Chapter 18: Kneeling |
The new C-level ability user Taoluo's power wasn't the elemental "Metal Control."
Or rather, he only temporarily possessed such an ability.
His true ability was a special type called "Ability Absorption."
As the name suggests, Taoluo could absorb others' abilities through physical contact, but there were many limitations.
First, the target's power level had to be lower than his. Secondly, the physical contact had to last more than three seconds. Lastly, he could only possess one ability at a time.
To acquire a new ability, he had to replace the previous one.
Moreover, due to his low power level, even if all the conditions were met, there was still a chance of failure during absorption. Even if successful, the absorbed ability's effectiveness would be only about 60%...
While it seemed somewhat restrictive, in theory, this was a remarkably powerful ability.
As long as Taoluo could absorb the ability of a powerful user before they fully matured, he essentially gained that power.
A camel, though thin, is still bigger than a horse, right?
Undoubtedly, Taoluo was successful in his endeavors.
He was very lucky.
When Taoluo first awakened his power, he knew how to hide it.
As is well-known, ability users' power levels range from F to S, with F and E level users showing almost no external signs, apart from a power level response, making them nearly indistinguishable from regular people.
Some powers are more noticeable, like enhanced sensitivity to weather or magnetic fields or the ability to move small objects slightly.
Less noticeable ones could include better luck or animal affinity.
Most F and E level ability users end up in circles of fortune-tellers, mediums, and so-called psychics, and these small circles tend to self-organize.
Authorities generally don't bother with these circles because conducting a thorough survey of sub-D level ability users is too challenging and unnecessary.
Periodic investigations and registrations are carried out by the first six teams of the terrestrial branch of the Special Ability Group.
Back then, still a businessman, Taoluo connected with a low-level ability user gathering through various means and was lucky to meet a child who mistakenly thought his metal control ability was telekinesis...
It wasn't exactly a child; probably a middle schooler.
Taoluo still remembered the scene at the gathering, where low-level ability users lit candles, chatting harmoniously and taking turns sharing their abilities as if telling ghost stories, occasionally bursting into laughter.
It was quite warm.
Then came the kid, half-grown, proudly displaying his power.
All the metal objects in the room levitated, and everyone fell silent, the atmosphere filled with shock and subtle fear, still vivid in Taoluo's memory.
Someone noticed something odd and asked the child, "Why only control metal?"
He remembered the kid saying, "I don't know... I seem to only control metal things."
Everyone began discussing excitedly.
Finally, the leader made a decision, telling the kid, "Your ability might not be just a weak telekinesis, but an elemental 'Metal Control.' I'll report your case for reevaluation of your power and level. It will take about three days. Stay home for these days..."
After the gathering ended, Taoluo didn't leave.
He hid behind a wall, smoking a cigarette, listening to the leader congratulating the kid's parents, fawning over the arrogant, clueless middle schooler.
Taoluo, a businessman, believed that with a 50% profit, one could risk everything... and now, before him was a 1000% profit opportunity.
What if no one knew about this? Why should they meddle? Why report it? Why couldn't he just quietly... secretly absorb that ability?
For three days, Taoluo often strolled near the kid's house, thoughts of these ideas swirling in his mind.
On the third day, the kid sneaked out to an internet café with friends.
Taoluo laughed inwardly.
After all, still just a kid... expecting him to stay home obediently, how could that be possible?
"If you had just listened, hmm?"
"If you had listened to the leader, your parents, stayed home, or even listened to me, stayed still..."
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"You wouldn't be dead now."
Taoluo held the kid's face, squeezing his chubby cheeks, watching his twisted expression, smiling smugly, "From now on, the respect given to you will be mine."
With a wave, a broken blade from a nearby trash heap flew over.
Taoluo used the rusty blade to cut off the first face he collected.
He then walked out of the alley, with a bloodstained hand, pulled out a hundred-yuan note, and handed it to the trembling friend.
"Thanks for your help."
Taoluo's life changed from that moment.
As for what happened to the good friend, he never cared to know.
Reflecting on the past, Taoluo still felt incredibly lucky.
He later learned that the three major types of abilities: physical, special, and elemental, ranked elemental as the strongest, with almost all elemental abilities being B-level upon awakening.
Somehow, he had picked up an F-level loophole.
So, Taoluo cautiously preserved this luck, never changing his ability since then.
"But now... a more suitable target has arrived! A powerful ability, yet with no power level!"
Taoluo's eyes gleamed with vicious greed.
This greed, suppressed for so many years, after killing so many, skinning so many faces, always asking himself if it was worth losing his current power for a new one.
The answer was always no.
But this time was different.
Thinking of Guan Shan's space ability, his bizarre crowbar, his near-resurrection syringe...
Undoubtedly, worth it!
"Give me your power, hahaha!!!!"
Taoluo ignored the increasingly deep cut from the boning knife, gripping Guan Shan's arm tightly, activating his true ability.
After years, the sensation of wantonly plundering others returned.
Taoluo closed his eyes in ecstasy, feeling godlike, ready to embrace immense power.
As expected.
Taoluo felt his body rapidly filling with strength, healing all his injuries.
At the same time, he felt twice as strong.
"Bang!"
Taoluo sneered viciously, tossing aside the knife and sending the startled Guan Shan flying, rolling several times on the ground.
Taoluo, ecstatic, looked at his hands, laughing madly, "I'm invincible! Hahaha... gah?"
His laugh lasted less than a second before stopping abruptly.
Taoluo, in horror, felt himself deflate like a punctured balloon.
The quickly gained power faded just as fast...
"No! No! Don't!"
Moreover, an excruciating pain engulfed his entire being as if his body was disintegrating from within, every muscle fiber tightening then snapping, blood oozing from his pores.
In this agony, Taoluo couldn't help but kneel, trembling all over.
"Uh..."
Guan Shan, nervously preparing to fight, was stunned.
Why did the [Butcher's Heart] and [Adrenaline Shot] effects vanish from him?
Why was the BOSS kneeling?
And... why did its health drop to 1?
Guan Shan, bewildered, had no idea what had just happened.
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