"Trace amounts of an unknown active substance have been detected in her blood. It's linked to the abnormal DNA and is likely the key factor behind the genetic rewriting. There's a high probability it was transmitted through blood contact."
"According to Needy herself, she was bitten by Jennifer after the latter was possessed by a demon. This fits the profile."
As Karla said this, there was a hint of amazent in her voice.
Just a single bite, and one could gain power beyond ordinary humans—even abilities like telekinesis. The cost-performance ratio was almost absurd.
If it weren't so uncontrollable, she might have even considered letting Needy bite her as well.
"We'll proceed with comprehensive physical and ability testing, then develop a training plan."
"Good."
Matthew wasn't surprised by the results.
Cases like Needy's weren't unique in this world.
As the saying went—if not through technology, then through mutation.
Mutation was purely a matter of luck. With bad luck, you either died on the spot or turned into a monster. Only those favored by fate gained extraordinary power.
Needy clearly belonged to the latter.
As for whether there were hidden side effects, that would require further observation.
That was also why Matthew had sent her to the base for a year of training.
After the report ended, Karla cut the communication—she still had plenty of matters to handle on her end.
anwhile, Matthew sat in the stiff seat, finding it uncomfortable.
He wasn't an ascetic.
When it ca to enjoynt, he took it seriously. In his previous life, he'd been worked to the bone. Now, in this second life, with power, people, and money—why shouldn't he enjoy himself?
He should find a chance to get himself an airborne palace that could travel the world.
Transport planes like this could be left to his soldiers.
As the boss, poor treatnt simply wouldn't do.
He recalled that in the future, people like Coulson and Daisy Johnson had a very impressive aircraft—Zephyr One.
That thing was top-tier black technology.
Vertical takeoff and landing, high-speed cruising, the ability to remain airborne for weeks with a complete ecological cycle system, full-spectrum stealth against radar and sound.
It even housed advanced biological and scientific laboratories.
As for comfort, it had private living quarters, complete with sofas, dining areas, a bar lounge, and a full kitchen.
S.H.I.E.L.D. probably already had this kind of technology.
For example, during the future Battle of New York against the Chitauri, Quinjet aircraft were already in mass production.
When the ti ca, he'd have Pierce hand over all those core technologies.
Anything that put S.H.I.E.L.D. ahead of the world—Pierce definitely had access to it, perhaps even more.
All of it was valuable.
Letting his thoughts wander, Matthew imagined that once he had enough manpower and a solid base, the more advanced the technology, the better. Just the idea of building his own high-tech city made this "Earth Online" ga feel more and more interesting.
Just as he was thinking—
His body suddenly tensed.
A sharp sensation, like needles against his back, struck him—a feeling of being watched.
In an instant, a red glint flashed through his eyes. His Observation Haki surged outward, sweeping across the entire aircraft speeding through the sky.
At that mont, a crisp sound like shattering glass rang out.
The cabin space in front of him fractured into crystalline shards, as if ti itself had slowed.
And on the seat across from him—
At so unknown mont, a figure had appeared.
She wore a yellow robe, a hood concealing her face, and held a folding fan. She exuded an air that was mysterious, elegant—and dangerous.
The mont this figure appeared, Matthew's Observation Haki locked onto her instantly.
A warning surged through him.
What he sensed was not an ordinary physical body. Her presence was neither strong nor weak, yet whenever his Haki extended toward her, it was gently deflected.
As for her emotions—there was no malice, no killing intent, no fluctuation at all. Her aura was clean and pure.
It stood in stark contrast to what he had felt from phisto.
Matthew's gaze fixed firmly on her. That iconic appearance, that sense of danger—at a single glance, he recognized who she was.
So, this eting had finally co.
The other party did not conceal herself or put on an air of deliberate mystery. Instead, she raised a hand and removed her hood, revealing an androgynous face and a completely bald head.
"Hello, Mr. Matthew. I apologize for the sudden visit. My na is Ancient One. I co from Kamar-Taj. I am a sorcerer."
Her voice was not loud—ethereal and distant, carrying a faint foreign accent.
"Kamar-Taj… a sorcerer?"
Matthew stared at her, the Haki in his eyes surging like a volcano on the verge of eruption—violent and overwhelming.
"A remarkable will. To manifest and wield the power of one's will… a work of genius, Mr. Matthew."
The Ancient One could feel the Haki gathering everywhere, ready to erupt. That pressure did not only affect the physical world—it reached even her soul. She could not help but express her admiration.
At the sa ti, she released the defenses she had constructed.
She allowed Matthew's overwhelming presence to probe her nature. Yet she simply stood there, like a pine tree standing firm amid raging waves, unmoving.
Through this, Matthew's Observation Haki finally grasped a glimpse of her essence.
Within her body lay a sacred light—and behind that light, a trace of darkness. Within her seemingly unremarkable physical form, her soul shone like a blazing sun.
It felt as though he had stepped into a vast ocean of magic, boundless and profound, drawing him in to explore further.
"Your strength is what truly deserves admiration, Sorcerer Ancient One," Matthew said, withdrawing his Observation and Conqueror's Haki, offering his own praise.
Only by facing her directly could one understand her power.
phisto was indeed formidable—but that had only been a projection of energy, vastly inferior to his true self.
Matthew knew that beings at the level of "Skyfather" gods could easily destroy planets—but that had only been theoretical knowledge to him, without true perception.
For Matthew, understanding where he stood and recognizing the gap was what drove him forward.
Now, he understood.
Soone like the Ancient One—a top figure even among Skyfather-level beings—could appear rely as a gentle sage when her power was not revealed.
Only upon truly understanding her did one grasp how terrifying she was.
Anyone capable of awakening Conqueror's Haki possessed extraordinary will and ambition. Matthew had his own ambitions—but that did not make him arrogant.
Before soone like the Ancient One, he felt no fear—but he knew respect.
After all, she was truly a guardian. The stability of Earth to this day, humanity's ability to develop for thousands of years without invasion from powerful external forces—
Aside from Asgard, the Ancient One and her fellow sorcerers had played an indispensable role. They deserved respect.
Matthew's attitude pleased the Ancient One.
The thought she had already been forming beca clearer during this eting.
"Mr. Matthew… would you be willing to understand and learn magic?"
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