Am I (Not) a Hero?

[Peter' Parker's POV]

Unfortunately, I had to pause my work on the pheromone chemistry for a while. 

This was because Peter's lab didn't have the materials I needed. 

Since going to the store at four in the morning was pointless, and it was already too late to go to sleep, I decided to switch to something equally important. 

So, I dedicated the remaining time until morning to the formula for artificial web fluid.

I doubt Richard Parker intended to turn his formula into this, but alas, the opinions of the dead don't interest me much. 

However, I couldn't deny that Richard's creation was a genius. It's a pity he died. He must have been an interesting guy.

Overall, I wanted to call it a day and fully dedicate it to lab work, but I had set up this meeting with Cindy yesterday. 

I hope that at least the rest of the day can still be dedicated to finishing up my work, but there's always tomorrow. 

Tomorrow will be tomorrow, and who knows what might happen before then.

What did I plan for this meeting? 

First, I wanted to ensure she had plans for this power. If she wanted to be a hero, I'd try to suggest we work together. 

If she was absolutely against it, I'd just leave her alone and take note of her. 

I'll already have enemies; no need to create more. 

Secondly, Saturday is a great day to go out into the world under the guise of superheroes.

As for my second problem, Gwen Stacy… as Peter knew, she was the daughter of a police captain and a pretty decent person. 

It's a shame I remember little about her aside from her tragic death. I'll see how she handles things moving forward. 

However, I definitely won't approach her until I create the pheromone neutralizer. 

It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to adultery.

'Oh, God… Planning some shady schemes, creating strange things in the lab, and several apocalypses are looming on the horizon. Whoever said that the life of superheroes is easy and full of glory? Apparently, we read different comics.'

To be honest, I had never been in such a strange situation before, so improvisation was the best option. 

Plans always amuse God. 

Tzeentch is definitely laughing at us.

The only thing that cheers me up is that Aunt May usually didn't bother Peter on the weekends, allowing him to do his thing around the clock as long as he didn't forget to eat. 

After returning to the experiments, I managed to create something like the necessary "web" by around eight in the morning, but this was just the beginning of the work.

Now, I needed to put it into cartridges and create launchers for it. 

These gadgets also had to have different modes, just like in the comics. 

However, in the game, all the gadgets were different—one shot regular web, another shot web projectiles, and another fired electricity.

I'd better stick to the basics for now.

So, it was time to start on the sketches right now. 

Peter is a genius, but how did he assemble them so quickly? 

I hadn't slept for a day and was struggling with all of this.

'Besides, I'm not a genius. I'm just making use of someone else's brainpower.'

"Peter!"

Aunt May knocked on the door.

"Come eat, it's all gone cold, and I can't reach you."

"Coming!"

I shouted back and set aside the rough sketch of the wonder bracelets.

I wasn't an expert in drawing, unlike Peter, but I had practiced a long time ago during my college years. 

He also drew pretty well, that damn genius kid.

Stepping into the bright light, I felt like a real vampire, wanting to hiss and crumble to dust. 

But alas, the necessary things were out in the world. 

After finishing the cold food and sipping cold tea, I grabbed an empty backpack and headed to the store to spend my hard-earned money.

"Peter, did you sleep in the lab again? I understand that you often lose track of the days of the week, but there's no school today."

Ben said, watching TV in the hallway.

I suppressed a laugh at the word "slept."

"I know, Uncle, I just took my backpack instead of bags. I just started getting the hang of what I wanted and ran out of chemicals! And I don't even have anyone to send to the store. Additionally, I can't hire an assistant; I'm just a school kid in a basement, not a scientist…"

"You really are your father's son."

Ben huffed. 

"How much do you need?"

"I took it from my stash." 

I waved it off, not greedy enough to rob the old man.

"And also, I'm meeting up with a friend around twelve…"

I tried to downplay the meeting with Cindy.

"What's your friend's name?" 

Ben asked, seemingly worried that Flash was luring me somewhere again.

"Ned Leeds."

I recalled that chubby kid.

"He also watches anime, plays games… all that stuff."

"Really? He watches those strange Japanese cartoons too? It's good that someone shares your hobbies." 

Uncle Ben exhaled quietly. 

"Well, at least that."

After explaining my plans so they wouldn't panic, I strolled through the shops. 

Do you know that wonderful feeling when you keep buying the things you need and still have plenty of money left? 

I have rarely experienced it in my life, and I love that feeling; words can't describe it. 

I wish I were Norman Osborn's son and had a horrifying amount of millions on my card. 

However, I'm Peter, not Harry. 

'Maybe when I kill the Green Goblin, I can swing things and take the company's finances for myself?'

I chuckled at the thought and shook my head. 

'I wonder how? All the money is in accounts and offshore. I can't do that without knowing professional hackers. The most I can do is steal something from their labs. And even then, it would be a miracle if it turned out to be useful,' 

I thought lazily.

I pulled out my phone to check the time when I got home. 

Surprisingly, I didn't notice Jessica's text, which had arrived a few hours earlier.

"Sorry, but the little brat I call my younger brother refused to stay with his friends. He threw a tantrum and told our parents that I was going to invite my boyfriend. I swear, I'm going to kill him someday."

"It's okay, we'll see each other on Monday. Hang in there." 

I replied to Jessica and then sent a message to Cindy asking to meet at that hangar and share my location with her.

Since I had enough materials and still had time before the meeting, I tried to finish the pheromone neutralizer. 

The formula was derived, written down, and copied onto several physical and virtual storage devices. 

Just to be safe. I did the same with the "webbing" earlier. Although there wasn't much liquid, it would be enough for one time. 

Moreover, it needed to be tested in real conditions. Hopefully, it wouldn't get worse but this isn't fanservice anime; this is comics.

I found an old plant sprayer, cleaned it, and poured the liquid into it. 

After gathering my suit and everything I needed in a bag, I headed to the hangar.

Cindy was already waiting for me underneath it. It seemed I was a little late, but everything was fine; she was just that impatient. 

She was wearing a deep hoodie, carrying a backpack on her back, and wearing the same web mask on her face. 

She exuded that intoxicating scent again, but this time, I was prepared and held my ground. 

Honestly, if she hadn't tackled me, I would have managed to restrain myself even then.

"Don't forget, guys. A clear mind, a quiet and serene heart." 

I mentally recited the mantra to distract myself.

"Hey, I'm glad you made it." 

I started the conversation, looking around.

Sometimes people would pass by the hangar on their business, but it was a pretty rare sight.

"Hey, Peter. Yeah, I was just too curious and couldn't ignore all this mutant stuff." 

She shrugged.

"I've developed a solution for one of the problems between us, but I'm not sure it will work correctly." 

I said, patting the backpack on my back. 

"So, let's get inside and try it out." 

I pointed to the hole in the hangar.

"I hope this isn't just some deserted place you've led me to for your twisted purposes." 

She said playfully.

"As much as I'd like that, sadly, no."

"Well, it'll turn out however it turns out." 

I smirked out loud.

Once we climbed through the hole in the roof, I asked her to participate in the experiment. 

She agreed that I would be the test subject because if she tried to assault me because of the new scent, I wouldn't be too offended.

'Only if she doesn't try to bite my head off or just eat me. We are spiders, after all; who knows?'

I made a dangerous assumption, but it was nonsense... We don't eat flies or sleep in corners on the ceiling, so why should something so far from adequacy happen? 

This isn't some horror reality.

I sprayed the blocker on myself and watched the results. The effect was like perfume or air freshener, but I felt nothing, just like before. 

The liquid had absolutely no scent; I guaranteed this as its creator.

"A clear mind, a quiet and serene heart." 

I repeated the mantra once more, just in case, to avoid lunging at Cindy.

"Should I take off the mask?" 

She reached for it.

"Go ahead." 

I nodded, preparing for any side effects.

Cindy pulled off the mask and sniffed the air. Then she was surprised and took another deep breath.

"Can I come closer?"

"I'm holding it together for now, so you can try." 

I smiled tightly.

She approached me cautiously and inhaled again.

"I can smell something, but it's not… working like usual." 

She stumbled.

It was hard to stay calm when I was so close to her. I focused on her lips until she spoke the last words. 

I handed her the sprayer and stepped back a few paces.

"Well, since we've figured everything out, it's your turn." 

I said hoarsely, trying to catch my breath.

 "It's really hard to hold back." 

My head began to cloud, and I didn't possess the iron will of Spider-Man, who had spent years breaking through walls with his body.

She nodded and quickly used the remaining liquid. 

'One problem solved…'

 I said thoughtfully considering how much it would cost to produce this chemical.

"Yes… seems like it." 

Cindy replied in a strange voice. 

"But that's not all you called me for, right?" 

She asked with disappointment.

"No, take a seat somewhere." 

I said, sitting on a tire. 

"Let's talk about abilities and everything else."

She nodded, sat on a box, and started first.

"Honestly, I have no idea what to do with this power." 

She said, looking at her fingers. 

"You seemed to want to become a superhero; you even have a name already. I want to try too, but… It's cool and all… but I'm a little scared. What if I get shot?" 

She asked the critical question.

It seemed I would have to convince her, but she wasn't entirely against it. 

"Don't you have spider-sense? We can dodge bullets with our reflexes and perception; it's not a problem." 

I said which was true.

"Have you already even come up with names for each ability?" 

She raised an eyebrow.

 "And I don't understand what you mean by 'spider-sense'?"

"Well, it's when you sense an incoming attack, and your reaction speeds up so you can dodge or something like that."

"Oh, that,"

She huffed in annoyance. 

"It signals literally everything. It doesn't feel like spider-sense; it's more like silk-sense."

"And how does it work for you? We should have roughly the same abilities." 

I said. 

It was strange, but whatever. 

In a world with a female Octavius, I was already hard to surprise. 

Unless Thanos turns out to be on the good guys' side, his actions deserve discussion. 

It's clear that no one wants to die, but in some ways, he was right.

Cindy explained how her ability felt, and I had to conclude that it was much stronger than my sense. 

However, Cindy couldn't process it properly due to the number of incoming signals.

"Hmm… I'll think about how to help you. If I manage to, will you come with me to fight criminals?" 

I asked directly with a slight smile.

...

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