Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Lich King Is Being Misunderstood

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Due to Grommash’s unexpected intervention, the storyline between the Hulk and the Abomination underwent some subtle changes. This, in turn, caused slight deviations in subsequent events. With Roald’s assistance, General Ross had now become one of the military’s most sought-after figures.

Just as Roald had originally planned, there was hardly any need for manipulation. The nineteen so-called super soldier surgeries had already dazzled Ross and the military’s top brass. When they witnessed the furious Hulk knocked unconscious by a single blow from Grommash’s axe, all their doubts vanished.

The Super Soldier program was once again placed at the top of the military’s agenda. New laboratories and research personnel were immediately assigned, and a special hearing was held on the matter.

“Generals of the United States, we must unite and stand together in solidarity!”

During the hearing, General Ross articulated, in highly concise terms, the role of super soldiers in protecting the nation, their symbolic and practical significance for the military. He called for all departments to join forces, to showcase the true strength of the army, and to establish an institution centered around super soldiers, embodying a genuine spirit of internationalism.

S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Let S.H.I.E.L.D. go to hell!

“Think about it, gentlemen. Once we master this technology, everyone could become a super soldier. This is a blessing for humanity—embrace the glorious path of evolution…”

Standing at Ross’s side, Grommash became the paragon in everyone’s eyes. If given the chance, they all wished to become as strong as Grommash.

In Ross’s heart, Roald was now his closest friend. The only reason he could stand here and deliver this speech was thanks to the serum Roald had provided.

At the military meeting in the Pentagon, he banged the table with all his might, his imposing presence and voice overwhelming all other noise in the conference room.

“Generals, what does this prove? It proves that our Super Soldier program has the prerequisites and sufficient success rate to proceed, and that our direction is correct. Our nation will become great again in our hands!”

“Did none of you see it? Even the mighty Hulk was no match for a warrior enhanced by nineteen layers of genetic engineering. Compared to the super soldier serum we’ve been developing, this is a more scientific and efficient path to enhancement!”

“Can’t you see? Blonsky has already demonstrated the maturity of this technology. He is controllable—even though he lost to the Hulk again, he has only undergone preliminary enhancement. This is a power we too can possess—in other words, it can be used on ourselves!”

“I admit, you may think I’m exaggerating. But—once the experiment on Blonsky succeeds, we will have countless Captain Americas. No, not just Captain America—everyone could become a Captain America! Our army would be invincible, our nation unbeatable… We will dominate every situation and every development!”

“This is a glorious evolution, a completion of the human genome. We could all become the Golden Generation.”

With Grommash standing right there, Ross’s speech moved many of the military’s leaders. Who wouldn’t want to be as strong as Captain America? Who wouldn’t fear aging? The older they got, the more intense their desire for physical enhancement became.

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This meeting was not only for General Ross and the military to discuss how to handle the super soldier serum, but also how to leverage it for even greater benefits for the military.

For instance, applying to Congress for funding, more funding, and yet more funding.

Of course, there were also those who suggested dissecting Grommash for research.

But soon enough, those who made such proposals found themselves utterly embarrassed under the incredulous stares of their peers and quietly retreated to the last row of the arched seats—their careers now at a dead end.

What kind of courage did it take to propose dissecting the guy who knocked out the Hulk with one blow, in front of someone who might be a true super soldier?

Had they lost their minds?

Perhaps they should forget about being senators and generals—such fools were better off selling hot dogs on the street.

While the military meeting was ablaze with enthusiasm, over at S.H.I.E.L.D., the atmosphere could only be described as dismal.

There were only five people present.

The office wasn’t large. Nick Fury hadn’t even turned on the lights; everyone sat there, watching the footage of the Hulk being felled by Grommash’s axe over and over again.

Nick Fury suddenly had a revelation.

This Hulk… doesn’t seem quite as powerful as they’d thought…

He was preparing to shift his focus to Grommash.

Coulson entered the room with a file in hand.

Turning off the projection, Fury looked toward Coulson.

“Director, the investigation is complete.”

Nick Fury took the file from Coulson and carefully reviewed it. No one in the room said a word.

When Fury finished reading, he handed the intelligence to the others.

“Take a look, and share your thoughts. Coulson, besides this, do you have any other valuable information?”

“I’m sorry, Director. If it’s about the Hulk, I have some leads. I’ve also found data on the man who fought Hulk at the start, and I know a bit about the one in black armor at the end, though that information didn’t come from my own investigation.”

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“Go on,” Fury said, assuming his signature posture.

“According to the knight accompanying Tony, he claims to be Famine, and the one in black armor in the footage is War. If we add Pestilence and Chaos, together they would be the so-called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”

“You mean to say the Four Horsemen may actually exist?”

“Yes, Director. While investigating the surveillance around the Hulk battle site, I uncovered another valuable clue. Fifteen minutes after the battle on that street, a scream erupted from the top of a building. This scream destroyed nearly every camera within a five-hundred-meter radius, caused a major blackout, and led to sonic and electromagnetic disturbances that left over six hundred people unconscious and the area in chaos.”

“Based on reports from local residents, I made it to the scene and saw, from the building’s epicenter, a vast number of shattered windows. Even satellite imagery was useless—I could only make out a field of blue light. That was the top floor; without a key, no ordinary person could reach it.”

“So your conclusion is that our only intel on this black-armored giant is secondhand, and you found something even stranger at the scene. If that scream came from one of the Four Horsemen, was it to destroy evidence?”

Listening to Coulson’s report, Fury began to connect the dots, searching for the unseen gaps in the situation.

“Director, we can’t rule out the possibility. Based on intel from Tony’s companion, this black-armored figure is appearing for the first time, but others of similar stature have shown up before. There are four Horsemen; surely there are more out there.”

“You mean—?”

Fury looked at Coulson, puzzled.

“Director, do you remember the saying? The frost of Famine may be restrained, the violence of War may be accounted for, Decay may be renewed, and Chaos will eventually subside. But above all the Horsemen, only Death is eternal.”

“The one with Tony can be considered Famine, the one with Ross can be considered War—that’s what we know. Let’s call the one who screamed Chaos for now. Following this logic, will Pestilence appear next?”

“You mean, more like them may show up?” Fury couldn’t help but retort, “What do they take New York for—a test site or a backyard?”

“I think both are possible, Director. But aside from those four, don’t forget there’s still one more line I haven’t mentioned.”

“Only Death is eternal?” Fury swiftly connected the dots.

“Death may be the most important player. And to prepare for the next possible arrival, we need to take precautions against Pestilence.”

Fury subconsciously rubbed his temples.

He felt utterly exhausted.