178

Chapter 178: Just One Bite

In the evening, the setting sun cast its warm glow over the bustling streets lined with towering buildings.

Cars filled the asphalt roads while pedestrians—migrant workers after work and students rushing home—crowded the sidewalks in a hurry.

This typical New York scene unfolded as normal until a sudden disturbance drew everyone's attention.

From a nearby alleyway, a dark figure emerged and crashed to the ground, causing a ripple of panic among passersby.

The figure was clad in tight black fabric with white vertical stripes, sporting triangular fly-like eyes. Its upper limbs were thick while its waist and lower limbs were slender, giving it an inverted triangle shape.

Its arms, as long and thick as an ape's, boasted sharp claws on each finger and barbs on its forearms, shoulders, and head.

Quickly recovering, the figure paid no heed to the commotion it caused. Instead, it swiftly leaped up, scaling the walls like a werewolf with its thick claws. From wall to wall, it moved with urgency and a hint of awkwardness, as though fleeing from something.

Close behind, another figure soared through the air on massive black wings, resembling an angel. Onlookers gasped in awe at this unexpected display of superhuman or inhuman presence, yet New Yorkers, accustomed to such sights, handled the situation with practiced nonchalance.

Hovering above, Peter wore the Carnage symbiote, his eyes tracking the symbiote below as it darted between buildings, gradually receding from view.

Having recently apprehended the Green Whip, Peter swiftly detected the presence of another symbiote.

This symbiote's identity held particular significance.

...

Hurriedly fleeing, Swallow glanced back, relieved to see Carnage not giving immediate chase.

"Why are you so afraid of him?" the current host, Swallow, spoke aloud.

"I'm not afraid," Devour retorted.

"Yes, you are. I know it. I've been there."

"..."

"I'm not!"

"You clearly are..."

"If you say that again, I'll devour you!"

"...Okay, okay."

Seeing his host relent, Swallow fell silent for a moment before continuing,

"Rather than fear, I feel an existential threat. If I don't run, I'll die—don't you think?"

"Didn't you say before that while you can't defeat him, he can't harm you in the short term?" the host queried.

Swallow, irritated by the direct hit and embarrassed by the issue, wondered what had gone wrong to land him with such a weak-willed host.

"Hell, how should I know? He didn't have those wings before. It's like a transformation, just like a human."

Feeling momentarily safe, Swallow finally found refuge in a deserted alley. The black fluid writhed, shrinking back into the host's body, revealing his true form.

Surprisingly, it was Gordon, a former high school classmate of Peter and Gwen!

Unlike Jessica, who fortuitously bonded with the Ice Blue Symbiote, Gordon's acquisition of Devour traced back to an incident long ago.

In high school, Gordon endured bullying due to his thin frame and timid demeanor, even rebuffing help from Gwen and Peter.

During a subsequent attack by the Lizard on their campus, Gordon bravely drew the creature's attention, earning Gwen's assistance. Though few knew of his heroism, it subtly altered Gordon's outlook, though not his life trajectory—it remained largely unchanged.

Still the same meek Gordon, he hadn't expected one moment of courage to revolutionize his life completely.

Yet, to claim no change had occurred would be inaccurate.

The surest path to change is through self-improvement. In this respect, Gordon had made modest strides.

Previously embittered and resentful of his circumstances, he now approached life with greater equanimity, discovering its nuances with each passing day.

His greatest role model? None other than Peter Parker!

Like Gordon, Peter once faced similar challenges but triumphed through change and progress. Gordon saw Peter as his personal beacon.

Sadly, news of Peter's disappearance during the alien invasion left Gordon in prolonged sorrow.

Post-high school graduation, Gordon secured admission to a decent university.

Like many, he experienced his first unrequited crush, yet lacked the courage to confess.

He remained the same unassuming Gordon.

Today, finding himself witnessing a mugging, Gordon hesitated—perhaps overestimating his capabilities or wrestling with uncertainty—but ultimately intervened, only to become the assailant's new target.

Just as defeat seemed inevitable, a voice whispered in his ear,

"Do you seek power?"

The voice belonged to Swallow, having traversed time.

Though Ice Blue's power and control surpassed Swallow's, in direct combat, Swallow could hold his own.

Unlike Binglan, Swallow exhibited preferences when selecting hosts. Most mature symbiotes held similar criteria—akin to dating, they sought compatible partners.

Courage and kindness were vital traits. At that moment, Gordon proved the perfect candidate, their synergy evident.

To his surprise, Gordon outright declined without a second thought,

"No."

Predictably, Gordon paid the price: a severe beating and loss of his cash.

His refusal stemmed from caution. In an age of increasing superhuman activity and alien invasions, caution was justified.

Previously naive, his encounter with the Lizard instilled wariness. Why take unnecessary risks? Gordon refused to become another victim.

Amused by Gordon's rejection, Swallow admired his resolve.

But temptation wore on, and despite Gordon's initial refusal, he found himself wavering—until Peter, in Carnage's guise, arrived.

With no other recourse, Gordon merged with Devour. Swallow promised cooperation post-merge.

And then... nothing.

Swallow was swiftly subdued by Carnage.

Stunned, Swallow fled upon regaining consciousness.

The recent ordeal spurred Devour into action,

"Where are the superheroes in your world? We need their aid and must contact them."

Thinking of superheroes, Gordon immediately recalled Spider-Woman—his first encounter with a hero who had been absent for over half a year.

Gordon hesitated.

Just then,

"Gordon?"

"Who?"

Gordon looked up, surprised to see Spider-Woman perched on a nearby wall, gazing at him inquisitively.

...