AHumanMadeMOFO
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Chapter 107: Times Have Changed
🕑 Added 2024-12-22 15:28:53 +0000 UTCAs soon as Josh shouted the Hydra slogan, several of Malick's subordinates, clearly his close associates, immediately reached for their guns.
On Josh's side, however, Vito and the others were quicker. In the same amount of time, their guns were already drawn and aimed at the other party.
This sudden development caused the few women in the room to cower in fear in the corner.
Fortunately, these women had the sense not to scream. Instead, they covered their mouths in silence.
"Josh Kahn, do you have any idea what you're saying?" Compared to his somewhat nervous subordinates, Malick remained calm in the face of Josh throwing a Hydra badge and declaring Hail Hydra, Unlike Ophelia, he didn't jump up in shock.
After all, their experiences were worlds apart.
Ophelia, still inexperienced, had only been in the field for a few years.
Malick, on the other hand, had weathered many storms and wouldn't lose his cool over something like this. Instead, he calmly waved at his subordinates, signaling them not to act rashly.
Seeing the other side back down, Vito and his companion lowered their weapons as well.
"Come on, Wilfred. Just as you know what I did in Austria, I know all about the situation in your Council of Nine. So there's no need for us to beat around the bush, is there?" Josh said with a casual gesture.
"Hahaha! I really didn't expect you to be one of us, Josh! The old guys will definitely be thrilled to hear this. But the young people are still a bit reckless—there are still a few outsiders around here," Malick said, laughing heartily after staring deeply at Josh for a moment. He walked over enthusiastically and raised his glass.
"Outsiders? Don't worry, there won't be any anytime soon! Vito!" Josh smiled weakly and called out.
At Josh's command, Vito took out a syringe and without hesitation injected himself in the neck.
His body began to swell, his limbs grew longer, his finger nail became razor-sharp, and his skin started to harden into a dark-brown shell. His eyes turned into cold-blooded vertical slits.
In an instant, a terrifying lizard-like creature over two meters tall appeared in the room.
This time, the women in the corner couldn't hold back any longer. They screamed, and two of them even fainted from the shock, their eyes rolling back.
"Shit!" Malick's subordinates, stunned and frightened by Vito's transformation, couldn't hold their nerve any longer, Ignoring Malick's silent cues, they drew their weapons and opened fire on Vito.
"Whoa, dear Wilfred, let's take a step back. Stray bullets don't discriminate and we don't want any accidents," said Josh, who had already retreated to a safe distance. One of his other bodyguards instinctively stepped in front of him.
On the other side, Vito simply raised his sharp claws to protect the vital areas around his eyes. The bullets fired at him barely penetrated his hard skin and penetrated his muscles. His powerful body quickly expelled the bullets and the wounds healed almost instantly, leaving no significant damage.
As the group finished firing and began to reload, Vito charged at them, swinging his claws. One man's body was sliced in half, spilling flesh and entrails across the room.
"Holy crap, Vito, that's way too bloody!" Josh yelled in mock surprise.
Hearing Josh's voice, Vito paused for a moment and backed off. The second man was merely sent flying into a wall. Judging by his limp body, he probably had few unbroken bones.
Of the four men, two were instantly dead. The other two, panicked and desperate, tried to make a run for the door. But Vito jumped over their heads and blocked the exit.
With a single blow each, their heads were smashed into their torsos.
After effortlessly eliminating the underlings, Vito's cold, reptilian gaze shifted to Malick, who stood frozen in the center, helpless and overwhelmed.
The sight was beyond anything Malick had ever experienced, and even a man as experienced as he was couldn't stop trembling. He stumbled backwards and collapsed on the sofa.
"Relax, relax, Vito. Don't hurt our dear Wilfred; he's our friend, ain't he?" Josh said, stepping forward to calm Vito down while smiling at Malick.
"Of course we're friends, the best of friends!" Malik nodded frantically, completely losing his calm demeanor.
Josh nodded in satisfaction and motioned for Vito to step aside.
Since Josh had dared to let Vito use the Beast Transformation Serum in such a setting, he obviously had confidence in his ability to control the situation.
While the serum did affect rationality to some extent, it didn't completely eliminate it—after all, dinosaurs weren't mindless creatures.
Especially in Europe, Aldo, who had used the serum several times, had reported to Josh that its negative effects gradually diminished with repeated use. Otherwise, Aldo wouldn't have been able to take over Neuschwanstein Castle so easily.
Unlike Aldo, however, Vito had undergone preliminary Super Soldier enhancements by Dr. Zola, which had significantly strengthened his body. The most noticeable enhancement was his rapid recovery rate—his ability to heal from injuries was remarkable. (Author Note: This almost feels like an in-game mechanic where characters naturally regenerate health, doesn't it?)
Perhaps because of these enhancements, when Vito first experimented with the Beast Serum in Europe, he discovered that he was much more resistant to its negative effects than Aldo. He was almost completely unaffected by the animalistic tendencies.
That's why a single shout from Josh earlier was enough to make Vito change his killing methods. Now, with another command, Vito obediently stepped aside.
In addition, the regenerative effects of the beast serum further enhanced Vito's ability to heal.
Based on short-term experimental observations, Vito could use the serum almost indefinitely without the risk of losing control.
"So, Wilfred, what do you think of this Beast Serum? It's far superior to any 'MidNight' or 'Bright Light', isn't it?" Josh approached Malick, put an arm over his shoulder and asked with a grin.
"Of course! It's absolutely perfect—far more powerful than any super-soldier serum. What exactly is it?" Seeing Vito retreat at Josh's command, Malick realized that Josh wasn't trying to kill him, just assert his dominance. He immediately began to praise the serum.
No, it wasn't just flattery. The burning glow in his eyes revealed his deep desire for the serum.
"This is the Beast Transformation Serum, a prototype super soldier serum infused with animal genes. It gives the user speed and strength far beyond what ordinary humans are capable of. In addition, depending on the specific animal genes, users gain unique abilities," Josh explained. "The only downside is its limited duration—it only lasts 4-6 hours and is not permanent. Also, the raw materials are a little hard to come by."
Josh's explanation was half true.
The serum did have a permanent version. After all, the Berserkers from the Red Alert universe were a permanent transformation. (TL/N: I think the author has added elements from Mods of Red Alert series)
However, virtually no one would willingly choose to remain in such a monstrous form forever. As such, the original Berserker formula was used primarily as an expendable asset.
In addition, the permanent version significantly reduced intelligence and was irreversible. To control such subjects, brain-implanted control chips were required.
Not to mention, the permanent version had numerous drawbacks, high consumption rates, messy waste management, and more.
Unless Josh waged large-scale wars, there wasn't much practical use for it. The temporary Beast Transformation Serum was far more efficient for his current needs.
"This is more than enough. Such a serum could change the entire balance of the world!" Malick's eyes burned with even greater fire as he eagerly asked Josh, "Mr. Kahn, name your price. What do you want in return?"
What about the dead subordinates? He didn't care.
No one in the Hydra organization would give up potential profits over a few insignificant pawns.
It was cold, ruthless—but then again, could they even be called Hydra without such traits?
"Don't be so formal, Wilfred. Just call me Josh. We're friends, aren't we?" Josh replied with a friendly smile.
"All right, Josh. So, what do you want?" Malick replied quickly.
"It's simple. Schmidt is dead and the others are innocent. It's only right that we reclaim our rightful place in the organization, just like you did back then, isn't it?" Josh said.
"Of course it is," Malick readily agreed.
"And one more thing, dear Wilfred—don't you think the Council members have become a bit... senile? Think back to the Great Depression. If we had been more united then, we could have taken complete control of the world. But their internal power struggles caused us to miss the perfect opportunity, didn't they?
Times have changed, and our great organization is in need of some reform. Of course, there's no rush. We're still young—we can take our time," Josh said, his voice a devil's whisper in Malick's ears.
