With an additional 20% resistance to genetic toxins, the Gene Disruptor could no longer find any flaws in the mutant spider cells, ultimately being absorbed by the body and converted into web protein stored within Charlie's system.
His transformed body also gained an extraordinarily exaggerated healing factor. Wounds closed rapidly, and nano-metal slithered to cover the gaps in his suit.
Naturally, the bald Sitwell and his crew couldn't discern the intricacies of this process.
In their horrified gazes, Spider-Man merely raised his hand slightly to shield himself, effortlessly withstanding the Gene Disruptor's explosion without so much as a scratch.
"What?"
"How is that possible?!"
Witnessing this, Sitwell's face twisted in disbelief.
"This doesn't make sense! The Gene Disruptor is a lethal weapon against Spider-Man! How could you—"
Before he could finish, Charlie launched a web, ensnaring several agents and yanking them forward in a burst of webbing.
BOOM!!
His fist vibrated the air, causing the lab to quake.
In an instant, mangled bodies hit the ground, blood and flesh splattering across Sitwell's face.
Spider-Man's strength had become even more terrifying.
Sitwell stared, frozen, at the approaching red-and-blue figure. Fear spread endlessly, his legs buckling as he collapsed to the ground.
"Y-y-you! Don't come closer! Spider-Man's back from the dead! He killed our men! Someone save me!!"
Charlie ignored his pleas.
Crouching down, he plucked the comms device from Sitwell's ear.
"If S.H.I.E.L.D. confirms there is no Gene Disruptor, then this bald guy here is a Hydra operative."
"What?"
The statement sent shockwaves through the agents.
"The Gene Disruptor? That's a genetic weapon exclusive to Hydra."
"How does Sitwell have it?"
"What was he doing in the lab?"
"I get it! He wanted to steal Spider-Man's body while Dr. Banner was away!"
"Sitwell's Hydra!"
"Could Hydra be behind Dr. Banner's failed experiment too?"
"Possibly."
In a flash, the agents pieced together the puzzle.
At that moment, Agent Hill snapped back to reality.
She hurriedly said, "Spider-Man, Dr. Banner's lost control. He's headed to the city."
"Banner? Hulk?" Charlie raised an eyebrow.
The humble lab worker had finally snapped.
"Who's Hulk?" Agent Hill asked, confused.
"Nothing. Leave Dr. Banner to me."
Taking down the terrifying Hulk would likely require at least a dozen retries.
Not too much to ask.
As Charlie spoke, a new communication signal patched into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system.
"This is Carter. Avengers, assemble. Target: the Green Goliath."
"What?"
"Captain Carter's injuries are healed!"
"Awesome!"
Carter's appearance injected a surge of adrenaline into the team.
On the helicopter, Natasha and Barton exhaled in relief.
"Looks like we're good."
"Yep."
The two exchanged glances as a green contrail streaked past the helicopter.
"That's Harry," Barton noted.
Natasha watched the figure ahead, surprised.
"He must've just restocked his pumpkin bombs."
Barton nodded. "And picked up a passenger while he was at it."
BOOM~
Above the city, a green goblin glider wove between skyscrapers.
On the glider, Charlie patted Harry's shoulder. "Hey, old driver, can you speed this up?"
Harry grinned. "No problem."
With that, the glider roared to full throttle, its green exhaust blazing across the glass facades of the high-rises.
"Oh, I see them! It's S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Avengers!"
"I saw Spider-Man!"
"He's finally back!"
Onlookers below erupted in cheers, but Charlie was puzzled.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. went public?"
"Yeah, about a week ago," Harry said with a laugh. "The commander decided to reveal S.H.I.E.L.D.'s existence to the public. While you were 'dead,' the remaining spider mutants kept causing trouble, so to calm the citizens, S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't need to stay hidden anymore."
Charlie nodded, then pointed at the green, muscular giant leaping into the air ahead.
"We're here."
"Good luck."
As Harry spoke, the red-and-blue figure launched himself from a web slingshot.
"Your friendly neighborhood dropkick!"
BOOM!!
"RRAAAGH!!"
In a furious roar, the Green Goliath, still airborne, was sent careening into the city park by the massive force.
CRASH!!!
The Green Goliath hit the ground, plowing through the grass and smashing the park's central fountain before finally coming to a stop.
"Oh my God, what is that monster?"
"Run!"
"Mommy!"
Whoosh!
The next second, the red-and-blue figure swung down in front of a crying little girl.
"Open your mouth."
Before she could react, Charlie stuffed a lollipop he'd swiped earlier into her mouth.
"Good girl, go play!"
He patted her head and handed her to her mother.
Meanwhile, a chubby kid on the street wailed to the sky.
"No!! My lollipop!! Who did this?!"
"That's right, it was me—your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Ever heard the story of Spider-Man?"
As the chubby kid broke down, Charlie was already introducing himself to the raging Hulk.
"Grrr..."
At the shattered fountain, the Hulk rose, wiping water from his face. His breathing grew more beastlike, his eyes blazing with fury.
The Hulk's rage meter was maxed out, and he charged toward Charlie, each step faster until, with an enraged roar, he launched himself like a green missile.
"Thud, thud, thud~"
The ground trembled. Charlie spread his hands.
"Guess you haven't heard of Spider-Man's story. No worries—if you remember to wear pants next time, I'll let it slide."
As the berserk figure charged, Charlie shot a web and swung upward, dodging the brutal impact.
But before he could clear the skyscraper, a terrifying green hand clamped around his ankle.
Instantly, Charlie's mind flashed to Loki's brutal fate.
He wouldn't die, but his body and soul would take a serious hit.
Without hesitation, he fired a barrage of webbing, covering the Hulk's massive face.
RRAGH!
Blinded by the sudden webbing, the Hulk panicked, releasing Charlie's ankle to claw at his face.
Before the Hulk could regain his vision, Charlie landed, grabbed the webbing, and yanked with all his might.
BOOM!!
With a burst of strength, the massive Green Goliath was flung in an arc, crashing into the park's lake.
SPLASH~
Water sprayed everywhere as the green shadow surged through the lake's depths.
BANG!
With an explosive splash, the enraged Hulk emerged, his power even more terrifying.
The higher his rage, the stronger he became.
A bug-level character.
But Charlie wasn't fazed.
Chitter-chitter~
A tiny spider crawled onto his hand, its fangs piercing his skin. In an instant, vibrant magical energy surged into Charlie's body.
He raised his hand and clenched his fist!
Titan Form, Stage Two: +50 tons of strength!
Venom Mode: +20 tons of strength!