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Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The First Step

David had never felt more alive. His mind raced as he surveyed his new surroundings—New York City, the heart of the MCU. He had read about it, watched the films, and followed the comics. But now, he was here. He had been given a second chance, with a power so great that he could hardly believe it was real.

Absorb abilities. That was the cheat he had been granted. At first, the concept seemed like a fantasy, something ripped straight from a superhero story. But now, standing in the middle of the bustling city, feeling the power thrumming within him, David was certain of one thing: this was no dream. This was his new reality.

As the faint echo of police sirens filled the air, David could feel the tension rising in the city. Something big was happening. He looked up, just in time to see the iconic red and gold figure of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, streak across the sky. The billionaire genius and his armored suit were already making their presence known in the chaotic streets of the MCU.

David's heart skipped a beat. He had known Iron Man would be around; after all, this was the world of the Avengers. But seeing him in person... seeing the raw power that Tony wielded in that suit—it was something else entirely. David's mind couldn't help but calculate the possibilities. He could absorb Iron Man's technology, his intelligence, his charisma. He could become a force like no one had ever seen before.

But as much as he craved power, David knew that now wasn't the time to rush into things. He had to be smart about this. The voice in his head, the one that had introduced him to his new cheat, had warned him not to overwhelm himself. He had to study the abilities first. Only then would he be able to absorb them fully, without risking a mental breakdown.

For now, David needed to stay under the radar.

He started walking down the street, his mind swirling with ideas and plans. The city was a living, breathing entity. Everywhere he looked, there were people—normal citizens going about their business, superheroes saving the day, villains plotting in the shadows. The possibilities were endless. All David had to do was choose his targets wisely.

As he walked, he noticed a few things that caught his attention. First, the sheer number of people in costume—heroes and villains alike. Some were wearing capes, others were in full armor, and a few were even using their powers in broad daylight. It was a far cry from the world he had come from, where people rarely showed their true selves.

David felt a surge of energy within him, an eagerness to step into the fray. But he held back. He wasn't just any random bystander now. He had the potential to become someone formidable, but he needed to make the right moves. He needed to learn from the heroes, understand the villains, and find the right moment to strike.

His eyes wandered, scanning the crowds for anyone who might be worth observing. His cheat could work in any situation, but it was more effective if the person he encountered had powerful abilities—something that could be absorbed and used to further his goals. A flash of movement caught his eye, and he turned to see a figure darting into an alleyway. David's instincts kicked in. He followed.

As he turned the corner, he saw a man standing in the shadows, wearing a black hoodie and a face mask. His posture was tense, like someone on the edge of a panic attack. David's keen senses told him this wasn't an ordinary person. This man was someone with secrets, someone who had been through things that most people couldn't even imagine.

David approached him slowly, careful not to make a sound. He wanted to observe first—he didn't want to reveal his intentions too soon. The man glanced over his shoulder, his eyes darting around nervously. There was something about him, a certain air of danger. But it wasn't until David saw his hands—hands trembling slightly—that he realized what was going on.

The man was a mutant.

David could feel it—the faint, almost imperceptible hum of mutant energy in the air. This man wasn't just a normal person; he had some form of power, some ability that set him apart from the rest. His cheat activated instinctively, and David could feel the potential within this individual. The power that flowed through the man was raw, untapped. It wasn't a power that had been honed or refined—it was something primal, something that could be absorbed.

David took a deep breath and made his move.

He stepped forward, his footsteps light and quiet. The mutant in front of him stiffened, sensing the presence of someone behind him. But before he could react, David raised a hand and placed it on his shoulder.

The power coursed through him like a bolt of lightning. A flood of memories, sensations, and abilities rushed into David's mind. He could feel the mutant's abilities—raw and untamed—filling him up, changing him.

It wasn't like a sudden burst of power. It was a slow, steady infusion. David felt himself understanding the mutant's abilities on a fundamental level—he could sense the man's ability to manipulate energy, to tap into the raw forces of nature itself. It wasn't a flashy power, like telekinesis or pyrokinesis. It was a deeper, more subtle force—the kind of power that could shake the very foundation of the world if it was ever fully unleashed.

As the power settled into his system, David felt a sense of clarity. The man's abilities had fused with his own, and David understood them now, like a part of himself. It was an incredible sensation, as if he had unlocked a new part of his mind. He could feel the energy within him, swirling, waiting to be used.

The mutant stood frozen, his body still trembling from the sudden connection. David withdrew his hand, allowing the man to regain his senses. For a moment, there was silence.

The man looked at David, confusion and fear in his eyes. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice shaky.

David smiled, feeling the new power within him. "Someone you don't want to mess with," he said, his voice calm and collected.

The mutant took a step back, his body still tense. He didn't know what had just happened, but he could sense that something was off. David's power—the energy he had just absorbed—was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was a dark, unpredictable force, something he had never encountered in his years as a mutant.

But David wasn't interested in fighting. Not yet, anyway. He had no need for pointless violence. The world was full of heroes and villains who would do the fighting for him. All he had to do was bide his time, observe, and gather more power. He had a plan.

"Get lost, kid," the mutant spat, backing away into the shadows.

David didn't react. He didn't need to. He had already absorbed the power he needed. The man was no longer a threat. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away, the hum of energy in his veins reminding him of the power he now held.

It was only the beginning.