Marvel had an endless multiverse. New universes were born every moment, and old universes died every moment. This setting existed because of Marvel's complicated publishing history.
Unlike ordinary comics, Marvel had existed for decades, with thousands of editors and authors creating thousands of works.
These people wrote stories based on the Marvel Universe theme, resulting in different stories happening simultaneously—the same characters with different settings, countless contradictions piling up.
To make the plot more logical, they'd introduced the parallel world setting. Centered on the main universe, countless parallel universes spread outward, with each story taking place in a different universe.
Problem solved.
Though the emergence of multiversal-level beings later caused new conflicts, the Marvel editorial department created even higher-tier concepts—the Omniverse, the Megaverse, stacking them like Russian dolls. Then they added pocket universes, dream universes, quantum universes, and more.
But comics were comics. Reality was reality.
In the Marvel world, the multiverse wasn't a narrative device to fix plot holes—it was the fundamental nature of reality itself.
Quinn had never actually read Marvel comics, so he didn't know much about these detailed settings.
But you didn't need to eat pork to know what a pig looked like, right?
If you watched any Marvel movie on a streaming site with comments enabled, you'd see endless variations of "X is nerfed, they're way more powerful in the comics" with related discussions in the comment sections.
He didn't know if it was all true, but in general, he'd picked up enough comic lore to understand the basics.
Which was how he'd deduced this timeline alteration theory.
At this point, the system notifications quieted down.
Quinn pulled up his data panel. Including the follow-up effects from the two Marine battalions' destruction, he had a total of 4,932 Faith Points.
Seeing that number, Quinn frowned.
Ordinary people couldn't provide much Faith Point value. Even the most terrifying deaths only provided between 0.03-0.1 points.
As for the strong, while they could provide high values, their own strength and perspective made it difficult to generate emotional fluctuations when witnessing other strong individuals.
Take this battle as an example.
Hibari's strength was enough to shock ordinary people, but Madame Gao, Kingpin, and the others barely reacted. If not for the novelty of the Box Weapons, he might not have harvested any points from them at all.
To harvest Faith Points from the strong, you either needed to resonate with them through narrative, or demonstrate even greater strength.
"Boss, I found suitable properties."
Otto's flat voice came from behind him.
Quinn's thoughts returned to the present. He glanced at the bustling street, then turned around after regaining his composure. Otto stood at the back door in his suit, expression blank as always. A pigeon perched on his right shoulder.
Obviously, his helper in finding storefronts.
"On Chinatown's main street, two shops across from each other," Otto explained. "Previously a traditional Chinese medicine clinic and a restaurant, both owned by the same person. His son's business in China is booming, so he decided to go back and be with family. He's transferring both properties."
"Not bad. Let's go discuss terms."
Quinn stood up, ready to negotiate so that Liu Subaru and Guo Haihuang could open their restaurant and martial arts hall.
But at that moment, an unexpected visitor pushed open the storefront door.
"Hello, we meet again, Mr. Quinn!"
Looking at the middle-aged man greeting him with a smile, Quinn was silent for a moment before asking with obvious confusion: "Coulson. Obviously that incident happened yesterday. How the hell are you appearing here like nothing happened?"
"We were just trying to protect Mr. Quinn."
Coulson shrugged with an innocent expression. "After all, Mr. Quinn possesses considerable intelligence. If captured by malicious elements, it could cause significant societal harm. Therefore, when we learned Mr. Quinn's residence was attacked, the Director asked me to bring you in urgently. That was actually a form of protection—I hope you can understand. However, after learning about your considerable strength, sir, we determined you were capable of protecting yourself. So we've revoked the protection detail."
"Well, thank him so much for me," Quinn replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
These agents were such liars.
If he didn't have the strength to protect himself, plus valuable intelligence they wanted, plus the fact they couldn't figure out his background—they wouldn't be this polite.
Otherwise, the outcome would be very different.
At least when he'd watched "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." in his previous life, the organization had built containment facilities in various locations to house enhanced individuals.
While Coulson's team—as protagonists—only contained enhanced people with out-of-control abilities or serious psychological issues, there were definitely other divisions that indiscriminately captured powered individuals for human experimentation.
But still. Business was business.
He wanted to gain massive Faith Points through S.H.I.E.L.D. And while he wasn't happy with their methods, he didn't plan to do anything about it.
"I'll be sure to convey your gratitude to the Director when I return." Coulson seemed unable to hear the sarcasm in Quinn's words, maintaining his smile. "I'm here because I'd like to request Mr. Quinn's assistance."
"Help isn't free."
Hearing there was business, Quinn's demeanor changed immediately. He narrowed his eyes with a merchant's calculating expression.
Coulson's mouth twitched, but he maintained composure. "Of course. I brought payment this time."
He paused, then continued: "I want to know where Mr. Quinn took Mr. Stark yesterday, and what transpired during that visit."
Hearing this, Quinn's pleasant expression vanished. "I don't reveal information about transactions with other clients."
"One million dollars."
"A hundred million wouldn't work."
"Alright then."
Coulson lowered his head and thought for a moment, then continued: "Then, please take me to see Miss Tamayo as well."
"Huh?" Quinn looked at him with surprise. "Didn't you follow me and Tony yesterday?"
"How could we do something that invades others' privacy?"
"What about the woman reading a novel in the coffee shop across the street, the sniper in the clock tower on East Street, and the young couple who just arrived next door?"
"Huh?" Coulson blinked, looking at Quinn with confusion. "What do you mean?"
After speaking, as if suddenly understanding, he quickly explained: "You think those people are surveilling you? Those aren't our people."
Hmph, pretty convincing act.
I still haven't mentioned the two hidden surveillance points. You probably think I didn't find them and you're celebrating internally.
Quinn was contemptuous internally but didn't hide it from his expression. He waved his hand with obvious disbelief. "Sure, sure. If you say they're not yours, then they're not."
"They really aren't, sir. Please believe us!" Coulson looked genuinely wronged, but internally he was relieved.
Good. He didn't find the other two locations.