"Is it... over?" Jackie Chan muttered somewhat dazedly, watching Diana fly off into the sky.
"Yeah, it's over. It seems like there's no need to fight anymore..." Hank Pym reflexively nodded in agreement.
At this moment, Jackie seemed to have temporarily forgotten the purpose of his visit, and Hank also seemed to forget that he and Jackie were not on the same side. Jackie was actually there to seize the bovine charm.
Confronted with an extraordinary event that exceeded their understanding, both men instinctively sought comfort in each other's presence, helping them affirm their own existence.
"Yes, it's over. I didn't expect such a surprise this time. It seems my decision to venture out was the right one!" Robert walked over to Jackie and Hank, saying with a smile.
Hank suddenly came back to his senses, inhaling sharply and looking warily at Robert as he instinctively stepped back. "You're not planning on continuing the fight, are you?"
"Don't worry, I've had my fill of fighting for today. But if there's a chance in the future, we can spar again..." Robert waved his hand dismissively, looking forward to another encounter with Hank.
"No! No need! I'm no match for you!" Hank quickly shook his head, admitting defeat.
"How can you say that? As long as you have the bovine charm, you still have a fighting chance!" Robert seriously said, eyeing the bovine charm on Hank's mask.
"Even with the bovine charm, I'm no match for you. Once you use that laser cannon, my body might withstand it, but my mask won't..." Hank sighed dejectedly, touching the bovine charm on his forehead.
"And I've realized something. Compared to people like you with innate power, I'm nothing. The bovine charm isn't really my own strength. I shouldn't rely on it too much. Ever since I got it, I haven't trained properly..."
"So, I've decided to hand over the bovine charm to you. Although the Bull Fighter never removes his mask, you defeated me. According to our wrestler's rules, you have the right to ask me to remove it..."
"Have you really never removed your mask before?" Robert curiously asked, inspecting Hank. "How do you wash your face or bathe? And doesn't your mask get dirty? Doesn't it stink from sweat when you train or fight?"
Hank, who was about to remove his mask, suddenly paused. Though his face was still hidden, one could imagine a rigid expression forming.
"Cough cough, thank you for cooperating..." Jackie interjected, seeing the awkward atmosphere. "Even though the charm doesn't mean much to Robert and others, it's still too dangerous for ordinary people like us."
"And, you saw those masked men earlier. If the charm remains with you, they will definitely keep coming after you..."
"They can come after me; I'm not afraid of them!" Hank glared at Jackie, then, instead of removing his mask, he plucked the bovine charm from it and tossed it to Robert, revealing a shiny forehead.
"Hmm?" Robert didn't pay attention to Hank's forehead. As he caught the bovine charm, he felt a surge of immense power blending into his body.
In just an instant, Robert felt his physical strength and defense dramatically increase, already matching Diana's physical prowess he had just witnessed. But the issue was, the bovine charm only increased physical strength and defense, not speed or healing abilities, and certainly not the intensity of his energy...
That meant, with the bovine charm, Robert could enhance his strength and defense but couldn't improve his speed or use energy to enhance his combat abilities.
Yet, such an enhancement was already very powerful! "With such great power, how could you only use it to such a small extent? Does everyone have a different capacity to handle the power of the charm?" Robert mused as he handed the charm to Jackie.
To Robert, the bovine charm was just an external force. He didn't like relying on external help, especially since the charm could be taken away at any time, and he couldn't just embed it in his body...
If the charm's power could be transferred directly into his body, Robert might have accepted it more readily. But holding onto it was too cumbersome, and he preferred to improve his own strength through diligent training.
"..." Hank listened to Robert's murmurs and found himself missing the battle-focused Robert.
"I feel like I can lift a cow! No, an elephant!" Jackie, upon receiving the bovine charm and feeling its powerful augmentation, excitedly exclaimed. But he quickly noticed Robert and Hank's gaze and closed his mouth, understanding the situation.
"Alright, we've got the bovine charm. Time to go our separate ways!" Robert shrugged, addressing Jackie and Hank.
Robert had no intention of going home. After all, he had just started his adventure; why would he return so soon? Besides, with Clark guarding the Kent Farm, there shouldn't be any trouble there. So, he planned to enjoy his time outside. He had learned from his previous experience in New York; he wouldn't return until school started.
"You're not going back with me?" Jackie hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. He looked at Robert, then realized something and muttered enviously, "Oh, I forgot, you can fly. You really don't need to go back with me..."
"Shush! Someone's coming!" But before Jackie could finish, Robert interrupted him. Robert frowned, sensing several auras approaching. They were the same masked men who had fled from Hank earlier.
During the previous battles, the masked men had contacted Valon for reinforcements, as they were determined to get the bovine charm at all costs. Why would they give up over a minor setback?
Since ordinary weapons and firearms were ineffective against Hank, it was time to escalate the firepower with more formidable weapons.
Under Valon's arrangement, the masked men donned higher-grade combat gear, some even equipped with superhuman-level gear.
After all, Italy was the origin of Valon's lineage, and Europe was a stronghold for their vast organization. Procuring some superhuman equipment was hardly an issue...
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