Chapter 81: Doctor Octopus (Part 4)
The phone rang a few times and was quickly picked up.
"mr. klein?" Hill's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Ms. Hill, good evening." klein's tone was relaxed, as if he were just making small talk. "Are you busy?"
"I'm processing some documents. Is something the matter, mr. klein?"
"Nothing much, it's just... I've found a rather interesting little gadget here. I wonder if S.H.I.E.L.D. would be interested?"
"Oh?" Hill's voice remained steady as ever. "What kind of gadget?"
"An... um, unfinished prototype of a controllable nuclear fusion reactor, along with its designer and chief engineer."
The other end of the line instantly fell into a dead silence. Even the sound of breathing seemed to have vanished.
After about two or three seconds, Hill's voice came through again, still steady but clearly with an added, barely perceptible tension:
"mr. klein, this joke isn't funny. An unfinished nuclear fusion reactor, if it loses control, is enough to..."
"Enough to wipe half of Manhattan off the map and cause a minor ecological disaster in the process. I know."
klein interrupted her, his tone very relaxed. "So I stabilized it in passing; it won't explode for now. However, this thing is currently like a disobedient brat; it needs a professional nanny to watch over it.
So, are you interested in coming to take delivery? It comes with a free Doctor who has half-researched controllable nuclear fusion."
"mr. klein," Hill's voice deepened completely, carrying an unprecedented seriousness, "Please tell me the specific location. I'll be there immediately."
"I'll send the location to you right away. Hurry up!" After klein finished speaking, he didn't wait for Hill's response and hung up the phone directly.
"Red Queen, send the location to Hill."
"Instruction received, Master. Location and information sent."
klein put away his phone and looked at Peter nearby and at Doctor Otto, who was still tied up by spider silk with a hollow look in his eyes.
"Alright, just wait. Professionals will be here to handle it in a while. If all goes well, Doctor," he turned to Otto and grinned,
"You might even land a permanent position. In the future, there will be national-level laboratories and ample funding for you to continue your research on controllable nuclear fusion. You won't have to think about which bank to rob every day."
Can you imagine? A villain robbing a bank just to buy experimental materials? Then why not just rob the experimental materials directly? Is this the logic of a science-major villain?
klein didn't understand, but he respected it.
Doctor Otto raised his head blankly, seemingly not fully understanding what a permanent position meant, but the words 'national laboratory' and 'unlimited funding' caused a very faint light to rekindle in his dead-gray eyes.
Peter said to klein at this time: "Klein, since you can handle this, I'm leaving. I don't want to be discovered."
"Fine, you're dismissed!" klein knew Peter was an introvert and didn't want to be disturbed.
Peter nodded, shot out a web, and swung away.
Just half an hour after Peter left, the roar overhead tore through the night sky.
A quinjet, like a giant black bird with engines spitting faint blue flames, landed precisely on the ruins of the laboratory.
A strong airflow kicked up dust everywhere. The hatch opened, and a tactical squad quickly cordoned off the scene.
Then a transport helicopter landed slowly. The hatch slid open, and a group of researchers in white coats filed out under the protection of Agents, heading straight for the sealed reactor.
Hill, in a capable combat uniform, walked quickly down the ramp, followed by a figure carrying a quiver and holding a recurve bow.
[Ding!]
[Detected key Marvel story character: Clint Barton(Hawkeye)]
[Identity: S.H.I.E.L.D. Level 8 Agent, one of the Avengers, the most overlooked superhero.]
[Prompt: Host has made contact with a new story character. Reward: Gacha attempts +1! Start the draw now?]
"No, don't draw yet." klein quickly responded to the system in his mind.
By then, Hill had already walked up to klein with Hawkeye.
She wasn't wearing a suit, but a sharp combat uniform, her chestnut hair tied in a bun behind her head, looking even more heroic than usual.
"mr. klein, truly... wherever there's trouble, there you are." Hill's voice didn't reveal much emotion, but klein keenly caught a very faint, almost helpless tone in her voice.
"Maybe I just like wandering around." klein grinned, but his gaze went past Hill to the man behind her carrying a quiver and a recurve bow.
The man was about forty years old, with a resolute face and calm eyes. Wearing a black tactical suit that allowed for easy movement, he stood there like a sheathed blade—restraining his edge, yet impossible to ignore.
"This is my colleague, Clinton Barton," Hill introduced from the side.
"Clint, this is Mr. klein."
"Pleasure to meet you, Agent Barton." klein extended his hand, his gaze lingering for a moment on the other's terrifyingly steady hands and the quiver at his waist.
He didn't expect the Black Braised Egg to send Hawkeyethis time; it seemed the importance attached to this matter was extraordinary.
"mr. klein." Clint Barton reached out and shook klein's hand with moderate force, releasing it immediately. His blue eyes looked at klein calmly as he nodded without saying anything extra.
But klein could feel that during this brief contact, the other person had already quickly evaluated him from head to toe like a precision scanner.
"What's the situation?" Hill went straight to the point, her gaze turning back to the reactor emitting unstable energy fluctuations, her brow furrowed slightly.
Even while sealed, that thing still made her feel an instinctive sense of danger.
klein briefly explained the situation, omitting his acquisition of new abilities and the specific combat process. He only said he happened to encounter Spider-Manstopping a crazed Doctor Octopus, lent a hand, and temporarily stabilized the reactor that was about to lose control.
"How long can this seal last?" After listening, Hillimmediately asked the most critical question.
Behind her, those researchers in white coats had already begun to cautiously approach the sealed reactor under Agent protection, setting up various detection instruments, but no one dared to rashly touch that layer of pale gold light film.
"If you don't actively try to destroy it, it won't be a problem for six months to a year." klein brushed off non-existent dust from his hands.
"This thing is very irritable right now. If forced open, it could easily trigger a chain reaction again.
I suggest you don't touch it for seven days. By then, the fusion reaction will enter a relatively declining and stable period, and the energy activity will drop to its lowest point.
When the time comes, you can try to break the seal and continue the research; the risk will be much smaller."
Hill nodded thoughtfully and noted this information.
She turned to the research team leader on standby and gave a few low-voiced instructions. The other person immediately took the orders and began directing personnel to set up temporary protection and research facilities.
Taking advantage of the gap while Hill was arranging the work, klein leaned in closer and whispered in Hill's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Also, this Doctor Otto Octavius has a really good brain.
Besides this reactor, he can also manufacture a... well, very special exoskeleton intelligent mechanical arm.
That thing can connect directly with a person's nervous system, enhancing strength and precision. Used in certain specific fields... it might be very useful."
Hill's body shook almost imperceptibly. She turned her head sharply, a sharp light flashing in her blue eyes.
exoskeleton intelligent mechanical arms? Direct connection with the nervous system?
This sounded like the prototype for future individual soldier equipment! If controllable and safe, its military and civilian value...
Her gaze swept once more over the broken, cold metallic remains of the tentacles on the ground, and then at Doctor Otto, who was tied to a pillar, his eyes sometimes clear and sometimes confused.
A genius scientist who could design a controllable nuclear fusion reactor, plus the neural-link exoskeleton technology he invented...
Hill instantly understood klein's meaning. This person, and his knowledge, had to be controlled by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Not as a criminal, but as an... asset.
"I understand." Hill's voice was very low. "This matter, I will personally report to Director Fury. The Doctor and all his research data will receive the most appropriate... placement."
klein nodded with satisfaction. He liked talking to smart people; a single hint was enough.
"Alright, then I'll leave this place to you guys." klein yawned and rubbed his somewhat sore neck. He was about to go to sleep when he had to go out on this 'official' trip.
And there was no pay; it was a total loss. Tomorrow he'd have Peter treat him to a meal, and it had to be a good one.
klein waved his hand and turned to walk toward his raptor parked outside the ruins.
"I'm off, you two. I wish you a... pleasant overtime tonight."
With that, he pulled open the car door and sat in the driver's seat. The engine gave a low growl, and the blue pickup truck rolled over the gravel, quickly disappearing into the streets of the New York night.
Chapter 82: The Key
Back home, lying on his bed, klein prepared to draw the rewards for Hawkeye.
The illusory light screen and the rotating compass surfaced before his eyes once again.
The needle spun rapidly, sweeping past dazzling icons one after another, before finally wobbling to a halt on a certain slot.
It turned out to be a key.
klein thought it was a key to some treasure and didn't take it seriously, merely thinking the system had glitched again, giving him such a useless item.
When klein grasped the key, it suddenly transformed into a shower of starlight and merged into his body.
klein jolted upright in bed, his sleepiness vanished, his heart still pounding from the sudden impact of information.
A clear piece of information quietly surfaced as the key fused with him—
Sefirah Castle Core Fragment (1/3) · Door PathwayPromotion Key
Status: Bound to Host [klein]
Effect: Provides complete knowledge of the "Apprentice" pathway (Sequence 9 - Sequence 0).
Promotion requires no additional potions, rituals, or acting; it only requires satisfying the corresponding energy accumulation and time precipitation to automatically complete the life-level leap.
Currently unlockable sequence: Sequence 9[Apprentice], estimated unlock time: 1 natural day;
Sequence 8 [Trickmaster], estimated unlock time: 3 natural days;
Sequence 7 [Astrologer], estimated unlock time: 7 natural days.
Subsequent notifications will be provided when vitality and energy density meet the standards.
"Holy crap..."
After digesting the information, klein couldn't help but curse.
This reward... it was like throwing a depth charge into a calm lake.
The benefits were obvious. A complete, safe, and side-effect-free promotion pathway leading straight to Sequence 0 (equivalent to the "Living Tribunal" level of this Universe)!
This meant his future growth ceiling had been raised to an unimaginable height, and the path was clear, requiring only continuous accumulation and enough time.
klein quickly looked around carefully; there was no one nearby. He breathed a sigh of relief.
He just didn't know if, one day in the future, some guy wearing glasses would come to hunt him down?
The thought flashed through klein's mind, then he shook his head vigorously, temporarily suppressing the images from "Lord of the Mysteries."
"Fuck! What's there to be afraid of! Why think so much!" A Flash of ruthlessness and open-mindedness crossed klein's eyes. "Soldiers will be blocked by generals, and water by earth. I have a cheat; am I afraid of competing for food? If he dares to come, I'll stew him!"
The system was his greatest reliance.
The waters of the Marvel Universe were already bottomless; adding an "Apprentice" pathway would just make the pool a bit murkier.
Power itself has no right or wrong; the key is who uses it and how.
There happened to be nothing much going on these few days, so he could adapt to the new abilities of Sequences [9-7].
As he thought, a strong sense of fatigue washed over him again.
Tonight, he first fought Doctor Octopus, then used an unfamiliar Sealing Technique, and finally received such a surprise; the mental exhaustion was indeed significant.
"Forget it, even if the sky falls, I have to sleep..."
klein muttered, pulling the quilt over his head.
A few seconds later, rhythmic snoring echoed in the dark bedroom.
Outside the window, the New York night sky remained flashing with neon lights, and the traffic flowed like a river, as if nothing had changed.
Half a month passed like a fleeting shadow, gone in a Flash.
During this period, klein ruthlessly treated himself to a huge meal at Peter's expense, eating heartily at a quite decent steakhouse.
Seeing Peter's face turn green at the bill while trying to act generous despite the obvious pain in his wallet, klein laughed so hard he almost spat out his red wine.
Sure enough, one person's happiness must be built upon another's pain.
For the rest of the time, klein basically stayed in the second floor of the shop, leaving the storefront to Aunt Mei, while he lived a secluded and leisurely life.
Nominally, he was resting and recuperating, but in reality, most of his energy was focused on familiarizing himself with and digesting the abilities of Sequence 9 to Sequence 7 of the "Apprentice" pathway.
Sequence 9 [Apprentice] could penetrate obstacles using their characteristics. Touching a wall with a palm could open a faint blue illusory door, passing through it like a water curtain, after which the door would disappear.
They could open unlocked doors or create non-realistic passages. Simply put, they could pass through obstacles.
Sequence 8 [Trickmaster] mastered flashy but low-power spell-like abilities. He could now perform on the streets.
"Flash" could be used to briefly blind or disrupt vision;
"Freeze" could make small areas of liquid or object surfaces Freeze rapidly;
"Fog" could create a small patch of mist to obscure the field of vision;
"Wind" could stir up a moderate gust of air.
These spells were particularly suitable for attrition and clearing out small fry.
These little tricks had extremely low consumption, were quick to activate, and showed absolutely no energy fluctuations, making them perfect for pranks or dealing with sudden minor situations.
"Why has your gaze been so strange lately?" Aunt Mei couldn't help but ask him once, feeling that when klein looked at things, his gaze seemed to penetrate the surface.
"Really? Maybe it's because I've been studying Feng Shui recently, so my perspective is a bit unique." klein bluffed casually, using a trick ability to "take" a grape Aunt Mei had just washed from the counter several meters away and pop it into his mouth.
Aunt Mei rubbed her eyes, thinking she was seeing things.
Sequence 7 [Astrologer], on the other hand, was non-combat oriented, focusing on prediction and interference. It was similar to Observation Haki.
He gained a vague premonition of danger and fate, able to interpret the revelations behind symbolic signs like astrology and numerology, and could even perform some simple divinations.
Although astrology seemed a bit mystical, klein found that this vague premonition, combined with his powerful spiritual perception, was exceptionally useful at times.
For example, he could feel several minutes in advance whether a customer coming to the door was there to buy something or to cause trouble;
He could faintly perceive the root cause of Aunt Mei's inexplicably low mood on a certain day;
He could even determine, by tossing a coin at random, whether walking left or right out the door would lead to more interesting encounters.
Of course, he rarely did serious divinations, mostly using it for amusement.
For instance, he would use Tarot cards to spout nonsense to curious customers looking into the shop, saying things like "Your forehead is glowing, you're bound to have financial luck today," coaxing them into happily buying the most expensive Peace Talisman.
After half a month, his use of these three sequence abilities had reached a level of being as easy as moving his own limbs, activating at a mere thought.
They were as natural as breathing, completely integrated into his instincts.
This afternoon, the sun was just right.
klein slumped in a grandmaster chair, half-heartedly flipping through a yellowed, thread-bound ancient book he'd found in Chinatown, its contents being some mystical Eastern Feng Shui trivia.
Aunt Mei was behind the counter organizing the ledger, calculating the month's income and expenses, her fingers tapping the calculator with a rhythmic click-clack.
The shop was very quiet, with only the rustling of turning pages and the sound of the calculator buttons.
"Ding-dong."
The crisp sound of the doorbell broke the silence.
Chapter 83: Taking a Private Job
Aunt Mei looked up, a smile appearing on her face when she saw who had arrived.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Hill."
Hill pushed the door open and walked in.
Today, she was once again dressed in a sharp, dark gray suit, her auburn hair meticulously tied back, carrying a light briefcase in her hand.
"Good afternoon, Mei." Hill gave Aunt Mei a slight nod, her gaze immediately turning toward the space behind the long counter.
klein had already put down that ancient book. He sat with his legs crossed, watching her composedly with a playful smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.
"Yo, a rare guest, Ms. Hill." klein drawled, "What brings you to my place today? Is the talisman not working well, or is that controllable nuclear fusion... not settled yet?"
Hill sat down on the sofa opposite him, placed her briefcase on her lap, and took the black tea Aunt Mei brought over, setting it on the coffee table.
"The talisman's effects far exceeded expectations; the Director is very satisfied. With Dr. Otto's assistance, the controllable nuclear fusion project is progressing smoothly and has now entered the second stage of simulation testing."
"Then you're here for..." klein raised an eyebrow. "One doesn't visit a temple without a reason. You surely didn't come just to drink tea and report work progress, did you?"
"There is indeed a matter." Hill skipped the pleasantries and cut straight to the chase. "We've encountered a rather... unique mission that conventional means are struggling to handle. We would like to ask mr. klein to step in."
"Ask me?" klein acted as if he'd heard something unheard of, pointing exaggeratedly at his own nose before letting out a scoff.
"Did I hear that right? S.H.I.E.L.D., with all its vast resources and abundance of talent, actually has something you can't handle and need to ask a civilian Exorcist like me for help?"
klein folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the grandmaster chair, a look of amusement on his face as if watching a play.
"Quick, tell me, what unfortunate thing happened? Say it quickly so I can have a good laugh."
Hill had long since become immune to klein's mockery and teasing; her expression didn't change in the slightest.
"In Africa—specifically, deep within a secluded primeval rainforest in the Congo Basin of West Africa—we discovered a... very unique plant."
She paused, seemingly weighing her words.
"The plant itself contains an extremely vigorous, almost abnormal, biological activity.
What's even more peculiar is that the organisms living within a specific range around it—"
"Whether plants or animals, their vital signs, cellular activity, and even overall vitality show a significant and irrational boost, even... showing signs of a certain degree of life-form evolution."
"Oh?" The playfulness on klein's face faded slightly. "Something that can elevate life levels? Good stuff. You didn't bring it back for research?"
"We tried. We sent two elite special ops teams specialized in jungle warfare and infiltration, equipped with the most advanced gear and the talismans we recently obtained from you. But..."
She shook her head slightly. "Of the two teams, totaling fourteen people, only a few escaped thanks to the Rejuvenation Talisman. Everyone else was lost.
Furthermore, using wide-range lethal weapons would completely destroy the item we need, so..."
"mr. klein, the methods you displayed while handling previous anomalies and the incident caused by the Doctor—"
"Especially that ability to directly purify, seal, and even interfere with energy at a conceptual level, led us to believe you might be the right person for this task."
klein stroked his chin, his eyes flickering as he listened to Hill's description.
A plant that can boost the vitality of surrounding organisms and even trigger evolution? That didn't sound like something native to Earth.
"What does this thing... look like?" klein suddenly asked.
"A flower. Based on its form and characteristics, we've tentatively named it—the 'stairway of the sun'."
"What the fuck?!"
klein snapped upright, his eyes widening instantly. "Holy shit, this World is doomed! You called that plant the stairway of the sun?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Hill frowned slightly, clearly puzzled by klein's violent reaction.
"No! No problem!"
klein looked Hill over carefully and gave her a thumbs up. "Impressive!"
Sure enough, most of the trouble in this World was caused by S.H.I.E.L.D. seeking its own death. Without this crappy organization, the World would be much more harmonious.
Hill was a bit dazed by klein's behavior, but she quickly regained her composure and asked calmly:
"mr. klein, you seem to... know something about this plant?"
"Know about it? I've never even seen it, how could I know about it!" klein shrugged like a little bear.
Despite klein's denial, Hill keenly noticed the fleeting tremor in his tone.
However, since the other party was unwilling to say more, she wouldn't press the issue.
"Well then, mr. klein," Hill brought the conversation back on track, "regarding this commission, are you willing to consider it? We will provide very generous compensation..."
"Of course! I'm very willing!" klein agreed before she could even finish, appearing almost impatient.
"Something that can promote biological evolution sounds very interesting! I'd love to see for myself what it is."
klein just wanted to see the drama up close. He really wanted to know if S.H.I.E.L.D. would turn into Umbrella.
He was also curious if the stairway of the sun in this Worldwas like the original one, or just a type of strengthening agent similar to the Super Soldier Serum.
Hill was slightly taken aback by klein's overly 'enthusiastic' reaction, but her professional training allowed her to adjust quickly.
"The specific research direction and ultimate goal are S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest secrets, mr. klein.
Our current primary task is to safely and completely collect enough live samples and ensure that the... uniqueness of its growth environment is not destroyed.
As for how it will be utilized later, that is a question for the scientists to consider."
She paused and added, "Of course, if mr. klein is interested in such research and performs well in the mission, perhaps... there will be opportunities in the future to participate in related peripheral projects or gain access to some non-core research data sharing."
klein curled his lip and leaned back against the chair again, crossing his legs. "I'm not interested in your stuff; I was just asking. When do we leave? Where's the meeting point?"
"If you have no other arrangements, we plan to depart from New York's JFK Airport in forty-eight hours, flying directly to West Africa.
Once there, Agent Barton will serve as the tactical commander and long-range support for this mission, accompanying you.
In addition, there will be a six-man elite tactical squad responsible for perimeter security and sample transport."
"Forget it. Just have someone lead the way; I'll handle the rest myself. Tell your people to stay far away so they don't get in my way," klein said nonchalantly.
Chapter 84: West Africa
"This..." Hill fell silent for a moment, clearly assessing the feasibility and risks of klein's proposal.
She hadn't been dealing with klein for long, but she knew very well that his style was independent—one could even say a bit arbitrary.
Forcing a team to cooperate might not be a good thing; instead, it could become a hindrance.
Moreover, judging from the previous handling of the Hell Demon and Doctor Octopus incidents, giving him enough freedom of action was actually the most efficient choice.
"Alright." Hill finally nodded, but added with a serious tone,
"However, mr. klein, you must guarantee that any action takes the safe acquisition of samples as the primary goal, and you must maintain clear communication with us, reporting the situation in a timely manner.
The Special ops team will support you from a distance, but Agent Barton will be acting with you; this point is non-negotiable."
"Fine, let him be my observer." klein shrugged, considering it an agreement.
"Then, let's discuss the payment for this time." Hill sat up straight again.
"One price, 1.5 million." klein didn't even think before quoting a figure.
Hill's hand holding the water glass paused almost imperceptibly as her blue eyes looked at klein,
"mr. klein, this price... is likely unreasonable. It exceeds our conventional budget for such high-risk exploration missions."
"How is it unreasonable?" klein crossed his legs and tapped his fingers on the armrest,
"It's because you can't handle it, you can't get it done, and you're coming to me for help. This price includes technical consultation fees, risk-bearing fees, and... my appearance fee.
It's very fair. Besides, for those two tactical teams you lost earlier, the compensation plus equipment losses probably cost more than this, right? I'm helping you save money."
"..." Hill was momentarily speechless.
Although klein's words were blunt and even a bit harsh, they indeed hit a sore spot.
The loss of two elite teams was not only a major blow to S.H.I.E.L.D. in terms of personnel, but the subsequent compensation, investigations, and handling of potential leaks were extremely costly.
"And... as long as I take action, I'll definitely get the item back for you, guaranteed intact. This deal is a sure win for you."
Hill locked eyes with him for a few seconds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons and evaluating the confidence behind klein's assurance.
Finally, she sighed and made a compromise.
"...Fine, mr. klein. 1.5 million, it's a deal."
"The money can be paid after the mission. I'll show you what it means to be worth every penny." klein readily agreed.
"Agreed." Hill nodded, drank the now-cool black tea in her cup in one gulp, and then stood up,
"Then, we need to go back and finalize the specific timing of the operation based on weather, intelligence, and logistical preparations. I will call you to confirm. Is that alright?"
"No problem, just come here to pick me up when the time comes." klein also stood up and stretched.
"Very well, mr. klein, I won't disturb you further. Goodbye." Hill nodded to klein and then turned to Aunt Mei, who was peeking out from the kitchen doorway, and said politely, "Mei, goodbye."
"Take care, Ms. Hill." Aunt Mei quickly responded.
Watching Hill's figure disappear outside the door, Aunt Mei immediately hurried to klein's side, her face full of worry:
"Kline, is this... dangerous? Don't go doing such dangerous things just for money. We aren't short of money now..."
"How could it be dangerous?" klein pulled Aunt Mei by the shoulder into his arms and took a deep breath of her hair.
"When lord klein goes, the sky clears! When Old Master kleingoes, the World will be at peace! How could there be any danger? Don't worry, it's just a trip to the tropical rainforest to help someone dig up a flower, easy and pleasant."
"You! Always so glib!" Aunt Mei was both annoyed and amused by his words, giving him a light slap on the chest,
But the worry in her eyes didn't completely fade; she just urged him as much as possible,
"Then... you must be careful and stay safe. I heard there are many bugs and Beasts there..."
"I know, I know." klein kissed her on the cheek, interrupting her nagging,
"I'll definitely come back in one piece, not missing a single hair. I'll bring you some local specialties then; I heard African wood carvings are quite interesting..."
He held Aunt Mei, casually making up things about what souvenirs to bring while already beginning to plan this African trip in his mind.
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to turn pale.
"Beep-beep—"
Two short honks sounded outside the shop.
klein pulled up the rolling shutter door; a black chevrolet suburban was already parked at the entrance.
The driver was an unfamiliar face, wearing dark casual clothes and sunglasses. Seeing klein come out, he only nodded slightly without any pleasantries.
"Let's go." klein pulled open the car door and sat in the back seat.
The car drove smoothly toward JFK International Airport.
Along the way, the driver was as silent as a stone, and klein didn't bother to strike up a conversation, closing his eyes to rest.
The driver drove the car onto the tarmac, where an all-black quinjet was already warming up its engines.
The hatch slid open, and Hawkeye stood by the ramp in a black tactical suit suited for action, with his recurve bow and quiver already on his back.
Seeing klein get out of the car, he nodded as a greeting.
"Agent Barton, morning." klein strolled over, eyeing the quinjet,
"Tsk, even a private jet. Nice treatment."
"mr. klein, please." Clint stepped aside to clear the way.
klein wasn't formal either and was the first to board the plane.
The interior of the cabin was much more spacious than it looked from the outside, divided into a cockpit, a passenger cabin, and a rear cargo hold.
Besides the necessary instruments and consoles, the layout of the passenger cabin was more like a temporary mobile command post, with several folding seats and communication equipment and tactical screens fixed to the walls.
Besides Clint, there were six fully armed S.H.I.E.L.D.Agents in the cabin, quietly organizing their gear and checking their weapons.
When they saw klein enter, they only cast wary and restrained glances at him, without any further acknowledgment.
"Sit tight, we're preparing for takeoff." Clint sat in the opposite seat, buckled his seatbelt, and spoke to the cockpit through the intercom.
The roar of the engines increased, and the quinjetaccelerated down the runway, lightly leaping into the morning sky, quickly leaving the silhouette of New Yorkbehind and flying toward the vast Atlantic Ocean and the distant African continent.
The flight was long and tedious.
Clint spent most of the time resting with his eyes closed or cleaning and maintaining his bow and arrows.
The six Agents also remained silent, with only occasional low-voiced conversations and the subtle sounds of equipment checks.
klein, bored, looked through the porthole at the churning sea of clouds below.
After flying for about ten hours, the scenery outside the porthole changed from the azure sea to a rolling, dark-green continent covered in dense vegetation.
Africa had arrived.
The quinjet lowered its altitude and landed smoothly on a clearing at the edge of the rainforest that had been specifically cleared.
The hatch opened, and hot, humid air, thick with the scent of vegetation and earth, rushed in instantly.
"We're here." Clint was the first to stand up and grab his gear,
"mr. klein, according to intelligence, the target area is to the southeast, about thirty kilometers deep into the rainforest. The terrain there is complex with no roads; we'll need to enter on foot."
Chapter 85: Arrival in West Africa
"Stop." klein suddenly raised his hand, signaling the team behind him to halt.
The six fully-armed S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents stopped immediately, fanning out into a defensive formation, their muzzles alertly scanning the dense surrounding vegetation.
The group of eight had been trekking through this sweltering, dimly lit primeval rainforest for nearly three hours, and sweat had long since soaked through everyone's combat suits.
They were surrounded by towering trees as wide as several people's embrace, with vines hanging down like giant pythons. The ground was soft and slippery, covered with a thick layer of humus.
"This is the spot," klein said, turning back to the six Agents. "You guys stay here and guard this area. Establish a temporary defensive point and don't go any further. What's inside isn't something you can handle."
The lead Sergeant looked toward Hawkeye.
Hawkeye nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Do as mr. klein says. Establish a defensive line and prepare for backup. No one is to go deeper without orders."
"Yes, sir!" the Sergeant replied softly. He immediately used hand signals to direct his team to disperse, occupy advantageous terrain, and begin setting up sentry posts and defensive works.
klein signaled to Hawkeye, and the two continued toward the heart of the rainforest, leaving the squad behind.
They walked for about another half hour, heading deep into the core of the rainforest.
The trees here were even taller and denser, their canopies almost completely blotting out the sky. The light was dimmer, and the air was so hot and humid it felt like it could be wrung out like a wet cloth.
The sounds of insects and birds had vanished at some point, leaving behind nothing but a deathly silence.
The surrounding trees and vines began to grow increasingly thick and robust.
There was also a faint, lingering scent in the air—a strange, cloying sweetness mixed with the smell of rust.
"This should be the place." klein stopped in front of an exceptionally tall ancient tree.
"Agent Barton," he turned his head, looking at Hawkeye, who had also stopped beside him.
"You stay here too. Find a high vantage point with a good field of vision. I'll walk the rest of the way alone. If I need long-range support, I'll notify you."
Hawkeye looked at klein silently for a few seconds. The internal S.H.I.E.L.D. evaluation reports regarding klein's abilities had informed him of what the man was capable of.
Since he said Hawkeye wouldn't be much help, it likely wasn't baseless talk. Hawkeye could only wait here for his news.
"Understood," Hawkeye nodded. "I'll set up a sniper nest on that tallest tree to the southeast. Keep communications open. If you need fire guidance or tactical support, call me anytime."
He pointed to the miniature communicator in his ear, then to the specially encrypted tactical terminal on klein's wrist, which had been provided by S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Alright, got it." klein waved his hand, saying no more, and stepped alone into the core area of the rainforest.
Clint watched his back disappear into the thick vegetation, then quickly turned. Like a nimble ape, he climbed several dozen meters up a nearby Parashorea tree with a wide canopy, perfectly concealing himself among the dense leaves.
He took the recurve bow off his back, pulled a specialized armor-piercing explosive arrow from his quiver, and lightly notched it. His gaze, like the most precise scope, locked onto the direction where klein had vanished through the gaps in the leaves.
klein pushed aside hanging vines as he advanced toward the target, muttering to himself. The humus beneath his feet was soft and slippery; one wrong move and he'd easily sprain an ankle.
"This dump doesn't even have a decent path." He wiped sweat from his forehead. The moisture was sticky against his skin, making him feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Looking up at the sky, which was almost entirely obscured by the canopy, only scattered spots of light leaked through, barely illuminating the way forward.
The Bukujutsu was impossible to use in a place like this. There were tangled branches and hanging vines everywhere; flying would be more exhausting than walking.
"Sequence Five... Sequence Five..." he kept chanting in his mind.
If he could just rank up to 'Traveler,' would he really have to suffer like this?
With just a thought, he could go wherever he wanted. How elegant would that be?
But now, here he was, crawling through the jungle like a primitive man. If he had known, he wouldn't have taken this crappy job.
Was it really worth it for that little bit of money?!
If Iron Man didn't emerge, the Marvel Universe wouldn't unfold, and klein wouldn't be able to get more lottery draws.
"It's all that kid Peter's fault." klein kicked a piece of rotting wood. "Can't he show some initiative? Go take down a few more villains? All he does all day is flirt with Mary Jane; he's completely neglecting his proper duties!
When I get back, I really need to put some pressure on that boy. Otherwise, he'll just keep being so lukewarm. How am I, as his father, ever going to find him several more mothers... cough, I mean, how am I going to help him grow up faster?"
He pondered whether he should find an opportunity to create some "trouble" for Peter.
"Yes, that's what I'll do. Spare the rod, spoil the child... no, heroes are forged under pressure."
klein found himself a perfect excuse and nodded, feeling as though he was worrying himself to death for the sake of Peter's growth.
klein suddenly stopped, squinting his eyes as he looked deeper into the jungle. The life force here was so concentrated that surrounding objects had begun to evolve.
"Looks like I'm almost there." He whispered to himself, setting aside his casual demeanor as his gaze became sharp.
He flexed his wrists, and several transparent silk threads silently wound and contracted around his fingertips.
Despite his complaining, once he reached the destination, the work had to be done. One and a half million US dollars wasn't for nothing.
"Let Daddy see what exactly you are." klein licked his somewhat dry lips and stepped steadily toward the source of the most concentrated abnormal aura.
The further in he went, the more the eerie changes in the rainforest became alarming.
The surrounding plants weren't just becoming massive; they were also becoming aggressive.
Vines that were originally harmless were now as thick as an adult's thigh, their surfaces covered in barbs and eerie dark purple patterns. Like lurking pythons, they would suddenly strike to strangle and coil when klein approached.
From the wet, soft humus beneath his feet, colorful worms as thick as arms would lunge without warning, opening tooth-filled mouths that looked like they came from the abyss, attempting to drag him underground.
"Buzz buzz buzz—!"
A scalp-numbing sound of wings suddenly came from overhead.
klein snapped his head up to see over a dozen giant mosquitoes, each the size of an adult's fist with pitch-black bodies and needle-like mouthparts, diving toward him!
"Looking for death!"
klein's eyes turned cold. He spread the five fingers of his right hand and swung them violently toward the air!
"Swish swish swish—!"
Several colorless silk threads, like a high-precision laser cutting net, instantly crisscrossed through the air!
*Puff puff puff—!*
Dull explosive sounds rang out. Before those dozen giant mosquitoes could even get within ten meters of klein, they were precisely sliced into countless pieces by the threads. Dark green body fluids and limbs fell like rain.
However, the crisis was not over.
"Croak—!"
A dull, drum-like croak sounded from the side.
klein looked over and saw a giant poison dart frog, over half a meter long with skin showing an eerie gold-to-green gradient, crouching on a patch of similarly mutated purple ferns.
Its inflated vocal sac was nearly the size of a basketball, and the bumps on its back were currently shimmering with a toxic, ghostly light.
*Sizzle—!*
The giant poison dart frog suddenly opened its mouth, and a stream of venom emitting a pungent, fishy stench shot toward klein like a high-pressure water gun!
Wherever the venom passed, the air made a "hissing" corrosive sound. The ground and the plants along the way instantly emitted white smoke, leaving behind charred, corroded marks.
"Another one?!"
klein waved his left hand upward.
"Sand Shield!"
Boom!
A wall formed by countless grains of sand instantly solidified, rising from the ground to block klein's front.
*Sizzle crackle—!*
The pitch-black venom slammed into the Sand Shield, making a violent corrosive sound. Large patches of sand were eroded, blackened, and dissolved by the venom.
But the thickness and regeneration speed of the Sand Shield far exceeded the venom's corrosion. More sand surged from the ground to replenish the loss.
In just two or three seconds, the impact of the venom was exhausted, leaving only a charred depression on the surface of the Sand Shield before sliding powerlessly to the ground, corroding a sizzling deep pit into the earth.
"Dammit, how annoying!"
klein was getting a bit impatient. Although the attacks from these mutated creatures couldn't pose any real threat to him, they were endless and severely slowed his pace.
He was just about to use an area-of-effect attack to clear the area...
Chapter 86: Rhinoceros Beetle
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
A series of heavy footsteps came from deep within the dense forest ahead.
The mutated plants and animals that had been frantically attacking klein seemed to sense some kind of pressure; they instantly ceased their assault and retreated like an ebbing tide.
klein narrowed his eyes, looking in the direction of the footsteps.
The thick, almost light-proof bushes were pushed aside by a brute force, with broken branches and vines snapping like fragile straw.
A massive figure slowly "walked" out from the shadows.
It was unexpectedly a... Rhinoceros Beetle of an unbelievable size!
Its body was comparable to an adult rhinoceros, over two meters tall and nearly three meters long!
Its entire body was covered in a thick, deep blue carapace that shimmered with a cold metallic light, its surface riddled with menacing protrusions and ridges.
Most striking was the massive horn on its head that curved upward like a battering ram; the tip of the horn glinted with a ghostly, cold light, as if it could easily pierce through steel.
Six thick legs, ending in sharp hooked claws, steadily supported its mountain-like body.
With every step it took, it left deep pits in the soft, humus-rich ground.
Its compound eyes were like two massive searchlights, locked firmly onto klein ahead.
"Ho..." Looking at this beetle behemoth, klein wasn't afraid; instead, he let out a whistle, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Such a huge Rhinoceros Beetle? This 'stairway of the sun'... has some potential."
He cracked his neck, the joints making a slight popping sound. Looking at the beetle behemoth before him, there wasn't a hint of fear in his eyes; instead, his fighting spirit surged.
"Just right, I'll use you to practice a bit."
The giant Rhinoceros Beetle let out a sharp, piercing screech like metal scraping against metal, and its massive body suddenly lunged forward at a speed completely at odds with its size!
Like an out-of-control armored vehicle, it lowered its head, using that menacing horn as a ram to crash violently toward klein!
Wherever it passed, giant trees that would take two people to embrace were easily snapped and crushed, wood chips flying everywhere as a deep trench was plowed into the ground!
Facing this brute charge, klein did not dodge. He spread his feet slightly, lowered his center of gravity, and opened the five fingers of his right hand, pressing forward into the air.
"Sand Shield!"
"BOOM—!!!"
The ground in front of klein instantly exploded as countless golden sand grains erupted like a fountain, instantly condensing into a massive shield flowing with sand-wave patterns, blocking the path of the charge!
In the next second, the Rhinoceros Beetle's massive horn slammed hard into the center of the sand shield!
"THUD—!!!"
It was as if two small mountains had collided!
A visible ring-shaped shockwave exploded from the point of impact, shredding all the shrubs and grass within a dozen meters!
The surface of the sand shield fluctuated violently, with countless sand grains shaken loose and falling, but the overall structure remained rock-solid, only sliding back half a meter and plowing two shallow furrows in the ground.
As for the giant Rhinoceros Beetle, its head was jerked back by the recoil, its charging momentum coming to an abrupt halt as its six legs left deep gouges in the ground.
It shook its head, appearing somewhat dazed, the malevolent light in its compound eyes growing even more intense.
"Good strength. I wonder how your defense is?" klein maintained the sand shield with his right hand while silently forming a seal with his left.
Just as the Rhinoceros Beetle recovered from the dizzying impact and angrily raised its front legs again, preparing to tear through the sand shield and the tiny human behind it in an even more violent manner—
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
The ground beneath the Rhinoceros Beetle turned into a vortex of quicksand without any warning!
Simultaneously, from among the surrounding trees and vines, countless sand grains converged to form two massive hands of sand. From the left and right, they slammed together toward the Rhinoceros Beetle in the center, like swatting a fly!
"SCREECH—!!!"
Sensing danger, the Rhinoceros Beetle let out a frantic screech and struggled desperately, trying to leap out of the quicksand.
But its massive body and heavy carapace had become a burden; the more it struggled, the faster it sank into the quicksand.
And those two closing sand hands had already slammed into its sides with immense force!
"Bang! Bang!"
Two dull thuds.
The sand hands struck the dark carapace, producing a sound like clashing metal.
The Rhinoceros Beetle's carapace was exceptionally hard; the sand hands failed to crush it directly, but the terrifying force pinned it firmly and pressed it further into the center of the quicksand.
"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"
klein's eyes turned cold, and he slammed his clasped hands downward!
"RUMBLE—!!!"
With the Rhinoceros Beetle at the center, the ground within a twenty-meter radius erupted like a volcano as countless sand pillars shot into the sky.
In an instant, the Rhinoceros Beetle's massive body was completely swallowed, forming a giant sand sphere over ten meters in diameter!
From inside the sand sphere came the hair-raising sound of a carapace being crushed, along with the Rhinoceros Beetle's frantic but rapidly weakening screeches.
A few seconds later, the sand sphere dispersed, turning back into ordinary sand and returning to the earth.
In its place remained only a nearly flattened carcass of the Rhinoceros Beetle, its carapace shattered and fluids flowing everywhere; that once menacing horn was also twisted and broken, devoid of any life.
Rich life energy dissipated from its broken body, quickly absorbed by the greedy rainforest plants around it.
"Done." klein clapped his hands, dispersing the surrounding energy.
Using Shukaku's power to deal with this kind of thick-skinned, high-strength monster was indeed convenient.
He looked down at the lump of Rhinoceros Beetle remains that had been nearly crushed into a meat patty and curled his lip:
"Tsk, big size, hard enough shell, but unfortunately... not very bright. All brawn and no brains, what a waste of good materials."
He raised his foot and kicked the twisted, broken horn with the tip of his boot.
"This thing... if I took it back and polished it, it might make a decent decoration. Never mind, it's heavy as hell, too lazy to carry it."
klein straightened up and pressed the miniature communicator in his ear, adjusting to the channel to contact Hawkeye.
"Hey, Agent Barton, can you hear me?"
A few seconds later, Hawkeye's voice sounded in the earpiece: "Copy that, mr. klein. We just monitored intense energy fluctuations and vibrations. What's the situation on your end? Do you need backup?"
"No, just a small scene. I ran into a..."
"Well, how should I put it, an oversized armored Rhinoceros Beetle. It was about the size of a small car, and I crushed it in passing. This place is quite interesting; the people you sent before didn't die in vain.
"The flora and fauna here have been quite heavily affected by that thing; they're very aggressive, and... their life levels seem to be evolving in a strange direction.
"That Rhinoceros Beetle just now had a carapace hard enough to withstand a Rocket, and its charging force was terrifying.
"Never mind ordinary Agents, even if you guys came here in exoskeletons, taking a direct hit would be devastating.
"Let your men be smart and just stay on the perimeter. Don't even think about coming inside. This isn't a game they can play."
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the communicator before Hawkeye's voice came through again, significantly more solemn than before:
"Understood. I will warn the team again; no one is permitted to go deep. Be careful yourself, mr. klein. The danger here probably exceeds our previous estimates."
"Got it, I know what I'm doing." klein ended the communication, no longer paying attention to the Rhinoceros Beetle's corpse at his feet.
He oriented himself; that strange smell, sweet yet metallic, and the increasingly dense life activity around him were all guiding him toward the source of the anomaly.
klein quickened his pace and sped toward the source of the life and abnormal fluctuations.
Chapter 87: Three Guardian Beasts
In klein's original plan, he was only five or six hundred meters from his goal and could reach it in the blink of an eye, but things didn't go as planned.
The closer he got to the core area of the target, the more alarming the frequency and intensity of the attacks became.
klein felt as if he were playing a level-clearing game.
One moment, he used the "Sand Shield" to smash a Giant Man-eating Flower that was spitting corrosive acid,
and the next, several bullet-fast vine spikes with ends gleaming with a metallic cold light stabbed silently from his flank.
From the canopy above, a flock of strange birds with metallic-lustered feathers capable of firing dense wind blades suddenly swooped down, the air hissing sharply as their wings flapped.
The seemingly calm marsh beneath his feet suddenly churned, and several giant leeches covered in suckers emerged, capable of spraying high-pressure water arrows and ice spikes...
Individually, these things might not have been enough to pose a fatal threat to klein,
but they seemed endless, launching wave after wave of attacks against him with perfect coordination.
Even more annoying was that as soon as one of their kind was killed by klein, its dissipated life energy would immediately be frantically absorbed by other surrounding creatures, causing the survivors to become even stronger and more troublesome.
"Is there no end to this?!" klein kicked a Variegated Giant Centipede that had sneaked up from behind to spray paralyzing poisonous needles, shattering its carapace.
With a backhand flick, he sent out several "Five-Colored Strings," slicing three wolf-like creatures into pieces mid-air as they pounced from different angles with molten rock-like magma dripping from their fangs.
Beads of sweat had already appeared on his brow, not from exhaustion, but from annoyance.
He had spent nearly half an hour fighting his way through these mere five hundred meters!
On average, he had to clear a wave of monsters every ten meters he advanced.
Finally, after he used a "Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral" to completely cleanse the last area, watching countless grains of sand drag those twisting, squirming plants and mangled animal corpses deep underground, the scene before him suddenly opened up.
A relatively open forest clearing appeared ahead.
In the center of the clearing, there were no sky-obscuring giant trees as he had imagined, but only a patch of low-growing, strange plants emitting a soft, golden light.
In the center of the patch, a uniquely shaped, person-sized strange plant was stretching out its form.
It had a dark gold main stem as thick as an ancient tree but with a warm, jade-like texture, its surface flowing with veins that looked like molten gold.
The top was not an ordinary flower, but a ring of layered, strange flowers blooming with a warm golden light.
That golden light was not intense, but it carried an indescribable rhythm of life.
Just by looking at it from a distance, klein felt the circulation of the Five Elements Power within his body speed up slightly.
"stairway of the sun..." klein narrowed his eyes, staring intently at that strange plant.
This was the thing that had caused such terrifying biological mutations in the surrounding rainforest.
And now, guarding the edge of this clearing, or rather, guarding the outermost area of the stairway of the sun, only three figures remained.
Their sizes were far larger than any of the monsters encountered before, and the auras they emitted were also completely different.
On the left side of the clearing lay a crimson giant tiger, looking like burning lava.
It stood over three meters tall at the shoulder and was nearly seven meters long, its muscle lines smooth and filled with an explosive sense of power.
Most striking were the flame wings on its flanks, made of pure fire; they looked like a cloak when folded and were enough to let it glide briefly when spread!
At this moment, its pair of amber slitted pupils were coldly locked onto klein, its throat emitting a roar like churning magma, with occasional sparks puffing from its nose and mouth, the air slightly distorted by the high temperature.
On the right side of the clearing coiled a terrifying giant python of immeasurable length.
The thickest part of its body was comparable to a minibus, and its surface was covered with diamond-shaped scales of interwoven dark green and dark gold.
Horrifyingly, a thick, spiraling horn grew from the head of this giant python.
As it breathed, a grayish-white mist spread out; wherever it passed, the grass and trees quickly withered and died.
And directly above the clearing, atop a thousand-year-old tree, sat a... giant bird.
It looked somewhat like a hawk magnified countless times; with its wings folded, its size almost rivaled that of an ancient pterosaur.
When klein's gaze fell upon it, he instinctively felt a trace of danger. It was more dangerous than the tiger and the snake combined.
In his spiritual vision, blue-purple electrical arcs and turbulent airflows faintly flowed around the silhouette of this giant bird.
The powers of wind and thunder lay dormant within its body.
A tiger, a python, and a bird.
Representing extreme fire and strength, eerie poison, and the violent wind and thunder along with the dominance of the sky, respectively.
They stood guard there quietly, not impatiently launching an attack like the previous monsters.
Those three pairs of inhuman pupils coldly scrutinized the outsider who had intruded into this "holy land."
Clearly, they had evolved a considerable degree of intelligence and were also the strongest Guardians of the stairway of the sun.
klein twisted his somewhat stiff neck, his joints letting out a series of crisp pops.
The previous impatience and annoyance on his face had long since vanished, replaced by excitement.
"Finally... something decent has arrived."
He slowly pulled his hands out of his pockets, his fingers moving slightly as colorless and invisible strings quietly flowed at his fingertips, and all the power in his body began to slowly accelerate, ready to burst.
"Three against one, and all of them are elite mobs..." klein licked his somewhat dry lips, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Now this is more like it! Let me see if you three can entertain me?!"
"Roar——!!!"
The tiger was the first to strike!
Its massive body instantly exploded with a terrifying speed that defied its size, like a crimson meteor shrouded in scorching heat, lunging straight for klein!
Almost at the same time it started, the coiled One-horned Giant Python also moved.
Its upper body reared high, its gaping maw opening to reveal two pairs of hooked fangs gleaming with eerie green poisonous light, as it first spat a cloud of sickly green poison mist toward klein.
From left and right, fire and poison formed a perfect pincer movement!
The Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle in the sky remained quietly perched atop the tree canopy, its sharp eagle eyes looking down at the battlefield without blinking, its wings slightly folded as blue-purple lightning jumped silently between its feathers, seemingly waiting for the optimal moment to strike.
Facing this lethal combined attack, klein did not dodge or evade, nor did he even use any special abilities.
"Good timing!"
Chapter 88: The Great Battle of Man, Tiger, and Snake
He let out a loud laugh, a sharp light bursting from his eyes as his feet slammed heavily against the ground!
"Boom!"
The solid ground instantly cracked and sank. klein's figure was like a cannonball shot from a barrel, meeting the pouncing tiger head-on!
"Bang!!!"
The man and the tiger collided head-on like two high-speed trucks!
klein's right fist, wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki, smashed solidly into the Crimson Flame Tiger's massive head, which was burning with raging flames and covered in crimson crystallized scales!
"Roar!"
The tiger let out a roar of pain, its forward momentum abruptly halted. Its massive head was knocked to one side, the crimson crystal armor on its forehead shattered, and sparks flew in all directions!
But the wings of flame beneath its ribs flapped violently, forcibly stabilizing its body. Its thick tiger tail, like a burning steel whip, swept toward klein's waist and abdomen with a whistle that tore through the air!
At the same time, that ghastly green poisonous mist had already enveloped the area where klein was. The ground and surrounding plants withered and melted at a speed visible to the naked eye!
Within the poisonous mist, the figure of the One-horned Giant Python darted out like a ghost. Its thick serpentine body, like a noose, carried terrifying power and a slimy touch, instantly wrapping around klein's legs and waist, rapidly spiraling upward in an attempt to completely strangle him!
The snake's head rose high, its cold vertical pupils locked onto klein. Its curved fangs glinted with a lethal cold light, striking toward klein's throat like a flash of lightning!
"Heh! A bit interesting!"
Entwined by the giant python, klein didn't panic at all, even finding the time to comment.
He could feel that the constricting force was immense, and the snake scales were slimy yet tough, carrying a strange suction. If an ordinary person were caught, their bones and tendons would likely snap instantly.
The poisonous mist was even more formidable; even with his physique, his skin felt a slight stinging and numbness.
"But that's all it is!"
klein gave a low shout. The muscles in his constricted arms suddenly bulged, and pitch-black Armament Hakiinstantly covered his entire body while the Five Elements Power coursed through him.
"Open for me!"
"Creeeeak!!!"
An ear-piercing sound, like metal twisting and snapping, erupted from klein's body!
The body of the giant python wrapped around him—those scales as solid as refined iron—were actually forced to deform and crack by klein's expanding muscles and the terrifying power he unleashed!
Dark red, nearly black foul blood sprayed out from the gaps between the scales!
"Hiss!!!"
The One-horned Giant Python let out a sharp, pained hiss, and its constricting force involuntarily loosened.
Seizing this opportunity, klein's left hand shot out like lightning, his five fingers forming a claw that accurately clamped onto the giant python's lower jaw as it tried to bite!
The giant python struggled frantically, thrashing its head. Venom dripped from between its teeth, corroding the Armament Haki on klein's palm with a sizzling sound, but it could not break free from those fingers that were like iron pincers.
"The strength is decent, the scales are hard enough, and the poison is quite potent." klein grinned, his gaze cold. "Unfortunately, it's still not enough to make the cut!"
He gathered strength in his right fist again. A pale golden light mixed with pitch-black Armament Haki condensed at his knuckles, and he threw a straightforward punch toward the giant python's vital seven-inch spot, which was exposed because its jaw was pinned!
There was a dull, heavy thud.
The giant python's massive body was knocked into an arch. The scales at the point of impact were completely pulverized, leaving a bloody mess that was nearly punched through!
It let out a shrill wail as its constricting force completely collapsed. The thick serpentine body went limp, uncoiling and sliding off to crash heavily onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Almost at the same moment he repelled the giant python, the tiger's burning steel whip of a tail strike had already reached his side!
Without even looking, klein's Armament Haki-covered right leg swung back like a battle-axe, accurately kicking the base of the tiger's tail!
"Snap!"
The sound of an air explosion rang out.
The tiger's tail was kicked high into the air, causing even its massive body to stagger.
klein did not let up. Using the counter-force to twist his body, his left fist shot out like a cannonball, once again smashing toward the Crimson Flame Tiger's flank, as it was still dizzy from its head injury!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Fist met flesh, the dull thuds sounding like the beating of a drum!
The tiger was forced back step by step. The crimson crystal armor on its head continued to shatter and peel away, revealing charred flesh beneath. Blood seeped from its mouth and nose, and its flames dimmed considerably.
It roared frantically, counterattacking with its burning claws and spitting fire, but klein either punched back with even heavier blows or easily avoided them with ghost-like movements and subtle adjustments from Bukujutsu.
For a time, only klein's figure could be seen flickering like a phantom between the tiger and the snake.
His attacks were simple and brutal, without any fancy moves. It was the purest crushing of power, speed, and durability!
Fists, feet, elbows, knees... every part of his body turned into the most terrifying weapon, and every attack contained the mountain-shattering force.
The tiger's flaming claws left white streaks on his body, but they found it difficult to break through the defense formed by the mixture of Armament Haki and Five Elements Power.
The One-horned Giant Python's fangs bit into his arm, producing an ear-grating grinding sound, but they only left a few shallow indentations, and the venom was quickly purified by Divine Power.
And every counterattack from klein inevitably left substantial wounds on the two giant beasts.
The crisp sound of breaking bones, the explosion of shattering scales, the dull thuds of flesh being hammered to a pulp, and the painful, angry roars of the giant beasts intertwined into a single chorus.
However, the strange thing was that no matter how severe the injuries klein inflicted on them,
Even if bones were broken, internal organs ruptured, or large chunks of flesh were blown away, the life energy in the surrounding air—so dense it had almost materialized—would surge toward the wounds of the two giant beasts as if it had a consciousness of its own.
Flesh squirmed and regenerated at a visible speed, broken bones reconnected and healed within golden light, and new, harder scales quickly grew beneath the shattered ones...
In just a dozen seconds, the tiger and snake, which had looked incredibly miserable, recovered most of their combat power. Their auras were clearly weaker, however, and besides rage, a trace of undeniable fear finally appeared in their eyes.
This human... was too tough! They couldn't hurt him! Meanwhile, their attacks felt like mere tickles to him!
"Tsk, this healing speed..." klein shook his slightly numb fists. Looking at the two rapidly recovering giant beasts, he also frowned slightly.
"As expected of the stairway of the sun's nest, this vitality is practically cheating. It seems that if I don't completely crush you or cut off this supply of life energy, I won't be able to end this battle quickly."
He looked up, his gaze passing over the tiger and snake that temporarily didn't dare to step forward. He looked toward the stairway of the sun quietly blooming in the center of the clearing, flowing with molten gold-like light, and glanced at the giant eagle in the sky that remained stationary but gave him the greatest sense of threat.
"Warm-up's over." klein cracked his neck, his hands slowly forming an empty embrace in front of him, his gaze suddenly becoming incomparably sharp.
"Time to get a little serious."
Chapter 89: Fierce Battle with the Giant Eagle
Before his voice had even faded, the ground beneath klein's feet instantly softened, and countless golden grains of sand lifted him up, like a monarch in a sea of sand.
"Hand of Sand!"
Two giant hands composed entirely of flowing sand suddenly lunged from the ground beneath the tiger and the One-horned Giant Python, snapping shut like a Venus flytrap and clapping together with the momentum to crush mountains!
The two giant beasts were horrified. The Crimson Flame Tiger's fire wings beneath its ribs flapped wildly, attempting to soar into the sky; the One-horned Giant Python's body shook rapidly, trying to drill out of the encirclement.
But the quicksand had already turned the ground beneath them into an all-consuming whirlpool, slowing their movements.
"BANG—!!!"
The two Hand of Sands collided violently above their heads!
The terrifying Impact squeezed the air into visible circular shockwaves. The tiger's head was slammed down violently, sparks flying everywhere;
The One-horned Giant Python's body shook violently from the blow, and cracks even appeared on its single horn.
And this was only the beginning.
"String Array: Net Strangulation!"
klein's ten fingers moved rhythmically like he was playing a piano. Colorless and invisible threads had already spread out into an inescapable net.
At the very moment the two giant beasts were dazed and stiffened by the Hand of Sand's clap, dozens of threads wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki silently appeared from all directions and constricted!
"Screech screech screech—!!!"
The ear-piercing sound of cutting rang out densely!
The blazing flames burning around the Crimson Flame Tiger were forcibly sliced open and extinguished by the threads. Its tough crimson crystal armor was torn apart like paper,
Dozens of deep, bone-deep wounds instantly appeared on its massive body, and dark red beast blood surged out like a fountain!
The One-horned Giant Python was even more miserable. Its slippery and tough scales were far less effective against the threads infused with Armament Haki. Its thick serpentine body was sliced with countless circular wounds, as if it were being flayed alive!
"ROAR—!!"
"HISSS—!!"
Painful roars and hisses echoed through the clearing.
However, just as klein prepared to manipulate the threads to completely dismember them, another change occurred!
In the center of the clearing, that stairway of the sunseemed to be enraged. The flower bud at the top trembled violently, and a ring of golden halo that had almost turned liquid rippled out, sweeping across the entire field like a wave.
Wherever the halo passed, the flesh of those terrifying wounds on the Crimson Flame Tiger and the One-horned Giant Python began to writhe and regenerate at a speed visible to the naked eye!
Severed blood vessels reconnected, shattered bones restructured, torn muscles mended... even the sliced-off scales and carapace were rapidly covered with harder materials within the golden light!
In just two or three seconds, the two dying giant beasts actually recovered most of their combat power. Although their auras were more withered and the fear in their eyes was deeper, they had indeed stood up again.
"Never-ending, is it?!" A flash of ruthlessness crossed klein's eyes.
He also understood now; as long as this stairway of the sun remained, the surrounding life energy was nearly infinite, making it very difficult to completely kill these two giant beasts serving as core Guardians.
"You like healing people? I'll pull out your fountain first!"
His mind raced, and he stopped entangling himself with the two giant beasts.
"Sand Binding Coffin! Seal!"
He formed hand seals and slammed his hands onto the ground!
"RUMBLE—!"
With the Crimson Flame Tiger and the One-horned Giant Python as the center, the ground within a twenty-meter radius collapsed violently, turning into a bottomless quicksand trap.
Simultaneously, countless sand grains soared into the sky, interweaving and condensing in the air to form two massive sand sarcophagi covered in sealing runes, which came down upon the struggling giant beasts!
The two giant beasts struggled frantically, spitting flames, splashing venom, and ramming with the horn, causing the sand coffins to fluctuate constantly and sand debris to fly.
But klein was ruthless this time. A continuous stream of sand surged from the earth, reinforcing the seal.
At the same time, his fingertips flicked, and countless tough threads drilled into the gaps of the sand coffins like living things, working with the sand to further entwine, tighten, and seal.
In just a few breaths, the two giant beasts were completely sealed within those two giant sand coffins, slowly sinking into the depths of the quicksand, leaving only faint energy fluctuations to indicate their presence.
"Stay in solitary confinement for a while."
klein brushed off the non-existent dust from his hands and ignored the two sealed giant beasts behind him.
His gaze returned to the center of the clearing, toward that stairway of the sun.
As long as he plucked this thing and cut off the source of life energy, those two thick-skinned fellows would be nothing more than turtles in a jar.
He stepped forward, walking toward the stairway of the sun.
However, just as most of his mind was locked onto the stairway of the sun and he had just taken a step.
"SCREECH—!!!"
A shriek that seemed capable of tearing the soul exploded overhead without warning!
The Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle, which klein had been wary of with his peripheral vision but had remained motionless, finally moved!
And when it moved, it was earth-shattering!
klein only saw a flash of blue-purple lightning tear through the air within the shadow of the canopy above.
It was fast, indescribably fast!
Almost at the same instant the shriek rang out, that bolt of lightning had already struck toward the top of klein's head!
"Sand Shield!!"
klein saw only an afterimage. Almost by instinct, the power of Shukaku within his body surged out, instantly condensing a heavy Sand Shield with a metallic luster above his head!
"TEAR—!!!!"
There was only a soft sound, like a hot knife cutting through butter.
That heavy Sand Shield, which condensed klein's massive Chakra and was solid enough to withstand heavy armor-piercing shells, was easily torn open by a single claw in the face of that blue-purple lightning, as if it were made of paper!
Before the shattered Sand Shield could fully explode, an eagle claw covered in blue-purple scales and entwined with violent wind and thunder power had already broken through all obstacles, clawing fiercely into klein's hastily raised arms, which were wrapped in Armament Haki!
"Pfft!"
The sound of sharp claws entering flesh was clearly audible.
klein felt an unimaginable surge of pain and numbness in his arms. The power contained in that eagle claw and a kind of tearing wind-thunder energy—
Instantly broke through the defense he was so proud of and clawed deep into his flesh!
klein let out a muffled groan as his body was sent flying backward by this massive force. His feet plowed two deep grooves into the soft ground, and he only barely stopped after crashing through a small tree the width of a bowl.
A burning sting came from his chest.
He looked down; his combat uniform had been shredded by the wind-thunder power. Three bone-deep, mangled claw marks stretched diagonally from his right shoulder to his left ribs.
The wounds weren't bleeding profusely; instead, they appeared a strange charred black. The edges were a mess of flesh and blood, and wisps of blue-purple electric arcs jumped within the wounds, bringing continuous burning pain and numbness, hindering the wounds' self-healing.
"Cough..."
klein coughed up a mouthful of bloody saliva and slowly raised his head to look forward.
That blue-purple lightning circled once nearby and landed gracefully back on the top of the ancient tree from before, folding its massive wings.
The Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle looked down at klein from its height. There was no emotion in its sharp eagle eyes, only a cold killing intent.
It tilted its head slightly, seemingly surprised that it hadn't managed to tear this intruder to pieces with a single strike.
klein wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glanced at the three wounds on his chest that were rapidly healing, then looked up at the giant eagle again, slowly grinning to reveal an excited smile.
"That's more like it... what a rush!"
Chapter 90: Taking Down the Giant Eagle
The strength of this Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle was beyond doubt.
The pressure it exerted on klein was even greater than the pressure the Hell Demon Atsar had once brought upon him.
But, so what?
When dealing with Atsar back then, he had to squeeze out every bit of power in his body, fighting until he was utterly exhausted, just to barely kill him.
But now... klein was no longer the same man he used to be.
"Whew..."
klein took a deep breath, concentrating all the energy within himself.
An invisible storm erupted violently with him at its center!
Energy, like an awakening angry dragon, gushed out from every pore of his body, soaring into the sky, interweaving and swirling behind him to form a blurry phantom image!
The ground beneath his feet silently turned into sand; golden grains spread out like a living ocean, surging and roaring in every direction from where he stood!
Countless colorless and invisible threads extended from his fingertips, the tips of his hair, and even the surrounding air, densely interweaving into a death net that shrouded heaven and earth, each thread wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki!
"Boom—!!!"
klein stomped his foot down hard!
The ground exploded, creating a crater several meters wide, as gravel and sand erupted into the air like a fountain!
His figure had already vanished from the spot!
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of the ancient tree where the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle was perched, less than ten meters away from its cold eyes!
It was faster, fiercer, and more violent than the eagle's claw that had just torn through the Sand Shield!
"Get down here for me!!!"
klein's roar was like thunder from the highest heavens, making the entire clearing tremble!
He clenched his right fist, and at that moment, all his power was forcibly compressed and concentrated into a single point on his knuckles by his almost tyrannical will!
No technique. Pure stats.
With just one punch, he blasted down at the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle standing proudly atop the ancient tree!
Wherever his fist passed, the air was completely displaced, forming a vacuum tunnel that emitted an incredibly shrill whistle!
For the first time, an emotion called horror finally flickered in the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle's cold, emotionless eyes.
It didn't even have time to flap its wings or release its wind and thunder; it could only cross its wings in front of itself. Blue-purple wind and thunder energy surged wildly, forming a solid lightning shield with dancing arcs of electricity before it!
"Thump—!!!!!!"
A massive explosion erupted!
It was as if two asteroids had collided head-on in low earth orbit!
Centered on the point of Impact, a visible ring of destructive energy—a mixture of five-colored light, blue-Purple Lightning, pitch-black Haki, and golden sand—exploded and expanded wildly in all directions in a spherical shape!
"Crack! Crack! Rumble—!!!"
The towering ancient tree, as thick as two men's embrace, was smashed from the middle as if by an invisible giant's palm, instantly turning into dust that filled the air!
The entire area where the ancient tree stood collapsed into a bowl-shaped crater several meters deep, cracking as if struck by a meteorite!
The shockwave turned into a violent hurricane, snapping all the thinner trees within a radius of dozens of meters and sweeping humus and rocks from the ground high into the air, as if doomsday had arrived!
The turbulent energy and dust slowly dissipated.
At the center of the deep pit.
The giant eagle's massive body was currently planted head-first at the edge of the pit in a pathetic posture, half of its body embedded in the soft, collapsed earth.
Its magnificent wings were twisted at a strange angle, with wing bones piercing through the flesh and exposed; the blue-purple feathers were covered in mud and had lost all their luster.
Although the other wing was barely intact, it hung limply, with weak arcs of electricity jumping on its surface—it was clearly heavily damaged.
Most terrifying was its head.
The eagle head, which had been held high and proud, now hung powerlessly, with dark golden blood mixed with tiny electrical sparks constantly dripping from its sharp beak.
Its cold eagle eyes were now filled with unbelievable shock, pain, and a hint of... bewilderment.
It seemed unable to understand why this human, whom it had severely injured with a single claw just moments ago, could suddenly explode with such terrifying and unreasonable power.
klein shook his wrist, looked at the battered and weakened Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle in the pit, and grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth.
"So you're just a glass cannon! You can't even take a hit as well as that tiger and snake!"
However, a golden halo gushed out from the stairway of the sun once again, sinking into the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle's body.
The giant eagle's twisted and broken wings and its injured head regenerated and healed at a speed visible to the naked eye within the golden light.
Even the dim wind and thunder energy on its body seemed to have been injected with a stimulant, becoming active and growing strong again. Blue-purple arcs of electricity jumped on its surface once more, becoming denser and more violent!
In just two or three seconds, the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle, which had been weakened and severely injured, had actually recovered seventy to eighty percent of its strength!
"Screech—!!!!"
It let out a sharp, decisive cry!
Its eagle eyes, which had just regained their clarity, locked onto klein at the edge of the pit as it flapped its wings.
It turned into a dazzling purple meteor and soared into the sky!
It wanted to return to the domain it ruled.
The sky!
Almost the moment it took off, the sky seemed to answer its call.
"Crack—!!!"
A blue-purple bolt of lightning, as thick as a barrel and seemingly connecting heaven and earth, struck down from the dark clouds without warning, accurately hitting the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle!
Amidst the scalp-numbing crackle of electricity, the Wind-Thunder Giant Eagle's size seemed to expand in the lightning, and the wind and thunder energy surrounding it instantly surged several times over!
The blue-purple electrical light almost completely swallowed it; only a massive silhouette could be vaguely seen unfolding within the lightning. Every flap of its wings brought about ear-splitting hurricane whistles and thick arcs of electricity wandering across the sky!
It hovered a hundred meters in the air like a god in command of wind and thunder, its cold eagle eyes looking down at klein, who was as small as an ant below.
It suddenly flapped its wings!
Its wings were like two blades tearing through the sky. Every flap whipped up a violent hurricane, and countless wind blades mixed with blinding blue-Purple Lightningpoured down toward klein like a rainstorm!
klein's figure wove through the death net of intermingled wind and thunder.
He pushed Bukujutsu to its limit, which, combined with the String-String Fruit and Sand Style, allowed him to avoid the most fatal attacks in the blink of an eye.
But the giant eagle was too fast and its attacks too dense! The shrieking of wind blades cutting the air and the roar of exploding lightning were incessant.
Even with klein's current reaction time and speed, wind blades continued to graze his body, leaving trails of blood.
Furthermore, the aftershocks of the lightning made his blood surge and sent waves of numbness through his muscles.
"Sand Wall! Sand Shield!"
klein constantly summoned quicksand, condensing thick Sand Walls and shields in front of and beside him to block most of the area-of-effect attacks.
The Sand Walls continuously crumbled under the constant cutting of the wind blades, only to be rapidly regenerated by Shukaku's power.
"Found you!"
A sharp light flashed in klein's eyes as he seized the moment when the giant eagle briefly adjusted its flight posture after a diving lightning breath!
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
The ground beneath the giant eagle suddenly turned into a quicksand vortex, and two massive sand hands burst out from the earth, grabbing for its feet!
However, the giant eagle's reaction was astonishingly fast! It flapped its wings violently, spraying back a blast of turbulent air to force its body upward, while its claws, wrapped in concentrated wind and thunder energy, tore downward fiercely!
"Rip!"
The two sand hands were torn to pieces by the sharp claw winds!
But that split-second opportunity was exactly what klein wanted!
"String Array: Heavenly Net!"
He threw his hands toward the sky! The invisible threads, which had already been quietly set up in the airspace around the giant eagle under the cover of the previous dust, instantly tightened!
Countless threads—as thin as hair yet incredibly tough and infused with Armament Haki—were like a death net suddenly closing in. They swarmed the giant eagle from all directions, focusing their strangling force on its massive, sky-blotting wings!
The giant eagle shrieked, and the wind and thunder energy around its body erupted, attempting to snap these annoying threads.
Most of the threads snapped under the violent energy Impact, but over a dozen of the toughest ones—infused with the most Haki and Five Elements Power from klein—successfully entangled the eagle's wing joints and several important secondary flight feathers!
"Get down here!"
klein roared, the muscles in his arms bulging and veins popping as he grabbed the other end of the threads and pulled down with all his might! Simultaneously, he stomped his feet heavily on the ground, channeling his strength into the earth!
"Screech—!!!"
The giant eagle let out a cry of shock and rage. Its massive body was actually jerked to a halt in mid-air by klein, its flight posture instantly losing balance as it began to plummet toward the ground at an angle!
"Now!"
A fierce light exploded in klein's eyes. He released the threads, and his body sprang up like a highly compressed spring, soaring into the sky!
"Sand Shuriken!"
Countless grains of sand instantly condensed and hardened before him, turning into dozens of sharp-edged, high-speed rotating sand wheels. They shot like a swarm of bees toward the giant eagle's vital chest and abdomen, exposed by its loss of balance!
"Slash, slash, slash!"
The sand wheels cut into the giant eagle's chest and abdomen, which were covered in blue-purple scales, splashing blinding sparks and fine blood trails. Although they failed to break through the deep defenses, they further disrupted its balance.
The distance between the two closed rapidly!
For the first time, a trace of fear flashed in the giant eagle's eyes. It suddenly folded its wings to protect its body, while its sharp beak lit up with blinding lightning, preparing to launch a fatal close-range strike.
However, klein was faster! Or rather, he had anticipated its move!
The moment the giant eagle folded its wings to protect itself, klein's figure vanished like a ghost, only to reappear in the next instant directly above the eagle's folded wings—on its back!
The structure of the giant eagle's compound eyes left a small blind spot on its back, and klein had used the Sequence 8 [Trickmaster] ability to create a visual deception for the eagle!
"Got you!"
klein stomped his feet hard onto the giant eagle's broad back. His hands, coated in Armament Haki, were like the sharpest iron hooks as he plunged them into the joint connection at the base of the eagle's left wing and sliced across!
A heart-wrenching shriek of pain echoed through the clouds!
The giant eagle's wings were instantly and brutally severed from their base joints by klein.
Without its wings, the giant eagle could no longer maintain flight. It let out a desperate and unwilling shriek, plummeting toward the ground like a broken kite, spinning as it fell!
Its massive body crashed onto the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and smashing a deep pit into the earth.
Moments before the crash, klein had landed lightly using Bukujutsu, though his steps were a bit unsteady and his chest heaved violently.
The lightning-fast close-quarters combat and the burst of energy just now had been equally taxing for him, and the final eruption of wind and thunder from the eagle had also left him with significant internal injuries.
But he didn't stop; his hands were already forming seals again.
"Four Symbols Seal: Spirit Sealing!"
A golden runic light screen, even more complex than the one used to seal the reactor, instantly expanded and enveloped the giant eagle.
klein took a few heavy breaths, calming his surging blood and aching internal organs. With somewhat heavy steps, he walked toward the stairway of the sun.