Doctor Strange had been in seclusion for three whole days. During that time, he did not eat, drink, or even use the bathroom.
At one point, Peter thought the old man might have died in there, while Otto Parker wanted to sneak in and pick up some equipment, only to get blasted back out by Strange's magic.
However, according to Otto Parker's description, Doctor Strange's current state was not exactly good. His hair looked like a bird's nest, he had two dark circles under his eyes, and he was frantically searching through books while casting spells. But because the magical systems were different, he was having a very hard time learning it.
During these three days, the younger Peter's trio had also returned. However, no one knew where they had hidden the containment relic. After that, with Michelle and Ned serving as logistics minister and deputy logistics minister, Peter, Ultimate Gwen, the younger Peter, Otto Parker, and Doctor Octopus Otto successively captured several more stowaways from other worlds.
Among them, the most interesting one was a Hobgoblin named Ned. This guy talked a lot and was evil enough. Although he had been brainwashed into becoming like this, he was indeed an outstanding Hobgoblin.
Peter gave him a brutal beating that left his face swollen, yet he still refused to submit.
When this universe's Ned learned the Hobgoblin's identity, he was also shocked. He repeatedly promised the younger Peter that he would absolutely never become that ghostly thing, nor would he turn against his best friend.
"Comfortable..."
In the basement of the Sanctum Sanctorum, Doctor Octopus Otto revealed a relaxed expression. The chip that had controlled his actions for so many years had finally been fully upgraded with the help of Peter, the younger Peter, and Otto Parker.
Now, he would no longer be disturbed by the evil consciousness caused by the damaged chip. Instead, he could fully control his body and perfectly control the mechanical tentacles on his back.
"This is nothing. It's just a small equipment upgrade. I have a bold idea. I just don't know if you're interested, Otto."
Peter smiled. Although this was only a sudden idea and whether it could succeed was still uncertain, if they actually pulled it off, it could greatly increase their combat power.
"What idea?"
Doctor Octopus, feeling much lighter, showed a rare smile.
"Since magic is a type of energy, and technology requires energy to keep functioning, how powerful would a weapon be if those two things were combined?"
"That idea of yours... is quite extreme. Although I don't understand the principles of magic, the magic you and that Doctor Strange guy used was indeed shocking. If that energy were combined with technology and used properly, it could indeed become a major advantage. But..."
Doctor Octopus Otto suddenly stopped and looked at Peter with some hesitation.
"If it isn't used properly, it could become a devastating weapon, right?"
Otto Parker took over from the side. After all, the other man was another version of himself, so he naturally understood what he was worried about.
"Yes..."
"Then do you think magical mechanical tentacles have potential?"
Peter raised an eyebrow and spoke with a faintly tempting tone.
"Huh? I think we can try it."
"I've finally seen what kind of person you are, Otto."
Ultimate Gwen rolled her eyes at this middle-aged man in annoyance. How come no one who followed Peter was a good person?
No, that was not right. Other than herself, no one who followed Peter was a good person.
That was more accurate.
"You're willing to teach us this magic?"
"A simple spell or two should be fine. But if you fully master it, you might lose yourselves again. If you really want to learn, we can talk about it later."
Peter thought for a moment and answered seriously.
After all, the dark magic he controlled was demonic magic. Although he was fine practicing it himself, he could not guarantee others would be the same.
"You're willing to part with it?"
"We're all on the same team. What's there to be unwilling about?"
"Then I didn't follow the wrong person."
Hearing him say that, Peter smiled knowingly.
If he could make the team members genuinely loyal, then this team would become unbreakable.
If the team itself became divided, or if everyone looked down on each other, then they would collapse on their own without anyone else needing to act.
"Hiss... I suddenly have a small suggestion. If magical runes are engraved onto technological equipment, wouldn't it be relatively easier to power it with magic?"
After thinking for a long time, Otto Parker raised his head and spoke.
His suggestion made everyone's eyes light up.
How was this guy's brain built?
Was he thinking with his own soul now, or with Peter's brain?
Why had none of them thought of that?
"All right. This is a black magic rune that can travel through the future and the past. You can try experimenting with it and create a set of magical traversal equipment. Although it won't be able to cross the multiverse, at the very least, it should be able to alter the past or change the future."
Peter was very decisive as a hands-off boss. He picked up a pen and wrote and drew on a piece of paper before handing it to the two of them.
However, the moment the two received the paper, they looked at each other at the same time, then revealed puzzled expressions.
"Who can understand these tadpole-looking symbols?"
"Are you sure this isn't alien writing?"
"Let me see."
Ultimate Gwen curiously took the paper. Two seconds later, she returned it to the two of them, then spread her hands to indicate that this was not writing at all. It was probably some kind of demonic scribble.
"I actually don't really understand it either. It should be the language of demons."
Peter spoke with a slight headache. After all, this had been forcibly infused into his mind by the system. Although he could not understand it, the moment these things appeared in his mind, he completely mastered the corresponding power. It was very strange.
"Leave it to us."
As they spoke, Doctor Octopus and Otto Parker exchanged a glance and walked to the small, simple research station they had built themselves. In truth, it was just three tables pushed together with all kinds of simple scientific tools placed on top.
"Hey, Peter, I suddenly feel like I followed the wrong person when I met you. Look at him. You're both Peter Parker, so why is the gap between Spider-Men so huge?"
Ned looked at the scene not far away with envy. After all, his elders had always told him that the blood of sorcerers flowed in his body and that he was born for magic. But even after living eighteen years, he had never had any contact with magic. He was both curious about it and yearned for it.
"That really hurts when you say it like that."
The younger Peter rubbed his nose awkwardly.
In truth, he was also quite envious. They were clearly the same person from different times and spaces, so why was he so poor as Spider-Man while the other Peter was so rich?
And that was not all.
The other guy's Uncle Ben was still alive.
But as for him, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?
He had no uncle.
"Hey, Peter, good kid, hurry up and let me out. I still need to go back to my own world. Harry is waiting for me."
Inside the magical cage, Norman looked like a loving father. If someone did not know better, they might really think this guy was an incredibly good person.
But Peter knew that beneath that deceptive appearance hid a heart more terrifying than a demon's. Otherwise, how could he be called the Green Goblin?
"Before we develop a serum that can clear out the evil personality inside you, I'm not letting you out. Harry personally asked me to do this."
Peter spoke indifferently.
"Bullshit! You don't even know..."
Before Norman could finish speaking, Peter activated the projection function on his wristwatch. Immediately after, a holographic projection appeared in the basement.
"Hey, Peter, where is this? Why is it so dark?"
Harry, who had been projected over, looked around the surrounding environment before turning to Peter and speaking.
"Harry?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Harry could not help trembling slightly. He turned and looked at his father, who was locked inside the cage.
"Dad? So you really are here? I thought Peter was messing with me."
Harry ran excitedly toward the magical cage.
"Don't come over, Harry! This place has been sealed by a sorcerer. You'll get hurt."
Before he could finish speaking, Harry had already passed through the magical cage's energy barrier.
Because the current Harry was only a holographic projection, not the real person.
It was basically like Harry on the other side was using an extremely advanced holographic AR system, except it made the experience feel much more immersive.
"Oh, all right... a touching father-son reunion."
"Keep your voice down, Ned."
Michelle whispered, "The ring on your hand?"
"What do you think? Pretty nice, right? I found it in the basement. It looks exactly like Doctor Strange's ring."
Chubby Ned cherished the ring in his hand and carefully wiped it, because this ring was very likely a magic ring.
"Harry, how did you come here?"
Norman excitedly tried to hug Harry, but his arms passed straight through his body. For a moment, he was stunned.
After all, technology like this did not exist in his era.
"It's a long story. But right now, I'm teammates with Peter, the one in front of you. Because of him, I can see you in this form. But Dad, please listen to me and take the serum. Haven't you noticed that you're no longer like yourself? Green Goblin can be an antihero too."
"You know?"
Norman's eyes were filled with shame and shock. Even though he had become the Green Goblin and possessed a second, evil personality, he had never thought of hurting Harry. After all, Harry was his only son.
He had always tried his best to hide his identity because he did not want Harry to know who he really was. He was afraid the bad things he had done would put too much pressure on Harry.
"Dad, in my world, you're already dead. I became the second Green Goblin, but I chose a different path from yours. I've always... I've always hoped I could see you again."
"I don't have a father anymore. I don't have any family left."
(End of Chapter)
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