Chapter 129

Mark was quite skilled in this craft.

After all, when he was still relatively weak, he performed quantum surgery on Gwen, who had just recently transformed into Lizard in the Andrew Spider-Verse.

However, once he really got to work, Mark realized that this time was more dangerous and tricky than before.

Upon reflection, it made sense.

Back then, Gwen had just transformed into Lizard, and many things were straightforward, with no complications when it came to removing or filling in certain aspects.

In contrast, the 94th Spider's spider genes had been integrated into his body for a long time, and the critical point was that his powers came directly from those spider genes!

But the new gene technology responsible for his mutation did not extract the benign genes from the target organism; it simply transferred spider genes to him.

In reality, turning into a spider monster the size of a human, similar to Dr. Curt Connors, who became the Lizard, was the ultimate outcome of this new gene technology.

The 94th Spider's state, where he had the powers of Spider-Man but had not turned into a monster, was, in fact, an "incomplete form."

If he wanted to save the 94th Spider, simply removing excess genes was not sufficient!

If only excess genes were removed, the 94th Spider would lose his Spider-Man abilities altogether.

And this world needed a Spider-Man who continued to fight!

So Mark couldn't choose this path.

What he truly needed to do was to remove the malignant portions of the spider genes that had bonded with Peter Parker's human genes in the 94th Spider's genetic code, thereby allowing him to maintain his current state.

But this required a better understanding of genetics.

However, even though he couldn't provide a complete cure, he could temporarily suppress it.

Mark withdrew his hands and returned to his normal state.

Gwen asked, "The surgery is done already? So fast?"

Mark shook his head. "The situation is more complicated than I expected. I need to go find Dr. Curt Connors in this world. He's an expert in new genetics. Perhaps he can identify the recessive aspects of the spider genes and assist me in completing this surgery."

Gwen nodded.

"Ugh, where am I? What happened to me? Hey, did you guys save me? Thank you so much," the 94th Spider slowly regained consciousness.

"You're awake! The surgery went very well. Now you're a girl!" Mark crouched beside Peter and his face entirely covered the latter's line of sight. The former's face was oh-so-serious that it would really make sense for him to receive an Oscar award.

The 94th Spider: ???

Gwen: ???

"Ahem, just kidding," Mark cleared his throat, "but judging by your lively and talkative nature, it seems like my surgery was indeed successful."

The 94th Spider touched his body and let out a sigh of relief. "You really scared me for a moment. I thought I was actually going to turn into a girl. In that case, I'd have to redo my spider costume."

Mark: ???

Gwen: ???

So, that's what you're concerned about?

The 94th Spider continued, "Wait, but my sides don't hurt anymore. And wait a minute, my arms, they've actually returned to normal!"

He realized that the extra set of arms he'd grown had vanished!

Mark explained, "I've only temporarily suppressed the mutated genes in your body, but it won't be long before they re-emerge. Now, it's best for us to find Dr. Curt Connors. Only he might have the means to truly eradicate the malignant portions of your genes."

"Wait, how do you know about Dr. Curt Connors?" The 94th Spider was taken aback, feeling like he couldn't see through the man and woman before him.

Mark held Gwen and said with a smile, "I'm Mark, and this is my girlfriend, Gwen. We're travelers passing through this place, and we heard your story and witnessed what happened to you. As for why we know these things..."

Mark extended his left hand, and his palm transformed into an ionized state, emitting electrical currents to form a lightning sword. Then, it shifted into flames, taking the shape of a fiery blade.

"As you can see, I'm a sorcerer, so I possess some future-sight abilities," Mark said mysteriously.

"Sorcerer? As in like a wizard?" The 94th Spider scratched his head in awe for a bit.

"You can think of it that way," Mark shrugged.

The reason the 94th Spider couldn't trigger his Spider-Sense on Mark and Gwen was that Mark had temporarily blocked any Spider Totems on them using his Web of Destiny. Unless they voluntarily exposed themselves or faced Madame Web or the potential Beyonder directly, it would be challenging to detect any signs on them from a distance.

Mark's motive for doing this was to discreetly observe Madame Web and to find out whether the Beyonder truly existed.

If the Beyonder indeed existed, he would undoubtedly see through Mark's disguise and perceive Mark's true power.

He wanted to confront the Ben Reilly and find the 94th Spider, but it was better to find Mark directly.

If they sought out Mark, there was no way Ben Reilly would escape as easily as before.

"Alright, let's go then. I hope Dr. Curt Connors can help me. Thank you for your assistance. How about I treat you to dinner later? But before that, I need to return home to replenish some web fluid. I've run out," the 94th Spider rambled on.

Mark chuckled, thinking that the 94th Spider was indeed the same ol' Spider-Man chatterbox, even more so than any other Spider-Man. Now that he had the chance to interact with him directly, it seemed even more entertaining.

"Then let's get going," Mark opened a portal, and on the other side was the 94th Spider's home. "Peter, come this way."

"Wow, this is so amazing! Is this magic?" The 94th Spider crossed through the portal, still talking.

He was already accustomed to Mark's knowledge of his true identity, after all, magic was just too incredible.

The 94th Spider didn't shy away from Mark and Gwen; he simply opened a small door in his room.

Behind that door was an even smaller room containing his equipment for developing photos, but in reality, it was a mini laboratory of his own.

He quickly replenished his web fluid and returned.

"All right, Mr. Amazing Wizard, let's go."

Mark wiped away the original portal and then opened another portal leading to Dr. Curt Connors' home.

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always so amazing. You remind me of someone, but she always summons me without my consent. Compared to her, you're much more gentle," the 94th Spider remarked.

A thought crossed Mark's mind. The "she" that the 94th Spider was talking about, wasn't that Madame Web?

Madame Web possessed a teleportation ability that could transport the 94th Spider to a place similar to an alternate dimension. She had used this ability to save the 94th Spider from danger a few times.

However, it was clear that she couldn't use this ability frequently. There were a few times when the 94th Spider nearly died, and she didn't step in to assist. It raised questions about her true feelings toward him.

"You've met her many times? Is she also a wizard?" Mark asked calmly.

The 94th Spider shook his head, saying, "I don't know. Every time I meet her, she's sitting down and talks about some kind of test, all mysterious and cryptic."

Gwen teased, "You might not be mysterious, but you sure are chatty."

"Is that so?" The 94th Spider scratched his head.

"It's okay; maybe that is really your magic," Mark comforted.

"You make a point. Next time I encounter those bad guys, if warning them doesn't stop them, I'll use magic to defeat them. What do you think of that idea?" the 94th Spider suggested.

"It's a good idea... but I don't recommend using it in practice," Gwen advised.

"Why not?"

"Because its damage output is really weak," Gwen explained.

"Maybe it will work wonders sometimes; who knows? Anyway, I think Dr. Connors may not be at home right now. He might be in the lab," the 94th Spider said. "But, in fact, I have a better option. Can you find out where Dr. Mariah is?"

Mark sighed, "Why didn't you mention her earlier? Dr. Mariah, she's the lover of Kraven, right?"

"Uh, yes. It's your fault for trying to get my attention with magic! Blame it on you!" the 94th Spider firmly shifted the blame.

"If you had the ability to shift blame when helping others take the fall, why would Punisher be chasing you?" Mark joked while wiping away the portal and then opening another one.

"Oh, you know that guy from earlier? You even know about my wrongful accusations," the 94th Spider said.

"Of course, I know. I also know that you've carried more blame than anyone else in this world!" Mark remarked.

He wasn't exaggerating. The 94th Spider could be considered the "Blame-Bearing Spider-Man" because he had shouldered countless accusations.

For example, recently, Morbius stole a blood sample he left at school for experiments, turned himself into a vampire, and then escaped from the hospital. The rumors outside ended up falsely accusing Spider-Man of capturing Morbius, which drew the Punisher's ire towards Spider-Man.

"Though it hurts a bit to hear, you're speaking the truth. I can't argue with that. Oh, my goodness," the 94th Spider lamented, clutching his head.

"Hello, Spider-Man, and the rest of you. Who are you people?" A tall, middle-aged woman appeared before Mark and the others.

She had short, light gray hair and a professional appearance, wearing a white lab coat. She was a typical american beauty.

She was Dr. Mariah.

The 94th Spider had helped her save her husband, Kraven, which had led to their friendship. Previously, Dr. Mariah had researched a drug that could combat spider gene mutations. However, it wasn't ready yet, and the impatient 94th Spider took it. This semi-finished drug only exacerbated his mutation, leading to his transformation into the Six-Armed Spider-Man.

°°°

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