Chapter 9: Food is life and Gacha
"Here's your cheese pizza," the delivery driver said, handing me the box.
"Thank you," I replied with a polite smile, taking the warm box from him and closing the door.
The room was small and modest—just a cheap hotel in the heart of New York City. It wasn't much, but it served its purpose. The bed was unmade, the desk cluttered with notes, a laptop, and empty coffee cups from late-night research sessions.
I set the pizza box on the table beside me, my focus still glued to the glowing laptop screen. For the past few days, I'd been hunting for someone who could create a fake identity—a "fixer," as they were called in some circles. But finding one in the real world wasn't as easy as fanfiction made it seem. No convenient black-market directory. No underground forums handing out details on a silver platter. Just an endless maze of dead ends and vague rumors.
I placed the pizza down, the tantalizing aroma of melted cheese and mushrooms wafting into the air. My stomach growled in protest, reminding me how long it had been since I'd last eaten. But the laptop screen held my attention.
For the past few hours, I had been scouring the internet, trying to track down someone who specialized in creating fake identities. A fixer, as the world of fiction often called them. Unfortunately, reality wasn't as straightforward as fanfiction made it seem. No conveniently placed forums, no clear connections—just a frustrating maze of dead ends and shady websites.
With a sigh, I leaned back and opened the pizza box. The sight alone was enough to make my mouth water. The rich texture of the cheese and the earthy aroma of mushrooms were irresistible. I picked up a slice and took a bite, savoring the burst of flavor.
But as I reached for a second bite, my eyes drifted back to the laptop screen.
A headline caught my attention: "Unmovable Hammer Discovered in New Mexico Desert."
I froze. The image accompanying the article showed the hammer—Mjolnir.
A wave of recognition swept over me. This was it. The first Thor movie was about to unfold. My mind raced as I pieced together the timeline, the events from the movie aligning with the clues I had encountered in this world.
I leaned back in my chair, one hand on my chin as I thought. This wasn't just any news—it was an opportunity. If the timeline followed the movie's plot, Agent Phil Coulson and S.H.I.E.L.D. would already be on-site, investigating the hammer.
A dark smile crept onto my lips as my thoughts deepened. My gaze drifted downward, landing on my feet—no, not just my feet. K, my shadow companion, flickered faintly in response to my growing excitement.
"Looks like we've got work to do," I murmured.
The first Thor movie had been the setup for many pivotal moments, but in this world, it was a doorway for me. A chance to test my theories, gather intel, and perhaps even disrupt the narrative to my advantage.
I retrieved the sling ring from my pocket and placed it carefully on the desk. Its metallic surface gleamed faintly under the dim light of the hotel room, a reminder of the power it held.
With a sigh, I turned toward the cabinet to grab a change of clothes. As much as lounging in pajamas all day was tempting, I couldn't exactly wander outside looking like I'd just rolled out of bed.
The plan was simple in theory but undeniably complex in execution. First, I would travel to New Mexico, locate Phil Coulson, and then use my unique ability to merge with his shadow. Once I knocked him out, I'd gain access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database.
That database was the key to everything.
Not only could it reveal information about this world's heroes, villains, and neutral entities, but it might also hold critical details about me—the person whose body I now inhabited. What secrets lay buried in this body's past?
I slipped into more practical clothes, opting for something comfortable but inconspicuous. This was going to be a stealth operation, and standing out wasn't an option.
As I laced up my shoes, my mind raced with the possibilities. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files weren't just data; they were a treasure trove of opportunities. The knowledge alone could change the way I approached this world. Heroes like Iron Man and Captain America .their strengths and weaknesses, their allies and enemies—all laid bare.
And the villains also . Knowing who to avoid and who to exploit would give me an edge.
I glanced at the sling ring on the desk, then at K, my shadow companion, flickering faintly beneath me. "New Mexico, here we come," I said, a smirk tugging at my lips.
This was about gathering information.
I raised my hand, tracing a deliberate circle in the air. Sparks of orange and yellow ignited, swirling together to form a glowing portal in the center of the room. The faint hum of mystic energy filled the air as the other side came into view—a barren desert landscape dotted with jagged rocks under a blazing sun.
I took a moment to glance down at K, my ever-present shadow companion. "Time to move, buddy," I muttered. K shifted, flickering before seamlessly merging back into my body. The familiar sensation sent a slight chill down my spine.
Without hesitation, I stepped through the portal, the warm light washing over me. The moment I landed on the other side, the oppressive New Mexico heat hit me like a tidal wave.
"Great," I muttered under my breath, shielding my eyes from the glaring sun.
At least I'd had the foresight to dress for the weather—my black T-shirt and navy blue jeans were light enough to keep me from roasting alive, though not by much.
I opened my status screen with a flick of my wrist, the familiar translucent display hovering in the air. My eyes locked onto the golden number gleaming at the top right corner: [50 Points].
A smirk crept onto my lips. That meant I could pull the Gacha five times. The random nature of the system was a gamble, sure, but it had already proven itself a lifesaver more than once. Maybe I'd finally get something big this time—something that could give me an edge in what was coming.
"Alright," I said to myself, cracking my knuckles, "let's see what Gacha lords has for me today."
i click the button while holding my breath praying to the gacha lords for something useful.
I activated the Gacha, I held my breath as it began to slow, each click reverberating in the air like a drumbeat.
The first item appeared in a burst of light:
[Endless Spring from Cassie's First Nightmare]
"Endless water, huh?" I mused, picking it up. "So... basically an infinite water bottle without the insane buffs Sunny added in the third nightmare."
Disappointing, sure, but not entirely useless. Water was water. I unsummoned the Memorie and try my luck again .
[Evertwine]
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous. What am I supposed to do with magic robe?"
Trying to keep my spirits up, I try again
[Overpriced Saddle]
Wow, we've officially hit rock bottom," I muttered, shoving it aside.
Fourth try.
[Definitely Not Me]
"Finally, something good. This could actually be useful."
[Ravenous Fiend]
"Oh yes," I said, practically vibrating with excitement. "My little goblin! Welcome to the team, Imp."
"Alright, not bad," I said, surveying my newfound loot. "Let's see how these play into the plan." With that, I closed my status screen, adjusted my gear, and turned toward the distant horizon, the scorching sun beating down as I prepared to make my next move.
====
Hope you enjoy until next time