William wasn't surprised by Spider-Man's appearance; after all, the kid was famous for loving to butt in.
Wherever there was trouble, there he was, practically New York City's "disaster weathervane."
What he found strange was, how was this plot getting wilder and wilder?
War Machine didn't show up, and the one filling in was this neighborhood hero who was still in high school?
What was this supposed to be?
Was the Marvel Universe also into temporary workers filling in?
"Hey! Pajama Boy!"
An angry metallic voice descended from the sky. Iron Man slammed on the brakes in mid-air, hovering in front of Spider-Man, his voice from beneath the faceplate filled with annoyance at being interrupted.
"Who told you to interfere? Does it look like I need help from an athlete in a leotard here?"
Tony Stark was about to explode with rage.
It was already embarrassing enough to be chased and beaten by a shoddy contraption from a competitor he despised, right in his own backyard.
Now, this street hero who swung around Queens all day also came to "save the day." He could already imagine tomorrow's Daily Bugle headline with his toes—"Is Iron Man Finished? Stark Expo Brutally Attacked, Saved by Mysterious Spider-Kid!"
Where would Tony Stark put his face after that?!
Spider-Man was a bit stunned by this barrage of scolding.
He scratched his head, and the expression under his mask must have been very innocent.
"Uh, Mr. Stark? I just saw someone who needed help..."
"Then go help those who need help!"
Tony's tone was unequivocal. He extended a metallic arm, pointing at the screaming, fleeing crowd on the ground.
"Go evacuate civilians, be a good neighborhood hero. This is an adult battlefield, don't try to steal my kills!"
With that, he went full throttle and charged back into the swarm of drones in the sky, as if to prove with his actions that he "still had it."
Spider-Man looked at Iron Man's retreating figure, then at the chaotic crowd on the ground, feeling a bit lost for a moment.
"Boss..."
Tandy's voice came from beside him, carrying a hint of reluctance and a plea.
She watched a mother in the distance, knocked to the ground by an explosion's shockwave, struggling to reach her crying child nearby.
"We can't just stand by and watch."
Tyrone's voice was low but firm.
Under his black hood, his fists were unconsciously clenched.
William glanced at his two interns.
Tandy's eyes held pure pity and urgency, while Tyrone's eyes, besides reluctance, also showed a hint of dark unrest stirred by the chaotic scene.
He knew that making them just watch was not only inhumane but also a torment to their state of mind.
"Go."
William's answer was crisp and direct.
The two young people suddenly looked up, a bit surprised.
"Consider this a live-action drill. The topic is 'Humanitarian Aid and Self-Protection in Large-Scale Disaster Scenes.'"
William's tone was as business-like as ever.
"Remember, our primary principle is to ensure our own safety. You are valuable assets to the company; I don't want to be paying your families compensation tomorrow."
He paused, then added: "Also, keep a low profile, don't get on TV. Our company culture is to quietly make a fortune, not to be TV celebrities."
"Understood!"
Tandy nodded heavily, a smile appearing on her face.
The next second, a soft holy light emanated from her, no longer the aggressive light spears from before, but a warm, healing aura.
She shot like an arrow of light, silently rushing towards the mother and child.
Tyrone, meanwhile, silently merged into the shadows, his entire presence vanishing. He was going to deal with those trapped under the debris, the power of darkness serving as the best cover at that moment.
Watching his two employees instantly get into action, William nodded in satisfaction.
Good, very spirited.
He refocused his gaze on the battlefield, ready to continue enjoying this free fireworks show and, incidentally, assess Stark Industries' battle damage to prepare ample arguments for the upcoming premium increase.
Spider-Man followed My Lord's advice, preparing to help the civilians who needed him more.
However, just as he shot out a web and his body was about to swing to another location...
A sharp, insane laugh, like fingernails scraping a blackboard, echoed through the entire park without warning!
"Hehehe... what a lively party! Tony Stark, how could you not invite me?"
The voice was filled with neurotic madness, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
William's eyebrow twitched violently.
That voice... something was wrong!
He abruptly looked up, following the source of the sound.
In the night sky, a green figure on a bat-shaped glider was rapidly approaching!
He wore a suit of green metallic armor like a demon, his helmet's face was terrifyingly grotesque, and a pair of yellow eyes gleamed with an ominous light in the night.
"Boom—!!!"
With a casual flick of his hand, a pumpkin bomb arced through the air and landed in the center of Hammer Industries' already ravaged exhibition booth.
A violent explosion erupted skyward, its fire even overshadowing the drone's gunfire!
That explosion stunned everyone.
Iron Man, who was entangled in a fight with the drones, nearly lost his balance due to the sudden blast.
"Another one?! What kind of cursed day is this? Did the villain market open?!"
Tony ranted furiously, watching the display inside his faceplate.
William, hiding behind a support pillar, had an expression that could no longer be described as merely strange; it was a look of utter disbelief, as if he'd seen a ghost.
Damn it, Green Goblin?!
Norman Osborn?!
Shouldn't he be quietly doing research?
When did this guy become Green Goblin?
And why did he show up at Iron Man's event for his first appearance?
What in the world was going on?!
William felt his brain wasn't processing fast enough.
Ivan Vanko hacking Hammer drones and fighting Iron Man—he knew this script, it was Iron Man 2.
Spider-Man coming to the rescue, though a bit unexpected, was somewhat excusable considering everyone was in New York and could drop by.
But Green Goblin showing up to blow up the place too, what was that supposed to be?
"Hehehe..."
Green Goblin's laughter echoed in the air. He piloted his glider, skillfully dodging several stray bullets aimed at him, his posture utterly arrogant.
He seemed to not care about the drones at all. Green Goblin scanned the disheveled Iron Man with interest, then glanced at the poised Spider-Man.
Finally, his gaze... landed on the exhibition hall where William was.
William's heart sank.
No way?
"An interesting little mouse?"
Green Goblin murmured, then abruptly pressed down on his glider, like a diving falcon, rushing straight towards the exhibition hall where William was!
"Oh, crap!"
William completely lost his composure now, forgetting all about his business elite demeanor. He grabbed his briefcase, turned, and ran.
Watching the show only for it to turn on him?
Was there no justice left in the Universe?!
Why was this green psychopath staring at me?! I'm just a damn insurance salesman!
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