Restart, Spider-Man!

"I handled it for you. Don't forget to transfer the money. That's it, I'm heading to work now."

Johnny Blaze hung up the phone and turned to wave at the crowd in the arena.

"Hey, how are you all doing?" he greeted with a smile.

However, the audience's cheers weren't for him.

"Stark!"

"Stark!"

"Iron Man, I love you!!"

The cacophony of voices erupted as countless fans held up signs with Tony's name, cheering wildly for him.

Johnny Blaze glanced over his shoulder to see Tony, the star of the moment, entering the arena. He shrugged.

"Well, I'm just a side character."

"Johnny, you're just a background extra," a coworker said, adjusting their helmet. "Remember, this event is sponsored by Stark Industries. Don't try to outshine him out there, or we're all getting fired."

Johnny nodded. "Got it."

With that, he crouched down to inspect his racing motorcycle.

Meanwhile, Happy Hogan massaged Tony Stark's shoulders and handed him a dark green drink.

"I didn't think you'd join a motorcycle race," Happy said offhandedly.

Tony took a sip and scanned the group of riders.

"Just here for fun, and to promote our flying motorcycle—a smart business move."

"Tony, the spokesperson you hired is that Gwen Spider-Man," Pepper Potts said as she approached.

Tony shrugged. "I actually wanted the Invincible Spider-Man, but he knows too much. I changed my mind."

"That's called hush money," Happy muttered. "I did some digging. Spider-Man keeps his mouth shut—no one knows about that incident."

"But you know about it," Tony said, giving Happy a side glance. "If necessary, I'll silence you too."

Happy's smile froze. "Ha-ha, very funny."

Pepper chuckled and shook her head. "You've just recovered. Say less and focus. You're obviously going to win this race anyway."

"You arranged it?" Tony frowned. "Everything I have, I've earned on my own. There's no need for that."

"Sure, sure, all by yourself." Pepper rolled her eyes. "But this is a product launch. If you don't come in first, what will potential buyers think?"

"We're not hurting for money."

"Exactly—you're here for fun."

"Alright, enough. Let's get started."

Tony turned to put on his helmet, ending the debate.

As the riders prepared, the arena's lights flashed rhythmically. Tony's flying motorcycle shot ahead, leaving the others in the dust, prompting deafening cheers from the crowd.

Among the spectators, a disheveled man with long hair spat out a toothpick, his gaze mischievous.

"Tony Stark, your glory days end here. Let me shatter your heroic halo!"

With that, he shoved his way toward the track.

"Hold it! Spectators aren't allowed here during the race!"

A security guard stepped forward, only to be knocked out with a single punch from the long-haired man.

"I'm not a spectator—I'm the main event."

The man strode onto the track as the audience erupted in angry shouts.

"What the hell is that guy doing?"

"Is he trying to ruin this thrilling race?"

"Unbelievable."

"Get lost, you greasy-haired loser!"

"Go pick up trash somewhere else!"

Ignoring the crowd's fury, the man calmly faced the oncoming flying motorcycle, pulling a circular reactor from his pocket.

"What?"

Tony, now close enough to see the device in the man's hand, was stunned.

"Jarvis, what am I looking at?"

"Sir, I can confirm your database has no errors."

"Then how does he have that?"

"Perhaps it's something you misplaced during a nightclub visit."

"Buddy, that's not helpful."

"Apologies, I cannot answer that."

Dismissing Jarvis's humor, Tony locked eyes on the man and revved the throttle.

"Let's see what you've got."

Was this a stunt?

Or was it—

"Tony, stop! It's dangerous!"

Pepper's voice rang out as the flying motorcycle roared ahead, stirring a whirlwind that coalesced into a small tornado.

The long-haired man smirked as Tony approached, his expression full of disdain.

"Now it's getting fun."

Click.

He twisted the reactor in his hand. Instantly, arcs of electricity coursed over his body, and a thick, blood-red mist poured from his back, engulfing the track.

"What is this?"

The moment the blood-red mist appeared, Tony's expression grew serious.

"Hydra's power. It seems we won't be taking first place this time," Tony muttered.

"Sir, I understand. Mark IV armor has been remotely summoned," Jarvis informed him.

"Too late for that. There's a better way."

Tony slammed the brakes on the flying motorcycle. The sudden deceleration launched him into the air, and as the bike disassembled into pieces, the components began attaching themselves to his body.

Clang, clang, clang!

By the time Tony landed, his leg armor was fully equipped, absorbing the impact from his fall. Before the encroaching mist could reach him, the arm armor locked into place, and an arc pulse fired from his palm.

Boom!

Zzzzz~~

The electrified whip cracked and struck out with terrifying precision. Tony's Mark suit darted away, but the whip slithered like a living thing, locking onto its target. Finally, it coiled around Tony's ankle.

"No—!"

Tony's HUD lit up with urgent warnings, a sinking feeling creeping over him.

As he feared, the long-haired man's muscles bulged grotesquely as he yanked the whip downward. The immense force slammed the Mark suit into the ground.

Boom!!

The suit crashed into the track, sparks flying.

Beep, beep!

"Armor compromised. Immediate evacuation is advised," Jarvis warned.

Tony winced, feeling the sting of his mouth slamming against his helmet. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips.

"Great. That hurt. Jarvis, give me a painkiller, stat."

"Sir, I recommend calling the indomitable Spider-Man."

"No way. That's embarrassing."

"Sir, you're rich."

"Okay, fair. That's my true superpower."

---

Meanwhile, at SHIELD Headquarters.

"Since you recommended her, you'll handle the rookie evaluation," Carter said, looking over Gwen's impressive resume.

Xia Luo nodded, but before he could respond, Zhao Helen stepped into the office.

"I'm quite impressed with the structure of your nanotech suit," she said, handing a Spider emblem back to Xia Luo.

Xia Luo casually donned the suit, now restored. "What's the research verdict?" he asked.

Zhao Helen smiled. "It aligns with many of my own projects. Borrowing from the nanotech suit's design, I should be able to perfect my nanomedical technology soon. I've even gained insights into the production of nanometals.

"If we hand this tech over to Tony Stark, he could build his own nanotech armor in no time.

"Of course, the nanometal patent belongs to you. If Tony wants to use it, he'll have to pay you a hefty licensing fee."

Hearing this, Xia Luo's eyes lit up.

"Dr. Zhao Helen, you're amazing! I'm so excited, I feel like giving you a hug!"

"No need."

She raised a hand to stop him. "Hold that thought until the captain leaves."

Xia Luo: "…"

Carter: "???"

"Anything else?" Carter asked Gwen, who turned away, feigning ignorance.

The Spider-Man drama is always so chaotic.

Zhao Helen continued, "Spider-Man, don't sell all the nanotech rights to Tony at once. That guy's loaded. You can collect a yearly fee instead."

Xia Luo shook his head. "No, we're friends. I can't do that."

"But I think every time he uses the armor, he should pay me a licensing fee." He grinned smugly.

Zhao Helen: "…"

"You have an… interesting definition of friendship," she said dryly.

Beep, beep!

A notification from the nanotech device interrupted their conversation. Xia Luo chuckled.

"My special friend is calling."

He picked up. "Hey, how's the swelling? Gone down yet?"

"Charming, bug-boy. I paid you, so drop it. I need your help."

"No way! The hero of his own solo movie asking for help? That's unheard of."

"I don't know what you're talking about. There's a guy with electric whips causing trouble. I can't handle him alone."

"Whiplash? Ivan Vanko?"

Xia Luo raised an eyebrow. "Alright, hang in there. I'll be there in three minutes."

He turned to Carter and the others. "Excuse me."

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a glowing circular portal.

Whoosh!

Magical sparks danced as the portal shimmered into existence, exciting the nearby crowd.

"It's Spider-Man! Jonah talked about his new powers!"

"He's using magic now?!"

"This is incredible! Spider-Man is here!"

"Spider-Man, I love you!!"

"Wait, weren't you just screaming for Iron Man?"

"I've changed my mind."

"Ugh, fickle women."

Amidst the cheers, Xia Luo stepped through the portal and landed on the chaotic racetrack.

The first thing he saw was Tony, suspended mid-air, bound tightly by electrified whips.

"Spider-kid! You really meant it when you said you'd come right away!" Tony rasped, still managing a joking tone.

Xia Luo glanced around at the onlookers and sighed.

"If I'd known there'd be such a crowd, I would've taken a shower, brushed my teeth, put on my favorite hair gel, polished my shoes, and dressed like a grown-up."

"Enough!"

Before Xia Luo could finish, Ivan Vanko snorted and flung Tony toward him.

"Catch me!"

"Gotcha."

Xia Luo leaped into the air, shooting a web of spatial threads that caught Tony. As he spun past the Mark suit, he flipped and launched a mid-air kick.

"Your friendly neighborhood Scissor Kick of Doom!"

"Hail Hydra Explosion!"

"Whoa, you're the first villain to respond to my banter. I like you."

"Before that damn Howard Stark drove my father away, I was a funny kid too!"

Ivan roared, his tendrils transforming into a sea-urchin-like array of spikes, launching indiscriminate attacks in all directions.

---

T/N: jesus christ this was a fuckfest to translate

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