Marvel: Master Of Role-Playing

"Didn't expect you, Norman, to be so naive," Reid said with a mocking smile.

Norman was clearly annoyed, but considering that Luthor was the one who knew the serum best, he suppressed his anger and calmly asked, "What do you mean by that? If it really could be permanent, not just the U.S., other countries would rush to get it."

Norman had no patriotic sentiment. Even if he couldn't blatantly sell these military products to other countries, if they were willing to pay enough, he wouldn't mind quietly slipping them some of the serum.

Reid put down his work and looked at Norman.

"Norman, let's talk from a technical perspective. I know you've been researching cross-species gene transfer techniques. You must understand that it's easier to temporarily give someone a specific gene, but is it equally simple to completely alter all of a person's genes?"

Norman didn't need to think about this to know the answer.

"Naturally, it's easier with a time limit. But if it could be permanent, wouldn't that be better?"

"It would be better, but at the same time, it demands more from the user. How many people could handle such fundamental changes to their body? I could create that kind of serum, but how many could actually use it? There are so many people in the world, and so many soldiers in the U.S. Each person's physique is slightly different. How much would it cost me to ensure that a serum, which fundamentally changes the body, would work for everyone?"

Norman frowned. In the past, he had been focused only on the effectiveness of the serum, not realizing these issues. But now, with the success of the serum that Luthor had created, he compared the two and began to see the difficulties in his own approach.

Just as Norman was about to give up on the idea, Reid continued.

"Even if I manage to make the serum effective for everyone, tell me, won't the soldiers who have received the serum eventually retire?"

"Once they retire and become regular civilians, wouldn't they become superpowered individuals among normal people? Would the government feel comfortable with that?"

"Even if they sign agreements to never retire, would those officers really allow all their soldiers to have superpowers? How can they give orders to those soldiers, let alone manage them?"

"And most importantly, if the serum's effects are permanent, how could we convince the military to keep investing in our project?"

The first few points were things the average person wouldn't immediately think of, but the last one instantly opened Norman's mind.

Just like how chair manufacturers don't like chairs that last forever, because if the chair doesn't break down, consumers won't need to buy new ones. The same applies to the serum. If it were permanent, one injection for a lifetime, then what reason would the military have to keep coming back for more?

"You're right, Luthor. This is something I didn't consider. As a product, the serum shouldn't aim for permanent effects. But given the current situation, without new advancements, the military really will stop collaborating."

Reid nodded. He knew this point as well and had already thought of a solution.

Without hesitation, Reid injected himself with a vial of serum right in front of Norman, temporarily gaining the ability to release energy.

Then, as Norman looked on in confusion, Reid waved his hand, and a red energy ball shot from his hand, blasting a paper shredder in the corner of the lab into pieces.

"You... you can release energy for a remote attack now. Has the serum been upgraded?"

Hearing Norman's astonished words, Reid shook his head.

"No, the serum is still the same as before. I've just enhanced its stability a bit and reduced the chances of some idiots losing control of their energy after injecting the serum."

He then turned to his research assistant nearby.

"Did you record it?"

"Yes, everything from the injection to the energy release and attack has been recorded."

Reid nodded, then waved his hand and said, "Send it to Rhodes. Have him deliver it to the military's higher-ups. They all thought my serum was too weak, but it's actually that they're too dumb."

Afterward, Reid turned back to the still confused Norman and explained, "It's actually very simple. During the serum's active period, it grants humans a new ability. But since they've never had such a power before, it's like suddenly growing a new arm. Their brain doesn't know how to control it."

"Naturally, they can't project the energy outwards, instead, it just circulates around the body's surface."

"Then you..."

Norman pointed at Luthor, his confusion clear. "You just casually released an energy ball!"

Reid smirked. "I'm Lex Luthor. I'm a genius. Isn't that normal?"

Norman immediately fell silent. Over the past six months, even though they hadn't become close, he had learned that if he didn't want to be thoroughly humiliated, he should never argue when Luthor called himself a genius.

Otto was still full of ambition, trying to surpass Luthor in physics, but Norman had already given up. He could tell that Luthor was far smarter than he was.

"There are two solutions." Reid continued, and Norman immediately perked up to listen.

"First, the military spends a huge sum to allow a few soldiers to suppress the super soldier serum and invest time in training to control the power. However, this is difficult as it requires overcoming years of ingrained instincts."

"Second, we could create another serum that enhances the recipient's sensitivity, allowing them to easily control the energy after injecting both serums."

"Good! I like the second option!"

Norman immediately agreed, considering the second option a good choice.

When buyers complain that a product is ineffective, the best solution isn't necessarily to improve the product, but to release a new one to complement the old one and resolve the issue.

...

Soon, news from the Oscorp Industries reached the military.

The higher-ups in the military looked at the evaluation marked as coming from Lex Luthor, and their beards almost crooked with anger.

'Damn bastard! So you're the genius, and we're the useless ones, huh?'

These military leaders were actually the ones who had injected the super soldier serum and experienced its powers the most, and yet none of them could achieve the level of control that Reid had.

And though Reid's words were harsh, they were undeniable!

Fuming, the military leaders could only vent their frustrations on their subordinates, doubling the training load for the soldiers who had injected the serum but couldn't perform long-range attacks.

That day, the military's resentment toward Lex Luthor reached unprecedented heights. It soared all the way to the skies.

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