"My potential?" Antonio muttered, slowly rising to his feet.
Nothing was making sense to him. Type-AB had promised to make him a new man, but how?
It was at that moment that Type-AB held the needle for Antonio to take. He looked at it with sceptical eyes.
"Create a cut similar to mine."
At first, Antonio retorted. He couldn't believe that such a man dared to order him around after what he had done.
"Then do you want to remain a laughing stock? You might not trust me, but you must trust my ability as a superhero. After all, I was able to beat your father, who was ranked higher than I at the time."
The words were true, and Antonio didn't want to admit it.
He held a resentment towards the hero Type-AB, even if the man claimed that he was there to help him. However, his mind naturally grew curious. He wanted to know if there was truly a way for him to leave the sewers as more than just a "Trash Hero".
"What are you going to do to me?" He asked whilst contemplating. With every passing second, Type-AB's purple blood continued to drip from his hand.
"My blood has seen many parasites known to man. If just a drop of my blood enters your bloodstream, your power will force your body into a state of cleansing... I can't be certain of the exact effects afterwards, but I'm certain that if you survive, your powers will reap the benefits." The man explained.
Now, Antonio found himself even more tempted. The idea carried great risk, incredibly great risks. But with great risk comes great reward.
Can I trust my power to do what they need to do?
...
Surely I can manage just a drop.
After great hesitation, he took the needle from Type-AB's hand and hovered it over his palm.
Before going any further, he looked up at Type-AB.
"After this, I want an explanation. I want to know why you killed my father, and why you really want to help me become stronger." He demanded.
Type-AB smiled again, as he nodded his head. "Right. Just focus on surviving first."
After a deep breath, Antonio hesitantly did what the man asked him to. A sharp cut formed on his palm, and red blood instantly began to drip.
If I die... then so be it.
Afterwards, he tossed the needle to the side, and Type-AB nodded his head, outstretched his bloody hand towards Antonio's.
"Good. Now then, let's get this started."
Type-AB placed his bloody hand above Antonio's cut and allowed the blood to drop into the wound. He held it there for just a moment, and at first, nothing was happening.
Antonio wondered if more blood would be needed. After all, he was feeling fine.
And then...
[System Warning: Toxic Substance Detected!]
A wave of agony burst through Antonio's veins forcing him to fall to his knees. In only an instant, his body started to react, instinctively letting out a burst of cleansing waves around him.
"Don't try to push it out of your body!" Type-AB called. "Filter it."
But Antonio wasn't listening. He couldn't. He was too focused on trying to keep himself alive.
[POWERS OVERCLOCKED]
Sanitation Field Radius: 0.5m >> 2m (temporary)
Contamination Purge Speed: F >> D (temporary)
Purification Depth: F >> D (temporary)
His body entered a state known as Overclocked. In times of near death, a superhero could push their abilities past their known limits in an attempt to keep them alive. This had limited uses, and if overdone, a hero could risk losing their powers or simply dying.
The cleaning waves around Antonio were miniature puffs of energy. In the distance, a grime-covered wall was instantly cleaned until spotless. The water around him starter to cleanse itself.
The cleaning waves only continued to exit his body with more uncontrollable power. At one point, it felt as though a wave so strong was emitted that his body was lifted from the ground.
Eventually, he fell to his back, flipping about in the water as he clutched his hands to his head. He vomited bile into the water.
The poison seemed to have been spreading to his brain, or at least it felt like it.
[Ability Upgraded]
[Dirt Purge >> Advanced Purge]
Emits cleaning waves that can erase physical, and biological contaminants within range
[Secondary Stats Upgraded]
Contamination Field: 0.5m >> 5m
[Secondary Stat Upgraded]
Purification Depth: F >> C
Purification Speed F >> C
[Primary Stat Upgraded]
Control: D >> C
---
Antonio continued to flop like a fish, now clutching at his chest. His body was constantly forcing itself to adapt. His abilities were increasing, but his body still pushed itself harder to try and filter the toxins.
"Good, good. I can feel you getting stronger. Survive this, and we can start learning real powers." Type-AB nodded proudly.
Antonio could make out the words "real powers", but his power was still more focused on surviving. With every passing second he began to regret his decision.
Suddenly, a wave of relief washed through him, allowing him to catch his breath. It felt as though an egg had hatched in his stomach, and from it, spread a liquid that nullified the effects of the toxic blood.
[Mutation Gained]
[Hemocleanse Core]
[Current Rank: D]
[Type: Symbiotic Organ Mutation]
Description: A specialised, red organ that integrates into the owner's circulatory system. It acts as both a filtration engine and an energy reactor, continuously processing their blood to remove, adapt to, and weaponise contaminants.
—Mutation Powers—
Absolute Filtration ~ Instantly neutralises all known biological, chemical, and magical toxins from the bloodstream.
Contamination Conversion ~ Converts neutralised toxins into Purification Energy, a renewable internal fuel source for the owner's abilities.
Adaptive Immunity ~ Stores the "profile" of neutralised toxins, granting permanent resistance. Can project this immunity to allies within his Sanitation Field.
---
Antonio took in deep breaths whilst on his hands and knees. His mind had finally calmed down, and he was able to process his stats.
With just a few drops of Type-AB's blood, his powers had changed so much. Although most of them were passive, it was still clear that his powers were no longer as useless as before.
He had even gone through a Mutation, which would push him even further. With Every passing second, he felt the Hemocleanse Core radiating in his stomach, cleansing his body of toxins that he didn't even know were there.
When he looked down, he found that the skin near his abdomen had a crimson glow to it, even shining through his clothing. He would have to get a better look at it soon.
"This... this is incredible." He muttered between breaths.
Type-AB smiled, proud of what had taken place.
"Good, but we're not done yet. We still need to help you awaken true powers."
Then, the man looked up to the shadowy ceiling, clicked his fingers, and called out. "Lightning Leg, come down. It's time to put The Janitor through training."