Firelord's eyes, once glowing like twin bulbs, suddenly flared, erupting with raging stellar fire that slammed into Shin's arm.
At the same moment, Firelord abandoned his scepter entirely and retreated at full speed.
However, this was the opportunity Shin had been waiting for, there was no chance he would let him escape so easily. The intense light and radiation that struck Shin's arm had almost no effect.
Having absorbed the Galaxy Glaze, Shin's defense had reached its zenith.
Under the dual protection of Armament Haki and Chakra, along with the immense resistance granted by the Galaxy Glaze, comparable to Superman's invulnerability, Firelord's attack didn't harm Shin. In fact, it functioned more like nourishment, refueling his stamina with raw stellar power.
That said, the blast didn't come without force. The impact slowed the descent of Shin's Kamui Shuriken, as well as the spatial crack in his hand. Combined with Firelord's decisive act of abandoning his weapon and retreating at full throttle, he narrowly avoided being cleaved in two by Shin's Kamui Shuriken.
Even so, the shuriken carved a massive gash across his chest. From his sternum to his lower abdomen, Firelord's body was sliced open, and his internal organs were shredded by spatial energy.
If it had been an ordinary superhero, like someone at Captain America's level, this injury would have been fatal. But Firelord was a cosmic-tier being. His physiology had long since transcended the limitations of ordinary flesh and blood.
Cosmic-level lifeforms, even those with organic bodies, possessed astounding regenerative capabilities. Though not quite on par with Wolverine's healing factor, unless they were beheaded, had their heart destroyed, or were cleaved completely in half, they were nearly impossible to kill outright.
Still, the notion that Firelord could shrug off such a wound was false. This wasn't some minor scratch it was a critical injury that nearly took him out on the spot. From the gaping wound in his torso, torrents of blinding golden plasma burst forth like divine blood, flooding the sky.
Had even a single droplet of that energy fallen on New York, the city would have been annihilated instantly. The storm conjured by Storm and Shin would have done nothing to extinguish the power radiating from Firelord's essence. Each drop of his blood carried destructive power equivalent to a high-yield nuclear detonation.
Without hesitation, a wave of black mist surged from Shin's palm, rapidly engulfing and absorbing every strand of stellar energy.
This wasn't just about defending New York Shin recognized the strategic value. This was premium energy, perfect for further strengthening his body and abilities. The stellar essence held within Firelord's blood was potent enough to catalyze another major leap in power.
Even though Shin's body had grown increasingly resistant to solar energy, diminishing its marginal effects, this much concentrated force would still yield tangible, significant gains.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Firelord hastily slammed a palm over his chest and sealed the wound with raw energy. The golden blood pouring from him wasn't just power it was the core of his existence. The more he bled, the weaker he became.
Shin, meanwhile, didn't immediately pursue him again. Instead, he turned back to cradle the unconscious Scarlet Witch.
Though Wanda hadn't been directly struck by the scepter, the immense heat from Firelord's weapon, coupled with the radiation, had seared her badly. Lacking magical protection, her skin blistered, festered, and her body's cells began to deteriorate en masse under the extreme thermal assault.
Shin infused her with pure life force through Yang Release chakra. Combined with his refined medical ninjutsu, a cool, restorative sensation spread across her body, easing her pain.
After a few moments, Scarlet Witch let out a faint groan. Her blistered and necrotic skin crumbled away, revealing smooth, flawless new skin beneath, paler and more delicate than before.
At the same time, she coughed violently, expelling a mouthful of thick, black blood. It was composed of dead and mutated cells, purged by the intense radiation.
"Thank you, Kevin," Wanda murmured, looking down at her newly healed skin. "I thought I was a goner for sure."
"Don't worry," Shin said calmly. "He'll pay for it."
With Firelord now gravely injured, Shin knew it was time to finish him off. As soon as he confirmed that Wanda could stand, he gently set her down.
Jessica Jones had also been struck by Firelord during his earlier charge at Wanda. Though her physical constitution was vastly superior to Wanda's, she had still nearly died from the blow. Fortunately, Shin had left a Flying Thunder God seal on her body. In a flash, he teleported to her side and began treatment.
Jessica slowly opened her eyes, her skin singed and smoke still rising from her body. "This job is insane... Think I can ask for a raise?"
"Ask Wanda," Shin muttered, rolling his eyes. "She's the one managing payroll, bonuses, stock options... all of it."
With that, Shin turned and noticed Firelord attempting to flee the battlefield. Without hesitation, he launched into the sky, leaving only a sonic boom in his wake.
Unlike Wanda and Jessica, the others didn't carry a Flying Thunder God seal, so Shin couldn't teleport directly to whoever is near to the fleeing Firelord.
But with his strength continuing to rise, his flight speed now rivaled even the faster cosmic entities. And with Firelord blocked by Phoenix and others, and badly wounded, he was sluggish and vulnerable.
Eventually, Shin intercepted Firelord above the ocean, just beyond the New York coastline.
"I didn't expect Earth to still have someone like you," Firelord said solemnly, his voice crackling through the flames that enveloped his body. "Was the master right to be wary...?"
"Did you destroy the Silver Surfer as well?" he asked, his tone darkening.
"I can't sense him anymore."
Shin didn't answer. He had no intention of revealing anything not when Galactus might still be watching through unknown means. Everything depended on their one last plan.
In an instant, Shin's figure vanished, reappearing beside Firelord and driving the stolen scepter directly at him.
Firelord countered with a furious energy blast but it was no use. Shin absorbed it easily, his body only growing stronger.
Despite being a herald of Galactus and a cosmic powerhouse, Firelord was clearly more suited to ranged combat. His close-combat skills paled in comparison.
Within moments of clashing at close range, Shin gained the upper hand. He unleashed a devastating punch that sent Firelord crashing into the ocean, the impact sending plumes of steam into the sky as the sea itself began to boil.
Without hesitation, Shin dove in after him.
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