The vast sea stretched endlessly under a sky thick with ominous storm clouds, their heavy darkness pressing down like ink spilled across the heavens.
Boom!
A deep rumble of thunder echoed through the night.
A jagged flash of lightning split the sky, momentarily illuminating a lone, battered fishing boat struggling against the raging waves.
"Goddamn storm. Goddamn piece-of-crap radio."
Standing on the deck, the ship's captain cursed under his breath, spitting out a soggy, low-quality cigarette. His expression was grim as he watched the torrential rain hammering the deck and the towering waves surging around them.
He couldn't turn back now.
This wasn't just any boat—it was a smuggling vessel.
More specifically, a ship that had departed from Mexico, bound for New York on the east coast of America, carrying illegal stowaways.
Boom!
The storm intensified, thunder roaring across the sky as towering waves—some over ten meters high—lifted the fragile boat before slamming it down with crushing force.
Clang! Clang!
The entire vessel groaned under the relentless assault of the sea. Below deck, in a cramped, dimly lit cabin, a young man was suddenly thrown off his bed by the violent rocking of the ship. He crashed onto the wooden floor with a dull thud.
"Ugh… that hurts."
Groaning, Lu Cheng rubbed his head as he slowly sat up, his mind still foggy.
"Wait… Am I dead?"
As he regained his senses, he instinctively patted his body, checking himself over. His memories were a jumbled mess, but the last thing he clearly remembered was—
A plane crash.
He had been on a flight when disaster struck, plunging him into the ocean.
Just as he was piecing things together, a sudden ding echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Host has regained consciousness. System activation in progress.]
Before Lu Cheng could react, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
---
Current World: Marvel Universe
Host: Lu Cheng
Cards: None
Items: None
Exclamation Value: 0
---
"Marvel… Universe?"
A flood of information surged into his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.
So, let's sum this up—he survived a plane crash, ended up in the Marvel Universe, and awakened a system.
Apparently, his system allowed him to earn "Exclamation Points" by creating impactful events. These points could then be used to buy treasure chests from the system's shop, which contained powerful character cards and items to help him grow stronger.
Lu Cheng took a deep breath.
"...Well, I can't really complain. I got a second chance at life, after all."
Shaking off his initial shock, he glanced around the cramped, unfamiliar cabin. The ship was still shaking violently, and the relentless sound of waves crashing against the hull made it obvious—
He was on a boat.
But why? And more importantly—was he in danger?
Just then, the system chimed again.
[The system has granted a Novice Gift Pack. Would you like to open it?]
"Open it."
Lu Cheng didn't hesitate. Right now, he needed any advantage he could get.
A shimmering silver treasure chest appeared before him, glowing with a faint metallic sheen.
Taking a deep breath, he reached out and touched it.
A bright white light flashed.
---
[Item: Shadow Ninja Mask]
Effect: Summons a ninja from the Shadow Corps.
Description: A magical item from Jackie Chan Adventures. The summoned ninja is highly skilled in ancient martial arts, espionage, and assassination techniques. They excel in stealth, combat, and even household chores.
---
[Item: Lie Necklace]
Effect: Allows the user to alter their appearance in real life. Grants three supernatural abilities—fire manipulation, damage transfer, and danger intuition—while enhancing balance and agility.
Description: An extraordinary artifact from Lord of the Mysteries, crafted from the Sequence 6 Faceless characteristic.
Note: Wearing it may amplify emotions.
---
[C-Rank 5-Star Card: Bai Yifei (Blood-Robed Marquis)]
Abilities: Ice Manipulation, Gu Techniques, Swordsmanship.
Description: A powerful martial artist from Nine Songs of the Sky, leader of Snow-Clad Fortress, and commander of a 100,000-strong army. A ruthless strategist, skilled in perfumery and dark arts. His pale, snow-white skin and signature blood-red robes strike fear into his enemies.
Note: "Are you feeling cold?"
---
"Not bad!"
Lu Cheng's eyes gleamed with excitement as he immediately activated the Bai Yifei character card.
As soon as he did, the card dissolved into streaks of light and fused into his body. A surge of unparalleled power coursed through him.
He clenched his fists, feeling a newfound strength awaken within him.
His senses sharpened dramatically—suddenly, the world around him was clearer, brighter.
The sound of the storm, the crashing waves, the distant murmurs of the crew above deck—every single noise reached his ears with perfect clarity.
Then, he caught something unsettling.
Above him, voices drifted down from the deck.
---
"Boss, the kid we picked up yesterday is awake."
"Go check him out. If he's worth anything, we'll sell him to Madame Gao along with those other Yue stowaways. They're all just a bunch of yellow-skinned rats anyway."
"Yeah, but that kid's wearing a nice watch. Bet he's got some money on him."
---
Lu Cheng glanced down at his wrist—his watch was gone.
His lips curled into a mocking smile.
"As expected of Marvel's criminal underworld. Such… 'hospitable' folks."
He didn't have time to waste.
The sound of footsteps echoed outside the door.
Lu Cheng reached for the Shadow Ninja Mask and slipped it onto his face.
As the cabin door creaked open, revealing a burly, knife-wielding sailor, Lu Cheng tilted his head slightly—
A smirk forming beneath the mask.
"Surprise."