Chương 44: Chapter 40: Enhanced Auditory Perception
Chapter 40: Enhanced Auditory Perception
[Ability - Super Hearing (Black Iron)]
[Ability Description: Initially, Superman could only perceive sounds in close proximity. However, as the comic's plot developed, he gained the ability to hear sounds within a ten-kilometer radius, wherever they may occur.]
In the following days, Colin found himself adjusting to his new life at the base. Alongside the ongoing serialization of comics in the world, another ability of Superman was unlocked—Enhanced Auditory Perception.
The decision to select this ability as the focal point of unlocking was not a reflection of Colin's lack of trust in Howard and the others who had rescued him from Ultron's pursuit. Rather, it stemmed from his concern regarding the anti-world's "distorted time node." Colin believed that possessing Enhanced Auditory Perception would assist him in avoiding potential dangers. While he might not be able to prevent these dangers from occurring, this ability would enable him to respond proactively, a lesson he had learned from the incident that had transpired at high altitude during the pursuit.
Lost in his thoughts, Colin shifted his gaze away from the text before him. Silently contemplating, he activated his Enhanced Auditory Perception.
"... Howard, you should rest. You've been at the console all day..."
"I'm sorry, Adeline... I should have been there... In fact, Jacques always wanted to tell you that he loves you and is proud of you..."
"... In the Metropolitan General Hospital, a patient named Johnson experienced a severe medical accident. The renowned surgeon Stephen Strange will take responsibility for this incident..."
"It has been reported that this is not the first instance of medical malpractice involving Stephen Strange. Recently, he lost consciousness in the emergency room, almost causing harm to the patient on the operating table... According to Bloomberg, The New York Times, and other media outlets, the vote count for the mayoral election fell behind... The female Democratic Party candidate announced her defeat..."
"However, the final results of the New York City mayoral election are yet to be released. The winner of this campaign will soon be determined... Based on the current votes, businessman Wilson Fisk has a strong likelihood of becoming the new mayor of New York City..."
"Hey, buddy, empty your pockets for me..."
"Don't move, stay where you are!"
"Reporting a shooting incident near Fifth Avenue. Please respond if you can hear this message..."
Similar to Superman's initial awakening of his ability, Colin, in his first experience with Enhanced Auditory Perception, struggled to control the range of sounds he could perceive. Numerous chaotic and noisy voices bombarded his ears, overwhelming his mind. Amidst these sounds, there were meaningless noises, the roar of cars, the rhythmical steps of animals and plants. The scope of Enhanced Auditory Perception extended beyond mere conversations, encompassing everything—a conglomeration of countless voices dispersed simultaneously.
Colin felt his blood rushing through his veins, accompanied by a persistent buzzing in his mind, making it challenging to concentrate.
"Stay calm, focus, and ignore these voices," Colin reminded himself, covering his ears and striving to regain composure in his base room.
With each internal proclamation, Colin's fragmented thoughts gradually coalesced, allowing him to concentrate on the text before him.
"...End!"
He deactivated his Enhanced Auditory Perception.
Silence abruptly replaced the previous cacophony. Sitting in his temporary dwelling, Colin took a deep breath, savoring the hard-earned tranquility.
Thus, after more than ten minutes of silence, Colin, gradually regaining his senses, redirected his attention to the Black Iron Mark on the back of his hand.
Although his initial experience with Enhanced Auditory Perception had been harrowing, Colin understood that abandoning an ability due to initial difficulties was akin to giving up on food for fear of choking. As a core ability of Superman, Enhanced Auditory Perception naturally possessed its advantages. The chaotic episode he had just encountered resulted from his unfamiliarity with this newfound ability.
"Focus and listen to one sound at a time," he silently admonished himself, fixing his gaze on the note labeled "Enhanced Auditory Perception" within the imprint.
Taking a deep breath, Colin cautiously activated the ability once more.
"Buzz..." "Why? Why did you..." "Boom, boom..." "Darling, did you know that gay marriage is now legal?" "Tick, tick, tick, tick..." "Honey, I have..." "That's impossible, absolutely impossible!"
As he reopened his Enhanced Auditory Perception, the anticipated blend of clamorous and jarring sounds assailed Colin's ears. However, this time, mentally prepared, he did not recoil.
In his temporary dwelling, he clenched his fists, shook his head, and gritted his teeth, enduring it all.
Closing his eyes, he channeled all his focus into his hearing. As his surroundings dimmed, the sounds in his ears seemed to intensify slightly, permeating Colin's cochlea from all directions.
"...Have the investigations yielded any results?"
"There don't appear to be any significant issues..."
Gradually, the tumultuous voices simplified, gradually eliminating the jumble of miscellaneous sounds and leaving only the portion Colin most desired to hear.
Meanwhile, a streak of crimson blood flowed from his nose, unnoticed by him.
"...Colin Luper, a reporter for the 'Daily Horn,' has been employed by the newspaper since graduating... He hadn't displayed any distinctive features until recently when he was hospitalized due to an accidental robbery... Prior to that, he possessed no extraordinary abilities... until he was discovered by a barrier while flying..."
"So, he exhibited no abnormalities before that? If he has the ability to fly, why was he injured during the robbery beforehand...?"
"It seems that his ability was acquired relatively recently..."
"And what about the Thunderbolt Agents?"
"Thus far, no noticeable internal activities have been observed, and there appears to be no direct connection between the two... The only interaction seems to have occurred during the robbery incident, where he was ultimately rescued by Luke Cage of the Secret Service team. Subsequently, he briefly interacted with several other members of the Secret Service team during an interview... As for the rest, we're still investigating..."
Buzzing sounds once again drowned out their conversation.
Colin had reached the limits of his auditory perception, his ears becoming strained and nearly overwhelmed.
With this realization, Colin decisively concluded his use of Enhanced Auditory Perception. While rubbing his throbbing and aching ears, he wiped away the blood trickling from his nose.
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