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[Frog] Chapter 32: Lizard Connors Appears
🕑 Added 2024-08-23 18:10:51 +0000 UTCNighttime.
Peter arrived at the gates of State University, carrying a refrigerated container with the genetic serum inside.
“Doctor, since you disappeared from the lab, I’ll come back to the lab to find you!”
The night at State University was eerily quiet. Not wanting to cause any trouble, Peter avoided the gate guard and snuck into the school.
Using the dim light from street lamps and the moon, he dodged the security cameras as he made his way toward Connors’ lab.
What he didn’t know was that, to make his infiltration easier, Alan had instructed the Red Queen to hack into all the security systems at State University. While the monitors in the security room appeared to be functioning normally, the footage was actually frozen.
Peter could have done an awkward dance right in front of a camera, and no one would have noticed—unless someone happened to pass by.
In a physics lab nearby, Gwen gently pushed open the door and brazenly turned on the lights.
“Alan, since I’ve known you, I had no idea you were such a skilled hacker,” Gwen teased.
Alan smiled, neither confirming nor denying it, and simply said, “But when it comes to experiments, I probably won’t be much help. I might only be able to keep watch for you.”
Gwen took out the spider fluid she had left behind earlier and said, “Don’t worry, I can handle it myself.”
“How long will it take?”
“With this web sample, I just need to analyze its chemical composition to replicate it perfectly. It should take around two hours…”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
Gwen put on her safety goggles and lab coat, fully immersing herself in the production of the spider silk. Alan, watching her focus, smiled softly and went to stand guard by the lab door.
Though the security cameras were hacked, it was still necessary to avoid being seen by any night patrols. Even though the State University guards were notoriously lazy, it was better to be safe than sorry.
With Alan keeping watch outside, Gwen was able to concentrate fully on her research, and the process went faster than expected. After just one hour, she stared at the bottle of liquid she had concocted with a satisfied grin.
“Alan, I did it!”
Hearing Gwen’s voice, Alan immediately walked back inside. In Gwen’s hand was a brown bottle, labeled with a tag she had just written herself: Spider Fluid.
“Let’s go,” Alan said.
“Okay!”
Since this was her first time making it, she hadn’t quite perfected the quantity, so in addition to the large bottle, there were a few smaller ones. Gwen packed them all into her backpack and followed Alan as they prepared to leave.
Just as the two were about to exit the school, Gwen suddenly noticed a faint light flickering in Dr. Connors’ lab not far away.
“Alan, could it be Dr. Connors who’s back?” she asked.
Alan shook his head. “I think it’s Peter. Dr. Connors isn’t human anymore. The lack of light wouldn’t affect him.”
“Dr. Connors disappeared in the lab, so Peter’s probably back looking for clues.”
“Should we go help Peter?” Gwen looked to Alan for his decision.
Alan nodded slightly. “Alright, we’ll do it your way, Spider-Woman.”
...
Inside Connors' Laboratory
Peter was in the lab, holding a flashlight as he meticulously searched every corner and sifted through all the research materials.
Suddenly, on a small shelf, Peter discovered a file he had never seen before.
“What’s this? How come I’ve never seen this file before?”
With one hand holding the flashlight and the other flipping through the file, Peter began to read.
“This is…”
The file detailed an ancient lizard species discovered deep in a primordial forest. The unique trait of this lizard was its incredible regenerative ability. As long as its brain or heart remained intact, any other injury could be healed within just thirty minutes.
Moreover, this lizard had a characteristic that set it apart from other reptiles: it possessed a strong sense of community. These lizards lived as groups in the wild, and if only one remained, it would instinctively seek to reproduce or find a new group, driven by a deep need for security.
A photo of the green lizard is also attached. Peter instantly recognized it—it was the same species Connors had used to extract the regenerative gene.
After reading the document, a sudden realization struck Peter. Grabbing the refrigerated container, he dashed into the hallway between the lab and the entrance. The hall housed several reptiles used for research.
Peter inspected the area and, sure enough, found that the glass enclosure containing the ancient lizard had been shattered. The lizard inside was gone.
At that moment, he heard a faint rustling sound coming from the lab.
A chill ran down Peter’s spine. He called out nervously, “Doctor, is that you?”
There was no reply.
Peter couldn’t deny the fear gripping him, but thinking about Dr. Connors, who had been like a mentor and father figure to him, he found a surge of courage he didn’t know he had.
Slowly, Peter made his way back into the lab. His eyes scanned the surroundings, and his flashlight beam swept across every corner of the room. But nothing was there.
“Was it just my imagination?” Peter muttered, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had hoped to find Dr. Connors.
As doubt crept into his mind, Peter wondered if Connors, in his current state, would even recognize him anymore.
Determined, Peter held up his flashlight, intending to search the lab again for any useful clues.
Suddenly, his foot stepped into something wet. A slimy, sticky sensation oozed through the sole of his shoe.
Peter directed the beam of his flashlight downward, revealing a thick, viscous puddle beneath his feet.
Seeing the slime, Peter instantly realized where Dr. Connors might be.
From the dark ceiling above, a pair of glowing yellow eyes fixed on Peter, watching him intently. Saliva dripped from the creature’s mouth, and a long, slender tongue flicked in and out.
Peter’s heart leaped into his throat. Mustering his courage, he pointed his flashlight upwards.
But all he saw was the dark ceiling.
Just as Peter was about to sigh in relief, a cold breath swept across his face. A deep, guttural voice followed.
“Peter, so you’re the one who took my genetic serum…”
...
