[Temporary Compound V]

"Listen to that, listen to that. Is that even something a human being would say?!!"

Alexander Pierce was almost left completely speechless by the retort.

After a brief silence, his imposing manner weakened slightly before he spoke again:

"Fine, fine, fine. I can ignore whatever nonsense you're up to over there..."

"But there is one thing I must warn you about in advance. If your stupidity alerts Nick Fury and the Avengers,

and affects my Project Insight, I will personally kill you, you bastard!!"

The call was immediately disconnected.

"Hmph. Just because he has Dr. Zola's algorithm and can predict risks in advance, what is there for him to be so smug about?"

Baron Strucker glared viciously and roared at the phone's black screen:

"Compared to the cause I pursue, that Project Insight he is so obsessed with is utterly insignificant."

"He actually thinks he can use big data algorithms to eliminate dissenters and force the entire world to submit. The real idiot is clearly you!!"

"However..."

"That brat, Number 380, actually uploaded the video himself. Does he want to become an internet celebrity? Or some worshipped superhero?"

A look of disdain appeared on Baron Strucker's face.

"Though the times are progressing, young people today are becoming more and more shallow. They've even lost their lofty ideals and ambitions!"

In his view,

Carl was most likely just a vulgar little brat who wanted to become famous online through superpowers, then rake in fame and fortune!

Yet this "brainless" approach made him feel more at ease instead.

Because an enemy this shortsighted was nothing to fear, even if he possessed Superman-like power.

"Sir, I have thought of a good solution..."

At that moment, Girard, the base commander who had been standing cautiously to one side, suddenly said with a fawning smile:

"Since the enemy is a superpowered individual, why don't we send superpowered individuals to deal with him as well?"

"Hm?" Baron Strucker froze at those words, then asked in confusion:

"Didn't all the mutant slaves we have lose their abilities because of the Mutant Extinction Plan?"

The Mutant Extinction Plan he referred to was a secret project initiated by S.H.I.E.L.D. more than a decade ago, with the tacit approval of the Security Council,

which ultimately designated a company called Alkali Genetics Company to carry it out in secret.

It was a covert plan to completely exterminate the mutants hidden among humanity through "genetically modified food"!!!

The specific method was as follows:

Alkali Genetics Company took the M43 Virus it had specially developed, which had no effect on ordinary people but could suppress mutant abilities and completely eliminate the mutant genes that randomly appeared when humans reproduced.

Through secret channels provided by the authorities, it was widely distributed into the raw materials of major food, beverage, fast food, and prepared meal companies around the world, ensuring that nothing could go wrong.

The facts proved that the Mutant Extinction Plan had been remarkably successful!!

Since 2004, when the last generation of naturally born mutants came into the world,

mutants had long since silently faded from history's grand stage.

In the dark corners of streets and alleyways, people could no longer see those ugly-faced "freaks" with supernatural abilities.

Even the once world-famous X-Men were gradually being forgotten by the public!

"Hehe, you're right, sir, but it seems you've forgotten something..."

A smug expression appeared on Girard's face. "Earlier, my people obtained a batch of newly developed Temporary Compound V from inside Vought Group."

"I heard this latest product can grant people temporary superpowers for twenty-four hours."

"Why don't we use it to create a temporary superpowered legion, then capture Experiment Number 380?!"

"Vought Group?" Baron Strucker pondered briefly, then said disdainfully:

"The pharmaceutical company that conducts secret experiments on infants, tries to create a team of superhuman idols, and scams money everywhere across the country?!"

Girard said, "That's the one."

Baron Strucker snorted through his nose and questioned skeptically:

"I recall that the Department of Defense assessment report stated that Vought Group's Compound V was not only costly to produce, but was only suitable for infants. The success rate for adults injected with it was even below one in a thousand..."

"These Temporary Compound V doses must have some unknown side effects as well, right?!"

"Just as you said." Girard gave an awkward smile and explained somewhat uneasily:

"Unlike ordinary Compound V, these Temporary Compound V doses can give ordinary people superpowers for twenty-four hours."

"But at the same time, they rapidly form large numbers of malignant tumors inside the user's body. Usually, after three to five uses, the user dies suddenly!!"

"It can only be used three to five times?"

Baron Strucker was utterly dismissive of that.

The latest novels are first released here!

"Hmph. Superpowers like that, which are both unreliable and limited, are even cheaper than those mutant freaks who were 'exterminated.'"

Although Hydra had always wanted to create a superpowered legion exclusively for itself,

whether mutants or Compound V users,

in their eyes,

they were all trash that had to be disposed of once they had been used!

The former were inferior trash born from genetic mutation!

The latter were drug-addicted trash who got explosive power from pills!

Well...

S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had actually coveted the Compound V formula before.

But the most crucial formula in its recipe was held by a mysterious researcher whom even they could not trace.

Furthermore, using infants for experiments would make it easy for people to notice something was wrong.

So S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra soon gave up on Compound V one after another.

By comparison,

human experiments using the Mind Scepter were clearly superior!!

Not only was the initial investment cost practically zero,

it could also "create" superpowered individuals like Carl, with stable abilities and enormous potential!!

But Girard's proposal was undoubtedly a good way to quickly break the deadlock.

A ruthless glint flashed through his eyes as Baron Strucker immediately ordered:

"Organize people for drug trials at once, then select suitable combat candidates from among them and form a Superpowered Suicide Squad..."

"This time, no matter what, you must bring Experiment Number 380 back to me!!"

"Yes, sir."

Just as Girard was preparing to turn and leave, Baron Strucker called him back again.

"Oh, right. Tell the people in Sokovia to find a way to bring back all the corpses of Boka's squad members..."

"They might come in handy for Dr. Fritz's experiments!!!"