Restart, Spider-Man! [20]

The abandoned bunker, due to its desert location, wasn't as damp as one might expect.

Xia Luo crouched as he passed through a pile of rubble, with collapsing wooden beams supporting the fragile tunnel. It seemed like even a little movement could bring the whole place crashing down.

But the fact that it had withstood missile bombardment so far was a testament to the bunker's solid construction.

"Since it's a bunker, it must be connected to the Ten Rings camp inside the valley," said the elderly Steve Rogers from behind.

Xia Luo nodded. "Yes, but this place has been abandoned for a long time. The deeper parts of the tunnel might have collapsed. If we want to reach the camp, we might have to dig ourselves."

Hearing this, Old Steve looked concerned. "Without a map, randomly digging might get us nowhere. If we dig in the wrong direction, we'll be discovered quickly."

"Don't worry about that. Once we reach the camp and get a glimpse of it, I can figure out where we need to go."

"A glimpse?" Steve was confused.

"Digging makes a lot of noise," Steve continued, still unsure. "Tony once told me that the Ten Rings had at least 300 armed men. That doesn't include the civilians. There are nearly a thousand people in that valley. Almost every corner has eyes. As soon as we poke our heads out, we'll be spotted."

Xia Luo smiled back. "Relax, I've got it under control."

With that, they reached the end of the tunnel.

Ahead of them was a pile of rubble, leaving no gaps.

"Let's get to work," Xia Luo said, starting to clear the debris.

Old Steve watched for a moment before helping to move the rocks.

As they worked, they kept chatting.

"Are you sure they won't find us here? That big lizard seems to have a sharp nose," Steve said.

Xia Luo easily lifted a several-ton rock. "I'm betting they won't bother. To them, we're too weak to be a threat. They probably think waiting at the camp is enough to win."

Old Steve pushed a rock, pausing halfway to catch his breath and rub his aching back, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"If I were them, I'd just ask the Ten Rings leader for information about this abandoned bunker. I'd probably have caught you by now." He was already panting heavily.

The older he got, the more his physical abilities deteriorated, though he was still far stronger than a normal person. Clearing the rubble wasn't beyond him, but as the physical effort increased and the oxygen in the enclosed space grew scarce, it became increasingly difficult.

Xia Luo noticed Steve's struggle. As he spoke, he tapped the spider emblem on his chest, activating the oxygen supply in his nanotech suit.

"Too bad they're not you. The Ten Rings leader is probably already dead, and those guys all have some kind of mental issues. They won't think that far ahead. That's our chance."

Steve took a deep breath, his energy returning. "Feels better now. Peter's suit has the same function. Tony built it for him personally."

He glanced at Xia Luo's back. "Can you grow four metal spider legs?"

"Nope, my suit is a damaged version."

"Can your eyes turn red?"

"Nope."

"Does your webbing have hundreds of different modes?"

"My webs aren't synthetic."

"Wow, body-produced webs? That's pretty cool."

"Enough talk. I know you're trying to slack off."

"Ah, you caught me."

Three hours later, Old Steve was completely exhausted.

"I'm done. Help me out, my back's killing me," he said, turning and leaning against the wall.

Seeing the strange posture, Xia Luo refused without hesitation.

"That excuse is weak. You used to be able to work all day."

Steve sighed. "That was twenty years ago."

"Fine, you rest. I'll handle the rest."

Xia Luo checked the time. "It's night now."

Most of the rubble ahead had been cleared, and they were ready to move.

He picked up the shield at his feet and began digging upward.

Crack, crack, crack.

Soon, Xia Luo dug a five-meter-deep hole into the ceiling of the tunnel.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, a foul stench filled the air. Xia Luo sensed danger and quickly leaped away, leaving the elderly Steve trapped in the smell.

"No!! Ugh... you hit a latrine!" Steve shouted in horror.

"Sorry, I'll try a different spot. Hang in there," Xia Luo called back.

"I can't... ughh..."

Steve rolled his eyes as he collapsed into the waste, foaming at the mouth and convulsing.

"Looks like he's a goner."

Xia Luo shook his head, closed his eyes for a brief moment of silence, and then started digging in a new spot about twenty meters away.

Crack, crack.

Boom!

Outside the valley, the ground near the ammunition depot suddenly collapsed, causing the passing guards to cry out in alarm.

"What was that?"

"Looks like a person."

The guards quickly aimed their guns at the hole, only to be struck down by the shield that flew out of it.

"Ahh!!"

"Intruder!"

Rat-a-tat-tat!

In the darkness, gunfire erupted, bullets raining down on the red and blue figure that leaped from the hole.

Clang, clang, clang!

Xia Luo darted through the camp, deflecting the barrage with his shield. The ricocheting bullets struck the ammunition depot, triggering a massive explosion.

Boom, boom, boom!

The violent blasts sent bullets flying everywhere, and flames engulfed the camp, setting off chaos.

"No!!"

"Ahh!"

"Retreat!"

From the entrance of a nearby cave, Norman soared out on his glider, the green flame from his exhaust lighting up the night as he swooped toward Xia Luo.

"Cackling wickedly, he called out, "Little Xia Luo, I've been waiting for you."

Laughing maniacally, Norman's glider unleashed a barrage of bullets, not caring that they were mowing down Ten Rings members as well.

Rat-a-tat-tat!

Clang, clang, clang!

Sparks flew as Xia Luo deflected the bullets with his shield, but the wild ricochet caused more casualties among the panicked soldiers.

Boom!

At that moment, a stray bullet struck Norman's glider, damaging its flight system. The glider wobbled and began spewing smoke.

"Oh, looks like my luck's run out," Norman remarked, still trying to maintain his dignity as he crash-landed into the flames below.

"Xia Luo Parker!!"

A furious Lizard Parker then burst from the cave, charging through the chaos, ignoring the bullets zipping by. He raised an arm to protect his face, determined not to be hit by the shield again.

Xia Luo, seeing this, casually spun and performed a perfect bowling move, sending the shield spinning across the ground like a deadly wheel, sparks flying as it sliced forward.

Slice!

The shield flashed between Lizard Parker's legs, leaving a spray of blood in its wake.

"Ahhhh!!!"

A deafening scream echoed through the camp as Lizard Parker's eyes bulged in horror, and he collapsed, clutching his crotch in agony.

The pain.

It was unbearable.

---

If you spot any mistakes let me know so I can fix them.

Read up to Chapter 52! [P@treon.com/WiseTL]