[Description: The suit introduces various new artificial web modes and integrates symbiote cells, allowing the activation of “Venom” mode. This mode unlocks some of the symbiote’s abilities without side effects. Duration and attribute boosts depend on the user’s physical limits.]
As he studied the description of the new nano-suit, Xia Luo raised his hand to adjust the web-shooting device.
The new nano-suit could use an artificial web-shooting device, one of its various web modes being the “explosive” mode, which Xia Luo had just used to handle the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. In an instant, it unleashed all the stored artificial web protein in his wrist device, indiscriminately ensnaring all nearby opponents. For a strength-based Spider-Man, this move was simple, brutal, and highly effective.
While Xia Luo didn’t yet qualify as a strength-based Spider-Man, his powers were on par with an average Spider-Man’s, which was more than enough to deal with ordinary people or weaker enemies.
As for the other web modes, Xia Luo was still in the process of exploring them.
The methods for creating artificial web fluid and web-shooting devices were stored in the nano-suit’s AI chip, allowing him to mass-produce replacements whenever necessary and switch out the wrist web-shooting devices accordingly.
When “Venom” mode was activated, the symbiote’s various abilities would further enhance Xia Luo’s combat effectiveness.
Recalling the invincible power he experienced when the symbiote possessed him during the resurrection match, Xia Luo still felt a lingering thrill.
His base strength of twelve tons had instantly surged beyond one hundred tons, a more than tenfold increase that left him craving more.
But the drawback was that it made him increasingly “uncontrollable.” While it undeniably made him stronger, it could also lead to unpredictable consequences.
Losing control at a critical moment could spell disaster.
Though activating “Venom” mode supposedly had no side effects, Xia Luo couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Shaking his head, he brushed the thought aside.
Eleven resurrection matches meant eleven days had passed in the main world. He wondered how things were back home.
Uncle Ben and Aunt May were probably worried sick.
This time, there was no Green Goblin to help “cover things up.”
With that thought, Xia Luo shot a web and swung into the night, speeding toward Queens.
As he passed by Palma Street, an ATM exploded on the roadside.
“Boom!”
“Beep, beep, beep!”
In an instant, alarms blared as two masked men ignored the onlookers and kicked the broken ATM, hurriedly stuffing the cash into their backpacks.
“Hurry up, he’ll be here soon,” one of them said.
“Who cares? Those patrol guys are long gone. They won’t get here in time,” the other scoffed.
“I’m talking about Spider-Man. He used to be active around here.”
“He hasn’t shown up in over ten days. I heard Stark blew him up. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“People also thought he died at the hands of the Green Goblin last time, but who knows if that’s even true?”
Their movements were quick and practiced. In no time, the ATM was emptied into their bags.
Under the streetlight, a red-and-blue figure hung upside down in midair.
“Hey, who told you I was dead?” Xia Luo said casually.
The moment his voice rang out, the two men froze in place.
“Shit, it’s Spider-Man!”
“He’s alive after all!”
“Run!”
“Nope!”
In the blink of an eye, the two would-be robbers found themselves suspended upside down from the streetlight, just like Spider-Man.
“Damn it, Spider-Man! Let us go!” one of them yelled.
“Bruce, shut up! We should be begging for mercy!” the other hissed.
“I know.”
“But you still look so defiant!”
“Can’t help it, I was born this way.”
As the two bickered back and forth, Xia Luo could only sigh, hands on his hips.
Now he knew what it was like to deal with chatterboxes.
Slap!
He gave each of them a swift smack. “Now, before you start babbling again, answer my question. Who said Stark killed Spider-Man?”
Xia Luo frowned. He had no connections with this world’s Tony Stark, and there was no reason for Stark to target him.
He asked a few more questions, then swiftly swung up to the rooftops, leaving the two suspended thieves behind.
Now that he had a lead, he needed to figure out who had tried to kill him.
Before long, he arrived at Stark Tower.
At that moment, the building was surrounded by a horde of reporters, making it nearly impossible to get through.
It was clear that they had just caught wind of the situation.
“Whoosh!”
Taking advantage of the commotion, Xia Luo slipped over the reporters’ heads and scaled the glass facade of the tower with his hands and feet.
In no time, he reached the top floor of the tower.
This was Tony’s private area, outfitted with all kinds of entertainment facilities and a luxurious infinity pool.
Normally, this place was bustling with activity, but now it was eerily silent.
Tap
Xia Luo landed lightly on the floor, glancing at the colorful lights around the pool. His eyes locked onto a green hoverboard casually placed next to the garden.
It was Norman’s glider!
Xia Luo frowned, starting to piece things together.
“Hey, Spider-Man. So you’re really alive.”
A voice came from inside the room. Dressed in black, Harry Osborn stepped out, raising his glass of wine in a gesture of greeting.
“Care for a drink?” he asked with a smile.
Eyeing Harry, Xia Luo raised his hands. “Sorry, I couldn’t protect your father’s body.”
Harry shook his head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. At least it’s not in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s hands.”
He walked over to a lounge chair and sat down. “I’m glad you’re still alive. I heard from Coulson that you were brought back to life,” Harry said, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Sitting by the pool, Xia Luo let his legs dangle in the water.
“Something like that.”
Harry took a sip of his wine. “That’s one hell of an ability. I’m kind of envious.”
Although Harry wore a faint smile, there was a hint of bitterness beneath it.
Since his father’s death, Harry had matured a lot, no longer the sunny, carefree boy he used to be.
“Let’s get to the point,” Xia Luo suddenly said.
Hearing this, Harry’s expression turned serious. “Alright. I’ve joined S.H.I.E.L.D. They’ve assigned me to capture you. This is my first mission.”
He gestured to the nearby hoverboard. “I’ve found the armor my father left in the lab. Even though I haven’t taken the genetic serum, I’m still a match for you.”
Xia Luo lay down by the pool, resting his hands behind his head, completely unguarded.
“So, what’s next?”
Seeing Xia Luo’s nonchalant attitude, Harry chuckled. “You seem to know me pretty well.”
“Maybe. You purposely leaked the story about Stark to lure me here, didn’t you?”
Harry nodded. “Yes. You’re Spider-Man. You’d continue to fight the city’s villains. If they knew, you’d know.”
“You’re clever.”
Xia Luo grinned. “So, what’s your next move?”
Setting his glass down, Harry mimicked Xia Luo by sitting at the pool’s edge.
“For the sake of OsCorp, to keep the secret that my father was the Green Goblin, and to perfect the genetic serum, I agreed to join S.H.I.E.L.D.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to betray my friends. I just wanted to talk to you. I have no intention of being your enemy.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Luo’s legs stopped kicking the water for a moment.
“Friends?” He sat up, looking at Harry.
This guy was smart—really smart. But was he really that smart?
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