Starting With Batman

In addition to unlocking the function of character teaming and two-line combat, the recent upgrade naturally required the development of new personal abilities for players.

As Charlie browsed through the hero roster teeming with newcomers, he felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The roster was vast, filled with heroes, each with their own unique set of skills and abilities. After much deliberation, he decided to focus on the team’s newest C-level player, Moon Knight.

From the moment he saw Moon Knight in the lineup, Charlie knew that this character was special. Moon Knight, with his enigmatic presence and complex abilities, was more than just another hero; he was a game-changer. The skill set available in Moon Knight’s arsenal was nothing short of impressive. Not only did he possess basic physical enhancements—strength, agility, endurance—but he also had access to more mysterious powers that intrigued Charlie.

One of the standout abilities was Moon Knight’s capacity to see and interact with spirit bodies. This skill alone set him apart from most other heroes in the roster. The power to touch and even sanction ghosts and spirits was a rare and potentially invaluable ability. However, there was a catch. In the world Charlie was currently navigating, most of the “infected” beings were more amusing than threatening, and it remained uncertain whether actual ghosts or spirits existed in this realm. This uncertainty made it difficult to determine just how useful Moon Knight’s spectral abilities would be.

But Charlie knew that if there were indeed spirits lurking in the shadows of this world, then Moon Knight’s abilities could become crucial. The landscape of American comics was dominated by heroes who relied on mutations or advanced technology. Few delved into the mystical or metaphysical realms. Even the most powerful heroes lacked defenses against supernatural threats, making Moon Knight’s specialized skills all the more valuable.

As Charlie considered the various options within Moon Knight’s skill set, he found himself drawn to the character’s potential. There were so many enviable skills to choose from—abilities that could tip the balance in any battle. Yet, there was one lingering concern that gnawed at him. The game’s description of “hero skills” was often vague, sometimes maddeningly so. There was a nagging fear that Moon Knight’s schizophrenia might be classified as a “skill.” The thought of drawing such an ability was troubling. It wasn’t the kind of power-up he was looking for.

Unfortunately, as if the universe were playing a cruel joke, Charlie’s previous two skill draws had been a mixed bag. One had given him combat skills from Captain America—solid, reliable, but not particularly exciting. The other had resulted in basic super strength, a generic power-up that, while useful, lacked the flair and uniqueness he craved. This time, Charlie had hoped for something more. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

With a deep breath, Charlie made his choice and initiated the draw. The result? “Gun specialization.”

Moon Knight, also known as Marc Spector, had been a formidable mercenary before donning the mantle of Moon Knight. He was well-versed in the use of various weapons, so it made sense that this skill would be in his pool. However, despite its practicality, it wasn’t exactly the game-changer Charlie had hoped for.

“Gun specialization” wasn’t a useless skill, but it wasn’t the most thrilling option either. The problem was that this ability wasn’t easily tested in the current game environment. After all, Charlie wasn’t surrounded by an arsenal of firearms, and the opportunity to make use of this skill was limited. While it was true that most men didn’t have such skills inherently, this one wasn’t something that would see frequent use in his current situation. Reluctantly, Charlie set the skill aside, mentally noting to revisit it when the opportunity arose.

Next came the most anticipated part of the upgrade process—the card pool drawing. This was where Charlie hoped to turn the tide in his favor.

As the card drawing interface loaded, Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. Previously, the only option had been the “C-level teleportation array,” which offered a chance to summon heroes and equipment, albeit with limited power and potential. But now, a new slot had appeared beside it, marked with the tantalizing words “B-level teleportation array.”

“B-level teleportation array: Hero points can be consumed to activate the teleportation array, which can summon more powerful superheroes or hero equipment. Each activation of the teleportation array requires 50 hero points.”

Charlie’s eyes widened in excitement.

Finally, the higher-level teleportation array had arrived. He had anticipated this moment for so long. In the back of his mind, he had prepared himself for the possibility that the higher-level teleportation array would come with a hefty price tag—perhaps even requiring five hundred hero points per activation. But to his surprise, the system had been unexpectedly generous. The upgrade to the card pool didn’t come with a price increase, a rare moment of relief in the often unforgiving world of gaming.

The C-level teleportation array was a mixed bag. Most of the heroes it summoned were ordinary, lacking the peak strength that could turn the tide of battle. Even when it did produce superheroes, they were often past their prime, their abilities capped by the limitations of the pool.

But the B-level teleportation array—this was a game-changer. Charlie could imagine that 80% of the heroes in this pool would be true powerhouses, superheroes who could make a difference. Even if the occasional oddball character appeared, they would still likely outclass those from the C-level pool.

With no hesitation, Charlie decided to take the plunge and initiate the first draw from the B-level pool.

As the screen flashed and the first round began, Charlie’s excitement grew. The special effects that accompanied the draw were a promising sign—lightning, swirling colors, and a sense of anticipation filled the screen. This could be it. This could be the moment when his luck finally turned around, and he would pull something extraordinary.

But then, as the swirling colors settled, Charlie’s heart sank a little.

The item revealed was… a razor?

Charlie blinked, his excitement giving way to confusion.

He opened the item’s description, hoping for some hidden significance, and found that it was indeed a razor. But not just any razor—it was the razor used by Wolverine. Still, this revelation did little to alleviate Charlie’s disappointment.

“Seriously?” Charlie thought, a mixture of disbelief and exasperation filling his mind. “Now they’re giving star effects to razors?”

It reminded him of the live promotions he had seen before—those awkward moments when products were pushed with flashy effects to make them seem more appealing. And now, it seemed even the superhero game card pool was jumping on the bandwagon of odd product placements.

“Alright, stay calm,” Charlie told himself, trying to rein in his frustration.

He hoped this was just a one-off fluke, but as the drawing continued, it became clear that this was only the beginning. One by one, he pulled out several other items of questionable value—things he had never heard of, items that seemed to have no practical use in the game. Only one item stood out among the oddities: “Hulk’s Legendary Pants.”

As Charlie held the item in his virtual hands, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Even after examining the pants closely, he couldn’t discern anything particularly special about them. In fact, they seemed like ordinary underpants, albeit with a storied history.

In his mind, Hulk’s underpants should be on par with the indestructible armor worn by the most iconic heroes. After all, these pants had to withstand the sheer force of Hulk’s transformation, growing with him to a size that would make even Thor shudder. They had accompanied Hulk through countless battles, enduring unimaginable stress and strain. They had to be more than just ordinary fabric, right?

“Imagine,” Charlie thought to himself, “throwing a massive city-destroying attack at Hulk, only for him to emerge unscathed, his pants still intact. The enemy would retreat, bewildered, reporting back, ‘Sir, we failed to penetrate the enemy’s pants…’”

But as Charlie continued to examine the pants, his initial excitement faded. The durability of the underpants, it seemed, was more a product of narrative necessity—thanks to the ratings board ensuring the film remained family-friendly—than any actual in-game advantage. Without this “mysterious power,” the underpants were just that—ordinary underpants, with nothing particularly special about them.

“Seriously? This is what I get?” Charlie thought, a mix of frustration and resignation setting in. “If you’re going to give me Hulk’s pants, at least give me something cool like Scarlet Witch or Supergirl…”

Charlie’s initial enthusiasm for the B-level pool, which had not raised its price despite the upgrade, quickly began to wane. It dawned on him that perhaps the reason the points hadn’t increased was because the developers had turned the pool into a dumping ground for random, meaningless items.

But thankfully, despite the initial frustration, the B-level pool still had some redeeming qualities. Even though the odds seemed stacked against him, there was still a chance—a glimmer of hope that something good might come out of this.

After three rounds and ten consecutive draws, Charlie’s patience was finally rewarded. Just as his hero points were about to run out, a golden light appeared on the screen—the kind of light that promised something truly special.

Charlie’s breath caught in his throat as he drew out the first superhero he had pulled from the B-level pool.

As the dazzling golden light faded, a figure emerged—a silhouette of red and blue, slender yet undeniably powerful. The figure was clad in a tight-fitting uniform, the

elastic fabric giving off a sleek, spandex-like sheen. The red parts of the suit were interwoven with black lines, forming a vast, intricate web that covered the figure’s torso.

It was none other than Marvel’s beloved superhero, the one who had made Marvel and Sony’s executives negotiate endlessly, a member of the Avengers, and the friendly neighborhood hero adored by all—

—The Amazing Spider-Man.

Charlie’s eyes widened as he realized the significance of what he had just pulled. This wasn’t just another hero—this was one of the most iconic characters in the entire Marvel universe. Spider-Man, with his agility, strength, and web-slinging abilities, was a force to be reckoned with. He was the kind of hero who could change the course of a battle, the kind of hero who could make a real difference.

For a moment, all the frustrations and disappointments of the previous draws melted away. Charlie had done it. He had pulled Spider-Man from the B-level pool, and the possibilities that lay ahead filled him with excitement.

As he sat back, a grin spreading across his face, Charlie couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. This was what gaming was all about—the highs, the lows, and the thrill of the unexpected. And now, with Spider-Man on his team, Charlie knew that things were about to get a lot more interesting.

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