Stand User in Marvel Universe Chapter 1 New Life

~4 minute read · 999 words

Whether one loves or hates another, sending them to New York serves as an extreme. For love, it's paradise; for hate, it's hell.

Capturing a photo of his disheveled appearance while seated, He Yongzhi found himself contemplating these contrasting sentiments he'd encountered online.

Having just returned from the hospital to a modest eatery in New York's Chinatown, he was now endeavoring to make sense of the 'absurdity' that had recently befallen him.

Prior to this, the notion of becoming immersed in the vibrant pulse of this metropolis had been beyond his wildest imagination.

His former existence was that of a mundane employee at a fledgling mobile game company, dwelling in a nondescript city. At thirty-something, his bank account held meager savings, and love life was non-existent. Despite the daily grind that led to significant hair loss, he had managed to acquire his own place. Still, he believed his appearance deterred potential partners, as looks often trumped all else in the dating scene.

Then, abruptly, he inhabited another's form – that of a man of mixed English and Chinese heritage. A simple glance in the mirror revealed a person blessed with superior genetics: a fair complexion, piercing, sharp eyes, subtly arched thick eyebrows, and long, intense lashes. Standing at a commanding 185 cm, a height admired universally, his lean, strong physique perfectly complemented his handsome visage. He felt a surge of unexpected delight.

Yet, He Yongzhi, bewildered by his transmigration, didn't entirely share this elation. His mind struggled to recall the final moments before his unexpected journey.

A hazy recollection emerged: it was the seventh day of development for a game heavily inspired by the acclaimed animation series, "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure." Operating as a small firm, rapid completion was paramount.

Naturally, circumventing copyright laws, they employed a similar but disguised title. He couldn't quite pinpoint if it was 'YoYo's Wonderful Adventure' or 'JoJo Mainland.'

This wasn't the first instance of his company producing such derivative works. By rebranding, they could repeat the cycle indefinitely, assuming the original creator wouldn't notice their discreet form of piracy.

Once the project's direction was set and only the development phase remained, his boss hosted a celebratory gathering. The objective was to motivate the employees to expedite the game's creation, despite their inherent reservations. Acknowledging the dubious legality of the work, the boss used the party as a means to encourage their efforts, as direct coercion was untenable.

These employees bore responsibility for their own circumstances, largely comprising individuals overlooked by more reputable firms due to deficits in skill, knowledge, or sheer fortune. In a society valuing merit and talent, these individuals were left with little choice but to partake in the food and drink offered.

He Yongzhi's most vivid recollection was retiring to bed that evening.

Upon awakening, he found himself in a New York hospital room, inhabiting an unfamiliar body. Inquiry with a doctor revealed he had been transported by ambulance. The body's parents, both of Chinese descent, had succumbed to illness, their treatment having been initiated too late. This small Chinatown restaurant likely represented their final legacy for their son.

"I should be deceased... It's ironic, having consumed numerous anime featuring protagonists transmigrating into bodies upon their near-death experiences. I never envisioned myself facing a similar reality." He Yongzhi suspected the cause of his demise but remained unfazed.

After all, his own life had been remarkably devoid of excitement or fulfillment. He could hardly term it 'living' – his days consisted of an unending cycle of waking, working, and sleeping. He had no close family, no spouse or children. His social circle comprised a handful of acquaintances with whom he occasionally shared meals and drinks, but these connections lacked depth.

As he touched his face, a flood of memories from the body's original owner surged into his mind. The most immediate revelation was that he, along with his parents, had been poisoned. This fact remained unknown to others, and he doubted any police report would be taken seriously, given the prevalent corruption.

Had it not been for his intervention, the three of them would have perished together.

Indeed, even the attending physician had deemed his condition beyond recovery. Fortunately, the hospital had documented instances of remarkable recoveries, such as a 70-year-old woman who regained consciousness just before burial rites commenced. Consequently, the doctor could not entirely dismiss the possibility of a miracle.

"No use dwelling on it; I'll simply do the best I can with the circumstances."

The bad news was likely to continue, but he saw no point in stressing over what lay ahead. He wasn't entirely without resources, either. His parents' modest restaurant, with its six or seven tables, was probably sufficient to cover his basic needs in this vibrant city. Should the business falter, he could always sell it and return to China.

Though the restaurant technically wasn't his, having been thrust into this new body, he resolved to make full use of its assets.

As he pondered his situation, his phone began to ring.

He Yongzhi retrieved the device from his pocket.

“Hey, Dio, I heard you were released from the hospital today. Are you completely recovered? I’m truly sorry about Uncle Brando and Aunt He. Don't let sadness consume you. I have some savings if you need money. I also know a good cemetery for them, quite affordable. Of course, I didn't mean to bring them up or anything, I was just…”

From the memories he'd inherited, He Yongzhi understood he couldn't end the call. The caller was Will Jos, the current body's friend. Will was a Black man, unaware of his father's identity, who had been involved with a gang since childhood. Despite his background, Will was warm and considerate, and He Yongzhi was already thankful for the simple comfort of a warm meal at He's place.