Chapter 13: Polaris
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Energy Absorption Experience +1]
[Congratulations! Energy Absorption has leveled up!]
[Energy Absorption lv3 (1/1000): Absorbs most forms of energy. High absorption rate and storage capacity.]
After the upgrade, Leon immediately felt dramatic changes to Energy Absorption.
First, the range of absorbable energy types expanded. Nuclear energy—previously beyond his reach—and even magical energy could now be absorbed.
Additionally, absorption speed had increased significantly—at least three times faster than before.
Energy storage capacity had also tripled. He could now maintain the Limitless Technique for half an hour, use Blue at full power over six times, or Red at minimum power three times.
According to template knowledge, Red at minimum power equaled at least twice Blue's maximum output.
This represented not only terrifying consumption, but devastating lethality.
However, Leon knew his previous Red manifestation had succeeded through sheer luck. He might not replicate it reliably.
Moreover, that Red had been incomplete—massive amounts of energy dissipating wastefully. Using that unstable version would exhaust him after two attempts.
Therefore, he shouldn't use Red again until gaining proper experience and mastery through template progression.
Consumption was secondary. If uncontrolled dissipated energy struck his brain, that would be catastrophic.
Current Reversal Technique couldn't regenerate after brain destruction.
Beyond increased reserves, accelerated absorption speed provided enormous benefits.
By his estimates, he could now withstand small-caliber rifle fire and completely absorb bullets' kinetic energy.
This meant no vulnerability to ambush when Limitless wasn't active.
Unfortunately, both Limitless and Reversal Technique remained too low-level. Unknown how much advancement needed to match Gojo's baseline.
Specifically: Reversal Technique constantly repairing his brain while Limitless maintained indefinitely, automatically filtering threats.
Further skill advancement would enable filtering even poison attacks Gojo couldn't detect, potentially even resisting spatial attacks.
Through continuous improvement, he'd surpass Gojo entirely—reaching realms Gojo never achieved.
Imagining the future excited Leon. He even anticipated unlocking a template with dimensional travel capabilities, visiting the Jujutsu Kaisen world.
Using identical techniques to defeat the invincible Gojo Satoru? That would be delightful.
He continued absorbing electrical energy, replenishing reserves and pushing template fusion to 27%, then exited the sewers.
The exit opened into a remote alley. Just as Leon prepared to purchase new clothes, he noticed a girl staring at him in shock.
She had green hair, appeared dirty, weak and vulnerable.
At least, to the naked eye. Through the Six Eyes, he perceived massive green energy concealed within her body and metal objects nearby trembling in response.
Leon immediately recognized her.
Polaris.
Lorna Dane—Magneto's daughter. She possessed magnetic manipulation. At peak power, she could even control Earth's magnetic field—a formidable mutant rivaling Magneto himself.
Meeting her here was unexpected.
Though considering this universe wasn't any he recognized but an unknown parallel reality, perhaps not so surprising.
Marvel's multiverses contained countless variations. Anything could happen.
Leon intended to ignore Polaris, but she clearly wouldn't let him pass.
She recognized the man before her—labeled by media as the world's most powerful mutant, civilization's greatest threat, the White Devil.
Also called savior and leader by mutants.
Regardless of title, it meant the white-haired man possessed tremendous power—surpassing even her father, Magneto.
Seeing Leon departing, she instinctively used her ability to stop him. She telekinetically unscrewed a metal pipe from the wall, sending it flying toward Leon to block his path.
But...
Polaris stared in shock. The metal under her control suddenly ceased responding when approaching the man. It simply stopped behind him, unable to advance further.
Rather than disappointment, this thrilled her. The stronger Leon was, the more likely he'd lead mutants to liberation from human oppression!
She smiled, preparing to speak, but her expression froze.
Leon turned his head slowly. His azure eyes held no emotion whatsoever.
Stared at by those azure eyes like Death itself, Polaris felt crushing pressure—as if Death had placed its soul-harvesting scythe against her throat, ready to reap at any moment.
Then she heard a cold voice:
"Wouldn't it be better to simply live?"
Hearing that death-like whisper, Polaris shuddered violently, snapping from her trance. She immediately said:
"I mean no harm! I only wish to follow you—fight the human government alongside you!"
But Leon didn't respond. He walked slowly toward Polaris. Each measured step exerted tremendous pressure, as if irresistible force pushed her toward death's abyss.
Under the fatal threat, she instinctively used her ability—controlling massive amounts of metal to attack Leon.
All of it fell before him. Couldn't advance at all.
Only then did she understand the White Devil's true weight. He existed on a completely different dimensional scale from any mutant she'd known before—a terrifying force beyond comprehension.
Even using full power to halt Leon's approach, to stop Death's advance—nothing worked.
Then he cornered her. Overwhelming pressure pinned her against the wall, unable to move.
Leon used cursed energy to enhance his strength, ignored Polaris entirely, drove his fingers deep into the largest metal pipe, and hurled it forward.
The pipe—granted tremendous kinetic energy by that deceptively thin arm—embedded deeply in the concrete wall, right beside Polaris's ear.
"Beautiful lady, this is a warning. Your luck won't hold next time."
He gently flicked his index finger. The floating metal ignored Polaris's manipulation, sank into the wall surrounding her, and imprisoned her within.
Watching the white-haired man yawn and walk away with those long strides, Polaris mustered her courage and shouted:
"You're so powerful! You could accomplish so much—save mutants! Why won't you?!"
Silence stretched. Just when she thought she'd been ignored, a nonchalant voice replied:
"What does their suffering have to do with me?"
The white-haired figure turned, revealing a striking profile and deep blue eyes. He smiled:
"Don't try moral blackmail. I have no morals."