Even though Alex was still puzzling over the woman's identity, this was clearly not the time to get lost in speculation.
The "female pyro" looked like she was in terrible shape.
That was a rocket, after all.
Yes, she'd managed to survive the blast—but she was heavily injured. That was to be expected.
The truth was, most mutants weren't as durable as people thought. They had unique powers, yes, but many of them couldn't even withstand normal firearms, let alone a direct hit from a heavy weapon.
Guys like Erik and Charles were the exceptions, not the rule.
---
"Cough… cough!"
A wet, gurgling cough escaped the woman's lips, and a mouthful of blood came with it.
Her gaze fell on Alex, puzzled and weak.
"Who… are you?"
---
"Don't speak," Alex replied calmly.
"I'm taking you out of here."
Without thinking, he activated his x-ray vision to assess her internal condition.
Immediately, his brows furrowed.
She was worse off than he expected.
Two ribs fractured.
One had even punctured muscle tissue.
Her internal organs were showing signs of trauma and shock as well.
This… was bad.
---
He couldn't fly her out—not in this condition. Even at a slower speed, the G-force alone might kill her.
And unfortunately, he didn't have a bio-field like some Kryptonian knockoffs to protect passengers.
What he could do, however, was stabilize her—at least enough to buy time.
---
"Relax. I'm a mutant—like you."
"But I need you to lie down so I can treat your wounds."
His tone was calm, gentle. Comforting.
---
"Mutant at the front! Hands on your head! Get down—now!"
A bark of military authority rang out behind him.
Colonel Katz was furious.
Sure, this freak had landed like some superhero and stunned everyone, but that didn't give him the right to ignore orders!
Was this guy trying to show off?
---
Alex ignored him completely.
He helped the woman to the ground with the utmost care.
He was about to begin basic first aid—but stopped.
This wasn't something duct tape and gauze could fix.
---
Alright then. I'm strong, but I never claimed to be a medic.
He sighed inwardly.
---
"Hands on your head! I said NOW!"
Colonel Katz shouted again, voice like a whip.
"I'll count to three. If you're still not down, we open fire!"
"One!"
"Two!"
---
Szzzzt!
He never made it to "Three."
A red-hot beam shot from Alex's eyes—clean and precise.
---
Bang!
Katz flew backward like he'd been struck by a wrecking ball, smashing into his own tactical truck before flopping to the ground like a ragdoll.
---
"Colonel!"
"Colonel Katz!"
The soldiers around him erupted in panic and rage.
This guy had just killed a commanding officer right in front of them?!
---
"Kill him!"
"Open fire!"
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
Gunfire exploded.
Nine soldiers raised their rifles and unleashed a storm of bullets, screaming in fury.
---
But Alex didn't move.
He stood still—calm and unmoved.
The bullets slammed into his chest and shoulders.
Tink.
Tink. Tink.
Clink.
One by one, they ricocheted harmlessly to the ground.
Not a scratch. Not even a flinch.
---
It was like they were hitting a goddamn statue.
Or steel. Or… something even tougher.
---
Eventually, the gunfire sputtered out.
The men lowered their weapons, faces pale.
They stared at him like they were seeing a demon in human skin.
Was this guy made of vibranium? Titanium? What the hell?
---
Their bullets had no effect.
None.
Their greatest weapons were worthless.
Terror swept through the line like wildfire.
---
"The only reason any of you are still alive…"
Alex's voice was cold. Controlled.
"…is because I need someone with field medical training."
His crimson gaze swept across them.
"You're soldiers. I know you've had trauma training. You've got medkits. One of you treat her injuries—
I'll let you live.
I keep my word."
---
Silence fell.
The air was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
But the subtext of Alex's words was brutally clear:
Help her… or die.
---
The men hesitated.
Sure, this woman had tried to incinerate them moments ago.
Now they were supposed to patch her up?
It felt like a punch to the gut.
---
No one moved.
---
Just then, the pyro-woman groaned.
"Get… out of here… It's dangerous!"
She tried to lift herself up, but couldn't. Her voice trembled, full of pain and fear.
"You have to run!"
---
Alex looked down at her and offered a smile.
"They can't hurt me."
---
"Die!"
A primal roar rang out.
It was the same soldier who had fired the first rocket at her earlier.
Seeing a golden opportunity, he raised another RPG and fired again—point-blank.
---
Whoosh!
The warhead surged forward, trailing fire, aimed straight at Alex's back.
The other soldiers watched, eyes wide.
This time… it had to work. Right?
Bullets may have failed, but this was a goddamn rocket launcher.
No one could survive that.
No one.
---
"Move!"
The pyro-woman screamed.
She looked up at Alex, her eyes wide in panic.
---
But before she could finish her sentence—
BOOM.
A sonic boom split the air.
---
In the blink of an eye, Alex vanished from her side.
He reappeared—right beside the rocket.
And just before it left the launcher—
He reached out and caught the missile mid-air.
His hand closed around the warhead.
---
BOOM!
The rocket detonated in his grasp.
A fireball of explosive force ripped outward, engulfing everything within ten meters.
Nearby SUVs flipped like toys.
Several soldiers were thrown backward, limbs flailing as they were blasted through the air like rag dolls.
---
Then—
Silence.
Smoke billowed.
Fire licked at the wreckage.
Ash drifted in the air.
And standing dead center… was Alex.
---
Untouched.
Clothes barely singed.
Skin unscathed.
Expression calm.
---
The soldier who'd fired the rocket?
Gone.
Reduced to ash and molten metal along with anyone else unfortunate enough to be nearby.
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