"What is this?"
Watching from the air, Lucas frowned slightly.
The kidnappers' physical behavior looked extremely similar to the Extremis Virus developed by Aldrich Killian in Iron Man 3.
But according to the timeline, this was 2004.
Even if development had been accelerated, the virus shouldn't exist for several more years.
There was only one possible explanation—
Killian had developed the virus far earlier than expected.
And not only that—
it had already passed the testing phase and was being used directly on human subjects.
Judging from the kidnappers' performance, this version of Extremis was even more perfected than what appeared in the movie.
"If I remember correctly, Killian founded an organization called A.I.M. in Iron Man 3."
"In the films, it was a high-tech biotech company. In the comics, it was a massive technological villain organization."
"I originally had no intention of getting involved…"
"But you had to mess with my people."
Lucas pulled out his phone and directly contacted the joint task force.
"Help me investigate a company or organization called A.I.M. The founder or key figure is Aldrich Killian."
"Yes. They're very likely connected to Hydra. Send any information you find directly to my phone."
"One more thing—have facilities prepared immediately. I'll need high-temperature-resistant containment cells."
"You're asking how heat-resistant?"
"At least capable of withstanding lava-level temperatures or extreme thermal output. As soon as possible."
---
The Green Goblin was panicking.
Although the Goblin serum had granted him enhanced physical abilities and intelligence—and combined with advanced equipment and weapons—
He was now facing enemies with even more abnormal physiques and far superior weaponry.
For the first time, he found himself completely outmatched.
"Don't shoot. I'll have the serum delivered," the Green Goblin said, raising his hands.
"Oh no, no, no, Mr. Osborn. The terms have changed again."
"At least four doses—that's the price for your lives. Understand?"
The kidnapper leader mocked him, tapping his helmet.
Norman Osborn answered decisively, "Fine. No problem."
"Just as expected of a great businessman—Norman Osborn," the leader laughed loudly.
"If you'd agreed sooner, none of this would've happened."
Norman pulled out his phone, preparing to call his company—
When a childish voice suddenly rang out.
"Mr. Kidnappers, time's up. I have to go home now."
"If I'm late, my brother will come looking for me."
Carrie suddenly appeared behind the kidnappers, startling them.
"Take her back!" the leader shouted.
But no one dared move.
The earlier scene was still burned into their memories.
"Who's your brother?"
One kidnapper asked instinctively.
"My brother's name is Lucas Reed," Carrie answered plainly.
"People seem to like calling him 'The Terminator.'"
—Silence.
A sharp intake of breath echoed throughout the warehouse.
The leader's eyelids twitched violently. Veins bulged on his forehead as he grabbed a subordinate and roared:
"FUCK YOU! Are you brain-dead?! Didn't you check their background before kidnapping?!"
"Are you trying to get us all killed, you idiot?!"
He kicked the man away in rage.
"Little miss, please—go ahead and leave. We won't stop you!"
The leader immediately pointed toward the exit.
At this point, he wanted nothing more than for Carrie to leave as fast as possible so they could clean up and disappear.
If that monster showed up, they'd be dead for sure.
"I want to take my classmates with me," Carrie said.
"Of course! Take them all!" the leader agreed instantly.
"And him too!" Carrie pointed at Harry Osborn.
"He's my classmate!"
"This—" the leader hesitated.
Carrie didn't wait for his answer. She walked over, grabbed Harry's hand, and started leaving.
"Stop!"
A reckless kidnapper shouted, raising his gun at Carrie.
"Drop the gun, you moron!" the leader screamed.
Buzz—!
In the next instant, the man was engulfed in purple energy and lifted into the air.
Even when his skin turned molten red, the extreme heat couldn't destabilize the purple energy at all.
"Bad guys—fly!"
With a thought, Carrie launched the energy sphere upward.
It smashed through the warehouse ceiling and vanished into the sky.
No one dared provoke her again.
They could only watch as she prepared to leave with Harry.
"Carrie… take my father too," Harry suddenly said.
"I don't care about them. I only care about you and my classmates," she replied without turning back.
"My brother says that minding your own business makes life happier."
Harry was speechless.
---
"Alright, Carrie."
Lucas descended slowly through the hole in the ceiling, holding the kidnapper she had just launched outside.
The moment he landed—
A terrifying pressure fell upon everyone in the warehouse except Carrie.
Breathing became difficult, as if the air itself had been drained away.
"Take your classmates outside. I'll handle the rest."
Lucas then looked at the kidnapper leader.
"You work for Aldrich Killian, don't you?"
The leader stiffened.
He removed his mask and hood, revealing his face—
A bald Black man with no eyebrows or eyelashes.
His eyes bulged unnaturally, and the muscles in his face twitched uncontrollably.
At night, he'd look like something straight out of hell.
"Since you already know," the leader said calmly,
"there's no need for this damn mask anymore."
"Ever since the modification surgery, we've had to wear these things every day—like we're not fit to be seen."
The leader continued:
"They can leave. I already got what my employer wanted."
"But I'm guessing you're not planning to let us go so easily—am I right?"
Lucas nodded.
"Then let me test just how strong 'The Ends' really is!"
The leader discarded his gun, pulled a metal knuckle weapon from his waist, and fitted it onto his hand.
Lowering his body, he lunged forward like a tiger pouncing on prey.
Boom!
The man was sent flying back even faster than he had charged—
Slamming straight into the concrete wall of the warehouse.
_____
T/N:
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