"Queens...? Milk... Milk Tea?" Wesley felt his professional career had encountered an unprecedented challenge, even beginning to suspect if he was hallucinating from too much stress recently.
His boss, who was always strategizing and whose aura could make gang enforcers cry, had just lost three million in goods, had his territory snatched by rivals, and his lab even created a demolition robot...
And at this critical juncture, he said, with the solemn tone of announcing a merger with Stark Industries—that he was going to Queens to buy a cup of milk tea?
This was more terrifying than hearing Kingpin announce he was running for Miss U.S.!
Kingpin ignored his assistant's almost splitting expression.
His massive body turned indoors, his back to the urban nightscape symbolizing power and darkness, his attention completely focused on the blue light screen floating in his mind, seemingly winking at him.
"[Mission accepted! Navigation activated, thoughtfully planning the optimal route for you, avoiding rush hour ~ Estimated arrival time: 28 minutes. Please depart soon, the target's emotional fluctuations are intensifying, if you don't go now, there might be a 'pearl' missile bombardment!]
On the light screen, a cheeky arrow symbol was flashing, pointing in the direction of Queens.
There was no cold countdown, only "warm" reminders like a ride-share driver.
Kingpin's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
The system's interactive design had an air of impropriety.
"Yes, milk tea." He turned back, his voice returning to its usual composure, even carrying an undeniable authority, as if the shocking words just now were merely Wesley's collective hallucination.
"I'm going alone.
You stay and deal with those 'problems' you just reported."
"But, boss, your safety..." Wesley tried to dissuade him.
His boss going to Queens alone? This was practically a luxury buffet coupon delivered to all his enemies!
"Do as I say." Kingpin interrupted him, his tone flat but carrying immense weight.
He needed to verify the authenticity of this system by himself, and... deal with that so-called "milk Tea Addict."
Bringing his subordinates?
Was he supposed to let them watch their boss engage in a philosophical debate (or physical persuasion) with a milk tea victim for an "experience mission"?
Would Kingpin still be able to make a living in this city?
Social death was more terrifying than physical death!
Wesley knew his boss's temper well, swallowed all his questions, and bowed, saying, "Yes, boss.
The car will be ready immediately." He quickly retreated, his mind already racing, guessing whether some incomprehensible, farsighted plan (such as that milk tea shop actually being a money laundering front for an emerging underground force?) was hidden behind his boss's abnormal behavior.
Silence returned to the office.
Kingpin once again focused his thoughts on the system's light screen.
Besides the [Mission] interface, several other options were lit up.
He clicked on [Shop].
The light screen switched, displaying a dazzling list of items, but most were grayed out and unselectable, marked with "Insufficient Authority" or "Insufficient Points."
Scanning roughly, Kingpin's pupils constricted slightly.
"[Primary Gene Optimization Fluid]: Slightly enhances physical fitness, eliminates hidden injuries.
Points: 1000."
"[Mark I Single-Soldier Power Arm Guard (Non-Stark Version)]:
Increases arm strength by 50%, with basic impact module.
Points: 5000."
"[Neural Interface Combat Suit (Basic Model)]:
Provides limited physical protection, built-in vital sign monitoring.
Points: 3000."
"[Ability Awakening Potion (Random E~D Class)]:
Has a small chance to awaken latent superpowers.
Points: 10000...
Scrolling further down, he even saw things like [Regional Environmental Stabilization Force Field Generator (Small)] and [Interdimensional Communication Base (Blueprint)], which looked like pure black technology, followed by a long string of zeros that made Kingpin, who was used to grand scenes, feel dizzy.
The tech tree of the items in this shop was clearly skewed, and quite absurdly so.
Some technological concepts even surpassed those publicly available from Stark Industries.
This didn't seem like a combat system; it was more like a... super department store? Or perhaps, a technology expo?
Closing the Shop, he clicked on [Warehouse].
It was empty, with only a golden parcel icon in the corner, labeled [Newbie Welcome Pack (Pending Opening)].
Finally, his gaze fell on the name [Hero Association System], and he mentally posed a question: "System, explain your origin and purpose.
Also, can your speaking tone be more normal?"
"[This system comes from a highly developed (redacted) civilization, committed to promoting the advanced concepts of 'Order, Efficiency, and Sustainable Development' across the multiverse!
It has been detected that you, the host, possess excellent resource integration capabilities, organizational management experience, strategic vision, and a strong potential need for 'stable order', making you the unparalleled choice for this system on this timeline and Planet!
Strong alliance, create brilliance together!
As for the tone ~ this is to alleviate the tension of our first collaboration and provide a better user experience!
If you don't like it, you can switch to [Business Serious Mode] or [Cold and Ruthless Mode] ~!]
The system's electronic voice still carried that cheerful tone, but the information was massive.
Kingpin: "..."
He was actually evaluated as a "management talent" by an alien (?) system?
And he was chosen because he was bad enough, resourceful enough, and had a large enough territory?
The logic of this system was even more bizarre than his subordinates' fake account books!
"So, what you need isn't a 'hero' in the traditional sense, but someone who can establish and manage a hero organization... a CEO? A project manager?"
"[Bingo! Host, your comprehension is perfect!
You can be considered the founder and CEO of the 'Hero Association' project.
The system will provide necessary technology, initial framework, and goal guidance to assist you in making this project bigger and stronger, achieving new glories!
Maintaining World peace is merely a side benefit; our core KPI is—to establish a profitable, sustainable, and scalable management system for extraordinary powers!]
Well, transitioning from crime lord to Hero Association CEO, while a significant career leap, seemed to have the same core function... management?
Just that the objects of management changed from criminals and thugs to superheroes?
Managing those flying, earth-escaping, spandex-clad oddballs with KPIs and regulations?
This thought made Kingpin feel even more absurd, but deep down, a long-suppressed "project management soul" from his previous life seemed to stir faintly.
It seemed... a little interesting?
"[Friendly Reminder: Target 'Milk Tea Addict' emotional fluctuations have reached their peak, with a risk of transforming into a 'Pearl Jet'.
It is recommended that the host depart as soon as possible to experience the practical combat assistance function of this system ~!]
On the light screen, the blinking frequency of the small red dot representing the mission target significantly accelerated, accompanied by an emoticon "(╯°□°）╯ ︵ ┻━┻".
No more delays.
Although this system seemed unreliable, the things it offered appeared to be real.
To verify, and for that bit of "interestingness," he had to complete this novice experience.
He took heavy strides towards the office door.
He needed to complete his first "project" as CEO—resolving a "bloody case" triggered by a cup of milk tea.
By the time he walked out of the office, Wesley had arranged everything.
A discreet but tank-like bulletproof black luxury sedan was parked at the exclusive elevator entrance.
Sitting in the spacious back seat, when Kingpin told the driver the name of the milk tea shop, he distinctly felt the driver's hand gripping the steering wheel tighten, as if he had heard some World-ending password.
The sedan silently glided into the New York night traffic.
Kingpin leaned back in the comfortable leather seat, closing his eyes to rest, though his mind was far from as calm as his exterior.
He tried to mentally open the [Newbie Welcome Pack].
"[Obtained: Points x 100 (automatically deposited into account)]"
"[Obtained: Primary Stamina Recovery Potion x 1 (tastes like sparkling water, highly effective!)]"
"[Obtained: Identity Disguise Glasses (Normal) x 1] (Note: can interfere with facial recognition to a certain extent, but has limited effect on acquaintances or high-perception targets, mainly for psychological comfort.)"
"[Obtained: 'Monster Encyclopedia' access (partially unlocked)]"
Not much, but better than nothing.
The 100 points were exactly the mission reward, like an advance.
The stamina recovery potion was a small glass bottle containing a fizzing blue liquid.
The disguise glasses looked like ordinary black-rimmed glasses.
And in the "Monster Encyclopedia," the entry for "Milk Tea Addict" was already lit up.
"[Monster Name: Milk Tea Addict (tentative)]"
"[Threat Level: Wolf-Class (trending towards tiger-level, depending on pearl inventory)]"
"[Origin: Extreme craving for a specific substance (bubble tea) goes unsatisfied, stimulated by specific emotions (despair, anger), triggering unknown energy mutation.]"
"[Ability Characteristics: Slightly enhanced strength, increased skin toughness, extremely unstable emotions, possesses certain material transformation abilities (may transform surrounding objects into milk tea-related attack objects, such as pearls, coconut jelly, milk foam, etc.).]"
"[Weakness: Obsession with milk tea (especially pearls) is the core of his power, and may also become a mental breakthrough point.
Physical exorcism is also effective, but it is recommended to pay attention to methods to avoid secondary pollution.]"
Kingpin silently closed the encyclopedia.
Physical exorcism... he was very good at that, but what the hell was "secondary pollution"?
Being buried by pearls?
The car drove into Queens, and the surrounding scenery gradually became more civilian.
Soon, the driver stopped at a street corner and whispered, "Boss, we're here.
That's the shop."
Kingpin looked through the dark car window.
He saw a pink-decorated milk tea shop entrance, surrounded by many onlookers, and the flashing lights of a Police car.
In the center of the crowd, a figure was going berserk.
It was a young man in his early twenties, originally appearing thin, but now his muscles were bulging, almost tearing his T-shirt.
His skin had an unhealthy, light brown color, similar to milk tea, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was emitting incomprehensible roars.
He was manually dismantling the advertising stand at the milk tea shop entrance, the metal frame like paper in his hands.
The most bizarre thing was that he casually picked up scattered pebbles or trash from the ground, squeezed them hard, and those things twisted and deformed in his hands, finally turning into sticky, sweet-smelling black pearl-like objects, which he haphazardly threw around, causing onlookers to shriek and dodge.
"My... milk tea!
Limited edition... brown sugar boba!!!" The monster roared incoherently while destroying things, "Why didn't you save any for me!
Why!"
Several Police officers tried to subdue him with batons and pepper spray, but the "pearls" hit with considerable force and were incredibly sticky, greatly hindering their movements.
Pepper spray seemed to have little effect on him.
"Did you see that? That guy's crazy!"
"Oh my God, he turned the trash can into a pile of pearls!"
"Just because he didn't get milk tea?"
The onlookers' chatter drifted into the car.
Kingpin pushed open the car door, and the moment his massive body stepped out of the compartment, it was as if the surrounding air solidified.
He put on the disguise glasses, knowing they probably wouldn't do much, but at least they gave him some psychological comfort—after all, if news got out that Kingpin himself was dealing with a "Milk Tea Addict," his years of accumulated notoriety would become a joke.
He parted the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea.
Everyone around him instinctively made way for him, intimidated by his terrifying physique and the invisible aura he exuded.
The Police officers grappling with the monster also noticed him and sternly warned, "Sir, step back!
It's dangerous here!"
Kingpin ignored them.
His gaze locked onto the monster still frantically creating "pearls."
"[Target confirmed: 'Milk Tea Addict'.
Threat Level: Wolf-Class (Peak).
Recommended 'physical withdrawal' therapy, or... fight fire with fire, buy him a cup?]
The system's prompt sounded at the right time, still carrying that teasing tone as if enjoying the show.
Kingpin rotated his thick neck, producing a crisp crack.
He walked towards the monster step by step, his gait steady, as if he were about to engage in a business negotiation.
The "Milk Tea Addict" also felt an unprecedented sense of oppression, his bloodshot eyes turning to Kingpin, he roared, "You... you want to steal my milk tea too?!"
He suddenly grabbed a brick from the ground, squeezed it hard, and the brick rapidly twisted and changed color in his hand, transforming into a basketball-sized, dark and shiny "pearl," which he hurled towards Kingpin's face with a whistling sound!
Facing an attack strong enough to knock out a bull, Kingpin didn't even dodge.
He simply raised his arm, which was as thick as an ordinary person's thigh, his five fingers spread like a giant fan.
"Snap!"
A dull thud.
The powerful "pearl" was firmly caught in his hand, motionless.
Sticky black liquid slowly seeped from between his fingers.
The monster froze, a hint of bewilderment flashing in his bloodshot eyes.
Kingpin looked down at the slightly trembling "pearl" in his hand, then looked up at the monster, and in his unique, deep and magnetic voice, spoke his first official line as the (preparatory) chairman of the "Hero Association":
"Young man."
He exerted a slight force with his wrist, and the hard "pearl" was easily crushed in his palm, turning into a puddle of black viscous liquid.
"Excessive sugar intake is not good for your health."