Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Spidey – Always the One Getting Beaten

The Batmobile sped across the water surface, landing on a nondescript rooftop at the edge of Manhattan.

Anton pulled out his phone and sent a message to Peter Parker.

After all, if the Lizard was to be reverted back into Dr. Curt Connors, Spider-Man help was essential.

Peter, upon receiving the message, immediately suited up and swung his way to the rooftop.

Ten minutes later, Spider-Man arrived in a rush. His eyes filled with anguish as he saw the Lizard reduced to a "stick" form. The sight was both painful and unbearable for him.

He understood why Batman had done this.

The Lizard regenerative abilities were incredibly strong, and his physiology was resistant to most drugs, including sedatives. Without drastic measures, subduing the Lizard would have been nearly impossible.

"Batman," Spider-Man said in a conflicted tone, "I don't have the antidote with me. I'll need to go to Oscorp to make a new batch. It'll take about 30 minutes."

"I'll stay here to guard him and arrange for someone to take Connors away once he reverted. I've already found a place where he won't be a threat to anyone in the future." Anton nodded at Spider-Man. "Go quickly."

"Is it S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Peter asked before leaving, catching Anton by surprise.

"Correct." Anton smirked slightly. "Looks like they've reached out to you as well."

"Uh, they left me their contact information, but I didn't agree to join." Peter voice wavered, thinking he'd upset his idol. "I'm just a high schooler. I'm not interested in being a secret agent."

"You did the right thing. S.H.I.E.L.D. is full of complications. Now isn't the best time for you to get involved with them." Anton nodded approvingly. "If it becomes necessary in the future, I'll deal with them. Don't let that one-eyed black guy talk you into anything."

"One-eyed black guy?" Peter was puzzled. "But the one who approached me was bald."

"The one-eyed black guy is their director," Anton replied casually, waving him off. "Now get to Oscorp. The Lizard needs that antidote, or he'll have to endure the pain of losing limbs all over again."

"Got it!" Peter swung away through the city without further delay.

Anton stood on the rooftop, awaiting the arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. He had already contacted Phil Coulson, who, though not in New York himself, had dispatched a nearby agent to assist with transporting the Lizard.

Tied up with specialized cables to the Batmobile, the mutilated Lizard glared at Batman with eyes full of hatred.

Listening to Anton exchanges with Spider-Man and Coulson, the Lizard suddenly smirked coldly.

At Oscorp Tower.

Using his intern ID, Peter entered the tower and took the elevator to the limb regeneration department, now labeled as part of the "post-disaster recovery" effort.

Although the Lizard incident had caused Oscorp stock to fluctuate, the situation had also highlighted a promising truth: Limb disabilities could be cured.

The Lizard formula demonstrated the ability to regenerate limbs, offering hope to those with disabilities.

The primary challenge now was overcoming the serum side effects—avoiding turning people into lizard mutants.

With public demand and corporate profits in mind, Oscorp had not ceased its research into limb regeneration.

In fact, the company board of directors unanimously voted to continue the experiments, even allocating additional funds to refine the formula. Their aim was to minimize side effects to a level acceptable for market release.

It was easy to imagine the potential. If the formula succeeded, Oscorp would become unrivaled worldwide. The profits from this technology alone would be astronomical.

As Curt Connors former assistant, Peter Parker involvement in the limb regeneration project was critical. He was naturally positioned as one of the department core members.

Despite still being a high school student, Peter was already qualified to officially join Oscorp.

In the newly rebuilt limb regeneration department, Peter located the synthesis machine and began methodically crafting the antidote.

Above Oscorp Tower, a faint but unusual noise stirred. It wasn't loud enough to draw attention, but Peter spider-sense caught it immediately.

His temples throbbed as his spider-sense screamed warnings in his mind. The phantom web in his brain, his danger detector, vibrated ceaselessly like a plucked string.

"What going on?"

Peter hesitated for a moment. Glancing at the antidote he was synthesizing—still about ten minutes away from completion—he decided to check out the disturbance upstairs.

Inside Oscorp Tower, the floors were clearly divided into sections:

Lower floors: housing departments such as real estate and investment.

Middle floors: primarily dedicated to research, such as the biological and genetic experimentation area where Peter was working.

Uppermost floors: the weapons research department, shrouded in mystery and off-limits to most employees.

The uppermost floors contained designs for advanced weaponry and occasionally displayed finished models or even working prototypes. Only Oscorp upper management had access to these floors.

Peter had only been there once, during his first visit to Oscorp, accompanied by Harry Osborn. He hadn't seen it since.

He recalled overhearing that a high-ranking military delegation had visited Oscorp recently. Rumor had it the talks didn't go well, and Norman Osborn had been furious after their departure.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Peter ascended in the elevator. The closer he got to the top, the stronger his spider-sense flared.

Danger! Danger!

"What could possibly be up there?"

Peter was both puzzled and tense. It was after business hours; he couldn't think of anyone present who might pose a threat. He wondered if it could be some kind of malfunctioning weapon.

Ding!

The elevator reached the top floor.

This was Oscorp weapon display room.

The doors slid open to reveal a figure clad in green armor, eyes brimming with violence. Hearing the elevator chime, the figure whipped around to face Peter.

For a brief, chilling moment, their eyes locked.

30 minutes later.

On a rooftop, Anton was growing bored. Watching the Lizard, now regrowing limbs about ten centimeters long, he debated whether to cut them off again.

The Lizard shivered under Anton scrutiny, feeling like his limbs might vanish at any second.

To be honest, he was nearly resigned to his fate.

Just then, a massive electronic billboard across the street from the rooftop lit up, broadcasting breaking news from New York Channel 6:

"Breaking News: Terror Attack at Oscorp Tower! Spider-Man Engaged in Battle with a Terrorist!"

The anchor, reporting live from outside Oscorp Tower, continued:

"The assailant is clad in a green suit, flying on a glider, and styled like a goblin. During his confrontation with Spider-Man, he identified himself as the 'Green Goblin.'"

"Spider-Man is in trouble!"

"Police have arrived on the scene and are evacuating civilians. If you're watching this broadcast, please avoid Oscorp Tower to stay safe from the chaos caused by the Green Goblin and Spider-Man battle."

Behind the reporter, the Green Goblin and Spider-Man were locked in combat.

While the fight appeared intense, it was clear Spider-Man was struggling.

The Green Goblin glider gave him superior aerial combat capabilities and unmatched mobility. Spider-Man was on the defensive, unable to gain control of the situation.

On the rooftop.

Anton frowned as he watched the broadcast, his gaze fixed on Spider-Man. It wasn't hard to deduce that Peter had encountered the Green Goblin while at Oscorp.

"So that where the Goblin was tonight—not at his manor but at Oscorp."

But what bothered Anton more was the familiar sight of Spider-Man getting beaten again.

"Why does he keep getting thrashed?"

Anton sighed. "Looks like it time to give Spider-Man some proper martial arts training. He needs to grow up fast; we can't have him relying on last-minute adrenaline bursts to turn the tide every single time."