Chapter 22: Chapter 22: No, You're Just Prey!
With a loud bang, the dull thud of impact reverberated.
Frank grabbed a fire hydrant and swung it, aiming to strike Peter.
Peter evaded the blow, closing in swiftly. His arm transformed into claw-like appendages, lunging toward Frank's head.
Sharp sounds of rushing air accompanied by burning flames and splashing water filled the scene as Frank raised his arms to block Peter's attack.
Transformed into a spider-like creature, his strength continued to surge, emanating from within.
Seizing Peter's arm, he attempted to throw him away.
"Bang!" Straining with all his might to throw Peter, Frank also took a heavy blow to the chest.
Feeling a sharp pain in his chest, he staggered back, colliding with a fire hydrant.
Breathing heavily, he watched as Peter, thrown away, his mouth no longer resembling that of a human, displayed a hint of a smile.
But his smile vanished as he watched Peter rise to his feet again.
Peter, now standing, felt his heart racing, his body temperature rising.
Intense urges of carnage spread from his core throughout his body.
Furrowing his brow, he slowly extended his arm.
The arm, subjected to the onslaught of flames and water, gradually formed a layer of black silicate exoskeleton.
Resembling an exoskeleton, the silicate shell gleamed with a cold light in the darkness, like a close-fitting armor.
However, unlike before, this silicate exoskeleton didn't just form on his arm but spread rapidly, covering his entire body like black flames, instantly destroying his clothes.
The formidable and scorching sensation filled his senses as the silicate exoskeleton enveloped him.
If before he felt empowered by strength, now he exuded an unparalleled confidence, possessing strength several times more formidable than before.
The exoskeleton, snug against his body, didn't hinder or discomfort him but rather provided an incredibly intimate sensation.
"No, this isn't clothing, it's my bones," Peter muttered as he gazed at the black exoskeleton covering his arm.
According to the information he had seen, alien exoskeletons were typically generated based on the host's template (such as birds, reptiles, or even arthropods).
The outer skin adhered tightly to the exoskeleton and silicified, providing a direct visual perception of the alien outer skin.
This type of exoskeleton was composed of silicates. Due to the lack of thermal conductivity, the silicified skin enabled them to adapt to various external temperatures and pressures.
At the same time, it didn't emit heat, making it invisible to thermal imaging devices.
This silicified skin was akin to wearing a suit of armor, reducing the effects of gunfire, electric shocks, as well as damage from high temperatures, high pressure, and freezing.
At that moment, he was akin to donning this layer of armor.
In the distance, Frank gaped in astonishment at Peter, now clad in a layer of "black armor."
The visual impact of this scene caused a momentary short circuit in his mind.
"Peter, you're like me after all!" After a moment, Frank murmured.
His multiple eyes glowed with intense redness as he addressed Peter, "You and I, we're of the same kind. You're also a creature harboring a beast within!"
"A beast?" Peter's brow furrowed at the familiar term.
"Are you with the Hand?" he asked.
"No, I'm not. I definitely am not." Frank shook his head, speaking bitterly. "But my father was. I liked spiders, so he used me as an animal experiment, implanting what he called 'beasts' into my body, intending to harvest me. Perhaps he didn't expect that I would awaken my abilities prematurely by accident."
"And as a result, he ended up being eaten by me, wrapped in a cocoon," Frank uttered in insect-like tones amidst the flames and splashing water.
"Isn't it strange? Isn't this what insects do? When the eggs hatch, it's time for the larvae to devour their parents."
His mouth emitted a hissing laughter as he approached Peter step by step.
"Now I seek revenge, to hurt them, to hear them cry, to see them make ridiculous faces in desperation. Is there anything better than this?"
"Peter Parker, now you're like me. We're both monsters, but also gods. We don't have to kill each other."
However, before he could finish speaking, his voice abruptly ceased.
With the black exoskeleton covering his entire body, Peter moved at a speed several times faster than before, appearing in front of Frank.
Gripping his throat, he lifted him into the air.
Caught mid-air, Frank, with multiple spider-like eyes, felt waves of intense pain in his throat, casting an incredulous gaze at Peter.
"You're wrong. You and I are not the same kind. In my eyes, you're just prey."
Frank gasped, struggling to utter a word, "What?!!"
"Swish!"
A weapon resembling a tail covered in black silicate emerged from behind Peter, emitting a chilling aura, instantly piercing Frank's neck.
The "tail" pierced into Frank's right neck and emerged from the left side.
Blood spurted out instantly!
With eyes flashing with disbelief and horror, Frank's multiple eyes on his forehead slowly lost their light.
"Thud!"
Peter released his grip, letting Frank's body fall to the ground.
The tail growing from his back slowly disappeared.
In that moment, the tail extending from his hip was naturally and instinctively deployed, piercing his opponent's throat with the intent to kill as he was consumed by the urge to slaughter.
It was as if this was a combat skill cultivated within him, naturally utilized in battle.
The alien tail was one of its most powerful offensive weapons.
Now, influenced by the alien, he also exhibited this characteristic of the alien, manifesting a tail to attack his enemies.
Gazing at the burning stage, Peter's expression became solemn.
The sense of achievement of killing Frank as a hunter vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn train of thought.
He was increasingly becoming like the alien.
Bowing his head, he looked at Frank lying on the ground.
Would his future self become a monster like him?
In the distance, the sound of sirens filled the air, and the flames burned even more fiercely, unstoppable even by the splashing water.
Temporarily setting aside his complex thoughts, Peter turned to leave.
"Roar!"
A roar sounded from behind him, and Frank, who had supposedly died, leaped towards him.
"Vroom!"
The powerful sound of an engine roared, and the thunderous noise of a car reverberated in the night.
The roaring car smashed through the iron gate of the playground and charged straight into the campus engulfed in flames.
Frank, who had just stood up, was yet to act when he was sent flying by the car.
The front bumper of the Mercedes-Benz was instantly knocked off, and the car surged forward for several meters before coming to a stop.
"Thud!"
The car door was pushed open, and Gwen, panting heavily, stumbled out of the deformed car.
...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone