Chapter 25: Adults Don’t Play by the Rules of Choice
Times Square—barely a week had passed since the Aerospace Expo attack.
Although Green Goblin had caused significant chaos, the actual damage to the buildings wasn't extensive. In less than a week, the area was mostly restored.
As one of New York's iconic landmarks, its repairs were prioritized—critical for maintaining the city's image.
Tonight, however, with some areas still drying from fresh concrete, Times Square once again welcomed the destructive Green Goblin.
"Hahaha! Spider-Man, where are you hiding? Are you just a cowardly turtle, too afraid to come out and face me?"
Green Goblin had strategically set up cameras in Times Square. His antics were now broadcasted not only on TV but also live on the Square's massive screens.
For a moment, it seemed like the entire world was fixated on his grotesque, masked face.
He wasn't just arrogant and boastful—he was downright manic.
After nearly a week of fruitless searching for Spider-Man, his already limited patience had been worn thin.
So tonight, he was ready to gamble it all. If Spider-Man didn't show up, he'd blow up Times Square.
Just then, a figure swinging through the air appeared in the distance.
"Spider-Man? Is that Spider-Man?"
As Su Ye landed on a high perch near Times Square, New Yorkers got their first clear look at the superhero who had supposedly been protecting their city for a week under the cover of darkness.
A week might not sound like a long time, but that was just the time people were aware of.
Who knows? He could have been silently protecting New York for years before this!
As the saying goes, "Peaceful times exist only because someone else is carrying the burden." Spider-Man was surely the one quietly bearing that burden for New York.
"Suddenly, I'm so moved!"
People naturally idolize heroes, especially in a country that glorifies individual heroism.
As a superhero, Spider-Man didn't need elaborate tales of his deeds. His name alone, coupled with his sleek suit and the athletic yet lean physique beneath, was enough to make many naive girls swoon.
The two actresses being held by Green Goblin could barely keep their knees together out of fear.
"Ah! Help! Spider-Man, save me! Aaaah!"
Without even looking, Su Ye could tell from the shrill, pig-like screech that it was Mary Jane. Her voice stood out like a sore thumb.
Luckily, Su Ye wasn't Peter Parker, and his girlfriend card didn't feature Mary Jane. Otherwise, he'd be too distracted by her cries, forgetting all his strategies in a panic.
"Heh heh, Spider-Man, you've finally shown up!"
Green Goblin turned, his devilish mask facing Su Ye, his tone carrying a hint of grievance—like someone abandoned after a messy fling… never mind, that's gross.
Su Ye frowned under his mask. "You've been looking for me?"
He genuinely didn't know Green Goblin had been searching for him for a week, nearly driving himself insane.
If he'd known earlier… he still wouldn't have shown up.
A brawl with Green Goblin wasn't nearly as fun as sparring with Mai Shiranui.
After a week of training, Su Ye's skills had improved dramatically. He could now break through Mai Shiranui's defense and even go toe-to-toe with her in sparring.
Of course, that was as long as Mai Shiranui didn't unleash her fire techniques. If she used her Ryu Enbu in an infinite combo, Su Ye would struggle to get close without relying on his web-shooters.
He had his own special move, Kuuhadan—a flying spinning kick similar to the Shadowless Kick. Though Su Ye had mastered it, he couldn't bring himself to use it against Mai Shiranui.
Sparring wasn't the same as gaming; there was no way he could mercilessly unleash Kuuhadan on his beautiful, swaying girlfriend during practice.
What if it turned into a "boob-buster"? Where would he even go to cry about that?
A Mai Shiranui without her signature bounce would reduce his happiness index by more than half, okay?
Your own girlfriend, of course, needs to be treated with care. As for others? Not so much.
Like Mary Jane's continuous pig-like screams—Su Ye felt nothing.
"That's right, I've been looking for you for a week! But you cowardly turtle kept hiding!"
Green Goblin let out a sinister laugh. "But now, I've found your weakness, New York's 'Friend of Women'? Hahaha! See these two? Their lives are in my hands. Their fate depends on your decision, Spider-Man. So, what will you choose?"
With that, Green Goblin swung both arms wide, hurling the two actresses in opposite directions.
Two people, two directions—Spider-Man could only save one. No matter who he chose, the other would haunt his nightmares forever.
Green Goblin was quite pleased with his dilemma. Spider-Man, oh Spider-Man, what choice will you make?
Opposite him, Su Ye didn't even flinch. Adults don't play by the rules of choice—I'll take both.
Raising his hand, he shot two webs toward the falling actresses, anchoring the other ends to the rooftop beneath him. Then, he simply let them be.
Saving others within his means was fine, but risking his own life? That wasn't worth it, and Su Ye knew better.
This was all he could do. As for whether the actresses would slam into a wall and rupture their implants after being caught by his webs—that wasn't his concern.
"Huh? That's not the behavior I'd expect from New York's 'Friend of Women'!"
Green Goblin muttered in confusion, but Su Ye didn't bother with a response. Instead, he leaped forward in a powerful jump.
While airborne, taking advantage of Green Goblin's brief daze, Su Ye extended both hands, forming a finger-gun gesture. White, spherical web pellets shot out of his web-shooters like bullets.
This was a new feature Su Ye had added to his web-shooters, inspired by the third Spider-Man iteration. While these web bullets lacked the piercing power of real ones, their impact was substantial—strong enough to easily fracture an ordinary person's arm within a ten-meter range.
And these web bullets could be fired in rapid succession. In midair, Su Ye turned into a human Gatling gun, bombarding Green Goblin until he couldn't even keep his eyes open.
"Let the bullets fly!"