chapter 62

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"You said Hammerfell is the biggest tourist attraction in the United States. Are these people here just to buy superhero toys?"

Wanda stood in front of the counter, her eyes scanning the dazzling array of toys, a trace of surprise on her face. She picked up a toy, inspected it for a moment, shook her head, and tossed it back.

The salesperson, noticing her disinterest, frowned and said curtly, "Walk a little further, and you'll see more. If you're not buying, don't touch."

Adrian and the group continued pushing through the crowded market. Adrian's eyes landed on a group of scavengers dressed in rags.

They knelt on the ground, appearing oppressed by the world. Men, women, and children bowed with weak bodies, their faces showing only despair. They clasped their hands and muttered prayers, but their words were swallowed by the wind and sand.

Their prayers were not calls for divine intervention but laments for their plight.

As the group moved closer, they saw who the scavengers were praying to. Frank, silent until now, muttered, "God."

On the ground lay a hammer—square-headed, its handle wrapped in faded leather, with bloodstains on the strap.

Adrian glanced at the kneeling crowd, his expression unreadable. "Let's move," he said.

They left the scene and approached an auto repair shop nearby. The humming of machinery and the smell of oil filled the air.

Inside, under dim lighting, Adrian noticed a tall Ultron robot working on a car engine. Its antennas flickered, and its mechanical body contrasted with the plaid shirt and jeans it wore.

Punisher instinctively reached for his weapon but paused when he saw the Ultron's attire. It looked more like a mechanic than the genocidal machine they knew.

The robot turned to face them, its red eyes glowing. In a mechanical voice, it said, "Welcome to Tonya's Auto Body Shop. How can I help you?"

Frank squinted and growled, "Is that... Ultron?"

Adrian placed a hand on Frank's shoulder. "Relax. Parallel universes are full of surprises. In this one, Hawkeye had a kid with Spider-Man's daughter."

Frank stared, dumbfounded, as Adrian explained.

"In this world, Peter Parker had a daughter, Tonya, before he died. She didn't inherit his powers. After Hawkeye and Tonya divorced, she and this Ultron—Ultron 8—raised their daughter together. They even stayed friends with Hawkeye."

Ignoring Frank's disbelief, Adrian walked to the counter and rang the bell. The Ultron flinched at the sound and said, "Please don't do that; it's fragile."

Ultron suddenly scanned Adrian. "Your vitals exceed normal human limits," it said cautiously.

Adrian frowned but ignored the comment. He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to the robot. "We're looking for a used car—and a small favor."

Ultron hesitated. "What favor?"

"We need to meet Tonya's ex-husband. Is Hawkeye around?"

The robot sighed and rubbed its metal forehead. "Clint always drags trouble here. Let me check."

Adrian nodded and motioned for the others to find a nearby hotel. As they walked away, Adrian noticed a girl watching them from the shadows. Her eyes burned with suspicion as she retreated into the alley.

Adrian narrowed his eyes but continued into the hotel.

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