Liam dropped onto the couch and sat completely still for a full minute, hands on his knees, eyes unfocused. The silence of the apartment settled around him like a blanket—comfortable, but unfamiliar. After Sokovia's cracked walls, frozen bunkers, militia gunfire, and cramped safehouses, the calm felt almost unreal.
Then, slowly, he stood.
Relaxation could wait.
Fury was many things. Generous was one of them… when it suited the mission. Paranoid was all the time.
Liam moved through the apartment with deliberate care, checking corners, vents, light fixtures, under the counters, behind the TV, inside wall sockets. He let the instincts and memories of the body's original SHIELD-owner guide his hands—old training routines, old paranoia, old methods for identifying surveillance.
He ran fingers along edges where micro-cameras could hide. He checked for inconsistencies in the wall paint, mismatched screws, abnormal heat signatures from electronics.
Ten minutes later, he paused in the middle of the living room.
Nothing.
No taps.
No cameras.
No bugs.
No silent watchers in the walls.
Either Fury hadn't bothered installing anything… or he had hidden them with tech so new and so refined that even a hyper-alert Liam couldn't find them.
Liam exhaled softly.
"Either clean… or invisible," he murmured.
Both possibilities were equally Fury.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, eyes drifting toward the window again.
A thought slipped into his mind.
He could sell this place.
He had the documents. The deed was legitimate, the bank account active, the identity spotless. He could walk into any real estate office in Manhattan and walk out with a apartment if he wanted. The system didn't lie—he had full legal control over this apartment.
But the moment he imagined doing that, another thought followed right behind it.
What would stop Fury from tapping the next apartment too?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Liam sighed.
Even if Fury had bugged this place, it wasn't like Fury could actually do anything with what he heard. Liam wasn't plotting against SHIELD. He wasn't a threat to Fury's position. In fact, Liam was one of the few people who had helped him. And on top of that… Liam wasn't even sure the place was bugged. Fury might have left it clean to build trust. Or Fury might have hidden surveillance with tech so advanced not even Stark would catch it at a glance.
Speaking of Stark…
Liam considered calling Tony, requesting him to sweep the place.
But Tony was currently tearing the world apart looking for his parents' killers. He wasn't going to drop that for a simple apartment scan. Also they weren't that close either, for him to drop everything he was doing just to help him.
Liam let out a long exhale.
"Honestly… this isn't getting solved anytime soon."
Not unless he somehow gained an ability specifically designed to detect surveillance or tech-based threats. But the odds of him rolling something that convenient?
Too lucky. Too specific.
He sighed again, a quiet, resigned breath.
Then he walked back to the couch, sat down, and leaned his head against the backrest.
"Alright… fine," he muttered. "Let's deal with something I can control."
He opened his Blue Wheel panel.
Time to use his points.
Liam stared at the glowing Blue Wheel interface for a moment, thumb hovering over the Spin option.
But then another thought passed through his mind.
Before spinning and gambling with seventeen unknown rewards…
Why not strengthen something he already had?
Something he could use immediately.
His eyes shifted to one of his more practical but underdeveloped powers.
Flight — Level 1 (04 / 1,000 XP)
Right now, the ability was basic. It worked, but barely.
Limited speed. Awkward maneuvering.
And he knew exactly how useful enhanced mobility could be.
He exhaled lightly.
'Let's upgrade this first.'
He channeled his Plot Points—
50 points converted to 250 XP
Another 50… another 250 XP…
He kept feeding the ability until the bar filled.
The panel chimed softly.
Flight — Level Up!
Level 2 Unlocked
The ability description expanded into something clearer, stronger, more refined.
---
Flight
Level 2: (0 / 5,000)
Description:
1. Maximum Speed increased to 180 km/h, scaling with the user's physical condition.
Overall maneuverability, hovering stability, takeoff, and directional control are all significantly improved.
2. Aerodynamic Shield (Flight-Only Passive):
When flying, the user is surrounded by a thin, invisible barrier that cancels wind pressure, blocks dust and minor debris, stabilizes body temperature, and prevents turbulence-based disorientation.
The shield automatically extends to anyone Liam is physically carrying, protecting them with the same environmental safety—but only while physical contact is maintained.
Important Note:
This shield does NOT block attacks, bullets, energy blasts, or physical strikes.
It exists only to allow effortless, smooth flight without environmental interference.
---
Liam closed the panel with a small nod.
This was good.
Practical.
Reliable.
Not flashy, but something he could trust.
Liam let the upgraded description fade from his vision and focused on the Blue Wheel in his mind.
Fifteen possible abilities. Fifteen chances.
'Alright,' he thought, rolling his shoulders. 'Let's see what fate thinks of me today.'
He then focused on the wheel and willed it to spin after consuming the points.
The wheel whirled, lights flickering through dozens of options until it slowed… clicked… and stopped.
--
•Clean Hold Ability Acquired
Level: Max
Description:
Allows Liam to purify any food or liquid by simply holding the container it sits in. Toxins, bacteria, chemicals, and spoilage are erased instantly, without altering taste or appearance. Direct touch also works, but isn't necessary.
--
Liam blinked once.
Then twice.
'…Okay. Useful. Very useful. But not exactly… threatening.'
He sighed, thumb hovering again.
'Fine. Two more. Maybe my luck just needed a warm-up.'
He hit Spin again.
The wheel spun even longer this time before clicking to a stop.
--
•Color Shift Ability Acquired
Level: Max
Description:
Allows Liam to change his hair color to any shade he imagines. The effect is instant, natural-looking, and reversible at any time. Works on small sections or the entire head.
--
Liam stared at the description with a completely blank expression.
'…Hair dye. I just unlocked magical… hair dye.'
He dragged a hand down his face.
'Fantastic. At this rate I'll be ready to debut as a K-pop idol by next week.'
Still, he pressed Spin one more time.
The wheel spun faster than before, almost mockingly, before slowing and landing on another new ability.
--
Outfit Swap Ability Acquired
Level: Max
Description:
Allows Liam to instantly change his current clothing into any outfit he imagines, restricted to normal materials like cotton, leather, denim, or wool. No armor, no enhanced fabrics, no tech, only everyday clothing.
--
Liam stared at the screen in utter silence.
'…My luck actually got worse.'
He leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling with the dead eyes of a man who had just been handed three cosmetics in a survival game.
'No offense to the cosmic wheel of fate,' he sighed, 'but did I really just unlock laundry powers, fashion powers, and… hair salon powers?'
He let out a long, defeated exhale.
'Not a single offensive ability. Not a single defensive ability. Just enough utility to open a boutique store.'
Practical?
Sure.
Helpful?
Absolutely.
Combat-relevant?
…Not even slightly.
Liam sank deeper into the couch.
'Yeah,' he scratched the back of his head. 'My luck definitely went downhill.'