I thought life was a joke, but now? Now it was a full-on comedy show. The last thing I remember was trying to make a sandwich in the middle of the night. I stuck a fork in the toaster because, you know, the bread got stuck. Dumb move, I know. One wrong jab, a spark, and zzzt! Electricity fried me. Death by toaster. Seriously, who dies like that?
But now? I felt... weird. My body was different. Lighter, flexible, like it was made of rubber and steel at the same time. I opened my eyes.
The light blinded me like a camera flash. I was lying on a rooftop, smack in the middle of a city that looked like it came straight out of a movie. Neon lights, skyscrapers, yellow taxis, and a crowd of people below. New York, holy crap! But not the one I knew from my 2018 trip. This one was... more comic-booky. More Marvel.
I sat up and looked at my hands. Slim, graceful, with purple nails. Nails? What the fu...? I touched my hair. Long, black, with purple streaks. I looked down. A tight, purple outfit that looked like it was designed by someone with a latex fetish. And these legs... Damn, I had legs like a fitness magazine cover!
— What the hell kind of joke is this...? — I muttered, and my voice was high, sassy, with a slight rasp. A woman's voice. I jumped to my feet and nearly fell over because this new body had insane muscles and balance. — Okay, chill, dude. This is a dream. Or I'm in some screwed-up anime.
Then I heard a ding in my head, like a phone notification. A hologram popped up in front of my eyes, like something out of an RPG. Green letters on a black background.
SYSTEM ACTIVATED. WELCOME.
NAME: JURI HAN
WORLD: MARVEL
TRAITS: NEUTRAL CHARACTER, JURI HAN'S FIGHTING SKILLS (TAEKWONDO, FENG SHUI ENGINE), SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
GOAL: LIVE, FIGHT, HAVE FUN!
— System? — I said out loud, and the hologram blinked. — For real? Like in those Chinese webnovels? Okay, this is straight-up nuts.
I read the text again. Juri Han? That psycho chick from Street Fighter? I looked at my hands, then at my reflection in a puddle on the roof. Purple eyes, a cocky smirk, and that signature braid. It was really me. Or... her? Damn, this is complicated.
— Alright, system, let's talk — I said, putting my hands on my hips. — Why Juri? Why not, I dunno, Wolverine or someone with class?
SYSTEM RESPONSE: BODY RANDOMIZED. JURI HAN MATCHES YOUR PERSONALITY: SASSY, UNPREDICTABLE, A BIT VULGAR.
— Vulgar? Me? — I laughed, but then added: — Okay, maybe a little. But seriously, this body is... — I looked at myself again. — Freaking hot. Who designed this outfit? Some horny manga artist?
I decided to test what I could do. The system mentioned something about a "Feng Shui Engine." In the game, that was a magic engine in Juri's eye that gave her super strength and speed. I focused, trying to feel something in my left eye. And then bam! Energy surged through my body, and my left eye pulsed with purple light. I raised my leg and kicked the air. The sound was so loud, the roof shook.
— Holy shit, this is awesome! — I shouted, doing a backflip just because I could. I felt like I could demolish a building with one kick. — Alright, Marvel world, get ready, 'cause Juri Han just entered the game!
Before I could plan my next move, I heard a scream from the street. I looked down. Some dude in a mask with a gun was chasing a woman with a purse. Classic robbery, straight out of a cartoon. I grinned.
— Time to start the party — I muttered.
I jumped off the roof, doing a flip in the air because, hell, I could. I landed on the sidewalk right in front of the thug. The guy froze, staring at me like I was an alien. The woman he was chasing stopped too, gawking at my outfit.
— What kind of dumbass robs someone in broad daylight? — I said, crossing my arms. — Give me one reason not to kick your face in.
The guy raised his gun, but before he could pull the trigger, I stepped forward and kicked his hand. The gun flew up, and I caught it mid-air, doing a pirouette because... style. He tried to run, but I leaped and landed in front of him, blocking his path.
— Nope, buddy. You're not going anywhere — I said, smirking like a cat with a mouse. I kicked him in the stomach, not too hard, but enough to make him drop to his knees, wheezing like an old vacuum.
The woman started thanking me, but I waved her off.
— No big deal. I just hate losers — I said, handing her purse back.
Then the system kicked in again. Ding!
TASK COMPLETED: FIRST HEROIC ACT!
REWARD: +10 SYSTEM POINTS, NEW SKILL: SPIDER SENSE (LIGHT VERSION)
— Spider Sense? Seriously? — I laughed. — This is getting crazier by the second.
I felt a tingle at the back of my head. I turned just in time to see another thug, probably the first guy's buddy, lunging at me with a knife. I dodged like it was a dance move and kicked him in the chest. He flew into a dumpster, making a racket like a whole orchestra.
— Damn, this body's a wrecking machine! — I said, admiring my moves. — But seriously, system, what now? Do I just wander around beating up thieves?
SYSTEM SUGGESTION: EXPLORE THE WORLD. SEEK ADVENTURES. MAYBE YOU'LL MEET AN AVENGER?
— Avengers? — I snorted. — Alright, that sounds like a plan. But first... — I looked around. — I need food. I'm starving.
I headed to a hot dog stand on the corner. The vendor, an old guy with a mustache, looked at me like I was from Mars.
— Two hot dogs, please. Mustard and jalapenos — I said, reaching for... nothing. Crap, I had no money. — Uh, system, got any cash?
SYSTEM RESPONSE: NO CURRENCY. SUGGESTION: USE PERSONAL CHARM.
— Personal charm? — I muttered, then flashed the vendor a big smile and puppy eyes. — Look, man, I'm new in town. Can you spot me some hot dogs? I'll pay you back when I get a job.
The guy sighed.
— Fine, but only 'cause you look like you could wreck my stand — he said, handing me the hot dogs.
— You're the man! — I said, grabbing the food. I sat on the curb and started eating, watching the city. People stared, but I didn't care. I was Juri Han, a reincarnated dude with a system in the Marvel world. And damn, I was gonna have fun with this.
Then I heard a boom. Somewhere in the distance, something exploded, and smoke rose over the city. The system chimed again.
NEW TASK: INVESTIGATE THE EXPLOSION. POSSIBLE BOSS FIGHT!
— Boss? — I laughed, finishing my hot dog. — Alright, Marvel world, show me what you got!
I stood up, stretched, and headed toward the smoke, ready for anything. Or at least hoping I wouldn't get my ass kicked by Iron Man on day one.