Peter Parker and Ned Leeds stared in shock at the baseball in Zayne's hand, then looked at him like they'd just seen a magic trick.
"Oh my god! How did you do that? That was insane! Can you teach me?" Ned blurted out excitedly.
Peter still looked stunned, gratitude flickering in his eyes. That ball would've smashed straight into his head.
Zayne casually retracted his arm and weighed the baseball in his palm.
The Shadow Realm didn't just let him summon Shadowkhan. It also enhanced his physical condition.
Right now, his strength and speed were already beyond that of an ordinary person, though he wasn't ridiculously powerful yet.
In terms of agility, he was especially sharp. Scaling walls and running across rooftops like a ninja? Easy.
"Hey! Zayne, nice catch! Want to join the baseball team?" Flash Thompson shouted from the lawn, waving exaggeratedly.
He had deliberately aimed that ball at Peter. He just hadn't expected Zayne to intercept it.
"It's them again," Ned muttered under his breath.
Peter nodded. He knew Flash was targeting him. The reason? Liz Allan.
Zayne raised one finger and wagged it lazily at Flash, signaling refusal, then tossed the baseball back with effortless precision.
The three of them walked off, and Flash simply smirked as he watched them leave.
At the school gate—
"See you tomorrow," Ned waved at Peter before turning to Zayne. "Have a good weekend."
"You too."
After parting ways, Zayne elbowed Peter. "I heard you're chasing Liz."
Peter instantly stiffened. "W-Who told you that?"
"Ned."
Peter groaned loudly. "I knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut. Please don't tell Aunt May."
"Relax, I won't." Zayne patted his back reassuringly.
"There's an exhibition next weekend. You going?" Peter asked.
"Of course."
That exhibition was the turning point. The moment Peter would be bitten by the radioactive spider.
And since Zayne shared the same Parker DNA… if he got bitten too, he'd gain Spider-Man's abilities as well.
Peter looked suspicious. "You never go to these kinds of things."
"I'm keeping you company," Zayne said, slinging an arm around Peter's shoulder.
Back home, Peter immediately locked himself in his room to study.
Zayne, meanwhile, sprawled across Peter's bed, playing on a handheld console.
Hearing the game sounds, Peter turned around. "Where did you get the money for that?"
"You want one?" Zayne wiggled it teasingly.
"Answer me first. Did you steal it? Uncle Ben said we can't steal."
Peter wasn't interested in the console. He was worried.
"Relax. I won some money in a lottery," Zayne lied smoothly.
"How much?"
Zayne raised one finger. "A thousand bucks."
Before Peter could scream, Zayne slapped a hand over his mouth. "Shut up."
"A thousand dollars…" Peter muttered in disbelief once he calmed down. That kind of money was huge for them.
Zayne reached under the bed and pulled out a box. Inside was a brand-new camera.
"Yashica Electro 35…" Peter read softly.
"It's yours," Zayne said.
"For me?!" Peter threw his arms around him. "Thank you so much, Zayne!"
Downstairs, Aunt May frowned slightly at the sudden noise.
"It's just a camera…" Zayne muttered, not expecting that reaction.
The money wasn't stolen—but it wasn't exactly clean either.
A few days ago, he'd sent five Shadowkhan to rob a group of robbers. Unfortunately, those criminals were armed.
Out of an entire suitcase full of cash, the Shadowkhan only managed to snatch one bundle before retreating. Four were shot and dissolved into black mist.
That incident confirmed something important.
When destroyed, the Shadowkhan returned to the Shadow Realm to reconstruct. They weren't permanently gone.
However, due to his current limitations, they could only be summoned within five meters of him—and dismissed within the same range.
"In the future, I should let the Shadowkhan handle everything. My body isn't bulletproof," Zayne thought calmly.
"Perfect! I was just worried about not having a camera for tomorrow's mechanical exhibition!" Peter said excitedly as he began testing it.
"Zayne, look here!"
Zayne turned instinctively.
Click!
A stunned expression was immortalized forever.
"Haha! You look adorable!" Peter laughed.
Zayne's face darkened. "Delete it."
"No."
The two wrestled briefly. Peter was no match for Zayne's enhanced strength, but he still managed to protect the photo.
"It's for memories!" Peter insisted.
The weekend arrived.
Beep—beep—beep—
"Nine already?" Zayne groaned as he turned off the alarm and sat up.
Downstairs—
"I can't believe it. Did God perform a miracle? You're awake at nine?" Aunt May stared in disbelief.
Normally, Zayne wouldn't surface until eleven.
"I've got plans. I won't be back until the afternoon," Zayne said while adjusting his clothes.
"The afternoon? Do you need lunch money?" Aunt May immediately reached for her purse.
"No need. My friend's treating."
"Alright. Have fun." She kissed his cheek.
"Where's Peter?"
"He left early for the exhibition with Ned."
Zayne nodded and stepped out.
The Park—
It was only 9:30 a.m., so Ms. Barron hadn't arrived yet.
Zayne sat on a bench, unusually early. The only reason? He refused to be late today.
A few minutes later, a graceful figure approached from behind.
"Hi! You're actually on time. How long have you been waiting?" Ms. Barron tapped his shoulder playfully.
Zayne had noticed her from a distance but pretended to be startled.
"Whoa, how'd you sneak up on me?" he laughed.
She wore a white short-sleeved shirt layered under a plaid button-down, paired with fitted jeans that accentuated her figure.
"Let's go!" she said brightly, gesturing toward the amusement park ahead.