Chapter 177: Parallel Universe, Twelve Suits
The alley was sealed by densely interwoven spiderwebs.
If the outside world were to see what was happening inside, they would be left speechless in shock.
The world's only superhero, Spider-Man, was at this moment bound up tightly in webs.
"Who are you people…?"
Through the black lenses of his mask, Spider-Man stared at the masked boy and girl standing before him. Only now did he realize—the boy in the Spider mask hadn't even taken the jewels earlier. Clearly, from the very beginning, the purpose was to lure him out.
He had been too careless.
Who could have imagined—
That suddenly two mysterious figures would appear, both possessing spider powers like him, and one of them even had a body like steel, immune to physical attacks!
That iron body was too unfair. In close combat, the one who suffered losses would definitely be him.
"If you want to know who we are, then answer our questions first."
Xi Nian tore off the ruined shirt hanging from his shoulders like strips of cloth, revealing a perfectly built torso as if forged from steel. Looking down at Spider-Man, he asked calmly.
"Okay, okay. Ask away. If I can answer, I will."
Spider-Man nodded. He vaguely sensed the two weren't malicious.
Otherwise, like many villains, they would have already tried to kill him.
Xi Nian stepped forward and yanked the mask off Spider-Man's head. A man in his thirties, with a bit of stubble, handsome yet rugged, was revealed.
At that moment, Peter Parker's face was full of helplessness and a pale sort of innocence. Without his mask, he blinked with an almost guilty expression.
"First question. What did you do today? Especially in the morning. You must answer honestly," Xi Nian said.
"Uh… can I skip this question?"
"No!"
"…Fine. This morning, I stayed at home the whole time." Spider-Man sighed. "To be precise, I was… with my wife, doing things we like to do. I didn't leave the house once."
"In broad daylight… you pervert!" the masked girl spat, turning her face away.
"Cough, I think that's fairly normal," Xi Nian said awkwardly, then pressed, "So just the usual things? Nothing unusual happened midway?"
"No. At most we tried a new position we hadn't before…" Spider-Man said, even more helpless.
Gwen couldn't listen any longer. She quietly retreated a few steps.
"What about at noon?" Xi Nian asked.
Spider-Man shrugged. "I strolled around the city for a bit, caught a car thief. Nothing strange happened."
Xi Nian frowned and exchanged a look with Gwen.
Because of their shared spider-sense, or simply their bond as "kindred," they could feel the truthfulness and exasperation in his emotions.
Spider-Man wasn't lying.
Other than some "family fun," he really hadn't done anything all day.
Xi Nian fell into thought.
So…
The force that dragged them into this parallel world wasn't Spider-Man?
No, wait.
Earlier, the dimensional wall had seemed to target Gwen specifically. And in this world, Spider-Man was the only hero.
Everything suggested that Spider-Man was still connected.
"The Ancient One once said dimensions are inherently chaotic," Xi Nian muttered, eyes flashing. "Time might not align perfectly. The extraordinary event that triggered our dimensional crossing… maybe it hasn't happened yet in this world. We might have arrived before it occurs!"
…
Xi Nian considered, then nodded to Gwen. Both of them removed their masks.
Seeing the young faces revealed, Spider-Man was startled. "You two… are showing your faces? Are you going to kill me to keep me quiet?!"
"Mr. Spider-Man, let us introduce ourselves. I'm Xi Nian Prince, and this is Gwen Stacy."
Xi Nian smiled warmly. "Earlier… it was just a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?" Spider-Man's mouth twitched. He had literally been tied up!
But then Xi Nian's next words left him stunned.
"We come from another parallel universe—similar to yours, yet vastly different."
…
The webs in the alley were cleared away.
Xi Nian and Gwen freed Spider-Man and moved their discussion to a rooftop nearby.
Confirming Spider-Man wasn't the culprit, Xi Nian simply revealed their identities and origins.
"I see."
Spider-Man nodded slowly, then gazed at them in awe. "People from another parallel universe…? That's incredible!"
"I think so too, but it's the reality we're facing," Xi Nian shrugged.
"I believe you," Spider-Man said firmly. The spider-sense they all shared made honesty easier to perceive.
It wasn't just words—they could feel each other's sincerity, like a unique language of their kind.
Spider-Man spread his hands. "Alright. I can understand what you did before. If I were suddenly pulled into a strange parallel world, and the only suspect was me, I'd probably fight back to seize control too."
"Thanks for your understanding. As expected of the world's only hero!" Xi Nian praised.
"…Somehow that sounds like an insult," Spider-Man muttered, still remembering how he'd been pinned earlier.
"No, no. Just proves we fight well together," Xi Nian said cheerfully, patting his shoulder.
He grew serious. "We do need your help, though. To find a way back to our world."
"Of course. Dimensional instability could endanger this world too." Spider-Man nodded. "What do you need me to do?"
"Simple. Just act as you usually do."
"…As I usually do?"
Spider-Man blinked, then realized what Xi Nian meant.
If the extraordinary event hadn't yet happened, they couldn't find its cause no matter how hard they searched now.
If it was destined for the future, and linked to him, then all they had to do was wait.
"One more thing," Gwen suddenly raised her hand.
"What is it?"
Both Xi Nian and Spider-Man looked at her.
"I'm hungry," Gwen frowned, holding her flat stomach.
Xi Nian: "…"
Spider-Man: "…"
…
Queens, New York.
In a three-story suburban house, a window on the second floor suddenly opened and three shadows slipped inside.
The lights flicked on.
Spider-Man rummaged through his closet and pulled out an old school uniform. "Here, I wore this back in school. Haven't used it since graduation. You can borrow it."
"Perfect."
Xi Nian slipped on the shirt without hesitation.
Spider-Man picked up a set of loungewear for himself and stepped to the door to change outside—but as he opened it, a beautiful woman with chestnut hair tied neatly stood there.
She looked to be in her early thirties, graceful and mature despite the coat covering her figure.
"Peter, you're back—" she stopped mid-greeting.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the young strangers.
Ever since Peter fell out with his best friend, he hadn't brought anyone home. This was the first time.
"Good evening, ma'am."
"Hello, sister."
Gwen and Xi Nian greeted politely, though with very different tones.
The woman blinked, then smiled at Xi Nian. "Sister? I'm over thirty already."
"Really? You don't look it," Xi Nian said earnestly.
Gwen subtly stepped in front of him, shielding him as he finished putting on the shirt.
Spider-Man smiled proudly. "This is my wife, MJ—Mary Jane!"
"Nice to meet you," Mary Jane smiled warmly. "Dinner's ready downstairs. Join us."
"Thank you," Gwen replied politely.
When Mary Jane walked off, her hips swaying, Xi Nian and Gwen both stared at Spider-Man strangely.
"…What? Don't tell me you thought I wasn't married?" Spider-Man scratched his head.
"No. But just now—she called you Peter?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah. You don't know my real name? It's Peter. Peter Parker."
Peter Parker?
Xi Nian and Gwen stared at the tall, rugged man before them. In their minds, the name conjured only the image of a skinny twelve-year-old boy.
The two didn't match at all.
…
At dinner, Xi Nian and Gwen sat on extra chairs at the table, eating with Peter Parker's family.
This Aunt May was much older, her face lined with wrinkles, though still kind and energetic. A stark contrast to the glamorous, voluptuous Aunt May of their own world.
But her warmth and hospitality were the same.
Watching Xi Nian sitting beside Gwen, already chatting comfortably with MJ and May, Peter Parker felt an odd pang in his chest.
It was as if the "main character aura" that had always hung over him had suddenly shifted to someone else.
Damn it. He really does feel like the protagonist.
…
After dinner.
Gwen went out to buy clothes and toiletries, with Peter footing the bill.
Watching MJ fuss over Xi Nian in the living room, Peter finally couldn't take it. He grabbed the boy's arm and dragged him outside. "Come with me. I'll show you something."
In the yard, Peter led Xi Nian to a shed. Unlocking the door, he revealed not storage, but a hidden metal elevator glowing with white light.
They descended past cars and futuristic devices displayed like in a tech expo.
At the bottom was a vast metallic hall. Along one wall stood a glass case, displaying twelve different Spider suits of unique designs.
Seeing Xi Nian's stunned expression, Peter felt satisfied. Raising his hand, he explained proudly:
"These are suits I've developed over the past ten years to face different villains. There's the Negative Zone suit, the insulated suit for Electro, the advanced upgraded suit, the Iron Spider armor, the stealth suit against sonic attacks… and more."
He grinned. "Pick one you like. I'll give it to you."
"Thanks. And… could you modify one for Gwen too?" Xi Nian asked directly.
Ordinary clothes wouldn't survive extraordinary battles.
"…Fine," Peter muttered, realizing he'd trapped himself with his generosity.
"Oh, right. This way."
Peter led Xi Nian into an information room. On the wall were photos pinned with webs—villains of all kinds.
At the center was a bald man in a black suit, built like a tank, his face radiating menace.
"That's Kingpin. He runs the underworld in New York—and maybe the whole country."
Peter's face was grim. "I've fought him before. Lately he's been recruiting criminals. I suspect he's planning something dangerous."
He looked hard at Xi Nian. "Your appearance confirms my fears. If dimensional chaos happens in this world's future, odds are he's the cause."
"Good. Then we have a target."
Xi Nian's eyes narrowed. "So, when do we move?"
"One day from now. I'll need time to track his base."
"Alright. One day later, we meet here and strike together."
Whatever bigshot villain Kingpin thought he was, Xi Nian had already killed plenty. One more or less made no difference.
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