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This terrifying scene gave the surrounding officers, as well as Chief Stacy hanging from the ceiling, quite a fright.
Was this truly the kind of cruel act that the Superhero Spider-Man, who had never killed a criminal, would do???
One rookie officer's hand even shook from fear, accidentally firing a shot at Ryan.
But facing the bullet from behind, Ryan didn't even turn his head. A piece of silver-gray armor appeared at the impact site in advance. The bullet struck the armor, sending sparks flying, and ricocheted back to hit the rookie officer who had misfired in the thigh.
This made Chief Stacy, who was hanging from the ceiling cosplaying as a teru teru bozu, incredibly anxious, as he roared:
"You damn bastards! Who fired that shot! Everyone, put your guns away!"
Hearing this, the other officers quickly holstered their guns and provided emergency aid to the rookie.
After all, they had just witnessed the Lizard Man—whom they couldn't kill even after several rounds of concentrated fire—being turned into a pincushion by that guy suspected to be Spider-Man in an instant!
They couldn't even beat the Lizard Man. If they provoked this even more terrifying and violent Spider-Man, wouldn't that be like throwing a flashbang into a toilet—looking for shit (death) in the restroom just like their Director?
Ryan, meanwhile, withdrew his hand from the Lizard Man's body as if nothing had happened.
With a flick of his left hand, it transformed into a chain blade, severing the Spider Silk that held Chief Stacy to the ceiling. As he fell, Ryan grabbed Chief Stacy by the collar to prevent him from landing face-first like a dog eating dirt.
After setting Chief Stacy on the ground, Ryan casually wiped the Lizard Man's blood from his hands onto the Police uniform and said calmly:
"You see, Chief Stacy, this is the consequence of giving evil people a second chance."
"You bet that they might turn good, but in reality, there's a high probability they will seek revenge against you."
"I admit I failed to do what I promised you last time, so this time, I'm handing the Lizard Man over to you."
"Of course, only as a corpse. As for the reason, I believe you know your department's ability to guard super-powered criminals better than I do..."
"So, that's all I have to say. Chief Stacy, you're a good cop, so take the 'merit' you deserve and prepare for a promotion..."
After speaking, Ryan gave a meaningful pat to the Lizard Man's blood he had smeared on Chief Stacy, then leaped onto the ceiling and left through the New York Police Department's ventilation duct.
Chief Stacy stood in place, touching the blood of 'merit' on his body that was destined to give him a boundless future after this incident. He looked at the vent with a complex gaze and murmured, "You... aren't Spider-Man, are you..."
Ryan swung on his Spider Silk toward home, but as he neared the house, he unexpectedly saw someone sitting in front of his door.
A young man who looked lonely and helpless.
That's... Ryan narrowed his eyes, feeling the person looked very familiar.
After 0.1 seconds of thought, he remembered.
Wasn't this the Harry Osborn he'd glimpsed in a photo on Norman Osborn's bedside table when he killed him?
He had originally planned to wait for Harry to return and use him to take control of Osborn Enterprises.
He hadn't expected that before he could go looking for him, the guy would actually show up at his doorstep.
No, to be accurate, Harry was likely there to find Peter.
After all, Harry only knew Peter from the parker family.
Ryan didn't disturb Harry. Instead, he landed in an alleyway a block away from his house, his suit shifting and transforming into casual clothes.
Then, dressed in civilian clothes, Ryan strolled toward his home.
Naturally, Ryan 'encountered' Harry right in front of his door.
Looking at the desolate boy who stood in stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the recent Christmas season, Ryan feigned surprise and said:
"And this gentleman is?"
Seeing that someone from the parker family had returned, Harry quickly stood up, squeezing out a very forced smile as he introduced himself:
"Hello, my name is Harry Osborn. I'm a friend of Peter's. I heard Peter lived here, so I wanted to come by and see him..."
"But he doesn't seem to be in. I don't think I should stay any longer. I'm very sorry for the intrusion, I'll be going now..."
Just as Harry turned dejectedly to leave, Ryan suddenly called out to him, "Harry, want to grab some lunch? I'm a decent cook."
Simple words, yet they made Harry's feet unable to move another inch.
This morning, as soon as he got off the plane, he was told his father was dead, the old butler who had cared for him since childhood was also dead, his home was gone overnight, and he had even been kicked out of his own company for some trumped-up reason.
Now homeless, hearing Ryan's simple invitation made Harry's heart tremble violently.
Because this was the first invitation he had received today, and the first piece of kindness he had felt since his return.
Harry turned slowly, his expression looking very much like a pitiful stray puppy in Ryan's eyes, as he asked tentatively, "Is... is that okay?"
Ryan took out his keys and opened the door, making an inviting gesture to Harry. "Of course. I used to hear Peter mention you often, saying you were always his best friend. And I'm Peter's cousin, so naturally, you're my friend too."
"Fri... friend. Yes!"
Harry's eyes reddened slightly at those words.
After returning to New York and losing everything, he had come to find Peter precisely because Peter was his only friend left in New York... and now he had a second friend!
Sitting at the dining table, Harry held the hot tea Ryan had poured for him with cold hands, feeling a sense of warmth from the inside out.
As he looked around the house—which was small compared to the Osborn Manor where he used to live, but clean, tidy, and much cozier—there was an irrepressible envy in Harry's eyes.
Watching Ryan busy in the kitchen and smelling the rich aroma wafting out, Harry even felt a bit of jealousy toward Peter.
If he could, he would be willing to trade his billions in assets for a cozy and ordinary warm little home like Peter's...
Oh, wait, he forgot he'd just been kicked out of the company and no longer had billions...
Harry couldn't help but lower his head and smile mockingly at himself.
But before Harry could dwell on his bitterness for long, a golden plate with a sweet and sour aroma was placed in front of him.
Smelling the sweet and sour scent of the food on the plate, even Harry, whose heart was as bitter as could be, couldn't help but swallow. He looked up at Ryan and asked:
"What is this? I've never seen such a magical delicacy before that makes one hungry just by the smell."
Ryan placed his own portion on the table, wiped his hands with a hot towel, and smiled:
"This is Tomato and Scrambled Egg over Rice. It's Asian food, and not some high-end dish. It's normal that you haven't seen it before."
"Give it a try. You seem to be in low spirits, and since this has a sweet and sour flavor, it should give you a bit of an appetite."