Awakening Kryptonian Bloodline In Marvel.

Jarvis' subsystem had already notified Jill and the others in advance.

By the time Malrick and Tony arrived at Raccoon City, all the familiar faces were waiting outside the city gates.

Raccoon City had changed drastically since Malrick last saw it. A ring of reinforced steel fences lined with barbed wire and spikes now encircled the perimeter. Thick coal smoke hung over the city, casting a choking, acrid smell in the air.

As soon as Malrick touched down, Shirley darted through the crowd and threw herself into his arms.

"Brother Malrick!" she cried, tears welling in her eyes. "I was so scared you wouldn't come back! But Sister Ada kept saying you'd never abandon us. You're really back!"

"I'm sorry," Malrick said softly, rubbing her head. "I've been gone too long. But I promise—I'm taking you with me this time."

Jill and Ada Wong walked up behind her.

"You just got back and you're already talking about leaving?" Ada raised an eyebrow. "Boss, how about taking down that so-called world consciousness before you go?"

Ada, clad in a windbreaker with a bandage across her cheek, still radiated that effortless elegance—even with signs of battle fatigue.

"Malrick, welcome back," Jill said, her expression layered with relief and concern. "I never imagined the world consciousness could unleash something this catastrophic. There are no words…"

Jill's combat uniform clung to her like a second skin, her demeanor now harder, more commanding. The chaos had clearly forged her into a battle-hardened leader.

"Is there really no hope left for our world?" she asked, her voice faltering slightly. "Is there anything we can do…?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," said Director Bud with a forced smile. "Malrick, I didn't expect to see you again under these circumstances. But it's good to see you alive and well."

Jarvis had briefed them on the truth.

Despite the looming despair, everyone's gratitude toward Malrick—the man who'd once saved them—was unwavering.

Malrick scanned the group: Marvin, Bud, Elliot… all still standing. People who, under normal circumstances, should have been casualties by now.

It was clear—world consciousness had interfered to preserve them. Otherwise, in a crisis of this magnitude, their survival was too convenient.

"Just saving a world—nothing too crazy," Malrick said with a crooked smile.

He pulled everyone into a group hug. "Don't look so grim. I promise, the kids will still have quiet desks to study at, and the sun will shine on this world again."

"I created the virus. Of course I can destroy it."

But saving the world wasn't just about them.

The world consciousness had reappeared moments ago, offering him an irresistible deal.

—Half the world's control authority, and a new genetic self-locking ability.

Malrick didn't fully understand the former, but the latter was tailor-made for his current needs. With it, he could control the stability of his genetic code—vital for his Kryptonian bloodline research. Any of his blood or hair that left his body would be stripped of key genetic information.

For someone like Malrick, this was a game-changer. It didn't just boost power—it protected him from becoming a lab sample.

He still hated being the janitor for this reckless world consciousness. But damn, the reward was just too good.

Besides, there was a catch: the deal would only be honored if he successfully saved the world and advanced biological evolution. Otherwise, the consciousness couldn't—or wouldn't—pay up.

The rewards weren't based on what he wanted, but what it had.

"What are you smiling about?" Jill asked, raising an eyebrow. The others were staring at him now—with hope in their eyes.

"Let's go inside," Malrick said. "Oh, and let me introduce someone—this is my brother, Tony Stark. He's just here for sightseeing."

He pointed at the man in the sleek red-and-gold armor beside him.

Everyone blinked. Up until now, they assumed it was just another Jarvis unit.

"You're Malrick's brother? We've heard so much about you!"

"Your brother's a legend—you must be pretty amazing too."

A flood of admiration hit Tony.

His mouth twitched.

Wrong reaction.

They were supposed to say: "Wait, Malrick's your brother? No wonder he's so impressive!"

Tony made a mental note to blow their minds later. They needed a proper Stark-style reality check.

---

The Raccoon City Police Department now served as the capital building of the Republic of Colorado.

As the acting president, Jill led daily operations from here or set out on patrols to eradicate zombies.

Inside the old police station's conference room, Bud—now Director of the National Virus Research Center—and Marvin—Director of the National Security Bureau—sat alongside other top figures.

Malrick stood at the head of the table, still adjusting to the surreal shift.

To him, it had only been hours. But these former small-town cops and officials were now leaders of a new republic. The country had only a few hundred thousand citizens, most confined to this fortified city. Still, the weight of change was undeniable.

Jill brought up the current crisis.

"Our biggest issue is the imminent nuclear strike from the White Bear Nation," she said. "And the number of migrating zombies is increasing daily. Our defensive lines are stretched thin."

"Especially the super-zombies," she added grimly. "Aside from me and the Iron Man, no one in Raccoon City can stop them."

Across the former United States—now fragmented into over 40 sovereign regions—interactions between states had devolved into international diplomacy.

It was absurd.

Jill turned to him. "What's next is your call, Malrick."

Malrick nodded. "The solution is simple—destroy the nukes, then wipe out the super-zombies."

He continued, "Big goals take bold action. I'll handle both by tonight."

"But even if we manage that, the ordinary zombies are the real problem," he added. "Even with an antiviral serum, cleaning up the global mess will take time."

Take India, for example. With nearly 80% of the population either dead or zombified, there were close to a billion mindless infected.

If not for their lack of intelligence, they'd have already overwhelmed the world.

How could the scattered remnants of humanity fight that?

And that's without factoring in the infected animals—insects, rats, birds.

"There's only one real solution," Malrick said, placing his hands on the table.

"We study the evolved S-virus. Then we give it to the people. Every ordinary person on Earth must become a superhuman."

---

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