System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Where is the weapon you used? And who detonated the explosive that killed over twenty of my officers at the scene and your own men?"

"The weapon I used was confiscated by your men at the start. I was using a standard assault rifle," Ethan said. "And the bomb was planted by Vance. I was wounded by the explosion while trying to pull Officer Sparks out of the building. In fact, if it weren't for my action, she would be dead."

The first officer couldn't hold back and stepped closer, his face red with rage. "He left the Congressman in critical condition and then fled the scene! That's attempted murder and flight!"

"I passed out from my wounds, Officer! And if Vance is critical, I'm glad! His kind of corruption is a cancer on this country. The real criminal fled in an armored truck, and you let him go!" Ethan held the officer's gaze with unsettling calm.

Prosecutor Carter banged the table with his pen. "Officer, maintain decorum! And you, Mr. Blake, control your tongue! This is not a political debate. This is a proceeding to determine your legal status."

The Prosecutor leaned back in the chair, interlocking his hands.

"Here is the reality, Mr. Blake," Carter said, his tone growing sharper. "You are a known mercenary, with a history of evasion. Congressman Vance has the power and influence, and what you call 'rescue,' the law calls domestic terrorism. Your supposed 'healing' is astonishing, I must admit; the medical report from an hour ago declared you on the brink of septic shock. Now you look ready to run a marathon."

Ethan felt a chill. The Prosecutor was aware of his rapid healing. He thought: The Qi Breathing healed me completely, but how did they notice so fast?

"Officer Sparks is a conflicted witness with a recent history of disciplinary issues," Carter continued, ignoring the silent protest of the officers. "If you persist with this 'Vance the Terrorist' narrative, I will have no choice but to deem you a non-cooperative enemy of the state. Tomorrow, at dawn, you will be transferred to maximum security federal prison to await trial, and I assure you that in that environment, your medical condition will be the least of your worries. Your lawyer, Mr. Davies, will not have access until after the formal indictment."

Prosecutor Carter stood up, taking his briefcase. "However, if you plead guilty to aggravated assault and criminal trespass with mitigating circumstances due to coercion, we can consider keeping you here, under our medical custody, until your lawyer can negotiate your bail. A hospital cell is better than federal prison, Mr. Blake. The decision is yours. Think about it. You have until tomorrow."

Ethan, however, did not wait until morning. The adrenaline from his Basic Qi Breathing had consumed his fear, leaving behind only anger and conviction.

"I don't need more days," Ethan said, his voice calm at first, but growing in firmness. "The damned Congressman is a terrorist."

Prosecutor Carter stopped dead in his tracks, turning with icy fury. "How dare you, Blake? I am offering you the mercy your lawyer couldn't secure—"

"I don't want your fake mercy," Ethan interrupted. "I'm going to jail. And from there, I'm going to prove that you are protecting a murderer."

The two watch officers needed no further orders. The rage of seeing their narrative, pushed by Superintendent Howard, shredded by a handcuffed prisoner was too much.

"Shut up, you piece of shit!" the first officer screamed, lunging at Ethan.

The second officer lunged onto the bed to hold Ethan's free arm, while the first attempted to silence him with his hand. The officers' intent was to subdue him and suppress the truth that embarrassed them.

The first officer never managed to touch Ethan's face. Despite being restrained and handcuffed to the headboard, the speed Ethan had gained from his training was superhuman. With an animalistic cry, Ethan used his free left hand, which was attached to a long chain, to grab the head of the lunging officer. With a brutal move, he slammed the officer's face directly into the metal bedrail of the cot.

A wet, devastating crunch was heard. Bright red blood exploded from the officer's nose and mouth.

"AARGH!" The officer fell backward, clutching his face, his screams mixed with fragments of bone and teeth that scattered onto the white sheets.

The second officer, terrified, tried to grab Ethan's neck, but Ethan's body was already reacting. Adrenaline spiked.

Ethan focused on defense. In that moment, he felt a familiar heat rush through his skin.

"CALL REINFORCEMENTS! WE NEED CONTAINMENT!" the second officer yelled, backing toward the door and pulling out his baton.

"WATCH OUT! NURSES GET OUT! THERE'S BLOOD!" distant screams were heard.

Ethan prepared to take the baton strike, activating his new ability.

[Champion! Stop right now!] The System's voice resonated urgently. [Your Harder Than Steel ability has activated! If the police capture you in this state, they will analyze your body! You will be cataloged as a non-human threat! This is worse than terrorism!]

The System's reminder cut through Ethan's fury like an axe. The truth of that warning was inescapable. He could not be discovered.

Within seconds, half a dozen riot guards burst into the room, who had heard the commotion. They saw the scene: an officer bleeding profusely on the floor and Ethan, handcuffed, his face hardened by violence.

The guards descended upon him. Ethan ceased all resistance, allowing them to subdue and strike him one last time on the body before immobilizing him.

Prosecutor Carter was livid. The rage, the failure of his "good deed," and the humiliation before his subordinates boiled in his eyes.

"ENOUGH!" Carter screamed. "Remove the cuffs from the bed and put him in a straitjacket immediately! I am not waiting until morning! Mr. Blake, you chose war!"

Carter approached the guards. "I want him transferred RIGHT NOW to the Lexington federal maximum security prison! And I want his bodyguard, Jason, transferred with him! Make sure they feel true hell! And log this in the record: Blake is a dangerous and uncooperative felon! Get this animal out of my jurisdiction!"

The guards hoisted Ethan up, ignoring his newly healed wounds and the officer's blood still splattered on his face. Ethan was on his way to hell, but he did so with a cold smile. He had saved his secret and declared his war.