The moment the school was restored, the Green Goblin, who had been incessantly babbling inducements at the "Arbiter," went silent.
He stared at the pristine, brand-new building, his mind a complete blank. Beneath the goblin mask, his aged, clouded eyes bulged.
An invisible thunderclap exploded in his head. At this moment, his state of mind was exactly like Yang Dong's in The Three-Body Problem: ( Her mentality is encapsulated by her suicide note: "Physics has never existed, and will never exist.".)
Physics... no longer exists!
What had just happened couldn't be explained by modern science. It was a complete "miracle"—or rather... magic?!
Now, Norman Osborn wasn't a pure scientist, so he wasn't about to kill himself over the discovery. On the contrary, after the brief shock and mental collapse, a more fervent, extreme emotion instantly seized his brain. Not fear, not despair.
But... overflowing hope!
It was like a drowning man catching the final life-saving straw. This "Arbiter" possessed the miraculous power to repair inorganic matter.
So... could this power be used to repair organic matter? Or rather... the human body? Could it repair a genetic chain already on the verge of collapse?
Once this thought took root, it spread like a prairie fire, incinerating all remaining logic and madness in his mind.
Norman knew his Performance Enhancer was only a half-finished product. It had birthed the "Green Goblin" persona and granted him great strength, but it hadn't uprooted the cursed Osborn family legacy.
The serum only gave him a stronger body, temporarily delaying the countdown to genetic collapse. The Reaper's scythe still hung over his and Harry's necks.
Previously, to survive, he could only place his hopes on Peter Parker and Ghost-Spider. But now, he saw a fork in the road—a brand-new possibility.
"What... was that... you just used?"
The Goblin's voice was no longer arrogant or mocking. It carried a hint of humility and reverence that even he didn't realize was there.
"Hmm?" Peter paused, looking down at him with a half-smile. "Just a bit of restoration magic."
Magic?! That single word hit Norman's heart like a sledgehammer. Magic actually existed in this world?
"Then... can this magic... repair a... human body?" He squeezed the words out of his throat, his voice as dry as a desert traveler's.
Looking down at the Goblin—whose face remained hidden—Peter smiled inwardly. Although the development had veered off his original script, the result was even better than he had hoped.
In his original plan, he'd have to talk a big game and perhaps owe Norman a favor to get investment for his company.
Now, the tables had turned. The one owing the favor was Norman Osborn. And this wasn't a favor that could be repaid with a few dozen million dollars.
Peter drawled out his reply, letting Norman's heart hang in his throat before finally speaking: "The human body, you say... Of course it can."
Hearing those words, Norman felt as if he were hearing a divine hymn. At this moment, the emotions of "Norman Osborn" completely overwhelmed the madness of the "Green Goblin." He grabbed Peter's hand, pleading:
"Arbiter! I want to make a deal with you!"
To make himself more credible, he didn't hesitate to reveal his true identity: "You must have heard of me.
I am Norman Osborn, CEO of Oscorp Industries. If you can cure me... and cure my son! I will give you anything you want! Wealth, power, women—I'll even give you the entire Oscorp Group!"
Despite the evil persona awakened by the serum, his love for Harry had never changed. Whether he was Norman or the Goblin, he was willing to give everything for his son.
Feeling Norman's trembling hands, Peter finally spoke. "This isn't the place to talk."
Norman blinked, then understood immediately. He tapped a controller on his gauntlet.
Whirrr!
Moments later, a streak of black light sliced through the sky, hovering before Peter within seconds. It was a brand-new Goblin Glider.
This was his final trump card, an escape tool he had kept in reserve. He had planned to use it for a desperate last stand if the Arbiter proved unreasonable. Now, that final bit of madness became a gesture of sincerity.
"You only need to stand on it. It will take you to my estate."
Peter nodded noncommittally and hopped onto the glider with Norman and the unconscious Connors.
The glider took off, streaking toward the outskirts of New York. Standing on the glider, watching the city traffic below, Peter felt a sense of exhilaration. This was much more convenient than web-swinging!
Maybe he should ask Norman for one of these? Combined with Herman's battery tech, he could go anywhere.
Soon, the glider landed steadily on the lawn of the Osborn estate. Norman had already arranged everything; the servants were dismissed, ensuring no fourth person would know what transpired.
"Sir, please follow me..."
A respectful Norman led Peter to his study and produced his medical reports, carefully explaining the genetic disease afflicting him and Harry.
Peter listened, feigning ignorance, before letting out a sudden, "thoughtful" sigh: "I really didn't expect you and Harry to be suffering from such a strange illness, Uncle Norman..."
Norman, who had just removed his helmet, froze mid-motion. "Sir Arbiter... what did you just call me?"
He wondered if he was hallucinating. And how did this "Arbiter" know Harry's name?
As he was processing this, Peter reached up and removed his hood and the intimidating Hollow mask. Behind the mask was a face Norman never would have imagined in his wildest dreams—a young, familiar face.
"I heard you went to Midtown High specifically to look for me?" Peter asked with a smirk.
Norman stood paralyzed, a cry of shock escaping his lips: "Pe... Peter?!"
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