Building Superheroes at Marvel

Except for the bomber and the infected, the abilities of the six unsuccessful candidates didn't need to be strictly controlled.

Even if they managed to escape, they wouldn't cause significant chaos. A few special forces with guns could handle them with relative ease.

According to the system's analysis, the frenzy period of these individuals lasted seven days. During each cycle, they would sleep for 24 hours to prevent their bodies from breaking down under the strain of their unstable powers.

After some time, it became clear that the failed subjects had exhausted the room's resources. With nothing left to destroy, they entered a trance-like state of calm.

They sat motionless on the ground, eerily resembling statues. However, don't let the calm appearance fool you—if any threat arose, they would tear through it without hesitation.

As for food and water, it would be provided via delivery, ensuring they were kept in a constant state of confinement.

"Dr. Laura, the No. 7 crystals in the hospital should be sufficient for 90 subjects. I'll try to send you a new batch of candidates soon. Make sure safety measures are in place," Kyle said, rubbing his tired eyes after hours of reviewing the data.

He hadn't realized it had already been a full afternoon of monitoring, but what surprised him most was Dr. Laura's work ethic. Despite being in her 60s, when Dr. Laura became absorbed in research, she had the energy of someone half her age.

"Don't worry, boss. We've got 300 guards to ensure they don't escape. Also, there's a slight issue with funds…" Dr. Laura replied confidently, but her tone shifted toward caution when discussing financial matters.

While the guards were more than capable of managing the subjects, Kyle knew the reality of acquiring funds from his former unit. The bureaucracy involved in securing additional resources took time, and months could pass before the funds were approved.

In a fit of frustration, Dr. Laura had eventually left her old research team and joined forces with Kyle, the wealthy and powerful businessman.

"Alright, I'll have someone wire over the 100 million in return," Kyle said, dismissing the matter as trivial. His attention was elsewhere, focused on the progress of the research.

After confirming their next steps, Kyle removed his lab coat, changed into a suit, and prepared to leave.

---

Back in the main room, Kyle found Natasha already waiting for his return. They had intended to catch a flight tonight, but the delay in dealing with the subjects meant they'd have to fly back to New York in the morning.

"How are the new teammates?" Kyle asked, eager to hear Natasha's thoughts.

"It's... been a long day," Natasha replied with a weary sigh. "Except for a few quirks, they seem harmless."

Her voice had a tinge of annoyance. The experience had clearly been trying for her.

The teleporting addict, Herb Bell, had once been in a drug rehabilitation program but was now trying to turn his life around. Yet, his incessant talking made him difficult to deal with. For hours, Natasha had been subjected to his rambling, which she now considered a form of torture. She had never realized how exhausting it could be to listen to someone who could teleport across rooms while never stopping his monologue.

Rondon Daremcia, the powerhouse, was another issue. His strong, stoic nature made it difficult to get through to him. Despite being physically capable of immense strength—his punches capable of shattering bone and even lifting immense weights—Rondon preferred to act as a human shield rather than use his power offensively. Natasha couldn't figure out how to get him to fight back when needed.

Then there was Lina Daisy. She had the ability to control ice, but it was her icy demeanor that made Natasha the most uncomfortable. Her sarcasm was as biting as her powers, and Natasha had barely been able to engage in a civil conversation with her before being cut off with sharp, unkind remarks. Natasha wasn't sure how to approach her without being verbally attacked.

Finally, there was Lilian. Natasha had instinctively felt an unsettling chill around her. Lilian would often stare at her neck, making Natasha feel like prey. It was almost as though she were observing her for an entirely different reason.

"Wait, did you just say Lilian was staring at your neck?" Kyle's eyes narrowed as he processed the information Natasha had just shared.

The implications of her behavior became clear. Lilian hadn't shown any active powers yet, but her unusual focus on Natasha's neck was enough to trigger suspicion.

"Wait… you mean…?" Natasha suddenly stood up from the bed, her face going pale.

Kyle's eyes widened as the realization hit him. What kind of creature would be fixated on a human neck, especially in such an unnerving way?

It could only mean one thing.

A vampire.

"My God… vampires?" Kyle whispered, stunned. Vampires were legends in the modern world, stories passed down through myths. However, if Lilian was indeed a vampire—or something similar—her abilities could be extraordinary.

Kyle's mind raced. In the Marvel universe, creatures like vampires were rare but not unheard of. The most notable vampire in Marvel comics was Morbius, the Living Vampire, whose powers included superhuman strength, speed, and regenerative healing. There was also Dracula, who ruled over a vampire empire and could match even some of the most powerful heroes.

But if Lilian were something else entirely, something more unique and perhaps more dangerous, her power might rival even the most formidable threats in the Marvel Universe.

"System, please confirm. Is this what I think it is?" Kyle demanded, addressing the system that had been more than just an assistant in his quest to understand the unknown.

The system, which had been mostly silent, responded with an unexpected bluntness.

[Sorry, Lilian's bloodline is not that advanced. The specifics of her abilities will need to be discovered by the host.]

The response was more cryptic than helpful, but it didn't dissuade Kyle.

"Not that advanced?" he murmured, his mind racing again. If Lilian was a lower-tier vampire or had some connection to vampire genetics, she could still possess incredible abilities—perhaps even unique ones that were only now starting to manifest.

The system then added something that made Kyle pause:

[By the way, let the host know that the biggest role of Crystal No. 7 is actually strengthening, rather than creating powers.]

Kyle absorbed this new information carefully. Crystal No. 7, the key to awakening abilities in these subjects, didn't just create powers—it enhanced them.

He looked over at Natasha, who had already returned to her bed, deep in thought. Could her powers also be tied to this process of enhancement? Was Lilian's strange behavior linked to Crystal No. 7's strengthening abilities? Kyle wasn't sure, but the pieces were starting to come together.

"Strengthening, not creating…" he whispered to himself, letting the idea roll around in his mind. Perhaps the individuals he had created were more than just enhanced—they might be altered in ways even he hadn't anticipated.

With those thoughts swirling in his head, Kyle turned off the light, crawled into bed, and prepared for the early flight back to New York. Tomorrow would bring more questions, but tonight, there were too many mysteries to solve.

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