The Empire State University campus buzzed with the energy of another lively afternoon. Sunlight filtered through the trees while groups of students laughed, chatted, and said their goodbyes for the day.
Gwen walked slowly among them, her light footsteps echoing across the pavement. She had just finished saying goodbye to her friends.
Ever since that lab accident that had changed her life, everything seemed... different. Her senses were sharper, every sound and movement around her clearer and more vivid, as if the entire world had gained a new layer of intensity.
Thanks to her conversation with Arthur, she felt much calmer now.
The wind brushed her face with a delicate, almost electric touch, and deep down, she felt that these newly discovered powers weren't just a gift… but a calling.
"Maybe I can use them for something good," she thought, gazing up at the sky, which was starting to blush with the colors of sunset.
Then a familiar noise snapped her out of her thoughts — a commotion, raised voices not too far away. Gwen frowned and quickly followed the sound, her instincts on high alert.
When she turned the corner, the scene before her made her sigh.
A small crowd of students had formed a circle around two familiar faces — Peter Parker and Flash Thompson.
From what she could gather, Peter had — intentionally or not — "insulted" Flash's lack of intelligence during some random conversation… and, predictably, the bully hadn't taken it well.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Gwen's voice cut sharply through the air.
The moment Flash realized who had spoken, he froze. His angry glare dissolved into an uneasy mix of discomfort and reluctant respect. Gwen wasn't someone he wanted trouble with — and above all, no one wanted issues with George Stacy, her father, the captain of the police.
Clicking his tongue, Flash backed off, huffing.
"Whatever," he muttered before turning to leave.
Gwen stepped closer to Peter, helping him up from the ground and brushing some dust off his jacket.
"You okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
"I'm fine, thanks, Gwen," he replied, a shy smile slipping through.
He clearly wanted to walk away and forget the scene, but Gwen caught his arm before he could take a step.
"Where do you think you're going, Flash?" her voice rang out again.
The crowd fell silent. The air grew tense.
"Get back here and apologize to him."
The reaction was immediate. The murmuring stopped. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Flash blinked, stunned — he definitely hadn't expected that.
"Gwen, you don't have to do this," Peter whispered awkwardly. "Let's just… leave it alone."
But Gwen looked him straight in the eyes. "Peter, this has to stop. They've been picking on you for years. Today, for once, they're going to apologize."
Flash's face turned bright red, torn between anger and humiliation. He looked around — dozens of eyes were on him.
The thought of a headline reading 'Captain Stacy Arrests Flash Thompson' weighed heavier than his pride.
Grumbling something almost inaudible, he turned his head and muttered a half-hearted apology.
Then he stormed off, shoving anyone who got in his way.
"Thanks, Gwen," Peter said, a bit embarrassed but genuinely grateful.
"You're welcome," she replied with a small smile. "It was the least I could do. We're friends, remember? Someone had to put an end to this."
She crossed her arms, studying him for a moment.
"By the way, what are you doing out here? I thought you were in the lab with Dr. Connors."
Peter adjusted his glasses, scratching the back of his neck. "Some instruments went missing. I was heading to Oscorp to ask for replacements. Oh, and the last batch of materials just arrived — I need to deliver the data too."
Gwen nodded, gently touching his shoulder.
"I see... But Peter, you need to stand up for yourself more. If you keep acting like a shy nerd, they'll never stop picking on you."
Peter sighed, tiredly. "I know… but maybe one day I'll change that."
He gave her a small smile and waved. "I've got to go. See you later, Gwen."
She watched him disappear into the crowd of students, then took a deep breath.
"Maybe…" she murmured to herself.
As she reached the campus gates, the setting sun bathing her face in gold, a sudden clarity struck her.
"Maybe I finally know where I'm meant to use these powers…"
A smile lit up her face.
Gwen Stacy had just found her purpose.
---
After finishing his tasks, Arthur finally collapsed onto the couch and grabbed his phone.
Only then did he realize he hadn't done the system's daily login yet.
"System, log in," he muttered.
[Login successful]
[Congratulations, you have received: Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist]
Arthur raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
[Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist: a martial art created by Bang, the S-Class hero known as Silver Fang, from the world of One Punch Man.
Based on the principles of Tai Chi, it allows the user to redirect attacks and strike vital points with deadly precision, making it possible to defeat stronger opponents. However, attacks far superior in power cannot be completely deflected.]
[Would you like to integrate: Martial Art – Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist?]
[Yes/No]
"Yes," Arthur replied without hesitation.
Instantly, a surge of energy coursed through his body — memories, movements, reflexes, stances — everything flooded his mind.
It was as if every muscle remembered years of intense training, sweat, and discipline.
Arthur opened his eyes, a confident smile forming on his lips.
"Interesting…" he murmured, standing up. "I wish Sakamoto were here — he'd be the perfect opponent to test this on."
He chuckled, remembering his white-haired friend, before glancing at the clock.
The meeting at Silverline Studios was drawing near.
---
Silverline Studios
Less than fifteen minutes later, Arthur parked in front of the sleek, modern Silverline building.
The entrance hall was spacious and elegant, illuminated by glass panels and polished floors.
A sharply dressed man approached him with a courteous smile.
"Mr. Arthur, the general manager is expecting you. This way, please."
"Thank you," Arthur replied, adjusting his coat and stepping inside.
As he opened the office door, he was greeted by a cloud of cigar smoke and the sight of a muscular man sitting comfortably behind a mahogany desk.
"Mr. Arthur," the man said, rising to his feet. "Glad you could make it. Here's the contract — all that's left is your signature."
Arthur frowned slightly. "Sign? Before we even talk?"
The man smiled, his confidence clearly rehearsed.
"After a board decision, we've concluded that you'll be transferring the adaptation rights of your books. All we need now is a signature to make it official."
Before Arthur could respond, seven men in black suits appeared around the room, surrounding him discreetly.
Arthur crossed his arms and sighed.
"Seriously? Are you guys stupid, or just begging to get arrested?"
The man arched an eyebrow, puzzled.
"What?"
"First of all, this is the 21st century — even cameras have cameras.
Second, what makes you think such a dumb plan would ever work?"
The man smirked. "Playing hard to get, huh?"
He snapped his fingers. The guards began to move.
But Arthur only smiled — calm, almost predatory.
"Before anything else," he said, lowering his gaze slightly, "you picked the wrong person to try and coerce."
He grinned.
"Let's dance."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."