Chapter 9: The Village of Sokovia
The cold wind howled, whipping blade-like snowflakes through the night of Sokovia.
Moving in a group of three, they left three sets of footprints of varying depths in the knee-deep snow.
Luke walked at the very back.
To be honest, his current look looked very cool.
A slim-fitting trench coat formed by hardened black fluid perfectly outlined his upright figure.
The collar was thoughtfully designed as a stand-up collar, blocking the cold wind blowing into his neck.
But only he knew that he was actually just putting up a false front.
"Damn it, this is practically burning cash just to keep warm."
Luke was somewhat speechless; with every step he took, he could feel the energy bar inside his body dropping rapidly.
The Symbiote thermal suits covering Wanda and Pietrowere merely a small portion of biomass extending from his body.
But without sufficient energy replenishment, maintaining their activity was simply overdrafting his vitality.
This feeling was like a phone with only 1% battery left, the screen already very dim, yet he still had to forcefully keep the hotspot running to provide internet to two major power-guzzling devices.
"If this doesn't count as life-or-death camaraderie, then what does?"
Luke looked at the silver-haired boy ahead, who was struggling forward with his sister on his back, a trace of a smile flashing in his eyes.
In this Marvel world that had been altered beyond recognition, on this cold winter night filled with slaughter and conspiracy.
This trace of body heat from a stranger was perhaps the only reality they currently possessed.
...
The view ahead gradually opened up.
A few dim, yellowish lights, like crumbling fireflies in the dark night, proclaimed the existence of human civilization.
Coming into view ahead was a typical small Eastern European village.
Dilapidated, silent, as if it were a corner forgotten by the times.
Most of the houses had their lights off, and the windows were sealed with thick wooden boards.
Clearly, the residents here held a deeply ingrained fear of the night.
In Sokovia, night usually meant two things.
Secret police in black uniforms, or the Grim Reaper falling from the sky.
"Right there."
Pietro stopped in his tracks, panting slightly.
He didn't put Wanda down from his back, instead using his chin to point at a wooden house at the very edge of the village entrance.
That house looked slightly sturdier than the surrounding ones.
Hanging at the doorway was a sign whose writing was long illegible, making creaking noises only when the wind blew.
"That old man is inside."
Pietro said in a low voice, his tone somewhat hesitant.
"But I must remind you, Luke, that's trespassing. Although we just blew up a military base, robbing an unarmed old man... that doesn't sound much like something we should do."
"Who said we were going to rob?"
Luke rolled his eyes; although his complexion was pale right now, his tone remained righteous.
"This is called wartime emergency requisition. Or rather, this is a necessary material supply operation regarding saving the world."
He stepped forward and patted Pietro on the shoulder.
Of course, he tried his best to control his strength so as not to crush the kid's collarbone.
"Learn this, kid. In this world, most of the time as long as your fists are big enough, reason can be explained very smoothly. But if we can maintain just a little bit of gentlemanly demeanor while having big fists, then we are called Heroes."
Pietro's mouth twitched.
"So your plan is?"
"My plan is—"
Luke straightened his collar, making himself look as little like an evil ghost just crawling out of hell as possible.
"Knock on the door, smile, and then watch my performance. You guys just need to cooperate with me."
...
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking sounded very harsh in the silent night.
A flustered commotion came from inside the house, like the sound of a chair falling over, followed immediately by utter silence.
There was no response.
"No one?"
Pietro raised an eyebrow.
"Someone is here."
Luke's voice was soft, but certain.
"He is terrified. He's behind the door, holding a shotgun."
Luke wasn't surprised.
In this place, without vigilance, one would probably have long become a corpse in a mass grave.
"Sir, open the door! We're here from the community to deliver warmth!"
Luke shouted in fluent local Sokovian-accented speech.
This was one of the skills he had mastered after devouring Doctor Ares.
He had to admit, besides anti-human experimental data, that mad scientist's attainments in linguistics were really quite high.
But unfortunately, the interior of the house remained dead silent.
"It seems the word 'warmth' isn't very popular here."
Luke shrugged.
"Fine, let's put it another way."
He cleared his throat, and his tone suddenly turned solemn.
"Citizens inside, listen up. This is the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division... Never mind, the name is too long. We are S.H.I.E.L.D.! We are executing a top-secret mission, and we are now requisitioning your supply point! If you don't want to be defined as a terrorist accomplice, I suggest you open the door immediately!"
Pietro and Wanda looked at each other in dismay.
S.H.I.E.L.D.? What kind of thing was that?
Inside the door, upon hearing the word "terrorist", the old man who had been trembling instantly saw the fear in his eyes turn into despair.
For the civilians of Sokovia, no matter who was outside the door, as long as it involved this connection, it was basically equivalent to a death sentence.
Click.
The sound of the door lock turning rang out.
The wooden door cracked open a gap, and a pitch-black double-barreled shotgun poked out, tremblingly pointing at Luke's chest.
"Get out, get lost! There are no terrorists here!"
The old man's voice was hoarse, carrying a trembling tone.
"I don't know who you are, and I've never seen those demons in black clothes! I only have a worthless life here! Take it if you want!"
Looking at the shotgun that could go off at any moment, Luke didn't dodge.
He didn't even blink an eyelid.
Are you kidding, he was now an ultimate life form that had integrated viruses and Symbiotes.
Even if this thing really went off, those lead pellets hitting him probably wouldn't hurt as much as a mosquito bite.
"Calm down, old man."
Luke raised his hand, signaling that he meant no harm.
"If I were those demons hiding in the dark, your door would have been blown off long ago, and you would have turned into a pile of mush. Since we chose to knock on the door, it shows we still intend to reason."
He slightly turned sideways, revealing Wanda and Pietrobehind him.
"Look, two kids. Cold and hungry. We just escaped from those bastards' hands. We don't want to hurt you, we just want to make a deal."
The old man's gaze crossed over Luke, falling onto Wandaand Pietro.
At that instant, the hostility in his eyes eased slightly.
Although the clothes on the two young people looked very strange,
their faces were still young and full of fatigue, especially the red-haired girl, whose eyes revealed a fragility that broke his heart.
"Escaped?"
The old man muttered to himself, as if recalling some past events.
"Yes, escaped."
Luke struck while the iron was hot.
"And we blew up their lair. A ghost place hidden in the mountains, which is probably a big crater by now."
The old man was stunned.
He slowly withdrew the shotgun and opened the door completely.
The dim yellowish light spilled out, illuminating Luke's pale face, which still wore a rascally smile.
"Come in..."
The old man sighed and stepped aside to clear the way.
"But here, I really don't have anything valuable left."
The three looked at each other and walked into the house.
The inside of the house was very warm.
Firewood was burning in the old-fashioned fireplace, making crackling sounds.
This was the full picture of this grocery store.
Several rows of empty shelves sparsely displayed some daily necessities, and a few sacks were piled in the corner—that was the only inventory.
"Sit down."
The old man pointed to a few chairs in front of the fireplace and walked tremblingly behind the counter himself.
Then, he felt out a bottle of vodka with only half left from underneath, tilted his head, and took a gulp to calm his nerves.
"You guys really blew up that place?"
The old man put down the wine bottle, his cloudy eyes staring at Luke.
He didn't dare mention that organization's name, as if it were a curse.
Chapter 10: We Are Going to New York
"Of course."
Luke sat down in a broad, domineering posture, stretching out his hands to warm them by the stove.
"If you don't believe me, you can wake up tomorrow morning and listen to the news. Assuming there are still any news stations in Sokovia that dare to report the truth."
"Good! Good!"
The old man suddenly became emotional, his eye sockets turning a bit red.
"Those demons finally got what they deserved! My son was taken away by them. Those people in black uniforms took away many young people in the town, and they never came back..."
As the words ended, the atmosphere became somewhat heavy for a moment.
Wanda lowered her head, thinking of her parents who died precisely from those people's bombings, dying at the hands of Hydra.
Pietro clenched his fists, anger flashing in his eyes.
Luke let out a soft sigh.
He knew that in this damn world, everyone had a history of blood and tears.
But now was not the time to hold a memorial service; his stomach was staging a protest.
"The dead cannot be brought back to life, old man."
Luke interrupted the sorrowful atmosphere, turning his head to look at the old man with a sincere gaze.
"To celebrate the destruction of those villains, and also to give us the strength to continue fighting this damn world, I think it is very necessary for us to supplement a bit of high-protein energy."
He paused, finally revealing his true intentions.
"I heard that you have cherished milk powder here?"
The old man was stunned for a moment, failing to keep up with Luke's erratic train of thought.
"Milk powder? Yes, there are a few cans. They were left from a long time ago, they might be close to expiring..."
"Expiration isn't a problem!"
Luke waved a hand dismissively, his eyes practically glowing.
"As long as it's a dairy product, even if it's expired, it's God's gift to me! Hurry! Bring out as much as you have! I'll buy it all!"
Five minutes later.
On the wooden table of the grocery store sat three rusted tin cans, a few pieces of black bread as hard as stone, and a full five large cans of unlabeled milk powder.
"This is, my source of life."
Luke looked at those milk powder cans with a devout gaze.
Without hesitation, he reached out his hand directly.
With a snap, he tore open the seal of the iron can with his bare hands.
The movement was skilled and effortless, making the old man standing nearby twitch his eyelids.
"Um, doesn't it need to be mixed with water?"
The old man asked cautiously.
"Water?"
Luke let out a scoff.
"That would only dilute its purity! True tough guys eat it dry!"
With that, amidst everyone's horrified gazes, Luke picked up the milk powder can directly and poured more than half a can of milk powder straight into his mouth!
Mmm!!
Pietro covered his neck; just watching it made him feel choked.
However, Luke was not choked to death.
In fact, he didn't even make a chewing motion.
The moment the milk powder entered his oral cavity, the cells inside his body instantly boiled!
That wasn't digestion! It was more like devouring!
Countless tiny black tentacles surged within his esophagus and stomach wall, enveloping and breaking down that milk powder, instantly converting it into biological energy!
Following the intake of high-protein substances, energy transformation began, and cellular activity also started to recover.
A warm current erupted from Luke's abdomen, flowing to all his limbs and bones!
That feeling was like a dried-up riverbed welcoming the nourishment of a torrential rain; every single cell was cheering and screaming!
"Awesome!!!"
Luke abruptly put down the empty can, exhaling a long breath of white vapor.
His complexion rapidly turned ruddy, and his originally hunched back straightened up again.
The sense of weakness was swept away, followed by the pleasure of being filled with strength.
"Come again!"
At this moment, Luke was already immersed in the joy of eating.
One can, two cans, three cans...
In less than ten minutes, all five large cans of milk powder were wiped out by him.
This was milk powder, not milk tea!!
The old man nearby was already dumbfounded watching him.
Having lived for more than sixty years, he had seen people who could eat a lot, but never someone who could eat powder like this.
Is this guy's stomach a bottomless pit?
"Hiccup!"
Finally, after finishing all the milk powder and casually destroying a dozen beef cans, Luke burped contentedly.
He felt like he had come back to life.
Although he was still far from his peak state, at least he was no longer in power-saving mode that could cut out at any moment.
The virus inside his body was satisfied, and the Symbiotealso stopped its restlessness, obediently lurking beneath his skin, ready to respond to his summons at any time.
"Whew! This meal, although crude, truly saved my life."
Luke wiped his mouth, looked at the three dumbfounded people opposite him, and smiled a bit sheepishly.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm a growing child, so a slightly faster metabolism is normal, right?"
Pietro looked at Luke's towering height of at least 190 cm, and then looked at the pile of empty cans mountain-high on the table, the corners of his mouth twitching even more severely.
"A growing child? Do you mean turning into a black monster over two meters tall?"
"That's a tactical form! Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand." Luke corrected.
At this moment, Wanda was holding a piece of black bread, nibbling on it in small bites.
She ate very slowly and demurely, but her gaze kept falling on Luke.
Ever since coming through the door just now, she had been observing Luke.
He was very strange.
He clearly possessed devastating power, could easily kill everyone here, and take away everything.
But he didn't.
He would even flash a smile like a child for a few cans of milk powder.
His inner world was very chaotic.
There was arrogance, mockery toward this world, and a desire for power.
But beneath these layers of disguise, Wanda felt a warmth.
Like the warmth of still being willing to uphold a bottom line even while immersed in darkness.
"Who on earth are you?"
Wanda finally couldn't help asking.
"You told that old man just now that you're from S.H.I.E.L.D.? Is that true?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Luke leaned against the back of the chair, toying with an empty tin can in his hand.
Along with the unconscious rhythm of his fingers, the hard iron can changed shape in his hands like modeling clay.
"No, that was just a little lie to fool the old man and give him peace of mind."
Luke shook his head.
"S.H.I.E.L.D., that's also a place full of trouble and bureaucracy. But I didn't want to scare him."
He looked at Wanda and Pietro, his gaze gradually becoming profound.
"As for who I am..."
Luke paused for a moment.
Who am I?
A lucky person who accidentally gained power?
Or a monster destined to stir up winds and clouds in this chaotic era?
"You can look at me as a good guy who doesn't want to be a Hero."
Luke gave an ambiguous answer.
"I don't like the so-called rules and restrictions of heroes. Even Captain America is sometimes too pedantic.
I just want To Live. To Live freely and unfettered in this damn world. If anyone wants to block my way, whether it's Hydra, or aliens, or even God..."
Snap!
The iron can in his hand was squeezed by him into a solid iron ball.
"I will eat him. In a physical sense."
Pietro looked at the iron ball and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
"Even God?"
"Especially God."
Luke smiled slightly, revealing his white teeth.
"I heard that the taste of gods is usually quite good, with a very high protein content."
The three of them were stunned.
"So, where are we going next?"
Pietro broke the silence.
Since they had already boarded a pirate ship, they had to ask the captain about the course.
"We can't stay here."
Wanda also spoke up.
"Those people will definitely send someone to search. Although the base was destroyed by us, this organization is like a viper; cut off one head and two more will grow."
"That's right."
Luke nodded, putting away his cheeky expression.
"Sokovia is no longer safe. We have to leave here."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the wind and snow outside through the gaps in the wooden boards.
"We are going to America."
"America?"
Pietro frowned.
"Why there? Is there anything special about that place?"
"Because that is the center of the world, or at least the center of this damn world."
Luke turned around, brilliant light flashing in his eyes.
"This place is too small to hold us. And..."
He looked at Wanda and Pietro.
"Don't you want to change environments? There are countless opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and other superpowers. We aren't the only freaks."
"Superpowered individuals?"
Wanda's eyes lit up slightly.
"Just like us?"
"Some are like you, and some are even weirder than you."
Luke shrugged.
"For example, a playboy flying around in iron armor, or a big guy who turns green when angry, and a guy holding a hammer calling himself Thor. Trust me, you'll like it there."
"We are going there not for revenge, nor to pledge allegiance to anyone."
Luke clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body.
"We are going to become stronger. I need more samples to evolve, and you also need to learn to control your own power. America is the best testing ground."
"Of course, the most important thing is..."
Luke paused, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile once again.
"There's endless milk to drink, and real hamburgers."
This reason was extremely powerful.
Pietro actually couldn't refute it.
However, going to take a look across the ocean?
This sounded much more exciting than hiding in this mountain ditch.
Besides, it sounded like it really would be interesting there.
"I agree!"
Pietro raised his hand.
"As long as we don't eat black bread, anywhere is fine."
"I have no objections either."
Wanda also nodded, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.
"Great, unanimous approval!"
Luke snapped his fingers.
From his embrace...
Or rather, from the Symbiote's storage space, he pulled out a gold bar he had swiped from the base and gently placed it on the table.
"Old man, thank you for your milk."
Luke bowed slightly toward the still-dazed old man.
"This thing should be enough for you to buy all the milk in the entire village. Also, forget about tonight's events, and forget about us."
With that, he turned and walked toward the door, his black trench coat rustling behind him in the wind.
"Let's go, Avengers."
Luke pushed open the heavy door; the wind and snow remained, but the light in his eyes was even more intense than the wind and snow.
"Even though our flight has to rely on us flying ourselves, it's time to take off!"
Pietro carried Wanda on his back, glanced back at the warm fireplace, and then followed in Luke's footsteps.
The three of them disappeared into the vast night, leaving only a row of deep footprints that were quickly covered by the heavy snow, as if no one had ever been there.
And for this world, the true storm was only just beginning.
Chapter 11 Robbery?
The blizzard roared behind them, as if it were a plea to stay from the disaster-stricken land of Sokovia.
Or perhaps it was the impotent rage of that unlucky bastard Baron Strucker in hell.
Luke walked at the very front, his pace seeming relaxed, but in reality, every step was meticulously calculated.
His current physical condition was very interesting.
If his body were compared to a sports car, then the virus was the chassis and engine of this car, providing infinite possibilities for evolution and violent power.
And the Symbiote was the top-tier onboard intelligent system and nano-shell, endowing him with versatile forms and powerful auxiliary capabilities.
This was supposed to be a perfect combination.
"But the fuel consumption of this car is truly fucking high."
Luke sighed inwardly, feeling the consumption of energy.
The energy provided by the baby formula just now was like dropping a few drops of high-octane gasoline into the fuel tank.
Although it temporarily got him out of the predicament of breaking down, it was only enough for him to maintain idling for half a day.
Want to fly across the Atlantic to America? Dreaming would be faster.
"Luke."
Pietro's voice interrupted his thoughts.
The kid was carrying Wanda on his back. Although physical enhancement kept him from panting, confusion about the unknown was still plastered across his face.
"Where are we heading now? You just said... fly? Are you sure your current state can conjure thrusters again?"
Pietro pointed at the soles of Luke's feet, obviously still vividly remembering how he had almost burned off his eyebrows just moments ago.
"Flying is definitely happening, but it's neither me nor you."
Luke stopped in his tracks, standing on a hillside covered in thick snow.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his pupils instantly expanding to fill his entire eye sockets.
This was his perception mode, and also the virus's hunting vision.
In his field of vision, the world turned into a gray-white tone, with only a few moving heat sources in the distance presenting a bright red color.
Those were several heavy trucks speeding along the highway. Judging by the logos, they were not Hydravehicles, but rather a smuggling fleet traveling back and forth across the border.
In a war-torn region like Sokovia, the one thing that was never lacking was desperate men making a fortune off of war.
"Our private plane has arrived."
Luke smiled slightly.
Black fluid surged around his neck, resembling a black snake stretching its body.
"Pietro, how much further can you run?"
"As long as there is something to eat, any distance is fine."
Pietro stubbornly raised his head.
"But carrying Wanda..."
"You don't need to carry Wanda."
Luke interrupted him.
"Your mission is to stop the car. Just make them stop for even One Second, and leave the rest to me."
"Stop the car?"
Pietro was stunned for a moment.
"Are you saying you want me to use my body to crash into a tens-of-tons steel monster?"
"No, I am asking you to utilize your specialty."
Luke stretched out a finger and pointed at his own head.
"Sometimes, speed isn't just used for running away, it's also used to create fear. Go on, little lightning bolt, give those smugglers a little taste of Sokovia shock."
Pietro glanced at Wanda on his back.
"Go."
Wanda slid down from Pietro's back. Although her face was pale, her gaze had become much firmer.
"I can take care of myself."
Luke reached out his hand, and the hem of his black windbreaker extended two tentacles, gently supporting Wanda's arm.
It did not make her feel offended while providing a solid support.
"Look, a fully automatic humanoid handrail."
Luke raised an eyebrow at Pietro.
Pietro rolled his eyes, and the next second, silver light flashed.
Boom!
The snow burst apart, and Pietro's figure instantly vanished on the spot, leaving behind only a silver trail in the snow that lingered for a long time, charging straight towards the highway at the foot of the mountain.
...
A few minutes later.
Sokovia border highway.
A heavy truck fully loaded with unknown cargo was advancing through the wind and snow.
Inside the cab.
Two fierce-looking Russian thugs were smoking cigars, talking in crude language about tonight's haul and a stripper's waistline.
"In this weather, only our brothers dare to come out and run jobs."
The thug in the passenger seat cursed and flicked his cigarette butt out the window.
"I heard that some base in the mountains blew up? Who knows which lunatic did it."
"Screw it, even if aliens blew it up, as long as they don't block my path..."
Before the driver could finish his words, he suddenly felt a blur before his eyes.
A silver light flashed across the front of the car like a ghost and vanished in an instant.
"What the hell is that?!"
The driver slammed hard on the brakes.
For a heavy truck like this, a sudden brake was fatal.
The huge inertia caused the vehicle body to shake violently, the tires screamed on the icy road, and the front of the car almost lost control and overturned sideways.
"Fuck! Are you crazy, Ivan? Do you want to get us killed?!"
The thug in the passenger seat roared, spilling his drink all over himself.
"Shut up! I saw, I saw a person!"
"A person? Where would a person come from in a place like this? A ghost is more like it!"
Just as the two were arguing, they didn't notice that the vehicle body had already come to a steady stop.
And a black figure, like a weightless feather, silently landed on the roof of the truck.
Thump.
A soft sound.
The sheet metal on the roof slightly dented inward.
The two people in the cab instantly fell silent, looked at each other, and saw fear in each other's eyes.
Afterward, the instinct of licking blood from the edge of a knife for years made them quickly pull out shotguns from under their seats.
"Who is up there! Get the hell down here!"
The thug in the passenger seat pushed open the car door, raised his gun towards the roof, and let out a roar.
However, what greeted him was not an answer, but a black substance.
Swish!
The black tentacle instantly wrapped around the thug's wrist.
Before he could even react, a force dragged him out of the car and slammed him hard into the snow.
"Ah!"
The thug let out a miserable scream, feeling as though all the bones in his body were about to fall apart.
Seeing this, the driver just wanted to raise his gun and shoot, only to find that his own car door had also been pulled open.
A face with a mocking smile appeared before him.
"Good evening, sir."
Luke greeted politely, if one ignored the several black tentacles dancing in the air behind him.
Then, he looked just like a lost tourist.
"Robbery?"
The driver asked tremblingly, unable to pull the trigger of the gun in his hand no matter what.
"No, no, no, I already said, this is requisition."
Luke reached out his hand and gently gripped the barrel of the driver's gun.
Creak!
An unsettling twisting sound rang out.
The hard gun barrel was like a piece of plasticine in Luke's hands, easily pinched into a twisted pretzel shape.
The driver swallowed a mouthful of saliva, abandoning any thought of resistance.
"Get out of the car, or I can help you get out."
Luke pointed to the companion outside who was still groaning in the snow.
The driver scrambled and tumbled out of the car.
Luke nodded with satisfaction, turned around, and waved into the darkness.
"Come on up, our first-class cabin has arrived."
A silver light flashed, and Pietro appeared by the car with Wanda.
Looking at the massive truck, and then looking at the thoroughly frightened burly man, Pietro couldn't help but complain.
"Is this what you call a flight? Even if this thing is driven into the sea, it won't turn into a boat, right?"
"Who said we're riding it to America?"
Luke jumped into the driver's seat, skillfully inspecting it.
This was also a part of Ares's memories; that crazy scientist, in order to run for his life, had mastered the driving skills of almost all means of transportation.
"This is just a shuttle bus."
Luke looked through the rearview mirror at Wanda and Pietro sitting in the back row.
"We are going to the nearest military airport. There is a transport plane there originally intended to ship supplies for Strucker. Now, it belongs to us."
"Hold on tight, Avengers."
Luke slammed his foot all the way down on the accelerator.
The engine let out a beast-like roar, and the heavy truck whipped out a wild drift on the icy-snowy road, speeding away towards the depths of the night.
Chapter 12 Sit Tight, Avengers
A few hours later.
Over the Atlantic Ocean.
An unnumbered black C-130 transport plane flew through the clouds.
Inside the cabin, it wasn't as noisy as imagined, because Luke used Symbiote matter to block most of the gaps and made a simple soundproofing layer by the way.
At this moment, Luke was sitting in the pilot's seat, but that didn't mean he was driving.
Black tentacles extended from his back, plugging directly into the plane's control panel and electronic system interfaces.
Then, the physical intrusion was successful, and autopilot was taking over.
The route correction changed to New York...
This was the terror of the combination of the virus and the Symbiote.
He didn't need to write code like Tony Stark, nor did he need to hammer on a keyboard like a hacker.
He only needed to physically connect biological signals with electronic signals.
The Symbiote's bioelectric current could simulate and deceive backward electronic components.
"Although it can't compare to an artificial intelligence like Jarvis, it's more than enough to fly a plane."
Luke thought to himself.
He withdrew most of his consciousness, leaving his body in a semi-dormant low-energy state, and turned around to look at the cabin.
The cabin was very empty.
Except for a few boxes of weapons and equipment that hadn't been unloaded in time, there were only Wanda and Pietro.
The two siblings obviously hadn't recovered from the series of changes.
Pietro sat on a pile of ammunition boxes, playing with a dagger in his hand, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Luke in the cockpit.
And Wanda curled up in the corner, still draped in the Symbiote trench coat made by Luke.
She looked through the porthole at the dark night sky outside, her eyes dazed.
"What are you thinking about?"
Luke's voice broke the silence.
He didn't walk over, but turned his chair, holding a can of instant coffee scavenged from the plane.
This thing tasted terrible to death, but at least it had some calories.
Wanda turned her head back, her long red hair covering half of her face.
"I'm thinking about the future."
Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing something.
"Yesterday, I was still in a cell, waiting for the next experiment. Today, I'm already on a plane to America. All of this is so unreal."
"Real?"
Luke smiled and shook the coffee can in his hand.
"In this world, reality is an expensive luxury. Sometimes, what you think is real is actually just a lie woven by others. What you think is illusory is instead the cruel truth."
"We've escaped, Wanda. The Hydra base has turned to ashes, and your nightmare is over."
Pietro heard their conversation, jumped off the box, and walked over.
"But I still want to ask, although you already said it last night... Anyway, why are we running away to America?"
Pietro frowned.
"I mean, we are from Sokovia. Although it's a mess there right now, that's home. Shouldn't we stay and rebuild it?"
"Rebuild? Well, it looks like I have to repeat it again."
Luke shook his head, his eyes calm and profound.
"What do you rebuild with? Because you run fast? Or because of Wanda's magic that hasn't fully awakened yet?"
"You need to understand one thing. In the eyes of ordinary people in Sokovia, you are not heroes, nor are you victims. You are manufactured monsters, freaks."
Luke's words were harsh, but very realistic.
Wanda's body trembled violently, and she lowered her head.
She knew Luke was right.
"Then isn't America different?"
Pietro was somewhat unconvinced.
"Doesn't it also have a bunch of anti-superpower folks there?"
"There really are a bunch of messes there, but it's big enough and chaotic enough."
Luke stood up and walked in front of the two.
His figure was tall, and the shadow he cast enveloped the two, but this shadow was not cold.
"New York is the center of this world, at least the center of superheroes and supervillains. There is Iron Man flying all over the sky, a mutated Hulk, and even Norse gods."
"There, you won't seem so special. You'll find out that you aren't the only freaks in this world."
Luke reached out and gently pressed his hand on Pietro's shoulder, while also looking at Wanda.
"We are going there not to escape, but to look for our own kind, or rather, to find the opportunity to become stronger."
"Only by becoming strong enough, strong enough that no one dares to ignore your voice, do you have the qualifications to talk about home and rebuilding."
"Dignity and freedom are never begged for; they are fought for."
Luke's words were not impassioned, lacking an orator's demagoguery, but they had a strange penetrating power.
That was confidence from him, and also a promise from the strong.
Pietro took a deep breath, and his eyes gradually cleared up.
"Well, although it sounds a lot like you're fooling us into being your thugs, you're right. I don't want to be a guinea pig anymore; I want to be the one who makes the rules."
Wanda wiped away her tears, and the red light in her eyes gradually subsided.
She looked at Luke and suddenly asked a question.
"Why are you helping us?"
"We're just... Well, what is our relationship now?"
Luke was stunned for a moment.
Why?
Because of the plot?
Or because he wanted to build his own faction?
Probably both.
But he gave a simpler answer.
"Because I have two hands."
Luke stretched out his hands. At this time, his hands were slender and powerful, no longer ferocious sharp claws.
"One hand is used to make a fist and beat those people I can't stand."
"The other hand..."
He gently patted the top of Wanda's head, his movements clumsy yet gentle.
"Is used to pull up those struggling in the quagmire."
"And..."
Luke changed his tone, and an unserious smile appeared on his face again.
"Your abilities are very useful. When I want to drink milk in the future, someone always has to run errands for me, right?"
Wanda:...
Pietro:...
The emotion of just that moment was instantly fed to the dogs.
"Damn! I knew you were a heartless person."
Pietro cursed indignantly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but raise.
The atmosphere finally relaxed.
...
...
The long flight was spent in banter and rest.
In the morning, the eastern skyline began to turn pale, and the plane's navigation system chimed.
[Approaching destination: United States, New York.]
Luke returned to the pilot's seat.
Through the clouds, the outline of the city below gradually became clear.
That was a steel jungle.
Skyscrapers stood densely row upon row, brilliantly lit. Even in the early morning, this city still exuded a suffocating sense of oppression.
And right in the center of Manhattan, a uniquely shaped building with a huge Stark logo glowing at the top.
It was like a sharp sword stuck in the heart of the city, arrogantly looking down on all living beings.
Stark Tower.
The landmark of the Marvel world.
"This is New York?"
Pietro leaned against the window, his eyes wide open.
Compared to the poor and dilapidated Sokovia, this place was simply like another planet.
Wanda was also shocked by the scene before her.
The prosperity and the rushing modern atmosphere made her feel instinctively insignificant.
"Don't be scared by it."
Luke said faintly, as the plane had already begun to lower its altitude.
"This is just a city. A city full of sin, money, lies, and of course, opportunities."
"How do we land?"
Pietro suddenly realized a problem.
"This is American airspace! Without a permit, we'll be shot down!"
"Who said we are going to land?"
Luke smiled slightly.
"We are parachuting."
"What?!"
Before the two siblings could react, Luke had already opened the rear hatch.
The howling wind instantly poured into the cabin!
"Wait! This is several thousand meters high! We don't have parachute packs!"
Pietro shouted in panic.
"We don't need parachute packs."
Luke turned around, and at this time his body began to undergo drastic changes.
The black fluid surged wildly, instantly covering his whole body.
His figure began to grow taller, his muscles expanded, and huge membranes grew from his shoulders and back.
This was a new ability he evolved from the database of the Hydra base, combining the genes of some flying creature.
[Gliding Membrane]!
Although he couldn't truly fly freely yet, it was enough for gliding.
"Grab me!"
The black giant transformed by Luke let out a low roar.
Although Wanda and Pietro were scared, out of trust in Luke, they still rushed over, hugging Luke's waist from left and right.
"Are you ready, Avengers?"
"Our trip to New York officially begins!"
"Where are we going?"
Wanda shouted in the wind.
Luke spotted the port area below filled with containers.
That was the edge of Hells Kitchen, a hotbed for the breeding of sin, and the most suitable place for illegal immigrants like them to settle down.
"Hells Kitchen!"
Luke laughed out loud and leaped forward!
"Ahhhhh!!"
Accompanied by Pietro's screams, the three figures fell like meteors towards the city full of miracles.
Chapter 13 We Are Going to Help Him Lose Weight
New York, Hells Kitchen.
The dawn here was quiet, except for the occasional sound of police sirens and the yelling of drunkards.
Atop a shipping container at an abandoned dock, three figures landed heavily.
Bang!
Luke landed on both feet, and the immense impact crushed two deep craters into the top of the container.
However, he used the cushioning property of the Symbioteto dissipate all the force, leaving the two people in his arms completely unharmed.
"Ugh..."
The moment Pietro landed, he grabbed the wall and began to dry heave.
"Next time, can we please use a normal mode of transportation? Like a taxi?"
Although Wanda was pale, her adaptability was clearly stronger than her brother's.
She looked around and frowned.
This was not the glamorous New York she had imagined.
The air was filled with the smell of seawater and the stench of rotting garbage everywhere.
The distant streets were covered in graffiti, and countless prying eyes hid in the dark alleys.
"Welcome to Hells Kitchen."
Luke canceled his transformation, reverting to his black trench coat.
Although after the long flight and transformation, the energy inside his body was running low again.
A familiar sense of hunger began to gnaw at his stomach, but his spirits were unusually excited.
This place was his true home turf.
"What are we here for?"
Pietro wiped his mouth.
"This place doesn't look any better than Sokovia."
"Make money."
Luke was concise.
"We are undocumented now, without identities, without money, and we can't even afford a decent breakfast."
"And here..."
Luke pointed at this chaotic neighborhood.
"This is Kingpin's territory and a paradise for countless gangs. Here, as long as you have strength, money is everywhere like garbage on the ground."
Before he could finish speaking.
Several malicious figures walked out from the shadows of the containers.
They were a few punks wearing leather jackets, holding baseball bats and butterfly knives.
Obviously, they regarded these three suddenly appearing outsiders as fat sheep.
"Hey, guys."
The leading punk chewed gum, his eyes looking at Wandauninhibitedly.
"This is private property. If you want to pass, you have to leave a toll. Or..."
He let out a lewd laugh.
"Leave this beauty behind."
Pietro's gaze instantly turned cold.
His hand had already reached towards his waist, where a black bone blade made for him by Luke was hidden.
"Don't rush, little lightning."
Luke reached out and stopped Pietro.
He looked at the punks as if looking at a few cute ATMs.
"I was just worrying about not having money for breakfast."
Luke sighed, a harmless-looking smile appearing on his face.
"Hey, guys! Since you're collecting tolls, you must have a lot of cash on you, right?"
The punk leader was stunned for a moment.
"Huh? Are you an idiot? We are robbing you!"
"What a coincidence."
Luke nodded and took a step forward.
"Me too."
"Sizzle!"
Black fluid instantly wrapped around his right arm.
The next second.
No nonsense, no extra movements.
Luke's figure instantly appeared in front of the punk leader.
The hand wrapped in black fluid gently pinched the other's neck.
Lifting the 180-pound muscular man into mid-air like a little chick.
"Now, this is a robbery."
Luke looked at the punk leader's terrified, bulging eyeballs, his tone gentle.
"Hand over all the money in your pockets, all your bank cards, and the distribution map of nearby gangs."
"Oh right."
Luke seemed to remember something and turned to look at the other few terrified little punks.
"Which of you knows which pizza place around here is the best? Preferably the kind with double cheese."
...
Ten minutes later.
Luke and the other two sat in a newly opened pizza shop.
On the table were three oversized supreme pizzas, and most importantly for Luke, three huge buckets of family-sized pure milk.
Not only did those punks contribute their entire net worth—though it was only a few hundred dollars—they also tearfully pointed out the location of this shop.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
Pietro said unclearly with his mouth full of pizza.
"This is the life a human should live! Compared to this, black bread is simply like stone!"
Although Wanda's eating manners were elegant, her speed was not slow at all.
Obviously, she was starving too.
Luke held a pizza in one hand and a bucket of milk in the other, guzzling it down.
With the intake of high-calorie food and protein, the energy bar inside his body finally began to slowly recover.
"Are you full?"
Luke finished the last drop of milk and wiped his mouth with satisfaction.
"I'm full."
Pietro patted his belly with a look of satisfaction.
He glanced at the gradually awakening city outside the window and asked with a hint of bewilderment.
"What next? Go find a five-star hotel to sleep in?"
"No."
Luke shook his head, his gaze passing through the glass window to look at a black building in the distance that was slightly shorter than Stark Tower, but equally oppressive.
That was Fisk Tower.
"We are undocumented now, staying in a hotel is too much trouble and not safe."
Luke turned around, looking at Wanda and Pietro, a meaningful smile curling up the corner of his mouth.
"We need a home. A place big enough, luxurious enough, and where we don't have to pay rent."
"Don't have to pay rent?"
Pietro's eyes lit up.
"There's such a good thing?"
"Of course."
Luke pointed in the direction of the black building.
"A very rich fat man lives there, named Wilson Fisk, known as Kingpin. He is the underground emperor of this city, controlling the gangs of all of New York."
"He has many houses and a lot of money."
Luke stood up and adjusted his collar. The black trench coat made him look like a gentleman about to go negotiate.
"Let's go pay a visit to Mr. Kingpin."
"Go tell him that we want his building."
"And by the way, ask if he is willing to sponsor our future living expenses."
"If he's not willing..."
Luke clenched his fists, making a cracking sound.
"Then I'll help him lose weight. In a physical sense."
Chapter 14 I Told You Not to Move Around
Pietro still had half an Italian sausage in his mouth, and he glanced at Luke.
Not running a fever?!
He looked again at the massive black tower looming faintly in the morning fog in the distance.
He swallowed the food in his mouth and mumbled incoherently,
"Although I do not know how fat Kingpin is, I think after you physically help him lose weight, he might become very flat."
"That is his thing to worry about, not ours."
Luke pulled out a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.
"Let us go, now that we are full, it is time to walk off the food."
"Moving around in this world is difficult without money."
Manhattan, Hells Kitchen.
New York in the early morning is very cold and indifferent.
Office workers in suits and leather shoes held coffee in their hands, hurriedly crossing the crosswalk.
Homeless people wrapped in newspapers curled up on the heating grate of the subway entrance.
Yellow taxis converged into a yellow river, stopping and going under the command of traffic lights.
In the massive city, no one would spare a second glance at the three weirdos walking along the street.
Luke was still wearing a black windbreaker with his hands in his pockets, walking swaggeringly.
Wanda and Pietro followed behind him, and although the two had changed into clothes that looked normal,
their vigilance, which was out of place with modern society, still exposed their identities as outsiders.
"The people here..."
Wanda looked at the surrounding crowd, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Their minds are full of noise."
Although her Chaos Magic had not yet fully awakened, her perception of other people's emotions had already become an instinct.
"Anxiety, greed, exhaustion, and fear," Wanda whispered.
"This city looks glamorous, but it is rotten inside."
"This is New York, sweetheart."
Luke said without looking back, his gaze constantly locked on the black building ahead.
"It is heaven, and it is also hell."
"For people like Kingpin, this is his private The Huntground. For ordinary people, this is a meat grinder. And us..."
Luke stopped in his tracks, standing in front of the revolving door of Fisk Tower.
He looked up at the glass curtain wall dozens of stories high, seeing his slightly ferocious reflection on it.
"We are here to smash this The Hunt."
Fisk Tower, first-floor lobby.
The decoration style here was minimalist yet luxurious.
The main color scheme was black, white, and gray, with huge pillars, and the scent of fragrance drifting in the air.
The receptionist at the front desk was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty.
She was lowering her head to process documents, and hearing footsteps, she habitually raised her head with a professional smile.
"Welcome to Fisk United Construction Company, do you have an appoin..."
Her smile froze on her face.
Because what she saw was not an appointed client, but three guys who looked like they had just run out of some comic con or movie set.
Especially the tall Asian man leading them, that black windbreaker on his body...
It did not look like it was made of fabric at all, but rather like some kind of To Live petroleum?
"There is no appointment."
Luke walked forward, resting his hands on the front desk, looking down at the somewhat panicked receptionist.
"Please announce Mr. Wilson Fisk."
Luke smiled slightly.
"Just say that a few enthusiastic new neighbors want to talk to him about a small problem regarding the transfer of property ownership."
The receptionist was stunned.
She had worked here for several years and had seen countless people who wanted to see Mr. Fisk.
Politicians, businessmen, and even some gang bosses.
But no one had ever dared to provoke the emperor of Hells Kitchen with this tone.
"Sir, if you do not have an appointment, security will ask you to leave."
The receptionist's hand quietly reached for the alarm button under the desk.
"Oh, for God's sake, do not press that."
Luke sighed.
"Noise will make me unhappy, and it is meaningless to you all."
However, the finger still pressed down.
"Woo!!"
The harsh alarm sounded instantly through the lobby.
Almost at the same time, the side doors around the lobby were slammed open.
More than a dozen burly men in black suits and air-tube earphones rushed out.
What they held in their hands were not batons, but neat stun guns and Glock pistols.
This was not ordinary security at all; this was Kingpin's private army.
"Irrelevant personnel, immediately hug your heads and squat down! Put your hands where we can see them!"
The leading security captain raised his gun, the pitch-black muzzle pointing straight at the center of Luke's brow.
"I will count to three! Otherwise, I am going to punch a hole in your head!"
"One!"
Pietro stood behind Luke, watching this scene, suddenly wanting to laugh.
These guys' movements were too slow, practically like watching a slow-motion movie.
That leader was blinking, that guy on the left did not even turn off his safety, and the one on the right... was he shaking?
This was the perspective of a speedster.
In the stretched world, the threat of these ordinary people was simply like stationary statues.
"Luke, do you need me to clear the field?" Pietro asked lazily.
"Just for One Second, I can take off all their belts and tie them around their necks, and tie them a bow by the way."
"Do not be so rude, Pietro."
Luke straightened his body, facing a dozen guns, the smile on his face did not diminish.
"We are here to take over assets, we must be polite, at least before they shoot."
"Two!"
The security captain roared, his finger already pressing on the trigger, sweat streaming down his forehead.
He felt an inexplicable fear, which was the instinct of a creature facing its natural enemy.
"However..."
Luke changed the subject, the pupils in his eyes instantly turning pitch black.
"Since the host does not plan to open the door to welcome guests, we can only slightly show our sincerity in knocking on the door."
"Three! Open fire!!"
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Gunshots exploded in the lobby, bullets poured out like raindrops, and tongues of fire spat from the muzzles.
However, at that very instant.
"Rise!"
Luke did not dodge, nor did he move at all.
He snapped his fingers gently, just like summoning a waiter.
"Whoosh!!"
The black windbreaker on his body instantly came to life!
Countless black tentacles crazily gushed out from his back, shoulders, and arms!
They danced in the air, moving so fast that they only left behind black afterimages.
"Ding ding ding ding!"
Before all the bullets hit Luke, they were deflected, chopped up, or directly swallowed by the tentacles!
"What?!"
The security captain widened his eyes, feeling his worldview collapsing.
What is this? Magic? Alien technology?
Before he could react, Luke slowly raised his right hand and made a grabbing motion.
"Go."
Following his command.
Dozens of black tentacles instantly surged, like black lightning, crossing a distance of over a dozen meters, wrapping around each security guard's wrists, ankles, and waist.
"Take off, gentlemen."
Luke's palm clenched abruptly.
"Ahhhhh!"
More than a dozen big men were instantly lifted into mid-air by an irresistible giant force.
The guns in their hands dropped all over the ground, everyone struggled in panic, but those black tentacles were as tough as steel bars, not moving a bit.
"Now."
Luke looked at the front desk receptionist who was already paralyzed on the ground with fright, his tone still gentle.
"Can you tell me which elevator goes straight to the top floor?"
The receptionist nodded tremblingly, unable to even speak, and could only desperately point to the golden elevator behind her.
"Thank you, you are very professional."
Luke retracted the tentacles.
"Bang bang bang!"
More than a dozen security guards were thrown back to the ground, the sounds of bone fractures rising one after another.
"Let us go, Avengers."
Luke tidied his collar, as if nothing had happened just now, and led Wanda and Pietro toward the elevator.
Chapter 15 This Is What It Feels Like to Be Full
"Ding."
The elevator doors slowly opened.
Fisk Tower, top floor office.
This was one of New York's vantage points, where the huge floor-to-ceiling windows could overlook all of Hells Kitchen, and even gaze into the distance at Manhattan's skyline.
There were not too many decorations inside the office, only a huge mahogany desk, and a pure white painting hanging on the wall.
Entitled "The Rabbit in the Blizzard".
A massive figure was standing with his back to the elevator, in front of that painting.
Wilson Fisk.
Kingpin.
He wore a white custom suit, and his massive figure was like a mountain of flesh, yet it did not feel bloated.
He leaned on a diamond-inlaid cane in his hand, and just a view of his back was enough to make the underworld of New York tremble with fear.
Standing beside him was a man wearing glasses who looked refined and cultured.
That was his chief assistant, James Wesley.
At this moment, Wesley was holding a silenced pistol, nervously aiming at the elevator entrance, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
"Who on earth are you?"
Wesley's voice was somewhat dry.
He had just seen the tragic situation downstairs through the surveillance cameras; that was simply not something a human could do.
"Not important."
Luke walked out of the elevator.
He glanced around the extremely luxurious office and smiled slightly.
"Nice taste. Is this rug handmade? Are these floor-to-ceiling windows bulletproof? And this painting..."
Luke walked up to the white painting, stood side by side with Kingpin, and ignored the gun in Wesley's hand.
"To be honest, fatty. This painting..."
Luke touched his chin and evaluated it with a serious expression.
"Looks like an unevenly painted wall. Were you scammed?"
Wesley's hand shook, almost causing the gun to fire accidentally.
Was this guy courting death? How dare he mock Mr. Fisk to his face!
However, Kingpin did not flare up immediately.
He slowly turned around, his sinister little eyes staring fixedly at Luke.
"I don't know who you are, nor do I know which sewer you mutant rat crawled out of."
Kingpin's voice was low and resonant.
"But you have made a fatal mistake."
Kingpin took a step forward, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.
He walked to the desk and pressed both hands on the tabletop.
"This is New York. This is my city."
"You think having this weird ability means you can do whatever you want? You think I'm a pushover who would be scared by street magic?"
Kingpin's gaze gradually became ferocious, the murderous aura forged from countless battles in blood and fire.
"No one has ever dared to barge into my office like this and critique me. The last person who did that had his head twisted off by me to play football with."
"Now, give me a reason not to tear you to pieces."
A powerful aura burst forth instantly.
If it were an ordinary person facing an underworld emperor like Kingpin who had been in a high position for a long time, they probably would have been scared weak at the knees long ago.
But unfortunately, what he was facing was Luke.
Luke looked at the furious Kingpin and laughed.
"A reason?"
Luke shrugged and looked at Wanda and Pietro behind him.
"He's asking me for a reason. What do you guys think?"
Pietro leaned against the doorframe, toying with the bone blade in his hand, wearing an expression of watching a good show.
"I think he's a bit too confident. Usually, villains like this don't live past three minutes."
Wanda kept staring at Kingpin, the red light in her eyes flickering slightly.
"His heart is full of arrogance and a desire for control," Wanda said softly.
"He won't yield. People like this think they are the king of the world."
"Then there's nothing to talk about."
Luke sighed with some regret.
He looked at Kingpin, his gaze instantly turning ice-cold.
"Fisk, I originally wanted to give you a chance to be a butler. After all, you do have a knack for managing gangs."
"However, your eyes tell me that you are an ungracious wolf that cannot be tamed."
Luke walked toward Kingpin step by step.
"I don't like raising wolves, especially wolves that want to bite their master at any time. It's too troublesome."
"So..."
"Courting death!!"
Without any warning, Kingpin moved!
His arrogance absolutely would not allow him to be looked down upon like this!
Despite his massive size, his speed was astonishingly fast!
The explosion of pure physical strength was the result of him tempering his fat and muscles to the extreme over many years!
"Whoosh!"
Kingpin's huge fist, carrying the whistling The Message, smashed fiercely toward Luke's head!
The power of this punch definitely exceeded several tons!
He had once used this punch to punch through walls and shatter the skulls of countless challengers!
Wesley closed his eyes, unable to bear watching the scene of splattering brains that would follow.
However.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound.
Time seemed to freeze.
Wesley opened his eyes and then turned to stone.
Caught it?!
Kingpin, who could kill a cow with a single punch, the invincible emperor of Hells Kitchen, had failed?!
His full-strength blow was actually caught single-handedly by this guy?!
Luke stood in place, motionless.
His left hand enveloped Kingpin's fist, and even his arm did not shake at all.
"Is this your strength?"
Luke looked at the deeply shocked Kingpin with a mocking tone.
"Just this level of human limit? Too weak."
"Let me go!!"
Kingpin let out an angry roar, trying to pull back his arm, only to find that it was completely motionless.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, and his other hand quickly pulled out a special large-caliber pistol from his bosom, firing a shot straight at Luke's abdomen!
"Bang!"
At such a close distance, it was completely impossible to dodge.
The bullet hit Luke's windbreaker, but there was no blood splashing.
A layer of black windbreaker hardened instantly, turning into an indestructible biological stratum corneum.
The special bullet hit it as if crashing into armor, directly bouncing off like a piece of scrap metal.
"I already said, toys like this are useless against me."
Luke sighed, the killing intent in his eyes fully released.
"It seems you really aren't suited to be a butler."
"In that case, become my nourishment."
"Sizzling!!"
Luke's left hand underwent a transformation!
Black tentacles erupted violently, instantly wrapping around Kingpin's fist and spreading wildly up his arm, covering half of his body in the blink of an eye!
"What... What is this?!"
Kingpin finally felt fear.
His strength was as powerless as an infant in front of these black substances, and he felt his vitality being frantically drained!
"No! I am Kingpin! I am the king of New York! You can't..."
"Your kingdom is over, fatty."
Luke said indifferently.
"Ahhhhhh!!"
Shrill screams resounded throughout the entire office, but they stopped abruptly after lasting less than two seconds.
The black fluid surged rapidly, instantly swallowing Kingpin's massive body.
A few seconds later.
The black fluid slowly withdrew back into Luke's body.
In its place, there was nothing.
Only the diamond-inlaid cane remained, dropping lonely onto the rug and making a muffled thud.
Wilson Fisk, a generation of underworld overlord, disappeared just like that, not even leaving a scrap behind.
Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Strength enhancement... physique enhancement... combat skills...
Acquiring memories, Swiss bank accounts... gang networks... politicians' dirt...
A massive amount of energy poured into his body, and Luke felt that the fuel tank which had always been flashing red had finally risen back above the safety line.