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*****
"I greatly admire your courage and persistence!"
"You have earned my recognition!"
"But all that awaits you is defeat."
Inside the battlefield enclosed by the energy barrier, Black Bolt's thick, resonant voice echoed continuously.
The others remained silent, gritting their teeth as they endured Black Bolt's "noise." If they had to vote for the most terrifying sound in the world right now, Black Bolt would win hands down.
"Is there any way to make him stop? I really can't take this anymore!" Tony said helplessly.
"If there were a way, we would have used it already," Steve sighed.
"Actually, it might be better if he doesn't stop..." Rhodey suddenly muttered cryptically.
"Hmm?"
"Because if he stops, it means we're... pop!"
Everyone's mouths twitched as they shot Rhodey a glare. This bastard—couldn't he say something positive?
Rhodey smirked. "I'm just telling it like it is."
At that moment, Susan, the Invisible Woman, said with great difficulty, "I'm about to reach my limit."
As soon as she spoke, the group's expressions shifted.
Vision suddenly suggested, "Let me try to blast through the barrier." He knew the stone in his forehead contained terrifying energy, but that didn't mean he could use it without consequence.
"It would be easier if Hulk and Ross could help," Tony whispered. He turned to look at the two Hulks, seeing them acting like madmen—fighting each other while trying to charge Black Bolt, only to be blasted back over and over. He muttered, "Never mind."
"Let's all help!" Steve whispered.
The group nodded. After Wanda and Susan used the last of their strength to prop up a defense for them, they charged toward the energy barrier behind them.
Vision's energy attack slammed into the barrier first. Following that, Tony manipulated his suit; several energy-focusing devices flew from his back, converging with the energy from his palm cannons into a brilliant blue beam of light. Together with Vision's beam, it hammered against the energy barrier.
Simultaneously, Rhodey's missiles, the Human Torch's flames, and The Thing's brute force tackle all slammed into the wall.
In the next second, the solid energy barrier shuddered. Streaks of cracks appeared before a large hole was finally blasted through.
But before they could widen the gap, Attilan—hovering directly above them—increased its power output, instantly repairing the barrier. Currently, more than half of the energy used to support and protect the island of Attilan was being diverted to trap the superheroes.
At the same time, seeing their attempt, Black Bolt barked out: "Give up!"
Boom!
An invisible sonic wave slammed into the defense held by Wanda and Susan. After shattering it, he slowly flew toward the group.
"I said, give up!"
Black Bolt growled. Sonic energy manifested once more, sending everyone flying. The energy barrier, which had briefly been torn open, sealed shut again.
The superheroes felt a wave of bitterness. Looking at the approaching Black Bolt, it felt as though a massive mountain was about to crush them.
Just then, a rotating portal appeared in front of them. The sparks flying from the rotation looked like dancing fireflies, reigniting hope in everyone's hearts.
They knew what this represented.
Mike Kent.
Their reinforcements had finally arrived.
As Mike's head emerged from the portal, Black Bolt's eyes narrowed. His forward flight faltered slightly, and he even pulled back a short distance, watching warily.
Mike stepped out of the portal and smiled at everyone. "I hope I didn't interrupt your KTV session?"
KTV?
K-my-ass! We were about to be K.O.'ed!
The group looked at Mike speechlessly, their eyes full of resentment.
Mike's expression turned serious. "I've been watching you from the shadows. I wouldn't let you be in real danger."
The current crisis doesn't count as danger?
Tony said, moved, "I knew Uncle Mike wouldn't have the heart to let me get hurt!"
Mike: "!"
The others looked at Tony, their mouths twitching violently. This guy was simply too shameless.
"What are you looking at? You think Uncle Mike came to save you?" Tony's mustache twitched as he said proudly, "You're all just basking in my reflected glory! Got it?"
"If the situation weren't so dire, I really wouldn't be able to stop myself from beating you up," Rhodey said, adding, "You really are too shameless."
Everyone nodded fervently.
Feeling the sudden lightness in the atmosphere, Steve smiled and said to Mike helplessly, "Sorry, we didn't manage to force anything out of them."
"Mhm." Mike nodded. "I overestimated you."
"?" Steve felt like he had just taken ten thousand points of critical damage.
Mike cleared his throat. "Uh, I mean I underestimated them."
"Oh!" Steve replied. Putting it that way made him feel a bit better.
Mike scanned the crowd. Two cards appeared in his hand; with a gentle wave, they dissolved into points of light. Two streams of green energy full of life force landed on Natasha and Pietro.
Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"You all should leave this place first." Mike waved his hand to open a portal. "Attilan is right above your heads. Be careful when you go out; enemies might appear."
The group paused, startled. "Understood."
After a moment's thought, Mike whispered, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the outside. If anything goes wrong, someone will support you."
The group nodded, their hearts settling.
"Go on," Mike told them. The heroes began to move through the portal.
Suddenly, Mike's expression shifted. The moment his eyes lit up, he whipped his head around to face Black Bolt. Instantly, two searing beams of heat vision shot out, heading straight for Black Bolt.
Seeing this, Black Bolt scrambled to dodge while letting out a sharp shout.
"Stay!"
Boom!
The sonic wave acted like an invisible bomb, blasting toward the retreating group. The air vibrated with transparent ripples as the ground was torn apart by the sound.
Mike hummed softly and tossed out a card. Instantly, a massive magical shield shimmering with runes appeared, protecting the departing Avengers.
Boom, boom!
The continuous sonic waves emitted by Black Bolt slammed into the magical shield. However, the shield held out just long enough for all the Avengers to leave.
"Oh, no, I forgot two of them."
As the shattered magical energy drifted away, Mike's body flickered with speed. Dodging the incoming sonic waves, he reached out and tapped the suit-watch on his wrist. A suit of black battle-armor appeared on his body.
"Haven't worn this in a while, it feels a bit unfamiliar."
Mike moved his body just as Black Bolt's sonic waves hit him.
Boom, boom!
The sound waves slammed into Mike, vibrating against his body as if trying to shatter him. Yet, Mike's eyes lit up with a hint of comfort.
This pressure... a full-body massage?
Mike adjusted his position, turning his back to Black Bolt to let his spine enjoy the sonic service. Then, he waved a hand at the red and green giants. Immediately, the portal that hadn't yet closed flew toward the two of them, teleporting them away.
Ross... he might be a bit foolish, but after seeing Black Bolt ruthlessly blast his own soldiers, he should be able to understand a few things and make the right choice.
As for the Avengers teleported outside... Mike looked at Attilan above. Since Maximus, the one in charge of Attilan, had made his move and revealed his hand, there was no way he would let the superheroes simply walk away.
Therefore, Mike was very direct; he only teleported the superheroes outside the energy barrier. He didn't need to worry about the outside world because Clark and the others would be watching; if things went south, they would step in.
Now, what he needed to do was enjoy the sonic massage—(cross that out)—defeat Black Bolt.
Mike flew up slowly, looked at Black Bolt, and smiled. "Is your ability linked to your volume?"
Black Bolt's eyes flashed as he replied to Mike, "Yes, but there is no absolute correlation!"
Boom, boom!
Accompanied by the words, terrifying sonic waves swept toward Mike. Mike stroked his chin, absorbing the blow easily without even a furrow of his brow. "I see!"
Strictly speaking, Black Bolt's ability wasn't pure sound waves, but a form of quasi-sonic energy. His power was usually released through his voice. Quasi-sonic waves, despite the name, were entirely different from actual sound waves. The power source for Black Bolt's ability came from the electron energy he gathered from the surrounding environment.
This energy, besides being used for attacks, could enhance Black Bolt's physical strength, grant him flight, and even allow him to survive in a vacuum. It was an incredibly powerful and versatile ability.
But... none of it posed a threat to Mike.
On the contrary, Mike could easily defeat him using only his super speed. Indeed, in Mike's eyes, defeating Black Bolt wasn't difficult. The reason the Avengers had struggled so much was that none of them possessed an ability that could counter him.
If anyone had a chance to defeat Black Bolt, it was the siblings, Pietro and Wanda. Unfortunately, Wanda hadn't truly awakened yet, and Pietro wasn't fast enough.
"If Pietro were as fast as me—or even a bit slower—he could defeat Black Bolt."
Wait... Mike's expression turned odd. Why did that sound a bit wrong?
"First meeting!" Black Bolt spoke again.
Under Black Bolt's control, the sonic waves condensed into a beam, slamming into Mike's chest like a spear. Mike only took two steps back, uninjured.
Black Bolt's gaze sharpened. Even compressed sonic waves couldn't hurt him?
Suddenly, Mike vanished. Black Bolt was startled; just as a thought formed in his mind, a hand had already pressed down on his shoulder.
Black Bolt's body stiffened. This speed was terrifying.
But... Black Bolt's expression shifted, and he let out a sharp cry. Sonic energy actually erupted from within his body, sweeping outward in all directions.
Boom, boom!
Mike was shaken off. The sonic waves acted like a vortex, trapping Mike inside. Mike flickered, dodging the attack at a speed far exceeding the expansion of the sound waves. He vanished again and reappeared right in front of Black Bolt.
However, the moment Mike's hand touched him, another blast of sonic energy erupted, sending Mike flying. His black cape trailed behind him like a thin line as he slammed into the energy barrier with a loud thud.
Boom!
A sonic wave followed immediately, blasting toward him. Mike moved to dodge, looking at the distant Black Bolt with some surprise. He whispered, "Using your ability to create a sonic armor?"
More accurately, it was a sonic counter-shock armor. Black Bolt knew his speed couldn't match Mike's, so he had fashioned a "turtle shell" that could automatically counter-attack.
But if that was all, Black Bolt still wasn't enough to challenge him. However, looking at the man, it seemed he still had strength held in reserve. Was he holding back because of his surroundings, or because of Attilan above?
In that case, let's change the battlefield! Otherwise, this is far too boring. Besides... if he defeated Black Bolt too easily, would that Maximus character even dare to continue his follow-up plot?
Mike chuckled inwardly, his plan decided. Looking at the nearby Black Bolt, Mike crooked a finger at him.
A surge of anger rose in Black Bolt's heart. As the strongest King of the Inhumans, he had never been so provoked. His gaze turned icy as he roared at Mike.
"You will pay the price for your provocation!"
Along with his roar, energy that surprised even Mike erupted from Black Bolt's mouth. Like a storm, it instantly swept through the entire space within the energy barrier.
Since he couldn't hit his target, he opted for an area-of-effect attack. Good idea, but in this state, it was even less of a threat.
Mike moved his body, frowning slightly and putting on an expression of difficulty, as if he were being affected. Seeing this, Black Bolt's spirits lifted.
Suddenly, the sonic energy became increasingly dense. Due to the energy barrier, the waves began to bounce repeatedly within the enclosed space, causing even greater destruction. The earth shattered, and visible distortions appeared in the air, as if even space itself was being affected.
Mike flew in mid-air, his body swaying back and forth with the vibrations of the sound waves, which served to bind his movements. Abruptly, streaks of sonic waves slammed into Mike like invisible sharp swords. Mike crossed his arms in front of his chest, blocking the continuous barrage of attacks. However, he was pushed back steadily by the force until he was "pinned" against the wall.
Boom, boom!
The attacks landed on Mike incessantly, one after another. Even the energy barrier behind Mike began to deform and vibrate violently. Mike looked somewhat disheveled, yet he showed no signs of being injured.
Seeing this, Black Bolt steeled his resolve. Finally casting aside his internal reservations, he began to steadily ramp up his power. In an instant, the ground split apart. The energy barrier could no longer withstand the pressure and began to manifest streaks of cracks.
Mike's expression shifted, a look of struggle appearing on his face. With a great roar, he flew toward Black Bolt, disappearing from Black Bolt's line of sight.
Where? Where will the attack come from?
The thought flashed through Black Bolt's mind, and his sonic armor had already shifted into a defensive posture.
Above!
Sensing the movement, Black Bolt watched as Mike was knocked back once more. He roared upward at the Mike hovering above his head. Ring-shaped sonic waves slammed into Mike repeatedly.
Boom!
Mike smashed through the already overstrained energy barrier behind him and shot straight into the sky. Seeing this, Black Bolt continued to unleash his sonic waves, pursuing Mike as he kept up the constant assault.
(End of Chapter)