Among the top ranks of the military, General Ross was not the only one secretly pushing a plan to strengthen the armed forces.
One of his rivals, another general, had commissioned Osborn Industries to develop super weapons, attempting to build an ultra-modern steel army.
But Norman Osborn's ambitions went far beyond developing high-tech weapons.
"Weapons have limits, but the potential of the human body is limitless."
He had long been secretly supporting research into genetic modification within the company.
Dr. Connors' Lizardman research was one branch of that project.
The development had achieved phased results.
But before the "physical enhancement serum" passed its final tests, Norman could not wait and injected himself with it.
To this day, he could not forget the thrill of kicking a researcher flying with one kick.
The serum greatly enhanced Norman's strength, speed, and endurance, but severely damaged his nervous system, causing him to develop a second personality. A violent, paranoid, destruction-hungry "Green Goblin."
When Norman Osborn learned that other board members in the upper ranks of the company he had built with his own hands were trying to bypass him and sell the company at a low price, he launched his revenge.
Just when Corin and Tony were still spending money freely in Las Vegas, Osborn Industries' annual celebration opened grandly in New York.
Social elites, company executives, and all employees enjoyed fine food and wine at the venue.
Peter Parker, as a part-time photographer, also attended the event.
The venue was filled with laughter and cheer.
Just as people were happily sharing the joy, Peter Parker's spider-sense issued an urgent warning.
"Him again?"
A green figure appeared above everyone's heads, riding a glider.
This person, covered head to toe in green armor and wearing a demon mask, was no stranger to Peter.
He had once invited the little spider to work with him to build a great enterprise. That ambitious, murderous look was still vivid in Peter Parker's memory.
Norman Osborn, wearing the full set of combat gear developed by the company, locked onto the location of the company's executives and threw pumpkin bombs.
"Hello Backstabbers! Trying to steal the fruits of my labor? Go die, all of you!"
A burst of explosions flashed by.
Almost all the company's top executives were reduced to complete skeletons scattered across the ground.
The pumpkin bombs instantly stripped away all their flesh, and their lives.
The scene terrified everyone present.
As people panicked and scattered to escape, Peter Parker ran into a corner, changed into his Spider-Man suit, and appeared in time to battle the Green Goblin.
At this point, he still did not know who this person was.
Peter Parker could not stand by and watch the Green Goblin slaughter civilians at will.
Peter was dragged into a bitter fight.
Norman Osborn, strengthened by the serum, was violent, powerful, and equipped with an endless array of high-tech gear.
Peter's nearly shattered mask was the result of a pumpkin bomb.
———
Norman, of course, knew that Spider-Man was Peter Parker.
He had discovered Peter's secret earlier while attending a family gathering.
The wound on Peter's arm had been cut by one of his own tracking darts.
At first, he had wanted to pull in Spider-Man, who also possessed an extraordinary physique like himself, to pursue great plans together. Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish.
But the little brat repeatedly obstructed his actions, completely enraging the second personality deep within Norman.
He swore to eliminate every obstacle before him.
When he gained the upper hand in battle, he made a mistake common to villains. He talked too much.
When Peter heard the Green Goblin threaten to kill Aunt May and Gwen, he was consumed by rage.
In just a few moves, he beat the Green Goblin until he was dizzy and disoriented. It was not until Norman took off his mask that Peter realized in shock that this was his best friend Harry Osborn's father.
While Peter was stunned, Norman secretly controlled the glider, ejecting a blade that stabbed rapidly toward Peter's back.
But it was detected by spider-sense, and Peter barely dodged the fatal strike.
Who would have thought that the blade would instead plunge straight into Norman's body.
In his final moments, Norman Osborn's goodwill returned, and he instructed Peter, "Don't tell Harry…"
But when Peter delivered Norman's body back to his home, he was seen by his good friend Harry.
From then on, Harry also regarded Spider-Man as his father's killer, an enemy he could never share the same sky with.
———
Peter was in great pain.
On one hand, he had never killed anyone before. Facing death directly made him extremely uneasy.
On the other hand, the one who died was his best friend's father, a man he had called uncle since childhood.
He could not accept that the big boss in his memories, Norman, who always smiled warmly at him, had died right in front of him, and even because of him.
He did not know how he was supposed to face his friend Harry Osborn, who had lost his father.
Nor did he know how to adjust his anxious state of mind.
With his thoughts in chaos, Peter thought of Corin and, as if guided by impulse, came to his room, trying to find a bit of inner peace.
Listening to Peter Parker's quiet recounting, Corin sighed.
"I didn't expect that in just a few days away, so many things would happen."
Looking at Peter's lost and helpless state, Corin sighed again, 'Still too young.'
After thinking for a moment, he spoke, "Peter, congratulations to you."
The little spider was stunned by Corin's out-of-the-blue words.
'I am clearly in such distress and inner turmoil. Can't you tell? Why say something like that?'
'Are you a devil?'
But thinking that Corin was older and more experienced, perhaps he had a different perspective, Peter quietly waited for what would come next.
At this moment, Corin felt a bit of regret for blurting out that line.
Because he knew that Spider-Man only truly grew after experiencing all kinds of setbacks, misunderstandings, and even the loss of loved ones.
But many things had not happened yet. He could not exactly tell him that the plot was arranged this way, right?
Or even say, because of my appearance, Gwen's dad didn't die, so just secretly be happy?
Is that something he could let Peter know? No.
Peter Parker was still a student. His mental growth still needed time.
'Leading him astray would be a serious sin.'
Thinking this, Corin said gently.
"Yes, Peter. Congratulations. You successfully passed another test of fate," Listening to Corin's words, the little spider fell into thought.
Corin then launched into his smooth-talking routine, pouring a big bowl of inspirational chicken soup into Peter's young heart.
In short, Peter had not killed anyone. The Green Goblin had brought it upon himself.
What's more, if Peter had not stepped in in time, there would have been even more victims and families plunged into grief.
Talk of evil deeds leading to one's own downfall.
Talk of greater power meaning greater responsibility.
Talk of heavy burdens that come with wearing a crown.
And so on, and so on.
To be fair, under Corin's full-on brainwashing session, Peter's mental state visibly improved.
In truth, Peter also knew that Corin was right. That Green Goblin who treated human lives like dirt, even if he was his friend's father, could not escape the fact that he was a murderous maniac.
Looking at Corin patiently guiding and comforting him, Peter thought of Corin's profit-driven ways, and a question could not help but arise in his mind.
'Sir clearly understands so many truths. Why does he insist on choosing a path filled with the stench of money?'
He then voiced the question in his heart.
That question hit right at Corin's sore spot.
'Damn it, if I didn't focus on making money, I would've died in the first chapter, okay?'
Thinking back on what he had just said to comfort Peter, that was all solid wisdom distilled from nine years of compulsory education in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor development, plus getting beaten up by society.
'All high-level inner techniques. Go learn them~'
"Don't worry. Once I've made enough money, I'll also choose to become a superhero and save the world with you."
Hearing this, Peter Parker's face lit up with excitement.
He knew it. Mr. Silver Duke would definitely walk this glorious path.
The tangled feelings in his heart cleared up after just a few of his words.
Peter could not help but look at the man before him with brand-new eyes. Powerful, reasonable, calm, and wise.
"I must become a man like him!", Peter said to himself once again.
Corin wore a gentle expression as he comforted Peter, but screamed in his heart.
'F*CK NO!'
'Absolutely impossible!'
"Money can never, ever be earned enough!'
'As for being a superhero, not even a little bit in this lifetime.'
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.