A few minutes later, Aurelius Viremont arrived at the next military base. Hovering high in the sky, he completely ignored the heavy-payload missiles streaking toward him and the frantic gunfire from the soldiers below. He stood in the void like a silent god.
The energy within him boiled and consumed itself rapidly. A black-red singularity grew larger in his palm, expanding until it was half the size of a person before it stopped.
[Cursed Technique Reversal: Red XP +1][Cursed Technique Reversal: Red XP +1][Cursed Technique Reversal: Red XP +1]...
Amidst the constant system prompts and the despairing gazes of the soldiers, the black-red singularity transformed into a beam of light, plummeting from the heavens and striking the earth!
BOOM!
When the sound died down and the dust finally settled, the military base had vanished. In its place was nothing but a colossal, circular abyss. After confirming the total annihilation of the second general, Aurelius Viremont stepped forward and streaked toward the next nearest base at extreme speed.
The cycle repeated.
Aurelius Viremont's actions were immediately picked up by major media outlets. Some had even rushed to the ruins of the bases for live broadcasts. The most prominent among them was a familiar face to the audience: the rising star of journalism, Eddie Brock.
Having previously taken a direct hit from Aurelius Viremont's Cursed Technique Reversal: Red, Eddie's flesh and bones had been pulverized by the intense repulsive force. However, thanks to Venom's desperate healing and two weeks of bed rest, he had finally survived.
But this brush with death didn't make him abandon his coverage of the White Demon. He was addicted to the fame, and that fame was inextricably tied to the man who gave it to him. Standing before the camera, he addressed the massive audience:
"Starting an hour ago, the White Demon launched a sudden string of attacks on our nation's military bases. We speculate this is a retaliatory strike for the previous military operations against him. In just one hour, he has destroyed five bases, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties! We must wonder: do these actions signify a formal declaration of war against the government? Is this the opening act of a final conflict between mutants and humans?"
At Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor X watched the news with a grim expression. His worst fears were coming true. Aurelius Viremont's individual actions were now affecting the entire mutant race, shattering the fragile peace between them and humanity.
Beast (Hank McCoy), his fur a deep blue, walked over and said, "Professor, the military has issued an ultimatum. They want us to assist in killing the White Demon. If we don't, they will view all mutants as being at war with humanity."
Hank's words finally forced Xavier's hand. He turned to Hank and said, "Prepare for departure. We must stop him."
"But Professor, the White Demon is too strong. We aren't his match! He even easily crushed the alien force trying to invade Earth. Based on his latest combat data, his power has taken another massive leap!"
"No, Hank. We have no choice. We have to do this—for the future of mutants, for our future!"
Under Xavier's persuasion, Hank finally agreed and sent out the signal to the X-Men.
Shortly after, Eddie Brock, still reporting from a helicopter over a smoking ruin, received an official transmission. He immediately turned to the camera:
"Everyone, there is no need to panic! The X-Men have sent word that the destruction of these bases is the White Demon's personal agenda and does not represent mutants as a whole. War between species will not break out! Furthermore, the X-Men have stated they will join the military in a joint operation to encircle and eliminate the White Demon once and for all! The military claims they have mastered a weapon capable of defeating him. This time, there is no escape. The White Demon will be extinguished!"
Following Brock's report, the internet exploded with noise.
First were the "supporters" of the White Demon—mostly fence-sitters terrified of being purged if he ruled the world. They posted things like: "I will always support the White Demon! He will crush the incompetent military!" while privately praying for his death.
Then there were the absolute supporters. Aside from a few fanatical humans, most were mutants who had been persecuted by the government. They flooded the forums:
"The Savior will lead us to war against the officials! We will overthrow this government and build a world where mutants are no longer hunted!"
"Long live the Savior! He will lead us to vengeance!"
The detractors, on the other hand, bragged online about how the White Demon was finished now that the X-Men and the government were working together. They cheered, claiming that once he was dead, peace would return and those "damned mutants" would be put back in their place.
In a hidden room, Polaris and her companions watched the live stream. Her friends wanted to go help Aurelius Viremont, but Polaris stopped them. Facing their questioning glares, she couldn't find the words to explain that Aurelius Viremont didn't care about their "cause"—that to him, humans and mutants were equally insignificant. She could only say:
"Your power is too weak. Going now won't help the Savior; it will only get in his way."
The explanation was finally accepted.
Meanwhile, Magneto watched the broadcast and addressed the Brotherhood:
"We are going as well. This is a golden opportunity to wipe out humanity. Since Charles wants to stop the White Demon and prevent war, we shall push that war forward! The future belongs to mutants. We are the true rulers of the coming world!"
Behind him, the Brotherhood members looked at him with fanatical devotion. They had waited long for this future, and it had never felt closer.
Aurelius Viremont was unaware of the online storm, and he wouldn't have cared if he knew. Whether people supported or hated him was irrelevant; he was simply himself, doing exactly what he wanted.
Arriving at the next base, Aurelius Viremont was about to level it when he sensed movement in the distance. A smile of pure delight split his face. It seemed the "confident" military had made their move.
He raised his palm, cupping the air. An azure black hole and a black-red singularity merged instantly, forming a horrific sphere of purple imaginary mass!
Let's give them a proper welcome gift!
The horrific Hollow Technique: Purple tore through space, streaking toward the two hundred Sentinel robots flying toward him!
....
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