Though genetically identical to Sabretooth, these five clones appeared significantly younger than their template.
While the original Sabretooth presented as a weathered man in his forties or fifties, these duplicates appeared to be in their early thirties.
Furthermore, unlike the original's disheveled appearance, these clones maintained clean-shaven faces and short, regulation haircuts.
They wore identical black tactical uniforms, presenting the disciplined appearance of elite special forces operatives.
Upon assessing the five Sabretooth clones, Richard immediately declared, "One for you, four for me."
"Agreed," Sabretooth replied without objection.
Though hardly law-abiding, Sabretooth wasn't foolishly arrogant.
Despite not having confronted his genetic duplicates previously, he recognized they possessed capabilities identical to his own.
His sole advantage lay in vastly superior combat experience.
However, when combatants share Accelerated Healings, extensive combat experience offers minimal tactical advantage.
Unless he possessed some capability his duplicates lacked—specifically, a means of delivering instantly fatal damage—a one-on-one confrontation would likely result in stalemate, devolving into a prolonged battle of attrition.
Following Sabretooth's confirmation, Richard wasted no time in executing Judgement Cut End.
As Masamune completed its arc, six or seven crescent-shaped energy projections—purple-rimmed with white centers—streaked toward the Sabretooth clones.
The duplicates didn't passively await impact. Instead, they dropped to all fours, moving with predatory agility as they attempted to evade the incoming energy blades.
In an open environment, they might have successfully avoided Richard's attack.
Unfortunately for them, the corridor's confined space severely limited their maneuverability.
Despite their evasive efforts—including several specimens attempting to run vertically along walls—the energy crescents found their marks, intercepting four clones and passing through their bodies.
The fifth clone's survival wasn't attributable to superior evasive capability, but rather to Richard's deliberate restraint.
These were, after all, Sabretooth's duplicates. Denying him the opportunity to confront at least one would seem inequitable.
The razor-sharp energy projections bisected two clones completely, slicing them cleanly in half.
The remaining two suffered severed limbs, rendering them combat-ineffective despite surviving the initial strike.
After inflicting devastating damage with Judgement Cut End, Richard employed Shift Slash without hesitation, materializing directly among the incapacitated clones.
Masamune's edge continued its deadly work.
SLICE! SLICE! SLICE!
The distinctive sound of the blade cleaving through flesh and bone echoed repeatedly through the corridor.
Prioritizing rapid elimination of these four threats, Richard showed no hesitation or mercy, systematically decapitating each clone.
In the comics, Wolverine had survived decapitation.
Sabretooth, however, lacked Wolverine's extraordinary resilience.
Though both possessed Accelerated Healings, Sabretooth's regenerative capabilities substantially underperformed Wolverine's.
This disparity had directly influenced Stryker's decision to select Wolverine rather than Sabretooth for adamantium bonding, as Sabretooth's Accelerated Healing couldn't withstand the adamantium integration process.
After decapitating all four clones, Richard immediately activated his Plunder ability, seeking to confirm their deaths while harvesting their powers.
[Gain new abilities: Bone Claws, Accelerated Healing, Beast Intuition!]
[Get the same type of abilities, ability fusion!]
[Accelerated Healing, and Beast Instincts are enhanced!]
[Accelerated Healing level increased, current level: Alpha level!]
[The Plunder level has been upgraded, and the current level is: Alpha level!]
Plunder has been upgraded as well?
Observing both Accelerated Healing and Plunder elevating to Alpha-tier, Richard smiled with satisfaction. The Accelerated Healing enhancement hadn't surprised him.
Before eliminating the four Sabretooth clones, his healing ability had already undergone several enhancements.
Simultaneously harvesting four Beta-level Accelerated Healings naturally facilitated advancement to Alpha classification.
However, he hadn't anticipated that upgrading Accelerated Healing to Alpha would simultaneously elevate Plunder to the same tier.
Though unexpected, this development delighted him.
It meant he could now return to harvest Benjamin's powers.
Sabretooth recognized Richard's superior capabilities, but hadn't expected him to neutralize four clones in mere seconds.
Could he be an Omega-level mutant?
The thought manifested unbidden in Sabretooth's mind.
Though the Omega classification had been theorized for years, Sabretooth had never encountered a confirmed Omega-level mutant.
Even Jean Grey—widely regarded as Xavier's eventual successor—remained at Alpha classification currently.
Both Xavier and Magneto recognized the immense latent potential within Jean, yet both assessed her as sub-Omega at present.
The reason was straightforward.
Jean couldn't fully control the devastating power dormant within her.
"Handle the remaining clone at your leisure," Richard instructed. "I'll return upstairs to address other matters."
Without awaiting Sabretooth's response, Richard activated Blinkstep and departed.
Rooftop
Observing the still-unconscious Benjamin, Richard raised Masamune and delivered a casual swing, definitively ending the Operations Director's existence.
[Plunder new ability: Steel Skin!]
[Same ability detected, ability fusion!]
[Super Strength and Enhanced Durability are enhanced!]
[Super Strength level increased, current level: Alpha level!]
[Enhanced Durability level increased, current level: Alpha level!]
[X-Gene Mutantpower Content Update]
[Alpha level: Plunder, Super Strength, Enhanced Durability, Accelerated Healing]
[Beta level: Blinkstep, Repulsion, Stone Body, Ion Shock Wave, Mental Shielding, Mind Charm]
[Delta level: Energy Absorption, Telekinesis, Super Senses, Enhanced Senses, Bone Claws, Beast Intuition]
Examining the information panel before him, Richard's brow furrowed slightly.
The Steel Skin ability's fusion process, enhancing his super strength and enhanced durability to Alpha-tier, aligned with his expectations.
What surprised him was the system's detailed classification of his X-gene abilities, particularly the Delta-tier designation for Energy Absorption, Telekinesis, Enhanced Senses, Beast Intuition, and Bone Claws.
He had previously assumed these capabilities operated at Beta level, given their original wielders' formidable reputations.
Energy Absorption, Telekinesis, and Enhanced Senses had been harvested from Mutant agents.
Beast Intuition and Bone Claws originated from Sabretooth's clones.
Moreover, these latter abilities had undergone three distinct enhancement cycles.
Nevertheless, within the system's evaluation framework, Beast Instinct and Bone Claws remained firmly Delta-tier.
Reviewing the system's newly clarified power hierarchy, Richard quickly formulated a strategic adjustment.
Moving forward, he would exercise greater selectivity in his Plunder targets. Lower-tier abilities offered minimal utility even after harvesting, as evidenced by the thrice-enhanced yet still Delta-tier Bone Claws.
Additionally, accidentally assimilating particularly low-level abilities—such as "Toad Tongue," "Dermal Spikes," or "Acidic Saliva"—would prove aesthetically displeasing to see listed among his capabilities, even if never deployed.
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