[Welcome to the Party System!]
[This system will allow you to add 5 members to your party, who will be able to gain vast benefits!]
[Benefits include 150% stat growth rate, and the ability to use stat and skill cards!]
Stats? Skills? What are those? Wait. Don't tell me that my system had something like a status window the entire time. "status!" I yell into the air. And of course, a blue screen appeared in front of my face. Fuck! Why didn't I think of this?!?!
[Status]
[Name: Alex Lee]
[Stats]
[Strength: D+]
[Agility: D]
[Durability: D]
[Skills: None]
All my stats are D...? doesn't that seem a little... low?
[The stats in this system are judged from a scale of F-S.]
[F: Nonexistant]
[E: Low Human]
[D: Average Human]
[C: Peak Human]
[B: Low Superhuman]
[A: Average Superhuman]
[S: Peak Superhuman]
Ohhh that explains it. So I'm pretty much a slightly above-average human right now? Damn. I'm so low on the list. I've got so much to work on if I have to fight the Chitauri in a year!!! They're like mechanically enhanced aliens so their stats should be at least C+ at the minimum! And there are millions of them!!!
As I was deep in thought, marvelling (a/n haha get it cuz marvel ha... mb) at my status window and trying to make sense of the implications, I barely registered the world around me until I actually looked up and-
Peter was still staring at me, suspicious but curious. I could practically see the gears turning in his head.
"You okay now?" he asked, waving a hand in front of my face. "You kinda zoned out for, like… five full minutes. Thought you went brain-dead or had a stroke or something."
"Oh-yeah. No. I'm good," I said quickly, brushing it off. "Just… figuring some stuff out. Y'know. Mentally."
Peter gave me a side-eye. "Right. Totally normal to just stop functioning mid-conversation."
I coughed awkwardly. "Yeah, haha, about that, I uh, discovered something."
Peter raised a brow.
I took a breath. No easy way to say this without sounding like a lunatic. "Okay, so—this is gonna sound completely insane- but I kinda have superpowers."
Peter blinked. "Come again?"
"I have… a system. Like a video game system. You know- stats, skills, quests, parties... that kind of thing."
There was a pause. A long one.
"You hit your head, didn't you?"
"No, no—listen. Just hear me out." I glanced around. "Okay, so one of the things I can do is invite people into my 'party.' It boosts your growth rate—like 1.5x stat gains—and gives access to all kinds of cool stuff down the line. Skills. Perks. Maybe loot. I'm still figuring it out."
Peter stared at me like I was about to try selling him NFTs.
"Okay," he said slowly. "So… you're telling me you have a video game interface in real life. Like, actual stats and levels."
"Yes."
"And you want me to join your… party?"
"Yes."
"Is this a metaphor for drugs?"
I groaned. "No, man. I'm being serious. Look, I'll prove it."
I opened the system and mentally selected Peter's name, then clicked invite.
A soft ding echoed in the air, and a blue screen blinked into existence in front of Peter's face.
Peter screamed.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
"That's the invite!" I said quickly, backing up with my hands raised. "It's real, see?! I told you!"
He stumbled backward and fell straight on his ass, eyes wide as he looked at the floating window.
"Is this some kind of Stark hologram prank?! Am I being filmed right now?!"
"No! It's just the system! Only I can do this- probably. I think. Still working out the details."
Peter's eyes darted across the glowing text. "'Join Alex Lee's Party?'" he read aloud. "'Party members receive accelerated growth and unique benefits…' What the hell…"
"I know it sounds crazy. But you're smart, right? Like- crazy smart. If anyone can make sense of this, it's you."
He looked up at me, still completely thrown off. "But… why me? We literally met like an hour ago."
I hesitated.
Fair question.
"Okay, real talk? I saw how you were getting pushed around, and how you still stood up and asked for help. That takes guts. You're not just smart, Peter- you've got drive. And if this system can help someone like you get stronger, I'd rather give it to you than waste it on a bunch of NPCs."
Peter blinked. "…You just called most of the school NPCs."
"Am I wrong though?"
"…Okay, fair."
I hesitated. "And also, seeing you made me feel like seeing myself a few years ago. I know how it feels to be powerless, and I know somebody that felt the harm that can be done, would never misuse their powers."
Peter went silent for a few seconds.
He stared at the screen again.
Then, without another word, he reached up and tapped 'Accept.'
[DING!][Party Member Added: Peter Parker]
There was a beat of silence.
Peter looked up slowly. "I just joined a party with a guy I met this morning who talks like he lives in a video game."
I nodded solemnly. "And you're already growing stronger, my young padawan."
"…This is the weirdest day of my life."
"You'll get used to it eventually."
Feeling like the conversation was over, I decided to check Peter's status. I went into the party menu and clicked Peter Parker.
[Name: Peter Parker]
[Stats]
[Strength: E+]
[Agility: D+]
[Durability: E]
[Skills: None]
Oh. He's super weak. I guess we need to start our training arc soon.
(a/n I see yall whining about how he told Peter about the system. Dont worry, It wont matter in the slightest as the chapters go on.)