The Savior of American Comics? I'm the Subspace Evil God!

Chapters 502, 920, and 921: Dispute - Are you teaching me how to do things?
"It's almost finished..."

Steker Pantecost's deep voice carried a relieved hoarseness, yet also contained an immense ambition that was hard to conceal.

This [Scylla Hunter Mech] can be considered the final piece of the puzzle in the entire [Titan Hunter Mech Project].

It was also the only hope that Stark Pantecost could realize his 'comeback plan'.

He looked down at the steel fortress he had built, watching the engineers and technicians working like ants at the feet of the giant Hunter Mech. A sense of superiority and power, as if he controlled the fate of others, welled up within him.

"We've prepared for so long and poured all our resources into it... Finally, we've completed the upgrades and modifications of all the Titan Hunter mechs before the next wave of Kaiju attacks arrives!!"

In the past two years, a series of major disasters have occurred on Earth, causing Stark Pantecost and many other leaders to feel extremely anxious and deeply powerless.

Therefore, most people, including him, secretly decided to accelerate their 'promotion' in order to cope with the disasters that might follow in the future.

The occurrence of the "F Continent Biohazard Crisis" in particular has intensified their sense of urgency.

As one of the insiders, Steker Pantecost knew that the Security Council was able to successfully resolve the huge crisis on the continent of F entirely thanks to the intervention of the Subspace Group.

However, considering that during this operation, various countries around the world paid huge sums of money to the Subspace Group for their own vested interests in [F Continent] that they couldn't openly discuss... well, perhaps "protection fees" would be a more accurate description.

Strick Pantecost felt that if there weren't these willing suckers to foot the bill next time, the [Subspace Group] might not be so keen on getting involved...

After all, the Subspace Group's modus operandi has always been 'get paid to do things'!

At the same time, some organization leaders, including Steker Pantecost himself, did not want to remain passively controlled by the Subspace Group.

If things continue like this, sooner or later they will all follow in the footsteps of the BSAA organization...either forced to reorganize or directly disbanded.

As a result, major organizations, including the PPDC, have accelerated their pace in an effort to complete their new round of strategic transformation plans before the next wave of disaster arrives.

For the PPDC organization, completing the Titan Hunter Mech Project is their only way to survive.

"I believe it won't be long before our [PPDC] name resounds throughout the world... silencing the doubters and making those who abandoned us regret it!!" said Steker Pantecost excitedly.

However, standing next to him, Ichiro Serizawa, wearing a gray uniform symbolizing his status as an advisor to S.H.I.E.L.D., pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses upon seeing this.

The look in his eyes behind the glasses was complex, carrying an indescribable scrutiny and an undisguised ambition.

After hearing Steker Pentecost's boastful words, a barely perceptible, slightly arrogant smile appeared on his lips, and he said in a strange, low voice:
"General Pantecost's ambition is truly admirable."

"However, if I may be frank... if your decision during that crisis on the F Continent had been bolder and more radical..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze slowly shifting to the [Siren Scylla Hunter Mech] standing silently in the hangar below, and continued:

"...After dispatching the [Rattane] to complete the clearing operation, we decisively sent the [Abaddon], skilled in digging and attacking, to help the [Security Council] and the [BSAA] completely eliminate Albert Wesker in the underground base..."

"Presumably, the reputation of the [PPDC Organization] is already well-known throughout the world, perhaps even surpassing that of some self-righteous groups!"

Although Serizawa Ichiro's voice was not loud, it was like a fine needle, precisely piercing Steker Pantecost's sensitive nerves, causing his newly ignited ambition to come to an abrupt halt.

The surging emotion on Steker Pantecost's face froze instantly, replaced by a cold, angry expression.

He clearly sensed the sarcasm and irony in the other person's words, which seemed to be a complaint about the cautious choice he made at the Security Council...

Then he turned his head sharply, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on Serizawa Ichiro, who had a full head of white hair, behind him.

This former head of Monarch, whom Nick Fury brazenly planted under the guise of overseeing the project and providing the PPDC with the corresponding Titan traits, represents S.H.I.E.L.D.... no, to be precise, Nick Fury's own blatant attempt to infiltrate the PPDC.

To be honest, Steker Pantecost was very unhappy with Nick Fury's actions.

After all, Serizawa Ichiro's identity is not that of an ordinary researcher, but the former head of the Monarch organization. Therefore, the other party's special identity always makes him subconsciously guess whether Nick Fury is trying to use Serizawa Ichiro to replace him.

Even though it was known that the probability of this happening was extremely low, even lower than that of a Boeing 747 crash...

But some ideas, once they take hold, can become uncontrollable.

Therefore, from the very beginning, Steker Pentecost was wary of Serizawa Ichiro. If it weren't for the fact that the other party was very authoritative in the field of [Titan Beasts], and that only he could solve some of the problems in the modification process of the [Titan Hunter Mech], Steker Pentecost would probably have found an excuse to drive him away long ago.

Now, with the completion of the last Titan Hunter mech, a huge weight that had been pressing on Strick Pantecost's mind has finally been lifted.

So he decided to disregard his pride and take the opportunity to give the other party a good talking-to, and also to test whether the words he had just spoken, which were full of doubts and veiled accusations against his decision, were Serizawa Ichiro's own words, or whether Nick Fury had relayed them through the other party.

"Dr. Serizawa, are you trying to teach me how to do things?!"

Steker Pantecost said coldly, "You make it sound so easy... 'Bold'? 'Radical'? But what about the consequences of doing so?!"

"If we deploy the Abaddon but fail to kill Albert Wesker, have you considered the consequences?!"

He suddenly took a step forward, and under the influence of his powerful aura, Serizawa Ichiro took a step back in fear.

"Let me tell you..."

"Doing that would not only easily expose the PPDC organization's last trump card to the enemy, but also subject it to the wrath of the Security Council and global media, thus following in the footsteps of the BSAA organization?"

"Or do you think Nick Fury would risk all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources to save me in order to salvage a failed 'daring' operation?!"

"Ah, this..." Serizawa Ichiro was speechless for a moment, his cheeks flushing red instantly. His lips moved a few times, but he was unable to refute. Steker Pantecost's words struck a chord with a reality he couldn't avoid: the cost of failure was something the [PPDC Organization] simply couldn't afford at this stage.

Furthermore, despite his usual role as a special 'overseer' for S.H.I.E.L.D., he acts with almost complete impunity within the PPDC organization.

But in front of Steker Pantecost, who was in charge, his identity seemed very pale and powerless.

He knew perfectly well Nick Fury's true intentions in sending him to the PPDC organization, but being so bluntly exposed by the other party still made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

"Dr. Serizawa, everyone has their own area of ​​expertise..."

Just as Serizawa Ichiro was pondering a solution, Steker Pantecost spoke again, clearly not intending to let him off the hook, his eyes even colder.

His voice was as cold and sharp as an icicle as he said, "I deeply admire your tremendous contributions and achievements in the field of [Titan Beast]. Without the core data you provided, the [Titan Hunter Mech Project] would never have been able to succeed so perfectly in such a short time..."

However, just as a hint of smugness appeared on Serizawa Ichiro's face after hearing the praise, Steker Pantecost abruptly changed his tone, saying with utmost sharpness:
"However, when it comes to managing a large organization, winning people's hearts, seizing fleeting opportunities on the battlefield, and assuming ultimate responsibility for decision-making..."

Steker Pentecost deliberately drew out his words, his gaze sweeping over Serizawa Ichiro with undisguised disdain, and said lightly, "...Excuse my bluntness, but you're still far from good enough in these areas!"

"I think the disbanded Monarchy is the best proof of that."

"A massive organization that had been around for decades, with dozens of overseas bases and a group of top scholars and researchers... couldn't even keep the research bases it had painstakingly built up!"

Scholars can be killed, but not humiliated!

Steker Pantecost's words can be described as a direct and blatant attack.

It was almost as if he was pointing his finger at the other person and yelling: "You piece of trash, how dare you teach me how to do things? Take a good look in the mirror first!"
Serizawa Ichiro naturally understood the meaning behind the other party's words, and his face immediately turned red with embarrassment. His not-so-strong body trembled slightly with anger.

A strong sense of humiliation and hatred for Steker Pantecost intertwined within him. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms, but he dared not lash out.

There's no way around it; a higher-ranking official can have absolute power!

The power imbalance is the most stark reality.

Although he was Nick Fury's trusted confidant, he had no real power, let alone the ability to directly confront Steker Pantecost, who was in charge.

"The previous defeats, especially the heavy losses in the 'Washington Titan Battle,' have severely weakened the [PPDC Organization], leaving it teetering on the brink of collapse..."

Stark Pentecost looked at Serizawa Ichiro across from him, who dared not speak his anger, and the resentment that had been building up in his heart due to being restrained by Nick Fury for a long time was relieved a little.

He knew in his heart that he couldn't completely break ties with Nick Fury right now, since most of the money he had spent on buying the six Titan remains from the Subspace Corporation came from S.H.I.E.L.D.

Moreover, the knowledge that Serizawa Ichiro possesses about Titans might play a significant role in the later maintenance of the [Titan Hunter Mech].

So it's best not to make the relationship too strained.

After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly. He looked at the [Siren Scylla Hunter Mech], which had already completed its maintenance in the hangar, and sighed in a low voice, a hint of weariness mixed with a heavy, impending sense of impending doom:

“I was even directly warned by senior officials of the Security Council that if the PPDC could not come up with a decisive solution to prove our worth, the consequences would be dire.”

"It's very possible that the fate of the BSAA will be the same as the future of our PPDC!"

"Therefore, Dr. Serizawa, the more important the choice I am faced with, the less I can afford to act impulsively... I must remain highly clear-headed and make the safest choice that is most likely to bring victory."

"Because any unnecessary risk could be the last straw that breaks the camel's back!"

As Ichiro Serizawa listened to Steker Pantecost's analysis of the harsh reality, and saw the deep worry and unspeakable pressure hidden in the other's eyes, his resentment gradually lessened, and he couldn't help but nod slightly.

He now understood why Stark Pantecost was being so cautious; the PPDC organization simply couldn't afford another major failure.

However, just as Strickland Pantecost was about to elaborate on his next strategic vision—

"Wow——"

"Wow——"

"Wow——"

A sharp, urgent, and highly penetrating alarm suddenly shattered the tranquility of the hangar!

Above the dome, a huge red warning light spun and flashed wildly, casting an ominous dark red hue over the cold steel walls and the menacing Titan Hunter mech.

"Dr. Newton, what's going on?"

Steker Pantecost's expression changed drastically, instantly pulling him out of his reverie and shooting his gaze like lightning toward the main control panel.

In front of the control panel, a disheveled middle-aged man with messy, unkempt hair and thick-rimmed glasses was frantically operating the instrument in front of him, the lenses reflecting the constantly refreshing stream of data on the screen.

A few seconds later, the slovenly man known as Dr. Newton suddenly looked up, his face a mixture of extreme tension and an almost morbid flush of excitement.

"Sir, it's the [Deep-Sea Monitoring Array]... The automatic early warning mechanism of the detection system has just been triggered at the highest level!!"

(End of this chapter)