Chapter 384 The Price of Superpowers

Tony Stark and Kreutz walked into Kreutz's office, and Tony's expression became serious. He sat in a comfortable chair, crossed his hands on the table, and locked his eyes with Kreutz, "Kreutz, I need to know your opinion on superpowered people around the world, especially those superpowered criminals, from the Extremis virus at the beginning to the superpowered gene potion now."

Kreutz nodded, walked to a console in front of the desk, and quickly operated the touch screen with his fingers. The virtual screen in the center of the room unfolded, showing a series of data and video images. His voice was calm and professional, "Tony, the emergence of super power gene drugs has indeed changed a lot of things. The Extremis virus is a beginning. Although it brings great power, it also comes with great instability and risks. We have seen many people who have embarked on a criminal path because of this. They cannot control their abilities, which has led to many tragedies."

A video began to play on the virtual screen, showing a fierce battle between Sephiroth and the Hydra superpowered warriors. Sephiroth defeated those powerful enemies quickly and accurately with a relaxed attitude. Every time he swung his sword, it was with incredible power and speed. Those superpowered warriors were as vulnerable as paper in front of him.

Tony looked at the video, frowning slightly, with a hint of doubt and thought in his eyes, "Kreutz, although I have heard of Sephiroth's name, and I have also seen his battles through some videos after I came back, but is he a man like him, or has he reached the level of a 'god'?"

Kreutz closed the video, turned around and looked at Tony seriously, "Tony, Sephiroth's strength is indeed amazing, almost reaching the peak of human limits. Not only does he possess extraordinary fighting skills and strength, he also possesses an inexplicable mysterious ability, which makes him almost invincible in battle."

Tony pondered for a moment and continued, "Especially compared to a god like Thor, how will he perform? I have also imagined what kind of existence Odin is. 'God' or even more powerful 'alien', these all confuse me. What exactly are we facing?"

Kreutz smiled slightly, with a hint of awe in his tone, "Tony, gods and aliens, these existences are indeed beyond our understanding. Thor's power comes from his divinity, and although Sephiroth does not have the status of a god, his power is almost at the same level. The source of this power may be genes, technology, or some energy that we have not yet understood."

Tony Stark leaned back in his chair, frowning slightly. After thinking for a moment, he raised his head with a sharp and inquiring look in his eyes. "Kreutz, your Umbrella technology is at the forefront of the world in genetic modification. I want to know, do you have the ability to give superpowers to all humans in the world?"

Kreutz smiled slightly when he heard the question, with a hint of caution and professionalism in his tone. "Tony, theoretically, gene editing technology can indeed allow humans to acquire certain specific superpowers. We can use technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely edit the genome, insert or delete specific gene fragments, and thus give individuals new abilities."

He pulled up a complex set of genetic maps on the virtual screen and continued, "However, there are many complex issues in actual operation. The first is genetic diversity and individual differences. Everyone's genome is unique. How to carry out large-scale genetic modification while ensuring safety and effectiveness is a huge challenge."

Kreutz paused, pointed to the graph on the screen, and continued to explain, "Secondly, gene mutation and evolution is a long and complex process. In nature, gene changes are random and slow, affected by the environment and natural selection. If we try to speed up this process through artificial intervention, it is likely to cause unforeseen consequences. For example, gene instability, off-target effects, and ethical issues."

Tony nodded, his eyes full of thought. "You mean, we haven't fully mastered all the details of this technology yet, and rashly carrying out large-scale genetic modification may bring uncontrollable risks?"

Kreutz nodded seriously. “Yes, Tony. We need more research and experiments to ensure the safety and effectiveness of gene editing. And even if we can solve the technical problems, how to coordinate and regulate it at the social and ethical level is also a huge challenge.”

He pointed to a flashing gene fragment on the screen and continued, "In addition, the manifestation and intensity of superpowers is also a problem. Some gene mutations may give individuals powerful strength and abilities, but they may also be accompanied by serious side effects and instability. For example, the subjects of the Extremis virus, their powers are often accompanied by great pain and instability, which ultimately leads to an uncontrollable situation."

Kreutz continued to speak, his expression becoming more serious, his tone full of scientific rigor and professionalism, "Tony, we must consider a very realistic issue, which is the burden and risk of genetic drugs on individuals. In our experiments, we found that individuals who were injected with genetic drugs, especially those who tried to obtain high-intensity superpowers, often faced great physiological stress."

He called up a set of data and charts on the virtual screen, pointed to one of the indicators and said, "Here are the monitoring data of multiple test subjects. After these individuals were injected with genetic drugs, their energy metabolism increased significantly, and their cell activity and division speed increased significantly. However, this also brought great instability, and some individuals even experienced cell collapse and tissue necrosis."

Kreutz paused, a trace of worry in his eyes, "What's more serious is that some test subjects' bodies cannot withstand the huge energy load during the process of stimulating superpowers, which eventually leads to explosive reactions. We simulated a variety of different gene combinations and drug formulas, but the success rate is still very low. In most cases, the test subjects cannot withstand this load."

Tony frowned slightly and listened carefully to Kreutz's analysis. He recalled his experience of fighting a superpower who could control metal, and a flash of memory flashed in his eyes, "Kreutz, I once fought a superpower who could control metal. Although his ability is very powerful in theory, in reality, his control is very limited and he can only control some small metal objects. Such a superpower, although it poses a certain threat, is far from the level we are worried about."

Kreutz nodded in agreement. "Yes, Tony. This is another problem we face. Even if genetic drugs can successfully give individuals superpowers, the manifestation and intensity of such abilities often vary greatly. Most individuals cannot fully master and control their abilities, which also increases uncertainty and potential danger."

Tony's expression became more serious, and he continued, "I have also studied the Extremis virus and Hydra's Extremis virus, and tried to develop a counter-antidote. Although I have successfully suppressed the spread and mutation of the virus to a certain extent, these "antidotes" often have bottlenecks. The balance between the acquisition of superpowers and stability is very delicate, and any small variable may lead to failure."

He called up a set of data from his own research on the virtual screen and continued to explain, "These data show that the stimulation and maintenance of superpowers require a stable energy supply and gene expression environment. Once these conditions are not met, the superpowers will not only disappear, but may also cause serious physiological reactions. The biggest challenge we encountered during the research and development process is how to ensure the physiological stability and safety of individuals while granting superpowers."

Kreutz looked at the data Tony had retrieved, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry. "Tony," he said slowly, his voice cautious, "Do you really want everyone in the world to have superpowers?"

Tony was silent for a moment, his hands crossed in front of his chest, his eyes calm and deep. He spoke slowly, with a hint of reminiscence and self-mockery in his voice, "Kreutz, I wanted to build an artificial intelligence Iron Legion that could maintain world peace and protect innocent people. But Ultron's loss of control made me realize that the power of technology cannot always be fully controlled. After Ultron lost control, it caused countless casualties and destruction, which made me begin to re-examine my desire for power."

He paused, as if thinking about something, and continued, "Now, the increasing number of criminals with super powers makes me realize that if these powers fall into the hands of people with bad intentions, it will bring greater disasters. So it suddenly occurred to me that if everyone in the world has super powers, can everyone protect themselves and no longer rely on a few superheroes? But is this idea really realistic?"

Kreutz smiled slightly, with a hint of understanding and humor in his eyes. "Tony, I'm not one of those psychologists. I can't give you some kind of inner strength or answers." His voice was relaxed, trying to ease the heaviness in Tony's heart. "You have to understand that everyone has their own limitations and weaknesses. Neither superpowers nor technology can solve all problems."

He paused and continued, "Although superpowers seem tempting, they bring not only power, but also responsibility and risks. Allowing people around the world to have superpowers will not only increase social instability, but also cause more ethical and moral issues. You once wanted to save the world through technology, but it turns out that technology is also a double-edged sword and needs to be used with caution."

After listening to Kreutz's words, Tony thought quietly for a moment, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his complicated emotions. He raised his head and looked at Kreutz, with a hint of firmness and inquiry in his eyes, "Kreutz, I want to hear your real thoughts. What is your true opinion of superpowers around the world, especially those superpower criminals?"

Kreutz smiled coldly, shrugged his shoulders, and a cold-blooded light flashed in his eyes, "Tony, you want to hear the truth, then I will tell you straight away."

He walked to the window of the office, with his back to Tony and his hands in his trouser pockets, and said slowly, "Superpowers, whether it is the Extremis virus or the current genetic drugs, are essentially a symbol of power. Those who have superpowers will only become a threat to society if they cannot exercise self-discipline and control. The superpower criminals you have seen are just the tip of the iceberg."

Kreutz turned around, his eyes cold and firm. "You want everyone in the world to have superpowers. This is a dangerous idea. Most people cannot control this power at all. They will abuse this ability and cause more chaos and destruction. Moreover, the spread of superpowers will only exacerbate social inequality. Those who are unable to obtain superpowers will be marginalized and even regarded as inferior."

He walked back to Tony, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm and reality, "You want to use super powers to solve problems, but in fact you are just creating more problems. Fights between people with super powers, struggles for power, social instability, all these will follow. You once wanted to change the world through technology, but you only saw the tip of the iceberg. You didn't take into account the weaknesses and greed of human nature itself."

Kreutz sneered and continued, "Tony, do you know why we at Umbrella are researching genetic drugs? We are not trying to save the world, but to control and utilize it. We want to make sure that these powers are in our hands, not in the hands of ordinary people who cannot control them. Only in this way can we truly control the situation and ensure our interests and status."

Tony listened to Kreutz's cold-blooded but true words, frowning, and a complex emotion surged in his heart. He understood Kreutz's point of view, and realized that his previous thoughts might be too idealistic. The real world is far more complicated and cruel than he imagined. Superpowers are not a universal solution, but a double-edged sword.

"Tony," Kreutz's voice sounded again, interrupting his thoughts, "You need to understand that there is nothing pure good or evil in the world. Everything we do is for profit and power. This is the real reality."

“That’s true for me, and it’s true for my boss, too.”

Tony took a deep breath and nodded slowly, his eyes flashing with determination and complex emotions, "Thank you, Kreutz, you made me see a lot more clearly. I've just been too sentimental recently."

Kreutz smiled slightly, patted Tony on the shoulder, turned around and left the office, "I hope you can find your own answer in this complicated world, Tony. Otherwise, you will be deceived by the Lord of Hell and sign a devil's contract."

Tony looked at Kreutz's departing back, his mind full of thoughts.