Chapter 003: Dakka!
"Look at this here."
Taking his smartphone, he showed the video of the first time Scott appeared to the group.
Then, he showed the video from last week.
"You improved in the use of your powers, but that's it. Your powers didn't become stronger, they didn't become more efficient, you didn't become more competent, you didn't learn more martial arts styles, you didn't try to get physically stronger, I can even see that your physique deteriorated because of age!"
"The area of improvement is only 30%. Considering it's been years since you first appeared, that's ridiculous! It's very inefficient! Chase women less and take better care of yourself!" He pointed at Scott in frustration. "Live by the grind! Die by the grind! Women are just a side effect, my friend!"
Then, as if nothing had happened, he picked up the coffee again and drank it with a relaxed expression.
Far from being offended, Scott just remained silent. He looked at the "rival group." Coincidentally, the rival group also exchanged glances among themselves, and finally something clicked between them.
They were dealing with a weirdo! A weirdo who values efficiency above all else!
'Now I understand where that strange feeling came from... Talking to him is like I'm talking to a machine. He acts human, thinks human, but he isn't human. That feeling of discomfort.' As a shapeshifter, Raven was very sensitive to behavior, and everything about that man screamed something strange.
It wasn't precisely his behavior, it was his mentality. She finally understood her feeling. 'It's like talking to Reed Richards... An even more unbalanced Reed Richards.'
When that thought solidified in her mind, she finally understood what his Omega-level power was. 'His ocular powers aren't Omega-level, it's his mind!'
"Ugh." Jean placed her hand on her head in pain.
"Jean!? Are you okay!? What did you do!?"
"I suggest you don't read my mind, Mrs. telepath." Adrian ignored Scott while looking at Jean. "My thoughts are too fast for a primitive red monkey to understand."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
"Scott, calm down."
'I see, he only loses his temper when it involves Jean, huh. At least that remains.' Adrian said while going back to drinking another cup of coffee. He wasn't intimidated by the other side; after all, he knew exactly how this would end.
Jean looked at Adrian with visible discomfort. "Your thoughts are too fast, I can't grasp anything. When I tried to go deeper, it was like I was hearing the thoughts of billions of people at the same time."
'Umu, as expected. Probably the only one who can read my thoughts is the manifestation of the Phoenix itself. After all, no matter how strong Jean is, she can't use the full power of the multiversal bird.' Adrian thought.
"As expected of the well-intentioned, you tried to read my mind and didn't even apologize." Adrian shook his head in disappointment.
"... I apologize. I was just trying to understand you."
"Conversation, that's how you learn about another person. After all, I never lie. It's inefficient." Adrian spoke with disdain.
"I accept your apology and I apologize for my previous insult... I admit I got a little irritated. I don't like strangers invading the sanctity of my mind."
The atmosphere that had been heavy now became strange.
They didn't quite know how to deal with that strangely honest man.
... It was comforting?
Adrian looked at Scott. "And you should calm down more, Buddy. How can you be a leader if you lose control every time the little bird gets into trouble?"
'Though I doubt that will change. Even in the comics, any matter involving Jean made him go crazy like a rabid dog.' He thought amused.
Scott didn't say anything; he just stared at him with a complex and irritated look. "He's like Logan. A more irritating Logan." He muttered.
Ororo nodded unconsciously. Logan was also brutally honest, although that honesty usually came with a growl.
"Very well, now that we're all friends, let's talk about investments."
"Personally, I don't care about your inefficient ideologies, but you are the rich group. Therefore, I can offer my services to whoever pays me more!"
Adrian took out two notebooks and gave one to Raven and another to Jean. On the cover of the notebook was written: Adrian Walker's services, everything for a good price!
"My services include high-level espionage, confidential information. Want to know the color of Ororo's panties? Want to know where the villains are? All your requests are before you!"
While listing the services he could provide, even Scott was tempted when he heard about the service called: 101 ways to make your girlfriend happy in bed.
He even forgot his previous irritation about Adrian dismissing their ideology.
The hot-headed man swallowed dryly for a few seconds. He glanced furtively at Ororo, then looked at Adrian with clear desire in his eyes, but he wasn't stupid enough to say it out loud. But clearly, he was tempted!
"... These are all my services. Each one costs money, but as my first clients, I offer some discounts."
With his current intelligence, having money wasn't a problem. If he had time to program, no bank would be secure enough from him. The problem was... influence!
He had no influence at the highest levels of society, and he also didn't want to enter the Hellfire Club, even if it was a position he would like to have. And that was because of that old succubus, the Black Queen! Getting on that old lady's radar was the same as asking to be drained dry.
'Though I don't mind working with Emma... I need opportunities to get her genes! My future Artoria must be the strongest telepath! I also need to get Ororo's genes. She must have some backstory related to Gaia or something like that, right?' He wasn't sure about the accuracy of that information. After all, he saw it on Reddit in his past life. He wasn't an avid Marvel fan, but he knew the important events through summary videos from his past life.
Not having influence in this world is the same as asking to die. After all, he can rob money from a bank, but if he does that too often, he might attract the pirate's attention. He doesn't want to deal with SHIELD yet!
Therefore, for now, he has to hide behind these two old lovers. By presenting himself as a third party who just wants to earn money and resources, he will help both sides and profit!
"... You have an interesting range of 'services,' but what stops us from kidnapping you?" Just like Scott, she ignored the insult to Magneto's ideology and tested him.
'This man is a mad scientist. He only cares about himself. I doubt he would join any mutant cause. It's more likely he would exploit mutants for himself.' Raven thought.
Upon hearing Raven's words, the good "Samaritans" immediately looked at Raven with hostility.
'This Raven is more like the one from universe 616. If that's the case, she's probably Rogue's mother. Fufufu, her genes are powerful, they created a bunch of powerful mutant children. If I'm not mistaken, she must have about 7 children? All with different men. My God, this universe is a mess.' He also couldn't deny the father's influence. For example, Raven and Azazel's son, Nightcrawler, he is quite powerful too.
"Hmm, that would be problematic. In that eventuality, I would have no choice but to ask the competent authorities for help." Adrian spoke regretfully like a good concerned citizen.
"Many at the highest level have great interest in you, right? It's a pity they don't know where you are, or your personal information. But that's something that can be easily corrected." He said with a smile on his face.
Continuing with a smile, Raven said, "And how do you know where we are? Aren't you just an awakened Mutant?"
"In a certain forest east of Virginia~"
'Fufufu, deducing the base is very easy when you have the literal power to look everywhere. Nothing escapes my Byakugan!'
"...." Raven narrowed her eyes. That location was very close to one of the Brotherhood's mutant bases.
Taking another sip of coffee, he continued, "True. I only awakened now." He nodded. "But who said I didn't have my mutation before?"
"...."
Adrian's smile widened a bit more. "Adrian Walker, 21 years old, no relatives, lived in an orphanage his entire life, spent the last 3 years doing odd jobs, but only recently he 'awakened' his mutation, thus leading the two most well-known mutant groups to approach him."
"And yet, he already had everything planned for when he was approached, even the job proposal... Do you really think he did all of that in just 5 hours since he awakened? Think with me. Most mutants awaken at the beginning of adolescence, or under great pressure. In some cases, it happens at the end of adolescence as well. How did my mutation awaken only now when I'm already an adult?"
"Woow, he's really amazing!" The sarcasm was so strong it caused AOE damage. "He even knows the coffee taste his guests like!"
Adrian was practically telling everyone, are you stupid? How is this possible? So many coincidences are really coincidences? Think, guys! Think!
"... Your sarcasm won't be appreciated by women, Adrian." Raven said with a small smile while looking at the cup in her hand, which was exactly the type of coffee she liked, something she only realized now. Looking at the other cups, she noticed that each one had a different preparation.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to have any relationship with women who aren't creations of mine."
"... The implications that sentence has are frightening."
"It's not like that's something new in the world."
"What do you mean?"
"Who knows?"
"I thought you didn't lie."
"That's true, I don't lie. It's inefficient and beneath me. But that doesn't mean I reveal everything."
"After all, an elderly lady like you should know the value of privacy, right?"
"...." Raven's face twitched slightly.
'Fufufufu, no matter the universe, women don't like being called old.' Adrian laughed internally.
"Magneto will appreciate your services." She sighed as she stood up.
"I know, I made them thinking about him. After all, I'm sure he would love more people for his group of misfits."
"Wait, wait! You're really going to accept their job?" Jean said.
"Hmm? Of course I am, unless you pay more."
"You know who they are, right!? This will only cause chaos!"
"And?"
"What do you mean and?"
"Since when is that my problem?" Adrian said in full Bully Maguire style.
"You are very reckless!"
"... Whoa, you are really primitive, huh?" He didn't call him a monkey, but the implication was the same. He asked Jean:
"Are you sure he's fit to be a leader?"
"Scott, calm down." Jean sighed.
"Even if he sells information he claims to have or provides services to Magneto, do you really think the heroes are that weak?" Ororo explained.
"Even Magneto needs to think twice before attracting the Avengers' attention."
"You would be a better leader, Lady Thunder." He nodded, satisfied. "Although I find your lack of faith in my abilities outrageous."
"Star Wars? Really?" Ororo snorted.
'A cultured woman, her genes will be good for my collection.' He smiled.
He looked at Scott with visible disdain on his face: 'Fool, in a world with the Sentry active, you think Magneto matters!? You should worry more about the Sentry himself!' The existence of that abomination that could at any moment turn made him feel very insecure.
All fear comes from lack of firepower! He understands that very well now! My Ork friends from a dying universe, I understand you completely!
Dakka!