New York.
On the top floor of a building, Gwen was sitting on the edge, swinging her legs back and forth.
She wore a black and white jumpsuit with spider web designs on the arms, a white hood with web patterns on the inside, and a mask resting beside her.
"Arthur's proposal was really good. With this radio, I'll be able to get news about crimes in New York firsthand."
Gwen had headphones on and held a small radio in her hand.
The frequency was tuned to the police channel.
With it, she could receive emergency updates at any moment.
As her mind wandered, a transmission suddenly came through.
[There's a robbery taking place in a jewelry store. The robber is armed.]
[The suspect is fleeing from the main street toward the fifth block. Requesting support for interception.]
"Incoming call!"
Gwen grabbed the mask beside her and pulled it over her head.
Once masked, she stood up and threw herself forward, arms open.
"Woohoo!!!"
The lightness of the fall sent her adrenaline soaring.
It was thrilling beyond compare.
Just as she neared dangerously close to the ground, Gwen pressed her two fingers against her palm, releasing a white strand of webbing from her wrist.
Her figure quickly drew the attention of many people.
"Look, what is that?"
"Doesn't it look like a person?"
"Idiot! Since when do people fly?"
Along the way, countless heads tilted upward, following the figure swinging rapidly through the air.
Some even pulled out their phones to record and post online.
Within seconds, social media began filling with posts and videos of her, sparking heated discussions.
But Gwen, the center of attention, didn't realize the commotion she had caused—
she was too focused on her first real fight against crime.
At the same time.
At a publishing house, Jean calmly stepped out of the building.
With her telepathic powers, she had easily obtained Arthur's address.
Just as she was about to hail a taxi, Jean looked up and caught sight of a figure darting across the sky at incredible speed.
Her expression darkened.
"What's with this mutant? Why is she showing herself so openly?"
Jean subconsciously classified anyone with powers as a mutant.
When she snapped back to her senses, she considered reaching out telepathically to warn the girl not to reveal herself so carelessly—
But the figure had already vanished from sight.
If she used her powers now, it might only cause a bigger commotion.
"Forget it. I'd better head to Arthur's first."
Gwen swung swiftly through the city, closing in on her destination.
Soon she reached the fifth block, where after a quick scan she spotted the robber.
The area was in chaos: police officers surrounded him, which only made him stand out even more.
Realizing he couldn't escape, the man grabbed a young girl from the street, pressing a gun to her head.
"Stay back, all of you!"
"Help!"
The officers immediately formed a perimeter and tried to negotiate.
Meanwhile, one officer discreetly radioed in:
"Captain, we need reinforcements. He's holding a child hostage."
On the other side of the intercom, a stern male voice replied:
"Stabilize the suspect. Don't provoke him. I'm on my way."
"Understood, Captain Stacy!"
Besides the police, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered.
Phones were out, recording and snapping photos despite officers' pleas to disperse.
They seemed convinced the robber couldn't hurt them as long as he held a hostage.
Seeing persuasion was useless, the police stopped wasting energy on the crowd and focused back on the robber.
"You can ask for anything, and we'll do our best to meet your demands."
"But let the girl go first!"
"Stay away!!"
The robber barked threats, tightening his grip on the child, whose cries only enraged him further.
"Shut up! Stop crying, or I'll put a bullet in your head!"
The situation spiraled out of control.
Several officers raised their weapons, aiming directly at the robber.
"Back off, bastards!!"
"Even if I die, I'll take her with me!"
With that, he flicked off the safety and prepared to pull the trigger.
"No, my daughter!"
At that critical moment, a figure swooped past.
The robber froze, unable to move.
Something white was binding him—
Spider webs?
"Hey, it's not cool to bully kids. Why don't you hand that little girl over, okay?"
The playful voice from behind startled him.
He spun around—
But no one was there.
The next instant, the weight in his arms vanished.
(Huh? Where's the brat!?)
Gwen was already standing in front of him, gently comforting the crying girl in her arms.
"It's okay~."
"Who are you?!"
"Uh~"
Gwen tilted her head, striking a thoughtful pose.
(Hmm… now that I think about it, I still haven't given myself a name.)
"Give me the girl back!"
The robber snarled—this hostage was his only lifeline.
"And why would I do that?"
With a flick of her wrist, Gwen launched another web that stuck to his foot.
The man toppled over, losing his balance.
In an instant, Gwen fired more webs, pinning him securely to the ground.
"Okay, the bad guy's taken care of."
"Now stop crying, sweetie. Let's get you back to your mommy."
As the police swarmed in to arrest the subdued robber, Gwen returned the girl safely to her mother.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd began clapping.
Within seconds, thunderous applause and cheers spread through the onlookers.
Seeing her job complete, Gwen shot a web at the nearest building and swung away.
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."