Chapter 18: Yelena's Pursuit (and Adam's Elusive Charm)
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: YELENA BELOVA'S PURSUIT INTENSIFYING. SHE IS ACTIVELY SEEKING YOUR LOCATION. RECOMMEND: MAINTAIN EVASION WHILE CONTINUING TO ENGAGE.]
"Oh, she's seeking me? That's adorable. It's like a very deadly, very angry game of hide-and-seek," I chuckled, watching Yelena Belova's frustrated movements through a series of hacked security cameras. She was in the city, clearly following the trail of chaos I'd left behind at "The Vault" and the subsequent double-cross. My "Advanced Tactical Awareness" was practically purring, giving me real-time updates on her location, her methods, and her rapidly escalating irritation.
The $100 million was safely tucked away in my offshore accounts, and the 500 System Experience Points had given me a subtle boost to all my existing skills. I felt more agile, my illusions were more convincing, my tactical awareness was almost precognitive. I was a Level 1 Immortal System user, and I was loving it.
"Alright, Yelena, let the games begin. You're trying to hunt me down, and I'm trying to win your heart. This is going to be the most confusing, frustrating, and ultimately, most romantic chase of your life. You just don't know it yet."*
My goal for this chapter wasn't to die (I had two lives against her now, but I wanted to save them for more meaningful deaths). My goal was to evade her, to lead her on a merry chase, and to subtly, consistently, and annoyingly make my presence known. To make her realize that I wasn't just a target; I was an unkillable, charming enigma.
I started by leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. Not literal breadcrumbs, but digital ones. I'd hack into public Wi-Fi networks, leaving behind encrypted messages that only she could decipher (thanks to my Basic Espionage Mastery (Limited)). The messages would be short, witty, and slightly taunting.
"Example message: 'Yelena, your tracking skills are almost as impressive as your ability to rock a tactical vest. Almost. P.S. Have you tried the local goulash? It's divine. – Your Secret Admirer (who is also immortal)'" *
I used my "Basic Wall-Crawling" to scale buildings, leaving behind small, impossible-to-reach notes on high ledges, written on napkins I'd 'borrowed' from cafes. The notes would contain equally infuriating messages.
"Example note: 'If you're reading this, you're getting warmer. But not warm enough to catch me, darling. Also, your hair looks lovely today. – A.S.'" *
I even used my "Basic Illusion Casting" to create fleeting, holographic images of myself in her peripheral vision – a quick wave from a distant rooftop, a brief silhouette in an alleyway – just enough to make her question if she was seeing things. She'd whirl around, gun drawn, only to find nothing.
I could see her frustration growing. My "Advanced Tactical Awareness" showed her slamming her fist against a wall, muttering in Russian. It was glorious.
"Oh, she's so close to admitting she's intrigued. Just a few more layers of annoyance, and she'll be begging me for dating advice. Or, you know, trying to blow me up. Either way, it's engagement!"*
She was good, though. Very good. She was anticipating my moves, setting up ambushes. Once, she almost cornered me in a narrow alleyway. I had to use my "Basic Escape Artistry" to slip out of a seemingly impossible chokehold, leaving her grappling with thin air. I even managed to leave a small, perfectly wrapped chocolate bar in her hand as I slipped away. Just to add to the confusion.
"Having fun yet, Yelena?" I'd whisper into a discarded payphone, knowing she had it bugged. "Because I certainly am. This is almost as exciting as that time I accidentally set a badger on fire. Almost."
She was relentless. She tracked me from city to city, across borders, her determination unwavering. She was a hunter, and I was her elusive prey. But I wasn't just running; I was playing. I was trying to make her think about me. To obsess over me. To see me as more than just a target.
My "Basic Law Enforcement Protocol Knowledge" allowed me to subtly manipulate local police forces, sending them on wild goose chases, creating diversions that would momentarily throw Yelena off my scent. I wasn't trying to get them killed, just to make their lives mildly inconvenient and to give Yelena more obstacles.
"This is like a very elaborate, very dangerous courtship dance. And I'm leading. With a lot of sarcasm and a complete disregard for my own safety. It's working, I can feel it."*
The chase continued for days, then weeks. She was always a step behind, always frustrated, but always on my trail. And with each near-miss, each taunting message, each fleeting glimpse, I could feel a subtle shift in her focus. The pure anger was slowly, imperceptibly, mixing with something else. Curiosity. Intrigue. Maybe even a tiny, tiny spark of amusement.
I knew this couldn't last forever. Eventually, she would catch me. And when she did, it would be the real test. But for now, I was enjoying the chase. And the knowledge that I was slowly, surely, burrowing my way into the mind of the most dangerous woman I knew.
A Special Message to My Amazing Readers!
To keep Marvel : Please Kill Me growing and deliver more chapters faster, I've launched a Patreon! Join today for 5$ unlock 20+ additional chapters and become a vital part of this story's journey. Your support means the world!
you can read also 20+ chapters of "The Boys: I'm the New Hue, I Need More Power" and "legends of tomorrow : Im a Legend Now"+"Arrowverse: I'm a Hero"+"The Flash : Please Kill Me"
Click here to dive deeper: [patreon.com/TheFinex5]