Monday.
Peter and Gwen finished their classes for the day, carrying their backpacks as they strolled through the campus of Empire State University.
The handsome young man and the beautiful girl attracted quite a few glances.
"Peter, you seem really happy?"
Gwen looked at him curiously.
"Not really, I'm always like this, aren't I?"
"Something's off."
"You've been smiling all day. Tell me, what's got you so happy?"
Gwen was very curious. Although Peter was generally optimistic, it was rare to see him smiling all day long.
It was as if he had won the lottery.
"Mr. Stark invited me to his company and promised me a team leader position once I graduate. He even said I could start interning there soon!"
"That's it?"
If this had happened before, Gwen would have been thrilled, but now she found it rather ordinary.
After all, Peter was already a college student with a net worth of over a hundred million.
But Gwen didn't want to dampen his spirits.
When it came to her boyfriend, she always made sure to provide emotional value.
"That's amazing, Peter! You're such a great boyfriend!"
"Let's go out and celebrate with some good food!"
Peter smiled and nodded.
What truly made him happy wasn't the job offer from Stark Industries.
It was the fact that his points had accumulated to 199,800!
He was just 200 points away from unlocking the Homelander template!
Once he had it, his physical abilities and various powers would see a massive boost!
No more lying low and developing cautiously.
So, after dinner, he planned to hit the streets for some action.
After eating, the two returned home, and Peter made an excuse to go out.
"Gwen, I just remembered that a classmate asked me to help him with his homework. You know, not everyone is as talented as we are."
"Since when did you become so narcissistic, Peter?"
"Alright, go ahead."
Gwen walked Peter to the door, giving him a quick kiss.
Then, with a soft click, she closed the door.
Gwen's face was flushed with excitement.
Living with Peter was indeed wonderful—life was sweet and full of happiness.
But it had been a while since she last donned her combat suit and swung through the air.
And she missed fighting crime!
This city needed Spider-Woman!
"Please!!"
"I'll give you all the money, just don't hurt my family!!"
In a back alley in Manhattan, New York.
A man who appeared to be of Indian descent was holding a knife, eyeing a white couple in front of him.
His gaze lingered on the woman.
"Just giving me money isn't enough!"
"I like your wife!"
Before the man could react, a yellow laser shot down from the sky.
Instantly, the criminal's head exploded.
[You have punished a criminal. +300 points.]
Peter immediately returned home.
He had been waiting for this moment for a long time!
Without hesitation, he unlocked the Homelander template.
[You have unlocked the Homelander template.]
[Gained ability: Steel Body]
[Your body density has significantly increased. Even bullets will have no effect on you.]
[Gained ability: Heat Vision]
[Your heat vision, combined with your electric eyes, can produce even more powerful energy. While it hasn't reached the level of true heat rays, Homelander is no longer your match!]
[Gained ability: Super Smell]
[Gained ability: Super Speed]
[Gained ability: Super Strength]
[Gained ability: Flight]
[Due to your existing Rooster Talisman, Ox Talisman, and Rabbit Talisman, the combination of new abilities has created a 1+1>2 effect!]
[Gained ability: Super Brain]
[Your intelligence doesn't need improvement, but your reaction speed has greatly increased. To put it simply, your body is like a computer with top-tier hardware, but your processor was an i3. Now, it's been upgraded to an i7.]
[Gained ability: Bio-Field]
[Due to template limitations, your bio-field can cover a radius of half a meter.]
[To upgrade, spend points or unlock the Silver Superman template.]
[Gained ability: Dairy Consumption]
[Dairy products can quickly restore your energy.]
Threads of white light surged into Peter's body.
He immediately felt every cell in his body brimming with vitality!
It was hard to describe—it was like someone who had pulled an all-nighter suddenly getting a full night's sleep!
[Store purchase permissions upgraded. Silver Superman template now available for 300,000 points.]
Only 300,000?
Peter was stunned. He had thought the template would cost 500,000 or 600,000 points.
But now, he wasn't in a hurry.
Previously, he had been saving points because the Yan Shuangying template was somewhat lacking.
But now, with the Homelander template, he was essentially a mini-Superman. On Earth, there were probably fewer than a handful of people who could kill him.
With that thought, Peter couldn't hold back any longer!
Standing in his backyard, he looked up at the sky. With a boom, a shockwave erupted beneath his feet, and he shot into the sky like a rocket!
His speed had greatly increased, and his physical abilities had reached superhuman levels!
Before, when flying to certain heights, his body would feel the cold and the lack of oxygen.
But now, he felt nothing at all!!
Just one step away—just one step!
Peter could leave Earth's atmosphere.
Unfortunately, Homelander's abilities were limited compared to a true Superman. But if he had the real Superman template, the level of power would be unimaginable.
After circling the Earth, Peter returned home, his excitement still hard to contain.
He opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of yogurt, and leaned back on the couch, ready to watch some TV to calm down.
But as soon as he turned on the TV, an emergency news broadcast made Peter's expression twist like the "confused old man" meme.
"What the hell?!"
"What's going on?!"
On the TV, a frantic female reporter was broadcasting live from what looked like a chaotic scene.
"They've attacked the Chicago government!!"
"They're a group of terrorists!!"
In the footage, a man in a dark green combat suit, with what looked like a tail attached to his back, was attacking pedestrians.
Behind him were several masked individuals.
"We are the followers of the Punisher!!"
"We will overthrow all rules!!!"
Peter: "?????"
Are you kidding me???
Using my name to commit crimes?
Tarnishing my reputation?
Also, he recognized the guy in the ridiculous combat suit!
If he wasn't mistaken, this guy was a member of the Sinister Six—Scorpion!
His real name was Mac Gargan, a private detective. In the comics, he had investigated Spider-Man and caused him a lot of trouble.
But this world was a mix of too many comic storylines.
Peter wasn't sure if this guy was following the original plot.
But seriously, what's wrong with him?
If you're going to cause trouble, why use my name?!
Peter quickly changed into his suit and headed for Chicago!
Meanwhile, at Oscorp Tower.
The brooding Green Goblin turned off the TV.
He turned to Harry, who was equally crazed and wearing a Green Goblin suit.
"That Punisher won't expect that the attack in Chicago was our doing!"
While in the sanatorium, the Green Goblin had devised the entire plan.
Every time they fought Spider-Woman, that Punisher would show up.
So this time, they would lure him away first!!
Lure him to a city in the western United States!
As for that meddlesome Spider-Woman, just cause a bit of chaos in New York, and she'll definitely come to interfere!
"Get ready, Harry!"
"We're going to wreak havoc in this city!!"
With that, Norman Osborn put on his mask.
He charged at the window, shattering it, and landed smoothly on his bat-winged glider.
Harry, connected to green liquid tubes, followed closely behind!
He didn't hate anyone—he hated the world!
Since he was going to die, he wouldn't let anyone else live peacefully!
If he could capture Spider-Woman, great. If not, he'd take as many people down with him as possible.
Chicago.
Mac Gargan was having the time of his life!
Bullets couldn't harm him in his combat suit!!
He never imagined he'd have a day like this!
A few months ago, before Norman Osborn was arrested.
The New York government had hired him to investigate Spider-Woman, study her abilities, and turn them into biological weapons for the government.
But how easy was it to find someone who wore a mask all the time?
While conducting research on spiders, he entered Oscorp and met Norman Osborn.
Perhaps Norman saw the ruthlessness in him.
The two exchanged contact information.
Later, Norman Osborn was arrested.
Until three days ago, when Norman escaped from prison.
He contacted Mac and gave him an invincible combat suit!
Along with tens of millions of dollars, his mission was simple: cause chaos in any city in the western United States, create a nationwide disturbance!
Use the Punisher's name to do evil!
No risk, no reward!
Besides, with the combat suit provided by Oscorp, Mac had nothing to fear!
This suit was incredibly powerful, giving him immense strength!
He could easily rip a fire hydrant out of the ground!
His tail was highly aggressive!
It could launch tear gas, sulfuric acid, lasers, bullets, and even be used as a flail to crush enemies!
"We are the followers of the Punisher! We will destroy the world!"
Scorpion's tail lashed out, sending a police officer flying.
The surrounding ruins were the result of his collaboration with local gangs.
Gangs and the government were natural enemies, and with Oscorp's support, they had no fear!
Just then, a loud boom!
Dust and debris were blown away from a central point!
Peter descended from the sky!
One knee landed on the ground, cracking the pavement beneath him.
Scorpion was shocked. He had expected the Punisher to show up.
But not this quickly!
"Dammit! It's the Punisher! Let's get out of here!!!"
Scorpion shouted.
Although the suit gave him superhuman strength.
There was no way he could take on the Punisher!
The guy could shoot lasers from his eyes and fly!
Scorpion knew that if he was caught, he wouldn't survive, so he turned and ran without hesitation.
Osborn had given him a lot of money.
But he didn't want to be one of those fools who earned money but had no life to spend it!
"Where do you think you're going?"
Peter appeared in front of Scorpion in an instant, his eyes glowing red, veins bulging on his forehead, as if he was about to blast through Scorpion at any moment.
Scorpion broke out in a cold sweat.
He wasn't sure if his suit could withstand heat vision.
So!
"Die, Punisher!!!"
Scorpion struck first, his tail's heavy hammer smashing toward Peter's chest!
Boom
It was like an egg hitting a rock!
All the technology in Scorpion's tail shattered into pieces.
The tear gas inside exploded, and sulfuric acid dripped down Peter's clothes.
Thanks to his bio-field.
Even the most ordinary clothes couldn't be damaged by Scorpion's high-tech weapons.
"Is this all you've got, daring to use my name for evil?"
"I don't know where you got the courage!"
Peter threw a punch, and Scorpion's pupils contracted. His gaze slowly dropped.
The protective suit on his chest had been pierced, and so had his body.
Blood flowed like a waterfall.
It wouldn't stop pouring out.
Scorpion wanted to say something, but all his words were stuck in his throat.
Blood had already risen to his throat.
With his last bit of strength, before his consciousness completely faded, he took one last look at the Punisher.
In his hand was a heart.
A warm heart, still steaming, even twitching slightly.
Splat!
It was crushed!
Scorpion collapsed to the ground!
He was gone from this world.
Peter casually tossed Scorpion's heart aside.
Before, the Ox Talisman had given him immense strength.
But now, he had a body of steel.
In the past, with similar physical composition, he could only send Scorpion flying.
But now, he could punch straight through his body.
Meanwhile, the gang members who had been causing chaos in front of Chicago City Hall were now fleeing in all directions!
Terrified of being caught and killed by Peter!
They guessed right—Peter had no intention of letting them go!
He flew into the air, his crimson eyes glowing with terrifying light!
With each blast, a gang member fell.
His super brain locked onto each of their movements.
With every kill, the system's voice in his ear provided a new notification.
[+200 points...]
[+300 points...]
[You are about to achieve the "Killing Spree" accomplishment...]
Having just purchased the Homelander template, Peter's points were nearly depleted.
It was time to take this opportunity to earn some more!
On this day, the gangs of Chicago were nearly wiped out!!!
At the same time.
New York.
Under her mask, Gwen yawned.
Why was New York so peaceful now?
She couldn't even find a car thief on the streets.
Just a few months ago, theft and robbery were everywhere.
Gwen swung from building to building, finding nothing.
"Guess I'll just go home."
"Hehe, I bought a new set of pajamas. I'll wear them for Peter when I get back."
But just as Gwen was about to leave, a cry for help caught her attention.
On the street below, a black man was holding a knife to a woman.
It looked like a robbery!
This was exactly the kind of situation where Spider-Woman was needed!
Her black-and-white suit swung through the air!
Webs shot down from above, instantly lifting the robber into the air.
"No need to thank me, ma'am!"
"That's what your friendly neighborhood Spider-Woman does!!"
Just then, Gwen's spider-sense tingled.
A sinister voice suddenly reached her ears.
"I knew you couldn't resist meddling!"
The Green Goblin emerged from behind a building!
Gwen tried to swing away, but she noticed another figure dressed similarly to the Green Goblin.
Except he wasn't wearing a mask!
"Harry!"
The second-generation Green Goblin, Harry, was stunned.
"You know me?"
Everyone knew Harry was Norman Osborn's son, but that wasn't a secret.
But very few people had actually seen him!
He had only been to Midtown Tech High once!
He had transferred from abroad, gone to Midtown Tech to handle some paperwork, and never returned!
So who could possibly remember him so well?!
"Peter!"
"Peter's girlfriend!"
"He must have talked about me a lot!"
"You're Gwen!!"
After a brief moment of shock, Harry's eyes turned fierce!
"So Peter refused to capture Spider-Woman to protect you!"
"He treasures you!"
"My life is about to end!"
"Then let Peter taste the pain of loss too!!!"
Harry's glider activated, and he hurled a pumpkin bomb at Gwen!!