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"But he has no future," Strange murmured softly. The essence of power in this universe was such that there were always gains and losses.

In Strange's view, the power that Lang Rom wielded was just another modified version of borrowing magic. At best, it was a grafting system of some unknown technology that replaced the borrowing system of Kamar-Taj. But in any case, it would eventually need to be repaid.

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The repayment date might be gradually postponed with technological advancements, but it would always exist, like a Sword of Damocles hanging overhead. Their situation was even more dangerous than that of the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj.

At least the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, as long as they didn't mess around, didn't recklessly learn forbidden spells, and didn't come into contact with terrifying magical entities and dimensional forces, would not easily face dangers like corruption and erosion before their lives ended.

But Lang Rom, who relied on technological grafting, had his safety and stability entirely in the hands of the technology provider. Once there was any slightest mistake or loophole, his soul would be cleanly harvested by the source of power.

"That's not quite right," Lang Rom said, disagreeing with Strange's words. "What does Sorcerer Strange think constitutes a future?"

Strange paused, not replying immediately, because he could tell that Lang Rom didn't want him to answer right away.

"I am an agent, a spy, a warrior. My life is in danger most of the time. To me, a lack of strength is the real absence of a future.

The changes in this world are too fast, so fast that even I, who am in the midst of it, feel dizzy. I used to be able to successfully complete mission after mission with firearms and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technological products. But now, if I still use those old methods of combat and technological power, the next mission will be my death. I will become a nobody, not even cannon fodder. I might even have to retire and become a small police officer, but that wouldn't guarantee my safety either."

Lang Rom stated calmly and earnestly, "For someone like me, whose life hangs by a thread, I am a natural pursuer of power! I cannot tolerate those ordinary and mundane lives. I don't want to leave the battlefield that I crave and that excites me. So I need to increase my strength.

Hyberian technology can enhance us, allowing us to face those over-spec enemies without becoming cannon fodder to be mowed down. No one understands the dangers of technological experiments better than I do, but I am willing to take that risk. As for the future? I don't think it's as bleak and miserable as you imagine. As long as I don't die in a mission, Hyberian's technological upgrades are my future guarantee."

"Even if the price is your soul and everything?" Strange asked.

"Of course. This grafting surgery, which even Hyberian cannot guarantee a 100% success rate, is a gamble in itself. But its technology is always improving, isn't it? If you knew a man named Blonsky, code-named Abomination, you might understand that I am already restrained. He is truly insane! And a true pursuer of power! I can't even be sure how much humanity is left in his soul. He even needs psionic fluids to stabilize his emotions and personality, and to nourish his tattered soul that has been stitched together, so that he can persevere without collapsing and losing heart.

An old soldier who is at least a hundred years old, appearing on various battlefields, besides satisfying his war addiction, also earns merits, and then throws everything he earns unreservedly to Hyberian, in exchange for the next round of modification. That is a madman! A figure that even Hydra, which is full of lunatics, marvels at!" Lang Rom said, unable to help but add a tone of amazement.

That Blonsky had become a conspicuous figure in organizations such as S.H.I.E.L.D., Hyberian, the Time Variance Authority, and Kamar-Taj, receiving great attention and close monitoring.

For example, he? After careful consideration and weighing the situation, he only dared to accept the power of a single dimension, and even then, he had undergone tests and selected a type with a relatively high compatibility with him. Of course, this higher compatibility might only be around 20%. The weakness of the human soul meant that such a high rate could only be achieved after multiple targeted adjustments and subtle transformations beforehand.

After the surgery was successful, he certainly gained immense power, but at the same time, his soul was like bearing a huge mountain. Every time he used this powerful force, he would experience an extreme period of fatigue. Only specially formulated psionic fluids could alleviate and eliminate this fatigue, and make him feel relatively relaxed.

However, this power did indeed allow his strength to increase exponentially. After all, the power of the Eye Demon was high enough to allow him to cope with most crises and troubles. But its power also made Lang Rom walk on thin ice, afraid to undergo deeper modifications. He was already doing his best just to maintain the stability of his soul.

But Blonsky was different. His body and soul were like rag dolls, with various powers sewn into them. Although these powers had been weakened and adjusted for balance and stability, it still couldn't hide the fact that he was evolving more and more into a non-human state.

Mechanical viruses, super serums, Hulk serum, Heart of Rage, dimensional organs and limbs.

Every time Abomination returned from a mission, he needed to undergo a full-body check to prevent him from losing his mind and going berserk. Just maintaining his state of stability and the balance of power was a delicate and difficult task. Compared to him, Lang Rom felt that the modifications he had accepted were insignificant and not worth mentioning.

"Sorcerer Strange just doesn't understand you yet. I believe that once he comes and goes more often and has more access to information, he will understand your psychology," Wong said, turning back at the portal to interject in their conversation.

"This is indeed a bit novel to me," Strange blinked, paused, and replied. He could see that Lang Rom was not repulsed by this modification, and seemed to accept it willingly, but he still had some doubts about this technology of creating artificial dimensional life. Because you only know how troublesome and difficult those dimensional beings are when you understand them! Even a sorcerer with profound magic power can be caught in a mental loophole and fall at any moment. (End of chapter)