chapter 188 part 1
Chapter 187: Back From the Dead
2023-05-02 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
[Contact with Twisted Time Node. Collected Medium Time Shard x15]
[Silver Mark (132/1000)]
Anti-World, 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.
Inside The Resistants Base.
"As expected."
Colin's gaze swept past the flickering text before his eyes and landed on the [Time Shard (Crossbones)], muttering to himself.
He wasn't too surprised by Crossbones's death.
During the battle at the Thunderbolts' secret prison, although he had maintained a 'sustainable' development mindset and intentionally held back his strength, it was clear that [Super Strength] at the Bronze level couldn't be fully controlled by mere Black Iron-level [Super Intellect]. Especially in the heat of battle, even the slightest leak of power was fatal for someone of mere flesh and blood like Crossbones.
Even though he had already undergone body modifications.
"So, half-assed modifications are a bad idea."
Shaking his head with a hint of regret, Colin withdrew his gaze from the [Time Shard (Crossbones)].
He was lamenting the disappearance of another [Twisted Time Node].
[Contact with Twisted Time Node. Collected Small Time Shard x5]
Just then, another line of faint text flashed before Colin's eyes.
"Hmm?"
If it had been just an ordinary [Time Shard], it might not have warranted such a surprised reaction from Colin, even if the quantity was still substantial.
However, when he saw the label [Time Shard (Crossbones)] on the text, his expression immediately turned peculiar.
What, are [Time Shards] starting to have delayed releases now? Or did Crossbones not quite die successfully before? Surely he couldn't still be providing him with [Time Shards] after death?
Not even Norman Osborn had reached that level. If Crossbones was really that special, why hadn't he shown it during their fight?
Colin used his [Super Intellect] to repeatedly recall the scene of his battle with Crossbones, confirming that there was nothing special about him. He was just a slightly stronger ordinary person, even with his modified arm.
As the thoughts surfaced in his mind, Colin turned his gaze to the five new [Time Shards (Crossbones)].
Within the fragmented [Time Shards], he could vaguely see Crossbones's body, riddled with tubes, letting out agonizing wails. The scene then shifted to a blurry laboratory, where a robot with a distinct metallic sheen had eyes that faintly glowed red.
So, this was the reason Crossbones could provide [Time Shards] again after his death.
He had undergone some kind of modification experiment, turning himself into a robot.
The images within the [Time Shards] provided Colin with a crucial clue. Combining them with the scene presented, he quickly arrived at an answer.
Evidently, in the previous [Time Shard] notification, Crossbones had indeed died. Judging from the image of him covered in tubes, his chances of survival were slim to none.
If this were a normal world without Extraordinary Power or black technology, Crossbones's injuries would have undoubtedly been fatal.
But the Anti-World Colin was in was no normal world.
Through modifications to his own body, Crossbones had died, but in a sense, he had also successfully survived.
He had truly come back from the dead.
The outcome of Crossbones dying and coming back to life was clearly an unexpected 'joy' for Colin.
At the very least, it meant that the [Twisted Time Node] represented by Crossbones could continue to provide him with [Time Shards] in the future.
...
"I hope the modified Crossbones will continue to strive and achieve new glory."
With this 'kind' blessing in his heart, Colin pulled his focus from the [Time Shards], and with a flicker of thought, the entire scene within The Resistants Base appeared clearly in his mind.
His [Super Intellect (Bronze)] level power allowed Colin to perfectly control all his unlocked abilities. The combination of [Super Hearing], [Super X-Ray Vision], and [Super Vision] let him see everything within the Base without moving an inch.
"...No, I disagree!"
At the Control Console, Hank Pym was engaged in some kind of debate with Howard.
"I've worked with Phineas before. I know his style. Phineas has always been known for his rigor; he performs repeated calculations for any experiment. The 'Synthezoid' experiment, being his most important achievement, would naturally be free of any error. I can guarantee that."
"So, if you want to replicate Phineas's experimental process, you must strictly follow the formula. Any deviation, no matter how small, will have an incalculable impact on the final result..."
Hank Pym showed extreme caution regarding the upcoming experiment, but Howard's stance was unusually firm.
"I understand your concerns, Dr. Hank Pym, but the experiment we are about to conduct is not to create another Synthezoid called 'Human Torch.' In fact, Dr. Phineas Horton already stated in his formula that the Human Torch's creation was an accident. His original goal was simply to create a Synthezoid that could perfectly replace humans. Perhaps we should follow Dr. Phineas Horton's original line of thought. That is the correct path."
"..."
Howard's argument was clearly not enough to persuade Hank Pym.
He looked directly at the leader of The Resistants before him and said in a low voice, "I know what you're trying to do, Howard. This is an extremely dangerous course of action. No one can guarantee what the result will be."
Faced with Hank Pym's warning, Howard's expression remained unchanged. The mechanical eye in its socket glowed with a faint blue light as he replied in a raspy voice, "But at least we can conduct the experiment and find out the answer."
In response to Howard's cold reply, Hank Pym couldn't help but frown, barely suppressing the anger in his tone. "You're insane! I see your goal isn't the 'Synthezoid' but..."
"Dr. Hank Pym!"
Howard cut him off, looking at him as he spoke. "The Resistants risked everything to rescue you from Hydra, not to listen to your objections and accusations. This is a transaction. We need your help, and in return, we will do our best to find your daughter, Hope."
"..."
Howard's words left Hank Pym looking somewhat shocked. He stared at the man in silence for a long time before suppressing some emotion in his heart and saying coldly, "I understand."