LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 16: Chapter - 15
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Chapter - 15: White Tiger
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I was leaning against the low wall, watching the street stretching out in front of me. I noticed several teenage girls glancing my way as they passed by.
Well, it wasn't too surprising, given that I'd taken care with my appearance. I had the symbiote morph into a crisp, clean white shirt, paired with dark pants and decent shoes.
It wasn't exactly a fancy outfit, but it was definitely a step up from the usual casual style that good old Peter Parker was accustomed to in the various universes, given his constant lack of money.
It had been weeks since I decided to enter the underground arena, but so far, things had been going well there. Not only was my reputation growing in the criminal underworld, but my name was also on everyone's lips.
Especially after they'd seen my ruthless side in various fights, though honestly, the one with Crossbones still remained one of the most significant encounters in my new career.
After a few days of rest, he recovered well from our fight. Surprisingly, he didn't even seem angry about the loss. On the contrary, he thanked me for sparing his life; at one point, he confessed, he'd thought I was going to kill him.
His words took me by surprise, but I accepted them calmly and without much ceremony. In return, he offered me a discount on his mercenary services and, even more importantly, a favor I could claim at any time, no questions asked—even if it put his own life at risk.
Naturally, I accepted his offer, as it was too valuable an opportunity to ignore. After a long conversation, I also asked if he could connect me with influential people he knew—those who could open doors otherwise inaccessible to me.
It wouldn't be long before the real powers controlling this city tried to contact me, likely attempting to bribe me with the old-fashioned methods to bring me into their service.
At that moment, I could easily stab them all in the back and secure victory without even putting in much effort. However, to do so, I'd need to be patient; the longer I waited, the greater my gains would be.
I also had to admit, the idea of using the favor he owed me to immediately eliminate some of my most formidable enemies was very tempting. If I managed to strike from the shadows without being noticed, I could avoid attracting too much attention and maintain my position.
However, I shook my head, resisting the impulse. Caution had brought me this far; acting on impulse could jeopardize everything, and I certainly wasn't going to make a foolish mistake I could easily avoid.
In the meantime, I continued to earn money by running my business with Jamerson. I'd send him photos of Spider-Man, just as I always had, though I knew deep down I was exploiting every opportunity that came my way.
Jamerson was in a great mood these days, thanks to his son's return as a space hero, and for now, our collaboration was going smoothly. I didn't hold any grudges against the editor of the Daily Bugle; after all, I wasn't really the "real" Peter, and I didn't intend to waste any of the opportunities this life offered me.
Naturally, I had several plans ready in case he decided to keep bothering me, but I honestly preferred not to dwell on him too much and instead focus on my new life.
For now, I had other things on my mind. As the saying goes, "the clothes make the man," and the proof had been evident from the moment I arrived: a group of girls had approached me, asking if I wanted to join them for some fun. Even though I had politely declined, they still insisted on giving me their phone numbers.
That said it all.
In any case, I was trying to change my image step by step, and Jessica was only the first of many targets. While I waited, I found myself adjusting my cuffs for the third time, wondering if I was overdoing it.
And yet, I wanted to be impeccable; I knew that making a good impression would be essential. Every detail, every gesture, even the choice of clothing, now had a specific purpose: to build a new image of myself.
Finally, after a few minutes, I saw two female figures approaching. As I watched them come closer, I noticed several guys around giving them obviously interested glances, and, after realizing their destination, they directed envious looks my way.
I answered those looks with a simple, mocking smile, which seemed enough to make them look away and return to their own girls, who didn't look too pleased by all the distraction.
The first figure was unmistakably Jessica. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and she wore a light jacket and a pair of jeans that perfectly showcased her slender, athletic body with a touch of effortless sensuality that drew looks without even trying.
She wore that sweet and confident smile I knew well, though this time there was an added sparkle in her eyes as she looked at me, which, honestly, gave me more than a few serious thoughts to consider.
Beside her walked another girl—her friend, I assumed. I'd never seen her before, and I was slightly taken aback since she seemed vaguely familiar, though I tried not to let too much show on my face.
With a gorgeous caramel skin tone that made it clear she was Hispanic or of another ethnic background, and an athletic, well-defined body, she had a strong, commanding presence.
I didn't know her name, and I'd never interacted with a girl like her before, so it was a new experience for me. Honestly, I didn't mind at all, especially since she was incredibly attractive.
She wore a tight, dark green top that accentuated the muscles in her shoulders and torso, and short, frayed denim shorts that showed off her huge ass and well-toned muscles.
She had moderately sized breasts, but all the attention was drawn to her lower body thanks to those chiseled abs, ample hips and thick, plump thighs that I wanted to hold my head against.
She had long, wavy hair with a unique combination of colors: the main part of her hair was dark, almost black, while a large strand of white or silver hair framed the side of her face.
Her expression was confident, slightly serious and authoritative, with a hint of a smile that conveyed assurance and a certain challenge to all the men trying to approach her.
But what caught my attention the most was the green amulet hanging around the girl's neck. A jade jewel in a rectangular shape, with a design that vaguely resembled a tiger.
Even though we were still at a distance, the scent of the girl hit all my senses, as if we shared something in common, something I had already picked up through my enhanced senses.
It was pure warmth and ferocity emanating from her; I could feel that energy radiating from the amulet hanging at her waist, which honestly put me on edge.
At the same time, a shiver ran down my spine as I easily recognized her true identity. It was hard not to, when in several alternate universes she had been my teammate and very close to being a romantic interest.
Moreover, as if that wasn't enough, Ava was strikingly similar to me, as she too carried the power of a deity. Ava, in fact, was the avatar of the Tiger God, a bond that granted her superhuman abilities and a mystical connection far beyond what the amulet alone could offer.
I could hear a voice, like a whisper, creeping into my mind. The power of the Tiger God, still pulsing but weakened, was calling me, like an irresistible temptation.
It was the perfect opportunity to corrupt her and take it for myself, acquiring esoteric and divine powers that would be essential to survive in this brutal world, where every step could be fatal.
The temptation was strong, almost overwhelming, and for a moment the thought of gaining all that power seemed irresistible. But I didn't allow myself to be carried away by that thought, as the consequences of actually doing something like that would certainly not be pleasant for me.
Jessica and Ava stopped in front of me, and while I tried to maintain a relaxed air, I realized I was slightly uncomfortable. Ava sized me up for a moment with an ironic smile before looking at Jessica with a knowing look.
"Oh, so this is the famous Peter?" Ava asked, emphasizing the last word ironically and shooting Jessica a mischievous look. Jessica blushed slightly, and I felt a brief pang of embarrassment.
"Yeah, that's him," Jessica replied, trying to appear nonchalant, though a faint blush betrayed her effort to stay calm. "I hope you don't mind, I brought a friend. This is Ava Ayala; she transferred to our school not long ago, so you probably haven't met her yet."
I did my best to smile and appear comfortable. "Oh, sure! Nice to meet you, Ava."
She returned a polite nod and a faint smile, her eyes watching me with silent curiosity. It was clear she was much calmer than Jessica, but her attentive gaze seemed to take in every detail about me.
Jessica perhaps noticed my slight discomfort, because she quickly intervened: "I thought it'd be fun if we all went out together. Ava's been wanting to meet you."
I didn't expect a response like that, and the surprise must have shown on my face, because Jessica blushed a little and scratched the back of her neck, embarrassed. "I mean... I told her about you, and... well, that's why she's here."
"I just hope you only said good things about me," I said, trying to ease the tension with a smile, though I still felt the slight embarrassment that had caught me off guard.
Ava, amused, shot Jessica an ironic look. "Oh, just good things, Jessica? Like the time you told me he was a genius who outshone Tony Stark? Or even when you said he was the best photographer ever?"
Jessica's eyes widened, and the blush on her cheeks deepened. "Ava!" she exclaimed, giving her friend a mortified glance.
I couldn't help but laugh lightly. Ava was clearly enjoying the situation, and Jessica seemed increasingly flustered. For a moment, I felt a bit of satisfaction at seeing her in such an embarrassed state.
"What? I'm just repeating what you told me," Ava continued in a light tone. Then, turning to me, she added, "You know, Jessica's never this nervous when it comes to inviting someone out. There must be something special about you."
I cleared my throat, trying to respond with nonchalance. "Well, it's an honor to know I made an impression," I said, looking at Jessica with an amused smile. She just shook her head, visibly embarrassed but with a hidden smile on her lips.
Jessica tried to regain control of the situation. "Anyway," she began, ignoring Ava's ironic look, "I thought it'd be nice if we all went out together and... had some fun. Maybe go for a walk downtown or grab a drink."
Ava didn't miss the opportunity to chime in again. "Oh, yeah, a nice walk downtown. That way, Jessica can show you her favorite spots... you know, the ones she's already imagined showing you," she said with a knowing smile.
Jessica shot her an angry glance, then turned to me. "Ignore Ava, she just likes to tease," she said, visibly flustered but trying to maintain her composure. However, the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
"Hey, I'm not doing anything wrong," Ava retorted. "I'm just saying Jessica talks about you a lot... I have to admit, I was curious to meet the mysterious person who's made her so nervous. Usually, she's the confident, unflappable one, you know?"
"I'm not nervous," Jessica protested, crossing her arms defensively, though her voice sounded less certain than she wanted it to.
"Relax, Jessica," I said to reassure her, taking a step closer. "I'm flattered to have been the topic of conversation, but honestly, there's no need to get worked up."
Jessica looked at me with a shy smile, as if appreciating my attempt to lighten the mood. Ava, however, continued to stare at us with a mischievous grin. "Well, I'd say we have an interesting evening ahead," she said. "Who would've thought Jessica would be this involved?"
With a nod, we began walking toward downtown, and along the way, Ava continued to subtly tease Jessica with ambiguous questions and jokes that made her blush even more. I simply smiled, amused, letting myself relax in the lighthearted atmosphere.
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Marvel: I'm Spider-Man in this Damn Reincarnation: 1 advanced chapters
Hybrid Man (Ichigo Si/WC Fic) 1 advanced chapters
Son of Li Qiye?: 3 advanced chapters
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Chapter- 16: Shocker - Chapter- 17 (Incoming)
Chapter: Interlude - Chapter - 8 (Incoming)
Chapter - 7: Hobby - Chapter - 8: New Hunt - Chapter - 9: Past unknown
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