Chapter 19:Stepway from invincibility

Evan's fingers moved over the console, his mind far from the data before him. His thoughts were on something far more pressing, formulating a method to push his evolution further. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the true beginning of his invincibility.

His latest acquisitions were two potent abilities harvested from rogue mutants. Both were impressive but deeply flawed, requiring conscious activation, making them inefficient for his purposes.

Energy Absorption was originally possessed by Sol Drain, allowing the passive intake of ambient kinetic, thermal, and electrical energy. However, in its original state, the energy had to be manually converted into usable strength. The process was slow and left the user vulnerable to sudden attacks.

Energy Manipulation was acquired from a defector of a secret government program, allowing the external release of absorbed energy, but it lacked any internal conversion mechanisms. The original user could expel forceful bursts of energy but could not enhance themselves.

Both abilities had fundamental issues. They required conscious activation, meaning they could not operate in the background. Energy storage was inefficient, leading to diminishing returns over time. Worse, excessive energy intake could result in system overload, rendering the user immobile or even leading to self-destruction.

Evan's goal was to eliminate these limitations, merge both abilities into a single passive function, and optimize them at a cellular level.

Unlike traditional genetic engineering, which relied on retroviral transduction, Evan had something superior—his personal strain of the Blacklight Virus, a revolutionary construct functioning as both an adaptive mutagen and an organic nanomachine network.

Using CRISPR-based nanomachines, he isolated the mutant alleles responsible for energy absorption and manipulation. He mapped the specific expression regions controlling energy intake, distribution, and release. Most mutant genes contained regulatory elements that restricted their full potential—an evolutionary safeguard against overuse. Evan removed these biological inhibitors, ensuring his power functioned autonomously without conscious input.

Instead of storing energy in isolated cells, he reprogrammed his mitochondria—the powerhouses of the cell—to function as organic batteries. Every cell in his body would now passively absorb energy from the environment, automatically reinforcing muscular strength, durability, and metabolic efficiency without effort.

Satisfied, Evan activated the retroviral injection system, releasing the modified Blacklight Virus into his bloodstream.

As the virus rewrote his genetic code, a notification appeared on his system interface.

[New Passive Ability Detected]

[Initiating Passive Development]

His vision darkened momentarily as a surge of energy pulsed through him. His body shuddered violently, muscles tensing as his cells adapted to the influx of power.

Level 1 – Passive Energy Storage (Current)

Mitochondria begin absorbing ambient kinetic, thermal, and electrical energy.

Energy automatically enhances strength, endurance, and reaction speed.

Energy absorption efficiency: 10%

Level 2 – Metabolic Conversion Enhancement (Available in 1 Day)

Excess energy is redirected into muscle growth and cellular fortification.

Organic tissues develop resistance to shock, concussive force, and extreme temperatures.

Energy absorption efficiency: 50%

Level 3 – Regenerative Energy Loop (Available in 1 Week)

Stored energy fuels accelerated cellular repair, granting minor regenerative properties.

Energy absorption efficiency: 90%

Level 4 – Bioelectric Enhancement (Available in 1 Month)

Neurons function at hyper-efficiency, drastically improving reaction speed and sensory perception.

Muscular contractions become energy-assisted, doubling baseline strength.

Energy absorption efficiency: 100%

Level 5 – Perpetual Absorption Field (Available in 1 Year)

Evan's body continuously draws energy from everything around him, ensuring he never tires.

Near invulnerability to kinetic force, energy attacks, and temperature extremes.

Regeneration reaches a state where even near-fatal injuries heal within minutes.

Evan exhaled, feeling the subtle hum of stored energy circulating within his body. It was not yet at its peak, but with time, he would reach true invincibility.

However, even Energy Adaptation was not enough. Invincibility required an absolute safeguard—Regeneration.

At first glance, one might assume that Energy Absorption's regenerative loop was sufficient. But this was a flawed assumption. The ability to heal using stored energy came with an inherent weakness—if he exhausted his reserves or found himself in an environment devoid of absorbable energy, his regenerative capabilities would cease. Furthermore, Energy Adaptation prioritized efficiency. If his body determined that absorbing energy for durability was more beneficial than healing at that moment, his survival could still be compromised.

Evan needed a fail-safe, a biological safeguard that functioned independently of his energy reserves. True regeneration had to be a fundamental part of his biology, not something contingent on external factors.

He had acquired a tissue sample from a mutant known as Scalebane, whose accelerated healing factor allowed him to regrow limbs within hours. While impressive, it was inefficient—functioning in bursts rather than maintaining a continuous repair system.

Evan optimized it. Rather than sudden healing surges, his system would permanently repair minor cellular damage, drastically slowing aging and making wounds heal near-instantly. He integrated nucleotide correction enzymes, preventing genetic degradation and eliminating risks of cancer or uncontrolled mutations. His regenerative system was designed with adaptive healing thresholds, allowing it to adjust based on available resources. If he had high energy reserves, healing would accelerate exponentially. If reserves were low, healing would still function at a slower but guaranteed rate.

As he finalized the integration, another system notification appeared.

[New Ability Acquired: Regeneration]

Level 1 – Baseline Healing (Current)

Small cuts heal within seconds.

Level 2 – Muscle Regeneration (Available in 1 Day)

Torn muscle fibers instantly rebuild, allowing indefinite physical exertion.

Level 3 – Organ Repair (Available in 1 Week)

Internal organ damage automatically repairs within minutes.

Level 4 – Bone & Nerve Restoration (Available in 1 Month)

Even severed limbs regenerate over time.

Level 5 – Near-Immortality (Available in 1 Year)

Unless completely destroyed, his body will always regenerate.

With his body becoming an unbreakable force, there was only one remaining vulnerability—his mind.

Psychic threats like Charles Xavier and Jean Grey could potentially infiltrate his thoughts. He needed a Mental Barrier strong enough to resist even Omega-level telepaths.

His plan was already forming. Neural encryption would create constant electromagnetic noise to disrupt external mind-reading. Cognitive layering would separate surface thoughts from deeper intentions, ensuring even if someone managed to peek inside, they would only see what he wanted them to see. Bioelectric feedback loops would disrupt invasive psychic probes by interfering with brainwave synchronization.

However, while he had the blueprint for this defense, he needed something more. A natural resistance. Some mutants had inherent immunity to psychic intrusion, and Evan knew exactly where to find the best candidate.

He pulled up a display, scanning through known Omega-level telepaths. Beings capable of shattering minds with a mere thought.

After a moment, he smirked.

"If I'm going to safeguard my mind, I need the best… and I know exactly where to find her."

The screen zoomed in, revealing the image of a beautiful yet dangerous woman, a mutant with diamond-hard skin and one of the most powerful telepathic minds on the planet.

"Emma Frost… the White Queen."