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[Frog] Chapter 156: So Unwilling...
🕑 Added 2024-11-12 16:20:46 +0000 UTCFaced with Mystique's question, Anna lightly released the safety on her pistol.
She asked, "Do you know what my profession is?"
Mystique squinted her eyes and answered, "Psychologist."
"The world’s top psychologist."
To be on the safe side and avoid troubling anyone he shouldn't, Magneto had thoroughly investigated Anna's background long ago. Naturally, Mystique, who was carrying out the mission, was also well-informed of these details.
"Correct. As a psychologist, my specialty is deducing a person’s mental state through their actions."
"When Gwen interacts with me, she has certain small habits that you don’t show at all."
"And besides, Gwen always calls me ‘Cousin Anna’ instead of just ‘Anna’!"
At this point, she added, "Your shapeshifting abilities might be flawless enough to fool most people."
"But in front of me, they’re full of flaws."
Mystique's face showed her defeat.
Seeing the change in Mystique's expression, Anna knew she had taken the upper hand.
She said, "Alright, now it's my turn to ask questions."
"Why did you impersonate Gwen to get close to me? What’s your purpose?"
"My social influence shouldn’t be significant enough to warrant the Brotherhood of Mutants’ attention, right?"
As an expert in criminal psychology, Anna’s reputation was mostly mentioned within specific circles.
Outside of these circles, very few people knew of her. In fact, it could be said that almost no one did.
Moreover, due to the protection offered by Interpol for Anna, information was limited.
Not everyone had an AI like Red Queen at their disposal, capable of searching a person’s entire life through the global network.
This was exactly why Anna was puzzled. What about her had attracted the Brotherhood's interest?
Mystique couldn’t help but laugh at Anna’s question. "You only have yourself to blame for that."
"Why did you get so close to Alan Ford, and just happen to be the easiest target to reach?"
Anna’s brows furrowed slightly. "Alan?"
"What does he have to do with this?"
"You don’t know? Looks like he really is good at keeping a low profile."
Mystique looked at Anna with an almost mocking smile.
Anna had claimed to be an expert in criminal psychology, capable of analyzing a person’s psyche through subtle actions.
Yet she hadn’t seen through Alan.
Didn’t that make her statement a little ironic?
Although Anna began to suspect Alan's identity in her heart, she still maintained an air of graceful composure.
"Then tell me."
"I'm also curious why the Brotherhood would target him."
"An ordinary young man?"
Mystique burst out laughing at this phrase. "Hahaha… so the so-called psychology expert is just so-so."
"He holds nearly 80% of Stark Industries’ shares."
"A bona fide billionaire."
"What?"
Anna knew full well what kind of storm such wealth could create in a capitalist nation like this.
At the same time, she understood why the Brotherhood of Mutants would target Alan.
"So it’s really an unexpected disaster for me. I was just staying at his place for a few days, and now I’ve been targeted by you."
"But since he lent me a place to stay, I owe him a favor."
Anna took out her phone, intending to call George to have Mystique arrested.
Though she held the gun in self-defense, the reality was that Anna had never killed anyone, nor did she dare to.
She hesitated.
It had always been idle, but unexpectedly, it proved useful at this moment.
“I believe you’ll be able to meet Alan tomorrow,” Anna said, “though the location will be different.”
While keeping an eye on Mystique, Anna put her phone to her ear. Just as the call was about to connect, the phone inexplicably flew out of her hand and crashed against the wall.
Anna stared in disbelief at the scene. She couldn’t understand why her phone would fly away on its own.
At the same time, a voice from the balcony shattered the tense silence between them: “Raven, I’m sorry.”
“Your mission has failed.”
Hearing that voice, Mystique’s expression darkened. It was her first failure, an unbearable humiliation for someone who had never failed before.
“Next time, this will not happen again.”
“I certainly hope so,” the voice replied.
A figure floated gracefully into the room from the balcony. Anna looked at the newcomer, recognizing him instantly as the leader of the Brotherhood...
“Magneto!”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Anna,” Magneto said. “After reviewing your records, I must say, I admire you greatly.”
But he quickly added, “It’s a pity that you’re human.”
Before Anna could respond, Magneto continued, “Your only value now lies in your death, with Raven taking your place.”
“To help us get close to Alan.”
“And then, you’ll kill Alan, and Mystique will take his place.”
Magneto shook his head. “No, even Raven’s abilities have their limits.”
“So, what we need is to completely control Alan and make him our puppet.”
“To become the spokesperson for mutants.”
With his arms spread wide, Magneto seemed to be announcing a grand, magnificent plan.
“Knowing our plan before you die can be considered a privilege.”
“Though you won’t witness it, at least you’ll know.”
“Die with gratitude in your heart, Miss Anna.”
Creak... clink...
A screw from the window frame of the balcony began to spin wildly and then floated in front of Magneto.
Seeing this, Anna realized that if she didn’t act now, she would be the one to die.
Compared to Mystique, Magneto was the real threat.
Without hesitation, Anna aimed her gun at Magneto and pulled the trigger.
A flash of sparks lit up the gun barrel, and a bullet shot out.
Magneto didn’t flinch. When the bullet came within a meter of him, it seemed to hit an invisible, immensely thick wall of air. Its speed slowed until it reached the front of his helmet and, as if drained of all power, fell to the floor.
Bang, bang, bang...
Anna emptied the entire magazine, but every bullet, without exception, dropped to the floor upon contact with Magneto’s body.
Mystique, standing behind, watched Anna’s desperate struggle in her final moments, feeling a sense of satisfaction easing her frustration.
“Miss Anna, it’s over...”
Whoosh!
The screw in front of Magneto shot out, moving even faster than the previous bullets.
Anna only had time for one thought: “Am I really going to die like this...?”
“So unwilling...”
...
