Looking at the spider totem on the back of his hand, Lucas was overjoyed.
Although, the spider totem currently couldn't enhance his physique.
Although, the spider totem currently couldn't enhance his perception.
Although, he didn't need the spider totem to traverse the Multiverse by borrowing from the Web of Life and Destiny, as he could do it himself.
Although the spider totem was almost useless to him now.
But this was proof of his identity as Sorcerer Spider-Man.
From today onwards, no one could question his identity as Sorcerer Spider-Man.
Hmm?
Looking at the restless spider totem moving on the back of his hand, Lucas felt a pang of doubt.
What was it trying to do?
The spider totem continuously tried to extend its power, attempting to permeate Lucas's body and transform his cells from the ground up.
Suddenly, the spider totem seemed to come alive. It started from the back of Lucas's hand, moving across the surface of his body, trying to find a weak spot to penetrate deeper into his body. However, no matter how hard it tried, it always remained on the surface.
Even though it was just a two-dimensional life form, Lucas could read its emotions. It was a palpable sense of discouragement. It might be the most unsuccessful spider totem, unable to influence its host in the slightest.
After understanding the spider totem's intention, Lucas smiled slightly.
This was simple enough. If the spider totem couldn't change him, then he would change the spider totem.
With a thought, a glowing white energy surged, engulfing the resting spider totem and permeating it.
First, it would be transformed into Lucas's exclusive spider totem without changing its structure or function.
Afterwards, it would be continuously fine-tuned and modified, with abilities being added, deleted, or edited.
Screech! Screech!
Faintly, Lucas seemed to hear two spider calls with an inexplicable emotion. He wasn't sure if it was satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
In any case, Lucas was quite satisfied with his new, exclusive Sorcerer Spider-Man totem.
Gwen asked, "Lucas, what are you doing, smiling so strangely? Also, was that a spider totem you just caught?"
Lucas nodded. "That's right, what I just caught was a spider totem, a newly born spider totem in this Universe."
Erin asked, "A newly born spider totem in this Universe? What does that mean?"
She had always called herself Sorcerer Spider-Man and was very interested in news about both sorcerers and Spider-Man. She had asked Lucas to teach her magic more than once. Unfortunately, Lucas refused, citing that her parents were both alive and well.
Lucas shrugged, "It means exactly what it says."
Erin was speechless and asked again, "Uh... what is a spider totem?"
Gwen explained, "A spider totem is the source of Spider-Man's power. The Web of Life and Destiny spans the Multiverse, and every Universe it affects has a spider totem and a corresponding Spider-Man."
"Like me, I am the Spider-Man of Earth-65. And Lucas has now become the Spider-Man of Earth-404."
"So, I don't have a chance to become Spider-Man?" Erin asked, disappointed.
"Theoretically, that's correct." Gwen replied.
"Erin, being Spider-Man isn't that great." Lucas said.
The spider totem on the back of his hand was now completely imbued with white energy, changing from a vibrant red and blue to a pure, glowing white.
"Look at this thing. It brings power, but it also brings a tragic fate."
"Erin, can you bear to have one of your elders die due to your inaction?"
"Can you bear it if your best friend turns out to be the criminal you're trying to catch?"
"Can you bear to suffer torment but have to keep secrets from the parents who raised you?"
"This is the fate Spider-Man must face. An inescapable, unavoidable fate."
Lucas's three consecutive questions made Erin's face turn pale.
After being abducted by a Vampire on her way home one evening, then rescued by Gwen and Lucas, and unexpectedly gaining superpowers, she had decided to do something for others.
She had been drenched in the rain, so she was willing to hold an umbrella for others.
But if it required such a huge price, would she still be willing?
The answer was obvious: no.
This couldn't be blamed on Erin, most people would make the same choice as her.
In fact, Erin's willingness to use her superpowers to help others, rather than for personal gain, already surpassed most people.
Like Lucas, for example.
"Erin, there's a saying. What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over. What the ear doesn't hear, the mind doesn't worry about."
"You know, because of Matt's excellent hearing, he hears cries for help every night. As a result, he can't sleep and constantly roams the night, making one emergency call after another."
"Gwen is the same, she also constantly rushes around because her Spider-Sense allows her to detect the occurrence of evil."
"Becoming Spider-Man won't make you happy, it will only make you feel the heavy burden on your shoulders."
Each of Lucas's words made Erin's face grow paler. Helen and little Gwen also looked unwell.
As he watched Erin's increasingly pale face, Lucas felt refreshed.
That's what you get for always trying to steal my Sorcerer Spider-Man title.
I finally got my chance, didn't I?
"When a person has the ability to foresee the harm others are about to inflict, and cannot turn off this ability, this ability is both a blessing and a curse."
Fortunately, I can freely control my perception and won't encounter such problems.
"Lucas, stop scaring Erin. It's not as terrible as you make it sound." Gwen interrupted Lucas.
She saw the slight smile at the corner of Lucas's lips and realized he was deliberately scaring Erin.
Sigh. He's so old, yet he still likes to play pranks and scare little girls.
Muttering to herself, Gwen met Erin's questioning gaze and comforted her, "Erin, don't worry, you're not Spider-Man anyway."
Erin: "…"
Lucas smiled and raised the spider totem on the back of his hand, gesturing to Erin and asking, "Erin, after hearing what I said, do you still want this spider totem? If you want it, I can give it to you."
Erin shook her head abruptly, as if having a stress response. "No, I don't want it anymore. I don't want to be Spider-Man anymore. I'll just be Sorcerer Spider-Man."
Lucas's smile froze.
Not being Spider-Man, but being Sorcerer Spider-Man? What the heck was that?
Was she going to be at odds with Sorcerer Spider-Man?
"Erin, this spider totem has been modified by me and will no longer be affected by Spider-Man's fate. As long as you return the title of Sorcerer Spider-Man to me, I'll give you this spider totem, how about it?" Lucas coaxed her gently.
But Erin just kept shaking her head and even took a few steps back.
It was as if what Lucas held in his hand was not a spider totem that could grant superpowers, but a monstrous flood.