Boom!
A violent explosion accompanied by a towering blaze echoed throughout the skies over New York City.
Inside a medical building:
Anna gazed at the flames in the distance, her brow furrowing slightly. "What happened?"
"That's just how New York is. Stay here long enough and you'll get used to it," came a voice from behind. "The commotion caused by Stark Industries not long ago was far bigger than this."
A young woman with distinctly East Asian features walked up to Anna, her eyes also fixed on the explosion nearby. She held two glasses of red wine and handed one to Anna.
Anna took the glass and smiled. "Thanks, Helen."
"Weren't you saying you were leaving today?"
"What made you stay?"
Helen took a small sip of wine and replied, "I was planning to leave, but the person you brought in—his experiment piqued my interest. So, I decided to stay a bit longer to observe."
Anna and Helen lightly clinked their glasses. Anna then asked, "How's Peter doing now?"
"He just left and will be back tomorrow," Helen said. "The serum was successfully made and injected. The modified individual's condition is stabilizing, and with my molecular bridge aiding recovery, he should regain normal consciousness by tomorrow if all goes well."
Anna nodded. "We couldn't have done it without you. We would have been at a complete loss otherwise."
"Is there really any need for formalities between us?" Helen responded with a smile. "By the way, New York has been quite restless lately. You should be careful."
"Once your uncle's matters are settled, if there's nothing urgent, you could come and visit me."
Anna sensed an underlying message in Helen's words and asked in confusion, "Has something happened?"
"Looks like George hasn't told you everything," Helen said pointedly.
Anna immediately recalled the sight of George hastily leaving the police station that morning. She had suspected something was wrong at the time.
Helen continued, "The general stationed at the New York Military District was assassinated last night."
Anna's expression changed instantly. This was no small matter. The assassination of a military general in New York could trigger a series of significant events. Given the prominent status of the U.S. in the world, news of this incident could easily create global ripples of unrest.
Seeing Anna's shocked face, Helen added, "The military suspects that the assassin is still in New York. For the foreseeable future, there will be turbulent undercurrents in this city. Stay vigilant."
"Oh, I meant to ask you," Helen continued. "That tallest building over there—which company owns it?"
Anna followed Helen's gaze and pointed to a high-rise under construction in the heart of New York City. Judging by its framework, once completed, it could very well become the tallest building in New York.
To build such a structure in New York would require immense financial resources and significant backing.
"Other than the lavishly wealthy Stark Industries, who else could it be?" Helen answered.
"But doesn't Stark Industries have their own factory?" Anna asked, puzzled. She had even visited it once when she first arrived in New York.
"Tony Stark shut down all weapon production at Stark Industries before he became Iron Man," Helen explained. "After becoming Iron Man, he focused on developing new energy solutions. CEO Pepper Potts recently announced that Stark Industries would pivot more toward public welfare."
"That building will be the future Stark Tower, reportedly powered entirely by renewable energy," Helen added.
Anna nodded and looked down at the city of New York. "I haven't been back for years," she said softly. "The city feels so different now."
"Or maybe it's just that the world is changing too fast," Helen replied.
The two women exchanged smiles and gently clinked their glasses once more.
Osborn Industries.
Norman stood by the balcony, watching the towering flames from the explosion not far away.
"Those fireworks are quite something," he remarked. "But I wonder who set them off."
The sharp voice clearly belonged to the Green Goblin, emerging through Norman's facade.
As the Green Goblin was admiring the fireworks in the sky, a red cloud of smoke appeared behind him out of thin air and gradually condensed into a smoky head—the visage of Mephisto.
Sensing the power fluctuation behind him, the Green Goblin quickly turned and bowed respectfully to Mephisto.
"Master."
Mephisto glanced at the Green Goblin, his expression shifting slightly. "Norman. Have you encountered the Emperor again?"
"Yes, Master," the Green Goblin responded. "But this time, I didn't provoke him…"
The Green Goblin recounted the events of that day in full detail.
Mephisto showed no concern over the Green Goblin killing a general. Even if he had the power to slaughter every person on Earth, Mephisto wouldn't mind in the slightest.
"Good. You're at least aware of your limits," Mephisto said. "You didn't act recklessly against an opponent beyond your power."
The Green Goblin lowered his head in shame. "Thank you for the praise, Master."
Though he wanted to be reckless, seeing the Emperor made him cower. Recklessness was out of the question—he couldn't even bear to stay an extra second in his presence.
Mephisto nodded lightly, and a small vortex of smoke appeared beside his smoky head. From the center of the vortex, a slender black rod emerged and floated in front of the Green Goblin.
"Master, what is this?" the Green Goblin asked.
Mephisto offered little explanation and simply said, "I borrowed it from a friend in Hell. Keep it for now; it will be useful in dealing with the Emperor in the future."
Hearing that it could be used against the Emperor, the Green Goblin eagerly accepted it with both hands. But as soon as he touched the black rod, it dissolved into a pool of black liquid that surged directly into his body.
Instantly, the Green Goblin felt as if his entire body was being scorched by searing flames.
"Ah… Master, what is happening…? It hurts… so much…"
Mephisto's expression remained indifferent as he explained, "This is an artifact belonging to a god. Don't worry, the pain will pass soon, and your power will increase."
With that, the smoke surrounding Mephisto slowly dissipated, and he vanished from Norman's office.
The Green Goblin endured the excruciating pain as his white pupils gradually turned a deep black—eerily sinister.
Meanwhile, deep within Hell:
Amidst countless red flames, a disheveled green figure slowly raised his head, eyes full of hatred as he uttered, "Odin…"
...