The air felt lighter, clearer, as the protagonist left the park with Evan walking beside him. It wasn't just the rush of seeing Iron Man or the successful recruitment that lifted his spirits. It was the realization that he wasn't helpless in this world. The system, as strange as it was, gave him something to hold onto—a way to survive and thrive in a universe filled with danger.
He glanced at Evan. The young artist was still oblivious to the change that had taken place. He wasn't just a random passerby anymore. Now, he was connected to the protagonist through the system, though neither of them fully understood what that meant yet. Still, he could feel the subtle energy flowing between them, and it made him feel… capable. The system had done something to him, made him stronger, and it had barely even begun.
"So, Evan," the protagonist started, trying to steer the conversation toward something useful, "what do you plan to do with your art? You mentioned it's tough getting noticed, but you've got talent. Why not push harder?"
Evan shrugged, stuffing his sketchbook into his backpack. "I've tried, you know? Sent some pieces to galleries, posted stuff online. It's just—there's so much noise out there. I'm competing with thousands of artists in the city. I don't even know if I'm good enough to make it."
The protagonist nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. Before all this, back in his old life, he had been a regular guy with his own set of struggles and self-doubt. But this world, this new reality, was different. He had a system now, and he had a chance to help people like Evan grow. In doing so, he'd become stronger, and maybe even make a real difference in this universe.
"What if I told you I could help?" he asked, his voice steady.
Evan raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Help? How?"
"Well, I know a thing or two about making things happen. Maybe I can help you push your work out there, get you noticed by the right people. I've got… connections."
Connections. It wasn't a total lie. He had the system, after all, and that was a connection to something far beyond what Evan could imagine.
Evan looked at him curiously. "You don't exactly look like an art agent."
The protagonist laughed. "No, I'm not. But I can still help. Look, why don't we grab a coffee? I'd like to hear more about what you want to do. If there's a way I can help, I will."
Evan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, why not?"
They found a small café tucked away on a quiet side street. The rain had let up, leaving the streets slick and shimmering under the dim lights. Inside, they grabbed a table by the window, and the protagonist ordered a couple of coffees while Evan pulled out his sketchbook again.
"So," the protagonist began, taking a sip of his drink, "tell me more about your art. You've got talent, but what's your vision? What do you want people to see when they look at your work?"
Evan flipped through the pages of his sketchbook, showing off detailed drawings of heroes, villains, and ordinary people in extraordinary situations. His lines were sharp and precise, capturing moments of action and emotion. It was clear he had a passion for his craft.
"I want people to feel something when they look at my work," Evan said quietly. "I want them to see the struggle, the determination, the fear, and the hope. There's so much happening in the world—especially with all these superhuman events—but most people don't get to see the human side of it. They just see the spectacle. I want to show them what it feels like."
The protagonist leaned forward, impressed. "That's powerful, Evan. You've got a real vision, and I think that's what's going to set you apart. You're not just drawing superheroes—you're capturing the emotions behind them."
Evan looked down at his coffee, a small smile forming on his face. "Thanks, man. I don't hear that often. Most people just see it as fan art or sketches."
"It's more than that," the protagonist said, his tone firm. "And with the right push, I think you can reach a lot more people. We'll figure it out. Let's just take it one step at a time."
As he spoke, the system pinged again in his mind:
Subordinate Growth Initiated.
Evan Matthews' Potential Unlocked: Creativity (Rank E)
He nearly flinched at the sudden notification but kept his composure. Unlocking Evan's potential—this was the first real step. The system had somehow gauged Evan's talent and categorized it as a ranked ability, which made sense given how this world seemed to operate.
He opened the Subordinate Menu in his mind again, checking Evan's profile:
Name: Evan Matthews
Level: 1
Potential: Creativity (Rank E)
Status: Normal
So, this was how it worked. By helping Evan realize his potential, the system had unlocked his first subordinate's skill. Creativity might not sound like much in a world of gods and monsters, but in a place like New York—where ideas were power—it could be crucial. And as Evan's creativity grew, the system would likely grant even more benefits to both of them.
The protagonist leaned back in his chair, trying to digest the new information. His system didn't just empower warriors or fighters—it could boost the talents of regular people too. That opened up a whole world of possibilities.
Evan, unaware of the inner workings happening behind the scenes, looked up from his coffee. "So, you've been asking me about my art. What about you? What do you do?"
The question caught him off guard. What could he say? "Oh, I died in another world and got reincarnated in the MCU with a weird system that lets me grow stronger through subordinates." Yeah, that would go over well. He needed to keep things vague but honest enough.
"I'm… new around here," he said carefully. "I'm trying to figure things out too. This city's got a lot of opportunities, and I'm hoping to make the most of them."
Evan nodded, not pressing further. "I get that. New York's a crazy place. You can either get swallowed up by it, or you can find your place in it."
"Exactly," the protagonist said. "And I think we're both going to find our place here."
Evan smiled, more relaxed now. "I hope so. I'll keep working on my art, and if you really think you can help me, I'm all in."
The protagonist felt a surge of satisfaction. This was working. Slowly but surely, he was building something—one subordinate at a time. And as Evan's confidence grew, so would his own strength. He could feel it already, that slight increase in energy, the way his mind felt sharper. It wasn't much yet, but it was a start.
They finished their coffees, and Evan packed up his sketchbook. "I've got to head out," he said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "But I'll keep in touch. Maybe we can meet up again later this week?"
"Sounds good," the protagonist replied, standing up. "Let's see what we can do to get your work out there."
As Evan walked out of the café, the protagonist sat back down, feeling the buzz of the system humming in the back of his mind. He opened the menu again, this time selecting Quests, hoping to see if there were any objectives tied to his actions.
Quest Menu:
Main Quest: Survive in the MCU (Ongoing) Sub-Quest: Empower Evan Matthews to Level 5
He smiled. It was a small goal, but it was something tangible to work toward. And if this was just the beginning, he couldn't wait to see what would happen as his network of subordinates grew.
With renewed determination, he stood up, ready to take on the next step. He had a plan now. Build his strength through others, navigate the dangers of the MCU, and eventually, when the time came, face whatever this world had to throw at him.
One step at a time.