"Sorry, in my current situation, I can't help you research the gravity device. Maybe you can wait two more years until I finish the project I'm currently working on."
Inside the office, upon hearing Hawking's purpose for seeking him out, Reed immediately waved his hand in refusal.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't refuse to help a righteous Superhero like Hawking research and invent some equipment.
However, the project he currently had in hand was more important. If it could be completed, it would not only revive his company but also benefit all of humanity on Earth.
"Is that so? But as far as I know, you're already bankrupt. Even in your building, there's only one security guard and one cleaner left. Do you still have money to continue with your current project?
I think you could help me improve the gravity device first, and then continue researching your project once you have money."
Hawking suggested.
Reed scratched his head awkwardly:
"This… there have indeed been some unexpected issues, but I'll solve this problem very soon. I'm planning to find my university classmate to invest in this project. Once this project is complete, I'll have a large sum of money coming in."
In fact, with his intelligence, researching some technological products and making money would be an easy task. It's just that he was too proud and disdained those low-level technologies.
If he was going to research, he would research a kind of technological invention that could change all of humanity, or rather, a cross-century one.
Just like his current project, which had consumed all of his company's funds and several years of effort. It could utilize the high-energy storms generated by solar coronal winds to trigger the evolution of an entire life form.
If this evolution could be researched in space, it would fundamentally advance the current scientific understanding of human genes, thereby curing various incurable diseases, extending life, and making future humans more powerful.
"It seems Dr. Reed is very confident in his project, which makes me a bit curious about it. If the project is really viable, I'd also be very interested in investing."
Hawking feigned interest.
Investing, that was impossible, because he knew this experiment was bound to fail.
It was just that because of this experiment, Reed and his three companions became the Fantastic Four, and his university classmate Viktor, who invested in him, became Doctor Doom, losing billions, and his company's stock plummeted, on the verge of bankruptcy.
"But the research for this project must be conducted in space."
Reed's eyes lit up, then dimmed again.
Not every company had a space station, and besides, he knew the Hero Alliance Company was not a technology research and development company.
"That's not a problem. I know some high-ranking government officials. If you want to conduct research in space, it's not a difficult task for me."
Hawking waved his hand.
Upon hearing this, Reed immediately pulled out a box from a nearby office desk, then opened it while saying:
"Then let me introduce this project to you in detail."
"No need to be so hasty, Dr. Reed. I'm a person who values fair competition.
How about this, I'll go with you to find your university classmate first and see what conditions he offers. We can't let you get a raw deal."
Hawking smiled and reached out to press down the box that was about to open.
Let that big sucker be for Doctor Doom. He just needed to prevent Reed from going into space later.
"That would be great, of course."
Reed was stunned for a moment, then immediately nodded.
He had originally placed all his hopes on Viktor, but now there was another hope, and with two people competing, this was naturally all the better.
"Ben, pack up, we're going to find Viktor now!"
"How strong are you?"
On the way to Viktor's building, Ben, who was driving, curiously asked Hawking, who was sitting in the back.
Unlike his university classmates Reed and Viktor, he chose not to start a company after graduation but joined the military. Compared to scientific research, he was better at combat and driving various vehicles, including space shuttles.
He had seen on television how Hawking could easily stop a full-speed van and even throw a several-ton truck into the air, and he had always been curious about how strong Hawking's power truly was.
"This… I haven't really calculated it."
Hawking spread his hands.
He hadn't really calculated it. In fact, if not for the ki in his body, his physical body wasn't that exaggerated.
The power of Dragon Ball World warriors wasn't just about their physical bodies; the most important Thing was ki. Without the amplification of ki, both attack and defense would greatly decrease relying solely on the physical body.
Just like Vegeta, with a power level of 100,000 after transforming into a Great Ape, he carelessly didn't use ki to protect his tail and was cut by Yajirobe, who only had a power level of 970. Later, after returning to his human form, Yajirobe ambushed him with a sword, leaving a large wound on his back.
Under normal circumstances, with ki protecting the body, if the power level difference was too great, it would be impossible to break through the defense.
"I can't believe a physique like yours has so much strength."
Ben looked at his arm, which was as thick as Hawking's thigh, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
Hawking didn't answer, but thought to himself:
"It's okay, you'll be a strongman soon too."
In his memory, after Ben became the Thing, he initially had five tons of strength, and after gradually adapting and training, he could reach a maximum of one hundred tons of strength.
His body was also incredibly hard, with physical defense exceeding Colossus.
They were all in Manhattan, and in less than half an hour, the car arrived at Viktor's building.
They immediately saw the huge metal statue erected at the entrance of the building, which was of the building's Master, Viktor Von Doom.
"That's truly typical Viktor."
Ben looked at the statue, a hint of sarcasm on his face. The upright him disliked Viktor's hypocrisy and arrogance.
Reed nodded in agreement:
"He hopes that everyone who stands here will feel ashamed, so he can gain the upper hand in negotiations."
"I thought only dead people usually had statues erected."
Hawking joked as he looked at the exaggerated metal statue.
"Hahaha, it seems that's true!"
Ben burst out laughing at his words.
The three walked past the metal statue and entered the building. Because Reed had called Viktor in advance, the three were smoothly escorted by the beautiful female receptionist directly to Viktor's office.
"Long time no see, our great Reed, and Ben, and who is this?"
Viktor greeted his two old classmates with a face full of hypocrisy upon meeting them, then looked at Hawking with some confusion.
Reed was about to introduce him when Hawking immediately interrupted:
"I'm Dr. Reed's friend. Dr. Reed, you should quickly introduce your project."
"Okay, my project is like this."
Reed opened his box, pressed a few buttons, and a virtual projection immediately appeared above the office, then a series of technical terms that Hawking didn't understand came out of his mouth.
Meanwhile, Viktor remained outwardly calm, but his heart was already churning.
He knew that if this project succeeded, it could definitely change the course of all humanity, and its true value was far, far greater than his stubborn classmate Reed imagined.
Therefore, he absolutely had to secure the investment for this project!
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/Rexlent
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"