Chapter 16: The Concerns of the Old Wolverine

Chapter 16: The Concerns of the Old Wolverine

El Paso County, Texas, early morning.

Logan, having just dropped off his last fare, was exhausted and asleep in the rented stretch limousine when he was rudely awakened by the sound of commotion outside.

"Damn it!"

Cursing under his breath, he reluctantly got up and pushed open the car door.

This wasn't the first time this had happened. It was probably some Mexican gangsters who had crossed the border illegally, eyeing his luxury car and planning to strip it for parts to sell.

But he couldn't let them succeed. He needed this car to earn a living, and right now, he desperately needed money.

Professor X's illness required expensive medication, and Logan had been saving up to buy a yacht, hoping to take the professor to live safely at sea.

After living for so many years and witnessing the deaths of friends and lovers, Logan had grown weary of his own life.

His only remaining wish was to give Charles, his old friend and the man who had once saved him, a decent life in his final years.

If these gangsters stripped the car, he wouldn't just have to pay the rental company for damages—he'd also lose his stable source of income.

"Hey, those lug nuts are chrome-plated. You're ruining them. Get out of here..."

Leaning against the car door, Logan tried to persuade the gangsters to leave without resorting to violence, but it didn't go as planned.

Seeing the car owner appear, the gangsters didn't flee. Instead, one of them immediately shot at Logan and continued removing the wheels.

For them, killing seemed as natural as eating or drinking.

Logan's healing factor had weakened due to the toxins in his adamantium skeleton, but such injuries weren't enough to kill him.

Slowly rising to his feet, he extended his claws and began fighting the gangsters.

However, due to his aging body and lack of proper rest, he was soon overwhelmed by the six gangsters and beaten to the ground, forced to shield his head with his arms and wait for an opportunity to counterattack.

"George, can he really still help us?"

Inside the truck, Gabriela asked with concern.

After rerouting to El Paso County and searching for four hours, they had finally found Wolverine, Logan. But the scene before them made her doubt his ability to help.

George smiled and nodded.

"Of course he can. In fact, he'll be a huge help."

Despite Logan's current state, when he got serious, even a few more gangsters wouldn't be a match for him.

If they could find a way to neutralize the toxins in his adamantium skeleton, Logan's body could return to its peak condition.

After all, Apocalypse, who also possessed a healing factor, had lived for thousands of years without showing any signs of aging.

"Wait here. I'll go talk to him."

Pushing open the truck door, George jumped out and used his powers to control two daggers, aiming for the gangsters' necks.

For these gangsters, who had no moral compass and killed innocent people without hesitation, George felt no mercy. He aimed for their vital points.

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

The sound of blades slicing through throats echoed, and the gangsters who had been kicking Logan collapsed, clutching their necks in disbelief.

Logan, sensing something was wrong, lowered his arms and looked up in surprise.

At that moment, a hand reached out to him.

"Are you okay, Wolverine?"

"Friend, you might have the wrong guy. I'm not Wolverine, but thanks for the help."

Logan didn't take the hand. Instead, he slowly got up on his own.

George wasn't bothered. He withdrew his hand and continued, "My name's George. I'm a mutant. We have thirty-five mutant children with us, and we need your and Professor X's help."

"Mutants? Mutants disappeared long ago. There are no mutants in this world, no Wolverine, and no Professor X."

Logan shook his head and crouched down with difficulty, trying to pick up the scattered lug nuts to fix the car's tires.

George waved his hand, and the lug nuts on the ground floated into his palm.

"Naturally occurring mutants are indeed rare now, but artificially created mutants still exist. For example, I'm a mutant synthesized from the genes of Professor X and Magneto."

"Who are you, really?"

Seeing the floating lug nuts, Logan's eyes narrowed with suspicion, and his claws extended again, though one got stuck halfway.

George paused, then waved toward the truck parked nearby.

Moments later, Gabriela led Laura and the other thirty-four mutant children over.

"Show Mr. Logan your abilities."

Laura extended her adamantium claws, Ricktor raised a wall of earth from the ground, and the other children demonstrated their powers—controlling wind, fire, plants, electricity, and even emitting cold air.

Though their powers were still underdeveloped and not very strong, they were undeniable proof of their mutant identities.

"Mr. Logan, George isn't lying. We just escaped from the Genetic Modification Research Institute in Mexico City. They—"

Gabriela explained their situation and the horrors of the research institute in detail.

After listening, Logan took a deep breath and looked at George and the children. Reluctantly, he said, "I'm afraid I can't help you. I don't have the ability to."

His own life didn't matter, but Professor X's condition made it impossible for him to get involved in such a risky situation. One wrong move could endanger the professor.

So, despite his reluctance, he had to refuse.

Gabriela's eyes dimmed with disappointment, but George had anticipated this and wasn't ready to give up.

He knew why Logan was refusing and understood that, deep down, Logan was a kind person. With the right approach, he could be persuaded.

"While I was at the lab, I accidentally came across information about the Westchester incident. You're working so hard to earn money, probably to buy medication for Professor X, right?

By helping us, you're also helping the professor and yourself.

If our plan succeeds, the professor will have access to the best medical treatment and equipment in the world. He might even recover."

"But have you considered that Tony Stark, the famous playboy, might not repay us? He might even betray us.

Not everyone who's saved is willing to show gratitude. Some might even turn on you for their own gain."

Logan replied after a moment of silence.

He had experienced this firsthand.

During World War II, he had saved an officer who, on his deathbed, had tried to kill Logan and steal his healing factor to prolong his own life.

(End of Chapter)