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*****
He was a defiant, untamed man.
With a face full of unruly stubble, a tall, imposing frame, and a presence that radiated primal energy, he exuded raw, wild strength.
Looking at him, Erik couldn't help but be reminded of someone he once knew.
The man wore a tattered prison uniform, and a standard-issue electric shock collar—capable of inducing unconsciousness—was fastened tightly around his neck.
In addition, both his hands and feet were restrained with alloy chains, making him look like a wild beast bound in captivity.
Hearing Erik's question, the man curled the corner of his mouth and said, "Mutant."
Erik felt a flicker of interest. "Why were you captured and brought here?"
"Does it matter?"
He grinned, revealing a sharp canine tooth.
Erik chuckled. "Not really. But I do need a reason to rescue you."
"A reason? How about joining that so-called Brotherhood of yours?"
With a snap of Erik's fingers, the alloy chains on the man's limbs and the collar on his neck shattered on the spot.
The man stood upright, his joints cracking with a series of popping sounds like firecrackers.
He stretched his body and stepped out of the cell Erik had casually torn open.
"Ahhhh!"
He let out a liberating roar, like a wild beast finally breaking free from its cage.
His eyes narrowed as he stared at Erik, his gaze like that of a dangerous predator fixated on its prey.
He chuckled lowly and said, "Thanks for freeing me—but now I want to see what you're really made of, and whether you're worthy of leading this so-called Brotherhood."
With that, he lunged at Erik. His fingers extended, and his nails grew into dagger-like claws.
Erik raised an eyebrow. The shattered fragments of alloy chains behind the man shot forward like bullets, aiming straight for him.
But the man didn't dodge or flinch. Instead, he grinned wildly and continued his charge.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
The metal shards pierced into his body.
The man roared and slashed a claw toward Erik's neck.
But Erik's lips curled into a faint smile.
In that moment, he noticed something—just before the man's claws reached him, the deadly nails had retracted back into his fingers.
He wasn't trying to kill him?
With a thought, Erik commanded the alloy shards embedded in the man's body to reform into chains, binding him in place before him.
The man clicked his tongue and stood obediently, not far from Erik. And in just that brief time, the wounds on his back had already healed completely.
Seeing this, Erik couldn't help but say, "You really do look like him."
"Look like who?"
"Someone I once met."
The man's pupils narrowed. "What's his name?"
"I only know what people called him—Wolverine."
The man let out a low laugh and said, "Are you friends with him?"
"No," Erik replied with a wave of his hand, causing the chains to fall away. "But you know him."
"Know him? Ha!" the man laughed with a strange tone. "He's my brother."
Erik paused, then nodded and asked, "What should I call you?"
"Victor. Or you can call me Sabretooth."
Erik gave a slight nod. "Let's go. We've already wasted enough time. They'll probably get word of this soon. Let's not stir up more trouble."
With that, he turned and walked out first.
The others followed. When they stepped out of the submarine and were met by the endless expanse of ocean, some were just about to speak when...
Erik spread his arms, and beneath him, the submarine began to move.
Everyone was stunned by what they saw.
A few minutes later, Erik said, "They're here."
As his voice fell, a cruise ship appeared before them.
Onboard were the members of the Brotherhood, led by Firebrand.
The sight left the freshly rescued Hellfire members momentarily at a loss.
Erik lifted into the air, raised a hand, and with a light motion, guided the submarine and cruise ship gently together. Then he landed on the cruise deck, turned to the people still on the submarine, and smiled.
"Come on. Let's get out of here."
Sabretooth let out a low chuckle and stepped onto the cruise ship.
Seeing the others still hesitating, Firebrand shouted, "Don't worry! Even if you choose not to join us, we'll still help you leave. Because we are the Brotherhood—not the Hellfire Club."
"All mutants are brothers!"
Hearing Firebrand's words, the Hellfire members finally began to move.
"I'm not going."
One mutant shook his head and jumped straight off the submarine. As soon as he hit the water, he swam away like a fish, cutting through the waves with remarkable speed.
Seeing this, several other mutants hesitated. After briefly thanking Erik, they each used their abilities to leave in their own ways.
"Ungrateful bastards!"
Firebrand snorted coldly, itching to incinerate them with his toxic flames.
Erik said calmly, "That was their choice."
He turned to the remaining Hellfire mutants who had been rescued and said, "Like I said, you're free. The choice is yours. If any of you wish to contribute to the Brotherhood, you're always welcome."
With that, Erik turned around and walked away with a relaxed air.
Sabretooth let out a "heh" and followed after him with a grin.
Firebrand looked at the rest of the Hellfire members and said, "You should think it over. Magneto isn't like the Black Queen. He's the one who saved us—our hero."
With a friendly smile, Firebrand pressed the communicator in his ear and said, "Let's move out!"
——
Early morning.
Mike glanced at the headline on the front page of the newspaper and smiled. After casually setting the paper aside, he took a sip of porridge. Noticing Gwen silently chewing her breakfast, he asked, "Why do you look so down? Something happen?"
Gwen bit into her bun with a little more force than usual and mumbled with a full mouth, "Luke suddenly told me yesterday that he's leaving—he can't stay and go to school here anymore."
"Hm?"
Mike raised his eyebrows. "What happened? Did he tell you why?"
"I don't know."
Gwen shook her head, visibly upset.
Luke was her best friend—her first friend in this place. Now that he was suddenly saying goodbye, it felt like her heart had been stuffed with lemons and bitter gourds.
"Now that you mention it…"
Mike rubbed his chin and muttered, "I think I saw someone from a real estate agency checking out John's house the other day. Looks like they're planning to sell it."
Gwen quickly swallowed her bun and said anxiously, "Sell their house? Where are they moving to?"
Mike shook his head. "I'm not sure. John didn't say."
Gwen murmured, "They must be in some kind of trouble…"
Mike looked at her and smiled.
This little girl's brain really was quick.
Putting down his spoon, Mike said, "Okay, tell me—why do you think they're in trouble? Couldn't it just be that they want a change of scenery?"
Gwen looked up at him, licked the broth off her fingers, then raised her chin and asked, "Dad, are you testing me?"
Her eyes flickered with mischief. "If I get it right… will you help them?"
Mike extended a hand and said, "Let the performance begin."
(End of Chapter)