I was sprawled on that shitty bed in "Motel Star," staring at the cracked ceiling and thinking about my last gig for that pirate Fury. The dock mission went smooth, and the system hooked me up with 30 points, bringing my total to 125 system points. Damn, I felt like a gamer with a fat wallet in an RPG. The system kept pushing me to upgrade the Feng Shui Engine, and after that dock fight, I knew I needed more juice to impress Fury and join SHIELD. Plus, who wouldn't want a turbo mode in their eye?
— Alright, system, let's do this — I muttered, sitting up. — Upgrade the Feng Shui Engine. 50 points, right? Take 'em and give me something badass.
SYSTEM RESPONSE: CONFIRMED: FENG SHUI ENGINE UPGRADE.
COST: 50 SYSTEM POINTS.
REMAINING POINTS: 75.
INITIATING UPGRADE PROCESS.
Suddenly, my left eye pulsed like someone flipped on a neon sign. I felt heat, and weird purple symbols flashed before my eyes, like some video game HUD. My body shook, and my heart pounded like a hammer. — Holy shit, this hurts! — I growled, but the pain faded fast, and I felt... power. Like someone cranked my engine to eleven.
SYSTEM RESPONSE: UPGRADE COMPLETE.
FENG SHUI ENGINE (LEVEL 2): INCREASED SPEED, KICK STRENGTH, AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
NEW ABILITY: PURPLE PULSE (SHORT BURST OF SPEED AND POWER).
— Purple pulse? — I laughed, standing up. — Sounds like something that'll wreck everything. System, you know how to deliver!
I had to test this out. The motel wasn't the place – I didn't want to smash a wall and get a bill from that grumpy receptionist. I headed back to the old factory where I'd trained before. The place still looked like a post-apocalypse movie set, but it was perfect for me. I checked to make sure no one was around and fired up the Feng Shui Engine.
My eye flared brighter than ever, and my body moved like a rocket. I sprinted through the factory, my steps so fast I barely touched the ground. I leaped onto the roof, doing a double flip, and landed without breaking a sweat. — Damn, this is like a game cheat! — I shouted, feeling the energy surge.
Time for that "purple pulse." I focused, feeling the Feng Shui Engine build power. My eye blazed, and a faint purple aura shimmered around me. — Here we go! — I growled and triggered the pulse. In a split second, I shot across the factory, smashing a concrete block with one kick. The force was so intense, dust exploded like after a bomb. I stood there, panting but grinning like an idiot. — Holy shit, that's awesome!
I tested more moves. My kicks were stronger, faster, each one packing extra punch. I obliterated a steel pipe with a spinning kick, then tried a combo: flip, precision kick, purple pulse. Result? Another block turned to dust, and I felt like a freaking superhero.
— Alright, pirate, no excuses now — I muttered, thinking of Fury. With this upgrade, I could take down more than just goons – maybe even a Marvel mini-boss.
I wanted to ask the system what else I could upgrade with my 75 points, but before I could, my Spider Sense tingled. I spun around and saw a shadow at the factory door. Not Fury or his goons. Some guy in a black bodysuit, face covered by a mask. Looked like a ninja from a cheap action flick.
— Yo, buddy, lose your dojo? — I called, dropping into a fighting stance. — If you want a fight, you picked the wrong day.
The guy didn't answer, just lunged at me with a knife. He was fast, but I was faster. Feng Shui Engine Level 2 gave me the edge. I dodged, triggered a purple pulse, and kicked him in the chest. He flew into a wall but got up like it was nothing. Damn, this wasn't some random thug.
The fight lasted a few minutes. He was agile, but my precision kicks and Spider Sense kept me one step ahead. Finally, I caught him with a trap – a flip over his head, purple pulse, and a kick to the back of his skull. He dropped, out cold. I checked his pockets – just a note saying, "Target: Juri Han. Observe." What the hell?
— System, what's this about? Someone's stalking me? — I growled.
SYSTEM RESPONSE: NO DATA ON ATTACKER.
SUGGESTION: EXERCISE CAUTION. POSSIBLE LINK TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HYDRA.
— Hydra? Seriously? — I scoffed, but a chill ran down my spine. I left the guy in the factory – let the rats deal with him – and headed back to the city. I was beat, but the upgraded Feng Shui Engine made me feel invincible. I found the same cheap motel, paid for another night, and crashed on the bed.
— Marvel world, you crazy bastard — I muttered, closing my eyes. — Throw Hydra at me, and I'll still kick their asses.