Chapter 115

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Chapter 115: Transformation

Why is Holy Shield so powerful…

Even today, on the day of his father’s death, this remains an unsolved mystery in Luke’s heart.

The majority of men harbor a subtle sense of competition with their fathers, and Luke is no exception.

From childhood to adulthood, he asked his father countless times, hoping to uncover the secret to becoming stronger.

But each time, his father would simply pat his head and encourage him to focus on his training.

Even in his final words before his death, his father’s tone was tinged with hesitation, as if he carried this secret to his grave.

Yet now, the council member before him seemed to understand it all too well.

This might be his only chance.

“Councilor, I want to know.”

“Very well, then I will tell you your father’s story. I believe you will find what you seek.

“Mr. Lucas was born in the first year of the New Era, when humanity was overwhelmed by natural disasters and the beast tide. By the time he turned ten, the framework of Hope City had largely been established.

“Though Hope City is now densely populated, in its early days, the number of inhabitants was minimal—almost negligible compared to the planet’s original human population.

“As one of the fortunate few children who survived to that time, Lucas became one of the first superpowered individuals to awaken. Back then, humanity’s fear and rejection of superpowered individuals far outweighed any sense of awe, and many early superpowered individuals endured unjust treatment during that period.

“However, the first Deputy Director of the research institutes was a man of great fairness. He was also deeply curious about superpowers and eager to conduct research. Your father joined the Deputy Director’s team alongside many other young superpowered individuals.

“His abilities were much like yours—not exceptionally strong, but certainly not weak. Over time, the Deputy Director’s research yielded significant breakthroughs, and with proper authorization, your father and several of his peers underwent a certain level of transformation.

“Nine individuals underwent the surgery, and five survived. Yes, as you might have guessed, those five became the founding members of the first team of superpowered individuals.

“His strength was forged through unbearable physical pain. Even his recent frailty can be traced back to the surgical transformation he endured. So… now you understand why your father kept this from you, don’t you? He was simply a father trying to protect his child.”

By now, Luke’s mouth hung open in shock. No wonder his father had guarded the secrets of his past and his strength so closely. No wonder he had shown no surprise at Luke’s own struggles—this was the reason.

His mind raced as he processed the councilor’s words, and Luke pressed further,

“So you’re saying I could undergo this surgical transformation as well, correct?”

“Yes. While this may go against your father’s wishes to protect you, you are now an independent adult. Even within the superhero team, you are considered a pillar of strength. I’ve shared this with you so that you can decide your own path.

“You can either heed your father’s advice and remain in your current role, or you can endure the pain to gain the power needed to avenge him. The choice is yours.

“Take your time to think it over, and give me your answer before you leave.”

Luke fell into deep contemplation.

He thought of the communicator he had sunk to the bottom of the water tank and recalled his father’s final plea for him to live a good life.

He wanted to obey, but if he simply followed that advice, who would avenge his father?

Should he let it all go just because the Followers were aligned with humanity, just because they and Hope City were dedicated to saving humanity?

The Followers might be humanity’s saviors, but they were certainly not his!

Luke clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the ground.

I’m sorry, Father, but this time I may have to disappoint you.

“Councilor, I apologize for keeping you waiting so long.”

“It’s alright. The best conclusions are those reached after careful deliberation.”

“I’ve decided to become the new ‘Holy Shield’!”

Luke gazed at the shadowed face before him, his voice resolute as he declared his choice.

“Excellent. You truly haven’t disappointed me.”

The councilor named Nia rose from her chair and began pacing excitedly behind her desk.

The sharp click of her heels echoed against the floor, her tone now carrying the weight of her authority:

“I hope you remember the pain that awaits you. It will become the driving force behind everything in your life.”

“I will remember.”

In the darkness, the sound of a door creaking open reached Luke’s ears. He listened as the rhythmic tapping of high heels grew fainter, sitting motionless as he awaited the uncertain future.

In an instant, the room, once shrouded in darkness, was flooded with light.

Luke realized then that he wasn’t in an office at all—he was in an operating room.

What lay before him wasn’t a desk, but a flat operating table.

Understanding dawned on Luke, and without hesitation, he rose and lay down on the operating table.

Several metallic circular restraints swiftly emerged from beneath the table, securing his upper body and arms.

The section of the table beneath his right arm detached and rotated into a horizontal position.

As if to ease Luke’s nerves, a mechanical arm unfurled a green surgical cloth, obscuring his vision.

A mask emitting an unknown gas was pressed onto Luke’s face by the mechanical arm.

Within seconds, he lost consciousness.

Above the operating room, Nia and several other councilors observed the scene below.

“Impressive work,” one councilor remarked.

“Thank you for the compliment,” Nia replied indifferently.

“These things are rare. Let’s savor the moment while we can.”

Below, in the operating room, the scalpel from the mechanical arm swiftly emerged, slicing through the skin of Luke’s right forearm and delving deeper.

It continued until it exposed the bone. Two ring-like components with indicator lights were grasped by the mechanical arm and pressed against the inner bone of the forearm.

The components expanded rapidly, soon encircling the bone. A green light on one of them began to blink rhythmically, signaling that the working mode had been activated.

The other remained silent, awaiting the moment the trigger word would be spoken.

The wound was quickly sutured by the mechanical device, and the section of the operating table holding Luke’s right arm returned to his side.

“The safety device and remote control have been implanted. Now we begin the installation of the suppressor.”

As Nia’s voice faded, the operating table beneath Luke began to shift. The restraints flipped his unconscious body over, exposing the back of his head.

The scalpel reappeared, this time accompanied by a small electric drill standing ready.

The sound of the drill piercing through the skull was unnerving, causing the councilors above to glance around uneasily.

Nia sneered at their discomfort, her attention fixed on the surgery below.

Ten minutes later, a flat, small component was successfully implanted into the back of Luke’s head.