Inside a house in Manhattan, New York City, Banner sat on the sofa opposite Noah, still shaken.
Just moments ago, the person in front of him, clad in high-tech armor, had given Banner a taste of what magic truly was.
As a scientist, the appearance of magic, something that should be impossible, had left his thoughts in disarray; he felt he might need to re-establish his Worldview, perhaps science wasn't the only path to explaining the World.
"So, Dr. Banner?" Noah saw Banner deep in thought, head bowed. Indeed, most scientists are materialists, and seeing something as idealistic as magic would likely be hard for them to accept. However, Noah thought Banner wouldn't be like that; in the movies, he hadn't reacted this way when he saw Loki and Thor. Could it be that in Banner's eyes, those two were just aliens, not Gods? Yes, their behavior didn't really resemble the Gods of legend.
"It's nothing, I'm fine, just a little surprised, but considering the Hulk inside me, and the two special existences like you and Iron Man, it doesn't seem so strange for you to tell me now that magic exists in the World."
Banner's psychological resilience was quite good; he quickly recovered from his surprise.
"That's good. The changes in the future World will be beyond your imagination. Knowing more now is a good thing."
Banner nodded thoughtfully, though he didn't know what changes the other party was referring to. Of course, no one could have imagined that the World would face so many disasters later on: alien armies invading Earth, Dimensional Demons invading Earth, the Mad Titan destroying half the Universe's population, the God Revitalizing and destroying Earth. In short, Earth was just so disaster-prone. If Noah hadn't watched the movies, how would he have known that so many major events would occur on a small Earth?
The sun gradually set, and it was now evening. The lingering glow of the sunset spilled onto the streets, bathing passing pedestrians and vehicles in a golden radiance. The distant clamor of vehicles and the murmur of crowds intertwined, forming a unique urban symphony. Banner quietly gazed at this scene, savoring the long-lost tranquility and beauty.
"So, Dr. Banner, what are your thoughts now?" Noah interrupted his moment of nostalgic contemplation.
Banner snapped back to reality. He remembered that the most important thing now was to deal with the mysterious mastermind. His thoughts had been interrupted by Noah's magic, and then seeing this peaceful scene had suddenly made him sentimental.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I got distracted." Banner turned back, his expression becoming a little more serious.
"Swift Wind Swordsman, you must already know what happened last night. Someone used gamma technology, similar to the Hulk inside me, to create some monsters to hunt me down."
"Although I transformed into the Hulk again last night and dealt with the invading enemies, I have a premonition that they won't give up easily, so I need your help, Swift Wind Swordsman."
Banner recounted the events of last night, then looked at Noah.
"Yes, but after this is over, you will work for me. I will also, as I said before, ensure you are no longer pursued by General Ross or anyone else. You want to live a normal life, don't you, with your girlfriend?" Noah leaned forward, speaking to Banner.
"Betty..." Remembering the girl who held a significant place in his heart, Banner's eyes became much more resolute: "No problem. If you can help me solve these troubles, I've wanted to end this kind of life for a long time."
Banner said, feeling that the person in front of him might genuinely help him end this terrible life. After all, he possessed powerful technological capabilities and even the legendary magic. Moreover, what he needed was only his intellect, not for him to transform into the Hulk to fight. Wasn't this the life he had yearned for? To be with Betty, engaged in the scientific research he loved.
No matter what, Banner believed this was an opportunity worth trying.
"Good, then follow me, I'll take you somewhere." Seeing his determined expression, Noah felt everything was OK. He stood up, drew a circle with his hand, and the Teleportation portal opened again. This time, Banner could feel a hint of the ocean's salty smell and a warm breeze coming from the other side.
Ocean? Where is it this time? Banner caught up to Noah's steps and stepped into the Teleportation portal again.
"This is an island in the Atlantic Ocean."
Banner looked around: beach, waves, and the sunset. This was indeed an island; besides the endless ocean, there was nothing else to be seen.
"So, why are we here?" Banner walked a few steps, dodging the waves that had spread onto the beach due to the rising tide, then asked.
"Follow me."
Noah walked towards the interior of the island, and Banner followed suit. The two walked through a dense palm grove and finally arrived at an area with buildings. Banner walked up beside Noah and looked ahead; what met his eyes was a... resort? Banner could only describe it as a resort: cabins, swimming pools, various entertainment facilities, a bar. Was Swift Wind Swordsman taking him on vacation?
Like this?
"What is this?"
"Don't worry, the main event hasn't started yet; these are all disguises." Noah continued walking forward, entering the cabin, then leading Banner into a small room. Afterward, the room's interior began to change: the walls transformed from wooden to white metal, then started to descend. This was an elevator leading underground.
Noah had asked Lissandra to purchase the island a few days ago, and the procedures were completed quickly. Noah took all the Nano Robots to the island that same day to begin processing. The efficiency of the Nano Robots was self-evident, and Noah had ample building materials, all previously stored. So, in less than two days, the resort on the island, which served as a cover, plus the Base beneath the island, were completed. This even included the time Noah spent on the design.
"This is... a laboratory?" The white metal door opened, and Banner saw the scene inside: many Robots were moving metal materials and constructing certain facilities in a way Banner had never seen before, looking like a factory. However, Banner also saw many advanced experimental equipment, so he assumed this was a laboratory.
"Yes, but don't rush. Blitzcrank, come here." Noah waved his hand towards the busy crowd of Robots, and then a White Robot walked over. It was Blitzcrank Unit One, modeled after Blitzcrank's Apple Robot skin. Before this, he was the butler Robot at Noah's estate, and now, Noah temporarily transferred him here, as he was the Robot foreman and also needed for construction.
"Blitzcrank, scan Dr. Banner." Noah turned and nodded towards Banner: "Dr. Banner, after the scan, you won't be cleared as an enemy by the defense system."
Banner nodded, watching as a scanning ray shot from the eyes of the two-meter-tall Robot in front of him. His eyes were also constantly scanning the situation of this underground Base; the other party's technological capabilities were indeed as powerful as he had imagined, even the artificial Robot technology was so maturely applied.
"Alright, then let's discuss how to deal with the enemy."
"Okay, what are you planning... watt?" Banner turned his head, only to see something else that shocked him.