Chapter 27 – "The Punisher vs. The Portal"
Somewhere in rural Pennsylvania, 2008, Frank Castle was having the world's least relaxing Sunday morning.
He was in the garage, tuning his motorcycle, pretending the world made sense. His wife and kids were inside, laughing over pancakes and a terrible cartoon. It was one of those rare, quiet moments he'd kill to preserve.
And then a glowing ring appeared in midair like some kind of fancy, magical engagement proposal from a wizard stalker.
He froze. Reached for a wrench like it was a weapon. The ring hovered, pulsed… and a scroll popped out like a demonic fortune cookie.
Dear Frank Castle,
You don't know me, but I know you. More importantly, I know what's about to happen to you, and spoiler alert—it's not pretty.
I'm offering you a deal. One portal. One safe place. Bring your family. Stay alive. In exchange? Loyalty.
Come through the ring. Trust me. Or stay. And regret it.
— Adam. Magical farmer . Also kinda your boss if you say yes.
Frank read it again. Blinked. Then he heard a sound from the house.
His daughter screaming.
Gunshots.
His face darkened into a storm.
Without thinking, he grabbed the letter, yelled for his wife, and sprinted inside.
Ten Minutes Later…
The Castle family stepped out of the glowing portal, shell-shocked and blood-splattered. Frank had two bullet wounds in his shoulder, a death stare that could vaporize brick, and his arm around his wife's waist.
Adam stood waiting in his longcoat, sipping something from a coconut carved with arcane runes. He looked very pleased with himself.
"Welcome to the floating city of Don't Question It, Just Be Grateful. You're alive. Mostly. Congrats."
Frank didn't speak. He looked around at the mana-rich air, glowing sky, and floating platforms with houses that looked too clean to be legal. Then he dropped the bloodied rifle he was carrying.
"Talk."
Adam gestured like a tour guide from a magical Airbnb ad. "So. Long story short, I time-traveled to stop your origin story from going full R-rated tragedy. Your family's alive. You're alive. And in return, I get your unbreakable loyalty, broody scowls, and your impressive body count on my side."
Frank narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch?"
"Oh, there's always a catch," Adam said cheerfully. "But first—stats!"
[EMOTIONAL SPIKE DETECTED – Frank Castle]
Adam's offer to protect Frank's family caused a surge of deep gratitude, suppressed trauma, and budding loyalty.
+2 Strength
+1 Charisma
+4% Skill Fragment – Predictive Movement(2% doubled to 4% via Efficient Evolution)
+$10,000 Cash Deposited
Adam smirked, mentally watching his stat counter go ding like a casino jackpot. "Thanks, Frank. You almost dying is really good for my gains."
Frank just stared at him like he was debating where to punch first.
Adam held up a glowing A-Level skill crystal. "Before you do something predictably violent, let me sweeten the deal. Behold—your very own permanent regeneration skill. Regrows limbs. Regrows organs. Possibly regrows your will to live."
Frank took it. No words. Just a tiny nod.
Then Adam summoned the big prize: a black obsidian case with glowing veins. Inside, a weapon.
Item: Shifting Arsenal – A-level Mana Weapon
Adapts to the user's fighting style. Can become any firearm, bladed weapon, or hybrid tool. Infused with mana. Requires no ammo.
Frank picked it up. It immediately shifted into an M4 with glowing runes, then into a combat knife, then a Desert Eagle with a sarcastic engraving:
"This side toward villain."
Frank finally spoke. "You always talk this much?"
Adam grinned. "It's a defense mechanism. Also a marketing strategy."
[Skill Gifting Protocol – Pact of Unbreakable Loyalty Activated]
A-Level Skill: "Iron Regrowth" – Grants full regeneration, including lost limbs and organs.
Status: Permanently gifted to Frank Castle.Loyalty
Seal: Stable.
Adam held out his hand. "All I need is a handshake. You serve me, I protect your family. Forever."
Frank looked at his wife. Then his kids. Then back to Adam.
He shook his hand.
Pact Complete. Loyalty Confirmed. Skill and Item Transfer Successful.
Later That Day: The Orientation
Frank was given a private farmhouse overlooking the mana sea. His wife and kids were moved in, safe, enchanted protections all around. His new weapon sat in the corner, currently a rocket launcher pretending to be a guitar.
Adam passed by to check in.
"Just so you know, this place levels you up the longer you live here. Like XP by osmosis. I call it 'Sit and Get Shredded.' Works faster if you farm magical potatoes, though."
Frank grunted.
"I also made you a therapy chicken," Adam added. "He listens. Doesn't judge. Might explode if you feed him dark thoughts, but otherwise, great bird."
Frank slowly closed the door.
Chapter Summary
Stats Gained:
+3 Strength
+2 Stamina
Skill Fragment Gained:
Predictive Movement (2%) → Doubled to 4% via Efficient Evolution
New Skill Acquired:
[Battle Rebirth – A-Level Skill]: Passive regeneration of all injuries, including limbs. Recovery time varies by damage. User cannot die unless head is completely destroyed.
New Item Acquired:
[Shifting Arsenal – A-Level Mana Weapon]: Changes into any weapon, requires no ammo, feeds off mana and intent. Highly customizable.
New Pact:
Pact of Unbreakable Loyalty with Frank Castle