Chapter 1 - Marvel (4)

"Well. That's unusual." I ponder aloud, looking at the floating screen in front of me.

The usual noise around me vanished a few minutes ago, not so surprisingly as at the same time I vanished from my apartment, appearing in another, much similar but at the same time, quite different.

How?

I, actually ignore it.

Something about the atmosphere perhaps?

That and the fact that the boring TV news about a senator giving a speech became news about Magneto assassinating a senator due to some kind of twisted justice about mutants.

It was not pretty at all.

Though, I can't say that it is a scene I am not familiar with.

After all, I had quite an unusual job back in my dimension.

Is it transmigration? Teleportation? Or even Reincarnation?

I am not familiar with this kind of setting, although the 'system' thing floating in front of me is nothing new.

[Welcome to the Mercenary System]

Soon enough, the blue screen was replaced by another, much more in-depth with what I would be required to do, do I even want to survive the chaotic world of a comic universe?

I never asked for this... opportunity? Nor do I want to remain there, despite my lack of family or friends where I come from.

Perhaps it is why I was selected.

Whatever the case may be it seems like it is my life from now on. As such, I will have to continue doing what I always did best, albeit in many different scenarios.

[The Mercenary System is designated to reward the host depending on the difficulty of the task accomplished.

The rewards vary from [Powers] [Perks] [Armors] [Items] and [Weapons].

The task may be randomly given depending on the situation. No punishment in case of a refusal to execute the task is given.

The basic commands are the following, [Inventory] [Status] and [Missions].]

[[Starter Pack] x 1 Received!]

All in all, the instructions were clear.

Albeit it only meant that my work will be much harder to do, it also meant rewards other than money and weird favors coming from influential political people or stars.

I was beginning a bit tired of money since I live rather modestly and it just sits in my bank account.

Since practically everything came here with me, I suppose my possessions followed too.

Walking around my house, it seems to be the case since I couldn't notice anything missing.

I would have looked at my account directly but that [Starter Pack] is quite intriguing.

"Status." I commanded, making the video game element come to life in front of me.

My suspicions were confirmed, looking at the mirror reflecting my dreadlocks.

The blue window was invisible, probably only visible to me.

Once again, living up to the usual cliché.

Anyway.

[Name: Markus Light

Alias: -

Age: 25 years old

Job: Multidimensional Mercenary

Status: Normal

Mission: -

Equipment: -

Observation: A mercenary with some (standard) experience. Who knows what kind of potential he possesses?]

Mhm.

It lacks the usual level and stats but that only means that I will not meet a dumbass end if my life points reach 0.

"Inventory." I called.

As I imagined, an inventory window opened in front of me, hosting a single item.

Well, 'item' is a big word since it probably is a bundle of different items.

I couldn't see the items, but I somehow instinctually knew what they were and how to use them.

As I usually do on my missions, I followed that instinctual feeling and opened the [Starter Pack] directly into the inventory.

[[Starter Pack] x 1 Opened...]

My vision was met with multiple lights of varying intensity that for a moment, blinded me.

[Congratulations!

[Regalia of Eochaid] x 1 Received!

[Lunar Hook] x 1 Received!

[Plaguebringer Armor] x 1 Received!

[Instinctual Efficiency Ticket] x 1 Received!

[Peak Human Physiology Ticket] x 1 Received!

]

Wow. That's a lot of things to unpack here.

I focused on my inventory, noticing that each category I could possess have been included in the [Starter Pack].

[Instinctual Efficiency Ticket] x 1 Used!

[Instinctual Efficiency

Allows the user to instinctually know how to properly use an item they found themselves in possession of.

Knowing how to does not immediately make their physical capabilities able to do so.]

To notice the enhancements, I would have to hold some kind of weapon or item whose usage is not evident.

Let's see the weapon next. After all, the perk seems custom-made for me to wield the various weapons and items I may receive.

With a thought, a straight sword appeared in my hands.

Approximatively the length of an average adult man's arm, the sword had quite intricate designs on its blade while the grip was looking rusted though from the feeling of the metal against my bare hand, it was everything but in a bad shape.

Lifting it toward my face, I could feel an unpleasant influx of knowledge entering my brain.

Not to the point where I would feel troubled but that was quite annoying.

Thankfully it quickly disappeared, leaving me with quite a lot of new information on how to properly use the weapon.

Much more than I initially could in fact.

Besides, it seems like this sword, Regalia, had a peculiar ability that should prove to be useful for my jobs.

[Regalia Of Eochaid

Treasured sword of Eochaid, a lesser, long-vanished domain. The copper coloration is not to be confused with rust but is a conduit for its wielder to move it by their will alone.

Swords of Eochaid dance through the skies

The User can infuse the weapon with a mysterious energy that allows him to manipulate it at a certain distance.]

Following the description, I did so in a way that seemed quite natural to me.

My hand and the sword glowed with an ominous deep red before I trusted it forward, my foot stomping strongly onto my wooden floor, making it creak in anguish.

The sword naturally followed my intentions, fleeing out of my hand before spinning at high speed and accurately mimicking the movements of my hand.

"Nice." I happily exclaimed, willing it to return to my grasp, which it did almost immediately.

It felt so natural... as if I always wielded it before.

Though I have to admit that it was quite... tiring. Too much in fact to be properly used in combat, I even feel slightly sluggish after that stunt.

Perhaps it is not something made for a normal human.

This means that I have to use [Peak Human Physiology] before doing anything.

I remember that almost everyone in Marvel has a body capable of enduring the worst kind of attacks or at the very least, not immediately dying.

Hell, just look at Captain America who essentially only has this power and a shield.

Though his experience probably dwarfs mine, and in a fight, it will most probably make him win.

Thus, I used the ticket in my inventory.

[Peak Human Physiology Ticket] x 1 Used!

That's the last thing I heard before my world went blank.

-*-*-*-

[A Few Hours Later...]

"Ungh..." I groaned, pushing myself into a sitting position.

I did not expect that to end up like that, but I can't complain feeling the power coursing through my veins.

"Is it how the Supers feel all the time? It's insane." I commented, almost feeling blinded by the power I was gifted.

I would need a few moments to compose myself and properly wield the amount of strength I now possess, but in the meanwhile, I still had two things to see.

The first one is the armor.

The universe is an important part of the job of a mercenary after all. In a world of people flying around and punching through bricks like tofu, it was useful to be able to not be... lame.

Equipping the [Plaguebringer Armor] was as easy as thinking about it.

There was no flashy transformation nor impressive noise as the armor simply appeared on me.

True to its name, it was ominous.

A futuristic red visor that glowed.

I could see my reflection in my living room mirror.

Two green antennas above my head, not long enough for it to be a bother though.

From the inside, I could not even notice that I was wearing a helmet. The only indicator was the filtered air that was undoubtedly purer than what I was breathing earlier.

That and the red halo that surrounded my reflection identified me as myself.

It's strange, I feel even stronger within the thing. I guess, it has quite more functionality than what its description let out.

[Plaguebringer Armor

You grow flowers on the grass beneath you, a chance to grow very random dye plants on grassless dirt.

You spawn bees while sprinting or dashing.

In combat, Lil' Plaguebringer will come to protect you.]

"Lil' Plaguebringer? I don't know what it is nor what it exactly does, but as long as it's my ally, I'm not complaining, especially since it's supposed to protect me."

I waved my arms around for a little while, my body freely moving even confined inside the armor.

"It's pretty cool," I remarked aloud, and for the first time noticing that my voice was altered in a way that made it sound even deeper than it usually is.

"Good. That would enhance the mysterious effect around my persona."

Willing to equip the last item I received, as it appeared on my back I felt the flux of information enter my brain once more.

This time, it was way more complex as it included more variation and different situations where a sword would be useless.

[Lunar Hook

Do you want the moon? Just grapple it and pull it down!

The [Lunar Hook] is a tool that helps the user in traversing the terrain by latching onto a surface with an indestructible chain and pulling the user toward it.

The [Lunar Hook] is composed of four different hooks. First orange (Solar), second green (Vortex), third pink (Nebula), and finally blue (Stardust).]

"Oh, it's cool. With that, I can even imitate Spider-Man... Speaking about the guy, he probably is in this universe right? I should make some research about the place by the way.

Just so I know who is who and their overall level of threat." I pondered aloud, still clothed in my armor.

It is cool and comfortable. I virtually have no reason to leave it.

Just as I was contemplating my following moves, a window appeared in front of me, cutting my plans short.

"It seems like there is no rest for the wicked..." I mumbled to myself, reading the content of the window.

[Mission #1 - Goblin Slayer

A wealthy madman adorning an ugly outfit decides to cause some chaos in New York. However, his regular scuffle with the resident-friendly Spider causes pointless deaths and destruction, to the point where everyone thinks of him as a terrorist.

Kill the Green Goblin [0/1]

Unmask the Green Goblin's identity [0/1] (Optional)

Reward: ???

Optional Reward: [Goblin Tech] x 1

Remaining Time: 23:59:56

]

The Green Goblin... I remember him from the movie, especially the scene with Gwen Stacy. Something I did not like, but now? I can personally pay him a little visit.

Though I have to admit that I am pretty bad with names... I can't remember the true identity of the Green Goblin at all, no matter how much I try.

Or perhaps it's an effect of whatever sent me here?

Anyway.

It's pitch black outside, and if I received the mission with such a time limit, it has to mean that I can find that guy during that period.

And if I remember correctly, the goblin usually goes out at night as he usually solely desires to mess up with Spider-Man and cause mayhem.

I could leave through my window but who knows what can be watching?

Thus, I reluctantly unequipped my whole equipment before leaving through the door like a normal human being.

I almost broke the door while leaving due to my increased strength but it should be alright for now.

After all, I won't particularly be tender with him.

It didn't take too long for me to reach the entrance of the building.

The neighborhood was calm, a far cry from the busy main streets where light is emitted from everywhere at the same time.

Thankfully, New York City is still the same old New York City I always knew.

Now that I think about it, I always lived here. Perhaps it should be time for some change. I mean, a lot of things already did change, regardless of my input.

Walking into a dark alley where only trash cans are stored, I willed for my full equipment to appear on me.

The sword was somehow at my waist despite it not being attached by anything.

Another magical thing I couldn't care less to study.

With a mental flex, a hook deployed from my back, latching onto the top of the building which is approximately 50 meters tall.

I could not feel the winds due to the armor but today it was particularly windy judging by the restless flags and random things flying around.

Not that it would matter anyway, I always accomplished my task regardless of the weather.

"Well... Let's the hunt begin."

-*-*-*-

"Hahaha!" A demented laugh echoed above the street of New York City, people were running for their lives as multiple bombs fell out of the criminal's hands, exploding against the asphalt below, cars, and the side of buildings which made even more debris injure people unfortunately too slow to escape.

"Spider-Man! Come out or your little friends will die." The Green Goblin warned, hoping for the hero to come out very soon so he will be able to take care of him.

His head whipped around, hoping for one of the most seasoned heroes such as the ones in the Avengers not to come.

While he was confident in his equipment like the Glider he was standing on, he lacked the enhancements that Norman Osborn called the 'Goblin Formula'.

As such, he should be careful about who he comes across until he can successfully take out the Spider.

Barton cocked his hand back, throwing into a crowd of fleeing civilians one of his special incendiary bombs.

He watched it fall through the air before something very peculiar happened.

With a speed that he barely managed to see, a blue chain collided midair with the bomb, making it explode harmlessly in the air.

The cry of the people below continued, but he could see that some had different reactions.

Was it... confusion? He was a psychiatrist, after all, he would judge himself to be a good facial emotion analyst.

The chain retracted itself just as fast as it came, returning into the shadow between two buildings.

Despite whipping his head to try to follow it, the Green Goblin failed to see who was responsible for his failed attack.

"Come out! I know you are here!" He demanded, not even sensing a single inch of movement in the almost unnatural darkness.

Perhaps the people below sensed that the sudden quietness of the villain was weird too since they stopped trying to escape the chaos, looking up to observe the situation.

"If you don't, I'm gonna kill-" Unfortunately, the goblin failed to threaten the person as two chains slammed into his torso, sending him plummeting toward the ground at high speed, despite the protest of the glider.

People moved out of the way, just in time for the goblin to regain his breath and slow down his fall.

With a loud vrooming noise, the glider worked overtime to not allow its user to crash into the ground, which it succeeded in.

"Wha-!" The goblin tried to express his incomprehension at the situation as the chain disappeared just as quickly as it hit him, in a flash of color much dissimilar than earlier.

However, his instinct cried at him to go out of the way, which he did just in time before a figure crashed where he floated seconds ago.

Goosebumps could be felt on his whole body as his blue eyes terrified, observed his opponent slowly lift himself from the cracked concrete.

Standing taller than him at approximately 190 centimeters, the figure was protected inside a lean black and green armor that glowed ominously a radioactive green.

The red visor locked on him as some kind of black drone floated beside him with two reactors and a mechanical red stinger.

"Finally found you, Goblin." The newly arrived individual rejoiced although his deep voice expressed anything but joy.

To the new criminal, it made him realize that the situation was much more dire than what he initially imagined.

Unlike the Spider, there is no guarantee that this... hero? Would not hesitate to really hurt him or even kill him.

And by how he was somehow chasing him, it probably was a personal vendetta.

Which he probably is not aware of since he very recently stole the equipment from Norman.

"You are not Spide-!" About to ask for his identity, the Goblin suddenly found himself forced to evade several shots from the drone floating beside him.

With the help of the glider, it was not that hard to do so, but the short moment he took to lift his eyes from the man somehow gave him enough time to close the ten meters separating them.

"You don't go out with your I.D card I suppose." The comment was weird, but it was not important enough for the goblin to fret over as he had a more pressing matter at hand.

Such as trying not to be dissected by the sword threatening to cut him in half from the lower right hip to the left shoulder.

However, the assault was stopped by a bomb exploding from below their feet, the glider being able to drop some without the man noticing.

The blast was powerful enough to boost the goblin's escape into the air, the criminal judging that he was not prepared enough for whoever wanted to lay down the Green Goblin.

Besides, that blast should have at the very least quite disoriented him.

His wish, however, remain unheard and was proven so when two glowing chains with hooks latched onto the escaping glider.

The man looked down in horror, seeing the frightening feat.

No normal human should be able to hold back the glider with one arm while the other was deeply plunged into the ground.

Hell. He didn't even use his sword to anchor himself, just his whole arm, albeit it was in the armor.

The glider visibly stressed under the increasingly demanding traction power while the man in the armor proved his threat level even further by stomping not onto but into the ground, anchoring himself even further.

That action confused the goblin for a moment before he felt himself... move back, regardless of his effort to elevate.

On the ground, the man now with his two feet on the ground, grabbed the two chains that came from wherever they came from and slowly but surely reeled him back.

Snapping back to reality, the worried criminal decided to go all out.

Launching a barrage of bombs of all sorts, be it explosive, gas, or incendiary toward his opponent, he watched everything explode, causing damage to the surrounding but never managing to make him pause or even wince in displeasure.

It was as if he could not feel a single thing inside the armor, and it worried him beyond words.

His career just began but he would be taken out by some nameless guy?

That is not fair!

Although the continued barrage failed to injure the man, it seems like it managed to annoy him.

At least enough for him to express his distaste.

"Enough."

Using more power than he did before, the goblin found himself yanked back at high speed toward the side of a building.

Ignoring the damage to the city, the armored man continued to swing his target around, injuring him despite the nanobot costume and glider shielding him from a grim fate.

Though the punishment was too much for the criminal that could not do anything besides cry in pain before gravity once again claimed him.

Deciding to end the fight, or more like public execution, the armored man slammed the villain onto the ground, cracking the asphalt and making all air in his lung flee from the organ.

Everyone beside could not help but look at the scene in awe and shock, not accustomed to this kind of brutality, especially when their resident hero can be seen helping elder ladies cross the road.

The multicolored chains lazily trailed onto the ground before disappearing on the man's back.

What kind of technology was that? Surely not something that the regular hero can acquire.

Several journalists were already on the scene, filming the event.

They all watched with battered breaths the slow and imposing walk toward the downed terrorist.

Each step reverberated through the stopped roads, the only thing breaking the rhythm being the panting and pained breaths of the Gobelin and the unsheathing of the bronze sword that until there, sat still at his hip.

Which was weird, since no scabbard would explain the noise.

The cute drone silently followed behind its owner as the latter made the weapon swirl in his right hand, showing his expertise.

There was no hesitation in his actions, no doubt, only a single goal, which he was determined to execute.

Stopping in front of the downed villain, the man demanded, the red visor gleaming into the dark.

"What is your name."

This a strange question considering the situation.

Which is why everyone now had faces sporting their confusion.

However, the man's action proved to be nothing but courteous.

Not receiving an answer, he mercilessly stabs the sword into the goblin's lower abdomen.

"Aargh!" He shouted in pain, saliva and blood spitting out of his mouth as his eyes focused on the sword lodged into him.

"I avoided your vital organs. I suggest you quickly answer my question before I send you into a world of-" He never had the chance to finish his sentence as he was forced to dodge two web bombs that funnily enough glued the bleeding villain onto the ground even better than the sword still unbedded into his guts.

"If it isn't the talkative spider." The man spoke, backing off from the newly arrived superhero.

The red and blue man crouched between him and the goblin, his facial expression unseen but most probably twisted into a frown.

"I thought that you were just a new hero or something... Who are you?" Spider-Man asked the one he now recognizes as a threat.

The drone was about to shoot but with a raised hand, he stopped it from firing at the hero.

The deepened voice then was heard loud and clear, enough for it to be captured by the nearby media.

"You may call me Apollyon. I am your regular mercenary, and today I'm here to take his head." He said, pointing at the still groaning villain.

The police were there but in a fight with two supes, they know that their actions will only result in unnecessary death and injuries.

Which is why they now rely on Spider-Man to take care of the situation.

"Hm... I suppose that I can't exchange my collector Captain America cards for his life?"

"Funny. Unfortunately, I will gain much more than children's cards." Apollyon replied, chains wrapping around his arms.

"Hey!" Spider-Man exclaimed, before trying to web his opponent that suddenly began to run toward him.

From what he saw, he was way stronger than the average man. Which means that he would be able to use just as much strength.

Every web was destroyed with a few waves of his hands from which chains extended and whipped around with speed high enough to cut the resistant material.

Not ending their momentum there, two hooks latched on the ground left and right of Spider-Man and pull their owner at high speed.

"Oh Oh!" Spider-Man had just enough time to cross his arms in front of him as he did not want to give Apollyon access to the Green Goblin.

The armored feet slammed into the friendly hero's guard, sending both of them flying through a brick wall.

Easily shrugging off the attack, Spider-Man backflipped from under the mercenary, shooting several webs at him.

The drone accompanying Apollyon however proved its usefulness by accurately dissolving every one of them before they could properly explode on him.

"You were funnier in movies." He commented, the hooks propelling him toward the hero.

Matching his speed all while avoiding the different attacks from the drone with liquids that sent his spider-sense screaming at him, the hero replied, quite surprised.

"There are movies of me?"

Anchored in the ceiling with his hooks while Spider-Man was himself standing on it with his powers, the two exchanged hits.

With his superior agility, Spider-Man had almost no trouble evading the jabs and punches from the mercenary, and although he managed to land several hits, no matter the strength he used he could not put a single dent in the armor.

"Not in this dimension." He replied, colored hooks grabbing onto the hero's legs faster than he managed to react, especially with the aggressive and relentless assault of the mercenary.

"What-" Before he could understand Apollyon's words, the chains brought the hero right into his opponent's clutches.

Although he was failing in agility, his technique was arguably superior to Spider-Man, thus he had little trouble putting him into a rear naked choke.

His strength eventually fails against the enhanced spider, but his sole purpose was to immobilize him enough for the drone to be able to properly hit him.

Which it did, a thin needle piercing the man's biceps.

"Argh!" Almost immediately, Spider-Man felt his muscles relax beyond his control, and sensing the effect, Apollyon let him fall to the ground like a puppet whose string has been cut.

"Don't worry, it's a tranquilizer. Considering your regenerative abilities, you should be alright in a few minutes from now." Apollyon reassured the twitching spider as he left in his walk a destroyed bar and immobilized hero.

Without the light adjuster function of his helmet, the man would have been blinded by the multiple cars pointing at the hole in the wall, and a hasty barrage of policemen with heavy weaponry focused on him.

Perhaps they did not expect him to be the victor, but now that they have no idea of what happened to Spider-Man they have to protect the still-present Green Goblin.

After all, despite the latter being a terrorist, Apollyon, from what they heard of his conversation, has no authority to kill the man.

They tried to remove him from the location but despite all their efforts, they failed to even grab the sword pinning him down.

Although they removed his mask and unveiled his identity in the process of trying to heal him, if the man was not stopped, they would eventually have to witness him die.

"Put your hand behind your head and get to the ground, NOW!" The highest-ranking official demanded, all his men be ready to open fire at his command.

However, they all knew that there was no way a super would ever quietly comply, unlike he has something to win.

And judging from how he presented himself as a mercenary and the fact that he was willing to fight Spider-Man to accomplish his mission, he probably had much more to win here.

"Thanks for that. I don't have to wait anymore." His reply was unexpected, but his actions next were unpredictable.

He extended his hand toward the Green Goblin, behind the barricade, and the limb became engulfed into a red energy.

A sudden cry of pain echoed behind the men in blue before the gut-wrenching noise of a blade twisting against something wet was heard, suddenly cutting the man's voice.

More disgusted and traumatized voices echoed, people, vomiting at the sight of what lay behind them and crying at the possessed sword.

Harmlessly navigating through the barricade, the sword returned to its master's hands which shook the police captain awake.

"SHOOT HIM DOWN!" Every present policeman executed the order, perhaps in fear or just as they were trained to do.

However, that too proved to be pointless judging by the numerous sparks that were emitted once the bullets shattered onto the armor.

Hell, Apollyon was visibly not even scared or impressed at the vision.

He ignored the overall event, silently putting the sword back on his hip before a red hook emerged from his back and latched onto the top of the building behind him.

At that, they stopped shooting understanding that it was useless.

"Thank you for your cooperation." He snarkily commented before his figure departed and disappeared beyond the top of the tall building.

Seconds later, a wobbly Spider-Man emerged from the destroyed wall, grabbing onto the wall to support his weight.

The effect of the drug passed but it still stripped him of a lot of his energy, his body working overtime to properly get rid of it.

However, the super's senses were still there, and could hear what happened from inside.

And by judging from the ambulances and paramedics not hasting themselves, he could guess what happened.

"Fuck."