Chapter 98: Gwen

There Is Great Terror Within the Quantum Realm!

Peter trembled as he withdrew his outstretched hand.

His wildly pulsating spider-sense was screaming this warning at him!

If he were to leave from here right now, it could trigger unimaginable consequences!

"What exactly is in the Quantum Realm?"

The question echoed in Peter's mind.

Unconsciously, he recalled meeting the original Wasp a few days ago, remembering the expression on her face when she spoke of the Quantum Realm.

She definitely knew something.

Unfortunately, he had no way of going back to ask her now.

Though Peter didn't fully understand how Doctor Strange managed to turn the Eye of Agamotto into a space-time beacon, he knew it had everything to do with the Time Stone embedded within it.

But this method couldn't be something easily replicated—otherwise, the fabric of space-time would've unraveled long ago.

This might be the only chance to save that world!

Just like in the original storyline, there was only that one shot—the snap of Iron Man's fingers to set things right.

Luckily, his mission now was much less dramatic.

No need for a snap.

All he had to do was find reinforcements.

But… where could he find them?

Peter's first instinct was to seek out the allies he'd fought alongside in the Ultimate Universe.

Though their time together had been brief, the bonds they'd formed were deep.

However, asking them to cross universes and risk their lives in an interstellar war… even Peter found it hard to voice such a request.

Wait—got it!

After a moment of thought, Peter's eyes lit up.

If recruiting heroes was too difficult… what about villains?

What if he traveled across different worlds, gathering villains who were down on their luck or even destined to die in their own timelines, and formed them into a cross-universe super army?

As for the issue of betrayal?

That was the easy part.

Based on his previous experiences, "illegal traversal" between universes resulted in rejection from the host reality—manifesting as quantum collapse.

The longer they stayed, the more severe the collapse became, eventually leading to death.

But Peter, with his command over quantum energy, could fix that!

Just like curing Ghost's "quantum sickness," he could stabilize these individuals.

That meant every person he brought from another universe would rely on his quantum energy to survive.

With their lives in his hands, wouldn't they have no choice but to obey?

Of course, there might be some villains with lofty ideals, or those who didn't fear death.

Well, Peter simply wouldn't recruit them. Problem solved.

With his plan set, Peter gathered quantum energy into his hand.

This was a technique Doctor Strange had taught him, allowing him to sense target worlds within the Quantum Realm and, based on his intentions, open quantum portals to specific universes.

[Everything that happened a few days ago feels like a dream.]

[In a world where no one knew me, where I didn't have to endure daily scorn, I spent ten wonderful days.]

[Perhaps those were the most peaceful, most comforting days I've had since gaining these powers.]

[I experienced a quiet school life, met a group of wonderful people, laughed and fought alongside them.]

[And him… he promised to take me away from this filthy reality, to a broader world filled with beautiful sights.]

[I thought I could wait for him with unwavering hope, but now I realize—it's really hard.

When you've felt warmth and are then plunged back into cold, dark despair, that pain is almost unbearable.]

Clang!

The sharp crash of a bright bronze cymbal shattered the girl's "deep thoughts," its piercing sound jolting her back to reality.

"Gwen, you're spacing out again!"

Gwen looked up to see a girl with a wild, curly afro standing behind the drum set, bluntly calling her out.

Though her tone was sharp and somewhat aggressive, there was a hint of genuine concern hidden beneath her stern expression.

Her name was Glory Grant, the band's guitarist—known for her tough exterior but warm heart.

Next to her stood two other girls, each holding their instruments. The brunette was Mary Jane Watson, the band's lead vocalist, and the short-haired girl was Betty Brant.

Together, the four of them formed a rock band called The Mary Janes.

They were in the middle of a rehearsal.

But clearly, Gwen's absent-mindedness had caused yet another mistake, and now she was about to face her bandmates' frustration.

Or perhaps… something more?

"Gwen, what's going on with you? Why have you been so distracted lately? Where did you even disappear to a few days ago?" Mary Jane asked, frowning.

"Yeah, Gwen, if something's wrong, you need to tell us what's really going on. Actually, it's not just these past few days—it's been like this for a while now. You're always late for practice, sometimes you don't even show up. Don't you love music anymore? Have you forgotten the promises we made to each other?" Betty Brant leaned on a cymbal stand, her gaze fixed intently on Gwen.

Gwen bit her lip, saying nothing.

She knew something was wrong with her.

It had been this way ever since Peter died.

His death made her realize the weight of responsibility that came with her powers. It also forced her to go to great lengths to hide who she really was.

In truth, it wasn't so much about understanding her responsibility as it was about carrying a burden of guilt—atoning for what she believed was her fault.

She was afraid.

She felt like she was the one who had caused the death of her best friend.

So, she used the very powers that had gotten him killed to fight crime, hoping to fill the void left in her heart.

"Why won't you just tell us? Aren't we your best friends?" Glory pressed.

"Are you sick or something?" Mary Jane added with concern.

Something about their words must've struck a nerve. Gwen suddenly lifted her head, snapping back sharply, "I'm fine! Thanks for asking! There's nothing wrong with me!"

"People who are fine don't talk like that," Glory replied coolly. "A normal person would say something like, 'I'm good, thanks.'"

"I'm good. Thanks!" Gwen shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She grabbed her jacket and stood up abruptly. "Happy now?"

"Mhm~ I'm perfectly fine, too," Glory responded with a smug shrug.

Frustration swelled in Gwen's chest as she stormed out.

This suffocating world—a world where no one could understand her—felt more unbearable with every passing second.

Maybe this is what they mean by 'once you've seen the ocean, even rivers feel shallow.'

"Honestly, I don't get you," Glory's voice called after her.

"Clearly!" Gwen snapped without looking back, pushing open the rehearsal room door.

The bustling world outside unfolded before her, people coming and going, but as the wind brushed past, all she felt was a crushing sense of loneliness.

The warm sunlight overhead felt like a dark veil draped across her heart, layering shadow upon shadow within her.

"Are you sure it's her?"

Across the street, in a nearby building, two shadowy figures stood by a window, watching Gwen.

"It's her."

"Ninety percent sure."

(End of Chapter)

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