After dinner at May's house, Karl did not stay the night. Instead, he drove a sleek black Lamborghini down the highway toward his farm in the suburbs.
This was no ordinary car.
It was one of the rewards he had obtained earlier that afternoon.
Earlier That Afternoon
After failing to deduce the logic behind the system's sign-in trigger, Karl decided not to overthink it.
"System, sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained:]
Cybertronian Robot: Speedster ×1
• Senzu Beans ×3
• Superpower Training Box ×1
Cybertronian Robot: Speedster
A mechanical lifeform from the Transformers universe.
Can freely transform between humanoid robot, sports car, and motorcycle modes.
Possesses advanced combat capabilities and absolute loyalty to the host.
Senzu Beans
A miraculous food from the Dragon Ball world.
Instantly restores stamina, energy, and physical condition.
Heals injuries and returns the body to peak condition, provided the user is alive.
Superpower Training Box
A futuristic device from Doraemon.
Enables training in three abilities:
Telekinesis
Clairvoyance
Teleportation
Requires three hours of daily training over three years to achieve mastery.
Karl's eyes lit up.
"Not bad at all… Speedster, Senzu Beans, and the training box are all top-tier."
He stepped outside and retrieved Speedster from system storage.
A black Lamborghini materialized in front of him.
Panels shifted.
Metal folded and rotated.
Within two seconds, the vehicle transformed into a towering black-and-silver mechanical warrior nearly nine meters tall.
The robot knelt on one knee.
"Speedster greets the leader."
Karl stared in amazement.
Childhood dreams had a way of returning in unexpected forms.
"Very good," he said with a grin. "Call me Boss."
"Yes, Boss."
"Transform into motorcycle mode."
"Understood."
Click—click—click.
Moments later, Speedster shifted into a streamlined black-and-silver motorcycle. Its metallic finish and aerodynamic lines far surpassed the superbike Karl had purchased earlier.
Its performance capabilities were undoubtedly superior.
"Stay in the garage for now," Karl said. "And you can access Earth's networks, correct?"
"Yes, Boss. I can interface with global communication systems."
"Good. Monitor Tony Stark's movements and build a secure virtual banking infrastructure. I'll be depositing large sums soon."
"Yes, Boss."
Karl returned inside and examined the Superpower Training Box.
Three years was unacceptable.
He needed strength now.
Without hesitation, he summoned a Woodcutter's Spring and placed it on the floor.
He threw the training box inside.
Then he put on the Ninja Mask and entered a heightened state of alertness, even lowering his body temperature slightly to sharpen focus.
A multicolored glow filled the room.
The Woodcutter Goddess emerged, holding two identical boxes.
"Did you lose the imperfect training box… or the perfect training box?"
Her voice carried an almost hypnotic allure.
Karl felt the pull — a subtle temptation urging him toward the perfect box.
His instincts screamed danger.
He formed thin ice needles and drove them into his thigh.
Pain exploded through his nervous system, clearing his mind.
"What I lost," he said through clenched teeth, "was the imperfect training box."
The goddess smiled.
"Congratulations. You have passed the test."
She vanished.
A new box appeared before him.
Karl exhaled slowly.
"I need mental defenses… that was too close."
He lifted the enhanced device.
System text appeared:
[Perfect Superpower Training Box]
Enhanced by the Woodcutter Goddess.
Trains:
Laser Vision
Telekinesis
Teleportation
Training requirement: 30 minutes daily
Mastery time: 3 months
Karl's eyes sharpened.
"Three months… the same window it takes Tony Stark to build the Mark I and return."
Perfect timing.
He stored the items, transformed Speedster back into vehicle form, and headed into the city.
With Speedster's assistance, he created a secure virtual banking identity and began laundering funds through layered financial channels.
He deposited over two hundred million dollars in cash.
The bank processed the transactions smoothly.
Karl couldn't help but admire Cybertronian efficiency.
After completing several purchases, he drove toward Queens.
What followed was his visit to May's house.
Present
Karl accelerated along the highway toward his farm.
Then Speedster's voice sounded through the vehicle's internal audio system:
"Boss, there is a visitor at the residence."
Karl's eyes narrowed.
"Identify."
"One-eyed male. Black leather coat. Tactical posture."
Karl immediately understood.
Nick Fury.
It seemed the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. preferred dramatic entrances — appearing uninvited in private residences.
Just like he had done at Tony Stark's mansion.
Karl pressed the accelerator.
The game was escalating again.
...…