I Was Deliberately Careless

"As far as I know, this department is called S.H.I.E.L.D.! Its full name is the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. It is a secretive department that was authorized to be established after World War II."

"This department has extremely high authority and is practically everywhere. It constantly monitors abnormal incidents occurring in every corner of the world."

"Peter, your earlier act of restoring the school has probably already been discovered by them!"

"Although you were masked at the time, given their influence and resources, they can probably deduce your true identity easily!"

As he said this, even Norman Osborn's brows furrowed deeply as he unconsciously began worrying about Peter.

No one knew better than him just how absurd Peter's healing ability was. Once that kind of power became known to those high-ranking officials and politicians, they would definitely stop at nothing to obtain Peter.

When that time came, whether S.H.I.E.L.D. chose to forcibly recruit Peter or Peter chose to fight them for his freedom, either path would lead him into an impossible dilemma.

After all, he could not just stand by and watch Peter, his lifesaver, fall into trouble. Yet at the same time, he knew he had no way to contend against the entire machinery of the state...

At that thought, Norman Osborn's brow creased even tighter. He could not help adopting the bearing of an elder as he lectured Peter:

"You were still too careless before. You can't keep acting so impulsively in the future."

Even if he loved studying, he could not expose his special abilities just for the sake of learning!

Yet Norman had never expected that, faced with his well-meaning words, Peter would reveal a smile that said everything was under control.

"Uncle Norman, has it occurred to you... that I was deliberately careless?"

The moment he said that, Norman's brain crashed all over again...

What did he mean, he was deliberately careless?

Of course, Peter was not just stubbornly refusing to admit fault.

The reason he had chosen to restore the school had not been mere mischief. He had two deeper motives.

The first was naturally to draw the Green Goblin's attention and hook him like a fat bass.

Judging by the outcome so far, that goal had been perfectly achieved.

His second objective had been to deliberately attract S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention!

As for why he wanted to do that... the answer was naturally Sacrifice Points!

In Norman's eyes, S.H.I.E.L.D. was a hellhole that devoured people whole. Under the banner of national security, they would force anyone into becoming their slaves or lackeys.

But in Peter's eyes, S.H.I.E.L.D.—or rather, H.Y.D.R.A.—was a glittering golden cash cow!

Nick Fury, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye...

And Pierce, Crossbones, Baron Strucker, all hiding in the shadows...

The items on all those people were valuable things that could provide Peter with Sacrifice Points!

If Peter joined S.H.I.E.L.D., it would be like locking a fat sheep inside a pen. He could fleece them however he wanted!

Of course, Peter would never sell out his principles just for Sacrifice Points.

He wanted to become a hero admired by millions, but that did not mean he would work himself to death for Black Braised Egg.

He had already been worked like a mule before crossing over. If he still had to be worked like a mule after crossing over—especially for the damn cabinet—then what the hell had he crossed over for?

Given a second life, he, Peter Parker, was destined to become the freest man in this world!

As for S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers, from now on, they would be the ones kneeling and begging him to handle their problems!

"Don't worry, Uncle Norman. I know what I'm doing!"

"A mere S.H.I.E.L.D. can't do anything to me."

Seeing Peter act so confidently, Norman still felt somewhat uneasy, but he had already begun to believe him.

After all, he had personally witnessed just how powerful Peter was.

With physical strength alone, he had crushed Lizard.

At the same time, he possessed a healing ability capable of bringing the dead back to life and restoring flesh to bones.

And there was also that brief glimpse he had caught earlier of the "Blue Magic Bullet."

With so many methods at his disposal, if S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to turn against Peter, they would probably have to think very carefully first.

"Since you know what you're doing, I won't ask any more questions!" After a brief hesitation, Norman finally steeled himself and chose to trust Peter. "In any case, if anything happens, just speak up. You saved Harry and me. As long as it's something I can do, I'll do everything in my power to help you!"

As Norman spoke, Doctor Connors on the sofa let out a groan and slowly opened his eyes.

"Peter... Norman...?"

Doctor Connors wondered whether he had somehow lost part of his memory. He remembered that after turning into a lizard monster, hadn't he been defeated by the Arbiter?

He had already prepared himself for death, yet nothing had happened.

And... looking at his intact right arm, Connors felt completely dumbfounded.

What the hell? Is this my hand?

Seeing his bewildered expression, Norman kindly explained the whole sequence of events to him.

When he learned that Peter was the Arbiter and had even healed his arm with magic, Connors could not help excitedly bowing deeply to Peter.

"Peter, I... I'm sorry. Sorry to Gwen Stacy, and sorry to everyone."

He felt incomparably guilty over losing control.

After blaming himself, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Peter, speaking with a resolute expression.

"Since you were the one who saved my life, Peter!"

"Then from this day onward, my life is in your hands!"

"I, Kurt Connors, swear in God's name that from now on, I will do anything for you and never betray you!"

Faced with the debts of gratitude offered by the two men, Peter showed no embarrassment whatsoever and calmly accepted this relationship that was almost that of master and servant.

His status would inevitably rise higher and higher in the future. There was no need to maintain the persona of some humble gentleman.

Helping them climb to greater heights while achieving his own success would be far more useful than caring about such empty formalities!

"Come to think of it, there are indeed two things I need your help with."

"First, regarding Gwen Stacy's and my identities... I hope you two can keep them secret. Before we choose to reveal them publicly, you must not leak them to anyone, including those closest to you."

Doctor Connors and Norman both nodded solemnly.

"Also, I hope you won't tell Gwen Stacy anything that happened today. More importantly, don't let her know that I'm the Arbiter."

The two were initially stunned. Then they exchanged a glance, revealing strange yet understanding expressions.

Young people these days really were getting more and more adventurous.

But since the young couple enjoyed this sort of roleplay, there was naturally no reason for elders like them to interfere.

They just had to wait and enjoy the drama~