Marvel: Master Of Role-Playing

At this moment, the entire world was in shock.

After the United States publicly revealed the battle in space, other nations realized they couldn't completely stop the news from spreading. One by one, they followed suit, making the situation known to their own people.

As the LexCorp satellite broadcasted the battle live, countless ordinary people watched in awe. Seeing 'Martian Manhunter' use his own body to shield Earth from the relentless onslaught, many couldn't hold back their tears.

Even though America was the only country suffering collateral damage from the battle, and some people gloated over their misfortune, anyone with a shred of common sense understood the truth: if aliens could attack the U.S., they could attack any country on the planet.

No one was truly safe. And no one wanted to grovel before an alien invader, begging for mercy.

So, when they saw 'Martian Manhunter'—a towering, terrifying figure—standing in the line of fire to protect them, words failed them. All they could feel was overwhelming gratitude.

Maybe in the future, if 'Martian Manhunter' continued living on Earth, that feeling of admiration would be worn down by the natural fear his immense power inspired.

But for now, though, everyone was deeply moved by his heroic actions.

People across the world prayed from the bottom of their hearts, hoping 'Martian Manhunter' would emerge victorious.

...

Meanwhile, inside the White House.

"I understand," the President said. "I'll authorize your mutants to engage in the space battle. Depart immediately and assist Martian Manhunter in defending against the alien assault!"

The mutants' intentions were clear—they wanted to make a good impression in front of the world's governments.

Perhaps one day, the mutants would inevitably rise against humanity. But until then, they needed to coexist peacefully with ordinary people.

With the alien threat looming over everyone, the mutants couldn't stay out of it even if they wanted to. Seizing the chance to earn goodwill wasn't a hard decision to make.

...

In Outer Space.

'Martian Manhunter', as Reid's clone, could naturally see the system panel. Watching his role-playing progress skyrocket, nearing 70%, he couldn't help but feel exhilarated.

This meant that once he deactivated his clone ability and Martian Manhunter's power returned to his main body, Reid would wield 70% of that strength.

Forget the Kree fleet. Unless the Kree Empire had some hidden trump cards or a few Infinity Stones lying around, he could suppress Hala, the Kree homeworld, by himself.

'Maybe... I should keep this act going?'

'Martian Manhunter' pondered whether to make the scene even more tragic, pushing the role-playing progress straight to 99%. Once the mission was complete, he could hit 100%, fully manifesting Martian Manhunter as an independent individual.

But reality is never so simple.

Just as 'Martian Manhunter' hesitated, a specialized jet took off from the X-Mansion in Westchester, carrying several mutants on a direct course for space.

...

Aboard the X-Men's aircraft.

"Professor, can you use your powers to stop those alien ships from attacking?" Storm, Ororo Munroe, asked the man beside her.

Due to Reid's influence, the X-Men had lost Scott, their key firepower, before the team had even officially formed. On top of that, many of the mutants who would later become famous hadn't matured yet.

For this mission, only Storm and Havok, Alexander Summers, were available. And space combat wasn't their specialty.

Especially for Alexander. Compared to his brother Scott, while he could choose whether or not to release the plasma energy within him, his control was a mess. Energy could burst from any part of his body, making accuracy nearly impossible.

If he unleashed his power, Storm wasn't sure whether they could break through the enemy's ships. But one thing was certain—the ship they were on wouldn't survive the blast.

"I'm trying!" Charles snapped, eyes shut in deep concentration.

He didn't need Storm's reminder. From the moment they launched, he'd been attempting to seize control of the Kree soldiers' minds.

But nothing worked.

It wasn't Kree technology blocking him. The truth was more unsettling: a far stronger psychic force had already enveloped the battlefield. His powers couldn't break through.

"Hah, it's no use," Charles exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That Martian Manhunter… he's a telepath too. And his abilities are stronger than mine. I'd need Cerebro to even stand a chance against him."

"What?!" Storm's eyes widened, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Charles' telepathic power was supposed to be the mutants' trump card, more crucial than even Erik's mastery over magnetism.

If this alien could suppress Charles so easily… what would happen when mutants inevitably clashed with humanity? Would that Martian Manhunter render their greatest weapon useless?

"Then why isn't he using his abilities to end this fight immediately?"

"The answer's simple, Ororo. You've probably figured it out too. He's acting. Just like us. He's trying to win over the public and the government."

Charles' explanation left Storm's expression even more grim.

With an alien like that, and the human forces behind him, could mutants still have any chance of securing even a temporary peace?

"Don't worry, Ororo," Charles reassured her, his voice steady.

He didn't need to guess what she was thinking—he had already seen it. He wasn't the same Charles from other worlds, the one who held onto lofty principles. This version of him had no hesitation about using his abilities to peer into others' minds.

The other mutants had long grown used to this. None of them resented it anymore. After all, they shared the same goal: survival and a place in the world.

"We still hold the advantage over that green alien. At the very least, mutants evolved from humans. But an alien, no matter how powerful, will always be an outsider."

If they could seize this moment and win public support, that would be ideal. But even if they couldn't, it wasn't the end of the world.

Charles believed that as long as this powerful alien existed, the U.S. government would have to rely on mutant strength to maintain balance.

...

Out on the battlefield, 'Martian Manhunter' felt a presence trying to invade his telepathic domain. With a brief moment of focus, he discovered the mutants breaching the atmosphere.

'Looks like I'm not the only one trying to gain something from this mess.'

With that thought, he made his decision. The act was over.

If the mutants managed to make their appearance here, stealing the spotlight and winning the people's trust, then even if he maxed out his role-playing progress, it'd still be a loss. A big loss.

"Well then… it's time," he muttered.

His massive form expanded again, more fearsome than ever. This time, not a single blast slipped past him. Every attack was absorbed, deflected, or crushed under his might.

At the same time, his psychic power stretched outward, latching onto a familiar mind trapped aboard the Kree flagship—a mind buried under layers of brainwashing.

Carol.

His voice echoed through her psyche like a thunderclap.

"Wake up, Carol. Remember who you are!"

...

Aboard the Kree warship.

Carol's resistance was fading. Each time she tried to fight the Supreme Intelligence's control, the device on the back of her head flared, sending searing pain through her mind.

Fake memories—perfectly crafted, flawless, and carefully designed—filled the gaps in her shattered memory.

Her past as a human was dissolving, overwritten by a Kree soldier's life. Bit by bit, Carol Danvers was disappearing.

Soon, only a loyal Kree warrior would remain.

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