Chapter 548 Getting Stronger
Steven slept for two days straight. When he finally awoke, his head still throbbed and every muscle ached.
This was hardly surprising after such a prolonged battle that had pushed his body to its absolute limits. Unlike Strengthening System Psychics who specialized in physical enhancement, his body naturally needed recovery time.
Despite the physical discomfort, his mind felt lighter than it had in ages. The Snowfall Cult's conspiracy had been shattered.
After absorbing Natasha's residual power, his abilities had reached unprecedented heights—though perhaps not matching the terrifying power Natasha had displayed, he'd at least reached Otha's level.
'What exactly defines a Level 5 standard?' he wondered. 'In pure destructive capability, I must be approaching that threshold now.'
He dismissed the thought with a smile. 'Regardless, nothing in Starlight City can threaten me anymore.'
Steven retrieved a cheeseburger and cola from his dimensional space, devouring them with satisfaction. After changing into comfortable clothes, he opened his bedroom door to find Fluffy sitting just outside, looking up at him with a mixture of concern and joy—as if afraid Steven might never have awakened.
He couldn't blame the cat; everyone in the shelter had worried about his condition after he'd faced such a formidable opponent alone.
Steven smiled and clapped his hands. Fluffy leapt into his arms, nuzzling against him affectionately. Reassured of Steven's wellbeing, the cat squinted with contentment as Steven stroked his head and made his way toward the living room.
In the living room, Elinor, Nora, and Emilia sat together on the sofa. Their conversation drifted between laments over Starlight City's devastation and concern for Steven's health—understandable given how the recent conflict had decimated most of the city's remaining survivors.
When Steven descended the spiral staircase, their faces lit up. Elinor and Nora rushed over, embracing him from both sides.
"Steven, you're finally awake!" Elinor exclaimed. "You slept for two days straight—we were terrified!"
"How are you feeling?" Nora asked anxiously. "Any discomfort? Let me run a full examination!"
Elinor tugged at his arm, eager to get him to the medical room for a check-up.
"I'm fine," Steven replied with a gentle smile. "Just tired. Two days of rest was all I needed."
He settled onto the sofa, absently stroking Fluffy while asking about recent developments in Starlight City.
"Cindy should brief you properly," Elinor suggested. As the shelter's network security consultant responsible for monitoring other factions, Cindy had the most comprehensive intelligence.
Steven nodded. "Let's gather everyone, then."
Word of Steven's recovery spread quickly, and the others soon arrived. Their primary concern remained his health—he'd fallen into bed immediately upon returning and had locked himself away from all disturbances.
Seeing their worried expressions, Steven felt a warmth bloom in his chest. "I'm fine," he assured them. "Better than fine."
This calmed them considerably, though Lily detected something in his tone. "Did you kill Natasha?" she asked directly.
Steven considered this, then shook his head. "Not exactly. She died from exhaustion—both mental and physical."
The side effects of Otha's ability had erupted within her, and four days of relentless pursuit had drained her completely. She had died in despair, alone and broken.
Confirming Natasha's death brought visible relief to everyone. The hidden leader of the Snowfall Cult had caused too much suffering. Perhaps a million Starlight City survivors had perished because of her machinations—without her, the zombie hordes would never have formed.
Even now, recalling the battle made Lily feel profoundly helpless. Natasha suspended in midair, splitting heaven and earth with a gesture—it had exceeded all comprehension of what Psychics could achieve.
"But how exactly did you defeat her?" Lily couldn't help asking. Steven was powerful, certainly, but the gap between him and a Level 5 Psychic had seemed insurmountable.
Steven looked around at everyone gathered in the living room. He took a sip of water before explaining carefully, "Strictly speaking, what killed her wasn't my power but her own."
"She absorbed too many Supernatural abilities, including their toxic side effects. The more she consumed, the more poison accumulated in her system. When she channeled her tremendous power, these toxins erupted violently. That's ultimately how I prevailed."
He deliberately avoided mentioning his manipulation of Otha's ability to defeat Natasha. Otha had been a valuable agent of Silvercrest District, and revealing such machinations might bring unwanted complications.
Everyone nodded in understanding, amazed that a seemingly godlike being had ultimately fallen to her own abilities.
"And her essence—you absorbed it?" Lily asked, her gaze intense. With Natasha dead and Steven alive, it seemed the natural outcome.
All eyes turned to Steven, expressions mixing joy and envy. Everyone recognized Natasha's tremendous power. How strong must Steven be now, having consumed her essence?
"Steven, you must be incredibly powerful now!"
"Does this mean you're invincible?"
"No one will dare threaten us again!"
"Captain, you're incredible!"
Steven raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. Under their expectant gazes, he slowly nodded.
"I've become stronger," he admitted, pinching his fingers together to indicate a tiny space. "Just a little bit."
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