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Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: The Price of Leadership and the Coming Storm

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The redesign of the suit was, in Peter's eyes, a masterpiece of functional engineering. It wasn't just about protection; it was about unlocking the latent biological potential of the man wearing it. Peter placed a heavy, reinforced box on the conference table, sliding it toward Tobey Maguire.

"This is the suit I had Harry retrieve from your apartment," Peter said calmly. "I've redesigned it based on your original specs. You should try it on."

Tobey looked at the box with a mix of surprise and genuine delight, but the expression was fleeting. A shadow of hesitation crossed his face, followed by a firm, quiet determination.

"I'm sorry," Tobey said, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward, self-deprecating smile. "Aunt May always told me not to accept favors for free. It's only fair if there's an equal exchange. But... as you can see, I'm extremely poor. My old suit is held together by webs and hope. I can't give you anything of equal value, so I can't take this."

Peter felt a flicker of surprise. In his experience, people usually jumped at the chance for Celestial Tech upgrades. Tobey Maguire, however, was a man of immense integrity—someone who listened to his Aunt May even when facing a multiversal threat.

"Who said this was free?" Peter asked, a small smile playing at his lips.

Tobey blinked, looking even more embarrassed. "Uh... I thought... then I definitely can't take it! I haven't even figured out next month's rent yet. And oh no! I forgot to ask Mr. Jameson for leave. I'm going to lose my job at the Daily Bugle!"

"Don't worry about J. Jonah Jameson," Peter countered. "After this is over, there will be a new job waiting for you. And as for payment? I don't want your money. I want your complete obedience in the upcoming operation."

Peter's tone turned grave. "The enemy we face isn't just Karn. Norman Osborn is alive, and he's the one who released him. Our situation is more dire than you can imagine. For us to survive, there can only be one voice in this team. Do we have an agreement?"

The news of Norman's return hit Tobey like a physical blow. "Mr. Osborn is alive? But... I saw him die..." He looked at the box, then at Peter, and nodded solemnly. "I accept. I'll follow your command."

Technical Briefing: The Strength Specialization Suit

Peter opened the box to reveal a suit that looked familiar yet fundamentally different. While the classic red-and-blue color scheme remained, the fabric was etched with intricate, tonal patterns that only became visible under direct light.

"This is the Strength Specialization Type," Peter explained.

Material: A high-molecular polymer that is waterproof, fireproof, and fully insulating.

Muscle Guidance: The patterns are mapped to Tobey's specific musculoskeletal structure. They act as a biological amplifier.

Efficiency: Peter's analysis showed Tobey's standard muscle utilization rate was less than 30%. This suit guides the body to unleash full kinetic potential.

"With this," Peter said, patting Tobey's shoulder, "you'll possess strength that surpasses even what you felt while wearing the symbiote. Go experience it."

Tobey took the suit, looking at it like a peerless treasure. "I won't let this be buried," he promised. "I'll unleash everything it has."

The Manor Siege

The New York summer heat was suddenly broken by a torrential downpour, turning the afternoon into a dark, watery gray. Harry had already cleared Osborn Manor of all staff; in the coming battle, anyone without powers was merely a liability.

Gwen stood in her pure white suit, her hood pulled low. Harry hovered nearby on his upgraded Glider, while Tobey stood centered, wearing his classic colors now reinforced by Peter's tech. They waited in the rain, three generations of heroes standing as one.

A flash of brilliant white light cut through the rain curtain. Karn descended from the sky, his formal attire spreading out like the wings of a predatory bird. He was enveloped in a halo of life energy—the very essence he stole from his victims.

Karn's gaze landed on Tobey Maguire. He noticed the new suit, the subtle shift in Tobey's posture, and the absence of the "foul odor" of the symbiote. The previous encounter with the steamroller had taught him a lesson: these Spiders were different. He landed with a heavy thud, his energy fork humming, treating his prey with a newfound, lethal caution.

Status Update: Peter's core talent, Mechanical Limit Breaker, is currently at Level A, with a Proficiency of 0 / 100,000. This allows his hands to possess unimaginable magic, capable of bypassing technical barriers and easily creating various large mechanical constructs. His Super Intelligence Brain (Level A) provides 100 Quantum Bits of mental power and immunity to mental control, while Man-Machine Fusion (Level A) allows for direct consciousness integration with his technology.

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