Although he knew having a dwarf perched on a giant's back was suspicious, the speed of the spatial blade was simply too fast. Even with the Six Eyes' dynamic vision, he couldn't track it perfectly.
Despite his desperate attempt to dodge, the blade struck home. However, reinforced by his energy, his physique had improved significantly. Because he had pivoted at the last second, the blade only sliced through his waist, leaving a thumb-thick gash.
Aurelius Viremont immediately pressed his hand forward, using "Blue" to create a powerful center of attraction behind the giant.
The massive suction force yanked the giant backward. The already crumbling wall finally gave way under the immense pressure, shattering completely. The giant was sent flying into the store behind him, triggering a wave of screams from the customers inside.
Such an uncharged attack couldn't truly harm the giant; even the dwarf on his back was well-protected and remained unscathed.
The giant climbed to his feet and brushed the dust off his body. Ignoring the terrified civilians, he looked at Aurelius Viremont, whose midsection was bleeding profusely, and gave a cruel laugh.
"Stupid brat. It's a spatial slash. I'd like to see how you deal with that."
With that, he began walking toward Aurelius Viremont, intending to make good on his promise: to twist Aurelius Viremont's limbs into knots before delivering him to Colonel Stryker. He wasn't worried about the Colonel's reaction if Aurelius Viremont died; Stryker hated mutants with a passion. He wouldn't care if a "tool" broke during the collection process.
On a nearby rooftop, two factions were in a tense standoff.
On one side were the X-Men: Cyclops and Storm. On the other side were the Brotherhood of Mutants: Juggernaut (specifically a reinforced brute) and Mystique. They had run into each other while searching for Aurelius Viremont, and a dispute had broken out.
Cyclops pressed his hand to his visor, ready to unleash a concussive blast from another dimension at Mystique and her partner. He said coldly, "Aurelius Viremont is fresh blood for our kind. We won't let you brainwash him!"
Mystique stood behind her partner, avoiding any potential line of fire. Hearing Cyclops, she countered, "Mutants are the superior race. Humans are mere ants. A gifted individual like Aurelius Viremont belongs in the Brotherhood. We will lead him down the correct path!"
"The 'correct path' being terrorism and destruction?"
As the tension peaked, Storm suddenly broke the stalemate. "Look! Aurelius Viremont's situation doesn't look good!"
Everyone's attention shifted downward. Their goal was to recruit Aurelius Viremont; if he died, the mission was a failure. They looked down just in time to see the spatial blade nearly gut him.
"What?!"
While they were arguing, their target was nearly killed by Stryker's men! Even if Aurelius Viremont hadn't yet lived up to their expectations, they couldn't stand by and watch a potential ally be slaughtered.
Cyclops prepared to drop his visor, Storm's hair began to lift as her eyes turned milky white, and the brute on their side tensed for a charge. They intended to save Aurelius Viremont before the giant could finish him. Such a wound was severe, but with mutant healing or advanced technology, he could be saved if they acted fast.
However, what they saw next stopped them in their tracks. They watched in shock as the "heavily wounded" Aurelius Viremont changed before their eyes.
He had another mutant power!
The giant sneered, lumbering toward Aurelius Viremont. He was confident. Stryker kept many mutants imprisoned, including some with healing factors. As long as Aurelius Viremont was breathing, they could patch him up. And if he died on the way? Well, Stryker wanted strong mutants. A mutant who lost to him was, by definition, valueless.
But after taking only a few steps, the giant froze. He pointed a trembling finger at Aurelius Viremont.
"You... you... How is this possible? Why is your wound already gone?!"
Before, the distance and the dust from the collapsing wall had obscured his vision. Now, as the smoke cleared and he drew closer, he saw the thumb-thick wound on Aurelius Viremont's waist closing at an impossible speed. By the time he finished speaking, the last trace of the injury had vanished.
The giant stared at the white-haired man in disbelief. Absolute spatial defense, a terrifying black-hole-like offensive power, incredible physical stats, and now... a top-tier healing factor.
Is this really a mutant? Even Magneto or Professor X aren't this versatile! The thought struck him—Could he be a legendary Level 5?
The situation reversed in an instant. Under the excited gaze of the X-Men, the fearful eyes of the soldiers, and the trembling gaze of the giant, Aurelius Viremont bared his teeth again.
"I've changed my mind. Even if you cry and beg now, I won't let you live."
"You..."
The giant hesitated, afraid to step forward. His only trump card was the dwarf's spatial blade—the only thing that could bypass the boy's defense. If that failed, he was dead. He grabbed the dwarf by the scruff of his neck and held him up, roaring, "Quick! Another spatial blade! Kill him! Aim better this time—hit him square in the chest!"
The spatial blade was clearly a massive drain on the dwarf. After the first shot, his body was trembling and his face was pale. But under the giant's threat, he unleashed another one.
The speed was breathtaking. Aurelius Viremont was ready this time, but even then, the blade caught him. A deep gash, exposing the bone, appeared on his arm. Had he not dodged, his arm would have been severed.
Despite the severity, Aurelius Viremont didn't panic. With the help of the Reverse Cursed Technique, the wound began to knit together at visible speed!
This time, the giant saw the entire process. Watching a near-fatal wound vanish in ten seconds, his will to fight shattered. He threw the dwarf toward Aurelius Viremont as a distraction and turned to run, screaming to the soldiers, "Stop him! Get in his way!"
He had no courage left. He chose to flee. He knew Stryker would punish him for failure, but a punishment was better than facing this monster.
Aurelius Viremont used the Six Eyes to track the dwarf flying toward him. The little man was spent; he couldn't fire another blade.
Aurelius Viremont extended his hands. Under the dwarf's terrified gaze, a crushing pressure tore his body apart. Blood sprayed everywhere, painting the ground, but not a single drop touched Aurelius Viremont. Like the bullets floating around him, the blood was halted by the infinite void.
Aurelius Viremont then looked toward the escaping giant. A hail of gunfire from the tactical team was focused on him, and the giant had already covered a significant distance. If he didn't act, the brute would escape.
He made a decision.
He extended his index finger, aiming it directly at the giant's back. He spoke softly, his voice cutting through the noise of battle:
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red!"