Chapter 67: Blink
Bullets showered down on Max, but they merely passed through him as if he were made of air, thanks to the numerous portals adorning his body. Despite his leisurely pace, an overwhelming sense of pressure accompanied his approach.
As Max drew nearer, the soldiers involuntarily ceased their gunfire, their instincts recognizing a force beyond their comprehension. With each step, Max advanced towards the elevator, the soldiers parting before him as if under a spell, their minds blank with awe.
Upon reaching the elevator, Max calmly stepped inside and closed the doors behind him. In an instant, a multitude of portals materialized outside, swallowing the soldiers whole, mirroring the fate of the agents before them.
Finding Kick was a breeze for Max; a casual inquiry to an experimenter yielded eager assistance, guiding him effortlessly to his target. With ample supplies at hand, Max swiftly filled his boxes before departing.
Minutes later, Max emerged from the elevator and entered his sanctuary, slipping into his car and directing Yukio to drive away. As he departed, he noticed Jestner hurrying over with someone in tow, their paths briefly intersecting before Max retreated into his realm, leaving Jestner in the waking world.
....
Upon returning home, Yukio voiced her concern for the hounds. "What should we do with these guys? There's not enough room for them indoors."
"Leave them in the vehicle for now," Max instructed.
The vehicle remained within Max's space, nestled safely away.
After ensuring Yukio could rest, Max made his way straight to the laboratory in search of Viper. Upon entering, Max couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Viper stood before an array of instruments, while Juggernaut lay motionless on an adjacent bed.
"Is he... dead?" Max inquired, his tone grave.
Viper turned to him, her expression solemn. "Yes, he's passed. I couldn't forcibly wean him off the drug. Despite keeping him in a coma, his condition didn't stabilize, so..."
"Thankfully, the genes have been extracted. Dispose of the body," Max ordered.
"Understood," Viper replied.
Max then turned his attention to Juggernaut. "Before he succumbed, even under the influence of Kick, he wouldn't have perished so swiftly. I've witnessed the effects of Kick on others. Did you intervene?" Max pressed.
Viper met Max's gaze with a sly smile. "Even if I hadn't intervened, his days were numbered. However, even in death, he remains valuable. And it's all thanks to you. If you had allowed me to conduct experiments or find subjects, he might have had a few more days."
"If I had agreed, I'd be the one in the grave by now!" Max retorted, growing irritated.
"I have no desire for your demise," Viper reassured, placing a hand on Max's shoulder. "Give me time and assistance in finding experimental subjects. I assure you a seamless integration of Juggernaut's genes without complications."
"I'm more interested in your findings," Max countered.
"I've merely been exploring the potential of combining multiple genes. I injected Juggernaut with my own genes. Although he perished, I made some intriguing discoveries," Viper explained.
Max shook his head. "Avoid using your own genes in the future. I've arranged for a vehicle filled with individuals like Juggernaut—Mutants who've used Kick. Study them and see if you can offer assistance. Furthermore, I want Chloe's abilities further enhanced with additional genes."
"What are you waiting for, then?" Viper's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The once formidable villain had now metamorphosed into a fervent scientist virtually overnight. Witnessing Viper's enthusiasm, Max swiftly left some Kick for her convenience in the research.
....
As the sun graced the horizon, a new day unfurled before them.
Viper delved deep into her sea of experiments.
After a brief nap, Blink felt the drowsiness from her Awakening begin to ease. Following a hearty breakfast, Max invited Blink for a leisurely stroll.
The morning air was gentle, carrying with it a subtle warmth as Max and Blink wandered along the jungle path outside the villa. Their hair danced in the breeze, revealing a glimpse of Max's left eye, prompting Blink to instinctively tuck it away.
"Shall we take a seat here for a while?" Max suggested, indicating a smooth stone by the babbling stream.
Blink nodded, and they settled down, their gaze fixed on the flowing water. Max inquired, "How's your recovery progressing?"
"It's getting better. I've never opened portals for such prolonged periods before," Blink explained.
"You'll find your potential expanding within the limits. With more attempts, you'll notice it becoming easier," Max reassured with a smile.
Blink nodded, feeling the disorder within slowly receding.
"The stability still needs work; the sensation could fade at any moment. And the opening time is too long, not suitable for emergencies," Max explained calmly.
Blink was about to respond when the portal flickered and vanished.
"Except for my escape, yesterday marked the first time I allowed someone through my portal. Before, anything passing through might have been split in half," Blink admitted, a hint of embarrassment coloring her tone.
"That's fantastic! It's a potent attack method. Mastery lies in stable control," Max exclaimed with enthusiasm. "All you need is focus. Concentrate solely on your ability."
"Think about it: why did you succeed during your escape? Because you had no other option, your concentration was unprecedented. Why did you succeed yesterday? Because I pushed you, leaving no room for hesitation. You were driven by the fear of failure, of being ousted from the team. And not only did you let numerous people pass safely, but it also lasted longer than before."
"That makes sense," Blink recalled, realizing that these instances were marked by intense concentration, free from distractions.
Especially yesterday, when she opened the portal, her entire focus was on success, on proving herself and persevering.
...
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