David took a step back, narrowing his eyes at Saponu. "Wait… if your powers were sealed, how were you able to heal me? And how did you use another ability to identify mine?"
Saponu chuckled, a glint of amusement in his golden eyes. "Ah, sharp as ever, my boy. The answer is simple—I'm in possession of a soul item."
David frowned. "A soul item?"
Saponu nodded. "Yes." When an ancestor dies, they leave behind a soul stone, a remnant of their essence. If wielded correctly, these stones can be used to craft soul items, powerful artifacts imbued with unique abilities.
With a smirk, Saponu raised a hand to his face. "And mine," he said, tapping the side of his eye, "happens to be my very own eyeballs."
David's breath hitched as he stared into Saponu's golden irises. For the first time, he noticed faint, intricate symbols swirling in their depths.
Saponu continued, his voice laced with a mix of pride and bitterness. "After my powers were sealed, my soul item lost most of its true worth—about 80% of its power was stripped away. But even in its weakened state, it retains one crucial ability… It allows me to copy the powers of others."
David's mind raced. "So, you were able to heal me and identify my abilities because—"
"Yes," Saponu interrupted, his smirk deepening. "I borrowed the abilities of others long ago. What remains of my soul item lets me use fragments of those powers. "But enough about me." His expression shifted, becoming serious. "Let's focus on you now."
Saponu crossed his arms and tilted his head toward the two men standing in the corner. "You see those two guys over there?" he said. "Try using your Amplifier ability on them."
David hesitated. "Okay… but how?"
"Focus," Saponu instructed. Try to picture how the ability should work. Imagine yourself reaching out, amplifying something in their bodies. Once you can see it clearly in your mind, use your thoughts to amplify the one on the left. If that doesn't work, then try touching him."
David took a deep breath, nodding. He turned toward the two men—Peter, the one on the left, and Randy, the one on the right.
Peter stood like a fortress, his tall, broad-shouldered frame radiating raw strength. His short, dark hair was neatly cut, emphasizing the sharp angles of his strong jawline. His deep brown eyes flicked to David with quiet caution, always alert, always prepared. There was an air of discipline about him, his posture rigid, arms folded over his chest. Yet, beneath his imposing exterior, there was something restrained—a sense of weariness, like a man who had carried too many burdens for too long.
Randy, in contrast, had a leaner, more agile build. He wasn't as physically imposing as Peter, but there was a sharpness to him, a coiled energy beneath his relaxed stance. His angular face, framed by slightly tousled black hair, gave him an air of quiet mischief, his dark eyes constantly scanning, assessing. Unlike Peter's rigid stance, Randy stood with casual confidence, his weight shifted slightly to one side, arms hanging loosely at his sides. There was something unpredictable about him—like a blade hidden beneath silk.
Peter, sensing the attention on him, shifted uncomfortably. "Uh… what's going on?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
"Just stay still," Saponu said casually.
Peter's muscles tensed. "Why do I feel like something's about to happen to me?"
David closed his eyes and focused. He pictured energy flowing from his mind, extending toward Peter like an invisible wave. He willed it to enhance Peter's body—his strength, his speed, something—anything.
Nothing happened.
David gritted his teeth and exhaled sharply. "It's not working."
"Then touch him," Saponu said.
David hesitated, then stepped forward, reaching out toward Peter's shoulder.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a second—" Peter started, backing up slightly, but before he could react further, David's fingers made contact with his arm.
A surge of energy pulsed through David's hand, and in an instant, Peter's entire body tensed as if he'd just been struck by lightning. His muscles bulged, his veins pulsed, and an overwhelming sensation of raw power filled his limbs.
Peter gasped. "What the hell?!"
He stumbled back, flexing his fingers, then clenched his fists in shock. "I—I feel like I could lift a mountain!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling between excitement and disbelief.
David pulled his hand away, his own body still buzzing from the sensation. "It worked…" he muttered.
A slow smile crept onto Saponu's face. "Good. Now, let's go further."
David turned back to him, still processing what had just happened.
Saponu gestured toward Peter. "Try touching his chest and focus—not on his physical body this time, but on his life force. Feel it. Sense it."
David hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward again. Peter, still marveling at his newfound strength, took a nervous breath but allowed David to place a hand on his chest.
David closed his eyes, blocking out everything else. He concentrated, reaching with his mind, searching for something beyond just muscle and bone.
At first, there was nothing.
Then…
A pulse.
A faint, rhythmic vibration beneath his palm, like the quiet hum of an engine running deep within Peter's core.
"I can… I can feel it," David whispered, his eyes snapping open.
Saponu nodded approvingly. "Now—Amplify it."
David gritted his teeth, focusing harder. The pulse he felt—Peter's life energy— was like a small flame flickering in the darkness. David willed it to grow, to expand.
Minutes passed. Sweat formed on David's brow. Peter shifted uncomfortably, the sensation in his chest unfamiliar.
Then suddenly—
Boom!
Peter jerked forward, his entire body surging with an overwhelming rush of vitality. His skin glowed faintly, his breathing deepened, and his senses sharpened beyond normal. It was as if every fiber of his being had been supercharged.
"Whoa… WHOA!" Peter gasped, his eyes wide. "What… is this? I feel alive."
David stumbled back, panting, his legs weak. But despite his exhaustion, a feeling of triumph filled him.
And as he turned to face Saponu, he saw it—
A big, satisfied smile spread across Saponu's face.
Saponu smirked, nodding in approval. "Well done, boy… Now, Amplify my Copyeyes—and let's get the hell out of here."
David hesitated for a moment before asking, "Wait… Copyeyes? What's that?"
Saponu exhaled. "The name given to my soul item is Copyeyes. Which you know what they can do."
Without wasting time, David focused his energy. He first amplified himself, feeling a rush of power surge through his body. His senses sharpened, and his strength increased significantly. Next, he placed his hands over Saponu's Copyeyes. A pulse of energy passed between them, and the golden hue in Saponu's eyes became clearer, glowing with renewed intensity.
Finally, David turned to Randy. As soon as he touched him, Randy's body trembled before stabilizing, his energy rising to a whole new level. A deep hum echoed through the air as his sonic explosion ability became even more potent.
Saponu flexed his fingers, his Copyeyes glowing as he activated them. He turned toward Peter and Randy, locking eyes with both of them. In an instant, his soul item replicated their abilities. A smirk crossed his lips. "Peter has super strength. Randy has sonic explosion. This will come in handy."
Then, out of curiosity, Saponu shifted his gaze to David, activating his Copyeyes once more. But nothing happened. His expression tensed for a brief moment before he quickly masked it, his confident demeanor returning.
"Interesting," he muttered under his breath before shaking it off. "No time for that now." Let's break out of this damn place."