Matt Murdock had another well-known name: Daredevil.
The instant Lier met Matt, a thought sprang to mind: Holy crap, a fellow patient!
That was right. Daredevil's origin story involved hazardous chemicals splashing into his eyes. He lost his sight, but his other senses became incredibly acute-in some ways, even more useful than vision.
Through a chance encounter, he found a mentor and began training his powers and fighting skills. Years later, he returned to Hell's Kitchen.
He tried to provide legal aid to the vulnerable and punish (beat the crap out of) the bad guys.
Lawyer Matt by day, Daredevil by night.
"This is wonderful, Lier! You can move around on your own now?"
Maya followed behind Matt, carrying a large bag of vegetables. Though his mother didn't look Asian, she seemed to have picked up Asian habits from his father.
Seeing Lier on his feet, she couldn't hide her delighted surprise.
After a hug, Lier smiled and said, "Mom, I don't know what happened either. I took a few steps today, and suddenly I was fine.
"And this is...?"
"Oh, let me explain." Matt walked up to Lier. "Two and a half years ago, a truck loaded with radioactive and corrosive chemicals passed through here, and then..."
Lier finished for him. "And then I became disabled."
Matt's senses were sharp enough to detect tiny changes in body temperature, heartbeat, breathing rate, and more.
He was surprised by how at peace Lier sounded when he said that.
He didn't sound at all like a young man who had awakened from a two-and-a-half-year coma to discover he had little time left.
"That's right. You seem to be taking it well."
"Once a person starts feeling sorry for himself, he's done for." Lier sounded relaxed.
His only worry was that Matt might immediately detect something abnormal about his spine, but so far, he didn't seem to have noticed.
Proud yet aching for him, Maya cupped Lier's face and kissed his forehead. "You're a grown man now."
"Yes, Mom. I can talk to Mr. Murdock on my own. You don't have to watch over me."
Lier wasn't quite used to this sort of affection. His mother in his previous life had treated him well too, but he didn't think they had ever even hugged...
It was a cultural difference, he supposed. A mother's love was the same.
"All right, let's find somewhere to sit and talk." Lier naturally took the vegetables from Maya.
After greeting the landlord, the three went inside. Maya headed to the kitchen, while Lier and Matt sat down at the dining table.
Matt smiled. "Your mother loves you very much. Now, let's get down to business. I've been helping her seek compensation from the Kate Waste Disposal Company.
"In fact, I've been trying to get this company convicted. I believe they violated regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials.
"But we still need a witness. No one is willing to testify."
"Why not?" Lier asked, though he already had some idea.
Matt considered for a moment before saying, "This company has powerful interests behind it. They've been threatening witnesses into silence."
"And now you want me to testify?" Lier said. "I believe someone threatened them, but I don't believe every single witness was too afraid to appear in court. What happened to them?"
Matt fell silent for a moment, then said, "You guessed right. Those people do more than threaten. I had a witness once. He died."
With that, Matt shifted into a more relaxed position and placed both hands on the table.
He spoke earnestly. "I know a prosecutor who has been investigating the Kate Company's illegal transport operations for a long time and trying to bring charges.
"But our legal procedures offer defendants a great deal of protection. Without witnesses, we can't formally prosecute them and secure a conviction.
"Lier, I won't lie to you. Testifying will involve risk, but I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe.
"Hell's Kitchen deserves fairness. Its people need justice."
As he spoke, he took off his glasses, revealing his sightless eyes.
"And I have another witness now: myself.
"I'm also a victim of this company's illegal transport operations. Their driver was driving while fatigued and illegally transporting hazardous chemicals through a busy urban area.
"He crashed. I was there, and the chemicals splashed onto my face and seeped into my eyes.
"I know how painful it is. That's exactly why we need justice, why we need things to be made right."
Lier glanced at his mother, who was still cooking, and quickly ran through every possibility in his head.
The original story seemed to mention only Daredevil's tragic childhood. But further information?
It hadn't gone into this much detail.
Lier had to consider what connections had allowed a truck full of hazardous chemicals to drive brazenly through New York's streets.
Who were their clients? Who was protecting them?
"Why can't you testify?"
Matt smiled and put his sunglasses back on. "They said I'm blind, so what I saw back then might have been a hallucination. A ridiculous excuse, isn't it?"
"It certainly is, Mr. Murdock. But I still have a few concerns," Lier said.
"Could those thugs from earlier have anything to do with this?"
"Probably not." Matt shook his head. "Word is that the new mayor wants to redevelop the slums in Hell's Kitchen, but the company handling the project hasn't reached an agreement with... the locals."
Lier rubbed his chin. "So the company plans to drive us out without paying enough compensation and leave us homeless?
"No offense, Mr. Murdock, but that feels like a more urgent problem for me."
Matt opened his mouth. That was indeed the situation.
But... aside from catching those petty criminals one by one at night, what else could he do?
Lier, meanwhile, quickly found similar information online: the United Construction Company had secured a sizable contract to redevelop Hell's Kitchen.
And the owner of the United Construction Company was named Wilson Fisk.
The old wisdom hadn't lied. Disputes over land tended to have a dark side.
This Wilson Fisk had quite a famous name: Kingpin, the crime boss of all America.
Of course, he might not have reached that point yet.
After thinking it over, Lier continued, "How about this, Mr. Murdock? I agree with you that people need justice, but right now, justice over these forced evictions has a more direct impact on my life.
"I'm willing to testify. It benefits me too, after all. I might even get some compensation.
"But I'd like you to represent us and help handle this dispute. Whoever they are, they have no right to drive people out of their own homes.
"Would you take the job? I probably won't have much money to pay you. If I'm not mistaken..."
Lier glanced at his mother, who was still cooking, and continued once he was sure she couldn't hear. "Our family must still owe quite a bit of money."
This was the third time Matt had been surprised today. This time, he was almost stunned.
Was this really a child with the mental age of fifteen, fresh out of a coma, with little time left to live?
So those hazardous waste materials changed Lier somehow, too?
Could the world really be that full of coincidences? Don't tell me that truck was carrying waste from some super-soldier project...
His thoughts raced, but Matt quickly composed himself and smiled. "Actually, you don't even need to ask. I've been helping local residents with cases like this all along.
"Everyone here knows me. I think they'll soon get to know you for similar reasons."
"I hope so. I'm glad a lawyer as capable as you is willing to stand on the side of justice, Matt. Is it all right if I call you that?"
"Of course, Lier. But what are you planning to do?"
Just as the two were about to discuss the details, a plate of steaming food was set on the table.
"Time to eat." Maya smiled, wiping her hands as she spoke. "Mr. Murdock, thank you for all the help you've given us."
The food looked delicious, prepared in the Asian tradition, with plenty of oil, salt, and all kinds of seasonings...
For a moment, Lier almost felt as if he were back in the days when he had just started working.
"Then let's eat first."
Before you continue