A few minutes earlier.
While Tony and Banner were trapped in the rubble, two equally uneasy presences hid in the shadows behind Su Ming.
Pietro's chest heaved violently.
The usual carefree smirk had vanished from his face, leaving only the daze of utter defeat and the confusion of having caused a disaster.
He had watched himself use his speed advantage to repeatedly provoke and harass Hulk, luring the green monster toward Tony.
And he had watched Wanda's mind magic completely ignite Hulk's rage—
All of it had stemmed from their foolish competitiveness and desire to prove themselves.
Though they had received Su Ming's tacit permission, they had never imagined the consequences would be so catastrophic.
"Wanda..."
Pietro's voice was dry and trembling. He barely dared to look at Wanda, much less the hellish scene around them, as though it had been ravaged by some colossal beast.
"Did we..."
Wanda pressed her lips together, her body trembling faintly.
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, Scarlet energy lingering at her fingertips like faded bloodstains.
Her beautiful eyes brimmed with panic and self-reproach.
"How are we any different from Stark back then?"
She had personally planted chaotic thoughts into Hulk's mind, amplifying his fury.
She had become the most direct fuse for this disaster.
The ruins before her, every shattered window, every cry of pain from the injured...
All of it tortured her soul.
She did not even dare imagine how many innocent casualties this disaster caused by their "competition" would bring.
"It's my fault... it was all my magic..."
Wanda's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, thick with tears.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir... we..."
Before she could finish—
"Why panic? Leave it to me!"
Those confident words brought instant comfort.
At the same