The scent of fresh river fish hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort for Dev. At fifteen, he was already too acquainted with the harsh realities of the Dou Qi Continent. Perched on a sun-warmed rock by the tranquil river near Wu Tan City, he cast his line, the rhythmic plop of the bobber a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts in his mind.
"Why, God, why am I here?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper against the gentle current. "In this dangerous world like Battle Through the Heavens, there's no human rights. Rights are decided by the strong. But here I am, fifteen, and still only a 3-star Dou Practitioner."
He was Dev, a time traveler, though the grand title felt out of place for someone so utterly ordinary. His soul hailed from the Blue Planet, but he was born into the Dou Qi Continent, an orphan scraping by near Wu Tan City. No special bloodline, no unique body, not even a cheat like the other protagonists he'd read about. Just a simple fisherman, earning his meager living, dreaming of a power he could only imagine.
After his self-pitying monologue, Dev packed up his meager catch and headed towards the bustling market of Wu Tan City. He was just arranging his small fish stall when a familiar, arrogant presence loomed. A boy with black hair, radiating a distinct air of self-importance, stood before him.
"I want to buy a fish," the boy stated, his tone more of a demand than a request.
Dev, accustomed to all sorts of customers, merely gestured to his display. "Choose what you want."
The black-haired boy's eyes scanned the glistening fish. "I want to buy this red fish."
Just as he reached for it, a young and strikingly beautiful girl appeared beside him. "Brother Xiao Yan, are you buying a fish? These fish look good and fresh."
Xiao Yan, as Dev now knew him to be, simply took one red fish, paid, and left with the girl. Dev watched them go, a single thought echoing in his mind: "Is this the fallen genius, Xiao Yan, just like in the stories?" He'd heard rumors a few days ago about the infamous "three-year agreement" concerning the Xiao family's once-promising scion. Seeing him in person, it was hard to reconcile this somewhat ordinary boy with the future powerhouse of the continent, one who would eventually break through to the Dou Di level.
Then, a sudden, unfamiliar sound resonated in Dev's mind: "Ding! Host meets the requirements to interact with the main character of this world. System activated!"
Dev's heart leaped into his throat. He abandoned his stall, the fish forgotten, and sprinted through the winding streets of Wu Tan City back to his humble hut on the outskirts. Slamming the door shut, he whispered, "Open system!"
A translucent panel shimmered into existence before him.
Name: Dev
Cultivation: 3-star Dou Practitioner
Skill: None
Dev's face contorted as if he was about to burst into tears. Fifteen years. Fifteen long years he had waited for this moment. His "cheat," his ticket to survival in this perilous world, had finally arrived.
"What functions do you have?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement.
The system's clear voice replied, "Host can use tickets to acquire cards. These cards contain skills, templates, or items from different worlds. You can choose one out of ten cards each time. The system also features a mall where you can purchase items with mall points. Both tickets and mall points can be obtained by completing missions or through major breakthroughs in cultivation levels, such as breaking through to the Dou Disciple level. Currently, you have one ticket and one hundred mall points. Do you wish to use your ticket for cards?"
"Yes, why not!" Dev exclaimed, joy bubbling up inside him.
A glowing table materialized, and ten cards appeared on its surface. Dev's jaw dropped, his excitement quickly replaced by utter disbelief.
The first card showed Superman's Pants.
The second, a Second-Grade Pill of Power.
The third, a Tissue Paper.
The fourth, a Toilet Paper.
The rest were equally mundane—matchsticks, broken trinkets, pure trash. Dev felt a wave of despair wash over him. Was this his great cheat?
Then, his gaze landed on the very last card. It depicted a ferocious man with gleaming, steel claws protruding from his knuckles. Dev instantly recognized him. "Wolverine!" he gasped, "From Marvel! A mutant with regeneration and an adamantium skeleton!"
He immediately questioned the system. "Is this the Wolverine template? Can I also get his powers?"
"Yes," the system confirmed. "It is a perfect Wolverine template, without the defects of metal poisoning."
Dev didn't hesitate. He reached out and touched the Wolverine card. It dissolved into a shimmering light that surged into his body. A searing pain, as if his very genes were being rewritten, erupted within him. It lasted only a few agonizing seconds, but it was enough to leave him drenched in sweat.
Then, a powerful surge of vitality coursed through his veins, followed by a chilling sensation as sharp, steel claws burst forth from his knuckles. He stared at them, a mixture of awe and fear. Testing his new ability, he tentatively slashed his hand with a claw. A thin cut appeared, but even as he watched, it healed before his eyes, leaving no trace.
After a few more moments of experimentation, he retracted the claws, their metallic gleam disappearing beneath his skin. This night, for the first time in a very long time, Dev slept soundly, a sweet, hopeful sleep. His cheat had arrived, and with it, a glimpse of a different future in this dangerous world.