Marvel: Hunter

Chapter 426 426: Sinister Six

Spider-Man was as stubborn as ever. Now, he could be said to be fighting with nothing but the most basic equipment, relying purely on willpower and that so-called "protagonist's halo."

But imagination was one thing—reality was another. No matter how hard he tried, Spider-Man still couldn't avoid being knocked down again by the Vulture's underhanded tactics.

Even so, he was still a superhero—at least, the hero of Queens. After their fierce exchange, the Vulture wasn't in much better shape. His armor crackled with damage, and sparks flickered from his wings.

It was likely a short circuit or energy overload caused by Spider-Man's attacks. From what Blaine could see, the equipment was on the verge of falling apart—it was practically scrap metal.

Yet even after knocking Spider-Man down, the Vulture had no intention of giving up the prize in front of him. After all, this was Stark Industries equipment—used by the Avengers. If he got away with it, the profit would be enormous.

With reporters filming nearby and the police likely to arrive at any moment, the Vulture grew more anxious. He quickly grabbed a crate of equipment, preparing to escape.

But misfortune never comes alone.

The alien energy coursing through his mechanical wings suddenly surged violently, crackling out of control, as if they were about to explode.

The next moment, the Vulture plummeted from the sky.

Worse, it seemed he couldn't even disengage from his damaged suit. After defeating Spider-Man, was he really going to meet his end like this?

No—

At the critical moment, Spider-Man rushed forward.

And just like that, the classic "son-in-law saves the father-in-law" scene unfolded.

"Don't come any closer—!"

"No—you can't die!"

"It's going to explode—run!"

"I know what I've done—if I die, so be it!"

But Spider-Man didn't hesitate. He wasn't thinking about whether this man deserved saving. Even if he was MJ's father, even if he was a criminal—he still couldn't stand by and let him die.

In the final moment, he managed to pull the Vulture to safety. Then, with two quick shots of webbing, he bound him to a nearby bulldozer before quickly retreating from the scene.

Soon after, the police arrived and took the Vulture away, while the reporter rambled on in front of the camera, embellishing the story for dramatic effect.

For Blaine, that was enough. He switched off the TV, grabbed something to eat, and went to bed.

However, what Spider-Man didn't know—and what Blaine didn't know either—was that after being imprisoned, the Vulture met someone.

A man with a deep scar over his right eye and a scorpion tattoo on his neck.

If Spider-Man had seen him, he would have recognized him immediately—one of his future enemies: the Scorpion.

Inside the prison, Scorpion seemed to be probing the Vulture for information about Spider-Man. Whether to conceal his identity or for some other reason, the Vulture no longer referred to himself by any other name—he simply called himself the Vulture.

If Blaine had been there, he would have made a significant discovery.

Because at that very moment, a villain organization targeting Spider-Man was quietly beginning to take shape.

The Sinister Six.

Its members would include the Vulture and Scorpion, along with Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio—the man with the glass dome helmet—Electro, and Sandman.

(Though Sandman had already been defeated, making this only a reference to former members.)

When the dazzling sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows and fell across Blaine's face, he realized he had slept until noon.

Since it was Saturday, there was no need to go to school.

Early in the morning—well, technically noon—Blaine got up to start his day.

Before washing up, he placed a neatly prepared breakfast into the microwave and turned on the TV. Needless to say, he was waiting to watch the news—specifically, Tony's press conference.

Perhaps it was still a bit early, or perhaps he had tuned in too soon, because the screen was showing a cosmetics advertisement featuring a female celebrity. Blaine wasn't bothered. He turned and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

Meanwhile, on the lower level of the Stark Building, reporters from all walks of life had already gathered. They stood in anticipation, waiting for Tony to take the stage. The lights were all focused on the main platform as time ticked by.

Upstairs, in Tony's private office, he stood in a tailored suit, still every bit the charismatic playboy. But his expression was far from relaxed. The events of the previous night had delayed all the equipment he had intended to unveil at today's press conference. Yet with so many reporters waiting, he couldn't simply brush it off with an excuse.

At that moment, in the corridor outside, two figures approached—one tall and one short, one broad and one slim.

Happy and Spider-Man.

Tony had invited Spider-Man here today for more than just watching the press conference.

"Hi, Mr. Tony."

"Hey, kid."

"Good job."

"Welcome to the Avengers."

As he spoke, Tony opened his arms, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Huh? Oh—oh—"

"Oh my God—"

"Is that really true?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"What, you're just going to leave me standing here like this?"

Hearing that, Spider-Man didn't hesitate any longer. He rushed forward and hugged Tony tightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Tony—"

"Thank you…"

At that moment, he was probably on the verge of tears from excitement. Joining the Avengers had always been his dream. He couldn't stay a neighborhood hero in Queens forever. Becoming an Avenger meant standing alongside the world's greatest heroes, proving himself on a much larger stage.

How could he not be overwhelmed?

"Excited?"

"Wait—there's more."

Seeing his reaction, Tony smiled faintly and reached out, pressing his hand against a blank wall.

The wall split open to reveal what lay behind it.

There, displayed like a masterpiece, was the advanced Spider-Man suit.

"I take back what I said."

"Now, you've earned the right to wear it."

"Go on, kid. It's yours."

With his hands in his pockets, Tony looked at him with something almost like pride.

"Uh… Mr. Tony…"

"I think…"

"…I'm not ready yet."

"I still need to grow."

"I can't accept this… not right now."

Tony blinked in surprise.

He hadn't expected that.

Spider-Man had just refused the suit.

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