[Mysteries On Marvel] Chapter 31/40 (Patreon)

It was precisely because of this thought that Feng Qingwu decided to use her savings to help Eren.

Young people borrowing money often feel embarrassed. By offering it first, she could save Eren from the awkwardness of asking for help.

Everyone has moments of struggle.

Although her own savings were limited, Qingwu never hesitated to lend a hand when she could.

Looking at the thickness of the stack of cash in Qingwu's hand, Eren's gaze grew complicated.

That stack of bills was at least a thousand dollars—a considerable sum that Qingwu couldn't give away lightly.

Yet, she was willing to lend it to someone she had only met a few times, suspecting he might be in need.

Even without using his spiritual vision, Eren could feel the kindness emanating from Qingwu.

Seeing Eren hesitate to take the cash, Qingwu mistook his reluctance for embarrassment.

She stepped forward, pressing the money into his hand with a smile.

"Take it, little Eren. Don't feel bad. Aunt Qing just found a well-paying job recently, so I can afford to help now and then."

Eren shook his head and placed the cash back on the coffee table in front of him.

"Aunt Qing, I didn't come to borrow money, and I'm not short on funds."

In truth, though Eren still had a significant funding gap for building his lab, his financial situation was far better than Qingwu's.

This much was clear just by observing her living conditions.

Though Qingwu's apartment was neat and tidy, much of the furniture was old and damaged, some pieces even visibly chipped.

Perhaps the only newer items in the apartment were the children's toys neatly stored in cardboard boxes.

Hearing Eren's explanation, Qingwu blinked, a faint blush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks.

"Is that so? I'm sorry, little Eren. Aunt Qing must have misunderstood..."

After a brief, awkward explanation, Qingwu asked, "So, why did you come here this time?"

Looking at Qingwu's awkward smile and recalling her earlier kindness, Eren found it difficult to speak for a moment.

After a long pause, he rasped, "Aunt Qing, did you know that Uncle Yuan had an accident?"

"Uncle Yuan? You mean Yuan Li? What happened this time? Did someone break his arm, or his leg? Or maybe he was arrested by the police?"

As she spoke, the always gentle Qingwu became agitated.

"I've told him so many times—don't join a gang! Don't join a gang! Why can't he just find a stable job and help me raise Nannan? But he never listens."

"To be honest, if he had just listened to me, we wouldn't have ended up divorced."

"And now, when something goes wrong, he remembers me? Back when he refused to leave that gang, did he ever think about how I felt?"

Although Qingwu's words were harsh, Eren could sense her unease and lingering concern for Yuan.

"Aunt Qing, Uncle Yuan... he's dead."

"Dead?"

Qingwu froze, her eyes losing focus. She seemed utterly stunned.

After a long moment, she asked in a trembling voice, "You're saying... Yuan Li is dead?"

Eren nodded.

"Do you remember the big gas leak incident at the docks recently, Aunt Qing?"

Qingwu slowly nodded, still dazed.

The gas leak, orchestrated by S.H.I.E.L.D. to clear out the area around Morning Star Bar, had caused a massive uproar.

Over a hundred people had died inside the bar. The incident had been widely reported, and if not for efforts by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the federal government to suppress the news, it would have dominated headlines across New York.

Even now, its impact hadn't subsided.

Clearly, Qingwu had heard about it as well.

She looked at Eren and asked hoarsely, "Are you saying Yuan Li was there?"

Eren nodded again.

"Not long ago, I was kidnapped by the Water Ghost Gang at the docks. After escaping, Seventh Uncleordered Uncle Yuan to lead over thirty men to warn the Water Ghost Gang on my behalf. But they encountered the gas leak..."

Eren didn't mention anything about the anomalous objects involved. Some things were better left unknown to ordinary people.

"If it weren't for me, Uncle Yuan wouldn't have died."

With that, Eren took out $50,000 from his backpack, along with a piece of paper with his phone number written on it. He placed both on the coffee table.

"This money is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Aunt Qing. And here's my number—if you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to call me. I'll do whatever I can."

However, Qingwu, still in a daze, barely glanced at the stack of money.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice trembling.

"Yuan Li's death isn't your fault. Zhongyitang probably only stepped in because you paid them, right?"

Having been married to Yuan, Qingwu knew Zhongyitang's ways better than Eren ever could.

Seventh Uncle wouldn't have sent over thirty men to help Eren unless there was significant compensation involved.

"Yuan's death… I wouldn't blame you for that."

"People who join gangs—how many of them ever meet a good end? Even if he hadn't died at the docks this time, Yuan would have lost his life somewhere else eventually. I saw through this long ago. That's why I insisted on divorcing him back then. But he wouldn't listen."

"And now, we've been divorced for a long time. Whether he's alive or dead has nothing to do with me anymore. Take your money back, little Eren. I can't accept it."

(End of Chapter)

As Feng Qingwu reached for the cash on the table to return it, Eren pressed it firmly back down.

Seeing her reddened eyes and resolute refusal to accept the money, Eren said firmly, "Aunt Qing, you must take this money. Even if you're divorced from Uncle Yuan, Nannan is still his only child. If not for yourself, you have to think about her future."

"Nannan is still young. A proper education will require substantial expenses."

"Even though the US advocates for relaxed education, all those who truly succeed and rise above the rest started receiving elite training from a young age."

"Aunt Qing, you don't want Nannan to struggle at the bottom of society like so many others, do you?"

A parent's heart is always full of concern.

As Eren spoke, Feng Qingwu couldn't help but waver. As a mother, she couldn't ignore her daughter's future.

Feng Qingwu knew all too well the harsh realities of life at the bottom of the Federation's social hierarchy. She didn't want Nannan to follow the same path she had.

Raising a child to become a true elite in society required significant financial resources.

When Yuan was alive, Feng Qingwu still had a fallback. She could have asked Yuan to contribute to their daughter's education. After all, it was his responsibility as a father.

But now that Yuan was gone, she faced a cruel question: Could she earn enough on her own to provide Nannan with a better future?

The Federation was a pragmatic place, where life without money was incredibly difficult.

With Eren's reasoning cutting through her doubts, Feng Qingwu's resolve to return the money began to falter.

That $50,000 was no small amount. If she spent wisely and supplemented it with her own earnings, it might just cover Nannan's education expenses.

Feeling her resistance weaken, Eren pressed on.

"Aunt Qing, you know a bit about my situation. Although my mother has passed, she left me a sizable inheritance. This $50,000 is nothing to me. Please, keep it—for my peace of mind."

After much persuasion, Eren finally convinced Feng Qingwu to accept the money.

Before she could change her mind, Eren quickly said his goodbyes and left, closing the door behind him.

With a soft "click," the door of apartment 304 shut behind Eren.

Inside, Feng Qingwu stared at the $50,000 on the coffee table, frozen in place. Tears welled in her eyes, and she began to sob quietly.

Outside, Eren paused. His sharp hearing caught the faint sound of crying from the apartment above.

Looking up at the apartment building, he sighed softly.

"Ah…"

This visit to see Yuan's family had taken an unexpected turn.

Feng Qingwu was kindhearted, and it was clear to Eren that she still cared deeply for Yuan.

Their divorce had likely been her desperate attempt to push Yuan away from his gang life.

But in the end, she had failed.

No, Eren thought, Yuan must have understood her intentions. So why did he agree to the divorce?

Was it to sever ties with them and protect them? Or was there another reason?

Eren shook his head, setting aside thoughts of the complicated relationship between Yuan and Qingwu.

Through this interaction, Eren realized that while Qingwu was gentle, she was also incredibly determined.

Unless she faced absolute desperation, she wouldn't accept help again—not even from him.

How could he continue to help her and her daughter?

Wait… Eren remembered something.

Gang members like Yuan often bought high-value life insurance policies.

If Yuan had such a policy, why hadn't the insurance company stepped in after his death?

Perhaps Qingwu wasn't aware of it.

Eren decided to investigate. If Yuan had insurance, he could help Qingwu claim the payout. She'd be more likely to accept it than direct financial assistance.

As Eren pondered, he made his way back to Chinatown.

Once there, he visited a bookstore and bought several books on hypnosis before heading to his three-story building on the edge of Chinatown.

Shortly after arriving home, Eren's phone rang.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number. After a moment of hesitation, he answered.

"Gwen Stacy speaking. Is this Eren?"

"Yes, Gwen. What's up?" Eren asked curiously.

"Nothing much, just a reminder that you're coming to dinner at my house tonight. My mom's already bought a ton of food and is looking forward to cooking for you. Oh, by the way, do you have any dietary restrictions we should know about?"

"None at all. Your mom can cook whatever she likes."

"Great! She'll be thrilled to hear that. Don't forget to be here by six!"

"I won't. See you then."

After hanging up, Eren sighed and shook his head.

He had almost forgotten about dinner at Gwen's house.

"Let's hope nothing unexpected happens tonight," he murmured.

Since arriving in this world, Eren felt like he hadn't had a moment to rest. Every day was packed.

After placing the hypnosis books in his bedroom, he settled in for another round of studying.

Time flew by, and soon it was evening.

At around 5:30, Eren followed the directions on Gwen's note and arrived at her high-end apartment building in the city.

The building had excellent security.

As soon as Eren stepped inside, a security guard stopped him.

It wasn't until Gwen came down to meet him that he was allowed to enter.

(End of Chapter)

Inside the elevator, Gwen pressed the button for the top floor, her eyes sparkling mischievously. Her slightly squinted gaze seemed to conceal laughter from what she had just witnessed.

Eren rolled his eyes. "What's so funny?"

Gwen quickly wiped the smile off her face. "Nothing. Oh, what's that in your hand?"

Handing the gift box to Gwen, Eren replied, "It's a bottle of fine baijiu my grandfather collected from China. I thought it would make a good gift for this visit."

Gwen immediately returned the box to him, saying seriously, "There's no need to be so formal. Trust me, if you bring that bottle into my house, Mom will kill me with a glare."

Eren shrugged. "Then that's not my problem."

"Good evening, Mrs. Helen," Eren greeted as the door opened.

"Good evening, Eren." Helen Stacy warmly welcomed him in. "Come in, quickly."

Eren followed Gwen inside, thanking Helen as he entered.

"Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. Gwen, why don't you keep Eren company in the meantime?"

After greeting Eren, Helen hurried back to the kitchen to continue preparing the evening feast.

"Sure, Mom. Oh, Eren brought a bottle of liquor for Dad. Where should I put it?"

"The liquor? Just lock it in the cabinet. You know where the key is, right, Gwen?"

"Of course."

Gwen retrieved a key, unlocked the cabinet, and secured the baijiu before dragging Eren up to the second floor.

Once inside her room, Gwen shut the door and whispered, "That's the first time I've seen anyone give liquor to Dad without Mom getting upset."

"I'm honored," Eren said with a wry smile. "Though I doubt that bottle will ever see the light of day again."

Thinking back to the thick layer of dust he had noticed on the liquor cabinet, Eren couldn't help but remark.

Gwen laughed brightly. "Of course not. Unless it's a major holiday, Mom never lets Dad drink. You know how it is—he's a cop, always getting called out for emergencies in the middle of the night."

"That's a smart move."

"Exactly," Gwen said proudly. "That decision has probably saved him countless times."

About ten minutes later, George Stacy, informed by Helen, left his unfinished work and drove home.

"That kid is here?"

"Chatting with Gwen in her room," Helen replied.

George's brows furrowed immediately. "Just the two of them?"

Seeing his expression, Helen quickly reassured him. "Stay here and help me, don't go upstairs and cause trouble."

George grumbled, "A boy and a girl alone in a room—you're okay with that?"

"If they were going to do anything, it would've happened long ago. Why wait until today?" Helen retorted.

George fell silent at her words.

He remembered the last time Gwen had been in danger—kidnapped and drugged with Eren.

Even under the influence of a potent hallucinogen, Eren had fought his instincts, escaped through the window, alerted the authorities, and even barricaded the room to protect Gwen.

George had to admit that the boy had guts.

That self-restraint and quick thinking were why Helen had extended the dinner invitation in the first place.

Gwen had needed over six hours in the hospital to recover from the drug's effects. Meanwhile, Eren had relied solely on his willpower to resist the drug.

What George didn't know was that the drug's potency had been partially neutralized when Eren had transmigrated into this world, making his feat less miraculous than it seemed.

Still, it was enough to impress even the toughest critics.

Helen, noticing George calming down, smiled. "If you want that boy out of Gwen's room sooner, help me finish dinner quickly."

Grumbling, George tiptoed upstairs to stand outside Gwen's door for a moment. After hearing nothing suspicious, he returned to the kitchen.

Helen rolled her eyes at him. "Hurry up and help."

"Fine," George relented, casting one last reluctant glance upstairs before joining Helen in the kitchen.

Though not much of a cook, George proved to be a capable assistant.

A few minutes later, Helen called out from the dining room, "Gwen, dinner's ready!"

Gwen grinned and turned to Eren. "Let's go."

Eren nodded and followed her downstairs.

In the dining room, Eren was introduced to the rest of Gwen's family: Helen, Gwen's three younger brothers, and a middle-aged man in a white shirt with brown hair—George Stacy.

Despite looking slightly weary, George's handsome features hinted at his striking appearance in his youth.

"Gwen, introduce me," George prompted.

"Dad, this is Eren. Eren, this is my dad, George Stacy," Gwen said.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. George," Eren greeted.

George nodded and extended a business card. "Nice to meet you too, Eren. Thank you for saving Gwen. If you ever run into trouble, don't hesitate to call me."

Though he still felt uneasy about Eren's past encounter with Gwen, George was genuinely grateful for his actions.

Without Eren's restraint and quick thinking, George didn't want to imagine what could have happened to his daughter.

Eren chuckled bitterly. "I was just trying to save myself at the time."

"But Gwen was saved because of it," George pointed out.

"Alright, you two, stop chatting and eat," Helen interrupted, handing Eren a plate. "Here, Eren."

"Thank you, Mrs. Helen," Eren replied.

(End of Chapter)

Eren accepted the plate Helen handed him with a smile and thanked her politely.

"You're welcome," Helen replied, adding with a gentle smile, "And no need to call me 'Mrs.'—just Helen is fine. Let's not be so formal."

Like George, Helen was deeply grateful to Eren for saving Gwen.

As a woman, she understood all too well the devastating impact such an event could have had on Gwen's life.

"Oh, by the way, tonight's main course is lemon sea bass. I hope you like it," Helen said as she introduced the dish.

Eren glanced at the plate of sea bass before him.

Interesting.

"Lemon sea bass"—probably one of the most iconic dishes in the Marvel universe. It hadn't even been a week since he arrived, and here he was, getting a taste of it.

Even Spider-Man himself might not have been so lucky.

Speaking of Spider-Man, Eren had been curious and had discreetly asked around at school. Oddly, no one seemed to know anyone named Peter Parker.

Could it be that in this world, thanks to the existence of Tony Stark, Peter Parker, who was supposed to be Gwen's classmate at Midtown High, had become the wisecracking Spidey from the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

"Ah-hem!"

George's cough interrupted Eren's thoughts. Sitting directly across from him, George seemed a bit miffed by Helen's warm attitude toward their guest.

"So, Eren," George began, "what's your connection to Pepper Potts? If it weren't for her pressure on the city government, our investigation into the Water Ghost Gang wouldn't have progressed as smoothly."

Gwen perked up. "Pepper Potts? You mean the Pepper Potts who's currently Tony Stark's assistant and the de facto chairwoman of Stark Industries?"

George nodded. "That's right. Tony Stark's personal assistant herself."

As the largest industrial conglomerate in the Federation, Stark Industries was well-known to George, especially since a significant portion of the NYPD's equipment came courtesy of their sponsorship.

It was no small matter for Eren to have connections with someone like Pepper Potts.

Eren chuckled and explained, "Pepper is my mom's best friend. After my mom passed, she's looked after me. So when I got into trouble, she stepped in to help."

"Ah, that makes sense," George said with a nod.

At this point, Helen chimed in, "In fact, after Eren's mother passed, Pepper even wanted to adopt him as her own son. If Eren had agreed, she would officially be his guardian now."

Though Helen and Pepper weren't particularly close, they were friendly enough for Helen to have gathered this information after Gwen's incident.

"Really? I didn't know that," George remarked, surprised.

Eren nodded. "Aunt Pepper has always looked out for me."

While not his legal guardian, Pepper had taken on a role nearly as significant. Without her guidance, Eren wasn't sure what his life would have become after his mother's death.

George continued to ask Eren more questions, which Eren answered openly.

As they talked, George gradually warmed up to Eren, his demeanor softening.

Meanwhile, Eren's attention wasn't just on the conversation.

The lemon sea bass, though unassuming in appearance, was surprisingly delicious.

Helen had chosen the freshest sea bass straight from the docks. The lemon's tangy aroma neutralized the fishiness, enhancing the bass's natural flavor. Paired with a special sauce, the dish exceeded Eren's expectations.

It was no wonder Helen had chosen it as the main course to welcome him.

In addition to the sea bass, Helen had prepared several side dishes and a selection of fresh fruits for dessert.

Eren thoroughly enjoyed the meal, frequently complimenting Helen's cooking. His praise kept Helen smiling throughout dinner.

Her culinary skills were truly impressive.

As Eren savored the food, he couldn't help but wonder how George had managed to win over someone as exceptional as Helen—beautiful, capable, and a fantastic cook.

After finishing the meal, Eren prepared to leave.

It was getting late, and staying any longer would have been overstepping.

In the living room, Eren turned to Helen and George, who were tidying up the kitchen. "Mr. George, Helen, thank you for having me. The lemon sea bass was amazing. I'll be heading out now."

Helen smiled warmly. "You're welcome anytime, Eren."

She glanced at Gwen and added, "Gwen, why don't you see Eren off?"

"Sure, Mom."

Gwen nodded toward George and Helen before standing up to accompany Eren.

Just as they were about to leave, George rose from the sofa. "I'll see him off instead. The city's been a bit chaotic lately, and I'll drive him home to ensure his safety. Gwen, stay and help your mom clean up."

After washing his hands, George grabbed his jacket and car keys, gesturing for Eren to follow him.

Gwen pouted but ultimately yielded to George's authority, throwing Eren an apologetic look before heading to the kitchen.

Outside, George led Eren to the building's underground garage.

Pressing the key fob, George unlocked his car, its lights flashing in response.

"Mr. George, it's late. I can just grab a cab home. You don't need to go out of your way," Eren said.

George waved him off. "You saved my daughter. Driving you home is the least I can do. Besides, I wasn't exaggerating—there've been a lot of incidents in New York lately."

"Many people have gone missing after taking cabs at night. So don't argue—get in the car."

George patted the car door as he spoke.

Is that so?

Hearing this, Eren hesitated briefly before climbing into the car.

As soon as Eren fastened his seatbelt, George handed him a small box.

"Mr. George, what's this?"

"It's a gift," George replied. "A token of thanks for saving Gwen. Nothing fancy—just take it."

(End of Chapter)

Seeing Eren's hesitation, George opened the small box himself.

Inside was a single black card and nothing else.

"A membership card for Tom's Club," George explained. "The instructors there are all retired special forces soldiers. You can get the most professional firearm training there. New York has been chaotic lately, and learning some skills might help you protect yourself better."

As he spoke, a trace of worry flickered in George's eyes.

Eren didn't notice George's concern but instead focused on the card with an eager gleam in his eyes.

Professional firearm training—just what he needed right now.

Eren had access to firearms, including the pistol his grandfather had left him and several weapons he'd confiscated from Onyx's group. But turning those guns into effective tools for self-defense wasn't as simple as having them.

Without proper training, Eren's shooting skills were barely sufficient to hit a human-shaped target five meters away.

And in New York City, finding a place to discreetly practice shooting was no easy task.

As a Seer in the early stages of the sequence, combat strength was a significant weakness.

If Eren could develop solid shooting skills and pair them with a reliable weapon, his survival chances would improve dramatically.

The Tom's Club membership card George had provided was a perfect fit for this need.

Taking the card, Eren said, "To be honest, ever since that kidnapping, I've felt a severe lack of security. I'll gladly accept this membership card."

George smiled. He had anticipated Eren's reaction, which was why he had prepared this card.

"If you go to Tom's Club, ask for an instructor named Old Jerry. He used to be a sharpshooter in the military. If it weren't for an operation where his leg was injured by a grenade, he'd probably be a senior officer by now."

Eren nodded. "Old Jerry, got it."

From George's recommendation, Eren could tell that Old Jerry was likely one of the best shooting instructors at the club. George was clearly looking out for him because of what had happened with Gwen.

With the card now in Eren's possession, George started the car and drove toward the parking garage exit.

"Bang!"

The car had barely moved ten meters when something round suddenly smashed into the windshield.

In an instant, dark red liquid splattered across the glass, staining most of it a gruesome crimson.

Inside the car, both Eren and George froze, their eyes wide in shock.

Almost instinctively, George slammed on the brakes.

"Screeech!"

The sharp screech of tires echoed through the underground parking lot, bouncing off the walls in haunting reverberations.

Neither Eren nor George paid any attention to the sound, their focus entirely on the windshield.

From the passenger seat, Eren's expression turned grave. "That… was a head, wasn't it?"

Though it was only a fleeting glance, Eren was certain of what he'd seen.

The dark red liquid on the windshield was blood, mixed with brain matter.

Even through the closed windows, the metallic tang of blood filled the air, nauseatingly pungent.

Sitting in the driver's seat, George said nothing. What Eren recognized, George—a seasoned detective with years in the major crimes unit—could hardly fail to identify.

But instead of stepping out to check, George shifted gears and pressed hard on the accelerator.

"Vroom!"

The Chevy's engine roared as the car reversed swiftly for ten meters. With a sharp turn, George maneuvered the vehicle into a side corner.

From his position, George finally got a clear view of the gruesome object rolling on the garage floor—a human head.

Seeing the bloody, still-dripping head sent a chill down George's spine.

A murder.

As a precinct chief of the NYPD, George had seen his share of gruesome scenes, but the realization that this had happened in his building's parking lot was deeply unsettling.

If a murder had occurred here, his family living in the building could also be at risk.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, George pulled out his gun. "Stay in the car and call the police," he instructed Eren. "Don't move—it's safer here."

While the car was a more secure spot compared to the unknown dangers lurking in the dimly lit parking lot, as a police officer, George couldn't ignore the situation.

Just as George reached for the door handle, Eren grabbed his arm. "Mr. George, I think it's best if you stay in the car for now—for safety's sake."

As he spoke, Eren's gaze remained fixed on a particular spot ahead. His eyes didn't waver, and even his peripheral vision didn't shift toward George.

George frowned, sensing that Eren wasn't simply scared but had a specific reason for his warning. Following Eren's line of sight, George turned his head to look.

What he saw made his expression freeze.

His pupils constricted in disbelief and fear as he stared at the horrifying sight ahead.

In the direction Eren was watching, hanging upside down, was a massive crimson spider.

The creature's grotesque body was formed entirely of blood and flesh. Its dark red liquid surface appeared viscous and almost alive, flowing like it might drip at any moment.

But what sent a shiver down George's spine was that the upper half of the spider's body was human—a naked upper torso of a woman.

Her head, perched atop the human portion of the spider's body, was horrifyingly beautiful and wicked.

The crimson glow in her eyes radiated malice and cruelty.

Even though she was dozens of meters away, George felt as if those eyes pierced straight into his soul, filling him with a bone-deep chill that made him feel like he had fallen into an icy abyss.

(End of Chapter)

The severed head that had smashed onto George's car earlier appeared to be the handiwork of the spider-like creature.

Its lower body's massive spider legs still skewered a headless corpse.

"It seems we've interrupted this lady's meal," Eren muttered, his tone laced with tension. "And she doesn't look happy about it."

Activating his spiritual vision, Eren could clearly see the creature radiating anger and malice.

Had it not been preoccupied with its unfinished "meal," Eren suspected it would have already charged at them, shredding both him and George into pieces with its blood-red limbs.

"Lady? That thing's no lady—it's a man-eating monster," George spat under his breath, regaining some composure.

"Where the hell did this thing come from? What kind of lab creates such a horrifying creature? When I find out who's responsible for these inhumane experiments, I'll personally make sure they pay for this!"

Clearly, George had attributed the spider-like monstrosity to some secret laboratory's experiment gone wrong.

But Eren had his doubts.

Thanks to his spiritual vision, he could sense a familiar yet twisted aura emanating from the creature—a sinister, corrupt energy similar to what he'd felt when consuming potions, but far more malevolent and depraved.

"A pollutant from the Outer Gods? Damn it, what's something like this doing in the Marvel universe?"

"Wait… could this world have caught the attention of those damned eldritch beings?"

As he mentally cursed, Eren paused. The Marvel universe didn't exactly need help spawning malevolent deities—it already had plenty.

For instance, Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, was essentially an eldritch god in his own right. And those who worshipped him often transformed into grotesque, half-human monstrosities.

Who knew if this creature was another victim of such corruption?

Though his thoughts briefly wandered, Eren quickly refocused on the immediate threat.

Taking a deep breath, he addressed George. "Mr. George, we need to call for reinforcements immediately. I have a bad feeling this thing is beyond what we can handle."

"And if it really is some lab experiment, who knows if it's carrying a virus or something equally dangerous?"

The mention of a virus made George tense up further.

His family—Helen, Gwen, and the others—were just upstairs, right above the parking lot. If this creature carried some kind of contagion, could his loved ones be at risk?

But years of experience as a police officer had taught George to remain calm under pressure.

Forcing himself to stay composed, he said softly, "There's an emergency alarm system installed in my car. When I reversed earlier, I pressed the button. The police station should already be aware of the situation. Still, I think we should make another call just to be sure."

Eren rolled his eyes internally.

So asking me to call earlier was just a pretext to keep me in the car. Were you worried about my safety or just afraid I'd mess things up?

Despite his mental grumbling, Eren quickly dialed 911.

The phone rang a few times before connecting.

Before the operator could even speak, George leaned over and barked, "This is George Stacy, Deputy Chief of the NYPD's 13th Precinct, badge number XXXXX. I'm at the underground parking lot of 114 Seventh Avenue in Queens. I've encountered what appears to be an escaped bioweapon. Immediate heavy firepower support is required."

"Be advised, the creature may carry an unknown virus. Ensure all response units have protective gear."

The urgency in George's voice seemed to spur the operator into action. After confirming his identity, they swiftly relayed the request to the station's special operations team.

"Support is en route. Please take precautions and await rescue," the operator responded.

But before the operator could finish speaking, the spider-woman reacted violently.

Dropping the corpse skewered on its legs, the creature lunged toward them with terrifying speed.

Using the parking lot's pillars and pipes for leverage, the spider-woman's eight legs blurred as they propelled her forward, rapidly closing the distance to George's car.

Her sheer speed exceeded anything Eren or George had anticipated.

Eren's skin crawled as he saw the spider's sharp limbs puncturing concrete walls and pillars with ease.

"Drive!" Eren shouted.

George, having already gauged their overwhelming disadvantage, tossed his pistol to Eren. "Take this!"

Gripping the wheel with both hands, George slammed the accelerator to the floor, sending the Chevy roaring out of its spot.

Vroom!

The car shot forward like an arrow, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.

George expertly maneuvered the vehicle, weaving through the parking lot to put as much distance as possible between them and the monstrous spider.

While the parking lot was large for its purpose, its confined space limited the Chevy's top speed and mobility.

In contrast, the spider-woman moved with terrifying agility, her slender limbs allowing her to leap effortlessly between walls and ceilings.

The gap between them shrank rapidly.

Only George's expert driving—pulling off sudden drifts and sharp turns—kept the spider-woman at bay.

But her anger grew with each maneuver.

With a furious screech, she accelerated further, her monstrous legs carving deep gouges into the concrete as she closed the distance.

Screech!

As George executed another tight turn, one of the spider-woman's limbs lashed out like lightning, piercing the roof of the Chevy with a sickening crunch.

(End of Chapter)

"Watch out!"

Eren, constantly monitoring the rearview mirror and the approaching spider-woman, suddenly yanked George by the shoulder.

An instant later, a razor-sharp, crimson spider leg tore through the Chevy's metal roof, grazing George's left shoulder and embedding itself into the seat behind him.

Had Eren not acted, the spider leg would have disemboweled George on the spot.

Barely escaping death, George stomped on the gas pedal, pushing it to the floor.

The engine roared as the Chevy surged forward. The embedded spider leg dragged the massive creature along, its weight creating a grotesque, blood-streaked trail across the concrete floor.

In just a few seconds, the creature's body was shredded against the ground, leaving chunks of flesh and skin behind. One of its legs struck a concrete pillar and twisted unnaturally, rendering it useless.

"Screeeech!"

The Chevy reached the end of the parking lot in moments. George executed a sharp drift, sending the spider-woman flying into a row of parked cars with a thunderous crash.

The impact shattered windows and set off a cacophony of car alarms.

"This is our chance. Let's get out of here!" Eren's eyes lit up as he saw the creature struggling to get back on its legs.

With George's driving skills, a few seconds was all they needed to escape the parking lot. Once outside, the spider-woman would have a much harder time pursuing them.

Eren's plan was sound, one that most people would instinctively follow in such a scenario.

But George Stacy was not most people.

"No," George said firmly, his face grim. "If we leave now, this creature will follow us out. The reinforcements haven't arrived yet. If this thing gets loose, who knows how many people it will kill? We have to contain it here."

You idiot!

Eren was nearly livid. He resisted the urge to scream at George, the only thing stopping him being the fact that George still had control of the steering wheel.

Was now really the time for heroics?

Before Eren could speak, George added quietly, "Spiders are excellent climbers… and Gwen and Helen are upstairs. I can't risk losing them."

If George's earlier reasoning stemmed from his duty as a police officer, this revelation showed his true motivation.

George was willing to risk his life to protect his family.

For family…

Eren clenched his teeth, finding George's reasoning infuriating but reluctantly acceptable.

"I'll take responsibility for this," George continued. "I won't let you risk yourself. We're close to the exit now. I'll stop the car briefly—use that chance to get out."

Eren's anger softened slightly at the thought of George's selflessness.

But before he could respond, George said, "If I don't make it, tell Helen and Gwen… I love them."

Eren's face darkened. It was clear George had already prepared himself for death, intending to use his life to buy time against the spider-woman.

As Eren opened his mouth to argue, a voice, both real and unreal, suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Ding! A destiny-supporting character is about to die prematurely, causing a ripple in the River of Fate."

"Stabilizing this ripple will grant Fate Points. The host is advised to eliminate the aberrant spider-woman to prevent further disruption."

"Note: The nascent spider-woman's flesh is imperfectly mutated. Its head and heart remain its primary weaknesses. However, with continued consumption of flesh, it will gradually shift these vulnerabilities."

A ripple in the River of Fate?

Eren blinked in surprise, realizing the system was referring to George Stacy.

His premature death would apparently cause a significant ripple in destiny.

Eren recalled that in The Amazing Spider-Man, George Stacy had died during the climactic battle between Spider-Man and the Lizard. His intervention had been crucial for Spider-Man's victory.

Moreover, as Gwen's father, George's death had a profound impact on Spider-Man's life.

From this perspective, George was indeed a key supporting character in that storyline—a "destiny character."

So that's what a destiny character is…

After a moment of hesitation, Eren reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against a familiar object. He clenched his jaw and turned to George.

"You're going to tell them yourself," Eren said firmly. "You don't want Gwen to lose her father, do you?"

George glanced at Eren, surprised. He hadn't expected this young man to make such a bold declaration.

A person's true character reveals itself in times of crisis.

George's respect for Eren deepened, but that only strengthened his resolve to protect him.

"You're brave, kid," George said, shaking his head. "But bravery alone won't defeat that thing. Staying here won't change anything—it'll just get you killed for nothing."

"Is that so?" Eren retorted, pulling an object from his pocket and holding it up. "What if we add this?"

George's eyes widened as he caught sight of the item in Eren's hand—a custom high-explosive grenade.

(End of Chapter)

"An Eggshell High-Explosive Grenade, a custom product from Stark Industries," George said, his voice heavy with disbelief as he stared at the item in Eren's hand. "It's the size of an egg, but five times as powerful as a regular grenade. With that… can we handle this monster?"

He then fixed Eren with a stern gaze. "Where did you even get something this dangerous?"

Eren shrugged. "You know the connection between Pepper Potts and Stark Industries. After getting kidnapped once, it's not surprising that I used her channels to acquire something like this for self-defense."

Self-defense with a high-explosive grenade?

Such a weapon wasn't comparable to a simple handgun. Even in the "freedom-loving, gun-toting" United States, high-explosive grenades were strictly controlled. Possessing one privately was a federal offense.

George doubted Pepper would willingly let her nephew acquire such a dangerous item.

But now wasn't the time to argue over the legality of the grenade. In their current predicament, it might be their best chance at survival.

After a long look at Eren, George barked, "Under the back seat, there's a Remington shotgun. Get it out."

Eren's eyes lit up.

A Remington shotgun—a name synonymous with devastating power. A single shot could leave a gaping hole in its target.

In their fight against the spider-woman, this weapon would undoubtedly be a major advantage.

Eren unbuckled his seatbelt, crawled into the back, and located the shotgun beneath a concealed compartment. Along with it was a box of shells, already preloaded into the weapon.

Meanwhile, the underground parking lot echoed with sudden, sharp screams.

"What's that?"

Eren looked out the rear window to see two young women standing at the staircase exit, their faces frozen in horror as they stared at the blood-soaked spider-woman.

The spider-woman's rage reached its peak.

Two of her sharp legs swung in a blur.

"Splat!"

"Splat!"

The next instant, her legs pierced through the girls' mouths and exited through their heads, killing them instantly.

Eren didn't even have time to make out their faces before they fell lifeless, their bodies skewered like grotesque trophies.

"Damn it!" George cursed as he caught the scene in the rearview mirror. He slammed the wheel, sending the car into a screeching drift before accelerating straight toward the spider-woman.

The Chevy roared like a beast as it charged at the monstrous creature, now bristling with corpses.

The spider-woman screeched back in defiance, her limbs clawing the air as if daring the vehicle to come closer.

The collision was brutal.

"Crash!"

The Chevy's reinforced frame smashed into the spider-woman, slamming her massive body into a parked SUV. Sparks flew, metal twisted, and dark red blood sprayed everywhere.

The impact's sheer force left the Chevy's hood crumpled and blood-slick, while the spider-woman's legs spasmed violently, some snapping under the strain.

Eren and George, who had jumped from the car moments before the collision, tumbled to safety, albeit with bruises and cuts.

"Hand me the grenade!" George demanded, ignoring the blood dripping from his forehead.

Without hesitation, Eren tossed the high-explosive grenade to George.

Taking advantage of the spider-woman being pinned between the cars, George pulled the pin and hurled the grenade with all his might.

"Boom!"

The explosion rocked the entire parking lot. Shards of glass rained down as dozens of car windows shattered. Flames roared, illuminating the area in an infernal glow.

The spider-woman, caught in the heart of the blast, let out a soul-piercing screech as the concussive force and shrapnel tore into her.

Hiding behind a concrete pillar, Eren clutched the Remington tightly, his heart pounding.

It's still alive?

The screech sent chills down his spine. This monster's resilience was beyond belief.

It had to die.

Eren's expression hardened, a fierce resolve overtaking his fear.

Flipping off the safety on the Remington, he bolted out from behind cover and charged toward the flames.

Amid the inferno, Eren saw the spider-woman's mangled form.

Half her body had been blown apart, and several legs were severed, leaving her writhing helplessly in the flames.

Her once-human upper body was now a charred, grotesque mass of flesh. Any semblance of humanity had been obliterated by the explosion.

Eren didn't hesitate. He raised the shotgun, aimed at the creature's still-struggling torso, and pulled the trigger.

"Boom!"

The Remington roared like a cannon, the recoil jarring his shoulder as the first shell ripped into the spider-woman.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Eren kept firing, emptying the shotgun's magazine into the creature until the parking lot echoed with deafening blasts.

When the final shell was spent, silence returned, broken only by the faint crackle of the lingering flames.

Eren lowered the shotgun, sweat pouring down his face, and exhaled a shaky breath.

The monster lay still.

(End of Chapter)

Under the relentless barrage of bullets from the Remington shotgun, the agonized screeches from the spider-woman ceased.

The writhing, fiery silhouette grew still, melting into the flames that surrounded it.

"It's over, kid. That thing's dead…"

George, limping and bruised, approached cautiously. His years as a seasoned officer taught him the fragility of human psychology after a traumatic event. He kept his distance, avoiding any sudden gestures that might startle Eren.

He knew all too well how first-time killers, especially those untrained, could react violently to even a well-meaning touch.

"Ding!"

"Host has killed the aberrant spider-woman, stabilizing the destiny ripple. Awarded 300 Fate Points."

"Dead, huh?"

Eren's tense expression relaxed slightly as he processed the system's confirmation.

Still, a hint of dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes.

300 points? That's it?

The previous encounter with Moonlight DJ had netted him 1,000 Fate Points, while this life-threatening ordeal had earned him only 300.

He couldn't help but feel that Fate itself was being stingy.

But, comparing the two incidents, he realized the difference. The Moonlight DJ incident had involved over a hundred casualties, and he'd only succeeded thanks to the intervention of S.H.I.E.L.D. By contrast, the spider-woman had claimed far fewer lives.

Sighing, Eren muttered inwardly, "Fine. I guess it makes sense. But still, 300 points for risking my life feels like a rip-off."

The fire from the car explosion gradually subsided, consuming all the flammable materials until only faint embers flickered in the darkness.

The parking lot grew dim as the overhead lights, damaged by the grenade's shockwave, remained shattered.

Eren's vision quickly adjusted to the low light, revealing the aftermath of the battle.

The ground was smeared with sticky black liquid that oozed from the remains of the spider-woman. Her once-massive form had been reduced to broken legs, charred flesh, and a pool of dark ichor.

Among the debris, two burnt human corpses hung limply from the spider-woman's remaining limbs.

Then, something caught his eye—a faint glimmer of silver amidst the wreckage.

Eren squinted, spotting a delicate silver thread swaying gently in the dying embers.

Despite the flames licking at it, the thread remained untouched, its pristine shimmer unblemished.

"A treasure?"

Eren's instincts screamed that this thread was extraordinary.

Before he could investigate further, the distant sound of footsteps and muffled voices echoed through the parking lot.

"Hurry up! Let's find out what caused that explosion!"

"I think I heard screaming before the blast. Do you think…"

"Shut your damn mouth! If something happened, we're all in deep trouble!"

The burly leader of the building's security team barked orders as he led a group of guards toward the source of the disturbance.

Each guard carried a flashlight, cutting through the darkness with beams of light.

George frowned as he saw the approaching lights. "Looks like the building security team heard the commotion. Let's go meet them."

He turned and hobbled toward the beams of light. Despite his injuries, his steps were steady.

George didn't want too many people entering the scene before it could be secured. Not only was there the potential for contamination from an unknown virus, but the very existence of the spider-woman could spark panic if news got out.

As George moved, Eren subtly reached out, grabbing the silver thread and slipping it into his pocket.

With the thread safely hidden, he followed George toward the security team.

Neither Eren nor George noticed the pair of hateful eyes glaring at them from the shadows.

The gaze lingered on their retreating backs until they reached the security guards. Only then did it vanish into the darkness.

Minutes later, the wail of sirens pierced the air.

Dozens of police cars, SWAT vehicles, and ambulances converged on the area, flooding the street outside the parking lot.

Uniformed officers and armed SWAT teams moved with purpose, securing the scene as paramedics stood ready to assist.

The once-quiet neighborhood now buzzed with activity, the chaos spilling over as the NYPD launched a full-scale investigation.

(End of Chapter)

In an ambulance, Helen sat beside George, her face tense as she watched the doctor clean and disinfect his wounds. "Doctor, is he going to be okay?" she asked anxiously.

George waved dismissively. "It's just some scrapes and bruises. Nothing to worry about. I need to check on the kid."

Before he could get up, the doctor glared at him, pushing him back into his seat. "Stay still!" the doctor barked, annoyed at his restlessness.

After finishing the bandaging, the doctor said, "While the injuries seem minor, given that the patient jumped out of a moving vehicle, there could be internal trauma. I strongly recommend a full examination at the hospital."

Helen shot a sharp look at George. "You heard the doctor. You're going to the hospital. Don't even think about arguing with me."

Turning to reassure Helen, the doctor added, "Don't worry. Your daughter is with Eren, and he seems to be doing much better than your husband."

Indeed, Eren had escaped with only minor injuries.

After the doctor finished cleaning his cuts and covering them with bandages, Gwen draped a blanket over his shoulders and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Thank you, Eren," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "If you hadn't been there, my dad might have…"

She trailed off, her reddened eyes and quivering voice betraying the depth of her fear.

Eren awkwardly patted her back. "Honestly, it's your dad you should thank. He's the one who took down the monster. I was just there to help."

But Gwen shook her head. "If Dad hadn't been taking you home, he wouldn't have been in the garage. But if he'd gone down there alone tomorrow… I can't even imagine what might have happened."

At that moment, George, now bandaged and limping, approached them. Ignoring Helen's piercing glare, he directed his attention to Eren.

"Gwen's right," George said. "I owe you a debt of gratitude."

However, as his gaze landed on Eren's arms, still loosely wrapped around Gwen, his expression darkened. His eyes seemed to ask, "How long are you planning to hug my daughter?"

Eren quickly released Gwen and coughed awkwardly. "So… I guess I won't be going home tonight, will I?"

George's stern demeanor returned. "Of course not. Not until we confirm that there's no risk of infection from the… creature."

"You'll also need to stay for questioning. We'll have to take statements and file a report."

He gave Eren a pointed look, signaling that he wanted to speak privately.

Once they were alone by a patrol car, George's tone lowered to a near growl. "Listen, kid. I don't know where you got that grenade, but owning something like that is illegal. This time, I'll cover for you and claim it was mine. But there better not be a next time."

Eren nodded, feeling the weight of George's sharp gaze. "Understood, George."

"Good."

Satisfied but still wary, George shot him another warning look before walking away.

Moments later, the scene was disrupted by the arrival of several armored vehicles that broke through the NYPD's barricade.

Eren instantly recognized one of the figures stepping out—Grant Ward. Flanked by heavily armed tactical teams, Ward strode confidently toward George, holding out an official-looking document.

"Deputy Commissioner Stacy, I'm Grant Ward, FBI. This is now a federal matter, and we're taking over."

George's face darkened. "I haven't received any notification of such an order. Without proper authorization, you can't just take over my crime scene."

Ward smirked, his confidence unwavering. "You'll receive it shortly."

As if on cue, a uniformed officer hurried over, phone in hand. "Deputy Commissioner, the Commissioner's on the line."

(End of Chapter)

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