9. Settling down

Daniel entered the place and started moving deeper into Ruby Rainwood, his van slowly rolling over the uneven forest ground. As the trees grew denser and the ambient energy became more palpable, he found himself momentarily distracted by the van he was sitting in. A small smile crept onto his face as memories from his past life surfaced.

Everyone has a dream, and Daniel was no different. Back on Earth, before the lightning strike that had thrust him into this new, chaotic world, he had always nurtured one simple desire: to travel the world in a camper van. It wasn't a grand, ambitious dream—nothing like the goals of becoming a CEO, or a famous figure. Instead, it was peaceful, almost serene. He wanted to see the most beautiful landscapes his planet had to offer, from majestic mountains to tranquil beaches, vast forests, and sprawling deserts. The idea of moving from one place to the next, living in harmony with nature, had always filled him with a sense of purpose. He was, in many ways, a nature freak at heart.

He remembered vividly those evenings spent planning out trips that never quite materialized, marking routes on a map, watching travel vlogs, and dreaming of a life spent in motion, always on the road, always seeking the next breathtaking view. The world, in all its vastness, had felt like it was waiting for him to explore it.

But, of course, life had gotten in the way. Work, responsibilities, finances—all the usual roadblocks had kept him grounded. His dream had remained just that: a dream. Now, after being transmigrated to this bizarre version of the Marvel Universe, filled with dangers and powers beyond comprehension, that dream had taken on new meaning. It hadn't disappeared. If anything, it had been given a boost.

The Void, though eerie and alien, had reignited something in him. Looking at the dense trees and strange energy pulses that rippled through the air, Daniel realized that his desire to explore hadn't been diminished by this new reality. In fact, it had grown. He still wanted to travel, to see the beauty of the natural world—but now, the scope of that dream had expanded. With the power of his Eternal Catalyst, which he knew had limitless potential, there was no telling where he could go. Perhaps he could travel beyond Earth, beyond any one planet. Maybe one day, he'd be able to journey through space, visit distant stars, and witness the majesty of entire galaxies.

The thought made his smile widen even more. How many people could say they dreamed of seeing the universe itself?

Compared to the protagonists of the novels he used to read in his past life, Daniel's goals seemed quaint. Those characters had grand aspirations: becoming the strongest warrior in the world, building empires, seeking revenge, or protecting loved ones at all costs. But Daniel's dream? It was simpler, less burdened by the need to prove himself or gain power for power's sake. He didn't care about ruling a kingdom or becoming some kind of cosmic god. He just wanted to travel, to experience the beauty and vastness of existence.

And maybe that's what made him different.

As his van slowly rumbled deeper into the heart of Ruby Rainwood, Daniel felt a quiet kind of contentment settle over him. Even here, in this mysterious, potentially dangerous place, he could still cling to the one thing that had always mattered to him: his freedom to explore. The Void, Ruby Rainwood, even the Marvel Universe itself—it was all just one more step in his journey.

Daniel wasn't completely delusional, though. He knew that to survive in the Void—and to fulfill his dream—what he needed most now was strength. The Ruby Rainwood, with its dense trees and palpable energy, was a reminder that this universe was not a peaceful one. It was filled with unknown dangers, from superpowered beings to creatures that defied logic, all capable of snuffing out the unprepared in an instant. Daniel understood this reality deeply. His desire to explore the beauty of the universe, to travel from world to world, wouldn't mean anything if he didn't live long enough to do it.

He clenched his hands on the steering wheel, feeling the hum of energy that rippled through the van's body as it passed over uneven ground. The Void had taught him one crucial lesson: power was a necessity, not a luxury. His Eternal Catalyst had gifted him with the means to grow stronger, to absorb energy and transform it into permanent physical enhancements. But strength alone wasn't his ultimate goal; it was merely the tool that would allow him to chase his real dream.

The dream of traveling freely across the stars, unhindered by enemies or obstacles, required him to be strong enough to defend himself and, more importantly, to endure. He needed to be powerful enough to face whatever challenges might come his way, whether from the strange forces of this world or the cosmic threats that lurked beyond.

But power, in his view, was like the fuel in his van—it was necessary to keep him moving, to get him where he needed to go, still it wasn't the destination itself.

Daniel stopped his van after reaching deep into Ruby Rainwood, the forest's thick foliage providing just enough cover for him to conceal his vehicle. He scanned the area, choosing a spot where the plantation was dense enough that the van wouldn't be visible from a distance. With a practiced motion, he maneuvered the van into the underbrush, the surrounding greenery swallowing it up like it had never existed. As he stepped out and surveyed the red-tinged forest around him, a curious thought crossed his mind.

'Should I color my van red?' he mused, eyeing the crimson hues that dominated the landscape. It seemed fitting, blending in with the strange beauty of the place—but it also made the atmosphere feel more ominous, as if the very forest were alive and watching him.

The thought lingered for a moment before Daniel dismissed it. He had more pressing matters to consider. He stretched, feeling the stiffness in his muscles loosen as he took a deep breath of the thick, energy-laden air.

'Should I survey this place?' he wondered, glancing around cautiously. The forest was unfamiliar, and though the dense trees and heavy energy made it seem like an ideal spot to rest, Daniel knew better than to let his guard down.

He began to debate whether it was worth the risk of leaving the van to explore or stay close and keep his defenses up.

But before he could make a decision, something else caught his attention. His body stiffened, senses heightened as he detected a subtle disturbance in the ambient energy around him. His enhanced senses, honed by the Eternal Catalyst, picked up on it almost immediately—someone, or something, was approaching. The shift was slight, but unmistakable.

Daniel's gaze sharpened, scanning the red forest as his hand moved instinctively toward his side, ready to defend himself if necessary. Whatever it was, it was getting closer.

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