Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
The azure ice blade shimmered with a cold light, exhaling wisps of frost.
The tip of the blade still dripped with crimson blood — and despite the freezing chill, it had yet to congeal.
Too fast. Too cold. Too deadly.
Porcupine lay sprawled in a pool of his own blood, clutching desperately at his neck to stop the bleeding. But his carotid artery was severed — not even a god could save him now.
When Leo had watched the movies, he'd found this cannon-fodder villain disgusting. And now, the same idiot had jumped out again.
Wasn't that like carrying a lantern to the latrine—just asking for death?
He looked down at the terrified Porcupine with disdain, as if he'd merely stepped on an ant.
[Ding! The host has killed Porcupine and gained 500 bio-energy.]
Leo smiled faintly.
"Good. The disgusting fly is gone. That buzzing was getting annoying."
He turned his eyes toward Colossus and Iceman, his tone calm and almost cheerful.
"Oh right, shall we continue, Colossus? Iceman?"
Despite his easy smile, the two mutants shuddered. That smile — it wasn't human. It was the smile of a devil.
He killed without hesitation. Without a word. Without mercy.
Could they possibly handle someone like this?
Both stood frozen, stunned by Leo's brutality.
They'd never killed anyone. They were heroes, not murderers. They sent criminals to the police station, not to the afterlife. They weren't prepared for this.
"We… we…"
The two stammered helplessly.
Leo chuckled softly.
"Go back and tell Charles this: I'm a very principled and reasonable man. If others don't offend me, I don't offend them."
He smiled wider. "I'm a good person. A really, really good person."
For a brief moment, even Natasha and Red Devil almost believed him.
But a man who killed so casually—could he really call himself a good person? By that logic, Bin Laden could've won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Just then, Charles's voice echoed telepathically.
"Alright, come back. He's not someone you can handle."
Hearing that, Colossus and Iceman both sighed with relief.
This place was too terrifying. Their hearts couldn't take it.
Colossus gave Leo a respectful bow and hurriedly left with Iceman.
Once the X-Men were gone, Leo turned his gaze to Red Devil.
"So, what about you two? I just killed two of your people. You planning on taking revenge?"
Red Devil waved his hands frantically. "No, no, no, sir! In fact, I should thank you. I've been annoyed with Pyro and Porcupine for a long time."
Leo smirked. "Since that's the case, you can leave. I won't entertain you."
"Of course, sir. The Brotherhood will always welcome your esteemed presence."
Red Devil bowed politely and turned to leave with Toad.
Suddenly, Leo called out.
"Wait. Take care of those guys behind you. The mercenaries. They know too much."
"Understood, sir."
A red mist swept across the battlefield — and screams followed.
The teleporting Red Devil moved like a nightmare, daggers flashing in the dark, cutting down mercenaries who never even saw their deaths coming.
Natasha stepped up beside Leo, her tone cool but her eyes sharp.
"You're truly ruthless."
"Ruthless?" Leo's voice was calm, but his gaze distant. "If I weren't ruthless, if I were just an ordinary man, I'd be treated like an ant. Crushed without a thought."
He looked out toward the horizon, eyes burning with resolve.
Natasha didn't know what this man had gone through — but something about his words tugged at her heart.
He no longer wanted to be weak. No longer wanted to be at the mercy of others.
He would be the one passing judgment — not the one being judged.
Not by the powerful.
Not by the Five Great Creator Gods.
Not even by the Living Tribunal.
Suddenly, Natasha froze. A wave of killing intent erupted from Leo, so cold and vast that it made her heart pound.
Even though it wasn't directed at her, it felt like death itself had descended.
"You…?" she asked nervously.
"Me?" Leo smiled faintly. "Nothing. But you have something."
And just like that, the aura vanished.
The terrifying man disappeared — replaced by the boy-next-door charm once again.
Natasha exhaled slowly, regaining her composure.
"Oh? And what do I have?" she asked teasingly, trailing a finger across his chest. "You planning to eat me?"
Her tone was sweet, but her eyes sparkled with challenge.
Leo caught her hand and played with her fingers.
"You're my captive now. Don't you think that's a problem?"
"You! Let go, you scoundrel!"
Her cheeks flushed with anger as Leo continued to toy with her hand.
"No way. It's soft. And it smells nice," he said shamelessly.
"Let go of me!" she snapped, struggling.
But before she could move, Leo pulled her close and caught her in his arms.
Her famous son-severing kick came lightning fast — but Leo was faster.
"I'll block it!"
He caught her leg mid-kick, holding it firmly in place.
Her face turned crimson with rage. She bit his arm hard.
"Ah—hey! Are you a dog?!"
"Let go!" she yelled, refusing to release her bite.
Leo frowned. "If you don't stop, I won't be polite."
But she didn't care.
So, he retaliated — by grabbing the large "cotton ball."
"Hiss!"
Now it was Natasha's turn to gasp. Her face turned scarlet.
This bastard! Was he serious?!
"You pervert!" she cried out, voice trembling with both fury and embarrassment.
Leo blinked, startled by her reaction. "Oh, sorry! My hand slipped!"
"Go to hell, you jerk!" Natasha shrieked, her fury boiling over.
"I swear it really slipped!" Leo protested.
"Get lost! I don't believe you!" she snapped, squeezing her legs together in anger.
Leo coughed lightly. "Ahem. So, Black Egg sent you to spy on me, huh? He really doesn't trust anyone."
"Black Egg?" Natasha frowned. "You mean Director Fury?"
"Bingo. Isn't he Black Egg?"
Pfft—
Natasha burst into laughter.
"Okay, I'll give you that one. He does look like one."
[Ding! Hidden mission activated. Host, please complete the "distance mission" with the plot character Black Widow. Upon completion, reward: 1,000,000 points.]