I Created Spider-Man

Faced with Guan Heng's question, Peter lowered his head in thought, then suddenly looked up. "Yes, Guan Heng. Becoming a superhero is something I've dreamed of. Besides finishing my studies and becoming a scientist, it may be my greatest dream."

So Hero's Blood really is boiling within him. Guan Heng sighed inwardly, then continued, "Buddy, you now have a chance to fulfill that dream."

As he spoke, Guan Heng took out the little bottle containing the Radioactive Spider and waved it before Peter. "This is a Mutated Spider, buddy. Look at it—after all those twists and turns, it's still lively as ever. As long as this little baby bites you once, you can gain superpowers, just like me."

Guan Heng suddenly activated his Iron Fist Power, his entire body covered in blazing light. At times, he leaped into the air and unleashed Shadowless Consecutive Legs; at others, he darted and twisted about, throwing out Air-Tearing Fist Wind. Finally, he gathered his power in his palm and chopped out with a fierce hand strike, slicing off half of the concrete bollard in front of him. The cross-section was as smooth as a mirror.

He casually picked up an iron pipe and bent it into all sorts of shapes before twisting it into a ring. Then Guan Heng mischievously slipped the ring around Peter's neck. "Heh heh, here's a collar for you. Congratulations on becoming 101 Loyal Dog."

Peter was dumbfounded. He even blurted out, "Thanks." Then he snapped back to his senses and shouted, "Oh my God, Guan Heng, you really are a Superhero!"

Holding the little bottle in his hand, Guan Heng asked Peter, "Want it, buddy?" "Of course I do." Peter was practically impatient, unconsciously reaching out for the bottle.

"Wait." Guan Heng suddenly pulled his hand back. "I can give it to you, but first, you have to agree to my conditions."

"I knew it wouldn't be that simple. But let's make this clear: although I desperately want superpowers, I'll never do bad things. You can't use this to make me agree to something like that." Peter spoke with righteous conviction.

"Of course I'm not asking you to do bad things. I don't want the disgrace of being known for inciting a good kid into crime." Guan Heng shrugged. "My conditions are these. First, you can't use your superpowers to make obscene profits. Of course, it's fine to occasionally climb high places to take pictures and sell them for enough money to pay your bills. Second, you may only use them for just causes, never for evil. Third, you may receive praise, or you may be misunderstood by countless people and slandered by the media. I hope you'll always remain true to yourself and persevere. Don't lose your way to the darkness in your heart. Only if you can meet these three conditions can I hand this over to you."

Guan Heng grabbed Peter by the shoulders and gave him a shake before solemnly saying, "Peter, my friend, my brother. The most important choices in a person's life often have to be made through difficult judgment alone. But once you choose, you must walk that path with unwavering determination."

Guan Heng was nervous too. Sigh, this is my first time playing spiritual mentor. I hope I can create a kind Little Crawler.

Cold sweat kept breaking out on Peter's forehead. Just now, in a moment of impulse, he had only wanted to become a Superhero as soon as possible and show off with superpowers. He had never considered anything else. Now his mind was a complete mess.

Seeing that he was at a loss and unable to decide, Guan Heng patted his shoulder. "I won't force you to make a decision right away. Go back and think it over for the night. Get some sleep, then give me your answer tomorrow."

"All right." Peter also felt he should be more cautious. "I'll head back first, then. See you tomorrow." With that, he turned and went downstairs, leaving in a daze. The gates of dreams had already opened before the young man, but would he choose to step through them?

Watching Peter's receding figure vanish, Guan Heng muttered to himself, "Buddy, forgive me for giving you such a difficult choice. But I have to test your conscience. If you make the wrong decision, then I can only deal with the little thing in that glass bottle myself."

The night passed quickly. Early the next morning, Guan Heng bought breakfast and woke the groggy Li Qianhuan.

"Come on, have something to eat." Guan Heng handed the food to Li Qianhuan, who had already washed up. "Pickle sandwiches, with several extra slices of bacon."

"Thank you, Brother Guan." Li Qianhuan took the sandwich, bit into it, and said indistinctly, "Mm, mm, it tastes amazing."

Just then, Peter's voice came from outside the door. "Guan Heng, I'm here!" The young man entered carrying a soup pot in his hands. "Aunt Mei made bone soup early this morning. I brought some over for you to try."

Guan Heng told Li Qianhuan to drink all the soup, then headed back up to the rooftop with Peter.

Seeing Peter's bloodshot Eyes, Guan Heng guessed he had not slept well all night. "Have you made your decision?" he asked with his arms folded and a smile on his face.

Peter rubbed his eyes. "Your damned conditions tortured me all night, but I've finally made up my mind." When Peter raised his head again, his eyes were still bloodshot, yet exceptionally clear and bright. A smile curled up at the corners of his mouth. "I've decided to agree to every condition you gave me. And I'm certain I'll never regret this choice."

Guan Heng patted Peter on the shoulder and shouted, "Good kid! I wasn't wrong about you. You're made to be a hero of justice! Hahaha!"

Peter rubbed his shoulder and muttered, "Ease up. I don't want you to flatten me before I even get superpowers."

"Sorry, sorry." Guan Heng looked a little embarrassed, then suddenly remembered something. He said to Peter, "After gaining your powers, you'd better not leave home for a week. Keep a close eye on Uncle Ben. Um... I thought about it, and God came to me in a dream last night. He said Uncle Ben is facing a great calamity soon, one that may cost him his life. You'd better protect him closely. Remember what I said."

"Uh, really? All right, I'll remember." Though Peter found it somewhat baffling, Guan Heng had brought him far too many surprises. He believed listening to his big brother could not be wrong.

Guan Heng thought, Anyone who can say that classic line, "With great power comes great responsibility," must be a wise elder. If he stays alive to keep reminding Peter, I won't have to keep getting distracted looking after this kid. This is what it means to see a good deed through to the end. Who told me to be softhearted and know the plot? But whether Uncle Ben can escape this disaster will depend on heaven's arrangement and Peter's resolve.

At last, the glass bottle was placed in Peter Parker's hand. Guan Heng stared intently at his face and said, "Don't forget your oath. Don't betray the choice in your heart. Otherwise, I'll take back everything from you."

After personally watching the Radioactive Spider bite Peter Parker, Guan Heng saw the little bug rapidly shrivel up and die. A brown web-like pattern appeared on Peter's arm, and he fell unconscious.

Looking at the tiny dead spider, Guan Heng thought, Don't waste it. I've always been able to turn corpses into something useful. This time should be no exception. With that thought, Guan Heng gently nudged the dead bug back into the glass bottle and put it away safely.

Then Guan Heng carried Peter on his back and sprang down from the attic. While no one was around, he quietly carried Peter back to his room in the Parker home.

"You really aren't light, kid." Guan Heng tossed him onto the bed and spoke to the still-sleeping Peter. "Whether you can save Uncle Ben's life depends on your own heart. I've said everything I needed to say and done everything I could do. See you later, Spider-Man."