Resonance - A SteinMon Sample Story

by SteinMon1920518

Getting Isekai'd without dying, getting Gamer powers, accidently setting his new world's difficulty to 'Survival' and 'Hardcore' Mode, and being subject to the oddest "System" he's ever read about. Oh, and now he's entering one of his favorite franchises with only the hope that he can make a difference. Marcus is just a regular guy about to put [Gamer's Mind] through it's paces.

12. Chapter 11: Suits and Cuffs

A/N: Hey guys! SteinMon here!

Yooo-ho! What's up guys! It's been a hot minute. I was making sure that with these last couple chapters for our Part 1 (or Act I?), that it was as perfect as I could make it. I was especially caught up on the next chapter. That, and I was distracted by a couple new games.

I'll be sending out a blind test 'Poll' here soon, followed by some more shortly after, pending it's success. Which I'm not sure how it works, since I can't even find any 'Poll tabs'... but I think I got it to show up at the top of my profile. It's labelled {Should I Make My Spotify Playlist for "Resonance" Public For You Guys? - SteinMon's First Attempt at a Poll"}. So leave a quick vote. At the very least, I'll know if it works, regardless of results.

I've already started pulling together a list of things to begin editing (some of which will join the polls) once the next chapter comes out, so if you guys have something to add, let me know. I'll be going over both past and present Reviews to check and double-check for previous contributions, as I didn't think to write them down. Thank you, and much appreciated.

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.

Also, please realize that I enjoy responding to the Reviews I receive. Unfortunately, it does inflate the word count quite a bit, but I don't have a lot of options otherwise. This is part of my process, and I enjoy connecting with readers, even if it's only briefly. Each chapter (save for earlier ones) should be over 10,000 words minimum; if that helps at all.

If you don't like it, DON'T CONTINUE READING IT!

Review Responses:

- Ma6ne: Thank you.

- "Rayleigh": Thanks.

- plebston323: *thumbs up*

- Weevertho: While I'd love to open a , potential legal issues are a thing with Fanfiction writers making money off of other people's content and work, and it's been my main reason for not doing it. In addition, I spend a lot of time editing, so if I posted a chapter early on , it would most likely undergo some changes before it made it's way here. And I'd like to keep my content as streamline as possible. I might consider it though.

- M2R: Different types of incognito.

- TheDarkS0ul: Will do my best!

- Nerd King 180: 'Unique Skill', yes.

- nealrm: No regrets about that. Not yet anyway.

- Doxxie: Strong skills, pending some work? Yes. God-tier 'Skills'? Only pending God-tier feats. Joining SHIELD might be a bad idea, but that would depend on what organizations he can access, what can be gained by association, and what he's is willing to sacrifice for what is gained. Marcus's decision-making will be explained in the next chapter. That, and because he only knows about the MCU from passing, it's been a few months since he's landed, and he doesn't have perfect recall (like most other Isekai protagonists seem to have), he's limited on his options. SHIELD is really the only option he has.

- aleksander. haugan12: It can seem like that, yeah.

- HakumeiRyuga: Wait no more! ...Until you finish this chapter XD

- sinner213: And here's that chapter.

- Joe Lawyer: While I'm not sure if you made it this far, I'll still answer your Reviews. I'm operating under the assumption that you're Reviews were intended to instruct or informative (correct me if I'm wrong).

There is a difference between a Player and an NPC; and if someone ends up in a world where they are the only "Player", not only can that affect their treatment of the perceived "NPC's" around them, but the psychological affects would build over time, possibly leading to psychosis, disassociation, and whatever other indicators would result in a mind broken from reality. Also, I tend to avoid marking my work as 'Rated M' until it's crossed into territory that requires me to change the rating. Besides, rating it 'T' has a more middling aspect that is more available on initial searches, as opposed to an 'M-rating' that is more of a specialized search; I might be wrong about that though.

As far as Library Archives, who would think of that (besides yourself) when they have access to the internet? I'll admit, I think that's a pretty neat option, but this is the first time I've even heard about it. And unfortunately, my ignorance falls to Marcus as well.

You end up in the MCU, what's the first thing you think about? Yeah, it's pretty cool and all, but at 2007, that's only about a decade of "living it up" before Thanos comes a knocking. Then it's 50-50, and one end of that is the leftover dregs of whatever remains of society after the 'Snap'. Most fictional Universes wouldn't allow anyone to do so either, as your only options are to get strong enough, fast enough, and connected enough, to not end up smooshed by the first in-world/Universe threat that pops up. Unfortunately, most people realistically wouldn't be able to afford to live it up in their favorite Universes.

The act of betting on oneself is actually illegal in some countries (not sure about the USA), and is considered in poor sport regardless of legality. And even then, no one likes someone that cocky. As far as SHIELD, Marcus has had several in-month to plan his route; for Sorcerers, there is a selective criteria and their Sanctums are probably hidden by magic, but Marcus's knowledge of the MCU is that of someone who's watched the movies, not an avid in-depth super fan, so he wouldn't know the exact place to go regardless; and Stark is still at a point where he's... not a people person. Won't argue about his identity issues, but from what little I understand, that would require Marcus to know somebody who knows somebody, who might also know somebody. And even then, Marcus doesn't have a few hundred thousand; he's small time.

As far as Marcus being good? Yes people can be selfish, but I've met and have known people that are better than my portrayal of him. Good? Maybe. Honorable? I hope so. Plagued with other issues that other people might relate with? Maybe; I've made allusions to these things throughout the story. You make an interesting point: "The most efficient path as they perceive it". As far as Marcus is concerned, this is the most efficient path; coupled with an understanding that he is going to have to become more callous person.

Overall, I do appreciate you using your Fanfic handle, even if it appears we're largely at odds here. Respect.

- Starlight in the Night: Well, here's that next chapter!

- Crainium9: That's a good point. It'll probably take some fiddling, but I'll see what I can do. The 'Hunger' and 'Thirst' stats increase with VIT though, so it'll be a bit of a balancing game. I'm up for suggestions though.

- NaraSadow: Noice.

- Painless: Appreciate it.

- Burdened Avocado: I guess we'll see. ;}

- Camsonius: Yeah, yeah, that's most risky moves though. High risk, high reward. It was always the plan, it was just expedited a little by Fisk. I guess you'll just have to read how it goes.

- AdamKadamon: Oh wow. You Reviewed a lot! I'd love to answer each and every one, but that would take up... a lot of word count, and I'm not sure how many of your questions were answered in following chapters. But if you still have any, let me know. You've been engaging and respectful, and I appreciate it!

Without any subtle ways to contact SHIELD, and largely only passing knowledge on the Universe, a big splash was about his only option. I couldn't really justify keeping 'Gamer's Mind' either; especially after a few... choice comments about how I nerfed it. It wasn't the plan, but the more I wrote, the less I could see it being a viable, working part of the story. And trust me, I can't wait to explore the wider MCU too.

- ItsDante: I have an idea or two. No Spoilers, but as for now, it's for me to know, and you to find out. :D

- theQmaster: I try not to take too long between updates, but things don't always work out that way. Ah, such is life. As far as criticism, I not sure how clear or unclear I made Marcus's direction, but I also have a view of the larger picture, so sorry 'bout that. No worries either way.

- : Will do.

- Carnuub: I appreciate that!

- The Jolley Pirate: Heheh. Spoilers.

- .upg: Well, here's more.

- "Lamont": Well, I don't see him worrying about his frequent flier miles in either case.

- QuirkySavage: I won't say no. But I won't say yes either. Spoilers. Great to read ya again Quirky!

- Funny-Little-Cute White Fox: Thanks.

- AndroidWall4680: Here's that next chapter then!

- void242: I'd say... "better suited", rather than "superior".

- Kiyan Tribe: Mostly probably because he didn't know about the disadvantages. Also, there are certain psychological aspects involved.

- bibidibabidiboom: First off, dope name. And yet, Pros and Cons. Pros. And Cons.

- redacted.0420: Thanks! And here's another chapter.

- teazer: Hey, no prob. Not so much about the skimming part (I'm only a little bummed ;)), but that you wanted to read before reviewing. Fair enough. And I do keep track of the stats! It's... a challenge... sometimes.

Thank you though. I'm glad you've enjoyed it so far. It means a lot. The phone bit was super fun for me to write.

- "Guest": Well thanks man. Be sure to get some rest though.

- EANID: I don't have an official update schedule. I just post when I can. Sorry, but it's going to be rather irregular.

- Williams1996: Agreed, Matt does need to hear it more. Nope, Marcus is a ghost, though, only Kingpin would notice this at the moment. Unfortunately, Marcus doesn't know where the Sanctum is, and even then, Kamar Taj has a selective criteria. Yep, Matt is the guy. And finally, eh, Spoilers.

- Klimis: Thank you. Just heads up, each 'Stat Page' is less than 300 words (eventually more pending more 'Skills' added), and mostly serves as a marker for me to follow along with on a chapter-by-chapter basis for whenever I go back to review or edit something. Any changes I make in one chapter, I can use to serve as an updatable tracker for the following chapters. It keeps things systematic and organized for me, while also allowing others to follow along. Again, it's less than 300 words right now. Sorry man, but I'm keeping those in.

*End of Responses (breathes a sigh of relief)

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.

If the story isn't to your liking, I can respect that. But I'm not concerned with writing a surface level story with a surface level character and surface level plot that makes things easy to explain or understand. I want to read a story with depth, about a character with depth, so I'm going to write depth. I'm gonna write stories I would want to read. And if other people like what I share, then I've already done more than I set out to do.

Without further ado. *Que the dimming of the lights*

---

Chapter 11: Suits and Cuffs

BRR-RRRR!

It was about time!

Marcus looked up as a police car slowed down after briefly chirping its siren and flashing its lights, finding a rare New York parking space available along the curb, the pedestrians around him turning to catch the commotion. The fact they retained their paces without tripping up was almost enviable.

Two cops stepped out, which was standard he supposed. Their blue uniforms and slacks were complimented with the large badge on the front pocket, over-the-shoulder radio, belt, and holster. Marcus was half-expecting the stereotypical fat cop trope, but was pleasantly surprised with two cut-above officers walking his way.

'Fisk sure works fast, and didn't send slouches' he sighed, only halfway through polishing off his second granola bar. He wasn't even sure what had happened to his tail.

"Marcus Kendrick?" one asked as he stepped forward, foot forward and hands on his hip.

'[Observe] and [Inspect], minus the unnecessaries, please.' He could spare a little bit. Even if his 'regen' was shot for the foreseeable future.

[Then what's the point of using both 'Skills' if you're gonna minimize most of the information anyway?]

.

'To level both 'Skills',' he answered easily. 'It's efficient.'

[*sigh*

The things I deal with.]

'Thank you,' he intoned, before adding with a tease, 'I cherish you.'

[Yeah, yeah.]

.

{Alan Durnham, Officer lvl 24

"New York City Police Department, 10th Precinct"

Grunt-level Henchman under Wilson Fisk…}

.

{William "Bill" Josephs, Officer lvl 23

"New York City Police Department, 10th Precinct"

Grunt-level Henchman under Wilson Fisk…}

.

Interesting way of saying they were dirty.

Marcus just sighed, taking a quick drink of water. "If your confident enough to approach, doesn't that mean you already know who you're talking to?" A combination of genuine curiosity and more than a little miffed at Fisk for sicking the dogs on him in the first place. Just 'cause he expected it, didn't mean it wasn't annoying.

He'd rather have had a small troop of black ops break down his apartment door, content with drinking coffee from the comfort of the beanbag that constituted his current (or was it "former") furniture arrangements. But here he was.

"Verification is standard procedure," the Officer Josephs stated.

'Fair enough,' he sighed. Though standard procedure was questionable when you were working for the future Kingpin. However, the natural inclination to cooperate took precedence before he answered, "Yeah, that's me. What can I do for you gentlemen?"

"We're going to need you to come with us?" Officer Durnham stated. Looks like he was the… lead? …primary? …in this instant. Whatever the cop-speak was. "Quietly is preferred, but not necessary."

Wow. Subtly not-so subtle with the threats there.

"Courtesy of a mutual… acquaintance… who shall remain unnamed?" he prodded, watching as they both grew visibly uncomfortable. Given how touchy everyone was about Fisk's name in Daredevil, there was no guarantee they knew it, but it didn't make the threat any less real.

The lead cop just nodded, neither looking pleased, nor looking angry. He just… looked.

"Will the cuffs be necessary?" Marcus asked. Say what you like, but while Marcus may not have prided himself on being a law-abiding citizen, he was law-abiding none-the-less. Though he wasn't sure how that translated over from his old world. Last time he'd been in a cop car was when his mom's van had rolled on the highway after hitting a sheet of black ice mid-winter; him and both his sisters had been in the back to stay warm. He had to have been… what? Seven? Eight at the time? Back when being in a police car had been cool.

"If you cooperate, only once we reach the station," the officer assured. He seemed like a guy who had played this song and dance before (framed arrest, that is), but his dispassion was noted; as though he was disillusioned with his job. Marcus could read the look well enough, even if he didn't really understand it. But if he had to make a guess, the guy was trapped between a rock and a hard place, and it was clear he'd given up getting out of it.

Sighing, he chomped the rest of his granola bar in two bites before quickly taking a few sips of his water as he chewed. Standing up, he wiped his hands absently on his jeans. "Alrighty."

He moved towards the police car, both cops following him to the back and both his sides. It felt cooler than it actually was; like he was strapped on both hips. Fortunately, that feeling ended quickly before he could embarrass himself. As one officer opened the police car door, and he gently slid in. Already he was shifting uncomfortably at the hard plastic seats, vaguely aware that it was for easy cleaning, but not wanting to explore that train of thought that would explain 'why'.

As it was, he was just glad that his hands weren't cuffed. At least there was a seat belt, which he gladly applied before they took off.

"So…," he started nervously, wiping on his hands on his pant leg. Despite not sweating, it didn't stop the clammy feeling on his palms. "…any chance I'll get a hint what I'm being accused of? Or are we keeping it quiet for the shock factor? I can tell you right now, I hate surprises. That little jump the heart does? Yeah, it hurts. Not a fan." Aaand he was rambling.

Officer Josephs looked back through the barred partition. "Look bud, no hard feelings or anything, but we're just here to make the arrest, okay. Whatever you're accused of is none of our business."

'And I was neither informed about the particulars of my arrest, nor was I Mirandized. And I still cooperated,' Marcus wanted to point out, but instead he kept it internalized. Thank you, Tyler Perry and Madea, for teaching him that little tidbit. The officers probably forgot all about it since it came from within Fisk's purview. Fear was funny like that; but their error was another point in his camp if he was left out to dry and had to fend for himself.

Though, he wasn't sure if that made it inadmissible in court from his side, or from both sides? Not like he was fixing to stick around for his arraignment anyway. Well… hopefully his knight in suit and tie would come and rescue him. How he walked out of this was still up in the air.

"I get it," Marcus relented, if only a little. "God knows, my ass is on the line. Can only imagine what it's like for someone to have you perpetually by the balls."

They shared a look, and despite the harder nature of it, Marcus let it go. Their job was to escort him; nothing more. He could be reasonably assured of that. If Fisk wanted him dead, there were easier ways to do it than risk revealing his cards, especially while his enterprises were still aspiring. Though realistically, Marcus wasn't sure where Fisk's budding empire was in development; only that the Invasion of New York gave him the prime opportunity to expand… at a discount.

Flicking his finger to himself, he added that to the list of things he needed to ease, if not outright mitigate. Assuming he could; he wasn't a mastermind after all, and the power he had was – admittedly – still more on the level of a civilian. Gamer powers or no.

Withholding a sigh, he had the most immediate thing to focus on right now.

---

[You are preserved by the ghost of a memory from your old world.

What has faded from you, can never truly be taken away. Or forgotten.]

['One More Light' Trait has been remembered.]

.

[One More Light (MYTHIC, UNIQUE)

The user has remembered the feeling of existential purgatory: unable to choose death, but unable to continue living. You remember the ache of hopelessness, and the bleak darkness of slowly fading. And in that ghost of a moment, the user felt inexplicable, unexplainable, all-consuming light.

Due to the vast alteration to the fundamentals of your very being, the user is incapable of fully losing hope. Ever. No matter how dark or dismal the situation becomes, nor how hopeless the situation or scenario seems. Though hope may become frail, yours is now impossible to kill; rendering even a sliver of light, no matter how defeated. You will always find your way back from the brink.

Passive:

Grants Immunity to 'Hopelessness'.

Grants Immunity to 'Permanent Mental Inflictions'

Grants Greater Resistance to 'Demoralization'.

Grants Resistance to 'Indoctrination'.

Grants Resistance to 'Brain-Washing'.

Grants Resistance to 'Madness'.

Grants Resistance to 'Insanity'.

Grants Resistance to 'Fear'.

Grants Resistance to 'Depression'.

Grants Resistance to 'Anxiety'.

User cannot be rendered 'Unconscious' via 'Subtle' damage.

Mental Effects that bolster the User are improved by 2%. (Incompatible with 'Gamer's Mind'.)

Mental Effects that harm the User are reduced by 2%.

Through sheer perseverance, the user's 'Humanity' refuses to be suppressed. (Incompatible with 'Gamer's Mind'.)

User is both 'physically' and 'mentally' incapable of any and every 'Suicidal' effect (this affect does not apply to 'Selfless Sacrifice').

'Permanent Mental Inflictions' will gradually reduce over time.

User may unintentionally inspire 'Hope' in others.

NOTE – The more connections made in this world, the more the User becomes tethered to this world, the more effective the affects may become.]

.

[Skill ceiling for base VIT achieved.

Unlocked Trait 'Guard's Vitality']

[Guard's Vitality (Uncommon)

The user has hit the first Skill Ceiling for VIT, granting them a guard's endurance.

Passive:

+100% (x2) to overall HP regeneration.

+100% (x2) to all base VIT attributes affected in 'Skills'

+15% resistance to sickness and disease.]

.

[The User's Strength, Vitality, and Dexterity have reached a mutual minimum threshold.

A new skill has been created due to the User's improved lifeforce.

'Qi Rooting' skill obtained.]

[Qi Rooting (Passive) lvl 0

The user has improved the well-being of their body to the point of becoming sensitive to their body's own internal energy. Such new life begins as a seed.

VIT improves bonuses gained from skill.

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.]

.

[Skill ceiling for base INT achieved.

Unlocked Trait 'Student's Intelligence']

[Student's Intelligence (Uncommon)

The user has hit the first Skill Ceiling for INT, granting them a student's intellect.

Passive:

+100% (x2) to all base INT attributes affected in 'Skills'.

+5% Skill Acquisition and Leveling.]

.

[The User's Intelligence & Wisdom have reached a minimum mutual threshold.

The User has become sensitive to the natural forces around them that most others are unaware of. A new skill has been created due to the User's new sense.

'Mana Sensitivity' skill obtained.]

.

[Mana Sensitivity (Passive) lvl 0

The user has improved their understanding of the world to the point of becoming sensitive to the energy produced by the world around them. The roar of an infinite sea, begins as a puddle.

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.

NOTE – User has yet to choose what energy their spells will connect with. Can be chosen upon connecting with it.]

.

[You have obtained a 'Dual-Skill' by utilizing multiple 'Meditation' -based skills at once.

'Eye of the Storm/Tranquility of the Water' Skill has been obtained.]

.

[Eye of the Storm/Tranquility of the Water (Passive) Lvl 1 (43.9%)

A sound and calm mind in battle can be the difference between victory and defeat. The user can easily slip into such a trance in combat. No movement is wasted. Focus is absolute.

And when the battle is over, peace.

The 'User' can activate any of their collective 'Meditation' -type 'Skills' in all situations, allowing them to accumulate and synergize.

Meditation Skills:

-Harmonic Meditation lvl 12

-Chakra Meditation Trait (Uncommon)

Combat:

+1% Combat Skill and Style Acquisition.

+10% Accuracy

+1% SP and MP efficiency.

Physical Pain is temporarily reduced.

The User becomes Calm.

Idle:

+10% overall bonus to active 'regen'.]

.

Marcus blinked. He closed his eyes. He opened them. And… the collection of prompts were still there. It wasn't just the overhead light spotting his vision then.

Being left to sweat in an interrogation room, his hands cuffed snuggly to the table, he'd figured it was as good a time as any to review his 'Log'. It was as easy as casual intent, a brief thought, and a flick of his fingers. But six new 'Traits' and 'Skills'? Six?! Well… kinda seven. He'd expected at least three; maybe four. But six?!

He looked them over, blinking again as he tried to process not just that, but what exactly he was reading. 'Sys? Why exactly did this new 'Trait' delete 'Gamer's Mind'?' he asked. On one hand, despite it appearing much bigger and more intimidating as a box and as a prompt, it was significantly weaker, given 'Gamer's Mind' prevented anything from affecting his… … …mind.

Oh.

[Bingo! Give this kid a prize! 'Gamer's Mind' affected any and all Mental Status's.

Negative and Positive. A zero-sum shield.

While 'One More Light' is technically "weaker", it not only produces better affects,

but won't prevent you from experiencing positive 'Mental' affects.

Not only is it more integral to who you are,

but I anticipated it would be more useful in the long-run.]

[You can thank me any time now.

Personal skills are rare, and I had to get admin permission.]

.

'I hadn't noticed,' he admitted, looking down at his cuffed wrists. That "admin" thing was a can of worms he didn't even want to think about touching at the moment. Too much going on as it was. 'But thanks.'

[You're not exactly beaming with joy there buddy.

Otherwise, you might have noticed.]

.

'So what? You traded them out for a 'Trait' that gets stronger the more "friends" I have? Gonna force me to strengthen the 'Trait' by making me explore outside my comfort zone and make even more friends?' he demanded testily. 'I could barely hold three decent friendships in my old world. And now you're wanting me to make as many as possible.'

He might have been panicking a little bit. He could hardly remember his own birthday half the time; it was just another day of the year. How was he supposed to remember someone else's?! Not to mention gifts! How did he get people gifts?!

[I wouldn't say that. But I like how you're interpreting it!

I can't be the only person you talk to.]

'Oh my dearest System, you underestimate my power,' he responded cheekily, mentally going over the new things he'd just been told.

'Wait! So what about the 'Calming' affects of Meditation? Wouldn't that have been affected?' he asked, trying to piece it together. 'Or is it because calm is a neutral affect? An emotional homeostasis?'

[That's three for three!

If we were scoring, you'd be ahead of the Game.]

'Ha! Punny!' he shot back with a deadpan.

He could accept that. It was so much easier to get caught up in the negative. That was just human existence after all. And he… hadn't really been a positive person for a while now. That calm and collected, bordering the realm of whatever emotion was prevalent, and his natural affinity to box up his shit and stuff it in the attic… it was emotional stasis.

That 'Gamer's Mind' would prevent Mental Status Effects and prevent emotional extremes meant he was going to have to unpack all of that eventually now that it was null and void.

'Ugh! I don't wanna go to therapy!' Last thing he wanted was to spend money for someone who was going to make him carry the entire process with no general direction or guidance. He knew not all psychological therapists were like that, but he hadn't had any luck with them in his old world, so he wasn't exactly jumping for joy over it in this one.

He looked at [One More Light] and the descriptor left to him. Still, he never thought that would get made into a 'Trait' or 'Skill', much less take precedence over a 'Trait' as powerful as 'Gamer's Mind'. The fact it did though… he wasn't sure if it was heartening or detrimental, but even now, he could feel that unquenchable burn, like the spark from a campfire smoldering in his chest, nestled within and behind the beating of his heart.

Like it was the only thing keeping it beating.

Hope… no matter how small… was as dangerous as fire.

He took a deep breath to steady the prickle in his eyes. Sniffing, he wiped at his eyes before the waterworks could really start up, choosing to distract himself with the other new 'Skills' before his heart could ache for light again.

'So, Qi and Mana, huh?' He honestly hadn't expected either of them, much less both, and he opted for learning what he could before he could get excited. 'What's the difference, just for reference's sake?'

['Qi', in this case, is best described as internal, or self-fortifying energy.

'Mana' is external, and more of the "casting" variety.]

'So 'Qi' would be "techniques", while 'Mana' would be "spells"? 'Qi' is the warmth of body while 'Mana' is the cool touch of wind.'

[Well put.

If that's what helps you distinguish them, then go for it.]

.

So that wasn't it, but it would help with discerning between the two. At least for now.

It didn't explain where the Sorcerer's of Kamar-Taj fit in, especially in context of them using Multiversal energy to fuel their spells. Maybe a specialized energy? And if that was the case, where did that leave Marcus as far as… spellcraft – oooh… that left a little tingle down his spine – because as far as he knew, he was technically an extraplanar being here. Did that mean he naturally drew in Multiversal energy? Or did that mean he was becoming native to this Earth?

Or both? No one could complain about having two sources of power to draw from. So much to entertain and explore.

'Nope! No! Bad Marcus! Worry about establishing what type of energy you use before worrying about slinging spells,' he enforced, reoptimizing his thoughts in order of proper operations before he accidentally lit himself on fire; in an interrogation room at that. While he didn't think he could, Sys might allow it just to fuck with him. All in good fun, of course; and it would serve as a valuable lesson.

[Guard's Vitality] and [Student's Intelligence] were par for the course, although he did spare an extra moment on the bonus 'resistance to sickness and disease'. He didn't want to test to what extent that those bonuses were effective, just happy that he might not have to deal with pollen headache's this next spring, though he wasn't sure how it would mesh with his 'Winter Lung' Trait.

[Eye of the Storm/Tranquility of Water] was interesting though. A multi-Meditation combo 'Skill'. Considering both 'Harmonic' and 'Chakra Meditation' had activated (somehow, considering they were a 'Skill' and 'Trait' respectively). He wondered how many more Meditation-type 'Skills' he could find to add to the list. if the bonuses would stack, or if he'd create something new in the process.

Food for thought. In the meantime, he was curious, especially since [Qi Rooting] and [Mana Sensitivity] were at 'Lvl 0'. He wasn't even aware there was a 'Lvl 0'. Only one way to establish what he was aiming for, and it made for a great distraction at the moment.

Despite being cuffed, he brought his hands together, his middle and ring fingers overlapping while the rest of his fingers straightened and touched. Crossing his legs into the Lotus Position would only be odd, not only because of the chair, but because of his boots. He closed his eyes, breathing as he attempted to ignore the annoying prickle of nervousness and the much too warm overhead light beaming down on him.

The air was overly warm, shy of being hot; the light was walking the line between making his eyes ache but being unable to properly adjust, just bright enough to be a nuisance. The air smelled stale, like it hadn't been properly ventilated in a while, which made his nose crinkle a little.

In through the nose, cycle, and out through the mouth.

He let his thoughts drift, doing his best not to latch onto any of them as his body did what it did best autonomously. What little he contemplated about Qi and Mana from a mystic perspective in his old world, left him to theorize that they were not powers or abilities you could, or should, force; contrary to every martial arts manga he'd read. If it was about achieving balance, it was better to treat both of them as wild animals: with caution, and respect. They were forces of nature after all.

He was the invader. He was the outsider. Let it come to him once it felt comfortable.

From a perspective leaning more towards scientifically-oriented cause-and-effect however, he simply imagined the process. The best way he could think of it was like breathing. 'Mana is inhaled through the breath, and brought to the chest, where it is refined and stored as Qi. And like oxygen, it is distributed throughout the body, though by means I don't yet know. And once used, it is cycled back to the lungs, where the excess Qi is released back into the air with each exhale. And like trees and carbon dioxide, the Qi is refined by nature back into Mana. A cycle of refinement.

'I think,' he admitted. He was pulling this out of his ass, but it was the best he could think of.

It was called 'Qi Rooting', so maybe, it was best to think of it like a seedling. What kind of seedling? Something prickly and hard to eradicate preferably, since he had accidently killed anything he'd attempted to grow before. But he was essentially watering it, and taking care of it. 'Mana Sensitivity' was a bit different, but not dissimilar; more his ability to efficiently sense, collect, and draw it inward. An irrigation system, maybe?

Eh, he just shrugged to himself.

The attempt to visualize such forces was crossing multiple seemingly unaffiliated realms, aligning the mystic and the physical, and while he couldn't yet connect them, he could see the beginnings of where one might bridge them. A glimpse into the corporally unfathomable that his former ignorance would never have granted him before.

'Breathe,' he intoned, resisting the urge to yawn as he felt a twinge of drowsiness. He shook his head lightly to stave it off.

He quietly found that spot between drowsy and alert, tones rising in his chest as [Harmonic Meditation] activated. Every breath was carefully spent, measured, and released in humming measures.

While he didn't know jack about the interrogation process outside of some shows he'd seen in passing, the isolation part of it was mitigatable. He'd spent days on end with only himself and his thoughts for company; and he had endured. While unexpected and unprecedented, all he needed to do, was just breathe, and patiently await.

---

"What is he doing?" the detective running second, watched through the one-way glass as the suspect had made faces, little gestures as though he was directing something, and a strange look in his eyes as though he was looking up and down at a wall in front of his face. Now though, the suspect had his eyes closed, and was breathing evenly, almost lax.

Considering how calm and cooperative he'd been, it was almost boring. Considering what was on the file presented to them, it was too much of gap to bridge. Nothing overly serious, but no one brought in as a suspect was overtly calm either. Unless they were psychopathic. But this calm was much more… tranquil, instead of self-assured.

"Meditation. With your receding hairline, you should try something similar," his partner, and primary for this particular case, stated as she poured a cup of coffee. When he gave her a pointed look, she looked right back at him in blank confusion. "What?"

"The fact it's going over your head is the only reason I'm not throwing shit back," he stated gruffly. Being an older male, in a stressful job no less, of course his hairline was receding a bit. Didn't mean he appreciated the comment about it. There should still be consequences of course. As soon as she lifted her cup to take a drink, he quietly snagged it, quickly taking a sip, even if some of the hot liquid spilled on his hand a little. He winced at the weak burns, but otherwise kept his composure.

"Hey!" she protested.

Shaking his head to dislodge whatever tangent he was slipping into, the secondary sighed as he slid over the case file for his partner's review while he continued to sip diligently. "You're primary on this case. So wha' do ya think?" he asked, continuing to watch as the suspect sat in as close to comfort as an interrogation room implied.

Sighing at her stolen drink, she pulled the opened file closer, pouring herself another cup as she leafed through it. "I think it's odd. No priors. Not so much as a ticket. At a surface glance, he seems clean."

"And yet?" the detective pushed.

"No DMV records," she continued. "He wasn't carrying a Driver's License, or I.D. We can always check further up the food chain, but… I don't think we're gonna find any citizenship records either."

"And that's significant, why?"

She mulled over it as her partner and mentor watched on. "It'd mean he's an illegal citizen. But illegal or otherwise, his English is fluid, and has no notable accent. So we don't even have a hint as to a general direction of where he comes from."

"Yet," her partner corrected, then rolled his fingers for her to continue.

"He's calm. Too calm," she pointed out, as she looked through the one-way. "And cooperative. If he's an illegal, he had to know that any crime committed could result in instant deportation, if only in passing. Most immigrants - legal or otherwise - who come over aren't looking to start trouble, and tend to keep their head down. They're just here to start a new life. If he's a home-grown citizen, him not having any identification is a problem.

"We can reach higher up. See if he has any hospital records on file? Census record? School records? Hell, a record of baptism would at least give us a place to start. I'd settle for a tax file if we have to."

"Good. Solid base. Plenty to expand on, with multiple leads that can narrow down the same thing," he stated, gesturing with his chin towards the one-way glass. "But there is one other way."

She sighed, taking a quick sip of her coffee before looking back at the file. "I dunno though. Something seems off."

"You wan' at 'im? Or do you want me to?"

"I'll do it," she grumbled, sliding the file closed as she dragged it with her.

It was a quick transition from the viewing room to the interrogation room. As she stepped in, she was immediately caught up in how… fresh… the air felt. She'd been in many of the interrogation rooms, and this one just felt more bearable compared to the normal warm and stuffy.

"Excuse me, Mister Kendrick?" she prompted as she took the seat opposite of him. She peaked up when he didn't answer or make any indication of hearing her, suddenly aware of the hummed tones that reverberated from his throat. They were soft, simple tones, complimenting his breathing. He was as relaxed as he could be, from his posture to his facial muscles.

Enviable. She'd pay good to know his technique; yoga only did so much to help her relax, and he looked blissfully absent.

---

His attempt to cycle Qi and Mana was starting to produce results. Just sparks and flickers, barely perceivable, especially since he was doing his best to just be, and not focus on the growth taking place. And he didn't blame the pace; considering he was attempting to cultivate and utilize two sources of energy and power that didn't exist in his world. The fact he could, seemed to say more about the world he now inhabited, than it did anything about him. Just went to show he wasn't that special without 'the Gamer's' backing.

The Marvel Universe was but one with near limitless possibilities. And if he focused on it too intently, he'd start jittering from excitement. Like a kid with a new toy.

[You have created a new skill through repetitive action.

'Oxygen Circulation Breathing Technique' skill obtained.]

.

[Oxygen Circulation Breathing Technique (Active) Lvl 1 (3.7%)

The 'User' has attributed the cycling of 'Mana' and 'Qi' to that of the Oxygen Cycle, in which 'Mana' is inhaled and refined as 'Qi', circulated through the body, and exhaled once again to be refined back into 'Mana' by the World.

Can be stacked with 'Meditation' effects.

Current 'QI': (10/10)

Current 'MANA': (10/10)

Active:

+1% 'Qi Rooting' Skill Acquisition.

+1% 'Mana Sensitivity' Skill Acquisition.

+1% SP (QI) and MP (MN) regen/minute.]

.

[For deducing and developing your own method for refining 'Qi' and 'Mana',

your INT and WIS increased by 1.]

.

[!'Mana Sensitivity' skill has gained a level!]

[!'Qi Rooting' skill has gained a level!]

.

[Qi Rooting (Passive) lvl 2 (23.6%)

The user has improved the well-being of their body to the point of becoming sensitive to their body's own internal energy. Such new life begins as a seed.

Current VIT: 25 (+5)

Current MAX 'QI': (170/170)

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.]

.

[Mana Sensitivity (Passive) lvl 2 (23.6%)

The user has improved their understanding of the world to the point of becoming sensitive to the energy produced by the world around them. The roar of an infinite sea, begins as a puddle.

Current CAST: ?

Current MAX 'MANA': (20/20)

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.]

.

['Mana Sensitivity' skill has become discernible.

What 'STAT' would you like to use for utilizing your MANA?

INT/WIS]

.

['Qi Rooting' skill has begun sprouting.

'Qi Rooting' skill can be synergized with 'Chakra Meditation' skill.

Would you like to select which Chakra 'Qi Rooting' will inhabit?

Yes/No]

.

Oh boy. That was a lot to go over. And much more hands-on than the System had been before. As far as a casting 'Stat'… he was stuck. His D&D knowledge wasn't going to help him here, especially since he could easily logic his way through the how's and why's of magic given enough information, but… he'd also just intuited a 'Breathing Technique' based on limited information and drew a comparison.

'INT', or knowledge-based, casting had its own set of rules and regulations that would probably be easier to learn, but required some point of reference. If Marcus had to guess, Stephen Strange was probably such a caster, as his had been based on study and retention; didn't hurt that the bastard had a Photographic Memory.

'WIS', or intuitive-based, casting was more about feeling the way something transpired, rather than some innate understanding. Harder to learn, but it didn't necessarily require a point of reference. Was there a 'WIS'-caster in the MCU? He couldn't think of anyone off the top of his head.

'Can I choose both?' he asked hopefully. He was pretty evenly bent on each one, and either way would probably have it's benefits and drawbacks.

[Ha! No. You Greedy-Gus.

Quit being so indecisive and pick one already.]

.

That was a little harder, especially since it was probably permanent. Dragging his eyes, he set the entire 'Mana Sensitivity' box off to the side, pulling up 'Qi Rooting' box. If he couldn't decide in that moment, he could decide in a bit. Reduce the stress-load of options.

['Qi Rooting' skill has begun sprouting.

'Qi Rooting' skill can be synergized with 'Chakra Meditation' skill.

Would you like to select which Chakra 'Qi Rooting' will inhabit?

Yes/No]

'Yes,' he wondered curiously. This was beyond anything he'd seen or considered when he'd passively studied Eastern Philosophy. Watching from behind his eyelids as the screen prompts were replaced by a diagram of his body like in his 'Inventory' screen, each of the seven main Chakra's glowing their specific colors in their places.

He frowned slightly when he noticed a soft glow forming in his hand, a white glow swirling and spiraling from between his enclosed hands. In his mind's eye, he drew his hand over each Chakra, seeing how the each one reacted to proximity to the 'Skill'. 'Recommendations?'

[Whatever you think will be most beneficial to you.

Whatever your choice, it will be where the core of your Qi is collected,

and distributed from.]

'Helpful,' he muttered sarcastically. It… kind of was? 'Meaning that the choosing the Crown or Root Chakra would be far removed from the other end.' The Crown Chakra, with its more mental and spiritual focus; and the Root Chakra, with its more physical and bodily focus. Probably; again, pulling this out of his ass, but using reasonable deduction to make said claims. 'Process of elimination it is then.'

He didn't have to think long on the first part. He removed the Crown, Third-Eye, Sacral, and Root Chakra from his list; despite whatever affinity he possessed with each one or their potential ease to clean and clear, particularly his leaning towards the Third-Eye Chakra. While they each might have their own benefits the stronger his 'Qi Rooting' became, they were too far removed from each end of the Chakra spectrum.

He was always a balanced act when he played games. That space between sword and fire. Bow and illusions. Combatant and Sorcerer. Spellsword? Arcane Archer? Spell-thief? Whatever. A balanced mind and a balanced body and all that.

That left the middle three: the Throat, the Heart, and the Solar Plexus Chakras. With the first and third leaning a little more each way between the physical and the mental.

If it was about even power distribution, the more centrally located, the better. And he'd visually attributed gathering 'Qi' to breathing already, and those three all dealt with the breath; which was fine, since he'd been consolidating in that general area to begin with. Without an exact understanding of what benefits he'd gain in the long run though, it was just a matter of preference.

The Solar Plexus dealt with confidence and self-control. It would be a little difficult to balance the flow of that Chakra, since it was either too blocked, or too open.

The Heart dealt with compassion and love. A blocked Chakra if ever he knew one.

The Throat dealt with communication and truth. And as a bonus, he'd already balanced this chakra; and thanks to his 'Skills', it remained balanced.

This was the part he disliked about the "Game", considering he would only have the opportunity to pick one by the sounds of it. And it didn't sound like there were any redo's. There were no secondary or tertiary avatars to build for testing, and no site on the internet that would give him a minor spoiler on how to build to his personal preferences. And no 'Save Points' either.

But that was for games. This was… his new reality.

It had to be his choice. And his alone.

He closed his eyes, even in his head, enveloping even his thoughts in darkness as he attempted to think clearly. The only sensory left in that mental space was his own humming.

And his heartbeat. And the little spark that danced behind it.

It seemed like the choice had already been made.

He knew intuitively that his Heart Chakra would probably be the hardest Chakra to balance out of all of them. Not because he hated anyone in particular, but because he'd needed to be apathetic, so any further damage to his Heart didn't hurt as much. Get left with enough wreckage and not enough closure; have enough hope, and watch as year after year, month after month, day after day, it was deferred; anyone's Heart would eventually fall sick with all the shit that built up from people using it as their personal dumping ground; intentionally or not. Like a sewer.

It made him wonder how he'd made friends in this world in the first place. But seeing as it was Matt and Foggy… maybe it wasn't so surprising. They were… special people like that.

Where he found the will to want to stand against Thanos at the Endgame was anyone's guess. Because it wasn't a desire born of altruism. He was jaded enough to know that.

He'd accepted that most people weren't trustworthy. Even the MCU showed that average Joe's were as likely to cheer you on as a hero as they were to condemn you for anything and everything that they couldn't make sense of. Especially if it contradicted their beliefs. People needed… wanted… a scapegoat; as long as it wasn't them at the noose, they were happy to string up anyone.

Maybe his desire to stand firm were being influenced by 'One More Light', but it was merely an extension of what was already there, just… more tangible. And he'd made that choice before the 'Trait' ever showed up; if only so he could survive the Snap. He couldn't blame the 'Trait' if he himself somehow managed to well up the conviction to make that stand.

Or maybe he felt more alive in this Universe than he ever did in his. He had a goal. He had purpose. Even a thinly veiled one that he was grasping for with all his might.

It wasn't altruism, but he wasn't blind to the pain and suffering it would cause. Damn him. Him, and his easily bled heart. Despite knowing he was going to be hurt, betrayed, and blamed. People were going to disappoint him; that was inevitable. And the people he wanted to help most were probably going to turn against him; there was that too.

He couldn't help but smile helplessly to himself.

'Fine.' He relented. If he was willing to let his thoughts linger that much thought on it, he may as well select it. Reluctantly giving in, he chose the 'Heart Chakra'.

With a shudder through his shoulders, he felt something heavy settle behind his sternum, the barest feeling of something creaking as it seemed to begin crawling and settling in his chest.

['Qi Rooting' has successfully been implanted in your 'Heart Chakra'.

Only time and cultivation will determine its benefits.]

.

'At least there's that,' he admitted. Despite his probably being his most decrepit and weathered Chakra, he only hoped his decision would do him some good. If not in body and 'Skill', then in spirit. Despite the Chakra being blocked, he felt that little spark of hope flare. His 'Qi Rooting' and flickering unquenchable hope of 'One More Light' bound so close to his 'Heart Chakra'… he wasn't sure if he would call that dangerous or intriguing. Worst-case-scenario, he'd just combust.

'And while we're at it….'

He gently pulled up the other hovering box.

['Mana Sensitivity' skill has become discernible.

What 'STAT' would you like to use for utilizing your MANA?

INT/WIS]

.

'WIS,' he answered, watching as the box faded, and his new status began taking effect. If he was doing this solely based on a feeling, and intuition, he might as well go all in.

[Qi Rooting (Heart) (Passive) lvl 2 (23.6%)

The user has improved the well-being of their body to the point of becoming sensitive to their body's own internal energy. Such new life begins as a seed. The maximum needs to be built up in order to harness more.

Current VIT: 25 (+5)

Current MAX 'QI': (170/170).

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.]

.

[Mana Sensitivity (Passive) lvl 2 (23.6%)

The user has improved their understanding of the world to the point of becoming sensitive to the energy produced by the world around them. The roar of an infinite sea, begins as a puddle. Only so much of said energy can be harnessed at a time, before it begins to drain on the body.

Current WIS: 30

Current MAX 'MANA': (170/170)

NOTE – The bonuses gained from 'Meditation' -based skills can influence and be influenced by this 'Skill'.]

.

He sighed, partially in relief, and partially in hoping he didn't just screw himself over. He took an exceptionally deep breath… before letting it go. He'd made a decision, and that was better than he usually did. No procrastination this time. Concise choices, concise consequences, and no room for delay when he getting strong wasn't just a suggestion, but a necessity.

He scoffed though. He needed to make choices based on what could net him the most in the long-run, like any good gamer. It was half the reason why he didn't mind slicing his hand, or occasionally burning himself. It wasn't as if he could still be… unchanged by the end of it. Especially with the goal he'd set up for himself.

He was reforging himself after all; turning a tool of labor into a weapon. And this was his crucible.

But… he still wanted to come out of all of this as something… someone he could live with being. He was still a person after all. Unfortunately, only time would tell if he exploded, grew brittle and shattered, or actually came out of it solid.

Besides, intuitive-based casting would probably be better for making his own spells, since there wouldn't necessarily be any groundwork. Now that would be fun. Positive thoughts Marcus. Just a head filled with positive thoughts.

"Mister Kendrick!"

---

Marcus inhaled sharply at his name, blinking his eyes before squinting, and then widening them again as they returned to bleary focus. Sniffing slightly, he reached up to rub his eyes, only for his hands to pull against the cuffs tying him to the table. He stared at the offending binds before it seemed to click where he was again.

And here he'd been so enveloped by his new 'Skills' and pondering his own build-based decisions. Just as well. He had to keep himself psyched until he was rescued.

Hmm… maybe that line of thought was courtesy of 'One More Light'. Ugh! Being both pragmatically pessimistically and mildly optimistic at the same time was going to feel so weird.

"Mister Kendrick, I'm Detective Audrey Suárez. Do you know why you are here today?" she asked, peaking up as Marcus made to stretch his hands, gently popping his fingers as they clenched.

"I wasn't informed," he groaned simply, shifting slightly to get more comfortable now that he was more focused on the matters at hand. Meditation was handy, especially with Sys making skills out of it, but he felt like that particular session had taken the tar out of him. It probably didn't help that his 'Status' was still leaving him weak from the 'Inflictions' he'd accrued.

He'd made the decision. Now he would only face the consequences, good or bad, and grow from it. Both literally and figuratively.

The lady detective peered up at him. "Then I'll inform you. Mister Kendrick, you've been arrested as a suspect in a couple of cases. Namely several cases of assault, battery, and disorderly conduct. What's more, without any immediate records to identify you, that puts you in a tight spot. Do you understand what I'm tell you?"

Marcus blinked blankly at the small list of charges. Out of all of those, he maybe understood assault. The rest weren't as self-explanatory, considering he'd both never been arrested before, and he'd never had a reason to look them up online. That, and he didn't fancy making a guess, lest he get the backside of the technical legalese.

He hadn't even thought to ask Matt and Foggy about pending charges, because he hadn't known what he was going to be facing.

Just thinking about his friends was a threat to bring his mood down. He breathed. Box. Shelf. Attic.

The fact that Fisk – or whoever he had delegated – had not only managed to get him arrested, but had done so with just enough to put him in scrutiny without blowing it into a huge deal that would prevent his effectiveness later… it was kind of impressive. Even if Marcus was on the receiving end of it. But "several" accounts of each? Really?

Either they'd worked hard to pad his resume, or this lady was blowing smoke out her ass to get him to fess up.

While his immediate response was to tell her he questionably understood, he was smart enough to be aware that even if his rights hadn't been read to him, what he said could still be used against him. All it took was one bad read in court transcripts, and saying he understood would be seen as admissible, no matter the tone he said it in.

That was okay. He was just playing the delay card anyway. Bob and weave. Bluff that shit. Run out the clock!

"Not really," he stated with a shrug. "Specifics would help. Never been arrested before, so using fancy words without a lawyer present seems not only hazardous, but counter-intuitive to agree to." While he really didn't understand some of it, he understood plenty. But better to let them think otherwise. "Also, I'd like my phone call. That's a thing, right? Is it really only one call? Or is that just a thing in Hollywood for creating urgency?"

Confused and nervous rambling for the win.

She let out a sigh that made him think she was hoping for a cut-and-dry case. He almost felt for her; at least until he remembered he was being set up anyway. He didn't have the luxury to worry about making her day worse, when someone else was technically screwing them both over. As far as Marcus was concerned, his hands were clean here.

And there was no way he was admitting that he also had "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" on that list as of… an hour and twenty-seven minutes ago. Assuming he hadn't scared Smiles straight. Since that wasn't on the list of charges, he was technically innocent.

She ignored his question though. So he kept silent in turn, giving a tight-lipped smile of awkward boredom as he clasped his hands with exaggerated patience.

"Given those charges, and a lack of additional suspects, that makes you suspect numero uno," she continued. "And assuming you have records to find, can you at least tell us where we'll be transferring you? Where are you from?"

Fishing for information. It was just as well, since they wouldn't find anything, no matter where they searched. Still, she made it so obvious. Or maybe it was because he was looking for her to screw him over?

"It's just as you've told me, I'm a "suspect"," he stated firmly. "And you are dodging the question." Huh. Since when was he doing the interrogating? Neat. Still, ironic since he was doing plenty of strafing himself.

Still, Fisk had to have set up something to ensure he was charged. Maybe some last day padding, since the charges didn't seem overly damning. But how was he gonna keep Marcus state-side and incarcerated? He really needed that cavalry about now! He didn't want this all to come to a head in a courtroom setting. Judge? Counsel? Bailiff? Anyone could be in the future Kingpin's pocket.

"You do realize that wasting police resources is also a chargeable offense?" she prodded. "The least you can do is make this easier. For everyone involved."

His face turned neutral in an instant. "Again, "sus-pect". And I'm not giving a false confession, just because my being here inconveniences you. I didn't want to be here either, but here we are. Now, I'm not sure how long you guys can hold me, but I can endure however long you can legally keep me in here. You haven't asked any relevant questions, only shot allegations and prodded with loaded questions. Now, who's wasting who's time?"

She stood up, pushing away. "I recommend cooperating while you still can."

He just quirked an eyebrow. Now, he didn't know how movie-ish this MCU was; but was she the good cop, or the bad cop? He could afford to prod a little. "And while you and your partner are busy getting your lines straight, can you ask your partner to bring some of that coffee. I could smell a fresh pot on you. Please and thank you." He waved absently to the one-way, knowing they were being spied on.

She gave a little nasal huff before she moved towards the door.

The moment she disappeared out the door, it took tremendous fortitude not to simply flop down and sigh in relief. It took so much just to retain his nerves as he not only quelled the trained instinct to submit to authority, but actively resisted it. Even if he did his best, it still left a nasty feeling coating his body. Lies and scare-tactics were permitted in law-confined interrogation, but just the idea of getting in trouble with the law was enough to make Marcus sweat.

Considering he'd endured manual labor, 8+ hours a day, in 120-ish degree summers and had the tips of his ears sunburned to the point they turned blue, somehow, this was worse.

'Patience. Patience,' he reassured himself. He was really starting to hate being the damsel.

[Playing "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler – Shrek Edition.]

'Really?' he deadpanned.

[Pfft! Yeah.]

Marcus just shook his head in exasperation while Sys teased him.

---

"So what do you think?" the secondary asked as she stepped back into the booth.

Detective Suárez had to consciously stop herself from slouching as she sighed. Acting was always a pain in the ass. She'd rather be out of the station doing her job; but here she was, playing the interrogator. "You were listening. He's delaying. Talking circles."

"And he must really like coffee if he could smell it on you," he commented with a chuckle, taking a sip from his cup as he slid hers over to her.

Taking her coffee back, she took a gulp before looking through the one-way at how nonchalant their suspect looked, save for the gentle tapping he was doing with his finger on the table. "Your thoughts?"

Her partner sighed. "He's smart for one. He doesn't completely understand what he's being accused of, so he's not agreeing to anything until he does. Either he's been in this position before, or he knows a thing or two about the process. Though…."

"Though?" she asked, pausing from her next sip as she paid attention.

He shook his head. "Might be he thinks he's innocent. What'd he say? He wasn't gonna give a false confession just to make our lives easier?"

"Wha' do you think? Just a slip, or is he making us work for it?" she asked.

"Good question," he pondered.

Knock-knock-knock.

Both detectives bristled at the noise, turning towards the door. "You call anyone?" the secondary asked.

"No. You?" the primary responded.

"Wouldn't be asking if I did," he stated. Unassuming, he set his coffee down and walked to the door.

---

Blissfully ignorant, Marcus continued to almost literally, playing with the quarter he'd pulled from his 'Inventory'. He'd re-reviewed his new stuff, made his peace, and now let himself relax… if only a little. Eyes closed, he bobbed back and forth as he listened to whatever Sys subjected him to music-wise. Humming, he let himself naturally slip into [Harmonic Meditation] the way he always did. He wasn't quite as into it, but it didn't stop him from enjoying part of his erratic thoughts easing.

If anything, he felt an annoying little wave of prickling nerves across his body as he did so.

Still, it had been a hot minute since the detective had talked to him, but he assumed they were just trying to sweat him out.

It was different though. [Harmonic Meditation] cut a unique distinction now with the 'Music' in his head. While he heard and felt the generated sounds in his head, it was odd to now feel his chest reverbing in response to his humming. Not unpleasant… just weird. Probably an effect of 'Qi Rooting' synching with 'Harmonic Meditation', which in-turn, caused his 'Mana Sensitivity' to prickle.

Now he was just glad he hadn't put 'Qi Rooting' it in his 'Root Chakra'. That would have been... awkward... to say the least.

With music playing in his head and his meditative state active, he didn't notice the door open. However, he didn't have an option a few moments later.

"Eh-hem!" someone cleared their throat.

Marcus's eyes bolted open.

[You have been forced out of 'Harmonic Meditation'.

You have been Inflicted with 'Stunned'.]

['Adrenaline Rush' activated.

'Stunned' cancelled.]

.

Startled, he jumped back, the explosive 'STR' and momentum behind it launching him, but his secured wrist promptly yanking him back. Before he knew it, he was flopping back forward with no balance, forehead smacking into the table. He went limp, arms hanging on the table as his knees skimmed the floor.

And all at once, it was over.

[Graceful.]

"Uuuugh!" he retorted, wincing as his head throbbed and his awkward landing left him with more aches and pains, adding onto the ones that still persisted from his most recent fight. [Adrenaline Rush] or not, he was abusing what was already abused. He lifted himself up slightly before flopping back down. "Fuuuck, that hurt."

Forehead remained planted on the table, stinging slightly as he was stretched and pulled uncomfortably from his wrists. It was doing something oddly uncomfortable with his shoulders, like they were at odd angles in his sockets.

Groaning again, he pushed himself up, hissing as the pain came with it. Rubbing his head he looked up over the table, only to freeze like a deer caught in headlights.

"You called," a new person said, and in a very familiar voice. The gentle slap of a folder on the table snapped Marcus out of his pain and made more to focus on the addition that had made itself known.

His eyes widened when he realize that he was in the same room as Phillip Coulson.

As in… Agent Phil Coulson!

Sure, he'd asked for him, but he hadn't expected him to actually show up; much less right out the gate, first batter at the mat. Maybe after a long ride in an unmarked black van and a lengthy interrogation process that involved kiddie pools, metal chairs, and car batteries where Marcus would start to gain resistance skills to torture and electricity in equal measure. And there he was, just looking at him with that odd combination of smug and amused he somehow managed to do without coming across as a dick, and dressed men-in-black style. With a nice tie and everything.

[Huh. He looks better in person.]

'Really, Sys?' Marcus exasperated.

[I'm just saying… the suit is flattering.]

Just judging by the face, and the fact he'd popped a joke, that meant that Marcus himself was a matter that could be easily dealt with. Though of all the people Marcus could find himself up against, Coulson was more preferable. He could work with this.

"Oh. So that's what it does." The image of him fading out and dying on the Helicarrier flashing across his mind. Marcus knew he was resurrected in 'Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D.'; something about alien DNA being used. A Project "Tallahassee", or something like that? He wasn't sure of the exact nature or exact names. That didn't make it any less imperative. Death was a transformative experience after all; no one knew who they were going to be coming out the other end, much less what coming back would do to them.

"A one-liner? Really?" he huffed as he pulled himself to his feet, scooting his chair forward behind him with his foot, hissing as the adrenaline eased. He glanced at the one-way curiously, wondering what had happened to the detectives interrogating him.

"They're fine," Coulson stated reassuringly, as though reading his mind. "We simply told them you were a case much higher up the food chain." He gestured to the file he had set down. "You made a very big splash, Mister Kendrick. And you even asked for me by name. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or not."

Carefully sitting down, Marcus observed this particular develop as he slapped a hand over his quarter and swiped it back to his side of the table. "Do you mind if I verify you're… you?"

Phil Coulson appeared completely composed, unphased by the question. "And how would you do that?"

'[Observe] and [Inspect] of course.'

[General info?]

'Well, it's not my plan to fight him. And I'm just verifying.'

[*sigh* Fffine.]

{Phillip J. Coulson Lvl ?

"Agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division" – CLEARANCE '?'…}

Well, that was that. If Marcus had to guess, he was probably in his 30's as far as 'Lvl' was concerned. Still, he had to appear like he had another method. He wasn't revealing his 'Skills' until he had something tangible.

Marcus reached up, catching his hands on his still cuffed wrists. Again. "Gonna need you to pinch your cheek and pull."

Agent Coulson's head tilted curiously before grabbing a pinch-full of his cheek and pulling.

"No Veil. There's that I suppose," Marcus muttered as he sat back. He gave him a brief, purposefully calculated look before nodding. "Pleasure to meet you Agent Coulson."

Coulson's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's classified R&D still in development. How would you know about the Veil?"

Considering they could end Marcus at any time and they wouldn't even have to worry about sweeping it under the rug. It wasn't surprising they could be as open about such stuff as they liked. "I know about quite a few things," he stated, flicking his eyes to the one-way, now suddenly nervous… for several outstanding reasons. "While I wasn't expecting you specifically so soon, it does make several things simpler. Including negotiating. I thought I'd at least get a middleman to hold up against first before getting sent the big guns."

Coulson's eyes briefly followed his before he stated, "You think, after leaking classified intel – to a C.I.A. secretary no less – that I'm here to negotiate?"

"You realize how ironic that sounds, right? An intelligence agency being leaked classified intelligence?" Marcus retorted. "As it stands, you don't know what I know, only that I know several somethings, all of which is high enough up the ladder for Director Nick Fury to send Agent Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. You also have to be sure that there are no other impending leaks. Hence, negotiation.

"By the way, might want to shorten that down. Bit of a mouthful. Although the acronym is kind of on the nose when you take two seconds to think about it."

"We're working on it," Coulson stated in a very Coulson manner. Eyebrows flexing in an 'interesting' manner, Coulson clasped his hands in front of him. "And what could you possibly negotiate with that wouldn't immediately be solved by removing you from the equation?"

Yeesh! Harsh much? Marcus knew that was fair. But still… harsh. That was okay though. He could do this. Or he was screwed!

"Intel you won't get from anyone else for starters," Marcus opened up, tampering down his nerves. [Gamer's Mind] wasn't here to save him now. "Most of which is… what would the spooks call it? Black-boxed? Black-veiled? Level 10 Clearance? Basically, for the Director's ears – and a very small selection of people – only. Yourself included. If I can get a one-on-one with you to relay to Director Fury, with no chance of a leak – to anyone – I'll consider it an act of faith to open negotiations."

He huffed a chuckle through his nose, though Marcus could see the gears turning through his eyes. "And what could be so important, that it required you to set every alphabetical agency this side of the Atlantic on high-alert?"

At least he wasn't trying to yank Marcus's chain. Coulson was operating as though Marcus knew more than he was letting on. And if all else failed… well… Marcus didn't fancy a government black site. Or a body bag. Or an unmarked grave in the Arizona desert. Still though, every alphabetical agency? He supposed if it was info from an alphabet agency that technically wasn't supposed to exist, that might raise a few hairs.

Marcus snuck another glance at the one-way again. He wasn't sure if it was a feature of one-way glass, but 'Maps' wasn't cataloging if there were people on the other side. He didn't know how much anyone else could hear, or if it was manned by agents or not. And he wasn't a fan of spilling the beans without confirmation. Especially when the repercussions could send this Universe's Earth into a tailspin if it got out carelessly.

It must have shown on his face, because Coulson's eyes narrowed again at the action.

"Like I said," he stated firmly, but desperately, flicking his eyes back to Coulson. "Black-boxed. No cameras, no audio, no listeners. The only people I'm talking with are you, and-or Fury. That's how… sensitive it is."

Phil Coulson seemed ready to walk. There wasn't enough to make a case here without risking a greater leak. It would be easier just to handle it. But there was something about the look that Marcus Kendrick gave him, coupled with the paranoia he displayed face-to-face towards other agents possibly listening in. A… rawness. He wasn't even trying to hide the shake in his hands. He… was afraid, but he seemed to believe the info was sensitive enough to not just his anonymity, but warranted his direct intervention. That might even make the situation volatile.

That lead to the question of how he came by this information. And that made getting further info out of him imperative, especially if there were any co-conspirators.

"So why call for me?" Phil finally settled on asking, figuring he might as well ask that. It had been by name after all.

Marcus straightened up, temporarily forgetting his hesitation. "Because you're one of a very, very small number of people I know that can be trusted. And I'm willing to stake my life and freedom on it." He swallowed. "For whatever that's worth."

"Big words," Coulson commented after a moment.

"Big gamble. And I hate gambling," Marcus agreed. "High risk. High reward."

They waited a moment, both of them just looking at each other. Marcus felt like Coulson was trying to make him crack, and it was working if the prickle of sweat on his neck was any indication. Probably sooner rather than later. This wasn't something he could fight against, and formulating words were tough. It took considerable effort not to shrink in on himself.

"May," Phil finally called back, still looking at Marcus. "Set up a Black-Curtain Interrogation, and get the van started. We'll be taking Mister Kendrick with us."

'Black Curtain? I was so close!' Marcus growled to himself.

Marcus denied himself a sigh of relief though. Not yet. Not until he knew he was secured.

Coulson gestured down to his hands. "Do you want those off?"

Marcus looked at the cuffs securing him to the table. "Stylish, but I won't say no."

As Marcus offered his wrists, Coulson brought up a strange looking – ooooh! What was that?! Some super-secret agent gadgetry doo-hicky? – and inserted into one of the key holes. It wasn't any bigger than an electric toothbrush either.

"I dunno what that is, but I kinda want one now," Marcus commented as one of the cuffs snapped open within seconds. "Actually, I want two, just to be safe."

"Is there anything you can tell me?" Coulson asked in a low voice, ignoring Marcus's excited rambling as he half-focused on the task in front of him, half-alert to any trickery on Marcus's part as he moved to the last one. "Any intel that can… speed up negotiations?"

Ah. Still an agent. Not sure if he was playing the "good agent" role or if there even was a "bad agent" role with Coulson. Something small then. Something that would not only bring Coulson to his side, but give him enough agency (Ha! Pun!) to bring Fury in quickly. It might not be perfect, buuut….

Marcus muttered a single sentence under his breath, just enough to be heard. Four words were enough; that was all it took.

Coulson's hands stopped working, and his eyes got wide as he turned to look Marcus directly in the eyes; the first signs of serious Coulson appearing on his face.

The last cuff absently slipped off, clacking on the table.

---

Yves Building Penthouse, Chelsea, Manhattan

Fisk had taken to his home early. Leaning back against a lounge chair, the ululating tones of opera playing from a record player hung in the air as he sipped a glass of red wine, his eyes languishing back and forth behind his lids.

The opera was admittedly… grating. And the red wine tasted like red wine. The foremost of his knowledge on such subject matter merely informed him to hold the glass by the stem, and not the bowl.

Being born and raised in Hell's Kitchen himself, his understanding of the refineries that life offered were admittedly lacking. Opera didn't appeal to him the way it might have to many of the inherent wealthy or artisans of such tastes, and he didn't possess the palate to enjoy wine as anything other than wine.

Even with his worldly travels, it was… simple things… he found that brought him pleasure. Familiar things. And yet, the part must be played.

Tonight though, it was a foil to his excellent mood, keeping him grounded, even in victory. While he would never permit himself excess, there was something glorious in the detainment of such an adversary that some revelry had escaped him.

Marcus Kendrick had been one such adversary. He'd have listed his praises more if he hadn't done so, so many times already.

Humming a soft chuckle, he opened his eyes to look out his window, met with the view of New York City at night. His eyes widened slightly and his smile was fuller. "You were right, Mister Kendrick. No city, no streets. Just a thousand points of light."

It truly was beautiful.

What an interesting line of thought. Where Wilson saw only decay, slowly eating away at his city, his home – like a festering wound – Mister Kendrick could still see something… beautiful. Like a jewel still worth sifting around in the muck and filth, just on the off chance of holding it.

Even born and raised here, and it had taken an outsider to show him. Yes, his victory over Marcus Kendrick was something worth celebrating.

No! Not victory. His assimilating of Marcus Kendrick. That was it. Mister Kendrick was no longer anonymous; he was now a valuable piece at Wilson's leisure. He just needed some… polish.

Knock-knock-knock.

"Hmm, enter," he called out. Through the window reflection, he saw Wesley walk in, his briefcase held at attention in front of him.

"I apologize for interrupting," Wesley stated, running his hand down his chest to smooth down his tie. If Fisk didn't know any better, he'd think he was nervous. It was enough to make him pause. "Our officers in the NYPD sent a notice."

Before Wilson could hurry him along, he continued. "Mister Kendrick is no longer in their custody."

The wineglass crackled as his hand suddenly tensed. He hadn't even noticed. "Explain."

"The man selected to tail Mister Kendrick temporarily lost track of him. In that limited time, it seems Mister Kendrick got in contact with some outside help."

"What help?" Fisk growled lowly, the glass no longer crackling, but now groaning. "The info gathered on him… he shouldn't have any connections. He was No One."

"He's in government custody," Welsey answered. "It seems Mister Kendrick had some form of Federal contact, and he utilized it. He's… he's out of our reach, sir."

Wesley resisted the urge to swallow heavily, or push up his glasses like he was a brand-new intern. Despite the sounds of opera continuing to play throughout the penthouse, it was now sedated by an irradiated silence that smothered all else. It was an uphill battle, attempting to maintain his professionalism; especially because he knew exactly how much they had just lost. And not just in financial assets.

While this was a collective failure, it was one that Wesley struggled to understand, despite resigning himself to it. There was absolutely no indication that Marcus Ezekiel Kendrick had Federal contacts. Which made his escape from their reach… all the more infuriating. It lacked anything resembling closure, or any path that could lead to closure. It was sudden, unexplainable, and was incomprehensible. That Marcus Kendrick had managed to defy them one last time, right at the jaws of capture. Or even, out of the jaws of capture.

And without said closure, said failure would remain inconclusively hanging over their heads. Perhaps into the foreseeable future. A dismal outlook, if ever there was one.

"Wesley."

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"I want a detailed report of everything that happened. Do whatever you need to." He didn't even raise his voice, and Wesley already had an idea of where to start.

"Yes, sir." Wesley left in a measured pace, already pulling out his cellular phone as he exited the apartment, leaving only the docile tones of opera.

It was quiet for several moments. One moment passed. Then two.

"RRRAAAH!"

The opera suddenly cut out with a roar as the glass crashed against the record player, spilling wine and shattered glass all over the device until it forcibly cut it out with a warble.

Wilson Fisk heaved, his breaths ragged with wrath, his teeth groaning as he grit them, sucking in a deep, sharp hiss of a breath that punctured the air. His fingers creaked as they clenched, veins bulging along the back of his hands.

And then he exhaled. His hands went slack, and his fingers wiggled to ease the tension out of them.

His eyes, having been closed in his rage, were open again, once more beholding the city at night. Even in a few short moments and such a devastating blow done to his business and his pride, it hadn't lost its luster. If anything, it had gotten brighter. "Well played, Mister Kendrick. Well played."

---

Name: Marcus Ezekiel Kendrick

Race: Human (standard)

Occupation: Recently Unemployed

Level: 13 (5794/9100)

Title: Masochistic Gamer (+5 STR, VIT, DEX; +25% Cash and EXP)

HP: 950

– HP regen: 8% (76 HP/hour) (1.26 HP/minute)

– Inflicted HP regen (-60%): 3.2% (30.4 HP/hour)

MP: 910 (170)

– MP regen: 8.2% (74.62 MP/minute) (1.24 MP/second)

– Inflicted MP regen (-60%): 3.28% (28.8 MP/second)

– Magic/Mental resist: 6.2%

SP: 1000 (170)

– SP regen: 10% (100 SP/minute) (1.66 SP/second)

– Inflicted SP regen (-60%): 4% (40 SP/minute)

STR: 30 (-9) (+5) = 26

VIT: 25 (+5) = 30

DEX: 35 (-11) (+5) = 29

INT: 26 (+0) = 26

WIS: 31 (+0) = 31

LUC: 20 (+0) = 20

SKL: 86 | EVO: 32

Currency: $48614.48

– Currently Unemployed

Hunger: 23/300

– Standing Drain: 4/hour (96/day)

Thirst: 164/300

– Standing Drain: 6/hour (144/day)

.

.

!New Trait!:

['One More Light' (MYTHIC, UNIQUE)] '?'

['Guard's Vitality' (Uncommon)]

['Student's Intelligence' (Uncommon)]

.

Passive Skills:

[Gamer's Body lvl Max]

[Vehicle Mastery, novice lvl 8]

[Mechanics, basic lvl 5]

[Firearm Mastery, novice lvl 4]

[Fishing Mastery, novice lvl 11]

[Information Processing lvl 13]

[Cartography lvl 21]

[Empathic Reception lvl 17]

[Inconspicuous lvl 11]

[Danger Sense lvl 9]

[Critical Hit lvl 4]

[Unarmed Mastery lvl 11]

[Pugilism Style lvl 17]

[Knife Wielding lvl 3]

[Blade Guard lvl 8]

[Fire Retardant lvl 5]

[Pain Mitigation lvl 8]

[Impact Diffusion lvl 11]

[Qi Rooting lvl 0 = 2]

[Mana Sensitivity lvl 0 = 2]

[Eye of the Storm/Tranquility of Water lvl 1]

.

Active Skills:

[Blade Sharpening lvl 12]

[The Zone lvl 4]

[Adrenaline Rush lvl 3]

[Power Strike lvl 10]

[Charge Attack lvl 6]

[Block Guard lvl 6]

[Counter Strike lvl 4]

[Oxygen Circulation Breathing Technique lvl 1]

.

Passive & Active Skills:

[Pushing Limits lvl Max]

[Climbing lvl 6]

[Sprint lvl 18]

[Inspect lvl 21]

[Observe lvl 22]

[Harmonic Meditation 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 help.

Don't forget about that 'Test Poll' I'm working with. It'll be located at the top of my bio page. And if it works, great. If not... well shoot. Back to square one.

Until next time.