Heroes of Marvel
Heroes of Marvel - Chapter 5: THE GIFT SUITABLE FOR AN ADULT

Chapter 5: The Gift Suitable for an Adult

Translator: Judairu

… … …

Near twelve o’clock in the evening.

Jackson laid on the bed quietly deep in thought. Tom, Peter, and Gwen had left long ago and his parents fell into a deep sleep next door.

Today was his birthday party, a gathering of small friends and the day he turned sixteen. It was perfect however, there was little to no progress with his plan.

“Hey, System, are there alternative methods for getting the 50,000 points without sacrificing the friendship between Peter and Harry? I should not have to hesitate over that alluring reward points.” Jackson grabbed his head, rather distressed. The neat look prepared earlier now messy.

On the night of his birthday, Jackson introduced Gwen to Peter and Harry without errors and obstructions. He thought his plan went smoothly but apart from that, there was no further action on his part.

Jackson saw clearly Peter gushing over his love at first sight and Harry seemed to appreciate Gwen at best. Had he done something more, maybe the love triangle could have developed at the trajectory path he wished but he did not.

He could not do it.

Peter and Harry have been nothing but good friends to him.

DING! DING!

The room was dark and gloomy. A ringing sound similar to an alarm clock buzzed endlessly whilst staring deeply at the ceiling.

“It is almost midnight. Before your birthday ends officially, I’ve prepared you a big gift. Be sure to check it out.” The buzzing tone echoed, sounding unusually excited from normal.

“What big gift? You’ve never sent me any good gifts. It’s better to send me those reward points.” Jackson complained to the System.

He could not complete the task.

How useless, he thought.

“You don’t want to see it? Oh, I guarantee you’ll like it! This is, after all, a gift meant only for an adult.” The System mused enticingly upon noticing Jackson’s disinterest.

“Oh, well, I’ll take a look. Might as well. However, if you prank me, I won’t forgive you!”

Anyways, the System did prepare him a birthday gift so he should kindly accept it.

“Close your eyes.”

Jackson shut his eyes, instantly sinking deep into the abyss.

He saw two bright gleaming boxes appear.

Option 1: Choose the path of a villain and receive a copy of the Villain Package.

Option 2: Choose the path of a hero and receive a copy of the Hero Package.

Jackson gawked at the two big flashing box and read the two lines of text carefully.

“System, what is this? What is the path of a villain? What is the path of a hero?” Jackson inquired, his eyes remained fixated on the two flashing options.

DING! DING!

The system moved between the two gleaming boxes and turned into a small, petite loli. [1]

“Congratulations! You’ve passed your adolescent years and can now be considered an adult. This is the gift carefully prepared for you once reaching adulthood. From this moment forward you will be treated as such. You have two options. Become a villain and cause mischief, havoc, and destruction everywhere or become a hero of justice!”

“Y-you… don’t be like this!” Jackson stuttered at the sight of the System’s current appearance.

He did not take notice nor cared for It’s words. He’d not expect for the System whom he’d known for more than ten years to bear the voice a cute loli.

“Well? Don’t you like it? I am only taking this form based on your subconscious mind.” Said the loli, her voice soft and gentle.

“No, stop! I don’t want this! Go away!” Jackson’s cheeks flushed red and waved his hand when he’d realized the loli peeking inside his inner and subconscious desire.

“Well, since you don’t like it…” The loli trailed off and she turned back into a ball of white light floating in between the two boxed gift.

“This is much better. Right, what did you say? What about becoming a villain or a hero? What is this about? Would you care to explain?”

“This is a mandatory task that will only open once reaching adulthood. You have the choice of becoming the world’s hero or villain. And you cannot refuse this task. You must choose one of them.” Explained the System.

“Mandatory?! System, you must be joking! Since you’ve appeared from my consciousness, I’ve never seen such tasks where I cannot back out from!” Jackson said painfully.

For the past ten or so years, the System never forced itself on Jackson regarding the choosing of missions. He was free to accept or decline such missions.

“I can’t help it. It’s mandatory not only for you but also for me. Not choosing is not an option. If you don’t choice then I have to—”

“Do what?!” Jackson interrupted quickly upon the System’s sudden change in tone.

“Well, what else other than killing off your existence? If you do not exist, then it makes sense you are unable to choose.” The System replied faintly.

THUMP!

A sudden painful roar thumped in his head.

Cease to exist? No way! Not in this lifetime! Not existing is worse than death itself!

This is the first task the System released where Jackson had no choice to refuse.

This is not good at all!

“So, what will you—”

“I choose! I choose!” Jackson hurriedly interrupted for fear his existence would fade into nothingness if he’d hesitate.

“Do not worry so much. I know you’ll choose. But which option will you choose? The route of the villain or the route of a hero?” The System asked passively, not worried in the slightest.

“You’re heartless…” Jackson’s heart shook.

How could It not care he may very well cease to exist had he refused?

“Well, since I have to choose… then I pick option two, the hero package. In the world of Marvel, while the true villains are powerful beings but in the end, are they not overpowered by the heroes?”

Jackson did not wish of the threat of the heroes looming over him every second of the day and night. Besides, which average man did dream not of being a hero?

“Well, you are right but do not forget that being a villain is a much easier route to take than becoming a hero. And you have me as a guide. You won’t need to worry about those heroes attempting to suppress your reign. You are the protagonist of the show!”

The System coaxed seeing Jackson planning to choose the route of a hero.

“Pick the villain route.”

“Eh? Are there villains who ultimately win in this world?” Jackson asked the System.

He was somewhat skeptical. He’d never heard of a villain being the protagonist. Moreover, they always lose.

“That all depends on you personally. I only provide you with the necessary help but still, I want to remind you that as a villain you can grow much faster than that of a hero. Why? This is due to the unscrupulous way of a villain. Heroes aren’t able to due to their own requirements. As a hero, they are the face of justice so of course they’d have a strict guidelines.” The System said seriously.

“Then I could be… a reverse villain?” Jackson stared in awe.

Jackson recalled the movies and animated shows he’s seen in his previous life. If he could punch Iron Man, step over Hulk and slap the face of that Asgardian… how cool and wicked that would be!

Jackson unexpectedly let out a low chuckle.

“How about it? It’s very good right?” The System coaxed once more, drifting Jackson towards the path of a villain.

“Yes… Ah, hey! No! No!” For a moment Jackson replied but quickly retracted his sentence.

“Tch. No matter. I’ve already explained things to you. Now it’s time for you to choose.” The System reverted back to its usual mode and stressed to Jackson choose.

“Ok… if this is the case… then I’ll choose…”

His eyes glanced back and forth between the two options flashing brightly, hesitating of which option to pick.

“I choose… the hero package!”

In the end, Jackson still wished to become a hero of justice. He was unable to ruin Peter and Harry’s thick thread of friendship. He did not have the heart to do so nor did he have the potential to become a villain. Though the System did say it would guide him, he could not choose the route of a villain.

Being a villain, it’s just not suitable for him.

You have chosen the path of a hero. I wish you the best and hope you will grow to become the greatest hero of all.

“Here, get your hero package.” After Jackson chose the path of a hero, the System’s voice grew higher and fireworks exploded in all corners of his subconscious mind.

One of the boxed option (the villain route) laid in front of Jackson slowly faded into nothingness. Jackson sighed somewhat regretfully. He wanted to see what was in that box.

Well, no matter.

Jackson shook his head and reached out to grab the hero package.

HUA!

The hero package glimmered brightly in the entirety of Jackson’s mind.

HONG!

Soon the glimmering light faded and what laid before were two items floating freely.

It was a book.

Middle Grade Fighting Essentials!

Beginner Grade Insight Tactic!

Characters in dark gold were imprinted on two colossal sized books.

Jackson grinned widely.

The Middle Grade Fighting Essentials seemed to be an upgraded version of the Beginner Grade Fighting Essentials.

Previously, when Jackson was only but a small youth, he proceeded to buy the self-protection technique, the ability to stand your ground. He needed it so when living in this Marvel world. He remembered spending fifty points to buy the Beginner Grade Fighting Essentials technique the System held in it’s vault.

This mid-leveled technique caused him to enter a state of gleeful happiness. After all, he did not need to buy it.

And he also received another technique, the Beginner Grade Insight Tactic technique which improves one’s own awareness. Although it is only a first level technique, Jackson couldn’t care less.

He need not pay for it.

Simple as that.

“System, you are really generous today! You even sent a reward of 205 reward points!” Jackson chuckled foolishly.

“You’re set to begin your main mission. Becoming a superhero, I hope you won’t forget it so soon.” The white ball of light swayed side to side and spoke coyly.

“Main mission… what does that mean?” Jackson chilled suddenly.

He who was on the receiving end of blissful happiness now felt a bad premonition of his impending future.

“Bwahaha! As you’ve chosen the path of a superhero, the turbulent streets of New York are in need of a protector. This is your first mission! Fight those gangs and criminals wrecking havoc on streets of New York.”

First Hero Task: Fight and reduce crime in one night! Fight five villains!

Mission Completion: 0%

“To become a hero, this will be your first task.”

“What?! You’re asking for too much!”

… … …