The screen on the third underground floor displayed Abomination's hulking form. He sat slumped against the metal wall, eyes half-closed, his monstrous features eerily calm. Unlike the Hulk, Abomination appeared permanently trapped in this mutated state—a grotesque prison of his own making. Yet Bronski might not see it as a curse. His warped values seemed to revel in Abomination's brutish, combat-ready physique. "Can you control him?" Hong Fei asked abruptly.
Samuel shook his head. "No. His mind is too violent, too savage. I can maintain brief control, but the strain is immense." Hong Fei focused, his Psychic Power expanding outward. In his mind's eye, Abomination's spirit materialized as a colossal, blood-red phantom, dwarfing even six grown men. Though physically restrained, Abomination's psyche was a tempest—a predator coiled to strike.
Hong Fei's eyes narrowed. His Psychic Power coalesced into chains, binding the phantom with unyielding force. Abomination's body jerked violently in the cell before settling back into stillness. Simultaneously, Hong Fei felt a surge of raw, destructive emotion flood his mind. He clamped down on the impulse, focusing on maintaining control. On the screen, Abomination abruptly rose to his feet, limbs twitching as he attempted awkward, unnatural movements.
In the Telepathy, the bound phantom thrashed against its chains. A blood-red maw gaped wide in a silent, furious roar. No wonder Samuel struggled—the psychic strain was overwhelming. With Abomination's relentless resistance and the invasive emotions battering his mind, Samuel's limited energy reserves couldn't sustain the effort for long. Hong Fei's own Psychic Power was sufficient to trap Abomination's spirit, but destroying it outright was beyond his current capabilities.
Forcing Abomination to self-destruct would risk snapping the psychic chains entirely. This wasn't a flaw in the technique—it was a fundamental survival instinct shared by all living beings. Hong Fei decided against pushing further. While the potential skill card Abomination might drop was tempting, the creature's sheer strength and endurance made direct confrontation impossible. Hong Fei's body, though enhanced, still fell far short of Abomination's monstrous capabilities. Some battles simply couldn't be won, and there was no shame in acknowledging that. Techniques and skills had their limits.
No matter how skilled Hong Fei became, his human-level physique couldn't overcome a creature that far surpassed those limits. Still, as his physical fitness and energy reserves improved in the future, these techniques would evolve into something more profound—perhaps called "Dao and Principles" rather than mere skills. Withdrawing his Psychic Power, Hong Fei released Abomination's spirit. He leaned down and activated the console's microphone. "Emile Bronski."
On the screen, Abomination roared furiously toward the ceiling as he broke free from control, but the sound died in his throat at the mention of his name. Hong Fei stayed silent. Abomination's brow furrowed, and after a moment, a savage grin spread across his face. "You're definitely not General Ross." "Didn't you already know that?" Abomination clenched his massive fist. "Now, I'm even more certain." "Then do you want to try something?" Hong Fei asked, his hand hovering over a row of bright red buttons. "You think I wouldn't dare?"
Abomination's grin bore none of the Hulk's simple charm. It was a terrifying thing, more akin to a predator baring its teeth. Just as Hong Fei's finger hovered over the button, Abomination's fist unclenched. The creature retreated to his corner and slumped down. "You've got powers," he rumbled, his voice carrying Bronski's sharp intellect. "And the other one—same abilities. You're some kind of special government unit, aren't you? Hidden beneath the surface? Or maybe you're independent of any regime?"
Though violence defined him now, Abomination retained a capacity for thought that the Hulk lacked. The Hulk grew stronger with rage, his fury leaving little room for reason. Abomination didn't share that trait, and rationality was his lifeline. Hong Fei remained silent. Abomination tilted his head, scanning the ceiling for cameras he couldn't see. "Maybe I could join you," he ventured. "You've already proven you can control me. All I want is a fight. Preferably one that never ends."
Samuel leaned in, his voice low. "Boss, I think it's worth considering."
Hong Fei's response was measured. "I'll think about it."
Abomination's tone grew urgent. "Better think fast. I don't know how strong this cage is, but I can't keep waiting. There's a beast in my head, and it's growing restless."
Hong Fei raised an eyebrow, then slammed his palm onto the button. The room transformed instantly. Rows of nozzles emerged from the six metal walls, unleashing azure flames from every direction—above, below, left, right, front, and back. Thick tendrils of lightning crackled through the air, lashing Abomination's body like iron whips.
The creature leaped to his feet, but there was no escape. Every corner blazed with high-temperature flames and crackling currents. His agonized screams filled the room as the flames seared his green skin, turning it black. The lightning split the charred flesh open, exposing raw meat beneath, only for the flames to scorch it anew.
The cycle repeated relentlessly. Soon, Abomination was a patchwork of black and green, his body smoking as he writhed and howled. After a full minute, a blinding white flash signaled the end of the torment. Hong Fei shut off the flames and currents. Abomination collapsed with a thud, his scorched flesh hissing against the red-hot floor.
He writhed, chunks of charred skin sloughing off. His body looked desiccated, like a mummified corpse. Hong Fei watched impassively. He wasn't opposed to keeping Abomination—or recruiting him, if possible. That was why he'd waited until now to test the fire and electricity torture. Constant punishment would only breed hatred, leaving no choice but to kill him.
This particular punishment was for his threat and had nothing to do with the skill card. Of course, if he continued to be disobedient, killing him was also an option. "If there's a next time," Hong Fei said coldly, "you can just go ahead and die." He cut the communication abruptly.
Turning to the technician monitoring Abomination, Hong Fei ordered, "Add a few liquid tanks—ones that can fill within ten seconds." His gaze shifted to Samuel. "You extracted his tissue and blood, didn't you? Find the most effective poison. Something fast."
"I want something that'll have him swimming in poison within ten seconds. The kind that eats through flesh and bone. Got it?" Samuel's cheek twitched. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, but he managed a quick bow. "Understood, Boss. I'll find the most potent poison available."
Hong Fei's voice dropped to a murmur. "I can't stand being threatened. For a moment there, I thought I was the one locked up." He walked out, leaving Big Head and the others in the monitoring room shifting uncomfortably, their faces pale.
Returning to the surface, Hong Fei sat on the rooftop. Shortly after, a skill card floated up.