Chapter 22

The internet was abuzz with discussions.

"What's this?"

"My God, what's happened to the sunlight in this place, why does it look so strange?"

"Is this an alien invasion or is a military base testing new weapons?"

"Could it be a mutant's superpower?"

"No way, that's sunlight. Could a mutant really control that?"

Netizens were chattering, making all sorts of wild guesses.

...

After parting with Kirill and the others, Syd walked alone through a secluded alley, coughing a few times into his hand.

While looking for a new place to stay, he took the opportunity to practice various abilities.

[Black Particle Experience +1]

[Spatial Transfer Experience +1]

[Rebound Shield Experience +1]

[Rebound Shield Experience +1]...

After a while, he opened his panel with a thought.

[Name: Syd Castell]

[Age: 16 (Remaining Lifespan: 36 days)]

[Mutant Abilities: Mimicry, Energy Absorption]

[Current Mimic: Orochi (Title: Sun God, Will of the Earth)]

(Unlock Progress 79%)

[Abilities: Spatial Transfer (39/500) Level 2

Black Particles (34/500) Level 2

Rebound Shield (7/500) Level 2

Divine Finger (3/500) Level 2

Sunlight All Around (1/100) Level 1

Soul Extraction (0/100) Level 1

Spiritual Light Column (0/100) Level 1 (Unlocked)]

[Energy Points: 413]

Seeing his estimated remaining lifespan, Syd shook his head and sighed softly.

Facing a body full of ailments, even his current light energy seemed somewhat inadequate, or perhaps not powerful enough.

His first thought was about enhancing the light energy within him.

His gaze swept over the panel, focusing on the Level 2 abilities, his brow furrowing slightly.

Leveling up from 2 to 3 took too long, it might be better to upgrade the remaining Level 1 abilities to Level 2 first.

Having sufficient energy inside would also allow him to truly harness the power of Sunlight All Around.

Although Sunlight All Around was only at Level 1, Syd felt that he hadn't reached its limit when he used it before.

The lack of energy in his body prevented it from being fully unleashed!

If he had enough energy, Sunlight All Around might be several times stronger than before!

The problem again came back to the energy within him...

Syd glanced at Spiritual Light Column and Soul Extraction.

Spiritual Light Column could be practiced in a secluded place, but as for Soul Extraction.

Syd stroked his chin, quickly coming up with a method.

Humans shouldn't be used lightly for practice, but what about animals?

Just buy a small animal, then use Soul Extraction in and out, thus, he could complete the upgrade for Soul Extraction!

However...

"It seems I don't even have the money to buy a hamster," Syd mused, somewhat troubled.

But he didn't stay troubled for long, quickly thinking of a solution.

Half an hour later, he emerged from a dark alley, his hand now holding over five hundred dollars.

Having just performed a robbery for the sake of charity, Syd smiled, praising, "Thank God for the welfare money from America, today is another beautiful day!"

Free America, ah, happy every day!

With the money, Syd, wearing a hat and mask, ran to the market and bought a red-eyed white rabbit.

Finding a secluded, unoccupied place, Syd set the docile rabbit down on the ground, then extended his right hand.

"Soul Extraction!"

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

His palm reached towards the rabbit, and then a purple-white glow appeared, pulling a purple-white orb of light from within the rabbit!

The moment the purple-white orb was extracted, the rabbit's eyes immediately became dull, like a spiritless puppet.

Syd looked at the orb in his hand with astonishment.

The outer layer of the orb was light purple, while the inside was blazing white!

And within the white orb, a ghostly rabbit appeared!

"Is this the soul?"

Syd's eyes widened in surprise, then he studied the rabbit's soul for a moment.

He discovered not only was the soul ethereal and transparent, its eyes were dull, appearing to lack much intelligence.

"I wonder if human souls are any different?" Syd pondered.

Looking at the orb before him, he felt he could easily crush this energy orb.

But then, the rabbit's soul would probably be annihilated as well...

Syd tried stuffing the rabbit's soul back into its body, a flash of purple light, and the rabbit's soul returned to its body.

Then, he began the cruel process of extracting and reinserting.

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

[Ability: Soul Extraction (77/100) Level 1]

When night fell and there was no sunlight to replenish his energy, Syd reluctantly lowered his hand.

By then, the little white rabbit was completely dazed, seemingly broken.

"Looks like I'll have to wait until tomorrow to level up."

After sighing, he picked up the rabbit and headed for the shelter he had found.

Along the way, he glanced at the remaining 400+ energy points and subconsciously looked at the unlock progress.

"I wonder what the next ability to awaken will be..."

"Levitation Flight maybe?"

Thinking of flying, he couldn't help but think of Superman and his fellow countrymen.

Walking slowly and all, it really wasn't as convenient as flying!

Moreover, the momentum brought by flying was not comparable to standing on the ground.

Syd was somewhat expectant.

Then, he allocated all the remaining energy points to the unlock progress.

Unfortunately...

"No change?"

Looking at the stubborn, still 79% data, Syd frowned slightly.

"Never mind, we'll see tomorrow."

He randomly picked a cheap hotel and checked in with the little white rabbit.

Day and night.

[Photon Energy +1]

[Photon Energy +1]

While basking in the sunlight in the room, Syd continued to reach for the little white rabbit.

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

[Soul Extraction Experience +1]

After a while, a notification sounded.

[Ability: Soul Extraction (0/500) Level 2]

Feeling a significant increase in energy within him, Syd's sense of security greatly improved.

Now, with the energy inside him, he could use a Level 1 ability perhaps over seventy times, and even a Level 2 ability around thirty times.

"Just one more left, I should be able to enhance it today too."

Syd's gaze moved to the Spiritual Light Column.

He checked out of the hotel and headed for the secluded spot he had found before.

Just as he was halfway there, his expression suddenly changed slightly, and he glanced furtively at some uniformed police officers who were questioning pedestrians on the street.

They all held a photo, which upon closer inspection, seemed familiar.

"Hello sir, have you seen..."

Hearing the distant voices, Syd's expression changed, he lowered his hat and left the area silently.

"So they've figured out I'm nearby..."

Arriving at his previous spot, Syd felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

If those guys found him, a battle would likely be unavoidable, but he wasn't fully prepared yet.

[Spiritual Light Column Experience +1]

[Spiritual Light Column Experience +1]

(End of Chapter)