Soon, the group returned to the USA. After setting Moon Knight down, Robert, Kara, and Clark headed home. It was already daytime in America, the sun having replaced the moon. Robert didn't rush; he planned to first understand his current physical condition.
For Robert, basking in the moonlight was not difficult. Unlike the sun, which he could fly directly into space to absorb, following the moon around the globe to bask in its light was no problem. Therefore, there was no need to hurry. He wanted to understand his body's condition first and then figure out how to more effectively absorb moonlight before embarking on moonlight basking.
Seeing Robert meditating alone in the wilderness, Kara didn't disturb him. She closed her eyes, not to meditate but to reflect on her previous battle with Blanche. Kara believed that the disparity between her and Blanche shouldn't be so vast, especially not to the point where even teaming up with Hellboy couldn't defeat him. She attributed this primarily to her lack of combat experience and her inadequate response to extraordinary powers.
Kara had never had a strong desire to become stronger. Even after confirming her relationship with Robert, she merely trained alongside him, naturally improving her strength. However, after this incident, Kara felt a need to enhance her strength, combat skills, and adaptability. She didn't crave power, but she didn't want to be defeated either. If not for Robert's intervention, she might have faced greater danger or even death this time.
Therefore, Kara rarely felt a desire to become stronger. She began reflecting on her shortcomings in the previous battle, recalling her training sessions with Robert to enhance her combat experience. Given Robert was currently focused on the moonlight issue, he didn't have time to spar with her.
It's worth noting that the Kryptonian super brain is remarkable. Even past battles, however long ago, weren't forgotten. Recalling them now felt as vivid as reliving those moments.
On the other hand, Robert began sensing the changes in his body. After absorbing Khonshu's moonlight power, his combat strength had increased, but he had been in his Great Ape form and in Heliopolis, making it difficult to thoroughly examine his condition.
Now, Robert could carefully inspect his changes. He sensed that each cell in his body was in a full, excited state, as if ready to transform into the Great Ape without needing to tap into the stored moonlight power.
However, over time, he noticed his cells gradually returning to normal, not weakening but adapting to the new strength. They required a new infusion of moonlight to regain that full, excited state and potentially transform into the Great Ape again.
"Absorbing moonlight to strengthen my body is feasible, but it seems there is a limit. My current strength allowed me to absorb a lot of Khonshu's power. He must have stopped me because any further absorption would make him no match for me," Robert pondered.
"This doesn't mean I can infinitely absorb moonlight. For now, I need to test the effects of natural moonlight on my enhancement..."
"I wonder if Clark and Kara also experience cellular saturation. Do they have a limit? If not, Clark could just stay in the sun for years and become invincible."
After some contemplation, Robert opened his eyes and smiled at the sight of Kara meditating. He hadn't expected her to desire to enhance her strength actively.
"I'll start by comparing natural moonlight with Khonshu's divine moonlight. I can't always sustain injuries to absorb moonlight," he muttered, glancing at the sun in the sky.
Clark and Kara absorbed sunlight effortlessly. Kara, while reflecting on her past battles, was also absorbing the sun's power, gradually growing stronger. However, this was a slow process.
With a swish, Robert vanished, heading to the other side of the Earth, where the sun didn't shine, to bask in the moonlight and begin his meticulous exploration.
"Hmm? There's no difference from before. Do I need to inflict wounds to force the moonlight into my body?" Robert frowned, finding that basking in the moonlight made no difference, as non-full moonlight had no effect on him.
"Or perhaps only full moonlight has the special energy waves that affect me?"
"No, when I absorbed Khonshu's moonlight, it was passive. The moonlight forcefully entered my body through wounds, compelling my cells to absorb it to prevent damage. But now, this moonlight can't harm me or force its way in, so I need to actively guide it."
Realizing this, Robert used his mental strength to guide the moonlight into his body. Without mastering ki manipulation, controlling intangible moonlight would have been impossible. But now, using his various abilities, he managed to draw the moonlight into himself.
With a hum, moonlight entered Robert's body, making his cells slightly more active. However, it was far less effective than transforming into the Great Ape or absorbing Khonshu's divine moonlight.
"The nature of the power is the same, but the energy provided is much less. Still, slow accumulation is possible. Clark and Kara also accumulate slowly; I can't expect a shortcut."
After some time, Robert understood his moonlight absorption situation, realizing that the process would be slow and controlled. Unlike Clark and Kara, who absorbed sunlight automatically, he had to actively control the absorption of moonlight, making it impractical to bask while sleeping. He'd need to find a way to automate the process with mental energy.
Thus, Robert's moonlight absorption fell into a routine, albeit requiring his active control and yielding less immediate power than Khonshu's divine moonlight. This slow accumulation was advantageous, preventing overexertion.
Meanwhile, Blade, after Robert and the others disappeared, stood in place, puzzled by being ignored but ultimately feeling relieved. He realized that involving himself in the affairs of someone as powerful as Robert wouldn't benefit him. It was better to continue dealing with vampires, as he had enough on his plate already.
Vampires in America weren't overwhelmingly powerful. Blade had never encountered one as strong as March before. If not for his extensive knowledge of anti-vampire techniques, Blade knew he wouldn't have stood a chance.
"These vampires are all the same, claiming to be different yet susceptible to the same weapons," Blade thought, recalling March's words. In his view, vampires only differed in strength and abilities, fundamentally being the same species.
Unlike Robert, Blade lacked the ability to discern the differences among various vampire species. Robert could sense that these vampires were fundamentally different beings, evolved into similar forms due to a common progenitor or a manipulative force creating them.
"The cost of this battle was enormous!" Blade sighed, contemplating the expenses. His physical endurance wasn't the issue; his vampire bloodline granted him significant regenerative abilities. The real cost was the anti-vampire weapons, which were always a financial burden. After each hunt, Blade would usually scavenge from the vampires to recoup his losses, but this time, he had no such opportunity.
By the time Blade reached the vampires' and werewolves' previous base, it was deserted. Apparently, March and Nero's deaths had been discovered, prompting their clans to quickly relocate to avoid annihilation.
Blade didn't witness the phenomenon of vampire and werewolf factions, traditionally mortal enemies, uniting during the evacuation, leaving their human pawns perplexed and silent, knowing any protest would be futile.
"My silver bullets are nearly depleted, and I'm out of bombs. I'm left with my silver sword and a few bullets," Blade muttered, feeling the pain of his depleted resources.
"If the fight hadn't ended, I might have had to trade my life. But at least with my silver sword, I could secure a victory..."
Blade carefully stored his remaining silver bullets, calculating his needs for replenishment. Unlike Hellboy, who also used anti-demon weapons but was partially immune, Blade's vampire bloodline allowed him to use anti-vampire tools without harm. This made Blade's bloodline superior in some ways, perhaps even more perfect than many vampires'.
"Knock, knock, knock!" A knocking sound interrupted Blade's thoughts, making his face change. He hadn't noticed anyone approaching his door.
"Who is it?" Blade called out.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
The knocking continued, with no response to Blade's question, raising his alertness. As a vampire hunter operating in the night, Blade's vigilance was never lax. He had faced vampire reprisals and human conspiracies alike.
Blade quickly readied his weapons, stealthily approaching the door. As he reached it, he detected a familiar scent...
"Bold!" Blade's eyes flashed with cold light as he thrust his silver sword through the door!
_________________________
🔥 33% OFF on Patreon!From May 26 to June 3, use code EA00B for a discount on all tiers.
Join now and get early access to chapters!
[ w w w . p @ t r e o n . c o m / I N N I T ]