Only I Am A Reader

In Cassian's case, his strategy for growth was very simple…

It all boiled down to excessive consumption of Enigma Stones!

Considering how small the chance of receiving any benefit from their consumption was, almost all Heroes preferred to exchange Enigma Stones for money and items.

However, until he achieved his current Peak form, Cassian had never sold a single Enigma Stone he earned!

He would toil for inhuman 'Heroes' inside a Gate for weeks only to obtain one or two Enigma Stones, and then he would go out to work a simpler part-time job to obtain money for minimal sustenance.

This was a case of poor time management. Even when he accepted all kinds of abuse and mistreatment, the basically powerless Cassian still had a hard time entering Gates.

And Since Enigma Stones cost small fortunes once the Hero Maker global initiative came to a stop, Cassian couldn't overwork himself in normal jobs to buy them either.

'We had it tough, man.'

In the end, Cassian's life was just a beatdown cycle. He would be doing extreme physical labor until he received a callback from the dozens of raid jobs that he applied to.

All of that went on until Cassian hit the age of 20, it was then that his ability finally showed signs of change!

His ability to move shadows had become faster with time, but it was still useless. Now, however, he could move along his shadow!

Unwillingly spending one of his Enigma Stones for a new measurement, Cassian's ability was now Shadow Movement.

Though it was just one of his many abilities in the future, Shadow Movement was the Intermediate form of Cassian's Enigma!

'It isn't named that just for convenience.'

Regardless of why it was named that, to begin with, Enigma was truly a mystery. Even the Personal Book referred to it with the same name.

Compared to Sword Breath or Internal Energy which were far more present and recognizable, Leo was perplexed about Enigma's nature, especially that of his own.

It was far more obscure than the ones he sensed along his walk!

'Shadow is meant to be hidden, but…'

In any case, once Cassian finally obtained an ability that could actually contribute to battle, things started to take a slight turn for the better.

Now, he not only got accepted by his second or third application at most, but his pay had also increased. More Enigma Stones meant more growth!

Of course, he now had to risk his life more, but Cassian happily welcomed it!

Leo himself wasn't sure if Cassian would have continued this far had this change not happened. However, after two more years, the majority of which were spent inside different Gates, Cassian was once again rewarded for his efforts.

'Shadow Manipulation is where it all started.'

This time, the transformation was much greater. Unlike Shadow Movement, Shadow Manipulation was no longer restricted to a certain action.

It had now become a discount deal of a dozen for one!

It wasn't anything like now when Leo had a comprehensive list of abilities that he could command, but just like the name of the ability suggested, Cassian could now use shadows to do many things.

He could enhance his weapons, use it as a defensive veil, disguise himself, or even remain invisible for a small amount of time…

The range of abilities was limited at first. However, Cassian realized that he had finally caught his big break.

Compared to the start where he was just shoving Enigma Stones down his throat, Cassian now saw progress even without relying on them!

Just by figuring out one more way to use his shadows or practicing a utilization method that he found out early on, Cassian saw his abilities growing stronger and stronger, becoming more fleshed out.

Like a huge wall that was suddenly broken down, Cassian unmasked the one ability that everyone recognized no matter the time or place… Talent!

It was as if he was finally getting paid for all the suffering that he endured!

'Finally, a smooth sailing experience.'

At this point, Cassian was already starting to get recognized by other Heroes. He really never bothered to get a proper rank at the Association, but almost everyone compared him to A-rank Heroes.

He no longer had to wait for a raiding team to accept his application. Instead, Cassian applied to clear weaker Gates on his own or collaborated with other Heroes to do the same for harder ones.

In a way, he was considered a rising star within the Hero Community.

With a steady stream of both Enigma Stones and progress, Cassian's agglomerated ability was quickly becoming more branched and refined. Once another two years passed, the final change took place.

It took him a while to notice, but Cassian finally realized that he breached the illusory Peak that everyone spoke of yet never saw!

Considering his end goal, Cassian naturally didn't dare go for a public Ability Measurement Center. Using some of the connections that he managed to accumulate over the year, he paid a visit to a black market appraiser.

Although it cost much more, the secrecy was more than worth it. Since he was confident that no one would dare cross him, the appraiser left all of his customers alone with the device to get all the information they wanted without surveillance.

'Even the cold Cassian was shocked.'

A Peak Ability was no joke. If getting a great ability from the start was like hitting the jackpot, then reaching the Peak was no different from a miracle.

Even those popular growth Heroes that everyone held on high pedestals ended up stumped at that step. Only very few of them took the last jump, and it took them at least a decade to do so, not a couple of years!

With Shadow Domination at hand, Cassian only went for a few more raids before he abruptly paused his heroic activities. After all…

'A tool is only just that.'

Unlike other Heroes, Cassian didn't seek power for the sake of it. It was merely the key to his ultimate task, revenge!

Knowing that he would likely miss the chance forever if he messed up even once, Cassian had held back every time his ability advanced, they were simply not enough.

However, even now when he had enough, he still spent the next half year creating the perfect plan. Like a black panther that blended with the darkness, he calmly waited for the most opportune moment.

'And he got it.'

In a special event attended by many celebrities and heirs, Cassian unleashed his terror for the very first time, obtaining the title of an S-class villain on the spot…

The entirety of New Enigma City's Hero Community unleashed a city-wide hunt in search of the horrendous villain that was once one of them.

However, regardless of whether they were doing it for fame or justice, Cassian just couldn't be found. It was like he had vanished into thin air!

'But well, that's all in the past.'

Since this alternate self had already dealt with its unfinished business all on its own, Leo tried to keep that chapter of his life closed. He also had his own business to deal with.

"Oh, here we are."

Finally stopping his walk in front of a mid-range hotel, Leo bent down to pick something from the ground before heading in.

If it was up to him, he would have already gone for his target. Unfortunately, the special Gate he had in mind had its own special rules…