"Cross-species gene fusion technology has entered the human trial stage—if only I can inject that gene drug fused with lizard DNA.
My arm might grow back. Yes, as long as I get that serum, I can recover my health.
Gwen, Harry, and Loren will stop looking at me with pity. I'm Peter Parker—I don't need anyone's sympathy."
In the dimly lit corridor, Peter Parker hurried toward the laboratory, muttering under his breath.
His expression was ferocious, almost unhinged—terrifying to behold.
If his three friends were here now, they probably wouldn't recognize him.
Peter had never been a paragon of virtue, but he'd always held high hopes for the future. He worked tirelessly in academic research, striving to break out of his current circumstances and join the ranks of the scientific elite.
But ever since he lost his right arm, his life had spiraled into hell. He couldn't even manage simple tasks like brushing his teeth or washing his face—let alone hold a pen to write or conduct research.
Of course, if he'd been willing to practice with his left hand, he might have adapted over time.
But the process was agonizing. He'd tried—truly tried—but couldn't endure it.
His deep resentment made it impossible to accept that he might be disabled for the rest of his life.
For over a month, he'd obsessed over one goal: restoring his body to full health.
The only solution he could conceive was injecting himself with the cross-species gene-editing agent developed by his mentor, Dr. Kurt Connors—a serum infused with lizard DNA. If successful, it carried a high probability of granting limb regeneration, just like a lizard's.
With that ability, he could regrow his lost right arm.
At the thought, his eyes burned with fervent anticipation.
He could already picture it: his arm restored, his body enhanced with powers far beyond those of ordinary humans.
From that day on, he and Gwen—the Spider-Woman—would become inseparable, the ultimate fighting duo.
"Gwen is Miss Spider," he murmured to himself, "and maybe… I can become Mr. Lizard."
A rare smile spread across his face. Maybe his life was finally about to turn around.
Lost in this vision, he reached the laboratory door and reached for his access card—
—only to freeze in surprise.
The door, which normally required both an employee badge and a fingerprint scan, stood slightly ajar.
Through the narrow gap, he saw a man in a white lab coat fiddling with something inside.
It was Dr. Kurt Connors himself.
Connors stared, transfixed, at a vial of glowing green serum in his hand.
Peter recognized it instantly—it was the lizard serum they'd spent years developing.
Given the immense difficulty of the process, they'd produced only one vial. This was the sole dose intended for human trials.
Seeing the fanatical gleam in Connors's eyes, Peter's stomach twisted with dread.
At that very moment, inside the laboratory, Kurt Connors injected the vial of lizard serum directly into his own severed arm.
The moment the serum entered his bloodstream, his arm began to regenerate—just like a lizard's tail—completing its regrowth in the blink of an eye.
Staring at his brand-new limb, Kurt Connors was overcome with exhilaration. He couldn't help but let out a delighted laugh.
"I did it! I did it! Hahaha!"
In stark contrast to Kurt's elation, Peter was utterly devastated.
"No!!!!!!"
Seeing that Dr. Connors had gotten to the only vial of finished lizard serum first, Peter Parker snapped. He threw open the lab door and rushed inside.
"Peter!! You—what are you doing here?"
Kurt froze in panic at the sudden appearance of Peter Parker and instinctively hid his newly regrown arm behind his back. The empty syringe he'd just used clattered to the floor and shattered into glass shards.
"No, no, no! It's mine—it's mine!!"
Spotting the broken syringe on the ground, Peter dropped to his knees and frantically tried to piece it back together.
But it was hopeless. The syringe was completely shattered, and every drop of the serum had already been injected into Kurt's body.
Even if the syringe hadn't broken, it would have been too late.
Watching Peter's desperate obsession, Kurt suddenly understood what he was thinking. A pang of shared suffering welled up in his chest, and he found himself sympathizing with his ambitious young assistant.
"Peter… I know all too well what it's like to live with a disability," Kurt said gently. "Not only is life inconvenient, but you're constantly met with stares, pity—even cruel remarks calling you useless. No one understands that pain better than I do."
He placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. "But you're luckier than I was. The lizard serum has now been proven successful through my human trial. As long as we secure funding, I can produce more."
"At that point," he continued, his voice swelling with excitement, "you won't just get your arm back—you'll become a millionaire. Our good days are coming!"
Kurt helped Peter to his feet, trying to comfort him with renewed hope.
Peter slowly regained his composure, and a flicker of hope returned to his eyes.
"Dr. Connors… are you telling the truth? Is it really possible to make more lizard serum? Can I actually grow a new arm like yours?"
He looked at Kurt with desperate anticipation—his last hope now resting entirely on his mentor.
"Of course!" Kurt held up his regenerated arm to reassure him. "Look at my— Ah! Ah!! My hand! What's happening to my hand?!"
To his horror, the newly grown limb began to twist and warp. In seconds, it transformed into a grotesque, clawed appendage covered in green scales. But it wasn't just his arm—the mutation spread rapidly across his entire body.
His muscles bulged, his spine arched, and his skin hardened into reptilian hide. Within moments, Kurt Connors had mutated into a hulking, two-meter-tall lizard m
onster.
Peter stared, wide-eyed—then burst out:
"Wait, what?! That's your idea of a generous gift?!"
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