Marvel: Starting as a Time Criminal, Stealing Powers

The moment Thunderbolt heard the voice behind him, he noticed Fireman and Sabretooth—positioned in the distance—also looking past him.

It was obvious now: he wasn't the target. Someone else was.

Turning around, he realized it was the same guy who had checked out his butt earlier!

Thunderbolt blurted out:

"You've got a girlfriend here in the Void?!"

"You're not gay?"

"No?"

"Someone's really waiting for you?"

As they passed each other, Russell gave him a sidelong glance.

"None of your business."

Thunderbolt didn't curse this time. Instead, he grinned and said:

"So that crazy woman's after you, pretty boy."

"Haha! I'm safe."

Then he winked and added smugly:

"I heard she's into some freaky stuff. Likes to stick her hands into people—don't know if your skinny body can handle that."

"But hey, if you're scared, I can help you out. Just one box of the cheapest wine will do."

You're actually upset she's not after you... Russell didn't say that out loud. After studying him for a moment, he kindly replied:

"You should go home, Human Torch."

"There's someone over there who's a natural counter to you. You didn't notice?"

"Human Torch"... Johnny Storm's eyes widened. His blood pressure shot up.

"Back in the day, even Doctor Doom couldn't beat me! Silver Surfer got wrecked, and Galactus? He called me Daddy!"

"A counter to me?"

"Now I'll show you why they call me Hellfire!"

Wait a second… aren't you the Human Torch? Since when was "Hellfire" your nickname?

Also—stop bragging, will you? Any one of those guys could squash you like a bug!

Russell was speechless.

Before he could respond, the Human Torch slammed the can of food to the ground with a snap and shouted:

"Thunderbolt Flame!!!"

And with that, his entire body erupted in flames. With a whoosh, he soared toward Sabretooth and the others, blazing with fiery momentum.

Very impressive!

"...But I still prefer it when you shout 'Avengers, Assemble,'" Russell muttered.

He set down the supplies he was carrying and followed him out.

He was worried the guy might get himself killed if he moved any slower.

Sure enough, the moment he stepped outside, he saw Human Torch—clearly lacking a functioning brain stem—hovering in the air, spewing flames…

Then promptly sucked in by Fireman.

With a loud bang, he crashed into the ground. Just watching it looked painful.

Still, the guy didn't die from the fall. Twisting in pain, he turned his head and shouted:

"Bro, save me!"

"Not even your dad can save you now!" came a sinister laugh.

The Toad grinned cruelly, opened his mouth, and shot out a grotesque, tumor-covered tongue—trying to reel the Human Torch back in.

But a purple web beat him to it!

The Toad was forced to retract his tongue and face-planted into the dirt.

Scowling, he looked up at the man who pulled Human Torch aside.

"Thanks, man. I'll buy you a drink later," said Human Torch, climbing up with a grin.

Then he made excuses:

"I slipped up just now. If I'd used my flame jet, I would've smashed him to pieces with a rocket headbutt!"

"It wasn't that he countered me—I just chose the wrong tactic."

"Next time, I'll definitely win!"

Russell rolled his eyes.

So stubborn.

Just then, applause rang out.

Clap clap clap!

Fireman chuckled and said:

"Jimmy was right—you really are Spider-Man."

"Tsk tsk... A rare breed in the Void."

Russell wasn't surprised they'd targeted him during this black market trip.

The clone that died earlier had sent back all its memories.

The original body, now carrying that information, had naturally drawn unwanted attention.

In the trading hall earlier, Russell had sensed someone watching him with malicious intent.

He knew right away—it was the Mutants.

What he didn't expect was that they'd have the nerve to block the black market entrance, showing no respect for the forces behind it.

This meant one of two things:

Either these Mutants had no clue who controlled the black market...

Or he had seriously underestimated the true power behind it.

Regardless, a fight was inevitable.

"Who's going in?" Fireman asked calmly, clearly not taking Spider-Man seriously.

"Roar!"

Sabretooth leapt off the car with a thud, grinning viciously as he eyed his target.

"Let me handle this!"

"A tiger versus a spider? Easy win!"

The Human Torch swallowed hard and leaned toward Russell, whispering:

"Bro, you're Spider-Man."

"These guys play dirty. The terrain here puts you at a disadvantage… Why don't we run back to the black market?"

Russell patted his shoulder and said confidently:

"Relax. I'm Spider-Man, mutated by Captain America."

"Watch how I slice off his head."

You can out-brag me?! Human Torch stared at him in disbelief.

Still, the guy didn't run. Even though his body had just been drained by Fireman, he stood there, ready to fight by Russell's side.

"Roar!"

Sabretooth growled, his fingernails rapidly extending into razor-sharp claws!

Then—he charged!

Meanwhile, Russell simply walked toward him slowly, looking completely exposed.

The two were seconds away from clashing.

Just when Human Torch thought Russell was about to get impaled…

Suddenly—Russell sidestepped with lightning speed!

In the same instant, he grabbed Sabretooth's attacking right arm, crushed it, and then drove it straight into his neck!

Thud!

Sabretooth stumbled forward a few steps before dropping to his knees.

His head sagged, held on by a mere strip of skin. Blood sprayed from his neck.

Instant kill.

Dead silence.

No one had expected that outcome.

Then, suddenly, laughter rang out—breaking the stillness.

"Who's next?"

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