bookbashuk Page 24
Page 24
He did not participate in the cleanup efforts, nor did he accept any possible thanks. He simply reported calmly over the communication channel: "Target cleared."
Then, just as he had come, he silently blended into the shadows and disappeared in the direction of Hell's Kitchen, surrounded by towering buildings.
Inside the association's command vehicle, Fitz watched the data on the screen quickly return to normal and couldn't help but whistle: "Wow... Blind Swordsman is indeed Blind Swordsman. No matter how fancy your tricks are, I'll go straight for the heart of the enemy."
Iron Man, hovering in the air, wore a complex expression beneath his visor. He glanced at the scene below, which was quickly taken over by the Association's logistics department and evacuation and reassurance efforts began. He then looked in the direction Daredevil had disappeared. In the end, he said nothing, his thrusters blasting out dazzling flames as he shot into the sky.
Kim Jong-un, in his top-floor office, stared intently as the marker representing the "Traffic is King" incident turned green, indicating it was never resolved.
[Class B hero Daredevil successfully handles the Tiger-level threat "Traffic King".]
[Contribution points have been settled.]
[Tip: A diverse hero roster demonstrates exceptional value in countering complex threats.]
Daredevil's perfect performance not only resolved a thorny crisis, but also clearly demonstrated to all bystanders, especially S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark, the unfathomable "systematic" potential of the Hero Association that transcends mere force and technology.
Chapter 53: Fury's worries come true
S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters.
In the deepest part of the command center, the light was deliberately dimmed, with only the dim glow from countless holographic screens and control panels illuminating Nick Fury's rock-solid face. His single eye reflected the images of the conclusion of the Times Square incident, transmitted from various angles.
Daredevil, the blind lawyer whose crime-fighting exploits in Hell's Kitchen are tinged with a sense of pathos and loneliness, appears on the main screen in a high-definition close-up—he stands in the shadows, his red uniform standing out starkly against the surrounding neon lights, yet somehow out of place amidst the chaos. He doesn't adopt a victor's posture; he simply and calmly says into his communicator, "Target cleared," before vanishing like a ghost, leaving the organization's support team to efficiently handle the aftermath.
The entire operation, from Kingpin issuing the order to Daredevil's precise location and fatal blow, to the elimination of the target and the arrival of logistics, was like a precisely edited movie clip, so smooth it was breathtaking.
Fury didn't speak; he tapped the smooth surface of the console with his fingers. A technically processed audio message filled the room—a very brief communication Daredevil made during the operation between himself and the frontline heroes via the Association's encrypted channel:
"The target is not on the screen. He is below you, about fifteen meters to the southeast, near the subway ventilation shaft, disguised as... a tourist who is 'live streaming'."
"It's now!"
The voice was calm, precise, and devoid of any personal emotion, serving entirely the mission objective.
Immediately afterwards, another video was shown. It showed "Meditation Master" Lin, after failing to construct a field of silence and suffering a mental backlash, being quickly and professionally helped away by two medical staff from the association and immediately taken away by a waiting mobile medical unit. The entire process took no more than thirty seconds.
Finally, the screen switched to the background data stream of the Association's official app (a portion that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technical department managed to intercept), which clearly showed:
[Class B hero "Daredevil" successfully dealt with the Tiger-level threat "Traffic King". Mission contribution assessment: 65%. Points reward has been issued.]
[C-Rank Hero "Iron Wall": Contribution 15% - Successfully established and maintained a frontline defensive barrier, effectively hindering the spread of mental pollution, protecting civilians, and diverting enemy attention. Points reward has been issued.]
[C-Rank Hero "Swift Shadow": Contribution 10% - Performed high-speed reconnaissance and probing, drawing some of the target's fire. Points reward has been issued.]
[D-level hero "Mind Master" Lin, mission participation assessment: 8% (attempted suppression, drawing enemy fire). Medical resources have been allocated, and psychological intervention has been initiated.]
[Association Technical Department Analysis Team: Contribution 2% - Real-time data analysis and communication support. Team rewards have been allocated.]
Maria Hill stood quietly behind Fury, watching the entire video feed as well. She looked at the quantified contributions on the screen, the automatically awarded points, the standardized logistical processes that started without waiting for orders, took a deep breath, and broke the silence:
"Sir, the threat has been neutralized. Target 'Radiant Richie' has been contained, there were zero civilian casualties, and property damage was kept to a minimum. Judging from the outcome, the Hero Association's handling of the situation... was flawless."
“Perfect?” Fury finally spoke, his voice as deep as an underground current. He turned around, his single eye sharply fixed on Hill. “Hill, you only see the result. Look at the process as well.”
He pointed at the screen, his fingertips almost piercing the holographic image.
"Matt Murdoch, a vigilante who was originally an outsider to the system, fighting crime in Hell's Kitchen by relying on personal beliefs and a bit of luck. How long has he been a member of the association? Look at him now?"
"Precise target positioning, ignoring visual illusions and mental pollution—that's certainly his ability, but look at how he was used! Kingpin didn't even go to the scene in person; he was deployed from headquarters, like calling up a program module, to the most needed position on the battlefield, and it worked in one fell swoop!"
"And that 'mind trainer,' her abilities are rare, but she's clearly inexperienced. One failure and she's immediately replaced, while the entire medical and psychological support system is immediately put in place to ensure she doesn't suffer any lasting effects. They might even customize a special training program for her based on the data from this failure!"
"Iron Wall and Swift Shadow, they were responsible for frontal restraint and feints, perfectly coordinating with Daredevil's fatal blow."
"Logistics, medical care, technical analysis... every link meshes together like gears."
Fury's voice rose, carrying a cold, confirmed sense of foresight.
“They’re not simply recruiting heroes, Hill. They’re systematically producing heroes!”
He walked to the control panel and pulled up S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal assessment report on the Hero Association, which was marked in red with keywords such as "unknown technology source," "efficient mission distribution mechanism," "standardized hero training process," and "comprehensive welfare and logistical support."
“Take a look at this model!” Fury pointed to the report. “Identify potential users (regardless of their background) → Evaluate and classify them through the system → Provide targeted resources (technology, training, equipment) for enhancement → Incentivize and constrain them through a points and ranking system → Deploy the right ‘hero’ to the right ‘mission’ and equip them with a comprehensive support system.”
“What does this resemble?” Fury’s gaze was as heavy as a physical weight on Hill. “Isn’t this like how we select and assemble our special agents? No, it’s even more efficient, more…industrialized! Because we also have to consider loyalty, faith, and background checks, while they seem to only care about ‘ability’ and ‘utility’!”
Hill remained silent, fully understanding Fury's concerns. S.H.I.E.L.D. represented an order based on national authority and international cooperation, while the Hero Association was establishing a parallel order based on unknown technologies and pure efficiency.
“What Kingpin wants to build is not a superhero team.” Fury walked to the huge bulletproof glass window, looking out at the shimmering river and the faint outline of the new headquarters building of the Association that was rising from the ground in the distance. “What he wants to build is a system, a ‘hero ecosystem’ that can operate independently, sustain itself, and continue to expand, detached from the existing social structure.”
"Today, they might deal with a mentally corrupt internet celebrity for 'points' and 'tasks.' Tomorrow, when this system is large enough, when it's filled with all sorts of extraordinary individuals drawn in for various reasons (money, power, recognition, or even helplessness), who can guarantee it won't be used for other purposes?"
"What will the world we know look like when the power to define 'order' is in the hands of a private organization and a former mob boss?"
Fury turned around, his single eye flashing with an unprecedented seriousness.
“Stark is still fixated on the superficial question of whether heroes should be paid. He’s wrong, terribly wrong. The core issue isn’t money, but power—the ultimate power to define heroes, assign tasks, and even decide which ‘order’ is worth upholding.”
"Kingpin and his association are quietly seizing this power. They are using social security and housing fund benefits, cutting-edge technology, and a seemingly reasonable and efficient 'system'."
He walked back to the console and brought up an encrypted folder labeled "Project Lighthouse".
“We can no longer just observe and probe.” Fury’s voice was firm. “Notify the World Security Council that I need to give a high-level briefing immediately. At the same time, ‘Project Lighthouse’ is ready to launch its first phase.”
"We need to figure out what the core of his 'system' really is before he expands this 'hero production line' globally and completely changes the way supernatural powers interact with our world."
Hill straightened his back, his expression solemn: "Understood, sir."
Inside the command center, only the faint hum of the equipment could be heard. Fury stood alone in the eerie blue glow, like a lone wolf sensing a new threat approaching, warily watching the shadow of the rapidly rising behemoth in the darkness.
His initial concerns have ceased to be concerns; they are evolving into a harsh reality. The curtain has been raised on a silent war concerning the dominance of the future order.
Chapter 54: Peter's Academic Crisis
The school bell at Midtown High School, for the first time, felt like a death knell to Peter Parker. He slumped over his desk, his face buried in his arms, feeling the whole world spinning—not the sensory overload of being bitten by a spider, but a pure dizziness caused by sleep deprivation and brain overload.
What happened last night? His memory was like a churned-up paste. He only remembered that it was already 11 p.m. after completing the association's D-level mission, "Stop the Convenience Store Robbery" (reward: 5 points). Dragging his aching body back to his bedroom, he should have collapsed onto the bed and passed out immediately, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the workbench in the corner.
There lay his latest improved sketches of the spider silk emitter, the molecular formulas of several biodegradable catalysts were pasted on the wall like scribbled characters, and a small handful of material, supposedly "high-toughness nanofiber samples," which he had redeemed with points from the association's equipment department, was waiting for him to test.
"Just one hour..." he told himself, downing his third cup of instant coffee of the night, "just to test the load-bearing limit of the new mesh structure, and then go to sleep right away."
And then... no more.
When he was awakened by the first rays of morning sunlight, he found himself slumped over his workbench, his face pressed against a sheet of draft paper covered in failed structural diagrams, next to him a beaker of solidified, strangely smelling mixture of failures. The alarm clock on his bedside table was ringing at full volume, reminding him that there were less than forty minutes left until his midterm physics exam.
And so, this scene unfolded. He practically relied on his spider-sense to fight his way through the traffic and crowds of New York's morning rush hour, rushing into the exam hall just as the school bell rang. But while his spider-sense could help him dodge cars, it couldn't help him cram those damn quantum mechanics formulas into his empty brain.
When the exam papers were handed out, he looked at the familiar symbols and questions, feeling as if they were viewed through frosted glass, blurry and indistinct. He tried to concentrate, but his eyelids were drooping wildly. His mind wasn't filled with the question of whether Schrödinger's cat was alive or dead, but rather with the soft "poof" sound of a spider web breaking during last night's test, and the several new, unaccepted, and temptingly rewarding tasks flashing on the association's app.
“Peter? Are you alright?” Ned Lids, sitting next to him, lowered his voice and looked at his pale face and dark circles under his eyes with concern.
Peter forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace, shook his head, picked up his pen, and began answering the questions.
At first, he could barely manage thanks to his past knowledge and exceptional memory. But in the latter half, especially with the complex problem about particle spin coupling, his brain completely gave out. The letters and numbers in front of him began to dance, and the formulas twisted and distorted in his mind. He felt his head getting heavier and heavier, and his hand holding the pen began to tremble slightly.
"No... I can't sleep... Aunt Mei will kill me..." He pinched his thigh hard, trying to use the pain to drive away his sleepiness.
But exhaustion surged like a tide, wave after wave crashing against the dam of his consciousness. With fifteen minutes left in the exam, he finally couldn't hold on any longer, his head slamming hard against the table with a dull thud.
The entire examination room fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on him.
The proctor, the stern Miss Warren, frowned as she walked over to him and tapped on his desk: "Mr. Parker?"
Peter woke up with a start, his heart pounding. He looked up blankly, a clear red mark still visible on his forehead.
“If you are feeling unwell, you can go to the infirmary,” Miss Warren said, her voice clearly displeased. “But please don’t disturb the other students.”
Peter was so ashamed he wanted to disappear. He quickly lowered his head, mumbled a reply, and forced himself to continue looking at the exam paper. But he spent the rest of the time in a semi-conscious state, scribbling randomly on the answer sheet, his mind a complete blank.
The moment he handed in his paper, he felt as if he had just been pulled out of the water, his whole body covered in cold sweat.
The result is no doubt.
Two days later, the physics results were released. Peter Parker's name was followed by a glaring "67," just shy of passing and ranking near the bottom of the class. To make matters worse, Miss Warren had made a striking red annotation on his paper: "His thinking on the last big question was completely off track, and he showed obvious signs of inattention, suggesting he didn't get enough rest before the exam."
This exam paper, along with the transcripts for several other subjects that were only barely passed, was placed in a thin envelope and sent to his and Aunt May's apartment in Queens.
That night, the atmosphere in the kitchen plummeted to freezing point.
Aunt May held the report card, her hands trembling slightly. She looked at the appalling scores, then looked up at Peter standing opposite her, head bowed, his hands nervously twisting the hem of his clothes, her face filled with disappointment and worry.
“Peter…can you explain this?” Aunt May’s voice was soft, but it hurt Peter more than any reprimand. “I remember you were studying very hard recently, so why did you almost fail physics this time? Mr. Warren even mentioned that you were in a bad mental state during the exam.”
"I...I..." Peter opened his mouth, but found he couldn't come up with a decent reason. What could he say? That he was busy fighting crime as a superhero at night? That he was so engrossed in researching a new spider silk formula that he stayed up all night?
"Is it because of... that 'internship'?" Aunt May keenly sensed something. She knew Peter was currently interning at a "tech company," and seemed quite busy, sometimes coming home late and appearing exhausted in the mornings. She had initially been very supportive, believing it would benefit Peter's future, but now...
“Peter, I know you want to help out at home and earn some pocket money,” Aunt May said, her tone both concerned and serious. “But nothing is more important than your studies and health! If this ‘internship’ is affecting your studies and rest, then I must ask you to stop it immediately!”
"No! Aunt May! We can't stop!" Peter suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing across his face. Stop? That meant losing the association's points, losing the means to exchange for materials and technologies that would make him stronger and better able to protect others, and also losing that meager but stable "allowance"—which was by no means dispensable to his and Aunt May's lives.
"This internship is really important to me! I... I just haven't been managing my time well lately, I promise! I'll definitely do well on the next test!" Peter promised eagerly, his eyes full of pleading.
Aunt May's heart softened slightly at her nephew's anxious expression, but she couldn't back down on matters of principle. She placed the report card on the table, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Listen, Peter. No matter how important this internship is, if your next test score doesn't improve significantly, and if your mental state remains this bad, then there's no room for negotiation. This is my ultimatum."
She stepped forward, gently hugged Peter, and softened her voice: "I know you're a good boy, Peter. But you're only fifteen. Your priority right now is to study and grow up healthily. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, okay?"
Feeling Aunt May's warm embrace and hearing her concerned words, Peter was filled with guilt and inner conflict. He nodded and replied in a low voice, "I understand, Aunt May. I'm sorry for making you worry."
Back in his cramped bedroom, Peter collapsed onto the bed, covered his face with a pillow, and let out a suppressed wail.
On one hand, there's the responsibility and desire to improve his abilities as Spider-Man; on the other, there's his studies as Peter Parker and Aunt May's expectations. These two forces tear him apart like two immense forces.
He took out a disguised smartphone issued by the association; several new task prompts were flashing on the screen:
[Rank C Mission: Investigate unusual energy fluctuations in the dock area. Reward: 25 points.]
[Rank D Mission: Assist the police in apprehending a street racer gang. Reward: 8 points.]
[Class B Mission (Team): A suspected Tiger-level monster has appeared in Brooklyn. Assistance in the investigation is required. Reward: 70 points (distributed based on contribution).]
Every point is tempting him, and every task could help him become stronger or prevent a potential tragedy.
But then he caught a glimpse of the glaring physics exam paper on the desk, and Aunt May's disappointed look.
“What should I do…” Peter buried his face in the pillow, feeling as if he was about to be crushed by this sweet yet heavy burden.
The path to becoming a hero is far more complex and arduous than he imagined. It's not just about donning a uniform to fight bad guys; it's a brutal struggle against time, responsibility, and the realities of life. And young Peter Parker stands at the eye of the storm in this struggle, experiencing for the first time the undeniable pressure from the ordinary world that cannot be escaped by mere threads.
Chapter 55: Kingpin's Solution: Family Care Package
In the top-floor office of the Fisk Tower, the silence was so profound that the faint hum of the central air conditioning system running at its lowest setting could be heard. Wilson Kingpin's massive frame was sunken into a specially designed chair, and a holographic screen floating in front of him was silently playing a briefing that had been filtered by an algorithm and labeled "Potential Internal Risk - Related Hero: Spider-Man".
The briefing was concise and clear: Midtown High School's midterm exam results have declined significantly, and guardian Ms. May Parker has issued an ultimatum to the students' studies. The related hero "Spider-Man" (Peter Parker) has been taking on too many missions recently, showing signs of overwork and time management imbalance.
Kingpin showed no surprise, as if this were just a routine report on market fluctuations. He extended his thick finger and tapped lightly in the air, bringing up Peter Parker's complete file within the association. His gaze lingered briefly on entries such as "Age: 15," "Potential Assessment: S-rank (Developing)," and "Loyalty: High (Based on Realistic Needs)."
“Young, with enormous potential, but also bound by worldly ties.” His deep voice echoed in the empty office, as if stating an objective fact. “Pure points and material rewards cannot solve all problems, especially when the problems come from… family.”
He closed Peter's file and connected to internal communications with Eleanor Shaw, the head of the department responsible for hero welfare and logistical support.
“Ms. Shaw,” Kingpin’s voice was steady, without any commanding tone, yet it carried an unquestionable authority, “activate the ‘Family Care’ sub-project within the ‘Outstanding Newcomer Support Program.’ Target: Ms. May Parker. Execution criteria: highest priority, comprehensive health assessment and life support. You will personally oversee this.”
He made no mention of Peter, no mention of achievements, and not even any specific reasons. He simply issued an instruction based on the association's policy of "caring for employees' families."
“Understood, Mr. Fisk. Arrange it immediately.” Eleanor Shaw replied crisply from the other end of the line, without a single unnecessary question.
Two days later, one afternoon, when Peter returned home from school with a heavy heart, he was surprised to find two visitors. One was Ms. Eleanor Shaw, dressed in a well-fitting business suit, with a gentle yet professional demeanor; the other was a doctor carrying a portable medical kit and with a friendly smile.
Aunt Mei was sitting on the sofa, her face showing a hint of confusion, but more of an expression of being flattered.
“Peter, you’re back!” Aunt May greeted him immediately. “This is Ms. Xiao from Fisker Group. She said… they have a care program for the families of high-performing employees, and they’ve selected our family?”
Peter's heart skipped a beat. Fisker Group? He instantly understood, and his heart began to race.
Eleanor Shaw stood up, smiled and nodded to Peter, then turned to Aunt May, her tone sincere and gentle: “Yes, Mrs. Parker. Our group always pays close attention to the well-being of our employees and their families. From what we understand, it is not easy for you to raise Peter alone, and you seem to be quite stressed lately. As a reward for Peter's... well, excellent performance during his internship, we have arranged a comprehensive in-home health check-up for you, as well as dedicated health consultations and conditioning services if needed.”
She gestured to the doctor next to her: "This is Dr. Li. He will perform some basic examinations for you."
"This...this is too sudden, and too valuable..." Aunt May was a little flustered. She looked at Peter with a questioning look in her eyes.
Peter opened his mouth, feeling his throat go dry. He looked at Ms. Xiao's impeccable professional smile, then at the hint of emotion in Aunt Mei's eyes from being cared for, and finally could only nod, his voice a little hoarse: "Yes...yes, Aunt Mei. Our company...does indeed have such benefits."
Under Peter's complex gaze, Dr. Li conducted a very detailed and professional examination on Aunt Mei, including blood pressure, heart rate, routine blood tests (rapid analysis via finger prick blood sample), bone density screening, and even briefly inquired about her sleep and diet.
After the examination, Dr. Li gently said to Aunt May, "Mrs. Parker, your overall condition is quite good, but there are some signs of mild anemia and accumulated fatigue. I suggest you pay attention to supplementing your nutrition and get more rest in the near future. We will then develop a personalized diet and lifestyle plan for you based on the detailed blood analysis report (the sample will be taken back to the laboratory), and the relevant nutritional supplements and health foods will be sent to your home later."
Eleanor Shaw added aptly, “In addition, this care package includes a voucher for a professional physiotherapy massage and a shopping card for a nearby premium supermarket, which should hopefully ease your daily shopping burden a little.” She gently placed a delicate envelope on the coffee table.
Aunt May watched all this, her eyes slightly moist. Having raised Peter alone, she was used to strength and sacrifice, and rarely felt such thoughtful and selfless care from outsiders (in her view). She gripped Eleanor Shaw's hand tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you... thank you so much! Please... please be sure to thank Mr. Fisker for me!"