The Immortality Serum was just a minor interlude for Rory.
His main focus remained on the study of Celestial genes.
After repeated testing over this period, it was now essentially confirmed, Rory's bone marrow could fuse with Celestial genes. It appeared that only when enhanced serum was used would rejection occur.
Although Rory had enhanced himself, he hadn't used the serum to strengthen his genetic code. Instead, he had replaced his own genes with those from the Eternals. The difference between the two methods was profound.
After logging his experiment data, Rory rose from the lab bench, removed his mask and goggles, and addressed Ross, who had been waiting for some time. "Didn't the first batch of Immortality Serum already get used? Why are you here again?"
In just a few days, Ross looked noticeably more radiant. Even the white hairs on his head had thinned out.
Seeing Rory emerge from the lab, Ross walked up with a broad smile. "I wanted to ask when the second batch of serum will be ready. There are still plenty of people waiting, and if possible, I hope you can produce more."
Rory shook his head. "Not happening. I'm out of raw material for now. You'll have to wait."
Rory didn't care about the filth of politics, but he knew better than to give these people everything they wanted too easily. If their appetites weren't whetted, they wouldn't lift a finger for him.
Ross pressed, "You mentioned before it required divine bone marrow. You're not talking about Asgardians, are you? If so, I can figure out a way to get one for you."
"You planning to start trafficking Asgardians now?" Rory rolled his eyes and walked away.
Ross quickly followed, pressing curiously, "Then it's not Asgardians? There are other aliens?"
Earth had been visited by aliens numerous times in recent years. Ross had seen all kinds and had even interacted with a few.
Rory peeled off his rubber gloves and tossed them in the trash. "Aliens, yes, but not exactly. Gods share the same genetic code as humans, but they possess near-eternal life spans. I extracted the longevity elements from them."
"There are only a handful of divine beings on Earth, no more than ten. Each one can only yield enough serum for fifty people at most. So when selecting Immortality Serum recipients, you'd better choose carefully."
Ross stood dumbfounded. He knew the serum was precious, but he hadn't expected it to be this rare.
Based on Rory's numbers, the total possible output would be around five hundred doses. And that's assuming no repeat treatments. But American politicians alone numbered far more than that.
"Rory, is there really no way around this? Can't we cultivate the elements ourselves?"
"What kind of fantasy are you living in?"
Of course, Rory was lying to him. The Celestial genes were just a refining agent. The real core of the formula was a specific strain of enzyme found in mouse saliva.
But if he didn't make it sound rare, how could he ensure Ross would treasure it? How else could he make those desperate for longer lives work for him willingly?
Rory turned and looked at Ross. "Once I finish this round of testing, I'll be leaving for a while. If I'm lucky, I'll bring back more of the key materials needed for the Immortality Serum. In the meantime, focus on your presidential campaign. And while you're at it, deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers for me."
Best case scenario: disband the Avengers entirely, then capture all those superpowered individuals one by one for detailed study.
Ross barely heard anything after Rory mentioned he would be leaving.
"Doctor Rory, you're leaving?"
Rory's presence was critical to Ross's ambitions. With Rory by his side, Ross had the confidence to challenge superpowered individuals. Rory wasn't just a scientist, he could go toe-to-toe with the Avengers by himself.
And with the Immortality Serum, Ross had just begun using it to win over the political elite. Rory leaving now would be like abandoning the ship halfway through the voyage. Without Rory, he had no way to reach the finish line.
Rory could manipulate Ross with ease, but Ross had no leverage over him at all.
"Relax. I'm only leaving for a while, not forever. Why panic? Besides, if I don't go gather the serum's ingredients, are you going to do it?"
In the days that followed, Rory conducted a wide array of tests using Celestial genes.
He tried combining them with samples from the mouse, Mr. Immortal, Captain America, and his own blood and bone marrow.
After countless calculations and simulations, the day finally arrived, his first direct injection of Celestial genes.
Rory dismissed all staff, locking himself alone in the underground lab to begin the experiment.
Based on his estimates, there was over a 90% chance of success. While there was still a chance of failure, he couldn't wait any longer.
The longer he delayed, the more dangerous it became. Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch could return at any time, not to mention Thor and Captain Marvel, both monstrously powerful.
Rory loaded the injector filled with Celestial genes into the mechanical arm, then strapped himself into a restraint chair. In his hand, he held the remote to control the arm.
He connected his vitals to the monitoring systems and activated the lightwave scanner to track the injection process in real time.
Once the position was locked, he maneuvered the arm into place.
He took a deep breath. "Hhh... okay."
Then pressed the button.
The vibranium-forged needle, powered by hydraulic force, slowly pierced his body.
On the scanner, the needle's progress could be seen clearly. If anything went off course, Rory could halt the procedure instantly.
"Unghh!"
Pain didn't lessen as one became stronger. In fact, with more sensitive nerves, it only became worse.
With a sickening sound, the needle reached its target.
Rory's heart tightened again. After a brief pause, he pressed the switch. The Celestial genes began to flow through the tube, straight into his bone marrow.
Once all the genes had been injected, the mechanical arm initiated its withdrawal sequence.
His teeth clenched so hard they creaked. The searing pain raced through his entire nervous system.
"F*ck!"
"RAAAGHHH!!!"
With a thunderous roar, Rory tore free from the restraints. He swung his arm, sending the entire chair flying. It crashed through a glass partition with a sharp shatter.
The pain was unbearable. He pounded the floor repeatedly, trying to force the agony out through sheer force.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The reinforced floor cracked under his fists, leaving deep dents.
Equipment was overturned, lab benches were shattered, but the pain still didn't let up.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Like a madman, Rory hurled himself against the wall, smashing straight through twenty centimeters of reinforced concrete.
Rumble...
"You mother, !"
Who knew how long had passed.
The lab looked like it had weathered a hurricane. The silence that followed was almost eerie.
Rory lay collapsed amid the rubble, covered in dust.
Then, one finger twitched.
Moments later, his eyes slowly opened.
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