Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Interviews

Chapter 19: Interviews

With Deadpool out of the way-

DP: What do you mean? I’m still here.

AN: No you’re not. Bye.

DP: Ah! Wai-

…

With Deadpool out of the way, the story continues…

After having some fun with Susan, the two lay in bed for a while.

Benjamin slightly fixed up her hair as she nestled in his arms.

“Say…I’m just wondering. What exactly is our relationship right now?”

“Hm? I guess we’re more than friends but less than lovers?”

“So…sex friends?”

“Well…I think we’re a bit more intimate than that.”

Susan chuckled as she thought about it.

Benjamin smiled wryly.

“Well, it’s like you’re the only friend I have right now that I can vent my frustrations on…I guess? Not that I mean like I’m just using you but…I feel very comfortable when I’m with you? It’s hard to explain.”

“I see.”

Susan seemed to notice something so she turned to look him in the eye with a teasing smile.

“Captain Benjamin Freed. Are you maybe falling for me?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Huh?”

“Well, you suddenly asked such questions.”

Benjamin chuckled at that.

“I’m not sure. I also feel comfortable with you. Then again, it may be just the sex.”

“Haha.”

After a while of talking about random stuff, Benjamin and Susan parted ways and he soon went back home to rest.

Meanwhile, Susan returned to the Baxter building as well and went to find Reed.

In Reed’s lab.

Susan entered and saw Reed arguing with his assistant, Alyssa Moy.

From what Susan knew, the two of them actually dated in the past as they got along well together as fellow ‘geniuses’.

However, Alyssa broke their relationship and said that they owed the world to spread their genes as widely as possible by marrying less intelligent people instead of containing their gene pool among themselves.

Frankly, Susan didn’t know if she should take that personally…no, scratch that, she’s definitely insinuating that Susan was one of the ‘less intelligent people’.

However, Susan was a grown woman and she respected Alyssa’s genius so she didn’t make a fuss over such things when she came and became Reed’s assistant.

As for suspecting the two still hooking up…well, Susan didn’t even think of it since she knew full well Reed’s personality.

…Then again, Reed also knew Susan’s personality but she still slept with Benjamin…

A part of her kind of hoped the two are hooking up so she would have less guilt when she was with Benjamin…

Susan shook her head and stopped thinking about it as it will only make her head hurt from all the problems.

“Ah, Susan! You’re back! Please put some sense into this fiance of yours!”

“What’s wrong?”

Susan asked.

“Sue! I just finished designing the first-ever shuttle for space tourism!”

“...Huh?”

Susan looked confused.

“See? Even Sue is dumbfounded by this idiotic idea of yours! What even is the point of all this?”

“Well, Space Tourism is not the goal…it’s merely a business venture to subsidize the rest of my work.”

“Ugh you…if you need money, just invent some anti-aging skin cream or something! What about the risks!?”

“Statistically, less than driving a car.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes.

She turned to Susan.

“Well? Aren’t you gonna say anything?”

“Hm? Isn’t it fine? Besides, nothing I say will make that blockhead change his mind. Rather than that, it’s better to help him so the risks are eliminated.”

“...”

Alyssa sighed and shook her head.

Well…she does have a point.

She knew Reed too well to know that he wouldn’t easily change his mind on something he had already set his mind on doing.

“But why decide this all of a sudden and who’s going to fly this?”

“I was hoping Ben would fly it. He’s an astronaut after all. As for why…well, I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

(AN: Btw, to those that didn't know, Ben here is Ben Grimm. AKA, The Thing.)

“If you say so…fine. I’ll check on your blueprint and run some tests.”

“Yes! Thank you so much!”

Looking at his excited look like a kid who found a new toy, Susan smiled wryly.

It was this kind of Reed that she fell for. The man who seemed to shoulder the future of the world in his brain…the man who looked at nothing but the future…

But now…what seemed fascinating to her in the past…seems to look quite similar to madness now instead…

Susan sighed and shook her head. Well…let’s give him another chance…

She thought as she started to work.

At this moment, neither of them knew how this flight would soon change their lives forever…

Back to Benjamin.

As he lay on his bed, Benjamin pulled out his system to take a look.

Currently, he has a total of 22750 MP. With this, he can actually pull 20 gachas in one go!

But…there was no reason to pull gachas right now. He already has sufficient power at the moment and it might just waste his MP instead.

It’s best to save it so he can use it to buy things he needed depending on the situation.

He then took a look at his abilities to check what he might miss.

“Hmm, a poison resistance or immunity might be good. Although I have a Mid Healing Factor and the Regeneration of the Symbiote, it still hurts when I’m poisoned. I can’t keep relying on the healing pills in my mouth if I get poisoned again.”

Benjamin recalled what happened to Beatle before and sighed.

“Let’s see how much poison immunity costs in the store…”

[Poison Immunity - 20,000 MP]

“...”

S-should I…?

Benjamin hesitated for a moment before sighing.

“Forget it. I’ll get it next time if there is a chance.”

Benjamin didn’t want to waste MP for nothing as this could save his life in a crucial moment.

Although it’s useful, it’s still not too necessary at the moment as he can heal immediately.

Well…let’s just hope no one tries to drug me with aphrodisiacs any time soon again…

[Host is jinxing it]

Shut up system! Don’t say that!

Benjamin closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

…

“Let’s pull one gacha for now…”

[...Host, it’s not good to gamble recklessly.]

“S-shut up! It’s just one okay!? Just one!”

[Suuure…]

Benjamin ignored the system and pulled one gacha, using up 1000 MP.

[Pulled 1 Gacha]

A Green capsule!

[Congratulations to host for getting Slave Collar X1!]

“...”

Benjamin took out the collar and looked at it.

It’s just a simple black strip of cloth without any designs but when he looked at its description, he was speechless.

It is exactly as its name suggests. A collar to enslave someone.

Once it’s put on, he would be able to enslave anyone who wore it.

The wearer will be forced to listen to any commands he gives them and they also can’t remove it or defy him.

“I wonder who I’ll use this on?”

Benjamin thought for a moment before shaking his head and throwing it back in his Inventory.

Whatever. I’ll deal with it when there’s a chance.

Incidentally, Benjamin remembered something in his Inventory.

He took out a book called [Magic for Dummies] and started to read it as he couldn’t fall asleep quite yet.

Better to just read and learn magic in the meantime.

Time passed as Benjamin started to learn some basic magic. He seemed to have a talent for it too as he was able to quickly grasp how to create magical weapons and structures.

[Host doesn’t really have good talent. It’s just that the book is made for dummies like the Host.]

“Would it kill you to shut up System?”

Benjamin rolled his eyes and ignored what it said.

Soon, Natasha went home and greeted Benjamin who got out of his room to cook dinner.

“Hey. I saw the news earlier. Everyone’s making a huge fuss over it at work now.”

“SHIELD? Or the Avengers?”

“Both actually. Fury told me he’ll be sending an agent to join your EPD tomorrow too. Just to monitor you.”

“Of course he would. I’m surprised he told you though.”

Benjamin just shrugged as he already knew this would happen.

“Steve and the rest also wanted me to convince you to join the Avengers instead.”

“No thanks. But I’ll still help you guys now and then if you need.”

“That’s what I told them.”

Natasha just chuckled and helped Benjamin prepare dinner.

Once done, they started to eat while continuing their conversation.

“Still, SHIELD isn’t the only one paying attention to you. I’m willing to bet a dollar that HYDRA’s going to make their move as well.”

Natasha warned him.

“I know, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out.”

With the HUD Contacts, it would be easy to know which are the spies and which aren’t.

“Don’t hesitate to call me if there are any problems.”

“Yes mom.”

“Heh, are you sure you want to call me mom?”

“S-stepmom?”

Soon, their conversation was moved to the bed as the alluring and sexy stepmom started to teach her horny stepson the birds and the bees…

The next day.

Benjamin got up, made breakfast for Natasha, then went to work.

He wore black semi-formal attire and took the elevator up to the detectives’ office floor.

He still hasn’t moved out since the official department is still undergoing some renovations.

“Ah, you’re here. Head to the conference room. The applicants have also arrived.”

Captain Holt greeted him as soon as he got out of the elevator.

Damn, this guy always goes to work so early…

Benjamin sighed in his mind and went directly to the conference room along with Captain Holt who’s also an interviewer along with him.

When the two sat down, the door opened and the first applicant arrived.

He wore a suit and tie but had a weird wrestling mask on his face.

“...Jake? What are you doing?”

“Jake? Who dat? I’m not Jake. I’m uhh…Blake! The Blazing Blake!”

Benjamin casually pointed at his ID which was still hanging around his neck.

“...Dammit!”

Jake cursed and took off his mask.

“Peralta, why are you here?”

Captain Holt asked.

“Oh come on sir, can’t I join? I want to join!”

“You don’t have superpowers.”

“So!? Hawkeye doesn’t have powers either and he’s a part of the Avengers! Black Widow also doesn’t have superpowers and she’s also an Avenger! Unless you count amazingly hot as a superpower then yes she does have one!”

Jake debated.

“They have extraordinary combat skills. You don’t.”

“And being amazingly hot is indeed a superpower.”

Benjamin added.

“Really?”

“No.”

“...”

Jake was speechless for a moment.

“Look, can’t you just give me a chance? Come on! This is the closest thing to me being a superhero!”

Captain Holt shook his head while Benjamin sighed. He suddenly thought of something and looked at Jake again while reading the data from his HUD Contacts.

[Jake Peralta - Detective Peralta. Affiliated with the 99th Precinct New York Police Department. Has Inhuman genes.]

Benjamin was shocked.

This guy…actually has Inhuman genes!?

It must be noted that Benjamin still has a Terrigen Crystal in his Inventory. With it, he can transform those with Inhuman genes into Inhumans!

The only problem is…it’s impossible to know what kind of power they will manifest.

It could be a dangerous power or a useless power. Whatever the case, he can’t use it recklessly.

Besides, Jake is just one person. It’s better to find a group of people with Inhuman genes, put them in a sealed room, then use the Terrigen Crystal in the room to transform all of them.

But for now, Benjamin thinks he can give Jake a chance.

“Well, it should be fine Captain Holt. Jake wouldn’t be doing much fieldwork but he can still guide the rest of the new recruits from behind.”

“Yes! I’ll be the guy on the chair! You can call me…The Oracle!”

“No, that name’s taken.”

“It is?”

“Yeah, in another universe.”

“...”

Ignoring Jake’s speechlessness, Captain Holt thought for a moment before nodding.

“Alright, Jake will be temporarily transferred to the EPD to guide the new recruits. However, he is not allowed to go into the field.”

“That’s that then. Welcome to the EPD, Detective Peralta.”

“Yes!”

Jake cheered and started to dance but Captain Holt’s stern voice rang out.

“Out. Now.”

“Yes…”

Jake left and soon, another applicant arrived.

He had a lean build and a rather handsome face.

“Name’s David Morrow. While I do not have any special powers, I am confident of my combat skills.”

Benjamin nodded and took a look at his profile using the HUD Contacts first.

As soon as he saw his name, his eyes twitched slightly.

Was this…the agent that Natasha said would come to monitor him?

Isn’t this guy…the HYDRA agent planted in SHIELD?

[Grant Ward - Agent Ward. Affiliated with HYDRA currently undercover in SHIELD.]

Benjamin continued to read through his whole profile.

His history, missions, kill count, and so on.

Thankfully, he’s just a normal person and didn’t have the X-gene or Inhuman gene. Benjamin can easily solve him if he decides to turn on him.

Benjamin sighed and looked at the resume he handed to them.

Captain Holt also read through his profile.

Basically, it was just some nonsense backstory of a fake identity. He was supposedly an ex-soldier turned mercenary and had a lot of reputation.

They probably stole this identity from the real David Morrow or something.

Benjamin and Captain Holt turned to each other.

“Well, we can accept him first. We can still use him as an advisor or combat trainer.”

“Alright.”

Captain Holt nodded.

“Thank you. That will be all for now. Call in the next one when you go out.”

“Understood.”

Grant nodded and left.

Soon, the next one arrived and they saw a young man with short brown hair and a somewhat handsome look.

“Sup! I’m Robert Drake, the Iceman!”

----------------

Note: What do you think about giving Jake Inhuman powers? Should I also do the same with Amy and Rosa? Any power suggestions are welcome but note that the power shouldn't be the same as any existing Inhuman in case I decide to show that specific Inhuman in the future.