บท 67: Chapter 66: Burning Fruit Awakening, Gene Empire Falls into Hands
"System, you're ruthless," Ethan Hayes muttered, a tinge of frustration in his voice. "All of this just to drain my wealth."
He had just spent 200 million wealth points. A staggering sum, one that required him to generate that much wealth in the real world.
"Fine. Deduct it!" Ethan gritted his teeth.
[Congratulations to the host! Burning Fruit has been upgraded to the second-level Awakening limit of the Devil Fruit.]
[Next breakthrough will cost 80 million desire points to surpass the limit.]
This time, the system had at least been considerate enough to inform him about the cost of the next upgrade in advance. Ethan frowned. Eighty million desire points? It felt impossible.
"How am I supposed to accumulate 80 million desire points?" Ethan grumbled.
His mind raced. If it took 100,000 points to complete a single task, he'd have to complete 800 tasks to gather that amount! And considering his current abilities with the Frozen Fruit, Water Control Magic, and the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, it seemed like a herculean task.
"Even if I double up on tasks and work every day, it would take years," Ethan calculated. "My body might give out before I ever reach that limit."
His waist was already aching from the grind, and now he felt trapped by the system's demands. As much as Ethan loved the power and potential of the Devil Fruits, the exponential growth required was maddening.
Yet, the lure of power was undeniable. Each breakthrough dramatically increased his strength. It wasn't just a linear improvement but something far greater, a multiplication of power beyond what he had ever imagined.
Host: Ethan Hayes
• Wealth value: 9,666.75 million points (usable for Ability improvements)
• Desire points: 20,000 points (usable for breakthroughs)
• Abilities: Strength of Mammoth, Dragon Pulse, Frozen Fruit (Tier 2, Awakening Peak), Burning Fruit (Tier 2, Awakening Peak), Psychic Immunity (Passive), Drain Magic (No tier)
• Skills: Phantom Fist (Transformation Realm), Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu (Peak of the Thirteenth Level)
• Reward: Red Blind Box (1)
Ethan scanned his stats with a slight grin. The Burning Fruit's upgrade meant he could now tap into another source of power—fire, contrasting his Frozen Fruit abilities. Fire and ice, a powerful juxtaposition, would certainly create confusion among his enemies.
"The identity of the Ice Demon can be put on hold," Ethan mused. "With my new abilities, I can use the Burning Fruit and switch personas."
The Ice Demon persona had served him well, but now it was time to adapt. In a world full of powerful organizations—S.H.I.E.L.D, the military, Brotherhood, and HYDRA—Ethan needed to stay ahead of their games. By introducing fire as his new calling card, he could easily mislead and manipulate them.
The deeper he went into the world of superpowers and hidden alliances, the more complex his game became. If HYDRA got involved, Ethan knew his secrets would eventually be uncovered. His involvement with the black-ops photos of his parents' murderers had already painted a target on his back.
For now, Ethan needed to control his exposure carefully. The Ice Demon identity couldn't become too widespread, or it would lose its potency as a threat. Better to create new personas, confuse the enemy, and continue to operate from the shadows.
Ethan went home, turning off his thoughts as he prepared to rest. His mind raced with plans to balance his identities and the growing threats surrounding him. After all, tomorrow would bring a new set of challenges.
Elsewhere, a Quinjet landed at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret New York base. Black Widow Natasha Romanoff and Hawkeye Clint Barton disembarked, exchanging a few words as they walked toward the entrance.
Suddenly, Barton froze. "Sir," he muttered, noticing Nick Fury waiting for them at the gate.
"Sir," Natasha echoed, her smile fading.
"Barton, you're dismissed," Fury said sternly. "Natasha, I need to speak with you."
Clint gave a brief nod and walked off, leaving Fury and Natasha alone.
Natasha's expression grew serious. "What's happened this time? Let me guess—something to do with the Ice Demon?"
Fury nodded. "General Ross engaged the Ice Demon. Things didn't go as planned."
Natasha's eyes widened. "Ross? He interfered?"
"Ross deployed his super-soldiers in Central Park. The Ice Demon froze them all. After the Ice Demon left, Ross arrived to clean up the mess. The Ice Demon returned, and let's just say, they had a conversation," Fury explained.
Natasha's heart sank. Ethan Hayes, the man she had once trusted, had escalated into a dangerous force. She recalled their past, but now, it seemed like things were spiraling out of control.
"General Ross kept quiet about the exchange, but the Ice Demon made it clear: he won't tolerate challenges to his authority," Fury added.
"What do you want me to do?" Natasha asked.
"I want Ethan Hayes to join the Avengers. With him on board, humanity's future is more secure," Fury said.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You think he'd join willingly? After all, you did send Skrulls to impersonate his teacher. That didn't go over well."
"I know. But it's our only option."
Natasha sighed. "You realize if I approach him, it could get awkward, right? Especially with Gwen in the picture."
Fury smirked. "Don't worry. I have another plan."
Meanwhile, Ethan was at the offices of Wells Fargo Bank, meeting with Mr. Smith, his financial advisor.
"Sir, we've successfully purchased the stocks from Wall Street institutions at 80% of their market value," Smith informed him, smiling broadly. "Just sign these documents, and you'll officially own 12% of Osborn Group shares."
Ethan signed without hesitation. "What about the remaining small shareholders?"
"We've started talks with them. They're willing to sell, but they want a premium price. We're negotiating."
Ethan waved a hand dismissively. "Offer them 90% of the current price. If they refuse, remind them of the 'information' we have on them."
Smith chuckled. "Understood, sir. We'll finalize everything soon."
As Ethan signed the last of the documents, Smith left the office, but Ethan's mind was already racing ahead. With 30% of the Osborn Group now under his control, he was poised to become the largest shareholder. He was just a few steps away from taking over the entire company.
Harry Osborn, the current head, had no idea what was coming.
Harry Osborn slammed his fist on the desk, his frustration boiling over. "Who's behind this? Someone's buying out the Osborn Group's shares. Could it be Connery?"
Harry's assistant rushed in. "Sir, Connery's called a meeting. The board is getting nervous."
"The Osborn Group is mine!" Harry roared. "No one will take it from me. I'll see them all burn before I let that happen."
In his mind, the voice of the Green Goblin cackled. "Kill them all, and Osborn will be yours again."
Ethan's acquisition of the Osborn Group was almost complete. Soon, the company would fall into his hands, and once it did, he'd have access to all its secrets, including Dr. Connors' genetic research. The future was his for the taking.
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