57 Chapter 57

With the next step planned, Mark temporarily set aside thoughts of traveling between worlds.

For the past half year, he had been in that desolate place where he saw either sand or sandstorms whenever he stepped outside.

It was okay to be immersed in research without leaving, but now that he had stepped out, he once again remembered how beautiful the outside world really was!

So, Mark decided to take this opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty of the place.

Of course, limited by his economic conditions, he mostly chose places that didn't require entrance fees, like zoos and oceanariums. He also didn't like the idea of confining animals in narrow spaces for people to observe.

Not to mention, entrance tickets were expensive.

This world didn't have as many supervillains.

During this time, he felt particularly comfortable and relaxed.

After experiencing several days of intense battles, Mark found himself enjoying this peaceful environment.

—-—

While Mark was on vacation, the Mars research institute where he worked was actively studying the items brought back from Mars.

Particularly, the stone slab was of great importance.

For this purpose, they temporarily increased the base's security force by double and brought together a dozen or so experts and professors from various universities and research institutes.

With everyone's efforts, more than ten days later, they finally had preliminary research results about the mysterious stone slab.

"Have the soil samples from other areas been analyzed?"

"Basic analysis is complete, and the results have been uploaded."

"Quick, make a comparison."

With the united effort of these highly educated professors and researchers, they quickly obtained results.

However, looking at the results, everyone fell into hesitation.

"The structural composition of this thing seems different from other types of soil?" a mineralogy professor said.

"Its sample structure doesn't resemble the soils on Mars. Instead, it seems more like an Earth product," another person hesitated.

"It does seem quite similar. Its composition is somewhat like sedimentary rocks. Could this be a rock brought from Earth to Mars?"

"Perhaps it could even be from Martians themselves?"

"Don't speak nonsense! We can't joke about this!"

The laboratory suddenly became lively, with everyone expressing their opinions and discussing.

An elderly man with graying hair but still full of vitality stood up. "Alright, quiet down! This is only a preliminary conclusion. Since we can't confirm it, let's gather more evidence."

"The soil analysis group, continue with further research on the soil."

"The observation team, send all the Mars rovers that discovered the stone tablet's location over there for further investigation."

"James, report to the higher-ups and bring in a few more experts in ancient languages. We need to know whether the pattern on the stone tablet is text or something else, and I want to know as soon as possible!"

The old man quickly assigned the upcoming tasks.

Everyone immediately dispersed, busying themselves with their respective tasks.

—-—

In a bright room adorned with warm lights, an exercise book lay open on the desk, but the owner was not seated in front of it.

On the nearby sofa, a young man lay reclined with his upper body bare. There was a grim scar across his chest, seemingly inflicted by some sharp object.

A blonde beauty rested one hand on the man's body, gazing at the scar on his chest with a look of tender concern.

But the man just chuckled.

With a playful and cheerful expression, coupled with his handsome face, he exuded a complex and captivating charm that blended both sunlight and toughness.

A situation ripe with romantic tension.

Their faces drew closer and closer.

After a long and deep kiss, the woman blushed and gently pushed the man away, saying, "Relax, don't get too excited, little bug guy."

As she looked at the man beneath her, a hint of worry shone in her eyes.

The man reassured her, "I'll be fine, don't worry."

But oddly, upon hearing his reassurance, the woman became even more concerned.

She sat up slowly and said, "As far back as I can remember, every morning when my father left, he would wear his badge on his chest and tie a gun to his waist. Every single day I remember... I'm always not sure if he'd return home."

And now, she had one more person to worry about.

Her boyfriend.

Peter Parker!

A community vigilante, Spider-Man!

Andrew Spider extended his hands, cupping Gwen Stacy's face, their gazes locking, as if they could emit light. He solemnly said, "But I have to stop him because I created him!"

Gwen Stacy looked puzzled, asking, "What do you mean?"

Andrew Spider explained, "I gave him a formula that made everything possible. It was my father's research from before, hidden away by him. Now I finally understand why he hid it, but most importantly, I need to stop him. It's my responsibility. I have to stop him!"

Gwen Stacy fell silent for a moment, but she knew she had been persuaded.

She loved this man because he was strong and brave.

Thump, thump, thump!

Just as the young couple was lost in their own world, the window was suddenly tapped.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I hope I'm not interrupting anything special."

Both of them were startled, turning their heads to look at the window.

"Who are you? Leave here quickly!"

Andrew Spider leaped up, positioning himself in front of his girlfriend protectively, his gaze fixed on the person standing at the window.

To be precise, he was focused on the man outside the window.

It was a man with a relatively good looks, standing at around six feet tall. He was dressed casually in a long-sleeved outfit.

Seeing that the man didn't respond, Andrew Spider pointed towards the nearby fire escape, "Hey, buddy, the way is over there. Don't stand here. What you're doing is invading someone's privacy!"

"No," the man shook his head, "I'm here to find you, the Hero, Peter Parker."

Andrew Spider's gaze narrowed, carefully recalling his recent experiences.

He had a bit of a conflict with the New York police while fighting crime, but Gwen's father was the chief of police, and this man didn't look like a cop.

Also, he had fought with Dr. Connors, who had turned into the Lizard, but the man before him clearly wasn't Dr. Connors either.

And why did he call himself a hero?

What did that mean?

"Who exactly are you?"

Andrew Spider assumed a fighting stance with many openings.

Mark smirked slightly, taking a step forward, fully exposing himself to the light.

Then, he leaped backward, his figure jumping off the small fire escape platform.

"Want to know, Peter? Then come with me!"

°°°

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