A figure appeared in the shadows ahead.
Thanks to his spider-enhanced genes, Maguire's night vision kicked in immediately.
A man stood quietly not far away, dressed in a tight red suit, a baton hanging at his waist.
That iconic outfit left no doubt—
**Daredevil — Matt Murdock.**
An accident with radioactive material had taken his sight but heightened all his other senses to superhuman levels.
After his father was killed by the mob, he'd thrown himself into the life of a vigilante. By day, a lawyer in a small firm. By night, prowling the 13th District—Hell's Kitchen—delivering his own brand of justice.
To Bully Maguire, though, this sort of superhero wasn't worth any special attention. He turned to leave.
But Matt's voice came from behind him.
"They were scum, but they didn't deserve to die."
Maguire paused mid-step, turning back toward Daredevil.
"What's this? You telling me how to do my job?"
Matt walked toward him, slow and steady.
Maguire watched him approach, lips curling in amusement.
If this guy thought he could lecture him, Maguire wouldn't mind farming some Bully Points off him.
Stopping a few meters away, Matt said,
"You fight for the weak too… but your methods are excessive."
"Ever consider working with a partner?"
In Maguire's head, a whole herd of curses galloped past.
*Seriously? He's here to recruit me?*
Not a chance. Maguire turned away.
"Not interested."
Matt exhaled quietly, shook his head, and faded back into the darkness.
…
Back in his room, Maguire stretched out on his bed.
*Killing these small fries doesn't pay. If I want big Bully Point payouts, I need to target main villains and key story figures.*
Still, Daredevil's sudden appearance put him on alert.
*If he's here, this isn't just Spider-Man's world.*
*Daredevil, Kingpin… they're nothing to me. But if the Hulk, Abomination, Thor, even Thanos exist…*
*I'd rather not wake up in the middle of the night and turn to dust.*
*Power. That's the only thing that matters.*
…
The next morning, Maguire—immaculate in his black suit—stepped outside.
The sun was bright, and the light made him look even sharper.
From the neighboring house, Mary Jane emerged. No drunken ranting from her father today—apparently, Maguire had unintentionally done her a favor.
She glanced at him, then quickly looked away. Maguire didn't even acknowledge her, walking off toward school.
Watching his back disappear down the street, she felt a small pang—not love, just the empty space left when a long-term admirer suddenly stopped looking her way.
After yesterday's events, Flash's reputation at Midtown High was in tatters. That night, a furious Mary Jane had dumped him.
Now, her attention was on a new target: rich, handsome Harry Osborn, Peter's best friend and heir to Oscorp Industries.
…
By midday, Maguire was slouched in his seat, yawning.
Yesterday's little "performance" had earned him the title of official school bully.
Most of the good kids treated him like a plague—crossing the hall to avoid him.
Then, a blonde figure entered his field of vision—Gwen Stacy.
And she was walking right toward him.
Stopping at his desk, she looked at him with puzzlement.
Maguire met her gaze and said dryly,
"What is it, beautiful? Do I have something written on my face?"
Her brows furrowed.
"Why did you hand in a blank exam yesterday?"
Only then did Maguire remember the afternoon test.
It wasn't that he didn't know the answers—Peter's memories were all still there.
It was simply that Bully Maguire hadn't felt like doing it.
He shrugged.
"Didn't know how to do it, so I didn't write anything."
To his surprise, Gwen said,
"Then come to my place after school. I'll tutor you."
She turned and walked away without waiting for a reply.
…
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