In the nightclub, Heisenberg sipped his drink while listening to Bullseye's report.
"The Sixth Street Gang and the Rhino Gang are tearing each other apart, and Brooklyn's already feeling the impact.
Since we're no longer involved in the drug trade, the Red Caps, Skull Gang, and Bikers are fighting like dogs over the biggest share of the drug market.
I've mostly pacified Kingpin's main force—his enforcers—and brought them under our control.
Now, Hell's Kitchen is seeing deaths almost every minute, so, boss, it's time for us to make our move!"
Ultimately, Bullseye was eager to make a name for himself.
To establish a solid foundation in New York and the American underworld for his second boss!
Watching Bullseye, Heisenberg nodded with satisfaction.
"Do as you see fit."
With such strong initiative from his underling, how could he possibly hold him back?
"Yes, sir!"
Bullseye was immediately content.
For the past three days, every time he saw other small and medium-sized gangs making a name and profit for themselves, his heart itched like it was being scratched by a cat.
Now, finally, he could take action!
Though the boss wasn't involved in the drug trade, there were plenty of other ways to make money on the streets.
Smuggling alcohol, arms trafficking, loan sharking, protection rackets, real estate deals.
There were so many ways to earn, and he had to lead his men to make more than they did working for Kingpin!
But before that, he had to deal with one nuisance.
That damn street hero…
Such a small matter didn't need to be reported to the boss for now.
Bullseye could tell the boss had been especially gloomy these past few days, and he didn't want some petty thugs in weird costumes to affect his mood.
After Bullseye left, Heisenberg drank his wine out of boredom.
He seemed to have trouble getting drunk; the vitality of a Kryptonian's cells was too high for alcohol to affect him much.
But with enough drinks, a slight buzz was inevitable.
Heisenberg enjoyed that feeling.
Once being a Kryptonian became routine, once the excitement of crossing over faded,
Heisenberg felt lost.
He missed home.
Though he wouldn't let his longing for home dilute his plans like a child,
in the end, he couldn't control the emptiness in his heart.
A nightclub—it was one of his biggest dreams before crossing over.
Those who understood knew that the largest club in a city wasn't just about wealth; it represented the owner's social status in that city.
But what he once desperately desired was now easily within reach…
It seemed his dreams had become cheap.
"Boss!"
The operations assistant's voice sounded nearby, and Heisenberg glanced over, bored.
"The Mars Exploration-themed party is set up, but we need some high-profile guests to attract the right crowd!"
Billy explained softly.
"Hell's Kitchen is in chaos right now, and you… can't yet replace Kingpin's authority in New York. Customers friendly with Kingpin might not choose to visit us, so we need new clientele!"
"Hmm, I'll invite that Tony Stark guy."
"This…!"
Billy was stunned by Heisenberg's words.
"Are you sure Tony Stark will show up for the themed night?"
"Absolutely sure. After all, if he doesn't come, I'll personally drag him here!"
Heisenberg declared confidently.
At this, Billy smiled and nodded.
"Alright then, I'll send the invitations for the themed night to the capitalists, and can I use Tony Stark's fame for promotion?"
"Go ahead, you handle it."
Heisenberg dismissed Billy, then personally wrote an invitation and had his men deliver it to Tony Stark.
Afterward, Heisenberg checked his watch: 3:20 PM.
He figured some ambitious woman would come to bother him soon.
…
Three days earlier, at S.H.I.E.L.D.
After Heisenberg left with Barbara, Agent Hill immediately sampled the cup he'd used.
Unfortunately, though she collected some of his saliva,
S.H.I.E.L.D. was completely stumped by these tiny samples!
They tried everything, but couldn't even cut open a single cell of Heisenberg's!
In the DC universe, people had indeed cloned or studied Superman using his bodily fluids.
But those experiments were conducted with Kryptonite.
Cloning wasn't as simple as taking one cell and replicating it.
An indestructible, unsampleable cell could only be cultured, not cloned.
But culturing Heisenberg's saliva…
Nick Fury would rather get enough of his semen.
That would have real cultivation value.
So lately, Heisenberg's nightclub had become a gathering place for so-called goddesses.
"Boss, another dancer has come to apply. Do you want to meet her personally?"
Billy returned and whispered to Heisenberg.
Heisenberg nodded; he knew who it was.
So, when the supposed dancer appeared beside his booth, Heisenberg greeted her gloomily.
"Long time no see, Agent Hill."
"Hmph, I'd rather not see you at all."
Hill sat opposite Heisenberg, casually picking up his glass and taking a sip.
Seeing this, Heisenberg asked without looking up.
"Our deal is done, so leave before I get annoyed. Far away."
"Yeah, your deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. is over, but the trouble you've caused me is just beginning!"
Hill complained, refilling her glass.
Downing the fresh drink, she asked softly,
"You killed Kingpin, recruited his men, and ambitiously launched an attack on New York's underworld.
But this is so petty. Your power shouldn't be used for such lowly purposes, should it?"
"So, because I'm strong, I should attack U.S. military bases instead?"
"No, no, not military bases, but… are you interested in more cooperation?"
"Like what?"
Heisenberg asked uninterestedly.
"Like space. Your abilities could better explore the universe, and you'd gain even more benefits!"
"Just leave. Even if they send you to my bed, I won't cooperate with you. I'm… just a homeless exile. And the universe? I'm already tired of it!"
Heisenberg laughed, rejecting Hill's proposal.
Hill wasn't discouraged. She stood, slightly helpless, and leaned closer to Heisenberg.
"You're gloomy, because of your hometown?"
"Maybe."
For once, Hill hit the mark, so Heisenberg raised his glass and clinked it with hers.
After they drank, Hill's cheeks flushed.
She'd drunk too quickly; in just a moment, her third whiskey was gone.
She propped her chin up and chatted softly with Heisenberg.
"Home, huh. I was born in Texas, not a great place. At least I never liked it.
My father was very temperamental, often physically punishing me and my brothers.
Early on, I even wanted to curse him, send that irresponsible man to hell.
But later, I realized his so-called beatings never really hurt us.
And he was always caring toward our mother.
When I joined S.H.I.E.L.D., became an agent, a soldier,
I finally understood my veteran father.
But home is gone now. I… shouldn't let my identity trouble my family.
Take it as me complaining. Anyway, maybe I understand a little of your feelings.
Just a little, because I'm not a leader of my hometown, and I haven't bid farewell to it for eighteen thousand years.
And I'm certainly not stranded on a planet I've never been to…"
"Right, you wouldn't understand…"
Heisenberg nodded. No one knew what he truly missed.
This longing would only grow stronger in the days ahead, but he knew he'd gradually adapt and numb himself to it.
So he tapped his glass and said softly,
"For not messing with me, I'll give you a warning.
You can send your people into my nightclub!
They can listen, they can watch, but they must not cause trouble.
If they disrupt the fun I want, they'll die, and you'll die too.
Go."
"Don't worry, we'll try not to plant agents around you anymore."
"Try? Hmph, whatever!"
"Don't be upset. We don't want to waste our precious manpower on you."
"Yeah, wasting it on me, because I'm too unique, too powerful, too volatile, making too many people wary. But that's no reason for you to bother me, right?"
"Maybe. I'm leaving…"
Hill nodded and stood to leave.
After she took about four steps, Heisenberg called her back.
"Next time you come, no need to dress as a dancer. Just mention my name. Consider it your privilege."
"Hmph, should I say thank you, or is it an honor?"
"Just say goodbye…"
Heisenberg finished, silently returning to the sofa.
Hill slowly left.
Sitting alone for a while, his parents' faces echoed in his mind.
The more he thought, the lonelier he felt.
Heisenberg left the nightclub and went to the rooftop to bask in the sun.
As he lay there, he suddenly felt tired.
What should he do in this damn Marvel universe?
At that moment, he wished his system would issue some mandatory tasks.
It would seem restrictive, but at least it would give him a goal.
Now, he could only find his own purpose.
Before crossing over, he was just an ordinary person.
After crossing over, he was excited.
Once the excitement faded, he felt lost.
Aimless, lacking a sense of existence.
Because he hadn't truly embraced his new identity.
As he soaked up the sun, he continually strengthened his resolve.
He had to adapt to this feeling, to the endless loneliness he was destined to endure.
He was just a mortal, standing in the heavens.
The more he gained, the more he lost.
…
Back at S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Hill reported to Nick Fury.
"Director, as the psychology specialist judged, Heisenberg's inner turmoil is evident, but I still don't think we're qualified to exploit him."
"I don't plan to exploit him. I just need to confirm he has human-like emotions!"
"With emotions come weaknesses, but his power can erase nearly ninety-nine percent of them."
"That leaves one percent, doesn't it…"