Chapter 126: Creeping Shadow - part 2

『I investigated their masks.』

On a makeshift table at the scene sat the masks worn by the "Demons."
They were tribal-looking, black-and-white masks.

Michelle—no, Nightcap—flipped one over.

『East Asian origin. Replicas of historical cultural artifacts. On the inside, there’s a demonic sigil.』

"Heh, so they’re using these for something magical?"

『No. These masks have no special abilities. No voice changers either. They’re just to hide their faces.』

"…Huh? But their voices sounded weird…"

Indeed, their voices had been muffled, distorted—echoing up from the depths of blood itself. Frightening voices.

『At first, I thought the "Demons" could only imbue weapons with power. But I was wrong.』

"…You mean—"

『Exactly. They can imbue humans as well. A human granted power becomes stronger. At the same time, their voice and appearance also change.』

"Seriously?"

『…You didn’t notice, but they had enough strength to twist a doorknob off with their bare hands.』

"Wh-… that’s terrifying."

I frowned instinctively. But when she saw me, she folded her arms and tilted her head in exasperation.

『Not very convincing coming from someone who can lift a tanker truck.』

"Wait—you knew about that?"

『I read it in the Daily Bugle.』

"…You’re still subscribed? The Daily Bugle?"

Michelle sighed under her mask.

『Let’s get back on track. From the communication devices the "Demons" carried, I traced their base.』

"…That’s incredible. So? Where is it?"

『On the outskirts. An abandoned drug factory once used by Madam Gao, the Chinese mafia boss.』

A d-drug factory!?

"Drugs… so this Madam Gao person—"

『She’s dead.』

"Oh… I-I see."

Even knowing it was wrong, I couldn’t help but feel relieved. If drugs had been spread through New York… the thought alone was chilling.

And then—

『I killed her.』

The words knocked the breath out of me.

"…W-what? Why?"

『It was a long time ago. Kingpin hired me. I killed everyone there, Gao included.』

"…………"

That was back when she was Redcap. I swallowed hard.

『The "Demons" were the remnants of that Chinese mafia. They found a new leader, revived… That’s why this incident—』

"It’s not your fault."

The words slipped out before I realized it. She turned her gaze on me.

"This all started because of a fight between bad people."

『…I was the one who pulled the trigger.』

No matter what I said, it was pointless. She never looked away from the people she killed.
…Once, that fact tormented her. But now, what mattered was how she atoned for it.

『…We’ve gone a little off-topic.』

Shaking her head, she started walking again.

『Anyway, we know the base. Come with me.』

"Uh… can you just give me the coordinates? I’ll web-swing us there. It’s faster if I carry you."

Honestly, I thought it was a good idea. With Michelle in my arms, web-swinging… it’s my fastest way to travel.

『…Tempting, but no this time.』

"Oh… okay. Then I’ll just go ahead and—"

『That’s also no. Don’t waste your webs. You’ll need them when it counts.』

"N-no, I’ve got plenty."

『You just got fired again, didn’t you? When did you last refill the web fluid? You don’t have much left, do you?』

"Ah… haha… well, yeah."

There was no use hiding it. She knew my finances better than anyone. After all, Michelle dropped by my place pretty often. She probably knew me second only to myself.

"But then… how do we get there? What are we using?"

『…This.』

She forced open a shutter and stepped outside.
Behind the building, a pitch-black car waited. Looked like a sports car—though I wasn’t an expert.

Michelle tapped at the console on her arm, and the car doors swung open automatically. High-tech. Probably S.H.I.E.L.D.-made, if it was linked to her suit.

Just as I thought that, Michelle pointed her thumb at the car.

『Get in, Spider-Man.』

"…Wait, you can drive?"

『Of course. Got my license last year.』

"I… didn’t know that."

『…Would it have mattered if I told you?』

"W-well, no, not really… nothing would change."

『…Don’t sulk.』

"I-I’m not sulking."

Still feeling a little left out, I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up. Michelle sat down at the wheel a moment later.

The engine roared to life, and she pressed down on the accelerator.

"…So this is like… a nighttime drive date, huh."

『This is hardly romantic.』

…Wait. Why are we speeding up?

I glanced at the speedometer. 70 km/h. 80. 90… What!? We’re still accelerating!?

"Wait, hold on—!"

She wove through traffic like a needle threading cloth. My Spider-Sense crackled like crazy. This was reckless driving!

"Ah—watch out—!"

『Relax. I’ve been driving since my early teens.』

"Th-that’s underage driving!"

A sharp turn nearly snapped my neck sideways.

『Don’t worry. I told you—I’m licensed now.』

"S-say, you’ve never crashed before, right?"

『…………』

"Eh? Why the silence…?"

『Just remembered blowing up one of my brother’s bikes.』

"Why would you say that NOW!? Can I get out!?"

『No.』

She chuckled, pushing the car at a ridiculous speed.
Left, right, swerving all the way—

『We’re here.』

She stopped in a back alley. Fighting down nausea, I climbed out as Michelle came around to stand beside me.

『It’s a short walk from here to the factory. Too risky to get closer by car. We’ll continue on foot.』

"Y-yeah… walking’s fine… ugh."

When I said that, Michelle turned toward me—and spread her arms.

『…………』

She just froze there. …Huh? What’s she doing?

"…What’s wrong?"

I tilted my head, and Michelle lowered her arms.

『Weren’t you going to carry me with your swing?』

"…Ah, that’s what you meant. Sorry about that."

I scooped up Michelle in her armored suit.
The so-called princess carry.

…Hmm, lighter than I expected. Maybe because of the vibranium build?

I shot out a web and launched us into the air.

『…See it? That building over there.』

"Got it. Leave it to the Spider-Taxi."

While swinging, I stole a glance at Michelle.
…Well, she’s masked, so I couldn’t read her expression anyway.

A few swings, a few wall-kicks, and we landed atop a small building near the abandoned factory.

Okay, mission accomplished.

I set her down on the rooftop.

"So, how was the ride?"

『…………』

She folded her arms and turned her face away.

"…Uh—don’t tell me it wasn’t good?"

I remembered how Herman had complained endlessly when I carried him this way. Just as I thought that, Michelle spun around sharply.

『Wrong. It was… a little moving, actually.』

"Eh?"

『It reminded me of something I once wished for. To be held by you while web-swinging.』

"…R-really?"

I had no idea.

Michelle was apparently a fan of me—Spider-Man. Maybe this was like… a princess fantasy?

Thinking that made my face heat up.

"Uh, well? If you liked it, I can do it again sometime."

『…………』

…Still impossible to read her face. And with the voice changer flattening her tone, I couldn’t pick up on her emotions either. Nothing I could do about it.

But most likely… she meant it. Probably.

『…Let’s move.』

"Hey, wait up."

We quietly leapt from the building toward the factory, crouching down to peek through a skylight.

…Bingo.
Masked men, armed and prowling.

『…They’re on alert.』

"…Yeah."

We pressed close together, speaking in whispers.

『…Either they planted a mole among the cops, or one of the "Demons" I defeated managed to warn them before dying.』

"…Not sure, but sneaking in’s going to be rough…"

『…Not impossible, though?』

"…Well, yeah. Though if I get caught, it’ll literally be bone-breaking."

Sneaking around was a spider’s specialty—crawling rooftops, hiding in shadows, moving silently.
I’d infiltrated plenty of mob hideouts before. This wasn’t my first rodeo.

『…Can you slip in ahead and find out what their objective is?』

"Mi—Nightcap, what about you?"

That was close. Nearly used her real name.

『I’ll stay here. I’m good at stealth, but not as good as you. From here, I can maintain a vantage point, observe, relay—』

Suddenly Michelle cut herself off. She turned sharply.

I spun too, focusing where she was looking.

Something was coming closer.

A black, whip-like shadow—and then:

"Well, well, Spider. Fancy meeting you here."

She landed in our spot.

A woman. Dressed in a black, skintight, seductive outfit.
The chest was cut open, cleavage on display. Flowing silver hair, eyes masked in black, lips painted red with an alluring gleam.

That woman called my name.

Do I know her?
Yeah. I do.

She gave me hell a year ago.

"Felicia…? I thought you quit."

Felicia Hardy.
Alias: "Black Cat."
Occupation: thief… or at least, she was. Didn’t she swear she’d gone straight?

I could’ve sworn she told me: "I’m leaving that life behind. Going back to being just a normal girl."

"Oh, don’t be so cold. After all, we spent such a… passionate night together."

"Wha—!"

I choked. Passionate? She meant that time we got caught up in a mafia war with bullets and bombs flying everywhere, right!?

For the record, there was never anything romantic. She once tried to force a kiss on me, but I barely fended her off. I already have a girlfriend.

And speaking of said girlfriend—

『…………』

Arms folded, Michelle turned her face toward Felicia. Silent.

Uh. Say something. Please. This is terrifying.

"F-Felicia? I’d appreciate it if you’d cut the jokes, yeah?"

"You’re no fun."

She stepped closer, brushing her hands against me. The sensual touch sent a shiver up my spine.

"S-stop that too…"

Felicia’s past…
She once had a boyfriend—her first—who assaulted her. Because of that, she lost the ability to trust others.

But a year ago…
When we clashed, when she was still stealing, when we both got dragged into that mafia war… after all that, she came to see me as someone she could trust.

The result is… maybe she’s looking at me favorably? I can’t be sure, but on the surface, it seems that way.

She’s so forward, always pushing in. She’s not a cat at all—she’s definitely a panther.

However—

I glance at Michelle.

She’s standing there, arms folded in silence. Without a word, she’s just watching me and Felicia.

…She’s definitely angry. T-this is bad.

"Felicia, maybe that’s enough—"

"So? Who’s that?"

Felicia cast a sidelong glance at Michelle.

Who’s that? …Ah, she thinks Michelle’s a man. Well, I guess in that black armored suit, you can’t really tell the gender.

I need to correct her—

"Um, the person over there is—"

『Nightcap. Agent of “S.H.I.E.L.D.”』

Michelle’s flat voice cut me off.

Actually, come to think of it, she’s been interrupting me a lot lately. Is everyone just on edge? Or just plain angry?

C-come on, let’s all calm down. Okay?

Under the suit, sweat trickles down my back.

"Oh my? Spider, you’ve gotten cozy with S.H.I.E.L.D., haven’t you?"

"No, that’s—"

Felicia’s hand slid down, brushing against my waist. At that gesture, Michelle’s whole body radiated tension.

『This has nothing to do with you, Black Cat.』

"Oh? So you know who I am?"

Michelle spat the words out like venom. Felicia’s eyes sharpened in response. The hostility between them was clear… and then Felicia suddenly smiled.

"Could it be… you’re ‘Redcap’?"

…The air froze.

Felicia—Black Cat—is a thief. But she doesn’t have any special powers. Just exceptional physical ability.

That’s exactly why she doesn’t slack off on information gathering. It wouldn’t be strange for her to know Michelle’s old name.

『…That’s what I was called once. What of it?』

"I knew it. I wondered why I stopped hearing rumors about you. Turns out you defected to S.H.I.E.L.D.? Interesting."

A sharp tingle crawled up my neck. Maybe it was Spider-Sense, maybe just plain awkwardness.

"I don’t like fickle men like that. Can’t trust them."

Felicia pointed straight at Michelle.

『…………』

"And honestly, I’m surprised S.H.I.E.L.D. even let you in. You’re a mass murderer, aren’t you?"

『…That’s right.』

"What’s the plan then? Playing the hero? Or are you secretly—"

I caught Felicia’s hand.

"That’s enough, Felicia."

I was—

"What’s wrong? …Spider?"

—I was angry.

"It’s not right to talk like that when you don’t know anything. Don’t just assume the worst."

"…………"

『…………』

At those words, both Felicia and Michelle fell silent.

In the heavy air, I heard a sharp tsk. Felicia.

"So, you’re taking her side, huh?"

"That’s not it. I’m not choosing sides. I just think you went too far."

When I let go of her hand, Felicia stepped away, glaring daggers at Michelle without a word. …Maybe defending her had backfired. It only deepened the rift.

Michelle sighed right after.

『You didn’t come here just to start this kind of argument, did you? What do you want?』

At Michelle’s words, I nodded quickly. Honestly, I wanted the subject changed.

"R-right. Felicia, why are you here? Didn’t you quit stealing?"

"…Things happened. I need money. So I decided to steal from bad people."

"…Even if they’re bad people, stealing is still a crime."

I said that while conveniently ignoring my own situation. I’m no better—being a hero is technically illegal too.

"And what about you?"

"We’re trying to figure out what the Demons are after."

"Then I already know."

"Eh? Really?"

I leaned in closer to Felicia, but Michelle stepped back. Both physically and emotionally distancing herself.

"The war with Maggia. That’s what the money’s for."

"Maggia?"

I rested my chin in my hand.

Maggia is a massive crime syndicate made of multiple mafias working together. A powerful organization with reach far beyond this country.

"The Demons’ boss hates Maggia. And the Chinese mafia has always been at odds with Maggia too. Their interests just happen to align."

"I see… and the boss’s name?"

"The boss is—"

Clack. A sound from below.

Through the skylight, I saw a door swing open. Someone had entered.

"There he is."

Pitch-black skin that didn’t reflect light. A stark white business suit and hair.

As if black and white had been inverted.

A grotesque figure, like a photograph with its colors reversed.

"‘Mister Negative’… that’s what they call him."

…It was obvious he wasn’t a normal human being.
I steadied myself and peered down through the skylight.

He was saying something, but… damn, I couldn’t hear.
Then again, if I couldn’t hear them, that meant they couldn’t hear us up here either…

『…Another operation failed in succession… He says they’ll abandon the fundraising. Being watched by “S.H.I.E.L.D.” and other vigilantes would be too troublesome.』

"Huh? You can hear that?"

『I’m only reading his lips.』

…So that was one of Michelle’s skills.
Moments like this really showed how reliable she was—like a true agent.

『He wants to strike the real target before the security tightens. The day after tomorrow… it looks like he’ll attack Maggia. And the weapon he’ll use is—』

Michelle stepped back from the skylight.

『Devil’s Breath?』

"…Are you serious?"

Even Felicia, who had been pretending not to care, reacted at Michelle’s words.
I, meanwhile, just tilted my head, arms folded.

"What’s that?"

Both of them shot me a glance.
Felicia looked exasperated. Michelle seemed to be weighing how best to explain it.

『…It’s a special gas developed years ago under Oscorp—no, under Norman Osborn’s direction. Inhaling it wasn’t even necessary. Simply contacting it in mist form through the skin would correct genetic disorders… a dreamlike cure.』

"Norman…? Well, that actually sounds like a good gas, right?"

『…If you can cure genetic disorders by skin contact, that means you can also alter genetic information.』

At that point, it hit me.

"No way… you mean it can totally wreck someone’s genes?"

『Exactly. Inhaling isn’t required. Just the slightest contact, and it can damage DNA, turning the body’s cells into cancer cells.』

I caught my breath.

"Why would Norman ever create something like that…?"

『Originally it was meant as a cure. But “normalizing” genetic data was too complex. Destruction, on the other hand, was simple… In the end, it was a failed product.』

"That’s awful…"

『I told you—it sounded like a dream. But dreams remain only dreams.』

Felicia’s expression hardened as well.
I turned my gaze back to Michelle.

"But… why would Mister Negative have Devil’s Breath?"

『After Norman’s death, S.H.I.E.L.D. confiscated Oscorp’s drugs and hazardous materials. About a week ago, they were stolen. Some of it had already surfaced at black-market auctions… he must have bought it there.』

A thief, then.
I instinctively glanced at Felicia.
She shook her head.

…Well, of course she wouldn’t do something like that.

Still, she glared at Michelle, clearly irritated.

"So, someone actually broke into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s storage? You’ve gotten sloppy."

『The warehouse walls were reinforced with super-metals. Even missile strikes wouldn’t have left a scratch… and yet there was a gouged-out hole. Likely the work of someone with special powers—』

Michelle cut herself off and shook her head.

『No. That doesn’t matter right now.』

She tapped her mask with a fingertip.

『What matters is that this cannot be used. The plan may be to target Maggia, but innocent civilians could be caught in it.』

The way she said it… it almost sounded like she didn’t care if Maggia themselves died.

She must have noticed my thought, because Michelle glanced my way.

『…That was poorly phrased. Of course, I don’t intend for anyone to die.』

"…It’s fine. I never thought you meant otherwise."

I accepted her words.
Felicia, however, gave us a strange look.

"Hmph. You two are awfully close…"

"A-ah, no, it’s not like that…"

Felicia didn’t seem to have much fondness for Michelle.
She flipped backward and rose smoothly to her feet.

"Well, whatever. I’ll do things my way."

"…You won’t cooperate with us?"

"Did you mistake me for some kind of hero? Cats are fickle creatures."

…She had approached me, sought me out to talk.
So at first, she probably did intend to cooperate.

But after speaking with Michelle—after seeing me take Michelle’s side—she must have lost the will to help.

…Truly, a capricious black cat.

"Just don’t get in my way."

"…Right back at you."

She stepped away from us… placed her hands on the air duct—

"And… let’s meet again. Next time… just the two of us."

She slipped inside. Silent, quick… practiced.

Like a cat, moving with effortless agility.

…And then, nervously, I turned to Michelle.
She stood with arms folded, utterly motionless.

"A-ano, Mi… Nightcap?"

I shifted in front of her and waved.
She ignored me, eyes fixed on the view below through the skylight.

『Enter from a different direction than her. Your target is to secure Devil’s Breath… or its activation key. But do not destroy the capsules.』

"R-right… got it…"

I sat down beside her, sweating cold.
…Awkward. Really awkward.

She’s probably mad.
That I met another woman without her knowing.

I-I’ve got to apologize somehow—

『…Haa.』

She sighed, turning her gaze on me.

『…Spider-Man.』

"Y-yes?!"

I jolted in surprise.

When I looked at her, the front of her mask unfolded.

Her cold eyes… and her bare face were revealed.

"M-Michelle…"

I slipped and called her by name, but she didn’t mind.

"…I don’t get angry over which woman you happen to meet with."

"…O-oh. I see."

I knew it was the wrong time for this conversation.
Criminals were right below us.
This wasn’t the place.

But being a hero meant living with danger.
No guarantee either of us would be alive hours from now.

…That’s why I wanted to talk.
And I think she did too.

Her eyes were cold, yet her cheeks softened slightly.

"…You do love me, don’t you?"

"…Yeah. I do."

"Then there’s no need for me to worry. It’s not infidelity, so there’s no reason to be angry."

"…Maybe. But doesn’t that sound a little too convenient for me?"

"Your kindness to everyone is one of your virtues. Besides… it makes me proud when others find my partner desirable."

"Y-you think so?"

"I do."

She stepped closer, closing the distance between us.
Her hand reached out—

Her fingers hooked beneath my mask, tugging it upward under my chin—

"H-hey, Michelle…?"

She pulled it up to my nose—

And kissed me.

I didn’t resist. I only watched as those soft, alluring lips slowly drew away.

"…We love each other. That’s enough, isn’t it?"

"…Yeah. It is. More than enough."

Yes—more than enough.
Not the bare minimum, but overflowing.
So much that everything else seemed trivial in comparison.

Michelle touched her ear, adjusting what looked like a comm device.

"Now—"

Her mask sealed back over her face.

『Let’s save some lives.』

She crossed her arms and looked down through the skylight.

"…Yeah. Our turn."

We were a team.
As heroes, and as partners.

We’d keep moving forward together—
No way we’d stumble here.

For now, our job was clear… stop the villains’ plan, and protect this city.