Killing Without Cruelty

As a top predator standing at the apex of the food chain, Kingpin vaguely sensed a trace of unease.

Daredevil was annoying, but he was ultimately just an idealist who adhered to a "no-killing" principle. There was nothing to fear from him.

That was why Kingpin had never intended to kill him immediately. Instead, he had the attitude of, No rush. I'll play with him for a while.

Deep down, he even harbored some other ideas.

For example, using some dirty tricks to drive Daredevil into a corner until he bowed his head and submitted.

But this Mystery Man who had committed such a major crime was different from Daredevil.

Not only had he killed Kingpin's men, he had wiped out all those Russians too.

The sheer recklessness and lawlessness conveyed by his actions made even Kingpin feel faintly wary.

The soft feared the hard, the hard feared the ruthless, the ruthless feared those who did not fear death, and those who did not fear death feared lunatics.

In Kingpin's eyes, the Mystery Man responsible for the Pier 9 case was a lunatic with something wrong in his head.

This kind of uncontrollable existence was what he hated and feared most.

A powerful madman with no scruples and unknown motives was like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness, capable of dealing him a fatal blow at any moment.

So Kingpin decisively chose to strike first.

He mobilized every force under his control in the public sphere and directly shaped the "Mystery Man" into a terrifying random killer.

This would force the other party to show himself and stand exposed in the sunlight just like Kingpin.

And then... naturally, he would crush him with thunderous force!

"Understood, boss!"

Having received Kingpin's instructions, Bullseye immediately left the room respectfully.

Only after he had stepped outside did he dare reveal the admiration and excitement hidden deep in his eyes.

He was very curious about this "Mystery Man." No, it was more than simple curiosity.

Mixed within it was an anticipation that felt like meeting a kindred spirit he had known for ages.

To someone with a truly antisocial personality like Bullseye, the way Mystery Man had killed last night... was full of artistry!

He even felt that Mystery Man, like himself, was a genuine artist of slaughter!

That filled Bullseye with excitement while also stoking his killing intent.

If he could personally kill this "artist" who shared similar ideas, the pleasure he gained would surely reach its peak.

Like he had said... it would feel better than anything!

As Bullseye faithfully carried out Kingpin's orders, public opinion began to ferment rapidly.

Since Peter had not left behind even a single photograph or clue when he killed those people last night,

in order to give him a more convenient name and attract viewers' attention, Kingpin's media people directly slapped Peter with the clichéd title of "Dock Butcher."

For a time, reports about the "Dock Butcher" flooded all of New York and even the entirety of Beacon Nation.

At noon, during lunch break at Midtown High School's cafeteria.

The cafeteria television was playing the midday news, and the topic under discussion was naturally still the bloody Pier 9 massacre.

On-screen, a so-called criminal psychology expert spoke confidently to the camera:

"Although most media outlets have described this tragedy as 'dogs eating dogs,' as a professional criminal psychology expert, I can assure you all—

There was another killer, and every victim at Pier 9 died at the hands of one person! The large amount of cash missing from the scene proves it!

Since we have yet to obtain any biological information about the killer, I have named him the 'Dock Butcher.'

Analysis of the traces left at the scene indicates that the Dock Butcher is an adult male over six feet tall, weighing more than 140 pounds, with an extremely antisocial personality.

He enjoys the process of killing and takes pleasure in torturing the weak. He is a dangerous individual capable of threatening the lives and safety of every New York citizen.

We must apprehend him as soon as possible. Otherwise, he may very well carry out more indiscriminate killings throughout the city..."

Dock Butcher? What a terrible name.

Watching the report on television, Peter could not help silently complaining to himself.

This batch of media people was truly the worst he had ever seen. They did not have a shred of imagination.

Even "Bloodport Phantom" or "B-Port Living Buddha" would have had more style than a generic name like "Dock Butcher."

Unlike Peter, who was left speechless, Gwen Stacy frowned her pretty brows after learning the details of the Pier 9 crime:

"This guy is too cruel... Whether those people were bad or not, he shouldn't have tortured their lives."

That wasn't torture!

Peter could not help continuing his internal complaint.

Those people last night had clearly been punched in the head or torso before they could even figure out what was happening, instantly receiving baby-like, high-quality sleep!

It was more comfortable than euthanasia!

Peter took a bite of his sandwich and said vaguely, "I think as long as this guy doesn't hurt good people, there's nothing wrong with what he does."

"The more miserable the criminals' deaths are, the more it can deter those petty villains, right?"

"Before, they always thought that as long as they committed a crime without getting caught, they could remain free and easy. Even if they were caught, they could use money to pull strings and keep doing evil."

"But now that there's a truly dangerous person like this, they'll have to think long and hard before committing crimes in the future."

"The law may let them exploit loopholes, but the Butcher won't show mercy."

Peter's words left Gwen somewhat stunned.

She had never considered the issue from that perspective before.

But after hearing Peter put it that way, she really did feel there was some truth to it.

"Uh, maybe you're right... but I still think this guy is a little too extreme. Anyway, if I ever gained great power, I definitely wouldn't do something like this."

Gwen made her promise with utter conviction.

Peter merely nodded noncommittally.

Yeah. With me around, all you need to do is be my pajama baby.

As the two spoke, the television screen switched again. A bald, fat man in a custom-tailored suit appeared before the cameras.

It was Kingpin! Or rather... Wilson Fisk.

The uncrowned king of New York's underworld now spoke with a sorrowful expression:

"I am deeply shocked and saddened by the emergence of the 'Dock Butcher.'"

"This barbaric and bloody behavior is an open trampling of our city's civilization and order."

"In order to bring this dangerous individual who threatens public safety to justice as soon as possible, I am willing to donate one million dollars to the New York Police Department in my personal name to update police equipment."

"In addition, I will offer another one million dollars as a reward for any clue related to the true identity of the 'Dock Butcher.'"

The moment this news came out, the students in the cafeteria erupted!

That was a million dollars!

To a group of high school students, it was an unimaginably enormous sum!

Bzzzzz!

Just as the students were discussing the "Dock Butcher," the cafeteria windows suddenly began to shake violently. One pane of glass even shattered in midair for no apparent reason.

At that moment, a student rushed in from outside with excitement written all over his face and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Guys, huge news! Manhattan Bank east of the school has been robbed!"