Venom

Technology module?

Seeing those words appear on his interface, Charlie's expression shifted, his thoughts swirling as he absorbed the implications of this new addition.

He knew well that "technology" in this context didn't quite follow the rules of traditional science. It followed the logic of comic books, where a device's function often depended more on narrative need than physical laws.

People often argue that Marvel and DC stories don't belong in the realm of hard science fiction; instead, they occupy a space akin to modern mythology. And there's a solid reason behind that sentiment. While the movies tend to tone things down a bit, the technology in the original comics often borders on the fantastical, sometimes making no sense at all to real-world logic.

In essence, technology in these comics follows a simpler, almost whimsical process. It's like trying to solve the problem of "How do you fit an elephant in a fridge?" where the answer skips over practicality. There's a crisis, a villain, or a world-ending problem. And then, one or several heroes take a scientist into a lab, and a few pages or panels later, a miraculous device emerges that perfectly solves the problem.

Charlie focused back on the glowing words on his screen—Technology Module. It wasn't called Scientific Research or Invention, and that distinction made a world of difference. This module wasn't about creating brand-new gadgets. Instead, it was about replicating the tools and technologies that already existed within the comic book worlds.

Essentially, this module served as a comprehensive catalog of the technological wonders mastered by heroes already in his hero pool. It encompassed everything from Spider-Man's homemade web-shooters to the sleek, high-tech armors and gadgets wielded by Batman and Iron Man. It was a treasure trove of blueprints, schematics, and designs, covering every corner of the comic book world's technological landscape.

But there was a catch. Unlike the prize pool equipment that appeared fully assembled and ready to use, the Technology Module didn't give Charlie finished products. It offered instructions—blueprints, designs, and formulas.

To turn those blueprints into reality, Charlie would need to gather the specific materials and components listed in the schematics. He'd also need access to the right facilities and a team of professionals capable of working with cutting-edge tech. Unsurprisingly, such resources weren't going to come cheap.

Charlie quickly browsed through the available technologies in the module, his mind racing as he considered the possibilities. Each entry displayed a different piece of iconic comic book technology.

He found a complete description of Iron Man's arc reactor technology, laid out in painstaking detail. In theory, if Charlie could gather the necessary materials, assemble a team of engineers, and secure the right lab equipment, he could attempt to replicate Tony Stark's signature power source. It wouldn't be perfect, but he could likely create a low-end version of the reactor—something that could serve as a powerful energy source.

But no matter how precise the technical instructions, there were limitations. The arc reactor blueprint, for example, could only allow Charlie to build older models. Stark's Mark VI and beyond relied on a mysterious new element, one that Marvel had only hinted at, derived from Vibranium or even the Tesseract. Such elements simply didn't exist in the real world—unless, by some stroke of luck, Charlie managed to draw that element from the pool someday.

As Charlie delved deeper into the list, he noticed that many of the available technologies faced similar hurdles. Certain designs required exotic materials that were native to their fictional worlds—substances like Vibranium, Adamantium, or Nth Metal. Without these, even with flawless blueprints, he would find himself unable to reproduce the technology to its full potential.

However, despite these limitations, the sheer breadth of technology in the module was staggering, especially when it came to the contributions from Iron Man.

It was a goldmine of tech.

From Stark's signature Iron Man suits to the countless gadgets and weapons he developed for S.H.I.E.L.D., the module included everything. Charlie found schematics for drone armors, jet packs, mass-produced exoskeletons, energy weapons, cloaking devices, and unmanned fighter jets. It was like having access to Tony Stark's personal archive.

And this wasn't even the full extent of the module. The current Technology Module was tied to the B-level pool, a mid-tier collection of heroes and powers. Charlie could only imagine what might be available if he ever managed to unlock access to higher-level hero pools. He had no doubt that technologies from later story arcs—like Stark's time machines—would be among them.

That thought made him pause, imagining how ridiculous things could become. With a fully unlocked module, solving a problem might involve just asking Iron Man to slap together a time machine and fixing whatever went wrong with a trip to the past.

The chaos that would bring to his already hectic world… he could only laugh at the thought.

But the most intriguing difference between this module and the equipment from the prize pool lay in their functionality. The weapons and gadgets Charlie had drawn from the pool so far came with strict rules. They acted as game items, bound to his character and limited in use.

There were upsides to this. The items from the pool repaired themselves over time, and consumables like bat-darts would automatically replenish after a cooldown. But the downside was that he couldn't share these items with anyone else, nor could he take them apart to repurpose the materials.

They were, in essence, locked game assets—tools designed to do exactly what the game allowed them to, nothing more.

The Technology Module, however, was different. Once Charlie unlocked a blueprint, it belonged to him. He could use the knowledge to build the devices in the real world, free from the constraints of the game system. It meant that, in theory, he could mass-produce the gadgets he reverse-engineered, sell them, or even improve upon them.

Both Iron Man and Batman, as figures in the comics, had access to resources beyond the imagination of real-world billionaires. Their wealth wasn't just about the numbers—it was about having as much money as the narrative required. They could burn through billions to create high-tech suits and secret bases without blinking. But if one tried to calculate the actual expenses in a realistic setting, it would quickly become clear that even the most prosperous economies couldn't sustain such costs.

Charlie knew he couldn't match that kind of wealth. He wasn't backed by a fortune that replenished itself with every new chapter. The technology available to him in this module was like discovering a treasure trove of ancient knowledge—valuable enough to push the boundaries of human civilization if properly harnessed—but far too vast for a single person to exploit.

Fortunately, he already had an idea of how to approach this.

He had been planning for the next phase of his journey for some time now. Originally, he had intended to spend more time building up his strength before moving forward, but this new module gave him a much-needed boost. With this technology in hand, he could accelerate his plans.

If everything went well, he might even secure the backing of humanity itself.

The system update had given him a powerful new tool, but Charlie hadn't forgotten his usual routine amidst all the excitement:

Hero Draws.

This was still the most straightforward way to enhance his power. Drawing stronger heroes with more abilities not only expanded his combat options but also provided access to a broader range of skills.

He prepared to roll the dice again.

But Charlie wasn't naive. He knew the infamous reputation of the B-level pool all too well. After getting burned with several disappointing draws—like the time he ended up with a bunch of Hulk-themed underpants—he had learned to save up at least thirty to fifty pulls before attempting a draw. He didn't want his hopes crushed by another batch of useless trinkets.

The results came in—some unclear items, a bunch of menu passes, and then, something that made him pause.

One of the first significant draws was a classic anti-hero:

Venom. Initially introduced as one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, Venom had evolved over time into a more complex character—an anti-hero with a dark edge.

Venom, the living alien symbiote, had first arrived on Earth and bonded with Spider-Man, mimicking his powers and amplifying them. Later, it moved to Deadpool before settling with its most famous host, Eddie Brock. The symbiote's abilities mirrored Spider-Man's—enhanced strength, agility, and a unique form of webbing—but with a more monstrous twist. It could shape-shift, form weapons out of its body, and heal its host's injuries.

But Venom had a glaring weakness. The symbiote was vulnerable to intense light and sonic vibrations, making characters like Thor natural predators. Venom was like a mouse facing a lion when confronted by those kinds of powers.

If Charlie had unlocked Venom earlier, it would have been an invaluable addition to his team, providing raw power and versatility. But at this stage, with his current roster, Venom wasn't quite as groundbreaking. Charlie quickly added Venom to his "Backup Second Team."

In Charlie's strategy, the second-echelon heroes were those who could be stationed in other cities to handle smaller threats or left at Riverton City when the main team was away. These heroes needed to be capable of standing their ground, but they weren't necessarily the best option for high-stakes battles.

Then, a new piece of equipment emerged from the draw, something that made Charlie's pulse quicken.

The moment the screen displayed the name, he had to double-check, making sure he hadn't read it wrong.

Because if this was what he thought it was, it could be the most powerful, most game-changing piece of tech he'd ever drawn—

—Justice League Watchtower.

[TL Note - Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh shit... It's getting real!!!]

(See You in seven days)