A Kryptonian in the Marvel Universe

Zod sought out Otto Octavius to explore a critical idea—could Otto's reactor replicate the sun's energy? If so, Zod's growth would accelerate even further.

In the basement fighting arena—constructed of sub-Kryptonian Gold—Zod levitated while effortlessly tossing Bronsky into the air. Even though Bronsky had transformed into a super animal soldier, Zod didn't move a muscle, simply closing his eyes.

The astounding sight wasn't due to Zod's speed but his awakened psychic power. It was hard to fathom the boost Kryptonians gained from such an ability. So far, Zod was the only one of his kind to achieve this. While Superman's combat reflexes were often likened to super-speed, Zod believed his abilities were on another level.

Zod's psychic power could harness and manipulate cosmic energy, transforming it into various superhuman abilities like speed, strength, heightened perception, energy control, and flight. In the Marvel universe, cosmic energy was among the highest forms of energy, second only to forces like the Phoenix. Most cosmic beings drew their immense power from it.

However, what thrilled Zod the most was that his psychic power granted him teleportation. As long as he could vividly recall a location, he could teleport there at the cost of psychic energy.

Bronsky was easily overpowered, simply a test subject for Zod's burgeoning psychic abilities. Zod's psychic force could likely rival even Professor X's, though Zod was still learning to fully wield it.

Zod lifted Bronsky off the ground with a mere thought. "It's not hard at all. Is it because my mental power is too vast?" Zod mused, flinging Bronsky aside like a ragdoll. Bronsky, though enraged, dared not retaliate. Zod could snap his neck with a single thought.

"How's the situation with Bucky?" Zod asked.

"They've successfully infiltrated Hydra, but Bucky's been frozen. Hydra only thaws the Winter Soldiers when they need them for missions. Otherwise, they freeze them to maintain peak condition," Bronsky reported.

Bronsky sneered at Hydra's methods. To him, their global network was nothing compared to the rising power of the World Serpent, Zod's secret organization.

Bronsky wasn't content with merely being an enhanced soldier. He craved the title of Beast General, a higher rank Zod had hinted at. He couldn't imagine the power that came with such a position, but he was determined to attain it. With Zod's psychic dominance making him the undisputed leader, Bronsky set his sights on becoming second-in-command.

"How many Hydra agents have we identified?" Zod inquired.

"Twenty, sir. We're ready to capture them," Bronsky replied. As the leader of the World Serpent's action team, he oversaw the capture and brainwashing of Hydra agents, slowly absorbing them into their ranks.

"Good. But take your time, leave no traces. We have all the time in the world," Zod advised.

If the World Serpent were ever exposed, Zod wouldn't hesitate to abandon it and create something new. After his training session with Bronsky, Zod received a message from Dr. Connors, who was excited about a major breakthrough.

"What's gotten you so worked up, Dr. Connors?" Zod asked.

"Boss, we've made significant progress on the vampire virus! It's incredible!" Dr. Connors exclaimed.

Zod followed him to the bio-lab, where Connors eagerly explained his findings.

"The vampire virus is unlike anything we've ever seen. It can destroy all known human viruses—it's like the king of viruses! This could be the ultimate cure!" Connors demonstrated how the vampire virus swiftly annihilated various cultivated viruses, completing cellular infection and transformation at astonishing speeds.

What intrigued Dr. Connors most was the virus's transmission mechanism. It seemed almost too perfect, as if designed specifically to combat other viruses. If they could harness this power while removing the virus's ability to transform humans into vampires, it could become a cure-all for mankind.

"Calm down, Dr. Connors," Zod said. "You haven't tested it on leukemia or cancer yet. See how the virus performs against human diseases."

Though Zod was impressed, he remained skeptical. He had seen Krypton's advanced medical technology, and this virus—while powerful—was still theoretical. Moreover, Zod suspected that the virus's effectiveness in targeting other viruses was linked to its transformation ability. If they deleted that function, its efficacy as a cure might diminish. In the end, it could become a powerful medicine, but not a miracle cure.

Dr. Connors nodded, acknowledging the challenge ahead. If the vampire virus's capabilities extended beyond viral targeting, the implications would be unimaginable.

Leaving Dr. Connors to his work, Zod encountered Uuld.

Since her rescue, Uuld had been restless. She hadn't been in a relationship for years, and now she found herself intrigued by Zod. As a strong and decisive woman, Uuld decided to take the initiative. Zod seemed like the type too absorbed in scientific pursuits to notice any romantic interest. In his eyes, equations probably held more appeal than women.

If she didn't act, would Zod ever make the first move?

But before she could invite Zod out for a meal to express her gratitude, he handed her another task.