[Marvel : Mutant God] Chapter 56 - 60

Chapter 56: Different Personality

Emma Frost took a delicate sip from her wine glass before responding deliberately:

"Shaw is currently in Miami."

"Beyond myself, Azazel, and Shaw, the Hellfire Club's core membership includes 'Riptide' Janos Quested, 'Black Bishop' Isabel Nava, 'Black Rook' Bud Blom, and 'White Rook' Syrio McCartney."

Upon hearing her answer, Richard frowned slightly.

Riptide's position as a Hellfire Club core member came as no surprise. However, the names Black Bishop, Black Rook, and White Rook were unfamiliar to him, as were their respective abilities.

"What powers do the Black Bishop, Black Rook, and White Rook possess?" Richard inquired.

Emma Frost replied without hesitation:

"The Black Bishop manipulates shadows. The Black Rook can fly and generate energy shock waves. The White Rook controls gravity."

"All three are Alpha-class mutants. The Black Rook and White Rook are brothers."

Following this brief introduction, Richard continued his questioning:

"Are they also in Miami currently?"

"No, Shaw assigned them separate tasks. I'm not privy to the specifics," Emma Frost answered promptly.

Though Emma Frost remained ignorant of the Black Bishop's current mission, Richard considered this detail relatively unimportant.

Knowing Sebastian Shaw's location sufficed for his purposes.

If Shaw represented the main course, the three additional mutants merely constituted dessert.

"Tell me everything you know about Sebastian Shaw," Richard instructed. "While you're at it, provide a detailed account of your own background and experiences."

He drained the whiskey from his glass as he addressed Emma Frost.

"Of course."

Emma Frost offered no resistance, immediately launching into a comprehensive narrative about Sebastian Shaw and herself.

Time passed gradually.

Before either realized, more than thirty minutes had elapsed.

Though Richard had known early on that this universe's iterations of Sebastian Shaw and Emma Frost differed from their cinematic counterparts, he hadn't anticipated just how substantially they diverged from their comic book "personalities" as well.

In the comics, Shaw had amassed his billions by age forty before joining the Hellfire Club, where he encountered Emma Frost.

Subsequently, he had forged an alliance with her, instructing her to eliminate competing candidates, securing his position as "Black King" of the Hellfire Club, and partnering with her to govern the organization.

In this reality, however, Shaw had known Emma Frost before joining the Hellfire Club.

More precisely, he had personally invited her to join.

At the time of this invitation, he had already established himself as the Club's "Black King."

Emma Frost remained ignorant regarding when Shaw had initially joined the Hellfire Club.

She could, however, confirm one certainty: Sebastian Shaw possessed immense wealth.

Simply put, he personally financed all Hellfire Club operations.

Beyond Shaw's circumstances diverging from the comics, Emma Frost's situation similarly deviated from established canon.

The comic book Emma Frost had been born to a wealthy Boston family—her father a ruthless businessman, her mother a housewife dependent on psychotropic drugs.

That iteration not only had a brother but also an older and younger sister.

Furthermore, her elder sister Adrienne and younger sister Cordelia had both manifested mutant abilities.

Her relationship with her sisters had been strained to the point of nonexistence.

Only with her brother Christian had she maintained any meaningful connection.

In this universe, Emma stood as her family's only daughter, originating from an ordinary middle-class New York household.

Her decision to join the Hellfire Club hadn't stemmed from ideological alignment with Shaw, but rather because he had helped her overcome profound grief following her parents' death in a car accident.

Out of gratitude for Shaw's support, she had joined the Hellfire Club, eventually assuming the mantle of White Queen.

After absorbing Emma Frost's account, Richard's first reaction acknowledged his diminishing advantage as a transmigrator.

Based on the disparities between these versions of Emma Frost and Sebastian Shaw, his foreknowledge merely enabled him to vaguely anticipate names and abilities.

Inwardly sighing at this realization, Richard addressed Emma Frost:

"Let's proceed. We'll confront Shaw and Riptide immediately." He stood, extending his right hand toward her.

"All right."

Emma Frost nodded, rising to accept Richard's offered hand.

Teleportation!

Richard executed the technique without hesitation.

Though his teleportation ability remained technically unchanged, absorbing the Red Devil's power had substantially enhanced its effectiveness.

Before this acquisition, his maximum teleportation range had been limited to 200 kilometers.

Now, that threshold had expanded to 800 kilometers.

Las Vegas, situated in Nevada adjacent to California, stood over 3,500 kilometers from Miami on Florida's eastern seaboard.

One city hugged America's western edge while the other occupied its eastern shore, spanning nearly the entire continental United States.

Even commercial aircraft required four and a half hours to traverse this distance.

It took Richard and Emma Frost less than a minute to transition from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to the Bay Park Yacht Marina adjacent to Jungle Island in Miami, where the Hellfire Club's yacht Caspartina awaited.

Though the vessel's name remained unchanged, according to Emma Frost's intelligence, this Caspartina lacked the nuclear submarine connection featured in the film—it was merely a conventional luxury yacht.

Standing dockside, Richard briefly surveyed the Caspartina before releasing Emma Frost's hand. Instead, he encircled her slender, alluring waist and initiated another teleportation.

In an instant, they materialized on the yacht's sun deck.

"Remain passive during the coming confrontation," Richard instructed her. "Simply observe from a distance."

"Understood."

Emma Frost offered no objection, immediately signaling her compliance.

Following her acknowledgment, Richard deployed his telepathy to locate Sebastian Shaw.

His expression soon shifted to discomfort.

He detected no presence aboard the yacht save for Emma Frost.

Neither Sebastian Shaw nor Riptide currently occupied the vessel.

Well...

Richard had intended to capitalize on the element of surprise, ambushing Shaw to claim his powers and extract Wanda and Pietro's location.

But evidently, circumstances had changed.

"They're absent. Call and inquire about their whereabouts," he directed Emma Frost.

Lacking telepathic abilities herself, Emma Frost remained unaware of the yacht's emptiness.

Upon receiving Richard's instruction, she immediately retrieved a white mobile phone from her handbag, dialed Shaw's number, and activated the speakerphone function.

The connection established quickly, with Shaw's voice emerging from the device:

"Has the invitation been delivered?"

"Yes, it has. Azazel and I have returned to the yacht. Where are you and Janos currently?" Emma Frost inquired, her expression betraying nothing.

Following Richard's subconscious modifications, she now regarded him as her master, while Shaw, Riptide, and their associates had become adversaries.

"Janos and I are meeting an exceptionally important contact. We won't return until evening."

"Let's postpone further discussion until our return tonight."

With that statement, Shaw terminated the call.

An exceptionally important contact?

Though unaware of Shaw's current meeting partner, the phrase "exceptionally important" immediately conjured one name in Richard's mind: Magneto.

Could he be meeting with Magneto?

Has he discovered Wanda and Pietro's connection to Magneto?

Multiple theories rapidly crystallized in Richard's thoughts.

...

Chapter 57: Magneto's Clone

"Would you like me to call Janos and inquire?" Emma Frost offered. "He's desired me for quite some time. If I were to ask, he'd likely withhold nothing."

By now, she had fully embraced her role as Richard's subordinate.

More precisely, until she discovered the alteration to her subconscious, she would regard Richard as her master without question.

"Unnecessary. Shaw and Janos are together currently. If you call, Shaw will immediately recognize something's amiss," Richard replied.

"Since he's indicated they'll return this evening, we'll simply await them here."

With that, Richard settled onto a nearby sofa, donning his sunglasses before reclining casually to enjoy the ocean breeze and sunshine.

Observing his relaxed posture, Emma Frost spoke softly:

"I'll return to my quarters momentarily."

"Go ahead," Richard nodded.

Though uncertain of her intentions, he attached little importance to her departure.

Shortly thereafter, Emma Frost reappeared on the sun deck, approaching Richard directly.

This...

Beholding Emma Frost standing before him, Richard swallowed involuntarily.

She remained clothed in white, but had exchanged her previous miniskirt for a white bikini composed of minimal fabric.

Beyond the essential areas concealed by the swimwear, Emma Frost's graceful figure presented itself unreservedly to Richard's gaze.

Standing 178 centimeters tall, her model-like height blessed her with an impressive pair of long legs.

Not merely long, they exhibited perfect roundness and elegant contours that commanded attention.

Though Richard didn't consider himself particularly fixated on legs, Emma Frost's statuesque limbs nonetheless disrupted his concentration.

Legs for days! The phrase flashed unbidden through his mind.

Complementing those proud legs were a slender waist, prominently sculpted décolletage reminiscent of snow-capped mountains, and sensuous curves.

Breathtaking.

A beauty capable of awakening primal desires in men.

Women only affect the speed with which I draw my sword!

Richard had frequently employed this mantra as self-reminder.

Now, however, he reconsidered the merits of occasionally spending time with women—engaging beautiful members of the opposite sex in profound discussions about life's origins and universal mysteries.

Despite Richard's sunglasses, Emma Frost's feminine intuition accurately discerned his undisguised appraisal of her form.

Upon this realization, a satisfied smile graced her features.

In the Caesars Palace business suite, when Richard had teleported several meters away from her advances, she'd questioned her allure.

Much like Mystique during her initial encounter with Richard, Emma Frost had momentarily wondered about his sexual preferences.

Now, however, she confirmed his orientation with certainty.

He simply exercised greater restraint than most men.

After savoring Richard's appreciative gaze, Emma Frost approached the opposite sofa, donned her sunglasses, and reclined in an undeniably provocative pose.

Though silent, her intentions registered clearly with Richard.

"Apply some sunscreen to me," Emma Frost requested suddenly.

Richard rose and approached her, smiling as he replied, "Sunscreen seems unnecessary."

With that, he lifted her into his arms and continued, "Which room is yours?"

"The starboard guest cabin," Emma Frost answered softly, cooperating by encircling his neck.

Upon receiving this information, Richard immediately teleported from the sun deck directly to the starboard guest bedroom—more precisely, to the bed within.

Soon, alluring sounds inappropriate for young ears—yet representing life's most fundamental origins—emanated from the guest quarters.

[10.000 words adult scene]

Night
The yacht's dining area

Richard sampled the dinner prepared by Emma Frost.

Though not a masterful chef—having prepared only standard fare—he harbored no complaints.

In the starboard guest bedroom, Emma Frost had demonstrated through practical application that even if considered merely decorative, she constituted an ornament one couldn't readily discard—worthy of repeated appreciation and a designated place within one's collection.

While enjoying her culinary efforts, Richard's thoughts drifted inevitably to Clarice.

Her Chinese cuisine truly aligns better with my preferences!

I wonder how she's faring at the mutant academy?

Time advanced steadily.

As they neared the conclusion of their meal, Richard abruptly paused and addressed Emma Frost seated across from him:

"They've returned, accompanied by several guests."

Upon hearing this, Emma Frost deployed her own telepathy.

With minimal effort, she detected Sebastian Shaw, Riptide, and others.

Despite sensing their presence, neither Richard nor Emma Frost attempted telepathic intrusion.

Unlike his cinematic counterpart, this universe's Sebastian Shaw exhibited considerably greater caution.

According to Emma Frost, Shaw habitually wore his mind-isolating helmet nearly constantly—whether traveling abroad, aboard the yacht, or within the Hellfire Club's secret facilities.

Richard found Shaw's heightened vigilance unsurprising.

This universe contained significantly more telepaths than the films depicted.

The movies featured only two individuals with psychic capabilities: Emma Frost and Professor X.

With telepaths so rare, and one being his own ally, the cinematic Shaw saw little reason to consistently utilize mental protection.

By contrast, even Richard—having traversed this world for merely three months—had already encountered, or more precisely, eliminated several psychics.

Though not all possessed complete telepathic abilities, their existence sufficed to justify Shaw's perpetual use of protective measures.

As the Hellfire Club's leader and a mutant harboring grand ambitions, lacking such basic precaution would constitute inexcusable negligence.

Professor X's mere existence provided sufficient incentive for constant mental shielding.

This applied equally to Magneto.

Beyond Shaw's helmet-wearing habit, Emma Frost had revealed another critical detail—mind-isolating helmets existed in considerable numbers throughout this world.

Though not universally available, many senior United States government officials possessed similarly functioning headgear.

This pattern extended beyond America to numerous nations.

Moreover, developing countermeasures against psychic invasion represented a research priority for every major global power.

Though Professor X didn't share Magneto's extremism, governments worldwide regarded him with greater apprehension.

If Magneto's abilities equated to an openly displayed nuclear weapon, Professor X's powers paralleled a time bomb potentially materializing beside anyone at any moment.

Had the American government fully understood Professor X's capabilities and confidently assessed their ability to neutralize him and the X-Men, they would have moved against them long ago.

Shortly thereafter, Sebastian Shaw, Riptide, and their companions entered the restaurant, discovering Richard and Emma Frost dining together.

Upon witnessing this tableau, Shaw and Riptide frowned simultaneously.

Though uncertain why Richard occupied their vessel, they immediately sensed something amiss.

Their surprise mirrored Richard's own, though his attention fixed primarily on a middle-aged man accompanying them.

Magneto!

Or more precisely—a middle-aged clone of Magneto!

...

Chapter 58: The Pinnacle of Genetic Engineering

Even Magneto can be cloned?

Although Richard had witnessed Sabretooth's clone at the Los Angeles branch of the Department of Mutant Affairs and knew they had mastered mutant cloning technology, he never expected to encounter a Magneto clone aboard the Hellfire Club's yacht.

Meeting Magneto himself wouldn't have been nearly as surprising. After all, both the Brotherhood of Mutants and the Hellfire Club opposed the Mutant Restriction Act and the U.S. government—their cooperation was plausible to some extent.

But a clone of Magneto—and a middle-aged version at that—was completely beyond his expectations.

This complicates things.

Sebastian Shaw alone wasn't an enemy to be taken lightly. With a middle-aged Magneto clone added to the equation, the difficulty rose sharply. Though this scenario deviated completely from his plans, Richard remained composed, showing neither panic nor fear.

He couldn't guarantee victory against both Sebastian Shaw and the Magneto clone simultaneously. However, one thing was certain—if he wanted to leave, neither Shaw nor the Magneto clone could stop him.

"Emma, what's going on? Where's Azazel?" Riptide asked Emma Frost before Sebastian Shaw could speak.

Just as Emma Frost opened her mouth to reply, Richard's voice cut through the tension.

"He's dead. I killed him."

Richard calmly set down his knife and fork, picked up his napkin to wipe the corner of his mouth, and stood up.

Upon hearing his confession, a small tornado immediately materialized in Riptide's right palm.

The Riptide from the comics and the one from the film possessed entirely different powers. In the comics, Riptide could rotate his body at superhuman speeds, drawing in surrounding objects or causing calcifications to form in his bones. While spinning, he would release these calcifications through his skin like bullets to assault his enemies.

In the film, Riptide's abilities were much simpler: controlling and creating whirlwinds.

Just as Riptide prepared to unleash the miniature tornado in his hand against Richard, Sebastian Shaw raised his right hand, halting the attack.

"Did Azazel offend you when delivering the invitation?" Shaw asked Richard, his tone measured.

Richard shook his head and responded with unsettling tranquility: "He didn't offend me. I simply didn't want him to exist."

His tone remained eerily calm, as though he were merely commenting on the pleasant evening weather.

"I see," Shaw replied coldly. "Then it seems there's nothing left to discuss."

The moment Shaw finished speaking, Riptide released the small tornado from his palm. As it traveled, the whirlwind—originally only 20 to 30 centimeters high—expanded dramatically to three or four meters in height as it hurtled toward Richard and Emma Frost.

Despite Emma standing directly beside Richard, neither Riptide nor Sebastian Shaw showed any concern about potentially harming her. Their actions made it clear—they recognized that Emma Frost had aligned herself with Richard.

Even before reaching its target, Riptide's tornado had already transformed the elegant restaurant into chaos.

Rather than teleporting away, Richard raised his right hand and summoned a powerful gust of wind. As his mana flowed, an equally massive tornado materialized out of thin air and rocketed toward Riptide's whirlwind.

BOOM!

The two violently rotating vortices, spinning in opposite directions, collided with catastrophic force, detonating like a bomb. The uncontrolled airflow and shockwave struck everyone in the restaurant indiscriminately.

Except for Richard, every person present—Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Riptide, the Magneto clone, and the two unidentified mutants—activated their respective powers in defense.

Emma Frost transformed into her Diamond Form, her body becoming a sparkling, crystalline work of art. Her strength, stamina, and defensive capabilities increased dramatically.

Sebastian Shaw employed his energy absorption ability, drawing in all the chaotic airflow directed at him.

Riptide and the Magneto clone each created protective barriers. Riptide formed a wall of concentrated wind, while the Magneto clone generated an ultra-high-intensity magnetic force field—invisible to the naked eye but possessing remarkable defensive properties.

Of the two mutants positioned behind the Magneto clone, one transformed into a spherical mass of water, while the other became engulfed in orange-red flames.

As the only person present who didn't visibly activate his mutant powers, Richard stood calmly, channeling his mana to create an invisible barrier before him. With his enhanced physique, he could easily withstand the uncontrolled airflow and shockwave.

But he had no desire to let the turbulent forces dishevel his hair.

Long silver hair dancing slightly in the wind—elegant and striking.

If blown into disarray, it wouldn't look impressive—just embarrassing.

The chaotic airflow and shockwave failed to injure anyone in the restaurant but reduced the once-exquisite dining area to ruins—overturning tables and chairs, shattering dishes, and blowing out the windows.

When calm finally returned, Richard walked deliberately toward Emma Frost and wrapped his arm around her slender, diamond-form waist.

Teleportation!

Under the watchful eyes of Sebastian Shaw, the Magneto clone, and the others, Richard transported himself and the diamond-skinned White Queen off the yacht, materializing on the rooftop of a building near the pier.

"The coming battle isn't suitable for you," Richard told Emma Frost. "Stay here and watch."

"Are you certain you don't need my assistance?" Emma asked quickly. "Except for Shaw with his helmet, I could help you handle the others."

"No need," Richard replied confidently. "I can manage on my own." He added with a smile, "By the way, if you get bored, perhaps consider other positions that might please both of us more."

With those words, he teleported back to the devastated restaurant and summoned the Masamune from his system space.

Seeing him return alone, Sebastian Shaw remarked calmly, "You intend to face all five of us simultaneously? Are you truly that confident?"

Richard shook his head at Shaw's assessment. "One against five? No, that's the worst-case scenario." His lips curved into a subtle smile. "With luck, this will be a one-on-one between you and me."

Telepathy!

Without hesitation, Richard immediately deployed his telepathic abilities. Though his telepathic powers weren't as formidable as those of Emma Frost or Professor X, they still surpassed those of ordinary psychics.

Sebastian Shaw wore a mind-isolating helmet, making him immune to telepathic intrusion. But Riptide was different.

In an instant, Richard used his telepathy to immobilize Riptide.

Are 3 of them mentally shielded?

Richard's expression grew serious. He had anticipated being able to at least subdue Riptide and the Magneto clone telepathically. Unexpectedly, only Riptide the one he got, the Magneto clone and the two other mutants all possessed mental protection.

Noting Richard's solemn expression, Sebastian Shaw regarded him with contempt. "Did you think I wasn't aware of your telepathic abilities?"

Shaw paused, raising his right hand to indicate the Magneto clone. "Did you assume he's merely a clone of Erik Lehnsherr?"

"Allow me to enlighten you," Shaw continued. "These three aren't ordinary clones. They represent the latest masterpieces of collaboration between the Hellfire Club and the Department of Mutant Affairs—the pinnacle of genetic engineering."

His voice dropped to a sinister whisper: "Hunters."

...

Chapter 59: Emma...

Although Richard didn't fully understand what Sebastian Shaw meant by the "pinnacle of genetic engineering," he could now make an educated guess based on what he was witnessing.

From the current situation, these so-called "Hunters" weren't merely mutant clones—they were enhanced versions, modified and strengthened through advanced genetic engineering based on the original mutants' DNA.

"Isn't the Hellfire Club opposed to the Mutant Restriction Act?" Richard asked, his voice calm despite the tension. "You're fighting against the Act on one hand while cooperating with the Department of Mutant Affairs on the other. Quite the contradiction, wouldn't you say?"

Despite failing to freeze the enhanced clone Sebastian Shaw had called a "Hunter" with his telepathy, Richard remained composed. Their Mental Shielding ability made them immune to his mental attacks, but that wasn't cause for concern.

Except for Magneto's enhanced clone, the other two enhanced clones posed no real threat to him. An elemental water-man and a body engulfed in high-temperature flames weren't particularly challenging mutant powers to counter.

The only ones he needed to worry about were Sebastian Shaw himself and the Magneto clone.

"There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests!" Shaw responded with a smug smile. "I should thank you, actually. If you hadn't slaughtered so many people at the Los Angeles branch, making the Department of Mutant Affairs realize their Sentinel robots aren't as reliable as they thought, they wouldn't have approached me for cooperation."

Shaw's eyes narrowed as he studied Richard. "You're undeniably powerful, but even your strength has its limits. I can forgive you for killing Azazel. Since we're all mutants, I'll give you another chance to join the Hellfire Club."

He extended his hand in a theatrical gesture. "Join us, and the position of 'White King' is yours—second only to mine in the entire organization." His expression hardened slightly. "Of course, the condition is that you undo whatever you did to Emma."

Although Sebastian Shaw didn't know exactly what Richard had done to Emma Frost, he was certain of one thing: Richard must have manipulated her somehow. Otherwise, White Queen wouldn't have so easily "surrendered" to the man who had killed Azazel. After all, Emma had been with them for several years—her sudden betrayal made no sense.

After hearing Shaw's proposal, Richard immediately replied with a mocking tone, "Only below you? How generous of you!"

A dangerous smile spread across Richard's face. "By the way, Emma told me something interesting this afternoon. She mentioned how you've always wanted her in your bed, but you're too hypocritical and prudish to be direct about it."

Richard took a step forward, his voice dropping to a taunting whisper. "Besides, you're incredibly greedy—wanting both her body and her service. So you resort to sweet talking her, hoping she'll willingly climb into your bed."

Shaw's face darkened as Richard continued, "Unfortunately for you, she never agreed to your advances, so you still don't know what it's like to be with her." Richard's smile turned vicious. "Since you're being so generous, let me satisfy your curiosity... Emma, she's... very moist."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Richard raised his Masamune and swung it with deadly precision.

Swish!

As the blade cut through the air, seven or eight crescent-shaped energy waves—each more than a meter long, purple on the outside and white on the inside—flew toward Sebastian Shaw and his group with lightning speed.

Without hesitation, Sebastian Shaw activated his energy absorption power.

Simultaneously, Magneto's clone created a defensive force field of super-concentrated magnetic energy to protect himself and the other two mutants.

The crescent-shaped energy waves aimed at Sebastian Shaw collapsed instantly upon approaching within a few dozen centimeters of him, transforming into pure energy that his body absorbed.

Chi-chi-chi...

The remaining energy crescents slashed through Riptide's body, cutting the motionless mutant, who stood like a wax figure, into several pieces.

The other portion struck the force field created by Magneto's clone and exploded with a thunderous bang!

Plunder!

Though he had only killed Riptide, Richard immediately activated his Plunder ability.

[Gain new ability: Control Whirlwind!]

[Controlling the Whirlwind can enhance the skill Aeroga. Do you want to enhance it?] ...

After seeing the system's information, Richard decisively chose "Yes."

[Skill Aeroga is enhanced!]

While Riptide's Controlled Whirlwind wouldn't likely upgrade Aeroga by a full level, any enhancement was better than none. Compared to controlling whirlwinds, Aeroga had a wider range of applications and wasn't vulnerable to X-gene suppression methods.

After witnessing Richard kill Riptide, Sebastian Shaw's expression turned glacial.

Although he wasn't the type of leader to sacrifice himself for subordinates, Riptide had been a core member of the Hellfire Club. More importantly, Riptide had been loyal to a fault. It would be unnatural for Shaw not to react when a capable and obedient subordinate was slaughtered before his eyes.

"Since you're so eager to die, I'll gladly oblige," Sebastian Shaw declared, his face twisted with murderous intent.

"You want to kill me?" Richard replied calmly. "You're not nearly qualified enough."

Shaw's energy absorption was indeed a formidable power, but far from invincible. If Richard didn't want Shaw to get close to him, Sebastian Shaw wouldn't be able to reach him regardless of how much energy he absorbed—unless he possessed teleportation abilities as well.

After hearing Richard's dismissive response, Sebastian Shaw didn't waste time with further threats. Instead, he commanded the three enhanced clones behind him:

"Number Seven, Number Eight—stop him. Number Three, channel your energy to me."

On the surface, these enhanced clones that Shaw called "Hunters" appeared no different from ordinary humans. Yet Richard noticed something unsettling about them—they didn't seem particularly "intelligent."

More accurately, they gave the impression of lacking independent thought. Although they wielded their mutant powers with precision, they hadn't uttered a single word since their appearance. Their faces remained expressionless, devoid of any emotion.

Whether they were attacked by energy blades or witnessed violent death, they stood emotionlessly behind Sebastian Shaw like robots—no feelings, no self-awareness.

Recognizing this, Richard was reminded of X-24 from the film Logan. Being "ripened" through genetic engineering, X-24's emotional range had been severely limited, reduced to primarily anger. Yet even with only rage as his emotion, X-24 had seemed more human than these three enhanced clones. At least X-24 could feel something.

The moment Sebastian Shaw finished speaking, Number Seven—engulfed in flames—and Number Eight—resembling a humanoid water construct—advanced toward Richard.

Number Three, the Magneto clone, generated an ultra-high intensity magnetic field that completely enveloped Sebastian Shaw. Once surrounded by this magnetic cocoon, Shaw immediately began absorbing its energy.

Simultaneously, Numbers Seven and Eight launched their attack. Seven raised his arms, unleashing twin streams of orange-red flames like industrial flamethrowers directly at Richard. Eight transformed into a spinning water tornado and hurled himself toward Richard with devastating force.

Teleportation!

Without hesitation, Richard activated his teleportation ability, avoiding the combined assault and instantly reappearing on the sun deck outside.

He raised his right hand, conjuring a small dark energy sphere resembling a miniature black hole above his palm.

Black Materia!

Upon seeing the dark energy ball in Richard's hand, Sebastian Shaw immediately realized his intention.

"Get off the yacht now!" Shaw shouted desperately.

But his warning came too late. Even as the words left his mouth, a green beam of light descended from the sky onto the yacht.

More than a hundred meters above them, a massive meteorite—over ten meters in diameter and wreathed in flames—hurtled toward the yacht at speeds exceeding a hundred meters per second.

BOOM!

The enormous meteorite, appearing out of nowhere, struck the yacht with the precision of a cruise missile, hitting precisely where the restaurant was located.

The flaming celestial projectile split the yacht in half before crashing into the sea. The catastrophic impact generated waves twenty to thirty meters high, scattering the yacht's wreckage across the water's surface.

...

Chapter 60: Water Elementalization

Although the yacht marina was less active at night than during daylight hours, the thunderous impact of the meteorite striking the Caspartina instantly drew attention from all directions.

Everyone in the vicinity—wealthy yacht owners, dock workers, and casual beachgoers alike—jumped at the deafening collision and the massive waves that followed.

What just happened? Was that a terrorist attack?

While the meteorite Richard had summoned was substantial in size, the entire process—from initial summoning to devastating impact—had taken less than a second. Emma Frost, observing from her rooftop perch on a nearby building, was the only witness to the complete sequence of events.

As she watched Richard obliterate the Caspartina with a meteorite, Emma's brow furrowed slightly. Her concern wasn't that Richard had gone too far, nor was she particularly worried about Sebastian Shaw and the others. Rather, she lamented the designer clothing and luxury handbags now lost in her bedroom closet aboard the yacht.

Those items had been carefully curated over time. Many were exclusive pieces, custom-designed by renowned fashion houses specifically for her. She had always harbored a particular affinity for white attire, and to ensure uniqueness and exclusivity, had invested considerable sums commissioning prominent designers to create bespoke garments.

Despite this momentary regret, she quickly made peace with the loss and refocused her attention on Richard, who now hovered above the marina.

It's just clothes and accessories—nothing that can't be replaced.

As Emma Frost kept her eyes on Richard, the startled onlookers who had been alarmed by the noise and waves also caught sight of him floating midair.

A striking figure with flowing silver hair wielding a gleaming silver sword suspended in the sky was impossible to miss.

Shock registered on the faces of everyone near the dock.

How did he get to Miami? Wasn't he in San Francisco? Is that yacht connected to the Avengers? Is he fighting someone from the Department of Mutant Affairs?

Though San Francisco and Miami lay thousands of kilometers apart—one nestled against America's west coast, the other on its eastern seaboard—footage of Richard summoning a meteorite to confront the Hulk in San Francisco earlier that day had circulated globally. The spectacular event had been witnessed not only by Americans but by viewers worldwide.

The moment people realized that the individual who had destroyed the yacht was likely the same person from the San Francisco incident, the previously serene marina erupted into chaos.

Occupied yachts hastily departed their ship, one after another. Marina staff and nearby tourists fled the pier with urgent speed, as if escaping a disaster zone. Though they couldn't identify Richard's opponents, one fact was abundantly clear: remaining in the vicinity to spectate would be a profoundly unwise decision. The people of San Francisco had already learned this lesson the hard way.

Richard paid no attention to the panicking crowd. While manipulating wind currents to remain airborne, he extended his telepathic senses to locate Sebastian Shaw and his companions.

The meteorite's force had been tremendous, but insufficient to eliminate Sebastian Shaw. If Shaw could be dispatched so easily, he would hardly be worthy of his reputation.

Without much effort, Richard detected Shaw's presence. The psychic-blocking helmet worn by Sebastian Shaw could prevent telepathic intrusion into his mind, but it couldn't render him completely undetectable to telepathic scanning.

Besides Sebastian Shaw, Richard also sensed the Magneto clone and the water-based mutant designated as Number Eight. However, the flame-wielding mutant codenamed Number Seven didn't register in his scan.

Evidently, Number Seven had perished instantly from the meteorite's impact.

Though uncertain of the exact location of Number Seven's remains, Richard initiated his Plunder ability nonetheless.

[Gain new abilities: Pyrokinesis, Mental Shielding!]

[Detected same type of abilities, initiating ability fusion!]

[Telepathy is enhanced!]

[Pyrokinesis can enhance the skill 'Firaga'. Do you want to enhance it?]

Without hesitation, Richard chose "Yes."

[Skill Firaga is enhanced!]

After dismissing the information panel, Richard observed Sebastian Shaw emerging from the sea.

The Magneto clone had formed a spherical force field, protecting himself and Shaw. Meanwhile, the aquatic mutant designated as Number Eight wasn't contained within the force field but rather controlled the seawater, standing confidently atop the waves.

Seeing that the water-based mutant could manipulate seawater, Richard realized he had underestimated this opponent. He'd initially assumed Number Eight could only transform his body into a water element form. The discovery that he could also control seawater changed the assessment significantly.

If Number Eight's powers were limited to elemental transformation and Mental Shielding, Richard would rate his abilities at 7 points. However, with Water Manipulation added to the mix, his power rating jumped to at least 8.

Can he only control seawater? Or can he manipulate any liquid?

Richard studied the water mutant with increasing interest. After a few moments of observation, he made his decision.

Eliminate the water controller first. Then find a way to take down Sebastian Shaw and the Magneto clone.

Having decided on his strategy, Richard didn't hesitate. He immediately activated his Shift Slash.

In an instant, he materialized behind the water mutant. Though uncertain which specific mutant Number Eight was cloned from, Richard felt confident that conventional physical attacks would prove ineffective against an opponent in liquid form.

Nevertheless, he swung his Masamune.

Swish!

The Masamune moved with lightning speed, cleanly slicing through the water mutant's neck. The aqueous head soared upward, traced a graceful arc through the air, and splashed into the sea.

Despite being decapitated, the water mutant's form remained intact, still standing firmly atop the waves. Within seconds, a new head materialized from his watery body. He pivoted to face Richard while raising both hands in a threatening gesture.

As the water mutant lifted his arms, five or six waterspouts of various sizes erupted from the sea's surface. Simultaneously, a violently spinning water tornado surged toward Richard.

Richard neither evaded the approaching water tornado nor teleported away. Instead, he addressed the water mutant before him:

"Your power is impressive—it renders you immune to most physical attacks. Unfortunately for you, showing off such abilities in my presence was unwise. You should have retreated when you had the chance."

Upon finishing his statement, Richard seized the water mutant's newly formed neck with his right hand.

Blizzaga!

Freeze!

Mana surged through Richard's body, manifesting as a biting cold that flowed from his right hand. In an instant, everything—the water mutant, the attacking water tornado, and the waves beneath them—froze solid.

Glancing at his opponent who had transformed from a "water man" to an "ice man," Richard applied slight pressure with his right hand.

CRACK!

The completely frozen body of the water mutant shattered like brittle glass, ice fragments of various sizes raining down onto the frozen sea surface below.

These Hunters truly have abysmal combat intelligence!

After this mental observation, Richard activated his Plunder ability once more.

[Gain new abilities: Water Manipulation, Water Elementalization, Mental Shielding!]

[Detected same type of abilities, initiating ability fusion!]

[Telepathy is enhanced!]

[X-Gene Mutant power Content Update]

[Beta level: Energy Emission, Energy Absorption, Invisibility, Enhanced Senses, Telepathy, Giant Body, Gravity Binding, Thermal Vision, Pressure Burst, Repulsion, Momentum Shift, Mind Movement, Force Field Creation, Energy Materialization, Water Manipulation, Water Elementalization]

Reviewing the system's information, Richard sighed with mild disappointment. He had hoped Water Man's abilities would register at Alpha level, but evidently, his expectations had been too high.

Though the water mutant's powers hadn't reached the Alpha classification Richard had anticipated, he quickly moved past his disappointment.

Just because it's Beta level now doesn't mean it will remain so forever.

As long as he continued to Plunder similar abilities, his water manipulation and elementalization powers would eventually ascend to Alpha level. It was merely a matter of time and opportunity.

Having dispatched the water mutant, Richard turned his attention to Sebastian Shaw and the Magneto clone, who had now landed on the dock.

The appetizer is finished. Time for the main course.

...