Having completed another order, William Rodriguez held his hotdog and strolled through the streets of New York City in a joyful mood.
He had successfully extracted "Electrical Energy Absorption (Elementary)" from Maxwell Dillon, the future "Electro."
This made him deeply experience the system's core values of "risk for ability, performance for the future."
He subconsciously leaned towards a brightly lit billboard by the roadside, feeling a faint, almost imperceptible tingling sensation on his fingertips, which then vanished.
"Tsk, 'Electrical Energy Absorption' is indeed 'extremely minuscule,' better than nothing at all," William Rodriguez clicked his tongue, but he wasn't discouraged.
"Still, it's a potentially offensive ability. What if my phone runs out of power someday? I could still charge it by 0.01%!"
"Maybe if I meet Iron Man in the future, I can 'borrow' some electricity from his armor when he's not paying attention?"
"Just thinking about that scene is exciting."
Just as he was contemplating how to use his new ability to become an "Energy Saving Pioneer" and fantasizing about "stealing" Stark's energy for a bright future, his phone, with its worrying screen, suddenly vibrated "buzz, buzz, buzz" in his pocket.
William Rodriguez carefully took out his phone, afraid that with too much force, the cracked screen would directly declare itself broken.
It was a text message from an unsaved number.
He raised an eyebrow. "People still send text messages these days?"
"How retro."
Almost simultaneously, the system's familiar, cold notification sound rang in his mind:
"Ding! A business inquiry from contract client 'Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker)' has been detected. Host, please respond promptly, demonstrate professionalism, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to your claims business!"
William Rodriguez jolted.
Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker)?
That street vigilante who gave him his first order and "Mechanical Induction (Elementary)?"
"Holy crap! A repeat customer!"
William Rodriguez almost threw his phone in excitement, but managed to steady it in time.
"It seems my charm as William Rodriguez, the insurance fraudster… ahem, ace insurance consultant, has already begun to radiate throughout the entire New York City underground World!"
He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and quickly opened the text message.
There were only a few words on the screen, as concise as a telegram:
"Insurance. Anything else? Last time's… was okay."
Every word conveyed a sense of "I'm cool, but I do have a need, so don't waste my time" awkwardness.
William Rodriguez instantly pictured the scene:
This guy probably just finished another "friendly exchange" in some alley.
He's likely patching up new injuries while frowning and struggling to compose this text message on his possibly malfunctioning communicator.
"'Was okay'?"
"Brother, that was more than 'okay' for you!"
"Wasn't the free repair allowance great?"
William Rodriguez was internally ranting, but his face had already switched to a professional fake smile.
"It seems the free trial last time gave him a taste of something good. That's right, once you accept the premise of insurance, it's like 'just one more bite'!"
He immediately entered "gold sales consultant" mode, his fingers flying across the screen as he pondered how to reply.
Should he directly push expensive options?
"No, this guy clearly looks like a frugal city Guardian. I need to proceed gradually."
"Got it!" A light bulb went off in William Rodriguez's mind.
He quickly replied:
"Hello, Mr. Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker).
I am deeply honored to receive your inquiry again.
For city Guardians like you who are constantly fighting on the front lines, we understand the special risks and challenges you face. Therefore, we have prepared more targeted upgraded protection plans.
For example: 'High-Intensity Service Equipment Comprehensive Protection' (covering accidental damage to your specialized equipment during operations).
'Action Injury Fast Claims Channel and Medical Support Allowance' (ensuring you receive timely and effective backup after injury).
And 'Emergency Response Support Services' (providing you with additional safety guarantees at critical moments).
May I ask which type of risk you are currently most concerned about, or if you have specific protection needs?
If convenient, we can discuss further to customize the most suitable protection plan for you.
As our important client, the first upgrade to a formal policy enjoys an exclusive discount and a specially customized 'Hero Support Package.'"
After sending the text message, William Rodriguez clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"Perfect!"
The sales pitch was watertight, demonstrating professionalism, hinting at future benefits, and specifically highlighting the daily pain points of vigilantes like equipment damage and injuries. He wouldn't be able to resist!
"This Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker) fellow, last time it was communication equipment. This time, surely it'll be something different?"
William Rodriguez put away his phone, his smile growing brighter.
"Combat skills? Stealth experience? Or maybe a cool equipment usage authorization?"
His "ability pool" expansion plan seemed poised to take another big step forward.
William Rodriguez had just put his phone back in his pocket, the last warmth of the hotdog still lingering on his tongue, when the familiar "buzz, buzz, buzz" eagerly sounded again.
He paused, almost choking on the last bite of bread, and quickly thumped his chest.
"That efficient?"
He calmly took out his phone, his fingertip gliding over the finely cracked screen to unlock it.
Sure enough, it was still that unsaved number, persistently like a ghost.
The text message content was even more terse than last time, with only a few words:
"Meet to talk. Time, place."
Concise and to the point, so cool it could freeze someone.
The system's hyped-up, cold notification tone sounded in his mind at the opportune moment, with the fervor of a success coach:
"Ding! Client 'Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker)' has accepted your business discussion invitation! Efficient client conversion is key to performance growth.
Host, please redouble your efforts, fully demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills to secure the contract.
This will help unlock more system functions and enhance your comprehensive strength rating, laying a solid foundation for dealing with higher-level risk challenges in the future!"
"Financial freedom might be something to seriously plan for," William Rodriguez silently grumbled about the system's extravagance, but his lips were already uncontrollably stretched into a grin.
"He took the bait! Sure enough, no one can refuse an 'upgrade discount' after a 'free trial.' This trick works wonders on Earth, and I'm sure the heroes of the Marvel Universe won't escape my grasp either!"
This Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker) fellow was even more decisive than he imagined, or rather… impatient?
It seemed the "communication equipment repair allowance" last time had indeed given him a taste of something good.
"Meeting to talk is great. Face-to-face is the best way to showcase the professional demeanor of William Rodriguez, the future King of Insurance in New York City.
I'll lay out all those high-end, sophisticated, and tailored insurance products before him, making him willingly… sign the sacred contract!"
William Rodriguez took a deep breath of New York City air, mixed with exhaust fumes and hotdog scent, forcibly suppressed the little excitement in his heart, and began to deliberate his reply with the mindset of a "gold insurance consultant."