The next morning, sunlight slipped through the blinds in thin golden lines.
John felt… rested. More than usual.
Helping Sabrina last night had eased something inside him — something tight, something lonely.
But today wasn't about calm.
Today, the system was buzzing like a waking beast.
[Popularity Points: 312]
[Threshold Reached: Special Menu Unlocked]
John sat up instantly.
Special menu?
The system rarely used words like that.
A New System Interface
A glowing window appeared before him, cleaner and sharper than the usual blue displays.
[Congratulations, User.]
[You have gained enough influence to unlock a new feature.]
Then the words shifted:
[MULTIVERSE ABILITY MENU — OPEN?]
John's breath caught.
"…Multiverse?"
The system explained:
[Abilities, powers, and techniques from countless universes can now be offered.]
[Selection depends on user's popularity growth and compatibility.]
[High-tier abilities require exponentially more points.]
He swallowed hard.
This wasn't just Marvel abilities anymore.
This was everything.
Dragon Ball. Naruto. One Piece. My Hero.
Even universes he barely remembered.
He whispered, "Open it."
The Multiverse Ability Menu
The screen unfolded like a long scroll of glowing power.
Tier 1 (Low PP Cost):
Enhanced Agility (Marvel)
Shadow Step (Assassin's Creed)
Observation Instinct Lv.1 (One Piece)
Low-Class Ki Manipulation (Dragon Ball)
Beginner Chakra Control (Naruto)
Street Sense Awareness (DC — Gotham)
Tier 2 (Moderate PP Cost):
Spider Reflex Lv.1 (Marvel)
Haki Foundations (One Piece)
Ki Blast Basics (Dragon Ball)
Chakra Nature Discovery (Naruto)
Enhanced Durability (Marvel)
Tier 3 (High PP Cost):
Super Soldier Serum Variant (Marvel)
Chakra Affinity Awakening (Naruto)
Haki: Observation lvl. 2 (One Piece)
Ki Control (Dragon Ball Mid-tier)
Early Mutant Ability Catalyst (Marvel — Unpredictable)
John stared at the screen, heart pounding.
This wasn't just power.
This was potential.
If he grew big enough, he could eventually access abilities that could rival gods.
But the system added a warning:
[Note: High-tier powers can attract attention from powerful beings.]
John gulped.
Yeah… he'd wait on those.
He wasn't ready for Thor or Doctor Strange knocking on his door.
School — The Song Spreads
At school, the buzz was different.
Bigger.
People weren't just talking — they were obsessed.
"EchoBlue is on fire!"
"He's trending in like ten states now."
"Bro, he made Spotify's 'Up Next' list!"
"No face reveal yet — it's crazy."
John nodded silently as he listened, pretending he wasn't hearing all of it.
But inside, his heart raced.
His second song wasn't even out yet.
When it dropped… this world was going to shake.
Sabrina Notices Something New
During lunch, Sabrina plopped down across from him with her usual chaotic energy.
But today she looked… different.
More confident.
She hummed a note — the same one she practiced last night — then grinned.
"I've been practicing."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
She nodded proudly.
"You helped a lot. And… I kinda wanna try out for the school talent show."
John blinked.
Sabrina?
Trying out?
This girl was supposed to become a superstar in his original universe — but here, she was just starting to discover her voice.
"That's huge," he said softly.
"You should go for it."
She blushed slightly.
"You think so?"
He nodded again.
Her smile widened.
Then she poked his arm lightly.
"Also, you seem… different today."
John tensed.
"Different how?"
"I don't know. More focused. Brighter. Like you're carrying some secret."
John forced a chuckle.
"You always think I have secrets."
She grinned.
"Because you do."
He swallowed.
She wasn't wrong.
After School — John Chooses His First Power
Back home, John stared at the multiverse menu again.
He didn't want anything that would expose him.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing explosive.
He needed subtle power.
Foundational power.
His eyes landed on one option:
Observation Instinct Lv.1 (One Piece)
Cost: 150 PP
Effect: Heightened awareness of surroundings, danger, and people's intentions.
Not full Observation Haki… but a beginning.
And extremely useful.
He confirmed the purchase.
[Observation Instinct Lv.1 — Acquired]
A wave washed over him.
Suddenly the world felt… louder, but in silence.
He could feel things:
Someone walking outside his building
The shift of air from a car passing on the street
A cat sitting on a fence
The faint tension of someone arguing two floors below him
His senses expanded — not sight or sound, but presence.
He gasped quietly.
This was perfect.
Subtle.
Invisible.
Powerful.
Evening — Finishing the Second Song
He sat at his desk that evening, eyes closed, finishing the final parts of the second song:
The haunting pre-chorus
The emotional hook
The powerful, unforgettable chorus
His fingers moved like memory and instinct were fused together.
When he finished, the system glowed:
[Song Recreation: 100% Complete]
[Ready to Publish?]
Not yet.
He wanted to show one person first.
He texted Sabrina:
"Are you in the music room?"
She replied instantly:
"Yeah, come."
Helping Sabrina With Singing — Again
He found her at the piano, humming quietly to herself.
She looked up with the softest smile.
"You came."
"Of course."
She took a breath.
"Can… can you help me again? I want to keep improving."
"Yeah," he said gently.
"Let's work on it."
She sang.
Her voice shook at first.
Then steadied.
Then grew warmer — fuller — more confident.
John guided her like before:
"Keep your shoulders relaxed.
Don't lock your throat.
Let the breath flow."
She tried again.
This time, she sounded genuinely good.
When she finished, she looked at him anxiously.
"Well?"
John smiled, sincere and proud.
"You're not shy anymore," he said softly.
"You're becoming a singer."
She blushed deeply, hiding her face in her hands.
"Stop… you can't say stuff like that, I'll explode."
He laughed.
And for the first time since arriving in this universe…
He felt like he had someone he could trust.
Tomorrow, the second song would drop.
Tomorrow, EchoBlue would rise.
But tonight, he helped someone find her voice.
Hope you enjoyed