Around the massive crystal, the once colorless statue of Ifrit suddenly erupted into raging flames. Its roar echoed throughout Carl's spiritual sea, so powerful that even the other summon statues trembled slightly in response.
At the same time, streams of magic flooded into Carl's mind. Among them was the one he had been waiting for the most—
Limit Break.
When activated, blazing flames would engulf his entire body, erupting from within. It would massively amplify all of Carl's magic. Whether it was the Ultima Weapon or Judicator, both would be imbued with fire, each strike carrying explosive flame damage.
Just as Carl was immersed in studying his new abilities, Scott and Darren suddenly crashed in, shattering the office window. Wanda reacted instantly, restraining both of them.
Looking at the dazed pair, Carl couldn't help but tease:
"Scott, this is the second time you've broken into my place. The first time you were unconscious—I let it slide. What's your excuse this time? Don't tell me you and this yellow-looking guy got drunk and wandered in."
Carl stood up and strolled over.
Under Wanda's restraint, neither Scott nor Darren could move—let alone speak.
Scott was still confused, but a flash of killing intent flickered in Darren's eyes. It was brief—but both Wanda and the ever-observant Moguri caught it instantly.
"Kupo!"
Without hesitation, Moguri smacked Darren on the head with his staff.
Boom!
Darren was sent flying like he'd been hit by a truck, blasting out through the already shattered window. Even so, the Chaos Magic still held him in place, so when he hit the street, his body remained frozen in that same rigid posture.
Only then did Carl realize—if Moguri had acted, it meant Darren harbored hostility toward him.
A minor villain… trying to kill him?
Carl almost wondered if Darren had lost his mind.
Wanda's expression turned icy. She had not only seen the killing intent—she had felt the foul aura radiating from Darren. She was ready to crush him outright—but then, an idea crossed her mind.
Scott tried to speak, but the Chaos Magic held him tightly. At Carl's signal, Wanda finally released him.
Scott gasped for air, having been unable to breathe the entire time.
"Haa… haa… I know you… strongest Avenger… the one who turns into a monster…"
The moment he said monster, crimson energy surged again, freezing him in place.
"Do you want to die?!"
Wanda's voice was ice-cold, her eyes devoid of emotion. The word "monster" clearly struck a nerve.
Carl waved a hand.
"It's fine, Wanda. Let him go. I don't mind."
To him, it didn't matter. The summons were monsters—it wasn't inaccurate.
Only then did Wanda release Scott again.
Scott immediately tried to shrink—but Chaos Magic wrapped around his belt, cutting off the Pym Particles.
"What—what's happening?!"
He stared at the red energy coiling around his belt. The controls were completely unresponsive.
"Scott, seems like you know who I am."
Carl gestured for him to sit.
"Of course I do—the strongest Avenger~~"
Seeing no hostility from Carl, Scott relaxed a bit. And as one of the team's resident chatterboxes, once he relaxed… he started talking.
"I'm not an Avenger. I just run a little office. If you ever need something, you can come to me—my rates are very reasonable."
Carl didn't miss a chance to advertise, even now. Unfortunately, his office had been completely deserted—no one had actually come for business yet.
"Alright, what happened?"
Carl got to the point.
At that moment, Tony walked in from outside.
"Man, Carl, your luck sucks. Your window's smashed again~~"
Tony casually flopped onto the sofa, grabbed a random fruit, and started munching.
"That guy outside—tell Wanda not to kill him. I need him alive. He's connected to a HYDRA safehouse."
Tony spoke through bites of fruit, completely at ease.
"No problem. But you're paying for the window."
Carl didn't hesitate.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine—I got it."
Watching them chat like this, Scott finally couldn't hold back:
"Uh… so… am I free to go now?"
"Oh right—you're staying too. You're coming back to the Avengers base with us."
Tony shut that idea down immediately.
Scott didn't argue.
Meanwhile, Carl headed outside. Darren was still frozen in place. With a gesture, Carl had Wanda release him.
The moment he could move, Darren opened his mask and shouted:
"Who the hell are you people?!"
The earlier killing intent was gone—Wanda's power had made him feel death up close. Now, he just wanted out.
"Simple. Beat me, and I'll tell you. Win, and you walk away."
Carl stepped forward, wielding the Ultima Weapon.
"You serious?!"
Darren was stunned. He had thought he was doomed—but now someone was offering him a chance?
Carl nodded.
"Beat me, and you leave."
Confidence surged within Darren.
He had only seen Wanda's power and assumed she was the real threat. As for Carl? Just some protected nobody. His own suit was even more advanced than Iron Man's—there was no way he could lose.
"That's a mistake—you can't let him go!"
Scott rushed out, shouting. If Darren escaped, he would definitely go after Cassie.
"Shut up, you thief!"
Darren roared. The mechanical appendages on his back fired a beam—not at Scott, but straight at Carl.
Carl scoffed.
With a casual wave, an ice wall rose before him, blocking the beam. The wall shattered instantly—
—and from the shards, three flaming sword arcs burst forth, carrying violent, destructive energy as they shot toward Darren.
Darren dodged frantically, barely avoiding two—
—but the third sliced clean through the mechanical arms on his back.
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