Chapter 15: Chapter 15: He is Superman!
Over the vast endless ocean, the ocean waves were like violent beasts. Surging violently.
Suddenly a figure was seen hurtling rapidly across the sky overhead.
And as he flew by, a dense mist actually spewed from his mouth.
Creak creak...
As this white mist assimilated into the sea surface, it astonishingly instantly froze over a huge expanse of the sea into ice!
The waves that were originally still as rough as a giant beast were instantly solidified at this moment. The sea surface was sharply frozen into a huge pile of ice sculptures.
"The previous me could only have counted as Fake Superman."
"The current me can finally be considered Real Superman."
After casually experimenting with his newly awakened Freeze Breath, Peter felt that he was finally able to be called a Real Superman at this moment.
The next moment, Peter's flight speed instantly accelerated as he flew towards his home in New York.
Without alerting anyone, Peter quickly returned through the upstairs window back to his own room.
He bundled up the clothes taken from some unoccupied room as well as the makeshift cape from the red window curtains into a ball, casually tossing them into the trash.
Peter put on the look of having just gotten out of bed. Slowly walking downstairs.
"Uncle Ben, Aunt May. Good morning."
While greeting Uncle Ben and Aunt May, Peter sat down at the dining table picking up breakfast.
"Good morning Peter..." Both still sitting on the sofa watching the TV responded without turning their heads.
It was now that Peter noticed a very familiar figure in the news on TV.
"Hmmm, is this a report about what happened last night?"
"Hehe. What's that got to do with me? Filling my stomach comes first."
Peter didn't care what was being said on the TV. Picking up his breakfast he leisurely ate, seemingly the incident last night had utterly nothing to do with him.
Yet unlike Peter currently leisurely enjoying his delicious breakfast.
Early morning, having rested less than six hours, Police Chief, George Stacy had already tidied himself up in full uniform radiating dignity and prestige.
Standing solemnly at the podium.
"I sincerely apologize on behalf of all NYPD officers for the malicious incident that occurred last night."
After saying that, Chief George did not hesitate to face all the cameras and bowed deeply in apology.
"Details on what happened last night were..."
A long time later, straightening up again. Facing the numerous reporters who had caught wind early and grasped fragments about the incident hungry for inside news, he slowly recounted the events of last night.
"Here I solemnly reflect on the problematic methods our police previously used to handle issues. At the same time, I announce that the police department's pursuit order against Spider-Woman is completely repealed from this moment onwards."
"And I appeal to Spider-Woman to cooperate with our police, together maintain the city's order, strike at criminals, capture the mastermind behind last night's chaos. To forge a harmonious, free city."
...
Daily Bugle HQ. In the lavishly decorated Boss's office.
"What the f**k! Have these guys gone insane? To actually cooperate with a criminal not daring to reveal her true face. This is utterly humiliating the NYPD's reputation!"
Hearing Police Chief George's words on the TV, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie. A pricey Cuban Monte Cristo cigar dangling in the mouth. Who had been leaning relaxed against a cozy executive chair abruptly shot up? The expensive cigar was flung forcefully onto the ground by him.
Knock knock knock...
Just as he was getting angry over this matter, a knock sounded on the door.
"Enter!"
Having settled his mood somewhat, sitting back in the executive chair, only then did he slowly speak.
"Mr. Jameson. These just came off print, the drafts of tomorrow's paper. See if anything needs appropriate revisions?"
A slender female secretary dressed professionally walked into the office. Handing a freshly printed newspaper to J Jonah Jameson.
"Change it. Rewrite all coverage on Spider-Woman."
Casually glancing over the paper, J Jonah Jameson said without any hesitation.
"But if it's all redone, we may not make tomorrow's circulation deadline."
As secretary, Betty Brant could not question her boss's decisions. She just gave a token suggestion.
"Still has to be changed! Tell all editors to use the fastest speed possible. Orient content around the ugly dealings between police and Spider-Woman. Must make citizens recognize that Spider-Woman is an embodiment of evil. Not some guardian hero of the city!"
"The NYPD cooperating with her means they're accomplices covering up together!"
"By the way, Get those editors came up with an attention-grabbing headline. Preferably one that will make people feel the urge to buy the paper when they see it."
After considering briefly, J Jonah Jameson thought of the general direction to revise towards.
Anyway, continuing to smear Spider-Woman was correct to him.
"Yes boss, I'll get right on it."
Having listened, the secretary prepared to leave.
"Wait! Don't go yet!"
Yet J Jonah Jameson who had returned his gaze to the TV suddenly changed expression. He hurriedly stopped his secretary about to leave.
...
NYPD Press Conference Venue
As Chief George personally revoked the pursuit order on Spider-Woman, all reporters present felt this would be big news.
Yet when a reporter raised his hand and was permitted to ask a question, the scene instantly fell into dead silence.
"Chief George. Regarding what happened last night, I seem to have obtained some information different from your account. Or rather, you're concealing some things from all the city's citizens!"
Following this reporter's words, the composed expression on George's face instantly shifted.
"Sorry. I won't answer this question..."
Before he had time to stop the reporter, he heard the reporter quickly continue, "Some people claim there was an additional supernaturally powerful figure on the scene last night besides the two. One with flight and tremendous strength."
"And police suspect this newly emerged superhuman..."
"Suspected to be a famous hero character in the comics - Superman..."
Before the reporter finished, Chief George ashen-faced announced into the mic: "Very sorry. Today's NYPD press meeting concludes here. Everyone, please leave in order."
"Damn it. Just which bastard leaked the information?!"
Although George was long aware this news couldn't be kept secret for long. He didn't expect reporters to have gotten wind after just the second day. And even asked about it openly at the conference.
"Superman? Impossible. How could something like that exist in reality?!"
A reporter on the scene expressed skepticism at the words of the reporter just now.
"Who is Superman? A Hollywood star?"
This was obviously a guy who had barely read any comics in his childhood.
With countless reporters questioning and wondering, the scene instantly became incredibly noisy.
Even the officers maintaining order who didn't know the details started chattering among themselves.
"Holy crap! Everyone look quick! Just what is that?!"
Following a reporter at the scene pointing towards and crying out at the distant sky. Everyone's gazes involuntarily looked towards where he pointed.
"Is it a bird? Or an airplane?"
Some people couldn't help but guess.
"Damn it! Why'd he have to appear now?!"
Seeing the familiar figure in the sky, George's face was as unsightly as could be.
Whoosh!
The next moment, a burly figure raced over from the far horizon.
Halting right when reaching over everyone. As if completely unaffected by gravity or inertia.
Suspended midair over everyone!
"Oh my god, He's Superman!"
...
(End of Chapter)
To be continued...