What Powers Does The Protagonist Gain In 'I Became The Lousy Side Top'?

The protagonist in 'I Became the Lousy Side Top' starts off weak but quickly unlocks a unique power system that blends martial arts with supernatural energy. His core ability lets him absorb and redirect kinetic energy from attacks, turning opponents' strength against them. This evolves into creating shockwaves that can shatter concrete or send enemies flying. He also develops enhanced reflexes that make him untouchable in close combat, dodging bullets with ease. What's really cool is his 'Counter Stance'—when he enters this mode, his body automatically reacts to threats with perfect counters, like a living weapon. The power grows with his emotions too; rage boosts his destructive output, while calm sharpens his precision. By mid-story, he learns to imbue objects with this energy, turning ordinary items into devastating projectiles.

In 'I Became the Lousy Side Top', the protagonist's power progression is one of the most satisfying growth arcs I've seen. Initially dismissed as weak, he awakens a dormant ability called 'Reversal Flux,' which fundamentally changes how he interacts with force. Every physical attack against him gets stored as potential energy that he can release in explosive bursts. Early on, this just lets him punch harder, but later chapters reveal deeper layers—like redirecting stored energy into healing or creating temporary energy shields.

What sets this apart from generic power fantasies is the tactical depth. The protagonist can't spam abilities; he must carefully manage his energy reserves. A major turning point comes when he learns to 'overclock' his system by taking massive damage deliberately to unleash city-block-level counterattacks. The manga brilliantly shows his growth through fight choreography—early battles are messy and desperate, while later fights showcase elegant, calculated movements where he uses opponents' momentum against them.

The final evolution of his power merges physical mastery with spiritual energy. He starts projecting his 'Counter Stance' as an aura that passively weakens incoming attacks, and in critical moments, can manifest a ghostly double that executes simultaneous counterstrikes. The series balances these flashy abilities with real stakes—overuse risks permanent damage to his body, adding tension to every major fight.

This protagonist's powers are all about turning weakness into strength—literally. His signature ability, 'Reverse Engine,' lets him analyze and invert any physical force directed at him. Early scenes show him barely surviving fights by marginally deflecting punches, but later he flips entire energy beams back at attackers. The power isn't just combat-focused; he uses it creatively, like reversing gravity's pull for short aerial dashes or nullifying explosion impacts to protect allies.

What makes it compelling is how the ability reflects his personality. As an underdog, he masters defensive techniques first—parries, redirections, and pressure point strikes that exploit openings. Only after proving his resilience does he unlock offensive variants, like 'Torque Overdrive,' where spinning motions amplify returned energy exponentially. The manga emphasizes skill over raw power; even when facing supernatural foes, he wins through precision timing and reading opponents' tells.

The system has clever limitations too. Prolonged use overheats his muscles, and complex reversals require intense concentration. Some enemies adapt by using indirect attacks or psychological warfare, forcing him to grow beyond pure reaction. By the latest arcs, he combines his power with stolen techniques from defeated rivals, creating a hybrid style that shocks the series' overpowered antagonists.