Chapter 51 : Baiting

Hi, you all ! I hope you're having a good day ! If not, here's hoping this'll take your mind off things.

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Anyways, enjoy and see ya later !

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You know, in my two lives there are things that have stayed the same. Mainly, everything to do with my personality. I like fantasy, sci-fi and LitRPG. I eat pretty much anything, except for beet : I simply can't stomach it. I like to go to sleep early and wake early as well… And, the most important at the moment : I hate being in the spotlight.

Yeah, granted it's my plan. Half-baked and stupid as it is… For some reason, I've decided that playing bait for Green Goblin and his goons is the best option. Why ? Well, I'm positive the one he wants is Peter… Or rather, Spider-Man. I don't want him to show himself first because I don't know how Norman'll react once his target's in sight. And I don't want the girls to do it because…

Why ? I tilt my head inwardly as I think of it. The only reason I can think of at the moment is that… I'm a sexist pig ! Unless I believe the girls can't handle the situation themselves, there's no reason why it has to be me standing in front of these people now. Am I acting the knight in shining armor or the self-sacrificing hero in order to protect Doreen and Cory ? Like they need it…

Sure, Cory can't take the role because, unlike me, she can't change appearance and wardrobe with a flex of her will. But, Doreen ? She's already in the rafters, wearing her Squirrel Girl costume. She can easily do it !

I want to go and hide, right now ! I think to myself as I glance at absolutely everyone looking in my direction. Norman and his goons for one, most of them having their weapons trained on me. But also the kids and adults in the bleachers. I can't stand so much attention… If I wasn't transformed into my hybrid form, I'm pretty sure I'd be soaked in sweat right now.

And the cringe ! Oh, god ! I can't bear the thought of what I said… You wanted us. Well, here I am ! Ugh !

Could have been worse, I guess. I could have made a pitiful quip or acted like a melodramatic champion of justice… It was short, simple and straight to the point. Eh ! Maybe it's not so bad… But why are they all looking at me so intensely then ?

I try to keep as still as possible, in order to not betray how uncomfortable I feel. That's why I'm currently crossing two tentacles like I'd do with my arms. I keep my face devoid of emotion, though with the face tentacles, I don't think anybody can really read my expressions…

« Ah, yes ! The freak… » Norman says with disdain.

I can't help but scoff and comment :

« So says the man with a goblin fetish… »

The Green Goblin pauses hearing this. Finally, he manages to gather himself and starts laughing maniacally. It's like hearing the Joker laugh… Or at least, I think that's how it'd be. Suddenly, I shudder at an incongruous thought :

What if I died and reincarnated in DC ? Or got transmigrated somehow ?

Not the worst that could happen, I guess. I could get sent to the Invincible-verse…

After the crazy villain stops laughing, his gaze trains on me and again, I shudder imperceptibly at the intensity of the man's gaze. It's crazed, it's driven, it's… lunatic ! The emotions present there feel like they're screaming in my face which is… well weird and impossible. Still, that's how it feels to me.

His voice low but distinct and intense, he asks :

« Where are your friends ? Where is Spider-Man ? »

I shrug and a goon tries to taunt me :

« They left you alone to die, huh, freak ? »

I raise an eyebrow… or rather, I try to. I still don't have hair ! Now that I think about it, there's at least one upside to my mutation : I will never have to shave ! I shake my head both to dispel the silly thought and show my disbelief at the man's words.

It doesn't matter however as he is remonstrated by his boss, Norman Osborn. I'm guessing it's as much the fact that he doesn't want Peter to chicken out as it is because he doesn't appreciate his lackeys taking his limelight. I let the drama unfold, patiently waiting for my friends to prepare themselves for the upcoming fight. Spider-Man and Squirrel Girl are ready. Been ready for a while, actually. Cory, however, was with me in with the civies, earlier. I used my ink to create a decoy for myself, but also for Cory and now, I'm waiting for her to give me an update on her situation. Hopefully, she'll be ready before whatever's happening finishes.

Green Goblin's attention suddenly comes back to me and with a raise of his hand, orders his men to aim their weapons at me. Only now do I start to sweat. It's not just the garden variety 9mm pointed at me right now… These are honest to goodness automatic rifles. I'm not that versed into weapons so I don't recognize the make and model. I don't even know most models actually. I know the AK and that's about it. Those aren't AKs… They're black, all metal with a rather long barrel. Not sniper long, but long enough that they can be used mid-range, I guess.

« Spidey ! Oh, Spidey~ ! » Green Goblin start to intone in a sing-song voice. « Come out, come out, wherever you are~ ! Or your tentacled friend will find himself riddled with holes ! » He drops the sing-song on the last sentence. Guess he hasn't found a good rhyme to go with his threat…

At this point, the embarrassment and stress of being the center of attention disappears almost entirely. At the very least, it's the least of my worries. Impending death is the foremost threat and I'm just not sure I can protect myself against a firing squad.

Still, I can't help the smile to stretch my lips. Not that they can tell since my mouth is hidden behind my tentacles. Although I don't appear to do anything, I've actually been active for a while now. Initially, I'd used what little time I had when I plunged the room into darkness to disseminate my ink close to the villain's group, directing it silently to 'mark' the most I could.

I uncross my tentacles and say out loud :

« Take the unmarked ones. »

And then, chaos erupts !