S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters, Director's Office.
Nick Fury's single eye stared at two reports displayed side-by-side on a holographic projection.
One was the 9th attempt by the Technical Department to analyze the "Hero Association APP" and its underlying technical system, with the result still being the frustrating "unable to parse, unknown technical source."
The other was Phil Coulson's detailed report on his first contact with Kingpin, whose words revealed the target's toughness, confidence, and unfathomable depth.
"He called us 'partners'?" Fury's voice was low, betraying no emotion, but those familiar with him knew this was a sign of his extreme displeasure.
"Yes, Officer." Coulson stood in front of the desk, his expression solemn. "His attitude was clear: he refused to disclose the technical source, emphasized the Association's independence, and… seemed intent on placing us in an equal, or even slightly subordinate, 'cooperative' position."
Hill added, "More critically, it's the hard power they've demonstrated. Sandman, real name Flint Marko, is in our archives—a low-level super-powered individual with decent abilities but low threat. However, according to the limited footage and analysis returned by our undercover Agent, his control over his abilities and tactical proficiency displayed during the Association's first public mission far exceeded historical records. This rate of short-term improvement is extremely unusual."
"And there's the newly appeared 'The Silent Heart Master,'" Coulson interjected, "whose abilities are highly targeted, handling spiritual contamination incidents cleanly and efficiently. The Association's hero recruitment and training system is terrifyingly efficient."
Fury's fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.
Kingpin's threat level continued to rise in his mind.
This was no longer a gangster trying to go legitimate but a potential leviathan who commanded unknown high technology, possessed efficient talent development capabilities, and harbored ambitions to establish a new order.
Routine monitoring and diplomatic contact were no longer sufficient to ascertain his true intentions.
"We need a deeper assessment." Fury stopped tapping, his single eye sharply fixed on Coulson. "An unofficial, technical 'friendly visit.' Have the 'Laboratory' prepare. You'll lead the team, under the guise of discussing coordinated training and safety protocols for super-powered individuals, and go to the Association Headquarters again. This time, I want to know what their so-called 'Ability Assessment Room' and 'Training Facilities' are all about, and acquire as many technical samples or data as possible."
"Understood, Officer." Coulson understood perfectly.
This was about deploying S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technological detection methods for a reconnaissance mission that was superficially compliant but inherently infiltrative.
A few days later, Agent Phil Coulson reappeared in the top-floor office of Fisk Tower. This time, he was accompanied by two technical experts in white lab coats, carrying silver metal cases, clearly research personnel.
"Agent Coulson, welcome back." Kingpin sat behind a large desk, his tone flat, seemingly unsurprised by their arrival. "It seems S.H.I.E.L.D. is very interested in our Association's 'employee benefits'?"
Coulson wore his standard gentle smile: "Mr. Fisk, you jest. We are simply deeply impressed by your Association's professionalism in the cultivation and safety management of super-powered individuals. S.H.I.E.L.D. is also dedicated to research in this field, and Director Fury hopes we can have the opportunity for some technical exchange and experience sharing, for example, on ability assessment and training methods."
He skillfully avoided the word "investigate," replacing it with "exchange and share."
Kingpin's lips curved into a barely perceptible arc, as if he had seen through everything long ago.
He did not immediately reply but cast his gaze towards the two technical experts behind Coulson, whose eyes were subtly scanning the various electronic devices in the office, their fingers subtly moving on the hidden buttons of their metal cases.
"Exchange? Very well." Kingpin slowly rose, his massive physique exuding an invisible pressure. "Coincidentally, one of our core members is currently undergoing routine training. Perhaps, the experts can offer some 'guidance'."
He gave Coulson no more opportunity to maneuver, directly extending an invitation.
Coulson's heart tightened slightly, but his smile remained unchanged: "It would be an honor."
Led by Kingpin and Wesley, the group took a private elevator deep into the underground area of Fisk Tower.
When the elevator doors opened again, the sight before them astonished both Coulson and the two technical experts.
What lay before them was not the imagined traditional training ground filled with sweat and shouts, but a wide, bright passage with a futuristic, technological feel.
The walls were made of a soft, milky-white luminous material, the floor was some kind of active metal, and the air was so clean it was almost dust-free.
It was terrifyingly quiet, with only the echoes of their footsteps.
Wesley introduced from the side: "This is the Association's hero training area, comprising multiple functional modules such as the Ability Assessment Room, Simulation Training Pods, and Physical Enhancement Zones. We are currently heading to the Simulation Training Pod being used by Mr. Sandman."
Soon, they arrived before a massive, dark blue metallic door.
A simple control panel was on the side of the door.
Wesley operated it a few times, and the metal door silently slid open, revealing the interior.
This was an extremely vast space, where the internal scene was not physical but constructed by high-precision holographic projections and an environmental simulation system — a sweeping desert storm!
Yellow sand filled the sky, visibility was extremely low, the fierce wind howled (simulated sound effects), and hot air waves rushed towards them (simulated tactile sensation).
At the center of the storm, a giant made of sand particles was battling dozens of equally sand-composed but grotesque sand beasts!
The Sandman giant moved swiftly and precisely, at times transforming into quicksand to evade attacks, at others condensing huge sand fists to scatter sand beasts, and sometimes manipulating the entire sandy ground to form quicksand whirlpools to trap enemies.
The battle scene was intense, with strong energy fluctuations (simulated), yet it was oddly contained within a certain range, causing no damage to the training pod itself.
"This is… real-time environment simulation? This level of realism…" one S.H.I.E.L.D. technical expert couldn't help but whisper, the data on their detection instrument's screen frantically jumping, displaying the complex energy fields and physical parameter changes within the pod, its precision and stability far exceeding any existing S.H.I.E.L.D. training facility.
Coulson was also deeply shaken.
Such a training environment would undoubtedly have a significant effect on improving a super-powered individual's combat effectiveness.
Just then, the training seemed to conclude.
The desert storm scene instantly vanished, and the training pod reverted to its original dark space.
Sandman Flint's figure coalesced in the center; he breathed slightly, showing post-training fatigue, but his eyes were sharp, and his aura was much more solid than what Coulson had seen in the files previously.
He saw Kingpin and Wesley and immediately walked over: "Boss, Mr. Wesley." Then, his gaze turned to Coulson and the others with a hint of vigilance.
"Continue your training, Marko," Kingpin said flatly.
"Yes, Boss." Sandman didn't ask further and turned to walk to the nearby rest area, where special nutrient solutions and recovery equipment provided by the Association were available.
Kingpin then turned to Coulson, his tone still even: "Well? Agent Coulson, do our training facilities still meet S.H.I.E.L.D.'s standards?"
Coulson suppressed the turmoil in his heart, trying to maintain his smile: "Astonishing technology, Mr. Fisk. I wonder if we might be fortunate enough to visit other facilities, such as… the Ability Assessment Room? We are very curious about your Association's precise ability determination system."
This was one of their core objectives for this trip.
Kingpin glanced at him, not refusing: "Very well."
He led everyone to the [Ability Assessment Room] that Flint had once experienced.
Unlike the grandeur of the training pod, this place appeared more precise and… mysterious.
As soon as the two S.H.I.E.L.D. technical experts entered the assessment room, they were like entering a treasure vault, their eyes instantly glowing with fervor.
Their detection instruments emitted more urgent beeps, and the energy readings and various unknown fluctuation curves displayed on their screens made them gasp for breath.
"The particle composition of this scanning beam… never seen before!"
"The energy transmission method… violates known physical laws!"
"Where is the core processing unit? Cannot detect any physical server!"
They attempted to use their concealed equipment for deeper scans and data interception; however, all detection waves, upon contacting the assessment room's walls and core platform, vanished as if into a bottomless pit, or were instantly interfered with and blocked by a more advanced encryption protocol.
They couldn't even understand the most basic operating principles of this room!
Kingpin and Wesley stood at the doorway, calmly watching their futile efforts.
In Kingpin's eyes, there was even a hint of subtle mockery.
"It seems S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technical experts are very interested in our equipment?" Kingpin slowly spoke, breaking the silence.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Coulson's face, and he quickly said: "Just professional habit, Mr. Fisk, please don't mind. Your Association's technology is indeed… unique."
Just then, inside the assessment room, the cold, inhuman electronic synthetic voice suddenly rang out, not directed at anyone, as if making a routine announcement:
"Unauthorized high-frequency detection signal detected, signal source: external portable device."
"Signal identified: S.H.I.E.L.D. standard reconnaissance unit (model: S.H.I.E.L.D.-7C)."
"Risk assessment: Low. Counter-shielding activated."
"Notice: If technical exchange is required, please submit an application through official channels."
"…"
A dead silence fell over the assessment room.
The faces of the two technical experts instantly turned ashen, and the screens of their instruments immediately went black, clearly having their internal components directly burned out by a stronger signal.
Coulson's smile completely froze, and a layer of cold sweat seeped from his back.
The other party not only instantly identified the model of their reconnaissance equipment but also casually countered it, and… directly called them out!
This was no longer a technological gap; this was an overwhelming dimensional suppression!
It was a naked, silent demonstration!
Kingpin acted as if he hadn't heard the electronic voice, still looking at Coulson, his tone flat and unwavering: "Agent Coulson, it seems your equipment isn't quite suited to this environment. If you need technical support, perhaps our Association's Logistics Department can take a look?"
Coulson took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and managed a smile uglier than a cry: "No… no need, Mr. Fisk. It might be equipment malfunction. Today's visit has been very enlightening for us, and I think we should head back; we need to report to Director Fury… your Association's 'sincerity in cooperation'."
He specifically emphasized "sincerity in cooperation" with a hint of bitterness.
This "friendly visit" not only yielded nothing for S.H.I.E.L.D. but also resulted in a solid display of power from the other side, leaving them thoroughly humiliated.
Watching Coulson's group leave somewhat disheveled, Wesley whispered, "Boss, isn't that a bit too…"
"Just right." Kingpin interrupted him, his gaze deep. "Fury needs to clearly recognize the disparity. Only then will he think twice before reaching out next time."
"Cooperation is possible, but it must be on our terms."
He turned, looking at the dark blue core platform of the assessment room, the system's prompt seemingly still echoing in his mind.
"Successfully defended against the technical reconnaissance attempt by external organization 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' Association's technological deterrent power increased."
"Task 'Establish Boundaries' progress updated: 1/3."
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first substantive probe was easily thwarted.
But Kingpin knew this was just the beginning.
Fury, that old fox, would never give up easily.
However, he wasn't worried, because the cards he held were far more numerous than anyone could imagine.