Underground Research Institute
"Although everything went smoothly with the mouse experiments, Jarvis calculated the chance of failure as less than one in ten thousand. All your clones were successfully enhanced."
"But are you sure you want to do this?"
"Tony, this is risky—you need to think it through."
Malrick emphasized the dangers of injecting the SS3-enhanced serum.
To minimize risk, he had even recovered cloning technology from the Umbrella Corporation and performed tests. Just an hour ago, ten unconscious Tony clones had been enhanced and subsequently terminated.
Only then did Malrick agree to let the real Tony proceed.
"Yes, I'm sure—completely sure!" Tony said, already lying on the test bench. He strapped himself into the restraints, metal clamps clicking into place around his wrists and waist.
"You're acting like Pepper now. No, scratch that—Pepper wouldn't clone and kill ten versions of me just to be sure."
Tony gestured toward the console.
"I've never seen you so cautious. What happened to the bold Malrick who never hesitated to dive in headfirst? Now you're standing there like I'm about to blow up."
"This is my decision. My path. I'm ready."
Malrick stared at him for a moment, then nodded. He activated the console and began the injection.
The serum acted fast.
Before the syringe was halfway empty, Tony was already screaming in agony.
Malrick, stone-faced, signaled Jarvis to record the process.
If it succeeded, this would be good blackmail material.
If it failed… well, it wouldn't. Failure wasn't an option.
The SS3 serum included numerous evolutionary elements, extending the strengthening process far beyond the S virus timeline.
Malrick watched Tony's skin redden, blister, and char. Then his entire body seemed to break apart like brittle charcoal.
But beneath it—new flesh. Smooth, glowing, unblemished.
The wound on his chest closed itself.
Blood vessels realigned. Bones snapped, reformed, and locked into place. Muscles swelled, then contracted into precise, powerful forms.
His body was now finely tuned—sculpted.
Even his height increased by ten centimeters.
"Fantastic," Malrick muttered. "Now he'll be even more of a menace."
He suspected part of Tony's motivation was exactly this—becoming more powerful so he could cause more chaos.
Two hours later, Tony tore through the restraints, hopped off the bench, and headed straight to the cafeteria.
An hour after that, stuffed with enough food for ten people, Tony joined Malrick for testing.
"Single-arm strength: 113 tons. Top sprint: 423 meters per second. Honestly, you might want to retire the Iron Man suit."
Malrick jotted it down, unimpressed.
"Also, you can manipulate E-mold, generate fire from your body, grow tissue and tentacles, and even control others using your own blood."
He sighed. "You're starting to sound like a supervillain."
"Go to hell," Tony said with a grin. One hand flared with flame, the other molded a wriggling biomass. His eyes glinted.
"This is the next step in evolution. Are you really going to pass it up, Malrick?"
"I already am Superman," Malrick replied casually.
"English, please."
"This serum is useless to me. It might push my body into some monstrous path—tentacle freak, maybe. The SS3 formula was made for humans, not Kryptonians."
"Still, it gives us a lead. Studying this will make future Kryptonian blood work easier."
"Then include me in that study. I don't want to wake up next to Doomsday."
"Fine, you can tag along to the DC Universe."
Malrick deleted the experiment logs. "By the way, your mission here's complete. Want me to send you back?"
"You're staying to help mop up zombies, aren't you?"
Tony clanked his knuckles against his Mark IV armor. "I'm staying too. I am Iron Man."
"More like Muscle Man. You've been shirtless for an hour. I can tell you love your new physique."
Tony laughed, flexing. "Hey, these muscles aren't far off from yours now, Malrick."
"Remember to give Pepper the SS2 serum. SS3 needs more testing."
"You don't have to remind me."
Malrick tossed him a shirt. "Come on, Muscle Man. I've got work to do."
"It's Iron Man! And soon, my upgraded Mark suits will blow yours out of the water."
"I'll be waiting," Malrick called as he walked out.
---
Two Weeks Later
The survivors in Raccoon City had all completed their S virus enhancement. They were now capable of lifting at least 5 tons.
Jill began organizing a new offensive, aimed at recovering territory from splinter nations across other states.
Malrick mass-produced the final S virus version, distributing it to survivor hubs globally.
The Rabbit Nation received the largest dose, reclaiming their borders and even crossing the Himalayas to aid the collapsed Republic of Asan.
Every day, Malrick continued his zombie sweeps—or traveled to space to soak in solar radiation.
But at night, he often returned to Raccoon City to rest.
Ada and Jill, post-SS2 enhancement, had evolved significantly. Now, they were like living weapons—deadly strength fused with raw heat.
It was a noticeable change. One Malrick couldn't ignore.
Tony, meanwhile, charged into battle during the day—unmatched firepower leading the way.
If things got hairy, he'd ditch his armor and fight barehanded.
At night, he returned to his lab, secretly upgrading his Mark suits.
Malrick didn't pry. Whatever Tony was building, he would reveal when he was ready.
And so, the world that had teetered on the edge of annihilation began to pull itself back.
People didn't call Malrick a savior.
They used one title instead:
The God of the World.
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