Chapter 25

The Human Torch kept his cool and, without missing a beat, said, "Brother, you're such a joker."

"My legs are just a little numb from standing so long—you know, I usually fly. Ever heard of the bird without legs? I'm pretty much the same."

Admitting he was scared? Not a chance—not in this lifetime. Only by playing it tough could he hold on to a shred of dignity.

As he spoke, he noticed something and pointed behind Russell, urgently saying, "Hey, Pyro's trying to make a break for it."

Russell replied calmly, "I know, but I had to make sure you were okay." Without even looking, he extended his arm backward, grabbing something with a swift, downward motion.

Torch blinked, momentarily blinded by a sudden light. Wait...it wasn't the sun. A golden meteor was blazing down from the sky!

BOOM!

A fiery, holy sword crashed down, hitting Pyro's convertible dead-on, triggering a violent explosion. The force of the blast created a powerful shockwave, knocking Deathstrike, who was charging at Russell, off her feet.

Torch's face dropped. He wanted to duck for cover, but it was too late. He was flung back, landing hard, mouth full of sand, head spinning.

"Puh! Puh!" he spat out sand, muttering, "Isn't that a bit overkill for an explosion?"

He shook his head, wide-eyed. That wasn't a normal car blast; it had to be the flaming sword.

When the dust settled, he looked up to see a massive crater where the car had been, with twisted scraps of metal scattered around. As for Pyro... Torch looked around but couldn't spot anything. It was like he'd been reduced to ashes.

Torch suddenly remembered how, when they'd first met, he'd called Russell a "pretty boy." Was it too late to apologize? Maybe he should take the hint and stay on this guy's good side.

Russell, unaware of Torch's inner turmoil, turned his attention to Deathstrike, who was staggering to her feet.

"Why didn't you run?" he asked.

Deathstrike's face was expressionless. She replied coolly, "Lady Cassandra ordered me to bring you back. Pyro's good at talking his way out, but if I return without you, I'd face a worse fate than death."

Russell grinned, unsympathetic. "I hear your healing ability's on par with Wolverine's, maybe even better than Sabretooth's. Think you'd survive if I took your head off?"

Deathstrike's fingers flexed, sharp adamantium claws extending from her fingertips. She licked her lips. "Come find out."

Minutes later…

Russell stood, holding Deathstrike's head by her spine. Her eyes had faded to a lifeless gray.

"Hah. Guess you're not as tough as Wolverine."

The Human Torch, watching, was horrified. Russell, blood-streaked and clutching a head and spine, looked more terrifying than anything in a nightmare. Suddenly, his previous bravado didn't feel so essential. In situations like this, maybe it was best to know when to fold.

Then he noticed Russell looking his way and, panicking, forced a shaky smile.

Russell frowned slightly, sensing that Torch was probably up to something foolish, but since his Spider-Sense hadn't kicked in, he dismissed it. As Russell's fine wounds began to heal and his suit repaired itself, a system voice echoed in his mind.

"[Entry plunder completed!]"

"[Acquired Ability: Deathstrike's X-Factor (Purple)]"

Now possessing a self-healing factor nearly on Wolverine's level, Russell was immune to fatal injuries except decapitation and could regenerate any body part rapidly. And with the added body augmentation, he was impressed. Though not quite Wolverine-level, the regeneration speed far surpassed the Extremis virus's healing.

Plus, the decapitation weakness was offset by the virus. He was now as close to Wolverine's durability as he could be.

Russell mentally reviewed all the powers he'd plundered so far:

"[X Ability: Sabretooth (Blue-Purple)]"

Enhanced healing and a lifespan of 300 years.

"[X Ability: Hedgehog (Green)]"

Ability to launch spikes from his body.

"[X Ability: Toad (Green)]"

Enhanced jumping and an extremely stretchy, toxin-secreting tongue up to ten meters.

Note: Loading this ability adds toad-like skin.

"[X Ability: Pyro (Blue)]"

Flame control and absorption.

Russell wasn't overly impressed with Pyro's power, thinking it was just a nice backup for fire manipulation. But suddenly, the system spoke again.

"[Fusion-compatible entry detected: Extremis Virus]"

"[Fusion in progress…]"

"[Fusion complete!]"

"[Extremis Virus – Flameblood Control (Purple)]"

Upgraded temperature to 3,800 degrees. Now able to create and control both flames and fiery blood, and absorb flames at will.

Warning: Excessive Flameblood usage can cause temporary weakness.

Russell felt a rush of power. Entries could merge, enhancing their potency! His fire abilities were now far stronger, the temperature and versatility of his attacks magnified. Even Pyro's flames couldn't have matched this.

And the Flameblood weakness? Not an issue. With Sabretooth's and Deathstrike's self-healing, he could easily compensate.

Russell revised his opinion of Pyro's power: it was no longer trivial—it was extraordinary. As for Hedgehog and Toad? He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Yeah, those two can go."

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Added 'All the Powers Russell has Till Ch 45' Auxiliary chapter do check it out.