Mysteries On Marvel

At the moment the crimson symbol was fully formed, the circular study was suddenly engulfed in a burst of blood-red light.

The bodies of Fox, the Gunsmith, and the other four assassins were instantly drained by the symbol on the floor, leaving behind shriveled corpses.

Having absorbed the blood and essence of six elite assassins, the crimson symbol began to twist and writhe, sprouting tendrils of blood that wrapped themselves tightly around Sloan.

No, it was more than just wrapping him. The eerie, pulsating symbol began to burrow into Sloan's body through his pores, merging with his decaying flesh and nourishing it from within.

The transformation was grotesque yet mesmerizing. The stolen vitality rejuvenated Sloan's body, triggering a horrifying metamorphosis.

In mere seconds, Sloan stood upright, his once-aged and withered form now brimming with youth and vitality. His skin, now sleek and dark, gleamed ominously as once-shrunken muscles swelled with explosive power.

With a soft tap of his shoe, Sloan leapt five or six meters, landing gracefully beyond the circle of desiccated corpses.

Feeling the surge of power coursing through him—greater even than his prime—Sloan's face twisted into an expression of ecstasy and madness.

"This... this intoxicating feeling of strength!"

"Cross?" he murmured with a dark chuckle. "Soon, you'll realize that no matter how strong you think you are, you're still just a mortal."

The thought of the traitor who had recently pushed him to the brink of despair ignited a bloodthirsty gleam in Sloan's eyes.

As the leader of the Brotherhood, Sloan had once been the strongest assassin in the organization's centuries-long history. Yet, years of wielding power and the ravages of time had dulled his edge, making most forget just how deadly he had once been.

But everything changed last night.

After Cross killed his only son, severing his last tie to humanity, Sloan too underwent a transformation.

He had heard the whispers of a demon and willingly embraced the abyss. Already forsaken by divine providence—his name etched into the threads of the Loom of Fate—Sloan had no hesitation in throwing himself into the embrace of darkness.

This descent into corruption unlocked forbidden knowledge within his mind, and his body, now nourished by an unknown force, was completely reborn.

Elsewhere in the factory, as Sloan absorbed the life essence of the six assassins, both Eren and Cross froze mid-action.

Their heightened senses simultaneously picked up on the deadly aura emanating from the second floor.

"This ominous feeling…"

Eren's eyes turned deep and piercing as he activated his spiritual vision, staring directly at the source of the oppressive energy.

What he saw made his breath catch—a blood-red orb enshrouded in an eerie glow. Within it, the faint silhouette of a small demon with curled horns stared back at him with a chilling, mocking grin.

The intense psychic backlash caused a sharp pain in Eren's eyes, forcing him to avert his gaze.

Meanwhile, Cross's innate extraordinary instincts warned him of the looming shadow of death radiating from Sloan's study.

"That's Sloan's study," Cross muttered, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell is happening in there?"

The mere thought of Sloan—the man who betrayed their creed and drove him to kill his own son—rekindled an uncontrollable fury within Cross.

Nearby, Eren noted the murderous aura emanating from Cross and smirked faintly.

"How about we call a temporary truce?" Eren suggested. "You feel it too, don't you? That presence upstairs."

"Cross, our goals are the same. We both want Sloan dead for corrupting the creed. Let's join forces to kill him first. Once he's dealt with, we can settle our differences."

Cross shot him a cold glare. "I don't need anyone's help."

Though he distrusted Eren, Cross ultimately decided to let him be for now. The overwhelming sense of danger from the second floor left him uneasy.

Sloan had to be eliminated first.

As for Eren, Cross was confident he could deal with him later.

Watching Cross retreat into the shadows of the slaughterhouse, Eren raised an eyebrow, smirking.

Go ahead, you arrogant fool. Let's see what's really waiting on the second floor.

Once Cross disappeared, Eren extended his hand and summoned the Pharmacist, who was still writhing in pain from losing both hands.

Eren recalled that the special restorative wax used in the factory to heal injuries was made by the Pharmacist.

While Cross went ahead to test whatever monstrosity had emerged upstairs, Eren decided to extract some information from the Pharmacist.

Cross carefully ascended the stairs, each step slow and deliberate.

As he reached the entrance of Sloan's study, a taunting voice echoed from within.

"So, you've finally made it? I almost thought you'd lost your nerve, lingering at the door for so long."

Cross's pupils shrank, and cold sweat broke out across his body.

His heartbeat accelerated, and adrenaline surged through his veins. Activating his bullet-time ability, he rolled to the side while firing two silver bullets toward the source of the voice.

Ding!

Ding!

Before Cross's bullets could hit their target, they were intercepted mid-air by two bronze bullets, sparks flying from the collision.

(End of Chapter)

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