Looking at the 9,000 points currently in his balance, Peter hesitated for only a second before issuing a command to the system.
"System, purchase the Cold Jade Bed and the Emerald Dragon Scale."
The Emerald Dragon Scale (from Adventures of Little Carp) could manipulate waves and, by extension, any source of water.
It was the perfect tool to restrain both Sandman and Electro in a coastal city like New York. As for the Cold Jade Bed, it was a practical side-buy; it wasn't expensive, and its "tenfold training speed" effect was a steal.
Even if he didn't pull any internal martial arts techniques soon, he could always lend it to Stephen Strange or Wanda Maximoff to farm some massive favorability points.
With 1,300 points deducted, a dull, cyan scale materialized in Peter's hand. The Cold Jade Bed, being too large to carry, remained stored in the system's sub-space—a handy feature for physical purchases.
As Peter pressed the Emerald Dragon Scale to his forehead to test its power, a stream of information flooded his mind.
Warning: Due to the "True Dragon" not acknowledging your character, you can only exert a maximum of 50% of the Emerald Dragon Scale's power.
Peter: "..."
No wonder it only costs 800 points. It comes with terms and conditions.
He couldn't really blame the system; that was the original lore. Only those with a matching personality could gain the scale's full recognition. The Emerald Scale specifically required someone kind-hearted, empathetic, and—crucially—gifted at singing.
Peter understood immediately. While he wasn't a villain, his "empathy" usually ended the moment he decided someone needed to die.
And his singing? Let's just say he wasn't winning any Grammys. The fact that the system forced the scale to give him 50% functionality was already "mandatory overtime" for the item.
A kind-hearted "good woman" who can sing...
The first person who flashed through his mind was his girlfriend, Gwen. But then he remembered: Gwen was the drummer for the Mary Janes.
While she hit the skins with elite precision, her vocal skills were an unknown variable. Plus, Gwen was a bit self-conscious; she might find "fighting by singing" a bit too embarrassing to accept.
Then, another figure emerged: Felicia Hardy.
Felicia was in the same study group as Peter and Gwen, and more importantly, she and Mary Jane were the lead vocalists of the band.
She had a voice like velvet. Back at Midtown High, she had even risked her safety to warn Peter to run when Norman and Connors attacked.
Lately, they'd drifted apart because of Peter and Gwen's "double lives," and Felicia had even complained about it the last time they spoke.
Why not let her try? In other universes, Felicia was Black Cat, a woman with deep ties to Spider-Man. If she gained the scale's recognition, she could become a powerful "Support Hero." He could bring her into his growing organization.
By now, Peter was soaring over New York. Through his Byakugan, he saw that while Gwen was in a rough spot, she was still managing to hold her own against the duo for now.
He banked the Glider and accelerated toward the Hardy residence in Queens.
In her bedroom, Felicia Hardy was curled up on her large bed, weeping silently. A faint, reddish handprint lingered on her cheek.
She had just had a massive argument with her mother over her father's estate—her mother wanted to take everything her father left them and move on to a new marriage.
Suddenly, she heard a gasp from her mother in the hallway, followed by a gentle knock on her door. A calm, unfamiliar voice drifted in:
"Felicia Hardy? Could you do me a small favor?"
Wiping her eyes, Felicia cautiously opened the door. Her jaw dropped, and she instinctively covered her mouth. "You... you're The Arbiter?"
She wasn't a stranger to the hero who had taken down the Lizard and Green Goblin at her school. In fact, she had fantasized more than once about being his girlfriend.
Seeing her idol standing in her doorway made her feel both starstruck and incredibly embarrassed about her current disheveled state.
Peter looked at the trembling Felicia, then glanced down at his palm. The Emerald Dragon Scale was glowing with a soft, vibrant light, emitting a clear, rhythmic hum like a dragon's purr.
The Dragon Soul is... pleased? Peter thought, his expression beneath the mask turning quite strange. Is this a 'True Dragon Certified' Best Girl detector? I think I just found a very unintended use for this thing.
Shaking off the stray thoughts, Peter got straight to the point. "Time is short. I can't explain much, but Felicia... are you willing to use your voice to become a superhero?"
Felicia: "???"
Was this a prank show? She almost looked behind Peter for a hidden camera. But then, the Emerald Dragon Scale floated up of its own accord and settled against her brow. In that instant, she understood. The scale had chosen her.
"I'm willing!" she said without a hint of hesitation.
Peter didn't waste time. He grabbed her hand and whisked her out of the house. On the way out, he grabbed a costume mask from her room—ironically, she had been preparing a "Mera" (Queen of the Sea) outfit for Halloween. He helped her secure it as they boarded the Glider.
Because the Glider was small, Felicia had to stand behind Peter, shielding herself from the night wind by wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
The sudden surge of gravity as they took off made her heart skip a beat.
The proximity made her blush, but she didn't let go.
Before she could savor the moment, they reached 7th Avenue. Seeing Gwen being pushed back by the combined might of Sandman and Electro, Peter didn't think twice.
He gently pried Felicia's hands off his waist and leaped into the air, using Moonwalk to charge into the fray...
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