At the top of the Empire State Building, one of New York's landmarks, on the edge of the cylindrical tower, over four hundred meters above the ground, the wind howled.
Batman held onto the cylindrical tower with one hand, his body unmoving in the strong wind, his gaze, through his mask, sweeping over the bustling traffic below.
Unlike most brightly lit buildings, the distant Osborn Group building was completely dark.
With a slight push of Batman's arm, his body immediately leaned back and he plunged downwards, leaping from the top of the Empire State Building.
Using his Batarang, he quickly reached the top floor of the Osborn Group, firmly attaching his web to the top and then descending floor by floor along the exterior wall.
Yesterday, Batman went straight to the laboratory on the second basement floor, but it was empty. Later, on the twenty-fifth floor, he found only a group of scientists conducting computer simulations; Norman Osborn was not there.
Today, Batman learned his lesson and did not go straight to the basement, but started from the top floor, the sixtieth.
It was still the twenty-fifth floor, and still the same group of scientists, who were now engaged in a very intense discussion.
Batman watched in silence for a while, then continued searching for Norman Osborn on the floors below. After failing to find him, he finally left and headed towards Hell's Kitchen.
He had prepared eavesdropping devices, but two consecutive days without a trace of Norman Osborn meant the devices were temporarily useless.
Half an hour after Batman left, Norman Osborn drove to the Osborn Building, took the elevator, and arrived on the twenty-fifth floor, in front of the passionately debating scientists.
"Stop arguing, prepare for human trials," Norman Osborn said.
"All test subjects have died, Mr. Norman. Have you captured more homeless people?" a bald researcher asked.
The others all looked at Norman Osborn.
"No, to prevent General Ross from using human trials as leverage against me... I've decided to go in myself," Norman Osborn seemed to have made up his mind, his voice devoid of any hesitation.
"But Mr. Norman, you don't need to take such a big risk. There's still plenty of time before General Ross's deadline," another middle-aged woman with glasses and gray hair asked.
"I know, but Spider-Slayer has been arrested by the Police, and Spider-Man's whereabouts are unknown. I have to rely on myself," Norman Osborn impatiently urged the researchers, "Hurry up, if anyone has any more questions, ask them quickly, don't delay my experiment."
Seeing Norman constantly urging them, the group of researchers had no choice but to follow him into the elevator.
"Mr. Norman, I've always wondered why you're so interested in General Ross's so-called 'Super Soldier' project. Is it merely because of the business cooperation he promised?" This time, it was a masked individual who spoke.
Norman Osborn did not show anger at his employee's questioning. These were his most steadfast research team since he founded the company, and he patiently explained:
"Do you still remember the Osborn Group's slogan, as a biotechnology-based company?"
"'Human Evolution, Achieved Through Science.' This slogan is not only the group's motto but also my greatest wish since founding the company."
"Previously, the Osborn Group has always focused on researching genetic technology. Although it has also developed various genetically modified foods and genetically mutated organisms, achieving the goal of 'Human Evolution' is still a long way off."
The elevator had reached the first floor but did not stop; instead, it continued downwards, all the way to the third basement floor.
The first basement floor was for the development and testing of powered armor and gliders, and the second basement floor was for human trial-related research.
And the third basement floor was where the Osborn Group truly conducted human trials.
The space here was not large; a transparent octagonal cage of over ten square meters occupied most of the area. Inside the cage was a metal frame capable of firmly locking a person in place.
Around the transparent octagonal cage were four tanks connected to the octagonal building, and directly in front of the octagonal cage was an operating console.
Norman Osborn took off his shirt and stepped into the transparent octagonal cage, while the other researchers each pressed buttons at the operating console.
"It wasn't until General Ross approached me that I realized I had been on the wrong path... That redneck's vision was too narrow; his Super Soldier project was only to create a Superman army."
Norman Osborn locked himself into the metal frame. The cold metal against his skin made him involuntarily gasp for air:
"Imagine if the Osborn Group truly researched it, even if its efficacy wasn't enough to turn ordinary people into Super Soldiers, it would be enough to cure any disease in the World."
"The Osborn Group would achieve glory, and there would be no more disease in the World. Isn't such a win-win situation worth dedicating everything to?"
"Exchanging the insignificant lives of those homeless people for the lives of thousands upon thousands of poor people suffering from illness in the World—even God would forgive me."
"Unfortunately, someone exposed my plan. Continuing to use homeless people would create unnecessary trouble, and it would also give General Ross more leverage over me. I can only go in myself now."
A tongue depressor, used to alleviate pain, was inserted into Norman Osborn's mouth. Biting down on it, he indistinctly gave the order:
"Start!"
At Norman Osborn's command, the transparent octagonal cage was completely sealed, and the metal frame slowly tightened around him. Then, green mist began to be released inside.
The mist grew thicker and thicker until Norman Osborn's figure was completely obscured, with only painful howls emanating from within.
The researchers nervously watched the various data on the operating console. An old man with White hair and a slightly hunched back even leaned directly against the outside of the transparent octagonal cage and shouted:
"Norman? Are you alright?"
Seeing only howls from inside, he quickly waved to the others:
"Stop! He can't take it anymore!"
The others hesitated for a moment, and just as they were about to terminate the experiment, Norman Osborn's weak voice came from the green mist:
"...Continue! I can still hold on!"
"Norman!" the White-haired, hunched old man anxiously shouted.
"I said, continue!" Norman Osborn's voice suddenly grew much louder.
The researchers exchanged glances and could only let the experiment continue until the green mist gradually receded and Norman Osborn's voice also subsided.
"Quick! Check his vital signs!" Someone shouted, though it was unclear who.
Fortunately, the instruments on the operating console showed that Norman Osborn still had a heartbeat; he seemed to have only fallen unconscious.
"It worked?"
"Perhaps..."
"Thank goodness Norman didn't turn into one of those test subjects..."
"Is it just my imagination, or do I feel like Norman looks much stronger?"
The researchers all breathed a sigh of relief, chatting as they clumsily opened the transparent octagonal cage and lifted Norman Osborn out.
Suddenly, Norman Osborn, who should have been unconscious, opened his eyes. His eyes were completely green. With a raise of his hand, he forcefully tore apart the metal frame that bound him.
"Norman, you..." The hunched old man was stunned and began to speak.
Before he could finish, Norman Osborn raised his hand and slapped him. The old man's head immediately separated from his neck, flying off with a spin.
Screams and blood instantly filled the entire third basement floor. A few minutes later, apart from a floor of corpses, there was no one left standing, and Norman Osborn's whereabouts were unknown.