“Reboot:The Unexpected Hero”

[SYSTEM STATUS: ACTIVE]

Host: Peter Benjamin Parker (a.k.a. Ethan Grey)

Level: 5

EXP: 200/2000

New Skill Acquired: Temporal Anchor – Stabilizes reality for 10 seconds, preventing anomalies and reducing the effects of timeline disruptions. (Cooldown: 30 minutes)

Current Quest: "The Ripple Effect" (In Progress)

Threat Level: CRITICAL

Abandoned Warehouse – Queens

The aftermath of the battle with the Collectors had left Ethan physically drained and mentally shattered. His muscles ached with every movement, and his mind was a whirlwind of questions. The kind that didn't have easy answers.

Nova led him to an old warehouse on the outskirts of Queens—a safehouse she claimed was "off the grid." It looked like it hadn't been touched since the '80s, but at least it didn't come with cosmic assassins kicking down the door.

Ethan collapsed onto a dusty crate, breathing heavily. "Okay," he gasped, "no more surprises. Just answers. Now."

Nova didn't argue. She crouched in front of him, her green eyes sharp, but for the first time, there was something else behind them—hesitation.

The Truth Unveiled

"The Collectors aren't just some random hit squad," Nova began. "They're part of something bigger—a multiversal organization called The Continuum. Their job is to preserve the 'sacred timeline.'"

Ethan frowned. "Like the TVA?"

Nova snorted. "The TVA's child's play compared to the Continuum. The TVA handles local timeline hiccups. The Continuum handles existence itself. They don't fix problems—they erase them."

Ethan's stomach twisted. "And I'm the problem."

Nova nodded. "You're not supposed to be here. But here's the thing—they're not after you just because you exist. They're after you because someone put you here. Someone with the power to override the system."

[SYSTEM ALERT: Hidden Quest Progressed – "The Puppet Master"]

Objective Updated: Identify the entity responsible for your reincarnation.

Clue Unlocked: "Not all gods play fair."

Ethan leaned forward, his heart racing. "You're saying this was all part of someone's plan?"

Nova hesitated, then pulled out a small, cracked data chip. "I found this after our last fight. It's encrypted with Continuum protocols, but if we can crack it… we might find out who's pulling the strings."

Ethan grabbed the chip, staring at it like it held the answers to the universe. Maybe it did.

Later That Night – System Override Test

Ethan sat alone in the corner of the warehouse, staring at the glowing system interface. His fingers hovered over the new icon—the System Override Protocol.

What if I could break free?

Taking a deep breath, he whispered, "Override: System Access Level Beta."

The interface glitched—just for a second—and then a new screen opened.

[SYSTEM OVERRIDE ACTIVE]

Restricted Files Unlocked:

1. Anomaly Reports

2. Origin Protocols

3. Host Memory Logs (LOCKED)

4. Administrator Contact Point (LOCKED)

Host Memory Logs? Ethan's pulse quickened.

He tried to access it, but the system pushed back.

[ACCESS DENIED: Encryption Key Required]

Hint: "The answer lies within the anomaly."

Ethan's jaw tightened. The anomaly… Glitch.

He needed to find him. Again.

The Hunt Begins

Ethan didn't sleep. There was no time for that.

By morning, he and Nova were tracking energy signatures through Queens, using her stolen Continuum tech—a sleek, holographic map with flickering points of light representing anomalies.

Then they found it—a hotspot pulsing like a beacon.

"Gotcha," Ethan whispered.

Rooftop Showdown

The coordinates led them to an abandoned skyscraper still under construction. The wind howled between steel beams as Ethan climbed to the top, Nova close behind.

And there he was.

Glitch.

The boy who had nearly killed Ethan the first time they met, standing casually on a steel girder like gravity was optional.

"You're persistent," Glitch said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Didn't think you'd survive the Collectors."

Ethan's fists clenched. "We're not here to talk about the Collectors. We're here to talk about you."

Glitch smirked. "Me? I'm just a byproduct. You're the anomaly."

Nova stepped forward. "Who put him here?"

Glitch's smile faded slightly. "You think it's that simple? You're all pawns in someone else's game."

Ethan lunged.

Battle Against Glitch

The fight was brutal.

Glitch's powers were even more chaotic this time—his body flickering between realities, shifting like a broken hologram. Every punch Ethan threw either passed through him or was met with bone-crushing force.

Nova fought with precision, her energy blasts lighting up the steel skeleton of the building. But Glitch was fast—too fast.

Then Ethan felt it—the system's pull.

[SYSTEM OVERRIDE PROTOCOL: ACTIVE]

Override Option: Stability Lock

Effect: Temporarily freezes the anomaly in this reality.

Cooldown: 15 minutes

"Override: Stability Lock!" Ethan shouted.

A surge of energy erupted from his body, locking Glitch in place mid-flicker.

Now.

Ethan didn't hesitate. He tackled Glitch, pinning him down.

"Who sent me here?!" Ethan roared, his fist cocked back.

Glitch's distorted grin faded, replaced by something Ethan hadn't seen before—fear.

Then Glitch whispered one word.

"Kang."

The Revelation

Ethan staggered back, his heart racing.

Kang the Conqueror.

The name hit him like a freight train. A multiversal warlord. A master of time. A villain beyond comprehension.

Kang put me here?

Before Ethan could ask more, Glitch's body destabilized, dissolving into shards of light and fading into nothingness.

[QUEST COMPLETE: "The Puppet Master (Phase 1)"]

Revealed: Kang the Conqueror is behind Ethan's reincarnation.

Reward: +1500 EXP

Level Up! (Level 6 Unlocked)

New Ability Unlocked: Chrono Pulse – A burst of temporal energy that can disrupt time-based abilities.

Ethan stared at the empty space where Glitch had been, his mind racing.

Why would Kang want me here?

Nova placed a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't over. It's just the beginning."

Ethan clenched his fists, his jaw set.

"Then let's find him."

[End of Chapter 6]