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"No! This is too ridiculous!"
Thor was the first to jump out.
He strode up to Peter and reached out his large hand.
"Kid, give the draw to me. You cannot go to this match."
Peter took a step back, instinctively shielding the bamboo draw behind his back.
"But, Mr. Thor, these are the rules. I was the one who drew it..."
"Forget about those damn rules!" Thor said without room for argument. "This is a life-or-death job, and you're still just a kid!"
"That damn purple-headed freak's subordinates are all cold-blooded monsters. If you go, you're just throwing your life away! Homelander's magical beans are all used up!"
"Besides, Earth has already lost two matches in a row! What we need most right now is a clean, decisive victory to boost morale!"
Although Thor's words were crude, his intention was to protect Peter.
"Thor is right, kid. This isn't a school exam where you can retake it if you mess up. This is a fight to the death."
Steve also stepped forward and patted Peter on the shoulder, speaking earnestly.
"Give the draw to Thor. You are still too young; this kind of pressure shouldn't be yours to bear."
Tony, having just experienced great highs and lows, spoke up wearily: "Be a good boy, Pajama Baby. Hand over the draw. Adults should clean up their own messes."
All eyes were fixed on Peter.
The pressure was immense.
In the past, that neighborhood boy who only knew how to catch car thieves and robbers in Queens would have long since taken the easy way out and handed over the draw when faced with the persuasion of so many top-tier heroes.
But the Peter of now was no longer the same.
He remembered every word Homelander had said to him.
"No."
Peter shook his head. "I won't hand it over."
"Mr. Thor, Captain, and Mr. Stark."
"You always force all the responsibility onto your own shoulders."
"I know you mean well. You think I'm still a child who needs protection."
Peter's words made everyone pause slightly.
"But I am a student of Vought Vanguard Hero Academy. I am someone personally selected by Mr. Homelander."
"Mr. Homelander has taught me: with great power comes great responsibility."
"Since I possess this power, I cannot hide behind you forever!"
Peter looked directly at the tall Thor.
"You said Earth needs a victory to boost morale. You're right. But I believe Earth also needs to see that even the youngest generation has the courage to face the abyss!"
"Since I am standing here... then this is no longer just your war; it is my war too!"
"If I shrink back today and push the responsibility onto you, then I will never deserve to wear this suit, nor will I deserve to call myself a student of Homelander!"
"Even if I die in that arena today, it will be a choice I made to protect Earth."
"This is my destiny, and no one has the right to deprive me of it!"
Peter's words were clear and resonant.
He looked around at the elders before him.
There was no retreat in his eyes, only a maturity and sense of responsibility that transcended his age.
These words silenced everyone present.
Steve felt as if he saw his own thin but stubborn self back in Brooklyn.
Thor opened his mouth, but didn't know how to refute him.
Although he was a brute, he knew how to respect a warrior's resolve.
"You stubborn kid..." Tony sighed; he knew this child had already made his decision.
"Captain, teach him something practical." Tony turned his head to look at Steve.
Steve nodded and instructed him seriously: "Keep moving, don't go head-to-head with the enemy. Utilize your speed and agility, and strike decisively as soon as you spot an opening."
"Yes, sir, Captain!" Peter gave a slightly sloppy military salute.
Tony was still worried: "Since you insist on going, you must come back alive. I promised to throw you a party; don't make me break my word."
Peter broke into a bright smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Stark. Don't forget, we still have a secret weapon."
After saying this, he gripped the bamboo draw in his hand and looked at Homelander again.
"Please let me take the stage, Mr. Homelander. I am ready."
Homelander watched Peter quietly.
It had to be said, the brainwashing effect on this kid was perfect.
"Go, Spider-Man." Homelander nodded with a smile. "Let the whole Universe see how a Vought boy fights."
Peter nodded vigorously.
Just as he was about to step toward the Portal, someone called out to him.
It was the Ancient One.
"Mr. Parker, wait a moment."
Peter stopped and stood still obediently.
The Ancient One opened her palm, and a mysterious emblem made of unknown metal lay quietly in it.
"Sorcerer? Is this for me?" Peter asked.
The Ancient One nodded and handed the emblem to Peter. Peter took it with both hands and examined it curiously. "Whoa, this looks cool. Is this some kind of magic pass?"
"You could understand it that way." The Ancient One looked at him gently. "Your situation is the same as Mr. Stark's; you are carrying enchanted items from different systems. To avoid magic interference, I made this little object just now."
The Ancient One pointed to the emblem and said: "It contains the protective spell of Agamotto, as well as a substitution spell."
"I didn't bind it directly to you; you need to crush it yourself to activate the spell."
Peter gripped the brass emblem and thanked her solemnly: "Thank you, Sorcerer. This is too valuable."
"Protect yourself, child." The Ancient One reached out and gently patted Peter on the shoulder.
It was evident that the Ancient One was very fond of Peter, this pure child.
"Seize the opportunity, and make sure to protect yourself, child." The Ancient One instructed softly.
"Thank you, Sorcerer! I will!" Peter carefully tucked the emblem into the hidden storage compartment of his suit.
Immediately after, he pulled down his mask.
Under everyone's gaze, Spider-Man leaped and jumped into the shimmering light screen.
"Clang—clang—clang—clang—!"
"Ladies! Gentlemen! And those hermaphroditic soft-bodied creatures! Welcome back to the most badass slaughterhouse in the Universe!"
The Grandmaster's high-pitched voice echoed through the entire cosmic arena once again.
"The first three matches were full of climaxes and flying flesh! The current score is one to two! Thanos's Black Order is currently in the lead!"
"Next, we have what might be the match-point deciding round!"
"Now, let us see which two lucky winners will participate in the fourth duel!"
"First to take the stage is the representative for the Black Order!"
The holographic screen switched instantly, focusing on Thanos's direction.
A man with a slender build, wearing a gorgeous dark red interstellar suit, walked slowly into the Portal.
He did not have the hideous and terrifying appearance of the Black Order, but instead had a quite charming face, with a playful smile hanging from the corner of his mouth.