Nolan felt his mind growing hazy.
He had expected the Ancient One might give him some trouble. After all, a woman who had lived for centuries would naturally possess a twisted sense of humor.
But he had never imagined she would send him to another universe entirely.
Doctor Strange's magic had opened pathways through the multiverse, so Nolan had never doubted the Ancient One's capability.
Still, these were only speculations. Whether they were true required further investigation.
Red Queen quickly accessed the network, beginning a detailed survey of this world. Nolan remained in place, patiently awaiting her report.
As dusk settled, a tattooed thug slouched into the alleyway.
"Hey kid, what's your deal? Just got out of a fight? Need me to lend you some clothes?"
The man brandished a knife. He enjoyed these kinds of chance encounters. The figure before him seemed unassuming, but you could never be too careful.
Nolan glanced at his tattered, ruined clothes, remnants of what had once been high-end casual wear, and a small smile curved his lips.
"Thanks, you're really kind," he said lightly.
Within minutes, Nolan had left the alley, clad in a new set of clothes and with a temporary identity of his own.
He looked at his outfit with disdain.
"Time to earn some money," he muttered, sighing.
At this moment, he was effectively blind to his surroundings. The only reliable information he had was that this world also had the Daily Bugle and Oscorp Industries. There was no trace of the Avengers or any other superheroes.
Checking the system, he found only a few million tech points enough to get started, but far from abundant. He had never expected to be catapulted into a new universe.
Thankfully, his brain was packed with knowledge. That was what Nolan loved about his system. While it demanded currency, the knowledge it granted could never vanish. Money could buy information, and even if the cost was high, the advantage was incomparable.
Walking down the bustling streets, Nolan considered where to spend the night. His pockets were empty, and he needed shelter.
Suddenly, a man bolted from a nearby convenience store, one hand clutching a gun, the other a bag, panic evident in his movements.
A robbery? Nolan barely had time to think before a figure stepped forward.
"Hey, put down what's not yours!"
While others hesitated, the older man moved with a superhero's poise. In the next instant, he collided with the fleeing robber. Using the momentum, the man grabbed the bag, speaking calmly but firmly.
"You still have a chance. Put it down and walk away. I won't call the cops. No one needs to know what happened…"
Suddenly, his eyes widened. The robber had aimed the gun at him and was pulling the trigger.
Bang!
The shot rang out, shattering the evening calm, sending screams echoing down the street.
Ben Parker froze, staring at the fallen assailant.
A young man crouched beside him, pressing firmly on the criminal's shoulder, a warm, instinctively reassuring smile on his face.
"That was close. Next time, I suggest you don't provoke a lunatic," Nolan said calmly.
"Th-thank you! You saved me!" Ben stammered, relief flooding his features. He knew without this young man, he would have been dead.
This was Ben Parker! Even without an introduction, Nolan recognized him immediately.
Soon, another boy, slightly resembling Ben Parker, approached. He glanced at the defeated robber, confusion on his face.
"Uncle Ben! What happened here?"
"Peter, what are you doing here?" Ben Parker replied, still catching his breath.
Today had been dangerous. Ben had tried to stop the robber but had not anticipated the gunshot. Fortunately, luck had favored him.
"This is…" Ben paused, realizing he hadn't even asked for the young man's name.
"Nolan Rock," Nolan said simply.
Ben's eyes widened.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Rock. You subdued him, or I wouldn't have made it. I just realized… I need to see May. Only now do I understand how important she is to me."
Peter Parker froze. He recognized the robber moments earlier, he had been shopping in the convenience store when the assailant had stormed in. Peter had done nothing, but minutes later, the man nearly shot Uncle Ben. Rage and fear surged through him.
If no one had saved Ben… he could not bear to imagine it.
Nolan watched Peter carefully. This was Spider-Man's world. As the sole superhero, Peter Parker's importance could not be overstated.
Nolan had a choice: ignore Ben Parker's life and manipulate Peter Parker later as a guiding figure. With subtle influence, he could bend Peter to his will.
But he did not. Everyone had a line they would not cross, and Nolan's was clear: he would not be a villain.
After Ben explained the events, he turned to Nolan.
"Mr. Rock, please, come to my home tonight. You saved my life, and the least I can do is offer you shelter."
Nolan accepted graciously. That solved his lodging dilemma for the evening.
At the Parker home, he was welcomed warmly. The family, learning Nolan had no place to stay, insisted he remain for the night. Nolan stayed only briefly, using the time to allow Red Queen to continue her investigation.
Red Queen, embedded in a wristwatch, had limited capabilities. Yet, from subtle traces, Nolan confirmed this world had no other superheroes.
This world was a blank canvas. While threats existed, it offered untapped opportunities. No heroes, no Ancient One-level powers he could operate freely. Of course, making money still required caution; he could not afford to attract attention from unknown forces.
Days later, Nolan walked through the towering halls of Oscorp.
The building was a testament to the corporation's power. Perhaps not the universe's mightiest, but among the elite.
His goal was simple: the Green Goblin serum.
The multiverse contained many timelines, each with differences. Here, though Spider-Man and the Green Goblin existed, this Spider-Man was not the naïve, young hero of the Marvel Universe.
This Spider-Man was the strongest of the three generations. Nolan had observed him carefully these past days. Since Uncle Ben's attempted assassination, Peter Parker had embraced his Spider-Man path. Without the specific tragedy involving Ben's death, he was less extreme, yet Nolan recognized his true power.
Unlike the MCU Spider-Man, who relied on Stark tech, this Peter Parker's strength was innate. Even without matching the Hulk, he could contend with Nolan in a fight. Nolan felt a pang of envy. Without armor, he suspected a single punch from Peter could kill him.
The spider serum was no longer accessible, but the Green Goblin serum offered a viable alternative.
Norman Osborn, after taking the serum, developed a secondary personality, becoming the Green Goblin. While his son was affected, ultimately he sided with Peter once the truth was revealed.
This version of the serum stimulated ambition and darker impulses but remained controllable. Time constraints had left it incomplete, but it might surpass even a super-soldier serum in potential. The latter had permanent, subtle effects that RockTech could not yet solve.
At Oscorp's reception, Nolan spoke.
"I want to meet Mr. Norman Osborn."
"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, eyeing his ragged clothing. She assumed he was just another hopeful with unrealistic dreams.
Nolan ignored her disdain. Perhaps this would be the perfect opportunity to defy her assumptions.
"No, but you can inform him a genetic engineer named Nolan Rock wishes to discuss some research. I believe he will see me."
A genetic engineer? The receptionist frowned but called Osborn anyway.
Soon, Nolan received approval. While Osborn had never heard of him, a quick search of Nolan's credentials left him astonished. Dozens of genetic patents were listed under his name.
Osborn, plagued by hereditary illness, saw Nolan as a potential lifeline.
As Nolan entered Osborn's office, Norman spoke immediately.
"Mr. Rock, I've reviewed your profile, but you have five minutes to state your purpose."
Nolan smiled faintly, leaving nothing hidden.
"Mr. Osborn, it seems your hereditary condition is worsening."
Osborn's eyes widened in shock.
"How do you know?" he demanded. This secret was critical. No one wanted a failing heir to continue controlling Oscorp. Yet Osborn's survival depended on it. He had invested tirelessly in genetic research, even amid repeated losses.
Now, his secret was out.