Chapter 6: The Return and the Rising
For an entire month after his harbor heroics, John Vance, now a household name as The Sentinel, was a force of constant change. He was no longer a one-off event; he was a phenomenon. His actions were a recurring segment on every news channel, a topic of endless debate and speculation.
A TV in a corner of his warehouse workshop played a news montage, a whirlwind of fleeting images and soundbites that summarized the month-long journey. A breathless news anchor narrated over a quick-cut sequence.
"...and The Sentinel strikes again! Just last week, the mysterious armored figure single-handedly dismantled what intelligence sources are now calling a Hydra splinter cell in Boston, disrupting a global weapons smuggling ring. The organization, not seen since the days of Captain America, was brought to its knees by the Sentinel's mix of superhuman strength and advanced technology."
The screen showed blurred footage of a fiery battle. John's movements were a blur, his repulsor blasts cutting through Hydra's heavy artillery with surgical precision. A quick flash of a blue energy shield, a product of his [Basic Kinetic Control] skill, deflected a rocket, saving a city bus. He had been training relentlessly, using his high INT and WIS to find and neutralize threats across the country.
"...and this morning, a major bank robbery in downtown Los Angeles was foiled by the Sentinel in less than ten minutes. The criminals, rumored to be members of the Serpent Society, a group of costumed mercenaries, were apprehended after he neutralized their leader, Cobra, with what eyewitnesses are calling an 'untraceable energy pulse.'"
The footage showed John moving with impossible speed, a blur of gray and blue. He was faster, stronger, and more confident than he was just a month ago. He had become a symbol of hope. His fame had skyrocketed, and people were already starting to talk about him in the same breath as legendary figures from the past.
John, however, was not concerned with fame. He was in his workshop, sitting cross-legged in the middle of a vast, meticulously organized space, the schematics for a new, more advanced suit floating around him. He had been using his battles not just to save lives, but to grow.
A series of new notifications from the System appeared.
[EXP Gained: 100,000 EXP!]
[Calculating Level Ups…]
[Current EXP: 98,900 + 100,000 = 198,900]
The numbers flashed. John had fought a series of powerful enemies, and the EXP was a testament to his efforts.
[Level 12 -> Level 13!]
[EXP Required: 102,400]
[EXP Remaining: 96,500]
He had gained another level. This time, he didn't just gain attribute points; he also gained a new perk.
[Congratulations, Host! You have leveled up 1 time!]
[Attribute Points Gained: 2 (per level) x 1 (level) = 2 Attribute Points.]
[100x Multiplier applied!]
[Total Attribute Points Gained: 200!]
"System, apply all 200 points equally to current attributes."
The familiar rush of power washed over him. His stats were now even higher, pushing him closer to a true superhuman status. His HP and MP pools were massive, his speed and strength reaching new heights.
He pulled up his status panel, a testament to his month of relentless training and fighting.
[Status]
* Name: John Vance
* Level: 13
* EXP: 96,500 / 204,800
* HP: 3860 / 3860
* MP: 3860 / 3860
* STR: 400
* DEX: 400
* VIT: 399
* INT: 399
* WIS: 399
* LUK: 399
A new line appeared at the bottom, a new badge of his rising power.
[Overall Power Level: Town Level]
John's eyes widened at the power jump. The Sentinel was no longer a small-time hero; he was a town-level threat, a hero capable of protecting an entire city from harm. He had officially surpassed the capabilities of peak human beings, even without his suit.
Suddenly, a new segment on the TV caught his attention. It was a live news broadcast from the Los Angeles International Airport. The headline flashed: "Tony Stark Returns After Three Months!"
John's heart hammered against his ribs. This was it. The moment that would kick off the entire Marvel universe. He knew every word that was about to be said. He watched as Tony, looking disheveled but very much alive, pushed past his security detail. He ordered a cheeseburger and called for a press conference.
Later that night, John was in his workshop, the Mark 0 standing silently behind him, when the press conference began. The media was in a frenzy. Tony Stark, the world's most charismatic billionaire, had returned, and the entire world was watching.
He watched as Tony, a man who had changed in a cave, stepped up to the podium. Tony looked the crowd in the eye, and with a quiet confidence that betrayed a hidden trauma, he dropped a bombshell.
"I have decided that, for my peace of mind, and for the peace of the world, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries."
A collective gasp went through the room. The reporters erupted into a furious chorus of questions. Pepper Potts looked on with a mix of awe and concern.
John felt his blood run cold. He knew this was an act of a changed man, a brave and naive move that would have massive consequences. This was not just a press conference; it was a shot across the bow of the criminal underworld. And John knew exactly who would take the most offense: Obadiah Stane, the man who had been running Stark Industries in Tony's absence. Stane wouldn't just be angry; he would see this as an act of war. Tony had just made himself a target.
As the broadcast ended, the System's blue text shimmered into existence, a new quest waiting to be accepted.
[Quest Activated: A New Alliance]
[Objective: Establish a relationship with Tony Stark. Help him survive the coming betrayal.]
[Reward: [Master Engineer Skill Book], 1x Attribute Point, 25,000 EXP.]
The pieces were on the board. The game had just begun.