Back in his laboratory, Superior Spider-Man stood before the glowing holographic display, his mask concealing the sharp focus in his eyes. The gang leader's admission about LexCorp had confirmed Otto's suspicions this world's so-called "genius" had extended its reach far beyond legitimate operations. LexCorp's dealings in black-market cybernetics and weaponry revealed a lack of restraint that Otto found both predictable and disappointing. But their recklessness was also an opportunity.
"They think themselves untouchable," he muttered. "But every empire, no matter how well fortified, has its cracks."
Otto's sharp mind churned with possibilities. LexCorp's black-market tech was crude, functional only in its most basic form. But in the right hands—his hands, it could be transformed into something extraordinary. The technology would be the perfect addition to his growing arsenal, the tools needed to ensure not only his survival but his eventual dominance in this world.
He turned his attention to the holographic map projected in front of him. His surveillance drone, Arachnis, had uncovered a trail leading to a series of warehouses on the outskirts of Metropolis. Cross-referencing shipment records and security patterns with his spider-tracers' analysis had narrowed it down to one location: a facility disguised as an abandoned factory but buzzing with activity beneath the surface.
"There," he murmured, zooming in on the coordinates. "The nexus of LexCorp's illicit operations. And tonight, it becomes mine."
The outskirts of Metropolis were a stark contrast to the gleaming towers of its downtown core. Here, the streets were dark and quiet, the remnants of old industry casting long shadows in the moonlight. Superior Spider-Man moved through the silence like a phantom, his crimson lenses glowing faintly in the gloom.
The target warehouse loomed ahead, its exterior unassuming yet hiding something far more significant. Otto's spider-sense tingled faintly, a warning of the dangers inside. Perched atop a nearby rooftop, he activated Arachnis, which scuttled down the building and slipped through a small ventilation duct. Through the drone's feed, Otto scanned the interior, quickly identifying key points of interest: guards stationed near the entrances, a reinforced vault in the center, and crates bearing the unmistakable LexCorp insignia.
"Crude security," he noted, watching as a guard lazily patrolled the perimeter. "They underestimate the threat. Typical."
Superior Spider-Man descended silently, landing near a side entrance. One guard stood outside, leaning against the wall, his posture relaxed. With practiced ease, Otto fired a web-line, yanking the man into the shadows. The guard collapsed with barely a sound, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Inside the warehouse, Otto moved like a predator stalking his prey. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of oil and machinery. Rows of crates stretched into the distance, but his focus was on the reinforced vault at the center of the facility.
Using Arachnis to disable the nearest security cameras, he approached the vault. The lock was sophisticated but nothing Otto couldn't handle. His neural interface connected to the device, overriding its encryption in seconds. With a hiss of pressurized air, the door slid open, revealing its contents.
Crates of cybernetic implants, advanced weaponry, and prototype devices lined the interior. Otto's sharp gaze scanned the contents, already identifying which pieces held the most promise. A high-tech neural interface caught his attention—a device designed to enhance cognitive processing. He lifted it carefully, admiring the craftsmanship even as he saw its flaws.
"Functional, but unimaginative," he said, his voice a mix of disdain and intrigue. "This will need... refinement."
As he worked, Otto's spider-sense flared suddenly. He spun around just in time to dodge a heavy pipe swung in his direction. A group of armed thugs had crept up on him, alerted by the vault's opening. Their leader, a burly man with a scar across his face, grinned maliciously.
"Well, well," the man sneered, leveling a shotgun at Otto. "Looks like we've got ourselves a thief."
Superior Spider-Man tilted his head, his lenses narrowing. "Thief? Hardly. I'm merely reclaiming what your primitive minds have squandered."
The thug fired, but Otto was faster. He dodged with inhuman grace, flipping onto a nearby stack of crates. From his elevated position, he fired a web-line, yanking the shotgun from the man's hands. The other thugs opened fire, but their aim was erratic, their fear evident. Otto moved with surgical precision, his webbing incapacitating one after another.
Within seconds, only the leader remained, his bravado replaced by panic. Otto descended from above, pinning the man to the ground with a web cocoon that left only his face exposed.
"You're going to tell me everything," Otto said, his voice cold and precise. "Who runs this operation? How far does LexCorp's involvement go?"
The thug stammered, his confidence shattered. "It's—it's just shipments, man! We get the tech, distribute it to the gangs. LexCorp doesn't care where it ends up. It's all about the money."
Otto's lenses narrowed. "And the neural interface? What is its purpose?"
The thug hesitated before blurting out, "I don't know! We just move the stuff. You think they tell us anything?"
Disgusted by the man's ignorance, Otto released him with a final spray of webbing, leaving him immobilized. "Useless," he muttered, turning back to the vault.
He gathered the most valuable pieces of technology, his mind already racing with plans for their integration. The neural interface, in particular, intrigued him. With some adjustments, it could serve as the foundation for making an AI holographic interface, design to meticulously organize information on a superior level, enhancing its processing power and making it a true partner in his work.
As he exited the warehouse, his arms full of stolen tech, Otto felt a surge of satisfaction. This was more than a victory it was a step closer to his ultimate goal. The LexCorp technology would be the cornerstone of his new arsenal, tools that would elevate him far above the limitations of this world.
Swinging back into the shadows of Metropolis, Superior Spider-Man allowed himself a rare moment of optimism. The web was tightening, and soon, neither Lex Luthor nor anyone else would be able to escape it.