Chapter 31 – "Power Man Problems and the Indestructible Ego"
New York, 2008.
It smelled like hot dogs, ambition, and unresolved trauma—so naturally, Adam fit right in.
He'd tracked down Luke Cage in Harlem. Not because it was easy, but because there's only so many men who can take a rocket launcher to the chest and just grunt like someone spilled coffee on them.
🧱 First Impressions Are for Mortals
Luke was working security at a shady night club. Not his dream job, but hey—everyone's got bills.
Adam didn't walk in like a normal person. Oh no. He portal-jumped straight into the VIP section with a floating chair made of mana threads, a drink in hand, and a pair of magically-tinted aviators that screamed "interdimensional douchebag."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "You lost?"
Adam grinned. "Only in the metaphysical sense."
Security moved.
Adam didn't blink. With a snap, every firearm in the room vanished—replaced by water guns filled with glittery lemonade.
"Now that I've removed the unnecessary tension—and your budget weaponry—can we talk?"
Luke eyed him. "You got five minutes."
"That's four more than I need."
🧾 The Pitch: Cage Match Edition
Adam explained everything.
The mana city. The spiritual fruits. The dimension that could empower people just by existing in it. The demon banana (he may have embellished that one).
Luke crossed his arms. "Sounds like a scam. Or a cult. Or both."
"Wrong," Adam said, sipping magically carbonated coffee. "It's an apocalypse-prep co-op for emotionally traumatized overachievers. And you'd make a great landlord."
Luke blinked. "…What?"
"Okay, fine. You'd make a great head of security. With benefits. I even brought a gift."
Adam held up a sleek obsidian card—the Pact of Unbreakable Loyalty flared subtly on his palm.
🛡️ Gift of the System – A-Level Skill and Item
"You're indestructible. Cool party trick. But what if you had a weapon that respected your power?"
From the Dominion Ring's vault, Adam conjured a heavy, rune-etched gauntlet that expanded into a mana hammer, a pulse-blade, or even a taser-glove on command. All powered by Luke's own strength and infused with A-Level mana tech.
A-Level Item Acquired: "Titan's Compact"
A multi-form mana weapon forged from magical alloys. Adjusts to the user's needs. Indestructible under normal conditions. Boosts physical force +40%. Can shift between:
Shock Gauntlet
Pulse Hammer
Mana-Tether Chain
Then came the skill.
A-Level Skill Gained: Earthbound Anchor
Passive: Increases resistance to magic, mind control, and knockback.
Active: Once per battle, instantly absorbs incoming kinetic energy and redirects it in a seismic shockwave.
Cooldown: 10 minutes.
Luke stared at the gear in his hands like someone handed him Excalibur wrapped in soul food.
"This… is real."
Adam smirked. "Told you. I don't sell dreams. I deliver consequences."
💥 The Brawl Test
Of course, that's when a group of gangsters burst in with enchanted batons, thinking Luke was still "just a bouncer."
What followed was the most beautifully chaotic three-minute demonstration of urban warfare.
Luke:
Shattered a mana-enhanced baton using the pulse hammer.
Absorbed a magic stun grenade and punched the floor to drop three guys into the cellar.
Grunted exactly once.
Adam:
Used time-warp illusion to make the last guy think Jessica Jones was chasing him.
Laughed uncontrollably when said gangster jumped out a window yelling, "Not again!"
💡 The Loyalty Lock
After the fight, Adam slid the Pact Contract forward.
Luke hesitated, then glanced at the unconscious gangsters.
"…You got room for a gym?"
Adam smiled. "We've got a floating dojo, a tavern, and a demonic fruit rehab program. You'll fit right in."
Luke signed.
🎯 System Payout
[LOYALTY CONTRACT COMPLETE – Luke Cage]
Pact of Unbreakable Loyalty Activated
Skill "Earthbound Anchor" transferred
Item "Titan's Compact" bound permanently
[EMOTIONAL SPIKE DETECTED – Luke Cage]
Shocked by truth, inspired by redemption arc, emotionally moved by unspoken banana subplot.
+2 Strength
+1 Stamina
+4% Skill Fragment: Seismic Step(2% → doubled to 4%)
+$8,000 Cash Deposited
[EMOTIONAL SPIKE DETECTED – Adam]
Proud of new recruit. Pleased by self-aware humor. Felt superior to Stark.
+1 Charisma
+4% Skill Fragment: Tactical Projection
🧾 Chapter 31 Summary
Stat Gains:
+2 Strength (Luke)
+1 Stamina (Luke)
+1 Charisma (Adam)
Skill Fragments Gained:
Seismic Step (Luke) +4%
Tactical Projection (Adam) +4%
Cash Gained:
Luke: +$8,000
New A-Level Skill Gained (and transferred):
Earthbound Anchor
New A-Level Item Gained (and transferred):
Titan's Compact
Major Events:
Luke recruited via gear demonstration and honest banter
Gang fight triggered perfect demo
Adam's sarcasm levels remain legally questionable
Harlem now has a magical anchor
Next up: Chapter 32 – Luke visits the floating city and meets the gang. Spoiler: Jessica has opinions.