Ch.102 Return of Spider-Man

Main World, New York.

"Breaking news: Biology experts have confirmed that the recent surge of Spider-Men are actually Spider Virus carriers. The virus is currently transmitted by mutated spiders, and no other transmission routes have been discovered."

"This is the night news. According to the health department, the number of Spider Virus carriers has hit a new high, with 1,089 confirmed cases."

"Global News reports that there's been a breakthrough in the case of the missing Spider Virus carriers, which began two weeks ago. The authorities are actively pursuing the suspect, and Spider Virus carriers are advised to stay indoors unless necessary."

"Brooklyn News: According to eyewitnesses, another kidnapping of a Spider Virus carrier occurred in Sector C. We urge all carriers nearby to seek help from the police."

In a darkened room, J. Jonah Jameson hid under his blanket, trembling.

The radio kept broadcasting news about the disappearance of Spider Virus carriers, making Jonah's heart pound with fear.

He was in Sector C, and the eyewitness? That was him. The kidnapped carrier was his neighbor, Jack.

If he hadn't stayed in character and never shown his Spider-Man abilities in public, he would have been taken too.

Those people were too ruthless. He was terrified, alone, and cold... No, actually, he was drenched in sweat under the blanket.

It was too hot!

But he was worried those people might still be around, so he stayed under the blanket.

When he was a kid, his mom told him that hiding under the blanket would make him feel safe when he was scared. Now, he was... just more scared.

Jonah trembled, wiping the sweat off his face every now and then.

Staying under the blanket gave him just a sliver of comfort.

Ring... Ring...

Suddenly, the phone rang, and Jonah jumped in shock.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally dared to stick one hand out from under the blanket and pick up the phone.

"Ahem, hello, this is J. Jonah Jameson, editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle," he said, his voice trembling, trying his best to sound dignified and composed.

"Mr. Jameson, this is Luna from the TV station. About tomorrow's show..."

"I'm sick, find someone else."

"Mr. Jameson, if you don't come, you won't get a refund."

"I know. That's all."

Jonah quickly hung up, his face full of pain.

"Oh no, my money!!"

Other people made money appearing on shows; he paid out of pocket.

To boost his own popularity, he was on the verge of going broke.

But to fulfill his childhood dream, he had no choice but to press forward.

It was almost time. Once this phase was over, his fame would grow again.

Then he could make money to cover the losses of his paper.

Ring... Ring...

Suddenly, another call came in. Jonah impatiently picked up the phone.

"I already said..."

"Sorry, we're from the Spider Virus response team. I'm Coulson. Please repeat what happened earlier—it will help us track those criminals."

"Thank goodness you're here. I just saw..."

Jonah was overjoyed, and quickly described everything he'd seen.

In a van on the street nearby, Coulson put down his headset and looked back at Carter.

"It's them. Our investigation direction is correct."

Carter nodded. "Good. Let's start the operation."

"No problem. Our agents are already tracking them."

Carter adjusted her uniform, grabbed her shield, and got out of the vehicle.

"Harry, Natasha, Barton, execute Plan A—prepare to assault."

"Yes."

In the night sky, Harry stood on his glider, lightly tapping his earpiece before diving down.

By the waterfront, at an old factory, the green flame from Harry's glider streaked across the sky, with a series of pumpkin bombs falling from above.

Boom!!

In an instant, a chain of explosions engulfed the factory. Heavily armed guards scrambled to respond.

Rat-tat-tat!

Gunfire erupted as Harry quickly pulled up into the air.

"Captain, they've got weapons."

"Leave it to me."

From high up in a tower, Barton silently released a series of explosive arrows.

Whoosh~

Boom!!

The arrows exploded among the guards, throwing them into chaos, unable to determine where the arrows were coming from.

"Ah!"

"Damn it, where is he?"

"I can't see..."

Boom!!

Another round of arrows exploded, and amidst the chaos, Carter led a team of agents to surround the area.

"Drop your weapons!"

Bang bang bang!!

The five-pointed star shield ricocheted through the crowd, followed by screams.

From the rooftop, Carter sprinted by, catching the shield back in her hand.

"Wow, Cap, your shield is so cool," Harry said enviously, watching from the air.

Carter dove into the factory. "It's okay, but Steve's shield doesn't suit me. I can't find my old one, though."

"I could personally forge you a shield that suits you."

"Thanks, but my shield costs at least 300 million dollars. You're very generous."

"No problem, Cap, pretend I didn't say anything."

"I think you two can pause this boring conversation."

The agents quickly took control of the area. Coulson eyed the smoke-billowing factory, his brow furrowed.

"It looks like something's gone wrong."

"I know. I saw something strange."

Inside the factory, Carter stood before a machine that looked like some sort of nutrient pod.

Clatter... Clatter...

The machine rattled and emitted smoke, as if something inside was struggling to get out.

Beep beep...

The device on her wrist flashed red. In the command center, Banner urgently warned her.

"Captain Carter, there's strong radiation detected at the mission site. There must be high-risk radioactive material near you."

"All I see is a metal pod. You know, like the ones from sci-fi movies."

"Please move away immediately."

"But I still haven't found the kidnapped Spider-Men."

As soon as Carter spoke, the nutrient pod exploded, releasing a pungent smell that filled the factory, while thick smoke spread.

"Damn it, something's coming out."

Carter's face changed, covering her mouth and nose as she retreated to the door.

"What happened?" Harry landed beside her, asking.

Carter frowned. "I only saw a shadow—there's someone inside."

"What kind of person?"

"A Rhino!!"

A hoarse roar suddenly erupted from the smoke, followed by a tremor underfoot. An enormous figure slowly emerged.

Thud... Thud... Thud...

Step by step, the ground beneath the figure's feet cracked under its weight.

Soon, a massive, horn-headed humanoid creature came into view.

Standing three meters tall, its body was covered in some deep gray unknown polymer, with exaggerated, rock-like muscles. Only the face retained any semblance of humanity.

"Hahaha, Rhino! That's right, you heard me—it's my new name, and I will be your nightmare!!"

At this, Aleksei let out a triumphant laugh. His muscles swelled even larger, releasing an overwhelming aura that made Carter and the others pale.

"He really does look like a rhino."

"A Rhino, just like Spider-Man."

"He looks terrifying. We're in trouble."

"Of course, you're in big trouble."

Aleksei grinned wickedly, suddenly charging forward like a mad bull... well, he was a bull.

Boom!!

The Rhino stomped down, sending debris flying as the terrifying pressure spread. Harry quickly activated his glider, taking off into the air.

"Cap, watch out!"

On the ground, Carter faced the charging Rhino with a serious expression. Just before impact, she raised her shield.

Bang!!!

Crash-

A figure smashed into the factory wall like a cannonball, bricks burying the battered body.

"Pfft, what a lousy shield. It's nowhere near as good as the old man's."

In the rubble, Carter crawled out, cursing the Hydra Captain's shield for its unreliability.

Had she not been strengthened after winning the resurrection match, she'd likely be dealing with broken bones.

And that was even with the low-quality shield for protection.

Without the shield, it would have been disastrous.

This guy's strength must be at least fifty tons!

Carter speculated.

"Haha, you're still alive? Woman, you've caught my attention."

Seeing Carter still able to stand, Aleksei's grin turned even more savage.

"Killing you, the boss will definitely give me an even bigger year-end bonus."

He took big strides toward Carter.

Two weeks ago, he was just a poor sap who had his mech suit blown apart by Spider-Man.

Later, his boss brought in a mysterious scientist to treat him for the side effects of ingesting mutated spider venom, conducting chemical radiation experiments on him.

The experiment was successful—he became a more fearsome enforcer, a Rhino with super strength and super defense.

He felt invincible!

If he met Spider-Man again, he'd definitely beat him up badly.

No, Spider-Man was dead.

No one could beat him!

Getting more and more excited, he suddenly saw arrows flying in the night sky, followed by a barrage of pumpkin bombs.

Boom boom boom!!

A wave of fire engulfed Aleksei, and Carter used the opportunity to distance herself from the scene.

"Hey, big Rhino, do you like pumpkins?"

Harry zoomed across the sky on his glider. But before he could get cocky, the ground below trembled.

Boom!!

The Rhino pounded the ground, creating a windstorm that dispersed the fire.

"Damn Green Goblin, you think I can't get you?"

Aleksei sneered as he suddenly pried open his abdomen, revealing something beneath the tough polymer—Spider-Man's emblem.

"What?"

Everyone stared in shock as Aleksei pressed the emblem to his chest. Red and blue nanometal rapidly spread across his massive form.

In a flash, the red and blue Rhino raised his arm, launching white webbing into the sky.

"No!!"

Harry narrowly avoided the sneak attack, his face grim.

"Damn it, how did he get Spider-Man's suit?"

Carter sighed, rubbing her forehead. "No wonder we couldn't find his suit. It was with this guy."

Whoosh~

Then, several more explosive arrows flew in, fire covering their retreat.

"You won't escape!!"

Clad in the nanosuit, Aleksei barreled through walls and cars—no one dared to get near the rampaging beast.

"Retreat!"

"Go!"

Coulson led the agents in an emergency retreat, and the captured guards began a last-ditch counterattack.

"Don't let them get away!"

"Haha, now it's our—"

Before the man could finish, Aleksei's gray fist smashed him into a pulp.

"What?"

Everyone was stunned, looking at the ruthless Rhino in disbelief.

Aleksei snorted. "Don't steal my spotlight."

"Yes, sir..."

Terrified, the lackeys backed off, not daring to provoke this lunatic.

Suddenly, the sky roared with flame, a red and gold suit streaking across the sky.

"It's Stark!" Harry shouted in joy.

Carter raised an eyebrow. "Did his suit experiment succeed?"

Natasha let out a sigh of relief. "It must have. He's been hiding in his lab since he got back. Coulson tried to find him several times, but couldn't."

"Hey, folks, looks like you really need me."

With the sound of blasting music, Tony greeted them, launching a blue device from his arm.

Splat~

The blue device shot out, attaching instantly to the Rhino's nanosuit-covered back.

Zzz...

Electric arcs flashed, the nanosuit sparking, then quickly flowed back into the spider emblem.

"What's that?"

Seeing this, everyone was stunned.

"Mr. Stark, how did you have that ready?" Harry flew over, full of curiosity.

Tony rubbed his nose. "Well, I secretly prepared an anti-Spider-Man suit. Didn't think it'd come in handy."

Harry: "..."

As Charlie would say, this was a classic backstabber move.

On the ground, Aleksei clenched his fists, glaring at the hovering suit, roaring in rage.

"Damn bastard, you ruined my toy! I'm gonna kill—"

Boom!

Before Aleksei could finish, Tony blasted his mouth with a repulsor.

"Mmph... damn it..." Aleksei groaned in pain, holding his mouth.

Tony looked at Harry and winked.

"Who was he trying to kill?"

"If I'm not wrong, it was you."

"Oh, that's too bad. I'm really hard to kill—whoa!"

Tony yelped as Aleksei hurled a steel beam, knocking him away.

Watching Tony fly off, Harry blinked. "Who's hard to kill?"

In the distant night sky, the Mark suit fell in a flaming arc.

"Damn prairie beast, you pissed me off!"

Tony climbed out of the rubble, deploying shoulder missiles. Mini rockets fired like they cost nothing, raining down on the Rhino.

Boom boom boom!!

Under the furious barrage, Aleksei sneered.

"Hahaha, is that all you've got? Pathetic."

Speaking, he lifted a wrecked car, hurling it at Tony, while the spider emblem was thrown into the sky amidst the heat waves.

At the same time, in the command center, Nick Fury suddenly spoke.

"Attention, it looks like Spider-Man's here."

"What?"

"Spider-Man?"

Harry was ecstatic, and Carter let out a breath.

"Is it him?"

Everyone instinctively looked up, eyes widening.

"Impossible!"

"That's..."

In the night sky, a masked figure fired webs one after another, moving effortlessly through the void. With every shot, the web slingshot launched him hundreds of meters.

The sight left everyone stunned, jaws dropping.

"This makes no sense!" Tony yelled from the rubble.

Harry was also in disbelief. "Physics just doesn't apply anymore..." he muttered.

Finally, the figure reached the spider emblem midair, grabbing it.

Clang clang clang-

Amid the fierce wind, the red and blue nanometal quickly spread, shimmering.

Suit donned, the returning Spider-Man dove down at high speed.

Boom!!

With a loud crash, Charlie landed on the battlefield.

The classic Black Widow landing pose!