The big green hands kept scratching at his back, and Harry was almost swatted several times.
"I can't go on like this!" Harry thought, looking up at the palms sweeping down over his head. Even with his spider-sense warning him of danger, the Hulk's wild, chaotic attacks made him struggle.
"Let's get his attention first." Harry glanced at the red indicator light on the handle of the light blade embedded in the Hulk's back.
The blade had been custom-made by Dr. Carl at Harry's request — specifically for collecting a sample from the Hulk.
The flying skateboard swooped forward under Harry's control, its hidden muzzle opening to fire bursts at the Hulk.
The skateboard's bullets had the power of standard sniper rounds. They couldn't pierce the Hulk's hide, but they worked well enough to get his attention.
A metallic storm slammed against the green giant's skin, only to fall uselessly at his feet with a clattering sound. Once again, human weapons proved pitiful before such a monster. Still, as the Hulk instinctively raised his arms to shield himself, Harry finally got a brief moment of relief.
"Oh! Finally done!"
The indicator light on the knife handle turned green, signaling completion. Harry eagerly reached to pull the blade free—just as the skateboard's ammo ran dry, the empty barrels rattled in protest.
"Roar!"
The pain from the embedded knife reminded the Hulk of the little insect clinging to him, but after being shot by the skateboard, his patience was gone.
The giant suddenly leapt into the air—and came crashing down on his back. He moved so fast that Harry's spider-sense didn't even react in time.
"Damn it!" The crisis hit too fast; Harry didn't have time to retrieve the half-drawn blade.
"Activate system! Equip spider-silk launcher!" Harry commanded rapidly.
"Ding-dong—"
"Spider-Suit component acquired: Web-Shooter. Cost: 5 points."
Without waiting for the system's voice to finish, Harry spotted the nearby skateboard and fired.
"Thwip—" A stream of shimmering white webbing shot from his wrist, latching onto the board.
"Boom!"
The impact of the Hulk's fall shook the entire campus lawn. In the distance, General Ross rushed into the command vehicle.
"Where's Harry Osborn?" he demanded.
"Here, General!" the technician pointed at the monitor.
Ross squinted. "What's that in his hand? Thread?"
"It looks like… spider silk," the technician said uncertainly.
Ross frowned deeply, thoughtful.
…
Balancing on the hovering skateboard, Harry examined the web-shooter on his wrist.
"That's really handy," he muttered. If he hadn't caught the board in time, he'd be in the same shape as Blonsky.
"Now then—let's try missiles again., Harry smirked, steering the board higher as the Hulk below began to rise.
Eight compartments slid open beneath the skateboard, releasing eight miniature missiles that streaked down toward the Hulk with fiery trails. Harry knew they wouldn't kill him—but he couldn't help venting some anger.
"Perfect!" someone shouted in approval.
"Don't!"
The two voices—one furious, one desperate—belonged to a father and daughter.
Betty Ross tore free from the soldiers restraining her and ran toward the green giant in the distance.
"Boom—Boom—"
But she was still nearly a kilometer away when the eight missiles exploded against the Hulk, the blasts lighting up the field.
"Bruce!" Betty fell to her knees, her voice raw with despair, not caring that the flames licked ever closer.
"Betty! Get out of there!" General Ross stumbled from the command vehicle, shouting.
Hearing her name, Harry turned his board toward her. The Hulk wouldn't die in that blast—but Betty definitely could.
"Miss Ross!" Harry swooped in, catching her before the flames could reach her. He hovered above the scorched lawn, holding her carefully.
"Huh?" Betty blinked at him, stunned—then her expression twisted in anger when she recognized him.
"Let me go! Let me go!" she cried, shoving at his chest.
"That's not good," Harry muttered, glancing down.
The flames had devoured the grass below, leaving blackened earth—and from within the fire came a deep, furious roar.
"Bruce!" Betty screamed again, struggling wildly in Harry's arms.
But Harry's focus shifted to his system interface.
"Open system screen," he thought.
A list of data appeared before his eyes.
"One hundred and five points—just enough," he murmured.
"Acquire ability: Power of Infinite Rage (Bruce Banner)."
He closed his eyes, waiting to feel the surge of strength.
"Ding-dong—"
"Ability acquisition failed. This system prioritizes host survival. The host's body does not meet the required conditions."
"Huh?" Harry frowned, startled. He hadn't expected that. But the message hinted at something else: if the system's main directive was to preserve him, then perhaps its origins weren't as sinister as he'd feared.
"So it's unavailable," he muttered thoughtfully.
The reason was obvious—the Hulk's abilities depended on physical endurance. Without a body strong enough to sustain that endless rage, Harry's frame would collapse instantly. The system had denied the upgrade to protect him.
"Fine, forget it then," he sighed. The Power of Infinite Rage was off-limits—but Physical Enhancement might still work. Yet, remembering how Felicia's "enhancement" had only rated fifty points, he knew not all power came equal. Like how the Black Cat's speed and agility could never match Spider-Man's.
Besides, he had no desire to turn into a big green giant himself… green was not his color.
"Ah!"
A sharp cry snapped him out of thought. Betty had slipped from his grasp, falling through the air.
"Hey!" Harry dove, snatching her hand mid-fall.
"Are you crazy?!" he shouted, hauling her upward. He'd never imagined someone would actually throw themselves to their death like that.
"Roar—"
A thunderous roar erupted from below as a massive, dark-green figure burst through the flames.
Harry turned—and froze.
"Oh, hell..."
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