Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Unexpected Reward – Rabbit Talisman (Part 1)
The aroma of pork wafted from the kitchen, where Aunt May was stir-frying spicy pork and stewing beef with potatoes—two authentic Chinese dishes. Because Peter loved Chinese food, Aunt May had specifically sought out a Chinese chef to learn how to cook these dishes.
Uncle Ben patted Peter on the shoulder, looking at him with the pride of a father figure. "Peter, you've grown up. You've inherited your father's intelligence and excel in your studies. Since you were in third grade, I haven't been able to help you with your homework anymore. We all know this family isn't wealthy, but now isn't the time for you to worry about making money. Focus on your studies. You only have one year left of high school, and with your grades, you're sure to get into a great university. Leave the money matters to me."
Peter didn't know what to say. Men often express their feelings in subtle ways. He nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle Ben. I won't let my grades slip."
Aunt May's voice called from the kitchen. "Go wash your hands! Lunch is almost ready!"
Aunt May looked at Peter with a sense of pride. Peter had been with her since he was just a month old, and she considered him as her own child. But she also felt a pang of guilt. Before summer break, she had visited Midtown Tech High and saw Peter's classmates, all dressed in stylish clothes, while Peter was still wearing the same old outfit from two years ago.
"It smells amazing, Aunt May! I think I can eat two bowls of rice today!"
...
After lunch, Peter took a nap and didn't head out until the afternoon. He carried Uncle Ben's coat in his backpack. Although the system had issued a mission, he wasn't planning to confront the Rhino just yet. His priority was to earn enough points to exchange for the Spider-Sense ability. Facing the Rhino in his armored suit, Peter felt that having Spider-Sense would give him a better chance of success.
There was still some time before nightfall. He put on the web shooters he had made overnight and climbed to the rooftop of a fifty-story building. Standing at the edge, he looked down at the streets below, took a deep breath, and felt a wave of nervousness.
"You can do this!" he encouraged himself silently.
Bending his middle and ring fingers, he pressed the activation button on his palm. The web shot out like a stream of water, attaching to a building across the wide street. Without hesitation, Peter swung across. But then, disaster struck.
Although he had the Yan Shuangying template, the smooth web felt like it was coated with lubricant in his hands. With his current strength, he couldn't hold on! From dozens of meters in the air, Peter plummeted toward the ground. Even Yan Shuangying wouldn't survive a fall from that height.
Fortunately, Peter had prepared for this.
[Acquired Talent: Flash Dodge. When you perform a roll, you gain invincibility frames. Even against ten machine guns, you won't be hit. Note: Rolls have no cooldown.]
Just before hitting the ground, Peter activated Flash Dodge. With a roll, he successfully avoided the damage from the fall.
Peter clicked his tongue. Earning points to exchange for the Homelander template was now more urgent than ever! Yan Shuangying was strong, but... this was the Marvel universe. No matter how strong Yan Shuangying was, he was still just a human. How could a human compare to monsters?!
As night fell, Peter changed into his outfit. This time, he took the subway to the suburbs, a two-hour journey from Queens. Compared to the heavily policed city, the suburbs were largely neglected, making them a hotspot for hidden activities like human trafficking and child abduction.
Some wealthy individuals had bought an island, built mansions on it, and gathered groups of minors for the entertainment of powerful figures. The more well-dressed they were, the more hypocritical they became.
As a computer genius, Peter had been monitoring everything in the country. He had known for a long time that there was a hideout in the New York suburbs where teenage girls were held before being sent to the island. But he hadn't told anyone, not even George, Gwen's father. Knowing George's personality, he would investigate thoroughly, but Peter knew this was beyond George's control. The most likely outcome would be George getting himself into trouble.
Peter had anonymously reported the issue to relevant authorities, but it made no difference.
Peter pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and walked toward an old neighborhood.
...
"I envy the lives of those big shots! They really know how to have fun in the most twisted ways!"
At the entrance of an old residential building, two men—one black, one white—were chatting. Inside the building, a dozen of their comrades were stationed, with shifts changing every two hours. They were holding seven or eight young girls and boys. Some of the powerful figures, like priests in a church, had a taste for unconventional thrills.
"Just hang in there for one more day. Once we ship them off, you can spend some money and try out those twisted games yourself."
Just then, they noticed a man in a trench coat walking toward them. He looked like a mafia member straight out of The Godfather.
"Hey, stay away from here!!"
Bang! Bang!
Thud! Thud!
The two men didn't even have time to react. Two bullets precisely pierced their brains.
In Peter's ear, the system's notification sounded.
[You have punished the marked criminals. Reward: 300 points.]
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