Chapter 6
Suddenly, her Spider-Sense flared!
Danger! To the front left!
Gwen almost instinctively stopped, her body tensing, her sharp gaze sweeping towards the direction the sensation came from—the exit of an alley.
Several furtive figures were cornering a young woman in business attire against a wall, seemingly holding weapons!
Another robbery? Or worse?
Gwen didn't hesitate for a moment!
She lightly pushed off the wall with her toes, and her entire body, like a nimble cat, silently scaled the wall, using the cover of shadows to quickly approach the alley's entrance.
"Heh heh, little lady, hand over all your money and valuables!" a lewd voice rang out.
"Please, let me go, I just got off work..." the woman's voice was tearful.
"Enough nonsense!" another rough voice interrupted her, "If you don't cooperate, don't blame us for being impolite!"
Gwen saw clearly: three men, holding daggers and baseball bats, were closing in on the poor woman with sinister grins.
Now!
Gwen took a deep breath and suddenly dropped from above!
She didn't land directly in the middle of the thugs, but on the wall behind them, her feet firmly adhering!
"Who?!" The sudden movement startled the thugs, and they all turned around.
What greeted them were Gwen's lightning-fast kicks!
"Bang! Bang!"
Two of the closest thugs were kicked precisely in the Sunby Gwen before they could react, grunting and collapsing softly!
The remaining thug with the knife was stunned!
He looked at Gwen, who was hanging upside down on the wall like a spider, with only a pair of cold eyes visible, and was scared out of his wits: "Ghost...ghost!"
He shrieked, wildly waving his dagger, and tried to run.
Gwen's eyes turned cold, and she flicked her wrist!
Although she hadn't yet developed a web-shooter, through this period of "dual cultivation" and her own exploration, she discovered that she could secrete a small amount of extremely viscous and tough...spider-silk-like liquid from her fingertips!
While the quantity was small and the range short, it was enough to deal with ordinary thugs like these!
Splat!
A White, viscous strand shot from her fingertip, precisely wrapping around the thug's knife-wielding wrist!
"Ah! What is this?!" The thug was terrified to find his wrist firmly stuck, unable to shake it off!
Gwen pulled sharply!
The thug lost his balance and fell to the ground with a scream.
Gwen landed lightly on the ground, walked up to him, and stepped on his other hand, which was reaching for the knife.
"Ah!!!" The thug let out a pig-like scream.
The rescued woman watched everything unfold with wide eyes; this mysterious girl who suddenly appeared and resolved the crisis like a heroine made her forget her fear for a moment.
"Are you...are you alright?" Gwen finished dealing with the thugs, then turned to the woman, her voice deliberately lowered.
"I'm...I'm fine! Thank you! Thank you so much!" the woman said excitedly, "Who...who are you?"
"Call me...Ghost." Gwen hesitated for a moment, then spoke a codename she had recently settled on.
After speaking, she didn't linger, disappearing into the shadows of the alley with a few leaps, leaving behind three unconscious or wailing thugs, and a woman who was still shaken but full of gratitude.
From a tall building in the distance, Lin Tian took everything in, nodding with satisfaction.
"Ghost Spider...is beginning to spread her wings."
His gaze once again turned towards S.H.I.E.L.D.'s direction.
Natasha Romanoff.
It's time for the first "contact"...
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Chapter 11: First Encounter, The Widow's Heart
Natasha Romanoff had been a bit annoyed lately.
The investigation into Gwen Stacy, the "Spider-Girl" in Queens, had reached a stalemate.
The girl was very cautious and clever; besides admitting she was a bit "special," she remained silent about the source of her powers and specific abilities, even beginning to deliberately avoid S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance.
All signs indicated that there was likely someone else behind this girl.
Who could it be?
A mysterious mentor? Some unknown organization? Or...the Brotherhood of Mutants? Or worse?
Natasha's intuition told her that things were not that simple.
Her gaze involuntarily fell on the neighbor's file for Gwen Stacy—Lin Tian, a seemingly ordinary Chinese-American youth, whose background was almost too clean: parents deceased early, meager inheritance, and aside from being excessively handsome, almost no suspicious points.
But the more so, the more suspicious Natasha found him.
Especially last time downstairs in the apartment building, she always felt that the way the young man named Lin Tian looked at her...was too calm, not like the reaction an ordinary person should have when facing a S.H.I.E.L.D.Agent. In fact... beneath that calmness, she vaguely sensed a hint of...amusement?
Was it an illusion?
Years of being an Agent had taught Natasha never to believe in coincidences.
She decided to personally meet this Mr. Lin Tian.
The next afternoon, Natasha changed into a smart casual outfit and, under the guise of a community worker conducting a resident survey, knocked on Lin Tian's door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Soon, the door opened.
Lin Tian appeared at the doorway, wearing a simple White T-shirt and jeans, his black hair softly falling over his forehead, with a perfectly appropriate, warm smile on his face, looking like a boy next door.
But Natasha's pupils, upon seeing him, subtly contracted.
Today's Lin Tian seemed...a little different from when she saw him downstairs last time.
She couldn't quite pinpoint what was different.
It was still that impeccably handsome face, still those peaceful eyes, but...he seemed to possess an indescribable "charm."
Like an unpolished jade that had been meticulously refined, emitting a warm and understated luster, seemingly harmless, yet seemingly containing a kind of...fatal attraction.
Especially those eyes, which, though smiling, were so deep they seemed capable of drawing one's soul in.
Natasha instantly became vigilant!
This man was definitely not simple!
"Hello, can I help you?" Lin Tian spoke with a smile, his voice warm and pleasant, with a peculiar magnetism that made it very comfortable to listen to.
"Hello, Mr. Lin," Natasha quickly adjusted her demeanor, putting on a professional smile, "I'm from the community service center, and I'd like to conduct a simple resident questionnaire to understand everyone's living situation and needs. It won't take up much of your time."
"Oh? Is that so? Please come in." Lin Tian naturally stepped aside, inviting Natasha into the room.
Natasha entered the room, her gaze quickly and covertly scanning the surroundings.
The room was not large, simply furnished, yet exceptionally tidy, and the air was filled with a faint, indescribable but very pleasant fragrance.
Everything seemed normal.
"Please sit." Lin Tian motioned for Natasha to sit on the sofa, then turned to pour her Water.
The moment Lin Tian turned, Natasha's fingers subtly moved, and a miniature listening device, as if alive, silently slid into a hidden corner beneath the sofa. This was her habitual action, no matter how harmless the other person seemed.
However, just as the listening device was about to adhere to the bottom of the sofa!
An anomaly occurred!
The tiny listening device, as if repelled by an invisible force, or as if precisely caught by an unseen hand, actually...flew back into Natasha's hand along a peculiar arc, silently, the way it came!
Natasha's heart pounded! Her smile almost faltered!
What happened?!
Coincidence? Static electricity? Or... She looked suspiciously at Lin Tian, who was pouring Water, his back to her, his movements smooth and natural, seemingly unaware of any anomaly.
Was she being overly suspicious?
"Please have some Water." Lin Tian returned with a glass of warm Water and placed it on the coffee table in front of Natasha.
Natasha looked at the glass of Water, the surface reflecting Lin Tian's smiling face.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and began the so-called "questionnaire survey" according to the procedure.
"Mr. Lin, have you recently moved here?"
"Yes, a few months ago."
"Are you used to life in Queens? How do you feel about the public safety?"
"It's good, the neighbors are all friendly. As for public safety..." Lin Tian smiled, "Occasionally there are some minor troubles, but there are always...enthusiastic people who will solve them, aren't there?"
Natasha's hand, holding the pen, paused slightly.
Was he hinting at Gwen? Or...did he know something?
"Mr. Lin, do you have any hobbies? Your home is very tidy." Natasha tried to find a breakthrough from the side.
"Nothing special, I like quiet, occasionally reading books and drinking tea." Lin Tian answered flawlessly.
Natasha asked several questions and found that she couldn't extract any useful information from this man.
He was like an abyss covered in mist, making him impossible to see through or guess.
Moreover, as the conversation deepened, Natasha felt increasingly uneasy.
Lin Tian's voice seemed to carry some kind of magic, causing her highly tense nerves to unconsciously relax. The faint fragrance on him also made her feel unusually comfortable, even...a little sleepy?
No!
Natasha suddenly bit her tongue, the sharp pain instantly clearing her head!
Was it some kind of...mental influence? Or...pheromone attack?!
She looked at Lin Tian again; he still wore that harmless, gentle smile, his eyes clear, showing no abnormalities.
But Natasha's back was already covered in a thin layer of cold sweat.
This man...was too dangerous! Far more dangerous than she had anticipated!
"Alright, Mr. Lin, today's survey ends here. Thank you for your cooperation." Natasha quickly ended the conversation and stood up to leave. She didn't want to stay in this room, which felt strange in every way, for another second.
"You're welcome." Lin Tian also stood up and escorted her to the door.
Just as Natasha was about to step over the threshold, Lin Tian suddenly spoke, his voice still gentle, but with a subtle hint of deeper meaning:
"Miss, when you walk, be careful where you step. Sometimes, seemingly flat roads can also hide...unseen traps."
Natasha's steps paused, and she sharply turned back to look at Lin Tian.
His face still held a smile, but to Natasha, that smile was full of...warning and mockery?
Was he reminding her? Or was he...warning her not to investigate him further?
Did he know her true identity?!
Countless thoughts flashed through Natasha's mind.
Chapter 7
She gazed deeply at Lin Tian, said nothing, turned, and quickly left, her figure soon vanishing around the stairwell.
It wasn't until she was in her car that Natasha finally let out a long breath, realizing her heart was still pounding.
She took out the "auto-returning" bug, looking at the small metal object with a grave expression.
Lin Tian!
His name was firmly etched in her mind.
She had a premonition that this mysterious man would be a bigger problem, or perhaps... a bigger variable, than the "Spider-Girl".
Meanwhile, inside the apartment.
Lin Tian closed the door, the gentle smile on his face instantly replaced by a hint of playful coldness.
He walked to the window, watching the black sedan below quickly drive away, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Black Widow... quite interesting indeed."
The brief confrontation just now was full of probing and danger.
Natasha tried to plant a bug, and he used his newly mastered Harmony True Qi projection technique to flick it back from a distance, both a warning and a display of his power.
The subtle wisps of Harmony True Qi he intentionally emitted indeed affected the top Agent; had her willpower not been astonishing, she might have made a fool of herself on the spot.
His last words were a direct hint and... a threat.
He wanted Natasha to know that he was not to be trifled with, and that he knew her inside out.
He wanted to plant a seed named "curiosity" and "apprehension" in the female Agent's heart.
Once the seed sprouted, the day he "harvested" the fruit would not be far off.
Lin Tian picked up his phone and pulled up Natasha Romanoff's public profile.
Looking at the cold and beautiful face of the red-haired woman in the photo, Lin Tian's eyes glinted with a determined light.
"Next... it's you."
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Chapter Twelve: Natasha's Plea for Help, Gwen's Shock
After her first encounter with Lin Tian, Natasha's vigilance towards this man rose to the highest level.
She immediately submitted a top-secret report detailing her encounter and assessment to Nick Fury.
"A Chinese young man who can remotely control objects and is suspected of having psychic influence abilities? Living next door to the Spider-Girl?" The one-eyed Directorfrowned as he read the report. "Background check completely clean?"
"Yes, Officer. Either his background is flawlessly fabricated, or... he is simply not an entity within our cognitive system," Natasha said in a low voice. "I recommend temporarily ceasing direct contact with Gwen Stacy and shifting the investigation's focus... to Lin Tian. But he is very dangerous, and his perception is extremely keen; any conventional surveillance methods might be detected by him."
Nick Fury was silent for a moment, his fingers gently tapping the desk.
An uncontrolled, powerful individual of unknown abilities appearing in New York was certainly not good news.
"Your recommendation is approved," Fury finally said. "Use the highest level of covert resources to begin an external investigation, gathering all anomalous information related to him. Remember, safety first, do not alert him."
"Understood."
A more covert and in-depth investigation targeting Lin Tianquietly began within S.H.I.E.L.D.
However, they did not know that all their actions were under the surveillance of Lin Tian's astonishingly wide-ranging spiritual sense.
"Is S.H.I.E.L.D. starting to take this seriously?" Lin Tian sat at home, as if watching a silent movie. "Good, that saves me the trouble of finding you all one by one."
He did not stop S.H.I.E.L.D.'s investigation; in fact, he welcomed it.
These investigations could help him filter out which "special talents" within S.H.I.E.L.D. were worth his attention.
For example, the Scarlet Witch Wanda, who also possessed powerful psychic abilities? Or the Sorcerer Supreme, who was proficient in magic?
A look of anticipation curved Lin Tian's lips.
At the same time, he also began to lay out deeper bait for approaching Natasha.
One day, Natasha was tracking a lead involving an illegal biological weapon trade.
The lead pointed to an abandoned warehouse 964 in the Brooklyn dock area, but the specific transaction time and contact method remained elusive, giving her quite a headache.
In the evening, she drove to the dock area, preparing for routine perimeter reconnaissance.
As she passed a rather stylish-looking coffee shop, she habitually glanced inside.
Then, her gaze slightly narrowed.
By the window, the figure she so dreaded—Lin Tian—was leisurely sitting there, a cup of coffee in front of him, gazing out the window, seemingly enjoying the twilight seascape.
It's him again? A coincidence?
Natasha's internal alarm bells blared.
She didn't get out of the car, merely parking it at a nearby street corner, observing in secret.
Lin Tian didn't seem to notice her, just quietly drinking his coffee.
After about ten minutes, he placed a few banknotes on the table, stood up, and left the coffee shop.
After he left, Natasha hesitated for a moment, then still walked into the coffee shop.
She sat in the same seat Lin Tian had just occupied and ordered the same coffee.
Her gaze inadvertently swept across the tabletop, and then, her breath hitched slightly.
Next to where Lin Tian had placed his cup, drawn with coffee stains, was an extremely crude yet remarkably precise pattern—a simple map of a warehouse, with an arrow pointing to a specific container, and a blurry number next to it: "10".
Natasha's heart violently contracted!
This pattern... was almost identical to the layout of the abandoned warehouse she was investigating!
And the container number pointed to by the arrow was one of her prime suspects, for which she lacked evidence!
As for the "10"... did it mean 10 PM? The transaction time?!
Was this left by Lin Tian?!
How did he know about this case? How did he know the exact transaction location and time?
Was he trying to help her? Or... did he have another motive?
Natasha's hand, holding the coffee cup, trembled slightly.
This man, like an omniscient ghost, always appeared in her line of sight at the most crucial moments, in the most incredible ways, leaving clues she couldn't ignore.
What exactly did he want?
Friend or foe?
Natasha felt her mind was a bit muddled.
But her professionalism as a top Agent quickly allowed her to suppress the distracting thoughts.
Regardless of Lin Tian's motive, the value of this clue was undeniable!
She immediately contacted the action team, changed the operational plan, and locked onto 10 PM and that specific container!
...On the other side, Ghost Spider Gwen's career was also flourishing.
Since receiving her codename, and after multiple in-depth guidance sessions and energy infusions from Lin Tian, her abilities grew stronger and more skilled.
She even genuinely used her chemistry knowledge and some unique materials Lin Tian provided as a favor to create a simple but astonishingly effective web-shooter!
Although its range and stickiness couldn't yet compare to her future authentic version, it was enough to allow her to swing short distances between the skyscrapers of New York!
This evening, she was patrolling the night sky of Queens as usual, enjoying the rush of adrenaline.
Suddenly, her spider-sense once again gave a strong warning!
The direction was... Manhattan!
Moreover, the danger level far exceeded any she had encountered before!
At the same time, the encrypted communicator Natashahad left in her pocket also vibrated.
Gwen hesitated for a moment, then answered.
"Ghost, we need your help!" Natasha's urgent voice came from the other end of the line. "An emergency has occurred on the top floor of the Osborn Corporation building in Midtown Manhattan! The Green Goblin is out of control! Our people are temporarily tied up; we need you to immediately provide support, evacuate civilians from the building, and try to hold off the Green Goblin as much as possible!"
Green Goblin?! Norman Osborn?!
Gwen's heart sank sharply!
Osborn Corporation, her father's old friend, and the father of her best friend, Harry!
How could he become... the Green Goblin?!
Though shocked, the situation was urgent, and Gwen had no time to think.
"I'll be right there!"
Hanging up the phone, Gwen looked in the direction of Manhattan and took a deep breath.
She knew this would be the most severe challenge she had faced since becoming Ghost Spider!
And also... her best chance to prove herself to the World, and to Lin Tian!
Without the slightest hesitation, Gwen put on her mask, pressed the web-shooter on her wrist, and white webs accurately adhered to the edge of a tall building. She leaped, like a spirit in the night, rapidly swinging towards the brightly lit Manhattan!
The true inaugural battle for "Ghost Spider" was about to begin atop the Osborn Building!
Meanwhile, in the apartment in Queens.
Lin Tian stood by the window, his spiritual sense already locked onto the chaotic energy fluctuations on the top floor of the Osborn Building, and Gwen, who was rushing there.
A knowing smile played on his lips, a smile that indicated everything was under control.
"Green Goblin... Norman Osborn... a good whetstone."
He did not set off immediately.
He wanted to see how far Gwen, whom he had carefully trained, could go.
Of course, if Gwen truly encountered a life-threatening danger... a cold glint flashed in Lin Tian's eyes.
He wouldn't mind personally intervening to let the so-called Green Goblin experience what it meant to feel... true despair.
At the same time, his spiritual sense also noticed the Brooklyn dock area.
Natasha's S.H.I.E.L.D. team had already surrounded the abandoned warehouse according to the clues he had left.
A good show was about to unfold simultaneously in two different locations in New York.
And he, Lin Tian, was the Director behind it all.
This feeling of controlling everything... was truly delightful... New book released, seeking collections, flowers, reviews, everything!
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Chapter Thirteen: First Battle with Green Goblin, Dance of the Ghost
The night sky of New York was torn by the explosion and piercing screams coming from the top floor of the Osborn Corporation building.
Chapter 8
Gwen Stacy, or Ghost Spider, like a true night elf, swiftly moved between skyscrapers using her web-shooters, the wind whistling past her ears, her heart pounding intensely from tension and excitement.
Midtown Manhattan was right before her eyes!
From a distance, she could already see the figure on a gliders, clad in green metallic armor, letting out a maniacal laugh—the Green Goblin!
He was wantonly throwing pumpkin bombs in all directions, explosions echoing one after another. Several S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjets tried to approach but he nimbly dodged them, striking them with energy blasts until they were in a sorry state.
Inside the building, the faint sounds of people screaming and crying could be heard.
"He must be stopped!"
Gwen's eyes narrowed, and she adjusted her direction, shooting towards the Osborn Building like a cannonball!
She didn't rush directly to the battlefield on the top floor, but instead used her Spider-Sense to avoid the most intense combat zones, quietly infiltrating through a ventilation shaft on the side of the building.
Inside, the building was in chaos.
Panicked people ran around like headless chickens, and the alarm blared piercingly.
"Everyone, don't panic! Follow me! There's a safe exit this way!" Gwen's clear voice rang out; although deliberately lowered, it carried a strange power to soothe people's hearts.
Coupled with her superhuman speed and agility, she moved through the crowd like a phantom, quickly rescuing people trapped in elevators, guiding the frantic flow of people to emergency exits, and even temporarily securing several collapsing decorative elements with her webs.
Her appearance was like a beacon in the chaos, giving desperate people a glimmer of hope.
"Is... is that the Spider-Girl from Queens?"
"She's called Ghost! I heard!"
"Quickly, follow her!"
Soon, most of the civilians were successfully evacuated to the ground floor.
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief, but the danger warning from her Spider-Sense grew increasingly strong.
The top floor! The Green Goblin was still rampaging!
Without any hesitation, she turned and rushed towards the stairs leading to the top floor.
The moment she kicked open the top-floor safety door and burst out, a scorching wave of heat hit her face!
The top floor had already become a sea of fire!
The Green Goblin hovered in mid-air, letting out a piercing, maniacal laugh. His armor was covered in battle scars, but his eyes were even more crazed and bloodthirsty.
Several Agents in S.H.I.E.L.D. uniforms were struggling to return fire from behind cover, but their bullets only sparked faintly against the Green Goblin's armor.
"Hahaha! You insects! All of you, die!" The Green Goblincackled, raising his arm, his palm's energy cannon charging again!
"Hey! Tin can! Your opponent is me!"
Just then, a clear voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, rang out.
The Green Goblin paused his movement, then sharply turned his head.
A petite figure, like a flash of lightning in the dark, swung out from the side shadow, delivering a fierce kick to his arm, which was about to fire the energy cannon!
Bang!
The energy cannon fired uncontrollably towards the ceiling, blasting a large hole!
"Who?!" The Green Goblin staggered from the sudden blow, looking at his attacker with shock and fury.
Gwen landed lightly, assuming a fighting stance, her eyes under her hood cold and resolute.
"A new little bug?" The Green Goblin saw Gwen's attire, and a cruel, mocking glint flashed in his eyes, "Perfect, I'll use you to warm up!"
He stomped his gliders, rushing towards Gwen like an arrow from a bowstring, his fist whistling through the air!
So fast!
Gwen's heart tensed, but her body reacted even faster!
Her Spider-Sense allowed her to anticipate the Green Goblin's attack trajectory. She pushed off with her toes, her body sliding backward as if boneless, narrowly dodging the powerful, heavy punch!
At the same time, she flicked her wrist, and two precise webs shot out, sticking to the Green Goblin's knee joints!
"Hmm?" The Green Goblin felt a sudden tightness in his knees, and his movements immediately became somewhat sluggish.
Now!
Gwen exerted force, using the pull of the webs to spin her body like a top, her feet delivering a kick with immense power, striking the Green Goblin hard in the chest!
"Thud!" A dull, heavy sound!
The Green Goblin was sent flying backward by the immense force of the kick, crashing into a distant wall with a grunt!
"Wow!" The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents in the distance watched, dumbfounded.
This suddenly appearing "Ghost Spider" was actually... this strong?!
The power of that kick just now was simply inhuman!
Gwen landed steadily, watching the Green Goblin warily as he climbed out of the dent in the wall.
She had used almost all her strength in that kick, but it seemed... it hadn't caused any substantial damage to the Green Goblin? It only made him a bit disheveled.
"A bit interesting..." The Green Goblin shook his neck, letting out a cackling laugh, his eyes becoming even more crazed, "Your power... is very special... Let me think... I seem to have seen you somewhere before?"
His crimson gaze fixed on Gwen, as if he was recalling something.
Gwen's heart tightened.
He recognized me?
"We... this is our first meeting!" Gwen said coldly, trying to interrupt his thoughts.
"Is it?" The Green Goblin licked his lips, his smile becoming even more hideous, "It doesn't matter! Soon... you will become part of my collection!"
He once again activated his gliders, moving faster, his assault more ferocious! At the same time, countless miniature blades shot out from his armor like a torrential rain, enveloping Gwen!
Gwen's pupils contracted sharply!
Her Spider-Sense screamed a frantic warning!
Danger! Lethal danger!
...Meanwhile, at the Brooklyn docks.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. team led by Natasha had quietly surrounded the target warehouse and that specific container.
Precisely 10:00 PM.
Several trucks quietly drove into the warehouse, and a group of fierce-looking armed individuals got out of the vehicles, beginning to rendezvous with the people inside the container.
"Now! Move!" Natasha gave the order!
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, already in ambush, charged out like tigers descending a mountain!
Gunshots instantly echoed through the night sky!
The battle was exceptionally smooth!
As if prepared in advance, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s firepower configuration and assault routes perfectly countered the enemy's defenses. The armed individuals were caught off guard and quickly suppressed.
Natasha led the charge, her agile figure weaving through a hail of bullets, like the deadliest scorpion, each strike precisely taking down an enemy.
In less than ten minutes, the battle was over.
All armed individuals involved in the transaction were subdued, and the dangerous biological weapons in the container were successfully confiscated.
"Mission accomplished, Officer," Natasha reported into her communicator, her tone steady, but her heart was far from calm.
It was too smooth... eerily smooth.
She looked at the coffee stain pattern that had led her here, and then thought of the enigmatic man—Lin Tian.
Was all of this within his expectations?
Who exactly was he? And what was his purpose in doing all of this?
Curiosity and apprehension, like vines, wildly grew in Natasha's heart.
She knew that her paths with that man would certainly not end here... New book released, please collect, give flowers, evaluate, give everything!
Free flowers, evaluation, monthly votes, comments, likes, I beg for as many as possible!
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I also hope everyone won't be stingy with Update Ticket(Update Ticket is a type of vote to urge the author to update faster), although the author's typing speed is not fast, just try casting them and see what happens!
Chapter 14: The Heated Gwen, Natasha's Elation
Osborn Building top floor.
Facing the Green Goblin's overwhelming blade attack, Gwen's Spider-Sense reached its peak!
Her body moved like the most agile gymnast, dodging and weaving through the dense rain of blades, each evade incredibly perilous. Her black bodysuit was slashed in several places, revealing her fair skin beneath, adding a thrilling beauty.
But there were too many blades! The coverage was too wide!
Several blades were about to hit her vital points!
Just at this critical moment!
A sudden change occurred!
The blades that were about to strike Gwen seemed to suddenly hit an invisible wall, or were pulled by some mysterious force, and actually... strangely changed direction, clattering onto the ground and walls nearby!
"Hmm?!" The Green Goblin and Gwen were both startled at the same time!
Gwen felt a subtle, yet extremely familiar warm current, seemingly lingering around her for a moment, deflecting the fatal attacks.
Was it... Lin Tian?!
He was nearby?!
This thought made Gwen's heart flutter. Her previously somewhat panicked mind instantly calmed down, and an inexplicable courage and strength surged within her!
He's watching me! I can't let him down!
"Your little tricks are useless against me!" Gwen exclaimed, seizing a gap in the Green Goblin's attack to launch another counterattack!
She no longer met force with force, but fully utilized her advantages in speed and agility, as well as her spider abilities, moving rapidly across the battlefield like a true ghost.
Webs continuously shot out, interfering with the Green Goblin's vision and movements, while she searched for weak points in his armor.
The Green Goblin was enraged by Gwen's slippery fighting style, his attacks becoming more furious, yet he could never truly pin her down.
"Damn little bug! Stop for me!" The Green Goblin roared, firing another pumpkin bomb!
Gwen's eyes narrowed. Instead of retreating, she charged towards the bomb!
The instant before the bomb exploded, she precisely webbed it and flung it hard!
The pumpkin bomb flew at a tricky angle, heading towards the gliders beneath the Green Goblin's feet!
Boom!!!
A violent explosion erupted!
The Green Goblin was caught off guard, sent flying by the blast wave, and his gliders began to emit black smoke, apparently damaged!
"Ahhh! My gliders!" The Green Goblin let out an exasperated roar.
Without his gliders, his agility on the ground was greatly reduced.
Gwen seized the opportunity and closed in!
She no longer held back, unleashing the power she had inherited from Lin Tian to its fullest!
Fists and feet rained down on the Green Goblin's armor. Although they couldn't penetrate, the immense impact force made him retreat repeatedly, unable to fend her off!
Finally, Gwen executed a beautiful over-the-shoulder throw, slamming the Green Goblin hard onto the ground, then quickly wrapped him in layers of webs, tying him into a solid, mummy-like bundle!
"Let me go! Let me go! You damned little bug!" The Green Goblin struggled frantically within the web cocoon, but to no avail.
The battle... was over!
The surrounding S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were all dumbfounded.
Chapter 9
Ghost Spider actually... single-handedly subdued the out-of-control Green Goblin?!
It's incredible!
Gwen stood in place, panting slightly, looking at the Green Goblin she had subdued, her heart filled with complex emotions.
She did it! She protected this city! She proved herself!
But she also knew that if it weren't for the help of that mysterious power, she might have been injured, or even... She subconsciously looked up at the deep night sky outside the window, as if she could feel that pair of all-seeing eyes watching her from some corner, with a hint of... approval?
Thinking of Lin Tian, Gwen's cheeks flushed slightly, and that familiar longing seemed to surge from deep within her body.
Tonight... should she go find him?
Tell him about her achievement? And then... receive his reward?
...Dock area.
Natasha finished handling the scene and sat back in the car, rubbing her temples tiredly.
Although the mission was successful, the mystery left by Lin Tian made her even more uneasy.
She took out the encrypted communicator, hesitating whether to contact Gwen to inquire about the situation at the Osborn Building.
Just then, someone gently knocked on the car window.
Natasha instantly became alert, her right hand already reaching for the weapon at her waist.
She looked up, through the car window, and saw the person knocking.
It was Lin Tian!
He had appeared beside her car at some unknown time, his face still bearing that gentle, harmless, yet unfathomable smile.
"Is it convenient to talk, Agent Romanoff?" Lin Tian's voice came through the car window, clearly calling out her last name.
Natasha's pupils constricted!
He really knew!
She took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart, and unlocked the car door.
Lin Tian naturally pulled open the passenger door and got in.
A faint, calming yet inexplicably stirring fragrance instantly filled the small car interior.
Natasha felt her heart rate uncontrollably quicken.
Facing this man at close range, the invisible pressure and... attraction became even stronger!
"Mr. Lin, what can I do for you?" Natasha tried to keep her tone steady, but her voice still carried a trace of imperceptible tension.
"Nothing," Lin Tian turned his head, his gaze falling on Natasha's slightly disheveled red hair from the battle and her exquisite face stained with a bit of gunpowder, his eyes showing undisguised admiration, "I was just passing by and saw a beautiful lady who seemed to be in a bit of trouble, so I wanted to ask if she needed any help."
Passing by? Only a ghost would believe that!
Natasha snorted inwardly, but her face remained expressionless: "The mission is complete, Mr. Lin doesn't need to worry."
"Is that so?" Lin Tian smiled, his gaze shifting downwards to Natasha's hand, gloved in black tactical gear and slightly clenched due to nervousness, "However, sometimes, the traces left by battle are not just the smell of gunpowder."
He reached out, as fast as lightning, yet with an irresistible gentleness, and lightly grasped Natasha's wrist!
Natasha stiffened! She instinctively wanted to fight back!
But Lin Tian's finger just lightly pressed an acupoint on the inside of her wrist.
A strange warm current instantly surged into Natasha's body; she only felt a slight tingling sensation in her arm, and then... the constant dull ache in her wrist joint, which had been injured in the previous battle, actually... disappeared?!
Not only that, the warm current seemed to travel through her body, dispelling her fatigue, making her feel warm all over, unusually comfortable, and even... a little floaty?
"You?!" Natasha looked at Lin Tian in shock, momentarily forgetting to break free.
"It was nothing," Lin Tian released her hand, as if he had only done a trivial thing, his gaze meeting Natasha's blue eyes, which were full of shock and wariness, his lips curving into a meaningful smile, "It seems we will have many more chances to 'pass by' in the future."
Inside the car, the atmosphere became unusually ambiguous and... dangerous.
Natasha looked at the mysterious and powerful man in front of her, feeling the lingering warmth on her wrist and the deadly attraction emanating from him. She found that her heart, for the first time... was in turmoil... New book release, please collect, please give flowers, please evaluate, please everything!
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Chapter 15: Ripples in the Heart, One-Eyed Director
Inside the black car, the atmosphere was stagnant and ambiguous.
Natasha Romanoff, this battle-hardened, iron-hearted top Agent, now felt her heart pounding like a drum, and her cheeks flushed uncontrollably.
The lingering warm touch on her wrist, and Lin Tian's eyes that seemed to see through everything yet held a deadly attraction, caused cracks to appear in her carefully constructed psychological defenses for the first time.
"You..." Natasha opened her mouth, wanting to ask who he was, why he was here, why he knew her identity, and even... why he did this to her.
But all the questions, when they reached her lips, were swallowed back.
She had a hunch that even if she asked, she wouldn't get a true answer. This man was like a bottomless whirlpool; any attempt to investigate might only drag her deeper.
Lin Tian looked at the fleeting panic and confusion in Natasha's eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened.
He liked to see his prey lose composure in front of him, especially prey like Natasha, known for her calmness and self-control.
"It seems Agent Romanoff doesn't need my help anymore." Lin Tian withdrew his gaze, his tone returning to its previous gentleness, "Then, I won't disturb you. I hope next time I 'pass by', I'll see you in a more... relaxed state."
After speaking, he pushed open the car door and got out gracefully, as if the ambiguous contact and suggestive words just now were all Natasha's illusion.
He didn't even look back, his figure quickly blending into the night of the dock area and disappearing.
Natasha sat in the car, watching the direction Lin Tiandisappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.
She raised her hand, gently stroking her wrist where Lin Tian had just held it; the warmth of his fingertips and that strange warm current seemed to still linger there.
"Lin Tian..." She whispered the name, her expression extremely complex.
Curiosity, apprehension, vigilance, and... a hint of inexplicable stirring that she herself was unwilling to admit.
This man had successfully cast a huge stone into the lake of her heart, stirring up ripples that could not be calmed... S.H.I.E.L.D., Triskelion Headquarters.
Nick Fury looked at the report in front of him, his face so grim it could drip water.
One was a report about the Green Goblin incident at the Osborn Building.
The report detailed the astonishing achievement of Ghost Spider Gwen Stacy single-handedly subduing the Green Goblin but also mentioned abnormal phenomena during the battle—several fatal attacks were blocked by an invisible force.
The other was Natasha's supplementary report on the operation in the dock area.
The report subtly mentioned her renewed contact with the target, Lin Tian, and the mysterious abilities he displayed, far exceeding expectations, as well as... his complete knowledge of her identity.
"Invisible force... remote healing... intelligence like foreknowledge..." Fury rubbed the temple near his one eye, feeling a headache.
Who exactly was this Lin Tian who suddenly appeared?
His abilities seemed to be related to Gwen Stacy's power source, but they were completely different, more bizarre, more unfathomable.
He actively contacted Natasha, provided clues, and even... took action to "help" Gwen?
What was his purpose?
Was it merely to... get close to Natasha? Or did he have a larger scheme?
"Officer, our surveillance on Lin Tian has made almost no progress."
Maria Hill's voice came through the communicator, "He's like a ghost; our people can't get close at all. All surveillance equipment we tried to install either failed or was destroyed after approaching a certain range of his residence. We can't even confirm if he's still in that apartment."
"Continue to monitor the perimeter; do not attempt to infiltrate again." Fury said in a deep voice, "Also, raise Lin Tian's danger level to the highest — Level 10!"
Level 10!
Hill on the other end of the communication gasped.
This was already the same level as those potential World-ending threats!
"Yes, Officer!"
Fury hung up the communication, looking at Lin Tian's almost perfectly handsome photo on the screen, his gaze solemn.
He had a premonition that this man would become one of the biggest variables for S.H.I.E.L.D., and even the entire World, in the future.
And now, all he could do was place his hope in Natasha.
He hoped that his most trusted ace Agent could withstand the pressure and dig out more secrets from this mysterious man.
However... Fury looked at the places in Natasha's report where she hesitated and used subtle wording, a trace of imperceptible worry flashing in his heart.
Natasha... seemed to have developed emotions for this Lin Tian that went beyond the scope of the mission?
He hoped this was just his imagination... New book release, please collect, please give flowers, please evaluate, please everything!
Free flowers, ratings, monthly tickets, comments, likes, I beg you, the more the better!
These statistics are very important during the new book period, I beg you Yanzus to move your wealthy little hands.
I also hope everyone won't be stingy with urging tickets, although the author's typing speed is not fast, just try casting them and see what happens!.
Chapter 16: Victor's Reward, A Girl's Heart
Queens, Lin Tian's apartment.
It was already late at night when Gwen, dragging her slightly tired but undeniably excited body, knocked on Lin Tian's door.
The follow-up handling of the Osborn Building took a lot of time, and she cleverly avoided S.H.I.E.L.D.'s entanglement, rushing back immediately.
She was eager to see Lin Tian, to tell him that she had succeeded! She wanted to receive his... praise and "reward."
The door opened, and Lin Tian, wearing a comfortable bathrobe, his black hair damp on his forehead, had clearly just showered.
The scent emanating from him, a mix of shower gel fragrance and his unique body odor, instantly made Gwenblush, her eyes somewhat evasive.
"You're back?" Lin Tian looked at her dusty appearance, with several tears in her tight suit, a smile in his eyes, "Looks like a good result?"
"Mm!" Gwen nodded vigorously, her face beaming with pride and excitement, "I defeated the Green Goblin! Although... it seems someone secretly helped me a bit."
She secretly observed Lin Tian's expression, trying to find a hint of acknowledgment on his face.
Lin Tian just smiled, neither admitting nor denying, and stepped aside to let her in: "Come in first, you look exhausted."
Walking into the familiar room, smelling the scent that both reassured and stirred her, Gwen felt much of her fatigue lessen.
"Go take a shower quickly and change your clothes." Lin Tian pointed to the bathroom, "Your clothes are in the usual place."
"Oh... okay." Gwen obediently responded, her cheeks redder.
The so-called "usual place" was a wardrobe Lin Tian had specially prepared for her, containing several sets of clean girl's clothes and pajamas.
At some point, her staying overnight at Lin Tian's place had become a... habit.
When Gwen came out after showering, wearing a cute rabbit-patterned cotton pajama and with wet hair, Lin Tianwas sitting on the sofa, holding a book.
Seeing Gwen come out, he put down the book and patted the spot next to him.
Gwen hesitated for a moment but still walked over and sat down close to Lin Tian.
She could feel the warm body temperature emanating from Lin Tian, and the masculine scent that constantly emanated, making her heart race.
"You did well," Lin Tian reached out and, like stroking a cat, gently ruffled Gwen's damp blonde hair, his tone carrying a hint of approval, "Facing that level of opponent for the first time, being able to achieve this much has already exceeded my expectations."
Being praised by Lin Tian, Gwen's heart felt as sweet as honey, her little face flushed, like a puppy waiting for its Master's reward.
"However..." Lin Tian's tone shifted, his finger gently tracing Gwen's cheek, with an electric-like touch, "Your combat skills are still too immature, and your power usage is not refined enough. Many opportunities were wasted."
Chapter 10
Gwen lowered her head, a little embarrassed: "I… I'll try my best!"
"Just trying isn't enough," Lin Tian leaned closer to Gwen's ear, his warm breath fanning her sensitive earlobe, his voice low and magnetic, "You also need... more in-depth guidance."
Gwen's body instantly tensed, and her breathing quickened.
She knew what Lin Tian meant by "guidance."
After every battle or power upgrade, he would use this method to reward her, and at the same time... it was a deeper infusion and integration of power.
Although shy, she... was looking forward to it.
That ultimate experience of power and soul being satisfied made her unable to resist.
"Mm..." Gwen let out an almost inaudible response from her throat, a silent acquiescence.
Lin Tian smiled with satisfaction, picked her up by the waist, and walked towards the bedroom.
This time, Lin Tian's guidance was clearly more attentive.
He wasn't just pursuing his own cultivation improvement and satisfying his desires; he was consciously guiding the energy to repair any subtle damage Gwen might have sustained in battle, while also imprinting more sophisticated power application techniques into her physical instincts through the fusion of energy.
Gwen felt like a sponge, greedily absorbing the energy and information Lin Tian transmitted.
She could clearly feel that her control over her spider abilities had risen another level! The application of her power was more effortless, and her spider sense was even sharper!
And accompanying the increase in power was still that supreme pleasure that made her soul tremble.
Afterward, Gwen curled up in Lin Tian's arms, like a lazy, contented kitten.
She could feel Lin Tian's heartbeat, steady and strong, giving her an unparalleled sense of security.
"Lin..." She hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Today... was that you who helped me?"
Lin Tian closed his eyes, not answering, just lightly kissing her smooth forehead.
This kiss was worth a thousand words.
Gwen's heart completely settled, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.
So, he was always watching me, protecting me.
This feeling of being cherished and guarded intoxicated her.
However, just as she was preparing to fall asleep peacefully, a thought suddenly popped into her mind uncontrollably.
Today... Lin Tian seemed to have come back later than her?
When she knocked on the door, he seemed to have just finished showering?
What... did he go out to do?
Did he go to help her deal with the aftermath of the Green Goblin incident? Or... For the first time, Gwen felt a trace of... curiosity and uneasiness about Lin Tian's whereabouts.
She could feel that Lin Tian seemed to be hiding many secrets from her.
Before, she didn't care, thinking that as long as she could be with him, and receive his power and affection, it was enough.
But now she started to care a little.
Especially when she thought of Natasha Romanoff, the red-haired woman from S.H.I.E.L.D. earlier that day.
She was so beautiful, so capable, and an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.... Would Lin Tian be interested in her... Gwendidn't dare to think any further, shaking her head vigorously to cast the terrifying thought out of her mind.
No way! Lin belongs to me alone!
She subconsciously tightened her arms around Lin Tian, as if wanting to firmly confine him to her side.
The young girl's thoughts, like vines, quietly sprouted, carrying a hint of sweetness, and also a trace of... imperceptible sourness.
And Lin Tian, in her arms, seemed to sense her emotional change, and in the darkness, a playful smile, unnoticed by anyone, curved on his lips.
The game is getting more and more interesting... New book release, please collect, please give flowers, please review, please everything!
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Chapter Seventeen: What I Want... Has Always Been You
Over the next few days, Natasha felt herself caught in a bizarre cat and mouse game.
She used all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources, trying to dig up any clues about Lin Tian from the periphery, only to find that this man was as clean as a blank sheet of paper, and as mysterious as a fog.
His bank account statements were as normal as could be, with no large or suspicious transactions.
His social circle was so simple it was almost non-existent; apart from his landlord and a few delivery drivers, he hardly interacted with anyone.
Around his apartment, all conventional electronic surveillance equipment was useless, not to mention dispatching Agents for physical surveillance; those sent either quickly lost their target or were simply obstructed by unexpected events, unable to get close at all.
Lin Tian was like a hermit living in a modern city, perfectly hiding himself beneath a mundane facade.
But Natasha knew this was absolutely not the truth.
The man who could manipulate objects from a distance, instantly heal injuries, foresee intelligence, and even possibly possess mental influence abilities, could never be an ordinary person!
The more she couldn't find anything, the more Natasha's curiosity and... competitive spirit were aroused.
She began to try some unconventional methods.
For example, disguising herself as different identities and creating various accidental encounters.
One time was at the supermarket. Natasha pushed a shopping cart, pretending to accidentally run into Lin Tian, who was also shopping.
"Hi, Mr. Lin, what a coincidence," she said with a friendly smile.
"Yes, what a coincidence," Lin Tian responded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the items in her shopping cart, "Ms. Romanoff likes to cook for herself?"
Natasha's heart tightened.
He called her by her last name again!
And... how did he know I was a good cook? This information shouldn't be in public records!
"Occasionally, it's healthier to cook for myself," she replied calmly.
"Mm, health is very important," Lin Tian nodded, then picked up a box of blueberries from the shelf, "However, for someone with a cold constitution like you, blueberries are antioxidants, but it's better to eat a little less."
After speaking, he winked at Natasha and pushed his own shopping cart away.
Natasha stood frozen in place.
Cold constitution? How did he know?!
This was a hidden ailment left over from her Red Roomtraining period, known only to a very few people!
Was he concerned about me? Or was he... showing off his insight?
Another time was at an art gallery.
Natasha was admiring an abstract painting, trying to find some clues about a certain arms dealer's money laundering.
"This painting expresses an extreme yearning for freedom amidst suppression and restraint, doesn't it?" A familiar voice sounded behind her.
Natasha turned around, and sure enough, it was Lin Tian. Today he was wearing a well-tailored casual suit, looking elegant and charming.
"Mr. Lin also understands art?" Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Just a smattering," Lin Tian walked to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, looking at the painting. They were very close; Natasha could even smell his unique, refreshing scent that made her heart race.
"Sometimes, a painting is not just a painting," Lin Tianturned his head, his gaze falling on Natasha's profile, his eyes deep, "It can also hide some... secrets. For example, the special formula of the paint, tiny marks behind the canvas..."
Natasha's heart skipped a beat!
Paint formula? Canvas marks? Could it be... She suppressed the urge to immediately examine the painting and looked at Lin Tian: "Mr. Lin seems to... know a lot?"
"Not much, just a bit more observant," Lin Tian smiled, his gaze shifting to another painting, "Let's go, I wish you... find the answers you're looking for."
He left again, gracefully, leaving Natasha standing alone, her heart churning.
This man always appeared when she most needed clues, giving her hints in a casual yet incredibly precise way.
Is he toying with me? Is he enjoying this feeling of controlling everything, watching me struggle in the palm of his hand?
Anger, frustration, curiosity, and... a hint of shame and unwillingness after being seen through—all sorts of complex emotions intertwined in Natasha's heart.
She knew she was slowly falling into the web Lin Tian had woven.
Her rationality told her to immediately stay away from this dangerous man and completely seal him off.
But her emotions and... the Agent's instincts, drove her to want to get closer, to unveil his layers of mystery, to know who he really was and what he really wanted!
This feeling was like facing a beautifully packaged candy clearly labeled "Poison."
Knowing the danger, yet unable to resist wanting to... take a bite.
That night, Natasha finished a day of investigation and returned to her safe house, exhausted.
As soon as she turned on the light, her whole body stiffened!
A figure was sitting on the living room sofa!
It was Lin Tian!
He had actually... silently infiltrated her S.H.I.E.L.D. safe house, which had an extremely high security level?!
Natasha instantly entered combat mode, her muscles tensed, her eyes sharp as knives!
"Don't be nervous," Lin Tian leaned lazily on the sofa, playing with a... tiny USB drive that Natasha used to store top-secret documents! It was hidden in the most secret compartment of her bedroom! "I just came to... return something."
He lightly tossed the USB drive to Natasha.
Natasha subconsciously caught it, looking at the USB drive in her hand, then at the unharmed direction of her bedroom, her heart churning with shock!
Not only could he infiltrate here, but he could even easily find her most secret hiding place?!
This was beyond dangerous! This was simply... unfathomable!
"What exactly do you want?!" Natasha's voice trembled slightly with shock and anger. This was the first time she felt such complete powerlessness and... fear in front of someone.
Lin Tian stood up and slowly walked towards Natasha.
His steps were not fast, but they carried an invisible pressure that made Natasha involuntarily take a step back.
He walked in front of Natasha and stopped, the distance between them so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.
"What do I want?" Lin Tian lowered his head slightly, leaning close to Natasha's ear, and whispered in a voice only they could hear, ambiguously and full of temptation:
"What I want... has always been you, Natasha."
Warm breath brushed her ear, and that magnetic voice seemed to carry a spell, making Natasha tremble all over, her mind instantly blank... New book release, please collect, please give flowers, please review, please everything!
Free flowers and review monthly passes, comments, likes, I beg for as many as possible!
These data are very important during the new book period, I beg Yanzus to move their lucky little hands.
I also hope that everyone will not be stingy with Update Ticket (reminders to update), although the author's typing speed is not fast, just try casting them and it'll be fine!.
Chapter Eighteen: Mental Defenses Collapse, You Will Willingly Become My Sacrifice
"What I want has always been you, Natasha."
Lin Tian's low and magnetic voice, like the most mellow spell, echoed in Natasha's ear, each word precisely striking the most fragile part of her heartstrings.
Warm breath brushed her earlobe, bringing a trembling tingling sensation that instantly shattered Natasha's newly gathered guard and anger.
Her mind went blank, her body stiff, she even forgot to breathe.