Carlos

[A/N: So, I changed the timeline. He's now in the timeline of The Avengers, before the invasion.]

I shook my head.

"Alright, game," I muttered, "you want me to play? Fine."

I pushed myself off the pavement. It smells like wet trash here, the worst of all trash.

My HUD helpfully, or unhelpfully, flickered with street names and possible points of interest: 'Josie's Bar (Likely Drunk Patrons),' 'Local Bodega (High Resource Probability)'

"And I got a Google Maps in my head, that's pretty fucking sick in my opinion." I muttered.

My boosted Intelligence [INT]: 18 was already working overtime, processing the visual data. The alley walls were covered in faded graffiti, and the fire escape above looked like a tetanus shot waiting to happen. 

"Objective 2: Understand Local Environment," I read aloud. "Hint: The city is a bustling place. Observing local customs and current events can provide valuable insight."

"Local customs," I scoffed, stepping out of the alley onto the sidewalk. A yellow cab whizzed by, honking aggressively. "Right. Aggressive honking and avoiding eye contact."

The sidewalks were already getting busy. People are in various stages of their morning routine.

"Objective 3: Acquire Resources," I continued.

My eyes scanned the street. The HUD highlighted the "Local Bodega" with a soft, green glow. A classic. The act of buying something, anything, would feel like a tiny anchor in this absurd new reality. 

As I walked, I became aware of the constant stream of information flashing across my vision. Not just the HUD, but what felt like passive scans of my surroundings. My brain, or the "game engine" now running my brain, was categorizing everything.

"This is going to be exhausting," I muttered, rubbing my temples. My head didn't throb, thanks to the infinite Constitution, but the mental overload was intense.

The bodega was exactly what I expected: cramped, smelling of stale coffee and hot dogs, with shelves crammed full of brightly colored junk food. The man behind the counter, a middle-aged guy with tired eyes, looked like he was overworking. But as soon as I entered, he stood up straight as if nothing had happened. Interesting to say the least.

"Coffee," I ordered. "And… whatever's cheapest."

He gestured vaguely to a row of pre-made sandwiches. I grabbed a lukewarm coffee and a wrapped pastry that looked suspiciously like a prop from a bad sitcom. Total cost: $4.50. I fumbled in my pockets. Nothing. My old wallet, keys, phone, everything was gone.

[Notification: Player inventory is currently empty. Consider alternative resource acquisition methods or consult the Marketplace.]

My Wisdom might be low, but even I knew that "alternative resource acquisition methods" usually meant theft. And the marketplace, not sure if I wanna touch that topic now.

The bodega owner looked up, a glint in his eye. "Something wrong, kid?"

I froze. 

A faint, humorless smile touched my lips. "Actually, I seem to have misplaced my wallet. Is there… anything I can do to earn these? I'm good with computers. UX design. Or, you know, basic manual labor."

The owner smiled a bit. "No worries if you don't have money."

He chuckled, a dry, raspy sound. "Look, I got a delivery coming in later. Boxes need to be moved. You lift those, I'll spot you for the coffee and that… 'pastry.' Deal?"

[New Sub-Quest: Bodega Box Brigade] [Objective: Assist Bodega Owner with Delivery. Reward: $20, 5 XP, and "Bodega Regular" Reputation Gain.] [Accept/Decline]

I stared at the blinking prompt. My first quest. And it was moving boxes for ten bucks and some XP. 

"Deal, yeah, that's wonderful," I said, accepting the quest. The prompt disappeared, replaced by a timer counting down to the delivery's arrival.

The bodega owner nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Name's Carlos," he said, extending a hand. I shook it, his grip firm and calloused.

"Jamie," I replied. It felt strange to introduce myself, like I was playing a character in a game. Which, I supposed, I was.

Carlos gestured to a rickety stool behind the counter. "Take a seat, Jamie. Delivery won't be here for another hour. You can have that coffee now, on the house."

I sat down, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. The coffee was bitter and slightly stale, but it was something or the other; I just needed a dose of caffeine. I took a sip, the liquid burning my throat in an almost comforting way.

As I sat there, I watched the steady stream of customers coming in and out of the bodega. 

God, just a few hours ago, I was killing myself and now here I am, sitting like an NPC, doing a 'quest'. I chuckled at the thought of that.

Carlos glanced at me, a curious expression on his face. "What's so funny, kid?"

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. "Nothing, just… thinking about how strange life can be."

Carlos grunted, turning his attention back to his phone. I took another sip of my coffee, my mind racing with questions and uncertainties. What was I doing here? What was the point of any of this? I had wanted to die, had sought out the silence and peace of oblivion. And now, I was stuck in this endless game, forced to play a role I never asked for.

After I'd finished my coffee, I looked at the cup, "Hey, Carlos, this is a very cool design, man. Where'd you get it?" I inspected the cup more.

I picked up the damn cup, turning it over in my hands. The blue swirls looked like something you'd see in a cheap diner, but there was something... real about it. Not like the sterile, perfect bullshit you'd find in some corporate coffee shop.

[New skill acquired! 'Observe: Level 1'!]

'What?' I thought as I kept looking at the mug.

[Observe: Level 1]

[Item: Hand-painted ceramic cup] 

Creator: Maria Rodriguez (Art student, daughter)

Condition: Well-loved (minor chips on rim)

Details: Birthday gift. Blue swirls represent water motif from Puerto Rican childhood home. 

Emotional Value: High (Carlos uses daily despite chipped rim) 

Current Status: 1/3 full with black coffee (no sugar)

"You like that cup, huh?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yes, actually. It has heart in it, looks very bright." I told him.

I could basically see the smile widening on his face. He must love his kid very much. 

"Made by your kid?" I asked. 

"Yep, her name's Maria. She painted it herself for my birthday, as she's an art student." He told me.

"Cool stuff, tell her I like her work, it's very well done," I told him.

"That I'll do."

I looked at Carlos, trying to use the skill on him.

[Observe: Level 1]

[Name: Carlos Rodriguez] 

Occupation: Bodega owner (32 years)

Age: 57 (but looks older) 

Status: Widower (12 years), single father

Notable features: Worn hands, permanent 5 o'clock shadow, faded tattoo on forearm (US Army insignia)

Current mood: Content with slight underlying sadness

Hidden detail: Wedding ring still worn on left hand despite years of widowhood

But there was something more to him than just these dry facts. As I watched him move behind the counter, I caught glimpses of the man beneath the rough exterior. 

His movements were slow but deliberate - the kind of careful precision that comes from doing the same tasks thousands of times. When he thought no one was looking, his fingers would linger on certain objects - a framed photo behind the register, the edge of his daughter's latest mug, a small bronze cross hanging near the cash register.

"Maria's talented," I offered, keeping my voice casual. "You must be proud."

Carlos paused in wiping down the counter. For a moment, I thought I'd overstepped. Then he shrugged, but not before I caught the slight upward tilt of his mouth.

"She's got talent, yeah," he admitted, turning to grab two fresh coffees from the machine. "But more than that, she's got heart. Like her mother." His voice dropped slightly on those last words.

The observation skill flashed again:

[Carlos: Mentions deceased wife | Mood shift: Nostalgic melancholy | Current activity: Making coffee with extra care]

He slid one of the steaming cups toward me. "On the house," he grunted. "You look like you could use it."

I wrapped my hands around the warmth, noticing how the ceramic matched the one Maria had painted. A family tradition, maybe. Something passed down.

"Thanks," I said, meaning it more than I expected to. The coffee smelled better than the first one - richer, with hints of cinnamon that didn't come from the cheap powdered dispenser on the counter.

Carlos nodded and went back to his tasks, but there was something different in the air between us now. The observation skill confirmed it:

[Relationship status update: Carlos now considers you "A nice guy"] [Bonus effect: Coffee quality +10% when served by Carlos]

The bell above the door jingled as another customer walked in. A young woman with a stroller struggled to maneuver through the narrow aisles. Without thinking, I stood to help her while Carlos took her order.

"Here, let me get that for you," I said, holding the door open wider. The woman gave me a tired but grateful smile as she wheeled the stroller through.

[Observe: Level 1]

[Name: Young Mother]

Status: Exhausted but determined

Notable Feature: Dark circles under eyes (new parent)

Current Need: Assistance with stroller navigation

For the first time since arriving in this world, helping someone didn't feel like completing a quest objective. It felt... normal. Human. The observation skill flickered again:

[Social Interaction: Successful | Reputation +5% | Hidden Effect: Serotonin levels slightly increased]

Carlos watched the interaction with an approving nod. "You're alright, kid," he grunted as I sat back down. He tossed me a slightly squashed muffin from the display case. "Eat up. You're gonna need your strength for those boxes."

I caught it with a smirk. "Thanks, Dad," I said, only half-joking.

The observation skill flashed one final time before fading away:

[New Social Link: Carlos Rodriguez - Level 1]| Potential for friendship: 75%]

The muffin was stale, but the coffee was good. As I ate, I watched Carlos work - the way he greeted regulars by name, how he always had a kind word for the neighborhood kids, the careful way he handled the mug his daughter made. There was something comforting about the rhythm of it all.

[Observe: Level 1 Progress: 45% to Level 2] [Tip: Focus on genuine interactions to improve skill]

The door jingled again as the delivery guy walked in, his massive frame barely fitting through the doorway. "Morning, Carlos," he rumbled, setting down a hand truck loaded with boxes.

Carlos nodded. "Mike. This is Jamie, he's helping out today."

Mike gave me a skeptical look, sizing me up. "This is the kid you were telling me about on the phone?"

I stood up straighter, suddenly aware of how scrawny I must look next to this mountain of a man. "Yeah, that's me," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

The observation skill helpfully noted:

[Mike "The Wall" O'Malley]

Profession: Delivery Specialist

Notable Features: Massive biceps, permanent scowl

Current Opinion of You: Skeptical but willing to give a chance

Mike grunted. "Alright, kid, let's see what you got. These boxes ain't gonna move themselves."

Carlos clapped me on the shoulder. "You'll do fine. Just follow Mike's lead."

As we started unloading, I quickly realized Mike wasn't just strong - he was efficient. The way he lifted and stacked boxes showed years of practice. I did my best to keep up, though.

[Observe: Level 1]'

[Activity: Box Moving]

Your Performance: Struggling but improving

Mike's Assessment: "Not completely useless"

Hidden Benefit: Physical exertion temporarily distracts from existential dread

By the time we finished, my shirt was stuck to my back with sweat but there was a stack of neatly arranged boxes and twenty bucks in my pocket. More importantly, Mike gave me an approving nod.

"Not bad, kid," he rumbled. "You got potential."

The observation skill confirmed:

[Quest Complete: Bodega Box Brigade] [Rewards: $20 | +5 XP | "Bodega Regular" Reputation | Mike's Respect +10%]

Carlos handed me the money with a rare smile. "Good work, Jamie. You come back anytime you need work."

As I walked out into the morning sunlight, something felt different. The observation skill noted:

[Status Update: Purpose +5% | Connection +10% | Depression -3%]

So, it classifies me as depressed, huh? No need to rub it in.

"Alright, what now?" I muttered, stepping onto the sidewalk.

[New Objective Available: Explore the City]

[Optional: Investigate local anomalies/heroes/news events.]

Yeah, fuck that. I don't even have an apartment, bro. I'm dirt poor. I am wearing some shitty ass clothes. These guys could've at least given me a beginner package or something.

[Would you like to open your beginner package?]

I froze.

"...You're kidding."

[Would you like to open your beginner package?][Yes] [No]

I sighed and hit 'Yes' without hesitation. If the simulation gods were feeling generous, I wasn't about to argue.

[Beginner Package Redeemed][Loading Contents... Stand by.]

The world shimmered, but only to me. Nothing changed on the street—people bustled past, cabs screamed by—but in my vision, icons bloomed like popups on a cracked screen.

[Unlocked: Starter Safehouse]

Name: Studio Apartment – Unit 3C

Location: 118 Delaney Street (0.6 miles SE)

Status: Rent-Free (Introductory Period)

Includes: Bed, kitchenette, wardrobe, toilet, working locks

I actually laughed out loud. A place to crash. That beat alleyways and bodega stools.

The list continued:

[Inventory Updated]

Urban Outfit Set (x3): Decent condition. Not stylish, not embarrassing.

Compact Utility Weapon: Telescoping baton. Concealed carry rating: High. Damage: Moderate.

$120 Local Cash (Non-traceable)

Basic Hygiene Kit: Toothbrush, razor, soap, deodorant, towel

Starter Phone: Dumbphone model, maps, camera, no signal

Transit Card: Unlimited fare, City Zone 1

Food Rations: 4x protein bars, 2x bottled water

But one item pulsed differently.

[Rare skill: Octopus Physique! 

You can transform into an octopus or an octopus hybrid at will. As a human, you possess enhanced physical stats that are further boosted underwater; they are boosted even more after transforming. In addition, you can independently control any part of your body without thought. As well as any other abilities the average octopus would otherwise possess.]

I raised my eyebrow. I didn't know what to think.

I stared at the pulsing icon.

"Octopus Physique," I said. "What in the H.P. Lovecraft acid-trip hell..."

The HUD didn't respond. It just floated there, smug and unhelpful.

I focused on the skill window, and more details unfolded like a glitchy pop-up ad:

[You are now cephalopod-compatible! Your physiology has been upgraded to permit limited trans-species transformation. Stretch, slither, and squeeze into tight spaces. Ink optional.]

"Ink optional," I repeated. "Jesus Christ."

But deep inside, something shifted. Muscles twitched in places I didn't know I had muscles. Not painful—just aware. Like a part of me had been unzipped and resewn with extra instructions.

I wasn't about to test it on the sidewalk, though. I still had some dignity left. Barely.

The HUD flickered again:

[Objective Updated: Reach Safehouse]

Distance: 0.6 miles

Estimated Travel Time: 13 minutes

Threat Level: Low

Hint: Stick to the main roads. Sewer traversal is not yet unlocked.

"Great," I muttered. 

____________________

So, credit to Bronz_Deck. He created this gacha where you can roll abilities, items and type shit, and I used it so that it'd be fun and random. Also, read his fanfics, they're excellent.