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Ryan didn't answer yes or no; instead, he patted Dr. Connors on the shoulder and said with deep sincerity:
"Dr. Connors, you've only thought about making your lizard regeneration serum more perfect in its efficacy, but have you ever considered the consequences once it truly becomes perfect?"
"The consequences?" Dr. Connors' brow furrowed even deeper as he listened, unable to fathom what those consequences might be.
Seeing this, Ryan spoke more bluntly:
"Why do you think Peter's father chose to leave Osborn Enterprises when the project you were co-researching was only halfway through?"
"It's because the abilities of the Super Spider Richard cultivated were too perfect. It could grant a person super strength, super endurance, super reflexes far exceeding their own body mass—just like a spider—and a super recovery power only slightly weaker than your regeneration serum!"
"And do you think Norman Osborn wanted those Super Spiders just to create tougher Super Spider Silk?"
"No, Norman Osborn wanted to apply the abilities of Richard's Super Spiders to warfare, creating genetically modified super soldiers. That is the real reason Richard suddenly chose to leave Osborn."
"So you understand now, Dr.? Your current version of the lizard regeneration serum is already the best version that can appear in society!"
"A version that can both benefit all of humanity and avoid plunging the World into a super-human war because of its existence."
"So, tell me now, do you understand, Dr...."
What is the best kidnapping in the World?
It's not the physical kidnapping of the Ten Rings Gang against Tony involving missiles and beatings, but Ryan's current moral kidnapping that strikes at the opponent's soul!
Because moral kidnapping makes the other party feel guilt and a sense of responsibility from within, leading them to work for you with full conviction.
Unlike physical kidnapping, which forcibly demands the victim work for you, creating a sense of resentment where they might obey on the surface but never in their heart.
Of course, this method only works on someone with a sense of morality like Dr. Connors.
For someone as amoral as Ryan, if you try to morally kidnap him, he'll just give you a hundred-ton punch!
As Connors looked at the righteous-sounding Ryan, he suddenly felt like an immature brat who ignored consequences in front of him, and he lowered his head in shame:
"I... I understand, sir..."
Seeing Dr. Connors nod, the smile returned to Ryan's serious face.
Now that the big stick had been given, it was time for a sweet date.
So Ryan patted Dr. Connors' shoulder again, his tone softening once more:
"Of course, I'm not saying I won't let you continue deep research into a more perfect lizard regeneration serum, Dr."
"On the contrary, I will still fully support you in all aspects to continue researching a more perfect regeneration serum in the future."
"But you must remember, except for this current version of the serum, no other version must ever be leaked; they can only be used by us. Otherwise, it would not only be a disaster for you and me but a massive catastrophe for the entire World."
"I understand, sir!" Hearing this, Connors nodded repeatedly, as obedient as a student receiving instruction from a teacher.
"Good, it's fine as long as you understand. Now put down your current work and take a good rest for a while. Research is important, but your body is the capital that allows you to continue researching."
Ryan was very satisfied with the change in Dr. Connors' attitude. After offering a few more words of concern, he gave Gwen and Peter a look.
Gwen and Peter understood immediately. After also telling Dr. Connors to rest well, they followed Ryan out of the laboratory.
All the way up, the eyes Gwen and Peter cast at Ryan's back were filled with admiration.
Clearly, Ryan's moral kidnapping just now had not only moved Dr. Connors but also Gwen and Peter.
Ryan didn't stop until he had led Gwen and Peter all the way to the game room on the third floor.
After letting the two sit down, Ryan conveniently closed the door.
Under their puzzled gazes, Ryan looked at Peter and asked point-blank: "Peter, have you thought about that question I asked you before?"
Gwen, who knew nothing about it, was still confused, but Peter immediately realized what Ryan was asking.
Facing this question, the joy Peter had felt from being New York's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man lately was instantly extinguished as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it, his heart sinking like a pool of icy, stagnant water.
After a long time, Peter raised his head with a face full of dejection: "I don't know, Ryan, I don't know..."
"I can't forgive Norman for killing my parents, but I also can't bring myself to kill anyone. I can't make a choice..."
Ryan heard this answer, which could be described as having no opinion of his own, or even cowardly.
Ryan wasn't disappointed, because this was already much better than the worst choice he had expected Peter to make.
At least Peter didn't choose to forgive the culprit who indirectly killed his parents like Naruto next door, or say something infuriating like 'Ryan isn't allowed to speak ill of Norman Osborn, Norman Osborn is the coolest,' right? (Naruto fans, please don't flame me; this only represents the protagonist Ryan's personal opinion~)
As for Peter's lack of initiative, Ryan didn't care.
Although the Peter in this Universe lacked his own initiative compared to other Universes because of the existence of a strong cousin like himself,
It was also because he had this cousin that the Peter of this Universe didn't have to experience the pain of losing Uncle Ben, losing May, or even losing everything, allowing him to be his friendly neighborhood Spider-Man without a care in the World, right?
So it was the same this time.
Seeing that Peter couldn't make a choice, Ryan said forcefully:
"Since you can't make a choice, then I will make it for you. But same as the old rules: those who don't make a choice never get to talk back or criticize the person who does."
"Now, tell me, you understand."
Ever since Peter moved into his home, Ryan had been trying to change Peter's character.
He knew he couldn't change the essence of Peter's kindness, nor did he want to.
But he also didn't want the Peter of his Universe to become a foolishly kind person—like the Toby-Spider in the three-Spider crossover who stopped Holland Spider-Man from avenging Aunt May.
In his view, Toby-Spider's act of stopping Holland Spider-Man's revenge just so the latter wouldn't regret killing someone in a moment of impulse was actually wrong.
To act on one's grievances—that is what Ryan considered true kindness.