"Oh, this feels amazing," Harry exclaimed as he jumped off the flying skateboard.
"Of course it does," Dr. Carl replied, turning back from a screen filled with data about the new suit.
"As long as the glider is fitted with a complete weapon system, that should do it. As for the armor suit…" Harry paused for a moment, then continued, "Add this mask in — it should be able to open and close at will." He handed the cracked mask to Dr. Carl.
"And the recognition system we discussed earlier," Dr. Carl reminded him.
"Yes," Harry said with a grin. The recognition system mainly required database integration — not a complicated task.
"Harry," Max, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up.
Harry turned to him, puzzled. "What is it?"
"Spider-Man seems to know you," Max said.
"Ah, that," Harry said, suddenly understanding. No wonder Max had been deep in thought since returning.
"Spider-Man is Peter Parker — my childhood friend," Harry explained casually.
"Anyway, Doctor, show me the full setup you've designed," Harry said.
After removing the armor and placing it back into its hidden compartment in the wall, Harry joined Dr. Carl by the console.
Dr. Carl brought up a schematic of the glider's weapons. "The front end can also be equipped with retractable blades, twelve micro air-to-ground missiles, a miniature machine gun with 500 rounds of ammo, built-in lighting and flame exhaust systems. There are also compact bombs that can be hidden inside the glider, and tracking darts that detonate upon impact. Each weapon has its own deployment mechanism — you just need to make the right hand gesture over the glider, and it'll respond automatically."
"That's awesome," Harry said, though his thoughts drifted elsewhere. This setup was almost identical to the second-generation Green Goblin's gear from the old universe — and with the Sandman's appearance, if his guess was right, Venom would be next.
"I have to see this for myself," Harry decided inwardly.
"Then there are the melee weapons," Dr. Carl continued. "You've already used the arm blades, but you haven't seen these yet." He opened a file labeled "Energy Blade."
"Lightsaber?" Harry blinked, caught off guard by the word. In his memory, such blades only existed in Star Wars. Even adamantium couldn't withstand a lightsaber's strike.
"Haha, not quite what you're thinking," Dr. Carl laughed. Even in the Marvel world, Star Wars still existed as a movie franchise.
"The lightsaber I've designed has a solid blade. When you activate it, an energy layer wraps around it, making it virtually indestructible. Of course, the energy eventually depletes, so I've made three standard hilts — long sword, short sword, and dagger."
"Perfect," Harry said, patting Dr. Carl on the shoulder.
"Doctor, I need you to run a blood test for me," Harry added suddenly.
"That's simple enough." Dr. Carl retrieved a syringe and drew a sample of Harry's blood.
"I'll head upstairs. I'm still the company president, after all. Can't leave everything to my assistant," Harry said, taking the elevator up to his office.
"Open system," he murmured.
A virtual display appeared before his eyes, showing his personal data.
Harry glanced at Flint Marco's desertification ability and narrowed his eyes, clasping his hands beneath his chin in thought. After a long silence, he finally made a decision.
"System, permanently delete Flint Marco's information from the recruitment list. Do not allow him to be added again," Harry said firmly as he stood from his chair.
Though he considered himself extraordinary since coming to this world, he never saw himself as superior. Contradictory as it was, he always reminded himself: before anything else — before power, before status — he was human.
Knock knock.
"Come in," Harry said, sitting back down.
Felicia entered quickly, her heels clicking across the floor. "Mr. Osborn," she said, slightly out of breath.
"What is it?" Harry asked calmly, already guessing.
"Reporters — there are a lot of them waiting outside," Felicia said.
"Do you know what for?"
"Sir, it's about the two new superheroes who appeared today — Electro and Glider." Felicia hesitated before adding, "They're saying that Glider is you."
"Oh, really?" Harry smiled. Apparently, he'd been caught on camera.
"But 'Glider' — what a terrible name," he muttered to himself.
"Felicia, inform the reporters that I'll hold a press conference," Harry said suddenly, recalling a certain playboy's approach to these things.
"Understood, sir," Felicia replied and left.
"'Glider'… no way. I need something better," Harry murmured, leaning back in his chair and spinning slowly.
Ring ring ring—
The phone buzzed. Harry picked it up. "What is it?"
"Harry, I've analyzed your blood — there's nothing wrong," Dr. Carl said on the line.
"I see." Harry hung up, frowning slightly. He knew exactly what Dr. Carl meant. His blood was perfectly normal — completely human. And that was the problem.
In the Marvel world, most superpowers stemmed from genetic mutation or transformation — like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, or mutants. But Harry didn't fit that mold. He had Spider-Man's powers, yet his genes remained unchanged — ordinary — and still, he possessed superhuman abilities.
"Maybe it's the system," Harry muttered, staring out the window at the cityscape.
Knock knock.
"Come in," Harry said.
"Mr. Osborn, the press conference has been arranged," Felicia reported.
"Good," Harry replied.
"Anything else?" he asked when she didn't leave.
"There's a gentleman downstairs waiting for you," Felicia said.
"Who?"
"He said he's from the State Department," Felicia answered.
"Well then, let's go meet him," Harry said, rising from his chair. As he did, he casually tossed Norman's cube — which had been sitting on his desk — into a drawer.
Felicia lowered her gaze slightly, and a faint glimmer flickered in her eyes.