130 Chapter 130

"These two are new friends of mine," the 94th Spider introduced.

Mark extended his hand and said, "Hello, Dr. Maria, I'm Mark, and this is my girlfriend, Gwen Stacy."

"Hello, Mr. Mark, hello, Miss Gwen. May I ask who you are?" After exchanging greetings with Mark and Gwen, Dr. Maria inquired.

The 94th Spider stepped forward and explained, "Well, Mark has a miraculous ability to remove the drawbacks from my mutant genes. However, he needs to know the specific areas to be removed, so... we need your help."

Dr. Maria paused for a moment and looked at Mark, saying, "An ability to remove the drawbacks from mutant genes? Forgive me for being straightforward, but besides Dr. Connors' New Genetics Research Institute, I've never heard of such an ability in any other research facility. Nevertheless, sure, take me to your laboratory so I can see."

In her mind, she wondered if this person named Mark was deceiving Spider-Man to gain something from him, possibly his mutant genes. She didn't want her friend used as a guinea pig.

Mark gave a faint smile and said, "I'm not a researcher from an institute, or at least not anymore. You can think of this ability as a superpower."

"Superpower? Acting on a genetic level?" Dr. Maria was greatly surprised.

"Yes," Mark replied, estimating that she might not believe him. However, she was doing this to protect the 94th Spider, so he couldn't blame her.

Mark briefly explained what he had seen about the genetic mutations in the 94th Spider when he treated him earlier.

Dr. Maria immediately believed part of it because she had previously taken a sample of Spider-Man's blood to research his mutation. Thus, the conditions he described were indeed familiar to her.

However, Mark knew that she might have examined these conditions with specialized equipment, and so his explanation alone might not be sufficient.

But then the 94th Spider himself stepped up.

"Dr. Maria, I believe I need Mark's and your help. My mutation is getting worse, and I don't want to turn into a human-spider monster. Please, help us," he pleaded.

At the same time, he expressed his trust in Mark and Dr. Maria.

Dr. Maria observed Mark for a while, then nodded and said, "Very well, let's cooperate. How can I assist you?"

Mark extended his hand and shook hers.

"Cooperate happily. To be honest, I don't understand genetics, but I can 'see' genetic mutations and necrosis. So, Dr. Maria, please put your hand on my shoulder later and close your eyes. I will share my 'vision' with you," Mark explained.

Dr. Maria was even more puzzled. She felt Mark was talking about mysticism rather than science. However, she nodded without raising any questions, and she was somewhat curious about what Mark would do.

Mark turned to Gwen and said, "Gwen, it's up to you to be on alert. I suspect we'll need some time, and there's a Punisher who's after the 94th Spider in town, and there's a vampire who might attack people at any time."

Gwen nodded and went to the window.

"Can she do it?" the 94th Spider couldn't resist a smirk.

Gwen turned around to look at him and said, "Maybe I don't mind sparring with you."

Mark lightly tapped him and said, "Hey, are you pretending like I don't exist? Dare you to question my girlfriend? Besides, you can trust Gwen; she's more capable than you are."

"Uh, alright, maybe I'm just a poor, weak, and helpless little spider." The 94th Spider shrugged his shoulders and spoke in a self-deprecating manner.

"Alright, shut up and lie down on the bed," Mark was starting to get a headache from this chatterbox.

The 94th Spider obediently did as he was told.

Mark turned to Dr. Maria and said, "Dr. Maria, please put your hand on my shoulder now."

Dr. Maria did as she was asked.

Buzz...

Mark's eyes entered "Quantum Insight" mode, and his hands transitioned into "Quantum Scalpel" mode.

The 94th Spider noticed the miraculous transformation occurring with Mark and his now terrifying and mysterious appearance. He couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and awe but wisely refrained from making any playful remarks.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria was completely engulfed in astonishment. "What is this?!"

As Mark projected the microscopic view obtained through "Quantum Insight" into Dr. Maria's mind using his power, she couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. It was a more intuitive observation mode than a microscope.

She also realized that this incredible microscopic view could be manipulated at will to move, magnify, shrink, and focus on different parts. For a moment, Dr. Maria forgot her original purpose and became engrossed in this newfound ability.

"Dr. Maria, please point out the genetic mutations that need treatment."

As Mark's voice brought her back from her fascination, she quickly remembered her primary objective.

Consequently, she focused intently on examining the mutated areas within the genes. Based on her research, she pinpointed all the defective parts within the 94th Spider's genes and mutant regions.

This was indeed a colossal endeavor. Dr. Maria had to describe what was happening inside the 94th Spider's body while Mark operated the quantum scalpel. Using concise language, she explained the ongoing genetic events.

During the moment when the mutated spider bit Spider-Man, injecting him with mutant genes, these mutated parts resulted from the rupture and linking of gene chains, leading to replacement effects. In genetics, this process was termed "gene mutation."

Gene mutation could be categorized into two specific scenarios:

1. Point Mutation: Refers to the process where the internal hereditary structure of a single gene can change.

2. Chromosome Aberration: Falls under a broader definition of mutations.

These distinctions were not always entirely clear-cut, particularly when the aberrations were relatively subtle. Such mutations could lead to phenotypic changes, like when the 94th Spider was first bitten by the spider, becoming stronger without exhibiting obvious spider-like features—this was a type of subtle mutation, akin to a point mutation.

Conversely, the transformation of the Tobey Spider was more pronounced because it resulted in the development of a new organ in his body that allowed him to produce webs. However, their symptoms remained relatively mild. Except for the 94th Spider, most of the Spider-Men who gained superpowers through gene mutations did not face the dilemma of turning into human-spider hybrids.

This might depend on the issue of "quantity" and could also be related to the issue of "quality." For instance, the spider that bit the 94th Spider might have had more aggressive genetic intrusions.

Comparatively, the least worrisome case is the mutation of the Andrew Spider. This is because his mutant genes were carefully designed using their family's DNA samples, and they had already undergone precise calculations with a zero decay rate formula, ensuring no mutation effects.

Returning to the situation of the 94th Spider:

Spider-Man remains human in form and retains his humanity because the mutant part representing spider genes occupies only a tiny portion of his genes. Therefore, in reality, human genes still largely dictate Spider-Man's body. The issue the 94th Spider faces now is that his mutant spider genes are continuously expanding and gradually encroaching upon his human genes. When human genes can't suppress the mutant spider genes, that's when the deterioration begins.

This situation had previously escalated to such an extent. Initially, within his genome, the ratio of mutant spider genes to human genes was 1:9. As the mutation progressed, the ratio of mutant spider genes increased, reaching 3:7, leading to the appearance of six arms similar to a spider's.

If this condition continues to intensify, reaching a 5:5 ratio, he will transform entirely into a human-spider hybrid, much like the character from the film. At this point, he would possess features from both humans and spiders. For example, he would retain human-like thinking and the ability to walk upright, among other human traits, but he would also exhibit many spider-like characteristics such as multiple single eyes, multiple pairs of legs, and dense hair covering his body. Among these, the hair functions as one of the spider's sensory organs and is integral to Spider-Man's spider-sense.

However, if the mutation continues to escalate to ratios of 7:3, 8:2, or even 9:1, his human rationality will almost entirely disappear, turning him into a full-fledged monster. Much like the other unfortunate individuals affected by the new genetic technology, such as the vampire Morbius, who had bat genes added, and the Lizard Doctor, who had lizard genes integrated.

In Mark's quantum insight, the issue goes beyond just this. At this moment, not only is the ratio of mutant segments within individual genes increasing, but even the overall gene composition throughout the 94th Spider's body is becoming more mutated.

The former relates to "quality" and deepens the extent of his deterioration. The latter is about "quantity" and accelerates the pace of deterioration.

Both factors are contributing to his condition.

"Oh my, if we hadn't identified the problem in time, within 24 hours, Spider-Man would have completely transformed into an irrational human-spider monster!" Dr. Maria expressed her fear and deep remorse for her role in this situation.

She believed that her incomplete drug had aggravated the 94th Spider's mutation.

Ignoring her self-blame, Mark listened to her detailed explanation and felt like he had just attended a genetics class.

However, Mark did benefit significantly from this situation. Before this, he was still contemplating how to study his own condition, never expecting to find a method here. Nevertheless, it wasn't the time to consider his own problems. Mark rallied his spirits and began the actual operation.

First, he needed to locate every mutated genome within the 94th Spider's body that was eroding and infecting nearby gene sequences and use his quantum scalpel to sever their connections. The process was relatively simple, mainly because Mark had employed this method by chance while treating the 94th Spider earlier.

With a prior run-through, he knew the ropes. Assisted by Dr. Maria's explanations and markings, they swiftly identified all the mutated genomes. Subsequently, Mark input a substantial amount of quantum energy to make them mimic cell membranes. Without causing harm to the body, they silently severed all the mutated genomes.

Next came the heart of this quantum surgery.

He needed to perform a complete "purge" on all the separated mutated genomes. Remove a portion of the spider genes within the mutated genomes, restoring them to normal proportions. However, during this process, Mark had a question.

"Dr. Maria, at what point can we slightly increase the proportion of spider genes so that it won't affect Spider-Man and won't trigger another episode?"

Dr. Maria furrowed her brow, "Are you trying to make him more powerful?"

"Yes, greater power comes with greater responsibility, and I've seen Spider-Man's sense of duty. But I want him to protect himself during this process as well. So, if we can give him more power without risking a relapse, I'd like to give it a try," Mark explained.

Of course, he also had his own motives.

This is essentially a form of genetic enhancement. If Mark were to master this ability, he could enhance the abilities of every Spider-Man and even every genetically altered person, slightly increasing the degree of their genetic mutation without affecting them, thereby achieving greater amplification effects!

Dr. Maria had no idea about Mark's true background. Seeing that he was considering Spider-Man's well-being, she was deeply moved as a friend of Spider-Man. At that moment, she completely let go of her guard against Mark.

"Maybe it's possible, but I need to conduct some experiments using your ability," Dr. Maria said.

The 94th Spider, observing the two individuals acting strangely beside him, suddenly felt something was amiss. The mice in the cage next to him squeaked as if saying, "Look, fellow beings!"

Without paying attention to the 94th Spider's thoughts, at Dr. Maria's request, Mark input more quantum energy and isolated a small section of mutated genes in the 94th Spider's body.

Then, she began her experiment. Her operation involved using Mark's quantum effects to make micro-adjustments to the gene fragments within the mutated genes while observing their condition.

After hundreds of experiments, she finally found the most accurate value. If you consider the entire mutated genome as one unit, the ideal ratio of spider genes was approximately 0.3815. This was nearly three times higher than the original 0.1, just in terms of numerical value. When applied to the entire body, this increase would be explosive!

"Alright, I'll need your help next, Mr. Mark," Dr. Maria sighed in relief, released her hand, and exited the quantum insight mode.

After all, she was just an ordinary person, and prolonged exposure to this high-intensity insight mode placed a significant mental burden on her.

"Okay," Mark responded, looking at the 94th Spider lying on the hospital bed, extending his hands with a hint of guilt.

°°°

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