Rocket Raccoon really wasn't bragging.
Before long, he had mostly revised the formula for the Extremis virus.
Darian beamed with joy.
"Thanks, Rocket. If there's a chance in the future, I'll definitely find you a dozen or so wives."
"I don't need that!"
Rocket Raccoon's mouth twitched violently several times.
He was a raccoon with intelligence; how could he be interested in ordinary animals that only acted on instinct and had nothing but reproduction and foraging on their minds?
"If you're not interested in females, males aren't out of the question either."
"Even less so!!"
After soothing the bristling Rocket Raccoon with a barbecue feast, Darian took the tablet and teleported back to the HYDRA Base in Sokovia, handing the Extremis formula modified by Rocket Raccoon to Maya.
Maya imported the data into the computer and began running simulation deductions.
"It... it succeeded?"
Maya looked at the results of the deduction, a trace of shock on her face.
"This improved Extremis formula is completely feasible! Preliminary simulation calculations show that the stability of the improved Extremis formula has been significantly enhanced. Who on earth made these modifications?"
Darian didn't answer directly. "As long as it works. I'll leave the rest to you."
With the Extremis formula modified by Rocket Raccoon, Maya's Biogenetic Team immediately launched research experiments.
The first batch of test subjects were the noble private soldiers captured during the Sokovia Liberation Operation.
These people already carried many crimes, so using them as experimental subjects now was considered making the best use of them.
To prevent resistance or accidents during the experiment, these noble private soldiers were sent to Pierce for brainwashing before being injected with Extremis.
Compared to Bucky's powerful willpower, the resistance of these people was clearly not on the same level.
After a round of brainwashing, their original memories and thoughts were completely overwritten, and they became loyal members who obeyed HYDRA's every word and followed Darian's instructions absolutely.
The Biogenetic Team then quickly formulated the Extremis serum based on the new formula and injected it into this batch of test subjects.
The experimental process went even smoother than expected.
The new version of the Extremis formula demonstrated amazing stability and gentle compatibility.
The survival rate of the first batch of test subjects reached 30%. All those who successfully fused passed through the Extremis integration period smoothly, without any signs of energy overload or self-detonation.
Upon testing, the physical fitness of this batch of successful fusions had significantly improved, and they successfully acquired the two preset core abilities: super self-healing and controllable high-temperature release.
Of course, the significant improvement in the stability of the new version of Extremis did not mean that anyone could be injected with it.
Compatibility remained a key threshold; only individuals whose bodies were compatible with Extremis could successfully fuse.
Otherwise, the body would collapse on its own due to the inability to withstand the violent modification.
For HYDRA, which possessed advanced biological screening technology, this was quite easy to solve.
The Biogenetic Team established an efficient pre-screening system. Through gene sequencing, neural stress response tests, and metabolic simulations, they could accurately predict an individual's compatibility probability, thereby prioritizing candidates with high success rates and significantly reducing senseless loss and resource waste.
With the successful birth of the first batch of stable Extremis Soldiers, the Super Soldier Program officially entered a new stage of mass production.
Everything was progressing in an orderly fashion.
And on this day, Darian suddenly received a system prompt.
[Player, please note: a new dungeon has officially opened]
[After the player clears the dungeon, depending on the dungeon completion and task achievement, a large number of generous rewards can be obtained!]
[Enter the dungeon immediately? Yes/No]
"Finally, a new dungeon has opened."
A hint of anticipation appeared on Darian's face.
He found that this dungeon system was truly random. Aside from the special dungeon entrance discovered by accident last time, it had actually taken this long to trigger a new dungeon.
Darian took the magic mask out of the game warehouse and put it on his face. Without hesitation, he chose to enter the dungeon.
[Teleportation to the dungeon is about to begin, please be prepared, player...]
"Kent, that tractor's engine sound isn't right. I'm afraid it's acting up again."
"It's fine, Martha. I'll go fix it in a bit."
The afternoon sun lazily spilled over the old farm.
An elderly white-haired couple just stepped out of the door and stood on the porch. Martha suddenly pointed at the sky and exclaimed, "Kent, look! What is that!?"
Kent looked up and saw a black shadow descending from the sky at extreme speed, falling straight toward their farm.
"Watch out!!"
Kent quickly shielded Martha.
However, the expected deafening impact did not come.
The old couple, still shaken, looked out from each other's shoulders and saw that near the barn, a large haystack had appeared out of nowhere. A mysterious man wearing a weird mask jumped out of it.
"System, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You throw me into the sky every time. Can't you change to a more reliable teleportation point?"
Darian grumbled while sizing up the surrounding environment. Finally, his gaze fell on the old couple huddled together on the porch, their faces full of astonishment.
"Who... who are you?"
Kent took half a step forward, his voice tight.
He had lived a long life and seen many things, but this was the first time he'd seen anything like this—a living person suddenly falling from the sky, and after falling from such a height, he was actually unscathed.
Darian spread his hands to show he was harmless.
"Don't be nervous. I'm a good person. You can call me Darian."
Kent didn't quite believe him.
The person in front of him didn't look like a good person at all, and who says they're a good person right from the start?
"Why did you fall from the sky?"
"I'm an extreme sports enthusiast. I was just skydiving."
"Then where's your parachute?"
"I forgot to bring it."
"Impressive."
This isn't skydiving; it's clearly suicide!
Darian glanced at the old couple's information and was stunned for a moment.
"Pardon me for asking, but you wouldn't happen to have a son named Clark, would you?"
"We do have a son, but his name isn't Clark."
"Well, can he run while carrying a tractor?"
"...No."
The old couple looked at Darian with a strange expression, clearly thinking he was a bit mentally ill.
Okay, it seems they just share the same names.
Darian said he was used to it. The first time he entered a dungeon, he almost thought he had run into the Waynes.
After confirming there was no danger around, Darian took off the magic mask and smiled.
"I'd like to learn a few things from you. Is it convenient to go inside and chat?"
The old couple wanted to refuse; letting a person of unknown origin into the house was not a good idea.
But before the words could leave their mouths, they saw Darian pull a gold bar from his pocket as payment, and they agreed without hesitation.
How could a wealthy person who spent money so generously be a bad person?
Through a detailed conversation with the old couple, Darian learned that the timeline of this dungeon was 1987. The historical trajectory was no different from what he knew; no strange things had happened, and there were no superheroes or supervillains.
And he was located in a remote area of America, over ten kilometers from the nearest town.
"So, what exactly is the dungeon task this time?"
Darian saw that the old couple were clearly ordinary background characters and didn't seem likely to trigger a task, and there was no one else nearby.
He thought it over and decided to stay at the old couple's house for a while. He believed the game system wouldn't teleport him to this place for no reason.
The old couple did not refuse Darian's request to stay.
After all, they felt a bit embarrassed for receiving a gold bar just for answering a few questions; it was perfect to use as lodging fees.
Soon, the old couple prepared a room for Darian. It was originally their son's room, but since their son worked out of town and rarely came home, the sheets and bedding were clean, making it perfect for Darian to take a short rest.
Darian didn't waste time either. He told the old couple not to disturb him and then took out the Ghost Cult version of the Darkhold divine book to study in the room.
Time flowed silently.
A day later, Darian finally pushed open the door and walked out.
As soon as he went downstairs, he saw Kent with a tense face, hurrying toward the fireplace to grab an old double-barreled shotgun.
Darian asked curiously, "What's wrong, Old Kent?"
Kent heard the voice and turned his head, lowering his voice.
"Mr. Darian, I think someone has broken into our barn. I'm about to go check it out."
Darian immediately became interested. "Oh? Is that so? Let me go take a look."
Kent quickly tried to dissuade him. "Better let me go first. I don't know what the situation is in there, and I have a gun..."
"It's okay, I have one too."
Under Kent's astonished gaze, Darian pulled out two golden desert eagles and strode toward the barn.
Walking into the barn, Darian first saw a pale backside. Moving his gaze upward, it was actually a muscular naked man kneeling on the ground, covering his private parts.
Is that you, Terminator!?
Darian looked at the man's face and was stunned.
"Logan?"
Wasn't this familiar face the Wolverine, Logan, from his first dungeon?
"You... know me?"
Hearing this, Logan looked at Darian with a wary expression.
Seeing that Logan didn't seem to recognize him, Darian raised an eyebrow and immediately checked the other's information.
[NPC: James Logan Howlett]
[Codename: Wolverine]
[Favorability: 0]
[Evaluation: A wolf who obtained Adamantium; his whole life is a tragedy. His family dies, his friends die, his lovers die, his teachers die.]
Obviously, the Logan in front of him was not the one Darian knew; he should be a parallel universe version of Wolverine.
The Wolverine he knew hadn't obtained Adamantium and wasn't so miserable. This Logan's level of tragedy felt like it could rival Peter's.
Darian nodded.
"Of course. I also know your brother, Victor."
"Don't mention that bastard to me!"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing that name, Logan's eyes instantly became as fierce as a Beast's, and his whole body was filled with killing intent.
Darian was surprised by this.
In his first dungeon, the relationship between these two immortal brothers was quite good, talking heart-to-heart every day.
But now, Logan's reaction was clearly one of deep-seated hatred, no different from how one would treat a mortal enemy.
So, what happened between these two brothers?
"Who on earth are you!?"
Logan stared intently at Darian, and six claws flashing with metallic luster popped out from the gaps between his knuckles. Just like the Zombie Wolverine, they were made of Adamantium.
He had just undergone an inhuman modification surgery and fought his way out of a heavily guarded secret laboratory. His whole nervous system was in a state of stress, and the fact that the person in front of him not only knew him and Victor but was also a Mutant undoubtedly made his nerves tighten to the limit.
Darian explained, "My name is Darian. I'm a Mutant just like you."
A Mutant?
Logan's pupils contracted, and his wariness, instead of decreasing, rose.
"Why are you here?"
Darian rolled his eyes.
"Isn't that obvious? I've already rented this farm. You're the one intruding on my territory. I should be the one asking you why you're hiding here stark naked. You didn't steal someone else's wife and get caught by the husband, only to be chased all the way here, did you?"
Logan: "...."
Just then, Kent followed him in, feeling uneasy.
Seeing a strong, naked man in the barn, he was startled and secretly glad he hadn't let his old wife follow.
He quickly raised his shotgun and aimed it at Logan, asking Darian nervously, "Mr. Darian, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's just a bit of an eyesore."
Darian waved his hand.
"Put the gun down. This guy isn't a bad person. Find some clothes for him to wear. I'll cover his food and lodging expenses."
Saying that, he walked out of the barn, leaving Logan to Kent to handle, so as not to trigger Logan's stress again.
Not long after, Logan, wearing the old clothes of the couple's son, walked out of the barn. The wariness and hostility on his face had subsided quite a bit. Clearly, he had learned some things from Kent and knew he had misunderstood Darian.
Seeing Darian waiting outside, Logan hesitated. "Sorry, I thought you were..."
He stopped halfway; he didn't want his affairs to involve others.
"It's fine, but the food and lodging fees will be charged to you. Remember to pay me back."
"...Okay"
Darian and Kent took Logan back to the house. When Martha learned that he would also be staying temporarily, she was clearly stunned for a moment.
How did her farm suddenly turn into a hotel?
Since it was already mealtime, Martha went to the kitchen to start preparing food for everyone.
Logan, meanwhile, went into the bathroom, and soon a series of crashing sounds came from inside.
Darian opened the door and looked inside, finding the bathroom in a mess, with claw marks everywhere.
Good grief, he just got in and started tearing the place apart.
Logan stood in the middle, looking at the Adamantium Claws that had just retracted into his knuckles, then at the debris on the floor. A rare look of embarrassment and awkwardness appeared on his face.
He explained, "It was an accident."
Darian nodded. "Hmm, the repair and damage fees will also be charged to you."
Logan: "...."