Chapter 49: Achievement: Spider Rider! Check in again!

The world around Lorien gradually came into focus as he stirred awake. The memories of last night's excitement played through his mind.

A soft chime brought him fully to consciousness.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host for achieving the achievement: Spider Knight!]

Lorien groggily glanced at the system notification, his eyes still adjusting to the morning light.

"Spider Knight? What does that do?" he mumbled to himself.

[Spider Knight: Slightly increases the check-in reward!]

Hearing this, Lorien's mood lifted. "Well, that's actually useful."

Fully awake now, he stretched on the large bed, feeling a mix of refreshment and lingering satisfaction. His hand brushed against some fabric, catching his attention.

"Hmm?"

He sat up and examined the items in his hand: a piece of black cloth and two pieces of white fabric. Recognizing them as remnants of Gwen's Spider-Woman suit, he chuckled. He used the power of the Phoenix to disintegrate them into nothingness.

Then, surveying the scene, he noticed the bed's state. The mattress was a patchwork of damp and wet spots, remnants of their passionate night.

"Tsk," Lorien sighed, slightly annoyed. "Next time, I should use an absorbent mattress or remember to use magic to clean up."

With a snap of his fingers, he invoked the Phoenix Force. This energy could reorganize or transform cosmic matter, and with a simple gesture, the entire top floor of his North Building penthouse was pristine again. Water stains vanished, clothes were neatly stored, and all traces of last night's chaos were erased.

"Perfect," he said, nodding in satisfaction.

Reflecting on the previous night, Lorien couldn't help but feel a mixture of amusement and mild chagrin. Initially, he intended to be gentle, considering Gwen's youthful exuberance. However, her enhanced, mutant physique proved resilient and surprisingly robust. Not only did she withstand his efforts, but she also matched him move for move.

This unexpected toughness from Gwen ignited Lorien's competitive spirit. Fueled by the physical prowess of his Superman-like body, he engaged in a vigorous, all-out contest with her. In the end, their passionate encounters left Gwen exhausted, and her Spider-Woman suit in tatters, transitioning from pristine to battle-worn overnight.

After their intense rendezvous, Lorien had gently bathed Gwen, who could barely stand, her legs trembling from exertion.

---

### Later That Morning

By 9 a.m., Lorien returned to his office, ready for another day of leisurely work. Too lazy to even order takeout, he opted for a simple meal of egg fried rice, one of the many items he had earned through his system check-ins.

As he ate, he turned on the projector to catch up on the news.

[The Avengers have returned to their base, but their actions are still questioned. Will their frequent, unregulated use of superpowers truly ensure society's safety?]

[The battle at the Osborn Building rooftop has ended! The mutant Lizard-Man's genetic structure collapsed, reducing him to a pool of liquid tissue.]

[Spider-Woman saves the day again! Citizens proclaim: Individual heroes are more effective than superhero teams!]

[A massive mech warrior appeared in New York! Its combat capabilities are astounding and may surpass Iron Man! Who is its creator? Tony Stark?]

[Stunning photos of Scarlet Witch in action revealed! Citizens urge Scarlet Witch to leave the Avengers and team up with Spider-Woman!]

[Tony Stark denies creating the mech warriors seen last night. He refers to them as Transformers and invites their creator to contact him.]

Lorien smirked at the headlines, which were ablaze with big stories. The Avengers, the Lizard, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman, and Transformers all dominated the news cycle. In the whirlwind of these events, the recent reports of Stephen Strange's injury had quickly been overshadowed.

"Well, that's probably for the best," Lorien thought. "Stephen could use some peace and quiet for a proper recovery."

---

### Afternoon

As the day progressed, Lorien noticed a new development on TV. Tony Stark's assistant, who might also be the new chairman, Pepper Potts, appeared in a news segment. The Stark Group's subsidiary had recently acquired a beverage company, changing its name to "Something Milk Tea."

"Classic Tony," Lorien chuckled, amused. Tony's penchant for recommending everyday delights was well-known. He once endorsed a local burger joint, causing lines to stretch for blocks. Now, he was hyping up milk tea.

If the milk tea was as good as Tony claimed, Lorien thought, the subsidiary might see a surge in popularity. It could even lead to a successful public offering, just from selling milk tea.

As the clock approached five in the afternoon, Lorien's routine check-in was due. He closed his office door, settling into a moment of focused thought.

"Check-in," he said, initiating the system's process.

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: Zodiac Talisman (Valentine's Day Bracelet Gift) x2]

Lorien read the note, a smile forming on his lips.

[Zodiac Talisman (Valentine's Day Bracelet Gift): Can be bound to a Zodiac Talisman Bracelet that will not drop. The host receives the same effect regardless of who the gift is from or to!]

Some power stones?

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