At this tense moment, one man shook his head solemnly and replied, "Our team hasn't made contact with Daniel Grant."
Another man furrowed his brows. "No handover? How could that be?"
The first nodded. "Exactly. There's been no interaction at all. Daniel Grant is incredibly elusive. Our surveillance can't keep up with him."
"We can't trace his movements—no idea when he appears, where he goes, or how he vanishes."
Hearing this, the man let out a frustrated sigh. "Is this guy really that slippery?"
"Yes," the other affirmed. "Which is why negotiating with Daniel Grant has been almost impossible. Acquiring the company and securing their proprietary technology through him directly is near-impossible."
The man scowled in silence before speaking decisively. "Fine. If we can't approach Daniel Grant directly, we'll go after someone else. We'll target their internal staff—the scientists who developed the tech."
"The key figure is a man named Kurt. He's the one who originally created that regenerative formula."
"As long as we locate Kurt, we can extract the technology from him. Offer him an irresistible reward, promise to wipe his legal issues clean—he won't refuse. The fear of prosecution for leaking trade secrets will vanish."
"We've already deployed agents to carry this out."
"And if that doesn't work, we'll use force."
"He's just a regular researcher. Maybe he has a bodyguard or two. A decent mercenary squad will do the trick. Just to be safe, I've also sent in the X-Weapon unit. All of them are clones of Agent Zero."
"We will retrieve that technology and present it to the boss. That much is guaranteed."
Upon hearing that the X-Weapon unit—clones of Agent Zero—were being deployed, everyone around the table nodded in agreement. Confidence filled the air.
"With clones of Agent Zero involved, we're guaranteed to succeed."
"These operatives can absorb kinetic energy within a certain radius, rendering most attacks ineffective."
"They can convert absorbed energy into acidic enzymes, secreted directly from their fingertips."
"Once injected into a target's body, the enzyme suppresses regeneration—permanently disabling their healing factor."
"In short, they're biological weapons designed for containment and termination."
As the discussion continued, miles away, two black SUVs tailed Kurt's vehicle.
Inside one SUV, an agent reported, "Target confirmed. Two individuals inside. One is Kurt. The other appears to be a security escort."
"They've upped their security since our last encounter."
Another agent smirked. "So they're not completely clueless after all. I thought these nerds were oblivious to the real world."
"Yeah," said another, "If they know who we are and what we're capable of, why aren't they submitting to acquisition?"
"Like throwing an egg at a rock—they should know they're the egg."
"Maybe they're still holding onto false hope. That ends today."
Kurt's vehicle turned onto a deserted stretch of road. One of the SUVs sped ahead, cutting them off and forcing a full stop.
From the front vehicle, a man in a tailored suit stepped out, exuding corporate menace.
Kurt exited his car slowly, eyeing the newcomer and the vehicles behind. "What's the meaning of this?" he asked sternly.
The suited man raised a folder. "We want the full regenerative formula—not just the surface wound treatment, but the core healing technology it's built on."
Kurt's pupils contracted. That technology was top secret. For them to even know of its existence meant someone among them had high-level biotech knowledge.
"Impressive deduction," Kurt muttered internally. "These guys aren't amateurs."
But he stood firm. "That's impossible."
The suited man smiled. "Don't be so quick to answer."
He handed Kurt the folder.
"Inside is a contract offering $100 million for the technology."
"On top of that, you'll be protected from legal fallout. Our group, the Essex Corporation, has the influence to erase any risk."
"You get the money. You keep your freedom. You become one of our senior researchers—tenured, generous salary, and a world-class pension."
"You'll also gain access to the bleeding edge of genetic research."
"Sounds like a dream, doesn't it?"
Indeed, the offer sounded heavenly. Risk-free betrayal. A truckload of cash. A lifelong career in cutting-edge biotech.
Any ordinary person would be tempted.
But Kurt didn't flinch. "I refuse."
To Kurt, money was just a tool. He and his wife lived simply, without lavish hobbies. They only needed enough to be content and fund his research.
More importantly, Nathan had shown him kindness—genuine, life-changing kindness.
"I will never betray Nathan," Kurt said coldly.
The suited man's face turned icy. "Stubborn fool. This technology doesn't belong to you. It's your company's property. Why destroy yourself over it?"
Kurt's eyes flashed. "Because I have integrity."
The man in the suit scoffed. "Let's see how long your 'integrity' lasts."
He clapped his hands.
Immediately, doors opened.
A dozen men stepped out—armed, disciplined, and clearly ex-military. Their eyes cold, their movements sharp.
"Teach him a lesson," the suited man ordered. "Let's see how tough he really is."
The squad surged toward Kurt.
Kurt didn't run.
Instead, he transformed.
Tearing through his clothes, his body expanded in size. His skin turned a deep reptilian green. His tail grew long and powerful.
His transformation complete, Doctor Lizard roared into battle.
With a single punch, he launched an attacker into the sky, the man spinning like a ragdoll before slamming into the ground unconscious.
"What the hell is that thing!?" one mercenary screamed.
"Open fire!" shouted the commander. "Aim for non-lethal zones!"
The mercenaries drew their weapons and unloaded a barrage.
But the bullets barely scratched Doctor Lizard's skin.
With a tail sweep, Kurt sent men flying like bowling pins.
With bone-crushing grabs, he shattered arms and legs.
With thunderous punches, he crushed skulls and shattered ribs.
Blood splattered. Screams echoed.
It was not a fight—it was a massacre.
Within seconds, the entire squad was decimated.
Doctor Lizard grabbed one man's head and popped it like a balloon.
The suited man staggered back in horror, drenched in sweat.
"What kind of monsters does Osborn Corporation raise!?" he shouted.
He fumbled backward. "Backup—NOW!"
From the third car, a new team emerged. Identical faces. Clones of Agent Zero.
"X-Weapon units, engage!" he barked.
Each clone drew a sleek alloy blade, gleaming with a dangerous chill.
"You've impressed us, Doctor Lizard," the suited man called. "But your attacks won't work on these units. They absorb kinetic energy and counterattack with enhanced acid enzymes."
"These blades will pierce even your hide."
"Make a choice: fortune or agony."
Doctor Lizard growled. "No more talk." He raised his claws.
The suited man snapped his fingers.
The clones attacked.
Meanwhile...
Back at the Osborn underground lab, Nathan sat before a flickering screen, his expression calm but focused.
In front of him was a dissected piece of Abomination's tissue, sealed in a radiation-proof container.
But there was a problem.
"Gamma radiation..." he muttered.
All the base's files were nearly worthless. The original Hulk incident was accidental. The Abomination's case was even rarer.
The base never acquired real research data. And now, without guidance, Nathan was venturing into uncharted territory.
Gamma radiation wasn't just dangerous—it was cellularly apocalyptic.
It could ionize molecules, damage DNA, and mutate or kill cells outright.
If his body were to absorb too much, even his healing factor couldn't keep up.
"I need containment," Nathan said aloud. "Protective chambers. Gamma suits."
He had to build a safe lab before continuing.
Because one mistake could melt him from the inside out.
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