SUP Chapter 6: Job Change! Skill Acquisition!

The night breeze drifted over the windowsill, carrying a refreshing chill.

From next door came Jonathan’s playful chatter with his girlfriend, and from the hallway bathroom, the frequent flush of Jordan’s nighttime visits.

"These noises are oddly comforting." Ian shook his aching head. This time, waking from the nightmare world, he hadn’t let out much of a scream.

"Homelander, Homelander, laser eyes, laser eyes." Though back in reality, Ian’s mind lingered on that “knockoff Superman” corpse.

Young people didn’t care about knockoffs. Flying with laser eyes and invulnerability? Ian would happily move to a mansion, marry a beauty, and live off her wealth.

"Next time, I’ll be ready and shout ‘family’ even louder." Ian resolved to practice tree-climbing.

Honestly, he still couldn’t grasp why Homelander appeared in the Marvel universe. It was like a mismatched puzzle piece, absurdly out of place, like a farcical play.

But seeing such absurdity made Ian ponder.

"If Homelander can show up in the Marvel universe, does that mean my psychologist is really that Hannibal?" The thought was chilling.

Best not to dwell on it; the more he thought, the worse his anxiety might get. Ian rubbed his temples, trying to erase the creepy speculation.

"System."

He shifted focus, opening his personal panel. Still simplistic, but now with a new selectable interface.

"Finally! I’m done being human!"

Excitement surged as Ian eagerly opened the job selection function, which held a single option: Berserker.

[Job System Unlocked]

[Current Selectable Jobs: 1]

[Berserker Description: Fueled by rage, wielding fury as a blade, tearing through all obstacles!]

The bold description thrilled Ian. After a brief hesitation, he chose to bind the [Berserker] job.

Sure, Homelander’s corpse might unlock another job, but who could resist becoming extraordinary now? Ian knew his system allowed multiple jobs, verified through past tests. A second job just needed prerequisites, which he figured wouldn’t be too troublesome.

"Berserker Ian is ready!"

With his confirmation, text appeared instantly.

[Job Change Condition: Reach critical anger value (Current Anger Value: 5/100)]

A translucent bar appeared in the bottom right of his vision, like a game status bar, labeled [Anger Value]. A red line marked the “critical point” he needed to surpass.

He needed at least sixty anger points.

"Yep, I’m playing Earth Online." Ian sighed. With a thought, he hid the anger bar.

Raising anger wasn’t too hard.

Ian closed his eyes, recalling the car crash from his past life that took him.

The speeding red knight of apocalypse, the driver’s drowsy face, the absent brake screech... all vivid in his mind.

Anger began to simmer.

In a fit of rage, Ian got mad.

[Current Anger Value: 13/100]

That was his best effort. Time had dulled too much; the anger had faded with the years.

"Tch, too long ago. Can’t get mad." Ian touched his unreddened ears, helpless. Then, he switched tactics—physical stimulation.

Slap!

Ian smacked himself.

Angry?

[Current Anger Value: 11/100]

Not only was he not angry, it felt oddly satisfying.

"Damn!"

Ian didn’t dare try again, fearing he’d awaken some weird trait. After a moment, he left his room, entered the kitchen, and rummaged through it.

Chili?

One bite.

Mustard?

Two gulps.

Spiciness hit his brain, tears and snot mingling.

[Current Anger Value: 21/100]

"Not enough, far from it…"

Panting, Ian scanned the fridge, then had a flash of inspiration. His 2.3 intelligence shone—not true wisdom, just mental agility, learning ability, and logical thinking, but it didn’t stop Ian from feeling brilliant.

Ten minutes later, his blender churned a vile, viscous mix—chicken breast, chili, mustard, bitter melon, and some rotten vegetable leaves.

The ultimate “crap smoothie” was ready. Ian didn’t drink it yet. He returned to his room, opened his computer, and launched Dota League using Jordan’s account and password, logging in swiftly.

First game: teammate AFK.

Second game: ADC flashes into death.

Third game: jungler sleepwalks.

Fourth game: mid laner trash-talks.

Fifth game: total collapse. Ian went 0/31, blending perfectly with his team, fully enraged. He chugged his concoction while checking his [Anger Value].

[Current Anger Value: 56/100]

Nice!

Close to losing his mind!

But not enough!

To keep his mood from calming and [Anger Value] dropping, Ian opened his browser, searching videos of vegans forcing others to go vegan.

[Current Anger Value: 57/100]

Anger rose again.

Still not enough!

More videos—animal rights ads, activists smashing, burning, and coercing donations or relocations.

"Hiss!"

These really got him riled.

[Current Anger Value: 59/100]

Ian’s face was red, but he was just shy of the mark.

[Why watch this useless stuff? Young people should look at spicy pics, big chests!] A comment flashed across the screen, and a folder appeared on Ian’s computer, uncontrolled.

The hacker, lurking in his system for years, was at it again.

Ian opened the folder.

[Little perv wants spicy pics? Dream on!]

Just one line.

[Current Anger Value: 64/100]

Ian was livid, and that emotion triggered a new system prompt as his body began to transform.

[Ding!]

[Job Change Successful!]

[Job: Berserker Acquired!]

[Base Template Loaded!]

[Acquired Talent Skill: Bloodforge Fury]

[Berserker Skill Tree Unlocked!]

[NEXT CHAPTER]