[Marvel : The God Of Punishment] Chapter 76 - 80

Chapter 76: Wolverine's Awesome Endurance

[Congratulations on earning your reward: Spirit of Vengeance. The system has been updated and can now be viewed.]

Jason examined the system interface and scratched his head. This is...

They've given me Ghost Rider's powers.

Wow, that's actually pretty impressive.

Within the system, he discovered the Spirit of Vengeance's additional abilities: Penance Stare, Hellfire, and Immortality.

The Penance Stare allowed him to judge sinners, while Hellfire served as his power source.

As for Immortality, it currently only rendered him invulnerable during his transform state.

But that wasn't a significant issue—he'd just need to transform diligently.

More importantly, Ghost Rider's immortality granted immunity to numerous magical attacks and curses.

This meant his magical resistance had instantly increased from practically nothing to something substantial.

That's the power of a Diamond-tier gift package. Truly terrifying.

He glanced at the system display and noticed the next classification tier was labeled [King].

Hmm, I wonder if the esteemed Mr. President might qualify for that rank.

As for whether the President was morally corrupt, Jason wasn't particularly concerned.

If he isn't corrupt, it would mean he's severely neglected his duties as President of the United States.

Sensing the explosive power coursing through his body, Jason suddenly realized something was missing.

A mount!

What's Ghost Rider without a badass ride?

Throughout history, Ghost Rider's mounts had included the Hellfire Mammoth, the Hellfire Horse, the Hellfire Motorcycle, the Hellfire Muscle Car—all exceptionally cool.

But what should I choose? The old pickup truck from the church?

Maybe I should buy a Ferrari, or... commandeer a fighter jet?

Wait, the X-Men have that incredible aircraft!

But something still felt lacking.

He suddenly furrowed his brow. Speaking of aircraft, doesn't S.H.I.E.L.D. have that enormous flying vessel called... what was it again?

Nick Fury, you magnificent bastard, why must you have everything!

While Jason happily unwrapped his gift package, Professor Xavier was being subjected to torture.

Not physical torment, but psychological.

His opponent was another extraordinarily powerful Tier 4 mutant—Stryker's son, Jason Stryker, the Master of Illusion.

The Professor wore a neural inhibitor that suppressed his telepathic abilities. He had broken free from Jason Stryker's illusions several times through sheer willpower.

Unfortunately, as Stryker had pointed out: "You fear him more than I do."

The Professor, who had been helpless against Jason Stryker years ago, now found himself completely vulnerable to the illusions with his powers neutralized.

Meanwhile, Jean Grey and Storm, having finally located the presidential would-be assassin—the teleporter Nightcrawler—returned to the academy only to discover it had vanished!

Their former home had been reduced to ruins, with soldiers in military uniforms combing through the wreckage, apparently conducting salvage operations.

The two exchanged alarmed glances.

They dared not land, instead ascending to a higher altitude and circling for some time. Eventually, they thought to contact Jason.

Shortly thereafter, their futuristic aircraft touched down at Jason's facility.

After extensive discussion, the group quickly identified the true mastermind behind recent events: William Stryker.

Following Jason's suggestion, Jean helped Nightcrawler recover his suppressed memories, leading them to Stryker's hidden base.

Alkali Lake Dam.

The team mobilized immediately.

Wolverine, Jean, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler joined forces with Jason's associates—Blade and Frank Castle.

The dam's spillway served as both entrance to Stryker's base and a formidable defensive position.

With the flip of a switch, Stryker could open the floodgates, washing away anyone in the passage with a torrential surge of high-pressure water.

Infiltrating the base would require cunning.

Within the massive corridor, Wolverine advanced alone.

Approaching a thick alloy door, he looked directly at the overhead security camera. "Stryker! I'm here!"

After his declaration, he waited patiently. Moments later, two smaller doors behind him slid open, and several heavily armed soldiers emerged, surrounding him.

After securing special restraints around his wrists, the massive alloy door before them began to slowly part.

Stryker appeared in the doorway. One glance confirmed that the figure before him was indeed Wolverine.

"Well, well, puppy. Welcome home!"

Wolverine gave a faint, knowing smirk. “This time, I’m not coming back alone.”

As he spoke, Stryker noticed a section of the distant spillway wall seemingly detach itself and fall to the ground.

Two figures materialized suddenly.

His heart sank as he realized the fallen "wall segment" must have been some kind of camouflage fabric!

Due to the considerable distance, their security cameras hadn't detected anything unusual.

One of the figures was the blue-skinned teleporter Nightcrawler, whom Stryker recognized immediately.

The other was the celebrated hero Jason, whom he had encountered not long ago.

Observing the open door, Jason smiled and asked the teleporter beside him, "Now, can you transport me behind that entrance?"

Earlier, Nightcrawler had explained that he could only teleport to locations within his line of sight, making direct teleportation into Stryker's base impossible.

"Of course, Mr. Jason!"

The moment Stryker spotted Nightcrawler and Jason, he knew the entrance was compromised.

As he retreated, he shouted, "Open fire! Kill them all!"

The command had barely left his lips when a cloud of blue smoke materialized beside Wolverine.

Nightcrawler remained only briefly before teleporting away again.

Jason and Wolverine now faced gunfire from all directions.

PING! CLANG!

THUD! THUD!

Bullets striking Jason ricocheted as if hitting solid steel—either rebounding entirely or flattening into copper discs that dropped harmlessly to the floor.

But Wolverine beside him...

Tragic hardly described it.

Bullets swarmed him, creating countless puncture wounds across his body. Blood splattered everywhere, coating half of Jason's form.

The impact force transferred through Wolverine's body, causing him to stagger like a character in a B-movie—swaying dramatically but too stubborn to fall.

Jason raised his hand, unleashing a cascade of lightning bolts. Every visible soldier was electrocuted, their bodies convulsing before collapsing.

Wolverine dropped to one knee, blood trailing from his lips as he gritted out, “Next time… do us both a favor—don’t drag me into crap like this.”

Jason regarded the blood spattered across his clothing with disgust and rolled his eyes. "If there is a next time, I definitely won't stand so close to you!"

Jason darted toward another massive iron door that was beginning to close. He thrust both hands forward, halting the heavy alloy barrier's descent.

This chamber controlled the dam's flood discharge operations. If they couldn't secure it, no one else could enter the facility.

The soldiers inside stared at him in horror. This gate was driven by a ten-ton electric motor, yet he had stopped it with his bare hands?

Panicking, they drew their sidearms and emptied their magazines at him.

Jason shook his head wearily. Summoning his rage, he channeled it into raw strength!

His power instantly doubled, allowing him to force the alloy door open with ease.

He dispatched the personnel inside swiftly.

Through the security monitors, he observed numerous soldiers converging on their position.

Stryker appeared to be accelerating his timetable, likely rushing to implement his plan for mutant extermination.

By now, Jean, Storm, Frank, Blade, and the others had finally reached the entrance.

They watched in horror as Wolverine's body continuously expelled bullets, the spent rounds littering the floor around him.

What ruthless enemies!

Poor bastard.

Frank gave Wolverine a curt nod and a rare smirk. “Gotta admit… you’re a damn force of nature.”

Chapter 77: If You Don't Save Me and I Don't Save You, Who Will Save the Professor?

From the computer in the flood discharge control room, the team discovered that most of the electricity generated by the dam's turbines flowed to a single location.

That was where Stryker had dismantled Xavier Institute's Cerebro and reassembled it.

The Professor was there as well, under the psychic control of the Master of Illusion, preparing to exterminate every mutant on Earth.

Jason clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Alright people, our primary objective now is to stop the Professor. We need to work together—"

"I'm going after Stryker!"

Wolverine, glaring at the stocky middle-aged man on the surveillance monitor, had a feral look in his eyes as he made his declaration.

Jason paused momentarily. He understood—the hatred for a man who murdered your loved one was impossible to reconcile.

"Fine, the rest of us will coordinate to—"

"I have to rescue the children first!"

Storm gazed at the imprisoned mutant children on another monitor, compassion evident in her expression.

Jason fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Okay, saving the children takes priority. I can't argue with that."

"Now, the remaining team members—"

"I need to find Scott..."

Jean looked at the footage showing a mind-controlled Cyclops, her eyes reflecting heartache and concern.

Well, that's love for you!

Nightcrawler suddenly raised his hand—he wanted to accompany Storm to rescue the children.

By Jason's count, the only people left to save the Professor were himself, Colossus, Blade, and Frank.

Unbelievable!

I'm just an outsider here, yet somehow I've become the primary force in rescuing the Professor?

Are you people actually hoping for Xavier's death more than I am?

While these complaints ran through his mind, Frank cast him a sidelong glance that clearly though: These are the elite players you promised me?

Jason rolled his eyes and shrugged. He'd never anticipated such disarray.

He finally understood why Magneto and Mystique had managed to reach Cerebro ahead of everyone else in the original timeline. After their intervention, the Professor had changed his target from [extinction of mutants] to [extinction of humans].

It appeared all of the Professor's teammates were remarkably self-interested.

Now that Magneto had been eliminated by his hand, and Mystique wasn't involved, Jason had unwittingly assumed Magneto's role.

Fine, I won't complain about it!

Wolverine, Storm, Jean, and the others departed one by one.

Jason turned to Blade and Frank. "There's substantial evidence here of Stryker's human experimentation and mutant research. You two should collect all relevant information—don't miss anything!"

After giving these instructions, he turned to Colossus. "Let's go save the Professor!"

They had barely rounded a corner when Jason abruptly halted and clapped Colossus on the shoulder. "I just remembered something urgent I need to handle. You go ahead and save the Professor—I'll join you shortly!"

Colossus stood there bewildered. What?

Wolverine pursued Stryker relentlessly, and Jason shadowed Wolverine with equal determination.

A sudden tremor shook the entire base. Battles were raging throughout the facility, so few noticed the disturbance.

But a droplet of water struck Jason's face.

Looking up, he spotted several hairline fractures forming in the dam above.

He shrugged helplessly. Somewhere in the complex, Jean was likely engaged in an intense "training session" with her wayward husband.

The Phoenix force within her had been stirring for some time, and its eruption had compromised the dam's structural integrity.

The countdown to the dam's collapse had begun.

However, these minor fissures wouldn't cause immediate catastrophic failure. The facility could likely withstand the damage for at least an hour.

Assuming no one continued to inflict further destruction.

Meanwhile, Wolverine entered a spacious chamber that instantly triggered a surge of recognition.

He saw X-ray images of skeletons displayed on the walls—some his own, others belonging to different subjects.

In the center stood an enormous water tank, and beside it, a furnace containing molten metal that bubbled and churned.

Stryker emerged from a side passage, accompanied by a slender Asian woman.

He smiled genially. "Hello, my little wolf cub. Remember this place? This is where you evolved—where I upgraded you. This is where I created you!"

As Logan locked eyes with the face before him, a tidal wave of fury surged through his chest. SNIKT!—his adamantium claws burst forth with a metallic snarl.
“Evolution?” he growled, voice trembling with rage. “That’s a load of crap. This is where you betrayed me… where you tortured me.”
His breath came heavy, his gaze burning. “I’ll never forget this place. And I’ll make damn sure you don’t either.”

Stryker remained utterly calm, his smile unwavering. "I'm the person who knows you better than anyone in this world—even better than you know yourself. Without me, who would have cared for a feral creature like you? I was quite fond of you, Logan. Tough, resolute, stubborn... I saw something of myself in you. The only pity is that you're a mutant." His smile twisted into something ugly. "That single fact erased any positive sentiment I might have held. It's as though you transformed from a majestic wolf howling at the moon into a mangy, flea-ridden cur. What a tragedy!"

Wolverine’s patience snapped. He lunged forward, voice a raw snarl. “I’ve heard enough—die, you bastard!”

He launched himself at Stryker, but mid-leap, a figure intercepted him with a powerful kick that sent him spinning through the air before crashing to the ground.

When he looked up, he saw the Asian woman who had been silently accompanying Stryker.

Stryker laughed. "Wolf cub, meet Lady Deathstrike. Why don't you two get acquainted? She's been eager to play with you."

With that, he turned and departed.

Wolverine attempted to pursue, but Lady Deathstrike blocked his path.

"Move aside!" he growled.

She remained motionless.

Fury flashed across Wolverine's face as he prepared to attack, when a voice called from behind him. "It's alright, Logan. Leave her to me—you go after Stryker."

He turned to see Jason approaching and stared in confusion. "Weren't you supposed to be rescuing the Professor?"

Jason waved dismissively, his eyes fixed on Lady Deathstrike. "Save him? Give me a minute. Isn't it equally noble to save this beautiful woman from Stryker's control? All human lives are equally valuable."

Wolverine's eyes widened in disbelief. "But the Professor is being mind-controlled into killing every mutant on the planet! Shouldn't he be the priority?"

"I'm not as close to him as you are. If you're not concerned, why should I be?"

Wolverine hesitated, at a loss for words.

Noting his reaction, Jason relented. "Relax, I was only joking. I've already arranged for someone to rescue the Professor."

Wolverine exhaled with relief. "Storm or Jean?"

"Colossus."

"Oh, and who else?"

"Just Colossus."

Wolverine: ?

Seeing his stunned expression, Jason gestured impatiently. "Go on, chase after Stryker. I promise you'll survive!"

Wolverine appeared uncertain. "Are you sure?"

Jason fixed him with a pointed stare. "Logan, you're addressing the savior of New York—the man who rescued millions. Do you really want to question me?"

Wolverine paused, then nodded. "Fine, I trust you."

He sprinted in the direction Stryker had taken. Lady Deathstrike moved to intercept, but Jason blurred forward and seized her wrist.

Despite her struggles, she couldn't break his grip.

Once Logan had vanished from sight, Jason smiled at Lady Deathstrike before lowering his head to her neck. "Mmm... mmm..."

Jason's mutated blood flowed into her bloodstream.

His enhanced bloodline had evolved considerably, accelerating Lady Deathstrike's transformation.

Moreover, the power in his blood instantly neutralized the chemical agent—derived from Jason Stryker's cerebral fluid—that maintained control over her.

After a moment, Lady Deathstrike appeared to awaken from a trance, her eyes becoming clear and alert.

Upon seeing Jason, she lowered her head submissively. "Master!"

Jason nodded and approached the adamantium furnace.

He reached behind his back, producing several specially designed strips which he placed around the furnace's perimeter.

These heating elements, crafted by Anton and his son, would ensure that even if the entire furnace were relocated, the adamantium within wouldn't solidify.

Adamantium was an alloy comprised of various substances that, once fused, would permanently solidify upon cooling.

After hardening, it became virtually indestructible and impossible to remelt.

With this reservoir of molten adamantium, his Thunder Armor project was secured.

At that moment, another violent tremor shook the ground.

Is Jean still not finished "disciplining" her husband? I should let Cyclops file a complaint with the Avengers Federation someday!

Her marital disputes are trivial—compromising the dam is catastrophic.

He beckoned to Lady Deathstrike. "Remain here and guard this adamantium furnace."

With those instructions, his figure blurred into shadow as he vanished down the corridor.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

At Cerebro's entrance, smoke still lingered in the air as Colossus stood helplessly before an impenetrable alloy door.

His spirit was broken.

He had finally dispatched the dozen soldiers defending the position, only to have his progress halted by this barrier.

Despite hammering until his steel arms ached, he'd only managed to create shallow dents in the reinforced door.

But his despair stemmed not from the obstacle, but from a deeper realization:

We gave our word to protect mutantkind… yet I stand alone.
Are the others so afraid to die? In my country, we do not abandon comrades—not when it matters most.

In that moment, he seriously questioned the quality of education provided at Xavier's Institute.

And that so-called hero… useless. Worthless. He has probably run off by now—coward.
They call him a hero? Pfah. Some hero.

Beyond the door, Professor Xavier had just completed targeting all mutants globally.

The illusory child that Jason Stryker had projected into his mind whispered, "Kill them! Kill them all!"

Instantly, a colossal psychic wave radiated across the planet!

Colossus felt the agony first.

But the delay was so minimal as to be imperceptible. Mutants throughout the base—throughout the entire world—immediately experienced the same excruciating pain.

An invisible force surged into their minds, threatening to rupture their consciousness!

Jean, who had just finished her confrontation with Cyclops, sensed this power preemptively. She whispered in horrified disbelief, "Cerebro... it's too late. How could this happen..."

Storm and Nightcrawler, guiding the rescued children, were also approaching Cerebro.

The overwhelming mental assault struck them down, leaving them writhing in pain.

Some children cried, others howled, some trembled with fear, and others fell into despair.

Colossus knelt before the alloy door, weakly but stubbornly striking it with his right fist, defiance still burning in his eyes.

"Hey, Steel Man, I'm here to save you!"

A cheerful, relaxed voice called from behind. With great effort, he turned to see Jason!

His vision began to blur as he inwardly cursed: You're too late, you worthless bastard!

He could sense the invisible force in his mind reaching a critical threshold—in another moment, his head would explode!

BOOM!

A violent explosion reverberated through the facility!

Instantly, Colossus felt the deadly pressure vanish.

He gasped for breath, staring in disbelief at the smiling man beside him.

Jason understood his bewilderment. "Hey, you didn't think I was slacking off, did you?"

"What did you do?"

"Hmph!"

Jason snorted confidently, raising his hand as electrical energy crackled between his fingers.

"Nearly all the electricity generated by this dam powers Cerebro. Coincidentally, I have a particular affinity for 'electricity.' I located Cerebro's power supply and severed it. Without energy, that mind-amplifier is just an expensive paperweight!"

Colossus sighed with relief. Being fundamentally honest, he began to apologize. "I'm sorry, I thought—"

"You thought I was a useless piece of garbage, didn't you?"

Colossus's mouth opened awkwardly, unable to form a response.

Jason waved dismissively and studied the alloy door before them.

With his strength, he could easily breach it by channeling his rage, but two Tier 4 mutants waited beyond!

Professor Xavier and Jason Stryker ranked among the most powerful mutants alive.

The only one who might surpass them was Jean, with her latent Phoenix Force.

Other mutants typically functioned at Tiers 1, 2, or 3.

Certain mutants could evolve through special circumstances—like Apocalypse, who could facilitate the evolution of other mutants.

Apocalypse himself might qualify as a Tier 5 mutant, or perhaps an extreme Tier 4.

The reason Jason had chosen to disable Cerebro by destroying its power supply, rather than confronting its operators directly, was his concern that a direct assault might cause the two psychics to unite against him!

His own [Soul Defense] might not withstand their combined mental attack!

Better to exercise caution.

A decision formed in his mind—Attack now!

Jason's steel-like fists hammered the alloy door repeatedly. Soon, large sections caved inward, and a fracture slowly appeared.

He didn't immediately force his way through. Instead, he extended his finger, releasing a lightning bolt that surged through the opening toward the two figures inside.

The powerful electrical discharge instantly rendered both unconscious.

Only then did he feel confident enough to wrench the door open and enter.

Looking at the two wheelchair-bound men, his system promptly identified them as diamond-tier target, equivalent to Magneto!

Previously, the system hadn't classified the Professor as a target, but circumstances had changed.

This suggested that Xavier had likely caused numerous fatalities during his brief attack on mutantkind.

The victims would have included mutants who were already ill or injured, elderly mutants near death, and newborn mutant infants!

Examining the unconscious figures, Jason felt his ambition stirring.

While he needed a three kill to complete his diamond gift package, he could certainly find suitable candidates to help reach that quota!

A new challenge emerged, achieving a five-star Sentiment rating from the Professor and Jason Stryker—two individuals with exceptionally powerful mental abilities—would be difficult.

Jason Stryker posed a particular problem. After years of Stryker's experiments and torture, he barely qualified as human anymore.

The only person who could provoke significant emotional response from him was Stryker himself.

As I advance through the ranks, many targets are exceptional humans, which makes them increasingly difficult to handle properly!

But for a gift package of this caliber, anything less than five stars would be wasteful.

A few hundred attribute points would be nice, but I could achieve that more efficiently by dropping bombs in Afghanistan!

What could provoke their emotions effectively?

For Jason Stryker, it's simple: Stryker himself.

Even though Wolverine has likely dispatched the real Stryker by now, Mystique could easily impersonate him...

Chapter 78: The President's Question - What's In It For Me?

Jason suddenly shook his head and smiled. How could he have overlooked something so obvious? Hadn't he just facilitated countless deaths?

Could Professor Xavier—the self-proclaimed guardian of mutantkind—accept responsibility for his own lethal actions?

That would be simple enough. Gather the evidence, choose the perfect moment, and force the sinner to confront his crimes!

Jason grinned and called to Colossus behind him, "Steel Man, the dam is failing! Get the Professor out of here!"

As they evacuated, they reunited with Frank, Jean, Storm, and the others. They also encountered Wolverine, who had come looking for them.

The dam could no longer withstand the pressure—water leaked from countless fissures, and total collapse was imminent.

Under Wolverine's guidance, everyone fled through a newly created exit.

When passing through the chamber where Wolverine had undergone his adamantium bonding, Jason collected Lady Deathstrike and the precious adamantium furnace.

Emerging outside, they discovered a Chinook helicopter waiting.

Blood spatters surrounded the area, with a trail leading into nearby underbrush.

In the distance, the dam was on the verge of collapse. The immense volume of lake water would engulf this location within seconds.

Everyone boarded the aircraft, with Frank taking the pilot's seat.

The helicopter ascended slowly, banking around a bend before passing over the X-Men's Blackbird. Storm exited to join her team.

At that moment, the dam gave way completely.

In the final seconds before the flood reached them, the Blackbird launched skyward.

Watching the raging deluge, Jason knew this crisis was far from over.

The White House's fear and hatred of mutants continued to simmer.

At the conclusion of the original timeline, when the President had prepared to deliver a televised address about the assassination attempt, Xavier and his entourage had brazenly materialized in the Oval Office.

Although they'd presented evidence proving Stryker orchestrated the attack, Jason considered their approach utterly foolish!

What were they thinking?

Threatening the President of the United States, directly inside the White House?

On that basis alone, mutants deserved whatever fate befell them.

Both Magneto and Charles were brilliant men who deeply cared for mutantkind.

Jason had no intention of following their example. He planned to have a straightforward conversation with the President.

As the savior of New York, how could he not secure an audience with the nation's true power broker?

At the White House, Jason placed a call, and the President's secretary promptly arranged a meeting.

This was the practical value of his "Savior of Millions" title.

In the Oval Office, President Freeman sat behind the Resolute Desk, his expression serious as he carefully evaluated the man before him.

Meanwhile, Jason conducted his own assessment.

According to his system's classification, the President qualified as [King]-tier target!

It feels like there's a wild cat clawing at my heart.

What reward might the system grant if I were to strike now?

Would it be enough to take on the entire United States single-handedly?

Various scenarios flashed through his mind—innovative methods of killing, techniques to provoke maximum emotional response.

Unconsciously, an aura of deadly intent began radiating from his otherwise calm gaze.

The President didn't comprehend the meaning behind those eyes. He simply noted their unusual coldness, reminiscent of winter frost.

Is this the gaze of a hero?

Quite striking.

"Ahem, Mr. Jason. You specifically requested this meeting—what can I do for you?"

The President's words pulled Jason from his violent reverie.

After careful consideration, he abandoned the impulse to eliminate the President immediately.

Assassinating a national leader would transform him into a global enemy.

The Marvel universe was already tremendously complex. Inciting an international arms race would plunge the world into chaos.

By the time he could establish any form of global unification, civilization itself might have collapsed.

Patience. There's still plenty of time.

He smiled. "Mr. President, I've come to act as an advocate."

"Oh?"

"You're planning a televised address regarding the assassination attempt, correct?"

The President frowned and nodded. The public had a right to know—he needed to explain the situation clearly.

"Mr. President, I hope you'll temporarily withhold any definitive statement regarding the mutant community."

"Why?" The President's tone grew solemn. "Mr. Jason, are you somehow affiliated with them? Or perhaps, are you...?"

Jason raised his hands. "I'm certainly not a mutant. I only encountered them recently. My advice stems from the fact that America needs them!"

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. President, surely you recall the earthquake and demonic incursion in Manhattan, the Day of Mourning incident in Afghanistan, and the recent missile crisis at Stark Industries. Including your own assassination attempt and the subsequent Alkali Lake Dam collapse—do you believe these events were coincidental?"

The President appeared startled. "What are you suggesting?"

This pattern had already been noted by various government analysts, and preliminary reports had been submitted.

Jason gestured toward the heavens. "I've received divine insight that troubled times approach, and America faces unprecedented disasters. We require extraordinary protection!"

The President narrowed his eyes. "You mean... mutants?"

Jason nodded. "More broadly, individuals with exceptional abilities. Mutants represent only one category."

He smiled. "Mayor Adams of New York has reached a preliminary agreement with me. I'm establishing a team called the Avengers—New York's dedicated defenders. Whenever the city confronts disaster or significant criminal activity, the Avengers will respond."

The President understood immediately. "Your team includes mutants, so you're advocating on their behalf?"

"That's one interpretation, but I must emphasize that New York isn't the only city at risk. In the coming upheaval, the entire world faces peril. The Avengers can protect not only New York but all of America... if you're amenable."

The President fell silent, weighing the proposal's advantages and liabilities.

"Mr. President, I understand that since the Afghanistan incident, deployed troops have been demoralized—some even refuse patrols. International sentiment suggests America maintains only the façade of strength. The White House and Pentagon have struggled to counter this perception, with minimal success. Wouldn't a formidable team like the Avengers provide the credibility you need?"

The President's composure faltered momentarily.

The question of restoring military confidence had troubled him for weeks.

He had previously considered utilizing armor technology from either Jason or Stark, ultimately favoring the latter option.

Unfortunately, his emissaries hadn't even made it past Stark's front door!

The industrialist's response had been blunt: "You want my armor? Absolutely not!"

Furious, the President had immediately convened a military commission to interrogate Stark.

But now, Jason offered a ready-made solution.

He was intrigued.

Tap, tap... His fingers drummed against the desktop.

"The Avengers..."

"What do you want from me?"

"Moderate your stance toward mutants. Acknowledge the Avengers' limited law enforcement authority. Provide them with compensation and social benefits. Direct all tiers of government, the Pentagon, and federal agencies to recognize their legitimacy while offering necessary support and cooperation. When they demonstrate exceptional service, honor them as heroes with appropriate recognition and medals."

The President considered this silently before nodding. "And what do I receive in return?"

"A team of powered individuals protecting citizens, upholding justice, mitigating disasters, and serving America's interests!"

The President smiled and shook his head. "What else?"

Jason matched his smile. "Our support in your re-election campaign."

"Perfect!"

Chapter 79: The Green Muscle Monster

121st Street and Broadway, northbound, New York City.

Panicked crowds fled in all directions as a massive khaki-colored monster with bony protrusions along its spine rampaged through the streets.

WHOOSH!

A rocket streaked toward the creature, trailing thick smoke.

Unexpectedly, the monster displayed remarkable reflexes, stretching out one enormous hand and actually catching the missile mid-flight!

A distinctly human smile crossed its grotesque features, as if mocking the futile attempt.

BOOM!

The monster crushed the rocket in its grip, triggering a massive fireball that engulfed its form.

In the distance, soldiers were about to cheer when the creature's head emerged from the flames completely unscathed!

The monster roared skyward, its voice shockingly human: "GIVE ME A REAL OPPONENT!"

Above the chaos, a Daily Bugle News helicopter circled, with none other than J. Jonah Jameson himself reporting live.

As the newspaper's publisher, he certainly didn't need to cover stories personally on the front lines.

This assignment was punishment for his earlier misstep.

He had accepted payment to dub the armored avenger who decimated terrorists in Afghanistan "The Human Can Man." He'd never suspected that inside the suit was billionaire Tony Stark himself!

Without warning, Stark had executed a hostile takeover through the stock market.

Overnight, Jameson found himself with a new boss.

Stark had suggested retirement, but when Jameson refused, he'd been relegated to field reporting instead.

He'd swallowed his pride and accepted the assignment.

But deep down, he hadn't surrendered. What I've lost, I'll reclaim with my own hands!

Looking down at the terrifying monster below, he fought through his fear of heights, took a deep breath, and announced loudly: " "Look down there! It's a disaster! A monster—no, a walking engine of destruction—is rampaging through our beloved New York City! Streets torn apart! Civilians screaming! The brave men and women of our armed forces—reduced to shreds in seconds! And where is our hero? Where is the man of the hour, the golden guardian of progress, the genius, billionaire, and philanthropist—Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man?! I'll tell you where—he's flying in right now, folks! With repulsors blazing and style unmatched! If anyone can stop this oversized freak show, it's him! Thank heaven for Tony Stark—truly, the beacon of hope in our darkest hour!"

Several blocks away, atop a high-rise building, Coulson and Hawkeye monitored the situation.

Coulson peered through a high-powered scope, exclaiming, "What an absolute nightmare! General Ross is in serious trouble this time. I heard he came to apprehend the monster I nearly flew to Brazil to capture. Could this be the same creature? Damn, that old—ahem—the Director is practically sending me to my death!"

Beside him, Hawkeye maintained a stoic expression.

He carried no bow—his signature weapon was absent. Instead, he gripped a long Japanese sword.

During the Demon Invasion, he had lost his right eye. Though it had been replaced with an advanced mechanical prosthetic, he could no longer shoot with his former precision.

Each time he picked up a bow, memories flooded back—police officers and agents he had shot while under mind control.

His arrows no longer found their targets.

So he had adopted the blade instead.

Watching the monster's rampage and the fleeing civilians below, a profound disgust welled up inside him.

He had grown weary of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance missions. He yearned to do something meaningful—perhaps join the people below, sharing their fate, whether in life or death.

His thoughts drifted to his friend Natasha, who had embarked on a journey of redemption, hunting down the remnants of the Red Room. How admirable.

What about my redemption?

Suddenly, the situation shifted dramatically.

Jameson’s voice practically exploded through the speakers as he shouted,

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! We’ve just received breaking news from the sky itself—our Savior is en route! That’s right, the one and only Tony Stark—Iron Man! Along with his brand-new team of super-powered world-savers, the Avengers! This is their grand debut, folks! Their first public mission! And what better stage than a monster tearing our city limb from limb! So grab your popcorn, hold your loved ones close, and PRAY TO WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE IN—because here they come! Oh Lord in heaven... THEY’RE ARRIVING NOW!"

Before the transfixed audience, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens!

The powerful electrical discharge struck the monster—the Abomination—causing it to howl in pain as it was knocked backward.

This lightning hadn't come from Jason, but from Storm.

While the Abomination was still airborne, a gleaming silver figure appeared behind it. WHAM!

Colossus delivered a devastating punch, extending the creature's unplanned flight.

A moment later, a crimson beam lanced through the air. The powerful energy blast inflicted severe damage, altering the Abomination's trajectory yet again.

SNIKT!

Wolverine popped his adamantium claws with a snikt, eyeing Blade’s drawn sword with a smirk.

"Hope you brought your A-game, bub. This’s gonna get messy."

Blade bared his unnaturally white teeth in a cold grin.

"Hmph. I’ve dropped more monsters than I can count. If I wanted, I could take this thing down alone."

Wolverine rolled his eyes. What an absurd boast!

As the Abomination plummeted toward them, he leapt upward with a battle cry: "Die, monster!"

THUNK! THUNK!

The instant the Abomination crashed to the ground, before it could recover, Wolverine landed on its chest and drove his claws deep into its torso.

Even skin and muscle dense enough to withstand rockets proved no match for adamantium.

The Abomination roared in fury, raising massive hands to crush Wolverine's neck, when a silver flash caught its attention.

SCHWICK! A gleaming blade suddenly impaled its right arm, penetrating to the bone!

Blade looked mildly embarrassed. He had intended to sever the limb entirely but hadn't anticipated the creature's extraordinary skeletal density.

His sword was now lodged in the monster's bone, impossible to extract!

The searing pain only intensified the Abomination's rage.

With a primal roar, it hurled Wolverine away, then rose to its feet. Grimacing, it yanked the sword from its arm and advanced menacingly toward Blade.

Blade cursed inwardly as he drew twin pistols and retreated, firing continuously.

The Abomination launched into the air, raising its fists high above its head, preparing to pulverize its opponent.

At the critical moment, Cyclops arrived, firing another optic blast that knocked the creature aside once more!

Grudgingly, the Abomination struggled to its feet, only to discover it was surrounded.

Storm hovered above, crackling with electrical power. Colossus stood nearby, his metallic skin gleaming. Wolverine crouched, ready to pounce, all six claws extended. Blade held dual pistols trained on the monster.

From a distance, Cyclops maintained his position, visor glowing crimson, prepared to fire again. And from a nearby rooftop, Frank Castle—the battlefield commander—sighted down his rifle barrel.

The battle intensified as both sides renewed their engagement!

Jason didn't directly participate in the confrontation. He hovered in mid-air between skyscrapers, observing the fight below.

This was the Avengers' first official mission, and the team needed time to develop their coordination.

Simultaneously, he remained vigilant for another potential combatant entering the fray.

Almost concurrent with the Avengers' arrival, Dr. Banner had parachuted from an aircraft.

He had created a significant crater upon landing. After crawling from the impact site, he had clutched his head in confusion, as if trying to suppress something inside him.

But soon, the Abomination's agonized howls had captured his attention!

Numerous parties monitored this historic battle.

Nick Fury felt as if someone had plunged a dagger into his heart.

The Superhero Squad? The Avengers?

Those were MY ideas!

How the hell did that snake, Jason, pull this off? Stealing everything in one move?

There must be a mole in the agency. How else could he have conceived such a brilliant concept?

I'll identify this traitor and eliminate them personally!

Having made this resolution, he glanced at the television screen showing the Avengers engaging the Abomination. Abruptly, he picked up a folder from his desk.

Since the Avengers had emerged earlier than anticipated, he wouldn't delay his own plans any longer. Effective immediately, he would begin assembling S.H.I.E.L.D.'s exclusive enhanced team.

Working title: Justice League!

More impressive than "Avengers," though admittedly... somewhat juvenile.

The folder contained dossiers on potential recruits—a poker gambler with abilities, a super-strong individual detained by Homeland Security...

Closing the file, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Just you wait, Jason. My Justice League will obliterate your Avengers!

The White House also monitored the battle intently.

President Freeman and numerous senior officials remained glued to the broadcast.

Military leaders at the Pentagon evaluated whether this team possessed sufficient strength to compensate for conventional forces' shortcomings.

The President harbored loftier expectations. He hoped the Avengers would not merely triumph but do so spectacularly—attracting popular support.

He could envision the upcoming election: several charismatic super-powered individuals campaigning on his behalf. Such endorsements would devastate his opposition!

As Jason hovered above, he monitored not only the battle but also another location—the Abomination's birthplace.

That facility contained valuable Hulk serum samples and an even more precious asset: a uniquely brilliant mind.

Dr. Samuel Sterns—the scientist who had conducted the most advanced research on the Hulk serum worldwide.

Before the Avengers had officially deployed, Jason had dispatched Lady Deathstrike, Elektra, and Black Widow to infiltrate Sterns' laboratory.

Their objectives were twofold: acquire Hulk blood samples and capture the doctor, who was gradually transforming into the villain known as "The Leader."

They had succeeded.

Sterns, still in the midst of his metamorphosis, had been sedated and subdued.

The team had collected substantial quantities of Hulk blood and incinerated what they couldn't transport.

Jason could barely contain his satisfaction. This development meant his secondary plan—

Victory against the Abomination was approaching.

If The Leader proved as formidable as anticipated, Jason's ambition of [global unification] might soon be realized.

Not just Earth—perhaps even eight thousand Abominations could conquer Hell itself and capture devils as concubines!

The Avengers gradually gained the upper hand against the Abomination.

Storm's lightning provided area control, Cyclops' optic blasts delivered sustained damage, Wolverine and Colossus maintained the front line, Frank coordinated remotely, and Blade served as the hit-and-run specialist.

After sustaining dozens of puncture wounds from Wolverine's claws, the Abomination finally showed signs of weakening.

It had absorbed too much punishment—lightning, energy beams, bullets, adamantium strikes, superhuman punches...

With victory within reach, both the Avengers and television viewers felt a surge of hope.

At that precise moment, however, the broadcast camera suddenly panned away.

Another monstrous figure had appeared among the skyscrapers!

This one was entirely green, with muscles bulging impossibly beneath its skin. Each leap carried it dozens of meters through the air, and its footfalls left craters in solid concrete!

Jameson's voice reached a thunderous crescendo, bursting through the airwaves like a man on the brink of losing his mind:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS JUST IN—ANOTHER MONSTER HAS ENTERED THE SCENE! A GREEN, MUSCLE-BOUND BEHEMOTH STRAIGHT OUT OF A NIGHTMARE! THE AVENGERS—OUR NEWLY MINTED DEFENDERS OF THE CITY—ARE NOW FACING A THREAT THAT MAKES THE LAST ONE LOOK LIKE A STREET BRAWL! AND—WAIT—WHAT’S THAT?! THUNDER?! LIGHTNING?! HE’S ARRIVING! The Savior of New York!!”

Chapter 80: Stark's Desperation

Hundreds of lightning bolts engulfed the Abomination.

The blinding silver light rendered it unable to see anything.

It sensed danger instinctively but couldn't identify the source.

A series of dazzling flashes left its vision completely blank.

Suddenly, it felt powerful hands gripping its head, followed by a resonant voice: "Look into my eyes!"

Eyes? Where?

The creature's confusion deepened.

The voice continued, delivering judgment: "Feel it—every scream, every tear, every last breath you stole! Their pain is your judgment... and their wrath is your execution!"

"NO—"

A tortured howl echoed across the skyline, startling viewers watching the live broadcast.

They couldn't see what was happening within the tempest of lightning.

But as the electrical storm dissipated, they witnessed their beloved Savior of New York holding the monster's limp body aloft with one hand.

The monster... dead?

"WOOHOO!"

The audience erupted in jubilant cheers.

Jameson, reporting from the helicopter, was awestruck. This display of power far exceeded his boss, the "Human Can Man"!

Meanwhile, the Hulk finally navigated through the maze of skyscrapers and arrived at the battlefield.

He appeared confused. Why was his potential opponent kneeling? What were these tiny figures doing?

His rudimentary thought process couldn't analyze the situation, which only intensified his frustration. He needed to smash something!

Jason watched the Hulk wavering on the brink of losing it, then turned to Wolverine with urgency. "Quick—go hit him with that 'sun’s getting real low' line before he smashes the entire block!"

"What?"

Wolverine had been intently focused on the formidable adversary before them, but Jason's instruction left him baffled.

"What's getting where?"

"This is a chance to end this confrontation instantly. Want to try? If you succeed, you'll be tonight's greatest hero. Extend your hand, approach slowly, and with your gentlest smile and softest voice, tell him Hey big guy, sun’s getting real low..."

Wolverine hesitated as he regarded the green behemoth.

As he finally took a tentative step forward, Jason suddenly burst into laughter.

Wolverine’s eyes narrowed as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut. "You son of a bitch... You set me up! If we weren’t neck-deep in crisis right now, I’d carve my initials into your damn ribcage!"

Jason clapped him on the shoulder. "Watch carefully—I'll demonstrate how to handle monsters!"

With those words, he rocketed skyward.

Wolverine stood dumbfounded.

What the hell’s goin’ on here? You pickin’ a fight or tuckin’ tail? Make up your damn mind.

Jason flew directly toward the helicopter carrying General Ross and Betty. He tap on the window—TAP TAP—signaling for them to open the door.

Bewildered, General Ross hesitantly unlocked the rear hatch.

Jason entered and immediately spotted Betty, whose expression betrayed her distress.

"General Ross, might I borrow someone from you?"

When Ross noticed Jason's focused attention on his daughter, he understood the request immediately.

He erupted in anger. "Absolutely not! Are you planning to use her as—"

Jason ignored him and addressed Betty directly. "If you decline, I'll have no choice but to subdue him by force."

"I'll do it!"

Having witnessed Jason's capabilities firsthand, Betty nodded emphatically and rushed forward.

Jason secured her waist firmly and flew backward out of the helicopter.

Ross shouted furiously after them. "You bastard! Return my daughter! You'll get her killed!"

As the Hulk's rage approached its peak—his muscles tensing to pulverize everything in his vicinity—Jason landed before him with Betty in his arms.

The enraged Hulk instantly fell silent.

Jason returned to Wolverine's side with a satisfied nod. "See? That's the power of love."

Wolverine observed as the Hulk, remarkably pacified by Betty's gentle words, gradually reverted to human form.

Speechless, he could only offer Jason a begrudging thumbs-up.

Jason smiled and approached the now-human Bruce Banner. "Dr. Banner, it's a pleasure to meet you. I wonder if you might be interested in joining the Avengers—upholding justice, safeguarding the world, protecting innocent lives? We would welcome you wholeheartedly."

Dr. Banner remained silent, profound suspicion evident in his gaze.

Jason paused momentarily. "I neglected to mention that Miss Betty has agreed to join my research laboratory. Should you join the Avengers, you could work together. My facilities are located within the Avengers compound."

Betty glanced at Jason, surprised. Join his lab? This was the first she'd heard of such an arrangement.

Yet she didn't contradict him. Instead, she looked expectantly at Bruce.

Jason continued his pitch. "At the Avengers facility, you needn't worry about harming others. As you've seen, we all possess extraordinary abilities. Unlike General Ross, I won't force you into any conflict you wish to avoid. I could even employ you strictly as a researcher. And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you're free to leave. After all, few places in this world can truly contain you."

Banner seemed reluctant to accept, but Betty's hopeful expression gave him pause.

"...Alright."

Behind Jason, Wolverine shook his head and sighed. Love truly is the most effective cage!

The street battle concluded, and New York City resumed its normal rhythms.

The primary difference was the proliferation of Avengers coverage on television and promotional posters throughout the city.

In a fashionable nightclub, pulsating music and strobing lights assaulted the senses.

Fueled by alcohol and various illicit substances, young revelers twisted their bodies in wild abandonment, surrendering to primal urges.

Tony Stark, approaching forty, immersed himself in the bacchanalian atmosphere.

He gyrated against fellow dancers of both sexes, thoroughly intoxicated.

Through his alcoholic haze, he became aware of a warm sensation spreading across his lower abdomen.

Staggering to the restroom, he splashed water on his face, achieving momentary clarity.

Opening his shirt, he discovered horrifying blue-black veins spreading across his chest.

He withdrew a small device from his pocket, activated it with his thumb, and winced at the resulting sting. The readout displayed: Palladium concentration: 58%.

Drawing a deep breath, he acknowledged the grim reality—his time was running short.

Recently, he had been living like a man with nothing to lose, indulging in every conceivable excess.

He had relinquished control of his company to Pepper Potts and essentially disappeared from public view.

Formula One racing, countless liaisons with models, endless nightclub revelry... he desperately sought to counterbalance his mortality with fleeting thrills.

Glancing down at his soiled trousers, he considered changing them before dismissing the thought. Why bother?

Tossing the monitoring device into a waste bin, he lurched back toward the dance floor.

More music, more dancing!

With Nick Fury dedicating most of his resources to monitoring the Avengers and developing his Justice League, he failed to notice Stark's deteriorating condition.

Consequently, Black Widow had not been dispatched to observe him.

Pepper, overwhelmed by corporate responsibilities, inadvertently neglected her former boss.

Thus, when the self-destructive billionaire collapsed on the dance floor, no one of consequence noticed.

Except for...

When Stark regained consciousness, he found himself in what appeared to be a private booth.

The club's music continued to reverberate beyond the walls.

Seated opposite him was an elderly gentleman with meticulously slicked-back hair, dressed in an impeccable black suit with leather gloves, holding a cane topped with an ornate skull.

His refined appearance seemed utterly incongruous with the nightclub setting.

Yet inexplicably, Stark sensed an unusual aura emanating from this stranger.

"Tony Stark?"

"Who are you?"

The elderly man smiled. "I greatly admire your armor. A true masterpiece of engineering. You must possess the most brilliant mind on the planet."

"Indeed, I do. But again, who are you?"

"When you need to know, you will."

Stark stood unsteadily, massaging his throbbing temples.

He extracted a checkbook from his pocket and hastily scribbled an amount. "Here's your reward for dragging me to safety. Thanks. As for your identity... frankly, I'm not interested."

The man showed no offense. He accepted the check, examined it briefly, and smiled. "The legendary Stark truly is generous. However..."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "This sum is insufficient compensation for your treatment."

Stark's demeanor shifted instantly. He yanked open his shirt, finding the blue-black veins had vanished!

"You... you cured me?" he asked, astonished.

"Don't celebrate prematurely. I've merely temporarily purged the palladium from your system. Within days, the concentration will again reach lethal tiers."

Stark fell silent, resuming his seat. "Let me ask once more—who are you, and what do you want?"

The elderly gentleman smiled enigmatically. "I wish to propose an arrangement, Tony Stark."

He waved his hand, and inexplicably, the check burst into flames without any apparent source of ignition, disintegrating to ash.

President Freeman was thoroughly pleased with the Avengers' performance during the New York incident.

He allocated additional funding and expanded policy support for the team.

Jason's facility grew substantially.

Beyond the Avengers' training complex, it now included educational facilities and dormitories for mutants, along with several research buildings divided into classified and unrestricted sections.

Jason's primary focus remained the Thunder Armor project. After consulting with Anton and his son, he decided to visit Stark Tower.

Soon, he arrived at Pepper's office, dressed in an elegant blue suit and bearing a box of fresh cherries.

Upon seeing him, Pepper rose enthusiastically. "Father Jason, it's been too long! You know, neither Tony nor I have properly thanked you for saving our lives. My sincere apologies!"

"Indeed. I'm particularly wounded that you never invited me for coffee."

Pepper blushed slightly. "I've been overwhelmed lately, especially after Tony suddenly transferred company leadership to me..."

At that moment, a commentator's voice emanated from the television: "It's difficult to comprehend Stark's decision to appoint his secretary as CEO of Stark Industries! What qualifications does she possess? She lacks any executive experience whatsoever..."

Pepper's complexion paled instantly.

Jason reassuringly patted her hand. "Don't let it trouble you. Skepticism is inevitable. There will always be detractors, but I'm confident in your ability to manage this enterprise successfully."

Pepper nodded, though her spirits remained dampened.

Jason shrugged lightly. "Don't allow their negativity to affect you, or I stand to lose considerably."

"Why is that?" Pepper asked, puzzled.

"Since your appointment, I've acquired substantial Stark Industries stock! Besides, if you can handle someone as challenging as Tony Stark, a mere corporation should pose no difficulty."

"You're absolutely right!" Pepper finally smiled.

They chatted about various topics until the phone on her desk suddenly rang.

Pepper looked apologetic. "Mr. Jason, I'm afraid my flight is departing soon..."

"No problem!" Jason rose promptly.

Pepper collected the cherries. "These look delicious. I'll enjoy them during my flight."

They walked out together. At the doorway, Jason paused briefly, examining a display model in the corner.

Pepper quickly explained, "That's a three-dimensional map of the Stark Expo grounds that Howard left for Tony years ago. It's been here ever since."

Jason was well aware of its significance.

In fact, one of the buttons on his shirt concealed a miniature scanner with exceptional penetrative capabilities, which had already recorded the entire three-dimensional image.

After a momentary hesitation, he continued walking.

As they reached the main lobby, Jason suddenly snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot—I have another gift for you."

"Oh?" Pepper appeared surprised.

Jason produced an elegant box and opened it, revealing an exquisite sapphire necklace.

"It seems inappropriate for someone as beautiful as you to have nothing adorning your neck."

"This is... such an extravagant gift. I couldn't possibly—"

Jason feigned disappointment. "This is my first time presenting a necklace to a woman. You wouldn't send me away dejected, would you?"

"Well..."

"I assure you, there are no ulterior motives. It's simply a token of appreciation."

Pepper wavered. "You're certain there's nothing more to it?"

"Absolutely certain."

After considerable hesitation, she relented. "Well... alright then."

Jason swiftly removed the necklace from its case. "Allow me to help you put it on."

"What? No, Mr. Jason—there are people watching!"

Neither noticed Tony Stark standing frozen in the lobby entrance, his expression suggesting he'd been struck by lightning.