Chapter 308: The Parasite Arrives!
Ivo's Warning
Lex Luthor was an ambitious man. He wasn't content with just being a businessman; he wanted more power. There are many ways to acquire power—through politics, becoming a senator—but the crucial foundation is the legal and justice system.
The most powerful enforcement agencies in the U.S. are the FBI and CIA, both possessing independent intelligence capabilities. Cooperating with them could be dangerous, as Lex Luthor was no saint. He maintained a veneer of a respectable businessman while harboring many dark secrets. If the FBI or CIA ever uncovered them, he would be vulnerable.
But he needed an enforcement agency to handle tasks he couldn't publicly touch. Therefore, the newly established A.R.G.U.S. became the perfect choice.
"I approach this cooperation with absolute sincerity, General. Why do you refuse?"
"Do you have some objection to me? If so, please speak your mind."
Sam Lane said coldly, "What kind of attitude do you expect me to have toward a billionaire who harbors an internationally wanted fugitive?"
Lex Luthor paused, then nodded, chuckling.
"I was overthinking it. In a sense, Professor Ivo is certainly a dangerous character, and your concern is understandable."
"However, I assure you, Professor Ivo will never conduct any experiments that endanger others again."
Just then, the door burst open. Anthony Ivo rushed in and slammed a stack of papers in front of Sam Lane, asking urgently,
"How many meteorite fragments do you have?"
"That is none of your business."
"Idiot!"
Sam Lane's eyes flashed.
"Moron!"
General Lane immediately stood up, fire in his eyes. He was ready to physically discipline the damned scientist.
Sensing trouble, Lex Luthor quickly stepped between the two, hissing,
"What are you doing? Who let you in?"
Ivo babbled on, "A bunch of simpletons, you're doomed! You're all finished! The Parasite will eat you and poop you out—no, no poop! The parasite has no excretory system. It only eats, it doesn't excrete!"
Lex frowned, his eyes growing icy.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Ivo shrank his neck, avoiding eye contact with Luthor, and muttered, "The parasite is a solitary organism with a strong sense of territory, like tigers or leopards. Once it coexists with a host, it will kill its own kind. They communicate using bio-electric waves, allowing them to locate others of their species."
"I injected the parasite into a mouse and put it next to the meteorite fragment. Guess what happened?"
Ivo's eyes shone with excitement. "The mouse swallowed the stone! The parasite fragments inside all became nourishment for the host! It became stronger!"
"Such a terrifying creature! It's marvelous! I must study it properly!"
"Lex, get me more live subjects! I need them for experiments!"
Lex's face instantly changed. Sam Lane's eyes narrowed, and his right hand unconsciously went to his belt.
"General, please let me explain."
"No need for an explanation. I don't want to hear it."
Sam Lane walked up to Ivo and stared him down. "Answer me one thing. If someone is hosted by this bug and has devoured dozens of lives, what will they do next?"
"Naturally, they will find the base where the meteorites are stored, kill everyone inside, and devour all their own kind!" At this, Ivo slapped his forehead and shrieked, "Bad news!"
"Lex, quickly summon your robot! That monster is coming! It's going to eat you, and then it's going to eat me! We're going to die! No, I must escape! I'll take the bug with me and run!"
The old man acted instantly, seemingly forgetting the most important thing: the purple monster's target was the bug, yet he planned to flee with it.
Sam Lane had no time for his rant. Thinking of the meteorite fragments stored at the base, he could not suppress his panic. If Ivo was right, the monster's next target was likely the A.R.G.U.S. base.
Lex Luthor also realized the danger and said gravely,
"General, we should go back and check."
Sam Lane didn't speak. He strode out the door, with Lex following closely. After exiting the villa, Lane signaled to his aide to keep an eye on Professor Ivo and make sure he didn't wander off.
The group drove back toward the base.
The Parasite is Activated
At the same time, in a secluded forest, the slope covered in fallen leaves suddenly exploded. A figure shot toward the sky, slamming back to the ground like a cannonball.
He slowly rose, standing in the sunlight.
His body, now two-and-a-half meters tall, looked like a sculpture carved from marble. Every muscle was arranged in a nearly perfect fashion, tightly interconnected, forming unique patterns of power.
He was the very definition of powerful beauty. He looked as if he was wearing an armor of pure muscle. Every lift of his arm exuded immense pressure.
Power!
Infinite, endless power.
Joshua, now fully integrated with the parasite, took a deep breath. For the first time in his life, he tasted freedom.
What is freedom?
Doing what you want, eating what you want, having what you desire.
This was exactly how Joshua felt now.
"Thank you, Superman. Without you, I could never have evolved to this level."
"But, it seems something is still missing."
Joshua looked north. "It's right there. My own kind. If I eat all of you, I can evolve again."
Finding his target, Joshua thrust his legs against the ground.
Bang!
A crater several meters wide appeared in the earth, but the man was gone. A few seconds later, a sonic boom followed from above.
A.R.G.U.S. Under Attack
Rushing back to the base, Sam Lane found nothing amiss. The base was normal, with no sign of an intruder.
Although he doubted whether Anthony Ivo was lying, the situation left him no choice. He immediately drew personnel and arranged for an evacuation.
The meteorites could not remain here; they had to be moved to a secure location.
Of course, Sam Lane also harbored the idea of using the meteorites as bait to lure and destroy the monster. That thing was a menace and could not be allowed to survive.
The A.R.G.U.S. teams quickly loaded up the vehicles, carrying the meteorites and various critical instruments, and drove north.
Heavy snow began to fall from the sky, coating the ground in silver. Sam Lane, sitting in the passenger seat, stared intently out the window, his stern face etched with an inexplicable anxiety.
Suddenly, a figure streaked across the sky, followed by an intense impact.
Sam Lane's expression instantly changed. "What was that?"
A voice, filled with terror, crackled over the radio.
"The monster... the purple monster! It's here! Help me... Pffft!"
The voice cut off abruptly. Sam Lane immediately bolted from the car. At the same time, the accompanying A.R.G.U.S. agents drew their weapons and exited their vehicles.
Snow swirled everywhere. Blown by the freezing wind, the air felt like slashing blades of ice, carrying a deep, bone-chilling cold.
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