Compound X

The next few days were a whirlwind of preparation and intense research. Rex meticulously gathered samples and set up his equipment.

He carefully extracted a small amount of his own blood, now altered by the AP-01 serum, and combined it with the Viltrumite blood sample he had obtained. He watched with bated breath as the mixture reacted.

At first, there was no visible change, but slowly, the combined sample began to glow faintly. The smart atoms within the Viltrumite blood were starting to interact with the AP-01 serum, creating a new compound.

"Helix, initiate a full analysis of the new compound," Rex commanded.

"Initiating analysis," Helix responded. "This process will take approximately three hours."

Rex nodded and decided to take a break. He stepped out of the lab, his mind buzzing with possibilities.

With the analysis underway, he delved into his own personal research, taking a drop of his own blood and mixing it with neutralized Viltrumite blood, which was a clear liquid containing only smart atoms without any form of DNA.

"What surprises will you bring me this time?" he thought as a slight reaction was initiated. He watched cautiously as the combination, containing 95% of his own blood and the rest neutral smart atom liquid, began to show signs of activity.

Through the electron microscope, he observed the cells becoming more active, with his already unusually active cells sparking with newfound energy.

Ten minutes later, the initial conflict between the two substances began to subside as the smart atoms were finally dominated by the resilient AP-01 cells.

"Wow, to think it would take ninety-five percent of my AP-01 cells just to dominate five percent smart atoms of the Viltrumite physiology. I have to be careful with its utilization."

He passed the results to Helix to study and create simulations of the outcomes before he returned to the tech lab, planning to continue his study of GDA cloaking/invisibility technology.

There were many ways to achieve invisibility: optical camouflage, metamaterials, adaptive stealth, and quantum stealth.

However, only quantum stealth could truly be called invisibility, as it rendered objects undetectable through any external means.

After careful separation, he quickly discovered that GDA achieved invisibility through optical camouflage, which wasn't hard to study and utilize.

"Helix, order a batch of OmniVision OV2740 high-resolution cameras, LG Flexible OLED Display, NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX compact processing units, Adafruit TSL2591 High Dynamic Range Digital Light Sensor, MPU-9250, and OpenCV with CUDA acceleration."

"Noted. They are on the way," Helix quickly responded while Rex began to wonder if he had really been spending too much time in the lab. But he quickly shrugged off that thought, using his ordinary background as an excuse to continue—a way to survive the incoming storm.

----

Among runic structures, blue beams of energy were shot from a figure donned in a dark purple cloak, dodging seamlessly against the onslaught of grotesque-looking creatures.

"These damned demons never stop coming," the figure complained before she began chanting, "By the ancient forces bound within, I call upon the veil to spin. Aether's grace, protect this space, encircle us in a radiant embrace."

The next moment, a dome of mana covered and protected the figure, throwing the demons back as the dome shone with protective lights.

"Thankfully, it's only low-ranked demons this time around," she sighed as she prepared to banish them to wherever they came from.

"Zerath malikor...venira sothor. Kaldura vexil, demora beltor. Ansia morith, galadron fethor. Nariath unira, banishar dathor!" she yelled as the stunned demons were suddenly caught off guard, with red chains shooting out from the earth binding them by the neck, the floor beneath them glowing with strange light.

"Sareth thalor...demonium kal. Enora vethis, kaelath dor...Vexira suman, Banishar mor!" With a final chant, the red light quickly turned into a complex array, opening a gateway to another dimension. The chains tightened further and finally pulled the demons back into the depths before the array lost its light.

"Another night, another hassle. I hope Rex doesn't feel like I'm abandoning him. We rarely converse, and he spends most of his time in that lab...I guess he took his father's side," she sighed with clear disappointment.

"Maybe I'll check his mana quantity tomorrow to see if there's any change," she thought with a mix of hope and fear of opposition to her expectations.

----

Rex sat attentively in his comfortable white chair in the bio lab, awaiting Helix's analysis of the newly synthesized compound. The air was thick with anticipation as the holographic displays flickered to life, projecting intricate data visualizations and simulations.

"Helix, what have you discovered about the compound?" Rex inquired, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Analysis complete," Helix responded, its synthesized voice resonating through the lab. "The compound, designated as Compound X, exhibits remarkable properties. Initial tests indicate a significant enhancement in cellular activity, particularly in muscle tissue, leading to enhanced strength, durability, and advanced agility."

"Compound X?" Rex pondered with a slight smirk. "Interesting choice of name."

"It was chosen due to its unpredictability and the mystery it holds."

"Go on," Rex urged.

Helix continued, "Compound X demonstrates unpredictability in its secondary effects. It appears to grant subjects a random form of energy manipulation, ranging from elemental powers such as fire, ice, and plasma to more exotic abilities like emission of radio waves, including sound, magnetism, and even extreme superhuman speed capabilities."

The holographic screen displayed simulations of individuals manifesting these diverse abilities, each scenario depicting the potential for both extraordinary feats and unforeseen challenges.

Rex glanced at the simulations and sighed at the randomness. After careful study and observation, he knew he could only use this new compound once. Trying to use it repeatedly could lead to death and possibly even grotesque transformations, acknowledging that even his AP-01 cells had a limit.

"I have to choose the abilities I gain, not let chance choose for me," he thought. He knew he had to select a set of abilities that would complement one another, but this Compound X would not grant such.

He knew he would have to battle Viltrumites later on. "What would magnetism do against such individuals when they would simply blitz me at inhuman speed?" he thought with a snicker. "I simply can't use it now."

"Furthermore," Helix added, "Compound X shows potential for inducing various mutations in subjects. These mutations could range from enhanced sensory perception to physical alterations like enhanced appendages or defensive adaptations."

Rex leaned forward, his mind racing with the implications. "Can you quantify the regeneration capabilities of Compound X?"

"Regeneration appears to be a consistent trait," Helix confirmed. "Subjects exposed to Compound X show accelerated healing and tissue regeneration, enhancing their overall resilience and recovery rate."

As Rex processed the information, he couldn't help but marvel at the complexity of the compound's effects. "At least regeneration is confirmed, but it's still not feasible," he thought with a downcast gaze.

"Helix, compile a detailed report on the potential applications and risks associated with Compound X," Rex instructed, already envisioning new experiments and safety protocols to harness its capabilities effectively.

With that, he moved on to his lesser research—the effect of the smart atoms on his own blood. "Helix," he simply said, knowing the AI already anticipated his query.

"According to the ratio of 95% to 5%, lesser enhanced strength, durability, agility, and regeneration would be granted, with possibly enhanced cognitive and intelligence enhancement being added," Helix explained.

"Would I still be capable of using Compound X later on?" he inquired hopefully.

"Yes, Maker. Compound X would still be of use," Helix assured.

With a look of relief, Rex continued, "Helix, measure a percentage of smart atoms that would be considered five percent in relation to my own blood quantity."

He wasted no time in utilizing the enhancement, planning to start his superhero career, where any form of enhancement would be appreciated.

"Helix, what is the correct ratio?" he inquired as he took off his shirt, leaving only his pants.

"Exactly 210 milliliters. The procedure will begin with 210 milliliters of blood being extracted and 210 milliliters of neutralized smart atoms being transfused simultaneously," Helix stated.

"Begin procedure immediately," he commanded with skepticism. He laid down on the machine filled with various components.

"An autoclave for sterilizing the equipment, micropipettes for precise measurements and transfer of the smart atoms, intravenous (IV) catheter and tubing for delivering the smart atoms directly into the bloodstream, an IV infusion pump for controlling the rate of smart atoms administration, a vital signs monitor.

"An EKG machine, a blood glucose monitor, a flow cytometer for analyzing cell types and responses, a PCR machine for amplifying and analyzing DNA or RNA samples from the smart atoms, and finally, a defibrillator in case of cardiac emergencies."

It was clear that this was the machine his dad had used on him to administer the AP-01 serum.

Helix, following his order, began operating the machine, immediately filling the containment with anesthetic gases, causing Rex to pass out. The procedure began with the machines humming to life.