Max_Striker
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Chapter 4: Doubling Down
🕑 Added 2025-08-02 09:49:58 +0000 UTCJay stared at his current balance -26 points, and instead of feeling worried, he felt that familiar gaming rush. The kind you get when you're about to attempt something completely insane that'll either make you a legend or get you spectacularly destroyed.
"Time to balance the books," he grinned, opening the [DRAWBACKS] section. “Here’s hoping I didn’t bite off more than I can survive chewing.”
[Heavy Eater (Gain: +3)] - Maybe it's a side-effect of your power or something else, but you have a larger appetite than most. You will need to consume at least thrice as much as normal to feel satiated.
[Govt. Attention (Gain: +2)] - A government agency has taken a keen interest in you. They are intent on capturing and studying your power, and are not above using underhanded tactics.
[Challengers (Gain: +4)] - After your debut, there will be more and more individuals coming out to challenge you with hopes of being the one to defeat you. Most won't be a match for you, but they'll be an annoying hindrance.
[Hunted (Gain: +4)] - After your debut, a hunter from beyond the stars will take notice of you. This alien has the skill, strength and technology to pose a threat. It will hunt you for sport in remote locations, but its honor won't allow it to cheat.
[Unmasked (Gain: +4)] - At some point after your debut, your true face and identity become exposed not just to government agencies but to the public at large.
[Rivalry (Gain: +6)] - You have a group of powered individuals that have teamed up specifically to defeat you. While individually they may not pose much threat, as a team they'll be a frequent headache.
[Blank Slate (Gain: +5)] - You forget everything you know about the world setting. You can remember general terms like it being about superheroes and villains, but beyond that, nothing.
[Inhuman (Gain: +3)] - Your power has left you with a distinctively inhuman appearance. You're unnatural and inhuman looking, not just human with makeup or horns.
[Arcane (Gain: +5)] - You're born without the ability to utilize magic. No amount of study or effort will change that.
[Not-Plot Armor (Gain: +2)] - It's difficult to control your urge to monologue when you have the upper hand. The longer you delay, the more likely good fortune shines on your target.
[Montage (Gain: +2)] - When you first arrive, you only have access to a quarter of your full potential. Within five years you'll gradually gain full power, but can speed this up with training.
[No Kill Rule (Gain: +2)] - You must not kill. Regardless of how dangerous someone is, you feel adamantly opposed to murder.
[Weakness (Gain: +2)] - You possess a natural innate weakness that either harms you or leaves you vulnerable. Has to be something feasible for others to exploit.
[Extremists (Gain: +2)] - After your debut, you'll be targeted by radical extremists. Not individually powerful, but their fanatical hatred can be troublesome.
[Clone Imposter (Gain: +2)] - Sometime after your debut, some mad scientist will create a clone of you with similar powers but less control. {Incompatible with DNA Lock}
Jay's Problem Shopping Spree
Jay cracked his knuckles and dove in like he was building the most challenging boss fight ever designed.
[Heavy Eater (+3)] - "This is basically a non-issue. I've always been able to put away food anyway. Plus, with the kind of powers I'm planning? I'll probably burn through calories like the Flash after a time-travel sprint."
[Current Balance: -23 Points]
[Unmasked (+4)] - Jay hesitated for a moment. "This one's... actually kind of scary. But honestly? Tony Stark had the right idea ' I am Iron Man' on live TV. No double life, no lying to people I care about. If I'm going to do this, I'm doing it completely."
He couldn't have freedom while hiding behind a mask anyway.
[Current Balance: -19 Points]
[Challengers (+4)] - "Every wannabe villain with new powers will come gunning for me," Jay muttered, reluctantly clicking it. "It's like painting a target on my back and announcing 'free shots.' But that also means I'll have more powers to steal and increase my arsenal."
The constant interruptions would be annoying, but the reward would be worth it.
[Current Balance: -15 Points]
[Hunted (+4)] - This one made Jay pause longer. "An alien hunter tracking me across the galaxy for sport? That's... just a Yautja who's decided I'm trophy-worthy." He took a breath. "Alright, I can prepare for this…. I think."
[Current Balance: -11 Points]
[Rivalry (+6)] - Jay's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "A dedicated team whose entire existence revolves around defeating me.”
He clicked it reluctantly. He needed the points, and every legend needed worthy enemies.
[Current Balance: -5 Points]
[Arcane (+5)] - "This one hurts," Jay admitted. "Magic is an entire branch of power I'm permanently cutting myself off from. In a world where Doctor Strange can reshape reality with hand gestures, I'm voluntarily handicapping myself." He stared at the option. "But magic users answer to cosmic entities, follow ancient rules, get their power from borrowing dimensional energy. Cut off from magic, I'll be completely self-made - no mystical laws to navigate."
It was a steep price for independence, but he needed the points and the freedom.
[Current Balance: 0 Points]
Strategic Restraint
Jay looked at his current balance at 0 points, and felt a deep satisfaction. He'd managed to build exactly what he wanted without going into debt.
"Zero points," he mused with satisfaction. "Perfect balance. I've got enough challenges to keep things interesting without being completely reckless."
XYZ was staring at him like he was watching someone juggle live grenades. "You just chose some of the most challenging drawbacks available, and you're... enjoying this?"
Jay leaned back, less triumphant now, more thoughtful.
“It’s not like I want any of this. Constant challengers, a team of enemies, a damn alien hunter stalking me across the stars…” He exhaled slowly.
“But I can’t afford to play small. If I’m going to survive, I need pressure, something to push me to steal better powers, adapt faster, stay sharp.”
He glanced at the perk sheet. “Comic Nerd gives me the map. I’ll know who to avoid, who to watch, and who to target when the time’s right. If I prepare, really prepare, I can tailor what I steal to counter them.”
He looked up, jaw set. “If they’re coming anyway… I might as well turn them into milestones.”
"And cutting yourself off from magic in a world where the Sorcerer Supreme exists?"
"Magic is dependency," Jay said firmly. "Strange gets his power from external sources, serves cosmic entities, and follows ancient rules. I'll be answerable to no one. While he's bound by mystical law and mystical politics, I'll be absolutely free."
XYZ shook his head in apparent disbelief. "In twenty thousand years of doing this job, I've never seen someone choose challenges specifically to be free. It’s contradicting, actually."
"That's because most people are afraid of actually living," Jay replied. "I spent twenty-five years playing it safe and being miserable. Now I get to choose my problems, and I'm choosing ones that'll make me stronger, happy, and completely free."
The foundation was set, the challenges were locked in, and the books were perfectly balanced.
