The crowd stood frozen, jaws dropped.
Everything had happened too fast. Their eyes could barely follow, and their brains refused to process it.
One moment, the yellow-skinned monster had been rampaging — the next, he was dead. The green-skinned giant, symbol of raw power, was half-conscious and bleeding.
Pah!
At that moment, Hulk spat out a mouthful of green blood and gave a dark, crooked smile.
Leo's eyes lit up. "Oh, that look… here we go again."
Every time Hulk gave that sinister grin, things ended badly for him.
Sure enough, No. 18 saw that smug expression and instantly snapped.
"Oh, you're asking for it," she hissed. "Let's see how green you are after this!"
Her body flashed with lightning as she activated Super Speed. In Hulk's wide, confused eyes, a petite boot grew larger and larger—
Bang!
Her high heel slammed into his face, leaving a perfect shoe print.
Before he could even blink, a brutal whip kick cracked across his skull.
Thump!
The mighty Hulk toppled like a felled tree, crashing into the dirt with a dull thud.
"Hmph! That's what you get for mocking me! That's what you get for provoking me!"
No. 18 huffed and kicked him twice more, glaring like an angry lioness.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Leo said, pulling her back. "Once he's out cold, he'll revert to Banner anyway."
No. 18 pouted. "Tch. That guy's skin is like armor — normal weapons can't even scratch him!"
Leo gave her a light tap on the head. "Use your brain, dummy. Ever heard of the Destructo Disc? Just slice him a bit."
Her eyes lit up. "Oh! Right!"
She quickly formed a Destructo Disc and flicked it across Hulk's arm, leaving a neat, shallow cut. Green blood oozed out instantly.
"Perfect." Leo pulled out a bottle and grinned. "Collect that. This is liquid gold."
"Again — deeper this time. Hit an artery."
Another slice, another gush of blood.
Leo's grin widened as he sealed the bottle. "Beautiful. That's plenty for now."
As the wound healed almost instantly, Hulk's rage subsided, his skin fading from green to human.
In seconds, Dr. Bruce Banner lay there in nothing but tattered shorts, dazed and groaning.
When Banner's eyes fluttered open, the first thing he saw was Leo crouched over him — smiling far too calmly.
"You... Leo? What are you doing?" he asked nervously.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Banner's instincts screamed danger. His eyes darted to the bottle of glowing green liquid in Leo's hand — his blood.
"Oh my god," Banner whispered, paling. "You're going to experiment on me, aren't you?!"
He clutched his head in horror. He still vaguely remembered the fight — and the terrifying blonde woman who'd beaten the Hulk senseless.
Leo flicked him on the forehead. Thwack!
"What the hell are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?"
Banner rubbed his head, grumbling under his breath. You're literally holding a bottle of my blood, man…
"What's that look? Don't measure my moral greatness with your narrow mortal perspective," Leo said proudly.
No. 18 snorted, trying to hold back laughter, her shoulders trembling.
Leo turned to her with a grin. "Oh, you think that's funny? Don't worry — I'll 'discipline' you later."
She blinked, suddenly quiet. That wicked gleam in Leo's eye was never good news.
Leo smirked, then grabbed both No. 18 and Banner by the hand.
"Alright, home time."
In a flash of light, the three vanished.
All that was left behind were stunned soldiers and civilians staring at the empty battlefield.
"Teleportation?!"
"That guy's a Mutant too!"
"Holy crap, that's awesome!"
"When's my awakening coming?"
"Shh! You wanna get yourself killed saying stuff like that?"
Superpowers — beautiful, terrifying, and deeply unfair.
Everyone wanted them. Everyone dreamed of being special. But dreams and jealousy often shared the same root.
It's not poverty that drives people mad — it's inequality.
If everyone has nothing, no one complains.
But if your neighbor suddenly sprouts wings, shoots lasers, or becomes bulletproof — while you're still struggling to pay rent — how long before resentment festers?
Jealousy.
The oldest, purest sin.
It's why some humans hate Mutants.
Why they fear what they can't control.
And why those with power are always hunted by those without.
Meanwhile, back at the devastated battlefield, General Ross stood with burning eyes, a twisted grin forming on his face.
"What a perfect test subject…" he murmured. "Strength, speed, defense — superior in every way. Worth any risk."
"Jones," he said quietly to his adjutant. "Follow my plan. Like this…"
The two leaned close, whispering. A few seconds later, Jones straightened and saluted sharply.
"Yes, General! Mission will be completed as ordered!"
Both men shared a knowing, sinister smile.
But they didn't realize — they were ants plotting against a god.
At the same time, Leo sat with Banner in the villa's back garden, sipping coffee like nothing had happened. Banner, still pale and confused, fidgeted in his seat.
Leo stared at him for a long moment.
"So… tell me, Banner. You snuck out to see Betty again, didn't you? And General Ross caught you."
Banner froze. "What?! How—how did you know?!"
Leo smirked. "I'm a half-immortal, obviously. I can see the past and predict the future. How else would I know?"
Banner blinked. "…You're full of crap."
Leo just laughed. "Yeah, but it worked, didn't it?"