Conquering the Multiverse Starting with the Black Robe

"Maintaining urban order is a thorny issue, but allowing superheroes into the national defense system...excuse my bluntness, sir, isn't that tantamount to privatizing war?"

"Uh, regarding this question..."

Inside the Brightman Records store, a display player on the wall plays current events news.

"Are you locking the door, Hughie?"

The bald man glanced at the time on his watch, asked a question, then put on his coat and walked out, not at all worried that the other party would refuse him.

"OK, Gary." Hugh Campbell sighed as he idly fiddled with the electrical components on the table.

Goodnight, Hughie.

"Yeah, you too. See you later, Gary."

Hughie responded absentmindedly, his mind a jumbled mess. Everything that had happened these past few days felt like a bizarre dream—he couldn't believe he had infiltrated the Vought Building like James Bond and even planted a bug in the Seven's meeting room.

When did I become so brave?

Then he thought of Butcher, that bastard who just walked away after using him.

What's going on?

Isn't this bullying honest people?!

Hughie pursed his lips, growing angrier the more he thought about it. He slammed his hand on the counter, sending parts flying to the floor. "Fuck!"

The doorbell rang softly.

Hughie, busy bending down to pick up parts, said without looking up, "Sorry, we're closed."

A man's voice rang out, "Who are you?"

Hughie straightened up and noticed that although the door was open, there was no one in the doorway. "...Who's there?"

"I'm standing right in front of you, you idiot."

Hughie froze, instantly realizing what was happening, and stammered, "Thank you for the generous gift... Transparent Man!"

The light distorted for a moment, and then the silhouette of a completely naked man gradually appeared—it was the Invisible Man.

He threw a black listening device in front of Hughie.

"Who gave you permission to install the bugging device? Who was in the car?"

He spoke in a low, menacing tone, staring fiercely at Hughie. He was almost certain that this effeminate man, who was practically pissing himself in fear, was related to the matter Madeline had mentioned.

He grabbed the man's collar across the counter, examined the name tag hanging on his chest, and said in a muffled, mocking voice, "Huey Campbell? Never heard of that name before."

boom!

The invisible man grabbed his shoulders and threw Hughie out of the way.

The poor thing knocked over the shelf, scattering DVDs all over the floor, and groaned in pain.

"Do you think you're James Bond? No, you're not the protagonist of the story, you sissy."

I've been following you ever since we left that wretched place. Did you think no one discovered your schemes? You arrogant fool.

The invisible man approached step by step, his tone becoming increasingly hostile, "Answer me, or I'll twist your head off and use it as a football! Who was that man in the car just now? What does he do?"

Hughie watched as the invisible man lifted up an LCD TV. It was obvious that if he didn't get the answer he wanted, the man would definitely smash his head open with that thing.

"Wait, please, listen to me!" Hughie gasped for breath, clutching the wound on his forehead with one hand, desperately trying to move his body backward.

He was terrified and immediately wanted to expose Butcher's affair in order to save his life.

But for some reason, at this crucial moment, the image of his argument with his father that morning suddenly flashed before his eyes—his father pointed at him, his eyes filled with disappointment and self-blame, "Hughie, you can't do it, you have no fighting spirit, never have."

Hughie opened his mouth, then gritted his teeth and said, "...I, I don't know! Listen, he's just an Uber driver, okay?"

The transparent user laughed ironically, "You piece of shit Uber driver, do you still think you can fool me like this?"

"We are the Super Seven, the most powerful force in the world! We protect the public, and you dare to oppose us!"

"Oil-filled Maze Fuck!"

Just as the Invisible Man was about to deliver the fatal blow, a loud engine roar rapidly approached.

The next instant, a car with the accelerator floored crashed through the glass door like a runaway horse and came in!

The Invisible Man, being the first target, was sent flying like a soccer ball being volleyed through the air, crashing through several shelves before finally coming to a stop with half of his body embedded in the wall.

Hiss--

White smoke billowed from the hood of the car. The door opened, and Boucher, who arrived late, got out of the driver's seat carrying a crowbar. He stretched his arms and said, "Sorry for making such a mess of the place."

He nodded, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Now, you can get lost, Hughie."

Hughie stared at the blood on his hands, his mind still reeling. Butcher's voice seemed to come from a great distance.

"Get lost? Now?"

He leaned on the counter next to him to support himself and saw that Butcher had already walked towards the invisible man.

"Oi~ You invisible coward, Daddy's here."

"I'm going to fuck you to death!" The invisible man broke free from the wall, grabbed a collapsed shelf next to him, and roared as he swept it across Butcher.

Butcher ducked to avoid it, then swung the crowbar with all his might, striking the transparent man's knee squarely. The impact made his hand ache, but it did nothing to harm the man whose skin was as hard as diamond.

"Damn, you really are a 'tough guy'!"

"Who are you? You son of a bitch!" The invisible man swung his fist, striking Butcher squarely in the face without any hesitation.

"The one who will end you!" Butcher spat out blood and retaliated with a sinister grin.

Butcher's combat skills were professionally trained, and in close combat, he was able to hold his own against the invisible man, who was a superhuman.

His crowbar and fists the size of sandbags rained down on his opponent, but he was helpless against the incredibly strong, transparent man who seemed to be covered by a tortoise shell. It was like scraping his skin; in this style of fighting, he was quickly beaten black and blue, with blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

Bang!

Taking advantage of the moment when the Invisible Man lost his balance, Butcher pounced and slammed him into the ground, smashing the last half of the glass door at the store entrance. The two figures became entangled and rolled together onto the flooded street outside.

Hughie had already stumbled to his feet.

He looked at his trembling hands.

It was covered in blood from his head.

Outside, under the dim streetlights, the battle was nearing its end.

He saw the Invisible Man straddle Butcher, his hands gripping Butcher's throat, completely pinning him down.

Hughie looked away and gazed at the crowbar lying quietly on the ground not far away.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

The Invisible Man was breathing heavily, veins bulging on his temples, his hands gripping Butcher's neck tightly as he roared angrily, "I'm a member of the Super Seven! You think you can beat me?!"

At this moment, Butcher's sour face, which looked like everyone owed him dollars, had turned a deep purplish-red. He struggled with all his might but could not break free of his restraints and was about to be strangled to death.

Just then, a crowbar, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, struck the transparent man hard on the back of the head.

boom~

The invisible man swayed, glaring at Hughie who had ambushed him. "You bitch, I'll tear you to pieces!"

Hughie paused for a moment, then dropped the crowbar and ran away.

Taking advantage of the Invisible Man's distraction, Butcher grabbed the crowbar that rolled to his side and swung it hard at the man's chin.

Caught off guard, the Invisible Man was knocked to the ground on the spot. Butcher coughed twice, struggled to his feet, and staggered to the car. He opened the trunk and pulled out a loaded shotgun.

"I hope you can handle this, you bastard!" Butcher grinned as he raised the barrel of his gun, ready to pull the trigger.

However, at that moment, a cold glint suddenly appeared, flashing past in the icy rain.

Butcher almost thought he was seeing things when a sudden chill ran down his wrist. He looked down at his left hand, which was holding the gun, and his smile froze—the hand had detached from his arm and fallen to the ground along with the shotgun.

"Fuck!" Butcher staggered back, clutching his bleeding wrist, sweating profusely from the pain, and leaned against the car, panting heavily.

A dark figure pierced through the rain and tossed the unconscious Hughie to Butcher's feet.

His entire body was covered by a black tactical uniform, and a mask covered his face. Not an inch of his skin was exposed. He exuded a cold and mysterious aura from the inside out.

With a flick of his wrist, Xuan Se shook the blood off his katana onto the ground, then twirled it cleanly and deftly.

The Invisible Man stood up, walked over to Xuanse, and said smugly, "You two idiots, did you think I'd act alone? Morons, you're finished!"

He urged Xuanse, "Buddy, take them down!"

As always, Xuan Se remained silent, not even glancing at the transparent man. He simply stepped forward silently, raised his katana, and slashed straight at Butcher's neck.

Butcher looked at the cold light descending upon him, his eyes showing no fear, but rather a sense of relief. Finally, he closed his eyes, "I've come, Becca..."

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing is sharp and piercing, causing pain in the eardrums.

Boucher opened her eyes instinctively.

A slender, pale hand was placed in front of him, holding a crowbar and steadily blocking the samurai sword that was slashing down from above.

The person in front of him was wearing a coat that was almost identical in style to his own, the dark hem of which fluttered in the night rain.

His parrying posture was very casual, but the broken iron rod in his hand was as steady as if it were fixed in mid-air, not moving an inch.

His dark head tilted slightly to the side, his expression hidden behind the mask, but one could still sense his confusion.

"The holy sword of physics, kid." Rean murmured softly, using one hand to force Xuan Se back.

Butcher stared at Rean's retreating figure, his brow furrowed. He was certain he didn't recognize the man. "You're dressed like a cheap imposter. Who sent you?"

"I won't risk my life for anyone." Rean turned his head, a hint of displeasure on his face. "Is this how you treat your savior? It seems your manners, like your left hand, will never be useful in this lifetime."

Butcher rolled his eyes. "Dude, I'm not going to cry out like a little girl, 'Oh God, someone save me!' and wait for someone to jump out and save the day."

He struggled to sit up, his eyes bloodshot. "So, let's put all this bullshit aside and work together to rip the guts out of these two bastards' throats, and then, once it's all over—"

The butcher grinned, revealing a mouthful of blood-stained, sharp teeth.

"Let me blow-dry it for you, no problem, OK?"

Rean gave him a deep look, nodded, and then flatly rejected his suggestion. "You're right, but I won't entrust my back to a disabled person. You're no help. Instead of getting in the way, you should take that kid and get out of here. I don't want to be your babysitter."