Chapter 31: Future ns and Another Power Up
<strong>Chapter 31: Future ns and Another Power Up</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Anyway, let’s meet up with them in the EPD building first.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rogue nodded, still a bit shocked by what Benjamin just revealed to her, and simply followed him back absentmindedly.
<span style="font-weight:400">By the time they returned, Natasha and the others are already there.
<span style="font-weight:400">“How’s Sergeant Barnes?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“In deep sleep. For now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha answered and Benjamin nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll visit himter then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha looked at the little shadow following Benjamin from behind and raised a brow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“New girl?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uh, this is Anna. Or as she is better known, Rogue. She’s an X-Men who assisted me with cleaning up the HYDRA bases along with a few others. Stuff happened and she wanted to join the EPD as well but has no ce to stay yet.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So she’ll live with us?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, her powers aren’t exactly quite stable yet so it isn’t really a good idea to leave her in a hotel or any ce alone. And I…or rather, we, are the only ones who can’t get affected by her power.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Both Natasha and Rogue looked at Benjamin in confusion.
<span style="font-weight:400">What did he mean by…both him and Natasha not being affected by her power?
<span style="font-weight:400">“I told you that I had a thin skin-like film covering me so you don’t affect me with your powers right? Natasha has the same thing.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I do?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The symbiote.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ohhh!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha understood and immediately willed the symbiote in her body to cover her as Benjamin showed her.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin also exined to them how Rogue’s powers worked and immediately, Ophelia and Felicia took a step back in caution.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha, knowing the symbiote can protect her, didn’t mind it and even stepped forward to hug Rogue.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You poor thing. It must’ve been hard huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rogue didn’t know what to say.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just a while ago, she was unable to feel the warmth of human touch. Now, all of a sudden, there are two people who she can touch without worrying that she might harm them. Or worse, kill them.
<span style="font-weight:400">She thought she already exhausted all her tears earlier but soon found she was wrong. Tears couldn’t help but fall again from her eyes as she embraced Natasha tightly while crying silently.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin didn’t interrupt the two but moved a bit away with the others to continue their conversation.
<span style="font-weight:400">“All good on your end as well?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No problems. Although Z was annoying us with his ‘talks’ till the end.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ophelia rolled her eyes to show her annoyance.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I got the money too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Money?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. Since I was there, might as well suck all their money dry before destroying the servers.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was amazed. Felicia…really likes money too much.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, he didn’t have a problem with it so he just shrugged.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you even gonna do with all that money though?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t know…buy a mansion, cars, boats, or stuff?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Felicia waved her hands and answered without much thought.
<span style="font-weight:400">She likes hoarding money but as for using it…she didn’t have many ideas at the moment.
<span style="font-weight:400">“How about we start apany or something?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What kind ofpany?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A gamingpany. But more on developing a Full Dive VR game.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Felicia tilted her head and asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you making a gamepany for?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There are many reasons really. One, a steady supply of money. Two, a tform for virtual training. Three, entertainment for the more normal people. And such.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin continued to exin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You see, the world’s just gonna get weirder and weirder. We have a billionaire yboy in a metal suit, an alien god from the myths, a soldier from the past, mutants, demon cults, more aliens, and many more. Eventually, normal people would feel smaller and smaller. The VR game is a way for them to feel ‘super’ in another way. Keep them satisfied and they won’t make any fuss in the future. It might even drop the crime rate all over the world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">While Felicia remained confused, Ophelia was stunned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re already thinking that far ahead?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Had to start somewhere.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin chuckled.
<span style="font-weight:400">When he saw that the System Store had several pieces of knowledge he can buy, this idea had already formed in his mind back then. However, this required a huge capital of both money and MP so he didn’t act on it just yet.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now though, the money part is somewhat covered and he can also start an initial n for the game with his current capabilities.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin even considered working with Tony as well. He was sure that he would be interested.
<span style="font-weight:400">Speaking of Tony…
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin remembered Wanda and Pietro who he saved earlier. He asked them about their powers and the experiments done on them by Strucker.
<span style="font-weight:400">He knows that HYDRA had gotten hold of Loki’s Scepter from the Battle of New York. But since it wasn’t in the base anymore, it should’ve been returned to SHIELD in order to avoid suspicions of them.
<span style="font-weight:400">And if SHIELD has it…there’s a chance that Tony got a hold of it as well to ‘study’ it…
<span style="font-weight:400">…Which means, there’s a high chance that he’s making Ultron right now…
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin felt the need to visit him soon.
<span style="font-weight:400">He sighed and shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, enough of that. That’s a discussion for another time.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin turned to Ophelia and asked her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do you still want to be Madame HYDRA? Now’s the perfect time to collect the remaining members and consolidate your position.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t really like to do it anymore but if it’s necessary, I will.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uhh, if you don’t like it then it’s fine. I’ll find someone-”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll do it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“But you just said-”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I was just ranting. I’ll do it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ophelia stressed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Since she was adamant about it, Benjamin no longer said anything and simply nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">He then looked over at Felicia.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Have you heard of the Thieves Guild?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thieves Guild? I’ve heard rumors.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I was wondering if you’d be interested in going undercover and joining their group. Of course, you are free to refuse.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Felicia raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms as she leaned on the wall beside her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s in it for me?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you want?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Felicia thought for a moment while tapping her foot.
<span style="font-weight:400">She looked over to Natasha and Rogue who were having a heart-to-heart talk at the side and her eyes lit up.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I want that. That thing the ck Widow has.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The symbiote?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. Or something simr. I want actual powers.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was slightly surprised.
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeing his expression, Felicia rolled her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Look, I’m not an idiot okay? You said that the world is about to get weirder and weirder. I don’t want to remain as some chick in a cat outfit without any real power.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s not something I can get all the time…what kind of powers do you even want?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin thought.
<span style="font-weight:400">Saying that I can give her whatever powers she wanted might seem too shocking so I can’t reveal that just yet…well, I do still need MP anyway so I might not be able to grant ‘anything’ just yet.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Felicia fell silent again as she thought for a while.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Something…awesome?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As I said…what even is that?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was speechless and shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well…I’ll see what I can do about it…if all else fails, maybe you can learn magic from me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Magic huh? That seems fun.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So you’ll go undercover then?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fine. But if I see any signs of danger, I’m bailing.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you are in any danger, just call out my name.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s a…magic thing. Anyway, I’ll be there to save you. Don’t worry.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you say so…”
<span style="font-weight:400">After having finished talks with both of them, the three approached Natasha and Rogue again who had already calmed down.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha turned to Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Done talking?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. Just so you know, Viper will be picking up the remaining members of HYDRA but she’s still working for me. It’s easier to control HYDRA from within than cutting them all off. Who knows how many contingencies they have? Besides, they did the same thing to SHIELD right? They deserve it to happen to them.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin informed Natasha in case any misunderstandings happen in the future.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha turned to Viper who gave her a snarky look with a smirk.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you sure we can trust her?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, don’t worry. I’m sure.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, if you trust her, then I trust her. Doesn’t mean I have to like her though.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As long as you two don’t start fighting or killing each other, that’s good enough for me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sighed in relief.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha continued.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are we gonna do a fivesome now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...No!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was speechless.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Come on~ I know you were thinking about it!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Natashaughed and dragged Rogue away after teasing Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">Following her, Felicia also started walking away. Not without giving Benjamin a look of disgust.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">In the end, she didn’t say anything and just sighed while shaking her head before walking away.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lastly, Ophelia turned to look at Benjamin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So were you really thinking about it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“T-that’s not it okay!? Why do you all think I always think about sex!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do you not?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin paused and didn’t know what to say.
<span style="font-weight:400">Dammit! It’s all the fault of the Ultimate Stud System!
<span style="font-weight:400">[...Host, can you not always me the System? This System is the Ultimate Stu- err The Ultimate Marvel System okay!?]
<span style="font-weight:400">The System got so used to being called that by Benjamin that it almost mistook itself…
<span style="font-weight:400">After all that banter, Benjamin could only sigh helplessly and ran to catch up with Natasha and Rogue who were heading home.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rogue ended up living with them as Natasha had decided. The two had really hit it off. It was abination that Benjamin didn’t consider possible.
<span style="font-weight:400">The ck Widow and Rogue.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thinking about it now, the two share some simrities in that they couldn’t fall in love with anyone easily in the past due to circumstances.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha was afraid of loving someone knowing she couldn’t start a family because of her surgery in the past.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rogue was afraid of getting close to someone and end up hurting them because of her powers.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’s a bit of a stretch but they share amon feeling which led to the two bing closer to one another.
<span style="font-weight:400">In a way, Natasha sees Rogue as someone like a little sister.
<span style="font-weight:400">She reminded her of another ‘little sister’ she had in the past, Yelena.
<span style="font-weight:400">Speaking of which, I wonder how she’s doing nowadays.
<span style="font-weight:400">Natasha thought about it and decided to look for her when she was free.
<span style="font-weight:400">After dinner, the three of them enjoyed some small talk and finally, it was time to sleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as Benjamin was about to head to the bedroom, he was pushed back by Natasha.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope. You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Huh?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tonight is girls’ night. No boys allowed!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin was pushed out of his own room by the two…
<span style="font-weight:400">He wondered if it was a good idea to bring Rogue here…it seems…the two can now gang up on him!
<span style="font-weight:400">Silently crying about himself, Benjamin went to the couch to sleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...I should probably buy a proper house tomorrow…with plenty of rooms!”
<span style="font-weight:400">[A house for your harem?]
<span style="font-weight:400">No!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin sweated.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just in case he was evicted from his room again, he can sleep in another room. It’s definitely not to have free rooms for any future lovers or anything!
<span style="font-weight:400">Definitely!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin convinced himself that for a while then focused on the system once more.
<span style="font-weight:400">The popups had appeared a while ago but he was too busy to take a closer look at them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now that he had the time, it was time to check it.
<span style="font-weight:400">When he looked at the long list of notifications, Benjamin was stunned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well shit…I’m rich…”
<span style="font-weight:400">All of them werepletion of emergency quests for when he cleaned up all those HYDRA bases, captured Baron Strucker, and even being involved with stopping Project Insight and eliminating Arnim Z had provided him with some rewards!
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin grinned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As I thought. I can’tpletely eliminate HYDRA…they’re such good exp farms!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, he’s not exactly getting any exp but he’s gaining a lot of MP…not to mention all those free gacha draws…!
<span style="font-weight:400">“A total of 540,000 MP…and 32 Free Gacha Draws…damn!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin waspletely shocked and felt a bit overwhelmed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hehehe…let’s start pulling some gacha!”
<span style="font-weight:400">And so he did.
<span style="font-weight:400">The result left himpletely stunned once again.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Holy shit…”
<span style="font-weight:400">First of all, the highest Red rarity appeared trice as expected.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Ne of One…The original Staff of One was made from transmuting a powerful warlord sorcerer known as The One. As for how this ne existed…well, it’s only just one more thing to add to the weirdness of the system…
<span style="font-weight:400">Still, much like the staff version, the Ne of One can allow him to use a spell of his choosing only once in exchange for blood. It was a sort of reality-bending artifact with the way it uses its magic.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just this thing alone had increased Benjamin’s overall power by multiple folds!
<span style="font-weight:400">Then there’s the Soul Dagger. A dagger form of the Soulsword. Capable of creating portals to a pocket dimension called Limbo and also capable of manifesting a Promethium armor on the user.
<span style="font-weight:400">Promethium being a magical metal found only in Limbo and contains demonic properties. It is also said to greatly amplify a symbiote’s powers…
<span style="font-weight:400">Finally, thest Red rarity…Infinity Crown.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yep. It’s basically a crown version of the Infinity Gauntlet.
<span style="font-weight:400">Of course, the sockets are all empty so it doesn’t have any use at the moment.
<span style="font-weight:400">Other than that, Benjamin also gained a few more abilities and knowledge.
<span style="font-weight:400">Telepathy, Telekinesis, Master Bio-Engineering Knowledge, Advanced Energy Knowledge, and Master Language Comprehension.
<span style="font-weight:400">As for the rest, they were mostly misceneous stuff that didn’t need to be mentioned.
<span style="font-weight:400">Benjamin then directly spent 10k MP each on Telepathy and Telekinesis to upgrade it further which should put him on the same level as an Alpha-ss mutant.
<span style="font-weight:400">After thinking for a moment and seeing as he had a lot of MP at the moment, Benjamin decided to spend 40k MP each to upgrade it further into an Omega-ss ability.
<span style="font-weight:400">This was his biggest splurge yet but to gain an Omega-ss ability, it was still worth it.
<span style="font-weight:400">This won’t necessarily be worse than a red rarity pull in gacha.
<span style="font-weight:400">While he was at it, he also upgrade the Electric and Earth Maniption abilities to Body tier…meaning, he could now transform his body into either an electric form or earth form.
<span style="font-weight:400">It’s just like eating a logia devil fruit of One Piece.
<span style="font-weight:400">This cost him 40k MP each as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">Satisfied with his power-up, Benjamin smiled in contentment and started to sleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">He’ll test the new things he gotter on. For now, it was time to rest.