Marvel: Alchemist

Chapter 9: The Birth of the Homunculi

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Late 1970s – New York City

The world was changing, and with it, so was the battlefield. My enemies were no longer just rival businessmen or crime families. I had seen glimpses of the supernatural lurking beneath the surface—vampires influencing conglomerates, mutants growing bolder, and whispers of eldritch horrors manipulating events from the shadows. I needed more than wealth and power. I needed warriors.

And for that, I required a Philosopher's Stone.

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The Weight of Knowledge

Alchemy was a science of equivalent exchange—nothing could be gained without sacrifice. I had long since accepted that truth, but now I stood at the precipice of something far darker. A Philosopher's Stone could grant limitless energy, sustain homunculi, and push my alchemy beyond its natural limits. But to create it required human lives.

Evelyn could never know. No one could.

The criminals of Hell's Kitchen were vermin—murderers, traffickers, and scum who preyed on the weak. No one would mourn their disappearance. It was a necessary evil, one I had no qualms embracing.

I spent months refining the process, ensuring every step was perfect. Using the underground network of Golden Enterprise, I had my men abduct only the most wretched criminals, those whose sins had long since condemned them. I built a secret laboratory beneath one of my private estates, warded against any possible discovery.

And then, the ritual began.

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The Philosopher's Stone

The air was thick with the scent of blood and burning incense. Alchemic circles, meticulously drawn with my own reinforced blood, pulsed with crimson energy as the final preparations were completed. The chamber was soundproofed, ensuring no soul outside these walls would ever hear the screams.

As I placed my hands on the transmutation circle, power surged through me. The bound criminals writhed, their life force siphoned away, condensed into pure energy. Their bodies withered, turning to dust, and in their place, a brilliant, blood-red gemstone coalesced at the center of the circle.

The Philosopher's Stone was complete.

I picked it up, feeling the warmth of pure power radiating through my fingertips. This was the key to my next creation—the homunculi, my perfect enforcers.

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The Twelve Homunculi

Using the Philosopher's Stone as the core energy source, I began the next phase. Each homunculus would be designed for a specific purpose, a warrior crafted to be the perfect soldier.

Inside specially designed alchemical vats, twelve humanoid forms began to take shape. Their bodies were infused with reinforced tissues, enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes far beyond normal humans. I spent weeks fine-tuning their alchemical circuits, ensuring absolute loyalty. Unlike human soldiers, they would feel no fear, no hesitation. They would obey only me.

The first to emerge was Ares, the strongest, designed for raw combat, his body reinforced with layers of alchemically enhanced Kryptonium plating. Next was Hermes, the fastest, moving like a phantom through the battlefield. Each homunculus bore the name of an ancient god, a testament to their superiority over mankind.

As they stepped from their vats, I felt something I had not experienced in years—a sense of true accomplishment.

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A New Force in the Shadows

The homunculi did not need training. Their minds were already programmed with combat tactics, strategies, and absolute obedience. But I wanted to test them.

The first mission was simple. A rival conglomerate backed by vampires had been making moves against my businesses, spreading their influence through underhanded deals. I sent Ares, Hermes, and Hades, my stealth specialist, to dismantle their operations.

It was a massacre.

Surveillance footage showed Ares tearing through guards like paper, bullets bouncing harmlessly off his reinforced body. Hermes moved unseen, eliminating targets before they even realized they were under attack. Hades ensured no one escaped. Within an hour, the entire facility was wiped from existence.

The message was clear—Edward Lin was no longer someone to be challenged lightly.

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The Future of My Empire

With the homunculi at my command, Golden Enterprise's reach expanded further than ever. Our security firm became the most elite force in the world. Our mercenary division operated globally, securing rare resources, eliminating threats, and ensuring that my empire remained untouchable.

But power invited greater enemies.

I knew that one day, the truth about my homunculi and the Philosopher's Stone would surface. The supernatural forces in the world were stirring, and soon, I would be forced to face the consequences of my actions.

But for now, I stood at the peak, a king among men.

And I had no intention of stepping down.