"Actually, in the beginning, the side effects of the Super Serum weren't obvious. Instead, the enhancement it brought to the human body was outstanding."
"Speed, endurance, strength, and reaction time far surpassing ordinary humans, along with impressive resilience and tissue regeneration capabilities."
"Aside from occasionally losing control of one's temper and becoming easily agitated, the serum itself seemed very successful."
Harry recalled for a moment. There was indeed a period where his father's mood seemed unstable, and he would sometimes snap at him for no apparent reason.
However, at the time, Harry assumed his father was just unhappy about him joining the Avengers and participating in dangerous activities, so he didn't think much of it.
Of course, more importantly, that period of instability didn't last long. Soon enough, Norman Osborn returned to his usual refined and amiable self.
Seeing Harry's expression, Dr. Otto clearly knew what he was thinking and continued.
"Yes, although the Super Serum seemed to have certain side effects, your father and I quickly found a way to suppress the negative emotions brought on by the enhancement."
"As long as he took the medication daily and underwent regular checkups in the lab, everything was fine."
"And the two of us continued to research the serum itself, hoping to improve it further and find a permanent solution to the side effects."
"Then?"
Hearing Dr. Otto say this, the confusion on Harry's face deepened.
Wasn't everything moving in a good direction? Why did things end up like this?
Unexpectedly, seeing Harry's confusion, a trace of bitterness flashed across Dr. Otto's face.
"But now New York is destroyed..."
"The inhibitor Norman used was also a serum-like product. It didn't have a shelf life per se; even under refrigeration, it could only be stored for about three to five days."
"Previously, we made a new tube of inhibitor every day to suppress his emotional instability."
Hearing this, Harry's expression changed several times, and the documents in his hands slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor unnoticed.
Although they were in a resettlement area and Stark Industries provided medical aid to all patients...
Even some critically ill patients were receiving better treatment now than before New York was destroyed.
But for a classified drug made in a private lab, even if Stark Industries wanted to help, they wouldn't know where to start. Many specific experimental instruments would take a long time to procure.
However, after the initial panic, Harry immediately sensed something was wrong.
Although he hadn't spent much time with his father recently, it wasn't like they never met.
The current Norman Osborn showed absolutely no signs of being emotionally uncontrolled or irritable as Dr. Otto described.
He even had the mood to visit various communities, aid stations, and network with officials and wealthy businessmen to win people's hearts. This wasn't something a person who had lost control of their emotions could do.
However, when he raised his doubts, Dr. Otto smiled bitterly again.
"After the destruction of New York, I talked to him privately about this more than once. But he just said that sedatives could also stabilize his emotions for now. He was completely indifferent about finding a way to solve the side effects or even applying to Stark Industries for a bio-lab."
Hearing Dr. Otto's words, Harry Osborn didn't feel relieved. Instead, his heart sank completely.
Not for any other reason, but because as far as he knew, Norman hadn't taken any sedatives recently.
They were a family of three living in a temporary module, not their old mansion, which meant very little privacy.
Forget taking medicine; aside from his mother's targeted drugs, he couldn't even find a bottle of vitamins in the house.
"So, Uncle Otto, what are you planning to do now...?"
"I originally wanted your father to go with me to the Los Angeles branch. The equipment there is a bit old, but it's compatible with the instruments in New York. At least we could give your father a detailed checkup."
"But he brushed me off several times, so I planned to take some original research data and go back myself. Without your father's blood sample, I can't know his current status, but based on previous data, I can at least make some inhibitors and bring them back for him."
After listening to Dr. Otto's explanation, Harry felt lost.
Although this was just one side of the story, combined with the current situation and the documents he saw, it seemed to be the truth. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.
Kidnap his old man for a physical exam? Confront his father with Dr. Otto? Or tell his Avengers teammates and ask for help?
At the end of the day, Harry was just a teenager. Although he had experienced many big events...
He was fine fighting monsters and aliens, but when it came to independently thinking about and handling family "conflicts," Harry was suddenly blind.
Fortunately, he wasn't exactly a single "person."
Just as Harry was hesitating and distressed, a black head with a wide grin suddenly popped out of his shoulder.
After appearing, Venom mercilessly headbutted Harry on the cheek to announce his presence.
Then, he bared his large teeth and mocked.
"What are you agonizing over? Isn't the core issue right now why your old man refuses to use drugs to suppress the side effects of his serum?"
Dr. Otto wasn't too surprised to see Venom.
Back when Harry first bonded with Venom, he and Norman Osborn had helped stabilize Harry's physical condition and even advocated for in-depth research on Venom.
Before Harry could speak, Dr. Otto actively explained.
"I suspect that due to the side effects of the serum, Norman has developed a new, negative personality. That's why I asked Harry earlier if Norman had been acting strange lately, like a different person."
"But if it really is a negative personality, it could completely disguise itself as the original Norman. So unless he exposes himself, there's no way to verify it."
This time, Venom didn't look at Harry but turned his head directly to the speaking Otto. The expression on his black-and-white face became increasingly arrogant.
"An evil personality? What a cliché plot."
"But what's so hard to verify? Just go catch him and bring him back! I've seen plenty of super soldiers; you think I'm scared of this defective product?"
The next moment.
Under Harry's confused and horrified gaze...
Venom quickly shot out a tentacle and whipped the back of Dr. Otto's head, knocking him unconscious.
Then, looking back at Harry, he said nonchalantly.
"Too much talk! We can't tell if this guy is good or bad, so let's just leave him here for now."
"Let's go~ We're gonna catch your dad and bring him back for a checkup too!"