Erik Lehnsherr raised an eyebrow. "The video has only just started, and they're already giving us a new question?"
Homelander folded his arms and glanced at the others. "Looks like the answer should be D. The military obviously wouldn't let a green monster like that get away."
That was what he said—but it wasn't what he believed. The moment he saw the question, he had already eliminated option D. Saying it out loud was merely an attempt to mislead the others.
Unfortunately for him, the trick was quickly exposed.
Tony Stark seized the opportunity to provoke him. "Is that so, Homelander? How about a bet? I won't even bet on the correct answer—just on what you choose in the end. If you pick D, you win. If you pick anything else, I win."
Homelander sneered. "And if I win, will you let me go?"
Tony shrugged. "You know that's impossible. But I can promise to make your time in the cell a bit more comfortable."
Homelander stared at him coldly. "Fine. Then I'll make you a promise too—once I win this game, I'll snap your neck. Quick and painless."
The others exchanged glances, each quietly weighing the options.
At first glance, the correct answer seemed to lie between B and D. Surely Betty—or David—wouldn't call the military to arrest Bruce Banner… right?
Then again, the quiz game had a habit of pulling reversals. Nothing was certain.
Soon, the countdown began. No one felt fully confident this time, and after several seconds of hesitation, no one hit the buzzer.
Only when the timer was about to expire did they finally act.
Erik Lehnsherr won the right to answer. After a brief pause, he made a choice that surprised everyone.
"I choose A."
Bruce Banner glanced at him, then frowned and chose B. Natasha Romanoff also selected B. Homelander, matching Erik, chose A.
Tony Stark scoffed. "You hypocrite. Weren't you just swearing that D was the correct answer?"
Homelander shrugged. "I changed my mind."
Tony let out a cold laugh and selected C.
The result was announced:
[Congratulations to player Erik Lehnsherr for answering correctly! +4 points.]
[Player Homelander answered correctly. +1 point.]
[Player Tony Stark, player Bruce Banner, and player Natasha Romanoff answered incorrectly. −1 point each.]
Bruce Banner stared in disbelief. "Why…? Why would Betty betray me?"
Erik Lehnsherr replied with a faint, knowing smile. "Have you considered that she might not have been trying to hurt you at all—but to help you? As a general's daughter, what solution would come most naturally to her? Of course—asking her father."
Tony Stark slapped his forehead. "Damn it. I thought of that too—but then I figured she's a scientist. Surely she wouldn't be that… naive."
Natasha Romanoff sighed. "What Erik said is probably the truth."
As they spoke, the light screen replayed the video.
It was indeed Betty who contacted the military. Just as Erik had guessed, she hoped to use her father's influence, along with military laboratories and technology, to cure Bruce Banner.
Early the next morning, Bruce had barely stepped out of the cabin when he was struck by a tranquilizer dart and collapsed unconscious.
The scene shifted—he had been transported to a military base deep in the desert and imprisoned at the lowest level.
Only then did Betty realize that she might have harmed Bruce instead of helping him. But General Ross ignored her pleas, ordering Glenn to conduct various experiments on Bruce Banner, deliberately trying to provoke him and force him to transform into the Hulk.
The goal was clear: study his DNA and use it to create a super-soldier army.
Throughout the ordeal, Bruce Banner struggled to suppress his emotions. He didn't want to give them what they wanted—and he didn't want to become that violent, terrifying monster again.
At that moment, the video paused, and a new question appeared:
[Did Bruce Banner successfully control his emotions and avoid transforming into the Hulk?]
[A: Yes
B: No]
Seeing this, Bruce Banner asked hesitantly, the corner of his mouth twitching, "If—if my future self really manages to control his anger… would they let me go?"
Homelander planted his hands on his hips and sneered. "You're just as naive as your girlfriend."
Erik Lehnsherr shook his head. "They locked your father up for thirty years. Why would they spare you? Bruce, trust me—even if you go back right now, they'll still imprison you and take away your freedom forever."
Erik spoke from experience. He, too, had once been treated as a laboratory test subject—and he knew this routine all too well.
Tony Stark frowned. "Don't panic, Bruce. Even if they come after you, you won't be alone. The Defenders will help you."
The countdown began. This time, everyone felt confident. The instant it started, all players hit the buzzer.
Homelander won the right to answer and chose A with a wide grin.
The others followed suit. Tony Stark clicked his tongue. "This guy's suddenly riding a streak of ridiculous luck."
The countdown ended. The correct answer was announced—it was A. Everyone gained points.
Homelander immediately mocked Tony. "See that, Tony Stark? I'm getting closer and closer to winning this game, while you're still struggling in the negatives. Honestly, if I were you, I'd be too ashamed to call myself a veteran player."
Tony was thoroughly irritated. The quiz game often came down to luck, and he firmly believed this loss had nothing to do with skill.
He sneered back. "Don't celebrate too early. There's only one winner in this game. Everyone else gets eliminated. Even if you lose by a single point, it still means nothing."
As the two bickered, the light screen began playing the video corresponding to the correct answer.
In the future footage, Bruce Banner endured relentless torment. Even when beaten and kicked, he desperately suppressed his anger.
Glenn devised a new plan—targeting Bruce's mind instead of his body. Bruce was locked inside a special water tank, eerily similar to the one used in Wolverine's adamantium experiments.
Electrodes were attached to Bruce Banner's head, and researchers began stimulating his psyche and subconscious—
attempting to force the monster within to awaken.
.....
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