Dante woke with a groan, his entire body protesting the simple act of staying alive. His new body had never felt this exhausted. On top of that, he felt an odd pulsing warmth in his chest. Not painful. Not annoying. Just comfortable.
[Clarifying Administrator's confusion. You have developed new physical characteristics through mutagenic cellular adaptation triggered by sustained exposure to extreme solar radiation. Classification: Mutate-type enhancement.]
His brows furrowed as fragmented memories surfaced. Then it all came back to him—the moment everything went catastrophically wrong.
Six Hours Earlier.
The apartment was filled with cold air, yet sweat cascaded down Dante's face, dripping from his jaw onto already-soaked clothing. Images steadily poured into his consciousness, memories from a past that had never belonged to him, memories of flying through skies, of feeling the god-like strength given by solar radiation, of loneliness that stretched across decades.
Hyperion's memory tour was far less strenuous than Death. No pain didn't mean an easy ride. Hyperion's century-plus of experiences tested him differently. Without his prior experience to strengthen his willpower, he'd have been changed forever into Hyperion.
After an hour, his eyes opened with a strange sense of clarity. "I… feel old."
[Character Hyperion data resonation has reached 51.5%]
[Achieved Level 4 Resonance with Character Hyperion]
[New abilities can be acquired through Resonance Link (3)]
[Would you like to establish a Resonance Link?]
He wiped the sweat from his eyes to clear his vision. "Barely past half."
The progress wouldn't be smooth-sailing until he figured out Hyperion's Hyper-Intelligence aspect; Marvel Superman's mind operated on a different spectrum than Dante. Worse, the man himself hadn't fully grasped his Atomic Vision and Solar Energy Absorption abilities on a fundamental level. He was born with the instinct to use them.
'Still incredible progress.'
Hise gaze lingered on the percentage. "Null, how long can I endure Hyperion Resonance Link?"
[Insufficient data for accurate calculation.]
"Uh, what happens if I die during it?"
[Resonance Link would be forcefully terminated if it poses a risk to Administrator's life.]
"Reasurring." He laughed. "What happens if I actually die? Would you choose a new admin?"
[The Null Repository transferral would require Administrator's authorization.]
The straightforward answer came as a surprise since he expected Null to reply with something like 'answer not found' or worse a 'Yes'.
"Then fuck it." He pushed himself to his feet and rolled his shoulders. "Hit me with fifty percent of Marvel's Superman. It can't be worse than one percent of my dead girlfriend."
[Permission acquired.]
[Level 4 Resonance Link created.]
[New abilities added to Administrator's Archive (3)]
The sensation hit him like a nuke going off inside his skull. Pure, overwhelming, all-consuming heat that was solar radiation, the raw energy from the sun, coursed through every cell simultaneously. His mouth opened in a scream that never emerged. His body was unprepared to handle half of Hyperion's solar energy.
He'd made a catastrophic miscalculation in the resonance's requirements. Death's power was authority over the concept of death itself. Her abilities didn't demand physical endurance, existing on a conceptual level that his vessel could accommodate with relative ease.
But Hyperion was the extreme opposite.
The man was a living weapon, an alien whose entire cellular structure had evolved specifically to absorb and manipulate solar radiation, to achieve feats that violated every physics itself. Null forcibly terminated the link in five seconds. The damage in that small span of time had been catastrophic.
[CRITICAL WARNING.]
As this prompt surfaced, darkness took over his consciousness.
…
"Null really saved me," he muttered. "How did a mutation occur if the link was severed quickly?"
[The Null Repository channeled excess solar radiation into Universe-X to cellular breakdown of Adminstrator's body. However, recognizing Administrator's goal, Null Repository initiated controlled exposure. Administrator's body was gradually saturated with manageable levels of solar radiation over five hours, triggering its adaptive evolution mechanisms.]
[Result: Creation of a semi-stable bio-reactor capable of generating, storing, and regulating solar radiation independently.]
"This thing in my chest… is the solar radiation core?"
[Affirmative. Preliminary designation for the solar radiation core: Helio Reactor.]
[Currently advised to avoid extreme environmental conditions and high-level energy sources, as Administrator's current vessel demonstrates high susceptibility to mutate.]
He thought back to Death's claim of creating his body in a week then imbuing it with a speck of her cosmic power. Could that cosmic energy be the reason he could adapt to extreme conditions?
"I'll admit it was stupid to try without Death, but I can't rely on her for everything…"
He trailed off, feeling a sudden hollowness in his chest. He already missed Death.
"Wait—did Death bring me to the bedroom?"
A smile formed, then vanished. Death wouldn't do such a sloppy job. She would have dressed him properly and then stayed by his side. She'd been meticulous about everything, perhaps because she'd lived for such a long time.
Someone else tucked him under the bed.
Dante selected fresh clothes—jeans and a simple white shirt. As he dressed, a savory, rich aroma hit him. Then came the soft clatter of cookware, the gentle sizzle of something in a pan, and the faint humming of a familiar feminine voice.
He froze just as he stepped out of the bedroom. Nothing could've prepared him for Silver Sable in his kitchen. Her silver hair had been pulled back in a loose ponytail, swaying captivatingly to her cheerful steps. She looked less like the ruthless sovereign of Symkaria and more like a mother preparing a family meal.
She had lived up to her promise of tracking him down if he tried to run away, except she had found him sprawled on the floor, adapting to solar radiation. Instead of abandoning him, she had stayed to protect him, even cooking a meal for him.
'How sweet.'
Sable must have sensed his presence because she turned, a smile brightening her usually stern features. The moon shone only for a moment. Her eyes widened as that sweet smile disappeared.
She cleared her throat and assumed her dignified posture."Wait over there. I'll serve you when it's prepared."
Dante moved toward the refrigerator, retrieving a bottle of chilled water. "You should stay like that. It was cute."
Sable's hand flinched visibly at his words. "Don't drink cold water in winter. You will—"
Dante looked at her, one eyebrow arched. "I will?"
She blinked as her expression became that of pure embarrassment. "I forgot you're a walking furnace."
"That, I am," he said softly. "I don't know why you're doing this, but thank you for staying around."
She stared at him for a long moment, clearly taken aback by his straightforward honesty.
"I didn't do it out of kindness," she said finally, though her voice lacked its cold edge. "There were... strategic considerations. I'll explain later."
Dante ignored her cold front and moved closer, drawn by the rich aroma wafting from the stove. Creamy sauce coated tender chicken, the scent of herbs and citrus made his stomach growl with fierce hunger. "This looks incredible."
She seemed to shrink next to him, his broad shoulders and height making the already-petite woman appear almost delicate. She squared up immediately and nudged him firmly with her elbow. "Move. I still need to prepare side dishes."
Dante laughed and retreated to the couch.
"Null, show me my current attributes."
The familiar display materialized in his mind, and his eyes widened slightly at the changes.
[Core Attributes (Non-Resonance State)]
Intelligence: 27 (+2)
Class: Gifted
Effects: Above average creativity and adaptability. Intuitively comprehends death manipulation and solar energy mechanics. Accelerated pattern recognition and strategic planning.
Vitality: 16 (+5)
Class: Near Peak Human
Effects: Sustained activity for 2-3 hours without fatigue. Accelerated recovery. Minor injuries heal in half normal time. Helio Reactor passively supplements cellular energy, extending endurance thresholds.
Strength: 15 (+3)
Class: Near Peak Human
Effects: Maximum lifting capacity of 600 lbs under optimal conditions.
Speed: 12 (+2)
Class: Peak Normal
Effects: Speed is amplified to near the highest human potential. Able to sprint at 24 miles per hour for extended periods. Capable of complex parkour maneuvers. Coordination equivalent to trained acrobats.
Durability: 19 (+7)
Class: Enhanced
Effects: Skin and bone density 40% above human baseline. Helio Reactor reinforces cellular integrity, granting resistance to physical attacks. Body structure neutralizes toxins and poisons at a quicker rate. The body can withstand up to 75°C without impairment.
Willpower: 26 (+1)
Class: Iron Will
Effects: As a byproduct…
Energy Capacity: Cannot be measured
Class: Unknown
Effects: Helio Reactor can store and metabolize solar radiation in theoretically limitless quantities. Safe absorption rate undetermined. Excess energy is automatically expelled to Universe-X to prevent damage.
[All physical attributes can be further amplified through solar radiation. Maximum enhancement potential unknown.]
[Core Abilities]
Solar radiation absorption
Helio Reactor
"No pain, no gain," Dante whispered to himself, suppressing a shudder at the memory of that soul-tearing pain. The power had nearly destroyed him, and might have succeeded if not for Null's emergency protocols. "It's insane I'm nearing peak human stats."
He might reach superhuman-class using solar radiation. However, he was missing one crucial ability—Solar energy manipulation, which he could siphon from Hyperion's experience. Though, he was too starved to take up the challenge at the moment.
Lounging on the couch, he turned on the television to pass time.
After a few minutes, Silver Sable emerged from the kitchen carrying a large tray loaded with multiple dishes. She set everything on the glass table before him.
"Wow, this is a feast."
She slapped his wrist sharply before he could grab anything. Settling onto the couch beside him, she gave him the 'Don't you dare disobey me' look. Satisfied with his reaction, she picked up a plate and began serving him properly. "This is Hähnchen in Zitronen-Dill-Sauce mit Gurken, Dillreis, and Gurkensalat. Lemon-dill chicken with cucumber rice and salad for you Americans."
Her German pronunciation was flawless and natural.
He scratched his cheek. "Can I eat now?"
"Pfft," she burst into unexpected laughter. "Go ahead."
Dante took his first bite. The savory lemon-dill sauce exploded across his tongue, the mix of tanginess and creaminess made him close his eyes in appreciation.
"Wow."
Sable nodded heavily, clearly satisfied by his reaction, and prepared her own plate. They ate in silence for several minutes, or so it should've been. Dante loved a good meal, and he never not showed his genuine appreciation for it. Well, he did it too enthusiastically, prompting Sable to shove a chicken breast in his mouth.
Her annoyance turned into pure surprise as she watched him demolish not just his generous portion but three additional servings, then move on to the extra chicken specifically saved for his dinner later.
"What a beast…"
Dante chuckled, unbothered, and helped her gather the empty dishes to carry them back to the kitchen. They worked with the efficiency of people accustomed to taking care of themselves. When they finally returned to the living room and settled back onto the couch, the atmosphere shifted noticeably.
Sable untied her ponytail and set her hair back to the usual loose style. Oozing the dignified air of a queen and a leader, she shifted her posture. Dante's expression, likewise, turned serious. Neither resembled the relaxed friends, who had shared a meal moments before.
"So," Dante said, breaking the ice in a calm voice. "What's your strategy?"
Sable didn't answer directly. "Do you understand the situation you're in?"
He shook his head slowly.
"Special humans called Mutants exist, born with extraordinary abilities. It usually manifests during adolescence. There are only a small number of mutants across the globe," she said, dropping her voice to an ominous low. "And they're hunted."
Dante's expression remained neutral as if he didn't get her warning. Internally, though, he was debating how much of mutants' influence would change the timeline. The biggest influence would be the presence of X-Men; they would thoroughly derail every event once they came out from the hiding.
Of course, he didn't correct her that he wasn't a mutant but a mutate.
"Who hunts them?"
"SHIELD… they operate as a global peacekeeping force, but their treatment of Mutants is…" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Inhumane. Because of SHIELD, Mutants hide their abilities, blend into society, and never reveal their nature. Those who expose themselves publicly disappear into SHIELD custody, detained indefinitely for 'assessment and rehabilitation."
"Cruel," he whispered. "Do you have evidence?"
"They have done this in the past. To them, you're a potential threat that needs to be contained and controlled." Silver Sable's lips curved into a slight smile. "This is where I come in."
"You're offering protection."
"More than that. I'm offering you a legitimate platform where your powers become assets, not liabilities. Join my Wild Pack. I can provide international protection and stop SHIELD from touching you. They will think twice about creating a diplomatic incident for one mutant."
"What if they don't care about your protection?"
She thrust a clenched fist forward, eyes blazing. "Silver Sable International will stir a storm so big they'll regret laying a hand on you. I'll haunt them until either of us are finished."
Her fighting spirit nearly swept him in its currents. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his rapid heartbeat. "You don't even know if my abilities are good for combat. For all you know, I glow in the dark."
"Who said I'm betting on your abilities?" She smirked slightly. "I'm betting on you, Dante. You gave me a strong impression during our first meeting. Professional, intelligent, resourceful, honest—those qualities matter as much as superhuman powers. I want you as my comrade regardless of what your body is capable of… I want you as my second in command."
Since she revealed her true ambition without concealing anything, he also decided to be honest. "I have conditions. First, I won't move to Symkaria."
"To protect you, I'll need to change your citizenship to Symkaria on paper."
"Fine by me. Second is, I won't leave New York for more than a week."
She gave him a blank stare. "What's next? 'I won't leave the apartment for work.'"
"I was about to add that." He chuckled. "No, seriously. Reserve me for high firepower missions. I'll kill whoever you want on my own."
He was Death's companion. Killing normal humans with Death's Resonance only required a thought. He could maintain that form long enough to eliminate a squadron with his current endurance.
"Bold words for a broke intel seller." She crossed her arms, studying him with a sharp gaze. "Prove your strength, and I'll agree to your extravagant conditions."
He thought for a moment before agreeing. His heart was itching to test his martial skills with this new, improved body.
"Be confident, not arrogant," she remarked. "Come, we'll test you at my NYC base."
You can read 20 more chappies on Patreon
Patreon.com/ImPerfect1