Chapter 720: U: The Infinite Event (36)

On the other side, Captain Universe Spider-Man and Amazing Spider-Man chased after Solus, having discerned his intent to hunt down the wounded, and thus spared no effort to stop him.

But Solus's method of traversing the multiverse was far more advanced than the Spider-Men's; after just two universes, they lost him completely, unable to sense even his aura.

"This won't work," Amazing Spider-Man said grimly. "Solus will reach the wounded before us, and we can't defeat him alone. We need stronger allies."

"We need to find Solus's trail first," Captain Universe Spider-Man mused. "But you're right—we need reinforcements. I'll take the other Spider-Men to track him. You go find that lucky kid from before. His ability will be useful."

Amazing Spider-Man sighed, nodded. Though splitting up was unwise, they had no choice after being separated.

Thus, Captain Universe Spider-Man led the other Spider-Men to pursue Solus, while Amazing Spider-Man went alone to Peter's universe for help.

Amazing Spider-Man's transporter had recorded the parameters of Peter's universe, but only from a future timeline. Now, lacking the ability to travel through time, he activated the device—and arrived in the present universe.

The transporter flashed, depositing Amazing Spider-Man above this universe. He confirmed he was within the Solar System, yet something felt off—this Solar System looked nothing like he expected.

Normally, space was empty. Even a tiny system like the Solar System was incomprehensibly vast to human beings. After traversing so many universes, Amazing Spider-Man had grown accustomed to the dark, empty void.

But here, this universe was astonishingly crowded.

He turned left and saw a line of bizarre robots departing Earth, heading toward the Sun. He turned right and spotted a massive vessel, shaped like an aircraft carrier, flying past Earth.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" A female voice came from behind him. Amazing Spider-Man turned to see a girl with green hair staring at him.

"Oh, I'm looking for someone. Where's the Spider-Man from your universe?" Amazing Spider-Man asked. He recognized the green-haired girl—she seemed to be a mutant—but couldn't recall her name.

"Peter, what are you doing? Aren't you Spider-Man?" The green-haired mutant girl studied Amazing Spider-Man.

Amazing Spider-Man opened his mouth, stunned. Was Spider-Man's identity public knowledge here? How did everyone know Peter Parker was Spider-Man?

"It's not April Fools' Day. Don't try to fool me. If your lab didn't need surface samples from Mercury for soil analysis, why would you be here? What's wrong? Did you lose your memory?"

"I'm sorry, miss, but I'm not the Spider-Man from your universe…" Amazing Spider-Man tried to explain. Though he could have lied, he preferred honesty.

Before he finished, the girl waved her hand—and suddenly, Peter found himself flung backward. Yet he felt no pain; it was clearly a teleportation technique.

Soon, he landed on Earth's surface. Before he could speak, the girl pulled him into a school. Moments later, Peter stood before Charles. Charles adjusted his glasses and said: "Lorna, you should be more polite. After all, he's a guest…"

"Who knows who he is? Didn't you tell me to bring anyone suspicious here?" North Star Lorna pointed at Spider-Man. "He claims to be a Spider-Man from another universe. I think he's delusional…"

"He truly is a Spider-Man from another universe—and also Peter Parker. Come here, Peter. What are you doing here?"

"We're in trouble and need help! I can prove we've met before—ask this world's Spider-Man!" Amazing Spider-Man hurried to explain. "The situation is critical. If we delay, many will die. I need to act quickly…"

"Oh, sorry, Professor, I'm late—really sorry…" At that moment, the office door opened. Amazing Spider-Man turned and saw a figure standing outside.

He wore a green-striped shirt under a blue-purple suit, with an oddly patterned tie: black, covered in strange yellow designs that made one dizzy.

Looking at his face, Amazing Spider-Man was stunned—it was Shiler. Another one of his variants had appeared.

The Shiler walked up to Charles and said: "Sorry I'm late, Professor. Where's the child needing psychological counseling? I'll go to him now…"

Charles turned from Amazing Spider-Man and said to Shiler: "It's nothing serious, Doctor Shiler. A boy who plays with fire accidentally burned a classmate. Luckily, the classmate has a healing factor—the injury's already healed. But he's overwhelmed with guilt and can't move on. You should talk to him. I'll take you there…"

"Wait! Professor! I'm desperate! I need to find Peter! Can you help me locate him? Just tell me where he is!" Amazing Spider-Man blocked Charles's path.

"Alright, let me check…" Charles paused briefly. "Oh, he's at Kamar-Taj. But he seems busy. Are you going there?"

"Yes, I need him urgently…" Amazing Spider-Man frowned.

Charles gave North Star a glance. She grabbed Amazing Spider-Man and, using Earth's magnetic field, shot him toward Mount Ximalaya, then dumped him at the entrance of the Kamar-Taj Grand Hall.

Upon arriving at Kamar-Taj, Amazing Spider-Man froze at the sight before him.

At the hall's entrance, a Shiler in a hooded cloak with feathered shoulders was drinking with Stark. A Shiler in a wizard's robe was studying a wand with Strange. An elderly Shiler with white hair and a staff was discussing close-combat techniques with Wong. A gray-haired, aged Shiler was scolding Peter while holding a pufferfish.

Standing at the hall's entrance, Amazing Spider-Man stepped back two paces, looked up at the Kamar-Taj sign, and confirmed he hadn't gone to the wrong place.

He slipped inside quietly and tapped Peter on the shoulder. "Hey, Peter, I need you. What's going on?"

Peter, dejected, glanced at Amazing Spider-Man and frantically signaled for silence. But Father Shiler had already spotted him. "You're also Peter Parker? Don't you know to respect the elderly…"

"I know! But I really need help right now!"

"Don't talk back to Father!"

Half an hour later, Amazing Spider-Man sat slumped on the floor. He glanced at Peter and muttered: "Why is he so talkative?"

"How should I know?" Peter whispered back.

"There's one more thing…" Father Shiler spoke up.

"Enough!" Amazing Spider-Man finally snapped. He stood and shouted: "Solus of the Inheritor Clan has caught up to the Spider-Army's wounded! They're all in danger! Spider-Man, you have to come with me to save them!"

Before Peter could respond, Father Shiler spoke first: "What? Someone's targeting the wounded?"

"That's unjust," said the elderly, white-haired Shiler, tapping the ground with his staff.

Meanwhile, the cloaked Shiler rose, moving closer to listen. As more Shilers gathered, Amazing Spider-Man felt overwhelming pressure.

He stepped back slightly. "It's like this…"

When he finished, the Shilers exchanged glances. Father Shiler spoke first: "There's one more thing: besides respecting the elderly, you must protect the young. No one may harm injured children—or Father will show them what 'Huh! Ha!' means!"

Father Shiler struck a martial pose. The eldest, snow-haired Shiler spoke: "If Spider-Man is the righteous force preserving cosmic peace, then I must aid them in their hour of need…"

Behind them, Stark nudged Strange and whispered: "This is our chance to get rid of these Shilers. Go find the others. Tell them to help Spider-Man."

"But how do we find the other Shilers?" Strange frowned. "Who knows where they're hiding?"

Stark rubbed his chin, then smiled. "I've got the perfect bait to lure them…"

"What is it?"

Stark grinned, clearly proud of his idea.

Half an hour later, outside a ward at Arkham Sanatorium, a sea of Shilers stood in line, murmuring among themselves:

"I heard Stark's anxiety's gotten worse…"

"Steve's medication dosage must be off!"

"Why is Peter sick too? Where's his medical record? Let me see…"

"Natasha? Yeah, being a spy causes psychological issues…"

"Stephen Strange? No record of him visiting. I'll take him! I specialize in complex cases!"

"And this one—no name? Amazing Spider-Man? What kind of name is that? Heard he has paranoid delusions. I've got experience with that!"

"Move aside! My turn! I'm the attending physician!"

"No pushing! Line up properly! Everyone gets one patient. Don't rush!"

"I've waited twenty minutes! Let me in first!"

"Hurry up! What if they recover? I'm a psychologist—I need patients!"

"Where are the patients? Where are they? You in front—can't you leave some for me? If you cure them all, where will I find patients?!"

Inside the ward, Strange, lying on a bed and taking turns meeting Shilers, gave Stark a thumbs-up.

Beside him, Amazing Spider-Man had collapsed face-first onto the table, beside him lay his two-hundredth psychological test booklet…