"Be specific—"
"Ah—!"
Sora Yukihara was about to press further when the Lizard suddenly groaned and began reverting back to human form right before his eyes.
"Let's leave it here for now. I'll contact you later."
"And don't forget—get started on my base and ship."
After giving two quick reminders, Sora Yukihara hung up.
"Are you awake now?"
He casually shoved Connors aside.
"Ah!"
Connors' head hit the ground, and the pain fully snapped him back to his senses.
"Where… am I?"
"I feel like I did something… terrible…"
As his rationality returned, the fear in his eyes when he looked at Sora Yukihara grew even stronger.
He knew just how powerful—and destructive—his transformed state had been.
And yet even in that state, he had been utterly crushed.
How could he face Sora Yukihara now as an ordinary human?
"I'll give you five minutes."
"After that, I ask—you answer. Otherwise, I'll show you what real suffering means."
Sora Yukihara spoke calmly this time.
Because he suddenly remembered—
In his human state, Dr. Connors was a good man.
A brilliant scientist who, due to his own disability, devoted himself to cross-species genetic research, hoping to achieve limb regeneration and create a world without weakness.
A noble ideal.
But under pressure, he had made the wrong choice—and nearly committed unforgivable crimes.
Fortunately—
It wasn't too late.
More importantly—
If he recruited Connors, wouldn't that bring him one step closer to completing the system's requirement?
"I'm fine now. Ask your questions."
Connors steadied himself and spoke.
"Good."
Sora Yukihara went straight to the point. "Why did you turn into that?"
"I injected myself with the Lizard serum."
"And the decay rate algorithm—did you get it from Peter's family?"
"…Probably."
Connors continued before Sora Yukihara could press him. "Two days ago, Norman Osborn suddenly sent me a decay rate algorithm and told me to begin experiments immediately. I don't know where it came from—but it worked."
"The timing matches Uncle Ben and Peter's disappearance…"
"Norman… you're digging your own grave."
Sora Yukihara's eyes turned icy, sending chills down Connors' spine.
"But with your personality, you wouldn't rush into human trials so recklessly," Sora Yukihara said. "Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't have turned into this."
Connors clenched his fists. "Because Norman did it—and he succeeded."
"What?!"
Sora Yukihara's voice sharpened. "When? Who was the test subject?"
The algorithm was supposed to only work for the Parker bloodline.
Only Peter should have been able to perfectly integrate with the genetic modification.
So what happened?
Connors answered weakly, "It was Peter. His face was covered, his mouth sealed—but I could tell… it was him."
"…What?"
Sora Yukihara was stunned.
What a cruel joke.
He had taken Peter's powers—
Only for Oscorp to give them back.
Connors laughed bitterly. "Seeing Peter succeed… I believed the algorithm was flawless. So I injected myself. He succeeded… I failed… God is so unfair…"
His voice trembled as his emotions spiraled out of control.
In the end, he broke down.
"Fate really is ironic…"
Sora Yukihara finally understood everything.
Connors had seen success—and believed in it.
And that belief led to disaster.
Fortunately—
There was still time to fix things.
"Enough."
Sora Yukihara cut him off sharply.
Whether out of fear or despair, Connors calmed down immediately.
"Who gave the order?"
"It must have been Norman. His dog—Dr. Ratha—is dead, so now he has to handle everything personally."
Sora Yukihara narrowed his eyes.
"Even if he got what he wanted, he won't let Peter's family go. A test subject that valuable… he'd never waste it."
Then his gaze hardened.
"Professor, I'll give you a choice."
"Join me—and I'll help you perfect your serum. At the very least, I can give you a mechanical arm."
"Or…"
"You die here. Forgotten."
"I don't want to die."
Connors answered immediately.
"Good."
Sora Yukihara turned and walked away. "Then follow me. You still have plenty of use."
Connors followed without hesitation.
Connors returned to his position at Oscorp—
As if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Sora Yukihara stood holding the Lizard serum and its antidote that Connors had secretly given him.
"System, submit the Lizard serum and antidote."
"Ding! Submission successful. Reward: Bronze Treasure Chest."
Sora Yukihara froze.
This was the first time he had heard of a Bronze Treasure Chest.
But once he understood—
Even he was surprised by the value of the Lizard serum and its antidote.