The monetary gains did excite Bucky a bit; these were spoils of war from completing a mission, and getting rich overnight always easily stimulated the nerves.
But this was not Bucky's biggest gain tonight.
Tonight's biggest gains were Billy Russo and William Rollins.
Just taking out these two guys didn't yield many rewards; it was merely a daily bounty.
However, to Bucky's surprise, these two turned out to be the Punisher's enemies, directly completing the main quest of the Punisher's series of missions.
System Information: For successfully defeating Billy Russo and William Rollins, two masterminds, the main quest "Revenge" of the series mission "Punisher Origin" has been completed. You have gained 2000 experience points and received 2 random item boxes (Blue Rare);
Note: The series mission "Punisher Origin" still has main quests that can be triggered. You need to make contact with Frank Castle and figure out the trigger method yourself.
Although Frank had avenged himself, he was still just Frank, not the Punisher. This was only part of his origin story, and the next step should be to help him become the Punisher.
But thinking of his two children… Bucky hesitated a bit. Perhaps letting go of hatred and focusing on his family and children again would be the most correct choice for Frank?
Let him choose for himself. This is up to him; Bucky has no intention of interfering, he will only wait for the result.
Even without the Punisher's origin, the Punisher still appeared, and there will be opportunities to trigger missions from him in the future, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't appear.
Anyway, let nature take its course.
Let's get back to the rewards.
2000 experience points!
Two blue rare grade boxes!
As expected of a series mission for a well-known (anti) hero like the Punisher, the rewards are extraordinary!
With these 2000 experience points, plus the previous two times dealing with Billy and his subordinates, and the last time dealing with Billy and William, Bucky leveled up directly!
System Information: Experience points sufficient, now upgraded;
Character Level 4;
Experience Points 670/4000;
Gained 1 free attribute point;
Gained 1 free perk point.
System, add free attribute point to Intelligence, and perk point to "Contagion."
System Information: Allocation complete;
Character: James Buchanan Barnes;
Level 5;
Body 8 (Athletics 7, Annihilation 7, Brawling 8);
Reflexes 8 (Handguns 7, Assault 7, Blades 7);
Technical 4 (Engineering 2, Crafting 4);
Intelligence 9 (Hacking Protocol 2, Quick Hack 2);
Cool 11 (Stealth 8, Cold Blood 3);
Health: 210/210;
Stamina: 155/155;
New Quick Hack perk talent "Contagion";
Contagion: Your aggressive Quick Hack skills will additionally spread to one hostile target within 20 meters.
After leveling up, Health +10, Stamina +5, and the usual daily street activities, along with this relatively big operation, increased Bucky's close-range combat specialization [Brawling] by one point.
This refers to close-range combat, including but not limited to fists and cold weapons; as long as the enemy is at close range, Bucky will gain more damage bonuses.
Engineering, Crafting, Quick Hack, Hacking Protocol, Stealth, and Cold Blood, these specializations used in daily life and operations, also improved accordingly.
However, once Crafting reached 4, it was limited by the Technical attribute being only 4 points, so crafting items after that would no longer yield experience points.
But Bucky still chose to continue adding to Intelligence; hacking and crafting are for the late game, so it's even more important to specialize. Leveling up one first will show results faster.
The same goes for perks. Bucky chose the Quick Hack perk talent [Contagion] under the Intelligence attribute, so his skill [Electromagnetic Short Circuit] could hit two people at once, greatly alleviating the problem of excessively long cooldowns.
After leveling up, Bucky didn't rush to open the boxes, but instead returned home first.
Opening boxes, such a sacred matter, of course requires bathing and changing clothes, applying the face cream bought for Skye on his face, and then meditating for an hour with crossed legs.
System Information: Opened 2 random item boxes (Blue Rare), obtained item "Netwatch Netdriver Mk.3," obtained item "Projectile Launch System";
Netwatch Netdriver Mk.3: Network Access Pod (Blue Rare; 4 Quick Hack plugin slots; can Quick Hack targets or devices scanned by Kiroshi optics; Quick Hack damage +10%; RAM recovers 3 extra every 60 seconds; aggressive Quick Hacks can additionally spread to one target);
Projectile Launch System: Arm Cyberware (Blue Rare); can fire various types of projectiles.
Good heavens!
Bucky stared at the two items he had opened, stunned for he didn't know how long, then suddenly jumped three feet high, vigorously and continuously punching, silently shouting!
Awesome! Absolutely awesome!
I might really be a European Emperor!
The Blue Rare Network Access Pod, like Quick Hack plugins, needs to be crafted with anti-human Orange Legendary grade Quick Hack components. This is equivalent to opening an Orange Legendary item directly from a Blue Rare box!
Moreover, these powerful additional attributes directly gave Bucky 2 more Quick Hack skill slots, and there was also an additional spread effect, allowing the [Electromagnetic Short Circuit] skill to hit 3 targets at once!
A tremendous sense of happiness filled Bucky's heart, making him want to break into a song and dance rap!
System, implant the Network Access Pod, implant the Projectile Launch System into the right arm.
With a thought from Bucky, his brain and right arm were enveloped in red and blue neon blocks. Another strange sensation, and then several metallic lines gradually appeared on his right forearm, extending from the elbow to the wrist.
With another thought, his right forearm suddenly made a mechanical sound, breaking apart, and a missile rack rose from within, with a cigar-sized missile on it.
This thing was also incredibly powerful; its item description, "Handheld Missile Launch System (no exaggeration)," was truly apt. The missile on it was even more powerful and had a larger explosion radius than an RPG.
Moreover, it could load different types of missiles, such as electric shock, incendiary, or chemical attributes, causing corresponding explosive effects.
However, unlike in games where one installation means infinite refills, Bucky needed to craft missiles himself, just like crafting bullets. One missile was equivalent to a magazine of ordinary bullets and required 12 ordinary item components.
But 12 bottles of water for an enhanced RPG is a very worthwhile trade.
If this thing could only be used by himself, Bucky would have the heart to sell weapons.
After playing with the pop-out and retracting a few times, Bucky, with a thought, unloaded the missile and put it back into his system inventory.
Having a missile stored in his arm all the time, and not for entertainment like the "ex-wife" kind, was a bit awkward. He'd install it when he needed to use it.
Then, a red and blue neon block flashed in Bucky's hand, and a small device appeared.
It was the mind control device that HYDRA used to exploit the Winter Soldier.
But Bucky didn't directly disassemble it, even though a blank Network Access Pod could yield Blue Rare Quick Hack components.
Instead, he solemnly stored it in his system inventory, and then added a note to this small item himself — proving that the Winter Soldier was once ruthlessly and repeatedly exploited by HYDRA.
He wanted to never forget his original intention; one of the biggest reasons he worked so hard to become stronger was to return the pain HYDRA had inflicted on him, in full, wasn't it?
ADVANCE CHAPTER AVAILABLE IN PATREON
patreon.com/Achilles_Stein
patreon.com/Achilles_Stein