Norman turned his attention toward the two research reports lying on his desk.
The first concerned the performance-enhancement formula, a project he'd personally supervised.
The second was a progress report on Dr. Curt Connors's Lizard Serum research.
The performance-enhancement formula had completed its animal trials long ago.
However, because its effects remained unstable, Norman had repeatedly hesitated to authorize human testing.
The Lizard Serum project, meanwhile, had progressed painfully slowly for years.
Only two days earlier had he suddenly received news of a major breakthrough.
Connors had successfully regenerated a missing limb in a laboratory mouse, although the experiment was still undergoing further observation.
'If one project fails, the other can serve as a backup...'
As that thought crossed his mind, a mixture of determination and madness flashed through Norman's eyes.
He pressed the intercom button on his desk and summoned his secretary, Sage, into the office.
"Notify Dr. Stromm. Tell him to arrange human trials for the performance-enhancement formula immediately."
"Then visit Dr. Connors's laboratory."
"Tell him I'm extremely satisfied with his project's recent progress. He should continue his excellent work and complete the animal testing as quickly as possible."
"Understood, sir."
The attractive female secretary bowed respectfully before leaving the office.
But the moment she closed the door behind her, her expression changed.
She immediately dialed a number.
A cold gleam appeared in her eyes.
"Gentlemen, the boss has run out of patience."
"And it appears he's also planning to activate Connors's project as a backup..."
Excited cheers and sounds of celebration immediately came from the other end of the line.
After a short while, someone finally spoke.
"Excellent."
"Now go and pressure that cripple into beginning human trials immediately. Make sure he uses disabled military veterans as his test subjects."
"That way, whether Norman's original plan succeeds or fails, we'll still be the ultimate winners!"
Hearing those instructions, Sage felt her heartbeat accelerate.
"And once everything is finished?"
"Don't worry. You'll receive every penny you're owed."
"Once we've sold off Oscorp, your share alone will be at least this much..."
The person on the phone named an astronomical figure.
Sage's excitement intensified.
Without another moment's hesitation, she hurried toward Dr. Connors's laboratory.
BANG!
She shoved the door open roughly and strode inside with an arrogant expression.
"Dr. Connors, I'm delighted to hear that your project has finally achieved some meaningful progress."
"Mr. Osborn is extremely pleased with your results."
Hearing the praise, Connors smiled and adjusted his glasses.
He answered with a slightly bashful expression.
"I'll continue working hard. Hopefully, we can finish the animal trials as soon as possible."
"Animal trials?"
Sage gave a contemptuous laugh.
"Those are already over."
"Mr. Osborn has submitted all the subsequent preclinical research reports to the Food and Drug Administration."
"In two days, arrangements will be made for disabled military veterans to participate in the clinical trials."
"What?!"
Connors stared at her in disbelief.
He instinctively reached out with his remaining hand, attempting to grab her shoulder.
"You can't do that!"
"We haven't even completed the follow-up observations from the animal experiments!"
"Nobody can guarantee that there won't be unexpected complications later!"
"Beginning human trials now... How is that any different from murder?!"
"Doctor, these aren't matters you need to concern yourself with."
Connors had only one arm, and he was hardly a physically imposing man.
Sage easily shoved him backward, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
She stood over him, looking down with naked contempt.
"Getting too involved in certain matters won't do you any good!"
"And remember, once you leave Oscorp, a cripple like you is nothing!"
Having effortlessly trampled on Connors's dignity, Sage turned and walked out of the laboratory with the smug confidence of someone who'd already won.
Connors remained on the floor.
He stared at the serum in his hand, his expression shifting repeatedly between anger, despair, and uncertainty.
...
"It's cold!"
Norman couldn't help making the observation as he lay bare-chested on the freezing examination table.
"Mr. Osborn, I must warn you again."
Dr. Stromm stood nearby, looking deeply troubled.
"The performance-enhancement formula is still extremely unstable."
"Theoretically speaking, it isn't even ready for clinical trials!"
"By proceeding with this experiment, you're putting your own life at risk!"
"Of course I know it's dangerous."
Norman no longer had the patience to explain himself.
"But I don't have another choice."
After drinking the formula, he weakly waved a hand.
"Begin, Dr. Stromm."
As the project's lead scientist, Stromm could only release a helpless sigh.
He reluctantly obeyed and activated the equipment.
Green vapor began filling the sterile chamber.
Moments later, Norman's agonized screams erupted from within.
Almost at exactly the same time Norman was undergoing the performance-enhancement treatment, Dr. Connors made a similar decision.
He couldn't bear the thought of the disabled veterans—men who had already shed blood for their country—suffering unnecessary harm because of his research.
He also desperately wanted to experience the miracle of regenerating his own missing arm.
With the conviction that someone had to be willing to descend into hell so others wouldn't have to, Connors made up his mind.
He took one final look at the stump where his arm had once been.
Then, without hesitation, he picked up a syringe containing the Lizard Serum and injected himself.
"AAAAARGH!"
Meanwhile, Dr. Stromm rushed to Norman's aid, intending to perform CPR.
His well-meaning intervention proved fatal.
With a savage grin, Norman seized the doctor's neck and twisted until it snapped.
And just like that...
Two of the Spider-Man universe's most notorious supervillains were born at almost the same moment.
The Green Goblin.
And the Lizard.
...
Meanwhile, Peter and Harry were thoroughly enjoying their reunion after spending so much time apart.
Harry had plenty on his mind, and Peter was more than willing to listen.
Their conversation drifted from the business empire that was still little more than an ambitious idea to the personal troubles they were both facing.
And from those ordinary concerns, it inevitably turned toward a subject that practically every teenager wanted to discuss.
Romance.
The two friends continued talking until well after nine in the evening.
"Looking forward to hearing some good news, Harry!"
After reluctantly saying goodbye to his old friend, Peter returned to his bedroom.
The first thing he did was contact Herman Schultz.
After all, Herman was a newly recruited subordinate.
Peter felt it was important to give him another dose of reassurance, reinforcing his confidence in his new employer.
It would also provide an opportunity to demonstrate just how capable Peter was while strengthening Herman's loyalty.
"That's right, Herman. I've already found an angel investor."
"As soon as you finish the first prototype battery, the funding should follow shortly afterward."
"One important thing to remember: we're developing this battery for mobile phones. The power output needs to be extremely stable..."
Peter was still sharing the good news with Herman when an old-fashioned car radio sitting beside his bed suddenly crackled to life.
It was a little device Peter had built himself.
The radio could tap into dedicated police communication frequencies, allowing him to monitor emergencies occurring throughout New York City.
"Calling all units! Calling all units!"
"We have an emergency on the Manhattan Bridge!"
"Witnesses are reporting that a gigantic... lizard creature is attacking vehicles!"
"Repeat, this is not a drill!"
'A lizard creature?'
Peter ended his call with Herman.
His eyebrows rose slightly.
'Wait...'
'Why is the story moving this quickly?'
Wasn't Dr. Connors supposed to transform into the Lizard around the time Peter and Gwen were approaching graduation?
For a moment, Peter was confused.
Then he abruptly slapped his forehead.
'Of course! How could I forget?'
He'd been so eager to obtain the Lizard Serum for himself that he'd given Connors the completed decay-rate algorithm far earlier than the doctor was supposed to receive it.
Under those circumstances, it was only natural that the Lizard would appear ahead of schedule!
Having realized that, Peter instinctively reached toward the superhero suit inside his bag.
But just as his fingers were about to close around the fabric, he suddenly stopped.
An image surfaced in his mind.
Gwen's pretty face, with its stubborn expression and refusal to admit defeat.
Peter hesitated.
'Maybe...'
'Maybe I should give her a chance to grow stronger on her own?'