Peter Parker, but the Gwen Universe

[Before reading: The male and female leads reveal their identities to each other in Chapter 65. There is no ambiguous romance involving secret identities before then. Certain people in the review section seem to have questionable motives.]

[If you spot any unreasonable plot points while reading, feel free to leave a comment. The author generally reads them and may revise accordingly.]

"Peter, wake up. You're going to be late for school."

A crisp, pleasant female voice rang by Peter's ear, rousing him from his haze.

Peter Parker opened his eyes and felt memories buried from a past life surge over him like a tidal wave.

After a brief daze, Peter's eyes widened.

He had awakened the wisdom of his past life and gradually understood everything!

He had actually transmigrated into the Marvel Universe and become the famous "Spider-Man"—Peter Parker!

And today was the day he was supposed to visit Osborn Tower!

Perhaps it was precisely because today held such extraordinary significance that he had awakened the memories of his past life.

As memories of that life returned, an uncontrollable surge of ecstasy rose in Peter's chest.

In his previous life, when he had been nothing more than an overworked corporate drone, his favorite Marvel character had been Spider-Man.

That red-and-blue figure who soared between New York City's skyscrapers and fought for justice carried all his dreams of being a hero.

And now, he truly had the chance to become that superhero himself!

The instant he realized that, Peter excitedly raised his head.

The moment he looked up, an impossibly beautiful young face entered his vision.

She was a tall blonde white girl.

Her skin was fair as snow, her eyes were blue, and a perfectly measured trace of annoyance rested on her delicate face.

Memories flooded back quickly, and Peter soon recalled her identity.

Gwen Stacy!

His childhood sweetheart and next-door neighbor, the daughter of George Stacy, New York City's police commissioner.

And Peter's official love interest in The Amazing Spider-Man films!

Except... wasn't this setup a little off?

According to the movie plots he knew, whether it was the Tobey Maguire version or the Andrew Garfield version, Peter and Gwen had never been close enough before he became Spider-Man for her to casually walk into his bedroom and wake him up, had they?

Although he was a little bewildered, Peter quickly accepted the premise.

The Marvel Universe had countless parallel universes to begin with. Maybe he was in one where Peter and Gwen had grown up together as childhood sweethearts!

Coming back to himself, Peter smiled and greeted Gwen.

"Morning, Gwen."

As he spoke, he got out of bed with complete naturalness.

Then... he felt a chill, followed by Gwen's piercing scream.

At the narrow dining table, Peter, Gwen, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben sat together.

Seeing Peter's awkward expression and Gwen's flushed cheeks, Uncle Ben and Aunt May exchanged a glance, each finding a knowing smile on the other's face.

"Peter, Gwen got up especially early today because she was afraid you'd miss the chance to visit the Osborn Group. You'd better thank her properly."

Uncle Ben adjusted his glasses and looked at Peter with a teasing expression.

Hearing that, Gwen turned to Peter as well, looking like a haughty little cat. She might as well have had the words Praise me already written across her face.

"Thanks, Gwen. But next time you wake me up, you should probably knock first~"

At those words, Gwen's pretty face reddened again, and she shot Peter a massive glare.

Who knew you liked sleeping naked, you idiot!

After a warm breakfast, Uncle Ben drove his ancient fifth-hand clunker to work, while Peter and Gwen boarded a bus chartered by the Osborn Group and headed toward Osborn Tower.

Since this was a tour specifically arranged for top students, the school bullies who always loved causing trouble, such as "Flash" Thompson, were nowhere to be seen.

That put Peter in an excellent mood and made him even more eager for the impending turn in his fate.

As long as that spider bit him and turned him into Spider-Man, he would never have to worry about things like school bullying again!

And with his knowledge of Spider-Man's stories, he would definitely be able to break that damned curse of the Spider Totem!

True love always dies, great power comes with great responsibility...

They could all get lost!

He would become the happiest and freest Spider-Man!

The bus rolled onward, and before long, everyone arrived at the main entrance of Osborn Tower.

As Peter looked at the dazzling array of high-tech products displayed all around him, he marveled inwardly while quietly heightening his vigilance.

His gaze constantly swept between the crowd and the exhibits, watching for the radioactive spider that was about to change his life!

"Next, we'll be visiting the radioactive genetically modified spider grafting laboratory."

A guide's sweet voice sounded from nearby, and Peter's breathing abruptly stopped.

It was here!

His opportunity had arrived!

Just as his heart was nearly leaping out of his chest from overwhelming excitement, he heard a very soft intake of breath beside him.

"Gasp..."

Peter instinctively turned around.

Gwen was frowning, one hand covering the fair back of her neck, pain showing on her face.

At the sight of this painfully familiar scene, Peter froze completely.

"What's wrong, Peter?" Gwen asked curiously, glancing down at her palm without thinking.

A tiny, vividly colored spider corpse lay curled quietly in her hand.

The instant Peter saw that dead spider, it felt as if a bolt from the blue had struck him from above, leaving him utterly stunned.

The spider... had bitten Gwen.

Not him!

A terrifying thought rose in Peter's mind, making the world spin before his eyes until he could barely remain standing.

This was... the Gwen Spider-Man Universe!

The moment that conclusion clearly formed in his mind, a chill shot from the soles of Peter's feet straight to his scalp, and his limbs turned ice-cold.

The reason for his terror was simple.

Because in Ghost-Spider's universe, the true love Gwen lost under the influence of the Spider Totem was him—Peter Parker!

In Ghost-Spider's universe, Peter Parker, desperate for power, took the Lizard Serum to gain strength, ultimately lost control, transformed into a lizard monster, and died miserably in Gwen's arms!

And that meant...

Not only would he fail to become Spider-Man, he had also been handed the legendary sacrificial side-character script!

Once Gwen became Ghost-Spider, he could die at any time!

"Peter, what's wrong?"

Seeing how pale he had become, Gwen asked with concern, "I'm the one who got bitten. Why do you look even worse than I do?"

At that moment, she thought Peter was simply worrying too much about her, and two adorable blushes involuntarily rose to her cheeks.

But Peter had absolutely no mood to appreciate such a sight right now.

He merely bent down instinctively, picked up the spider corpse Gwen had dropped, and wore an expression of extreme complexity.

Why!

Why did this happen!

Was being an overworked corporate drone his entire previous life not enough? Even after becoming a movie protagonist in this life, he still had to be toyed with like this?

Just as Peter was on the verge of a breakdown and nearly wanted to roar at the sky, a cold mechanical notification suddenly rang in his mind without warning:

[Detected a purple-rarity item eligible for sacrifice: Radioactive Spider Corpse]

[Item Description: The chief culprit that guided Spider-Men across countless parallel worlds into becoming tragic heroes, the root of all misfortune and curses. Though already dead, the genetic information and radioactive residue within it give it special commemorative significance.]

[Sacrifice Reward: 5,000 points. Sacrifice?]