Legendary Architect of Apocalypse

Looking at Leo's bleeding hands, Elias was able to confirm that he didn't have any abilities that allowed him to heal.

He wanted to avoid an outcome like this, but Leo had done that to himself by not listening to him. He had no intention to fight, since using others was more useful than using those new unfamiliar abilities himself.

Still, he had no choice. Leo couldn't help him anymore, especially in the kind of state he was in. It was almost impossible to rely on him, which meant he could only try to take that ability for himself.

If that ability could merge with Leo, he was sure that it should also merge with him. Even if it was a temporary ability that only lasted for a few days, it was still just as useful for the purpose of this test.

"Stay away from him!" The woman wrapped her arms around Leo, dragging him away from Elias.

"I told you, I don't want to kill you people. I just want to take something, which never belonged to you in the first place," Elias said while approaching Leo. "If you don't stop moving, I might have to do something even more. Please don't make me do more than I have already done."

The woman wasn't faster than him, and there was no escape for them either. She could only watch Elias tuck one of the guns behind his back, and place his hand on Leo's head.

"Confirm Extraction," Elias mumbled as soon as he came in physical contact with Leo. Once again, a similarly powerful storm appeared with Leo at the core, sending the woman flying back again.

Even Elias was pushed back by a few steps, before he managed to firmly plant his feet on the ground and resist the winds.

The storm wrecked the room even more, lasting longer than the previous storm. However, the moment that storm disappeared, beautiful scenery came into sight.

Leo was sitting on the ground, his eyes wide open. There was a small energy orb floating above his head. He didn't know what that energy orb was, but it was clear that Elias wanted it.

He reached out his bleeding hand that was still trembling, trying to hold the energy orb. But before his fingers could touch it, he saw a smaller hand grab the orb and take it.

Elias took the energy orb, and walked away from the couple. He entered their bedroom, and immediately tested his theory.

"Confirm Merger."

.............

Please select materials for merger.

.............

"Elias Ashborn," he stated.

.............

Materials selected for merger: Elias Ashborn, Temporary Ability Core.

Material Compatibility: 70 Percent

Merger Success Probability: 95 Percent

Would you like to proceed?

.............

"Proceed."

Once his confirmation came, Elias saw the energy orb fly straight inside his body, with an even stronger storm taking control of his surroundings, as if protecting the process from any outsider factors.

Meanwhile, outside in the hall, Leo was still bleeding. Although the bullets had only hit his hands, and it wasn't life threatening, it still hurt like hell. The loss of blood wasn't little either.

He needed treatment. He tried to open his storage domain to bring out some first aid materials.

"Hmm?" It was only then, he realized what had happened. He wasn't able to open his storage realm which was holding billions worth of items that he had stolen right before the apocalypse arrived.

The reality had finally started setting in, as he understood what that energy orb was. It was what granted him the abilities to create that storage realm! It was the thing that Elias wanted, and the reason that everything happened.

He had lost everything, including all the materials he had stockpiled for this apocalypse. He didn't even have enough for his medical treatment.

He simply looked blankly in disbelief, thinking that this might be the end. He still didn't understand how Elias knew about his ability, or where to find him. Did he also have an ability? Just how many people in this world had gained abilities?

Many thoughts were floating in his head, but he knew that all of it was useless now. It didn't matter how many people had abilities, as he had already lost his ability. It was once again the same useless person that he used to be before the frost apocalypse arrived.

He saw the woman stand up, and walk away as if she had also realised that he was useless now. She had also given up on him, abandoning him.

He let out a self-deprecating laughter, falling on his back.

"Don't worry. I will make the bleeding stop!" Suddenly he heard the voice of the woman, which was accompanied by the sound of footsteps.

He weakly looked to the side, observing the familiar face of that woman. She was holding a first aid box in her hand, and pulled out the bandaid and other necessary items.

"I have already lost my abilities. I have lost everything. Shouldn't you abandon me and find another protector?" he asked the woman, not understanding why he was even asking that. It was good for him if she was here with him so help him.

"You fool, do you really think I will abandon you? When I was on the verge of dying from hunger, you had faith in me and accepted me. How could I leave you now?!"

The woman responded sharply, as if she had been wronged. "It doesn't matter if you have those abilities or not. You will forever be mine!"

The man couldn't believe his ears. He opened his lips, but no words came out. He could only watch her in a daze as she tried to stop his bleeding.

At this point, he was really regretting his decision of attacking Elias when he was simply trying to talk to him. He had placed both their safety at risk because of his overconfident actions.

Inside their bedroom, the storm finally calmed down after close to half an hour, the longest it had ever taken for Elias.

Fortunately, the incoming notification didn't leave him disappointed.