Chapter Text
Choi Subong hadn’t been “normal” for what felt like ages. He couldn’t even remember what it was like to be normal anymore—just trying to survive, one day at a time.
It all started two years ago, when a radioactive spider bit him one night out. That bite changed everything. He discovered powers he never thought were possible—strength, speed, and reflexes that were beyond human. But it didn’t come with a happily-ever-after. This might seem like no time at all, but in that time, everything Subong had cared about had fallen apart. His uncle was found dead, his best friend moved to another city, and his dream of becoming a rapper? That was just another thing to bury. To top it all off, his aunt fell into a depression and could barely bring any money into the house ever since. Now it was Subong who had to keep things afloat—paying the bills, buying the food, taking care of the house. All while struggling through his last year of high school. At 17, he’d already been through a lot.
It was midnight on a Sunday when Subong told his aunt he was of to sleep, trying to keep it casual so she wouldn’t notice how much he’d been slipping away lately. He made his way to his bedroom window already in his purple and black suit, preparing to sneak out the way he always did—quiet, quick, and unnoticed.
With a deep breath, he popped a colourful pill into his mouth—the only thing that made him feel alive anymore. It wasn’t healthy, and it wasn’t the way he should’ve been coping, but it was the only escape he had —it made him feel embarrassed. No one would notice, anyway. No one cared enough to ask if he was alright, to tell him that he was acting weird.
At school, Subong was the guy everyone liked (well, almost everyone). He had the kind of reputation that got him respect from most, even though he basically only showed up for exams. He was quite smart—smart enough not to bother with the nonsense of showing up every day. And he always kept his guard up. A few years ago, he had a tight group of friends, a crew. They’d go to rap battles, skate around the city, spray graffiti on abandoned walls, and hit the local bars together. That was before the accident—the one that wrecked his best friend’s house and forced her family to move away. The accident that, as Spider-Man, he could’ve stopped but didn’t. He should’ve, but he didn’t. Now, all he had were the wonderful memories of those carefree days.
His nights were spent stopping robbers or in dive bars, hoping to get into a fight and earn some cash to spend on food or clothes. It wasn’t much, but it was something. The rest of the time, he spent hiding in his favorite spot—the rooftop of a skyscraper, looking out over the city. He’d spend a few hours up there, clearing his mind before going back home to sleep just long enough to get up for school. Tomorrow, he had a math exam first thing in the morning. He couldn't believe it—who the hell schedules a math exam on a Monday at 8:30 AM? Only a psychopath like his teacher.
A few hours later, Subong was walking back to his apartment with some cash in his pocket, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on him. He was tired, but something caught his eye—a man moving too deliberately, too cautiously. He looked out of place. Subong decided to follow him, his curiosity piqued. He kept his distance, darting across the rooftops to stay out of sight. The man kept glancing behind him, looking over his shoulder as if he knew he was being watched.
The mysterious man made his way through the city, eventually reaching a subway entrance. Subong had enough time now to get a better look at him. He was tall, wearing a suit, and carrying a briefcase. There was something about him that didn’t sit right. Subong thought about following him further, but then he noticed the first light of dawn creeping up on the horizon. The night was over. He figured he’d leave the guy for now—if he was important enough to follow again, he’d still be around. For now, he needed to get some sleep.
The alarm was going to ring in an hour anyway.