Just as crimson energy was about to engulf Peter and the others, a beam of light intercepted it, blocking zombie Wanda's power.
The light in Marcus's eyes gradually faded, and before him, a massive hole appeared—large enough for people to pass through.
"There aren't many survivors left in this world. If you keep killing like this, there won't be anyone remaining in the universe," Marcus's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
The flesh and blood beneath his feet suddenly swelled, covering everything around them.
Countless tentacles launched in all directions. Except for the area where Peter's group stood, tough appendages appeared everywhere. Whether zombies or mutants, all were impaled by the organic weapons.
Their bodies rapidly withered and merged toward Marcus.
As increasing numbers of zombies and mutants integrated into his form, Nidus gradually transformed.
Originally resembling battle armor constructed from countless entangled flesh tentacles, now it appeared significantly refined.
Golden lines decorated the armor's surface while bright red and pink flesh appendages gradually turned blue-black. Obviously, this configuration was becoming far more dangerous.
WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH...
When all tentacles retracted, the armor's appearance had changed dramatically. The aura emanating from Marcus became even more terrifying—much stronger than before.
"It's that man!" Though rescued by Marcus, Peter recognized him the moment he witnessed the tentacle eruption.
His spider-sense was frantically alarming, making him want to flee immediately.
"It's him—he released those flesh pillars!" Peter shouted, but everyone remained silent.
Even without Peter's announcement, they'd observed everything clearly.
After all, the tentacles that had enveloped their surroundings moments ago had destroyed everything nearby. Those zombies were swept away—only zombie Wanda remained unharmed.
"Hmm... it seems more is needed to complete transformation," Marcus observed.
The golden patterns on his body gathered on his right hand, solidifying into metal while several fingernails transformed into sharp claws.
So many zombies had only achieved partial nail transformation. At this rate, even eliminating all Earth's undead wouldn't provide sufficient material for armor upgrade.
Marcus looked up again at zombie Wanda, who was desperately using crimson power to resist tentacle attacks.
The reason zombie Wanda survived was that her inherent power was formidable enough, and Marcus hadn't released full strength. After all, one zombie Wanda couldn't compare to countless undead.
Now he retracted all tentacles. Though this only achieved partial nail transformation, the strength improvement remained unquestionable.
Observing Wanda shrouded in red light from a distance, Marcus stomped the ground fiercely. Countless flesh tentacles and spikes erupted, attacking zombie Wanda like a tidal wave.
The biological landscape expanded frantically as all buildings and machinery merged with living terrain, forming bizarre scenery.
Naturally, Marcus also charged toward zombie Wanda. No obstacles existed before him—nothing could resist those tentacles and spikes clearing his path.
BANG, BANG, BANG...
With explosive sounds, the crimson shield surrounding zombie Wanda began detonating continuously.
With each explosion, tentacles and spikes also shattered.
However, Marcus didn't concern himself with these losses. Those destroyed elements were worthless to him—after the biological landscape attacked, shattered components would be reabsorbed and continue assaulting.
"You appear very angry, but you still must come down!"
Upon speaking, Marcus raised his right hand. The flesh terrain beneath his feet extended countless tentacles that intertwined, forming a giant hand to grasp Wanda.
"Ugh... that looks genuinely disgusting!"
One survivor spoke while trying to suppress nausea. He clearly witnessed countless maggots writhing on the skinless giant appendage.
Though others didn't speak, they shared identical expressions. Peter was even more horrified, frightened by such scenes.
Everyone watched zombie Wanda being caught by the giant hand and tightly grasped. They could see nothing except red light.
"Will Wanda be in trouble?"
Though zombie Wanda had been pursuing them, Peter didn't want to witness his former friend killed like this. After all, they didn't know whether this strange individual was an enemy.
"Wanda's power is tremendous. Instead of worrying about her, we should concern ourselves with our situation," Hope observed, watching gradually retracting tentacles around them.
She planned to evacuate everyone immediately to the hangar and depart via Harrier jet.
Her words made everyone react. This wasn't leisure time—they needed to exploit the gap between combatants to escape immediately.
The next moment, everyone hurried toward the hangar.
Their departure didn't provoke Marcus's response. He was studying Wanda, tightly grasped by the giant hand.
Wanda's chaos magic was extraordinarily powerful, especially after zombification. She held nothing back when using chaos magic, exerting maximum effort with every attack.
While she appeared caught by Marcus's giant appendage, in reality, he hadn't harmed her at all. The crimson shield around zombie Wanda blocked all assaults.
"After connecting to different planes, Wanda's power has intensified, but as a zombie, even while maintaining some intelligence, she can't compare to normal state."
If this were normal Wanda, such power would cast more formidable magic. But in zombie Wanda's hands, she could only release energy and attack like a berserker.
As he spoke, Power empowerment energy was released. The flesh giant hand gradually turned light purple while crimson light illuminated all surrounding power.
"Though you've never seen me, I've observed you and your other selves. Have a pleasant journey..."
The moment he finished speaking, the lavender flesh giant hand clenched tighter. The crimson shield cracked with crackling sounds.
Then, in a burst of red light, everything nearby was destroyed.
"Truly formidable, but unfortunately, the giant hand was only for capture. The real killing blow wasn't the clenched fist!"
The next moment, zombie Wanda, having experienced the explosion, was instantly pierced by countless tentacles and rapidly merged with those appendages.
"Zombie Wanda has also been eliminated. I wonder how long this armor's promotion will require."
Wanda's power was indeed tremendous. After absorption, the armor's promotion speed increased considerably.
The claws that were originally only partially transformed had now achieved completion—the nails had become genuine talons.
BOOM...
Just as Marcus was reflecting, an aircraft flew overhead—the plane carrying Peter's group. Their current destination was the presently safest location: Wakanda.
After watching the plane depart, Marcus didn't restrain himself. No life existed here except Peter's group—he could act without limitation.
Marcus raised his foot and stomped the ground. The next moment, countless tough appendages spread outward like sharp swords. Whether buildings or distant zombies, even those hiding underground with malicious intent, all were swept by tentacles.
Countless tentacles faced no restrictions as the biological landscape expanded rapidly outward.
Earth resembled growing mold. The infected area became the planet's most problematic location, with contamination constantly growing and expanding outward.
"This pace isn't bad. Earth's fall won't take long," Marcus observed.
He understood the Infestation virus's terror. Though these pathogens had no effect on his armor, they remained devastating for others.
Otherwise, the Orokin Empire that manufactured the armor wouldn't have deployed configurations to eliminate proliferating mutated monsters.
Even a civilization like the Orokin Empire couldn't solve such problems. How could people here resist pillar mutant attacks?
Soon, Earth would become a planet resembling the Infested landscape, then be completely absorbed by Marcus, providing sufficient power for his promotion.
Wakanda - The Last Sanctuary
Outside Wakanda, countless zombified Chitauri continuously attacked the nation's defensive barriers.
When the aircraft carrying Peter's group landed, numerous zombies moved away from the plane's vicinity.
The Mind Stone in Peter's possession was still protecting them, providing zombie-repelling power.
Okoye waved her spear before the barrier, opening a small gap. Everyone hurried into Wakanda. Only after Peter, holding the Mind Stone, entered did the defensive barrier return to normal.
Compared to scenes outside the defensive barrier, Wakanda resembled paradise. Numerous troops had gathered here, prepared to welcome Chitauri breaking through barrier defenses.
"Give the Mind Stone to Shuri—she knows what to do!" Black Panther T'Challa told Peter before being taken to the medical wing.
Though Vision had mutilated him, the android's research was correct—indeed, no zombies existed near Base 1.
"Understood!" Peter and everyone walked toward Wakanda's center, where T'Challa's sister Shuri awaited them.
While walking, they observed their surroundings. As the most technologically advanced location, Wakanda should logically be the safest place. However, few people seemed present—only warriors in square formations were visible.
"Wakanda has also encountered the same crisis. If everyone hadn't reacted promptly, you'd see fewer people," a guard explained.
Now all tribes under Wakanda had entered the capital—what everyone witnessed represented all of Wakanda's forces.
"It seems this place is only marginally better than ours," Hope nodded gently.
Everyone soon reached Wakanda's center. The moment Shuri met the group, Peter handed her the Mind Stone.
"Vision said the Mind Stone has certain inhibitory effects on zombie virus. It might help you."
Looking at the yellow Mind Stone Peter offered, Shuri remained silent momentarily before beginning to act.
Since the Mind Stone was here, it meant Vision had vanished. Regardless of who was responsible, at least Vision had left them something valuable.
"I understand. Perhaps I can connect it to Wakanda's central energy. If it's truly as you described, Wakanda will become much safer."
Though Wakanda currently faced no problems, the defensive barrier was approaching its limits. If conditions continued, they could only choose combat.
Afterward, Shuri took the Mind Stone and became busy. Naturally, the gem couldn't be directly inserted into central energy.
Without proper connections, the Mind Stone would become a projectile, launched the moment it contacted the central energy source.
Fortunately, such devices weren't difficult to manufacture, at least for Shuri. Under everyone's observation, she operated various equipment. A device tailored for the Mind Stone was successfully created.
The device's appearance looked extraordinary—diamond-shaped surfaces were extremely smooth, reflecting surrounding people's images.
Circuits and energy channels gave the device technological aesthetic appeal.
Especially when the Mind Stone was placed within, yellow energy instantly filled every component. Radiating energy channels proved to everyone that this device contained tremendous power.
"Success! Once added to central energy, the defensive barrier can obtain Mind Stone energy."
After confirming no problems with her creation, Shuri brought the device into the central energy area with satisfaction.
Moments later, the defensive barrier surrounding Wakanda gradually changed color—from blue to yellow—also gaining Mind Stone power.
Vision hadn't deceived them. The Mind Stone could genuinely suppress zombie instincts. At least after barrier transformation, all nearby zombies stopped attacking and stood motionless like sculptures.
"It seems effective. Though I don't know its usefulness against super zombies, it's at least beneficial for these lesser threats."
For Wakanda, vast numbers of zombie fodder posed the greatest trouble. After all, undead weren't afraid of death—they attacked barriers frantically, gradually weakening defenses until breakthrough plunged Wakanda into warfare.
Seeing Shuri's explanation, Peter immediately remembered Vision's words.
"The Mind Stone isn't effective against powerful zombies. Wanda was like that—there was no way to stop her except forcing sleep."
Wanda's power remained vivid in his memory. While thinking of zombie Wanda, the individual who'd spread something more terrifying than zombie virus made him shudder.