The sudden transformation of Nathan sent shockwaves through the research facility.
Before anyone could even react, the red giant emerged—his massive form wreathed in waves of blistering heat. It was as though an inferno had been born prematurely within the laboratory.
The air warped, shimmering around him. The walls groaned against the expanding heat. Instinctively, the soldiers, scientists, and staff in attendance stumbled backward several paces. Sweat broke out instantly on their brows; breathing became difficult, like standing in front of an industrial furnace.
They were not facing a man. They were facing a living volcano.
A Different Kind of Mutation
One of the lead scientists—the official in charge of the project—adjusted his glasses with trembling hands and muttered in awe:
"The general's state… it's different. Not the same as Hulk. Not the same as Abomination either."
He spoke louder, turning to his colleagues:
"When Hulk and Abomination were enraged, their bodies grew in size and strength, yes—but no one ever felt this searing heat. Their bodies didn't radiate like a furnace. This… this phenomenon has only happened with the general."
The man's voice gained a steadier rhythm as he analyzed.
"When the general's anger surges, his body temperature climbs. What flows in his veins doesn't seem to be blood—it's as though molten lava courses through them."
The scientist looked Nathan in the eye and declared:
"General, we need a comprehensive examination immediately. Your state is unique—something we've never seen before."
The Strain of Heat
Nathan, towering above them all in his red giant form, turned his molten gaze toward the man. Surprisingly, he nodded once.
"Fine," Nathan rumbled.
But as he advanced toward the lead scientist, the man recoiled in panic. The heat radiating off Nathan was so unbearable it seared his skin even from a distance.
"General!" the scientist cried, stumbling backward. "Your temperature is too high—I can't endure it!"
Nathan froze, startled. He turned his head and saw the same fear mirrored in everyone else's faces. Soldiers retreated as though fleeing a plague. Technicians shielded themselves with clipboards, desperately backing away. Even hardened veterans looked at him as though he were radioactive.
The lead scientist raised a placating hand.
"General, I observed it just now. When your emotions flared, your body reacted violently—your temperature soared out of control. You must calm yourself."
The Return to Human Form
Nathan inhaled sharply, forcing deep breaths through his enormous chest. Slowly—deliberately—he reined in his fury. The thunder of his heartbeat steadied. With each exhale, the oppressive heat faded.
At last, the red glow dimmed, and the monstrous form shimmered. In a rush of cracking bones and twisting muscle, Nathan shrank back into his human body.
He approached the lead scientist, calmer now, and asked in a low, thoughtful tone:
"Why am I different? Hulk turns green. Abomination twisted into that… grotesque form. But me? I turn red. My temperature climbs until people can't even stand near me. Why?"
The scientist cleared his throat.
"This will take time to answer. While you were all transformed by gamma rays, no two mutations are identical. Each person's genetic makeup, health, and even emotional disposition influences the outcome. You may possess a unique constitution, or perhaps there was an anomaly during your exposure to gamma radiation."
He paused, his voice softening as if to reassure Nathan.
"Regardless of the reason, the important thing is that you survived. The gamma experiment should have been fatal. Yet you emerged not only alive, but stronger. That alone proves it was a success."
Nathan's expression tightened. He wanted certainty, but deep inside, he knew the man spoke the truth. He had survived where others would have perished.
Plans Against Richard
At that moment, Nathan's adjutant stepped forward briskly.
"General, with your successful transformation, you're now in a position to confront Richard. Just as we did with Abomination, if we capture Peter Parker, Richard will surely intervene. Then you'll finally have your chance to deal with him."
But Nathan shook his head grimly.
"No. Not yet. Even with this power, I cannot defeat him. Remember—the Abomination had nearly two hundred tons of strength after years of evolution, and Richard still overwhelmed him. I've only just acquired this form. Facing Richard now would be suicide."
He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.
"I must grow stronger. I must undergo further transformations. Only then will I be ready to settle the score with him."
His logic was impeccable, cold and clear. He wasn't blinded by newfound strength; he understood the gulf that still existed between himself and his enemy.
The scientist nodded approvingly.
"The general is wise. Let us continue refining your abilities before seeking him out. Come—we'll begin the testing process."
The First Tests
Nathan followed the scientist into the laboratory once again. The sterile chamber hummed with machinery, wires, and scanning devices. Rows of monitors glowed faintly.
Over the next several hours, the red giant underwent rigorous evaluation. Every parameter—strength, stamina, regeneration, temperature—was measured and cataloged.
When the testing concluded, Nathan and the scientist stood before a large computer display. The scientist adjusted his glasses and reported calmly:
"General, the results are in. Your baseline strength measures one hundred tons."
Nathan raised his eyebrows.
"That's the same as Hulk and Abomination when they first transformed, isn't it?"
"Correct," the scientist confirmed. "From that standpoint, you stand on equal ground with them at the beginning."
The Nature of Anger
"But there are differences," the scientist continued. "Anger affects you in ways distinct from Hulk."
Nathan listened carefully.
"When Hulk's anger intensifies, his strength escalates. There is a limit, of course, because human anger cannot expand endlessly—but his progression is directly tied to rage."
The man pointed toward Nathan.
"You, however, are different. When you transform into the red giant, your body vents residual gamma energy in the form of heat. That heat intensifies as your emotions escalate. The angrier you become, the hotter your body burns."
The scientist's voice lowered to a dramatic pitch:
"In essence, General, you can unleash flame itself. Your fury is fire."
Nathan stared at his hands, flexing them slowly. The idea of conjuring fire directly from his body felt unreal.
"Flames…" he murmured.
"Yes," the scientist said firmly. "At a certain threshold of rage, you will erupt with searing flame capable of incinerating anything in your path."
Weakness or Advantage?
Nathan frowned.
"But doesn't that make me weaker than Hulk? His anger multiplies his strength, while mine merely increases heat. Strength decides battles."
The scientist shook his head.
"Not necessarily. Each form has unique advantages. Hulk's power comes from brute force. Yours comes from devastation through heat—burns, flames, scorched earth. And there's more."
Nathan's eyes narrowed.
"What about Abomination? What happens when he's angry?"
The scientist sighed.
"He doesn't gain anything. His mutation was… flawed. In truth, Abomination is a defective product—stuck at his initial limits."
Nathan nodded thoughtfully. He wasn't just another Abomination. His power still had room to grow.
A Hidden Advantage Revealed
The scientist suddenly brightened, almost trembling with excitement.
"But General, that isn't even your greatest gift. During testing, I discovered something extraordinary."
Nathan tilted his head, intrigued.
"What do you mean?"
The scientist quickly typed on the keyboard, and new data streams filled the screen. Images showed gamma rays bombarding Nathan's transformed cells. One by one, his cells absorbed the radiation like sponges, swelling with energy. The metrics climbed steadily higher.
Nathan's eyes widened.
"This is… me? Absorbing gamma rays?"
"Yes," the scientist confirmed with conviction.
"General, your body doesn't merely endure gamma energy—it devours it. Every dose you take strengthens you further."
Nathan inhaled sharply. His chest heaved with exhilaration.
"You're saying… I can grow stronger simply by absorbing more?"
The scientist nodded.
"Exactly. While training and adaptation are necessary, your mutation thrives on energy. Gamma rays fuel you best, but other energy sources may also contribute. The more you consume, the stronger you become."
The Path Forward
Nathan removed his glasses, tapping them against the table with deliberate rhythm. His expression was sharp, his eyes glinting with dangerous ambition.
"Then it's simple," he declared.
"I will absorb. I will grow. And I will keep growing until I surpass Richard."
The scientist glanced nervously at his own spectacles, fearful Nathan would crush them in his intensity. But Nathan only smirked.
The path ahead was clear: he was no longer limited by chance mutation. He possessed an evolving weapon within his very cells.
One day soon, the world would learn the full meaning of the Red Giant's rage.
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