Sunlight streamed through the window into the classroom, painting crooked patches of light across the desks.
Gwen rested her chin on her hand, staring at the blackboard, but she didn't hear a single word.
Her mind was filled with the events of last night—the words of that henchman, the Rhino, and that phrase, "Assassinate George Stacy."
Her father.
Someone wanted to kill her father.
Gwen picked up her pen, placed it between her nose and mouth, and clamped it there with a pout.
This was a habit she had developed recently when thinking.
Helen said this gesture was cute, but Gwen herself didn't feel much about it; she just felt it helped her brain work a little faster.
Rhino.
She chewed on the name in her mind repeatedly.
After returning last night, she lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep, digging through the memories of her past life.
There was indeed a Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
But that was a guy who relied on a mechanical suit, and the end of that movie only gave him a cameo; The Amazing Spider-Man 3 was scrapped, so that version of the Rhino never really got to do anything.
But Earth-65—the World of Spider-Gwen—also had a Rhino.
Gwen tried hard to recall those fragmented pieces of information.
The Rhino of Earth-65, whose real name was Aleksei Sytsevich, was a Russian.
He didn't rely on a mechanical suit but was a Mutant—with grey-blue skin, blue hair, and possessing super strength and resistance.
He was a mercenary, hired by Kingpin to kill George Stacy.
In that Universe, Matt Murdock—that corrupted Daredevil—was Kingpin's right-hand man.
Later, the Rhino joined The Hand and was dubbed "Rhino" by Detective DeWolfe.
Gwen's brows furrowed.
The plot matched up.
The Rhino was a member of The Hand.
In this Universe, he was acting under the orders of Madame Gao.
Not Kingpin.
It was that old woman.
Gwen's hand clenched slightly.
She remembered what Daredevil had said last night—Madame Gao had given the order personally.
Why would that old monster, who had lived for who knows how many years, suddenly want to kill her father?
Because she was blocking The Hand's path?
Or because—
Because she was Spider-Man?
Gwen's heart skipped a beat.
If Madame Gao knew her identity, then her father—
"Gwen."
Something poked her gently on the back.
Gwen snapped back to reality and turned her head slightly.
Peter in the back row was looking down at a book, but he waved his pen at her and pointed toward the podium.
Gwen followed his gesture—the science teacher, Mrs. Schwartz, was standing at the podium, staring at her with a serious expression.
"You answer this question."
Gwen: "..."
She hadn't heard what the question was at all.
The classroom was silent for two seconds. Someone snickered.
Mrs. Schwartz's brows furrowed even tighter.
Gwen's brain raced. She looked at the blackboard—there was a biology question written on it about gene expression.
She hadn't been listening, but that knowledge—
That knowledge was in her brain.
The memories of the original body were still there.
"It is..." she started, fluently reciting the answer.
Mrs. Schwartz raised an eyebrow, and her expression softened a little.
"Correct. However, do not let your mind wander during class."
Gwen lowered her head.
"Yes..."
A very soft laugh came from behind her.
Gwen didn't need to turn around to know it was Peter.
The bell rang, and Mrs. Schwartz walked out of the classroom with the "clack-clack-clack" of her high heels.
Gwen slumped over her desk, like a plant withered by the sun.
"Hey."
Peter's voice came from above.
Gwen looked up and saw him standing by the desk, holding a science magazine—he was always reading science magazines.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
Gwen looked around, confirmed no one was paying attention to them, and lowered her voice.
"Rhino."
Peter's expression became serious.
He pulled over the chair next to her and sat down.
"What did you think of?"
Gwen organized the fragmented information in her mind and shared what she could.
"That Rhino might be a Mutant—or rather, a genetically modified human. He might have super strength and resistance, making him difficult to deal with."
Peter nodded.
"I checked the files last night. The codename 'Rhino' hasn't appeared in criminal records before. He must be a newcomer, or—he was cultivated by The Hand."
He paused.
"If it's the latter, it's even more troublesome."
Gwen understood what he meant.
People cultivated by The Hand were definitely not ordinary.
"Also," Peter continued, "about your dad, should we do something?"
Gwen was silent for a few seconds.
"I want to protect him. But I can't let him know it's me."
Peter looked at her, his eyes filled with a hint of sympathy.
"Gwen..."
"It's fine." Gwen shook her head, "I'll find a way."
During lunch break, Gwen didn't go to the music room.
She found a quiet corner and took out her phone to start searching.
Rhino. Aleksei Sytsevich. Russia. Mercenary.
The search results were few.
Only a few scattered news reports—a few months ago, a bizarre incident occurred in Brooklyn. A warehouse was completely smashed, and witnesses said they saw "a grey monster" rush out, but no one believed them.
Gwen stared at the blurry surveillance screenshot.
Grey skin. Blue hair. Massive figure.
That was him.
She searched for news on "George Stacy"—her father had been very active recently, giving several interviews, all about cracking down on The Hand.
On the screen, George was wearing his police uniform, saying with a serious face, "We will never compromise with crime."
Gwen looked at that familiar face, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart.
He was her father.
He was the father who would ask her, "Are you dating someone?"
He was the father who sat at the dining table reading the newspaper every morning.
He was the father who was being kept in the dark by her, yet might be suspecting her.
Now someone wanted to kill him.
Gwen gripped her phone tightly.
She wouldn't let anyone hurt him.
No matter how strong that Rhino was.
During the afternoon classes, Gwen barely listened to half of them before her mind drifted away again.
She was thinking about how to protect George.
24-hour personal protection? Impossible. She still had classes, still had to patrol, and had her own things to do.
Tell him the truth? Even more impossible. She couldn't take that risk.
Then she could only—watch from the shadows.
But she couldn't be everywhere at once.
"Gwen."
Peter's pen poked her back again.
Gwen snapped back to reality and realized Mrs. Schwartz was looking at her again.
She quickly sat up straight, pretending to listen intently to the class.
When the bell rang, Mrs. Schwartz called her over.
"Gwen, come with me for a moment."
Gwen's heart tightened, and she followed her out of the classroom.
The hallway was quiet, and other students were walking in the opposite direction.
Mrs. Schwartz stopped and turned to look at her.
"Gwen," she started, her tone much softer than during class, "is something going on with you lately?"
Gwen was stunned for a moment.
"N-no..."
Mrs. Schwartz looked at her with a hint of concern in her eyes.
"You weren't like this before. Lately, your mind always wanders during class, and although you finish your assignments, it's clear your heart isn't in it."
Gwen didn't know what to say.
"If something is wrong," Mrs. Schwartz said, "you can talk to me. Or talk to the school counselor."
Gwen shook her head.
"Really, it's nothing, Mrs. Schwartz. It's just... I haven't been sleeping well lately."
Mrs. Schwartz looked at her for a few seconds and nodded.
"Then get some good rest. If you have any difficulties, come to me anytime."
Gwen nodded.
"Thank you, teacher."
Mrs. Schwartz patted her shoulder and left.
Gwen stood there, watching her back, feeling a bit warm inside.
In this World, there were so many people who cared about her.
After school, Gwen didn't go straight home.
She went to the library and borrowed a few books about the Russian mafia.
Although it might not be useful, it never hurts to know a bit more.
When she walked out of the library, it was already getting dark.
Peter was waiting at the door, and seeing her come out, he walked up to her.
"Did you find anything?"
Gwen shook her head.
"Nothing useful. Only that the Rhino is likely a Russian mercenary hired by The Hand."
Peter nodded.
"I also checked some things."
He pulled a tablet out of his bag, tapped it a few times, and handed it to Gwen.
"I found this by hacking into a few black market forums. Someone has been putting a bounty on information about your dad."
Gwen took it and looked, her pupils contracting slightly.
On the screen was a post with the title "NYPD Captain George Stacy—Information Wanted."
Below, people had replied with several items—his home address, his license plate number, the coffee shop he frequented, and his daily routine.
Gwen's hands trembled slightly.
"These..."
"These are all public information," Peter said. "Anyone with intent could find them. But this post—"
He pointed to the poster's ID.
"This ID is linked to a dark web account previously used by The Hand. It's basically confirmed that this is a bounty on your dad."
Gwen took a deep breath.
"When will the Rhino make his move?"
"I don't know," Peter shook his head. "But once this kind of bounty comes out, the action should be in the next few days."
Gwen was silent for a few seconds.
"Peter."
"Yeah?"
"Help me keep an eye on it. If there's any movement, tell me immediately."
Peter nodded.
"I've set up monitoring. As long as that account becomes active again, I'll know."
Gwen looked at him, a wave of warmth surging in her heart.
"Thank you, Peter."
Peter smiled.
"It's nothing. We are—"
"Partners," Gwen finished. "I know."
Both of them laughed.
When she got home, George was already there.
He was sitting in the living room watching TV, and upon hearing the door open, he looked up.
"You're back?"
Gwen nodded.
"Yeah."
She changed her shoes, walked over, and sat down next to him.
George glanced at her, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.
"What's wrong?"
Gwen shook her head.
"Nothing. Just wanted to sit for a while."
George didn't say anything and continued watching TV.
The TV was playing the news—J. Jonah Jameson was badmouthing Spider-Man again.
Gwen listened to the familiar insults and suddenly found it a bit funny.
"Dad," she started, "do you believe that Spider-Man is a good person or a bad person?"
George was stunned for a moment and turned to look at her.
"Why ask this suddenly?"
Gwen shrugged.
"Just curious."
George was silent for a few seconds.
"I don't know," he said. "But I know she has saved many people."
Gwen's heart skipped a beat.
"Those people who were saved," George continued, "they all say it was Spider-Man who saved them. One person saying it might be fake, ten people saying it might also be fake. But if dozens of people say it—then it might be true."
He looked at Jameson's angry face on the TV.
"Jameson has his position. But I have my judgment."
Gwen looked at him and suddenly didn't know what to say.
George turned his head to look at her.
"Gwen."
"Yeah?"
"Whatever you are doing," he said, "be careful."
Gwen was stunned.
George didn't say anything more; he stood up and patted her shoulder.
"I'm going to cook. Your mom is working overtime today."
He walked into the kitchen.
Gwen sat on the sofa, watching his back, her eyes feeling a bit sore.
Did he know?
Or was he just reminding her?
She didn't know.
But she knew she wouldn't let anyone hurt him.
At night, Gwen put on her suit and stood by the window.
She didn't go on patrol.
She stood guard on a rooftop where she could see the entrance to her home, staring at the street.
The night wind blew by, carrying a chill.
Her cape fluttered slightly behind her.
"Gwen," Peter's voice sounded in her earpiece, "are you still outside?"
"Yeah."
"Go back. There shouldn't be any trouble tonight."
Gwen shook her head.
"I'll keep watch a little longer."
Peter was silent for a few seconds.
"Then I'll keep you company."
Gwen smiled.
"Keep me company? You're going to keep me company from under your covers?"
"I'll keep you company in your earpiece," Peter said seriously. "It's the same."
Gwen laughed out loud.
"Okay. Keep me company."
The night deepened.
The street was empty, with an occasional car driving by.
Gwen crouched on the edge of the roof, her eyes never leaving the street.
The lights in her house were still on.
George should still be watching TV.
Helen should be back.
Everything was normal.
But she knew danger might be lurking in some corner.
"Gwen," Peter's voice sounded again, "your dad's license plate is NYPD-114, right?"
Gwen was stunned.
"How did you know?"
"I saw it on the black market forum," Peter said. "That post—"
"Someone wants to mess with his car?"
"I don't know. But just in case, I checked his car's recent routes."
Gwen's brows furrowed.
"Anything unusual?"
"No," Peter said. "Everything is normal. But I discovered one thing—on his daily route to work, there is a stretch of road he must take that is very secluded."
Gwen's heart lifted.
"Where?"
"South of Brooklyn Bridge, there's an abandoned industrial area. There's no one there, and very little surveillance."
Gwen was silent for a few seconds.
"If I were the assassin, I would choose that place."
"That's what I thought too."
Gwen stood up.
"Peter."
"Yeah?"
"Tomorrow morning, I'm going there to keep watch."
Peter didn't object.
"I'll go with you."
Gwen smiled.
"Okay."
She took one last look at the lit window, then turned and leaped into the night.
Tomorrow, she would protect her father.
No matter who that Rhino was.