New City, New Life

*Albert POV*

*Location: Brockton Bay, Massachusetts*

*Date: December 28th, 1990*

Soooo, it took me two days to get to a bus stop, well, gas station technically, and well, when some very nice people saw they happily offered some water, seeing my current state and lack of a vehicle. Once I was done, quite literally suckin' down all that water, well, in two gulps anyway, I had finally got the opportunity to find out where I was. A city by the ocean called Brockton Bay, a decent city that had all the problems regular cities had.

Gangs, corporations, people in general being assholes, alongside superpowered people apprently. Not a whole lot, maybe a couple of people right now, but the owner did say he hasn't been there in a while and would prefer if he didn't go back anytime soon. 

(Yes, I know in canon Brockton Bay is essentially a dump/gang infested, but this is still early parahumans days, remember that, gangs aren't quite a problem yet well bigger problem)

So adding all that superpowered madness to it, well, I'm guessing the gang problems would only get worse from there on. Corporations would probably take advantage immediately, profiting off of the heroes or even sponsoring them to show the commoners they cared. I mean, it made sense from a practical viewpoint. People needed to eat, and if they just had to slap a logo on their suit, follow a few guidelines, I'm guessing, but it was probably well worth it in the end if they got to save a few people. 

Also, I found out where I can cash this little lottery ticket; apparently, Brockton Bay has a nice little office on the outskirts of town. Probably wanting to avoid all the problems the inner-city part caught, I mean, would you want people turning in lotto tickets with a whole bunch of superpowered people running around? I also found out they used the term 'Parahumans' for...some reason or another. 

Did I know why? No, did I understand why? Also, no, I honestly just went with the flow in all honesty. I mean, who was I to judge what they decided to call it, or call themselves, I mean, you have terms like metas, mutants, inhumans, and all manner of comic book terms depicting humans with powers via mutations, magic, technology, or other methods. 

Although that begged the question, was that an umbrella for everyone here, like did it all come from the same source, or did only some of them share similar sources? Well, not my problem, not a scientist, nor do I plan on really studying where it came from, well unless it was extremmly important and I found out somehow. Anyway, the first two days were pretty...shitty in all honesty but once the nice people, Richard and Rose called for a bus for a special pickup, which I would repay once I was a bit more secure. 

Anyway, it was on the third day that I was able to finally cash the check, and hopefully, my little envelope was able to make it to the gas station without being stolen. I mean, sure, it took a while to verify, get the cash, not a check, just plain old cash because I don't exactly have a bank account right now. The first couple of things I did were get an envelope, right a quick note inside, put about $25 in bus fare inside, a little extra as thanks, and sent it off. 

With that hopefully being the last time I ever interact with them, not because they weren't nice people, but I would rather bury the last three days' worth of memories, considering how I got my start in this world. Now I was in a cheap motel room sitting on a cleanish bed I had for about two nights, which hopefully I can find a relatively nice apartment during that time alongside a bit more cash if [Golden Rule - A Rank] was what I thought it was, which essnetialy was free money if I played my cards right and let my luck do the work. 

I mean, I hoped that's how it worked, but in reality, this was all guesswork, and right now I just needed to figure out if I should spend about half of the $5 grand on a roll. I mean, since the first thing I got was a rare roll, I wonder what legendary or mythic would be, well, that's if they were actual things. I mean, for all I knew, it could just be rare, uncommon, and common, or just rare and common. 

"Screw it, lets see if I can keep this winning streak alive." I say that, counting the nice couple(?) who helped me get a ride into this place, alongside the winning lottery ticket being accepted so quickly. 

"System take about $2,500 for a spin if you would please." I said, displaying the hopefully appropriate amount of cash in hand. 

It disappeared just as quickly as it came, being absorbed by the golden screen as new text was displayed soon after.

[Would host like to use all the cash on one spin, or two?]

[One Y/N]

[Two Y/N]

Now that was a good question, did I want to use all that cash on one spin that would possibly give me a useless item, or did I increase my chances with two rolls? The problem was that the system said it increased the chances for a rare roll the more cash I used. By how much, though, did it go up by 15% or 65%, or any arbitrary number? Well, if I had a bit more cash beyond the stuff I had left, I would be more inclined to use it, and so I clicked on the two option, for right believing it would better my odds.

[Spinning Spinning Spinning Ding! Roll Item rolled]

[Spinning Spinning Spinning Ding! Skill rolled]

[Common item - Backpack (normal)]

[Description: A normal everyday backpack that the host can use to store a certain number of items. Beyond that, this is an everyday item you can buy at the store]

Almost immediately after seeing that description, a dark gray backpack appeared next to me on the bed. I mean...it could be useful for some of the smaller stuff I could get from this system, but I wasn't in desperate need of a backpack right now...maybe for clothes and stuff because I would need to buy some eventually. I mean useful, but not an overall combat-oriented skill, magic, or well, anything except for temporarily blinding someone. 

Anyway, on to the next roll, which I was hoping was a bit better. 

[Rare Skill - Valor A-Rank (Nasuverse)]

[Description: The host is able to nullify attacks of the mental kind and stop any interference like confusion or control alongside this, damage inflicted via hand-to-hand combat is increased]

"Yes, JACKPOT!" I screamed to myself, trying to keep as quiet as possible so I didn't disturb although the loud knock on the wall alongside the person yelling 'QUITE DOWN YOU ASSHOLE' was a sign I failed in that regard. Right now, though, I was a bit too happy to be mad about that, sure it wasn't a skill that gave immediate benefits, well, it kinda did, but it did help in case there were any villains that had mind control capabilities. 

I also had no doubt that the system would probably give out some martial arts-related skills at one point, or even a training manual item. I mean, it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but it was pretty good nonetheless, and I then did the next natural thing. I lay back on the bed, doing my best to ignore my growing need to put the covers over me, scared of the possible infestation or any other nasty thing that may be there. 

"Welp, new city, new life, and new opportunities for this gambling man." I said with complete confidence that I was on a winning streak, hoping that this new life would work out better than the last one.