"This is the final adjustment, Peter."
"A special chemical substance, transformed into sticky, stretchy webs through this bracelet."
Alex Reed adjusted his glasses and handed Peter a ring-shaped, watch-like device.
"I didn't expect you to possess such power. I hope you won't let it down."
Alex looked at Peter, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
"Thank you, Mr. Reed."
"I'll use it well!"
The hatred in Peter's eyes hadn't faded with time.
On the contrary, during the period Alex spent perfecting the web-shooter, Peter's murderous aura had only grown stronger.
Of course, this was largely due to Alex's subtle "guidance."
Alex looked up at the nascent Spider-Man before him, examining him like a rare treasure.
Disheveled hair, fists stained with blood...
It seemed Peter had caused trouble for quite a few people lately.
With just a glance, the information seemed to flow into Alex's mind automatically, as if gaining consciousness.
Seeing Peter like this, Alex nodded inwardly.
"Peter, trained by Ben, was too cowardly."
"He kept Spider-Man's potential completely hidden under that red bodysuit."
"Peter Parker, you need a complete transformation!"
With this thought, Alex reached into a drawer and pulled out a sheet of white paper. On it were a few lines of text and a sketched portrait.
"This is a sketch I drew based on the description of the killer you provided."
"If nothing unexpected happens, the person who killed Uncle Ben is right here."
Alex's tone remained calm and even as he spoke.
Peter took the paper and stared at the portrait. His hands clenched so tightly the paper crumpled.
"It's him!"
Every word seemed squeezed out through gritted teeth.
Murderous intent radiated from Peter's body, and the already-crumpled paper tore further.
"Leave the rest to me."
After a brief moment of shock, Peter regained his composure and swallowed hard.
His red-rimmed eyes looked at Alex with deep gratitude.
Peter didn't ask how Alex had obtained the address.
How could a mere chemistry teacher have such skillful drawing abilities?
Nodding to Alex, Peter turned and left quickly.
Alex said nothing.
In his eyes, he saw Peter's body trembling with rage and the savage, suppressed hatred within.
"Grow, Peter."
"In the future world, you will surely have a place!"
Alex murmured to himself as he watched Peter's receding figure.
But Alex's plan didn't end there.
After Peter left, Alex took out his phone and dialed a number with practiced ease.
"Hello, is this May?"
"Yes, I'm Peter's teacher at Midtown High School."
"I'd like to talk to you about Peter. Do you know how he's been lately?"
"Then I think we should find a place to sit down and have a good talk. How about 8 p.m. tonight?"
...
In a quiet coffee shop.
Sitting opposite Alex was none other than the legendary Aunt May.
Though over 50, she looked remarkably young, with very few wrinkles.
But because of Ben's death, Aunt May appeared haggard. Her eyes were still slightly red, showing she had been crying not long ago.
"I've always had high hopes for Peter."
"But he seems a bit out of sorts lately..."
Alex spoke earnestly, stirring his coffee spoon as if he were simply a concerned elder.
The coffee swirled in the white porcelain cup, vaguely forming a yin-yang pattern.
His words continued, but Alex's attention drifted to the view outside the glass window.
He glanced at his watch, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"It's getting late. I'm afraid Peter will start to worry."
"Let's talk as we walk. I can give you a ride home."
Aunt May hesitated at Alex's suggestion, but thinking of Peter, she nodded wearily.
"Thank you, Alex."
The two had just left the coffee shop
and stepped into a dark alley not far away.
A commotion erupted from the street behind them.
Amid gasps of surprise, a blond figure darted out from the crowd.
Danny's eyes lit up when he saw Aunt May's frail figure and Alex in his silver wheelchair.
He rushed toward them, viciously dragging both into the shadowy alley.
"You two! And this cripple!"
"Hand over everything you've got!"
Though Alex appeared somewhat disheveled from the rough handling, he showed no real fear—as if he had expected this all along.
"Don't hurt us."
"I'll give you everything!"
At that moment, Alex still feigned complete innocence.
Sweat poured down his forehead, and his arms trembled slightly.
Under the precise control of his enhanced mind, he played the role perfectly.
He looked exactly like an ordinary person terrified of being hurt.
His hands kept pulling out items he had prepared in advance.
Meanwhile, May was already terrified, trembling as she handed over her valuables.
But when it came to her diamond ring—the last item—Aunt May hesitated.
Her right hand gripped her left ring finger tightly, her eyes full of reluctance.
Neither Danny nor May noticed Alex's subtle gaze lingering on the ring.
"You filthy woman, hand it over right now!"
Danny's breathing was rapid, and he kept glancing toward the alley entrance, as if hiding from something.
Seeing Aunt May hesitate, Danny—having lost all patience—yanked hard.
"Ugh... Ah!"
A shrill scream echoed.
Because of Danny's roughness, Aunt May's finger snapped.
"I'm warning you—if you tell anyone you've seen me, I'll come back for you!"
"I've memorized your faces!"
Ignoring Aunt May's miserable state, Danny spat the threat and fled.
Dragged to the ground, Alex calmly watched him go.
That's right.
This Danny was the culprit who killed Uncle Ben.
Alex had calculated the timing of Peter's eventual arrest of Danny.
He had also subtly tampered with the web-shooter,
allowing Danny to escape the webs just before the police arrived.
Time, location, analysis of Danny's personality...
All these factors combined meant the probability of Danny passing through this area was extremely high.
Add in Alex's perfectly timed exit from the café,
and the chance of Danny running into them was nearly 100%.
The only question was whether Aunt May would realize this man was Ben's killer—but that didn't matter.
Having Alex as a "witness" was enough.
"May, are you alright?!"
"Don't worry—I'll call an ambulance right away!"
Seeing Aunt May's face pale as she clutched her severed finger, Alex chuckled inwardly.
He wheeled back toward the coffee shop and dialed emergency services.
Meanwhile,
in the darkness, as Danny fled in a hurry,
Aunt May's phone suddenly lit up in his pocket.
The screen displayed: **Peter Parker**.