Previously, Su Ming and Monac found the Warlock Assault Team's insignia in the hold of the Ghost Ship, but in a series of subsequent battles, they never saw this unit.
It's very mysterious. The Warlock Team, according to logic, should be a special guard serving only one person from those years, responsible for collecting magic artifacts worldwide, hunting allied mages and mutants, and pursuing the secret of immortality.
However, after 1925, someone was swapped for Conqueror Kang, so this unit hasn't been much utilized since its inception in 1939, as Kang is actually uninterested in magic and immortality.
So who instructed the farmer to form this team?
After Kang was defeated, this unit underwent some changes. They were brought to the battlefield and started targeting ordinary people. To this day, they remain active.
But where is the manipulator? Why does it always feel like the leader of the Warlock Team is indifferent to everything?
There should be an unknown mage in the opposing camp, and Faust using Voodoo Mushroom might be under that person's guidance.
This warlock's identity is highly possible, although it's hoped that it's not Selene, but precautions are necessary.
Selene, the oldest mutant on Earth, is also known as the 'Soul Vampire.'
Although her focus is currently not on Hellfire, she should still be somewhere in South America playing her Fire Worship Sect games. However, with her reach widespread in society, and Hellfire gradually transforming into a mutant organization, it will only become increasingly important to her.
She enjoys playfulness, especially with ordinary people, like a cat playing enough before eating a mouse.
Selene's mutant ability is absorbing others' souls and life force. Originally, this was an ability with only side effects. Why would humans need so many souls? Multiple souls in one body would only cause trouble.
But she chose the right path for herself and started learning magic. The souls she absorbed serve as the casting cost, forming a virtuous cycle that enhances her power. Over tens of thousands of years, her magical prowess is probably only slightly below that of The Ancient One.
Although she does not possess treasures like the Eye of Agamotto, she has a precious item from Asgard named 'Rune Staff.'
Originally, when Odin discovered the runes, it was a branch from the World Tree that witnessed the event with him. Another branch that pierced Odin is now Gungnir. This branch naturally fell, landing in Midgard, where Selene picked it up.
Perhaps it was destiny's arrangement, but if she hadn't picked up that staff in ancient times, she wouldn't have thought of learning magic.
She would have been a regular mutant who could absorb souls, powerless, only able to rely on deceitful measures like a succubus to kill, unlike now, where she can release powerful magic from the souls she absorbs. The powerful magic also enhances her mutant abilities, making her top-tier in both aspects.
How to deal with Selene, this Omega-level mutant and top-tier Black Mage, Su Ming chooses Evil Spirit Knight.
The Fire Skeleton lacks life force, and its soul is a revenge soul manufactured by Hell. As long as no one acquires 'a certain insignia,' the soul won't be absorbed. Its skull and thoracic cavity contain only Hellfire, making it the best candidate against various vampires.
Ciri is brought in, hoping her flash ability will counter the Warlock Assault Team's instant teleportation. Charles is also brought in, partially to meet with Magnetic King in preparation for future plans, and partially to use his psychic ability to counter other possible mutants.
Although this isn't the maximal enemy countermeasures, as Secret Guest and Little Cousin haven't been called upon, this preparation is more than enough to deal with a Hellfire Club.
Even if no one is called, Su Ming can handle any crisis on Earth alone. But since there's an easier way, he'd naturally choose to call on the crowd for a group beatdown. He's still in the aftermath stage of lifting Dimensions and needs to pay attention to maintenance.
"Have you heard of the name Sebastian Shaw? He should also be a mutant." Su Ming asks 9527, the lifetime number of Horror's specimen.
Horror nods, rubbing the red dot on his forehead with his hand: "A mutant who can absorb various energies. However, he is very low-key and never shows his abilities within the club. But he can't hide from me; my ability is comprehensive, and I can sense his difference."
"Hellfire isn't led by mutants yet, so it's inevitable to conceal abilities. I assume you disguised yourself to get in?" Su Ming casually asks.
"Membership is hereditary. I just need to change my appearance and impersonate someone," Horror indicates simplicity, just changing identity and showing wealth is enough.
Su Ming takes out a cigarette, puts it in his mouth, and lights it, then asks: "Where is he now? Since you used to work for U Demon, do you know if there are mages in Hellfire working for Lady Nine-Heads?"
"Lady Nine-Heads? Is there such a person in Hydra? I'm not aware." Horror's face is peculiar, but after recollecting, he provides an answer: "But Sebastian is currently in Paris, where there's a branch. I don't know the specific location; he hasn't joined the Council yet and is just a regular member."
"Hmm... so, currently, the Black Emperor is Edward Backman, the Black Empress is Barry Severia, the Black Bishop is Jason Wyngarde, the Black Knight is John Braddock?"
Su Ming has not intervened in Hellfire matters. Based on some intelligence provided by Horror, it can be inferred that Hellfire's development hasn't deviated much compared to Earth-616, so personnel aspects shouldn't have changed much either.
Sure enough, Horror nodded with a somewhat dazed expression, not saying a word. You, Deathstroke, know everything, so why ask me to go undercover?!
Having received the affirmative answer, Su Ming waved his hand to dismiss Horror, sending him back to Hellfire's London headquarters to continue lurking.
As for the clues, they have already been found.
No need to say much about Edward and Barry, two ordinary people. Besides being wealthy, they serve no purpose; like most rich heirs, they only know how to throw money at problems.
As for Jason Wyngarde, this person is not only a mutant. Code-named 'Mastermind', he possesses psychic abilities and is also a master of Dark Magic, standing almost on par with Magic Prince Monac in the British Magical World, very powerful.
The only difference is that Monac uses Dark Magic but leans towards the light, whereas Jason is black inside and out, transferring the casting cost to his future descendants.
Seems smart, right? Letting offspring who haven't even appeared yet bear his casting costs.
But did he think the All Heavens Evil Gods are so easily fooled? You want non-existent descendants to bear the cost, passing the burden to the future, thinking you can exploit a loophole? Fine, be my guest!
Jason will have three daughters in the future.
His eldest daughter, Regan, future X-Men, code-named 'Mistress', possessing Professor X-level psychic abilities and Supreme Mage-level Illusion Magic, is a future friend of White Queen Emma. Emma likes wearing a tight white outfit, displaying her belly and cleavage; Regan wears the same style, but in black.
The second daughter, Matty Nicole, a future member of the Mutant Brotherhood, code-named 'Master of the Mind'. Although she didn't inherit magical talent, her psychic abilities are even stronger. Throughout her years of mercenary career, she mastered various martial arts and is familiar with Wolverine and Deadpool.
The third daughter, Megan, future X-Men, code-named 'Little Elf', is the daughter of Jason and a Woodland Fairy. Born with butterfly-like colorful wings that enable flight, she possesses unique Elf Magic, which can heal wounds and discern invisibility, immune to Mind skills.
Additionally, she's a good friend of Secret Guest, from whom she learned parts of the Ancient Pantheon's spells, similarly possessing the Soul Sword.
However, Secret Guest is a Mao Sister; her Soul Sword is a black-and-white giant sword that mirrors her temperament, while Megan is a tender-hearted Little Fairy; her Soul Sword is a rainbow-like small dagger.
The Demon Gods eventually won decades later, Jason is a tragic tale of intelligence turning against itself.
A supervillain gives birth to three daughters all of whom become superheroes, each stronger than him, increasingly intent on opposing him, forming a female mutant organization named 'Sisterhood' alongside strong allies, specifically working against their father and Hellfire.
This forces Jason to rely more on the Demon Gods' power, and eventually, he dies like a human doing...
When Jason died in anguish, Monac, who used to seem dumb, using rabbits for casting costs, still roamed leisurely, seducing women everywhere.
As for John Braddock, the Black Knight within the current Hellfire Council, he appears to be nothing special, merely a wealthy ordinary person. He joined the Hellfire Club purely for pleasure, barely involved in Hellfire affairs. His task is to recruit more wealthy people as members.
But the reason Su Ming remembers his name is because of his descendants.
After his death, his son Jim inherited the Hellfire membership. By then, Hellfire, due to Selene's arrival, had come under mutant control.
Jim harbors no prejudice against mutants; rather, he is somewhat fascinated by superpowers. Thus, he married a mutant woman, hoping his offspring would become mutants.
He also had three children.
The eldest son named Little Jim or Jim II, code-named 'Jimmy', widely known as 'Exhibitionist', possesses Energy Projection, impervious to blades and bullets, wears only a purple thong year-round; he loves bodybuilding and wres♂tling.
The second daughter is Elizabeth Braddock, code-named 'Spirit Butterfly', also a future X-Men member, participating in almost all major X-Men events, even met by Su Ming.
The youngest son named Brian, though people prefer calling him Captain Britain, yes, the one wielding the Stone Sword, reputed to be capable of destroying the Multiverse with one swing.
In realizing this, the Hellfire Club indeed contributed significantly to Earth, essentially being a breeding ground for future superheroes.
The current task remains unchanged: kill Sebastian, so when Hellfire awaits Selene's formal takeover, the future does not derail.
Additionally, Su Ming must question Jason as Supreme Mage whether he aided Hydra with magical assistance.