Reading settings
**Chapter 466: Superhuman Disappearance Case (2) Clues for the Unlucky Fellow**
"ZOOM!"
Custom spider silk synthesized from the Splitter Armor pulled Gwen onto the Empire State Building. With the armor's surveillance mode, it became an excellent vantage point.
Walking low, Gwen strolled along the building's edge while scanning the surrounding area centered around the Empire State Building.
The last missing superhuman was a mutant. According to the Daily Bugle, the mutant was a regular Indian man named Neil Sharra, sent to the U.S. by his company for business. For the first three days, all was well—he even secured a major deal for his firm in America.
Had things proceeded normally, Neil should’ve been promoted and rewarded. But alas, tragedy struck during his most successful days.
On the fifth day of his trip to America, his final day in the country, a refreshed Neil decided to visit the famous Empire State Building. Earlier at the hotel, he had chatted with the staff about taking a picture there.
Not only to commemorate his American journey, but Neil also wanted to use the Empire State Building as a symbol of his rising fortune.
Regrettably, this free nation didn’t grant him good luck. Instead, it brought his downfall.
On the way to the Empire State Building, Neil encountered a robbery. Apparently, he was ambushed by a group of local hooligans notorious for targeting foreigners.
Interviews with bystanders revealed these delinquents specifically preyed on immigrants, who typically had shallow roots in the country.
Even if they acted violently, no one would intervene. Their underage status further emboldened them. Besides, foreign targets rarely had firearms.
Neil initially resisted but found no help nearby. Trapped and unable to call the police, he reluctantly handed over his money.
But the hooligans pressed their advantage, demanding to search his backpack. Neil refused, and tensions escalated into physical conflict.
Outnumbered, Neil was beaten to the ground. Just as bystanders prepared to intervene to prevent a fatality, an incident occurred.
Neil’s hands erupted with astonishing energy, flinging his attackers away. Many onlookers also felt the backlash.
Indeed, in the face of mortal danger, Neil awakened his mutant powers. Later confirmed, his ability resembled ion heat projection. Nearly all his assailants suffered fourth-degree burns, their conditions grim.
The worst affected bystanders received second-degree burns, while others sustained lesser injuries.
Thus, Neil not only failed to ascend but also faced a mountain of lawsuits. Logically, under duress and unaware of his actions, his self-defense should’ve lessened culpability.
But sorry to say, as a mutant, he instantly became the accused. What was reasonable turned unreasonable. Instead of victimhood, he became the perpetrator. Ideally, Magneto should’ve sent aid, but worse befell him.
Neil’s incident occurred roughly a week ago. At the time, Yang Le and Gwen were elsewhere. Mutants were locked in a fierce struggle with the High Evolutionary, leaving no one to notice this unfortunate soul.
Afterward, Magneto and the mutants left to focus on their mutant nation project. Per Yang Le’s connection to his alternate self, Magneto and others were preoccupied with establishing the nation and had no time for external affairs.
Magneto's ultimatum to the human government was publicly recognized, though the authorities wouldn’t endorse mutant sovereignty.
Success depended entirely on Magneto’s own efforts.
So unlucky Neil bore the brunt of his fellow mutants’ judgment.
He accrued medical bills and compensation claims—not only from his attackers but also the bystanders affected by collateral damage.
Depleted of all savings, Neil was left with only his clothes. His career prospects and orders vanished. His company distanced itself. In a short span, he experienced life’s extremes.
Neil’s streak of bad luck had one silver lining: the rise of Magneto's mutant nation. Many mutants deemed safe by society could avoid imprisonment. Once the nation was established, Neil could be transferred there.
During this waiting period, he was detained in a specialized mutant jail. But two days ago, he vanished. Guards discovered his absence during roll call.
Some suspected escape, but others linked Neil’s disappearance to recent superhuman disappearances, including the Daily Bugle.
Gwen found the correlation tenuous, but Yang Le offered an explanation.
In Yang Le’s view, Neil’s escape was unlikely. First, his mutant powers guaranteed any breakout would cause significant commotion.
Moreover, photos leaked that night showed neither his room nor the jail damaged. Thus, Neil didn’t vanish through his own strength.
Second, no jailed mutant would risk exposure to aid an outsider like Neil. Even if some concealed their abilities, why jeopardize themselves for a newcomer? Better to escape on their own.
Third, the notion Neil’s disappearance was a test run by another mutant was absurd. Post-disappearance, the jail’s alert level rose. Yang Le doubted any fool would undertake such a thankless task.
Fourth, Neil’s singular mutant capability mirrored earlier disappearances. His unique power drew attention—why him, and not others?
(End of Chapter)
"ZOOM!"
Custom spider silk synthesized from the Splitter Armor pulled Gwen onto the Empire State Building. With the armor's surveillance mode, it became an excellent vantage point.
Walking low, Gwen strolled along the building's edge while scanning the surrounding area centered around the Empire State Building.
The last missing superhuman was a mutant. According to the Daily Bugle, the mutant was a regular Indian man named Neil Sharra, sent to the U.S. by his company for business. For the first three days, all was well—he even secured a major deal for his firm in America.
Had things proceeded normally, Neil should’ve been promoted and rewarded. But alas, tragedy struck during his most successful days.
On the fifth day of his trip to America, his final day in the country, a refreshed Neil decided to visit the famous Empire State Building. Earlier at the hotel, he had chatted with the staff about taking a picture there.
Not only to commemorate his American journey, but Neil also wanted to use the Empire State Building as a symbol of his rising fortune.
Regrettably, this free nation didn’t grant him good luck. Instead, it brought his downfall.
On the way to the Empire State Building, Neil encountered a robbery. Apparently, he was ambushed by a group of local hooligans notorious for targeting foreigners.
Interviews with bystanders revealed these delinquents specifically preyed on immigrants, who typically had shallow roots in the country.
Even if they acted violently, no one would intervene. Their underage status further emboldened them. Besides, foreign targets rarely had firearms.
Neil initially resisted but found no help nearby. Trapped and unable to call the police, he reluctantly handed over his money.
But the hooligans pressed their advantage, demanding to search his backpack. Neil refused, and tensions escalated into physical conflict.
Outnumbered, Neil was beaten to the ground. Just as bystanders prepared to intervene to prevent a fatality, an incident occurred.
Neil’s hands erupted with astonishing energy, flinging his attackers away. Many onlookers also felt the backlash.
Indeed, in the face of mortal danger, Neil awakened his mutant powers. Later confirmed, his ability resembled ion heat projection. Nearly all his assailants suffered fourth-degree burns, their conditions grim.
The worst affected bystanders received second-degree burns, while others sustained lesser injuries.
Thus, Neil not only failed to ascend but also faced a mountain of lawsuits. Logically, under duress and unaware of his actions, his self-defense should’ve lessened culpability.
But sorry to say, as a mutant, he instantly became the accused. What was reasonable turned unreasonable. Instead of victimhood, he became the perpetrator. Ideally, Magneto should’ve sent aid, but worse befell him.
Neil’s incident occurred roughly a week ago. At the time, Yang Le and Gwen were elsewhere. Mutants were locked in a fierce struggle with the High Evolutionary, leaving no one to notice this unfortunate soul.
Afterward, Magneto and the mutants left to focus on their mutant nation project. Per Yang Le’s connection to his alternate self, Magneto and others were preoccupied with establishing the nation and had no time for external affairs.
Magneto's ultimatum to the human government was publicly recognized, though the authorities wouldn’t endorse mutant sovereignty.
Success depended entirely on Magneto’s own efforts.
So unlucky Neil bore the brunt of his fellow mutants’ judgment.
He accrued medical bills and compensation claims—not only from his attackers but also the bystanders affected by collateral damage.
Depleted of all savings, Neil was left with only his clothes. His career prospects and orders vanished. His company distanced itself. In a short span, he experienced life’s extremes.
Neil’s streak of bad luck had one silver lining: the rise of Magneto's mutant nation. Many mutants deemed safe by society could avoid imprisonment. Once the nation was established, Neil could be transferred there.
During this waiting period, he was detained in a specialized mutant jail. But two days ago, he vanished. Guards discovered his absence during roll call.
Some suspected escape, but others linked Neil’s disappearance to recent superhuman disappearances, including the Daily Bugle.
Gwen found the correlation tenuous, but Yang Le offered an explanation.
In Yang Le’s view, Neil’s escape was unlikely. First, his mutant powers guaranteed any breakout would cause significant commotion.
Moreover, photos leaked that night showed neither his room nor the jail damaged. Thus, Neil didn’t vanish through his own strength.
Second, no jailed mutant would risk exposure to aid an outsider like Neil. Even if some concealed their abilities, why jeopardize themselves for a newcomer? Better to escape on their own.
Third, the notion Neil’s disappearance was a test run by another mutant was absurd. Post-disappearance, the jail’s alert level rose. Yang Le doubted any fool would undertake such a thankless task.
Fourth, Neil’s singular mutant capability mirrored earlier disappearances. His unique power drew attention—why him, and not others?
(End of Chapter)
