She breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath, and slowly turned around to face what was behind her. Her entire body trembled and shook uncontrollably as she saw his angry face staring back at her.
With her back pressed firmly against the huge doors, she whimpered softly in fear. He froze completely at the sight before him, seeing the raw fear and terror that filled her eyes.
The same eyes that reflected the very fear he himself had once shown many years ago. He grimaces deeply before taking multiple deliberate steps back and headed towards the cocoon in the corner.
Peni fell hard to the ground, her legs completely giving out beneath her. Inside the cocoon there was a pouch carefully made of webbing. He reached in and took out a paw. It was a large bear's paw. He had stopped eating humans entirely because they no longer had any value or use to him.
Unless the person had special powers or abilities, he wouldn't even bother eating them anymore. But animals were completely different and served a different purpose. He had been regularly entering the forest close by and had been actively hunting the animals that lived there.
He needed a tremendous lot of genetic material to successfully go through his next evolution, so he needed to eat constantly. Normal humans were incredibly weak and didn't have much genetic material that could actually help him evolve.
Animals on the other hand had many different types and varieties that he could acquire and absorb. He bit deeply into the paw, and even the hard claw was crunched on and consumed.
After he finished eating, he stood up from where he had been sitting, and realizing that Peni was still there in the warehouse, he walked slowly towards her. He stopped directly in front of her and realized she was now unconscious. Most likely from severe mental and emotional exhaustion.
He carefully picked her up in his arms and walked toward the cocoon before gently placing her inside its protective interior. Then he began to test out and experiment with some of his various abilities.
Right now at this moment, he wanted to practice and refine his centipede exoskeleton ability. He could create protective armor plating for himself using this power.
He wanted to created something strong to cover his entire body and face for protection. The armor composes of three distinct things. The main component is the chitin, which is a nitrogen containing polysaccharide compound.
The second component is protein. The chitin is carefully imbedded in a complex matrix of proteins. The exocuticle, which is the tougher outer layer of the armor, provides significant strength and durability.
Though it is remarkably strong and durable, it is divided into separate plates for flexibility and movement, called the sclerites. The cuticle connects these individual plates together and formed them into many parts of the joints and various body parts.
He activated the ability and the plates began to form and materialize on his body. It was deep black in color. More and more plates formed until the armor covers his whole body completely except for his head.
He then created a protective mask that covered his lower face with the hardened plates. Looking at his new fearsome appearance in reflection, he nodded to himself with satisfaction.
With this new form, it would be incredibly easy to hide and move unseen in the dark. Sharp appendages then suddenly came out of his back.
6 large spider legs with sharp pointed ends emerged from his spine. They too had the same armor plating covering them. He smirked to himself, getting closer and closer to what he was planning to do.
Looking back towards his cocoon and still seeing Peni sleeping peacefully inside, he turned away and walked out of the warehouse, pushing open the heavy doors.
His stomach growled loudly and persistently. The bear paw he had eaten earlier wasn't nearly enough to satisfy his intense hunger and constant need for sustenance. Outside in the cool night air, he jumped powerfully onto the roofs of nearby buildings and began running swiftly across them, moving from rooftop to rooftop with incredible speed and agility.
As of now at this particular moment, he wasn't looking for anything specific or particular. He was heading in the general direction towards the nearby forest with the intention to hunt down an animal. Maybe today if he was fortunate, he could find one that he hadn't eaten or consumed before.
As he ran and leaped across the rooftops with tremendous speed, suddenly and unexpectedly he heard a loud, piercing scream echoing through the night. He stopped immediately in his tracks and turned his head sharply to the source of the scream, then began running quickly towards that direction without hesitation.
He was normally and typically a curious individual by nature, so he didn't think twice or hesitate for even a moment before running towards the source of the scream to investigate what was happening.
Eventually after several minutes of running, he arrived at a dark, narrow alleyway between two buildings. Looking carefully into it, he saw two distinct people present. A man and a woman.
The woman was backed up against the wall with nowhere to go, and the man was slowly and deliberately walking towards her with a sinister, threatening smile spreading across his face. His eyes were glowing an unnatural bright red color that pierced through the darkness.
He sniffed the air carefully and smelt something unusual and distinct. He realized quickly that the man smelt different and strange, maybe indicating a different species entirely from normal humans. He licked his lips in anticipation, his hunger rising and intensifying. He didn't know for certain if he could get any new abilities or powers from this creature, but he sincerely hoped so.
Without warning he rushed down from the rooftop at incredible speed and punched the man with tremendous force into the ground. The man's head became embedded deeply into the ground, the concrete and earth caving in on itself from the sheer impact. He coughed up blood violently from where he lay in the ground.
Adam grew surprised and somewhat impressed when he realized that the man was still alive despite the devastating attack. The woman on the other hand was absolutely terrified and frozen in fear. Adam grabbed the man easily with one hand and began dragging him back towards the warehouse, ignoring the woman completely and paying her no attention whatsoever.
Unknown to Adam, someone had been watching carefully and observing from afar in the shadows. It was none other than agent Clint Barton, a skilled operative who had been sent here specifically to recruit someone for a particular purpose.
Of course that someone wasn't Adam himself but rather Peni, since she seemed to have some degree of control and influence over him based on their observations. It would be pretty stupid and counterproductive to try and recruit someone who had such extreme hatred and animosity for the government that they worked for.
He clicked his earpiece to establish communication.
"Sir, he is heading back to the warehouse now," he said clearly into the ear piece, reporting his observations.
"Follow him carefully and keep your distance. Don't let him detect your presence," Fury said firmly on the other end of the communication line.
He did exactly as told and instructed, and began tailing and following Adam from a safe distance.
Back in the warehouse, Peni awoke suddenly in fright, looking around wildly and disoriented. Remembering clearly what had happened earlier, she shook in fear and panic before trying desperately to escape from the webbing surrounding and encasing her.
But to her great surprise and confusion, she tore it off easily without much effort at all. She didn't think twice or question this development, and stood up quickly and prepared to leave and escape when she heard the huge warehouse doors opening with a loud creaking sound.
She froze completely in place and quickly laid back down, pretending to still be asleep. She closed her eyes tight in trepidation and fear, trying to control her breathing.
"Agh, let me go. Please!" A man shouted desperately.
Peni could hear distinctly someone being dragged roughly across the floor. Though still scared and frightened, she slowly opened her eyes just slightly and carefully got up to investigate.
She didn't want anyone innocent to get hurt or harmed because of her. She looked straight and directly at where the sound was coming from and watched with growing horror as Adam dragged a man inside forcefully and closed the door behind him with a loud bang before throwing the man several feet away before beginning to walk menacingly towards him.
She shivered involuntarily seeing his cold, emotionless red eyes staring at his prey, but stood up anyway, remembering and drawing strength from the words her grandfather had spoken to her in the past.
She ran forward through sheer willpower alone and stood right in front of Adam, positioning herself between him and his intended victim, trying desperately to stop him.
"W-what are you doing? Please stop!" She asked with fear still clearly laced and evident on her face and in her trembling voice.
She stood there defiantly and courageously trying to stop him from proceeding. But all he saw before him was merely a small insect trying futilely to stop him from his purpose.
He tilted his head slightly to one side, as if confused by her action.
"Of course I'm going to eat him. What else would I do?" he replied simply and matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Her eyes widened dramatically in shock and realization. She took a step back involuntarily as if suddenly realizing and understanding what he had planned to do with her earlier before.
Then suddenly and without warning he charged forward with blinding speed, she tried to move out of the way but it was far too late. She expected him to attack her directly, but instead he grabbed her firmly and protectively, then attacked the man who had been standing behind her.
She turned her eyes reluctantly to look at the man more closely. The man had red glowing eyes that seemed inhuman and looked incredibly aggressive and dangerous.
But she then noticed with growing horror that one of his arms were missing completely. She moved her eyes to where she heard a steady dripping sound and saw the man's severed arm held firmly in the hand of Adam.
She gulped hard, she had never seen such a gruesome and horrifying scene in person before in her entire life. She watched in absolute terror as Adam moved the torn limb deliberately to his mouth and then took a large bite out of it.
She was too stunned and shocked to make a single sound or utterance. Looking at him continuing to eat calmly while holding her securely in his arm, she tried to move away and escape but his grip was far too strong and unyielding.
He then looked down at her, pausing his eating momentarily, then moved the limb to her left side, holding it close to her face, clearly expecting her to take a bite as well.
She shook her head vigorously and frantically from side to side. The limb being so close to her face made her feel almost physically sick and nauseous. Adam, sensing this reaction and her discomfort, threw the limb away dismissively.
He already had consumed enough to take and absorb whatever abilities were present in the man's DNA structure. Six long spider legs then protruded and emerged from his back as he let go of Peni gently and charged aggressively at the man before plunging them deeply and violently into the man's body.
"Agh, I'm sorry for everything. Please let me go. I'm begging you!" the man begged desperately, crying out in pain and terror.
But Adam didn't stop his attack or show any mercy. Something deep in his mind was telling him something important. This man had done something unforgivable and terrible. That something he didn't fully understand or comprehend yet.
After he finished his brutal assault, the man had been torn to pieces completely, and suddenly and unexpectedly he began to turn to ash and disintegrate, revealing the man to be a vampire all along.
Adam didn't understand or comprehend why the man was turning to dust and disintegrating before his eyes, nor did he realize or know that the man was actually a vampire. But Peni, standing there watching with wide eyes, quickly connected the dots and put the pieces together in her mind.
She was quite surprised and shocked, realizing with growing understanding that the man had actually been a vampire all along. Adam on the other hand was far more interested in and focused on checking out and examining his new abilities that he had just acquired.
Suddenly and without any warning, a pair of large bat-like wings sprouted and emerged from his back, unfurling dramatically. Since the vampire had been a relatively low level creature with limited power, it did not have very many or particularly impressive abilities to pass on.
But Adam found it useful and practical nonetheless. Now he had gained the ability to fly and soar through the air, though he would definitely have to practice and train with this new skill later when he had more time. Peni became even more shocked and amazed seeing the new pair of wings extending from his back.
Realizing and understanding now that the reason why he had eaten and consumed the vampire wasn't merely or simply because he was hungry and needed sustenance, but also because he could gain and acquire new abilities and powers from doing so.
But she couldn't understand or figure out why he had wanted to take a bite of her earlier, since he was also a spider creature just like she was.
The wings slowly retreated and withdrew back into his body as he turned his head deliberately to look at her. She gulped hard in fear and nervousness, trying her best to remain strong and composed.
He then walked past her without saying a word and walked over to the cocoon in the corner, getting into a curled up position as he settled in and prepared to fall asleep.
She blinked several times in confusion, not understanding or comprehending why he wasn't more wary or suspicious of her presence. To him, she was clearly not a dangerous or threatening creature, so he remained calm and relaxed around her.
But then she suddenly realized with growing concern that the large warehouse doors were still tightly shut and sealed by his incredibly strong webs. She gulped nervously, knowing exactly what she needed to do next.
"Uhm hey," she called out tentatively and hesitantly.
Adam, who had been just about to fall asleep and drift off, opened his eyes with clear annoyance and irritation laced in them.
"C-can you open the doors for me?" She asked nervously and uncertainly.
He paused for a moment, realizing and understanding that she was trapped inside the warehouse with no way out. He stood up from his resting position and started walking towards the door with the intention of opening it, but suddenly voices started to talk and speak loudly in his mind.
His very own voice repeating over and over again to not let Peni leave his vicinity or get too far away from him. He didn't understand why this was happening, but his deep instincts were trying to tell and communicate to him the same thing repeatedly.
He turned back to look at her, trying to understand and figure out what was happening to him. Was she perhaps releasing another type of pheromone or chemical that was affecting him?
He walked towards her again with purpose and began carefully inspecting and examining her. He started to feel weird and strange as he walked slowly around her in a circle. Then he suddenly stopped and looked down at himself.
Something was bulging and growing down below in his lower region. He blinked several times in confusion, not understanding why this was happening to his body. But he felt extremely uncomfortable and awkward.
Peni's eyes widened dramatically seeing this development, her face turning bright red with embarrassment. She took multiple quick steps back in shock and surprise.
"What are you doing to me?" He asked coldly and accusingly.
She blinked several times in confusion, trying to comprehend and understand his question. She didn't have much experience or knowledge in this particular field or area.
"Uhm, you well," she continued awkwardly and embarrassed, struggling to find the right words.
He frowned deeply with displeasure.
"Speak up clearly," he ordered firmly and impatiently.
She pursed her lips together tightly and took a deep breath in, then slowly exhaled to calm herself.
"Y-you're horny," she finally stuttered out with great difficulty.
Horny? He didn't understand or know what that particular word meant at all.
"What is—horny?" He asked directly, genuinely confused.
Her face got even redder and more flushed, but she had no choice but to explain the situation to him. She didn't want him to suddenly become aggressive or violent because of his confusion.
"It's like when you find someone attractive and appealing, and you can't control your body's response to them," she replied carefully and hesitantly.
He paused at her words, processing this new information, then leaned down slightly and looked straight and directly into her eyes. She shrunk back a little, trying desperately to avoid direct eye contact with him.
"So you're saying that I find you attractive?" He asked calmly and matter-of-factly.
She pressed her fingers together nervously and fidgeted.
"M-maybe," she muttered quietly and uncertainly.
Honest to say, she was extremely red faced and embarrassed by this entire situation, but also somewhat happy and pleased that someone actually found her attractive and desirable. However, this particular situation was definitely not what she wanted it to be or how she imagined it.
"Since I find you attractive, my penis gets hard and erect?" He asked bluntly, pointing down at himself.
She nodded vigorously and repeatedly, far too embarrassed to speak any words out loud. He nodded slowly in new understanding and comprehension. This physical reaction had never happened to him before in his life, and this information was completely new and foreign to him.
"But how do I make it stop and go away?" He asked with genuine confusion and concern.
She looked around nervously, still feeling deeply embarrassed and uncomfortable. She desperately wanted to leave this warehouse already and escape this awkward situation. She was completely inexperienced in these matters herself, and having to explain such intimate things to someone who was even more inexperienced than she was made everything incredibly difficult and challenging for her.
"I think I can explain all of this to you," a voice suddenly sounded and echoed through the warehouse space.
They both turned around quickly to face the source of the new voice. Peni was genuinely surprised and startled at the unexpected new entry and arrival, while Adam remained calm and composed, showing no sign of surprise whatsoever. He had already detected and smelt the man's distinct scent from quite a distance away but had made the deliberate decision to ignore his presence because he didn't sense any immediate danger or threat emanating from him, and also because he had many pressing questions that needed answers.
"Who are you exactly?" Adam asked directly and bluntly.
The man slowly raised and put both his hands up high in the air in a clear gesture of peace and non-aggression. From their position behind him they could clearly see a hole that had been created in the warehouse wall. The man had apparently carefully drilled a hole through the thick warehouse wall to gain entry.
Adam quickly shot out a web from his wrist and immediately covered the hole completely, sealing it shut. The man remained perfectly and completely still, not moving a single muscle, but gave an audible sigh of relief after quickly realizing and understanding that the web projectile wasn't actually aimed directly at him personally.
"Cough, my name is Clint Barton. It's very nice to meet you both," he said with a warm and gentle smile spreading across his face.