Adam had always known S.H.I.E.L.D.'s patience had limits, yet for some reason they still hadn't taken any further action.
Was their budget really that generous?
The days passed one after another. Adam and Dum Dum continued their awkward neighborly routine, occasionally playing Robin Hood with the same stack of cash circulating between them. It was strangely entertaining.
"So far, the Queen has laid a total of fourteen eggs. Two of them haven't hatched yet. The rest have produced eleven Xenomorphs."
Adam counted his growing forces on his fingers while constantly monitoring the mental state of each creature.
This was a form of specialized psychic connection.
During this time, he hadn't even stepped outside his door until Blade finally grew impatient and came to him again.
"You know I don't like coming here."
The moment he entered, Blade adjusted his sunglasses, glanced around, and spotted a few messenger Xenomorphs but not the crowned Queen. "And you've got even more pets now. How?"
"How do you manage to make the vampires' lives so miserable all by yourself?" Adam countered.
"Power. I have overwhelming power."
"That's my answer too. Because I'm strong, I always believe I can achieve something remarkable."
Blade didn't believe a single word. He was convinced Adam had prepared these creatures' embryos long ago and was only now releasing them.
"Tell me why you're here. I might not sell you any more acid," Adam said.
"I don't need it. I took down a piece of trash who called himself a Blood God. Your weapons helped a lot. The downside is that some vampires have started suspecting you and are looking for ways to deal with you."
"Then let them come. Wiping vampires off this planet might not be such a bad idea." Adam seriously considered the possibility.
Blade's eyes narrowed. "You're serious? That's extremely difficult unless you can develop a vampire virus. People have been trying for years with little success. Personally, I think you'd have better luck developing that cure for mutants you're supposedly working on."
"Ha. You think dealing with mutants is easier than dealing with vampires?"
"No. I just think the mutant situation is bigger and more complicated. You'd gain more by going that route... like many scientists have chosen to do. Vampires are just parasites feeding on humanity," Blade replied.
Adam set the tone for their conversation. "Then I'll plant my power directly into the vampires."
Blade silently noted Adam's clear hatred for vampires. It might stem from some human-supremacist ideology, or it could all be an act because hunting them brought him benefits.
But what those benefits were, Blade couldn't imagine.
Aside from their long lifespans and accumulated wealth, what did vampires really have? Nothing.
Blade finally stated his purpose. "There's something I might need your help with."
"Are you asking as yourself, or on behalf of the team behind you?"
"I haven't officially joined them yet, so let's say it's me who needs the help. I don't know many reliable people." Blade's expression remained unchanged. "I received intel about a crazy general obsessed with the Super Soldier Program. He's even mobilized troops to capture a certain green walking blood bank."
"You want me to go after that green guy? That won't be easy. I remember seeing reports about him online a few months ago," Adam said.
Blade looked at him strangely, stunned by Adam's imagination. "What makes you think you're qualified to get involved in Hulk business? That guy just has to roar and your little pets would be shaken to pieces."
Was the new generation really this aggressive? Or was he just overestimating himself?
"Then I should consider myself lucky," Adam replied neutrally.
Blade studied Adam's micro-expressions. Sometimes he genuinely couldn't tell whether the young man was confident out of ignorance or because he was holding something back.
He leaned toward the former. Anyone who truly understood the Hulk would be left speechless. That green powerhouse could swat fighter jets out of the sky with his bare hands. A casual swing carried hundreds or even thousands of tons of force. If he got angrier, unleashing even greater power would be effortless.
"I need to deal with certain people who are after the Hulk's bloodline," Blade said. "Your pets are agile and seem well-suited for combat. They could help relieve some of the pressure."
"But why should I get involved in something this dangerous? Just because those people are assessing my threat level?"
"Look, I don't know how much you've already figured out, but doing what you can never hurts," Blade said frankly. "Your power hasn't reached the point where they fear you, but they also won't let you run around freely. You're smart enough that you must have expected this when we made our first deal."
He stared into Adam's eyes. "You deliberately showed off your capabilities, didn't you? Maybe it was time to reveal yourself anyway. Using their resources to grow stronger is a smart move."
"Don't get the wrong idea. I have no intention of joining you. I just want to give back to society," Adam said, waving his hand. He had known this step was inevitable eventually. Using Blade as a stepping stone was a convenient opportunity.
He took the documents from Blade, flipped through them quickly, and gained a rough understanding of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s focus.
The primary target wasn't the Hulk, but another man... Mr. Blue, who had already conducted genetic experiments with the Hulk's blood.
Blade had set his sights on Mr. Blue because the scientist had connections to a special vampire known as the Blood Baron. They might be engaged in dangerous blood trades, making him a target that needed elimination.
In Blade's mind, who knew what kind of monster a top-tier vampire might become after drinking the Hulk's blood? It was far too risky.
"Understood. You need me to track and intercept Mr. Blue, right?" Adam said. "Just so we're clear, my fee for this kind of life-threatening work isn't cheap."
"One million dollars."
"Two million. This is dangerous. Also, I need all the information you have on vampire population distribution, stronghold locations, and anything else relevant," Adam replied.
Blade gave the young man a long, meaningful look. He even wanted population data? Asking for something like that meant he was either drunk or had an absolutely terrifying appetite.
What exactly did Adam see in vampires?
Blade didn't know the correct way to use them.
Adam believed he was the one who truly understood.
They were numerous, individually quite strong, and taking them down could also bring in money… Nothing attracted Adam's interest more than capturing vampires.
Why bother with mutants when there were vampires to harvest?