"Hey hey hey…"
"Has anyone else noticed? This seems like the lowest tier reward... Don't forget—Cap's mission was rated C-level. The weakest reward, and it still gave him the power to raise the dead."
"If that's what a C-grade gives… just imagine the reward for a higher-tier!"
As the barrage of bullet comments floated across the screen,
countless viewers couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.
However—
While newbies still dreamed with hope in their eyes,
the veterans stayed laser-focused on the stream.
Anything produced by the system—even a downgraded version—was never to be underestimated.
Who knew when a surprise might explode onto the scene?
——
"It's not as crazy as you think," Cap scratched his head. "My ability isn't on par with the Mouse Talisman. I can't revive statues and give them legendary strength."
Since they were all on the same team, he didn't see a reason to hide anything and spoke candidly about the limitations.
"No!"
"It's not that simple!"
Wolverine pointed at the stone creature on the ground, clearly unconvinced.
"The stone guy you revived follows your every order—no talisman can pull that off."
Sure, the Mouse Talisman was powerful, but it came with huge uncertainties.
Remember that time they revived Quetzalcoatl? If Jade hadn't been special, the first thing the revived god would've done was obliterate them—the so-called "talisman-wielding intruders."
Power without control? Might as well throw it in the trash.
"And that's not all…"
"You don't even seem to use up anything when you activate it."
Thor, arms crossed, chimed in. Battle-hardened experience made him quick to pick up the scent.
A few words from the group…
Cap's honest personality…
And soon, they'd more or less figured it out:
Unlimited use.
Revived beings are fully loyal.
No restriction on targets—can be used over a wide range…
Stack all that together, and you've got something absurd.
If developed in the right direction… this ability could be terrifying.
Thankfully—
It's in Cap's hands.
At that moment, countless viewers shared the same relieved thought.
——
"C-rank!"
"The weakest reward can already do this much?!"
Nick Fury's heart burned with desire.
He nearly leapt through the screen to grab a few talismans himself.
Let's not forget—
There are twelve talismans total!
"What if…"
"…we can get an enhanced version?!"
His eyes went bloodshot.
Just the thought of a higher-level version made his breath quicken.
——
"Tch~"
"Perfect-grade?"
While cowardly Nick Fury only dared think about it…
Su Xiu had actually received the top-tier reward.
[Ding——]
[Steve has received a degraded version of "Life from Death."]
[Activating x100 System Amplification…]
[Congratulations, host! You have received the Perfect Version of Life from Death!]
[Parsed from the Mouse Talisman, now fully reborn through the system's amplification…]
"To grant life to the dead… and intelligence?!"
Su Xiu murmured to himself.
Compared to the original Mouse Talisman's effect, what he had now was an all-around upgrade.
If the talisman could only bring back a statue with one-tenth of its mythical power…
Then Su Xiu's version could reproduce those legends nearly one-to-one, provided the vessel was strong enough.
And that's not all!
Unlike the talisman—
His revived beings gained the most crucial thing: Intelligence.
Not only were they completely loyal, they had real sentience.
They could learn, train, evolve… even reproduce.
They were living beings, not just mindless puppets.
Upon realizing this…
His first thought was: "This is like the Immortals giving life to stone!"
"No…"
He quickly shook his head.
This was even stronger. Just like Cap, his power came with virtually no cost, usable at will.
Which meant—
If he wanted…
Su Xiu could create entire races by himself.
But right now—
He had something else he needed to do.
"Red Queen…"
"I'm going to give you real life!"
——
Time flew!
While Cap and company huddled inside Uncle's antique shop, studying their new powers and plotting how to deal with Shendu—
The second day arrived in the blink of an eye.
And finally, the map—which had played dead all this time—showed new signs of life.
[Ding——]
[New Talisman Clue Unlocked]
[Twelve Talismans: Pig]
[Please collect the talisman and complete the main quest]
[Pig Talisman]
[Grants laser vision. The bearer can emit destructive beams from their eyes.]
——
"A new talisman?"
"The Pig talisman?!"
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Sure—
Laser vision didn't sound nearly as crazy as reviving the dead.
But still!
Something's better than nothing!
Who knows—they might get a high rating and score a top-tier ability like Cap's.
Everyone had been eyeing Cap's powers with envy.
"We cannot miss this!" Wolverine's eyes sharpened as he bolted toward the new coordinates.
Cap gritted his teeth and chased right after him.
"Hmph."
Thor scowled and followed along.
Moments later—
They were gone in a flash!
"Huh? Uncle, where's everyone going?" Jade looked up in confusion.
"Maybe…"
"It's a mission from that undying god," Uncle stroked his goat beard uncertainly.
But then he turned around—
And saw Uncle Chan still standing there like a log.
His expression changed instantly.
"HEY-YAAAH! Why are you still standing here?! Hurry and clean this mess up! How's Uncle supposed to run a business with the shop looking like a war zone?! You're gonna scare away the customers!!"
With a fierce glare, Uncle whipped out a feather duster from who-knows-where and whacked it over Uncle Chan's head.
"OWWW—Stop! Stop! I'm cleaning! I'm cleaning!"
"Oof… that hurts, Uncle!!"
Uncle Chan scrambled like a startled rabbit.
The antique shop instantly descended into chaos.
Feathers flew, dogs barked, Jade laughed her heart out, and the earlier tension was forgotten in a flash.
Only Uncle still wore a frown, a hint of worry glinting in his eyes.
——
Back alleys. Old streets.
A charred human figure twitched among a pile of knocked-out bodies.
One shaky hand groped blindly—
And brushed against something hard and unfamiliar.
"The… Pig Talisman?!"
"Laser… vision?!"
Cyclops groaned as he struggled upright, still groggy.
Thor hadn't killed him—but the blast of divine lightning was not something a human body could handle easily.
Electricity still crackled through his nerves.
It took a while for him to even catch his breath.
But before he could react—
He realized something new was clutched in his hand.
A small octagonal stone, painted crimson with a crude pig symbol on it.
Maybe—
When he was flailing around for support, he had grabbed it from someone lying nearby?
A glance at Valmont's disheveled clothes gave him a clue.
Gasping for air, strength slowly returning, his brain finally caught up to the system's alert from moments ago.
He stared at the stone in his hand, dumbfounded.
"The Pig Talisman?"
"It's… here? In my hand?!"
His voice was hoarse, like he was holding something back.
This was a windfall beyond belief.
More exciting than being struck by Thor.
His body trembled—not just from lightning, but from sheer exhilaration.
Knocked out cold…
Woke up…
And bam, quest item delivered to his lap.
What could be better than this?!
Am I… the chosen one?
Cyclops trembled with joy, his mind running wild with fantasy.
——
"Yo! Is this guy the Chosen One or what?!"
"No way, officer! This can't be legit! Coach! I'm reporting a cheater!!"
"I thought Cap was already ridiculous, but now the loot is just falling into their laps?! I swear I'm gonna start gacha-pulling in real life!"
"Another lucky SOB game… when will us unlucky folks ever catch a break?! Rage Quit.jpg"
"My mom just asked why tears are coming out of my mouth…"
"..."
Outside the stream—
Spectators were stunned.
Eyes gleaming with envy, teeth grinding, and jealousy turning their faces green.
Cap getting the Mouse Talisman so easily was one thing—some even theorized it was a hidden bonus for picking the first faction. Fair enough.
But this guy?
Passed out cold and still got the Pig Talisman delivered?!?!
Where's the justice in that?!
Is he the system's illegitimate child?!
This kind of luck…
Might as well call it destiny!!
Viewers stared at Cyclops, tears of envy streaming down their cheeks.
——
"Professor!"
"Cyclops got it! He's holding it!!" Storm practically bounced three feet in the air.
Now that's what you call a comeback!
At first—
Wolverine's failure to get the Mouse Talisman had dashed their hopes.
But now?
Surprise twist!
Even if the Pig Talisman didn't seem as OP as the Mouse one, it was still one of the twelve.
Don't underestimate it—it could still complete a main quest and earn a reward!
"Yesss~!"
"Captain, you're the best!" Rogue cheered, waving her tiny fists, already dreaming about Cyclops' future rewards.
"Did heaven just hand us a pie?"
The Mutant Academy was buzzing with joy.
Only Professor X kept calm.
"Maybe…"
Charles stared at the screen, worry flickering in his eyes.
Just because they had the talisman—
Didn't mean they were safe.
——
"Hmph!"
"We'll take it back!" Loki snarled, slamming his fist.
Underneath his mischievous charm, he too had a dominant, ambitious streak—just like Thor.
Especially now—
The Mouse Talisman had slipped through his fingers.
And the Pig Talisman was in the hands of mutants he looked down on.
It made his blood boil.
But…
There was still time!
Green light gleamed in his eyes—he would get it, no matter what.
The only way to manipulate Thor… was to let Thor claim the reward.
And now…
The board wasn't set yet!
Thor still had a shot!
"The map…"
"…has already marked the route. He'll find them soon."
Loki clenched his fists, so tense that his nails pierced skin—but he didn't even feel it. All focus was on the screen.
Everything now depended on whether Thor could catch up in time.
If he found Cyclops—the Pig Talisman would be his.
"Good…"
"It's just laser vision."
Loki sighed in relief.
The talisman's power wasn't anything special. Cyclops already had laser vision, and Thor had just knocked him out anyway.
Thank goodness…
It wasn't something like the Mouse Talisman again.
That would've made things much messier.
Everyone now knew…
You never underestimate a talisman again.
Thank goodness…
That same relief echoed in many hearts.
Except for—
The Sorcerer Supreme: The Ancient One.
"The energy around him grows thicker by the moment…"
"It feels like…"
"Evolution? Transformation? Ascension?"
Her voice was calm, but her gaze grew deeper.
——
"Yes!"
"This is amazing!"
"Never felt this good in my life!"
Cyclops' eyes snapped open, hand gripping the Pig Talisman. He had accidentally triggered its power.
Energy surged through him, blasting from his eyes—he felt reborn.
Laser vision, sure, but this was next-level.
He used to rely on gear to regulate it—now, one thought was all it took to unleash power ten, even a hundred times greater.
Total upgrade. Toy gun to cannon.
Just as he started getting cocky—
"Captain?!"
"What are you doing here?!"
A familiar voice snapped him out of it.