The regeneration cradle is marketed as a premium service as the cost of ingredients, creating the simulacrum of organic tissue and customizing it for each patient's genetic structure is still expensive procedure although done by automation within the cradle and the maintenance cost, skilled technician costs, service costs all add to a very big hospital bill near 5 to 7 million US dollars. But there is no lack of millionaires and billionaires in this world. The hospital is also required to choose the patient carefully under a lot of criteria and special insurances if any, to prevent cases like organ trafficking and stuff.
While we were deeply focused on our research, reports started filtering in about a green monstrosity clashing with soldiers under General Thaddeus Ross. The creature, as we later learned, was the result of an experiment gone wrong. Dr. Bruce Banner, a brilliant scientist known for his work in biochemistry, nuclear physics, and gamma radiation, had been tasked with developing a radiation resistance drug. Unbeknownst to him, this was actually a front for the recreation of the Super Soldier Serum.
Banner, due to his unique genetic structure, had an unforeseen reaction to the gamma radiation. Combined with a primer dose of the serum that his girlfriend had provided him, he absorbed the radiation rather than succumb to it. What emerged from that experiment was not just Banner, but a new persona—Hulk, a manifestation of the rage and power buried deep within him. News soon came that he had fled to Brazil, presumably trying to outrun both Ross and his own terrifying alter ego.
Six months passed while I worked on my software updates and others' contributions to my software projects in Helen's free time. Some celebrity media and news companies started following my every step as a scientific genius for bringing developments to both technological and medical side. I conveyed my future knowledge about the timeline and how it came to be to both Maya and Helen through visions.
The regeneration cradle was awarded many major awards already and is even recommended for Nobel prize awards next year. But I also received criticism for my overindulgence and not delegating the tasks to company employees leaving no personal time, from staff who know me personally. During that time, Helen, Maya remained absorbed in perfecting our own recombination super strength serum: the Prime Formula. After many iterations, it was finally time for testing.
"We've optimized it as much as possible," Helen noted, adding the finishing touches to the formula. "The partial gene lock mechanism from Tao should prevent anyone from reproducing its effects by studying samples of blood or tissue. Any attempt to manipulate the serum outside its intended design will result in tissue liquefaction. Only the natural reproduction through cell division would be possible and body is locked in other forms of evolution."
Maya nodded thoughtfully. "So, no 'Abomination' scenarios then?" Her words reminded military's future attempts to replicate Hulk's power by more transfusion means.
"Exactly," I confirmed. "The body will either fully integrate the serum or reject it violently incase for already genetically altered humans. This will prevent any rogue enhancements or mutations."
Testing began soon after, using cloned samples of both Helen and Maya's bodies. After a week of careful analysis, the results were clear. The serum worked. Their physical strength reached an astounding 37 tonnes—far exceeding the capabilities of the Super Soldier Serum and even Spider-Man's initial spider bite-induced enhancements. We destroyed the clones later.
"Helen, you'll be nearly invulnerable to all but the heaviest sniper rounds," I mentioned during a review session. "Spider-Man's training allows him to hit 50 tonnes, but that's with intense training even for him. The Prime Formula will let you approach that range, with just a few tonnes less difference through similar training."
Helen raised an eyebrow. "So, not quite a Hulk, but close enough, right?"
"Close enough to Spider man but nowhere near hulk," I said, noting the underlying truth. "Unlike Hulk or Spider-Man, there's no external multiversal entities influencing your enhancements. This is pure science."
Maya also highlighted the serum's regenerative qualities, mentioning how it absorbed cosmic and dimensional energy to extend the lifespan of its users. "Based on our and Tao's studies, we'll have a projected lifespan of over 4,000 years. Similar to peak Asgardians." I did a life span study under a time array with my powers.
"Basically immortal, only downside?" Helen asked, clearly eager for the specifics.
"Metabolism," I replied. "It'll be twice that of a regular human, though the cosmic energy absorption mitigates it somewhat. Expect to eat twice as much, similar to Captain America and… well, take care of other bodily functions with equal frequency."
Maya sighed. "Twice the bathroom breaks, fantastic."
Meanwhile, Maya's research into the volatile Extremis formula had encountered yet another bottleneck. Despite reducing the volatility by one-fourth, the challenge remained how to stabilize it. Knowing the future centipede project of Hydra, I tracked down a solution: Chan Ho Yin, an Inhuman with fireproof cellular structures. After obtaining samples from him, Maya was able to restart her work.
By September 2004, her Extremis 2.0 was ready. Unlike the Prime Formula, Extremis was more akin to rewriting the body's DNA using bioelectricity. It activated under stress, allowing for regenerative healing, including the re-growth of entire limbs within minutes. However, its power was more meager in comparison to Prime formula, offering a lifespan extension of 300 years. The nanites required in extremis were also made paramagnetic similar to any other body tissue to avoid any case of magnetic influence on their actions.
Maya and Helen both decided to accept the Prime Formula, but with a twist. I developed a version without the gene lock for them, allowing Maya to integrate her own Extremis enhancements. We named it PrimeX Formula. Their life expectancy now stretched to 5,000 years, with instantaneous regeneration in the case of severe injuries.
This primeX formula and a gene lock serum were developed successfully by the end of November.
"The only catch," I warned, "is that the process isn't as fast as the Super Soldier Serum. You'll need to be unconscious during the transformation, and it will take a 2 to 4 days, make you a little buff."
Using a repurposed regenerative cradle, the process began. After two days of transformation and another day of adjusting, both women emerged… altered. Their physical beauty slightly increased but the noticeable thing is the buffed-up muscles and almost quarter of a meter in height increment.
I led the ladies to test their strength. They were engrossed in their own transformation for a day. And testing of them delivered excellent results. After extensive testing, it was confirmed: no virus or bacteria could harm them due to their Extremis-driven high thermal metabolism and gene lock protection. However, the possibility of evolved, heat-resistant bacteria in the future couldn't be entirely dismissed.
I plan to make them heroes in future fight with avengers so, this level of power was not enough. Besides I am interested in cultivation aptitude of their new physique.
They were a little troubled looking at their imposing muscles lamenting they lost their elegance and already in the discussion to correct this.
"I have a solution for that" I made them attentive.
I took them both to my inner universe.
" I've just brought you to my inner world, I created. I will train you two here, so please follow my instructions."
In the first month, I conducted thorough study of their body structure and studied how the new meridian structures and cultivation aspect would change in a serum enhanced individual, using LoHP and sage vision, it was very easy.
Their physical strength has already reached that of a mid stage sky realm cultivator's essence powered attack strength.
I explained their new body characteristics and meridian structures, followed by soul and mind fortitude cultivation in the second month.
Their extreme regeneration was counterproductive in cultivation as it has an effect of locking the life level. Without other choices, I had to use reality manipulation to high jack that genetic machinery of extremis and x gene. It was easy because I could visualize and simulate genetic structure and identify the changes needed through sage mind.
Now they could undergo cultivation. The transformation took time, but once complete, their appetites had grown absurdly large, with increased bowel and urinary frequency—every hour, to be exact.
Maya, ever the pragmatist, raised an eyebrow. "This… isn't sustainable, you know. We can't be running to the bathroom every hour."
I had infinite resources in my world, so that wasn't any problem. They were very uncomfortable.
"You can and you will." But I insisted and they can't do much against my decision.
Under my guidance, both of them began refining her muscles, bones, viscera, blood, and skin, but took a whole 3 years for that due to their new cultivation requirements for physique.
The elixirs consumption alone was enough to make a godland realm cultivator from a mortal but they have only reached Skyrealm middle stages. The most notable change is that their upper limit of growth increased.
The lift strength is around 200 tonnes even twice of a regular hulk, if they enhance with their innate Qi. Nearly 120 tonnes of pure physical lifting strength. Jean only had a quarter of this even with innate Qi. The growth is overall as now their height reduced by 10 cm from their previous quarter of meter increment due to serum.
weight around 1280 kg from the previous 270 kilogram all due to condensed muscle mass and ultra hardened bone structures as the body is refined. The weight will reduce if they got exposed to cosmic energy and dimensional energy which they could absorb and sustain same strain with less condensed body when they get out though only gradually over the months.
The previously buffed up muscles relaxed to normal human female levels proportional to their body size and strength is hidden. Metabolism level lowered to that of a regular human, so cultivation corrected the serums side effects as life level increased by lowering metabolism. The lifespan would probably more than 5500 years now. Their mental capacity and intelligence also received some boost.
Their body and soul grew significantly upon reaching the innate level, allowing them to channel their own Qi to strengthen their body further. I taught them how to effectively utilize Qi to manage their monthly menstruation and heal themselves only by using Qi.
I released my control of genetic machinery of x gene and extremis slowly and body took a week to acclimate to the new genetic structure and presence of qi. The effectiveness of extremis and x gene reduced as the new life level required very high cellular density and regeneration extended to minutes instead of seconds as it is just an assisted regenerating mechanism, but on combining with Qi to assist in healing the speed is now increased but not too much.
They will heal within a minute or two. Now their food intake is practically once within a month and still feels nothing like hunger, water every 2 weeks. Due to qi and peak human refinement, body's efficiency in processing nutrients has reached an extraordinary level, rendering waste production nearly nonexistent.
They requested a tour of the world, and I did exactly that and met with many people and monsters, demons and stuff. After 6 months of travel and sparring sessions with my 'two little hulks' as I would call them seeing their ferocity leaving little trace of the women I once knew. we returned to the real world. I removed any information relating to training leaving only info about the Qi control and related techniques in their memory.
When we reached outside the cosmic energy and dimensional energies entered our body and filling our cells using the x genes delivery and storage mechanism. The strength got augmented more, but muscle mass began to adapt to the energy absorbed, as there more cells to absorb than the bodies actually needs to sustain their cells.
Looking at the sunken ground beneath my feet, I sighed. "We probably need some Vibranium-padded shoes for a while. Maya, you take a breather here for the day. I'll whip up some Vibranium," I said, momentarily taking control of Helen's body. I have materialized new clothes with just some matter transmuting our old ones and some other clothes together and did the same for Maya.
"Honestly, I like the design very much. But I think it's time to hit some clothing stores and buy some products for my new physique. Rest can wait sometime later. After all, I need to see the outside world after all these years," she remarked.
Glancing at her watch. "Oh, we've spent about three and a half years training, but we returned to the exact moment we left. The more time I spend with you, the more absurd it becomes."
With everything set, I extended my shield, which now enveloped the entire Earth. As I focused, I sensed Wakanda through my divine sense, and Helen and Maya shared that sense too from me.
"I'll just borrow a bit of that Vibranium and their knowledge," I said, as I copied and accessed memories of researchers, what I'd seen with the young prodigy Shuri. This gave me insights into their current Vibranium applications. I even checked future timelines through my cosmic awareness, gathering vital data on Vibranium technology.
"Honestly, aren't they hypocrites?" Maya chimed in, her tone laced with indignation. "They hoard all that vibranium while neglecting Africa and leaving hundreds to die. Those shields have been around for a century. If they wanted to help, they wouldn't be hidden away like this."
While I was analyzing the subatomic structure that composes Vibranium, I replied, "Is that so, Maya? You're not planning to just spill the beans on our best Prime Formula and Extremis, right? We ingested them, after all. That would cause quite a stir. We should only give out less potent ones. It's the same case with them. People can be selfish and hypocritical when they wield power. That's just how the world operates."
Using matter transmutation, I altered the inner padding of our shoes to incorporate a vibranium mesh cloth, as per my memory. The outer structure transformed into vibranium-based force absorption pads. "There we go," I declared, "two sets for both Maya and me. Each pair weighs about 3 kg, with 50% of that being vibranium."
Helen raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "And how much do you think these lovely pairs will set us back?"
I calculated quickly, a grin spreading across my face. "About 30 million dollars in total, based on market price."
We left our private lab facilities to exit obviously attracting all the attention. We both now looking inhumanly beautiful and increased our heights to 15 cm or so. it seemed the whispers had shifted to discussions about potential new beauty products from our company.
"Well, well, it seems the world is my runway," I mused, enjoying the attention.
Helen and Maya were eager for a shopping spree, and it looked like the rest of the day would be dedicated to that. We went for our vehicle, only for it to squeak and slightly bent just placing our legs in, as our individual weights is still 900 kg over its carrying capacity.
"Fuck..." both Helen and Maya exclaimed in unison, a mixture of disbelief and amusement washing over. As the realization dawned, they shared a collective sigh. "We are ridiculously overweight. This is not ideal," Maya mused, casting a glance at the vehicle struggling to accommodate us. "We can't enter any public transport or private vehicles. The building floors miraculously didn't collapse since our labs were on the ground floor, thank goodness. But elevators? Escalators? And the airplane… well, that's a different story altogether." Helen chimed in.
After a moment of initial panic, accompanied by some not-so-subtle scream that turned heads in our vicinity, both scientists gradually settled into the absurdity of the situation. I found myself amused, enjoying the spectacle of their expressions as the weight of our body sank in. Maya, recovering her composure first, turned to Helen with a frown. "Hey, Mr. Tao, you in there? Can you do something about this weight issue?"
I changed the laws around us making us both return to normal weight, but the mass is still there. We boarded the vehicles without problem.
Helen navigated the bustling streets as she drove toward a nearby clothing store, her curiosity piqued. "How does Hulk move so effortlessly? Why does Banner seem so free and lightweight? We've seen him in your visions," she asked, glancing at me with a mix of intrigue and concern.
I leaned back in my seat inside her mindscape, mulling over the question. "Well, first off, Hulk has feet that are nearly five times the size of ours. That gives him a significant advantage in force distribution. But let's be honest, you and Maya are actually more powerful than the Hulk we encountered, but we have human sized body. However, there are some incredibly powerful versions of Hulk in other realities that are beyond human comprehension."
"Both of you trained in an area devoid of cosmic and dimensional energies for 3 years. The muscle mass was for body to keep its strength you trained for. The energy absorption is happening as we speak and will reduce the weight to probably around 900 kg after a few months.
As we arrived at the store, I grabbed numerous outfits for both Maya and me, continuing, "The thing is, while Hulk has brute strength, we possess a different kind of power."
Maya frowned slightly, her thoughts racing. "So are we stuck in this predicament? What's the solution? I can't come up with any scientific ideas, other than suggesting you create denser items for our support."
After we browsed through the racks and enjoyed a leisurely walk around the block, grabbing a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant, I decided to delve deeper. "Well, there are a few potential solutions. First, there's the scientific method, which involves a material known as gravitonium. Second, you could explore the laws of the universe and try to manipulate them, though that might be a stretch for you. And lastly, there's the option of learning magic which is actually the second itself in an indirect way."
Helen raised an eyebrow, her interest clearly piqued. "Gravitonium is that theoretical material proposed by Dr. Franklin Hall, right? And magic—are you saying that actually exists?"
"Yes," I replied, nodding. "But here's the thing: the real substance was only discovered in 2013 by Hall's associate. As for magic, it's all about manipulating energy to create desired effects. It's a fascinating field, but it would take time to master. We can discuss it more later."
After our shopping spree, we returned to our rooms to freshen up before meeting again. As we stepped in, "Have you noticed? There were so many people surveilling our movements just when we were out earlier," Maya remarked, her tone of unease.
I also realized earlier that our little adventure hadn't gone unnoticed. It seemed our unusual circumstances were drawing more attention than we anticipated.