"Oh, really?"
Eren chuckled lightly. "As I said, this is a magical potion."
"In the mundane world, it's true that no panacea exists, but that doesn't mean the same holds true in the mystical realm."
With those words, Eren activated Dreadful Gaze, intending to give Norman Osborn a firsthand experience of the incredible and mysterious power he wielded.
The overwhelming mental pressure condensed into a palpable force, crushing Norman Osborn's already feeble mental defenses. It penetrated deep into his psyche, planting a seed of fear.
"Huh?"
To Eren's surprise, Norman Osborn's mental resistance was shockingly fragile—far weaker than even the guards he had encountered earlier. It was as if Osborn's mind, ravaged by his illness and drained of vitality, was on the verge of shattering.
The mental force of Dreadful Gaze met no significant resistance, easily breaking through his defenses and sowing terror in his soul.
A moment later, Norman Osborn collapsed unconscious.
Eren frowned momentarily at the sight, then exhaled a breath of relief.
So, this Norman Osborn is indeed the weakest version—the ordinary human one from The Amazing Spider-Man. If he were even remotely connected to the Green Goblin, my Dreadful Gaze wouldn't have subdued him so easily.
But on the bright side, Norman's frailty presented an opportunity.
Initially, Eren had only planned to use Dreadful Gaze to demonstrate the existence of the mystical realm and validate the efficacy of the Universal Antidote. The goal was to strike a deal and secure significant funds from Norman Osborn.
However, Norman's vulnerability gave rise to a far more ambitious and audacious idea.
If his mental defenses are so weak, could I directly take control of Norman Osborn through hypnosis? Could I seize control of Osborn Corporation and have this colossal entity serve my purposes?
Of course, Eren was well aware that his current spiritual strength was insufficient to permanently alter someone's mind. Even with the advanced techniques of Dreadful Gaze and Mind Imprint, his hypnosis would be temporary at best. External stimuli or enough time could break the spell.
That limitation was why Eren had initially planned to negotiate with Norman Osborn rather than attempting direct control. After all, the Green Goblin—whether in the Marvel universe or elsewhere—was a notorious figure. Eren's mastery of hypnosis wasn't nearly advanced enough to subjugate such a dangerous individual.
If his hypnosis failed and provoked the Green Goblin's hostility, it would backfire disastrously.
Yet now, faced with Norman Osborn's glaring frailty, Eren saw an opportunity to experiment.
Without hesitation, Eren approached Norman's bedside. Using a secret technique recorded in Mind Imprint, he condensed a wisp of his spiritual energy into a seed and implanted it deep into Norman's subconscious, planting a seed of trust.
Simultaneously, he used the hypnotic modulation of his voice to reinforce the impression in Norman's mind, solidifying the hypnotic mark.
Five hours later.
When Eren emerged from the Osborn estate, his backpack held a document notarized by a lawyer—a stock transfer agreement.
This agreement had elevated Eren's status from a modestly wealthy man to the third-largest shareholder of Osborn Corporation, owning 5% of its shares.
Despite the recent turbulence in Osborn Corporation's stock due to Norman Osborn's illness, it remained a titan valued at over $200 billion. That 5% stake was worth over $10 billion.
With just one contract, Eren had become a billionaire.
However, this visible windfall was only part of the gain. What Eren truly valued lay hidden beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, back at the Osborn estate, Norman Osborn, who had consumed the Universal Antidote, watched in astonishment as the blemishes on his skin faded and his body rapidly regained vitality and energy. His hands trembled, not with weakness, but with excitement.
Beside him, the butler Brian's face was filled with disbelief. Were it not for the sharp pain in his leg—a result of pinching himself—he might have thought he was dreaming.
Minutes turned into hours.
Having changed into fresh clothes, Norman stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror in his room. He marveled at the strength and life coursing through his body, which had felt like a prison mere hours ago. A genuine smile of relief crossed his face.
"Being alive feels so good," he murmured.
Behind him, Brian's eyes shone with joy. As Osborn's loyal butler for over two decades, Norman's recovery was a blessing. At least now, Brian wouldn't have to worry about losing his well-paying job.
After standing by the window for a long while, Norman finally broke the silence.
"Brian, have Felicia inform all members of the board. Tomorrow, I want a meeting at Osborn Tower. Every board member must attend."
"Yes, sir," Brian replied, bowing slightly. He immediately understood what his master intended to do.
The news of Norman Osborn's critical condition had caused turmoil not only in the stock market but also within the company itself. Internally, power struggles and schemes had begun to surface.
Before, Norman had been too weak, both physically and mentally, to address any of it.
But now, everything had changed.
Brian, feeling reinvigorated, bowed again and left the room.
As the butler exited, Norman caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. A subtle, almost imperceptible glint of cruelty and malice flashed in his eyes.
"It's time to clean out the rats."
(End of Chapter)
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