Awakening of the Dragon

Although this was the first evolution reward issued by the system, it wasn't the only reason that surprised Russell.

Besides the recently issued evolution reward from the system, he still had a pending regular reward.

Kryptonian Heritage!

He hadn't activated this regular reward up to this point.

This was the first time he had ever encountered two unactivated rewards.

Even though he didn't know why the system had released an evolution reward before activating the Kryptonian Heritage, since the system had done so, Russell had no objections.

When it came to rewards, the more, the merrier.

After closing the system interface, Russell's gaze towards the frozen symbiote dragon Grendel changed slightly.

As soon as he received the call from Bakshi, informing him that Hydra intended to steal the symbiote dragon Grendel from S.H.I.E.L.D., Russell had prepared himself to play dirty.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically asked Bakshi to pay a deposit in advance.

Though this could potentially lead to a falling-out with Hydra, he didn't care in the slightest.

If they were going to turn on him, so be it!

He was completely different from the Russell who had just joined Hydra.

If Hydra did decide to turn against him, he wouldn't mind using the opportunity to take over Hydra and become its sole leader.

After glancing at the frozen Grendel, then at Natasha and the ongoing firefight, Russell, who stood at the rear of the Hydra group, took out a rocket launcher from the system space.

Predator Anti-Tank Missile!

This was a close-quarters assault weapon that launched a missile which the shooter didn't need to worry about after firing. It was a type of close-range assault weapon that could be carried by an individual soldier.

Compared to other anti-tank missiles, the Predator missile, even when launched in confined spaces, wouldn't pose a danger to the shooter due to excessive noise and overpressure.

Its "soft launch" ability with low smoke, low noise, and low recoil made it the preferred choice for close-range and urban anti-tank warfare, an ideal weapon for city combat.

Russell had stored quite a few anti-tank missiles in the system space, allowing him to access them whenever he needed.

Apart from the Predator, he had also prepared many other anti-tank missiles like the Javelin, Tow, and Dragon.

Any weapon with "anti-tank" in its name wouldn't be weak in terms of power.

After taking out the Predator Anti-Tank Missile from the system space, Russell didn't hesitate. He aimed it directly at the middle of the ice mountain in the laboratory.

Since Natasha, Bucky, and the others were unwilling to damage the ice containing Grendel, fearing they might awaken him, Russell decided to do the honors himself.

As he took out the Predator Anti-Tank Missile, neither the S.H.I.E.L.D. nor Hydra personnel noticed his actions.

Engaged in intense combat, they had no extra energy to observe Russell standing at the back.

However, as he aimed the missile at Grendel in the laboratory and prepared to fire, Natasha, Bakshi, and others simultaneously noticed his actions.

What was he planning?

Seeing him target Grendel, Natasha, Bakshi, and the others had a rather ominous thought.

Although Russell wasn't aware of what Natasha and Bakshi were thinking, his actions provided the answer.

Without any hesitation, he fired the Predator Anti-Tank Missile he was carrying.

Due to the "soft launch" concept of the Predator, the missile's initial speed wasn't very high, only 34.8 meters per second.

Natasha, Bakshi, and others could clearly see the missile flying out of the launcher and rapidly approaching the ice-encased Grendel.

The missile hit the target without any suspense.

Boom!

An orange-red explosion burst forth along with a deafening blast.

After firing the missile, Russell discarded the launcher and observed the results of his shot.

The Predator missile hit the ice mountain dead center, creating a massive crater.

Cracks began to spread outward from the explosion site, resembling a spiderweb.

Seeing Russell launch the missile at the ice-encased Grendel, both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra forces ceased their firefight and instinctively turned their attention to the middle of the laboratory.

More and more cracks appeared on the ice mountain.

Under everyone's gaze, the ice mountain began to shatter, and signs of movement emerged from within the ice where Grendel was encased.

Damn it!

What is he doing!

Bakshi, clad in the Zaku battle armor, glared at Russell with anger, as if wanting to shoot him immediately.

Besides Russell himself, no one knew why he was doing this.

Bakshi and others were confused.

Natasha, Barton, and the others were even more baffled.

Based on the recent situation, the side that continued the firefight would likely be Hydra.

In this scenario, there was no need for Russell to awaken the undoubtedly difficult-to-handle symbiote dragon, Grendel.

Just as Bakshi was about to ask Russell about his intentions, the ice mountain at the center of the laboratory started shaking violently.

The cracks on the ice mountain grew larger, and ice fragments of varying sizes fell onto the laboratory floor.

As everyone's gazes fixated on the ice mountain, the ice-encased Grendel began to violently tremble.

With a loud bang, the ice mountain burst open from the inside, and ice fragments fell like a meteor shower.

No one knew how many years Grendel had been frozen, but he spread his massive wings and raised his head, emitting a resounding roar.

The ancient beast-like roar filled every corner of the laboratory.

The original symbiote dragon, Grendel, possessed by the Knull soul, had awakened!

Seeing the now-awakened Grendel, who was the size of a small mountain, both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra personnel aimed their weapons at him, ready to fire at any moment.

Just like them, Russell had also readied himself to act.

Although the evolution reward from the system, King's Serum, seemed promising, the Grendel possessed by Knull's soul wasn't an easy opponent.

He could tear apart symbiote agents with ease and imprison the second-generation symbiotes on his right hand, but even so, Grendel was an enemy he had to deal with seriously.

While Russell remained uncertain about how Knull had lost to Thor in the past, one thing was certain: Grendel, possessed by Knull, was definitely not an easy adversary.

As the newly awakened Grendel completely ignored Natasha, Bakshi, and the others, he gazed at Russell with his immense white eyes, full of curiosity.

Although the current Russell didn't appear symbiotic in the slightest, Grendel, possessed by Knull's soul, could immediately sense that something was off about him.

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