Darkness again.
But this time, it wasn't empty. It throbbed with colorless pulses—like static behind his eyelids.
Then a click.
> [BEGINNER PACK UNSEALED]
Reward Granted:
– Basic Status Screen
– Passive Perk: "Script Immunity" (Rank F)
– Inventory (Locked)
– Quest Tracker (Locked)
Note: As an Extra-Level Civilian, you are not expected to survive. Prove the world wrong.
His eyes snapped open.
He wasn't on the ground anymore.
He was… floating. Or maybe falling? A surreal, weightless feeling overtook him. Around him, neon data-threads spiraled like veins across the sky, feeding into collapsing buildings, broken billboards, and holographic overlays that glitched in and out of view.
Then—bam.
Pain.
He landed hard on a rooftop, rolling twice before groaning.
He wasn't dead. Not yet.
He coughed and looked around.
The city still burned. But it was quieter up here. No screams. No flying cars. Just wind, smoke, and—
> [Status Screen Loading...]
A light-blue panel hovered in the air.
---
Name: Unknown
Designation: Extra-Level Civilian
System Rank: F
Cameo Points: 10
Special Perks:
– Script Immunity (F): "You are harder to kill in high-stakes scenes… as long as someone more important is watching."
Current Quest: SURVIVE. Duration: Ongoing. Reward: System Upgrade Access.
---
"Script immunity?" he muttered. "What kind of game logic is this?"
But as insane as it was... he believed it. The hammer clash. The laser beam. The flying car. Thor. Superman.
This wasn't Earth. Not as he knew it.
It was like someone had mashed every superhero universe together... and he got dropped in with no powers and no plot armor.
"Great," he muttered, staggering to his feet. "I'm not even a side character. I'm background noise."
> [Cinematic Proximity Event — Level 4 Approaching…]
The system chimed again. His body tensed.
BOOOOM!
A massive energy wave rolled across the skyline. In the distance, a green explosion lit up the sky—followed by a roar so deep, it shook the building beneath him.
From behind the smoke emerged something massive. Not Hulk. Worse.
A Hulkbuster suit, glowing with Arc Reactor energy, fused with… symbiote tendrils?
"What in the multiversal hell is that?!"
> [Danger Detected — Hostile Variant: Symbuster (Tony Stark, Earth-892-V)]
> Survival odds: 2%
Recommendation: Run.
He turned to run—only to find himself face-to-face with a figure cloaked in gold and shadows.
Tall. Cloaked. Glowing eyes.
Not a hero.
Not even a villain.
Something else.
"You're not supposed to be here," the figure said. Its voice echoed like it came from every version of reality at once. "But you are."
"I didn't ask to be here!" he shouted.
The figure tilted its head. Then nodded.
"And yet... you are. That means you matter. Eventually. So I'll give you one chance."
A finger extended. Glowed. And then—
> [Cameo Quest Unlocked: Choose a Role]
---
Choose Your Path:
1. Watcher in Training – Observe heroes. Learn. Influence outcomes subtly.
2. Wildcard – Play all sides. Ally with gods or devils. Shape chaos.
3. Redemption Arc – Become a hero the world never asked for. Earn your spotlight.
---
"Wait, I get to choose my story?" he whispered.
"No," the cloaked figure said, smiling faintly. "You get to start one."
And with that, it vanished—leaving him alone, with a choice glowing in the air.