"Boom!" A terrifying explosion echoed between heaven and earth, completely obliterating the surrounding abandoned houses into dust. Naturally, the magic-sealing wave was also dissipated on the spot.
Robert's body was blasted out from the center of the explosion. While resisting the force of the explosion, he keenly sensed that the life essence of the Holy Lord abruptly dwindled, marking his end. The power of the charms not only destroyed everything around but also the Holy Lord's body! But at this moment, Robert sensed another familiar, yet different, infernal presence. A gate to hell appeared, and the Holy Lord's soul was forcibly devoured...
"Kid! I remember your essence. You forced me back into the demonic hells. One day, I will return to take my revenge!" The Holy Lord's chilling voice echoed in Robert's ears as he disappeared. The charm's power did not kill Robert on the spot, much to the Holy Lord's regret and frustration.
The Holy Lord's body was completely destroyed by the twelve charms, forcing his soul back into hell. This state wasn't much better than being sealed - a limited freedom within a small range, nothing compared to enjoying life on Earth...
However, the total detonation of the twelve charms was almost akin to self-destruction. The most horrific force of the explosion was borne by the Holy Lord himself. When Robert felt the magic-sealing wave break, he realized the impending doom. He exerted his full power to sustain an energy barrier, blocking the terrifying force of the explosion...
Even so, Robert suffered severe injuries. The seemingly infinite power of the twelve charms exploded, and Robert's energy barrier couldn't hold completely. He was blasted away by the power of the charms, his body a mangled mess, his blood instantly eradicated by the energy of the charms. However, when Robert was blasted away, he keenly felt some of the charm powers he had studied before merge into his body, enhancing his strength, especially the power of the horse charm. This infusion of power made him less severely affected by the explosion...
Moreover, Robert sensed that not all the charm powers were absorbed by his body; some dissipated into the ether, their whereabouts unknown.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!" After a while, Robert stood, gasping for air. He had switched to Vegeta's guise using transformation magic. He realized another use of the transformation technique – to prevent his blood from spilling everywhere after sustaining injuries.
"Shh!" With a wave of his hand, Robert released an energy wave, erasing the blood he had shed before transforming. As for the horrific destructive power of the twelve charms, Robert didn't care much.
"What a joke, such explosive power, in the Dragon Ball world, this happened a hundred, no, fifty times without blowing up the Earth. It's not that terrifying."
"Clark, that guy, isn't he coming to pick me up? Wasn't he nearby earlier?" Robert muttered after erasing his bloodstains and scanning the area, not sensing Clark's presence.
Unbeknownst to Robert, Clark was indeed on his way but stopped midway because he saw a familiar figure faint on the street. Clark reached her before anyone else noticed. Several lights had flown from Robert's direction and merged into this person...
Lana Lang, though she hadn't officially confirmed her relationship with Clark, was closer to him after Selina gave up.
Lana was out shopping today, even had an appointment with Clark, but he didn't go because he was watching over Robert.
Unexpectedly, during her shopping, Lana heard the terrifying explosion and, thinking it was a terrorist attack, instinctively ran with the panicked crowd. But before she could get far, she was struck by several lights and fainted...
"People, be careful, keep your distance!"
"Let's go, hurry! Don't bother with her, that explosion was horrifying..."
"Should we help her? Leaving her here could be dangerous."
"This chick looks nice, maybe I can take advantage of the chaos..."
The people around Lana, each with their own thoughts, but then Clark descended from the sky, picking up Lana, attracting everyone's attention.
"Heavens! It's Superman!"
"Superman, what was that explosion about?"
"The explosion is over, there's nothing to worry about!" Clark reassured the crowd below, then vanished.
"Superman, my God!"
"Superman, I love you!"
"It must be Superman's doing, he saved us!"
"Superman stopped the explosion! He's saved our lives again..." However, some voices didn't align with the crowd.
"Superman took that woman away, he wouldn't do anything to her, right?"
But such discordant voices were quickly silenced by glaring stares from the crowd, making the speaker shrink back, fearing the wrath of Superman's numerous fans.
Elsewhere, at a temporary SHIELD base, Tony Stark and others were resting. Steve and Bucky revealed their identities, surprising Hawkeye Barton and Black Widow Natasha. However, Steve and Bucky soon fell silent.
Steve was worried about Robert; in his view, Robert encountered Hydra because of him. If he hadn't asked Robert for help, Robert wouldn't have met that terrifying Superman. Now, his fate was unknown...
In Steve's perspective, the Superman who fought Robert was an impostor. Seeing Superman made them suspicious, as Hydra's involvement indicated a larger scheme. Concerned, Steve had Natasha and Barton contact SHIELD for more support and sought other allies, unwilling to leave Robert's fate uncertain...
However, Steve received news of Superman appearing elsewhere, confusing everyone. Some suspected it was a ploy by Hydra to smear Robert's name and glorify Superman.
But then, a rumbling explosion reached them. Steve felt a familiar power return to him – the power of the pig charm. He speculated, "Could it be? Did Robert not lose but win?"
Steve knew the charms had been stolen by Valmont. Now, feeling the charm's power return sparked hope.
"Steve? What's wrong?" Bucky and others, distracted by the explosion, turned to Steve.
"Nothing, I just think the explosion might be related to Valmont..." Steve didn't mention Robert, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"Jarvis?" Tony Stark called out to his AI.
"Sir, a nuclear-like explosion occurred in the abandoned city area, more powerful than 'Little Boy,' but with no radiation and more destructive impact," Jarvis reported, showing relevant data.
"A non-radioactive nuke?" Tony pondered, suspecting Robert's involvement. If true, Nick Fury's nickname for Robert – 'Energy Kid' – seemed inadequate; 'Nuclear Kid' would be more apt.
As everyone fell silent, Bucky looked at Steve, sensing his change but unsure of the specifics.
Unbeknownst to Bucky, not only Steve experienced a change. In Missouri, Barry Allen, Pietro, and Lorna in a school classroom felt their powers enhance, seemingly more intuitive than before.
Johnny Storm and Susan Storm also sensed newfound powers within them, with Susan feeling more than just the snake charm's power.
In the deep sea, Mera healed a wounded sperm whale with a gesture. Surprised by her newfound power, she recalled Robert, Jackie Chan, and a leaky mech.
In Hell's Kitchen, Kingpin, still in meditation, felt an evil intent return to him but remained calm, whispering, "True self-awareness leads to transcendence."
After the charm explosion, some former bearers regained their powers, not limited to those with prior experience. But not everyone inherited them – Jackie Chan, Jade, Niu Zhanzhi, Constantine, Nick Fury, Strucker didn't receive any boost. Deadpool and Slade didn't see an improvement in their healing abilities.
Others, including Lana, who hadn't encountered charms before, received their powers but experienced some discomfort initially...
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