Alex Ray, having returned to Hell's Kitchen, had no idea that his seemingly simple visit to the Spider-Man Alliance had already stirred up considerable commotion among several major powers.
He sat lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to everything outside — including the fact that Kadoya Tsukasa had quietly been recruited into the Illuminati.
At that moment, Alex was perched on a chair on the second-floor balcony, a cigarette glowing faintly between his fingers in the dark night.
He gazed up at the deep sky, as if searching for answers. His eyes were clouded with confusion and melancholy, weighed down by an invisible burden.
Reflecting on the past days, Alex couldn't help but sigh.
He had originally been just an ordinary time traveler who wanted nothing more than to survive in this dangerous Marvel universe by relying on the power granted by his mysterious system — and eventually find a way back to his original world.
Yet fate seemed to have other plans.
The system didn't just grant him formidable abilities; it also forged deep bonds with numerous partners, friends, and family.
Every choice and every change shifted Alex's life onto a different trajectory.
He was no longer the solitary Alex Ray he once was. He had become a man who carried the fate of Hell's Kitchen — and perhaps even the entire multiverse — on his shoulders.
This transformation filled him with both honor and overwhelming responsibility.
"So, the more you gain, the more you must bear," Alex murmured quietly.
He understood that with growing power came the responsibility to protect those dear to him — his friends, family, and allies.
That responsibility allowed no rest, no escape.
"How can I call myself a good man? I'm obviously selfish," Alex admitted slowly.
Now he understood why he was able to alter Spider-Man's fate without causing universal collapse.
He had linked their destinies to his own — meaning that if he were to die, all the alternate universes affected by his interference would vanish, waiting for a reset.
This was the price of the system. To gain their powers and friendship, Alex had to protect their existence.
He recalled the famous words of Uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility."
For Alex, this truth was now undeniable.
He smiled bitterly, thinking, So all the Spider-Men dumped their burdens onto me.
Sometimes he grumbled inwardly, wondering why he had gotten a "friendship system" instead of a "killing system."
At first, Alex had despised emotional ties and family bonds.
He believed that time travelers should abandon attachments and treat friends and family as tools — mere NPCs — to increase their own power.
Being born and raised in Hell's Kitchen, he thought he deserved a system rewarding ruthless killing.
But over time, Alex's perspective shifted.
He found himself genuinely enjoying the company of family and friends, feeling warmth he'd never known before.
He realized these connections weren't burdens — they were the greatest treasure in his life.
Though he once yearned for a lonely, unrestrained existence, now he found himself unable to leave his loved ones behind.
And uncertain if he could ever return to his original world, Alex preferred staying with good friends and family rather than killing everyone and ending up utterly alone.
Besides, most of his powers came from these connections. Ignoring them would be ungrateful.
Alex wasn't ungrateful — he believed fair exchange was enough.
Since he had gained their strength, it was only right to improve their lives in return.
One question gnawed at him: If one day he could truly return to his original world, would he still want to go back?
This question tormented him, refusing to be silenced.
He didn't know if he would retain the powers he had gained in this Marvel universe once he returned.
These abilities had allowed him to command storms and chaos here, but whether they would follow him back remained unknown.
He also couldn't be sure if his parents were still alive, waiting for his return.
The thought of losing them was unbearable.
What confused him even more was the uncertainty of what awaited him if he went back.
Would he settle for a mundane nine-to-five life, trapped in an office?
Would he become an ordinary person, marry, have kids, and gradually forget everything he had experienced here?
Or was it better to stay and continue ruling Hell's Kitchen, despite the dangers and unknowns?
Here, he had family, partners, and a purpose.
He had lived here for more than two decades.
For most people, the Marvel universe might be fiction or a movie, but to Alex, this was a real world, full of joy, sorrow, anger, and happiness.
Could he really let go of all that and return as an ordinary man?
He feared he wouldn't adjust to the monotony, nor forget the incredible life he had led.
He only knew one thing for certain: Returning to his original world remained a fixation, but no longer the main force driving him forward.
Now, the people around him — his friends and family — were his true motivation.
"Forget it. No use dwelling on these questions that have no answers yet. Whether I can survive this dangerous Marvel universe is still uncertain," Alex thought with a sigh.
He shook his head, forcing himself to push those tangled thoughts away.
Still, many mysteries lingered.
Where did this enigmatic system come from?
Why had it chosen him as its host?
What role was he meant to play?
These questions gnawed at his mind, refusing to let him rest.
Whenever he tried to dig deeper, a profound helplessness overwhelmed him, as if the answers were beyond human comprehension.
He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pounding headache.
He knew that worrying about these unsolvable riddles wouldn't help.
What he needed now was to face the more immediate crisis.
The threat of Thanos remained unresolved.
Kang the Conqueror's ambitions were still brewing.
These enemies alone could plunge the entire Marvel universe into chaos.
How could he afford to be distracted by the mysteries of his own life?
The bitter smile returned.
He mocked himself for being so greedy.
The best course of action was simple: play the game honestly, grow stronger, and survive.
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🎇🎇 Check out new Fanfiction 🎇🎇
🎊 Naruto : Tsunade You're Really Drunk 🎊
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As the plot unfolds, it dives deep into the Spider-Verse, Avengers War and the Marvel Multiverse, weaving in epic elements from Endgame, God of Stories Loki, Kang the Conqueror, the Council of Kangs, the Council of Reeds, and even Franklin Richards.
Expect mind-bending twists with Deadpool breaking the fourth wall, going on a rampage that includes killing everyone... even the authors themselves.
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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