Two months earlier.
Aldrich Killian was bare-chested, his hands and feet bound to an experimental bed. Researchers checked and calibrated the instruments around him, confirming that all the data was normal.
The researcher at the computer made an "OK" gesture, signaling that the experiment could begin.
A doctor took out a syringe from a case, its barrel filled with dark purple liquid.
"Are you sure about this?" As he approached Killian with the syringe, he confirmed it again and again. "You need to understand that both the quality and quantity of this dose of Extremis are on an entirely different level from what you were injected with before. We've never conducted an experiment like this, so we can't predict what will happen to you. If you overheat and lose control—and that is very likely to happen—we'll have no way to stabilize you."
"Then I'll blow up on the spot, just like those failed subjects. Yes, I know. Either become a truly perfect 'Ultimate Being,' or die trying." Killian shrugged indifferently. "We all know the risks, Doctor. But someone has to be willing to take risks if we want a breakthrough. All right, stop wasting time. Let's get started."
He had made his resolve clear, so the doctor stopped trying to dissuade him. He injected the entire syringe of dark purple liquid into Killian's vein.
The virus hit with terrifying force. Within seconds, it rode his blood into his circulatory system and rapidly took effect. Blazing heat rushed straight to his head, making Killian feel like a volcano on the verge of erupting. The intense heat seemed to explode from deep within his body like a supernova, flames licking at his bones, muscles, and every nerve fiber.
Killian felt dizzy. He roared instinctively as heat burst madly from his mouth, nose,