Bab 123: Restart, Spider-Man! [123] [DDD!]
December Double Drop!
---
After their totems touched, the spider symbol on Xia Luo's chest seemed stuck to Gwen's pink totem, like they were bound together. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push Gwen away.
Or rather, his body wouldn't allow him to.
When Spider-Men of different genders encountered each other, things got… complicated.
Unlike Gwen, though, he still had control over his mind.
As she pressed in closer, he could only hold her back with his hands, trying to keep her face from nuzzling up against his.
With all these people watching, how was he ever going to live this down in the multiverse?
And yes, the audience was growing.
"Peter, stop!"
A booming voice echoed as an older Steve Rogers landed behind Lizard Parker, his arms locking around the younger man's mutated body.
"Calm down, kid. There's nothing to be upset about—after all, our little Spidey here is quite the looker. It's no wonder she likes him."
"What?"
Lizard Parker's sobs grew more gut-wrenching. "No! Stop talking! This is awful… I'll tear him apart! Agh! It hurts!"
Struggling even harder, he forced Old Steve to tighten his grip.
Riiiip!
In an instant, the Captain's suit stretched over his bulging muscles, releasing an earth-shaking force of 20 tons that completely overpowered Lizard Parker.
"Spidey, there are too many people around here. I've got some cash in my pocket—why don't you take her next door? There's a hotel," Old Steve called over to Xia Luo.
Xia Luo: "…"
"Shut up. That's not happening."
"What? I never took you for this type, kid. Young people are so… intense."
Old Steve averted his gaze. "Fine, but hurry up—I won't peek."
Switching to a single-handed hold on Lizard Parker's neck, he discreetly pulled out a small mirror from his pocket.
Xia Luo: "…"
This guy was shameless.
Finally, Carter arrived on the rooftop, albeit clumsily, having used the web-shooters. Her expression twisted slightly at the bizarre scene before her.
Turning away, she muttered, "If I'm not mistaken, you're not interested in men, are you?" She side-eyed Old Steve.
The elder Captain's face darkened. "The guy I'm holding here likes that girl. Spidey stole his girl, so as a friend, I'm obligated to back him up."
Carter raised an eyebrow. "I'm not interested in your love triangle, but killing him over this seems a bit much."
"Killing?"
Realizing what he was doing, Old Steve quickly released his grip.
"Cough, cough…"
Free to breathe, Lizard Parker gulped down air, lying on the ground with a look of utter defeat.
He stared up at the cloudy night sky, Xia Luo's "protests" reaching his ears, and his imagination painted a scene of unspeakable heartbreak.
Tears of despair slid down his cheeks.
Chomp chomp
Suddenly, a magical sigil shimmered in the air, and a small, red-and-blue spider jumped onto Gwen's shoulder, sinking its tiny fangs into her skin.
Buzz!
Gwen's eyes rolled back as she fainted, the pink spider totem fading. Finally, Xia Luo managed to push her off.
"Phew…"
Xia Luo exhaled in relief. "That was close. Almost had a live broadcast there," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Chitter chitter
The little spider leapt into his hand, bobbing its tiny head proudly, as if awaiting praise.
"Good job, little buddy. I'll get you a drumstick tonight."
Tapping the little spider's head, Xia Luo offered yet another promise he had no intention of fulfilling.
"Your pet can join the revival match, too?" Carter asked, clearly intrigued.
Xia Luo placed the tiny spider on his head and spread his arms wide.
"It's my loyal companion. Wherever I go, it goes."
As a summoned creature, the little spider went wherever Xia Luo did.
He glanced at Lizard Parker, who, upon seeing Gwen safely pushed aside, wiped his tears and charged at Xia Luo.
"You jerk! You don't get to treat her like that! I'll tear you to pieces!"
Boom!
Xia Luo raised his hand, catching Lizard Parker's incoming punch.
"Did transforming make you lose your brain cells?" he scoffed, staring the reptilian Peter down.
"What?" Lizard Parker blinked in confusion.
Carter chimed in, "Your girlfriend probably lost control for some reason, and it has nothing to do with Xia Luo."
"He doesn't have a girlfriend," Xia Luo whispered to Carter.
Carter: "…"
With her explanation, Lizard Parker gradually calmed down.
Especially after he caught a glimpse of Carter herself.
Whoosh
A gentle breeze played through Carter's hair, a faint fragrance reaching his nose.
In an instant, his anger melted away, along with his reptilian features. The green skin faded, and his claws retracted, as he returned to his normal form.
Since his revival, he had gained mastery over his Lizard transformation.
Seeing this, Old Steve leaned in towards Xia Luo.
"This one's no saint."
Xia Luo nodded. "Any beautiful woman is his perfect tranquilizer."
"Let me try something, then."
Hearing this, Felicia perked up.
A confident smirk crossed her lips as she flipped her hair, ready to strut over and work her charm on Lizard Parker.
"Get out of here. You were the one hiding the farthest away," Xia Luo said, pushing Felicia's face aside and turning to Old Steve. "She's no saint, either."
Felicia: "…"
Old Steve nodded thoughtfully. "True, but we're superheroes. We look beyond appearances."
"And what's your plan?" Xia Luo raised an eyebrow.
Old Steve took on a serious expression. "I'll rely on my instincts… my nose never lies."
"Alright then, take a sniff."
Xia Luo held out his hand in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Old Steve asked, puzzled.
Xia Luo grinned. "I touched her earlier. Smelling my hand is just as good."
Old Steve's face stiffened. This was not what he had in mind.
"No way, I'm not smelling that. I saw you picking your nose earlier."
"Defamation! Slander!"
"You two talk too much," Carter muttered, rolling her eyes as she walked over to Gwen, kneeling to lift her gently.
"We should get out of here before the other participants find us."
"Agreed."
The group quickly left the scene.
Shortly after, blood-red tendrils slithered across the rooftop.
Taking in the aftermath, Hydra Steve's gaze settled on the lifeless green figure slumped over in the water tank.
Splash
Bucky stepped forward, pulling Norman's body out to examine it.
"There's web residue. Fatal injury was to the face—killed by a punch."
Hydra Steve studied the broken demon mask on Norman's face, frowning.
"It has to be Spider-Man. Only he's got that kind of power, and those webs must be his."
Bucky nodded grimly. "We're short on intel, but one thing's clear—Xia Luo Parker's definitely with the Save Team. If we want to take him down, we'll need to team up with the Neutral Team. Otherwise, we're no match for him."
At the mention of Xia Luo Parker, Hydra Steve clenched his jaw.
"That useless Norman, dying right at the start. Let's hope the electric guy and the big lizard don't make a scene, or they'll end up just like him."
Bucky, however, had a different perspective.
"Steve, our mission is to destroy this world. We don't actually need their help to accomplish that."
"Oh?" Hydra Steve raised an eyebrow.
Bucky looked at him. "Remember the last revival match?"
"Of course I do."
Recalling the frustration of that last revival match, Hydra Steve's face darkened.
"He had way too much help. Otherwise, I would have… I see it now."
Mid-sentence, realization dawned on him.
"Hahaha, exactly. If he can get help, then so can we."
He laughed darkly. "Hydra is everywhere. In the end, only we will be victorious.
Once I'm revived, Xia Luo Parker will understand true cruelty.
No, he'll never know—because he'll be forever trapped in the nightmare of these revival matches."
---
Queens, in a rundown apartment building.
After a brief discussion, the group decided to head to Lizard Parker's place.
Creak... groan...
Following Lizard Parker, the group made their way up the rickety wooden stairs, each step accompanied by ominous creaks as if the steps themselves were on the verge of giving up.
"Are you sure these stairs are safe?"
Old Man Steve tiptoed up, every step taken with a nervous glance downward.
Ahead of him, Lizard Parker turned, offering an embarrassed grin. "It's fine; they've held up all these years without any problem."
"It's fine, but... it's a bit cramped."
Just then, the apartment door swung open, and Xia Luo waved a hand from inside. "Got the door open for you guys. No need to thank me."
Lizard Parker: "..."
"How'd you know which one was his?" asked Carter, who was carrying Gwen.
Xia Luo shrugged. "Just took a guess. The smallest, messiest, most run-down room? Had to be his."
Lizard Parker: "…"
He scowled, crossing his arms. "Xia Luo Parker, I hate you."
Feigning sadness, Xia Luo spread his hands. "Aw, come on, Mr. Lizard, that's not what you said last time."
"I've always hated you."
"No, I distinctly remember you forgiving me."
"Never happened. I never said that."
"Maybe you just forgot."
Their banter continued as everyone squeezed into the cramped room. Carter cleared a pile of clothes from the bed and gently laid Gwen down.
Lizard Parker's face turned crimson as he watched.
"I'll, uh, just tidy up a bit... Make yourselves at home."
He made a clumsy attempt to straighten the place, but a loud knock at the door shattered the brief calm.
"Peter Parker! You're three months behind on rent!" the landlord bellowed from outside.
Instantly, Lizard Parker's face flushed an even deeper shade of red.
Mortified, he gestured for everyone to stay quiet.
"If he thinks no one's here, he'll leave on his own," he whispered.
Everyone exchanged glances.
Peter Parker's life was even more tragic than they'd imagined.
But the landlord's next words were a new level of humiliation.
"Peter Parker, I know you're back. I heard footsteps. You brought people over—I'll be adding a fine to your rent. Now you owe me four months. I'm not leaving until you pay up!"
Hearing this, Lizard Parker looked like he was ready to sink into the floor.
Old Man Steve leaned closer to Xia Luo, snickering. "Trying to date while being broke? What a joke."
Xia Luo side-eyed him. "Watch it, or you might regret that."
"Why?"
"Because I feel personally attacked."
"Oops, sorry. Forgot you're broke too."
For the first time in ages, Old Man Steve was feeling pretty good about himself. "I've been living off my retirement pension for years."
Felicia scoffed. "Ever lived in a castle, Captain Grandpa?"
Old Man Steve: "…"
After a beat, he replied, "No, but I have blown one up."
Felicia: "..."
This old man was tougher to deal with than she'd thought.
"Can we all be quiet?"
Carter whispered, glancing at Gwen. "This girl hasn't woken up yet."
Xia Luo thought for a moment, then placed the small spider from his head onto Gwen's arm.
Chitter chitter
Just as the tiny spider bared its fangs to bite, Gwen jerked awake, scooting up against the headboard in alarm.
"No, I'm up—I'm up!"
"Faking it?" Carter smirked.
Gwen curled up, hugging her knees and staring down, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Yeah..." she mumbled, barely audible.
Clearly, she remembered what had happened earlier. No doubt, it was a mortifying memory.
"Oh, my mask—"
She reached for her face, only to find it had already been removed.
Seeing Gwen's panic, Carter offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I took it off without asking, but don't worry—we can trade secrets."
Gwen shook her head. "No need. I overheard earlier... You guys aren't from this world, are you?"
Steeling herself, she looked up at them.
"You're here to save this world, but you don't know what danger we're facing, do you?"
Xia Luo nodded. "That's right. I was hoping you could tell us more about this world."
The danger in this universe, he knew, wouldn't come from the other participants. Otherwise, this revival match would be far too easy.
And hearing mention of this crisis, Gwen's earlier shyness melted away.
Her expression turned serious. "I might have some information that could help you."
"Spill it!" Felicia demanded, unable to contain her impatience.
Old Man Steve shook his head. "First time in a revival match, huh? Way too hasty."
Xia Luo rolled his eyes. "Already acting like a seasoned pro, are we? Who got you through your last match, huh?"
"Fine, fine, I admit it. All thanks to you."
Old Man Steve smirked. "And your skills... so, so useful."
Unfazed by the jab, Xia Luo gave a knowing look to the silent Lizard Parker.
"Sure, but if we're talking unforgettable memories, you and someone's Titanic adventure definitely tops the list."
"You—you—you—!"
Old Man Steve's face turned beet red. Lizard Parker, apparently recalling something, clenched his teeth but dared not speak up.
Even Carter knew about this, but she didn't feel like joking around.
Her gaze fixed on Gwen. "Please, tell us—what's the danger facing this world?"
Gwen took a deep breath.
"It's the Sinister Six. I managed to put them away, but recently, every one of them broke out of prison. I think there's a dangerous enemy behind all of this, orchestrating their escape."
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
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