Restart, Spider-Man!

"Outta my way, losers! That five million is mine!"

A red-haired teenager flung out a blazing pillar of fire, the flames roaring down the street, illuminating the surrounding buildings in a hellish glow. The heat radiating from the inferno was oppressive, and within the crackling flames, one could almost hear the growls of dragons and the roars of tigers.

The spectacle was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"BOOM!!"

The fire engulfed the still-forming red-and-blue silhouette, intent on burning it to ash.

The onlookers' expressions changed drastically.

"Damn it, he's going to steal the kill!"

"Stop him!"

A girl with pale blue skin narrowed her eyes. Frost spread rapidly from her feet, forming sharp, crystalline spikes that surged toward the red-haired boy, enclosing him in an icy trap.

Crack, crack!

Thud!

The boy barely had time to react before the jagged ice spears pierced his body, spraying crimson droplets into the air. The blood quickly froze, shattering into glittering red shards that rained down, staining the ground.

"What the—?!"

The other mutants recoiled, visibly shaken by the grisly scene.

At the same time, as the fire subsided, the red-and-blue figure fully materialized.

Bzzzzz…

Under the glow of neon lights, Spider-Man's sleek nanotech suit shimmered brilliantly, reflecting a radiant luster.

The light of wealth, some might say.

"Spider-Man's alive!" one of the bystanders shouted, snapping the others out of their shock.

"Even if we just injure him, that's three million! Let's go!"

"Get him!"

In an instant, more than a dozen figures charged at Xia Luo, each displaying their unique mutant abilities. They surged toward him like a chaotic tide.

But Xia Luo didn't move. He stood there, head bowed, utterly still as if his soul had departed.

From the shadows of a nearby building, Erik watched with growing suspicion.

"Why isn't he moving?"

Charles, standing beside him, seemed contemplative. "It's almost like he's... testing something."

"You think he's waiting for us to make a move?" Erik frowned.

Charles shook his head. "I can't read his mind."

Erik narrowed his eyes. "So the rumors were true—he's stronger this time."

On the other side of the street, Agent Hill couldn't contain her excitement. However, she noticed the calm expression on Carter's face.

"Commander, are we just going to stand here and do nothing?" she asked, baffled.

Carter gave a faint smile. "Spider-Man can handle them."

Coulson frowned. "If that's the case, why are we even here?"

"Well," Carter shrugged, "every hero deserves a proper welcome party."

Coulson: "..."

Are you kidding me? I pulled three all-nighters for this 'welcome party'?! he grumbled internally.

---

Meanwhile, the mutants had reached Xia Luo.

"City hero, show me what you've got!"

The ice-skinned girl hurled another flurry of sharp icicles at him, her eyes alight with anticipation.

Spider-Man didn't disappoint.

Though his eyes remained lifeless, his body moved with mechanical precision, effortlessly sidestepping the incoming ice shards. His movements were swift and fluid, as if he weren't even trying.

Before the ice could scatter, a man covered in gleaming silver spikes rushed past the ice girl, his body bristling like a porcupine.

"Spider-Man! Let me give you a hug!"

The man laughed maniacally, lunging at Xia Luo, intending to skewer him.

Spider-Man tilted his body ever so slightly, causing the man to stumble and crash into the ground. Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"Let me try!"

"Together—!"

Several more figures leapt into action. Metal fists, razor-sharp blades, and blinding energy beams filled the air, joined by crimson laser blasts from a teenager's glowing eyes.

Bzzz…

BOOM!!

Despite the flurry of attacks, Spider-Man remained stationary, his head still bowed. Yet his body, like a puppet on strings, effortlessly avoided every assault. He didn't fight back.

Seeing this, the mutants' eyes lit up with glee.

"This must be a side effect of his revival! Now's our chance—"

"Go for it!"

Their attacks became even fiercer, but Xia Luo continued to dodge every move. The atmosphere grew increasingly strange.

Watching from a window, Erik's expression darkened.

"Spider-Man's behavior... something's off."

Charles maintained his calm smile. "Are you going to make a move?"

Erik shook his head. "With all these pawns in the way, I'll figure out the truth soon enough. No need to rush."

"Rush?" Charles raised an eyebrow. "You've been enhanced, yet you're still hesitating?"

"I'm not afraid. I just don't see the need." Erik's tone was defensive.

At the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Carter's expression turned serious as she observed Xia Luo's odd behavior.

"What's going on? He looks like a zombie."

Hill, her nerves on edge, exclaimed, "Spider-Man's revived, but... it's like he's asleep!"

Coulson, watching intently, muttered, "It's not sleep—it's like he's lost his soul."

"Don't be ridiculous! Souls aren't—"

Hill's protest trailed off as she remembered the victims of Johnny Blaze, their souls devoured by the Ghost Rider. Her face paled.

"You think it's that guy again?"

Carter shook her head. "Let's wait and see. I think he's fine."

"You're quite perceptive," a voice whispered in her ear. A phantom figure hovered nearby, speaking directly into Carter's ear—but she couldn't hear it.

Xia Luo grinned.

---

In reality, his soul had left his body, and ordinary people couldn't detect his presence.

Spider-Man's Restless Soul—a new spell—allowed Xia Luo's soul to exit his body and roam freely. Meanwhile, his body operated purely on spider-sense, automatically dodging every threat with precision far beyond what his conscious mind could achieve.

The realization left him speechless. Spider-sense really is a passive skill. My own awareness just gets in the way.

He floated, invisible, as the mutants continued their fruitless assault on his empty shell. They couldn't even graze his suit. Xia Luo found the sight amusing.

Thanks to his enhanced soul, he could stay out of his body for extended periods without discomfort. So, with time to spare, he explored his surroundings.

From the rooftops, Gwen pressed against the glass of a skyscraper, perplexed by Xia Luo's lifeless state.

In an alley below, Johnny Blaze sat atop his Harley, casually adjusting the chains on his shoulders. Suddenly, he looked up, sensing something.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, his expression twitching.

As the Ghost Rider, Johnny could easily see Xia Luo's disembodied soul.

Floating above, Xia Luo crossed his arms and smirked. "What brings you here?"

"Looking for trouble, obviously." Johnny sighed.

"Well, I'm right here. What are you waiting for?"

"If you leave on your own, I can report back. Saves me the chase."

"Mephisto's orders?"

"Yup. Beat you up, and I get three extra years for my dad."

"Want me to make it easy for you?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because you'll just take the chance to beat me up instead."

Johnny gave a strained smile. "I know better. If I don't make a move, you've got no excuse to punch me."

Xia Luo scratched his chin, appraising him. "You're surprisingly clever."

Johnny's grin froze. "That's a reason to hit me?!"

"What do you think?"

Without waiting for a reply, Johnny glanced at his watch, feigned shock, and muttered, "Oh, look at the time. I need to sleep. Bye!"

He revved his bike and sped off, disappearing around the corner.

Watching him leave, Xia Luo decided against chasing him.

---

As Johnny departed, Jonah Jameson appeared at the scene with Betty and Eddie trailing behind.

"Move it! We can't let the other papers scoop us!" Jonah bellowed.

Behind him, Betty leaned against a wall, panting. "Since when do you run this fast?"

"Shut it! Comments like that will cause misunderstandings!" Jonah barked as more reporters surged past them.

"Mutants broke through the blockade! We're capturing Spider-Man's revival!" someone shouted.

Before anyone could act, a blinding burst of magical energy erupted at the battlefield's center.

BOOM!

The explosion sent mutants flying. Those who weren't knocked out stared in shock at the restored red-and-blue figure at its core.

"Spider-Man's back to full strength!"

"That power's insane!"

"Run!"

Panic ensued as the mutants scattered. Xia Luo stretched and yawned.

"That's enough. Let's wrap this up."

With a crackle of electricity, he vanished.

Bzzzzz…

Blue arcs of lightning streaked across the street. In seconds, every mutant was slammed into walls, groaning in pain.

Standing amidst the chaos, Xia Luo flashed a cheeky gesture.

"Honestly, who uses ambushes without guns anymore?"

He turned to leave but stopped when a red sports car screeched to a halt nearby.

The window rolled down, revealing Carter's blank expression.

"Hey, Spider-Man. Get in—we need to talk."

Xia Luo scratched his head. "Sure. One sec."

He stretched, then started doing calisthenics.

"What are you doing?" Carter frowned.

"Warming up to punch you."

"What—?!"

Before she could react, his fist slammed through the car's window, sending her flying out the other side and into a nearby store.

"Why the hell did you hit me?!" Carter emerged, clutching her swollen cheek, seething.

Xia Luo dusted off his hands. "Next time, do your homework. Captain Carter always calls me 'darling Spider-Man.'"

Her expression froze. "Fine. Darling—"

Before she could finish, a vibranium shield smashed into her, sending her sprawling again.

The real Captain Carter landed, catching the returning shield.

"Darling Spider-Man, next time, don't hit my face. It ruins my image. Thanks," she said with mock politeness.

Xia Luo smirked. "Got it, darling Captain."

But his attention shifted as a familiar spear zipped past his ear.

Behind him, Kraven the Hunter strode forward, leash in hand.

"Spider-Man, I've been preparing for your return. Are you ready to become my prey?"

Kraven the Hunter walked confidently forward, his excitement barely contained. The wild wolf on his leash growled low, its fangs bared.

"Spider-Man, during your absence, I've prepared extensively. As my prey, are you ready to face me?" His grin was predatory, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

From the rubble of a nearby shop, a battered figure crawled out. The figure's chest was covered in vibrant, scaly skin that shimmered faintly in the dim light—Chameleon. His chestplate was cracked, blood seeping through the damaged scales.

It was clear that the vibranium shield strike had left a heavy toll.

"That idiot!" Chameleon growled. "Why are you wasting time talking? Just attack already! I was almost killed out here!"

Kraven barely glanced at him, his voice cold. "I don't need your help. You brought this upon yourself."

Chameleon's face darkened, his frustration boiling over. "For the honor of the Kravinoff family, I stepped in to help you. Do you think I wanted to be here?"

"The honor of the Kravinoff family is mine to protect. You're nothing but a disgrace. You can leave now," Kraven snapped, his tone final.

"What did you just say?" Chameleon's expression twisted with fury.

"You heard me."

"You—damn you—"

As the two brothers descended into a heated argument, Xia Luo watched from the sidelines, casually leaning against a streetlight.

"This is entertaining. If only I had some popcorn," he remarked, smirking.

Beside him, Captain Carter strolled over and plopped down onto a nearby bench. "So... how long do you think this will take?"

"Hard to say." Xia Luo shrugged. "Their family honor revolves around hunting people, so... probably a while."

Carter rolled her eyes, checking the time. "You think my team's in position yet?"

Xia Luo glanced around. "Oh, they're here."

At his words, Carter raised her hand slightly. In an instant, agents swarmed the street, their movements swift and coordinated.

Zzzzzzz... BANG!

Energy pulses filled the air, lighting up the dim alleyway. The Kravinoff brothers barely had time to react as a storm of firepower enveloped them.

The wild wolf snarled, lunging at the agents, but it was swiftly cut down, collapsing mid-leap with a smoking wound.

"ARGH!" Kraven growled as he and Chameleon darted into the nearest alleyway, barely dodging the relentless barrage.

From his perch, Xia Luo shook his head and sighed. "What amateurs."

---

In a nearby building, Erik and Charles watched the chaos unfold. They exchanged a glance before silently turning to leave.

"What are we going to tell the big guy?" Charles asked.

Erik's expression didn't waver. "We'll keep it simple: we couldn't beat him."

Charles thought for a moment, then suggested, "You could punch me. It'd make it easier for me to explain."

Erik froze, his eye twitching. "…No."

---

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