Are There Really Superheroes This Narcissistic?

Peter could more or less guess what Gwen Stacy was thinking right now.

Just like in the Maguire version of Spider-Man, when Peter had first gained his powers, he had not immediately thought about fighting crime.

He had only wanted to use those special abilities to make money in underground fighting rings, then buy a secondhand convertible and pursue Mary Jane.

As for becoming a superhero? What was that? Could it be eaten?

Clearly, Gwen Stacy had much the same idea right now.

The reason she had chosen to become a masked hero, aside from being influenced by her father, was mostly due to the vanity unique to teenagers.

Last night had been her superhero debut.

One could imagine that after going home last night, she had definitely not slept a wink, eagerly anticipating that first thing in the morning, she would see her own legend in the newspaper headlines and in her classmates' discussions.

But what happened?

The rookie little spider had her headline ruthlessly snatched away by him. There was not even a tiny blurb about her.

Of course she was upset!

Now that Peter had figured out the root of the problem, he naturally knew how to cure it.

"Hey, Gwen, stop looking at those old-fashioned print media reports! Look at this!"

Peter patted Gwen Stacy on the shoulder and handed her his phone. On its screen was a photo of Ghost-Spider that he had specifically downloaded from his computer yesterday.

The current year was 2009, and Tony Shit-Stark had not yet mysteriously disappeared, so the world's tech tree was still quite underdeveloped.

Although there were companies like the Osborn Group whose tech tree had gone wildly off the rails, smartphones had yet to become widespread.

This was also an industry Peter intended to invest in. There was no Apple in this world, and as long as he had an appropriate sum of capital, he believed he could recreate Apple's commercial empire in the Marvel Universe.

But he had not even secured his first pot of gold yet, so building a business empire by selling phones was naturally something for later...

Hearing Peter's noisy enthusiasm, Gwen Stacy listlessly raised her head, her eyes carrying a hint of resentment.

Can't you tell I'm in a bad mood? Who are you grinning at, you big idiot?!

However, when she clearly saw the photo on Peter's phone, her expression immediately underwent a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree change.

Because the photo on the phone showed her agile figure as she had upheld justice last night!

Gwen Stacy unconsciously shifted her body. After gathering herself for a moment, she put on a curious expression and asked:

"Who is she?"

Not bad, you're acting pretty convincingly!

After mocking her inwardly, Peter also put on an excited look and played along with Gwen Stacy.

Though he could not hide it from Gwen Stacy forever, teasing little Gwen was quite fun at this stage:

"I'm not sure either. I saw her on an online forum. A female superhero who can shoot webs—how cool is that?

"And the person who posted it said that when he saw this masked hero yesterday, she was subduing a robber. That's simply amazing!

"A neighborhood hero devoted to protecting ordinary people, just like the legendary Robin Hood.

"Those people at the Daily Bugle have terrible judgment. Instead of reporting her deeds, they're focusing on some gang-on-gang conflict. It makes no sense at all."

As Peter spoke, Gwen Stacy's eyes grew brighter and brighter. Two faint blushes appeared on her pretty face, and her heart felt as sweet as honey.

So her actions had not gone unnoticed after all. At the very least, Peter had been paying attention to what she did last night, and he thought very highly of her!

Just as she was thinking this, another pleasant female voice sounded beside her:

"Hey, Peter, Gwen, are you talking about that masked heroine from last night?"

The speaker was a beautiful silver-haired girl named Felicia Hardy. She was one of Gwen Stacy and Peter's study group members, and in many Spider-Man parallel universes, she would one day have another secret identity: Black Cat.

"Morning, Felicia."

Hearing that her close friend Felicia also knew about her performance last night, Gwen Stacy instinctively straightened her back, and her entire body visibly became more animated.

"We were indeed talking about that masked heroine from last night. After hearing Peter talk about her, I think she's pretty cool too."

As she said this, she first could not help blushing, then asked curiously:

"Um, have you noticed how people on the forums are discussing the masked hero I... I'm interested in?"

"Well!" Peter tilted his head as if pondering. Only after thoroughly whetting Gwen Stacy's appetite did he smile and say:

"I remember people online discussing what to call her last night. Some suggested 'Web Woman,' while others suggested something like 'White Widow'?"

"Those names are terrible!" Gwen Stacy could not help complaining.

Felicia beside her nodded as well. "Those people have absolutely awful taste."

Peter first nodded in agreement, then made a serious suggestion:

"If you ask me, her black-and-white suit flickers in and out of sight in the night like a phantom. Maybe she should be called... Ghost Spider?"

Ghost Spider...

Gwen Stacy silently repeated the name in her heart, her eyes unconsciously shining.

The name was both mysterious and cool. It perfectly matched every fantasy she had about her heroic image!

It was infinitely better than trash names like "White Widow"!

"That name is great! That's what she should be called!" Gwen Stacy nodded vigorously, the smile on her face brighter than ever.

Seeing her like this, Peter could not help wanting to tease her again, so he deliberately sighed.

"Sigh, what's the use of us thinking it's a good name? I posted it on the forum yesterday, but no one responded! I guess it won't reach that lady's ears..."

Who says it won't reach her ears!

And besides! She's a girl, not a lady!

Gwen Stacy ranted wildly in her heart, but she could only smile and say:

"Maybe after this masked hero upholds justice, she'll also be curious about how everyone is praising her! So she'll definitely see the name you gave her."

Gwen Stacy racked her brains to comfort Peter without revealing her secret identity, only to hear Felicia speak from beside her the very next second:

"No way, are there really superheroes this narcissistic?"

Gwen Stacy: (눈‸눈)

Her previously excellent mood instantly vanished, and she no longer wanted to talk to this so-called best friend...

At the same time Peter was teasing little Ghost-Spider, at the top floor of Fisk Tower in Hell's Kitchen.

Kingpin, whose massive body resembled a mountain, was currently sunk into a custom-made luxury sofa.

Before him, a man dressed in a blue bodysuit with a bullseye pattern on his head was respectfully kneeling on one knee.

This man was none other than Kingpin's trusted lieutenant, Bullseye.

"Every corpse was killed with a single strike. Their heads were either blown apart, or their chests were pierced straight through."

"The methods were extremely brutal, completely unlike Daredevil's style."

"I suspect... the reason the other party acted so ruthlessly may be..."

At this point, Bullseye's voice paused. He studied Kingpin's expression before carefully continuing:

"He may be provoking you, boss!"

Bang!

The moment Bullseye finished speaking, the solid wood coffee table beside him was shattered by a fist the size of a casserole pot.

Kingpin's expression darkened, his eyes filled with viciousness.

"Daredevil hasn't been dealt with, and now another fool who doesn't know his place has appeared. Does he really think Kingpin is easy to bully?

"Immediately use every media channel under my control to publicize last night's incident!

"Turn that coward hiding behind a mask into a madman who disregards life and delights in killing, a demon who could randomly murder people in the streets at any moment!"

"I want every citizen of New York to voluntarily help me get rid of this menace!"