American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

161. Dying at the Hands of ‘Heroes’.

Standing before Count Nefaria, Alex immediately began to absorb his energy. For superhumans like Count Nefaria, he had to extract their energy before the activity in their bodies completely dissipated, otherwise, it would be a waste.

Magical energy surged out, gradually illuminating the area around Alex. The emerald green light, like the branches of a willow tree, slowly absorbed the energy from Count Nefaria's body. However, unlike previous instances where he absorbed the energy of harmful beasts, the pure ionic energy was easier to manage and more controllable than biological energy.

When absorbing biological energy, he was often affected by the soul and fragmented information of the creature. But pure energy was different; the distinction was like that between water and ice. It's worth noting that not all energy is as easily controlled. If Alex were to face Phoenix Force or Chaos Magic, the violent cosmic energy would pose significant challenges. Compared to those, Count Nefaria's ionic energy was relatively easier to absorb.

This time, Alex didn't choose to keep the energy for himself but instead infused it into the Timepad. He wanted to see how much power this energy could supply to the device.

Kara didn't interrupt Alex's actions; she simply stared blankly at the already deceased Count Nefaria on the ground. For some reason, Kara felt this old man was different from the criminals she had faced before.

Pietro felt similarly. Despite standing on the moral high ground and knowing they had "fought for justice" by killing a villain, there was no joy in their hearts. Instead, everything seemed chaotic.

"I know you have a lot to say, don't hold back," Alex said calmly, continuing his magical work.

"I..." Pietro started but couldn't find the words. "I want to say so much, but I don't know where to begin."

Alex understood Pietro's feelings well. There is no absolute right or wrong in this world, no clear-cut good and evil. Everything isn't just black and white. If Alex had to explain these concepts, even he wouldn't know where to start.

These matters covered too many fields, often rising to philosophical levels—depths too profound and elusive, with each person holding their own views. No one could claim to be absolutely right, making those discussions ultimately meaningless.

Alex aimed to present the facts. How Pietro and Kara interpreted them was up to them.

"Pietro, you're curious why I didn't intervene directly, but instead chose to watch him perform this 'circus act,' right?" Alex turned to Pietro.

Pietro nodded silently. He had wanted to ask but knew Alex had his reasons, so he wasn't too surprised and chose to go along with it.

"As you've seen, Count Nefaria was already spent. He died fighting heroes, just like many other villains across the world. They had long lost their purpose, wandering aimlessly like the living dead for decades."

Alex's voice was calm as he narrated the current state of the wasteland.

"As he said, he was waiting for heroes to push open the bar door and engage in a grand battle, for that was the only way he could reclaim his former self. He once was glorious..."

"But he was a supervillain, wasn't he? Countless ordinary people died at his hands. Why should we pity him?" Kara asked, confused.

Alex paused his actions. The last bit of energy had been drained from Count Nefaria, reducing him to a dried corpse, much like the ordinary people he had once turned into husks.

"Do you think I pity him?"

Staring at Count Nefaria's remains, Alex mused, half to himself and half in response.

"It was just a transaction. Count Nefaria knew he would die. In fact, he had been waiting for this day. He both anticipated and feared his death. I merely made a mutually beneficial trade with him."

"The pride of these supervillains lies in their past victories. They fought and won a war; they indeed achieved it. For those in the wasteland who find no meaning in life, the best death is a spectacular one, rather than dying unnoticed in a gutter."

Pietro lowered his head, reminded of his past.

"They want a heroic death, not to be forgotten. Like Count Nefaria, a relic of a dark age, his only remaining dream was to be killed by heroes."

Alex paused, then gestured to encompass the entire wrecked bar.

"Look at this place. From the start, Count Nefaria knew he would die, and that no one in this bar would leave alive..."

Alex picked up the remaining bottle of wine, miraculously intact from the fierce battle, and poured it into a glass.

"So, Count Nefaria chose to act. Though it didn't alter our plan, since he was willing to help, I respected his decision."

The wine poured into the glass with a clear sound.

"Count Nefaria's goal was simple. He wanted to die at the hands of heroes!"

Pietro and Kara looked at Alex.

"And heroes' hands..." Alex lifted the glass.

"Cannot be stained with innocent blood."

...…..

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162. Bullseye's Log - Part One.
163. Marks of Shame.
164. The Pym Cross.
165. Osborn City.
166. Night Raid.