"Peter, wake up! You're going to be late for school."
A crisp, melodious female voice rang in Peter's ear, pulling him from the depths of a heavy slumber.
Peter Parker snapped his eyes open. In that instant, memories from a previous life came rushing back like a tidal wave, crashing through the fog of his mind. After a brief moment of disorientation, Peter's eyes widened in shock.
He had awakened the wisdom of his past life. He understood everything!
He had transmigrated into the Marvel Universe. He was the legendary "Spider-Man"—Peter Parker! And today was the day of the field trip to Oscorp Industries! It was likely the sheer weight of this destiny that had triggered his awakening.
As the memories solidified, a surge of uncontrollable ecstasy bubbled up in Peter's chest. In his past life, he had been nothing more than a corporate drone, a beast of burden for the modern machine.
His favorite Marvel character had always been Spider-Man. That red-and-blue figure swinging through the skyscrapers of the Big Apple, upholding justice, had carried all of his childhood dreams of heroism.
Now, he finally had the chance to be that superhero!
Excitement coursing through him, Peter looked up. His gaze immediately landed on a face so beautiful it felt unreal—a high-pitched, blonde girl with skin as white as snow and eyes like polished jade. She was currently wearing an expression of perfectly practiced annoyance.
The memories slotted into place.
Gwen Stacy.
His childhood friend, his neighbor, and the daughter of NYPD Captain George Stacy. She was also Peter's "canon" girlfriend from the Amazing Spider-Man films.
However... something felt slightly off.
In the movies he remembered—whether it was the Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield versions—Peter's relationship with Gwen before becoming Spider-Man was never quite intimate enough for her to casually stroll into his bedroom to wake him up.
Though a bit dazed, Peter quickly accepted this reality. The Marvel Multiverse was infinite; perhaps he was simply in a universe where Peter and Gwen were inseparable childhood sweethearts.
Recovering his composure, Peter flashed a smile. "Good morning, Gwen."
As he spoke, he naturally sat up and tossed back the covers. Then... he felt a sudden, distinct chill, followed immediately by Gwen's high-decibel scream.
Around a narrow dining table, Peter, Gwen, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben sat together.
Taking in Peter's awkward expression and Gwen's crimson cheeks, Ben and May exchanged a knowing look, both wearing blatant "matchmaker" smiles.
"Peter, Gwen was so worried you'd miss the Oscorp tour that she woke up extra early just to wait for you. You really ought to thank her," Uncle Ben said, nudging his glasses up his nose with a teasing glint in his eye.
Hearing this, Gwen turned her head toward Peter, looking like a proud, haughty kitten. The words "Hurry up and praise me" were practically written across her face.
"Thanks, Gwen," Peter said sheepishly. "But next time you wake me up, maybe try knocking first?"
Gwen's face flushed even redder. She gave him a massive eye-roll. How was I supposed to know you liked sleeping naked, you idiot!
After a warm breakfast, Uncle Ben drove off to work in his beat-up fifth-hand car, while Peter and Gwen boarded the bus chartered by Oscorp, heading toward the heart of the city.
Since this trip was reserved for top-tier students, the usual school bullies like "Flash" Thompson were nowhere to be seen. This put Peter in an excellent mood. He was vibrating with anticipation for the turning point of his fate.
As long as he got bitten by that spider and became Spider-Man, he'd never have to worry about bullying or mediocrity again. Furthermore, with his knowledge of the plot, he would break the "Spider Totem" curse!
Death of the beloved? With great power comes great responsibility? Forget all that. He was going to be the happiest, freest Spider-Man in the multiverse!
The bus crawled through traffic until the towering Oscorp building loomed over them. Stepping inside, Peter marveled at the array of high-tech displays, but his focus was razor-sharp.
His eyes darted between the crowds and the exhibits, searching for the one thing that would change his life: the radioactive spider.
"Next, we will be visiting the Radioactively Cross-Genetically Grafted Spider Laboratory," the guide's sweet voice announced.
Peter's breath hitched.
It was time! His destiny had arrived!
Just as his heart reached a frantic tempo, a soft, sharp intake of breath came from right beside him.
"Sss..."
Peter instinctively turned his head. He saw Gwen Stacy knitting her brow, one hand clutching the back of her pale neck, a look of pain crossing her face.
Seeing this incredibly familiar scene, Peter froze. A bolt of lightning seemed to strike him from above, leaving him mentally scorched.
The spider... bit Gwen.
Not him.
A terrifying realization began to form, making the world spin around him. He felt faint, his legs turning to jelly.
This wasn't the Amazing Spider-Man universe.
This was the Spider-Gwen Universe!
The moment this conclusion solidified, a bone-chilling cold swept from his feet to the crown of his head. His hands and feet felt like ice.
The reason for his terror was simple: In the universe of Spider-Gwen, the "beloved" that the Spider-Gwen is destined to lose—the one sacrificed to the Spider Totem—was none other than Peter Parker.
In this world, a power-hungry Peter Parker, desperate to stop being a victim, would inject himself with Lizard Serum, transform into a monster, and die tragically in Gwen's arms.
Which meant... not only was he not becoming Spider-Man, but he had also been handed the "Sacrificial Lamb" script!
As Gwen ascended to become Ghost-Spider, he was now on a countdown to his own death.
"Peter? What's wrong?"
Gwen looked at his ghostly pale face and asked with concern, "I'm the one who got bitten, why do you look more upset than I am?"
She assumed Peter was just overwrought with worry for her, causing a small, sweet blush to creep onto her cheeks. But Peter was in no mood to admire the view.
He instinctively reached down and picked up the tiny, colorful spider corpse Gwen had brushed off onto the floor. His expression was a mess of bitterness and shock.
Why?!
Was being a corporate slave in my last life not enough? Does being the 'protagonist' of this life mean being toyed with like this?
Just as Peter's mind reached a breaking point, an icy, mechanical prompt rang out in his head without warning:
[Detected Sacrificial Item (Purple Rare): Radioactive Spider Corpse]
[Description: The culprit that led countless Spider-Men across parallel worlds toward tragic heroism; the root of all misfortune and curses. Though dead, the genetic information and radioactive residue within make it a highly significant relic.]
[Sacrifice Value: 5,000 Points. Would you like to sacrifice?]