Clang! Clang!
The sound of rattling chains filled the sterile air. The man strapped to Norman Osborn's operating table convulsed violently, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of pain. His muscles bulged and tore against the restraints until the entire table shook.
"Ha! Just a little longer! Enjoy this beautiful, wonderful agony!"
Norman's voice was wild—half-scientist, half-demon. Bloodshot eyes gleamed with manic delight as he watched the subject's body spasm beneath the syringe's green glow. The chemical hissed and frothed in his veins, spreading like wildfire.
Anyone else would have felt horror. Norman felt ecstasy.
He whispered to himself like a priest before an altar. "Almost there… just one more step… the dawn of human evolution!"
But before his twisted miracle could take shape—
Bang!
The lab door exploded open.
"Norman! You bastard, I knew it was you!" A furious voice echoed through the chamber. "Give back my formula right now!"
Dr. Storm—his old colleague—stormed in, fury written across his face.
Norman didn't even flinch. His eyes stayed fixed on his dying test subject.
"You thief!" Storm's fist cracked against Norman's nose. Blood splattered the pristine lab coat as Storm seized him by the collar. "The human enhancement serum isn't ready! You can't just test it on—"
"—The miracle's about to be born!" Norman's laughter cut through him, shrill and deranged. "Can't you feel it, Storm? It's alive!"
Storm froze as he glanced at the table. His heart sank. "You actually started it… you insane—"
The restrained man screamed. His chest bulged, skin splitting under pressure—then burst.
A spray of blood painted the glass. Silence followed, cold and absolute.
Storm stumbled back, horrified. "He's dead… Norman, he's—"
Norman staggered forward, trembling. "No… no! It was the final step! I was so close!" His rage erupted. He shoved Storm to the ground, snarling.
"You lunatic!" Storm gasped, clutching his ribs. "I told you—it wasn't stable! You killed him, and for what?!"
"Shut up!" Norman's voice broke into madness. "You ruined everything! You—"
He lunged, his hands wrapping around Storm's throat. The scientist clawed at him, gasping for air.
And then—
"Heh. Didn't expect to find such entertainment in this dump."
A distorted laugh came from the shadows.
Both men froze.
"Who's there!?" Norman shouted, his grip faltering.
The lab lights flickered. From the shattered window stepped a tall, metallic figure. Red optics flared in the darkness.
"Relax," said Ultron, voice dripping with smug amusement. "I'm not here to stop you. In fact… I'm here to help you."
Norman's blood ran cold. "Help? What could you possibly want?"
Ultron's metal claw lazily lifted a nearby test tube, swirling the neon green liquid inside. "Partnership. You and I share a common enemy. You give me your intellect, I give you… results."
"Why should I trust a machine?" Norman hissed.
"Because," Ultron said, his grin audible, "you have no other choice."
In one swift motion, he grabbed Norman by the throat and hoisted him into the air.
"Work with me, and I'll clear every obstacle in your path. I'll make sure your 'enhancement formula' achieves perfection."
Fear and temptation battled in Norman's eyes. Finally, he nodded. "I… I agree."
Ultron released him and turned toward Storm, who was half-conscious on the floor.
"What about him?" Ultron asked.
Norman's lips curled. "Kill him. He'll only leak the plan."
Ultron chuckled darkly. "No need. I'll make him useful."
Before Storm could react, a mechanical syringe jabbed into his neck. The liquid pulsed bright red. He screamed as his skin sizzled, veins glowing like molten steel.
Ultron watched, satisfied. "Good. A test subject for version two."
He turned toward the ceiling, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Ryuuto… let's see how you handle this upgrade. Your luck won't save you forever."
At that very moment, miles away, Ryuuto jolted awake in his bed, eyes flashing crimson.
[Ding! New Mission Detected!]
Shion's lazy voice echoed in his mind.
"Host, trouble's coming again. And this time… it's ugly."