Restart, Spider-Man! [107]

"Black Cat!"

Dr. Connors' grin turned more twisted when he noticed Felicia.

It was clear he knew about the city's newest super thief.

Seeing her locked in on Aleksei, Connors let out a menacing laugh.

"Hahaha, perfect. You want to save him, so I'll kill you!"

"You want to kill him, so I'll stop you!" Felicia shot back.

"No one's killing him," Aleksei screeched from the rubble.

"Wait, who exactly are you trying to kill?" Xia Luo raised his hand.

Unfortunately, neither Dr. Connors nor Felicia bothered to answer him.

The air seemed to freeze as they launched at each other.

"Die!"

With a fierce gust, the green lizard shot his claws toward her throat, but Felicia's agility was beyond belief.

In a blink, she shrank back by inches, tapping his claw midair with her toe before flipping gracefully over his head.

In that moment, she was every bit the black cat.

"Whish!"

A soft breeze flowed past as her white ponytail trailed behind her. Felicia landed smoothly, crouching to absorb the impact without a sound.

"Come with me." She grabbed Xia Luo's hand.

Xia Luo hesitated. "But, aren't you two still—"

"Move."

Without waiting for an answer, Felicia yanked him toward the balcony.

"Hold on, I'm scared of heights—"

"I'll hold you."

"Then I'm not scared of heights anymore."

"Whew!"

Together, they leapt from the fourteenth floor, Felicia firing her grapple toward a nearby balcony and swinging them between buildings.

In her arms, Xia Luo observed with interest.

For someone who could swing so effortlessly while carrying another person, her physical strength was clearly superhuman.

"You can't take him!"

Dr. Connors' furious roar cut through the night, and the massive green lizard leapt from the balcony, clawing his way down the building's side in hot pursuit.

Xia Luo was his prize student, his friend.

He had already failed, betrayed Xia Luo's trust. He couldn't let Xia Luo get hurt because of him.

Back on the balcony, a dirt-streaked Aleksei, seeing that the lizard hadn't given up, yelled out, "Hey! I'm your target—leave him alone!"

"Hey! Some of us are trying to sleep around here! Keep it down!" A middle-aged woman, hair still in curlers, opened her window to shout. She barely had time to react before the green shadow flashed past her, and she slammed the window shut.

"Crash!"

"Aaah! My tooth!"

Her scream echoed out as her bloodied tooth tumbled to the street with shards of glass. Now even more residents, roused by the noise, opened their windows, only to freeze in horror at the sight of the giant lizard.

"Oh, crap, a monster!"

"It's a lizard!"

"My god, this is terrifying—shut the window!"

"Whoosh!"

In moments, Felicia had landed on a rooftop, pulling Xia Luo along.

"Okay, who's the bright guy who got you tangled up with a giant lizard? You're making my life difficult." She glanced back at him as they ran.

Xia Luo gave her an odd look. "Maybe if you hadn't taken me, he wouldn't be chasing you."

"I can't let him kill you."

"Why?"

"Because I haven't stolen your most important possession yet!"

"You already did."

"Huh?"

"This is the first time I've held hands with a girl. That's my most important possession."

"...Do you think you're funny?"

"Oh, are you planning to steal my sense of humor too?"

"I'd really love to throw you off this rooftop."

Felicia was speechless, though the feeling didn't last long as the terrifying figure of Dr. Connors leapt onto the rooftop behind them.

"Got you!"

"Crash!"

As his claws struck, Felicia tossed Xia Luo aside and slid out of Connors' reach in an instant.

"Run."

With their paths crossing briefly, Felicia grabbed Xia Luo with her grapple, leaving Connors to grind his teeth in frustration.

"Curse you! You can't take him!"

He raced across the rooftop, claws and tail scrabbling to keep up with the fleeing pair.

Felicia had already swung them to the next building.

"You sound out of breath. Just let me go," Xia Luo suggested.

Hearing Felicia's labored breathing, he knew she was running out of stamina.

Without glancing back, she replied, "No, not until I've taken what I came for."

"Well, just tell me what it is—I'll hand it over."

"That's insulting."

"Um… this?"

"Shut up."

Felicia's breathing was heavy, her chest heaving—not just from exertion but from sheer irritation.

"Fine." Xia Luo clamped his mouth shut.

He was starting to think she didn't actually know he was Spider-Man, or else she wouldn't be going through so much trouble to save him.

And Dr. Connors, still giving chase, was clearly intent on protecting him.

Xia Luo was getting tired. Just as he was contemplating a strategic "fall" to end this whole mess, the night lit up with green sparks and the roar of jet flames drew closer.

"Xia Luo, I'm here!"

Harry swooped over the rooftop on his glider, dropping pumpkin bombs that exploded in midair.

"Boom!"

A cloud of white dust showered down, engulfing Dr. Connors, who immediately clutched his eyes, howling in pain.

"Argh! What is this?!"

Thanks to Harry's intervention, Felicia dragged Xia Luo under a nearby tarp on the roof.

Watching it unfold, Xia Luo muttered confidently, "Definitely one of Harry's latest tech weapons."

"That's just plain old lime."

Hawkeye dropped down from the helicopter, landing beside Xia Luo. With an arrow trained on Felicia, he gave a nonchalant explanation.

Xia Luo: "…"

"You can let go of the hostage now," Hawkeye said, his gaze fixed on Felicia.

"Hold on, she's with me." Xia Luo raised a hand, stepping between her and the arrow. "Your job is to handle Aleksei, not to 'rescue' me."

Hawkeye: "…"

He didn't know what to make of a hostage making demands.

After a moment's thought, he turned to where Connors was thrashing on the rooftop and let off a few arrows to back up Harry.

Felicia, overhearing the name Aleksei, turned to Xia Luo with a gleam in her eyes.

"So, you do know Aleksei. Meaning you know Spider-Man."

"And what makes you think I know Spider-Man?" Xia Luo played along.

Felicia gave a quick look at Hawkeye, then leaned in close to whisper.

"I snuck into S.H.I.E.L.D. recently to, well… liberate a few things, and I accidentally found some secrets on their system."

"Keep your distance; it tickles." Xia Luo rubbed his ear.

Felicia shot him a glare, but he continued. "So, you saw my file?"

"Yes, you're listed as Captain Carter's relative."

"Don't remind me."

"Fine, the file also says you're Spider-Man's contact."

"So, the thing you want to steal is?"

"You guessed it. I want to be Spider-Man's contact."

"That's it?"

Xia Luo smacked his forehead. "You could have just told me. Scared me there for a second."

He had almost thought Black Cat had figured out his identity.

Felicia, seeing Dr. Connors start to stagger away, looked quite pleased.

"I saved you. Spider-Man will definitely come to see me and thank me."

"Thanking you doesn't mean he'll be friends with you," Xia Luo added, deflating her a bit.

Felicia's confidence was unshaken, and she straightened up, chest out.

"No man has ever turned down a request from me."

Xia Luo raised an eyebrow. "The great and mysterious Spider-Man has seen it all. You don't stand a chance."

"Oh, yeah? Who's he seen that's better?"

"Plenty. All over the internet."

Felicia's face darkened, clearly fighting the urge to hit him.

"Fine. You're safe now. Here's my number. Give it to Spider-Man, no funny business. I know where you go to school."

"Really? Threatening me?"

Xia Luo pocketed her number. "Congrats. Threat successful."

"Good." Felicia hopped to her feet, giving him a quick kiss blown from her fingertips as she jumped off the roof.

"A little thank-you gift."

Xia Luo caught her imaginary kiss and smashed it to the ground with a stomp.

"You didn't brush your teeth."

Felicia: "…"

She made a mental note. Next time, this guy would get the punishment he deserved.

She shot Xia Luo one last glare before swinging off into the night.

Back where Dr. Connors was, the professor, now seeing Harry on the scene, finally managed to escape into the darkness.

"Hey, buddy! Long time no see."

Harry jumped off his glider, playfully punching Xia Luo on the shoulder.

"Just met Spider-Man recently. He saved the day again." He laughed.

Xia Luo threw an arm over Harry's shoulder. "Of course! And just in time tonight, too."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Say thanks."

Xia Luo: "…"

"Who taught you that?"

"Spider-Man."

"Great, next topic."

Xia Luo gestured toward his apartment. "Aleksei should still be in my place."

"No rush. The Captain's already there."

"She arrived and didn't think to rescue me first?"

"She figured Spider-Man would protect you."

"Well, he didn't show up."

"Yes, maybe he was asleep this late."

"I think so too."

The two of them climbed into the helicopter, chatting as they went.

"My apartment got wrecked. Could you call in a designer to redo it?" Xia Luo didn't hesitate to ask.

Harry didn't mind, setting down his glider. "Sure thing. But why not just come live with me?"

"I don't do roommates."

"It's a castle. You can pick a room on the other side."

"I hate castles."

"Why?"

"They make me think of magic. I hate magic."

At the mention of magic, Harry remembered something important.

"Mary Jane's in the hospital. You should go see her tomorrow."

"What happened to her?" Xia Luo asked, feigning surprise.

Harry shook his head. "She's had it rough. She got bitten by a mutant spider, became Spider-Woman, and then got kidnapped by an underground gang right after."

"Spider-Man saved her this time, but she lost her powers in the process. I'm guessing she's probably hiding under her covers, crying right now."

"Oh, and Gwen—last time I couldn't get you that date with her, but now she's in the hospital too."

Harry patted Xia Luo on the chest, his grin growing increasingly mischievous.

"I got nine hundred and ninety-nine roses ready for you. She'll be so touched."

"Did you send them?"

"Already did. In your name. Don't say I'm not a good friend."

"Are you $#@& kidding me?!"

Xia Luo gritted his teeth, loathing the Osborn father and son duo; they're practically Spider-Man's nemesis!

It'll be insanely awkward the next time we meet.

"By the way, where are we even going?" Xia Luo suddenly realized.

Why am I on a plane out of nowhere?

Harry chuckled, "The Captain wants to see you, and anyway, it's almost dawn. You probably couldn't sleep, right?"

Just as he finished speaking, Xia Luo pulled up his hood, leaned back, and started snoring.

Harry: "..."

Oh, so you think that's funny?

Well, I'll play along too.

"Snore~ snore~"

Opposite them, Barton watched the two pretending to sleep and turned away with a cold, indifferent look.

"Childish."

S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Easy, I'll walk on my own. You should really treat your prisoners better."

In the hallway, Alexei, clad in handcuffs and leg irons, grumbled as an agent nudged him along. He glared at Carter's back with feigned fierceness.

"You're all scum. Just let me get the chance, and I'll rip you to pieces."

Without even turning her head, Carter replied, "Not going to happen. You're going to be in prison for the rest of your life."

"Hmph, as if I need reminding."

Alexei snorted, pausing for a moment before sneaking a question to Agent Hill beside him.

"Will there be burgers in prison?"

Agent Hill's eyelid twitched slightly. "Yes."

"Steak?"

"Yes, that too."

"A place to shower?"

"Of course."

"Are there…rats?"

Hill raised an eyebrow. "Do you enjoy eating rats?"

"No, I just don't want them disturbing my sleep."

"Uh, don't worry. With your threat level, you'll have a private cell with en-suite, three meals a day, and you can even apply for snacks. Plus, there's a daily counseling session."

"Can I read books and take classes?"

Alexei blinked, then abruptly stopped and collapsed to his knees, sobbing.

"Why? Why!!"

He wailed to the ceiling as Carter sighed in exasperation.

"What is it now?" she asked.

Tears streaming down his face, Alexei cried, "It's not just the food—no rats, plus classes and books! Why did I never know about this? Why didn't you guys catch me sooner? I regret so much!!"

Carter: "…"

This world is truly twisted.

Yet, not a single agent mocked Alexei.

They fell silent.

A man who commits a crime for money is guilty.

A man who commits a crime for bread—that's society's fault.

Today, Alexei taught them all a lesson.

"Hey, Captain, everyone's here."

Harry's voice broke the silence as he approached, glancing at everyone with curiosity.

"Why's everyone so quiet?" he asked.

"You…"

Suddenly, Alexei looked up, joy lighting his face when he saw Xia Luo standing next to Harry.

"Oh, thank goodness! You're alive!"

Xia Luo sighed, covering his face. "Actually, I was the one who tipped them off to arrest you."

"Really? Oh, thank you!"

Alexei, dragging his heavy chains, moved towards Xia Luo, only to be stopped by Agent Hill.

"Let him through," Carter instructed.

Agent Hill frowned, "What if he suddenly lashes out..."

She didn't want anything happening to Xia Luo, Spider-Man's point of contact.

Carter nodded, "It's fine."

Agent Hill hesitated, then released him, and Alexei threw his arms around Xia Luo.

"Thank you, Xia Luo Parker. You're really my friend. You've found me such a great place to be."

"Here, my boss will never find me. I can finally live a normal life. Friend, I'm so moved… sob, sob."

Watching Alexei's tear-streaked face, Xia Luo forced a thin smile.

"You okay? I mean… mentally?" he asked, gesturing to his head.

Covering his face, Alexei wept. "I'm fine! I'm perfectly fine! You'll always be my friend."

Touched, Harry stepped forward and patted Alexei's shoulder, planning to offer some comforting words.

"Who are you?" Alexei said bluntly.

Harry froze. "I'm Harry, Xia Luo's best friend."

Alexei's eyes misted over again at these words.

"Then you're my friend too." He hugged Harry tightly.

Although something felt off, Harry accepted his strange kindness.

"Yeah, yeah, we're all good friends."

Agent Hill and the others instinctively took a step back as they watched this scene unfold.

Because this stuff might be contagious.

Feeling the bizarre atmosphere was too much to bear, Xia Luo looked over at Carter.

"What did you bring me here for?" he asked.

Carter tilted her head, gesturing for him to follow. "Come with me."

They moved to a corner as she spoke. "I sense there's something between you two, but he's definitely in the wrong. He'll be punished."

"I'm not here to interfere."

Xia Luo glanced back toward Alexei, struck by a thought.

"Without that weird chemical compound, his threat level hasn't dropped?"

Carter shook her head. "No, according to Dr. Banner, Alexei has survived his chemical experiment. With a similar procedure, he could regain his combat strength easily."

Xia Luo rubbed his chin. "If that's the case, you better keep a close eye on him. Don't let him slip out of your sight."

"Don't worry. He won't escape."

"No, I mean don't let him die."

"What?"

Carter froze momentarily, then understood.

"You're worried he'll make it into the revival tournament?"

"Exactly. I ran into your old friend this time, and that guy was so sly I nearly fell for it again."

Xia Luo's words deepened the grim look on Carter's face. "This is definitely problematic. But I understand now—he won't die."

She then added, "But we can't be sure."

"Hm?" Xia Luo frowned.

Carter explained, "Nick Fury has a new plan called the Suicide Squad. The purpose is to harness the abilities of these criminals for particularly dangerous missions. Alexei may be the first experimental target.

"Oh, and those people infected by the spider virus who committed crimes using Spider-Man's powers—they're in this plan too."

"What?!"

Xia Luo couldn't hold it back anymore.

Nick Fury…

What a damn genius.

After a long exhale, Xia Luo spoke.

"This world's malice is still as fierce as ever."

He looked back at Carter. "Let's get to business."

"Yes, follow me."

Carter directed Agent Hill to take Alexei away, then led Xia Luo to Dr. Banner's lab.

"Aahh! This is torture!!"

"Why, why am I pulling an all-nighter again?!"

"Crap, it's only been thirty seconds, and I'm in agony!!"

They hadn't even reached the door when the sound of despair echoed from inside.

"Wait, don't go in." Xia Luo halted, his expression serious.

Carter frowned. "Why?"

Xia Luo's face grew grave. "I feel a powerful resentment called 'the ultimate working man's anguish.' This force can destroy the minds of anyone it touches, making them puppets of pure misery. If we step through that door, we'll become one of them… doomed to a life of…"

"Idiot!"

Carter spat, pushing the door open.

Xia Luo hurried after her. "Hey, I wasn't finished talking! How rude! I was going to say 'slaves,' not 'idiots'…"

"Shut it!"

"Yes, ma'am." He clamped his mouth shut.

In the lab, Dr. Banner's tear-streaked face brightened as he spotted Carter.

"Captain, please! Let me go home. I'm begging you."

Seeing the sorrow in Banner's honest expression, Carter couldn't help feeling a wave of pity wash over her.

Damn, Xia Luo was actually right.

"Dr. Banner, thank you for your hard work. You can go home and rest now!" she said quickly.

"Thank you, thank you."

With a new lease on life, Banner dashed out of the lab, inhaling the fresh air outside with pure elation.

"Haha, I'm free! I love this world, I love my mom, I love my dad, my cousin…"

His voice trailed off as he ran farther away.

Carter rubbed her temples. "Ever since you came around, there hasn't been a single normal person left in my life." She looked pointedly at Xia Luo.

With his hood pulled low, Xia Luo spoke from behind it, muffling his voice, "Don't talk to me, or the resentment will spread."

"Bang!"

Finally losing her patience, Carter slammed her fist onto a metal table, leaving a fist-sized dent.

"Breathe… just breathe…"

Carter's face was flushed as she tried to calm herself.

"I bet the reason you're targeted so often in the revival matches has nothing to do with them."

"You just don't get humor, like the rest of them."

Ignoring her fuming, Xia Luo strolled to the nearby lab station, gazing at three black spines inside.

As Carter thought he was finally getting serious, he muttered with a sigh, "Humor—the best skincare routine for men."

"Die!!"

With a howl of rage, Carter threw a punch. Xia Luo raised his hand, catching her fist.

"Boom!"

The lab shook slightly, and sparks flew from the equipment as her ten-ton force clashed against him.

Feeling the raw power, Xia Luo raised an eyebrow.

"Captain, are you serious?"

Carter quickly composed herself, pulling her hand back.

"Apologies. I shouldn't have done that."

"I'm the one who should apologize."

Xia Luo was about to speak further, but Carter clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Just let me speak first."

"Mmmph!"

"I'll let you talk, but no nonsense."

"Mmmph…"

Seeing Xia Luo nod, Carter tentatively let go.

"Just a few words."

"Alright, go ahead."

"You were acting a little...flirty earlier."

"Go to hell!"

---

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