Shadow Spider-Man sighed, pulled out his revolver, and aimed it at Miles's head.
Miles looked at him in shock, unable to speak for a moment.
"Alright! I'll give you a chance. In ten seconds, I'll shoot. You can use your invisibility to dodge or your electric shock to take me down."
"Wait, give me a moment to prepare..." Miles said anxiously.
"Ten."
Shadow Spider-Man began to count down coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Nine."
Each number struck Miles's heart like a heavy hammer.
Cold sweat began to break out on his forehead, his eyes filled with tension and fear, looking to the other Spider-Men for help.
Gwen turned her head, seemingly unable to bear to watch.
Penny ran back into her mech and pulled down her visor.
Spider-Ham picked his nose, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Qiuku Spider-Man sighed and closed his eyes.
It's okay, he's Spider-Man, he won't kill anyone, Miles comforted himself in his heart.
"Just a reminder, I'm not like them. I've killed hundreds, if not thousands, of people."
Shadow Spider-Man exuded a chilling killing intent, his aura seemingly telling Miles that he would absolutely follow through.
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
As the countdown continued, the fear in Miles's heart grew, and his body began to flicker in and out of sight.
I can do this, come on, come on.
Miles kept cheering himself on.
But looking at the dark muzzle of the gun, he couldn't help but wonder: What if I really die?
"Two."
"One."
Accompanying the sound of the countdown.
"Goodbye, kid."
Shadow Spider-Man pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Click—
"Ah!"
Miles's pupils constricted, he closed his eyes, covered his head, and squatted down, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Shadow Spider-Man put away his revolver, grabbed Miles by the collar, and mocked him:
"You're not Spider-Man, just a little brat. Now take off this shoddy Spider-suit and go back to school, understand?!"
Releasing him, Miles plopped down on the ground, his eyes still holding residual fear.
"...You're not him."
After a while, Miles stood up, his voice tinged with grievance.
He rushed towards the door, nearly bumping into Mei who had just returned.
"This child, what's wrong?"
Mei looked puzzled, watching Miles's retreating back, then turned to look at the people inside the house.
"Did I just say too much? Will I ruin a child's dream? I'm truly not human. Why didn't you stop me just now?"
Shadow Spider-Man immediately became emo, kneeling on the ground with his head down, his voice full of self-reproach.
"Stop what? You've run out of bullets, alright."
Spider-Ham had fought alongside him; he knew whether he had run out of bullets or not.
"If you had sworn at him, I would have stepped in."
Gwen crossed her arms, her expression serious.
"Was I included in 'little brat'? If so, I'm making my move now."
The visor of the Spider-Mech opened, revealing Penny's displeased face.
Damian remained silent to the side, observing them. Shadow Spider-Man could be ruthless when facing enemies.
But he would feel guilty for scolding someone, how strange.
Mei also understood the situation and helped Shadow Spider-Man up from the ground.
"You did very well. That child shouldn't have been involved in the first place. My Peter only had no choice but to ask that child for help at the time."
Sadness flickered in Mei's eyes.
At that time, Spider-Man was already severely injured, and the only person by his side was Miles. If he hadn't asked him for help, all of Brooklyn would have been destroyed.
Qiuku Spider-Man sighed: "I also bear responsibility. I should have refused him from the beginning and sent him home. The title of Spider-Man is a curse."
The other Spider-Men also looked downcast, their faces filled with sadness.
Only Gwen was confused, frowning as she asked, "What does 'curse' mean?"
The other Spider-Men looked at her with confusion too. Seeing her skilled techniques, powerful Spider-suit, and having been Spider-Man for quite some time.
"Did no uncles or aunts die unexpectedly around you?"
"No."
"What about your parents?"
"They're fine."
"Are your friends okay?"
"They're fine too. What do you mean? Do people around Spider-Man all die?"
Gwen's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.
"Yes, my Uncle Ben died." Qiuku Spider-Man.
"My Uncle Benjamin died." Shadow Spider-Man.
"My father died." Penny Parker.
"My friend died." Spider-Ham.
"My husband, Ben, also died." Mei.
"If there's any difference between us, it's that you have a Demon King boyfriend who messed up your destiny."
The other Spider-Men looked at Gwen with envy, this Spider-Man who had lost nothing.
Gwen was startled when she heard everyone's words.
A hint of relief and happiness appeared in her eyes.
---
Back in his dorm, Miles took off his uniform, looked at it, and with a dejected expression, threw it into the trash can.
Then he threw himself heavily onto the bed.
He was actually right.
He couldn't even use his powers, and in the past, he only caused trouble.
Thump, thump, thump
A knock on the door startled Miles.
"Son, your Uncle Aaron has been hospitalized."
"What?!"
Miles exclaimed, and quickly followed his father to the hospital.
Looking at his uncle lying in the hospital bed, Miles's mood became even heavier.
"Miles, you're here."
Aaron looked at his nephew weakly, forcing a faint smile onto his face.
"Uncle Aaron, how did you end up like this?"
Miles stepped forward, took Aaron's hand, his eyes filled with concern and worry.
"The hospital said he was hit by a car into a utility pole and got electrocuted. Thankfully, it's not too serious.
When you get discharged, I'll find you a stable job. Don't do those petty thieving things anymore."
Jefferson Davis said with a frown. He had always looked down on his younger brother. He was a Police, but his brother was always stealing and not doing anything proper.
"Brother, can I speak with Miles alone?" Aaron's voice was weak but held a hint of plea.
Jefferson Davis was slightly startled. How long had it been since he heard that address?
"I understand."
His eyes were complex, with a fleeting moment of emotion, but he quickly returned to calm.
He probably thought he was annoying, always like this. He turned and left, closing the door.
"Miles, I have something to confess to you."
"Uncle Aaron?"
Aaron laboriously reached under his pillow and pulled out a mask, handing it to Miles.
Miles unfolded it and saw.
"Prowler!"
He cried out in surprise, looking at Aaron in disbelief.
Gang leader, Kingpin's subordinate.
The Spider-Man observing this World, leading to his Death.