Chapter 130: Great Responsibility - part 3

After that, Michelle went to deliver the antidote for 『Devil’s Breath』 to 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 headquarters.

They were also holding a strategy meeting that day… and in the meantime, I checked over my web fluid refills and equipment.

Martin Li… Mister Negative’s whereabouts were still unknown, as was the location of 『Devil’s Breath』.

If he slipped away now, it would mean leaving behind a bomb in New York that could go off at any moment.

Given that we knew the Demons’ destination, the only move was to strike using that information.

『Devil’s Breath』 couldn’t be activated the instant it was set. The Demons would be caught in the blast too. They had to set it, retreat… and only then activate it.

The battle would be in that narrow gap—between the moment of setup and the moment of activation.

The sun rose.

I washed my face and dried it with a towel. Equipped my web-shooters. Put on the suit. Pulled on the mask.

In the mirror, my friendly neighborhood Spider-Man was staring back.

…Taking a deep breath, I leapt out the window.

I shot out a webline to a building, swung. Yanked myself up and soared higher. Then used the falling momentum to accelerate.

Racing across the sky of the city where I was born and raised, I landed at my destination.

Not the building where the 『Maggia』 were. About 500 meters away, at a small building.

I slipped inside through an open window.

I looked up.

Several people were there, wearing body armor and tactical gear. Their shields bore the letters 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』. Agents.

They turned their eyes on me as I entered—

『A little early, but right on time.』

Michelle, clad in her vibranium suit—Nightcap—called out.

"Well, it’s not exactly the kind of day you’d want to oversleep, right?"

I cracked a joke, walking over to her side despite the tense atmosphere.

…Seems she had told them in advance that I’d be coming, since none of the 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 agents questioned me. Still, I could feel a mix of curiosity and suspicion in the air.

"So, what’s the situation?"

『The 『Maggia』 are gradually gathering in the building. Location: the large hall on the 12th floor of the central tower.』

Michelle tapped the table in the middle of the room, which had a monitor attached to it. A holographic display popped up in the air. High-tech. Probably Stark Industries’ work.

『Current participant numbers are at 47% of projections, and the Demons are beginning to show up as well.』

Michelle showed me her tablet. Several photos were displayed.

Large black vehicles. Huge containers being unloaded from them. …The same design I’d seen at the Demons’ hideout.

"…One of these is 『Devil’s Breath』?"

『Most likely. But almost all of them could be dummies—we can’t be sure. It’s even possible they’re all decoys. Until we have confirmation, we can’t move.』

If they got away here, everything would be meaningless. Michelle folded her arms.

『The employees inside the building have already been evacuated. The only ones inside now are 『Maggia』 members… and undercover agents posing as employees placed there by 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』.』

I nodded. A precaution to make sure no unrelated civilians got caught in it.

…But no, just because they’re 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 members doesn’t mean it’s okay if they die.

『The building’s surveillance cameras are still operational, though we’re considering the possibility the Demons might destroy them. In any case, as soon as we confirm 『Devil’s Breath』 has been brought in, we’ll move to breach—』

A digital beep sounded. From the comms equipment in the corner of the room.

Michelle and I glanced over, as one of the agents picked up the comm headset.

"…Something happened?"

『…Doesn’t sound like good news.』

The agent’s face stiffened. Michelle soon moved toward the comms corner as well.

『What’s going on?』

She tapped the agent’s shoulder, making him flinch before he turned and nodded.

"『Maggia』 is launching an attack…"

『『Maggia』? Not the Demons?』

I tilted my head too. If the Demons were striking somewhere else to create a diversion, that I could understand. But why would the 『Maggia』?

"It seems the 『Maggia』 caught wind of an imminent Demon attack, and are attempting to launch a preemptive strike on the Demons’ base."

『…Why at this timing?』

"From what our spy inside the 『Maggia』 says… there was a tip-off earlier, from someone."

『A false tip planted by the Demons? To lure them into attacking another base, clearing the path for their real move?』

No answer. The only fact was that right now, the 『Maggia』 were preparing to assault the Demons’ hideout.

Meaning, without realizing the Demons themselves were about to attack them… they still went forward, convinced it was the right move to stop them.

Whoever tipped off the 『Maggia』 was clearly on the Demons’ side. Otherwise, they’d be fools.

Michelle folded her arms again and looked at the agent.

『Location?』

"Southwest, 12 kilometers from here. The target building is… the 『F.E.A.S.T.』 Center."

…Eh?

For a second, my brain refused to process it.

Why 『F.E.A.S.T.』? Why there?

That place was only volunteers, the elderly, and the homeless. Sure, Martin Li—Mister Negative himself—was the one running it, but it wasn’t supposed to be connected to this.

…And Aunt May was there.

My vision warped.

A hand pressed down on my shoulder.

"Ah…"

『Calm down, Peter.』

Michelle leaned close, whispering in her usual voice, too quiet for the other 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 members to hear.

『I know you’re worried about your aunt. Leave this to us. You head to 『F.E.A.S.T.』.』

"Michelle…"

『If your aunt were to die… you’d regret it forever. Both you, and me.』

Michelle pulled back, stepped aside, and looked at the agent with the comm.

『What’s 『Maggia』’s current movement? How long until the attack?』

"Two… no, about fifteen minutes."

I blinked under the mask.

Too short. Aunt May’s face flashed again in my mind.

Michelle glanced at me, then issued orders to the agents.

『Special Unit B, Medical Unit C—move out to 『F.E.A.S.T.』. And—』

She looked at me again. I smacked my trembling knees to steady them, and nodded.

『Go.』

"Yeah… thank you. You stay safe too!"

『Count on it.』

I dashed off and leapt from the window.

Fifteen minutes.

On foot, impossible. By car, still too slow.

I had to swing the shortest possible route.

I had to reach 『F.E.A.S.T.』 before the 『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 agents did, and stop the 『Maggia』.

Web, swing, pull. Faster.

Kick off a wall, accelerate. Faster!

I raced through the sky, landing in front of the 『F.E.A.S.T.』 building I’d just visited the other day.

No signs of an attack yet. I exhaled with relief and pushed open the door.

All eyes—visitors and volunteers alike—turned to me.

"Oh my?"

"Huh? Who’s that?"

"I know him! That’s the Spider-kid, right?"

…Inside, I muttered that it was 『Spider-MAN』, not 『kid』, while spotting Aunt May rushing toward me.

"Did something happen? Why are you—"

"Please, get out of here right now…!"

"…Eh?"

My shout rang out through the otherwise quiet interior of the 『F.E.A.S.T.』 building.

I saw faces turn toward me, confusion written on them. An old man was there, holding up a copy of the Daily Bugle.

"Ah…"

…Damn. I wasn’t a government-approved hero. I had no official credibility.

This was bad. In a situation where every second mattered, if people doubted my words—

"I understand."

"Huh?"

Ignoring my worries, Aunt May nodded.

"You heard him, didn’t you? Everyone, evacuate to the underground shelter!"

"…O-okay."

"If May says so…"

It went so smoothly, so easily, that I was the one left confused. Aunt May turned her eyes to me.

"Oh my, is something wrong?"

"…No, I just didn’t expect people to trust me so quickly."

Around us, volunteers were already leading the residents down to the shelter.

But Aunt May faced me and gave me a small smile.

"Because you’re a good person, aren’t you?"

"…A good person?"

"Yes. Henry, Brown, and Mercy—they’ve already gone to the shelter, but I’ve heard them brag that you saved them before."

Saying that, Aunt May turned her back to me, starting toward the shelter as well.

"In that case, you’re a hero. Flying through the sky for others, saving them, fighting for them… How could I possibly doubt someone who works that hard for others? I can’t. I won’t."

"…Aunt May—"

The name slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. Aunt May turned back.

"My, why do you know my name?"

"Ah, uh, no, I mean—"

As I struggled for words, Aunt May chuckled softly.

"Well, if you don’t want to say, that’s fine… but more importantly, what’s going to—"

Crash! A window high near the ceiling shattered.

"Look out!"

I shot a webline to the wall, yanked myself across, scooping Aunt May up as I slid along the floor.

Shards of broken glass pierced the spot where we’d just been standing.

"Go! Get out of here!"

"Y-yes… I’m sorry?"

"Don’t worry about it!"

Pushing away Aunt May, who looked guilty for being protected, I fired a web to the shattered window frame and vaulted up. Landing on the bare edge, I leaned out from the 『F.E.A.S.T.』 building.

Two, three… no, four massive black vehicles. All the same pitch-black.

Why do bad guys always have to ride in black cars? Doesn’t this give a bad reputation to innocent black-car owners everywhere?

And in broad daylight New York, carrying assault rifles, dressed in black suits. The 『Maggia』 really were an outdated gang through and through.

One of them, a hulking figure, stepped forward.

Unnaturally pale skin, a flat-top of white hair, and sharp, shark-like teeth… Great. Someone I actually knew.

"Why are you here, Spider-Man?"

"I’m here doing volunteer work. Problem with that, Lonnie?"

An especially vicious thug. His real name: Lonnie Thompson Lincoln.

A.K.A.—

"I am 『Tombstone』, the man who speaks with his fists! Get in my way, and I’ll crush you!"

He charged straight at me. No weapons in hand. …Well, I got it. With this guy, his bare fists were scarier than any weapon.

But—

…Letting him into 『F.E.A.S.T.』 would be bad. I leapt from the window and landed on the hood of one of their black cars.

It crumpled with a loud whump. Oops… but hey, I’m not paying the repair bill. Do mobsters even carry car insurance?

The 『Maggia』 thugs all leveled their rifles at me.

Assault rifles.

There were bystanders around too. They thought they were far enough away, but one stray bullet and someone could die. I really wished they’d run.

But I didn’t have time to say it. I kicked off the hood and shot into the air.

The rifle barrels tilted up after me. …If those hit, it wouldn’t just hurt.

I fired webs, binding a few of the muzzles shut. Then swung to another lamppost to move through the air.

The rifles tracked me… and opened fire!

"Whoa!"

Trigger-happy idiots. At least take the time to aim. Otherwise, someone else could get caught in the crossfire.

"All bark, no bite? You’ve got to actually hit something for it to count!"

I taunted, just as Tombstone barked at his men.

"Fools! Calm down and aim properly!"

I snapped a web at one thug, yanked him forward, and used the recoil to close in, driving a kick square into his face.

I didn’t hold back much. In this situation, I couldn’t afford to worry about how badly they’d be hurt.

Landing, I leapt again—this time firing electric webs.

"Uggh!"

"Gaaah!"

One down, then another, unconscious.

Spider-Sense flared. I launched upward instantly.

A heartbeat later, Tombstone’s fist slammed into where I’d just been, shattering the concrete ground, tearing it apart.

My voice rang out through the quiet halls of F.E.A.S.T.

Faces turned toward me, confused.

I caught sight of an old man holding up the Daily Bugle.

"Ah…"

…Crap.

I’m not a government-approved hero.

Trust isn’t exactly something I’ve got in abundance.

This is bad. If they start doubting me now, when every second counts—

"I understand."

"Huh?"

To my surprise, Aunt May nodded.

"You heard him, didn’t you? Everyone, head to the underground shelter!"

"O-okay…"

"If May says so…"

It went way too smoothly. Almost suspiciously smoothly.

While I was still trying to process it, Aunt May glanced my way.

"Oh? Something wrong?"

"…No, it’s just, I didn’t think anyone would trust me that easily."

Around us, the volunteers were already guiding people toward the shelter.

And yet, Aunt May looked at me with a small smile.

"Because you’re a good person, aren’t you?"

"A good person…?"

"Yes. Henry, Brown, Marcy—they already went ahead, but they bragged about how you saved them before. They were proud of it."

She turned her back to me, heading toward the shelter.

"That makes you a hero. You fly through the sky, help people, fight—without asking anything in return. Someone who works that hard for others… how could I possibly doubt you? I can’t. I won’t."

"…Aunt Ma—"

The name slipped out before I could stop myself.

She turned back.

"Oh my, how do you know my name?"

"Ah, uh, well, you see—"

I froze. Aunt May chuckled softly.

"Well, if you don’t want to say, that’s fine. More importantly, what’s about to—"

CRASH! The high window shattered.

"! Get down!"

I shot a web to the wall and yanked hard, swinging forward. I grabbed Aunt May mid-motion and slid us both across the ground.

Shards of glass stabbed into the spot where we had just been.

"Go! Hurry!"

"Y-yes… I’m sorry!"

"Don’t worry about it!"

I pushed her away to safety and fired a webline at the shattered window frame. Landing on the edge, I leaned out of F.E.A.S.T. and looked down.

Two… three… no, four matte-black vehicles.

All jet black, of course.

Why do bad guys always drive black cars? Feels like they’re giving actual black-car owners a bad rep.

And in broad daylight, no less—carrying assault rifles, dressed in black suits.

The Magia. A gang stuck in the wrong decade.

One of them stepped forward. A giant.

Sickly pale skin, buzz-cut white hair, teeth like a shark… oh great. Someone I know.

"Why are you here, Spider-Man?"

"Volunteering. Not allowed? Ronnie?"

One of the nastiest guys around.

Real name: Ronnie Thompson Lincoln.

Also known as—

"That’s right! I’m Tombstone—the man who speaks with his fists! Get in my way and I’ll crush you!"

He charged. No weapon.

…Which, honestly, makes sense. He’s scarier barehanded.

But—

…I can’t let him inside F.E.A.S.T.

I vaulted out the window and landed on the hood of one of the cars.

BANG! The metal dented deep. Whoops. Not paying for that. Do mafias even carry car insurance?

The Magia goons raised their rifles toward me.

Assault rifles.

Crowds had gathered at a distance. Too close. One stray bullet and someone’s dead.

I don’t have time to beg them to leave.

I kicked off the hood, soaring upward.

Gun barrels followed.

If I get hit by those, it’s more than just “ouch.”

I shot webs, pinning a few muzzles shut. Then swung from a lamppost, zipping across the air.

Muzzles tracked me—then fire exploded.

"Whoa!"

Trigger-happy idiots. Aim first, shoot later! Otherwise, someone innocent gets caught in the crossfire.

"Big guns, little brains! Maybe try actually hitting me next time!"

At the same moment, Tombstone barked at them:

"Fools! Calm down and aim properly!"

I webbed one thug, reeled him in, and drove a kick straight into his face.

Held back a little. Just a little.

The moment I landed, I leapt again, firing off electric webs.

"Ghh!"

"Aghhh!"

One by one, they dropped.

Spider-Sense flared. I sprang upward—

A split second later, Tombstone’s fist smashed into the pavement where I’d been.

Concrete cracked and heaved like it was paper.

The moment it happened, something like a wire snatched the rocket launcher.
The barrel jerked upward.

"Eh?"

"What…!?"

The warhead didn’t slam into the center of 『F.E.A.S.T.』—instead, it tore apart the area near the rooftop.
The surrounding buildings’ windows shattered, and the crowd of bystanders, startled by the thunderous noise, scrambled away in a panic.

The 『F.E.A.S.T.』 building crumbled, half-collapsing.
…As long as everyone had made it into the underground shelter, the falling rubble alone shouldn’t cause any injuries.

Snapping back to my senses, I webbed up the thug who had fired the rocket launcher and dropped back down to the ground.

"What the—"

"Hello, Spider."

A sleek, black cat—or no, a woman in a black leather suit—landed gracefully in front of me.

"…Felici—"

"Dammit! What the hell! Who are you! You’ve got guts, interfering with me like this!"

…Tombstone was loud.
I couldn’t help but frown beneath my mask. Felicia was frowning too.

"Zip it. Quiet down."

I fired a web, sealing Tombstone’s mouth shut.

"Mmmmph! Ngghhh!"

…Still noisy, but at least it was a little better now.

I stood up, brushed the dust off my legs, and headed toward the mountain of rubble that had once been 『F.E.A.S.T.』.
Felicia followed beside me.

"Spider. Don’t you have something to say?"

"…Thanks. That really helped."

"Yes, you’re welcome."

I avoided the debris while talking with Felicia.
She seemed to be in a good mood.

…The entrance to the underground shelter must be buried under all this rubble.
Until I can confirm Aunt May and the others are safe, I won’t be able to relax.

"But Felicia, why are you here?"

"I don’t work for free."

"Huh? Well… yeah, I guess?"

I nodded as I hurled aside a huge chunk of concrete.
Pretty heavy.

"Hey, look at this. What do you think?"

Felicia held up her hand. Rings glittered on her fingers—red, green, blue, studded with all kinds of gems.

"…You’re really dressing up fancy, huh."

"You don’t get it. This isn’t fashion."

…At that, I narrowed my eyes.
If it’s not about fashion… then she’s showing off her spoils.
I frowned.

"Don’t tell me you stole those?"

"That’s right. From 『Magia』. They were away on business, so it was like taking candy from a baby."

"…Ah, I see."

I sighed.
Even if they’re villains, that doesn’t make theft any better.
Shaking my head, I kept clearing away rubble.

"And when I was robbing 『Magia』, I overheard on their comms that they were going to attack this place."

"…So that’s why you came?"

"No. I came because I heard you’d be at the target."

So Felicia wasn’t here to protect 『F.E.A.S.T.』—she was here to protect me.
…Wait, hold on.

"…How did you even know I’d be here?"

"Company secret."

A sharp headache pulsed through me.
Michelle should’ve removed the tracker, so… ah. Could it be?

"…When we met yesterday, did you reattach a tracker?"

"…Who knows?"

The headache grew worse.
Felicia smirked at me as she sat on a chunk of rubble, careful not to get in the way of my clearing work.

"So then, where’s your girlfriend? What’s she doing right now?"

"Huh? …Ah, another matter. Actually, it’s Demon-related."

…Michelle should be fighting the Demons about now.
Once I finish here, I need to go help her.

"Hmm, I see…"

I shoved aside a massive slab of debris.
…A warped metal panel came into view.
Could that be the shelter door?

It couldn’t move much with rubble piled on it, but I could open it a little.
I slid the bent door aside—

"…Good. Is everyone okay down there?"

Looks like it really was the underground shelter.
When I opened the door, Aunt May noticed me and rushed over.

"Wh-what was that noise just now? It was so loud…"

She asked, looking a little shaken.

"…A rocket launcher hit—"

"A rocket launcher!? Why on earth—"

I couldn’t exactly say, “Because Martin Li, the investor behind 『F.E.A.S.T.』, picked a fight with the mob.”

"Wait here, I’ll clear this rubble so you can get out right away!"

I touched the largest piece blocking the door.
…It was connected to the roof, practically a pillar.
Calling it ‘rubble’ didn’t do justice to its size.

But I couldn’t just stand around hesitating.
I slipped my fingers into a gap and pushed with all my strength.

"Hrrghhh!"

Heavy. Way too heavy.

But it was moving—bit by bit.
Damn it, my back’s gonna give out.

"Gr… grrrrrhh!"

On the other side of the door, Aunt May was watching me strain against the debris.
And then she spoke up.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Eh? Right now!? Does it have to be now!?"

Still pushing and lifting with everything I had, I glanced back at her.

"I overheard you talking to that woman just now…"

Aunt May pointed in her direction.
Felicia was waving at me.

"Your girlfriend… is she fighting somewhere else right now?"

"Eh!? Uh… well… yeah, I guess so!"

I wanted to dodge the question, but at this point, honesty seemed best.
When I nodded, Aunt May’s expression hardened a little.

"Then you need to go help her… don’t you?"

"Yeah, I know! As soon as I clear this rubble, I’ll—"

I pushed against the rubble.
…At this rate, maybe another ten minutes and I could clear it—

"That’s enough. Leave this for later."

"…No, I can’t do that."

If I don’t clear this now, everyone will be trapped inside the shelter for hours.
Unless a tow truck or heavy machinery arrives, no one else will be able to move this.

There are elderly people in there.
Sick people too.

If they’re left buried alive for too long—

"Don’t underestimate us, will you?"

"…Eh?"

Aunt May stood before me, brows furrowed.
She looked… indignant.

"It’s just for a little while. That’s all. If something terrible is happening out there and a hero is needed… then don’t let us be the reason you regret it."

"…But—"

"Don’t make us your burden. You’re a hero, aren’t you? Everyone out there is depending on you. We’ll fight our own battles in here—so you fight the battles only you can fight."

Her eyes were serious as she looked at me.
And then she spoke again.

"Listen carefully, and don’t forget… with your great power comes great responsibility. Do what must be done now."

She said this, and then started coughing.
She must have breathed in the dust from the rubble.

…The air inside the shelter wasn’t exactly healthy.
She still had responsibility for everyone inside.

And yet, she told me to go.
She told me that those with her would be fine, that I needed to do what had to be done.

Beneath my mask, I narrowed my eyes and nodded.
My vision blurred, just a little.

"Yeah… I understand. Thank you."

"No… I should be the one thanking you. And sorry for the lecture."

"No, it… it meant a lot. I’m really glad you said that."

I shook my head, trying to clear away the emotions rising in my chest.

…Ha. Aunt May’s lectures always hit home.
I thought I’d outgrown them, that I’d never need to hear one again… but I guess I’m still Aunt May’s kid.

"…Then, will you hold on until help arrives?"

"Yes… now go. Spider… Boy?"

I couldn’t help but laugh.
Boy? I’m almost an adult now…

I turned and waved back over my shoulder.

"I’m… your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."

I wouldn’t look back again.
I left those heavy feelings behind and turned to the task at hand.

『S.H.I.E.L.D.』 agents would reach 『F.E.A.S.T.』 soon.
Once they did, they’d surely help Aunt May and the others.

Which meant I had to head to Michelle right away.

Felicia started walking alongside me.

"Hey, Spider. Where do you think you’re going?"

"My girlfriend’s probably still fighting. I need to get back to her."

"…Is she really that important to you?"

"She is."

I answered without hesitation, firing a web upward.
It latched onto a nearby skyscraper.

"…Hah. You’re really burning up with love, aren’t you."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, not bad at all. I don’t dislike a man who’s that devoted."

"…I see. Well… thanks again for earlier, Felicia."

I tugged on the webline.

"…Goodbye, Spider."

"…Yeah. Goodbye, Felicia. If we meet again… I hope it’s not with you in that costume."

Felicia gave a wry smile.
Will she ever give up being the Black Cat?
I don’t know.

…And with that, I left the place behind.

---

I had wasted more time than I thought.

I fired webs left and right, using them like a slingshot to accelerate.

Running across rooftops, shooting more webs, I swung forward like a pendulum, all the while thinking.

I should head straight for the building where 『Magia』 is holed up.
If the 『Demons』 are already planning an assault, going to the rendezvous point first would just be a waste of time.

Sliding across a rooftop, I leapt—my target building finally came into view.

But—

"…What the hell is that."

The upper floors of the high-rise were crumbling… and black haze was seeping out.
For a moment, I thought it might be 『Devil’s Breath』… but no.
That haze—it’s the same energy I saw infused in the weapons carried by the 『Demons』.

It was Mister Negative’s power.
It had engulfed the upper floors, spilling outward into the air.

No mistake.
The battle with the 『Demons』 had already begun.

I swung closer and stuck to the side of the building.
From there, I sprinted up the sheer wall toward the upper floors.

…The situation inside was worse than I thought.

I dove through a shattered wall and into a room swirling with black haze.

The moment I slipped inside—

"…Whoa."

Parts of the ceiling and floor had collapsed.
For some reason, parts of the flooring were floating upward, and walls twisted unnaturally as if ignoring the laws of physics.
The space itself warped black, like… another dimension altogether.

It was hard to breathe… I felt sick.
My Spider-Sense screamed at me, stabbing into my nerves—it was telling me this place was deadly.
I couldn’t stay long.

"So this is Negative’s… Martin Li’s power?"

I stepped carefully, climbing higher by using the floating floors as footholds.
…It felt like something out of a video game.

That thought barely crossed my mind when—

Something dropped nearby.
Metal clanged against metal as it hit.

Shrouded in black haze, it was a humanoid figure.
Black armor… and a 『red mask』.

…I knew that figure.
I knew it all too well.
There was no way I could ever forget.

"…Michelle?"

It was Michelle—two years ago.
The way she looked back when she called herself 『RedCap』.
Not the black mask she wore now—the red mask stared straight at me.

Her black armored suit was smeared with blood.
She didn’t respond to my voice, only moved toward me, slowly, step by step.

The back of my neck prickled sharply.
My Spider-Sense burned, screaming that she was a danger beyond anything I’d faced.