147. Vermin.

Unlike the startled Pietro, Alex frowned slightly. Though he hadn't known Kara for very long, Alex understood her well enough to know that while Kara often seemed reckless, she was not the type to lose her head easily.

Perhaps it was because she came from a family bearing the 'S' symbol, a symbol of hope. During her actions, Kara rarely exerted her full strength, always subconsciously holding back. To her, this world was too fragile. But now, judging by the earlier loud noise and the level of destruction, either Kara was in a state of extreme anger, or the monster inside was not easy to deal with.

"Alex, should I go in and check? I feel something is wrong. This world is too messed up; we don't know the specifics here. Kara isn't as strong as she used to be. What if she encounters danger?" Pietro suggested, visibly worried.

Pietro, an orphan from a young age, had always craved familial bonds and had long seen Kara as his sister. So, in this uncertain situation, he was deeply concerned for Kara's safety.

"Alex, did you hear me?" Pietro spoke again.

"Kara is fine. She's not as weak as you think. What concerns me is the creature inside," Alex said calmly. From his assessment, the loud noise was from Kara going all out, and from the current silence, the creature was likely incapacitated. However, Alex was puzzled about what exactly had happened inside the cave or what Kara had seen that drove her to such anger.

Alex's best guess was that the creature had done something horrific, perhaps keeping humans as food. That would indeed anger someone as kind-hearted and pure as Kara. But Alex felt it wasn't that simple. Kara didn't keep them waiting long. Shortly, Alex and Pietro saw Kara at the cave entrance, dragging a strange, fur-covered creature.

Kara first swung her arm, throwing the creature down. It flew through the air and crashed heavily to the ground, showing no reaction—its life or death unknown. Then Kara jumped down, landing firmly beside it, leaving clear footprints on the ground.

"So, this is the monster hunting humans? It's so ugly, and it stinks. Doesn't it ever clean itself? Disgusting," Pietro remarked, relieved to see Kara safe.

"This thing used to be human. I can see some human features in its mutated bones," Kara said, her face grim.

"It used to be human?!" Pietro was shocked, unable to fathom how a human could transform into such a monstrosity and start preying on other humans.

Suddenly, Pietro had a thought. "Alex, could this guy be a mutant, like those in the mutant prison?"

Watching Pietro's changing expressions, Alex shook his head slightly and stepped forward to examine the creature. "I don't recall any mutant looking like this. I'm not sure if it's a mutant, but it doesn't seem like one."

Pietro nodded thoughtfully, then waved his hand in front of his nose. "Mutants come in all forms, but if this guy is a mutant, he must be a Vermin. Look at his repulsive appearance, his tail, and his smell—just like a vermin."

Vermin.

Unintentional words, but Alex caught the meaning. He pondered the term, recalling that the Marvel Universe did have a 'Vermin.'

"I think I know who he is," Alex said slowly. "He's not a mutant but a genetically modified human. His original name was Edward, one of Spider-Man's enemies."

Thanks to his mental training, Alex's memories of his past life were clear. Otherwise, he might not have recalled this obscure character.

"Genetic modification? Gross," Pietro said, making a gagging motion. "I thought the villains had better futures after they won. How did this guy end up like this?"

"As far as I know, the villains' alliance wasn't stable. With limited resources, Red Skull likely disposed of many weaker members. He might have been one of them," Alex explained.

"Can you extract energy from him? He looks barely alive," Pietro asked.

Kara interjected, "He's not dead, just scared unconscious."

"Yes, I can feel his life force," Alex confirmed. The creature's life force was faint but present. However, Alex doubted it could charge the timepad much. Better than nothing, he supposed.

"But more importantly, Kara, what did you see inside?" Alex asked, his expression serious, looking directly at the still upset Kara.

Instead of answering, Kara raised a batrang and held it out to Alex. She knew Alex would understand its significance better than she did.

....

📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢

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148. The Unknown 'He'.

149. The Plan.

150. Devouring Magic.

151. Power Enhancement.

152. A Future Shrouded in Gloom.