The azure vortex manifested once more, consuming everything in its path.
The moment Leon activated Blue, he felt the difference immediately. Energy rapidly converted to cursed energy and poured into the technique.
The gravitational sphere that previously maxed out at grapefruit-size now expanded to basketball proportions.
Naturally, greater power demanded greater consumption.
But the energy expenditure proved worthwhile. Blue at level 2 exceeded Leon's expectations.
The azure sphere hurtled toward the Lizard at more than twice its previous velocity.
The Lizard's instincts screamed danger, but the distance was too close, the sphere too fast. No escape.
From her vantage point, Gwen witnessed what happened next:
The Lizard's body contorted violently. Massive amounts of tissue and muscle mass pulled toward his center. Then a terrifying azure sphere burst through his chest, continuously devouring flesh and blood until nothing remained.
Even after completely consuming the Lizard's body, the hungry vortex didn't stop. It continued swallowing everything nearby.
Air. Floor. Broken walls. Street lights.
What terrified her most—the sphere was flying straight toward her at tremendous speed.
Badly injured, she couldn't move. Could only wait for death.
Facing the Lizard, she'd felt unwillingness. Facing this azure annihilation, she was losing the ability to think at all.
That terrifying sphere was unstoppable, consuming everything in its path. Not even her thoughts could escape!
Gwen's mind went blank...
But when the vortex was still several meters away, its gravitational pull already tugging at her body, the sphere suddenly vanished—dissipating into nothing.
She gasped violently, recovering from holding her breath.
She'd never been so close to death.
Never felt so helpless.
Is this really power a human can control?
After releasing Blue, Leon observed the completely obliterated Lizard and smiled with satisfaction.
Blue's improvement exceeded his expectations.
At level 4 or 5, he'd likely match Gojo's baseline performance.
Beyond that? He'd surpass the original entirely.
When everything settled, Leon looked ahead. New York's friendly neighborhood Spider-Woman had collapsed unconscious from her injuries.
The Six Eyes revealed her condition: multiple fractures throughout her body, internal organs slightly ruptured with minor bleeding.
However, Spider-Woman possessed a healing factor that would repair the damage relatively quickly.
But this was Hell's Kitchen. A battle had just occurred. Many eyes would be watching this location.
Though Leon was no saint, he didn't want to see one of his favorite characters die right in front of him.
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
Following the system prompts, Leon used the Six Eyes to assess Gwen's condition, then carefully realigned her dislocated bones with precision to accelerate her recovery.
Then a thought occurred to him. He removed Spider-Woman's hood and mask, revealing the delicate face beneath.
Short blonde hair. Refined features. Yes—Gwen Stacy.
But this Gwen was even more beautiful than any movie or animated version he'd seen.
Suddenly, Spider-Woman stirred in his arms. Looking up at the handsome man holding her, confusion flickered across her face. Then awareness returned. She leaped from his embrace, flipping backward several meters away.
Her movements were slightly awkward—far from fully healed. She stumbled and fell, then struggled upright.
"You—you—"
After Gwen steadied herself, she noticed the white mask in the man's hand. She touched her bare face, realizing her identity had been exposed.
Oh god. What do I do?
Why was my secret identity discovered the very first time I became Spider-Woman?
Panic flooded through her.
Leon was surprised she'd regained consciousness so quickly.
Spider-Woman's healing factor was remarkable.
He held up the mask. "I didn't expect my friendly neighborhood Spider-Woman to be so young. Are you still in school?"
"You... why did you take off my mask?"
Leon tilted his head, then flashed a bright smile.
"Shouldn't I have? I'm terribly sorry.
If you're unhappy about it, feel free to hit me."
Gwen: "..."
Having witnessed Leon instantly obliterate Dr. Lizard, she understood exactly how much power that deceptively thin frame contained. She was absolutely no match for him.
"Why did you kill Dr. Connors? He only became cruel and violent because of the serum's mutation. Deep down, he was a good person!"
Gwen asked, something occurring to her.
Leon wasn't surprised by her question. She was kind-hearted.
One of the reasons he liked Gwen.
But while he wanted the person he admired to be kind, he himself was not.
"Because he tried to kill me. If you attempt to kill me, you should be prepared to die."
Gwen wanted to argue, but the words died in her throat.
From Leon's perspective, he wasn't wrong. Self-defense.
Still, watching a familiar mentor die right in front of her left her overwhelmed. She fell silent, then simply said:
"Maybe you're not wrong, but... I need to go."
She shot a web line and swung away.
Leon called after her:
"Your mask!"
Spider-Woman froze mid-swing, hesitated, then returned. She snatched the mask from Leon's hand and departed again.
She desperately wanted to punch that infuriating smile off his face. But considering their power difference... best not.
The righteous Spider-Woman knows discretion is the better part of valor, she thought.
Watching Spider-Woman disappear into the distance, Leon reflected that transmigration had its merits. At least he could interact with characters he'd loved in his previous life. They were no longer heroes confined behind a screen—they were living people with their own joys and sorrows.
Sensing his remaining energy reserves, Leon grabbed an exposed wire and resumed absorption.
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
While absorbing energy, he kept the Six Eyes continuously active, refining his energy control.
Experience in both abilities climbed steadily.
After several minutes, a new notification appeared:
[Six Eyes Experience +1]
[Congratulations! Six Eyes has leveled up!]