The glowing notification hovered in midair:
"First System Reward Available: Claim now."
Mark's heart pounded. He had no idea what to expect—Nova had said it could be anything. Could it be tech? Power? Money? Or something… insane?
He reached out. The badge pulsed, a soft hum vibrating through his fingertips. Then, in a flash of light, a holographic blueprint appeared, hovering in front of him.
"What… is this?" Mark whispered.
Nova's voice floated around him like music. "Your first reward. A prototype you can use to test your abilities and your creativity. Think of it as… a suit. Not just any suit—something that combines advanced mobility, stealth, and energy efficiency. It's the start of your hero journey."
Mark's eyes widened. "A suit? Like… Ironman?"
Nova giggled. "Yes, but powered by advanced energy systems. You will need to refine it, of course, and I will guide you. But first, test the basics."
Before Mark could react, the hologram solidified. A sleek, lightweight exosuit hovered in front of him, glowing faintly with lines of energy.
Mark's grin spread wide. "This… this is insane."
He stepped closer, slipping his arms into the gauntlets. The suit fitted perfectly, like it had been made for him. Sensors activated, lights ran across the suit, and an internal display appeared in his vision.
"Welcome, Mark Palmer. Suit functionality: 12% – Initial calibration required."
Mark flexed his fingers experimentally. The gauntlets hummed. Small energy pulses ran along his arms. A thrill ran down his spine.
"Nova… can I fly?" he asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Not yet. Mobility modules are still in development. But basic movement, speed enhancement, and defense mechanisms are operational. You can run faster, jump higher, and even glide short distances."
Mark's mind raced. This… this changes everything.
He tested a leap from a low wall to the alley floor. The suit amplified his motion. He landed softly, barely making a sound.
"This… is going to be fun," he muttered, already picturing himself as a hero in the city.
Then his thoughts shifted—school. His friends. Lena, Aya, Rina… Clara. They had no idea what was about to happen.
"Nova," he said thoughtfully, "can you… help me balance this? I can't just disappear every day without raising suspicion."
"I can," Nova replied smoothly. "We can schedule hero activities around your life. And your school interactions… could be fun. Perhaps even… romantic."
Mark smirked. "Ha! You know me too well."
He glanced at the glowing Coinexus interface. His earnings were now linked, growing steadily. With this suit… with Nova… the possibilities were endless.
But before he could fully revel in it, a flicker in the shadows caught his eye.
A figure, barely visible, was watching him. Unmoving. Silent. Intent.
Mark's grin faltered. "Looks like I'm not the only one… interested in this."
Nova's voice dropped slightly, serious for the first time. "Be cautious, Mark. Your journey has begun, but the world is already taking notice."
Mark's eyes glinted with determination. "Let them watch. Let them try. I'm just getting started."
Cliffhanger: As the suit hummed with energy, a low, mechanical voice echoed faintly in the alley—
"Target acquired. Initiating observation protocol."
Mark swallowed hard. This was only the beginning…