Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

The unfamiliar metal fragment embedded in the mutant's brain became the new focus of the joint laboratory. While previous research on the T-virus's abnormal mutations was important, it was largely based on speculation derived from data and phenomena. This fragment, however, was tangible evidence, inexplicable by current world technology. It lay coldly in a specially made isolation dish, radiating an unsettling stillness.

Tony practically pressed his face against the analyzer's screen, his fingers flying across the virtual keyboard as he muttered to himself, "Amorphous alloy structure, internal energy field unbelievably stable... Jarvis, compare it to Asgard's known metal database, especially those supposedly from 'God's Realm'."

"Comparing, sir," Jarvis's calm voice came through the laboratory's loudspeakers. "Initial analysis rules out matching the known properties of Urumetal, Adamantium, or Vibranium. There is a slight similarity in energy signatures, but the spectral composition is significantly different, leaning more towards... some unrecorded, magically compatible alien material."

"Magical affinity?" Tony straightened up, rubbing his throbbing temples, and looked at Chen Haotian standing on the other side of the isolation dish. "Hey, genius, do you have any information about this kind of thing in your 'supernatural knowledge reserves'? Like the signature of a demon god from a certain dimension? Or the peculiar habit of some evil god who likes to litter everywhere?"

Chen Haotian stood with his hands in the pockets of his white lab coat—a suit provided by Wesker's team, which gave him a somewhat researcher-like air—his gaze fixed intently on the fragments. Hearing Tony's question, half-joking, half-serious, a faint smile played at the corners of his lips, a touch of the carefree nonchalance of a playboy emerging, but deep within his eyes remained the cool, analytical composure of a top student and a high-IQ individual.

"My 'knowledge base' doesn't currently contain any direct records of such fragments," Chen Haotian said slowly, his voice steady. "However, Tony, your mention of magic has reminded me of something. Is it possible that the frequency and nature of the 'faint magical fluctuations' you detected are not inherent to the fragment itself, but rather... a 'mark' or 'echo' left behind after it had been in contact with or carried some powerful magical force for a long time?"

Tony paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "An imprint? An echo? Like a cassette tape recording sound, even after playback, the tape itself retains magnetic traces? An interesting hypothesis! Jarvis, rescan, focusing on analyzing the attenuation pattern of the energy field and the structure of residual information. Try to peel away the background 'noise' and see if you can reconstruct the characteristics of the original 'signal source'!"

"Performing deep energy field spectroscopy analysis requires higher power and more precise probes, sir. The current laboratory environment poses a risk," Jarvis cautioned.

"Risk?" Tony waved his hand dismissively. "We've already set up a temporary lab in this zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world, and we're even hanging out with this cheapskate brother who claims to be able to travel through multiple realms. The word 'risk' has been redefined. Execute!"

Chen Haotian remained noncommittal about Tony's adventurous spirit; he was more concerned with another aspect. "Dr. Wesker," he turned to the virologist who had been silently recording data beside him, "what are the analysis results regarding the interface between metal and biological tissue?"

Wesker adjusted his glasses and turned his tablet towards Chen Haotian, displaying images under a high-powered electron microscope. "Shocking, Mr. Chen. Look here," he pointed to the area where metal and brain tissue intertwined in the image, "this isn't a simple physical embedding or encapsulation. The neural synapses formed by the viral proliferators have actually 'grown' into the microscopic pores of the metal surface, forming a... near-symbiotic bio-metal composite structure. The metal fragments not only physically become part of the brain, but functionally, they likely also participate in the transmission and processing of neural signals."

He switched to an image showing a biochemical analysis of the cellular fluid at the interface. "We detected abnormally high concentrations and activity of T-virus at the interface, far exceeding other parts of the brain. Simultaneously, there were several unidentified proteases and signaling molecules, whose structures… also do not belong to any known biochemical system. This fragment, like a… 'foreign catalyst,' doesn't directly output instructions, but it alters the local environment, greatly accelerating and distorting the T-virus mutation process in that region, and may provide a physical port to the brain for some… external signal."

"External signal..." Chen Haotian repeated the word in a low voice. The transmigration runes within his body seemed to pulsate again, slightly clearer than before. He was almost certain that this fragment was connected to his own runic abilities in some unknown way. Both were products of "non-this universe," and both involved the manipulation of space, energy, and even rules.

"In other words," Chen Haotian concluded, his gaze sweeping over Tony and Wesker, "what we're facing might not be a simple virus leak. Rather, it might be some entity with cross-dimensional interference capabilities—let's call it 'it' for now—that's intervening and guiding the T-virus mutation in this world by scattering these magically compatible metal fragments as 'beacons' or 'interfaces.' Those mutants exhibiting unusual intelligence or special abilities are very likely individuals who have successfully 'connected' to the fragments."

A brief silence fell over the laboratory. This deduction was more terrifying than the virus itself. No matter how terrible a virus is, it is ultimately a local biological crisis that can be (theoretically) understood and eventually controlled. But cross-dimensional, purposeful interference… this is completely beyond everyone's comprehension.

"What's the purpose?" Tony broke the silence, his tone unusually serious. "What is the purpose of 'it' doing this? To create an army of zombies that transcends dimensions? That's really bad taste."

"The purpose is unknown." Chen Haotian shook his head. "It could be a test, it could be planting seeds, or it could be... some kind of harvest we can't understand. But the key point is that the appearance of this fragment proves that the threat facing this world is far beyond what we previously imagined. And..."

He paused, sensing the continuous, faint resonance of the runes within his body. "Moreover, this interference may originate from a similar power system to my 'ability,' or at least exist in the same 'arena.'"

Tony immediately grasped the deeper meaning in his words, his eyes sharpening: "You mean, your rune that can take people anywhere, and this mastermind who might be creating super zombies, are 'colleagues'?"

"You could understand it that way, although the term 'colleague' might not be entirely accurate," Chen Haotian frankly admitted. "The levels of power and forms of expression may differ, but the areas they touch upon may overlap. This fragment is like a 'greeting' from an unfamiliar realm, or a... 'coordinate'."

Just then, Jarvis's voice rang out again: "Sir, deep energy field spectral analysis complete. The stable background field has been successfully stripped away, and an extremely weak, highly compressed residual information structure has been detected. Preliminary analysis shows that this information structure has strong directional characteristics, and its encoding method... has about 17.3% similarity to the energy ripples that occasionally leak from Mr. Chen's body. At the same time, the information structure contains a repetitive, non-sonic low-frequency vibration pattern, which is suspected to be some kind of identifier or... summoning signal."

Tony suddenly looked at Chen Haotian, his face full of "I knew it wouldn't be that simple" expression.

Chen Haotian's heart sank slightly. A 17.3% similarity... this was no coincidence. The rune's reaction to the fragment, the residual information on the fragment sharing a common origin with the rune's energy... all of this pointed to one fact: he, Chen Haotian, this unexpected transmigrator, the power he carried had inevitably intersected with the deeper shadows behind this apocalyptic world.

That cold metal fragment was no longer just a research sample. It became a warning, a puzzle, and perhaps... a key to a greater secret. And the other end of that key was connected to the core of his own mystery of time travel.

"Could we try to decipher that 'summoning signal'? Or pinpoint its location?" Chen Haotian asked, his voice still calm, but his heart was in turmoil. He needed more information, the more the better. Whether it was to deal with the crisis in this world or to unravel the mystery of his own abilities.

"The information is too incomplete and the encryption method is unknown. Complete decryption would require a significant amount of time and computing resources, as well as... a possible key," Jarvis replied. "The directional analysis is heavily interfered with, making precise location impossible, but the general direction... points deep into the northwest area of ​​the city."

The Northwest region... that's the location previously marked on the map, the suspected location of Umbrella Corporation's main research facility.

The clues seem to be starting to connect.

Chen Haotian walked to the isolation dish, examining the silent fragment up close. His cunning nature led him to habitually consider various possibilities and how to utilize this information. Should he follow this clue deeper to uncover the mastermind behind it all? Or should he use it as leverage at some point in the future?

Regardless, this metal fragment, emanating faint magical fluctuations from the mutant's brain, has completely altered their understanding of this zombie world. The danger lies not only with the zombies themselves, but also with the unknown hand lurking in the dimensional shadows, which planted this "seed." Chen Haotian knew very well that he could no longer remain uninvolved.