Chapter 191: The Punisher
Even if it succeeded, what then?
Would it really be a good thing if all humanity became mutants? No. It would only bring even greater chaos. Because mutant abilities were far too uncontrollable.
Some people would awaken weak abilities, while others would awaken powerful ones.
When an ordinary person gained a powerful ability, would they feel anxious and uneasy, or would desire and ambition take root instead?
Professor X did not overestimate human nature.
He had seen far too many despicable people. In his eyes, the latter outcome was far more likely.
The human population was simply too vast.
Even if there were only a one-in-a-million chance of someone awakening a powerful ability, that would still be an astonishing number. And among them, as long as even a small portion developed ambition...
War would become unavoidable.
People all desired power, money, and beauty.
Since they had gained power, why should those at the bottom continue to endure oppression?
Why could they not rise above others? Why could they not become rulers?
"So you sold us out?"
Magneto did not care about any of this. He stared coldly at Professor X.
"No. This is a deal. Or rather, we should be grateful for his mercy, Erik. You should be glad that he is a merciful person." Professor X sighed as he spoke.
Magneto fell silent and did not speak for a long time.
The X-Men exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly. This old man was truly stubborn beyond reason.
Logan, in particular, looked especially displeased.
He had disliked Magneto for a long time. The old man was practically his natural counter.
If not for considering the Professor's feelings, he would have already wanted to throw a few words at Magneto.
Old man, times have changed.
What kind of person was Matthew?
He had a monster-like army under his command. Reviving mutants was fine, but at least consider Matthew's existence, right?
What, were they just going to pretend he didn't exist?
And if they were going to turn every human on the planet into mutants, did that include Matthew and the people under him?
Wasn't that a bit presumptuous?
…
"Too presumptuous, Gwen. Look at what you're doing."
On the streets of New York, Matthew called out in dissatisfaction.
The future emperor of a nation had been reduced to carrying shopping bags, both hands laden with the clothes, snacks, and other things Gwen and Carrie had bought.
This girl was getting bolder by the day. She no longer treated him as an outsider at all.
She wasn't even pretending anymore.
"You're Carrie's good brother, which means you're my good brother too. What's wrong with an older brother shopping with his younger sisters? Right, Carrie?"
The temperature in New York in October was still quite comfortable, but Gwen had already changed into a light sweater and jacket.
Since the season had changed, of course she had to take Carrie shopping for autumn clothes and even clothes for the coming winter.
And while she was at it, she dragged along Matthew, this good brother.
After spending all this time together, she had long stopped treating Matthew as an outsider.
Miss Gwen didn't care about Matthew's status or the fact that he was a billionaire.
Hearing her speak so righteously, Matthew was half amused and half annoyed. He turned to glare at his good little sister, Carrie.
But unexpectedly, Carrie gave him a sweet smile in return.
Then, with an affectionate and coquettish tone, she called out, "Brother!"
"Fine, fine. I surrender." Matthew had no choice but to give in.
After all, she was already calling him brother.
His expression of helpless amusement made both Gwen and Carrie burst into laughter, their shoulders shaking.
Fortunately, Gwen was not some black-hearted slave owner.
She quickly ran over with Carrie to Matthew's side. One pushed him from behind, while the other used her soft little hands to massage his shoulders.
Together, they dragged Matthew into a dessert shop.
The dessert shop had a bright and cute style, and it had launched many popular new items.
But the prices were rather expensive.
Gwen planned to bleed her wallet a little this time and properly treat Matthew, rewarding this good brother who had worked like a beast of burden all afternoon.
Matthew sat by the floor-to-ceiling window and casually placed the bags of clothes and shoes on the seat beside him. Looking at Gwen and Carrie standing shoulder to shoulder at the counter, leaning close together and chattering as they discussed what to order, a smile appeared on his face.
Clearly, he had only been playing around with the two sisters earlier.
He liked this lively atmosphere.
Matthew had never liked being alone—neither in his previous life nor in this one.
Even with strength, wealth, and status far beyond ordinary people, he still disliked looking down on others or keeping a deliberate distance from his subordinates. That kind of life felt empty to him.
It would only make him feel alienated from the world.
Especially during the period right after his adoptive father's death, when he left Margrave alone to train and seek revenge, that feeling of isolation had been particularly strong.
After pursuing power, what Matthew truly wanted was emotional connection, not to become a cold, heartless person.
Emotion was a double-edged sword. It could make people sink, fall, and breed all kinds of ugly desires, but it could also become motivation, a kind of strength.
He liked seeing Gwen and Carrie play around with him. He also liked it when Reacher and Natasha could open their hearts and joke with him in daily life.
As for Carrie, that pitiful girl, under Matthew's guidance and with Gwen's help, the scars in her heart were gradually healing. She had made many friends in class, and the shadow hanging over her life was slowly lifting.
It was truly a good thing.
Matthew liked seeing that kind of joyful smile that came from the heart. It gave him a strong sense of accomplishment, as if he had changed someone's tragic fate.
Tragedy was not needed.
Being happy was enough.
However, very soon, Matthew saw someone unhappy.
Not far from the dessert shop, a television hanging on the wall was broadcasting the news.
"Early this morning, a brutal shootout occurred on 43rd Street in Manhattan. An underground club called Marina was attacked. This gunfight involved a large number of light and heavy weapons, including C4 explosives, RPG-7 rocket launchers, M249 light machine guns, and Claymore mines."
"According to the information we later gathered, more than seventy people were killed or injured that night. This club belonged to the Irish mafia."
"We have reason to suspect this shootout is connected to the Punisher."
The host reported in an excited tone. On the screen was footage of a building that had already been blown into ruins. Smoke rose from the wreckage as a large number of NYPD officers arrived at the scene and set up police tape.
There was also footage of the host interviewing the commanding officer at the scene.
From the subtitles on the television, it could be seen that the officer was a lieutenant from the NYPD's 10th Precinct in Manhattan. Wearing a dark police uniform, his expression was tense in front of the camera.
"Officer, what is the casualty situation here? What kind of attack was this?"
"A large-scale shooting massacre occurred tonight. Multiple people were killed. It appears to have been a lone armed attack. We are currently investigating the victims' identities and gang connections. Details will not be released for the time being. The killer's identity is unknown and extremely dangerous. We advise citizens to avoid going out at night."
"Officer, according to information provided by our source, the attacker may be the Punisher."
"We still need to investigate and confirm the killer's identity."
"The Punisher?" Matthew looked at the television screen, the corners of his lips lifting.
He had almost forgotten this tough man with such a tragic fate.
...
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