Marvel: Master Of Role-Playing-Chapter 277: Zolaโs End
"What? And what exactly did you figure out?"
Reid stared at Zola, who had suddenly gone mad and blurted out his true identity. Under the Helmet of Fate, his expression turned strange. ๐ง๐โฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ญ.๐ธโด๐
What is this? He didnโt transmigrate into the Overlord world, so why was there a headcanon king here too? And the worst part... he guessed it right?
He couldnโt help thinking that as he pushed his control over the magic influencing science.
Telepathy from someone like Martian Manhunter or Charles Xavier was rooted in physical mechanisms, based on the human brain. That kind of telepathy had no effect on a digital lifeform like Zola.
Doctor Fate also possessed telepathic power, but it was different from theirs. His telepathy was built on the soul. However, even that was useless against Zola, because his soul didnโt exist in the physical world anymore. It had transformed into data, living inside the information network.
Yet Reid could combine both approaches. He understood science. With that knowledge, and by merging both systems, he created a form of telepathy even artificial intelligence couldnโt resist.
And just like that, he saw exactly what Zola had imagined.
The process was simple.
Zola couldnโt believe that a mere human could master magic and science at the same time, let alone fuse them seamlessly. Not unless that person had been born with an understanding far beyond common sense.
To the outside world, someone born with incredible superpowers, gifted intelligence, and proven scientific genius could only point to one man: Reid Pennyworth.
In Zolaโs mind, Reidโs natural abilities gave him a higher perspective, a deeper grasp of the world. Only someone like him could accept magic while already standing at the peak of science and then bring them together.
"Uh..."
After reading Zolaโs thoughts, Reid let out a bitter smile. He never imagined his identity as the mastermind would be exposed in such a ridiculous way.
His only comment on Zolaโs theory? Sounds nice. Donโt think about it again.
As if innate powers alone could lead to such enlightenment. If that were true, who would want to become a scientist?
Franklin Richards had overwhelming strength, but did he go about memorizing spells? No. He played with cosmic energy itself. People that strong didnโt waste time chanting incantations and begging for favors from higher beings.
For Reid, merging magic and science wasnโt a final destination. It was just a step toward something greater. When his mastery deepened, why care about spells at all? Heโd simply rewrite reality with a gesture, twist space and time with a wave, and extract souls for knowledge whenever he wanted. Wouldnโt that be easier?
In truth, the miracles Reid could achieve with his current system and knowledge werenโt even the final step yet.
Meanwhile, Zola was screaming hysterically, "I knew it! Just like I suspected! Reid, showing up in this form... let me guess! Who were you before this? Luthor? Batman? Aquaman? The Amazon princess? Joker? Or maybe... even your so-called father was just another disguise of yours?!"
Reid was completely speechless.
How the hell did this guy guess every correct answer while getting the whole premise wrong?! Out of all the people connected to himโDick, Human Torch, you name itโhe skipped them all and landed on every single one of his masks? What kind of cursed luck is that?!
But now that Zola had said it out loud, he didnโt bother denying it. After all, the man wasnโt leaving here alive today.
Golden streams of energy flowed through the air. The attire of Doctor Fate faded away, and once again, Reid appeared before Zola in his familiar black tailcoat.
"Honestly, I have so many things I could say about that, but Iโll admit... you guessed right. So what now? What else do you have to say?"
By this time, Luthor had already dismantled the core of Zolaโs computer system. The virtual lifeform had little time left.
When Reid revealed his true form, Zola didnโt roar in anger, nor did he curse him. Instead, the artificial voice trembled. Then, he broke down and began to cry.
"How could this happen... How can someone like you even exist? We... this entire world... itโs all just a toy in your hands. Hydra! What future do we even have?!"
Zola had always feared death. It was clear from the moment he agreed to Howardโs offer without hesitation, and later, when he uploaded his consciousness into a computer. The one thing he could never tolerate was the end of his own life.
Yet his faith in Hydra was equally unshakable. As long as he lived, his belief in the organization was absolute.
Now, he knew there was no way to survive. Neither Luthor nor Reid would leave him a chance. In his final moments, all that remained was his burning faith, erupting like a storm.
He was unwilling to accept this end, both for himself and for Hydra.
He could no longer see a path for the organizationโs future. He had no idea what fate awaited them under the shadow of the monster standing before him.
His screams filled the air. Then silence came as Luthor powered down the system. Zola was gone.
For a data lifeform born from human consciousness, being turned off meant oblivion. To the digital world, shutting down was like the universe collapsing into a singularity.
Maybe his memories still existed in fragments. But Zola, the sentient being, had ceased to be.
"Did you find it?"
Everyone holds on to something, faith, ideals, or purpose. Heroes cling to their sense of justice. Villains have their own visions.
A hero cannot uphold noble ideals forever, and likewise, a villain is not always pure evil.
Long prepared for this outcome, Reid felt nothing at Zolaโs outburst of despair. After restoring the image of Doctor Fate, he turned to Luthor, who had finished his task.
"Although I didnโt go through every detail, itโs a shame that Zola was telling the truth. Being a scientist, he couldnโt comprehend magic, so his knowledge on the subject is useless to us. At most, he only knew Hydra was involved in some kind of project. But fortunately, when it comes to Project Insight, his database is full of valuable data."
"Good enough. Letโs go. Itโs time to wrap this up. The last hero should be making his move now."
At that, Luthorโs face shifted into an expression filled with mixed emotions.
"No matter how many times I think about it, fighting alongside that annoying guy still feels strange."
"Hahaha! Luthor, you better get used to it then. Days like this... weโll have an eternity of them ahead!"
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