Marvel: Umbrella Corporation

The three activated Lickers, following Maria's command, tore off the cooling equipment attached to their bodies. Then, they leaped out of the truck and charged toward the convoy chasing them.

One of the Lickers lunged toward a car.

In this clash of raw power, the Licker was sent flying, but the pursuing car was also wrecked.

Unfazed, the Licker quickly got up, its wounds visibly healing at an astonishing speed, and resumed its charge toward the enemy.

Meanwhile, just a few streets away, a group of foreign tourists was exploring the city.

Their guide, holding a small US flag, was enthusiastically explaining the local sights and culture.

"The United States is a stunning and diverse country, full of rich experiences and vibrant culture. This trip will surely bring you countless unforgettable surprises."

Just as the guide spoke, a panicked crowd came running toward them.

"There's a monster!"

"Run!"

"Get out of the way!"

The guide, unfazed by the chaos, turned to reassure the tourists, "There's no need to panic guys, I think this is just a movie shooting, by the way it seems so real, doesn't it?"

He was determined to keep the group calm—after all, if the tourists stopped shopping due to the commotion, he'd lose his commissions.

*Bang!*

But then, a Licker was hit by a missile and sent flying toward them.

The tourists froze in shock as the grotesque creature appeared.

"Holy… it's a real monster!"

"The guide wasn't lying—New York really does have surprises!"

"Hey guide...is this really a movie shooting...I am getting some really bad vibes!"

Hearing the commotion behind him, the guide couldn't help but turn around.

When he saw the Licker getting back up, its wounds healing rapidly, and its long, grotesque tongue extending, the guide dropped his flag in terror.

"Ahhh… a monster!"

The Licker, hearing the sound, lashed out with its tongue, piercing the guide's chest from several meters away. It pulled him in and devoured him with a sickening crunch, the sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing echoing in the air.

The Licker's wounds healed even faster after the gruesome feast.

The tourists, now completely terrified, scattered in all directions.

"Help!"

"We're going to die!"

"Fuck, I can't die a virgin!"

Among them, however, one man seemingly japanese stood still, his eyes filled with resolve as a flicker of flame danced within them.

As he prepared to act, Bucky appeared from the distance.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Dual-wielding rifles, Bucky fired relentlessly, the bullets raining down on the Licker.

When his ammunition ran out, he tossed the rifles aside and charged forward, his metal arm delivering a powerful punch that sent the Licker flying.

*Boom!*

The man watched in awe, muttering, "So this is a superhero… incredible."

The Licker, however, quickly got back up, its wounds healing once again. When Bucky charged forward to attack, the Licker shot out its tongue.

Bucky raised his metal arm to block it.

*Clang!*

The bone-spiked tongue clashed against the metal arm, producing a sharp, metallic sound.

Although Bucky managed to block the attack, the force of the impact sent him flying.

This second-generation Licker was far stronger, faster, and more resilient than its predecessors. Against a first-generation Licker, Bucky would have had no trouble.

As the Licker prepared to finish him off, the Japanese man's entire body ignited in flames, and he charged forward.

"I'll save you!"

This man was Yoshida Shiro, also known as "Sunfire."

He possessed powers similar to the Human Torch, but his flames were not ordinary—they were high-temperature plasma, akin to the energy emitted by the sun. Unlike traditional flames, his didn't rely on oxygen to burn.

In an instant, a blazing stream of plasma struck the Licker as it leapt onto a car.

"Roooar!"

The Licker screeched as its body was consumed by the intense flames.

Though its wounds attempted to regenerate, the rate of recovery couldn't keep up with the destructive power of the plasma.

Within moments, the Licker was reduced to a charred husk.

After dealing with the threat, Yoshida Shiro landed in front of Bucky.

"You okay?"

Bucky glanced at him, saw he wasn't a target, and turned away, heading back to his convoy.

Yoshida, feeling slightly awkward, withdrew his outstretched hand.

"Wait for me! I can help you fight these monsters!"

.....

Ten minutes later, Nick drove the truck into Manhattan's East Side.

The United Nations Headquarters was located here, and the Security Council operated within its walls.

When the truck reached within three kilometers of the UN building, a group of twelve individuals in green combat suits appeared in their path.

In a nearby luxury car, Ophelia watched coldly as the truck approached.

"So, Umbrella Corporation has intervened to help them after all. It seems we'll have to add them to our list of targets for suppression."

The twelve members of the Viper Squad began their assault. Streams of venom sprayed out, and countless snakes—cobras, pythons, and more—slithered forward.

Green venom struck the truck's windshield, instantly corroding a hole.

Nick swerved sharply, avoiding a direct hit, but the maneuver caused the truck to crash into the curb and then a wall, forcing it to a halt.

"Hulk!"

The Hulk kicked the door open and jumped out first, followed by Tony, Natasha, Clint, and Sam.

Nick and Maria also exited quickly, leaving Pepper behind in the truck for safety.

The Viper Squad held back, allowing their army of snakes to charge first.

From the truck's rear, a towering, three-meter-tall creature emerged. The Tyrant, with its grotesque musculature and oversized arms, tore off its chains and leapt down.

Nick, holding a tablet-like device, gave the command: "Tyrant! Attack!"

Receiving the order, the Tyrant charged into the snake army.

Snakes tried to bite or constrict it, but their efforts were futile. The Tyrant's lack of blood rendered the venom useless, and its immense strength made constriction attempts laughable.

Behind it, three more Lickers leapt out of the truck, joining the carnage and slaughtering the snake army.

The snake controllers in the Viper Squad winced in pain as their serpentine allies were decimated.

Seizing the opportunity, Nick's team retrieved advanced electromagnetic rifles, exoskeleton armor, and other high-tech equipment from the truck.