A violent energy storm raged through the cramped bedroom. A savage stream of particles instantly shredded the solid wood nightstand, sending splinters shooting in every direction like bullets and embedding them deep in the walls. The pungent smell of ozone mixed with the stench of Natasha's scorched flesh, forcing its way into Lynn's nostrils.
"You're not allowed to look at her!"
Wanda's shrill voice warped slightly with extreme jealousy. Pure scarlet had swallowed her deep green eyes, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye looked bewitching and crazed in the red glow. As she screamed, the scarlet tentacle coiled around Natasha's neck abruptly tightened.
Crack, crack-
The grinding of neck bones under unbearable strain sounded especially piercing amid the chaos. The elite operative skills Natasha took such pride in became a complete joke before this power that operated on the level of rules. Her feet kicked desperately in midair, her windpipe compressed to its limit as the oxygen was squeezed from her lungs bit by bit.
Large black spots began appearing at the edges of her vision. Natasha struggled to reach for the tactical dagger strapped to her outer thigh. Its blade was forged from specialized aviation steel. But the instant her fingertips touched the hilt, dark red energy spread along the sheath.
Hiss!
In a tenth of a second, the hard steel became molten metal, burning straight through her skintight suit and searing a horrifying black patch into her pale thigh. Natasha could not even scream. The excruciating pain made her pupils begin to lose focus.
This was Skyfather-level power. Under an absolute higher-dimensional assault, the struggles of a S.H.I.E.L.D. level-ten operative did not even amount to an ant's protest.
Lynn stood beside the shattered doorframe, his mind racing like an overclocked processor.
That sly bastard Fury could have sent anyone, but he just had to send a female operative with a smoking-hot body to investigate the safe house at night! Reasoning with a witch in an obsessively possessive state, with an outrageously excessive sense of territory, was no different from sticking my head into a meat grinder. I can't plead for her. If I say a single word trying to protect Natasha, this redheaded woman will turn into scraps of flesh flying everywhere the very next second.
I can't back down, can't hesitate, and absolutely can't look away.
Lynn took a deep breath. His leather shoes stepped over the broken glass littering the floor with crisp crunches. He did not look at Natasha, who was dying in midair. Instead, he fixed his gaze firmly on Wanda's face, twisted with rage.
One step, then two.
Lynn walked straight into the area radiating Chaos Magic. Frenzied energy particles slashed wildly at his suit and skin like countless miniature scalpels. But just as the energy was about to cut through his skin, the newly integrated chaos magic affinity physique quietly activated. The scarlet particles that could have shredded an ordinary person strangely turned docile the instant they touched Lynn's body, causing only a searing sting.
"Don't come any closer!" A flicker of panic crossed Wanda's eyes as she watched Lynn approach. She feared her out-of-control power would hurt him, but her possessiveness kept her from releasing the tentacle strangling Natasha. "Close your eyes! I won't allow another woman in your eyes! She's here to take you away!"
"If I close my eyes, I won't be able to see you."
Lynn's voice was quiet, but it carried a steadiness that brooked no refusal. Ignoring the surging red light around him, he walked straight up to Wanda. They were close enough to hear each other breathe.
Wanda froze. Her scarlet eyes flickered violently, murderous intent, hurt, obsession, and extreme attachment intertwining wildly within them.
Lynn gave her no time to think. He reached out with both hands and cupped Wanda's cheeks without hesitation.
The instant his palms touched her skin, Wanda shuddered. The violent energy storm around them faltered visibly.
"Listen, Wanda." Lynn lowered his head slightly, the tip of his nose almost touching hers. His tone was utterly gentle, yet carried a domineering sense of control. "A rat like this, hiding in the sewers to spy on us, isn't worth dirtying your hands over."
He gently stroked the beauty mark at the corner of Wanda's eye with his thumb, his gaze so intent that it seemed the woman before him was all that remained in the universe.
"Besides, hanging her in midair blocks my view of you. That makes me very unhappy."
Those words acted like a precisely targeted sedative, instantly shattering all of Wanda's defenses. The scarlet in her eyes receded like a tide, revealing their deep green once more. Her eyes instantly reddened, and large tears fell without warning onto the backs of Lynn's hands, startlingly hot.
"I... I was just afraid she'd take you away..." Wanda's voice grew tearful, like a little girl who had done something wrong yet felt desperately insecure. She threw herself into Lynn's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist with enough force to nearly snap his ribs.
"No one can take me away from you." Lynn wrapped his arms around her in return, gently patting her back with his broad palm.
As Wanda's emotions settled, the Chaos Magic in midair instantly dissipated.
Thud!
Released from her restraints, Natasha slammed onto the floor strewn with splinters and broken glass. She curled up in pain, clutching her neck, which was covered in purple strangulation marks, and greedily sucked the foul air into her lungs before breaking into a fit of agonizing, violent coughing.
Lynn held Wanda, his body positioned directly between her and Natasha. He turned his head slightly and cast a cold glance at Black Widow on the floor from the corner of his eye.
"Get out."
Lynn's voice was bone-chilling, filled with undisguised disgust and murderous intent.
Enduring the pain in her nearly broken neck, Natasha struggled to her feet. She had carried out countless suicide missions, but this was the closest she had ever come to death-so close she could almost smell the sulfur of hell. This low-ranking operative named Lynn was no unfortunate captive being held by a witch. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, perfectly controlling a monster capable of destroying Earth with just a few casually spoken words of affection!
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s assessment was completely wrong! Pierce's calculations were completely wrong too!
Clutching her neck, Natasha staggered backward, preparing to climb out through the shattered window and escape.
Just as she was about to leap out, moonlight pierced the clouds and slanted into the room. Natasha's gaze happened to sweep over Lynn's left hand, hanging at his side behind Wanda's back.
That hand was rapidly curling its fingers and tapping the suit fabric over his outer thigh in an extremely discreet yet perfectly standard rhythm.
Two taps of the index finger, one of the middle finger, thumb tucked inward.
Natasha's pupils abruptly contracted.
It was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-level classified tactical sign language, a code known only to core operatives above level seven.
The sequence meant: [Target under control. Notify Fury. Hold position.]
Natasha stopped breathing altogether. Staring in shock at the back of the man embracing the world-destroying witch, she felt an explosion go off in her mind.
Who the hell was he?!
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