Just as Nathan's research approached its critical final stages, his enhanced senses kicked in sharply.
His super hearing, a gift that had saved him many times before, caught something ominous.
Far off in the distance, a chorus of voices rang out. At first, it was disjointed, like an eerie chant. But soon, it became clear.
He heard them shouting, "Lord Evil God!"
And then a girl's voice pierced through the chaos: "Integrate the power of the Evil God!"
Nathan's eyes narrowed immediately.
Those words... they were familiar.
The Hand-in-Hand Society.
They were the only ones who referred to demonic entities as Evil Gods. The idea of "integration" referred to their twisted ritual of merging a living host with dark spiritual beasts. And the host... was often a young girl.
And this wasn't just anywhere. This was Hell's Kitchen, a breeding ground for the Society's operations.
It wasn't hard for Nathan to connect the dots.
The Hand-in-Hand Society was on the move.
Still, none of this would've unsettled him—until he heard another voice.
A deeper one.
Darker.
It hissed, "I can smell you... we will finally meet again."
Nathan's blood ran cold.
A shiver traveled down his spine like ice water.
He knew—they were talking about him.
Only a short while ago, the Hand-in-Hand Society had been searching for him, even sending out agents. They wanted something from him. Or maybe all of him.
But this voice... this wasn't just any cultist.
This was Black Void—and he was coming personally.
That meant something had changed.
Black Void was preparing to act directly.
And judging from the tone, they had already used some twisted dark art to locate him.
Nathan muttered under his breath, "So... you're that interested in me?"
"I'm interested in you too. But I wasn't planning on meeting you so soon."
He glanced back at his workstation, his fingers twitching.
"But before we meet... I need to be ready."
He turned back toward the equipment.
"I need to finish what I started."
Thanks to his earlier data retrieval, the replication process for the steel body experiment—using Luke Cage's genetic structure—was already progressing at breakneck speed.
If he could complete the serum in time, his power would rise exponentially.
With greater power came greater survival.
Nathan's hands flew over the console as he analyzed samples from Luke Cage's tissue. Dozens of sensors pinged across screens, measuring muscle fiber density, cellular regeneration speed, and resistance coefficients.
All this was for one goal:
To recreate a steel-hard body, and push his strength beyond natural limits.
And there was another point to consider.
"Black Void still hasn't fully merged with the beast," Nathan said aloud, as if reassuring himself. "The power's incomplete. It shouldn't be outrageous... yet."
But that wouldn't last long.
Which meant he needed help.
"The Hand-in-Hand Society's greatest enemy is the True Pure Society," Nathan mused. "They've been fighting each other for centuries—from ancient temples to modern city streets."
If anyone knew how to stop Black Void, it was them.
One man in particular: Stick.
Nathan remembered that he had been offered training from the old man but never followed through.
Luckily, he had kept Stick's contact info.
Without hesitation, he sent him a coded message.
Then he got back to work.
Meanwhile, the experiment entered its final phase.
Using all the original biometric data from Luke Cage, Nathan synthesized a new serum—alongside tailored supplements that would help his body accept the transformation.
He looked at the small vials glowing under the lab lights.
"By my calculations... this will not only grant me an iron body but significantly raise my raw power—beyond even Spider-Man's limits."
He reviewed his notes.
"Spider ability maxes out at 100 tons under perfect conditions."
"With the serum, I'll break that ceiling. New potential: 130 tons."
"Increasing the limit by 30 tons. But more than that, my base strength will be doubled or more."
"My current raw strength is 24.5 tons. This could take me well beyond 50. Maybe even 70. I need field tests to confirm it."
He grabbed the filled syringes and walked toward the reinforced operating table.
Lying down, Nathan initiated the automated injection.
In a matter of seconds, the serum surged into his bloodstream.
The change was immediate.
Heat exploded inside him.
His body burned from within—as though his cells were catching fire one by one. Every inch of him screamed with pain, his muscles tightening and expanding, tendons stretching and compacting.
He clenched his teeth. Hard.
But he didn't scream.
He focused through the agony as his cellular structure hardened, becoming denser—like forged metal.
His body was becoming steel.
Every muscle fiber expanded under the biological firestorm, transforming into something both biological and metallic. His red and white muscle groups burned under the pressure.
Sweat poured down. Veins bulged. His body was glowing red-hot under the strain.
But eventually...
The pain stopped.
Nathan lay there, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.
He felt it immediately.
Power. Raw, untamed, explosive strength.
It coursed through every fiber of his being.
He had become stronger than steel.
Nathan stood up, took a small surgical knife, and slashed his arm.
CLANG!
The sound echoed like metal on granite.
He stared at the blade—it was curled and broken.
There wasn't even a white mark on his arm.
A grin spread across his face.
It worked.
Next, he walked over to the strength testing machine he had prepared in advance. It could measure up to 50 tons.
He punched it full-force.
BANG!
The machine exploded.
Black smoke rose from the destroyed device as sparks flew.
Nathan stared, speechless for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"Guess I've crossed 50 tons."
"I'll need a new machine."
But there was no time.
Because Black Void was coming.
Just then, Luke Cage groaned from the corner of the lab, where he had been recovering.
"Boss... everything hurts... is this the 'different' you were talking about?"
Nathan chuckled.
"You think this is painful? You haven't even scratched the surface."
"If you want real pain, I can show you."
Luke paled instantly.
"On second thought—maybe I'm good."
Nathan returned to seriousness. "We've got what we need. Data's complete."
Luke sighed with relief. "So it's over?"
"For now. But now you have a job."
Luke blinked. "What kind of job?"
"In a moment, someone will attack this place. You'll be the first line of defense."
"Wait, what?"
Nathan explained, "They'll come in the form of a young girl, but there's a demon inside her. Be very careful."
Luke looked troubled. "A demon... That stuff's real?"
Nathan nodded grimly.
"There's more out there than you know."
Just then...
Knock. Knock.
Nathan turned to the screen. A familiar silhouette stood outside.
Stick.
Nathan opened the door and let him in.
Stick entered with a stern face. "It's true then. The Black Void?"
Nathan nodded.
"They've been hunting me for weeks. Now they're sending in the big guns."
Stick frowned. "The Hand has been abducting the homeless across New York. They're using them as sacrifices to accelerate the beast's integration."
"If they complete it..."
Nathan nodded. "We're screwed."
"But they haven't," he added confidently. "I have confirmation from a secure channel."
Stick was visibly relieved. "Then we still have a shot."
"Before full integration, the Black Void mostly relies on brute force. Fast. Strong. But not many techniques."
"And if we take it out now, the beast will go dormant."
"But if it finishes merging... it becomes a nightmare."
Stick turned solemn.
"There's one more thing—the Black Void can use sound-based psychic intimidation. It'll freeze your body. Total paralysis."
"And it's most effective when facing it directly."
Nathan scowled. "What do we do? Earplugs?"
Stick shook his head.
"That won't help. This isn't sound—it's spiritual."
"We have a meditation technique. It condenses scattered mental energy into a 'spiritual iron plate' to defend your consciousness."
"It can even be used mid-battle."
Stick turned to Nathan and Luke Cage.
"Let's begin."
He demonstrated the breathing technique.
Luke Cage scratched his head. "I... what? That rhythm's impossible."
"I can't even memorize the tempo...!"
But Nathan?
He entered a deep state immediately.
His breathing synced with Stick's rhythm.
Mental clarity surged through him.
He felt his spirit condense—from vapor to steel.
He had learned it.
Stick nodded, impressed. "Genius."
Luke stared in disbelief. "You actually learned that? What kind of monster are you?"
Stick sighed. "We don't have time."
He turned to both of them.
"Next—we face the Black Void."
Nathan looked at Luke. "You're up first."
Luke recoiled. "Me?! I don't know how to resist its mental attack!"
Nathan nodded. "That's the point. You'll burn the first use of it. Then I'll strike."
Luke's face twisted in dread.
Before anyone could say another word—
Nathan's ears twitched.
Something was coming. Fast.
He turned.
"It's here."
BOOM!
The basement door exploded.
A figure—wreathed in unnatural energy—hurtled through like a missile.
The Black Void had arrived.
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