(A/N: Be adviced, those who use the audio function, this chapter and next one will have a somewhat big info dump about the system. Later on only the selected item will appear.)
[Dom POV]
I woke up with a pounding headache.
I knew I was in a bed but couldn't recall how I got here, "This isn't my cell, where are the idiots and blood?"
My head is killing me.
'What?I'm not dreaming am I? I'm reaching for my forehead aren't I? Then why is this tiny little hand touching me? Is this a bandage? Did I hit my head?' Ok, Dominick stay calm, let's try to open your eyes.
Ah my vision is so blurry, this is awful, is this what it's like to use glasses?
A few seconds later my vision started to clear.
Good, I'm not partially blind.
"He..llo?" damn my throat is parched, for how long have I been here?
*Creak*
Someone there? Trying my hardest I managed to turn my head around to look at the door. 'Hey you! The one looking at me, open the door will you, I need some help here!'
I tried waving my hand, even talking but I was so parched that nothing came out.
*Gasp*
'Yeah! That 's it! You saw me! Now how about a glass of water? No, wait! Don't leave!'
"Miss Edna! He's awake! Miss Edna!"
Well that's progress at least I just hope she brings with her a glass and a jar filled with water.
Then heavy footsteps could be heard approaching the door.
"Well, look who decided to finally join the living!"
She stood over me, hands on hips, face scrunched into something between rage and triumph.
That ball of fat and loose skin was radiating fury like a furnace.
"Two whole days, Dominik. Two days of lying there after pulling that little stunt of yours! I told you not to climb that tree!"
Well, that answers the head injury. Could I have traveled back in time? If so, where is my mom and sis? They should still be alive...
"And falling during the Stark charity event? Of all times, Dominik! Do you have any idea what you've done? I had to explain to the event organizers why one of my kids decided to perform a flying circus act in the middle of their big day! Such bad publicity for the orphanage! As if we're not struggling enough already!"
Wait a second, she said Stark, didn't she? Like Tony Stark? And orphanage? So... it's not my past. Ahh, this headache is killing me! First things first: hydration.
"Wa..ter please," I croaked, using every bit of strength I had.
"Water? Oh, so now you want water? After all the trouble you've caused? Fine. Wait here. I want to hear what you have to say for yourself".
What a witch, shouldn't she be worried about me? Why wasn't I taken to a hospital? They probably just left me here to die, if I'd slept one more day, I'd be dead.
"Here, don't spill it, and don't choke".
She slammed the glass down next to me like she was trying to make it shatter.
The liquid inside... I hope it's water, it doesn't look too clean, though.
"Well, are you going to drink or not?"
I'm going, you wench! I can barely lift my arm!
*Gulp* *Gulp*
Hoo boy, that hits the spot, stale as hell, was this water from the toilet, by any chance?
"So tell me now, Dominik. What were you thinking?"
Whoa, that smile is creepy as hell.
'Well, I don't know why I did that, I'm not this kid'.
Yeah, no chance in hell I'm saying that out loud, she'd slap me into next week. Okay, just act naive, I'm a kid, I'm supposed to be dumb, right?
"Well, I was just playing" I said, trying to sound as innocent as possible.
Wrong move.
Very wrong.
"Just playing?! Dominik, you fell headfirst from a tree during a public event organized by the wealthiest person in the world! What part of acting like a monkey at this particular event sounded like a good idea to you? Do you think I enjoy cleaning up your messes? Do you think I have the time or patience for your idiotic stunts!?"
I can practically see steam coming out of her ears, she's absolutely livid. Deep breaths, lady. In and out. Don't have a stroke right here.
"But I'm fine, see? Nothing happened". I gave her a weak little wave for emphasis.
"Nothing happened? Ha! Something did happen! I had reporters asking if I 'encouraged reckless behavior' in the children I care for. Do you know how humiliating that is? I could lose sponsors, Dominik! Sponsors who keep this place running!"
Ouch. That finger jabbed straight into my chest, careful, monster, I'm fragile!
"Listen carefully, you little troublemaker. You're going to pay for this, you owe me, and you'd better pray those nosy people lose interest fast, because if they start poking around here, it won't just be you who suffers the consequences. Now recover quickly, we'll discuss your punishment later".
'Yeah, you go ahead and leave, you troll'.
Once she left, I had some time to gather my thoughts.
I was supposed to die, am I now I'm here, in what right now I could define as the world of a comic?
Movie?
My excitement ran free at that thought, I knew I died, I lost too much blood after that fight.
Now this…
Stark.
She said that name, I only know of one Stark family, the one of marvel, am I in this world now? Is that even possible? It must be, she also mentioned a charity event for an orphanage? How come I transmigrated as an orphan? Isn't that too cliche? I want to be Tony Stark! Thor! Come on, if I won't have parents at least let me be Peter Parker, Spider-man is my favorite superhero!
Damn! I can't even move! There's something wrong here, how is it that no one took me to the hospital after my fall if everyone saw it?
Shit! Move! You can do it!
*Huff* *Huff*
I can't move, great, is this really my life now? An orphan again and disabled? Isn't this too cruel?
How am I supposed to live again if heroes and villains are going to start popping left and right? I want a superpower!
*Ding*
[Initializing…]
[System activation successful]
[Welcome, user]
[Designation: Dominik Holt]
[Condition: Weakened (Partial Paralysis)]
[Halo System online]
[Awaiting your input]
'Halo system? What is this?'
[The Halo System is designed to assist you in surviving. Through this system, you can access resources, knowledge, and enhancements from the Halo Saga franchise.]
[Would you like to begin the tutorial?]
Like the game?! As in Master Chief? Awesome! I'm not powerless! Begin the tutorial!
[Tutorial initiated]
[The Halo System operates using a points-based structure. Points are earned by influencing the world's storyline through three types of changes: minor, moderate, and major]
[Points can be exchanged for resources categorized as abilities, knowledge, vehicles and equipment]
[The host currently has 100 points available]
Pretty easy, earn points and buy things, simple and intuitive. I like it.
'System, can you give me a description of the types of changes?'
[Minor changes include small actions like altering the storyline in a minor way or interacting with recognized characters. Moderate changes involve influencing characters or events significantly. Major changes require you to alter the course of critical events entirely]
This might be troublesome, am I supposed to change the events? Won't that in itself change the future I know? Well, that is a problem for future me.
'System show me the shop'
System Shop:
Abilities
- HUD Enhancements (Threat Detection, Targeting) - 50 points
- Basic Cognitive Enhancement (Basic intelligence enhancement) - 75 points
- Physical Enhancements (Basic Strength/Speed Boosts) - 75 points
- Ability Mods (Regeneration Field, Hardlight Shield) - 150 points
- Active Camouflage (Temporary Invisibility) - 250 points
- Spartan Augmentations (Partial Genetic Enhancements) - 400 points
- Forerunner Knowledge (Tech Mastery) - 3,500 points
…
Equipment
- Small Gadgets Blueprint - 10 points
- MA5 Assault Rifle - 50 points
- Energy Shielding Add-Ons - 150 points
- Mjolnir Armor Variants - 500 points
- Deployable Turrets - 1,000 points
- Mjolnir GEN2 Custom Armor - 2,000 points (Blueprint 1000 points)
- Forerunner Artifacts - 8,000 points (Blueprint 4,000 points)
…
Vehicles (Light)
- Mongoose (UNSC ATV) - 600 points (Blueprint 300 points)
- Covenant Ghost - 800 points (Blueprint 400 points)
- UNSC Warthog (Light Variant) - 1,000 points (Blueprint 500 points)
Vehicles (Medium)
- UNSC Warthog (Armored/Armed Variant) - 1,500 points (Blueprint 750 points)
- Covenant Banshee - 2,000 points (Blueprint 1,000 points)
- UNSC Scorpion Tank - 3,000 points (Blueprint 1,500 points)
…
Vehicles (Heavy)
- Pelican Dropship - 2,000 points (Blueprint 1,000 points)
- Forerunner Phaeton - 6,000 points (Blueprint 3,000 points)
- Infinity-Class Ship Access - 10,000 points (Blueprint 5,000 points)
…
Knowledge
- Tactical Strategies - 15 points
- Weapon Handling Manuals - 50 points
- Covenant Tactics - 500 points
- AI Integration (Cortana) - 5,000
…
Amazing, and the list goes on and on in each of the categories.
There are some really good options, but now I have to think carefully, and also find a way to cure my paralysis,100 points isn't much and with no way to know how to earn more I have to make this count.
First of all I don't see any affordable healing options, so we can take that out of our plans.
This headache is killing me
'Ok focus Dom you can do it, relax and think carefully. Let's see, nothing hurts but my head, from which we can infer that past Dom was an idiot and didn't think about landing on anything but his face. We can also infer that my head injury is the cause of my apparent paralysis. Good, Dom, you are a genius, then I need something that can heal or recover the damage.'
Basic Cognitive Enhancement (75 points)
- Enhances memory, learning capacity, and logic.
Out of anything I can afford this is the only thing that deals directly with the brain, or I hope so at least.
[Do you wish to acquire this resource?]
'Yes!'
Gaah! Yea that is something alright, at least a 50% increase in pain! Sh*it! Ohh is going down ok, that was awful. Thank god! I can move! It worked!
[Basic cognitive enhancement successfully installed]
'Installed? Now that I think about it, are enhancements physical or are you modifying my genetic makeup?'
[ The system has implanted a neural implant on the hosts brain, other resources might alter the genetic composition of the host]
Great, well figured as much, no amount of implants will ever make me a Spartan II no matter how advanced the technology. Now that my head is clear I have an idea of my next two purchases.
Tactical Strategies (Enhancement) (15 points)
- Improves strategic thinking and problem-solving in battle situations.
Small Gadgets (Blueprint) (10 points)
- Gains knowledge for crafting basic tools or devices.
[Do you wish to acquire these resources?]
'Yes'
My head feels heavy, not painful, similar to a headache I would say. More importantly, this knowledge; tools, drones, tripwires, even energy scanners and plasma torches. I got plasma tech from the Covenant, sweet!
This neural implant is really something else, I never considered myself a smart guy, but now everything feels clear, like I can think about everything in order.
Let's get started then, I just hope grandma Edna won't punish me severely.