On the monitoring screen, an anomaly in the data began to flicker.
It wasn't a system error—it was deep within Nathan's cells, a sudden surge of activity in the special bioelectric energy that resided dormant until now. This was the energy buried in the deepest layers of his body, usually untraceable and still.
Nathan stared, eyes sharpening. Something was happening.
According to his prior calculations, these currents—this special form of bioelectricity—were like stagnant water in a sealed cavern, still and inaccessible. In order to release them and tap into their full potential, they had to be activated. And the only known method to awaken them was to raise their activity level by increasing physical strength.
Up until now, Nathan's research had concluded that once the body's strength reached 30 tons, the activity of this electricity would spike, becoming strong enough to be detected by the nervous system—and, more importantly, released at will.
But what the screen now showed contradicted that.
Electric current stimulation had awakened something. The special electricity in his cells had begun to stir, just slightly, but noticeably. The suit designed to accelerate muscle growth had inadvertently stimulated the unique electrical properties of his cells.
His pupils dilated.
"If I combine this with my existing training... I could bypass the original limit," he whispered.
"What if I don't need to reach 30 tons anymore?"
His mind flashed to that moment—when the little Spider-Man launched a single strike at 50,000 volts. Not even fully matured, and already capable of generating that kind of power. That was roughly half the strength of Pikachu in its early battle stages.
Nathan's lips curled into a grin.
He had dreamed of manipulating electricity like that—raw, explosive, controlled power. And now, thanks to his own technology, that dream might be within reach.
"This electric suit... I didn't expect this benefit."
"An unexpected breakthrough."
He leaned closer to the screen. "Let's see how long this enhancement lasts... and just how much it can give me."
Immediately, Nathan reactivated the electric muscle stimulation suit and resumed testing.
The tingling energy coursed through his arms and chest again, and he focused intensely on the real-time data flashing across the monitor.
As time passed, a pattern emerged.
Each burst of stimulation temporarily increased the activity level of bioelectric energy within the affected cells. It plateaued after a while, but the cumulative gains were evident. Not as impactful as intense weight training, but it added up—and fast.
With every test, he recalculated.
Then the realization struck.
"If I continue stimulating my cells while simultaneously increasing my physical strength, the activation threshold drops."
He revised the data.
"I can release bioelectricity when my strength reaches 24 tons... not 30."
His heart raced.
"That means... I'll be able to use elemental abilities far earlier than expected."
His voice was calm, but his eyes sparkled with ambition.
"I'm about to gain my first offensive superpower—electricity."
He exhaled, energized and focused.
After storing the electric stimulation suit back in the training room, Nathan didn't rest. He shifted to the next task: optimizing Osborn Corporation's internal security network.
He boosted his access level to the highest possible tier, restricted everyone else's, and locked down backdoors. Control was essential now—especially with what he was building.
Then, he turned to another goal.
Designing custom training equipment for the little Spider-Man.
With the blueprints still fresh in his mind and backed by prior experience, Nathan engineered an entire suite of advanced workout systems tailored to the tiny spider's physiology. Everything was scaled, weighted, and structured to gradually push its limits.
All that remained was to build them physically.
With his day's work nearly complete, Nathan prepared to leave Osborn Corporation—but not before giving orders to his most trusted subordinate.
"Kurt," he called.
In the conference room, Kurt stood at attention, a document in hand.
He handed Nathan the formula. "This is the composition of the Lizard Self-Healing Potion."
Kurt explained calmly, "Boss, the potion grants remarkable regenerative ability... but it's limited in how often it can be used."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Based on clinical data," Kurt continued, "the body develops temporary resistance. You can use it up to five times in a row. After that, it becomes ineffective for a full 24 hours."
"So five lives," Nathan mused, "with a cooldown."
Kurt nodded. "Exactly."
Nathan examined the formula, then without hesitation, burned it with a lighter.
He looked up. "This is powerful work, Kurt. Not a wasted effort."
Kurt blushed slightly. "It's all thanks to you, sir."
"If you hadn't stepped in when you did, I might've become a monster. The real Lizard—locked up in some SHIELD containment cell."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. He nodded slowly.
That reality could have happened.
He handed Kurt a new file.
Inside were the detailed blueprints for Spider-Man's custom training equipment.
"Have this built by tomorrow morning."
Kurt flipped through the document. "Absolutely, I'll get it done."
Nathan was satisfied. "You're efficient, loyal, and brilliant. That's why I trust you."
Kurt's loyalty was undeniable. Nathan could read it in his microexpressions, his heartbeat, his posture.
It wasn't flattery—it was respect.
Then, Nathan handed over another folder. "Install cameras at these coordinates. Or place a van nearby with hidden monitors."
Kurt didn't question the purpose.
He simply nodded. "Understood. I'll get someone on it discreetly."
Nathan pointed to the final section. "Also... I want you to investigate the New York State Prison."
Kurt looked up.
"I need everything on the super-ability experiments being conducted there. Find out where they're happening, who's in charge, and what their goal is. Do it silently."
Kurt's face grew serious. "No one will know we're watching."
Nathan smiled. "That's why I keep you around."
Kurt chuckled, then added, "One more thing, boss."
Nathan paused. "What is it?"
Kurt sighed. "The company's about to launch a product... I'm not qualified to manage this. I'm a scientist, not a businessman. We need a professional CEO."
Nathan agreed. "You're right. I've been so focused on research, I neglected operations."
He made a mental note.
"I'll bring Norman Osborn in. He's the best fit."
Before Kurt left, he glanced at the blue spider badge on Nathan's chest.
A flicker of sympathy crossed his face.
He had seen the heavy-duty training equipment. There was no way a normal person could endure that, not even a soldier. The sheer weight, the absurd complexity—it was all tailored for one thing.
"The electric little Spider-Man... poor guy."
He winced just imagining the strain it would face.
He was grateful to be ordinary. If he weren't, Nathan might have turned that training regimen on him.
Kurt gave the spider badge one last pitiful glance, then left.
Nathan meanwhile was already thinking ahead.
"Norman's the right man to lead the company's launch," he said aloud.
"But before that... I need to finalize the Green Goblin serum improvements."
"I'll erase the Goblin persona entirely. Let Norman return."
With that, Nathan exited the building.
---
Across town, deep in the shadows of Hell's Kitchen...
A massive underground chamber housed a single black coffin, encased in frost.
The lid opened slowly.
Mist curled into the air.
Inside, a young girl with jet-black hair no longer than five centimeters rose from the coffin. She looked sixteen at most—but her eyes were cold, ancient.
She was the host of the Beast, the demonic force Nathan had briefly encountered.
All around her, ninjas in black knelt in reverence. Among them stood several high-ranking members of the Hand, including the Japanese swordsman who had once escorted Kurokū.
The girl's gaze swept across them, emotionless.
One elder finally spoke, "Leader, you've awakened. While you were gone, all our agents in New York were killed."
"The Dragon Bone was stolen."
The girl's voice was cold. "By who?"
The Japanese man stepped forward. "We suspect the same person you encountered that day."
"He wiped out our presence in the city."
"Find him," the girl ordered. "Bring him to me."
"The Beast demands sacrifice."
The room echoed with a unified, "Yes, leader."
She reclined back into her coffin.
"Where are you?" she whispered.
"The Beast needs you."
The lid sealed shut once again.
---
Meanwhile, cars rolled through the streets of New York.
Inside one of them sat Donald and Dr. Les, flanked by two burly men in combat gear.
But on closer inspection, these men weren't normal.
They were Wolverine clones.
Donald smirked. "We've got a trace. He's nearby."
Dr. Les growled, "X-24 must be recovered. He's the only perfected experiment. The rest... are failures."
---
Back near a corner supermarket, Nathan strolled casually across the street, muttering to himself:
"Need oyster sauce, tissues... and a toothbrush. Oh, and a new towel."
But suddenly—
A shout rang out behind him.
"Stop right there! Don't think you can hide from us!"
Nathan paused, his eyes narrowing.
"Donald," he whispered. "You found me after all."
His knuckles cracked.
"Big mistake."
He turned around slowly, ready to fight.
But then...
Donald and the others ran straight past him.
They didn't even look at him.
From the intersection ahead, a bloodied figure dashed out—Captain America, limping but fast.
"Who the hell are you people?!" he yelled as they pursued him.
Nathan froze.
His eyes darkened.
Something bigger was happening.
And somehow, it was just getting started.
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