Chapter 3: The Big Job
A Gamer Rise in Marvel
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or any other work of fiction.
Chapter 3: The Big Job
Looking at his stats again, I consider my options.
James Wesley LV 18
Title: Right Hand of the Kingpin
Rep (0)
Obe (0)
Swallowing my nervousness, I finish my milk and make my way over, sitting down across from him. "Miss Dark. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I must say I heard you were young, but this was unexpected. "
He's already creeping me out.
I go to answer: "I may be a bit younger than expected, but I promise you. I'll do my job, and I'll do it well, mister…?"
"Oh, forgive my manners. I'm Derek Pliskin. And I heard you were reliable. After all, that's why I'm here. You being so young is also a reason for that, actually."
He answers. He's getting creepier and has a crappy fake name too. Sitting up, I answer: "So what can I help you with, Mister Pliskin?"
He brings up his suitcase, opening it up and bringing out five sealed and numbered envelopes and a piece of paper. "This paper contains the addresses and receivers to which these corresponding letters are to be delivered. You have five days to complete this request and will be rewarded with twenty thousand dollars. You will also have to destroy that paper within that time frame."
Putting the letters into my satchel and the paper into my pocket, I think about how goddamn fishy this whole scenario is. $20,000 for delivering mail, yeah right. Thinking logically, there's a possibility that the contents are too sensitive to be sent digitally or by postal service, meaning these locations are being watched or are under investigation.
So that's why they wanted me. A small, little girl entering whatever fronts these are will be seen as irrelevant. It's a good plan actually.
He takes out a larger package. "As my schedule is quite full, I won't be available to make the payment in person and I would rather avoid sending a proxy. Therefore, on this occasion, you will be paid in advance." He says as I realise what he is giving me.
"Wait, wait, wait. in advance? Isn't that a bit risky with so much cash? What if I don't finish the job?" I ask.
He gives me a rather serious stare and says: "Completion of this job will be confirmed by phone calls I will be receiving from the aforementioned locations. Should this job not be completed within the given timeframe, rest assured there will be consequences. Now I believe that is all. I hope you have a good day. Should your services be satisfactory, you will be hired again." he calmly says in a jovial tone, as if he didn't just threaten a twelve-year-old. Bastard.
Quest added
Deliver five letters at the behest of the Kingpin's right-hand
Rewards: 1000 XP
Failure: Death or enslavement
Once again. God damn bastard.
Getting up, I say goodbye to Josie and exit the bar.
Quest completed
Rewards: One new weapon and a Job. 500 XP
Level Up x 2
Thinking Status, the window pops up.
Jeanne Dark
Class= Magus (Thaumaturgy)
Race= human
Title= none
Lv= 3 (200/400 Xp)
Hp= 600 (LV x VIT x 100)
Mp= 3600 (LV x INT x 100)
Hpr= 5/m (LV x VIT)
Mpr=360/m (LV x INT x 10)
Stats
Strength=1
Vitality=2
Dexterity=2
Wisdom=12
Intelligence=12
Charm=3
Luck=2
Considering my extreme growth within a single day, I'm fairly confident that I can achieve this.
Quest added
Kill James Wesley for underestimating and threatening you.
Bonus objective: Make it look like an accident or suicide
Rewards: 3000 XP, 2x gacha tokens
Bonus rewards: 1 Assassin catalyst
These rewards keep getting better and better. Didn't know there was a gacha though, that could end badly.
The catalyst also has my interest. Does this mean I could summon a Servant from Fate afterwards?
That would quickly change the game for me. But first things first. I have a job to do and I want to show that bastard up. It's only 6.30. I'm delivering all of these letters today. Not wanting to be easily recognised, I buy a hoodie, a pair of sunglasses and a cap from a department store nearby.
Doesn't this technically make me more suspicious now? Who cares, I'm doing this now.
3 hours later
Colleen Wing
While busy cleaning up the dojo and preparing for tomorrow's students, she thinks about them and her obligations. It's already hard enough to get people to take her teachings seriously and not to see them as a hobby or self-defence method. But converting a bunch of youths to make a major decision, such as joining the hand, was proving quite difficult.
How could she even approach such a subject with them? She shouldn't have such pessimistic thoughts. After all, Bakuto was counting on her to do this.
Lost in her thoughts, she is startled by a sudden knock at her front door, obviously wondering who could be visiting when she had already closed hours ago. Opening the door, she is surprised to see a rather small figure clad in an oversized hoodie, a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses. It's rather cute, actually. What stands out about this girl is the snow-white hair hidden within her clothes. What could this girl pos-
"Are you Colleen Wing?" the girl suddenly asked In a rather exhausted tone.
"Yes. You were looking for me?"
"I am. Could we maybe talk inside? You're my last stop for today." the girl says, moving past her and making her way to one of the chairs while fiddling with her satchel.
"Hey wait a second you can't just waltz in here and what do you mean I'm your last stop." Before she can ask any further questions she is presented with a letter. She recognizes the seal and font of the number on it. She just received news from the hand.
But how could this child be involved? "Why do you have this? Who did you get them from?"
The girl answered "Now calm down, I'm just a courier. I was paid and tasked to bring this to you."
A courier this young? "Wait, so who even paid you to do this, could you tell me?" she asked kindly. She should be able to discern just who roped a kid in with the hand. Though the answer she received was a bit different than expected.
"Pretty sure the guy's name was fake anyway, but this was a job I did for the Hand and their partners."
What? This girl knew who she was working for, just how did this come to be? Once again her thoughts are interrupted.
"So, what do you teach here?"
"What, you mean at the dojo?"
"Yup," the girl pops out. Once again, it's rather cute.
Colleen goes on to answer: "Mainly karate, jujitsu, kempo and kenjutsu. I also offer kendo lessons."
"Pretty cool. Is it possible for me to sign up? But you know, without becoming a ninja for the hand when I'm done."
Just how much does this kid know? "I'm, of course, willing to pay quite a bit for the lesson, and if you want, I could help convince my fellow students to join if you'd like."
"I..ah... if you're serious about this, I wouldn't mind teaching you, and if you could help with the second thing, I'd really appreciate it."
"Really? Great, I'll see you tomorrow. By the way, don't mention me or any of this to your superiors, 'kay? And don't forget to call that number in the letter, ok. See you tomorrow, Colleen."
"Hey, wait a second, I don't even know … your ...name" And she's gone.
What the hell just happened?
Jeanne Dark
Well, that was easy.
Relationship with Colleen Wing +40
Obedience with Colleen Wing+ 10
Manipulation leveled up to 71
Charm increased by 8
Should have seen that coming.
15 minutes earlier
Running around Manhattan all day was very exhausting. Especially when all the locations were equally distanced from one another, she's gonna make that four-eyed bastard choke on his blood when his time comes. At least all this effort didn't go to waste, considering what I gained from it.
From continuous running, you have gained +6 VIT and +4 Dex
Sprint has leveled up to LV 28
Increases your speed by 80% when active ( uses 50MP/s)
Observe Levelled up to 56
Very nice indeed.
I see you've been busy. You made quite a bit of progress.
But I have to ask. Why didn't you use some kind of public transportation instead of literally Running everywhere?
Because I didn't think of it...
It would seem we both have those moments.
It does indeed,
Now then. Cool that you're back, by the way. You've got some good timing cause I need your help.
I'm about to reach my last stop today, and she happens to be the only person I know anything about.
Her name's Colleen Wing. She runs a dojo as a front for recruitment by the Hand. You know those ancient ninjas who also have a big crime syndicate here in America. That's pretty much all I remember about them, at least. The good thing is that our darling Colleen is pretty ignorant of their true nature. She probably does it due to her crush on her superior, Bakuto. I'm getting sidetracked. The point is she's a good person doing bad, thinking she's doing good while also being quite naive.
I.E., a perfect target for psychological manipulation.
So, where do I come in?
Is it possible to merge skills? Specifically, acting and lying?
Here you go
Skill Merge LV max (merges two or more skills, creating a new one. Origin skills can be destroyed to add their Xp to the newly formed skill)
This is perfect, [Skill Merge], fuse [Lying] and [Acting].
Skill Manipulation LV 1 created.
Ability to manipulate and convince people for your own gain.
Manipulation levelled to 67 (Lying and Acting destroyed)
Well, then, I guess it's showtime. I slowly approach the Chikara Dojo. Looking for a vantage point, I climb up the opposing buildings' fire escape until I see our darling Colleen sweeping the floor of her dojo. Let's see what our new Observe can do.
Colleen Wing LV 32
Rep 0
Obe 0
Thoughts you: None
Current thoughts: wondering how to go about inducting her students into the Hand
STR 15
VIT 22
INT 8
WIS 12
CHA 8
LUK 5
I knew observe would pay off. Looks like I have an opening to exploit. I can read people's surface thoughts. This thing is seriously great.
SYSTEM: have I mentioned that I love you?
Why, thank you very much, Jeanne. I didn't know you felt that way
Relationship with SYSTEM +15 (60)
You know what I meant, and shouldn't I get something for reaching 50 with you?
Oh, you will, but it's a bit overpowered, so I'm holding it back for now.
Maybe reach LV 50 first.
Fair enough. I'll hold you to that. Shall we make an impression on dear Miss Wing?
You do that.
Present Time
Like I said. Perfect target for some good manipulation.
Why did you want to take lessons here, though?
Don't you mean, why wouldn't I? Not only do I get martial arts and sword training, I also get brand new targets to max out my Manipulation skill.
You planned this through, huh?
Well, of course... don't I get an INT point?...please?
Fine
For thinking things through, INT+3
Thank you, darling.
Well, I'm beat. Time to see my apartment. And get some food cause gluttony is acting up.
One hour later, at Jeanne's Apartment
It's not too bad for an orphan, but it's still not that good. Those were my thoughts when entering the apartment, which consisted of a bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. No hot water, apparently. Yay~,
Another thing I noticed is the three fully stocked fridges in the kitchen. Good old gluttony, ey. Don't worry, I will be using you for your true purpose soon enough. After devouring half of one fridge's contents, I make my way to my bed. One last time, "Status."
Jeanne Dark
Class= Magus (Thaumaturgy)
Race= human
Title= none
Lv= 3 (200/400 Xp)
Hp= 2400 (LV x VIT x 100)
Mp= 4500 (LV x INT x 100)
Hpr= 24/m (LV x VIT)
Mpr=450/m (LV x INT x 10)
Stats
Strength=1
Vitality=8
Dexterity=6
Wisdom=12
Intelligence=15
Charm=11
Luck=2
Satisfied with today's events, I started thinking about the future and the choices I should make.
Personally, I think I should either usurp the current criminal establishment and establish myself as the new crime lord of New York. Would that make me the 'Queenpin'?
Alternatively, I focused on training, making sure I could compete with Marvel heavy-hitters early on.
Though it might be better to lay low for now, a sudden burst of magical growth will certainly be detected.
For tomorrow, I'm planning to research this world I'm in. I've got to know how much of my knowledge even applies to this World.
That's enough of that now. I'm tired. Goodnight, SYSTEM... and … well... Thank you for giving me a second life.
Goodnight Jeanne. And you're very welcome.