Guys the other guy is catching up!!ಠ益ಠ He's at chapter 16 that's too close for comfort, so I'll try to drop a chap every two hours but I need your support! Drop a review pls!
Chapter 24: Birth of the Green Goblin
Atop the Empire State Building, one of New York's most iconic landmarks, Batman stood at the edge of the cylindrical tower. Over four hundred meters above street level, wind howled around him.
He gripped the tower with one hand, his body motionless against the gale, eyes behind his mask fixed on the flowing traffic far below.
Unlike most buildings ablaze with light, Oscorp Tower in the distance sat in complete darkness.
Batman's arm tensed slightly and his body tilted forward, plunging from the Empire State Building's peak.
Using his grappling hook, he quickly reached Oscorp's roof. After securing webbing firmly to the top, he descended along the exterior wall, floor by floor.
Yesterday Batman had gone straight to the underground lab on sublevel two, but found it empty. Later on the twenty-fifth floor, he'd discovered only a group of scientists running computer simulations. Norman Osborn wasn't there.
Today Batman learned from that mistake. Instead of heading underground immediately, he started from the top—the sixtieth floor.
Again it was the twenty-fifth floor. Again those same scientists, now engaged in heated discussion.
Batman watched silently for a moment before continuing his search through the lower floors for Norman. Finding nothing, he finally left, heading toward Hell's Kitchen.
He had listening devices ready, but two consecutive days without spotting Norman meant the bugs couldn't be deployed yet.
Half an hour after Batman departed, Norman finally drove to Oscorp Tower and took the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor, where the scientists were still arguing.
"Stop bickering. Prepare for human trials," Norman said.
"All the test subjects are dead, Mr. Osborn. Have you captured more homeless people?" a bald researcher asked.
The others turned to look at Norman.
"No. To prevent General Ross from using human experimentation as leverage against me... I've decided to do it myself." Norman's voice held no hesitation, his decision clearly made.
"But Mr. Osborn, there's no need for you to take such a risk. We still have plenty of time before General Ross's deadline?" a middle-aged woman with graying hair and glasses asked.
"I know. But with Spider-Slayer arrested by police and Spider-Man's whereabouts unknown, I must rely on myself." Norman impatiently urged the research team forward. "Quickly now. If anyone has questions, ask them. Don't delay my experiment."
Seeing Norman's insistence, the researchers reluctantly followed him into the elevator.
"Mr. Osborn, I've never understood why you're so interested in General Ross's 'super soldier' program. Is it just because of the business partnership he promised?" This came from someone wearing a surgical mask.
Norman showed no anger at his employee's questioning. These were the most dedicated members of his research team since the company's founding. He tried to explain patiently.
"Do you remember Oscorp's slogan as a biotech-based company?"
"'Human evolution through science.' That's not just the company motto—it's been my greatest ambition since founding this company."
"Previously, Oscorp focused on genetic engineering. We've developed various genetically modified foods and mutated organisms, but achieving 'human evolution' remained impossibly distant."
The elevator reached the ground floor but didn't stop, continuing downward to sublevel three.
Sublevel one housed research and testing for the powered armor and glider. Sublevel two contained human experimentation research facilities.
Sublevel three was where Oscorp actually conducted human trials.
The space wasn't large. A transparent octagonal chamber about ten square meters occupied most of the area, containing a metal frame designed to restrain a person completely.
Four canisters connected to the chamber surrounded it, with a control console positioned directly in front.
Norman removed his shirt and entered the transparent chamber while the other researchers moved to the console, pressing buttons.
"Not until General Ross approached me did I realize I'd taken the wrong path. That redneck's vision is too narrow—his super soldier program only aims to create a superhuman army."
Norman locked himself into the metal frame. The cold metal against his skin made him suck in a sharp breath.
"Imagine if Oscorp successfully develops this. Even if the results aren't enough to turn ordinary people into super soldiers, they could cure any disease in the world."
"Oscorp would achieve unprecedented success, and disease would be eliminated globally. Isn't this win-win outcome worth my complete investment?"
"Trading the insignificant lives of homeless people for the lives of countless millions suffering from illness worldwide—even God would forgive me."
"Unfortunately, someone exposed my plan. Continuing to use homeless people creates unnecessary trouble and gives General Ross more leverage. I have no choice but to do this myself."
A tongue depressor was placed in Norman's mouth to help manage the pain. Biting down on it, he gave a muffled order.
"Begin!"
At Norman's command, the transparent chamber sealed completely. The metal frame slowly tightened around him, and green mist began flooding the interior.
The vapor grew denser until Norman's figure disappeared completely, only agonized screams emerging.
The researchers anxiously monitored data on the console. A white-haired, hunched old man pressed himself against the chamber's exterior, shouting loudly.
"Norman? Are you all right?"
Hearing only screaming from inside, he frantically waved at the others.
"Stop it! He can't take anymore!"
The others hesitated, about to terminate the experiment when Norman's weak voice emerged from the green fog.
"Keep... going! I can... hold on!"
"Norman!" the hunched old man cried out desperately.
"I said keep going!" Norman's voice suddenly grew much louder.
The researchers exchanged glances but could only let the experiment continue until the green mist gradually dissipated and Norman's voice fell silent.
"Quick! Check his vital signs!" someone shouted.
Fortunately, the console instruments showed Norman still had a heartbeat—he'd apparently just lost consciousness.
"Did it work?"
"Maybe..."
"Thank God Norman didn't end up like the other test subjects..."
"Is it just me, or does Norman look much more muscular?"
The researchers breathed collective sighs of relief, talking among themselves as they worked together to open the chamber and lift Norman out.
Suddenly, Norman's eyes snapped open—completely green. He raised one arm and violently tore apart the metal restraints binding him.
"Norman, you..." The hunched old man froze, starting to speak.
Before he could finish, Norman's hand lashed out in a vicious slap. The old man's head separated from his neck instantly, flying away.
Screams and blood filled sublevel three. Minutes later, only a floor covered in corpses remained, with no one left standing. Norman was nowhere to be found.
***
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