Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 68: S-Rated Talent: Black Sigil

–– Abandoned Church, San Antonio, Texas — 12:38 PM ––

The night breeze blew against my face, causing my loose hair to whip wildly in the wind.

Standing some meters away was Dayvon Smith, someone I knew nothing about until accepting this challenge. On the way out of the room, Natasha kept whispering everything she knew about this person, her desperation audible in her voice.

Apparently, Dayvon is currently Texas’s brightest talent. The only person who has successfully graduated from the Limitless Academy in just one year—that includes six months of education and another six months on the field.

This was shocking because it didn’t make sense to me. Raids should last at least a month or so. The Nightfall Dominion territory raid took us three months, and all we got out of it was 300 contribution points.

To graduate, a Limitless needs 10,000 contribution points.

With little time to explain, Natasha could only say it had something to do with his talent. Dayvon was so powerful, he holds the world record for the shortest raids—and raids with the least casualties.

Once, a raid ended with only one person injured and no deaths.

It was purely because of his capabilities that his father rose in the ranks of both the Watchers and the Titanfield Agency.

I’m not sure how Natasha expected me to react to this information, because she was visibly pissed when she realized I was even more excited to fight Dayvon after learning all these things about him.

Yes, he’s the youngest B-rated Limitless in the world—and he’s only 19. That explained why he felt offended when I made the comment about being the strongest Limitless my age. But I still stand by my words.

In my opinion, Gatekeepers are beings on a level mere humans can never dream to achieve. Our powers come at a price no normal person can pay, which is why the heavens could only bestow them upon the most dangerous souls scattered across the universe.

Ding!

[New Mission: Defeat Dayvon Smith and prove your worth to the Watchers]

My gaze scanned through the message, and a small smile spread across my lips. Even the system was on my side—so who the hell can I fail?

"You think this is funny?" Dayvon’s voice rang from the distance, but I didn’t respond.

Instead, I shifted my gaze to Pamela, Natasha, and Mr. William Smith and waved at them to move back.

"I suggest you give us a bit more room," I said. "Things are about to get ugly."

MOTHERFUCKER!

Bang!

Hearing the earth shatter beneath his feet was the wake-up call I needed—but Dayvon had already reached me, his fist swinging at full force.

BOOOM!

A mild shockwave erupted as I caught his punch with my bare hand.

His strength should be somewhere around 9–10 points... on par with my strength, I concluded. This can’t be the power Natasha spoke of?

Only then did I notice the crimson glow in Dayvon’s eye, while I felt the force behind his fist growing stronger, slowly pushing back my arm.

He’s getting stronger?!

Swoosh!

Dayvon swung his left arm, but I quickly abandoned his fist and ducked under, performing a spin with beautifully executed footwork. By the time his attack missed, he turned around—but it was too late.

Pa!

I grabbed him by the face while sweeping his feet off the ground. Dayvon met the ground with a bang, and I stomped his chest hard, causing the ground to sink and web-shaped cracks to spread beneath him.

Even if he possesses strength, he lacks the skill and technique to use it properly.

Gasps!

I could hear gasps from the ladies in the distance, but when I turned to meet William’s gaze, he seemed more amused than concerned.

What father wouldn’t care after seeing their son get beaten?

Unless...

My instincts screamed at the top of their lungs, and I quickly hopped several meters back even without identifying the danger. After living long enough to sharpen my instincts, I’ve learned to never doubt them.

Act first. Confirm later...

That’s the motto I live by.

Where I once stood, a scorching sphere that looked like a miniature sun had just swung past. If I had moved a tad bit later, I would have been hit by it—and set ablaze.

"Isn’t that Natasha’s [Core] talent?" I muttered, shifting my gaze to Natasha.

However, she too looked stunned by the sight. This was obviously her ability, but she was not the one casting it.

"Hahahahaha..."

A cold, bone-chilling laughter escaped Dayvon’s lips as he calmly rose to his feet.

Two more cores spiraled into existence, circling him along with the first like planets orbiting the sun. He calmly took off his blazer, and in one move, ripped his shirt and tie—tossing them aside recklessly.

Buzz!

On Dayvon’s body were black, living sigils moving around, feeding on his skin like sentient entities. Only one of those symbols caught my eye—it was a green vine-like mark curling up his neck and temples like thorns of jealousy.

> [Envy Sigil: The Mirror Curse detected!]

Temporarily copies one skill or talent from a nearby target (must be in visual range).

The copied ability functions at 80% original power and lasts for 2 minutes.

Ding!

> [The system has acquired information on the enemy’s talent]

[Talent Name:] Black Sigil

[Talent Rating:] S-rated

The user bears cursed sigils etched into their flesh, each representing a deadly sin. Activating a sigil grants powerful, unique buffs—but every gift comes with a cursed price. Only those with an unbreakable will and indomitable body can endure the burden of wielding more than one at a time.

Buzz!

Going through the stream of messages, I was taken aback at what I just saw.

An S-rated talent?

Yes, the Gatekeeper talent was SSS-rated, and that was why I could grow stronger so fast in such a short time. While Dayvon’s talent was inferior to mine, it wasn’t weak in any way.

This explained why he had achieved so much in such a short span of time!

Only now did I realize—this was not a foe I could toy with. Outside the empowerment of my territory, and with no access to all the skills I’ve accumulated so far...

Defeating this kid would be extremely difficult.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr𝒆e(w)𝒆bnovel