Seawater washed over the shore, and as the mist cleared, the molten coast cooled into a striking tableau. Clark was still waiting for the mission success prompt.
Soon, he couldn't hold back.
"Charlie, still not done?"
It was his first Resurrection Match, and as a rookie, he needed to learn from the veteran.
The clone rubbed his chin, looking grim.
"Done? The mission hasn't succeeded."
He muttered, "Could it be this guy isn't the main cause of the world's destruction?"
"What?" Clark didn't catch it.
The clone shook his head. "Nothing. Let's check on those two."
He vanished through a portal, Clark hurrying after him.
On the other side, in the ravaged streets, Zod and Fiora were gone, leaving only a disheveled Kang and his group.
"Troublesome bunch," Kang said, adjusting his ornate robes. "No wonder they're Spider-Man's foes. They're strong, and even with a chance, we couldn't catch them."
Nova tossed aside his torn jacket, nonchalant. "No big deal. Spider-Man's almost done anyway."
Jennix's heart raced. "Soon, soon! If I get back, the Inheritor Family will end Spider-Man!"
"The Inheritor Family's already toast. I said it."
As the portal's light flickered, the clone's words made Jennix's face fall.
"What?"
He turned, saw Charlie, and gritted his teeth, baring fangs in defiance.
The clone smirked. "Got hearing problems? See a doctor. Or maybe a nursing home."
"Jerk…"
As Jennix was about to lose it, the golden Spider Totem bloomed in the void, pinning him in place.
"What…"
The third-stage totem power suppressed him, shaking the ruins. Jennix despaired.
"No way, how… the third-stage Spider Totem—no!!!"
Jennix fell to his knees, wailing. He knew what the third-stage totem meant.
If Morlun wasn't dead, how could Spider-Man have this power?
Why?
How could Morlun fail?!
"No!!!"
Jennix wept, recalling running with Morlun under the sunset.
That was his lost youth.
BOOM!!
A deafening skyward roar, and the golden Spider Totem unleashed a radiant beam, enveloping Jennix.
In an instant, he was drained of totem power without a scream, turning to ash before everyone's eyes.
Kang and the others paled, instinctively huddling together, staring fearfully at the golden-glowing Spider-Man.
"Oh my God, his power level's gotta be in the millions!" Kang's cheek twitched.
Nova, hiding behind Kang, whispered, "Pharaoh watches anime too?"
"Of course. I'm a pharaoh, not youthless."
"Your focus is ridiculous!"
Ares paled as Charlie's gaze landed on him.
"He's coming, he's coming, I'm gonna die again…"
"Hey, buddy, got a light?"
The clone produced a cigarette from nowhere, leaning toward Ares. "I'm a god, but I can't conjure flames out of thin air."
The clone was serious. Ares, trembling, pulled a lighter from his pocket.
"M-me too."
Click~
The flame sparked, and the clone lit the cigarette, taking a deep drag.
Huff~
White smoke swirled, easing the clone's mood.
Then his face darkened.
"Smoking's bad for health. You trying to poison me?"
Fury flashed across his face, and Ares jumped.
"I knew you had it out for me! You asked for it!!"
"I don't care. You've earned your death!"
BOOM!!
A golden beam descended, shredding Ares into fragments.
Kang and Nova fled without hesitation.
"Run! He'll find an excuse to take us out!!"
"Jerk, we were on his side!"
"We were, not anymore!!!"
RRRUMBLE!!
The golden Spider Totem pounced, and the two vanished from the world.
The clone, cigarette dangling, laughed maniacally.
Hahaha! "Spider-Man should be decisive. This is how you do superhero!"
Grandmaster: "…"
He slipped behind Clark. "Young man, protect me."
Clark: "???"
The Grandmaster explained, "This guy's off. He's not the real Spider-Man. I suspect he enjoys abusing captives. As the righteous Superman, you must stop this."
Clark frowned. "You make a good point."
Before he could say more, the clone turned and waved. "Clark, we gotta save people."
Clark: "???"
"What?"
This wasn't what he expected.
The clone said earnestly, "Our fight's affected tons of innocents. Superheroes step up now, don't they?"
"Y-you're right."
Clark nodded, joining the clone to haul buildings.
The Grandmaster stood alone, stunned.
"He's not taking me out?"
His eyes lit up, and he clapped. "Haha, even as a clone, he honors my bond with Charlie. I misjudged—huh? Oh no!"
Webbing beneath his feet froze his smile.
If he remembered right…
This stuff… explodes.
BOOM!!!
The explosion behind made Clark frown mid-air.
"Something's up back there," he said to the nearby clone.
The clone ignored him, tossing another building to Clark.
"Just an aftershock. Your job's to help civilians evacuate—oh no, that building's collapsing. Hold on, I'll grab another."
"Wait, just prop it up, don't pull it out!!"
"No way. With great power comes great responsibility. Spider-Man doesn't prop up buildings, only respects Uncle Ben."
Clark: "What are you even talking about?!"
This guy was nuts.
…
The next morning, dawn broke.
Sunlight warmed the rooftops, illuminating two figures.
"Ah~ The light of justice shines on the earth again."
The clone and Clark absorbed stellar energy, soothing their weary bodies.
Clark glanced at the clone, hesitant.
"What's up?" the clone noticed.
Clark took a deep breath. "Is the real Charlie okay?"
The clone shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he's tangled in something tricky. Might join you soon."
Clark, used to Spider-Man's banter, mused, "Tell me, how do we save the world next?"
"Save the world?"
The clone raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, how about we destroy it instead?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
The clone grinned, hands on hips. "This world faces unknown dangers. That guy's gone, and we can't find other threats. Why not destroy it? We'll be back quick."
Clark frowned. "You serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" The clone's smile faded.
Huff~~
The air chilled, and Clark clenched his fists, eyes sharpening.
"I knew it. You're not like him. You're just mimicking, no mind of your own."
The clone shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Clark turned away. "You'll get it someday. Until then, I'll stop you. Don't dream of destroying this world."
"I absolutely trust Spider-Man." He locked eyes with the clone, resolute. "You too."
He soared into the sky, vanishing into the red sun.
The clone, left on the rooftop, stared at the black speck in the sun, unbothered.
"What's that mean? Of course I trust the main body. But completing the mission comes first.
Hmm, how to play the villain… Got it!"
He clapped. "To be a proper villain, you need a solid motive for world destruction. The Resurrection Match tasks lack depth, no logic. Step one: gather some shady allies and learn to be bad!"
The clone grinned, turning toward the Seven's Tower.
"Homelander, your VIP has arrived!"
…
"Achoo!"
In the office, Homelander sneezed, incredulous.
"No way, I caught a cold?"
"Not a cold. You're probably just scared."
Maeve entered, placing last night's battle footage on the desk.
"These are from the crew. Blurry, but you should spot something."
Homelander grabbed the files, locking onto a man in a red-and-blue suit.
"This guy… Soldier Boy?"
"No, Soldier Boy's not that strong."
Maeve tapped the other side of the file. "There's a golden guy too, the mastermind. His power's no less than the other's, and he controls a massive golden spider pet. It's virtual but can devour anyone, even his supposed allies."
Recalling last night's scenes, Homelander shivered, tossing the files back.
"Why investigate them? We should leave this city, expand elsewhere. It's too dangerous here." Fear gripped him.
That power wasn't something humans—or even superhumans—could resist.
Maeve sighed, knowing he was right.
"The higher-ups want us to find them, recruit them, and build a grander heroic image to dominate the entertainment market."
Homelander's face darkened. He'd lose his spot as the Seven's leader.
"They're abandoning me?" he growled.
Maeve, cautious, said, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out."
"No! They can't do this!"
Furious, Homelander stood, yelling out the window. "I grew up in their labs, endured so much to get here. How dare they ditch me? I won't accept it. I'll duel that guy, I'll—"
Knock knock.
The door opened. Ashley Barrett led in an unremarkable young man, annoying Maeve.
"Ashley, this isn't your place. Out!"
Maeve snapped, but Ashley was unfazed.
"Madeleine, didn't you get the memo? I'm no longer your assistant. I'm Spider-Man's personal assistant now. Only Mr. Spider-Man can order me. In short, we're equals."
Ashley's arrogance darkened Maeve's face. "What Spider-Man? I don't know what you're—"
"Now you do."
The clone spoke, and radiant gold filled the room. A roaring golden spider unleashed a terrifying aura, making even Homelander want to kneel, let alone mortal Maeve.
The gold faded, and the three gasped, drenched in sweat.
Ashley's face lit up. Her superhero was the strongest.
Maeve paled. "You're…"
Seeing the young man in golden armor, she understood.
This was last night's golden guy!
He had godlike power!
Homelander's face was grim, his body trembling with fear and reluctance.
But what could he do?
The opponent's power was beyond imagination, unstoppable.
Soon, his fondness for Mr. Spider-Man skyrocketed.
The clone shot webbing, binding Maeve and tossing her to Homelander.
"Homelander, as the new Seven's leader, this is your captain's welcome gift. Hope you don't mind."
His words stunned everyone.
"What?" Homelander was flustered.
Maeve glared. "Jerk, I'm—"
"From now on, I'm in charge!"
The clone clenched his fist, warping the void.
"Be friends or enemies. Your choice!"
Maeve fell silent, unable to speak.
Spider-Man's power was suffocating.
Homelander, conflicted, accepted the "gift."
Well, he was very conflicted.
"Spider-Man—no, Captain, thanks for the gift." Homelander was so grateful.
He liked older women.
Since he couldn't resist, he'd accept it.
The clone nodded, instructing Ashley.
"Get Deep some giant octopuses. A-Train's so fast, buy him some 'meds.' Oh, Queen Maeve's malnourished lately. Tell her to come to my room tonight—I'll give her a proper boost."
Homelander: "…"
Whatever, just an ex. Let it go!
Soon, Homelander and the others left the office.
The clone lounged on the soft sofa, chuckling. "Not bad for me. Made so many shady allies so fast. Now it's time to learn to be bad."
…
Meanwhile, in the Marvel Universe, Charlie's eyelid twitched, sensing something bad was coming.
No way, I'm a god. Why so superstitious?
Nah, I'm just scaring myself.