Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Power and Preparation

Chapter3: Power and Preparation

The next day dawned bright, but Arthur's mind was already racing with thoughts of his next moves. His sub-space glimmered with the energy of the antiques he had absorbed, each one a powerful relic of the past. He now had 100,000 System Energy—a tremendous sum. As he stood in his mansion, surveying the vast collection he had built, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. But Arthur knew this was only the beginning.

"I'll need more energy before I make my first leap into another world," he muttered. "But at least, for now, the system shouldn't be an issue for a long time."

For the next six days, Arthur traveled the globe again, returning to his trusted dealers and secretive auction houses. His travels took him from hidden markets in Istanbul to private collections in remote regions of the Amazon. Each item he acquired was carefully selected, its energy absorbed and added to his ever-growing reservoir. By the end of the week, he had absorbed just as much energy as before, and now his reserves were enormous.

System Energy: 200,000.

But despite his success, Arthur began to feel the strain of constant travel. The exhilaration of collecting and absorbing energy was being replaced by physical exhaustion. It was taking its toll on his body. He had always been a collector, not a globetrotter, and the demands of this new life were starting to wear on him.

One day, after a long, exhausting journey, he spoke aloud to the system. "Hey, System, I'm getting tired of constantly going around the world. How can I level up my stats? I need more energy and endurance."

The system's response was immediate:

"There is a Shop function available within the system. You can purchase attributes, skills, abilities, and powers to enhance your physical and mental capabilities."

Arthur's eyes lit up. He hadn't explored the shop function before, but now it seemed like the perfect solution. He opened the interface, and a vast list of items and upgrades scrolled before him. There were options for nearly everything—strength, agility, intelligence, and more.

"I don't need anything too powerful," Arthur muttered, scanning through the options. "I just need something to keep me going, to enhance my stamina and energy levels." As he continued to browse, one particular item caught his eye:

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Captain America Super Soldier Serum (Perfected Version):

Energy Cost: 20,000 System Energy

Description: The perfected version of the Super Soldier Serum. Provides enhanced strength, stamina, agility, and healing abilities without the side effects.

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Arthur grinned. "This will do nicely," he said, not hesitating for a moment. He purchased the serum, feeling a rush of excitement as the system confirmed the transaction. A vial of shimmering blue liquid appeared in his sub-space.

Without a second thought, Arthur summoned the vial and held it in his hand. "Here goes nothing," he said, injecting the serum directly into his arm. A burning sensation shot through his veins, but it wasn't painful—just intense. Within moments, he felt his muscles tighten, his senses sharpen, and his body grow stronger. His stamina, once limited, seemed endless now.

He flexed his hands, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. "Incredible…"

But that wasn't all. He knew he would need more than just strength. He needed survival skills. The places he planned to go, the worlds he intended to visit, would be filled with dangers he had never encountered before. And who better to teach survival than one of the best?

"System," Arthur said, scrolling through the shop again. "I need survival skills. Give me the survival abilities of someone like… The Punisher from Marvel."

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Punisher Survival Skills:

Energy Cost: 5,000 System Energy

Description: Survival skills of Frank Castle, including tactical planning, field medical expertise, weapon proficiency, and survival techniques in hostile environments.

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Arthur smiled as he purchased the skill. Immediately, his mind was filled with knowledge and instinct—how to survive in almost any situation, how to use the environment to his advantage, and how to stay calm under pressure.

"Now I'm ready," he thought, feeling more prepared than ever.

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As Arthur stood there, feeling the immediate effects of the serum flowing through his body and the survival skills now embedded in his mind, he called up the system interface to check his remaining resources.

The familiar transparent screen appeared before him, showing his updated status:

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Name:Arthur Greyas

Title:The Collector

System Energy:175,000

Divinity:0

Cosmic Energy:0

Stats:

- HP: 200

- Strength: 12 → 21(Super Soldier Serum)

- Intelligence: 17

- Charm: 12

- Stamina: 9 → 23 (Super Soldier Serum)

- Agility: 10 → 24(Super Soldier Serum)

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Arthur grinned at the numbers. "175,000 System Energy left. Not bad, I still have more than enough for future needs." He flexed his muscles, marveling at the newfound strength he could feel coursing through him.

The Super Soldier Serum had increased his physical capabilities beyond his expectations. His body felt light, agile, and ready to take on any challenge. On top of that, with The Punisher's survival skills, he was more than prepared to face the dangers of other worlds.

"This is it," he said to himself. "I've got the power and the knowledge. Time to collect more antiques and prepare for my first world traversal."

With that, Arthur set out once again, feeling stronger and more determined than ever, ready to complete his preparations for the ultimate journey to another world.

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With his newfound abilities, Arthur continued his collecting spree, venturing into places that would have been far too dangerous for him before. The system guided him to hidden temples deep in the jungles of South America, where ancient relics radiated with untapped energy. He trekked through dense forests and climbed forgotten ruins, absorbing energy from relics that hadn't seen the light of day for centuries.

He traveled to the Himalayas, where a secret monastery held artifacts imbued with mystical power. The monks who guarded them never knew what was happening as Arthur stood near, quietly absorbing the energy. Each relic he came across filled him with more power, and his system energy surged.

System Energy: 175,000... 270,000...

In Africa, he found a hidden cave filled with ancient tribal relics, each one humming with the energy of the ancestors. He stood in the cave, absorbing the energy from all around him, feeling it flow into his system like a torrent.

System Energy: 302,000.

No longer was he the exhausted man who had to trek across the world, tired and worn. Now, with the Super Soldier Serum coursing through his veins and The Punisher's survival skills ingrained in his mind, he felt unstoppable.

Arthur looked at his growing reserves of energy and smiled. Soon, he would have enough to travel to any world he desired, and nothing—no world, no artifact, no danger—could stand in his way.