Hearing Kingpin's low and commanding voice, a strange figure with an oversized head and small limbs quietly floated to his side—like a shadow descending into the room.
His voice was soft, but clearly audible, laced with barely concealed excitement.
"Mr. Fisk, the Golden Serum project has reached a breakthrough. Our lab has successfully mastered the core technology needed for mass production of a superior serum."
This individual was M.O.D.O.K. (formerly known as Darren Cross in the Ant-Man series)—a figure little known to the public but infamous in villain circles for his cruel intelligence and twisted genius.
Known for both ruthlessness and exceptional talent in biotechnology, M.O.D.O.K. had earned the envy of countless scientists.
But Kingpin's face remained stoic. His muscles twitched slightly. Clearly, this so-called "breakthrough" wasn't what he had hoped to hear.
There were two reasons Wilson Fisk had spent so much money and leverage to integrate himself into Hydra—an organization with a history as old and dark as war itself.
The first was the serum.
The Super Soldier Serum—originally developed by S.H.I.E.L.D.—was now under lockdown, and Fisk had no chance of acquiring it through them. S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hell's Kitchen were like oil and fire.
That left Hydra as the only viable path.
The second reason? Hydra's scientists.
Fisk didn't care about their ideology. He wanted results. And Hydra had what he needed—rogue geniuses with nowhere else to go.
Everyone knew the story: Steve Rogers became Captain America thanks to the Super Soldier Serum. It turned him into Marvel's first symbol of heroism.
But to Kingpin, that serum was obsolete.
With his current strength, the Super Soldier Serum wouldn't make a difference. It was like pouring water into an already overflowing cup.
Only the Golden Serum would suffice.
And how did he know?
Because of his exclusive skill—[I Invite Myself]—Fisk had accessed the memories of a multiversal version of himself. In that alternate universe, Earth's strongest hero wasn't Steve Rogers.
It was Sentinel.
And the secret to Sentinel's unmatched power?
The Golden Serum.
According to those memories, the Golden Serum was ten thousand times more potent than Captain America's formula.
Fisk's voice dropped, deep and cold. "From where I stand, your so-called 'progress' is just a pretty excuse to buy time. Don't forget—all of you were plucked from your own failures by me. You'd either be rotting in prison… or dust in the wind of history."
His words sliced through the lab like a razor-edged wind. The scientists flinched. Fisk's sharp gaze swept across the room, burning into their faces—testing their fear, their loyalty, their will.
If Alex Ray were here in this high-security lab, he would've been shocked to see how many notorious villains stood under the same roof.
M.O.D.O.K., Dr. Lizard, The Wizard, Doctor Doom, and Kang the Conqueror—from this universe.
"One month," Kingpin said suddenly, his voice like thunder. "You have one month to give me a perfected version of the Golden Serum."
"If you fail… this lab becomes your tomb."
A grim silence fell. Faces darkened.
Most of the villains here were used to working alone, far from oversight. Threats didn't move them—usually.
But Fisk was different. His presence alone was a pressure chamber.
Then, just as tension reached its peak, Fisk offered the one thing that could drive them:
Hope.
"But if you succeed," he said slowly, "I'll welcome you into Hell's Kitchen. And more than that—I'll make sure Alex Ray grants each of your wishes."
"Whether it's more power... peace to pursue your research... or mastery over supernatural sciences—whatever you desire, it will be yours."
He laid out a golden path.
And most of them listened.
These villains didn't bow to Hydra's philosophy. They followed Alex Ray, the Lord of Hell's Kitchen.
Because each of them had their own ambitions—and Alex had proven, again and again, that he could make the impossible possible.
He was a miracle worker.
And he protected his own.
So even if the path ahead was full of danger and betrayal, these so-called villains were willing to bet everything… for that one chance to reach their dream.
. . . . . . . . . .
Alex Ray, meanwhile, knew nothing of the storm rippling through the world outside.
He had no idea that his brief retreat had stirred so many forces—from Hydra to Hell's Kitchen, from Kingpin to cosmic entities.
He didn't know that his actions had lit a fire in the hearts of every hero nearby.
Heroes were evolving.
Not because they were told to—but because something inside them awakened.
Watching Alex Ray fight wasn't just witnessing strength. It was a revelation.
Strength wasn't about power bestowed. It came from inside.
It came from relentless pursuit.
From rising again and again when the universe knocked you down.
And so, the superheroes of Hell's Kitchen began their journeys.
Some dove into secret realms to train.
Some disappeared into seclusion to master their powers.
Others sought out mentors, relics, or hidden truths to sharpen themselves.
They had pride too.
They wouldn't lean on Alex forever.
They wanted to stand beside him—not behind him.
They didn't want to be left behind.
What Alex hadn't realized... was that the heroes of Hell's Kitchen were never as weak as he believed.
He had underestimated their loyalty.
And more than that—he had underestimated the strength born of suffering.
These people had once held the city together in his absence.
They had bled for it. Burned for it.
And they were evolving.
Faster than anyone imagined.
At this very moment, Alex Ray sat comfortably, grinning at a glowing interface in front of him—his own personal lottery system.
He hadn't spun it in ages.
But today, the jackpot hit.
"Congratulations, Host—Armor of Thorns acquired."
"Congratulations, Host—Last Whisper obtained."
"Congratulations, Host—you win: 'Thank you for participating.'"
"…"
"Congratulations, Host—Template unlocked: Time Assassin: Zed."
"Template unlocked: Rune Mage: Ryze."
"Template unlocked: Card Master: Twisted Fate."
"Template unlocked: Storm's Fury: Janna."
"Template unlocked: Mechanical Pioneer: Viktor."
"Template unlocked: Dark Sovereign: Syndra."
Alex's eyes widened.
He let out a long breath.
"My god… I just broke Runeterra."
---------
🎇🎇 Check out new Fanfiction 🎇🎇
🎊 Naruto : Tsunade You're Really Drunk 🎊
---------
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------
📚 Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chapters—read ahead of everyone else! 🔥
👉 https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to me—thank you so much! 💖
-------------