Chapter 666: The Spider's Web Tale (Part II) (Patreon)

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“Look at the mess you’ve created! It’s all because you had to go and fill Peter’s head with all that web-making nonsense, and now look. He’s webbing all over New York, crafting three webs a day. Even the cleaning companies can’t keep up with him!”

“I was teaching him the importance of understanding societal engineering, not literally spinning webs in the physical sense!”

In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of Stark Tower Laboratory, Stark and Schiller were in heated debate. Stark, gesticulating wildly, exclaimed, “You knew he was a simpleton! Why inundate him with such complex concepts? Didn’t you realize he’d interpret everything literally?!”

“Do you really think, with Peter’s intellect, he would misconstrue my discussions on societal engineering as an invitation to spin webs all over New York’s skyline? Perhaps you and Connors should have given him more to do. What about all those research projects?” Schiller retorted.

Connors, unfairly dragged into the argument, raised a document, “In fact, he hasn’t been neglecting his research. He completed everything in half the usual time, then used his free time to go web-slinging. I must admit, for a spider, he’s quite industrious.”

“But he’s not a spider; he’s human!” Stark countered, raising his voice. “Spider-Man is not an actual spider. Even if he were, he can’t just web up New York! Has he considered how this affects people with arachnophobia?”

Schiller looked up, eyeing a nearby web. “You know, that web is quite beautiful. If only I had enough room in my sanatorium, I’d consider taking one for decorative purposes…”

No sooner had he finished his sentence than his mobile phone rang. He picked up and spoke, “Hello? Ultron? …Oh, yes, I’m at Stark Tower. What’s the matter?”

“What??? There’s a web over the sanatorium, and guests are complaining about hygiene standards and demanding refunds?!

Hold on, I’m on my way back!”

Schiller hung up, transformed into a grey mist, and flew straight back to Arkham Sanatorium. Stark, donned in his combat suit, followed. Arriving on the scene, he couldn’t help but laugh.

The suburbs of New York, unlike the city center, lacked high-rise buildings. The problem with using lower structures as anchors for spider webs was the inevitable sagging middle, leading to a sticky mess.

Surveying the chaotic sanatorium, Schiller took a deep breath. But that wasn’t the end of it. Soon, he received another call. Nick’s voice came through, “Can’t you control that Spider-Kid? The Helicarrier’s maintenance is expensive enough without him leaving webs everywhere. Does he want the cleaning staff to demand a raise?”

“This is the only good thing he’s done!” Schiller replied sarcastically. After hanging up and about to head back to downtown New York to find Peter, Captain America leapt down from the rooftop, landing before Schiller, “What’s going on? What’s happened to Peter? The news reports say he’s webbing all over New York, causing public disturbances, even the police have been mobilized…”

Stark, stroking his chin, added, “There’s more to Peter’s odd behavior. Since nearly graduating high school, he’s been unusually hyperactive. JARVIS set up several gates for him on the glass curtain wall of Stark Tower, but he smashes through the glass each time…”

“Today, he ran around my laboratory for five or six hours straight without showing any signs of stopping.”

Steve interjected, “I just saw a news clip, not more than an hour ago, where he thwarted bank robbers, helped a homeless person move, fixed a snack vendor’s car, and even towed a vehicle blocking a fire lane several blocks away…”

Stark massaged his forehead. “He’s not powered by a reactor. Does he never get tired?”

“There are several explanations for such sudden hyperactivity,” Schiller speculated, arms crossed. “One is mental excitement. Over-activity in the brain can lead to various forms of hyper behavior. However, without a mental disorder, this excitement is still limited by physiological constraints. After the state passes, he would feel extremely fatigued.”

“Ordinary people won’t stay hyperactive for more than 6-10 hours. Any longer could be detrimental to health. Afterwards, the brain’s self-protective mechanism would induce extreme fatigue, necessitating rest.”

“Considering Peter’s enhanced mental and physical endurance, he might sustain this for up to four times as long—around two days. He should then revert to normal and not relapse into hyperactivity for some time.”

“Give me a break.” Stark raised an arm. “It’s been nearly two months since his high school graduation, and he’s still like this.”

“Another possibility is drug-induced stimulation, achieving a similar effect. If the dosage is substantial, it could prolong this state,” Schiller suggested.

“But not for nearly two months, right? And why would Peter take stimulants? Just to perform stunts and create spider webs all over New York??” Steve questioned, utterly perplexed.

Suddenly, Stark remembered a conversation in the laboratory with Connors. “Peter was bitten by a spider, and we still don’t know the full impact it had on him.”

“Superficially, he’s stronger, more agile, and gained a ‘Spider-Sense.’ But could there be other effects?”

“Like what?” Schiller asked.

“JARVIS, pull up the behavioral patterns of spiders. Let me see… wait, it’s August, right? Oh, my. Look at this!”

Stark pressed a button on his arm, projecting an image into the air. Schiller and Steve moved closer, reading:

“Many spiders engage in mating behaviors during the hottest part of summer, around August or September. Male spiders spin elaborate webs and perform courtship dances, while female spiders…”

The three exchanged looks, Schiller and Steve turning to Stark. Schiller ventured, “You’re not suggesting that Peter is… experiencing a mating season, like a spider, are you?”

"But it does resemble the behavior, doesn't it?" Stark grew more convinced of his theory as he spoke. "He performs these aerial stunts above New York, perhaps a form of mating display. Moreover, he's incessantly web-slinging throughout the city. It could be a male spider's way of demonstrating his suitability as a mate..."

Steve held his forehead, exasperated. "This is absurd. He was just bitten by a spider, how could he possibly—"

Stark huffed, cutting him off. "Peter always takes your side, but you've never really paid attention to him. Haven't you ever observed his posture in combat? It's distinctly arachnid."

As he spoke, Stark pressed a button, switching the projection. The holograms began to showcase various scenes of Peter's battles. Some were captured by monitoring equipment during his crime-fighting in New York, while others were from training sessions with Stark's mech armor.

The current Peter had entirely shed his previous, inexperienced combat style. No longer did he simply run and jump around, throwing punches. It was evident now that whether he was dodging or striking, there was a profound methodology to it.

The only issue was that his fighting style didn't fit any known category of combat techniques in the world. It was more like he had invented his own martial art. He often moved on all fours, stayed close to the ground, and then leapt high. Sometimes, he would silently crawl above his enemies, then jump down in a swift movement, grappling their necks.

Compared to human combat techniques, his style resembled that of a beast, or more specifically, a spider.

"In the past two years, I've been documenting his development," Stark continued, pressing another button on his arm. The screen started showing more of Peter's footage. "Initially, Peter's strength and speed weren't so exaggerated, barely comparable to yours."

Stark turned his head towards Steve, who shrugged but didn't contradict. Stark went on, "But as he grew closer to adulthood, his speed, strength, and reflexes began to reach absurd levels."

"I've tested him using mech armor, but never found his strength's upper limit because the armor's material couldn't withstand it. In other words, current human materials science can't produce anything capable of resisting his physical strength. It's actually terrifying."

"And his reflexes; initially, I thought this would be the easiest to max out in tests. But I later realized, as long as he's in good condition and fully focused, his responses are more precognition than reaction."

"How far ahead he can sense danger is untestable because every test sets a new record. Unquestionably, while Peter's intellect matures, it's nowhere near as fast as the growth of his physical capabilities," Stark concluded.

"He's a good kid," Steve interjected somewhat sentimentally. "I've lived many years, met many people, and he's certainly one of the best of us. I trust him to use his powers wisely..."

"The question now is, where does this anomaly stem from?" Schiller, frowning in thought, added, "I think we shouldn't provoke him for now. People can become aggressive when overly stimulated. If Spider-Man truly loses control, we're in big trouble..."

"But how do we determine the cause of his current heightened state if he doesn't cooperate with a physical exam?" Stark questioned.

"I believe we should consult someone experienced in this field, like..." Schiller suggested, taking out his mobile phone. After making a call, he spoke to the person on the other end, "Dr. Connors, we need your expertise..."

Ten minutes later, Schiller, Stark, and Steve were in front of Connors, who was engrossed in his papers. Without looking up, he began, "Firstly, I've never been bitten by a lizard."

"But you are a pioneer in animal genetic modification. Don't you—"

"I don't," Connors interrupted, sighing as he stood. "The essence of animal genetic modification is to eliminate detrimental aspects while retaining beneficial traits."

"For instance, my experiments with lizard DNA aim to harness their regenerative abilities, as you can see..." Connors rolled up his sleeve, revealing a limb that was significantly regrown and appeared normal. Stark was astonished.

"I've proceeded cautiously to avoid past mistakes. If I'd used the most efficient methods, I'd have a complete arm by now," Connors continued indifferently, the implications clear to all. If his experiments succeeded, humanity would no longer suffer from such physical disabilities.

"If we cannot eliminate harmful traits, the result is akin to my previous rampages: a scaly, cold-blooded creature, devoid of humanity, driven by animal instincts. That's not my goal, hence the ongoing refinements."

"So, your mutations are selectively refined and controlled," Stark realized. "This supports my theory. Peter's bite was random, uncontrolled. He might have inherited more than the spider's advantageous traits—possibly its primal instincts as well."

"But don't you think his 'wild' behavior is rather mild?" Steve inquired. "I recall your transformation into Lizard Man wrecked half a building."

"Could it be because Peter is too good-natured? His idea of 'wild' might just be performing stunts above New York and web-slinging across it," Schiller hypothesized.

Stark and Steve exchanged looks, finding the idea absurd, yet somewhat plausible for Peter.

"It seems Dr. Connors can't provide the guidance we need. Let's consult someone else," Schiller suggested, moving on.

"Who's next?" Stark asked, puzzled.

Ten minutes later, Natasha's furious voice echoed through the S.H.I.E.L.D. base:

"I am NOT a spider!"

[Shane: XD]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 667: Spider's Web Chronicles (Part II)