Chapter 382: Varieties of Superpowers
Boom—
From the outside, the Shao Corporation building appeared to only sway slightly, but the ordinary employees inside felt as if a major earthquake had struck, fleeing the building in panic.
…
“What are you doing!” A member of Bihai Branch was suddenly attacked by his companion, caught completely off guard.
His superpower resembled a gecko’s, allowing him to climb walls. When attacked, he panicked and scrambled up the wall using all four limbs.
“To kill you!” The Superhuman Cult member dropped all pretense and launched a fierce assault on the Bihai Branch agent.
“We joined Bihai Branch at the same time. I never imagined you were a mole for the Superhuman Cult!” The Bihai agent suddenly realized, unable to believe someone he’d known for years was actually an enemy.
“No, I was originally from Bihai Branch. But the branch treated me so cruelly that I had no choice but to join the Superhuman Cult.”
“I needed leadership approval and a series of procedures just to use my ability! No one else faced such restrictions—why should I? I refuse to accept this!”
The cult member’s face twisted with resentment, his hatred for Bihai Branch burning fiercely. He’d been persuaded to join the cult.
The Bihai agent looked troubled: “But your ability is X-ray vision, and you’re a pervert. Who else should we restrict?”
The cult member flew into a rage: “Not using it to peek would be wasting my superpower!”
After calming down, the Bihai agent remembered his companion’s X-ray vision had no offensive capability.
“Why should I fear you? You can’t even fight me.” He relaxed.
The cult member slowly drew a pistol.
The Bihai agent panicked and resumed climbing the wall to escape.
…
“This is Shao Sen’s office. Reliable intel confirms he’s inside.”
Shao Sen was Shao Junyi’s father.
Several powerful Superhuman Cult members stealthily arrived, planning to capture the leader first.
Before entering, one member solemnly warned: “Shao Sen is a fourth-tier superhuman with unfathomable power. Though no one has seen him fight, his positions as CEO of Bihai’s leading enterprise, world-renowned jewelry tycoon, and Bihai Branch director prove his strength.”
“That other unruly fourth-tier superhumans acknowledge his leadership speaks volumes.”
“Comrades, as cult members, we must be prepared to sacrifice for our deity.”
“Don’t worry, captain! We’re ready to die for our god!” The cult members’ eyes burned with fanaticism.
The captain comforted them: “The cult won’t mistreat you. They’ve bought life insurance for us all—any injuries will bring substantial compensation.”
“For our deity!”
“For our deity!”
The captain touched the alloy door, instantly coating it with thick ice. With a clench of his fist, the ice compressed inward, shrinking the door until it detached from its frame.
Pushing the door open, the captain formed an ice spear aimed at Shao Sen.
Other cult members activated their abilities—skin hardening, spatial manipulation, eye lasers, quadrupedal tiger stance…
The captain sneered: “Director Shao, you’re surrounded. Surrender quietly and order your people via broadcast to lay down weapons. We promise no casualties.”
Facing the enigmatic director, the captain forced his smirk, hoping Shao would comply.
Unknown enemies are most terrifying.
Director Shao stood with hands behind his back, gazing out the window with a sigh before turning to face them.
A man radiating mature charm, his impeccable suit, polished shoes, and perfectly groomed hair exuded authority: “Whatever the cult pays you annually, I’ll offer twenty times more.”
“You expect me to believe that?” The captain scoffed.
Unhurried, Shao Sen asked: “Do you know my ability?”
He produced a pencil, removed its lead, and applied slight pressure.
Unbelievably, the lead transformed into gold.
“My power—turning stone to gold.”
The captain shouted: “Don’t think money can corrupt my faith in our deity!”
Then he turned to his team: “Am I right?!”
Their attacks instantly targeted the captain.
The captain surrendered.
Director Shao secretly sighed in relief. His calm demeanor masked panic—evident from his “window-gazing” in this underground office.
Though capable in combat, he couldn’t defeat so many opponents. His status and recognition from other fourth-tiers stemmed entirely from this alchemical ability.
“The cult’s offensive is fierce. Others may struggle to resist.”
…
Surrounded by two fourth-tier cult superhumans, Bihai Branch’s third-tier agent Hong Ming remained unperturbed: “Here to kill me?”
“A mere third-tier dares such arrogance?”
“Do you know my ability?”
“What?”
“Life and death control.”
The cult members gasped.
Just the name of this ability chilled their bones.
Puzzled, they recalled no “Hong Ming” on their intel’s threat list. Exchanging glances, they realized—they’d drawn the short straw. Hong Ming must be Bihai Branch’s trump card.
“Die!”
Hong Ming activated his ability… and collapsed dead on the spot.
“???”
As they approached to investigate, a putrid corpse stench erupted from Hong Ming’s body. Gagging, they hastily retreated.
Much later, Hong Ming revived, relieved at his narrow escape.
“Thank goodness I upgraded to third-tier for rapid decomposition.”
His ability only controlled his own life and death.
…
“Hahaha! Who can stop me today?” A cult member’s laughter sent Bihai agents scattering.
“Damn it! His third-tier ability is ‘Word as Law’!”
“I possess boundless strength.” His muscles bulged as he casually punched through walls.
“I am invulnerable.” Charging like a rhino, nothing could impede him.
One Bihai agent stepped forward, pointing: “Silence.”
The cult member found himself unable to speak.
Teammates marveled: “You have Word as Law too?”
“I never knew you were this strong.”
“Always knew you lied about being first-tier.”
“No, I really am first-tier. My ability is enforced silence.” He grinned—his overlooked power finally proved useful.
Superpowers had rock-paper-scissors dynamics. Used wisely, even first-tier could defeat third-tier.
“Are we celebrating too soon?” someone suddenly asked.
“What do you mean?”
“His power silences, but the earlier Word as Law effects remain.”
They turned in horror to see the crimson-eyed cult member charging at them.
“RUN!”