The big question was whether this was the comic book universe or the movie one.

  Compared to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the Marvel world was undoubtedly a whole lot more dangerous. Forget everything else—just the sheer number of superheroes and supervillains popping up all over the place was enough to give anyone a migraine. You could probably chuck a rock in New York and hit a superhero.

  Julian Thorne could already picture the ways he was going to die. Repeatedly.

  But, thankfully, he'd landed in 2006. The first Iron Man movie was supposed to happen in 2008, so he had at least two years to get his act together.

  The simulation continued.

  [2006, July: Since you're a transmigrator, not a native of this world, you don't have an SSN or a driver's license. You're basically screwed in New York. So, you hit up Chinatown and buy an SSN from a guy named Martin Li for $3,000. According to Li, it's the real deal.]

  [2006, August: You keep hitting the casinos, placing small bets. Some you win, some you lose. But with your precise control, you always come out ahead. By the end of August, you've got $88,000 to your name. You swear this is the last time you'll ever set foot in a casino. (Net Worth +1)]

  [2006, September: After some research, your sharp business mind confirms that this world does indeed have Stark Industries, Hammer Industries, Oscorp, and Pym Technologies. These tech giants are way ahead of your previous world. But in the telecom sector, things are pretty much the same. Even the big shots on TV are still using those clunky flip phones with two screens. Give you some time, and you're confident you can pull a fast one and take the lead in the telecom industry.]

  [2006, October: After some prep work, you drop $2,000 to register a phone company called Pineapple.]

  [2006, November: Your R&D skills are right up there with Tony Stark's. In under two months, you whip up two prototype phones based on the iPhone 4 in your garage. Retina display, IPS screen tech, and a PPI three times higher than any other phone at the time. When it comes to milking the system, you don't hold back.]

  [2006, December: You spoke too soon. To raise more capital, you head to Vegas. You swear this is really the last time. You go on a 28-day winning streak, raking in $1.95 million playing 21. But now you're blacklisted from every casino in Vegas and probably the whole US. Still, you should have enough cash now. This is definitely your last time in a casino. (You gained the skill: Gambling (Intermediate), Net Worth +2)]

  [2006, December: You spend a ton of money on TV and newspaper ads, even though you haven't even started mass production. You're going all-in, no safety net. To a high-roller like you, gambling in Vegas and starting a business are basically the same thing—just different places, different rules, and different people to bet against.]

  [2007, January: Turns out you're running low on cash. Damn. You shell out $10,000 to enter the WSOP No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament. Winning means a $6 million prize. (Net Worth -2)]

  [2007, February: A total of 8,773 people entered the WSOP this year. You, a complete unknown, beat out a 39-year-old shrink named Jeremy Young to take the championship. (You gained the skill: Gambling (Advanced), Net Worth +5)]

  [2007, March: After three months of ad blitz and hype, your Pineapple phone is a massive hit. It's selling out everywhere. The smooth OS, Retina display, and crystal-clear images seem like they're from the future, totally blowing those ancient flip phones out of the water. Your strategy worked. You've won this battle!]

  [2007, April: Your startup is a runaway success. Like every other lucky bastard who caught the wave at the right time, your net worth is exploding. In America, your phone is the ultimate status symbol. Even big shots like Norman Osborn and Tony Stark are using it. (Net Worth +9)]

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  [2007, May: This month, you dated every Playboy cover girl from the first issue of '05 to May '07. You're exhausted. (Happiness +7)]

  [2007, June: You meet Tony Stark at a party. Similar personalities and almost identical abilities make you two feel like you've found your doppelgangers, except you're way better looking. Despite the mutual dislike, you become decent friends.]

  [2007, July: You, being the honest guy you are, are the target of an assassination attempt. Some low-level thugs spray your ride with bullets. Luckily, one of your employees happens to be driving by, and you escape unharmed. You find out the employee's name is John Wick, a security guard at your company. To thank him, you pay off his wife's medical bills—she has cancer—and find her the best doctor, helping to stabilize her condition. He's eternally grateful.]

  [2007, August: Over time, you and John Wick become good friends. You also keep in touch with Tony Stark, hitting up a few parties together. You're friends, but also rivals. Especially in the dating scene. You've got your looks, Tony's got his money. It's obvious who comes out on top.]

  [2007, September: A few of your phone retail stores get trashed by some punks. That night, a guy named Wesley comes to you, saying he represents a businessman named Wilson Grant Fisk, who wants to buy out your Pineapple company. You flat-out refuse. Even if you know he's Kingpin, he's not getting your company for free. To ensure your safety, you hire some bodyguards.]

  [2007, November: You're targeted in another assassination attempt. A few days later, the news reports that renowned philanthropist and businessman Wilson Grant Fisk was shot and killed. The next day, you see John Wick, who's injured. You share a knowing look.]

  [2007, December: By chance, you discover that John Wick is a master of all forms of Gun Kata, and is also highly skilled in the Mozambique Drill and the Center Axis Relock (C.A.R.) shooting stances. His movements are like poetry in motion. Is this Marvel or Wanted? After much pleading on your part, John finally agrees to teach you Gun Kata.]

  [2007, December - 2008, June: Your business is booming. You've hired tons of employees. The Pineapple 2 is out, and sales are still through the roof. Meanwhile, under John Wick's tutelage, you've grasped the basics of Gun Kata. (You learned the talent: Gun Kata: Death's Rhythm (Blue), You learned the skill: C.A.R. System (Basic))]

  [Death's Rhythm: A unique combat state that allows you to integrate any ability into combat, significantly increasing the user's combat ability and battlefield analysis.]

  [2008, July: Tony Stark heads to Afghanistan to sell some weapons. Two days later, the media reports that Tony Stark was attacked by the Ten Rings in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. His status is unknown, and he's out of contact.]

  [2008, October: Three months later, Tony Stark returns to the US. After a period of seclusion, the first thing he does is show off his newly upgraded Mark II suit to you. After a close look at the Iron Man armor, you figure you could replicate it perfectly, given enough time. The only big issue is the power source.]

  [2008, November: Tony Stark invites you out for drinks. You're crushed to death by a giant robot that falls from the sky. You gained the achievement: Death from Above.]

  [You are dead.]

  Summary: Your life was pretty smooth, but one thing needs to be said: you're way better at gambling than you are at business. Also, after you died, Tony Stark defeated Obadiah Stane in his Iron Monger suit and avenged you. Then, at the press conference, he said those famous words: "I am Iron Man!" In a way, he danced on your grave.

  Evaluation: C+, World Exploration: 34.8%. Since your exploration is above 20%, you've earned 3 Transmigration Coins. Because you had some impact on the world's scientific development, you've earned 1 Transmigration Coin. Keep it up!

  [Simulation ended. Please make your choice, Host.]

  [One: Randomly obtain three skills or specialties acquired during your traversal.]

  [Two: Randomly draw three items acquired during your traversal.]

  Julian Thorne: ...

  Death came so suddenly that Julian Thorne was stunned for a couple of seconds. Then, he was filled with rage.

  That damn Tony Stank was a real piece of work. It wasn't even his business, but he still managed to get him killed. Next time he transmigrated, he'd have to find a way to get back at him.

  But even though this run was short, the rewards were substantial.

  [You have chosen option one.]

  [You have obtained the talent: Gun Kata: Death's Rhythm (Blue)]

  [You have obtained the combat skill: C.A.R. System (Basic)]

  [You have obtained the skill: Gambling (Advanced)]

  Sure enough, he got another talent and another combat skill!

  Apart from being a bit short-lived, Julian Thorne was pretty satisfied with this haul. Gambling might be useless for now, but the C.A.R. System and Gun Kata: Death's Rhythm were huge boosts to his combat abilities.

  Combined with his existing firearms knowledge and Advanced Marksmanship, it felt like a whole new class was taking shape.