The Best Test Subject
Harry stepped onto the middle of the dance floor and walked toward Felicia. At this moment, Felicia was chatting with two women and a man, and one of the women standing beside her was particularly eye-catching.
Harry stepped forward and gently patted Felicia on the shoulder.
"Harry," Felicia said, turning her head.
"Yeah," Harry responded, putting his arm around her shoulders before looking at the woman in the long dress.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Harry Osborn," he said with a smile, extending his hand politely.
"I know you, Mr. Osborn. I'm Pepper Potts, Mr. Stark's personal assistant," Pepper replied warmly, reaching out to shake his hand.
"Oh, oh, oh, Pepper—your boss is here," Tony Stark's voice suddenly cut in between them. He appeared out of nowhere, displeased, and pulled Harry's hand away from Pepper's. The man and woman who had been standing nearby, eager to speak with Harry, quickly turned and left upon seeing Tony approach.
"Tony! Why are you here?" Pepper said in surprise.
"This is my banquet. Is it strange for me to show up?" Tony spread his hands as if stating the obvious.
"I just didn't expect it, but you scared off my colleagues!" Pepper said, annoyed, though she didn't pull her hand free from Tony's grasp.
"Colleagues?" Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, your subordinate," Pepper said helplessly.
Only then did Tony look satisfied. He turned his attention to Harry and Felicia.
"Hello, I'm Tony Stark. You've probably heard of me," he said arrogantly, as always.
"Yeah — billionaire, playboy, warmonger or pacifist — Tony Stark," Harry replied with a grin, firmly shaking Tony's hand.
"Oh! You're strong!" Tony winced, freeing his hand. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he turned to Pepper. "Want to dance?"
"No." Pepper glanced at Harry and Felicia and subconsciously refused.
"Come on." Tony pulled her to the side.
Pepper allowed herself to be led away, flashing Harry and Felicia an apologetic smile as she went.
"Oh, what an interesting guy," Harry laughed.
"I don't see it. He's just a rich playboy," Felicia said suspiciously, watching Tony leave.
"Felicia," Harry said softly.
"What?" she asked, meeting his light blue eyes.
"Want to dance?" Harry asked, scratching his nose with slight embarrassment. "Though I might step on your feet."
"Of course I would," Felicia said, taking the hand he was touching his nose with. "And I believe you'll learn quickly. But… have you ever done this before?"
Harry smiled. "It's not important anymore."
He placed one hand around her waist and held her other hand, swaying with her to the music.
Perhaps due to his enhanced body, Harry's coordination surpassed that of ordinary people — not once did he step on Felicia's feet before the song ended.
...
It was almost midnight when the party ended. Harry had driven the supercar all afternoon when they arrived, and now he had no desire to drive back.
"It's really nice here," Harry said, lying on the comfortable bed in the Presidential Suite of the Hilton Hotel.
"It sounds like your past life wasn't very happy," Felicia said as she stepped into the room, wrapped in a towel, drying her hair.
"That's right," Harry said, propping his head on his hand and lying on his side with a faint frown.
Neither the former Harry Osborn nor his previous self had lived happily, so his answer was honest.
Felicia sat down on the edge of the bed and gently stroked his face.
"I believe your future will be better than your past. At least, I'll be with you from now on," Felicia said softly, leaning in to kiss him tenderly.
The bustling city outside shimmered with nightlife, but Harry thought the woman before him was far more captivating. He had no time to admire the view beyond the window.
...
The next day, Harry and Felicia boarded the private jet sent by Oscorp, bringing his car back with them.
The trip was smooth and uneventful.
...
"I'll go downstairs and take a look," Harry said after returning to his office, taking off his coat.
"Alright. I'll handle the paperwork," Felicia replied, putting down the stack of documents in her arms, shaking her head at his carefree attitude.
"Thanks," Harry said with a grin.
...
Entering the elevator, Harry descended to the underground laboratory.
"Hey, Doctor, Max — what are you working on?" Harry asked, surprised at the sight before him.
Dr. Karl and Max Dillon were standing close together, staring intently at a large metal table in the center of the lab.
"Hey, Harry," Max said, glancing back at him. Dr. Karl, however, didn't even look up.
"What's wrong with the doctor?" Harry asked, stepping closer to the table. He looked down to see a thin metal vial standing upright on it.
"Well, that's it," Max said helplessly.
Harry reached out for the vial, which finally drew Dr. Karl's attention.
"Oh, Harry, you're back," Dr. Karl said, turning toward him.
"Is this made from that thing?" Harry asked, shaking the vial slightly. A stream of emerald-green liquid shimmered inside.
A clear chime sounded in his mind.
"Unclaimed item detected — Hulk Enhancement Serum (20). Would you like to convert it into points?"
"Yes, that's the one," Dr. Karl said, suddenly excited.
"Do you know? The energy in that sample is too powerful. Its survivability and adaptability are beyond measure. I've tried everything — it can't be destroyed by ordinary means. Even when Max used his electrical power, the serum quickly adapted to it!" Dr. Karl exclaimed, gesturing animatedly.
"This is a serum, Doctor," Harry said.
"Exactly," Dr. Karl nodded.
"What's its effect?" Harry asked. This was what truly interested him. If it worked, he intended to test it himself. With the system in his body, he knew he was the best possible test subject.
"Basically, it strengthens the body," Dr. Karl said thoughtfully. "But it could also cause mental instability — just like the original subject."
"I see." Harry set the vial down, pulled up a chair, and sat, thinking deeply.
While it carried risks, success wasn't impossible. Harry still decided to try it. Even if he failed, the system would simply reset his existing enhancements — the ones he'd gained from the spider. And since the system had already integrated those abilities, regaining them would be easy. It wouldn't be much trouble at all.
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