Whitewashing

Although the beautiful female assistants sent by HYDRA were quite attractive, Russell didn't pay too much attention to them.

He might be a man who succumbed to temptations, but he wasn't someone who could be easily deceived.

After handing the design sketch to Peter and giving him an encouraging look, Russell left the laboratory and returned to his office on the third floor.

Specialized matters were best left to professionals.

Although Peter wasn't exactly a professional at the moment and lacked much experience, with the assistance of No. 3, Russell believed he would quickly grow.

As for No. 3, it was already a mature artificial intelligence and knew how to upgrade itself.

While Russell was idling away and playing games in his office, Peter and No. 3 were diligently working in the laboratory.

Days passed by like this, one after another.

Although Peter still had to attend classes at school during the day and only had time after school, he didn't need to rush home as the laboratory was located in a safe neighborhood.

This wasn't a dangerous place like Hell's Kitchen; even if he returned home at night, Peter wouldn't face much danger.

While Peter and No. 3 were working hard, Russell did manage to find some time to do other things.

For instance, he assumed the identity of a superhero Serum and fought against crime in New York a few times.

His sudden stint as a superhero wasn't due to boredom; he had his own plan.

In the underground world, the reputation of Traveler had become quite well-known.

Even the bona fide underworld emperor, Kingpin, had to give him some respect to some extent.

However, in the regular human society, Russell wasn't particularly famous beyond his detective work; he lacked renown in other fields.

He wasn't particularly interested in the identity of a superhero per se.

However, he was intrigued by the substantial economic value behind the superhero identity.

In this regard, the Fantastic Four was a prime example.

Before becoming superheroes, Mr. Fantastic and his team were far from destitute but were nowhere near being wealthy magnates.

However, after they became superheroes and openly revealed their identities, the four of them gained fame and wealth hand in hand.

Although Russell had an outstanding ability to make money, his previous means of earning were somewhat one-dimensional.

In simple terms, it was money earned by putting his life on the line.

If he could adopt the persona of a superhero, not only would he become famous, but his Octopus Monster Laboratory would also gain recognition.

Currently, the laboratory was mainly used for upgrading the battle armor. However, if there was an opportunity to develop the laboratory into a military-industrial giant like Stark Industries, he wouldn't mind.

This way, he could gain fame and substantial economic returns. The business of being a superhero was worth a try.

Apart from these considerations, he had a few smaller personal reasons.

Gwen!

He was interested in Spider-Woman, Gwen Stacy!

Although Gwen was slightly inferior to Diana, she was still a rare beauty.

More importantly, Gwen possessed spider-like superpowers.

Just thinking about that flexibility was stimulating.

To better play the role of a superhero, he had deliberately designed a white combat suit with black patterns.

Although it was called a combat suit, it was actually another form created using the Anti-Venom Serum's transformation ability.

The monstrous Anti-Venom Serum didn't look like something benevolent, so he altered its appearance a bit.

He didn't use Gwen's skin-tight costume design; instead, he made the white Symbiote body take on the appearance of a modern combat suit, with a slight nod to the style of the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor.

After designing his new identity, he embarked on his journey as a "superhero."

Fighting street crime!

Rescuing those in danger!

His superhero plan was simple.

First, he would gradually build his reputation, letting the people of New York know about a superhero named Serum.

Then, when an appropriate opportunity arose, such as resolving a major incident, he would reveal his true identity.

Finally, following the approach of the Fantastic Four and the Justice League, he would become a beloved superhero who was both wealthy and famous.

Although the plan was straightforward, if everything went smoothly, he should be able to become a well-known superhero faster than Tony.

From another perspective, this was also his self-devised whitewashing plan.

If individuals like Kingpin used charitable donations and other methods to whitewash themselves, then becoming a superhero was Russell's whitewashing method.

Admittedly, becoming a superhero would curtail some of his freedom; there would be certain constraints when employing violent methods.

However, this wasn't a major concern.

As long as he didn't engage in violent acts in public, there wouldn't be significant issues.

With the halo of a superhero, most of his actions would be automatically considered reasonable and just.

Even if they seemed somewhat unreasonable and unjust, ordinary people would imagine them as acts of righteousness.

Besides, he had been an assassin for so long; it was time for him to adopt a more positive identity.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Queens.

A black Chevrolet sedan was speeding recklessly down the street, attempting to shake off the pursuing police cars behind it.

Aside from the four or five police cars tailing it, there was also a news helicopter leisurely following along, providing real-time coverage.

These were a group of robbers who had just robbed a bank.

As the sedan raced forward, the robbers inside it continuously fired shots at the pursuing police cars.

High-speed chases, police shootouts, bank heists...

What should have been a run-of-the-mill criminal case quickly turned into a headline for major news media due to the live broadcast.

As the robbers relentlessly attacked the pursuing police cars, a white figure descended from the sky like a shooting star, landing on the street ahead.

This white figure was none other than Russell.

This was already the fifth day of his "Superhero Whitewashing Plan."

After descending from the rooftop of a nearby building to the street, he flexed his hands and stood in place, waiting for the robbers' sedan.

Although the driver of the sedan saw him, they had no intention of avoiding him. Instead, they pushed the gas pedal to the floor, attempting to ram Russell head-on and kill him.

The idea was poetic, but reality was cruel.

Boom!

The robbers' sedan did collide with Russell, but it wasn't him that was pushed away.

The speeding car crumpled against what seemed like a solid wall, the front of the vehicle caving in entirely as it came to a sudden halt.

Neither the robbers in the car nor the pursuing police officers and reporters on the helicopter expected this outcome.

Let alone the ordinary citizens who witnessed this scene via the live broadcast.

Having "stopped" the charging sedan, Russell pushed aside the now worthless car and approached its door, ripping the already distorted door from its hinges.

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