"Oh, houses in Manhattan are actually this expensive? This one costs over three million dollars. And on top of that, you have to pay more than a thousand dollars in maintenance fees every month, plus over two thousand in property taxes. It's outrageously expensive. The place we rented before only cost us a thousand dollars a month," Skye complained loudly, unable to contain herself at the sight of such a ridiculously expensive house.
Even though the two of them now had a hundred million dollars, they hadn't been rich before, and their sense of who they were was still rooted in being poor. Their understanding of prices was probably still based on Brooklyn or Queens. Having suddenly come to New York's most prosperous district—and indeed, the most prosperous part of the entire United States—they were having a hard time adjusting.
The agent showing them around heard Skye's complaint, and a trace of scorn flashed in his eyes. "Ms. Skye, I think you should consider continuing to live where you used to. Whether that's Brooklyn or Queens, if you're looking to buy a house, I'd suggest buying one there, too. Houses here are very expensive, and the cost of living in the area is also extremely high. Because this is Manhattan."
It wasn't that the agent lacked professional ethics. Skye and Saitama were dressed very plainly, and neither their behavior nor their manner suggested they were wealthy. If he'd known what they were like, he wouldn't even have brought them here to look at houses.
Now, after hearing Skye complain—and learning that their previous rent had been only a thousand dollars a month—he was certain that Skye and Saitama couldn't possibly buy a house here. They couldn't even afford to rent one, since even the rent here would cost at least five thousand dollars a month.
After a few years of renting here, you could have bought yourself a house in Brooklyn or Queens with the rent alone.
"Shut your mouth!" Skye snapped, furious. Having money gave her confidence, and she hit back hard at the agent's mockery.
"You think we don't have money? Open your eyes and take a good look at this!" Skye took out her phone and showed the agent her bank notification. "Maybe we were poor before, but now we're loaded. We're billionaires. So shut your damn mouth, you lousy agent."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My eyes really are useless. I made such a terrible mistake. Ms. Skye, you're so charming—I can't believe I behaved so badly earlier. Maybe I should go to the hospital and get my eyes checked. And, uh, my mouth, too!"
The agent really knew how to bend with the wind. For money, he was willing to throw away every last shred of dignity. But that just showed how powerful money was. It could change someone's attitude in a single second.
"..." Skye and Saitama stared at the agent, speechless. He was quite a character. They'd never met anyone so shameless.
Still, Skye really did love the life of the rich. Apart from overwhelming power like Saitama's, nothing could make people change their attitude in an instant quite like money.
They bought the house, which cost several million dollars. They didn't even replace the agent, because Skye enjoyed watching him act like her obedient servant, running around to take care of everything. The agent would make a hefty profit from the deal, of course, but seeing him bustle about like a lackey was a pleasure in itself for Skye.
After the house came the cars. In short, if you had money and didn't spend it quickly, you could hardly call yourself an American. Saving money was not the sort of thing Americans were supposed to do.
Enjoying life while you could—that was the American way of thinking. At most, you just needed a clear plan for your spending, so you wouldn't end up broke again in a few short years. That alone would make you a reasonably successful and clever American.
"Coulson, how's your investigation into Translucent going?" Nick Fury asked solemnly.
"Um, Director, we haven't made any progress on Translucent. It seems he knows we're investigating him, so he hasn't shown up again recently," Coulson said with a wry smile.
"So you still don't have a single clue?"
"Yes, Director. I think Daredevil may have notified Translucent through some channel we don't know about, so he went into hiding."
"So a blind man managed to keep all of you in the dark?"
"Um, he isn't an ordinary blind man."
"Even if he isn't an ordinary blind man, he's still blind, isn't he? Coulson, I'm very disappointed in your work."
"I'm sorry I've disappointed you, Director. But Kingpin may make a big move soon, so I think Translucent will show up again before long," Coulson said quickly.
"A big move?"
"Yes. Kingpin has started working with Madame Gao, and Bullseye, who was already beaten half to death, has started showing up again. Given Bullseye's personality, he may take revenge on Daredevil and Translucent next. We just need to wait." Coulson had done his homework. Nick Fury had taken a particular interest in Translucent, so Coulson had spent almost all his time lately keeping an eye on Hell's Kitchen.
"Fine. I hope you won't disappoint me again." Nick Fury nodded. He knew Coulson was capable, and this situation really was difficult. It was understandable that Coulson hadn't made any headway.
"Yes, Director. I'll find Translucent, I promise." Coulson paused. "By the way, Director, do you remember a photo I sent you earlier?"
"What photo?"
"The one of that bald guy—"
"Hm?" Nick Fury fixed his one good eye on Coulson.
"Uh, Director, I wasn't talking about your bald head. I mean, before Tony Stark disappeared, didn't I send you a photo? I told you then that the man in it was a terrible imitator of Translucent and Daredevil."
"Go on." Nick Fury narrowed his eyes at Coulson.
Coulson swallowed hard. He had a bad feeling about this.
"The person who rescued Tony Stark this time was that bald guy."
"Oh? A terrible imitator of Translucent and Daredevil rescued Tony Stark in the Middle East, beating all the mercenaries to it? And you call that a terrible imitator? Coulson, it seems your intelligence has been slipping lately." Nick Fury's expression darkened. Well, actually, Nick Fury's face was already dark, so no one could really tell if its color had changed.
"Yes, but I'll look into him, Director."
"No need. I've already made arrangements regarding Tony Stark. You keep your eyes on Hell's Kitchen and find Translucent. If you can't do that, then get your ass down to Antarctica and keep the penguins company."
"Uh, Director, penguins don't live in the Arctic—"
"Get out."
"Yes, Director!"
Before you continue