I sat in the silence of my command center, the high backed leather chair supporting me as the last wisps of the gray mist dissipated into my skin. The physical sensation of their return was a sudden influx of memories and sensory data that wasn't mine, yet belonged to me completely. I felt the phantom recoil of the gate being ripped open, the chill of the cryokinetic blasts and the grim satisfaction of the kills.
[Welcome back, boys!] the System's voice cheered in my head, vibrating with the digital equivalent of a standing ovation. [That was a masterclass! Clean, brutal and totally framed on the wrong guy. General Raddock is going to have a very bad week. But enough about politics. Let's get to the best part.]
"The harvest," I murmured, leaning forward.
[Exactly! The loot! Open the bag, Boss, let's see what we got!]
I focused my will and the interface materialized in my vision, glowing with a soft blue hue against the darkness of the room.
[PLUNDER QUEUE: PROCESSING...]
[Processing 11 Tier 5 Subjects...]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 89 (Gelatinous Physiology). Power: Bone free structure. Convert?]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 92 (Feathered Vision). Power: Avian ocular mutation. Convert?]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 104 (Minor Acid Secretion). Power: pH 4.0 skin secretion. Convert?]
...
The list went on. Eleven lives, eleven tragic mistakes of Vought science and eleven tiny sparks of power snuffing out. None of them were worth retaining.
'Convert all,' I commanded.
[Converting 11 Tier 5 Powers...]
[Conversion Complete. +1,100 XP.]
…
[Processing 7 Tier 4 Subjects...]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 44 (Stone Skin). Power: Dermal Calcification. Convert?]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 51 (Thermal Regulation). Power: Nitrogen manipulation (Self). Convert?]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 67 (Elasticity). Power: Stretching (Limited). Convert?]
...
My Tier 1 Durability and Cryokinesis already far outstripped anything these poor souls possessed.
'Convert all.'
[Converting 7 Tier 4 Powers...]
[Conversion Complete. +3,500 XP.]
…
[Processing 3 Tier 3 Subjects...]
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 12 (Iron Regenerator). Power: Regeneration (Tier 3), Metallic Dermis (Tier 3). Convert?]
My Regeneration is Tier 1. My Super Defense is Tier 1. Useless.
'Convert.'
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 19 (Telekinetic). Power: Telekinesis (Tier 3). Convert?]
I already have Tier 3 Telekinesis.
'Convert.'
[Supe Neutralized: Subject 22 (Reactor). Power: Radioactive Emission (Tier 3). Convert?]
Walking Chernobyl? No thanks.
'Convert.'
[Converting 3 Tier 3 Powers...]
[Conversion Complete. +4,500 XP.]
The notifications cleared, replaced by the summary screen. The numbers rolled up, a satisfying tally of destruction.
[HARVEST COMPLETE]
[XP GAINED:]
[Tier 5 Conversions: 1,100 XP]
[Tier 4 Conversions: 3,500 XP]
[Tier 3 Conversions: 4,500 XP]
[TOTAL GAIN: 9,100 XP]
[PREVIOUS BALANCE: 1,000 XP]
[CURRENT TOTAL XP: 10,100]
I sat back, letting out a long breath.
"System," I said, my voice steady. "Open the Upgrade Interface."
[You got it, Boss! We are shopping in the luxury aisle today! What's on the menu? We've got defense, we've got offense, we've got utility. But if I may make a suggestion? You're strong enough to throw a tank and you're tough enough to eat a missile. But you're still moving like a Prius in a Formula 1 race compared to the big guy.]
"Speed," I agreed.
My Super Speed was Tier 2. It was impressive… I could dodge bullets, move faster than the eye could track in bursts. But Homelander? He moved at velocities that defied physics.
"Upgrade Super Speed to Tier 1," I ordered.
[Excellent choice. Speed kills, baby. Initiating upgrade...]
[Power Selected: Super Speed (Tier 2). Upgrade to Tier 1 requires 5,000 XP. Current XP: 10,100. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Confirm."
[Deducting 5,000 XP... UPGRADE IN PROGRESS.]
The sensation hit me instantly. It felt like... my nervous system was being stripped out and replaced with fiber optics.
The world around me seemed to lurch. The hum of the servers dropped in pitch, slowing to a rhythmic thrum. I watched a speck of dust floating in the air. It stopped moving.
I stood up. I moved my hand. To my eyes, it looked normal. But the wind generated by the movement blew a stack of papers off my desk as if a gale had struck.
[UPGRADE COMPLETE!]
[Power Evolved: Super Speed (Tier 2) → Super Speed (Tier 1)]
[Capabilities: Reflexes enhanced to light speed processing. Movement speed capable of reaching Mach 30. Atmospheric friction generated by movement is nullified by a secondary durability field (part of the System optimization).]
I took a deep breath. My perception of time had shifted. I looked at the coffee cup on my desk. I reached out, grabbed it, took a sip and set it down. To a normal observer, the coffee level would have just dropped instantly.
"Next," I said, my voice sounding strange to my own ears until I adjusted my perception back to normal time. "The Teleportation range. One kilometer is good for tactical insertions, but for strategic movement, it's limiting."
[Agreed. Hopping 1km at a time to get across the state is tedious. Let's stretch those legs.]
"Upgrade Teleportation to Tier 2."
[Power Selected: Teleportation (Tier 3). Upgrade to Tier 2 requires 3,000 XP. Current XP: 5,100. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Confirm."
[Deducting 3,000 XP... UPGRADE IN PROGRESS.]
This sensation was mental. It felt like the map in my head was unfolding, the fog of war pushing back. My spatial awareness expanded violently.
[UPGRADE COMPLETE!]
[Teleportation is now Tier 2.]
[Range increased to 10 Kilometers.]
[Line of sight requirement removed for known locations. Mental anchor stability increased.]
Ten kilometers. I could cross the entire city in two jumps. I could infiltrate almost any facility from a safe distance.
"I have 2,100 XP remaining," I noted.
[Plenty for a mid tier polish,] the System said. [What's the play?]
I looked at my list. Telepathy. It was currently Tier 4, acquired from Mesmer.
"Upgrade Telepathy," I commanded.
[Power Selected: Telepathy (Tier 4). Upgrade to Tier 3 requires 1,500 XP. Current XP: 2,100. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Confirm."
[Deducting 1,500 XP... UPGRADE IN PROGRESS.]
The headache was instant but fleeting, like a camera flash going off behind my eyes. Then, the noise started.
I could hear Marcus in the hallway, thinking about the security rotation. I could hear Kimiko in her room, an abstract stream of images and colors rather than words.
[UPGRADE COMPLETE!]
[Telepathy is now Tier 3.]
[Range increased to 100 meters.]
[Mind Control/Suggestion capabilities significantly improved. You can now influence actions and erase short term memories.]
I rubbed my temples as the influx of data settled. I dialed down the sensitivity, silencing the voices of my staff until they were just a background murmur.
"Status," I said.
[FINAL STATUS]
CURRENT XP: 600
POWERS:
Cryokinesis (Tier 1)
Regeneration (Tier 1)
Super Strength (Tier 1)
Super Defense(Tier 1)
Super Speed (Tier 1) (Upgraded)
Teleportation (Tier 2) (Upgraded)
Super Stamina (Tier 2)
Enhanced Senses (Tier 2)
Fire Manipulation (Tier 3)
Telekinesis (Tier 3)
Shapeshifting (Tier 3)
Size Alteration (Tier 3)
Telepathy (Tier 3) (Upgraded)
Cloning (Tier 4)
I looked at the list. It was beautiful.
Physically, I was now in the same weight class as the gods of this world.
And with the Tier 2 Teleportation and Tier 3 Telepathy, I had utility options that they couldn't even dream of.
I stood up, the movement a blur of speed that didn't even disturb the air.
I walked to the window, looking out at the city.
PS: There are 20+ Advance chapters available on the Patreon for those who want to read ahead. www.patreon. com/Drrajnovel