Chapter 8: Level Five Mutant!

[Six Eyes Level 2 (1/300): Grants 360-degree extended-range vision, ability to see energy flow, astonishing dynamic sight, allowing for precise energy control.]

After leveling up, Six Eyes now provides an extended 360-degree field of view, increasing from a previous range of 200 meters to 500 meters.

This represents a range where Su Mu can see everything clearly—tracking tiny targets, observing precise energy flow, and capturing rapid motion. In cases where the view is blurred, his vision extends even further, though he can't see fine details at that distance.

Beyond this, reaching level 2 also awakened another ability: X-ray vision! Now, he can penetrate roughly 10 centimeters of steel to see what's inside, and unlike traditional X-ray vision, he sees in full color, making it incredibly detailed.

"This… is really something…"

Obtaining one of his most-wished-for abilities so easily left Su Mu feeling a bit unimpressed.

"Hmm?"

Su Mu suddenly noticed, from his expanded field of view, several drones rapidly approaching. Even further out, a heavily armed squad was following closely behind the drones.

This was certainly not an act of vengeance from the gangs, nor was it the work of any criminal syndicate—their equipment wasn't this advanced. It had to be a special unit, likely from the military, dedicated to capturing mutants.

In mere moments, the drones were close. Su Mu glanced at one of the camera lenses and shot it a cold smile before a blue-black vortex appeared in his hand, swallowing all the drones. Then, strengthening his body with cursed energy, he quickly left the area.

Su Mu knew from the memories of this world that this military unit included other mutants, powerful ones. Even with his Limitless Cursed Technique, facing such unusual abilities could still be dangerous.

Right now, he was in the midst of the most accelerated period of his growth and had no reason to get into a showdown with the military. All he needed was to keep absorbing energy to boost his template's fusion. Once he awakened Reverse Cursed Technique, he would have nothing left to fear.

*Note: Reverse Cursed Technique enables powerful healing.*

---

In a hidden military base, a wall full of screens displayed various images.

Suddenly, several screens went dark almost simultaneously, signaling that at least a few drones were destroyed in a short span. A middle-aged man, with a stern expression and a Colonel insignia, immediately asked his soldiers, "What happened?"

A soldier quickly stood up and reported, "Colonel Stryker, there was an anomaly while apprehending Subject 9527. It seems the target underwent a secondary awakening, unlocking additional mutant abilities!"

Colonel Stryker's eyes gleamed as he stepped in front of the screen, ordering, "Replay the footage from before the drones were destroyed."

The soldier complied, pulling up the last recordings from the drones before they were destroyed. The footage showed a tall, slender man with white hair standing calmly as the drones closed in. He smiled directly at the camera, then summoned a blue-black vortex about the size of a basketball that rapidly devoured the drone's view.

The same thing happened in each recording—the eerie blue vortex was incredibly fast, obliterating all drones in an instant.

Stryker regarded the screen with a severe gaze. He remembered Subject 9527, a subject with abilities similar to a very powerful mutant from decades prior. However, Subject 9527's power level was always too low—he couldn't even fully absorb the kinetic energy from a punch, so Stryker hadn't paid him much attention.

Yet now, as he repeated the footage, his interest grew, especially toward that blue vortex capable of shredding metal and destroying drones effortlessly. Another ability displayed was an extremely broad detection range; 9527 had clearly sensed the drones before they arrived.

Stryker watched the recordings several times, his gaze lingering on Su Mu's cold smile as he issued an order, "Capture 9527 with full force. Deploy test subjects 1085 and 1086 for support. 1086's spatial attacks should be enough to break through his defenses."

After giving the order, Stryker murmured to himself, "A challenge? Then let's give you what you want."

---

Meanwhile, at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Jean Grey handed Professor X a report.

"Professor, we noticed Stryker's forces mobilizing unusually, seemingly directing most resources toward capturing a mutant designated as 9527."

"9527?"

For the same reasons as Stryker, Professor X also had impressions of the mutant labeled as 9527. This reminded him of one of his most dangerous adversaries, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, who nearly killed him and Erik years ago. But unlike Shaw, the abilities of the young man known as Su Mu—a mutant of Chinese descent—were, in the professor's understanding, almost insignificant, even among the weakest Level One mutants.

Yet, Stryker's particular interest in 9527 confirmed that something unusual must have occurred to Su Mu. So, Professor X immediately used Cerebro, the machine that amplified his telepathy, to locate Su Mu. He hoped to reach out before Stryker's forces or even Erik's Brotherhood made contact.

However...

"Why can't I locate Su Mu's consciousness? I could sense it clearly before..."

This was odd. Even with the untapped potential of Jean Grey, he could detect her presence. The possibility that Su Mu's evolution could block his mental probe—something Professor X hadn't experienced with any other mutant—was astonishing.

Could Su Mu be… a potential Level Five mutant?

Or even more—was he already a Level Five?

Professor X immediately turned to Jean, "We need to locate Su Mu at once. Ensure we make contact before Stryker or Erik, and invite him to join Xavier's School. Su Mu may very well be a Level Five mutant!"