"Bu Jingyun… ahem, Professor, what is this thing?" Charlie asked, his face brimming with curiosity.
"It's a severed arm from the subterranean civilization," Professor Connors replied.
As he spoke, he injected the arm with a pre-prepared syringe. The grotesque scales on its surface gradually faded, replaced by a skin-like texture almost identical to his own.
Clearly, this wasn't his first time working with this arm.
After finishing, he looked at Charlie. "The night Spider-Man died, I stumbled across a strange figure. He claimed to be from the subterranean civilization, looked like a giant lizard, highly intelligent, but his life was nearing its end—apparently hunted by someone."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "A Lizardfolk from the subterranean civilization, being hunted…"
"Professor, ever heard of the 749 Bureau?" he asked.
Connors' expression turned serious. "This is S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I know, just joking."
"Peter used to make those kinds of lame jokes when he was alive."
"Don't mention him, it's bad luck."
Charlie waved it off, gesturing for Connors to continue.
Connors covered the arm with his sleeve and turned to tap on a computer.
The screen displayed an image of a Lizardfolk, not much different from Connors' transformed state.
"This is a Lizardfolk from the subterranean civilization. After his death, I managed to preserve the cellular activity of this arm and used it as a sample to study subterranean biology.
I firmly believe the mysterious subterranean civilization holds the power to help me exact my revenge.
I spent three years on this, and I finally succeeded—I gained the Lizardfolk's power.
Their power is similar to our totem energies, making me a totem warrior.
But I know this power isn't enough for my revenge. I need more Lizardfolk samples.
Unfortunately, my experiments were exposed, so I had to hide this arm and face those ambitious hunters alone."
Hearing this, Charlie frowned. "Ambitious hunters? Not the Inheritors?"
Connors clarified, "Of course, that includes those vampires, but it's not just them.
In this world, the only way to gain totem energy is through family bloodlines, and even then, it's not a guaranteed inheritance."
"Got it," Charlie said. "The weaker the bloodline, the lower the chance of inheriting totem energy. Makes sense. Marvel's got its own eastern fantasy setup.
But what's up with those giant rats? They can't all be monsters from failed bloodline inheritances, right?"
Giant rats were the most common totem monsters in the dark, and also the most numerous.
Addressing this, Connors explained, "Of course not that extreme. Despite their numbers, all giant rats stem from a single evil totem warrior from years ago.
That guy wielded the legendary King Rat totem. After being defeated by a coalition of totem families, his totem energy was shattered into countless weak fragments scattered across the world, leading to the endless swarm of giant rat totem monsters.
That catastrophe also sparked the Night Taboo, making it impossible for ordinary people to roam freely at night."
Charlie's head spun at this.
"So, there's more than one way to become a totem monster?"
"Of course. Totem energy is a sacred and mysterious force. The slightest mistake can lead to disaster."
Charlie gave Connors a weird look. "And you? You're researching subterranean creatures. How is that not a recipe for disaster?"
Connors replied with a straight face, "I'm different."
"How so?"
"I'm luckier."
Charlie: "…"
If this guy's luck was even slightly worse, Marvel wouldn't have its own Bu Jingyun.
"Alright, great Professor Connors, let's get back to the point."
Charlie asked, "Can you really probe the subterranean civilization again?"
"Of course."
Connors tapped the computer, revealing a map of New York with a red marker.
"That's…"
Charlie's eyes locked onto the marker. "The Statue of Liberty!"
"Exactly," Connors said, pointing at Liberty Island on the map. "Before he died, the Lizardfolk told me a lot. The entrance to the subterranean civilization is right here."
"An entrance?"
Charlie facepalmed. "Feels too convenient."
"It's not a coincidence," Connors said seriously. "The surface world and the subterranean civilization have been connected for ages, though that link's been severed for years. Otherwise, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't need my subterranean data."
He glanced at the lab equipment. "They need more data."
His cryptic words made Charlie ponder.
Meanwhile, in Nick Fury's office, the bald eagle overheard Connors through the surveillance and realized he'd been exposed.
No matter—this wasn't the first time.
He rubbed his other swollen eye, wincing from the pain, and cursed Captain America for hitting so hard.
"Phil, take a team to Liberty Island and check for any subterranean civilization entrance."
He issued the order, and Coulson immediately led a team to Liberty Island.
Half an hour later, Coulson reported back.
"Commander, we found nothing suspicious."
"What?"
Fury frowned. "Is he lying to me?"
No.
He stroked his chin, thinking.
Connors had no reason to lie—their goals aligned.
The Inheritor families didn't just kill Spider-Man; they were one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s biggest headaches.
Finding the subterranean civilization was about gaining power to suppress the Leech totem.
So, Fury preferred to believe Coulson simply hadn't found the entrance.
Another possibility: opening it required the Lizard totem's power!
As he mulled this over, Connors' voice came from outside.
"Commander, I think you need me now."
Hearing this, Fury's furrowed brow relaxed.
He really needed to start trusting new partners.
…
Three days later, Liberty Island.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had sealed off the entire island.
At the base of the Statue of Liberty, S.H.I.E.L.D. soldiers, Natasha, human Hawkeye, and external allies—the Green Goblin father and son—were all present.
Nick Fury looked up at the torch held high by the statue and took a deep breath.
"Professor Connors, you…"
He turned, only to see a certain clownish figure clasping his hands together, eyes closed, muttering incomprehensible "spells" toward the statue.
"What are you doing?" Fury's face darkened.
Charlie glanced at the bald eagle. "Nothing, just praying to the goddess for a smooth mission."
Fury: "…"
She's the Statue of Liberty, not a deity who blesses human safety!
Natasha shook her head helplessly. "What a ridiculous guy."
"Who is he?" the shield-wielding super-soldier asked curiously.
Natasha explained, "He's Professor Connors' agent."
"What?"
Totem Steve gritted his teeth. "Fury's definitely targeting me. I don't even have an agent!"
He strode up to Charlie, proudly showing off his shield.
"Kid, I'm the Captain from back in the day. Now, I'm requisitioning you as my agent. You're okay with that, right?" He radiated justice, a faint glow of righteousness behind him.
Charlie was nearly blinded by the guy's "Soldier" totem.
"Argh! That totem's too much!"
He yelped, hiding behind Connors. "Professor, he's trying to steal your agent!"
"Honestly, I don't need an agent," Connors said with a smile, then added, "But since you're Peter's parallel universe counterpart, you're staying with me."
He turned to the righteous Totem Steve. "You're in charge of charging the front lines."
"You're ordering me?" Steve frowned.
"Yes."
Connors tapped a medal on his shoulder. "I fought in the war too. My rank's higher."
"Yes, sir!" Totem Steve accepted the order without hesitation.
Fury: "???"
This guy still doesn't take me seriously—damn it!
He cursed inwardly, then said to Connors, "Professor, you can start."
Connors nodded. "Before we begin, I must warn you: recklessly exploring what's inside might come at a cost."
"Nothing comes without a price," Fury replied, slapping his chest. The S.H.I.E.L.D. totem energy flashed above the agents' heads.
Instantly, everyone, including Steve, felt their spirits lift and morale soar.
Connors, puzzled, muttered, "Weird bunch. The entrance hasn't even appeared—why so excited?"
He placed the Lizardfolk arm on the inscription at the statue's base.
Buzz~
The Lizard totem glowed, and a dazzling beam of light shot down from the statue's torch.
The moment the beam appeared, Charlie sensed a distinct spatial fluctuation.
So, the so-called entrance was a portal.
Lost in thought, Charlie stepped into the light first.
"Wait, I'm supposed to lead the charge!"
Without waiting for Fury's orders, Totem Steve hurried after him.
"Steve, hold on…"
Before the words finished, both vanished into the beam.
Fury sighed helplessly. "As expected, our plan was doomed from the start."
After adjusting the team, he led the others into the light.
…
Buzz~
In the wondrous space-time wormhole, Totem Steve marveled at the vibrant light particles around them, utterly awestruck.
"Oh my gosh, what is this? I feel like I'm flying!!" he shouted.
Charlie rolled his eyes. "Old man… Sergeant Rogers, you're hurting my eyes."
With a slap, he pushed Steve aside, a flicker of magical energy vanishing from his body.
In an instant, Charlie shot past Steve, diving toward the tunnel's end.
Pop…
Like a bubble bursting, Charlie exited the wormhole early, arriving in the so-called subterranean civilization.
This was a primal land untouched by humans.
In an endless forest, Charlie looked up at the inverted "forest" hanging in the sky and frowned.
A mirror world?
No, the land above was real too.
A core-world?
Interesting.
He smirked, forming hand seals to release Spider magic. Totem Steve, arriving behind him, was instantly wrapped in a thin membrane.
This would mask human presence to avoid alerting the subterranean civilization.
"My God! What is this?"
Steadying himself, Steve pointed at the sky-forest in shock. But as Fury and the others arrived, he quickly resumed a calm demeanor.
While Fury's team stood in awe, Steve glanced at them smugly.
"I love that 'never seen the world' look on your faces," he said, feigning disdain while secretly pleased.
No one noticed the Spider magic. Charlie let the others take the spotlight for now.
Connors glanced at Charlie, then raised his hand to feel the subterranean world's breeze and freedom.
"Hm, this way."
His arm trembled slightly, sensing the Lizardfolk's location. He turned to Fury's group.
"Based on the information I have, we should head this way."
Fury nodded, signaling the agents to move.
The agents opened briefcases, assembling high-tech off-road motorcycles from lightweight parts on the spot.
Charlie got his own bike.
Vroom~
Soon, the group roared through the forest trails, the terrain surprisingly smooth.
Clearly, this wasn't a completely untouched wilderness.
Totem Steve sped ahead on his bike, occasionally stopping to pick up animal droppings.
"Hm, omnivore feces," he concluded after a taste.
Charlie: "…"
Does he have to be that dedicated?
"Hey, you're Charlie, right?"
During a break, Totem Harry finally found a chance to chat.
"Heard the news? Spider-Man vanished again."
Charlie glanced at him. "He's already dead."
Harry paused. "I mean the Spider-Man who reappeared."
"Oh, what's your take?" Charlie smiled.
Harry leaned in mysteriously. "When I first saw you, I had a feeling you'd become my friend."
Charlie's mouth twitched. "Does that have anything to do with what you just said?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope."
Charlie: "…"
"So?"
"So, I just want to be friends."
"Reason?"
"I had a friend named Peter Parker. You're Charlie Parker. Both Parkers."
"Not good enough."
"Fine, I'll be honest."
Harry glanced at his father, then whispered to Charlie, "Our Green Goblin family was invited here by S.H.I.E.L.D., but you know Fury doesn't trust anyone, including Connors. We should stick together so we don't get left behind when it counts."
Charlie studied the familiar face and shook his head.
"That's a lousy excuse. I don't buy it."
Harry froze, then lowered his head and sat beside Norman.
"Father, I tried. Couldn't fool him," he said, guilt-ridden.
Norman smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. He'll see the sincerity in our eyes."
His gaze met Charlie's.
Charlie's eyes narrowed.
They should see in my sincere eyes that I really want to know what they're up to… right?