17: Chapter 17 Rhino Man

Monday was October 31st, Halloween.

Peter walked downstairs for breakfast, only to be taken aback by the sight before him. Uncle Ben was wearing a pair of glasses with a large fake nose and a comically oversized fake mustache, while Aunt May was wearing a pair of giant Mickey Mouse ears.

"So, are we going for an immersive holiday experience this year?" Peter asked, pulling out a chair to sit down.

"Peter, why aren't you in costume?" Aunt May asked with a smile. "It's Halloween today!"

"Aunt May, aren't I a bit too old to be dressing up in costumes?"

"One should never lose their childlike spirit just because of age," Uncle Ben said, feigning profundity.

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Are you channeling Gandalf now?"

"No, I'm just being a smart-aleck." Uncle Ben grinned.

Aunt May urged him on, mentioning how Peter used to love Halloween when he was little. Peter helplessly replied that he hadn't prepared a costume at all. Uncle Ben patted him on the shoulder and told him to use his imagination.

Peter shrugged. Fine, he'd use some ready-made imagination.

As he walked into school, all eyes in the hallway instantly focused on him. He walked with a casual gait, the corners of his mouth beneath the mask curving slightly upward. He was indeed wearing a costume—his signature suit.

"Spider-Man?!" Flash exclaimed. The guy was actually wearing a homemade, low-quality Spider-Man suit.

"Not really," Peter chuckled. He pulled off the mask, revealing the face that left Flash thoroughly disappointed. "Like it? I sewed it myself."

"You don't deserve to wear that suit!" Flash gritted his teeth.

"I don't think I care what you think." Peter rolled his eyes and walked right past him.

"Spider-Man is a hero! He's brave and incredible, and you'll never be like him!" Flash yelled from behind.

Peter stopped and looked back at him. "Give it a rest, Flash. Since when did you become a Spider-Man fan?"

"Always have been!" Flash's face flushed red as more students gathered around. "He saved a friend of mine and took down a gang in our neighborhood. He's a real hero, and you're just a loser!"

Peter was somewhat surprised. Flash lived in such a rough neighborhood? He shrugged. "But then again, for someone who worships an anti-bullying hero, you're doing a pretty good job at your day job of bullying classmates. Do you think Spider-Man would like a follower like you?"

Flash was instantly silenced, his face turning red to the roots of his hair. He stammered a curse and turned away. Peter ignored him and turned to walk toward the classroom.

The first class was history. Liz Allan was dressed as an Angel, Mary Jane was a sexy little devil, and Harry Osborn had gone for an 80s biker look.

Peter walked into the classroom and took off his mask to say hello. Liz Allan rolled her eyes, while Mary Jane blushed and complimented his costume. Peter took the opportunity to call her a "hot little devil," making Mary Jane's face turn as red as her hair.

Felicia walked in just as the bell rang and sat directly next to Peter when she saw him.

"No costume?" Peter asked.

"I'm way past the age for roleplay," Felicia smirked. "My costume is 'Muscular Peter.' You've got a nice physique; did you make that yourself?"

"It's the real deal."

Harry Osborn chimed in from behind. "Felicia, you'd actually be perfect as Black Cat!"

Flash immediately and lecherously added comments about Black Cat's revealing bodysuit, only to get smacked on the back of the head by Liz Allan. Felicia couldn't be bothered to pay attention to them and turned to stare at Peter. "Take your jacket off; it's pretty hot in the classroom."

Peter did as she asked, unzipping and taking off his jacket.

The classroom went instantly quiet. He was wearing a tight muscle shirt underneath. His body, enhanced by spider powers, didn't have that exaggerated bulk, but his muscle definition was as sharp as if carved by a knife, full of extreme explosive power.

"I'm just going to call you Muscle Man," Felicia said, her eyes fixed on him, looking him up and down without any pretense. "Wrapping a physique like this in baggy clothes is practically a crime against humanity."

The male students nearby couldn't help but whistle. Peter glared at Felicia in embarrassment; this woman was definitely flirting with him on purpose.

All day long, Peter endured the baptism of gazes from all directions. Mary Jane was quite calm, as she had already seen him shirtless before, but Liz Allan's worldview had clearly received quite a shock.

After school, the trio went to the coffee shop to study as usual. Peter put his jacket back on, while Felicia sighed and complained about him wasting such a good thing.

Mary Jane chimed in, saying that since Peter had a good body, he should show it off more. Peter immediately countered, teasing Mary Jane about the time she peeked at him changing clothes.

Not only was Mary Jane not shy, but she also generously winked at him. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again, Tiger."

"Tiger?" Felicia whistled. "That's a nice nickname. I like it too, Tiger."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "You both want to see? If you want to see, you have to treat me to a meal. Otherwise, no deal."

"So, all I have to do is treat you to a meal?" Felicia asked with a smirk.

Mary Jane closed her book directly. "Let's go, let's go on a date. Right now."

Before Peter could react, Felicia had already stood up. "Trying to ditch me? No way. I want Italian food."

Peter opened his mouth like a fish out of water, finally having no choice but to resign himself to his fate, grab his bag, and follow. Sandwiched between two beauties, he internally complained about his mixed luck, but this double blessing was indeed sweet.

At the restaurant, Peter looked at the menu and felt a secret pang of pain for his wallet. The first month's salary from the Fantastic Four hadn't arrived yet, so he had to be frugal. Still, dating two beauties made the expense reasonable.

After ordering, Peter leaned back in his chair and asked Mary Jane why she suddenly wanted to go on a date. Mary Jane said matter-of-factly that since he had previously said he wouldn't show her unless she treated him to a meal, she decided to take action.

Felicia teased from the side, saying that now that Mary Jane was away from her clique of girlfriends, she wasn't acting high and cold at all. Peter expressed his deep agreement, taking the opportunity to complain that Liz Allan was a drama queen, Flash was a hypocrite, and Harry Osborn was a man-child.

Mary Jane sighed helplessly, while Felicia watched the show happily, occasionally observing Mary Jane's figure on the sly.

The date atmosphere was perfect, but Peter checked his watch and made an excuse about having to go to a self-defense class, preparing to slip away.

Not long after walking out of the restaurant, a sharp siren pierced the noise of the street. Peter turned to look and saw a 16-wheel heavy truck speeding onto Highway 278, followed by four speeding Police cars.

A strong sense of crisis hit him instantly. That damn hero instinct was acting up again.

Peter cursed his constitution internally. He turned to the two girls and sighed. "Sorry, I have to go to class. The self-defense instructor is very strict."

"You're just going to leave two beauties behind like this?" Felicia raised an eyebrow.

"I promise to make it up to you next time!" Peter dropped this line and turned to run into an alley.

After confirming that no one was following him, he put on his mask, shot out Webbing to stick his backpack to the wall, leaped onto the roof, and swung toward the highway.

He quickly locked onto the heavy truck. The truck was speeding toward the tunnel, and Peter swung to the opposite lane to wait. The moment the truck passed, he landed precisely on the trailer, gripping the edge tightly. The wind and the roar of the engine were deafening.

He muttered to himself, wondering what on earth was in this truck.

Suddenly, the truck swerved violently, sending an innocent car flying. Peter's pupils constricted—that car was definitely totaled. He had to stop this thing immediately.

He climbed to the side of the cab and saw through the window that the driver was clutching a bleeding side. Peter knocked on the glass, and the driver threw a punch in panic. Peter punched through the glass, hitting the driver's chin and knocking him unconscious.

He steadied the steering wheel with one hand and slammed on the brake with his foot, bringing the behemoth to a steady stop in the middle of the highway. He pulled out the key, snapped it in half, and carried the driver as he jumped out of the trailer.

The Police cars screeched to a halt, and the Police immediately drew their guns and aimed.

"Relax, I'm one of the good guys!" Peter shouted. "The driver is injured and needs first aid!"

A blonde officer in a gray jacket stepped forward and signaled for his subordinates to lower their weapons. "I'm Captain Stacy. Are you Spider-Man?"

Peter was stunned for a moment. Stacy? Gwen's dad? The Marvel Universe really was small.

"You remind me of someone I used to know." Peter handed the driver over to the Police. "Where was this truck stolen from, anyway?"

"This is a Police matter; you have no right to ask," Captain Stacy said coldly.

Peter shrugged and prepared to leave. Just then, the trailer of the heavy truck suddenly began to shake violently.

Bang!

A huge dent was smashed into the trailer door from the inside.

Peter's eyes sharpened. He immediately shot out Webbing, pulling up several sturdy defensive lines between the streetlights on both sides.

Bang!

The trailer door flew off completely, and a huge gray figure jumped out from inside, crashing heavily onto the road. It was a semi-humanoid mech covered in tank armor, carrying a missile launcher on its back, machine guns on both sides, and a huge horn on its head. On the side, eye-catching white letters were sprayed: Hammer Industries.

He immediately recognized the thing: Rhino, one of the classic villains in Peter's memories.

The cockpit hatch opened, revealing a burly man with a buzz cut, laughing like a maniac. "I am Rhino! Those who block me will die!"