To address the designation of Earth-616 at the start of Vol 1, it is because Christine assigns it that name during Multiverse of Madness when she converses with Doctor Strange. This story is based on the MCU movies and shows, not its expanded lore. While it may not be the Earth-616 people are familiar with, I see it as an alternate Earth-616. To avoid any further confusion, whenever it is brought up again in this story, it will be referred to as the Sacred Timeline instead.
If you readers have any other concerns, do let me know! As for the other matter of time not flowing in Instance Dungeons, it will be explained in Vol 2. If you reach that point and I need to explain it further, please let me know. Or would you readers perhaps have the flow of time just run normally inside Instance Dungeons?
Happy reading~
*
"I didn't know what to think after Jarvis gave me a rundown of what happened during your drive here Tony...But this isn't exactly what I had in mind. I did not think you would just suddenly come up and rent this place out to someone I don't even know. Who did you say you were again?", A woman said, looking at me with confusion in her eyes.
"Myles Alexander. A pleasure. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have now become Tony's tenant.", I said, introducing myself to Pepper Potts, and likewise, Happy.
We did chat back in the car, yes, but I feel it's more formal doing it like this.
From there, I glanced my eyes back at Tony Stark, and saw that he still had his name tag above his head. It read Tony Stark - Level 2.
You see, with how the Gamer System works, you don't need to be in a Party to see another person's name tag. It just floats there, and only I can see it. It only becomes visible if someone else is in the Party.
Respectively, Tony could likely see Pepper's tag, and Happy's tag.
I did too, and the two read Pepper Potts - Level 1, and Happy Hogan - Level 1.
The people from earlier in the park were too far away from me so I couldn't see their details specifically, but I recall that cop too. The cop also had a Level 1 name tag. It's just like how you'd see it in any MMO. Neat, huh?
It does beg the question. In Han Jihan's case, the people around him already had levels higher than one attached to their name. Even his best friend was in the 20s when he was first shown, but everyone here is Level 1.
Did me coming here force a reset or something? Or is the Gamer System just adding onto what people already know? So much I don't know yet. If I come across Obadiah Stane, would his Level also be 1, or will it be higher?
[Ding! You have gained a small understanding of the Gamer System.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 1.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 2.]
[Ding! Current INT: 16.]
See what I mean? My actions outside of Instance Dungeons can increase, depending on what happens. I'm sure Luck also plays a factor.
[Ding! You have gained a small understanding of the Gamer System.]
[Ding! You feel lucky.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 2.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 4.]
[Ding! Current INT: 20.]
...That works too? Sheesh. Talk about a stroke of fortune right there. I was considering improving my VIT to offset that HP I have, but maybe I should invest more points into LUK...
I could only shrug that thought aside for now. As for the Party as a whole, I have not turned it off. Even now, it's active. Tony's still in it, and once he leaves me to my own devices, I'll get to see how that behaves.
To the woman now in front of me, she appeared to be in her early thirties. Perhaps thirty-three this year?
Contrary to what most might think, this woman, and likewise, Tony Stark, happen to be thirty-three and thirty-six respectively. They're much older than people give them credit for.
The woman has above-average height with fair skin, and sparkly blue eyes. Her demeanor was entirely professional, thanks to the many years she has been in service of Stark Industries as Tony's personal executive and secretary. Pepper Potts!
This got me thinking too. I know the MCU has many ships that set sail throughout the phases of the MCU. That includes Pepper and Tony later on during Infinity War and Endgame.
In my personal opinion, that's a ship that just can't sink, you know?
I do not want to butt into that at all. At the same time, this is the MCU we're talking about. The Sacred Timeline. This isn't the comic books with Marvel's expanded lore, or alternate earths like Earth-19999 that has the X-Men.
If I decide to pursue the path of romance later on, this limits who I could hook up with. Who says I can't have a little romance, huh?
To begin with, there's the Black Widow. Classic choice, I know.
I don't think I need to detail her whole speel. I'm not exactly interested in her, since I know many stories I read attempt to do such a thing. Am I one to follow? Nah. Plus if I save her, I'll likely have many god-like beings sizing me up from god-knows-where. Full pun intended, haha!
On the contrary. Many forget that the Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanov, has an adoptive sister who also experienced the Red Room, Yelena Belova.
Now that's a woman I'm interested in. She is a highly-capable killer who doesn't pull back her punches, and can get down and dirty if she needs to. I was quite pleased with her performance in the Thunderbolts*, even though that movie didn't do so well as a whole.
Besides Natasha and Yelena, you have other people like Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, and Jane Foster.
The latter is taken by Thor, and I don't want to walk into any god's radar for the time being, so she's out. And it's 2006, so Captain Marvel is already out exploring that big, vast universe, so she's out. You do have her counterpart, Monica, but she has a family of her own, and she gets spirited away to where the X-Men are, that's no good in my books.
Maybe Maria Hill? She has ties to Shield, and if I ever want to get some Spy related Skills, she's definitely a good choice. Plus it'll connect me to Nick Fury, who pretty much has a giant net all over the planet. A good place for both eyes and ears, if you know what I mean.
Outside of women like these, I do have a place of interest in mind.
Everyone's favorite, Wakanda. Home to the Black Panther.
Maybe I should get in touch with someone in the Dora Milaje? I was considering Shuri as she is the younger sister to Black Panther, but I think she's too young right now, right? If not her, then who, exactly?
I've got a lot of time to think about it so it's not like I need to make the decision right away. Besides that point, who's to say I should settle down with one partner for that matter, either?
If I want to create a harem, that's my decision to make! Down with the harem haters!
Regardless, I have to start off with small steps. Focus on my own life first here in Long Beach, then see what happens down in New York City once Iron Man I begins.
After all, in the span of just a couple hours, not only did I meet THE Tony Stark, I've come across his closest companions, Happy Hogan, and Pepper Potts! It's only a matter of time when I meet Obadiah Stane, likely when Pepper or Happy takes me to get settled at Stark Industries.
Wondering how my life will proceed from here on out, I saw Pepper remain in silence for a good, long moment. In the end, she rubbed her temples, appearing annoyed.
"Do you realize how much paperwork this is going to cause, Tony?", Pepper asked while sighing.
As Pepper asked, Tony already made himself home at the nearby built-in bar that had access to both alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic ones. Tony's quite the good bartender and knows how to make himself a good drink.
You see him do this while chatting up a storm to bide time with Loki during the first Avengers movie. To Tony, Pepper's annoyance was just another day to him. In fact, he smiled as he now had a whiskey in hand, and approached her.
"And that is exactly why my lovely assistant here is going to help me with that. It's what you're good at doing, isn't it, Ms. Potts?", Tony said while taking a shot of his drink. He even attempted to place his arm around one of her shoulders but Pepper quickly shooed him off.
"You're not exactly wrong, Tony. That is what my job description entails. You really are serious about renting this place out?", Pepper asked, and sighed a second time. "And what did you even say the going rate was, anyways? Myles was it?"
Hearing that, Tony raised up six fingers.
"Sixty-grand.", Tony replied. "Don't question how Myles here earns money. You wouldn't understand unless you saw it for yourself. But now that I think about it, that reminds me. How good are your sharpshooting skills, Ms. Potts?"
"...I can handle myself with a gun, if that is what you're asking, Tony.", Pepper said, feeling doubtful. "Where are you going with this anyways?"
"Oh, nothing. Not right now, anyways. Just be available tomorrow, and you might see something interesting.", Tony answered.
...Tony isn't trying to suggest what I think he's suggesting, is he?
Does Tony really want Pepper to join the Party!?
I mean, Happy is definitely a minor character in terms of ID Creation's newest effect, but Pepper...?
At least now, Pepper might be considered minor. But as the MCU develops, I consider her a major character later on. She's enough to be classified as one. Would she receive an invitation from the next Instance Dungeon I create?
Hmm...
The heck!?
The idea is sound...but really? And Tony is the one suggesting this?
"I don't know where you're getting at here Tony, but if all the said paperwork is filed and signed by Myles, then he can reside at Azure Point. We'll see about tomorrow.", Pepper nodded, even though she was still confused.
"Then we're in agreement.", Tony said, before downing the rest of the drink and placing the now-empty glass on the nearby counter, which has this extremely ornate and fancy-looking tiling, by the way. Another reminder not to underestimate the rich life. "Anyway, I've come here to show the kid around the penthouse as he gets settled. Since that's done now, we'll get out of your way. You're included, Happy."
"Do I even have a choice?", Happy said, and sighed. "And just so you know, if your newest tenant Myles here breaks anything in Azure Point, you'll have to cough up the price. It isn't the responsibility of the tenant."
Wait...That's how living in an apartment works, doesn't it? It's been so long since I've last lived in one I'd almost forgotten, haha!
"I know. I had already taken that into consideration before bringing Myles here.", Tony nodded.
"So you're saying that if I break that one-hundred inch flat-screen TV in the living room by accident, I don't have to foot the bill?", I joked.
"Not that I expect you to, but yeah. Insurance has this place covered. I'm not that dumb.", Tony said. "Anyways, let's go. You can settle in at your own accord."
"I will catch you later then.", I said, nodding my head.
After Tony said that, Pepper and Happy just glanced at each other, and nodded in agreement. Walking toward the golden-clad elevator, they entered it, and vanished from sight.
It was just me now. First time being alone since I was brought into the MCU a couple hours ago. Man, talk about a tutorial right there, huh?
Reality was really beginning to sink in.
And yet, another Gamer Notification arrived, making me smile, and shocked.
[Ding! You have become a temporary resident of Azure Point.]
[Ding! This building has registered you as a temporary resident.]
[Ding! Fast Travel function has now been unlocked.]
...Nani!?