Ghosts, Gangs, and Gains in New York

Noah found himself deep in thought as he continued working out in the makeshift gym he'd managed to put together. Days were speeding by at a dizzying rate, barely allowing him any time to strategize his training or think through the implications of the powers he'd been accumulating. With so much happening, every day felt like another turn on a speeding carousel, bringing new challenges and mysteries at every corner.

Despite the scattered, improvised state of his workout, Noah couldn't help but think ahead. He envisioned next-level training equipment, like a punching machine that could measure force with pinpoint accuracy, maybe even a voltage generator or a modified strength training setup—anything that could push him beyond the current limits of his strength. But time and money were both in short supply, and the high-end gear he dreamed of felt as out of reach as Spider-Man's acrobatic swings.

For now, staying low-key was the only way to avoid unwanted attention. It wasn't as if he could waltz into SHIELD headquarters or any of Marvel's power players and expect to walk out without a hitch. Not yet, at least.

A sudden voice brought him back to the present. "Hey, Noah! I followed the guide in your notebook and stored a bit of energy in my Dantian, but it's barely a trickle!" Smith, his workout partner, broke his focus.

"Hmm." Noah observed Smith thoughtfully, putting down the weights he had been using. "Turn around, let me help you with that. I'll give you a taste of real energy flow."

Smith's eyes widened with excitement, but he quickly complied, sitting cross-legged with his back to Noah. Noah moved behind him, his hand barely grazing Smith's shoulder as he began channeling a controlled stream of his internal energy into Smith's meridians.

The flow took only minutes, but Noah felt a slight tug of energy drain in his core, reminding him of how quickly his resources could be depleted at this level. It was a small sacrifice, though, in exchange for spreading his techniques to those he trusted. Noah's gift had clearly left a mark, as Smith grinned, already practicing the breathing techniques with a new sense of energy and focus.

"Can I learn this internal power too?" Peter chimed in with a curious gleam in his eye, flipping through Noah's notes.

"Fine," Noah replied, glancing at him. "But keep it to yourself until we see the long-term effects."

As the others left, Noah returned to his routine. It was late—close to midnight—yet his next step was clear. He'd taken to nighttime escapades, finding that the cover of darkness worked wonders for his covert "training exercises," which often doubled as New York's latest underground clean-up. Armed with sulfuric acid to obscure his identity and make his body less recognizable, he had started targeting some of the more nefarious figures around the city.

Tonight's route took him down an eerie, desolate road, a forgotten path overshadowed by broken streetlights casting a faint glow. The silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind and faint echoes of distant city life. There was an unnerving stillness about this place that sent a chill down his spine.

Then, a faint, familiar metallic tang hit his senses—the unmistakable smell of fresh blood, sharp and bitter. Noah froze, his senses instantly heightened. Whoever had been here had met their end very recently.

His curiosity piqued, Noah took a tentative step forward, trying to locate the source. A sudden crack sounded from his left, and he immediately went on guard. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice steady but alert.

The bushes rustled, and out stepped a tall woman with an intense gaze and an almost ghostly presence. Her eyes flicked over Noah's face with a mixture of horror and shock, clearly unsettled by the sulfuric scars that marked his skin. In the dim light, he probably looked like something straight out of a horror movie—a reality he knew he could use to his advantage.

She swallowed, her voice as cold as her stare, yet laced with a tremor of fear. "What... what kind of monster are you?"

Noah's lips twisted into a smirk. He took a step forward, tilting his head as he studied her. "You know, I was about to ask the same thing." Her stiff posture and wary gaze told him she wasn't just another ordinary civilian. Judging by her body language, she had experience, the kind that went beyond street-level fights.

The woman didn't retreat but held her ground, a flash of determination crossing her face. She was clearly trying to size him up, attempting to mask her fear behind a wall of steely resolve. Intrigued, Noah folded his arms, leaning casually against a nearby lamppost.

"So, what brings you out here in the dead of night?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with a hint of challenge.

She hesitated, the fear in her eyes melting into something resembling resolve. "I'm here on business. Unfinished business, you could say."

Her vague answer piqued his interest, but Noah wasn't about to trust her just yet. "And what kind of business leaves a bloody trail?" he pressed, raising an eyebrow.

A flash of irritation flickered across her face. "You're not in a position to question me, especially when you look like that," she shot back, the fear in her eyes now fully masked by a layer of confidence.

Noah shrugged, pushing off from the lamppost. "Suit yourself." He turned as if to leave, knowing full well that curiosity would get the better of her. Sure enough, her voice cut through the night air after barely a second's pause.

"Wait."

He stopped, glancing back with a smirk that he knew would unnerve her just a little. "Yeah?"

"Who are you?" Her tone was equal parts suspicion and intrigue, as though she couldn't quite decide whether he was friend or foe.

"Noah," he replied simply. "And you?"

There was a brief pause as she weighed her options before finally answering. "Jessica." Her eyes narrowed. "I think we both know that this isn't over."

"I can't just let you get away now, can I?" Her tone was full of arrogance.

"Well, I don't mind a bit of company." He glanced over his shoulder, giving her a challenging look. "You game?"

Jessica's jaw clenched, but she matched his smirk with one of her own. "Lead the way."

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This chapter may seem confusing. It was really hard to write this one; the chapter was messed up like...forget it. So, please forgive me if you didn't like the ending or were confused. It will all make sense in the next one...

So, this is my first time doing this. I hope you guys can help me improve by providing your feedback. Some stones would be nice. (づ ◕_◕ )づ