American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Lynn frowned. "It sounds like some kind of trigger, specifically designed to induce your transformation."

“It might be a modified version of adrenaline,” Banner pondered, his scientist’s instincts kicking in, “interacting with gamma-radiated mutated cells and accelerating the transformation process.”

They continued forward, avoiding several search parties under Gwen's guidance. As they approached the small gate in the northeast corner of the park, Lynn noticed a black, unmarked van parked nearby, with several people in black tactical clothing standing beside it.

“Black Hawk,” Lynn whispered, quickly pulling Banner behind a large tree. “Gwen, there are Black Hawk agents at the northeast gate. We need another route.”

“Understood,” Gwen replied. “Go west for 50 meters; there’s a section of the wall that’s lower; you can climb over it. I’ve already booked a taxi that’s waiting outside.”

Lynn and Banner changed direction and carefully moved westward. When they reached the designated location, they found that the wall was indeed low, and several large trees had branches extending over it, providing footholds for climbing.

"Can you crawl over there?" Lynn asked, looking worriedly at Banner, who was still very weak.

Banner took a deep breath. "I can give it a try."

Lynn climbed the tree first, then carefully scaled the wall and landed on the sidewalk outside. He reached out to Banner, helping the frail scientist over the wall as well. Just as Gwen had said, a taxi was waiting nearby.

They quickly got into the car, and Lynn gave the driver an address a few blocks from the safe house in case they were followed. Throughout the journey, Banner remained silent, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

“Thank you,” Banner said suddenly after the taxi had been driving for a while. “I haven’t received help in a long time.”

Lynn looked at the tormented scientist and felt a pang of sympathy. "You've carried too much alone, Doctor. No one should live like that."

Banner gave a wry smile. "When you're at risk of turning into an uncontrollable monster at any moment, being alone is the safest option."

“Perhaps,” Lynn said, “but things are different now. Black Hawk knows who you are, and they’re actively hunting you. You need allies.”

Banner pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Perhaps you're right. I'm too tired. Too tired to continue running alone."

The taxi stopped at the designated location, Lynn paid the fare, and then led Banner on foot to the safe house, making sure no one was following them. When they finally arrived, Gwen was already waiting at the door, her face showing both worry and relief.

“Lynn!” She rushed forward to hug her brother, then looked at Banner. “Dr. Banner, I’m Gwen. Welcome.”

Banner nodded awkwardly. "Thank you."

They entered the safe house, where Ethan was pacing anxiously in the living room. He stopped abruptly when he saw them, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Bruce Banner,” he said almost in awe, “I’ve studied all your files and tracked every appearance of the Hulk. Meeting you in person is unbelievable.”

Banner shifted uncomfortably, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "You're Ethan Black? The reporter who published the story about Blackhawk and the Hulk?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes. I've been trying to tell the world the truth—you're not a monster, Doctor. You've been misunderstood."

Banner shook his head wearily. "You're too optimistic, young man. Whatever my intentions, the Hulk is dangerous and cannot be completely controlled."

“But he has also saved people,” Ethan insisted. “I have evidence, a lot of evidence, showing that the Hulk saved people and protected innocents during disasters.”

Gwen interrupted what could have been a debate, "Doctor, you look exhausted. Perhaps you should rest first, and we can discuss this again tomorrow."

Banner gave her a grateful look. "Thank you, that will be very helpful."

Gwen led Banner to one of the bedrooms, providing him with clean clothes and some food. When she returned to the living room, Lynn and Ethan were talking in hushed tones.

"How is he?" Lynn asked.

Gwen sighed. "Extremely exhausted, both physically and mentally. I can't imagine how he's lived all these years, constantly on the run, afraid of hurting others."

“He’s safe now,” Lynn said, “at least for now. Tomorrow we need to come up with a plan, not only to protect Banner, but also to completely expose Black Hawk’s plot.”

Ethan glanced in the direction of Banner's bedroom. "He doesn't believe in himself. He doesn't believe the Hulk can be a force for good."

“Understandable,” Lynn commented, “considering everything he’s been through. But perhaps we can help him see another possibility.”

The three continued discussing tomorrow's plans until late at night. Gwen checked on Banner regularly and found him finally asleep, seemingly feeling safe for the first time in years.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Black Hawk International's headquarters were brightly lit. Senior executives sat around a large conference table, the atmosphere tense.

"You mean you've lost track of Banner?" a stern-faced man asked, his voice laced with threat.

“Yes, Director,” an agent reported, “we are almost certain he reverted to human form in Central Park, but he vanished by the time we arrived at the scene. There are indications he may have received assistance.”

"Help?" The director narrowed his eyes. "What kind of help?"

“We’re not sure, sir. But several park cameras captured a man leaving with Banner. We’re conducting facial recognition.”

The director pondered for a moment, then ordered, “Intensify the search. Banner is key to Project Emerald Fist. Without him, our research will be severely hampered. Meanwhile, continue tracing the origins of that ‘FBI Special Task Force.’ I suspect there might be a connection between the two.”

The agents sprang into action, leaving the conference room to carry out orders. The director remained alone in the empty room, staring at the screen on the wall displaying various images and data about the Hulk.

“You won’t get far, Banner,” he whispered. “No matter who helps you, they can’t change your nature. You’ll eventually return to us.”

The next day.

The first rays of dawn pierced through the gap in the curtains, casting a thin, golden line on the floor of the safe house. Lynn rubbed his aching neck; the night's vigil had left his body stiff. He rose quietly, careful not to make a sound, and headed to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. Silence reigned in the safe house. Gwen and Ethan, finally succumbing to exhaustion in the early hours, fell asleep in their respective makeshift beds. Banner, the scientist misunderstood by the world, had remained completely silent since being placed in the guest room the previous night.

The aroma of coffee quickly filled the air, waking Lynn from his fatigue. He leaned against the kitchen counter, pondering the events of the previous night and his next plan.

"Good morning."

Lynn turned around and saw Bruce Banner standing in the kitchen doorway, looking much better than last night, but still tired. He was wearing a slightly oversized T-shirt and sweatpants that Gwen had given him, which looked a bit comical, but at least clean and tidy.

“Good morning, Dr. Banner. I hope you slept well,” Lynn asked, pouring Banner a cup of coffee.

Banner took the coffee and nodded gratefully. "Better than any night in the last few months. Thank you for taking me in." He took a careful sip of the hot coffee, then flinched and gently touched his bandaged forehead.

Lynn noticed, "That wound needs to be treated again. We only did emergency treatment last night; now it should be cleaned more carefully to prevent infection."

Banner shook his head. "No need. My body has a certain regenerative ability. Even in human form, I heal faster than an ordinary person."

Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. The effects of gamma radiation aren't limited to the transformation process?"

Banner gave a wry smile. "Yes, it changed my entire physiology. In a way, even now, I'm not entirely human anymore."

Lynn could sense the pain and self-doubt in Banner's words. He realized that this man was not only running away from external threats, but also from his own inner fears.

“Let me see anyway,” Lynn insisted. “I learned some basic medical skills on the battlefield.”

Banner hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement. Lynn led him to the bathroom, where there was better lighting and the medical supplies stored in the safe house.

“Please sit down,” Lynn gestured for Banner to sit on the toilet seat, then began carefully removing the bandages that had been hastily applied the night before.

When the bandages were completely removed, Lynn was somewhat surprised to find that the wound had indeed begun to heal, much faster than the average person's recovery. However, there was still a noticeable scratch, and the surrounding skin was slightly inflamed.

“You’re right, it’s healing quickly,” Lynn commented, gently cleaning the area around the wound with an alcohol swab. “But it still needs some treatment.”

Banner frowned slightly when the alcohol touched his wound, but didn't complain. Lynn noticed that besides the new wound on his forehead, Banner had many old scars on his body, especially on his arms and shoulders, suggesting he had been in several violent conflicts.

"These old wounds... were they all left after your transformation?" Lynn asked cautiously, while beginning to re-bandage the wound on his forehead.

Banner's eyes dimmed slightly. "Most of the time. Every time I transform back into human form, I usually find myself in some strange place, covered in injuries." He paused. "Sometimes, I don't even remember what happened; I can only learn about it through news reports. What did he do?"

“Him?” Lynn noticed Banner’s way of referring to the Hulk. “You consider the Hulk to be a separate entity?”

Banner paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "Not entirely. He's a part of me, I know that. But at the same time, he's like...another personality, a personality driven by pure anger and instinct. We share memories, but not completely. Sometimes, I can feel his presence, even when I'm not in a transformation."

Lynn finished bandaging him, then stood up straight, giving Banner some space. "It sounds like a complex symbiotic relationship."

Banner gave a wry smile. "You could say that. It's just that this symbiotic relationship is often disastrous for the people around me."

They returned to the kitchen, and Lynn began preparing a simple breakfast. Banner sat at the small table, silently gazing at the city view outside the window.

“Ethan believes the Hulk is more than just a destructive force,” Lynn said while frying eggs. “He’s gathered a lot of evidence showing the Hulk has saved people in numerous crises.”

Banner looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Really?"

Lynn nodded. "Yes. I've seen his file. In one building collapse, the Hulk held several trapped children in his arms, protecting them from falling concrete. In another flood, he built a makeshift dam, buying time for evacuation. There are many similar examples."

Banner seemed lost in thought. "I rarely remember things completely from the transition. Only fragments, vague impressions. But sometimes, I do feel a protective urge."

“Perhaps the Hulk isn’t the purely destructive force you imagine,” Lynn said, placing the fried eggs and toast in front of Banner. “Maybe he reflects something deep within you—not just anger, but also the instinct to protect others.”

Banner ate his breakfast slowly, seemingly digesting the idea. Just then, Gwen walked sleepily into the kitchen, startled by Banner and Lynn's presence.

"Oh! Good morning," she said, quickly tidying her messy hair. "Dr. Banner, how are you feeling?"

Banner nodded politely. "Much better, thank you. Just call me Bruce."

Gwen smiled and took the coffee Lynn offered. "Bruce, I saw that Lynn has re-bandaged your wound."

Banner gently touched the new bandage on his forehead. "Yes, your brother has a real talent for medicine."

Gwen laughed. "That's one of his few gentle skills."

Lynn gave a feigned snort of displeasure, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. This relaxed family atmosphere seemed to make Banner feel a little uncomfortable, but it also clearly eased his tension.

Ethan soon joined them, and the four discussed the current situation and possible plans of action throughout the morning. Ethan presented the extensive information he had gathered about Black Hawk International, while Banner offered his own experiences and observations, including his own experience of being hunted and his understanding of the "Emerald Fist" plan.

“As far as I know,” Banner explained, “they’ve been trying to replicate the effects of gamma radiation on me. But most experiments have failed because they don’t understand a key factor: my unique genetic structure.”

"Your DNA is different?" Gwen asked, clearly intrigued by the scientific aspect.

Banner nodded. "Some genetic experiments my father conducted years ago altered my DNA. Gamma radiation activated these dormant genetic mutations, ultimately leading to the Hulk's creation. Without this special genetic background, an ordinary person exposed to similar doses of gamma radiation would only become ill or die, not transform." (End of Chapter)