Chapter 184: Miss Gwen’s Admiration
First impressions were a very mysterious thing. They depended on appearance, bearing, and the way a person spoke.
Although it was cruel, most of the time, being handsome or beautiful made it easier to raise one's first impression score.
Without question, Matthew was fully maxed out when it came to making an unforgettable first impression.
Although he was young, after his body had continuously evolved and grown through a series of changes, both his appearance and physique were developing in the direction of perfection.
At the same time, Matthew might usually joke around with Reacher and the others when nothing was going on.
But in reality, after building such a vast organization, being followed by countless powerful soldiers, and holding the power to decide life and death with a single word, that bearing had subtly given him a strong sense of confidence.
When ordinary people faced Matthew directly, they would feel that presence most clearly.
Fortunately, Matthew's friendly, big-brother-next-door outfit lowered the intensity of that aura.
After spacing out for a moment, Gwen generously reached out and shook Matthew's hand, a bright smile on her face.
"Hello, Matthew. I'm Gwen Stacy, Carrie's good friend."
Open, straightforward, and confident. That was also a form of self-assurance, and Matthew admired the girl in front of him.
As expected of the Spider-Woman who became Ghost-Spider in many universes.
Even in the main universe, she still possessed a quality many ordinary people did not.
"Okay, since we're all friends, there's no need to be polite."
Matthew glanced at Carrie and gave her a hint.
Carrie immediately understood. She pulled Gwen and ran off, planning to take her to change into a swimsuit so they could go out on the yacht to fish and have fun at sea.
Matthew went to the yacht first.
When the two girls arrived at the yacht, the luxurious vessel made Gwen unable to stop marveling again.
The two girls in swimsuits joined Matthew in laughing freely. They rode jet skis around wildly, played now and then in the pool built into the yacht, drank sweet chilled fruit juice, ate sliced fruit, and basked in the sun.
Although there were only three of them, all three had a great time.
Matthew was the same. It had been a long time since he had relaxed like this.
He had been in a tense state all along.
Often, rest could bring very good feedback.
His mind relaxed quite a bit as well.
By afternoon, the sun was bright. Matthew sat on a beach chair, sunbathing with sunglasses on and his eyes closed as he dozed.
Listening to the crisp shouts of the two girls, he was in a very good mood.
Aside from the three of them, there was no one else on the boat.
After all, this was a private beach and private sea area. Other vessels would not be allowed to approach at all, and with Matthew's ability, he was not afraid of danger either.
Emily had long since prepared drinks, beer, fruit, and more on the yacht.
There were even all the necessary ingredients and seasonings.
After he dozed for a while, the sounds of the girls playing disappeared. Matthew did not even need to open his eyes to know that the two girls had sat down beside him.
Especially since one of those curious gazes was extremely intense.
Matthew opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the two girls squeezed together on the beach chair beside him.
Seeing Matthew move, Gwen jumped in fright, but then immediately said with a grin, "Did I disturb you?"
"Your gaze was hotter than the sun, Gwen."
"Hehe."
Gwen playfully stuck out her little tongue, not feeling the least bit guilty for disturbing Matthew's rest.
Instead, she asked curiously, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah."
"Are you one of the mysterious soldiers from the Manhattan incident?"
Gwen's first question was a thunderclap.
This time, Matthew really was a little surprised. Carrie was the same.
Although Carrie had often been abused by her mother and kept under strict control, she had still heard about the Manhattan incident.
She had also guessed at Matthew's identity.
After all, the power Matthew had shown was far too great, and she had personally heard Lilith call him Earth's guardian.
But she had never connected him to that side of things, nor had she asked.
She only knew that in this world, Matthew was her only family.
Now that she heard Gwen say this, Carrie suddenly understood.
That did seem possible.
"Why would you say that?"
Matthew took off his sunglasses.
"Carrie told me what she went through that night. Earth's guardian, huh?"
Seeing Matthew's reaction, Gwen already had a good idea.
So she continued excitedly, "I don't think that could be a coincidence."
"Clever Miss Gwen."
Matthew neither admitted nor denied it. Instead, he praised her. But after the praise, his expression immediately turned serious and solemn as he began to scare the little girl.
"But every world has its secrets, and its own circles. We are the same."
"Gwen, now that you know our secret, how should I deal with you?"
"No, Matthew."
Whether Gwen was frightened or not was another matter. Carrie, on the other hand, was truly scared. The silly girl immediately panicked, straightened up, and wrapped her arms around Gwen, trying to protect this sister who had shown her so much kindness.
She no longer had the same cowardice as before. Instead, she looked at Matthew with pleading eyes.
"Don't. Please."
That pitiful look made Matthew's expression freeze.
Gwen, held in the girl's arms and feeling her softness, then seeing Matthew's defeated expression, burst out laughing. She hugged Carrie back and buried her head in the girl's embrace, speaking in a muffled voice.
"You're so cute, Carrie. I like you."
"Uh… did I misunderstand?"
Carrie was not stupid. After reacting, she said this dryly, looking a little embarrassed.
"No, you didn't misunderstand. You actually rebelled against your dear brother for Gwen. I have to teach you a proper lesson." Matthew bared his teeth and waved his claws, putting on a fierce and vicious expression. As if he were about to swallow Carrie alive.
Carrie was both annoyed and amused. She even rolled her eyes hard at Matthew, then said perfunctorily, without a trace of emotion, "Yeah. I'm so scared. Sorry, Matthew. I was wrong."
"Hahaha!"
Seeing the interaction between the siblings, Gwen clutched her stomach and laughed loudly.
Carrie, affected by her laughter, could not help bursting out laughing too.
For a moment, their clear laughter rang out endlessly.
Matthew also smiled, deeply satisfied with Carrie's change.
Only after the two girls finished laughing did he speak.
"Okay, clever Miss Gwen, can you keep this secret for me?"
"Of course. But I want to know who they are. They protected me… and my dad and mom too."
Gwen asked at once, her small face full of anticipation.
"They are the most loyal and fearless soldiers in this world. They are the Astartes. And they are the bravest and swiftest guardians in this world. They are the Raven."
Matthew spoke seriously.
The girl could hardly withstand such an introduction. Her beautiful eyes sparkled brightly, filled with pure admiration.
"That's so cool. They're the guardians of this world. They're heroes. More people should praise and admire them." Gwen seamlessly filled in the "history" of the two warbands within her own mind.