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"Futile," Storm muttered as he swung his sword several times, sending air slashes forward, using his own specialized Gravity Sword that Ethan had built for him.
Each slash left a mark on the ground, but the bald woman avoided them all as she set off after them.
Seeing that she was able to dodge everything, Storm threw two more shurikens — both gravity-charged ones. They hit at equal spots on the road and created a sudden wall of distorted gravity.
But the bald woman only smiled.
She pointed her spear at the ground and it fired a burst.
Using the recoil, she and Black Panther jumped over the gravity wall.
Storm also smiled.
"Got you," he said.
He slashed his sword in a cross shape, sending a crossed, distorted air-slash upward. It hit the bike cleanly, breaking it in two. Black Panther quickly covered the woman, but the impact still sent both of them flying across the road.
"Now they're down," Storm muttered, dropping back into the truck's cabin.
From the car, Ethan also nodded at the sight.
"You said he didn't have superpowers, so what were those air slashes?" Sharon asked.
Ethan replied, "That was because of the Gravity Sword I gave him. When he swings it, the gravity around the blade compresses and then releases, creating the slash he sends forward."
He explained it calmly, though even he didn't fully understand how Storm had achieved it at first. Storm had figured it out on his own after practicing with the sword.
Ethan had originally planned to add effects similar to Gravitas and Repulsion from Elden Ring, but when he handed the prototype to Storm, things changed. After only a few tries, Storm didn't use Gravitas the way Ethan expected. Instead of creating a gravity zone around himself, Storm compressed the air around the blade and released it in a burst—producing an air slash.
Of course, it wasn't perfect at first, but after watching what Storm was trying to do, Ethan adjusted the Gravitas mechanism accordingly. And just like that, the Gravity powered Air Slash was invented.
"Can I get a sword like that too?" Sharon asked, looking at him.
Ethan nodded. "Yes, but you guys should learn to use the normal ones first. Using a Gravity Sword is difficult."
She nodded confidently. "Don't worry, my sword mastery isn't that bad. Even Storm has praised me."
Ethan smiled lightly. "Alright then. I'll build one for you too. And with the Vibranium we have now, I think I can make something much better."
She nodded again, excited.
The rest of the trip to the airport was calm. They arrived safely, and the crates of Vibranium began loading onto the private jet.
Ethan sat quietly in the lounge with Sharon while Storm and Grant oversaw the loading. As Ethan looked out the window, someone sat down across from him.
Sharon's expression tightened the moment she saw who it was—the same bald woman who had been chasing them stood nearby, clearly guarding the man now sitting across from Ethan.
The man himself remained calm.
"You have some nerve," Ethan said, looking directly at him. "After ambushing us, you sit in front of me so casually."
The man met his gaze. "I have not introduced myself. My name is T'Challa, Prince of Wakanda."
"As for where Wakanda is—you don't have to trouble yourself thinking too much about it," he added calmly.
Ethan's eyes sharpened. "I don't care if you're a prince or a king. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."
And he meant it—if he hadn't taken down that drone jet earlier, it would've fired missiles at his car. Wakandan royalty or not, Ethan didn't care. They tried to kill him first. He was more than ready to return the favor.
"There is a misunderstanding," T'Challa said calmly. "We believed you were Klaue—the thief who not only stole from us, but also killed one of our own."
Ethan leaned back, unimpressed. "And you expect me to let it go just because you say so?"
"I apologize for our earlier actions," T'Challa said, bowing his head slightly.
Ethan exhaled through his nose. "Fine. Apology accepted. You can leave now."
T'Challa didn't move. "That Vibranium is ours."
Ethan stared at him without blinking. "Then start with compensation for trying to kill me."
T'Challa paused, just for a second.
The bald woman behind him—Okoye—finally snapped.
"Why are we even speaking with him?" she demanded. "He is not our ally. He is not even Wakandian. He—"
Ethan raised a hand slightly, and Storm and Grant, who were monitoring from nearby, quietly put their hands on their weapons. Not drawing… but close.
T'Challa held up a hand to silence Okoye, keeping his eyes on Ethan.
"I came here to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Wakanda does not want a war with you."
Ethan leaned forward slightly, eyes cold.
"Then get the hell out of here."
T'Challa didn't flinch. "You are angry, I understand. But Vibranium cannot leave my nation. It is better if you simply return it."
Ethan stared at him, deadpan. "Yeah… it seems you're not understanding a single thing I'm saying. So let me be clear. Either you walk away now… or I go to war with you."
T'Challa held Ethan's gaze steadily—calm, confident, not backing down.
Then he spoke.
"Why don't we settle this the ancient way?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Ancient way?"
"A duel," T'Challa said. "You and I. One-on-one. The winner takes everything."
Ethan snorted. "And why would I bother? I already have the Vibranium."
"True," T'Challa admitted. "Then let us adjust the terms. If you win, Wakanda will open private trade channels with you. You will be able to buy Vibranium directly from us—however much you need. Consider it compensation for… our earlier attempt to kill you."
Ethan's expression shifted—interest flickering.
"…Fine. But one thing." Ethan leaned back slightly. "Do you even have the authority to back your words? Because I've never heard of Wakanda, which means you people are very, very deep underground. So tell me—do you actually have permission to come out of hiding and make a deal like this?"
T'Challa didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I do."
His voice was firm, absolute.