From that night on, everything changed.
There was no hesitation. No distractions. No wasted moments.
I placed my entire focus in training. All I wanted to do, and every activity I did, was aimed at me getting stronger.
Every single day, I found different fields and training centers for heroes. I always made sure to go at times when I would be alone.
There, I pushed my body to its limits. And each time I reached a 'limit,' the Core advanced and I surpassed that limit, arriving at a new one.
I fought against holographic monsters, sparred against combat simulations, and tested every possible way to use my Forever Armor.
The more I trained, the more I understood the Core and the Armor.
Even though the Core was the energy source, the Armor itself was incredible — far beyond what I had initially thought.
Technology like this was way more advanced than anything on Earth. A protective layer of semi-indestructible metal with the sole purpose of advancing its host and protecting it.
I could command it with a thought, shifting its structure instantly.
It responded like a living entity, adapting to my needs. It absorbed damage, enhanced my speed, reinforced my strength.
It was almost like it had a mind of its own, adjusting mid-battle to optimize my performance.
I wanted to understand everything about it.
So I read.
A lot.
At first, I was just trying to understand how meta energy functioned; how other superheroes used their abilities, how their powers compared to mine.
But then I noticed something strange.
When I started to read, there was an instantaneous change that I couldn't help but notice.
Reading was… easy now.
When my eyes swept through words and letters, it didn't feel like I was merely reading them at all. It was like I was absorbing their information.
Words flowed into my mind like raw data, as if I were downloading knowledge directly into my brain.
It didn't matter what I studied — science, combat theory, battle strategies, superhero history — it all made perfect sense.
Before, I had to reread paragraphs to understand complex concepts. Now, one glance was enough.
Was this another function of Continuous Advancement?
It must have been. Knowledge was power as well. If my strength was increasing endlessly, then perhaps so was my brainpower.
Whatever was the case, I used it to its full extent.
I read about kinetic momentum, about battle reflexes, about armor durability and optimization.
Normally I would have paid for these, but I simply downloaded them since the Forever Core had access to every digital product in the world.
I didn't need to buy a book. I didn't need to purchase chapters.
It was free. So I read every book, every research file, every case study I could find.
And when I wasn't reading?
I was training.
I honed my Incinerate skill, testing different ways to use it.
I experimented with the Regenerate ability, seeing how fast I could heal. I put myself through grueling endurance drills, seeing just how much my body could take before breaking.
Day after day.
Night after night.
Training and studying.
It even began to affect my friend group. Boomerang Man and Balloon Burster.
We barely hung out anymore.
The Turbulent Trio, once inseparable, had turned into something distant.
They still cracked jokes, still invited me out, still tried to pull me back into our usual nonsense. But I barely responded.
I wasn't trying to ignore them. I just… didn't have time.
While they were out messing around, I was in the training room, perfecting my movements.
While they were catching up on the latest superhero gossip, I was testing my endurance limits until my body collapsed.
While they were enjoying the simple life of an E-Class Hero, I was chasing power.
They didn't understand. And I didn't want to let them know about the Armor. Not yet at least.
I simply didn't have the time for anyone but myself.
Because of this, I'd begun to miss role calls and the compulsory community service. If I missed any more, I'd probably lose my license.
Still, I found myself completely obsessed with leveling up and advancing.
If I wanted to break the Class Barrier — if I wanted to reach a high Class — then this is what I had to do.
But for me to evolve better and faster, I needed to overcome trials.
I needed something more. A real combat. A powerful villain to fight.
Some nights, I just walked through the city, hoping.
I pulled on a hoodie, covered the Forever Core with heavy sweats, and strolled through the streets like any ordinary guy.
Hoping a high-ranked villain would appear.
Hoping some rampaging mutant would crash through the city.
Hoping something — anything — would test me.
But all I ever got were small-time criminals.
Like tonight.
Some guy in a cheap ski mask had just grabbed an old woman's purse and taken off running down the street.
Pathetic.
I sighed, stretched my arms, then took off after him with zero effort.
He wasn't even fast. His steps were clumsy, his breathing already ragged.
I caught up in seconds, grabbed his collar, and yanked him back so hard he practically whiplashed onto the pavement.
"Wha—?!" He yelped, rolling onto his back.
I didn't even bother activating my armor. Just grabbed the purse, turned around, and walked back to the old woman.
She looked at me with wide, grateful eyes. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much, young man!"
I handed her the purse. "Be careful at night, ma'am."
She nodded quickly, still thanking me over and over as I walked away.
I didn't mind helping.
I still enjoyed helping.
Stopping small crimes like this was still satisfying in its own way.
But if I really wanted to get stronger…
If I really wanted to test the limits of Continuous Advancement…
I needed stronger enemies.
"AARRRGGHHHHH!!!" A sudden, mad, terrified scream split through the night.
I whipped my head around.
The sound came from down the street, then another scream, followed by the thunderous sound of crashing metal.
"Danger," I muttered and took off running.
As I rounded the corner, I saw it.
A massive, grotesque ant-like humanoid was rampaging through the streets.
It was eight feet tall, with thick, chitinous armor, razor-sharp mandibles, and six powerful limbs. It was swiping through cars like they were made of paper.
People were scrambling in every direction, screaming, tripping over themselves to escape.
I recognized the monster. It was Ant Goliath, C-Class Villain.
My eyes narrowed. A villain. A real villain.
I felt my blood ignite.
Finally.
I ripped off my hoodie. "Initiate!" I commanded.