Marvel: Master Of Role Playing
Chapter 209 – Richard’s Actions

The next day, Richard went to work at LexCorp as usual.

Starting today, he would officially join the company's research on the cosmic storm. His role was to study how to control the effects of cosmic energy, specifically how to awaken certain superpowers in a targeted way. The goal was to help LexCorp better manage the superpowered individuals they had created.

Reid remembered clearly that the heralds of Galactus were originally just ordinary people. It was only after Galactus gave them power that they became incredibly strong. As such, he didn’t want to accidentally create an uncontrollable being at the level of a Celestial, or worse, by exposing someone to cosmic energy.

In fact, Richard already had a complete plan in mind. He couldn’t guarantee its success, but at least he had a direction.

Unfortunately, looking at the situation now, it seemed like he wouldn’t even get the chance to prove himself. Rather than produce results only to hand them over under pressure from S.H.I.E.L.D., it would be better to lock everything away in his own mind and never let anyone know.

Because of that, Richard’s performance at work clearly dropped that day. His former lab assistants all noticed the difference and found it strange, but no one questioned him too much.

Everyone has off days. Richard wasn’t some perfect, emotionless machine.

They didn’t know however, that while working, he secretly extracted a portion of the cosmic storm’s energy samples. He stored them in a special container, and when the day ended, he took them out of LexCorp.

‘The company really should install energy sensors to detect when energy disappears. The current storage systems still have too many flaws.’

On his way out, Richard thought this silently to himself.

‘But Mr. Luthor has probably already noticed the problem. A solution will come soon.’

After nine years, not only had every regular employee at LexCorp come to admire Luthor, but even Richard himself couldn’t help being impressed by his brilliance.

In the field of biology, Richard was confident he could match Luthor. But what made the man truly awe-inspiring was his versatility. He was the kind of person without a single weakness. A true polymath.

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Richard quickly left LexCorp’s headquarters.

What he didn’t realize was that, while passing by a Walmart store in Manhattan, his hurried figure was spotted by none other than Ben, who just happened to be grocery shopping nearby.

* * *

At almost the exact same time, Luthor stepped into the underground lab and stood before the massive container holding the cosmic storm energy.

There was no way someone like him would overlook something so important. He had allowed the theft to happen. The flaws in the storage system were left there on purpose—so Richard could take the energy out.

That five percent share of LexCorp didn’t come cheap.

Those shares didn’t just bind Spider-Man’s future to the company. More importantly, they put Richard himself under constant watch through Reid’s telepathic link.

"Issue the order. Senior researcher Richard Parker is missing. Send the Fantastic Four immediately to locate him,” Luthor spoke into the comms device.

Not a word was said about the missing cosmic storm energy. From the beginning, he had never expected to keep all the samples locked away forever.

If he tried to do that, the result would be chaos. LexCorp’s future would be filled with spies and agents constantly trying to break in from all directions.

Luthor could deal with that, of course. But it would drain his energy and eventually slow down the company’s growth.

That was why, from the very beginning, he had planned to let S.H.I.E.L.D. get their hands on a portion of the cosmic storm energy. Only then would they back off, and also that way, when he was ready to strike against them, would he have a clear and justifiable reason to do so.

As always, the same truth remained.

Reid could use his power to forcefully rule Earth. Right now, there wasn’t anyone strong enough to go up against him, Hal, Diana, and Arthur together. 

But ruling through force would only lead to endless rebellion. If he truly wanted to make full use of Luthor’s and Bruce’s intelligence, the best way was to take control of Earth through proper, legitimate means.

And when doing things the right way, public support and a valid reason were essential.

* * *

On the other side, Richard returned home and saw Mary and Peter already prepared.

"Peter, you're going to stay at Uncle Ben's house for a while, alright?"

Richard crouched down and gently asked his son.

"Uncle Ben? Sure!"

Little Peter really liked his kind and gentle uncle, so he had no reason to say no.

"That's good. Let’s get going."

Richard and Mary nodded to each other. Then they got in the car and headed to Queens. The container holding the cosmic storm energy sample was clutched tightly in the latter’s arms.

Peter found it strange, but as a well-behaved child, he didn’t ask questions.

Soon, the family arrived at Benjamin’s doorstep.

After knocking on the door, Benjamin, who hadn’t officially started work yet, quickly came to open it.

"Richard?"

He was a little surprised, but not completely caught off guard. He stepped aside and welcomed Richard and his family inside.

"Ben, here’s your job certificate. Starting tomorrow, you can report to LexCorp’s headquarters as an office clerk. Whether you move up in the future will depend on your own ability. I believe Mr. Luthor will notice you if you prove yourself."

Richard handed over the certificate he had prepared, helping his brother solve his job issue once and for all.

"Thanks, brother."

Benjamin accepted it without hesitation. But then his gaze shifted to Mary and Peter, who were sitting on the couch.

"Did... something happen?"

Faced with his question, Richard knew he couldn’t hide it anymore. His brother was not a fool.

"Mary and I... we’re going to be gone for a long time. So I hope you can take care of Peter for us. He’s the most precious thing we have."

Richard lowered his head slightly. He was entrusting his child to Benjamin and his wife, who were just starting to plan for children of their own. This wouldn’t just be difficult for Peter, it would also greatly affect Benjamin’s entire family.

But aside from him, Richard had no one else he could trust. He was a former agent who had turned against S.H.I.E.L.D. There was nobody left in his life who could safely protect his son.

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