Spider-Man's Blood

"Renowned entrepreneur Norman Osborn recently announced that he would run in this year's Federal Government congressional election... Now, let's connect with Mr. Osborn on location."

"Mr. Osborn, we hear you plan to enter politics. How do you view the war in Afghanistan? We know that Osborn Enterprises has sold the military many groundbreaking pieces of equipment. Does that mean you support the war?"

On camera, Norman Osborn considered for a moment before slowly saying, "Osborn Group is merely a company. We will not judge war. As for the advanced equipment you mentioned, we simply want to protect the soldiers on the front lines, so that parents' children, children's parents, and our brave soldiers can return home. We have no other opinion on the matter. That is why we developed this equipment."

"The news about my entry into politics is true. I am a businessman who gets things done. I will not make pretty speeches, but I can tell everyone something practical: Osborn Group has just signed a slum redevelopment contract with the New York City government."

"In the future, we will build elementary schools and middle schools in New York's major impoverished neighborhoods, especially the notorious Hell's Kitchen. We will also solve their employment problems and improve the lives of the local people..."

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

"What do you think? I told you, Osborn Group isn't the kind of company you imagined."

Harry sat with one leg crossed over the other as he spoke to Matt Murdock.

"But... what does that have to do with me?" This Daredevil was still somewhat green. Harry had looked into it—Matt had not yet passed the bar exam.

Considering that he was already operating as Daredevil, Matt should have only just begun accepting the fact that the law could not always punish criminals.

"Of course it does. This is my bargaining chip in the deal with that mysterious man in black. Of course, whether he chooses to work with me or not, none of this will remain empty talk."

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

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

Harry smiled. "I do. He's your friend, and naturally, he's my friend too. After all, no one but him came to help me that night, right?"

Matt frowned. Harry was lying.

"You know who he is."

"Yes, I know. So what did he say? I think this is basically mutually beneficial. I'll act openly, while he works in the shadows."

"...He agreed." Matt sighed. He knew he had been exposed.

"Excellent!" Harry then took a stack of contracts from his bag. "Now let's discuss our cooperation, Lawyer Matt Murdock."

"Me?" Matt looked surprised. "Why me? Osborn Group has many famous lawyers to choose from. Besides, I haven't even passed the bar exam yet..."

Harry waved a hand and set the contracts in front of Matt—regardless of whether he was blind.

"Please, Mr. Murdock, we both know how important it is to have a trustworthy lawyer. I don't want my lawyer to be secretly bought off or coerced by someone else, only to leave me with a mess afterward." As he spoke, Harry uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slightly. "I'll be blunt. You're the only one I trust, and you can rest assured about me too. After all, I don't have a mountain of criminal records waiting for someone to dig up."

He was not lying. Matt's brows twisted into knots.

But why?

Though he could not understand it, the two sides ultimately reached an agreement. However, before Matt passed the bar exam, Osborn Group would pay him only half his salary—to sponsor him in establishing a legitimate law firm.

"Mr. Osborn, it's getting late. Let me take you home."

Harry glanced outside. It was indeed getting late. Considering that Kingpin was still watching him, he readily accepted Matt's suggestion.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy, leaving the young secretary Heli somewhat at a loss. Harry felt uncomfortable too—normally, he should have been relaxing once he got back into the car.

Bang!

A gunshot shattered the mood. The driver's hand jerked, and he nearly drove into the panicked crowd.

"Damn..."

"It wasn't aimed at us. You'll have to get used to it. In Hell's Kitchen, something like this happens every day," Matt said flatly.

"I know, I know! But could you stop talking to me in that tone? It's not my fault Hell's Kitchen turned out like this!" Harry was speechless. Did Matt have to lecture him over this too?

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

The driver looked helplessly at Harry. Harry could only signal for him to stop, then call the police.

A crowd quickly gathered. While Matt went after the criminal, Harry stepped closer to take a look. It would have been fine if he had not looked, but the sight gave him quite a shock. The person in the middle of the crowd looked strangely familiar...

"Holy shit, isn't that Uncle Ben?" Harry gestured for the driver to move closer, and the crowd slowly parted.

Looking at the barely conscious Uncle Ben, Harry felt an unusual hesitation.

A large part of why Harry had approached Peter was because he was Spider-Man. And as everyone knew, Uncle Ben's death was what, to a great extent, created Spider-Man. If he saved Ben Parker here, would there still be an ordinary hero called Spider-Man?

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

In the end, Harry still decided to save Ben Parker.

Because he suddenly understood something: leaving an innocent old man to die here just so a superhero could be born, so that he could have one more superhero connection in the future, made him feel pathetic. Did he have to wait for superheroes to grow up, then cling to them once they were strong enough? That made him deeply unhappy.

If he had to make decisions just to cater to the plot, then what was the point of being a transmigrator?

"Saving one person... is nothing more than a small effort for Osborn Group. In the future, more things will become easy too. There's absolutely no need for me to cater to how the plot develops," Harry thought.

Whether it became a tragedy or a comedy should be up to him.

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

Just as Harry had Heli place the call, Peter pushed through the crowd as well. Seeing Ben lying on the ground, he was at a loss and could only grab Uncle Ben's hand.

As Ben Parker lay on the brink of death, he told Peter those words: "With great power comes great responsibility." Then Harry sent him onto an Osborn Group ambulance.

Peter angrily questioned the people around him about who had shot Uncle Ben. But after hearing the criminal's description, he froze in place, 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 compatible blood."

Outside the intensive care unit, Doctor Connors reported 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 from head to toe in dust.

"Uncle Ben... How is Uncle Ben!"

Harry had always wanted to obtain Peter's blood. He had not expected the opportunity to come so quickly. Without hesitation, Harry immediately said to Peter:

"Peter, you came at just the right time. Uncle Ben needs a transfusion, but we don't have compatible blood. Can you have your blood type matched with Doctor Connors here?"

"My blood? But... all right, I understand. Doctor Connors, Mr. Osborn, please, I'm begging you. You have to save Uncle Ben!"

"Don't worry, Peter." Harry patted Peter's shoulder.

After obtaining Peter's blood, Harry did not slack off. He participated in Uncle Ben's rescue from beginning to end, and even took care of a few minor ailments Uncle Ben had.

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