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*****
The lights were brilliant, like a sea of stars lighting up the city.
In the midst of this stellar sea, two figures were climbing like spiders on the glass exterior of a skyscraper.
Peter and Gwen.
It had been a month since they were bitten by the super spiders.
Over the course of this month, Peter had grown tremendously, evolving from a superpowered rookie into a fledgling hero who was no longer a complete amateur.
The super spider had granted Peter extraordinary talent, and the naturally kind-hearted Peter had put it to good use. He had become a preliminary masked vigilante and even gained his own nickname.
Spider-Man.
As for Gwen, she had acquired several nicknames of her own.
Spider-Woman, Vengeance Spider-Man, Vengeance Spider, and so on.
Well, compared to Peter's single nickname, she had quite a few, but her favorites were Spider-Woman and Vengeance Spider-Man.
Their suits were provided by Tony Stark.
Peter's suit was primarily red and blue, with spider-web patterns covering the entire outfit.
Gwen's suit was mostly black and white, featuring a white hood with a pink lining—a detail Peter's lacked. Spider-web patterns were only found inside the hood and at the joints of the arms and torso, giving the overall design a more playful and youthful feel compared to Peter's.
Since these suits were provided by Tony Stark, their functions were naturally far more complex than their appearance suggested.
Excellent defense, gliding, parachuting, drying functions, an AI system, and web-shooters capable of firing webs in various styles were all integrated features of the suits.
Speaking of the web-shooters, they were the pride and joy of Gwen and Peter.
Considering the iconic weapon of a spider, they immediately thought of spider silk and webbing. After their own research and development, they invented the first-generation web-shooters. When Tony delivered the suits, he saw their invention, optimized it for them, and integrated it directly into the suits.
Thus, the suits became powerful tools in their hands for fighting crime.
"Harry, Luke! Peter and I are in position!"
Gwen whispered, looking down at the street below.
"Copy that. Luke and I are almost there. One minute!"
Harry said flatly. He was zooming through the air on a flight glider.
He wore black, armor-style tactical gear and a black mask that covered the lower half of his face, leaving only his eyes exposed. He looked much more imposing than Gwen and Peter.
Beside him was Luke, wearing a white version of the same suit and also riding a flight glider.
During this time, the two of them had also gained their own nicknames: Dark Demon and Purification.
Today, their goal was to intercept a drug deal about to take place below and "package up" both parties involved in the transaction.
"We're in position!"
Harry said coldly.
"Then... move out!"
Following Gwen's low command, she and Peter leaped from the building's exterior. Like divers, they plummeted toward the ground. While still a distance from the pavement, the web-shooters on their wrists fired two strands of white silk that adhered to the outer wall.
In the next second, the silk in their hands snapped taut. The ultra-elastic webbing pulled them upward for a moment before they flipped in mid-air and landed right in the middle of the drug dealers.
The scene went silent.
Just as the criminals were dazed by the sudden intrusion, two streaks of fire descended from the sky, blocking their paths of retreat from both ends.
The criminals, both shocked and furious, pulled out their weapons.
Seeing this, a smile appeared behind Gwen's mask.
"Now, it's hunting time!"
---
In the early morning, Mike ate breakfast while reading the newspaper. When he saw the headline, he couldn't help but chuckle.
These little rascals are quite capable!
In the paper was a photo of the "Titan Squad" formed by the youngsters, reporting on their feat of taking down drug lords the previous night.
"You guys have been very active lately!"
Raven glanced at Gwen, who was sitting obediently eating breakfast. A trace of worry appeared in her eyes as she said to Mike, "But if this continues, the dangers they face will only increase."
"But they will also keep getting stronger."
Mike folded the newspaper and gave Gwen a slight smile.
Gwen nodded repeatedly and said, "Besides, those ordinary criminals are no match for us at all. I still have a trump card!"
She was referring to her ability to transform into the Spirit of Vengeance.
Raven looked at Gwen and frowned. "But you don't know how strong the enemies you might encounter will be."
"I can call for backup!"
"Call for backup?"
Raven was stunned for a moment.
"Yes!"
Gwen nodded, counting on her fingers one by one: "From the Avengers to the X-Men, from Earth to Planet Kent, and then I have three older brothers, plus Dad and Aunt Raven."
Raven was speechless.
Looking at it that way, any criminal targeted by Gwen seemed destined for a miserable end.
"And me!"
Little Lamb hurriedly raised his hand.
"Right, and you!"
Gwen smiled and wiped a smudge of jam off Little Lamb's face.
Raven shook her head with a smile.
It seemed Gwen really wouldn't encounter much actual danger.
"You're amazing! But..." Mike drew out the word, lightly tapping Gwen's forehead with a smile, "You still have to go to school!"
Gwen let out a long sigh. "Such is the tragedy of a hero!"
"Hahaha!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
---
Meanwhile, at Oscorp Industries, in Norman Osborn's office building.
Norman Osborn looked at today's reports, a smile appearing on his face.
"Harry did well."
Norman whispered.
During this period, Harry had grown at a visible speed, which left Norman Osborn very satisfied.
Furthermore, he had begun operating under the identity of a superhero.
Similar to Iron Man, after an incident, he had openly admitted his identity.
Since then, he had begun crime-fighting operations under the title "Patriot."
At the same time, Oscorp Industries had begun its transformation, and everything was proceeding smoothly.
Interestingly, after Norman Osborn revealed his identity, the military approached him wanting to continue cooperation on human enhancement. However, he refused.
He didn't want to invest more energy into a project that seemed promising but was actually filled with thorns and led to a dead end.
Most importantly... rarity increases value.
If enhanced humans were everywhere, who would care about a superhero?
Because of his status as a superhero, Norman Osborn—who had started enjoying the benefits this identity brought—had already come to view being a superhero as an investment.
The world kept turning, and everyone was moving toward their own goals.
This was true for Norman Osborn, for Gwen and her friends, for the people on Planet Kent, and for Maximus as well.
He was also moving steadily toward his goal.
Maximus stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the tiny black dots below that looked like ants. His expression was indifferent, like that of a heartless monarch.
Everything was ready.
This would be the key step in his control of the world.
As long as he dealt with those superheroes, with Attilan and the power he wielded, no one would be able to stop him.
By then, Earth would be in the palm of his hand. He would complete a great feat that no one on this planet had ever accomplished.
Now, all he had to do was wait.
One week later, a UN General Assembly themed around issues caused by superheroes would be held at the UN Headquarters. Numerous nations would be present, and the superheroes led by the Avengers would also be in attendance.
The UN Assembly had already sent invitations to the Avengers and other superhero groups.
"We'll see what you choose then. Don't let me down."
Maximus whispered, cold light flashing in his eyes.
---
Meanwhile, at Avengers Tower.
The Avengers were sitting in the conference room, their eyes focused on General Ross, who was now the Secretary of State.
"That's the situation. The UN General Assembly invites you to participate in deliberations regarding certain accords for superheroes. The time is one week from now at 9:00 AM, at the UN Headquarters."
Ross spoke flatly and then addressed the group: "Please make sure to attend. After all, this is a meeting involving 137 countries. You, the Avengers, as the most famous superhero group, will represent superheroes and speak at this assembly."
"Speak?"
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Even if we are to speak, shouldn't you tell us what exactly is being discussed? We need to prepare, don't we?"
"Just some simple issues; no special preparation is required."
Saying this, General Ross stood up. He glanced at Bruce Banner, who had been keeping his head down, afraid to look at him, and said coolly, "The message has been delivered. Don't forget to arrive on time."
With that, General Ross departed quickly.
"I'll see you out."
Natasha followed him out with a smile.
After General Ross left, the silence in the conference room was broken by Steve.
"What do you guys think?"
Steve crossed his hands under his nose, a look of contemplation in his eyes.
"This is definitely not normal!"
Pietro immediately shouted.
Tony mused, "Ross mentioned that the Inhuman superhero team—the Inhuman Spec Ops—will also be attending."
"Inhumans? Does this have something to do with the Inhumans? Could it be some kind of conspiracy?"
Bruce Banner also felt something was off about this assembly.
"There absolutely is!"
Accompanied by a certain voice, Crystal and Daisy walked into the conference room.
Since both were wanted fugitives of the Inhuman Royal Family, they had been hiding their identities. When Ross arrived at the tower, the two had gone to another room to hide.
Daisy leaned her hands on the table and asserted again, "This UN assembly is definitely related to the Inhumans and Maximus! There is definitely a conspiracy!"
"That's just your intuition, isn't it?"
Rhodey muttered, stroking his chin. "Whenever anything involves the Inhumans and Maximus, you say there's a conspiracy."
Falcon Sam nodded. "This has happened many times. Do you have any key information or evidence to provide us?"
Daisy bit her lip and shook her head, but she remained firm in her opinion.
"There are over a hundred countries involved. If Maximus has a conspiracy, how would he move so many nations? Would they all listen to Maximus?"
Bruce Banner asked doubtfully.
"Look at it from another perspective..." Steve paused, then said, "If there really is a conspiracy, it involves over a hundred countries. That would be a terrifying thing."
Tony nodded and looked at Vision. "Have you detected any anomalies?"
Vision: "..."
Tony said dismissively, "You're so useless!"
Vision: o(╥﹏╥)o
He was actually being looked down upon by Papa Tony.
Just then, the conference room doors opened again, and Natasha strode in.
She shook her head at the group and sighed. "Sorry, I couldn't get anything out of Ross."
Wanda frowned. "The more it's like this, the more it means there's a problem."
"So the key question now is, how do we handle this?"
Rhodey asked the crucial question.
"Ahem!"
Tony suddenly coughed and said, "Actually, no matter what the conspiracy is, we have nothing to fear."
The group fell into a sudden silence.
Saying that...
They suddenly thought of that man with the spatula who was exceptionally good at cooking.
They suddenly felt a sense of security.
"Mike Kent," Rhodey murmured.
"Should we tell him about this?"
Sam asked curiously.
Steve said in a deep voice, "I'll send him a message, or just go talk to him directly."
When the time comes, I'll drop by around dinner...
The group nodded in agreement.
Bruce Banner flashed a smile and said, "Mike really is a person worthy of trust and reliance."
If these superheroes made ordinary people feel safe and were the ones people relied upon, then Mike was the one these superheroes leaned on.
"That goes without saying!"
Tony said with a face full of pride.
Rhodey's lips twitched as he quipped, "With that look on your face, anyone who didn't know better would think Mr. Kent was your father."
Tony's expression stiffened.
Father...
That's impossible in this lifetime.
Godfather...
Because he had refused back then, that was also impossible.
Tony pressed a hand against his slightly aching chest, craned his neck, and said, "He's my uncle!"
Everyone: "..."
Fine, fine, whatever makes you happy.
Everyone looked at Tony, speechless.
Tony's face reddened slightly. He cleared his throat and suddenly said, "Once this assembly is over, I'm going to hold my wedding with Pepper."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately offered their blessings.
A few seconds later, Rhodey couldn't help but say, "Why does that feel like you're setting a death flag..."
Tony's mouth twitched. "Rhodey, you really need to learn how to speak properly."
The group couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Watching this scene, Crystal and Daisy exchanged a glance. They silently repeated the name Mike Kent in their hearts, their admiration for him growing by the second.
To be the kind of person who could make high-strung superheroes relax and be seen as their ultimate pillar of support—perhaps there was only one such man in the world.
Mike Kent, YYDS!
The two cheered inwardly.
(End of Chapter)