Chapter Summaries

After Lee Stein’s tweet reignited the uproar over Osborn, Lee worked to prepare Thunder Industries’ first product prototype. He explained the risks of his Life Leap Project’s brain-enhancement technology, which had made Hulk exceptionally intelligent, and left Hulk fetching a serum from the Underground Laboratory.

• Lee Stein’s tweet sparked renewed media attention, and observers linked him to the Stark and Osborn stock-market upheavals.
• Lee rushed to build Thunder Industries’ first product prototype with Max and Gwen because the company lacked researchers and engineers.
• Lee ordered Hulk to retrieve the test tube labeled XC-1 from the Underground Laboratory while Max offered to try the serum.
• Lee explained that his Life Leap Project used gene splicing to enhance Hulk’s intelligence, but brain changes could scramble memories and make the technology too risky for ordinary humans.

Li Si finished a new Thunder King Battle Suit that used controllable Blood Worms to provide temporary life support and physical enhancement while blocking pain. As he considered selling it to the military, Pepper Potts arrived unnoticed, and Li Si was startled to see her.

• Gwen brought Li Si the prepared Regeneration Serum and sat with him while he worked, as Hulk lazed beside her.
• Li Si completed the Thunder King Battle Suit 0 Version Blood Worm Enhancement Version and received Universal Experience for his research.
• Li Si explained that the suit's Blood Worms could replace blood, reduce nutritional needs, and help keep a wearer alive, but would self-destruct after forty-eight hours or loss of contact with the control core.
• Li Si added a pain-blocking feature and considered how much to charge the military for the suit.
• Gwen teased Li Si for looking like he was drooling, and Li Si realized Pepper Potts had arrived without him noticing.

Pepper Potts reviewed Lee Stein’s product launch documents, which included a military version of the Self-Healing Serum, while Max teased Lee about Pepper and Gwen. Peter Parker then called Lee and asked to visit, leaving Lee and Max suspecting Peter would plead for Harry Osborn.

• Pepper Potts told Lee Stein the launch venue was settled and asked for a document describing the planned products for fundraising.
• Lee Stein gave Pepper Potts the documents he had prepared, and she was astonished by the products, including a military version of Self-Healing Serum Type I.
• After Pepper Potts and Gwen left, Max teased Lee about Pepper, and Lee ordered Hulk to run five hundred laps.
• Bumblebee told Lee that Peter Parker was calling, and Peter asked to visit because he needed to ask Lee for something.
• Max worried that Peter would ask Lee to go easy on Harry Osborn, and Lee confirmed Peter might be caught between them.

Li Si reviewed Harry Osborn’s movements and learned that Harry had sought Peter Parker’s help after being rejected. When Peter brought Harry to Li Si, Li Si blamed the Osborn family for Max’s accident and Dr. Connors’s transformation.

• Li Si told Max to take his time with the robot, then asked Bumblebee to display its tracking data on Harry Osborn.
• Li Si saw that Harry had visited Peter and guessed that Harry had asked him for blood to treat his hereditary illness.
• Peter Parker and Harry Osborn arrived at Li Si’s home, and Peter asked where Max was.
• Peter explained that Mendel Stromm had caused Max’s accident and framed Harry, but Li Si blamed Harry’s family for the harm done to Max and Dr. Connors.

Lee Stein agreed to provide Harry Osborn with the Lizard Healing Serum in exchange for all of Harry’s Osborn shares. Harry left with evidence against Mendel Stromm and a renewed hope of survival.

• Peter Parker asked Lee Stein to make the Lizard Healing Serum for Harry Osborn, and Lee asked why he should help.
• Harry Osborn sent Peter Parker outside and agreed to give Lee all his Osborn shares for the serum.
• Harry demanded that Lee ruin and kill Mendel Stromm, but Lee agreed only to ruin him.
• Lee sent Harry evidence against Mendel Stromm, took a blood sample, and promised to prepare the serum within a few days.
• Harry left Lee’s house relieved, then showed Peter Parker the recording that contained evidence against Stromm.

Thunder Industries held its first product launch in Queens amid strong military support and widespread public interest. Tony Stark and Justin Hammer arrived as guests, traded insults, and entered the exhibition hall while reporters speculated about their motives.

• Thunder Industries held its first product launch at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, drawing reporters, business figures, military officers, and other notable guests.
• Justin Hammer arrived at the exhibition hall and grew irritated at the attention surrounding Thunder Industries.
• Tony Stark arrived in a white sports car, drawing cheers from the crowd and attention from reporters.
• Tony Stark and Justin Hammer exchanged barbs about each other and Thunder Industries before heading into the hall.
• Reporters speculated that Tony Stark and Justin Hammer might be at the launch to watch the company fail or make a scene.

At Thunder Industries' product launch, Lee Stein introduced the company as a consumer-products business focused on toys and revealed a Spider-Man-inspired Web-Shooter. His live demonstration misfired, and he left the audience waiting to see what came next.

• Pepper Potts opened the launch as Thunder Industries' acting CEO, surprising reporters and drawing attention to Tony Stark.
• Lee Stein arrived backstage, and Pepper introduced him to the audience.
• Lee said Thunder Industries focused on consumer products such as toys rather than only weapons.
• Lee showed footage of Peter Parker swinging between buildings with his Web-Shooters and asked if the audience wanted to try it.
• Lee fired a Web-Shooter at a beam, but the demonstration failed, so he removed the device and tossed it aside.

Lee Si unveiled the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment and Hoverboard as toys at Thunder Industries' launch, drawing little enthusiasm from the VIPs but stirring excitement among viewers, retailers, and players. The products' commercial potential became clear as buyers rushed to contact Thunder Industries and players speculated about the Merchant opening an equipment shop.

• Lee Si introduced the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, and a launch video showed him using it to chase Spider-Man, Peter Parker, through the city.
• The VIPs at the launch reacted poorly to the toy and its sales pitch, while Lee Si continued by introducing the Hoverboard.
• Teenage viewers celebrated the products and rushed to preorder them, while toy manufacturers and distributors sought sales rights and production contracts.
• Players discussed the products on their forum, recognizing Lee Stein as the Merchant and hoping Thunder Industries would sell them equipment directly.

At Thunder Industries’ press conference, Li Si unveiled a consumer version of Bumblebee called the Transformer Autobot, unsettling Tony Stark and Justin Hammer while exciting the audience. He ended the presentation by promising to introduce a second robot.

• Tony Stark mocked Li Si’s Hoverboard presentation, and Justin Hammer joined in.
• Li Si unveiled the Transformer Autobot, a smaller robot modeled after Bumblebee, prompting alarm among the audience.
• Justin Hammer worried that Thunder Industries might threaten Hammer Industries’ position in the defense market.
• Li Si explained that the electric, self-driving Autobot could transform, perform tasks, and defend its owner, but could not initiate attacks.
• The audience grew eager to buy the Autobot, and Li Si announced that he would reveal Thunder Industries’ second flagship robot.

Li Si demonstrated Baymax, a household medical robot that accurately scanned audience members and offered health advice. Baymax publicly revealed embarrassing symptoms in Justin Hammer, who endured the humiliation and stayed seated despite Tony Stark’s taunts.

• Li Si introduced Baymax and demonstrated its health-scanning and household assistant functions.
• Baymax accurately assessed five audience members’ health and gave them advice.
• Li Si had Baymax scan Justin Hammer, and the robot announced intimate health problems in front of the press.
• Justin Hammer angrily accused Li Si of spite, while Li Si claimed the scan was routine and unaltered.
• Tony Stark mocked Justin Hammer, who resisted storming out and remained in his seat.

At Thunder Industries’ press conference, Lee Si unveiled Self-Healing Serum Type I and began demonstrating its ability to heal serious wounds. Colonel Jonathan cut his wrist for the demonstration, and the chapter ended with him urging Lee Si to inject the serum before he lost too much blood.

• Lee Si teased Tony Stark about his health but decided against having Baymax examine him.
• Lee Si announced Thunder Industries’ final product and said it could reattach severed limbs and save people with grave injuries.
• Lee Si invited Colonel Jonathan to demonstrate the serum under General Ross’s watch.
• Lee Si presented Self-Healing Serum Type I and explained its effects on common injuries.
• Jonathan cut a deep gash into his wrist, showed the bleeding wound to the audience, and urged Lee Si to inject the serum.

Li Si demonstrated the rapid healing power of Self-Healing Serum Type I before announcing a more potent Type II and preparing to use it to regenerate Barose’s missing arm. The demonstration was about to begin as Jonathan left the stage and reunited with his old comrade.

• Li Si injected Jonathan with Self-Healing Serum Type I, and his deep arm wound healed completely in just over twenty seconds.
• Li Si explained that Type I was not yet widely available because it had to be tailored to each user, then announced Self-Healing Serum Type II.
• Li Si said he would demonstrate limb regeneration with Type II, and the audience eagerly watched as another metal cylinder appeared.
• Jonathan feared Li Si would ask him to lose an arm, but Li Si pointed out that Barose, whose arm was missing below the elbow, was the test subject.
• Jonathan greeted Barose and urged Li Si to heal him, then left the stage after promising to treat Li Si to dinner.

Lee Stein injected Barose Max with Self-Healing Serum Type 2, then unveiled Thunder Industries’ Thunder King Battle Suit as a government-authorized alternative to superheroes. The suit promised to make soldiers far stronger and keep them alive in harsh conditions, especially when paired with the serum.

• Lee Stein injected Barose Max’s missing-arm stump with Self-Healing Serum Type 2 and told him regeneration would take time.
• Barose Max left the stage to rest while Lee introduced his final product.
• Lee argued that governments could equip ordinary soldiers with technology to match superheroes and protect the public.
• Lee unveiled the Thunder King Battle Suit, a fourth-generation suit that boosted strength and provided life support, pain suppression, and drug injection.
• Lee said the suit could keep a wearer alive after massive blood loss or heart damage and could turn soldiers into super soldiers when combined with Self-Healing Serum.

Li Si unveiled the Thunder King Battle Suit and demonstrated the Self-Healing Serum Type II by regrowing Barose’s missing arm at the launch. The crowd headed to the reception, while Justin Hammer considered approaching Thunder Industries despite his doubts.

• Li Si finished presenting the mass-producible Thunder King Battle Suit, drawing a stunned silence before the audience applauded.
• The Self-Healing Serum Type II began regrowing Barose’s severed right arm as the crowd and reporters watched.
• After about ten minutes, Barose moved his new arm, removed its protective mesh, and tearfully thanked Li Si.
• Jonathan and the officers thanked Li Si and joked about celebrating with a meal before he invited the guests to the reception.
• Li Si sent most of the crowd to the banquet hall, while Justin Hammer wondered whether to work with Thunder Industries.

Lee Si completed his Genius Scientist Template and gained Intensive Reading, then teased Tony Stark about using Self-Healing Serum during surgery. Pepper Potts confirmed that Lee Si’s funding preparations were on track, leaving Tony annoyed at Lee Si and uneasy about his operation.

• Lee Si advanced his Scientist Template to Genius Scientist, raising his Intelligence and granting him Intensive Reading.
• Tony Stark challenged Lee Si over the serum deal and threatened to withdraw the people he had lent him.
• Lee Si offered Tony Self-Healing Serum Type I for free, then explained that it might heal Tony’s wounds before the surgeons could remove the shrapnel.
• Tony gave up on taking the serum after realizing the surgery could require repeated cutting, while Lee Si smugly called Pepper Potts over.
• Pepper told Lee Si that she had arranged the bond issuance and loans, and reassured Tony that a surgeon would remove his shrapnel in a few days.

Thunder Industries drew nationwide attention after its press conference, while Gwen took over as president and the company began selling its new products. Lee Si left day-to-day management behind as sales grew and George Stacy secured a trial order for transforming police cars.

• Media outlets and online commentators widely covered Thunder Industries and sparked debates about its technology, the Super Soldier Unit, and Lee Stein’s similarities to Tony Stark.
• Gwen officially became president of Thunder Industries, with Pepper Potts and Stark Group managers helping her run the company.
• Thunder Industries began manufacturing its products, and Vertical Maneuvering Equipment and Hoverboards became popular with thrill-seeking customers.
• Lee Si opened preorders for transforming cars and Baymax robots as demand outpaced their limited production.
• George Stacy persuaded the police to test Thunder Industries transforming cars, earning a major order, a special discount, and a boost to his political career.

Lee Si reassured Gwen about the protective devices he had given her and George Stacy, then left with Pepper Potts to meet Tony Stark. On the way, players learned that Lee Stein could permanently reduce their luck, and one newcomer decided to quit the game.

• Gwen asked Lee Si whether George Stacy’s watch contained Regeneration Serum, and Lee Si vaguely assured her it was for protection.
• Pepper Potts arrived to take Lee Si to Tony Stark, and he left Osir Tower with her.
• Happy argued with players who had crowded around Tony Stark’s car, but Pepper Potts stopped the confrontation before it became a fight.
• After Lee Si and Pepper Potts drove away, a player explained Lee Stein’s reputation and his permanent luck-reducing debuff to a newcomer.
• The newcomer complained about the game’s restrictions and said he was returning to Star Wars Era.

Li Si silenced Happy’s nonstop boasting by challenging him with physics questions, then checked the player forum and found players still arguing over whether he was one of them. He remained unconcerned about their suspicions as he expected to soon obtain the Entrepreneur Template.

• Happy talked about his bodyguard skills and his wish to buy one of Li Si’s transforming cars while driving Li Si and Pepper Potts.
• Li Si asked Happy to explain how he could defeat five people with two punches and calculate the force and speed of his fist, leaving Happy speechless.
• Li Si browsed the player forum and found heated debates about whether he was a player and how he had built his fortune.
• Li Si concluded that most players would not believe he was a player without seeing it themselves, and noted that his coming Entrepreneur Template would soon make hiding his identity unnecessary.

Li Si learned that players were joining the Hulk faction quest and anticipated the dangers awaiting them. He then went to Tony Stark’s mansion, where surgeons began removing the shrapnel from Tony’s chest with the help of Regeneration Serum.

• Li Si read about the Hulk faction quest and recognized that the United States Tracking Force faction could put players in danger.
• Li Si noted that many players had left New York to join the mission and thought their current strength would not be enough against General Ross’s forces.
• Pepper Potts brought Li Si to Tony Stark’s seaside mansion for the surgery.
• Li Si gave Pepper Potts a weakened Regeneration Serum for Tony’s operation.
• The surgeons removed Tony’s chest reactor and began operating, but the serum’s rapid healing made removing the shrapnel difficult.

After removing the shrapnel around Tony Stark’s heart, Li Si returned to Osir Tower and finalized a deal with Harry Osborn for thirty percent of Osborn shares in exchange for Regeneration Serum. He sent Harry to take revenge on Mendel Stromm, then received a group of suited men whose purpose was not yet revealed.

• Li Si received the hidden achievement [Heart Thief] after the operation and left Pepper Potts to look after the unconscious Tony Stark.
• Harry Osborn gave Li Si thirty percent of Osborn shares, and Li Si handed him five vials of Regeneration Serum and explained that the serum would not cure his hereditary disease.
• Li Si had Pepper Potts’s legal adviser check the stock-transfer contracts, then signed them.
• Li Si reminded Harry Osborn that he could begin taking revenge on Mendel Stromm, and Harry left angrily.
• A group of middle-aged men in suits entered the reception room and addressed Li Si.