It was another ordinary day at Midtown High.
Peter Parker sat in class, but his mind was far from the lesson.
He wasn't listening to the teacher at all — instead, his hand moved constantly across his notebook, sketching and revising designs.
Peter was designing his own suit.
Osborn Tower
On the ninetieth floor of Osborn Tower, a large laboratory was filled with people.
Not only were there white-coated researchers bustling about, but also several officials in military uniforms.
Suspended in the air above them, a man was testing a streamlined glider — one of the lab's newest inventions.
A scientist turned to a nearby officer and explained:
『Scientist』: "We've solved the problem of gliding balance — the fusion of gravity control and equilibrium."
The officer replied indifferently,
『General』: "I've seen gliders before."
The scientist frowned slightly, but before he could respond, the door opened.
A middle-aged man in a tailored suit stepped in confidently.
『Norman Osborn』: "General So, it's a pleasure to see you again."
He greeted the general, then turned to several men in suits nearby.
『Norman Osborn』: "Mr. Barr, Mr. Fay — welcome."
『Board Members』: "Mr. Osborn."
『Norman Osborn』: "I'm honored the board could make the trip here in person."
Norman smiled politely, though his eyes were calculating.
The general, however, remained impassive.
『General So』: "I want to see the report on your enhanced soldier program."
The moment he said that, several board members exchanged uneasy glances.
A researcher stepped forward.
『Scientist』: "We've conducted vaporized serum inhalation trials on white mice. Their physical performance increased eightfold."
『General So』: "Impressive. Any side effects?"
『Scientist』: "Once."
Norman immediately interjected,
『Norman Osborn』: "Just that one time. All other trials were successful."
『General So』: "And that one time — what happened?"
『Scientist』: "Extreme aggression, violent behavior, and temporary insanity."
Before the scientist could elaborate, Norman spoke again, forcing a smile.
『Norman Osborn』: "That was an accident. Aside from Dr. Shi, everyone else believes we can move forward."
The general ignored Norman and looked directly at the scientist.
『General So』: "Dr. Shi."
He clearly knew who led the project.
After a brief hesitation, Dr. Shi spoke up slowly.
『Dr. Shi』: "I believe we should start the experiment over from the beginning."
He was, after all, a scientist — one with a conscience.
Unlike Norman Osborn, driven by greed and ambition, Dr. Shi still cared about lives.
If the human enhancement project succeeded, it would be used on soldiers.
And if something went wrong… the consequences would be horrific.
『General So』: "…"
The general sighed.
Norman's face twisted in anger.
『Norman Osborn』: "Start over? Are you insane—"
Before he could finish, the general cut in.
『General So』: "Dr. Osborn."
Norman stiffened and stepped forward.
『General So』: "I've told you before — I never supported your plan. It was your predecessor who approved it."
One of the suited men beside them added,
『Board Member』: "General So has approved a new initiative — the creation of humanoid combat mechs under Aerospace Control Corporation. Given Tony Stark's success, it's a safer investment."
The general nodded.
『General So』: "Testing begins in two weeks. If your enhancement program fails by then, I'll revoke your funding and transfer it to other companies."
He turned to leave.
『General So』: "Gentlemen."
And with that, he walked out, leaving Norman standing there, his expression dark as storm clouds.
The sharp trill of a phone broke the silence.
Ring—ring—ring!
Norman glanced at the caller ID, blinked, then cleared his throat and forced a smile as he answered.
『Norman Osborn』: "Well, should I be calling you Mr. Carl, or… Mr. Superman?"
『Carl』: "Either works."
『Norman Osborn』: "Alright then, Mr. Carl. What's the occasion?"
『Carl』: "I heard about your current project — the human enhancement program. I'm calling to tell you to stop it… or at least start over."
『Norman Osborn』: "What?"
Norman froze.
『Norman Osborn』: "How do you even know about that project?"
He'd known Carl for years. The man was a shareholder, yes — but one who rarely involved himself in Osborn Group's affairs. He collected dividends, nothing more. Norman had never mentioned the experiment to him, and it wasn't a public matter. Human enhancement research wasn't exactly something you could announce openly.
『Carl』: "Let's just say I have my ways. Take my advice — cancel it, or redo it properly."
『Norman Osborn』: "Impossible!"
His reply was immediate and fierce.
『Norman Osborn』: "This project must succeed within two weeks, or we're finished."
『Carl』: "You're exaggerating."
『Carl』: "Didn't you make quite a fortune using my name in the stock market? You even drew some new investors, didn't you?"
Norman went silent.
He remembered clearly — after Carl's identity as Superman was exposed, along with Tony Stark's public reveal, the media frenzy had driven Osborn Group's stock to soar.
For a time, "Superman" was the hottest name in the world.
Osborn Group's recent operations hadn't been stellar. Without government funding, bankruptcy was a real threat — and Norman himself would be ousted by the board.
The company might survive, but Norman Osborn certainly wouldn't.
Still, he wasn't stupid. His relationship with Carl had been carefully cultivated — dinners, rare wine, small favors. Carl had accepted them, and that was enough to keep things cordial.
When Superman's identity became public, Norman had wasted no time.
He proudly announced that Superman — Carl — wasn't just a major shareholder in Stark Industries, but also in Osborn Group.
That one statement had sent Osborn's stock skyrocketing. New investors poured in. The company had survived its worst quarter because of Carl.
Without that, Norman might already be finished.
But the human enhancement project had already consumed enormous investment, and now it was nearing completion — albeit with… side effects.
The government's funding was tied to it.
There was no way Norman would give it up now.
He simply hadn't expected Carl to find out.