Chapter 101: If Not, Take All Humanity and Run
Ryan finally understood the cause of the zombie outbreak.
Angus had used cellular reanimation technology to stimulate cell regeneration, but the reanimated cells were only biologically active—not physiologically functional.
Simply put, the resurrected person's bodily tissues were technically alive, while their organs and neural networks remained dead, leaving the infected in a state of half-life—neither truly living nor completely dead.
All actions were driven by the body's most primitive instincts: hunger, aggression, and the innate drive to consume.
"Goddamn lunatic."
Ryan was deeply invested in genetic research, but he adhered to one fundamental principle: follow the laws of biological evolution. He could enhance or even alter genetic sequences, but he would never reverse the natural order.
Resurrection was taboo in the field of genetics—a fundamental violation of natural law.
Banner couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Ryan, have you figured it out?"
"Yeah. Angus was a reckless idiot researching genetic resurrection technology."
Even though Bruce Banner didn't specialize in genetics, he understood the profound wrongness of resurrection.
It violated both ethics and the natural progression of life—and was virtually guaranteed to fail catastrophically.
Corvus approached with retrieved surveillance footage. "Boss, I've copied everything."
Seeing Bruce Banner, Corvus immediately became wary.
Ryan waved his hand dismissively. "Show me the footage."
Banner thought he might not be Ryan's equal in a fight, but it wouldn't be easy for Ryan to kill him either. Even if outmatched, he could escape.
He certainly didn't consider Corvus a threat.
The Hulk bent down to pick up the holographic projection device, powered it on, and extended a massive green hand toward Corvus, gesturing for the data drive. Corvus handed over the USB containing the surveillance footage.
Banner inserted the drive and tapped the holographic interface several times.
BEEP.
The surveillance footage immediately appeared.
Ryan and Banner watched in silence, their expressions growing increasingly grim.
Bruce Banner's face turned an even deeper shade of green—clearly furious.
"This maniac actually resurrected Steve and Bucky!"
Ryan speculated grimly. "Both of them had the Super-Soldier Serum in their cellular structure. Losing metabolic function while retaining cellular activity makes them exponentially stronger, and they're also highly infectious. That's why ordinary people who are bitten become so difficult to kill—unless you use high-caliber weapons or extreme force."
Transforming Earth's six billion people into undead bio-weapons, and super-soldier-level zombies that feel no pain or fear death—Angus would surely leave a lasting mark in human history, assuming humanity still had a history.
"Dr. Ryan, can you develop a cure?"
"Don't give me too much credit. I don't even know Angus's exact formula. Whether a cure can be developed, and when, is completely unknown."
It wasn't that Ryan didn't want to save the world—he genuinely wasn't sure if it was possible.
Pharmacology was about chemical interactions, and different compounds could react in millions of unpredictable ways when combined.
Finding compound A for the zombie serum meant the antidote could require compounds B, D, or even H—it wasn't something you could simply deduce.
There might not even be an antidote at all, just like with cancer.
"I need to take these experimental materials back for research. We'll see what develops."
Even if Banner brought the data back, he wouldn't be able to analyze it effectively, so he had to entrust it to Ryan.
On the flight back, Ryan wrestled with countless questions but couldn't find answers.
He couldn't understand why a zombie crisis had erupted in this prime timeline.
There were many theories about the origin of the Marvel Zombies universe: the Wasp brought it back from the Quantum Realm, Magneto brought it from another dimension, and Reed Richards deliberately created it after losing his family.
The one theory that didn't exist was the resurrection of Captain America and the Winter Soldier.
Back on Celestial Island, Ryan immediately dove into the laboratory and assigned Maya Hansen to analyze all of Angus's experimental data.
He split his two most trusted operatives—Corvus was responsible for evacuating all Celestial Island families and bringing them to safety, while Anthony was tasked with scavenging essential supplies from the mainland.
Forty-eight hours passed in a blur.
After two days and nights of intensive work, Ryan finally emerged from the lab.
By this time, Celestial Island's population had increased more than tenfold. Long lines formed to register identities, arrange accommodations, and collect necessities. The logistics coordinator, Anthony, was overwhelmed with work.
Corvus, who constantly monitored external developments, immediately came over after learning Ryan had emerged.
"Boss!"
"What's the situation out there?"
Ryan, who hadn't eaten or slept for 48 hours, showed no signs of exhaustion. He opened a beer and sat in a chair on the porch.
Corvus reported, "The situation is dire. Almost all cities in the eastern United States have fallen. Similar outbreaks have occurred globally. Fortunately, we received advance warning, so we can hold out temporarily. But if we run out of ammunition..."
Corvus didn't finish. Running out of ammunition meant only one outcome—there were no alternatives.
"President Ross still hasn't been found. He's probably hiding somewhere. The Avengers have conducted several aerial bombardments, but with minimal effectiveness. They're still organizing civilian evacuations."
President Ross had concealed his identity as the Red Hulk, so even if he encountered infected, he shouldn't be in serious danger. The Avengers' limited manpower made controlling a zombie horde numbering in the billions nearly impossible.
Without a cure, Earth might truly be finished.
Ryan sighed and drained his beer.
Ryan had no progress on the cure. In 48 hours, he'd successfully reverse-engineered Angus's experiment, but cracking the formula to create an antidote was tens, even hundreds of times more difficult than creating the zombie serum.
By the time a cure was developed, how many people would still be alive on Earth?
Ryan glanced at the completed palace in the distance. It was magnificent and imposing—a monument to power.
His vision of dominion had been within reach, yet he'd never expected the world to end like this. Life was full of surprises—cruel, unexpected ones.
Ryan hadn't finished processing his thoughts when a sling ring portal suddenly opened before him. Corvus immediately raised his glaive, positioning himself between Ryan and the portal in a defensive stance.
WHOOSH!
The portal opened completely, and three figures emerged.
Doctor Strange, Nick Fury, and Bruce Banner in Hulk form.
The portal didn't close immediately—perhaps fearing Ryan's sudden attack and leaving an escape route available.
"Stop right there. You're not welcome here."
Corvus pointed his glaive at the three in warning.
Strange ignored Corvus, looking past him at Ryan. "Ryan, we need to talk."
Ryan smiled coldly. "About what? Imprisoning me forever or taking my life?"
"You understand the current situation. I believe we should set aside our differences and work together to resolve this crisis for humanity."
The Avengers must be desperate, or they wouldn't have come to Ryan for help.
Sitting on the porch, Ryan asked with amusement, "How do you plan to solve this? If you could handle it by force, you wouldn't be here. So you're here for a cure?"
The typically mild-mannered Bruce Banner stepped forward. "Dr. Ryan, we've assembled many biological experts, but progress has been slow. Perhaps if we combine our research resources, we can actually develop a cure."
Ryan shook his head. "Sorry, Dr. Banner, I don't mean to discourage you, but researching a cure isn't as simple as you think."
From a biological perspective, the infected were mindless organisms. Their bodies were alive, but their neural networks were dead.
After Angus incorporated the non-metabolizing genes from black coral, the infected's cellular lifespan far exceeded normal humans—they required only minimal flesh and blood to survive indefinitely.
If they were ordinary zombies, this wouldn't pose an existential threat to humanity. But Angus's first subjects were Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes—two super-soldiers who'd been enhanced with the serum.
The combination of the cellular reanimation serum and the Super-Soldier Serum produced an unpredictable and catastrophic chemical reaction.
The current zombie Captain America was several times stronger than before, and anyone bitten by him instantly became an undead bio-weapon with physiques comparable to super-soldiers.
What did it mean to have billions of pain-immune, fearless super-soldiers? The thought was terrifying.
"Is there anything we can do? We can work together to find a solution."
Ryan shook his head grimly. "Identifying the compounds needed to counteract the zombie virus from countless possibilities will take time—a very long time. I'm afraid humanity can't wait that long."
Bruce Banner asked despondently, "Is humanity really going to go extinct?"
Ryan chuckled darkly. "He's a sorcerer, right? Why not have him open portals to another planet?"
Banner's eyes widened. This was actually a viable solution for their current predicament.
It would both relieve the pressure on the Avengers and preserve humanity's future. Even Strange himself hadn't considered this option.
As Banner and Ryan talked, Nick Fury observed Ryan intently, hoping to learn more about him and identify weaknesses through this face-to-face encounter.
Upon hearing Ryan's suggestion to abandon Earth, Nick Fury interjected, "If there's any solution, it's definitely better to stay on Earth. After all, Earth is humanity's only home."
Nick Fury was testing Ryan, but Ryan ignored him. Although the fake Nick Fury had been a Skrull, the same face made Ryan uncomfortable.
Seeing Ryan didn't respond, Bruce Banner took over. "Staying on Earth is definitely preferable, but before we find a solution, we should establish a way to evacuate civilians."
Ryan then looked directly at Strange. "Can we talk privately?"
Strange had lost an arm to Ryan, and it was a rare opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation.
He also had much to say. Seeing Ryan's invitation, Strange nodded in agreement.
Ryan then led Strange into the palace.
End of Chapter 101
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