At this very moment.
Hawk looked at the lights of New York outside the floor-to-ceiling window, toying with an exquisite brass lighter in his hand. His fingers deftly flipped it, the lighter jumping, turning, disappearing, and reappearing between his fingers so fast it was a blur. "King..." he murmured softly to himself, a slight curve to his lips. He had adopted this codename three years ago and used this identity to fight crime on the streets of Brooklyn. This current operation also continued to use this identity.
His phone screen lit up; it was an encrypted message from Andy: [Everything is ready. The list has been 'leaked' as planned. The bait is in the water.]
Hawk Lane smiled faintly, picked up the remote control from the table, and gently pressed a button. The massive floor-to-ceiling glass wall instantly transformed into a screen, displaying continuously scrolling global financial market data and several encrypted communication windows. The city lights outside remained brilliant. Outside the door, footsteps approached, very light, with the caution of a feline.
Gu Ja-yoon stood at the study door, wearing comfortable but high-quality casual clothes sent by Andy. Her blood-stained face, now clean, appeared pale in the soft light. She held a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a sandwich. Her movements were a bit stiff; clearly, "serving" was more unfamiliar to her than killing.
"Put it on the table." Hawk didn't look up, his fingers rapidly tapping on the virtual keyboard, processing a report on Bates Capital's recent suspicious financial flows. Gu Ja-yoon placed the tray as instructed but didn't leave, her gaze sweeping over the complex data streams and "high priority" document summaries on his screen. She said nothing, but Hawk could feel the power latent within her in a low, standby state, like dormant embers.
"At the base, they only taught you how to destroy," Hawk finally stopped typing, picked up the cup, and took a sip. "No one taught you how to live, or to think 'why'." Gu Ja-yoon's eyes flickered, but she remained silent.
"Andy will arrange everything for you. Identity, housing, basic life skills training." Hawk pointed to the window. "The rules of the outside world are different; power isn't the only currency. Observe, learn, and execute precisely when I need you." His tone was flat.
Gu Ja-yoon's lips moved slightly. She wanted to ask when she could go to a New York nightclub to try the city's cheap alcohol, but thought better of it and remained silent, simply nodding slightly in response.
Soon after, another much lighter set of footsteps sounded. Shin Shi-ah poked her head in like a curious little bird. She had changed into a pink hoodie with a cartoon cat print, her hair simply tied back, her face showing the nervousness of a new environment and a hint of irrepressible excitement.
"H-Hawk... Mr. Hawk?" Her voice was soft, with a distinct Korean accent. "Sister Andy said... we can have our own rooms? Really? Big? Can we see the lights outside?" Her eyes sparkled, filled with the most innocent imagination of "freedom" – a space of her own, without surveillance cameras.
A hint of a smile appeared on Hawk's face. This girl's innocence was like an untarnished mirror, reflecting the darkness of the base. "Yes, Shi-ah. A big room. Do you like bright lights? The whole city lights up at night." He pointed to the large floor-to-ceiling window.
Shin Shi-ah followed his finger, letting out a small gasp of wonder: "Wow... just like in TV shows!" She turned to Hawk, gathering her courage to ask, "So... what should I do from now on? Sister Gu said we have to listen to you..." She cautiously glanced at Gu Ja-yoon beside her.
"Just be yourself, Shi-ah," Hawk said gently. "First, get to know your room. Andy will teach you basic life skills." "Do you want to draw? Or read? Anything is fine." "Your ability is very special. Perhaps... we can slowly figure out how to make it more interesting, rather than scary." He emphasized "interesting" rather than "useful." This girl needed guidance and security, not to be immediately thrown into cold missions.
Shin Shi-ah's eyes shone brighter: "Draw? Really? I... I only secretly drew on paper before..." She nodded vigorously, a pure smile blossoming on her face. "Thank you, Mr. King!" She had clearly remembered the codename Hawk had casually given himself, finding it both mysterious and cool.
"I have one more question!" Shin Shi-ah raised her arm like a good student.
"Hmm?"
"What were you and that auntie doing in the room just now? The sounds were a bit... naughty?"
Shin Shi-ah's innocent voice broke the sudden silence in the room. Gu Ja-yoon quietly stepped back a few paces, awkwardly covering her eyes and turning her head away.
Hawk blinked. "This apartment of mine cost two hundred thousand dollars just for soundproofing..."
Gu Ja-yoon quietly interjected, "But for us, it was still quite clear. Though, Mr. Hawk, you are truly strong!" She even gave a thumbs-up.
"Fu... That was just an ordinary leopard-print auntie..." Hawk swallowed the American expletive that was about to escape, forced a smile, and pulled a stack of cash from a drawer, tossing it to Gu Ja-yoon. "You two go stay out for a night. I'll arrange new accommodation for you later."
After ushering the two out, Hawk sighed in relief. This apartment had good feng shui, often frequented by young models and actresses seeking his "blessings." He couldn't have them listening in every time, could he?
His phone vibrated again; it was an encrypted message from Andy: [The fish have taken the bait. Bates' vultures have smelled the blood in Busan and are trying to cover their tracks and transfer assets. The 'leaked' list has caused a stir among the target group. Preliminary assessment: S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention has been drawn.]
Hawk put down his phone, his expression turning serious, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Andy's efficiency was, as always, astonishing. Hawk had deliberately left his "King" signature in the Busan base's main server, and the top-tier watch that "accidentally" appeared in frame when destroying the base, were like giant stones thrown into a calm lake. Bates Capital must now be in a frenzy, likely facing Alexander Pierce's furious reprimand and the risk of exposure, while desperately trying to cover their tracks, possibly even resorting to more foolish actions out of desperation. This was exactly what Hawk wanted – chaotic enemies were more prone to mistakes, easier to completely eliminate. And S.H.I.E.L.D.'s involvement was a crucial part of the plan.
If he hadn't drawn the **[Conceptual Immortality]** ability, he might have continued to keep a low profile, perhaps only secretly targeting Bates Capital. But with conceptual immortality, he felt he had immense capital, daring to pluck at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s tiger whiskers and poke Hydra's backside. The description of Conceptual Immortality clearly stated that its scope encompassed the entire omniverse. This meant that only an omniversal-level deity personally intervening could erase him; otherwise, it would be difficult for him to die. Never mind that this was likely the cinematic universe; even in the entire Marvel continuity, how many omniversal-level beings were there? Even the most powerful beings in the cinematic universe couldn't erase him. Even if Thanos gathered the Infinity Gauntlet and briefly made him disappear, he would return before long. Moreover, at this point in time, Tony was just a playboy, Captain America was still frozen in ice, Doctor Strange was studying neurosurgery, and Captain Marvel was somewhere in the cosmic boonies... What could S.H.I.E.L.D. do against him? Skrulls? Hawkeye and Black Widow? Or directly send a hundred Quinjets to engage in a dogfight? He wasn't scared at all!
The assassins hired by Bates Capital this time had indeed angered Hawk. Since this incident involved both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, it was necessary to give them a warning. Nick Fury's single eye would never miss any clues about supernatural or superhuman events, especially those involving bioweapons programs. In Hawk's view, the hidden Hydra was more dangerous than S.H.I.E.L.D. With projects of the "Witch Project's" caliber, who knew if Hydra had more? How many? Hawk needed the "attention" of this king of agents, needed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s vast intelligence network and deterrent power to stir the waters and divert pressure from Hydra, and even deeper forces. But he currently had no intention of truly revealing his identity as "King" to S.H.I.E.L.D.; it wasn't time yet, so he could only use this tactic of "half-concealed, half-revealed." *I'll give you the intelligence that I am "King," but if you ask if I am, sorry, I won't admit it!* Let S.H.I.E.L.D. investigate "King" and the Busan wreckage; Hawk Lane would remain the heir to a commercial empire.
Hawk's fingers tapped unconsciously on the desktop, the rhythm steady and cold. "Next target, it's you, Bates Capital..." Hawk picked up the now slightly cool coffee, his light-brown eyes reflecting the data and reports on the screen. There was plenty of dirt on Bates Capital, from petty intimidation and extortion to murder and arson... and many commercial crimes. Hawk bundled it all and sent it to Andy.
Then, just as he was about to go to bed, his phone suddenly vibrated. He glanced at it and, among the 9999+ unread messages, saw a new message from Adriana Lima.
"Dear Mr. Hawk, are you asleep?"
Hawk casually replied: "Yes, I am."
"Mr. Hawk, I'm downstairs, please let me up! Please!"
Hawk leaned out and looked downstairs. Sure enough, a woman wrapped in a coat stood in the wind. He sighed. "Come up, the code is 004321."
"Yes!" Adriana downstairs jumped excitedly. She rushed into the lobby, entered the code under the surprised gaze of the security guard, and entered the elevator. Adriana Lima. A supermodel from Brazil, Victoria's Secret Angel, Victoria's Secret contract model... and also one of the many supermodels at Hawk's yacht parties...
Soon, Hawk opened the door for Adriana. A charming woman, wrapped in a thick coat, walked in with a smiling face. It must be said that, at only 25 years old, she exuded the charm of a mature woman, yet her eyes were filled with a girlish innocence. As soon as she entered, she discarded her coat, revealing a form-fitting black bodycon dress that outlined her slender waist and perky buttocks. Her smooth, long legs were encased in black fishnet stockings, exceptionally alluring.
"Long time no see." Hawk smiled faintly, welcoming her in.
"Indeed, long time no see. What has our young and handsome Mr. Hawk been busy with lately?" In truth, he and she weren't that familiar; at most, they had met a few times. Now that Adriana was so eagerly seeking him out, it was likely she was coming to offer herself again!
Sure enough. Ten minutes later! The sound of Adriana's heels clicking on the floor echoed in the bathroom hallway.
...
Two hours later, Hawk looked down at the captivating Adriana Lima, reaching out to caress her delicate face, finally pinching her smooth chin, and smilingly said: "Alright, tell me directly, what do you want? I'm in a good mood now, so even a slightly excessive request is fine."
Adriana was worth several million dollars and was still very young, with a long career ahead. While this amount of assets was nothing compared to the Lane family name, she wasn't just any peripheral woman who could be casually applauded. When Adriana sought him out, Hawk knew that she wanted something. But for Hawk, any problem that money could solve was not a problem.
Adriana looked at Hawk resentfully. Was it really necessary to state things so bluntly? Everyone knew what was going on; what was the point of breaking the unspoken understanding? *I can do it, but you can't say it!* However, seeing Hawk gradually growing impatient, Adriana quickly explained her situation. Adriana was in the rising phase of her career and had recently been selected as a cover girl candidate for the prestigious global men's magazine *GQ*. Although she was confident, her competitors were also very strong. Clearly, another lost lamb looking for a shortcut.