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Chapter 97: Primal Fear
Fearing that needles, electrode patches, and other equipment contacting his body might stimulate Professor Connors into transforming into a massive lizard, the professor had voluntarily allowed them to restrain him to cooperate with examinations.
Perhaps because both were scientists who'd accidentally gained abilities to transform into monsters, Dr. Banner showed exceptional concern for Professor Connors's condition.
Even worrying that if Professor Connors became the Lizard and lost rationality, he might damage the North Brother Island hideout Batman had helped them secure with such difficulty.
Dr. Banner wasn't even wearing a white lab coat like Dr. Octavius—instead he stood shirtless and barefoot, wearing only oversized purple pants as he worked.
He remained prepared to transform into the Hulk to subdue Professor Connors if necessary.
Since arriving, Batman hadn't spoken, silently observing the three scientists while also prepared to join Hulk in subduing the giant lizard if Professor Connors transformed.
Time passed gradually. When the sun reached its zenith at noon.
"Strange, Professor." Dr. Banner examined data from comprehensive tests on Professor Connors, puzzled.
"Everything indicates your body has no problems—just somewhat stronger than normal humans, with body temperature two degrees lower."
"Besides that, your blood, organs, including all muscles and bones show nothing beyond normal parameters."
Professor Connors's tongue depressor was removed. After being bound to the metal frame all morning, he looked somewhat fatigued.
"But you and Batman both witnessed the massive destruction I caused after becoming the Lizard... I may need to try transforming into the Lizard for testing."
"Theoretically feasible," Dr. Banner said. "But I'd need to transform into Hulk first as precaution."
Dr. Octavius quietly retreated a step without speaking.
Dr. Banner came to the laboratory's center, clearing surrounding space before stretching his limbs.
"But I must warn you—after becoming Hulk, though I retain rationality, I can't conduct tests... My brain grows larger, but intelligence actually decreases, driven more by instinct."
"Never try angering me, or I can't guarantee Hulk won't harm you."
Only then did Dr. Banner notice Batman standing in the laboratory. He asked somewhat puzzled: "Batman? When did you arrive? I never saw you."
Batman had been here an entire morning, but the exceptionally focused Dr. Banner simply hadn't noticed the additional person.
"Dr. Banner, do you need provocation to rapidly transform into Hulk?" Batman's voice remained low.
"Unnecessary. I'll tell you a secret." Dr. Banner looked at Batman with a slight smile. "I'm always angry."
Batman stood motionless while Dr. Octavius quietly retreated another step.
Crack, pop, snap...
Like firecrackers exploding, bones cracked and stretched. Dr. Banner's skeleton extended with explosive sounds, muscles rising like mountain ranges, skin tightening as if perpetually prepared for maximum force output.
The shortest, thinnest scientist in human form among the three—Dr. Banner—became a green giant with a deliberately suppressed roar.
From an adversarial perspective, the Hulk's physique, though not as towering as Professor Connors's four-meter transformed height, possessed overwhelmingly oppressive muscle definition like ancient tree roots.
If Batman embodied terror, then the Hulk was pure physical power incarnate.
But currently, the other two scientists and Batman weren't hostile toward Hulk.
Except for Dr. Octavius repeatedly retreating, neither Professor Connors nor Batman showed any surprise.
The Hulk took heavy steps toward Professor Connors, looking down at the one-armed professor, muscles on both arms twitching several times.
Professor Connors chose to ignore Hulk's small gestures. He remembered Dr. Banner just saying that after transformation, Hulk's head grew larger but intelligence relatively decreased.
Besides, now wasn't the time to quibble.
Batman arranged the laboratory's surroundings before positioning himself on the metal frame's opposite side from the Hulk, facing him.
"Begin, Connors." Batman's voice echoed low in the emptied laboratory.
Professor Connors closed his eyes tightly. Sweat from exertion gradually dampened his forehead hair.
His entire body tensed, attempting to summon that massive creature that had dug through multiple floors in mere seconds at Oscorp Tower, treating solid concrete as nothing.
But several minutes passed. Except for his rapid breathing, nothing happened.
Professor Connors opened his eyes, expression appearing exhausted, gaunt, even carrying a hint of relief.
"I... I can't do it. It won't respond. Maybe... maybe it's finally gone."
Batman had activated the Arkham suit's data analysis mode, white lenses covering his eyes. As he prepared to speak, the Hulk spoke first to Batman:
"You talk too much!"
His voice was rough and suppressed, seemingly deliberately lowering his naturally loud volume.
Batman looked up slightly at the Hulk. He hadn't said a single word yet
"ROAR! HULK!"
The Hulk didn't continue addressing Batman. Instead, he clenched both fists, face fierce as he suddenly roared at the bound Professor Connors.
'Hulk interrupted me not from hostility but believing that compared to scientific analysis, applying primal fear and provocation is the optimal method for stimulating Professor Connors's transformation.'
Batman didn't try to speak, instead analyzing the Hulk's recent behavior:
'Dr. Banner was correct. Hulk displays obviously reduced intelligence behaviors—like deliberately flexing arm muscles to taunt the one-armed Professor Connors.'
'After becoming the Hulk, Dr. Banner's suppressed emotions seem amplified, becoming a complex individual dominated by anger but containing other emotions.'
'Hulk's easy provocation has a fifty percent probability based on this reason.'
'The purple pants Dr. Banner wore don't fit perfectly after transforming into Hulk, yet Hulk didn't tear them off.'
'This indicates Hulk possesses instinctive modesty. Intelligence decreases but doesn't reach childish levels.'
Batman silently contemplated while never weakening attention. He consistently focused most attention on Hulk, minor attention on Professor Connors.
ROAR!
Having Hulk's furious face approach closely, with thunder-like roaring stimulation in his ears, Professor Connors instinctively dilated his pupils, then these pupils rapidly elongated vertically as golden color quietly bloomed from his eyes' depths.
Agonized roars squeezed from Professor Connors's throat, rapidly distorting into inhuman screams.