Quest System in Marvel: Unlikely Hero

The training sessions were grueling. Falcon had the team practice combat techniques for hours, drilling them in acrobatics, coordination, and precision. Josh restricted himself to his human form, albeit much weaker, as he felt the need to be able to defend himself when posing as a civilian. Memories of his first few encounters in this world lingered—Mutants were not well received- Two years ago, Magneto had kidnapped the president and tried to turn the world leaders into Mutants; the X-men were able to stop them before any damage but were still publicly mistrusted. His lizard hybrid form screamed Mutant to anyone looking. The human form felt safer and less conspicuous, giving him room to navigate without putting a target on his back. He also harbored a deep-seated caution about revealing his monstrous form to S.H.I.E.L.D., knowing their reputation for double agents, sleeper agents, and hidden agendas. Josh trusted individuals but never organizations; the more significant the organizations, the more likely there are a few bad apples, especially with government organizations. The thought of drawing too much attention to his unique powers made him uneasy, especially in an environment where trust was a rare commodity. He practiced diligently, pushing himself to keep up with the others, even as he quietly honed a skill he hadn't fully understood before—his ability to recognize emotions through his enhanced olfactory senses. At night, he looked at his System and checked out the Quest store.

Quest Store:

Daily Store: Refreshed every 24 hours, this store offers a selection of smaller items—tools, gadgets, or minor enhancements. The cheapest item currently costs 100 Quest Coins.

Monthly Store: Updates once a month, showcasing mid-tier options such as specialized weapons, utility gear, or single-use powers from his original Earth's fiction. Prices here often start at 1000 Quest Coins.

Seasonal Store: This store rotates quarterly and features high-value items like iconic gear or unique powers from video games, movies, and comic books Josh recognizes. These items are incredible but staggeringly expensive, often costing thousands of Quest Coins.

Each Section only held five items. He didn't know if it was auto-refreshed once the item was purchased or if he always had to wait for the refresh. The limitation gnawed at him slightly—he couldn't decide if it was frustrating to have so few options or motivating to work toward earning enough Quest Coins for the better items. Part of him enjoyed the challenge, the gamified promise of unlocking a new, coveted tool or weapon. But another part of him, who remembered how resource-scarce life could be, wished the System was just a little more generous. He had to figure out that when he unlocked the main questline... Whatever that meant. With him stuck in the SHIELD base, it was hard for him to complete his next quest: stop a crime.

By the second day, he noticed subtle shifts in the team's dynamics. His enhanced olfactory senses painted an intricate map of emotions around him, as each scent carried unique emotional signatures. Blue Streak's overconfidence seemed to mask something more profound. During a sparring session, Josh caught a faint, acrid scent—nervous sweat mixed with the metallic tang of fear. He realized Blue Streak was lying about something. Blue Streak's overconfidence seemed to mask something else. During a sparring session, Josh caught a faint, acrid scent—nervous sweat mixed with the metallic tang of fear. Almost every word about his past was a lie; one blue streak didn't want to be caught in. Josh decided not to confront him directly. Revealing what he knew might make things more dangerous, especially if Blue Streak hid something significant. For now, it was safer to observe and gather more clues.

On the other hand, Wendell exuded a mixture of apprehension and determination whenever he used his Quantum Bands. The faint ozone scent of his power was tinged with unease, and Josh speculated that Wendell might be afraid of them.

Then there was Vamp. Her outward charm and sultry demeanor fooled everyone else but not Josh. The sharp, acidic edge of disgust clung to her, directed at everyone in the room. She was playing the role of seductress but loathed every second of it.

On the third day, Falcon finally called for a break. The team, exhausted but starting to work together more fluidly, welcomed the reprieve. However, their enthusiasm was dampened because they were still confined to the basement of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Josh found himself in a quiet corner, observing the group. He couldn't shake the sense that something was off. Blue Streak had been acting increasingly cagey, and Vamp had barely interacted with the team beyond her rehearsed flirtations. When the break ended and training resumed, Josh noticed Blue Streak and Vamp were absent.

That evening, Falcon, Marvel Man, Texas Twister, and Josh received a surprise visit in the Rec room from the Director of SHIELD, Nick Fury.

"Congratulations," Fury said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The Super-Agent Program is officially disbanded. Delandan never got authorization from S.H.I.E.L.D. to form this little squad. And to make matters worse, he didn't even bother checking the backgrounds of half the people he recruited."

Falcon stepped forward, his jaw tight. "What happened, sir?"

"Blue Streak tried to break into restricted files," Fury explained, his eye narrowing. "He was trying to access schematics for the Helicarriers, likely for external sale. As for Vamp, she disappeared immediately, and we suspect she was a decoy to create a diversion for his escape. Delandan seems to have orchestrated their roles, though it's unclear who he works for."

Wendell looked stricken. "What happens to us now?"

Fury turned to him and Falcon. "You two are coming with me. Delandan's mess isn't clean itself, and I need agents I can trust to find him."

He then looked at Texas Twister and Josh. "As for you two, you're done. You're clean and new enough that you have had no contact with sensitive information; consider yourselves lucky you're walking out of here."

Josh felt a knot of frustration and relief. Frustration at the wasted effort and time spent pushing himself for a program that had been doomed from the start. Relief because, deep down, he had always suspected this setup was too chaotic to succeed.

Texas Twister tipped his hat, his expression unreadable. "Well, guess that's that. I was never much of a City Boy. I'm heading home; I wouldn't want to lose my Texas moniker. Good luck, fellas." Despite his nonchalant tone, his voice had a faint undertone of resignation. Texas Twister valued his independence and wasn't one to linger where he didn't fit in. Josh guessed he saw the program as a means to an end—get his payout and leave before the situation worsened. It wasn't bitterness but a pragmatic acceptance of the circumstances. Josh knew he had a similar mindset; both seemed more comfortable on the fringes than at the center of attention. Josh knew that Texas Twister asked for his money in advance, just like him; it was something they bonded over. It seemed he was set on heading out before they asked for it back. Seeing how he wanted to keep his money and ID, Josh followed him.

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After losing his first job, Josh wandered aimlessly through the streets, his thoughts tangled in frustration and introspection. Why was he working so hard to establish himself in this world? Was he looking at it the wrong way? He stopped in the middle of a crowded intersection, the flow of people parting around him as if he were a rock in a stream. The realization hit him like a breath of fresh air—he wasn't lost or wandering aimlessly. He was free. Completely free.

"No rules, no past tying me down," he muttered. "I can do whatever I want here. Why am I clinging to the notion of a 9-5? You are not Josh Carter from Toole, Utah. You're Josh Carter, the Universe hopping System user."

As he continued his walk, his newfound sense of freedom grew. He smiled faintly, imagining the limitless possibilities this world offered. He could be anyone and do anything, but what exactly did he want to do?

His wandering led him to an alley, where a muffled grunt caught his attention. He froze, peering into the shadows to see a man—a pimp, judging by his flashy clothes and aggressive posture—striking a young Hispanic goth woman who was taking the beating with no emotions. Judging by her attire, Josh assumed she was a Prostitute.

Josh lingered momentarily, watching people hurry past the alley without a second glance. The sound of the city felt muted here, the distant hum of cars and occasional honk clashing with the sharp crack of the Pimp's hand striking the woman. The faint, coppery scent of blood mixed with the woman's subtle perfume hit his heightened senses like a punch to the gut. The flickering streetlight overhead cast jagged shadows, making the scene look even more grotesque. Anger bubbled up in his chest, his fists clenching as his breathing steadied. This wasn't something he could ignore. He clenched his fists, his decision made. "I can do what I want. I don't need someone to tell me where I should interfere," he muttered. "I might as well see where this quest system takes me."

Stepping into the alley, Josh approached the man with deliberate steps. The Pimp barely glanced at him, dismissing Josh's scrawny form with a sneer. "Walk away, kid. This ain't your business."

Josh stopped just short of the man and grabbed his raised hand mid-swing. The Pimp's eyes widened in shock as he tried to pull away, but Josh's grip didn't budge.

"It looks like a battery to me, making it a crime. I'm just here to stop a crime," Josh said, his voice low and steady.

The Pimp's shock turned to anger, and he reached for a gun tucked into his waistband. "That is where you are wrong. She is my property; I own her, so I can do whatever I want with her. Do you really wanna play hero for some whore you don't even know?"

Josh tightened his grip, his calm demeanor shifting as he leaned in. "I am no hero, and you are no monster. Do you enjoy playing a monster?" he asked, his voice on an ominous edge. "Because I can show you a real monster."

Before the Pimp could respond, Josh's form began to shift, shredding his clothes. His muscles expanded, his skin darkened and hardened, and his eyes glowed with a reptilian intensity. The Pimp's confidence faltered as Josh's hulking, monstrous form loomed over him.

Panic overtook the man, and he pulled the trigger. The pistol barked, and the bullets slammed into Josh's chest, digging into his flesh. The pain was sharp but fleeting; his healing factor pushed the bullets out, the wounds sealing before the Pimp's eyes.

"That was a bad choice; now I'm even angrier," Josh growled at the Pimp.

"Wait-- I fired the gun accidentally; she stole money from one of her clients. I'm just trying to get it back," The Pimp quickly answered.

Josh sniffed the air subtly, his enhanced senses zeroing in on the mix of sweat and adrenaline that radiated from the Pimp. It wasn't just fear or anger—it was pure arrogance laced with deceit. The man was trying to manipulate him, and Josh wasn't about to let him get away with it.

"Lie," Josh said casually.

"Alright, Homes," the Pimp sneered, switching tactics. "How about I pay you off? You walk away, no hard feelings." Lie. The Pimp had complex feelings about this interaction. Josh could smell them.

Josh raised an eyebrow, his grip on the Pimp's arm tightening. "Not interested."

The Pimp's bravado faltered for a moment before he grinned slyly. "You know who I am? I'm Zebra Daddy. I own all the girls in Alphabet City. You leave now, I'll let you take one of them for free—hell, a new girl every day for a whole year if you want. I'll even give you a job in my crew." Lie. Josh could smell he would try to kill him as soon as he could.

Josh's expression darkened, his reptilian eyes narrowing. "You're just digging your hole deeper. Let me ask you something—what's her name? What is the real reason you were beating her?"

The Pimp hesitated, his smirk slipping. "Name? She's a whore, just another piece of merchandise. And she cut herself—only I get to ruin the goods." Truth. His voice was cold and detached as if he were talking about a broken tool rather than a person.

Josh's jaw clenched as rage surged; this man didn't seem redeemable. Yet, a small voice in his mind questioned whether this was the right way to handle it. Was he sinking to the level of the very monsters he wanted to stand against? The thought flickered briefly before the sheer callousness of Zebra Daddy's words reignited his anger. Josh decided that some lines, once crossed, could not be forgiven. What other things would he have done if he had let him go? This man had chosen to be a monster, and monsters needed to be stopped. "You call her merchandise? maybe you are the monster you think you are and should be put down as so." Zebra Daddy started to beg for his life before Josh snapped Zebra Daddy's neck with a simple squeeze. He shifted back to his enhanced human form, completely naked. Josh figured that the nudity wouldn't bother a sex worker. He stripped Zebra Daddy of his clothes and casually took the money from his wallet. Hoping to stage it like a robbery, he found a bag of cocaine and spilled some on the body before throwing the rest into the sewer.

Tutorial Quest Complete: Stop A Crime. **Reward** 1 Quest Coin and Mainline Quest choice unlocked.

[Battery is a crime—it doesn't matter who's getting smacked around. So, yeah, you technically stopped it. Snapping the guy's neck? It's not exactly hero material, but I didn't ask for heroics. The job was to 'stop a crime,' and you stopped it. Gold star for the technical win!]

Josh looked at the blue screen for a bit. The System seemed to be waking up, and it was getting more and more lively. He shifted his attention to the young woman.

Josh studied her momentarily, his gaze sharpening as he recognized her. In his last life, he had seen the Wolverine movie "Logan"; those two claws were distinct in Marvel, X-23 or Laura Kinney. He was wondering why he smelt no fear from the prostitute the whole time, even after his change. Her claws must have emerged when she felt like Josh was a threat. "You can put the talons away, Laura. I mean you no harm, I've seen your SHIELD file," he lied softly. The young woman flinched at his words, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "How does an assassin end up under the thumb of some random pimp?" he added, his tone tinged with genuine curiosity.

[Insert Picture of Laura Kinney]

Laura hesitated, her shoulders tense as she processed Josh's words. "You don't understand," she muttered, her voice low and trembling. "I'm a monster too. I deserve... whatever happens to me. I deserve to die, but I can't."

Josh shook his head firmly, his expression softening but his tone resolute. "That's bullshit, Laura. You're not a monster. You were a tool for bad people. They built you to kill on command, but that wasn't your choice. You didn't enjoy it."

Her claws retracted slightly, her hands trembling as she crossed her arms. "It doesn't matter. I can't control myself. Only they can. I hurt people, so I stopped caring about anything. It's easier that way."

Josh stepped closer, his voice steady but gentle. "You think not caring makes it easier? It doesn't. It makes you more of what they wanted—a weapon, not a person. Stop being a tool and start making your own decisions."

Laura's gaze darted away, her jaw tightening as she struggled to respond. For a moment, the only sound in the alley was the distant hum of traffic, her silence speaking volumes. Finally, she looked back at him, her eyes glinting with something between defiance and vulnerability. "And what if I can't?"

Josh gave her a small, knowing smile. "Then you'll just have to learn. If I remember correctly, they used a scent to trigger this uncontrollable murder spree you are worried about. "Laura nodded her head.

"Well, you're in luck. I can release pheromones unwillingly. Let's see if we can find something that can help counteract the smell." Josh closed his eyes while mentally trying to focus on releasing calming pheromones.

While his eyes were closed, Josh felt Laura mount his back, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck. He froze as she leaned closer, sniffing his neck. Her breath was warm against his skin as she let out a soft, almost contented sigh before laying her head on his shoulder. For a moment, the world seemed to quiet around them, the chaotic tension of the alley fading into an odd stillness. Laura clung to Josh like a cat, finding its favorite spot, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as if he were her lifeline. Josh froze briefly, unsure of how to react, before sighing himself and deciding he didn't mind the gesture—not every day a hot goth Latina assassin showed affection.

"I guess I did say start making your own decisions. It looks like you decided to come home with me," Josh thought, reaching down to support her weight for a proper piggyback ride. His hand inadvertently brushed against bare skin, making him realize with a jolt that Laura was wearing a miniskirt. "Seriously?" he muttered under his breath.

Gently, he adjusted her skirt to cover her better, giving her a light smack on the backside for emphasis. "Just keeping things decent," he quipped, more to himself than her, as she didn't seem to react beyond a contented sigh. With Laura secure on his back, he started the walk home, her head resting on his shoulder, seemingly at peace.

Josh couldn't help but imagine Gwen's reaction when he finally entered the door. "How was work?" he muttered under his breath. "Oh, you know, got fired because the whole program was full of double agents, adopted an assassin sex worker off the street because she liked the way I smelled—classic Tuesday. Can we keep her, Gwen? Oh, and by the way, she might kill me in my sleep if she gets mad. But no biggie, right?"

The absurdity of the situation made him chuckle quietly. Life in this world turned out to be far more chaotic than he had anticipated, but strangely enough, he didn't mind. Laura stirred slightly on his back, her grip tightening as if emphasizing her desire to stay with him, and Josh continued walking, bracing himself for the inevitable explanations.