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"All samples have been collected. The test data aligns closely with Luke Cage's original metrics," Connors reported as he reviewed the new subjects' scans. "Some variance may be due to individual physiology. Subject Two had greater muscular density his strength gain outpaced Subject Three. But Subject Three's dermal resilience was significantly higher."
Nolan nodded. "Irrelevant. That variance is the biological baseline. It proves the serum adapts to the host's natural strengths."
He handed Connors a file. "This is the finalized experimental protocol. You'll run the sonic calibration."
Connors gave a sharp nod of acknowledgment.
Nolan then rechecked the reagent formula himself. Everything was precise. No irregularities. He stepped onto the reinforced examination table and lay back, expression calm.
"Start the procedure."
If this worked, Nolan wouldn't just possess Luke Cage's skin-level durability he'd also gain the subdermal reinforcement of Jessica Jones, and the bio-structural amplification of enhanced serum compatibility.
Strategic weapons like missiles, flamethrowers even small-scale nukes would become irrelevant.
And then there was strength.
Already, without fully unlocking his potential, his combined Super Soldier Serum, Spider mutation, and Jessica's bio-serum gave him a physical strength baseline of 35 tons.
At full optimization?
Easily over 70 tons.
But power didn't scale linearly there were diminishing returns and physiological limits. So, if this serum eliminated those limits?
He'd be a walking disaster zone.
A vibranium syringe pierced his arm, delivering the bright green serum into his veins.
Heat spread through him instantly.
His meditation discipline let him feel everything the molecular cascade, the way his cells metabolized and restructured. He could sense his sugar reserves converting to glucose in real time.
His muscle cells absorbed the energy, reshaping forming dense bundles of red and white muscle fibers. Red for stamina. White for explosive force.
His bones reacted next. Yellow marrow morphed into red marrow. Stem cells triggered mass regeneration. Blood production ramped up. Internal scaffolding rebuilt from the inside out.
Then came the skin.
Jessica's formula had already tightened his epithelial matrix like reinforced leather. But this… this was different.
Not just resilience armored hardness.
His dermal layers restructured into interlocking hexagonal tessellations, like carbon honeycomb latticework. A hardened keratin shell formed above it, layered like tactical armor.
Nutrient solution levels dropped rapidly. The rate of consumption was staggering.
Connors injected sodium bicarbonate to counteract acid buildup as instructed, then adjusted the sonic frequency.
The sonic pulse hit Nolan's body, and the effect was immediate.
His cells surged with activity. Nutrient absorption accelerated. Mitochondria fired like reactors, pumping out energy. Amino acid chains are formed and assembled into dense protein layers.
Cell → tissue → organ → system.
Normally a gradual process. Now? It was a biological sprint.
Nolan felt like a furnace. His skin flushed crimson. His nerves blazed. He endured it all every pulse, every stretch, every burn.
He knew what it meant: power was coming.
Sweat poured from his body. Then, suddenly, the pain vanished.
He sat up slowly.
The change was dramatic.
Before, he was fit. Now? He looked like a demigod. His physique was carved, precise, pure muscular density without excess.
Body fat? Likely no more than 1%.
Had he not left a margin, even that would be gone.
Connors stared, stunned. "Boss… if Jesus had a physical form, this might be it."
Nolan shook his head. "Not even close."
He picked up a vibranium scalpel and sliced his arm.
A small cut opened, exposing crimson dermis, but no blood flowed.
"Confirmed," he said, nodding.
He picked up a regular scalpel and slashed down with full force.
CLANG!
Like steel on steel. The blade's edge bent. His skin? Unharmed.
"Even raw strength can't hurt me anymore unless the tool is sharper than the dermal threshold."
He dressed quickly and moved to the testing chamber a reinforced alloy wall rebuilt after his last test shattered the old one. This time, they'd embedded vibranium layers just in case.
Connors stood by with a monitor.
Nolan stepped up and threw a punch no powers, no augmentation. Just his new baseline.
BOOM!
The wall exploded outward. The shockwave shattered the air. Connors staggered back two steps, shielding his face.
The digital meter beeped.
"70t"
Nolan raised an eyebrow. Seventy tons. Without Dragonforce.
With Dragonforce? The math went off the charts.
Even a base-level Hulk wouldn't be a threat anymore.
In most worlds, a punch like that would qualify you as a god.
And Nolan wasn't done growing.
"If I push this further, even Hulk will look like a warm-up act," Nolan murmured.
"Congratulations, sir," Connors said with awe. "Your power's entered a whole new tier."
Seventy tons. Raw.
A punch like that was like getting hit by a freight train… with rocket boosters.
Even Alexei wouldn't stand a chance now.
"Seal off Blonsky's severed arm. We'll analyze it later," Nolan said. "For now… I need time to adjust to this new strength."
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