"Argh!!!"
Qin Xiao sat up in bed, drenched in a cold sweat.
"Where is this?"
He looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Didn't I fall asleep at home while watching a movie?
Qin Xiao had a bad habit; he always fell asleep watching movies on his phone at night.
He watched movies and fell asleep, but he was also afraid that his phone would run out of battery, so he would watch movies while it was charging.
He didn't know if it was because it was too hot in the summer or if his phone's heat dissipation was the problem.
Qin Xiao was in a daze when his phone exploded.
Yes, his phone exploded. So, what was this? He had transmigrated?
Qin Xiao was racking his brain, trying to figure out what had happened.
A flood of memories surged into Qin Xiao's mind.
After a while, Qin Xiao finally understood his current situation.
He had definitely transmigrated, to a parallel world similar to Earth.
This person had the same name as him, but his fate was rather tragic.
His parents had died in an accident, and his relatives had swindled away most of his inheritance.
He finally mustered the courage to take a gamble, mortgaged his house, and partnered with a friend to start a business.
Getting screwed over by his friend and girlfriend, not only losing everything but also being saddled with a mountain of debt.
And then…
Qin Xiao glanced at the pesticide on the bedside table, the highly toxic Paraquat.
The small, dilapidated rental room, converted from a garage on the first floor, was damp and stuffy.
Over three million in debt, with only a little over 500 yuan to his name.
Betrayed by his best friend and the person he loved.
How unlucky could one get? Forget the original owner, even the Qin Xiao who had transmigrated now felt like dying.
What kind of opening was this?
Maybe I should try dying again to see if I can time-travel?
Qin Xiao glanced at the Paraquat on the bedside table.
Nah, better to live than die. If I die for real, wouldn't that be a huge loss?
It's just owing money. I'll figure something out. This body is only twenty-three years old; I've got a whole lifetime ahead of me.
Qin Xiao consoled himself.
Just as he was pondering his next move, a voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
World entrance detected, System binding…
"Hmm? A surprise?"
Qin Xiao perked up, sat up with a thump, and lit a cigarette.
After about twenty seconds, a ding sounded in his mind.
"Binding successful. System activated. Host Qin Xiao, a world entrance has been detected. Would you like to travel immediately?"
"Wait, wait, don't just jump right in. First, tell me what functions you have, and what this world entrance means?"
Qin Xiao hurriedly spoke in his mind.
"This System can provide the host with travel services. The host completes tasks and earns points, which can be used to exchange for various items in the System shop."
"Open the shop, let me see what I can exchange for."
"Host's permissions are insufficient. The shop can only be opened after the host completes tasks and earns points."
The System's voice was devoid of any emotion.
"At least let me know what I have?"
"Skills, gene enhancements, money, and so on… Please open the Shop as soon as possible for details."
Although the System didn't explain in detail, Qin Xiao understood that his golden finger had arrived.
"Then what about the world entrance? What does that mean?"
Qin Xiao changed the question.
"Crossing into other worlds requires coordinates. Residual world coordinates have been detected on the Host."
This time, the System was very considerate. Not only did it answer the question, but it also presented a picture in Qin Xiao's mind.
It was a scene that Qin Xiao was incredibly familiar with: a huge, clunky Iron Man armor raising its right arm at the mouth of a cave.
Flames were shooting outwards.
The surroundings were an endless desert.
Iron Man!
Qin Xiao reacted, recalling that he had been watching this movie right before his phone exploded.
Was the entrance to the world the world of Iron Man?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe?
That was a world where superheroes were flying everywhere. With his current build, what task could he possibly complete?
"System, this world is a bit dangerous. Can you give me some benefits before I enter? Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to complete the task."
Qin Xiao bargained in his mind.
"There are rewards for effort. Surely the host understands this principle. Besides, what does the host have to lose now?"
"What the hell!"
Qin Xiao actually heard a hint of disdain in the System's emotionless voice.
But the System was right, just look at how messed up he was now.
What was there to be afraid of? He had finally transmigrated, and now he had a System. He had to seize this opportunity.
"Let's do it! Transmigrate, now!"
Qin Xiao didn't hesitate. This place was a mess, and without the System…
He would only be burdened with debt, and he'd have to find a job to support himself.
Then, he could slowly think about how to pay back the money, not to mention finding justice for the dead Qin Xiao.
"Congratulations, Host, for your courage. Before the transmigration, please be informed that real-world time will be paused during the process. You can rest assured. After completing the designated mission, you can choose to return to this world. This transmigration is about to begin, 3…2…1."
As the System's countdown ended, Qin Xiao's vision went black, and he lost consciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, he was already on a dilapidated street.
There were not many people around, and there was garbage and fallen leaves everywhere on the ground.
The two-story buildings also looked very old.
It was obvious that this was a very impoverished community.
"System, tell me where this is?"
Qin Xiao asked in his mind.
"Identity loaded. Relevant memories generated. Please, host, read at your leisure!"
The System's memories were peculiar. Compared to the deceased Qin Xiao's memories, these were fully integrated into Qin Xiao's mind.
The memories of his identity in this world, however, were like a book. Qin Xiao had to flip through them; it wasn't a feeling of firsthand experience.
Qin Xiao, twenty-two years old, graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with excellent grades, earning a scholarship from Stark Industries.
This gave him the opportunity to intern at Stark Industries.
It seemed the System was decent. At least it gave him an identity close to the protagonist. Although it was unrealistic for an intern to meet Tony Stark, at least there was a small chance, right?
Muttering a few words, Qin Xiao continued to read the memories.
The next part was quite interesting.
When Qin Xiao was thirteen, a large number of Hydra terrorists broke into the house next door, which belonged to a Black family, and the fighting spread to his home.
His parents died in that battle. Whether out of guilt or not, the Black man had been sponsoring Qin Xiao's education and living expenses.
They had kept in close contact over the years. This time, Qin Xiao came to Baltimore, the capital of Maryland, to find that Black man.
He wanted to tell him the good news that he had obtained an internship opportunity at Stark Industries.
And that Black man's identity was Isaiah, the First Super Soldier before Steve Rogers.