Chapter 6: Lines in the Sand

Alex practically ran down the narrow alleyway, his heart racing with the euphoria of having completed the quest. The system panel flashed in front of him with his new points total, and for a moment, he felt invincible. Forty-five points—so close to his first spin on the Silver Wheel.

But as the adrenaline started to fade, reality crept back in. He had just brushed shoulders with Grant Ward, one of Hydra's most dangerous agents. If Ward had even the slightest inkling that Alex had been snooping around, there would be no hiding. Ward wouldn't hesitate to track him down, and Hydra's reach was vast.

The thrill of earning points was quickly being replaced by a knot of anxiety. Alex slowed his pace, ducking into the shadows of a nearby alley. He leaned against the cold brick wall, breathing heavily as the weight of the situation settled over him. He was playing a dangerous game, and it wasn't just about accumulating points anymore. One wrong move, and he could be dead before he even had a chance to spin the wheel.

"Okay… okay…" he muttered to himself, trying to regain his composure. "Just need to think this through."

He checked his surroundings, making sure he wasn't being followed. The alley was empty, save for a few trash cans and a flickering streetlamp at the far end. Alex rubbed his forehead, feeling the tension building. The rain had finally stopped, but the streets were still damp, the air thick with the smell of wet pavement.

What am I even doing here? he thought, frustration gnawing at him. I don't belong in this world. I don't have the powers or the experience to deal with people like Ward or Hydra. I could've died tonight.

The weight of it all came crashing down. He was just an ordinary guy who happened to stumble into the Marvel Universe with nothing but a system that handed out points for risking his life. It wasn't fair. He hadn't asked for this. But here he was, and running back home wasn't an option.

Alex clenched his fists, feeling the sting of helplessness. He needed more power—needed to spin that damn wheel. But it wasn't just about earning points anymore. He had to start thinking ahead. He had to start thinking like a survivor.

If I keep running into trouble like this, I'm going to need more than just illusions.

His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten anything since early that morning. He hadn't had time to think about food when he was tailing mercenaries and dodging Hydra agents. But now that things had quieted down, the hunger hit him hard.

He scanned the area, spotting a small, run-down diner on the corner. It looked dingy, the kind of place where the food was greasy, but it was cheap and filling. Alex pushed off the wall and headed inside, keeping his head down as he passed through the door.

The diner was almost empty, save for an old man at the counter nursing a cup of coffee and a tired-looking waitress flipping through a magazine. Alex took a seat in the back, where he could watch the door, and ordered the cheapest thing on the menu—a burger and fries.

As he waited for his food, he opened the system panel again, staring at the 45 points. It felt like an itch he couldn't scratch. The Silver Wheel was so close, just within reach. But five more points could feel like five miles in this world, where every action had consequences.

He sighed, resting his head in his hands. This wasn't a video game where he could just grind for points by fighting random enemies. Everything in this universe had a ripple effect, and he had to be careful not to step on the wrong toes.

But as much as he tried to keep a low profile, it felt like the Marvel Universe was pulling him deeper into its chaos. First the diner, then the mercenaries, and now Hydra? It was only a matter of time before something even bigger caught wind of him. He needed to be prepared.

The waitress brought his food, and Alex absently thanked her as he stared at the steaming plate. His appetite had waned, but he forced himself to take a bite. As he chewed, his mind wandered back to the crates Ward had been loading. There was something off about them—something more than just the Roxxon connection.

Those symbols… they weren't just corporate logos. They looked ancient, almost like something out of a mythology book. He hadn't gotten a good enough look to make out the details, but the way they had hummed with energy had left a bad feeling in his gut.

Whatever's in those crates isn't just tech. It's something more.

Alex swallowed hard, his appetite fading as the realization hit him. Hydra wasn't just moving weapons or stolen tech. They were after something bigger, something that could tip the scales of power in this universe. And now that he'd stumbled into it, he was involved whether he liked it or not.

He wiped his hands on a napkin, pushing his plate aside. He couldn't sit here any longer, not with that gnawing sense of urgency creeping back in. He needed answers.

He opened the system panel again, scrolling through the abilities list. Nothing new had unlocked, and the meager powers he had weren't enough to handle what was coming. But as he skimmed through the menu, something caught his eye.

[Points Exchange]

Alex blinked. He hadn't noticed that tab before. Curiosity piqued, he tapped on it, and a new menu opened up.

[Exchange points for temporary perks or minor powers]

His eyes widened. This was it. This could be the edge he needed. If he could exchange points for temporary abilities, even small ones, it could make all the difference in a dangerous situation. He scrolled through the list, scanning for something useful.

There were options like Enhanced Reflexes (10 points), Minor Healing Factor (15 points), and Low-Level Super Strength (20 points). None of them were permanent, but they could last for a few hours or days depending on how much he spent.

Alex hesitated. It was tempting to spend his points now and get a quick power boost, but he was so close to the Silver Wheel. If he held off a little longer, he could potentially gain a permanent ability—a real game-changer.

But then again, he didn't know what he was up against. If Ward and Hydra were involved, things could escalate quickly. He needed to survive long enough to get to that wheel, and if temporary powers could buy him that time, maybe it was worth the trade-off.

His finger hovered over the Minor Healing Factor option. It was expensive—15 points would drop him back to 30, but it could keep him alive if things went south.

Just as he was about to make his decision, the door to the diner swung open, and Alex's heart skipped a beat.

A man stepped in, tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a long, black coat. His eyes scanned the diner briefly before he walked to the counter. He didn't look like much—just another tired face in the city—but there was something about the way he moved, the way his eyes lingered on the shadows for a moment too long, that set off alarm bells in Alex's mind.

He stayed still, keeping his gaze low, but he could feel the tension in the air. Something wasn't right.

The man ordered a coffee, his voice low and gravelly, and Alex's blood ran cold as he caught a glimpse of something beneath the man's coat—a gun. A silenced pistol, to be exact.

No, no, no…

This wasn't random. He wasn't just another customer. He was here for a reason.

Alex's mind raced. Had Ward sent him? Did Hydra already know what Alex had done? Was this man here to clean up loose ends?

His breath hitched as he watched the man sip his coffee, seemingly disinterested in his surroundings. But Alex knew better. This was a professional. Someone who didn't leave a trace.

His hands trembled as he hovered over the Minor Healing Factor option again. He needed to act fast.

But before he could make a move, the man's eyes flicked toward him, and Alex's stomach dropped.

He knows.