"Get out of the way, loser, my fifty million's on the line!"
At the street corner, a red-haired teen unleashed a roaring pillar of fire, sweeping past shadowy figures. The surrounding buildings glowed red under the flames, the scorching heat spreading as the fire roared with dragon-like ferocity, its power overwhelming.
Boom!!
The fire pillar engulfed the still-forming red-and-blue silhouette, intent on incinerating it.
The onlookers' faces shifted dramatically.
"Damn, he got the jump!"
"Stop him!"
A blue-skinned girl's eyes flashed with cold intent. Sharp ice spikes spread from her feet, swiftly enveloping the red-haired teen.
Crack crack crack~
Splatter!!
The teen, unable to dodge, was pierced by the dense ice spikes. Blood sprayed, freezing into red crystal shards that scattered across the ground.
"What?"
The others froze, shocked by the bloody scene.
As the fire pillar faded, the red-and-blue figure fully materialized.
Buzz~
Under the neon night, nano-metal armor reflected dazzling glimmers.
The glow of money!
"Spider-Man's back!!"
One shouted, snapping the others to attention.
"Even injuring him gets three million—go for it!"
"Together!"
Instantly, a dozen figures unleashed their powers, swarming toward Charlie.
Facing the mutants' ambush, Charlie stood frozen, as if in a trance, head lowered, unresponsive.
This puzzled Erik, hidden in a nearby building.
"Why's he not moving?"
Charles, beside him, mused, "He's testing something."
Erik frowned. "Waiting for us to act?"
Charles shook his head. "I can't read his mind."
Erik squinted. "The rumors were true—he's stronger this time."
Meanwhile, Agent Hill, excited, noticed Carter's calm demeanor.
"Commander, no action?" she asked, confused.
Carter smiled faintly. "Spider-Man's got this."
Coulson was puzzled. "Then why are we here?"
"A proper welcome's still necessary," Carter shrugged.
Coulson: "..."
Damn, I pulled all-nighters just for a Spider-Man welcome? he grumbled inwardly.
The mutants closed in on Charlie.
"City hero, show me your strength!!"
The ice-girl conjured dense ice spikes, eyes eager for Spider-Man's reaction.
He didn't disappoint.
As the spikes surged, Charlie's blank eyes showed no spark, but his body dodged perfectly, effortlessly avoiding the assault.
Before the spikes dispersed, a figure with silver spikes sprouting from his body sped past the ice-girl.
"Hahaha, Spider-Man, how about a hug!"
The man laughed, lunging to impale Charlie with his spikes.
But Charlie sidestepped, and the man crashed awkwardly to the ground, drawing mocking laughter.
"My turn!"
"Together!"
Several figures leaped, metal fists and steel blades crisscrossing, energy beams flashing, and red rays shooting from a teen's eyes.
Buzz~
Boom!!
Under the barrage, the red-and-blue figure, head still lowered, dodged like a marionette, showing no intent to fight back.
The mutants, realizing something, grew ecstatic.
"This must be a resurrection side effect—now's our chance!"
"Go!"
Their attacks intensified, but the red-and-blue figure leisurely dodged their powers, creating a bizarre scene.
At the window, Erik's expression grew serious.
"Spider-Man's got a problem."
Charles smiled. "Taking your shot now?"
Erik shook his head. "With these pawns out front, I'll know the truth soon. No need to risk it."
"Risk?"
Charles was surprised. "You, enhanced by the boss, are scared to act?"
"Not scared—unnecessary," Erik said stubbornly.
At S.H.I.E.L.D., Carter frowned at Charlie's state.
"What's up? He's like a zombie."
Hill tensed. "He's revived, but it's like he's asleep."
Coulson mused, "Not asleep… like he's soulless."
"Soulless? Come on," Hill started to scoff but recalled those devoured by Johnny Blaze, her face paling.
"Is it him again?" she meant Ghost Rider.
Carter shook her head. "Wait and see. I think he's fine."
"Your guess is spot-on."
A floating shadow whispered in Carter's ear, but she didn't react—she couldn't hear.
Charlie grinned.
He was in a soul-separated state, invisible to normal people.
Spider-Man's Restless Soul—the magic let his soul leave his body to move freely.
His body, guided by Spider-Sense, dodged all dangers automatically, far more agile than when he controlled it consciously.
He found it absurd.
Spider-Sense was indeed a passive skill.
His conscious mind only interfered with its precision.
Watching the mutants frantically attack his body without touching a thread, Charlie found it amusing.
Thanks to his enhanced soul strength, he felt no discomfort outside his body and could stay separated longer.
Bored, he drifted as a "ghost," observing.
He saw Carter's reactions, Erik, and Charles.
Atop a skyscraper, Gwen pressed against the glass, puzzled by Charlie's soulless state.
In an alley below, Johnny Blaze adjusted his shoulder chains on his Harley.
Sensing something, he looked up.
"Having fun?" His cheek twitched.
As Ghost Rider, he easily detected souls.
Charlie, floating, arms crossed, grinned. "What're you doing here?"
Johnny shook his head. "Causing you trouble, obviously."
"I'm right here. What're you waiting for?"
"For you to leave. I can't catch you, so I can call it a day."
"Mephisto's orders?"
"Yeah. Beat you up, get three years for my dad."
"Need me to play along?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
"You'd use it to beat me up."
Johnny forced a smile. "I know the score. If I don't start, you've got no reason to hit me."
Charlie rubbed his chin, eyeing him.
"You know too much."
Johnny's smile froze.
"That's a reason?"
"You tell me."
Seeing Charlie's bad look, Johnny checked the time, feigning shock.
"Oh, it's ten already. Bedtime. See ya."
He sped off on his motorcycle, vanishing around the corner.
Charlie didn't pursue.
Getting rid of one troublesome Ghost Rider just meant Mephisto would make another.
Charlie had taken multiple souls from Hell. Mephisto might not act directly but would surely cause trouble.
What a headache.
As he mused, figures darted past the alley. J. Jonah Jameson, with Betty and Eddie, rushed to the scene.
"Move! We can't let other papers beat us!" Jonah shouted.
Behind, Betty, out of breath, leaned on a wall.
"Brother-in-law, you're never this fast…"
"Shut it! Your words'll cause misunderstandings!!" Jonah yelled.
More reporters swarmed past, charging to the scene.
"Quick, the mutants breached the lockdown. We can film Spider-Man's revival!"
As one spoke, a blinding burst of magical energy erupted at the battle's center.
Boom!!
Whoosh~~
Magic exploded, winds sweeping the street.
The mutants, blasted back, landed hard, staring at the red-and-blue figure in the magical energy with horror.
"Crap, Spider-Man's back to normal!"
"Terrifying power."
"Run!"
They scattered.
Charlie stretched. "That's enough. Time to end it."
With a flicker of arcs, he left only white smoke.
Buzz~
Zzzzt…
Arcs surged, blue light flashing. Figures were slammed into walls, even superpowered mutants unable to react.
Bang bang bang~
"Argh… my back…"
Seconds later, every attacking mutant was smashed into walls, the street filled with groans.
At the street's edge, arcs faded. Charlie flashed the mutants an international gesture.
"What era is this? Why ambush without guns?"
He scoffed, turning to see a red sports car speed up.
Vroom
The window rolled down, revealing Carter's blank face.
"Hey, Spider-Man, get in. Important stuff to discuss."
Charlie scratched his head. "Sure, gimme a sec."
He stretched, even doing radio calisthenics.
"What're you doing?" Carter frowned.
"Punching you, obviously."
A shout, and a fist the size of a sandbag slammed into the driver's seat.
Bang!!
Carter's figure crashed through the opposite door, smashing into a shop.
"Jerk… why hit me?"
Disheveled, Carter pushed aside shelves, clutching her swollen cheek, glaring.
Charlie retracted his fist, smirking. "Next time, do your homework. Captain Carter only calls me 'dear Spider-Man.'"
Carter's face froze. "I forgot, dear—"
Mid-sentence, a vibranium shield shot from a rooftop, knocking her back.
Thud~
The real Carter landed, catching the returning shield, eyeing Charlie.
"Dear Spider-Man, don't hit my face next time. It ruins my image, thanks," she said sarcastically.
Charlie shrugged. "Got it, dear Captain Carter."
As he spoke, he tilted his head, a familiar spear grazing his ear.
Buzz~
The air hissed. Charlie grabbed the spear, turning. "I gave you your chance."
Behind him, Kraven the Hunter approached with a wolf.
"Spider-Man, I've prepared a lot while you were gone.
As my prey, are you ready?" He grinned excitedly.
In a nearby shop, Chameleon, with colorful scales, crawled from the rubble, his chest scales shattered, blood gushing.
He'd been the fake Carter.
"Jerk, quit yapping and act! They nearly killed me!!" Chameleon cursed.
Sergei glanced at his useless brother. "I don't need your help. You brought this on yourself."
Chameleon's face darkened. "I'm doing this for the Kravenoff family's honor. You think I wanted to help?"
"The family's honor is mine to uphold. You, failure, can leave."
"What did you say?"
"You heard me."
"Jerk…"
As the brothers bickered, Charlie sat on a roadside chair.
"Popcorn would make this perfect." He enjoyed the show.
Carter sat beside him. "When'll they stop arguing?"
"No clue."
"Is their family honor about hunting?"
"Probably!"
Charlie checked the time. "Your people here yet?" he asked Carter.
Carter glanced around. "They're here."
"Then let's do this!"
"Alright."
Carter raised a hand, and agents surged from the streets.
Swish swish swish
Bang!!
Energy pulses blanketed the street. Sergei and Chameleon were engulfed in the barrage.
Awoo~
The wolf fell, pierced by energy. The brothers dodged frantically.
As they fled into an alley, Charlie smirked.
"Idiots."
In a nearby room, Erik and Charles exchanged glances and slipped away.
"How do we explain to the boss?" Charles asked.
Erik stayed calm. "Can't win. Simple as that."
Charles thought. "Punch me, so I've got something to show."
Erik: "..."