Chapter 5: Chapter 4.
Jin-Woo's consciousness drifted in the void.
It was a place beyond comprehension—a vast, infinite expanse where time and space held no meaning. There was no pain, no sensation, no warmth or cold. Just an overwhelming emptiness that stretched endlessly in all directions. It was as if he had been swallowed by the abyss, his very existence reduced to a flicker of thought in an endless sea of nothingness.
Memories of his past life flashed before him, fragmented and fleeting. The dungeon. The monsters. The screams of his teammates as they were torn apart. He had been weak—so weak. Powerless to save them, powerless to save himself. And yet, here he was. Alive? Dead? He couldn't tell. All he knew was that this place, this void, was not where his story ended.
Then, a voice rang out.
[Welcome, Player Sung Jin-Woo.]
The words echoed in his mind, clear and emotionless, yet carrying an undeniable weight. It was a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, resonating deep within his soul. Jin-Woo's body tensed instinctively, though he had no physical form here. Who was speaking? Where was he? What was happening?
More text flickered into existence before him, glowing faintly against the darkness.
[You have been selected.]
[A unique opportunity has been granted.]
[Would you like to choose your path?]
Jin-Woo's breath hitched, though he wasn't sure if he was even breathing. His mind raced, trying to grasp the situation. Selected? A path? What the hell did that mean? Was this some kind of sick joke? A hallucination brought on by the brink of death?
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. The last thing he remembered was the dungeon—the massacre. The monsters had overwhelmed them, torn through his team like paper. He had been cornered, his body broken, his vision fading as the claws of a beast descended upon him. And yet, he wasn't dead.
No.
Something had saved him.
And now, it was offering him a choice.
A cold shiver ran down his spine, though he had no spine to shiver. Whatever this was, it wasn't normal. It was beyond anything he had ever encountered. But hesitation wasn't an option. He had spent his life weak. Pathetic. Helpless. Always at the mercy of others, always one step away from death. He wasn't going to let this chance slip away.
Jin-Woo took a slow breath, though he wasn't sure if he was breathing at all. His voice was hoarse when he spoke, the sound strange and distant in the void.
"What are my options?"
The text shifted, the glowing letters rearranging themselves into new lines.
[You may choose your world.]
[Available Worlds:]
Solo Leveling (Default Path)
Marvel Universe
Spider-Man Universe
Custom Selection
Jin-Woo's heart skipped a beat, though he wasn't sure if he had a heart anymore. This wasn't just about power. This was about reality itself. His hands clenched, his mind reeling at the implications. He had always dreamed of being stronger, of changing his fate—but this? This was beyond anything he could have imagined.
Marvel. Spider-Man. These weren't just names. These were entire worlds. Universes filled with heroes, villains, and powers beyond comprehension. And if this system was real, then it meant he could truly go there. He could leave behind the life of weakness and despair, and step into a world where he could become something more.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but one stood out above the rest.
If he was going to be reborn…
If he was going to carve a new path…
Then he was going to conquer the most dangerous world possible.
His lips curled into a smirk, dark and cold.
"I choose Marvel and Spider-Man."
The moment the words left his mouth, the void trembled. The darkness around him began to crack, fissures of light breaking through like shards of glass. A new message flashed before his eyes, the text glowing brighter than before.
[Selection Confirmed.]
[Generating New Reality…]
[Initializing Transfer…]
The darkness shattered.
A brilliant explosion of light swallowed him whole, and for the first time in his life…
Sung Jin-Woo felt truly alive.
---
### The Transfer
Jin-Woo's mind spiraled through the void, his body weightless, his consciousness stretching beyond the limits of human understanding. The transfer wasn't instant—it felt as though he was being reshaped, his very existence rewritten to fit the fabric of this new world. It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced, a fusion of pain and ecstasy as his soul was molded into something new.
For the first time, he truly understood the difference between mere survival and evolution.
The System wasn't just some interface—it was an architect of fate, a force capable of bending reality itself. And it had chosen him.
Colors bled into the darkness—flashes of red, blue, and silver. The crackling hum of electricity roared in his ears, mixed with the distant echoes of gunfire, explosions, and the unmistakable sound of webs shooting through the air. He could feel the energy of this new world coursing through him, a raw, untamed power that promised endless possibilities.
Then—impact.
Jin-Woo's eyes shot open.
He wasn't in the dungeon anymore.
His body slammed onto the rough surface of a rooftop, sending dust scattering into the air. Instinct took over—he rolled to absorb the force, muscles tightening as he sprang to his feet, his mind still racing to catch up with his surroundings.
The skyline of New York City stretched before him.
Towering skyscrapers rose into the heavens, their glass windows reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. The streets below were a hive of movement—cars honking, pedestrians moving like waves on a restless ocean. Neon lights flickered to life as night began to descend, bathing the city in an electric glow.
For a brief moment, he just stared.
This was real.
Not a simulation. Not a dream. This was the Marvel Universe.
And that meant—
A shrill scream ripped through the air.
Jin-Woo's gaze snapped downward.
A woman was being dragged into a dark alley, her terrified cries muffled by a burly man gripping her wrist. Another man loomed over her, a knife glinting in his free hand.
Jin-Woo's fists clenched. Scum.
[Quest Activated: First Blood]
The words flashed before his eyes, seared into his vision like a command from the divine.
—
First Blood
Objective: Defeat an enemy in the new world.
Rewards:
System Synchronization (20%)
Unlock Status Screen
Hidden Reward
—
His heartbeat steadied.
A test.
He welcomed it.
Without hesitation, Jin-Woo pushed off the rooftop—and jumped.
The wind howled around him as he plummeted, his body twisting midair. The world seemed to slow, his heightened instincts calculating every possible outcome. He landed with a muted thud, the impact sending a ripple of force through his legs, yet he barely felt it.
The thugs turned, startled.
"Who the hell—?!"
Jin-Woo didn't let them finish.
His foot snapped forward, catching the closest one in the chest. The man flew back, slamming into the alley wall with a sickening crack. Before his partner could react, Jin-Woo was already there.
The knife-wielding thug swung wildly, panic overtaking reason. Jin-Woo ducked—the blade whistled past his ear. His arm shot out, grabbing the man's wrist with a grip like iron.
With a single, precise motion, he twisted.
A sharp pop echoed as the thug's wrist snapped, followed by a scream of agony. The knife clattered to the ground. Jin-Woo didn't let go.
"P-Please! I—"
His knee slammed into the man's gut. The thug gagged, his body crumpling as he collapsed to the pavement, writhing in pain.
Jin-Woo exhaled slowly.
Weak.
This wasn't even a fight.
[Quest Complete.]
The notification appeared, but Jin-Woo barely registered it. His focus remained on the trembling woman staring at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.
He turned to her. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head frantically. "N-No… thank you, I—"
A sound—a whoosh of air—cut her off.
Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed.
A shadow swung down from above.
Thwip!
A web shot out, catching the edge of a streetlamp. A red and blue figure flipped through the air, landing gracefully at the mouth of the alleyway.
Jin-Woo immediately recognized him.
Spider-Man.
The hero straightened, tilting his masked head. "Wow. That was… intense."
His white lenses narrowed slightly. "And who exactly are you, ninja dude?"
Jin-Woo remained silent, his mind working fast. This was it. His first real interaction in this world.
Spider-Man. A hero. One of the strongest, smartest, and most dangerous individuals when given time to grow. A potential ally—or an obstacle.
Jin-Woo slowly stood straight, his gaze unreadable.
His new life had just begun.
And the game had already started.
---
### The Encounter
Spider-Man took a cautious step forward, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Hey, I'm not here to fight. Just… making sure everything's okay." His voice was light, almost casual, but Jin-Woo could sense the underlying tension. The hero was assessing him, trying to figure out if he was a threat.
Jin-Woo's eyes flicked to the woman, who was still trembling against the wall. "She's fine," he said curtly. "They won't bother her again."
Spider-Man nodded, his lenses narrowing slightly as he glanced at the two unconscious thugs. "Yeah, I can see that. You, uh, didn't hold back, did you?"
Jin-Woo didn't respond. His mind was already racing, analyzing the situation. Spider-Man was a wildcard—a hero who operated on his own moral code. If Jin-Woo played this right, he could gain a powerful ally. But one wrong move, and he'd have a formidable enemy on his hands.
The woman finally found her voice. "Th-Thank you," she stammered, looking between Jin-Woo and Spider-Man. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't—"
"It's okay," Spider-Man interrupted gently. "You're safe now. That's what matters." He turned back to Jin-Woo, his tone shifting slightly. "So, you got a name, or should I just call you 'Mysterious Vigilante Guy'?"
Jin-Woo's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "Jin-Woo," he said after a moment. "Sung Jin-Woo."
Spider-Man tilted his head. "Jin-Woo, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm—"
"Spider-Man," Jin-Woo finished for him. "I know."
The hero chuckled, though there was a hint of wariness in his voice. "Guess my reputation precedes me. So, Jin-Woo, what brings you to New York? And, uh, what's with the whole… ninja thing?"
Jin-Woo's gaze hardened. "I'm here to survive," he said simply. "And to grow stronger."
Spider-Man paused, as if weighing his words. "Stronger, huh? Well, if you're looking to help people, you're in the right place. This city's got no shortage of trouble."
Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed. "I'm not here to play hero."
The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Spider-Man's posture shifted slightly, his casual demeanor giving way to something more serious. "Then what are you here for?"
Jin-Woo didn't answer immediately. His mind flashed back to the void, to the System's offer. He had chosen this world for a reason—to test his limits, to push himself beyond anything he had ever known. But he wasn't about to share that with a stranger, even one as seemingly benevolent as Spider-Man.
"I have my reasons," he said finally.