Chapter 2: The Path to Power
The cafe was a blur of noise and activity, but John Vance sat at his table, a quiet island in the chaos, staring at the number '1900' on his status panel. One thousand, nine hundred attribute points. An unimaginable amount of potential, all at his fingertips. He could become a physical god, a mental titan, or a master of magic. But the choice felt like a trap. If he poured it all into one stat, he'd be a one-dimensional hero, a glass cannon waiting to be shattered. The Avengers weren't just strong; they were a team with diverse strengths.
John's mind, now amplified by his [Arcane Electrical Engineering] skill, worked at an impossible speed. He reviewed his knowledge of the upcoming threats: the Hulk's strength, Thor's god-like physique, Loki's cunning, and Thanos's overwhelming might. A balanced hero, he reasoned, would have a better chance against a wide range of enemies. A hero who was strong, fast, smart, and durable.
He made his decision.
"System," he murmured, "distribute the points equally among all attributes."
The panel flickered, and a new window appeared, asking for confirmation. He confirmed with a thought, and a rush of pure energy, both physical and mental, surged through him. It was as if his very being was being rewritten. His muscles tightened, his bones strengthened, and his senses sharpened to an impossible degree. His mind, already a supercomputer, felt like it was upgraded to a quantum one. Thoughts that once took seconds now flashed through his brain in nanoseconds. He could feel his heart beat, his blood flowing, and the faintest tremors in the ground.
When the sensation subsided, a new [Status] panel appeared.
[Status]
* Name: John Vance
* Level: 10
* EXP: 48,900 / 51,200
* HP: 3260 / 3260
* MP: 3260 / 3260
* STR: 327
* DEX: 327
* VIT: 326
* INT: 326
* WIS: 326
* LUK: 326
Below his stats, a new line appeared, a testament to his newfound power.
[Overall Power Level: City-Block Level]
John took a deep, steadying breath. He felt different. He felt... powerful. He could crush the coffee mug in his hand with a mere twitch, or analyze the entire cafe's electrical grid in a single glance. He was no longer just a boy in a new world; he was a being of incredible potential.
Now, he needed to put that potential to work. He had the Arc Reactor plans, but they were just data. He needed to build his suit. His [Advanced Cybernetic Infiltration] skill led him to a network of black-market suppliers and abandoned industrial sites. His high INT and LUK stats helped him navigate this dangerous world with ease, finding exactly what he needed without a hitch. He used his knowledge of future tech to find alternative materials—stronger, lighter alloys that weren't publicly known yet, and more efficient power conduits.
He found an abandoned, half-demolished warehouse on the outskirts of Queens. It was the perfect place. Using his new STR and DEX, he cleared the debris with superhuman speed, turning the ruin into a clandestine workshop. He set up a work station and, using his [Arcane Electrical Engineering] skill, began to build his armor.
This wasn't just building. This was creation. He didn't simply follow Tony's blueprints; he enhanced them. He imbued the nanoweave of the armor's core with basic runic enchantments to increase its durability. He used his knowledge of the future to install miniature, streamlined repulsor coils in the palms and boots. The armor's helmet was designed not just for communication, but as a direct interface with his Gamer System, allowing him to see data overlays in real time.
He called the project 'Mark 0'. It was a fusion of the tech he knew and the magic he was learning. He worked tirelessly for days, eating little and sleeping less, driven by a relentless focus only his enhanced mind could sustain. The prototype was a sleek, dark-gray suit, its chestplate housing a glowing, miniature Arc Reactor. It was far more advanced than Tony's first suit, and even more efficient than his second.
Finally, it was done. John stood before a full-body mirror, the suit powered down. He reached out and touched its smooth, cold surface. With a single thought, he commanded the suit to power up. The Arc Reactor on his chestplate hummed to life, casting a brilliant blue light across the room. He felt the suit lock into place around his body, a second skin, a shell of steel and magic. He was ready.
He walked to the large, rusted garage door of the warehouse, his feet silent on the concrete floor. He was about to take his first step into a world that would change forever. He was a hero, not a shadow. He was a force of balance in a world of extremes.
He pressed the button to open the door, a low, mechanical groan filling the air. He was about to take his first flight.