A/N: Hey guys! SteinMon here! Just thought I'd put this out for fun while I'm trudging through writers block on my other stories.
That being read, I welcome your Reviews. If you have criticisms, I welcome those too. Please keep them constructive. I want to grow as an author, and I can't do that if people aren't willing to critique, or only want to tear me down. I'm not here to please everybody, but I am here to learn. There is a method to my madness, even if I don't always fully understand it. 90% of what I write, I don't write baselessly. If there is something not canon or changed from canon, there is generally a reason. If something doesn't make sense, feel free to let me know (constructively), and as long as it doesn't creep into SPOILER! territory, I'll do my best to explain it.
If you don't like it, DON'T CONTINUE READING IT!
Review Responses:
- Meerkat overlord: Thank you. And yes, they fill up. Having them labeled "Hunger" and "Thirst", yet have them decrease over time is... confusing. I realize this late in, that I could have labeled them "Food" and "Drink" or something to that effect, but I think the "Survival" feel to it is preferable.
- Bearticguy7: Me too. Me too.
- truck-kun1999: Hmm. Perhaps :)
- jazocoti: Thanks.
*End of Responses
Disclaimer: I don't own the Gamer, or the Avengers, or any of their subsidiaries. Those rights belong exclusively to whoever owns them, and anyone else who had a hand in their creation. I just get to have fun with it all.
I would also like to point out that I don't own any other media or content that may be mentioned as further enrichment to the story.
Without further ado. *Que the dimming of the lights*
Chapter 2: The Devil Walked into a Bar
'I swore I'd never work in anything even resembling catering ever again. Now look where I am,' Marcus complained for the umpteenth time as he scrubbed dishes in the kitchen sink, making sure that the glasses were exceptionally clean after seeing how gross some of the patrons could be. Gingerly, he used his [Inspect] skill, to do so. Something that had generated in his efforts to ensure cleanliness.
[Inspect (Passive & Active) lvl 11 (32.9%)
The user has developed an eye for the details, knowing not only what to look for in an item, but also what makes it special.
Passive:
Can learn the name of low-level objects, small descriptors, and basic stats.
+15% Accuracy
Active:
Can learn a low-level objects damage, armor rating, and more glaring weaknesses.
Cost: 30 MP/item.]
.
[Lager Glass, squeaky clean
Used regularly by patrons to drink beer.
Improvised Thrown Weapon
Hit: +1 Bludgeon. May 'Stun' target for 1 sec. Chance to 'Shatter'.
+Shatter – chance to inflict 1 bleed damage on opponent. Area affected by 'Shatter' may inflict other Status effects.]
.
Nodding satisfactorily, he continued cleaning. He'd been doing that with every item he could, no matter how inane, in order to level the skill. And so far, it was paying dividends, even though it was costly MP -wise.
Speaking of new 'Skills' though, there were those two [Skill Books] he'd received. [Climbing] was the 'Skill' from the 'Tutorial' mission, which made sense in Marcus's opinion, since there was usually one or two traversal skills in most tutorials. It was more funny, because "climbing" stairs evidently counted towards the 'Skills' progress. The one he got from the 'Max Human' cache was... odd. Marcus didn't mind receiving [Empathic Reception] as a 'Skill', only that it seemed... out of place. Then again, he supposed he couldn't argue with it when he had using a lawn mower as a skill.
[Climbing (Passive & Active) lvl 2 (43.8%)
Climbing is a basic part of most environments, and this Skill applies no differently.
Passive:
Grants a 'Climb Speed'. STR increases Passive Climb Speed.
+10.5% Climb Speed.
Active:
The user can increase their climb speed up to x1.5 their base climbing speed.
Cost: 20 SP/sec for every speed modifier.]
.
[Empathic Reception (Passive) lvl 4 (53.8%)
The user can now utilize the ability to sense the general emotional outline of a singular target of the user's focus, via subtle shifts in a person's facial features, tone, body language, and even more subtle things like the electro-magnetic emissions of the brain.
NOTE – Not to be confused with 'basic human empathy'. This ability does not make the user an 'empath'. This ability is intuitively-based, and not intellectually-based.
Passive:
+4% WIS when intuitively determining target's emotional state.
This ability can be rendered useless if the target in question is proficient at masking their emotional tells.]
.
The past month had been rougher than he'd liked, but it was a job. He'd found work for a rather familiar little bar called "Josie's" as an all-round bathroom scrubbing, dishwashing, table wiping, bus boy. The familiar was less downgrading on his body and mind thanks to his new skills, and it helped that Josie was actually a decent boss. It didn't hurt that her establishment wasn't as rundown as it had been on Daredevil. The plumbing was even decent.
Well, once you got past her gruff demeanor and no nonsense attitude, that is.
He'd been lucky. She'd all but hired him on the spot when he'd asked about a job. The interview, if it could be called that, took minutes, and Marcus had started immediately.
It wasn't the best, but it was still a pretty decent job... assuming someone didn't back up the toilets. He clocked at least 30 hours a week with decent pay, and because of his good work, he'd even received a small raise that was trivial, but the sentiment softened him a little. It came with occasional free meals that kept his 'Hunger' bar down, courtesy of the 'Survival' aspect; and better yet, it was filling. And despite offers, he wasn't quite as keen on drinking as he felt. Somehow, getting buzzed at the place he worked didn't hold much appeal.
Though, he had gained a few new 'Skills' that made the work easier: [Dishwashing], [Cleaning], and [Busser]. He even got a 'Trait', 'Cleaning Savant (Common)', for his troubles. But the less said about them, the better; save that the skills leveled faster due to how... familiar he was with them. Speaking of...
[Occupation: Server/Busboy
You attempted to avoid retreating back into the hospitality industry after a few stints with shitty bosses. But, pickers can't be choosers in the MCU.
Role generally includes cleaning, customer service, and keeping your head down.
Associated Skills level 10% faster.]
.
Not exactly the brightest point of his life. But a job was a job, and it wasn't his first time working his way back up from the bottom. At least the System kept things interesting despite the recession in his lifestyle.
He'd gotten around to finding out what that 'Masochistic Gamer' Title was about. And to his shame, he equipped it immediately.
[Title: Masochistic Gamer (LEGEND)
Most people play games for fun, but with a new reality on the horizen, you chose something more personal. While not many would want a challenge, it's now a world playing by familiar rules, and every advantage is necessary. Life is savage, even with the advantages of a "System". And yet, you asked for more. Title earned by running both 'Survival' and 'Max Human' Modes.
+25% EXP gained from all sources
+25% Cash gained from all sources
+25% Skill Leveling
+25% Stat Point Training
+5 STR, VIT, and DEX
Title is only effective until Level 20. Bummer.]
He hadn't been a masocore gamer in his old life (no small part in thanks to his frustrations with Fromsoft games), but now he wore it, ignoring the shame he felt inside for such a title in favor of the massive bonuses he got as only a LEGEND Title could. It was too bad he could only equip one title at a time. He would have loved to see how some bonuses stacked when he got more. But that seemed like something that might be possible later down the line. Two or three titles together would be awesome.
His work however had been helpful in increasing his STR stat. All the scrubbing, lifting, and such, made even quicker by a combination of 'Title' and some 'Traits' that seemed to improve how fast his 'Attributes' grew.
[STR 11 = 16 (+5)]
To supplement for his other skills, every day, he jogged to work, making sure to work on his breathing, aiming to improve his VIT and DEX simultaneously to some effect. It had given him an opportunity to explore the surrounding neighborhoods, and despite not being quite as rundown as in Daredevil, the seedier elements still existed; and Marcus did his best to avoid them. This had also unlocked another skill [Sprint]. Though, he was pretty sure all the balancing he was doing with the bus tray was helping train his DEX too.
[VIT 10 = 13 (+5)]
[DEX 13 = 16 (+5)]
.
[Sprint (Passive & Active) lvl 10 (35.1%)
Through regular exercising, the user has created a skill to improve their movement speed over short distances.
While running, the user can increase their speed up to 2.5x
DEX increases Passive movement speed
Passive: +10.5% Movement Speed
Cost 10 SP/sec for every speed multiplier
.
Not a bad skill if he did say so himself.
Work was its own minor, on-going Quest, and provided him with a small fund of EXP from accomplishing every simple task. It had become so annoying whenever at the small up-ticking of EXP or Skill leveling up would completely block his entire field of vision in a large blue screen, that he'd asked Sys for a 'Log' menu, and a subsequent weekly update, to minimize his unnecessary alerts from all but the most imperative.
He'd even leveled up twice over these past few weeks, even if he averaged between 12 and 20 EXP an hour on the job, including the bonus 25% EXP and Cash he got from his Title.
[Level 3 = 5]
Which meant he completed his first 'Paths of Power Quest'.
[!Congratulations! You completed the Quest: Paths of Power – The Old Fashion Way: The Noob!]
It took ya longer than anticipated (near 3 weeks), but you finally made it to level 5!
Rewards:
- Pre-assigned 'Trait' (Common)
- 500 EXP
- $300
- 5 Stat Points
.
The 'Trait' he'd gotten wasn't so bad, for a common one anyway.
[The Noob (Common)
You've made it past the 'Tutorial' and are now out in your new world. Even if you know the ropes, it's time to learn on how use them.
+2% to Skill Leveling.
+2% to Skill Acquisition.]
.
Not bad at all, which made Marcus assume it was either a series of 'Traits', or an evolving 'Trait', when the next 'Quest' popped up.
[!New Quest: Paths of Power – The Old Fashion Way: The Average Joe!]
Sometimes, the only way to gain power is by doing what has been done before: working hard, exercising, and reaching your limit by your own hands. Whether that's by intense training, mob grinding, study, or self-reflection. Straight forward. No short-cuts.
Requirements:
- Reach lvl 10
Reward:
- 1800 EXP
- $1080
- 5 Stat Points
Failure: Quest can be 'Quit' at any time. (You're still in the lower levels, so don't just drop this quest. Diligence will help you reach lvl 10; so don't be stupid).
.
After work, he continued his hop-around research at the library, picking up what information he could in a bid to level [Information Processing], but [Cartography] had received the largest boost as he'd abused the shit out of Google Maps to expand his own 'Map' with exceptional details that fleshed out his own. He'd only gained 2 additional points in INT and WIS over that time, but it took a while to get them.
[Information Processing 5 = 11]
[Cartography 7 = 19]
[INT 19 = 21]
[WIS 21 = 23]
What time he wasn't spending at the library was spent trying to level a new skill he'd received trying while just being amidst the uncomfortable sway of New York City's crowded walks. [Inconspicuous] was a rather useful skill for moving – just as its name implied – inconspicuously. Though he didn't know if it was because he'd become background noise like most other people, or if it was because he was actively trying to fade among them. It was a curious thought.
[Inconspicuous (Passive) lvl 5 (8.6%)
Fading into a crowd is a coveted skill that can allow the user to seemingly disappear as they obscure themselves from those around them, and even from pursuers. Movement speed is reduced by half when utilizing this skill.
DEX improves movement through crowds. LUC improves chances of losing pursuers.
Passive:
+10.5% (60.5%) movement speed through crowds
-10% Detection in crowd.]
.
Unfortunately, outside of his usual work routine and independent research, the prospect of joining a gym to help bolster his physical stats was tempting. Mostly though, he was still lost on what he wanted to do with this odd-duck life he'd been dropped into. Though the looming knowledge of what was coming hung over him.
He hadn't had a chance to visit a gym or anything to continue bolstering his physical stats. Not to mention that creating skills was a touch harder than it had been in the manhwa.
As exciting as this "game" was, he didn't have the same capabilities as those in the manhwa, or even from some Fanfiction he'd read. Skills weren't overly hard to create, but neither were they easy. Not that he was trying very hard, since he was mostly just letting things develop naturally. But like he'd thought, 'I.D. Create' wasn't a thing. He'd tried a couple times, just to be sure, and barring any success, it made it sense that it wouldn't exist in this world. Something like that would have been closer to an 'admin cheat' than an actual 'Skill' anyway.
He'd even tinkered with trying to develop some "magic" based abilities so he at least had some options in a pinch. But no! His evident powers refused to cooperate! So evidently, no broken ass skills like 'Mana Arrow' spamming. It seemed the MCU was more progression-based methods for developing abilities, instead of just being able to cheese and create whatever came to mind. While he'd suspected it, it was nice to have confirmation.
Without a safe way to grind levels and virtually no additional combat or support skills, he was stuck doing what most people did: live day to day and just hope he didn't die after getting dragged into an alley. So a pretty normal life, considering where he was.
At least he'd had the foresight not to spend his Skill Points, no matter how much his fingers itched to increase his stats. Floating Skill Points had always been a pet peeve of his in games. They aggravated him something fierce, but at higher levels, Skill Points would be more valuable when he was earning less of them. Plus, he seemed to pick some up occasionally from Quests, so that was nice.
Marcus sighed as he finished cleaning the dishes, practically exhausting his MP to ensure they were all up to what had been his mom's cleanliness standard. It hadn't even been a month yet, but he wasn't progressing very fast overall, even if there was still some growth. It wasn't much time, but watching his progress increase so... gradually... had started to worry him more and more.
Because chances were, if something didn't change, he'd end up dead in a few years. He could always just leave, but the fact he knew what would happen, prodded at the annoying and responsible part of his brain. If he had a means to help, he had a responsibility to help.
He'd been bouncing an idea back and forth, and he wasn't sure if it was a good idea. Hence it hadn't shown up as a 'Quest' Menu yet. The downsides would be detrimental, and he would be virtually useless by the time events came around. But if (very big IF) he did this right, he would be in a position to not just help, but maybe influence events for the better.
And live. Because the danger in a couple years was nothing compared to what would follow.
'Ah, fuck.'
A snort left his mouth. "Since when did Mister Introvert ever want to influence the world?" Since about the time [Gamer's Mind] had made it that much easier to suppress his social anxiety, his fears, and his near crippling self-doubt. At this rate, he might be able to rule the world. What kid didn't want to change the world though? At least, until reality either started to strangle those dreams, or shattered it with all the finesse of a brick to a window pane.
[!'Dishwashing' skill has gained a level!]
[Finished 'Washing Dishes'
+14 EXP.]
He deadpanned before sighing, letting the 'Log' notes fade on its own as he quickly finished up before he left the kitchen and entered the main dining area from behind the bar. It was as small establishment, with the same charms that most small bars had. The patrons were respectful for the most part, and Josie didn't take shit from any of them.
His eyes roamed the room, another skill passively prompting.
{Jeffry Collins lvl 8}
.
{Hugh Robins lvl 7}
.
{Donny Cooper lvl 11}
.
'Huh. We have someone over level 10 today,' he mused. And most of these guys were the average types.
Yeah. He'd used the last of the Skill Books he'd gotten his first day and ended up getting lucky drawing up the [Observe] skill. It just so happened to be one of his easiest skills to level at the moment. Mostly because he could spam it in the middle of a crowd. Again, it rapidly drained his MP if he wasn't careful, which left an uncomfortable headache once it refused to activate.
[Observe (Passive & Active) lvl 12 (11.6%)
By watching people intently, the user has learned to take a peak at how they fit into the world around them. And whether or not they're worth the EXP.
WIS increases range of 'Observe' (15 feet)
Passive: Can view Names and Level of people up to 5 levels higher than the users
+15% Accuracy
Active: Can view Titles and Monikers, increase Passive an additional 5 levels
Cost 15 MP/person]
.
Not a bad skill. It helped him learn a few things about the "game" world. People level 20 and lower tended to be average – or slightly above average – joes you'd see on the street, even though most of them were level 10 or under. He'd seen some cops with question marks, with the lowest being around level 15. The kind of people you tended to avoid were also around that level, such as some gangbangers, bikers, and all-round tough guys. He had to assume that some tougher people he'd seen; people that walked around in the day time, and hit up the underground fights in the evenings for cash, were well into their 20's. It didn't help that anyone higher just generally appeared as a big ol' '?' to him. And like any self-respecting gamer, he avoided those people, because he didn't fancy getting turned into swiss cheese this early in the game.
{Matthew Murdock lvl ?}
.
Oh…
…Well that happened.
The moment he noticed that name, he froze. Like a deer in headlights.
'Th-Th-That's….'
He swallowed as [Gamer's Mind] (working overtime as usual) eased him back down, allowing him to activate [Observe], catching a few other people in his skill, but not caring about them as much as the younger Matt Murdock in front of him.
[MP 190/450 = 106/450]
Yeah. It could dip pretty quick if he wasn't careful. Especially this early in-game. That's what he got for immediately Activating [Observe] right after using [Inspect] on a shit-ton of dishes. Normally, he'd care. He'd care a whole lot.
But….
{Matthew Michael Murdock lvl '?'
"Lawyer-in-Training" "Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen"}
.
'Oh! So he get's two titles?! Just because he's cool, and handsome, and awesome?!'
[I know, right!]
'Not helping, Sys!' Right, and there was that. Sys wasn't just a pop-up box, but an interactable little ChatBot.
Sighing, he walked over to him. While he had anticipated possibly meeting the future Daredevil, his priorities had put that hope on the back burner. Now that he was here, Marcus decided to do his job, even when the fan-boy in him was about to break down into hysterics. Once again [Gamer's Mind] was coming to his rescue.
"Um, excuse me, sir. Did you need a hand ordering anything?" he asked carefully. Perfect! He wasn't a stuttering mess!
He noticed immediately how Murdock's head tilted at his approach, but didn't look toward him. God, he was so much more baby-faced than he had been in the show. "And why would I need help?"
Marcus raised an unimpressed brow, deciding to logic him instead of just stating what little he knew from watching TV. "Well, you have a foldable cane, your wearing sunglasses, and you tilted your head when I walked toward you. So you're either blind, or an old man. Personally, I was partial to old man."
That seemed to amuse the not-quite-yet Daredevil, his smile just as absolutely winning as it had been in the show. 'God damn it!'
"Blind," he answered with humored lilt. "Gotta say, I'm not used to people just…."
"Just saying it outright?" Marcus inquired, earning head tilt that said 'pretty much'. "You caught me on a brave day. Normally, I wouldn't. I'd fumble over an explanation before burning out and retreating in shame."
"Well good thing I caught you on a good day then," he offered back. And with that stupid smile.
'If I was batting for the other team,' Marcus thought, shaking his head loose. He wasn't even that brave for the team he was batting on, much less the other. But, he was secure enough in his masculinity to appreciate when another man was exceptionally good looking. Even if Matt Murdock smiling was just cheating, plain and simple.
"So can I get anything started for you?" he finally asked.
"Ahhh…," he drew out, thinking about it for a moment. "…let's go with, whiskey."
Marcus just raised an eyebrow. "To think or reflect?"
Again, Murdock smiled a little, though it was a little harder. "A little of both I suppose."
Marcus just smiled back. "Alrighty. I'll see what I can do." He quietly retreated back to the bar, under the ever watchful eye of Josie as she worked behind the counter.
{Josie Elaine Barlow lvl 14}
.
"Do I pay you to chatter?" she asked sharply, quirking an eye at him.
"Customer's blind, so I thought I'd offer to help," Marcus stated. Though that was only part of his excuse. Because, yeah, he mostly just wanted to talk to him.
Her features softened somewhat. But not by much. "So, did he order anything?"
"Whiskey," he answered.
"To think or reflect?" she asked, earning a smile from her employee. Neither of them had noticed that Matt Murdock had smiled at that as well.
"According to him, both."
"Oh boy," she whispered with sharp exhale, pulling up the whiskey in question and pulled up a rocks glass, pouring a decent measure of it. "There we go."
"Straight? No ice?" Marcus inquired with a raised brow.
"Ice interferes with the reflecting," she answered as though it were common knowledge, shooing him off as he grabbed the drink. "And did you get–?"
"Bathroom is cleaned and the dishes are done. All I have left is to take the garbage out," he called back.
"Good. You get that done, and you can take a break," she stated.
'That's both convenient and perfect.'
He quietly walked back over to Murdock, gently setting the glass down in front of him. "There you go. Need anything else?"
"No, thank you."
Marcus paused for a moment, caught up by the decision-making lump of lard between his ears, before deciding. "I have a little more to do before I can go on break. Would you mind some droll conversation?"
Murdock smiled a little at that. "Why not?"
"Cool. Cool." Marcus nodded, already hurrying to get his work done.
It took him far less than he thought it would. He just had to haul a couple trash bags out the back and to the dumpster in the alley.
[Finished 'Taking out the Trash'
+7 EXP.]
Still, he made sure his hands were clean before he took his break.
"So," Marcus stated as he quietly reached out to take a seat, "what brings a blind man wandering into Hell's Kitchen?" Even if he already knew a lot, it was a good conversation starter. "Must be the nightly acoustics."
Murdock snorted into his glass, holding back a chuckle and a mouthful of whiskey.
Marcus laughed softly. "Maybe I should have just introduced myself first. I'm Marcus. Marcus Kendrick. Friends call me Mark."
Swallowing his drink quickly, the future hero held out his hand blindly. "Matthew. Murdock. Friends call me Matt."
They shook hands gently. "Pleasure to meet you, Matt," Marcus said sincerely. He couldn't remember the actor's name (something Cox, he was pretty sure), but to see how the character he'd played was fleshed and living in front of him, it made Marcus appreciate just how much more real this world was.
The natural chemistry between what-had-been the actor and the now character only improved that appreciation.
"And you, Mark," he offered back.
[!'Matt Murdock' has become an Acquaintance!
For more information, you may open the 'Influence' Menu
What 'Influence' you have can affect just about everything. From individual people, to neighborhoods and districts, to galactic.]
.
'Yeeeah! No thanks,' he intoned, not even able to comprehend that on a personal level, much less on a galactic one. He'd rather not. Not by a long-shot.
[!New Quest: Befriend 'Matt Murdock'!]
Improve your relationship with the man that will become the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. Also, it might not hurt to know a good lawyer.
Reward:
- 'Matt Murdock' will be added as a friend.
- 'Friends with the Devil' Trait (locked)
Failure: 'Matt Murdock' remains 'Neutral', or worse, becomes an 'Enemy'.
.
'You mean like I was gonna do anyway? You didn't have to incentivize it,' he chastised. 'Kind of defeats the point of being friends, Sys.'
[Sorry! Just doing my job.
Your friends are my friends! I live my life vicariously through your accomplishments!
Now go get 'em tiger!]
.
If Sys had a physical body, Marcus got the impression he would have got his ass slapped to get to it.
Marcus raised an eyebrow at the pop-up, but didn't comment on it as he decided to be the ice breaker. "So what brings you to Hell's Kitchen?"
"Born and raised," Matt answered proudly. "Just visiting for now though. What about you? Nightly acoustics?"
Snorting, Marcus shook his head. "No. Just kind of ended up in New York almost a month ago. Needed a place on the cheap while I'm here, and Hell's Kitchen had that. So I'm settling in while I work my way up."
"So where are you from originally?"
"North-western states," Marcus answered, before nodding so-so as he deliberated how much to divulge. "Idaho to be exact. Lovely mountains. Great fishing lakes."
"So you're a long way from home."
"Yeah," he admitted softly, taking a deep breath to orient himself. "It's like a whole other world." And wasn't that the truth, if he'd ever spoken it.
Matt, of course, noticed this. "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it."
Marcus just nodded in thanks. "So, what does a born and raised Hell's Kitchen native do for a living?"
Acknowledging the change in subject, Matt just smiled. "I'm going to Columbia University. Majoring in Law, and working to become a lawyer."
"A bit ironic," Marcus stated.
"What do you mean?" Matt asked, a little surprised at that statement.
"Well, justice is blind." There was a moment of silence before Marcus started snorted softly to himself. "Sorry. I know it's not that funny."
"It wasn't bad," Matt tried to amend.
"It was terrible," Marcus argued.
Matt seemed reluctant, but he nodded so-so. "Yeah, a little bit. Almost as bad as my roommate."
"So I'm guessing that Columbia University is a pretty big deal?"
Matt laughed a little, not sure what to do with that. "I like to think so."
"So what brings you back home?" Marcus asked. When an answer didn't immediately present itself, he noted the mood dower somewhat. "Sorry. I wasn't trying to pry. Whiskey in the middle of the day was kinda telling though.
"Worst case scenario: I'm just a guy you met one day. Best case scenario: I might actually be able to help."
[!'Empathic Reception' skill has gained a level!]
He quietly waited while Matt seemed to wrestle with something in himself, his face one of the most subtly expressive that Marcus had ever seen.
"A girl," Matt finally stated, almost in a measured tone. "One I… actually liked… uh, made me an offer last night. And I didn't take it."
There was a moment of pause before Marcus said the first thing that came to mind. "So, did you not know where to put it? Or…?"
Matt leaned back, chuckling again. "No. No, not that kind of offer." He took a moment to compose himself. "She was… leading me down a path I… was so tempted to take… and I chose not to. And she was disappointed because of it."
Marcus blinked as those words suddenly triggered his recall, reminding him which part of Matt's life he was at in the moment. "Why didn't you take it?"
"Because I knew I wouldn't like the man that came out the other end," Matt answered instantly. He gently lifted his glass as though he were actively observing it. "Hence the thinking and reflecting."
Marcus nodded softly with a small smile. "Then you're a better man than the majority of us are."
"I don't feel like it."
"Then take it from someone who became the man at the other end," Marcus said softly, earning a curious look from the blind man, "It's not exactly the same, person to person, since mine was more of a pit I couldn't crawl out of. But conquering that darkness, clawing for every scrap of light you can get… I get that. Some of us are born good, and others of us have to constantly kill a part of ourselves to be better than this world deserves."
There was a moment of pause before Matt spoke again. "So how'd you conquer yours?"
Marcus just smiled sadly, chuckling humorlessly. "It's a little cheesy."
"Try me," he encouraged. "It sounds like you've been holding some stuff in too."
They both smiled again before the ball was once more in Marcus's court. "I almost didn't make it. I was too far gone. I knew I was. And in a single moment, I wasn't.
"A single moment of pure, unadulterated love and just… warmth. Knowing I was cherished beyond my concept of understanding. That I was accepted and wanted, no matter how deep I fell. It… remade me. Reforged me, I guess.
"And suddenly, the darkness wasn't so bad. It was still there, but it no longer felt so suffocating. I didn't conquer it, but I was no longer at it's mercy.
"It doesn't leave, but now I get to use it as armor against what the world offers. And every now and then, maybe help someone else repair the cracks in theirs."
They were quiet for a moment. Marcus rubbed the back of his neck nervously, not intending to share anything that deep, especially with a someone he hardly know, but much less with one of his favorite heroes asking for advice of his own. It had happened a few times in his own world, where he'd shared that, but it didn't make him feel any less foolish now than it had then, Gamer powers or not. But sometimes, people needed to hear the truth, even if it was a little foolish.
He quickly smiled though. "But yours strikes me as more of a fist."
Matt chuckled weakly at that, seemingly deep in thought if the jut in his jaw was anything to go by. "Do you think one can be just… and full of… rage?"
"Does this have anything to do with that path this girl wanted you to take?" Marcus inquired gently.
"A little," Matt admitted.
For some reason, that gave Marcus pause. As though he were bearing witness to something pivotal; if not to the world, then to Matt Murdock. Again, System seemed to think so too.
[!A 'Divergence Point' is Taking Place!
Your words and actions here can change the very narrative of 'Matt Murdock's' story. These changes can be near imperceivable, can radically disrupt the original story, or anything in-between. Both Good and Bad, what influence you provide is up to you.]
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Marcus's eyes widened at that, and he had to bite his tongue to prevent a slew of curses from exiting his mouth. 'Seriously!' He knew he could change the MCU, at least in theory. But this was too soon! He wasn't even at a decent level to begin making ripples, much less waves!
Once more [Gamer's Mind] kicked in, and he calmed down almost instantly.
Hopefully, Matt was taking his silence as deep thought. But Marcus would never know with that level of perception. It wouldn't surprise him if the future lawyer was confused by the sudden switch in presence, or maybe that OP hearing of his had heard his heart rate suddenly calm back down.
"Depends on the rage," he answered slowly.
"Depends on the rage?" Matt just looked confused behind his sunglasses.
"In my experience, rage comes from one of two places: the head, or the gut." When he noticed that Murdock was listening intently with no questions, he continued. "When rage comes from the head, it clouds everything. Our actions, our thoughts, our desires. It consumes it all, until we give in and let it take control."
He paused again. "But when it comes from the gut, it's like this… heat. This slowly building tension that begins to coil its way outward. It doesn't take control, but it still demands action. It demands we don't stand by, that we don't lay down. And we either take that rage and let it empower us… or we let that fire die and do nothing.
"So if I'm honest, I think the only time a man can be truly just is when that rage builds in his gut, calling him to do what needs to be done. Otherwise, it's just us taking our anger out on the world with no purpose other than to give us an illusion of power and control.
"Justice demands that pure and righteous fury for it to be just. Otherwise, it's just vengeance. And there's very little satisfaction in vengeance."
[For demonstrating wisdom beyond your years, your WIS has increased by 1.]
It was quiet again, and Marcus found himself wondering if he had messed up. If he had said the wrong thing. Despite System's prompt, he didn't feel wise. He was just honest, and for some reason, he felt like Matt was the person who would understand those things. Probably better than most any other person in this world.
['Divergence Point' has ended.
The consequences of your actions will become more apparent as time goes on.]
Well, that didn't sound good. But then again, "consequences" were simply the results of an action, not just bad results, but the good ones too.
"That's… surprisingly insightful," Murdock admitted with a small smile.
"Not bad for a guy who spent years psycho-analyzing himself, huh?" Marcus joked, eyeing the blue window warily. 'I really hope I didn't just fuck up before the story's even began.'
"At the very least, it's given me a lot to think about. So thank you," Matt acknowledged.
"Anytime, Matt," he stated softly. He looked around quickly, remembering where he was suddenly. "I, uh, probably need to get back to work before Josie decides to make me drink the sink water."
That stupid smile was back. "Alright. I should probably head out too. My roommate might be panicking right now."
"Can't have that now," he retorted. Very gently, he bumped fists with the future Daredevil. "You take care, Matt. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here regularly enough. I'd, uh, offer my phone number, but I've had to live without a phone for a while now."
"And how has that been?" Matt humored.
"Well, I'm simultaneously both significantly less stressed, and significantly more."
Matt just shook his head in humor before straightening up, looking as close as he could in Marcus's approximate direction. "Thank you… you know… for the talk."
With a firm handshake, they both moved their separate ways; Marcus heading back to the bar counter to grab a busing tray, and Matt unfolding his cane as he set down some money for the drink, before he began tapping toward the door.
Before he could leave completely, Marcus felt the urge to say something. Something that only such a unique individual would catch.
"You're a good man, Matt Murdock," he whispered, low enough that only he should be able to hear himself.
He smiled as his new acquaintance stopped suddenly for a moment, the door half-opened, before he continued onward.
Marcus didn't get to see it, but Matt Murdock smiled, a satisfied smile.
Watching as he disappeared, Marcus went back to work, grabbing his busing tray as he went around the bar to collect discarded plates, cups, and utensils, as well as pick up Matt's payment for his drink.
[So, you guys didn't become friends?]
'Friendships take a lot more than just a single conversation,' Marcus reminded the System. 'The ball's in his court, and it's up to him whether or not it continues. But if it helps, we made progress.'
He smiled slightly. Back in his own world, he wouldn't have even thought about engaging someone like that. Pursuing friendships had always terrified to him. Mostly because people sucked, and were untrustworthy as a rule of thumb.
But somehow, he didn't know if he could attribute all of today's actions to [Gamer's Mind]. He just hoped he could be a proper friend. The kind of friend that he hadn't been in his own world. 'Just like Tyler was for me.'
But for now, he had to continue doing his job, and see about getting his stats up.
[You interacted with 'Matt Murdock' a.k.a. eventual 'Daredevil'.]
[You have received a new 'Trait' through special circumstances!
'Making a Cameo' Trait obtained.]
[Making a Cameo (RARE)
Entering the stories of your favorite heroes' and villains' is one thing. Meeting them face to face is another. Working together nets additional benefits for however long it lasts. Only applies to 'Heroes', 'Villains', or more notable additions you've previously encountered.
+1% to all base Attributes when working with a previously encountered hero or villain (effect stacks, max 5).
+1% EXP gains when under the same conditions (effect stacks, max 5)
+1% damage output, when under the same conditions, the user and company are outnumbered, or are facing a 'Boss' (effect stacks, max 5)
Being the only one from outside this Universe to understand this, the user is the only one to gain the benefit of this 'Trait'.
Cameo Appearances: 'Daredevil' (locked).]
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'Oh God damnit!'
Columbia University... a little while later...
Matt Murdock sighed as he opened the door to his dorm room, pulling the keys back out of the doorknob as he stepped across the threshold.
"Matt?!"
He smiled gently as he stepped through, folding up his cane and leaning a hand against the wall to guide him. "I'm back, Foggy."
He could "see" his roommate's rapid approach, almost barreling into him as he was caught up in a hug. He decided to just stand there, patting his back gently while letting his friend get it out of his system.
"Jesus, Matt, you scared the shit out of me!" He couldn't see Foggy's reactions, but he sensed he really had been scared. The reverbs of his tone. The subtle but unique scent of worry and disheveled the slipped into his sweat. "You just up and disappeared on me!"
"Sorry. Guess I was just... taking this breakup a little harder than I thought," he answered honestly, smiling slightly, if a little weakly. "Just needed some time to process, I think. I didn't mean to worry you."
It was quiet for a moment, even though Matt knew it was anything but. Everything was "loud" in its own way. Nothing was ever truly quiet. He'd half expected Foggy to make a joke about the shoe being on the other foot, given his own dating habits… or something similar. Instead….
"It was that bad, huh?" Foggy asked, a little softer.
Matt snorted softly, not expecting it, but appreciating the sentiment all the same. "Guess I'm just not used to the rejection."
Foggy chuckled weakly at him, worry still prevalent in his stance and in the air he gave off. It felt odd against Matt's skin. A persistent and uncomfortable tingle. "You wanna talk about it?"
"Nah," he dismissed lightly, gently guiding himself with his hands toward where he knew the couch was, via the spacial imaging he'd developed of their dorm. Foggy followed vigilantly behind, in case he tripped. Or hit something. Or just plain went the wrong way. "I think I got most of it out of my system. Believe it or not, I did make a new friend though."
He could actually feel Foggy's teasing coming. "What's her name? And is it going to last this time?"
"He," Matt correct with a chuckle. "And no. Nothing so bold as that."
He could feel Foggy's frown in the air around him as he took a seat, even if the teasing was still there. "Should I be jealous that you're replacing me? I thought I was the best friend."
Matt just shook his head. "I'm not replacing you, Foggy. And we're still going to be Avocado's at Law, remember?" Foggy perked up at that.
"We talked, and… it was a perspective I needed. Free of any judgements or expectations I had for myself," he admitted somewhat sadly. That feeling was still there. That… rage the swirled around in his head… just like Marcus had explained it did.
He'd wanted to kill Roscoe Sweeney. He'd wanted to take vengeance for his father's death. He still wanted it... so bad. To release that "Devil" the Murdock's were known for; that "darkness" Kendrick had called it. An all-consuming, blinding rage that continued to writhe within him. Now that Marcus had given it form, exposed it, Matt was now very much aware of it's presence, even if he didn't know what to do with it exactly.
Marcus said he made his into armor. What did Matt make of his?
It was a path that was farther than he wanted to travel, and demanded a higher price than he was willing to pay. But he almost had; and if he was honest enough with himself, Elektra wasn't the only one disappointed that night. His was disappointed he'd let her guide him to that boiling point.
He could be better…. He was better. Even if he didn't feel like it sometimes.
"You're a good man Matt Murdock." Those words had almost floored him. The closest he'd ever come to hearing that had been from his dad, and even again, just last night from Foggy. But again, just hours before? Now… now he knew. If enough people thought that much of him, maybe, one day… he could start to believe it too.
Huh. Mark really did repair the cracks in his armor. Though, Matt didn't think he used his darkness to accomplish that.
"So do I get to meet this wise ol' guru that's taken you under his wing?" Foggy teased, but there was a hint of a request in it.
Matt huffed a laugh. "I'll tell you what: if you can get a better grade in your language class, then… we'll see."
"Hey, you're just mad because my thing… it works," Foggy protested, laying his exaggerated confidence on a little thick.
"It doesn't change the fact that you got Abogados and Avocados mixed up," he pointed out, barely repressing a smirk. "Or the fact that taking Punjabi to impress a girl is still a bad incentive. Just think of this as a… proper incentive."
"That's a low blow, Matt," Foggy protested with an exaggerated pout. "So in order to dig into my best-friends super-secret private life, I have to do what a girl couldn't, gain proper motivation, and properly learn a foreign language?"
"Pretty much," Matt admitted with no shame.
Foggy's face twisted in thought, tapping his knee as he thought it over. "Fine. But when I kick this class in the ass, we're going out for drinks when I meet my competition for your brotherly affections."
Matt just smiled at that. "You get a good grade, I can handle both of those at once."
Foggy just narrowed his eyes at his roommate/buddy before nodding. "Deal."
Name: Marcus Ezekiel Kendrick
Race: Human (standard)
Occupation: Server
Level: 5 (771/1500)
Title: Masochistic Gamer (+5 STR, VIT, DEX; +25% Cash and EXP)
HP: 430
-HP regen: 2.8% (12.04 HP/minute)
MP: 450
-MP regen: 3.4% (15.3 MP/minute)
-Magic/Mental resist: 2.4%
SP: 460
-SP regen: 3.1% (14.26 SP/minute)
STR: 16 (+5) = 21
VIT: 13 (+5) = 18
DEX: 16 (+5) = 21
INT: 22 (+0) = 22
WIS: 24 (+0) = 24
LUC: 18 (+0) = 18
SKL: 50 | EVO: 0 (locked)
Currency: $11392.84
-Rate/hour: $13.50 (+25%) = $16.875
Hunger: 0/180
-Standing Drain: 4/hour (96/day)
Thirst: 0/180
-Standing Drain: 6/hour (144/day)
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!NEW Traits!:
[The Noob (Common)]
[Making a Cameo (RARE)]
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Passive Skills:
[Vehicle Mastery, novice lvl 8]
[Mechanics, basic lvl 5]
[Firearm Mastery, novice lvl 4]
[Fishing Mastery, novice lvl 11]
[Information Processing lvl 11]
[Cartography lvl 19]
[Empathic Reception lvl 5]
[Inconspicuous lvl 5]
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Active Skills:
[Blade Sharpening lvl 12]
[Meditation, self-taught lvl Max]
[The Zone lvl 1]
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Passive & Active Skills:
[Pushing Limits lvl Max]
[Sprint lvl 10]
[Climbing lvl 2]
[Inspect lvl 11]
[Observe lvl 12]
Author's Note: Don't forget to READ and REVIEW!
Let me know what you guys think. Keep it constructive. And any help balancing or reinventing certain skills would be most helpful.
Until next time.