Each time a new identity was drawn, the final color of the halo represented its rank.
This time, the pupil of the [All-Seeing Eye] didn't glow with the platinum hue Herman had been hoping for.
"Just a Silver-tier identity, huh."
He gazed at the faint shimmer of the [All-Seeing Eye] and couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. It wasn't that he'd grown greedy—it was simply that, at his current level of power, a Silver-tier identity offered little in the way of actual strength enhancement.
"Let's hope it's at least an interesting one," he sighed. There was no helping it. Even if his luck wasn't great today, he'd already drawn the identity. It wasn't as if he could scold the [All-Seeing Eye] and demand a reroll.
Still, he had to check it. If it turned out to be entertaining enough—and the Identity Exclusive Mission wasn't too troublesome—it might not be so bad after all.
[Silver-level Identity: Fiancé of a Superpowered Individual!]
[Note: Once activated, this identity becomes permanent!]
[You are a Sky Father–level being with numerous identities, who enjoys using the production of TV dramas as a means to draw countless women into your orbit.]
[On the surface, you appear upright and proper. In reality, however, you've already had affairs with your employees—and even taken a mistress outside.]
[Beneath your seemingly serious demeanor lies the heart of a reckless playboy, constantly using your charm to flirt with women.]
[You even used your charisma to deceive an innocent young woman into an engagement, waiting only for her to come of age so you could do as you please.]
[Identity Exclusive Mission: Take your fiancée's first time!]
[Mission Reward: Extraordinary Charm!]
...
The new identity was instantly integrated into Herman's consciousness.
After reading through the details, he froze, utterly speechless, feeling as though ten thousand wild horses were stampeding through his mind.
"What kind of ridiculous description is this? Deceiving an innocent girl into engagement? Can't they at least write something that doesn't make me sound like a walking scandal?"
"This is slander! Complete nonsense!"
That said, aside from the absurd and messy details, this new identity did fulfill his earlier wish—it was definitely "interesting."
After all, he'd just gotten himself a fiancée out of nowhere.
Could anything be more intriguing than that?
And the mission wasn't even difficult—just to take his fiancée's first time. For someone as experienced with women as Herman, that was hardly a challenge.
"Let's see who this fiancée of mine is supposed to be..."
When the details appeared before him, Herman's expression grew even stranger.
Honestly, the [All-Seeing Eye]'s sense of humor was starting to feel downright twisted.
"Gwen Stacy..."
He never would have guessed he'd end up connected to the same Spider-Woman he'd once "peeked in on."
If he remembered correctly, he used to be Gwen Stacy's idol. Now, somehow, he'd become her fiancé.
Was that a win or a loss?
Or maybe the [All-Seeing Eye] was just helping Gwen Stacy live out her dream—literally turning her idol into her fiancé?
Unbelievable.
"Extraordinary Charm..." Herman muttered, still full of complaints about this identity. This Silver-tier role hadn't boosted his strength in any way.
It hadn't even granted him a new ability—just quietly altered reality, rewriting his relationship with Gwen Stacy.
As for the reward tied to this rather "nonsense" identity, Herman found it pretty underwhelming.
The so-called Extraordinary Charm simply meant he'd be more likely to gain favor with women.
It wasn't some kind of fantastical "whoever sees you instantly falls in love" ability straight out of a certain kind of Japanese movie. Herman never worried about his charm to begin with, so he couldn't care less about this reward.
Whether it took three days or two to win a woman over, the difference seemed negligible.
And it wasn't arrogance—it was just the truth. With his current looks, status, and power, Herman was confident that at least ninety-nine percent of women wouldn't turn him down.
"Ding ding ding~"
Just as he was grumbling internally about his new identity, the phone on his desk began to ring with a bright, melodic tone.
[Fiancée #1]
Apparently, reality had already been rewritten. A new contact had appeared in his phone.
The [All-Seeing Eye] really did know how to cause trouble.
"I'm a man of principle, not some sleazy playboy!" Herman complained inwardly, but he still picked up the phone.
"Herman! My parents want you to come over for dinner! Are you free today?"
Gwen Stacy's sweet voice rang from the other end of the line.
"..."
Meeting the parents already?
As the only one aware of the altered reality, Herman still hadn't adjusted to suddenly having someone this close to him in his life.
This time, the changes brought by his new identity... felt different somehow.
"Um, have you been really busy lately?"
Gwen's voice on the other end sounded a little nervous—probably because Herman hadn't replied for quite a while. She asked carefully, as if afraid of disturbing him.
"No, I was just handling something else. Of course I'm free. You meant tonight, right?" Herman finally took a deep breath and answered softly.
"Mm-hmm!"
Gwen Stacy's voice brightened immediately, full of cheerful excitement. "My mom's a fan of yours too! She's been wanting to meet you for a long time."
Even now, as his fiancée, Gwen was still a devoted fan. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said "too."
"I'll prepare gifts for your parents then. See you at your place tonight?" Herman tried to keep his tone as natural as possible.
Meanwhile, he was processing the information fed back from the [All-Seeing Eye]. According to it, he and Gwen Stacy had met by chance on the street. After that, she had pursued him passionately, and eventually—"captivated by her beauty"—he'd supposedly been "tempted" into agreeing to an engagement.
Herman was utterly speechless. What kind of cheap soap-opera plot was this? And seriously—him, doing something like "getting carried away by her looks"? Ridiculous. The [All-Seeing Eye] had really outdone itself this time!
"Want me to come with you to buy something? Just don't get anything too expensive!" Gwen's voice carried a tone that was warm, familiar, and teasing.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Herman replied, trying to sound calm. He needed time to cool his head, so he declined her offer.
After hanging up, he sat there in silence, lost in thought.
Staring into space, Herman couldn't help but wonder what on earth had made the [All-Seeing Eye] misunderstand him so badly.
Seventeen... Was that really supposed to be his type?
Wait—according to the data, Gwen Stacy would turn eighteen in a few days. Which meant his identity-exclusive mission would soon become possible to complete.
No!
Herman slapped his forehead in frustration. "Why the hell am I even thinking about that?!"
...
Meanwhile, at Osborn Industries.
Inside the top-floor chairman's office, there were no luxurious furnishings—no ornate desks, no leather chairs, not even a comfortable sofa or bed.
The place looked less like an office and more like a sterile, high-tech hospital ward, the air thick with the sharp scent of disinfectant.
On a bed surrounded by medical machinery lay Norman Osborn, the founder of Osborn Group. His frail, skeletal frame was hooked up to countless tubes and monitors, his life sustained only by advanced equipment and costly drugs.
"I've pushed through all opposition to fund two massive, expensive projects as you asked. Now it's time you held up your end of the bargain," Norman rasped, his breath weak as he struggled to focus on the man standing beside the bed.
William.
A scientist who had recently defected to Osborn Industries.
Few knew that the reason William had secured two major projects wasn't because of his talent or reputation—it was because Norman Osborn needed something from him.
"My Mistress is pleased with your cooperation," William said with a calm smile. "She instructed me to bestow her blessing upon you."
As he stepped closer to the bed, his expression remained serene, but beneath his skin, black liquid-like matter writhed and pulsed, grotesque and unsettling. Slowly, he forced a tendril of that inky substance out of his body.
The thick, oily black fluid seemed alive. It extended a feeler-like appendage—and then plunged straight into Norman Osborn's chest.
Almost instantly, Norman's entire body convulsed violently. A low, guttural growl escaped his throat as his emaciated frame began to fill out rapidly.
Within moments, the dying old man's flesh restored itself, his muscles strengthened, and the gray-white hair on his head darkened back to its natural color.
"This... this is a miracle!"
Even though Norman had experienced this transformation once before—only to have the "gift" revoked—the feeling of youth returning to his body again filled him with awe.
"No, it's not a miracle," William corrected him calmly. "It's the grace of the Mistress. Remember that, and keep gratitude for her in your heart at all times."
"Of course. I'm deeply thankful to your Mistress," Norman said sincerely. "Though... might I have the honor of meeting her in person?"
In truth, he was deeply uneasy. He feared that this mysterious stranger—and the uncertain nature of his newfound vitality—could become a leash to control him forever.
"Put away those petty thoughts," William said coldly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "The Mistress granted you renewed life—she won't take it back, as long as you continue to support our research."
"I understand... I understand."
Norman exhaled, a hint of relief softening his face. But his curiosity quickly resurfaced as he recalled the two major projects William had launched. He hesitated briefly before asking the question that had been on his mind.
"Since we're supposed to be partners," Norman Osborn said, his tone calm but edged with suspicion, "I believe I have the right to know the true purpose behind these two research projects, don't I?"
Having ruled the corporate world for decades, Norman was no fool. He didn't buy a single word of the official explanation. His instincts screamed that those two projects had nothing to do with "benefiting humanity."
"That's not something you need to concern yourself with," William replied smoothly. "All you need to understand is this—so long as my research continues without interference, we can please my Master."
He smiled faintly, eyes gleaming with devotion. "And only then can you continue to extend your life. In fact, if my Master wished it, granting you true immortality would be nothing more than a trivial gesture."
William's tone carried a fanatical reverence, almost worshipful. The defeated, hesitant man Norman had once seen in that decrepit old villa was nowhere to be found.
Something had clearly changed in him during this time—something profound.
"Immortality..." Norman's gaze flickered as he mulled over the word. He didn't entirely believe William, of course, but as he felt the renewed vitality coursing through his rejuvenated body, he couldn't help but marvel at this mysterious "Master's" power.
To possess the means to prolong another person's life... that was a power capable of holding the world's wealthiest men by their throats.
No one was free from the fear of death—and the richer they were, the deeper that fear ran. Norman Osborn could scarcely imagine what kind of terrifying world would emerge if this "Master" gained control over every dying tycoon on Earth.
"At least tell me who I'm dealing with," Norman pressed, unwilling to give up. "I deserve to know who your Master really is."
William chuckled softly, his tone dripping with disdain. "You call this a partnership? That's just a polite illusion—something to soothe your fragile pride. The truth is, you should be grateful to even serve the Master."
Still smirking, he finally answered Norman's question.
"However, the Master isn't concerned with others knowing her name. You may refer to her as... Lady Death."