WebNovels

Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Peter Missing Again

"Achoo!"

"God bless you."

In the Empire State University cafeteria, Mary glanced at Hawk after his sneeze, offering her blessing.

Hawk pinched his nose, voice a little muffled.

"Thanks."

"Are you catching a cold?" Gwen, sitting beside him, looked at him with concern. "You've been sneezing a lot these past few days. Even at home over the weekend, you kept sneezing. Are you really sick? Maybe you should see a doctor this afternoon?"

In the West, going to a hospital for a checkup was a time-consuming ordeal. By the time your appointment came around, you might already have the cancer you were being screened for.

After all, in a capitalist society, medical care wasn't a necessity—it was a luxury.

For ordinary people, at least.

For Hawk before, maybe. But not anymore.

Even ignoring his current power, his bank account had over forty million sitting idle. He didn't need to chase medical care. Medical care would come to him.

Don't ask why the money had grown again.

It was "hardship compensation" from the Security Council.

Well deserved.

While they were still wrangling over negotiations, Hawk had already solved everything for them.

An entire white wasteland, neat and clean, waiting for them to just move in.

So—one week ago, the very day Hawk returned home, the money arrived. Tax-free, too.

Hawk was satisfied.

He hadn't expected payment, but the Council's gesture pleased him.

There was only one odd side effect.

Ever since, his nose kept itching.

He felt like someone was gossiping about him behind his back.

No—he knew someone was.

He could guess who.

Some fools were surely whispering that giving Hawk such a fee was weakness, that it would embolden him, that they should strike hard instead.

Of course there were idiots like that.

The world was a giant amateur theater troupe.

Still—Hawk didn't care.

Everyone gossiped. Didn't he himself often curse Mephisto behind his back?

And Western politicians? They thrived on empty talk. Put them in a real fight, and they'd fold.

So—words were fine. Just don't try anything real. Because if they did, he would too.

Hawk waved off his fiancée's concern.

"No need."

"Really no need?" Gwen pressed.

"Really."

He cut the topic short, turning to Mary's new boyfriend—his old high school bully Flash Thompson, whose courage during the gym incident had softened Hawk's opinion.

"Right, what were you saying just now?"

Flash blinked. "I was asking what happened after I blacked out."

He had been clubbed unconscious by one of those bald, hulking women. By the time he woke, he was already in the hospital.

Though he later learned they were escaped mental patients subdued by the police, something about it never sat right.

He was Flash Thompson. How could three "mental patients" hit harder than pro athletes?

Hawk tilted his head toward Gwen.

"Right, Wen, what did happen?"

Gwen rolled her eyes at his feigned curiosity.

Across from her, Mary also gave Hawk a look.

But neither of them told Flash the truth.

Poor guy.

Soon enough, the two girls managed to brainwash the brawny, slow-witted Thompson into fully believing those women were just mental patients.

Hawk said nothing, merely watching.

He respected Flash a little more now, but not enough to reveal the truth. Not yet. He was no Agent Venom—just Flash. Why burden him with it?

So Hawk sat quietly—until his phone rang.

He pulled it out. An unfamiliar number.

He answered.

"Hello—"

"Mr. Phoenix, it's Orr, the Osborn butler—"

"I know, old butler. What is it?"

"Could you come to Osborn Manor at once? The young lady and Mr. Parker may be in trouble."

"…Alright."

Hawk's brow lifted. He replied calmly, then turned to Gwen.

"I'm heading back early."

She nodded.

"Drive safe."

"Mm." Hawk smiled, kissed her forehead, then said goodbye to Mary and Flash before leaving.

Sliding into his Audi A8, he floored it, speeding toward Osborn Manor.

When he arrived, the butler was already waiting, hurrying down the steps as Hawk pulled in.

"Mr. Phoen—"

"Hawk."

"…Right. Hawk." The butler corrected himself, remembering Hawk had dropped his surname. "Miss Felicia and Mr. Parker may be in danger."

Hawk frowned as they entered the manor.

"What do you mean 'may be'?"

The butler explained, "Normally, Miss Felicia contacts me once a month to handle company affairs. But it's been over a month with no word. And I can't reach the offshore base either."

Hawk narrowed his eyes.

"Peter and Felicia—where exactly did they go?"

"The Osborn Pacific Ocean Research Platform."

In the study, the butler activated a projection—an offshore oil-rig-like experimental base.

Hawk whistled softly.

"That must've cost a fortune."

"It was Mr. Norman Osborn's project before his death."

"Figures." Hawk nodded. "And no one else on the platform can be reached?"

The butler shook his head. "I've tried everything. That's why I called you."

Hawk raised a brow.

"Who told you I could solve this?"

"Peter did," the butler said. "He told me that if he and Miss Felicia ever went missing, I should contact you first. He trusted you to find him. She agreed."

Hawk chuckled.

"So they don't think of me when they're out having fun, but the moment trouble comes—suddenly I'm useful?"

"Hawk, Peter—"

"Relax. I'm joking, old butler."

He grinned, then turned back to the projection.

"Coordinates?"

"Yes!" The butler rushed to his computer, pulling up the platform's precise location.

Hawk glanced once, nodded, then pulled out his phone to call Gwen.

Because the moment he saw those numbers, he had a premonition.

This wouldn't be a quick trip.

But it wasn't a bad feeling. It was good.

It felt like he would gain something he had long desired.

Though what, exactly, he couldn't yet recall.

The call connected.

"Hawk?"

"Gwen, Peter's missing. I'm going to find him."

"What—? …Alright. Be careful."

"I don't know when I'll be back. I've got a feeling this could take a while."

Silence, then:

"Is it dangerous?"

"No. You know me. No one can beat me."

It was true. Few heroes on Earth could even compare.

The Ancient One didn't count. She was a bug.

Gwen chuckled softly.

"Fine. Just take care of yourself. I'll handle your classes."

"Thanks."

Hawk hung up.

The butler, restless, rushed to add:

"The private jet is ready, whenever—"

"Jet? Not needed."

The butler blinked.

Then his eyes widened as Hawk's body turned transparent before him, fading from view. His jaw dropped, pupils dilating in shock.

(End of Chapter)

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