"Thank goodness the Ancient One has hair!"
"Hmm, actually, that's not right either. Gene extraction grants superpowers, but the Ancient One's magic shouldn't be included... What a pity..."
At this moment, Luca held a capsule that looked like glass but contained swirling silver light, sighing to himself.
The synthesis materials for the [DNA Infuser Gun] weren't complicated.
The only challenging part, the "Genetic Injection Gun," was successfully synthesized thanks to Mitsuki's experience with the "Chakra Genetic Modification Device." Luca had him build a gun-shaped injector over three meters tall, which satisfied the cheat system's synthesis criteria.
After synthesizing the [DNA Infuser Gun], Luca naturally tested its limits immediately.
The results were a mixed bag, but not entirely unexpected.
First, the machine's ability to extract DNA was practically magical.
Normally, genetic material in human tissues like hair or dandruff is often fragmented, making it extremely difficult to extract usable DNA.
But the [DNA Infuser Gun] could extract complete DNA from necrotic tissue that might not even contain intact nuclei, replicate it, and synthesize it into a serum.
However, there was a catch.
This device seemed limited to granting enhancements based purely on genetics.
Luca spent the last two days testing it with Pietro Maximoff and Mitsuki.
When Pietro's superpowers were extracted, the recipient could inherit his super speed almost completely.
Mitsuki, whose cells were inherently abnormal, also allowed the recipient to inherit most of his abilities.
But Wanda, who appeared to be a standard super-powered individual, only yielded DNA that granted the recipient simple telekinesis—without even a trace of her signature red energy.
Luca didn't need deep research to know that Wanda's "Chaos Magic" couldn't be passed on through simple genetic material.
Another interesting "test subject" was Luca himself.
When genetic material extracted from his own DNA was given to others, the recipients showed only a slight increase in physical fitness and a suspected heightened sensitivity to Hextech particles, but no other significant changes.
Yet, even without transforming, Luca's base stats were currently on par with a Super Soldier.
It seemed these abilities didn't manifest as genetic alterations in him.
Even more miraculously, when Luca transformed into his "Half-Dragon Form" and used scales or hair for extraction, the resulting serum could turn the recipient directly into a Half-Dragon Warrior capable of breathing lightning and fire.
However, these "recipients" were permanently stuck in the Half-Dragon form unless the [DNA Infuser Gun] was used to extract the modification. They couldn't revert to human form or advance to a True Dragon form.
It's worth noting that Luca discovered the "Enhancement Capsules" created by the machine could be used without the accompanying injection gun. The gun was actually more useful for extracting modifications from enhanced individuals to recycle them.
It's a shame Thor hasn't returned to Earth lately.
I wonder what kind of effect a Brute combined with Hulk genes would produce.
While brainstorming suitable "superpower combinations," Luca tossed the silver glass capsule into his mouth and crunched it down with a crack.
After much deliberation, he decided not to give himself Mitsuki's Chakra modification for now. Instead, he chose Pietro's ability, something akin to the "Speed Force."
Since swapping abilities was convenient, he prioritized one useful for the current situation.
As he swallowed the capsule, faint silver light flickered around Luca's body.
In the end, aside from the tips of his hair turning slightly silver, his appearance remained unchanged.
But with a mere thought, the scenery in his eyes slowed down rapidly.
The next moment, Luca vanished, turning into a streak of silver light.
"Hmm~ Now I can speed up the experiments~"
...
While Luca was having fun with his new ability, Harry, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by his father's disappearance.
His biological father had undergone a drastic personality change due to a "failed experiment" and vanished.
For Harry, this was a monumental crisis. But for the Avengers, who were busy rebuilding New York, they couldn't drop everything to investigate it fully.
The destruction of Washington and New York affected more than just the citizens of those two cities.
The ensuing political and economic collapse was on the verge of destroying the United States entirely.
Or rather, this wasn't just America's problem anymore. Although other countries were hit by the financial crisis, many were enduring the losses while intervening to prevent the U.S. from reunifying.
If not for the fear of America's dispersed but still potent military force and the active Avengers, this external intervention might have already moved from the shadows into the open.
In this environment, Captain America was using his reputation to rally the people, while Stark, driven by guilt, threw himself into New York's reconstruction.
The only ones who seemed free enough to help Harry were Gwen and Banner.
Of course, there was one piece of good news. S.H.I.E.L.D., concerned about the chaos super-powered individuals might cause, approached Harry proactively after learning of the situation through Tony, offering assistance.
However...
"I think there's something wrong with the people S.H.I.E.L.D. sent!"
In a corner of a Stark lab, Harry Osborn whispered suspiciously to Gwen.
This was a lab Tony had lent them to investigate the Norman incident.
On the other side of the room, Dr. Banner and Dr. Otto were analyzing blood samples S.H.I.E.L.D. had collected from the alley where Venom fought the four "Normans."
But no matter how they tested it, they couldn't find any evidence in the blood samples supporting Harry's claim of a transformation into a green-skinned goblin.
"Why would you think that?"
Seeing Harry's haggard face and paranoid demeanor, Gwen looked puzzled.
Hearing this, a shadow crossed Harry's face, and he replied in a raspy voice.
"Yesterday, I had Venom possess a rat and follow a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who went out to investigate!"