The influx of cash was transformative. Adam wasted no time securing a small, furnished studio apartment in a different, slightly less dilapidated part of Brooklyn. It wasn't luxury, but it was clean, secure, and anonymous – a significant upgrade from the previous place. He paid three months' rent upfront, bought groceries that included actual protein and vegetables, invested in decent running shoes, and even acquired a used pull-up bar that he installed in his doorframe. The constant, gnawing anxiety of immediate destitution eased, replaced by the duller, larger dread of the cosmic threats still years away. This newfound stability allowed him to focus.
His IP sat at 295. His integration slots were 1/3 full, with [Danger Intuition (B)] and [Urban Phantom Movement (B)] active. And he still held that unused B-Rank Lottery Chance. With his basic needs met for the foreseeable future, the gamble felt more acceptable. Fusion was still too IP-expensive, and relying solely on his current Aspects felt insufficient. He needed another tool in his arsenal.
"System," he decided one evening after a particularly grueling workout fueled by actual nutritious food. "Use the B-Rank Lottery Chance."
The brighter, B-Rank mental wheel materialized again, spinning rapidly. Adam watched, trying to keep his expectations in check. Combat power would be nice, defense useful, but anything that provided a tangible advantage would be welcome. The wheel slowed, symbols flashing, before finally locking onto one.
[Lottery Complete!]
[Congratulations, Host! Acquired B-Rank Aspect: Accelerated Calculation!]
Adam blinked. Not strength, not defense, but calculation? He quickly pulled up the details.
[Aspect: Accelerated Calculation (Rank B)]
[Type: Passive/Active, Mental]
[Description: Greatly enhances cognitive processing speed, pattern recognition, tactical analysis, and complex problem-solving. Allows for rapid calculation and data processing. Can be actively focused for short bursts of hyper-analysis.] [Integration Cost: 150 IP]
His initial flicker of disappointment quickly vanished, replaced by intrigue. This… this could be incredibly powerful, especially combined with his future knowledge. The ability to think faster, analyze situations more deeply, plan more effectively – it fit his pragmatic approach perfectly. It wasn't flashy, but it was potent.
"Integrate Accelerated Calculation," he commanded without hesitation.
[Deducting 150 IP. Integrating Aspect...]
[Integration Complete! Remaining IP: 145]
[Current Integrated Aspects: Danger Intuition (B), Urban Phantom Movement (B), Accelerated Calculation (B)] [Available Integration Slots: -/3]
The integration felt different this time – not a physical shift, but a mental one. It was like a fog lifting from his thoughts. The world didn't necessarily look different, but his perception of it sharpened. Information flowed in more readily – the complex patterns of traffic outside his window, the subtle structural stresses in the building, the logical flow of code in an article he glanced at online – all processed with startling speed and clarity.
He tried actively focusing the Aspect. He recalled the details of the OmniCorp stock he'd invested in, pulling up its historical data online. Focusing his intent, he activated the hyper-analysis burst. Information flooded his mind – market trends, competitor analysis, potential risk factors, statistical probabilities – processed orders of magnitude faster than before. He saw nuances in the data he'd completely missed during his initial research. While his original assessment still seemed sound, the Aspect highlighted potential volatility and suggested diversifying his future investments once OmniCorp paid off. The burst lasted only thirty seconds before leaving him with a dull mental ache, like his brain had just sprinted a marathon. It was powerful but clearly taxing to use at peak intensity.
With this new mental engine, he revisited his plans. His training regimen could now be optimized – analyzing muscle fatigue, nutritional intake, and exercise efficiency to maximize gains. His future knowledge felt less like fragmented memories and more like a database he could rapidly query and cross-reference, identifying key dates, events, and potential leverage points with greater accuracy.
His core toolkit now felt more complete: [Danger Intuition] to warn him, [Urban Phantom Movement] to help him navigate or escape, and [Accelerated Calculation] to help him think his way through problems.
However, his IP was painfully low again – 145 points. And his integration slots were full once more. The cycle continued: gain power, identify new needs, grind for resources. He needed more IP, potentially A-Rank lottery chances, and eventually, a way to expand his slots or achieve powerful Fusions.
His enhanced analytical ability opened new possibilities. Perhaps he didn't need to rely solely on finding physical opportunities like muggings or back-alley deals. Could he find information online that others missed? Could he analyze publicly available data to predict minor events or security flaws? Could he start probing the digital edges of organizations like SHIELD or even nascent HYDRA cells, looking for vulnerabilities or clues?
The thought sent a thrill through him. It was risky, potentially attracting unwanted digital attention, but his new Aspect gave him an edge in the information game. He decided to start small, using his enhanced calculation to analyze news feeds, obscure forums, and declassified government reports available online, searching for patterns, anomalies – anything that might lead to his next quest or opportunity.
He settled back, the city lights casting long shadows in his small studio. He was stable, better equipped, and mentally sharper than ever before. But with only 145 IP and full slots, the pressure was still on. The real game, the one played with gods, aliens, and Infinity Stones, was still years away, but the preparations had to continue, one calculated step at a time.