"I'm clearheaded now. I've realized I can contribute more to the world than just making weapons."
"So I've decided to shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, effective immediately!"
"Until I find a new purpose for the company and other directions I believe are right and in the nation's best interests..."
On the TV screen, Tony made his announcement from the podium, shocking not only everyone present but everyone watching at home as well.
After all, Stark Industries had built its business on arms dealing.
What Tony was doing wasn't just shooting himself in the foot. He was shooting himself in the balls—cutting off his livelihood at the root!
The people hit hardest by this were the shareholders.
Ever since news of Tony's disappearance in the Middle East broke, Stark Industries' stock had been plummeting. The shareholders who owned it were on the verge of a breakdown. They'd finally gotten their hopes up when Tony returned safely, thinking things might finally turn around.
But now, it seemed the bastard might as well have died in the Middle East!
"Tony Stark, you motherfucker! Give me my money back!"
"How could you do this to us?!"
"Can Stark Industries stock still go up? That's gonna be hard!"
"It's over. I heard Tony Stark was back and immediately bought more shares, but now... Forget it, I'd better go claim a spot on the roof. There won't be any left if I'm late."
"..."
Inside a noisy restaurant in Hell's Kitchen.
Wails and curses rose one after another as the shareholders glared at Tony on the TV screen, grinding their teeth and wishing they could tear him apart with their bare hands.
Du Mu sat in the corner, enjoying the spectacle with interest.
He had to admit, the game's NPCs were pretty impressive. They were far better than those stiff, lifeless programs.
The curly-haired fat guy in front was especially convincing. His expression made it look as if Tony had cheated with his girlfriend. He kept making a string of bleeping noises, and he was so worked up that he even knocked over the cup on the table.
The blind man sitting beside him caught the falling cup with one steady hand.
Huh?
The blind guy had caught the cup?
Du Mu immediately sensed something was off. Pointing at the man in sunglasses, he blurted, "System! This game's bugged again, right? How could a blind guy catch a falling cup?!"
[Beep. No abnormalities detected.]
The blind man seemed to hear Du Mu's shout. Without changing expression, he put the cup back on the table as if nothing had happened.
Du Mu narrowed his eyes.
Based on his experience, this guy was definitely no ordinary person.
With that thought, he picked up his nearly untouched plate of food, got to his feet, and walked over. He sat down in the empty seat across from the two men.
The curly-haired fat guy saw Du Mu approaching with his plate and staring at them. Looking puzzled, he asked, "Uh, can we help you?"
Du Mu grinned and set his plate on the table. "Nothing in particular. I just want to get to know you guys."
The curly-haired fat guy frowned slightly. "But we don't even know you..."
"Two hundred bucks for a friendship fee."
"You came to the right place! Matt and I love making friends!"
The curly-haired fat guy instantly put on a beaming smile. "I'm Foggy Nelson, and this is my partner, Matt Murdock. What should we call you?"
"Just call me Du Mu."
"Nice to meet you, Du Mu."
As he spoke, Foggy deftly handed him a business card for their law firm.
"Let me introduce us. We're lawyers, and we just opened a firm nearby called Nelson and Murdock. If you need legal help, come see us anytime. We'll give you a great rate!"
Du Mu cheerfully took the card. "So you're lawyers. That's perfect. I have a legal question I'd like to ask."
Foggy confidently thumped his chest. "Ask away! Don't worry, we're professionals."
Du Mu nodded, looking serious. "Here's my question: if a pregnant woman gets into a fight with someone, does that count as a brawl?"
Foggy: "..."
Matt: "..."
Clearly stumped by the bizarre question, Foggy thought it over for a few seconds before answering uncertainly, "Uh, I don't think so. Strictly speaking, it takes at least three people to make it a brawl."
"But what if the pregnant woman's carrying twins?"
"..."
Foggy's expression froze. His brain seemed to crash.
What the hell kind of person even asked a question like that?!
Seeing that Foggy couldn't answer, Du Mu shook his head regretfully and turned his gaze to Matt, who had remained silent the whole time.
"You can't see?"
Matt didn't take offense at the rather blunt question. He simply nodded calmly. "That's right. I had an accident when I was very young and lost my sight in both eyes... Please don't put your hand in my pocket. I may be blind, but I can still tell when someone's doing that."
"Ha ha, I was just joking."
Du Mu awkwardly pulled his hand back from Matt's pocket.
That settled it!
This guy was definitely no ordinary person!
With Du Mu's near-maxed-out pickpocketing skill, an ordinary person would never have noticed what he was doing without being on guard, let alone a blind man.
This guy might be a hidden NPC—the key to triggering a special quest!
As Du Mu secretly pondered this, Matt suddenly asked, "I get the feeling you're not from around here. Why did you come to Hell's Kitchen?"
His voice was still calm, but there was a faint note of curiosity in it.
As everyone knew, Hell's Kitchen was the most crime-ridden and chaotic neighborhood in all of America. There was no contest!
Gangsters ran rampant, and you could find nearly every kind of crime imaginable there. Even New York cops had to be extra careful when patrolling the area. Apart from workaholics who feared nothing, ordinary people would never willingly set foot in the neighborhood.
"Looking for someone."
Du Mu answered without hesitation. There was no need to hide it.
"Who?"
"A man. His code name's Iron Head. I think his name was Harro or something?"
Foggy scratched his head, looking confused. "Iron Head? I've never heard of anyone by that name in Hell's Kitchen."
Matt's brow furrowed slightly behind his sunglasses. He said in a low voice, "You don't mean... Joseph Harro, do you?"
"Oh, right, right!" Du Mu slapped his thigh. "That's the name! You know him?"
"Not personally. I've just heard of him."
Matt adjusted his position without drawing attention to it. "He's the biggest boss in the Maggia, codenamed Hammerhead. Rumor has it he's an invulnerable, immortal monster. He's extremely dangerous. What do you want with him?"
"Something like that."
Du Mu glanced at the time on the clock hanging on the wall, then stood up casually. "Oh, look at the time. I've got something to do. I'll come chat with you guys another day!"
Without waiting for the two men to respond, Du Mu strode lightly toward the restaurant's exit.
Listening to Du Mu's footsteps quickly fade away, Matt absently rubbed his fingers against his cane. His face, hidden behind his sunglasses, turned thoughtful.
"Matt, Matt!"
Foggy's anxious voice brought Matt back from his thoughts.
"What is it?"
"That guy didn't pay for his food! Hurry up and chase him!"
Matt: "..."