Solo Leveling: Infinite Talent

The night air was thick with the scent of decay and uncertainty. Mai Lee moved swiftly through the darkened streets of the city, blending into the shadows like a specter. His footsteps were silent, and his presence barely noticeable to those who passed by. The world around him felt increasingly small, as if everything had become a mere backdrop to his growing strength and ambitions.

He had learned much from the Black Crescent Guild leader, and though the information was invaluable, it had also opened a terrifying new reality. There were other guilds and factions—some even more dangerous than the Black Crescent—lurking in the darkness, preparing for an inevitable clash. But Mai Lee had no intention of being caught off guard. He had to grow stronger, faster, and more unpredictable than anyone else.

The guilds were not his only concern. His ability to copy and fuse talents had placed him on a path no one else could follow. Each new talent he absorbed brought him closer to something far greater. But what that was, he still didn't fully understand.

His mind drifted to the words of the Black Crescent leader. "There are others. You think you're the only one who can copy abilities?"

The leader's cryptic warning echoed in his mind. Mai Lee had never encountered anyone who could copy talents in the way he could, and yet, the leader's words suggested that others with similar abilities existed. But who were they? And how powerful were they?

Mai Lee's path forward seemed increasingly uncertain. He couldn't afford to stay in one place for long, not with the weight of such powerful enemies on the horizon. His best move would be to find allies—trusted individuals who could help him navigate the dangerous world of guilds, factions, and hidden threats.

But for now, he had to stay hidden.

As Mai Lee moved deeper into the city, he sensed something unusual. There was a presence nearby, something unfamiliar. It wasn't a monster—he could tell that much—but it radiated a faint aura of power. A subtle ripple in the air, almost undetectable, but it tugged at his instincts.

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. The sensation grew stronger, coming from an alley up ahead. Mai Lee's curiosity won out over caution as he quietly approached the source of the disturbance.

Around the corner, he found a group of individuals gathered in a circle. They appeared to be engaged in some kind of ritual or conversation, but their energy was strange. It felt... otherworldly, as if they were tapping into powers that didn't belong in this world.

Mai Lee crept closer, staying hidden in the shadows. He had no intention of getting involved unless it was absolutely necessary, but the situation warranted investigation. If these individuals were as powerful as they appeared, they might have information he needed.

One of them, a tall figure draped in black robes, raised a hand. The others fell silent, their eyes fixed on the figure's outstretched hand. Slowly, a dark energy began to swirl in the air, coalescing into a small orb of black light.

"Is the task complete?" the figure asked, his voice soft but commanding.

Another individual, cloaked in green, nodded. "Yes. The target has been identified. Mai Lee... He's already grown too powerful to ignore."

Mai Lee's heart skipped a beat. They were talking about him.

A cold smile spread across the figure's face. "It seems we've underestimated him. No matter. We'll have to move faster than we anticipated. Bring him to us, or deal with him as necessary."

Mai Lee's eyes narrowed. This was bad. These people knew about him—knew about his abilities. It seemed his presence had attracted attention far sooner than he had expected.

Before he could retreat, the group turned as one, their eyes locking onto the shadows where he hid. Mai Lee knew the game had changed. The element of surprise was no longer on his side.

Without hesitation, he activated his Copycat Fusion skill, feeling the familiar rush of power as his surroundings shifted. He could feel their abilities, their talents, as if they were pulsing in the air around him, waiting to be absorbed.

Talent Acquired: Energy Manipulation (Level 3) Fusion Successful: Enhanced Perception (Level 2)

Mai Lee's senses heightened as he fused the newly copied talents. He could now see every detail in the area, even in the pitch-black shadows. His reaction time was sharpened, his body moving before his mind could even process the threat.

As the group moved closer, Mai Lee took a step back, retreating into the deeper shadows of the alley. He needed to regroup, to formulate a plan. These were no ordinary people—whoever they were, they had already figured out who he was, and they were hunting him down.

But Mai Lee was not one to be caught unprepared. He would not let himself fall into their trap.

Status Window Update:

Name: Mai LeeLevel: 5Class: Hidden Talent CopycatHealth: 100%Mana: 95%Strength: 80Agility: 85Intelligence: 90Spirit: 70Money: 1200Skills:Copycat Fusion (Level 5) – Copy and fuse talents, skills, and abilities from anyone or anything within a 1 km radius.Energy Manipulation (Level 3) – Control and manipulate energy to create blasts or pulses of destructive force.Enhanced Perception (Level 2) – Enhanced sensory abilities, allowing faster reflexes and better vision in darkness.Energy Pulse (Level 1) – Can release pulses of destructive energy at a short range.Summons: NoneTalents: NoneExperience: 85/500 (Level 5)

Hidden Stats:

Fusion Mastery: 60% (Improves success rate of fusion and unlocks advanced combinations)Slime Affinity: NoneLuck: 10% (Increased chances of rare loot or unexpected events)Charisma: 5% (Influences how NPCs and creatures perceive and react to you)Devour Efficiency: NoneMutation Rate: 0% (Increases the chance of fusions unlocking new abilities)

New Ability:

Fusion Chain: Energy Manipulation + Enhanced Perception = Precision Control (Level 1) – Unlocks the ability to manipulate energy with extreme precision, increasing attack accuracy and power.

Mai Lee glanced at the stat window with a focused expression. The changes were immediate, and though his abilities had grown stronger, he knew there was still much to do. The group searching for him would undoubtedly intensify their efforts, and now, he had to decide on his next move.

Would he confront them directly or take a more cautious approach? Either way, his next steps would determine how soon he would become a true force to be reckoned with in this world.