Marvel : New Son Rising

Black Adam soared through the sky at incredible speed. Though he made no attacking moves, lightning continuously erupted around him. Each bolt precisely struck an infected person, instantly neutralizing any threat that dared approach Kahndaq. This had been his unchanging method.

Kahndaq was a nation with simple technology, evident from its king being Shazam, who lived 5000 years ago. Because of this, Kahndaq, being less developed technologically and socially, was the least affected when the virus first spread widely through the internet.

Due to the presence of their God, few people in Kahndaq owned mobile phones. The few infected individuals who did appear were swiftly killed by Black Adam the moment they showed symptoms, before they could spread the contagion.

If this had occurred in the United States, and the government's initial response to such a virus was to directly kill the infected, widespread opposition would arise in the name of human rights.

But this was Kahndaq, a land still under a feudal monarchy, where Black Adam was the absolute law. Thus, no one challenged Black Adam's actions, and his decisive, ruthless approach successfully safeguarded a population that the entire Justice League combined might not have been able to protect.

When the thunder and lightning finally faded, only the corpses of the infected lay on the ground. Neighboring Egypt and Israel were almost entirely overrun, and even the United States, teeming with superheroes, had fallen.

How could these two African nations have possibly survived? For over a week, these infected continued to sense the presence of living beings and attacked Kahndaq, but Black Adam's response was always the same: kill them.

Now, nearly all the ordinary infected in the vicinity had been eliminated. Until a superhero strong enough to challenge him became infected, Black Adam could fully ensure Kahndaq's safety.

However, he did not immediately return to his palace. Instead, he hovered in the air, for three uninvited guests had arrived. Superman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter floated before Black Adam.

"Justice League, why aren't you saving ordinary people worldwide? Why do you come to my country?" Black Adam's attitude toward Superman was, predictably, hostile. Their styles and philosophies were fundamentally opposed; only their powers held some similarity.

"Black Adam," Superman began, "your country, Kahndaq, is arguably the safest place on Earth today. We hope you can take in more survivors. Then we can work together to guard Kahndaq's borders and better protect these ordinary people."

Currently, perhaps no other country would refuse Superman's help. With Superman and the Justice League defending its borders, a nation would undoubtedly hold out longer in this crisis. But Black Adam was an exception.

"I'm sorry, I'm not interested in jointly protecting Kahndaq. It's clear I'm capable of ensuring Kahndaq's safety on my own. In fact, your arrival will bring new threats to my nation."

Aside from long-term consequences, Superman's presence would inevitably restrict Black Adam's actions. The reason Kahndaq was the safest place on Earth was not just his God-given abilities and combat power, which rivaled Superman's.

The more crucial reason was his decisiveness and ruthlessness. He could instantly kill anyone showing signs of infection, even if they weren't yet sick. He would do so whenever possible.

But Superman couldn't. Superman, who couldn't even bear to kill the infected, was the biggest threat to Black Adam. Black Adam feared no opponent except Superman.

Therefore, he preferred to face the next wave of infected alone rather than cooperate with Superman. Two individuals with such different ideas standing together, with other heroes supporting Superman joining in, Black Adam could easily imagine the future he would face.

"I have no interest in saving humanity, nor do I care for your superhero games. So leave Kahndaq quickly, or I will attack."

Superman tried to speak, but Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman stopped him. Black Adam's words were crystal clear, and there was no point in them saying anything further.

"Alright..." In the end, Superman had no choice but to give up. He, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter left Kahndaq, flying toward the Fortress of Solitude, hoping to rescue more survivors along the way.

After confirming the three had left, Black Adam flew back to his palace.

"Shazam!"

With that magical word, a bolt of lightning struck him precisely. The next moment, Black Adam temporarily relinquished his divine power and reverted to his mortal form, Black Adam.

"Did anything happen in the city?" he asked. His ministers immediately approached him but couldn't answer his question directly.

"The thunder did not cause panic," one minister began, "but with almost all the outside countries losing contact, the situation has changed too drastically. We are now unable to tell what is good and what is bad."

In Kahndaq, Black Adam used the wisdom of Thoth to govern the entire country, and his subjects had long grown accustomed to relying on their all-powerful king.

Black Adam had anticipated such an answer. After casually changing into his king's robe, he decided to go on a secret visit. The wisdom of a god was not all-knowing.

He needed to see with his own eyes how his people were living to make the most accurate and correct decisions.

So, accompanied by a group of ordinary ministers, Black Adam left the palace and walked into his own country. Along the way, he observed many issues.

While Black Adam possessed extraordinary wisdom, Kahndaq was, after all, a small country with scarce natural resources.

With the collapse of other nations' governments, some of Kahndaq's material supply lines were experiencing problems. Black Adam noted these issues and began to ponder solutions.

At this moment, they noticed a woman kneeling at her door, weeping. Black Adam could not simply ignore his people's sorrow, so he immediately stepped forward to inquire.

"Great King," she sobbed, "my child, he has a serious illness. I am truly powerless to help him."

Hearing this, Black Adam secretly exhaled in relief. With his wisdom, most of the world's diseases could be cured. He spoke to the mother, "Open the door, perhaps I can help you."

"Thank you, great king." As she spoke, the woman unlocked her door with a key and stepped aside for Black Adam.

Black Adam trusted his people, so he pushed open the wooden door without hesitation. But at that moment, a small boy, covered in blood, lunged at Black Adam with a roar.

Realizing the boy was infected, Black Adam immediately began to chant the spell to regain his divine power. "Shaz..."

But before he could finish half the spell, Black Adam, still a mortal, was scratched on the chest by the little boy. At the same time, the second half of the spell burst from his lips.

"Am!"

The divine lightning tore through the roof and struck Black Adam. He regained his omnipotent power, but simultaneously, within the beam of lightning, an infected being of terrifying strength was born...