The chaos at the southern end of the Brooklyn Bridge did not immediately subside with the thunderous collapse of the broken-car mecha. The air was filled with the pungent smell of burning rubber, the scent of leaked gasoline, and the dazed fear that followed the narrow escape from disaster. Twisted car wrecks were scattered everywhere, like ruins from a modern war. Siren sounds approached from a distance, and flashing red and blue lights tried to dispel the panic in the area.
And in the center of this wreckage stood Sandman Flint Marko. His dark brown Hero Association combat uniform was stained with some dust and oil, but his posture was straight. The gazes of the surrounding civilians were no longer the indifference or wariness they once held for an outcast, but were now filled with gratitude, curiosity, and even a hint of admiration.
"Hero! Thank you!"
"Are you okay?"
"That move was so cool!"
These voices flooded Flint's ears, making him a little uncomfortable, yet he felt an unprecedented warmth spread throughout his body. He was not used to this kind of attention and could only nod awkwardly to the surroundings, while calmly reassuring them in a steady voice, as taught in the Hero Association's emergency response manual: "Everyone, please remain calm, stay away from the debris, be careful, and paramedics and Police will arrive soon."
His voice carried a steady composure, tempered by hardship, which inexplicably put people at ease.
Soon, NYPD patrol cars and ambulances arrived at the scene, taking over the evacuation of the crowd, aiding the injured, and setting up a cordon. Several Police officers walked towards Sandman. The lead officer looked at the unique, strong man before him and the still-smoking mecha wreckage, his eyes complex.
"I'm Sheriff Anderson. Thank you for your timely intervention, ... sir?" The officer's tone was tentative and respectful. He recognized the identity represented by the uniform but didn't know the specific name.
"Sandman," Flint stated his codename, his voice calm, "Hero Association."
"Sandman... sir." Sheriff Anderson nodded, his gaze sweeping over the strangely shaped remnants of the sand wall, which had been partially vitrified by high temperatures, and the mecha fragments with their gaps almost filled with sand. He felt a secret awe. This ability, and this efficient way of solving problems, was completely different from the 'vigilante' actions of the past, which often came with significant collateral damage. "Could you briefly describe what happened? We need to record it."
Flint succinctly described the incident, from the appearance of the mecha to its subdueing, omitting the details of his abilities, only emphasizing that the target was an emotionally unstable mutant who had been subdued and was not in life-threatening danger.
Just as he was cooperating with the Police, a unique, low rumble of an engine approached from a distance. A pitch-black, angular van, emblazoned with the Hero Association emblem, skillfully navigated through the chaotic traffic, despite its large size, and stopped steadily outside the cordon.
The door slid open, and several Logistics Department personnel, dressed in uniform blue work clothes and moving efficiently, jumped out. They didn't even spare a glance at the grim scene or the newly minted hero, but quickly retrieved various peculiar equipment from the vehicle.
One person held a device similar to a large vacuum cleaner. When activated, it emitted a low hum and began efficiently cleaning up scattered broken glass, metal fragments, and some unnecessary sand residue from the ground.
Another person used a scanner-like device to quickly scan the mecha wreckage and the unconscious driver, seemingly assessing the level of contamination and its recycling value.
Yet another walked towards the partially vitrified sand wall, spraying some colorless and odorless chemical agent with a sprayer. The sprayed sand wall quickly loosened and was then easily recovered by the 'large vacuum cleaner.'
Their movements were professional, efficient, and silent, as if handling such scenes was routine. In just over ten minutes, the main debris and hazardous materials were cleaned up, marked, and loaded onto the vehicle. Although the scene was still chaotic, it at least no longer looked so shocking, clearing many obstacles for the subsequent restoration work by the municipal department.
Sheriff Anderson and the surrounding Police officers were stunned. They had handled many supernatural incidents, but which one didn't leave a mess that required multiple departments—municipal, environmental, and fire—to deal with for several days? This kind of professional, fast, and targeted logistical handling was the first they had ever seen.
"This... your Association even handles this?" Sheriff Anderson couldn't help but ask.
A Logistics Department staff member looked up, pushed up his goggles, and replied in a flat tone: "Association principle: heroes are responsible for solving problems, and we are responsible for solving the 'problems' caused by problems. It is our duty to minimize secondary impact on social order and public property."
After speaking, they said no more, continuing to work diligently. They quickly completed the initial site processing and drove away, coming and going quickly, their deeds unrecognized.
This operation not only impressed the Police but was also recorded by many civilians who had not yet left and reporters who had rushed to the scene with their mobile phones, quickly spreading online.
"Efficient! The Hero Association Not Only Solves Crises, But Also Handles 'After-Sales' Cleanup!"
"Striking Contrast: On the Battle Damage Ratio of Professional Teams Versus Lone Wolves"
"Sandman's Debut Concludes Perfectly, Association Logistics Stuns NYPD!"
Online public opinion once again stirred up waves. Sandman's unique sand manipulation ability and steady combat style, as well as the professionalism displayed by the Association's Logistics Department team, created a powerful visual and conceptual impact.
Flint did not linger too long. After cooperating with the Police for the most basic inquiries, he discreetly left the scene under Wesley's remote instructions. He chose not to make a grand entrance but transformed back into an inconspicuous cloud of dust, moving silently along the shadows of buildings, returning to the Association headquarters. This restrained attitude earned him another wave of praise for being 'pragmatic and unassuming.'
Returning to Fisk Tower, Flint went directly to the [Ability Assessment Room] that had already become familiar to him. Although the battle was not long, he felt he had gained a lot. He needed to consolidate the insights gained from this practical experience.
"[Detecting Hero 'Sandman' return. Initiate post-battle ability fine-tuning analysis?]" The system's electronic voice sounded.
"Yes," Flint stepped onto the platform.
A beam of light scanned over him.
"[Analysis complete.]"
"[Sand particle control precision: increased by 0.7%. Form transformation speed: increased by 1.2%. Environmental sand particle perception range: extended to 7 meters.]"
"[Combat application evaluation: Excellent. Successfully utilized environmental interference, weakness evasion, and preliminary form transformation techniques (Sand Blade). Recommended to strengthen sand particle cohesion strength and energy resistance training.]"
Looking at the improvement data on the screen, precise to the decimal point, Flint's heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment. This tangible progress was more invigorating than any empty encouragement.
He clicked on his hero account, and the 150 points were already credited, sitting quietly there. He eagerly entered the Association's internal store (Hero Edition).
A dazzling array of exchange items appeared before him. Although most high-end goods were still beyond his reach, there were many more options now available than before.
His gaze quickly locked onto an item he had been longing for:
"[Advanced Sand Control Techniques (Beginner)]": Includes more refined sand particle compression, structural stability, and energy conduction techniques. Points required for exchange: 120 points.
With almost no hesitation, Flint immediately chose to exchange.
"[120 points consumed. Remaining points: 30 points. Knowledge transfer in preparation...]"
A cool data stream, containing a wealth of information and instinctive bodily memories, poured into Flint's mind like a sudden enlightenment. How to more effectively mobilize every grain of sand, how to make the internal structure of sand particles more stable when condensed, how to evenly distribute impact force... all kinds of techniques and insights were instantly understood and absorbed by him.
He subconsciously raised his hand, his mind slightly moving. The sand particles in his palm no longer simply condensed into a rough shape, but rapidly and precisely constructed a miniature, structurally complex model of the Eiffel Tower. Every detail was clearly visible and exceptionally stable!
Flint looked at the exquisite sand sculpture in his hand, his eyes bursting with surprise. He could feel that his control over his abilities had reached a whole new level! These 120 points were incredibly well spent!
Meanwhile, in the top-floor office.
Kingpin looked at the various reports on Sandman's debut on the screen—from the combat process, public reaction, media evaluation, to logistical handling, and even Sandman's recently completed point exchange and ability enhancement—without any expression of surprise on his face.
Everything was progressing steadily according to the script he had set.
Sandman's successful debut clearly conveyed several messages to the outside world:
1. The Hero Association has truly capable heroes.
2. The Association's handling methods are more professional and responsible, with extremely low collateral damage.
3. By joining the Association, heroes can not only receive remuneration but also genuinely improve their strength.
This was more effective than any advertisement.
"Tell Sandman he did very well," Kingpin said to Wesley. "Let him train with peace of mind and digest what he has learned. The Association will have new missions soon."
"Yes, boss," Wesley bowed in response, then added, "Also, Stark Industries seems to be showing unusual interest in the cleaning equipment used by our Logistics Department."
A cold, hard curve formed at Kingpin's lips.
"Interested?"
"Let them be interested."
"This is just the beginning."