And at the same time.
In a large laboratory within the base.
Even though it is already late at night, there are still a large number of scientific researchers busy in front of weapons test benches piled with strange-looking equipment.
If members of the Avengers or agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were present, they would immediately recognize that almost all of these weapons come from the Chitauri army that was defeated in the Battle of New York three months ago.
The only difference is—
Nowadays, the [Energy Storage Department] responsible for powering these weapons no longer uses the purple energy crystal stones exclusive to the Chitauri...
But instead harnesses energy released directly from the [Scepter of the Mind].
No—more precisely, from the [Mind Gem] embedded within the scepter!
After acquiring the [Scepter of the Mind], [Hydra] employed advanced technology to extract and store the powerful energy it emitted.
They then used their mature reverse-engineering tech to dismantle and modify leftover Chitauri weapons.
Eventually, they successfully developed several new types of energy weapons and equipment, already capable of small-scale production.
The reason [Hydra] managed to integrate such alien tech so rapidly into their arsenal was simple:
They had accumulated cutting-edge technologies and revolutionary concepts over years of underground research.
Back in World War II, Dr. Zola pioneered a technique that could stably store energy from the [Cosmic Cube]—also known as the [Space Gem]—into special containers.
Thanks to this legacy, modern Hydra researchers could collect and study the Mind Scepter's energy with little difficulty.
How does the saying go?
You can mock Hydra's morals, but not their science!
And now...
Dr. Lister, chief scientist overseeing all experiments in the base, stood respectfully in front of a large screen.
"Doctor, how are the human experiments on [Enhanced Warriors] progressing?"
Onscreen was a bald man in a black leather coat, his right eye covered by a monocle, speaking with a cold expression.
Dr. Lister hesitated.
"Mr. Strucker, the first two human tests were...less than ideal. All subjects who came into direct contact with the scepter died instantly—without exception."
"Ordinary people just can't seem to handle the energy it releases."
"If we want to see the kind of progress you're expecting, we'll need a larger pool of test subjects."
"Oh?"
Baron Strucker narrowed his eyes and asked in a flat tone:
"Why, Doctor? You think this kind of thing is hard to come by in a country as chaotic as this one?"
"In my opinion, you just need to step outside and grab a new batch of 'volunteers' from the protesters on the streets."
But Dr. Lister didn't look convinced. He replied nervously:
"Mr. Strucker, if we escalate human experimentation, we'll eventually draw the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"If they discover what's happening here—or worse, our connection to Hydra—it would be catastrophic."
"Catastrophic?!"
Strucker chuckled like he'd heard a bad joke, his vulture-like face twisting into a sneer.
"[Hydra] and [S.H.I.E.L.D.]—they're two sides of the same coin."
"And right now, S.H.I.E.L.D. is out of the picture. We hold more cards than they could ever imagine!"
"Doctor, I believe... we've barely scratched the surface of this scepter's secrets."
"So I want you to focus all your resources on it. Forget the rest."
"As for S.H.I.E.L.D.? Don't bother worrying."
"They'll soon have problems of their own."
"And Captain America and his rainbow-colored crew? Other Hydra-affiliated organizations are already set to keep them busy."
"Doctor, we're entering a new era—an age of miracles."
"And in this new age, the so-called 'heroes' will be obsolete…"
"Because nothing is more terrifying than a 'miracle'!"
Finally, Strucker added, voice calm but firm:
"I expect visible progress on your end before I finish my business here."
With that, the transmission ended and the screen went black.
"Phew…"
Dr. Lister wiped sweat from his brow.
Then he turned sharply and barked orders:
"Everyone get ready. Phase Three of the human trials begins in two hours!"
...
…
[Host, are you willing to abandon your physical body immediately, return to your exclusive dimension, and become the omniscient and almighty Lord of that dimension?!]
As the first rays of morning light shone through the narrow skylight above the cell, Carl sighed and shook his head.
Too risky.
He still couldn't think of a way out.
For now, all he could do was take things one step at a time.
Then—
The sound of boots echoed through the corridor outside the cell.
The heavy door swung open with a screech.
Several Hydra soldiers with rifles at the ready marched in.
"Oh, so sorry. No breakfast for you today…"
The squad leader sneered. "You're up next for the experiment."
"Bastards! Scum!!!"
Wanda and Pietro's eyes lit with fury.
The speaker was the same soldier who had injured Pietro and Carl the day before.
"Tsk, still full of fire, huh? Looks like I went easy on you yesterday."
The man—Pieck—grinned mockingly and ignored their rage.
Instead, he stared openly at Wanda with undisguised greed.
Damn it.
I didn't even get the chance to touch her!
All because of that punk who jumped in the way yesterday.
But after two liver-busting hits from me, he should be dead by now… huh?!!
However.
When his eyes accidentally swept across to Carl, who looked full of energy on the opposite side, a look of surprise suddenly flashed across Pique's face.
What's going on?
Was this loser pretending to be dead yesterday?
Damn it! Not only did he ruin my good thing, but he even dared to pull a fast one on me?!
Okay, just wait. I'll deal with you later.
Of course, that's assuming... you have a "later."
"Huh? Feels like I'm being targeted..."
Facing Pique's resentful glare, Carl maintained a calm expression and chose to ignore it.
Right now, his priority was figuring out how to survive the imminent death trap.
Everything else?
Irrelevant.
Soon, under the escort of several Hydra soldiers, Carl and his two companions passed through multiple layers of security checkpoints, finally arriving at the core experimental area located in the very depths of the base.
Meanwhile, in the monitoring room responsible for data collection and experiment recording...
A researcher in a white coat pointed at the dozens of corpses stacked along both sides of the corridor and reported to Dr. Lister, who was reviewing data on a computer:
"Doctor, the number of corpses has gotten out of hand these past two days. The incinerator is operating beyond capacity…"