Meng Zu

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Meng Zu (孟祖)
Alias(es)	Evan
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Free Detective Agency; Continental Hotel; S.H.I.E.L.D. (external contractor)
Occupation/Role	Mercenary, assassin, private detective, and co-owner of the Free Detective Agency
Status	Alive
First Appearance	System Panel 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Early Mercenary System state	2	Strength 4, Speed 4.3, Constitution 3, Spirit 6, Health 150, and Energy 60.
Ordinary ten-pull enhancement	2	Gains incremental physical attributes and the Vitality Ring; rises to Strength 4.3, Speed 4.6, Constitution 4.5, Spirit 6.2, and Health 225.
Sanctum spiritual tea	13	Spirit increases by 0.5 after drinking tea prepared by Sorcerer Daniel.
Dimensional Energy World breakthrough	14	Learns to sense and absorb an unknown energy in soul form; Energy rises from 60 to 65, exceeding its former limit. Daniel places a magical mark on his forehead to enable future absorption.
Half-year meditation training	15	Can absorb one strand of special energy every half month; his Energy increases by roughly 10 points per month.
Post–Tony Stark rescue state	25	Records Strength 4.3, Speed 4.6, Constitution 4.5, Spirit 6.7, Health 225, and Energy 125.
Mysterious Shop and lottery upgrades	41	Purchases the Laser Cannon, gains Bullet Time, and raises his attributes to Strength 5.3, Agility 5.8, Constitution 5.5, and Spirit 6.7.

Background / History

Meng Zu was an ordinary man in China in his previous life. He died after being struck by lightning, then reincarnated in America with no knowledge of his biological parents. He grew up in an orphanage before Zhang Jun, a Chinese freelance mercenary, adopted him at age six. 2

After graduating from college in 2005, Meng Zu briefly worked at a company before entering the mercenary profession despite Zhang Jun's objections. Zhang Jun died of cancer the same year. On Meng Zu's twenty-fourth birthday, his memories of his former life returned and he awakened the Mercenary System. 2

His knowledge of popular culture allowed him to identify his new world as a dangerous Marvel-based reality containing figures such as Tony Stark and organizations including Stark Industries and Oscorp. Fearing future catastrophes, especially Thanos's snap, he chose to remain a mercenary and use the system to become strong enough to survive. 2

The system's beginner rewards—Storage Space, Teleportation, Clue Guidance, Leap of Faith, and the Resurrection Cross Necklace—made the profession practical despite its dangers. In 2008, Meng Zu joined New York's Continental Hotel, using assassination contracts to generate system missions and earn points. 2

He also inherited a stake in the Free Detective Agency, founded by Zhang Jun and his former mercenary partner Yang Guang as a safer post-mercenary career. The agency gives Meng Zu access to legitimate investigative commissions alongside his work in the assassin underworld. 3

Appearance

Without a disguise, Meng Zu resembles a delicate-featured Asian man in his early twenties, with a slightly pointed face and an otherwise unremarkable appearance. He routinely changes his identity before and after missions. 2

• Uses human-skin masks, clothing changes, altered vehicles, and replacement license plates to conceal his identity. 2 20 23
• Can convincingly impersonate specific individuals, including Ten Rings guards and an apartment manager. 23 42
• Maintains hidden compartments for masks, disguise solutions, weapons, and other evidence-sensitive equipment. 2 46

Personality

Meng Zu is pragmatic, survival-oriented, and highly conscious of the gap between his own strength and that of the world's emerging superheroes, demons, and sorcerers. He treats missions as calculated risks: he will abandon an unwinnable job, conserve Energy when necessary, and prioritize escape over pride. 3 5 11 41

Despite working as an assassin, he follows a personal standard and refuses many Continental contracts unless he believes the target deserves death. This does not make him conventionally heroic; he frequently treats protection, information, and intervention as paid services. 9 15 22

He is cautious around strangers and supernatural threats, often preparing contingencies before revealing his hand. His distrust of Jamie, Lisa, and Ella allows him to anticipate Mary Shaw's betrayal, while his preparation protects Anna and Amy from the disguised spirits. 9 10

Meng Zu also has a mischievous sense of humor. He mocks dangerous situations, stages a fake execution to test Leon's resolve, and is deeply embarrassed by the System's absurd taunting skill. 2 41 42

Abilities & Skills

Enhanced Physique

Meng Zu's System-enhanced physical attributes greatly exceed those of an average adult human.

• Combines enhanced strength, agility, reflexes, and combat technique to overpower vampires and supernatural puppets. 4 8
• Can evade gunfire, monster attacks, and close-range ambushes through speed and bodily control. 2 10 23
• Remains vulnerable to sufficiently powerful impacts, firearms, advanced armor, and supernatural attacks. 10 39

Firearms Mastery

Basic Firearms improves Meng Zu's weapon knowledge, handling, accuracy, and firearm power. 1

• Uses pistols, rifles, sniper rifles, grenades, and an M4 effectively in combat. 2 23 39
• Employs precise headshots and suppressive fire while covering allies during escapes. 23
• Can rapidly adapt ammunition and weapons to a target's weaknesses, such as using freezing bullets against Iron Monger. 39 40

Multifunctional Bullets

Meng Zu can transform ammunition into specialized rounds through the System. 1 2

• Armor-piercing bullets — used against Iron Monger and locked barriers. 39
• Explosive bullets — available as a specialized ammunition type. 1
• Freezing bullets — exploit Iron Monger's vulnerability to ice. 40
• Holy Light Bullets — effective against vengeful spirits, demons, and other supernatural entities. 10 11 46
• Mithril bullets — available as a specialized ammunition type. 1
• Holy Light Bullets and grenades can be insufficient against enemies protected by Mrs. Voorhees's black mist. 11

Stealth, Disguise, and Infiltration

Meng Zu combines Basic Stealth, Basic Disguise, physical masks, and careful surveillance to enter hostile areas without detection. 1

• Basic Stealth reduces his presence in dimly lit areas. 1
• Studies guard movements, creates distractions, and uses darkness to infiltrate fortified sites. 21
• Impersonated local criminals to approach the Ten Rings and later disguised himself and Tony Stark as guards. 20 23
• Skilled opponents such as Leon can notice inconsistencies in his disguise. 42

Danger Sense and Enhanced Perception

Basic Danger Sense, Basic Dynamic Vision, and advanced reflexes make Meng Zu difficult to ambush. 1

• Senses incoming danger, including dark wizards, demons, and concealed attackers. 6 12 46
• Uses heightened vision to identify threats in low-light conditions. 10
• Health loss can also warn him of harmful environments that he cannot otherwise detect. 2

Clue Guidance

Clue Guidance directs Meng Zu toward a target or object under investigation. 1

• Located Sam Fox through his photograph and led Meng Zu toward Sault Ste. Marie. 3
• Identified Tony Stark's true location after the military searched in the wrong direction. 20
• Helped locate Leon inside an apartment building. 41
• Each use can consume substantial Energy; one use cost 20 Energy during the Sam Fox investigation. 3

Teleportation and Leap of Faith

Meng Zu received both abilities in his beginner gift pack. 2

• Teleportation provides an emergency escape option when he is outmatched. 2 11
• He prepared to teleport away from Mary Shaw, Jason, and Mrs. Voorhees after concluding that continued combat would be suicidal. 11
• Leap of Faith prevents injury when landing on a soft surface. 1 2

Dimensional Energy Absorption

Meng Zu cannot properly learn conventional magic, but he possesses an unusual energy that can be strengthened through meditation and Daniel's magical mark. 12 14

• Can enter or communicate with the Dimensional Energy World through the mark on his forehead. 14 15
• Absorbs one strand of unknown energy every half month; his body cannot handle more during a single session. 15
• The source of this energy is unknown even to Daniel. 14

Laser Cannon

A System weapon that fires a laser from its barrel. 41

• Consumes 40 Energy per second while active. 41
• Purchased after Meng Zu recognized that conventional firearms were inadequate against threats such as Iron Monger. 41

Bullet Time

An active skill that slows time to one-third speed while leaving Meng Zu unaffected. 41

• Consumes 30 Energy per second. 41
• Acquired through an Advanced Draw after the Iron Monger battle. 41

Repeated Side-to-Side Jumping

An unwanted taunting ability acquired through a System draw. 41

• Forces enemies in front of Meng Zu to attack after he jumps back and forth while shouting a taunt. 41
• May provoke even non-enemies if they are already in a bad mood. 1 41
• Costs 50 Energy; Meng Zu openly dislikes the skill and vows not to use it. 41

Soul Protection

The System can protect Meng Zu from certain spiritual threats.

• A Lesser Demon entered his body and attempted to consume his soul, but the System eliminated it automatically. 46
• The incident awarded him 500 Contract Points. 46

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mana-Recovery Ring — increases Energy by 10 and restores 5 Energy per hour. 41
• Vitality Ring — increases Constitution by 1 and restores 5 Health per hour. 2
• Resurrection Cross Necklace — revives Meng Zu three seconds after death and restores him to normal condition. 2 41
• Storage Space — System-granted space used to conceal weapons, supplies, disguises, and the surviving Blood Orchid; time is frozen inside it. 2 23 37
• Human-skin masks and disguise materials — used for identity concealment and impersonation. 2 23 42
• Tiger Knuckles — priest-blessed knuckles effective against vampires and puppets; loaned to Sam and Brian during the Ravensfair escape. 4 8 9
• Silver dagger — used against Mary Shaw's monsters and supernatural puppets. 8 10
• M99 sniper rifle — used against Iron Monger with armor-piercing and freezing ammunition. 39 40
• Red Potions — slightly restore physical condition. 41
• Blue Potion — restores 20 Energy. 41
• New York Sanctum business card — magical pass that reveals the concealed Sanctum and allows Meng Zu to locate it. 12 13

Relationships

• Zhang Jun — Adoptive father, firearms instructor, former mercenary, and co-founder of the Free Detective Agency; died of cancer after opposing Meng Zu's decision to become a mercenary. 2 3
• Yang Guang — Zhang Jun's former partner and Meng Zu's co-owner at the Free Detective Agency; serves as an experienced mentor figure. 3
• Yang Hai — Yang Guang's son, legal-minded agency colleague, and friend; frequently assists with detective work and business decisions. 3 28
• Charon — Continental Hotel concierge and trusted information source who respects Meng Zu's skills and personal standards. 15 27 38
• Winston — Continental Hotel manager; regrets losing Meng Zu as a potential Legendary Killer after his S.H.I.E.L.D. affiliation. 44
• Sorcerer Daniel — Sanctum mentor who teaches Meng Zu meditation, guides him through soul separation, and creates his energy-absorption mark. 13 14
• The Ancient One — Sorcerer Supreme who refuses Meng Zu's request to study magic but directs him to Daniel for help with his energy problem. 12
• Tony Stark — High-paying client initially rescued from the Ten Rings; their relationship is strained by Tony's distrust of Meng Zu's assassin identity. 22 25 41
• Pepper Potts — Hires Meng Zu to locate Tony and later recognizes that he saved her from Obadiah Stane. 18 19 39
• John and Jane Smith — Assassin neighbors whom Meng Zu previously defeated, later protects from an assassination attempt without accepting their bounty. 26 27
• Leon and Matilda — Targets of a Continental contract; Meng Zu spares Leon due to his attachment to Matilda and advises him how to handle Stanfield. 42 44
• Phil Coulson — S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who pressures Meng Zu into accepting an external-contractor arrangement. 44
• Frank Martin — Former underground courier recruited by Meng Zu to work for the Free Detective Agency. 28 29

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Mercenary Work

Meng Zu begins as a Continental-affiliated assassin who relies on stealth, firearms, disguise, cleanup crews, and System rewards to survive. His careful methods include confirming targets, removing evidence, changing identities, and concealing his equipment. 2

Sam Fox Rescue and Ravensfair

Hired through the Free Detective Agency to find Sam Fox, Meng Zu traces the case to vampires and Mary Shaw's territory. He rescues Sam and several others, confronts Mary Shaw's puppets and manifestations, and ultimately survives only because the Ancient One and Wong intervene against Mephisto-marked spirits. 3 8 10 12

New York Sanctum Training

After meeting the Ancient One, Meng Zu gains access to the New York Sanctum. Daniel confirms that he lacks conventional magical talent but teaches him meditation and helps him discover a separate means of increasing his Energy. 12 15

Tony Stark Rescue

Pepper Potts hires Meng Zu to locate and rescue Tony Stark from the Ten Rings. He infiltrates their Afghan base, finds Tony and Dr. Ethan, negotiates Ethan's additional rescue, and leads both men through a firefight and vehicle escape. 18 25

Blood Orchid Expedition

Meng Zu accepts a Borneo protection contract involving Byron-Mitch Biotech's search for the life-extending Blood Orchid. After the expedition's collapse, he secretly stores one orchid in his System space and destroys the remaining site to prevent powerful groups from monopolizing it. 29 37

Conflict with Obadiah Stane

After Ten Rings assassins attack his home using information supplied by Obadiah Stane, Meng Zu retaliates. He reaches Stark Industries during the Iron Monger incident, saves Pepper, and helps immobilize Iron Monger with freezing ammunition. 38 40

S.H.I.E.L.D. Contractor

Coulson confronts Meng Zu with evidence of his involvement at Stark Industrial Park and reveals that S.H.I.E.L.D. knows he is a Continental assassin. Meng Zu accepts an external-contractor role to avoid provoking S.H.I.E.L.D. and to gain access to future high-value missions. 44

Demonic Home Invasion

After moving to a new house, Meng Zu kills three intruders and discovers that one carries a Lesser Demon. The demon's possession attempt fails when the System protects Meng Zu's soul and destroys it. 46

Notable Quotes

“Everyone has their own rules. That's just how I am.” 15

“The more you know, the faster you die.” 13

“Looks like I'll have to teleport.” 11

Trivia

• Meng Zu's previous-life memories are incomplete; he often recognizes major events or characters but cannot remember every detail of their original stories. 42
• He considers the System's interface comparable to a cheap mobile-game panel. 2
• He owns a Blood Orchid but keeps it hidden because its life-extending properties could attract dangerous attention from wealthy groups and Hydra. 37
• His contract-point rewards are markedly higher for missions involving major superheroes, such as Tony Stark. 19