After finishing, the Rhino charged like a real rhinoceros, hind legs pounding hard against the pavement as he prepared to sprint.

"Fire! Fire, shoot!"

Sensing the danger, the police raised their revolvers and fired in a panic.

Biubiubiubiu…

Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!

But the rain of bullets only bounced harmlessly off Rhino's armored hide. They might as well have been tickles—it had no effect at all.

"Oh, thank God—finally caught up. I'm not late!"

Just as Rhino prepared to rush forward, Spider-Man arrived, panting heavily but just in time.

He scooped up the young boy in the Spider-Man costume and got him to safety, then clapped his hands together like a sumo wrestler warming up.

"You're finally here! Watch me crush you, Spider-Man!" Rhino bellowed.

For some reason, villains always talked too much.

Rhino lowered his head into a collision stance, even more excited now that his opponent had arrived.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each step shook the ground so hard that even spectators at a distance stumbled.

Spider-Man barely had time to look up before Rhino hurled a heavy truck straight at him. With the crowd behind and his enemy in front, Peter had no choice but to hold his ground.

What surprised Blaine was that the same Spider-Man who struggled to lift a car yesterday now stopped a heavy truck with one hand. The jump in strength was shocking—the speed of Spider-Man's growth was outrageous.

Rhino, frustrated his first strike missed, charged again, his massive frame moving with the speed of a car despite his size. Mid-sprint, a shoulder panel snapped open—revealing a missile launcher.

A medium-sized missile roared from his armor, exhaust trailing straight toward Spider-Man.

Peter didn't panic. With a flick of his wrist, a web shot out and yanked the truck's metal door clean off its hinges. He swung it like a makeshift meteor hammer, spun it once, then hurled it at the oncoming missile.

Clang!

A sharp impact, and the missile was deflected into the sky. Perfect control—one missile diverted, no civilian casualties.

Not bad, Blaine thought. That was beautifully done.

But even as the crowd cheered, their breath caught again—the missile smoke had masked Rhino's charge, and he was suddenly right on top of Spider-Man.

Peter couldn't retreat. He braced himself, both hands forward, and absorbed the full force of Rhino's slam. He held, but the gouges tearing across the pavement behind his heels showed how badly he was being pushed.

"Not bad, Spider-Man. I underestimated you. Let's try something more!" Rhino growled.

Peter's spider-sense flared, but the shock came too fast. The steel horn crackled with electricity, and before he could react, tens of thousands of volts surged through his body.

The jolt dropped him to one knee, his suit sparking. But the thought of all those eyes on him lit his stubborn streak. He wasn't about to give up—not now.

Spider-Man fired another web, spun the torn car door like a hammer, and slammed it against Rhino's armor.

But Rhino only laughed, planting his arms in front of himself and letting Peter hit him again and again with no effect.

'Hit him on the back—that's his blind spot. The armor runs off an energy core,' a cold voice echoed suddenly in Peter's head.

"Thanks, Mr. Hunter," Peter whispered under his breath.

From his vantage point, Blaine had projected the thought directly into Spider-Man's mind using his Hunter suit's systems. The suit's automatic voice modulation disguised him completely, but Peter knew exactly who it was.

Following the tip, Spider-Man changed tactics. He leapt and twisted around Rhino, firing webs and hurling manhole covers at his exposed rear plating. Agile as ever, he darted around in circles, keeping out of Rhino's grasp while hammering at the weak spot.

Frustrated, Rhino roared, "Fine! If you won't stop, I'll blow the whole street sky-high!"

Panels opened on both shoulders, twin missile racks locking onto the crowd.

Before he could fire, sparks burst from his back. Spider-Man's last strike had hit true—the energy conduit overloaded. Rhino's armor seized violently, electricity arcing across its surface. Within seconds, the entire suit locked up and collapsed with a metallic crash.

Blaine smirked. With Rhino paralyzed, the fight was over. No need to keep watching—Spider-Man and the police could handle the cleanup.

The next scene was predictable anyway: Spider-Man's victory parade and public recognition.

…

Back at school:

"What's the matter with you two? Look at the time—you're both standing outside as punishment!"

"I'm sorry, teacher. I was wrong. It won't happen again…"

"Peter, especially you. You're usually so obedient. Why are you late today? Don't tell me it was traffic—or worse, that you were attacked by a monster. If you're going to lie, at least use your head!"

In truth, Peter was trying to use both excuses at once.

"And what about those injuries? Were you fighting? Come to my office after school."

"I… can I say I tripped and fell?" Peter stammered.

Blaine quickly tugged him aside, whispering, "Just take the punishment quietly. The more you explain, the madder teachers get."

Even Ned, standing at the door, kept winking frantically in agreement.

*************************************

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