Richard reclined on the sofa, methodically reviewing the descriptions of his seven newly acquired abilities.
[Enhanced Senses: Telescopic Vision and Spatial Awareness]
[Momentum Shift: Divert attacks directed at you to other directions, causing them to miss or deflect]
[Pressure Burst: Compress air to create projectiles with power and speed comparable to assault rifles, which can be fired continuously]
[Invisibility: Optical Invisibility]
[Illusion Creation: Use the power of the mind to make enemies experience hallucinations]
[Mind Whip: Unleash a mental strike that assaults the target's spirit, inflicting searing pain that echoes through the body like a surge of electricity.]
[Hypnotic Suggestion: Hypnotize targets through mental power, or implant imperceptible psychological suggestions, causing targets to unconsciously follow your commands]
As usual, the system's descriptions remained minimalist. Nevertheless, they provided sufficient information for Richard to understand the strengths and limitations of each new power.
First, all seven abilities were Beta-level—a respectable classification. Second, each could prove highly effective in specific scenarios. Finally, and most intriguingly, three of his newly plundered powers belonged to the psychic domain.
Combined with Mental Shielding and Mind Charm already in his possession, Richard now commanded five distinct mental abilities. Numerically impressive, these five psychic powers together still paled in comparison to Professor Xavier's telepathic mastery. In truth, they fell significantly short of even Emma Frost, the White Queen of the Hellfire Club.
Though currently inferior to Xavier, Richard firmly believed that continued acquisition of mind manipulation mutant powers would eventually make him a psychic on par with the Professor. His intuition suggested that after plundering just a few more psychic abilities, powers like Mental Shielding, Mind Charm, Illusion Creation, and Hypnotic Suggestion would integrate into a more comprehensive and potent mental capability.
This was merely intuition, but Richard trusted it implicitly.
After examining his new abilities, Richard shifted focus to the system task information.
[Mission "Son of the Devil (II)" completed!]
[Mission reward Phantom Sword has been delivered!]
[Obtain new weapon: Phantom Sword!]
[Phantom Sword: A weapon derived from Virgil, a long sword condensed by mana, functioning as both weapon and skill!]
The system's introduction to the Phantom Sword was characteristically brief. However, for Richard, who already understood its nature, no explanation was necessary—he knew precisely what capabilities the Phantom Sword possessed and how to wield it.
Unlike Dante, Virgil eschewed firearms. Consequently, the Phantom Sword served as Virgil's primary means of ranged attack. Though technically a sword, Virgil rarely employed it in close combat, instead launching it like a flying blade.
Beyond its function as a ranged weapon, the Phantom Sword offered additional strategic utilities. It could immobilize enemies and, most importantly, facilitate teleportation of either the wielder or opponents.
The immobilization function was self-explanatory—it restricted enemy movement. The teleportation capability, however, functioned similarly to Blinkstep but with distinct limitations. Unlike Blinkstep, Phantom Sword teleportation required the sword itself as a medium.
When the Phantom Sword struck an enemy, Richard could choose to teleport himself to the target's position or, conversely, teleport the target to his location. In essence, the Phantom Sword resembled the "Flying Thunder God Technique" with an added reverse teleportation function.
In the game, the Phantom Sword also manifested as a skill with various formations possessing different effects. The system, however, had classified it as a weapon rather than a skill—a distinction Richard welcomed. This classification meant he needed only to adjust his magical output to modulate the Phantom Sword's speed and power.
After mentally reviewing the various sword formations, Richard closed the information panel and immediately attempted to summon the Phantom Sword.
Though both were weapons, the magically-formed Phantom Sword differed fundamentally from the Masamune. The Masamune existed as a physical object, permanent whether in use or not. The Phantom Sword, being energy condensed into form, had limited duration.
When the mana sustaining the Phantom Sword depleted, or after launching it as a projectile, Richard would need to condense a new one.
Despite having just acquired it, Richard had instantaneously mastered the method of forming the Phantom Sword. With a mere thought, he channeled mana from his body, manifesting a meter-long blade that emitted an azure glow.
Examining the Phantom Sword—identical to his mental image—Richard rose from the sofa. Taking the sword in his right hand, he practiced several swings in the living room.
Though Virgil exclusively used the Phantom Sword for ranged attacks, Richard saw no reason to limit himself similarly. Regardless of its intended purpose, the Phantom Sword remained a blade usable in close combat. While its sharpness couldn't match the Masamune, it easily surpassed conventional metal blades.
His Masamune techniques transferred seamlessly to the Phantom Sword, with only one adjustment needed—adapting to its shorter length and correspondingly reduced attack range. This adaptation presented no significant challenge.
After practicing for several minutes, Richard activated Blinkstep and departed the living room, Phantom Sword in hand.
Several consecutive Blinkstepes brought him to a small park just a few kilometers from the house. It was an unremarkable space of modest size, deserted at this late hour.
Upon arrival, Richard identified a large tree approximately seventy to eighty meters away. Without hesitation, he raised his right hand and executed a light swing. The Phantom Sword launched forward like a projectile.
Whoosh!
The sword sliced through the air like a blue laser, leaving a fleeting azure trail in its wake. Within moments, it pierced the tree with perfect accuracy, passing completely through the trunk before embedding itself halfway into another tree several dozen meters beyond.
Witnessing this, Richard immediately activated the Phantom Sword's teleportation ability.
In the next instant, he materialized before the second tree as if he'd used Blinkstep. While Blinkstep and Phantom Sword teleportation appeared identical, Richard immediately discerned their subtle differences.
Setting aside fundamental distinctions, the Phantom Sword's teleportation felt slightly "faster" than Blinkstep. This wasn't a matter of actual velocity but of activation time—the Phantom Sword required no "wind-up" period.
The moment Richard conceived the desire to teleport, he instantaneously materialized at the Phantom Sword's location. Blinkstep, conversely, demanded a brief "start-up" interval. Under normal circumstances, this fraction of a second proved negligible, but in ultra-high-speed combat, it could become a fatal liability.
Though few enemies could exploit this brief vulnerability—mere tenths of a second—it remained Blinkstep's inherent weakness. Inessa, whom Richard had dispatched with Octoslash in the restaurant parking lot, had fallen victim to a similar tactical opening.
Having experienced the distinction between Phantom Sword teleportation and Blinkstep, Richard opted to continue practicing rather than return to the vacant house. Mere knowledge of a technique differed vastly from true proficiency.
To rapidly familiarize himself with the Phantom Sword's applications across various scenarios, thorough practice was essential. Barring unforeseen developments, tomorrow would find him the Department of Mutant Affairs' most wanted fugitive, second only to Magneto himself.
While Richard honed his Phantom Sword techniques in the empty park, Cyclops and Storm piloted the X-Men's iconic Blackbird jet at maximum velocity toward Los Angeles.
Simultaneously, Mystique led several Brotherhood of Mutants members on their own urgent journey to the city.
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