Connors: No one can hurt my students, not even myself.

While Peter was having a lively conversation with Dr. Connors and Dr. Otto, Norman Osborn, who was left out in the background, was convinced, after witnessing Peter's words and actions firsthand, that Peter was just a science-obsessed nerd, as Harry had once told him, and posed no threat whatsoever.

Therefore, Norman Osborn, having completely set aside his concerns, stepped forward and placed the blood extracted from the "volunteers" and stored in special containers on the table closest to the three of them. He forced a fake smile, subtly reminding Otto and Connors.

"Hey gentlemen, it's great to see you getting along so well. But I have to remind you, it's getting late. If we don't want Peter to spend the night out and worry his family, we'd better hurry."

Otto: "...Okay, Mr. Osborn, let's get started."

Connors: "Peter, come with me. I need you to help me with some data calculations."

Under Norman Osborn's threat and due to financial difficulties, Dr. Otto needed Norman Osborn's help. Dr. Connors, momentarily blinded by greed, ended up on a treacherous path, now holding Norman Osborn's leverage. Although he was quite displeased with Norman Osborn's domineering attitude, after a brief silence, he returned to his respective posts.

And just as Dr. Connors initially suspected.

A genius by nature, Peter had thoroughly studied the notes left by his father during the days he was making the spider silk projectiles. With the help of Otto and Connors, he quickly completed the initial optimization and improvement work based on the lizardman blood sample provided by Norman Osborn.

Of course, this was after all the fact that Norman Osborn had already realized that what he provided was not the blood of mice, but human blood that had already been injected with serum.

Having confirmed that Norman Osborn was the culprit behind the creation of the Reptilians, Peter was also intentionally delaying the improvement of the serum.

So that while appearing to be working hard, they could secretly conduct research and development of the antidote using readily available blood samples and various high-tech instruments.

"Hahaha! As expected of Richard Parker's son, it seems you have perfectly inherited your father's genius mind, Peter."

Even so, with Peter's addition, the research progress made in a short period of time was enough to give General Ross an explanation and buy more time for research and development, which made Norman Osborn very satisfied.

In high spirits, Norman, unusually genuinely praising Peter's intelligence, reached out to retrieve the modified serum and use it on the "volunteers" to obtain valuable data for human trials and further accelerate the research and development process.

But at that very moment, Dr. Connors, who had been silent all along, suddenly launched an attack, taking advantage of Norman Osborn's unpreparedness to forcefully knock Norman Osborn to the ground from behind.

By the time Norman Osborn looked up in shock and anger, Dr. Connors had already taken the modified serum and, without hesitation, injected himself with it using the built-in injection device.

"Connors! You idiot! Do you even know what you've done?!"

"Of course I know that! I can't turn back now, but I absolutely will not allow you to drag Peter into this abyss of sin because of your own ambition!"

Because the modified lizard serum removed most of the harmful components and shortened the time required for it to take effect, Dr. Connors' body began to swell and change at a visible rate after being injected with the lizard serum.

Then, with a murderous glare, he gave Norman Osborn a fierce look.

Dr. Connors, like a Sichuan opera face-changing act, put on an expression full of guilt and self-reproach, turned to look at Peter who was standing there in a daze, and continued to speak in a gentle voice.

"Don't worry, Peter, as your teacher, I will protect you... So, watch me closely. See how terrible monsters will be born when my life's work, research meant to benefit humanity, is misused!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Dr. Connors, who had already completed most of the transformations and whose power had been significantly enhanced, began to smash everything in the laboratory in order to prevent Norman Osborn's ambitions from making the disaster out of control.

In just a few breaths, the laboratory was completely destroyed, and it was clear that research could not continue for the time being.

Dr. Connors then leaped over and landed next to Peter.

Without saying a word, he picked up the "terrified" Peter and, braving the onslaught of security personnel who had rushed into the lab after realizing something was wrong, broke through to the outside.

So much so that at this moment, Dr. Connors, who was only focused on taking the defenseless Peter away from this dangerous place and protecting the child's bright future, completely failed to notice...

After Dr. Connors destroyed the research equipment, a look of despair and helplessness appeared in Peter's eyes.

Only now did he finally realize what Riley's true feelings were when he repeatedly upset Riley due to his impulsive actions...

No, Doctor, if you're going to transform, just transform! Why are you smashing all this equipment?

Just a little bit more... I was so close to developing the antidote!

Can't you just be patient and give me a little more time?

"Uh... Dr. Connors...?"

Fortunately, despite the complaints, the matter was already settled, and Dr. Connors clearly wanted to save him, which was why he was willing to risk turning into a monster to forcibly escape from this secret laboratory with him.

So Peter didn't say much to Dr. Connors, and when Dr. Connors came to a fork in the road and didn't know which way to go, he promptly reminded him.

"If you want to leave here, I guess you should take the left-hand road. Although I was blindfolded when I came, I still remember which direction I turned along the way."

"...a clever child."

After Peter finished speaking, Dr. Connors fell into a brief silence.

Even if they have given up everything, they want to do everything they can to make up for the mistakes they have made before their lives come to an end.

Even when Peter witnessed himself turn into a hideous monster, his tone remained the same as always, full of respect and affection, without any disgust or fear.

Dr. Connors felt a pang of sadness, but also relief that he hadn't misjudged Peter and was glad that he had taken him on as a student before Dr. Otto.

He then praised Peter in a gradually lowering, hoarse voice.

Dr. Connors then moved his hand and handed Peter the rifle that he had specifically snatched from the soldiers that General Ross had assigned to Norman Osborn during the breakout.

"Peter, although after you improved the serum, I seem to be able to retain my consciousness and not turn into a raging beast, I'm still worried that this state is only temporary, so..."

"If I show any signs of anything amiss, you take this and shoot me right in the head!"

"Ah? But, Dr. Connors..."

"No buts! Peter! For your own safety, you must kill me before I lose my mind and become tainted with more sin! Don't hesitate!"

As he spoke, Dr. Connors began to change his posture, loosening his restraints on Peter and gesturing for Peter to take the rifle and lie on his back.

This way, he could free his hands and, by lying on all fours, increase his running speed to get Peter away from danger as quickly as possible...

Also, just in case, to ensure that, like the previous "volunteer," she wouldn't be able to control this body and instinctively want to hurt Peter...

Peter could have immediately retaliated and ended his own life, instead of dying a tragic death at his own hands!