Chapter 85: Max, the Man of Lightning

The technical challenge of working with Uru metal in the Celestial Palace had finally been overcome by Michael, making it possible to use it for crafting battle suits. Uru metal, with its excellent magic-conducting properties, was ideal for creating magical artifacts. Michael had many new ideas for his own battle suit. By combining the vibranium he had acquired from the black market with dark titanium, he created a new alloy: dark composite metal. This metal was black on the surface, with golden stripes running through its cross-section. It combined the best qualities of all the metals and Michael named it Dark Uru Gold.

For the new armor, he decided to eliminate the foot and palm thrusters, opting for an integrated structure to make the suit more solid. As for weapons, a briefcase would suffice, removing the need for palm-mounted repulsors. The chest plate was also fully integrated, with no exposed reactor, making it more suitable for withstanding damage. Many functions were forcibly removed, and the reactor’s power seemed unnecessary. Michael also crafted himself a giant hammer, with a reactor at its core. As a stress-relief tool, the hammer was invaluable.

He then proceeded to create various vehicles for himself, as backup tools for different situations. Since Dark Uru Gold contained Uru metal, it possessed strong enchantment properties. The new storage devices he made were smaller in appearance, yet had much larger internal storage spaces. This allowed him to carry many items at once and easily retrieve whichever tool he needed.

Michael’s vision for his new armor was simple: maximize defense, built for close combat. With a range of weapons and vehicles as support, he could adapt to battles on land, sea, and air. The suit was entirely black, with a blade at the waist, a shield on the left arm, a skirt symbolizing strength, and a cloak called the Core hanging from the back—it was stunningly handsome. He named this battle suit Night Messenger.

Since starting work, Gwen had discovered many interesting things, such as designing her own armor. She glanced at her colleague in the elevator—a black man who seemed somewhat shabby and nervous, though just moments ago he had held the elevator door for her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m Max Dillon.”

“Gwen, nice to meet you.”

“Is today your birthday?”

Max often went unnoticed or unappreciated, which made him anxious and uneasy.

“Yes, they... my friends made these flyers. I’m hosting a party at a big club, lots of activities.”

“Wow.” Gwen responded politely, showing respect.

Max, wanting to save face, continued, “I’d like to invite you, but the guest list is already full.”

Gwen felt amused but also embarrassed for him; the excuse was transparently false.

“Oh, I understand, but thank you anyway.”

Seeing his awkwardness, Gwen didn’t say more.

The small TV in the elevator began broadcasting news about Peter Spider, and Max’s eyes lit up as he told Gwen all sorts of things about Spider-Man. Gwen replied politely. At last, the elevator reached the sixty-third floor and Gwen was finally free.

“It was nice meeting you, Max.” She quickly exited, afraid this neurotic, well-meaning man might call her back.

“She remembered my name.” Max was a little excited, feeling noticed for once. But the elevator doors had closed, and he had his own affairs to attend to, so he let it go.

Gwen grabbed her things and returned to the top floor, looking at Michael.

“Michael, you’ve never told me your birthday.”

Michael turned to Gwen, “Why the sudden interest?”

“We’re a couple. I should know.” Gwen leaned against the wall, quietly watching him.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Gwen was puzzled. How could he not know?

Michael explained, “I truly don’t know my own birthday. When I first remember things, I was already five or six years old.”

“How did Martha celebrate your birthday then?”

Gwen thought Martha was such a good person; she surely didn’t forget this.

Michael frowned, “Usually, it was the day I was formally adopted. But I never liked celebrating birthdays.”

“Oh.” Gwen nodded thoughtfully.

...

The next day, as soon as Michael woke up, the Red Queen appeared behind him to report.

“Sir, there was an electrical accident last night.”

“What happened?” Michael asked, perplexed.

“Last night, an employee repairing the circuits accidentally fell into the electric eel bio-pool and was killed by the mutated electric eels.”

Killed by mutated electric eels? That was exactly the plotline for Electro.

“Where is he now?”

Michael quickly inquired.

“His supervisor covered it up and sent him to the crematorium for incineration.”

“Which crematorium?”

“The one in Queens.”

Michael set out immediately.

Electro was a villain in Spider-Man—a shabby, highly talented but unappreciated black man who suffered unfair treatment at work. His designs were stolen by his superiors, depriving him of the rewards he deserved. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen helped Peter against Electro, which led Harry to discover and kidnap her, ultimately dropping her from a great height and causing Gwen’s death.

Although the current Gwen was formidable and unlikely to be kidnapped, fate always played a role in Marvel stories. Anything that touched Michael’s nerves had to be eradicated at its root.

The electrical grid designed by Max was probably the blueprint from the recent “New York Power Supply” tender. With the advent of the reactor, Angel International barely edged out Stark politically to win the city’s power supply contract. Because of this, Tony, ever petty, personally piloted the Iron Man suit, cut off Stark Industries’ cables, and replaced them with his own reactor lines.

Michael had morally condemned Tony’s electricity theft.

Following the navigation, Michael quickly arrived at the crematorium.

Electro would awaken at night, so Michael still had time.

He found the incineration room, only to see the cremator passed out, sporting an exaggerated blown-out hairstyle, with the lights, radio, and other appliances all exploded.

“He’s already gone?”

Michael recalled that Electro appeared on the streets at night, encircled by police, obviously after someone had alerted them.

Max was probably wandering the streets for a long time before being noticed and reported.

“Red Queen, check all nearby surveillance for a black hooded figure whose face and limbs are blue.”

Michael paused, then added, “Mark all black hooded figures, regardless.”

To prevent Electro from appearing with normal skin as he did in No Way Home, Michael made sure not to miss anyone.

“Yes.”

Red Queen quickly found the results. “There are five people in the area with black hoods. Three are wearing jeans, two are dressed entirely in black, and one matches the profile of someone leaving the crematorium.”

The area around the crematorium was sparsely populated; Max hadn’t been discovered yet. Only when he reached a crowded place would people notice him.

At that moment, Max was wandering the streets, unsure where to go.

He felt a burning fire in his chest, yearning for everyone’s attention. He wanted to use his newfound power to retaliate against those who had wronged him, yet he feared the changes in his appearance.

In short, he was lost, not knowing where to turn.