Chapter 87: Superhero Trainee

In the Marvel Universe, filled with superheroes and villains, a successful mutation is rare; most would-be superhumans perish from genetic breakdown. Zod, unconcerned with Doom's fate, was certain that Reed and the others would find their path. Meanwhile, Zod's own reputation as the Dark Knight only served as a tactical cover; he didn't see himself as a traditional superhero.

Jessica Campbell, a superhero trainee, was discovering just how rigorous Zod's standards could be. Every morning, she was up by six, teeth brushed, breakfast made, and ready for training.

"Why do I have to do all this?" Jessica initially protested.

"Punctuality," Zod replied. "You might save a life if you're one second faster."

It was a frustrating answer, and as a high school student, Jessica didn't have the argument to fight back. Then came the physical training. When Jessica questioned its necessity, Zod responded, "Strong enough to save a plane mid-crash? Hold back a flood?"

Faced with those expectations, Jessica reluctantly continued. Zod was surprised by her resilience; he had expected her to quit within days, yet she pushed through. After a month, Zod decided she was ready for an internship in the field.

"Though your body's bulletproof, I recommend a suit for extra protection," he said, offering her a high-tech steel suit.

"Wait, I can wear this?" Jessica asked, excited.

"It's a test. Pass, and it's yours," Zod replied, revealing a glass cabinet holding a suit. "This is a tight suit made from vibranium fibers—flexible enough not to hinder movement and strong enough to withstand most attacks."

Jessica put on the suit, which accentuated her figure, and Zod led her into New York's Hell's Kitchen. There, he explained, gangsters and criminals were plentiful, giving her a low-stakes environment to get her hands dirty.

Not long into their patrol, they encountered a mugging in progress. "Go. And remember, try not to kill anyone," Zod advised, signaling her forward.

Jessica's nerves kicked in as she approached the robber. She turned to find Zod had vanished. Unbeknownst to her, he was watching from above, using her as bait to draw out the elusive Purple Man.

The robbers noticed her immediately. "And what are you supposed to be?" one mocked, eyeing her suit.

Without wasting words, Jessica sprang forward, channeling her strength with impressive speed. In one swift punch, she sent the robber's pistol flying, but her punch was a little too powerful. His hand was severely twisted, bones audibly cracking as she broke four fingers and fractured his wrist.

When the realization hit, the robber screamed, clutching his arm in agony, while Jessica stared in horror at the aftermath. Her punch had even shattered the pistol, scattering fragments over a wide area. The victim of the mugging fled the scene in shock.

"Well done, Jessica, though a little… intense," Zod said, suddenly appearing beside her with an arm-mounted device emitting freezing mist, which he used to calm the scene.

Jessica looked up at him, bewildered, but Zod just gave her a nod. "Lesson one: know your own strength."