A two-meter-thick wall made from the same material as the headquarters slid open, revealing a long hallway with cells on both sides. Cullen walked through with August as he explained what to look for.
"Each cell had a datapad next to it which will give you all the information you need about the Abomination. You don't have access to see inside, even I can't without a Triarch's permission. For now, take a look around."
They were currently underground in the Abomination Center, a large jail to hold captured Abominations. Lyra had given Cullen permission to look around and pick a couple to use his ability on, with a few exceptions.
'There are over one hundred Abominations in here, but I only have access to look at around a dozen.'
Right now, Cullen had the Cursed Mask, the ring, the armband, the Eye Amulet, the vine tattoos, and one compass that points to the nearest Abomination. Since The Island was now gone, it wouldn't produce any more of the Lower-Grade Abominations; therefore, Cullen had no use for most of the compasses. Also, the Jade Scepter had been practically unusable because of the damage done to it, so Cullen threw it away. There weren't many vines around anyway, so he wasn't too mad.
'I'm in desperate need of a weapon, so that should be my priority. Aside from that, I also want a new form of storage. The items I carry will only grow the stronger I get.'
"I'll wait outside and let you look around for a bit. Just remember to take note of any that interest you."
After August left, Cullen approached the first datapad and unlocked it.
The Night Dancer
Grade A
Description: A slender, pitch black figure with a somewhat human body. Around three meters tall and less than half a meter wide, its fighting style is a ruthless dance with incredible strength.
Core: 50 Tavros, in its chest. Very hard to hit precisely.
Ability: The longer it dances, the stronger and faster it will get. While the strength of its core will not increase, its skin can quickly become harder to pierce than the core.
'Interesting, but I don't dance.'
August said that they have methods to reduce an Abomination's strength while still allowing Cullen to kill it, so he shouldn't be worried about the Tavros. But this seemed useless to him anyway.
'Onto the next one, I guess.'
A week had passed since the broadcast. During that time, Cullen was rarely allowed to leave headquarters. They arranged a room for him to stay in, but you could imagine what it was like inside that building. Spacious, much more than the abandoned building Cullen lived in, but desperately in need of decoration.
One time he did step outside was to talk to Flora. She requested to see him after the broadcast, so they met in a secluded sector at the training grounds. She told him everything about the Academy, including the professors, the schedules, and the resources available to them. Cullen couldn't imagine what that life would be like anymore.
What interested him more was the assassin that Flora ran into.
Cullen may have opposed the government, but that Gifted took it to a whole other level. And right in front of headquarters too! If he hadn't escaped in time, the Triarch would have surely killed him.
The next Abomination was more or less useless to Cullen, so he continued forward. After a couple of minutes, he finally found one worth considering.
[No Name]
Grade B
Description: A small, one-meter-tall animal with four limbs, claws, and a short tail. It can move extremely fast but doesn't often engage in direct combat. It uses its ability to steal from you, then uses those objects against you or others.
Core: 20 Tavros, in its head.
Ability: Can capture and store items in its own body, then bring them out for later use. The items it can hold far exceed its size.
[Note: Due to its nature, some items are still trapped within and can be used by it.]
Items taken:
Kitchen knives
A small dagger(15 Tavros)
A grenade
A human head
[Note: There may be more items it hasn't shown yet.]
'That's definitely a unique one…'
The objects inside the Abomination have no use to Cullen, as he may not even be able to retrieve them. The real prize was its ability.
'If I can create some storage for myself, it will solve many of my future problems. Most of my objects are accessories and fairly easy to carry, but that won't always be the case.'
Cullen needed something he could wear while he fought. Something that wouldn't slow him down or get in his way.
'A backpack would be too big and inconvenient, but something small like a pocket wouldn't be able to fit everything through the entrance.'
For now, Cullen decided to move on and come back later.
He took a right, parting into a different hallway. This one had the same layout as before, so he continued his search.
One-Eyed Bat
Grade D
Description: A small bat with one yellow eye and broad wings. Very weak and can only attack with its claws.
Core: 5 Tavros
No Ability.
'Why even bother capturing it?'
Before moving on to the next one, Cullen heard footsteps behind him.
"Hello, Cullen."
He turned around and saw Greye approaching him.
"How have you been?"
Cullen had seen Greye a few times since he returned, but never talked to him directly. It was strange to see him without August.
"Good, I guess. Just looking through these Abominations. You know my ability."
Greye smiled.
"Yes, I know why you're here. If you don't mind, I have a favor to ask of you."
He walked past Cullen and signaled for him to follow.
"I'm not Gifted, so I have no means of protection."
"Wait," Cullen interrupted. "You're not a Gifted?"
'Didn't Flora say he teleported away when he was attacked? Is he lying?'
Greye didn't flinch.
"Ah, I see why you might be confused, now. You know of my ability to teleport?"
Cullen nodded.
"Well, it's not my ability."
Under his shirt, a small creature moved. It had hidden itself perfectly, but was now climbing up his back and onto his shoulder.
'What the hell?'
A fuzzy, ball-shaped animal was now resting on Greye. It looked like a curled-up hedgehog, hiding its claws. Somehow, its big eyes and small nose made it look kind of cute.
One thing that didn't make it cute was the core in its head.
"This Abomination gives me the ability to teleport. I myself am not Gifted, but can use its ability."
Cullen was shocked.
"How is that possible? An Abomination helping a human?"
Taking out his compass, Cullen confirmed it was pointing at Greye's shoulder.
"It actually makes sense if you think about it. Abominations' purposes are to destroy humanity and hurt humans. Its ability is most likely some sort of contract, one that gives me the power to teleport, but also takes something in return."
"I don't know what it's taking from me. Maybe it's my strength, sight, hearing, or even my lifespan."
'A contract?'
The more Cullen thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
'As long as it's doing damage to the human, it doesn't break any rules. But has he not felt any symptoms yet?'
"Anyway, I was wondering if you could use your ability to make me something. I've already asked August, and he said it wouldn't interfere with the Abominations you choose."
"You want me to create something for you?"
Cullen never considered using his ability for someone else. In theory, it was possible. It's not like his objects disappear when he gets far away from them.
"I already have an Abomination in mind. I can take you there right now."
After agreeing, Greye led Cullen to a few cells and to a certain datapad.
Cannon
Grade-A
Description: A blob of flesh with eyes and a mouth, four meters wide and four meters tall. The inside of its body is hollow, used to compress matter. It can turn and aim its attacks, but cannot move in any direction.
Core: Both of its eyes must be destroyed, each a 45 Tavros.
Ability: Can suck in matter through its mouth, including air, normal objects, and even [RESTRICTED]. It will compress this into a single bullet, then fire it back out.
"The restricted refers to the material headquarters is made of," Greye informed him.
Cullen looked over the Abomination one more time, then back to Greye.
"You want a weapon? Something that imitates its ability and can be used by a normal human?"
"Yes. A gun of some sort. While there is a Gifted who can create weapons, you have to possess the strength to use them. But you, Cullen, can make all sorts of things. It would help greatly to be able to protect myself and others, considering how involved with the government I am."
Cullen stared at Greye.
'Is this really a good idea?'