Chapter 16: Gun Fighting
I just don't know if this is the comic book world or the movie world.
Compared to something like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the Marvel Universe was undoubtedly far more dangerous. The constant parade of superheroes and supervillains was enough to give anyone a headache. In New York, you could probably hit a superhero just by throwing a rock.
Zhou Ning could already foresee a future filled with one gruesome death after another.
Fortunately, he had arrived in 2006. The plot of the first Iron Man film wouldn't kick off until 2008, giving him a buffer of at least two years.
The simulation continued.
[July 2006: Lacking a passport or an SSN, you are unable to get by in New York. You spend $3,000 to buy an SSN from a man named Martin Lee in Chinatown. He assures you it's the real deal.]
[August 2006: You continue to place small bets at various casinos. You win some and lose some, but with your precise control, you consistently come out ahead. By the end of the month, your net worth has grown to $88,000. You swear this will be your last time in a casino. (Family Wealth +1)]
[September 2006: After some research, your keen business acumen confirms the existence of tech giants like Stark Industries, Hammer Industries, Osborn Industries, and Pym Technologies. Their technological level far surpasses that of your previous world, but the gap in the communications industry is relatively small. Even prominent figures on TV are still using clunky dual-screen flip phones. You are confident that, given time, you can overtake the competition and become a world leader.]
[October 2006: After a period of preparation, you spend $2,000 to register a mobile phone company called Pineapple.]
[November 2006: Your scientific talent rivals Tony Stark's. In less than two months, you build two prototype phones in your basement garage, based on the design of the iPhone 4. They feature Retina displays and IPS screen technology, with a PPI three times higher than any other phone from this era. You've never been one to cut corners.]
[December 2006: You break your promise and head to Las Vegas to raise capital, swearing this is the absolute last time. You proceed to win at blackjack for 28 days straight, earning $1.95 million. However, you are blacklisted by every casino in Las Vegas and the entire country. Still, you have the money you need, so this is definitely, finally, your last time gambling. (Skill Gained: Gambling (Intermediate), Family Wealth +2)]
[December 2006: You spend a fortune on a massive advertising campaign for your Pineapple phone across TV, newspapers, and other media. You've created immense hype before the product is even manufactured, leaving yourself no room for failure. To a super gambler like you, business and Las Vegas are just two different tables with different rules and different players.]
[January 2007: You realize your funds are starting to run low. You spend $10,000 to enter the WSOP No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament for a shot at the $6 million grand prize. (Family Wealth -2)]
[February 2007: A total of 8,773 people register for the WSOP. You, a relative unknown, defeat 39-year-old psychiatrist Jeremy Young to win the championship. (Skill Gained: Gambling (Advanced), Family Wealth +5)]
[March 2007: After more than three months of relentless advertising and hunger marketing, your Pineapple phone is an instant sensation upon release, selling out immediately. Its smooth operating system, Retina display, and crystal-clear graphics seem like something from the future, completely crushing the outdated flip phones on the market. Your gamble paid off.]
[April 2007: Your company becomes a massive success. Like any entrepreneur who strikes gold, your wealth expands at an incredible rate. In the United States, your phone becomes a symbol of fashion and status. Even the wealthy Norman Osborn and Tony Stark are seen using one. (Family Wealth +9)]
[May 2007: You date every Playboy cover girl from the first issue of 2005 to the fifth issue of 2007. You are feeling exhausted. (Happiness +7)]
[June 2007: You meet Tony Stark at a cocktail party. Your similar personalities and intellect make it feel like looking in a mirror—the only difference being that you are far more handsome. Though you both dislike each other on principle, you become good friends.]
[July 2007: An assassination attempt is made on your life. Several thugs open fire on your car, but you survive thanks to a passing employee who intervenes. You learn his name is John Wick, a security guard at your company. To thank him, you pay the medical bills for his wife, who has cancer, and find her the best doctors, leading to her recovery. He is deeply grateful.]
[August 2007: You and John Wick become close friends. You also stay in touch with Tony Stark, attending several parties together. You are both friends and rivals. In your romantic pursuits, you rely on your looks, while Tony relies on his money. The difference is obvious.]
[September 2007: Several of your phone stores are vandalized. That evening, a man named Wesley visits you. He claims to represent a businessman named Wilson Grant Fisk and makes an offer to acquire your Pineapple company. You flatly reject him. You know he's the Kingpin, but there's no way you're handing over your company.]
[November 2007: You survive another assassination attempt. A few days later, a news report announces that the famous philanthropist and businessman Wilson Grant Fisk has been shot and killed. The next day, you see an injured John Wick, and a silent understanding passes between you.]
[December 2007: By chance, you discover that John Wick is a master of all forms of gun-fu, including the Mozambique Drill and the C.A.R. System. His technique is fluid and deadly. Is this Marvel or the Continental? After you repeatedly plead with him, John Wick finally agrees to begin teaching you his gunfighting techniques.]
[December 2007 – June 2008: Your business flourishes and you hire numerous employees. The Pineapple 2 is released to strong sales. Meanwhile, under John Wick's tutelage, you begin to grasp the fundamentals of gun-fu. (Talent Learned: Gun-Fu: Deadly Rhythm (Blue), Skill Learned: C.A.R. System (Basic))]
[Deadly Rhythm: A special combat state that allows the user to integrate any ability into the flow of battle, greatly increasing their combat effectiveness and battlefield awareness.]
[July 2008: Tony Stark travels to Afghanistan to sell weapons. Two days later, the media announces that he was attacked by the Ten Rings gang in Kunar Province. His status is unknown.]
[October 2008: Three months later, Tony Stark returns to the United States. After a period of seclusion, he immediately visits you to show off his newly upgraded Mark II armor. After carefully studying it, you feel that, given time, you could perfectly replicate it. The only major hurdle is the power source.]
[November 2008: Tony Stark asks you out for a drink. You are unceremoniously crushed to death by a large steel robot that falls from the sky. You have earned the achievement: Skyfall.]
[You are dead.]
[Summary: You lived a fairly smooth life, but it must be said: you were much better at gambling than at business. It is also worth mentioning that after your death, Tony Stark defeated Obadiah's Iron Monger, avenging you. He then shouted the iconic line, "I am Iron Man!" at a press conference. In a way, he was dancing on your grave.]
[Rating: C+. World Exploration: 34.8%. As your exploration exceeded 20%, you are awarded 3 Time-Travel Coins. For your impact on the world's scientific development, you are awarded 1 Time-Travel Coin. Keep up the good work!]
[Simulation ended. Please select your reward.]
[1. Randomly obtain three skills or talents acquired during the simulation.]
[2. Randomly obtain three items acquired during the simulation.]
Zhou Ning sat in stunned silence.
Death had come so suddenly that it took him two full seconds to process. Then, he was filled with resentment.
That damn Tony. This had nothing to do with him, and I still got killed. Next time, I'm definitely getting him back for this.
Still, although the simulation was cut short, the rewards were substantial.
[You have chosen option one.]
[You have obtained the talent: Gun-Fu: Deadly Rhythm (Blue)]
[You have obtained the combat skill: C.A.R. System (Basic)]
[You have obtained the skill: Gambling (Advanced)]
Just as I'd hoped! Another talent and a combat skill!
Aside from his abrupt and slightly pathetic death, Zhou Ning was quite satisfied. His gambling skill was useless for now, but the C.A.R. System and the Deadly Rhythm talent were both huge boosts to his combat capabilities.
Combined with his existing firearms knowledge and advanced shooting proficiency, the foundations of a new combat style were beginning to fall into place.
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