NOVEL NEXT Chapter 276: Venom
Hearing Smith Dole present two choices, Eddie Brock fell silent.
Who wouldn't want the chance to become a superhuman? In today's world, being superhuman was a golden ticket. Corporations, governments, and billionaires all offered massive benefits to recruit them. No persecution, no rejection—only envy and admiration.
After a moment's thought, Eddie said:
"Boss, I want to try."
But his voice wavered the next second.
"B-but Boss… if my life's in danger, you've got to save me first, alright?"
Smith smiled.
"Relax. You won't die."
"You can go home and rest now."
Eddie blinked in surprise. No tests? No bloodwork, scans, or procedures? But seeing no such arrangements, and though still confused, he left the lab.
As Eddie walked out, Alexei frowned.
"Boss, you're just letting him keep it? That thing's practically the equivalent of a Super Soldier Serum."
Smith knew the truth—that only Eddie and Venom together could create the Life Codex.
"They have… fate between them. Let's see what comes of it," he said.
The others nodded. If the leader said so, it stood.
"But the Life Foundation isn't finished. There's still one symbiote out there. I need them to draw it out."
"When the last one is in place—that's when we destroy the Life Foundation."
"As for surveillance, keep it running."
Smith himself wasn't interested in hosting a symbiote. They had glaring limits and weaknesses, and he would never put an alien parasite inside his own body.
But the two contained specimens could serve as options for others in the organization. With the right host—even Selina or Fox—their strength could climb another tier.
As for the symbiote homeworld, Smith had no plans to set foot there. According to Venom, it was already a wasteland devoured by its own kind, with their god, Knull, sealed away—awaiting the Life Codex to break free.
Even the Godslayer sword, forged to slay gods, had not originated there. Gorr had found it elsewhere.
Still, Smith's curiosity burned. What exactly would the Life Codex, born from Eddie and Venom, be capable of? Could it do more than simply lift a seal?
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Eddie Brock returned home. Anne wasn't back from work yet.
"Hey, pal… what's your name?" Eddie asked aloud.
"My boss said you're intelligent. Let's talk. I even got you chocolate… and a roast chicken."
Venom's voice finally rumbled in Eddie's mind:
"I am Venom."
Eddie grinned. Finally, it spoke.
"Alright, Venom. Let's chat—your likes, your needs…"
Venom cut in:
"Your boss and colleagues are strong. Why are you so weak?"
"What's your battle power?"
Eddie froze.
"Wait—how do you know about battle power?"
Venom chuckled darkly.
"I know everything in your mind. But… you never measured yourself? I couldn't find it in your memories."
Eddie scowled.
"Not fair! You know all about me, but I know nothing about you!"
Venom stretched out from Eddie's body, forming a grotesque head.
"You're a lucky man."
Eddie shrugged.
"Guess I am. Lucky to have met my boss."
Venom grew quiet, then admitted:
"He is strong. Stronger than I imagined. But humans… most are so weak. Shockingly weak."
"Eddie… do you even reach 5 battle points?"
Eddie scratched his head.
"I never tested. Too expensive. But as a frontline journalist? I'd say at least 5."
Venom sneered.
"Trash-tier fighter. The stronger the host, the stronger the bond. And you're weak."
Eddie grimaced, but pressed on.
"Fine… so what do you want?"
Venom paused, then answered:
"I just wanted to leave that wretched planet. It's all been eaten. No life, no color—only emptiness."
Eddie frowned.
"So you weren't captured by Drake's ship… you chose to leave?"
Venom nodded.
"Yes. Five of us saw your vessel. We chose it. We weren't taken."
"As for the others… maybe they wanted food."
His tone darkened.
"But we never expected this world to have beings like your so-called superhumans. 'God'—your boss—is beyond what we imagined."
Through hosts' minds, Venom had already glimpsed fragments of human knowledge: Iron Man, God—Smith Dole. And Eddie's memories provided even more.
Finally Eddie asked the question burning inside him:
"So… can we be partners?"
Venom studied him. Weak. Cowardly. Yet lucky. And decent enough, from what it had seen in Maria's memories.
"…I'll consider it. Depends on how you perform."
In truth, Venom remained wary. The other two symbiotes had been violently ripped from their hosts, stuffed into containers. Only Eddie had been spared.
At first, Venom thought it was because separation would kill him. But Smith Dole knew too much—far too much—for that.
What game was he playing? Why leave Eddie and Venom together?
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(End of Chapter)
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