Marvel: Master Of Role-Playing

[Host, what seems to be the problem?]

The system's voice responded instantly in Reid's mind as soon as he called out.

'I've completed the mission, haven't I? Hurry and give me the reward. I want to draw a new character.'

[Host, the mission is not yet complete.]

The system replied bluntly, without beating around the bush.

Reid furrowed his brow. 'Not complete? Professor X and Magneto's consciousnesses are completely gone. The mutant faction has collapsed. Don't tell me the Batman's character mission still isn't done?'

[That's correct, host. According to system analysis, the mutants have not been completely defeated.]

Hearing this, Reid didn't ask further. He didn't doubt the system's accuracy. Since it gave that response, then most likely, there was still a powerful enough mutant out there who hadn't given up on the idea of reviving the mutantkind.

'But who could that be?'

As Jean floated closer, Reid's mind raced.

Because of Charles and Magneto's control, most mutants in this world didn't even know they had powers before they were exposed. The former had been constantly using his ability to make those not fit for the X-Men forget their powers.

It strengthened his control over the mutant population. But at the same time, once exposed, it made mutants stand out even more.

Reid had defeated Charles and practically wiped out the school. Logically, there shouldn't be anyone left with the same ideals and enough power to carry them forward.

'Then among the few survivors…'

He hadn't wiped out all the mutants completely. So whoever was still holding on to that hope must be one of them.

Logan and Rogue didn't have the power for that. As for Quicksilver, after being scared half to death, he wouldn't dare try anything unless something major pushed him over the edge.

Wanda was a strong possibility. But as long as her brother didn't change his stance, she would likely keep that thought buried deep inside for the sake of her family. She might not even be consciously aware of it. And honestly, Wanda probably wasn't thinking about reviving mutants. She just wanted revenge for what had been done to her loved ones. She didn't have such lofty ambitions.

Then there was Polaris. The trauma she'd suffered was too overwhelming. She likely still hadn't recovered. Even if she did wake up, it would take a long time for her to overcome the fear Reid had carved into her heart.

And aside from Wanda, none of them really had the power to register individually on the system's detection.

Suddenly, Reid froze. He looked at Jean, who was slowly getting closer to him.

'Right. How could I forget her.'

If there was one mutant in the world capable of reviving the mutant race, disrupting his plans, and actually carrying it through, it was the woman standing in front of him.

Even if Jean wasn't fully aware of it, she undoubtedly saw herself as a mutant deep down.

With that in mind, Reid made up his mind.

"Before you try anything… inappropriate, can I ask you something?"

Jean paused her movements at his words.

"Sure. Whatever you want to ask, I'll answer."

Reid let out a quiet breath. What he feared most was her becoming so self-centered that she wouldn't even listen to him.

"You want me to stay by your side. Then tell me, who exactly are you? A human? A mutant? Jean Grey? Or that high-and-mighty Phoenix? Who are you, really?"

Jean didn't even seem to realize she still identified with being a mutant. So Reid brought it up directly.

"Mutant?"

Jean frowned the moment she heard the word, displeased.

"I've had enough of Charles and his pathetic theories. Don't ever say that word in front of me again! I'm not a mutant. I'm not the Phoenix. I'm Jean Grey. I am me!"

A textbook, overly idealistic response you'd expect from a comic book character, but for Reid, that was exactly what he needed.

The next second, the system's voice echoed in his mind.

[Host has completed the Batman character mission. Please claim your reward.]

Whether or not Jean still had some sense of identity tied to being a mutant, Reid believed she probably did. But by bringing it up now, when she was so disgusted by Charles, she was bound to reject the term mutant too. After all, in this world, he had been the first to label their kind with that word.

And under the weight of that legacy, even a temporary denial of her identity as a mutant was enough. That single moment of rejection was all Reid needed to complete the Batman mission.

System missions didn't demand permanence. As long as the mission objective was fulfilled for even a second, it counted.

'Open it now. No need to hand it over to me.'

At Reid's command, the system acted quickly. The card pack, which had just begun to form, opened right away. Within the burst of light, he clearly saw the cards it revealed.

Luck was on his side. Three full cards this time, and each of them useful.

The first was a Role-Play Card: Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.

The second was a Follower Card: Wonder Woman, Princess Diana.

The third was an Environment Card: Paradise Island.

Without hesitation, Reid activated both the Green Lantern and the Wonder Woman card.

However, his body didn't transform right away.

Now that the character mission was complete, Batman's role-playing degree had reached 100% and had already split off into an independent entity. As a result, the Green Lantern card didn't take effect on Reid himself, but instead manifested on a newly formed clone not far away.

Likewise, Wonder Woman also appeared beside him in almost the same time.

With two of them now present, Reid finally let out a breath of relief.

The Phoenix was incredibly powerful, but Jean wasn't a fully awakened Phoenix. Having only the Martian Manhunter go up against her would've been risky. But with Hal and Diana in the mix, the odds were now entirely in his favor.

Thinking that, Reid looked up and said to Jean, "I'm sorry, but I don't plan to stay by your side."

As the words left his mouth, his eyes flared, and twin beams of heat vision shot straight toward her. Even though she quickly put up a telekinetic barrier, she was still forced to retreat several meters.

"I didn't want to use violence on you!"

Jean, confident in her own power, immediately prepared to strike back and force Reid to submit. But as she looked up again, ready to unleash her wrath, her expression froze.

Standing beside him now was 'Hal' in his signature green energy suit, and Diana, clad in a striking set of metallic armor that gleamed with strength and elegance.

Reid's voice rang out again, calm and sure.

"Looks like we have the advantage, isn't it, Jean?"

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