"After all, even after so many years, I’m only half-step Level 5. Among all the heroes so far, you’re the only one who’s been able to break that barrier and reach the next level."
Hearing this, Ethan just nodded as he thought back to the original setting in the book.
In the original story, abilities are categorized into two categories,
Roughly based on potential and potency.
With the F-S class being in potential and Level 1-5 being in potency.
’It’s why, while a Level 4 F-class flame ability user might be able to burn down a building, a Level 3 S-class could be able to destroy a whole city block.’
’According to the novel, at this time, all the heroes in Elysium should be S-class half-step Level 5, the strongest beings in the world.’
’Apart from Imperion, that is.’
Thinking of this, Imperion’s eyes flashed with a look of understanding.
In the original story, each level was a qualitative leap.
With there being a beginning, midstage, late stage, and peak of each stage.
Not only that, but the strength in each level improved qualitatively.
"If my memory serves me right, a Level one superhuman can defeat a hundred regular humans and resist basic firearms."
"A Level two superhuman begins to influence whole cities, able to destroy city blocks with ease and survive missiles."
"A Level three superhuman can destroy whole cities and resist nuclear weapons."
"A Level four superhuman, given enough time, can destroy whole continents and can devastate nations."
"Members of the heroes of Elysium fall under this level, as most of them, as Lilith had even begun stepping into the threshold of Level 5, possessing world-ending strength."
Squeezing his fists, the more he recalled this, the more he realised just how much of a monster the person he possessed was.
Unlike the other heroes and villains, Imperion was currently the only recognised Level Five in the world.
"At Level 5, not only can they defeat multiple Level 4 superhumans at the same time, but they also possess the ability to initially survive in space for a while and wipe out all life on the planet’s surface."
"However, is that really the case?"
Muttering under his breath, Ethan thought back to the original story. According to the character of the original Imperion, if such a gap in strength existed, there is no way he wouldn’t have taken over the world.
For him not to have done that, that could only mean one thing.
"Either there’re other people on Level 5 with him, and he can’t act restlessly yet, or there’s someone stronger hidden behind the scenes."
"Regardless of which, right now I need to focus on getting stronger."
"Judging from the fight that just happened now, I don’t think I can display even one percent of the real Imperion’s strength. I should have been able to both save the people below and defeat that villain."
Recalling the battle that had just happened, he knew that there was no way the actual Imperion would waste that much time on a Level 3 villain, and other heroes of Elysium would have been much faster than he was.
Just as he was lost in thought, Lilith’s voice suddenly interrupted him.
"Um... hello?"
"Blue Star to Ethan, can you hear me?"
"What are you spacing out for?"
"Not only do we have the meeting in the headquarters, and the interview later, but the city is also overrun right now with these monster-like villains."
"What should we do? Do we head to the headquarters? Or stay back and wipe them all out?"
Boom!
Scrolling through her phone, Lilith stepped on the skull of the spy, smashing it into bits as she looked at the current state of New Geneva on the news.
From what she saw, the other heroes didn’t seem to have as much trouble; perhaps the one who came after Ethan was the weakest.
If the two of them let it be, the city would probably be fine.
However, it wasn’t her choice; regardless of what Ethan chose, she would listen.
Unfortunately, just before Ethan could begin to think of what to choose,
A familiar data screen appeared in front of him.
[Ability plunder complete!]
[Beginning fusion..]
[Detecting vessel is already full.]
[Beginning forced fusion...]
Reading this series of prompts, Ethan’s eyes suddenly dilated.
His once indestructible skin began to bulge and crack.
His eyes, capable of releasing lasers comparable to the surface of the sun, began to bleed, a scene that most people in the world would think impossible.
His fingers clenched as an unimaginable pain coursed through his veins.
Thud!
"Arghhh!!"
With a loud bang, he fell on his knees, screaming up to the sky.
Booom!
His lasers uncontrollably shot out from his eyes, piercing through the building and dissipating the hovering cloud.
Looking at him like this, Lilith couldn’t understand what had happened.
Just a minute ago, he was okay, what could be going on?
"Ethan! Ethan! Are you okay!?"
"Ethan! Answer me!!!"
"Answer me!"
Sadly. All she heard was an unintelligible roar as Ethan continued to scream out in pain.
A scene that made her lose control, as for the first time in a long time, she felt powerless.
"No..no... Ethan, nothing can happen to you!"
"Don’t we both promise to be with each other to the end! Come on! Stand up!"
Unfortunately, Ethan just continued to scream and bleed as more cracks appeared on his body.
And Lilith, despite her desperately trying to control his blood to stop it from leaking, there was nothing she could do.
The force destroying Ethan’s body was just too strong, leaving her helpless.
A half-step Level Five S-class hero could only helplessly watch as a person she cared about died in front of her.