Ch-4 Disguise yourself and kill!

Outside the door.

After Mr. Paradox left, he turned left, walked down a corridor, and entered another room.

The walls here were filled with hundreds of old-fashioned screens, and about a dozen agents wearing special glasses were rapidly adjusting the images.

As soon as he entered, Mr. Paradox asked, "Sam, any leads?"

Sam, along with Mobius M. and Ouroboros, were all senior executives of the Time Variance Authority, under the leadership of the Ravonna Renslayer.

"Not at all," Sam replied with a frown. "This person seems to have appeared out of nowhere, with no past, no future, and no relatives. It's completely irrational and unscientific."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Paradox was also a bit taken aback. While he had played the "good guy" earlier because of the inability to trace the man's origins, he hadn't expected such an incredible result.

This had never happened in the history of the TVA, which made him even more curious about the young man's background.

After thinking for a while, he suggested, "Perhaps the 'The Watcher' would know. Why not have Mobius ask him? General might be forgiving if it's a mistake."

There were records of time alterations by 'The Watcher.' A high-dimensional beings who existed outside of time and knew many of the secrets of the universe.

The Sam replied solemnly, "Do not even think of violating TVA regulations. If you do, I will report you!"

Paradox immediately smiled and said he was only joking, adding that he might be able to extract some useful information soon.

When it came to acting, Paradox was an expert - deceiving a young man should be an easy task.

After a few minutes, Mr. Paradox left the room. As he walked out, the smile in his eyes turned to contempt.

'That stubborn fool Sam will be tossed into the Void as soon as I am promoted.'

---

Click.

The doorknob turned and Mr. Paradox entered the room, an elegant smile still on his face.

Looking at the still frozen Time Prisoner, he nodded slightly. "I think you've had enough time to think about it."

"Since I have complete control over your time, I could have done anything to you, even made you disappear completely. And it wouldn't have caused the slightest disturbance."

As he spoke, he still wondered why the higher-ups insisted on knowing this man's background.

'Why not just throw him into the Void and let Alioth devour him? There would be no trace left. No risks, no complications.'

But since the Judge had spoken, no one dared question the order.

Pausing briefly, Mr. Paradox continued, "So let's get this tedious process over with quickly. You cooperate and you'll go home. I'll finish my report."

"To show the TVA's sincerity..." He raised his hand theatrically and pressed a button on the controller, deliberately making sure the time prisoner could see.

The light on the collar around the prisoner's neck changed from red to green.

For a moment, Russell felt as if he had been released from a block of amber - finally free.

But instead of rushing forward, he remained seated, looking shocked. "Was that time manipulation? How is that possible?"

Mr. Paradox was quite pleased with the Time Prisoner's reaction, feeling a distinct sense of superiority. "This is only the simplest time manipulation."

"Expanding dimensions, creating spatial entities, traveling through time and space, transforming matter and energy - it is beyond what ordinary people like you can imagine."

He put the controller back in his pocket and sat back down across the table.

Thanks to his [Curse of Knowledge] entry, Russell easily detected the smugness hidden in Paradox's gaze. Inwardly, he smiled, but outwardly, his expression was more shocked.

He even showed a hint of admiration and nodded. "I've really been thinking. The fact that I've survived this long shows the kindness and integrity of your organization."

"I really should cooperate..."

Hearing this, Mr. Paradox's smile deepened and he felt a surge of pride.

'It was too easy.'

But then he noticed Russell's expression change, now embarrassed.

"What's wrong?" Paradox asked.

Russell hesitated and replied, "I was just an ordinary person on Earth. I'm a freshman at Sports University."

"I don't know how I ended up committing this so-called time crime. All I remember is that I was struck by lightning and met that terrible fireman."

His face filled with fear. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to kill him. You're not going to judge me for that, are you?"

Russell wasn't sure if the TVA had a polygraph, so he refrained from lying outright.

Mr. Paradox was surprised. Lightning causing time travel? It sounded like something out of a novel. Still, time was complex, and it wasn't impossible.

But that wasn't the point.

"So what are your details?" Mr. Paradox asked seriously. "Where and when were you struck by lightning?"

His tone became a bit threatening. "Do not lie. The TVA interrogation room is equipped with a lie detector that measures your heartbeat, breathing, pupil dilation, and facial microexpressions. I can't help you if you lie."

'No wonder Mobius could tell so quickly in the show that Loki was lying.'

Russell thought, quickly showing anxiety and saying, "I swear I'm telling the truth! I really am just a student. I was struck by lightning..."

Paradox got annoyed. "Enough with the repetition! What a stupid kid!"

Interrupting, he said, "Fine, fine. No need to repeat yourself. Just give me your identity."

Russell nodded and was about to answer when his expression suddenly changed and he began to cough violently.

Paradox frowned in disgust, thinking the prisoner might be sick. But with TVA technology, there was nothing to worry about.

He forced a fake smile, leaned forward slightly, and pretended to show concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Don't worry, TVA can easily cure any illness you have..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly noticed the time prisoner across the table lift his head.

The eyes that met his gaze had a golden glint in their depths - showing no sign of panic or pain!

He's faking?! How dare he!?

Mr. Paradox's first reaction was anger. Then he laughed inwardly.

*How foolish!

Although his right hand was no longer on the controller of the time collar, it would only take a second to reach into his pocket and press the button to freeze time again.

'He'll regret this!'

Just as Paradox prepared to move, he noticed something strange. The prisoner did not seem to be preparing to attack. There was no aggressive movement.

Then Russell lowered his hands from his face, and his chest, which had been heaving as if he'd been coughing, suddenly flattened out.

*Puff!*

In an instant, a blazing meteor of flame shot across the two-meter space between them.