As it turns out, there's always someone better out there. Although Blake had developed a thick skin and a hefty wallet, he still couldn't outmaneuver Tony Stark, a seasoned capitalist with decades of experience and a strong legacy in a capitalist country.
After receiving a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from Tony, Blake was dragged to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a newly opened luxury apartment complex.
Surrounded by scantily clad hostesses and constantly egged on by Tony, Blake, who had just come into a large sum of money, couldn't refuse. Before he knew it, he had impulsively purchased two penthouse duplex apartments totaling over a thousand square meters. The total cost was well over ten million dollars.
Even after signing the papers and making the payment, Blake was still in a daze and asked Tony:
"Even if we'll be spending more time in New York, why did I buy two apartments?"
"No, no, no! My friend, you got it wrong. It's just one apartment. The other one is under my name!" Tony smugly wiggled his right index finger.
"Oh my God, you must not have read the contract carefully when you signed it, did you? How does it feel to be my neighbor? Surprised?"
"My New York villa is already pretty old, and the new Stark Tower has just started its foundation. It'll take at least two or three years to be fully completed. You wouldn't want me to live in that rundown villa for the next few years, right? My friend."
Tony grinned like a weasel that had just stolen a hen.
"Tony, you dragged me to that ribbon-cutting ceremony, so that apartment building must have been built by a friend of yours, right? Is there any way I can get a refund?"
Blake turned his head slowly, gritting his teeth.
"Unless you can provide proof of quality issues from a relevant authority, there's no way to get a refund. Trust me, that apartment building is a new development by Stark Industries. I wouldn't forget that."
Tony pulled Blake into the car and took on the role of the driver.
"So you're saying I paid for two apartments and only got one. Not only did I gift you one, but I also bought a property built by your company, right?"
"Relax, my friend. Don't get so worked up. You're about to crush the car door! And remember, this is your car, Blake!"
"Can I still return the car?" Blake asked, almost on the verge of tears.
"No way. I, Tony Stark, never take back gifts I give to my friends!" Tony's reply was firm.
"Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"My language skills have been a bit off lately. Can you translate for me what the hell you mean by 'surprise'?"
...
Since the apartment wasn't ready to move into yet, Blake crashed at the most luxurious hotel in New York, freeloading off Tony for several days in the presidential suite. He holed up in the suite for two whole days, carving Tony Stark's name into the toilet seat dozens of times.
Finally, the moment came when the system finished upgrading.
Though it was called a system upgrade, it mainly just unlocked the Level 2 Mall.
[ Level 2 Mall ]
- [Intermediate Super Serum] Grants the initial Asgardian god physique, without awakened divine power. Extends lifespan to 5,000 years! 3000 points.
- [Intermediate Combat Skills] An upgraded version of basic combat, allowing for more efficient use of bones, muscles, and strength. With the same physical attributes, this skill enhances strength and speed performance by at least 20%! 800 points.
- [Intermediate Weapon Mastery] An upgraded version of basic weapon mastery, providing better control over most melee weapons. It offers a preliminary understanding of the unity between man and weapon. 800 points.
- [D-Class Combat Suit] An upgraded version of the E-Class Combat Suit, which retains all the functionalities of the E-Class while additionally providing 30% more kinetic energy absorption. 700 points.
- [D-Class Custom Melee Weapon] An upgraded version of the E-Class weapon, capable of barely cutting through high-end alloys (e.g., Iron Man's gold-titanium alloy). However, it still cannot achieve the sharpness required to slice through iron like butter. The weapon's toughness and durability are increased. 700 points.
- [Basic Space Storage Device] Provides a storage space of ten cubic meters. The exterior appearance can be customized at will, such as a ring, bracelet, watch, necklace, etc. (P.S.: If you prefer, it can even be turned into a diaper, but be aware that anything stored in the space might get submerged in urine if you don't mind). 1000 points.
----------x----------
With the opening of the Level 2 Mall, the prices have significantly increased, making the once abundant points in Blake's hands suddenly seem insufficient.
After much deliberation, Blake realized that strength is most important. Nothing beats enhancing his own abilities.
Gritting his teeth, he decided to buy the [Intermediate Super Serum[.
This purchase left him with a pitiful 500 points, not enough to buy anything else in the Level 2 Mall.
"System, why is this Intermediate Super Serum based on the Asgardian physique? That doesn't seem to have much to do with the term 'Super Serum,' does it?"
Blake asked, puzzled.
[Because the host has previously fused with the Hulk's serum. For the healthy growth of the host's strength, a simple doubling of the effects from the basic serum would have little significance to the host, given your current strength.]
[Therefore, it was slightly upgraded, which also required more points than before. As for the name, it's just superficial—please don't worry about these details.]
The system's emotionless voice echoed.
"Damn, you make such a good point that I don't even know how to argue with you!"
Blake couldn't find any flaws in that logic. After all, having completed the Hulk's random mission, an intermediate serum that merely doubled the effects of the basic serum wouldn't mean much to someone who already possesses 30% of the Hulk's power.
As for the space storage device and other items, those could wait until he earned more points later.
"System, I have another question about the Ancient One's strange behavior that day, and the so-called Time Variance Authority." Blake shared his concerns.
[First, that's not just one question; it's several.]
[Secondly, I'm here to assist the host in gaining strength more easily and efficiently. In simple terms, I'm just a cheat code. For a wise being like yourself, shouldn't you be using your biological brain to think through problems instead of asking me, a mere auxiliary tool? If I knew everything, why would you, the host, even be needed? Host, you're asking for the impossible..."]
Damn it!
Blake was left speechless by a retort from his own auxiliary tool, making him feel like his brain could use an upgrade.
Since the system put it that way, Blake decided not to ask further questions. He had already resolved to ignore all the complications and focus on strengthening himself.
However, Blake had a nagging feeling that the items in this Level 2 Mall, especially that so-called Intermediate Super Serum disguised as a godly physique, were definitely related to the upcoming Thor mission. It seemed to be laying the groundwork for a future opportunity to receive rewards from Odin in Asgard.
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