Mark Anderson was an average 25-year-old guy with an ordinary life. He had a decent job, a loving family, and dreams he could never quite find the courage to chase.
But fate had other plans for him. One fateful day, while working late in his office, Mark felt a sharp pain in his chest. Before he could even process what was happening, everything went dark.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in an endless, shadowy void. It was both terrifying and mesmerizing—a vast abyss that seemed to stretch infinitely in every direction.
"Where... am I?" Mark muttered, his voice echoing in the emptiness.
Suddenly, a presence made itself known. It wasn't a person, not in the conventional sense. It was a being—shapeless, immense, and utterly incomprehensible.
"Ah, another one," it spoke, its voice resonating directly in Mark's mind. "Welcome, Mark Anderson."
Mark flinched, his heart racing. "W-who are you? What is this place?"
"You may call me ROB," the entity replied. "This is... well, let's just say it's a transitional space. Your time in your original world has ended. But, lucky for you, I'm offering a second chance."
Mark's eyes widened. He had read countless stories about situations like this—people transported to new worlds with powers, living out adventures beyond their wildest dreams. A mix of excitement and apprehension bubbled within him.
"A second chance? You mean... like being reincarnated? Sent to another world?"
"Precisely," ROB said, almost amused. "I'm selecting individuals from across the Omniverse for an experiment. I'll grant you one ability and one skill. But don't expect overpowered cheats—this is about potential, not instant godhood."
Mark hesitated. As thrilling as it sounded, his thoughts turned to his family. "What about the people I left behind? My family?"
ROB's voice softened, though still enigmatic. "Their lives will go on without you, Mark. This is your path now. The choice is yours—accept my offer, or move on to the afterlife."
Mark took a deep breath. The opportunity was too incredible to pass up. "Alright, I'll do it. But... what's the catch?"
ROB chuckled. "No catch, other than the uncertainty of the world you'll be sent to. You don't get to choose that. Now, tell me your choices—what will be your skill and your ability?"
Mark's mind raced. He needed to pick carefully. Finally, inspiration struck.
"For my ability, I choose the Predator ability from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime—the ability to consume and get the powers of anything I consumed."
"And your skill?" ROB prompted.
"The Great Sage from the same series. I want a companion in my mind to help me make decisions and guide me."
ROB let out a pleased hum. "Interesting choices. Very well. Your journey begins now."
Before Mark could ask another question, a wave of energy enveloped him, and the abyss faded. His new life was about to begin.
....
**Marvel universe, Earth**
The city of New York was as lively as ever, but amidst the bustling streets and glowing skyscrapers, an unusual meteor fell silently in a quiet park.
The small rock cracked open upon impact, and a black, viscous substance seeped out like liquid shadow.
Mark's consciousness flickered to life. But instead of feeling the familiar weight of a human body, he was overwhelmed by an alien sensation. He couldn't feel arms, legs, or even a head—only the strange, shifting form of goo.
"What... what is this?!" Panic surged through him as he tried to make sense of the situation.
Within his mind, a calm, almost mechanical voice spoke:
> "Great Sage initializing. Explanation: You have been reincarnated as a symbiote organism. This form lacks a stable body and requires sustenance or a host to maintain functionality."
The words hit him like a truck. A symbiote? He knew about symbiotes as he is a Marvel fan, Symbiotes are parasitic creatures that bonded with hosts to survive.
"Hunger detected," Great Sage continued. "Warning: Without immediate sustenance, host life will terminate in approximately two minutes."
"Damn it, ROB!" Mark cursed internally. "You could've at least made me something less fragile!"
He could already feel his strength fading. Time was running out.
Mark's senses sharpened as he heard footsteps approaching. Someone was getting closer to the meteor site.
In his weakened state, he could only observe as a figure entered the dim light of the park.
Desperation clawed at his fading consciousness. He didn't want to bond with a random stranger, but he also didn't want to die before he even started this new life.
"Great Sage," Mark called out weakly. "Find a way to keep me alive... use Predator if you have to."
> "Acknowledged. Permission granted to activate Predator."
Before the approaching figure could react, tendrils of black goo surged forward, enveloping them in an instant. The person barely had time to let out a gasp before being absorbed entirely.
Darkness engulfed Mark's senses. Moments later, a surge of energy coursed through him, revitalizing his weakened form.
> "Analysis complete. Subject consumed. Vitality restored. New memories acquired."
Mark felt the symbiotic goo reshape itself into a humanoid form, copying the very essence of the person it had just consumed. Clothes, appearance, and even memories now flowed into Mark's consciousness.
As the memories played out in his mind, his vision sharpened. He instinctively glanced at his human hands. Panic began to rise as the pieces clicked together.
"No way... this can't be real."
The memories of the consumed host revealed a name: Peter Parker.
Mark's mind reeled. "Holy crap. I just ate Spider-Man."
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