Queens at night was still as simple and rustic as ever. Meng Ran stood atop a clock tower, looking down at the streets and lights below.
As the name of the "Evil Ghost" grew louder, the crime rate in Queens had significantly decreased.
The criminals were clearly somewhat wary of the Evil Ghost, fearing his sudden appearance.
Of course, these were mostly petty thieves; the real criminal organizations didn't care about Meng Ran. They felt there was no need to fear a lunatic in a costume.
Meng Ran's strength also grew as his fame increased and he accumulated more points.
Especially that basketball game; it was the beginning of his skyrocketing fame.
Someone posted his one-on-one basketball video online, which immediately caused a huge stir, allowing him to enjoy his first major points harvest.
The subsequent surge in points was thanks to the "Evil Ghost." As he continuously combated crime every day, someone would always capture his whereabouts, or people he rescued would spontaneously promote him online. Now, there was already an online forum dedicated to the Evil Ghost.
At the same time, the media keenly noticed the relationship between his appearance and the drop in crime rates. So, the quick-witted reporters also began to report on him, while also criticizing the police's inaction.
In short, Meng Ran was in high spirits now, doing good deeds while also increasing his strength.
Of course, he would never admit that the fundamental reason for his happiness was actually related to Gwen.
After the basketball game, their relationship grew closer, and they even did homework together a few times.
They also made plans to have dinner together this Saturday, fulfilling a bet.
Thinking about his Saturday date, Meng Ran couldn't help but grin, and after the suit's voice changer, his laughter turned into an unpleasant, unsettling "Evil Ghost laugh."
Thankfully, no one was around, otherwise, they would definitely be scared into having nightmares.
"Two more days. For now, it's better to work hard." Meng Ran reined in his wandering thoughts. He had already come to regard his daily crime-fighting as work, even if it didn't pay.
He leaped from the rooftop, falling towards the ground, then, midway down the building, he pushed off the wall with both feet, rushing towards the rooftop of a slightly lower building opposite.
Upon reaching the rooftop, he simply dropped down and landed steadily, without needing any other movements.
This was the excellence of the Venom suit; it automatically absorbed shock during his descent, requiring no further action from him.
He moved between buildings, while also keeping an eye on the situation on the ground.
Venom was also helping him look for where crimes were happening. After several possessions, Venom had evolved to the point where it could communicate simply.
Bill Neal was strolling down the street. He had recently been released from prison, and the gang boss, to reward him for taking the fall and serving time, had promised him a lucrative position.
He was currently in a waiting period before starting his new job, idle all day, and had just gone for a few drinks.
Just as he was wondering where to go next for some fun, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
Mia was a college student who had just accepted an invitation to have a few drinks with friends at a bar.
Because her friends had gone off with some handsome guys for a drive and a deeper chat, she had no choice but to go home alone.
It wasn't far from home, less than a ten-minute walk, otherwise, she wouldn't dare to wander the streets alone at night.
"I wonder how Martha is doing. She's probably having an extra meal of chicken right now." Mia shook her head; she had already tried to advise Martha.
From the way that blue-eyed senior looked at her, Mia was certain he wasn't a good person.
But Martha felt it was no big deal; after all, everyone was just getting what they wanted, just having some fun.
Who cared about his character, as long as he was handsome and could bring happiness, that was enough.
Mia obviously couldn't agree with her point of view, otherwise, she wouldn't be walking home alone so late.
Mia, walking briskly ahead, was clearly unaware that she was being targeted.
At this moment, Bill was following behind her, observing which alley would be best.
Just as Mia walked a little further and passed an alley, a pair of hands suddenly reached out from the darkness within, pulling her in. Before she could even scream for help, her mouth was covered.
Bill tied Mia's hands to a railing, immobilizing her, then covered her mouth with one hand, slowly enjoying Mia's panicked expression.
"What a gem," Bill took a deep breath of Mia's scent, then grinned and said, "You little slut, you'll have to spread your legs and open your little mouth later. I've got a lot to give you."
Mia cried in terror, shaking her head frantically, as if expressing her refusal would spare her from harm. But the more she did this, the more excited and happy Bill became.
Bill released his hand from her mouth; anyway, it was so late that no one should be passing by here.
And even if someone did pass by, they probably wouldn't dare to stop him. On the contrary, listening to Mia's pleas and cries would only excite him more.
Bill fumbled to unbutton Mia's clothes, admiring the young girl's youthful body, while also unzipping his own pants.
Just as he was about to begin enjoying himself, he suddenly felt a cold breeze on his back, giving him goosebumps all over.
He turned around, a little confused, and just as he did, he saw a foot kicking towards him.
That foot landed on his crotch, instantly embedding him into the wall.
Bill felt pain all over his body, especially in his crotch, which burned and ached. That feeling was ten thousand times more painful than being kicked in the testicles, because they had already shattered.
Meng Ran indifferently glanced at Bill, who had been kicked into the wall and knocked unconscious, then quickly untied Mia.
Then he turned his back, urging Mia to quickly put on her clothes.
Although Mia was rescued, she was still in shock. She continued to sob and tremble while hastily getting dressed.
Once her clothes were on, Mia finally felt a bit of security, and her emotions gradually stabilized.
She looked up at Meng Ran's fierce face and narrow eyes.
At this moment, this terrifying face, in Mia's eyes, was more gentle and reassuring than anyone else in the world.
She hugged herself tightly and repeatedly thanked Meng Ran, saying, "Thank you, thank you."
After comforting Mia, Meng Ran escorted her home.
Mia stood at her room window, watching the dark figure disappear into the night.
For Meng Ran, this was just one of his many acts of bravery, but for Mia, it was a life-saving grace that saved her from humiliation.
Therefore, Mia was also very grateful to the Evil Ghost; if he hadn't been there, she would certainly not have escaped this ordeal today.
After Meng Ran took Mia home, he returned to where Bill was.
Bill was still unconscious by the wall, his lower half exposed. That heavy kick, combined with the pain in his crotch, was enough to keep him unconscious until morning.
Meng Ran bound his hands with a rope, then hung him from a street lamp on the street outside, letting him swing in the wind with his pride and indulgence.
"This is capitalist treatment; you got off easy." After writing down Bill's crimes and hanging it on him, Meng Ran turned and left.
With clear evidence of attempted rape, the New York police should handle Bill. He wouldn't waste time; he had many other things to do.
Along the way, Meng Ran taught a few more petty thieves a lesson.
"Phew~ No wonder Spider-Man in the movies is always late. He barely has time for romance. This job is really not easy. Why are there so many of these people, endlessly appearing?"
"What a garbage country, a garbage big city. Its public safety is far worse compared to my Heavenly Dynasty." Meng Ran continued to wander the city, complaining about how truly terrible the public safety was in this city of sin.
The people of Europe and America were in dire straits; indeed, capitalism was doomed to fall.
Meng Ran returned to his room near dawn and began to meditate.
He had earned quite a few points during this time, and Meng Ran had already upgraded all his previous skills to intermediate level (Close Combat; Firearms Mastery; First Aid Mastery).
He had also purchased an additional Cold Weapon Mastery and upgraded it to intermediate level.
Buying a beginner level only cost 20 points, upgrading from beginner to intermediate required 100, intermediate to advanced required 500, and advanced to master required 1000.
Cultivation methods were different from skills; upgrading one level usually just added a zero to the cost. Even though Meng Ran's reputation exploded recently, earning him over a thousand, almost two thousand points, he couldn't just pile points onto the Free Breathing Technique and Wave-Treading Steps to upgrade them.
However, it was good that daily practice and insights could save him some points (upgrading by adding a zero referred to directly using points without practice).
He managed to upgrade the Free Breathing Technique and Wave-Treading Steps to intermediate level, and Meng Ran kept some points in reserve.
After several cycles of meditation, Meng Ran dispelled his fatigue. He lay on his bed, and his mind couldn't help but start thinking about his Saturday date again. Thinking about it, he eventually drifted off to sleep.