Building Superheroes at Marvel

As for the other four props, they could also be considered treasures that could help individuals reach extraordinary levels, but their potential is limited.

Their upper and lower limits have already been set; no matter how powerful the user is, the items cannot exceed their original constraints. This path is best suited for those who are hesitant about using No. 7 crystals, like Kyle.

The best option would be to implant a No. 7 crystal, awakening superpowers—though it's a high-stakes gamble.

If you win the gamble, you could become like Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow—highly skilled and powerful, with years of combat training. But if you lose, you're still left with enhanced abilities to provide some safety, though nothing as dramatic as true superpowers.

"Queen of red, send me up," Kyle muttered.

Other than his routine visits every Saturday to stock up on new items, Kyle rarely came down here, and not even Gasco knew about this underground facility.

After exiting the study, it was already ten o'clock in the morning. More than an hour had passed since Kyle first entered the underground facility.

Wanda Maximoff, whom Kyle had taken under his wing, was attending an elite girls' school in New York. He had arranged for her to be introduced as his adopted sister to keep her safe while she honed her potential.

"Master," Gasco greeted as he approached with a young girl in a white dress.

Despite her youthful appearance, Wanda's face already bore the restrained maturity of someone who had endured hardships, though she was still filled with a hint of hope.

"Kyle... brother," Wanda said softly, the word "brother" coming out with some hesitation.

The two years of wandering with her brother Pietro had left her emotionally closed off. She only wanted to grow strong enough to avenge the deaths of her parents, killed by Stark's weapons.

But then, one day, men in black suits with dark sunglasses had appeared, taking both Wanda and Pietro back to the metropolis of New York under very forceful circumstances. They were treated like royalty here. Each morning, hot milk and soft bread were served, and their rooms were filled with expensive clothes, their closets packed with designer items.

After a week of luxury, Kyle had made time to meet with the twins, sparking Wanda's journey into the superhero life.

Pietro, eager to become stronger, approached Gasco, who began training him in combat techniques. Meanwhile, Wanda, as Kyle's sister, lived comfortably at Water Manor, enjoying the life of a normal girl.

"Come here, don't just stand there," Kyle waved his hand with a welcoming smile.

Seeing Wanda now, Kyle couldn't help but feel that his family had grown up in front of him. Despite his original intention to foster Wanda as a future powerhouse, he had come to see her as more than just an ally—she was becoming like a sister.

Taking Wanda back to her room, Kyle had gone out of his way to redecorate it for her. Since it was a holiday, he planned to spend time with her, taking it easy for the day.

---

In the wilderness of New Jersey, a specially modified jeep sped through the rough terrain, kicking up clouds of dust behind it.

Kyle sat in the passenger seat, while Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, drove with her usual precision.

After spending the day with Wanda, Kyle was on his way back to work. Today marked the first unified implantation of superpowers into a new group of recruits.

"Woo-hoo! I love this feeling!" Kyle shouted over the wind, his voice full of excitement. However, his joy was short-lived.

As the jeep hit a sand dune, a thick cloud of dust enveloped the vehicle, and Kyle's face was quickly coated with dirt and grit.

"Boss, I must say, your looks are getting more... relatable," Natasha teased with a smile. Having been through numerous battlefields, she was accustomed to such surprises.

Kyle didn't reply right away. Instead, he quickly grabbed a piece of paper from the dashboard to wipe his face clean.

"I've got to meet with my subordinates soon. If they see me like this, it'll be embarrassing," Kyle muttered to himself.

After half an hour of driving, the jeep finally reached its destination.

In front of them stood the imposing Arkham Asylum, a facility notorious for its secrets and twisted inhabitants. Its name was well-known, and despite its illegal origins, it had remained operational, hidden in plain sight.

The building was massive, spanning 2,000 square meters, with three floors above ground and three below. The entire perimeter was surrounded by high-voltage fences reaching seven meters tall, keeping out unwanted visitors.

"Hi, boss!" two heavily armed soldiers on guard immediately saluted and greeted Kyle and Natasha as they approached the gate.

These soldiers revered Kyle, having been saved and given a second chance at life through his bio-enhanced serum.

"Hello," Kyle replied, waving to the guards before heading into Arkham Asylum with Natasha.

The bio-enhanced serum Kyle had developed could even regenerate lost limbs—something that had dramatically improved his selection of soldiers. Those who had suffered permanent injuries and had been sidelined by previous employers now found themselves with a second chance under Kyle's command.

"Today, we have ten subjects scheduled for implantation," Kyle explained as they walked down the empty corridor. "It's not guaranteed to succeed, and that's where you come in."

The implantation procedure involved granting individuals nascent superpowers through advanced technology. However, failure meant that the subjects could lose control, occasionally slipping into violent, mad states.

Natasha, who had developed her abilities over time, was more than capable of handling these unstable individuals. With her mind honed to 25% capacity, she had gained a powerful mastery over her thoughts and body, including the ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves and exert mental control over others.

"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Natasha said with confidence, her hands subtly trembling as a faint, invisible blade of mental energy began to form at her fingertips.

In the future, when Natasha's mind reaches 30% capacity, her powers will expand exponentially, enabling her to instantly manipulate memories, invade minds, and control electromagnetic fields.

Finally, they reached the dean's office.

"Oh, Dr. Laura, it's been so long! I've missed you!" Kyle exclaimed as he rushed in, hugging the plump, white-bearded doctor who was buried in paperwork.

Dr. Laura was a brilliant mind, with academic credentials rivaling even Bruce Banner. Kyle had pulled out all the stops to recruit him, knowing that Dr. Laura's intellect would be indispensable in his endeavors.