Chapter 194: The First Step to Becoming a Superhero
A few days later.
Saturday morning.
Fortunately, that one-handed warning had been effective—Felicia had behaved herself these past few days and hadn't bothered Xi Nian again. Still, Xi Nian felt like school life wasn't nearly as carefree as it used to be.
So, on the first day of break—
Xi Nian slept until ten in the morning. After finishing what was basically brunch at home, it was already close to eleven.
After eleven—
Xi Nian changed into a light casual outfit for going out, slung a backpack over his shoulder, and double-checked that he hadn't forgotten anything. Only then did he call out toward the balcony:
"Time to go, Xiao Huang!"
"Meow."
The little orange cat lazily opened her drowsy eyes, flicked her short tail, then finally shook herself awake and trotted after Xi Nian.
…
As soon as Xi Nian stepped out of the community gate, he immediately spotted it—the same modified car from last time parked on the roadside.
It was a black muscle car, reinforced with added armor plating. From the outside, you couldn't see a thing inside. It stood out easily…
Xi Nian, already familiar, walked straight up and pulled open the passenger door to hop in:
"Uncle Director, did I keep you waiting—"
His words cut off.
Because sitting in the driver's seat wasn't the Director, but a woman.
Her face was strikingly young and beautiful, with a cold aura somewhat reminiscent of Black Widow. She wore a full black leather bodysuit, snug from neck to waist, outlining her stunning figure in sharp curves…
"And you are?" Xi Nian asked, looking at her.
At the same time, the female agent with the codename "Quake" was studying Xi Nian closely. The confusion in her eyes only grew stronger.
This was the person Director Fury had personally instructed her to escort to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters and protect? A completely ordinary high school boy?!
Not only that—
The boy was dressed in casual clothes, carrying a backpack, and even had a small orange cat perched on his shoulder. He looked more like he was headed on a sightseeing trip!
And she, a Level Ten agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., felt more like a babysitter… or a tour guide.
Quake was speechless. But her curiosity only deepened. Just what was going on with this kid?
Fury hadn't given her much detail. Only a photo, and the order to bring him safely to headquarters.
Though the mission briefing had stressed one thing—pay close attention to the small cat he carried. Do not touch it lightly!
An ordinary boy. An ordinary cat. Such a strange assignment…
Quake frowned. She instinctively disliked this "babysitting" job. Yet, for some reason, the moment she laid eyes on Xi Nian, she found it hard to refuse.
Facing Xi Nian's question, Quake finally answered in a cold voice:
"Skye. You can just call me Skye."
…
Washington, in a nearby neighborhood street.
Inside a bookstore, a short-haired girl was browsing through titles.
Suddenly, her Spider-Sense flared—sharp, urgent. She noticed that the clerks and other customers had quietly left the store.
Gwen narrowed her eyes. That's when a man in a sharp suit walked in.
"You are…" Gwen looked at him, a bit surprised. "Mr. Stark?"
"Yes, I'm Tony Stark."
The man removed his sunglasses, revealing a face with a trimmed goatee, handsome and full of charisma. Confidence and pride radiated from him.
And with good reason.
As a founding Avenger, the armored Iron Man, billionaire industrialist, and head of Stark Industries, Tony Stark was a man who stood as tall as the gods in New York.
"Oh."
Gwen responded with a short nod, then turned back to browsing the shelves.
Tony: "…"
"You're not even curious why I came here to find you?" Tony asked, his patience thinning.
"You came here for me?"
Gwen looked up with genuine curiosity. "What could I possibly be worth finding?"
"As just a cop's daughter? Not much. But as Spider-Woman… that's a different story."
Tony said this while pulling a photo from his jacket pocket. It showed Spider-Woman swinging through the city skyline.
"And?" Gwen's expression didn't change. She seemed utterly unconcerned that someone knew her secret identity.
Tony: "???"
He had never found communication so difficult in his life.
But kids were kids. If he could tempt her with something flashy, like a toy—
Thinking this, Tony set down the silver briefcase he carried. With a fingerprint scan, the sleek, high-tech case clicked open.
Gwen's eyes were drawn to it despite herself faking nonchalance. Inside was a black-and-white spider suit, sleek and futuristic, the spider emblem across the chest glowing faintly.
"This is a specially designed suit—comfortable, durable, with built-in web modes for different combat situations, plus an integrated AI system…" Tony began explaining, but Gwen's eyes quickly lost interest.
Tony's cheek twitched. Then he played his trump card.
"I'll also develop an upgraded set for you, modeled after the Iron Man armor. A metal spider suit, perfectly matched to you—as soon as I finish researching a new, highly elastic alloy…"
"You mean… like this?"
Gwen rolled up her sleeve, revealing a sleek wristband. With a light tap, it expanded, unfolding up her arm in a shimmer of silver-white metal.
In less than three seconds, the girl's body was fully covered in a fitted, platinum spider armor. Thin yet resilient, clinging to her form, the glowing spider emblem gleaming across her chest.
...
Tony: "What the fuck?!!!"
…
Gotham City.
Atop the Wayne Tower rooftop under a gloomy sky.
"Mr. Wayne, thank you for agreeing to teach me how to be a superhero."
"Since Clark asked me to, I'll do what I can. But Gotham's criminals are extremely dangerous. You must be careful."
A tall man stood with a silver-haired girl at the rooftop's edge, looking out over the sprawling city.
"I'll give you the contact info of a police officer named Gordon. He'll handle many of the follow-up details."
Bruce Wayne paused. Truthfully, he was more worried for the criminals than for the Kryptonian girl beside him.
But sending her to another city would only be more dangerous…
Looking at her again, Bruce repeated firmly:
"Property damage doesn't matter. In any situation, protecting civilians comes first. And try to spare the criminals' lives—leave the rest for Gordon to handle afterward."
"Alright, I'll do my best."
Kara blinked, then agreed readily.
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