Zod had sought out Otto mostly to test a theory—whether the reactor Otto dreamed of building could serve as a substitute for the sun. If it worked, Zod's own rate of growth would skyrocket.
Basement. Combat arena.
The training hall was forged entirely from Secondary Krypton Gold. Blonsky was sent flying by Zod without the latter so much as lifting a finger. Suspended midair, expression unreadable, Zod didn't even bother opening his eyes. Blonsky was already in his Super Beast-Soldier form, yet he never stood a chance.
This was no trick of speed. It was Zod's awakened psychic power.
No one could have predicted how dramatically psychic force would amplify a Kryptonian. Until now, no Kryptonian had ever awakened such an ability—not even Superman, whose "Super-Thinking" template vaguely brushed against it. In Zod's view, though, the difference was enormous.
His psychic power could latch onto and draw in cosmic energy, then convert it into an array of superhuman abilities: super-speed, super-strength, heightened senses, energy manipulation, flight… In the Marvel world, cosmic energy was one of the highest forms of power—second only to the Phoenix Force. Most cosmic beings gained their might either by absorbing or wielding that energy.
But what thrilled Zod the most wasn't the boost in physical or energy-based power. It was the teleportation-like ability his psychic force had granted him. Anywhere he could remember, imagine, or had ever visited—he could instantly appear, the cost determined solely by how much psychic energy he expended.
Crushing Blonsky had been nothing more than a basic application of psychic materialization. Zod's psychic power was vast—limitless as a sea. If he were classified among mutants, he might even overshadow Professor X. It was a treasure trove, and with no mentors to consult, Zod could only explore it step by step.
Force Choke.
Zod lifted one hand. Blonsky clutched his throat as invisible power hoisted him into the air.
"…Feels too easy. Is it because my psychic energy is simply overwhelming?"
Zod casually tossed him aside. Blonsky didn't dare voice his frustration. With Zod's mental waves in his head, a single thought from him could twist Blonsky's neck three hundred and sixty degrees and force him into "suicide." Resistance was impossible.
"What's the situation with Bucky?"
Zod asked with his usual calm.
"They've managed to infiltrate HYDRA," Blonsky answered as he climbed to his feet. "But Bucky's been put on ice. Word is the Winter Soldiers are only thawed during missions and frozen again afterward—supposedly to keep their combat state at peak efficiency."
To Blonsky, this method was laughable. If this was the so-called shadow looming over the world, HYDRA didn't seem so terrifying after all.
World Serpent was the true apex.
Ambitious as ever, Blonsky wasn't satisfied with being just a Beast-Soldier commander. He wanted to ascend—become a Super Beast-Soldier, maybe even one of the mythical "Beast Generals" Zod occasionally mentioned. He had no idea what they were, but the name alone sounded far above the ranks he currently knew.
Replacing Zod was impossible. His mental waves ensured he would always be the undisputed leader of World Serpent. But the second-in-command seat? That was still up for grabs.
"Oh? How many HYDRA agents have we located?"
Zod's plan was to start small—capture minor HYDRA cells, brainwash them, turn them into World Serpent's lower branches, and then slowly devour HYDRA's influence throughout North America.
By then, S.H.I.E.L.D. would be Serpent-H.I.E.L.D.
"We've confirmed twenty targets and are preparing the capture operations," Blonsky reported. Along with being a Beast-Soldier instructor, he served as head of the strike team. Of course, given how fluid World Serpent's internal structure was, who knew how long that title would last—Zod might scrap the whole department tomorrow out of convenience.
"No rush. Erase every trace. Slow and steady—we have all the time in the world."
If World Serpent risked exposure, Zod would abandon it without hesitation and build a new organization from scratch.
After finishing his sparring session, Zod was approached by Dr. Connors, who arrived breathlessly with Black Queen leading him in.
"What's gotten you so excited, Dr. Connors?"
Zod asked.
"Boss—there's new progress on the vampire virus! It's incredible!"
Zod followed him to the bio-lab, where Connors began his explanation.
"The vampire virus is unlike anything we've ever seen. It can kill every known virus that appears in the human body. It's practically the king of viruses. Boss, this could be the ultimate panacea!"
He demonstrated the experiment—every cultured virus sample was instantly destroyed by the vampire strain, which then swiftly infected and converted the cells.
What thrilled Connors most was its infection mechanism. A virus this aggressive and efficient shouldn't exist. It was a virus born to hunt viruses—a natural predator, the ultimate counter.
If they could replicate its mechanism and remove the side effect that turned infected cells into vampiric ones, humanity would have its greatest medical breakthrough.
"Stay calm, Dr. Connors. Have you tested leukemia? Cancer? Try a range of human diseases. See how far this virus can really go."
Zod, having seen the far more advanced medical sciences of Krypton, wasn't as shocked. Right now, the virus was only a theoretical miracle cure—they hadn't successfully modified it yet.
And removing its transformation mechanism would likely be difficult. Its extraordinary anti-virus capabilities might be tied to that very function. Remove it, and the virus-killer might become far less potent—a strong medicine, perhaps, but no longer a true universal cure.
Connors reluctantly agreed. If the virus offered more than just antiviral effects, the implications would be unimaginable.
Leaving the doctor deep in thought, Zod noticed Urd approaching.
Ever since he'd saved her, Urd had been restless. Years of being single had left her unsure whether this fluttering in her chest counted as romance. But as a decisive, iron-willed woman, she'd resolved to take the initiative. Judging from Zod's demeanor, he was probably the type completely absorbed in research, someone for whom the atomic equation was more enticing than any woman. If she didn't act, was she supposed to wait for him to make the first move?
But before she could muster the courage to invite him to dinner as thanks, Zod handed her a new assignment instead.
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