Chapter 20

According to the data, the plan to study Kilgrave's abilities was not highly valued by the leaders of Pioneer Technologies. At most, it would be a pleasant surprise if something useful came from the research, but it did not matter if nothing came of it.

This was because the project had already been researched, and it was believed that Kilgrave's abilities could not be replicated. As a result, the project was passed down to the mid-scale technology company, Pioneer Technologies, and to the researchers within the company.

They never imagined that due to an accident, a breakthrough result would actually be produced. However, the result had major flaws and required further improvement.

The researchers at the institute agreed to keep it secret to prevent the higher-ups from intercepting the research that they had already completed.

It was common for researchers at the bottom to discover something only for those at the top to take credit for it as their own project, completing it by making gradual improvements. The researchers had seen this happen many times and naturally developed coping methods.

On the surface, it looked like there had been no progress, but in fact, a major breakthrough had occurred. This was how Tessa was able to steal a potion without her father noticing.

How could a few scientists devoted to research have time to pay attention to a child?

If this research had been taken seriously by the technology company, Tessa would not have had the opportunity to steal the medicine, and even if she had, it would have been quickly discovered and recovered.

Referring to the clues revealed by the computer, Abel quickly grasped the key points and made a decision.

He didn't plan to leave quietly, nor did he intend to destroy everything there. He wanted to take the materials and defective medicines for himself.

Recently, in Abel's potion restoration plan, he had listed some of the most important and difficult potions to restore. Among them, the top three were Polyjuice Potion, Restoring Draught, and Veritaserum.

The effects of these three potions were irreplaceable and powerful, but they were also extremely difficult to make in this world. Their creation required many materials unavailable here, making it harder than reaching the sky.

However, studying Kilgrave's cellular and genetic ability medicines gave Abel a feeling that maybe he could take it back and study the possibility of replacing one or several materials in Veritaserum.

In fact, as Abel had guessed, the real owner behind Pioneer Technologies was Hydra, secretly operating within S.H.I.E.L.D. After acquiring Kilgrave's biological structure, someone within Hydra suggested the idea of replicating Kilgrave's abilities for use by Hydra's fighters.

But the majority of Hydra's attention was focused on the Insight program, and its leader, the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Alexander Pierce, did not prioritize the Kilgrave study. Most of Hydra's scientific resources were allocated to the Insight program, which meant the Kilgrave project was mostly ignored and ultimately abandoned.

Like throwing away trash, the project was handed off to various technology companies secretly controlled by Hydra. Pioneer Technologies, a mid-level firm, continued the research, and by various coincidences, Abel ended up benefiting from it.

After becoming visible again, Abel donned a black hooded sweater he had prepared earlier and wore a decorative mask he had bought on the street.

Wielding his wand, Abel cast Obliviate on the researchers, who had yet to notice him.

A bright white light burst from his wand, instantly engulfing everyone in the laboratory, erasing all their memories of researching Kilgrave's ability.

While the researchers remained confused, Abel removed the computer's hard drive, physically wiped any useful data from it, and took all the semi-finished and finished medicines from the laboratory. After destroying all traces of the experiment, he placed everything into a bag and walked out of the institute.

It had to be said that Pioneer Technologies was indeed one of the companies under Hydra. As Abel walked out of the lab into the hallway, a large group of security guards armed with batons and tasers rushed toward him.

Petrificus Totalus!

As he cast the spell, Abel's right wrist, holding the wand, trembled at high speed, and yellow light spread like a flower, petrifying all the security guards rushing toward him.

The petrification spell would wear off in about a day, as these guards were just ordinary security personnel. They likely had no idea about the connection between Pioneer Technologies and Hydra, so there was no need to harm them.

Looking around, Abel noticed a nearby floor-to-ceiling window. Since he had already been discovered, there was no need to keep a low profile. He decided to break the window and escape using the Levitation Charm.

He raised his wand, and a white light shot out, shattering the window. Just as Abel was about to leap through, he suddenly sensed danger. He immediately cast Protego. Almost simultaneously, gunfire erupted behind him, but the bullets ricocheted off as though they had hit solid iron.

Turning to face the shooter, Abel sensed the man's aura—one of bloodshed and experience. This was someone who had killed many, a feeling Abel was all too familiar with from his days among the Death Eaters and Aurors in his previous life.

There was no need for further confrontation. The longer he stayed, the more likely he would be discovered or targeted. Abel swung his wand, sending the man flying and knocking him unconscious as he slammed into the wall.

Without wasting another moment, Abel jumped through the broken window, feeling the rush of weightlessness. Just before hitting the ground, he cast the Levitation Charm to slow his fall, landing softly on the roof of a residential building and disappearing quickly into the night.

As for what had happened at Pioneer Technologies, Abel was certain that Hydra would suppress the incident. If S.H.I.E.L.D., particularly Nick Fury and Coulson, got wind of it, they would undoubtedly start investigating, which could lead them to discover Hydra's hidden presence.

In this critical period for the Insight program, Hydra wouldn't want anything to jeopardize it. Once the Insight plan was in motion, Hydra would likely deal with any loose ends later.