On the distant helicopter, several researchers in white lab coats were frantically recording the precious data they had just observed. This data would be the primary weapon used against the White Demon in the future; not a single byte could be lost.
The lead researcher dialed a communication line. It was answered instantly, and a raspy, eager voice came through:
"How did it go?"
The researcher's voice betrayed uncontrollable excitement. "Colonel Stryker, it was a success! The mutant suppression device works on the White Demon! Though it only suppressed him for a few minutes, with further refinement, we can extend that duration significantly! When the time comes, we can turn him into a common mortal for as long as we need!"
"Good, good, good!"
Hearing this, Stryker was ecstatic. Even his stoic, unchanging face cracked into a stiff smile. "It seems the nuclear option may not be necessary. Against a mere White Demon, the suppression device alone is enough! Transfer all the data immediately. As of this moment, the R&D for the 'White Demon Suppression Device' is our top priority!"
"Understood..."
Just then, Stryker heard a sudden outburst of noise and shouting from the other side.
"What's happening?"
Then, he heard the researcher's voice, trembling with terror: "Quick! Turn the suppression device back on! Buy us time to escape! Colonel Stryker... the White Demon... the White Demon is coming for us!"
"What?!"
Stryker was stunned, unable to believe his ears. The White Demon could detect a helicopter ten kilometers away?
What did that mean? It meant the White Demon's sensory range was even more terrifying than imagined—he could observe objects at least ten kilometers out. It also meant the nuclear plan was officially a failure. With the White Demon's speed, if he could detect a nuke ten kilometers away, he could easily evade it.
Nuclear weapons were no longer a threat to him.
Damn it, when did the White Demon awaken sensory abilities? Does his power truly have no limit?!
"Don't panic! Transfer the data! You have the suppression device; escaping shouldn't be difficult!" Stryker urged. His main concern was the data; once the files were in his hand, those researchers were expendable.
He believed his own logic—as long as the device could temporarily suppress the Demon's powers, the helicopter could easily get away. But then, a scream of pure despair echoed through the earpiece:
"He stopped five kilometers away! At this range, the current version of the suppression device can't touch him! No... he's attacking! It's that weird black-red singularity! AHH—"
The transmission cut to static.
Stryker fell silent. It seemed the White Demon had realized the existence of the suppression device and opted for a long-range strike. This meant the Demon would be on guard against such technology in the future. However, it also confirmed one thing: the White Demon was still vulnerable to the device. As long as they could successfully suppress his power, he would no longer be a threat.
Looking at the words "Transfer Complete" on his screen, Stryker let out a grim smile.
Using Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue to teleport consecutively, Aurelius Viremont closed the distance at extreme speed. Before long, the helicopter came back into his line of sight.
He didn't get any closer. He correctly guessed that the helicopter carried a suppression device.
Although he had used the Six Eyes to memorize the flow of energy in his body during the suppression—meaning he could now manually manipulate his energy to bypass the effect—he still had no intention of approaching. Creating a "weakness" for himself and waiting for the enemy to try and exploit it later would yield a far more entertaining reaction.
Aurelius Viremont stopped in mid-air. He was roughly five kilometers away, which was the maximum effective range of the suppression device he had observed with his Six Eyes.
He extended his hand, pressing his index and middle fingers together, pointing them toward the helicopter. Cursed energy churned, and a black-red singularity rapidly formed before him.
As he tilted his fingers up slightly, the terrifying singularity shot out, carving a visible black-red ray through the sky.
Cursed Technique Reversal: Red!
The horrific beam tore through the heavens, leaving a trail like a strangely colored meteor. Then, a massive sonic boom, loud enough to break the sound barrier, blanketed all of New York!
Almost everyone in the city looked up at the same time. They saw a brilliant black meteor, carrying the scent of death, flying straight toward a helpless helicopter.
BOOM!
Under the gaze of everyone watching, the helicopter was instantly vaporized by the black meteor, turning into an insignificant flash of fire. The meteor continued forward, piercing the air and splitting the clouds before crashing into the outskirts of the city, kicking up a colossal wall of dust.
As the dust slowly settled, it revealed a massive circular crater.
"It's the White Demon! It's him!"
People instantly recognized the strongest mutant who had been dominating the headlines. The entire city descended into chaos.
"The White Demon flies now? Do Level 5 mutants really have no limit?!"
"He seems to have gotten even stronger!"
"Where is the government? Where is the military? Didn't they say they had a perfect plan to deal with him?"
In an empty warehouse in New York, the black meteor and the white-haired man standing in the sky were clearly visible.
Polaris (Lorna Dane) stared blankly at the scene. She immediately thought back to her meeting with him. Those cold, indifferent eyes had released an unparalleled sense of pressure. Even though her magnetic abilities were considered powerful among mutants, she had felt completely helpless before him.
His heartless words were etched into her memory. He had taught her that mutants couldn't rely on others for their rise; they could only rely on themselves.
Suddenly, her companions around her cried out:
"Look! That's the White Demon's power!"
"Wow, so cool! Is this the strongest mutant?"
"We have to work hard so we can help the Great White Demon in the future battle against humans! Under his leadership, mutants will finally be free!"
Polaris opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She didn't know if she should tell them the cruel truth. In front of the White Demon, even if they were fellow mutants, even if they were the same "kind"...
To him, they were no different from ordinary humans. They were just ants.
That man... he stood in the heavens, looking down on everything!
Meanwhile, standing in the void of the high sky, Aurelius Viremont heard the system prompt:
[Cursed Technique Reversal: Red XP +1]
[Congratulations! Your skill Cursed Technique Reversal: Red has leveled up!]