Marvel : The God Of Punishment System

From the computer in the flood discharge control room, the team discovered that most of the electricity generated by the dam's turbines flowed to a single location.

That was where Stryker had dismantled Xavier Institute's Cerebro and reassembled it.

The Professor was there as well, under the psychic control of the Master of Illusion, preparing to exterminate every mutant on Earth.

Jason clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Alright people, our primary objective now is to stop the Professor. We need to work together—"

"I'm going after Stryker!"

Wolverine, glaring at the stocky middle-aged man on the surveillance monitor, had a feral look in his eyes as he made his declaration.

Jason paused momentarily. He understood—the hatred for a man who murdered your loved one was impossible to reconcile.

"Fine, the rest of us will coordinate to—"

"I have to rescue the children first!"

Storm gazed at the imprisoned mutant children on another monitor, compassion evident in her expression.

Jason fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Okay, saving the children takes priority. I can't argue with that."

"Now, the remaining team members—"

"I need to find Scott..."

Jean looked at the footage showing a mind-controlled Cyclops, her eyes reflecting heartache and concern.

Well, that's love for you!

Nightcrawler suddenly raised his hand—he wanted to accompany Storm to rescue the children.

By Jason's count, the only people left to save the Professor were himself, Colossus, Blade, and Frank.

Unbelievable!

I'm just an outsider here, yet somehow I've become the primary force in rescuing the Professor?

Are you people actually hoping for Xavier's death more than I am?

While these complaints ran through his mind, Frank cast him a sidelong glance that clearly though: These are the elite players you promised me?

Jason rolled his eyes and shrugged. He'd never anticipated such disarray.

He finally understood why Magneto and Mystique had managed to reach Cerebro ahead of everyone else in the original timeline. After their intervention, the Professor had changed his target from [extinction of mutants] to [extinction of humans].

It appeared all of the Professor's teammates were remarkably self-interested.

Now that Magneto had been eliminated by his hand, and Mystique wasn't involved, Jason had unwittingly assumed Magneto's role.

Fine, I won't complain about it!

Wolverine, Storm, Jean, and the others departed one by one.

Jason turned to Blade and Frank. "There's substantial evidence here of Stryker's human experimentation and mutant research. You two should collect all relevant information—don't miss anything!"

After giving these instructions, he turned to Colossus. "Let's go save the Professor!"

They had barely rounded a corner when Jason abruptly halted and clapped Colossus on the shoulder. "I just remembered something urgent I need to handle. You go ahead and save the Professor—I'll join you shortly!"

Colossus stood there bewildered. What?

Wolverine pursued Stryker relentlessly, and Jason shadowed Wolverine with equal determination.

A sudden tremor shook the entire base. Battles were raging throughout the facility, so few noticed the disturbance.

But a droplet of water struck Jason's face.

Looking up, he spotted several hairline fractures forming in the dam above.

He shrugged helplessly. Somewhere in the complex, Jean was likely engaged in an intense "training session" with her wayward husband.

The Phoenix force within her had been stirring for some time, and its eruption had compromised the dam's structural integrity.

The countdown to the dam's collapse had begun.

However, these minor fissures wouldn't cause immediate catastrophic failure. The facility could likely withstand the damage for at least an hour.

Assuming no one continued to inflict further destruction.

Meanwhile, Wolverine entered a spacious chamber that instantly triggered a surge of recognition.

He saw X-ray images of skeletons displayed on the walls—some his own, others belonging to different subjects.

In the center stood an enormous water tank, and beside it, a furnace containing molten metal that bubbled and churned.

Stryker emerged from a side passage, accompanied by a slender Asian woman.

He smiled genially. "Hello, my little wolf cub. Remember this place? This is where you evolved—where I upgraded you. This is where I created you!"

As Logan locked eyes with the face before him, a tidal wave of fury surged through his chest. SNIKT!—his adamantium claws burst forth with a metallic snarl.

"Evolution?" he growled, voice trembling with rage. "That's a load of crap. This is where you betrayed me… where you tortured me."

His breath came heavy, his gaze burning. "I'll never forget this place. And I'll make damn sure you don't either."

Stryker remained utterly calm, his smile unwavering. "I'm the person who knows you better than anyone in this world—even better than you know yourself. Without me, who would have cared for a feral creature like you? I was quite fond of you, Logan. Tough, resolute, stubborn... I saw something of myself in you. The only pity is that you're a mutant." His smile twisted into something ugly. "That single fact erased any positive sentiment I might have held. It's as though you transformed from a majestic wolf howling at the moon into a mangy, flea-ridden cur. What a tragedy!"

Wolverine's patience snapped. He lunged forward, voice a raw snarl. "I've heard enough—die, you bastard!"

He launched himself at Stryker, but mid-leap, a figure intercepted him with a powerful kick that sent him spinning through the air before crashing to the ground.

When he looked up, he saw the Asian woman who had been silently accompanying Stryker.

Stryker laughed. "Wolf cub, meet Lady Deathstrike. Why don't you two get acquainted? She's been eager to play with you."

With that, he turned and departed.

Wolverine attempted to pursue, but Lady Deathstrike blocked his path.

"Move aside!" he growled.

She remained motionless.

Fury flashed across Wolverine's face as he prepared to attack, when a voice called from behind him. "It's alright, Logan. Leave her to me—you go after Stryker."

He turned to see Jason approaching and stared in confusion. "Weren't you supposed to be rescuing the Professor?"

Jason waved dismissively, his eyes fixed on Lady Deathstrike. "Save him? Give me a minute. Isn't it equally noble to save this beautiful woman from Stryker's control? All human lives are equally valuable."

Wolverine's eyes widened in disbelief. "But the Professor is being mind-controlled into killing every mutant on the planet! Shouldn't he be the priority?"

"I'm not as close to him as you are. If you're not concerned, why should I be?"

Wolverine hesitated, at a loss for words.

Noting his reaction, Jason relented. "Relax, I was only joking. I've already arranged for someone to rescue the Professor."

Wolverine exhaled with relief. "Storm or Jean?"

"Colossus."

"Oh, and who else?"

"Just Colossus."

Wolverine: ?

Seeing his stunned expression, Jason gestured impatiently. "Go on, chase after Stryker. I promise you'll survive!"

Wolverine appeared uncertain. "Are you sure?"

Jason fixed him with a pointed stare. "Logan, you're addressing the savior of New York—the man who rescued millions. Do you really want to question me?"

Wolverine paused, then nodded. "Fine, I trust you."

He sprinted in the direction Stryker had taken. Lady Deathstrike moved to intercept, but Jason blurred forward and seized her wrist.

Despite her struggles, she couldn't break his grip.

Once Logan had vanished from sight, Jason smiled at Lady Deathstrike before lowering his head to her neck. "Mmm... mmm..."

Jason's mutated blood flowed into her bloodstream.

His enhanced bloodline had evolved considerably, accelerating Lady Deathstrike's transformation.

Moreover, the power in his blood instantly neutralized the chemical agent—derived from Jason Stryker's cerebral fluid—that maintained control over her.

After a moment, Lady Deathstrike appeared to awaken from a trance, her eyes becoming clear and alert.

Upon seeing Jason, she lowered her head submissively. "Master!"

Jason nodded and approached the adamantium furnace.

He reached behind his back, producing several specially designed strips which he placed around the furnace's perimeter.

These heating elements, crafted by Anton and his son, would ensure that even if the entire furnace were relocated, the adamantium within wouldn't solidify.

Adamantium was an alloy comprised of various substances that, once fused, would permanently solidify upon cooling.

After hardening, it became virtually indestructible and impossible to remelt.

With this reservoir of molten adamantium, his Thunder Armor project was secured.

At that moment, another violent tremor shook the ground.

Is Jean still not finished "disciplining" her husband? I should let Cyclops file a complaint with the Avengers Federation someday!

Her marital disputes are trivial—compromising the dam is catastrophic.

He beckoned to Lady Deathstrike. "Remain here and guard this adamantium furnace."

With those instructions, his figure blurred into shadow as he vanished down the corridor.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

At Cerebro's entrance, smoke still lingered in the air as Colossus stood helplessly before an impenetrable alloy door.

His spirit was broken.

He had finally dispatched the dozen soldiers defending the position, only to have his progress halted by this barrier.

Despite hammering until his steel arms ached, he'd only managed to create shallow dents in the reinforced door.

But his despair stemmed not from the obstacle, but from a deeper realization:

We gave our word to protect mutantkind… yet I stand alone.

Are the others so afraid to die? In my country, we do not abandon comrades—not when it matters most.

In that moment, he seriously questioned the quality of education provided at Xavier's Institute.

And that so-called hero… useless. Worthless. He has probably run off by now—coward.

They call him a hero? Pfah. Some hero.

Beyond the door, Professor Xavier had just completed targeting all mutants globally.

The illusory child that Jason Stryker had projected into his mind whispered, "Kill them! Kill them all!"

Instantly, a colossal psychic wave radiated across the planet!

Colossus felt the agony first.

But the delay was so minimal as to be imperceptible. Mutants throughout the base—throughout the entire world—immediately experienced the same excruciating pain.

An invisible force surged into their minds, threatening to rupture their consciousness!

Jean, who had just finished her confrontation with Cyclops, sensed this power preemptively. She whispered in horrified disbelief, "Cerebro... it's too late. How could this happen..."

Storm and Nightcrawler, guiding the rescued children, were also approaching Cerebro.

The overwhelming mental assault struck them down, leaving them writhing in pain.

Some children cried, others howled, some trembled with fear, and others fell into despair.

Colossus knelt before the alloy door, weakly but stubbornly striking it with his right fist, defiance still burning in his eyes.

"Hey, Steel Man, I'm here to save you!"

A cheerful, relaxed voice called from behind. With great effort, he turned to see Jason!

His vision began to blur as he inwardly cursed: You're too late, you worthless bastard!

He could sense the invisible force in his mind reaching a critical threshold—in another moment, his head would explode!

BOOM!

A violent explosion reverberated through the facility!

Instantly, Colossus felt the deadly pressure vanish.

He gasped for breath, staring in disbelief at the smiling man beside him.

Jason understood his bewilderment. "Hey, you didn't think I was slacking off, did you?"

"What did you do?"

"Hmph!"

Jason snorted confidently, raising his hand as electrical energy crackled between his fingers.

"Nearly all the electricity generated by this dam powers Cerebro. Coincidentally, I have a particular affinity for 'electricity.' I located Cerebro's power supply and severed it. Without energy, that mind-amplifier is just an expensive paperweight!"

Colossus sighed with relief. Being fundamentally honest, he began to apologize. "I'm sorry, I thought—"

"You thought I was a useless piece of garbage, didn't you?"

Colossus's mouth opened awkwardly, unable to form a response.

Jason waved dismissively and studied the alloy door before them.

With his strength, he could easily breach it by channeling his rage, but two Tier 4 mutants waited beyond!

Professor Xavier and Jason Stryker ranked among the most powerful mutants alive.

The only one who might surpass them was Jean, with her latent Phoenix Force.

Other mutants typically functioned at Tiers 1, 2, or 3.

Certain mutants could evolve through special circumstances—like Apocalypse, who could facilitate the evolution of other mutants.

Apocalypse himself might qualify as a Tier 5 mutant, or perhaps an extreme Tier 4.

The reason Jason had chosen to disable Cerebro by destroying its power supply, rather than confronting its operators directly, was his concern that a direct assault might cause the two psychics to unite against him!

His own [Soul Defense] might not withstand their combined mental attack!

Better to exercise caution.

A decision formed in his mind—Attack now!

Jason's steel-like fists hammered the alloy door repeatedly. Soon, large sections caved inward, and a fracture slowly appeared.

He didn't immediately force his way through. Instead, he extended his finger, releasing a lightning bolt that surged through the opening toward the two figures inside.

The powerful electrical discharge instantly rendered both unconscious.

Only then did he feel confident enough to wrench the door open and enter.

Looking at the two wheelchair-bound men, his system promptly identified them as diamond-tier target, equivalent to Magneto!

Previously, the system hadn't classified the Professor as a target, but circumstances had changed.

This suggested that Xavier had likely caused numerous fatalities during his brief attack on mutantkind.

The victims would have included mutants who were already ill or injured, elderly mutants near death, and newborn mutant infants!

Examining the unconscious figures, Jason felt his ambition stirring.

While he needed a three kill to complete his diamond gift package, he could certainly find suitable candidates to help reach that quota!

A new challenge emerged, achieving a five-star Sentiment rating from the Professor and Jason Stryker—two individuals with exceptionally powerful mental abilities—would be difficult.

Jason Stryker posed a particular problem. After years of Stryker's experiments and torture, he barely qualified as human anymore.

The only person who could provoke significant emotional response from him was Stryker himself.

As I advance through the ranks, many targets are exceptional humans, which makes them increasingly difficult to handle properly!

But for a gift package of this caliber, anything less than five stars would be wasteful.

A few hundred attribute points would be nice, but I could achieve that more efficiently by dropping bombs in Afghanistan!

What could provoke their emotions effectively?

For Jason Stryker, it's simple: Stryker himself.

Even though Wolverine has likely dispatched the real Stryker by now, Mystique could easily impersonate him...

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