In the universe space around Klinter Star, several forces were colliding incessantly.
Solus, watching Helen rush onto the Klinter Star, mistook her for being exhausted and planning to escape. He intended to launch a victorious chase, only for Frigga on the other side to sense Helen's presence. Using her magic barrier, she blocked Solus's path.
Magneto, purely disturbed from his work, now intended to obliterate everyone present. The magnetic storm swept through, clashing with other forces and forming one devouring whirlpool after another.
Amidst this chaotic blend of powerful whirlpools, an insignificant little dark shadow suddenly appeared. In a flash, it was torn apart by the horrifying expanse of chaotic forces.
Then, Peter, who was inside the Klinter Star, saw Shiller thrown out by someone once again. Shiller subsequently flew back out only to return to the spot where he started.
Peter couldn't comprehend what Shiller was up to, it all transcended his scope of understanding.
After several disappearances and appearances, Shiller eventually stopped in front of Peter. He sighed with his hands on hips, then turned to Peter and said, "That's how the world is, isn't it? Some things are beyond the control of our effort."
Seeing Peter's expression somewhat dazed, Shiller patted him on the arm, "What's the matter? Peter? How's the multiverse journey going?"
"I..." Peter had his mouth open, but couldn't utter a single word. After freezing for a few seconds, he suddenly jumped up, a look of tension in his eyes as he said, "Doctor, I was coming to find you. I have something very important to tell you!"
"Important? What is it?" asked Shiller, noticing Peter's poor state. His body language indicated his weakness.
"It's... " Peter's speech choked. After shaking his head several times, he stuttered, "Someone... someone told me..."
Seeing Peter struggling to speak, Shiller sighed and said, "Don't rush, take your time. What could be so grave?"
After drawing several deep breaths and clenching his fists, Peter spat out, "I saw Spider-Men from other universes. They told me that everyone who has ever said 'with great power comes great responsibility' to a Spider-Man, ultimately dies."
"Obviously, it sounds absurd and I didn't believe it, but I've asked around. Those who articulated this phrase, making them acknowledge this principle, in their universe, indeed have all died."
"The Superior Spider-Man told me that this is Spider-Man's curse. I... I don't understand if it is the kind of mystical curse Doctor Strange has been referring to, but it doesn't seem like a coincidence…"
As Peter steadily composed himself, he grew increasingly worried. He looked at Shiller and said, "Doctor Shiller, I know you're very powerful, but this is genuinely dangerous. If this is really a curse, you might... you might die..."
His words dropped as he was hesitant to use the term 'death.' As soon as the word slipped out of his mouth, a wave of heavy emotions washed over him.
After listening to everything Peter had to say, Shiller froze.
When he previously told Peter, "with great power comes great responsibility," it was essentially to save Matt, who was still in the emergency room.
Shiller, a comic book reader, knew the narrative style of Marvel editors all too well. If he hadn't said those words to Peter then, the storyline would've developed around Matt, who had just scraped out of danger. A sudden alarm would've blared in Matt's hospital room, doctors would've rushed in, and one of them would've strolled out, telling Peter, "The patient's condition is deteriorating. You can see him one last time."
By the time Peter would've gone in, Matt would've been on his last breath. Matt, once Peter's teacher and friend, would've died in Peter's arms.
Bearing the saying, 'what you start you must finish,' in mind, Shiller had already admitted Matt to the hospital for emergency treatment. He did not wish for any complications in the final stages, so in order to prevent Matt's narrative-driven demise, Shiller told Peter those words.
At that time, Shiller was uncertain whether or not this world would follow a traditional comic book narrative. He wasn't sure if an inevitable death flag would appear in any important character's plot.
However, the facts proved that his cautiousness was not misplaced. After Peter entered the multiverse and met other Spider-Men, he realized that the death curse was real.
Peter disliked things that didn't make sense to him and lacked any logic. Yet the painful experiences of countless Spider-Men confirmed to him that irrational incidents do happen. This why he was anxious to tell Shiller.
He had envisioned countless facial expressions which Shiller might make hearing this news. Shiller might comfort Peter, or even himself. However, Peter never imagined that, while informing Shiller of the curse, the doctor's facial expression could not be called gloomy nor could it be seen as cheerful.
He noticed that after Shiller froze at his spot for a moment, a smile played on his lips. Peter found it hard to describe what emotion the smile was revealing. But his spider-sense informed him that someone was headed for trouble.