Chapter 39: The Outskirts

He slipped into the uniform, marveling at how it hugged his frame, allowing every article of muscle to show underneath. It was a perfect fit.

Heading back out, David met up with Smoke.

Smoke who's mind was racing with anticipation said eagerly, "Who's your mentor?"

"Trainwreck," David replied.

Smokes eyes widened, and he couldn't suppress his shock "Trainwreck? Really?"

Smoke continued, "Your mentor is that useless Trainwreck? What was the academy thinking?"

David defended his new mentor, "Have you ever seen Trainwreck actually lose a fight or pull himself out of a tough situation?"

Smoke snorted, "No, but I guarantee you if he runs into someone like your pops, his little power to avoid casualty wouldn't work."

"I'm not too sure about that," David said, knowing how fraudulent Trainwreck's ability was, yet fascinated by its potential.

Smoke guided him down the hallway to a portal array, a brilliant amalgamation of technology and superpower. The entire concept was formed on the basis of the dimensional traveler 'Overlord's' ability to create wormholes and concocted by a super-genius engineer named Arya Zephyr.

The array was a marvel of engineering, with interlacing circuits and energy conduits designed to mimic the natural folding of spacetime. By harmonizing the vibrational frequency of the dimensional fabric, the array could create stable wormholes that connected distant locations. It was a mind-boggling achievement, a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation that had shaped the modern age.

"I'm sending you to the Hall of Hero's you're officially a hero? Call me ok the communicator if you're in a tight spot. Usually we let the new hero's give themselves a store" Smoke said, activating the portal.

David's heart pounded as he stepped through, entering a marveling city. The Hall of Heroes was a hub for heroes of all kinds throughout Omega 6. A place to pick up investigation missions, bounties, and home to a market for artifacts and other wondrous items.

He was awed by the vibrancy of the place. No one used cars here; everyone was walking, running, super speeding, or flying. The air buzzed with energy, and the city felt alive with heroes of various shapes and sizes, each with their unique abilities and styles.

David caught snippets of dialogue between nameless heroes, filled with camaraderie, challenges, and playful banter. Some noticed him and commented on his all-black suit.

"Look at that edgy outfit!" one said, laughing.

"He must be a fan of the dark and mysterious type," another chimed in, winking at David.

David's eyes lifted to the sky, drawn to its inky blackness filled with brilliant stars. It took a moment for him to realize that the hub's true location was actually in space, a fact that left him momentarily breathless.

Engineered by genius architects, the city had been constructed within a stabilized atmospheric bubble, held together by a complex array of gravity generators and airtight force fields.

Arya Zephyr, the famed scientist, had devised a way to synthesize breathable air using a reaction between cosmic particles and the residual hydrogen of the force field. The result was a controlled environment, where heroes could walk and breathe as if on Earth, but with the breathtaking backdrop of the universe.

David stood at the entrance to the main plaza of the Hall of Heroes. This was the hub, a place where heroes could obtain missions, collect bounties, hang out, or even buy exclusive items from an enigmatic market that boasted relics and artifacts from all corners of Omega 6 and beyond.

He could see the Mission Board, aglow with holographic requests, each one representing a call for aid, a chance to prove oneself. Heroes of various ranks clustered around it, engaged in animated discussions, debating which missions to take on.

Across from the Mission Board was the Bounty Center, a place where heroes could track down criminals, retrieve stolen items, or provide security. It was a place where rewards were won and reputations were made.

To the side, there was the Market, an exclusive bazaar that offered items from enchanted swords to rare potions, each with its unique properties and powers. Heroes haggled with mystical vendors, bartering and negotiating, each trying to secure a treasure that could tip the balance in their favor.

Suddenly, a whoosh of air and a blur of colors caught David's attention as a group of speedsters zoomed past him. One of them, a flash of red and gold, turned to shout in anger.

"Don't just stand in the middle of the speedster lane, you rookie! I almost turned you into paste!"

David stumbled back, realizing that he was indeed standing on a glowing path designated for heroes with super speed. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head in disbelief.

As he looked around the bustling hub, marveling at the world he had created, he noticed the minor details that he hadn't even considered in his story. The decorative patterns on the walls, the unique emblems on the heroes' suits, the faint hum of energy in the air – it all added a depth and richness to the place that went beyond his imagination.

"It all starts here," David whispered to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination.

He approached the mission center, the heart of the hub where heroes were assigned tasks and duties. He was a B-list hero, so when he scanned his retina at the mission board, a series of options tailored to his level of expertise appeared.

"I want East Paradise City," David said firmly, and the list changed, showing a detailed satellite view of Paradise City, segmented into different regions.

He went down the list of names, searching for something specific, someone who lingered in his thoughts. He had to find him. The man's name was Lucian, last name unknown.

In his original story, David had described him as a retired assassin, a part of the mysterious group known as Sands of Time.

Only select organizations like the Shaolin Temple, Sands of Time, Black Hand, and a few others had access to body-strengthening cultivation manuals. Superheroes generally did not see a need to cultivate their bodies, as they were naturally gifted with superior abilities from birth. This practice had often been forgotten since the Earth had been transformed hundreds of years ago after the first cataclysm.

These microorganisms had drastically altered the genetic makeup of living beings, imbuing some with unique abilities and powers. It had led to a new era where ordinary humans could become superheroes, an era where the natural balance had shifted, and old traditions like body cultivation had been overshadowed.

David understood that body cultivation held the key to unlocking potential far beyond what genetics alone could provide. It was an art that combined the natural abilities and constitution of a hero, allowing one to surpass their genetic limitations.

In the case of superhumans, their genetic makeup already endowed them with extraordinary capabilities. Cultivation would take these abilities and amplify them, using ancient practices to refine and channel the energy in the body, magnifying their powers exponentially.

Finding Lucian was more than just a mission for David; it was a quest for self-reliance and empowerment. In a world filled with superheroes, David recognized that relying on Enryu, the regressor, was precarious.

Enryu did not have plot armor; he had been knocked out by Ares in a single blow and could have been killed. Even Shadow attacked the academy earlier than the timeline. Nothing was set in stone, and anything could happen

Before heading to the mountain, David activated a portal that escorted him back to the city. Stepping through the swirling vortex, he found himself on the rooftops of Paradise East. He took a moment to orient himself before launching into motion, his all-black suit clinging to his muscular form as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop, heading towards the outskirts.

In the distance, the mountain loomed, a silent sentinel guarding the way to Lucian and the mysteries that lay beyond. David's steps were firm and determined as he began his journey, the all-black suit a symbol of his resolve.

As he leaped and sprinted across rooftops; David's mind wandered to Enryu once again.

'Enryu shouldn't stumble upon Lucian until after his regression, and only by pure luck did they cross paths. Right now, Enryu is still at the academy this gives me a headstart.'

Following the directions on his communicator to Lucian's last spotted location, David eventually landed in a part of the city that was foreign to most heroes 'The Outskirts.' The locals here were known to be unkind to the likes of him, their eyes filled with suspicion and disdain.

As David ventured into the shadowy area filled with Voodoo Practitioners, he stumbled upon a haunting scene. The practitioners were gathered in a tight circle, chanting, swaying, and performing a mystical ritual that seemed to be infused with real magic.

He cautiously approached one of the Voodoo Masters, a tall figure wearing a dark robe adorned with symbols and talismans.

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Status Window

Name: Olufemi Shango

Title: Voodoo Practitioner

Level: 35

Strength: Superhuman (30)

Endurance: Superhuman (30)

Agility: Superhuman (25)

Intellect: Superhuman (40)

Super Powers:

Voodoo Magic (Unique)

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"Excuse me," David said, his voice respectful.

"I'm looking for a man who was seen traveling through here. His name is Lucian, a martial artist."

The Voodoo Master turned to face David, his eyes hidden behind an elaborate mask. His voice was deep, resonating with a mocking tone.

"Why do you come to these parts, hero? Looking for one who does not wish to be found?"

David's heart pounded. He knew he had to persuade the Voodoo Master without revealing his true purpose, which was to seek Lucian's help in obtaining a cultivation method.

"I need to find him," David said carefully. "He might be in danger."

The Voodoo Master's laugh was cold and dismissive. "You heroes think you can trample over our sacred ground, disrupt our rituals? What makes you think we would help you?"

"I apologize if I've intruded," David said, choosing his words wisely.

David continued, "But I believe Lucian may have something I need. I promise not to cause any trouble. If you've seen him, please, tell me where he went."

The Voodoo Master's eyes seemed to pierce through David, assessing his sincerity. Finally, he spoke, his voice less mocking, more thoughtful.

"The one you seek passed through here, heading towards the mountain trail. But be warned, hero, the path he walks is fraught with peril. Do not follow unless you are prepared to face the shadows within yourself."

David thanked the Voodoo Master and turned to leave, his mind focused on finding Lucian and acquiring the cultivation method. His lie to the Voodoo Practitioners weighed on him, but he knew it was necessary.

As he made his way towards the mountain trail, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.