The Birth of Two Great Villains

Norman turned his gaze to the two reports on the desk.

One was the "Physical Enhancement Serum" he had personally overseen.

The other was Doctor Connors's "Lizard Serum" project.

The former had completed animal trials long ago, but because its effects were unstable, he had hesitated over whether to proceed with human testing.

The latter had progressed slowly until a major breakthrough was suddenly reported the day before yesterday. It had preliminarily achieved limb regeneration in lab mice and was now still under observation.

If one failed, he still had the other as a backup...

As Norman thought this, a flash of resolve and madness passed through his eyes.

He pressed the call button on his desk, summoned his secretary Saji into the office, and ordered,

"Notify Dr. Strom. Have him immediately arrange human trials for the Physical Enhancement Serum. Then pay Doctor Connors's lab a visit.

Tell him I am extremely pleased with his project's progress. Have him keep up the good work and complete the animal trials as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." The voluptuous secretary left the room respectfully, but the instant she closed the door, her expression changed.

She immediately dialed a number, a chilling gleam flashing through her eyes.

"Gentlemen, the boss can't wait any longer. It seems he also intends to activate Connors's project as a backup..."

The moment those words were spoken, cheers and celebrations erupted from the other end of the call. Only after a while did someone speak.

"Excellent. Next, force that cripple to immediately begin human trials using veterans... That way, whether Norman's plan succeeds or fails, we will be the ultimate victors!"

The secretary's heart began to race.

"And after it succeeds?"

"Don't worry. You won't be shorted a single cent of your share. Once we dump Osborn Group stock, you'll get at least this much..."

Listening to the astronomical figure revealed from the other end of the call, the secretary grew increasingly exhilarated. Without the slightest hesitation, she hurried toward Connors's laboratory.

Bang!

The secretary shoved the door open roughly and spoke with her chin raised.

"Doctor Connors, I am pleased that your project has finally made substantial progress. Mr. Norman is quite satisfied."

Connors smiled, pushed up his glasses, and replied somewhat bashfully,

"I will continue working hard and strive to complete the animal trials as soon as possible."

"Animal trials?" The secretary could not help sneering.

"That is already over. Mr. Norman has submitted all subsequent preclinical research reports to the Food and Drug Administration. The day after tomorrow, disabled veteran soldiers will be brought in for clinical trials."

"What?!" Connors's eyes widened in disbelief. He instinctively reached out, trying to grab the secretary's shoulder.

"You can't do this! The follow-up observations for the animal trials haven't even been completed. No one can guarantee that there won't be unforeseen complications. Conducting human trials now is no different from murder!"

"Doctor, those are not matters you should concern yourself with."

Because Connors had only one arm and was merely a frail scientist, the secretary easily shoved him to the floor. Looking down at him from above, she said,

"It will do you no good to care too much about certain things! Once you leave Osborn, remember that a cripple like you is nothing!"

Secretary Saji effortlessly trampled on Connors's dignity, then left with the arrogant air of a victor.

Connors was left sprawled on the floor, his expression shifting as he stared at the serum in his hand.

"So cold!"

Lying bare-chested on the icy testing table, Norman could not help making that remark.

"Mr. Norman, I must remind you once again that the Physical Enhancement Serum is still highly unstable. Theoretically, it is not even ready for clinical trials. What you are doing is gambling with your life!"

"Of course I know this is a gamble, but I have no other choice." Norman could not be bothered to explain anymore. After drinking the serum, he weakly waved a hand.

"Begin, Dr. Strom."

As the project leader, Dr. Strom sighed helplessly and had no choice but to activate the apparatus.

As green mist filled the sterile chamber, Norman let out agonized screams.

At nearly the same moment Norman received the Physical Enhancement Serum, Connors made the same decision.

He did not want those heroes who had shed blood for their country to suffer an undeserved disaster because of him.

So, driven by the spirit of if I do not enter Hell, who will?, as well as his desire to regenerate his missing limb,

Connors took one final look at his severed arm, then unhesitatingly injected himself with a dose of Lizard Serum.

"Aaaah!"

As Dr. Strom, who had kindly rushed over to perform CPR on Norman, had his neck twisted by Norman's savage grin,

the two great villains of the Spider-Man world—Green Goblin and Lizard—were born together.

Because it had been so long since they had seen each other, Harry pulled Peter into a long conversation about their innermost thoughts.

They went from the business empire that was still nothing more than a vague idea, to the troubles in their respective lives, then from those minor worries to the romantic matters teenagers could not avoid discussing.

They talked until after nine that evening.

"I'll be waiting for your good news, Harry!"

After reluctantly saying goodbye to Harry, Peter returned to his bedroom and contacted Herman at once.

Since Herman was a subordinate he had only just recruited, Peter felt it was necessary to give him another reassurance. It would demonstrate his exceptional qualities as a boss while also improving this subordinate's opinion of him.

"Yes, Herman, I've found an angel investor. As long as you can produce the first sample battery, the funds will arrive soon.

Remember, this battery is meant to power mobile phones, so its output must be stable enough..."

Just as Peter was sharing the good news with Herman, the old car radio on his bedside table suddenly crackled to life.

It was a little gadget Peter had casually made. The radio could hack into the dedicated police radio channel, allowing him to quickly keep track of incidents across New York City.

"Calling all units! Calling all units! An emergency has occurred on Manhattan Bridge! Witnesses report... a giant... lizard monster is attacking vehicles! Repeat, this is not a drill!"

A lizard monster?

Peter ended the call and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Why had the plot begun so soon?

Wasn't Lizard supposed to appear only when Gwen Stacy and he were close to graduation?

After a brief daze, Peter smacked his forehead.

How had he forgotten about that?

Because he wanted to obtain the Lizard Serum sooner, he had given the Decay-Rate Algorithm to the doctor ahead of time.

Under those circumstances, it was only natural that Lizard would be born early as well.

The moment the thought occurred to him, he instinctively reached for the suit in his bag.

But just as his hand extended, it abruptly froze.

Gwen's stubborn, unyielding little face instinctively surfaced in his mind.

Perhaps... he should give her a chance to grow on her own?