Marvel's Death Merchant

Moreover, Louis, who had just been rescued, collapsed to the ground. He stared at the situation with a sense of helplessness. Although he had just met Chris, he was very satisfied with that tough guy and couldn't say another word...

Half an hour later...

The thick fog in the city has almost completely dissipated, and the warm sun shines on the earth. However, what was once a bustling urban district D has now become a dead zone, and terror continues to spread...

"Mr. Chris, Mr. Leon, please report your exact location! Please report your exact location! Over!" An Umbrella helicopter was circling above the 514 Hospital building, searching for its colleagues who were still struggling.

"Beep..."

"Gentlemen, please respond... please respond..."

"...We are currently on the fifteenth floor of Rescue Building One...specifically, roughly in the western part of the building's central section..."

"Are there any other survivors? Over!"

"...No...there were only...the three of us..."

A rope ladder was lowered from the helicopter to the glass window of the central control room. With the help of Leon and Louis, they boarded the helicopter safely. Leon and Louis were then successfully rescued. However, as the helicopter departed, both of them gazed at the hospital from the air, lost in deep thought, until it was no longer visible...

Chapter 527 Hydra Super Warriors

Brix, also known as Hanks, is a super soldier created by Hydra through mechanical and biological modifications, and his strength is undeniable.

"Die!" With a leap from the mutated tyrant's shoulder, followed by a graceful knee bend and landing in front of it, the once ferocious and arrogant mutated tyrant's massive body fell limply to the ground like a giant log being sawed down, and died completely.

Brix grinned maliciously, his whole body trembling, especially his right arm, which was attached to a sharp metal blade and was crackling with electricity. He seemed to still be experiencing the electromagnetic pulse sensation in his body after killing the zombie. This pulse made his whole body feel numb and sore, but it was also extremely comfortable, probably like someone taking a stimulant!

Hydra has also made significant progress in recent years, attacking Umbrella bases multiple times and acquiring a great deal of technology, thus greatly enhancing its technological capabilities. This is why they are able to cultivate such super soldiers.

However, now is not the time to enjoy ourselves. After all, there are still people to save, otherwise Chris will be killed by this monster in a moment.

As the current in his right arm disappeared, the long metal blade fell to the ground because it was no longer magnetically attracted. However, this made Brix very unhappy. After all, forcibly removing the current would cause the cells in his body to have a certain slight spasm, and when it gathered throughout his body, it felt extremely uncomfortable!

Fortunately, Brix had gotten used to this feeling. Marcus and Red Skull had always asked him to do this before. Otherwise, he would have forcibly fused his strong mechanical body into his own. Sharing a body with a mechanical body would not only look bad, but also be very difficult to walk. Compared to the former, it was much more comfortable.

Brix stepped forward, stomping hard with his foot and crushing the mutated zombie's hideous head into a bloody pulp. He then vigorously shook off the nauseating acid from his feet, muttering a curse under his breath. Thankfully, Chris hadn't been killed; he felt quite good about himself.

Brix stood up, sighed, and decided to leave. It was more important to chase after that person. He had only taken a couple of steps when he suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him, as if something had suddenly broken through the air. Before he could react, a dagger stained with black blood was already at his neck, and Brix could even feel the chill emanating from the dagger at the base of his neck!

Brix quickly understood what was happening. He heard Chris's fierce voice behind him. Although Chris's right hand, which was holding Brix, was still trembling, his words were clear and distinct: "Who are you? What are you doing here? Tell me! Did you kill Hanks?"

Brix, wrapped in a white sheet, had her back to him and simply smiled faintly. She didn't answer his question but instead said, "It seems you're still alive and well, my friend."

Chris's eyes flashed with a fierce light. "What do you mean by that?"

"You've probably forgotten that you were smashed away by that monster. If it weren't for me, you'd probably be dead by now..."

Chris was stunned for a moment before he slowly remembered what had happened. He looked down at his body and found that apart from the soreness and numbness all over his body, there was almost no change. Moreover, the shoulder that had been hit had somehow healed almost completely.

"See? I told you so, right? Now you can finally let me go, can't you?" Brix asked tentatively.

Chris was still somewhat skeptical, but he slowly released his hands. When Brix turned around, he asked, "And who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Do you really want to know who I am?" Brix asked casually.

“Of course! I’ve always known there’s a mysterious person in this building. Doesn’t your appearance make me suspicious?” Chris retorted.

“That’s true!” Brix nodded, then continued, “However, before I tell you my identity, I need to tell you about my new abilities, otherwise, all my efforts would be wasted!”

"Ability? What ability?"

"Do you see that metal pipe in the distance? You can stand still and try to hold it in your hand with your mind. Don't think it's impossible. If you don't believe me, you can try it and see if what I said is true."

"What a joke! I don't believe you! Unless it's a new human like Alice or Wesker, what else could it be?" Chris said, still trying to prove to the stranger in front of him that what he was saying was simply a fantasy!

However, the moment Chris had this thought, under the influence of mental energy in his brain, it flew over in a flash!

"What...what's going on?" Chris stared at his left hand in disbelief, while Brix smiled contentedly, then unwrapped the white sheet covering him and said, "You said you owed me a favor! Heh..."

When Chris saw Brix's familiar face, his mouth gaped open in disbelief. He exclaimed, "You are... Hanks!! You're still alive and well!"

"Chris, we meet again! Hehe..." At this moment, Hanks, also known as Brix, wore a joyful expression of reunion with an old friend, without a trace of injury or pain. However, Chris's mind was a fog of confusion, filled with doubts. Hadn't Hanks been bitten by a zombie earlier? Logically, so much time had passed; he should have turned into a zombie by now, but...

What Chris was seeing made him suddenly have an unrealistic thought: that he hadn't been tricked by the entire Hydra organization.

However, Hanks' next words made him abandon that idea: "Chris, to tell you the truth, my real name is not actually Hanks. My full English name is Ray Brix. It was a mission given to me by Dr. Marcus of Hydra. Hanks Cavill is just an alias I used!"

"So, you weren't Hanks from the beginning, and you already had plans to come here with me just to complete what you call a mission?" Chris vaguely sensed something.

“You’re right, but there’s one thing you’re wrong about. It wasn’t one mission, it was two! We received intelligence that Hanks Cavill, this Hydra member, was indeed trading the T-virus on the black market. Of course, another objective was to steal the serum! But unfortunately, this guy wasn’t very good at escaping or hiding, and our people took him out! All my efforts were wasted!”

Chapter 528 Explanation

"So you got the serum?" Chris asked dismissively. He was starting to have a different opinion of Brix now, feeling like he had been completely used.

"If it weren't for saving you time and time again, I would have already completed my mission and left. I did obtain the serum from the Umbrella Corporation branch, but it has already been used on you. If you think I'm selfish, then you're very wrong. Well Biopharmaceuticals has plenty of that stuff. If I want it, it's easy for me!"

"Used on...me? You mean...you used something on me that hasn't even been scientifically proven yet?" Chris couldn't help but worry about himself. Although Umbrella Corporation dealt with viruses, it was a different story when it came to him.

"You can rest assured! So far, the only effect of this serum is its powerful body repair capabilities. There are no other side effects. If there are any, the chances are very small. Your eyes, which were exposed to radiation, are thanks to it. Do you think I would really rummage through my closet to find useless nerve agents for you? That would only make your eye condition worse!"

“It sounds like I really do have to thank you…” Chris paused for a moment before continuing, “So, what’s your second task? What is it?”

“The second one is simple,” Brix walked to a glass window at the end of the corridor, glanced at the chaotic street outside, and said, “It’s about helping you survive the upcoming zombie apocalypse! But I’m not someone’s hired babysitter; it’s mainly up to you. Or rather, your Umbrella Corporation.”

"War? Are you discussing war movies with me? Do you expect me to believe the world is about to end? Hmph, what a joke! There are so many superheroes in America, and plenty in other places too." Chris felt that the person in front of him was becoming increasingly absurd.

"If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself!" Brix pointed, and Chris looked in that direction. A chaotic scene came into view. It used to be the largest and most bustling open square in District D. Every weekend, many people would come to the square to take a walk, walk their dogs, or even hold some beneficial fitness activities. However, now it has become the largest gathering place for zombies!

"I'm used to this kind of scene, so what does it prove?" Chris felt there was nothing special about it.

“I don’t want you to see the square, but to pay attention to the fact that those disgusting guys are still living arrogantly. Think about it, given your unit’s past practices, shouldn’t you be launching a cleanup operation by now? But I haven’t even seen a single helicopter. What does that mean?” Brix frowned, then turned around after a moment and said solemnly, “It means… this place has been abandoned. It’s probably like Raccoon City and Tokyo.”

“Impossible!” Chris retorted immediately, his voice filled with anger. “You’re absolutely lying! How could you have given up on this place? After all, it’s the result of many years of time and the hard work of many people. How could you just give it up like that? Besides, it’s such a bustling international trading hub, and it’s also Umbrella Corporation’s territory.”

"Don't you understand? Abandoning this area is just a small prelude to the viral war. I have to admire the intelligence agency's efficiency. They must have already obtained the relevant secret information, because the biological war will break out in a month. Abandoning this place at that time is reasonable."

"You... how did you obtain such confidential information?!" Chris felt a chill run down his spine. Information such as the construction of an underground base could have been considered a state secret, and he himself had only heard about it briefly!

"What's so strange about that? In today's turbulent world, biological warfare is bound to happen sooner or later. It's not just about superheroes and mutants. In particular, the construction of underground defense bases to ensure their own survival is already an open secret in some places, isn't it?"

"Besides that, what else do you know?" Chris felt that this person seemed to have a huge organizational backing, and he should know more secrets.

"Heh... I also know that you have a younger sister named Claire, and your father has always been a member of the Umbrella Corporation's military. Do you want me to elaborate further?"

After listening to Brix's accurate account, Chris was completely convinced this time! Although he did not agree with the idea of ​​a war, because it was the most effective solution, he still had to admire his friend from just a few hours ago. Not only did he know his background perfectly, but he also had such a comprehensive grasp of his family's history. It seemed that he indeed had an extraordinary identity.

Chris felt it necessary to ask how he knew about his family history, and then asked, "And how did you find out about my father's identity?"

Brix smiled, recalling the past with a touch of bitterness, and replied, "Umbrella Corporation was conducting research and development of biological weapons, and at the same time, it was carrying out experiments on the fusion of the T virus with living cells. I was a semi-fused new human at that time, so I didn't have to be destroyed. Umbrella Corporation was still better than Hydra."

"The reason you weren't turned into a zombie after being bitten by one is because..."

"That's right! With the help of Umbrella Corporation and later Hydra, I can now be considered a successful fusion. Being bitten by a zombie was merely for Hydra to collect combat data! Because it couldn't hurt me at all."

"So that's why you've been saving me all this time?" Chris countered.

“No, no,” Brix waved his hand and replied, “I didn’t know before. I told you, it was just a mission!”

"So what are your plans next? Oh, right! I have to go and meet up with Leon and the others." After talking for so long, Chris felt it was time to discuss the next steps.

"No need, they've already been rescued by the rescue team. By the time you wake up, they'll probably end up like you." Chris then noticed that the electronic door to the central control room in the distance had been dented in several places, undoubtedly the work of that biological weapon; and the fallen monster must have been Brix's doing.

Chris, as a member of Umbrella Corporation's elite forces, was incredibly unlucky. Alice and Jill had at least returned to New York City, while he was still alone in a zombie-infested place. Although he might get back, his luck was definitely terrible.

Chapter 529: The Mobilization Begins

"However, I suspect your friend is in danger. This is the communication headset they left behind. I heard their echoes earlier, and I suspect they've been kidnapped by someone."

"Didn't you say you were rescued? But they're not weak; one of them has superpowers similar to mutants."

“It seems the situation has changed. Here, I’ll take you somewhere where there should still be an exit from this area. However, I suggest you put aside your pursuit of the mysterious man for now and find out about your friend’s situation. If you don’t mind, I can do it for you. Here, this is what I mentioned before, friend.” With that, Brix took out a square card from his pocket and handed it to Chris. “After you escape, you might be able to find clues on this.”

"You mean... you're not planning to leave?" Chris glanced at the card, finding it somewhat familiar, but couldn't quite place it. He then put it away. Sensing that Brix had no intention of leaving, Chris asked in return.

"I still have some things to do, but for the time being, we can still cooperate! Hehe... Oh, right, don't forget your abilities. You should be considered half a new human now, haha... Umbrella Corporation gave me this power, and I will do my best to serve them."

"Hanks, oh no, I mean Brix, what's the background of that organization you're talking about? And what special activities do they do?" Chris followed closely behind Brix, who was walking ahead on her own, turning left and right through the hospital corridors for several minutes before breaking the silence between them with a single question.

However, in just a few minutes, Chris had completely understood the meaning of the "new humans" that Brix had mentioned. Because along the way, although the two of them had encountered a lot of zombies, and even some that had reverted to their original forms, these guys, who had once seemed extremely ferocious and bloodthirsty, were now like livestock in Brix's hands, at his mercy!

Those fearless zombies that ran out in front of the two of them almost all met the same fate. Either within a few seconds, black blood would splatter everywhere in the corridor where they were! Or they would be pinned to the distant wall by the metal tubes that Brix could manipulate at will with electromagnetic force, their legs dangling in the air. Apart from flailing their limbs and howling, they couldn't move at all, which naturally meant that Chris didn't have to do anything himself.

However, Chris certainly wouldn't just follow Brix around doing nothing. He would also occasionally activate his telekinetic abilities and feel the power within his body to confirm whether he was dreaming.

Such a fantastical experience stirred an irrepressible excitement within Chris. Ever since he inexplicably gained special abilities, he had always had a feeling that he would one day become a superhero, and that it wasn't too far off.

Along the way, Chris began to try to attract various objects he saw. He discovered that his telekinetic abilities would attract objects, just like Alice's ability. In particular, when he was talking to Brix, he used his telekinesis to attract a small soda can to his right arm.

Brix seemed to be searching for something important on the floor and walls. Since arriving on the twenty-second floor, he had gone straight to the adjacent morgues at the far end, knocking incessantly on the doors while listening for sounds inside, completely ignoring Chris. This made Chris feel very uneasy. Seeing Brix's focused expression, he thought about what was about to happen and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. It seemed that all Chris, a living person, did was deal with the living dead and the dead.

A few minutes later, Brix finally stopped in front of what appeared to be an ordinary morgue. Remembering Chris's question, he gave an apologetic look, slowed his work slightly, and turned back to answer, "Hydra now has two factions: the former leader, Red Skull, and Dr. Marcus. Both are cooperating for their own interests. Kingpin is also a subordinate faction."

"For profit? Maybe some Marcus also possesses special abilities," Chris said coldly.

"It's not so much a lot, because there are some special factors involved. Hydra has bases all over the United States, and with the rampant spread of the T-virus, Umbrella Corporation is gradually disintegrating. The situation is out of control, and we have therefore taken in many new members of Umbrella Corporation."

However, since our inception, we've been engaged in a covert struggle with the Umbrella Corporation. Casualties are inevitable. Even if a mutant warrior of my caliber were to emerge, they might still attack the Umbrella Corporation; Marcus generally doesn't show himself easily. Furthermore, we've discovered that the Umbrella Corporation has hidden its forces, possibly in other locations.”

"What is concealment? What are the advantages of Umbrella Corporation, which is my company?"

“That’s a long story,” Brix glanced at his watch and saw that there were still more than ten minutes before the hidden subway train departed, so he continued, “Hydra captured many Umbrella Corporation medical researchers who possessed top-secret T-virus data. By faking their deaths, they successfully slipped through the government’s fingers. Since then, they have been working on T-virus modification technology, and with initial success… Some of the new humans have become Hydra’s agents.”

"A new kind of human? In other words, humans infected with this virus have gained new powers?"

“Yes, including Wesker and Alice from Umbrella Corporation, they both possess terrifying power. Such successful test subjects are extremely rare even within Hydra,” Brix said with a sigh.

"Actually, becoming a new human is the same. You can be like those superheroes, or like those mutants. After all, Umbrella Corporation's most powerful trump card is probably the Watchmen. Their strength is undeniable; their overwhelming power is something Hydra can't handle." Chris thought for a moment and then said seriously.

“Yes, yes. I admit you’re right. The rise of Umbrella Corporation was quite mysterious. Even Red Skull wouldn’t dare offend your chairman, Mr. Donald. What they probably possess is beyond what Hydra can compare to,” Brix said with a sigh.

Chapter 530 Leaving

One was a soldier from the Umbrella Corporation, and the other was a soldier from Hydra. They joined forces and fought together in this kind of life.

"You're not going to tell me that you spent all this time just to open the door to this morgue, are you? Did you bring me here to find something special?" Chris guessed correctly; it seemed he was definitely going to follow Brix into the morgue.

"As you can see, there's another person in this building. If I hadn't saved you, I probably would have caught up with him by now. But the fact that he was able to stay here safely when the crisis broke out means that even if neither of us were involved, his destination must have been here, and he must have already prepared an escape plan!"

I collected the relevant design data for this hospital. Based on satellite scan images, I discovered that Hospital 514 actually hides a spacious main structure underground, with a one-way tunnel leading to the suburbs. If I'm not mistaken, that's the escape facility for the hospital's underground structure—a high-speed subway line. This is also related to the earlier biohazard outbreak.