Two major events have recently shaken the world.
The first was the conclusion of the Stark armored suit incident. The truth was sealed with a single, iconic sentence from Tony Stark: "I am Iron Man!" From that moment on, the world officially entered the age of Superheroes.
It was an epoch-making event, but the second major story was no less significant—in fact, its implications were arguably greater. This story again concerned the White Demon, that terrifying Level 5 mutant.
The rising star of the journalism world, Eddie Brock, wrote in his latest report:
"An unprecedented terror attack occurred in Harlem recently. Two horrific green monsters rampaged through the district, ignoring the attacks of fully armed troops and slaughtering civilians.
In this moment of extreme crisis, the White Demon stepped forward. He easily defeated the two monsters using a terrifying black-red singularity!
However, the White Demon is no saint; he truly earns his 'Demon' moniker. The black-red singularity he released defeated one monster instantly, but it also destroyed numerous buildings and killed hundreds of civilians. The shockwave tore through the earth, leaving a massive, kilometer-long trench. His destructive potential is far greater than both green monsters combined!
Furthermore, based on analysis of my previous footage, the White Demon's power is growing rapidly and steadily. When he first used the black-red singularity, it was visibly unstable; experts suggest he was likely exhausted, which is why he spared the military forces surrounding him.
Now, his release speed has significantly improved, the singularity is markedly more stable than the first time, and its destructive power is far superior! As we know, a Level 5 mutant is one with infinite potential, and the White Demon's existence perfectly demonstrates this terrifying reality.
I boldly speculate that his strength is still far from its limit! As time passes, he will grow stronger, eventually reaching a point where he can ignore nuclear weapons.
I ask the military and the government once again: how do you plan to handle the White Demon? Taxpayer money should not support incompetent failures. We demand a reasonable response strategy!"
Inside a hidden base, Magneto put down the newspaper, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
Mystique, standing nearby, was curious. Ever since his plan to destroy humanity had faced repeated setbacks, Erik hadn't smiled like this in a long time. She glanced at the newspaper on the table, assuming the reason lay within. After skimming the report, her face was overcome with uncontrollable shock.
Even for a Level 5, the White Demon's growth rate was simply too fast!
Magneto, noticing her shock, adjusted his psychic-shielding helmet and smiled. "Raven, it seems that even without our guidance, new forces are moving toward the correct path. Our strength is growing ever more powerful!"
At the same time, in a hidden laboratory within the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor X put down the paper and rubbed his temples. After a moment, he spoke to Jean Grey:
"Jean, we must attempt to make contact with him. He is gradually falling into darkness. With his power, if left unchecked, he will inevitably cause irreparable loss."
Jean nodded in agreement, but the Professor failed to notice a flicker of red in her eyes that refused to fade.
In a luxury villa in Los Angeles, the two protagonists the world was obsessing over were sunbathing on a balcony, each attended by a beautiful woman. Any fan would have recognized these two women as Hollywood stars who had recently exploded in popularity.
Yet, here, these stars were mere extras without a single line of dialogue.
"By the way, Aurelius Viremont, before you went to Harlem, didn't you say you had something important to tell me? What exactly was it?" Tony Stark asked suddenly.
Aurelius Viremont, dressed in floral swim trunks and sipping expensive red wine while enjoying the service of a blonde girl, stretched and remembered. "Your body is having some issues, isn't it?"
Tony's face stiffened. He forced a smile. "Hardly. I'm in great shape!"
Aurelius Viremont gave a mysterious smile and didn't argue. He simply said, "As long as you provide me with an unlimited supply of Arc Reactors whenever I need them, I will solve your health problem."
Tony was stunned. "It's that simple?" Seeing Aurelius Viremont nod, he immediately replied, "Deal. I agree!"
Aurelius Viremont swallowed a cherry offered by the girl and said, "Your current predicament is palladium poisoning, which is why you've been drinking chlorophyll to ease the symptoms. If you continue using the palladium-based Arc Reactor, you will certainly die in the near future."
The two girls instinctively stopped their service, staring at Tony in shock. Was the world's richest playboy about to die?
Seeing Tony instinctively hide his chlorophyll drink and cover his chest to mask his reaction, Aurelius Viremont teased:
"Don't worry. The new element is hidden in your own home, within the architectural diorama your father left you. Look closely; with your intellect, you'll surely find it. Goodbye. Next time we meet to pick up the reactors, I'll give you another piece of news. It's just as important!"
Then, before the eyes of the shocked Tony and the two girls, Aurelius Viremont vanished in the blink of an eye.
Tony stood dazed for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. "That guy... he's gotten stronger again."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside. To Tony's annoyance, Nick Fury walked in, followed by agents carrying a silver case. A moment later, to Fury's shock, Tony leaned back in his sun chair and mocked him:
"Are you talking about the new element? I've already found it!"
High in the distant sky, Aurelius Viremont stood in mid-air. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, though his internal injuries were rapidly healing via the Reverse Cursed Technique. He muttered helplessly:
"So, even with Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue Lv.3, I can't use teleportation consecutively? Even with Energy Absorption Lv.3, the pressure caused by teleporting causes injuries. It seems I'll have to wait until 'Blue' or Energy Absorption reaches Lv.4 before I can use it infinitely!"
Just yesterday, through minimal energy output and constant practice, "Blue" had finally reached Lv.3.
[Congratulations! Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue has leveled up!]
[Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue Lv.3 (1/1000): Creates powerful suction. By reducing the distance between multiple points to 'negative infinity,' it generates miniature black holes.]
At the moment of the upgrade, an advanced usage of the technique had appeared in Aurelius Viremont's mind: using powerful gravity to compress the distance between a starting point and a destination, achieving a teleportation-like effect.
And so, just now, he had taken a single step and instantly traveled dozens of kilometers!