Chapter 177: Super Soldier Serum Improvement Successful
Primus.
Connors and Banner were studying the serum's formula together.
After Ben got the complete serum formula from Walter Hardy, he handed the task of improving it to them.
Connors, with his research records on the Lizard Serum and Dinosaur Serum, had ample experience with human enhancement serums. Even if he couldn't create a perfect serum, he could at least identify any problems with it.
Banner's intellect was even greater.
With the two of them working together, Ben felt at ease.
For this, Connors had even put aside his research on the Variometer.
In fact, after Primus expanded its scale, the Self-Healing Serum had already established a relatively complete production line.
Now, with Doctor Otto's addition, the production line's efficiency had increased significantly, and Connors no longer needed to oversee it.
In the laboratory.
Banner and Connors felt they had met too late.
Both were geniuses, both held Ph.D.s, and both could transform into giant green behemoths.
It was truly a destined encounter.
"By the way, Doctor Connors, after you bit me last time, you should have gotten some of my blood on you. Are you experiencing any abnormalities now?"
Banner put down his microscope and looked at Connors with concern.
Hearing this, Connors shook his head and said, "Ben also warned me about it before, but I had a full body check-up and found no problems."
Banner nodded in relief.
In reality, not everyone's cells could absorb Gamma Energy like his.
He was mainly worried that Connors would turn into a monster like the Abomination.
However, it seemed that a small amount of blood should not affect Connors' Dinosaur Man cells after mutation.
The two continued their research.
"The Super Soldier Serum injected into Captain America can actually be considered a semi-finished product," Banner said. "If it were given to someone else, it probably wouldn't have been so successful."
The serum had side effects.
Connors said, "The serum not only strengthened human genes but also affected personality."
His research on genes was more detailed than Banner's, and he knew that genes had a significant impact on people. After the Super Soldier Serum strengthened human genes, it also made people's personalities more extreme.
"But the Winter Soldier and SSS Serum don't have this drawback."
Banner took out three test tubes of blood for comparison.
These blood samples were from Steve, the Winter Soldier, and Natasha.
Ben had brought them for their research.
Ben had even brought a sample of the SSS Serum from H.A.M.M.E.R.
The SSS Serum was also one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s legacies. It was scarce and considered a watered-down version of the Super Soldier Serum. It didn't provide a strong boost but could slow down aging.
The drawback was that it required long-term injections to ensure its effectiveness wouldn't be metabolized.
Ben looked down on this serum and therefore didn't give it to Uncle Ben or Aunt May.
Norman, however, upon seeing this serum, thought of further reducing the physical enhancement effects, retaining only the life-extension function, and then selling it at a high price to the wealthy.
Ben quite supported this idea.
In fact, the key was no longer how much financial profit this serum could bring them. For Primus or Osborn now, money had little significance.
What was more important was that once this product was released, it would definitely be more sought after than the Self-Healing Serum.
Those wealthy individuals would spare no expense to live longer, even if it meant going bankrupt.
Those rich people, especially the elderly nearing the end of their lives, who wanted to die?
Having earned so much money in their lives, who would be content to die before they could enjoy it?
And since the serum required long-term injections, it meant Norman and Ben could completely control the capital of the entire country.
If you want to live, you have to be a obedient dog!
As for Connors, he thought that if this serum could be successfully researched and popularized, it might raise the average lifespan of the global population, which he considered a good thing.
However, Ben's retort immediately silenced him.
Ben said: If that were the case, you'd have to work until you're ninety.
Too hellish.
When would this miserable life ever end?
Putting aside these digressions, Connors and Banner's research was proceeding smoothly.
There was already a lot of information on the Super Soldier Serum, and the modified versions could also serve as a reference. They even managed to get their hands on the original formula.
It would be strange if they couldn't improve the serum with all that.
Soon, they developed the modified serum as requested. After confirming it was safe, they delivered it to Ben.
Meanwhile, Felicia's training was also proceeding systematically under Walter Hardy's arrangements.
Although Hardy and Ben had decided to inject Felicia with the improved serum, Hardy didn't want her to become someone who relied solely on the serum.
He specially built a training ground to give Felicia specialized training.
Every day after school, Felicia dedicated her time to training, which meant she spent much less time with Ben during this period.
Felicia felt a pang of reluctance about this, but she decided to endure it.
In the beginning, she wanted to gain strength to protect Ben.
After learning Ben's identity from Mary Jane, Felicia's desire shifted to standing by Ben's side.
Of course, teasing Ben was also a small prank she harbored, like a cat's mischief.
Felicia was extremely excited because Hardy had told her that tonight, he could prepare the serum that would give her superpowers.
Just you wait, Benny, I'll give you a big surprise!
Mary Jane was unaware that her good friend was about to distance herself. She just felt that Felicia had been acting a bit strange lately.
Worried, she told Ben about it.
"What's wrong with Felicia? She goes straight home after school these days, and she won't say anything when I ask her about it."
"It seems Felicia's father is back, and she's busy reuniting with her family during this time," Ben replied.
"Dad..."
Mary Jane looked at Felicia's retreating back, repeating Ben's words. She felt happy for Felicia but also a little envious.
Her own father was an abusive drunkard. Later, her mother couldn't stand it anymore and left home with her.
Afterward, Mary Jane's mother passed away, and she was tossed around like a ball by various relatives until she settled down somewhat at her aunt's house.
Thinking of her past, Mary Jane's eyes dimmed slightly.
But Mary Jane quickly swallowed down those painful memories she didn't want to recall. She didn't like talking about her past with anyone, nor did she like complaining.
Moreover, Felicia had found her father, and as a friend, she should be happy for her.
"I'm truly happy for her. But if that's the case, then I'll have you all to myself for now."
She gripped Ben's arm tighter, as if afraid of losing him.
Night.
Felicia changed into a black Catwoman uniform, her slightly curly golden hair falling over her shoulders. She hadn't injected the serum yet, but the form-fitting black leather suit still showcased her figure perfectly.
"Dad, I'm ready."
"Very good, come over then." Hardy nodded.
Felicia's performance during this period had greatly surprised and satisfied him. She had a high talent for theft, learning most of his skills in a very short time.
Then Hardy led Felicia into a laboratory and brought out a machine similar to the one Steve used when injecting the serum in Captain America: The First Avenger.
"Lie down in it."
Felicia obediently lay down in the machine.
The machine then closed like a giant cocoon. In reality, injecting the serum no longer required such complex steps. The machine's purpose wasn't for the injection itself but to prevent Felicia from seeing what was happening outside.
Because a few minutes later, Ben arrived with the serum.
Hardy looked at the pale blue liquid in the vial and asked, "Is this the improved new serum?"
"That's right. It was jointly researched by Doctor Connors and Doctor Banner. It not only has the same effects as the ordinary Super Soldier Serum but can also conceal the serum's superpowers at will."
Hardy took the serum, examined it closely, and then said.
"Felicia also begged me not to tell you that she's Black Cat. I think she's planning to play a trick on you."
Hearing this, both of them laughed.
They were amused by Felicia's innocent and cute idea.
Felicia thought she was the only one who knew Ben's identity, so she wanted to tease Ben after becoming Black Cat, unaware that Ben was the one who prepared her serum and battle suit.
That sexy Black Cat battle suit also had a lot of high-tech features.
For example, the eye mask, which looked like decoration, actually had night vision capabilities. The earrings helped her maintain better balance, and the retractable claws on the white gloves were made of a sturdy Vibranium Alloy.
The battle suit had strong toughness overall, capable of absorbing some of the impact from bullets. The shoes on her feet, like a cat's paw pads, had a sound-dampening function.
Hardy placed the serum into the machine, and instantly, the glowing blue liquid surged into Felicia's body.
At this moment, Ben brought up the camera feed. On the screen, several armed gangsters had surrounded the Hardy Foundation.
"Kingpin has started his move."
Since Ben intended for Kingpin to be Felicia's new boss, he naturally investigated Kingpin's movements thoroughly.
Nothing about Kingpin's actions, including his plan to kidnap Walter Hardy, was hidden from him.
"Then we'll take care of him in one go," Hardy nodded.
Ben watched the serum flow through the pipes into the steel cocoon, knowing that Felicia's transformation into Black Cat would happen tonight.
He left temporarily, as if he had never been there.
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