The man sensed something and looked up at Leon Chen, his cold, predatory eyes locking onto him before he turned and started walking away.
"Leon, the ability chip and the watch are linked. He will instinctively feel repelled by you. Be careful," Lina cautioned.
"Got it."
Leon quickened his pace, secretly using his bio-electric control and superior speed.
Suddenly, the man started running, turning into an alley. The indicator rapidly moved back, signaling his escape. Leon immediately gave chase.
Entering the alley, Leon found it empty, surrounded by high walls with no exits. The man had vanished.
Leon checked the indicator, which rapidly climbed, turning from green to the red danger level.
Where is he?
Leon scanned the surroundings, sensing the imminent threat.
The indicator hit 100%. Just then, a shadow leaped from the side wall. Leon quickly sidestepped, feeling the cold metal of a knife graze his shoulder.
Damn, when did he get there?
Clutching his bleeding shoulder, Leon stared at the man in shock.
The man licked the blood off his knife. "Who are you? Why are you following me?"
"Humph."
Leon pushed off with his foot, rapidly closing the distance. At such a short range, his superior speed was enough to subdue the man. The man, caught off guard by Leon's speed, was pinned against the wall. Leon was about to use bio-electricity to paralyze him when the man smirked, his body melding into the wall like it was water.
Leon, stunned, quickly released him.
The man completely vanished into the wall.
So, the so-called vault ghost is really using wall penetration.
Leon took a deep breath.
Now that he knew the man's ability, things would be easier.
The enemy emerged from a wall over a hundred meters away. He pulled out a blood bag from his coat, tore it open, and drank greedily, looking like a vampire.
"Since you've seen my face, you have to die." The man sneered, discarding the blood bag and rushing through the wall again.
Leon wouldn't just sit and wait. He sprinted towards the alley's entrance, aiming to find an open space. Watching the indicator's warning, it was clear the enemy was shadowing him.
After a few minutes, Leon, exhausted, stopped to catch his breath.
"No strength left?" The man suddenly jumped out from the ground, thrusting his knife at Leon.
Leon smirked, just as he planned.
Using his superior reaction speed combined with his swiftness, Leon easily dodged the knife, snatching the weapon and grabbing the man's collar, intending to attack with bio-electricity.
Once again, Leon was taken aback. The man seemed to sense the abnormality, his eyes showing a kaleidoscopic pattern as he phased through Leon's body, reappearing behind him. The instant he passed through Leon, a chilling sense of dread washed over him.
"Die, kid." The man's eyes gleamed with malice.
Feeling air pierce his back, death had never felt so close. Leon lunged forward, escaping the attack in less than a second.
Cold sweat drenched Leon. In that split second, the man had almost plunged his hand into Leon's body. A moment later, and he'd be dead.
This wasn't just ordinary wall penetration.
"You're not an ordinary person? Like me, chosen by the gods?" The man was astonished by Leon's reactions and speed. He took out another blood bag from his coat. Leon noticed he had several of these bags, which he drank like juice.
Leon assumed this was the price for using his ability.
But it seemed unusual.
Leon launched another attack, sprinting forward.
The man taunted, "Do you think you can touch me? I'm a real ghost!" He prepared to use his ability as Leon approached, aiming to strike unexpectedly. But suddenly, Leon shifted direction at a 90-degree angle.
Despite his powerful penetration ability, the man couldn't match Leon's speed and reaction. By the time he realized it, Leon was on the other side. Though the man's ability made Leon's attacks ineffective, the ability had a drawback: it required a cool-down period after use.
During this cool-down, Leon's powerful bio-electric attack made the man scream. Surprisingly, he didn't faint, which caught Leon off guard. Their fight had already drawn some onlookers.
Cursing, the man turned to flee.
Seeing him phase through the wall again, Leon had to rely on the indicator to track his position. In a game of hide and seek, wall penetration was a formidable weapon. Soon, the man had completely vanished, just like in the hospital.
Cursing under his breath, Leon regretted not being able to use his abilities more freely, or he would have captured the man.
Leon went to a hospital to get his shoulder wound treated before taking a taxi back to H University. On the way, he consulted Lina about the encounter, having many questions.
For instance, how did the man possess abilities? Why could he use them repeatedly?
"Oh, it's like this: the pathway from the Heavenly Realm to the mortal world can randomly drop ability chips. If they fall into a human body, they become parasitic, and over time, the chip adjusts the body's tissues, leading to the manifestation of abilities," Lina explained.
"So you're saying all the lost abilities have to be recovered like this?" Leon asked, frustrated.
"Not necessarily. Most of the chips fall randomly, and only a few end up in humans."
"But his abilities differ from mine?"
"Of course. The watch is a specific resonance medium. Without it, the chip becomes parasitic and is not subject to time limits, allowing unlimited use daily."
"Damn, that's convenient."
"It's not all good. Each use requires a price, and the chip, programmed by the Heavenly Realm, significantly affects emotions. Overuse can have dire consequences," Lina warned.
Leon clicked his tongue. The Heavenly Realm was deviously meticulous.
"So, dear Leon, it's best to collect them quickly. The longer the chips stay in the mortal world, the more trouble they can cause."
"The world is huge. How can a student like me collect them all?" Leon shook his head.
"If you use the second after-sales service, I can suggest an ability for global travel," Lina offered gently.
Leon was tempted but decided to wait. "I'll focus on dealing with this ability in Xi Jing first. It's tricky."
"You've met the person?"
"Yeah, I suspect he has wall penetration, or rather, material penetration. It's quite a hassle," Leon said, imagining the man as nearly invincible.
"Material penetration is indeed a powerful advanced ability," Lina agreed. "It's very troublesome. I can't disclose too much, but be sure he doesn't touch you."
"I've experienced that firsthand!"
"So, what's your plan? With your current abilities, it's difficult to deal with him. Maybe wait until you have more abilities?" Lina suggested.
Leon coldly dismissed the idea. "That murderous maniac disgusts me more with each passing day. Don't worry; I'll find a way."
"Alright," Lina replied.