The moment the elevator doors slid open, several cold, rigid figures stood before him, their dark gun barrels all aimed squarely at him.
Finn was stunned for a moment: ".."
[Wait, it's not like I'm an alien, is it really necessary to go that far?]
Finn was hesitantly forced into the CEO's office at gunpoint.
What he saw was Harry Osborn tied to a chair, surrounded by unfamiliar armed personnel.
Finn: "!!" These aren't security guards protecting Harry; these are armed militants taking advantage of the situation!
Muzzled, Harry caught sight of Finn, his tense body suddenly shuddered, his eyes widening abruptly. The young man looked extremely disheveled, the veins in his neck bulging as he struggled desperately in the seat, muffled whimpers squeezing from his throat as if he were trying to warn him of something.
[Misery Value detected rising, Misery Value +1%]
"Stay put!" an armed militant barked. The barrel of his gun slammed mercilessly against Harry's temple, crimson blood immediately began to seep out.
Finn's brow furrowed deeply, he instinctively averted his gaze.
Just then, a cold male voice rang out from beside the wine cabinet: "Finn, long time no see."
The man turned around slowly with calm composure.
"Marcus." After seeing the man's face clearly, Finn also understood at once what the situation was.
—Quite normal.
Well, it really is quite normal.
According to the conventions of a face-slapping counterattack script.
The defeated bouncing monster will remain quiet for a period of time, only to then arrogantly and recklessly exert all its remaining strength for one final, desperate bounce.
While adding another brick to the Host's path of a comeback life, it also played itself to the point of a complete Game Over.
—Is this even normal??
When such an event actually happened to Finn himself, he found it hard to believe.
Finn had long thought that this jumping freak had already been sent by Harry to the other side of the world! It turns out he was still plotting something big!
You really are something else!
Aliens are invading Earth! And you're still sitting up there, acting all high and mighty against your own people!
Finn, I am very disappointed in you." Marcus walked toward Finn while holding a wine glass. "You know, I thought you were on my side. I built the best stage for you, but in the end, you actually defected.
To escape the charges set by Harry Osborn, Marcus had to sacrifice everything he had.
Now, his eyes held nothing but revenge at any cost, he hated the Osborn brothers with a passion.
What did Harry Osborn promise you? He hasn't even given you a single share of stock up to now," Marcus asked with a smile, his eyes swirling with intense mockery. "But I've suddenly realized something. Is it because I told you about Harry Osborn's condition that it gave you a new idea? You think that as long as you act well-behaved and pleasing now, once Harry Osborn can no longer hold on, everything of his will naturally be given to you.
Harry Osborn's pupils suddenly constricted as he sat shackled to the chair. He hadn't even figured out how to tell Finn about the genetic disease, but he never imagined.. that Finn already knew about his condition.
You have a brilliant mind." Marcus knew, of course, that Young Master Osborn was always surrounded by people flocking to him. "You don't want anyone to get the upper hand on you; you only want to wait high above as everyone hands things over to you. Even Harry Osborn, your brother, is just a part of your plan, isn't he?
You've been playing us for fools." Marcus no longer dared to underestimate Finn Osborn; he now felt that everything before had been part of Finn's plan, "Using Harry's hands to eliminate me to gain Harry's trust, then encroaching upon the Osborn Group step by step, finally waiting for Harry's illness to flare up so that you can rightfully inherit it all.
Marcus certainly did not believe in the ridiculous farce of brotherly affection within the Osborn family; he only felt that everything was a game within a game.
Cut the nonsense." Finn didn't care to listen to Marcus's sophistry; these villains were always so talkative. "Just tell me what you want directly.
System PP: [Host, all signals in the entire Osborn Building have been blocked.]
Even through the electronic voice, the anxiety in System PP's voice could be heard.
System PP: [What should I do now? Maybe shouting Max's name loudly will make Max hear me.]
Finn also wanted to sweep through everything just like many of his previous Hosts, but it had to be said that over all these years—
He is purely a mental worker.
Finn certainly had life-saving skills as well, but they were only for survival.
First, take a look at the gun barrel near Harry's head." Finn had certainly thought of his gold-medal bodyguard Max, but in the current situation, whether Max could hear him was one thing, the possibility of him being able to get Harry away from so many gun barrels was slim to none. "PP, if you had even a single combat plugin right now, I could knock them all down.
Empty-handed System PP: 【Host, could you please say something useful, please?】
Finn: 【Try a little harder. See if you can send out a distress signal; I'll look for an opportunity as well.】
"The lives of you Osborn brothers are in my hands," Marcus said arrogantly. This was truly the perfect opportunity tailored for him; everyone was fighting against the alien invasion, no one would care what happened here. Even if the Osborn brothers died a tragic death here, it would be nothing more than just another massacre by the alien invaders.
How about you kneel first, then we can discuss the terms.
Marcus wanted so badly to see the dignity of these Osborn brothers trampled under his feet, so badly to see the helpless pain and resentment in their eyes.
Finn knelt down immediately without a second thought.
"I sincerely apologize for what I did to you before." Finn raised his head and spoke with a sincere gaze.
Marcus paused for a moment: "You.. really don't seem like anyone from the Osborn family at all."
Watching Finn Osborn kneel with such flexibility, Marcus's mood did not improve in the slightest; he didn't even feel the pleasure of revenge.
Finn, actually, thanks to you, I've been reminded of something." Marcus smiled and took a sip of his wine. "You asked me before if there was a catalyst for the genetic disease in your Osborn Group, I've developed one for you.
Since you were able to ask that question back then, I assume you definitely had someone in mind to use it on?" Marcus gave Harry a contemptuous glance, then fixed his gaze on Finn, his tone carrying a certain certainty of malice, "I doubt you would use it on yourself; it must be for Harry Osborn.
On Harry's blood-stained, pale face, those dark green eyes stared blankly at Finn.
[Detected Misery Value increasing, Misery Value +1%]
We could still be allies. You know, you keep my secrets, I keep yours." Marcus arrogantly threw a vial of eerie green liquid in front of the still-kneeling Finn, sneering, "There's nothing left to hide now. Go ahead and do what you truly want to do.
Finn: ".." The boomerang eventually came back to hit me.
"I didn't intend to harm Harry Osborn," Finn said in a calm tone.
However, it was true that Finn was also surprised that Marcus had actually come up with a trump card during this period.
"Is that so? Then why did you ask for a catalyst? To use it on yourself?" Marcus found it utterly ridiculous.
Finn: ".." Is it not okay? That's exactly what I was thinking.
A good executor should dive into the fray personally.
Now, I will give you thirty seconds." Marcus took out a pocket watch and spoke, "Either you inject the catalyst into Harry yourself within thirty seconds, we can become allies and share the fruits of victory. Or, I will have someone inject it into your body, you will undergo mutation into that ugly, disgusting monster even sooner than your brother.
Thirty seconds, starting now.
The ruthless countdown begins now.
Outside the building, a war raged between humanity and an alien army; artillery roared, the entirety of New York trembled amidst the flames of battle. Yet, just a wall away, an even uglier war was being waged—one without smoke, where the greed, ambition, dark malice deep within human nature were being laid bare.
The mercenary had already roughly pushed up the sleeve of Harry's arm, which was covered in dark green scales, waiting for Finn's injection with a gaze so cold it was indifferent.
Even at this moment, Harry did not struggle; he simply looked down calmly at his younger brother with those dark green eyes.
You have twenty seconds left." Marcus curled his lips into a cruel smile. "Finn, think carefully about your life right now. Think about how much glory you've had this month—the Young Master Osborn, with so many people worshiping you. But once this catalyst is injected, it will only take one day before you can never show your face on any social media platform again.
Harry's symptoms have already flared up anyway. What difference does it make if it happens a little earlier or a little later?" Marcus paused, his gaze sweeping over Harry's pale and haggard face, his tone growing even more ruthless and instigating, "You wouldn't want to go from being a darling of the heavens to becoming a monster that everyone avoids in an instant, would you?
Ten seconds left.
Countless gun barrels were still aimed at Finn.
At this moment, System PP's electronic voice was practically screaming: [Connected with Spider-Man! Host, just a little longer!]
Under the oppressive gaze of the crowd, Finn slowly stood up.
Walking step by step toward Harry, holding a syringe of the catalytic curse.
Harry's gaze was fixed on Finn, without a trace of anger or resentment.
There was only a sort of indulgent calm.
If he could speak at this moment, Harry would certainly tell Finn that he would never believe the few words Marcus used to sow discord—the fact that Finn rushed here at all costs amidst such a chaotic battlefield was proof enough.
Whether the speculations regarding the catalyst are true or false, it doesn't matter.
It didn't matter; Harry didn't care.
Even if Finn actually acted according to Marcus's demands, he would understand. Although Finn does not bear the curse of the Osborn hereditary disease, Finn himself is unaware of it.
Under the threat of life and death—
This was already the most rational and optimal decision at hand.
"Blindfold him.." Finn said.
Oh?" Marcus froze for a moment, then let out a low laugh, his voice dripping with mockery, "What, are you afraid he'll have to watch his own younger brother betray him with his own eyes? Fine then, I'll satisfy this ridiculous mercy of yours.
Marcus waved his hand to signal.
Upon receiving the order, the mercenary lowered the gun pressed against Harry Osborn's forehead and reached out to tightly cover Harry Osborn's eyes.
"Five seconds left." Marcus waited for the scene he had been anticipating with a morbid expression.
Harry obediently closed his eyes, his blood-stained eyelashes trembling slightly, as if he were allowing himself to be pushed into hell by the hands of the person closest to him.
His heart beat at this moment, cold, desperate, lonely, in pain.
But it didn't matter, as long as this person was Finn.
Immediately following that was a period of silence.
"You!" Marcus exclaimed in disbelief.
Harry clearly heard the sound of the potion being injected into his body.
But no needle had pierced his arm.
Harry suddenly realized something, his eyes widening in disbelief, but his vision remained shrouded in a darkness as deep and impenetrable as an abyss.
Amidst this extreme tension and bewilderment, he heard his younger brother's voice, calm to the point of being gentle, piercing through the deathly silent air and entering his ears clearly—
I've injected it myself, so you can't touch him anymore.
————————
Chapter 61 High-Altitude Fall
A wave of overwhelming suffocation struck violently once again.