The alarm went off earlier than usual. Not because I had class, but because sleep had become impossible.
Ever since I completed the mission in Queens, the system had stayed quiet… except for one constant reminder in the corner of my vision:
[Pending Mission: Anomaly at Oscorp (Recommended Level 7+)]
I wasn't ready yet. I knew it.
If I wanted to survive whatever came next, I needed to master my abilities — not just rely on instinct.
I sighed, got up, and forced myself into the routine: shower, coffee, backpack.
Despite everything, I was still just another Midtown High student. Or at least, that's what I tried to look like.
Midtown High
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Gwen asked as we walked down the hallway.
"A little," I said with a tired smile. "I was… practicing."
"Practicing what?"
"Let's call it self-discipline," I improvised.
"Sounds like 'I didn't sleep for no reason,'" she teased, giving me a playful nudge.
Peter appeared from behind us, as energetic as ever.
"Ethan, did you see Oscorp's reports? Rumor has it they're opening a new energy engineering division."
I swallowed. "Energy? What kind of energy?"
"They don't say," Gwen added, checking her phone. "But my dad mentioned weird activity at the main building."
"Probably because of that accident a few weeks ago," Peter said. "Something about an internal experiment gone wrong."
I just nodded, though my pulse quickened. Anomaly at Oscorp.
The system had marked it before anyone even mentioned it.
Trying to sound casual, I changed the subject.
"By the way, Peter, still helping out at Stark Industries?"
"Well, technically yeah… though 'helping' means organizing cables and trying not to electrocute myself."
"That's already more than I could do," I laughed.
For the rest of the day, I tried not to think about the system or Oscorp.
But every time Gwen smiled, I was reminded that this — all of this — could affect her too if I wasn't strong enough.
Back Home
Sunset painted Queens in shades of orange. I walked slowly, replaying every fight, every mistake.
I had the reflexes, the strength, the speed… but not the control.
Once I got home, I shut the curtains and activated the system.
[Simulation Training Available.]
Type: Urban Environment Dungeon (Queens – Adaptive Level)
Objective: Improve combat and tactical efficiency.
"Perfect," I muttered. "Let's do this."
The floor glowed blue — and the world bent around me.
Simulation: "City of Shadows"
The scenery materialized: empty streets, tall buildings, faint sirens in the distance.
A nearly perfect replica of Queens — except lifeless. No people. Just the sound of the wind pushing scraps of paper down the street.
[Simulation Initiated.]
Phase 1: Basic Combat.
Three dark figures emerged from the mist. Not real people — humanoid silhouettes made of black energy, faceless and expressionless. They moved fast, without hesitation.
I activated Instinct Vision. The world slowed.
I saw the first strike before it happened — blocked, turned, countered.
The second one tried to flank me, but Tactical Analysis lit up escape routes in my vision.
I moved through them like someone else was guiding my steps.
A clean hit. Two takedowns. Three shadows down.
[Progress: 33% complete.]
"Too easy."
The system must have heard me, because the next wave arrived instantly — six shadows, faster, coordinated.
I triggered Shadow Step. My body grew lighter, the world slowed to a crawl. Energy flowed through my muscles as I darted between attacks.
Seconds later, the shadows disintegrated.
[Progress: 67%. Tactical efficiency +3%.]
But something changed.
A taller shape emerged from the haze — more defined, glowing eyes staring at me.
The system labeled it: "Advanced Simulation – Level 6."
Its strike sent me crashing against an invisible wall.
I coughed, wiping blood from my mouth.
"Okay… now we're talking."
I stood, adrenaline taking over.
Every move mattered. Every mistake hurt.
No monsters this time — just me, fighting my own limits.
After what felt like endless minutes, the figure finally vanished into smoke.
[Training Complete.]
Rewards: +80 XP | +20 $ | Skill Proficiency +5%.
Skills Enhanced: Shadow Step (Lv.2), Tactical Analysis (Lv.2).
The simulation began to dissolve. I knelt, gasping for air.
"If this is just a simulation… what would a real fight at that level even feel like?"
My apartment returned to normal.
The system flashed one final message before fading:
[Pending Mission: Anomaly at Oscorp – Recommended Level Reachable with Additional Training.]
[Suggestion: Complete two more dungeons before executing the primary mission.]
I dropped onto my bed. My body ached, but it felt steadier, faster, sharper.
I checked my phone. A message from Gwen:
"You okay, Blake? You looked spaced out today 😅"
I smiled.
"Yeah. Just tired. Promise I'll sleep more."
I closed the chat and stared at the ceiling.
Sooner or later, I'd have to face Oscorp…
But this time, I'd be ready.