Marvel: Randomly Load a Protagonist Template - Chapter 69
“Sorry, I can’t help you with the gravity device. You could wait two more years after I finish the project I’m currently working on.
In the office, upon hearing Hawking’s request, Reed immediately waved his hand to refuse.
Under normal circumstances, helping a superhero like Hawking research and develop devices would not be something he’d refuse.
However, the project he was currently working on was more important. If completed, it would not only revive his company but also benefit all of humanity.
“So it is, but as far as I know, you’ve gone bankrupt. There’s only one security guard and one cleaner left in this building. Do you even have the funds to continue with your current project?
I think you should help me improve the gravity device first, and then you can continue with your project once you have the funds,” Hawking suggested.
Reed scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed:
“There have been some unexpected issues, but I will resolve them soon. I plan to get an investment from a college friend for this project. Once completed, it will bring in a significant amount of funding.”
With his intellect, developing tech products to generate income was easy for him. However, he was too proud to stoop to developing lower-level technologies.
He aimed to develop technologies that could change humanity entirely or even be revolutionary for the century.
His current project, which had consumed all his company’s funds and years of effort, could harness the high-energy storms generated by solar wind to trigger the evolution of life forms.
If he could study this evolution in space, it would fundamentally advance current technology’s understanding of human genetics, potentially curing various diseases, extending life, and making future humans stronger.
“Dr. Reed seems very confident about his project, which makes me curious. If the project is feasible, I would also be interested in investing,” Hawking feigned interest.
The investment was out of the question, as he knew this experiment was doomed to fail.
However, because of this experiment, Reed and his team would become the Fantastic Four, and his college friend Victor, who invested, would turn into Doctor Doom, losing billions and nearly bankrupting his company.
“But my project requires research to be conducted in space,” Reed’s eyes lit up, then dimmed again.
Only some companies have a space station, and he knew that the League of Heroes wasn’t a technology research firm.
“That’s not a problem. I know some high-ranking government officials. Conducting space research is not difficult for me,” Hawking waved his hand dismissively.
Hearing this, Reed immediately pulled out a box from his desk and began to open it while explaining the project.
“There’s no need to rush, Dr. Reed. I value fair competition. How about this? I’ll go with you to see your college friend first, to see what terms he can offer. We can’t let you be taken advantage of,” Hawking said, pushing the box Reed was opening back down.
He’d leave the grievous mistake to Doctor Doom; he only needed to prevent Reed from going to space.
“That would be great,” Reed hesitated momentarily, then nodded vigorously.
He had initially pinned all his hopes on Victor, and now, with an additional prospect and two competitors, it was indeed better than ever.
“Ben, pack up. We’re going to find Victor now!”
“How strong are you?”
On the way to Victor’s building, Ben, who was driving, curiously asked Hawking, sitting in the back.
Unlike his college classmates Reed and Victor, who started businesses, Ben joined the military after graduation. He was more skilled in combat and piloting various vehicles, including spacecraft, than in scientific research. He had seen Hawking effortlessly stop a speeding van and fling a several-ton truck on TV, and he had always been curious about the extent of Hawking’ strength.
“I haven’t calculated that,” Hawking shrugged.
He hadn’t calculated it; without considering the energy inside him, his physical body wasn’t that extraordinary.
The strength of a warrior in the Dragon Ball world isn’t just physical; what’s more important is energy. Without the boost from energy, offensive power and defense significantly decrease, relying on physical strength alone.
It’s like Vegeta, with a power level of 100,000 after turning into a Great Ape, who carelessly didn’t use energy to protect his tail and was unexpectedly cut by Yajirobe, who had a power level of just 970. Later, when Vegeta returned to human form, Yajirobe managed to ambush him and left a large wound on his back.
Typically, with energy protecting the body and such a vast difference in power levels, the defense wouldn’t be breached.
“It’s hard to tell you have such strength with that physique.”
Ben glanced at his arms, which were as thick as Hawking’s thighs and couldn’t help but express his amazement.
Hawking didn’t reply but thought to himself:
“No worries, soon you’ll become a powerhouse too.”
He remembered that after Ben became the Thing, he initially had the strength of five tons, which, after gradual adaptation and training, could reach up to a hundred tons.
His body was rugged, more challenging than steel.
They were Both in the Manhattan area, so they took less than half an hour to reach Victor’s building.
They were immediately greeted by a giant metal statue at the entrance, the likeness of the building’s owner, Victor Von Doom.
“That’s just so typical of Victor.”
Ben looked at the statue with a hint of scorn on his face; the straightforward man disliked Victor’s pretentiousness and arrogance.
Reed nodded in agreement:
“He hopes that everyone standing here will feel inherently ashamed, giving him the upper hand in negotiations.”
“I thought statues were usually erected only for the deceased.”
Hawking joked, looking at the exaggerated metal figure.
“Hahaha, it does seem that way!”
Ben burst into laughter upon hearing this.
The trio walked past the metal statue into the building. Reed had called Victor ahead of time, so they were smoothly escorted by the beautiful receptionist directly to Victor’s office.
“It’s been a long time, our great Reed and Ben, and who is this?”
Victor greeted his two old classmates with a face full of feigned politeness, then looked at Hawking with some confusion.
Reed was about to introduce him, but Hawking quickly interrupted:
“I’m a friend of Dr. Reed. Dr. Reed, let’s get straight to your project.”
“Alright, my project is like this.”
Reed opened his case, pressed a few buttons and a holographic projection appeared in the office while he started rattling off technical terms Hawking couldn’t understand.
On the other side, Victor maintained a composed exterior, but inside, he was tumultuous.
He knew if this project succeeded, it could completely change the course of humanity. The real value contained within it was far greater than what his stubborn classmate Reed could imagine.
So, he had to secure the investment in this project!
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
30 chapters ahead are available on Patron!
