I was sitting on a bench, finishing my ice cream, when that red-and-blue guy on the rooftops caught my eye. Spider-Man, no doubt. He was swinging between buildings like a monkey on steroids, and I couldn't help but grin. In this world full of Iron Mans and eyepatch-wearing pirates, Spidey seemed like someone I could vibe with. And, hell, maybe he knew the way to SHIELD, 'cause the system kept nagging me about training for them.
— Alright, Juri, time to move your ass — I muttered, standing up and brushing off my hands. The system wanted me to train my skills, but me? I wanted action. And where there's Spider-Man, there's usually something to smash.
I ran toward where I'd seen him, using the Feng Shui Engine to zip through the crowd. My legs moved like a rocket, and people stared like I was a ghost. One guy even dropped his coffee when I vaulted over his dog, doing a flip mid-air. Style, you know.
I reached a plaza where Spider-Man had just landed. He was perched on a lamppost, and below him, a bunch of masked guys were trying to break into an ATM. Typical. But something was off – these dudes had weird green weapons that looked like they stole them from an alien museum.
— Yo, Web-Head! — I called, stepping into the middle of the plaza with a cocky smirk. — Need a hand, or you just taking selfies for Insta?
Spider-Man turned, and his big white mask eyes seemed to widen. He jumped down and landed beside me.
— Uh, who are you? And how do you know my moves? — he asked, sounding like a teenager who just discovered dad jokes.
— Juri Han, new star of this town — I said, winking at him. — Your moves? Everyone knows you bounce around like a squirrel on caffeine. So, we smashing these losers together or what?
Before he could answer, one of the masked guys fired his green gun at us. The beam came straight for us, but my Spider Sense (light version, but still something) kicked in. I dodged to the side, and Spider-Man did a flip, avoiding the hit.
— Okay, these aren't regular thieves! — he shouted, shooting webbing at one of them. — Watch out, they've got Chitauri tech!
— Chitauri? Those space bugs? — I laughed, charging at the nearest guy. — Cool, I'll crush 'em like in a game!
I leaped and kicked the dude in the chest, sending him crashing into a wall. My body moved like a machine – every move was fast, precise, and the Feng Shui Engine gave me extra juice. But then another guy hit my arm with that green beam. It hurt like hell, and my skin burned like someone pressed an iron to it.
— Shit, that stings! — I growled, but I noticed the wound was already healing. Basic regeneration in action! In a few seconds, my skin was good as new. — Ha, losers, you'll need more than that to take down Juri Han!
Spider-Man fought beside me, shooting webs and tossing quips. — Hey, Purple, nice kicks! Where'd you learn that? Karate on YouTube?
— Karate? — I snorted, flipping over another beam. — It's taekwondo, web-boy. Plus a bit of magic from my eye. Wanna see?
I cranked the Feng Shui Engine to max, and my left eye pulsed with purple light. I jumped at the last guy, spinning mid-air and kicking him square in the mask. He flew into the ATM, which exploded with a crash. The crowd around started clapping, and I bowed like a rock star.
— Thank you, thank you, tickets for the next show coming soon! — I called, grinning.
Spider-Man walked over, shaking his head. — Okay, you're weird, but cool. Where'd you come from? You don't seem like a typical hero.
— Hero? — I laughed. — I'm neutral, buddy. Not good, not evil, just Juri. You know a guy with an eyepatch? Big pirate vibe, name's Fury?
— Fury? — Spider-Man sounded like he choked. — You know Nick Fury? Wait, are you with SHIELD?
— Not yet — I muttered, putting my hands on my hips. — But that pirate's got his eye on me. Literally, haha. Think he'd let me join the team?
Before Spider-Man could answer, I heard an engine roar. Black SUV, again. Damn, did Fury have a tracker on my ass? He stepped out, in his black coat, looking like someone ate his sandwich.
— Well, if it isn't Captain Hook himself! — I called, waving. — What's up, pirate? Here for my encore?
Fury glared at me, then glanced at Spider-Man, who looked like he wanted to hide under a rock.
— Han, you again — he growled. — What are you doing here?
— Saving the city, helping Web-Head, the usual — I said, shrugging. — You? Stalking me or what? 'Cause that's getting creepy.
— Those weapons are Chitauri tech — he said, ignoring my quips. — SHIELD's securing them. And you... — he looked at me closely — you're starting to interest me.
— Ooo, the pirate's got a crush? — I laughed, winking at him. — Let me know when you're hiring. I've got a killer resume: ass-kicking, sarcasm, and purple nails.
Fury snorted but didn't deny it. His guys started collecting the busted weapons and unconscious thugs, and he pointed at me.
— Watch yourself, Han. Get in my way again, and I'll either lock you up or hire you.
— Hire me? — I snorted. — That's a date, pirate!
The SUV drove off, and Spider-Man stared at me like I was nuts.
— You really call Nick Fury a pirate? — he asked, shaking his head.
— What, it doesn't fit? — I laughed. — Alright, Web-Head, thanks for the party. If you've got more aliens to beat up, hit me up.
I snapped my fingers and walked off, feeling like the king of this city. The system chimed. Ding!
TASK COMPLETED: TEAM-UP WITH A SUPERHERO!
REWARD: +25 SYSTEM POINTS, SPIDER SENSE UPGRADE (INCREASED SENSITIVITY)
— Now that's what I'm talking about — I muttered, heading for a pizzeria. Fury, Spider-Man, Chitauri... The Marvel world was nuts, but damn, I was having the time of my life.