Chapter 135: Peter’s Malicious Humor

"Haven't you forgotten about the Engineers so quickly, Peter?" Helen said to Peter with displeasure.

"No, I was just concerned about my lottery ticket," Peter thought she was calling to tell him about the lottery.

"You're too impatient; there's still one day left until the draw," Helen's lazy voice came from the other end of the phone. "Or are you just eager to daydream about claiming your ten-million-dollar prize?"

"Seems like you still don't trust me, Ms. Helen."

"You've never been a trustworthy person," Helen wasn't buying Peter's excuses. "You're hiding so many secrets; I suspect every word you say wavers between truth and lies."

"Alright, back to the main topic. Although I didn't go to Scotland to investigate the mural you described, I did make an unexpected discovery elsewhere."

Peter, quite surprised, asked, "Where?"

Was the story of the Engineers, which he had fabricated, actually real?

"Valen Mining Company discovered an open-pit copper mine. Beneath this mine, they found an underground ruin that seems to hide many secrets, particularly regarding the origin of the 'Queen.'"

Peter frowned and asked, "How do you know this?"

"I have my ways of getting information," Helen paused for a moment before continuing, "Valen Mining Company is collaborating with Stark Industries. You might want to keep an eye on those businessmen from Stark Industries—they always treat any territory they occupy as their domain."

"That is, if you plan to enter that underground world."

Helen seemed certain that Peter would be interested in this underground world.

"Thanks for the heads up."

After hanging up, Peter sat at his desk, staring out into the dark night. The night seemed to hide many mysteries and unknowns, all rushing toward him.

He opened his laptop and typed "Valen Mining" into the search engine.

Links about Valen Mining Corporation immediately appeared on the webpage.

The latest news was about Tony Stark acquiring shares in Valen Mining Corporation and preparing to join this largest mining corporation in the United States.

Tony Stark must know about the underground ruins, right? Peter continued browsing the news.

The news reported that Tony Stark was attacked at the airport because he was on his way to California to attend a board meeting of Valen Mining Corporation. He had decided to take a commercial flight at the last minute, giving terrorists the opportunity.

"Ding!"

As he browsed the news, his computer notified him of an email in his inbox.

Peter opened his email and found a message from "Mr. Fantastic" Reed.

As he read the content, his brow furrowed.

This kid wanted to borrow money from him.

Borrow money?!

Do I look like a rich person?!

Reed pulled out a sting from his hand.

A white bump had formed on his hand.

As for why this happened, it was because he had been stung by a wasp that morning.

And not just any wasp—a beautiful jewel wasp.

In the backyard, he had suddenly found a furry thing wriggling on his coverall's belt.

Startled, he couldn't help but scream, "Bee! Bee! BEE!"

He jumped back and tripped over the stone that had just tripped him, falling heavily to the ground. In pain, surprise, and fear, he saw the jewel wasp on his pocket.

Just as he felt like he was losing his mind, the jewel wasp landed on his hand and viciously stung him.

That was his unfortunate mishap.

"I have to get the sting out."

Reed thought his luck was terrible. "The proper way is to remove the sting, then apply some baking soda, and the bump will go away. But the trouble is, I'm allergic to baking soda."

As he frowned in frustration, he glanced out the window and caught a glimpse of something pitch black.

It seemed like a pair of eerie green eyes, exuding a chilling aura.

The startled boy almost fell off his chair.

He stood up in disbelief, retreating backwards with a series of thuds until he was pressed against the wall.

With heavy breathing, he felt as if he were in a cold cave.

It seemed to be the creature he had seen on the news before, the one that killed the werewolf at Bear Mountain!

A terrifying creature, covered in an aura of death and filled with a killing instinct. He could never forget it after the first glance.

If such a creature were to invade his room now...

He had no doubt he would be torn to pieces by it.

His breathing grew heavier as he tried to take out his phone to call the police, but his limbs were frozen.

Just when he thought he was going to be eaten by the creature, there was a knock on the window glass.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

With a question mark over his head, he looked towards the window in surprise.

Could such a creature knock on the window?

"Reed, it's me, Peter Parker."

Peter stood outside the window, like a werewolf disguised as a grandmother.

"How long are you going to stand there, stunned?"

Peter asked as he looked at Reed's dazed expression.

Not a terrifying creature, but Parker?

Reed was filled with questions.

He had clearly seen a monster outside the window just now; how did it turn into Peter Parker?

Was it just his imagination?

Or could it be... the monster was disguising itself as Peter Parker to lure him into opening the door?

At this moment, Reed was like Little Red Riding Hood in the story of the "Wolf in Grandma's Clothing," hesitating about whether to open the door for "Grandma."

He swallowed hard and looked into Peter's eyes.

Alright, now he was even more suspicious.

Those eyes looked exactly like the monster's eyes.

As he hesitated, an impatient Peter opened the window and came inside.

Reed was dumbfounded.

"This is the sixth floor, right?"

"I'm a rock climbing enthusiast," Peter casually lied.

"Actually, if you said you were Spider-Man, I might believe it."

Reed swallowed hard, feeling a bit scared.

"So, did you see anything outside?"

"No," Peter, of course, wouldn't admit that he had let the "Queen" scare this kid outside.

He glanced at Reed's hand.

His hand looked extremely clumsy, almost as big as his head.

Seeing Peter reach for his hand, Reed opened his mouth to stop him, but before he could say anything, Peter deftly removed the jewel wasp's sting from his hand.

"That sting is really big. Maybe not a champion, but probably close enough to make a belt," Peter casually tossed the sting onto the table and looked around the room.

The small room was filled with books, messy experimental instruments, and various strange gadgets.

Reed looked at his swollen hand in amazement.

The sting that had burrowed deep into his skin was pulled out just like that?!

"How did you do that?"

"Aren't you supposed to thank me?"

"Of course, thank you for your help. I was worried I might need to go to the hospital."

Reed's small face wrinkled into a bitter expression. "These jewel wasps may look beautiful and even parasitize, but being stung by them isn't pleasant."

Peter looked around and asked, "Where are your parents?"

"They have their own things to do, so most of the time, I'm the master of this house."

Reed suddenly felt he hadn't fulfilled his duty as the master.

Shouldn't he at least offer his guest a cup of coffee or a drink?

While he was pondering his duties as the host, Peter suddenly picked up a scientific instrument next to him.

"What's this?"

It looked like the metal cap worn by mad scientists in sci-fi movies, now in Peter's hand.

Reed was about to explain when Peter put the cap on his head.

"Wait!"

Reed tried to stop him but was a step too late.

"What's wrong?"

"This is a lie detector."

"You invented it?"

"Yes, but it's supposed to be a subconscious amplifier. I invented it a month ago and haven't tested it on humans yet."

Reed said dejectedly, "If you get hurt, my parents will definitely be angry."

"A subconscious amplifier?"

Peter pondered, trying to focus his attention.