Chapter 154: Telekinesis
Stanley continued increasing the gravity.
Although Leon’s Gravity Resistance had already reached 100%, and he could not cultivate under gravity the way he did with fire or ice, something else was still rising.
His speed.
But Leon’s mind was far too occupied to notice.
He stood there in a daze while his body instinctively adapted to the ever-increasing gravity.
’Telekinesis...’ He frowned thoughtfully. ’With this ability, I can control any object. But Raging Inferno’s Wings already has telekinesis. I’m not complaining, but doesn’t that make the daggers lose their uniqueness? After all, with Telekinesis, I can manipulate any weapon now. Other than their stealth mode, what’s so special about them anymore?’
The moment that thought crossed his mind, the system panel suddenly distorted. Ripples spread across its surface as it began trembling violently.
At the same time, Leon felt something deep within him quiver with rage.
"What the...?" he blurted out.
A series of notifications immediately appeared.
[Negative, Host.]
[Although Host’s newly awakened ability, Telekinesis, and the special ability of Raging Inferno’s Wings share the same name and belong to the same category, they possess different strengths and weaknesses.]
[Host’s new ability, Telekinesis, offers a far greater range and can manipulate significantly heavier objects. The maximum weight and distance depend on Host’s Soul Power. However, every movement, trajectory, and force applied to the object must be consciously controlled by Host.]
[Raging Inferno’s Wings, on the other hand, are soul-bound to Host. As a result, Host can control them not only through conscious thought but also through imagination.]
Leon blinked.
"Not only through thought, but also through imagination? That doesn’t make any sense. Isn’t imagination just another form of thought?"
The system replied immediately.
[There is a subtle but fundamental difference.]
[When controlling an object through Telekinesis, Host must consciously focus on every movement. Host must continuously guide its trajectory. Even a brief lapse in concentration may disrupt that control.]
[Raging Inferno’s Wings are different. Because they are soul-bound, they require far less mental focus. The host does not need to guide every movement consciously. Simply imagining the desired action is enough, and the daggers will execute it on their own.]
[Although this ability is limited to Raging Inferno’s Wings, it is significantly faster and more efficient than ordinary Telekinesis.]
[Estimated efficiency: At least one hundred times greater.]
For some reason, the system’s tone felt unusually... defensive. It was almost as if it were trying to convince Leon rather than merely providing information, as it always had.
"Soul-bound?" Leon, meanwhile, frowned. "When did that happen?"
[Both the Frost Monarch’s Blade and Raging Inferno’s Wings are Soul Weapons. They cannot be wielded without first forming a soul bond with their owner.]
[Each Soul Weapon possesses its own will. Unless the weapon acknowledges and accepts an individual, no soul bond can be formed, and it cannot be used.]
"I see..." Leon nodded. "That actually sounds pretty amazing."
The instant he said those words, the distortion on the system panel vanished. The strange trembling within his body also disappeared.
Leon frowned in confusion. "What the hell was that all about?" Leon whispered before finally shifting his attention to the crushing pressure that was trying its best to force him to his knees.
"Status Bar," he whispered.
The panel shimmered.
[Host: Leon Bale]
[Damage: 167]
[HP: 74]
[Perception: 50]
[Speed: 221]
[Mana: 1.5 B]
[Soul Strength: 10]
Leon’s heart skipped a bit. Excitement coursed through his veins wildly. "Two hundred and twenty-one? Damn! My Speed increased by more than fifty. It’s already comparable to that of an S-Class hunter."
A smile spread across his sweat-soaked face. ’Let’s see how much further I can push it.’
He focused on enduring the gravity once again.
387 G...
390 G...
395 G...
400 G...
At last, this chamber also reached its limit.
The very chamber designed to challenge even Disaster Class hunters had become nothing more than another training tool for Leon.
With a mechanical click, the chamber door slowly slid open.
A cloud of steam and hot air billowed out, carrying the pungent scent of sweat.
Then Leon stepped out. His entire body was drenched, looking as though he had just climbed out of a swimming pool. Sweat streamed down his clothes and dripped onto the floor in steady drops. Within seconds, the ground beneath his feet was soaked.
Jessica stood frozen, her mouth slightly agape. She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t.
Stanley, on the other hand, was beaming from ear to ear. He looked at Leon as though he had just won the lottery.
"Leon, you’ve just broken the record for enduring gravity throughout history. I have no idea how the five Disaster Class hunters would react if they found out what you just accomplished." He laughed heartily. "400 G? You’re a monster in your own right."
Leon also couldn’t help but grin. It wasn’t because he enjoyed the praise, but because he was finding it harder and harder to suppress the excitement bubbling inside him.
"Thank you, Mr. Cooper." He bowed his head slightly. "I can’t express how grateful I am."
"Grateful for what?" Stanley waved his hand dismissively. "All I did was let you use a training chamber."
To Stanley, it was nothing more than lending Leon a facility that would have otherwise cost him some money.
If only he knew...
That single favor had allowed Leon to awaken an entirely new affinity along with several incredible abilities.
Had Stanley known that, his reaction would have been very different.
"So?" Stanley asked eagerly. "Want to try any of the other training facilities?"
He was genuinely curious. Just how many more surprises was this young man hiding?
Leon smiled apologetically. "No, Mr. Cooper. I’ve already taken up nearly two hours of your time. I’m feeling a little tired as well. Maybe another day."
Testing the other facilities certainly tempted him, but...
’They’re not going to leave me alone if I go and try another facility. Testing my limits in front of them would be like laying all my cards on the table. The gravity chamber was different. I might never find another place capable of producing this level of gravity, so revealing one of my limits in exchange for awakening a new affinity was worth it. Besides...’
His gaze shifted toward the system panel.
’Let’s see what other rewards are waiting for me.’
[Congratulations, Host. Mission completed.]
[Would Host like to proceed with the Lucky Draw?]
[Yes] [No]
