After the battle in New York, it was the first time people realized on a large scale that superheroes like the ones in comic books actually existed in real life.
However, besides the Avengers, no one knew how many other people with superpowers existed.
Many superhero groups were known in certain areas, but very few were as famous as the Avengers. Most of them worked in secret.
Plus, with S.H.I.E.L.D. cleaning up after them, their actions were often kept quiet.
Because of this, most ordinary people didn't realize that the world had already become deeply connected to the supernatural. Powerful people could be hiding around them without anyone knowing.
So, when people came across something that didn't make sense, their initial reaction was shock and disbelief.
Just like Michelle and Irene right now—their eyes were wide with shock.
But the others didn't have time to calm them down. When John saw that the man in the suit was also a mutant, he said seriously,
"You're not from the Special Operations Unit."
"I don't think I ever said I was, right? You just assumed that on your own," the man replied. He didn't return to his normal appearance, but remained in his crystal-like form.
"Tell us why you're here!" John asked cautiously.
"Why I'm here? It's nothing too complicated… I came for her." The man pointed at Clarice, who was standing next to John.
"For me?" Clarice asked in surprise, pointing at herself.
"About half a year ago, you displayed your abilities at Blackstone Park. One of our people saw you by accident," the man explained calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, that was when you had just awakened your powers and couldn't control them very well yet, right?"
Clarice thought for a moment and realized it was true.
She had awakened her powers after receiving shocking news about Raymond. The emotional stress had triggered them.
She was so scared at the time that it took her more than a week to calm down.
Later, she went to places with few people to test her powers and figure out how they worked.
Blackstone Park was one of the places she chose.
Seeing that Clarice didn't argue, the man smiled and continued, "After that, the person who saw you reported it. We talked it over and decided to send me to bring you into our group."
"But I was delayed for a while and only had time to come to Richmond this week. I was planning to talk to you today, but it turns out there was a surprise…"
When he said "surprise," his voice even sounded a little excited.
Clearly, he was talking about the other three mutants besides Clarice.
Now, John and the others finally understood what was going on.
Simply put, the man in the suit was from a mutant organization. After discovering that Clarice had awakened her powers, the organization wanted to recruit her.
Today, he probably came to the school to speak with her, but he saw Michelle and Irene secretly following her, so he followed them, too.
That led to what was happening now.
"No matter what group you're from, Clarice is already with us. You're too late!" John said firmly after hearing the explanation.
"Joined you?" The man tilted his head. "And who exactly are you?"
"We're the Mutant Underground!" Lorna, standing behind John, answered proudly.
"You mean that group of kids who are so poor they can't even eat properly and are always running around to hide from Sentinel Ops?" the man asked with pity in his voice. "I heard your leader is someone called Thunderbird. That wouldn't happen to be you, right?" He looked at John as he finished.
"Who are you calling a kid?!" Lorna exploded in anger at how he described them.
John wasn't as emotional, but his tone turned cold. "If you're done talking, then please leave. No matter who you are, Richmond doesn't welcome you."
"Leaving's not gonna happen. Not until I'm done with all of you."
The man shook his head. "Here's the deal. Why don't you come with me? I can promise you a much better life than the one you're living now on behalf of my group."
"You don't have to worry. Once you join, you'll be given resources. If you want to bring in other mutants, that's fine too. But they won't get the same benefits—you guys will start at the top, they'll begin as regular members…"
He completely ignored John's demand to leave and just kept talking.
Even John, who had a pretty good temper, was furious by now. "That's enough! You've gone too far!"
When John interrupted again, the man's voice turned cold. "So there's no deal then? I guess I'll have to beat you all first…"
"Lorna!" John finally snapped and shouted.
Lorna understood instantly. She raised both hands toward the car behind the man.
Suddenly, the car looked as if an invisible giant hand had grabbed it and slammed it down toward the man with full force!
A loud crash echoed, but the crystal-like man wasn't hurt at all. He simply punched the car away like it was nothing.
"Clarice, get them out of here!" John quickly ordered, realizing things were getting out of hand.
Already tense from the sudden chaos, Clarice tried to open a portal, but her power started acting up again. The portal flickered, unstable.
She quickly told John, "My power's not stable. Using it now is too dangerous…"
John hadn't expected that, so he turned to Sonya. "Take the girls and run! Lorna and I will hold him off!"
Sonya didn't hesitate. She nodded and led Clarice, Michelle and Irene in the opposite direction at full speed.
She knew her powers weren't suited for combat. Staying behind would only get in the way.
Same for Clarice—she was too shaken to do much, and staying would only make things worse.
But John didn't notice something important—the man didn't look worried at all when he saw the girls run. In fact, he smiled a little, and it was a strange, unsettling smile.