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[Frog] Chapter 34: Peter's Savior Complex
🕑 Added 2024-08-24 04:50:58 +0000 UTC"You’re saying that Dr. Connors wants to get his hands on this last vial of serum to create more monsters like himself?" Gwen asked in disbelief after listening to Peter’s explanation at Alan’s home.
Alan remained silent, already knowing that this was indeed Connors’ intention.
"That’s right," Peter confirmed. "Not only has Dr. Connors physically transformed into a lizard, but even his thoughts have been assimilated by the ancient lizard’s racial instincts. So, no matter what, we can’t let him get his hands on this serum."
Gwen still found it hard to believe. "But it’s only one vial. No matter what he does, he could only create one more Lizardman at best. Yet, you’re talking about an entire species?"
The concept of a species implied hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of creatures.
Peter pulled a document from his jacket as he spoke. "Perhaps for anyone else, it wouldn’t be possible. But for Dr. Connors, it just might be."
"A long time ago, the doctor worked as a frontline medic. To reduce the side effects of drugs on injured soldiers, he invented a machine that could vaporize medicine. Not only did this allow for more effective treatment, but it also greatly reduced the amount of medication required."
Peter spread the document out for them to see. It detailed Connors’ remarkable invention.
However, due to military technology restrictions in the U.S., the technology was limited to warzones and was never made available for civilian use. As a result, very few people were aware of Connors’ groundbreaking invention.
Alan didn’t need much imagination to understand the reason behind this. If this technology were widely adopted, the amount of medication needed would drastically decrease.
Instead of using a single dose to save one person, that same dose could now save ten or even a hundred people. How would the pharmaceutical companies make any money then? Of course, the technology had to be blocked.
Gwen took the document from Peter and reviewed it. Sure enough, it was exactly as Peter had imagined. With the help of this vaporization technology, it was indeed possible for one vial of serum to create an entire species of Lizardmen.
"Given Dr. Connors' current abilities, is there any way for him to create new genetic serums?" Alan asked.
Peter shook his head. "The technology to extract the genetic fragments used in the serum came from Oscorp Industries. Since Oscorp and the university have decided to stop providing us with experimental support, the technology has been recalled."
"Before they retrieved the equipment, the doctor and I worked around the clock to create the final three vials of serum."
Alan continued, "So what you're saying is, the one you’re holding is the last vial in the world."
Peter nodded, saying nothing more.
"Well then, that makes things much simpler," Alan declared.
Gwen and Peter both looked at him in surprise.
"Since Dr. Connors wants this serum to create a species, we just need to destroy it. Once it’s gone, the only problem left will be dealing with Connors himself. And we should destroy it in front of him, so he knows it’s gone. That way, he’ll stop targeting you, and you’ll be safe."
As soon as Alan laid out his solution, Gwen hadn’t yet had a chance to respond when Peter shook his head violently. "No! I can’t do that! This is the doctor’s final work. I have to protect it! If it’s destroyed, the doctor will have nothing left!"
Alan frowned at Peter’s reaction but said nothing more. He had provided a solution—if Peter refused to accept it, whatever happened next was none of Alan’s concern.
If it weren’t for Gwen, Alan wouldn’t even bother getting involved with Peter. Getting too close to someone with such an overdeveloped savior complex could only bring trouble in the end.
Gwen understood that Alan’s suggestion was currently the most practical solution, but she hadn’t expected Peter’s reaction to be so extreme.
"Peter, I also think—"
Seeing that even his old friend Gwen was siding with someone she had only known for a short while, Peter’s jealousy flared.
"Gwen, even you—?"
Grabbing the box, Peter stood up. "Thanks for your help tonight, but I’ll find a solution on my own."
"Gwen, Alan."
"No need to see me out."
Alan thought to himself, I never offered to see you out anyway.
Gwen was caught in a dilemma. For a moment, she didn't know whether to stay with Alan or go after Peter.
Alan noticed her hesitation and gave her a nod. Gwen smiled in relief and said, "Wait for me..."
Downstairs, Gwen caught up with Peter, intending to persuade him one last time to consider Alan's solution.
But Peter spoke first, "Gwen, if you're here to try and convince me, there's no need."
"This is the doctor’s and my hard work, and I must protect it no matter what."
With that, he walked away, leaving Gwen unsure whether she should continue following him or not.
At that moment, Alan came downstairs, gently patting Gwen on the shoulder. Gwen, feeling a bit upset, buried her head in Alan's chest. "I feel like I’m being a bad friend."
Alan held her close and comforted her softly, "Silly girl, you didn’t do anything wrong."
"A real friend isn’t someone who blindly supports you; they’re the one who pulls you back when you're going down the wrong path."
"It’s getting late. If I don’t take you home soon, Officer George might invite me for a little chat," Alan teased.
Gwen, who had been sad, couldn’t help but laugh at Alan's joke. "My dad’s not that scary."
At Gwen's house, her father George was already waiting at the door. As soon as Gwen stepped out of the car, she headed straight inside, leaving Alan standing there, a bit disappointed.
"George is so conservative, it’s hard to believe he’s even American," Alan muttered.
Back inside, Gwen’s mother rushed over and hugged her tightly. "Thank God, you’re okay!"
Gwen was confused. "Mom, what’s going on? I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?"
George explained from the side, "We got a report tonight about something strange happening at your school. I went to check it out, and it turned out to be nothing more than a toppled rock garden. But when I mentioned it to your mother, she got worried sick, thinking something might’ve happened to you. And when we tried calling, your phone was off."
Gwen felt a warm feeling in her heart. "Mom, I’m fine. I just went to a friend’s house, and we’re working on the same project together."
George nodded thoughtfully. A friend? he wondered. Male or female? I’ll have to find out. Can’t let my daughter get fooled by someone...
Meanwhile, deep in the New York City sewers, Lizard Connors lay sprawled out, his head thrashing back and forth. Under the dim moonlight, one could see that in one of his claws, he held a tattooed arm, blood still dripping from the torn stump...
...
