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The information stream scrolled madly, making Lin Mo dizzy.
He could feel countless subtle yet massive streams of energy converging from every corner of the city, pouring into his system.
This was an unprecedented experience, far more immense than any previous absorption.
If the past absorption of the fear emotions from Weirdos on the verge of death was like a trickling stream, then at this moment, what he felt was a mental tsunami sweeping across the entire city.
Finally, as the last stream of light integrated and the information flow slowly ceased, a large, golden number hovered on his consciousness panel.
[Total energy points absorbed this time: 15,672 points!]
[Current total energy points: 20,873 points!]
"Two… twenty thousand energy points?"
Lin Mo's breathing hitched again, and the Emperor Engine pounded wildly, its heavy, powerful thumps even buzzing in his eardrums.
He knew the harvest this time would be huge, but he never expected it to be this massive!
Just sitting here and opening a door once yielded emotional values comparable to what several Dragon-level Monster contributed before their deaths!
Is this… the true value of the title "strongest man on earth (title/epithet)"?
However… the system's absorption of emotional value seemed to have a range limit, usually within a certain area near him.
But this time, he clearly felt emotional energy coming from all directions of the city, and even from more distant places—
What was going on?
Before Lin Mo could figure out the reason, the system responded—
[Ding! Host's confusion detected! Special explanation: When a certain action or identity of the Host triggers a large-scale, high-intensity collective emotional resonance within a short period, the "Emotional Uprising" effect will be activated.]
[Under this effect, the system will temporarily break through the absorption range limit to collect energy from all individuals who generate strong emotions due to the event.]
[Additional note: The energy conversion efficiency of emotions is positively correlated with the strength of the emotion provider. The higher the strength and stronger the will of an individual, the higher the quality of the energy that can be converted from their emotions.]
[The energy collected this time includes some positive emotions from A-Class, B-Class, and even S-Class Heroes, so the total income far exceeded expectations.]
Lin Mo nodded. As for the origin of the system, he didn't want to delve into it. He had no relatives in his original world, nor close friends or lovers, so he might as well enjoy his new identity and new world.
Shaking his head, the most pressing task was to improve his own strength. The bubble brought by false fame, once popped, would make him fall harder than anyone else.
"System, open the skill panel!" Lin Mo silently chanted in his mind.
[Intimidation (Demon-level)]
[Effect: Active skill. When released, it can cause mental deterrence to enemies and greatly reduce their fighting will. For weak and weak-willed enemies, it may even cause unconsciousness.]
[Upgrade requirement: Energy points x10,000]
After a slight hesitation, Lin Mo quickly made up his mind.
This skill was his only, and most fitting for the "KING" persona, life-saving method.
Upgrading it to a higher level was the most cost-effective investment.
"Upgrade!"
[Energy points - 10,000, skill 'Intimidation (Demon-level)' is upgrading…]
[Upgrade successful! Congratulations to the Host for acquiring the skill: Intimidation (Dragon Class)!]
[Intimidation (Dragon Class)]
[Effect: Active skill. When released, it can cause powerful mental deterrence and soul shock to enemies, greatly disintegrating their fighting will.
[Note: The effect is significant on Demon-level and below Weirdos, with a high probability of causing mental breakdown or direct unconsciousness. It can also cause effective interference to Dragon-level Monster, making their movements sluggish and instilling apprehension.]
[Upgrade requirement: Energy points x100,000]
"Hiss…" Lin Mo gasped. The improvement in effect was visible to the naked eye; it could even effectively interfere with Dragon-level Monster!
This meant that even if he truly faced a Dragon-level Weirdo in the future, as long as he activated this skill, he could at least buy himself precious escape time, and even hold out until Saitama arrived! This was simply a life-saving divine skill!
Although the next upgrade required one hundred thousand points, a sky-high price, Lin Mo felt it was well worth it.
Then, he turned his gaze to the basic attribute panel.
[Host: Lin Mo (KING)]
[Strength: 15]
[Speed: 15]
[Physique: 15]
[Spirit: 15]
[Energy points: 10873]
"There are still nearly ten thousand points left, which cannot be wasted." Lin Mo pondered for a moment and decided to conduct a comprehensive strengthen.
He needed to ensure his survival, and his fundamentals couldn't be neglected.
If he was unlucky one day and tripped over a stone and died, that would become a laughingstock for eternity.
"System, increase my Strength, Speed, and Physique all to 50 points!"
[Strength + 35 points, consuming 3500 energy points.]
[Speed + 35 points, consuming 3500 energy points.]
[Physique + 35 points, consuming 3500 energy points.]
[Total consumption: 10500 points. Confirm?]
"Confirm!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a surge of warmth, more powerful and scorching than any before, erupted and instantly swept through his limbs and bones.
Lin Mo could even hear his bones emit soft "crackling" sounds as his muscle fibers were torn apart and reconstructed under the catalyst of energy, becoming tougher and denser.
His body, which had been slightly flabby due to long-term home confinement, was now undergoing an incredible transformation towards the realm of the extraordinary.
A few minutes later, when the warm current subsided, Lin Mo slowly stood up and clenched his fists.
An unprecedented feeling of power filled his heart. He felt that he could now throw a punch with the force of a tiger and run fast enough to leave afterimages.
This was no longer false prestige, but real, solid power that belonged to him!
Feeling the surging power within him, he walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and looked at the still busy reconstruction scene outside, his gaze deep.
Perhaps, being strongest man on earth (title/epithet) ordinary person wasn't so bad after all.
Although he only had a pitiful few hundred energy points left now, he believed this was just the beginning, and one day, he would be strongest man on earth (title/epithet)!
Oh—except for that bald guy.
After less than three seconds of reflection, his gaze was drawn back to the game controller on the coffee table.
"Oh right! Lili Jiang is still waiting for me!"
Lin Mo darted back to the sofa, picking up the controller again with an eagerness completely unfitting his "strongest" identity.
However, the screen clearly displayed several cold, large characters:
[GAME OVER]
"Ah—! My save file!!!"
S-Class Hero KING, on his first day in office, let out a heart-wrenching wail in his apartment.