Otto's wife had been anxiously waiting at home. The moment she saw him, she ran over, concern etched on her face.
"Rose, I'm fine. They've classified the explosion as an experimental accident. Thank goodness no one was hurt."
Otto's face, however, was lined with exhaustion.
"Unfortunately, my experiment failed… my life's work has crumbled."
Fatigue could only hide so much—the sadness and pain of failure remained.
They had poured nearly everything into this experiment. Providing humanity with endless energy had been his lifelong dream. Now, that dream lay in ruins.
"It's okay, Otto. You have to stay strong. At least we're alive—and there's still a chance to continue, to realize our dream!"
His wife comforted him, not caring about the strange mechanical tentacles behind him, and gently hugged him.
"Yes… we're alive. We still have a chance!"
"My experimental process was flawless. I accounted for every factor—radiation, energy, even potential gravitational effects."
"The failure was due to the facility itself—it couldn't withstand such immense energy."
"If we could find a more stable material, I could attempt a larger-scale fusion experiment."
Encouraged by his wife's words, Otto regained his spirit.
"In the near future, we will create a brilliant star before the eyes of everyone."
He gazed at the sparkling night sky and the bright moon hovering on the horizon. His tentacles swayed behind him, as if celebrating the dream.
"The sunlight will shine on this city.""Eternal light will illuminate the stars above!"
Chapter 50: Otto Dr. Octavius is Slightly Shocked
"Ha… Dr. Otto's ambitions are enormous!"
Suddenly, a figure streaked across the night sky, appearing above them.
"You're… Superman?"
Otto instinctively raised his mechanical tentacles to protect himself and his wife. Tension tightened his face.
But when he realized it was indeed the legendary Superman, his nervousness vanished.
"Sorry, Dr. Octavius. I was delayed by some matters today… couldn't arrive sooner," Superman said, a hint of apology in his voice.
"I understand. I saw the news. You were battling aliens and protecting the city."
Otto felt a mix of emotions.
During the experiment, Superman's sudden appearance had annoyed him. He stole the spotlight, drawing every reporter and media outlet to the scene, indirectly causing the experiment's failure—though failure may have been inevitable.
Yet, when Otto learned that Superman was protecting the city from a self-proclaimed godlike alien, that small resentment vanished, replaced with admiration.
"Superman… he's humanity's true hero."
"But now you're here… to ask for my help, I presume?"
Otto, ever perceptive, knew that someone like Superman wouldn't pay attention to an ordinary man without reason.
He must be here for a purpose—perhaps to help him with the experiment.
"I guessed it. I'm interested in your artificial sun experiment. It's a near-eternal energy source—I believe it's key to humanity's future."
Peter didn't care if it would actually advance humanity. He only knew that the artificial sun could activate his own powerful genes, making him stronger at all times.
So, in any case, he had to control the artificial sun.
"Thank you for your attention and recognition, Superman. But as you know, today's experiment failed."
Otto's expression was complicated, grief shadowing his face.
"Even though it failed, you're determined to try again, correct?"
Peter noticed Otto's subtle hesitation, sensing that he might refuse help.
"Also, given your current situation, it must be difficult to continue pursuing your dream, right?"
News of Otto's failure had spread across the academic and investment world. Investors are pragmatic—once they perceive no use, they cut you off immediately.
Otto even briefly considered using his powerful tentacles to rob a bank to fund his experiment.
After all, only he knew the reality: a failed experiment, massive debts, and the risk of losing the home full of memories with his wife.
"Alright, Superman… I see I have no reason to refuse!"
Finally, Otto looked up at Peter and reluctantly relinquished his pride.
"Don't worry. You won't regret it."
Peter watched as Otto bid a final farewell to his wife. Then, he grasped Otto's body and flew into the sky, leaving only the wife behind, staring blankly into the void.
Antarctica, beneath the ice caves
"So this is your solitary fortress?"
Otto, floating in midair, performed far better than others Peter had brought along. Not only did he avoid nausea, but he also had the leisure to observe his surroundings.
"A fortress isolated from the world? No… it's more like a simple foothold."
Peter, unsatisfied with the isolated fortress plan, had other ideas.
"Come. I'll introduce you to some colleagues. You're likely to work closely with them from now on."
"They're all brilliant. I'm sure you'll find much in common."
Peter lifted the massive metal doors above the lab, guiding Otto inside.
Otto touched down and saw a dozen people—male and female, old and young—waiting.
"Hello. I'm new here. I'm Otto Octavius."
"Hello, Dr. Octavius. I'm Reed Richards. It's an honor to meet you. I read your papers on nuclear physics years ago."
Seeing Otto's tentacles constantly waving behind him, everyone was slightly taken aback.
Yet Reed composed himself and greeted Otto first. Then others introduced themselves, and a quiet settled over the room, all eyes on Peter.
After all, he now oversaw everything here.
"Alright, since introductions are done, let's discuss the next plan."
Peter placed his hand on his chest. His nano-suit particles shrank instantly, and in seconds, a glowing device on his chest assembled itself before Otto's eyes.
This… is nanotechnology?
Although Otto specialized in nuclear physics, he had a solid understanding of basic nanotech.
"Incredible! Has nanotechnology really advanced this far?"
Yet when he truly saw the glowing nano-container, his expression shifted to bewilderment and shock.
"A miniaturized arc reactor? How is this possible? No… impossible!"
"Have I been pursuing a dead end all along?"
At that moment, Otto felt disoriented, as if the answers he'd spent his life seeking were right before his eyes—but he'd been going the wrong way from the start.
"The sun's energy…"
Peter held the Arc Reactor in his hand. Otto stared, stunned, as Peter declared:
"Everything is under my control."
Otto's gaze shifted suddenly to Peter.
"So… you brought me here to weaken my power?"