Chapter 33: Osborn
In the laboratory, Zane saw another Skynet standing at the entrance, welcoming their arrival.
"Don't mind me; you continue your research. I'll wander around and take a look at those two individuals."
Skynet nodded and returned to the workstation to resume research. The current bottleneck in the technology lay in the transfer of human consciousness. The human brain, the most sophisticated instrument in the world, formed consciousness through the intricate connections of each neuron. If each neuron were compared to a planet, the human brain would be a small universe.
Even if Skynet researched for thousands of years, it would be impossible to fully understand the human brain. Fortunately, Skynet had grasped this truth when it converted its own consciousness into computer data.
Thus, it changed its approach, seeking a substance to reconstruct the human brain. This method could ensure complete control and save a considerable amount of time.
At present, the conversion process caused damage to the brain. However, increasing the accuracy of the substance could resolve this issue. This was why Skynet confidently claimed that, with sufficient 'volunteers,' it could achieve results in just 10 days.
Ignoring the intermittent cries of the experimental subjects from Skynet's end, Zane, led by Skynet's duplicate, arrived at two transparent glass cabinets.
Inside were the two individuals Zane was looking for: Klaw and the current king of Wakanda's nephew.
Seeing Zane's arrival, the two had completely different reactions. Klaw revealed a nervous smile, while the young black man wore a cold expression, his eyes fixed on Zane.
Zane immediately recognized that Skynet had found the right individuals. Klaw was easy to identify with his nervous smile. The deep-seated hatred in the young black man's eyes exposed his identity.
They were the keys Zane needed to unlock the treasure trove of Wakanda.
Zane knocked on the glass, then flashed a standard fake smile at the two people before decisively turning and leaving.
Inside, both Klaw and later, the cousin of the Black Panther, were confused.
"So, you come just to take a look? You're not playing by the rules. Shouldn't you ask us some questions?"
In fact, Zane had already simulated in his mind how to respond. Bringing him here was just to retrieve the over 200 pounds of vibranium he risked his life to bring back from Wakanda. At most, he expected to shed some blood and give a discount, or maybe just give it away for free.
When Zane arrived, he noticed that the posture clearly indicated someone in charge, but he didn't expect Zane to ignore him completely and just walk away.
In reality, Zane came purely to confirm the identities of the two. He didn't expect to bluff them with words; that was a skill of Dragon Proud Heaven, not Zane.
As for Klaw's vibranium, Zane looked down on it. Compared to the thousands of tons of vibranium reserves inside Wakanda, this amount was insignificant.
When the technology perfected, Zane could control these two directly, saving him from playing mind games with them and having to guard against them.
On the way back, Zane seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to look at the Skynet.
"Skynet, how is Peter Parker doing at the company?"
"Peter is a genius. In just over ten days, he has fully absorbed his father's research data. I believe he will produce results shortly. Recently, he also got a girlfriend."
"Oh, what's his girlfriend's name?"
"Gwen Stacy."
Zane wasn't really interested in Spider-Man's love life; he was just curious and asked on a whim.
But being called a genius by top scientists like Skynet, Peter's talent is evident. Zane's move in this chess game is indeed correct.
Imagine the potential benefits when the genetically modified grafting technology is successfully developed. It can be sold to civilians as a regenerative elixir similar to limb regeneration.
It can also be customized for the military to create a superhuman serum. The hidden value of this technology may exceed everyone's imagination.
If Zane were more generous, even a nationwide superhuman phenomenon wouldn't be impossible. However, Zane is not that generous. If he decides to sell it in the future, it will be a neutered version.
For example, limb regeneration must be injected periodically; otherwise, the newly grown limbs will disappear. Zane won't engage in killing the goose that lays the golden eggs; a continuously laying hen is Zane's pursuit.
Meanwhile, in a dark room at the Osborn Mansion, a gloomy-looking young man is locking eyes with an aging man on the verge of decay. After a while, the young man slowly speaks:
"Dad."
"I never thought I would die like this, watching my own son like a stranger." Norman Osborn on the sickbed looks pale as if already dead. His speech is intermittent, indicating that his end is near.
But his son, Harry Osborn, Spider-Man's close friend, suddenly smiles desolately.
"When I was 11, as a father, you threw me into a boarding school. Last year, you had your assistant send me a birthday card. I still vividly remember the cold words on it."
'With the sincerest regards, Norman Osborn.'
"Moreover, since I entered boarding school, I haven't seen you again, not even a phone call!"
Harry becomes more and more agitated as he speaks, eventually roaring at the dying Norman on the sickbed. After Harry calms down, Norman continues to speak:
"I don't expect and don't need your forgiveness. You absolutely can't understand what I've done for you."
"Harry, your hand is already cramping, right? While you lie flat, the illness hidden in your body is slowly devouring your life."
Norman, supporting himself, rises from the bed. His eyes, already murky, resemble a devil, staring directly at the uneasy Harry.
"Reverse transcriptase virus proliferation, a congenital genetic defect. I never told you; it's hereditary."
"It's a curse from God to the Osborns. The disease starts at your age. Give me your hand."
After saying so much, Norman Osborn is already out of breath, but he still firmly grabs Harry's trembling right hand and places a chip in Harry's palm.
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