Chapter 16: Gun-Fu
Not sure yet whether this is a comic world or a movie world.
Compared to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the Marvel Universe is undoubtedly far more dangerous. If nothing else, the sheer number of superpowered heroes and villains flooding the streets is enough to give anyone a headache. In New York, you could probably chuck a rock and hit a superhero.
Zhou Ning could already foresee himself dying over and over again.
Thankfully, he had crossed over into the year 2006. The first Iron Man movie wasn't until 2008—he had at least two years of breathing room.
The simulation continued.
[July 2006: With no passport and no SSN, you couldn't move an inch in New York. So, you spent $3,000 buying an SSN from a man named Martin Li in Chinatown. According to him, it was legit.]
[August 2006: You kept placing small bets at casinos. Wins and losses came and went, but under your precise control, you always won more than you lost. By the end of the month, your wealth had grown to $88,000. You swore this would be your last time stepping into a casino. (Wealth +1)]
[September 2006: After some research, your sharp business mind discovered that this world truly had Stark Industries, Hammer Industries, Oscorp, Pym Technologies—tech giants whose technology far outpaced that of your previous life. However, the telecommunications industry was surprisingly behind. Even big shots on TV were still using bulky flip phones. You were confident that, given time, you could overtake them in this field and leap to the forefront of global tech.]
[October 2006: With some preparation, you spent $2,000 to register a mobile phone company called Pineapple.]
[November 2006: Your scientific talent was no worse than Tony Stark's. In less than two months, you had built two prototype phones in your garage based on the iPhone 4—featuring Retina displays and IPS technology. Their PPI was triple that of contemporary phones. When it came to milking advantages, you never held back.]
[December 2006: You broke your word. To raise funds, you went to Las Vegas, swearing it was really the last time. There, you won for 28 straight days playing Blackjack, earning $1.95 million—but also got blacklisted from every casino in Vegas and across the U.S. Still, the money was enough. (You gained skill: Gambling (Intermediate); Wealth +2)]
[December 2006: You poured huge amounts of money into advertising your phone on TV, newspapers, and other media—even before you had a finished product. You left yourself no way out. For you, a super gambler, whether it's gambling in Vegas or starting a business, it's all the same—just different places, rules, and players.]
[January 2007: Your money started running out. Damn. So you spent $10,000 to enter the WSOP No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament. The grand prize was $6 million. (Wealth -2)]
[February 2007: Out of 8,773 participants, the unknown you defeated a 39-year-old psychiatrist named Jeremy Young and won the tournament. (You gained skill: Gambling (Advanced); Wealth +5)]
[March 2007: After three months of ad blitz and hunger marketing, your Pineapple phone launched to massive success—so much so that it sold out. The fluid OS, Retina display, and crystal-clear images felt like they came from the future, completely crushing outdated flip phones. Your strategy worked. You had won this battle.]
[April 2007: Your startup took off. Like every lucky soul riding the wave, your fortune exploded at an unbelievable pace. In the U.S., your phone became a symbol of style and status. Even billionaires like Norman Osborn and Tony Stark used your device. (Wealth +9)]
[May 2007: This month, you dated every Playboy cover model from the first issue of 2005 to the fifth issue of 2007. You felt exhausted. (Happiness +7)]
[June 2007: At a cocktail party, you met Tony Stark. Your similar personalities and matching talents made you see yourselves in each other. The difference? You were way better looking. Even if you didn't like each other much, you still became pretty good friends.]
[July 2007: You, of all people, got ambushed. Some punks sprayed bullets at your car. Luckily, one of your employees happened to pass by, and you survived. His name? John Wick—your company's head of security. To thank him, you paid the medical bills for his cancer-stricken wife and got her the best doctor, easing her condition. He was deeply grateful.
[August 2007: Over time, you and John Wick became close friends. You also kept in touch with Tony Stark. You guys attended several parties together—friends and rivals at the same time. Especially when it came to women: you had looks, Tony had money. You won, hands down.]
[September 2007: A few punks trashed several of your retail stores. That night, a man named Wesley came to see you, claiming to represent a businessman named Wilson Grant Fisk who wanted to buy your Pineapple company. You rejected the offer outright. Even knowing he was the Kingpin, he wasn't getting your company for free. To protect yourself, you hired more bodyguards.]
[November 2007: You were targeted for assassination again. A few days later, the news reported that Wilson Grant Fisk, a famed philanthropist and businessman, had been shot dead. The next day, you saw John Wick injured. No words were exchanged—you both knew.]
[December 2007: By sheer chance, you discovered John Wick was a master of every Gun-Fu style, especially the Mozambique Drill and the C.A.R. system. His moves flowed like water. Was this Marvel or the Assassin's Guild? After much pleading, John Wick finally agreed to train you in Gun-Fu.]
[Dec 2007 – June 2008: Your business soared. You hired a large workforce. The second generation of the Pineapple phone launched and was still selling like hotcakes. Meanwhile, under John Wick's guidance, you began to grasp the true essence of Gun-Fu. You gained Trait: Gun-Fu – Deadly Rhythm (Blue). You gained Skill: C.A.R. Shooting Method (Beginner)]
[Deadly Rhythm: A highly specialized combat state where you can integrate any skill into battle. Greatly enhances combat capabilities and battlefield awareness.]
[July 2008: Tony Stark traveled to Afghanistan to promote weapons. Two days later, news broke that he had gone missing in Kunar Province after an attack by the Ten Rings. His fate was unknown.]
[October 2008: Three months later, Tony returned to the U.S. After some time in seclusion, he immediately showed off his newly upgraded Mark II suit. After examining the armor closely, you figured that, given some time, you could replicate it perfectly. The only issue was the energy source.]
[November 2008: Tony took you out for drinks, and you were suddenly crushed to death by a giant robot falling from the sky. (You earned Achievement: Airborne Cavalry)]
You died.
Summary: Your life went pretty smoothly. But one thing's clear—your gambling skills are far superior to your business acumen. On the bright side, after your death, Tony Stark defeated Obadiah and his Iron Monger suit, avenging you. At the press conference, he even said that iconic line: "I am Iron Man!" In a way, he was showing off on your grave.
Rating: C+
World Exploration: 34.8%
Bonus: +3 Traversal Coins for exceeding 20% exploration
+1 Traversal Coin for influencing global scientific progress
[Simulation Complete. Please make your selection.]
[Option 1: Randomly acquire three skills or specialties gained during the traversal]
[Option 2: Randomly acquire three items gained during the traversal]
Zhou Ning: "…"
Death had come so suddenly that Zhou Ning was stunned for two seconds, then gritted his teeth in frustration.
Damn that Tony Shit-Stark! Had nothing to do with him, yet he still managed to get him killed. Next time he crossed over, he'd make sure to settle the score.
Still, despite the short run, the gains this time were substantial.
[You chose Option 1]
[You gained Trait: Gun-Fu – Deadly Rhythm (Blue)]
[You gained Skill: C.A.R. Shooting Method (Beginner)]
[You gained Skill: Gambling (Advanced)]
Sure enough—another trait and another combat skill!
Aside from dying young, Zhou Ning was quite satisfied with this round. Even though the gambling skill wasn't immediately useful, both the C.A.R. method and Gun-Fu: Deadly Rhythm gave a huge boost to his combat power.
Combined with his existing firearm knowledge and advanced marksmanship proficiency, he was beginning to form an entirely new professional system.
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