Peter slowly opened his eyes.
His entire body ached.
"...Where am I?"
He looked around and realized he was still lying inside the abandoned factory. Sunlight shone through the broken windows.
"I passed out..."
He stood up, but pain shot through his legs.
"Ouch..."
"That Venom Fang guy hits like a truck."
Peter looked at the deep claw marks carved into the concrete walls.
"If I hadn't transformed..."
"I would've lost."
He clenched his fists.
"I need to get stronger."
---
Later that afternoon...
Peter returned home as quietly as possible.
He tiptoed toward the stairs.
"Peter."
His mother's voice froze him in place.
"...Yes, Mom?"
She folded her arms.
"Where have you been?"
Peter scratched his head.
"Studying."
"Oh?"
"With whom?"
"...Myself."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
"And did your 'studying' also tear your shirt and cover you in dust?"
Peter looked down.
"...Science is dangerous?"
His mother couldn't help but laugh.
"Go take a shower."
"And next time, tell me where you're going."
Peter smiled.
"Thanks, Mom."
As he walked upstairs, he whispered,
"That was way easier than fighting Venom Fang."
---
The next day at school...
Harry ran up to Peter.
"Good news!"
"What?"
"Our school is organizing a sports competition next week."
Peter groaned.
"Oh, no."
Harry looked confused.
"Why are you upset?"
"If I run at full speed, I'll probably reach the finish line before the whistle blows."
Harry laughed.
"You wish."
Peter forced a smile.
"If only you knew..."
---
During P.E. class, the teacher divided everyone into teams for basketball.
Peter stood near the back.
"I'll just play normally."
The ball bounced toward him.
Peter caught it.
A little too hard.
POP!
The basketball exploded in his hands.
The entire class went silent.
One student whispered,
"...Did he just punch the air?"
The P.E. teacher blinked twice.
"Peter..."
"That's the fifth basketball this year."
Peter raised a finger.
"Technically..."
"It's the first."
The whole class burst into laughter.
Harry shook his head.
"You seriously need to stop going to the gym."
---
That evening...
Peter climbed onto the roof of his house.
"This city is huge."
"There has to be someone who knows about mutations."
As if answering his question...
A small metal object landed beside him.
Clink.
Peter immediately jumped back.
His spider sense buzzed.
"What now?"
The object unfolded into a tiny projector.
A hologram appeared.
It showed an old man with silver hair, wearing a long black coat.
"Peter Parker."
Peter frowned.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Dr. Adrian Cross."
"I was once the chief scientist of Genesis Corporation."
Peter's eyes widened.
"Genesis?"
"They created the insect that changed me!"
Dr. Cross nodded sadly.
"Yes."
"And I deeply regret my part in it."
Peter remained silent.
"I've been watching you."
"You fought Venom Fang."
"You survived."
"But next time..."
"You won't."
Peter clenched his fists.
"So what do you want?"
"I want to help."
"I know how your powers work."
"I know their limits."
"And I know how to make you stronger."
Peter hesitated.
"Why should I trust you?"
The old scientist sighed.
"Because I lost my son to Genesis."
"I won't let them destroy another young life."
Before Peter could ask another question, the hologram flickered.
"They've traced my signal."
"If you want answers..."
"Come to the old Riverside Clock Tower."
"Tomorrow."
"Midnight."
The hologram vanished.
Peter stared at the empty rooftop.
"A secret meeting at midnight..."
He smiled.
"My life has officially become a comic book."
---
Meanwhile...
Deep inside Genesis Corporation...
Venom Fang knelt before a massive screen.
A shadowy figure sat in a chair, hidden by darkness.
"You failed."
Venom Fang lowered his head.
"Yes, Director."
"But Subject P awakened Beast Form."
The Director remained silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Excellent."
"Our next hunter is ready."
A huge steel door slowly opened.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber.
THUD...
THUD...
THUD...
A gigantic mutant, nearly nine feet tall, stepped into the light. His skin looked like stone, and thick rhino-like armor covered his body. Two massive horns curved from his forehead.
Venom Fang looked up.
"Project Titan..."
The monster cracked his knuckles, creating a sound like thunder.
The Director gave a single order.
"Find Peter Parker."
"Break every bone in his body."
"But bring him back alive."
The giant monster grinned.
"With pleasure."
Outside the laboratory, lightning flashed across the night sky.
Peter had no idea that an even stronger enemy had already begun hunting him.
**To Be Continued...**