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Ding! [Current Growth Points: 25,000. Items available for exchange in the shop.]
The system's voice rang out in Jiro's mind, pulling him out of his thoughts.
He slowly opened his eyes, fingers gently tracing the surface of the Mind Stone in his hand. Its yellow light glowed in his pupils.
"System, show me the exchange list."
Ding![Shop updated. Recommended items:]
Kryptonian Bio-Field Upgrade Module (15,000 points): Enhances biological energy field defense, capable of resisting dimensional-level attacks. (Can also be upgraded slowly over time.)
Doomsday Cell Sample (800,000 points): Grants Doomsday-level regeneration and evolution.
Anti-Monitor Armor (2,000,000 points): Multiverse-level battle armor, capable of fighting cosmic-level entities.
Jiro glanced through the list and landed on the first option. It was all he could afford anyway.
"Redeem the Kryptonian Bio-Field Upgrade Module."
Ding![Exchange successful. Remaining points: 10,000.]
[Beginning integration…]
In a flash, scorching energy burst from Jiro's body. Golden light flowed across his skin like molten liquid.
He let out a low grunt, muscles tensing as his cells underwent intense transformation.
His bio-field was restructuring. What used to be invisible was now forming a thin, golden glow around him.
[Integration complete.]
Jiro slowly exhaled and raised his hand, clenching his fist gently.
Buzz!
The air vibrated in his palm. His bio-field was now several times stronger. He could even sense the subtle fluctuations in the space around him.
"Nice," he murmured, smirking. "At least if I run into a dimension-eater, I'll have a shot."
He glanced up at the sky. The sun warmed his skin like a hot spring bath.
Gradually, he closed his eyes again.
Time passed slowly. The sunset painted golden edges along his sharp profile.
His breathing was steady and deep. Beneath the black T-shirt, his chest rose and fell rhythmically. Every muscle line looked sculpted—like a living Greek statue.
At some point, Wanda had quietly stepped onto the rooftop. She stood nearby, eyes unconsciously drawn to Jiro.
The sea breeze brushed through her red hair as she looked at his sleeping face, a small smile tugging at her lips.
This man—powerful, mysterious—had given her a sense of safety she'd never known before.
He'd pulled her out of hell, taught her how to wield her power… and even tried to understand her past.
Her heart skipped a beat. She twitched her fingers unconsciously.
His eyelashes are so long…
The thought came out of nowhere, and she almost laughed at herself.
But her eyes wouldn't look away.
As if under a spell, she slowly reached out, her fingertip inching toward his cheek.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Scarlet energy flickered faintly at her fingertip, betraying her feelings.
Just as she was about to touch him—
"If you wanna touch me, do it openly. No need to sneak up while I'm asleep."
Jiro's voice came out of nowhere. His eyes were still closed, but a sly smile curled at his lips.
Wanda's hand froze in midair. Her face turned bright red, and the scarlet energy burst into a tiny spark.
"I-I was just—" she stammered, trying to explain. But Jiro slowly opened his eyes. His golden pupils shimmered in the sunlight, full of playful mischief.
"Just what?" he teased, lazily propping up his chin.
Wanda pulled her hand back in a panic, the blush spreading all the way to her ears. "There was… a mosquito on your face!"
"Oh?" Jiro raised a brow, clearly amused.
"Then why not help me smack it?"
Wanda tried to back away, but Jiro gently grabbed her wrist and tugged. She lost her balance and fell right into his arms.
He whispered in her ear, "Much easier to see from this distance."
Wanda scrambled to push herself away, but the moment their eyes met, she froze.
Her reflection was clearly visible in his calm, golden eyes.
"Why run?" Jiro chuckled. His voice was lazy and teasing."I never said you couldn't touch me."
Wanda's heart skipped a beat. Scarlet energy swirled around her like it mirrored her flustered emotions.
"I wasn't trying to—!" She broke free, face burning, and practically ran off. Her retreat was nothing short of a panicked escape.
Jiro watched her disappear down the stairs, chuckled softly, then laid back down with his hands behind his head.
"Turing," he called casually.
"Yes, sir?" the AI butler replied smoothly.
"Crank up the training room difficulty by one level," Jiro said, still smirking.
"Can't have someone with too much spare energy fantasizing all the time."
Wanda, just reaching the stairs, rolled her eyes.
"I'm not scared," she muttered—but a smile had already crept across her face.
Jiro entered the underground lab. As he walked in, the lights lit up automatically, revealing a high-tech space rivaling Stark Industries' R&D center.
He waved his hand, and a holographic interface appeared above the central workstation.
The system's reward—complete Kryptonian tech suite—streamed through the air like a flowing galaxy of data.
"....."