**MC POV**
My name is Hiro Takeru. Just your typical 18-year-old university student stuck in a mundane life in Japan. Losing my parents in a fire accident when I was 11 left me to care for my younger brother, Haruto, who was only 6 at the time. Now, he's my responsibility, and we live day by day in our tiny apartment. Today, like most days, I find myself dragging him out of his gaming obsession.
"Haru, enough of the games. You need to study for the exams coming up."
"Pfff," Haruto chuckled without taking his eyes off the screen, He barely glanced at me, his attention still on the game. ". Why? You're the one who's should stuck in textbooks. When did you read the book last time, bro."
"Tch."
' I'm spoiling him too much, look at this brat'
"Alright, genius," I said, my voice was firm. "We're leaving. Now."
Annoyed, I grab his controller and shut it down, much to his protest, and we head out to run a few errands. As we cross the street, a blaring car horn snaps me out of my thoughts. I instinctively try to push Haruto out of the way, but before I can even react, a bright flash surrounds us, forming a magic circle.
Suddenly, the car is gone, and so is the street. Instead, green trees and grass stretch out in front of me. A forest? What... What just happened?
"Haruto?!" I yell, looking around frantically. My heart races as I realize my brother is nowhere in sight.
Just then, a chilling voice echoes within me.
_"Yes, we came to another world."_
Startled, I shout, "Who said that? Show yourself!"
_"You won't be able to see me, because I'm within your soul."_
"Wait, are you... a system? Like in those web novels?"
_"Foolish boy. Don't compare me to something so trivial. I am Zarathos, the fallen angel. The Spirit of Vengeance. You are now my host—chosen to be the next Ghost Rider."_
My mind reels. Ghost Rider? The one from the comics? I can barely process what's happening, but something about this feels right.
"I... didn't expect this, but honestly... I think I like it," I say, trying to maintain some level of composure.
_"Hmm... it's rare to find someone so accepting of such a curse."_
"Well, I've always thought the Ghost Rider was kind of badass. I'm not too picky."
_"Your unusual acceptance is noted. Now, find out where you are."_
Right. My situation isn't normal. I've got to figure out where I am—and more importantly, where Haruto is. I head through the forest, searching for signs of life. Minutes pass before I feel a sudden shift in the air.
_"Innocent blood has been spilled. Boy, you're about to transform for the first time."_
"Will it hurt?"
_"More than you can imagine. But don't worry, I will take control until you're ready to handle my power yourself."_
Before I can brace myself, my body ignites. Flames envelop me, and the excruciating pain tears through my muscles and bones. I scream as my skin burns away, revealing the skeleton beneath. Smoke and heat swirl around me, and I feel the power of vengeance coursing through my very being.
I... am the Ghost Rider now.
_"This world reeks of injustice. The innocent cry out for vengeance, and I shall answer."_
Without hesitation, I begin running toward the source of the evil Zarathos sensed.
---
**Mikasa's House**
Mikasa Ackerman and her mother stand frozen in shock, watching helplessly as their husband and father lay bleeding on the floor. Three men stand in the room, their grins malicious as they taunt their helpless prey.
"Don't be afraid," one of the men sneers, "we won't hurt you… much."
Mikasa's mother holds her daughter tightly, her heart racing as she contemplates their grim fate. The thugs move closer, their intentions clear, when a sudden knock interrupts the horrific scene.
"Who the hell is knocking now?" one of the men snarls.
"Go check it out, idiot," another replies.
The first man grumbles as he opens the door. A flaming chain lashes out, piercing his chest and flinging him back like a rag doll. His body convulses as his soul burns, leaving only a charred corpse. The remaining thugs freeze, their eyes wide as a figure steps through the shattered doorway.
A flaming skeleton stands before them, cloaked in chains, his eyes burning with vengeance.
Ghost Rider.
"What... what the hell is that thing?!" the second thug stammers, backing away.
Ghost Rider strides forward, his voice low and menacing. "Your souls are stained with innocent blood. You are guilty."
With a flick of his wrist, the chain whips out again, wrapping around the second thug's neck and lifting him off the ground. He screams in agony as his body erupts into flames, his soul being consumed by the Spirit of Vengeance.
The leader of the thugs falls to his knees, trembling and sobbing. "P-please... don't kill me. I swear, I'll never hurt anyone again. Just... let me go."
Ghost Rider grabs the man by the collar, hoisting him into the air. "Look into my eyes. Your soul is stained by the blood of the innocent. Feel their pain. Feel their suffering."
The man screams in terror as his eyes lock with Ghost Rider's. He sees every heinous act he's committed flash before him, and with one final cry, his soul is consumed, his body reduced to ash.
Turning away from the smoldering remains, Ghost Rider faces Mikasa and her mother.
Mikasa's father, lying nearby, weakly groans, his life hanging by a thread. For a moment, Ghost Rider stares at the injured man. Then, the flames around his right hand shift, becoming something softer, more ethereal. He kneels down, pressing his hand to the father's wound.
A golden light envelops Mikasa's father, healing his wound instantly.
Mikasa's father, too stunned to move, stares at the flaming skeleton in front of him. His mind races with conflicting emotions—fear, awe, disbelief. This creature had not only saved them but had shown mercy.
To be continued..