"How many people would realize that the famous New York philanthropist and entrepreneur—Wilson Fisk—is also the supreme ruler of the New York underworld—the Kingpin?" A strange voice, laced with emotion, suddenly broke the silence of the room.
Hearing the voice, Kingpin's muscles instantly tensed, and his right hand reached for his cane, ready to strike at any moment.
Bullseye also instantly drew his gun, scanning the room for a target.
Their eyes quickly locked onto two armored figures who had appeared in the room at an unknown time—one white and one dark gold.
They were Dan, using the Eternal Memory, and Evolt, using the Utopia Memory.
"I advise you, you better put the gun down. Such impolite behavior will lead you to a very bad end," Evolt, transformed into Utopia, said flippantly to the gun-wielding Bullseye.
"Is that so? I don't think so," Bullseye was completely unfazed. Instead, he pulled out another pistol from behind him, aiming at both Dan and Evolt.
Evolt let out a small laugh.
He tapped his cane on the floor, and Bullseye felt his body float uncontrollably. Instincts honed by years of being a killer made him feel threatened, and he immediately emptied his gun's magazine.
However, the fired bullets were also drawn by an invisible force field, losing momentum and hovering in mid-air.
"It seems you need a lesson before you'll behave."
Red lightning flashed from the Utopia cane, striking Bullseye's body.
Bullseye convulsed violently, his body scorched black. Saliva dripped uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth, and he completely lost the demeanor of a cold-blooded assassin. Even the weapons in his hands fell to the floor; he was moments away from losing control of his bladder and bowels.
Of course, this was Evolt controlling the power of the lightning, only stripping Bullseye of his ability to move.
Otherwise, no matter how superb Bullseye's killing skills were, he was still just an ordinary human. Under truly high-intensity electricity, he wouldn't have survived.
"You two came uninvited. May I ask your names and what your objective is?" Kingpin asked, his eyes slightly grave as he watched Utopia's display of power.
Bullseye's fate clearly demonstrated that these two unidentified individuals possessed special abilities that ordinary people could not contend with.
Moreover, the two of them were able to appear in his office without a sound, and neither he nor Bullseye had noticed anyone's presence until they spoke.
Neither the personnel downstairs nor Wolf, who had just left, detected any intrusion.
Did they possess special stealth techniques, or did they simply materialize directly into his office?
"You can call us by our code names, Eternal and Utopia," Dan said, pointing at himself and Evolt simultaneously.
"I am here to grant your wish."
Kingpin scoffed. "Grant my wish? And what price do I have to pay?"
He didn't bother to ask what abilities or qualifications they possessed; Evolt's electric shock on Bullseye had already demonstrated strength far beyond the ordinary.
However, after years of navigating the underground criminal world, Kingpin was not naive enough to believe in something for nothing.
Kingpin was perfectly aware that in this world, you shouldn't expect to get anything without paying a price.
"As expected, you are a smart man, but your current position limits your vision," Dan said with a casual laugh.
"Do you know what you lack?"
"What?" Kingpin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"True power—the power to change everything and enforce your will. Especially now, when more and more superhumans and monsters are surfacing in this world.
Without enough power to back it up, your plans and ideals are ultimately just a mirage, an illusion that can be shattered at any moment."
"So, you can give me power?" Kingpin's eyes narrowed.
He thought of Madame Gao's special power, the unusual monsters that had appeared in New York recently, and the destructive giant created by military experiments.
"Of course, that is precisely why we are here." Dan opened the briefcase he was holding, revealing the Memory and the belt inside.
The Fear Memory, as if sensing its master, emitted a faint ghostly blue light.
"This is..." Kingpin stared slightly lost at the Fear Memory, feeling a strange, primal craving deep inside, as if seeing clear water after days of thirst in the desert.
"This is a Gaia Memory. The so-called 'Gaia Memory' is a Memory Stick created by converting information, known as the 'Memory of the Earth,' which contains various memories sealed through a special program on Earth, into power."
Seeing Kingpin's puzzled expression, he continued, "In short, it is an item that grants the user powerful abilities and can even realize the evolution of life."
"The Fear Memory before you is a superior-grade Gaia Memory. It possesses the power to control fear, and it requires a Gaia Driver to harness its power."
"This is for me?!" Kingpin's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the Fear Memory's faint blue light.
"Naturally. Give it a try. Fully experience the power the Gaia Memory can give you." Tan Dao-yi pushed the briefcase containing the Fear Memory and the Gaia Driver toward Kingpin.
Kingpin picked up the Fear Memory and the Gaia Driver.
He put on the Gaia Driver and pressed the button on the Memory.
"Terror."
The Fear Memory automatically flew up, connected to the Gaia Driver's port, and sank into it, turning the port into a sphere.
Kingpin transformed into the Terror Dopant.
"This power!..." Kingpin lifted his hands in front of him, clenching his fists, intoxicated by the unprecedented strength.
With a slight wave of his hand, he shattered the heavy office desk in front of him, as easily as crushing a block of tofu.
With a thought, a dark blue Fear Mud appeared, and a powerful oppression filled the conference room.
Bullseye, who was just recovering, looked at the mud that had appeared out of nowhere and raised his slightly trembling hands in disbelief.
How many years has it been? Since he became an assassin, he was feeling the sensation of fear once again.
It was an instinctive, uncontrollable reaction.
Kingpin looked at the two figures of Dan, and with a slight motion of his will, the mud spread towards Dan and Evolt.
Dan casually tapped the Eternal Memory.
"Eternal."
A sky-blue ripple spread out, and the Fear Mud released by Kingpin instantly melted away.
Kingpin looked at the Eternal Memory with slight apprehension, feeling as though he had met his natural enemy.
"My apologies, gentlemen," Kingpin bowed slightly. "I just acquired the power of the Fear Memory and didn't control it well. I meant no offense."
Evolt chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of danger. "We gave you the Fear Memory, but not as capital for you to provoke the Foundation!"
"So, do you want to gain the power of the Gaia Memory and realize your ideal?" Dan asked.
"If I refuse, what will you do? Threaten me, force me, or just kill me?" Kingpin asked, testing them with curiosity.
"It's simple. If you refuse," Dan paused, and seeing Kingpin's cautious expression, he smiled, "Then you refuse. Foundation X never likes to force people."
"Although your compatibility with the Fear Memory is extremely high, the Museum Plan doesn't depend solely on you.
If you refuse, we'll just find another agent. It will simply mean that the leader of another gang will receive this power.
Where will that leave you?
You are a clever man. Think about it carefully."
"So, what is your answer? Will you give up this power?" Dan whispered, sounding like a demon tempting one to fall.
"What do you need me to do?"
Kingpin asked after a moment of silence.
"Simple. Sell the Gaia Memories and find the most suitable qualified users for them.
At the same time, exert the power of the Fear Memory as much as possible," Dan replied with a satisfied smile.
"I am very curious," Kingpin said. He had basically made his decision and seemed more relaxed.
"If the Gaia Memories possess such powerful strength, why would you sell them? Wouldn't it be better to keep them all in your own hands?"
Kingpin was genuinely curious about this. If it were him, he would certainly keep the power of the Memories entirely under his control, letting his most trusted subordinates use them to build a powerful fighting force.
"Of course, it's to uncover the potential of the Gaia Memories."
Dan shook his head. "Only suitable users can truly unleash the latent ability of the Gaia Memories.
They can even break through the original limits and demonstrate infinite possibilities."
"All your questions have been answered. Now, you should give us your decision."
Kingpin picked up his alloy cane and stared at it for a long time.
This cane, which Kingpin always kept in his hand, looked like an ordinary cane on the surface, but it contained hidden mechanisms.
It possessed endless attack capabilities, capable of firing lasers, poison gas, and smoke. In close combat, it could also emit electric shocks like a stun gun and could not be damaged even by Kingpin's own strength, which far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
It was Kingpin's ultimate means of self-defense and once symbolized his power.
But now, in the face of the power of the Gaia Memory...
"Then there is only one answer." Kingpin suddenly burst into laughter.
He easily lifted his knee and snapped the alloy cane in half. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Foundation X."
"Interesting, interesting! That's really quite amusing!" Dan was slightly stunned at first, then threw his head back and laughed heartily.
Kingpin's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom at the sight.
What did that mean? Was he being mocked?
"However, Foundation X does not need your allegiance, but rather the execution of the Museum Plan—finding suitable users to develop the true potential of the Gaia Memories." Danfinally stopped laughing after a while.
"In other words, whatever you wish to do with this power is entirely up to you. You can use the power of the Fear Memory to become the true emperor of the New York underground.
The Foundation will not interfere, as long as the Museum Plan is carried out smoothly.
The capabilities of the Gaia Memories are fully unearthed, and the relevant data is recorded and collected.
The Foundation doesn't care about anything else. Your allegiance is not necessary."
"Is that so..." A sharp gleam flashed in Kingpin's eyes.
"I want the power of the Gaia Memory too!" Bullseye, covered in scorch marks, suddenly spoke, his eyes full of craving.
Having personally experienced Kingpin's immense power after acquiring the Fear Memory, Bullseye harbored an extreme desire for the Gaia Memories.
"Very good," Dan glanced at Bullseye, then smiled slightly. "I appreciate that kind of look—the pursuit of power at any cost.
I will give you a suitable Gaia Memory later."
"From now on, Utopia will handle the handover with you. He will regularly provide you with the Gaia Memory products for the Museum Plan." Dan pointed at Evolt, who was transformed into Utopia.
"That's all for this time."
"Ciao." Evolt waved his hand.
A ripple, like water, spread out, and the two vanished from the office.
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Kingpin happens to have a cane like that, so...
(End of Chapter)