"Ororo, what exactly are you worried about? From start to finish, have we ever forced you? You don't even have the qualifications to see the boss's true face."
Raven stood up. Her words carried finality.
"You're the one asking Mr. Hall for help. If you're unwilling to pay the price, Mr. Hall won't force you."
"No, let me be clearer—the boss may not even agree to trade with you. After all, only those who catch his eye have the opportunity to receive his blessing."
Raven looked coldly at Storm, Ororo Munroe.
She knew Vincent Hall had a particular interest in special heroines—women like them. But not just any heroine could catch his eye. He was a normal man who appreciated beauty. It was just that superhuman beauties brought him greater thrills and rewards.
Raven understood her place in Vincent's heart. She was well aware of his indulgence and tolerance toward them. But Vincent's reputation as Ice Demon wasn't unearned—his heart had never been soft.
Even with heroines, he allowed them to make mistakes. But anyone who truly became Vincent's enemy would find him perfectly willing to destroy them.
As for Storm's attitude, Raven found it unimportant. Storm was the one asking for help, not the other way around. The positions were reversed. They held the initiative.
And Raven harbored a selfish thought—sharing Vincent with another woman was something she inwardly opposed. She simply knew her will couldn't determine Vincent's desires. He could easily abandon her and pursue others in secret.
Storm calmed herself.
"Since you can't decide Mr. Hall's opinion, let me meet him face-to-face. I'll convince him personally to deal with Apocalypse."
Storm spoke proudly. She feared neither Psylocke nor Raven. But the man standing behind these two women was now the most terrifying figure in the world.
Unlike any era's villain, he had no ambition, no faction. His existence was independent, uninfluenced by any power. Anyone who dared obstruct him would be eliminated.
How many powerful superhumans once lived in New York? During the last gathering of heroes in New York, they'd discussed dealing with Vincent Hall. How many formidable figures died by his hand?
A single heat vision blast—unlike Cyclops's ability—had killed eighty percent of New York's superhumans. The survivors were those who feared Ice Demon, posed no threat to him, or could provide future benefits.
Their survival was his greatest mercy toward the instigators.
Ororo Munroe knew she didn't want to waste words with these two women. She was also a woman—she understood how troublesome they were. Only by facing Vincent directly could she gain a chance to kill Apocalypse.
Apocalypse had always been her nightmare.
Storm hadn't told anyone, but since betraying Apocalypse, he'd haunted her like a ghost, tormenting her in dreams. When Charles was alive, he could use his abilities to dissolve her negative emotions. But since hearing of Apocalypse's resurrection, Ororo had felt his footsteps closing in.
He had returned. He would definitely find her. Apocalypse never showed mercy to traitors. He would make her wish for death.
Magneto was only the beginning.
Storm glanced deeply at Psylocke. With telepathic abilities, Psylocke was the most sensitive—she must have detected the approaching crisis long ago. Now that she'd become one of Ice Demon's people, Apocalypse would have to face Vincent to get to her.
Moreover, Psylocke hadn't betrayed during that battle. When Apocalypse died, Psylocke had quietly withdrawn, already knowing the battlefield was irreversible.
Raven was about to speak when Vincent's voice reached her ear.
"Raven, send Storm to my office."
Vincent's thoughts held no lustful intent at that moment. Storm was a highly renowned heroine, but not enough to provoke strong desire in him.
He glanced at his status panel:
Wealth Points: 105,536,750,000 (available for ability upgrades)
Desire Points: 3,267,900,000 (available for breaking limits)
Bloodlines: Kryptonian (Gene Lock Stage 1), Human (Gene Lock Stage 3)
Talents: Elephant's Strength, Dragon Veins, Bioelectric Field
Abilities: Ice-Ice Fruit (Tier 3 Origin Mastery+), Flame-Flame Fruit (Tier 3 Origin Mastery+), Glint-Glint Fruit (Tier 3 Origin Mastery+), Psychic Dominator (Dominator+), Water Magic (Dominator+), Man of Steel (Peak+), Super Flight (Peak+), Freeze Breath (Peak+), Heat Vision (Peak+), X-Ray Vision (Peak+), Super Hearing (Peak+), Super Brain (Peak+), Dimensional Pocket (Micro+)
Skills: Bajiquan (Mastery+), Dragon-Elephant Wisdom Technique (13th Layer Peak+), Omega Beams (Entry+), Forging (Atomic+), Enchantment (Atomic+)
Rewards: None
Missions: Purple Blind Box (1)
Just then, the system's pleasant voice sounded:
[Mission 1: Fragrance—Develop intimate relations with special heroines. Reward: Blue Blind Box (Stacked x3). Independent side quest, unlimited.]
[Mission 2: Infinity Stone Collection—Collect all six stones for Black Blind Box. Progress: (1/6)]
[Mission 3: Man of Steel—Strike hard and show Apocalypse who Earth's true overlord is! Reward: Gold Blind Box + Man of Steel upgrade]
Vincent wasn't opposed to getting involved with Storm. The first mission had already stacked three times—Purple Blind Box level. Continue stacking and he'd reach Gold, then Black.
Accept new heroines and develop relations with them. Just two more, and he'd obtain another Black Blind Box.
Black Blind Boxes were truly powerful.
Over one trillion in Wealth Points and 3.2 billion Desire Points—this was Vincent's confidence in facing any villain. Whoever Apocalypse was, he wouldn't be Vincent's match.
Still, Vincent suppressed his power. He'd already become the strongest Skyfather-level superhuman. Once he advanced, he'd reach Single Universe level. At that realm, his life form would undergo massive changes, even affecting the entire timeline with unpredictable consequences.
This was why Vincent hadn't upgraded yet. But it didn't prevent him from preparing for the future. With enough Wealth and Desire Points, he could grow stronger anytime—instantaneously, without process.
This was also why Vincent didn't rush to grow stronger. He kept his presence low. His influence was still confined to Earth, not the entire universe. Once he continued growing stronger, Earth might struggle to contain his existence.
Storm also heard Vincent's words. She smiled.
"Raven, I'll see him now. I believe Mr. Hall will be very interested in intelligence about Apocalypse—especially the information I received today."
Storm radiated powerful confidence.
Raven sneered. "Elizabeth, please escort Ororo upstairs."
Psylocke sheathed her weapons and nodded, her face showing disdain. Did Storm naively think she could actually persuade that man? He was a womanizer! Womanizers always considered their lower half first. Only during the sage period would he think about enemies.
Psylocke's inner contempt wasn't baseless.
The top floor was entirely Vincent's office. Aside from the secretarial department, his office was isolated from other work areas. Secretary Julia was still resting at home—even with Super Soldier Serum, she couldn't withstand Vincent's treatment.
Dressed in leather, Storm cut an impressive figure with powerful presence. Anyone seeing her would first notice not her skin but be awed by her aura—the feeling of being watched by hurricanes and thunder.
Her control over power had reached a state flowing from within. Years of combat had made this Storm a globally feared warrior. She was one of the X-Men's public faces.
Vincent's upright figure stood before the window, overlooking New York's brilliant nightscape. Having endured this disaster, New York had suffered less damage than in the original films. The man who'd resolved this crisis was Vincent Hall.
The world knew him as Oscorp's owner. His deeds had spread worldwide—a top New York tycoon whose personal wealth rivaled Tony Stark's.
Oscorp had once rotted to the brink of bankruptcy until he entered, privatized it, and acquired Tesla Lighting & Energy, making Oscorp one of the world's largest energy suppliers. His unique bio-friendly power generation made him America's most watched top businessman.
But his true fame came recently when he descended like a deity, thwarted the alien invasion, and reached the peak of renown. This was also why Vincent's Desire Points had increased by over 300 million in just days, with tens of millions flowing in daily.
Psylocke escorted Storm into the office, then quietly left. She wouldn't disturb Vincent's performance.
Storm gazed at this upright man whose presence filled her vision. If not for Raven and Psylocke's disgusting words, Storm's impression of Vincent might have been better.
"You want to deal with Apocalypse?"
Vincent didn't turn around.
"Apocalypse's ambition exceeds your imagination. Your existence already threatens his position. If he returns, he'll definitely target you."
Storm spoke gravely.
"I know Apocalypse will come after me. I'm waiting for him to come to New York."
Vincent turned, his warm, sunny smile radiant as a deity under the lights. The powerful aura emanating from his body couldn't diminish his sun-like brilliance.
With that single glance, Storm realized she'd harbored misconceptions about this man. He had no demonic aura, not even a trace of falseness. He was so clean, so radiant, so sincere.
No wonder Raven and Psylocke had fallen for him.
"New York has already suffered tremendous disaster. If Apocalypse enters New York, the entire city becomes a battlefield. Even if you win, New York will suffer massive losses."
Storm's thinking was clear, her heart surprisingly calm without irritation or distractions.
"Apocalypse's existence is indeed a threat, but not to my life—rather to my surrounding environment, to those around me. As long as I'm in New York, they won't face threats. New York will be restored."
Vincent's words radiated powerful confidence.
In that instant, Storm seemed to see a deity standing upon his earthly domain. Powerful divine radiance sheltered this land—not because the land was special, but because people extremely special to him existed here.
He was simply protecting his family.
The thought surfaced in Storm's mind. She immediately rejected it. But the fact remained.
"Apocalypse won't obediently walk into your trap. He'll create every favorable condition, striking only at the last moment to achieve his goal. By the time you meet him, many places on Earth may have already fallen, becoming wastelands under his control."
Storm worked to persuade this man.
"Give me a reason to risk leaving New York."
Vincent spoke calmly.
"Iceman sent a message—Apocalypse found him."
Storm's expression grew grave.
"Today?"
"Yes, today."
"Where was Iceman today?"
"Africa. Cape of Good Hope."
"And?"
"Iceman lost contact."
Storm's face darkened further.
"If this were before, you'd definitely assemble the X-Men and everyone would head to Cape of Good Hope searching for Iceman, wouldn't you? But now, all you can do is send Xavier School students on break while you guard the school alone."
Vincent's eyes seemed to penetrate Storm's heart.
"Xavier School needs my protection."
Storm spoke stubbornly.
The once-mighty X-Men had fallen to third-rate status. Professor X's death had made many mutants consider leaving. They'd scattered worldwide, refusing to stay in America—fleeing the U.S. government's persecution.
"Take off your clothes."
Vincent heard the anguish in Storm's heart.
Storm's entire body stiffened.
"Let me see your sincerity."
Vincent's face bore a gentle smile. But in Storm's eyes, it was so domineering.
"By the way, your guess is correct—the Professor's still at Xavier School, but his soul will gradually weaken. Oscorp has sufficient technology to create a clone based on Xavier's genes."
The condition was offered. The question was how much she could pay.
Storm's expression calmed. In front of Vincent, she removed her leather outfit, displaying herself with confident pride.
Vincent watched quietly. He didn't move.
"Put your clothes back on."
Vincent spoke calmly.
"What do you mean?"
Storm seemed humiliated, showing some anger.
"I've seen your sincerity. Now it's time I show mine." Vincent spoke placidly. "I'm giving you a chance to back out. Before dealing with Apocalypse, you can refuse to climb into my bed."
"You're that confident I won't renege?"
Storm angrily dressed herself.
"Breaking the agreement is your moral choice, but since I've promised, I'll definitely deliver. That's my word—kill Apocalypse and provide a clone body for Charles Xavier." Vincent considered. "Right now Raven manages Oscorp. Tell her my words and she'll mobilize all company resources to research Xavier's clone. You don't have to trust me on this, but you can trust Raven."
Storm turned to leave.
Outside the door, Psylocke waited with folded hands. Seeing her emerge, Psylocke smiled—as if to say, "Welcome to the club."
This infuriated Storm.
"Look on the bright side—this guy is young, rich, handsome, and powerful as a god. Sleeping with him means you're the one who profits. After all, he's quite the delicious catch."
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