(Peter Parker POV)
I believe I can now understand the feeling of having a hangover… walking feels as if I'm treading through water. Everything seems brighter and much more focused than before.
The height difference was also definitely noticeable. I went from a decent 5 foot 6 inches to a full 6 feet. The difference was definitely noticeable. The city itself remained the same. You could still smell the smog and various other joyful scents and the people remain the same.. You could basically disappear into the crowd.
Thankfully, the nearest library wasn't too far away from where I woke up, and as I went up the stairs, I found myself staring at something. I never thought I'd see… It was a statue of a man with a shield with a star in the center.
"In memory of Captain Steve Rogers." The plaque read and as I looked it over, I wondered what kind of place this new universe was… for a few moments. I just looked towards the shield as Captain America held it upwards.
I remember how Pete described Captain America. He was a good man. He still had his flaws, but Pete considered him one of the best…. Other than the time he apparently got replaced by a Nazi version of himself, but that's another story.
With that thought, I entered into the library. It was nothing special, just two floors with computers lining the left and right sides. To be honest, the setup brings me back to all those late nights I spent studying in college. The library basically became my second home. Even now I can still smell the scent of coffee and old books. It was comforting in a way to see that some things still remain the same.
Walking over to one of the nearby monitors, it looked like an old iMac computer, but there wasn't an Apple logo. One looked like an L for a moment, and I checked to see if there was a label for the company, but all I found was a scratched out Lu- and after that, it got cut off.
As I booted up the machine, I opened up Internet Explorer and began my search… starting with basic history… everything on the surface looked relatively the same. All the major world events prior to the modern era still happened like World War I, World War II, the Cold War, among other things, but getting into that is where things got strange.
As I read through articles, I found repeated appearances from two separate groups referred to as the Justice Society of America and the Invaders. For the Justice Society, I saw a man in a cat suit, a man with a red T-shirt and a lightning bolt while wearing a helmet with wings, a man wearing a black cape and a green lantern-looking symbol on his chest… the last picture showed a woman with black hair wearing what looked to be a tiara and holding a glowing yellow rope. Going further in, it seems like this group was self-founded, most likely due to the fact that the Germans somehow managed to get their hands on very super tech.
A conspiracy theory article showed up, saying how the woman with the tiara joined the war to stop a God of War from influencing the events… to be honest, even the conspiracy theories are starting to make sense to me now.
Then came the Invaders. Immediately I saw Captain America along with what looked to be a fish man and a robot that looked like it was perpetually on fire… said robot seemingly was the one that killed Hitler… later on. I also saw another robot; this one, however, wasn't on fire and looked like a very basic automaton, wearing a green infantry hat and vest. Finally, there was Bucky Barnes. It says here that Bucky died or was considered missing in action a few years after Captain America supposedly fell in battle.
If the stories that Pete told me were true, then both of those men might still be out there… but considering the fact that this was an entirely new universe, that might just be speculation on my part.
I tried looking up any information on this supposed web of life and destiny and found nothing. Groaning in annoyance, I continued looking over the various articles, but there was just so much information that it was almost impossible to go through within a few hours… other relevant information included the existence of a new type of gene within humanity referred to by either the X-gene or the Meta-gene… however, it's mostly just speculation at this point.
Leaning back in the chair, I take a moment to think. Firstly, I needed to find a place to stay, and given the fact that I only have $10,000, it's definitely not gonna be a nice place. The other option is gaining an apartment through whatever the celestial system was.
[it's nice that you still remember me boss.] it's nice to know that you still exist too.
[+100 CP For Complimenting The System]
[100 CP Banked]
OK, that's new. So I assume I'm not exactly allowed to continuously compliment you, right?
[You would be correct! Certain point gaining methods will have diminishing returns until a certain amount of time has passed.. given the fact that you've just started the points will be given a bit more easily than they will in the future…]
{Are you able to do any searches for me to narrow down these perks or items?} I'm immediately met by the same blue screen appearing in front of my eyes.
[Of course. However, I myself would focus on gaining more defensive options first. Once you have an excess amount of points, then I would focus on properties and other physical items.] Giving the system a small amount of thanks for its advice, the screen disappears as it begins to create a new recommended section for me.
The perks themselves can be organized; however, the user interface is rather basic. It's basically a gigantic Google sheet that goes on seemingly forever with hundreds upon hundreds of various perks and items. The problem is I have no idea what most of these are and what they can do. Certain ones are pretty simple, like physical or mental enhancements, but the various esoteric energies are definitely something I'm going to have to study myself.
Mentally dismissing the screen, I begin doing searches over nearby apartment properties… but given the fact that this was 2013, the best options would cost me at least $2000 a month… in addition to living expenses, that would be nearly $2500 at minimum.
Sighing to myself, I just feel a bit nostalgic over the fact that I'm basically starting at square one again… a reminder of simpler times… before I can begin to search up anything else, I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I see a blonde woman with glasses… her posture is a bit curved due to her bending over to carry all of the books she was trying to carry.
"Do you need to use this computer?" The question is met by an immediate nod of confirmation.
As I get up and leave my spot, I noticed that all of the other stations have filled up while I wasn't paying attention.
The woman then sets the multiple books down and takes a breath of relief. "Thanks for letting me take your spot. I felt my arms were about to give any second." I could feel that in my bones, remembering the heavy-as-hell backpacks I used to carry all of the time.
"No problem. I was mostly done using it anyways. I can see you're definitely into mythology given the amount of books you're carrying." The woman slightly chuckles to herself as she picks up one of the books, which pertain to Greek mythology specifically.
"Well, I'm trying to find something and I haven't made much progress, but I feel like I'm getting closer." I could tell this mental lie to her.
"What exactly are you looking for? An ancient artifact, some kind of ruin?" Opening the book, she turns the page and it shows what looked to be some kind of paradise island.
"It's mentioned in very few books, but according to them, there is an island filled with warrior women with advanced technology and a well-established culture… I want to make contact with them. The last known records show one of their people being active during World War II, but after that nothing…. There's a possibility that the island itself is hidden through some kind of magnetic or geographic phenomena, but I haven't been able to prove that yet…. Sorry, I am rambling again… my name is Barbara Minerva."
She then extends her hand towards me and I take it. "Peter Parker… it's definitely an interesting subject matter. I wish you luck in finding it." My response seems to surprise her. But that look then turns to something more self-depreciating.
"It's been a while since someone's been able to say that with a straight face… usually when I tell people that I'm looking for a lost paradise island, they look at me like I'm crazy." Trust me, looking for a lost paradise island does not make you crazy.
"Well, I imagine they themselves aren't looking forward to much later in life, so they like to bring others down to that level. It's good that you have a goal to strive for. Just be careful. I imagine wherever this place is, it's not easy to reach. Anyway, I wish you a good rest of your day, Miss Minerva." The woman smiles as her eyes seem to brighten up.
"You too, Mr. Parker. I wish you luck in whatever you're trying to do, and if you excuse me, I have a lost civilization to find." She then turns towards the books as well as the computer. Walking out of the library, I genuinely do hope that she will find what she's looking for.
Although to be honest, the idea of an island of warrior women sounds like something out of some kind of fantasy and definitely not the PG-rating kind of fantasy. As soon as I make it to the bottom of the steps of the library, I begin walking towards a nearby apartment listing. The apartment itself is in Hell's Kitchen, which is probably a downside in it of itself… but beggars can't be choosers. The walk itself barely lasts 20 minutes before I make it to the apartment building.
Walking inside, I see a rather gangly man at the front counter, but as I walk up towards him, he seemingly snaps out of whatever trance he was in and continues to smoke his cigarette.
"Name?"
"Peter Parker."
"Apartment listing?" I give him a nod, and as he looks over the currently available apartments, he points towards one on the second floor.
"Apartment 2B… rent's due by the end of the month. If you don't have it, I'm kicking you out… no questions and no begging." As I swipe the card I was given that holds the money, I pay for this month's rent, which he seemingly appreciates as he smiles at me, but said smile was filled with rotting teeth.
As he hands me the key, I walk upstairs and find the place looking as good as I thought it would. The walls look somewhat cracked, and the place was very small.
But for now, it was enough. It was a basic one-room setup with one bathroom. The room itself was empty, but again, not the first time I've slept on the floor, definitely not the last.
Opening the window, I get the smell of smoke and various chemicals out of the room, and when I try to activate the ceiling fan light, it sputters before dying… truly my luck is just astounding.
Looking downward out the window, I see some nearby dumpsters with various parts and other garbage poking out, and after a few minutes, I close the window and make sure to lock it.
Sliding down the wall, I sit on the floor against the wall… the sun was beginning to set and in that moment, I wondered what my next move should be. I'm going to need some starting capital and I'm definitely not wanting to get into thievery just yet.
[+200 CP For Finding Shelter]
[300 CP Banked]
Seeing the pop-up on the screen in front of me, a slight smile makes its way to my face as I send a mental thanks to the system for trying to cheer me up… I supposedly get points for affecting the world around me and fulfilling necessary desires. I just wonder what quantifies and how it quantifies.
Checking over the recommended section again, I find the perks had changed, and out of the dozens that were on the page, three of them were ones that were truly beneficial, at least in the long run. Once I buy these, I should be able to focus on more immediate concerns.
Tapping the three perks and confirming the integration, I feel that same buzzing against my skin, like my very existence was changing on a fundamental level, yet you couldn't notice it on a physical level… however, one perk had a bit more of a visual effect as my veins began to glow in a golden light for a few moments before receding.
After the light fades and I feel the buzzing sensation fade alongside it, I lay down on the cold floor, and as I stare up at the ceiling, I begin to count the cracks and wait until my exhaustion catches up with me.
Not the best start, but it is one. Tomorrow… tomorrow is another day.
(Another chapter down and more ideas put to page. So currently our main character has found very basic accommodations and in the next chapter, he'll begin to make usage of some skills I'm planning to give him. If any of you guys want to request any specific skill set, please recommended to me. And as per usual, depending on when you guys are reading this, I wish you all a good morning, good afternoon, and good night. Also, if any of you guys haven't noticed yet, this universe is a bit of a cluster fuck between Marvel and DC. Take that as you will.)
[0 CP Banked]
Perks Gained:
(-100 CP) - Magic Resistance/Elder Scrolls: The Daedra: Daedra are a blight upon reality and you seek to exterminate them all. So the question is what is the most common weapon of both Daedra, and those who summoned them? You now have an impressive resistance to all magic taking only half the damage from any spells that strike you and being immune outright to instant death/transformative effects, this resistance doesn't apply to healing spells.
(-100 CP) - The Truth Wins Out/Monogatari: They're going to need to find another scapegoat to push their failings off on because any attempt to frame or falsely accuse you of something doesn't just fall flat, it backfires completely. Not only are you immune to attempts to frame you of things that you didn't do, any attempt that manages to succeed in doing so will soon reveal the true culprit to all those around them and even people beyond their social circle will become fully aware of it. Liars receive their just desserts when you're around. Perhaps you might even want to bait fools into trying it, just to watch as they get what they deserve.
(-100 CP) - Poison Immunity/Morroblivion: You are completely immune to all sorts of poison and diseases. Alcohol and recreational drugs are not affected unless you wish it to be.