One year later

The rhythmic tapping of shoes against concrete echoed as Nick entered the vast hall. Strange machinery interconnected by conduits filled the space, all converging on a colossal tube at its core. Within the tube, purple liquid surged, encapsulating a nude figure wearing a mask to facilitate breathing.

Nick halted before the tube, gazing upward. Only in close proximity could he discern the submerged individual's slow, opening eyes fixated on him. "Can you hear me, Harry?" Nick asked, to which Harry's eyes confirmed comprehension. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Apologies, but he's unable to hear you, Director Fury," a voice intervened.

Nick turned to find Sylvia's presence behind him, acknowledging her before turning back to Harry.

"What's the situation, Doctor?" Nick inquired.

"He's finally displaying signs of responsiveness. We suspect the system might still be operational. However, extracting him from the tube could be fatal given his current fragility," Sylvia explained.

"Millions of dollars have been invested in this project, Doctor, largely due to the system integrated into his head. If that system is compromised, it would all be in vain," Nick noted.

"So, saving his life without the system is pointless?" Sylvia's tone dripped with evident disapproval.

Nick turned to her, replying, "I think I don't need to answer that question."

Sylvia manipulated her tablet, causing the tube to hiss as it released steam from the vents above.

"He's been out of commission for two months already; we can't afford any more delays," Nick stated.

"I can try to expedite the process, but we may have to forgo regenerating his arm. Such a procedure could potentially jeopardize his overall recovery," Sylvia responded.

"He'll have to make do with a prosthetic. If he wants his arm back, he'll have to locate a mutant with regenerative abilities and proceed accordingly."

Meanwhile, inside the tube, Harry observed them, despite Sylvia's assumption that he couldn't hear their conversation.

'Are you there, system?'

[I'm here.]

'As expected, my value hinges on you. It's reassuring that you're still operational.'

[Only your demise will sever our connection.]

'Glad to know.'

[I assume you're curious about events during your unconsciousness.]

'I can piece everything together myself. My predicament is already clear. Were you able to decipher the newcomer's power?'

[He employs a form of energy to generate force fields. These fields can expand and contract, offering enhanced strength when retracted into his body. Additionally, he can perceive whatever resides within the field. That's the extent of my current understanding. He may have other applications I haven't identified.]

'His ability might not sound intricate, but its practical applications are challenging.'

[I'm devising strategies to counteract him, though unfortunately, your arsenal is insufficient.]

'In that case, the only option is to become stronger.'

[That implies engaging in a killing spree.]

'I'm indifferent to the consequences. I will grow stronger... and I refuse to suffer humiliation again.'

******

One year later,

The air pulsed with electronic dance hall music, engulfing the club where over three hundred people swayed on the dance floor.

Above the DJ table, a balcony enclosed in glass hosted about ten individuals. Two men sat across from each other, the larger one dining while observing the other—the one and only Victor.

"You'll need a better offer than that, Victor. Procuring mutants isn't a simple task," the robust man remarked after devouring a sizable steak.

"Five hundred million is the limit my organization can provide. Is it possible you're incapable of delivering?" Victor queried, arching an eyebrow.

"Securing that number of mutants will cost far more than that. Each capture puts my men's lives at stake. I lose around thirty operatives daily," the man protested.

"We've transacted before—"

"You requested only five then!" The man interjected. "Now, you're demanding ten times the number! You'll need a larger offer to incite action."

"Let's avoid prolonging this negotiation. We've been at it for a week already," Victor pressed.

"I've said it before, double the amount, and then we can discuss terms," the man insisted.

"You're demanding we pay a billion dollars for fifty mutants?"

"I didn't stutter."

Victor paused, torn on his next move. The man wasn't bluffing, yet expending a billion dollars for a single transaction was an ill-advised financial decision.

But before Victor could decide...

BOOM!

Debris rained down as something crashed through the ceiling, smashing into the ground and obliterating anyone within a ten-meter radius.

The club fell into eerie silence as a figure emerged from a small crater—an individual donned in a dark metallic bodysuit, complete with a fitted half mask.

Raising his arm, the figure amassed the spilled blood into a ball hovering above his palm. The blood coalesced into a solid, gleaming spear.

In a swift motion, the figure hurled the spear directly at Victor. The weapon sliced through the glass barrier, only to be intercepted by one of Victor's bodyguards, who took the blow.

Panic erupted in the club as the spear's thrower levitated, eyes locked on the balcony. His gaze shifted to a fiery red hue, and twin crimson beams shot forth, annihilating the entire balcony!

The beams ceased, and the figure lunged into the wreckage, obliterating any obstacles in his path as he hunted for his target—Victor.

In the aftermath, the only survivors were the crushed robust man and his bodyguards, along with the impaled bodyguard. The figure landed before the wounded guard, removing his mask to reveal his true identity.

Harry!

Harry studied the injured guard who groaned and bled profusely. A quick assessment revealed a collar around his neck.

"Slave mutant, huh?" Harry muttered. "Tell me your ability."

The guard's agony rendered him unable to respond, but Harry was unperturbed.

"Where's Victor?" Harry inquired, met with only silence.

With a resigned sigh, Harry backhanded the guard, snapping his neck!

[New ability acquired.]

[Available abilities: 65 -> 66]