Gene Fusion Experiment Data (Revised)

Stepping into the train carriage, the interior was brightly lit.

The fact that there was still a power supply after all these years clearly showed that this secret laboratory was not as crude as it appeared on the surface.

The first thing that caught the eye was a computer, though it was hardly high-tech; it was an old-fashioned, bulky CRT monitor that couldn't have been any more outdated.

However, what Li Si could not fathom was that the screen of this ancient computer was still glowing, with many unclosed windows and a dialog box reading "Download Complete."

It had been running for all these years without even being turned off? New York had suffered countless power outages, for heaven's sake. While he knew Marvel's world was filled with black technology, could this bulky machine please not be part of that?

Li Si grumbled inwardly, but his movements were not slow in the slightest; he immediately inserted a prepared USB drive and copied all the data from the computer.

Once the copy was finished, he opened one of the video files. A face appeared on the screen—it was none other than Peter Parker's father, Richard Parker.

"Testing... I am Richard Parker. No matter how I am misunderstood by everyone in the future..."

The video was in the form of an experimental log, but in reality, it was Richard Parker's explanation of the entire incident back then, which boiled down to him not wanting his research results to be used for military purposes.

However, after watching for only a few seconds, Li Si curled his lip and closed the video.

He certainly admired Richard Parker's talent, but he really couldn't stand this "holier-than-thou" act of someone who wanted to be a saint after having already played the part of a sellout.

He had been hired by Oscorp Industries, used Oscorp Industries' funding for his research, and in the end, he ran off with the research results, claiming righteously that he couldn't bear for them to be used for military purposes and had no choice but to flee.

If he didn't want to do it, why research it in the first place? Don't give him that nonsense about the goal being to cure diseases. The Lizard's research might have had that effect, but he really couldn't see how fusing spider genes with humans could be considered a cure.

Besides, there were plenty of ways to treat diseases; did it really have to be through genetic modification?

Furthermore, using genetic means to cure special diseases and completely remodeling the human body were two entirely different directions; it was impossible for a serum meant for medicine to accidentally turn into a body-altering agent.

Why did Peter Parker become Spider-Man after being bitten by a genetically modified spider?

Because Richard Parker had carefully calibrated the genetically modified spider using his own genes as a blueprint, ensuring the gene chains of both could perfectly interlock while pruning away bad genes to gain the advantages of both. Curing diseases didn't require going to such lengths.

Even if it were an accident, it would be like the Lizard—a serum for healing that only temporarily altered the body's genes to utilize certain biological self-healing abilities for a short time.

The two sets of genes wouldn't be fully replaced or fused; they would simply be linked together, and after metabolism or the injection of an antidote, most of those genes could be purged to restore the human body.

Permanent modification of the gene chain versus temporary fusion were two completely different paths. Even he could understand this, and he didn't believe for a second that Richard Parker didn't know.

In the end, Richard Parker simply didn't want to hand over his research results, or perhaps he wanted to sell them for a better price. Otherwise, he wouldn't have contacted S.H.I.E.L.D. to sabotage Oscorp. Did he really hope S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't use them for military purposes and would just shelve the data?

"Sigh, it's a pity these are all crude, obsolete instruments, otherwise my Scientist Template would have been sorted."

After walking around the train carriage and confirming that there was nothing left but trash like constant-temperature incubators, Li Si sighed with regret.

In truth, having all the data on the gene fusion experiments and the core Decay Formula was already a massive win, but human desire is, after all, insatiable.

After patrolling one last time to ensure there were no missed gains, Li Si took out a small bag of dust and some small tools to begin covering his tracks.

He spread a thin layer of dust over the areas where he had touched or walked, meticulously adjusting it to match the surrounding color, and restored the computer screen to roughly its previous state before finally heading out.

The train carriage rumbled as it descended once more, and the surroundings returned to a deathly silence.

The next time someone visits this place, it will likely be a long time from now, when the plot of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 begins.

[Notification: You have read Richard Parker's gene fusion experiment data. Gained Directional Experience (Biochemistry) +3000; Gained Directional Experience (Mathematics) +1000.]

[Notification: Your Biochemistry knowledge has improved: LV2 (300/1000) → LV3 (2300/5000)]

[Notification: Your Mathematics knowledge has improved: LV2 (530/1000) → LV3 (530/5000)]

Having stayed up all night browsing through a portion of the data on the USB drive, Li Si's knowledge experience had seen a bountiful harvest. The three consecutive notifications instantly swept away all his fatigue.

Today was Saturday, which should have been a day off, but because of elective courses, most people still had to strive for credits. Although Li Si no longer needed to worry about credits, he had signed up for quite a few electives.

These elective courses were of no help to him now, but if he wanted to drop them, he had to go to school to fill out application forms, so he still had to make the trip today.

After washing up and heading out, he arrived at Midtown School of Science and Technology just as the peak of student arrivals began.

In the crowded flow of people, Li Si spotted a familiar figure at a glance.

"Hey, Peter, good morning!"

Li Si squeezed through the crowd, grinning as he patted Peter Parker on the shoulder, then quickly pulled his hand back.

"Ow, Li, what do you have on your hand? You poked me."

Peter Parker turned around, startled and wincing in pain.

"Uh... maybe it was the button on my sleeve, sorry!"

Li Si gave an apologetic smile and draped his arm over Peter Parker's shoulder as they walked forward together, while his other hand tucked a micro-blood collection needle produced by Oscorp into a pre-prepared petri dish in his pocket.

Oscorp's genetically modified spider was calibrated using Peter Parker's genes as a blueprint; having his blood to compare against would make it easier to fully grasp that data. Although he didn't plan to focus on this field for now, it was better to collect the blood sooner rather than later.

After all, once Peter Parker truly became Spider-Man, that Spider-Sense would be hard to deal with. And once he knew the importance of his own blood, he would guard it like a thief; without resorting to violence, it would be difficult to get his hands on it.

"Peter, I need to go to Mr. Pierce's office, you go on in!"

Arriving at the classroom door, Li Si released his arm from Peter Parker's shoulder.

"To the office? What for?" Peter Parker asked, puzzled.

"I'm planning to apply for the Talent Development Program at Oscorp, and I need to fill out the application form and drop my weekend electives," Li Si said.

"You're planning to work at Oscorp? Well, that makes sense, your grades are so good. Congratulations, buddy."

Peter Parker froze, a faint trace of sorrow washing over his face.

"Don't be like that, Peter."

Li Si said with a mix of amusement and helplessness, "It's not like we're being torn apart forever; it's just signing a work-study internship contract. I'll still be attending my required courses as usual, just heading to the internship on weekends."

The Talent Development Program wasn't anything particularly rare; many corporations signed talent reserve agreements with schools to provide internships or even formal job positions for top-performing students. In some cases, if an employment contract was signed early, the company would even cover all tuition fees.

Osborn, however, was far more generous in this regard. Students from schools with talent reserve agreements could join the company immediately upon passing an interview, enjoying the benefits of a formal employee. Naturally, considering their academic workload, they were only required to work on weekends, though their compensation would be reduced accordingly.