Chapter 27

"A lizard-like creature has emerged from a manhole cover at the intersection of Fourth and Fifth Avenues!"

"He's captured two men and two women and is heading back to the sewers!"

"I'll go track him. You organize the team as planned and follow my signal—I'll leave markers along the way just in case!"

As Holm swiftly issued instructions to Daisy, he tossed the telescope aside. Producing a compact device from his lower back, he unfolded it into a paraglider.

"I'll get everyone there as fast as I can. Be careful," Daisy called, her face tense as she watched Holm prepare to leap from the rooftop.

"Don't worry," Holm replied with a reassuring smile. "We agreed we'd catch that creature." With that, he grabbed the paraglider and jumped off the roof.

Meanwhile, the lizard monster had reached the sewer entrance. Burdened by a sack holding his captives, he struggled with the descent, his widened form making it hard to maneuver. Pausing, he scratched his bald, green head as if in thought. Then he carefully placed the sack down, preparing to clamber down with it.

Holm was gliding in the dim night sky, getting closer. Watching the lizard monster's awkward movements, he couldn't help but wonder if the serum that transformed people into lizard creatures affected their intelligence as well.

"I'll keep my distance as we follow him," he whispered into his headset. "Stay sharp and keep tracking him closely. Our performance on this mission affects how much chocolate you get, so don't let me down."

Landing softly, Holm packed away the paraglider, slipping it onto his back as he approached the sewer entrance. He communicated telepathically with Venom, instructing him to remain alert and keep close watch on the lizard monster to prevent them from losing him.

"Absolutely! Last time was just a fluke. This time, he's like a giant beacon—there's no chance we'll lose him," Venom assured, pounding his chest with confidence.

Venom knew that Holm's evaluation of him had dropped after his failure to detect the lizard monster last time, which left Holm with broken bones. Determined to redeem himself, Venom wanted to prove his value. To reinforce his point, he shared his perception with Holm, letting him feel firsthand what it was like to sense the target as a bright "beacon" in the darkness.

Suddenly, a strange image appeared in Holm's mind, like a map of the area around him. Through this image, he could pinpoint the location of the lizard monster, despite the distance and obstacles between them. The sensation convinced Holm of Venom's ability and eliminated his doubts.

This skill seemed tailor-made for agents, especially for tailing operations. Unlike typical agents who must maintain visual contact, which risks exposure even for the best, Venom's skill allowed Holm to follow the target discreetly. Even legendary agents like S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury would struggle to detect this type of pursuit.

Maintaining a safe distance, Holm left markers along the way so Daisy could track him if Venom's positioning failed. "The smell down here is unbearable. How has that creature kept going without reaching its destination?" Venom grumbled impatiently as they followed the lizard monster through endless sewer tunnels.

"Where has Dr. Lizard set up his lair?" Holm muttered. The stench was overpowering, even dulling his sense of smell. He pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket and popped it into his mouth. "Would you like some chocolate? It won't completely mask the smell, but it'll make it bearable," he offered Venom.

At the suggestion, Venom hesitated, torn between the urge to eat and the thought of ruining chocolate's taste in such an environment. Ultimately, he shook his head, unwilling to spoil his beloved treat in this foul setting.

"We should teach Dr. Lizard a lesson later," Venom suddenly growled in frustration, already blaming the doctor for his discomfort. If not for his distaste for the creature's head, he might have demanded the chance to take a bite out of it.

Holm and Venom trailed the lizard monster deeper into the sewer system. Initially, Holm matched their route with the underground maps in his head, but they eventually entered an uncharted area. Holm had expected this; not every tunnel in such a vast system could be recorded, and individuals with ulterior motives often created private expansions without city approval.

After some time, the overpowering smell started to lessen, and the surroundings grew noticeably cleaner. No longer was the air so rank, and the filth began to disappear, along with the sewer creatures that had been so prevalent. Recognizing these changes, Holm felt they were close to the hideout. Given the genetic research and experiments supposedly happening there, it made sense that the lab would be kept away from the sewers' filth.

Following the lizard monster's movements closely, they eventually reached Dr. Lizard's lair. To avoid detection, Holm halted at a corner once the creature stopped moving. In the shared perception between him and Venom, he noted that besides the lizard monster they'd been trailing, two other lizard creatures now appeared within range.

"The place is guarded," Holm whispered, glancing over his shoulder to double-check their surroundings. The mission's stakes had just escalated.

The long, grim journey through the sewers had brought them to the heart of Dr. Lizard's operations. Holm steeled himself, knowing that every action from here on would require precision. Taking a deep breath, he mentally prepared for what lay ahead.

The echoes of dripping water and the faint scurrying of unseen creatures created a tense silence. Holm's focus sharpened. His fingers hovered over his utility belt as he weighed his options, knowing he'd need all his skills and Venom's aid to accomplish the mission successfully.

Finally, with a determined whisper, he set his plan into motion. "Let's make this count."