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It is worth mentioning that when Charles and Erik invited other members, they also extended the invitation in the name of the Brotherhood, not the official Mutant department established by the CIA.
There is a big difference between the two: one is a subsidiary organization constrained by human institutions, while the other is an organization independently established by Mutants to fight for themselves.
For Mutants longing for belonging, the latter undoubtedly offered a greater sense of identity and appeal.
Darian struck while the iron was hot, delivering an impassioned speech, stating that "we are not a cold guild; all who join are brothers and sisters, and we should share joys and sorrows and overcome difficulties together. As long as the guild develops, everyone present will be a founding elder, and your names will be etched into the history of Mutants, blah blah blah."
His tone was exactly like a future company boss drawing various grand visions for his employees.
However, in this old era, which was countless versions behind, these words seemed particularly inspiring.
Especially the two brothers, Logan and Victor, were deeply moved. They shed tears like tough men on the spot, pounding their chests and loudly declaring they would fight to the end for the Brotherhood and never betray it. They were even so excited that they wanted to donate all their worldly possessions to the Brotherhood.
Darian righteously refused them, but the two brothers were extremely insistent, claiming that not accepting their offer was looking down on them.
Left with no choice, Darian reluctantly took one hundred and forty U.S. dollars, stuffing the remaining eight cents back into their hands, solemnly emphasizing that he could not take all the belongings of the guild members—it was a matter of principle!
The other new members watched, dumbfounded.
No one expected that these two fierce-looking, rough men would possess such a strong sense of responsibility and passion, even willing to pay out of their own pockets to support the Brotherhood.
Thus, everyone was infected and successively expressed their willingness to contribute to the Brotherhood.
Of course, if it was mainly about contributing money, they couldn't afford it.
Only Raven and Erik, the two old members, did not express an opinion. They felt something was a bit off, especially with those two brothers, who seemed to have been brainwashed. And there happened to be someone present with that ability, but they had no concrete evidence, so they dismissed it, pretending nothing had happened.
And so, after this wave of recruitment, the number of Brotherhood members quickly grew to ten!
In terms of numbers, the Brotherhood had completely crushed the Hellfire Club.
Even if they used two members to deal with one enemy, there would still be two people left over to form a cheering squad on the side.
However, most of the current members were still greenhorns, with almost no practical combat experience. Some couldn't even skillfully control their own abilities and could turn into a liability at any moment.
To avoid the awkward situation of being accidentally injured by teammates before even being hit by the enemy, a beginner's tutorial had to be arranged for them as soon as possible to learn the basic operations first.
Of course, this beginner's tutorial could not be skipped.
To celebrate the growth of the Brotherhood, everyone held a small banquet that evening.
Charles and Erik did not participate. Since returning from the Club, their relationship had become incredibly close, as if there was no room for a third person between them. No one knew where they had gone to have a heart-to-heart talk.
Logan and Victor also did not attend. The two brothers, simply because they had looked at each other one too many times—one yelling "What are you looking at?" and the other retorting "What if I am?"—then tacitly walked to a deserted corner and began yet another pleasant exchange.
Apart from these four, all other members of the Brotherhood, including Darian, participated in the banquet.
Most of those present were Mutants. They had all originally thought they were unique anomalies, but now suddenly seeing so many of their kind, and all of them young, everyone quickly started chatting lively.
During this time, Raven suggested that they should adopt codenames based on their abilities. For example, she herself was called Mystique.
Darian shook his head: "Codenames shouldn't be based on your abilities. Wouldn't that let enemies immediately know what your powers are?"
Everyone was stunned by his words.
Oh, that actually makes sense.
Darian continued: "For example, if your ability is to control Fire, then you should call yourself Iceman or Electric Man. That way, you can mislead the enemy. Or call yourself Iron Man, making the enemy think you're a melee fighter, and then when they create distance, you can just throw a Fireball spell at them."
Everyone: "..."
So, it could be played like this?
That's too insidious!
However, in the end, they still chose to name themselves directly based on their abilities, just like Raven.
After all, being cool is for life.
Just then, Darian suddenly heard a strange noise from outside the window and turned to look.
Outside, a heavy rain was falling.
However, the raindrops of this heavy rain were not Water, but living people!
Darian narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing a red-skinned Devil appear out of thin air in mid-air, grabbing a person and throwing him down from a height, then instantly disappearing.
When he reappeared, he had another person in his hand, threw him down, and disappeared, repeating the cycle.
NPC: Azazel
Codename: Red Devil
Affection: -20
Description: One of the oldest Mutants, capable of long-range teleportation. His tail is very flexible.
The negative Affection score clearly indicated that he still held a grudge over Darian's sneak attack back then.
"What a petty person. Can't he be as generous as I am?" Darian muttered to himself.
Looking at the figures constantly falling from the sky, the other members were terrified.
Raven also noticed the Red Devil's figure, her voice trembling: "Who is that?"
Darian replied: "A member of the Hellfire Club. Get ready, I don't think they'll just send one person."
Sure enough, before he finished speaking, a whirlwind suddenly rose, sweeping away all the CIA agents patrolling outside.
This was the ability of Riptide, another member of the Hellfire Club, which they had witnessed once before at sea.
The combat unit in the Base quickly responded, fully armed and rushing to the scene.
Boom!!
Just then, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted, and the outer wall of the hall collapsed!
From the thick smoke and debris, a helmeted figure slowly emerged—it was Black King Sebastian Shaw.
"Fire!"
The Captain of the combat unit immediately gave the order.
All combat personnel raised their firearms and fired at Sebastian!
However, countless bullets striking Sebastian were like pebbles falling into the ocean, causing no ripples.
One of the combat personnel quickly pulled out an RPG and fired a rocket at Sebastian. The missile's explosive Fire instantly engulfed Sebastian.
But in the next second, the explosive Fire light suddenly contracted, completely absorbed by Sebastian into his body.
After a round of attacks, Sebastian remained completely unharmed, his clothes even as neat as before.
"My turn."
Sebastian chuckled softly, stomping his foot on the ground. The energy he had just absorbed was released with a roar at that moment!
A terrifying Impact, carrying flames, swept outwards from him as its center. The ground cracked, and in the blink of an eye, it engulfed the combat personnel in front of him.
With just one strike, he effortlessly destroyed the entire combat unit.
This was Sebastian's true strength; on a physical level, he was almost invincible.
After dealing with the combat unit, Sebastian walked towards the members of the Brotherhood, smiling: "Greetings, everyone. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sebastian Shaw, the Black King of Hellfire. Like you, I am also a Mutant."
The new members swallowed hard.
Before joining the Brotherhood, they had heard they would have to deal with this man, but they thought they would only encounter him after some time.
They never expected that they had only just arrived at the Base when they encountered a big boss group blocking the beginner's village.
How the hell were they supposed to play this?
"Don't worry, I won't harm my own kind. I have come here specifically to invite you to join Hellfire."
Sebastian's tone was gentle, and his expression sincere; it would have been even better if one ignored the bodies strewn at his feet.
Then, he began his speech: "Now we are on the verge of a revolution. Once humans discover us and our abilities, you and I will face a choice: either become slaves or become masters."
When he mentioned slaves, Sebastian subconsciously glanced at Darwin.
Darwin: "???"
What does that mean? Be careful or I'll sue you for racial discrimination.
Oh, that's not a thing yet. Never mind, then.
Sebastian continued: "You are free to choose; I will not force you. But you must remember, if you are not a friend, then you are an enemy."
"You can choose to stay here and continue helping the humans who hate and fear us, or you can choose to join me in ruling this World, becoming kings and queens."
It must be admitted that Sebastian's speech was indeed highly inflammatory.
For Mutants, who were treated as freaks by ordinary people, his words resonated deeply within their hearts.
However, Sebastian was wrong about one thing.
The Mutants present were not working for humans, nor had they ever joined the official Mutant department established by the CIA.
From the very beginning, they had joined the Brotherhood, which was led by Mutants themselves.
Coupled with the grand visions Darian had painted earlier, the Mutants present had no intention of defecting to the Hellfire Club, even the stripper Mutant who looked most likely to betray them.
Therefore, after Sebastian finished speaking, the scene fell into silence.
He waited for a moment, but still no one responded, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Even more awkwardly, Riptide asked from the side: "BOSS, it seems no one wants to join us. Should we go back?"
Sebastian glared at him fiercely.
This idiot, doesn't he know how to read the room when he speaks?
Sebastian didn't know where the problem lay; not a single Mutant responded to him.
Although he genuinely didn't intend to harm his own kind, if he returned empty-handed like this, what would become of his dignity as the Black King of the Hellfire Club?
So, Sebastian decided to take the initiative.
His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, finally settling on Darian.
Through the connections of the Hellfire Club, he had already obtained Darian's identity information in this World.
To be honest, Sebastian was very interested in Darian.
Not only because of the strength Darian had previously displayed, but also because of his ability to be immune to the White Queen's telepathy.
Sebastian said in a deep voice: "Darian, as a CIA agent, you should understand my meaning best. The way those human higher-ups deal with us Mutants ultimately has only one outcome: to completely eliminate us. Only then can their fragile hearts find peace."
"Even if you are an agent working for them, they will not consider you one of their own. Once you lose your value or any problem arises, they will ruthlessly dispose of you."
Darian nodded.
Sebastian's words indeed made some sense.
But the problem was, he wasn't a Mutant but a human, so this issue couldn't be established from its root.
Seeing Darian nod, Sebastian thought the other party had been persuaded and smiled: "Instead of humbly risking your life for humans, why not stand with me? Once I rule the World, I promise you will gain status and power far beyond your imagination."
"How about it, do you want to join our Hellfire?"
Hearing Sebastian's recruitment, the members of the Brotherhood felt somewhat speechless.
If he were inviting others, there might be a slight possibility, but Darian was the founder of their Brotherhood.
Asking the founder of an organization to betray his faction? Isn't that ridiculous?
Raven suppressed the fear in her heart, stepped forward, and said seriously: "Don't even think about it, Darian would never agree—"
But before she finished speaking, Darian nodded without hesitation.
"Sure, I'll join!"
Raven: "???"
Other members: "???"
"A wise choice, welcome aboard!"
Sebastian was immediately delighted; finally, he wouldn't have to return empty-handed!
"Darian, are you serious?"
Raven looked at Darian in disbelief.
Darian waved his hand: "Tell old Charles I won't be back for dinner tonight. Don't save any for me."
Seeing Darian actually walk towards Sebastian, everyone grew anxious.
Darwin suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of a possibility.
"Damn it! Mr. Darian has been controlled by the enemy!"
When the others heard this, they immediately felt it was highly probable. They all tensed their bodies, preparing to rescue him.
At this moment, Darian had already stood in front of Sebastian and casually asked: "Sebastian, what's the treatment like at your Hellfire? What's the salary?"
"No salary."
"Pfft, no salary and you want me to work? You must be dreaming."
"But there are blank checks. You can fill in any number you like."
"Mr. Black King, I am willing to go through Fire and Water for Hellfire!"
Brotherhood members: "..."
This didn't look like being controlled by the enemy; it looked more like being controlled by money.
Now, the members of the Brotherhood were in a bit of a dilemma, unsure whether to save him or not.
If they actually made a move, with Darian's money-grubbing demeanor, there was no guarantee he wouldn't turn around and help Hellfire fight his own people.
Sebastian, delighted to have recruited Darian, was no longer insistent on recruiting the others.
He signaled to the Red Devil, preparing to teleport away.
Next, the three Hellfire men stood in a line, holding hands.
The Red Devil's ability allowed him to teleport others with him, but it required physical contact.
However, Darian found it a bit strange for several grown men to hold hands, so he grabbed the Red Devil's tail instead.
Red Devil: "???"
The next moment, the Red Devil's ability activated, dark red smoke billowed, and the four people instantly vanished from their original spot.
The remaining few looked at each other, speechless for a long time.
Not long after, Charles and Erik finally rushed back, followed by the CIA senior official, the chubby man with glasses, and agent Moira.
As for the two brothers, Logan and Victor, they were still in their exchange.
Seeing the tragic scene, Charles asked anxiously: "What happened?"
Raven replied in a low voice: "It was Sebastian. He brought the Hellfire people and attacked here, killing many people!"
Charles's gaze quickly swept over the crowd, noticing a familiar figure was missing, and his heart tightened instantly.
"Where is Darian? Did something happen to him?"
Charles was somewhat afraid, even hesitant to use his ability to probe others' memories, fearing he might see a scene of Darian meeting an untimely end.
Although his acquaintance with Darian was not long, the other party was the second Mutant he had encountered, and had guided him when he was initially lost. In a sense, Darian could be considered his guide.
If Darian had truly met with an accident, he would probably find it difficult to bear the fact.
Raven's expression was complex: "No, Darian betrayed us. He joined Hellfire and left with Sebastian."
Charles: "???"
What? The founder of the Brotherhood defected to the enemy?