“What do you think, Vik?”
Loki already had a general idea of the Super Soldier Serum’s enhancement effects, but he still wanted to hear Vik’s thoughts.
After all, Vik had undoubtedly spent the two hours of Loki’s modification analyzing the incoming data.
“An astonishing improvement—and across the board,” Vik replied, giving an exceptionally high evaluation that even exceeded Loki’s expectations.
“Based on your description and what the readout shows, if nothing goes wrong, this is an epoch-making formula.
It could even change the entire ecosystem of Night City, depending on how you use it.”
Loki gave him a puzzled look.
“Can you be a bit more specific?”
Seeing Loki’s confusion, Vik pointed to a line of data on the terminal.
“The key lies in its development of the human brain and neural enhancement, coupled with an unprecedented boost to resilience and recovery.”
At the keywords—brain and nerves—Loki instantly grasped what Vik was driving at.
“Are you saying that injecting the soldier serum increases a body’s tolerance for cyberware?”
Vik nodded.
“Exactly.
And the increase is massive.
By enhancing the brain, it drastically bolsters mental resistance against the psychological erosion caused by cyberware.
Combined with heightened physical functions and tougher nerves, it further prevents cybernetics from corrupting the neural system, dramatically lowering the risk of cyberpsychosis.
At the same time, the increased physical strength allows the body to handle far more powerful and dangerous cyberware.”
Loki had initially thought of it as a standard enhancement serum, never expecting it to trigger such a marvelous chemical reaction within a cyberpunk setting.
“Looks like this thing is going to stir up quite a storm,” Loki mused.
A tiny vial of serum could produce a soldier capable of equipping high-grade cybernetic implants—no innate talent required, no prior foundation needed, and no risk of cyberpsychosis.
Even if the enhancement had its limits—meaning not just anyone who took it would reach the level of Adam Smasher or V—equipping a few military-grade implants would pose no issue at all.
If the megacorps got their hands on this serum, Loki had no doubt they would churn out a legion of Davids, or even gather talented individuals to assemble a squad of Adam Smashers.
However, Loki had no intention of giving them that chance.
It was precisely because the serum’s effects were so potent that he was even more determined to produce a scaled-back version.
Otherwise, those corporations would stop at nothing to monopolize the full serum and create armies of cyber-crazed fanatics.
“That’s how it looks for now,” Vik said.
“So, what are your plans?
Want to install some cyberware and test it out?
That piece I have hasn’t sold yet—the one you were eyeing before.
It’s one of the best items in Night City.”
“The Dynalar Sandevistan Mk.
4?
That’s a solid choice.”
Loki knew Vik had a Sandevistan in stock, and that it was indeed top-of-the-line in Night City.
He had lusted after it before, only to realize he lacked the hardware stats to install it—put simply, his Reflexes hadn’t been high enough.
Now that he could handle it, Loki found himself hesitating.
A Sandevistan was undeniably powerful, and Vik’s model was top-tier.
But with the system online, Loki had set his sights on far higher goals.
[PROJECT: Annihilation Series—”Tyrant” Operating System]
Loki looked at the PROJECT cyberware in the module store, priced at 300,000 eurodollars.
As the ultimate weapon of the PROJECT corporation and one of their trump cards against PROJECT Mordekaiser, this super-cyberware derived from PROJECT Renekton was Loki’s true goal.
While swapping cyberware in a cyberpunk world was convenient enough, these implants hailed from two different universes, so subtle discrepancies were bound to exist.
If a neural mismatch occurred during a swap and damaged a nerve pathway, it would turn into a massive headache.
Even if it could be repaired via nanosurgery, it would waste a lot of time.
After weighing his options, Loki decided to decline Vik’s offer.
Once the scalpel fell, there was no turning back.
To Loki, a goal of 300,000 eurodollars was not far off.
Once the Super Soldier Serum hit the market, heaps of cash would follow.
“Thanks, Vik, but I’ll pass for now.
I’m not planning on installing any cyberware yet.”
Hearing Loki decline, Vik wasn’t surprised.
“Same as always.
In that case, I’ll take off.
Get used to your body, and call me if anything comes up.”
“Hold on, Vik.
Why not take a shot before you go?” Loki waved the blue serum in his hand toward Vik.
“What would I do with that?” Vik shook his head, showing little interest.
“I don’t run around fighting every day, and I don’t have heavy chrome installed.”
“You can’t look at it like that.
This stuff has plenty of perks.
Besides enhancing your body, it delays aging and extends your lifespan.
I don’t want to attend your funeral anytime soon.”
As Loki spoke, he began adjusting the equipment, giving Vik no room to refuse.
Left with no choice, Vik allowed Loki to inject him with the Super Soldier Serum.
When the injection was complete, Loki smiled warmly at the visibly younger Vik.
“As expected, you have to experience it yourself to feel how magical this stuff is.”
Feeling the surging power within his body, Vik couldn’t help but sigh in awe.
***
After seeing Vik off, Loki set to work researching a diluted version of the Super Soldier Serum.
[Incomplete Super Soldier Serum] [An unfinished product of the Super Soldier Serum.
It offers enhancement effects comparable to the full serum, but turns the user into an ugly monster.]
*Isn’t this the stuff Red Skull used?* Loki thought to himself as he read the analyzer’s description.
Disposing of that batch, Loki threw himself back into his research.
***
With his previous experience, the research went much smoother this time.
[Advanced Soldier Serum (50%)] [A derivative product of the Super Soldier Serum from the Marvel Universe.
Enhances the user’s metabolic functions and overall physical performance.
A diluted version derived from the original Super Soldier Serum, retaining only 50% of the original potency.]
Without wasting too many materials, Loki found the version he wanted.
Looking at the Advanced Soldier Serum in his hand, Loki nodded in satisfaction.
The production cost for one vial was roughly 3,000 eurodollars.
Loki planned to sell it for 20,000 eurodollars.
Considering the value the serum brought, that price was entirely reasonable.
His main concern was whether underground clinics would be willing to drop 20,000 eurodollars on an unproven drug, especially since he couldn’t offer free samples this time.
Fortunately, he had already built a decent reputation with his previous Kinetic Boosters, so someone would likely take the plunge.
If worse came to worst, Loki could partner with the Animals or a corporation.
As long as he showed enough sincerity, he was confident he could land a massive order.
Once he earned enough for the PROJECT cyberware, he wouldn’t need to tread so cautiously anymore.