Ch.24 One by One, Peter Parker

Inside the wooden shack, Natasha followed Charlie's instructions, gradually breaking down Lizard Parker's defenses.

Meanwhile, Charlie stood guard outside, silently watching as Steve moved freely around the camp.

Thanks to Lizard Parker, Steve roamed unchallenged, with no one daring to question the unfamiliar face.

Norman and the others had only used brute force to coerce the people here into doing their bidding. They hadn't shared specific details, nor were they aware of Steve and Natasha's presence, giving Charlie a golden opportunity.

Before long, Steve returned to Charlie's side.

"Everything's set," old Steve whispered.

Charlie glanced at the green figure flying out of the cave. "That guy's sly and suspicious. Be careful not to let him catch on."

"Understood."

Steve turned to look at Natasha. "She might have to sacrifice herself," he said, hinting at something.

"She won't. Lizard Parker is into pure love," Charlie said confidently.

Steve shrugged. "Alright, maybe I overthought it."

"Do you know why Black Widow could win over Hulk?" Charlie suddenly asked.

Steve paused, thinking. "Pure love?" he guessed uncertainly.

Charlie glanced at the already-besotted Lizard Parker and nodded seriously. "Exactly. Sending her against the lizard is practically an overkill."

"But I still think it's a bit cruel to the lizard."

"If you see the state Tony's in, then you'll understand what cruelty really means."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

After a brief chat, they watched as Lizard Parker emerged from the wooden shack, holding Natasha by the hand.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here," Lizard Parker said softly to Natasha.

He looked at Steve. "Get the car ready. I need to head out."

Before Steve could move, the sound of an engine roared overhead, and Norman landed on his glider, cackling madly.

"Gahaha, the mission isn't over yet. Where do you think you're going?"

Lizard Parker glared at him. "We've already won. Now I'm going to handle my own business."

Norman glanced at Natasha, who was pretending to be scared. He laughed, tilting his head. "I see. She's a prisoner, and you're such a sweet boy, trying to get her out of this place before we leave."

"Mind your own business," Lizard Parker snapped, dragging Natasha as he walked away.

Charlie and Steve quickly followed.

Norman didn't bother stopping them.

"Fool. Sooner or later, he'll die at the hands of a woman," he sneered before turning back to the cave.

Meanwhile, Charlie personally drove the vehicle, taking Lizard Parker and Natasha out of the valley.

The SUV roared through the desert night.

"Master, driving to the nearest city will take about ten hours," Steve said from the passenger seat.

"Ten hours?" Lizard Parker let out a sigh of relief. "Good, we've got time."

He was about to reassure Natasha when his eyes fell on the explosives and a metallic shield in the back of the car.

"Wait... that's... his shield!"

In an instant, Lizard Parker's pupils contracted in shock, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

"You're all liars!!"

Twenty minutes later, a loud explosion echoed outside the valley.

"What happened?"

Norman flew out of the cave, questioning a Ten Rings member who rushed over to report.

"There was an explosion. We spotted someone in a red and blue suit."

"Little Charlie!" Norman laughed. "He's finally shown up. Where is he?"

"To the east, at an old, abandoned bunker."

"Bunker?"

Norman grinned. "So that's where they're hiding. Alright, let's play along."

With that, he flew off in the direction the Ten Rings member pointed.

After Norman left, the disguised Ten Rings member removed their helmet—it was Natasha.

Within ten minutes, Charlie and Steve had already returned to the camp through the tunnel from the bunker.

"It's done," Charlie said, finding Natasha.

Natasha looked surprised. "That fast?"

Charlie shrugged. "Of course."

Nearby, Steve held his battered shield. "Once we took out his glider, he was no match for us."

Natasha smiled. "Just like the little spider said, the Green Goblin is cunning but also arrogant. Even knowing it was a trap, he went in alone."

Charlie glanced in the direction of the cave. "Norman's confident. He thinks that even if we kill him, we won't win the resurrection match. He wants to crush our hope at the last moment."

Hearing this, Steve frowned. "Why is he so sure he'll win?"

Natasha's face darkened. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Charlie chuckled. "Don't worry. We've already taken down two of them. Only the scariest one remains in the cave."

"Yeah, I'm getting ready," Natasha said, pointing to a pile of equipment in the corner. "The ultrasonic device is simple. I'll have it ready in an hour, as long as your plan works."

"As expected of a top-tier agent. Let's get to it!" Charlie gave her a thumbs-up.

An hour later.

Natasha finished setting up the ultrasonic device, while Charlie and Steve equipped themselves with flamethrowers from the Ten Rings.

Behind them, a group of armed men watched the three in confusion, unsure of what they were doing.

"Have you noticed? The lizard and the Green Goblin haven't come back."

"Yeah, something's up with those three."

"They're going inside. That terrifying creature will eat them alive."

"Let's see what they're up to."

Under the wary eyes of the onlookers, the three of them entered the cave.

Inside, the cave was dimly lit as they slowly moved deeper in.

The further they went, the colder and more ominous it felt. The stench of blood filled the air, making Natasha uneasy.

Without hesitation, she activated the ultrasonic device.

Bzzzz~

Instantly, the 20kHz high-frequency sound waves spread through the cave, and a sharp screech echoed above them.

SCREEEEE!

"He's up there!"

As the creature screeched, Charlie and Steve immediately fired their flamethrowers, unleashing blue flames at the ceiling.

Fwoooosh~

In seconds, the cave was illuminated by the blaze. The black webbing overhead twisted violently under the combined assault of fire and sound waves, and Venom Parker's screeches became even more chilling.

Compared to the heat from burning gasoline, the high-temperature flames from the flamethrowers were far more deadly to Venom. But even that wasn't enough to defeat this terrifying foe.

Charlie had learned from the last time—Venom Parker's resistance to fire was strong, but his sensitivity to sound was even greater.

Now, with a more professional ultrasonic device in place, Venom Parker's power was reduced to its weakest state. Charlie could even vaguely make out the figure inside the symbiote struggling.

Peter Parker!