Walking through the dark alleys, I was partly enjoying the revenge I'd exacted. Undoubtedly, Liz is a sexy, attractive person who's hard to resist, but I won't let anyone hurt my sweet Gwen. And Allan had spoken rather unflatteringly about her, acting too provocatively and rudely, and possibly even using me just to spite her.
Not to mention Flash, with whom Liz is in a permanent fight. I'd be surprised if the blonde didn't hit on me specifically to make the footballer jealous. So why would I need such a problematic "delight" when there's a pure and kind Gwen Stacy in the world?
Anyway, no need to sweat the small stuff; the main prize is in my pocket. Taking the girl's panties in my hand, I bring them to my face to get a closer look at what's so special about this piece of fabric that the system chose this particular type of object for exchange.
"System, I've obtained a trophy. What do I do next?" I mentally address the system.
[Scanning in progress... Object identified as Rarity Level E. Do you wish to initiate absorption?]
Hmm, so during the process, the panties will be destroyed? Well, fine, I wasn't planning on returning them anyway.
"I wish. Absorb them completely and give me the reward quickly," I trembled with excitement as I gave the command. The imminent acquisition of power sparked enthusiasm and sharpened my mind with impatience.
[Executing]
The panties magically vanished from my hand, as if they'd never been there, and the system spawned a new notification.
[Absorption successful. Calculating reward... Object did not trigger special rewards due to low rarity. Initiating comprehensive host enhancement...]
A pleasant languor ran through my body, as if millions of microscopic ants were massaging every single one of my cells. And then, somewhere inside, a clear understanding emerged: right now, I could easily run a marathon in record time and only be slightly out of breath. My muscles were full of strength and energy, and my head was unusually clear. I've never taken drugs, but maybe people on a trip feel the same way? That would explain a lot, because I desperately wanted to run, jump, and get into a sparring match with some punk. Indescribable feelings...
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what level of physical fitness I'm at now, but I assume I'm on par with an average candidate for the Olympic reserve. Maybe I wouldn't quite match top athletes in their specific disciplines, but my abilities have improved across the board. I simply have no weak points.
It took me a few seconds to compose myself and avoid doing anything stupid. Damn, so this means the more women's panties I feed to the system, the stronger I'll get? Even without considering special rewards, I could just go for quantity. Just a hundred or two hundred E-rank beauties' underwear, and the Hulk would think twice about facing me one-on-one. Ha, dreaming. I'm afraid the police would get me before that plan could materialize. And besides, I'd rather not get a reputation as a pervert after the Allan incident.
"Hey, bro! Got a smoke?" a raspy male voice came from my left.
Turning towards the asker, I realized this wasn't just some random passerby. Moreover, he wasn't alone. Two other figures were lurking nearby. One scrawny guy with a metal chain around his neck, and a girl with bright purple hair and a lip piercing.
"Quit. I don't smoke," I replied sharply, already seeing where this was going.
"Hey now, why be like that? We came up to you nicely and asked, and you act like you're not happy to see us. Okay, I'm not the type to hold a grudge. Can you at least tell me the time?" the thug gave a nasty grin and spat on the asphalt.
"The time? Seems like it's nighttime," I quipped sarcastically, pointedly looking around.
"No kidding? We thought it was morning," the second, scrawnier guy replied sarcastically. "You know, bro, you're starting to get rude with us. Maybe if your parents didn't raise you right, we should do it?"
"He's kinda cute," the only girl in their group said with interest. "Don't you want to have some fun with your big sister?" came the "tempting" offer from her.
"Meg, are you at it again?!" the scrawny one protested. "This isn't professional, we're working. You can have fun later."
"Oh, come on, Ryan. Let her have her fun, after we're done with him," the stocky one who'd first addressed me spoke up again.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," the one named Meg responded. "I haven't had a good man in a while. My little cave is itching for it."
"Spare us the details," the guy grimaced unpleasantly, as if recalling past incidents involving the girl.
"Wimp!" the girl spat. "I just rode you cowgirl style once, and you started whining like I'd pegged you in the ass." Looks like I've figured out the ringleader of this gang.
I took a closer look at this alpha female. A girl around twenty-eight, fairly pretty if it weren't for her lecherous expression and immoral behavior. Overall, I could probably ha… have dealings with Meg on some other levels. However, her slutty vibe was a major turn-off. Who knows how many victims this chick has been through.
"Madam, why would a young beauty like you resort to racketeering? Couldn't you find a decent job and become a respectable member of society instead of lurking in dirty back alleys?" I asked, genuinely surprised that girls nowadays had to make a living this way.
"Who wants a girl who only finished three grades of parish school?! Huh?!" Meg exclaimed indignantly with a short shriek. Should I consider her a nun who fell into the clutches of evil?
"Don't listen to her rant, she'll tell you all about the hardships of life and other crap. The truth is, Meg here is a total nympho. All the guys ran away from her, so now she looks for victims on the streets. Besides, men usually don't report rape to the police."
"Hey, Dick, maybe I should peg you after all? You're awfully chatty today," the purple-haired girl asked with clear menace in her voice, instantly changing her demeanor. Instead of a floozy, before me stood the gang leader, keeping her subordinates in line.
"Fine, do whatever you want with him, but only after we finish the job," Dick replied gloomily, his voice wavering as he imagined the worst-case scenario.
"You heard her, bro. Pay us tribute, and we'll call her off before she drains you dry. And trust us, we may be thieves, but we're honest guys," Ryan assured me sincerely, looking at me with such a penetrating gaze that for a second, I actually wanted to believe him.
"Ha-ha-ha, am I seriously trying to negotiate terms for getting robbed and then raped?!" the thought flashed through my mind, bringing an involuntary smile to my face.
"I'm afraid I have to decline your polite offer," I shook my head negatively, getting ready to throw some punches.
"Ah, our diplomacy fails yet again," Dick frowned sadly. "Well then, hold on, kid!"
The men demonstrated a masterclass in teamwork, jumping me simultaneously. At the same time, the girl standing behind them was unbuttoning her jeans to slip her hand inside...
Well, here we go!
A minute later, both crooks were lying on the asphalt with broken noses and battered faces. I have to admit, before, if I'd managed to handle two attackers of their level, it would have been with great difficulty and a fair trade of injuries. But after the system's enhancement, the only loss I sustained in the fight was a split lip from a punch I didn't block. In that moment, I understood how comprehensive the boost to my body had been. Not only had my strength, endurance, and explosive muscle power reached a qualitatively new level, but even my reaction speed was now comparable to top boxers or Formula 1 drivers.
"So, Meg, is it?" I smiled, feigning sweetness, looming over her. She squeezed her eyes shut in fear, but realizing no one had even touched her, she opened them again.
"Wh-what do you want from me?" the girl asked plaintively, casually thrusting out her chest and revealing her unzipped jeans.
"Hey, madam, easy there, don't make me out to be the villain," seriously, how do they manage to twist things so that you end up feeling guilty? "All I need is... need is..."
"Need what?" Meg asked impatiently, wiggling her hips with lust.
"I need your panties," I said with the most charming smile I could muster. "Take them off."
"What? Do you like me that much that you want to lay me out right here on the dirty asphalt next to this stinky dumpster?!" the purple-haired girl got seriously worked up, squeezing her own breasts. Damn, she really is a crazy nympho.
A few breaths later, Meg deftly shimmied out of her dark jeans, revealing slender legs and... panties with a teddy bear on them? Okay, not for me to judge others' preferences.
"What are you waiting for? Get rid of that bear," I told her mockingly. She shuddered in response, biting her lower lip, but proceeded to do it.
I feel like I just took candy from a baby, hahaha.
Soon the girl completed her task, handing me the coveted prize. Then, leaning on the dumpster, she beckoningly stuck out her butt. Obviously, she was expecting a wild continuation, but I had to leave her disappointed and unsatisfied.
Giving Meg a final slap on the rear, I headed for the alley's exit. Right towards where the battered gang members lay. Of course, by then they'd recovered a bit and, looking at me with frightened eyes, also started to undress. Apparently, they thought they'd figured out the game and if they took off their underwear, nothing would happen to them.
"Are you guys completely insane?!" I snapped contemptuously, walking around them. New York is a scary city; it's full of all sorts of perverts.
Leaping out of the alley like a scalded cat, I hurried home, afraid of meeting another group of deviants. Why can't everyone be as decent and proper as me?
Back in my own humble abode, I immediately headed for the shower to wash off all the grime of the day. The prolonged stay near the garbage dumpsters and interacting with criminal elements made me feel like I'd bathed in filth.
Wrapping myself in a bathrobe and putting on slippers, I returned to my room, only now remembering that the nympho's panties were still in my jacket pocket.
Tch, showered too early. Now I'd have to touch dirty things again. And the racketeer's promiscuous nature left no doubt that her intimate areas were a common thoroughfare.
I had to find rubber gloves and only then carefully extract the woman's panties from the pocket. The jacket immediately went into the washing machine for a long, high-temperature cycle. I even poured in extra detergent, adding various gels and shampoos. It created the illusion that the clothes, having touched the panties, would be cleansed of all filth. Though, properly, I should have soaked the whole thing in medical alcohol.
Hopefully, the system wouldn't catch some STD from absorbing the panties with the teddy bear.
"System, absorb them quickly," I commanded my golden finger.
[Executing... Scanning in progress... Object identified as Rarity Level F. Absorption successful. Calculating reward... Object did not trigger special rewards due to low rarity. Issuing lowest tier compensation. Congratulations, you have acquired knowledge of basic erotic massage techniques.]
A stream of information flooded my mind, detailing sensitive points on the female body and corresponding techniques for stimulating them. Even though the system dismissively called them basic, they could hardly be considered such. I'd never encountered manuals like this before. Maybe in the Marvel world, some Qigong masters possess similar knowledge, but I doubt it.
Apparently, the system values this kind of knowledge quite low, literally the lowest rank. However, I still find it useful, even if I would have preferred comprehensive enhancement. But as a consolation prize, it's pretty good.
The Next Day. Midtown School of Science and Technology.
The morning of the new day brought a couple of surprises. Not only did I not feel any lack of sleep, but I also rediscovered my own body. I hadn't really noticed last night, but my physique was much more toned, my muscles firm and dense. And, it seemed to me, I'd grown a couple of centimeters overnight.
Before the brainiacs arrived at school, I didn't think anything could ruin my mood, but this day still managed to throw me off balance a bit. Gwen was avoiding me completely, not letting me get a word in, and I genuinely wanted to clear up the misunderstanding and share that I'd avenged her honor, obviously omitting the details.
Her sullen expression clearly told me that if I approached her without permission again, the consequences would be dire. Seriously, what did I do so wrong, dammit Marvel?!
On the other hand, I was also worried about terrible retaliation from Liz Allan, but fortunately, none came. Whenever we crossed paths in math class, she would immediately glare at me like I'd sold her mother into slavery and then gleefully kicked her dog. Sure, I'm no angel, and my actions weren't exactly pretty. But on the other hand, she'd gotten plenty of pleasure from me beforehand. Not to mention she originally intended to use me for her own selfish goals. So, I think we're even.
Anyway, Liz avoided me by all means, preferring to just glare from a distance.
"Hmm, looks like, system, you're all I have left," I mentally concluded, content with my bland food.
"Mind if I sit down?" Gwen asked distantly. I hadn't even noticed her approach; my absent-mindedness seemed to have increased amidst everything.
"Yeah, of course, by the way..."
"No, wait, Levi. I wanted to talk about the situation between us. Honestly, I'm ashamed that I snapped at you the other day. It wasn't your fault that Liz got on my nerves," Gwen said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I shouldn't have been so harsh, and I certainly shouldn't have told you to go to her party. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I regret it. You're your own person, and it's not for me to decide who you talk to or are interested in. Especially since you and I aren't... uh, well, you know. I hope this doesn't affect our friendship," Stacy stated with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Gwen, of course I don't hold a grudge against you. And as for the party, I only went because of you," I said with a reassuring smile.
"Because of me? How?" my friend asked in bewilderment, not expecting such a statement. How could I and my going there be connected?
"I went there just to get revenge for you and see that justice was done. You don't have to worry about Allan anymore; I don't think she'll bother you ever again," I finished speaking and looked at the blonde's face, waiting for her reaction.
"Revenge? How?" burning curiosity ignited in the blonde's eyes.
"I can't tell you the specific method or go into details, but I can assure you of one thing: she didn't have a good time."
"And nothing happened between you two?" she asked suspiciously, calming down.
"Nothing serious. Like I thought, she dragged me to the party to spite you and make Flash jealous. Naturally, I couldn't let her plan go according to schedule," I omitted slightly. There was no sex, right? And if there was no sex, then there was no intimacy, right? And it wasn't done out of any lofty feelings or base desire, it was all for the cause. All to protect my sweetheart.
"Is that so? So that's why everyone's avoiding Thompson today, and Liz isn't herself. Now I get why she's giving you death glares," Stacy said with a smile.
Oh, my friend, you have no idea how right you are right now.
My mood soared rapidly. I'd finally smoothed things over completely with Gwen; now she didn't look at me like I was garbage. What's more, the girl had even apologized for her behavior, admitting she'd misunderstood me at the time.
So there it was. I was forgiven, and the dragon threatening to destroy my relationship with Gwen had been defeated in an extravagant manner. Everyone's happy. Peace, friendship, bubblegum!
In my joy, I felt like experimenting with my new knowledge of erotic massage, but I came to my senses in time, thinking it would be too much to suggest such a thing to the blonde right after reconciling. But that's okay, I've been very lucky lately, so I'm almost certain I'll get to use this wonderful skill again soon.
After lunch, I had chemistry class. I'd never been particularly into molecules, protons, and electrons, but with my newfound capabilities, I could try to pay a bit more attention to the subject. After all, who knows when it might come in handy. Besides, my good grades were largely due to Gwen's help. I shouldn't let her efforts go to waste by slacking off.
Also, there's a chance that for another victim's panties, I might get a skill related to chemistry, and then such knowledge wouldn't hurt, but would actually help me figure things out faster.
"A bold claim," someone might think, and they'd be absolutely right. No sooner had I sat down at my desk than such a wave of boredom hit me that I honestly started dozing off. Lucky for me, my seat was in the second-to-last row, so I wasn't visible. Sorry, Gwen. Knowledge is knowledge, but sleep is on the schedule.
At the end of the period, the bell rang, jolting me into consciousness. The high school kids noisily left the classroom, and I quietly packed my notebook and pen into my backpack.
"Hi, Levi. Did you hear what Professor Mertz said?" a soft female voice came from behind me.
"Oh, MJ," I turned towards the redhead. "Hi. What did he say? I was kinda in my own world," I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, slightly guilty about my inattentiveness.
"Mertz decided to end the month with a paired chemistry project, and I'm paired with you," the red-haired minx smiled, while I contemplated this unexpected gift from above.
And there she was, the next owner of wonderful little undergarments that undoubtedly should find their way into my hands. A kind and promising smile crept onto my face.
"Great, where should we meet to discuss the details?" I asked Watson with genuine enthusiasm, simultaneously giving her appearance a careful once-over. I figured she'd rate at least E-rank.
Fiery red hair cascading down her back, foxy green eyes, a delicate nose, and inviting lips outlined with raspberry lipstick. Her tight t-shirt favorably accentuated her large, firm chest, and her fitted jeans fully showcased her appetizing curves. By all accounts, MJ was in no way inferior to Liz Allan; she was probably even better. Especially since the girl hadn't been seen living a wild lifestyle. Unlike the MJ from the Sam Raimi trilogy, this MJ didn't exhibit low social responsibility. As far as I knew, she didn't even have a boyfriend yet.
"Honestly? I have some issues at home," her smile turned sad. "So, would you mind if we met at your place tomorrow?" Milady, you are willingly walking into the lion's den.
"Um, yeah, okay, sure," I nodded in agreement, seeing my chance, wisely not asking what was going on at her home. We weren't that close, so such a question might push her away or evoke mixed feelings. If she wanted to, she'd share herself.
"See you tomorrow, then?" Mary Jane responded encouragingly, tossing her mane of hair.
"Yeah, see you," I said with the kindest smile in my arsenal.