SUP Chapter 5: Bizarre! The Path to the Extraordinary!

The Hulk was massive.

His form resembled a short, stout Ultraman.

Ian had considered he might be "logging in" to a future in his dreams, or perhaps he was under a magical curse causing cosmic exile at fixed intervals.

However, he never imagined this apocalyptic world could be on par with the DC universe he inhabited, nor that he’d see the Hulk’s corpse here!

Yes, the Hulk.

The one who grew bigger and greener when angry, famed for limitless strength, a Marvel icon who shouldn’t exist in Ian’s second life.

"Oh, by my father above... am I seeing things?" Ian’s throat bobbed, a surge of absurd disbelief hitting him like a tidal wave.

Was this the Marvel world?

No!

At least, not entirely.

The Hulk’s massive body loomed like a hill, his skin a cold, bluish-green. His muscles still bulged, arms raised high as he lay on his back.

And between those arms, something fluttered in the icy wind, keeping Ian’s shock from the Hulk’s corpse from fading.

Who wouldn’t find this bizarre?

A gaping hole in the Hulk’s chest. His hands, raised to the sky, still clenched tightly. His left hand gripped a head with golden hair.

The head’s eyes were wide, face twisted with reluctance and rage. Neck veins and torn skin were stark, swaying in the wind alongside the golden locks.

The Hulk’s other hand clutched the body. The muscled torso wore a deep blue uniform, adorned with the stars and stripes of American pride.

Wasn’t this Homelander, from Ian’s favorite show, The Boys?

The Hulk and Homelander?

Two mismatched characters, their corpses abruptly before Ian. He didn’t want to ponder how this happened or what led to this world’s state.

"I must be dreaming, but I can still learn and level up in dreams."

It felt too surreal. Honestly, too insane! Ian wanted a reliable doctor to prescribe him a hefty treatment plan.

Truly, without pounds of meds, he feared he couldn’t suppress his condition!

"Which is more likely: me being crazy, or this world being crazy? Tough call." Ian’s thoughts ran wild.

He cautiously approached the green behemoth.

The snow around the Hulk was smashed into a massive crater. Ian struggled to touch the Hulk’s skin, curious about the feel of such a creature’s corpse.

But, as his hand met the solidified green blood, the system’s voice rang out.

[You’ve touched an unknown extraordinary substance. A new occupation template has been unlocked. By meeting the requirements, you’ve obtained a revised extraordinary occupation: [Berserker]]

As expected,  the system was increasingly game-like.

Hearing the prompt, Ian froze for a second but didn’t immediately check the [Berserker] requirements.

"What a fateful bond with my father!" Ian’s gaze locked onto Homelander’s corpse, held aloft by the Hulk, truly in a "cell-wall-separated" state.

Like a scrawny monkey on adrenaline, Ian climbed onto the Hulk’s chest, planning to scale the arm like a tree to reach Homelander’s remains.

Youthful quick thinking: if the Hulk’s blood unlocked an extraordinary occupation, Ian was certain Homelander’s would too!

He wanted the [Berserker] occupation!

And whatever Homelander’s corpse offered, he wanted that too!

Perhaps Homelander’s occupation could tie him closer to his family! The thought thrilled Ian, his body buzzing with adrenaline.

He climbed the Hulk’s arm with all his might.

Slip!

The downside of studying over training showed. The ice on the Hulk’s body made Ian slide down after barely two or three meters, as if on a greased pole.

"I don’t believe this!"

Ian tried again.

Slip!

This time, he didn’t even reach three meters.

"For family!"

Ian charged again, scrambling with hands and feet, but his shouts didn’t grant him super strength. He only reached a third of the Hulk’s arm.

Slip!

The familiar fall.

Ian’s arms and legs were drained to their limit, aching fiercely.

Sitting on the Hulk’s cold pecs, Ian’s eyes burned with frustration and confusion. This wasn’t scientific, how hadn’t he powered up after invoking family?

"I haven’t fully embraced local life!" Ian shook his sore arms, reluctantly glancing at Homelander’s remains above.

"Giving up isn’t escaping! We’ll settle this tomorrow!" Ian was precise with time. No sooner had he declared this than—

Dong~~~~

A heavy bell tolled, exploding in his ears. It echoed like an ancient church, carrying an irresistible force, warping and dissolving the world.

Ian’s soul trembled.

Uncontrollable fear and dread surged within.

Dong—Dong—

The second and third tolls followed, blurring Ian’s vision.

The Hulk’s corpse, Homelander’s grimacing head, the frozen streets—everything faded, collapsing into an invisible vortex.

Thud!

His forehead kissed the desk.

Ian propped up his head.

He glanced at the peach-shaped alarm clock on his desk, a birthday gift from Jordan last year, capable of emitting a terrifying cackle like an old lady.

[00:42]

As always.

The time was spot-on.

[NEXT CHAPTER]