Chapter 35 - The Living Planet

A Symbiote.

A unique lifeform—weak on its own, yet terrifying when bonded to a host.

Lin Fan sifted through the Wanderer's memories.

Symbiotes couldn't survive alone. They needed a host to bond with, to grow stronger, evolve, and adapt.

But in return, they granted incredible power.

A second skin, forming an organic combat suit, amplifying the host's abilities far beyond their natural limits.

Humans became superhumans.

Superhumans became monsters.

And some? Some became gods.

Venom. Carnage. Toxin. A legion of creatures born from a single source.

Lin Fan's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.

But that wasn't what concerned him.

Because if the memories were accurate—

This planet wasn't just home to the Symbiotes.

It was their birthplace.

And deep beneath its surface…

Something else was there.

Lin Fan kept his expression neutral, hiding the realization.

This wasn't something the others needed to know.

Not yet.

He looked at the viewing screen as Temple-One arrived at the coordinates.

A planet, no larger than Earth's moon, came into view.

A world of pure black.

It wasn't a trick of the light. The planet itself seemed to absorb all color, all reflection.

Supergiant frowned. "That's not normal."

Ebony Maw's gaze flickered with intrigue. "A planet-sized lifeform?"

Lin Fan didn't respond. He already knew the truth.

As Temple-One entered the atmosphere, the sensors came alive.

The planet moved.

Not tectonic shifts. Not weather patterns.

The entire surface rippled—like liquid disturbed by a drop of water.

Then, the planet reacted.

Spikes erupted from the ground, jagged tendrils of black mass stretching skyward.

And from the darkness…

They emerged.

Creatures, forming from the inky depths—hundreds, thousands of them, shapeless yet alive.

Their hollow eyes glowed faintly, their elongated bodies writhing unnaturally.

And then, as if answering an unspoken command—

They screamed.

A chorus of inhuman roars thundered across the atmosphere.

It wasn't just noise.

It was a warning.

Supergiant's breath hitched. "They're alive."

Ebony Maw hesitated. "Are you saying… the planet itself is a Symbiote?"

Lin Fan kept his expression calm.

He had already made his decision.

"Prepare the extraction system," he ordered.

Ebony Maw blinked. "You're not going down there?"

Lin Fan shook his head. "No need."

Ebony Maw didn't question it.

But Lin Fan knew why he wasn't going.

There were things even he wasn't ready to deal with.

The ship's extraction systems activated, sending a high-frequency pulse toward the planet's surface.

It was like stirring a hornet's nest.

The Symbiote mass convulsed, writhing in response, trying to resist.

But they weren't strong enough.

A portion of the black mass was torn away from the surface, pulled into containment chambers aboard Temple-One.

The rest of the planet remained still, but Lin Fan could feel it.

Something… was aware.

A presence, deep beneath the surface.

Lin Fan exhaled slowly.

Not today.

He turned away from the screen.

"That's enough," he muttered. "We've got what we need."

The ship's engines roared to life, and in an instant—

They were gone.

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