Chapter 291 – DC Universally Face-Blind? (Subscribe, please!)
Time drifted by, the years shifting with it.
In the blink of an eye, it was 1984.
Gotham.
Wayne Manor.
A young Bruce Wayne looked up at Eustass, exasperated.
In 1981, Bruce Wayne's parents were gunned down.
Afterward, thanks to certain ties between Wayne Enterprises and the Mora Group, Eustass attended the funeral and paid the little bat a visit.
Later, Bruce Wayne begged to become his disciple, to learn skills that could change Gotham.
Eustass flatly refused… and really, in a way, Batman was kind of a psycho.
So Eustass wasn't about to give him any power-ups.
Still, he came to see Bruce Wayne every year.
And took every chance to ruffle the little bat's hair!
"You messed up my hair!"
Bruce Wayne glared up at Eustass; the guy was just too tall!
"Go bald and it'll never be messy again."
Eustass laughed, rubbing Bruce's head hard. Why hold back? While Bruce was still small, you bully him all you want.
So cute right now; once he grows up, he'll turn neurotic, face gloomy all day, looking like everyone owes him millions—utterly annoying.
Off to the side,
butler Alfred Pennyworth stood smiling wryly.
He seriously suspected the young master would end up bald.
Old Wayne had gone bald—rubbed clean by Eustass's head-pats… and he strongly suspected Eustass came for no other reason than to bully the boy.
Each time, aside from teasing Bruce Wayne, Eustass did nothing else.
After all, looking after Bruce was his job.
Bruce Wayne tried every trick to become a disciple, only to be ugly-rejected each time.
Before long, Eustass left.
Alfred sighed—sure enough, come bully Master Bruceand leave… Washington D.C.
Sidewalk.
Outside a Western restaurant, beside a table.
Diana, dressed in loose casual clothes, sat watching Eustass who had just returned.
"Do you enjoy bullying the Wayne kid that much?"
Diana sipped her drink and laughed helplessly at him.
"Nonsense, I'm not fond of bullying; I just see potential in little Bruce."
Eustass scrambled for an excuse.
Find a legit reason to smack Bruce, and Bruce can't complain.
"So you like kids?"
Diana asked, puzzled, "Then let's make one ourselves."
Eustass waved helplessly.
The World ahead was disaster after disaster; he didn't want some psycho kidnapping his kid someday and forcing the child into something awful.
At least in the Marvel Universe people fight head-on.
The DC World specializes in lunatics.
Plenty of bastards love staging some unearthly drama… even Superman's adoptive mom and girlfriend get kidnapped.
What wouldn't those maniacs do?
"We'll talk about that later."
"All right, I knew you'd say that."
Eustass took Diana's hand, pulled her close and into his arms.
"We're the real deal; kids would just be accidents, right?"
Eustass said with a grin.
Diana's heart felt sweet. "If you're so sweet, keep talking."
Accidents, accidents… Diana's mind sparked—she could engineer an accident.
She could engineer an accident.
The two had been married decades; when they'd attended old friend Trevor's funeral in Europa, they'd seen Trevor and Etta's son arrive with grandchildren.
Honestly, Diana envied them.
She longed for a little family with Eustass—three, four, five, six of them… have a bunch of kids, everyone cozy and happy together.
Over the years Diana had watched humanity wage endless wars.
She'd grown disillusioned.
Diana no longer wished to meddle in human affairs; she only wanted children with Eustass, to live calmly through the seasons, through every lively festival, year after year in joy.
Yet someone kept stalling, refusing to have kids.
Not long after,
Washington D.C.
At Eustass's home.
The floor-to-ceiling curtains slid shut.
Diana took a sip of wine and smiled at Eustass,
then passed the glass over… Nothing eventful happened that night.
Early next morning,
Diana woke first and sneaked a glance at Eustass.
She hurried to the bedside drawer and pulled out several condoms.
Stepping into the outer room, she found a needle and poked them a few times.
"Ha—"
Eustass yawned as he walked by; startled, Diana hastily hid the stuff in her pajamas.
"Morning."
"Morning, wife."
Eustass rubbed sleepy eyes and gave her a puzzled look. "What's up?"
"N-nothing, just stayed up late, slight headache."
Diana quickly changed the subject.
"You're half-divine and you still get headaches?"
Eustass eyed her suspiciously; she couldn't even lie properly.
After decades together he could tell she had something on her mind.
"It's fine, go wash up, I'll start breakfast."
Diana waved him off.
Clatter—!
Something slipped and hit the floor.
Eustass looked down.
Diana watched him guiltily.
"Ahem, let's skip the morning workout…"
Eustass rubbed his lower back and beat a sheepish retreat.
A man's got to protect himself~
Diana burst into giggles… She quickly gathered the things and breathed in relief.
Thank goodness he misunderstood.
She stashed the items in the bedroom,
then hurried to wash up and cook. Decades together had taught her some Chinese dishes, and she did them well… "You rescued a few people as Wonder Womanyesterday?"
Eustass asked over breakfast.
"Mm, passed by and saved them."
Diana replied, scooping him some scrambled egg.
And casually sprinkled a big handful of gouqi into his morning porridge.
Eustass's mouth twitched.
"I've always wondered—no mask, and no one recognizes you in daily life."
Eustass marveled aloud.
Though agencies did suppress Wonder Woman info, her frequent rescues yet zero fans or recognition was absurd.
Was everyone in DC face-blind?
Same with Superman—glasses and a suit change and no one notices… "Maybe people just like keeping my secret for me~"
Diana winked playfully at Eustass and smiled.
"Beautiful and kind."
Eustass praised; Diana beamed at him.
"Need me to drop you off today?"
Eustass asked.
Over the years Diana couldn't sit idle and kept finding things to do.
Besides globe-trotting honeymoons with Eustass, she changed jobs often.
Diana was half-divine, Eustass had Pure Gold.
They'd live a very, very long time; a decades-long honeymoon was perfectly normal~
Chapter 292 – Minerva Squared! (Subscribe, please!)
"Sounds great."
Diana nodded happily, gazing at Eustass with a face full of bliss.
Over the years, the Mora Group had relied on Eustass's ruthless methods.
Coupled with the black-tech of the Mora Group in the Marvel Universe and the cutting-edge inventions of Vegapunk in the Pirate World,
the conglomerate's growth had been lightning-fast; in both high-tech and civilian sectors, more than forty percent of the World's famous companies were under Mora's control.
A true titan, in every sense.
Thus, Eustass and Diana had no fear that anyone would uncover the secret of their immortality.
The higher-ups couldn't touch them.
The masses knowing was meaningless.
So the couple never bothered with the movie cliché of constantly moving and swapping identities.
Someone would always cover their tracks.
Only after living in one spot for a decade or two and growing bored would they relocate.
Eustass took Diana out, started the car, and headed for the natural-history museum where she liked to while away her free time.
The day was bright, the breeze warm.
With the convertible top down, Eustass drove while he and Diana listened to music, cruising slowly along the road.
They arrived at the Mora Museum of Natural History.
It hadn't been called that before.
But on a previous visit Eustass had spotted an artifact from his homeland,
and, displeased, had proceeded to buy up every museum in Europe and the Americas, one by one.
Whoever tried to stop him met their maker.
"How about we head to the beach Villa in Los Angelestomorrow? Just the two of us for a change."
Diana looped her arm through his, tilting her head up at him with a smile.
"Sure, an occasional getaway sounds nice."
Eustass gave a slight nod.
He didn't usually stay long at the seaside Villa.
Beachfront, well—everyone knows what that means.
Perpetual dampness; really not ideal for living.
All that hype about ocean-view mansions? Pure marketing.
A year of that humidity and some people would be ready to bolt.
Still, an occasional stay with his wife had its own charm.
Just then,
from a corridor on the museum's other side,
Barbara Minerva appeared, pink blouse, pale-cyan skirt, blonde hair, magenta heels clicking.
Glasses perched on her nose, she looked a bit dowdy and completely unstylish.
She yawned; she'd been poring over data until midnight and still felt groggy.
A tote bag slung over her shoulder and a brown briefcase in hand brimmed with documents.
When she hurried to grab the briefcase, the latch—unfastened—gave way, scattering papers across the floor.
"Oh, dear heavens!"
Barbara crouched hastily to gather them up.
At that moment,
two staff members strolled by, Iced Americanos in hand, briefcases swinging, chatting about cars.
Barbara recognized the man—she'd seen him when she came for her interview.
"Hey, Jack—Jack, could you… give me a hand?"
She looked up pleadingly, still scrambling for the papers.
Jack glanced at her and walked off as if he hadn't heard.
Barbara's voice trailed to a murmur.
Ignored—yet again.
A pang of disappointment and dejection hit her.
Humans are social creatures; even the most reclusive need conversation now and then or loneliness becomes unbearable.
All the more so for Barbara, overlooked her entire life.
Frustrated, she noticed a researcher glance her way.
Trying to mask her hurt, Barbara managed a smile:
"Hi, I must've walked too far; my shoe buckle…"
The man walked off. Her smile froze; awkward silence. "Uh…"
He must have thought she wanted help and didn't want the bother.
A small favor would have cost nothing,
but the present Barbara didn't know how to dress—twenty-something years of plain-Jane habits.
Her hair messy, her clothes baggy, nothing to flatter her figure,
in this hectic workplace no one would waste time aiding an "ugly duckling."
Yet if she simply styled herself, slipped into something chic and alluring, colleagues would trip over themselves to help.
Barbara wasn't ugly—just unpolished.
Footsteps approached.
Two figures knelt before her—a man and a woman.
They helped collect the scattered papers.
"Good morning."
Eustass and Diana greeted with warm smiles.
As boss and boss's wife, lending a hand to an employee was only natural.
Of course, Barbara had no idea who they were.
Diana only wanted to study relics in peace and preferred anonymity.
So to the outside World, their identities remained unknown.
"Hi!"
Barbara greeted back, surprised by the handsome man beside Diana.
Tall, striking, and powerfully built,
the woman beside him gentle, beautiful, and radiating confidence.
"Diana Mora—cultural anthropology and archaeology."
Diana introduced herself with a smile and shook Barbara's hand.
When they married, knowing little of human customs, she'd heard Western wives take their husband's surname, so she adopted his.
Eustass hadn't minded either way and said nothing.
"Eustass Mora—her husband."
Eustass smiled and gave Barbara a brief handshake.
"Barbara Minerva—geology, gems, petrology, plus cave-dwelling zoology on the side."
Barbara hurriedly introduced herself, glancing at Eustasswith a twinge of disappointment.
Such a handsome, towering man…
Alas, already taken.
Eustass and Diana exchanged glances—impressive.
This woman was remarkably learned.
"Sorry, these heels are the culprit. How silly of me—scientists really shouldn't wear high heels."
Barbara stuffed the returned papers into her case with a self-mocking chuckle.
"An occasional pair never hurts."
Diana replied, glancing sideways at Eustass, her smile blissful.
After all, heels added allure.
A woman dresses for the one who appreciates her.
Eustass squeezed her hand and smiled back.
"We should get going. Have a wonderful day."
Diana said brightly.
"Will do."
Barbara nodded, then noticed Diana's Animal-Print Heels. "Wow, those shoes are amazing—animal print, meow!"
Diana laughed, thinking how talkative Barbara was; she almost felt bad leaving.
"How about lunch together? To thank you both for helping me."
Barbara offered with a smile.
At last she'd met people who were friendly instead of ignoring her.
And two at once,
which felt nothing short of miraculous.
Deprived of conversation, she was bursting to talk.
She rattled on, unable to stop.
Chapter 293 – 293. The Artifact Cracked! Steppenwolf: What the Heck Just Pricked Me? (Please Subscribe!)
"Oh, I'm a bit busy today—maybe tomorrow."
Diana said with a smile.
"Well, all right."
Barbara nodded happily; it felt good not to be ignored.
"Oh, who's Barbara Minerva?"
Just then a female supervisor walked over and asked hurriedly.
"I—I'm Barbara Minerva."
Barbara waved hastily, looking embarrassed. "You interviewed me; I started last week."
The supervisor looked equally awkward, replied a few words to ease the tension, then jumped straight into assigning work:
"Here's the thing: the Federal Bureau of Investigation will deliver some artifacts later this afternoon."
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation?"
Barbara asked quickly.
"Exactly."
The supervisor nodded impatiently.
Barbara beamed, pointing downward toward the museum, thinking it was so cool:
"They're coming here?"
The supervisor nodded:
"Yesterday's mall robbery—someone used a jewelry store as a front."
"A front for what?"
Diana asked curiously.
The supervisor answered promptly:
"Black-market sales of stolen jewels and art to private buyers. We'd like you, Barbara, to authenticate some items."
"Help the FBI? Of course—I'd love to."
Barbara said excitedly.
"No, you've got it wrong."
The supervisor waved her hand. "They're ours now; the corporation bought them."
"Still great—ha-ha—actually I quite…"
"You've agreed? Wonderful."
Barbara was mid-sentence when the supervisor waved and walked off.
Barbara gave a helpless shake of her head.
People ignoring her—business as usual.
Yet she couldn't figure out why it kept happening.
"Have a great day at the museum."
Eustass took Diana's hand, said goodbye to Barbara, and left.
Barbara cheerfully waved; at least she'd made friends—today had already delivered plenty of surprises.
She shrugged off everyone else's attitude and happily carried her briefcase off to work… Afternoon.
Eustass and Diana stepped out of the office, chatting as they strolled, debating where to dine that evening.
Passing the authentication area, Diana stared in surprise at artifacts laid on a nearby table.
There stood disheveled, blonde-and-cranky-looking Barbara, eyeing the relics in puzzlement.
After a whole day of identification her brain felt fried.
Even experts get headaches when faced with so many artifacts.
There's simply too much to learn.
"Wow, the Siamese Empress."
Diana walked over, studying the piece.
Eustass, the big boss, joined her, curious.
With Diana managing the museum, she knew every artifact inside out.
Eustass knew a fair bit too, though far less than Diana.
"It was first found in the wreck of the Atocha—sorry, I couldn't resist a closer look."
Diana waved, smiling.
"No problem."
Barbara opened a wooden box lined with straw, revealing an odd-shaped object inside.
"What's that?"
Diana eyed the item: a crystal-and-metal artifact.
A small yellow crystal formed the top of the long piece.
The lower metal section was gray and bulkier.
"Er, the technical term is painfully mundane."
Barbara shone a lamp on it and grinned. "It's a yellow crystal—classic fake gemstone throughout history. Worth maybe seventy-five bucks, tops."
Barbara rattled off a load of trivia.
Both Eustass and Diana recognized the yellow crystal, but Barbara had missed the metalwork beneath.
Latin text was etched on it.
"Hold this and make a wish, and one desire shall be granted?"
Eustass read aloud; over the years Diana had taught him plenty of languages.
Diana knew hundreds… "Wow, you read Latin?"
Barbara asked in surprise.
"My wife taught me—she speaks loads."
Eustass chuckled. Over a hundred—how did she manage? "Languages are my hobby."
Diana waved modestly.
"Or maybe it's just a good-luck charm."
Barbara laughed.
Right then,
a burly, bearded researcher walked up, took the yellow crystal object, and said, "I wish for a cup of coffee—ha-ha!"
With that he strolled off.
What a joker… "I bought coffee for Erica, but she's on sick leave—anyone want it?"
At that moment,
a staff member appeared holding two coffees. "Anyone?"
"Ha-ha!"
The bearded researcher laughed and took one. "Don't mind if I do."
Eustass, Barbara, and Diana stared—what a coincidence.
"Ooh—hot, hot…"
the man sipped and walked away.
Diana picked up the yellow crystal artifact, wondering: could it really grant a wish?
She sneaked a glance at Eustass; she knew exactly what to wish for.
She wanted a child—his and hers.
A breeze stirred her hair.
Eustass looked around—where had indoor wind come from?
Diana smiled wryly at the artifact; it seemed too fantastical.
How could anything be that magical?
Eustass took the yellow crystal piece from her hand.
Barbara and Diana watched him.
"What would you wish for?"
they asked, puzzled.
"Can't say."
Eustass teased. He didn't believe it, but as a joke… 'I wish Steppenwolf and Darkseid were dead.'
The next instant—
"crick-crack!"
A tiny fissure ran through the yellow crystal.
The wish failed; the artifact simply couldn't fathom such a demand.
The gods themselves had perished while Steppenwolflived… yet someone now wished a god-forged relic to kill him?
yellow crystal: "Nice try!"
Barbara and Diana stared; Eustass hadn't applied pressure—why had it cracked?
Understanding dawned; Eustass activated Observation Haki—sure enough, the crystal object exuded an unusual, dangerous aura.
In the next breath he felt an invisible force trying to siphon his Haki.
With a sharp inhale he drew his Haki back, flinging the unseen force away.
Incredible: the artifact had obeyed and targeted the two beings, but they were too powerful to kill.
Only the vast distance had kept the relic from shattering.
It then tried to extract payment from Eustass, yet couldn't—he was simply too strong; the divine tool couldn't collect its price… In this world every gain demands a price?
Then smash it to bits!
Chapter 294: Star Explosion—Emperor Maxwell Lord, Divine Artifact: Don't Come Any Closer! (Please Subscribe!)
This object is a divine artifact left behind by a certain god.
Multiple elements are gathered inside the yellow crystalcreation, and that god bestowed upon it a certain ability.
By touching it and making a wish, your desire will be granted.
However, the artifact will simultaneously take one random thing from the wisher.
Love, power, money, health—whether physical, emotional, or even conceptual—it can snatch them all.
It is capable of taking anything.
But sometimes, after a wish is fulfilled, it can be a bit of a trap.
Throughout history, it has repeatedly exploited human greed and brought about the downfall of civilizations several times.
In this World, it was responsible for the destruction of the Mayan civilization.
With a wish you can obtain many things; people always lose control in the midst of constant demands.
Of course, Eustass had no idea what the thing actually was; he only knew its general use—and its danger.
As for Diana, she hadn't yet seen the words inside the metal collar and hadn't recognized what it was.
Eustass looked at the yellow crystal, pondered for a moment, and thought to himself:
"Make the largest star in the Universe explode."
"Crack-crack!"
The yellow crystal cracked again.
Divine Artifact: You scoundrel!
The gods are only gods of Earth; an artifact created by such a god, and you want it to destroy the biggest star?
That's just making things difficult for Fat Tiger!
"Let the Emperor be great again!"
Eustass thought again in his mind.
He mused that if only there were an Emperor in this desperate multiverse he lived in… "Crack-crack!"
The yellow crystal cracked once more.
Barbara, Diana: "!!"
"Y-you're making wishes?"
Diana asked hurriedly.
"Nope."
Eustass flatly denied it; he was just teasing this odd thing.
But the artifact seemed to take things quite seriously.
No matter how outrageous his wish, it would do its utmost to carry it out.
Even though Eustass kept screwing it over, it would still foolishly follow his orders.
Then, per routine, it would try to collect its "price" from him—only to find it couldn't take anything… If the artifact could speak, it would surely curse him—and look at him like a wronged little wife: Just let me have the price; I've really tried my best, I'm about to cough up blood… "I want to become Ultraman."
Eustass held the yellow crystal and thought.
"Crack-crack!"
The yellow crystal cracked yet again.
Have some mercy!
This Concubine simply can't do it!
"Summon Number Ten to save this multiverse."
Eustass thought of the protagonist of Perfection.
"Crack-crack!"
The crystal cracked again.
"Maxwell Lord, please lend me your power!"
Eustass wished once more—on purpose… "Crack-crack!"
Diana looked at Eustass in bewilderment, then at the cracked yellow crystal; she felt something was off.
She quickly took the crystal from his hand, put it back, and pulled Eustass away.
Barbara stared down at the yellow crystal riddled with cracks, utterly shocked.
This thing's quality is absolute trash!
That's what she thought… "That thing—was it something special?"
Diana asked him urgently.
"Yeah, kind of special, but I'm not really sure."
Eustass shook his head. Tch, it wouldn't even let me become light—garbage!
He desperately needed power right now.
"What did you wish for?"
Diana asked, puzzled.
What kind of wish could make the thing crack like that?
"N-nothing much…"
Eustass turned his head away, embarrassed; he couldn't say it… it was a bit too chuuni… "'Nothing much'—what is it? Tell me."
Diana pressed, curious.
"World peace, universal peace."
Eustass casually made something up.
The artifact would probably explode at that.
Diana was speechless; even the gods might not manage that… In Wonder Woman 1984 the villain Maxwell Lord's wish was already outrageous enough.
In the original plot Maxwell Lord wished for the artifact to become him.
In other words, he turned himself into a walking wish-granting artifact.
The artifact turned to sand, Maxwell began his counterattack, corruption, and path to destroying the World; humanity nearly perished from its own runaway desires.
Yet Eustass's ideas were even more absurd.
He didn't pick targets stronger than the artifact—he picked targets from other Worlds.
Truly: This Concubine simply can't do it!
Many bug-level abilities still have the most basic limiting condition: the difference in power.
Eustass and Diana headed back. He had wanted to try a more restrained wish and freeload a bit… Diana quickly handed the yellow crystal to another staff member and told them to store it away.
She now somewhat believed the thing could grant wishes, and she didn't really want Eustass tormenting it any further.
If Eustass made another heaven-defying wish, the yellow crystal would probably explode right in front of them.
Her own wish for a child… at least let her have the child before the crystal blew up… Artifact: You two… are a pair of old sixes!
There are two ways to escape the price when wishing upon the yellow crystal artifact.
One: voluntarily give up the wish.
The other is a matter of power—destroy it, or possess strength greater than it, and no price need be paid.
The artifact still hasn't figured out one truth: these days, the one who owes money is the boss.
Evening.
Eustass, Diana, and the female employee Barbara had dinner together.
Only after the meal did the two learn how pitiful Barbarawas—people always ignored her when she spoke, sometimes even forgetting her name.
After dinner.
Eustass and Diana strolled by the lake and saw Barbaragiving aid to a homeless man.
"She's a nice person."
Diana remarked.
"Yeah, very kind—rare in a place like this."
Eustass praised.
He didn't know the character Cheetah; he'd barely watched any DC movies.
The old Batman series he'd seen only as a kid before crossing over, and even then not fully, and he'd mostly forgotten them.
He'd only watched a handful of the others.
Names like Superman, Batman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Steppenwolf still rang a bell.
But Barbara Minerva? No memory at all.
For now, though, Barbara Minerva seemed a genuinely good person.
Before long, she was being harassed.
"Hey, pretty lady, need some help?"
A drunk sat on a bench, bottle in hand, reeking of alcohol, speaking in a frivolous tone.
"No, I'm fine, thank you."
Barbara quickly employed the "ugly-refusal" triple combo.
She gripped her bag strap and simply walked past the drunk, ignoring him.
"Because, I see you're in heels—must be hard to walk, right?"
The drunk staggered over, trying to grab Barbara's arm.
"It's okay, I wear heels every day."
Barbara didn't want trouble; she swung her arm and tried to walk faster.
The man yanked her bag, refusing to let her go.
"Hey, I'm just being friendly! Ah! Come on, heh-heh-heh!"
The drunk made excuses while shouting at Barbara.
At that moment Barbara longed for great power—to swat this disgusting guy away!
Chapter 295 – Boss: This Isn't How the Script Goes! I Get Written Off Before I Even Appear? (Subscribe Please!)
"Heh-heh-heh! I just wanted to help you!"
The drunk roared, grabbing Barbara.
Eustass and Diana saw it; the two sprinted over, Dianakicking the drunk.
But Eustass was stronger—if he slipped even a bit, he'd send the guy straight to God.
The drunk flew out and toppled a trash can.
He stared at Diana in horror, clambered up in pain, instantly sober.
He limped away.
Barbara, startled, slowly opened her eyes and saw Dianaholding her.
"My husband's a great fighter."
Afraid of scaring Barbara, Diana claimed Eustass had delivered the kick.
After all, Barbara had kept her eyes shut in fear.
They could tell her anything.
"How did he do that?"
Barbara asked eagerly—sending someone flying several meters sounded exaggerated.
In real life you'd just knock them down; only a few could actually launch a person.
"Simple technique, nothing special."
Eustass said with studied nonchalance.
"Is it kung fu?"
Barbara pressed.
"If you say so."
Eustass smiled.
Diana comforted Barbara for a while, then left with Eustass.
Not long after.
Barbara returned to the institute and found the stored yellow crystal.
Right then she longed for power like Eustass's.
She wanted to kick that harasser flying herself.
In short—bullied and furious about it!
She looked around, pulled the yellow crystal from a drawer, took a deep breath.
"I know what to wish for."
She gazed at the crystal, half her face in shadow.
Thinking of the drunk, rage flared.
Barbara tilted her head toward the ceiling, pondered, then calmly whispered:
"Like Eustass—strong, tall, cool… unique.
As powerful as him!"
The moment she finished, a crack-rattle sounded.
Her face froze; she stiffly looked down—the crystal had split.
Barbara: "???"
She was baffled—this thing was junk!
It couldn't even manage that?
In a huff Barbara tossed it back. No wonder security was lax—the boss thought it worthless.
Artifact: *&%#~ (Have some mercy!)!
As soon as she threw it, several guards walked in, took the crystal away and locked it up.
To Eustass, the item sat in an awkward spot.
Powerful? Not compared to him.
No wish had ever come true, yet it couldn't exact a price from him either.
A total waste.
So Eustass didn't pay it much mind.
Researchers with clearance cards could still swipe doors and easily reach it.
Still dangerous—desire could make ordinary people lose themselves and spiral out of control.
So Eustass told staff to keep it locked.
Barbara should've wished for something a tad smaller; alas… missed.
At Eustass's home.
Diana lay in his arms.
"What did you wish for?"
Eustass asked curiously.
"Not telling~"
Diana laughed.
"You never told me yours either~"
Diana smiled at him.
"Didn't I already tell you?"
Eustass chuckled.
"Decades of marriage—think you can fool me?"
Diana smiled. She wasn't the naïve girl who'd just left Themyscira anymore.
Whatever Eustass claimed, it wouldn't be that.
World peace—too fake.
Clearly not what he wanted to say.
With villains, superheroes and Eustass have two approaches.
Superheroes: beat them, lock them up.
Eustass: kick them dead.
"All right, rest first; you'll find out later."
Diana smiled. Eustass nodded; she pecked him and they closed their eyes.
Eustass sighed inwardly—since defeating Ares he'd rarely faced any villains.
Truth be told, Ares, aside from Diana, was Earth's last god.
Beating Ares had granted 3 Demon Slayer World charge points.
[Demon Slayer World Charge Points: 5/30!]
Eustass mused—if only a few more suckers would show up for him to fleece.
Sadly, Batman, Superman and the rest were still years away.
Next morning.
Maxwell Lord learned through contacts that a museum had bought the yellow crystal; a friend sent only an address.
With his connections Maxwell couldn't uncover the backer's info.
Assuming it an ordinary museum, he went to invest—presenting himself as boss of the Black Gold Cooperative.
He hoped money would buy "friendship," granting access to steal the crystal.
Maxwell had researched—desperate for cash, he'd combed archives and traced an artifact of a certain god.
Most people wouldn't believe it.
But Maxwell wasn't most people; money-mad, he'd become obsessed.
Partners could be conned—and so could he himself!
So he trusted the artifact's power.
Result… "Sorry, we don't accept investments. Thank you. If that's all, feel free to look around the exhibit area."
The female supervisor beckoned someone to show Maxwell around—Barbara something-or-other.
She couldn't recall.
Barbara: "My name is Barbara Minerva!"
"Sorry, memory's poor this early."
"…"
Maxwell watched the supervisor ignore him.
Anxious—without access to upper management he couldn't steal.
He still wanted to make a wish!
He wanted money, wanted his son to have the best!
But they treated him like air.
Recalling his TV persona and lines, he rattled them off, hoping recognition would earn respect.
"Life is wonderful—but it could be even better!"
Maxwell beamed at the supervisor, then gave a flirtatious wink.
"Oh, that clown."
The supervisor smiled and walked off.
A TV huckster fooling rubes—sounded like a Ponzi scheme.
She had no interest in chatting.
Maxwell: "???"
Barbara Minerva had recognized the famous TV face and felt a flicker of excitement.
But hearing he was a fraud, she scoffed and walked away.
Maxwell:???
He was supposed to be the mastermind who fooled everyone in the movie—this wasn't the script!
Chapter 296: The wishing stone Walking Among Mortals!
Two days later, Eustass brought Diana to the museum.
They saw a handsome, silver-haired older man chatting and laughing with Barbara.
Diana and Eustass exchanged a glance, then simply walked over without interfering.
Barbara had actually made a friend—nice… What they didn't know was that Barbara had originally been unimpressed by this man named Maxwell.
But Maxwell gave her lots of handbags and designer clothes.
After a few meals out, Barbara changed her mind and readily agreed to become Maxwell's girlfriend.
Used to being ignored, Barbara suddenly felt cherished; it was the happiest moment of her life.
When pressure becomes unbearable, people snap.
Barbara was no exception—one reason her personality later flipped.
Several days later.
Inside the museum.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Barbara. Only by obtaining that gem can I succeed, and only then can I give you a perfect wedding and family, right?"
Inside Barbara's office.
Maxwell sat beside her, persuading her nonstop.
After a moment's hesitation, Barbara nodded eagerly.
She could see Maxwell was using her.
But she couldn't bear returning to the days of being invisible.
Maxwell wanted the yellow crystal artifact to wish for vast riches.
She wanted it to wish herself sexy, beautiful, and powerful.
"Alright!"
That night.
Two Gunshots shattered the stillness.
Bang! Bang!
A man and a woman were flung aside.
Maxwell and Barbara stared in shock at the encircling Guards.
Barbara had seduced a Guard, stolen his Keys, and seized the yellow crystal.
Just as they tried to leave, a squad of Guards blocked them.
A heist without a plan is almost bound to fail.
But desire had eclipsed their reason.
Maxwell wanted everything.
Barbara wanted to be sexy, beautiful, and strong.
Both were already obsessed.
"Don't move or we fire!"
A Guard leveled his gun at Maxwell. "Return the item!"
Maxwell and Barbara looked at each other.
And smiled.
"My wish is to become you, the wishing stone that grants desires."
Clutching the yellow crystal relic, Maxwell blurted out.
In the next instant,
the relic turned to sand, grains of yellow crystal slipping through his fingers.
When the last grains scattered in the wind, the Metal Collar clanged to the floor.
Guards gaped in bewilderment, then stared at Maxwell in terror.
Maxwell's face contorted; eyes shut, he howled in agony and burst into manic laughter.
He felt it—he had become the yellow crystal, a living wishing stone walking the earth.
"Ah-hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
"Pfft!"
Maxwell suddenly coughed up blood.
He looked down in pain—several gashes oozed crimson.
"???"
Maxwell was dumbstruck.
The crystal's Cracks transferred to him?
Damn!
That's insane!
"Quick—tell me what you want!"
Seizing Barbara's hand, Maxwell rasped, hair hanging over one cheek, eyes bloodshot.
"I—I want to be sexy, beautiful, and powerful!"
Barbara blurted, thankful she hadn't wished to be like Eustass or the newly formed human wishing stonemight've spewed more blood.
"Granted—you're granted!"
Maxwell shouted, nodding frantically.
He rose, smiled at the Guards, then turned to Barbara. "I'll take your kindness, leaving you forever loyal to me!"
Now a walking wishing stone, Maxwell could fulfill wishes while claiming something precious in return.
"Yes!"
Barbara felt unconditional loyalty to Maxwell flood her heart.
"Knock them down!"
At his word, Barbara sprang forward, moving like a shadow, weaving through the Guards and felling them with bestial strength.
Barbara now possessed the savage power of a Beast.
And her heart burned with fury.
"What do you wish for?"
Maxwell asked a fallen Guard, foot on the man's chest, grinning.
"I—I want…"
…Eustass sat by the Floor-to-Ceiling Window; he already knew what Maxwell and Barbara had done.
Yet he had no intention of stopping Maxwell.
Eustass wanted to watch him grow stronger, then crush him.
A boss delivered to your door—why waste it?
Let him gloat, let him rage, then strike him down at his peak… Early next morning.
Eustass woke groggily to find Diana dozing on his shoulder.
"Daddy, Mommy!"
Just then,
a clear, childish call rang outside.
Pitter-patter—a little black-haired girl raced down the corridor, shoved the door open, and grinned at them.
Her looks bore more than a hint of Eustass.
Eustass shot Diana a stunned look; Diana stared back, equally baffled.
Where did she come from?
Both wondered.
Diana had never been pregnant—so where had this kid popped up?
Molded from clay, perhaps?
"Could it be…"
Diana recalled her own wish.
"Don't get weird—I didn't cheat."
Eustass waved hastily.
Diana rolled her eyes; she hadn't asked… "Then why so guilty?"
she teased.
"Where did she come from?"
Eustass quickly changed the subject.
"Could it be that yellow crystal wishing stone?"
Diana said. "I wished for a child with you."
Eustace stared in shock at the Little Girl tilting her head at them from the bedside.
Seriously—the wishing stone is nuts.
Conjuring a living person out of thin air?
Eustass was stunned!
Chapter 297: Wonder Woman Loses Her Powers! (Subscribe! Monthly votes! Tips!)
Early in the morning Eustass and Diana were already busy.
After coaxing their heaven-sent Daughter they bundled her into the car and drove to their private hospital for a check-up.
The results stunned them.
The girl named Gado Mora carried the genetic material of both Eustass and Diana.
She was their child.
The wishing stone was outrageous.
A tactful question revealed the girl's name had, in a roundabout way, been chosen by Eustass.
Eustass: Since when did I do that!?
Still, once they were sure everything was fine they decided to take the child home.
Diana dropped everything, spending her days at home cuddling and playing with the baby, happier than ever.
It was obvious she truly loved children.
"By the way, if that wishing stone really works we must treat it seriously."
Diana said hurriedly.
"Got it, got it."
Eustass nodded.
The wishing stone had already run off—literally run off—but Eustass didn't care; the lousy thing was useless anyway.
"Mama, play with me~!"
Gado ran over and hugged Diana's leg.
"Coming, coming—what do you want to play~?"
Diana melted, scooped the girl up and carried her outside.
Eustass chuckled; life was good.
If only the disasters that followed could be avoided.
Meanwhile.
Maxwell and Barbara were still on the run.
They scurried from place to place, coaxing people to make wishes while they fled.
Some got money, some a Ferrari, some a house, some a chance to take revenge on their enemies.
Maxwell gained more and more health, keeping him from being wheeled straight to the Morgue the moment he became a walking wishing stone.
The cracks that had riddled the yellow crystal wishing stone migrated onto him.
They nearly killed him that day.
Barbara, meanwhile, amassed more and more strength.
The pair kept running—and kept growing stronger.
But the Mora Group's pursuit squads were so absurd the fugitives wondered if comic-book robots had come to life.
Even when Maxwell grabbed them and tried to tempt them into making a wish they wouldn't respond.
Because Maxwell and Barbara were wanted and Maxwell's Black Gold Cooperative had been sealed,
Maxwell could no longer live in the open. He dragged Barbara from hide-out to hide-out, unable to expand his business through wishes as in the original plot, unable to keep growing richer and more powerful.
Human greed knows no bounds.
Not in money, not in power, not in territory.
When free pie falls from the sky with barely any side-effects,
most people simply won't give it up.
What was once unattainable and longed for is now within arm's reach.
No one can resist that temptation.
Maxwell wouldn't give it up; Barbara wouldn't give it up; Diana wouldn't either… Diana stepped outside, saw a little girl about to be hit by a car, and instinctively kicked the vehicle aside.
The car swerved and missed the child.
Diana fell, clutching her heel in pain.
"What… is going on?"
She stared at her foot in bewilderment; she had never been this fragile. Kicking a car aside used to be effortless.
Why was she hurt today? She couldn't understand.
"Mama!"
Gado ran out, saw her mother on the ground and rushed over, glaring angrily at the driver.
"I—I'm fine…"
Diana gently stroked her Daughter's hair.
Even though this child had been wished into existence rather than born in the usual way,
these days Diana had embraced Gado as her and Eustass's own and loved her wholeheartedly.
"My powers are gone…"
As Eustass lifted her in his arms Diana told him urgently.
"I know."
Eustass nodded.
He didn't need to ask "power or Daughter—choose one"; Diana would pick her Daughter every time.
Sometimes giving up a dream you've already grasped is painfully hard.
Such choices torment the soul.
Eustass would never force her.
Not long after.
A nanny looked after Gado.
Eustass had the Group deliver a metal collar.
"Take a look at this."
He handed the collar to Diana.
Diana, seated opposite, accepted it; runes ringed the inner surface.
She recoiled as if she'd seen a ghost and flung it onto the table.
It's divine script, but I don't know which God."
Diana said gravely,
breathing fast, clearly frightened.
"Once many Gods, by chance, did many things; one of them forged such artefacts. Ordinary elements, when infused into an object, can become overwhelmingly powerful."
Diana stared at the collar and continued,
"Like your lasso of truth: the power isn't yours, it's the lasso, it's the truth."
Eustass said, and Diana nodded eagerly.
"Now I understand!"
Diana finally grasped what had happened that day.
"No wonder the yellow crystal kept cracking; your wish must have exceeded its limit, and you're stronger than it.
The wish couldn't be fulfilled and it couldn't collect a price…"
Diana looked at Eustass.
"It may be nothing to you, but what about to ordinary humans?"
"Who stole it?"
"Maxwell wished and became it."
Eustass replied.
Diana stared at him in shock—Maxwell was insane.
"And your new friend Barbara Minerva has got her wish: she's now sexy, beautiful, powerful, and teamed up with Maxwell."
Eustass added,
showing her surveillance photos of the pair in Cairo.
Honestly, Eustass didn't see much change in Barbara: ugly dress swapped for slim-fit pants, new hair, a beauty filter—any woman who isn't hideous can look great with make-up and decent clothes.
"We have to stop them before they make bigger mistakes."
Diana said urgently.
Chapter 298 – 298. God of Lies! Maxwell's Brainstorm! (Subscribe Please!)
"Before you tell someone else to give up, have you ever thought about what you yourself once gave up?"
Eustass looked at Diana and spoke.
Diana fell silent.
She glanced toward a certain room.
To be honest, Eustass could barely accept a daughter born from a wish, yet he still felt a knot in his heart.
Listening to Eustass, Diana remained silent.
She, too, had made a wish.
And so her power was taken.
Starting today, her strength would be stripped away bit by bit.
For now the change wasn't too obvious.
She merely felt a little weak; her foot hurt after kicking a car. The drain was gradual—no broken bones yet.
But given time, every ounce of her power would be removed, leaving her an ordinary person.
"I can't bear to lose it either…"
Diana thought, her face twisted with pain.
If she couldn't let go of the gift she'd received, how could she find the courage to urge another to abandon theirs?
"Let's stay together… a little longer."
Diana finally said.
Eustass nodded.
That night.
A news report aired on television.
The footage showed a helicopter's view of a towering wall.
"This bizarre phenomenon is being called the Wall of God!"
"The entire incident is baffling, and it has cut off the only fresh-water supply to Egypt's poorest district."
"Making matters worse, the Soviet Union… is set to recognize the Emir's claim to the land…"
"Back home, panic spreads after shocking news: America's former Maxwell Lord has somehow seized control of more than half the World's oil fields."
"The resulting instability has sent countless citizens scrambling to stockpile gasoline, while experts debate…"
Diana and Eustass watched the screen; Maxwell had begun making his move.
Diana stared nervously at the broadcast, knowing this was only the beginning.
She had uncovered some information about the yellow crystal.
Roughly four thousand years ago, the gem first appeared in the Indus Valley.
In 146 BCE it surfaced in Carthage.
In 4 CE it was seen in Kush.
Romulus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, wore it when assassinated in 476 CE.
Its final sighting was near Dzibilchaltún, among the Maya.
Every one of those civilizations vanished.
Meanwhile, the Group located a man claiming to be a Maya shaman—a… Mo??
Forget it, not important.
He called himself a reincarnation.
An ancestral book in his possession revealed the name of the yellow crystal's creator.
Dechalafrea Ero.
A vicious god.
God of Lies, Dolos Mendax, Duke of Deceit.
"He infused the gem with power—there has to be a trap. Deceitful wishes, toying with hearts, snatching what people treasure most, yet desire makes them unable to let the wish go."
The more Diana thought, the more frightened she became.
Where had that child really come from? The thought terrified her.
The genes might be hers and Eustass's, but what about the soul?
Diana gained a child but lost her strength; Barbara gained strength instead. The implications were chilling—the yellow wishing stone's trick mirrored Maxwell's own methods.
Delve deeper and the fairy tale abruptly turns into a dark fable.
"Let's go—stop them."
Diana said hurriedly.
"You're ready?"
Eustass studied her.
"I'm ready—just… just a little more time with her."
With that, Diana lifted Gado as she walked out of the bedroom.
She hugged her tight.
Taking a deep breath, Diana whispered countless secrets into Gado's ear.
Not long after.
Eustass, Diana, and Gado arrived together at a private airfield.
Boarding the plane, Eustass settled into the cockpit.
Diana and Gado buckled up in seats nearby.
With little else to occupy him, Eustass had picked up plenty of skills over the years: languages from Diana, and flight practice at this private strip.
He ran through the startup sequence; the aircraft taxied onto the runway, accelerated, and soared skyward.
The plane shot into the night, racing above the city as fireworks bloomed and burst around them.
Eustass coated the fuselage with Armament Haki; even direct firework hits couldn't harm it.
Diana ruffled Gado's hair while the aircraft weaved through brilliant pyrotechnics, its passage punching airplane-shaped gaps in the displays.
Diana rubbed her hands, enveloping the plane with her divine power; in an instant the aircraft turned invisible.
"An invisible plane—fun, right?"
Diana grinned at Gado.
Gado nodded vigorously, beaming, and threw her arms around Diana.
Eustass pulled back on the yoke; the plane climbed through the clouds, pierced the sea of white, and emerged above it.
Beneath them the cloud layer now looked like a multicolored ocean, fireworks flashing beneath its veil, hazy and breathtaking.
"Mama, Papa, I'm so lucky to have you…"
Gado said happily.
Diana and Eustass's hearts skipped.
They stared in surprise.
She knew?
"I don't know why I can't remember anything before, but, Mama, Papa, I'm just… so, so happy…"
Gado smiled up at them.
Diana lost all composure and hugged her tight.
'I renounce my wish.'
Diana sorrowfully resolved.
The next instant her arms were empty—and her power began flowing back into her body.
Eustass patted her shoulder and sighed; what's fake is fake. Sooner or later the loss must be faced.
Maxwell had gained vast wealth; next he would crave something greater.
Overseas he met the American President, visiting allied nations.
Because Maxwell now owned half the planet's oil, he earned an audience.
He offered the President a wish; the man asked for mountains of weapons, and Maxwell received lofty status in return.
He also learned that America possessed global-coverage satellites capable of particle-based worldwide broadcasting.
"Particles… particles are contact too!"
Maxwell's mind exploded with inspiration; he instantly knew his next step.
Via global-broadcast bases, satellites would blanket the World in particles—so all humanity could wish to him!
He need only harvest their price—keep granting wishes, keep agreeing!
The President ordered an escort to fly Maxwell to the satellite-broadcast Base.
A suited man watched Maxwell board, waved, and ordered an aide to contact the Boss.
For a behemoth like the Mora Group, having undercover assets in America was only natural.
Soon Eustass received intelligence on Maxwell and Barbara's next moves.
Chapter 299 – Wish Crisis! (Subscribe Please!)
Global Satellite Broadcast Base.
Maxwell led Barbara inside excitedly; a soldier escorted them in.
"How many broadcast signals can we control?"
Maxwell asked urgently.
"As many as you want."
the soldier replied quickly.
"I want ALL of them!"
Maxwell shouted excitedly.
"All of them?"
the soldier looked at Maxwell, puzzled.
"I think this'll work for me—don't you?"
He pressed a hand on the soldier's shoulder.
"I think so too."
the soldier answered.
The next instant, the lights blazed on.
Maxwell felt the man's wish come true; thrilled, he turned toward the camera.
"Lights, camera—places!"
Maxwell was over the moon: using other people's wishes to achieve his goal—what a genius.
The soldier hurried out and barked orders:
"All right, Base—channels twelve, nine, sixteen—start transmission! Execute now!"
"Copy, maximum power!"
"Stand by—global broadcast in five, four, three, two, one!"
The next instant—
all across the World—
every television screen and every advertising display showed Maxwell's image.
Even the clunky office monitors of company employees flashed his face.
"Citizens of the World, allow me to introduce myself: I am Maxwell Lord, and I'm here to change your lives!"
"All you have to do is make a wish!"
"Anything at all—whatever you've dreamed of can come true; just wish it and it's yours!"
Facing the entire planet, Maxwell delivered his speech with abandon.
He didn't expect anyone to believe him—at first, he just needed to keep talking.
Sooner or later someone would idly think of something they wanted; they weren't seriously wishing, merely letting his words stir the idea.
But the wishing stone didn't care about intent.
It was bluntly honest.
Whatever wish crossed someone's mind, it would grant.
Even if the person was joking or brushing it off, the stone took it seriously, rushed to fulfill it, then eagerly snatched away whatever the person treasured most.
A trickster wish doesn't care whether you truly want something.
It simply wants to grant the wish fast and immediately claim your dearest possession in return.
"Now look into my eyes—anything goes!"
In the plaza—
beneath the giant screen—
countless passers-by craned their necks at Maxwell's image; his voice turned darker, heavier.
Inside a Chinese restaurant—
"I wanna be famous—ha!"
A waitress, not taking it seriously, cracked a joke while watching Maxwell on TV.
Right then—
outside the restaurant—
hands slapped frantically at the windows.
Neighbors shouted toward her; reporters sprinted over.
The waitress was dumbstruck.
She was just an ordinary server—an everyday middle-aged woman.
How could she possibly become famous?
"Auntie Lin! Auntie Lin! Your son's gone viral!"
someone yelled.
"Dumped by a celeb!"
The waitress, still holding plates, let them crash to the floor.
This kind of fame? No thanks—she fled in tears.
Inside a Western restaurant—
a plump auntie and an Irishman were quarreling nonstop.
Glancing at the TV, she yelled in anger:
"I wish you jerks would all go back where you came from!"
"Fine—and I wish you were dead!"
the Irishman roared back, pointing at her.
Clutching her chest, the woman collapsed in agony—her heart attack beginning.
As the man turned to leave, soldiers stormed in and dragged off several of his countrymen.
"I want a million bucks!"
A salary-woman at the doorway declared.
The next instant her phone rang; she answered:
"Ma'am, your husband, son, and father were hit by a car. You're awarded one million dollars in compensation."
"???"
On an island—
"We wish for more land!"
An elderly man kneeling before the TV shouted excitedly.
Above, a shadow broke through the clouds, blotting out the sky.
The old man rushed into the courtyard as cherry blossoms drifted down.
A colossal meteor plunged faster and faster.
"!!!"
Europe.
"I want to be king!"
A bankrupt company owner cried out in excitement.
Instantly a car sped up; a pistol emerged, a bullet flew, and pierced him.
"Target down—enemy king eliminated."
The assassin sped away.
Listening to Maxwell on the radio, he sneered, "If this is real, then I want a powerful weapon."
The next instant—
a missile materialized in the road ahead.
The killer's eyes widened—boom—he crashed into it, flames erupting.
Trickster wishes are that absurd, that unreliable.
Of course, some people got their wish and paid a smaller price.
America.
On the lawn outside an office building—
An old man stared dumbfounded at cows grazing on the grass.
He'd wanted a ranch—but not here!
Outside, chaos reigned; people realized wishes really worked—money, power, weapons, even revenge, anything!
The World descended into mayhem.
Everyone abandoned their posts to wish for effortless dreams.
Traffic collapsed; cars collided; cursing drivers wished each other dead.
The next instant, they clutched their chests—heart attacks—no meds—left to die on the asphalt.
Those who wished for guns ran wild through the streets seeking revenge.
Cities filled with gunfire and smoke.
Ancient civilizations took months for the wishing stone to destroy.
With modern communications, it took barely ten-plus hours.
Greed snowballed until it crushed itself.
Maxwell's life-force swelled, his power surged, siphoning humanity's strength.
His voice grew deeper, devilish, echoing across the globe.
"Ahahaha, I hear them, I hear them—no matter how many wishes, I'll grant them all!"
"Keep wishing—whatever you desire, it's yours!"
"Take it, take it all—your wishes—I allow them!"
"But…"
Global Satellite Broadcast Base, interior.
Wind howled; soldiers and staff stared in terror, fleeing in panic.
Maxwell strode toward the camera; gales toppled lights—shadows danced. Passing the lens, he stepped into a corner and whispered coldly:
"I will seize your health, your strength—your rage, your courage—all for her!"
"I'll drain your energy, your very life-force!"
Maxwell's cheeks twitched as he returned to the screen, exhilarated, ecstatic, evil.
Facing the World, Maxwell laughed with savage triumph.
Chapter 300 – Wonder Woman Masters Rokushiki! (Subscribe, please!)
Inside the Black Gold Cooperative.
A black-haired little boy sneaks in and stares at his father on the TV.
His father is making a wish for the people of the World.
He glances toward the street again.
Downstairs, in the street.
Crowds of rioting people wildly chant Maxwell's name—some roaring for Maxwell to get out here.
The fanatics want to wish again, to get more.
The enraged have lost the people or things dearest to them because of their wishes.
Yet no one is willing to give up the wish they made.
The fanatics crave more and more; desire knows no end.
The angry ones want more as well—plus to kill Maxwell, to vent their rage.
The World is in utter chaos.
"Daddy, I wish you were here! Daddy, I don't want anything—I just want you with me!"
The child shouts hastily.
As Maxwell drains people's life-force, strength, and spirit, he grows ever stronger; hearing the boy's voice, he simply ignores it.
Right then.
The global satellite-broadcast Base.
Automated defense machine-guns suddenly swing skyward, firing bullets that shatter the night's silence.
Gunfire tears through the darkness, streaking skyward.
Soldiers outside hurriedly look up.
Until every last round in the auto-guns is spent.
Within the dark clouds.
An aircraft speeds forward.
Diana steps into the cabin, glancing at the gold armor of the Amazon's mightiest warrior—the Golden Warrior's golden armor.
She dons the gold armor, opens the hatch, and leaps out.
Golden wings beat, carrying her toward the Base at high speed, slicing through the clouds.
On the Base's shore.
Soldiers raise rifles, ready to defend.
Seeing a winged golden-armored figure hovering in mid-air, they're all dumbstruck.
"Open fire!"
the Officer shouts.
The next instant.
A fighter jet bursts from the clouds, its cannons and missiles locking onto the ground.
Soldiers hurriedly throw up their hands; rifles clatter to the ground.
With no defenses left, do they fight a fighter jet with their heads?
"Leave. Now. Immediately."
A voice booms from the fighter jet.
Soldiers scramble to flee.
While retreating, the Officer covertly waves to hidden soldiers, signaling them to destroy the fighter jet.
One soldier mans a machine-gun; others shoulder Rocket-launchers, preparing to bring down the fighter jet.
The next instant.
Inside the fighter jet.
Eustass sweeps his hand; red dots on the screen instantly lock onto every soldier.
"Dakka-dakka-dakka!"
Cannons track every foe; bullets rain down, buildings crumble, soldiers drop before they can react.
On the rooftop.
A woman covered in ash-grey fur stands like a human-leopard huntress.
Boundless fury burns in her eyes.
The next instant.
Cheetah Barbara springs, pouncing at the descending Diana.
Cheetah claws at the gold armor, trying to strike Diana.
Fur-clad Barbara and wing-armored Diana whirl and clash mid-air.
Eustass programs the fighter jet to hover.
He jumps from the hatch, lands, and glances back at Diana nearby.
"Stop him!"
Diana shouts.
Eustass nods at Cheetah Barbara.
Just Cheetah—he trusts Diana to beat her.
Over the years living with Eustass, Diana didn't just roam; he taught her how to fight.
Under his tutelage Diana's combat skill now outclasses Cheetah's.
Even with her physique, Diana has learned Rokushiki and its extended techniques from Eustass.
Rokushiki alone lets her trounce many super-villains.
As Eustass enters the broadcast room.
Barbara is kicked flying, smashing into a concrete wall.
Before she can counter, Diana hovers and snaps several Rankyaku kicks, sending vacuum blades slashing toward Barbara.
Cheetah: "???"
Cheetah leaps onto antennas, zig-zags above, then drops, darting left and right, using speed to outmaneuver.
Whoosh!
Diana lands, turning to track Cheetah until impatience strikes.
Dust swirls at her feet—and Diana vanishes.
Cheetah pounces where Diana stood, looking around in bewilderment.
Diana appears above; clouds part, moonlight spills, Cheetah sees the shadow and pales.
She spins—too late.
"Iron Body: Steel – Eagle Strike!"
Diana unleashes an extended Rokushiki move Eustassdevised: arms spread like an eagle, golden wings smashing down onto Cheetah.
Thud!
Barbara coughs blood, hurled away.
A fist-print marks her back; a long gash is carved by the golden wing.
She rolls on landing, springs, grabs distant rebar, swings, and Rockets behind Diana for a sneak attack.
Diana plants her wings, kicks skyward, executing Rankyaku: Chaos.
Countless vacuum blades spray upward like machine-gun fire.
Signal towers and cables snap.
Cheetah grabs a building and swings away, horrified at the blades chasing her.
Damn—Diana's feet kick out sword-like slashes?
A tower's rebars are severed, sections toppling down.
Cheetah races and leaps, dodging the relentless blades.
She flips backward, clutching severed rebars to hurl like javelins.
Taking cover,
Barbara hurls the rebars whistling through the air.
Clang-clang-clang—!
Diana keeps kicking vacuum blades, shattering the rebars.
Blades slice past, shearing a corner off the concrete building.
Barbara dodges in terror—Diana's too strong!
She wished herself this powerful, but the enemy leveled up?
Did she waste her wish!?