Chapter 12: The More Beautiful a Woman Is, the More Dangerous She Is!
After receiving the latest report, General Duke had a different plan in mind. His thoughts turned to the mysterious man—Tony.
Tony's status was uncertain and unstable. A wildcard.
"Sarah, where is that man now?" General Duke asked.
"According to images from the Dino-3 Satellite, he's currently in Atlantic City, staying at the Highland Hotel," Sarah replied, her voice steady and professional.
With a firm nod, Duke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He silently hoped that the special operative he sent, Rachel Duke, would handle the situation without complications.
There were bigger problems to focus on now.
Since no one had been able to whip the recruits of the Hero Corps into shape, he had no choice but to bring in someone else—someone with true authority.
That person was the legendary warrior left behind by the Celestial Civilization before they departed Earth:
Sun Wukong – the Victorious Battle Buddha.
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Atlantic City – Highland Hotel
Inside the hotel's dining area, Tony was enjoying his lunch in peace. Just as he reached for his coffee, a tall, athletic woman in casual sportwear with long wine-red hair approached.
Tony blinked. The woman looked familiar—he'd definitely seen her before.
"Hello," she said, pulling out a badge and flashing it. "I'm with the National Security Bureau's Hero Corps Division. Mind if I join you?"
It was Rachel Duke, daughter of General Duke—the same general who ran Earth's defense.
Tony's memories surged. So, the noise I made recently didn't go unnoticed... Looks like they finally figured out who I am.
Outwardly, though, he didn't flinch.
"Suit yourself," Tony said, barely glancing up as he continued eating.
Rachel raised an eyebrow. Seriously? I'm sitting right here and he doesn't even blink?
Either I'm losing my charm or this guy's completely indifferent to beautiful women... or maybe he swings another way? she thought.
Despite her irritation, Rachel kept her cool. Military life had taught her how to bury her emotions.
She got straight to the point—probing Tony's allegiance and extending an invitation to join the Hero Corps, Earth's last defense against the looming invasion.
Tony, however, was completely uninterested. He didn't even acknowledge her questions.
Finally, Rachel lost her patience.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" she snapped, slamming her hand on the table.
Heads turned across the room, curious bystanders mistaking them for a bickering couple. But when Rachel shot a death glare around the room, everyone suddenly found their shoes interesting and backed off.
Tony looked up, finally responding, "You're a little too excited. And no, I'm not interested in joining your alien-backed organization. I don't need to sign up to protect Earth."
Rachel scoffed. "Says the alien himself."
Tony leaned back and grinned. "You've got it twisted. I'm 100% Earth-born—body and soul. Way more human than you, half-alien hybrid."
Their eyes locked, tension simmering between them.
Rachel's fists clenched. Part of her wanted to knock that smug grin off his face. But she knew better than to let emotions take over. With a sharp turn, she walked off without a word.
"Don't trip on your way out," Tony called after her, unfazed.
He watched her leave with zero regrets. He wasn't the type to chase thorns—especially ones that came with attitude and extra baggage.
Just as Rachel stepped out the front doors, another woman brushed past her—an absolute stunner in a long brown coat, with a seductive scent and elegance that turned heads.
Even Rachel glanced back, momentarily thrown off by the woman's magnetism.
The mysterious beauty continued on toward Tony's table, hands casually in her pockets and a playful smile on her lips.
"Hey there. Name's Lilith. Mind if I sit here?" she said smoothly.
Tony snapped out of his daze. There was something hauntingly familiar about her...
Then it hit him.
A flash of memory surfaced—of a week ago, when this same woman had threatened him. He barely escaped, thanks to a makeshift black hole device. She was no ordinary woman.
She was Morgana, the Demon Queen herself—disguised in human form.
"Ah, it's you," Tony said, narrowing his eyes. "Didn't expect you to come find me again. Gotta admit... bold move."
Lilith—aka Morgana—was momentarily stunned. He recognized me that fast? Has my disguise slipped that much?
The more beautiful a woman, the more dangerous she is. And standing before Tony was proof of that saying, in its most lethal form.