The morning sun lazily streamed into the classroom. Zeon rested his chin on one hand, twirling a pen with the other, staring blankly at the chemical formula on the blackboard.
His mind wasn't on the lesson at all, but focused on the flickering, mysterious light cluster in his head. This thing hadn't moved since it appeared.
And no matter how Zeon tried, there was no reaction, as if it were dead.
Just as Zeon was still wondering if he was doing something wrong, a sudden whisper came from behind him.
"Hey, Liz, let me tell you..."
A Black girl with dreadlocks lowered her voice, mysteriously telling the blonde girl next to her:
"A college classmate of my brother's went on a road trip with his girlfriend along US Route 9 a few days ago, and what do you know? They disappeared!"
Hearing this, the blonde girl's eyes widened, covering her mouth with both hands, and she also whispered:
"Ah? That's too scary, is it real?"
"Absolutely! The NYPD and FBI launched a dragnet search, but only found their car by the roadside. The car was full of blood, but both people were gone!"
The Black girl nodded earnestly, describing it with animated gestures.
"Hiss—"
The blonde girl gasped, then, as if remembering something, quickly said:
"Wait, I think I've heard of a similar case! My father told me about it. It was about twenty years ago, also near US Route 9. Many people died, but the killer was never caught..."
Zeon quietly pricked up his ears, his body unconsciously leaning closer to the source of the voices behind him.
"Highway serial disappearances? A blood-stained car? Twenty years ago? This plot sounds a bit familiar..."
However, just as Zeon was getting into it, the two girls behind him stopped talking!
How could Zeon tolerate this?
"Slap!"
"Hiss—!"
Zeon slapped Peter Parker's thigh, turning to angrily scold the two girls behind him for their 'story told halfway, drill to the chrysanthemum' eunuch-like behavior!
However, as soon as he turned around, he quickly turned back.
Nothing else, the teacher who should have been at the podium had suddenly appeared behind him at some point.
"Mr. Jiu'an, was there something you needed just now?"
The chemistry teacher with a receding hairline stared at Zeon's back, asking coldly.
Hearing this, Zeon grimaced and turned back, then looked at the chemistry teacher with a beaming smile, saying sincerely:
"Uh... no, Mr. Dwight, I just suddenly remembered that my mom called me yesterday to say that our dog had a second litter and needed to rest after childbirth, so she wanted me to go back and take over the dog's shift, so I was going to ask for a leave.
But I thought about it, and decided that studying is more important. My dad can take over the dog's shift."
..." x N
Time flew by to lunchtime.
In the multi-functional media room, Zeon took out an exquisite bento box from his backpack, which contained braised pork ribs, sweet and sour pork loin, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, plus a small box of strawberry pudding.
He had specially prepared this last night, after all, after transmigrating to the Marvel Universe, the only thing he could comfort himself with was "at least eat something good."
However, Peter Parker's lunch, sitting across from him, was not so lavish.
He looked down at his lunch, which Mei had prepared for him: a dry sandwich, a small bag of potato chips, and a bottle of cheap orange juice.
..." So angry. JPG
Suddenly, Peter Parker had an idea, showing a cunning smile, and said:
"Z, do you know? I recently did a super interesting experiment in biology class!"
Zeon hadn't realized the seriousness of the matter, and casually replied:
"Oh? What experiment?"
Hearing this, Peter Parker immediately enthusiastically introduced it to Zeon, saying:
"It was an experiment observing the growth and development of maggots. Those white, chubby little things wiggling around in rotten meat are truly... Oh, that's right! Mr. Prisley also asked me to help test a new type of artificial gastric fluid, and the taste was just like..."
After listening to Peter Parker's narration, Zeon's expression instantly turned into "Subway old man phone. JPG."
Peter Parker took a bite of his sandwich, looked at Zeon who had suddenly fallen silent, and asked with a smile:
"Eh? Z, why aren't you eating anymore? Are you full so quickly?"
Hearing this, Zeon put down his bento box, glanced at Peter Parker indifferently, and asked:
"Peter, have you ever heard of an Icelandic fermented delicacy called fermented shark (Hákarl)?"
Hearing this, Peter Parker, who had just taken a sip of juice, shook his head and honestly replied:
"Uh... no, why?"
Upon hearing this answer, Zeon's face immediately bloomed into a brilliant smile, and he slowly said:
"Icelandic fermented shark (Hákarl) is one of Iceland's most representative traditional foods, known for its strong ammonia smell and unique fermentation process.
The traditional method involves burying shark meat in a sand pit or gravel beach, covering it with sand and rocks, and pressing it with heavy objects, fermenting it for 3 to 6 months. Microorganisms break down urea and toxins, making the meat edible.
After fermentation is complete, the Fish also needs to be hung in a ventilated area to air dry for 4 to 5 months, until the surface turns dark brown, but the inside still retains its oils.
Icelanders usually cut fermented shark meat into small pieces and pair it with Brennivín (Black Death), serving it as an appetizer or a snack with drinks, eaten raw.
They usually enjoy it during the Icelandic traditional festival 'Þorrablót' (Ugly Food Festival), along with sheep's head, blood pudding, and other dishes.
According to people who have eaten fermented shark, it tastes like ammonia or aged urine, and taking a breath of it is like French kissing a hundred stinky socks, so it's described as 'inserting a straw into a public toilet.'
When eating, one should pay attention to the delicate initial chew, a fishy-sweet aftertaste, but it needs to be swallowed quickly to avoid the stench filling the mouth."
Peter Parker silently put down his juice and sandwich.
The surrounding classmates, who were eating, also silently put down their food, staring with immense resentment at the two scoundrels, Zeon and Peter Parker, not far away.
Some people are alive, but they are already dead; some people are dead, but they should have died long ago!
Looking at Peter Parker's expression of "Although I was wrong, if you don't forgive me, then you're wrong," Zeon smiled brightly and asked with concern:
"Eh? Peter, why aren't you eating anymore? Are you full so quickly?"
"..."