After leaving Betty's house, Steve Rogers got back into the car.
As he started the engine, Steve said to Natasha Romanoff, "This looks like another secret experiment disguised as limb regeneration."
Natasha leaned back in the passenger seat and replied, "That's right. They recruit people with physical disabilities, offer them large sums of money, and promise to restore their bodies."
She continued seriously, "The military's Super Soldier experiments, Killian's Extremis program, the Centipede Project, and now this new experiment that turns people into miniature Hulks."
While speaking, Natasha took out her phone and sent a message.
"I've already contacted Kai and asked him to investigate the Belloc Rehabilitation Center. Hopefully he finds something useful."
Washington.
The Belloc Rehabilitation Center was located on the twenty-third floor of a commercial building.
When Kai arrived, he discovered the entire floor completely empty.
Not a single person remained.
After checking several treatment rooms, he noticed the air-conditioning was still running everywhere, and stacks of documents remained inside the filing cabinets.
Clearly, the staff had left in a hurry.
He casually picked up a document and skimmed it.
They were ordinary rehabilitation patient records.
After confirming nothing valuable remained behind, Kai went downstairs to question people on the other floors.
From them, he learned the center normally had about a dozen patients visiting daily.
There were only seven staff members working there.
Everything had been normal that morning.
But at noon, everyone suddenly left work in a rush.
Kai immediately realized something.
That time matched exactly with the destruction of Ophelia's secret HYDRA base and the discovery of the miniature Hulk corpse.
To react that quickly meant the forces behind this rehabilitation center were definitely not simple.
Kai quickly obtained the employee list and contacted JARVIS to locate them using satellites.
Soon, all seven employees were found.
As expected, they were completely ordinary civilians with no special background.
They simply performed routine rehabilitation work every day.
They knew nothing.
Back at the Avengers Base.
Steve Rogers and Tony Stark had already returned.
Kai sat in the conference room and said lazily, "I didn't find anything. The Belloc Rehabilitation Center was completely empty except for some patient records and rehabilitation equipment."
He continued, "All computer data had already been destroyed. That was probably done by Dean Janet before she left."
"The seven employees are normal civilians. No useful clues."
"As for Janet herself, even JARVIS couldn't track her using satellites."
Kai peeled an orange and offered half to Wanda. After she accepted it with a smile, he continued speaking.
"Everyone confirmed the same timeline. Around noon, Janet received a phone call, immediately dismissed all employees, and left herself."
"And that time matches exactly with when Wanda and the others destroyed Ophelia's base and recovered the miniature Hulk corpse."
Natasha nodded and said, "I reviewed the files Kai brought back. They only contain ordinary patient information. I also checked the rehabilitation center online, but there's nothing useful."
She turned toward Tony.
"Tony, what did you find?"
Tony shrugged.
"General Ross refused to cooperate, so I accessed the military's classified database directly."
He continued calmly, "The military has secretly continued the Super Soldier program all this time."
Steve immediately looked at him.
"A program similar to Dr. Erskine's Super Soldier Serum?"
Tony nodded.
"It's based on that research but includes additional experimental directions."
Then he added seriously, "However, Ross didn't lie about one thing. Since the Abomination incident, the military really did stop researching Gamma radiation."
Kai tossed the last orange segment into his mouth.
"So all our clues are gone again unless we find Janet."
He checked the time and stood up.
"Alright, workday's over. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
Then he turned toward Wanda.
"I know a great barbecue place in New York. Want to go together?"
All the Avengers immediately looked at them.
Wanda stood up without hesitation and smiled brightly.
"Okay."
She left the conference room together with Kai.
Watching them leave, Pietro shook his head slightly.
"I expected this. Ever since Kai let us go the first two times and Wanda became curious about him, I knew this day would come."
Tony leaned back in his chair dramatically.
"This kid is openly flirting during work hours. Steve, isn't that against Avengers regulations? Can I deduct his salary?"
He sighed loudly.
"I'm still paying him two million dollars a month even though he doesn't even work at Stark Industries anymore. I'm a disgrace among capitalists."
Steve laughed.
"It's not against the rules. Kai is at the age where dating is perfectly normal."
He continued warmly, "And Wanda is a wonderful girl. I think they're a great match."
Natasha smiled slightly.
"Definitely more reliable than inviting him to parties on your yacht with cover models."
Then she added calmly, "Also Pepper is responsible for promotions and dismissals at Stark Industries. If you want to fire Kai, you should talk to her."
Tony immediately raised his hands.
"No thanks. I recruited him personally. If I fired him now, what would happen to my reputation?"
He sighed again dramatically.
"There's no capitalist in this world as conscientious as me."
Tony stood up.
"Alright, quitting time. Pepper is waiting for dinner."
Then he added while walking away, "Tonight I'll have JARVIS search for Janet using Stark Industries satellites."
He pointed toward Natasha.
"You inform Nick Fury too. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence network is still useful."
"See you tomorrow."
He grabbed his jacket and left.
Sam Wilson looked toward Steve curiously.
"Is Kai still technically a Stark Industries employee?"
Steve nodded.
"Yes. Tony personally recruited him and values him more than any of us."
Then Steve stood up.
"Kai and Wanda went out for barbecue. Tony's meeting Pepper."
He smiled.
"I remember there's still meat in the kitchen. How about we hold our own barbecue tonight?"
Rhodey raised his hand immediately.
"I'll handle the drinks."
Night fell across Manhattan.
The July evening breeze carried cool air after the heat of the day.
Walking side by side through the city streets, Wanda suddenly felt nervous.
During the past half month at the Avengers Base, she had always taken the initiative to talk with Kai and cook for him.
But this was her first real date.
Even with Scarlet Witch's magic power, her palms were slightly sweaty.
She quietly wiped her hand against her clothes and glanced at the tall young man beside her.
Seeing he hadn't noticed, she finally relaxed slightly.
Since the explosion that destroyed her family when she was ten years old, she and Pietro had spent all their energy simply trying to survive.
Dating had never existed in her life before.
This was her first time going out with a boy other than Pietro.
She felt nervous.
Just as she was about to say something—
Kai suddenly reached out and gently held her hand.
Wanda froze slightly.
"What's wrong?"
She looked up and saw him smiling at her.
Wanda smiled softly.
"Nothing. It's just been a long time since I've taken such a relaxing walk."
She tightened her grip around his hand as they continued walking together.
"When I was little, I loved looking at the stars," Wanda said quietly.
"So at night I would lie by the window and count them."
She smiled faintly.
"My father used to hold me and point at the stars, telling me what each one was called."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Back then I thought he was the smartest person in the world."
"He knew the names of every star."
"I even thought I would become an astronomer someday. Maybe someone who could ride a rocket into space."
Her voice softened.
"Later I realized he was just trying to make me happy. Stars aren't actually named Robert, Connie, or Science."
Her expression dimmed slightly.
"After I turned ten, I stopped looking at the stars."
Kai suddenly said, "I know a good place. Want to go?"
Wanda blinked.
"Where?"
"Just follow me."
He lifted her into his arms in a princess carry.
In the next instant, they disappeared from the street.
Mount Xima, located in Essex County northeast of New York.
Under the bright moonlight far from the city's noise, the stars appeared clearer than ever.
Sitting together on a giant rock at the summit, Wanda looked up at the sky with shining eyes.
Countless stars sparkled above them.
As drifting clouds slowly covered the moonlight, it was almost as if the sky itself shyly looked away from the young couple's clumsy first kiss.
Avengers Base.
Pietro stood beside the window in his room, repeatedly checking his watch.
It was already nearly ten o'clock.
The meeting had ended at five.
Did eating barbecue really take five hours?
As Wanda's older brother, Pietro naturally understood her feelings.
He genuinely hoped she could find someone trustworthy.
After spending more than half a month together, he believed Kai was reliable.
But he still felt uneasy.
After all, Wanda was his little sister.
In this world, the two of them only had each other.
When he finally saw Kai and Wanda returning hand in hand through the main entrance, Pietro immediately moved toward the door—
Then stopped.
He waited until Wanda entered her room before walking over and knocking.
He needed to talk with her.
If she was truly happy, then he would support her completely.
Wanda opened the door and looked at Pietro.
"Shut up, Pietro."
He blinked.
"But I didn't say anything yet."
"I already know what you want to ask. Yes, Kai and I went on a date."
She smiled brightly.
"Even though I can't read his thoughts, I can still feel him."
Pietro shrugged slightly.
"As long as you're happy. Even if I'm not as fast as him and can't beat him, if he ever hurts you, I'll still punch him."
Wanda laughed softly.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
After closing the door, Wanda lay on her bed staring at the ceiling.
She gently bit her lip.
Her eyes filled with quiet happiness.
What a wonderful day.
Three days later.
[Borsalino portrayal +0.2%]
Seeing the system notification, Kai leaned back comfortably in his chair and continued watching shows while slacking off.
Wanda entered his office and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"Kai, Steve is looking for you. There's news about Janet."
Kai sighed.
"So troublesome…"
He gently patted her waist.
"I'm guessing Steve wants me to bring her back."
Wanda smiled and pulled him up from the chair.
"Let's go."
Inside the conference room.
Steve handed Kai a file.
"Kai, after JARVIS cooperated with S.H.I.E.L.D., we finally located Janet."
Kai opened the file and paused slightly.
"Antarctica?"
Steve nodded seriously.
"Yes."
He continued, "Three days ago she received a mysterious phone call and immediately left the rehabilitation center. She drove through a tunnel and disappeared."
"I checked the tunnel personally. There are several hidden exits. Two bodies were found near one of them. I believe Janet killed them."
He added, "Last night S.H.I.E.L.D. satellites captured images of her moving in Antarctica."
Steve looked at him directly.
"Kai, your speed is the fastest among the Avengers. I need you to handle this mission."
Kai shrugged.
"Alright. Consider it a trip."
Antarctica.
In the middle of endless snowfields stood a lonely village.
Normally only research teams or tour groups would stay here.
But today—
Kai had just arrived when alarms began ringing throughout the settlement.
A dozen armed mercenaries rushed out of nearby buildings.
Without hesitation, they opened fire.
Kai smiled slightly.
"What an enthusiastic welcome."
His body instantly transformed into light.
He flashed forward and neutralized them easily.
Inside the central building.
Hearing the gunfire outside, Janet closed her eyes and tried to calm her trembling body.
She placed a small box on the table.
When the gunfire stopped, Kai appeared before her.
"You still found me, Flash."
Kai sat across from her.
"Judging by your tone, you expected me. Those mercenaries weren't here to stop me, were they?"
Janet shook her head.
"No."
She pushed the small box toward him.
"They were prepared for his people."
She continued quietly.
"I've seen too many people executed through Liberation rituals after their identities were exposed."
"So when I heard you discovered the miniature Hulk at Ophelia's base and that I needed to evacuate immediately, I knew you would eventually find me."
She looked tired.
"I killed the two agents sent to escort me in the tunnel and escaped here using a holographic disguise."
She pointed at the box.
"This contains everything I know. With this, the Avengers can find what you're looking for."
Kai raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So cooperative. Who exactly is this 'he' you keep mentioning?"
Janet rolled up her sleeve.
Her arm was pale green.
Purple veins pulsed beneath the skin.
"I was the first experimental subject."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Because of that cursed experiment, my family was destroyed. I can never live as a normal person again."
She removed her wig.
Purple fungal-like patches covered her scalp.
"I hate him."
"But I can't escape him."
She looked directly at Kai.
"He controls everything."
"Those who escape are killed. Those who betray him are also killed."
Kai frowned slightly.
"Who exactly is this 'he'?"
Chapter 74: The Sorcerer Preparing to Destroy Earth! (Part 2)
"They all call him the Leader, Samuel..."
The moment Janet spoke the word Leader, her eyes suddenly turned bloodshot. Her body twitched violently before collapsing forward onto the table as blood poured from her seven orifices.
As her body fell, tiny mechanical spiders crawled out from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
If Kai's eyesight had not been exceptional, he might not even have noticed them.
Seeing this, Kai immediately activated the Reality Stone and froze the mechanical spiders in place.
He stored the box Janet handed him, then picked up a transparent glass bottle from the table and collected the spiders inside.
He planned to bring them back to Tony Stark for analysis.
Inside the Avengers Base laboratory.
Tony examined the mechanical spiders carefully with obvious interest.
After JARVIS completed its preliminary scan, Tony said, "Very creative technology."
He continued, "These mechanical spiders can stabilize blood circulation after entering the human body. That's extremely useful for patients with certain blood disorders."
Then his tone shifted.
"But they're also deadly weapons."
"They can be remotely activated. Once triggered, they can kill the host instantly."
Steve Rogers frowned.
"So Janet was killed remotely?"
Tony spread his hands slightly.
"Possibly. Unless I can obtain the original source code, I won't be able to decode the control system anytime soon."
Steve turned toward Kai.
"Janet mentioned someone called Leader before she died. Have you heard of him?"
Kai replied calmly, "Never."
Tony shrugged.
"This world keeps getting crazier. We've already seen something like the Blood Ancestor from hell. A Leader showing up doesn't surprise me anymore."
He added, "Natasha already took Janet's USB drive. We should get useful clues soon."
Then he sighed slightly.
"Hopefully this Leader isn't planning to create hundreds of miniature Hulks."
Kai put his hands into his pockets and said, "So troublesome..."
Steve smiled slightly.
"Who said this isn't our responsibility?"
Half an hour later.
Inside the Avengers conference room.
Tony was in the middle of explaining his so-called relationship experience.
"You know I've dated countless women, so—"
Kai leaned back lazily and interrupted him.
"So you still haven't proposed to Pepper?"
Tony immediately groaned.
"F*ck, don't bring that up again. If Pepper hears—"
Natasha walked in at that moment with Wanda beside her.
"Hears what?"
Tony immediately changed the subject.
"Nothing. Natasha, what did you find?"
Natasha connected her laptop to the holographic projector.
"A lot."
She continued, "According to the USB drive Kai brought back, Janet transferred a total of 352 test subjects to the Leader over the years."
"Most were retired soldiers, homeless individuals, or office workers."
"But they all had one thing in common."
"They all had physical disabilities."
"This includes Johnny Green."
Tony frowned.
"More than three hundred missing people and nobody noticed?"
Natasha replied calmly.
"People did report them missing. But every year thousands of people disappear. These cases never stood out."
She continued.
"One agent attempted to pursue the investigation seriously. He received multiple warning calls and threats."
"He continued anyway."
"He was later shot three times and killed."
Tony cursed under his breath.
"Just like Janet said before she died, this Leader has enormous backing."
Natasha nodded.
"The USB drive also contains records of Janet's financial transfers. Even though they used covert channels, I traced them."
Tony displayed a holographic profile.
"K'Sael Rogge. A subordinate of Samuel Stern, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State."
Sam Wilson frowned immediately.
"What the hell? This involves the Secretary of State?"
Natasha replied calmly.
"Not necessarily. But since K'Sael works directly under Samuel Stern, this definitely involves Stern."
Steve Rogers stood up.
"Until we have solid evidence, we cannot move against the Secretary of State's office directly."
He continued decisively.
"But we can detain Stern's subordinate."
He looked at Sam.
"Sam, you're coming with me."
Then he added confidently.
"With Kai's gem abilities, he won't be able to hide anything."
Sam nodded immediately.
"Count me in."
Natasha stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
Steve nodded.
"Alright."
After the meeting ended, Kai and Wanda left together.
Tony stood up and said to Rhodey, "That kid didn't listen to a single word of my relationship advice. He's definitely going to suffer later."
Rhodey crossed his arms and laughed.
"Your relationship advice? Tony, if anyone followed your advice, they'd stay single forever."
He patted Tony's shoulder and left.
Later that evening.
At K'Sael Rogge's home.
After returning home, K'Sael removed his suit jacket and hung it inside the closet.
Then he opened the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water, and drank deeply.
The moment the water entered his body, something felt wrong.
He immediately turned around and spat everything out.
Across the street on a nearby rooftop—
Natasha watched through her scope and spoke into her comms.
"Steve, the plan failed. He detected the drugged water. This guy isn't normal."
Steve replied immediately.
"Then we switch to direct capture."
He kicked the door open and charged inside with his shield raised.
K'Sael opened fire repeatedly.
Steve blocked everything while advancing forward.
When the gun ran empty, K'Sael threw it aside and punched Steve's shield heavily.
Clang!
Steve countered with a sweeping kick.
K'Sael dodged easily.
He tore off his tie and assumed a combat stance.
"Steve Rogers, Captain America. Didn't expect to meet you like this."
Steve charged again.
"What, are you my fan?"
They immediately began fighting inside the living room.
Furniture shattered under the impact of their blows.
Clearly, K'Sael's body had been enhanced.
He was able to match Steve's strength.
He punched Steve's shoulder.
Steve kicked him backward into a cabinet.
K'Sael stood back up and said coldly, "Your fan? I'm from Eastern Europe."
Just as he prepared to attack again—
Glass shattered behind him.
Sam Wilson crashed through the window and rolled forward smoothly.
He raised a dart launcher and fired multiple tranquilizer rounds.
K'Sael tried to dodge.
Steve grabbed him from behind.
The darts struck him directly.
He tore them out immediately, struggling to stay conscious—
But Steve punched him hard and knocked him out.
Steve looked down at him calmly.
"I have fans in Eastern Europe too."
On the rooftop, Natasha checked her watch.
"That fight was loud. State police will arrive in five minutes."
Steve and Sam quickly carried the unconscious K'Sael and evacuated the area.
At the same time.
Inside Samuel Stern's home in Washington.
Samuel coughed violently as blood flowed from his mouth onto the sofa.
A teleportation circle appeared.
The black-robed sorcerer stepped forward.
"You're dying."
He continued calmly.
"K'Sael Rogge has already been captured by the Avengers."
He looked directly at Samuel.
"You know what the Avengers are capable of, especially with Kai possessing both the Reality Stone and the Mind Stone."
"K'Sael won't keep secrets for long."
Samuel slowly forced himself upright.
"I'm about to die anyway. It doesn't matter anymore."
The sorcerer smiled slightly.
"Are you sure it doesn't matter?"
He leaned forward.
"Do you really believe the Avengers won't uncover everything you've hidden using your position as Chief of Staff?"
He paused deliberately.
"The Secretary of State may not survive this politically. He could spend the rest of his life in prison."
Samuel wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Why did you choose me?"
The sorcerer answered calmly.
"Bruce Banner has left Earth. Someone else must open the true gates of hell."
He continued.
"The third domain of Gamma radiation is not divine."
"It connects to true hell."
"To the depths beneath all things."
"When that gate opens, monsters from hell will crawl out, and this world will disappear."
Samuel gasped weakly.
Then suddenly laughed.
"You're lying."
He leaned back.
"You once told me the Tree of Life contains ten sephiroth and twenty-two paths representing the evolution of existence."
"And the Qliphoth Tree is its inverted reflection beneath everything."
"You just said you want to release what lies beneath all things and destroy Earth."
He smiled faintly.
"But you forgot something else you once told me."
"You said your teacher draws power from the Dark Dimension to protect the reality dimension of this universe."
"And she's powerful enough to ignore dimension lords entirely."
He looked directly at the sorcerer.
"If your plan could succeed, she would have already stopped you."
"So your story is a lie."
The black-robed sorcerer remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Even now, your mind remains sharp."
He continued calmly.
"You're right. No one in this world can open that gate except Bruce Banner."
"And as long as my teacher lives, she will never allow me to destroy Earth inside this universe."
He raised his hand.
Samuel's serum bottle floated into his palm.
"So will you still refuse my cooperation offer?"
Samuel shook his head weakly.
"No."
"I only have one request."
"No matter what you turn me into, the Secretary of State must not be implicated."
The sorcerer nodded.
"Agreed."
Then he asked curiously.
"You don't even care about your own life. Why protect him so much?"
Samuel only smiled.
He gave no answer.
Inside the Avengers Base interrogation room.
Kai used the Reality Stone to remove the mechanical spider implanted inside K'Sael's body.
Then he activated the Mind Stone and handed the interrogation over to Steve.
After leaving the room, Wanda handed him a bottle of water.
"Are we about to launch a major operation again?"
Kai smiled slightly.
"Why do you ask?"
Wanda replied seriously.
"Because of the miniature Hulk project. Natasha said the Leader captured more than three hundred people."
"I can't imagine what would happen if hundreds of miniature Hulks appeared inside a city."
Kai pulled her gently into his arms.
"There probably aren't that many. And even if there were, they still couldn't compare to the real Hulk."
Then he asked casually.
"Where's Tony?"
"He's in his office repairing Veronica with JARVIS."
"Wanda continued, "Sam and Rhodey are already preparing equipment."
"And Natasha has contacted S.H.I.E.L.D. for emergency response support."
She looked up at him seriously.
"I think a big battle is coming."
...
📢 Author's Note
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