A stalemate, a deathly stalemate.
Homeless Emperor's mind was blank, while Han Sen's heart echoed with a long-awaited sound.
"Ding! Contact with replicable target 'Homeless Emperor'!"
"Successfully replicated SSR-level ability: 'Supernatural Power' Lv1!"
"Current ability slot occupied: 1/20."
"Consumed Origin Point x 511,000, 'Supernatural Power' level increased! Lv1 -> Lv10 (MAX)!"
"Ding! Replicated ability 'Supernatural Power (SSR)' reached max level, integrated into the main body, ability slot freed!"
"Current ability slot occupied: 0/20."
Over 500,000 Origin Points were lavishly poured in, and the SSR from Homeless Emperor, like a dragonfly touching water, melted upon entry into the ability slot!
(Ability Slot: He's messing with me!!!)
The next moment, a brand-new power was generated out of thin air within Han Sen's body.
It was a pure, vast, almost inexhaustible energy of light.
It wasn't as violent as the Scorching Heat Bullet, nor as erratic as Electromagnetic Rampage; it was silent and immense, as if innate!
Inexhaustible, endless!
No matter how much was consumed, it could be replenished instantly!
This feeling... was like swiping a credit card with an unlimited limit, borrowing out of thin air, with no need to repay.
Like Black Sperm's UR ability, Megaton Split, the newly acquired Supernatural Power also underwent localization, completely transforming into the System's form.
Yes, it was also borrowing, but Han Sen, this unregistered user...
Didn't have to pay back!
Unlike Homeless Emperor, a legitimate contractor who signed a contract, he always faced the risk of having his power reclaimed with interest!
This localized modification by the System made Han Sen particularly satisfied.
I borrowed it by my own skill, why should I return it!?
—Indeed, we new generations from the Land of Light are all masters of borrowing!
Feeling the continuous generation and refinement of the power of light within him, Han Sen was in a very pleasant mood.
Even the hand resting on Homeless Emperor's shoulder loosened a bit.
Looking at his dispirited appearance, he casually explained, "Though you tried your best to conceal it, the light of fire is ultimately different from the light of the sun."
"No matter how powerful the borrowed strength, it cannot change your essence as firewood."
Homeless Emperor: !!!
Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking hard at his heart.
Just as Homeless Emperor was shocked and lost, his mental defenses crumbling.
"Buzz—!"
A faint, almost imperceptible pale blue ripple flashed in Han Sen's eyes, and Imagination Power erupted!
The invisible psychic field spread like mercury, instantly invading Homeless Emperor's almost undefended consciousness.
His eyes became dull and unfocused, as if his soul had been temporarily extracted.
A few seconds later, Homeless Emperor jolted, coming back to his senses.
He looked blankly at the thousands of light spheres suspended in the air, emitting destructive auras, his head full of question marks.
Scratching his greasy hair, Homeless Emperor couldn't remember what had just happened, only feeling as if he had a nightmare.
Then, he instinctively turned and bowed slightly towards Han Sen, respectfully asking, "Strange, Bug God-sama... why did I suddenly create so many light spheres?"
All Dragon-level cadres: ???
Psykos: !!!
They were just fighting to the death, how did he start calling him "sama" in the blink of an eye?
Homeless Emperor, how do you have two faces?!
At this moment, Han Sen also wanted to scratch his cheek.
He had just purely wanted to use Imagination Power to assist and interfere with Homeless Emperor's mind, so he let his consciousness enter an boundless world composed of blue skies and green grass, and replaced the distorted projection that should belong to "God" in the sky with his own Monster image.
He originally intended to intimidate him, but who knew...
Before Han Sen could do anything, Homeless Emperor had very consciously replaced his object of worship with Bug God, smoothly imprinting the idea into himself.
This wave, ah, was about taking and getting, not only using "God's" power for free, but even prying away his agent!
What a mess this was.
After a moment of contemplation, Han Sen casually fabricated, "The venue was too dark just now, since everyone feels it's not needed now, let's put them away."
"Yes, Bug God-sama."
Homeless Emperor was compliant, waving his hand cooperatively, and the sky full of light spheres quietly dispersed like illusory bubbles.
The sudden change from light to dark made the many Monsters present feel a moment of disorientation, while those who knew the truth breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The Dragon-level cadres present all had strange expressions.
They had witnessed too many betrayals and killings, but such a smooth surrender...
It was indeed their first time seeing it.
"Is it some kind of mind control ability?"
In the secret room, Psykos's knuckles gripping the red wine glass turned white from exertion, her gaze sharpening.
She hadn't expected that Bug God, this irritable guy who liked to cause trouble, could awaken such an unrelated superpower as manipulating people's minds.
And to make a proud Dragon-level Weirdo bow down, the strength of this ability was clearly not low.
But this was a Monster; every mutation was a miracle leading to the unknown.
While feeling relieved internally, a familiar sense of loss of control surged back like a tide.
No, I can't let this guy continue!
"Bug God..."
The floating sofa throne arrived at the floor where the Dragon-level cadres were, and Great Eyes stared at Han Sen, saying irritably, "The farce, it should be over now, right?"
Han Sen looked up at the large eyeball symbolizing the Monster Association's power, and a strange, meaningful curve appeared at the corner of his mouth beneath the carapace mask.
—Over? This is just the beginning.
"Great Eyes-sama is joking. I merely wanted to get to know my new colleagues quickly and mingle."
Han Sen spread his hands, as if he wasn't the one who had just caused the commotion: "After all, we will be fighting side by side in the future, striving together for the great ideals of the Monster Association."
Psykos: "..."
She knew very well that these were just lies to deceive those brainless ordinary Monsters; when Bug God said them, he probably didn't even believe them himself.
However, a powerful Dragon-level, especially one who could tame other Dragon-levels, this guy's value was growing more and more.
"Hmph, let's hope so." Psykos took a deep breath, and the voice she controlled for Great Eyes softened a bit, "Since you've already gotten acquainted, let's leave it at that."
"You'll have plenty of time to communicate after the meeting ends..."
"Wait a moment, Great Eyes-sama." Han Sen spoke again, interrupting her.
Psykos in the secret room gritted her teeth: "...What else do you want?"
Han Sen seemed not to notice the killing intent in her tone, his gaze passing over Great Eyes and falling upon the Monster King, "Orochi," who was silent like a mountain on the throne.
"I've just been promoted to Dragon-level, and I haven't mastered this level of power proficiently enough."
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly spread to every corner of the entire venue.
"I hope to receive... guidance from His Majesty Orochi."
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