"Run? That's not my style."
Vincent's Water Magic manipulated the seawater, forming a defensive shield that blocked all incoming attacks. To him, these assaults couldn't inflict any damage.
"Stop!!!"
King Namor of Atlantis saw the situation was unfavorable and temporarily halted the attack.
"Human, why do you intrude upon Atlantean territory?" Namor demanded.
Meanwhile, Black Manta (Sea-Devil), a villainous warlord fighting Namor, quietly issued orders to prepare for retreat.
"Atlantean territory?"
Vincent stood up, looking at the group of grotesque sea creatures with a smile.
"My apologies. We are just traveling. If we disturbed you, we'll leave now."
Gentle water magic protected the Frost Nautilus. But Vincent's goodwill wasn't received by the Atlanteans. They looked at the humans with hostility.
King Namor suppressed his surrounding tribesmen. His priority was eliminating Black Manta, not tangling with this mysterious human.
But Namor had visited the human world. He knew if humans discovered Atlantis, they would spare no cost to explore the seabed and seek out their civilization.
"Whether by mistake or intrusion... Human, surrender. I will guarantee your safety. Otherwise, opposing Atlantis will not end well for you."
Cannons aimed at the Frost Nautilus.
Vincent shook his head, ignoring Namor.
Gwen's curiosity had passed, and she finally regained her reason. "Vincent, let's leave quickly."
"Alright, we're leaving."
Vincent wasn't afraid, but there was no need to ruin a good mood while traveling. After all, he and Gwen were just curious and had peeked at these so-called sea folk. Now that they found a war in progress, they naturally didn't want to stay.
But clearly, Vincent ignoring Namor enraged the Atlantean King.
"Bind their ship!!!"
Iron chains, dragged by massive sea beasts, began to wrap around the Nautilus.
Gwen said worriedly, "It seems we can't leave."
Vincent laughed. "If I want to leave, no one can stop me."
A massive portal appeared in front of the Nautilus, enveloping it. In the next second, they transferred away from the deep sea.
Namor's hand trembled slightly, anger burning in his eyes.
He had once fought Nazis alongside human warriors. But over the years, human pollution of the ocean made it hard for Namor to agree with their ways. The ocean was Atlantis's home. Human pollution caused countless sacrifices among sea life.
Moreover, massive overfishing accumulated hatred among Atlanteans. Sometimes they launched tsunamis just to punish certain humans.
"Black Manta and his forces escaped!!" an Atlantean general exclaimed in shock.
"That human must be allied with the traitor Black Manta!" Namor said coldly. "Chase them. I know this human is still on the ocean surface. They haven't gone far. Capture them. We cannot let the secret of Atlantis be exposed to the human nations."
If Atlantis were exposed, the sea folk would face human attacks. For a race living peacefully in the ocean for years without invasion, this would be a major event.
Back on the sea surface, the Nautilus rapidly transformed into an ice yacht. Everything was made of ice. It should have been freezing, but Vincent controlled the internal temperature, so Gwen felt no cold at all.
"Truly a wonderful trip." Gwen smiled, sticking out her tongue cute expression. "Just too dangerous. Atlantis not only exists but is at war?"
"Intelligent life always fights. It's not just a human tradition." Vincent smiled.
"Luckily we escaped fast, or we'd be attacked again," Gwen said dissatisfiedly. "I still wanted to tour the seabed. The scenery was truly unspeakable, the most brilliant I've ever seen."
Vincent shrugged, standing at the bow, looking at the deep sea.
"Pity. They won't give up."
Armored Atlantean warriors appeared on the sea surface. Commanding massive sea beasts, they began attacking Vincent's ship.
Vincent waved his hand.
Seawater transformed into weapons, becoming objects of deep chill, slaughtering indiscriminately. For him, it was as simple as breathing.
But the Atlanteans looked at Vincent with shock and terror. Their bodies flew uncontrollably toward him.
"Go back and tell your King Namor: My name is Ice Demon. If he dares step onto the sea surface again to disturb human order or hunt me, I don't mind wiping Atlantis from the deep sea."
The cold voice and scarlet eyes filled the Atlantean warrior's heart with fear. He didn't even know what terrifying existence he faced. But he knew if he said no, he would die instantly.
"Yes!"
"Get lost!"
Vincent shook his head. He was really just here for a vacation.
In the deep sea, a submarine followed Vincent's ship. The crew belonged to Black Manta, who was fighting Namor.
"Is he the Ice Demon mentioned by Sin? The strongest human?"
Holding a hammer resembling Mjolnir, Black Manta watched Vincent through a magic mirror.
"Yes, he is Earth's strongest, the Ice Demon!" answered a figure cloaked to hide his features. But the unique Hydra symbol betrayed him.
The "Sin" he mentioned rarely appeared in the human world but was one of the most evil existences in the underground. She was the Red Skull's daughter, Sin. One of Hydra's true controllers. And a wielder of a hammer identical to Black Manta's.
"You want me to fight a man whose aura terrifies me?" Black Manta looked coldly at the human envoy.
"No, I just want to tell you: if you can provoke a war between the Ice Demon and Namor, Namor will surely die." The mysterious Hydra figure replied coldly.
Black Manta shook his head. "Didn't you hear his warning? That was for me too. If I continue making waves on the surface, he won't hesitate to kill me."
Black Manta was an Atlantean rebel. He possessed brilliance and believed he could lead Atlantis to glory and return to land. But he wasn't a fool.
This human was too powerful. Moving freely under Atlantean fire, ignoring attacks, manipulating the ocean. Only a fool like Namor would feel his dignity challenged and continue fighting such a powerhouse.
This human's strength surpassed gods.
Black Manta looked at his hammer, feeling the powerful evil energy within. Yet it gave him no confidence.
He knew the hammer's origin. It was a weapon of the Asgardian God of Fear, Cul. The brother of the All-Father Odin. The Serpent.
Even with the power of a god in hand, he felt the threat of death, knowing the opponent could erase him anytime.
Moreover, Black Manta had spies in the human world. He knew of the Ice Demon's power. Vincent killing Apocalypse had spread his fame to many ancient, evil ears. Apocalypse, a mutant god on Earth, was killed by a pure human.
Vincent released the Atlanteans. At the same time, he sensed the departure of the observer. His Divine Dominator will had heard many inner thoughts, revealing secrets.
The Serpent? The God of Fear suppressed in Earth's deepest oceans? Cul Borson?
Vincent felt Earth held too many secrets. Just a trip, not even halfway through, and he encountered so many. If he circled the globe, would he dig them all up?
But undeniably, slaying Apocalypse as the Ice Demon had made him a thorn in the side of many ancient entities.
As long as they didn't provoke him, peace remained. If they did, thinking themselves high and mighty, Death would welcome them.
The ship continued its journey across the Atlantic toward England. Gwen had no worries, enjoying their world of two.
Hell's Kitchen.
Madame Gao of the Triad finally returned. "Only gone a year, but it feels like a lifetime." The small old lady showed her signature smile.
She opened a shipping container delivered to the port.
Inside, everyone was dead, killed by a monster.
Madame Gao's face changed instantly. The human skin business continued, just deeper underground. But if the human snakeheads had problems, it would trigger a chain reaction.
"Erase our Triad marks immediately. Enter silent mode."
Madame Gao realized she had been set up. The US government didn't even need to act; if this was exposed, New York's Spider-Woman would find her. And Madame Gao didn't fear Ghost-Spider, but the man behind her.
"The Hand's Black Sky has been transported to New York!!!"
She knew she was being used. New York was forbidden ground for many factions. But clearly, the Japanese wanted to transport a certain weapon into the city.
Madame Gao knew this was the Hand's true leader, the real demon known as The Beast, extending his tentacles into New York.
Daredevil leaped through the night sky. Police cars arrived, along with media.
Matt Murdock lowered his head, listening intently to voices in the crowd, hoping for useful information.
Triad reappears in Hell's Kitchen? Human trafficking. All stowaways dead! Beast-like tearing wounds! Killed by a monster!
Information piled up. Daredevil's face grew grave. New York, silent for nearly a year, was getting lively again. Since Kingpin's death, many criminal factions had restrained themselves—not stopping crime, but hiding it deeper. Even Daredevil struggled to find info.
Without hesitation, Daredevil headed to Chinatown. He knew an old friend was back. Only she could explain tonight's events.
Chinatown Restaurant.
"Oh, isn't this Hell's Kitchen's devil?" Madame Gao spoke coldly into the darkness.
"What happened at the docks tonight?" Daredevil asked coldly.
"Don't blame me. I don't traffic humans anymore, just some gray business... smuggling. But I was set up by The Hand." Madame Gao spread her hands helplessly.
"The Hand?"
"Perhaps your master Stick knows better. His Chaste has always been The Hand's enemy." Madame Gao smiled strangely.
"Perhaps you know too." Daredevil stepped out of the shadows.
Madame Gao shook her head. "Many died tonight. Not what I wanted to see. But you know, I only smuggle people. I've abandoned crimes that touch the bottom line of a certain true demon."
The Triad was nearly erased from Hell's Kitchen by the Ice Demon. Surviving wasn't easy. She didn't need to risk death in New York. Money could be made elsewhere.
Especially returning from her distant homeland, she had been warned not to defy the Ice Demon's will. Or she would die ugly.
But Madame Gao had come out. Being set up made her unhappy.
"I'll believe you for now," Daredevil said coldly.
"You're lucky to survive the Night of Heroes. But Mr. Daredevil, you aren't a true demon. Advice: don't defy the Ice Demon in anything."
Daredevil paused. "Some things must be done."
Madame Gao shook her head. This wasn't over. A true demon wanted to release its beastly acts in New York. This would shake the world. The Ice Demon wouldn't allow anyone to run wild in his territory.
Oscorp Group.
Raven reviewed the intel. She knew Vincent paid attention to Hell's Kitchen, which wasn't far from Oscorp.
"Send Deep Chill to investigate."
Deep Chill was now led by Psylocke, not her. Domino, Inez, and Sandy also held important positions.
She walked to the lab.
Looking at the young man in the cultivation tank. "Our cloning tech still has hurdles, but with Beast's help, we finally replicated this body."
Dr. Otto Octavius, wearing glasses, walked to Raven.
"You call installing prosthetics a successful clone?" Raven was speechless.
"Who knew every clone we made had leg issues? Besides, Professor Charles Xavier won't mind. His legs were the problem originally." Dr. Otto spread his hands. He had applied mechanical tech to Charles's body.
"We can notify Charles." Otto changed the topic.
Just then, the tank's monitors beeped.
A young Charles Xavier opened his eyes.
"Raven, being able to return alive satisfies me. Don't make things hard for Dr. Otto," Charles spoke to Raven via telepathy.
"You only came over because you saw our Boss left, right?" Raven gave Charles no face.
"Mr. Hall's power commands awe. I am no exception."
Dr. Otto operated the instruments, releasing Charles.
"How does it feel, Professor?" Otto asked.
"Wonderful. Like an old soul put into a new bottle, revitalized with life."
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