Two weeks passed in a surprisingly comfortable routine.
Every morning, I met Chen in the park for tai chi practice. The old man was a patient teacher, and my Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat skill was steadily improving through our sessions. I was up to 67/100 EXP, and I could feel the difference—my movements were smoother, my balance better, my body responding faster to my intentions.
[Basic Hand-to-Hand Combat has reached Lv.2!]
New Effects:Combat Effectiveness: +25% (was +20%)
CP Cost: 8 per minute (reduced from 10)
New Techniques Unlocked: Counter-Strike, Defensive Roll
The Grindhouse had become my second home. I went there almost daily, and Jade the barista had become something of a friend. We'd exchanged numbers after I'd helped her deal with an aggressive customer one afternoon—nothing dramatic, just calmly de-escalating the situation until the guy left. Turned out my Smooth Talker skill was useful for more than just flirting.
═══════════════════════════════════════
NEW CONTACT ADDED!
Jade Martinez
Affection : 23/100 [Friend]
Status : Casual friendship, no romantic interest (mutual)
Relationship Type : Platonic ally
Notes:
Fellow New Yorker, street-smart
Works at The Grindhouse
Appreciates directness and humor
Potential source of neighborhood information
═══════════════════════════════════════
More significantly, Natalie had become a regular fixture at the coffee shop too. She usually came in the late afternoon, always with that same situational awareness, always scanning the room before relaxing even slightly.
We'd fallen into an easy pattern of brief conversations—never more than five or ten minutes, usually while she waited for her order or on her way out. She'd comment on current events, I'd make an observation that made her smirk, and we'd part ways. Nothing deep, nothing forced, just... comfortable.
Her affection had climbed to 24/100, firmly in "acquaintance trending toward friend" territory. The system kept reminding me not to push, to let it develop naturally. Given that she was likely a trained spy, that seemed like excellent advice.
My investment portfolio was doing well too. I'd turned my initial ten thousand into nearly fourteen thousand through careful trading, and I'd moved another five thousand from my system card into the market, diversifying my holdings.
Everything was going smoothly.
Which is exactly when the news broke.
I was at The Grindhouse, laptop open, when my phone buzzed with a news alert.
BREAKING: Tony Stark Missing After Attack in Afghanistan
My coffee cup paused halfway to my lips. This was it. The moment that kicked off the entire MCU timeline.
I clicked the article, scanning quickly. The details matched what I remembered—convoy attacked, Stark missing, military and Stark Industries scrambling to find him. The official story was that they were conducting a search, but I knew the truth. Tony was in a cave with a car battery hooked to his chest, building the first Iron Man suit.
"Something wrong?"
I looked up to find Natalie standing beside my table, her own coffee in hand. She'd been at the counter when I'd gotten my alert.
"Just saw the news about Tony Stark," I said, turning my phone so she could see the headline.
Her expression flickered—something passed through her eyes too quickly for me to identify. "Shame. He's brilliant, even if he's also kind of an ass."
"You know him?"
"Seen him at a few events. Security consulting brings you into contact with all sorts of people." She paused. "Mind if I sit? My usual table's taken."
"Go ahead."
She settled into the chair across from me, and I noticed she'd positioned herself with a clear view of the door. Old habits, probably.
"You think they'll find him?" I asked, curious about her perspective.
"If anyone can survive something like this, it's probably Tony Stark. Guy's too arrogant to die in a cave somewhere." She sipped her coffee. "Though the odds aren't great. These kinds of kidnappings in that region usually don't end well."
"Dark but realistic."
"That's life." She studied me for a moment. "You seem more interested in this than the average person would be."
I shrugged, trying to play it casual. "Tech guy, billionaire genius, kind of hard not to pay attention. Plus, Stark Industries is a massive company. This is going to shake the markets."
"Ah. You're invested."
"Not in Stark Industries specifically, but I keep an eye on the tech sector. This'll have ripple effects."
═══════════════════════════════════════
[Smooth Talker - Active Mode Engaged]
CP Cost: -5
Dialogue Optimization Available:
Option A: Continue business angle (safe, reinforces cover)
Option B: Express genuine concern (shows empathy, slight vulnerability)
Option C: Change subject (missed opportunity for bonding)
Recommended: Option BReasoning: Natalie respects authenticity. Showing human concern builds trust without compromising your technical knowledge cover.
═══════════════════════════════════════
I decided to follow the system's suggestion. "Though honestly, market impacts aside, I hope they find the guy alive. The world could use more people actually pushing technology forward instead of just making money off it."
Natalie's expression softened slightly. "Surprisingly idealistic for someone who just admitted to watching market impacts."
"I can be both practical and hopeful. They're not mutually exclusive."
"Fair enough." She leaned back in her chair, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "You're an interesting guy, Alex Carter. Most people are one or the other—cynical and practical, or naive and hopeful. You seem to be threading the needle."
"I try. Life's too short to be completely cynical, but it's also too complicated to be completely naive."
"Wise words for someone your age."
"I'm twenty-five, not twelve."
She laughed at that—a real laugh, not the polite chuckle she usually gave. "Point taken. Sorry, occupational hazard. I work with a lot of people who think they know everything at twenty-five."
"Oh, I definitely don't know everything. I'm just good at figuring things out as I go."
═══════════════════════════════════════
RELATIONSHIP UPDATE
Natalie Rushman
Affection : 24 → 31/100 [Acquaintance → Friend]
Status : Friendship forming, trust building
Trust Level : 5 → 12/100
Mood: Relaxed and genuinely engaged
Progress Notes:
First extended conversation (10+ minutes)
Demonstrated balanced worldview (she values pragmatic idealism)
Made her laugh genuinely
She initiated deeper conversation topics
Warning: She's probing, trying to assess who you really are. Continue being authentic while maintaining operational security about system knowledge.
═══════════════════════════════════════
We talked for another twenty minutes—about the city, about our respective work (carefully vague on both sides), about the best pizza places in the neighborhood. It was the longest conversation we'd had, and it felt natural, easy.
When she finally had to leave for "a meeting," she paused at the door and looked back.
"Alex? Same time tomorrow?"
"I'll be here."
She nodded and left, and I sat there feeling like I'd just passed some kind of test.
Over the next three weeks, the Tony Stark situation dominated the news. The official story kept shifting—military claims they were close to finding him, then reports of dead ends, then speculation that he might already be dead.
I knew better. Tony was in that cave, building his way out, having his life-changing epiphany. Soon he'd burst out in the Mark I suit and make his way home.
But in the meantime, I had my own life to manage.
My daily quest completion had become routine, earning me a steady stream of SP and stat improvements. I was up to Level 4 now, with significantly better attributes across the board.
═══════════════════════════════════════
STATUS
═══════════════════════════════════════
Name : Alex Carter
Age : 25
Level : 4
Title : None
Harem Size : 0 Girlfriends
EXP : 3,200/5,000
CORE ATTRIBUTES:
STR (Strength) : 18/100
AGI (Agility) : 20/100
END (Endurance) : 19/100
INT (Intelligence) : 25/100
CHA (Charisma) : 35/100
LCK (Luck) : 22/100
CHARM : 41/100
SPECIAL STATS:
Sexual Stamina : 15/100
Emotional Intelligence : 23/100
Combat Prowess : 28/100
Magical Affinity : 0/100 [LOCKED]
Cosmic Awareness : 0/100 [LOCKED]
RESOURCE POOLS:
HP : 650/650 MP : 0/0 [LOCKED]
CP : 1,500/1,500 SP : 3,847
═══════════════════════════════════════
My relationship with Natalie had progressed to what I'd call "genuine friendship." We met for coffee three or four times a week now, sometimes just for a few minutes, sometimes for an hour or more. She'd relaxed around me considerably, though I could tell she was still holding back parts of herself.
Her affection was at 48/100—almost to the "close friend" threshold. The system had noted that she was someone who built trust slowly, which made sense for a spy.
One afternoon, about three and a half weeks after Stark's disappearance, Natalie arrived at The Grindhouse looking tense. Her shoulders were tight, her jaw set, and her eyes were harder than usual.
"Rough day?" I asked as she sat down at our usual table without even ordering first.
"You could say that." She rubbed her temples. "Can't talk about it, obviously, but yeah. Rough day."
"Want to talk about something completely unrelated to distract you?"
She looked up, and I saw genuine exhaustion in her eyes. "Actually, yes. Please."
So I told her about my disastrous attempt to cook pad thai the night before, complete with the moment I'd set off my smoke alarm and had to fan it desperately with a kitchen towel while my neighbors banged on the walls.
By the end of the story, she was smiling again. "You know there are restaurants that will deliver pad thai, right?"
"Where's the fun in that? Besides, I'm getting better at cooking. This was just... ambitious."
"Ambitious is one word for it." She leaned back, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Thanks. I needed that."
"Anytime. That's what friends are for, right?"
The word 'friends' hung in the air for a moment, and I saw something shift in her expression—surprise, maybe, or recognition.
"Yeah," she said quietly. "I guess we are friends, aren't we?"
"I mean, I'd like to think so. Unless you've just been tolerating me out of pity this whole time."
"Trust me, if I was just tolerating you, you'd know." She smiled, but there was something genuine in it. "I don't... make friends easily. My work makes it complicated."
"I get that. Well, not personally, but I understand the concept." I decided to take a small risk. "For what it's worth, I don't need to know everything about your work or your life. I'm happy just being the guy you can complain to about rough days and who makes you laugh with cooking disasters."
She studied me for a long moment, and I wondered if I'd overstepped. But then she nodded.
"You're really not like most people, Alex."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is."
═══════════════════════════════════════
RELATIONSHIP UPDATE
Natalie Rushman
Affection : 48 → 57/100 [Friend → Close Friend]
Status : Close friendship established
Trust Level : 12 → 25/100
Mood: Grateful and emotionally open (rare for her)
MILESTONE REACHED!
First Friend Status: Natalie Rushman
Rewards:
+100 SP
New Skill: [Emotional Support - Lv.1]
Trust building rate with all contacts +10%
Progress Notes:
She has explicitly acknowledged the friendship
You respected her boundaries while showing support
She's beginning to see you as a safe space
This is significant progress for someone with her background
Next Threshold: 61/100 for "Romantic Interest" territory
Warning: Moving from friendship to romance with this individual will require careful navigation. Do not rush. Do not push. Let her come to you.
═══════════════════════════════════════
A new skill notification appeared, and I quickly checked it.
═══════════════════════════════════════
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED!
[Emotional Support - Lv.1]
Type : Passive/Active
CP Cost : 20 per use (Active mode)
Passive Effect:
Better understanding of others' emotional states
+15% effectiveness when comforting or supporting others
Active Effect:
Provide optimal emotional support in difficult situations
Significantly reduces stress and anxiety in target
Strengthens emotional bonds
Description: Sometimes the best superpower is just being there for someone. This skill enhances your natural empathy and helps you know exactly what someone needs to hear.
═══════════════════════════════════════
That was... actually really useful. And kind of sweet that the system considered emotional support a skill worth having.
Natalie and I talked for another hour after that, and while she couldn't tell me details about her work, she opened up a bit about the frustrations of it—the bureaucracy, the difficulty of trusting people, the weight of responsibility.
I mostly just listened, occasionally offering a comment or observation. It wasn't about fixing anything; it was just about being present.
When she finally left, she squeezed my shoulder—a brief touch, but meaningful for someone as controlled as her.
"Thanks, Alex. Really."
"Anytime, Nat."
She paused at the door. "Nat?"
"Too familiar?"
"No, I... no one calls me that." She smiled, a little surprised. "I like it."
Then she was gone, and I was left sitting there wondering if I'd just made significant progress or if I was reading too much into things.
The system seemed to think it was progress, at least.
Two days later, the news broke: Tony Stark had been found alive.
I was at home when my phone exploded with alerts. Every news station was covering it—grainy footage of Tony being rescued by the military, reports of his scheduled press conference, speculation about what had happened during his captivity.
I grabbed my laptop and started watching everything I could find. The footage showed a haggard Tony Stark, thinner than he should be, but alive and talking. The arc reactor in his chest wasn't visible under his clothes, but I knew it was there.
This was it. The beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as I knew it.
And I needed to figure out how to position myself to be part of it without being obvious or suspicious.
The press conference was scheduled for the next day. Tony would stand up there and announce that Stark Industries was shutting down weapons manufacturing. The stock would crater. And I would be ready.
I spent the evening preparing, moving funds around, setting up limit orders to execute the moment Stark Industries stock hit certain price points. This was my big play, the investment that would give me serious financial resources.
When I finally went to bed, I was too wired to sleep. Tomorrow, Tony Stark would change the world. And I'd be ready to ride that wave.
My phone buzzed around 11 PM. A text from Natalie.
Natalie: You watching the Stark news?
Alex: Kind of hard not to. Everyone's talking about it.
Natalie: Press conference tomorrow. Should be interesting.
Alex: That's one word for it. Surprising? Dramatic? Potentially market-shaking?
Natalie: All of the above. You planning to watch it?
Alex: Absolutely. The Grindhouse has a TV. Probably going to be packed.
Natalie: Mind if I join you?
I stared at my phone for a moment. She'd never suggested actually meeting up for something specific before. This felt different, more intentional.
Alex: I'd like that. Say 1 PM? Conference starts at 2.
Natalie: Perfect. See you then.
I set my phone down, smiling despite myself. Progress, definitely progress.
The next day, The Grindhouse was indeed packed. Everyone wanted to watch Tony Stark's first public appearance since his rescue. Jade had wheeled out a TV from the back room and set it up on the counter, and people were crowded around with their laptops and phones, waiting.
I'd arrived early and claimed a table with a good view of the screen. Natalie showed up right at 1 PM, looking more casual than usual in jeans and a simple sweater.
"Saved you a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me.
"My hero," she said with a slight smirk, settling in. "This place is crazy today."
"Major news brings out the crowds. Plus, free entertainment."
Jade brought over our usual orders without being asked. "You two are too predictable," she said with a grin. "Enjoy the show!"
Natalie and I chatted while we waited, talking about nothing in particular—the weather, a new restaurant that had opened nearby, a movie we'd both seen. Easy conversation, comfortable silence when it lapsed.
At 2 PM, the conference started.
Tony Stark appeared on screen, and a hush fell over the coffee shop. He looked rough—the arc reactor was visible as a subtle glow under his shirt, his face was gaunt, and there was something different in his eyes. Harder. More focused.
He sat down on the floor instead of standing at the podium, and I saw Natalie lean forward slightly, interested.
The speech started normally enough—thanking people for their support, acknowledging Obadiah Stane, talking about his father's legacy.
Then came the bomb.
"I never got to say goodbye to my father. There's questions I would have asked him. I would have asked him how he felt about what his company did. If he was conflicted, if he ever had doubts."
The room was completely silent now.
"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them. And I saw that I had become part of a system that is comfortable with zero accountability."
"Oh shit," someone muttered behind me.
"Effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries—"
The coffee shop erupted. People were shouting at the TV, phones were ringing, laptops were opening as people checked stock prices in real-time.
I glanced at my phone. Stark Industries stock was in free fall.
I executed my trades.
Natalie was watching the screen intently, her expression unreadable. When she finally looked at me, there was something calculating in her eyes.
"You knew," she said quietly, barely audible over the chaos.
"What?"
"You positioned yourself for this. That's why you've been so interested in the Stark situation."
For a moment, I considered lying. But I'd promised myself I'd be authentic with her, and she'd see through a lie anyway.
"I didn't know specifically," I said carefully. "But I thought something big might happen. Guys like Stark don't go through something like that without coming out changed. I just... hedged my bets."
She studied me for a long moment, and I couldn't read her expression. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
"That's actually pretty smart. Risky, but smart."
"Sometimes you have to take risks."
"I suppose you do." She took a sip of her coffee, still watching me with those sharp green eyes. "You continue to surprise me, Alex Carter."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is."
═══════════════════════════════════════
RELATIONSHIP UPDATE
Natalie Rushman
Affection : 57 → 63/100 [Close Friend → Romantic Interest Territory]
Status : Attracted to your mind and foresight
Trust Level : 25 → 32/100
IMPORTANT: Romantic Interest Threshold Crossed
Mood: Intrigued and attracted
Progress Notes:
She's beginning to see you as more than just a friend
Your intelligence and strategic thinking appeal to her
Shared experience during major event strengthened bond
She respects that you took a calculated risk
Warning: This is a delicate phase. She's attracted but cautious. Continue building trust while allowing subtle romantic tension to develop naturally. Do NOT make an obvious move yet.
═══════════════════════════════════════
Around us, the chaos continued. People were shouting into phones, cursing at their laptops, arguing about what this meant for the economy. Jade looked overwhelmed behind the counter.
But at our table, Natalie and I sat in a bubble of relative calm, watching each other more than the TV now.
"So," she said eventually. "I'm guessing you just made some money."
"Hopefully. Won't know until the market settles, but yeah, probably."
"And what are you going to do with your mysterious wealth?"
"Probably invest it right back. Build something sustainable." I paused. "Though I might celebrate a little first. Dinner somewhere nicer than my usual takeout?"
It was the closest I'd come to asking her out, and I saw her catch it. For a moment, I thought she might deflect or decline.
Then she smiled. "Are you asking me out, Alex?"
My heart rate picked up. "Would you say yes if I was?"
"Depends. Where would we go?"
"There's an Italian place in Chelsea I've heard good things about. Quiet, good food, perfect for celebrating good investments and near-death experiences of billionaire industrialists."
She laughed. "That's quite a pitch."
"I'm a man of many talents."
"I'm starting to see that." She finished her coffee, standing up. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay, let's have dinner. Friday night? 7 PM?"
"Perfect. I'll text you the details."
She headed for the door, then looked back. "And Alex? This is a date. Just so we're clear."
"Crystal clear."
She smiled and left, and I sat there feeling like I'd just won the lottery.
Which, given the current state of my stock portfolio, wasn't entirely inaccurate.
═══════════════════════════════════════
MAJOR MILESTONE!
First Date Secured!
Natalie Rushman - Friday, 7 PM
Rewards:
+250 SP
New Item Available: [Date Night Enhancement Pack]
Confidence boost: +5 CHA for 48 hours
Quest Generated:
[NEW!] Perfect First Date
Objective : Successfully navigate your first date with Natalie Rushman
Success Conditions:
Make her genuinely smile at least 3 times
Have meaningful conversation (no awkward silences)
End with positive impression and interest in second date
Bonus: Physical contact (hand holding, etc.)
Rewards : Based on performance Minimum: +500 SP, +10 affection
Perfect Date: +1,500 SP, +25 affection, Special Reward
Time Limit : Friday, 7 PM - End of Date
Warning: First dates set the tone for entire relationships. Make it count.
═══════════════════════════════════════
I looked at the notification, then at the door Natalie had just left through, then at the TV where Tony Stark was still dealing with the fallout of his announcement.
Three and a half weeks in the Marvel Universe, and I had:
A growing investment portfolio
Combat training from a tai chi master
A genuine friendship with a woman who was probably a super spy
And now, a date with said super spy
My life had gotten very complicated, very quickly.
But as I checked my phone and saw that my Stark Industries investment had already gained twenty percent in the chaos—buying the dip, just like I'd planned—I couldn't help but grin.
Complicated was good. Complicated meant interesting. Complicated meant I was actually living instead of just surviving.
I had three days to prepare for the most important first date of my life.
Time to get to work.