Underground space.
Wilson turned his head and exchanged glances with his personal bodyguard Tombstone, an albino Black man and one of New York's most notorious underworld figures. Despite Tombstone's bulletproof and massive build, he looked like a half-grown youth next to Wilson.
Tombstone shrugged, remaining silent as he gestured that he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
Wilson turned back and gave his response to Olivia, "No."
"Ah, perhaps it was just my imagination? Let's continue... gentlemen, where was I?"
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Having obtained the information he wanted, Johnson left a large bill under a coffee cup and stood to leave.
Time to meet up with that poor fool Peter...
As he left the coffee shop and searched for a place to take flight, his steps suddenly halted. A white figure swung rapidly through the sky on web lines.
Hmm?
The spider-hero elements were unmistakable — ordinary people might miss them, but with Johnson's powerful mental abilities, he could see clearly.
Were they also here to investigate Fisk Tower?
Johnson's interest was immediately piqued, and he slipped away into the dark alleyways.
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Perched on a red fire hydrant was a black-and-white female Spider-Man, her two-toned fitted suit outlining the curves of a young woman. The eyes of her mask narrowed as she stared at Fisk Tower before her.
She was Gwendolyn Stacy, codename Ghost-Spider, the only Spider-Man of Earth-65, who had arrived in this strange New York a week ago. When news spread of Spider-Man's sacrifice, she finally understood the meaning behind her arrival in this world.
Before this, Gwen had already begun investigating. Following her Spider-Sense intuition, she'd found this Spider-Man's successor at Visions Academy — but unfortunately, the kid was still a rookie who couldn't control his powers.
Changing tactics, she quickly identified a likely mastermind behind everything: Wilson Fisk.
"This building is too obvious a target, not easy to infiltrate." Gwen muttered to herself as she stood up, "But Alchemax in Hudson Valley is also Wilson's operation. I should check it out, but before that..."
Whoosh—
Ghost-Spider vanished from her spot, darting through the empty alley and spinning into a kick aimed at the darkness!
Smack!
Someone in the darkness easily blocked her fierce kick. Gwen spun mid-air, her other leg following through with a flying kick!
Smack!
This time, her emerald ballet shoe was caught firmly in the person's hand.
Gwen: !!
Even though she had controlled her strength, no ordinary person could handle her kicks like this.
Who was this person?
After a tense standoff, the stranger released his grip. The freed Gwen pressed one hand against the ground, executing an agile backflip like a dance move and landing on the vertical red brick wall.
"Though it might seem a bit rude, I have to ask." Johnson stepped out from the darkness, "Why do you all like standing on walls so much?"
Gwen didn't answer, her gaze wary, "Are you one of Wilson's men?"
"That bald guy? He doesn't have the authority to order me around." Johnson floated to her eye level as she watched in surprise, "I'm Johnson. I know another Peter Parker — not this world's Spider-Man. He's like me, just arrived in this world."
"You mean... Wow!"
Their Spider-Senses clashed violently. Gwen winced, waiting for the sharp pain at the base of her skull to subside before letting out a surprised gasp.
"You're like me!" They exclaimed simultaneously.
"Actually, you're not the first person I've met with Spider-Sense, though that guy... never mind." Gwen said, pulling back her hood and mask to reveal golden hair and youthful features, "I'm investigating the true cause of this world's Spider-Man's death. My instincts told me coming here would lead me to answers, and it seems I was right."
"Well, at least you won't have to fight alone anymore." Johnson said, extending his fist toward her, "Now there are three of us."
"Alright, you've convinced me." Gwen said after a moment's consideration, bumping his fist, "Gwen Stacy, I'm in."
As they sealed their alliance, a purple fantasy card materialized out of thin air, which Johnson skillfully caught with his Psychic Power.
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARD: Spider Agility
CARD TYPE: Ability Card
RARITY: SR
┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐
Spider power, agility like a super predator.
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — SUPER AGILITY ─┐
Superhuman level of reflexes and speed, able to easily dodge or catch bullets.
┌─ SECONDARY FUNCTION — SILENT MOVEMENT ─┐
Makes almost no sound while sneaking, reducing chances of detection.
╚══════════════════════╝
Successfully collecting the third spider power, he silently thanked nature's blessing.
Once he met the remaining Spider-Men, he might officially qualify as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man of Z-City.
"By the way, I have a question."
"Hmm?"
"Your hairstyle, how should I put this... it's quite distinctive. Is it punk style?"
"..." Gwen's face fell.
Why did he have to bring up the most sensitive topic?
Glancing at him, she asked, "Where's your suit? Do you just do hero work dressed like this?"
"We don't really have strict rules about that where I'm from, but as for the suit... you'll get to see it eventually."
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Manhattan, Central Park.
"Hey, Johnson! We need to clear something up!" Peter clenched his fists, trembling angrily before relaxing them, "If you leave me working at the burger joint to pay off debts again, our team-up is completely off... Whoa whoa whoa! Wait a minute, who's she?"
Seeing the blonde girl following behind Johnson, Peter first looked surprised. Then he noticed she wasn't wearing trendy brands, but a familiar spider suit!
The stabbing pain of Spider-Sense followed, making him understand the girl's identity.
"You're also..." x2
Rubbing her aching head, Gwen sighed.
Including Miles Morales from Visions Academy, this was the third person with spider powers she'd encountered.
While it might have been surprising at first, now she was pretty much used to it.
"Okay, one last introduction — Gwen Stacy, and by the way, I'm the only Spider-Man in my world."
Peter shrugged, "Me too!"
Johnson: "You two chat."
Meeting a new companion, Peter eagerly began, "Hey, you're called Gwen? I know a Gwen too — she was my classmate in middle school. Well, she was in the class next door, but we had quite a few classes together. Honestly, she looks nothing like you... Sorry, got carried away there. I'm Peter Parker, nice to meet you!"