––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
If you liked the story and want to read more
or just to support me, copy the link below.
You will find a special membership for:
3 chapter
and another one for:
7 chapters.
patreon.com/zakx205
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Zack stretched a little, then exhaled slowly and said, "As much as I want to run around Gotham like an idiot, I think I need some sleep first."
The system let out a mocking whistle. "How lazy! You barely got here, and you're already thinking about sleeping? I have to admit, you truly live by your old philosophy: 'Do nothing, and somehow you'll survive.'"
Zack ignored the sarcasm, lay down on the mattress, and pulled the blanket over himself. This was the first time since his arrival that he felt even a bit of safety.
"Tomorrow, I'll start exploring this new world… but tonight, I'll get some rest."
The system didn't comment this time, but it muttered in a cryptic tone: "Sleep well, Zack… because the coming days won't give you this chance very often."
Zack didn't respond. His eyes slowly closed, and his exhausted body finally surrendered to sleep.
And outside, in the dark streets of Gotham, the future was preparing surprises he never could have imagined…
—
Far away, deep in the dark void of space, where no light reached, Apokolips burned like an eternal hell. Twisted towers, rivers of molten lava, the screams of slaves, and an atmosphere drenched in hatred and submission… this was Darkseid's world.
In the grand throne hall, where shadows danced on the walls from the glow of the eternal flames, stood DeSaad—the right hand of Darkseid. His twisted form and sunken eyes were filled with cunning and absolute servitude.
Darkseid sat upon his massive black stone throne, his deep red glowing eyes staring into the void, as if seeing something others could not.
"Speak, DeSaad."
His voice was like low thunder—an unseen force threatening to crush everything beneath it.
DeSaad bowed respectfully and spoke in a raspy tone: "My lord, our devices in space detected a strange energy disturbance… something we have never seen before. It appeared for a brief moment in a city called… Gotham, then vanished as if it had never existed."
Darkseid showed no immediate reaction, but he slowly traced his finger along the armrest of his throne, as if deep in thought.
"Gotham… Earth again."
Then, he raised his head and looked directly at DeSaad.
"Did you determine the source of this disturbance?"
DeSaad swallowed hard, then shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. It disappeared too quickly… but its nature was… unique. Unlike any energy we've seen before."
Silence filled the hall for a few moments before Darkseid spoke again, his voice low yet filled with absolute authority:
"Monitor that place… and if this source appears again, inform me immediately."
DeSaad bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."
Then, he turned and left, leaving Darkseid alone in the darkness.
But in the eyes of the Lord of Apokolips, there was a rare glimmer of interest...
Because anything that could escape his sight, even for a moment... was worth watching.
—
The next morning…
The place was quiet, the air slightly cold, and the only sound was Zack's steady breathing… until…
"WAAAAAAKE UUUUUUP, YOU LAZY BUM!"
Zack jolted off the mattress like a madman, his body twitching violently, and his hand instinctively reaching for the gun in his pocket, pointing it at nothing.
"What… the hell!?"
But there was no one there… just the system's voice laughing hysterically in his head:
"HAHAHAHA! Oh my god, I wish I could've seen you jump like that! If I had an internal camera, I'd have saved this moment forever!"
Zack shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and muttered, "I swear, you'll pay for this one day."
The system quickly replied, "Of course, of course! But for now, wake up, you idiot! We've got a long day ahead!"
Zack sighed, then sat back down on the mattress, rubbing his tired face. He looked around the room—nothing had changed. The place was still as miserable as ever. But at least he hadn't been killed in his sleep, which, in a city like Gotham, was nothing short of a miracle.
"Alright… what's next?"
The system's blue screen popped up in front of him, its voice brimming with excitement:
"Oh, I have some lovely suggestions for you! Want to hear them?"
Zack stretched a little, then looked at the screen and said, "Go ahead."
And then, the first set of choices appeared before him…
The system, with complete calm and absolute confidence: "Look under the mattress."
Zack raised an eyebrow in confusion, then muttered while pulling back the blanket, "Don't tell me I've been sleeping on a dead rat or something…"
The system laughed in his head. "Haha! No, no, Gotham isn't that filthy… Okay, maybe it is, but not this time!"
Zack reached under the mattress, feeling around until his fingers brushed against something small and plastic-like. He slowly pulled it out and examined it closely.
A blue card, slightly shiny, as if infused with a faint energy. Written on it in silver letters:
"Gacha – Rarity: Uncommon."
Zack flipped it between his fingers before asking the system, "What the hell is this?"
The system shouted with excitement, like a game show announcer:
"Wooooow! Congratulations! You've obtained an Uncommon Gacha Card! How lucky you are, oh mighty Snake-Strangler!"
Zack didn't share the same enthusiasm. Instead, he just sighed and said flatly, "Alright… and what does that mean?"
The system appeared on the screen in front of him, explaining:
"Simply put, this Gacha Card lets you draw a random reward! Since it's Uncommon, you'll get something better than regular items, but it won't be overpowered either."
Zack looked at the card again and said, "Well… wouldn't hurt to get something useful right now."
But before he could do anything, the system interrupted:
"Wait, wait! You have two options here:"
Use the card now and get an instant reward.
Save it until you collect 10 cards, then exchange them for a Rare Card, which grants a better reward!"
Zack tapped the card with his finger, thinking, then muttered, "So… either a random prize now, or wait for something stronger later…"
The system cut into his thoughts, saying, "Yes! It's like the million-dollar question—do you take the cash now, or bet on the grand prize?!"
Zack rubbed his chin for a moment, then looked at the card again.
After a few moments, Zack raised the card in the air and said in a bored tone, "Screw it, I'll use it now. No time to wait."
The moment he spoke those words, the card glowed blue, then started dissolving into tiny light particles before completely vanishing.
Suddenly, a new system window appeared in front of him, shining with a golden glow:
Congratulations! You have obtained the title: "Master of Mixed Martial Arts"!
This title grants you extensive knowledge of all forms of hand-to-hand combat, including boxing, judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, taekwondo, and more!
Your body won't magically change, but it will adapt quickly to combat movements!
Bonus Effect: Enhanced Balance & Reflexes!
Zack read the text carefully, then raised an eyebrow and said flatly, "Huh… this actually seems pretty usefu—"
Before he could finish his sentence, he heard the system chuckle lightly and say in a mocking tone:
"Oh, by the way… a headache that feels like a train slamming into you is coming… NOW!"
"What do you mea—AAAAAHHHH!!"
Zack couldn't finish his sentence before he felt an unbearable explosion in his head. It was as if someone had taken a massive hammer and started slamming it against his skull over and over again.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of pieces of information flooded into his brain all at once… Combat techniques, attack stances, defensive maneuvers, how to land a knockout blow, how to take down an opponent, how to break an arm, how to dodge punches, how to use his weight to his advantage… It all crashed into his mind like a raging storm.
Zack dropped to his knees, clutching his head, his face twisting in pure agony, while the system laughed mockingly:
"Hahaha! Don't worry, it's just a quick download of all your new skills! Oh, look on the bright side! At least I didn't give you a loading bar and make you wait two hours!"
Zack couldn't even respond—he could only endure the torture until it was over.
After a full minute, the pain slowly began to fade. His breathing was heavy, his forehead drenched in sweat, but he felt… something strange.
His body felt lighter. His movements seemed more natural.
Then, without realizing it, he found himself instinctively raising his right hand into a boxing stance, while his feet shifted into a perfect fighting position without a second thought.
He looked at his hands, then muttered in amazement, "What… the hell?"
The system popped up a new screen, speaking with pride:
"Congratulations! You are now officially a skilled fighter… Now, are you ready to test your new abilities in the real world?"
Zack smirked slightly as he clenched his fist, feeling a completely different energy coursing through his body.
"Maybe… it's time to get to work."
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
If you liked the story and want to read more
or just to support me, copy the link below.
You will find a special membership for:
3 chapter
and another one for:
7 chapters.
patreon.com/zakx205
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––