Chapter 45: Strange Light
This is seriously annoying. I’m stuck here, unable to do anything but wait. Time feels slower than usual, as if it’s deliberately toying with me, stretching every second into something longer, heavier, and far more irritating than it should be.
Is this what they call the bad luck of being Spider-Man? If it is… then this world is seriously unfair.
I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself. My chest rose and fell slowly as I forced down the irritation that was starting to disrupt my focus.
Getting angry at a situation like this is pointless… even though, honestly, that doesn’t make it any easier.
But just as my thoughts began to settle, something suddenly caught my attention. My gaze instinctively shifted into the distance, piercing through the darkness of the night toward Queens, which appeared only as a faint silhouette behind the city lights.
“Hm…?” My brow furrowed, my eyes narrowing as I tried to make sure that what I was seeing wasn’t just an illusion caused by exhaustion.
There—far in the distance—was a light. A very bright light. Too bright for a night like this.
It was coming from the direction of Queens, and it was clearly not just a streetlamp or the glow of ordinary buildings. Its intensity was far more striking, stronger, as if something had exploded… or was gathering at a single point.
The light even seemed to pulse faintly, rising and falling in an unnatural rhythm, like something alive—something with its own energy.
My mood shifted instantly. The irritation that had dominated me just moments ago slowly faded, replaced by an uneasy feeling that surfaced from within—cold and sharp.
No… this isn’t normal. Without needing to think it through, I already knew—or at least, I could feel it—this was trouble. And not just any trouble… this felt like the kind of problem that belonged to the Marvel world, the kind that always ends in massive chaos.
My heart started beating faster.
Before I even realized it, I was already on my feet. My body tensed, ready to move at any moment if needed.
My instincts screamed at me, relentless and urgent, telling me that I couldn’t just sit here, pretending I hadn’t seen anything, as if none of this had anything to do with me.
I had to go there.
Without giving myself time to hesitate, I immediately ran toward the bus exit.
My movements were quick and firm, almost rushed, ignoring the confused stares from the other passengers who had started paying attention to me the moment I suddenly stood up.
Some of them looked puzzled, brows raised, eyes following my every step. A few even opened their mouths as if they wanted to call out or ask something, but I no longer cared. Their voices were nothing more than faint background noise, meaningless and distant.
The moment my feet touched the asphalt of the bridge—cold and solid beneath my shoes—I dashed forward without hesitation.
My body moved faster than before, as if all the remaining energy within me had suddenly gathered and been released at once.
From behind, I could hear the bus driver calling out to me, his voice filled with confusion, mixed with a hint of annoyance at my sudden departure in the middle of a situation like this, when everyone else had chosen to wait.
But his voice was quickly swallowed by the night wind. The farther I ran, the fainter it became, until it finally disappeared completely, left far behind along with the bus that remained stopped in the middle of the bridge.
I didn’t care.
Because right now, there was something far more important.
My mind was filled with a single thought, repeating over and over like an echo that refused to stop—Queens.
If something really was happening there… then the situation could turn very bad.
Far worse than I wanted to imagine.
I gritted my teeth, my jaw tightening as I unconsciously picked up my pace, the muscles in my legs straining as they worked relentlessly, driven by the surge of adrenaline now taking over my entire body.
Damn… don’t tell me this is really happening right now. May and Peter are in Queens, and even worse, it’s already midnight.
If there really is a fight or some kind of chaos there, if that light is truly a sign of something big… then the chances of them being caught in it are extremely high.
The thought came instantly, sharp and merciless, piercing through my mind as grim images began to surface one after another.
Explosions shaking the ground, buildings collapsing with terrifying crashes, people running in every direction without purpose, panicked screams echoing through a night that should have been silent.
My chest tightened even more. No… I won’t let that happen. If something really is going on there, then I have to get there first.
I have to make sure they’re safe before it’s too late, before something irreversible happens and leaves behind a regret that will never fade.
My steps grew faster, turning into a full sprint without holding back. I was no longer trying to conserve energy.
My breathing became heavier, my chest burning every time I pulled in air, but I forced my body to keep moving.
Fatigue began to creep in, faint but real, yet I ignored it completely. This wasn’t the time to stop.
I had to get there as soon as possible. Without wasting even a second, I ran across the bridge, my speed continuing to increase.
Each step felt heavier, yet also stronger, driven by a determination that kept hardening.
The shoes I wore struck the pavement in a rapid rhythm, producing sharp, repeated sounds, almost like small explosions chasing behind me.
The wind slammed against my face, cold and sharp, piercing my skin like fine needles scattered through the night air.
But instead of slowing me down, the sensation only made me more alert, more focused on a single goal.
The streetlights I passed cast long shadows that moved quickly around me, as if the world itself was running alongside me, turning into blurred streaks of light.
As soon as I reached the Queens side, I didn’t stop. Without the slightest hesitation, I immediately turned into a narrow alley that looked deserted and barely lit.
My pace slowed slightly, just enough to adjust my position, but my breathing was still heavy and fast.
My eyes sharpened as they scanned the surroundings. The place was dark, quiet, and almost untouched by light.
The walls of the buildings towered on both sides, forming a narrow passage hidden from the view of the main road.
A perfect place to do something without drawing attention… that alley… a perfect spot.
I stopped for a moment in the middle of the narrow alley, letting my steps come to a halt while my breathing remained slightly uneven after running so far.
My chest rose and fell irregularly, and the cold night air cut sharply into my lungs.
My eyes quickly swept the area, moving from one corner to another, making sure there wasn’t a single person around who could see what I was about to do.
The alley was dark and silent, as if cut off from the outside world, lit only by the faint glow of a streetlight at the far end that barely reached inside.
Long shadows stretched across the worn walls, while the damp smell and thin layer of dust filled the air. There was no sound except for the occasional whisper of wind slipping through.
Without wasting any time, I moved immediately. With quick and efficient motions, I began removing the jacket and security uniform I had been wearing.
My hands moved deftly, almost without pause, as if every second was precious.
The uniform felt heavy, stiff, and restrictive, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to my skin. It was completely unsuitable for a situation like this.
Especially if I had to move fast or fight under pressure—every second spent wearing it would only slow me down.
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