A Desperate Start and a System of Hope

Li Wei was jolted awake by a deafening explosion.

The instant his consciousness returned, the acrid stench of smoke and dust flooded his nostrils, making him cough violently. He found himself slumped beneath a crumbling wall, surrounded by building wreckage that looked as though it had been gnawed apart by some colossal beast. The streets were split open, and thick smoke billowed everywhere.

When he looked up, enormous Chitauri Leviathans glided between the city buildings like metallic whales. Dense swarms of single-pilot craft strafed the streets like locusts, bringing endless explosions and human screams.

Wasn't I pulling an all-nighter writing... Where is this...? His memories were a chaotic mess, but his understanding of the scene before him was terrifyingly clear—this was the New York battlefield from The Avengers! He,

a powerless writer, had somehow been transported to this hellhole where he could die at any moment! Fear coiled around his heart like an icy venomous snake. Whoosh—! A blazing energy bolt skimmed past his scalp and blasted the wreckage of a car behind him to pieces. The scorching shockwave and flying debris stung his cheeks.

Death had never been so close!

No! I can't die the moment I get here! His desperate will to survive erupted like a volcano.

As though answering his cry, a cold, emotionless mechanical voice echoed in the depths of his mind:

[Ding! Host soul compatibility detected at 100%. Will to survive has exceeded the peak threshold... Heavens and Myriad Worlds Plunder System successfully activated!]

[Beginning host binding... Binding complete!]

[Novice gift pack has been distributed to the system space. Open it?]

A system! Standard equipment for a transmigrator!

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Wei roared inwardly, Open it! Right now! Immediately!

[Congratulations, Host. You have received the following initial rewards:]

1. Kamar-Taj Magic Inheritance (Ancient One Tier): Contains the magical knowledge, source of magical power, and initial connection to the Vishanti lineage of an Ancient One-level sorcerer (weakened version).

2. Sling Ring x1: Standard equipment used by Kamar-Taj sorcerers to open portals.

3. Wand of Watoomb x1: A powerful magical artifact capable of enhancing spell power and creating formidable shields.

Boom—! As if heaven and earth had been split apart, a vast torrent of knowledge surged into his mind in an instant!

The sacred symbols of the Vishanti, the intricate geometric structure of the Shield of Seraphim, the sevenfold cycles of the Rings of Raggadorr, dimensional coordinates leading to the multiverse... Countless profound magical runes, spells, and meditation techniques were branded deep into his soul as though he had been born knowing them.

At the same time, a warm yet powerful energy flowed from his dantian—or rather, this body's corresponding energy core—and rapidly spread through his limbs and bones, cleansing his sinews and nourishing his mind. His senses became sharper than ever before, and he could even "see" specks of magical energy drifting through the air.

Magic! He had become a true sorcerer! His instinct to survive overwhelmed his shock at the miracle. Almost reflexively, he raised his trembling hands and awkwardly followed the knowledge in his mind, imagining his destination—a relatively intact newsstand several dozen meters away.

His fingers moved laboriously through the air as he focused his thoughts. Sizzle—! Sparks flew, and a tiny, extremely unstable portal with warped edges opened before him with difficulty. On the other side was the newsstand.

It worked! Li Wei scrambled through, and the portal quickly vanished behind him. Leaning against the newsstand's cold metal shell, he gasped for breath, his heart pounding wildly. He felt both the relief of surviving disaster and the excitement of gaining supernatural power.

He forced himself to calm down and surveyed the battlefield. In the distance, the red-and-gold Iron Man battled the Chitauri army in the sky, nimbly dodging energy beams while firing back with his repulsors. Farther away, Captain America and Black Widow were clearing out lesser enemies on the ground. Thor's Mjolnir called down lightning, while Hulk was madly tearing apart the Leviathan beasts. This was a battlefield for heroes, but it was also a meat grinder.

I have to get out of the central area... Li Wei knew perfectly well that in his current state, any stray shot could kill him. He raised his hands again, this time with far more practiced movements. A ring of sparks appeared steadily, and he stepped through it, emerging behind another piece of cover.

After several short-range teleports, he quickly escaped the most fiercely contested blocks and arrived on a relatively "safe" rooftop. From there, he could overlook most of the battlefield and see the spatial wormhole above Stark Tower, constantly pouring out alien troops. According to the plot, Iron Man would carry a nuclear missile through it and resolve the crisis.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. A crisis also meant opportunity—an excellent chance to make the future Iron Man, Tony Stark, owe him a favor! He knew it was risky, but high risks brought high rewards! He needed power, needed the capital to gain a foothold in this dangerous world, and Stark's favor and technology were undoubtedly excellent starting resources. He took a deep breath, suppressing his fear and excitement as his gaze hardened.

His hands began forming complex seals before his chest. The newborn magical power within him surged and gathered according to Kamar-Taj's secret arts. It was time to let this world's heroes witness the methods of a "passing sorcerer."