Chapter 20: Dog Paddle

"Clip-clop, clip-clop!"

The rhythmic sound of hooves was remarkably distinct amidst the chaotic night. Xu Wang, who had originally set out on a bicycle but somehow ended up riding a horse to the battlefield, had finally arrived.

The entire Williamsburg Bridge had dissolved into total anarchy. Cars were being tossed around like toys by four superhumans. Once fuel lines ruptured, the slightest spark ignited a series of massive fires. Amidst the flames, many civilians who hadn't managed to escape were screaming as they fled. High above, two police helicopters swept the scene with searchlights, constantly tracking Spider-Man and the others locked in combat on the bridge. It was a spectacle of absolute mayhem.

"Woo-woo! Woo-woo!"

Red and blue police lights flashed violently. The New York City Police Department had arrived in force. They were busy evacuating civilians and using their patrol cars as makeshift barricades, pistols drawn, yet completely at a loss as to what to do next.

Four superhumans were fighting on the bridge. With every swing of a fist or kick of a leg, they could punch right through a vehicle or lift a ton or two of steel as easily as throwing a stone, hurling it at their opponents. How were the police supposed to fight enemies like that? With their heads?

Many officers turned their gazes toward Captain George Stacy. Sensing their attention, George leaned back in a tactical retreat. What was that look for? Why were they staring at him? Did they think he had experience with this? None of those non-humans were his relatives!

"Clang!"

Just then, a solemn-faced Xu Wang leaped onto the roof of a police car, brandishing a circular trash can lid. The officers outside the perimeter stared at him in utter bewilderment, especially George Stacy, who stood closest.

"Set up a perimeter here. There are still people trapped inside, and they might panic and stumble into the war zone. Get them out and evacuate them toward that side! Then, establish defensive lines here and there!" Xu Wang, full of righteous indignation, knelt on the roof of the cruiser, pointing wildly in all directions as he spoke. Yes, although he looked like he was giving serious orders, he was actually pointing at nothing in particular.

Captain George was stunned, instinctively retorting, "Why should we listen to you?!"

"Clang!"

No sooner had George finished his sentence than Xu Wang knocked down an officer who was trying to climb up with a single strike of the trash can lid. He then waited, beaming with pride, for George's reaction. According to the Captain America script from *The Avengers*, after unleashing this kind of overwhelming charisma, the surrounding police should be kneeling in submission.

But as George Stacy looked at Xu Wang’s smug little expression, his head felt like it was about to explode. "Where did this lunatic come from? Is he just trying to stir up trouble?" George immediately ordered his men to drag Xu Wang away.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

A confused Xu Wang was hauled off the car by several officers. Meanwhile, inside an overturned transport truck within the perimeter, a sudden sound of barking erupted.

"Captain, there's a dog inside," an officer reminded him.

"Prioritize the safety of the citizens!"

The battle in the middle of the bridge was intensifying. Just watching it caused cold sweat to stream down Captain George’s back. He was terrified that if they kept fighting like this, they would bring the entire Williamsburg Bridge down with them.

"Let me go! Let me go! I’m Captain America, I need to join the fight! You can't bully a seventy-year-old war hero like this!" Xu Wang shouted from behind, giving George an even worse headache.

Though Xu Wang was rambling, his anxiety was real. Watching the dangerous battlefield ahead, the death-seeking Xu Wang was practically drooling. These cops kept holding him back—how could he not be anxious? He was so desperate that he grabbed a chubby officer, snatched the donut out of his pocket, and devoured it in two bites.

"Fuck! Leave me some!" the chubby officer’s eyes widened in shock.

Just then, a harsh, grating laugh echoed from the sky above the battlefield—the Hourglass Man!

"Everyone, go to hell! Hahaha!"

Everyone looked up instinctively. The Hourglass Man, having shaken off Dragonfly, soared into the air and pressed a button on his flight chair. A barrage of missiles erupted from beneath the chair! All that could be seen in the sky were the fiery trails of the missiles and the terrifying screeching sound of death descending.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

"Oh no!"

As the swarm of missiles descended, Spider-Man and Dragonfly’s faces turned pale. They tried to intercept the projectiles, but despite their best efforts, they only managed to catch one each and toss them into the river below. The remaining missiles slammed into the Williamsburg Bridge with no resistance.

"BOOM!!!" "BOOM!!!" "BOOM!!!"

Massive fireballs and plumes of smoke surged into the sky. Shockwaves rippled outward, sending cars on the bridge flying. Even the distant police cars serving as barricades had their windows shattered by the blast.

The most horrific part was that after the series of violent explosions, the middle of the Williamsburg Bridge had been blown clean through. The gaping wound in the bridge deck spread rapidly. Within moments, the entire structure snapped in two! As gravity took its toll, the broken sections tilted sharply toward the center. The screeching sound of steel cables snapping filled the air, and a massive amount of debris and vehicles slid down the incline, plunging into the river below. One splash, and they were gone.

"Ahhh! Help! Help!"

The police cars on Xu Wang’s side began to slide toward the water. The slope grew steeper by the second! The surrounding officers tried desperately to grab the railings, but many lost their grip and fell into the water.

If the distance is high enough, even water feels as hard as concrete, enough to cause severe injury or death upon impact. Fortunately, because the bridge was already tilted, many people slid for a long time before hitting the water, which wasn't as fatal. But some weren't so lucky. Some were knocked unconscious upon impact, some were struck by falling debris, and others simply didn't know how to swim.

They could only flail and cry for help.

Yes, this included Xu Wang. Truth be told, he was ashamed. In his previous life, he had intended to learn to swim, but after discovering that he could pose as a lifeguard at the edge of a water slide and rescue beautiful women in swimsuits, he never attended a single lesson. Instead, he got to know plenty of enthusiastic, open-minded young ladies.

The retribution for skipping class had finally arrived. Xu Wang wasn't afraid of dying, but with Dr. Lizard right in front of him, he didn't want to drown. That would be such a waste! Consequently, Xu Wang was splashing around, desperately calling for help. But the backpack he was wearing was far too heavy. He knew he couldn't tread water for long.

"Woof!"

Just then, a husky swam past with an arrogant look, paddling along with an elegant doggy paddle right in front of Xu Wang. Seeing this cheeky dog, Xu Wang’s eyes lit up. He reached out, grabbed hold of it firmly, and put his entire weight on the dog.

The husky’s eyes widened in shock! It was too heavy! Its doggy paddle was failing! Watching itself gulp down mouthfuls of water, the husky began to bark and curse at the sky! It felt like Xu Wang was the real animal—even more of a dog than it was!

Xu Wang, however, had stars in his eyes. In his vision, the flickering rating for this silly dog was an astonishing 36! Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Wang slapped his "Fishing Boat Enhancement" onto the back of the husky's head.