A Breathing Technique—a method to push cardiopulmonary function to its absolute limit, allowing the blood to absorb massive amounts of oxygen in seconds. It was a gateway to transcending human physical boundaries.
Finney looked at his new skill with a mix of intrigue and slight disappointment. He had been secretly hoping for something flashy, like "Explosion Magic." Between his 'Evil Spirit Possession' armor and the 'Golden Grand Evolution Technique,' he wasn't exactly a weakling.
"Am I really destined to be a melee mage?" Finney sighed. He had imagined himself as a ranged spellcaster, but his skills kept pushing him toward the front lines. If he drew the Blue-Eyes White Dragon later, he'd basically become a Silver Dragon Knight. "I just wanted to be a proper mage!"
However, as he began to test the technique, his disappointment vanished, replaced by sheer shock.
He realized that this Breathing Technique wasn't just a temporary buff—it was a cultivation skill. Even better, it was semi-passive. As long as he kept his body in this specific breathing state—even while sleeping—he would be absorbing energy and getting stronger 24 hours a day.
Finney's excitement spiked. Until now, his mana from Kamar-Taj was mainly used to power his portals or enhance his evolution. But his arcane talent was average at best. Now, he finally had a way to grow his own energy foundation.
As he practiced, his breathing became erratic, and he suddenly lost the rhythm. It's powerful, but maintaining it 24/7 is going to take serious training, he noted.
He tried again. This time, as he inhaled, he felt a scorching, sun-like heat surge through his veins. Beneath his 'Evil Spirit' armor, a faint red light began to flicker.
Finney didn't know the source material (Demon Slayer), so he didn't realize that this breathing was meant to be paired with a Nichirin Blade. But it didn't matter. His 'Possessed by Evil' armor was an adaptive gear that evolved with him. If he didn't have a sword, the armor would find a way to manifest that power in its own way.
"This seventh extraction... it's a massive win," he muttered.
...
Hours passed as Finney meditated on his new breath. By the time the sun rose over the horizon, the group had mostly recovered from the previous night's skirmish.
"Are we heading to New York?" Finney asked, looking at the skyline appearing outside the window.
"Yes. Loki has the Helicarrier anchored over Manhattan!" Nick Fury stepped out from the cockpit, his expression grim. "Intelligence suggests Loki just left in a fighter jet. We need a plan of attack."
"Last time your plan got us hit by missiles for ten minutes," Tony Stark muttered, checking his HUD. "I just hope there isn't a nuclear bomb involved this time."
Finney glanced at Tony. Does this guy have a talent for jinxing things? He silently prayed for the people of New York.
"We underestimated Loki, but he made the same mistake with us," Fury said, his voice rising to boost morale. "He tried to trap the Divine Punisher and failed. He tried to kill you and failed. He will not rule this planet."
"What's the move?" Captain America asked, unmoved by the speech. He still hadn't forgotten that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s meddling with the Tesseract started this mess.
"Three groups," Fury commanded. "Captain, Barton, and I will infiltrate the carrier. Stark, go back to the tower, swap your armor, and start evacuating civilians. Thor and Finney—you two are the heavy hitters. You go after Loki!"
Fury paused, then added warily, "And keep an eye out for Dr. Banner."
Finney had no complaints. He wanted that Mind Stone and the Tesseract, and he definitely wanted payback for the ambush. As for the Hulk? He figured a well-placed portal to the top of Mount Everest would cool him down quickly.
Tony's suit was tattered from Thor's hammer and the missile barrage, so he needed a quick refuel at Stark Tower. Thor, of course, was only focused on bringing his brother to justice.
The team deployed. Thor gripped his hammer, Tony ignited his thrusters, and Finney took to the air using his flight magic. As they chased the coordinates provided by Fury, the target became clear: the heart of Manhattan.
"Tony," Finney called out over the comms, looking at the massive glowing sign in the distance. "How long has it been since your new building was finished?"
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