Russell's Pager

After confirming that Eileen had not gone astray and was merely undergoing special training with Daredevil, Russell stopped paying attention to her.

Tonight, he and Gwen were going to properly clean up The Big Apple's public safety.

His powerful Spiritual Energy spread outward, and for a moment, every stir in New York was perceived by Russell.

Then he filtered out some private information.

Kamar-Taj sorcerers generally did not interfere with the workings of the real world?

Take off the robes, and please call me the boyfriend of Ghost-Spider, New York City's friendly neighborhood hero.

—Mr. Russell, an utterly ordinary citizen.

"Gwen, let's go."

The night when The City of Angels had once been hailed as the descent of God was recreated. (Chapter 28)

Those harboring evil intentions and still hesitating suddenly repented, laying down their blades.

Those without criminal records went home to reflect on themselves, while those with records voluntarily turned themselves in at the police station.

Those steeped in sin and beyond redemption had only just made their move—

When a web shot over, binding them as they waited for the police to come collect them.

Meanwhile, those in the middle of committing crimes suddenly blacked out and collapsed.

When some people awoke, they were already at the police station.

Many more would never wake again.

To Russell, it was merely a night of playing around with Gwen.

Yet he had directly or indirectly changed the fates of countless people.

Thud, thud, thud!

Knock, knock, knock!

A burst of hurried footsteps approached, followed by urgent knocking.

Nick Fury: "Come in."

"Director Fury, we've detected energy fluctuations in New York similar to those in Los Angeles half a month ago."

The room fell silent for a moment.

With a wave of his hand, Nick Fury sent the unnamed agent out first.

"Continue monitoring it. Don't interfere for now."

Besides Nick Fury, Coulson was also in the room, reporting to him.

The phone call had only given a brief summary.

Nick Fury and Coulson looked at each other.

This was why he had placed Russell in the Avengers' first tier, even above Tony.

With a single thought, Russell could perceive every movement in New York, preventing crimes that had yet to occur and stopping those already underway.

Put another way, with a single thought, he could also erase every life in New York.

"Haah..."

Nick Fury let out a long sigh and instructed Coulson.

"Make arrangements. Help him keep this under wraps."

Coulson: "What about the higher-ups?"

Nick Fury: "Use the same excuse as last time. We can't let those people get in contact with Russell."

He had no desire to let those politicians approach Russell.

The power of Mortals could not restrain powerful superhumans.

On the contrary, if those people angered Russell, the consequences could be disastrous.

Nick Fury had once resented Carol for leaving Earth to become a Space Police officer.

It was not until Russell appeared and gradually revealed his abilities that he realized—

For a superhuman so overwhelmingly powerful to use his strength cautiously was already a form of mercy toward Mortals.

"Hmm?!"

After sweeping across New York with his Spiritual Energy, Russell frowned inwardly.

Sure enough, ignorance was bliss.

Seeing too much of the world's misery affected his mood.

Sweeping those negative emotions away, Russell focused on playing a map-hacking game of punishing evil and rewarding good with Gwen.

What had Russell seen?

A drug manufacturing plant staffed entirely by deaf-mutes.

Criminal organizations like this had tangled interests, and uprooting them completely was no easy task.

Russell believed in eliminating evil at its root. He did not want to raid this hideout, follow the trail and kill most of The Hand—

Only for another group called The Foot to pop up a few days later and take over the business.

This was not his main job. He did not have time to play these games with them.

He needed to find someone to investigate everything thoroughly, then borrow the authorities' power to wipe them out in one sweep.

Daredevil Matt Murdock, you're the one.

If he remembered correctly, Matt would clash with The Hand in a few years anyway.

And coincidentally, Matt was looking for Russell too.

Ring, ring, ring~

Russell's phone rang. It was Matt calling. Looking closely, there were also several missed calls.

"Good evening, Matt."

"Good evening, Russell."

Matt said, "There's something I'd like to ask your help with."

Russell said, "What a coincidence. I also have something I'd like your help with."

Matt said, "Want to set a time and place to talk?"

"No need. Let's talk now."

A Portal opened before Russell. Taking Gwen's hand, he stepped through it and arrived on the rooftop where Matt was.

"Wow!"

Seeing how Russell and Gwen had appeared, Eileen could not help letting out a cry of surprise.

She knew it—Russell was a sorcerer too.

He just seemed rather different from the sorcerers she had imagined.

She had originally thought sorcerers traveled on broomsticks, and in battle, they waved staffs and hurled Medium Fireballs, large fireballs, and enormous fireballs.

She had never expected them to simply open a Portal and easily cross the distance between two places.

Hearing the commotion, Matt turned toward Russell, confusion on his face.

—Why had two breathing sounds suddenly appeared?

Russell waved his phone. "Matt, let's talk now."

"Russell?"

Matt was uncertain. This person's voice, scent, and everything else were extremely similar to the Russell in his memory.

But that restrained yet terrifyingly dangerous aura made him hesitate to acknowledge him.

Hearing the confusion in Matt's voice, Russell teased, "What, you can't recognize me after a few months?"

Matt calmed himself and slowly explained, "No, it's just hard to believe. Your aura now makes me a little afraid—no, even terrified."

"Oh?" Russell raised an eyebrow. "Matt, your Perception is very strong. And very unusual."

Ordinary people could not sense danger from Russell when he was not actively releasing hostility.

After chatting briefly, Russell got straight to the point. "You go first. What did you need me for?"

Matt fell silent, lost in thought.

Russell's combat strength exceeded his expectations. The plan could be adjusted slightly.

Seeing that Matt was taking a long time to answer, Russell suggested, "Then should I go first?"

Matt said, "All right."

"I want you to help me investigate a criminal organization in Hell's Kitchen—The Hand."

The moment Russell finished speaking, Matt looked up at him in surprise.

Russell raised an eyebrow. "The thing you wanted my help with wouldn't happen to be this too, would it?"

Matt nodded excitedly.

Once again, their goals had aligned without any prior discussion.

Just like when they had worked together to bring down Kingpin.

It was just a pity that they had later fallen out over their differences.

"Let me explain my thoughts first."

Having confirmed that their target was the same, Russell did not hold back.

"I found one of The Hand's drug processing plants and gathered the evidence.

"You'll be responsible for contacting the police and taking down that hideout.

"Then find a way to follow the trail and uncover as many other members of The Hand as possible, along with the people protecting them from behind the scenes."

"Mm." Matt nodded. He knew Russell disliked dealing with government officials, and his identity was not suited for it either.

"Same as before? I contact you before the operation?"

"No, it's different now."

Russell held out his hand. Energy gathered, and a BB Pager appeared.

"This time, you act alone. If you're in danger, press this BB Pager. No matter where you are, I'll arrive in one second.

"I have become a god!"

Becoming a god had been a joke Russell and Matt used to share.

I, Russell. Send me money, and once I become a god, I'll take you flying!

Matt: "..."

He had never seen a god, but Russell's power was also unlike anything he had ever witnessed.

When he sought Russell's help, he had only thought he would gain another powerful ally.

But now, had he invited a god?

Could I ask for tomorrow's follow-up reading in advance?

And could I also ask for Monthly Passes?

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