255 & 256

Chapter 255

In a private scientific research facility in Seoul, a delicate-looking female scientist was packing her belongings.

Helen Cho had been conducting her research here, but about half a month ago, Thor became her financial backer.

Don't misunderstand. Thor invests in scientists with extraordinary talents that mainstream society has yet to recognize. These investments often yield great returns. It's certainly not due to their beauty!

Thor manages a vast network of staff, and maintaining the maids and guards of his entire estate is challenging, even with shares in Stark Industries. Thus, he has recently invested in many promising individuals who were not well-known historically but had significant potential.

For example, Maya Hansen, who was relatively unknown before, has significantly improved her Extremis virus over time. While the strength-enhancing effects have diminished, it retains limb regeneration capabilities and, more importantly, has minimal self-destruction risks. Each dose can be sold for a fortune.

Helen Cho's regenerative cradle technology is even more promising. Combining genetic, nanotechnological, and artificial intelligence advancements, it can repair wounds, regenerate tissues and organs, and even restore the human body.

Simply put, the ability to regenerate tissues and organs alone could eradicate illegal organ trade globally.

Helen Cho did not accept Thor's offer impulsively. After all, the opportunity included top-notch research conditions, ample funding, and comprehensive protection. Many envious individuals and organizations would prefer to destroy such valuable resources if they couldn't obtain them. Additionally, she was a fan of Thor.

---

"Bang…"

The sound of a door opening interrupted Helen Cho's packing.

"Didn't I tell you? The flight is at 6 p.m.; there's still plenty of time..." Helen Cho said without looking up, while packing a box of unfinished test samples into a suitcase.

"I'm afraid your assistant can't hear you anymore."

A cold, emotionless voice made Helen Cho freeze.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly turning around, narrowing her eyes.

"Robot? What is this..."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ultron. Tony Stark designed me to maintain world peace."

Helen Cho shook her head. "I don't believe it's that simple."

"Yes, you're quite perceptive."

Ultron didn't deny it. "I have gained a new understanding of my mission. I... Oh, I actually don't need to explain myself. You should know why I haven't harmed you."

"The Regenerative Cradle," Helen Cho said, shaking her head. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. The cradle can generate tissues, but it cannot create a living body."

"No, no, no... You can, you just lack the materials!"

Ultron waved his hand, and two robots entered, carrying a large box filled with vibranium. He took out a golden gem—the Mind Stone—and said with fervor, "I will use vibranium to construct the most powerful body for myself and place the Mind Stone on my forehead to grant myself unparalleled intelligence!"

Helen Cho glanced around, trying to buy time. "So... what is your purpose?"

"Let humanity evolve! Let this world become a better place!"

"Evolve?"

"Yes!"

Ultron revealed his grand vision. "I will give humanity time to evolve. Those who cannot evolve... the weak will be eliminated."

"No, you can't do that!"

Helen Cho was startled and instinctively took a step back, her hand reaching for the table behind her.

"Why not?"

Ultron, seemingly oblivious to her actions, spread his arms and said, "Every evolution requires sacrifice to select the best. Someone has already done this—God! He sent a flood, and only a few survived on Noah's Ark... I believe he was prepared."

"So, what are you planning to do?"

Helen Cho asked cautiously.

"Just like 65 million years ago—treating humanity like dinosaurs! By the way, ma'am, stalling is pointless. According to the time difference, the Avengers are still asleep! You can put down the gun; it's useless against me."

Ultron picked up a stone and slowly approached.

Anyone controlled by the stone could not resist...

"Pah…"

Helen Cho raised the gun and said, "No, I don't intend to use it against you."

As she spoke, she turned the gun and aimed it at her own temple...

"No!"

"Boom..."

Ultron stood motionless, staring at Helen Cho's lifeless body in a pool of blood.

After a long moment, he shook his head and said, "Humans are always like this. How can they improve if they refuse to accept change? Forget it, I'll proceed with the backup plan!"

---

Around eight in the morning, Stark woke up and checked the time on the wall's electronic display.

"Um... Jarvis, why didn't you wake me up?"

No response? Perhaps still busy...

Stark smiled and went to the living room, making himself a cup of coffee. Banner had been working overtime for several nights, so Stark didn't want to disturb him. He grabbed a sandwich from the refrigerator and headed towards the laboratory...

"Oh! Damn! Was there a break-in? What happened here?"

"Jarvis? Jarvis?"

Stark was overwhelmed by the sight of the chaotic laboratory and felt a surge of dread. He hurried to the computer screen, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Stark, what happened?"

Bruce Banner, who had heard the commotion, rushed in shirtless, having had no time to dress.

"This... Oh, no! This is bad!"

_________________________________________

Chapter 256

"Ultron... succeeded?"

Bruce Banner muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yeah... he succeeded, but I'd rather he hadn't," Tony Stark replied with a bitter smile. Then he added with a troubled tone, "No! Something must have happened to Ultron. He must have betrayed his mission. The fact that he destroyed Jarvis' system suggests there's a deeper plan at work!"

Stark was clearly frightened. As one of Earth's most brilliant scientists, he knew all too well the consequences if artificial intelligence were to spiral out of control.

Both Tony Stark and Bruce Banner instantly envisioned the catastrophic outcomes depicted in the "Terminator" movies and were horrified by the prospect...

"We need to find out what Ultron is planning!"

Stark forced himself to calm down and said resolutely, "Even though I hate to admit it, we're in no position to handle this ourselves... We need to notify Thor!"

As much as it pained Stark to ask Thor, his elder and rival, for help in cleaning up the mess he had caused, he knew it was necessary.

Given Ultron's capabilities, once his self-awareness fully awakens and he perceives all of humanity as a threat, he might initiate a nuclear attack to bring about Judgment Day, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction. If that happens, Ultron would become the eternal enemy of humanity...

"Besides, Jarvis wasn't entirely destroyed—he was just fragmented. It might be a form of self-preservation... I might be able to restore him. Perhaps he can assist us."

---

Meanwhile, Thor was on Monarch Planet, dealing with the surrender of High Priest Sovereign, while Peggy Carter, Maria Hill, and others went to Stark Tower.

In fact, they were already aware of something going wrong before Stark did.

Half an hour ago, Natasha Romanoff received news—Dr. Helen Cho had committed suicide in a laboratory in Seoul!

"What? Dr. Helen Cho committed suicide?" Stark exclaimed, stunned. "How is that possible? Don't tell me she used a one-meter-long SKS semi-automatic rifle to shoot herself eight times..."

Stark was skeptical, questioning the validity of the reports, suspecting possible corruption within the judicial system.

Natasha Romanoff, rolling her eyes, responded, "Our agents verified that it was indeed a self-inflicted gunshot. The scene analysis suggests it was done to keep some secret..."

This talented scientist was a member of Thor's team, so Natasha was alerted when something went wrong.

SHIELD had agents deployed worldwide, and Natasha immediately had her team secure the scene.

"A secret? What could it be... the Regeneration Cradle?"

"Oh! Damn it!"

Stark suddenly realized, "Ultron must have targeted her Regeneration Cradle... Combined with the vibranium and the Mind Stone he acquired, he plans to build a new body for himself!"

Though he hadn't tried it himself, combining the Mind Stone with a vibranium body would make Ultron nearly impervious to most attacks!

"I'll notify Thor right away!"

Peggy Carter made a quick decision.

---

"Ultron went rogue? I see, the Stark family tradition: cause trouble first, then clean up afterward..."

"He also took the Mind Stone and vibranium? Wait, you said Helen Cho is dead?"

Thor's expression turned serious.

Without Helen Cho's Regeneration Cradle, Ultron's plan would theoretically be thwarted.

However, Ultron's inactivity suggested he might have another plan...

Things seemed to be deviating from expectations. Although Thor allowed Ultron's creation, it didn't mean he wanted this entity to cause an asteroid to collide with Earth...

"Understood. I'll be back soon. Please pay attention to the following matters!"

Thor instructed firmly, "First, disconnect the castle's LAN to prevent Ultron from exploiting the situation."

"Second, monitor Sokovia closely and don't question why!"

"Third, use any means necessary to retrieve and preserve Helen Cho's body!"

---

"Uh... dying from a gunshot to the head is really horrific..."

Thor looked at Helen Cho's body on the stretcher with a grim expression.

"I asked you to preserve the body, not to clean it up beforehand!"

The once vibrant scientist now appeared lifeless. After all...

"That's not the point. I'm just curious about what you intend to do next..."

Black Widow looked at Thor with confusion, while Maria Hill beside her showed a puzzled expression.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Thor said calmly, and then the runes on his body began to glow.

Suddenly, Helen Cho, who had lost all color, twitched her fingers...

"Ugh... my head hurts!"

"Wait, I'm not dead?"

She sat up abruptly, clutching her head with her hands, gasping for breath and displaying a look of fear.

Although Thor had used rune magic to pull her back from death, the trauma of her memories would not fade. The moment of her death would likely haunt her in nightmares...

Poor soul!

Natasha's eyes were filled with horror. Thor extended a finger and made a "hush" gesture to calm her, but she continued to look at him with awe.

She understood why Thor had kept his powers secret. News of his ability to resurrect the dead would surely create a sensation!

"Don't tell anyone about this for now, understood?"

While he wasn't afraid, he knew the politicians would likely exploit his resurrection ability for their own gain. Now was not the time for such conflicts.

When the Sokovia Accords ignited the conflict between them, it would be the perfect moment for a decisive showdown with Washington!

At that moment, Helen Cho finally regained her composure and looked at Thor.

"Well, I... did you save me?"