9: The New Student and the Robbed Joe

Looking at Joa's outstretched hand.

Polaris took a deep breath and grasped it.

“Get ready, it’s about to begin.”

“Mm, phew, I’m ready!”

Smiling, Joa squeezed Polaris’s hand and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into his mind.

Outside the car, in the sky.

The helicopter's searchlight fell on Polaris's pickup truck, and the sound of the rotor was deafening.

Support for tracking Polaris had arrived.

Guided by the helicopter, the ground troops tracking the Mutants also surrounded the pickup truck from the front and back, trapping the two inside.

‘Not ready yet?’

Watching as a large number of armed personnel gradually closed in, opening fire without hesitation.

Polaris’s heartbeat gradually quickened.

She raised her left hand, about to use her abilities to buy Joa some time.

The next moment.

The two suddenly vanished from inside the pickup truck.

The scene before them instantly changed.

The armed personnel, the helicopter, the sounds—all disappeared.

In their place was a dilapidated-looking living room.

“This… this… it worked?”

“We’re already in another Universe?”

There was no spatial gate, no colorful tunnel or anything of the sort.

It was as if they had teleported, appearing in another location from inside her pickup truck in the blink of an eye.

This made Polaris a little skeptical.

The process was so simple, without even any sensation.

Had they really arrived in another Universe?

Could it be that it failed, and they were just transported to another place?

Seeing Polaris’s questioning and disbelieving expression.

Joa smiled and said.

“Come on, let me take You out for a stroll, and You’ll know.”

Holding Polaris’s hand, Joa did not let go.

Just kidding, Polaris was already exactly his type.

Why should he hide his intention to pursue her?

Pulled by Joa, she walked outside.

Polaris looked down at their intertwined hands.

She opened her mouth, wanting to remind him.

But in the end, she couldn't speak.

‘He probably just didn’t notice.’

‘Besides… it’s just holding hands, it’s nothing.’

Too much had happened tonight, exceeding Polaris’s comprehension.

Accidentally exposed, a fellow Mutant suddenly appearing and helping her.

Traveling to another Universe.

Polaris’s mind was a mess for a moment.

She didn't have the extra thought to dwell on the small matter of Joa holding her hand and not letting go.

Moreover…

If it was truly as Joa said, this was a World without Mutants.

Then she would almost certainly not leave Joa.

Compared to ordinary people who made her feel alienated from the inside out, she was more willing to stay by Joa’s side, who was also a Mutant.

She had already prepared herself mentally for this situation when she agreed to come to this World with Joa.

With money, they left the apartment.

The two were like a couple.

Walking hand in hand down the street.

“The apartment I rented is right next to Hell's Kitchen.”

“This is the darkest place in Los Santos: criminals, gangs, smugglers, drug dealers.”

“They all congregate here.”

Across a street, Joa explained Hell's Kitchen opposite them to Polaris.

“Los Santos… Hell's Kitchen… I’ve never heard of a place like that…”

Seeing Polaris’s astonished expression, Joa chuckled.

“Hahaha, how about it? I didn’t lie to You, did I?”

Then, Joa gave Polaris a general overview of the forces in this Marvel Universe.

From the richest man, Tony Stark, to HYDRA, and S.H.I.E.L.D..

As well as Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen, and some Super Heroes, aliens, the Sorcerer Supreme, Odin the God King, Dormammu, Thanos, and so on.

“Although this World has no Mutants, the danger level is still very high.”

“You… will You blame Me for bringing You here?”

Hearing this, Polaris snorted lightly and shook her head.

“Heh, no matter how dangerous this World is, it’s still better than continuing to hide and live like a rat over there.”

“Hahaha, exactly, it seems You’re ready to embrace a new life… Lorna.”

“You… don’t mind Me calling You that, do You?”

Polaris rolled her eyes at Joa, feeling a bit speechless.

‘He’s already called Me that, and only now asks for My opinion, what can I say?’

‘Don’t they all say Asians are subtle?’

‘This guy… why doesn’t he seem subtle at all?’

Seeing that Polaris didn't object, Joa took it as her tacit agreement.

Then he said.

“Lorna, is there anything You want to experience?”

“Or should I arrange everything?”

Meeting Joa’s gaze.

Polaris took a deep breath, calmed her apprehension about being in a new World, and pondered.

“I… want to go see a movie.”

In her past, besides escaping, it was only escaping.

She had never experienced any of the normal life enjoyed by ordinary people.

Now that she had come to another World and was about to start a new life.

Polaris wanted to make up for everything she had missed in the past.

Those places she used to avoid for fear of exposure, she would now visit one by one.

Movie theaters, amusement parks, beaches.

Traveling to various parts of the World.

And the longed-for… love.

At this thought, Polaris looked at Joa, who was still holding her hand, and a beautiful smile curved her lips.

‘The favor of Lady Luck… perhaps?’

“What’s wrong? Are there still any concerns?”

“Don’t worry, although this World is dangerous, before the danger arrives, I will definitely master enough power to protect You.”

Hearing this, Polaris thought of Joa’s abilities, felt somewhat amused, and couldn't help but mumble.

“Heh, it’s more like I’ll be protecting You.”

“Hm?”

Not hearing clearly what Polaris was saying, Joa let out a soft sound of doubt, looking at her questioningly.

Seeing this, Polaris lightly coughed.

“Cough, it’s nothing.”

“I mean, I trust You.”

Nodding with satisfaction at Polaris’s trust, Joa said.

“OK, let’s go to the movie theater.”

“It’s too chaotic around Hell's Kitchen, to avoid being disturbed, we’ll go to the city center.”

Back downstairs to the apartment building, they got into his old used car.

Joa was about to drive.

His phone suddenly rang.

“At this hour, who is it?”

He took out his phone with some impatience, seeing that it was a call from Merryweather’s female assistant.

Joa frowned slightly.

“Hello? What’s wrong?”

“BOSS, this is bad!”

“Our warehouse at Los Santos Port has been robbed!”

“I’ve already sent people over, BOSS, how should we handle this?”

Hearing the female assistant’s words, Joa looked incredulous.

“What did You say?”

“My warehouse! It was robbed?!”

“Holy sh*t!”

“Have You found out who was so bold?”

Hearing Joa’s tone on the phone.

The female assistant quickly replied.

“It seems to be Kingpin’s people.”

“He somehow found out that Merryweather had a new boss, and also found out the exact location of our company’s port warehouse.”

“Kingpin?! I understand! I’m heading to the port now!”

Hanging up the phone, Joa looked apologetically at Polaris.

“Sorry, watching the movie will probably have to be postponed.”

“You heard it too, My warehouse was robbed, I need to go deal with this now.”

“Lorna… do You want to come with Me?”

Hearing this, Polaris said exasperatedly.

“Do You even need to ask? Drive quickly!”

Seeing Polaris’s immediate response, Joa’s lips curved into a smile.

“Alright! Hold on tight! Let Me show You the driving skills of a professional racer!”