The events of the previous night still weighed heavily on the protagonist's mind as he paced his small apartment, replaying the fight with the Chitauri hybrid. The sight of that alien infiltrator lurking near Stark Tower confirmed that the invasion was closer than he had thought. The urgency to build his strength, his influence, and his network of subordinates gnawed at him.
He opened the Subordinate Menu, checking Evan's progress again:
Evan Matthews — Creativity: Rank E (Progress: 35%)
Evan was growing at a decent pace, but it was clear that creativity alone wasn't going to help him survive the incoming invasion. He needed more subordinates with combat abilities or skills that would be useful in the chaos that was about to unfold. The system had made it clear: he needed a network of subordinates, not just one talented artist.
The protagonist sat down, deep in thought. Where could he find people with the potential to be useful? He needed individuals who weren't too famous or powerful yet but had the potential to grow. This was the Marvel Cinematic Universe—there were plenty of future heroes, but most were either already established or hidden in the shadows for now.
That's when it hit him—Brock Rumlow. In 2011, Rumlow was still a SHIELD operative, working within the agency, but destined to become the villainous Crossbones. If the protagonist could get to him early, before he fell fully into Hydra's influence, he might be able to recruit him and redirect his path.
The thought was risky. Messing with someone like Rumlow could have serious consequences. He was dangerous, ruthless, and would be a difficult person to control. But if the protagonist succeeded, he'd have a powerful ally in the form of a skilled fighter—someone who could be essential when the Chitauri arrived.
Decision made, the protagonist started planning his approach. SHIELD wasn't an organization you could just walk into, and getting close to someone like Rumlow would require careful maneuvering. But he had a lead: SHIELD agents often frequented a particular bar in the city—an unassuming dive where they could unwind after missions.
If Rumlow was still working for SHIELD, he'd probably be there.
Later that evening, the protagonist found himself standing outside the dingy bar, its neon sign flickering in the twilight. The place looked rundown, hardly the type of establishment where you'd expect to find highly trained operatives. But that was the point. SHIELD agents came here because it was off the grid, away from the eyes of the public.
He pushed open the door, stepping into the smoky, dimly lit interior. The bar was half-full, with a mix of grizzled regulars and a few scattered patrons who looked like they could handle themselves in a fight. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on a group of men sitting in the back corner.
One of them stood out immediately—Brock Rumlow. He was younger than the version the protagonist had seen in the movies, but there was no mistaking the cold, calculating look in his eyes. He was sitting with a few other SHIELD operatives, sharing drinks and laughing, though there was a hardness to his demeanor that set him apart from the others.
The protagonist approached the bar, ordering a drink while keeping an eye on Rumlow's group. He needed to figure out the best way to approach without raising suspicion. As he sipped his beer, he activated the system, scanning Rumlow's profile:
Brock Rumlow — Level 8
Potential: Combat Prowess (Rank C)
Status: Normal
Level 8. Rumlow was already well ahead of him in terms of combat ability, but that wasn't surprising. He was a seasoned SHIELD agent, after all. What interested the protagonist was the potential rating—Rank C. That was higher than Evan's Rank E, meaning Rumlow had more room to grow. If he could bring him into the fold, it would be a significant boost to his own strength.
Now, he just needed a way to make contact.
As he watched, one of Rumlow's companions stood up, heading toward the restroom, leaving Rumlow alone for the moment. This was his chance.
The protagonist approached, keeping his movements casual as he slid into the booth across from Rumlow.
"You're Brock Rumlow, right?" he said, keeping his tone neutral.
Rumlow glanced up, his expression hardening as he took in the stranger sitting across from him. "Who's asking?"
"I'm just a guy who knows talent when he sees it," the protagonist replied. "And from what I've heard, you're one of the best SHIELD has to offer."
Rumlow's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of interest there. "You're in the wrong place if you're looking for recruitment. SHIELD isn't exactly hiring off the street."
"I'm not looking to join SHIELD," the protagonist said, leaning in slightly. "I'm offering something better. Something that could make you more powerful than you've ever imagined."
Rumlow raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not convinced. "You've got five seconds to explain why I shouldn't break your nose and throw you out of here."
The protagonist smirked. "I know SHIELD isn't what it seems. You're smart enough to see that. There's more going on beneath the surface, and if you stick around, you're going to find yourself on the wrong side of history. I'm offering you a way out—a way to be stronger than any of those people you work for. And trust me, you're going to need it."
Rumlow stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reached across the table, grabbing the protagonist by the collar and pulling him close. "I don't know who you think you are," he growled, "but you'd better start making sense, fast."
The protagonist didn't flinch. "There's something coming, Rumlow. Something big. And when it happens, your bosses at SHIELD won't be able to protect you. But if you work with me, you'll have the power to survive it. You'll be on the winning side."
For a moment, he thought Rumlow was going to punch him. But then, slowly, the agent released his grip, sitting back in his seat. His eyes were cold, calculating.
"What do you know about SHIELD?" Rumlow asked, his voice low.
"Enough to know that they've been compromised," the protagonist said, choosing his words carefully. "Hydra's already inside, and when they make their move, it's going to tear SHIELD apart. You don't want to be caught in the crossfire."
Rumlow's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. He knew. Maybe not the full extent of Hydra's infiltration, but enough to be suspicious.
"And you're offering me what, exactly?" Rumlow asked.
"An opportunity," the protagonist replied. "To get ahead of it. To build something for yourself before everything goes to hell."
Rumlow stared at him for a long moment, weighing his options. Finally, he nodded once, a sharp, decisive movement.
"I'm listening."
The system chimed in the back of the protagonist's mind:
New Subordinate Potential Detected: Brock Rumlow
Quest Available: Recruit Brock Rumlow (Optional)
The protagonist smiled. This was it—the first step in building the network he needed to survive in this world. If he could recruit Rumlow, his chances of making it through the coming chaos would improve significantly.
But there was still a long way to go, and many more pieces to put into place. The Chitauri were coming, and he needed to be ready.
And so, the game began.