Arriving back home, Alex immediately checked the data the military had sent regarding the super soldier serum. As expected, it lacked any direct analysis of the original formula. However, it did contain extensive documentation on various attempts to replicate it. That wasn't surprising, but what stood out was the conspicuous absence of any data on the Hulk.
He read through the entire file in one sitting, absorbing every detail. The reports covered different variations, failed experiments, and partial successes, but nothing of real significance. He had expected this Ross wouldn't give him anything truly valuable until he either trusted him or had him under control.
Now that he was back in the lab, Alex had to begin developing something capable of at least slightly injuring the Hulk. If his weapon could make the Hulk bleed, even slightly, he could deploy a mosquito-like drone to collect a blood sample undetected
Of course, he had no intention of using it to create another Hulk that would be stupid. However, with his extensive knowledge of genetics, he could extract and study the regenerative properties, potentially replicating the Hulk's healing factor or even his incredible strength. Both possibilities, though, relied on gamma radiation. And if you're familiar with the comics, you know gamma radiation should be avoided like the plague it always causes problems. Plus, it's still unclear whether it's connected to the One Below All or if it's something entirely different in this case.
Then, Alex remembered his new perk. Instead of gamma radiation, he could try to replicate it using mana from monsters. In the novel, humans could harness it as well, so the Forge probably made it usable here, too.
After careful consideration, Alex chose his first batch of monster material to be mana cores from Rank 1 monsters. The Forge had provided a generous supply of them. Alex carefully placed most of the cores into a special container he had crafted beforehand, using an alloy of inferior Nth Metal and lead to ensure the cores were sealed away from anything that could detect their radiation. With the radiation nullified, he set aside the remaining mana core for further examination.
He took the remaining core to a specially modified scanner he had built, using some pure Nth Metal ingots to enhance the scanner's capabilities. The metal not only improved its functionality but also allowed it to analyze the mana with precision. However, the scanner required a substantial amount of energy, and Alex lacked a battery or reactor small yet powerful enough to sustain it independently. As a result, the scanner had to be connected to the base to access its energy.
After days of rigorous research, Alex concluded that while he could manipulate the mana using instruments made from inferior Nth Metal, but he hadn't yet discovered a practical application for it. Perhaps in the future, he could find a way to incorporate it into alchemy. He realized that the mana cores lacked any DNA samples, which meant that further biological analysis of the monsters' genetics would be impossible without other samples. Fortunately, he had plans to get some blood samples from monsters next month to delve deeper into their DNA.
Finished with his mana research, Alex shifted his focus to creating specialized bullets. He had previously studied Nth Metal in detail, during which he created several alloys like the one he will use to make the bullets, metal had only 65% the durability of true Nth Metal, but it was strong enough to penetrate the Hulk's defenses in his current state.
The only thing missing was a specially designed tranquilizer one that could weaken the Hulk just enough to give Ross hope of capturing him while still allowing the beast to escape. Creating such a formula would take days of research, especially since Alex had little experience in alchemy.
Just as he was contemplating the challenge ahead, a robotic voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Sir, the military has just uploaded several new files to their server. I believe you will find them interesting."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "Show me."
His PDA screen flickered as a folder downloaded from the military servers, opening to reveal several subfolders, each labeled with a codename. Inside, he found detailed reports of operations, alongside camera footage. He clicked on the first report and quickly skimmed through it.
It didn't take long to realize what he was looking at the first real-world applications of his inventions in combat. These weren't just training exercises anymore. His technology was being deployed on the battlefield.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
"Use all these camera footages to create a highlight reel showcasing my inventions in action."
"Processing... It's done."
The PDA screen lit up as the video started playing.
The first scene displayed a luxurious villa, the kind that belonged to a drug lord. The operation took place at night, the soldiers moving under the cover of infrared and night vision.
The next scene showed a shoulder-mounted grenade launcher, primed and ready. The soldier fired a paralyzer grenade, one of Alex's creations, encased in a wall-penetrating capsule. The projectile punched through the villa's reinforced walls, landing in the center of the compound.
A second later, the device activated, releasing an invisible paralysis pulse. The infrared footage captured its devastating effect as everyone inside froze mid-motion, their bodies completely immobilized.
What followed was a swift military breach. The soldiers moved room by room, methodically tranquilizing every target. The footage then transitioned to similar operations a terrorist hideout buried deep within a cave, an ambush on a convoy each scenario showcasing how effectively his technology neutralized threats.
Alex leaned back, watching the video play. His inventions were no longer just ideas they were changing warfare.
The reports also highlighted the near-zero casualties suffered by the military and the large number of high-value targets captured alive for interrogation. While the documents didn't disclose any of the intelligence gathered, Alex had no doubt that it must have been far more substantial than what they typically obtained, given the usual high fatality rates of such operations.
At that moment, Alex felt the unmistakable tug of the forge, its familiar energy rising like a distant call, pulling him in with an almost magnetic force.
[Heavenly Azure Profound Jungle (Against the Gods!) (600CP)
Pills, pellets and crystals are a cornerstone of cultivation. Even one or two powerful pills can redefine the fates of entire clans or sects, as it so happens. Equally important, however, are Profound Beasts, or rather their bodies. There is the blood, which is a great tool in cultivation, the flesh and bones, used for their own purposes, but the most special are the Profound Cores found within these beasts that make life in so many parts of these worlds so difficult.
You have something completely amazing, in that regard. This is a dense jungle, attached to your warehouse, filled with all sorts of dangerous profound beasts. As a matter of fact, it has one of every single species and race of Profound Beasts in this setting, all ready and waiting for you. Because you see, while the blood, flesh, bones, core and everything of these beasts is at the level they're supposed to be, their actual fighting abilities are dramatically lower. Three entire realms lower, as a matter of fact. That is, the Emperor level monsters can only do damage on the level of a True Realm monster, and so on. Unless you want them at full power for some reason, that is, Then they are.
This doesn't apply to beasts below the Sky Profound Realm, so the weakest any of them get is to Elementary. Also, each Realm monsters are isolated in their own 'zone' of the Jungle they practically never leave, with the weakest ones on the outermost circle and so on. The numbers of the beasts inside are proportional to how rare they are in the outside world, as is the rate of replenishment if killed. Even the rarest beasts only take a few months, though, maybe a full year for the absolute rarest of them.
In future worlds, the Jungle provides beasts from the local setting too.]
Not enough CP to purchase.
100 CP banked.
"Oh, this would have been great." thought Alex, after receiving the information about the perk. "Too bad I have zero CP to buy it."
After this brief episode, Alex returned to his research, summoning his shadow clones to focus on separate projects. The original focused on the Super Soldier Serum data, aiming to enhance the Grail's strengthening process and prepare it for the addition of the monster's ability to wield mana into his enchanted DNA once he could get a sample of monster blood. One of the clones started working on alchemy, while another was tasked with creating mutated plants, such as magical or chakra-infused plants, using his newfound understanding of genetics.
For two weeks, nothing interrupted Alex's relentless research. He had immersed himself completely in his work, summoning shadow clones to take on various projects while he focused on his own. The constant flow of data kept him going, though he had sacrificed proper rest in the process. However, it seemed that the general's patience had finally worn thin.
One morning, Alex woke up, his body aching and mind foggy from the exhaustion of long hours and sleepless nights. His shadow clones were still hard at work, but as he groggily reached for his phone, the screen flashed with an incoming call from none other than General Ross himself. Alex answered the call, and the booming voice on the other end didn't waste any time.
"Alex, I've been more than patient," Ross snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "I need results by lunch, or there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
Alex's eyes widened, the weight of the conversation hitting him like a freight train. He knew Ross wasn't the type to make idle threats, and failing to deliver now could have severe repercussions. But his body felt like it was dragging him down, his limbs heavy from the toll the past two weeks had taken on him. The shadow clone usage had taken a greater toll than he'd expected, and with minimal sleep, his focus was slipping.
Despite the overwhelming fatigue, Alex forced himself to sit up, his head spinning as he pushed his body to its feet. His muscles screamed in protest as he staggered toward the lab. His mind was barely functioning, but he couldn't afford to let Ross down.
Luckily, the clone working on alchemy had anticipated this very situation. The clone had already concocted a perfect tranquilizer, a mixture potent enough to be loaded into bullets for quick, efficient use. More importantly, the clone had also developed a stimulant a carefully crafted blend with minimal side effects that could help Alex power through his exhaustion. It was exactly what he needed.
He took the stimulant, feeling the effects almost immediately. A rush of energy surged through his body, clearing the fog from his mind and restoring a semblance of focus. It wasn't perfect, and the exhaustion still lingered, but it was enough to get him moving again.
At that moment, Alex felt the unmistakable tug of the forge, its familiar energy, pulling him in with an almost magnetic force.
[Hellish Advancement (DOOM 3) (200CP)
The teleportation research in the Delta Labs is arguably the most advanced field of science known to mankind today. With potential applications in everything from aeronautics to personal transportation, both short-range and long-range teleporters represent one of the greatest advances in recent decades and the fact that they operate by tunneling through literal hell is hardly a detriment, is it? You are a master of using dimensional technologies, especially those relying on less than pleasant realms for their function. From dedicated safety systems to mapping the hellish wastelands of the damned 'by remote' to find the most efficient paths, if it involves alternate realities or physical embodiments of evil you've probably got some ideas on how to make use of your findings. Even better if it involves both.]
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