189 Russell's Full Effort
Although Diana is not a superhero who primarily relies on energy attacks, it doesn't mean she can't use energy-based attacks.
For example, she can make her protective silver bracelets collide, releasing a burst of divine power.
This is Diana's most frequently used energy attack technique and also a wide-range area-of-effect attack.
As the protective silver bracelets collided, there was a crisp sound of metal striking metal.
Simultaneously, a golden divine energy burst forth from the bracelets at supersonic speeds, sweeping in all directions.
The pieces of the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor that had fallen into the training ground melted away like snow.
The ground and pillars in the training ground began to crack and disintegrate.
The powerful shockwave of divine energy swept away everything around it, including the White Zetsu Legion that had just received Russell's orders and the Hulk, who had rushed to the scene.
Russell was also knocked back by the hurricane-like shockwave.
However, he didn't fly hundreds of meters away like the White Zetsu Legion and the Hulk.
Diana gripped the Lasso of Truth, keeping Russell within the training ground.
When the divine energy shockwave had completely dissipated, the open-air training ground that had resembled a Roman coliseum had disappeared.
In its place was a massive crater several hundred meters in diameter.
Diana, holding her sword in her right hand and the Lasso of Truth in her left, calmly landed at the center of the crater.
As for Russell, he shook off the dirt and soil, which had covered him, and reluctantly stood up.
The radiant golden Lasso of Truth remained wrapped around his right ankle, reminding him that he was still in an extremely disadvantageous situation.
Without breaking free from the Lasso of Truth, Russell couldn't fully unleash his attacks.
In fact, it affected not only his attacks but also his ability to evade and retreat.
Although the Lasso of Truth appeared to be only as thick as a finger, it was deceptive.
If he had enough time and wasn't interrupted, Russell might have a chance to forcibly break free from the Lasso of Truth.
But with Diana closely monitoring his every move, he simply didn't have that opportunity.
He had lost again!
Once again, he had lost!
Even though he had never won against Diana before, Russell was still somewhat unwilling to accept defeat.
He might have accepted it if this were the past, but now, with the power of Kryptonian blood flowing through him, losing to Diana was hard to accept.
Although his loss could be attributed to his lack of exposure to sunlight, he wasn't the type to accept defeat easily.
Looking at Diana, who stood proudly in the center of the crater, exuding a heroic aura, Russell stretched his neck and limbs.
While he knew that winning against Diana at this point was unlikely, he didn't plan on giving up so easily.
Even if he couldn't win, he wanted to show Diana his true strength.
With a thought, Russell's body sprouted white tendrils.
He activated the Serum Form!
Symbiote Wings!
Autonomous Control of Adrenaline!
Russell transformed into his Serum Form, growing a pair of massive white wings from his back and four sharp, tail-like tendrils from his lower back.
Furthermore, even with his newfound Kryptonian blood, Russell activated the Adrenaline Autonomous Control, a power he had never used in actual combat.
Though Kryptonians were different from Earthlings, they still had hormones specifically designed for "fight or flight" situations.
In Kryptonian culture, this hormone might not be called adrenaline, but that didn't matter. It wouldn't affect Russell's ability to use this power.
Adrenaline surge: Adjusting heart muscle, increasing blood pressure, activating the sympathetic nervous system, promoting muscle activity, instantaneously enhancing physical functions and explosive strength.
After an adrenaline surge, a person would feel like they had entered bullet time.
In this state, all bodily functions would experience an astonishing boost.
Although Russell had never used this ability in combat before, he had used it during a flying chess game with Diana.
Diana had never fought against Russell in an adrenaline-induced state, but she recognized it now.
Looking at Russell, who now appeared more like a demon than a human, Diana's expression turned serious.
While she didn't believe that Russell's transformation into this non-humanoid form with wings and tendrils would make him a match for her, she decided to take this unfair battle seriously out of respect.
Although the surge of adrenaline could bring a massive boost, it was not a hormone that could exist in the body for extended periods.
Serum and adrenaline combined to reinforce Russell's newly acquired Kryptonian Heritage.
Under Diana's watchful gaze, Russell ignored the Lasso of Truth still wrapped around his right ankle and shot towards Diana like lightning.
Russell, give it your all!
...
The next day, at noon.
Justice League Headquarters.
Russell woke up in his own bedroom.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he felt pain throughout his body.
The various pains from different parts of his body instantly woke him up, making him more alert than he was before.
At the same time, memories of the scenes from last night in the training ground and his bedroom flashed through his mind.
Just as he suspected, he had lost in the end!
Although he had used every means at his disposal to maximize his newly acquired Kryptonian Heritage's potential, he still lost.
Diana hadn't exerted much effort to defeat him, even in his demon-like appearance.
Whether it was the Serum or an adrenaline surge, they were both powerless against Diana.
While the Kryptonian Heritage could compete with Diana's demi-god physique, the fact that Russell had barely seen a second of sunlight since obtaining it meant he couldn't fully unleash its power.
Thus, he had suffered his most painful defeat ever.
However...
Despite losing to Diana, she had quickly allowed him to regain his victory on another battlefield.
As the images of their chess match in his bedroom last night flashed through his mind, Russell couldn't help but swallow hard.
His aching body had an uncontrollable, instinctual reaction.
Suppressing the burning primal urge within him momentarily, Russell turned his gaze to the sleeping Diana beside him.
Diana was lying on her side next to him, her perfect and flawless face turned towards him.
Her otherworldly exquisite visage, her graceful neck, her sharp shoulders, the smooth skin below her collarbone, and her alluring curves...
Seeing Diana, who was still in the dreamland, Russell suddenly felt that continuing to live off her generosity might not be such a bad idea.
As if sensing Russell's gaze, Diana slowly woke up. Her beautiful eyes, like ripples on a tranquil lake, looked at Russell. Her red lips parted as she softly said, "Good morning."
