Chapter 75: Ross! The Ancient One! Serum! The Club is Growing Rapidly!
"Huh~"
Natasha exhaled softly, a smile playing on her lips.
"Mr. Lee, you're quite powerful. It seems I'm no match for you~"
If Natasha could have easily beaten Ethan Lee, she wouldn't have minded showing off a few tricks. But just based on his palm technique alone, she knew she'd have to go all out in a fight.
And Black Widow didn't fight like that—not unless she had to.
As a seasoned agent, why would she reveal her full strength just for the sake of competition?
"Can you teach me?"
Natasha leaned in closer, the faint scent of Britney's fresh fruity perfume drifting in the air.
Ethan, of course, didn't refuse. He wrapped his arm around her and began demonstrating the key techniques step by step.
While also teaching Cindy and the others, whose responses were more shy and varied, Ethan and Natasha appeared completely focused—serious, professional. There was no awkwardness about their physical proximity.
The people in the ring didn't seem to mind.
But those watching from below felt differently.
Pepper rubbed her temples.
Why is it that whenever Ethan is with a beautiful woman, there's always a bit of… tension in the air?
A humanoid, self-propelled seduction machine.
Tony felt inexplicably bitter.
Teach a pretty woman? Ethan's hugging and hands-on.
Teach him? Ethan just beats him up over and over…
—
Meanwhile, Natasha was genuinely surprised by Ethan's technique.
With her decades of combat experience, she still found something new to learn in just a few minutes.
Her skills had plateaued for a long time. Even a small improvement now was rare—and precious.
And she could tell Ethan had only scratched the surface.
So, after he taught her a few more moves, Natasha took the initiative to exchange contact info.
"We should train together again~"
She slipped a folded note into Ethan's pocket with her slender fingers, her voice dripping with innuendo.
"The… deeper kind~"
She meant to continue discussing martial arts techniques. But the wording was intentionally ambiguous—she was hoping her charms would draw Ethan closer.
—
After exchanging numbers, Ethan didn't entertain her any further. He stepped out of the ring and returned to his seat on the sofa.
As attractive as Natasha was, he still preferred Gwen and the others. Cute and sexy girls were far more his type.
"It's my turn."
Seeing Ethan defeat Natasha so easily, Tony got the absurd idea: "I can do it too."
So he entered the ring.
And next—
Bang!
The ring sounded.
After reading a few of Tony's clumsy moves, Natasha casually knocked him flat.
"Ah…"
Tony rubbed his back and hobbled over to sit beside Ethan.
"Lee, those techniques you taught me are garbage. I couldn't even touch her."
"Practice more."
Ethan didn't even look up. "If it weren't for my moves, she would've taken you down in a single hit."
"What are you looking at?"
Tony leaned over. "More dance girls? Honestly, your girls are way hotter."
"News."
Ethan turned the screen toward him.
> [Gamma infection in Milwaukee… patient reportedly drank a bottle of guarana soda…]
"Oh, that? Old news," Tony waved it off. "By the way, that cloud project of yours—'Heart Cloud'? Sounds marketable. Girls'll love it."
"Mr. Stark."
Natasha stepped over with a document in hand.
"I need your fingerprint here."
"Sure thing."
Tony pressed a red thumbprint on the transfer papers, then turned back to Ethan.
"You interested in racing in Morocco?"
"Hmm?"
"This time's gonna be big."
—
The Next Day
Ghost Spider Club – Pharmaceutical Research Institute
Beep beep—
Tick-tock—tick-tock—
Various machines and instruments hummed and beeped in rhythm.
Before Walter fled, he'd secretly passed the formula for the Super Soldier Serum to his daughter, Felicia—who then handed it to Ethan as thanks.
It came with complete data.
The serum had now been successfully developed.
Next: create diluted, weakened variants and turn them into health-focused products for public sale.
Money would roll in like waves.
—
"Dear~"
"Don't call me that."
Ethan calmly patted Kate Mara's lower back.
"You asked for something. Ross delivered.
Have him schedule an injection for someone."
"How heartless~"
Kate pouted. "You devoured me whole—can't you show a little tenderness?"
"I will." Ethan pulled her into his office. "Soon."
Kate Mara and Gwen were very different.
Kate wasn't a potential hero, nor tied to any system-based objectives.
Ethan didn't have deep feelings for her—it was physical. She remained in the picture mainly because of her connection with Ross.
Where Gwen and the others were main courses, Kate was more like a dessert.
Kate herself claimed she'd saved her body for an exceptional man—and chose Ethan the moment they met. Within seconds, she knew which hotel to book.
—
"How am I treating you, Kate?"
"Good…"
Her eyes misted over.
She felt she'd chosen wisely. Boldness had brought her luck.
And the longer she stayed by Ethan's side, the more she appreciated her decision.
Eventually, people would see it too: even being Ethan Lee's woman unofficially was a privilege.
"Then bite this."
Ethan held a round object to her lips.
"What is it?"
From her angle, she couldn't see it—but the scent and feel were familiar…
"It's your badge," Ethan said. "You dropped it."
"Oh…"
Kate obediently bit down on the police badge—symbol of her sacred duty—with her lips.
—
Time Passes
U.S. Military Base
"General Ross, everything's ready on our end."
Kate relayed Ethan's instructions. "Just have someone sent for the serum."
"Excellent work, Ms. Kate. Though… you might need a new badge."
Ross glanced at the one she wore, spotting faint bite marks.
Given his years of experience, he immediately understood.
Kate Mara was now Ethan Lee's woman.
Everything matched up. Ethan's reputation was well earned.
Ross had even considered sending someone to seduce Ethan, but analysis revealed he was extremely selective.
Kate, with no direct link to Ross's team and plenty of charm, was their best bet.
She'd accepted the assignment quickly—interested in Ethan herself.
Ross lit a cigar.
"Alright, but I'll be keeping this one as a souvenir~"
Kate smiled, pinned the badge back onto her uniform, and walked off.
In the shadows, Bronski spoke.
"Will this serum really restore my youth, General?"
"Better than that." Ross blew out smoke.
"You've heard of Captain America, haven't you?"
"Your dream is coming true, soldier."
—
Somewhere Else
Hospital – Strange's Office
"Doctor Strange, what's that?"
A colleague spotted the race tickets in his hand.
"Moroccan Grand Prix? You're not actually racing, are you?"
"Relax," Strange replied coolly. "It's just a hobby."
"I'll keep it safe. Not planning to race pros—I'm not that reckless."
"Hmm… your choice."
Something about Strange's smug tone rubbed the other doctor the wrong way.
I hope he crashes and burns, he thought darkly. Let's see how proud he is then.
Suddenly—
Neither of them noticed the thin figure in a yellow robe standing just outside the window.
Fan in hand, face half-covered.
"The timeline's shifted slightly… but in the end, you'll walk the same path, Strange."
---
There were many scientific researchers coming and going.
Gwen, dressed in her Ghost-Spider suit, curiously picked up a tube of reagent with her small hand. "Ethan, is this Felicia's father's secret?"
"Enhanced human bodies… super soldiers…"
She read the label aloud, eyes widening in surprise. "No wonder S.H.I.E.L.D. is after this too."
As an outstanding student in biological sciences, Gwen understood the true potential of this serum better than most.
"Don't look so surprised," Ethan said, glancing at the time on the sleek black ring around his wrist. "Its effects aren't nearly as strong as yours."
"They're coming."
"Don't worry, Ethan. I'm here to make you proud~"
Gwen's pretty face under her mask curled into a smug smile.
She had come today to back Ethan up.
To outsiders, the Ghost Spider Club might seem like nothing more than a group of fun-loving enthusiasts—but in truth, it had already taken a step ahead of the Avengers. The club had grown into a powerful superhero organization with branches across various regions. Its industries had formed a complex capital chain, gaining influence even in political spheres (as tends to happen in the U.S.).
Sky had been managing much of the club's affairs recently. She was sharp and full of potential. In the original comic arcs, Daisy Johnson had become director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—so running the club's businesses on behalf of Ethan and Jessica was well within her capabilities.
Of course, she was just at the top of the chain. The actual recruiting and management were handled by teams below her.
In short, the Ghost Spider Club was rising fast—and S.H.I.E.L.D. had definitely taken notice.
It was hard to believe that this once-small club, born from a group of high school students, had grown so rapidly. A combination of Ethan's connections, help from Stark Industries, and other factors contributed to its meteoric rise—details of which are too many to elaborate on here.
———
Soon, General Ross arrived with his men.
Bronski walked beside him, followed by soldiers armed with live rounds.
"General Ross, have your men wait outside," Ethan said firmly. "Don't frighten my researchers."
Click! Click!
The sound of rifles being readied echoed in unison.
Gwen narrowed her eyes and immediately stepped forward.
She stood in front of Ethan, the purple and pink lines on her suit glowing. The ridges on her back shifted slightly before spreading open—four sleek, spider-like mechanical limbs extended outward.
The tips of the limbs shimmered with bright pink energy, forming short blades reminiscent of lightsabers.
This was a new energy weapon Tony Stark had recently developed and installed in the suits of Ghost Spider Club members. While not quite as powerful as a traditional lightsaber, they could easily slice through standard metals.
"You, stay outside and guard," Ross ordered sharply.
His eyes betrayed a flicker of fear.
It wasn't just Gwen that unsettled him—the Ghost Spider Club had several enhanced individuals. And then there was Ethan Lee… the infamous Black Spider.
That alone was enough reason for Ross to cooperate rather than confront.
One Hulk was already a problem.
The Black Spider was worse.
Not a traditional hero by any means.
Rumor had it a certain high-profile figure once placed a bounty on Black Spider.
The result?
His entire family was wiped out overnight.
The man who ordered the hit was found dead soon after.
No one touched the matter again.
The government marked the Black Spider case as top secret and buried it.
The Hulk loses control when enraged.
Black Spider doesn't.
And Ross no longer had a daughter romantically linked to him.
So now, he played nice—personally escorting Bronski to the serum injection chamber.
"Boss, we need your key," said one of the lab personnel.
Ethan nodded and unlocked the restraints on a cryogenic storage tank, revealing a small vial of serum inside.
He knew Ross intended to use Bronski as a weapon against Banner.
He didn't care.
Though he once worked as Banner's assistant and held some respect for him, Ethan was confident: even with the serum, Bronski would never match the Hulk.
Besides, he had his own plans.
He intended to ask Ross for something in return.
William Stryker.
But that was a matter for later.
—
"The injection is done in two parts," Ethan explained.
"One shot into the deep muscle, the other directly into the bone marrow."
The technician held the syringe near Bronski's neck. "The second one will hurt. A lot."
Hiss—
As the serum was injected—
"Gaaah!! Gghhh—!"
Even the battle-hardened Bronski couldn't help but scream in agony.
He groaned loudly, muscles spasming as the transformation began.
---