Manhattan, Fall 2010.
A beam of sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across a neat, well-kept apartment.
At the table, a tall, handsome Asian youth held a coffee cup and said thoughtfully,"So, the higher the trust value in the future events I fabricate for the Avengers, the stronger the abilities I'll gain, right?"
"Correct," replied a cold, mechanical voice in his mind. "The system can also provide details of events that have already happened, to help the host improve predictions about the future."
Facing the system's emotionless response, Linen raised an eyebrow. "And the video must include me as the host, right? The abilities I display can't exceed my current level?"
"That is a mandatory condition," the system confirmed.
After hearing the restriction, Linen took a sip of coffee and smirked. "I thought I could just be a Marvel editor or narrator."
He set the cup down. "But since I have to appear on-screen… then I'd better create a brilliant persona for myself."
With that, Linen opened his personal status panel.
[Host: Linen][Age: 19][Identity: Judge, Sophomore at the State University of New York][Abilities: Magic Shield (Basic), Teleportation Magic (Intermediate), Exorcism Magic (Advanced), Demon Eye (Basic), Undead Summoning (Intermediate), Undead Chains (Intermediate), Magic Slash (Intermediate)][Current Side Quest: None][Creation Points: 10 | Videos Available: 1][Note: You can contact future Avengers members to earn creation points.]
Looking at his panel, Linen pondered silently.
Yes — Linen was a time traveler. When he arrived in this world, his body regressed into that of a newborn. The NYPD found him and sent him to an orphanage.
Let's not dwell on the past. For now, his system functioned as a main system.
Not only could it grant him various powers, but it could also generate subsystems that he could distribute to the Avengers.
Of course, the "future" he'd be showing them was entirely fabricated by himself.
The higher the trust value a subsystem holder had in the future he presented, the stronger the abilities Linen would obtain.On the other hand, if they doubted the videos, his rewards would be garbage.
So, aside from appearing in the footage himself, he'd have to find ways to make the future Avengers interact with him — that was the only way to earn more creation points and continue making videos.
After thinking for a moment, Linen asked,"System, who are the first candidates to receive the [Spoiler Subsystem]?"
The system replied mechanically,"Subsystem initial distributors: Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, and Nick Fury."
[Note 1: To help the host gain creation points from the Avengers more smoothly, subsystem binding will allow binders to know each other's names.][Note 2: Unless the host reveals it himself, no one will know that the host also possesses the system.]
Linen nodded thoughtfully. Letting the subsystem users know of each other's existence and compare their experiences would indeed strengthen their trust in the videos.
Still… why did one of the first binders have to be the black, bald guy?
"[Any Avengers member, or anyone related to the Avengers, may be selected.]"
After receiving the system's explanation, Linen sighed.Nick Fury, huh? That one's going to be tough to deceive — the man's suspicious of everything.
He glanced at the calendar on his phone. The current year: 2010.
At this point in time, Black Widow was undercover, sent by Nick Fury to keep an eye on Tony Stark.
"Alright," Linen murmured. "For the first video, I'll use this opportunity to make Nick Fury and the others believe that what they're seeing is actually the future."
"System, open the video production interface. I'll write the script — you generate the footage. And retrieve the scene where Natasha and Fury talked before she went undercover with Tony Stark."
"Understood," the system responded.
A holographic panel materialized in front of Linen, glowing faintly.
Malibu, California — Tony Stark's Beachfront Villa
"I just want to throw a party!"
Tony Stark shrugged, looking at Pepper Potts and his new assistant, Natalie.
He knew his palladium poisoning was worsening. His life was on a countdown.So why not indulge a little before the end?
Pepper frowned at his casual tone. "Fine. If you insist on having a party, then Natalie will help you. I've got company matters to handle."
Without another word, she turned and walked away briskly.
Watching her leave in frustration, Natasha spoke softly, "Mr. Stark, Ms. Potts actually just hopes that you can—"
"Natalie, I don't need anyone telling me what to do!" Tony cut her off sharply.
"Sorry, Mr. Stark," Natasha said calmly. "Then… about the party invitations—"
Before she could finish, a mechanical chime echoed in both their minds simultaneously.
The sudden sound stunned them. Before they could react, the world around them warped.
"Damn—where the hell am I?" Tony shouted, looking around.Just a moment ago, he was in his villa. Now he was sitting in what looked like a movie theater.
"Natalie? Jarvis?" Tony called out, his voice tense.
Meanwhile, in another identical theater, Natasha immediately went on alert.Her instincts kicked in — years of spy training sharpening her senses.
Before she could explore, the massive screen in front of her flickered to life.
[System Binding…][Selected Host: Natasha Romanoff][Identity: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.][System Function: Can View Future Events]
[Rules:]
Do not make loud noises while viewing future images.
Do not reveal any information about the system to unselected individuals.
Current system level: 1. Upon reaching level 5, the binder may share one viewing room.
Time ratio — 1000:1. (1000 seconds in the viewing room equals 1 second in the outside world.)
The method to upgrade the system must be discovered by the user.
[First Binding Candidates: Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, Nick Fury]
As the instructions faded, the screen began to play.
In another theater, Nick Fury narrowed his one good eye at the glowing display.
"Natasha and Tony?" he muttered, jotting the names down mentally.He couldn't be sure whether the system referred to his Natasha and Tony or to others with the same names.
And the prompt said "first binding candidates"… meaning more people might be added later.
More importantly, this so-called system could show images of the future?
If that were true — if he could see what was coming before it happened — it would be invaluable to both S.H.I.E.L.D. and himself.
Fury leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the screen.He wasn't about to miss a single second of whatever came next.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 20+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.