Giving Doctor Otto a Little Shock (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Heh, Doctor Otto, what lofty ambitions you have!"

Suddenly, a figure streaked across the night sky, appearing in midair before the two of them in an instant, looking down at them from above.

"You are... Mr. Superman?"

Gazing up at the sudden, unfamiliar silhouette, Doctor Otto tensed at first, his metal tentacles instantly wrapping around him and his wife in protection.

But when he recognized the newcomer as the famed Superman, the tension on Doctor Otto's face faded away.

"Sorry, Doctor Otto. I got held up by some matters today, so I couldn't make it in time..."

Peter's tone carried a hint of apology.

"I understand. I saw the news. You were fighting an alien creature, protecting the entire city."

Toward Superman, Doctor Otto's feelings were complicated.

During his experiment, he had resented Superman's sudden appearance for stealing his spotlight.

It had drawn away all the media and reporters in the lab, indirectly causing his experiment to fail so quickly—though failure had been inevitable.

But later, when he learned that Superman had been defending the city at the time, battling an alien claiming to be a god, that small grudge vanished, replaced by deep admiration.

He felt that Superman was humanity's true hero.

"Still, now that you've come to see me, is there something you need me to do?"

Doctor Otto was clever enough to know that someone like Superman wouldn't pay attention to an ordinary human for no reason.

His visit here now must have another purpose.

"For instance, asking me to help you complete some experiment?"

Without any hesitation, Doctor Otto had guessed Peter's real reason for coming.

"You're right. I've been closely following your artificial sun experiment today. A near-eternal energy source—I believe it's the key to unlocking humanity's future."

Whether it could unlock humanity's future, Peter didn't know or care. He only knew that the artificial sun could unlock the powerful genes within him, making him stronger every moment.

So, no matter what, the artificial sun had to be in his hands.

"I'm very grateful for Mr. Superman's attention and recognition, but as you know, my experiment failed today."

A complex expression crossed Doctor Otto's face, as if mourning the failure.

"Today's experiment failed, but weren't you just now full of confidence, preparing for the next attempt?"

Peter saw through Otto's current demeanor, as if he was trying to refuse helping with the experiment.

"Besides, given your current situation, it'll be hard to keep pursuing your experimental dream, won't it?"

By now, news of Doctor Otto's failed experiment had spread across the academic and investment circles.

And capitalists were just that pragmatic—once they saw you had no use, they'd kick you far away.

So, getting new funding and resources from now on would be extremely difficult.

"Unless you plan to rob a bank with your wife to fund your experiment?"

At Peter's last words, the stern expression on Doctor Otto's face crumbled.

In truth, he had even considered using his powerful tentacles to rob a bank.

After all, only he knew his situation: the experiment had failed, and he faced massive compensation to his investors.

Even the home behind him, filled with memories of him and his wife—the most precious thing to them both—might be lost.

"Alright, Mr. Superman. It seems I have no reason left to refuse."

Finally, Doctor Otto looked up at Peter, who hovered above, and spoke, letting go of his stubbornness.

"Don't worry. You won't regret this decision."

Watching Otto exchange a final glance with his wife, Peter descended slowly to land before them, then grabbed Doctor Otto and shot into the sky.

Leaving behind only Otto's wife, staring into the void, her gaze lingering long after they were gone.

Antarctic, beneath the Ice Cave.

"So, this is your Fortress of Solitude?"

Floating in the air, Doctor Otto handled the experience far better than others Peter had brought here.

Not only did he lack a strong urge to vomit, but he even had the leisure to observe his surroundings.

"Fortress of Solitude? No, it's just a simple stopover."

Peter was no longer satisfied with the plans for building a Fortress of Solitude; he had other ideas in mind.

"Come on. Let me introduce you to some friends—or colleagues, rather. You'll likely be working together for a while."

"But they're all very smart. I'm sure you'll find plenty of common ground."

Lifting the massive metal door above the lab, Peter led Doctor Otto slowly inside.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Otto saw over a dozen people before him—men and women, old and young—as if they had been waiting specifically for his arrival.

"Hello, I'm new here. I'm Otto Octavius."

"Hello, I'm Reed Richards, Doctor Otto. It's a pleasure to meet you. I read your research papers on nuclear physics long ago."

Watching the mechanical tentacles writhing behind Doctor Otto, everyone present couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled.

Still, Reed steadied himself and was the first to greet Doctor Otto.

After that, the others introduced themselves in turn, and then the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Peter standing nearby.

After all, everything here was ultimately up to Peter.

"Alright, since we all know each other now, let's talk about the next plan."

As Peter spoke, he placed a hand over his chest. In the next moment, the nanoparticles forming his Nano-Suit began to rapidly contract.

Under Doctor Otto's stunned gaze, they converged into the glowing device on his chest in just a few seconds.

"Is that... nanotechnology?"

Though Doctor Otto specialized in nuclear physics, he had a basic understanding of nanotechnology.

"Unbelievable. Has nanotechnology really advanced to this level?"

Precisely because he understood it, Doctor Otto found it all the more incredible.

"Wait, that's..."

But compared to the astonishing nanotechnology, when he truly recognized the glowing nanotech container, his expression instantly turned complex.

"A Miniaturized Arc Reactor? How is that possible? No, it absolutely can't be!"

"Have I been heading down a dead end all along?"

At that moment, he even seemed at a loss.

It was as if the answer he had spent his whole life pursuing was now right before him, yet he realized he had taken the wrong path from the very start.

"The power of the sun..."

Seeing the disbelief and uncertainty in Doctor Otto's eyes, Peter slowly placed the Arc Reactor into his hands.

"In the palm of my hand!"

As if gazing at a perfect work of art, Doctor Otto stared intently at the Arc Reactor in his hands and slowly finished Peter's sentence.

Then his gaze snapped to Peter.

"So, you called me here just to crush me?"

PS: Thanks to the big shot Ming Ruo Leng Yi Liu for the 500 Qidian coins tip. You're awesome!

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