171

Chapter 171: The Double Betrayal

Carnage fled peacefully. Of course, he didn't die at Tony's hands.

Even if Tony's rapid four-hit combo of justice caused enough damage to Carnage in a short period, Carnage was still Carnage, not to mention that his current state was much stronger than normal. When the unbalanced time passed, he broke free from the steel armor's shackles and struck down with an axe. Tony, unable to deal more damage, dodged first.

Seeing this, the heavy shield-shaped specialized armor moved forward again, trying to use its shield to collide with Carnage. But this time, Carnage was prepared. As the battle ax charged up, he struck hard and shattered the shield. Meanwhile, his body's amazing resilience was at work, and the wounds from Tony's energy beam quickly healed at an alarming speed.

Knowing it was unwise to stay, Carnage turned and jumped out of the window to escape. Three armors followed closely, rushing out the window in pursuit. The remaining one opened its armor plate, allowing Tony in a suit to step out.

"Mr. Stark, what is this?" Gwen finally recovered and climbed up from the ground.

"A bit of new technology allows me to remotely connect or control the armor," Tony explained casually, walking up to Gwen. "Okay, Gwen, now it's time for you to tell me what's going on. I was just attending a meeting outside, and a monster that couldn't be killed suddenly appeared in my house, and this new outfit of yours?"

Phantom didn't waste time and said, "Stark, you must hurry up and hunt down Carnage. If he escapes, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Do you know me?" Tony asked, then added, "You saw it too. You don't think the two of us can easily solve that problem. This is just to keep an eye on him. I will soon..."

He paused suddenly as Jarvis connected. After hearing the news, Tony spread his hands and said, "Okay, I think we have enough time to communicate now."

"The mechas that went after the monster were destroyed," Jarvis reported.

"So, you probably come from a parallel universe, and in that universe, there are also me and other superheroes?" Tony deduced.

"Yes, Stark. Of course, parallel worlds are not uncommon there, and not all worlds are necessarily the same," Phantom wanted to explain more, but Tony interrupted, "I know, you don't need to explain."

Tony waved his hand. For a super genius like him, many things could be understood at a glance. Parallel universes were already a plausible theory in this world. "And in your universe, in the future... maybe the symbiote will come to Earth?"

Talking to smart people was easy. Even if Phantom wasn't too familiar with superheroes like Stark, she knew the symbiotes weren't from the Venom family tree. She also arrived on Earth recently because of Carnage's conspiracy. The purple symbiote suit extended a small tentacle at the tip of Gwen's head. Phantom nodded and said, "Yes, but I am also new here. The symbiote that came to Earth first is called Venom, and he..."

Phantom stopped and said, "In short, he is also on our side. Carnage, including many of Earth's symbiotes, are all his descendants."

She explained the symbiote settings to them. Although the characters of the symbiotes were initially created all evil, with Marvel's development of the IP, the popular symbiotes couldn't escape being whitewashed. Nowadays, symbiotes were neither good nor evil. They were mainly influenced by the host, so there were many kind and justice-upholding symbiotes in the universe. Venom was unique because one of his hosts was a man of significant influence.

After roughly understanding the symbiote characteristics, Tony didn't express any opinions. He casually said, "So you are also affected by Gwen now, right?"

Phantom sighed, "Stark, I have no bad influence on her. In fact, in the universe, our symbiotes have strict symbiosis guidelines. This time, we must follow the authority."

"Symbiotes are generally more affected by previous hosts. Over time, our personalities become more stable."

"I was just joking," Tony shrugged. While instructing Jarvis to handle the aftermath of the damaged building, he said, "Let's get back to the topic. You and that monster, what's going on with Carnage?"

Phantom said, "Carnage is on a crazy hunt, devouring Earth's symbiotic organisms to awaken our creator, the God of the Abyss, Knull. He has already swallowed many, which is why his strength has greatly increased. Once he swallows all the symbiotes, he will communicate directly with Knull, and the entire Earth will fall into disaster. The Earth is only the first step; after destroying it, he will continue to cause chaos."

Tony felt a headache coming on. New York had just dealt with an alien invasion half a year ago, and now there was another world-destroying crisis. The Earth was truly in trouble. Establishing the Justice League was farsighted... How was it established again?

Tony shook his head, clearing his confused thoughts. "Then if I'm correct, other symbiotes will also be transported to Earth now."

"That should be the case," Phantom's slimy tentacle nodded.

Tony raised his eyes and called Jarvis, "Jarvis, monitor the information of all New York as much as possible. That thing shouldn't escape in such a short time. Also, inform the captain and the others. They have a new job."

After the mainline chat, Gwen saw Tony starting to arrange things. Finally, she asked Phantom the question that had been lingering in her mind, "Miss Phantom, can you tell me more about the Peter Parker you mentioned?"

In another universe, Spider-Man wasn't her, but Peter!? Gwen was surprised.

"Of course, Gwen," Phantom said kindly, "The superheroes on Earth over there experienced some parallel universe events. Although every universe has counterparts with the same names, you are not exactly the same. There will always be something unique about you."

"I understand, Miss Phantom," Gwen said. She only had one Peter.

"Generally speaking, Spider-Man is indeed Peter Parker. In fact, in the multiverse, Spider-Man is typically Peter Parker."

Gwen pursed her lips. Was her identity as Spider-Man stolen from Peter? This was her first thought. Perhaps because she missed him too much, her thoughts diverged. She remembered fighting for the chance to go to Osborne for an internship with Peter. Peter had given up the opportunity to her. If Peter had taken it, would he have become Spider-Man?

Everything connected. Gwen felt guilty, realizing she had initially taken something important from Peter. It was Peter's kindness and encouragement that led her to become a superhero. She carried Peter's expectations and lost motivation after losing him.

Gwen believed Phantom without hesitation. Peter might be more suitable for Spider-Man than she was.

Phantom noticed something wrong with Gwen and asked, "Do you know the Peter Parker of this world?"

Gwen nodded, "I am his girlfriend."

"Eh—" Phantom sounded surprised.

Gwen frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just... in our universe, Peter Parker's girlfriend is Mary Jane."

"!!!" Gwen was stunned.

Phantom quickly added, "Every universe is different. The time points are not necessarily the same. There will be some discrepancies."

"Well..." Gwen responded dazedly. Peter had another girlfriend in another world? She felt indescribably complex emotions.

She liked Peter so much, but his girlfriend in another world was someone else. Although this Peter wasn't her Peter, it didn't stop her from feeling emotional. After all, she was just a girl who had just turned eighteen. But thinking of Peter not being with her now, Gwen felt sad.

If it were just another woman, Gwen wouldn't react so strongly. Although he was called Peter, he was a stranger from another universe. What broke Gwen's guard was that after she entered college, she met a good friend, a red-haired girl named Mary Jane.

Eee! What's going on with this feeling of double betrayal!?

...