Restart, Spider-Man!

Xia Luo's eyes widened slightly. "So, this thing really exists?"

"Seems like you already knew," Carter remarked, shaking her head. "Through some... particular channels, I learned about S.W.O.R.D."

She rose, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed at the agents bustling below before continuing.

"Initially, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mandate didn't include handling major incidents involving superpowered crimes. The agents were only tasked with global intelligence and resolving international disputes."

"But with the birth of the Avengers, Nick Fury gradually shifted focus toward superpowered criminal events."

"They veered off course," Xia Luo commented.

Carter nodded. "Exactly. Because of that shift, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s workload became overwhelming, leaving them desperate to recruit more personnel. That gave Hydra a chance to infiltrate."

"Uh, S.H.I.E.L.D. was infiltrated pretty early on," Xia Luo reminded her.

Carter's expression didn't change. "That's irrelevant. What matters is that S.W.O.R.D. overlaps with S.H.I.E.L.D. in some of its functions. They not only handle Earth's superpowered incidents but also seem to have authority over extraterrestrial events."

"So what?"

Xia Luo studied Carter's figure by the window. "I think you're already doing a great job as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director. There's no need to get involved with S.W.O.R.D."

Carter was a power enthusiast—Xia Luo had seen through that long ago.

Turning to face him, Carter's gaze was sharp.

"I'm not interested in S.W.O.R.D. It's Nick Fury's friend who intrigues me."

"What do you mean?" Xia Luo asked.

Carter's tone turned ambiguous. "When I took over S.H.I.E.L.D., I reviewed Nick Fury's past records. I discovered that the man he used to be is very different from who he is now."

"In simple terms, there's something off about him—much like the feeling Steve gave me back in the day."

"Even though you've assured me that Nick Fury's friend isn't a bad person, if something's wrong with Nick Fury, even good people can end up doing bad things."

Hearing this, Xia Luo understood.

"You make a good point. But so far, he hasn't slipped up. We'll just have to stay cautious."

"Besides, given the current situation, you don't have time to keep an eye on 'Egghead.'"

"True. I'm busy and don't have the time," Carter admitted with a sigh. "I just wanted to warn you to watch out for him."

She glanced down at the party scene below. "I've looked into these four recruits. They're still far from becoming true Avengers. Their emotions are often unstable."

"I've put them through special training for a while now, but the results don't seem very promising."

Xia Luo walked up to stand beside her, casting a glance at Johnny and his overly bright white teeth. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "So, what do you want to do?"

"A newcomer assessment," Carter replied. "If they really can't handle the job, they'll have to join the reserves instead."

Xia Luo's mouth twitched. "They've already had their welcoming ceremony. It'd be embarrassing if they ended up in the reserves."

Carter shrugged. "No pressure, no progress. With the increasing number of cases I have to handle, they have very little time left to grow. They must learn to stand on their own."

"Alright, big shot. You're telling me this because you're going to make me handle it, aren't you?" Xia Luo guessed.

"Correct."

Carter smiled. "The assessment officer is Spider-Man. I think they'll respect his authority."

"No problem."

Xia Luo turned and grabbed a juice from the mini fridge by the table leg.

"You know me—I'll take care of it. But this is extra work, so it'll cost you."

Carter casually poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Of course. I'm not Nick Fury. I've got money—and plenty of it."

She sipped her coffee, then looked at Xia Luo curiously.

"But I have to ask: since meeting you, I've given you quite a bit of money here and there. Not to mention the hush money you got from Tony. You should be rich by now. Yet you still seem strapped for cash. Why?"

Xia Luo shrugged. "Remember that bald guy?"

"Professor X, right? A terrifying superpowered individual—or rather, a mutant."

"At the time, he amplified his brain with dragonbone fossils and told me many secrets about this world. I've been using that money to eliminate Spider-Man's enemies. That's what I've been doing lately."

"Using money to eliminate enemies?"

Carter blinked. "I don't quite follow."

Xia Luo grinned. "If you're curious, approve a budget for me, and I'll give you a big surprise."

Carter rolled her eyes. "Using my money for your plans? Clever. I should take notes."

"That's how the world works," Xia Luo said, pouring himself a second glass of juice. "When you see the results, you'll be impressed."

"I look forward to it."

"So, when's the newcomer assessment?"

"It's ready. We can start tonight," Carter replied. "Make sure you're prepared. Follow the script to the letter."

Xia Luo pondered for a moment. "To make things more interesting, I'd like to invite that guy to join."

"Who?"

"You know who I mean."

---

Inside an armored cash truck, Wade was dressed in shorts and a tank top, his face covered with a stocking mask. He looked ridiculously excited.

"Oh my God! A frontline superhero playing the role of a robber? How did you come up with such an insanely fun idea? You're a damn genius!"

He gave a thumbs-up, beaming with admiration.

"But Spidey, your style kinda clashes with mine. Are you sure you're not doing this on purpose?" he asked.

Across from him, Xia Luo stood in a sleek black suit, wearing sunglasses and holding an electromagnetic rifle. His expression was cold and aloof.

"A proper thug wears a suit. It's more intimidating," he replied.

Wade glanced down at his ridiculously casual outfit and pouted. "I want a suit too."

"You can't. Your role is my subordinate. A suit doesn't fit your character setting."

"No! I insist on wearing a suit!"

"Then I'll kick you off this job. You didn't even pass the interview. Getting to assist in an Avengers assessment is already a divine blessing."

"Assistant to the assessment officer!"

"That's two more words than 'assessment officer.' You're still not satisfied?"

"I'm satisfied!"

Wade gritted his teeth and slumped into a corner, drawing imaginary circles on the ground.

Xia Luo ignored him, tapping his earpiece. "Agent Hill, we're ready. You can start now."

"Understood."

In a business van on the bridge, Agent Hill turned to Coulson. "How's it going on your end?"

Coulson nodded. "Our people are stationed all around the armored truck. Every precaution has been taken."

"Good. Let's begin!"

Agent Hill raised her communicator. "Dr. Reed, your mission is to subdue the robbers in the armored truck without harming any civilians nearby. Any property damage caused during the operation will also impact your evaluation score. Is that clear?"

In a helicopter hovering above the bridge, Reed responded seriously. "Understood."

"Alright, you may proceed!"

"Roger that."

After ending the call, Reed turned to Susan and Johnny. "This is a live assessment. It's going to be tough. You don't want to end up in the reserves, do you?"

Johnny was raring to go, his tone dismissive. "Even if Spider-Man himself is running this, he's not allowed to use his webbing or his so-called 'spider magic.' Disguised as just another superpowered individual, there's no way he can beat us. Relax."

Susan frowned. "But he has a friend helping him. Anyone Spider-Man partners with won't be a pushover. We need to stay cautious."

The hulking Ben Grimm squatted in the corner of the helicopter, his voice deep. "Yesterday, I saw Barton and Natasha's demonstration. They like to start by lurking near their target. I think we should do the same."

Johnny shot a glance at The Thing and pointed at him, shouting, "You partially mutated blockhead full of laxative! Why are you copying them? They're just seasoned veterans! We're real superheroes! We don't need to waste time!"

Being berated like this, Ben's face twisted with anger. He clenched his fists. "That's it—you just swore at me!"

"Yeah, I did, and it felt great!"

"I'm gonna tear you apart!"

Susan stepped between them, trying to break up the fight. "Save it for after the assessment. Let's stick to the original plan, alright?"

"This plan's a waste of time," Johnny grumbled.

Susan's eyes narrowed in warning. "If you don't behave, I'll send your childhood photos—the ones of you in crotchless pants—to the Daily Bugle. You know how they treat Spider-Man."

"You wouldn't..."

Johnny glared, but he could only surrender.

"Fine, you win, you creepy, voyeuristic sister!"

"Let's move out."

As Susan gave the order, Johnny leapt out of the helicopter.

Boom!

In mid-air, flames burst forth as Johnny transformed into the Human Torch, diving toward the bridge below.

Boom!!

Trailing flames, he soared over the bridge, his heat causing one of the armored truck's tires to burst.

Bang!

The truck veered out of control, but Reed extended his elastic arms, leaping onto the bridge's framework to grab the truck's rear and steady it.

Eeeeeeeek...

Rubber-like hands stretched taut as he braced against the vehicle's weight, gradually bringing it to a stop.

"Help! Somebody save me!"

The truck's door was violently kicked open, revealing Xia Luo in a sharp suit and Spider-Man's signature mask. He hauled the driver out at gunpoint.

"Avengers scumbags, let us go, or I'll kill him!"

Xia Luo pressed the gun to the actor's temple, skillfully using him as a shield to avoid sniper targeting.

The actor, Harry, muttered nervously, "Uh... you swore, man."

Xia Luo leaned closer. "That's what villains do."

"Is that so?"

"Of course."

Seconds later, the Human Torch landed at the scene, pointing a fiery finger at Xia Luo.

"You suit-wearing, sunglasses-rocking thug! Let that guy go! Sure, he's short-legged and shady-looking, but saving him is my job. If you don't cooperate, I'll gladly serve you a flaming protein shake!"

Staring at Johnny's constant trash talk, Harry froze.

"Uh, buddy, I think he's more of a villain than you," Harry muttered.

Xia Luo shook his head. "Take a closer look. He's got Cap's face."

"Hydra Cap's face. Definitely a villain."

"Want me to teach him a lesson?"

"No. If we mess up this assessment, I'll be the one under evaluation. I'll endure it."

Before Harry could say more, Johnny felt something squirming against his chest.

He looked down to find a guy in a stocking mask enthusiastically rubbing up against him.

"Cap, I'm your biggest fan! Can you sign this for me?" Wade chirped, turning around to pat his own butt.

"What the hell is this ugly thing?!"

Johnny recoiled, erupting in flames and scorching Wade to a crisp.

"Noooo!"

As Wade's charred body crumpled to the ground, Reed's face turned pale.

"I told you to catch the criminals, not burn them alive! You're ruining our assessment score!" Reed yelled at Johnny.

Johnny extinguished his flames, looking guilty.

"Uh... is he actually dead?" he asked Xia Luo.

"I didn't mean to kill him! I thought he was superpowered! How was I supposed to know he was so weak?" Johnny stammered.

Xia Luo shrugged. "Relax. He'll be back soon. But your impulsiveness just cost you ten points."

"What?! How many points do I need to pass?"

"Sixty."

"Okay, I still have a chance."

Johnny straightened up, adopting a righteous posture.

"Release the hostage!" he demanded in a low voice.

Xia Luo: "..."

Harry whispered, "He should go into acting."

"Maybe after he loses his Avengers gig," Xia Luo replied.

Just then, his spider-sense tingled.

Clink!

He stepped back, dodging an electromagnetic collar, then bumped an invisible Susan out of hiding.

Crash!

Nearby, a car window shattered, revealing Susan's faint outline.

"Wow, she's not wearing anything!"

Revived, Wade wiped a trickle of blood from his nose, his eyes sparkling.

"An invisibility power that requires undressing? Is this fan service for bystanders?"

"It's a perk for the assessment officer," Xia Luo quipped.

Before he could say more, Reed stretched toward him like a rubber snake, and Johnny launched himself as a flaming projectile.

Behind them, Ben Grimm lumbered forward, carefully avoiding the cars in his path.

Xia Luo observed the disjointed teamwork and sighed.

Lifting Harry into the air, he forced the team to stop abruptly.

"Your mission is to save the hostage first," Xia Luo reminded.

"We know!"

Susan turned invisible again as a bullet ricocheted off Xia Luo's chest.

Bang!

Staggering slightly, Xia Luo noticed the nearby sniper's intervention.

As the shell casing hit the ground, Reed coiled around Xia Luo like a rubber boa.

"Rescue the hostage!" Reed shouted.

Moments later, both were sent flying by Ben Grimm's charge.

"Noooo!"

Crash!

Four figures collided into a bus. Amid the chaos, Reed wrapped Harry in his elastic body, exhaling in relief.

"At least the hostage is safe."

"But you guys aren't."

Amid the rubble, Xia Luo removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

"Congratulations, rookies. Under my leniency, you've successfully saved the hostage."

"But this assessment is far from over."

---

T/N: stellaris HSR got bonked again :((, off to the hub the scribble one (will be reuploaded there this week will put in end of chapter when it has been)

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