The news of the pier incident dominated Neo-Seattle's morning broadcasts.
Marcus watched from his school cafeteria as the reports played on mounted televisions. Witnesses described "monsters" attacking both security forces and an unidentified villain group. The Hero Association had deployed investigation teams, but they'd found no bodies—only biological residue and evidence of intense combat.
"Monsters," the news anchor said gravely. "This marks the third incident this month involving creature attacks. First the Slaughterhouse massacre, then several disappearances in the warehouse district, and now this coordinated assault on a high-value shipment. Authorities are investigating possible connections."
Sarah sat across from Marcus, watching the broadcast with wide eyes. "This is getting scary. Monsters? In Neo-Seattle? I thought this city was safe."
"Nowhere is truly safe," Marcus said, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"But monsters? Like, actual creatures? Not villains with mutation powers or summons?" Sarah shook her head. "The reports say these things consumed the bodies. Left nothing behind. That's horror movie stuff."
"The city has always had dangerous elements. This is just a new variation."
"You're way too calm about this." Sarah leaned forward. "Marcus, what if these things start attacking normal areas? What if they come to the school?"
"They won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
Because I control them, Marcus didn't say. Instead: "The pattern suggests they're targeting criminals and villain operations. We're not involved in either."
"I guess." Sarah didn't sound convinced. "Still, it's terrifying. And the Hero Association seems clueless. They can't even figure out what these monsters are or where they're coming from."
On screen, a Hero Association spokesperson was giving a press conference: "We want to assure the public that we're taking these incidents seriously. Additional patrols have been deployed to high-risk areas, and we're coordinating with law enforcement to identify the source of these attacks. If you have any information, please contact our tip line."
Marcus suppressed a smile. The Hero Association was scrambling, trying to understand an enemy they couldn't classify. Were the monsters villains with unique powers? Some kind of biological weapon? A new species that had emerged from the city's shadows?
They'd never guess the truth: a sixteen-year-old "powerless" student creating an army in abandoned tunnels beneath their feet.
His phone buzzed with an encrypted message from Void Raven:
*We need to talk. Secure location. Today if possible.*
Marcus typed back: *Abandoned factory, industrial district, Sector 9. 6 PM.*
*Confirmed.*
Sarah noticed his distraction. "Study group message?"
"Something like that."
"You're very popular for someone who claims to be a loner." She smiled. "It's good, though. You seem less isolated than when we first met."
"I'm adapting."
"We both are. Being powerless sucks, but at least we have each other, right?" Sarah's expression turned serious. "Marcus, I wanted to say thank you. For the other night, at the coffee shop. For listening. I was in a really dark place, and you pulled me out of it."
"You would have pulled yourself out eventually."
"Maybe. But having someone who understood helped." She reached across the table and squeezed his hand briefly. "You're a good friend. I hope you know that."
Marcus looked at her hand on his, feeling nothing but mild calculation. Sarah's emotional attachment to him was deepening, which was useful. But it also created potential complications if she ever discovered the truth.
*Cross that bridge when necessary,* he decided. For now, she remained an effective cover and information source.
"You're welcome," he said, withdrawing his hand to check his phone again.
---
After school, Marcus returned home briefly before heading to his laboratory. His parents were both on patrol—extended shifts had become routine with the increased "monster attacks" drawing hero attention to various districts.
In the laboratory, Marcus assessed his new resources.
The fifty-three containers of crystallized Essence sat on reinforced shelving, each one glowing faintly with internal power. This much concentrated energy could accelerate his monster creation exponentially, allowing him to push creatures to higher tiers faster than normal growth rates would permit.
He'd already integrated the abilities harvested from Black Talon's fallen members into his existing monsters. The results were impressive:
- Beta-One through Beta-Seven now possessed multiple secondary abilities
- Fifteen Alpha-tier monsters had been enhanced with new powers
- His awakened-tier population had grown to one hundred and eighteen through new creations
Total monster count: Two hundred and ninety-four.
But numbers weren't enough. Marcus needed quality improvements, needed to push his creations to higher tiers. The commander-tier monsters were powerful, but he'd encountered their limitations during the Black Talon fight. They lacked the raw power to instantly overwhelm B-rank opponents.
He needed Lord-tier monsters—the next level in his hierarchy. Creatures that could match A-rank heroes in single combat.
Marcus selected three of his strongest Beta-tier monsters and prepared them for evolution. Using concentrated crystallized Essence combined with his remaining BW-ALPHA mutagen, he'd attempt to push them to the next tier.
The process was dangerous. Essence overload could cause catastrophic mutations or complete biological collapse. But Marcus had refined his techniques over three weeks of constant experimentation.
He placed the first Beta-tier monster—Beta-One, his crystalline gravity manipulator—in a specialized containment area. Then he injected it with a compound he'd synthesized: BW-ALPHA mixed with dissolved crystallized Essence and DNA stabilizers.
The reaction was immediate and violent.
Beta-One's body convulsed, its crystalline armor cracking and reforming. The creature's mass increased rapidly, doubling, then tripling in size. Its six arms multiplied to eight, each one growing more defined claws. The gravitational field around it intensified until Marcus felt the pull even from twenty feet away.
Through their connection, Marcus monitored the transformation. The monster's consciousness was fragmenting, restructuring, expanding. It was gaining not just power but increased intelligence, moving from tactical thinking to strategic reasoning.
After fifteen minutes, the transformation completed.
What emerged was no longer recognizable as the creature that had entered. Beta-One had become something far greater—a fifteen-foot-tall monster of crystalline armor and impossible geometry. Its eight arms moved in patterns that seemed to violate physics. Its gravitational manipulation had evolved to include limited spatial distortion.
**Gamma-One:** Lord-tier monster. Strategic intelligence. Power equivalent to low A-rank.
Marcus felt satisfaction watching his first Lord-tier creation. The jump in capability was enormous. This single creature could probably eliminate an entire squad of C-rank heroes.
He proceeded with the second evolution. Beta-Four, his energy-projecting monster, underwent similar transformation. The result was Gamma-Two—a creature covered in bio-luminescent circuits that could fire concentrated beams capable of melting steel.
The third evolution failed. Beta-Six couldn't handle the Essence overload. Its body collapsed into biological sludge after seven minutes of transformation. Marcus observed clinically, noting the failure points for future reference.
*Two successes out of three attempts. Sixty-six percent success rate matches the original BW-ALPHA testing. Acceptable.*
He'd consumed approximately fifteen percent of his crystallized Essence reserves creating two Lord-tier monsters. At this rate, he could create perhaps eight more before exhausting the supply.
But eight Lord-tier monsters plus his existing forces would make him nearly unstoppable at the street level. He'd be able to challenge even A-rank heroes with reasonable confidence.
Marcus checked the time—5:45 PM. He needed to meet Void Raven in fifteen minutes.
He selected his escort: Gamma-One and Gamma-Two, plus five Beta-tier monsters. Enough power to ensure respect without appearing overtly threatening.
---
The abandoned factory in Sector 9 had once produced industrial equipment. Now it was a hollow shell, machinery stripped and sold years ago. Marcus had chosen it specifically for its isolation and multiple exit routes.
Void Raven arrived precisely at 6:00 PM, accompanied by Crimson Chain and Shade. All three wore civilian clothing, trying to blend in, but Marcus's thermal-vision monsters had tracked them from three blocks away.
Rebecca Cross looked better than she had last night. Her wound was bandaged but healing—likely accelerated by illegal medical treatment from contacts in the criminal underworld. She moved carefully, still injured but functional.
"Marcus," she said, entering the factory's main floor. "We need to establish ground rules if this arrangement is going to work."
"I'm listening."
"First: We're not slaves. You recruited us, you didn't conquer us. That means we get a say in operations, not just blind orders."
"Reasonable. Continue."
"Second: We need to know what we're working toward. What's your endgame? Building an army of monsters for what purpose?" Rebecca's dark eyes studied him intently. "You're not just a criminal seeking profit. Last night proved that. You have bigger ambitions."
Marcus considered how much to reveal. These three were now part of his organization, but they weren't inner circle. They didn't need to know about his ultimate goal of transforming all humanity.
"My goal is evolution," Marcus said carefully. "Humanity is stagnant. The awakening gave us powers, but we're still limited by biology, society, conventional thinking. I'm creating something better. Something that transcends those limitations."
"Through monsters."
"Through transformation. Monsters are just the method."
Crimson Chain spoke up. "That's cult leader talk. 'Transcendence through transformation.' What does it actually mean?"
"It means I'm building an army powerful enough to reshape society according to better principles. The Hero Association's system is corrupt—it values power over morality, creates hierarchies based on arbitrary genetic advantages. I'm going to replace it with something more efficient."
It was partially true. Marcus did intend to reshape society, just not in the way they were imagining. But this explanation would satisfy them for now.
Rebecca nodded slowly. "So you're a revolutionary. Not just a criminal or a villain. You actually believe you're changing the world for the better."
"I am changing the world. Whether it's for the better depends on perspective."
"At least you're honest." Rebecca walked closer, studying Marcus despite the Lord-tier monsters flanking him. "You're sixteen years old and you talk like someone who's seen everything. It's disturbing. Where did you even learn to create these things?"
"Self-taught. I've always been interested in biology and transformation. When I awakened, the knowledge just... came to me." It was mostly lies, but the awakening cover story was essential. "My power isn't just creation. It's understanding. I know how to reshape life on a fundamental level."
"That's a terrifying ability."
"Which is why I'm going to win." Marcus gestured to his monsters. "Meet Gamma-One and Gamma-Two. Lord-tier creations. Each one equivalent to an A-rank hero. I created them today from existing monsters using the Essence we stole last night."
The three former Black Talon members stared at the massive creatures in shock.
"You created A-rank equivalents in one day?" Shade's voice was barely a whisper. "That should be impossible."
"I have two hundred and ninety-four monsters now. In one month, I'll have over a thousand. In six months, ten thousand. Exponential growth." Marcus let that sink in. "Your old organization was successful because Rebecca is brilliant and cautious. But you were always limited by recruitment—finding trustworthy members, training them, managing personalities. I don't have those limitations. My army grows as fast as I can acquire resources."
"And you want us to help you acquire those resources," Rebecca said, understanding dawning.
"Exactly. You know the city's criminal landscape. You have contacts, safe houses, knowledge of Hero Association patrol patterns. That intelligence, combined with my power, makes us unstoppable."
Crimson Chain shook his head. "This is insane. You're talking about going to war with the entire Hero Association."
"Eventually, yes. But not immediately. For now, we build in secret. Grow stronger. Eliminate competition. Secure resources." Marcus pulled out his phone and displayed a map of Neo-Seattle with various locations marked. "I have targets identified for the next six months. Villain organizations to absorb, criminal resources to seize, locations with valuable materials. Your first assignment: help me plan the optimal order of operations."
Rebecca studied the map. "You've marked the Red Fang Syndicate, the Corsair Brotherhood, the Night Market... all the major criminal organizations in the city."
"They're competition. Either they join me or they become resources."
"You're going to absorb the entire criminal underworld."
"Within three months, yes. After that, I'll start targeting C and B-rank heroes who operate alone. Harvest their abilities. By six months, I'll be strong enough to challenge S-rank threats."
The timeline was aggressive, possibly too aggressive. But Marcus had learned that overwhelming momentum was more effective than cautious growth. Strike fast, eliminate opposition before they could organize, create an unstoppable wave of expansion.
Shade looked sick. "You're talking about killing hundreds of people. Heroes, villains, everyone."
"I'm talking about evolution through assimilation. Some will be killed, yes. But others will be converted, transformed into something greater than they were. And those who willingly join will be spared." Marcus met each of their eyes in turn. "That includes you three. As long as you're useful and loyal, you remain human."
The implicit threat hung in the air.
Rebecca's jaw clenched. "And if we refuse? If we try to leave?"
"Then you become materials. I gave you the choice once. You chose survival. That choice remains available as long as you continue to choose it."
"You're a monster," Crimson Chain said quietly.
"Not yet. But I'm working on it." Marcus smiled. "Now, let's discuss operational details. I want a full intelligence report on the Red Fang Syndicate by tomorrow. Membership, power levels, hideouts, vulnerabilities. Think you can provide that?"
Rebecca was silent for a long moment, internal conflict visible on her face. Finally, she nodded. "We can provide it. But Marcus? You should know something. The criminal underworld talks. Word is already spreading about the pier incident. About monsters attacking Black Talon. People are scared, confused. Some are going into hiding."
"Good. Fear makes them easier to track."
"But it also makes them desperate. Desperate criminals do stupid things. Some might band together, form alliances specifically to counter you. Others might go to the Hero Association, trade information for immunity."
Marcus considered this. "The Archive would know if anyone was talking to heroes. Oracle's precognition should give warning of major alliance formations."
"Maybe. But you said yourself—Oracle can't see your future. She can see around you, but not you directly. That's a blind spot." Rebecca leaned against a wall, wincing slightly from her injury. "We've operated in this world for years. We know how it works. You're powerful, but power isn't everything. Politics, information, timing—those matter too."
"Which is why I recruited you." Marcus pulled up another file on his phone. "Here's something else you should know. The Hero Association is planning a major operation in two weeks. They're calling it 'Operation Cleansing'—a coordinated strike on multiple villain organizations simultaneously. They want to capitalize on the current chaos and eliminate threats while everyone's disorganized."
Rebecca's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"
"I have sources. What matters is that this gives us an opportunity. While the heroes are busy with their operation, we strike their secondary targets—the villains they're not prioritizing. Absorb them before the Association can."
"You want to compete with an official Hero Association operation?"
"I want to exploit it. They can't be everywhere at once. Their focus will be on major threats. We'll be cleaning up the smaller ones they're ignoring." Marcus displayed a secondary map. "The Association is targeting Red Fang, Corsair Brotherhood, and the Night Market. We'll hit the Scavenger Clan, the Poison Garden, and the Underground Railroad."
Shade spoke up, his voice steadier now. "The Underground Railroad isn't a villain organization. They help Nulls escape mandatory service laws in other countries. They're... they're actually helping people."
"They operate illegally and have resources I want. That makes them a target." Marcus saw Shade's expression and softened slightly. "I'll offer them recruitment first. If they accept, they keep their organization and work under my protection. If they refuse, then they're resources."
It was a small concession, but it seemed to satisfy Shade somewhat. Rebecca noticed the exchange and filed it away—Marcus could see her cataloging his behavioral patterns, searching for weaknesses or exploitable traits.
*She's always thinking, always planning,* Marcus noted. *Good. I need people who think strategically.*
"Alright," Rebecca said finally. "We'll help you plan these operations. Provide intelligence, tactical analysis, suggestions. But Marcus? If this goes sideways, if you get us killed because you're too ambitious—"
"I won't. I don't take unnecessary risks." Marcus gestured for his monsters to stand down. They retreated to the shadows, less threatening. "You're valuable assets. I protect my assets."
"Until we're more useful dead than alive."
"Exactly. So stay useful." Marcus checked his phone—6:47 PM. "I need to return home soon. My parents think I'm at a study session. Send me the Red Fang intelligence by tomorrow evening. We'll plan the operation for next week, before the Hero Association's cleanup begins."
Rebecca nodded. "We'll send it. But Marcus? One more thing."
"Yes?"
"The Archive. Oracle. You said she works for you now. How did you manage that? She's notoriously independent."
"I demonstrated that her precognition was useless against me. She calculated that compliance was better than elimination. Simple pragmatism."
"She's terrified of you."
"She should be." Marcus started toward the exit. "Fear is an effective motivator. As long as she remains useful, she lives. The moment she becomes a liability, she becomes a monster. That's true for everyone in my organization."
He paused at the doorway and looked back. "Including you three. Remember that."
Marcus left before they could respond, his Lord-tier monsters following like massive shadows.
---
On the walk home, Marcus reviewed his expanding web of control.
**Direct subordinates:**
- Void Raven, Crimson Chain, Shade (Black Talon remnants)
- Whisper, Frost, Burn (Archive field agents)
**Compromised organizations:**
- The Archive (43 members, forced compliance through fear)
- Black Talon (absorbed, only three survivors)
**Monster forces:**
- 2 Lord-tier (Gamma-One, Gamma-Two)
- 7 Commander-tier (Beta-One through Beta-Seven)
- 20 Elite-tier (Alpha-tier)
- 118 Awakened-tier
- 147 Micro-monsters
- Total: 294 creatures
Resources:
$12 million in crystallized Essence
Multiple safe houses (former Black Talon properties)
Archive intelligence network
Complete surveillance of key city districts
Timeline:
Week 1: Eliminate Scavenger Clan
Week 2: Absorb Poison Garden during Operation Cleansing chaos
Week 3: Recruit or destroy Underground Railroad
Week 4: Consolidate gains and prepare for Red Fang assault
Month 2: Begin targeting isolated C-rank heroes
It was aggressive, perhaps too aggressive. But Marcus's previous life had taught him that hesitation was death. Strike fast, overwhelm opposition, create momentum that became unstoppable.
His phone buzzed with a message from Sarah:
How was your study session? Mine was boring. Want to grab food tomorrow?
Marcus smiled at the normalcy of it. While he was planning the systematic absorption of Neo-Seattle's criminal underworld, Sarah was worried about whether he wanted to get burgers.
Sure. After school?
Perfect! There's this new place I want to try. Fair warning: it's vegan. But supposedly good.
I'll survive.
You're so brave.
Marcus pocketed his phone and continued home. The duality of his life—monster sovereign by night, normal teenager by day—was becoming routine. He compartmentalized effortlessly now, switching between personas without conscious effort.
When he climbed through his bedroom window at 7:30 PM, his mother was just arriving home from patrol.
"Marcus? Are you home?" Helen called from downstairs.
"Yeah, Mom. Just got back from studying."
"How'd it go?"
"Productive. Made good progress."
Helen appeared in his doorway, still in her hero costume. She looked exhausted. "That's good. Your father will be home late—there was an incident at the port last night. Big investigation. They're interviewing everyone who was in the area."
"The monster attack thing?"
"Yeah. It's got everyone on edge. The Association is pulling double shifts, trying to figure out what's going on." She sat on his bed. "Marcus, I want you to be careful. If you see anything unusual, anything that seems dangerous, you call us immediately. Okay?"
"I will, Mom."
"I mean it. These things—whatever they are—they're vicious. They attacked trained security and a villain group. They could attack anywhere." Helen's concern was genuine, maternal. "You're powerless. You can't defend yourself against threats like this."
If only you knew, Marcus thought. If only you knew your powerless son commands the very monsters you're hunting.
"I'll be careful," he said aloud. "I promise."
Helen seemed satisfied with that. She kissed his forehead—something she hadn't done since before his awakening—and stood. "Get some sleep. You look tired."
After she left, Marcus lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. His mother's genuine concern should have made him feel something. Guilt, perhaps. Shame. Affection.
He felt nothing but mild amusement.
His parents were good people in their limited way. They tried their best, worked hard, wanted their son to be safe and happy. But they were also part of the system he was going to destroy. Their hero careers were built on that corrupt foundation.
When the time came, Marcus would spare them. Convert them into high-tier monsters, preserve their consciousness enough that they could serve his new order. It was more mercy than they deserved, but he wasn't unnecessarily cruel.
His phone buzzed again. This time, an encrypted message from Oracle:
I've been analyzing the timeline changes you're creating. Every action you take branches reality in ways I can't predict. It's fascinating and terrifying. The futures I see now look nothing like what they did before your awakening. What are you, Marcus Vail?
Marcus typed back: Evolution. Change. The inevitable. Get used to it.
You're going to destroy everything.
I'm going to transform everything. There's a difference.
Not from where I'm standing.
Then change where you're standing. Adapt or become obsolete. That's how evolution works.
Oracle didn't respond. Marcus put the phone aside and closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him.
In his laboratory beneath the city, two Lord-tier monsters stood guard over his growing army. In the shadows, his micro-monsters spread throughout Neo-Seattle, watching, listening, gathering intelligence.
And in the darkness of the abandoned Metro tunnels, dozens of new monsters were gestating in bio-chambers Marcus had constructed, feeding on crystallized Essence, growing stronger with each passing hour.
The transformation of Neo-Seattle had begun.
And nobody except a terrified precognitive and a handful of compromised subordinates even knew it was happening.