Chapter 77 Encountering the Lizard Again

Since crossing into this world, Anton hadn't had much interaction with Norman Osborn, but his impression of the man was fairly positive.

Though shrewd and calculating, Norman maintained a sense of decorum and carried himself like a successful entrepreneur.

Most importantly, Norman was generous.

On top of that, his son, Harry Osborn, was a polite young man and a fan of Batman.

Given the Osborn family hereditary illness, Anton could understand Norman motivations. However, he had to admit that once Norman split personality emerged as the Green Goblin, he became a completely different person, no longer the Norman Osborn everyone knew.

In his Green Goblin state, Norman Osborn negative emotions became overwhelmingly dominant. Aside from his family—namely Harry Osborn—he harbored almost no positive feelings. His mind was consumed by destruction, crime, and chaos.

Anton couldn't afford to treat the Green Goblin as if he were still Norman Osborn.

Out of respect for their past relationship and the fact that Harry Osborn was one of his movie investors, Anton was willing to help Norman purge the negative personality after subduing him. But until then, he would do everything in his power to capture Norman in his Green Goblin form.

After all, he had a score to settle from the pumpkin bombs thrown at him yesterday.

Anton could act reserved, but Batman could not.

After some thought, Anton left the Daily Bugle and drove to the Continental Hotel.

"Mr. Jameson, we meet again!"

The African-American concierge at the front desk was no longer as nervous as last time upon seeing Anton.

They were allies now.

He nodded slightly. "Mr. Winston is in his office. I'll let him know you're here."

"Mm."

Without pausing, Anton headed straight to Winston office.

"Anton, it been a while."

Winston greeted Anton personally at the door with a smile.

Since their collaboration to take down Kingpin, the High Table influence had extended to Hell Kitchen, elevating the Continental Hotel status significantly. Now, its network spanned the entire New York area, with most professional assassins in New York registered at the hotel. Those who weren't registered were mostly low-level thugs no one cared about.

Additionally, assassins across the United States held the Continental Hotel in high regard.

Under such circumstances, the Continental Hotel had practically become the de facto "Assassins' Guild" of America.

And at the helm of this organization was Winston, the "Guild Master."

Winston hadn't forgotten that all of this was thanks to Anton.

Though the two had their differences in the past, as long as the outcome was favorable, the process didn't matter.

Besides, Anton was Batman.

In today America, no one could ignore the presence of Batman.

"Winston, I heard from Daredevil that the High Table has been doing well lately."

Anton exchanged brief pleasantries before getting to the point. "I'm here for something regarding Oscorp. Through the High Table intelligence network, I need you to find out where the batch of chemicals recently purchased by Oscorp ended up."

"Oscorp?"

Winston looked slightly surprised.

He knew Anton public identity.

As a genius director and the secret owner of the Daily Bugle, Anton had a decent relationship with Norman Osborn. Why would he suddenly want to investigate Oscorp?

"Hold on. I'll get that information for you."

Winston didn't press for details. His line of work didn't allow for too much curiosity.

Asking one extra question could invite more trouble than it was worth.

"There are plenty of our people working as dockhands near the harbor. This shouldn't be a hard question to answer."

After making a phone call, Winston quickly had an answer.

"Osborn Manor."

He said, "Those chemicals were sent to Norman Osborn private estate just outside New York City. I'm sure you already know the exact location."

"I do."

Anton nodded to Winston and offered a tip. "The Foot Clan is about to be in trouble. If the High Table has plans for Brooklyn, this could be a good time to step in."

"Oh?"

Winston was taken aback. Watching Anton departing figure, he once again broke into a heartfelt smile.

What a lucky star!

Nightfall.

Anton, now dressed as Batman, arrived at the Osborn Manor in the outskirts of New York.

The estate was originally a modest hill, but twenty years ago, Norman Osborn had invested heavily to transform it into his private manor.

Though located in the suburbs, it was only about an hour drive from the city center, making it relatively accessible.

Upon arriving, Anton hid within a small grove of trees, observing the stringent security measures of the Osborn Manor. He immediately sensed that something was off.

The guards' equipment went far beyond what normal security personnel would carry.

It was almost certain that Norman Osborn secret laboratory was located within this estate.

Whoosh!

Finding a blind spot in the surveillance, Anton infiltrated the manor.

Beneath the Manor.

Few people knew that hidden below the estate was a massive laboratory.

At that moment, a towering, green-scaled Lizard was seated on an oversized chair, working with high-tech experimental equipment in front of him.

"Not enough. Still not enough!"

The Lizard muttered to himself. "So far, the human enhancement serum can slow genetic deterioration but cannot fully resolve it. It fails to address the root of genetic defects. Furthermore…"

He paused. "The serum has a side effect of inducing mental instability—split personalities. This stuff is no joke."

A trace of dread flickered in his beast-like eyes, revealing his thoughts.

Clearly, the Lizard was thinking about Norman Osborn, whose negative emotions had been amplified by the serum side effects, transforming him into the Green Goblin.

A violent, unpredictable lunatic who delighted in dressing as a goblin and wreaking havoc on a flying glider!

In just a few days, the Goblin had nearly torn the experimental base apart!

Now, that maniac had fully embraced his Green Goblin persona, his mind consumed by destructive urges.

If not for the fact that the Lizard relied on Oscorp to fund his own research, he might have already swatted the Goblin away with his tail.

Little did he know, the Green Goblin viewed him with the same disdain.

To the Goblin, the Lizard was nothing more than a pathetic creature who, after taking the limb regeneration serum, regained his limbs but lost his mind, devolving into an admirer of reptiles.

While the Goblin might be insane, at least he still considered himself human.

The Goblin firmly believed that the human enhancement serum was the true path to human evolution—not the so-called "Lizard Empire" envisioned by the Lizard.

Both men had their own selfish agendas, and neither was worth trusting.

One hoped Oscorp would continue to support his research.

The other hoped the Lizard intelligence would lead to the development of a side-effect-free serum to permanently cure genetic diseases and fix genetic defects.

Blaring alarms pierced the air.

Suddenly, a sharp alarm rang through the expansive underground laboratory.

"Someone broken in!"

The Lizard was stunned. He couldn't believe someone had infiltrated this place.

He thought back to the previous night when the Green Goblin, armed with meticulously prepared weapons, had stormed out of the manor with a twisted expression, only to return later, radiating murderous intent and looking slightly disheveled.

There was no doubt in his mind—the Goblin must have caused trouble outside and brought the enemy back to their doorstep.

What the Lizard didn't realize was that the person the Goblin had provoked was the same man who had once ripped his limbs apart.

But in the next moment, he realized it.

A familiar voice echoed around him, causing his expression to twist in anger.

"Connors, so you are here!"