"The murderer is Spider-Man!"
"...The New York City Police Department has issued an emergency warrant. The New York Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are jointly offering a $200,000 reward for leads to capture Spider-Man..."
"New York Mayor Wilson Fisk issued a statement immediately after the shooting incident and, in an interview from the hospital, revealed the attacker's identity: Spider-Man. Later that day, the head of the New York City Police Department also held a press conference, releasing multiple surveillance photos and videos of Spider-Man, further corroborating the event's authenticity."
"It is reported that the Thunderbolts have already launched a large-scale search operation within New York City."
At Frontline Press, he sent the latest interview report he had just finished to Ben Urich.
Colin took his hands off the keyboard and let out a long sigh.
Poor Little Bug.
His gaze swept over the screenshot from the news, and he muttered to himself silently.
"Kent..."
However, before Colin could mourn for Spider-Man any longer,
Ben Urich's voice came from the chief editor's office.
"What is it, boss?"
"I've read your latest report. It's very good, but some parts of it need to be revised..."
Inside the office, Ben Urich looked at Colin, who had knocked and entered. He glanced at the phone beside him, then sighed helplessly and said.
If it's good, why does it need to be revised?
Faced with Ben Urich's somewhat contradictory praise, Colin was puzzled internally, but on the surface, he put on a compliant expression and said.
"What needs to be changed?"
"The part about Spider-Man. As the Mayor's attacker, you should strongly condemn him..."
I see. The one asking for this change isn't you, it's Jameson, isn't it?
Hearing Ben Urich's words, Colin instantly understood.
Clearly, the one who truly wanted him to change the news was none other than Jameson, the man behind Frontline, that 'celebrity' with a huge prejudice against Spider-Man.
Especially since The Daily Bugle's building was recently damaged in the battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, with even the newspaper's logo getting blasted to half its size.
Under such circumstances, it would be strange if Jameson had a good impression of Spider-Man.
Understanding the cause and effect, Colin nodded, preparing to go back and revise the news report according to Ben Urich's—no, Jameson's—request to fit his views.
"Forget it."
In the office, Ben Urich suddenly spoke up, stopping Colin.
Looking down at his phone screen, Ben Urich sighed quietly. "It's not necessary anymore. Just publish the original report."
Not necessary anymore?
Walking out of the office, somewhat puzzled, Colin glanced back at Ben Urich's room.
Activating [Super Hearing], an impassioned news report immediately sounded.
Using [Super X-Ray Vision], he could see right through to Ben Urich's phone and the helpless expression on his face.
"...Spider-Man is a Pest!"
"Wielding power he shouldn't possess..."
...
"...Spider-Man wants to package himself as a Superhero to deceive the good citizens of New York, but obviously, not everyone has been fooled! I, J. Jonah Jameson, for one, have seen through the true nature behind that Pest's evil mask! Attacking the Mayor—what kind of evil, insane fiend would think of such a thing..."
"The Thunderbolts are the real heroes! And you, Spider-Man, you're a criminal, a masked man, a masked menace, a complete and utter madman..."
"Spider-Man is not a madman!"
Watching J. Jonah Jameson's slander against Spider-Man on the television, Peter Parker couldn't help but retort.
"Spider-Man is a real Superhero, I know it!"
"Peter, quiet down..."
"But, Aunt May, they're all saying Spider-Man is the murderer, the one who attacked the Mayor of New York."
As the news media continued to stir, the vast majority of New York's citizens soon learned the 'truth' of the Mayor's attack. Spider-Man fell from being a popular Superhero to a criminal and a murderer.
For Peter, who had always supported and believed in Spider-Man, this was obviously hard to accept.
"Don't change your opinion just because of what others say. What everyone believes isn't necessarily the truth."
Seeing the wavering Peter before her, Aunt May immediately offered a word of comfort.
"In fact, just like you, I believe Spider-Man was framed. I believe he will find a way to uncover the truth and prove his innocence."
...
"Just as I thought. All the members of the Thunderbolts are here, and so is the Green Goblin."
In front of the general hospital.
Colin carefully concealed his presence, sneaking into the adjacent city block.
Using [Super Hearing], he confirmed the situation around the hospital. The Green Goblin's piercing laughter, in particular, confirmed the truth of his earlier suspicions.
Without a doubt, the reason Kingpin released the surveillance footage to the media...
...was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Through this attack, Kingpin had set a trap. As for the target of the trap, it was naturally...
As Colin's [Super Intellect] worked, his [Super Hearing] soon detected a figure approaching from a distance. With a nearly inaudible landing, an agile figure quietly appeared on the hospital rooftop.
Spider-Man.
The target of the trap.
Branded a wanted criminal by the news, unless he gives up his Superhero identity and ceases all activity, he would have to clear his name. To do that, Kingpin, the victim of the incident, would be a necessary target for his investigation.
Unaware of Kingpin's status as a leader of the Underworld, Spider-Man would obviously never suspect that the mastermind behind all this was the victim himself, Kingpin.
You could say that from the very beginning, Kingpin had set a trap that Spider-Man would have no choice but to enter.
And our unsuspecting Spider-Man has already stepped into this dangerous trap.
Landing on the hospital roof, Spider-Man also clearly sensed that something was wrong.
Spurred on by the intense premonition of danger welling up inside him, he instinctively dodged.
BOOM—
As he flipped and leaped away, a Pumpkin Bomb fell from mid-air and landed on his original position, causing a massive explosion and destruction.
"Ahahaha, how about it, Spider-Man? Do you like this little surprise gift of mine?"
"It's a shame, though. It would have been even better if you had stayed put to receive this gift! Hahahaha..."
(end of chapter)