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Ch. 104 I am Serum!
🕑 Added 2023-10-25 16:00:09 +0000 UTCManhattan.
Octopus Monster Industries Headquarters Building.
Russell sat in the chairman's office in his boss's chair, massaging his temples.
After temporarily placing Hulk in the unmanned manufacturing factory controlled by No. 3, he had returned to the office wearing the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01.
The large virtual screen in the office displayed the evening's headline news.
That's right!
He was the main subject!
Although only a little over an hour had passed since he had taken Hulk away, the major media outlets had already unveiled his true identity.
At least within the realm of the surface world.
Of course, it wasn't ruled out that these media outlets were already aware that he was the infamous killer Traveler from the underground world.
However, for now, they seemed to tacitly ignore this fact.
Russell wasn't surprised by this. If these media outlets hadn't uncovered his true identity in the underground world, they would naturally only report on his more public identities. Such as the head of the Octopus Monster Private Detective Agency and the head of the Octopus Monster Laboratory, among others.
If these media outlets were to find out that he was the notorious killer Traveler, they would likely act as if they knew nothing for their own safety. After all, having a notorious and infallible killer show up at their doorstep wasn't a pleasant experience. Especially when this killer was known for his vengeful and ruthless methods.
In front of him, the huge virtual screen simultaneously displayed real-time coverage from several news channels.
Although they were different channels, every single one of them was currently broadcasting news about him.
As for Hulk, who should have been the main focus, he was now labeled as a "dangerous individual" and a "terrorist."
After glancing through the reports from major media outlets, Russell directly said, "No. 3, get in touch with these media outlets and tell them that I will hold a press conference at the company headquarters tomorrow morning."
"Understood, sir!"
No. 3's voice immediately sounded.
After giving instructions to No. 3, Russell picked up his phone and called Diana.
Diana was currently working with her colleagues at the museum, deciphering the encrypted Dead Sea Scrolls. She might not be aware of this development. Regardless, Russell wanted to inform her in advance.
During tomorrow's press conference, he planned not only to reveal that he was the serum, but also to disclose the existence of the Justice League.
The call was quickly connected.
Russell explained his plans to Diana.
After listening to his arrangement, Diana didn't hesitate at all and replied directly, "No problem. If you want to make the announcement, go ahead. If you need, I can even come over in my armor."
Diana not only had no intention of stopping Russell, but she also planned to actively support him with her actions.
"You should delay revealing your identity a bit longer."
"If you also reveal your identity, you'll have to give up your work at the museum."
Unlike Superman Clark Kent's magical glasses, Diana couldn't hide her true identity. Once she officially appeared, she wouldn't be able to live the ordinary life she enjoyed anymore.
"Well, your decision is what matters!"
Diana replied with unparalleled gentleness.
After finishing the call with Diana, Russell pondered the press conference for a moment and then returned home wearing the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01.
Diana worked until after eleven in the evening before returning to her apartment.
Although she had worked a long day, it was nothing for Diana with her extraordinary physique.
When Diana returned to her apartment, Russell had prepared a late-night snack for her.
After satisfying their hunger and enjoying a cozy bath together, they engaged in some activities they both enjoyed before cuddling up to each other and drifting off to sleep.
The next day.
Although Diana had risen early for work, she still prepared a warm breakfast for Russell before leaving.
After savoring the breakfast that Diana had prepared with her own hands in the apartment, Russell dressed in the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01 and arrived at the Octopus Monster Headquarters.
There was only one hour left until the press conference began.
Just as he entered the office and removed the suit of the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor No. 01, the voice of No. 3 sounded.
"Sir, Director Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York Division has been waiting in the reception room for over an hour. He would like to meet with you before the press conference starts. Would you like to see him?"
Russell wasn't surprised that Coulson had come to find him. In fact, he would have been surprised if S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't make any moves.
10:30 AM.
The press conference began on time.
Wearing an expensive hand-tailored suit, Russell entered the prepared meeting room and surveyed the reporters seated below the podium.
As he scanned the reporters, they were also sizing him up from their seats.
Flashes of light kept flickering.
Photographers and cameramen at the scene pointed lenses of all sizes towards him.
Russell didn't waste any time. After glancing at the speech in his hand, he said directly, "First of all, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to attend this hastily arranged press conference."
"Let's not waste any more words."
"I am Serum!"
As soon as Russell declared that he was Serum, the flashes of light that were already going wild became even more intense.
Immediately after he finished speaking, a blonde female journalist dressed in a gray office lady uniform stood up. She addressed him, "Mr. Bradley, we know that you are Serum, the superhero who recently emerged in New York."
"I'd like to ask, what exactly was that green monster from last night, and how did you deal with it?"
Russell first appraised the attractive face and well-proportioned figure of the blonde female journalist before revealing a smile that seemed very affable.
Then, he calmly replied, "Miss, let me correct you. That green thing from last night wasn't a monster. He's my friend, and his name is Hulk!"
After speaking, Russell signaled for the blonde female journalist to sit down and continued explaining, "Although he doesn't look very much like a human, he's just like us, a human being."
"Strictly speaking, he's somewhat similar to Ben Grimm, the Thing, from the Fantastic Four."
"After awakening superpowers, their appearances changed a bit from ours."
"But their essence is the same as ours. You can't label Ben Grimm as a stone monster just because he looks different from us."
Russell had never considered hiding Hulk away secretly, so he had long since thought about how to explain Hulk's existence to the public. With the case of Ben Grimm as an example, explaining Hulk's identity wasn't too difficult.
Of course, those who knew the truth understood that what he was saying now wasn't the whole truth.
But that didn't matter.
Wasn't it all about fooling people?
That wasn't a difficult task!
As long as there was a relatively reasonable explanation, resolving Hulk's identity issue wasn't a problem.
