Matt Murdock had joined the company.
What was once a four-person operation was now five, and Carrie was already clamoring to set up a cafeteria. Her appetite left even Matt Murdock silent for a long while.
"This company definitely has something off about it," he concluded after witnessing Carrie's eating habits. This absolutely wasn't a normal film production company.
Probably a mutant's lair? Having been Daredevil for so long, Matt naturally knew a lot about mutants. He bore them no hostility, but what he needed to confirm was whether this mutant organization posed any real threat to society.
"Um… probably not?"
Matt had been on the job for a few days, keeping a close eye on Herman.
However, none of the scenarios he had imagined ever happened.
This boss, who radiated an overwhelming sense of danger to his heightened senses, turned out to be no different from an ordinary shut-in. He didn't even indulge in the questionable hobbies many rich men were known for.
Watching shows at work.
Watching shows after work.
Ordering late-night snacks.
And insisting the two female employees who lived in the office join him.
And it really was just late-night snacks. Matt had even joined them once.
Unfortunately, Herman had ordered spicy barbecue that night. The next day, Matt's lips were swollen all over. It turned out even Daredevil couldn't handle spicy food.
"Attorney Ma, try this Arctic scallop snack—it's especially delicious!" Carrie chirped, holding up a big bag of snacks to share with the staff.
"I'm Attorney Matt… Actually, you should call me Attorney Murdock." Matt sighed, helpless against the company's overly energetic finance girl.
He'd only been working here for five or six days, yet his weight had already gone up several pounds. And the culprit was right in front of him—the cheerful accountant who loved sharing food.
What's going on?
How can you eat so much? And still not gain a pound?
"But the boss likes calling you Attorney Ma. He even said people with the surname "Ma" are always incredibly capable." Carrie blinked innocently, puzzled.
"..."
Matt nearly blurted out that Herman might not be all there in the head.
But no matter how he put it, Herman was still his boss now. So after holding back for ages, he kept the complaint bottled up inside.
"Want two bags?"
Carrie's thoughts immediately snapped back to food. She stuffed two large bags of scallops into Matt's hands before hugging a pile of snacks and heading back to her office.
Matt stared at the expensive snacks, caught in a dilemma. Eat them, or resist? If this kept up, he seriously doubted he could continue his superhero work. A fat Daredevil wouldn't be able to move half as nimbly.
...
As for Matt's little schemes in the company, Herman was, of course, well aware.
With his ability to read minds, how could he not know what was going on around him? He simply chose not to care.
The upright have nothing to hide.
If Matt suspected his company was some shady mutant den, then let him investigate.
After all, this was nothing more than an organization of "freeloaders eating and drinking together."
"Another idle day, another wasted afternoon," Herman muttered. With little on his plate lately, he had started binge-watching this world's TV dramas.
The Marvel Universe had an incredibly developed film industry, constantly churning out Hollywood blockbusters—likely thanks to how quickly special effects could be produced.
Whatever the reason, Herman enjoyed himself thoroughly. He spent several days holed up in the office like a complete shut-in, to the point where even Matt started questioning reality.
Not that Herman ignored his real work entirely. From time to time, he checked in on the special effects company to make sure the technicians weren't going too wild with their ideas.
After S.H.I.E.L.D. agents disguised as insurance representatives deposited the settlement into his account, he promptly completed his [Bar Owner] identity mission.
For a wooden-structured bar, construction was as easy as building with blocks. Once he had the workers decorate it into a flirting paradise, Herman received a Bottle of Never-Ending Wine—one that, in fact, tasted far better than a 1982 Lafite.
"Awesome!"
Herman poured himself a glass of fine wine, savoring the moment.
Time quickly rolled into a new seven-day cycle, and he drew a fresh identity once again.
This time, his luck wasn't bad.
[Silver-level Identity—Top-Tier Tycoon!]
[Note—Once activated, this identity will remain permanently effective!]
[On the surface, you are merely a superpowered director destined for godhood. But in truth, this identity is only a disguise for your carefree game among mortals.]
[Behind the facade of poverty, where you rely on exploiting subordinates to survive, you are in reality a deeply hidden top-tier tycoon.]
[You hold absolute control over a cutting-edge biotech corporation. Your team is filled with talent, generating hundreds of billions in annual profits.]
[Now, a national agency has entrusted your company with a major order. You must step forward and decide its direction.]
[Identity Exclusive Mission: Crack the Super Soldier Serum!]
[Mission Reward: Obtain the Overdrive Serum formula!]
A silver-level identity.
It was far better than the two bronze-level identities before, and the exclusive mission rewards instantly became much more substantial. The moment the identity activated, Herman received all the relevant information.
History quietly shifted once again, and Herman transformed into a top-tier tycoon who could play with supermodels until he was sick of it.
Annual profits in the hundreds of billions—money he could literally stuff into his pocket.
Even in the Marvel Universe's Earth, companies capable of creating such immense economic value for their owners or shareholders were few and far between.
"This company produces a wide range of specialty drugs, monopolizing treatment markets for many diseases. It also controls patents for advanced medical equipment worldwide."
From the information he received, Herman quickly grasped the details of the company. At first, his expression remained calm.
But as he read further, his face gradually grew strange.
It wasn't because the company had ties to a national agency. Nor because that agency happened to be his old acquaintance, S.H.I.E.L.D.
A top-tier biotech company having connections with S.H.I.E.L.D. was nothing unusual. After all, even Osborn Industries worked with the military to reverse-engineer the Super Soldier Serum.
So one more company joining the effort wasn't surprising. Especially when even a top scientist like Helen Cho was employed here.
Yes—Herman's company actually had Helen Cho on staff.
But that wasn't what made his expression twist.
What truly left him speechless was the company's name, one that echoed across countless worlds.
Umbrella Corporation.
Herman didn't even know what to say.
The All-Seeing Eye actually enjoyed throwing in this kind of cheesy gag?
And on top of that, S.H.I.E.L.D. having Umbrella research human enhancement serums… seriously, are they trying to stack some broken buff?