"Holy shit! He was the one who did it."
After logging out of the game, Mark left his bedroom, switched on the television, and immediately saw the bombshell news.
His gaze grew grave.
"Professor Connors has gone insane. I might be his next target."
He was deeply worried.
Although he had just killed a Demon Hunter of his own level in an instant inside the game, he was still no match for Professor Connors.
The man was far too vicious.
He took a deep breath, opened his game inventory, and took out a glowing badge.
Leanna's holy light.
With it, he would surely be able to cure Prince Locke tonight and gain new power.
With that thought, he returned to his room and marked a question mark at the edge of his map of the Holy Light Continent.
Where exactly was the Titch Kingdom?
He had killed the Titch Kingdom's third prince, a fallen Demon Hunter, so he suspected that demons might have already occupied the kingdom.
He had to be on guard against that.
And the magic inside Snow White of the Kingdom of Ake also required a special medium to be released.
As long as that power remained inside Snow White, she would surely face another attack from the Evil Dragon.
After mulling it over, Mark still couldn't come up with a good solution.
This game was way too complicated.
He made up his mind to find Snow White as soon as he cured Prince Locke.
That might trigger a new quest.
Tonight, I'll kill the Dark Soul Fighter Demon!
"Ding-dong!"
Just then, the doorbell rang. Mark opened the door and was immediately struck by the beauty of the burgundy-haired figure outside.
"Hey, I'm Mary Jane from next door."
"I'm Mark, Mark Parker. You're here to borrow my bathroom for a dump, right?" Mark said with a smile.
Mary Jane: "..."
The corner of her mouth twitched, and she forced a smile.
"No, I came to say hello. We're neighbors, after all."
"Yep, I'm a very friendly neighbor. You can call me your friendly neighbor."
"Okay, friendly neighborhood Spider... um, you're very funny."
Mary Jane had finally met the real Spider-Man.
That night, she had also seen the "fully equipped" Spider-Man.
The Motorcycle Helmet and broom shown on the news were exactly like the ones she had seen at Peter's house.
As more and more news about Spider-Man appeared, she had also noticed that Peter reacted very strangely whenever she brought up Mark over the past two days.
After testing him, she had confirmed that Peter's older brother was Spider-Man.
Peter couldn't lie.
Mary Jane could.
She studied the unremarkable man before her, almost seeing a sacred glow around Mark.
She liked heroes.
But she'd never had a chance.
Now her chance had arrived.
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a drink?" Mary Jane flicked her long burgundy hair, her gaze growing heated.
Mark frowned. "I don't drink alcohol."
"Coffee works too."
"Coffee isn't cheap. I don't have any money."
"No money?"
Mary Jane frowned.
That was a big problem.
"That's right. He's very poor."
Suddenly, a slightly mocking female voice came from behind Mary Jane.
Mary Jane turned and saw a beautiful girl looking at her warningly.
"I'm Gwen Stacy. Are you Mark's friend?"
"She's my neighbor," Mark explained before Mary Jane could answer.
Gwen Stacy looked thoughtful. "Just a neighbor, then!" The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Mary Jane could clearly feel the pressure.
She nodded politely. "I'm Mary Jane. Are you Mark's friend?" She seemed unwilling to back down.
She put particular emphasis on the word "friend."
Gwen Stacy sensed the hostility in the air.
Even if she had been the one to start it.
She strode past Mary Jane and let herself into the house.
"We've known each other since we were kids."
As she spoke, she poured herself a glass of water with practiced ease, then looked at Mark.
"Aren't you going to invite your neighbor in to sit down?"
Mark shrugged. "All right..."
Before he could finish, Mary Jane suddenly stepped back.
"I have something to do. Next time, I'll invite you for a drink, just the two of us."
She gave Mark an unreadable look, then turned and left.
Mark scratched his head, looking puzzled.
"Weird. She's the one who came over in the first place. Is she an introvert?"
"An intro-what?" Gwen Stacy asked.
Mark closed the door. "Nothing. I think she wants to hit on me."
Gwen Stacy: "..."
"You're imagining things," she said very seriously.
Mark nodded. "I think so too. One of the three great delusions men have."
"Yes, you're very self-aware."
Gwen Stacy relaxed. "My birthday party is tonight," she suddenly said.
"Today?"
Mark glanced at the calendar on the wall. "That came around fast."
"So you forgot." Gwen Stacy's gaze turned hostile.
"No, no."
Mark waved his hands repeatedly. "How could I possibly forget? But did you come here just to remind me?" He didn't understand.
Gwen Stacy set down her glass and pretended to look out the window.
"I was just passing by. I have to go."
"Okay. See you tonight."
"Bye!"
Even after Gwen Stacy left, Mark still didn't understand.
"Are we that close?" he asked himself.
Whatever. I'll rest up and go all out tonight!
Playing games took energy too.
But before that, he had to go out and buy a gift.
He found Peter's Secret Stash in the TV cabinet.
I'll just borrow a little.
As night fell, Mark entered the game.
He had to move quickly.
He had promised Gwen Stacy he would attend her birthday party.
Back at the cabin, Bruce was still nowhere to be seen.
But the Wisdom Flower Seed by the door had taken root and sprouted.
[Wisdom Flower] [Time until maturity: 391 days]
Seeing that, Mark couldn't help sighing.
That was far too long. He wondered what he could water it with to shorten its growth cycle.
Then he followed the map and raced toward the Kingdom of Locke.
Quick Movement!
Jumping!
Speed up!
Before long, he finally reached the Kingdom of Locke.
The Kingdom of Locke lay three kilometers from the Holy Light Church.
Prince Locke had been possessed by a demon, yet the Holy Light Church hadn't lifted a finger.
It seemed these so-called forces of justice weren't all they were cracked up to be.
If evil is going to be destroyed, it'll take a great Demon Hunter like me!
With that thought, Mark soon arrived at the palace and found King Locke.
"Hey, Your Majesty, I've found a sacred relic that can drive out demons."
He displayed Leanna's holy light.
At the sight of the black Pistol, Nick Fury slapped his forehead helplessly.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had plenty of "sacred relics" like that.
"Listen, Spider-Man. Stay out of this."
He pointed to the bruises on his face, his gaze filled with resentment.
"Because of you, that foulmouthed bastard beat me up."
"What? Your esteemed Majesty, you were attacked?"
Mark was shocked. "We can't wait any longer. Tonight, I must destroy the evil Dark Soul Fighter Demon!"
Nick Fury clenched his fists. "Motherfucker, are you deaf? I told you to stay out of this."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll take care of him."
"Natasha, get him out of here!"
"Banana, you don't need to show me the way. I can find him myself."
Virtual arrows appeared on the ground. Mark broke through the demon servants blocking his way and found the deranged prince.
Inside the confinement room, Steve was fast asleep, bound hand and foot.
Suddenly, he realized someone was touching him.
"Oh, fuck, you fucking nigger, you cotton-picking black-faced worm! How dare you get filthy ideas about my private parts? I'll be sure to give your sister-in-law my regards..."
Jolted awake, Steve unleashed a torrent of curses, writhing and struggling like a worm.
But the instant the black muzzle pressed against his forehead, Steve regained his manners.
"Sir, you there in the mask, if that's what you want, I... can do it."
He gritted his teeth and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
Tonight was a night of suffering for a hundred-year-old man.