Chapter 137: The Outsider

That evening, Leo's personal driver, John, arrived to pick him up. They exchanged some casual banter on the way back home. If Leo ignored the familiar faces around him, it was almost like he wasn't in Marvel but in a normal world. Even with the presence of the Osborn Corporation, the world didn't seem to have as many earth-shattering events happening in front of him. John, driving as smoothly as always, reported the latest changes in the community to Leo. Overall, as the beta version of ctOS had been rolled out to the surrounding neighborhoods, the cost of committing crimes had steadily risen, and the crime rate had sharply dropped. Some motivated and ambitious NYPD officers had even volunteered to patrol these areas. This was because, here, they rarely encountered cases where they could apprehend criminals, and successfully solve robberies and thefts which they can add to their resumes. The falling crime rates reduced the anxiety and fears of the unemployed while giving immense satisfaction and security to the locals. In America, safety is an expensive service, but now these people are able to experience high-quality service at a relatively affordable price for the first time. However, Leo understood that this sense of peace was largely due to Kingpin's temporary retreat. Once he resolved his cash flow problems, he'd definitely come back. The ctOS system and organized crime were natural enemies—unless, of course, the technology fell into the hands of the criminals themselves. For now, though, the streets were relatively quiet, and people weren't afraid to walk home after work. There were more frequent muggings and shootouts. The car stopped, and the two went their separate ways. After dinner, Leo returned to his room to set up the "operating room." [Tech Points -500] [Current Tech Points: 120] In his hand appeared a simplified version of the prosthetic ripperdoc gloves. Unlike the cyberpunk world, where the gloves extended to the elbows, this version only reached the wrists, essentially cutting the size in half. He connected all the surgical tools and adjusted the gloves, making sure everything was ready for the upcoming operation. But an operation like this... he would need an assistant. The question was, who could he trust with such a task? Skye, John, and Anthony wouldn't harm him, but their lack of medical experience could lead to mistakes despite their good intentions. Those with medical expertise, like Professor Connors, couldn't be trusted to see his cybernetic implant. His implants were more than just a secondary heart, and once he was on the operating table, his other implants would be impossible to hide. And he wasn't capable of manufacturing those cybernetic implants on his own yet, so he couldn't explain how they existed. As Leo pondered, he noticed footsteps outside his door—his mother was cleaning in the living room. His mother had worked as a nurse assistant and had some medical experience, and she obviously wouldn't harm him. The surgery could be pretty gruesome to watch—but would that be a problem? Leo hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to ask his mother for help. This operation couldn't be taken lightly; he needed to use all the help he could get to increase his odds of success. Leo opened his door and called for his mother. "Mom, come here for a minute. I need your help." She set down her broom. "What's up?" Leo thought carefully before speaking, "Mom, have you ever worked as a surgical nurse at the hospital?" Maya nodded. "Of course. I've assisted in surgeries before, like removing bullets from someone hit by a stray gunshot. It's pretty common in Hell's Kitchen." "Well, Mom, I need your help with an operation." Maya blinked, not fully understanding what he meant. Leo pointed at his chest. "I need to perform surgery here. I have an artificial secondary heart, and I need it to constantly inject a drug into my body. This drug will improve my cell activity and extend my life." "So, you're telling me you have some kind of miracle drug, but you need to operate on yourself to use it?" Maya repeated his words, trying her best to stay calm, but it was clear she didn't fully grasp the situation. "Exactly," Leo said calmly. "My surgical tools are automated, almost like robotic arms, but I still need someone to assist with disinfecting the tools and managing things during the operation." Maya looked like she had just witnessed the 9/11 attacks—possibly even more shocked than that! Leo remained calm, but the weight of his words was far from light! "Mom, I know this is hard to accept, but I really need your help." Leo cleared off his bed and laid down a sterilized plastic sheet. For most people, a sterile operating environment would be essential, but for Leo, it wasn't as crucial. A simple setup was enough. His mother seemed calm on the surface, and that was all that mattered. It was natural for her to feel shocked, but controlling that shock and not overreacting was key. Based on that standard, his mother had always been quite composed. Leo connected his gloves to the prosthetic system and lay down on the bed. "In the box are medical tools I brought back from the lab. Mom—once you're ready, we can begin." Maya felt light-headed but followed her son's instructions. As she walked, she glanced back several times. At Midtown High, the school dance was in full swing. This was Peter's final semester, just like many of his classmates. Although Peter had come to the dance, he still looked like a nerd, wearing his glasses and looking out of place. He stood awkwardly at the entrance, where a tall blonde guy, surrounded by his friends, slapped him on the back. "Haha, Puny Parker—the biggest nerd at Midtown High!" Everyone laughed. They didn't know Peter well, but since Flash Thompson was there, they joined in, making Peter feel even more uncomfortable. "Midtown's biggest nerd. I was surprised you had the guts to come here." A slightly more mature-sounding female voice interrupted the teasing. It was a blonde girl holding a drumstick. Seeing her, Flash immediately quieted down and headed inside. Peter looked at the girl in surprise. "Gwen, you're playing drums?" Gwen tapped Peter on the head lightly with her drumstick. "I've been practicing for ages. Peter, toughen up a little, will ya? I'll head inside—see you in there." Peter scratched his head and stood there, watching Gwen walk off. He felt even more out of place. It wasn't until Harry showed up that Peter felt a bit more at ease. Even though Harry never flaunted his Osborn background, his last name alone attracted attention. Harry clapped Peter on the shoulder. "Hey, genius. This is a dance, not a science fair. You sure you want to bring your nerd vibes here?" "I'd love to attend a nerdy dance, but I didn't get a ticket for that," Peter shrugged. The two of them entered the dance together. The gym was decked out with lights and decorations, transforming it into the venue for the event. Peter, looking at his well-dressed classmates, couldn't help but feel a bit envious. Not long after, Harry got pulled away by a group of girls, leaving Peter sitting alone by the side, watching everyone else enjoy their youth. Peter felt out of place. He thought he'd probably feel more comfortable in a lab, even though he hadn't officially worked on any experiments yet. But in that area, he was way ahead of his classmates. As he sat there, he began daydreaming about joining a major research project, like the artificial blood study. If that project succeeded, he could become a famous scientist, saving countless lives. As Peter daydreamed, the lights in the gym suddenly shifted, all focusing on the stage! Crash! Gwen, now behind the drums, hit the cymbals hard, and the spotlight illuminated the stage! The host appeared, and a projector behind him lit up. "Welcome to the dance! I hope you all have an amazing time tonight. We have a special surprise guest for you—so, let's start with a video she's prepared!" Peter blinked and, like everyone else, looked up at the screen. The video started at a dizzying height—not inside a building, but on the exterior wall of a skyscraper! Everyone held their breath. The height was terrifying! A pleasant female voice began narrating. "Hey, everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a fantastic night and a big congrats on your upcoming graduation. But words are boring—so I bet you all want to see this." The figure in the video jumped from the skyscraper, her reflection flashing across the glass windows as she fell. The sun shifted from dawn to dusk in the background. "Spider-Woman!" Gasps echoed through the crowd. Peter stared at the screen, transfixed by the sight of Spider-Woman in her black, white, and pink suit. The video showed her swinging between buildings, the shots carefully edited to showcase different streets at different times of day, all captured from impossible angles. Accompanied by music, it was like watching a ballet performed dozens of meters above the ground, with Spider-Woman as the star dancer. More gasps filled the room, but Peter remained silent, his gaze fixed on the screen, reflecting more than just awe. He wanted to be like her. Not Peter Parker—the outsider he felt like now. "Starstruck, huh? Even our resident nerd has a crush." Harry appeared beside him, but Peter hadn't even noticed his friend's approach. "I..." Peter hesitated, recalling what Gwen had said earlier about toughening up. "I mean, who wouldn't like her? At least she's finally admitted she's a girl." "True. No more dumb rumors about a guy in tights," Harry agreed. The band kicked in, and Gwen's drumbeats reverberated throughout the gym. At home, the room was dimly lit, and the stage was set for the operation. The ripperdoc gloves glowed in the soft light as Leo prepared for the procedure. His mother, Maya, stood nearby, still visibly shaken but trying to maintain composure. The atmosphere was tense, and every detail needed to be perfect for the surgery. Leo adjusted the gloves and equipment, his hands steady despite the gravity of the situation. He could see the concern in Maya's eyes, but he knew he needed her help. "Mom, let's start," Leo said, trying to sound reassuring. Maya nodded, though her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the tools. She carefully disinfected them and placed them on the sterile field. Leo lay down on the bed, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself mentally. The surgery was critical, and every step had to be executed with precision. Maya approached with the first instrument, her face a mixture of determination and fear. "Are you ready, Leo?" Leo nodded. "Yes, let's begin." As Maya worked, Leo focused on maintaining his calm and ensuring the process went as smoothly as possible. The room was silent except for the occasional sound of Maya's careful movements and the soft hum of the medical equipment. Despite the discomfort and the tension, Leo knew this operation was necessary. The drug injected into his secondary heart would extend his life and improve his health, making the risks worth it. Minutes passed, and the operation progressed. Maya's hands were steady as she followed Leo's instructions, ensuring everything was done correctly. Finally, after what felt like hours, the surgery was complete. Leo exhaled deeply, relieved that it was over. "Thank you, Mom," Leo said, his voice tired but grateful. "You did great." Maya looked exhausted but relieved. "I hope you're right about this helping you." Leo smiled weakly. "I am. This was a necessary step for my health." He slowly got up from the bed, feeling the effects of the surgery but also a sense of accomplishment. Maya helped him clean up and gather the used materials. Once everything was in order, Leo rested for a while, letting the effects of the operation settle in. He knew that while the surgery was a success, there was still much work ahead. Back at Midtown High, the dance was still in full swing. The excitement from Spider-Woman's video had left everyone buzzing. Peter, still feeling out of place, sat alone, his thoughts occupied by the day's events and the video he had just watched. The contrast between his reality and the world he longed to be a part of felt stark. Harry, having rejoined him after the dance, noticed Peter's somber mood. "You okay, Pete?" Peter nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah, just thinking." Harry raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he decided to enjoy the rest of the evening. "Well, the night is young. Let's try to have some fun." As the music played and people danced, Peter tried to shake off his earlier thoughts. He joined Harry and tried to enjoy the dance, but his mind kept drifting back to the ambition and dreams he harbored. He knew that he wanted to make a difference, just like Spider-Woman. The vision of being a part of something big, something impactful, drove him forward, even if he felt like an outsider now. As the dance continued, Peter found a small sense of solace in the camaraderie and shared experiences. He might not have felt entirely comfortable, but he was beginning to see that perhaps his path was just beginning, and there was still time to make his mark on the world. Back at Leo's place, the night was quiet, and the room was now filled with a sense of calm after the surgery. The operation had been a success, but the real challenge lay ahead in ensuring the treatment worked as intended. Leo reflected on the events of the day, from the quiet streets to the dramatic school dance. He knew that his work was far from over and that the future held many more challenges. For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of rest. The path ahead would be demanding, but with each step, he was closer to achieving his goals and making a difference in the world. And as for Peter, though he felt like an outsider, his dreams and ambitions were still alive, guiding him toward a future where he hoped to find his place and make an impact, just like the heroes he admired. The night was still young, and both Peter and Leo had their own journeys to navigate, each striving to carve out a meaningful path in their own way.