Bab 66: Chapter 65: Blind Box Opening: Burning Fruit
"Wait, I will definitely avenge this!" General Ross growled, his sharp gaze fixed on the chaos around him. The damage caused by his pursuit of the Ice Demon had resulted in enormous losses, and yet he was still baffled by the true source of Ethan Hayes' powers.
"He's not a mutant, nor a typical ability user," Ross muttered. Ethan hadn't been injected with the usual serums or experimental treatments, yet his powers were unaffected. They didn't seem to come from genes, which left Ross puzzled. In his records, the powers of superhumans often had a clear origin—many tied to technology, genes, or even demonic contracts like Ghost Rider.
But this… was different.
"This demon doesn't want the Osborn Group for no reason," Ross continued, scowling. He knew Ethan had already purchased 18% of the shares from Connery, but the real control still lay with Harry Osborn, the heir. Ross was convinced that, through Harry, he could stop Ethan from seizing control of the company.
"Enemy attack!"
"Fire!" Ross's soldiers called out as the cold mist suddenly enveloped Central Park, turning it into a battlefield. But within moments, the sound of battle died down. Outside Ross's armored vehicle, the soldiers, flushed and suffocating, collapsed as if they were drowning in the frigid air.
Ross, now sweating, pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the door. The metal door was ripped away, and before Ross could react, he fired his entire magazine. Yet, the bullets were caught mid-air by a pair of swift hands.
Ding ding ding…
Ethan stepped into the armored vehicle and sat opposite Ross, silent but intense.
Cold sweat dripped from Ross's forehead as he stared at the young man—too young, it seemed, to wield such dangerous power.
"When disaster strikes, does the government think your weapons can save the country?" Ethan mused, rolling a bullet between his fingers. His smile was disarmingly calm, but to Ross, it was nothing short of a silent taunt.
Ross, trying to keep his composure, replied, "You aren't gods. Your power has brought suffering to countless ordinary people. It's the duty of soldiers to eliminate threats and protect the land."
"Well said," Ethan smirked. "How much suffering have you caused with your own hands? Take Professor Bruce Banner, for instance. Or do you prefer to remember your loyal soldier Emil Blonsky?"
Ross's face darkened at the mention of the Hulk and Abomination. "They're monsters, and monsters must be destroyed."
Ethan's smile widened. "Ah, but only the monsters you can't control, right? You mask it in the name of justice, but we both know better."
Ross clenched his fists, his anger simmering. "The military will spare no effort to bring you down."
But Ethan cut him off. "Let me remind you, General: It's the 11 aircraft carrier battle groups and your hundreds of overseas bases that keep your beautiful country strong. So ask yourself—do you want me to be a law-abiding high school student or an untamed Ice Demon?"
The words struck Ross hard, forcing him into silence. Ethan's threat was clear, but more terrifying was the icy realization that he might very well have the power to follow through.
Ross's eyes darted toward Central Park, where massive icebergs had formed amidst the mist. "He… he might actually be capable of destroying it all."
Ethan stood up, dusted himself off, and jumped out of the vehicle, disappearing into the cold fog.
Back at the villa, Ethan found that Gwen had already left in her Ghost Spider suit, which was tattered from the evening's events. He sighed as he sat down to a delayed meal from a high-end restaurant in Manhattan, delivered late due to the disturbances.
Meanwhile, Ross remained in his armored vehicle, unmoved even by the arrival of his rescue team. The weight of Ethan's threat hung over him like a dark cloud. The mere thought of the Ice Demon decimating the country's military might sent shivers down his spine. Without their aircraft carriers, America would be vulnerable to countless enemies waiting for a sign of weakness.
"The beautiful country will face its darkest days if we lose our military edge," Ross thought grimly.
He knew that nuclear weapons were the last line of defense, but deploying them at home would signal the nation's collapse.
"The war against this Ice Demon is inevitable," Ross muttered, "unless we're ready to sacrifice New York itself."
Despite the overwhelming odds, a flicker of determination reignited in Ross's eyes. He'd faced monsters before, like the Hulk, and he'd find a way to crush Ethan, too.
"A special unit," Ross whispered. "Superhumans against superhumans. Demons against demons." His thoughts turned to creating his own team, a unit specifically designed to counter beings like Ethan.
"Harry Osborn," Ross said to himself. "He'll be my first recruit. And then there's Abomination—Emil Blonsky."
Over the years, the military had advanced their research on Blonsky's cells, ensuring he'd be in full control this time.
"Harry, are you ready? Abomination is coming," Ross muttered darkly as his mind continued to plan.
Meanwhile, back at Ethan's villa, he laid back on his sofa, finally ready to focus on the day's real prize—the red blind box.
He had been waiting for this moment all day. After all the chaos with General Ross, it was time to see what rewards the system had in store for him.
"System, open tonight's blind box."
[The red blind box has been opened. Host Ethan Hayes, please accept your reward.]
A heavy red box materialized in Ethan's hand, its weight surprising him. He took a deep breath, excitement building as he slowly opened it.
Inside, a fiery red fruit, shaped like flames themselves, rested in the box.
"Another Devil Fruit?" Ethan's eyes widened.
It was the Burning Fruit.
The memories of opening the Frozen Fruit from the purple blind box resurfaced. Now, with the Burning Fruit, Ethan had access to two of the most powerful Devil Fruits. But he was puzzled—could he even wield two fruits?
[Congratulations to host Ethan Hayes for obtaining the natural Devil Fruit: Burning Fruit.]
Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "My name is Ethan, and now I'm practically Ace from One Piece! Fire Fist Ace, really?"
The system remained indifferent. [The rewards are random, but rest assured, they are high-quality. Use them boldly.]
"Use them boldly, huh?" Ethan muttered, recalling how Blackbeard had managed to possess two Devil Fruits in the original series. "Is this a hint? Can I really take another Devil Fruit?"
Without hesitating, Ethan bit into the Burning Fruit. Unlike the horrific taste described in the original stories, this one was sweet and delicious. "The system must have transformed it."
Within moments, a torrent of scorching energy surged through his body, a direct contrast to the freezing power of the Frozen Fruit. But to Ethan's relief, the two forces did not clash. Instead, they swirled together in harmony, like yin and yang.
"What does thermodynamics say again?" Ethan mused. "Exothermic and endothermic… absorbing heat and releasing heat."
He could feel the balance between the two elements. The Burning Fruit had helped him reach a new level, something he had struggled with before. The system showed that his control over the Burning Fruit had immediately reached proficiency.
"System, improve the Burning Fruit," Ethan commanded.
[Consume 30 million wealth points to raise Burning Fruit to control level.]
Within seconds, Ethan felt his mastery over the Burning Fruit surge to new heights, bringing it on par with Ace's legendary abilities.
But he wasn't done yet.
[Do you wish to consume 5 million Desire Points to awaken the Burning Fruit?]
A grin spread across Ethan's face. His Desire Points had just crossed 5 million after his confrontation with General Ross, making this the perfect opportunity.
"Yes, awaken the Burning Fruit."
As the process began, Ethan's body was engulfed in flames, his frozen abilities and burning power clashing momentarily before settling into a perfect equilibrium.
[Congratulations, host. The Burning Fruit has reached the second level of awakening.]
The fire and ice balanced each other out once again, and Ethan breathed a sigh of relief. He had avoided causing any catastrophic damage, especially after his last awakening in the Atlantic, which had dramatically altered the island's climate.
"System, raise the Burning Fruit to its peak."
[Do you wish to spend 400 million wealth points to raise the Burning Fruit to second-level awakening peak?]
"Why 400 million?" Ethan asked, curious.
[The extra 200 million is to resolve the conflict between the Devil Fruit abilities.]
Ethan chuckled. "Fair enough."
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