**Location: California, Culver University, Research Building**
A day passed.
Bruce Banner, dressed casually, sat in front of a computer in the laboratory, engaged in a chat conversation with a scientist who specialized in gamma radiation research. Occasionally, he glanced at the affectionate teacher sitting beside him, his lips carrying a hint of bitter emotion.
Yesterday, Bruce had hesitated but ultimately chose not to contact the Supernatural Incident Bureau. He decided to rely on himself to address the symptoms of his Hulk transformation. However, it seemed that fate had shown him mercy as he had reunited with his former girlfriend last night.
"Banner, is your friend reliable?" Elizabeth placed her hand on Bruce's shoulder, her face filled with nervousness.
Elated to have seen Bruce again last night, she was nearly losing her mind. She had no intention of leaving his side now and was deeply afraid of losing him once more.
"Yes, he's reliable. I've been secretly in contact with him in Brazil. He specializes in gamma radiation research and is the only one who understands my current condition," Bruce explained while taking a deep breath and speaking with a hint of excitement. "I sent him a blood sample, and he just messaged me saying he has a good chance of eliminating the gamma radiation from my body!"
"I hope it works," Elizabeth said with anticipation.
Suddenly, a cacophony of noise from outside the building interrupted their conversation.
Elizabeth hastily got up and looked out the window. On the soft, grassy lawns below, armored vehicles carrying armed soldiers rolled in. Surrounding the research building from all sides, they formed a barricade.
In the front, leading the military forces, was her father, General Ross.
"Banner!" Elizabeth turned back, her voice filled with concern. Bruce Banner, having noticed something was amiss, stood up from his seat. With a wry smile, he said, "Elizabeth, get out of here immediately!"
"But..." Elizabeth was about to say something else, but Bruce interrupted her with a bitter smile. "Don't worry. I will be fine, at least, I will be alive, I can't die even if I want to."
Half a minute later, when Elizabeth had fled the building, General Ross gave a cold command to his soldiers, without any hesitation. "Smoke grenades! Force it out!"
"Understood!"
Two soldiers immediately approached the building, pointed their rifles, and fired smoke grenades. Within seconds, the research building was enveloped in thick smoke.
Amidst the anxious stares of everyone present, a massive silhouette suddenly appeared in the thick white fog within the building's ground-floor window.
"Roar!"
With a menacing growl, the window shattered outwards, and the Incredible Hulk, wearing nothing but boxers, roared angrily as he jumped from the third floor to the lawn outside!
"All soldiers, attack!" General Ross ordered with a sweeping gesture.
Meanwhile, in New York, at the Empire State Building, on the top floor, which served as an office and relaxation room.
After an unknown period of sleep, Kyle's eyebrows twitched, and his mind gradually emerged from its drowsy state. Before he even opened his eyes, he sensed that he was lying in a soft bed. The pillow was not only exceptionally soft but also carried a comforting warmth and a faint fragrance.
"Boss, are you awake?"
Upon a soft call from the woman, Kyle's eyes opened wide, revealing a vision of a buttoned blouse, a pair of prominent curves, and an attractive face above.
Oh, it's Raina's lap.
Kyle let out a small yawn, got up from the bed, and stepped barefoot onto the cold floor. He took in the luxurious bedroom and the cityscape outside the floor-to-ceiling window, and he had a rough idea of what had happened after his previous slumber.
"How long did I sleep?" Kyle stretched and looked at the bright sunlight pouring in through the window. He was curious about the duration of his nap.
"About a day and a half, I think," Raina, now transformed into something like a secretary, descended from the bed and neatly tidied the beddings. She smoothed her slightly wrinkled stockings and her skirted suit with her thoughts.
"What's the situation with Ross?" Kyle asked while searching for his slippers.
Raina lightly tapped her fingers, and a cabinet opened automatically, sending a pair of slippers flying to the ground in front of him.
On the bedside table, which had transformed into a phone, Vis answered, "I received a message about half an hour ago, stating that they've located Bruce Banner's whereabouts. He's currently at Culver University, and they're most likely sending troops to apprehend him."
"No need to rush then," Kyle said, slipping into his slippers and heading toward the bathroom. He waved to Raina and said, "Prepare lunch. We can go after having lunch."
"Of course," Raina replied with a slight smile.
On the other side,
**Culver University, Research Building Lawn**
Amid a cacophony of detonations, the once lush lawn was now charred and barren from the intense bombardment. Several heavily armored vehicles lay flattened, like paper, and shell casings and debris were scattered all around.
In the heart of this chaos, Hulk, unaffected by the bullets that rained down upon him, rampaged through the military vehicles, incapacitating any soldiers he came into contact with.
"Emil, it's your turn to take the stage!"
Confronted with this situation, General Ross suddenly barked out.
In response to his summons, all eyes of the soldiers were on him.
Emil, now dressed in military attire, strode forward like a savior. With confidence, he carried a heavy cannon and advanced fearlessly.
Emil had undergone genetic mutations with the help of Super Soldier Serum, recovering from his injuries and experiencing an overall power increase of more than fivefold!
"Symbol of Peace, I've finally caught up!" Emil's eyes glinted with self-assuredness, believing himself to be invincible. "Now, it's time to take down Hulk. This battle will solidify my name as a hero!"
Roaring, Emil made the first move. He lifted his cannon and fired a powerful shot at Hulk's chest.
"Hulk!"
With a furious roar, Hulk lifted his arm to intercept the devastating shot.
Emil took advantage of the situation by closing the gap between them step by step. His cannon relentlessly fired on full automatic. Each shot carried the force equivalent to a full-grown adult's arm, and they kept coming one after the other.
Hulk's body stiffened as he was bombarded, and this made Emil's newfound strength even more apparent.
Soldiers in the vicinity started cheering upon seeing this display of power.
Emil wore a smug smile on his face, but just then, as he pulled the trigger, there was a crisp snap. His cannon's explosive ammunition was exhausted.
Hulk clapped both his hands, extinguishing the gun's explosive fire. He glared at Emil with anger, showing a menacing grin as he charged forward.
"Perfect timing. Let me see how strong you really are!"
Emil sneered and discarded his weapon. With a neural speed unmatched even by athletes, he crouched and leaped, soaring into the air.
With a powerful left hook, he gathered all the power in his body and unleashed a devastating blow, aiming directly at Hulk's chest.
"Crack!"
Emil's smile froze, and in an instant, the bones in his left hand shattered like an egg hitting a stone, his left wrist folding back ninety degrees.
Hulk's fist didn't stop but continued its forward motion, landing on Emil's chest.
"Boom!"
Emil's body was sent flying, somersaulting through the air for over ten meters before crashing into a massive tree.
Sliding down to the base of the tree, Emil's eyes widened in shock, his chest caved in with a deep fist imprint. He couldn't help but spit up blood incessantly. If it weren't for his Super Soldier Physique, he would have long since lost consciousness.
He stared unwaveringly at Hulk not far away, his spirit and confidence both waning.
He still couldn't reach that domain of the Symbol of Peace.
(End of this chapter)