Ch: 468-475
468. K is Locke's K
"He's gotten stronger."
"We've dealt with a Weaver before."
"…"
Penny Parker looked at Miles, the Weaver, who had become stronger but also uglier, with a wary expression. Then, she quickly turned to Gwen and said, "We met him in Uncle Shadow's world, Nicholas Parker's world. That Weaver had already devoured three other Spider-Men in other worlds and then came to Nicholas Parker's world."
"And then?"
"He died."
"…"
Gwen looked at Penny Parker. "I know, but how did he die?"
Of course.
If that Weaver hadn't died, Nicholas Parker wouldn't be alive and well here.
Penny Parker shook her head.
"What?"
"I don't know…"
Penny Parker looked at Gwen, who was staring at her, and quickly said, "We really don't know. At that time, we couldn't defeat that Weaver either. Luckily, Langley agents helped us escape to Texas. Originally, after we repaired our equipment and set a trap outside a farm, we were waiting for that Weaver to fall into it. But the next morning, we found the Weaver's corpse."
It was just lying there, conspicuously, at the main gate of the farm.
It was very obvious.
Also… the way he died seemed a bit casual and perfunctory.
After all, that Weaver had completely suppressed her and Shadow Spider-Man from start to finish. If that guy wasn't clearly a villain to everyone who saw him, and if Langley and the Federation hadn't helped, they probably would have been devoured by the Weaver in New York City. They wouldn't have had the chance to escape to Texas to regroup or anything.
But Penny Parker truly didn't know who killed that Weaver.
At least, when Penny Parker left that world and returned to her own, it was still a mystery.
"Does Nicholas Parker know?"
"I asked him afterwards."
"What did he say?"
"Uncle Shadow just laughed it off, as if he had some unspeakable secret, as if he was afraid that if I found out, I'd go to his world to poach people. At most, I only poached five scientists from Uncle Shadow's world to ours."
"…"
Penny Parker was a genius scientist first, and then Spider-Man.
Moreover… in the process of her heroic deeds, she owed so much money to the New York City landlord, Gaine Broughton. Although she managed to prevent Gaine Broughton from suing her with her beauty and sweet talk, as a superhero, Penny Parker still intended to rise up. At the very least, she wanted to be able to, after damaging Gaine Broughton's buildings, simply write a check with her right hand and slap it on the face of that arrogant person who called himself the Dark Firstborn, telling him, "This is compensation, don't look for me."
To achieve this goal, she undoubtedly needed many patents, to sell those patents to the monopolistic capitalists of New York City, or rather, to Gaine Broughton, and then exchange them for money from Gaine Broughton… Gwen listened to this rather information-heavy statement and shook her head.
"Then… what was the name of that farm?"
"Kent Farm!"
"…"
Gwen felt a little disappointed inside. After all, her boyfriend Locke was also from Texas, and he had mentioned spending some time there and told her interesting stories about nearby farms.
But Gwen had never heard Locke mention Kent Farm.
Just then!
"Roar!"
Miles the Weaver, now completely ugly for the sake of power, let out another roar. With a voice that sounded almost animalistic, his four eyes fixed on Gwen and Penny: "So… which of you will be my meal?"
The next second!
Miles the Weaver went berserk.
"Run!"
"No one is getting away!"
The berserk Miles the Weaver roared, and instantly, black liquid wriggled over his body, then transformed into countless dense, gleaming steel needles.
In an instant.
Like a porcupine, the dense steel needles on his body shot out in all directions like a rain of pear blossoms.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
"Boom!"
"Crash!"
"Ah!"
"Dodge!"
Under this 360-degree, inescapable barrage of needles, the surrounding police cars, which had been acting as roadblocks, instantly became like porcupines bristling with spikes. Some police officers and agents who couldn't dodge in time were instantly riddled with holes like beehives by the overwhelming rain of needles.
"Thud!"
"Ah!"
Gwen's freshly shot web was also targeted by Miles the Weaver, and it was severed the moment she launched into the air. With a thud, Gwen, holding Penny Parker, who looked no older than fourteen, crashed directly into a police car. The car beneath them shattered all its windows.
"Come on!"
Miles the Weaver's eyes narrowed, and he extended his right hand. Instantly, a strand of web quickly wrapped around Gwen's ankle. He licked his lips excitedly: "Let me taste you, see how you compare to that white spider from before."
As he spoke.
Miles the Weaver pulled hard.
The next second.
"Go!"
Gwen's eyes narrowed sharply. The moment Miles the Weaver pulled her, she tossed Penny Parker in her arms towards Maria Hill.
Maria Hill reacted at light speed and caught Penny Parker steadily.
But Gwen… Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Miles the Weaver spun in circles in place, and soon, a huge web appeared, connecting the Osborn Bio-Tech Tower to the opposite building.
With a thud.
Gwen was tightly stuck in the web, like prey caught in a spider's snare.
"Hmm?"
"Struggle."
Miles the Weaver, moving on his sixteen legs like a true spider, climbed onto the web. He ignored the bullets being fired at him from below and looked at Gwen in the center of the web: "No matter how much you struggle, it's useless. I will savor you."
As he spoke.
The Weaver flicked his right hand, tossing the Glock 17 pistol, numbered 6777, onto the web. With his hands free, he intended to properly savor the prey he had just captured.
As long as this unscientific pistol couldn't fire, then he was invincible.
This pistol, originally in George's hand, was snatched back when he attacked George, taking advantage of the moment George tumbled. If this pistol were still in George's hand, to be honest, he wouldn't dare to be so brazen.
After all, this pistol defied science.
Why did other pistols feel like an itch when they hit him, but this broken pistol felt like an explosive shell?
Now?
I am invincible!
Gwen struggled fiercely, looking at Miles, who was crawling towards her, his ugly face showing a lecherous expression, even drooling.
She felt disgusted.
At the same time… an emotion called fear surged in her heart.
Almost the moment Miles was about to touch Gwen with his claws, Gwen, who was tightly bound and stuck in the web, couldn't help but close her eyes.
The scenes of this life flashed through her mind once again.
Especially Locke!
Locke… where are you?
"Ah!"
Miles the Weaver looked at Gwen, who was within reach, trembling with excitement: "Let me taste your fla…"
"If you dare to touch her, even once, I will make you understand what it means to truly wish you were dead!"
"…Who?"
Miles the Weaver suddenly heard a voice, like one from hell, transmitted to his ears, and he couldn't help but turn his head.
The next second.
His eyes narrowed sharply.
"Roar!"
"Boom!"
"Thud!"
Miles the Weaver turned his head, staring at the man who had suddenly appeared, standing in mid-air before him, and the fist that was directly swinging towards him. He instinctively blocked his chest with his claws.
But it was utterly useless!
One punch.
Miles the Weaver instantly became like a meteor, sent crashing with a boom directly into the eighteenth floor of the Osborn Bio-Tech Tower.
"Thud!"
Locke slowly landed on the spider web, looking at Gwen, who was a bit disheveled but still quite healthy, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Damn it.
I'm already living such a peaceful life, why do you have to drag me into this?
Although Gwen was unharmed, Locke was extremely agitated internally. Suppressing the roar in his heart, he slowly walked to Gwen, who was tightly bound, and reached out his hands to her.
Gwen opened her eyes, looking at the man in front of her, also wearing a combat suit, entirely black, with the most prominent feature being a letter 'K' embroidered on the chest. His appearance was unremarkable… but!
Gwen felt a comforting and familiar scent.
Because!
In that very moment, Gwen's heart, which had been pounding with fear of death, suddenly calmed down. Most importantly, her spider-sense hadn't flared up.
"Is it you?"
As Locke picked her up, Gwen, held in a princess carry, looked at Locke's currently unremarkable face and whispered, "Locke?"
K!
Locke's 'K'!
Locke lowered his head, glanced at Gwen in his arms, and without speaking, slowly ascended into the air, then landed steadily, placing Gwen on the ground.
Maria Hill and George rushed over.
Penny Parker stared at Locke with wide eyes: "Who are you?"
Maria Hill tried hard to remember Locke's face, but found that no matter how she looked, once her gaze left him, his appearance quickly blurred.
Locke smiled at Penny Parker.
The next second.
He turned around!
His expression was icy cold!
469: Locke, the God Among Men
Goodfellas.
If Locke hadn't sensed Gwen calling for him and come immediately... he couldn't imagine what would have happened.
What's going on now?
Knowing he was not to be trifled with, they stopped provoking him and went after Gwen instead?
Very well.
Your mother is gone!
Locke's eyes narrowed slightly. With a thunderous boom, the ground of the battlefield instantly cracked open. He soared into the sky, spun in mid-air, and stared expressionlessly at that ugly Urgot he had blasted into the Oscorp Bio-Industrial Building.
However.
That thing was even uglier than Urgot.
Urgot's lower body was at least a crab, but this thing's lower half was entirely a spider—and a giant one with a venom sac at that.
"Who is he?"
Peni Parker looked at Locke, who was standing in mid-air, as if he were a god. She leaned in close to Gwen and asked curiously, "Is this a superhero friend of yours?"
Gwen shook her head, also staring at Locke suspended in the air, her thoughts racing... She could feel the familiar and reassuring aura from when Locke had just held her. After all, no matter how a person disguised themselves, their aura wouldn't change.
At the very least.
Gwen was certain she wouldn't fail to recognize the scent of the person who slept beside her.
But... how could it be?
Gwen watched Locke, who had appeared like a god among men and stood in mid-air, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
Along with Gwen, Maria Hill, George, and the others also had many questions.
"Do you know him?"
"What?"
George felt his lip twitch at Maria Hill's gaze. He pointed at Gwen, who was standing with Peni Parkernearby, and said, "I don't even know where this woman came from, so how could I possibly know this guy?"
"Are you sure?"
"...What do you mean?"
Maria Hill looked at George's suspicious gaze and voiced her doubt: "This female Spider-Man saved you, and twice at that, right?"
George grunted, "Yes."
Although he didn't want to admit it, facts were facts, and George's character wouldn't allow him to deny it.
Maria Hill said, "So, if she isn't your friend, why did she save you? And if that man isn't her friend, why did he save her? Therefore, you must know both of them."
Both the corner of George's mouth and his eye twitched simultaneously.
However... after Maria Hill said that, George started to have his own doubts.
Just then.
A loud boom instantly silenced George's burgeoning thoughts.
From the large hole on the eighteenth floor of the Oscorp Bio-Industrial Building, accompanied by a sound like the Earth shaking and a roar, The Weaver Miles emerged in a rage, stepping on sixteen legs.
"You..."
"Boom!"
Locke expressionlessly watched the ugly freak, who had incredible jumping ability like a mantis and was lunging at him in a fury. He raised his right fist.
Normal Punch!
Boom!
Inside the eighteenth floor of the Oscorp Bio-Industrial Building, a series of explosions occurred once again as a dark object was blasted back in.
"My god!"
"God!"
"What am I seeing?"
Peni Parker couldn't help but exclaim as she saw The Weaver unable to last even One Second before Locke. Then, as if realizing something, she looked at Gwen: "God, I know who he is."
Gwen's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed hard and looked at Peni Parker: "You know who he is?"
Peni Parker hummed in affirmation and said with certainty, "He must be from Uncle Noir's World. He must be."
After all.
The last time a Weaver suffered so miserably was in Spider-Man Noir Nicholas Parker's World. That one had also been showing off at first, only to end up as a dead loser by the next morning.
"Roar!"
The Weaver Miles, who had just claimed to be invincible, was now driven to the brink of madness: "Who on Earth are you?"
The furious voice echoed from the ruins of the eighteenth floor of the Oscorp Bio-Industrial Building.
At the same time... there was a hint of panic.
Locke stood suspended in the air, staring at the dark hole before him, expressionless and silent.
Afraid?
Good!
Savor that fear; you will learn what it means to wish you were dead!
Locke's gaze was icy.
He had said that he didn't mind trouble finding its way to him.
Because... at most, it just added a bit of fun to a peaceful life.
But... Gwen?
Have you lost your damn mind?
Also, when Locke was rushing over, he had heard this guy saying something like, 'I wonder how you, this White Spider, taste compared to the last one.'
What the hell does that mean?
Have you freaking eaten another White Spider Gwen?
Roar!
After the roar, countless dense steel needles shot out from the hole like a torrential Rain of Pear Blossoms, hurtling toward the mid-air Locke.
Seeking death!
Boom!
Locke's eyes narrowed. A sonic boom echoed as he moved instantly, vanishing from his spot. Then, with a massive explosion, the wall on the other side of the eighteenth floor of the Osborn Biotech Buildingshattered, and an unidentified object whistled out like a cannonball.
Behind it.
Was a god-like man dressed in black with a large 'K' embroidered on his chest.
"Ah!"
"Thud!"
"Boom!"
"Bang!"
On the ground.
Peni Parker watched the sky with a dazed expression as The Weaver Miles was being completely thrashed in mid-air by someone moving almost at the speed of light.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
In mid-air.
Locke appeared directly behind The Weaver Miles, delivering a plain punch. Then he was on the right, then above, then below. Moving as if at light speed, he landed punch after punch, each one striking home with visceral force against The Weaver Miles.
The scene... was brutal.
For some reason, Peni Parker suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for The Weaver Miles at this moment.
The next second.
"This ugly guy!"
Peni Parker snapped back to reality, recalling the tragic deaths of Spider-Man Noir, the Washed-up Middle-aged Spider-Man, and even this World's Peter Parker. She gritted her teeth: "Serves him right!"
Boom!
In an instant.
Amidst the gasps of the onlookers, The Weaver Miles was slammed into the ground like a cannonball. Instantly, the Earth cracked open once more, forming a massive crater.
In that crater, the bruised, swollen, and hideously furious Weaver Miles struggled in a pool of blood.
"Boom!"
Locke landed steadily on the edge of the pit, his cold eyes staring expressionlessly at The Weaver Milesinside.
This guy... seemed to have just been talking big earlier.
Locke narrowed his eyes. At the very least, he didn't sense any sign that this guy had devoured a White Spider; there wasn't even a hint of a White Spider's aura.
On the other hand... he seemed to have devoured quite a few variants of Peter Parker.
Also.
Locke also now knew what had happened to the Peter Parker of this World.
His death... Locke had to admit, even he felt it was far too casual.
"Ah!"
"Boom!"
Locke watched as The Weaver Miles struggled to lash out again. He delivered another punch—a strike so powerful it shook the Earth—directly onto The Weaver Miles' head.
Instantly.
The Weaver Miles saw stars. With a thud, he collapsed back into the pit, dazed.
Locke raised an eyebrow.
This guy... is quite tough.
Just then.
"Buzz!"
A black liquid suddenly appeared beneath The Weaver Miles. Like a thief, it tried to sneak away, oozing toward the edge of the crater.
It seemed... this black liquid intended to flee.
"Heh."
Locke sneered and reached out with his right hand. Instantly, a sharp wail echoed in the pit, and one end of the black liquid was caught in Locke's firm grip.
The moment that sound rang out, Gwen's heart skipped a beat.
Black Spider!
It could be said that this was the culprit responsible for the White Spider jelly ending up on Earth.
"Let me go!"
"Let me go!"
The completely liquefied Black Spider let out a shrill voice, attempting to beg for mercy. But in the next second, with a whoosh, the black liquid coiled around Locke's arm. Then, a sinister cackle rang out: "Merge with me!"
"Not good!"
Peni Parker was stunned for a moment, then she cried out and prepared to rush forward.
But... Gwen held Peni Parker back once more: "It's dangerous, don't go!"
Although she was also worried about Locke.
However... Gwen had a mysterious confidence in Locke!
"Merge with me?"
Locke raised his right hand and watched the pitch-black liquid, which was coiled tightly around his arm like a black water python, seemingly intending to assimilate him. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"Chug-chug-chug!"
The media helicopters were all in the air now, capturing everything and broadcasting it to their respective audiences.
Not just the viewers in New York.
Not just The Federation's.
Even... people as far away as London could see this live broadcast if they turned on their televisions.
"You cannot resist me."
"Is that so?"
Locke chuckled. In his golden eyes, a brilliant flame suddenly ignited with a roar.
The next second.
"Boom!"
Four Hundred and Seventy, Ikaris's K
"Use a skill upgrade card!"
"Upgrade Steel Body!"
"After upgrading, Steel Body Level 3 -> Steel Body Level 4."
"Upgrade successful!"
"Supreme Talent:'Steel Body'"
"Quality: 'Golden Legend'"
"Level: '4'"
"Talent Derived Skills: Flight (can fly at will, even supersonic), Strength (lifting a universe might be a tad difficult, but lifting a skyscraper is now achievable), Speed (faster than sound), Defense (Steel Body, except for being unable to withstand nuclear bombs, you are basically immune to everything else), Healing (no matter when you are injured, you will heal at an extremely fast rate), Heat Vision (new skill added at this level)!"
"Status Description: 'Congratulations on your upgrade! Your body will once again receive a significant boost. Perhaps you can try upgrading to Level 5 to see if you can withstand a nuclear bomb with your bare body!'"
"..."
Instantly!
After the upgrade, in a flash, the heat vision, like the first eruption of a volcano, shot directly from Locke's eyes, hitting his arm.
This skill upgrade card was refreshed when he last received a discount treasure voucher.
Better than nothing.
Originally, Locke planned to wait until he had received all the rewards for this semester before choosing what to upgrade.
Now?
Using it to upgrade Steel Body was just right.
At the very least, it saved him nearly 400,000 points.
In an instant.
The moment the heat vision blasted the liquid black spider, which was wrapped around his arm like an anaconda, a piercing scream erupted directly... The sound was so agonizing that it was almost unbearable to witness!
Penny Parker, not far away, was once again shocked.
Before, she always thought that saying someone's eyes glowed intensely was a metaphor.
But now?
If anyone told her that sentence was a metaphor, she'd immediately slap them.
Is this what they call a metaphor?
This is clearly a noun.
"Oh, for Pete's sake!"
Penny Parker's mouth hung wide open, watching Locke, whose eyes were bursting with heat vision, and she repeatedly gasped, "Oh my god, that's amazing!"
Gwen, standing nearby, also watched Locke with a look of surprise.
Just now... Gwen was still very certain that Locke was Locke.
But now?
Gwen was a little confused.
Such a scene not only shocked Gwen and Penny Parker, and not only George and Maria Hill, but everyone who turned on their TV at that moment and saw this scene was also shocked.
London.
In an apartment building.
"Oh, for Pete's sake!"
Sprite rushed into Sersi's room, her kinswoman, in a hurry, "Oh my god, Sersi, did you see New York City..."
Before she finished speaking.
Sprite, who had been on Earth for an unknown period and still maintained her teenage appearance, instantly saw the scene unfolding in New York City, also being broadcast on TV.
Sersi also couldn't help but stand up when Locke publicly used his heat vision to burn the black spider wrapped around his arm.
Sprite walked over, looked at Sersi, pointed at Locke on the TV, and said with certainty, "That must be Ikaris!"
Ikaris!
Their kin, skilled in flight and heat vision!
Sersi, however, frowned, "No, it's not!"
Sprite laughed happily, "It is, please, flight, heat vision, that's Ikaris, and the letter on his chest."
Sersi looked, "K?"
Sprite said, "Yes, K, Ika's K, that's Ikaris, Sersi."
Sersi turned to glance at Sprite, opened her mouth, and then, hearing Sprite's gasp, looked back at the TV screen.
At this moment.
A daring reporter almost directly broke through the cordon, and then, almost brazenly, at a distance of ten meters from Locke, directly aimed the camera at Locke and began to broadcast live.
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
On the arm, the black spider, which had liquefied after devouring the Venom symbiote, screamed, gradually diminishing, then the sound weakened, and under the heat vision, it turned into a pile of rotten flesh, splattering and falling from Locke's arm to the ground.
Locke retracted his heat vision, closing his eyes, which felt scorching hot.
This ability... burns the eyes!
It really burns the eyes.
Locke couldn't help but raise his hand and press his eyes, relieving the stinging sensation. He opened his eyes, and then, immediately, noticed the reporter ten meters away, who was still trying to film him with a camera while being dragged away by two police officers.
And, it was an acquaintance.
From the Daily Bugle.
Eddie Brock.
His friend.
Locke's lips curved slightly, then he smiled at Eddie's camera, giving Eddie a perfect shot.
The next second.
Locke once again hovered in the air, turned around, and expressionlessly stared at Miles the Weaver, who was struggling in the pit, bleeding from his seven orifices. His eyes once again grew scorching hot.
"Boom!"
"Ah!"
The heat vision blasted out again. Instantly, Miles the Weaver let out a scream under the scorching heat vision, and then his body rapidly melted away.
Just then.
A soul, with a whoosh, detached from the body, seemingly intending to return to hell.
But... the dimension of the Land of Light abruptly opened, and with a whoosh, it directly swallowed that soul into its dimension.
Locke had said that anyone who dared to harm a single hair on Gwen's head would be made to understand that death was just the beginning of their punishment.
He kept his word!
Especially for every promise he made to Gwen, Locke would fulfill it a thousand percent.
For no other reason.
Just because Gwen was his first love!
He would never allow anyone to bully Gwen.
Thud!
Locke's right tiptoe gently touched the ground, his gaze meeting Gwen's, who was wearing her Spider-suit.
Gwen, inside her Spider-suit, met Locke's gaze.
Her heart skipped a beat!
If this wasn't Locke, she'd dare to take off her mask right now.
Because... Gwen felt like she could read a sentence in Locke's eyes.
"My dear, you can play if you want, but next time you play, can you tell me? Look how dangerous it was just now, you almost got eaten."
"..."
"Hello!"
Penny Parker didn't understand the silent exchange between Locke and Gwen. She directly extended her hand and said to Locke, "Penny Parker, from Planet 14512."
Locke looked at Penny Parker's outstretched right hand, thought for a moment, and extended his hand, "Clark Kent, from Kent Ranch, Texas."
When you're out and about.
An alias is very important.
If Locke wanted his main identity to come over, he wouldn't have used magic to obscure his appearance, ensuring that everyone could see him but would forget him after shifting their gaze.
But... Penny Parker's eyes lit up, "Oh my god, I knew it, that's right, Clark Kent, that's right."
Locke raised an eyebrow.
Gwen, on the other side, was also slightly shocked, looking at Locke with some curiosity.
How did Locke come up with this alias?
Or... was Locke not originally from this world?
Locke looked at Penny Parker's expression and was also slightly stunned.
"You... know me?"
"Of course."
Penny Parker smiled, "Last time, that Weaver, you killed him too, right? On Shadow Earth?"
Locke blinked.
Penny Parker looked around.
At this moment.
Maria Hill and George had already directed the police officers and agents, who had just been bystanders, to go forward and prepare to clean up the mess. Not many people were paying attention here.
So.
Penny Parker leaned closer to Locke and whispered, "By the way, you also have another self here, named Locke Broughton. Do you want to go see him?"
Locke raised an eyebrow.
Doppelganger?
No.
My identity on that so-called Shadow Planet is Clark Kent?
Good heavens.
Penny Parker looked at Locke and shrugged, "How about you come to my world? In my world, you're named Cain Broughton."
"Cain?"
Locke's heart trembled slightly.
Penny Parker shook her head, "Not Cain, it's Gain. Although I've always suspected that constantly mumbling guy is a vampire, I've tested his blood, and he's human, not a vampire."
Locke didn't want to talk anymore.
For some reason, he suddenly hated the multiverse setting.
Especially when Locke felt the change in Gwen's gaze beside him, he was already wondering whether to physically make Penny Parker shut up.
Fortunately.
Just then.
Maria Hill, after giving instructions, walked over and smiled at Locke, "Hello, S.H.I.E.L.D., Maria Hill."
Locke was silent for a moment, then shook her hand, "Clark Kent!"
Never mind.
It's just an alias.
This is good too, at least with this alias, people will only suspect that he came from Shadow Earth, and won't suspect his true self.
"Mr. Kent, we owe you a lot today, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Interested in coming to our place for a chat?"
"I can't!"
"Hmm?"
Before Locke could speak, Penny Parker next to him had already raised her wrist device, looking at it as it started beeping, "My mech is damaged, Uncle Ben and Aunt May have detected it and are taking measures to pull me back. I'm about to leave."
Maria Hill looked at Penny Parker.
Penny Parker explained, "There's Chronosand inside the Spider-Mech. No matter what timeline I'm in, once the Spider-Mech is damaged or destroyed, Uncle Ben and Aunt May will find out. So, I'm about to leave."
Locke nodded, "Do you need my help?"
Penny Parker smiled, "No, with you here, I'm not worried about Kingpin coming to this world."
Locke raised an eyebrow, "Kingpin?"
Four Hundred Seventy-One: A Two-Person Bet Game
Kingpin?
Goodfellas.
Did they think he hadn't killed enough, so they told him a Kingpin from another World was on the way—just to hand him more heads so he could really enjoy himself?
Locke's heart stirred.
Peni Parker said so; she really wasn't worried anymore. After all, Locke had just shown what a Human-God move looked like.
So… Peni Parker said goodbye to Locke, then seemed to remember something, walked up to Gwen, leaned in, and whispered softly, "Nice to meet you, Gwen. Next time I'll invite you to visit my World. Bye."
Gwen looked up at Peni Parker.
The next second—
Peni Parker stood properly in place again, waved to Locke and the others, and a bright light burst from the watch on her wrist.
The glow grew stronger—boom!
Then it was as if a black hole opened behind her. With a whoosh, after another goodbye, the very space around Peni Parker twisted, yanking her into the depths of that black hole.
A glimpse—
inside the black hole looked like a laboratory.
Whoosh!
The black hole snapped shut, taking Peni Parker with it.
Wee-oo, wee-oo!
Police sirens wailed; the National Guard arrived late in the distance.
Bzz!
The quinjet carrying the Witch who had come from New Orleans to help S.H.I.E.L.D. against the Black Spider also hovered overhead—undeniably late as well.
Locke glanced up and seemed to see Cordelia sitting quietly inside the quinjet.
The next second—
Locke looked up, thundered skyward, and vanished into the clouds.
Kingpin or whatever—Locke couldn't care less.
Let them come.
He was acting in legitimate self-defense; as long as it didn't mess with his current mission, one foe meant one kill, two meant a pair—no big deal.
Besides… extra missions were basically a bonus.
Ding!
Mission complete.
"Calm Semester" → "Peaceful Semester"
Mission bonus mode: "Stop War with Slaughter"
Rewards: "achievement points ×100k", "potential points ×100k", "80%-off Treasure Refresh Coupon×1"
Advanced rewards: "achievement points ×100k", "potential points ×100k"
Description: "The tree wants calm, but the wind won't stop; the child wants to care… pfft, wrong line. Ahem—you wanted peace, yet wind and waves rise. Since that's so, let's settle for serenity."
Note: "Each enemy who tries to ruin your peace grants an advanced reward—provided it's self-defense. This system doesn't encourage bloodlust; 'sting' operations are fuzzy, so we don't judge by that."
Parting words: "Refusing a doorstep delivery—unforgivable, Locke Broughton!"
Boom!
Five seconds after Locke vanished, the distinctive growl of an audi came from afar. Maria Hill, George, and Gwen—who'd been lost in thought—turned to look.
Perfect timing.
The audi drifted around the corner; the door opened and a suited Locke stepped out.
He looked anxious.
"Oh God!"
Locke turned to George. "George, where's Gwen? I called her—no answer."
Not far away, Gwen in her Spider-suit blinked.
Was this guy… playing dumb?
George said, "Relax, Gwen's already left—probably headed home."
Locke exhaled. "Good."
George asked curiously, "Where've you been? It's been ages."
"Hospital."
Locke shrugged. "Chester's admitted. You know private wards—soundproof. By the time I heard, I rushed right over."
"All right."
George nodded. "Still busy here; don't add chaos. Gwen's probably back at Starlight Tower—head home soon."
Locke gave a soft "Mm," and said, "I'll go then."
Saying so—
he turned to Maria Hill. "Ms. Hill, this mess has nothing to do with me, right?"
He'd been cautious enough.
If that damn Black Spider hadn't dared strike at Gwen, Locke wouldn't have lifted a finger even if it tore New York apart—unless it tried to wreck Starlight Tower.
But… villains wouldn't be villains if they didn't court death.
Maria Hill shook his hand. "Of course not. Actually, if that Superman hadn't shown up, I was going to call Mr. Broughton."
"Superman?"
"Yeah—flies, so Superman. Didn't you see him, Mr. Broughton?"
"Sorry, I was worried about Gwen…"
"Understood."
Maria Hill nodded with a smile. "Goodbye, Mr. Broughton."
Locke smiled, turned, and looked at George. "George, I'll head back to Starlight Tower. I'll check if Gwen's home."
George grunted in acknowledgment.
Only after Locke turned and got into the car did Gwen come back to her senses. She arched a brow, glanced at George and Maria Hill, and said inwardly,
Next second.
Before George or Maria Hill could speak, Gwen shot out a line of Spider Silk with a *swish*, swung away, and sped toward Starlight Tower.
Along the way,
Gwen hurried as fast as she could. Just as Locke's audi reached the intersection of Fifth Avenue, she landed behind Starlight Tower, slipped into an alley, shed her Spider-suit, and jogged into the building.
"Good morning, Ms. Stacy."
"Good morning."
Gwen greeted the Lobby security, then—hearing the sports-car engine only three hundred metres away—stepped into the elevator with a *ding*.
Five minutes later,
Locke pushed open the apartment door.
Gwen, ponytail swaying, turned from the sofa where she'd been watching the news and batted her lashes. "Hey, where've you been?"
Locke tossed his keys aside. "Some brat mashed every button—down and up, every floor."
"Really?"
"Yep, the building's got a kid on the loose."
"..."
Gwen blinked, then—remembering something—stood and hugged him.
One sniff confirmed it.
Familiar scent.
Keep pretending!
Just keep pretending!
Gwen lifted her gaze to meet Locke's clear eyes and smiled. "Thank you."
Locke slipped an arm around her waist. "For what?"
Gwen fluttered her long lashes. "For always protecting me."
The memory of that godlike descent—when she'd thought her story was ending, when she'd already closed her eyes ready for Hell—flashed through her mind again.
And the sight of him furiously pounding the Black Spider.
The speed of those blows,
the force of those blows,
felt to Gwen like the temperature of Locke's love and the strength of his protection.
She loved it.
After all… every woman wants her man to be a Peerless Hero—and if that Hero belongs only to her, even better.
Locke had done it.
Locke poured himself a bourbon at the bar, glanced at Gwen perched on the stool opposite, took a sip, and—seeing her expression—couldn't resist teasing. "I have no idea what you mean."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Pretending!"
Locke met her gaze with those clear eyes.
Gwen stared into their color.
Crystal clear.
"Liar!"
"Fraud!"
Gwen was exasperated—she'd laid it out so plainly, ready to lay her cards on the table, yet he still played games.
"Locke Broughton!"
"Hmm?"
"You're lying!"
"About what?"
Arms folded, Gwen glared at him over his bourbon. "You said we'd have no secrets. You'd never deceive me."
Locke tilted his head. "Did I say that?"
Gwen blinked. "You're denying it?"
Locke laughed. "Okay, I did—but you also said you'd keep one little secret from me, so I get to keep one from you. Remember?"
Gwen fluttered her lashes. "That's different."
Locke pursed his lips. "It's fair, darling. We play fair."
He continued,
"Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine—reasonable, right?"
Strike-first Locke on the offensive!
In a way, he'd been raised by the Scoundrel Chester; though Locke scorned Chester's views on romance, he still distilled the useful bits and ditched the dross.
For example… in love, whoever confesses their secret first loses ground.
Especially for a man.
Gwen opened her mouth, staring at the smiling man who was clearly Superman yet refused to admit it, accusing her of hiding her identity first.
Exhale!
She stood.
With a flick of her ponytail she spun toward the stairs, paused, and looked back. "If you won't confess, when I find proof your sentence doubles."
Locke spread his hands. "Then find it first."
Gwen: "..."
472. It's normal for cowboys to fight demons
Gwen froze for a moment.
The next second.
She stomped her foot.
Gwen glanced at Locke, then walked upstairs without looking back.
Fine!
You want proof, don't you? I'll give it to you.
Gwen gritted her silver teeth, thinking resentfully, she almost confessed to Locke just now.
As for Locke?
Was I just threatened?
Locke, sitting at the bar, stroked his chin, recalling Gwen's departing gaze, and raised an eyebrow.
Haha...
Locke's lips curved slightly upwards, especially as he sensed the scene upstairs: Gwen flopping onto the bed with a thud, punching his pillow with her small fists.
His smile couldn't help but widen.
In the afternoon.
The lockdown at Osborn's was lifted.
After all, this was New York, and a New York that had experienced 9/11. With the intervention of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the site was cleared in just one morning and two hours in the afternoon.
At the very least, it no longer affected road traffic.
As for the potholes in the road and the damage to the Osborn Bio-Industrial Building, it was estimated that only one party suffered: the insurance company.
After all... the black spider's body couldn't even be found.
When they were having dinner back in Long Island, George shook his head, as if telling a joke, and said, "The insurance company even came to the police station this afternoon, saying they wanted to sue us."
Helen, who was setting the table, heard this and looked at George: "And then?"
George chuckled, "This isn't a case for the NYPD; it's for Homeland Security."
After he handed over the Peter Parker II from another world to Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D., and she came over, the case was considered officially handed over.
S.H.I.E.L.D. took full responsibility, and of course, to the public, Homeland Security was undoubtedly taking full responsibility.
It was true that Federal Silver City Insurance Company dared to sue the NYPD, and even Homeland Security, but S.H.I.E.L.D. had a hundred ways to prevent Federal Silver City Insurance Company from suing.
However, Helen, like everyone else, didn't know about S.H.I.E.L.D., or thought S.H.I.E.L.D. was Homeland Security.
Moreover, Helen didn't think too much about it. After hearing that the NYPD wouldn't be held responsible for the case, she was relieved. Then, she looked at George with some curiosity: "Where did those strange people come from today?"
Gwen, sitting next to Locke, contemplating how to make him expose himself, heard Helen's words, snapped back to attention, and looked over: "Strange people? Mom, what strange people?"
Helen put a large serving of boiled broccoli on Gwen's plate and said, "That terrifying spider monster, and that lizard monster. Oh, and that gaudily dressed female masked spider."
Gwen's mouth dropped open: "Gaudily dressed?"
Locke beside her burst out laughing.
The description... was very accurate.
Gwen's gaze darted to Locke.
Ding!
"Mom..."
Gwen glanced at Locke, then looked at Helen: "What about the one who came later?"
"What?"
"The man whose eyes could shoot fire."
"Quite handsome."
"Ah."
Helen placed the empty broccoli plate aside, then pulled out a carving knife and began slicing the beef that had just come out of the oven, her eyes full of gossip: "That Superman must know that gaudily dressed female spider, and who knows, he might even be her lover."
Gwen raised an eyebrow and looked at Locke.
George shook his head: "Your gossip is completely baseless. If what you say is true, that gaudily dressed female spider saved me twice. How do you explain that?"
He couldn't possibly say that the female spider was his lover too.
Helen rolled her eyes at George, as if she could read his thoughts, and directly spat: "You wish! She probably saved you because you were so pathetic, so pathetic you even lost your gun. Don't you see how old you are now? You're quite the flirt, aren't you?"
Gwen covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Locke also gave George a sympathetic look.
George's face stiffened slightly, especially after seeing the look Locke gave him, he felt even more embarrassed. Then, suddenly hearing Helen mention the gun, he seemed to remember something and stood up: "Locke, come with me for a moment. I have something I want to ask you."
With that.
George stood up and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room that faced the sea, where spring flowers bloomed. He opened it and walked out.
Locke smiled at Helen, apologized, and also walked out.
Gwen's beautiful eyes darted around.
The next second.
Gwen also stood up, watching Locke and George walk out one after another: "Mom, I'm going to listen to what they're saying."
On the beach.
Locke knew exactly why George had called him out.
However, it was still the same old saying!
Locke didn't like to play it safe, but he also didn't like to take unnecessary risks. For any matter, just as he had thoroughly scouted the terrain of New York and memorized it during his first visit, Locke always prepared at least three contingency plans.
This time was no exception!
George's eyes were sharp, as if glowing, as he watched Locke approach. He took out the Glock 17 with the six sevens serial number from his Pregnant and handed it to Locke.
Locke raised an eyebrow, took it, clicked it twice to confirm it was safe, then looked at George: "Aren't you going to keep it a few more days?"
George smiled, his words seemingly hinting at something as he looked at Locke: "No, this gun is not simple. If I lost it, I'm afraid I couldn't afford to replace it."
Locke chuckled, "How could that be? It was sold in a blind box at a gun store for only five hundred dollars. Besides, my lucky number isn't seven. If you want to use it, keep it."
As he spoke.
Locke smiled and handed the Glock back to George: "If you think the six sevens serial number is too valuable, then consider it a gift, my gift for marrying Gwen."
Gwen, hiding far behind the villa's pillar, heard this and scoffed.
Liar, who wants to marry you.
George listened to Locke's words, lowered his head, glanced at the Glock that was handed back to him, chuckled, and then his smile gradually faded as he looked at Locke: "A gun, although it's a very unusual pistol, you want me to sell my daughter for it? That's not right, is it, Locke Broughton, a superhuman?"
Gwen, hiding behind the pillar, froze.
How could Dad possibly know?
Could it be that Dad also knows my identity?
Locke blinked: "Superhuman? Me? George?"
George stared into Locke's eyes, constantly observing the clarity of this wild boar's gaze, wary of him lying. He weighed the Glock 17 in his hand: "So many pistols couldn't break through that spider monster's defense, but your pistol, with one shot, directly tore its flesh. Wasn't it enchanted with something unscientific?"
Locke raised an eyebrow.
I knew it.
The next second.
Locke made a sudden realization expression and looked at George: "Oh, so that's what you were talking about. What, you noticed it too?"
George internally let out a surprised sound.
This answer... something wasn't right.
Locke waved his hand, then pointed at the Glock 17 in George's hand: "Yes, it's enchanted. However, that has nothing to do with me."
George blinked, staring into Locke's eyes.
His eyes weren't clear.
He wasn't lying.
What's going on?
He definitely wasn't lying.
Locke could swear to him that the system enchanted the pistol, and it had absolutely nothing to do with him, Locke.
George shook his head.
"What's going on?"
"Uh..."
"Can't you say?"
"Of course not."
Locke chuckled and shrugged: "George, I'm from Texas!"
George paused slightly.
Locke said: "Texas, vast and sparsely populated, with abundant species. You know, demons aren't uncommon in Texas. For cowboys, fighting demons is pretty much like hunting."
George was a bit stumped: "And then?"
Locke chuckled: "I'm a leading cowboy of the younger generation in Texas. Unlike those cowboys who join associations, I'm a traditional cowboy. The older generation of cowboys learned to arm themselves in their struggle against demons, and naturally, I learned too. This gun, you say it's ordinary, and it is ordinary, but there's one thing that makes it different from other Glock 17s."
"What?"
"After I bought this gun, when I was bored, I soaked it in holy water."
"What?"
"Yeah."
Locke nodded as he spoke to George: "So, being enchanted is quite accurate. However, if you're facing ordinary suspects, this gun is pretty much the same as other guns."
George was a bit speechless.
Frankly speaking.
He had thought of many possibilities that Locke might say.
But... such a frank, casual explanation?
George stared at Locke, who had a slight smile on his face, and looked into Locke's eyes. They weren't very clear, so it seemed he wasn't lying.
But soaking it in holy water gives it such powerful force?
That felt a bit far-fetched.
Locke seemed to remember something and looked at George: "Oh, by the way, Gwen was there when I soaked it. She thought I was crazy."
George snapped back to attention and looked at Locke: "Is that so?"
Of course it was.
To be precise, it was mainly when he had just bought it and hadn't upgraded it yet, the CDC had listed that gun store as the center of the six-sense transmission.
So, Locke disinfected the gun.
Then... when he took it out, the gun reeked of disinfectant. Locke remembered a barrel of holy water he had brought from the church when he eliminated Nina Bell, so he opened it and just tossed the gun in.
Coincidentally, Gwen had just come back and thought Locke had lost his mind.
And so.
Locke smiled and told Gwen that he was actually enchanting the gun according to an ancient Texan cowboy ritual...
473. Where did Dr. Lizard go?
Returning to his room, George felt a bit confused.
After all… when he went out, he hadn't expected to receive such an answer.
But…
Locke's answer seemed absurd, yet in reality, it appeared to have some truth to it.
Let's put it this way.
It's like with people from the East; if someone from the East met someone from Jiangxi, they would inevitably ask: "Hey, you're from Jiangxi, so you must know how to reanimate corpses, right?"
The same logic applies.
In the eyes of Federal citizens, Texas, the pure and vast Great Texas, a place that produces serial killers and all sorts of roadside oddities, cowboys fighting demons is as natural as people from Jiangxi reanimating corpses.
It's incredible, yet it possesses a certain rationality… And most importantly,
George also really liked this gun. After all, if he hadn't had this gun this time, he probably would have been in deep trouble. At the very least, he wouldn't have been able to rescue Gwen when they were in Osborn's basement.
So… faced with this unverifiable answer, George took the easiest approach.
In dubio pro reo! (When in doubt, rule in favor of the accused!)
Therefore, George said goodbye to Locke, seemingly accepting the answer, then thanked Locke, and put away the Glock, designated Number Seven, once again.
Locke didn't bother asking for it back.
He had his unparalleled divine weapons.
Moreover… this was a good thing.
Regardless of whether George believed the explanation, for now, George had accepted it. This way, if they ever encountered another demon in the future, a direct shot from the gun would make it easy for George to accept that the gun had also been soaked in holy water.
What?
What if George went to buy holy water himself to experiment?
Hehe.
Locke thought that George, no, the NYPD, probably wouldn't be willing to spend taxpayers' money to buy a barrel of high-quality and high-value holy water from the Vatican, just to soak firearms.
New Yorkers would tear the NYPD apart, and the police chief would likely have to take the blame and step down.
Besides,
It was also a good thing for George to have this 'demon-slaying gun'.
At the very least… George wouldn't kick the bucket so easily.
Just based on George's earlier remark, "You expect me to sell my daughter for one gun?"—he hadn't outright refused Locke marrying Gwen. So, as a reciprocal gesture, Locke felt that he should at least ensure George didn't report to hell before Gwen and he got married.
What's more… Locke recalled what Chester had said this morning at the hospital about why Agatha suddenly came to New York.
A demon ran to New York?
Locke didn't care whether a demon was in New York or where in New York it was, but based on Locke's understanding of demon habits, there was an eighty percent chance a demon would attract the attention of the NYPD. And George was getting promoted in half a month. By then, the chances of George going out on field duty wouldn't be very high, but just in case, if George did encounter a demon, at least he would have the ability to fight back.
I'm so worried about George.
Locke thought to himself, especially when he considered that George still hadn't given up on catching the Unrivaled Assassin. Whenever he thought of this, he felt a bit strange.
A few days later.
Queens Cemetery.
A funeral was underway.
Peter Parker's.
The funeral was sparsely attended. If you excluded the classmates from Midtown High, then the number of guests at this funeral would probably be less than a dozen.
From a certain perspective, this also proved one thing: Peter Parker's popularity at school was truly not great.
However… the deceased is to be respected.
Locke, wearing sunglasses, and Gwen together placed a small flower on Peter Parker's tombstone. Then, Locke watched as Gwen hugged May Parker, who looked so young that calling her 'Aunt May' felt more appropriate than'Sister May'. After that, he and Gwen walked over to meet Harry Osborn and Mary Jane nearby.
Gwen and Mary Jane were whispering to each other.
Locke took off his sunglasses and looked at Harry Osborn, who was staring with a complex expression at Peter Parker's tombstone, which only contained a few clothes, not even a trace of his remains: "Do you know the truth now?"
Harry snapped back to reality and remained silent for a moment.
The next second.
Harry nodded.
Ever since returning from the NYPD that time, Harry had found his father, Norman Osborn.
And… unlike the last time when he painfully sent Harry to boarding school in London, this time, Norman Osborn didn't immediately fly into a rage. Instead, he motioned for Harry to sit down and then told Harry what had happened that year.
Harry was somewhat incredulous after hearing it.
Norman Osborn directly authorized the declassification of the internal investigation from that year.
The investigation was very detailed.
Time, place, people—everything was there, no less rigorous than the NYPD's meticulous files.
However, Osborn Industries' security had always been handled by retired NYPD detectives, so, relying on this, Osborn Industries and the NYPD had always maintained a good relationship.
For example, on some minor issues, the NYPD would also turn a blind eye.
Such as… no body, no case.
No report, no investigation.
After Harry finished reading the files, he was somewhat incredulous and wanted to ask Norman why he hadn't told him back then.
After all… if the records in these files were accurate, then Richard Parker and Mary Parker were completely thieves, and he himself had even felt that it was his family's fault, always feeling indebted to Peter Parker.
This… Harry found it hard to understand.
But Norman Osborn merely stated with a faint expression that although he had been cold towards Harry due to his wife's death, Harry still carried the bloodline of him and the person he loved most. So, despite appearing cold on the surface, he had always cared about Harry deep down. And at that time, Harry seemed to have taken Mary Jane as his mother, so Norman Osborn didn't reveal the truth back then, but instead sent Harry to boarding school in London.
As for why Harry didn't answer after returning?
Norman Osborn stated with an even fainter expression that if an Osborn heir couldn't even discover such a basic thing, then he was not suitable to inherit this empire.
Saying that,
Norman Osborn's cold demeanor changed, and he looked at Harry with great satisfaction, indicating that it was clear Harry had discovered it, and he was very pleased.
But… Harry shook his head and looked at Locke beside him: "You told me this."
He hadn't discovered it at all.
If it weren't for Locke and Gwen, frankly speaking, he would still be wondering whether to pay out of his own pocket to find Peter Parker a new lawyer.
Locke chuckled at this, glancing at Harry, who had a wry smile on his lips, and said with a smile: "Harry, do you know why I appreciate you more than Peter Parker?"
"…Why?"
"Because I appreciate you."
"…"
Locke looked at the stunned Harry and smiled: "Is it hard to understand?"
Harry nodded.
Locke seemed to notice something, turned his head to look, and then patted Harry's shoulder: "Be more confident, and then you'll know why I appreciate you."
Because he appreciated Harry.
In a word.
I want to!
Locke's confidence was such that he appreciated whoever he wanted to appreciate; he didn't need to consider anything else. Appreciation was appreciation, with no reason required.
After speaking,
Locke's gaze fell on the three black Chevrolet SUVs parked by the roadside.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s.
Familiar faces.
Maria Hill, and Natasha Romanoff.
Just then,
Maria Hill said a few words to Natasha Romanoff beside her, then turned and walked directly towards Locke: "Mr. Broughton."
Locke shook hands with Maria Hill: "Ms. Hill."
Gwen saw this and walked over, looking around and asking softly: "Ms. Hill, is there any news about Dr. Connors?"
Although the Black Spider incident had already passed a week ago.
But… there were still quite a few unresolved issues.
Leaving aside the distant threat of Kingpin truly planning to come to this world, left behind by Penny Parker, speaking of the immediate concern, Dr. Curt Connors, who turned into the Lizard, did not die in that incident but escaped.
Gwen had asked George, but George said that the matter had already been taken over by Homeland Security for investigation.
Moreover, in the past few days, George had already started his handover work, with an overwhelming amount of paperwork. Helen said he was busy until late at night every day, so Gwen didn't want to bother George too much.
Just right.
Seeing Maria Hill here today, how could Gwen not ask?
Maria Hill looked at the expectant Gwen, thought for a moment, then shook her head and said: "Not yet, but we found a pile of shed lizard skin on a certain sewer platform in Brooklyn."
Gwen was slightly stunned: "Lizard skin?"
Oh my goodness.
Gwen couldn't help but cover her mouth: "Dr. Connors, he wouldn't, he can't change back, can he? Ms. Hill, Dr. Connors is not an enemy, he saved me."
Yes.
The Lizard had saved her.
Maria Hill, seeing this, comforted her: "Don't worry, we know. So, we haven't taken any drastic measures. We are just looking for Dr. Connors. We will do everything we can to help Dr. Connors."
Gwen nodded, her expression serious: "If there's anything I can help with, I will definitely help. I hope I can be informed of Dr. Connors' whereabouts as soon as possible. Thank you."
Maria Hill said: "Of course, we are happy to have a good relationship with Ms. Stacy. Perhaps in the future, we will even come to you for help and use your knowledge."
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief: "I will definitely help then."
Chapter 474: Locke, Changing History
It's the same old saying.
There is a fundamental difference between Maria Hill and Nick Fury.
Nick Fury is the type of person who thinks that if you're not a friend, you're an enemy. He doesn't have much actual ability, yet he always feels like there are treacherous subjects out to get him. Day in and day out, he works hard with a personality that insists on containing even potential risks.
So... Nick Fury failed, and not a single person sympathized with him. Even now, traces of Nick Fury's existence within S.H.I.E.L.D. are very scarce.
At most, there's only a single proposal left to prove that Nick Fury was ever there.
Maria Hill, on the other hand, is the opposite.
Well, one can't exactly say she's the opposite.
At the very least, Maria Hill is the type where if you're not a friend, you're not necessarily an enemy; you might just be a passerby who could eventually become a friend... Maria Hill particularly admires a certain person from China, or rather, a quote he once said.
"Make as many friends as possible."
Therefore, as long as someone isn't an enemy, Maria Hill is quite happy to be on good terms with them. At the very least, exchanging pleasantries is better than brandishing weapons.
Besides... Gwen also had the ability to ensure that while Maria Hill might not go out of her way to befriend her, she certainly wouldn't ignore her.
After all, Gwen held many titles.
New York City's Top Student.
The darling of the NYPD's big shots.
A scientist involved in the "human restoration project" alongside Dr. Curt Connors.
The close friend of Pepper Potts, known as "Pepper," of Stark Industries.
And most importantly!
The girlfriend of a walking human natural disaster!
It couldn't be helped.
Locke Broughton's status as a walking magnet for incidents and disasters had already been universally recognized by a series of people, including Nameless from the CIA.
In short.
It's fine if Locke stays quiet, but as soon as he moves, wherever he goes, incidents and even disasters follow him like a shadow, without exception!
So... if only to prevent Locke from causing some major catastrophe while searching for Dr. Lizard, this point alone was enough for Maria Hill to indicate she would communicate timely with Gwen to share information.
However, as she just said, they had been looking for Dr. Connors for the past few days.
But they hadn't found him.
New York City's sewer system is far more developed than its surface roads; in fact, its complexity far exceeds that of the roads. So, while they were searching, they indeed hadn't found him yet.
Gwen felt a sigh of relief upon hearing Hill's words.
After all, Dr. Connors was her mentor and had promised to write her a recommendation letter once she decided on a school. Not to mention, Dr. Connors had saved her back then.
After a while.
Maria Hill and Natasha Romanoff left with a May Parker who looked somewhat shocked and uneasy. Three black Chevrolets accelerated away from the cemetery as soon as their doors closed.
Cindy felt a bit strange: "Isn't the spider monster business over? Why are people from the Department of Homeland Security still coming here?"
Gwen was also curious about this.
After all, Gwen didn't know that while the spider monster incident was indeed over and Peni Parkerfrom another World had left, there was actually another Peter Parker from a different timeline still here.
No.
It was Peter Parker II, not Peter Parker.
Obviously.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had come here specifically for May Parker.
Locke's eyes flickered, then he tilted his head slightly.
"Tom Holland?"
"What?"
Kahn, who was nearby, seemed to have misheard and looked at Locke: "You want to eat snow peas? Then you're probably out of luck. Don't forget, the competition is about to start. From this afternoon, we'll have to go back to eating nutritional meals."
Ever since Trinity High School suffered a crushing defeat to Brooklyn High School last year because they ate Indian food, creating a huge joke, the major high schools have learned their lesson to avoid making the same mistake.
Last year, Midtown High School had already prepared to start eating nutritional meals a month before the competition.
This year was no exception.
But... Tom Holland?
snow peas?
Locke couldn't help but chuckle. He glanced at Kahn and nodded: "Right, never mind then. We'll eat them after the competition is over."
Interesting!
So... some unknown version of Peter Parker from this World had gone offline, and then the Marvel Universe's Tom Holland version of Peter Parker—more accurately, Peter Parker II—had officially come online?
Locke recalled the information stream he obtained while beating up The Weaver Miles. Thinking about Peter Parker II's age and doing the math, it seemed that the timing and age perfectly aligned.
But... it's none of my business!
Locke shook his head and thought seriously. With only two months left until summer vacation, he could complete his mission as long as those two months remained peaceful. He planned to continue being a quiet, handsome man.
Soon.
A month flashed by.
April 28th.
In the Midtown High School auditorium.
*Beep!*
"Yes!"
"Broughton!"
"Broughton!"
"Broughton!"
The moment the referee pressed the end button, the students in the packed auditorium, wearing the black and white suits symbolizing Midtown High School, collectively erupted into a frenzy. They watched Locke rise from the stage with a calm, indifferent expression and let out their loudest cheers.
Another clean twelve-to-zero sweep!
A Grand Slam!
For the second year in a row.
Locke Broughton, the GOAT!
"Well?"
Over at the board of directors' seats, the shareholder who had been the rotating Executive Director of Midtown High School for the past two years spoke with a smile, looking at the other directors: "Do you still intend to find a way to remove him?"
The directors looked at each other.
One of the directors frowned and said, "But, the professional basketball league..."
The lead director laughed and said, "Mr. Heath, Midtown High School is a quality school where academics are the only yardstick. Moreover, we have President Broughton and his girlfriend, Ms. Stacy, who is also our student assistant. At the very least, for the next two years, Midtown High School will remain undefeated in major Knowledge Competitions. As it turns out, the so-called number one genius from California that Holy Trinity spent a fortune to recruit is nothing special. Therefore, I support President Broughton's decision to expel those dozen or so african-american persons who violated school rules this month."
The director named Heath frowned incessantly.
But... looking at the stage where Locke was in his prime, and hearing the overwhelming cheers in the auditorium, he stopped speaking.
He was in the business of the professional basketball league. Initially, he invested in Midtown High School because he was optimistic about the high school league business, trying to persuade Midtown to focus on basketball.
But he hit a snag.
The dozen or so players he had recruited to replace the basketball team—players who could immediately take the court and ensure a spot in the Top 16 of the High School Basketball League—were all expelled by Locke in one fell swoop.
The reason?
Simply because these dozen or so african-american persons recruited from elsewhere spent their lunch breaks harassing female students?
Good grief.
What was the big deal?
He originally thought that as a director, if he went to talk to Locke Broughton, the disciplinary decision would vanish. But he didn't expect Locke to not buy into his influence at all.
This made him so angry that he directly suggested the board remove Locke Broughton.
But... he was being blindly optimistic again.
Removing Locke Broughton? Setting aside whether the board even had the power to remove a Student Council President who was technically on the same level as them, just consider one thing: even if they could, with Locke currently riding the momentum of two consecutive Grand Slams, if he actually said that, he would likely be the one getting kicked out.
"Will the bonus be the same as last year?"
"No."
"I think we should increase it. Eighty thousand for the Captain and fifty thousand each for the other seven members. After all, this team can guarantee us two more championships next year and the year after. Four Grand Slams will be enough to shut up other schools regarding academics. What do you all think?"
"Fine, agreed!"
"I have no objection!"
"If you want the horse to run, you have to give it grass."
"But since we've raised it here, will the football bonuses next month be about the same?"
"Of course."
"Alright."
"Then it's settled."
"Agreed!"
Director Heath listened to the other directors as they casually set massive bonuses. He looked at the elegant Locke on stage, then his gaze landed on a man wearing glasses in the Holy Trinity camp.
What a waste!
He's supposed to be the freaking number one genius in California, yet he can't even beat a Cowboyfrom rural Texas.
Actually... Reed Richards was also quite helpless.
Susan, on the other hand, shook her head with a speechless, bitter smile.
Because the reason they lost this time was the same as the reason they lost last time.
Nothing else.
Just hand speed!
Even though Holy Trinity had specifically conducted targeted training for Locke's hand speed performance in the tie-breaker rounds last year, they still lost completely in this twelve-match series over six days.
A total defeat!
Every single match was lost in the final tie-breaker round.
Did they not know the answers?
They did.
But their hand speed wasn't as fast as the opponent's. Even if they knew the answer, so what? After all, the tie-breaker was all about whoever reached ten points first winning.
"Congratulations!"
Thinking about the experience of being swept in twelve matches over six days, Reed Richards shook hands with the winner, Locke, and said, "I guarantee you won't win so easily next time."
Locke first said thank you, then looked at Reed Richards: "Next time?"
"Yes."
"I recall, Mr. Richards, that you've already received an invitation from a university. Didn't you say when the competition started that high school was too boring?"
"It isn't anymore."
475, The Freshly Baked Scumbag
Yes.
Not going to college yet.
Reed Richards was a proud individual from a young age. Since childhood, his IQ had exceeded 250, approaching 438, and he had been called a child prodigy since he was small.
Even... as of last year, he was hailed as the smartest person on Earth.
But now?
He had been slapped in the face publicly.
Although this time he lost due to hand speed rather than a genuine lack of knowledge, the people outside wouldn't think that way; those shallow humans wouldn't think too much upon hearing about this.
In their eyes, Holy Trinity had once again been completely shut out by Midtown High School.
And he, California's child prodigy, known as the smartest young man in the World, had been pinned to the ground and ruthlessly rubbed and beaten by Locke Broughton... There is no first in literature.
There is no second in martial arts.
Although Reed Richards shook hands with Locke with a smile, his words were full of fighting spirit: "Broughton, I look forward to fighting you again next year."
Locke's smile remained unchanged: "Is that so? Then I look forward to it. However, I think the outcome next year won't be much different from this time."
Because he didn't have the habit of handing over quest rewards to others.
Was he crazy?
Setting aside the fact that the Reed Richards before him was a rough guy—and a nerdy rough guy at that—even if he were a beautiful woman, Locke wouldn't do it.
In a word.
The World is vast, but the quest is the greatest.
Whoever dared to touch his points, Locke would go after their entire family.
When it came to quests, Locke had always been heartless.
If a player didn't care about quest rewards, what would be the point of the game? And when would he ever save enough to buy the sun god and Superman bloodlines?
Although he had upgraded his Iron Body and could be considered half a little Superman.
But... Locke's flight, Heat Vision, and such were powered by that infinite energy source. In a sense, he was a bootleg Superman, not the genuine version.
As everyone knows, Locke is a good man who supports genuine products.
Therefore.
He had to save money!
Save money with all his might!
Status Refresh!]
Name: "Locke Broughton!"]
Achievement Points: "550,000"]
Potential Points: "550,000"]
Switchable: Assassin Peerless, Witch Locke, Cain of the Blood Clan, Dimension Zero!]
Domain: "Land of Light Dimension Domain"]
Level: 1!]
Faction: "Salem Witches"]
Member: "Carrie!"]
Member: "Cordelia Goode!"]
Status Description: "Converted from the Supreme Talent Extraordinary golden legend/Level 3 and the Land of Light faction. It possesses all the characteristics of the Supreme Talent, providing infinite energy while serving as your base of operations!"]
Supreme Talent: "Iron Body"]
Quality: "golden legend"]
Level: "4"]
Talent Derived Skills: Flight—can fly at will or even at supersonic speeds; Strength—lifting a Universemight be a teeny-tiny bit difficult, but lifting a skyscraper is now possible; Speed—faster than sound; Defense—Iron Body, basically immune to everything except nuclear bombs; Healing—wounds heal at extreme speeds regardless of when they occur; Heat Vision—newly added skill from level up!]
Status Description: "Congratulations on leveling up! Your body will once again receive a massive boost. Perhaps you can try upgrading to Level 5 to see if you can withstand a nuclear bomb with your physical body!"]
"...Another 400,000!"
"No."
"It should be another 600,000!"
Locke raised an eyebrow.
If he included the Quiet Years reward he could get in a month, he could receive the 400,000 points from the Student Council Platform next month, plus the 100,000 base points from Quiet Years and the 100,000 points for stopping the Black Spider's attempts to disrupt his Quiet Years.
Altogether, 600,000!
Look at that!
In one semester, a guaranteed 1 million points.
I'd have to be an idiot to play at skipping grades and run off to college right now. Isn't high school great?
Locke thought to himself.
"Congratulations, Locke!"
"Thank you."
After walking to the parking lot, Helen, who had been waiting there for a long time, gave Locke a hug: "A second Grand Slam. I expect even the aloof universities will try everything they can to get you to their schools."
Admittedly, in the Federation, one can rely on athletic talent to obtain university scholarships and enter college.
But... entering university through sports is actually far inferior to entering through knowledge.
At least, that's what the true social classes of the Federation believe; a simple-minded guy with strong limbs is at most a tool, not qualified to stand as their equal.
But someone with a developed mind does have the qualification to stand as their equal.
Locke said thank you, then glanced at Gwen beside him and said to Helen, "Helen, you know me. Those universities won't come to bother me; they'll probably only bother you."
Helen gave an "oh."
Locke smiled and said, "Because I told them, wherever my girlfriend goes, I go."
Helen raised an eyebrow, glanced at her daughter, laughed, and said, "You've been eating nutritional meals for a month; you must be tired of them."
Gwen, who was holding onto one of Locke's arms, nodded and complained, "Oh my god, Mom, you've tasted those nutritional meals too. I feel like my mouth has no flavor at all... mmm..."
Gwen's eyes widened as she looked at Locke, who had just suddenly ambushed her with a kiss, and she fluttered her long eyelashes. "What are you doing?"
Locke smiled and said, "My mouth is sweet, so I'm sharing some with you."
Gwen blinked.
Helen watched the interaction between Locke and Gwen with a doting smile, not at all like the feeling of China parents who would want to kill them on the spot if they saw such a thing.
After all... just as Helen had always told Gwen, high school first love is the purest. Frankly speaking, Helen hadn't expected Gwen and Locke to actually bear fruit at first.
In the Federation, many childhood sweetheart romances end halfway.
How many high school first loves can last until the end? Back then, wasn't George also childhood sweethearts with that news producer Patty Finn? In the end, wasn't he stolen away by her anyway?
So, Helen wasn't optimistic about Gwen and Locke's relationship at first; she just felt that high school first love was the purest and Gwen should experience it.
And now?
Helen was now very optimistic about Locke and Gwen, especially after the two of them opened a joint account last year; seeing their unchanging interaction now, she was even more supportive.
"Alright, alright."
Helen looked at her daughter Gwen, who had her head lowered and seemed to want to wave her little pink fists to hit Locke, and interrupted with a shake of her head. "That's enough, let's go, let's go. I know you're tired of nutritional meals, so I'm taking you to eat something delicious."
Gwen's eyes lit up. "Mom, did we strike it rich?"
Locke was also somewhat curious.
Although Helen was a genuine old New Yorker, her gentleness and virtue in managing the household were comparable to a well-bred lady from China, at least when it came to food.
The simple home-cooked meals at their house were comparable to the delicacies found outside.
This was also why, ever since Gwen came to Starlight Tower, the two of them would rather learn how to cook. On one hand, Gwen wanted to emulate Helen; on the other hand, looking at the many ancestral recipes in her hands, Gwen also wanted to see if the food she made was delicious.
Helen laughed. "Did you forget your father got promoted? It just so happens we can celebrate two happy events together."
Spending money on one meal to celebrate two things.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a good deal.
However.
Locke felt that George certainly wouldn't think that way, but then again, when did George ever have a say in the stacy family?
Gwen smiled, then paused slightly. "Wait, Mom, didn't Dad get promoted ten days ago?"
Helen smiled and said, "Ten days ago, weren't you unable to eat anything other than nutritional meals?"
Gwen suddenly understood.
Then.
Gwen couldn't help but glance at Locke, her eyes conveying the same sentiment as his.
Poor Dad!
After all, a promotion from chief inspector was not just a simple upgrade.
George was now a deputy director.
This deputy director position was not comparable to some deputy director of a precinct; it referred to being the deputy director of one of the twenty direct departments under the jurisdiction of the New York City Police Department.
At the same time... George was not just a deputy director; he was also the top boss in charge of the 47th Precinct in Hells Kitchen, the 5th Precinct in Manhattan, and the 12th Precinct.
But.
No matter how high his rank, in Helen's eyes, George's promotion celebration was far less important than Locke and Gwen's Knowledge Competition; having been promoted ten days ago, the celebration had been delayed until now.
Fifth Avenue.
Heat Kitchen!
A restaurant that was equally renowned and belonged to the type that required a reservation a month in advance. However, after George became a deputy director, reservations were no longer necessary.
However, by the time Locke, Gwen, and Helen arrived at the restaurant, George had not yet arrived.
About half an hour later, George finally arrived late.
Helen looked at her husband, who was half an hour late, with some speechlessness. Just as she was about to speak, she paused and looked at the seated George. "You took a Shower?"
George hummed in affirmation.
Helen raised an eyebrow. "Why would you suddenly take a Shower? That doesn't seem like your style."
George smiled and, while calling the waiter over, explained to Helen, "I went to the training range for a bit this afternoon and got all sweaty, so I just changed into a new set of clothes."
Helen nodded, then shook her head and said, "You're a deputy director now after all, mind your status."
George laughed and agreed.
Locke, meanwhile, was staring at George.
His gaze... was like looking at a freshly baked scumbag!