Sitting in my room, thinking about what to do next, I felt excited for the future. Mentoring Peter Parker was still far off because he hadn't been born yet. But I knew I had plenty of time, so I decided to use it well.
Alright, first," I said, thinking about my future goals. "Let's focus on honing my skills and embodying the role of Spider-Man until the day Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man in 1962."
Michael, dinner is ready," said Mom, her voice carrying a hint of warmth and anticipation
I smiled, feeling comforted by her words. Even with all the struggles I endured in my training to be Spider-Man, these moments reminded me of the happiness found in family and home. "I'll be right there, Mom," I responded, feeling thankful for her constant love and support.
Just then, the door creaked open, and my dad, Edward Wilson, stepped into the house.
"I'm back, folks! Ah, the aroma of delicious food," Dad teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
Mom blushed at his comment, responding with a gentle rebuke. "Oh, you jest, Edward."
"How was your day, son?" Dad turned to me, curiosity evident in his tone.
I mirrored the lie I had told Mom earlier, not wanting to burden them with the complexities of my secret life as Spider-Man. "Um, it was great, Dad. We had a lot of customers, and we made a good profit. But I ended up giving it all to Mark. You know, he kinda needs the money."
"That's my boy," Dad nodded approvingly, accepting my words at face value.
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, amazed at how easily my dad, who's known for being a top investigator as a police officer, believed my made-up story. It just shows how close-knit our family is, where sometimes tell a little white lies to protect each other from unnecessary worries.
"So how was your day, Dad? Being a police officer is hard, right? Especially as a captain," I said, curious to hear about his experiences.
Dad paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face before he responded, "Well, it's not that bad, not that good either. But I feel happy when I help people in need, son."
His words resonated with me, reminding me of the selflessness and dedication that ran in our family. Despite the challenges he faced in his line of work, Dad found fulfillment in making a difference in people's lives, much like Uncle Chris did with his acts of kindness.
"That's really admirable, Dad," I said, feeling a surge of pride for him. "You're like a real-life superhero, always there to protect and serve."
Dad chuckled humbly before switching topics. "Speaking of heroes, there's a woman who shared her harrowing experience. She narrowly escaped a sexual assault by someone she considered a friend," he explained.
"She mentioned that a mysterious figure, dressed in a black costume with a blue-eyed mask and a spider emblem on his chest, intervened and saved her. She even witnessed him shooting webs from his wrists. Interestingly, the perpetrator was apprehended at a police station, with a note mentioning the vigilante known as Spider-Man left beside him." Dad explained, His voice carried a hint of curiosity.
I blushed when Dad mentioned my hero persona, feeling a mix of embarrassment and pride at the same time. It was both awkward and heartwarming to hear him that.
Suddenly, Mom interjected with a question that caught me off guard. "Is he a mutant, darling, that spider hero?"
The word "mutant" echoed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine. Mutants? In this world? It seemed almost too surreal to comprehend.
"Well, I don't know, Babe, whether that vigilante is a mutant or not," Dad replied, his voice calm and measured. "My team and I are still investigating these things."
"Mom, is there a mutant in this world?" I blurted out, unable to contain my curiosity.
Dad chimed in, providing some context. "Well, you probably didn't know because you never read newspapers, let alone watch the news on TV, but yeah, there are mutants."
{Television here is quite advanced, even by our standards in 1947. It's more akin to what we would expect from the 1980s TV. But that's not too shocking, considering all the fancy gadgets created or wielded by the villains in the Spider-Man universe, it's not surprising that everyday technology would also be ahead of its time. Anyway, let's get back to the story.}
"Shit, there are mutants in this world?" I exclaimed internally, feeling a mixture of shock and disbelief. The thought of mutants existing alongside regular humans was a concept straight out of science fiction.
"System, there is a mutant in this world after all. But there are no Avengers or SHIELD. How can there be mutants?" I asked, seeking clarification from the System.
"Yes, host, there is a mutant in this world," the Ai System confirmed. "And yes, there are no Avengers or SHIELD in this universe. The Spider-Man in this universe operates differently from other Spider-Man universes."
Also I know from Michael Memories that I, who is a Greek nerd, didn't know mutants well. Because, this motherfucker doesn't bother with anything aside from comics and superheroes, so he forgot that mutants are like superheroes too. (sigh) I wonder if I really have a higher IQ than the average person.
Suddenly, my dad's voice broke through the silence, his words laden with a solemn tone. "Son, many mutants are not in this city. Maybe they're in another city, or perhaps some are here in the city of New York, hiding among regular humans."
His reminder hit me like a shit, a stark reminder of the complexities of this world I found myself in. "Be careful, son," he continued, his voice tinged with concern. "Mutants are different. There might be good ones, but there might also be bad mutants—a mutant who kills, a murderer. Anyway, be careful, okay? After all, mutants are not regular humans. They can possess abilities beyond our capabilities."
His words lingered, darkening the mood in the room. They served as a clear reminder that with mutants around, there were risks everywhere. As Spider-Man, I had to be extra careful in this world of uncertainty, where danger could be waiting at any turn.
"Yes, Dad, I'll make sure to be careful," I reassured him, wanting to ease his worries.
Dad nodded, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. "Good. Remember, caution is the parent of safety."
Mom nodded in agreement with Dad's words, her face reflecting his worry.
Got it, Dad," I replied with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood. "I'll be as cautious as a rat hiding from a cat, sneaky and elusive! (i chuckled a little bit)."
Mom chuckled softly at my attempt to make things less serious, her laughter sounding like a cozy blanket on a chilly day. It was nice to hear her laugh, especially when we were talking about something so serious.
"That's our Michael, always making silly jokes," Mom said, her eyes shining with affection.
I grinned, feeling a sense of relief as the tension in the room dissipated. "Hey, what can I say? Laughter is the best medicine, right?"
Dad nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Indeed it is, son. Now, let's not keep your mom waiting any longer. Dinner's getting cold."
With a nod, I joined my parents at the dinner table, feeling thankful for their company and the love they shared. Despite all the unknowns out there, sitting together like this made me feel hopeful. As we dug into our meal, I felt reassured that no matter what came our way, I be ready everytime.
...
As I headed back to my room after dinner, my parents' words hung heavy in my thoughts. But just as I settled in, a familiar sound broke the silence—the Spider-Man System chimed in.
["Host, now that you've completed the tutorial quest, it's time for you to spread your superhero name, Spider-Man."]
I listened intently as the System outlined my next quest. It was clear that establishing my identity as Spider-Man was crucial for my journey ahead.
Quest: Spread your fame. Make your name widely known as Spider-Man.
Reward: 20,000 shop points and 1,000 experience points.
The words flashed across the screen, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was my opportunity to build a name for myself as the iconic Spider Man.
The promise rewards got me pumped. With shop points, I could get cool powers or learn new moves. and experience points would basically level me up, making me even better at being Spider-Man.
With a determined nod, I accepted the quest, ready to embark on the next chapter of my journey as Spider-Man. Armed with my powers and unwavering resolve, I was prepared to swing into action and spread my influence across the city.
"Hi, once again, my name is Michael Wilson, a 27-year-old man mentally and a 15-year-old boy physically. Who am I?" I said with a smirk
"I am Spider-Man."
To be continued