Chapter 1: A City Under Siege
Gu are the core of cultivation in the world of "Reverend Insanity," not some abstract power system. Imagine a world where every single ability, every spell, every technique, isn't just something you "learn" but something you literally own in the form of a living, often insect-like, creature. These Gu worms, as they're often called, are incredibly diverse. They can range from the mundane, like a strength Gu that simply enhances physical might, making you capable of punching through a brick wall like it's made of tissue paper, to the utterly fantastical, like the Spring Autumn Cicada, a Gu that allows its user to be reborn into the past (with a hefty price, of course, because nothing's free in this messed-up world).
Their appearance is as varied as their functions. Some might look like shimmering, delicate butterflies, while others are grotesque, multi-legged centipedes, or even unassuming pebbles that, when activated, unleash devastating powers. They can be microscopic, residing within a cultivator's aperture, or gargantuan, capable of swallowing mountains. Every Gu has a unique ability, and usually, just one. It's their simplicity that makes them so complex, because true power comes from the killer moves, which are intricate combinations of multiple Gu, orchestrated to create a far grander effect. Think of it like a morbid, magical LEGO set where each brick is a living creature, and you're constantly trying to build bigger, badder, and more efficient contraptions to survive. They don't just grant power; they are the power, and without them, a cultivator is just a fancy meatbag waiting for a more well-equipped foe to turn them into mincemeat
Adam Stiels was, to put it mildly, having a terrible Tuesday. One moment, he was minding his own business, expertly navigating the digital landscape of a particularly tricky video game raid, a bag of stale chips perched precariously on his chest, and the next, he was... not. The familiar, slightly-too-soft cushion of his couch was gone, replaced by the unforgiving, hard reality of cold, gritty pavement. And the sound of his game's epic soundtrack? Now, it was a cacophony of screams, explosions, and a terrifying, unholy shriek that sounded like a blender full of angry demons.
He groaned, a sound that was less "oh no, a horrific, existential crisis" and more "who put a brick in my pillow?" His eyes snapped open, and he immediately wished they hadn't. The sky, or what was left of it, was a chaotic mosaic of smoke, fire, and giant, metallic space-eels that looked like they'd escaped from a particularly bad B-movie. A loud crash nearby sent a shower of debris his way, and he scrambled to his feet, his mind a frantic, jumbled mess of movie quotes and survival instincts.
"Okay, okay, deep breaths. This is not normal. Not even on a Monday. What's the plan? Well, first, don't get hit by the giant space-fish. Second, find a place to hide. Third... maybe re-evaluate my life choices that led to me being here. Fourth, get a cheeseburger. I'm inexplicably hungry. Wait, I'm in the middle of an alien invasion. Get it together, Adam. This is the big one."
A laser blast seared the asphalt a few feet away, and he yelped, darting behind the mangled husk of a yellow taxi cab. It was a terrible hiding spot, but it was a hiding spot, and at this point, he was working with whatever the universe threw at him. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo of pure, unadulterated terror. This wasn't a game. The smell of ozone and fear was real. The sounds were real. The fact that his favorite hoodie was now gone, replaced by a slightly-too-large t-shirt and jeans that weren't his, was definitely real. He was in New York, 2012, and he was smack-dab in the middle of the Chitauri invasion. He knew this because, well, he'd seen the movie. About a hundred times.
Just as a particularly ugly-looking Chitauri soldier turned its glowing-eyed gaze toward his hiding spot, a flash of blue light erupted in his mind, and a voice, cool and calm, cut through the noise of the apocalypse.
[Host: Adam Stiels. System Initialized. Welcome to the MCU. Mission: Survive the invasion. Reward: 10 Coins.]
Adam froze, his brain screeching to a halt. The voice was so utterly non-plussed, so digital and calm, that it was a jarring, almost comical contrast to the world ending around him. He blinked, shaking his head. "Okay, so I'm not crazy," he mumbled to himself, the words barely audible over the chaos. "This is... this is a system. Like, from a video game. I got an isekai'd, system-style transmigration. Wow. Talk about a one-in-a-million chance. My luck must have been on a coffee break."
Another pop, this one softer, happened in his mind.
[Gu Acquired: Liquor Worm Gu (Rank 1). Ability: Purifies primeval essence. Note: This Gu is bound to you and cannot be given away.]
He saw a small, ethereal image of a swirling, glowing worm appear in his mind's eye. It was beautiful, in a weird, otherworldly way. A moment later, a wave of warmth spread from his stomach throughout his entire body. It wasn't a powerful change, not like a sudden burst of super strength, but a subtle, soothing one. The frantic, panicked feeling in his chest lessened. His thoughts, while still sarcastic, became clearer, more focused. The sheer terror of being in the middle of an alien invasion was still there, but it was now a manageable, strategic terror, not a paralyzing one.
"Oh. So I'm a wizard now? Sweet. 'You're a wizard, Adam.' Wait, no, that's not right. This isn't magic. It's... Gu. Like from a webnovel. The system said so. Okay, so I'm a Gu Master. That's a new one. I wonder if I get a cool robe and a staff. Probably not. I'll take a staff, though. It's better than a sharp stick. And right now, a sharp stick is all I got."
He peered out from behind the cab. The Chitauri soldier was still there, but now his mind was racing with possibilities. The "Liquor Worm Gu" was helping him think, helping him to be less of a panic-stricken civilian and more of a survivor. He noticed a small, dark alleyway across the street, mostly clear of debris and aliens. It was a risk, but a calculated one. He took a deep breath, and with his enhanced focus, he sprinted across the street, a blur of motion and sarcasm, and dove into the relative safety of the alley. The Chitauri soldier fired a blast, but it was too late. He was already gone. He slid down the wall, his chest heaving, a small, relieved laugh escaping his lips.
"Well, that was fun," he said to himself, a wry smile on his face. "Now, what's a Gu Master to do in a world full of gods, super soldiers, and... well, that." He gestured vaguely at the sky, where a giant flying whale-monster was roaring its displeasure. "This is going to be a long day."