The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

The atmosphere suddenly froze, especially for Peter and the other four.

When they heard Karn call out 'brother,' they thought they were done for. They couldn't handle one Karn, let alone a menacing-looking Daemon.

But before their spirits could hit rock bottom, Daemon's next words made them wonder if they'd misheard.

Fratricide sounded unacceptable in modern times.

Compared to the group of five, Karn appeared much calmer. He never had good relationships with others in his family. Exchanging insults was considered a greeting, and exchanging blades was considered an act of affection.

But taking lives was unprecedented. Although Karn was an eyesore, he was somewhat useful. The Inheritors' family was small, and Karn was considered labor.

Out of sight, out of mind, Karn and the others had maintained this state for centuries, without ever crossing the line.

But they knew this state wouldn't last. So, when Daemon said he was going to kill him, Karn thought the time had come; he'd lost his value.

Karn turned, abandoning Peter, ignoring Luke Cage's injuries, and yanked the steel fork from his body, eliciting screams.

Unlike these snot-nosed kids, Karn had to go all out against Daemon, especially since he was hungry.

As for why he didn't eat Peter first, that was a stupid question. Daemon had no knightly spirit and wouldn't let Karn eat his fill, just to make things harder for himself.

"Have you found the totem, the bride, and the scion?" Karn asked. He thought he was being discarded because the three special spiders had been found.

"No," Daemon denied.

"Those spiders have nothing to do with me anymore."

"What do you mean?" Karn braced himself, wary of Daemon's attack.

"What I said." Daemon brandished his chainsaw sword.

"I've gained greater power and no longer need to struggle for food. I've killed Father, Morlun, and Jennix. You're next."

As for Brix and Bora, Daemon didn't care about them. After Karn was dealt with, they wouldn't be a problem.

"You can make me even stronger," Daemon grinned.

"As family, you wouldn't mind helping me out, would you? My dear brother."

Karn's expression was hidden by his helmet, but his trembling hands betrayed his inner turmoil.

"You're a maniac!" Karn's voice trembled, on the verge of losing control.

Daemon smiled, pleased with himself. He'd said it to provoke Karn. Only this idiot brother cared about family. As expected, he was enraged by a few words.

Karn gripped his steel fork and charged at Daemon. The endless hunger and rage turned him into a beast. Karn wanted to kill Daemon with his own hands.

Facing the aggressive Karn, Daemon swung his chainsaw sword. Karn thrust his fork, using the prongs to block the chainsaw sword, creating sparks.

Karn spun the fork, trying to shatter the chainsaw sword, but found it incredibly durable. His energy fork was on the verge of collapsing.

Tightening his grip, Karn poured more energy into the fork, stopping it from breaking. He knew he'd lost the initiative; Daemon's killing move was coming.

As expected, Daemon yelled, "Electro!"

Current surged from Daemon, heading straight for Karn.

Karn was prepared. He cut off the energy, the prongs disappeared, and Karn retreated.

Karn retreated too fast, causing Daemon's lightning to miss, only shattering a rooftop and scattering rubble.

"Is this your new power?" Karn waved his fork, the red prongs reappearing.

"It's normal to be shocked by such power," Daemon smirked.

"You haven't eaten in a long time, have you? If you come willingly, I might leave you a whole corpse."

Karn didn't respond, his fork aimed at Daemon.

"Too bad, I was being nice," Daemon retracted his chainsaw sword, his eyes glowing purple again, his feet slowly lifting off the ground.

Daemon thought Karn was going to fight him to the death, but Karn was stalling for time. Like Daemon said, Karn hadn't eaten in a long time.

Unlike the others, Karn only hunted to eat, never killing indiscriminately, so he was rarely full. He only hunted when he was hungry.

Combined with the fight against Peter and the others, he'd used a lot of energy. Karn was exhausted and had no chance of winning against Daemon.

Karn knew this, so he stalled. Karn had noticed Peter sneaking around. He must have been calling for backup.

Five or six minutes had passed since Peter's little stunt; reinforcements should be arriving.

With a roar, four or five Quinjets emerged from the clouds, landing and surrounding the brothers.

A transport also landed near Peter and the others.

"Drop your weapons! Surrender!"

The harsh broadcast sounded, and all Quinjets lit up their weapons, aiming at the brothers.

The transport's door opened, and Nick Fury stepped out, followed by medics. Under the agents' cover, they gathered the five.

"Thank God you're here!" Peter sighed, feeling secure.

"How are their injuries?" Fury ignored Peter and asked the medics.

"They're fine," the medics replied after checking.

"The worst is Iron Fist, with a few broken bones. With proper care and their physique, they'll recover quickly."

They were superhumans, with enhanced resilience and recovery. These injuries were minor; they'd recover in a week and move freely in half a month.

Fury nodded, then looked at them.