Chapter 181: The Mad Laughter Returns

Tearing a person apart was something Han Yu could easily do. But his case was different—he had the Undying Seal granted by the General Store System. With his superhuman strength, such feats were routine for him.

Banner, however, was not the same. In his normal state, his physical abilities were no different from an average human's. A regular high schooler might even be able to overpower him.

The Hulk was the Hulk, and Banner was Banner. Their consciousness and physical capabilities didn't overlap, which was why Han Yu found it so shocking that Banner had torn four people apart with his bare hands.

That wasn't something an ordinary person could do.

Han Yu began walking toward Banner but noticed after a few steps that Hank was still standing in place, not following him.

"Aren't you coming along?" Han Yu asked.

Hank quickly shook his head and replied, "You two talk. I'll stay nearby. Just call me if you need anything."

As he spoke, Hank stepped back a few more paces, clearly shaken.

Han Yu didn't blame him. That reaction was perfectly reasonable. Even Han Yu himself, despite his strength, had never witnessed someone tearing apart living people. If he had, he'd probably find it deeply unsettling too.

"Hey, look, someone's actually walking toward that lunatic."

"No way. This guy must be new if he's this bold."

"Wow, what a cutie. If he makes it out alive, I'm totally claiming him!"

"I've got my eye on him too. Don't think I'll let you have him so easily."

"Shut up, you brute. Why do you always compete with me for men instead of women?"

"That's just my type. Got a problem with that?"

The whispers from the surrounding crowd didn't faze Han Yu. Without changing his expression, he headed straight for Banner's booth.

When he arrived, the booth was littered with empty bottles. Picking one up, Han Yu saw it was high-proof alcohol—over 90% strength. On the table, a few white pills were scattered around.

Han Yu didn't need to think twice. He knew those pills were some kind of illicit drug.

"Banner?" Han Yu reached out and shook him gently, trying to get his attention.

Banner was slumped over the table, reeking of alcohol.

The motion startled him awake. In an instant, his withered-looking hand shot toward Han Yu's neck with alarming speed.

Han Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. Faced with the sudden attack, he wasn't surprised. With equally swift reflexes, he grabbed Banner's wrist firmly, immobilizing him.

Their sudden confrontation caused a stir among the onlookers. When they saw Han Yu's impressive reaction, the wealthy women in the crowd lit up with excitement.

In that moment, they had already made up their minds—they had to have him. His skill, his looks—he was a must.

"Banner, it's me—Han Yu," Han Yu said in a low voice infused with a faint green light energy.

The sound of his voice seemed to cut through the haze in Banner's mind. Gradually, Banner's cloudy eyes regained some clarity. He looked up at Han Yu in surprise.

"Han? What are you doing here?"

"We'll get to that later. I came looking for you. What… what's going on here?"

Han Yu released Banner's hand and gestured at the bottles and pills on the table, frowning as he took a seat across from him.

"It's Hulk," Banner said, his voice trembling slightly. "Hulk's gone mad. He's constantly trying to take over my body. I can feel his insanity. The only way I can hold him back is by numbing myself with alcohol and these pills. Hulk has to focus on neutralizing the substances I take, which keeps him from coming out—for now."

Banner ruffled his hair in frustration, his voice tinged with fear. Han Yu's emotions churned as he watched, feeling a mix of pity and helplessness.

Banner was usually a gentle person, someone with a calm demeanor who rarely raised his voice. Despite the Hulk's existence, he had always maintained the image of a kind and soft-spoken scholar.

To see him in such a state now—it was hard to imagine what kind of torment he was enduring.

"He's coming again. He's trying to take over my body again! Hulk is back!"

Banner suddenly panicked, scrambling for the pills and alcohol on the table. Watching him attempt to down the pills with alcohol, Han Yu was stunned. It was his first time witnessing such a reckless method of self-medication—it was utterly wild.

But Han Yu didn't let Banner get to the pills. Moving faster, he snatched the drugs and alcohol away, then stood there glaring coldly at him.

"What are you doing?! Give me the pills! Give them to me now!" Banner screamed, lunging at him like a madman. Han Yu sidestepped effortlessly, avoiding the attack.

To prevent Banner from coming at him again, Han Yu struck. Just as Banner tried to lunge once more, Han Yu's foot connected with his chest, sending him crashing back onto the booth's sofa. Han Yu stood nearby, watching him with an icy stare.

The scene left everyone in the bar stunned. Even the DJ stopped mid-track, and the once-loud music in the bar quieted significantly.

Some clueless bystanders gathered around, intrigued by the commotion, while those who knew of Banner's violent tendencies kept their distance, too afraid to breathe too loudly for fear of being dragged into the chaos.

Within seconds of Han Yu taking the pills, Banner's body began to change noticeably.

Thick, bright green veins started to bulge across his arms, and a low, guttural growl escaped his throat—a sound that sent shivers down spines.

Soon, his skin started to take on a green hue, and his muscles began swelling visibly.

Han Yu was about to call for everyone in the bar to evacuate. If Banner transformed into the Hulk in such a confined space, countless people would be hurt.

But just as Han Yu opened his mouth to speak, Banner's transformation stopped.

His physique had changed significantly—his weight seemed to have doubled, going from a slender 120 pounds to over 200 pounds of pure muscle. Clothes that once hung loose on him were now stretched taut, barely containing his newly bulked-up form.

Han Yu was about to call out to Banner, but then he saw something on his face—a sinister, unsettling expression he hadn't seen in a long time.

Banner's bloodshot eyes snapped wide open, his mouth curling into a grotesque smile that stretched unnaturally far.

That twisted grin, so full of madness, sent a chill through the onlookers, leaving them trembling.

Han Yu's expression turned grim. This was the second time he had seen that horrifying smile.

The first was on Alexander Pierce, the Hydra leader. Now, it was on Banner's face. Han Yu never thought he would witness it again.

"This... is the Laughing Virus?!"

Han Yu muttered in disbelief. How could Banner have been infected with the Laughing Virus? Or rather, how could the virus even still exist in this world?

Banner's skin wasn't purely green—it had hints of red streaks beneath the surface. Han Yu couldn't tell if it was the color of Banner's blood or a symptom of the virus.

As this horrifying form fully materialized, Banner grinned maniacally at Han Yu. His smile was bone-chilling.

With a roar, he lunged at Han Yu, fists clenched tightly.

He moved like a starving wolf that had locked onto its prey—ferocious, relentless, and insatiably greedy.

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