Chaos engulfed the graduation courtyard as terrified students scattered, screams punctuating the air. Shocker ughed cruelly, raising his vibro-shock gauntlets, energy crackling violently around his fists.

  "Give it up, Shocker!" Gwen shouted, nding gracefully between the vilin and the fleeing students. Her Spiderwoman suit gleamed under the morning sun, her stance firm yet cautious.

  "Not today, Spiderwoman!" Shocker growled. He fired powerful bsts of compressed air, aiming straight at Gwen. She agilely flipped, spinning through the air, narrowly dodging the devastating pulses. Gwen retaliated instantly, webs shooting toward Shocker to trap him—but the vilin was faster this time. He shredded her webs effortlessly with precise bsts from his gauntlets.

  "Too slow!" Shocker mocked, adjusting his gauntlets again. A sudden, concentrated burst of air clipped Gwen mid-dodge, sending her crashing into a stone bench. She rolled quickly to her feet, visibly shaken, but her movements slower, pain evident in her posture.

  My heart clenched in anxiety. This wasn't going well—Shocker was more ruthless and powerful than I'd expected, and Gwen was struggling to keep up.

  A familiar chime echoed in my mind:

  [Optional Quest Triggered!] Choose your path:

  Help Gwen Stacy defeat Shocker Reward: Enhanced affinity with Gwen Stacy, earthly spiritual treasure.

  Assist Shocker in escaping Reward: Secret vilinous cultivation technique, heavenly spiritual treasure.

  "Come on!" Shocker roared, advancing steadily. "Is this the best you've got?"

  Gwen steadied herself, determination bzing behind her mask, but Shocker suddenly pivoted, aiming his gauntlets at a student frozen in fear.

  "Let's make this interesting!" he threatened, energy humming dangerously as the student trembled, eyes wide with terror.

  "No!" Gwen shouted desperately, lunging toward the innocent bystander. But Shocker was ready for her this time, immediately redirecting his gauntlets toward Gwen, locking her in an impossible dilemma. She hesitated, caught between saving herself and the student, vulnerable and exposed.

  My pulse quickened. Gwen Stacy—a hero I'd admired and had a crush on from my previous life—was in danger. On the other hand, Shocker meant nothing to me. My choice was obvious.

  I channeled Qi through my body. The sharp, refined energy I'd been practicing rapidly formed into a golden phantom sword, its bde radiating silently with power.

  "Now!" I commanded softly, releasing the golden bde with decisive intent.

  It surged unseen through the chaos, slicing swiftly and accurately into Shocker’s gauntlets just as he unleashed a lethal pulse. The strike was precise, jolting Shocker’s aim away from Gwen at the st possible instant. The powerful bst tore harmlessly into the pavement, exploding into a cloud of debris instead of striking its intended target.

  "What the—?" Shocker staggered back, utterly confused by the sudden interference.

  Seizing the unexpected opportunity, Gwen shot forward, her webs rapidly tangling around Shocker’s arms and torso. With fierce determination, she pulled hard, toppling him to the ground. Shocker struggled violently, roaring in rage, but Gwen expertly wrapped him tighter until he was immobilized.

  Panting heavily, she stood victorious over the captured vilin, though confusion lingered visibly in her posture as she gnced around the courtyard. She'd sensed the strange intervention clearly—an invisible, unexpected ally.

  "Whoever you are," Gwen called out cautiously, searching among the scattering crowd, "thank you."

  My heart still pounding, I quickly released the accumuted Qi. The golden phantom sword dissipated quickly and silently, and I swiftly blended into the evacuating students. I allowed myself a small smile of satisfaction.

  Today had proven something vital—I wasn't powerless anymore. My strength was still limited, but I could make a meaningful difference. For now, though, helping secretly was enough.

  Despite the chaos, the graduation ceremony eventually continued. Faculty and security swiftly restored order, reassuring frightened families and students. Shocker was taken away, restrained by authorities. Speeches resumed, though tensions lingered. Even though my family in this life couldn’t come, I walked the stage, diploma in hand.

  By the time I safely arrived home, excitement and exhaustion battled within me.

  [Quest Reward Pending: Cim now?]

  "Cim," I said eagerly.

  The cultivation system chimed again, and before me materialized a small, intricately carved wooden box radiating a gentle, earthy energy. Inside y a delicate pendant carved from translucent jade, shimmering faintly with warmth.

  [Affinity with Gwen Stacy increased. Reward: Earthly Spiritual Treasure - Jade Heart Pendant.]

  I carefully pced the pendant around my neck, immediately feeling its calming energy nourishing my spirit roots and enhancing my Qi control.

  Another notification appeared:

  [Previous Quest Reward Ready to Cim: +1 Level Proficiency in Immortal's Sword Heart.]

  "Cim," I quickly responded, excitement building within me.

  [Reward cimed: Increased cultivation comprehension. Requirements to reach Foundation Establishment unlocked.]

  A new message fshed in my vision:

  [Foundation Establishment Requirements:]

  Obtain three earthly treasures:Refined Jade100-Year-Old Spiritual GinsengMeteoric Metal EssenceI sighed, feeling both excitement and apprehension. Clearly, my cultivation journey had only just begun.

  Once home, I immediately returned to practice, dedicating the evening and following days to further refining my control of Qi. Over the next few days, the Immortal’s Sword Heart technique became second nature, my proficiency deepening significantly.

  By te Sunday night, after countless repetitions of each stance, another chime echoed within my mind:

  [Immortal's Sword Heart: Level 3/10 Proficiency attained.]

  Now more confident, I spent hours meditating, feeling the depth and strength of my Qi slowly solidify. Soon, my power stabilized, revealing a clearer path forward. By Sunday night, my Qi surged strongly, buzzing within me like a sharpened bde. The Jade Heart Pendant around my neck acting as a magnet for the surrounding Qi. I was close—so very close—to truly taking the next step in cultivation.

  I checked my system notifications.

  [Immortal's Sword Heart: Level 4/10 Proficiency attained.]

  [Immortal's Sword Heart: Level 5/10 Proficiency attained.]

  [Immortal's Sword Heart: Level 6/10 Proficiency attained.]

  [Immortal's Sword Heart: Level 7/10 Proficiency attained.]

  I felt stronger than ever. The incident with Gwen and Shocker earlier today had reaffirmed my resolve—I would cultivate the power to survive.

  The Marvel world was dangerous, filled with heroes and vilins far beyond mortal imagination. I resolved to get stronger.

  Goal: Be strong enough to not be heroes versus vilins fodder! And maybe make something of myself in this new life.

  [New Quest: Don’t be Fodder!]

  Thanks System…