A full week had passed since the internal board meeting of Osborn Corp.
Today, at its annual "World Unity Festival," the Osborn Group would officially announce the news that the company was about to be sold.
New York City's Times Square was filled with a festive atmosphere. Even one of the Osborn Group's competitors—Tony Stark—was among those invited.
In fact, almost every prominent business in New York City had received an invitation, and Matthew was naturally no exception.
At the banquet, Tony was holding a cocktail, chatting casually with Matthew.
The noisy surroundings rose and fell, making him curl his lip in annoyance before casting his gaze toward Matthew across the table.
"To be honest, I don't really like this kind of occasion right now.
Compared to attending a meaningless banquet here, I'd rather go back and continue perfecting my research."
Facing Tony's complaints, Matthew chuckled: "...That's truly rare."
"The Tony Stark who used to be keen on frequenting all sorts of celebrity social circles and throwing orgies actually has a day where he doesn't want to be in the limelight."
"If I were a reporter, what you just said would definitely get you on the front page again."
Teased by Matthew, Tony immediately retorted: "Hehehe... I admit I used to be keen on frequenting all sorts of celebrity social circles, but I've never done that other thing."
As he spoke, he looked at Matthew, but the response he got was that handsome face clearly written with the words "I don't believe you."
"...Fine, fine. But at least I was the only male there.
I don't like getting naked in front of other men." Tony shrugged helplessly.
As he spoke, he changed the subject, bringing the conversation back to the "Sandevistan Project" they had discussed before.
"Matthew, I have to say, the talent you found really lightened my burden quite a bit... but recently, during the R&D process, we inevitably encountered some bottlenecks."
"Bottlenecks?" Matthew raised an eyebrow.
"That's right." Tony nodded.
"Even with the dual assistance of professional talent and artificial intelligence, the complexity of this technology still far exceeds expectations."
Speaking of this, a look of worry couldn't help but appear on his face.
"You said before that the core principle of the Sandevistan is to use the device to instantly 'overclock' the user's entire nervous system, making the user subjectively 'faster,' thereby achieving an effect similar to 'time dilation' to avoid surrounding dangers."
"But while this principle sounds simple, doing it is as hard as ascending to heaven!"
"To achieve the effect you described, one must simultaneously accelerate the brain's ability to process information, the human body's reaction speed, and the strength of the human body itself."
"If even one of these three links is not handled well, the whole person could fall into self-chaos, leading to a situation where the left foot trips over the right."
"Currently, what we can do is install an external chip specifically designed to handle redundant information, allowing the complex surrounding information to be shunted, lightening the load on the brain, and thereby achieving a kind of 'pseudo-time dilation'."
"But to truly achieve 'true time dilation,' the body must keep up with the brain's rhythm.
Otherwise, when danger arrives, even if the brain reacts, the body can't keep up, and in the end, you still can't dodge it."
Having said this, Tony couldn't help but sigh.
He was certainly a World-recognized genius, but researching a topic he wasn't skilled in from scratch was ultimately too difficult.
"So, what do you mean?" Matthew looked up at Tony.
Seeing this, Tony didn't beat around the bush: "The current research progress has reached 'pseudo-time dilation,' but we have no clue yet on how to achieve 'true time dilation.'"
"After all, to really achieve this, not only does the nervous system need to transmit commands to the limbs one-to-one, but the human physique also needs to be strengthened.
If these two problems cannot be solved simultaneously, the muscles and bones will likely be unable to withstand the sudden ultra-high-speed movement, causing them to 'explode.'"
"So—do you have a solution?" He looked at Matthew with anticipation.
Matthew pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "Maybe, or maybe not."
"What do you mean?" Tony frowned in confusion.
If there is, there is; if there isn't, there isn't. Why add a "maybe"?
Matthew explained: "Tony, do you know about 'wetware'?"
"Wetware..." Tony raised an eyebrow slightly, but quickly understood what Matthew was referring to, "You mean living biological systems?"
"That's right." Matthew nodded.
"If you don't mind, I can provide you with a 'wetware.' You can use it as inspiration, or choose to use it directly; it might just solve your current difficulties."
"Of course, if it can't solve the problem, then there's nothing I can do."
Matthew spread his hands.
He wasn't good at scientific research at all.
So he wasn't sure if the Plaga Parasite was qualified as 'wetware,' or if it could bring Tony new inspiration and technological breakthroughs.
However, as a friend, he was still willing to help Tony.
Seeing this, Tony sighed helplessly.
"Alright, then I'll wait for that 'wetware' of yours... I hope it can bring a breakthrough for the upcoming research."
As the two were talking, a sudden exclamation came from the direction of the balcony outside the banquet hall.
"Look! What is that?!"
"Is it new technology?!"
"No! It's Iron Man!"
"Iron my ass! If your eyesight is bad, go get it checked! Since when does Iron Man have a green version?!"
Exclamations and gasps came from the balcony.
The two at the banquet were also attracted by the voices on the balcony and couldn't help but look outside.
To see clearly what that thing was, Tony even took out his phone from his pocket to use as a 'telescope' for observation.
"That is? A person?" Tony raised an eyebrow as he saw clearly what it was.
Then he looked at the green figure on his phone screen and, as cocky as ever, said:
"Although I'm well aware that everyone wants to become an overnight sensation by imitating me and boost their company's stock price..."
"But this guy's equipment seems a bit too crudely made, doesn't it? That can't even be considered a'suit'."
"And also... Matthew, am I usually this ugly?" Tony looked at Matthew beside him, completely unaware that a danger was imminent.
Just as Tony was cracking jokes, Henry, who was standing beside him, suddenly exclaimed: "That is... our company's glider?!"
His eyes were full of disbelief.
Hearing this, Tony, who was standing to the side, quickly apologized: "Oh~~ Sorry, Henry. I really didn't know this was something your company developed."
"If I had known the 'victim' was present, I should have said it more quietly."
Regarding Tony's snark, the much older Henry just glanced at him and didn't say much.
What he didn't understand now was why his company's glider would suddenly appear here.
You have to know that thing was still in the experimental stage and couldn't be taken out without the board's approval...
Just as Henry was pondering, that green figure in the distance had already rapidly approached the balcony.
A pumpkin bomb, already prepared, traced a graceful arc in mid-air and landed straight into the crowd on the balcony.
"Henry... I heard I was out?!"