind of a stupid question is that? Who do you think Dr. Hayes is? When Dr. Hayes is involved, how could it possibly fail!”

The person who was rebuked didn’t get angry. Instead, he just smiled and nodded. “You’re right! I misspoke. When Dr. Hayes is involved, how could it possibly fail!”

Although it was flattery, the words sounded a bit stiff.

Clearly, this person wasn’t used to saying such things.

But at a moment like this, no one paid any attention to that detail.

Right now, everyone was most concerned with Dr. Hayes’s answer.

Dr. Hayes didn’t deliberately keep them in suspense and quickly gave his answer.

“It went very smoothly. He has successfully awakened both the Water Ability and the Wood Element Ability. He’ll need some follow-up time to stabilize and enhance these two Superpowers, so he can’t come out just yet. You’ll all be able to see him in a few days.”

Hearing Dr. Hayes’s words, the crowd was silent at first.

But soon, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

Most of them stared at Dr. Hayes with fervent eyes, showering him with all sorts of praise.

Sierra Sullivan understood why these people were so excited.

‘In the current situation, who wouldn’t want a Water Ability and a Wood Element Ability?’

‘With these two Superpowers, you’d never have to worry about food or drink again!’

‘You could even get one of the special jobs in Subterra.’

‘Not only is the pay high, but the jobs aren’t dangerous at all. You’d even be admired by others.’

‘Who wouldn’t want a life like that?’

It wasn’t that they didn’t want it before; it was that they couldn’t get it!

But now, things were different!

With Dr. Hayes, they could finally get what they wanted!

Before they could even speak, Dr. Hayes spoke first.

“Who else wants to awaken their Superpower? You can come in now!”

Unlike before, when no one had raised their hand.

This time, as soon as Dr. Hayes asked the question, quite a few people shot their hands up.

“Me!”

“And me!”

“Dr. Hayes! I told you yesterday I wanted to!”

“Dr. Hayes, look at me!”

People are easily influenced by their surroundings.

Some hadn’t been so eager or excited at first.

But because everyone around them was scrambling to sign up, many were swept up in the atmosphere.

Another human trait is that when others have something you don’t, you feel like you’re losing out.

This is true even for things you didn’t originally want that much.

But seeing others have it makes you want it too.

You completely forget that you didn’t actually want it in the first place.

Just like at this very moment.

At first, maybe only half the people were speaking up, but soon, four-fifths of the crowd were eagerly volunteering.

Dr. Hayes was neither surprised nor visibly pleased by the scene before him.

His face remained impassive. “There’s no need to be anxious or worried. As long as you’re willing, everyone can awaken a Superpower. It’s just a matter of time! Let’s take ten people for now. If things go smoothly, we’ll take twenty tomorrow.”

With that, Dr. Hayes casually pointed and selected ten people.

The ten chosen people, their faces flushed with excitement, quickly walked over to Dr. Hayes.

After coming to a stop beside Dr. Hayes, smug expressions appeared on each of their faces.

Seeing the smug looks on their faces, many of the others gnashed their teeth in envy.

‘How could Dr. Hayes be deceived by these ten smug upstarts!’

“Those who weren’t chosen, don’t worry or be discouraged. Your turn will come tomorrow or the day after.”

Although the words were meant to be comforting, spoken in Dr. Hayes’s indifferent tone, they felt like they were missing something.

Dr. Hayes didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with what he’d said. After finishing his sentence, he led the ten people through the metal door.

Watching the metal door close once more, many people shook their heads in disappointment.

But soon, they cheered up again.

‘Just as Dr. Hayes said, there are only so many of them in total. As long as they’re patient, everyone will get to awaken a Superpower. It’s just a matter of time!’

Sierra Sullivan watched all of this unfold in silence, not having said a single word from beginning to end.

Dr. Hayes hadn’t glanced in their direction, but Sierra still felt a sense of unease.

Dr. Hayes had been staring at Candice Tate constantly before, but now he didn’t even spare her a glance. It seemed rather abnormal.

No one else knew what Sierra was thinking. Seeing her stare intently at the metal door, many assumed she was filled with regret.

And why wouldn’t she be?

The very first person Dr. Hayes had invited was Candice Tate!

But Sierra had rejected such an incredible opportunity!

Even someone as good-tempered as Dr. Hayes had been angered by Sierra.

He used to always speak kindly to Sierra and Candice, but just now, he hadn’t even glanced at them. He was clearly angry!

Now Sierra finally knew regret, but what was the use?

“Some people are just so short-sighted! Always thinking others are out to get them! What’s the use of realizing what you’ve missed out on now? It’s too late!”

“Exactly! If I had a chance like that, I’d have accepted it without a second thought, crying tears of gratitude. Not like some people, who mistake kindness for malice. It’s too late for regrets now!”

A few more mocking voices rang out, and every single word drilled into Sierra’s ears.

“Candice, you’re still young. Don’t let certain people fool you! Someone might look like they have your best interests at heart, but maybe they’re just jealous and don’t want you to become more powerful!”

Candice Tate was already angry, but hearing this made her little face puff up even more.

“Don’t you dare talk nonsense! Say one more word and I’ll hit you!”