Marvel's Death Merchant

Jack's wounds were clearly beginning to heal. But he could still devour this biological energy again. Jack said coldly, "That's fine too, but I feel like I'm no longer an ordinary human."

Zeus didn't speak directly to Jack, but simply said, "I think you're right. As far as I know, the highest human combat index is no more than five hundred, so you're no longer an ordinary human."

This statement gave Jack some confidence; he already had this idea in mind, otherwise why would he want to devour biological energy?

However, Zeus did not dwell on this matter with Jack, and said, "The biggest gain from this battle is that you have unleashed your power."

"Abilities? These claws are all I have." Jack glanced at his hands and said calmly.

Only now did Jack have time to examine this weapon made of adamantium alloy closely.

Its streamlined design, like a hiltless, sharp bayonet, combined with its silvery sheen, sends chills down your spine.

Jack looked at the blade and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "It's truly a fine weapon."

Only with claws like these can one be called indestructible.

Zeus continued, "Without the Adamantium Claws, your combat power index is only one thousand, similar to that of a Hunter. If you encounter a stronger Hunter, such as that enhanced Hunter, you might not be a match for it. But with the Adamantium Claws, even if you encounter a biological weapon with a combat power index as high as three thousand, you will have a chance to defeat it."

Zeus paused, seemingly giving Jack time to think, and then said, "In other words, the combat power boost that these alloy claws give you is not just the five hundred I mentioned above. It could be one thousand, two thousand, four thousand, five thousand, or even ten thousand."

Jack looked at the claws again; they gleamed with a dazzling light. The more he looked at this weapon, the more he liked it. Zeus meant that the adamantium claws' contribution to his combat power wasn't just 500, but had significant potential for growth. How much that growth would actually be depended on how quickly he used the claws. If used poorly, it might not even reach 500; if used well, it could easily exceed 5,000 or 6,000.

This is actually similar to how people use weapons. To use firearms as an example, a skilled gunman can unleash great firepower even with a very simple revolver. Conversely, a novice would be completely useless even with a Desert Eagle.

Whether a weapon can unleash its full power depends on how the person wields it. The same principle applies to the claws on Jack's hands.

“You must make good use of the Adamantium claws,” Zeus said suddenly, his expression serious. “These are weapons that Mr. Donalds had me meticulously design for you.” (To be continued...)

Chapter 247 A New Battle

Tang Tian meticulously designed the weapon for Jack to make him even more powerful; the Marvel Cinematic Universe is definitely not ordinary. While not quite like the comics, it's still quite good, and the cinematic universe is also influenced by the comic book universe.

Tang Tian has been in the Marvel Universe for quite some time now. Currently, he's likely still the mastermind behind the scenes, active in the shadows. However, Tang Tian is feeling increasingly uneasy. The karma of the Supreme God might affect the entire Marvel Universe, potentially causing characters from various movie dimensions to appear within it. This is entirely possible; such a scene just happened in Tokyo, and perhaps even StarCraft could become a possibility in this universe.

Jack continued, "Can my claws retract back into my body?"

“Of course!” Zeus said confidently. “These alloys—oh, you call them claws—will, in time, become as flexible and free as your hands. Since they originated from within your body, they can naturally retract!”

"Then how do we take it back?"

Zeus said, "Use your will to control it!"

Jack didn't have time to think further and continued following the steps explained by Red Zeus. He began to concentrate his power, his muscles bulging, veins popping, and his joints cracking as he exerted tremendous force. Jack took a deep breath, then suddenly let out a sharp shout, withdrawing all his power in an instant.

With a clang, the eight adamantium claws retracted into the adamantium arm bone.

Zeus saw his performance through the camera and was quite satisfied, his voice carrying a hint of approval: "You are very clever, you did very well, you succeeded on the first try. However, this won't do. You need to practice repeatedly to find the most suitable point and amount of force."

Zeus's words made sense, and Jack naturally didn't refute them, nodding repeatedly.

Although Jack's combat power index is currently as high as 1,500, far exceeding the Hunter's 800, he is naturally not afraid of one-on-one combat. However, dealing with Tyrants, especially high-level Tyrants, is impossible.

"The type of weapon you initially fought has three stages. The virus is directly injected into DNA, and the initial mutation stage is that of an larva. In the second stage, it is constantly fed fresh DNA, and at the end of the stage, it mutates into a Licker. After the Hunter awakens, it can mutate into a Hunter after absorbing enough nutrients. This is the third stage."

The T-virus is injected directly into the DNA. Mutations begin in the larvae, progressing in the order of Licker and Hunter, followed by Tyrant. The Tyrant, slowly fused with the T-virus, is the most suitable bioweapon; the Chaser is the perfect bioweapon.

Hearing Zeus's words, Jack became interested in biological weapons. He said to Zeus, "I want to know the data of the entire Arklay Mountain research base, including detailed records of this type of biological weapon."

“That’s right. I have a document here that records many flaws in the views on this type of biological weapon from many years ago. The first point is that the classification of these five stages is seriously inadequate.”

Jack suddenly looked puzzled and asked, "How is this document categorized?"

Zeus said, “There are still five major stages, starting with the larvae, first the Lickers, then the Hunters. But the Hunters have many different forms. I knew this before, but I didn’t clearly distinguish them because the experimental subjects in the ‘Hive’ base were all single DNA samples, which made me lack the corresponding data to confirm it. The mansion is a testing ground for many viruses.”

Jack was taken aback: "The Hunter has multiple forms?"

Jack was right. The "hunters" in the game do have different forms, only two types: one is land-based and the other is aquatic.

The Hunter in the game is more powerful than the Hunter in the movie, both in appearance and destructive power. It is obviously impossible to say that they are the same.

"Yes! There are many forms of predators! The reason they are different is because they are fed different DNA in the early stages of predation. There are four types that have been successfully tested: eagles among birds, jaguars among mammals, scorpions among crustaceans, and humans. Humans have been the most successful, and most of the predators you have encountered are of this form."

Eagles? Jaguars? Scorpions? If you feed predators the genes of these animals, could the monsters inherit the traits of those animals? For example, winged hunters?

"What form of hunter is this?" Jack asked, pointing at the two towering tyrants.

"According to the chairman's records, this is the weapon that Umbrella Corporation named its most successful biological weapon, 'Tyrant,' and it is extremely powerful."

Upon hearing Zeus utter the word "tyrant," Jack couldn't help but frown.

Umbrella Corporation's most successful weapon, the "Tyrant," is a biological weapon made using the T-virus in the Resident Evil games. The Tyrant and the Nemesis, which is a hybrid of the "Nemis" virus, are the most powerful monsters among them. They have extremely strong attack power, incredibly strong defense, and various other extraordinary abilities. Even Jack, who now possesses adamantium claws, would have to work hard to destroy them. The Tyrant he just defeated was a fatal blow to him.

This Marvel Universe isn't the comic book version, so zombies and bioweapons aren't as clumsy as in the movies, especially the bioweapons, which are unimaginably powerful. And unlike in games, guns and ammunition aren't readily available. However, this world also has the advantage of having superheroes.

Even the most well-trained humans are no match for biological weapons. Even with ample ammunition, it's virtually impossible for them to hit a predator's vital organs in time, given its incredible leaping ability, speed, and strength.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but you probably already have a general understanding of biological weapons!"

"To date, Umbrella Corporation has conducted more than 5,400 experiments, and only 500 humans have successfully evolved to the Tyrant stage. Of course, that was the ordinary manufacturing method. The Tyrants produced by the company now are clones created by cells."

500 cases? That's only one in ten, a success rate of twenty percent!

"Out of 100 humans, 20 will mutate into tyrants. That's not a low success rate! I think 100% of cloned humans could become tyrants," Jack said calmly after thinking for a moment.

Zeus also said, "The key is that this type of biological weapon eliminates a batch of individuals that cannot evolve or mutate at each stage. The ratio is relatively high, about 60%, from larvae to lickers, and about 40% from lickers to predators."

This means that to train 5,400 hunters, approximately 20,000 juveniles would be needed. Jack couldn't help but ask, "What happens to these rejected individuals? Will they die if the mutation fails?"

Zeus continued, "Low-level mutations won't happen! Individuals that cannot evolve and mutate will retain their original form. For example, some of the Lickers you mentioned earlier—these special individuals actually obtained enough food, but due to genetic defects, they couldn't mutate further into hunters. They will remain in the Licker form until they die naturally or mutate!"

"Natural death? These monsters can die of old age?" Jack was taken aback, never having imagined that monsters infected with the T-virus could die of old age naturally.

Actually, what Zeus said was explained in the Resident Evil movies: zombies can live for 10 years without food or water before finally dying. (To be continued...)

Chapter 248 The Coming Battle

Zeus said calmly, "No matter how powerful these biological weapons are, they are still living beings. As long as they are living organisms, from birth to maturity, their ultimate fate is death; it's just a matter of time. In this world, apart from God, no living being is immortal. Even powerful viruses like the T-virus and G-virus cannot escape this law of nature. It's just that their reproduction rate is too fast, so the death of an individual is insignificant to the overall situation. However, your father is researching a super virus, which, once created, will make life essentially immortal."

Zeus paused, seemingly deep in thought, before continuing, "If the larvae cannot mutate further, their lifespan is three months; the Lickers have a longer lifespan, about a year; the Hunters have a lifespan of two years; as for the Tyrants, the company's researchers, based on various indicators, estimate that the highest form of Tyrant can live for as long as fifty years."

Three months, a year, two years—even the most powerful Tyrants only live for fifty years, far less than a human lifespan. It seems the T-virus, while enhancing their physical functions, hasn't improved their lifespan. Thinking of himself, Jack couldn't help but worry and asked, "Why are their lifespans so short?"

Zeus said, "The greatest effect of the T-virus is to accelerate metabolism and stimulate cell regeneration, which can enhance bodily functions in a short period of time. However, it also has serious side effects. Individual genes will mutate, resulting in huge changes in physical appearance. Furthermore, the intense metabolism and cell regeneration will lead to the aging of bodily organs, especially the brain."

"Therefore, once an individual carrying the T virus is unable to mutate successfully due to genetic defects, their body organs will quickly be overwhelmed by the intense metabolism. Three months, a year, or two years is considered a long lifespan; some types that cannot mutate may only live for a few hours or days!"

"And what about me?" Jack asked seriously.

Zeus also said seriously, "I told you long ago, you are different from them. The changes that the T-virus brought to them can only be called 'mutation,' not 'evolution.' In other words, the T-virus has controlled their bodies and manipulated them through their nervous systems!"

Instead of thinking about his own question, Jack was taken aback: "Don't these creatures have their own consciousness?"

“They do have some basic consciousness,” Zeus nodded. “But they’re only a little smarter than ordinary zombies, not really intelligent! Once life signs disappear and the brain tissue remains intact, the T-virus can completely take over the body and turn them into zombies.”

"But you are different. The T-virus had already perfectly integrated with your body from the beginning; it was true evolution, not mutation. The C-virus that has now been added to your body serves you and cannot control you. Therefore, although you are a carrier of the C-virus, you are not infectious. Once you die, the C-virus will lose its host and will also lose its life, as it will be unable to spread. Therefore, they must ensure the continuation of your life; this is where your super self-healing ability and devouring power come from."

Zeus's explanation, though somewhat mystical—as if the virus were a sentient, intelligent life form—was nonetheless plausible, and Jack believed it.

"According to you, I seem to be able to live forever?" The C-virus resides within me, having lost its ability to infect, sharing my fate in life and death. For them to survive, they must ensure my life. With the C-virus's formidable capabilities, continuously prolonging my life is not difficult.

Zeus, however, rejected his idea, saying, "As I just said, every living being dies eventually, and you are no exception. Once your brain tissue ages and dies, not even the T-virus, let alone the more powerful C-virus, can bring you back to life, except, of course, for the one your father researched."

“However, with your current physical capabilities, your lifespan will be far longer than that of a normal person, so you don’t need to worry about dying as young as these biological weapons,” Zeus continued.

At this point, the only thing that can evolve Jack now is Tyrant, and coincidentally, the Umbrella Research Institute doesn't lack such weapons.

Improving his abilities was something Jack was happy to accept, but the key issue was that Zeus's arrangement wasn't for his benefit, but rather an experiment to test Tang Tian's ideas.

Based on his performance in the previous battles, Tang Tian already knew that Jack was a qualified warrior.

"Have you recovered yet? Can you stand up now?" Zeus suddenly asked.

Jack stood up from the ground, moved his limbs, and felt alright; at least he had recovered most of his strength.

"Did you summon another large group?"

"Biological weapons?" Jack knew what Tang Tian meant, so he said to Zeus.

Zeus remained expressionless, saying, "I'm trying to help you. Your current strength is simply insufficient to help me clear out the entire Arklay Mountains. Your current combat power is inadequate; you need a proper battle!"

Jack thought about it and thought Zeus's idea was good, so he said, "Now I want to improve my knowledge. Is this the only way to improve through combat?"

Zeus didn't answer him, but continued muttering to himself, "So, I have to promote you in a short time. That way, as long as you don't encounter any particularly troublesome superheroes or biological weapons, you'll be able to protect yourself. You should know that you were chosen by the boss."

Gradually, Jack was actually persuaded by Zeus. It wasn't just his original memories, but also the power of Zeus's theories.

Zeus added, "Before evolving again, the Tyrant's strength will still far surpass yours. You must be careful. I don't want you to suffer any damage."

Seeing Jack's expression, Zeus said, "Judging from your appearance, I know you are very satisfied with your current situation."

Jack readily admitted this. The feeling of combat was something Jack desperately needed; he was there specifically for the war.

“I admit you’re right. I’ve thought about it carefully. Without you, I would never have been able to possess the Adamantium skeleton and the C-virus. Without the improvement in my abilities, I don’t think I could have survived in the Arklay Mountains, which are overrun by creatures. So without you, I would have died at the hands of the zombie horde, just like those normal humans. So thank you and the person behind you.”

Zeus seemed to ponder for a moment before saying, "The other subordinates that the boss has his eye on are currently trapped in the chapel, but their lives are not in immediate danger."

"Who is that? But I think they're definitely not an ordinary person, otherwise the company wouldn't have let me go." Jack understood how much value Tang Tian valued them, so he said with certainty.

“She is Alice, and also someone who has merged with the T-virus, so I hope you will go there,” Zeus said calmly.

Jack nodded, understanding his next task. Just as he was about to speak, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. It was a dangerous aura, and one that wasn't unfamiliar at all. It was the same dangerous aura his sixth sense had detected during the previous battle—unique and dangerous. It was the aura of those two tyrants. Clearly, Zeus was now ordering him to fight. (To be continued...)

Chapter 249 Jack VS Tyrant (Part 1)

"Looks like we've reached the final battle. After this, I can continue to plunder the Hulk's genes," Tang Tian muttered to himself, looking at Jack on the projector.

Meanwhile, Jack is also facing his own battle, and Tang Tian will continue with his plans. Danger is drawing ever closer, and Tang Tian can sense that this world will eventually become extremely dangerous. Therefore, Tang Tian must strengthen his abilities. Currently, he has not yet used any weapons, but the moment a crisis arrives will be the most opportune time to use them.

"Immediately, I will unleash the most powerful tyrant here. This tyrant's combat power is quite strong, far exceeding that of a normal tyrant!" Zeus's voice was very serious, making Jack feel uneasy.

“During the cultivation process, the company tyrant is implanted with a program and some sophisticated electronic devices. Through this program, we can control its behavior and even its thoughts. That’s why it can become the company’s main biological weapon,” Zeus explained calmly, pointing to the two tyrants in front of him.

“Ever since Marcus and Red Skull of Hydra attacked the research base in the Arklay Mountains, the company has begun deploying biological weapons in large numbers to attack Hydra,” Zeus continued.

"Alright, now begin your battle. Ordinary tyrants are no longer useful, so you sensed that one was a special tyrant. Continue the fight!" After Zeus finished speaking, the image on the projector temporarily disappeared.

Jack remained expressionless, muttering to himself, "I feel that tyrant's fighting power is three times mine."

Zeus's image then appeared and continued, "Those Lickers and Hunters were created by the Chairman to help you evolve. This Tyrant is also prepared for you by the Chairman, not those trashy Tyrants you just fought. It is the Chairman's most powerful force at present, personally cultivated by Dr. William."

Before the battle just now, Tang Tian's sixth sense had indeed detected the tyrant's aura, sensing that it was nearby. Tang Tian was clearly telling him to continue fighting.