Chapter 1815

Under Spider-Man's leadership, humanity reclaimed Earth, and the two zombie viruses were completely eradicated, but the trouble was far from over.

Spider-Man knew who had created the cycle of the two universes, so before leaving this universe, he had to go to the Moon to find the Watcher's trail.

Spider-Man was well aware the Watcher would not be easy to deal with; with the other universe's zombie virus still unresolved, the Watcher might not believe he could solve the virus and thus stop creating cycles.

In Spider-Man's view, this extra-human race's attitude toward humanity was arrogant — they believed humans were weak and incapable of self-care, that only external intervention could resolve disasters, so even if Spider-Man told them his method for solving the zombie virus, they would likely still think their own approach more effective.

Spider-Man also understood the Watcher's power, so he brought no one, boarding alone the aerospace fighter Nick provided, and flew to the lunar surface to negotiate with the Watcher.

When he saw the Watcher on the Moon, he knew the Watcher had also been unaffected by the universe reset — he retained the memories of every loop.

To Spider-Man's surprise, the Watcher's attitude was quite good; he very patiently explained the whole sequence of events to Spider-Man and stated he had been forced by circumstances.

The Watcher sighed, looking at Spider-Man, and said: "We are a rather ancient race; I have witnessed the birth and destruction of countless universes. After a certain unfortunate accident, my kin and I swore never again to interfere in the development of any civilization, but to be pure observers."

"Throwing the zombie Sentinels into your universe already violated the clan's rules; Uatu will likely come looking for trouble, but I had no other choice. The mad zombies would build transporters and spread the terrible virus to every universe; only the cycle could keep the virus contained within a controllable range."

"I knew someone would eventually find a way to break this cycle; I was waiting for that day. I am glad you have come to me with news of victory, but I must still tell you — you are one step too late."

Spider-Man looked at the Watcher with some puzzlement, not understanding what he meant; the Watcher also gazed intently at Spider-Man and spoke.

"You came here not only to stop me from continuing to create cycles; you also want to know what lies behind this terrible disaster — but just minutes ago, your companions learned the truth from me, departed for the depths of the multiverse, and demanded I tell you nothing."

"My companions?" Spider-Man was puzzled to the extreme.

Then he saw a complex expression on the Watcher's face; the Watcher stepped back two paces, looked at Spider-Man, and said: "Please don't make things difficult for me; I don't want to have my head cut off and made into an engine."

"You mean someone got here before me, learned the truth behind the zombie virus's arrival from you, and then went after the culprit?"

The Watcher nodded.

Spider-Man said rather anxiously: "Who is the culprit? They just rushed off so recklessly — aren't they afraid of a trap?"

The Watcher fell silent again; soon he said in a complex tone: "I think you should be more worried about the culprit."

"So who is the culprit? Tell me!" Spider-Man pressed aggressively; he would never have used such an overbearing attitude to interrogate anyone before, but this ordeal had honed his character well, giving his kindness an edge.

He stared straight at the Watcher, with a clear "you're not leaving until you tell me" attitude; the Watcher gently shook his head.

Just as Spider-Man prepared to act, the Watcher spoke: "One of your companions instructed me that if you truly want to know the truth, I am not unable to tell you."

"But he asked me to remind you: don't forget your homeland is still in dire straits; your top priority right now is to completely eradicate all zombie viruses."

"And you needn't be troubled by this; I will provide you with assistance, because this matter also concerns me and my clan."

"Tell me the truth." Spider-Man stepped forward and said: "No concealment — I will expose all your lies."

"I have no intention of concealing anything; it's just a bit complicated. Come to my sanctuary first; we'll start from the beginning."

So Spider-Man followed the Watcher to the sanctuary he had built on the far side of the Moon; calling it a sanctuary was a stretch — it was merely a crude tent — but inside the tent there seemed to be another layer of space. The Watcher lit a campfire here and slowly began his account.

"One month before these two universes met with disaster, I heard a piece of bad news from my kin: a human creation was spreading calamity throughout the multiverse; he calls himself 'Infinite Ultron'."

"An Observer in a certain universe nearly fell victim to him; in those few seconds of contact, he activated our clan's quantum observation gift and learned Infinite Ultron's next plan — he intends to destroy humanity in every universe of the multiverse."

Spider-Man frowned deeply and said: "Is he insane? What grudge does he have against humanity?"

"He feels humanity will inevitably destroy him one day, so he strikes first; but in any case, he selected ninety-nine universes and attempted different methods — your universe is precisely one of them."

"So his method for destroying my universe was spreading the zombie virus?!" Spider-Man said incredulously: "But I've never heard of Ultron having this ability!"

The Watcher pursed his lips, as if hesitating whether to speak, but in the end he still said: "Not just Infinite Ultron — he should also have a mysterious accomplice, though we still cannot confirm who it is; the zombie virus is very likely his handiwork."

After collecting his thoughts, the Watcher continued: "When I received this news I didn't take it seriously, until a group of zombie superheroes fell from the sky — only then did I realize the disaster had already occurred."

"Our clan's unique gift lets us trace cause from effect, but I didn't expect Infinite Ultron to be stronger than I imagined — when I saw him, he saw me too."

"After sowing the zombie virus he left to attend to other plans, but once he discovers this measure has taken effect, he will inevitably return to make the disaster spread faster."

"I don't know if I can handle him, so I must use my home-field advantage to create some trouble for him — these two endlessly looping universes are a trap; I hope this can trap the Infinite Ultron who comes to investigate, or at least buy some time, because resistance forces against him have already assembled in the universe."

"I must apologize, child; your awakening was an accident, but I cannot halt the entire plan for one person alone. The zombie virus is bait to lure the prey, so even if I have a way to eradicate it, I must keep it, because Infinite Ultron's threat is greater."

The Watcher frowned, his gaze somewhat hollow — clearly observing other matters across time and space — and he spoke.

"But I didn't expect the bait I laid didn't lure Infinite Ultron; instead, a special Spider-Man from the multiverse attracted another group of very special guests… a bit too special."

Spider-Man clenched his fists, but at this moment the Watcher suddenly reached out and pressed a finger to his brow; golden light flashed, and Spider-Man saw the scene the Watcher had witnessed ten-odd minutes earlier.

When a colossal head that blotted out the sky appeared, the Moon looked like a speck of dust in its pupil — incomparably tiny, utterly fragile.

"Galactus?!" The Watcher standing on the Moon cried out the name of this head, but the response was not Galactus's voice.

"Hello, Watcher. I am Iron Man Tony Stark; my friends and I want to know who the mastermind behind this zombie catastrophe is — do you know?"

The Watcher recoiled two steps in shock; in the darkness of Galactus's pupil he saw a figure and couldn't help crying out: "You are — you are the Iron God?! That Iron Man who transcended a single universe?! How are you here?!"

"I hope you answer my question first, Mr. Watcher; you and your kin are well-informed, and I believe I have the capacity to solve a little trouble for you."

The Watcher narrowed his eyes, as if weighing things, but soon another figure appeared in the other pupil, making him look as if he'd seen a ghost — he saw Shiler.

The Watcher instantly spilled everything he knew like beans from a jar.

And Spider-Man, seeing his memory, also recognized Shiler's figure; he said with some surprise: "Isn't that the doctor in the white coat from the Avengers base that day? Who is he? Why are you so afraid of him?"

The Watcher shook his head, made a silencing gesture, then placed his hand on Spider-Man's shoulder; Spider-Man turned his head to glance at his fingers.

"Go back, Spider-Man; go solve your universe's trouble. When they need you, listen to the voice of the 'Web' — you are crucial."

Spider-Man walked out of the tent, only to see, with Earth's rotation, New York bathed in sunlight once more, while his homeland was still immersed in darkness and disaster.

The Watcher was right; he had to go.

Inside the World Devourer Engine, Eddie, who had just woken from a nap, walked out of his room; he stretched, and cracking sounds rang out from his whole body.

Passing through the corridor, Eddie arrived in the hall; at this moment only Stark was buried in experiments, with no sign of anyone else.

Eddie yawned and said: "Where's Dr. Shiler? He told me to rest a bit then find him for a follow-up — is he still not awake?"

"He woke a little earlier than you, but he went to another universe to find help; it'll probably be a while before he returns."

"Find help? Who did he go find?"

Before Stark could answer, the dazzling light of a portal flared behind Eddie; Eddie turned and saw Shiler, and two figures behind him.

"Introductions: Barry Allen, Harley Quinn." Shiler lightly patted Barry's back, letting him step forward two paces.

Eddie looked down curiously at the two children before him, but Venom emerged in a thoroughly nasty manner, opening a blood-stained maw and roaring at the two kids.

The next second, a fair little hand directly seized Venom's tongue, then yanked hard downward, and a miserable scream reverberated inside the Devouring Engine.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!"