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Plop!
Uncle Ben cast his fishing line with the confidence of a man who absolutely believed he was still in his prime.
Aunt May knelt nearby, carefully arranging the breakfast she'd packed. The family had left home so early they hadn't eaten yet, and the morning chill still clung to the air.
Peter and Sylas sat on the grass, watching Uncle Ben work the rod like he was hosting a Discovery Channel special.
"Hey, Peter," Sylas nudged him lightly. "Let me ask you something."
Peter lowered his camera. "Shoot."
"If something faces the sunrise every morning and tells people the time… what is it?"
Peter tapped his chin. "A clock?"
Sylas froze for half a second.
Clock… Sun… Time…
Of course.
The clue snapped into place instantly.
---
SYSTEM TRIGGERED
[Congratulations. You deciphered the clue: CLOCK.]
[Main Quest: Locate the Pig Talisman → Destination: Bavaria Clocktower, Germany]
[Tracking Device Obtained]
---
A translucent green compass-like device appeared before Sylas: four dragon heads pointing toward the cardinal directions straight out of Jackie Chan Adventures.
Thankfully, only he could see it.
"Hello? Earth to Sylas?" Peter waved a hand in front of him. "Did I get it wrong?"
"Nope. You nailed it."
Sylas smiled, already standing. "I'm gonna hit the restroom real quick."
Peter handed him the map. "Don't get lost."
"Not with this thing," Sylas muttered as he walked into the trees.
---
A Little Deeper in the Woods
Once he was sure no cameras or hikers were around, Sylas summoned ten shadow ninjas from the Shadow Dominion.
He handed them the glowing compass.
"Alright team—mission time. Go to Bavaria. Find the Pig Talisman."
The ninjas bowed silently, then launched through the forest with inhuman agility, vanishing within seconds.
Sylas stretched. "Man… having minions is incredible. No wonder villains love this."
He headed back toward the river.
---
Back at the Campsite
"Hey! Sylas!" Peter waved. "Uncle Ben caught a pretty big one while you were gone!"
Sylas peeked into the bucket. "Not bad, Uncle Ben. That one's huge."
"You're welcome," Ben said proudly.
Peter leaned over to whisper, "I still don't like eating fish. Too many bones."
"I heard that," Ben replied without looking back.
Peter slapped a hand over his mouth. "Whoops."
"Alright, everyone! Breakfast!" May called out, laying sandwiches and juice on the picnic blanket.
Ben sighed dramatically. "Good thing there is breakfast. Thought I'd starve."
"Don't worry," May smirked. "Lunch is your responsibility."
Ben puffed his chest. "Relax. Lunch is secured."
"Uh-huh," May teased. "We'll see."
They all shared a simple breakfast. Peter finished first and immediately grabbed his camera again, capturing the forest's calm beauty.
It was probably the most peaceful day he'd had since becoming Spider-Man.
Sylas, however, couldn't shake an uneasy feeling.
Wherever Peter Parker went… chaos tended to follow.
Peter checked a picture on the camera. "Hey, Sylas, wanna explore a bit?"
"Sure."
Sylas turned toward the adults. "Ben, May we're gonna walk the trail a little?"
"Don't wander too far," Ben warned. "This area's newly opened."
"We'll stay close," Sylas promised.
---
Deeper in the Forest
The further they walked, the more wildlife appeared rabbits, birds, even a wandering deer in the distance.
Peter snapped a shot of a quiet lakeside. "Uncle Ben should fish here. He'd catch a dozen."
Sylas laughed. "True. But he'd probably stay at the old spot just to prove a point."
"Yep. That's Uncle Ben," Peter chuckled.
They turned to leave—
Then a scream ripped through the forest.
"HELP!!!"
The boys exchanged a sharp look—no hesitation.
They sprinted.
---
Bursting through the bushes, they found—
A middle-aged man on top of a woman, pinning her down, tearing at her clothes.
Peter grabbed the nearest rock and hurled it.
Crack!
"GET OFF HER!"
"AGH!" The man clutched his hand. "Where the hell did you two brats come from?!"
"Sorry," Sylas deadpanned, stepping beside Peter. "We like minding other people's business."
The woman suddenly sat up—checking the man's injured hand.
"Baby, are you okay?!"
Peter blinked. "...Wait. You know him?"
The man snarled, holding his bruised hand.
"I came all the way out here for some privacy and you kids ruin everything!"
"We want compensation for the medical bill!" the woman snapped.
Sylas finally understood.
They weren't assaulting each other.
They were a role-play couple.
A weird one.
Peter realized it too and wanted to evaporate on the spot.
The man jabbed a finger toward them. "Where are your parents?! I want compensation!"
Sylas raised his hands. "Okay, how about this—"
The man leaned in.
Sylas whispered to Peter:
"…RUN!"
And bolted.
Peter stood frozen for a second, processing the situation—
Then took off right after him.
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