All Humans on Earth Are Mutants

After announcing the rules and confirming that the match would take place at the White House in three days, Russell lowered his hand. The news spread from New York across the world.

New York's screens returned to normal at the same instant. The giant screen in Times Square resumed its shampoo ad, the electronic displays in subway stations showed train schedules again, and the television in a restaurant's private room went back to playing an American drama.

Everything looked as though nothing had happened.

But everyone knew the country beneath their feet would not be at peace. Perhaps the entire world would not be, either.

They all clearly remembered one thing: in three days, a match with no rules would take place at the White House, and the winner would receive a hundred years of life and a billion dollars.

"My God! That good-looking mutant has some nerve. Holding a match at the White House? What does he think of the president?"

"That's a slap in the face, plain and simple. The White House isn't the Statue of Liberty. It represents the country's dignity."

"He... is he planning to take on a nuclear-armed country by himself? He's insane."

"I don't know if he's insane, but emigrating sounds like the safest bet. Speaking of which, any recommendations?"

The announcement sent shock waves through the world. Ordinary people worried about the future, while wealthy capitalists with the means to leave considered emigrating to escape the danger.

Jean looked at Russell. An unusual light shone in her green eyes—not the flames of the Phoenix Force, but the spark of someone who had found something interesting.

"Were you serious? A hundred years of life—you can really give someone that?"

"How will we know unless we try?" Russell shrugged easily. "In the history of science