Chapter 149: Infinite Evolution?
Under Chang Wei's guidance, Child Emperor confronted Phoenix Man.
"A Demon-level monster, huh? Looks pretty troublesome."
Child Emperor observed Phoenix Man carefully before adding, "And that looks like the discontinued costume of Slowpoke Bird, doesn't it?"
"Heh, you must be Child Emperor, right? A former S-Class hero. But you're not a hero anymore, so why are you getting involved?"
Phoenix Man felt a thrill upon seeing Child Emperor. There was a vast gap between his dream of becoming a world-renowned protagonist and the reality of being unable to even land a job as a costumed actor. This obsession fueled his belief that he could rise from the ashes and evolve endlessly like a true protagonist.
From Gyoro Gyoro, he had learned about the method used to cultivate Monster King Orochi and the possibility of becoming stronger.
Previously, Phoenix Man had speculated that Monster King Orochi might be an ancient creature, but Gyoro Gyoro had revealed the truth—Orochi was once a human, just like Garou!
After countless failures and sacrifices, he had finally evolved into the ultimate being.
This revelation sparked a great ambition within Phoenix Man.
What he didn't realize was that Gyoro Gyoro had deliberately planted this idea.
In his normal state, Phoenix Man was weak. Gyoro Gyoro knew he had potential but couldn't nurture him in the same way Orochi had been cultivated.
After all, Orochi had evolved through a brutal process of internal slaughter, while Phoenix Man's evolution required him to discover his own path.
So, Gyoro Gyoro intentionally told Phoenix Man about Orochi's creation—essentially, how to break the limiter.
Harness the potential of death to achieve explosive growth!
And Phoenix Man did not disappoint.
Firstly, he had the ability to absorb energy, and his mass resurrection skill functioned like a healer's support ability.
Secondly, as long as he didn't tear apart his costume, he could theoretically evolve infinitely. Reaching a Dragon-level threat was inevitable!
"You're here just for fun, aren't you? Playing with these childish toys."
Phoenix Man smirked.
Fighting Child Emperor was perfect. He hoped this S-Class hero would live up to his reputation—strong enough to pressure him to death but not so strong that he'd be obliterated outright.
If he had encountered more formidable heroes, like Chang Wei, Tatsumaki, or any of the four ultimate powerhouses of the Hero Association and Hero League that Gyoro Gyoro had mentioned, he would've run as far as possible. He wanted the pressure of death, not actual death!
"Don't worry, I'll minimize your pain by instantly killing you."
Phoenix Man spread his wings and launched his attack, using his beak as a weapon.
"Bird Beak Strike!!!"
Child Emperor didn't have many gadgets on him, but dealing with a Demon-level monster shouldn't have been an issue.
However, he had underestimated Phoenix Man—this wasn't an ordinary Demon-level threat.
After exhausting his arsenal, Child Emperor was stunned.
"This… this is impossible!!!"
No matter how many times he knocked Phoenix Man down, the monster would get back up as if nothing had happened.
"This doesn't make any sense!!!"
"I get it now… To defeat you, I need an attack that can completely destroy you in one go…"
Child Emperor's face darkened. Damn it, what kind of monster was this?!
"Exactly! But so what if you know? You don't have any attack that can one-shot me! Hahahaha!!!"
Phoenix Man finally understood what Gyoro Gyoro had told him—surpassing death wasn't a lie. He had already reached Dragon-level strength… perhaps even beyond?
And he had chosen the right opponent. If he had fought anyone else, he might have been outright killed, never getting the chance to evolve.
"Oh? Infinite evolution, is it?"
A voice suddenly interrupted.
Both Child Emperor and Phoenix Man turned to look.
Chang Wei strolled over casually, looking completely at ease.
"The strongest hero, Chang Wei?"
Phoenix Man's pupils shrank. His first instinct was to flee, but he forcibly suppressed that urge.
He had become stronger.
The pressure from Child Emperor was already decreasing, and now he had encountered the strongest hero. Perhaps he could use this as a chance to evolve to the next level?
"Amazing… That makes three beings with Dragon+ potential."
Chang Wei thought for a moment. Including the recently ascended Hellstorm Tatsumaki, that made four, right?
Oh well, it didn't matter. They all belonged to him anyway.
Phoenix Man truly didn't seem to have any bottlenecks. The key was that ridiculous costume of his, likely a byproduct of a joke character from a comedy show.
The mascot of a controversial comedy program that got canceled due to excessive dark humor. The character, known for being slow-witted, frequently died—getting electrocuted and turning into roast chicken, for example—only to revive as if nothing had happened in the next episode.
So, was the special trait in the costume rather than Phoenix Man himself?
Or was it Phoenix Man's belief in and activation of the costume's powers?
Chang Wei noticed that Phoenix Man's evolution had begun to slow down. Not because he lacked potential, but because Child Emperor wasn't putting enough pressure on him.
In that case, it was time for him to step in.
"Chang Wei, be careful! This monster can't be killed unless you completely destroy its body in one hit!"
Child Emperor hadn't yet thought of throwing a toy robot into Phoenix Man's costume, so he was still struggling to find a way to deal with him. He took the opportunity to warn Chang Wei.
"Mm. You should leave, Child Emperor."
Chang Wei replied calmly.
"I can help you."
Child Emperor hesitated.
"No need. I'm going to use a very powerful attack—it might hurt you."
Chang Wei shook his head.
"…Alright then."
Child Emperor saw the logic in that and didn't insist. He quickly turned and left.
Phoenix Man, wary of Chang Wei, did not pursue him.
"Now then… Let's continue your evolution, Phoenix Man."
Chang Wei's gaze locked onto him.
"Evolution?"
Phoenix Man looked at him in surprise. Did he know what he was thinking?
"Let's start by testing how much force you can endure in your evolution."
Chang Wei threw a punch.
Phoenix Man instantly felt as if he had been crushed by an enormous hydraulic press, his body shattering as he slammed into a wall.
"As long as your costume remains intact, you can keep evolving, right? I'm curious—can you reach God-level?"
Chang Wei said with interest.
Phoenix Man's shattered body began to stir.
His broken form reassembled, and the costume, once appearing cheap and flimsy, now gleamed with a golden radiance.
Phoenix King: Brilliant Eagle Mode!
His entire body shimmered with golden light, his costume taking on a metallic sheen, making it appear incredibly sturdy.
"I've grown so much stronger in just one revival…"
Phoenix Man looked at his hands in excitement.
"This is only your second rebirth. Let's go again."
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