"The strongest?"
Rorschach didn't feel happy at all when he heard Raven's praise. In fact, the compliment only reminded him how far he still had to go.
Compared to the threats in this world, he was still very far from the top.
There were villains capable of destroying entire cities—or even the planet itself. Even among mutants alone, there were many beings far beyond his current level.
Sebastian Shaw was one obvious example.
Rorschach had fought him personally and knew very well that he currently had no way to kill him.
Then there was Charles.
Once Charles fully developed his telepathic abilities in the future, he would become an enormous threat to anyone in the world.
And that was only considering abilities themselves.
Jean Grey with the Phoenix Force would make Rorschach look insignificant.
There was also Apocalypse sleeping somewhere beneath the earth.
Compared with monsters like those, Rorschach still had a very long road ahead.
"Raven," he said calmly, shaking his head, "I'm nowhere near strong enough."
"If I were strong enough," he continued quietly, "then last night it wouldn't have been me running away. It would have been Shaw."
Raven looked at him for a moment before sighing softly.
"Rorschach, you still did something incredible," she said.
"You stood up to Shaw and protected everyone."
She lowered her gaze slightly and laughed bitterly.
"And what did the rest of us do?"
"We ran around like frightened rabbits."
…
Thousands of miles away.
At Kamar-Taj.
Inside the quiet hall of the ancient temple, the Ancient One sat calmly in meditation.
Floating in front of her was a magical mirror formed from glowing energy.
Inside the mirror appeared the image of Rorschach testing his heat vision in the yard of Xavier Manor.
The Ancient One observed the scene silently.
"You can fire lasers from your eyes," she murmured with faint amusement.
"How many secrets are you hiding, young man?"
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Interesting."
"It's been a very long time since something truly surprised me."
She waved her hand gently.
The magical mirror vanished instantly as if it had never existed.
Of course, Rorschach had absolutely no awareness that he had been observed.
Even if Homelander himself had appeared in this universe, he probably wouldn't have been able to sense the Ancient One's presence.
Compared to the Sorcerer Supreme, Rorschach's current level was still insignificant.
Back at Xavier Manor.
"Raven, let's head back," Rorschach said.
He didn't want to continue discussing such heavy topics.
"Oh, right," he added with a small shrug as he glanced at the shattered rocks nearby. "Sorry about destroying the stones in Charles's yard."
Raven waved her hand dismissively.
"If Charles knew why they broke, he'd probably be thrilled."
This time, when Rorschach returned to his room, he had no lingering excitement left.
The moment his head touched the pillow, he quickly fell asleep.
…
"Ah—!"
"What a beautiful morning."
The next day, Rorschach stretched lazily as he woke up.
He walked to the window and pulled the curtains aside.
Warm sunlight poured into the room.
Outside lay a perfectly maintained green lawn and colorful gardens filled with flowers. The peaceful scenery almost looked like something from a countryside lifestyle video.
After washing up quickly, Rorschach headed downstairs.
The moment he entered the living room, he realized everyone else was already there.
Mystique, Hank, Siren, Havok, Darwin, Angel, and the others were sitting together.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
"Rorschach," Havok said with a look of admiration, "you're unbelievable. You actually managed to sleep."
After everything that had happened the previous day, Havok himself had barely slept at all.
But considering Rorschach's strength…
Maybe that confidence came naturally.
"What's going on?" Rorschach asked casually as he sat down in an empty seat.
"We're discussing whether we should go out and gather information," Angel explained.
Even though they had escaped Shaw and spent the night safely at the mansion, the danger hadn't disappeared.
What if Shaw discovered this location?
What if he came here next?
The CIA base had already been wiped out.
None of them wanted to face Shaw again.
But hiding indefinitely without knowing what was happening outside wasn't a solution either.
"I'll go," Raven suddenly said, standing up.
"I grew up around here. I know where to find information."
"Raven—" Hank immediately looked worried.
Ever since she arrived at the CIA base, Hank had developed obvious feelings for her.
"This is dangerous," he said hesitantly. "What if you run into Shaw's people?"
"Hank," Raven replied firmly, "I know this area better than anyone."
She gestured toward herself.
"And I can look like anyone."
"You know as well as I do that I'm the best person for this."
Something about Raven had changed overnight.
The events at the CIA base had forced her to grow up quickly.
"You shouldn't have to do this alone," Havok protested.
He clearly felt uncomfortable letting a woman take the risk while everyone else stayed behind.
"Alex, Raven's right," Darwin said calmly.
He understood the situation clearly.
There was no better option.
Everyone might be worried, but the logic was undeniable.
"I'll go with her," Rorschach said suddenly, standing up.
If he stayed inside the mansion doing nothing, there was almost no chance of triggering another mission.
Getting out into the world greatly increased the possibilities.
"Perfect!" Siren said happily, slapping his thigh.
"With Rorschach going too, there's nothing to worry about."
No one else objected.
In fact, the combination made perfect sense.
After a quick discussion, the decision was finalized.
Rorschach and Raven would go out together to gather information.
Raven used her shapeshifting ability to transform into a middle-aged man.
Rorschach didn't bother with a full disguise, but he still followed the group's suggestions.
He put on an old coat that belonged to Charles and pulled a hat low over his head.
"Wow," Raven said with a grin as she looked him up and down.
"I didn't expect Charles's clothes to fit you so well."
"It actually looks great."
"Really?" Rorschach raised an eyebrow.
"Then tell me—who looks better in it, Charles or me?"
"You, obviously," Raven said immediately, winking at him.
"Raven," Rorschach said dryly, "that expression makes you look like a creep."
.....
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