Chapter 384

About ten minutes ago, on Earth, Flash brought Banner to Charles's office; Charles smiled and said, "How have you been lately? Last time I heard you say you could already see the Hulk in your own mind space?"

"That's right. I have to admit, Professor Charles, your and Dr. Shiler's work on clearing my mind space was effective—now, even when I'm not asleep, as long as I focus, I can sense his presence, though we still can't communicate."

"How is the Hulk doing? Any signs of anger lately?"

Banner sighed and said, "He's always on the verge of exploding—it's hard to say when he'll actually break out. I'm just too worried."

"Do you remember the plan Dr. Shiler mentioned to you last time?"

"You mean what? Oh, I remember—you're talking about finding some uninhabited region in the universe for the Hulk to let off steam, right?"

"Exactly. Now there's a perfect opportunity. Have you heard the Avengers' findings? A parasitic alien race has been hiding in human society, capturing humans as raw material for their parasitism."

Banner sighed and said, "I heard about it. It seems this world is far more dangerous than I imagined."

"Actually, the moment I realized this, I felt agitation inside me. I dare not think too deeply about it—I'm afraid the Hulk will emerge because of my fear."

"But now, there's an opportunity that needs the Hulk. Tony and Steve have found a way to reach that planet—they've already flown there. But you know, who ever turns down more combat power?"

"You mean…" Banner's eyes widened. "So the 'uninhabited region of space' you were talking about… is this place?"

"It's a win-win solution. It releases the Hulk's rage, calms him down a bit. After all, keeping him locked up forever isn't fair to him, is it?"

"Correct." Bruce nodded. "He's one of my personalities, a part of me. Suppressing his nature long-term only leads to worse outcomes—I've experienced that already."

"The Hulk's rage stems from my own fear. He bears my fears for me, yet he's never allowed to vent his anger. That's not fair."

At that moment, Charles turned and took a ring from a box behind him. "This is something Dr. Shiler had someone deliver. It's said to awaken the fear within a person. You can use it to awaken the Hulk—it may also grant him stronger, more lasting power."

Banner took the ring, held it before his eyes, and studied it thoughtfully.

Back on the Hive's homeworld, with the Hulk's arrival, the battlefield—already a sea of sludge—descended into greater chaos. The furious Hulk made no distinction between friend and foe, had no tactics whatsoever; he simply grabbed everything within his line of sight and swung.

The first target was the massive Hive. Since the Hulk had little reason, he only smashed the most obvious object in his view. The Hive's tentacles had no effect on him; the Hulk punched again and again, crushing every tentacle within sight into pulp, making the Hive howl in agony.

Peter had intended to attack the Hive, but he was struck by debris thrown by the Hulk. He clutched his dazed head, shook it, and said, "What's going on? Where did this big yellow monster come from? Is he an enemy? Why is he attacking me?"

Then he heard a sharp "whoosh"—Captain America was also flung away. The Hulk was spinning wildly, gripping one of Stark's deployed mechs, sweeping everything within range.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Stark's missiles chased the Hulk. Captain America raised his shield and charged forward.

Another "howl!"—two more of the Hive's tentacles were severed. The Hive wildly lashed out with all its tentacles at everyone on the battlefield.

In Peter's vision, against the pitch-black city skyline, the Hulk—radiating golden light—spun rapidly, wielding the flashing beacon mech.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Peter watched him spin past, then saw Stark—covered in turrets—chasing the Hulk and blasting.

"Crash! Boom!"

Peter watched them rush past, then saw Captain America dodging between the tentacles, slamming his shield into the Hive's face.

"Oh!! Damn bugs!"

"Monster!"

Then he saw the massive Venom bat charging after the Hulk.

"I am Venom! I am Vengeance!!"

"Hulk!!"

Different figures darted left to right, then right to left—Peter's head spun back and forth.

Before long, the skyline, once dense with skyscrapers, collapsed like dominoes, flattened into a straight line, leaving only countless craters and rolling smoke.

Though Peter had no idea what was happening, it didn't stop his genetic combat instinct from stirring excitement. He rolled up his sleeves and joined the fight, making the chaos even worse.

Peter's core strategy in this battle was simple: help whoever was weaker.

He didn't understand the complex relationships between Stark, Steve, the yellow monster, and the Hive—why they were fighting like this—but he knew one thing: punch whoever you see.