Chapter 54: Assault

Zod's primary goal in hosting the KOF competition was to recruit talented fighters and acquire their advanced combat techniques. Compiling the data through the Black Queen, and leveraging his superhuman intellect, Zod absorbed the intricate muscle-strengthening techniques and fighting skills in just one read-through.

"These techniques are effective against humans, but where are the techniques for fighting monsters?" Zod mused after learning the skills.

While Kryptonians like Zod could typically defeat opponents with sheer physical power, facing beings like Hyperion, Sentry, Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, or Gladiator would require more than brute force. In those cases, advanced combat techniques would prove crucial.

After spending some time reviewing the competition's results, Zod returned to the Blade Technology Industry headquarters. Construction of the Los Angeles branch had already begun, with Urd estimating a year to complete the massive project, which spanned two football fields and included an auditorium.

"BOSS, here's the file you requested," a woman with fiery red hair announced as she entered Zod's office. She was dressed in a tight office outfit, her blouse unbuttoned just enough to catch attention.

"Who are you?" Zod asked, though he knew perfectly well.

"I'm Natalie, Secretary Urd's senior assistant," Black Widow replied smoothly.

"Where's Urd?" Zod asked while nodding.

"She took a leave for personal matters," Black Widow said, placing the file on his desk. As she bent over, she made sure her blouse gaped open, revealing more of her chest.

But to her surprise, Zod barely glanced at her. Instead, he focused on the document she had brought, ignoring her subtle attempts to seduce or distract him.

Is he pretending? Trying to play hard to get? Black Widow wondered. But as a seasoned spy, second only to Captain America in age, she knew better. Zod was genuinely uninterested.

Using the file as a barrier between them, Zod hid his smirk, amused by Black Widow's failed attempts at seduction. He admired her determination but made no further moves.

Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. experts had spent hours analyzing the video of the "door" Zod had designed but were unable to decipher it. Hydra operatives within S.H.I.E.L.D. had also received the footage, but like their counterparts, they were stumped. The door was a puzzle beyond their understanding. Breaking it through sheer force would be difficult too, as Blade Technology had more than fifty War Machines on standby.

Among the news in the file, Black Widow informed Zod about the ripple effects caused by Blade Technology's groundbreaking AIDS drug. With just one product, the company had crushed years of research and billions in funding from private and national research labs. Investors were scrambling to pull out their capital, leaving researchers desperate and frustrated. Many of these scientists had spent their entire careers in this field, only to see their hopes dashed overnight.

Faced with this, some labs tried to discredit Zod's breakthrough, claiming the drug had failed tests or had dangerous side effects. But Blade Technology had already cured hundreds of patients, many of whom had contracted AIDS through maternal-fetal transmission. To these patients, Blade Technology was a savior.

However, with such a massive success, Zod became a target. Mercenaries, corporate rivals, and even criminal organizations were reportedly plotting his assassination. Their motives were simple: greed. They cared little about the consequences of killing Zod—one of the century's greatest geniuses—as long as they profited.

Unfazed, Zod had the Black Queen investigate. Most of the plots were traced back to researchers who had been cut off financially by Zod's innovations. Some, though bitter about their misfortune, were open to working for him. Zod instructed the Black Queen to send invitations to these individuals, valuing their expertise and passion for research. Blade Technology had the resources to hire them, and Zod saw no reason to let their skills go to waste.

"Science shouldn't be dependent on a single breakthrough," Zod muttered, reflecting on how Blade Technology's AIDS drug couldn't be the only solution for major diseases. Science needed to progress in all directions, not just on the back of a vampire virus.

The file also contained updates on Zod's attempts to acquire YouTube and Twitter, which had been predictably rejected. Zod briefly considered whether he should handle the acquisitions himself. There was also news regarding The Clarion Daily, where Peter Parker worked. The newspaper industry was still viable in the U.S., and Zod had expressed interest in buying it. However, the owner of the paper refused to sell, which puzzled Zod. Considering the owner's penny-pinching nature, Zod had expected an easy purchase.

At that moment, outside Blade Technology's headquarters, a convoy of vehicles pulled up.

The security guard, flipping through an adult magazine, glanced up to see the convoy stop near the gate. He didn't think much of it at first, until one of the car doors opened.

A man stepped out, dressed in black body armor and holding an RPG. He wore a mask that concealed his face.

"Holy shit!" the security guard gasped, his eyes widening in horror.