[Mysteries On Marvel] Chapter 4/5 (Patreon)

"Where… is this?"

The bizarre scene before him had Eren on edge. Carefully observing his surroundings, he realized he was floating at the edge of an infinite silver river. The dense white mist clouding his vision seemed to emanate from the river, glimmering like liquid mercury.

In front of him loomed a massive, ethereal silver scale, standing resolute at the riverbank like an ancient monolith. It continuously drew in the mist that rose from the river's surface.

"What is this…?"

Curiosity piqued, Eren cautiously extended his hand toward the scale's ghostly image. The moment his fingers touched it, an inexplicable wave of information surged into his mind.

Through this enigmatic transmission, Eren began to grasp the nature of the scale.

The Scales of Fate.

A supreme artifact born from the River of Fate, now tainted by an unknown entity and displaced into Eren's previous world. Under the guidance of fate, it had found Eren and saved him at the moment of his untimely death, transporting him to this new world.

"So, I died before crossing over?" Eren muttered. "I guess this thing actually saved my life."

Then he frowned. "But of all places, why send me to the dangerous Marvel universe? Couldn't it have been a safer world?"

The scale remained unresponsive, silent and unmoving like a lifeless object.

Yet Eren, having received some of the transmitted knowledge, knew it wasn't just a simple artifact. While its external form was a scale, it could manifest its abilities in ways most comprehensible to its host.

For a programmer like Eren, what could be easier to understand than a system?

With a single thought, the white mist began to swirl and coalesce before him, forming a simple interface.

[Name: Eren Lin]
[Fate Compass: 100 Fate Points required to spin the compass.]
[Fate Manifestation (Unlocks items from the River of Fate): Locked.]
[Talent: The Unpredictable (Your fate is ever-changing and unknowable. As the host of the Scales of Fate, no one can capture your destiny or predict your future.)]
[Skills: Driving (Beginner), English (11th Grade), History (11th Grade), Math (11th Grade), Chemistry (11th Grade), Antique Appraisal (Novice), Programming (Advanced)]
[Power Rating: Weakling]
[Fate Points: 100 (A gift from fate)]

Looking at the interface, Eren felt mixed emotions.

Midtown High's high-standard education was evident in the solid foundation of his academic skills, even despite the personal losses his predecessor had suffered.

As for his Programming (Advanced) skill, it was likely a remnant of his past life as a professional programmer. Having lived until 2023 in his original world, it wasn't surprising that his expertise in coding had carried over as a valuable asset.

The Weakling power rating, however, didn't surprise him. It only heightened his sense of urgency to grow stronger.

Turning his attention to the only available option, the Fate Compass, Eren focused on it.

Spinning the compass cost 100 Fate Points. Was that expensive or not? He had no reference, but at least he had one spin thanks to what seemed like a "newbie gift."

Without hesitation, Eren activated the Fate Compass.

There was no elaborate animation—just a fleeting image of a colossal compass spinning rapidly before the pointer stopped. In the next moment, the compass dissolved into light, leaving behind a pale blue orb floating before him.

A reward!

Heart pounding, Eren reached into the glowing orb. His hand closed around something cold and smooth, and as he pulled it free, a message appeared:

[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the "Seer's Potion."]

What emerged was a vial of deep blue, viscous liquid contained in a test tube. Checking its details, Eren read:

[Seer's Potion]

Origin: From a world tainted by Outer Gods, utilizing a unique sequence-based power system.Grade: Sequence Nine.

Effects: Upon consumption, moderately enhances physical attributes and grants the "Seer" aptitude for mysticism. This includes efficient learning and utilization of divination abilities, partial resistance to the dangers of divination, and the ability to perform rituals such as spirit summoning.

Note: Any power system from a world polluted by Outer Gods carries inherent risks of madness and corruption. Consuming this potion may erode the user's sanity. Failure to fully assimilate the potion could result in losing control and transforming into a monstrous entity.

Holding the Seer's Potion, Eren felt conflicted.

As a fan of Lord of the Mysteries, he had once marveled at its world-building and fantasized about wielding its powers. But now, faced with the reality of its perilous system, he wasn't so sure.

The madness inherent in the sequence system was a well-known double-edged sword. Even reaching godhood wouldn't free him from its grip. It required "anchors" to maintain one's sanity—a burden he wasn't eager to shoulder.

Still…

(End of Chapter)

With all his Fate Points spent on the spin, Eren had no way of attempting another draw.

If he let go of the Seer's Potion now, who knew how long it would be before he encountered another extraordinary power system?

In this world dominated by ordinary people, obtaining supernatural abilities was no simple feat. And even if he did acquire them, most of the powers in the Marvel universe couldn't match the potential of the Sequence-based system.

Without sufficient strength, how could he hope to survive in a world rife with danger?

Moreover, there was no guarantee that accumulating another 100 Fate Points would yield something as useful as the Seer's Potion. Considering the Scales of Fate had already been tainted by an unknown entity, Eren doubted his next reward would fare much better.

And time was not on his side.

Even now, trouble was likely brewing outside, waiting for him.

Resolving himself, Eren's gaze hardened as he looked at the potion in his hand.

Suddenly, Eren felt a sharp heaviness in his body. The surreal surroundings faded into darkness before his vision abruptly returned.

In the blink of an eye, he was back in his rented motel room.

If not for the vial of dark blue potion still in his hand, he might have thought everything that had just happened was a dream.

"Whew… well, I guess this isn't so bad. At least I've got some sort of cheat system," he muttered, chuckling softly at his own joke.

Without further hesitation, Eren tilted his head back and poured the Seer's Potion into his mouth.

The cool, viscous liquid slid down his throat, spreading a chilling sensation through his body. It felt as if thin, icy tendrils were extending into every cell of his being.

His body convulsed uncontrollably as the potion took effect.

His vision blurred, his surroundings twisted into abstract shapes, and his thoughts grew disjointed. It felt as though his soul was being pulled into a higher dimension.

In his disoriented state, Eren noticed strange, indescribable figures encircling him. These entities seemed intent on pulling him into their midst, beckoning him to join them and succumb to eternal madness.

"No… I won't let them drag me down…"

A sudden clarity struck him like lightning. With a determined effort, Eren's consciousness plunged downward, reconnecting with his body.

Boom!

In an instant, the abstract, chaotic visions dissolved. The figures around him vanished, and his motel room returned to normal.

But Eren wasn't unscathed.

An influx of knowledge flooded his mind, making his head feel like it was about to explode. His vision doubled, with faint silhouettes whispering incomprehensible words at the edges of his perception.

A sharp pain pierced his forehead, and an overwhelming urge to destroy and lash out surged within him.

Grimacing, he shook his head violently, fighting to suppress the chaotic impulses.

After what felt like an eternity, the discomfort subsided.

"Phew…"

Exhaling deeply, Eren realized his entire body was drenched in sweat, as if he'd been submerged in water.

"What a horrible experience," he muttered with a bitter smile. Despite the ordeal, a hint of exhilaration sparkled in his eyes.

The Seer's Potion hadn't just brought him pain—it had granted him extraordinary powers and an initial grasp of esoteric knowledge.

"According to the information I've received, I need to meditate to stabilize my powers and learn to control… them."

Eren began by adjusting his breathing—slow, deliberate, and rhythmic. Gradually, he cleared his mind, focusing entirely on a vivid mental image: a grand, divine scale suspended in his thoughts.

Meditation required envisioning objects that didn't exist in the material world. Only by transcending one's sense of self could one begin to align with the greater truths of the universe.

Through the night, Eren meditated and practiced. Thanks to the Seer's Potion, he managed to stabilize the powers within him and gain a rudimentary mastery of Spirit Vision.

However, his other divination abilities would require further study and training. At this point, even something as basic as interpreting a dream would likely be beyond his capabilities.

Still, none of this could dampen Eren's excitement.

From this day forward, he was part of the ranks of the extraordinary.

Just as Eren's sense of crisis began to ease, a sharp knocking at the door broke his focus.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound sent a chill down his spine. His pupils narrowed, and his right hand instinctively slipped beneath his pillow to grip the Beretta.

In his current state, the pistol offered more tangible security than the fledgling abilities granted by the potion.

This was no hotel with concierge service, and the Chinese motel owner wasn't known for acts of kindness like wake-up calls.

Clutching the gun, Eren crept off the bed like a cat, carefully lifting his backpack and edging toward the window.

The room and its location had been chosen with escape in mind. If trouble came knocking, the window offered a swift way out.

But before Eren could act, the person outside spoke:

"Kid, it's your Uncle Yuan. Open up if you're awake. Last night, we caught three thugs breaking into your place in Chinatown. They said they were here to deal with you. You should come take a look."

Huh?

Eren froze mid-step, his escape plan temporarily forgotten.

(End of Chapter)

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