Gwen and Little Gwen

Gwen and Little Gwen

On the bookstore's seventh-floor balcony, Russell lay shirtless in a wooden rocking chair.

Basking in the sun, eating cantaloupe, utterly at ease.

+1, +1, +1

After the panel reached its second tier, the rate at which the Energy Absorption talent absorbed Physical Energy had greatly increased.

Russell could now be considered a humanoid, self-propelled, thermostatic air conditioner—warm in winter and cool in summer.

Unfortunately, his Physique could not improve wildly just by basking in the sun like a Kryptonian's.

After all, their fundamental natures were different.

For Russell, sunlight was an energy source.

For Kryptonians, sunlight was a catalyst that stimulated them to develop their physical potential.

Even more regrettably, Natural Energy was still less efficient than Magical Energy at converting into Attribute Points.

But it had the advantage of being a steady, continuous stream.

"Russell, Mr. Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D. is here to see you."

"Mmm... let him come over."

Russell answered lazily, remaining sprawled in his chair without any intention of getting up to greet him.

"Mr. Coulson, forgive my discourtesy."

Russell voiced an apology, though there was not much apology in his tone.

As he spoke, Russell pointed to another rocking chair nearby.

"Lying on one of these is incredibly comfortable. Want to try it too?"

"Just call me Coulson, Russell."

The moment Coulson spoke, he drew the distance between them closer. "This is a gift from S.H.I.E.L.D."

Before Coulson arrived, S.H.I.E.L.D. had already investigated Russell and Gwen from top to bottom.

Although there were many things about Russell's behavior that they could not understand, a few points were certain.

First, there was something wrong with Russell's identity records.

Second, Russell was connected to Kamar-Taj.

Third, Russell possessed formidable combat power and was controllable.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had received intelligence that an accident during a military experiment several years ago had created a powerful Green Giant.

But this Green Giant was almost impossible to control.

If deployed in battle, he would likely smash his allies first.

Russell accepted Coulson's gift.

A complete set of identity documents,

and Beautiful Country citizenship.

"Get me a Green Card instead. My homeland doesn't allow dual citizenship."

Russell pushed the documents back, clearly uninterested.

Coulson accepted them back in confusion.

Though Russell had Asian features,

based on the information they had gathered, S.H.I.E.L.D. suspected that Russell was most likely not from Earth.

Even if Russell was an Earthling, judging from where he had been active, he did not seem to be from Eastern Country.

As for the other small countries in Asia, that was even less likely.

Though puzzled, Coulson still agreed. "All right."

"Russell, may I ask what you think of S.H.I.E.L.D.—"

"Wait." Russell interrupted him. "Today is Halloween Night. It's Sunday. It's a day off."

"All right, then happy Halloween Night in advance, Russell. S.H.I.E.L.D. has much to deal with, so I'll be on my way."

Coulson tactfully took his leave.

He understood what Russell meant. It was a polite refusal to join S.H.I.E.L.D.

People from Kamar-Taj truly were not easy to approach, but there was no rush.

Even if a deal could not be made, goodwill remained.

As long as Russell stayed in New York, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have plenty of chances to win him over.

Russell sighed. Though he was an orphan, he still missed home a little.

Before he knew it, the sun had dipped westward, and dusk had arrived.

"Russell, get up and put on some clothes. Time for the party."

Gwen came to the balcony to urge Russell along. "How did you sleep for so long? Are you worn out?"

Although they had taken part in the battle to encircle the Vampires at dawn, exhausting plenty of stamina and disrupting their sleep,

they were superhumans. Their physical fitness and recovery speed far surpassed those of ordinary people.

It was not like they were weaklings such as Tony Stark.

Who got drained from staying up late.

"What, Gwen? Want to test it out?" Russell got up and put on his clothes, eager to give it a try.

He had not forgotten being subjected to Gwen's "Domestic Violence" a few days ago.

Gwen shook her head. She had no desire to get herself beaten up.

Though she did not know why Russell had suddenly become stronger, his physical abilities now completely outclassed hers in every respect.

"If you're fine, then let's go. Oh, right, did you prepare your costume and candy?"

"My costume is always ready."

"So that means you didn't prepare any candy?"

"I trust that reliable Gwen has definitely prepared some for me."

Night fell, and the party began as scheduled.

This time, Russell wore the Mage's Three-Piece Set.

A Wizard Hat, a Yellow Robe, and a staff.

Gwen, meanwhile, wore her Spider Suit and appeared as Ghost-Spider herself.

"Look, it's Ghost-Spider!"

Spider-Man truly was New York City residents' good friend.

Gwen had been in this world for less than a month, yet she had already become somewhat famous in New York.

Following the voice, they saw Eileen, dressed as a mage, waving at them.

As promised, The Ancient One had cured the racial drawbacks of her Vampire nature while preserving her Physique.

A blessing in disguise, Eileen had become a Mini Superman.

"Trick or treat."

Russell felt something bump against his leg and looked down.

A little blonde girl in a Ghost Cape.

Mini Gwen!

"Here you go, Little Gwen."

Russell took out the candy Gwen had prepared and handed it to Little Gwen.

After taking the candy, Little Gwen tilted up her tiny face and asked,

"How did you know I'm Gwen? And why are you calling me Little Gwen?"

"Because there's another Big Gwen here."

Russell raised a hand and pointed at Gwen beside him.

"Hello, Little Gwen."

Gwen crouched down, meeting Little Gwen's gaze at eye level with a smile.

"I'm Gwen too. Gwen Stacy."

"You're Gwen Stacy too? We have the same name!"

Little Gwen exclaimed.

"Huh? We look alike too!"

"Gwen, why did you run over here?"

A young woman hurried over from not far away.

She looked remarkably like Gwen, only more mature and voluptuous.

Helen!

The vague memories Gwen had of her mother rapidly became clear.

She had to be Helen!

"Mommy~" Little Gwen whined sweetly. "I heard Ghost-Spider was here, so I came to take a look."

"Even so, you should have told me or George first." Helen scolded.

After mildly reprimanding Little Gwen, Helen looked at Russell and Gwen and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Gwen, she... Huh? Are you the niece George mentioned, the one who looks a lot like me?"

Helen looked at Gwen, who was staring at her in a daze. Seemingly realizing something, she asked quietly,

"You're Gwen, aren't you? Gwen from another world?"

Gwen stared blankly at Helen, her eyes moist. "Yes, I'm Gwen. Mom."

Gwen could not help stepping forward and hugging Helen.

Helen gently patted Gwen's back, comforting her. "You must have suffered a lot over the years, haven't you?"

More than ten years ago, Helen often had a dream.

In that dream, she had a warm and loving family.

Her husband was valiant and handsome, a police officer.

Her daughter was well-behaved and adorable, with blonde hair.

Later, she met George and gave birth to a daughter.

Only then did she remember the dream and tell George about it.

The two of them believed it was God's guidance.

It was not until now, upon seeing Gwen, that Helen remembered how the dream ended.

She died, and George raised Gwen alone.

Watching Gwen and Helen embrace, Russell quietly left, giving them space to be alone.

And while he was at it, he took away an unexpected visitor.

Iron Man, Tony Stark.

The contract has been signed. Updates will remain steady from now on, so please keep reading.