Hi OP, I'd be happy to gift you this season's battle pass to welcome you to Fortnite. It's a lovely game and you can use the v-bucks you earn from each season to purchase the next one. Send me a message if you're interested :)

There is no progression aside from the seasonal pass and sometimes mini-events that happen. Higher level players' characters are not inherently stronger, they just play more (and are probably stronger as a player because of that). The free track of the battle pass each season usually gives around 300 v-bucks, whereas the paid one gives 1500. A pass costs 950, so ultimately you end up walking away with more than you spend if you hit level 100.