Special Employees

"What?"

Matt's eyes widened. He couldn't believe his ears.

"You're saying you put Kingpin in prison?"

"No."

Xia Ling spread his hands. Even mild-mannered Matt was starting to get angry. Was this FBI director deliberately messing with him?

"Then you—"

"Don't worry. Once you're in prison, Kingpin will join you. I'd like to see what kind of sparks fly between you two lovers after all these years."

Matt's face turned ashen. Though he couldn't see, Xia Ling felt as if the man could see right through his disguise and into his true intentions.

Anger and confusion churned within him. He struggled to control his emotions and keep them from boiling over.

"FBI director, what do you mean by that? Kingpin and I have no personal relationship, let alone a years-long romance! Are you deliberately provoking me, or carrying out some ridiculous mission?"

Matt's voice was low and forceful, each word seeming to grind out between clenched teeth.

It wasn't just Matt. The three people beside him also wore distinctly uneasy expressions.

Coulson twitched the muscles in his face. "Director, Kingpin and this Daredevil are both men. Uh, wouldn't that make them rather unlikely lovers?"

"Coulson, you're a Level 8 Agent. You should know better than to think that way. It's completely wrong—utterly lacking in ambition."

Xia Ling sighed. How could this unambitious agent be so narrow-minded?

"Coulson, you should know that there was a general in the Military who wanted a promotion and to become a Five-Star General. He openly wore women's clothing in public and even admitted he was a woman.

"Why don't you have that kind of courage? If you can pull it off, I can make you a Level 10 Agent. Why not think it over?"

"No, thanks, Director. I think being a Level 8 Agent is great. Sorry for the trouble, but you don't need to promote me."

Coulson hurriedly refused. What kind of promotion was worth risking public humiliation? He'd rather stay where he was!

Tony's expression turned a little awkward. He wanted to object, but then something unpleasant came to mind, and he obediently kept his mouth shut.

Natasha, on the other hand, wasn't at all surprised. These people in a democracy were a bunch of monsters. Any deviant behavior became sacred and untouchable as soon as you wrapped it in the language of human rights and inclusion. What was there to be surprised about?

"So what exactly do you want to talk about?"

Matt grimaced in pain. He just wanted this bunch to hurry up and leave. His injuries weren't life-threatening, but that didn't mean he could stand here forever.

And they were right outside his law office. If this went on, how was he supposed to do business?

Seeing this, Xia Ling finally dropped his joking expression and addressed Matt with a more professional, serious demeanor. "Matt, allow me to explain formally. Here's the situation: we have a plan underway, and we need some muscle to help us.

"And you, Daredevil, are exactly the kind of high-quality muscle we need. I hope you'll join us."

Matt's brow furrowed. He was clearly offended by being called "muscle."

"FBI director, I respect your work, but I'm not—fine, call me Daredevil, then. I'm a vigilante fighting for justice, not 'muscle' hired by you.

"If you need help, I can provide information or strategic support. But please don't lump me in with violent thugs who work for pay."

"Fine, you finally admitted you're Daredevil. Coulson, did you record that?"

Coulson immediately answered and held up a recorder.

"Director, that's not all. I recorded video too. It'll make excellent evidence in court."

"What!"

Matt was horrified. He couldn't believe that, after all his precautions, he'd still fallen into their trap.

Xia Ling's mouth curled slightly. He was quite pleased with Coulson's "assist." The kid was finally showing some initiative.

"All right, Matt. You have only two options. First, join us as a special employee. Second, refuse and go to prison to pick up the soap with Kingpin."

Matt's expression grew deeply conflicted, a mixture of anger, shock, and helplessness.

What had happened to him over the past few days? He'd barely recovered from being badly injured by a monster, and now he'd run into this pack of shameless thugs.

Could the world get any worse? Couldn't he just be a street hero in peace?

"FBI director, are you threatening me?"

There was suppressed anger in Matt's voice.

"This isn't a threat; it's a fact. Matt the lawyer, look at the crimes you've committed. Would a thousand years or so in prison really be unreasonable?"

Xia Ling smiled as he walked over and looked the staunch, disabled hero up and down.

"Matt, as a lawyer, I think you know better than I do how many laws you've broken. If you don't accept my offer and become a... well, a special employee, then a prison cell will be your final destination.

"Think carefully, Matt. I'm not asking."

Matt fell silent for a moment. He could feel everyone's eyes fixed on him, as if the whole world were waiting for his decision.

"Let me think about it."

Matt finally spoke.

"That won't do. You don't have time to think. Natasha, spar with this disabled man and show him what you can do."

Natasha rolled her eyes at Xia Ling and strode forward, but she didn't attack.

With her expertise in killing, she could tell Matt was badly injured. One careless move, and he'd be dead.

Director Xia clearly wanted to recruit him. She couldn't just beat him to death.

"Daredevil, just give in to the Director. As far as I know, no one who's crossed him has had a good ending. I'm sure you don't want to find out what happened to them."

"I understand your position, but I have principles of my own. If joining you means abandoning some of my principles as Daredevil, then I'd rather face whatever comes."

In the end, Matt gave in—or rather, he had no choice.

Unless he wanted to give up his fight against crime, ignore Kingpin's criminal activities, and turn a blind eye to the cannibal monster from before, he couldn't refuse Xia Ling's offer.

"Great, S.H.I.E.L.D. has another fine addition to its muscle. That calls for a celebration. Let's go. Tony's paying for everyone today."

"What?" *2

Two shocked voices rang out. Tony and Matt both stared at Xia Ling in disbelief.

"I thought I was joining the FBI. How did this turn into S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Why am I paying?"

Xia Ling pointed a finger forward. A hole immediately appeared in the thick wall.