bioinnovel Chapter 503 [3 chapters combined into 1] Riley: Do I look like a villain?
Chapter 503 [3 chapters combined into 1] Riley: Do I look like a villain?
Casillas gritted his teeth and, under Riley's watchful gaze, staggered to his feet. He then turned and exchanged a glance with Amora, who was also struggling to stay upright.
In that instant, the same thought flashed through their eyes.
escape.
We must escape.
There's absolutely no hope of winning against this monster!
Not to mention that the battle is taking place in mirror space, a home turf completely dominated by the other side!
Having made up his mind, Casillas took a deep breath and began to form hand seals.
The dark red energy surged once more, this time more violently than ever before!
That was his last trump card, a wisp of pure demonic energy bestowed upon him by Dormammu after he joined Dormammu's forces.
It not only helps Kaecilius cast dark magic more easily, but it is also a life-saving trump card given to Kaecilius by Dormammu, allowing him to quickly convert a large amount of magic power in critical moments!
However, the transformation process was undoubtedly a heavy burden for Casillas, who was human.
His skin began to crack, and blood kept oozing from the cracks, surging like boiling magma, but the madness in his eyes grew stronger and stronger!
"Amora!" he roared, "Ready!"
Amora understood his intention.
She used all her remaining magic to create a green light shield to protect herself and Casillas.
"Go to hell!"
At the same time, Casillas roared, and a huge vortex of surging dark red energy condensed above his head!
Moreover, the vortex continued to expand and grow, reaching a size of over ten meters in the blink of an eye.
If this trend continues, it seems that Casillas intends to completely devour everything in the Mirror Dimension, and then gamble with Riley on who has a tougher life under this indiscriminate attack!
This feeling of the main characters unleashing their final burst of power, desperately trying to drag the villain down with them, made Riley's lips twitch involuntarily.
Just as he was about to make a move to interrupt Casillas's spellcasting, the huge vortex suddenly exploded without warning!
This sudden turn of events made Riley instinctively stop paying attention to Casillas and Amora, and instead quickly return to Jade and Sandman's side, activating the magic of the Dog Charm to create an indestructible barrier that firmly sheltered the three of them.
But soon, Riley realized something was wrong, both from the complete stillness of the defensive barrier and the silence of the spider senses.
He was fooled.
This seemingly fierce attack was nothing but a hollow illusion!
Casillas' true intention was to take advantage of Riley's misjudgment and, just like when they came, tear a rift in the mirror space and escape with Amora!
Realizing this, Riley didn't waste any words. He immediately pulled out his DECADE belt, transformed with astonishing speed, inserted the card to become Kamen Rider Wizard, and then reached into the fiery red magic circle that appeared before him. The magic circle transformed into a giant hand, which, with overwhelming force, grabbed at the two who were frantically retreating!
However, Casillas was faster than him!
The moment that enormous vortex exploded, the pure demonic energy bestowed upon him by Dormammu was completely burned away, transforming into a blood-red blade capable of tearing through space!
The blood-red blade slashed fiercely at the boundary of the mirror space, tearing open a crack half a person's height!
However, with Riley relying on the talisman and having an almost inexhaustible supply of magic power, the edges of the rift twisted and trembled wildly, closing at a visible speed!
"quick!"
Casillas grabbed Amora and charged toward the rift with all his might!
His skin was cracking extensively, and blood gushed from every crack, leaving a horrifying trail of blood behind him.
But he dared not stop!
Because stopping means death.
A huge red and black hand came chasing after them from behind, getting closer and closer!
Three meters!
Two meters!
one meter!
"Bang--!"
In the end, that enormous hand still managed to grab Casillas's ankle!
In an instant, the crisp sound of bones shattering could be clearly heard!
Casillas let out a muffled groan, his face contorted in agony.
But he didn't turn around.
He used his last bit of strength to push Amora forward!
"Walk--!"
Amora was pushed into the crevice!
At the same time, the giant hand suddenly tightened, dragging Casillas backward!
Despite Casillas's desperate resistance, his waist was deformed from the pulling, his spine groaned from the unbearable strain, and he was almost torn in half!
But with his body already nearing its limit, he could only watch helplessly as he drifted further and further away from the crack that was originally just a step away, letting out a roar filled with resentment and terror.
"Aaaaaahh ...
At this critical moment—
A bloodstained hand reached out from the crack and gripped Casillas's arm tightly!
It's Amora!
The selfish and self-serving woman had actually returned, half of her body protruding from the crack. Her hair was disheveled, and blood was flowing from her seven orifices, yet she gritted her teeth and used her last bit of magic to unleash a telekinetic spell!
"Let go of my hand—!"
She roared, and the magic within her body burned wildly!
She managed to slightly sway the grip of the giant hand!
And it was at this very moment!
With his eyes becoming exceptionally sharp and fierce, Casillas decisively seized the opportunity and struggled forward with all his might!
"Rip—!"
Accompanied by a muffled thud as flesh and blood were torn apart!
Casillas' left foot was torn off at the ankle and left inside the giant hand!
And he, along with the gushing blood, fell into the crevice!
The next second, the rift behind him suddenly closed!
The giant hand that followed closely behind, already clenched into a fist, only had time to rush to the spot where the rift disappeared and smash its fist into the void!
"boom--!"
The entire mirror space trembled violently, and the surrounding buildings collapsed with a roar!
But the crack has completely disappeared.
Amora and Casillas managed to escape after paying a heavy price.
Riley stood there, looking at the bloodied severed foot in his hand, his brow furrowed.
At the break, dark red energy was still pulsating slightly; it was the remnant of Dormammu's magic.
"Tsk, what a pity, I haven't had enough fun yet."
While muttering to himself, Riley didn't waste his "spoils of war," casually tossing them into the system's storage space. He planned to hand over the severed foot, which still contained dark energy, to the scientists in District 13 for research after returning to District 13.
With such a ready-made test subject, even without Riley's further intervention, it would no longer be difficult for Sheriff Black to further strengthen the magical defenses of District 13.
Then, Riley waved to Jade, indicating that the battle was over.
Xiaoyu then put away the symbiote, skipped over, and curiously looked in the direction the two had left.
"They ran away?"
They ran away.
"That guy named Casillas seems to be badly injured?"
"It's alright, but with a broken leg, even if he survives, it will take a long time to recover."
Xiaoyu blinked, then suddenly smiled.
"So that means we can go have fun without worry now?"
"Hmm, you could say that."
"Yay! I'm going to go play now..."
In her conversation, Xiaoyu, having witnessed Riley's masterful control and annihilation of Laufey back in Asgard, understood perfectly well that Kaecilius and Amora's escape from Riley was less a matter of luck due to their own unleashed power and a sudden burst of inner strength, and more a matter of…
Riley was deliberately letting them escape from the very beginning, waiting for them to run away on their own?
However, Xiaoyu didn't understand why Riley, who always liked to nip potential crises in the bud, would suddenly choose to let those two go this time.
But Jade knew Riley's character well and knew that Riley must have had other concerns or plans for doing this.
So after confirming that the two had completely left, Xiaoyu didn't dwell on the issue too much, and naturally changed the subject.
Meanwhile, the Sandman, who had been silent all along, was standing, but his legs were clearly trembling and weak.
He had just witnessed the entire battle—the dazzling magic, the eerie spells, and the young man who struck fear into the hearts of Casillas and Amora.
Amidst the turmoil of emotions, only one thought remained in the end.
Fortunately.
I'm glad I made the right choice before Casillas arrived.
If he were still on Amora's side, or if he were still determined to attack Riley and Jade, he would probably be dead by now!
"Sorry to keep you waiting... Let's go, I'll find someone to come and take you to District 13."
While Sandman was still in a daze, Riley, who had discussed the sightseeing route with Jade, walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke in his usual gentle tone.
"As a superpowered individual, you are clearly not fit to be held in a regular prison, so you will be serving your sentence in District 13 for the next period of time. Of course, as promised before, I will bring your daughter here as soon as possible during your imprisonment so that you can be reunited with your daughter."
The Sandman paused for a moment, then looked up at Riley in disbelief.
"You...you could have just killed me, why...?"
"Because your daughter is innocent. And as Spider-Man, I won't let that child die alone in despair."
As Riley spoke, he seemed to remember something, spread his hands, and continued, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"Of course, given what you've done before, your treatment will definitely be reduced during your time in District 13. For example... you won't get the free donuts that District 13 provides every Monday."
The sandman was stunned.
He looked at Riley, whose human face, made of yellow sand, held an extremely complex expression.
There was disbelief, relief at surviving a disaster, and a touch of... a mixture of laughter and tears.
Donut?
This person, after saying he would help him find his daughter, actually joked about canceling his donuts?
It was as if he were just an ordinary person who had made a mistake and needed to be punished and corrected, rather than a criminal who had killed a dozen agents and attacked his parents.
"You..." the sandman's voice was hoarse, "You really don't hate me?"
"I hate you so much, I wish I could kill you right now."
Riley nodded without hesitation, his smile fading slightly, and his tone becoming serious again.
"Among the agents you killed, some had babies just a month old, and some had parents waiting for them to come home for dinner... So, killing you directly would be too lenient. You'll have to spend the rest of your life paying for this blood debt."
He paused.
"But as I said, wanting to kill you and helping your daughter are two different things, and they don't conflict. To sum it up in one sentence... don't let your family suffer the consequences."
The sandman fell silent.
He looked into Riley's eyes, and in those eyes, there was no hypocrisy, no scheming, only calm, frankness... and truth.
He suddenly understood.
Why did Casillas and Amora lose so badly?
It's not because they're not strong enough.
Rather, it was because the young man they were facing held a belief far more noble than their own.
"Thank you," he said softly.
This time, it came from the bottom of my heart.
Riley nodded, waved to release the mirror space, and sent the three of them back to the alley where they had started. He then took out a communicator from his pocket and pressed a few buttons.
"...Hello, Sheriff Black, I hope I didn't interrupt your date with Ms. Heller...Yes, I've taken care of things here. Although they got away, I arrested Sandman and need your help in arranging for someone to take him in...Yes, the guy who caused the trouble last time."
After the words were spoken, there was only a brief silence on the other end of the communicator, followed by heavy, deep breathing, clearly indicating that the other person was trying to compose themselves.
Then, Sheriff Blake's calm voice came through the communicator: "Understood. I'll be there with men in fifteen minutes."
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."
After a brief exchange and confirming the handover location, Riley put away his communicator and turned to look at Jade.
"Alright, let's head towards the Deer Park first. There's a newly opened dessert shop there... Didn't you keep saying you wanted ice cream? We can eat there while we wait."
"Yay!" Xiaoyu cheered, grabbing Riley's sleeve and heading out of the alley.
After taking two steps, she suddenly turned around and looked at the Sandman who was following timidly behind the two.
"By the way, uncle."
The sandman paused for a moment.
"What's your daughter's name again?"
"...Kemia."
"Kaemia...that's a really nice name!" Xiaoyu repeated, grinning. "Once we find her, we can play together! Don't worry, everyone in District 13 is a good person and will take good care of her. They won't let her be bullied!"
The sandman opened his mouth, as if to say something, but found that he couldn't say anything at all.
He knew that Xiaoyu had sensed his emotional fluctuations and that he was worried. Even if their daughter was found as Riley had promised, how would she survive in this world, all alone and isolated, while he was in prison?
Instinctively, the sandman wanted to say thank you. But knowing he was in the wrong and ashamed to face their kindness, he hesitated to utter a single word.
In the end, he simply nodded.
But without realizing it, he completely shed his violent aura.
……
Fifteen minutes later, several black cars stopped at the entrance of the Deer Park.
Sheriff Black led the team himself, getting out of the car.
A complex look flashed in his eyes when he saw the Sandman.
Ultimately, Riley's parents were safe and sound. However, the agents who had spent every day with Blake, practically like family and brothers, truly perished in the Sandman invasion.
Therefore, when it comes to hatred and murderous intent towards the Sandmen, Sheriff Black, who is always mild-mannered and friendly, is far superior to Riley!
But he also agreed with Riley's opinion that killing the Sandman was too lenient a move.
His wretched life alone is far from enough to atone for the crimes he committed.
So, upon seeing the Sandman, Sheriff Black's first reaction was to draw his sidearm and empty the magazine. However, he only paused briefly before restraining himself, and instead asked in a formulaic tone, devoid of joy or sorrow.
"Flint Marko?"
"Yes."
"Let's go."
Sandman nodded and obediently followed Sheriff Black to the car.
Just before boarding the bus, he couldn't resist turning back to glance at Xiaoyu and Riley, who were walking hand in hand into the Deer Park.
Will he find my daughter?
He suddenly asked.
Sheriff Black glanced at him.
"He never fails to keep his promises."
The sandman was silent for a second.
Then he got into the car and closed the door.
The convoy slowly drove away and disappeared into the afternoon streets.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, a blood-red rift suddenly tore through space!
Two figures tumbled out of the crack and crashed heavily into the filthy alleyway.
It's Amora and Casillas.
Casillas lay in a pool of blood, his face ashen, blood still gushing from his severed foot.
His eyes were half-closed, and his breathing was so faint that it was almost inaudible.
"Casillas!" Amora struggled to her feet, desperately clutching his severed leg. "Don't die! You can't die!"
Casillas's lips twitched slightly, as if he were smiling.
"Don't worry... I won't die..." His voice was so weak it was almost inaudible. "I still have value... Dormammu... won't let me... die so easily..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the remaining trace of dark energy within his body suddenly surged, automatically sealing the wound on his severed foot and stopping the bleeding.
Amora breathed a sigh of relief and slumped to the ground.
She looked up at the gray sky above and suddenly laughed.
In that laughter, there was relief, lingering fear, and a hint of... madness.
"This world is so strange. It looks so weak, yet it can give birth to such monsters..." she murmured. "No wonder that old bastard Odin suddenly ordered a retreat back then, and hasn't dared to set foot in Midgard for so many years. He even went so far as to seal his daughter away himself to uphold this order..."
Casillas closed his eyes and remained silent.
But the image of that young man was already deeply imprinted in his mind.
Half a year.
He only studied magic for less than half a year, yet he was able to beat him up like this.
If they continue to grow at this rate, just how strong will they be when we meet next time...?
He couldn't even imagine it.
Why did you come back?
Suddenly, Casillas remembered something, turned to look at Amora, and asked in a hoarse voice that was almost inaudible.
Amora paused for a moment.
"I thought you would abandon me and run away on your own," Casillas said. "Based on our previous experience working together, you're not the type to sacrifice yourself to save others."
Amora remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she laughed.
That smile contained both self-deprecation and honesty.
"You're right, I'm not. But if you die, that monster will definitely keep its eyes on me... That monster is too strong. I need you to live, because only if you live can you help me distract it."
Casillas smiled too.
"You're surprisingly honest in this respect."
"It's always been like this. I'm not Loki, that liar... Sometimes you have to show some sincerity to more easily capture a man's heart, right?"
As they spoke, the two looked at each other and saw the same thing in each other's eyes—disheveled, weak, and a hint of... relief at surviving a disaster.
He used to think he was so strong.
I once thought that after betraying Kamar-Taj and joining Dormammu, I had reached a higher level.
I once thought that even the Ancient One, the supreme Sorcerer Supreme, would be killed on the spot if she encountered me now, who could openly wield dark energy!
But now?
A young man who had studied magic for half a year used a few punches and kicks, along with bizarre methods he had never seen before, to beat him so badly that he fled like a stray dog.
He even lost a foot.
Thinking about it, Casillas looked down at his broken leg.
Although Amora had temporarily sealed the wound with magic, stopping the bleeding, the emptiness and the realization that he had permanently lost a part of his body made him tremble.
He suddenly remembered what the mastermind behind it all had said.
That person had repeatedly warned them before revealing Spider-Man's true identity.
Never even think about harming the people around Spider-Man.
At the time, he thought the other person was just an ordinary person who didn't know how powerful he was, a coward who was scared out of his wits by Spider-Man.
He even mocked that person in his heart.
But now...
He looked at his broken leg, then at Amora, who was covered in blood and looked utterly wretched.
If only time could turn back.
If he could go back to that point in time when he deliberately went against the other person's wishes.
He will definitely slap himself twice.
"Let's go, we can't stay here any longer. We need to lie low for a while... We can settle this old score once we've found enough help."
After a short rest, the two, having regained some of their strength and magic, helped each other up and slowly stood up.
Then, Casillas pointed Amora in the right direction, leading her to a pre-selected hidden location. He frowned slightly, speaking meaningfully.
"I agree."
Amora nodded, then seemed to remember something and asked.
"By the way, what did you call this when you were discussing the collaboration with me?"
"The Evil Six".