Almost simultaneously with Spider-Man taking down 22 Goblins, Norman Osborn arrived at the top floor of the Avengers Tower. The moment the elevator door opened, he saw the scrutinizing looks of the Avengers.
"I know what you're thinking. I'm right here to prove I'm not controlling this remotely. Also, my blood samples are normal, so you can relax."
"Alright, how exactly do we deal with this so-called Green Goblin?"
Tony immediately asked the most crucial question, but Norman was genuinely stumped: "I don't know either; I didn't inject the Goblin formula. However, I do know the composition of the Goblin formula."
Anyone who saw the footage inside Kang's metal sphere knew the answer to that: Erskine's serum plus Gamma radiation, guided by Norman Osborn's inherent Goblin persona. The problem was, how did those who hadn't seen it know?
"There's only one possibility. In the timeline where you Avengers chose not to interfere with history, there exists another Green Goblin besides me. And this is excluding Harry."
Another Green Goblin...
The two scientists present frowned. The possibility was not zero, but as the original Green Goblin, Norman Osborn was highly unique; he was the source of the Goblin formula.
In other words, if this was a Green Goblin and not a weakened Hobgoblin, then the compatibility of Norman Osborn's gene sequence with the opponent's would have to be considered.
"We need your DNA sample..."
"If you can't catch the other Green Goblin, having my DNA is useless. We can't screen targets based on the DNA's unique characteristics." Norman spoke, simultaneously offering an alternative Green Goblin candidate: "My private psychiatrist, Barton Hamilton, is the most likely candidate for another Green Goblin. I tested him; he undoubtedly received Kang the Conqueror's sphere, and he's my psychiatrist, meaning he's had conversations with the Goblin."
Only someone who had been in contact with the real Green Goblin could imitate him so vividly—that was the reason Norman provided. Furthermore, Barton Hamilton was a psychiatrist, possessing a wider social network than Roderick and making it easier for him to gather secrets and leverage over many influential figures.
Undoubtedly, such a person was better suited for the title of "Goblin King."
"I'll go arrest him."
Captain America immediately stood up. Tony and Hank looked at the Captain; they still remembered the words of the Goblin King.
"There's only one left. As long as the arrest is made after Spider-Man deals with that Green Goblin, then we haven't conflicted with the Goblin King's words."
So, how was Spider-Man, who was about to fight the Green Goblin, faring?
Peter's condition was quite poor. On one hand, the symbiote had endured too much heat and was extremely weak; on the other hand, Peter was also injured by the series of explosions. His arm felt a searing pain, likely because he used the symbiote to absorb too many blasts.
And the Green Goblin before him?
He was a tall man, about six feet three, appearing shorter compared to other Gamma radiation products. Due to the exoskeleton armor wrapping him, it was impossible to discern his physique. Unlike the other Goblins, this Green Goblin looked severe and unsmiling.
It couldn't be Norman; Peter already knew from the communication that Norman had arrived at Avengers Tower. It also couldn't be Harry, or Norman would have already explained the situation.
So, who was this Green Goblin in front of him?
It didn't matter. Spider-Man retracted the heavily damaged symbiote and rushed up, throwing a punch. The Green Goblin casually caught Spider-Man's wrist, intending to snap Peter's arm as if he were holding a delicate stick.
Then, the Green Goblin was sent flying.
The instant his wrist was caught, Peter swung his arm, using it to sling the Green Goblin before him, heavily slamming him into the ground. His hand did not release the grip, so people saw Spider-Man punch the Green Goblin's faceplate with his left fist, completely tearing the mask off. Then, he saw a very bizarre face.
It was Norman Osborn's face.
For a moment, many thoughts raced through Peter's mind, but then the Green Goblin suddenly laughed. Peter quickly kicked the opponent away. A pumpkin bomb exploded at extremely close range. Peter shielded himself from the heatwave, then watched the Green Goblin walk out from the blast.
He was holding a skin-like mask.
"Hahahaha, I knew you'd fall for it, Spider-Man. Seeing dear Norman Osborn must have scared you senseless, right?"
The Green Goblin laughed hysterically, returning to the Goblin King's voice. The intense heat, enough to burn a person into charcoal, only scorched his head into a Red Skull, or perhaps a Ghost Rider, while the exoskeleton battle armor was completely immune to the pumpkin bomb's attack.
The opponent seemed oblivious to the pain of the searing flames, smiling at Spider-Man: "Look, Spider-Man, I'm showing you how terrifying the Green Goblin is! See? Fire can't harm him! And his strength!"
The Green Goblin swung a punch. Peter caught the blow with his left hand, then punched the opponent's burning head again. The Green Goblin staggered back a few steps and couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, it looks like even a slightly compatible candidate is still not as powerful as Norman. His punch power should be greater than yours, and you needed the symbiote just to fight him."
The Goblin King chuckled casually, completely unconcerned about the man's life or death. He smiled at Peter, then endured one round of attacks after another from the hero, occasionally trying to strike back, only to be easily blocked.
But so what?
The Goblin King had plenty of "talent reserves." Twenty-three Goblins died this week; perhaps twenty-three more would appear next week. The endless stream of enemies would eventually find an opportunity to kill Spider-Man.
And so, amid his laughter, the burning Green Goblin finally lost his life, falling powerlessly to the ground.
Peter gasped for breath, looking at the body lying on the pavement.
It was not over yet.
At the Illusion World Costume Design Studio, Roderick Kingsley, who was watching TV with J. Jonah Jameson, began to worry about his brother's safety. But a sudden turn of events interrupted him. A figure in black Spider-Man burst through the window, rushing towards Jonah and Mary Jane, and abruptly grabbed Roderick.
"Roderick Kingsley, you have the same human bomb inside you as the other Hobgoblins! Why!"
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