Facing Ryan's sharp and indifferent gaze, Dr. Baron's cold sweat instantly poured down.
Because he knew that he couldn't lie in front of Spider Monarch at all; lying would definitely lead to death, and it would also make Spider Monarch disgusted, even hostile, towards HYDRA.
Damn it, they were really screwed over by that branch of HYDRA led by Pierce!
That's right, Dr. Baron knew about the Pierce faction of HYDRA brainwashing Captain America...
After all, as the head of HYDRA's superhuman research branch at the time, his direct superior, Baron Strucker, had asked Pierce, another HYDRA head lurking in S.H.I.E.L.D., for Captain America himself, wanting to use him to research and replicate the Super Soldier Serum within Captain America.
But in the end, Pierce refused, stating that Captain America was needed to complete another matter even more important than the Super Soldier Serum.
Baron Strucker was furious about that, cursing Pierce over the phone, unable to understand what could be more important than creating a superhuman army for HYDRA.
As Baron Strucker's chief researcher at the time, Dr. Baron naturally heard all these words, and he even felt a bit regretful that he couldn't research the Super Soldier Serum within Captain America.
As compensation, after S.H.I.E.L.D. cleaned up the technology left by the defeated Chitauri yesterday, Pierce sent them a portion of the Chitauri technology.
Baron Strucker wanted to use this Chitauri technology to create new superhumans, which is why he sent him out to find 'volunteers' for this experiment.
As the HYDRA branch specializing in superhuman research, Dr. Baron had done this kind of experiment more than once or twice; the process was already very familiar.
So he proactively offered to Baron Strucker to personally recruit experimental volunteers.
And the Maximoff siblings, being orphaned and unattached, were naturally on Dr. Baron's 'volunteer' list.
Dr. Baron never dreamed that, just as he was routinely looking for superhuman experiment volunteers, he would encounter the infamous Spider Monarch!
Hmm? Wait! Something isn't right!!
Dr. Baron's pupils suddenly contracted as he thought of something!
Wha... What the f*ck, mother!
It seems like everything is connected now!
It was precisely because Pierce was unwilling to give Captain America to their branch of HYDRA, and instead arranged for the brainwashed Captain America to infiltrate the Spider Family...
That's why their branch of HYDRA, failing to get Captain America, turned to experimenting with Chitauri technology on new humans, thus going out to find experimental subjects and ending up at the Maximoff siblings' home...
And today they just happened to encounter Spider Monarch at the Maximoff home, and Spider Monarch discovered their identities...
And it just so happened that Pierce's plan to send Captain America to infiltrate the Spider Family was also discovered...
So... they ended up in this predicament entirely because they were set up by their own people?
Having understood everything, Dr. Baron's face was filled with the disbelief of being backstabbed by a teammate...
Snap--------
Until the phone slipped from Dr. Baron's hand to the ground, Dr. Baron's heart completely died. He looked up at Ryan and humbly pleaded:
"I say I was also set up, but I guess you won't believe it now. I only ask that, for the sake of us both being human, please don't smash me like a Frost Giant. Leave us with our bodies intact, okay?"
The scene where Frost Giants invaded, and Ryan alone defended the Bifrost Bridge, spilling Frost Giant blood all over Stark Tower, was deeply etched in everyone's hearts.
Afterward, Tony Stark had to pay a high price to hire professionals who took a full month to clean up all the blood in Stark Tower...
Ryan looked at Dr. Baron, who was so humble that he only asked for a good death. Having just had his fill of killing in another Universe, he didn't immediately act, but asked curiously:
"Am I really such a bloodthirsty person in your eyes?"
He was quite curious about his image in the eyes of those villains.
Upon hearing this, Dr. Baron looked at Ryan, really wanting to nod in affirmation.
But his body still shook his head against his will: "No... not at all. You are the World's recognized number one Superhero. How could you be a bloodthirsty person..."
Seeing the only time Dr. Baron had lied so far, Ryan sneered.
Was Homelander also his World's recognized number one Superhero?
Yet wasn't he still a beast in human skin?
It seems his image, even in front of a World-class supervillain organization like HYDRA, is that of an 'evil among evils'.
Hmm, this is good. He wants this kind of reverence from both the righteous and the wicked!
Only people's reverence for him can maximize his benefits and minimize trouble.
Just like now...
Just as Ryan was considering whether HYDRA had any value worth keeping, and Dr. Baron was thinking about how to make Ryan let go of his hostility towards HYDRA...
Ding ding dong ding ding dong--------
Ryan's phone on the floor rang, breaking the silent atmosphere and attracting everyone's attention.
And on the phone screen, there was a name that surprised Dr. Baron.
That was... Alexander Pierce!
Isn't this the guy who got them into this desperate situation?
Why would he call now, and through Spider Monarch's phone?
Wait!
A flash of inspiration struck Dr. Baron's mind again!
He suddenly thought, since Spider Monarch already knew they were HYDRA members, why hadn't he killed them yet? This didn't fit the decisive and ruthless style of Spider Monarch that they had investigated!
Could it be... Spider Monarch is actually one of their HYDRA people?
Holy crap, then isn't this a sure thing?!
As soon as Baron thought of this possibility, the joy in his eyes was undisguised.
He scrambled to pick up the phone from the floor, respectfully offering it with both hands to the Spider 'big shot' in his organization.
What Dr. Baron didn't know was that this action saved their lives...
Ryan took the phone, first glancing at the perceptive Dr. Baron, then lowered his head to look at the name on the phone screen.
He was actually quite surprised too...
Because how could he be a HYDRA member? He hadn't even had any dealings with HYDRA, let alone contact with HYDRA's leader...
But not having contact didn't mean he was afraid of Pierce.
After all, with his current strength and the forces behind him, it's hard to say who should be afraid of whom...