Chapter 119: The Propulsive Force of Spreading Electric Current

North America, West Coast.

Han Gao, the leader of the North American hybrids, was in conversation with a burly man wearing a KFC bucket over his head. The man was clad in a silver-grey suit, his physique so powerful that it strained the fabric, radiating an intimidating sense of strength.

"Finn von Frings. Can you please stop wearing that damn KFC bucket every time we meet?" Han Gao set down the file in his hand and glared at his visitor. "Can't you show up in front of me looking a bit more decent?"

"Prada bespoke suit, Hermès leather shoes, Zenith watch," Finn patted his attire. "The whole set cost me thirty thousand dollars; it’s perfectly appropriate. As for the bucket, in our line of work, one must ensure their face remains hidden."

"A spy or a paparazzo?" Han Gao rolled his eyes.

"Both, naturally." Finn chuckled. "I also moonlight as a detective, so I really can't let my face be known. If people realized how much I know, I’d be beaten to death."

"So, you came here just to peddle a comic book to me?" Han Gao glanced at the color-printed manga he had just placed on his desk. "I read it. It’s not bad, just a bit deranged—much like you."

"If you like it, I can have my people buy ten, maybe nine copies each to boost the sales of this... whatever-he-is artist, and maybe make him a little money."

"This isn't about whether I like it or not; it's about what must be done. You must make your subordinates and your allies aware of what they are about to face," Finn said calmly. "As for the money, the author probably won't be needing it anymore."

"What... what do you mean?" A sudden intuition surfaced in his mind, and Han Gao pressed him.

"Speaking of which, what is your take on Magnetic Rotation?" Finn changed the subject without answering.

"A powerful, yet purely fantastical system." Since he had claimed to have read it, Han Gao wouldn't simply brush it off—he was that kind of grounded man. "Aside from longevity, it surpasses Spirit Speech and the elements in every conceivable way."

"However, this comic suffers from a power creep issue later on," Han Gao smiled. "What were they called? The Dream-Maker Beast Group? With an average battle power of 500,000 magnetic rotations, I suspect even the Dragon Kings wouldn't stand a chance against them."

"It's a certainty, not a suspicion," Finn shook his head. "And what is your opinion on those who wield such magnetic power?"

"Gods. No, Dark Gods." Han Gao poured himself a cup of coffee. "Starting from magnetism, they master the four fundamental forces. They can achieve body reinforcement, cellular reconstruction, material hardening, thought reading, matter manipulation, and control over natural phenomena. They influence life, causality, fate, space, and time. Such beings can only be called gods."

"It's just that these gods are perhaps a bit too insane. They can only be termed Dark Gods."

"Yes, Dark Gods." Finn sighed, finally dropping the pretense. "The leader of the Heavenly Kingdom is a Magnetic Dark God, and the Heavenly Kingdom's system is Magnetic Rotation."

"Pfft!" The shock was so intense that Han Gao reflexively spat out his coffee, the dark liquid splashing directly onto Finn's bucket. "What did you say?"

"Good thing I wore the bucket," Finn remarked gratefully. "Otherwise, I’d look like a fool."

"Are you certain?" Before Finn could reply, cold sweat broke out on Han Gao's forehead. "You aren't joking or pulling a stunt?"

"Eva provided the intelligence," Finn said. "Furthermore, the Principal has awakened Current Driving, and besides—so have I."

Finn extended his hand, his muscles bulging as a not-insignificant electrical current surged over his skin. He touched his paper bucket lightly, leaving a charred mark as the bag split down the middle, revealing the face beneath—a handsome young man with short, golden hair.

"See? This is Current Driving, the ability I just awakened." Finn gave a wry smile. "I wish this were fake—I’d say I hope it’s fake by at least half."

"What’s your voltage? What is Anjou’s voltage? Can I awaken? Can others?" Han Gao fired questions like a machine gun. "What are the effects of this?"

"I’m only at 10,000 volts right now, nowhere near the Principal. He’s at least at 30,000, and his growth rate is far faster than mine—perhaps because his desires are clearer, more burning," Finn said languidly. "As for whether you can awaken, how would I know? The core members of the Heavenly Kingdom seem capable of it, but the conditions for others remain unknown."

"No, there are two common threads: a robust physical constitution and a burning, burning, intensely burning desire that could even consume oneself."

"Don't bother thinking about it, old man. Look at you, you've got a potbelly. Forget about awakening," Finn said. "Just go home and play with your grandkids."

"Is that so..." Han Gao did not refute him. "Is the training easy? And what level has the leader of the Heavenly Kingdom reached?"

"It’s not easy at all," Finn replied. "Every step forward feels like walking through a pitch-black tunnel where everything around you is crushing in on you. You must use a strong physique to resist it and use your burning desire as the motive force to trudge forward."

"However, this resistance seems to be diminishing at an accelerating rate—perhaps this is what they call magnetic diffusion."

"As for the leader of the Heavenly Kingdom, I don't know." Finn narrowed his eyes. "But, Anjou’s note in the file reads: 'Several times my strength; do not engage.'"

"Even that madman Anjou wrote that? Given his 'Time Zero,' that’s a terrifying opponent. Could he be a reincarnation from hell? Is it too late for us to defect?" Han Gao cracked a grim joke. "Or should we go searching for Ouga or Bai Jinglang?"

"Who knows? You know how the Heavenly Kingdom operates." Finn’s smile was cold. "Before seeing the power of their leader with your own eyes, are you willing to give up? Give up the power and influence currently in your hands?"

"Impossible—unless I’m dead," Han Gao said. "State your other objective."

"Super-weapons. We need more super-weapons," Finn said flatly. "We must, we absolutely must, leverage our only advantage. Gather the scientists, spare no cost, and immediately fast-track a batch of super-weapons that currently exist only on paper. I will then implant chips in my brain to control them with precision."

"You know about 'Electric Eye' Tony? It’s clear my growth rate can't keep up with the Heavenly Kingdom’s leader or the Principal, so I have to rely on other means to assist."

"Or, you could go try to surrender to the leader of the Heavenly Kingdom? Or do nothing at all, hoping that the flames of Anjou's revenge burn both the Dragon Race and the Heavenly Kingdom’s leader to ash before they burn you?"

"Make your choice." Finn’s expression was blank. "Current Driving has spread. The war has begun. This time, no one remains neutral, no one is just watching, there is no guaranteed win, and there is no waiting for the chance to reap the final spoils."

"Even the weakest among the powerful is enough to crush the weak with ease."

***

On an island in the Pacific Ocean, the true bloodline of the White King, Amaterasu-no-Mikoto, Gen Yuzuki, was performing rites in an ancient shrine—though even he did not know if he was praying for the young girls who died at his younger brother's hands, or for the brother who had died at his own.

Devoutly, he knocked his forehead heavily against the ground.

*Snap!*

Suddenly, electricity crackled, turning the ground beneath him pitch black.

What is this?

Staring blankly at the current dancing between his hands, the future leader of the Snake岐 Eight Families asked himself.