Chapter 28: Inspiration! The Club's Future Plans!
"Well, well?"
Jessica beamed, thrilled to be acknowledged by Ethan Lee this time, and she proudly credited Gwen and Skye. "I protected the citizens of New York."
"Jessica, you're amazing!"
Skye's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You handled that powerful lizard monster so easily!"
"I was worried about you at first."
Already fascinated by the extraordinary, Skye was completely enthralled after witnessing Jessica's intense battle up close.
It's incredible to have a friend with superpowers!
"Your popularity is catching up to Ghost Spider's," Gwen remarked, pulling out her phone and showing Jessica the screen. She raised an eyebrow and grinned. "The internet is full of videos of your fight. Some people are even calling you a Valkyrie."
"Goddess? I've heard the boys at school call me that so many times, I'm tired of it," Jessica said proudly. "My name is Female Knight. I hope they can remember that instead!"
"Jessica, why don't you start your own fan club?" Skye suggested.
"I don't have that kind of money…"
Jessica, whose personal funds were running on empty, instinctively turned to Ethan—only to catch him staring at—
Her torn stockings.
"No, no!"
Jessica quickly shut her eyes and shook her head. If she asked for more club funding, her legs might as well go numb from the impending scolding.
She couldn't let money sway her. She was a superhero!
Gwen chimed in with another idea. "Why don't we just change the Ghost Spider Fan Club to the Ghost Spider and Female Knight Fan Club?"
Since Jessica had originally founded the club for Gwen, she wouldn't mind sharing it.
Ethan, sensing the conversation was spiraling, finally spoke up.
"I don't think the name needs to change. Ghost Spider represents the club's original purpose," he said. "Instead, we can shift its focus from being dedicated to just one hero. We can include Jessica's Female Knight and other heroes in the future. That way, more people will join… and we can collect more membership fees."
The three girls initially thought Ethan was making sense—until that last part.
They all rolled their eyes.
You're already rich. Why are you still thinking about money?
"Don't look at me like that," Ethan said, reading their expressions. He took the opportunity to teach them. "If you want the club to grow, it has to evolve into an organization. That means developing some revenue streams instead of just throwing money at it."
His words hit differently this time.
The girls started thinking seriously.
Initially, Jessica had created the club just for fun.
Now, it was transforming into something more—perhaps even an official heroic organization.
They couldn't just treat it as a hobby anymore. They needed to learn how to manage and expand it.
—
"Alright, we're here," Ethan announced as he pulled into the school's parking lot and stepped out.
The three girls, lost in thought about the club's future, quickly followed.
It was break time.
Seeing three pretty girls surrounding a handsome guy, the students turned their heads. It didn't take long for someone to recognize the only superhero student in the school.
"It's Jessica!"
"Jessica! I saw the news this morning—you were awesome!"
Ignoring the shouting, Jessica and Gwen headed to class, while Ethan walked with his assistant, Skye.
Though they were all going to class, each had a different destination in mind.
"My class starts at ten. Skye, go to my studio and prep everything for me," Ethan instructed.
After they parted ways, Ethan sent Skye ahead.
Because he had sensed Peter—and things weren't looking good.
After all, they'd been childhood neighbors. Ethan figured he should help him out.
—
"Peter, you'd better stay away from my Liz!"
"Thompson, I have nothing to do with Liz!"
Under a large tree, Peter found himself surrounded by Thompson and his gang.
Thompson sneered and shoved him. "Pathetic, Parker. Without Gwen and Harry here to save you, what are you?"
Peter protested, "Don't go too far!"
Though he was introverted and shy, he wasn't a coward.
"So what if I do?" Thompson taunted, pushing him again.
Peter, unwilling to escalate things, chose to stay silent.
He knew Thompson wouldn't dare take things too far—he was still a top student and well-respected by the teachers.
But the arrogance, the way Thompson and his friends looked at him like he was insignificant…
It stung.
Then, a voice called out from behind the group.
"Young man, don't be so impulsive."
Thompson turned, instantly recognizing Ethan Lee—the guy who had humiliated him at the party.
He flinched and took a step back. "You again?! What do you want?"
Ethan smirked. "I'm here to throw some dust in your eyes."
"What?"
Before Thompson could react, a gust of wind blew dust straight into his face.
"Ah! My eyes!!"
—
After chasing off Thompson and his lackeys, Ethan casually greeted Peter.
"I've got class to get to," he said, before walking away.
He'd done his part—what happened next was up to Peter.
Under the tree, Peter leaned against the trunk, scrolling through the news about the Female Knight's battle with the Lizard Man.
Unlike most people, he wasn't focused on Jessica.
His eyes were locked on the Lizard Man.
These past few days, he'd been assisting Dr. Connors with research. It didn't take long for him to piece things together.
That's him.
Superhuman strength, overwhelming power, the sheer destruction in every move…
The more Peter watched, the more obsessed he became.
If I use that serum… can I gain power like this?
If I become this strong, Thompson will be nothing. He'll be the insignificant one.
Mary Jane and the others… they'll finally look at me.
A decision formed in Peter's mind.
He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Connors.