However, unlike Peter, Ethan had no idea that Dr. Curt Connors had once conducted direct research involving reptilian DNA splicing. He simply intended to consult Dr. Connors for his expertise in herpetology and regenerative genetics. Given the doctor's reputation, Ethan thought he might offer insight—or even potential countermeasures—against the lizard-like creature they had encountered.
After completing their investigation of the underground facility, the two of them exited separately, each lost in their own thoughts.
Although Ethan had already deduced Peter's identity as Spider-Man from their brief encounter and familiar voice patterns, Peter remained unaware of Ethan's true nature as the new host of the Venom symbiote. Because of their mutual secrecy, they were unable to share deeper clues regarding Dr. Connors. Both harbored individual suspicions and planned to investigate the situation independently.
As Ethan emerged from the grated passage into the open air, the sun was just beginning to dip below the city skyline. The orange light washed over the buildings, and the long hours spent in the sewers had clearly taken a toll.
"Phew~ Finally out. I swear I smell like the inside of a wet manhole," Ethan muttered, taking a long breath of the comparatively fresher evening air.
Because the street was filled with pedestrians, Venom spoke to him telepathically: "That's just your human nose playing tricks on you. I'm a symbiote, remember? I don't retain odors. Your stink is all yours."
Rolling his eyes, Ethan glanced at the skyline, then patted his stomach. "Food first. Then I'll head to Midtown University. If I recall correctly, Dr. Connors is still teaching this semester. There might be a chance he's working late in the lab. Evening classes and all."
"I want a thick, juicy steak. Medium rare. And a tall cup of hot cocoa." Venom chimed in eagerly, the thought of food already distracting him.
"Sure, sure." Ethan smirked, already scanning nearby storefronts. He remembered a low-key bistro two blocks down that served affordable steak platters—perfect for blending in while satisfying Venom's unusually refined taste.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Peter Parker was perched on a rooftop ledge, chewing on a hot dog while flipping through the photos he'd taken earlier. He squinted at the image of the massive footprint. The more he stared at it, the more convinced he became that a visit to Dr. Connors was necessary. The creature was clearly reptilian, and Connors had long specialized in cutting-edge research on limb regeneration and reptile DNA.
Downing the rest of his hot dog in a few quick bites, Peter slipped the photos into a worn folder and launched himself off the roof, web-slinging toward the Daily Bugle. If he couldn't get answers from Connors tonight, he could at least profit from the scoop.
"This shot should be enough for Jameson," Peter thought as he flipped midair. "No close-up, but enough suspense to make the front page."
Indeed, even without a clear image of the creature, the footprint's size and shape would feed public curiosity. One thousand dollars for a usable lead like this could help solve some of his current problems—maybe even allow him to afford a second-hand car or a new motorcycle. More importantly, it could help Aunt May cover the utility bills this month. The thought brought a smile to his face.
Arriving at the Bugle headquarters, Peter handed over the photo. As expected, J. Jonah Jameson was predictably unimpressed.
"Parker! You bring me a dinosaur footprint instead of a picture of the actual lizard? What am I, running a zoo column now?"
Still, after some grumbling, Jameson agreed to print it as the next day's front-page teaser: "Giant Reptile Roaming NYC Sewers? Footprint May Confirm Rumors!"
With that task out of the way, Peter swung across Manhattan once more, this time heading toward Midtown University. The campus was dimly lit, the lampposts casting golden pools of light across walkways that had mostly emptied for the night.
Scattered students moved about in pairs and small groups, many heading toward lecture halls or study sessions. Evening classes were in session, and the lab wing was still partially lit.
Peter quietly made his way toward the biology building, footsteps echoing slightly in the tiled corridor. Just as he reached the hallway leading to Dr. Connors' lab, he heard a familiar voice call out from behind.
"Hey! Peter—wait up!"
He turned to see Debra Whitman jogging toward him, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and large, academic glasses perched on her nose. She was balancing several textbooks against her chest, clearly flustered but smiling.
Peter blinked. "Debra? Didn't expect to see you here this late. I thought you didn't have night classes."
Laughing as she caught up to him, Debra adjusted the books in her arms. "I don't. I'm just here to drop off some reports for Dr. Connors before tomorrow. But you—I definitely remember you saying you avoid late-night biology like the plague."
She raised a suspicious eyebrow as they walked together toward the lab doors. Peter scratched the back of his head, unsure how much to say.
"Yeah, well… let's just say I've got some reptile-related questions I need answered."
Peter scratched the back of his head and said, "I really don't take evening classes. I just came by to ask Dr. Connors about something, but I'm not sure if he's even around."
Hearing Peter's words, Debra Whitman pushed her glasses up with a smile. "Then you're asking the right person. I've been attending night classes lately, and based on Dr. Connors' routine, he should be in the lab today working on experiments. He rarely misses his evening research sessions."
Peter visibly relaxed at that. Moments ago, he'd been worried the doctor wouldn't be in, and now it felt like a small weight had been lifted.
They entered the teaching building as they talked, heading up toward the third floor where the biology labs and faculty offices were located.
As they climbed the last flight of stairs, they saw someone already at the top—Ethan, who was standing near the hallway as if just arriving.
Debra smiled brightly and waved. "Hey! Ethan! What a surprise—are you here for night class too?"
She chuckled as she caught up to him. "Today's turning out to be full of coincidences. I remember you're not the kind who usually comes for evening lectures."
Ethan blinked for a moment at the sight of both Peter and Debra. Though he wasn't particularly close with them, he recognized Peter immediately—and from more than just school. Judging by Peter's presence here, Ethan guessed he might be looking for Dr. Connors too.
"It really is unexpected," Ethan said casually. "I didn't think I'd run into you two. This corridor's turning into a meetup spot tonight. Are you both here for class?"
Debra nodded cheerfully while Peter shook his head. "I'm here to see the doctor. Just wanted to ask him about something important."
Ethan nodded slightly, as if that confirmed his own theory. "Oh, I see. That works out then. Let's head there together. Dr. Connors' office is down this hall, all the way on the left side."
The three of them walked toward the office, the dim light from the hallway windows casting long shadows as they moved. But the closer they got to the lab, the more unease began to settle into both Peter and Ethan.
Ethan felt it in the pit of his gut—subtle but undeniable. Venom hadn't sounded the alarm yet, but the symbiote had gone oddly quiet, which was never a good sign.
Peter was feeling it too. Though his spider-sense hadn't gone off yet, his body tensed up instinctively, as if on the edge of alert.
Debra, unaware of the tension between the two boys behind her, simply walked ahead and knocked on the office door.
"Dr. Connors? Are you in?"
No answer.
She glanced back at the two of them, then turned the doorknob and pushed the door open without hesitation.
Ethan didn't stop her—Venom hadn't issued a direct threat—but he narrowed his eyes and subtly shifted his stance, preparing for anything.
The office was dimly lit, only a small desk lamp still glowing beside stacks of papers and beakers on a cluttered table.
"Strange…" Debra muttered, stepping in. "At this time, he's almost always working. He's never missed a night when he's in the middle of testing or gene splicing."
Peter looked around cautiously. The research area looked untouched, but the atmosphere felt… hollow.
Then, a muffled thump came from behind the closed door to the private lounge at the back of the office.
Debra didn't hesitate. She started walking toward it and called out, "Dr. Connors? Are you in there?"
In Ethan's mind, Venom stirred suddenly. "This girl's either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. Charging in like that without knowing what's waiting?"
"She doesn't sense it. And with me and Peter here, she probably thinks nothing can go wrong," Ethan replied silently, already walking after her.
From the corner of his eye, Ethan observed Peter. The younger man's face was pinched into a tight frown. Though the spider-sense hadn't sounded yet, Peter's body was coiled like a spring—on edge and ready.
They moved as a unit, approaching the lounge door carefully. Peter's hand hovered subtly near his pocket where he kept his web-shooters, and Ethan could feel Venom's threads beginning to ripple beneath his jacket sleeve, ready to deploy if needed.
Debra reached out to turn the handle.
And just before she touched it—like a switch being thrown—Peter's spider-sense exploded in his skull like a blaring siren. At the same moment, a sharp, almost electric jolt pulsed through Ethan's nerves as Venom hissed a warning in his head.
Danger. Imminent.