To get a clear picture of his current level of strength, Roger deliberately tested both his telekinesis and the changes to his body.
At this point, simply using telekinesis to propel himself through the air allowed him to reach Mach 4.
The harsh conditions of the upper atmosphere were no longer a limiting factor.
His telekinetic lifting strength had surpassed 25 tons, reaching the lower threshold of Strength Level 5.
That meant that, while fully focused, Roger could lift objects weighing up to twenty-five tons and suspend them in midair.
If he hurled something that massive at an enemy, the resulting destruction would be catastrophic.
As for pure physical strength, Roger could easily lift objects weighing around 100 tons.
This was only a rough estimate, since he had no accurately weighed boulders to test against, but his physical power was roughly at the lower threshold of Strength Level 7.
And this was only the beginning.
As time passed, his strength would continue to increase until it reached the maximum his body could withstand.
To maintain a normal physique, Roger had deliberately given up a portion of Hulk’s strength.
However, thanks to the enhancement provided by the True Reward, he could unleash even greater power by tearing his clothes apart as his muscles rapidly expanded.
As a result, despite weakening the serum’s raw power, Roger could still achieve more than 150% of Wrath Hulk’s strength.
As for speed, his running speed alone was enough to produce sonic booms.
Sprinting at full speed, he was like a supersonic heavy tank charging across the battlefield—a fully automatic siege cannon with built-in target tracking.
Although he had sacrificed some raw strength because he had no desire to inherit Hulk’s green skin or gigantic physique, he had perfectly inherited Hulk’s defensive capabilities and regenerative powers.
With Endurance Level 6, he was already a monster.
Ordinary heavy weapons could no longer injure him.
Only weapons on the level of the Hellfire missile that had nearly killed him before were capable of breaking through his defenses.
Even then, any injuries he sustained would visibly heal within an extremely short time.
Roger had now almost perfectly recreated the full power of the Wrath Hulk from Hulk, even surpassing him in raw strength.
“Woohoo!”
After spending an entire day flying through the sky, Roger finally satisfied his excitement and returned to an altitude of over ten thousand meters, gradually calming his racing heart.
Watching the horizon slowly brighten, he took a deep breath before exhaling slowly, preparing to welcome the dawn.
After obtaining Absorbing Man’s powers, Roger wanted to test whether he could use his energy absorption ability to absorb solar radiation and strengthen his own body.
Just like Superman.
If it worked…
Then he’d become a Hulk version of Superman.
Golden light illuminated the clouds ten thousand meters above the earth, painting them with a radiant glow.
Reflected in Roger’s eyes burned a blazing flame called ambition.
…
Meanwhile, at a nearby Ten Rings outpost, two sentries stood watch.
Suddenly, they dropped to their knees in terror, staring at the brilliant golden radiance filling the sky.
The golden light pierced the thick blanket of darkness.
A gigantic human figure sat cross-legged among the clouds, occupying the entire sky.
Bathed in holy golden light, it flickered in and out of view.
“Quick! Inform the chief! Allah has appeared!”
The heavenly phenomenon lasted for half an hour.
The chaos within the Ten Rings camp lasted just as long.
Every terrorist present knelt on the ground with reverent expressions, gazing at the lingering divine glow overhead, unable to bring themselves to stand.
The only person still standing was their bald leader.
He stared at the sky with utter disgust, his eyes filled with jealousy and greed.
He knew this wasn’t some god.
There were no gods in this world.
And if there were…
It would be him.
He would become the world’s one true god with Stark’s ultimate weapons.
With one kick, he sent one of the kneeling men sprawling and roared,
“Get back to your posts, you useless bastards!”
…
Ten thousand meters above the ground, Roger had finally returned from his ten-meter-tall golden giant form to his normal appearance.
Moments earlier, he had attempted to absorb the energy radiated by the rising sun.
Instead, the overwhelming solar energy had swelled inside his body, transforming him into a gigantic being of pure light.
Unable to release the immense energy gathering within him, his body had continued to expand until he finally reached his limit.
With no other choice, Roger completely let go of his restraints, allowing the terrifying energy to find its own outlet.
It erupted violently.
The sensation of every one of his seven orifices bursting open and spewing blazing light was something Roger would never forget.
Fortunately, Wrath Hulk’s regenerative ability was extraordinary.
Within only a few seconds, Roger had completely recovered.
Unfortunately, his plan of becoming a green Superman had failed.
He couldn’t convert the absorbed solar energy into a special energy capable of strengthening his body.
Instead, the violent energy could only be absorbed by his gamma cells, replenishing the energy his newly enhanced body required.
But that wasn’t what Roger wanted.
“It looks like I’ll have to visit Superman’s universe someday… though I’ll need to make far more preparations first.”
Muttering to himself, Roger descended from the sky and headed straight toward the Ten Rings base.
During these final few days, he intended to remain inside the cave around the clock to make sure he didn’t miss Iron Man’s debut.
At the same time, he also needed to master the terrifying power he had suddenly obtained and learn how to control it.
…
May 1, 2008
Ten Rings Cave
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
Using a psychic illusion, Roger curled up in a surveillance blind spot inside Stark’s workshop, disguising himself as nothing more than a rock.
At that moment, Stark and Yinsen were still working tirelessly on the Mark I armor.
The furnace had burned continuously for three months without ever going out.
Pile after pile of loose iron sand melted under the blazing heat. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Strike after strike of the hammer compressed the scattered particles together until they became one.
Through relentless forging, crude iron was transformed into steel.
Like those pieces of iron, Stark’s once-clouded and directionless heart had been ignited.
Within the prison of darkness that surrounded him, he slowly rekindled the light inside himself…
And, in time, the light that would illuminate the entire world.
“Yinsen, we should take a break. Escaping this place is going to take a lot of energy.”
Stark somehow produced two dice from somewhere, tossed them in his hand with a grin, and raised an eyebrow at Yinsen.
“You’re right.”
Yinsen smiled knowingly.
“We’ll need to conserve our strength.”
The two of them then began playing a board game improvised from screws and nuts.
Hidden quietly in the corner, Roger listened as they talked about their lives.
When the conversation turned to family, Stark fell silent.
He hadn’t even considered Roger—who had been by his side for over ten years—as family.
The conversation made Roger feel strangely irritated.
Seriously?
After thousands of battles together, our comradeship means nothing now?
All those yacht parties… private gatherings… late-night fishing trips… watching the scenery from high above… was all of that fake?
“Come on, I’ve helped take half the burden off your kidneys, you ungrateful bastard.”
Stark suddenly sneezed.
Then, as though he had heard something, he turned toward Roger’s hiding place with a puzzled expression.
With a loud clang, the prison door swung open.
Dozens of armed terrorists filed inside, surrounding their bald leader.
Roger nearly burst out laughing.
Serves you right.
Goofing off… relaxing… playing games when you’re already standing at death’s door.
Now that Baldy’s here to light a fire under you, you’ll have no choice but to pull an all-nighter and get the armor online.
After the terrorists finally left, Roger looked at Stark’s darkened expression and couldn’t help secretly chuckling to himself.
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(End of Chapter)