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Success!
Pikachu. Electrochu has been captured!
A rousing BGM and two lines of text automatically sounded in Darian's mind.
He walked forward and bent down to pick up the pitch-black spherical object, several cracks visible on the ground where it had fallen, indicating how heavy the sphere was.
[Item: Pure Iron Pokeball (A Pokeball weighing 100KG; only a Pokemon that survives is worthy of capture)]
This was one of the items Darian acquired early on, and it had remained unused in his game inventory until today, when it finally found its purpose.
Only with his nearly hundred points in Strength could he throw this pure iron Pokeball, heavier than a shot put, like a baseball.
If it were a certain trainer who was still 10 years old after 25 years of travel... well, it's hard to say, since that person is also a powerhouse who can easily lift a ton.
However, a Pokeball has no effect on humans; it can only capture non-human intelligent beings.
And Max's quantum body, composed entirely of electricity, had long since transcended the realm of a human body, essentially becoming an elemental life form, perfectly within the Pokeball's capture range.
Now Darian could be considered a trainer with a Pokemon, and a rare shiny black Pikachu at that.
Not bad, not bad!
Seeing Max captured in the Pure Iron Pokeball, Peter and Harry were stunned.
Peter looked shocked: "What is this thing?"
Darian weighed the heavy Pokeball in his hand and explained, "A Pokeball, an item specifically for capturing Pokemon."
"Huh? Can Max also be considered a Pokemon?"
Without Max's destruction, the power plant gradually resumed operation, and the affected areas had their power restored.
[Mission 'You are the electricity, you are the light, you are the only myth' settlement complete]
[Rewards obtained: 3000 EXP, equipment 'Green Hat', item 'Lightning Rod', item'Spider Totem']
[Equipment: Green Hat (Everyone who sees you can't help but feel a touch of sympathy)]
[Item: Lightning Rod (Within a certain range, all lightning will be attracted to it)]
[Item: Spider Totem (The symbol of Spider-Man. With this, even if you look like a goblin, have four tentacles on your back, and a lizard tail, you are still Spider-Man)]
The items obtained this time were all closely related to the NPCs on the field.
The Lightning Rod's attribute clearly countered Max's ability. If it had been there earlier, Max's power probably wouldn't have been effective at all.
As for the Green Hat, it seemed to have some relation to both Peter and Harry. They were both friends and fellow travelers, making it hard to say who had 'cuckolded' whom. But given Mary Jane's personality, it was possible both of them had been 'cuckolded'.
As for the Spider Totem, this was clearly an item related to Peter, though its specific function wasn't immediately apparent.
Darian put away the Pure Iron Pokeball and looked at Peter and Harry.
"Can you two still move?"
"Don't worry, we only suffered minor injuries and can continue to move perfectly fine."
Peter and Harry were quite touched by Darian's concern.
Darian nodded: "That's good. If you can move, then hurry up and carry out the new mission I've given you!"
Peter: "..."
Harry: "..."
Jotunheim!
This was the territory of the Frost Giants, and also Loki's hometown. Odin had picked him up from this garbage heap back in the day.
Darian had been here with the Asgardian army when he quelled the Nine Realms' unrest.
Speaking of which, the unrest in Jotunheim was caused by the two brothers, Thor and Loki. Loki not only backstabbed his biological father, Laufey, the King of the Frost Giants, but also blew a huge hole in Jotunheim, causing many Frost Giants to become displaced.
To contend for the throne and living space, the Frost Giant race erupted into a brutal civil war.
Just as they were fighting fiercely, the Asgardian army descended like Gods. Thor, with the might of thunder, suppressed the rebellion, nearly reducing the already dwindling number of Frost Giants to an endangered species. Finally, under Thor's physical persuasion, the Frost Giants quieted down.
Darian had also activated a teleportation point here at the time, allowing him to teleport over at any moment.
He looked around, saw no Frost Giants, so he plunged the newly acquired Lightning Rod into the icy ground, then pulled out the Pure Iron Pokeball.
Since the Pure Iron Pokeball was a game item, it could naturally be teleported along with him.
Darian opened the Pure Iron Pokeball, and a flash of light sprang out from it. Max then appeared before Darian.
"It's you! The guy who locked me in that hellhole!"
The moment Max saw Darian, he immediately flew into a rage. Without a word, he rubbed two crackling balls of electricity in his hands and launched an electric cannon straight at Darian.
Zzzzzap—!!
Blinding electricity cut through the air, hurtling towards Darian with astonishing speed!
However, something strange happened: the electricity suddenly made a sharp turn mid-air, directly hitting the Lightning Rod next to Darian, and the electricity instantly vanished!
"Lightning Rod!?"
Max's eyes widened in disbelief.
He, of course, knew what it was, but ordinary Lightning Rods only passively attracted lightning. How could this one actively suck in electricity like that?
Max, refusing to believe, tried again, a thicker bolt of electricity erupting from his palms!
The result was the same. The electricity, as if drawn by a magnet, curved and drilled into the Lightning Rod, not even a spark splashing out.
Darian was very satisfied with the effect of the Lightning Rod.
Then he slowly said, "Don't be so quick to act. Take a good look at where you are right now."
Hearing this, Max looked around, only to realize he was in a world of ice and snow. Within his field of vision, there was nothing but ice, no other objects to be seen.
"Wh-where is this?"
Max was dumbfounded.
Where did he take me? Is this still New York?
Darian chuckled, "Jotunheim, one of the Nine Realms. You might not understand it this way, but simply put, it's another Planet beyond Earth."
"This is an alien Planet?"
Max found it incredible and instinctively looked up, only to find no Sun or moon. Instead, several enormous Planets hung high in the sky, each appearing to be about the same size as the Sun and moon he usually saw, but their forms were completely different.
At this point, he had no choice but to believe it. This was indeed not the Earth he was familiar with.
Seeing this, Max couldn't help but feel a little scared.
Ultimately, he was just an ordinary person who had recently gained abilities, and his mindset hadn't fully shifted. Faced with a situation completely beyond his comprehension, it was inevitable to feel panicked and at a loss.
Moreover, in this icy and snowy environment, he couldn't find any source to replenish his electricity. If things continued like this, once his internal power reserves ran out, he would become useless, like a power bank that had run out of charge.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
Max gritted his teeth, his voice suppressing anger.
Darian grinned: "Didn't I tell you already? I want you to work for me."
"Impossible!"
Max flatly refused, saying coldly, "I worked my life away for the Osborn Group, and how did they treat me?"
"They ignored me, didn't value me, stole my meticulously researched power grid designs, and finally locked me up as a test subject for research!"
"At that time, I swore to myself that I would never make the same mistake again. I would never work for anyone again in this life!"
As a low-level individual deeply exploited by capitalists, Max loathed being an employee.
Darian waved his hand: "Don't worry, I'm not planning to pay you, so you won't be considered an employee."
Max: "..."
Then you are even more detestable than a capitalist!
Darian continued, "Max, I actually saw you in the Osborn Group's elevator a long time ago."
Max was startled by this, and couldn't help but scrutinize Darian, finding him more and more familiar the longer he looked.
"You actually recognize me?"
"Of course. Back then, when I saw your glowing forehead, I knew you were a talent."
"..."
This didn't sound like a compliment, but Max still felt a hint of joy.
As the most unremarkable transparent figure in the Osborn Group, he had long been ignored. Therefore, deep down, he desperately craved recognition and attention from others. Even if someone just remembered his name, it would make him incredibly excited.
And Darian had only briefly interacted with him at the time, yet he could remember him. This was undoubtedly a validation of his existence.
With just that simple sentence, Max's favorability towards Darian instantly soared, from a negative number directly to 5 favorability points. Even Max's red enemy marker turned into a neutral white marker.
"Is it that simple?"
Darian was a little surprised. It seemed the other party really needed attention.
Noticing this, he immediately struck while the iron was hot: "Now it seems I really didn't misjudge you. However, it's a waste to use your superpowers against capitalists. Why not work for me and fully unleash your talents!"
Max frowned: "Who exactly are you?"
Darian grinned: "I am Darian, a senior Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., founder of the Brotherhood, Asgardian arena conqueror, New York Battle leaderboard number one, who defeated Loki with magic, took down Captain America with his bare hands, and is known as Dr. Doom!"
The latter part was changed by Darian himself.
Goblin and Iron Glider didn't sound great, not as pleasant as the fake identity he used before.
This string of titles completely stunned Max. Although he didn't understand most of them, there was a sense of awe-inspiring mystery. He felt as if Darian himself was radiating dazzling light.
Oh no, this wasn't an illusion; this guy was indeed glowing!
It was exactly the same light as when he first appeared!
Max couldn't help but squint his eyes and ask, "What do you want me to do?"
"It's simple. Join my X Squad and complete the missions I assign, just like Spider-Man and Little Goblin."
Darian valued Max's abilities and personality. His squad happened to be missing a ruthless individual, and Max was 'dark' enough, both in appearance and heart. This task was perfectly suited for him.
Max was startled: "Spider-Man and Little Goblin are your people?"
"Of course. In fact, they're just a part of it. I have many more powerful members in other places, and even the Avengers are members of my squad."
Darian spoke freely, and he wasn't lying either. The team that kicked Nick Fury hadn't disbanded yet.
Hearing this, Max unconsciously swallowed.
The Avengers, as the hottest idol group today, were known by everyone in New York. The team not only had billionaires and super soldiers, but even legendary Gods. They were simply not characters of his level to provoke.
Darian patted Max on the shoulder and said, "As long as you do well, you'll have everything you want. You might even be more famous than the Avengers. Plus, you won't have to be a criminal. If a superhero ever beats you up, you can say you're officially on duty and even arrest them yourself."
Max's heart immediately stirred upon hearing this.
To be honest, he didn't really want to go against the superheroes. If he could, he even wanted to become a superhero like the Avengers, making everyone notice his existence.
And Darian's words hit his sweet spot.
After a moment of thought, Max said, "I can join your squad, but I have one condition: I must make those who harmed me at the Osborn Group pay!"
Although the main culprits who had tormented him were already dead, Max clearly remembered the employees who had also participated in the plan.
"No problem."
Darian agreed very readily.
"I happen to know the current heir of the Osborn Group. He doesn't know about your situation. When we get back, I'll have him restore your reputation and all your rightful benefits, send all those people you mentioned to prison, and then use my connections to make them pick up soap for decades in jail. I guarantee they'll wish they were dead."
Max's mouth hung open.
I just wanted to kill them, there's no need to be so cruel.
"Alright, then I'll join your squad." Max finally nodded.
"A wise choice!"
Darian nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since you've joined my squad, you need a resounding codename, just like a superhero."
"That's great!"
Max's eyes lit up, his face full of anticipation.
Darian mused, "Hmm, since your ability is to control electrical energy, your name must be related to electricity. A person who controls electrical energy, so you shall be called Professor Max!"
Max: "???"
How is that related to my ability?
Darian pulled out the Pure Iron Pokeball: "Alright, now let's go back to Earth, but you have to go back into the Pokeball first."
"Wait."
Max had just raised his hand to say something when Darian hit him on the head with a Pokeball. His head tilted, and he transformed into a stream of light once again, being sucked back into the Pure Iron Pokeball.
And so, the X Squad gained a new member, and Darian's Pokemon, Max.
Darian told Peter and Harry the news, and both were surprised, especially Peter. He really wanted to know how Darian convinced Max.
Peter, like many men, had a habit of trying to persuade people to turn over a new leaf.
Every time he encountered a supervillain, he would engage in all sorts of verbal sparring, trying to get them to reform and start fresh. However, the villains often refused to listen and responded with a full set of attack combos.
Darian shook his head at this: "Of course that won't work. If you want people to listen to reason, you first have to beat them half to death. You read to reason with people, and you practice martial arts to make people listen to your reasoning. That's why the bigger the fist, the bigger the reason!"
"I see."
Peter suddenly understood.
No wonder his persuasion attempts were always ineffective; most of the time, he was the one getting beaten.
And so, that day, the criminals of New York all discovered that Spider-Man seemed to be having another episode.
The friendly neighborhood hero, abandoning his usual talkative style, would immediately give them a brutal beating upon sight, hitting harder than ever before.
Only after he had beaten them to tears, bruised and swollen, would he squat beside them and earnestly persuade them to do good, explaining that crime leads nowhere, and what their loved ones would think if they found out, blah blah blah...
He would chatter incessantly in their ears, like reciting scriptures, until the Police arrived or the next criminal activity occurred, at which point he would reluctantly get up and leave.
And surprisingly, this method was remarkably effective.
Many criminals, after being thoroughly beaten and then subjected to Peter's verbal onslaught, would burst into tears on the spot, all declaring that they would no longer be criminals.
It was evident that Peter's fists and words had indeed left them with considerable psychological trauma.