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"Imagination and reality are always different," Jack said softly, his voice low and almost amused. "You think I care how you see me? Brutal, unfeeling, cheap… those are just your labels. I only do what I want."
As he spoke, he leaned closer and blew a breath lightly against Natasha's ear.
For just a fraction of a second—
Her body tensed.
A subtle reaction, almost imperceptible to anyone else. But Jack noticed.
Her expression shifted instantly, recovering as if nothing had happened. A faint smile returned to her lips.
"On that point," Natasha replied calmly, "you really are… unprincipled."
Jack studied her face carefully, eyes narrowing slightly with interest. "You didn't waste your training," he said. "Top agent. Even your reactions are controlled."
"Really?" Natasha tilted her head slightly, her tone playful but sharp underneath. "Then can we talk properly? Standing this close… I know you're enjoying it. But maybe consider my comfort too."
Jack chuckled.
"Fine," he said, stepping back slightly. "Since you asked so nicely… I'll give you some space."
As he released her, his tone subtly shifted—especially when he emphasized a certain word.
"After all… there's plenty of time ahead."
Natasha immediately took advantage of the distance, stepping back several meters. Her posture adjusted into a guarded stance, keeping exactly enough space to react.
Jack casually touched his abdomen, smiling faintly. "Still warm," he said. "Quite… memorable."
Natasha frowned slightly.
"That so?"
"Of course," Jack replied. "You left quite an impression."
For a moment, silence lingered between them, tension stretching thin in the air.
Then Natasha spoke again.
"Jack," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly, "I didn't expect this. Turning from a car into a human… what are you? A robot?"
Jack laughed lightly.
"Trying to gather intel?" he said. "It doesn't matter. That car was just another form of mine. I'm not a robot."
He paused, then added with a grin, "Do I look like one?"
Natasha didn't respond immediately. She studied him instead, analyzing every detail—movement, tone, breathing.
"Then what kind of technology is that?" she pressed.
"It's not technology," Jack replied calmly. "No one else can do it. Only me."
He lifted his chin slightly, almost arrogantly.
Natasha let out a quiet breath.
"…Impressive."
Though in her mind, she still didn't fully believe him.
"Then why are you here?" she asked. "To stop me from finding the Green Giant?"
"No," Jack said. "I'm just… passing time. And talking to you seemed interesting."
Natasha's gaze sharpened.
"You know what I want to do right now?"
Jack shrugged.
"Hard to guess what a woman is thinking," he said lazily. "But if you don't mind… you could always entertain me."
Natasha's eyes turned cold instantly.
"I want to kill you."
There was no hesitation. No disguise.
Just intent.
Jack didn't seem bothered.
"Plenty of people want that," he said lightly. "You're not special. Though… if you manage it in a more interesting way, I wouldn't object."
"Then die now."
Natasha's hand flicked forward.
A small circular device, glowing faint blue, flew straight toward Jack.
Jack caught it effortlessly, holding it between his fingers.
"What's this?" he asked casually. "A weapon?"
Natasha had already turned and sprinted away.
"Something to end your life."
A heartbeat later—
BOOM!!!
A blinding blue light erupted, followed by a violent explosion. The shockwave tore through the grove, flattening nearby vegetation and sending debris flying in all directions. Fire and energy expanded outward in a destructive sphere.
"Ah—!"
Natasha was thrown off her feet, her body slammed by the force of the blast. She rolled across the ground, pain flashing across her face before she forced herself back up.
Her breathing was uneven—but controlled.
She looked ahead.
A massive crater, nearly ten meters wide, smoked heavily in front of her. The ground was scorched black, the air filled with heat and dust.
"…That weapon…" she murmured, her voice low. "Tesseract-based… the power is unbelievable."
She stepped closer cautiously, eyes locked on the center of the crater.
There—
A figure lay motionless.
"Jack," Natasha said quietly, standing at the edge. "I wonder… do you still feel that warmth now?"
Silence.
Then—
"I can answer that."
The "corpse" moved.
Natasha's eyes widened instantly.
"That's impossible."
Jack slowly raised his hand, then pushed himself up, standing amid the wreckage. Golden Transformium particles flickered across his body, repairing damage at a visible rate.
Within seconds—
He was completely fine.
"Not bad," Jack said, rolling his shoulder slightly. "That actually hurt a little."
Natasha stared at him, disbelief clear even through her composure.
"…What are you?"
"I'm human," Jack said with a smile. "Just… not as fragile as you hoped."
He stepped forward slowly.
"You thought a bomb like that could kill me?" he added. "That's a bit overconfident."
Natasha didn't reply.
She acted.
Her gun came up instantly—firing rapidly.
Bullets flew toward Jack.
But they stopped mid-air.
Suspended.
Jack casually picked one out of the air, examining it.
"Still using bullets?" he said. "How many times have people tried this already?"
Natasha clenched her jaw.
She knew it wouldn't work.
She turned—and ran.
"Running?" Jack's voice echoed behind her. "You think you can escape?"
Before she could gain distance—
He was already in front of her.
She didn't hesitate.
Her leg snapped upward in a precise kick.
Jack caught her ankle effortlessly.
Using the momentum, Natasha twisted her body, rotating like a whip, trying to break free—
But Jack held firm.
"Flexible," he remarked calmly. "Impressive."
In one motion, he grabbed her arm and forced her down onto the ground.
"Ah—!"
Natasha struggled immediately, her body resisting with trained precision.
But it wasn't enough.
Jack pinned her.
Firmly.
"Strong spirit," he said, almost amused. "I like that."
Natasha's breathing was sharp now, controlled but strained.
"Let go," she said coldly.
Jack leaned slightly closer.
"You brought this on yourself," he said. "You had a chance to talk. You chose this instead."
His tone remained calm—but carried a clear edge.
Natasha's eyes burned with anger.
"I will kill you."
Jack laughed softly.
"I've heard that many times."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Go on. Struggle more."
For a moment—
She stopped.
Completely still.
Then she spoke again, voice colder than before.
"You'll regret this."
Jack smirked.
"Familiar line," he said. "People love saying that."
The air between them grew heavier.
Not just with conflict—
But with something sharper.
More dangerous.
Jack's gaze lingered on her, calculating, interested.
"Now…" he said slowly, "let's see how I should deal with you."
His hand moved slightly—
Not rushed.
Not careless.
But deliberate.
And the tension—
Only deepened.