Chapter 72: The Knockoff Superman Isn't Superman, But a Knockoff
Dr. Pym's company, which specializes in quantum physics research, possesses numerous advanced instruments. However, due to their diverse applications, Ryan lacks detailed knowledge of their specific functions and capabilities.
Dr. Pym took one of the ten rings from Ryan and placed it on the analytical instrument, first performing a compositional scan followed by an energy analysis.
Using the sophisticated equipment, he analyzed the various elements contained within the ring.
"This is a metallic element never before documented on Earth. It's extremely durable, and this metal also possesses the property of energy absorption," Dr. Pym explained, pointing to the readout on the instrument. "The specific type of energy it absorbs isn't yet identifiable, but the energy activity index remains remarkably stable."
Dr. Pym then produced an energy transmitter, adjusted the parameters and positioning, and began testing the ring's energy activation capabilities.
A precise laser beam struck the ring with a controlled hum. The previously dormant ring immediately glowed with a pale blue light, and the meter readings rapidly increased. Beyond this luminescence, there was no other visible reaction.
The ring struck by the laser showed no additional response, but the other three rings on Ryan's wrist suddenly activated.
It seemed as if some dormant power had been awakened, continuously channeling energy into Ryan's body.
"Dr. Pym, please stop the test!" Ryan called out, briefly explaining what was happening.
Dr. Pym frowned, contemplating for a moment before speaking. "I suspect this functions as an energy transmission device. One ring acts as a receiver when connected to an energy source, allowing the others to transmit the same amount of energy across vast distances."
Ryan frowned and asked, "Is there any way to quickly determine the complete composition of these artifacts?"
Dr. Pym pondered for a moment, then replied, "Stark Industries has a molecular-level detector that can identify metallic components down to their atomic structure. Unfortunately, Tony Stark is gone. If you want to discover what these rings truly do, I suggest consulting with the Masters of the Mystic Arts."
Ryan scoffed dismissively. Those sorcerers were actively trying to kill him—how could they possibly reveal the origins of these artifacts?
Suddenly, Ryan's cell phone rang from his pocket.
He answered, and General Ross's urgent voice immediately filled the line. Ryan frowned at the tone, then hung up and said to Dr. Pym, "I have urgent business to attend to. I'll be heading back now. Contact me immediately if you discover anything new."
"Understood. About Scott's restraining order—" Dr. Pym began.
Ryan smiled diplomatically. "With everything so chaotic lately, it's safer for him to remain at home. There's also the matter of the Pym Particles you've developed—I'd like to personally purchase some if that would be convenient."
James Rhodes piloted the War Machine armor to a nuclear-contaminated zone. The suit landed with a metallic clang, and several strange-looking green-skinned beings immediately surrounded him.
"Why have you come here?" one asked.
War Machine's faceplate retracted, revealing Rhodes's face, which then shifted and transformed into the same green-skinned appearance as the others.
"I'm wanted by both the federal government and the military. I can't remain there any longer."
Inside the abandoned factory, Nick Fury and several green-skinned Skrulls sat around a table, engaged in heated debate.
"We must launch coordinated operations worldwide and provoke conflict as soon as possible. That will provide us Skrulls with greater opportunities for infiltration."
"We simply want a place to establish ourselves peacefully; there's no need to instigate warfare."
Even after the disguised Rhodes, still wearing the War Machine armor, entered the facility, the argument continued unabated.
S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence suddenly reported that a massive creature had appeared on the streets of London, attacking civilians indiscriminately. Three superpowered individuals had then appeared to combat the threat, including Sersi, who worked at the Natural History Museum.
The only remaining beings on Earth who could pose a genuine threat to Ryan, besides Thor, were the ten Eternals.
Ryan had personally eliminated one, leaving nine. The most dangerous among these were Ikaris—who possessed flight and energy projection abilities reminiscent of Superman—and Thena, who could manifest any weapon from cosmic energy.
He had originally planned to gather more power before confronting the Eternals, but time was running short; the Emergence was about to begin.
The Celestial being born within Earth was called Tiamut. Ryan didn't know the exact location, only that it was roughly positioned near the Indian Ocean.
Ryan immediately contacted General Ross to begin locating them, while he led his enhanced operatives to Ajak's residence in South Dakota.
Just as Ryan had suspected, Ajak lay as a cold corpse in the backyard of her isolated home.
He carried Ajak's body back into the house, manifesting an energy blade in his hand and positioning it against her chest. After a moment's consideration, he dismissed the weapon.
Ryan had contemplated extracting the communication sphere within Ajak's body for analysis, but abandoned the idea when he realized it was a divine artifact for communicating with Arishem the Judge.
"Sir, the equipment you requested has been delivered," Steel Payne knocked on the door and whispered from outside.
Payne assumed Ryan was mourning Ajak's death, so he kept his voice respectfully low.
Meanwhile, Death Blade Anthony was unloading supplies from their vehicle. Ryan didn't know when Sersi and the others would arrive, so he had Anthony prepare provisions for several days of surveillance.
Click
Ryan opened the door and accepted a sealed case from Payne.
The case contained a vibranium extraction needle and a complete genetic analysis kit. Returning to the house, Ryan extracted samples of Ajak's blood and bone marrow. He would continue his experiments on Eternal physiology in this remote location.
Under the microscope, Ajak's blood and bone marrow had completely lost biological activity, but the cellular structure remained intact, which wouldn't interfere with Ryan's genetic observation and analysis.
Several days passed in methodical research.
At Ajak's residence in South Dakota, Sersi and her group finally arrived.
Payne and Anthony maintained their positions guarding the entrance. Ikaris approached and demanded, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
"This is federal property. I'm with military intelligence. Why I'm here is classified—do I need to report to you?"
Payne responded with obvious disdain. The next moment, Ikaris seized his throat with superhuman strength. Payne immediately activated his enhanced abilities, his entire body becoming diamond-hard.
"What?"
Ikaris increased his grip strength, realizing the man had become incredibly rigid. Even without exerting his full power, he couldn't compress the enhanced operative's reinforced tissue.
Swoosh
A bone blade materialized from Death Blade Anthony's forearm. He fixed Ikaris with a cold stare, ready to strike at any moment.
"Ikaris!" Sersi stepped forward to restrain him, then addressed Payne and Anthony diplomatically. "We're old friends of Ajak. May I ask who you represent?"
The wooden door clicked open, and Ryan, standing in the doorway, nodded calmly. "Come inside."
Sersi was bewildered by the appearance of Ryan and his two enhanced operatives, and Ikaris was equally confused.
It had been Ikaris who had retrieved Ajak's body after a Deviant had killed her. Now, with three strangers suddenly present, Ikaris was deeply suspicious.
Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite entered the residence and immediately discovered Ajak's body lying in the main room.
"Ajak!" Sersi rushed forward, only to encounter the cold corpse of their leader.
Ikaris turned toward Ryan with building rage. "You killed Ajak!"
Ryan had been prepared for this accusation. The moment Ikaris attacked, he conjured a cosmic energy shield to deflect the Eternal's devastating punch.
Seeing the shield—a manifestation of cosmic energy similar to their own abilities—Ikaris hesitated momentarily. In that split second, Ryan delivered a powerful kick that sent Ikaris crashing through the wall of the cabin.
With a thunderous impact, Ikaris flew dozens of meters backward before recovering, hovering in mid-air. Glaring at Ryan with laser-focused intensity, he raised both fists and dove downward at tremendous speed.
"Impressive!" Ryan raised his hand to deflect Ikaris's heat vision, then dismissed his shield and delivered a devastating punch that collided directly with Ikaris's strike.
BOOM
A massive shockwave erupted from the impact, completely collapsing the already damaged cabin and sending Sersi and Sprite flying from the debris.
Ryan's legs sank half a meter into the ground from the force, while Ikaris was launched backward at an even greater velocity.
Ikaris was undoubtedly one of the most powerful among the ten Eternals, but he still lacked the raw strength of a Titan-enhanced individual. Furthermore, Ryan possessed four of the Ten Rings, his physical capabilities and energy output enhanced to levels that made it difficult for Ikaris to overcome his current power level.
Having never been so thoroughly challenged before, Ikaris immediately repositioned himself above Ryan's head and began unleashing concentrated cosmic energy beams from his eyes.
Whoom
Ryan raised his hand and effortlessly manifested another shield to absorb the energy discharge.
At this moment, Ryan finally experienced what it felt like to be Captain America, forcing a stalemate with superior defensive capabilities.
"I may not be able to defeat you quickly, but you certainly can't overcome me either!"
Meanwhile, Sersi and Sprite, emerging from the cabin's wreckage, were about to join the battle, but found themselves restrained by Payne and Anthony.
Sersi's power involved matter transmutation, allowing her to transform any inanimate substance into another form (stone to water, wood to metal, etc.), while Sprite's ability was advanced illusion projection—useful for deception but limited in direct combat.
Their abilities were practically useless against enhanced super-soldiers.
Payne's reinforced arms secured Sprite in a restraining hold, while Anthony's bone blade pressed against Sersi's throat with lethal precision.
Ikaris, preparing to continue his assault, stopped immediately and warned, "Release my companions at once."
"Companions? Do you really consider them your true companions?" Ryan chuckled, dismissing his energy shield.
"Your attempts to create division between us are pointless, and you have no comprehension of how dangerous the current situation has become. Release them immediately," Sersi attempted to negotiate, but Ryan ignored her diplomatic efforts.
Ryan turned toward Sersi and spoke with calculated calm. "You don't actually believe I killed Ajak, do you?"
Sersi was momentarily stunned, then asked, "If it wasn't you, then how did you acquire these cosmic abilities?"
"Of course Ajak taught me. She instructed me in harnessing cosmic energy, but unfortunately, she was murdered by one of her own people," Ryan replied, directing his gaze meaningfully toward Ikaris.
Hearing Ryan's accusation, Ikaris's expression changed dramatically, and he instinctively moved to attack Ryan again.
"Ikaris! Control yourself!" Sersi shouted, immediately intervening to stop him.
Then, staring intently at Ryan, she demanded, "What exactly do you mean? Do you know who killed Ajak?"
From the circumstances of Ajak's death, Sersi had concluded it was a Deviant that had killed their leader, but Ryan's words seemed to contain hidden implications.
Ryan glanced at Ikaris with obvious contempt and replied, "I was here several months ago conducting research. When I departed, I left behind some surveillance equipment, and the cameras happened to record someone's treacherous actions."
End of Chapter 72
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