Amid Venom's stunned expression, the rocket burst into dazzling fireworks, blooming into the night sky as the most beautiful sight of the evening.
But unlike the Spider-Alliance, who had already pulled back to the original platform, Venom had been far too close to the blast—less than a kilometer away, only a few hundred meters.
At that range, a rocket explosion was deadly.
So when the thunderous boom came, the shockwave slammed outward, and Venom dove headfirst with a splash straight into the ocean.
Only after the shockwave faded did he break the surface again.
"Eddie."
Hearing Venom call him, Eddie asked inwardly,
"What is it?"
"Earth's warriors are ridiculously strong. I think maybe going home would be safer."
"..."
You call yourself Venom? No, no—just call yourself little Venom.
After this battle, Venom had to admit that even if he stayed on Earth, he wasn't exactly the head of the pack.
Within the average, he stood out. But among the true elites, Venom didn't even rank.
That was Earth's lopsided power scale. The strong were unbelievably strong. The weak were just… weak.
...
On the platform, the Spider-Alliance stood at a safer distance. Not far, but far enough that only the wind brushed past them.
The four girls gazed up at the sky. The brilliant fireworks spread overhead, shimmering and breathtaking.
The starlight glimmered in their pupils, making their eyes sparkle.
"So beautiful," Mayday said, lifting her phone to record.
Peni sighed as she admired the bloom.
"At least tens of millions worth of fireworks. Totally worth it this time."
"Tens of millions?" Cindy, who never had a sense of money, tilted her head. "What does that even mean?"
"Hmm..." Mayday thought. "Enough to give a dozen people financial freedom for life."
Tens of millions.
For one person, that was already wealthy beyond measure. It could grant dozens of people financial freedom—and not just comfortable, but luxurious freedom.
Cindy let out a soft sigh of wonder.
But Gwen, smiling at their side, asked,
"Do you girls even know how much your nanotech battle suits would sell for?"
The three exchanged glances.
They really didn't know.
Things like these had a price but no market. As for the actual value? They had no clue.
Gwen didn't waste words. She simply pointed toward the fireworks in the sky.
"If you were to sell it, it'd go for about the same price."
"Huh!?"
"Holy crap?"
"Whoa~!"
At Gwen's words, the three girls froze in shock.
They looked down, checked their hands, touched their faces—each letting out a sound of astonishment.
Just moments ago, fireworks had gone off in the distance.
Now they realized the clothes on their backs were worth nearly as much.
That was terrifying!
Seeing their stunned expressions, Gwen added,
"Of course, the actual cost is much lower. This kind of money means nothing to us."
"The production cost of your suits doesn't even amount to the spare change from Lorien and Tony's milk tea shop profits."
Hearing that, the three girls finally breathed easier.
The pressure had been suffocating.
Wearing something worth tens of millions instantly stripped away the feeling of battle gear.
It felt more like wearing luxury goods.
...
The fireworks faded.
The sky was clear of burning debris, with only a few patches of oil and flame still flickering on the sea.
The four girls took one last look and were about to leave.
Then the surface rippled.
Venom suddenly leapt from the water, facing them with a look of gratitude.
"How do humans express thanks?"
"Sank yuu vewy mushi?"
One line from Venom left them completely speechless.
Eddie nearly died of embarrassment.
He was about to explain, but Gwen waved her hand.
"Hold on. I'll call and ask how to handle this."
She pulled out her phone and dialed Natasha.
But Venom froze.
Handle? Was that really a good word?
Venom quickly asked Eddie inwardly.
"Are they planning to kill me?"
"Uh... probably not," Eddie thought. "If they wanted to kill you, they'd have done it already. Just listen to what she says."
"Alright."
When Gwen got through, Natasha's surprised voice came through the line.
"Already taken care of? Gwen?"
"Yes." Gwen nodded. "You can file the report and send agents. There's only one Symbiote left... consider it..."
She glanced at Venom, sizing him up.
"Manageable, but it'll need proper oversight."
Hearing that, Natasha audibly sighed in relief.
"No problem. The Avengers can handle this. You've done well."
"It's fine, Natasha." Gwen waved dismissively.
"We were here to train anyway. Just count it as payment for helping Cindy get into school."
Natasha chuckled.
"Then we're really the lucky ones."
Measured by scale, Cindy's enrollment was nothing compared to the Spider-Alliance cleaning up the symbiote and Oscorp mess.
Getting someone into school? That was just a word from Natasha.
Of course, none of them really cared about favors or exchanges.
It was just fun. And it cost nothing.
...
After ending the call, Gwen tucked her phone away and turned to Venom, who stood there obediently.
"Wait here a bit. Avengers agents and superheroes will be here soon."
"Don't worry. They're not going to kill you. They'll give you an identity instead, with better goals and more rewards."
Venom perked up.
"So... can I eat people?"
All four girls immediately turned to stare at him.
Venom shrank his head back nervously.
"Hmm..." Gwen thought for a moment. "If it's a death-row villain, then fine. But no one can see it, and no cameras or phones can record it."
The moment he heard he could eat villains as long as no one caught him on camera, Venom started nodding furiously like a bobblehead.
He even stretched out his disgusting long tongue.
Gwen frowned.
She waved at the others.
"Let's go home."
With that, she fired a strand of web and swung away.
The others followed right behind.
"Let's go~!"
"Sleep well tonight."
"Don't forget, we still have school tomorrow."
...
A short while later, the four returned to the Northern Tower.
The three girls—except for Gwen—headed toward the residential area on the third-to-last floor. But when they realized Gwen hadn't followed, they turned back, tilting their heads.
"What's wrong, Gwen?"
"Well, um..." Gwen tapped her finger nervously. "Tonight, ahem, I might have to go back and stay over. Cough."
She hadn't thought much about her earlier slip. But now that she said it outright, Gwen suddenly felt shy.
"Oh, I get it!"
Mayday's eyes lit up in sudden realization.
"No wonder you said 'wrap up the battle' earlier!"
Peni instantly covered her face.
"Peni doesn't know, Peni knows nothing."
Meanwhile, Cindy's face and ears turned crimson at the thought of what Gwen was implying. She was definitely the most sensitive of the group. Just imagining it made her whole body tense up, unable to relax.
Her mouth opened and closed several times before she finally managed,
"So... are you still coming back to live here, Gwen?"
"Huh? Of course I'll come back," Gwen promised. "But not tonight. I need to give Wanda a lesson."
"Don't worry, we usually live together anyway. Lorien's place is huge—one more or one less doesn't matter."
Hearing that, Mayday pouted and pushed Gwen away.
"Go on then, stop showing off in front of us. Careful, or we'll go find your Lorien too."
"Ha ha~" Gwen laughed it off. "I'm going."
She ran upstairs.
After Gwen left, Cindy looked at Mayday.
"You really shouldn't have said that last part."
"Yeah, yeah," Peni nodded. "Careful, or Gwen will beat you up."
Mayday shrugged.
"Even if we wanted to, it'd still have to be on her terms."
Then she slapped Cindy's thigh with a grin.
"And relax already, little girl."
"Mayday, you!"
Cindy lunged at her, and neither of them backed down.
Peni watched the scene unfold with shining eyes, thoroughly entertained.
...
Meanwhile, Gwen slipped quietly into Lorien's home. After opening the door without a sound and stepping into the living room, she spotted Aria and Bella by the sofa, both checking messages on standby.
When they noticed her gaze, they stepped forward.
"There's—"
"Shhh~~~"
Gwen immediately silenced them. Aria froze after just one syllable.
Then Gwen whispered,
"Where are Wanda and Lorien?"
She knew they were home, but they could be in the Little Universe or the bedroom. To pull off a proper surprise attack, she had to confirm first. Otherwise, if she missed her chance, she'd be exposed.
Aria whispered back cautiously.
"In the room."
Short and careful.
Gwen nodded. That was all she needed. She tiptoed toward the bedroom.
With the suit's enhancements, and her natural spider-like stealth, Wanda never heard the door open or realized Gwen had entered.
Gwen could slip the door open without a sound and approach unnoticed.
Lorien had spotted her long ago. She had already winked at him, confirming their secret signal.
He stayed composed.
Only when Gwen positioned herself right behind Wanda did she finally strike.
"Wanda, face your judgment!"