Chapter 9
Reflecting on the data, which showed that the kid only had the ability to absorb sunlight, he felt a sense of regret and sighed.
Such an ability, lacking any auxiliary or combat effectiveness, might only increase the danger if the kid were to join the Brotherhood of Mutants. After all, places where mutants gather are always fraught with danger.
He wondered how the kid had managed to escape with just the ability to absorb sunlight...
This thought flickered through his mind only briefly before he dismissed it, concocting a series of plausible explanations instead.
His focus returned to the young man's health report, and recalling the dire information therein, he sighed, looking at the youth with pity.
He might as well treat the kid well while he was still alive...
Clearly, he believed that Syd wouldn't live much longer.
"The kid, what's your name? You can call me Chris," he said as he handed the boy a cup of water.
"Thank you," Syd replied, pausing thoughtfully before saying, "You can call me 'Syd'."
Chris noticed a curious discrepancy; wasn't the kid named Kevin according to the data? Thinking that the young man was probably hiding his identity, he looked meaningfully at him but didn't dwell on it. (Kevin is the name of the body, and Syd is the dude that got reincarnated)
"Do you know about your health condition?" Chris touched his forehead and handed him some medicine from the bedside table. "You're still running a fever. Here are some antipyretics and…"
While expressing his thanks, Syd sighed internally.
He was well aware of his bodily condition, still feeling dizzy, weak, and achy. Only the sunlight streaming through the window provided him some relief.
[Photon Energy +1]
[Photon Energy +1]
Maybe it was time to unlock some progress?
[Name: Syd Castell]
[Age: 16 (Remaining lifespan: 22 days)]
[Mutant Abilities: Mimicry, Energy Absorption]
[Current Mimicry Target: Orochi (Title: Sun God, Will of the Earth)] (Unlock Progress 34%)
[Abilities: Black Particles (6/100) Level 1
Spatial Transfer (5/100) Level 1
Rebound Shield (1/100) Level 1 (Unlocked)]
[Energy Points: 398]
Looking at his displayed remaining lifespan, he frowned, finally understanding why the middle-aged strongman looked at him that way.
"Only 22 days left?"
Syd furrowed his brow, confusion apparent in his eyes.
Even considering yesterday's injuries and fever which greatly weakened him, it shouldn't have reduced his lifespan by so much!
"What did those damned people do to my body?"
He recalled several experiments, his expression turning grim.
Noticing Chris had stepped out, he hurriedly pulled out his documents from his pocket and began to read them in the sunlight.
Quickly, he found chilling information in the experimental reports.
Those people had cultivated various cancer cells using his body tissues and then implanted them back into him!
Just to test whether his body would reject them and whether the mutant ability to absorb sunlight would affect the cancer cells!
Besides implanting cancer cells, they had conducted other harmful experiments, although these hadn't had any side effects.
At this moment, he felt a desperate urge to return to that research facility and reduce it to ashes, letting everyone experience despair!
Syd was unsure of what to do.
Clearly, the cancer cells were taking effect in his body.
"What to do…" In his panic, his gaze shifted to the panel.
"No, I still have a chance!"
Looking at his various abilities, hope sparked in his eyes.
If he continued to improve, there might be a power that could save his life.
Thinking this, he hastily invested all his energy points into unlocking progress.
The next second, the unlock progress surged from 34% to 39%!
A pleasant notification sound chimed.
[Ability: Divine Finger (Unlocked)]
"This is…"
Guided by instinct, Syd lifted his right hand and pointed forward.
[Divine Finger Experience +1]
[Ability: Divine Finger (1/100) Level 1]
Hmm?
Looking at his uneventful finger, he had an idea and tried using Divine Finger again, this time aiming at a glass cup on his left palm.
[Divine Finger Experience +1]
Instantly, the space shattered like a mirror, a powerful force abruptly emerging!
Bang!
The glass cup exploded like rain, the shards propelled at astonishing speeds like bullets!
Pfft, pfft, pfft, the glass fragments embedded into the wall, creating a strikingly alarming sight.
"Hisss…"
While nursing a cut hand, Syd was shocked by the power of Divine Finger.
Such force could shatter a ribcage and propel a person if aimed at their chest.
"And this is only level one…"
Although the shattered space was only as big as a baby's fist, the damage was significant —after all, humans are fragile!
"I can now prevent others from getting too close."
With spatial transfer for dodging attacks at critical moments and black particles for ranged attacks, now with Divine Finger to prevent close-quarters combat, his sense of security greatly increased.
As Syd was relishing this new ability, a sudden sound of the door opening and a loud voice followed.
"What happened?"
Upon opening the door, Chris first glanced at the young man to make sure he was unharmed, then quickly scanned the surroundings, shocked by what he saw.
The white-painted wall was now embedded with a cluster of glass shards!
"How did you do this?" he asked in surprise.
"Cough, cough…" Syd coughed awkwardly, forcing an explanation, "I was feeling pretty bad, thought of something upsetting, and I guess I smashed the cup against the wall, and then this happened."
"Sorry for the trouble, I'll clean it up later."
"Is that so?" Chris didn't look convinced, his eyes flickering with suspicion.
The glass embedded in the wall didn't seem like something that could be caused by just smashing a cup against it.
Even if it were possible, how much strength would that require?
Glancing at the young man's slender arms and then at his own muscular limbs, he expressed his doubt.
With this in mind, he nodded superficially, indicating belief, and added, "Kid, if you can stand, remember to come down for breakfast later."
After speaking, he closed the door and went downstairs, then picked up the laptop on the table and began operating it.
Looking at the displayed surveillance footage, he fell into a moment of hesitation.
As a mutant, for his own safety, he naturally installed cameras around his home to prevent unexpected situations.
He never thought he'd use the surveillance to invade the privacy of a young person.
After a while, he couldn't resist his curiosity, paused the recording to generate the file from before, and clicked to start playback from when he had left the room.
(End of Chapter)