The moment the ash from Maguire's cigar dropped into Flash's eye, the lingering heat made him scream in pain.
"Ahhh—!"
Maguire frowned.
"What's this? Still got a problem?"
Flash instantly clamped his mouth shut.
Maguire glanced down at his overturned lunch tray and sighed.
"Well, now this is a problem. My food's all over the floor, and I'm still hungry."
"Flash, what do you think we should do about that?"
Flash quickly blurted, "I'll get you another meal—on my card! Just… please, let me go."
Maguire loosened his grip.
Freed from the iron hold, Flash rubbed his aching arm—only for Maguire to step right up to him and give the injured limb a heavy pat.
"Thanks, man. Sorry to make you go to the trouble."
The sharp pain twisted Flash's face again, but he forced a smile.
"No problem… it's the least I can do."
Maguire nodded in satisfaction, then extended his cigar toward him.
"Here—want a drag?"
Flash flinched. No way was he taking that.
"I'll… go get your food. Be right back."
He bolted for the cafeteria counter like a man fleeing a crime scene.
Inside his head, a herd of wild horses galloped by.
*People used to say I was the school bully… but Peter? Peter's the biggest bully in Midtown High.*
…
The display left the nearby students staring at Maguire in open fear.
No one dared get too close, lest he light that signature cigar in *their* direction.
…
The system's voice suddenly rang in Maguire's head:
> \[Congratulations, host. Bully action completed.
> Base Bully Points: +20
> Story Character Bonus: +5
> Current Bully Points: 65]
Maguire smirked.
*So Flash counts as a story character, huh? Still… that bonus is small. Side characters just aren't worth much. I need main villains for the big payouts.*
…
Mary Jane, seeing how Flash now feared Maguire, stormed away in a huff.
Garfield approached instead, smiling.
"Hey, I'm Garfield Parker. Nice to meet you."
Never one to snub a friendly approach, Maguire smiled back.
"I'm Peter Parker—but I prefer people call me Maguire."
Garfield didn't get why, but kept smiling.
"Maguire, then. There's a Dr. Connors research presentation tomorrow. Want to come with me?"
The real reason for the invite was clear—Garfield wanted to confirm if Maguire, like him, had been bitten by a spider and gained powers.
Maguire's eyes lit up.
*Dr. Connors… the Lizard. Nice. A main villain means another wave of Bully Points.*
"Sure," Maguire replied. "But I've got one piece of advice for you."
Garfield tilted his head. "What is it?"
Maguire grinned.
"Only the ruthless survive."
The words burned like a slap. Garfield knew exactly what he meant—it was a jab at his earlier passivity when Flash threatened him.
*So he noticed my change too…*
Garfield nodded firmly. "Got it, Maguire." Then he walked away.
What he didn't realize was that befriending Maguire wouldn't lead to "three friendly neighborhood Spider-Men"… but *three bullies*.
A few minutes later, Flash returned carrying a tray stacked with food.
He set it down carefully in front of Maguire.
"Peter, can I go now?"
Maguire's brow creased.
Flash's heart skipped a beat.
*What did I say wrong now?*
Taking a long drag on his cigar, Maguire said,
"From now on, call me Maguire. Got it?"
Flash didn't care if it was Maguire, McGuire, or Macaroni—he nodded fast.
"Got it, Maguire."
With a wave of his hand, Maguire dismissed him.
Flash was gone in an instant, running like the devil was at his heels.
…
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