Marvel Transmigration: I Possessed Iron Man

Ben Parker, his eyesight fading with age, squinted toward the approaching figure.

"Move it!" the blond man barked.

As soon as Ben saw the man holding a gun, an odd thought crossed his mind — maybe those nine years of self-funded education in America finally had a purpose.

From a young age, his teachers had instilled in him one simple principle: be a good person.

"Ben, remember this: with great power comes great responsibility."

"Teacher, what is power?"

"Power is a broad term. Money, influence, status, skills — they're all forms of power."

"Then what's my power?" young Ben had once asked curiously.

"Maybe… being poor."

"Even if we're poor, we must have dignity!"

"Old man, get out of the way!"

Ben Parker's most heroic moment was about to unfold. With a bold sweep, he lunged forward, trying to jab the robber's stomach with his umbrella.

But his timing was off. His aim was worse. The umbrella missed entirely, and the blond man effortlessly kicked him to the ground.

"Looking to die, old man?"

The blond man's temper flared. That a frail senior had dared to strike him left him seething with rage.

Who did this old fool think he was challenging? Him? Fat Tiger?

"Oh, tough guy, huh?" The blond man raised the gun, finger tightening on the trigger.

"Die!"

Bang!

The bullet shot through the air, hot and fast.

"Am I really going to die here?" In that fleeting moment, countless thoughts raced through Ben Parker's mind.

"The most precious thing in life… is life itself. It only comes once, and a person should live so that when they look back—"

He didn't even get to finish mentally reciting How the Steel Was Tempered.

A figure suddenly stepped in front of him.

Ding. Host is in danger.

Ding. God-Level Choice System activating!

Please choose:

Do nothing and let the blond man shoot Ben Parker. Reward: Spider-Man bloodline.

Stop the blond man from shooting Ben Parker. Reward: Increased charm (Note: Makes you more attractive to women).

Kill Ben Parker yourself. Reward: Loyalty of the blond man (Note: He will never betray you).

A second earlier…

Aetheris had seen the blond man pull the gun.

"Should I save the old man or not? Save him? Don't save him?" Aetheris hesitated.

Then the system popped up with its usual tempting choices — well, two tempting ones. The third? Seriously? Why would he need this blond thug's loyalty?

Was this guy some hidden genius?

Or did the system secretly believe he was destined to rule the criminal underworld of New York?

Was he supposed to be the next Godfather?

Women? Please. If he really wanted to, he could summon them with a snap of his fingers.

Did the system not understand that having too many women could also be a headache?

The great revolutionary Gorky once said… something about a storm petrel being brave and defiant… no, that didn't fit the moment.

"Let the pain come even harder!" Aetheris grinned. "Option Two."

Ding!

Everyone stared at Aetheris in shock as they saw a gleaming golden bullet pinched neatly between his right index and middle fingers.

"Heh… In all martial arts, nothing is invincible — only speed can't be beaten!"

"All of New York, salute the Dragon King!"

Aetheris smirked. "Don't just stand there — call the police!"

The blond man panicked and tried to run, but Aetheris moved with lightning speed, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him off his feet.

Thud! The blond man hit the ground hard, his vision spinning.

Without missing a beat, Aetheris yanked off the man's belt and tied him up in a humiliating, limbs-sprawled position.

"Uncle Ben!"

Peter Parker shoved his way through the crowd, rushing to Ben Parker, who sat trembling on the ground.

"Uncle Ben! What happened?"

"Peter… you're finally here," Ben sighed in relief, the close brush with death nearly sending his blood pressure skyrocketing.

"If it weren't for this gentleman, that blond punk's bullet would've sent me straight to the pearly gates." Ben patted his chest, still rattled.

"Blond punk?!" Peter's heart sank as he spotted the blond man bound on the ground.

It was him. The same robber Peter had let go earlier that evening.

Why was he here?

Then it hit him — that argument with Uncle Ben a few mornings ago. Uncle Ben had told him to wait at 10 PM to be picked up… and he had completely forgotten.

How careless could he be? Truly pathetic.

The realization that his own stubbornness had nearly cost Uncle Ben his life overwhelmed Peter with guilt.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Ben. I shouldn't have argued with you. I shouldn't have ignored what you said."

"It's alright, child. The sea of regret is endless, but it's never too late to turn back."

"Come on, let's thank the man who saved my life!" Ben struggled to his feet and walked over to Aetheris, bowing deeply.

"There's no way I could ever repay you for saving my life. I'll be your ox or your horse in the next life if that's what it takes—"

"Whoa, whoa, enough!" Aetheris quickly cut him off, wincing at the over-the-top sentiment.

"Haha! As they say, saving a life is more valuable than building a tower seven stories tall. Keeping the peace and protecting people's lives and property — that's what any decent citizen should do. No need for all the theatrics."

"You're… Mr. Stark?" Peter hesitated, but the moment Aetheris spoke, his doubts vanished. This was him. His idol.

The dream of ninety trillion girls — Tony Stark.

Much like Principal Scallion, Tony Stark was the ultimate idol for every underdog in America.

Wealthy. Brilliant. Handsome. Charismatic.

The definition of perfection.

"Heh, I know you. You're Peter Parker, the little inventor from the community college!" Aetheris chuckled.

"You… you know me?" Peter's eyes lit up with disbelief. His idol actually knew who he was.

It was like praying to God every day… and one day, God answered: "My child, I heard your prayers."

"I… I…" Peter stammered, unable to speak from the excitement.

"Alright, alright. It was just a small act of kindness. I believe any good-hearted citizen of this country would've stepped in if they saw something like that," Aetheris said with a smile.

"Well… I wouldn't be so sure," Ben Parker remarked, glancing at the bystanders.

He clearly remembered how, just moments ago, everyone had scattered like cockroaches, their so-called civic spirit nowhere to be found.

"They must've read all their books straight into the stomachs of dogs," Ben muttered under his breath.

Woooo—waaa—wooo waa waa—

The distant wail of police sirens grew louder.

Soon, a squad of New York's finest arrived and arrested the blond man.

"Thank you, Mr. Stark," said Police Chief Oliver warmly, shaking Aetheris' hand.

(End of Chapter)

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