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Underground space.
Kingpin turned and exchanged glances with his bodyguard, Tombstone, a man with albinism, one of New York's notorious tough guys in the underworld. His impervious body was very muscular, but standing next to Kingpin, he looked like a half-grown child who hadn't fully developed yet.
Shrugging, Tombstone said nothing, signaling with his actions that he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
Kingpin withdrew his gaze and gave Dr. Octopus his answer: "No."
"Uh, maybe it was my imagination then? Let's continue… Gentlemen, where was I?"
Having obtained the information he wanted, Kaito left a large bill, held down by a coffee cup, and rose to leave. It was time to meet up with Peter, that big unfortunate…
Leaving the coffee shop, Kaito was about to find a place to ascend when his steps suddenly halted. In the sky, a white figure swung past rapidly on a web line.
Hm?
The elements of a Spider-Hero were too obvious; ordinary people might not react, but Kaito, with his strong psychic power, saw it clearly. It seemed the other party was also here to investigate the Fisk Tower?
Kaito immediately became interested, turned his steps, and disappeared into the dark alley.
A black and white female Spider-Man crouched on a red fire hydrant. Her black and white fitted suit outlined the budding curves of a young girl, and the eyes on her mask were slightly narrowed, staring at the Fisk Tower before her.
She was Gwen Stacy, nicknamed Ghost-Spider, the only Spider-Man in Marvel Universe 65. She arrived in this unfamiliar New York a week ago, and as news of Spider-Man's sacrifice spread, she finally realized the meaning of her presence in this world.
Before this, Gwen had already begun her investigation. Guided by her Spider-Sense, she found the successor to this Spider-Man at Vision Academy, but unfortunately, that kid was still a novice and couldn't even control his Superpower.
So Gwen changed direction and quickly found a possible mastermind, Kingpin.
"This building is too big a target, not very easy to get into," Gwen stood up and muttered to herself, "but ALCHEMAX Company in Hudson Valley is also Kingpin's property, so it seems I'll have to find time to go there, but before that…"
Whoosh—
Ghost-Spider's figure vanished from her spot, sweeping through the deserted alley and spinning a kick towards the darkness!
Thwack!
The powerful kick was easily blocked by the person in the darkness. Gwen spun in mid-air, and her other leg followed with a flying kick!
Thwack!
This time, the ballet flat was directly caught by the opponent's single hand.
Gwen: "!!!"
Although she had controlled her strength, kicking away an ordinary big man was no problem at all. Who was this guy?
The standoff lasted for a second, then the person actively let go. Gwen, freed, supported herself with one hand on the ground and agilely leaped into the air with a dance-like backflip, landing on the red brick wall perpendicular to the ground.
"Although it might be a bit rude, I still want to say," Kaito walked out of the darkness, "why do you always like to stand on walls?"
Gwen didn't answer, her eyes wary: "Are you one of Kingpin's people?"
"That bald man? He doesn't have the right to order me around."
Kaito flew to her eye level in front of her, under Gwen's surprised gaze: "Kaito, I know another Peter Parker—not this world's Spider-Man. He and I are like you, just arrived in this world."
"You mean… Wow!"
Strong Spider-Senses collided, Gwen frowned, and after the stinging sensation at the back of her head subsided, she exclaimed in surprise.
"You're like me!"
Rubbing the stinging back of her head, Gwen sighed. Adding Miles Morales from Vision Academy, this was already the third person with Spider-Superpower she had encountered.
"Actually, you're not the first person I've encountered with Spider-Sense, but that guy… never mind him for now," Gwen recovered, taking off her hood and mask, revealing a head of golden hair and a girl's face, "I'm investigating the true cause of this world's Spider-Man's death. My intuition told me coming here would bring me closer to the answer, and it seems I was right."
"At least we don't have to fight alone anymore, right?" Kaito extended his hand, made a fist, and offered it to Gwen: "Now there are three of us."
"Alright, you've convinced me," After a brief thought, Gwen reached out and bumped fists with Kaito: "Gwen Stacy, I'm in."
As they shook hands, a purple Fantasy Card appeared out of thin air, and Kaito skillfully caught it with his psychic power.
[Fantasy Card: Spider Agility]
[Card Type: Ability Card]
[Rarity: SR]
[Description: Spider Superpower, the agility of a super predator.]
[Effect 1: Super Agility]
[Superhuman level agility and speed, able to easily dodge or catch bullets.]
[Effect 2: Silent Movement]
[Makes almost no sound when stealthing, reducing the possibility of self-exposure.]
Having successfully collected the third type of Spider Superpower, Kaito silently thanked the blessings of nature. Once he met the remaining Spider-Men, he might officially become a good neighbor of Z-City.
"Oh, by the way, a question."
"Hm?"
"Your hairstyle, how should I put it? It's very unique, is it punk?"
"…"
Gwen's face fell. Why did this person always bring up awkward topics? Glancing at Kaito, she asked, "Where's your battle suit? Do you usually carry out hero activities like this?"
"There aren't such strict rules where I'm from, but as for the battle suit, you'll have a chance to see it."
Manhattan, Central Park.
"Hey, Kaito! We need to be clear!" Peter clenched his fists, trembling angrily for a moment, then released them. "If you leave me working at the burger shop to pay off debts again, our team-up is completely off… Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute, who is she?"
Seeing the blonde girl following behind Kaito, Peter's first reaction was surprise. Then he noticed that the girl wasn't wearing some trendy brand, but a familiar Spider-suit! The stinging of his Spider-Sense followed, further clarifying the girl's identity.
"You too…" x 2
Rubbing the stinging back of her head, Gwen sighed. Including Miles Morales from Vision Academy, this was already the third person with Spider-Superpower she had encountered.
At first, there might have been some surprise, but now… It's just a case of getting used to it.
"Alright, one last self-introduction: Gwen Stacy, and by the way, in my world, I'm the only Spider-Man."
Peter spread his hands: Me too!
Kaito: You guys chat.
Meeting a new companion, Peter happily picked up the conversation: "Oh, your name is Gwen? I also know a Gwen, she was my classmate in middle school, I mean, she was from the class next door, and we had quite a few classes together. Honestly, she doesn't look like you at all… Sorry, I got off track, guys, I mean, my name is Peter Parker, nice to meet you!"