Bab 19: Chapter 19: Council of Nine
The gathering was ostensibly a celebration of the contract signing between the New York Police Department and Worthington, but it was actually a showcase of the feasibility of the Self-Healing Elixir project.
"Nevia, is Dr. Eisnoxin here yet?"
"He's already here, sir."
OK, let's get started then.
The wings on his back, rather than being concealed, remained open like a display. For the next period of time, he would don these wings and become the leader of the mutants.
Six wings, this was the lucky boost he had received.
He raised his hand, and sparks crackled in his palm as dangerous light gathered.
"Blast. This is the first ability I've fused. It seems to have been upgraded, but..."
However, he had just used this rare purple ability card and wasn't aware of its original strength, so he wasn't sure how much it had been upgraded by the Divine Ascension stage.
"I need to find some time to test my abilities."
The abilities he currently possessed consisted of five white rare passive abilities, the "Tempered" mutant ability, and the Divine Ascension stage fused with "Blast."
"Then I need to plug any weaknesses and fill them with the abilities I draw next."
He thought as he looked at the remaining 10,000 gold coins he had.
As he looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his clothes, he increased the brightness of his wings a little.
"Perfect."
...
"Without precise targeting, it is impossible to perfectly adapt to the human body, and there may be various side effects. That's why we need precise targeting," explained Dr. Eisnoxin.
"What are the side effects?" Nick Fury asked.
"Non-specific mutations. Using the untargeted serum may cause non-specific mutations, such as changes in skin color, growing claws, fangs, wings, scales, or gills. These are all possible."
Dr. Eisnoxin explained it well. Although the Worthington Laboratory had created a new targeting method through more than ten years of research, Warren didn't allow him to reveal this good news.
"So we can expect to use the 'Self-Healing Elixir' in two years?" Nick Fury asked.
"That's the most conservative estimate, but we cannot rule out the possibility of a technological breakthrough during the targeting process."
"What about the 'Regeneration Serum'?"
"It is also being researched simultaneously."
Bringing Dr. Eisnoxin from the laboratory was to give confidence to the investors present. Although they hadn't invested yet, it was already a done deal.
Warren held a glass of wine and chatted with Senator Stern on the side.
"I plan to invest in Africa."
"Why invest there?"
"On the surface, I plan to provide aid to Wakanda and obtain exclusive rights to Vibranium."
"What about in reality?"
"In reality, I plan to open a gold mine."
I hope no one blows away my health insurance card.
"You want to mine for gold? That's not a bad idea," Senator Stern agreed. After all, they had just witnessed Warren absorbing tons of gold.
"SHIELD has something for me to handle," Nick Fury came over to bid farewell.
"You've changed your name?"
"As per your suggestion, our name is now more concise."
Nick Fury left with style.
...
The gathering continued late into the night before the guests departed.
After today, the development of the Self-Healing Elixir was unstoppable. With their support, it would be smooth sailing.
"I hope you didn't get too bored," Senator Stern said, clearly wanting to discuss something important with Warren.
"I hope it wasn't just a boring gathering."
Warren felt that Senator Stern was about to bring up something related to Hydra.
"We are the Council of Nine, originally formed as a mutual aid organization consisting of nine individuals who met the requirements of having sufficient political or business capital. After considering it, we would like to invite you to join."
Here it comes!
"Is there a spot reserved for me?"
"Actually, we have always adhered to the principle of preferring the best over the rest. Currently, we only have five members, all of whom are influential figures in their respective fields."
After a pause, Senator Stern added, "You've seen our power, right?"
"No wonder."
No wonder Hydra is so effective. You guys even have this organization that gathers big shots from various fields.
Your infiltration is quite extensive.
"I would be the sixth member?"
"Yes, as long as you're willing, I can take you to meet the other members now."
Has Hydra finally decided to admit me as a member?
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
Senator Stern had a helicopter, and the two of them set off overnight to a luxurious mansion.
In the spacious hall, the servants were dismissed, leaving only six individuals seated around a round table, but only three were physically present, while the other three were holographic projections.
The person seated in the first position was someone Warren recognized, William Locksen of Locksen Group. Locksen Group was a dominant force in the oil and transportation industry, with involvement in many other fields. It was a super giant in the business world.
Compared to the industrial and pharmaceutical expertise of Worthington, they were all-rounders.
Among the six people present, Warren was the youngest, with the others being at least 45 years old.
William Locksen, the powerhouse of the oil and transportation industries, also had significant influence in other fields.
Senator Stern, Chairman of the Military Committee.
Warren Worthington, the newly emerging tycoon, the unparalleled "antidote" for mutants, and the "Self-Healing Elixir" and "Regeneration Serum" soon to come. The spider silk shooter was a hit on the market, and he now planned to ambitiously enter the military industry.
The other three individuals were projections, not physically present, and Warren didn't recognize them.
"Let me introduce them. Henry Bedford, his Fancantini company is the shipbuilding industry's leader."
Seems like a European shipbuilding giant. Warren hadn't paid much attention to news from that region.
"Richard Ford, he helped you get the approval for the hair growth and hair dye formulas last time."
After helping so much, they hadn't even met in person. Warren smiled and nodded, and Richard Ford returned the gesture.
"Hans Rosvold, like me, is a senator."
He looked a little familiar, but they hadn't met personally.
"Warren Worthington, the sixth member of our 'Council of Nine.'"
There wasn't even applause to welcome him.
William Locksen, who looked like the oldest, spoke first, "Youth is wonderful... Can your wings fly?"
"Of course, I've tried."
"That's good. Unlike me, I'm already an old man who can barely walk."
Warren understood what he was trying to say.
Apart from him, the youngest here might be Senator Stern and Hans Rosvold, both of whom were around fifty years old. The other two were at least sixty, with William Locksen being over eighty.
"Warren, you plan to enter the military industry next?"
"Yes."
"We can help you with that," Henry Bedford spoke up.
Oh, and then?
"This is a mutual aid organization, so there are no free benefits, right?"
"No, this time it's different."
"We need something from you."
"We can provide you with investment."
"As long as that thing can produce results faster."
It seems they had already discussed it.
"It's the Self-Healing Elixir, right?" Warren asked.
"Exactly, the Self-Healing Elixir has the effect of slowing down aging, doesn't it?" William Locksen, being the extreme opposite of Warren in terms of age, made a comparison between Warren's youthfulness and his own signs of aging.
"That's not a problem that can be solved by increasing investments. The speed of gene targeting is limited by current technology," Warren replied.
Although the Self-Healing Elixir had already been developed, Warren still had no intention of releasing it. The Worthington Laboratory was currently like a Pandora's box.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone