Multiverse: Deathstroke
Chapter 207: Ch.206 Finding Help

Chapter 207: Ch.206 Finding Help

Things weren't going smoothly. It seemed the reporter wasn't interested in alcohol, as the distillery's customer records didn't list his name.

Su Ming sent Gin to investigate the street-level rumors and tasked Joe Boss with contacting some high-level clients, hoping to gather information through official channels.

Meanwhile, he and Dr. Holloway waited at the Peace Hotel.

Holloway seemed intrigued by this legendary speakeasy from the Prohibition era. He touched the yellowing walls and even fiddled with the piano that Su Ming often played.

Despite his interest, Holloway showed great restraint. Other than a small drink in the car earlier, he ignored the abundance of alcohol around him. He, too, was waiting for information, needing to stay clear-headed until he could avenge the murder.

Su Ming leaned against the bar, contemplating the situation.

Dr. Holloway, now temporarily allied with him, was proving to be a valuable teammate. An excellent detective, Holloway could uncover clues that might fill the gaps in Su Ming's investigation.

Moreover, as a top-tier surgeon, his medical skills and knowledge of anatomy would certainly come in handy.

His marksmanship was decent, and while physically strong, he wasn't quite on the level of someone like Batman—more like an elite athlete.

The enemies Su Ming would face were unpredictable. Aside from Red Skull and Zola, who were preoccupied with Captain America, there were plenty of hidden threats that could be adversaries.

The team now had a scout and a field operative, but they were still missing someone with a powerful energy projection ability. Without such a member, the squad might be at a disadvantage.

Su Ming wasn't weak by any means, but there was always a bigger fish. The unknown elements of this world still left him uncertain.

If the enemy suddenly brought out something like the Infinity Stones, Su Ming could be in serious trouble.

Currently, New York did have one person proficient in energy projection—The Human Torch.

But his mind wasn't entirely stable, and his understanding of the world was far too limited. Unlike the pragmatic Holloway, the Human Torch was driven by a simplistic sense of good and evil.

In the original comics, he had a massive showdown with Namor, causing a tidal wave that killed around 300,000 people in New York. Afterward, Namor realized he had made a mistake and apologized, saying, "Sorry, I killed the wrong people."

The Human Torch forgave him, saying, "It's okay, as long as you admit your mistake, we can be good friends."

And so, they became best buddies. Later, Namor would flood the world a few more times and destroy several parallel universes, killing billions, but their friendship remained unshaken.

To Jim, Namor had made a mistake, so of course, he forgave him.

Su Ming thought, This is borderline anti-human behavior, even Captain America doesn't want to deal with Namor.

Bringing in someone as na?ve and forgiving as The Human Torch would only complicate things. If, in the middle of a battle, he decided to forgive the enemy and stop Su Ming from finishing them off, that would be a nightmare.

"Stop fighting, please stop!" Su Ming shuddered at the thought.

So, the idea of recruiting The Human Torch was quickly discarded.

Aside from The Human Torch, New York had another individual skilled in energy projection—The Ancient One.

If The Ancient One got involved, Su Ming could just sit back and wait for victory.

But Su Ming wasn't confident he could convince her. The Ancient One rarely involved herself in mortal affairs. Although she had likely observed Su Ming's unusual activities over the years, she merely smiled it off. Sometimes Su Ming even felt her watching, but she never made a move.

However, Su Ming thought he might be able to persuade her disciple.

Baron Mordo was famously rigid in his thinking. If Su Ming could exaggerate the situation enough and spin a good story, Mordo would likely take the bait.

The man was straightforward—his defining trait.

He believed in The Ancient One's teachings so devoutly that when he later discovered she was secretly using Dormammu's dark magic to extend her life, his entire worldview shattered.

In the comics, Mordo started as a villain but later became an anti-hero, one of the few sorcerers who frequently interacted with mercenaries.

There were several benefits to having a sorcerer on the team: conjuring food and water, opening portals. With a Sling Ring, Su Ming could travel the world quickly, avoiding the slow modes of transportation of this era.

Su Ming missed Barry Allen's Speed Force. Although dangerous, the experience of riding the Speed Force was unmatched, and Barry was an excellent support character.

Sorcerers, however, required chanting and casting to open portals, which meant splitting focus during combat to protect them while they worked. Moreover, Su Ming wasn't entirely sure how much Mordo had learned from The Ancient One by now.

Still, sitting around in the bar, waiting for information, made Su Ming restless. His instincts as a top-tier warrior told him something was wrong—the air felt different, the world's atmosphere had shifted.

This wasn't a good feeling.

So, he decided to visit the New York Sanctum and test his luck. Who knew, maybe The Ancient One had eaten too much breakfast today and wanted to exercise a bit?

He tapped the bar to signal his decision, downed his drink in one gulp, and wiped his beard.

"Dr. Holloway, let's go."

"Huh? But there's no news yet."

Holloway, seated by the pool table, was idly tapping the balls. Though he was anxious, he knew rushing into action wouldn't lead to good results.

"Waiting is a waste of time. Let's go visit an old friend of mine. She might be able to help."

"She?" Holloway raised an eyebrow with a teasing grin.

"Uh, yeah, she. Though she's probably 800 years older than I am." Su Ming shrugged.

In Holloway's mind, the image of a witch in a forest appeared—an old crone stirring a cauldron with a wand, surrounded by dead frogs or lizards, with a black cat for company.

"Witchcraft?" Holloway rubbed his temples. As a man of science, he was frustrated by how many people in this era still didn't believe in science. Many preferred buying holy water to treat their ailments, and anything mystical gave him a headache.

"It's not witchcraft—it's magic. Witchcraft is often connected to Hell. If you encounter a witch, be extra cautious."

Su Ming threw on his coat, motioning for Holloway to follow him out of the underground bar. The streets were just as filthy as they had been ten years ago, with sewage flowing and hurried pedestrians passing by.

Yes, the economy had improved slightly, but the looming shadow of war still weighed heavily on everyone. Su Ming enjoyed battle and bloodshed, but not everyone shared his enthusiasm. People on the street looked like they were running for their lives.

After driving to Bleecker Street, the atmosphere became even stranger. The moment their car turned onto the street, Su Ming's hackles rose, as if the temperature had suddenly dropped by several degrees.

"Arm yourself!"

There was no need for Su Ming to remind him—Holloway felt it too. A sense of fear suddenly crept into his heart, as if a dangerous predator had appeared behind them.

Perhaps it was the same feeling a rat experiences when a wildcat stalks it.

Su Ming quickly moved from the driver's seat to the back of the car, suiting up in his gear. The situation was unclear, but The Ancient One seemed to be preoccupied.

Still, opportunities to earn favors with the Sorcerer Supreme were rare. Su Ming decided to seize the chance—whatever was happening inside, he intended to be part of it.

Offer help now, collect favors later, he thought.