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Headquarters, Hero Ability Compatibility Assessment Center.
On the enormous holographic screen, the entire process of "Gale" breaking through the "Procrastination" force field was being replayed in slow motion from multiple angles. Every muscle exertion, every airflow manipulation, and even the barely perceptible postural adjustments he made to maintain balance at ultra-high speeds were captured by the system and quantified into dense data.
“Look here,” an analyst pointed to the energy curve on the screen at the moment the gale cut into the force field. “Instead of trying to fight against the time delay rule with brute force, he raised his own kinetic energy frequency to a critical point and completed most of the displacement within the ‘time slice’ before the force field took effect. This requires an almost instinctive and precise control over one’s own speed and timing.”
“It’s not just speed,” another expert in charge of physiological function assessment added, pulling up a comparison of Hayate’s physiological data before and after the mission. “His metabolic rate, neural reflex arc, and even the energy conversion efficiency at the cellular level are far higher than that of ordinary people. This endurance and recovery ability at high speed is itself an extremely rare talent.”
The assessment report was generated quickly:
[Hero: The Wind (Real Name: Kyle Jenkins)]
[Level: C (Potential Assessment: B+, Needs to improve perception and decision-making abilities at maximum speed)]
[Core Capability: Extraordinary movement speed (current peak: Mach 1.8), enhanced dynamic vision and reaction speed at high speeds.]
[Tactical Role: High-speed infiltration/reconnaissance/emergency rescue.]
[Suitable for: Time-sensitive tasks, rule-disruptive environment breaches, and multi-point emergency responses.]
This report was quickly synchronized to the task allocation system and tactical database. The system algorithm immediately began adjusting, assigning higher weight to keywords such as "time-sensitive," "rule-interference," and "rapid infiltration" with the "Swift Wind" ID. This means that in the future, when encountering targets like those with "procrastination issues," the probability of Swift Wind being prioritized and deployed will significantly increase.
Meanwhile, in the logistics and equipment R&D department at headquarters, Leo Fitz was staring intently at a video of a gust of wind breaking through a force field.
"Efficiency! Do you see that? This is ultimate efficiency!" He slammed his fist on the table excitedly, shouting to his assistants around him, "Not going head-to-head with the rules, but squeezing through the gaps in them! Creating time windows with speed! This idea is brilliant!"
He immediately added a sub-item to the design draft of the "team collaboration tactics module" - "timing difference attack coordination".
“Imagine this!” Fitz explained as he frantically scribbled on the whiteboard. “In the future, when we encounter a turtle shell that can slow down time, we won’t necessarily need to find someone strong enough to smash through the wall! We can send a fast-moving character like ‘Gale’ to rush in and disrupt the core, or create a moment of ‘normal time’ for our teammates inside to launch an attack! We can even use the speed difference to achieve ‘stacked’ attacks—the people outside prepare their ultimate moves in slow motion, the fast-moving characters inside create opportunities, and then at the same moment… bang!”
His sketches were hastily drawn, but the core idea resonated deeply with the engineers present. Efficiency is not just about speed, but about delivering power to where it's most needed, in the most appropriate way, at the most critical moment.
A few days later, some new changes quietly appeared on the association's internal communication network and the publicity screens in public areas.
In addition to posters that highlight strength and protection, content emphasizing "efficiency" and "precision" has begun to appear.
A poster features a silver afterimage left by a gust of wind breaking through a time field, accompanied by the text: "Speed is time. Efficiency is life."
The other poster is more abstract, featuring countless colored lines representing different heroes' abilities, all converging on a precise bullseye, with the caption: "Use the right knife to untie the most complex knots."
Even next to the huge real-time hero points leaderboard in the headquarters lobby, a less conspicuous but secretly watched "Task Efficiency Leaderboard" has been added. This leaderboard is not simply a competition of points acquisition speed, but a complex algorithm that combines multiple dimensions such as task difficulty, time consumption, resource consumption, and collateral damage to select "Monthly Efficiency Star," "Fastest Response Award," and "Best Solution Award."
The name "Swift Wind" appeared at the top of the weekly "Task Efficiency Ranking" for the first time due to his near-perfect performance in the "procrastination" incident. This brought not only extra points and honors, but also a clear direction—the association began to systematically promote and reward "smart" heroes who could solve problems with minimal cost and maximum efficiency.
This direction began to have a subtle impact within the association.
Some heroes who were originally used to relying on brute force or skill to fight head-on began to study mission briefings and enemy data, thinking of more ingenious ways to deal with them. There were more spontaneous exchanges of tactics and cooperation among heroes of different ability types, and everyone hoped to find the "best partner" to improve their mission efficiency.
During a small internal tactical seminar, several heroes were discussing how to deal with various rule-based monsters.
"If you ask me, next time we encounter something that can slow things down, don't even think about attacking it head-on. Just find 'Swift Wind' or a fast-moving guy like him!" a strength-type hero exclaimed. "The door we struggled to break down, they can get around in a second. Their efficiency is incomparable."
“It’s not entirely a matter of speed,” another hero skilled in energy manipulation countered. “The key is finding a way to counter it. Just like ‘Meditation Master’ deals with mental pollution, and ‘Wind Chaser’ deals with time stagnation. Our Guild is so big, surely there’s something that can cure it!”
This atmosphere of discussion is exactly what Kingpin and the association's leadership wanted to see. They are subtly guiding the entire organization through systems, culture, and the power of role models, shifting it from relying on individual bravery to relying on systemic wisdom and professional specialization.
"Efficiency first" is no longer an empty slogan, but is becoming the lifeblood flowing through the association, driving this massive machine to deal with one challenge after another posed by this bizarre world with increasing precision and economy.
Heroes like "Swift Wind" are the newly honed and perfectly positioned cogs in this machine. His success is not only a personal victory, but also yet another successful validation of the association's efficiency philosophy of "making the best use of everyone's talents and resources."
On the top floor of the Fisk Tower, Kingpin looked at the system's analysis report on the efficiency of the "Wind" mission, as well as the increasing number of discussion posts on the internal forum about tactical coordination and efficiency optimization, and nodded slightly.
Chaos needs to be suppressed by force, but the maintenance and expansion of order requires extreme efficiency.
What he needs is a group of "time management masters" who are well-versed in this art.
Chapter 86: Banner's Decision
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The clamor of the slums, like a never-ending background noise, seeped into the most dilapidated shack on the edge of the flamenco district. The smells of sweat, cheap rum, and some kind of rotting fruit mingled in the sweltering air, thick and suffocating. Bruce Banner huddled in the only relatively sturdy wooden chair, the old, humming laptop screen in front of him the sole source of light in this chaos.
On the screen, a split-screen playback of an edited video of the Battle of Tokyo Bay, along with the Hero Association's latest announcement on its official website, outlines the grand blueprint for the "Global Supernatural Power Research and Support Center."
Banner's eyes no longer held the fear and deep weariness of someone being hunted, but instead a greedy focus, a cautious longing that had finally caught a glimpse of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
In the video, Flint Marco's towering crystalline sand walls stand unmoved before the apocalyptic waves unleashed by the Deep Sea King. This isn't blind courage, but precise calculation—the ultimate expression of power and will under the system's orchestration. In another video, "Meditation Master" Lin sits cross-legged with her eyes closed, her gentle yet resolute chanting like a clear spring, silently cleansing the mental filth left by the "Chicken You're Too Beautiful" weirdo. She wasn't ostracized; instead, her unique abilities earned her the title of "nemesis of mental pollution."
And then there were those figures in uniform, moving through the ruins and the waves. They might not be as strong individually as he was, but they were a unified whole. The logistics troops efficiently cleared the battlefield, the medical units responded instantly, and the information network was seamlessly connected... Something he had never experienced before, called "belonging" and "support," flowed silently through these scenes.
“They…aren’t afraid of being different,” Banner murmured to himself, his voice hoarse.
Just then, the familiar, burning power within him stirred slightly. But this time, the deep roar was no longer a pure desire for destruction, but rather mixed with a trace of... indescribable curiosity, even a clumsy... longing for those "kindred spirits" on the screen who could wield their power at will without being watched by fearful eyes.
Hulk is watching too.
For a long time, Banner had viewed the Hulk as a curse, a monster that needed to be desperately suppressed and imprisoned. He banished himself to a corner of the world, seeking "healing" through every means possible, essentially trying to "eliminate" his other half. But now, watching the Association sculpt the Sandman's raging sand into a protective barrier, forging the Soothing Master's subtle spiritual power into a purifying blade, an unprecedented thought exploded in his mind like a thunderclap:
Perhaps we've been heading in the wrong direction all along.
Perhaps the problem isn't about eliminating the Hulk, but rather... understanding him and guiding him.
Perhaps we are not a curse, but rather... an answer that has not been properly assembled.
The thought sent chills down his spine. He recalled his isolated and helpless life on the run, the destruction and regret brought about by each transformation, General Ross's relentless pursuit, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recruitment tactics, which were tinged with scrutiny and exploitation. They either wanted to lock him up or use him as a weapon.
But the Hero Association… they seem to be building a framework that can accommodate all sorts of “different” individuals. They quantify contributions with points and ranks, provide logistical and medical support, and maintain order through systems and regulations. Cold, but fair. Professional, and efficient.
On the screen, the association's blueprint for research on "cross-dimensional energy applications," "synergistic control of biofields," and "capability guidance under extreme emotional states" were like keys that precisely inserted into the long-sealed lock in Banner's heart called "hope."
The restlessness within him became more pronounced. The force no longer charged recklessly, but rather, like a caged beast drawn by something new, paced anxiously in its cage, trying to see the outside world clearly.
Banner took a deep breath, the humid, sweltering air filling his lungs, yet bringing a strange sense of clarity. He couldn't go on like this. Escaping wouldn't solve the problem; a solitary struggle would only drag him and Hulk into a deeper abyss. This world was becoming increasingly dangerous, and increasingly…interesting. He needed help, and Hulk needed a…way out.
His gaze fell on an extremely well-hidden icon in the corner of the computer screen—an encrypted program he had written himself. This was his backdoor for viewing outside information, and it also had the ability to send messages one-way, making it extremely difficult to trace.
My fingers, hovering above the keyboard, trembled slightly.
This is a high-stakes gamble. He and Hulk are entrusting their fate to a "company" founded by a former mob boss, a company shrouded in uncertainty.
But compared to an endless escape, compared to wasting one's life in fear and self-loathing, this gamble is worthwhile.
The power within him seemed to sense his decision, and the restlessness strangely subsided, as if it were... silently observing.
Banner's gaze hardened. He rapidly typed on the keyboard, invoked the encryption protocol, and established a one-time anonymous channel pointing to the Hero Association's public technical cooperation email address (which, according to his analysis, was the only channel that could bypass the low-level AI screening and directly reach the higher-ups).
He did not reveal his identity, nor did he recount his tragic experiences. Instead, he wrote a single line in the most concise and fitting wording for a "potential collaborator":
“I have a question regarding the management of large-scale, high-energy, and uncontrollable individuals, which has resulted in a large amount of negative data. Perhaps your association’s ‘system’ could provide a more constructive solution.”
The cursor hovered over the send button for a few seconds.
Then, he pressed the Enter key forcefully.
The information was sent out silently, like a stone thrown into the deep sea.
Banner leaned back in his chair, feeling all the strength drain from his body. Outside the shack, the slums continued to clamor, but he seemed to hear the subtle yet clear clicking of the gears of fate beginning to turn.
He stopped looking at the screen and instead gazed out the window at the sky, which was cut by tangled power lines.
This time, he did not choose to continue hiding.
He made his choice and reached out his hand.
Chapter 87: The Association's Response and the "Green Doctor" Project
In the command center atop the Fisker Tower, the priority of encrypted communications silently jumped to the highest level. The anonymous email from Brazil, carefully worded yet packed with information, bypassed layers of routine screening and finally appeared on the private holographic screen in front of Wilson Kingpin.
Kingpin's massive frame sank into his chair, his gaze calmly sweeping over the short line of text—"Large-scale, high-energy, uncontrollable individual management," "negative data," "system," "solution." Each word was like a meticulously crafted code.
“Tracing the source.” His voice was low and emotionless.
"Signal source locked, Flamengo district, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Matches Dr. Bruce Banner's recent activity patterns." Wesley's voice came through the communicator, efficient and precise. "Biometric fuzzy match, 92%. Should we notify SHIELD, boss?"
“No.” Kingpin’s answer was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. His finger lightly tapped the console, bringing up a thick file on Banner and the Hulk, pieced together from partially declassified S.H.I.E.L.D. and military documents. “S.H.I.E.L.D. and General Ross treat him as a problem, or a weapon. What are we seeing, Wesley?”
Wesley paused for a moment on the other end before replying, “An untapped solution, boss. A…walking strategic resource, if its ‘management’ problems can be solved.”
“That’s right.” A calculating glint flashed in Kingpin’s eyes. “An absolute power capable of turning the tide of any ‘Dragon-level’ battle, and a top-notch scientific mind trapped within that power. This isn’t trouble; this is… an opportunity to invest in the future.”
He quickly issued a series of instructions:
"Assemble an absolutely reliable team, led by Sandman. Mission: To safely, covertly, and swiftly 'bring' Dr. Bruce Banner back to headquarters. Authorize the highest level of covert protocols and emergency response clearances."
"Notify the Technical Department and the Mental and Physical Health Center to activate the 'Green Giant Stabilization' preparatory plan, empty and activate the 'Still Space' in Underground No. 7, and configure it with the highest-level life support and energy monitoring system."
"This operation was classified as 'candlelight' level secret, and knowledge of it was limited to the core team."
The order was carried out without fail. A specially modified vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, painted with optical camouflage, silently took off under the cover of night and sped off toward South America.
A few days later, in that dilapidated shack in Rio, Banner was met not by the SHIELD agents or military soldiers he expected, but by Flint Marco—the Sandman's silent yet reassuring figure, and several sharp-eyed, silent agents from the Association.
“Dr. Banner,” Flint’s voice was as steady as ever, with the unpretentious quality typical of an unofficial, “Mr. Fisk sent us to pick you up. The Association may be able to provide the 'solution' you need.”
There was no coercion, no threats, just a simple statement and an opportunity for him to choose. Looking into Flint's eyes, eyes that had witnessed despair and then regained hope, Banner's last shred of doubt vanished. He nodded, gathered his few belongings, and followed them into the Rio night.
When Banner stepped into the assessment room known as the "Silent Chamber" on the seventh basement floor of the association's headquarters, even with his extensive knowledge, he couldn't help but be awestruck by the sight before him. It didn't resemble a laboratory; rather, it was a space that blended cutting-edge technology with a spiritual sanctuary. Soft light emanated from the walls themselves, an air circulation system brought a refreshing, forest-like atmosphere, and countless sensors were silently embedded all around. At the center was an ergonomically designed suspended chair connected to various life monitoring and neural interface devices.
Already waiting there were Dr. Helen Shaw, the chief bioengineer of the association's technical department, and Lin, the "meditation master." Without much small talk, the assessment began quickly.
Banner confessed everything: the gamma ray accident, the birth of the Hulk, countless instances of out-of-control destruction, endless escapes, and all his failed attempts to "cure" himself. He showed the astonishing physiological data fluctuations and mental state maps he had recorded when the Hulk appeared.
Dr. Xiao and Lin listened quietly and took notes. Subsequently, the association's system intervened and began to perform ultra-high-speed analysis on the massive amount of data provided by Banner. The holographic screen was instantly filled with a waterfall of data and complex biological models.
One hour later, preliminary analysis results were generated.
Dr. Shaw pointed to the complex energy model on the screen that represented the entanglement of Banner's and Hulk's consciousness and said, "Dr. Banner, according to our analysis, the root cause of all your past failures lies in a directional error. You, as well as the military and S.H.I.E.L.D., all regard 'Hulk' as a 'disease' or 'alternative personality' that needs to be suppressed and eliminated."
Her tone was calm and professional: "But our system analysis shows that Hulk is not an external intruder. He is the embodiment of your subconscious anger, fear, and... most primal life force. He is a part of you, another form of 'you' deeply bound to gamma energy. Trying to eliminate him is equivalent to self-castration on a spiritual level, which is bound to trigger a more violent backlash."
Banner was stunned; he had never imagined this angle.
Lin, who had been silent all along, added softly, her voice carrying a strange, soothing power: "We sensed that Hulk's consciousness is not solely about destruction. It yearns for recognition, for freedom, and also... to communicate with you. It's just that anger and fear are blocking the way."
Dr. Xiao picked up the conversation, her tone tinged with the excitement of a scientist: "So, our proposed solution is not 'cure,' but rather 'guidance' and 'integration.'" She pulled up a brand-new project proposal, its title boldly proclaiming—"The Green Doctor Project."
"The core of the plan: Utilizing the Association's telepathic and biofeedback technologies, combined with your own wisdom, we will, with Lin's assistance, construct a stable 'bridge of consciousness'," Dr. Shaw explained. "The goal is not for Banner to suppress Hulk, nor for Hulk to devour Banner. Rather, it is to foster a deep understanding and consensus between you, guiding the two personalities to merge into a stable new individual that combines Bruce Banner's wisdom with Hulk's power."
A simulated animation appeared on the screen: the blue orb representing Banner and the green orb representing Hulk no longer collided with each other, but were connected by a soft golden bridge, slowly approaching each other, and finally merging into a stable, bright emerald halo, the form of which could freely switch between the rational Banner and the controllable Hulk.
“We will help you find a balance, a ‘coexistence agreement’.” Dr. Shaw looked at Banner, his eyes sharp and full of confidence. “A Hulk who can think clearly, and a Banner who can control his power. We call him—Dr. Green.”
The word resonated in Banner's mind like a resounding bell. It dispelled the long-standing gloom and pointed to a future he had never dared to imagine. No longer a monster, no longer a victim, but... a complete "human" with power and wisdom.
The green power within him seemed to understand these words, ceasing its restlessness and instead conveying an unprecedented tranquility mixed with curiosity and a faint sense of anticipation.
Banner looked up at Dr. Shaw, then at Lin, and finally, his gaze seemed to pierce through layers of barriers, landing on the top-floor office. The long-dormant gleam of a scientist's inquiry rekindled in his eyes.
"What do we need to do?" His voice was still hoarse, but it carried a firm strength.
The "Green Doctor" project officially launched at this moment. This is no longer a solitary struggle, but a grand experiment on the transformation of life forms, involving top intelligence, extraordinary power, and unknown systems.
Chapter 88: Fusion! The Green Doctor is Born!
On the seventh basement level of the association, the "Silent Space" was now activated at its highest operating level. Soft glows were adjusted to the most suitable frequency for mental concentration, and the air purification system released trace amounts of plant pheromones that helped soothe the nerves. In the center of the room, Bruce Banner lay on the ergonomically designed suspension chair, his head and spine connected by dozens of thin, shimmering bio-sensor and neural interface cables.
The meditation master sat cross-legged not far from him, his eyes slightly closed, his hands forming a mudra. His body emanated a stable and gentle wave of mental energy, like a mental anchor, firmly fixing this space, isolating it from all external interference, and providing a buffer for the impending storm of consciousness.
Flint Marko, the Sandman, stood like a silent guardian inside the room's entrance. His body hadn't turned to sand, but the ground beneath his feet was subtly covered with a dense layer of crystallized gravel, ready to deal with the worst-case scenario—energy out of control. Outside the heavy alloy door, multiple energy damping fields were deployed.
On the holographic screen, two energy orbs representing Banner and Hulk's states of consciousness are violently fluctuating and colliding. The blue Banner orb is rational and restrained, but its edges are full of anxious barbs; the green Hulk orb is wild and unruly, like a burning storm.
"System connection stable. Construction of the spiritual bridge begins." Dr. Xiao's voice came through the internal channel, calmly reporting the progress.
Banner took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Instead of trying to build a high wall to keep the Hulk out as before, he proactively and laboriously opened his consciousness to the center of that green storm.
"Hulk..." he called out from the depths of his heart, no longer a scream of fear, but an attempt to communicate, "Can we talk?"
His response was an even more intense mental onslaught! Anger, the resentment of rejection, and a primal urge to destroy crashed against Banner's mental dam like a tsunami. Countless shattered images flashed before his eyes: military artillery fire, General Ross's cold face, the terrified eyes of ordinary people, the ravaged streets…
“No…it’s not like that…” Banner endured the excruciating pain of his consciousness being torn apart, without backing down, but instead trying his best to transmit his memories and feelings—the shadow of his father’s domestic violence in his childhood, Betty Ross’s gentle yet painful eyes, the despair and self-loathing he felt when he woke up to a scene of devastation after each transformation going out of control, and the loneliness of hiding in foreign lands…
“We…we’ve all had enough, haven’t we?” Banner’s consciousness struggled to stay afloat amidst the storm. “This loneliness, this lack of understanding, this…life of constant running away!”
The green storm seemed to freeze for a moment.
Just then, the "quiet realm" constructed by the meditator Lin, like a warm ocean current, slowly seeped into this chaotic sea of consciousness. She did not try to suppress Hulk, but instead sowed a pure intention of "understanding" and "acceptance" like a seed. At the same time, the system began to precisely regulate the bioelectric and hormone levels in Banner's body, easing the gamma energy that was about to spiral out of control due to the violent fluctuations in his emotions.
“They…aren’t afraid of us.” Banner continued to relay the message, sharing with Hulk the images of the Sandman, the Meditation Master, and the Association’s efficient and inclusive system that he had seen on the screen. “Perhaps there is a place for us here. A place…where we no longer have to hide, a place…where we can truly ‘use’ power, instead of being controlled by it.”
"Hulk... Smash?" A vague, chaotic, yet no longer purely roaring thought returned for the first time from the center of the green storm, carrying a hint of probing and confusion.
“Yes! Smash!” Banner immediately seized this opportunity, his mind filled with affirmation. “But not indiscriminate smashing! Smash what needs to be smashed! Smash those bad guys! Smash those monsters that threaten the city! Like the Sandman, like the other heroes in the Guild! After we’re done smashing, people will thank us and give us…something good to eat.” He clumsily added the last point, trying to establish a connection with the most primal need.