Norman and Otto exchanged a quick glance before nodding. After a brief discussion, Norman stepped forward once again.
"Otto, could you explain to Major Rhodes what exactly this research data represents?"
Though Rhodes was putting on a convincing act, Norman knew that the military couldn't possibly have mastered such advanced technology. If they had, there would already be an entire battalion of Captain Aricas running around.
Taking advantage of the mont while he and Reid discussed investnt terms, Otto began explaining to Rhodes.
"Major Rhodes, based on the data presented, this appears to be a super soldier serum."
"A super soldier serum?”
Rhodes' eyes widened in shock.
At just over twenty years old, he had already made a na for himself as a rising star within the U.S. military. Naturally, he was well aware of the military's long standing ambitions.
Ever since Captain Arica first appeared during World War II, the military had never stopped fantasizing about recreating the super soldier serum.
After Dr. Abraham Erskine’s death and the loss of his research, the U.S. had failed to replicate the serum. Even Howard Stark hadn't been able to crack the formula.
"What about the abilities? What kind of enhancents does it provide?"
Knowing how much the military valued anything related to the super soldier program, Rhodes imdiately started asking questions.
He needed to fully understand this serum. Ideally, he wanted to witness its effects firsthand before reporting back to his superiors.
"Emmm…" Otto hesitated for a mont. Biology wasn’t his specialty, but after so thought, he finally provided an answer.
"Currently, it appears the serum releases a high-energy red substance, capable of easily lting tal. However, the energy is confined to the body and dissipates over ti. Re-injection of the serum is necessary to maintain its effects."
"There are flaws?"
Rhodes' tone briefly shifted to one of disappointnt, but he quickly pulled himself together. Having flaws was normal. The U.S. still hadn’t created a super soldier serum that could be safely injected into humans, so why expect perfection?
anwhile, on the other side, Norman and Reid had co to an agreent on the investnt issue.
"We are willing to offer Mr. Luthor 30% of the shares, but before finalizing, I have one last question."
"Go ahead." Reid remained lazily leaning against the desk, as if the outco had been completely expected.
"We would like to obtain the data from the human trials."
As a natural capitalist, Norman wasn’t ready to just hand over 30% of the shares without conditions. He knew that without a company, Luthor would have no ans to conduct human trials.
The reason for this request was to push Luthor to give up so of his profits, perhaps relinquishing his administrative rights or similar privileges.
"I'm afraid the data from human experints is currently unavailable.”
Just as Norman had anticipated, Luthor, who had completed such research alone, simply didn't have the qualifications to conduct human trials. As for using himself as a test subject? Thinking it over, Norman couldn't imagine a scientist would do that.
"Since that's the case..."
Just as Norman was about to lead the conversation and push Luthor to give up so of his benefits, Reid pulled out a red test tube.
“Rest assured, the human experint data will be available soon."
Saying that, Reid grabbed the syringe on the table and injected the serum into his arm.
"Wait! Are you crazy?"
Otto saw this and rushed forward to stop him, but it was too late. Reid, who had already injected the serum, was glowing with red energy.
Powerful laser-like energy circulated around his body.
‘Is this guy insane?’
Norman stared, shocked at what was happening. This guy in front of him was either a reckless madman or soone incredibly confident in himself. He must have been absolutely sure that the serum he created was flawless, even without human trials. Only soone like that would dare use their own body for the experint.
In fact, that was the case.
Reid actually regretted it right after the injection. He wasn't Lex Luthor, after all. He had just gotten so into playing the role of Luthor that he lost control for a mont and impulsively injected the serum into himself.
Fortunately, Luthor's abilities lived up to his expectations. The system had given him the most powerful version of the character, always maintaining the sa mindset—confident, calculating, and unyielding.
For example, Alfred was able to hold his own in hand-to-hand combat with so low-tier superpowered criminals, and the Joker could go toe-to-toe with Batman, all while having the Dionesium.
As for Luthor, he was the smartest version from all the parallel universes.
In Reid's mind, the Luthor he was portraying was inspired by the version from the Red Son comics— a Luthor who, using his unparalleled intellect, broke Superman's spirit, reshaped the world, and accelerated human progress. Through his technological innovations, he not only ruled the world but also lived for 4,000 years, becoming the progenitor of a future Superman.
This version of Luthor certainly had every right to be arrogant.
‘It seems there are no obvious side effects.’
Rhodes had remained silent but had been closely watching Reid. After seeing the powerful red energy radiating from him, he finally relaxed. It seed that, indeed, there were no issues.
Under Luthor's control, the red energy gradually receded back into his body. At that mont, everyone noticed that the floor beneath him had been lted into a clear footprint.
"Oh? The effects are just as I imagined. Mr. Octavius, please record the data."
Reid then quickly demonstrated the power brought by the serum. His physical abilities hadn't improved, but his body could release red energy from various parts. The intensity of the energy could be controlled based on personal will. However, releasing too much energy would shorten the serum's effective ti.
"Perfect. This is, without a doubt, the most perfect super soldier serum so far."
After Otto finished recording the data, he could only offer this evaluation. At the mont, he was genuinely impressed. In his eyes, this kind of serum was beyond the current technological capabilities of humanity. Yet, Luthor had done it.
Feeling awed, Otto couldn’t think of any other words. However, he wouldn’t admit defeat. He believed that, in his own area of expertise—physics—he had made achievents that were just as impressive as Luthor’s.
When the serum's effects wore off, Reid looked at Norman and Rhodes.
"So, what do you think? Does my technology warrant 30% equity and administrative rights? And as for the military, are they willing to invest in this project?"
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