Just as the Reed Council and the Kang Dynasty remained locked in a cautious standoff, the federal government's attacks proved completely futile. Bullets and shells were obliterated before they could even get close.
Even though the supreme leaders of the Kang Dynasty and the Reed Council hadn't yet joined the fight personally, their mutant warriors alone were enough to render Earth's superheroes powerless.
Elite members of the Illuminati—like the fiery Human Torch, Crossbones, and Aquaman—fought alongside federal special forces, trying to withstand the brutal assault of the endless variants of Kang and Reed.
But the battle was one-sided. Against such overwhelming force, Earth's defenders were like candles in the wind—fragile, flickering, and on the verge of being snuffed out.
The Reeds, calm and calculating, ignored most attacks and focused only on locating the "sinner." They weren't senseless executioners. Faced with federal soldiers, they subdued rather than killed, stripping their enemies of combat ability.
By contrast, the Kangs were merciless. Their strikes radiated with devastating energy, every move filled with cold-blooded cruelty. Terror rippled across the battlefield as heroes fell one after another.
Despair spread like wildfire.
Civilians watched helplessly as the very superheroes who had once stood like gods now crumbled under the enemy's onslaught.
"It's over. The Earth's going to fall to aliens."
"No… it's not just occupation. The whole planet will be destroyed."
"Wait—what about the Lord of Hell's Kitchen? And the heroes there!"
"Yeah! There's still mutants and those guys from Hell's Kitchen!"
"They saved us last time during the invasion!"
"But this time's different. These enemies are stronger—and there's a cosmic god with them…"
"No, there has to be hope. I don't want to die…"
As the people prayed in desperation, a variant Kang stepped forward and whispered something to the Immortal Kang.
The Immortal Kang's brow furrowed. He waved his hand—and suddenly, thousands of variant Kangs began descending from their battleships.
Seeing this, President Reed narrowed his eyes. "Kang, what are you doing?" he demanded coldly.
"The God needs a bit more energy to awaken. I'm out of patience," Immortal Kang replied flatly.
His agents had already located the source of the God's revival, but it wasn't enough. More energy was needed—life energy. And so, the order was given to harvest it from Earth.
Speaker Reed hesitated. Should he fight Kang to protect civilians? Or would that just trigger a massive loss and fall into a potential trap laid by the so-called sinner?
Below, people in Manhattan began fleeing in all directions as variant Kangs descended and started attacking indiscriminately.
Monk Reed tried to intervene but was stopped by Speaker Reed. "Our objective is the sinner. If we act emotionally, we might lose everything. This may be a ploy."
Just when the citizens thought all hope was lost and braced for slaughter, a miracle occurred.
The massacre didn't come.
Instead, fierce combat erupted in the sky.
To everyone's astonishment, numerous Kangs were suddenly blasted back by a mysterious force—some even fell from the sky.
Gasps echoed through the city. All eyes turned to the battlefield.
"Look! It's the heroes from Hell's Kitchen!" someone shouted.
Countless Spider-Men swung between buildings, launching hit-and-run strikes against the variant Kangs. The Deadpool Legion followed, their chaotic energy and immortality making them perfect for suicidal attacks.
On another front, students from Hogwarts—Hell's Kitchen's mutant academy—joined in, casting magic left and right:
"Avada Ken Big Melon!"
"Burning Flames!"
"Disarmament Blast!"
"Wrath of the Fire God!"
"Imperius Curse!"
"Excruciating Wrist Pain!"
If Voldemort had seen this, he'd probably think it was Azkaban School, not Hogwarts. These students had clearly embraced forbidden arts.
Mutants poured into the fray as well. Some summoned ice from thin air, forming blades. Others summoned cyclones, lightning, or rivers of fire—breaking through Kang's defenses one after another.
These were the same heroes who had just returned from the hell dimension where they'd fought reincarnated warriors—and they hadn't even paused to rest.
High above, amidst the battlefield between the Reed Council and the Kang Dynasty, motes of light began to coalesce.
They swirled together like stars pulled by gravity—until they formed a towering, majestic figure, glowing with power.
"Slaughtering innocents in my territory… is not only a violation of my domain—but a personal insult," said the figure, voice thunderous with authority.
It was Alex Ray, known as the God Slayer.
His form shimmered, both real and illusionary, as if he straddled multiple dimensions.
The Immortal Kang merely glanced at him and sneered, "An Easterner? Intriguing."
Behind him, the Crimson Centurion narrowed his eyes hungrily.
Ramlet remained indifferent. But Speaker Reed watched Alex closely.
"Sinner?"
"Whether he is or isn't… he's a threat to the multiverse. He must be eliminated," Monk Reed muttered.
"Even if he's not the sinner, he's clearly related. Capture him," Reed in the black suit ordered coldly.
Alex Ray remained calm despite facing six top-tier enemies. "It's not easy to reach your current level. I advise you to cherish your lives—and leave."
The Crimson Centurion laughed loudly, thunder rumbling in the sky. "You? Just a projection? You think you, those bugs below, or your mutant rats can stop us?"
"We've slaughtered more like them than we can count!"
"Are you counting on Ancient One to save you again?"
But then, a voice rang out from the heavens:
"Who said Earth has no strong protectors?"