"Sir, are you sure about this experiment?" Medusa's voice came through the earpiece.
"Medusa, real combat is the only way to test the truth," Zhou Yi said, tapping the device on his ear. "Besides, this is important work."
"Sir, I don't think digging a tunnel several kilometers underground is a good idea—especially when Dawn One hasn't been properly tested. If something goes wrong, you could be trapped 300 meters below, and rescuing you would be nearly impossible."
"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile. Start the process, Medusa."
"Understood, sir."
The machine in front of Zhou Yi emitted a strange noise, signaling its high-powered activation. Several robotic arms extended and began attaching modular components to his joints—knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, chest, shoulders, and head. These weren't just for protection but also for coordinating the nanometal's transformation.
Once the base components were in place, a second set of robotic arms appeared. Unlike the first, these had injector-like tips. They inserted long needles into designated ports on the suit, delivering a flow of silver-gray metal. As the nanometal spread like liquid mercury, it quickly coated Zhou Yi's entire body, forming a tight, flexible inner layer—a second skin.
The next phase followed. A thicker layer of nanometal surged forth, reinforcing the suit's structure. The armor plates interlocked, creating a sturdy yet sleek design. In about a minute, Zhou Yi was fully encased in the newly completed Dawn One nanosuit.
The suit's streamlined design radiated a sharp, minimalistic beauty. Reinforced joints added a sense of raw power, while the interlocking metal plates provided both defense and a visually striking look—almost like a dragon-slaying knight from myth. But to avoid a medieval aesthetic, the helmet was designed with external earpieces extending into a crystalline nanometal visor, giving it a futuristic touch.
The helmet connected to the nano-armor at the back of his neck and extended downward from the jawline, forming a comet-like shape. The central visor, made entirely of crystalized nanometal, reflected light like a mirror, obscuring Zhou Yi's face from view. When necessary, the helmet could retract, leaving only the earpiece communicator—perfect for when he no longer needed to hide his identity.
After all, Zhou Yi had no intention of playing Spider-Man and staying hidden behind a mask forever.
Finally, the crystalized visor glowed faintly, and Zhou Yi's voice, now filtered through an electronic modulator, came through.
"Medusa, the startup time is longer than expected." He tapped his helmet, listening to the crisp metallic sound. "But the design looks great."
"The delay is due to the nanometal adapting to your personal energy source. Also, thank you for the compliment."
"But I don't like this color." Zhou Yi looked at his metallic gray arms. "Medusa, change the primary sections to black and add something distinctive."
Following his command, the suit's outer layer shifted at the molecular level. The main armor darkened to a deep black, while a golden sun emblem emerged on his broad shoulder plates.
In an instant, the mechanical-looking nanosuit transformed into something far more imposing—drenched in darkness yet commanding attention.
"Much better," Zhou Yi muttered, admiring his new look. Then he gave another order. "Medusa, adjust my trajectory and seal the tunnel entrance—I don't want to come back and find this place flooded."
"Understood, sir."
"Good. Let's get to work!"
The crystalline visor flared with intense white light—a result of Zhou Yi's heat vision refracting through the nanometal. The superheated beam struck the ground, instantly melting metal and dirt into solid crystal. Without hesitation, Zhou Yi leaped forward, drilling through the earth with precision.
His high-temperature laser combined with top-tier AI guidance allowed him to burrow at incredible speeds. Within minutes, he had carved a tunnel leading straight to the seabed near Long Island. Only a thin rock layer separated him from the open ocean.
After receiving Medusa's confirmation, Zhou Yi smashed through the final barrier with a single punch. Seawater rushed in, filling the space with bubbles and debris. Zhou Yi grabbed several massive rock slabs, stacking them to form a natural-looking underwater mountain—effectively concealing his tunnel's exit.
Once the waters settled, the site looked like an untouched ocean floor, aside from the oddly missing chunk of rock.
Satisfied, Zhou Yi shot out of the water, ascending rapidly into the sky. From this altitude, land was only a faint outline on the horizon.
He chuckled, imagining the agents still monitoring his home, completely unaware of his escape route. "I'll deal with them later. For now—Medusa, tap into New York's police network. See if there's anything worth my attention."
"Sir, your right-hand nanometal has sustained some damage. I recommend repairing it before proceeding."
Zhou Yi glanced at his gauntlet. The metal around his knuckles was cracked, exposing the inner nanolayer. Though the suit was actively self-repairing, the process was too slow for his liking.
"Make a note: next-generation nanometal needs better durability. Now, keep monitoring the police network—I'll handle repairs later."
"Understood, sir."
Medusa relayed various police transmissions:
"Central Park disturbance—suspect running naked. Any available units?"
"Burglary reported in Queens. Nearby officers, please respond."
"Illegal street racing in Manhattan. Need immediate backup!"
"Sam, your mom dropped off cookies. Josh says thanks—they taste great."
"Amanda, tell Josh I'm gonna kick his ass when I get back."
After listening for a few minutes, Zhou Yi lost interest. "Medusa, keep scanning for anything worthwhile. I'm heading into orbit for a recharge."
With that, he launched himself into the upper atmosphere. For someone who relied on solar radiation for energy, nothing beat basking in direct sunlight.
His high-speed ascent tore through the sky, friction igniting a deep red glow around him. The nanosuit barely showed any signs of strain—its heat resistance proving exceptional. By the time he exited Earth's atmosphere, the suit remained stable, exceeding expectations.
But Zhou Yi's reckless flight hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Commander, unidentified aerial entity detected—Code 484."
The S.H.I.E.L.D. operative had been assigned to monitor this particular entity, and the moment Zhou Yi left Earth's surface, they immediately reported to Maria Hill.
Code 484 wasn't just another flying object—it was a classified subject, restricted to Level 7 clearance. Only a select few knew its true identity, while others simply tracked it as an unknown anomaly.
Even those stationed near Zhou Yi's home only knew they were watching a billionaire—not that they were monitoring 484.
That was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s approach to secrecy: the more layers, the harder it was to uncover the truth.
Maria Hill, already irritated by 484's antics, ordered, "Send me the visuals and get Squad Eleven on standby."
"Images uploaded. Squad Eleven is on the channel."
Hill studied the footage. A black silhouette streaked past a S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite, barely caught on high-speed cameras. In the brief snapshot, the figure was clearly visible—wearing a futuristic exosuit and flying with one arm raised in a certain pose.
Anyone familiar with it knew this was the classic "boy scout salute."
Annoyed, Hill muttered, "Do you think you're some kind of model citizen?" Then she snapped back to business. "Squad Eleven, report!"
The agents who had witnessed the scene in real-time held back laughter, impressed by Hill's composure. Switching moods that quickly? That took skill. But still, a commander with a permanently cold demeanor...
That was just classic Maria Hill.
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