Chapter 59: Polaris
On the ruins at the edge of the city battlefield.
Xi Nian was momentarily stunned, watching the green-haired girl standing atop a pile of alien machine scraps. Wasn't this the same gang leader Lorna he had met last night?
Now, a strange green light shimmered around Lorna's hands. Despite her small frame, she radiated a crushing pressure that felt almost tangible.
The alien machines that had just been ripped apart in an instant, and the way his spider sense had gone haywire on its own, all pointed to one thing—this girl, despite her young age and petite appearance, wielded terrifying power.
Xi Nian blinked and quickly greeted, "Hello, Boss!"
"Tch." Lorna looked surprised. She waved her hand, the green energy dispersing, and gave a wild grin. "What, you want to join my crew now?"
"No," Xi Nian thought for a moment, then replied ambiguously. "But in my eyes, you're already the boss. You're like the brightest star in the night sky—Polaris. How about I call you Boss Polaris from now on?"
"Polaris? I like that name…" Lorna muttered. But then her expression shifted as she stared flatly at Xi Nian. "Wait. Are you just trying to smooth-talk me? So in your heart I'm the boss, but you still don't plan on becoming my underling?"
Before Xi Nian could answer—
Lorna waved again. "Forget it, whatever you want."
"Thank you, Boss Polaris." Xi Nian let out a breath of relief, then asked curiously, "Boss, what brings you here?"
Lorna didn't answer right away. She turned her gaze toward the ruins of a collapsed home, where the bodies of a middle-aged couple lay lifeless. Her smoky eyes stayed cold and unreadable.
Then she spoke calmly. "Pietro was taken."
"By who?" Xi Nian's brow furrowed.
"Not sure. One of my people saw it. Just earlier, during the chaos, someone took him and shoved him into a modified black van. By now, they've probably already left New York." Lorna looked at him steadily. "My crew and I were just about to head out of the city too."
Xi Nian nodded. "Then go. This city could collapse any moment."
He didn't ask her to stay and help defend New York.
In the face of an alien invasion, everyone had their own choices. Even someone with great power had the right to withdraw—so long as they didn't take advantage of the disaster to make things worse.
"Why don't you come with us? With me around, I can guarantee you'll get out safely." Lorna's tone brimmed with confidence.
"No. My friend is still at the center of the battle. I have to go find her." Xi Nian shook his head firmly. He then gestured to the unconscious red-haired girl in his arms. "If you can, please take her somewhere safe."
Lorna's eyes lingered on Wanda, a flicker of emotion passing in her gaze as she stepped closer.
"You're too tall. Lean down a bit." The green-haired girl frowned impatiently.
"Yes, Boss." Xi Nian didn't know what else to say. It was the first time anyone had told him he was too tall.
Of course, no one would dare say Boss Polaris was too short—unless they had a death wish.
Cradling Wanda, Xi Nian bent slightly, lowering himself so his eyes were level with Lorna's.
Their gazes met directly at close range.
Xi Nian couldn't help but be struck by her beauty. He hadn't seen clearly last night in the alley, but Lorna's eyes were a pale green—cold and enchanting, like flawless emeralds.
It was the finishing touch.
Paired with her delicate, aloof features and the rebellious smoky makeup, she had a dangerous, unique kind of allure.
Lorna stared at the unconscious Wanda in his arms, falling silent for a moment.
Xi Nian grew curious.
Lorna being here likely wasn't for him—it was probably because of Wanda, and maybe also tied to the fact that Pietro had been taken.
Wait.
Xi Nian suddenly noticed something.
Lorna and Wanda—green hair and red hair, one with heavy makeup, the other bare-faced—still shared subtle similarities in their youthful features.
Could it be…?
The thought flashed across his mind, but the next second his brain froze completely—
Because Lorna suddenly stood on tiptoe, leaned in against Wanda, and pressed her lips firmly against Xi Nian's!
He froze in shock.
Her movements were clumsy, unpracticed, but bold and domineering.
He felt her bite his lip, the taste of blood seeping in, yet she didn't stop.
Why is this happening?!
Xi Nian tried to pull back, but Lorna gripped his shoulder, keeping him in place. With both arms still holding Wanda, he couldn't break free.
No time to think.
To keep his lips from further suffering, Xi Nian had no choice but to guide her into doing it properly.
Lorna's pale green eyes widened, but she learned quickly—too quickly. She even improvised.
Until finally—
She pulled away abruptly, a faint connection breaking between them. She wiped her lips, her dark lipstick gone, and said casually, "Not bad."
"…Why?" Xi Nian asked, dazed.
"No reason. Just a reward for my little brother here. Now, make good use of my power." Lorna reached out, took the unconscious Wanda from his arms, and turned to leave.
Xi Nian watched her walk away.
How did she know about his ability? Had it been exposed already? Maybe when he separated from Spider-Woman earlier…
Suddenly—
His knees buckled, dropping him to the ground. He clutched at his chest, gasping.
So hot!
His heart burned like a furnace, his blood boiling as sweat drenched his body. His pupils dilated and contracted, his eyes flickering between black and green.
This was the first time Xi Nian, as Master of Affection, carried two extraordinary powers at once.
It was different from when he'd bonded with the symbiote—this wasn't something that could simply separate again.
Now, spider mutation and mutant powers, two abilities completely different in nature, were clashing inside him, forcing a violent fusion.
Normally, one would consume the other. But because of Xi Nian's unique body—capable of adapting like an all-purpose charger—their DNA chains cracked, then under his ability as Master of Affection, briefly overlapped and fused together.
Xi Nian raised his head. His hair remained unchanged, but in his eyes, the colors finally settled into an icy blue.
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