Chapter 124: Improved Serum
During this time, Mason wasn't idle either.
He moved all the equipment he had extracted that day to the secret base Dr. Zola had mentioned.
This base was much smaller than Hydra's other facilities, but though small, it was fully equipped—a research base primarily for scientific development.
Mason spent a considerable amount of money disguising the exterior and upgrading the security systems, using it as Dr. Zola's research center.
Dr. Zola hadn't yet fully gained Mason's trust, but according to Mason's observation, the possibility of his betrayal was very small.
People like Dr. Zola weren't particularly ambitious; he was a pure scientist, single-mindedly pursuing the pinnacle of science without considering whether his inventions would bring destruction to the world.
He was a unique contradiction: brilliant and gifted, yet ridiculed and marginalized because of his short stature and disproportionate head.
In terms of groundbreaking innovation, he couldn't compare to giants like Dr. Erskine, but he had his own unique insights into weapons development.
People like him didn't really care who they worked for; as long as Mason could maintain his advantage, there was no danger of betrayal.
Mason remembered that in the plot of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Dr. Zola uploaded his consciousness and memories to hundreds of interconnected computers. He wondered if this could be considered a form of artificial intelligence.
If studied further, it might actually become a powerful AI like Jarvis!
Kardashian, now incredibly wealthy, had secretly built a laboratory to store the Tesseract and the nine enhanced operatives; Hellboy was also housed there.
Above the laboratory was a vast, classic American manor, specially modified and well-hidden.
Mason was enjoying a rare period of relaxation. Since his transition, he had been constantly on edge, never feeling this relaxed.
He lived like an ordinary person, eating, taking walks, shopping with Kardashian, and playing with Hellboy, whom Mason affectionately called "Red." Hellboy developed quickly, understanding most of Mason's words in less than a month.
However, he also discovered some potential problems.
As Hellboy grew, the horns on his forehead also grew longer. With the horns growing, his development accelerated, but his temper became increasingly volatile.
In desperation, Mason had to file off his newly grown horns. After the horns were trimmed, Hellboy's growth rate returned to that of an ordinary human, and his temperament became much milder.
"It seems that raising Hellboy with horns intact is still a long process," Mason thought.
He gave some of the filed horns to Dr. Zola for research, and carefully preserved the rest. He told Kardashian that Hellboy's overgrown horns needed to be maintained periodically.
Aside from his unusual appearance, Hellboy was no different from an ordinary human child, quickly triggering Kardashian's maternal instincts. She showered him with all sorts of cute outfits, behaving like a true mother.
Kardashian had always wanted to have a child with Mason, but despite their efforts, they hadn't conceived.
Mason had a vague feeling that the problem might lie with him. The body he inhabited when he transitioned, though seemingly alive, was in fact completely dead before Mason's arrival.
His enhanced body was even more unusual, relying entirely on a bio-battery for survival, showing no resemblance to an ordinary person.
Even without these factors, the Time-Space Express Company probably wouldn't allow its employees to leave genetic traces in alternate realities.
One afternoon, Mason and Kardashian were leisurely enjoying tea in the garden when Howard rushed in, carrying a briefcase.
"Ms. Kardashian, my research is a success!" Howard exclaimed excitedly, but upon seeing Mason sitting beside her, his expression stiffened and he swallowed hard.
Robert was still lying in the hospital in a vegetative state, showing no signs of consciousness.
If it weren't for the hotel's unique architecture, Robert, who fell from the upper floor that day, would likely be dead.
As a weapons consultant for the Strategic Homeland Division, Howard was fortunate enough to participate in the final battle. He couldn't help but shudder when he saw Schmidt's body being extracted from the plane.
Schmidt was also a renowned super soldier, his strength comparable to Captain America's, yet he had been beaten to death. From that moment on, in his mind, Mason was synonymous with danger.
That day, when administering the serum to Steve, he had subtly preserved a sample of the original formula.
After nearly two years of effort, although he hadn't fully replicated the effects of the super soldier serum, he had finally developed a special improved version.
"The improved serum experiment was a success!"
Howard said excitedly.
"Finally a success!"
"If you continue this research, the whole company will probably go bankrupt. Should I file for Chapter 11 then?" Kardashian joked.
In fact, Stark Industries was doing well and wouldn't normally have given Kardashian the opportunity to invest.
But researching the improved serum was simply too expensive. Stark Industries, originally a weapons manufacturer, had little experience in bioengineering and lacked crucial equipment.
Howard, initially confident, unexpectedly struggled, pouring huge sums of money into the project. Just when he felt he was close to success, he always fell short.
In this way, he not only burned through Stark Industries' operating capital but also incurred substantial debt.
Desperate, he had to seek external financing, which gave Kardashian the opportunity.
"How are the results?" Mason asked curiously.
"I've developed three versions in total," Howard said proudly. "The first version can repair physical injuries, slightly enhance physical attributes, and even extend lifespan."
"The second version can grant the recipient physical attributes far exceeding human limits, but this effect isn't permanent; the serum needs to be injected again periodically. It also places high demands on the recipient's physical condition and willpower!"
"The last one is almost identical to the original serum, without its side effects, safe and effective, allowing an average person to possess more than twice the physical capabilities of a normal human!"
"And one injection provides permanent results!"
"If I have more time and additional funding, I'm confident I can further explore the serum's potential, and even potentially create a truly enhanced formula that surpasses the original!" Howard declared confidently.
"Stop! Hold on!" Kardashian waved her hand, halting Howard's enthusiasm.
"Let's end this project here. The effects of this batch of serum are more than sufficient. Do you know how much money you've spent in the past two years?" Kardashian asked, exasperated.
"Uh..."
Howard looked embarrassed.
"If this batch of serum could be sold, it would instantly bring us astonishing wealth!"
"No!" Mason slowly shook his head.
"We're not selling this!"
[System Notification]
Reward Conditions Updated:
500 Power Stones → Chapter Unlocked
10 Reviews → Chapter Unlocked
Access 30+ future chapters on Pa1treon: DarkFoxx