Marvel: A Man with a System

After some searching, David walked into a small, quiet diner. The scent of sizzling patties and fresh fries filled the air, a welcome change from the stale emptiness of his apartment. He ordered a classic burger with fries and settled into a booth near the window.

The chatter around him was lively but predictable.

"Thor's definitely a god," a man at the counter argued, waving a fry for emphasis.

"Come on, he's just an alien with a hammer," his friend scoffed.

Further back, an older couple muttered about the increased security in the city. On the mounted TV, the news played a segment on Stark Tower's reconstruction, along with an opinion piece on how New York was "moving on" from the invasion.

David ate in silence, his senses tuned to his surroundings. Paranoia lingered at the edges of his mind, an instinct he wasn't sure would ever fade. Still, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

After finishing his meal, he left a decent tip for the waitress and stepped out into the cool night air.

Halfway home, he cursed under his breath. Right. There's nothing to eat tomorrow.

Changing direction, he headed toward a nearby 24-hour supermarket. Under the fluorescent lights, he grabbed essentials—vegetables, eggs, milk, bacon, snacks, fresh produce, and some extra cleaning supplies.

As he browsed, an uneasy feeling crept over him. Someone's behind me. Casually, he turned his head.

An old woman stood by the soup cans, scrutinizing labels with a frown.

David exhaled, shaking off his nerves.

Relax. Not everything is a threat.

After paying in cash, he bagged his groceries and stepped outside. The street was quiet, the occasional car passing by, headlights flashing across the pavement. He started walking briskly, feeling the dull pain in his neck and head intensify. He clenched his jaw and quickened his pace.

Reaching his apartment building, he stepped into the elevator and pressed his floor number. As the doors slid open, familiar voices greeted him. He turned to see his neighbors—a friendly couple with a young daughter.

The little girl peeked from behind her mother and waved.He hesitated, then returned the gesture, feeling strangely out of place. After a few more pleasantries, he excused himself and entered his apartment.

Locking the door behind him, David sighed.

He unpacked the groceries, placing everything neatly in the fridge and cupboards. Grabbing a small snack, he ate quickly, but the throbbing in his neck and head was getting worse.

With another sigh, he fished out the pain meds from the hospital and swallowed a dose. His gaze flicked to the clock—it was already late.

Tomorrow. I'll figure out my next steps tomorrow.

Stripping down to comfortable clothes, he collapsed onto the bed. As his body sank into the mattress, exhaustion finally took over, pulling him into a deep sleep.

---

---

The Next Day...

A faint ray of morning light filtered through the blinds, casting soft patterns across the ceiling.

David stirred, eyes fluttering open. There was no grogginess, no confusion—just the quiet realization that he had woken up on his own this time.

With a deep breath, he sat up and leaned back against the bed frame, his gaze sweeping across the familiar but still somewhat foreign room.

He let out a slow sigh, rubbing his face before glancing around once more. Everything in the room—the furniture, the walls, the faint morning light peeking through the blinds—felt real. Solid.

"Yup. Still not a dream," he muttered under his breath.

Leaning his head back against the wall, he exhaled sharply. Maybe… just maybe, it really was time to move on. He had no significant attachments to his past life—no family, no deep friendships that would have carried over into this new world. It had been a life filled with routine, fleeting joys, and an endless cycle of work. Nothing that truly anchored him.

And yet, despite accepting this reality, part of him still clung to the past. Nostalgia, perhaps? Or was it just the simple fact that change—no matter how inevitable—was never easy?

"Well," he muttered, "at least no one checks my browser history."

He snorted at his own joke, shaking his head. Small comforts.

But jokes aside, he knew he had to start moving forward in earnest. As he got out of bed, a familiar blue screen appeared in front of him.

[Daily Quest Issued!]

[Quest: Physical Conditioning

Push-ups: 0/20

Sit-ups: 0/20

Squats: 0/20

Jogging (In Place or Outside): 0/5 minutes

Reward: +1 to 2 Random Stat, 5 System Points]

David sighed. He was already getting used to this. No dramatic reactions, no excited exclamations like the protagonists in web novels. Just another part of his reality now.

He dismissed the screen and headed to the bathroom, intending to start fresh.

As he splashed cold water on his face, he finally took a proper look at himself in the mirror. It was still bizarre to see someone else's face staring back at him.

His blue eyes stared back at him. His face wasn't overly handsome or unattractive—just... average. A straight nose, slightly defined cheekbones, a jawline that wasn't too sharp but not weak either.

His slightly unkempt brown hair looked like it hadn't seen a proper cut in a while. If he had to describe himself in a word, it would be unremarkable—a face that wouldn't stand out in a crowd, which, in this chaotic world, was probably a good thing.

His gaze drifted lower to his body. He was lean, but not in a fit way—more like someone who hadn't done much physical activity in a long time. There was little definition in his arms and torso, and his skin was pale, likely from months in the hospital.

His eyes finally settled on the scar at the back of his neck, running down to his shoulder. He traced a finger over it, feeling the uneven texture. A near-death experience he hadn't even lived through.

David exhaled. Alright. Enough staring.

With that, he brushed his teeth, freshened up, and changed into a pair of loose shorts and a plain T-shirt.

---

Before starting his workout, David took care of his usual morning tasks. He cleaned up his apartment a bit, wiped down the kitchen counters.

Once that was done, he stood in the middle of his living room, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. His body still felt sluggish from months of inactivity, but that was exactly why this quest was necessary.

"Alright, let's do this."

First up—push-ups.

David got down on the floor and positioned himself. The first five were easy. By the tenth, his arms started to burn. By the fifteenth, his movements slowed. He gritted his teeth, pushing out the last five with effort before collapsing onto the floor, breathing heavily.

"Damn... I'm out of shape."

After a short rest, he moved on to sit-ups. His abs protested by the twelfth rep, but he forced himself through. Squats were easier in comparison, though his thighs burned by the end.

Finally, jogging. Since he wasn't ready to go outside, he jogged in place for five minutes, focusing on maintaining a steady pace. His breathing became labored halfway through, and by the end, sweat dripped down his forehead.

A familiar chime sounded.

[Quest Completed!]

[Rewards:

+1 Agility, +1 Strength, +5 System Points]

David wiped his face with a towel, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

He exhaled deeply, drinking a glass of water before slumping onto the couch. His muscles already felt sore, but it was a good kind of sore.

He leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.

---

---

After completing his exercise, David slowly rose to his feet, his muscles protesting with every movement. He stretched his arms over his head, then made his way to the bathroom.

The cool water from the shower seemed to soothe his sore muscles, the steam filling the small space and helping to clear his head. He let the water run over him, giving himself a moment to just be—no distractions, no worries, just the steady rhythm of droplets.

When he stepped out, the foggy mirror in front of him reflected his pale, tired face. He wiped it clear with his towel, glancing at his appearance in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. His eyes lingered on the reflection.

He sighed and walked out of the bathroom. He paused mid-motion. Damn, was he sighing this much before?

He was starting to sound like an old man stuck in a twenty-something's body.

As he toweled off, his gaze flicked to the clothes folded neatly in the cupboard. They were functional, sure—but they weren't his.

Maybe it was time for an upgrade.

They were just things the Old David had. He thought about it for a moment—it was time to revamp his wardrobe. He had no idea what his budget was, but he'd figure it out.

He pulled on a plain white long-sleeve T-shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans—nothing fancy, just functional. Once dressed, he walked to the kitchen to make breakfast. A light breakfast. Scrambled eggs, toast, and a glass of milk. It was quick but filling.

As he sat at the kitchen counter, chewing his toast thoughtfully, David's mind wandered. Today would be the day he tried to get things in order.

First step—check in with his old work. He needed to see if he still had a job waiting for him, or if the company had just moved on.

A new phone wouldn't hurt, either. Maybe a laptop—something reliable. And a new watch. His old one was broken, useless. But he had no interest in anything fancy. Practicality was his focus now.

He finished his breakfast, placed the dishes in the sink, and stood up. He walked over to his closet, grabbing a thick hoodie to layer over his outfit. Tossing it on, he made sure to grab a water bottle, slipping it into the side pocket of his crossbody bag.

The bag itself was simple, no frills, but it would do. He tucked his pain medications into the bag as well, just in case the day proved more taxing than he anticipated.

After a final glance around the apartment, David grabbed his wallet and keys, slipping them into his pocket. The broken watch joined them.

A moment later, he was locking the door behind him and stepping into the elevator.

The cool morning air hit him as he stepped outside. The hustle of the city was in full swing, people rushing about in their routines. He walked to the intersection, glancing up and down the street.

He raised a hand, flagging down a taxi. The driver pulled over, gesturing for him to hop in.

"Where to?" the driver asked. David replied by giving the address and slipped into the backseat to settle in.

The taxi pulled away from the curb, merging into traffic as they began the short journey across the city. He just looked outside the window and looked around the area to memorize the route in case he needed it in the future.

He was still adjusting to everything, but there was a small part of him that felt... hopeful. Maybe not about where he was, but about what he could do with this second chance.

To Be Continued...

[STATUS]

[Name: David Arthur Brown

Age: 23

Race: Human

Strength: 5

Agility: 6

Intelligence: 9

SP: 5 points

Skills : Hand-to-Hand Combat (Master)

Inventory: Glock 17 (5 Mags, Leg Holster), $4500 Cash]