Chapter Thirty-One: The Lich King Is Sowing Discord

“As a company that puts people first, we have always been exploring ways to optimize the human genome. Fortunately, we have now successfully applied a new type of genetic modification technology.”

Grommash stood calmly to the side, his face devoid of emotion. He pressed his battle axe downward with slow, deliberate force. The solid concrete floor parted beneath the weight of his weapon as if it were butter.

General Ross’s face was filled with disbelief.

This was, after all, a military base—the foundations were specially reinforced. Applying slow pressure required a different level of strength than a sudden burst; the difficulty was worlds apart.

“This employee is our new specimen in the biological combat sequence. He has successfully undergone nineteen stages of genetic enhancement—this is a different genetic sequence and path of evolution compared to the so-called super soldiers. We prefer to call them Golden Warriors. As for their capabilities, you can see for yourself when we secure the Hulk.”

“Nineteen stages of genetic evolution technology?”

“Golden Warriors?”

Ross’s curiosity only deepened.

“These originate from the earliest Golden Generation of humanity, dating back to before the fifth century BC. Since then, to meet the needs of future multidimensional warfare, we have conducted years of research and have mastered several of these techniques.”

“These nineteen stages begin with the first major modification: Stage 1 involves implanting a second heart to increase a soldier’s survival rate. Stage 2 provides comprehensive skeletal reinforcement. Stages 3 and 4 focus on muscle strengthening and the reconstruction of organs and blood. Stages 5 and 6 introduce neural nodes and genetic detection nerves to enhance reflexes.”

“The second set of modifications, Stages 7 to 13, boosts environmental adaptability: a preconfigured stomach, multiple lungs, visual control organs, sonic ears, a meningeal system for balance under any condition, and pigment-controlling organs to distinguish light and color.”

“The third set, Stages 14 to 19, includes modifications such as a pebble-like kidney, olfactory and monitoring nerves for scent discrimination, improved sweat glands for temperature regulation, genetic storage glands for intelligence retention, and finally, as you see on this employee, a suit of living black bio-armor.”

“When all three phases and the nineteen sub-processes are completed, you have a human fully adapted to multifaceted tactical scenarios—a Golden Warrior and a true super soldier. You don’t really believe that simply injecting a bit of serum and growing stronger makes a genuine super soldier, do you? Serum soldiers are still gazing up at the sky from the earth, while true super soldiers are already fighting in the void, facing extraterrestrial threats.”

“Think about these nineteen stages, General. Only with such training can one become a true superhuman—a warrior worthy of golden glory. Strength should not be so easily gained, without cost. These Golden Warriors far surpass those so-called serum soldiers. If your collaboration with us deepens, perhaps one day we could even grant you a second heart, or enhance your physical constitution.”

With a flurry of technical jargon, Roald left General Ross feeling as though an entirely new world had opened before him.

“These nineteen technologies… now this is what I call real scientific power!”

Suddenly, the idea of simply drinking a vial of serum to become stronger seemed crude and lacking any scientific rigor.

Of course, these nineteen genetic procedures were perhaps not entirely scientific either.

The Hulk was indeed formidable, but Ross felt that the armored Arthas before him, and the burly man behind, might both possess earth-shattering strength.

If they were to face off, the Hulk might never even have the chance to rage.

Delving further, if the American military elite could possess even a few of these enhancements—especially those involving blood and organ improvements—the higher-ups would be deeply interested. They would be enthusiastic, to say the least.

No one wishes for a shorter life, after all.

Of course, it was possible that all of this was just clever rhetoric.

“So what is your organization’s goal in participating in this operation? I imagine you have more than enough strength to secure the Hulk without my help, don’t you?”

Ross paused, deliberately using the word “secure”; it sounded far more refined than “capture.”

But he also wanted to know Roald’s true intentions. If Shinra was as powerful as he claimed, he could approach anyone—why come to Ross?

He didn’t believe he was so important.

“Taking part in this operation is merely a token gesture to announce our return. What we truly value is the opportunity to cooperate with the government and the military. In other words, we need an official spokesperson in New York. Having someone on the inside allows us to devote more time to genetic engineering. Besides, the Hulk situation convinced us that you are a true soldier.”

“True soldiers always deserve respect.”

Roald fixed General Ross with a penetrating gaze, the effect of the “Contagion” card already in play. Everything he said was meticulously designed.

“Don’t you think Shinra shares certain similarities with S.H.I.E.L.D.?”

Ross shook his head, indicating he didn’t understand.

“Where there is light, there is darkness. S.H.I.E.L.D. operates in the open; we move in the shadows. Yet the essence of S.H.I.E.L.D. has become corrupted. Who can say whether beneath the shield lies a venomous serpent or a one-eyed, scavenging vulture?”

At the mention of a one-eyed vulture, Ross instantly thought of Nick Fury.

That old fox truly was as greedy as a vulture, and many of Ross’s operations had been ruined by him.

By extension—what was the snake? Hydra, perhaps? Ross made a mental note to investigate this later.

“You know as well as I do, General, how overbearing S.H.I.E.L.D. has become. Their makeup has changed, their doctrine has changed, and so has their faith. Do you really think they are sincerely trying to protect the world? Those who genuinely protect the world do not constantly proclaim it.”

Roald’s provocations planted deeper seeds of doubt in Ross’s heart.

Indeed, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s methods were increasingly high-handed, and as a member of the U.S. military, Ross had always harbored a certain distaste for them.

Worse still, S.H.I.E.L.D. never seemed to accomplish anything concrete—they were always investigating this or that, stirring up unease.

“Tell me, General, does an organization really need that much money? Is it necessary to build aircraft carriers?”

Roald’s words fanned the flames of suspicion within Ross.

“Well…”

Ross rubbed his temples. The more he listened, the more sense it seemed to make. Today’s revelations were overwhelming; he needed to process them, as his thoughts had become muddled.

“S.H.I.E.L.D. has lost its original mission. They leech off America and its citizens, consuming taxpayer money while constantly opposing the country. They are arrogant and self-important, seeing themselves as humanity’s saviors—yet the true guardians remain hidden, allowing others to claim their glory. Such behavior is contemptible.”

“That is why, in order to reclaim the honor of ancient protector organizations and prevent S.H.I.E.L.D. from further tarnishing it, we hope to cooperate with the military and the government to establish a new order here—one that does not rely on that decaying agency. In the future, affairs of the extraordinary should be handled by the military itself. You belong on the front lines, for you are the true defenders of this country and its people. Only you can give the nation a sense of belonging, in both light and shadow.”

Ross found Roald’s words increasingly persuasive. They, too, wanted to establish their own order. The generals—the ones who had always believed it was themselves who protected this country—had never liked S.H.I.E.L.D.

When the old generation of generals carried rifles onto the battlefield, S.H.I.E.L.D. was nowhere to be seen. From beginning to end, it was always the military that defended this land.

Roald’s speech struck a chord deep within Ross.

For years, the military had been held back by S.H.I.E.L.D., lacking both the strength and the public support to break free.

But if these nineteen genetic techniques were real…

“Just imagine, General—using our technology, your elite soldiers could all become fully realized super warriors.”

Roald delivered the final blow.