Vibranium Nano Thunderbolts, Whispers of the Inheritors

Within the Thunder Temple's testing grounds, the air carried a faint scent of ozone. Fine arcs of electricity lingering on the target slowly died out like living things, leaving scorched marks and air that still trembled slightly.

Dr. Banner eagerly recorded the data. "Energy output is stable. The restraint field lasts 3.7 seconds, and its penetration against medium energy shields and biological armor is remarkable! The success rate of these 'Vibranium Nano Thunderbolts' has far exceeded expectations!" He looked at Lin Ye, his eyes shining with a scientist's unique brilliance. "Mr. Lin, if this technology can be mass-produced, it will be enough to change the landscape of modern warfare!"

Lin Ye toyed with a specially constructed bullet in his hand, feeling through his fingertips the power of thunder within, perfectly restrained by Vibranium nanoparticles. It was indeed an interesting creation, giving ordinary people a way to use his power in another form.

"There's no need for mass production yet." Lin Ye set the bullet down. "Prioritize optimizing its use for yourself. For now, this will serve as a nonlethal defensive measure for the Thunder Temple and a weapon for your personal protection." He had little interest in arming outsiders on a large scale. Good things should naturally be kept for his own people first.

Banner nodded. He was more focused on solving his own problems as well. With a clear direction and ample resources, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the development of third-generation nanomachines, aiming for longer periods of stability and preliminary guidance of Hulk Form.

While the Thunder Temple's technological tree steadily advanced, the undercurrents outside had not ceased.

At S.H.I.E.L.D.'s rehabilitation center, Bucky Barnes's condition was slowly but steadily improving. He could remain conscious for extended periods, his conversations with Steve had become increasingly fluent, and he could even recall more details from their days in Brooklyn. Yet the trigger words still hung over him like the Sword of Damocles. Occasional nightmares and emotional fluctuations reminded everyone that the trauma was far from healed.

Steve practically lived at the rehabilitation center. His companionship and patience were Bucky's best stabilizers. Fury turned a blind eye to it. After all, Captain America's reputation and mere presence were a shining banner for the rebuilding S.H.I.E.L.D.

Natasha, meanwhile, was run off her feet. She had to deal with the aftermath of the purge, respond to the supernatural incidents constantly surfacing around the world, and keep a close watch on the scattered movements of the mysterious organization known as the "Inheritors." This organization operated with extreme secrecy, leaving almost no trace behind, making it as difficult to catch as a ghost.

The members of the Inheritors, much like the ideals they believed in, lurked patiently in the shadowed corners of the world, gathering the "legacy" abandoned or sealed away by Hydra.

Europe, deep beneath an abandoned ancient castle.

Several hooded figures stood around an ancient stone platform covered in indecipherable runes. At its center lay a severely damaged metal gauntlet, set with several strange crystals that were dull, lusterless, and seemingly fractured.

"Fragments of the Void Hand..." one figure said in an operatic tone, carefully brushing a finger across the gauntlet's surface. "The records say it could tear open weak points in space and glimpse the mysteries beyond the door. Unfortunately, the damage is too severe."

"The masters are attempting repairs. They need more energy and living sacrifices," another voice replied deeply. "We must find a more stable 'gateway.'"

"Patience. The Fool card indicates that a new opportunity will soon appear in the East..." the third voice murmured as though sleepwalking.

Their conversation was filled with occultism and metaphors, and the ritual they conducted was strange and obscure. They seemed to be attempting to communicate with or probe something through methods beyond science.

Elsewhere, Grant Ward was like a wounded lone wolf, licking his wounds and gathering strength. Using his remaining resources, he cautiously began weaving his intelligence network anew through the internet and black market. He no longer sought immediate revenge. Instead, he turned his attention toward potential allies who similarly feared or hated Thunder.

He noticed the new name "Inheritors." Though he knew little about them, his instincts told him that these rats hiding even deeper might have value to exploit. He began deliberately collecting information about them, like a lurking venomous snake waiting for its chance.

These subtle developments, like undercurrents beneath a lake's surface, did not escape the Thunder Temple's surveillance.

"Remy, focus on analyzing the Inheritors' energy activity patterns and try to build a behavioral model for them. And keep a close eye on Ward. Find out what tricks he's trying to pull," Lin Ye instructed. He was not particularly wary of these rats in the gutter, but staying informed was necessary.

"Analysis in progress. The Inheritors' methods of energy use differ from known technological and magical systems, leaning more toward ancient sacrifice and symbolic resonance. Ward's activities are focused on gathering information. No direct threatening behavior has been detected."

Lin Ye nodded and did not pay further attention. As long as they did not step into the spotlight, he could not be bothered to waste energy on them.

His thoughts returned to improving his own strength. The power of [Thor Form] was beyond doubt, but the burden it placed on his mind and energy was immense as well. He needed deeper insight and greater control.

"Perhaps it's time to visit the neighbors." Lin Ye thought of a place—Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One's understanding of energy and dimensions would undoubtedly offer him new inspiration.

Just as Lin Ye considered having an exchange on the "magical side," Earth's Dimensional Barrier once again produced unusual fluctuations.

This time, it was not a violent tear like the one in Greenland, but a subtler erosion, like water droplets seeping through. The locations were concentrated around several specific "paranormal hotspots" across the world, places rich in history and legends: ancient battlefields in Scotland, sacred sites of primitive tribes in the Amazon Basin, ancient temples in Southeast Asia, and more.

Local residents in these places reported similar anomalies—electronic devices malfunctioning, unexplained drops in temperature, inexplicable auditory and visual hallucinations, and even claims of seeing vague, inhuman ghostly figures.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had received many such reports as well, but most had been classified as mass hallucinations or environmental factors and had not received sufficient attention. Only a small number of cases involving energy anomalies had been filed away.

But the mages of Kamar-Taj had clearly sensed something deeper.

The doors of the New York Sanctum rarely opened of their own accord. A disciple in yellow mage robes found Natasha, who was handling documents.

"Agent Romanoff, the Sorcerer Supreme requests your presence." The disciple's tone was respectful yet unquestionable.

Natasha's heart skipped a beat. She did not dare delay and immediately followed him.

Kamar-Taj, the familiar courtyard.

The Ancient One was making tea, her expression as calm as ever, but Natasha could sense a trace of gravity that was difficult to detect.

"Agent Romanoff, how have you been lately?" The Ancient One pushed a cup of tea toward her.

"Busy, but everything is under control," Natasha answered cautiously. "Why have you summoned me, Master?"

"For those 'subtle ripples.'" The Ancient One took a light sip of tea. "The barriers between dimensions are becoming riddled with holes. Not great tears, but countless tiny breaches too small to notice. Something is passing through them, seeping in like spilled mercury."

Natasha's expression hardened. "The Dark Dimension from before?"

"Not entirely. It is more complex, more chaotic." The Ancient One shook her head. "It is like an aggregate of countless low-dimensional consciousnesses, drawn or driven into our world by some force. They may not be powerful individually, but their numbers are vast. They can gradually distort reality and nourish even darker beings."

She looked at Natasha. "Kamar-Taj alone cannot monitor every point of infiltration across the globe. We need help. S.H.I.E.L.D. must closely monitor these anomalous reports, especially in regions involving historical ruins and energy fields. If necessary, you may also need to inform your friend Thunder. The nature of his power may be particularly effective against this kind of infiltration."

Natasha immediately understood the severity of the situation. If even the Sorcerer Supreme was actively seeking help, then the situation was clearly far from simple.

"I'll report to Director Fury immediately and raise the priority of related incidents."

The message soon returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. through encrypted channels, and Remy intercepted it as well before presenting it to Lin Ye.

"Dimensional infiltration? Aggregates of low-dimensional consciousness?" Lin Ye looked at the report with great interest. "Sounds like ghosts? Or something worse?"

Enemies involving souls, consciousness, and dimensions were completely different from the purely physical or energy-based attacks he had faced before. His lightning possessed the utmost yang and unstoppable force. In theory, it should be the bane of such sinister entities, but its actual effects still needed to be tested in practice.

"Remy, conduct a global scan. Lock onto anomalous sites whose energy patterns match the reports, then select several coordinates with the highest energy levels and the most severe infiltration."

"Scan complete. Coordinates marked. One each in Scotland, the Amazon Basin, and Southeast Asia."

Lin Ye rose to his feet, faint lightning flickering around him.

"Perfect. I'll use them to test the new move."

He decided to personally visit these infiltration points and, while he was at it, verify the effect lightning had on these "nonmaterial" enemies.

A purge against invisible enemies was about to begin.

And all of it seemed to be exactly what certain hidden beings wanted. Deep within an unknown dimension, it was as though gazes had turned toward the places where these collisions were about to occur.

(End of Chapter 28)