It took Qin Xiao nearly a full month to finally gain complete control over the flame energy within his body.
The results of his Primary Awakening were, as expected, rather underwhelming.
He could make flames erupt from specific parts of his body or transform his entire form into a fiery figure. He could even shoot a two-to-three-meter-long pillar of fire from his mouth.
However, he was still a long way from becoming the long-range magical artilleryman he had envisioned.
During this time, however, Qin Xiao did figure out how to imbue his close-combat attacks with flames, significantly increasing their power. This was a welcome boost to his strength, especially when he discovered he could coat his Tang Dao with a layer of fire.
For a moment, he felt like the protagonist of a video game.
Yet the Tang Dao itself was already formidable enough. The 1500°C flames added no real advantage. After all, anything that couldn't withstand the heat of the flames would certainly be no match for the Tang Dao's power.
As Tony put it, "This move is about as useful as a flamethrower that doesn't need fuel—completely pointless."
Still, he could finally leave the base and end his reclusive life. No more sleeping on the hard metal bunk bed without even daring to cover himself with a blanket.
If not for the System-issued combat suit, Qin Xiao might have spent this entire month in complete nakedness.
Qin Xiao was in an exceptionally good mood today.
First, he had finally emerged from his seclusion. Second, Black Widow had returned.
Coulson hadn't lied to him. By the date of the cello concert, Black Widow was indeed free of any S.H.I.E.L.D. missions.
And she was genuinely fascinated by such events.
To be honest, Qin Xiao would never normally attend a concert like this. But when a man is pursuing a woman, he'll always do things just to make her happy.
Qin Xiao saw this as an opportunity to completely open up to Black Widow, ultimately aiming to reach the highest realm of shedding clothes and embracing each other in naked intimacy.
Black Widow was also unusually happy today.
After Qin Xiao endured two hours of drowsy boredom while accompanying her to the concert, she abandoned her usual agent demeanor. Excitement bubbling, she grabbed his hand and rushed out of the concert hall, eager to find a place to eat and have a drink.
This rare, ordinary, and leisurely day prompted them to decide against driving, opting instead to walk and explore the surroundings.
Manhattan's safety was far better than other parts of New York; even after 9 PM, the streets were still bustling with pedestrians.
The autumn air was crisp and cool, the night breeze carrying a refreshing chill that felt wonderfully pleasant against their skin.
Young couples strolled along the seaside promenade, their laughter drifting on the breeze.
Black Widow giggled and tugged Qin Xiao to sit beside her on a long bench.
"I swear I'll never wear such high heels again."
She complained as she lowered her head, then brazenly kicked off her high heels.
Her dress rode up slightly, revealing slender calves that dangled over the edge of the bench, swinging lazily. Her feet, still aching from the tight shoes, swayed gently.
Her snow-white skin glowed faintly under the streetlights, leaving Qin Xiao somewhat dazed.
"Am I pretty?" Black Widow asked, her eyes twinkling mischievously at the dazed Qin Xiao.
"So pretty!" Qin Xiao praised sincerely. The moment the words left his lips, he felt a sudden pressure around his neck.
Then, a pair of fiery red lips claimed his.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
Savoring the sweetness of the kiss, Qin Xiao felt a lingering desire. He wrapped his arms around Black Widow's neck, initiating a counter-attack.
But she gently pushed him away.
"I'm starving. Go buy me something to eat first!"
Somewhere in the distance, a hot dog cart had appeared. The savory aroma of sizzling sausages drifted on the wind, tickling their noses.
"On it!"
Qin Xiao jumped up and trotted toward the cart.
He had barely risen to his feet...
A whooshing sound tore through the air behind him.
Qin Xiao instinctively spun around.
He saw a small, miniature missile hurtling toward the bench.
The instant Qin Xiao grabbed Black Widow, the missile slammed into the bench.
Qin Xiao spun around abruptly, the explosion and his turn happening almost simultaneously.
He felt a shockwave blast against his back, followed by a hail of debris that battered his back.
Compared to this, the heat and flames of the explosion barely registered.
To protect Black Widow, Qin Xiao had stood his ground, absorbing the full force of the missile's blast and its aftermath.
As soon as the explosion subsided, Qin Xiao scanned the direction from which the missile had come: a dark alley across the street, the rooftop of a tall building opposite.
"Found you!"
A figure flickered across the rooftop of the building across the street.
"Natasha, be careful, I'm going to catch that guy..."
"Don't go, hold me a little longer!"
Black Widow clung tightly to Qin Xiao's collar, reaching out to gently stroke his cheek.
Only then did Qin Xiao notice something was wrong with her. Her face was pale, her breathing rapid.
And the hand he had placed on her waist felt sticky and wet.
Qin Xiao's heart sank when he saw it: a fragment of shrapnel, at least ten centimeters long, was protruding from Black Widow's back.
No one knew how much had pierced her body.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Qin Xiao cursed inwardly.
He didn't dare move his hands, and his phone, miraculously intact in his pocket, was likely due to his combat suit.
Qin Xiao immediately called Coulson.
"We've been attacked! Natasha is critically injured—a fragment of shrapnel is lodged in her back, and at least ten centimeters are exposed. I'm holding her still and can't move her. We need the most skilled medical team, now! I left the concert hall about twenty minutes ago and I'm on the beach—I have no idea of the exact address!"
Qin Xiao kept his explanation concise. Coulson could easily locate them, but speed was crucial.
"You'll be okay, Natasha. I'm right here with you, and I won't leave your side until you're safe. Coulson's on his way. You'll pull through."
Qin Xiao spoke nervously, unsure if he was comforting Natasha or himself.
"I'm fine, Qin. Better than I've ever felt. It's just a shame I didn't get to eat that hot dog. I can't remember the last time I just relaxed and ate something on the street like this!"
As she spoke, Black Widow gently reached out and smoothed the furrow between Qin Xiao's tightly knit brows.
"Don't worry. Meeting you was already a stroke of luck. Perhaps it was fate. I'm not meant to experience ordinary life and happiness. Ever since that incident in Budapest, I..."
Mid-sentence, a trickle of blood welled up in her mouth. Her eyes slowly closed, and she lost consciousness.
"Don't sleep, Natasha. Don't sleep!"
Qin Xiao didn't dare move a muscle until professional medical personnel arrived.
He could only whisper urgently into Black Widow's ear, holding her close in his arms.
Meanwhile, several blocks away in a hotel room, a middle-aged man sat lazily on the sofa, watching television.
The screen showed the exact moment Qin Xiao had spun around, shielding Black Widow in his arms, and stood his ground to absorb the full force of the explosion.
"The intelligence Hydra provided was flawed. Qin Xiao's strength far exceeds our expectations. He's more than just a super-soldier. I've halted the operation. Arrange for everyone to leave the United States immediately. As for Natasha, I'll find a way to deal with her myself!"
Do you want to know what really happened in Budapest?
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition
" Marvel: Awakening Abstract Abilities at the Beginning "
" Marvel: Fused with Broly at the Start "
" Marvel: Starting as the God of Destruction "
" Superman in Marvel—Will I Get a Copyright Warning? "
" Marvel: Starting by Loading the Homelander Template "
" Marvel: Becoming an Emperor Through Lottery Draws "
" Marvel: Awakening the Power of a Million Stars at the Start "
" Marvel: I Am the Leader of the Mutant Race "
many more are available 140+
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)