Spider-Man's Blood

"Prominent entrepreneur Norman Osborn announced today that he will run for a seat in this year's Federal election... Now let's connect with our on-site reporter to speak with Mr. Osborn."

"Mr. Osborn, we hear you're planning to enter politics. How do you view the war in Afghanistan? We know Osborn Enterprises has sold many groundbreaking pieces of equipment to the Military—does that mean you support the war?"

On screen, Norman Osborn paused to think, then spoke slowly: "Osborn Group is just a company. We don't judge wars. As for the high-tech equipment you mentioned, we simply want to protect the soldiers on the front lines—so that parents' children, children's parents, our brave troops, can come home. We have no other stance, and that's why we developed those tools."

"As for my move into politics, that's true. On that note, I'm a hands-on businessman. I don't make pretty speeches, but I can tell you something concrete: Osborn Group has just signed a slum redevelopment contract with New York City."

"In the future, we'll build elementary and middle schools in major poor neighborhoods across New York—especially 'Hell's Kitchen,' a place with quite a reputation—and solve their employment problems, improving the locals' quality of life..."

On the television, Norman Osborn was laying out his grand vision. In his blueprint, these slums would shed their current state and no longer be New York City's garbage dump.

"See? I told you, Osborn Group isn't the kind of company you think it is."

Harry crossed his legs and said to Matt Murdock.

"But... what does that have to do with me?" This Daredevil was still a bit green. Harry had checked—Matt hadn't passed the bar exam yet.

Considering he was already active as Daredevil, Matt was probably just starting to accept the fact that "the law can't always punish criminals."

"It does. This is my bargaining chip with that mysterious man in black. Of course, whether he's willing to work with me or not, none of this is empty talk."

Matt was silent for a moment. Harry knew he was judging whether he was lying.

"...That man in black—do you know who he is?"

Harry smiled: "I do. He's your friend, and naturally mine too. After all, no one else came to help me that night, right?"

Matt frowned. Harry was lying.

"You know who he is."

"Yes, I do. So what does he say? I think this is basically a win-win. I work from the open side, he works from the shadows."

"...He agreed." Matt sighed. He knew he'd been exposed.

"Great!" Harry pulled a stack of contracts from his bag. "Then let's talk about working with you, Lawyer Matt Murdock."

"Me?" Matt was surprised. "Why me? Osborn Group has plenty of famous lawyers to choose from. Besides, I haven't passed the bar yet..."

Harry waved a hand and set the contract in front of Matt—never mind that he was blind.

"Come on, Mr. Murdock. We both know having a trustworthy lawyer is important. I don't want my lawyer secretly bought off or coerced, leaving me with a mess." Harry uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slightly. "I'll be blunt: I only trust you. And you can trust me—I don't have a pile of criminal records waiting for someone to dig up."

He wasn't lying. Matt's brows twisted like a pretzel.

But why?

Though he couldn't figure it out, they eventually reached an agreement. However, until Matt passed the bar exam, Osborn Group would only pay him half his salary—to sponsor him in setting up a legitimate law firm.

"Mr. Osborn, it's late. Let me drive you back."

Harry glanced outside. It was indeed late. Considering Kingpin was still watching him, he gladly accepted Matt's offer.

Sitting in the car, the atmosphere was heavy. Little secretary Heli was at a loss, and Harry felt uneasy too—normally, once back in the car, he'd relax.

Bang!

A gunshot broke the tension. The driver flinched, nearly crashing into the panicked crowd.

"Damn it..."

"It's not aimed at us. You'll get used to it—in Hell's Kitchen, this happens every day," Matt said flatly.

"I know, I know! But can you not talk to me in that tone? It's not my fault Hell's Kitchen is like this!" Harry was exasperated. Did he have to lecture him too?

"...The person shot seems to be alive... Stop the car!"

The driver glanced helplessly at Harry, who reluctantly signaled him to stop and call the police.

A crowd quickly gathered. While Matt chased the criminal, Harry moved closer to look. He wouldn't have bothered, but when he saw who was at the center, he froze.

"Holy crap, isn't that Uncle Ben?" Harry signaled the driver to move in as the crowd slowly parted.

Seeing Uncle Ben barely breathing, Harry felt a rare hesitation.

A big part of why Harry had gotten close to Peter was because he was Spider-Man. And everyone knew Uncle Ben's death largely shaped Spider-Man. If he saved Ben Parker here, would there still be a civilian hero called Spider-Man?

"...Call the biotech company. Tell them to send an ambulance here to save him."

In the end, Harry decided to save Ben Parker.

Because it suddenly clicked: letting an innocent old man die just to ensure a superhero's birth, to have one more powerful ally in the future—that made him feel powerless. Did he really have to wait for superheroes to grow up and then cling to their coattails when they were strong enough? That pissed him off.

If he bent to the plot and made decisions accordingly, what was the point of being a transmigrator?

"Saving one person... is just a small effort for Osborn Group. More things will get easier from here. I don't need to follow the plot at all," Harry thought.

Whether it was tragedy or comedy, he should be the one to decide.

"Mr. Osborn!... Uncle Ben!"

Just as Harry had Heli make the call, Peter pushed through the crowd. Seeing Ben lying on the ground, he was at a loss, grabbing his uncle's hand.

As Ben Parker lay dying, he said those words to Peter: "With great power comes great responsibility." Then Harry had him loaded into an Osborn Group ambulance.

Peter angrily asked everyone around who had shot his uncle. But when he heard the criminal's description, he froze on the spot, then ran into the night.

Harry, meanwhile, escorted Uncle Ben to Osborn Group's hospital.

"Harry, this gentleman has lost too much blood, but we don't have a matching type."

Outside the ICU, Doctor Connors was reporting on Uncle Ben's condition.

Bang!

Just as Harry was about to speak, Peter appeared at the doorway, gasping for breath. He looked disheveled, covered in dust from head to toe.

"Uncle Ben... how is Uncle Ben?"

Harry had always wanted to get his hands on Peter's blood. He hadn't expected the opportunity to come so quickly. Without hesitation, Harry immediately said to Peter:

"Peter, you're just in time. Uncle Ben needs a transfusion, and we don't have a matching blood type. Can you go with Doctor Connors here to do a blood type compatibility test?"

"My blood? But... alright, I understand. Doctor Connors, Mr. Osborn, I'm counting on you. Please, save Uncle Ben!"

"Don't worry, Peter." Harry patted Peter on the shoulder.

Having obtained Peter's blood, Harry didn't slack off. He participated in the entire rescue operation for Uncle Ben and even helped fix some minor health issues along the way.

Now, Harry had finally gotten what he had always wanted—Spider-Man's blood.