The entire underground parking lot was equipped with countless cameras, and an unknown number of hackers had infiltrated it, closely monitoring the situation on their computers.
Tony knew he was putting on a show, meant for all to see. But he didn't care; or rather, everyone needed a spectacle like this to truly gauge his worth.
Any high-level mutant desiring unbridled freedom of movement had to carve out their own path. Such liberty was built upon countless bloody battles, forcing anyone who considered moving against him to first weigh whether they could afford the price.
Many powerful mutants freely frequented various places, acting unscrupulously and without a care. Their relevant information had long been filed with various departments, but no one dared to easily move against them.
Wolverine was probably driving some beat-up car around somewhere, and who would dare bother him? It wasn't worth the effort; the cost was too high. Never mind the losses incurred, the crucial thing was that the opponent couldn't be killed no matter how you tried, and that was the most maddening part.
As for other Level Three mutants? They either lived in anonymity, never displaying their abilities, spending their lives low-key; or they joined major powers and organizations for protection; the last group died on their path to growth, which was the most numerous and had the most tragic end.
Capturing a high-level mutant came at too terrible a cost. Therefore, a newly awakened Level Four mutant's value far surpassed that of a group of Level Three mutants. It was a difference in Life Essence, an unimaginable allure to certain organizations, enough to drive them mad and make them willing to send people to probe him.
The Transformer, which had been a motorcycle, picked up a rocket launcher amidst a multitude of panicked and astonished gazes. People screamed, firing their weapons; only the weapons in their hands could give them a sense of security.
Dense gunfire echoed through the area, as large numbers of armed personnel surged in, joining the encirclement of Tony.
"Hehehe, I told you the higher-ups were too cautious. A mere nascent mutant, what if he's Level Four? Even when Magneto first awakened his powers, he was just a fragile piece of trash, easily taken down," someone sneered coldly.
The motorcycle Transformer manifested a metal shield, tightly protecting Tony. The hail of bullets was entirely blocked outside, with incessant clanging.
Suddenly, a gap appeared in the shield, and a small Gatling gun emerged from within. Its muzzle slowly rotated, continuously accelerating, like the grim reaper's sonata, a scythe of destruction harvesting souls.
People instinctively tried to dodge, but not everyone could. For example, the person who loved to boast was instantly riddled with bullet holes, resembling a sieve.
The Gatling gun rapidly changed direction, sweeping across the area, causing widespread casualties. People screamed and fell, in utter misery.
Some reacted quickly, having already found cover and hidden, refusing to poke their heads out, filled with fear, already intimidated by the opponent's strange abilities. Others were enraged, picking up their weapons to counterattack, attempting to find a window of opportunity in the crisis to kill Tony.
In a regular gunfight, many people would have fallen under such a counterattack.
But Tony was different. He was completely protected, with only a small Gatling gun howling as it bloodily swept the parking lot.
More people fell dead for good, their faces etched with regret and despair, eyes wide open as they became corpses, dying with grievance.
This fighting style was too shameless. It was supposed to be a proper gunfight, but they and Tony were not fighting on the same playing field.
"Use heavy weapons! Where are the rocket launchers? Blow open this turtle shell! I refuse to believe that something Abomination can casually punch through can't be destroyed by my rocket launcher!"
This person had gathered intelligence on Tony, far superior to those reckless fools who simply rushed in to hunt him.
Boom!
With a loud bang, the rocket launcher squarely hit its target, causing a violent explosion. The powerful impact twisted the entire metal shield, leaving it pitted and dented, as if it had been brutally hammered, making it appear somewhat wrinkled and damaged.
"It wasn't destroyed? Only dented?"
Someone exclaimed in surprise. This was the latest model of rocket launcher, with astonishing power, yet the target was almost unscathed.
Why had its defense become so excellent? When it fought Abomination, its metal form was clearly very brittle, wasn't it?
Tony tapped the metal shield, and Allspark Energy flowed into it. The shield visibly recovered, though it still looked a bit worn.
"Because you know nothing about me."
Once again, a gap opened, and a rocket launcher emerged from within. This was the one Tony had just taken back, which he had been saving, and now it was time to use it.
Boom!
Another loud bang. The shell exploded, and large numbers of people were killed by shrapnel, their bodies mangled, wailing as they fell to their knees. Some vehicles were affected, erupting with loud noises as their fuel tanks ruptured, spilling gasoline across the floor.
Tony fired a shot, and the gasoline instantly ignited. Several people were engulfed in flames, screaming as they became human torches, dying in endless agony.
"Monster! We ordinary people are no match! Let those with abilities come; I'm done! Who kept shouting that this would be easy? Bullshit!"
People were truly terrified. Some low-ranking thugs scattered in fright, while a leader roared, shooting several people to barely regain control of the situation.
Just then, a series of violent explosions suddenly erupted!
Agent Coulson's voice came over the underground parking lot's broadcast system: "Attention, everyone, you are being arrested for endangering public safety. Lay down your weapons and surrender immediately."
Large numbers of fully armed personnel surrounded the underground parking lot, causing the attackers to exchange uneasy glances.
Tony stomped his foot, knowing this was a golden opportunity. No more waiting! Break out!
"Get out of the way if you don't want to die!"
Tony roared. The shield retracted, and the Transformer inside lunged forward, reassembling into a motorcycle with a series of mechanical clicks. Tony ran forward, jumped, and sat firmly on the motorcycle, resolutely twisting the throttle to full speed.
"You won't escape! There's nothing Kingpin wants that he can't get!!!" someone roared, firing their weapon.
Bang!
Tony shot the man dead.
A skinny fellow hadn't managed to get away in time and was directly in the path.
Tony was about to shoot him, when Slim, as if struck by inspiration, proved incredibly quick-witted and dropped to his knees with a thud on the spot.
Tony sped forward, kicking him aside in passing, and rushed towards the exit.
(end of chapter)