But the moment that topic came up, all of them suddenly had no time.
"Sorry, Zod. Hero activities and missions have been piling up lately. I probably won't have time."
Tifa apologized, full of regret.
"Umbrella Corporation affairs are endless. I can't step away for even a day."
Urd said much the same.
"And you, Esdeath?"
Zod looked toward Esdeath.
"I do have time, but I'm not in the mood to play."
Esdeath rested her legs across Zod's lap and shook her head.
She was far more interested in the virtual space Zod Hess had the Black Queen develop, the one used to train hired soldiers for Black Umbrella.
One hundred percent realism, capable of simulating every possible scene and environment. Esdeath was having the time of her life inside it.
Zod sighed. Looked like everyone had their own plans.
That virtual space was actually just something Zod used to train people. Experience, after all, is something money can't buy, and this hundred-percent-real virtual space even made the sensation of death feel completely real.
After a few hundred cycles, as long as someone didn't suffer a mental breakdown, even an ordinary person could be forged into a terrifying, battle-hardened warrior.
Most importantly, dying that many times stripped away all fear of death. They became utterly fearless.
And the Black Queen could also subtly implant loyalty to the Umbrella Corporation throughout the training.
Once the training finished, ninety-nine percent became soldiers absolutely loyal to Umbrella. As for the rest, they either broke down mentally or were already dead.
The first batch of mercenaries who had sold their lives were currently undergoing this training. The Black Queen was recording their data to build a mathematical model.
After finishing his stew, Zod outright forced his way into Esdeath's and the others' rooms. With his super speed, he could even break in back and forth. In their perception of time, it felt like Zod had simultaneously broken into all three of their rooms. All three felt it at the same time.
And for Zod, it wasn't tiring at all. He was more than up to it.
In fact, the sensation was simply amazing, and he decided he'd just make a few more figures.
A million words later.
Esdeath and the others lay satisfied on the bed, unwilling to move. Zod stretched by himself. Electromagnetic force stripped away the dust and grime his body had picked up. There was no need even to wash.
He had no time for sleep, which meant he effectively had ten more hours each day than an ordinary person.
At first, Zod had worried that losing sleep might cause a mental breakdown. After all, sleep isn't just the body's self-repair process; it's also a vital process for the mind.
But he hadn't slept for a year and was still full of energy. Probably nothing to worry about.
Remembering his earlier idea to create figures, Zod Hess immediately began his work.
How could the illustrious Umbrella Corporation not have an Albert Wesker!
With the help of the Phoenix Force, Zod Hess's manipulation of matter had reached the subatomic level. That allowed him to create a Wesker who looked very much like the game version.
"Boss."
Donning sunglasses, a trench coat, and a slicked-back blond hairdo, he was the picture-perfect Wesker entrance.
Zod Hess nodded in satisfaction and, while he was at it, also brought Ada Wong into being.
He didn't have any special feelings for Ada Wong. She wasn't his type. Still, having a female agent who was no less than Black Widow was a good thing.
Wesker and Ada Wong were probably the weakest among the artificial humans Zod created, but arguably the most useful.
As for Gin, forget it. Gin was only good for catching traitors.
And regarding Leon and Chris, Zod suspected both of them carried an aura that got their partners killed, so he decided not to make them.
Zod was extremely satisfied with his figures. So satisfied, in fact, that he was itching to discard the old for the new, wanting to throw Blonsky and Bucky completely out of the Burning Legion. From now on, why not just turn it into a Figure Legion?
But then he thought: if he was so fickle, wouldn't the figures see it and lose a ton of affection for him?
"Right, why not just pack them all off to Mars to develop a base there?"
Zod clapped his hands. The Black Queen beside him automatically initiated the Mars landing plan and had already begun virtually constructing a rocket.
"I was just saying. How could I actually do that? Most importantly, we don't have enough manpower right now."
Zod said, speechless, to the Black Queen.
"This plan can be preserved. When you can no longer tolerate it, sir, I can have the rocket built right away."
The Black Queen answered calmly.
Can no longer tolerate it? Was he that kind of person?
But just thinking of Esdeath and Tifa, and all the figures still to come, Zod suddenly felt that familiar "this is unexpectedly great" sensation.
The joy of making figures, completely unstoppable. What should he do?
"BOSS."
Someone opened the door to Zod's research lab. Zod promptly closed the Mars rocket plan the Black Queen had pulled up.
"Ada Wong?"
Zod looked genuinely taken aback. He'd expected Esdeath. After all, she was the strongest, her recovery was the fastest, and with her never-say-die personality, it was perfectly reasonable for her to come find him again.
But Ada Wong was beyond anything he'd imagined. He was sure he hadn't added any messy programming to Ada.
"BOSS, I apologize for disturbing you so late, but I have intelligence I must report to you right now." Ada Wong folded her arms and walked over.
"..."
Zod's expression turned strange. The current situation, rather than a work report, was more like a new employee seeking a late-night deep-and-thorough meeting with the boss, showing off her best assets.
A click sounded from the wall beside him. A bed popped out.
Zod was speechless. What was the Black Queen doing? Was he that kind of person!
Just as expected, after spotting the bed, Ada Wong shed her bodysuit and sat right on it.
"Don't. This isn't the superior-subordinate relationship I want."
Zod frowned deeply. Workplace entanglements between ranks were a major taboo. He firmly refused.
"BOSS, I understand your concerns. But please trust me. I separate work and personal life very clearly."
Ada Wong slipped under the covers. The mere absolute territory she revealed made Zod's gaze dart away over and over. He was in the middle of very important research. Could she please not disrupt his train of thought!
Just as Zod prepared to adjust his hormones to keep from truly doing something reckless, Ada Wong wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"Ada, you're playing with fire..."
"No, BOSS. I'm demonstrating my personal capabilities to you. I feel you don't yet know me well enough."
"Kidding me. Your whole body... tss..."
Zod suddenly drew a deep breath.
"Of... of course..."
"Fine. Just this once. I'll reluctantly spare a little time to hear your intelligence."
/-\
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