Restart, Spider-Man!

Not long after, the logistics personnel from Oscorp arrived on-site to handle the follow-up procedures.

Along with them came a swarm of reporters crowding the vicinity.

"Sorry, this area is sealed off. You can't enter," said one of the on-site staff, blocking their path.

Despite being stopped, the reporters jostled each other in an attempt to capture footage of the scene from the periphery.

"Look, it's that giant!"

"He's with Peni Parker!"

In the crowd, Eddie exclaimed, pointing at the red-and-blue figure while rapidly snapping photos.

Noticing the reporters' fervent interest, Peni Parker pulled Xia Luo into a corner.

"Those people are so annoying. We can't let them corner us," Peni said.

Xia Luo seemed thoughtful. "Do they know your identity?"

"Yes, it's impossible to hide it from them. They've known who I am for a long time."

Hearing this, Xia Luo suddenly asked, "How are Aunt May and Uncle Ben?"

Peni squinted and smiled. "They're doing great. Aunt May is my mech repair technician, and Uncle Ben is my mechanical engineer. They've been a huge help to me."

At this, Xia Luo couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Peni Parker.

From her early school days to now, Peni Parker had lived with her identity exposed, yet Aunt May and Uncle Ben had managed to survive all this time. It was nothing short of a Spider-Verse miracle.

A story that would make other Spider-People green with envy.

After all, in the movie universe, Peter Parker's identity exposure didn't take long before Aunt May became a casualty of Green Goblin's pumpkin bombs—a tragic "accident."

That iconic line, "With great power comes great responsibility," often seemed to mean Spider-Man's loved ones had to pay with their lives.

Xia Luo suspected Aunt May wasn't even the first victim. The real first victim was probably Tony, who snapped his fingers in the endgame.

The closer you were to Spider-Man, the faster you seemed to meet your doom.

Of course, Peni Parker's parents had been among the first sacrifices.

Almost every Spider-Person's parents met the same fate.

As these thoughts flitted through his mind, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice suddenly called out nearby.

"Peni, are you okay?"

A flying craft from Oscorp descended gently onto the scene, and Aunt May and Ben Parker, dressed in silver uniforms, hurried toward Peni.

They were no longer young.

Xia Luo felt a wave of emotion.

After confirming Peni was unharmed, the two finally turned their attention to Xia Luo.

This young man gave them a sense of warmth and familiarity.

It felt like—

"Who are you?" Aunt May hesitated, breaking the silence.

"Xia Luo. Xia Luo Parker," Xia Luo introduced himself with a smile.

"Parker?"

Ben Parker appeared deep in thought, while Aunt May seemed to recall Peni's strange experiences from years ago.

Before they could voice their doubts, Xia Luo continued, "In my universe, Aunt May and Uncle Ben are doing well too."

Hearing this, the two exchanged puzzled glances.

Something about this felt... off.

"Welcome to our world, Spider-Man from the multiverse."

At that moment, Norman stepped out from the crowd.

He scrutinized the young man before him, his smile tinged with something indescribable.

Noticing Norman's peculiar gaze, Xia Luo's instincts kicked in.

No way—

A hidden villain?

According to Spider-Verse law, Norman Osborn was bound to become a villain.

But whether by choice or circumstance was up for debate.

With this in mind, Xia Luo nodded at Norman as a greeting.

"In my universe, Uncle Norman is a good man."

Norman: "..."

Why is he emphasizing this "good man" narrative?

Norman's smile became slightly strained. He stepped forward and said, "Yes, I am a good man."

"Uncle Norman built the Spider-Mech. He's a hero who saves the world!" Peni Parker chimed in, full of admiration.

Xia Luo maintained his smile. "I can see that."

Norman, uninterested in such trivialities, glanced at the surrounding reporters before turning to Xia Luo. "Would you mind coming to my place for a visit?"

"Of course not."

"Great, let's all go together!" Norman said with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back. "Let's take a look at Oscorp's latest invention."

---

Ten Minutes Later, at Oscorp's Mecha Research Base

Boom~~

The ten-meter-tall alloy doors slowly rose, revealing a black mech that rivaled the size of Peni Parker's SP//dr but boasted a far more aggressive design.

Xia Luo's gaze locked onto the narrow, elongated eyes on the mech's face and the white spider emblem emblazoned on its chest. His expression flickered.

The Venom Mech.

More precisely, the Symbiote Mech.

Peni Parker's face was filled with astonishment. "Other than SP//dr, I didn't think there was another mech like this in the world," she said in awe.

Aunt May chuckled. "We just developed it recently. It hasn't undergone testing yet."

Uncle Ben nodded. "Yes, its operation is quite different. The pilot doesn't need to establish a telepathic link with a mutated spider. Instead, the symbiote core within the mech will automatically connect with the pilot's consciousness, making it much easier to control during combat."

At this explanation, Peni's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"So I won't have to fight alone anymore?"

"Exactly. The symbiote core's host doesn't need any special physical attributes. Anyone can take on this role," Uncle Ben replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Xia Luo quickly grasped the situation.

Peni Parker was unique in her ability to establish a telepathic link with a mutated spider—a requirement for piloting SP//dr in battle.

This meant that while Oscorp could mass-produce mechs, Peni was the only viable pilot.

But with the advent of the Symbiote Mech, the pressure on Peni would greatly diminish.

Still, why had Norman brought him here?

Could it be…

Sure enough, Norman fixed Xia Luo with a solemn look. "Xia Luo Parker, your strength is beyond anything we've imagined. I hope you'll become the pilot of the Symbiote Mech."

Xia Luo raised an eyebrow. "We just met. Why trust me so quickly?"

"Of course," Norman replied, locking eyes with him. "I trust my instincts."

Xia Luo: …

Is this guy serious?

This reeks of recklessness and ulterior motives.

"I came here to find my friends, not to play around with your mech," Xia Luo said flatly, rejecting the offer.

Norman's face fell, though he wasn't ready to give up.

"Are you sure you won't reconsider? Becoming the world's second mech pilot could bring you unimaginable honor and wealth."

"Wealth?"

Xia Luo's eyes shifted. He leaned toward Peni. "How much do they pay you?" he whispered.

Peni thought for a moment. "I'm not really interested in money. Aunt May saves it all for me."

Xia Luo: …

He despised that response.

Glancing at Aunt May, he saw her avoid his gaze, clearly unwilling to meet his eyes.

At that, Xia Luo understood immediately.

Peni's salary had all been squandered.

Figures. Spider-People are always broke.

Still, Xia Luo deliberated for a moment before once again declining Norman's offer.

"The Symbiote Mech doesn't require a specific pilot. You have other options."

Norman sighed, though a glimmer of determination remained in his eyes. "But the stronger the pilot, the more powerful the symbiote core becomes, maximizing the mech's potential."

"Well, I'm afraid I'll have to pass."

Since his second resurrection trial, Xia Luo wanted nothing to do with symbiotes.

An unchecked Spider-Man could spell disaster, and Xia Luo wasn't willing to take that risk.

Despite Norman's repeated persuasion, Xia Luo's refusal left him with no choice. Given Xia Luo's strength, coercion was out of the question.

Temptation?

Well, perhaps another time.

"Alright, Xia Luo," Norman finally said, checking his watch. "I hope you'll think it over. In the meantime, I'll arrange a place for you to stay. As for the friends you're looking for, I promise, on behalf of Oscorp, to do everything we can to help."

"Thank you, Uncle Norman."

With that, under Norman's arrangements, Xia Luo found himself staying in the familiar yet alien Osborn Castle.

Inside, he saw photos of Norman and Harry Osborn together.

Sadly, Harry was long gone.

He had died in an accident ten years ago.

---

That night, a mysterious figure clad in advanced tech armor descended upon the castle.

Boom!!

A deafening explosion startled Norman awake.

"Sir, Spider-Man was defeated by the intruder," Old John reported. His description painted the mysterious figure as far stronger than Spider-Man.

Before Norman could react, the figure stormed into the room, exuding a terrifying aura.

Buzz~

With a single palm strike, the figure sent a disorienting wave through Norman's mind.

When he came to, the intruder had vanished without a trace.

"Was that just an illusion?" Norman muttered, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow.

Soon after, he and Old John discovered Spider-Man amidst the ruins.

"How are you?" Norman asked.

"I'm fine," Xia Luo replied, pushing himself up and limping out of the debris.

"The criminals in your universe are strong. Looks like I can't let my guard down," he said with a grimace.

Norman frowned. "The most dangerous threats in this world are usually monsters. Humanoid creatures of such power are rare."

Is that so?

Xia Luo's thoughts churned.

Monsters, mechs… This might get interesting.

Earlier, he had tested Norman using a Conqueror Kang disguise.

Stripping Norman's soul hadn't yielded any signs of Mary Jane.

The method wasn't foolproof, but it was worth trying.

With that in mind, Xia Luo excused himself to rest and opened a portal.

Buzz~

Soon after, the mysterious figure attacked Peni Parker, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben, one by one.

Yet their souls revealed no anomalies.

Back in his room, Xia Luo's expression turned grim.

Where is Mary Jane?

---

The Next Day, the Red-and-Blue Giant Featured in Headlines Across the City

"According to a statement from Oscorp's chairman, Mr. Norman Osborn, the giant is confirmed not to be a hostile entity. It is more likely to be Oscorp's latest secret weapon," reported J. Jonah Jameson on-screen.

As the footage shifted, Jameson began discussing the mysterious figure who had appeared the previous night.

"Once again, Peni Parker has been defeated. Whether it's Mysterio or this so-called 'Mystery Man,' Peni Parker is no match. We have reason to believe she's been slacking off lately."

Jameson then proceeded to list alleged instances of Peni shirking her training, condemning her for her "irresponsible" behavior.

---

Empire State University

Seated on a bench by the lake in the campus park, Peni Parker held her tablet, staring at the so-called "evidence of slacking" in exasperation.

"In your universe, does this guy also spend his time smearing Spider-Man's reputation?" she asked, glancing at Xia Luo beside her.

Xia Luo chuckled. "Don't worry about it. That guy's actually one of your biggest fans."

"Fan?" Peni looked unconvinced.

"No way. He's constantly badmouthing me," she pouted indignantly.

Xia Luo laughed. "You haven't noticed? He only targets you over trivial things. None of his comments truly harm you. Plus, his stories are always so entertaining that they grab everyone's attention, redirecting focus from the internet's so-called 'Spider-Man Threat Theory.'"

"Spider-Man Threat Theory?" Peni asked, puzzled.

Xia Luo explained, "Exactly. You're the world's only mech pilot. That puts you under global scrutiny and suspicion. A lot of people see you as a potential threat.

"But thanks to Jameson, people are more interested in whether you've been slacking, how messy your life is, or if you're using Spider-Man powers to bully classmates at school.

"Compared to being seen as a global threat, this is a far better outcome, wouldn't you say?"

After hearing this, Peni seemed to understand but still looked confused.

"Why does he have to do it this way? If he stood up and supported me, wouldn't that help dispel everyone's hostility toward Spider-Man?"

Xia Luo smirked. "Let's put it this way—if he openly opposed those critics, it'd turn into a black-and-white debate that would never end.

"By aligning himself with your detractors, he avoids pointless arguments.

"He doesn't need the support of Spider-Man fans because true fans won't harm Spider-Man.

"What he needs is the trust of your critics. By becoming their representative, he can filter out truly harmful narratives while attacking Spider-Man with harmless topics. It's a form of protection."

Hearing this, Peni finally got it.

"Oh, I see! He's like an undercover agent."

Xia Luo considered her words. "Yeah, an undercover agent. I only realized it recently myself."

Of course, it could just be that Jameson had gone from a hater to a fan over time.

But that wasn't the point.

The point was that a new enemy had appeared.

---

Splashhhh!

The calm waters of the lake suddenly churned into a massive whirlpool before a colossal tentacle, dozens of meters long, erupted from the surface.

In an instant, the exploding lakewater turned into a torrential downpour.

As the rain poured, the horrifying tentacles spread out, reaching for the shore.

"Oh no! A monster! Run!!"

Panic broke out among the students by the lake. Peni's expression darkened.

"It's the Octopus Monster, Otto!"

Xia Luo: …

So Dr. Otto Octavius had finally become a literal giant octopus.

Before Peni could act, Xia Luo transformed into the towering red-and-blue giant amidst flashes of light.

Buzz~

Boom!!

Under the stunned gaze of their fellow students, the enormous figure descended into the lake, sending towering waves crashing in all directions.

Splash~~

Every movement of the giant stirred the water into chaos. As the rain poured relentlessly, the giant and the monstrous octopus locked in a fierce battle.

According to Mephisto's hints, anyone Xia Luo encountered could potentially harbor Mary Jane's soul.

That included the monsters of this world.

Which meant Xia Luo had to personally defeat them, ensuring Peni didn't accidentally kill one.

Ducking a suction-cupped tentacle shooting toward him, Xia Luo grabbed hold of another tentacle and pulled hard.

"Rise!"

Roarrr!!

The monster wailed as Xia Luo's overwhelming strength flung its massive body high into the air.

"Take this!"

"Friendly Neighbor Flying Kick!"

In the next instant, Xia Luo leaped after the airborne beast. Magical energy blazed around him like a radiant meteor.

Before the octopus monster could crash to the ground, it was obliterated mid-air, reduced to a pile of sludge that splashed into the lake.

Boom!

Splashhh!

As the remains hit the water, murky waves surged against the shore, and a fine mist enveloped the scene.

Under the blazing sun, a vibrant rainbow arced across the lake.

The red-and-blue giant disappeared into the rainbow's backdrop.

---

"Wow, incredible!"

In the crowd, Annie Brock was transfixed by what she'd just witnessed.

Clenching her fists, her eyes shone with newfound determination.

"No wonder he refused to pilot the Symbiote Mech. With that kind of power, he doesn't need a mech. He's an unstoppable force by himself," she murmured.

Her gaze shifted to Peni Parker nearby. After a moment of thought, she walked toward her.

"Peni Parker, one day, I'll show you that you're just an ordinary girl lucky enough to bond with a mutant spider.

"Without that spider, you're nothing."

Peni blinked, confused. "Who are you?"

"Annie Brock. A transfer student and candidate for the Symbiote Mech pilot program. I'll surpass you."

Peni instantly lost interest.

"Oh. Good luck with that."

Annie gritted her teeth at Peni's indifference.

"Hmph! You can keep being smug for now!"

Her brother, Eddie Brock, was an excellent journalist who had covered Peni Parker extensively. In his view, Peni was just an ordinary girl with nothing exceptional about her beyond the mutant spider.

Annie wholeheartedly agreed. If she gained the Symbiote Mech's recognition, she would become the world's new shining star.

Before she could continue her tirade, a red-and-blue figure leaped from the lake, landing right in front of her.

"It's him!"

Startled, Annie froze as the man turned his gaze toward her.

Looking at the young man in front of her, Annie couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

She idolized strength, and this man was the epitome of it.

But, much like Peni Parker, this "strong man" clearly didn't care about her.

Xia Luo gave Annie a cursory glance before turning to Peni.

"Want to hear my story?" he asked.

"Of course!" Peni responded immediately.

Before she could continue, Annie jumped in with, "I'd like to hear it too!" drawing a perplexed look from Xia Luo.

"And you are?"

"Annie Brock. Soon-to-be pilot of the Symbiote Mech."

"Oh, good luck with that."

Annie: …

Ignoring the curious stares of nearby students, Xia Luo quickly found a quieter spot.

---

Thirty Minutes Later, on the Rooftop of the School Building

"Waaah! Poor Mary Jane! Your love story is so moving!" Annie wailed, covering her face as tears streamed down.

Xia Luo: …

"Miss, could you calm down? When did I even mention anything about love?" His lips twitched in disbelief.

Annie's eyes were red from crying, and her smeared eyeliner made her look rather comical.

"Even if you didn't say the word 'love,' I can already imagine the tragic romance between you two!"

Xia Luo's face darkened. "Great. Now that you've heard the story, you can leave."

"No! I need to hear more!"

"I refuse."

Off to the side, Peni chimed in, "So you're telling us all this because you need our help to find Mary Jane's soul?"

"Yes," Xia Luo confirmed with a nod.

He had just extracted the soul of the octopus monster and uncovered something intriguing.

There were too many details to unravel alone, so he needed this world's "main characters" to join his team. This increased their chances of success.

And the fastest way to persuade women? Play on their sympathy.

Well, girls, in this case.

Peni stared at him thoughtfully. "To save Mary Jane, you made a deal with a demon. I can't say no to helping you."

"Me neither!" Annie declared, wiping her eyes and clenching her fists. "I have to help you."

"Uh, actually, I was only asking Peni—"

"Then it's settled!" Annie interrupted, cutting him off.

Xia Luo: …

"Look! A UFO!" he suddenly shouted, pointing skyward.

Both Peni and Annie instinctively looked up. Before they realized what was happening, Xia Luo placed a hand on Annie's shoulder.

Buzz~

For a brief moment, Annie's soul wavered, then snapped back into her body.

"What are you doing?" Annie asked, bewildered.

Xia Luo waved her off. "Nothing. I just wanted to test your reflexes as a backup pilot. Seems like you need more training."

Taking him seriously, Annie nodded solemnly. "No wonder I've been feeling off lately. My focus must've been lacking. I'll work harder to improve."

"Exactly. Keep it up," Xia Luo replied with an air of authority. "You should get to training. I'll contact you later."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your call!"

As Annie hurried off, Peni gave Xia Luo a curious look.

"You deliberately sent her away, didn't you?"

"Of course. She seems... dimwitted."

"I agree," Peni said, stifling a laugh. "What do you need me to do?"

"Help me find the other monsters. I need to confirm something."

"Other monsters?" Peni frowned. "That's it? That simple?"

"Yes. It's straightforward, but it needs to be kept secret."

"You could just ask Uncle Norman for help. He knows more than I do."

"I trust only you."

"Uh, that's a lot of pressure…"

"But I know you'll agree."

"Fine, you're right," Peni admitted, exhaling deeply under Xia Luo's expectant gaze.

"The monsters I've defeated in the past are still alive. They're being held in Oscorp's secret facility."

"Great. Take me to them."

"Me?" Peni grimaced. "If I walk you in there openly, Uncle Norman will punish me."

"Of course we're not going in openly," Xia Luo said with a grin, pulling out a Pym Disk and handing it to her.

"It's time for a thrilling, high-stakes adventure."

---

T/N: It's a combined chapter... so only one more chapter for today (ehe~) (patreon ramblins again) also holy grail war got blocked :), caught me in a bad time so no reposting here just going to go straight to scribblehub!

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨