Max

"What?" Dr. Connors thought he hadn't heard correctly and asked instinctively.

"I said it's impossible to make a self-healing gene serum, Doctor!"

Li Si's clarification made a trace of anger cross Dr. Connors's face.

But Li Si didn't seem to care. He continued, "Doctor, you should understand that genetic modification has never been universally applicable. It might be possible to make the human body fuse with the genes of another species, but everyone's genes are different."

"Even if the difference is only 0.1%, a gene serum still can't perfectly match everyone. The consequences range from abnormal development that affects a person's health to genetic collapse and immediate death.

"So this approach can only be used as a treatment in a laboratory. It could never become a serum that works for everyone."

As soon as Li Si finished speaking, Dr. Connors's expression changed dramatically. No—in truth, his face had changed the moment Li Si said his first sentence.

"Not universally applicable... Universal applicability..."

"Genetic differences..."

Dr. Connors seemed to have lost himself. He repeated the words unconsciously, then, a moment later, his face lit up with delight. He hurried toward the main lab, which was separated from them by a reinforced glass door.

"Right, Li Stein, you passed the interview. Gwen, take him through the onboarding process. Make sure you're here on time next week."

Having rushed into the lab, Dr. Connors at least remembered Li Si enough to stick his head out and give the instructions. Then he disappeared back inside.

Gwen was completely stunned, her red lips parted in a way that somehow made Li Si want to kiss her.

"What's wrong with the doctor?"

It took Gwen several seconds to come back to her senses.

"Who knows?"

Li Si shrugged.

In fact, he knew the reason, but it was better not to say anything here and make people hostile toward him.

Anyone who had read the research Richard Parker left behind would know that Curt Connors had been pursuing the wrong line of research from the very start.

And the problem wasn't simply that he lacked the core Decay Formula.

Connors wanted to develop a serum that would give people the lizard's self-healing genes. But, as he'd just said, genetic modification was never universally applicable. How could he possibly develop a gene-modification serum that worked for everyone?

Genetic modification wasn't like a chemical compound used to make a strengthening agent. For one gene chain to fuse with and replace another, you had to calculate and optimize the target's genes, just as Richard Parker had. Even the slightest error could have disastrous consequences.

The entire research direction was wrong, and the lab was full of researchers who were stuck in flawed reasoning and rigid thinking. It would've been a miracle if they'd made any progress.

Even worse, they were still following the original plot, injecting a human with a modification serum made for a mouse. It was downright ridiculous—like something a fool would do.

Li Si had just pointed this out, and that was what had brought Connors to his senses.

Still, Li Si didn't have to worry that Connors might develop the Modification Serum ahead of schedule. The Decay Formula was still in his hands.

"So, want to grab a bite together?"

After finishing the onboarding process with Gwen, Li Si tentatively invited her.

Gwen spread her hands. "I'm at work right now..."

"Rejected again, Gwen. Keep this up and you'll lose me!"

Li Si clutched his chest in mock agony.

"Maybe you could save that invitation for next weekend," Gwen said with a hand over her mouth, smiling.

"That's the best news I've heard all day. It's a date."

Li Si beamed at her words.

As he left, even Li Si, who was usually extremely good at keeping his emotions in check, couldn't help walking with a spring in his step. He was practically floating after successfully asking a girl out.

There was truth to the saying that when you were in a good mood, everything looked wonderful.

For example, he now found the Black man sharing the elevator with him—his hair was a greasy, tangled mess, and he smelled faintly of body odor—almost handsome.

Well... that was just an illusion. Please don't question his sexuality.

"My name is Max. Max Dillon!"

A nervous, barely audible voice broke the silence.

Li Si froze and glanced around, finally realizing that the elevator was empty except for the two of them. The man was introducing himself to him.

But... who introduced themselves like that? The guy kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, not daring to look at him. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was talking to the air.

Despite his inner grumbling, Li Si held out his right hand in a friendly gesture. "Nice to meet you, Max. I'm Li Stein, Dr. Connors's new intern!"

"Uh... oh! It's an honor to meet you too, sir!"

When Max heard Li Si reply, he grew so flustered that he didn't know what to do with himself. He hurriedly wiped his hand on his clothes several times before finally shaking Li Si's hand.

He acted as though he were meeting a head of state, gripping Li Si's hand and pumping it excitedly. It took quite a while before he finally let go.

Li Si expected them to make a little small talk after introducing themselves. Instead, silence followed—a dead, oppressive silence.

The other man didn't say another word until they got out of the elevator. He just kept glancing at Li Si from the corner of his eye every now and then, making him feel decidedly uncomfortable.

"..."

"All right, he's even more socially awkward than Peter Parker. There's no saving him!"

Li Si finally realized what was going on once he'd left Oscorp Tower. He was speechless.

"Wait, Max... Why does that name sound so familiar?"

Thinking of the man, Li Si felt a strange spark of recognition. He stopped, frowning, and looked back toward Oscorp Tower.

When he spotted the blueprints in the man's arms in the lobby, Li Si finally remembered where he'd seen him before.

Max. Max Dillon, Electro—a major antagonist in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

According to the movie, Max was already an electrical engineer at Oscorp. He also had serious personality issues: he was introverted, withdrawn, and desperately craved recognition. From their brief interaction, he fit the description perfectly.

"How could I forget him? He'd be a great person to recruit!"

Li Si rubbed his chin as he recalled the plot of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. An idea occurred to him.

Going by what the movie showed, Max had enormous potential. After his mutation, he became a being of pure energy, able to turn into electricity and travel through power grids, while also absorbing and controlling electrical currents.

Electromagnetism went hand in hand, and electromagnetic force was one of the universe's four fundamental forces. If Max's abilities were properly developed, his potential might even surpass Magneto's. At the very least, he'd be a fourth-tier combatant.

More importantly, Max would be incredibly easy to recruit.

He was desperate for recognition. Just having someone remember his name could leave him excited for ages. He'd even give his life for someone who told him, "I need you." Recruiting him would be a piece of cake. It would hardly cost Li Si anything.

"I could give it a try sometime. Even if I can't recruit him, having him as a friend wouldn't be bad."