Chapter One: Integration with the Sign-in System

“Host has turned eighteen. Congratulations on obtaining the Check-in Sign-in System…”

In the MCU cinematic universe, New York, a young Asian man lying asleep in bed was suddenly startled awake by a voice echoing in his mind!

Gazing at the golden interface panel he had anticipated for eighteen long years, the man was so excited he was nearly in tears. After traversing to this world for eighteen years, the long-dormant system, his golden cheat, had finally appeared!

“Open the system panel!”

“Host: Hao Yun (Former office worker from Earth, now transmigrated into the MCU cinematic universe. Only child, parents deceased at birth, later adopted by the independent single woman Angel Potts, currently residing in New York.)
Physique: None
Skills: None
Items: None”

Hao Yun stared at the panel’s barebones introduction, desperate and helpless. Wasn’t it your fault that I’ve ended up like this? If you’d arrived earlier, by now I’d be trampling Odin underfoot, slaughtering Thanos single-handedly, and standing toe-to-toe with the One Above All!

Indeed, Hao Yun was not a native of this world, but a homebody who had crossed over from Earth—and into infancy, no less.

At first, he was grateful for a second chance at life. His only regret was not being reborn in his homeland. Yet, fate dealt him a harsh hand: his parents perished shortly after his birth, leaving no inheritance behind. He was taken in by a twenty-two-year-old independent woman, and together they supported each other as he grew up.

At age three, he accidentally saw a newspaper article about Stark Industries, and only then did he realize where he had landed—and fell into utter despair.

Over the next fifteen years, Hao Yun dedicated himself to his studies, exercised diligently, participated in every extracurricular activity available, and slowly gathered information about this world. The good news was that this universe was not the most perilous comics, independent, or zombie universes, but rather the relatively straightforward cinematic universe.

To be clear, it was a fusion of the nineteen Marvel films and shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D—the MCU.

The bad news? One day, while visiting a university to do research, he unwittingly stumbled upon the scene of Hulk’s battle with the military… The savage destruction, the sheet metal whizzing past his scalp, made him truly aware of the dangers of this world!

Reality is always more hazardous and complex than the movies!

After witnessing Hulk’s emergence, Hao Yun gave up entirely on the dream of becoming a tech-based superhero. All he wanted was to study hard, grow up quickly, and return to the safety of his homeland—and, of course, bring his mother, Angel Potts, with him!

Then came 2008. Just as Hao Yun was accepted into college, preparing to secure immigration status, and as Marvel’s grand stage was about to unfold, he turned eighteen—and on that very night, the golden cheat every transmigrator dreams of finally awakened!

So now, do cheats have to comply with minor protection laws? If you’re under eighteen, you don’t even qualify for an awakening?

Did you know I almost died at sixteen?

Lost in recollection, Hao Yun silently grumbled at his system and whispered, “Sign in!”

The golden light of the system panel flashed, and in the blink of an eye, it shifted to the main screen—the sign-in page! Yet, nothing happened. It was as if he’d never received the system at all.

“Reminder: This is a check-in system. The host must be at a famous Marvel event location to sign in successfully.”

Hao Yun felt choked—so his own home didn’t count as a famous scene, huh?

Wait—a famous scene? Was this lousy system telling him to visit the MCU’s battle sites? No, upon careful thought, perhaps there were other emotionally significant places that counted too. For example… the World War II Museum where both Steve and Bucky had appeared?

He checked the time—two in the afternoon. He could reach the museum in half an hour. It was worth a try!

It was already 2008. If he didn’t figure out his cheat now, what if he got caught up in a battle? He remembered clearly: there would be more than one fight in New York this year alone!

For example, the showdown between Obadiah and Tony Stark, the clash between Abomination and Hulk… If he could grab hold of a cheat, at least he’d have a shot at survival!

Having made up his mind, Hao Yun left home at once, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the World War II Museum.

Upon entering, he stood in the very spot where both Bucky and Captain America had stood, watching a promotional video for the wartime Captain America on the screen… At last, the sign-in button in his mind lit up!

“The host has arrived at one of Marvel’s iconic locations: the WWII memory point of Captain America and the Winter Soldier. Would you like to sign in?”

“Sign in!”

“Congratulations, host! Successful check-in at the World War II Museum. You have received a Perfect T-Virus Serum!”

“First check-in complete. Rewards: A 48-slot system inventory, and one unlimited lottery spin!”

Delighted, Hao Yun looked at his system inventory. A vial of clear serum shimmered with an enticing radiance, and next to it, a colorful roulette wheel sat quietly in his backpack.

He had expected a serum, but not a perfect T-Virus serum instead of the Super Soldier Serum. Could it be that the rewards were all items from various anime and games? And the unlimited lottery… Was this the system’s way of compensating for eighteen wasted years? A newbie gift pack, perhaps? It had to be!

No more delays—he had to get home and inject the serum! In Marvel’s New York, lacking power was simply too dangerous!

His theory about the sign-in system confirmed and having reaped such a benefit, Hao Yun didn’t want to linger in the museum for even a minute longer. He dashed out, caught a cab, and hurried home.

Once home, his mother Angel was out… Perfect! Time to inject the serum in his bedroom!

Lying on his bed, Hao Yun focused his mind on the serum, carefully reading the instructions to avoid any mishaps.

“Perfect T-Virus Serum: Developed by James Marcus, one of the three founders of Umbrella Corporation. This is the base version of the serum and does not awaken psychic or other extraordinary abilities.

PS: The serum’s effect depends on how it is integrated with nutrients.

Simply fusing with the serum: comprehensively enhances physical and mental attributes, with no additional special effects. The outcome is the mildest and most balanced, with no abnormal bodily changes.

Injected in a nutrient chamber: greatly enhances physical attributes, increases muscle and martial perception, but mental growth is too rapid, making the user susceptible to corruption and bodily mutation.

Injected simultaneously with gamma radiation: creates a second personality, drastic bodily changes, greatly weakens mental faculties and rationality, with an eighty percent chance of turning into a Tyrant.”

The three options presented by the system made Hao Yun break out in a cold sweat. The second was out of the question—he didn’t want to turn into a monster! He still intended to find a wife, after all.

In Marvel, aside from the Asgardian gods, it was a world for humans. Looking like a freak would make it impossible to blend in—so, no way!

As for the third, not to mention that gamma radiation wasn’t something an ordinary household could produce, just turning into a Tyrant… No thanks! Power is fleeting, but style lasts a lifetime!

Absolutely not!

In truth, the instant he saw the three options, Hao Yun had already chosen the first. As a man with a golden cheat, balance was his only path!

So, he chose—

“Fuse directly with the serum!”