Chapter 38 - 38: Spider’s Dark Rebirth: OZ Serum Meets T-Virus

Screams filled the grand banquet hall as guests scrambled to avoid the hail of bullets. The once-elegant venue had turned into a scene of utter chaos, shattered glass and overturned tables littering the floor. Hovering in midair, the Green Goblin cackled wildly, his eerie laughter reverberating throughout the room as he floated toward Gene Mason. The Green Goblin—Norman Osborn's twisted, failed attempt at enhancing himself with the OZ serum—was the product of an experiment gone wrong. His fractured mind had been overtaken by a manic, bloodthirsty persona. But at the same time, his reflexes had been pushed beyond human limits, his physical prowess reaching superhuman heights. And now, he had set his sights on Gene Mason. Gene stood with his arms crossed, head slightly tilted as he watched the costumed menace hovering on his outdated glider. His expression was unreadable, almost as if he were observing a street performer rather than a deadly foe. To be honest, he wasn't impressed. A jet-powered glider? In this era? How archaic. In Gene's eyes, the Green Goblin's entire setup was a relic of the past. Even if Gene stood there and let him attack, he doubted the lunatic could break through his defenses. "Well, well, if it isn't the great Gene Mason," the Green Goblin sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Still as arrogant as ever, I see." Gene remained unfazed. "So," the Goblin continued, his voice taking on a sadistic edge, "have you decided how you'd like to die tonight?" Gene let out a sigh, shaking his head slightly. "I think you misunderstand. I've always been a modest, reasonable person," he said, his voice calm. "But when someone—who wasn't even invited—shows up dressed like a Halloween reject and crashes my party… I can't say I have much respect for them." The Goblin's grin faltered for the briefest of moments before he quickly masked it with laughter. "Tsk tsk, Mason," he chided. "I don't think you truly understand the terror of the Green Goblin—" Gene cut him off mid-sentence. "Aside from that ridiculous name, I don't see anything particularly terrifying." His gaze sharpened, piercing through the Goblin's mask as if he could see the man beneath. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Isn't that right, Mr. Osborn?" For the first time, the Green Goblin visibly tensed. His pupils shrank, though he quickly covered his unease with another burst of maniacal laughter. "Hahaha! Mason, you talk a lot for someone about to die." "If you really wanted to deal with me," Gene said, his tone cool and indifferent, "you could've done it somewhere private instead of making a spectacle." Gene's stance remained relaxed, arms still crossed, his gaze locked onto the hovering Goblin. To him, Osborn was nothing more than an insignificant insect buzzing around. And in reality, that wasn't far from the truth. The Green Goblin let out another shrill laugh. "Oh, don't worry, Mason," he crooned. "A death as grand as yours deserves a proper audience. And of course… some company in the afterlife." Just as he raised his hand to strike— Knock, knock! The sound of someone tapping on the window cut through the tension. A voice followed, lighthearted yet laced with sarcasm. "Hey, sorry to interrupt. But, uh… hanging around outside isn't as fun as it looks." Everyone turned toward the sound. Outside the shattered banquet hall windows, clinging to the building's exterior, was none other than Spider-Man. Peter Parker. The city's rising star. Unlike the others, Gene wasn't surprised in the slightest. As the second test subject of the T-virus, Gene awaited the moment when the OZ serum-infused spider at Osborn Industries would bite Peter. He had been monitoring Spider-Man for a while now. Ever since Parker had been bitten by that genetically altered spider at Oscorp—his physiology had undergone dramatic enhancements. The result? A faster, stronger, and more perceptive Spider-Man than ever before. His potential was still unfolding, and Red Queen had been meticulously gathering data on his new abilities for further analysis. Now, he was here, making his dramatic entrance. Norman Osborn—behind his Goblin mask—narrowed his eyes at Spider-Man. Spider-Man, on the other hand, wasted no time firing off his signature quips. "Whoa, buddy," he said, gesturing at the Goblin's outfit. "That costume is ugly. Like, Grandma's Christmas sweater levels of ugly." Searᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He tilted his head. "Did you at least get a flying license for that thing? 'Cause if not, I will have to ask you to step off." Osborn let out a low chuckle. "Spider-brat," he hissed. "Tonight, you're gonna regret—" "Oh no," Peter cut in mockingly. "Is this the part where you make a big villain speech? Can we skip to the part where I web you up and call it a night?" The Green Goblin scowled. "You think this is a game?" he snapped. "Dude," Spider-Man replied, "with that costume? It has to be." Then, without warning, he sprang into action. Launching himself from the window, Spider-Man shot forward, aiming straight for the Green Goblin. The Goblin barely managed to veer out of the way in time, maneuvering his glider across the hall. "Die!" With a manic laugh, he extended his arm—flames burst from his fingertips, streaking toward Spider-Man. The explosion tore through the room, obliterating an elegant dining table. But Spider-Man? He was already gone. Flipping mid-air, he landed gracefully on the opposite end of the hall. "Yikes, that was close," he mused. "Maybe you should practice your aim?" "Then try this!" Spider-Man shot out two web lines, snagging a pair of metal chairs. With a flick of his wrists, he hurled them straight at the Goblin. Osborn smashed one chair to pieces with a backhanded strike but barely dodged the second. Seeing an opening, Spider-Man leaped onto the Goblin's glider. A struggle broke out. The two wrestled for control, the glider veering wildly in the air. Then— The Goblin leaned in close, whispering menacingly. "If you don't back off," he murmured, "I will personally make sure dear old Aunt May meets a gruesome end." Spider-Man's pupils contracted. His fingers clenched into fists. "Try it," he growled. The battle intensified. The glider spiraled chaotically, smashing through the grand windows of the banquet hall. And in an instant— The Green Goblin and Spider-Man disappeared into the night sky, their fight carrying on into the depths of the city. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics