Chương 1: C1
Queens, New York City
"Ring ring ring ring ring!"
As soon as the school bell at Midtown High School rang, Kain bolted out of the classroom with his schoolbag in hand, eager to leave. His friend Carl, noticing this, quickly called out, "Hey, Kain, you promised to play video games with me today!"
"Uh, Carl, I actually said 'next time,' which means the day after tomorrow," Kain replied, briefly poking his head back into the classroom doorway. He added, "Next time, Carl."
"Cunning Kain... Are we sure he's talking about tomorrow?" Carl muttered under his breath. Kain had used the same excuse the last time, and they still hadn't completed the level that required two players. It was starting to feel like a pattern.
Another student passed by Carl, chuckling. "If you remind Kain every day, he might actually realize it's tomorrow sometime next year."
Carl sighed, "He loves guns more than hanging out with his best friend." He grumbled to himself and packed his things, determined to beat the level solo if it came to that. If he didn't pass by his 200th try, Carl swore he'd drag Kain over, no excuses.
Kain had definitely changed, and it wasn't just the small stuff. Carl could sense something different in him, especially over the past three years...
It's now the year 2000, and Kain has been in this new Marvel world for exactly three years. When he first realized he'd somehow crossed into this universe, he experienced a whirlwind of emotions—fear, excitement, confusion. But now, after settling into his new life, he could remain calm in the face of the extraordinary events happening around him.
Why is he so sure it's the Marvel world? Kain managed to use some inheritance from his parents to invest in various ventures, including stocks in Stark Industries. As he watched the company's progression and the events unfolding around him, he became certain: he was in the universe of superheroes and villains.
Inheriting his family's estate had been a challenge, but thanks to his parents' foresight, they'd hired a lawyer before their deaths to ensure the process went smoothly. Kain ended up with 34% of the shares in a private hospital, a million dollars in cash, three homes, and two cars. While taxes and legal fees ate into a good portion of it, Kain was left with more than enough to get by.
Determined to make the most of his situation, Kain invested $600,000 into the stock market, benefiting from insider knowledge of companies like Stark Industries and other tech giants. He rode the wave of the dot-com boom, growing his wealth significantly. By the year 2000, he was sitting on tens of millions of dollars, enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.
With such wealth, he could easily have settled into a life of luxury: private villas, full-time staff, and gourmet meals every day. But Kain knew better than to let his guard down. This was the Marvel world—a place filled with superheroes, villains, and world-ending catastrophes. Wealth wouldn't save him if he didn't have the means to protect himself.
Thankfully, Kain had a personal advantage: a stronger memory and increased focus, which he attributed to the new body he found himself in after the time travel. These gifts allowed him to quickly excel academically, earning the top spot in his senior year at Midtown High School. Between his grades and financial status, he had his pick of universities, but his true focus lay elsewhere.
Kain dedicated hours each week to visiting a shooting range in the suburbs, practicing with firearms. For someone without superhuman abilities, guns were the most practical way to ensure his safety.
After leaving school, Kain hopped on his motorcycle and rode to the training range, where someone was already waiting for him at the entrance.
"Hey, Kain! Right on time as always," the coach, Jimmy, greeted him with a grin. Jimmy was used to Kain's regular visits and enthusiasm for shooting. Having a wealthy client like Kain was good for business, so Jimmy was always keen to offer personalized attention.
"What's on the agenda today?" Jimmy asked. "Same as usual?"
Kain nodded. "Same guns, same drills."
Jimmy chuckled. "You know, with your skills, you could enter competitions. You wouldn't win every time, but you'd definitely place in the top ten."
Kain grinned but didn't respond. He knew his shooting skills were solid, but competitions weren't his goal. His objective was simple: survival. In a world where gods, monsters, and madmen roamed, being well-armed might give him a chance to stay alive.
Jimmy led Kain to the range, and soon, the rhythmic sound of gunfire filled the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kain's shots were sharp and precise. By the end of the session, Jimmy couldn't help but be impressed again. "You've really improved, Kain. Your accuracy is better than ever."
"Thanks," Kain replied, wiping sweat from his brow. He grabbed a bottle of water and took a few sips before turning to Jimmy.
"So, about that thing I asked you to look into..."
Jimmy hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "Kain, what you're asking for… those are restricted weapons. It's dangerous. Why not just hire bodyguards if you're worried about safety?"
Kain gave him a knowing smile. "Come on, Jimmy. You know I have a house in the suburbs. It's not like I'm stockpiling for a war. I just want to be prepared. Plus, you'll make some extra cash out of it."
Jimmy sighed, realizing Kain wouldn't be swayed. After a moment, he pulled a small note from his pocket and handed it over. "Go to this address," he said in a low voice. "Tell them you're a friend of Jimmy's, and they'll help you out."
Kain pocketed the note, giving Jimmy a nod of thanks. The truth was, in this unpredictable world, being "prepared" was a necessity, not just a hobby. He didn't know when things might spiral out of control—when some supervillain or cosmic entity might bring chaos to his doorstep. But when that time came, Kain intended to be ready.
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