I Give You Two Choices

While the matter with Knull was temporarily settled, Russell's tasks were not completely finished yet.

After storing the coffin-like metallic box back into the system space, he turned to look at the apparently lifeless Grendel lying beside him. He approached Grendel's massive head and gave it a kick.

"Get up, I know you're awake!"

Russell transformed Endosymbiotic Battle Armor's helmet into a discreet form that allowed him to see faces. He spoke to the feigned-dead Grendel.

Upon hearing his words, Grendel lifted the enormous head, larger than its own body, and looked at him with an "amiable" expression.

"Knull's situation is resolved, and now it's time to talk about your situation."

Russell's tone was calm as he spoke. 

Grendel nodded, indicating that it understood.

"Now, I'll give you two choices."

"First, you can continue being the carefree Grendel."

At this point, Russell deliberately paused.

Because he saw in Grendel's white eyes the inclination towards choosing this option.

"You can continue being the carefree Grendel, but for the safety of Earth's humanity, given your past actions, I will kill you directly to prevent you from harming others."

Grendel widened its eyes and immediately shook its head.

While Grendel didn't speak, Russell understood its meaning.

"Very well! I'm also not particularly inclined toward you choosing this option."

Seeing Grendel's current behavior, Russell nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Second, you follow me. I assure your safety, supervise your actions, and when I need it, you contribute your abilities."

"In return, you can live safely on Earth. I'll provide you with shelter and food."

Although Russell's words might have seemed complicated, the core idea was straightforward: Grendel was to become his subordinate.

If Grendel didn't agree, he would use the pretext of maintaining Earth's safety to kill Grendel directly.

Despite being frozen for a long time, Grendel's intelligence hadn't decreased due to extended freezing.

It decisively made a choice.

"I choose the second one!"

Grendel spoke up.

"Very well, I like your attitude now."

After saying that, Russell gestured with his finger for Grendel to lower its head.

Although Grendel didn't know what Russell was about to do, it obediently followed his instructions, lowering its massive head.

Once Grendel's head was lowered, Russell retracted the fully intelligent liquid metal from his right hand, revealing his hand.

Subsequently, a white tendril shot out from his right hand, entering Grendel's large head.

Healing!

Russell didn't attack Grendel; instead, he began to heal it.

Using the extraordinary healing ability of symbiote Serum, he healed the Symbiote Dragon, Grendel.

It had to be said, this was quite a unique experience.

In fact, even if he didn't help Grendel heal, it would have gradually recovered on its own.

However, for the upcoming plan, Russell decided to heal Grendel in advance.

As he was healing Grendel, a system notification appeared that only he could see.

"Evolution Reward: King's Serum; Status: Activated; Activation Condition: Defeat the Symbiote Dragon Grendel; Activation Effect: Serum evolves into King's Serum; Evolution Count: 2 times!"

Except for the status changing to "Activated" and the addition of "Evolution Count: 2 times" at the end, the other information was identical to the previous time.

After reading the system message, Russell slightly frowned.

The reward was activated, but the capabilities of the King's Serum remained unexplained by the system.

The system remained as aloof as ever!

It seemed he would have to explore its abilities on his own again!

Russell closed the system interface and focused on healing Grendel.

Although Grendel's size was massive, healing it wasn't particularly difficult.

It already possessed extraordinary regenerative abilities, and Russell was merely providing it with more energy, accelerating the process.

In less than a minute, Grendel, which had been on the brink of death, was restored to a lively state.

Once Grendel had recovered, Russell retracted the white tendril from his right hand, returning Endosymbiotic Battle Armor's right hand to its normal appearance.

Grendel lifted its massive head and looked at Russell, full of respect, despite its larger size.

"Your injuries have been healed. Now, I need you to do something."

"Master, please command. Your orders are Grendel's missions!"

Grendel spoke respectfully.

Although its words sounded respectful, coupled with its appearance, it created a stark contrast.

Russell didn't pay attention to this small detail and continued, "Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, there are several second-generation symbiotes that split from your body."

"The task I have for you is simple."

"Go to the S.H.I.E.L.D. base and bring back all those second-generation symbiotes, including the three that I had previously imprisoned."

While leaving these second-generation symbiotes to Hydra wouldn't be a significant problem, since he had decided to resort to the dark side, he might as well go all the way.

For creatures like symbiotes, it was better to keep them in his own hands.

"No problem, Master, I'll go right away!"

Grendel quickly replied.

"Good, then go now. I'll be waiting for you about a hundred kilometers east of the base!"

After saying that, Russell activated the flight engines in his feet and flew towards the S.H.I.E.L.D. base.

Once he took off, Grendel didn't hesitate. It flapped its enormous wings and followed behind Russell.

Norway, Finnmark County, S.H.I.E.L.D. base.

With the equipment they had prepared in advance for recapturing symbiote agents, Natasha and Barton successfully subdued the rampaging second-generation symbiotes.

After locking up these six second-generation symbiotes, which were driven wild by Knull's consciousness, in specially designed equipment, Natasha and Barton glanced at the wreckage of the laboratory, panting heavily.

While they had managed to subdue these second-generation symbiotes, they had still paid a significant price.

Over twenty S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had died at the hands of the rampaging second-generation symbiotes.

"Has the headquarters' support not arrived yet?"

Barton folded his bow and turned to Natasha, who was nearby.

"It's coming, I estimate they'll be here in a little over ten minutes."

Natasha replied slowly.

At the moment the base was invaded, it had sent out a distress signal to headquarters.

While S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't send personnel directly from their Triskelion headquarters in Washington, they could dispatch support from other bases in Northern Europe.

"They better arrive soon; I have a bad feeling about this."

Barton looked at Natasha, his expression serious.

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