CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 030: WANDA BEATS UP THE LIZARD! GWEN PULLS THE CART!

"Mom! My mom!"

"Run! Everyone, run!"

"The Lizard—what kind of monster is that?!"

Amid the chaos of people fleeing in every direction, Lorien and Wanda pushed against the flow, heading straight toward the danger.

This time, Lorien didn’t need to encourage her. Wanda followed with unwavering determination until they reached the vicinity of the Manhattan Bridge.

The bridge connected Manhattan Island to the mainland, while another bridge nearby led to Queens.

At this moment, people were abandoning their cars and rushing down from the bridge.

Looking up, Lorien and Wanda spotted the source of the panic—a massive Lizard wreaking havoc on the bridge. Cars crumpled before it like paper toys.

The creature casually swung a leg.

Bang!

A car shot forward several meters, like a chair kicked across the floor.

Squeak, squeak, squeak~~~!

The tires screamed against the asphalt.

"Ahhh!!!"

Terrified screams came from inside the vehicle.

The Lizard paused at the sound, turned, and lowered its head to peer into the window.

"Ah!!!"

The cries from inside grew even more desperate. The Lizard’s mouth curled into a cruel grin.

With a sudden sideways kick—

Boom!

The entire car flew off the bridge, plummeting toward the water.

The passengers let out a chorus of hopeless screams as the creature turned and started to walk away.

But after a few steps...

No splash.

The Lizard frowned and moved toward the railing to check—

Bang!

The very same car, now wrapped in glowing red energy, whipped back toward it—slamming the monster hard.

Pop, pop!

Lorien clapped his hands, glancing at Wanda.

"Not bad."

Indeed, that had been her doing.

Right after the car had been launched off the bridge, Wanda had thrown her hands forward. Red energy enveloped the tumbling vehicle, and when the Lizard came to investigate, she yanked it straight into the beast.

Once the impact sent the Lizard flying, she gave another pull on the energy—

Bang, squeak~~

The car landed safely on the road below the bridge.

Spotting the passengers inside, Wanda gestured again.

Bang!

The warped door tore free under her power.

"Mom!"

A boy of about twelve scrambled out.

"My child!"

His parents, who had been among the crowd, ran to meet him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

Lorien nodded with approval. A textbook American scene.

Still, Wanda deserved credit.

"Well done, Wanda."

"Mm."

Roar~~~!!!

Wanda had barely nodded when a furious roar tore through the air.

The Lizard stood atop a truck, bellowing to the sky.

"It looks like you made it angry," Lorien observed.

Wanda, seeing the creature for the first time, hesitated. "There are still people trapped on the bridge. I want to lure it down before fighting."

"That’s a good idea," Lorien agreed, then glanced at the bridge, and at the time. "If the bridge gets destroyed, we won’t be able to ride the Ferris wheel tonight."

"...What?!"

Wanda blinked in disbelief.

If the bridge was gone, the Ferris wheel was off the table? Absolutely not!

"You—get down here!!"

Her sudden shout startled Lorien. He turned to see her hands spread wide, fingers curved as scarlet Chaos energy surged toward the Lizard, wrapping its entire body in a crushing grip.

Roar~?

The monster froze, stunned by the force pulling it away. It flailed wildly, smashing cars and gripping the bridge railing in a desperate attempt to resist.

But when the full might of Chaos Magic was brought to bear, there was no contest.

"Down!"

Wanda barked the command, swinging her arms sharply.

Roar~~~!

The Lizard managed to swat a car aside before it was ripped from the bridge—

Bang!

—and slammed into the road below, hard enough to crack the pavement.

"Scarlet Witch! Scarlet Witch!"

"Superhero! Take down that Lizard!"

"Get rid of that ugly thing!"

The crowd cheered, but then someone pointed back toward the bridge.

The car the Lizard had thrown earlier was teetering on the edge, about to plunge into the sea.

"Look! That car’s going to fall!"

"What do we do? There’s someone inside!"

"He’s waving from the window—it’s a kid!"

Lorien followed their gazes. Sure enough, the car was seconds from dropping.

Wanda raised her hand, ready to pull it back with her energy—

Roar!

—but the Lizard was already climbing out of the crater.

Now what? Which one to save first?

That question was on everyone’s mind.

But the answer arrived before anyone could choose.

Pssh~!

A line of webbing shot overhead as a figure swung into view.

Spider-Gwen soared through the air, landing lightly atop the bridge.

"It’s Spider-Woman!"

"She’s the one who fought alongside Scarlet Witch before!"

...

(80 Chapters Ahead)

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