Doctor Doom, the Biggest Sucker

"I'm sorry, I'm not able to help you research the gravity device given my current situation. Perhaps you can wait two more years until I finish the project I'm currently working on."

Inside the office, upon hearing Hawking's purpose for seeking him out, Reed immediately waved his hand in refusal.

Under normal circumstances, he would naturally not refuse to help a righteous Super Hero like Hawking research and invent some devices.

But the project he is currently working on is even more important. If he can complete it, it will not only revive his company but also benefit all of humanity on Earth.

"I see. But as far as I know, you're bankrupt now. There's only one security guard and one cleaner left in your building. Do you still have the money to continue your current projects?"

I think you could help me improve the gravity device first, and then we can continue your project once we have the funds.

Hawking offered his suggestion.

Reed scratched his head somewhat awkwardly:

"There were indeed some unexpected issues, but I'll resolve them soon. I'm planning to ask my college classmates to invest in this project, and once it's completed, I'll have a large sum of money coming in."

In fact, with his intelligence, he could easily make money by researching some technological products, but he was too arrogant and looked down on those low-level technologies.

He wants to study technological inventions that can change all of humanity, or even cross centuries.

Like his current project, which has cost his company all its funds and several years of hard work, it can utilize the high-energy storm generated by the solar corona to trigger the evolution of the entire life form.

If this evolution could be studied in space, it would fundamentally advance our understanding of the human genome, thereby curing various terminal illnesses, extending lifespan, and making future humans stronger.

"It seems that Dr. Reed is very confident in his project, which makes me quite curious about it. If the project is really promising, I would be very interested in investing in it."

Hawking feigned interest.

Investing was out of the question, because he knew the experiment was doomed to fail.

However, because of this experiment, the four members of the Reed team became the Fantastic Four, while Victor, the college classmate who invested in him, became Doctor Doom. They were swindled out of billions of dollars, the company's stock plummeted, and they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

"But the research for my project must be conducted in space."

Reed's eyes lit up, then dimmed again.

Not every company has Space Station, and besides, he knew that Heroes Alliance Company was not a technology research and development company.

"That's not a problem. I know some high-ranking government officials. If you want to conduct research in space, it won't be a problem for me."

Hawking waved his hand.

Upon hearing this, Li De immediately pulled a box from the desk next to him, and while opening it, he said:

"Then let me give you a detailed introduction to this project."

"No need to rush, Dr. Reed, I believe in fair competition."

Okay, let's go find your college classmate together first and see what terms he'll offer. We can't let you get the short end of the stick.

Hawking smiled and reached out to press the box that was about to be opened back down.

Let's keep this big traitor as Doctor Doom; all he needs to do is prevent Reed from going to space later.

"That would be great."

Reed paused for a moment, then immediately nodded.

He had originally pinned all his hopes on Victor, but now he had another hope, and there were two people competing for it, which was of course perfect.

"Ben, pack your things, we're going to find Victor now!"

How strong are you?

On the way to Victor's Building, Ben, who was driving, asked Hawking, who was sitting in the back, with some curiosity.

Unlike his college classmates Reed and Victor, he did not choose to start his own business after graduation, but joined the army. Compared to scientific research, he was more skilled in combat and driving various vehicles, including the space shuttle.

He had seen on TV that Hawking could easily stop a van traveling at full speed and throw a truck weighing several tons away, and he had always been curious about just how strong Hawking really was.

"Well... I haven't really calculated it much."

Hawking shrugged.

He hadn't actually calculated it; in fact, if you don't count the internal energy, his physical body wasn't that exaggerated.

The strength of warriors in the Dragon Ball World is not only due to their physical bodies, but more importantly, their ki. Without the boost from ki, their physical bodies alone would greatly reduce their attack and defense capabilities.

Just like Vegeta, who had Combat Power of 100,000 after Great Ape Transformation, carelessly failed to protect his tail with his ki and was actually cut off by Yajirobe, who only had Combat Power of 970. Later, after returning to human form, he was ambushed by Yajirobe and slashed with a large wound on his back.

Under normal circumstances, the body is protected by qi, and if the difference in Combat Power is too great, it is impossible to break through the defense.

"I never would have guessed that someone with your build could have such strength."

Ben looked at his arms, which were as thick as Hawking's thigh, and couldn't help but sigh.

Hawking did not answer, but thought to himself:

"It's okay, you'll soon become a strongman too."

In his memory, after Ben turned into Thing, he initially had a strength of five tons, and after gradually adapting and training, he could reach a strength of up to one hundred tons.

Its body is incredibly tough, with physical defense surpassing that of Colossus.

Both are in Manhattan, and the car arrived at Victor Building in less than half an hour.

They were greeted by a huge metal statue erected at the entrance of the building, which was none other than the building's owner Victor von Doom.

"That's typical of Victor's methods."

Ben looked at the statue with a hint of mockery on his face. The upright man disliked Victor's hypocrisy and arrogance.

Reed nodded in agreement:

"He hopes that everyone standing here will feel ashamed of themselves, so that they can gain the upper hand in negotiations."

"I thought that statues were usually erected only for the dead."

Hawking made a joke while looking at the exaggerated metal statue.

"Haha, it seems that's really the case!"

Upon hearing this, Ben burst into laughter.

The three walked through the metal statue into the building. Because Reed had called Victor in advance, the three were easily escorted to Victor's office by the pretty receptionist.

"It's been a long time, our great Reed, and Ben, and who is this?"

Victor greeted his two old classmates with a fake smile, then looked at Hawking with some doubt.

Just as Reed was about to introduce himself, Hawking immediately interrupted him:

"I'm a friend of Doctor Reed. Doctor Reed, please tell us about your project."

"Okay, here's what my project is about."

Reed opened his suitcase, pressed a few buttons, and a virtual projection immediately appeared in the sky above the office. Then, a series of technical terms that Hawking couldn't understand came out of his mouth.

Meanwhile, Victor remained outwardly calm, but inwardly his emotions were in turmoil.

He knew that if this project succeeded, it would absolutely change the course of humanity, and its true value was far greater than his stubborn classmate Reed could imagine.

Therefore, he absolutely had to secure the investment for this project!