William seemed to hear an irrelevant question.
The smile on his face didn't change in the slightest.
He even had a hint of patient condescension.
"Mr. Bronski, we're not discussing an ethereal concept like 'ability,' but rather 'resource integration' and 'risk management.' This is a business problem, not a physics problem."
He held up two fingers.
"First, S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization with the world's most advanced technology and Agents, they and the Military working together were able to capture you and imprison you here. This is a resource."
He then held up a third finger.
"Second, Tony Stark, a genius who can clear out S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance like trash. This is another resource."
Finally, he brought his three fingers together and tapped his chest.
"And I, William Rodriguez, an insurance salesman who can make S.H.I.E.L.D. willingly entrust its 'assets' to my safekeeping."
"And who can get Stark to help me with 'spring cleaning' for free. Now, where do you think my 'ability' comes from?"
Abomination fell silent.
His mind, once filled with rage, for the first time truly began to scrutinize the weak human before him.
But it wasn't enough.
For a warrior who believed in absolute power, a silver-tongued orator could never compare to true strength in a real fight.
"Roar—!"
Abomination suddenly exerted himself, his muscles instantly swelling to their limit!
The entire cage shook!
"See that, you little bug?!"
Abomination panted, his eyes full of disdain and a show of power.
"This is power! Your petty tricks are worthless in the face of absolute power!"
He expected to see fear and panic on the other's face.
However, William merely shook his head calmly.
Abomination's roar once again caught in his throat.
He felt like a punch he had thrown with all his might had landed on a wad of cotton.
This bastard!
This was an insult that made him more uncomfortable than a physical attack!
An insult that completely objectified, quantified, and even devalued the strength he prided himself on!
"Get out!!!"
Abomination completely erupted in rage, giving up any logical communication with this little bug.
He just roared madly.
He slammed his body against the inner wall of the cage again and again, making thunderous "boom, boom" sounds.
"Get away! You silver-tongued liar! I don't need your insurance! I don't need your charity! I'll tear this cage apart with my own strength! Then I'll find Hulk and tear him apart!"
William watched Abomination's impotent rage in the cage like he was watching a patient who refused to cooperate with treatment.
"Of course, the choice is always in the client's hands."
He smiled as he put away his tablet.
He turned and walked out of the large circular hall with unhurried steps.
Until he entered the main control room.
And closed the heavy soundproof door.
William's professional smile instantly dropped, replaced by an uncontrollable, foxy grin.
He sat back in his boss chair, watching the huge figure still venting his energy on the monitor screen, and murmured to himself.
"Done."
Tandy and Tyrone, who were beside him, had long since hidden away, scared by the commotion inside, and were now looking at him with worried expressions.
"Boss, he... he refused."
Tandy whispered.
"No, he didn't."
William took a sip of coffee, his eyes deep and bright.
"The first step in sales is not to make the client say 'yes,' but to make him unable to say 'no.'"
"I offered him a 'desire' he couldn't refuse. Now, every moment of his anger, every roar, every impact, will only make him realize one thing more deeply — he is trapped."
William's lips curved into a smile.
"When a person is doubly imprisoned by desire and the cage of reality, any straw offered will be seen as a lifeline."
"And I just need to wait until he's exhausted, then offer him a more suitable straw."
"Step one, plant a seed called 'hope' in his heart."
"Step two, is to wait for him to try all the wrong paths himself, and then despairingly discover that only the path I offer leads through. That's called sales, kids."
Over the next dozen hours.
Abomination proved how terrifying the willpower of a top warrior and the stamina of a super monster could be.
He barely stopped.
Roaring, crashing, rubbing his shackles with his bone spurs.
He used every physical means he could think of to try and shake the cage, which had been reinforced by S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Industries.
The result was futile.
When the morning sun once again shone through the observation window of the dome, Abomination finally quieted down.
He no longer roared.
He just sat in the center of the cage like an ugly statue, breathing heavily.
His body was covered in a thin layer of sweat vapor.
The raging Fire in his eyes had extinguished, leaving only endless fatigue and a deeper, almost consuming despair.
William knew the time was right.
He once again walked into the circular hall alone.
This time he wasn't wearing his sharp suit, but a casual outfit.
Like a neighbor visiting an old friend.
Relaxed and casual.
He walked to the observation wall and looked at the silent behemoth inside.
"Mr. Bronski, I've observed you for fifteen hours."
William's voice was calm and gentle.
"You didn't make any more ineffective attacks, but rather... thought. Am I right? A pure Beast wouldn't stop to think."
"This proves my judgment yesterday was correct, Emil Blonsky, is still alive. He's just trapped in this Beast's body."
Abomination slowly raised his head, and for the first time, emotions other than anger and madness appeared in those terrifying eyes.
An extremely complex mix of suspicion, wariness, and a hint of imperceptible wavering.
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