Many people had yet to realize that Abomination's rampage, born of a moment of madness, might have seemed like a dangerous public spectacle. The incident, however, was suppressed before causing greater harm.
But in truth, Abomination's outburst ignited the ambitions of countless individuals with ill intentions. It showed that individuals possessing extraordinary powers could brazenly wreak havoc in the public eye, declaring their strength to the entire world.
People had always been aware of dangerous groups like the Brotherhood, but they seemed distant—like threats that didn't concern them. That feeling would vanish from now on. A new, turbulent era had arrived, filled with lunatics and monsters putting on macabre performances.
...
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Abomination barreled through obstacles—a series of buildings and vehicles—as he stumbled back to the lab.
In his hazy mind, he knew his actions were reckless. The smarter choice would have been to flee the city and contact General Ross in private, working out a reconciliation.
Together, they could've pinned tonight's chaos on the Hulk, joined forces to hunt him down, and reaped even greater benefits.
Unfortunately, Abomination's frustration made him irrational. He stubbornly believed that injecting more serum would amplify his strength and salvage his dignity.
Now back at the shattered lab, he frantically searched for what he needed.
"If you're looking for that big-headed scientist, he's hiding about 300 meters away, observing everything," a voice came from the shadows.
Duncan stepped into the dim light. He had been waiting for Abomination.
"You've been lying in wait for me?" Abomination growled, his grotesque face twisted with anger.
"Indeed. I've been observing you and knew you'd return here," Duncan replied calmly. He didn't rely on sight; his heightened senses allowed him to track the Xenomorph parasite inside Abomination's body, pinpointing his exact location.
The moment Duncan appeared, it signaled that the timing was perfect.
Originally, Duncan thought the Xenomorph parasite growing within Abomination—a remarkably resilient host—would need more time to develop to the chest-bursting stage. Unexpectedly, the parasite's growth had exceeded his expectations.
Perhaps it was Abomination's genetics—or the Hulk-derived DNA coursing through him—that accelerated the Xenomorph's development.
Moreover, Abomination, as a host, was the ideal incubation chamber: brimming with vitality and rich in energy.
...
"You know," Duncan said as he studied the monstrous figure approaching him, "I've imagined this moment countless times during the past few minutes." His gaze lingered on Abomination's chest. "Compared to you, vampires are nothing."
Abomination couldn't understand Duncan's cryptic words, but he knew something was wrong with his body. It wasn't just his dulled senses sharpening. Duncan's presence seemed to trigger something, and an alarming protrusion began to rise from his chest.
If not for his reinforced muscles and skin, the Xenomorph would've already burst free. For an ordinary human, such violent physical changes would have been fatal.
"This… this was your doing? What have you done to me?!" Abomination stared down at himself in disbelief. He reached to grab at the protrusion, but the moment his fingers—capable of crushing steel—applied pressure, excruciating pain coursed through him, as if he were tearing at his own organs.
He recalled the strange spider-like creature and vaguely grasped the horrifying truth.
"No matter what this is, I'm Abomination—the strongest being on this planet! I can't die!" he roared.
"No. You will die," Duncan replied, stepping closer. "Don't mistake the Xenomorph for an ordinary parasite. The moment it bursts from your chest, it will have perfectly assimilated your genetic material, replacing your vital organs and spinal column. It will become a part of you. Once it emerges, your body will lose these parts forever. Your weak regenerative abilities won't restore what's missing. No one's body can regrow perfectly functional organs that have already been replaced."
Abomination's corpse would, in turn, become sustenance for the Xenomorph.
...
"Roar!"
Abomination's bloodshot, green eyes were filled with rage and terror. He swung his massive arm in desperation, aiming to crush the insignificant human before him.
Boom!
Duncan raised his arms to block the blow. The impact drove his legs halfway into the floor. His muscles tore under the strain, and his bones cracked audibly.
Yet he held firm. His injuries began to heal rapidly.
Why could an ordinary man like Duncan withstand such force? The answer was simple: his body also hosted a dormant Xenomorph parasite.
...
Squelch!
With a grotesque burst, Abomination's chest exploded. Blood splattered in every direction, a testament to the horrifying pressure that had built up inside him.
Abomination's massive body convulsed violently as his remaining flickers of sanity watched, horrified, as the creature emerged from his own body.
The sight defied the limits of his feeble imagination. The creature resembled a nightmare incarnate, using his flesh as a vessel to enter this world.
It was born drenched in blood, shaking its grotesque head and letting out a piercing screech.
The Xenomorph was terrifyingly powerful even at birth, standing nearly two meters tall.
While the height might not seem impressive, other Xenomorph types began as small, vulnerable larval forms. They required hours of rapid growth to reach maturity, typically two to three meters in height.
Duncan assessed the Xenomorph's condition and confirmed it was exceptionally strong at birth. Its development would only accelerate. Within minutes—perhaps less than an hour—it would become a formidable predator.
As for Abomination...
He was already doomed.
Just as Duncan had predicted, the Xenomorph had fully absorbed Abomination's superior genes. Upon emerging, it severed its genetic link to its host. Despite Abomination's regenerative ability, his body could not replace his missing chest cavity and vital organs. They had vanished as though into thin air.
Abomination's bulging eyes burned with rage and despair. He stretched a trembling hand toward the creature, attempting to crush the nightmare that had emerged from his body.
But what met him was the Xenomorph's inner jaw, faster than a bullet, which pierced his skull in one swift strike.
Crunch.
The Xenomorph began devouring its former host, wasting no time as it consumed every scrap of flesh to fuel its growth.