Clark finally established a relationship with Lana. Given his personality, taking the initiative to kiss her was already his limit; he had no intention of advancing further at that moment. However, Lana was satisfied with this development. A key progress had been made in their relationship, and as Lana was now also a superhuman, their common ground was bound to increase over time. Lana even thought of having Clark help her get accustomed to her newly awakened powers. Despite the low difficulty in mastering the powers granted by the spell, it was a good excuse to spend time together, wasn't it?
Meanwhile, Robert was unaware that his brother Clark had begun a new chapter in his life, or that his sister-in-law Lana had changed due to the spell's power, becoming nearly as powerful as his usual strength. While she was somewhat weaker than Kara, who had been training with Robert for a long time, the difference wasn't too significant.
Even if Robert had known, he would have just congratulated Clark. After all, power-ups like this were quite common in the Dragon Ball world, though the leap in power here was indeed a bit much.
Following Clark's guidance, Robert found Steve's location. He noticed the change in Steve's energy, partly because Robert had absorbed some of the laser-eye energy contained in the Pig Spell. Hence, he was familiar with it.
He had to admit, the power of the twelve spells was truly immense. For ordinary people, the energy contained in them seemed endless. No wonder Diana had advised Robert to be cautious. If the Holy Master hadn't been weakened twice in a row, defeating him would have probably been impossible for Robert.
"All here, huh? That was quick..." Robert muttered with a smile after sensing Steve, Bucky, and Tony Stark's presence. As for Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton? Sorry, not really familiar.
Robert was pleased that Steve and the others had survived. After all, they had fought together, and it would have been a pity if they had died, especially in a world without Dragon Balls to revive the dead.
"Huh? Someone's coming!" Natasha received a report from her subordinates about the arrival of Robert, who hadn't tried to hide his presence, looking like Vegeta.
"Let him in! It's Energy Boy! He's alive!" Natasha quickly ordered.
"He's fine then... Looks like he won the fight..." Steve relaxed a bit upon hearing Natasha's words. If the earlier assumption that Robert had gained the power of the Pig Spell was just a speculation, now it seemed to be confirmed.
However, Steve had many questions, like the appearance of that Superman and the monster intercepted by him. What were they all about?
"Just a reminder, don't use those silly nicknames you've picked out. He doesn't have a good temper!" Tony Stark warned Natasha and Clint, not wishing to see them provoke Robert.
"We trust our negotiation skills..." Natasha confidently smiled, being one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most famous agents, known for successfully persuading many talents to join the organization.
As Natasha was feeling confident, Robert entered the room. He was brought in by agents who looked more like bodyguards, a similar procedure to when he had met Steve, only that time it was an old lady who had led him in.
"Good to see you're all okay. I thought you might have sacrificed yourselves!" Robert said with a light tone and a smile upon seeing Steve, Bucky, and Tony stand up to greet him.
"How about you? Did you win?" Tony asked, remembering the explosion Jarvis reported.
"I won. It was a bit tough. Those two guys were really hard to kill..." Robert explained, spreading his hands and smiling.
"Two guys? Do you mean Superman and Valmont?" Steve asked thoughtfully, "Was that Superman really with Hydra? And do you know about that monster Superman intercepted?"
For Steve, besides knowing that Robert was safe, it was crucial to clarify Superman's situation. He couldn't let a Hydra member develop into a widely accepted superhero. Who knows what kind of conspiracy Hydra might be planning, perhaps trying to replicate a new era of influence like his own, to manipulate public opinion, or even coerce public sentiment...
"Superman? Hydra?" Robert was momentarily stunned, not knowing when his brother became associated with Hydra, but he quickly realized Steve was referring to the counterfeit Superman.
"Oh, you got it wrong. What you saw wasn't Superman but a counterfeit, evolved from the power of the Rat Spell. He had power similar to Superman's, but unfortunately, he wasn't a match for me!" Robert clarified, feeling somewhat proud, especially remembering the satisfaction of defeating the counterfeit Superman.
"Evolved from the Rat Spell?" Everyone, except for Bucky, had some understanding of the power of spells and exchanged surprised glances. A Rat Spell that could evolve into a being with Superman's powers? What if it evolved something else?
"What if the Rat Spell evolved into a god? Could it destroy the world?" Clint asked, furrowing his brows.
"A god? The Rat Spell should have a power limit, probably around the Holy Master's level..." Robert thought it unlikely, considering that the counterfeit Superman couldn't even defeat him, let alone the real Clark.
In other words, the power limit of the Rat Spell should be near the combat level demonstrated by the Holy Master, or even a bit weaker.
Robert recalled Diana mentioning something about gods being on a level akin to 'Heavenly Fathers'. He wasn't too familiar with the concept of a god but thought that a god would likely possess strength above the Holy Master's prime. Therefore, it was almost impossible for the Rat Spell to evolve a god.
Destroying the world, however, wasn't that difficult. Not just Clark, but even Robert could do it easily if unopposed...
"Holy Master?" Steve quickly picked up on a new name mentioned by Robert and looked at him quizzically.
"Yeah, the Holy Master is the owner of the spells, or rather, the source of their power. He was sealed before, and his twelve spells were scattered. During the battle, he devoured Valmont, who had collected all twelve spells, and regained his freedom. The monster intercepted by Superman was him..." Robert continued to explain.
"No, these spells are too dangerous! Energy Boy! Such dangerous things should be handed over to S.H.I.E.L.D. for safekeeping..." Clint suddenly interrupted Robert, following a message from Nick Fury.
"Don't kill him!" Steve and Tony's faces changed as they noticed Robert's expression turning cold. Having witnessed Robert's decisiveness before, they almost simultaneously shouted a warning.
With a "Bang!", Robert, considering Steve and Tony's intervention, used less force and sent Clint flying into a wall, leaving him unable to recover for a while.
The next moment, several armed agents rushed in, aiming their guns at Robert.
"Hmph!" Robert snorted, about to act, but Steve stepped in front of him, seemingly blocking the aimed guns but actually preventing Robert from killing the agents in anger.
"What are you doing? Who let you in? Get out!" Steve commanded authoritatively, straightening his back and addressing the agents.
The agents, not directly under Steve's command but influenced by the Captain America spirit, hesitated before Natasha ordered them to leave. She believed that Robert's displayed power was not something a group of agents could confront, but his sudden attack on Clint needed an explanation.
Additionally, Natasha had another mission: to assess Robert's character and consider recruiting him into S.H.I.E.L.D. or Nick Fury's newly formed Avengers.
The agents, relieved at the new order, quickly left, unwilling to shoot at Captain America and break their belief in him.
"Why did you suddenly attack Barton?" Natasha asked Robert after the agents left, feigning anger with a hint of charm in her voice.
"I don't want to hear that nickname again, neither from your mouths nor your earpieces..." Robert glanced at Natasha before turning to Steve, Bucky, and Tony, "It's good to know you're okay. Also, tell Area 13 not to worry about the spells anymore. They've all exploded, as you must have heard..."
"That explosion was the power of the spells?" Tony was surprised but also relieved, glad he hadn't called out any nickname like 'Nuclear Boy'.
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