Under the effects of the Extremis virus, every strand of the virus inside Savin began vibrating at incredible speed, constantly dividing, devouring, and then becoming stronger independent entities.
Under those conditions, the temperature inside Savin's body had completely slipped out of his control, while the energy within him was increasing at an absolutely terrifying rate.
Now there were only two possible outcomes. Either his body would adapt to the newly evolved Extremis virus and evolve again, or the Extremis virus would push him into its peak state and let him bloom into this world's final firework.
Then, as the Extremis virus continued remaking Savin's body, the orange-red glow around him gradually began to change into a radiance like the sun itself.
Just as the two Blackwatch soldiers beside Killian stepped in front of him, preparing to shield him from the blinding explosion they thought was about to come, Savin suddenly let out a roar.
The dazzling light that had already begun scattering outward immediately contracted back into his body.
In the next second, Savin returned to normal, gasping for breath. After flashing Killian a faint smile, as if to say that he had lived up to expectations, he collapsed straight to the floor.
Only then did the researchers, who had already withdrawn from the lab, hurry to open the room and rush inside. They carried Savin, whose entire body had suffered severe burns, into the nutrient tank not far away.
For people altered by the Extremis virus, as long as there was enough nutrient solution, no matter how serious the injuries were, they could recover quickly. On top of that, the tank had a constant-temperature system, so no matter how high the body's temperature rose, it could be brought back under control in short order.
"What's his condition now?"
After watching Savin being moved into the nearby nutrient tank, Killian turned to Maya and asked.
"He broke through."
"I've divided the ultimate enhancement, in other words the current Extremis virus, into four stages."
"The first stage is bodily reconstruction. After the Extremis virus enters the brain, it performs calculations, identifies the defects present in the body, and then comprehensively repairs and strengthens the host's physical flaws and body cells. At the same time, as long as the heart does not suffer fatal damage, the host can recover. The Extremis energy inside the body also keeps increasing day by day, allowing limited use of high-temperature abilities. However, stabilizers still need to be taken regularly to cool the body down, otherwise the host will explode due to the excessive Extremis energy inside."
"The second stage begins after the body adapts to the rapid surge of high-intensity energy and completes a second reconstruction. At that point, the host can control the power of flame, freely release temperatures of several thousand degrees, and accelerate physical recovery. There is still a slight risk of explosion, but as long as the heart keeps beating, revival is still possible."
"The third stage is total enhancement. Fire can be stored inside the body and then unleashed outward. Even if the host is blown apart, as long as they do not die outright, they have one true chance at complete resurrection."
"As for the fourth stage, based on theoretical calculations, if it can be combined with the proper optimization, then in theory it could achieve true immortality."
"And Savin is now in the second stage. The Extremis virus has strengthened him across the board, and he himself is also exceptional. Both his willpower and his body's compatibility with the Extremis virus are nearly perfect. Combined, they've reached almost ninety percent."
"By all logic, he had only just received the injection, and his body had only recently adapted to the virus's initial reconstruction. He should not have been able to withstand a second round of autonomous viral enhancement."
"But the reality is exactly that. He seems to possess an unbelievably strong survival instinct, and on top of that his physical condition was already solid. All of that together allowed his body to evolve."
"Honestly, it's like he was born for the Extremis virus."
After hearing Killian's question, Maya immediately gave her answer.
Truthfully, just now she had been prepared to call a stop to everything. As soon as the low-temperature release began and the liquid nitrogen freezing process activated, Savin could have been cooled back down to a safe range immediately.
But if she had done that, Savin never would have broken through into the second stage.
At that moment, she truly admired Killian, admired his judgment and his trust.
After all, when an Extremis subject exploded, the destructive force was enormous. Even with the high-strength blast-proof glass in front of them, the truth was that her first instinct had been to run.
Because the power of an Extremis explosion depended on the subject. The stronger the subject, the greater the blast, and Savin... went without saying.
"You just mentioned a fourth stage?"
After hearing Maya's explanation, Killian could not help asking curiously.
He already knew about the third stage. In the original story, he could freely spew flames, and even after the Mark 42 armor self-destructed with tremendous force, he was still able to rise from the fire again. That alone was enough to show how powerful it was.
As for how Pepper had later killed him with a single repulsor blast, Killian guessed that the rebirth granted by the Extremis virus was not without limits. One limitation was recovery time. The second was energy.
What truly interested him was the fourth stage. If Maya was right, then the potential of the Extremis virus might be even greater than he had thought.
"The fourth stage is my greatest theoretical projection for the Extremis virus. Biological evolution can adapt according to changes in the environment, and that process has no true end. If the Extremis virus can evolve into the fourth stage, then humanity could truly escape disease and suffering and become immortal."
"But unfortunately, the amount of data required for the fourth stage is far too vast, far too immense. If the third stage is like constructing a skyscraper, then the fourth stage is like building a planet. Even with Baymax helping me run simulations, I still can't find the key that opens the correct door."
"So at this point, the fourth stage remains purely theoretical."
After hearing Killian's question, Maya answered eagerly.
For a researcher, the most important skill was knowing how to paint a compelling picture, especially one the boss would believe in.
That was how you secured endless investment, and she was not wrong either. As long as the Extremis virus kept evolving, it absolutely could reach the level she described.
From that perspective alone, she felt there was nothing wrong with what she had said.
"Very good. Can it be mass-produced on a large scale now?"
Killian only smiled noncommittally at Maya's ambitious vision. Then he glanced toward Savin, who had already been placed inside the nutrient tank, and spoke.
To be honest, the potential of the Extremis virus was beyond question. In the Marvel universe, whether in the early stages or later on, its abilities were enough to rival, or even replace, the Super Soldier Serum.
(End of Chapter)
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