Zod tilted his head just in time to dodge a sniper shot, then fired back a casual shot. A prone player lying over 700 meters away was hit squarely in the head.
"Is this guy's vision a microscope?" "He got a headshot without even looking!" "I was the one just taken down! How did he spot me in camo, lying there with a sniper? It's unthinkable!" "This is what makes him the legendary 'human weapon.'"
With another shot, Zod took down two players who had poked their heads out. They dropped, forehead punctured. By this point, Zod had over 60 kills, while Gwen, or "Spider Silk," hadn't fired a single shot; all attention was on the human weapon. Yet, despite the onslaught, Zod was barely touched.
Switching his empty M4A1 for a 7.62mm rifle, Zod scavenged more ammo. Although he hit 100% of his shots, the game map's scattered ammo ensured even he couldn't rely on unlimited firepower. Zod had designed the game this way, subtly pushing players to hone their skills instead of just spraying bullets. Here, accuracy was king.
Soon, Zod encountered a worthy opponent—someone who could actually dodge his shots.
"Interesting," he mused, "this kind of reflex isn't human. Maybe a superhero?"
In Zod's game, physics abided by the rules of reality. Dodging a bullet required the same neural and physical agility one would need in real life. Gwen, intrigued by the rare challenge, counterattacked. Zod avoided her bullets with unnatural precision, his reflexes equally sharp.
Excited, Gwen unleashed a barrage with dual pistols, her fingers moving as fast as any machine gun. Zod ducked behind cover, letting the wall absorb the bullets, knowing Gwen had limited ammo. Predicting her next move, he angled his rifle precisely, aiming toward an iron object.
Bang!
The bullet ricocheted, bounced off a U-shaped structure, and, after its final deflection, struck Gwen from behind.
"What the...?" "Did that just happen?!"
"Is he using physics to refract shots?" "Geometry never seemed so useful!"
Reviewing the footage, Gwen understood her mistake. Spider-sense only helped so much when bullets came from unexpected directions.
"Playing in this virtual world really feels exhilarating," Zod thought, savoring the tension and thrill of battle.
After the game, Zod turned his attention to real-world events following the recent truck explosion. The attack had led to severe injuries, numerous fatalities, and damages costing hundreds of millions. Its location—the Superhero Association Building—gave critics ample ammunition, casting doubt on the superheroes' competence.
Some began questioning the very existence of the Superhero Association: If they can't protect their own building, how can they protect the public?
Zod held himself partly accountable; he'd underestimated potential threats, too reliant on the idea that fictional superhero headquarters rarely faced such real-world dangers. Determined to act, he enlisted Blade Technology Industries to cover damages and, along with Tony Stark, used their influence to quell public backlash.
Here, Zod's Spider Web platform proved invaluable. It had become the dominant medium, relegating Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to a distant past. With the majority of people reliant on Spider Web, Zod could selectively control information flow. Content unfavorable to the Superhero Association faded quietly into the background.
Certain government officials and media figures soon noticed the lack of public outrage and questioned why Spider Web users hadn't reacted more strongly. Many only saw brief headlines: "Terrorist Attack Neutralized by Superheroes" with few details on the casualties. When those seeking the "truth" tried to stir public awareness, Spider Web users mocked them for sensationalism.
"Damn Zod," one official grumbled. "He designed Spider Web from the start to control the public's right to know!"
"He's violating citizens' freedom! Spider Web needs restrictions!" another suggested.
In response, Zod nonchalantly released scandalous secrets about certain officials and Hollywood stars on Spider Web, immediately diverting public attention. Within hours, chatter shifted from the attack to celebrity gossip and political drama. Talk of restricting Spider Web's growth faded into the background. Everyone knew challenging Zod's tech empire was futile.