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https://ko-fi.com/neverluckysmile
Brock looked around, then spread his hands and said, "Why did we teleport here of all places? Out here, even catching a cab would take a miracle."
"There are some destinations that can go directly into specific facilities," Arthur replied, "Like... the Life Foundation."
"Then I'd rather not. So what do we do now?"
"Get in the car," Arthur said.
"What car?" Just as Brock asked, the car appeared.
Once they were inside, Black (AI) instantly made its presence known with a dramatic flourish, startling Brock quite a bit.
"I've always wanted to know," he said, "just how many years ahead is the tech in your base compared to the rest of humanity?"
"That, I don't know," Arthur shrugged. "I'm not particularly sensitive to tech stuff. Black (AI), head to the designated coordinates."
[Black (AI) understands!]
Arthur adjusted the autopilot, then picked up his phone and started messaging Lily.
There wasn't much new to say, just the same kinds of things they always talked about. But still, he couldn't let it go. He kept feeling like her next message would come any second now. And if he missed it, he'd feel that gnawing, anxious itch of not knowing what it said.
Brock had never in his life seen driving like this. Watching the crowds pass by outside the window, he couldn't help but ask Black (AI): "Are you sure this is safe?"
[Please believe Black (AI) can handle all tasks perfectly!]
This was a proud AI, no doubt.
That was Brock's impression anyway. He sighed helplessly.
Ever since Venom showed up, he thought he couldn't be shocked anymore, but reality kept proving him wrong. One shock after another. No matter how much he tried to rationalize things, some things just refused to feel normal.
Venom, an alien lifeform. A Symbiote. A guy with wings who uses cars and teleportation arrays. And apparently he wasn't the only one, there was a whole group of these people.
Well, maybe the others had different powers. But regardless, the situation now was crystal clear: Behind this normal world, there was another abnormal one.
And within that world lay mysteries far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Now, Brock found himself with one foot already inside that world, whether because of himself or because of Venom.
So the question he faced now was: Should he take the next step?
To survive or not to survive, only two choices. Yet this simple decision had stumped countless others. And now, to move forward or back, just two directions, but with drastically different outcomes.
Brock didn't consider himself especially wise, so when faced with a choice like this…
He honestly didn't know what to do.
In the car, one person was glued to his phone, chatting. The other just stared silently out the window, lost in thought. Before they knew it, the car had stopped in front of a house.
Arthur had already scanned the place with The Eye of Horus, then turned to Brock and said: "Wait here for me."
Brock nodded. "No problem, I'll-- "
Before he could even finish the sentence, Arthur had disappeared.
"…I'll wait here patiently," Brock finished anyway.
Just as he said that, Arthur suddenly reappeared in the driver's seat, completely relaxed.
"Let's go," Arthur said.
Brock looked at Arthur, then at the house, utterly confused.
"What just happened?"
"I went in and dropped off the kid," Arthur replied casually.
"Then why did you ask me to wait for you? And honestly, did that whole thing even take you ten seconds?" Brock asked, "If that was it, why bother making me wait?"
"You have a point," Arthur replied helplessly. "But giving notice ahead of time is just good manners. Can we go now?"
"Aren't you going to see how the family reacts?"
"Maybe victors enjoy seeing the look of despair on the defeated," Arthur said, "But I have no need to watch other people's joy."
"Even if that joy… was something you personally created?"
"Yes."
Arthur began setting the navigation to Shule Apartments, but before initiating the drive, Brock spoke again.
"Can I take a look?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Look at what?"
"I just want to see… what their reaction is, that family. What will it be like?" Brock was staring intently at the house.
Arthur shrugged with a sigh. "Fine. I've already mentally filed today under 'time available to waste' anyway."
"Huh?" Brock felt like that line had just insulted him in the most thorough way possible.
He was just about to argue when suddenly a loud, ecstatic scream burst from the house.
Brock instantly forgot what he was about to say to Arthur. He just stared at the house, dazed. Soon, they saw a man rush out, frantically scanning his surroundings. Then with a plop, he dropped to his knees on the ground, wildly crossing himself and praying with clasped hands.
There was a smile on his face, but tears in his eyes.
Brock watched that smile deeply, then turned to Arthur, his voice full of excitement:
"You see that? Do you know what this means?"
Arthur thought hard. "That their house isn't very well soundproofed?"
"What?" Brock was stunned. "No, it obviously means we just did something incredible! Look how emotional he is, he thinks it was a miracle!"
"And?" Arthur glanced at him, still not quite getting it.
"I think this is just… so amazing," Brock said with sincere admiration. "Even though we're hidden in the shadows and he can't find us, we helped him. We gave that family happiness. And now… I think I'm down to just two questions. One of them is crucial for me, because it's about my own happiness."
"Go ahead and ask," Arthur said, smiling wryly. "Whatever it is."
"Alright!" Brock asked seriously: "If I join you guys… do I get a salary?"
Arthur froze. A superhero asking for a salary?
That was a question Tony Stark would never ask; he was a billionaire playboy, after all.
T'Challa? Also unnecessary; he was a literal king and the richest of them all.
As for Banner… Arthur wasn't sure if he'd ever considered it. Spidey clearly hadn't. Steve Rogers… the guy only needed faith in his heart to charge forward.
(Of course, to be fair, his paycheck probably came from S.H.I.E.L.D.)
"So, turns out superheroes really do need to be paid, huh?"
Arthur thought for a moment, then said: "I've overlooked the salary issue. But clearly, it's something I'll have to put on the agenda. What I can guarantee is, you'll never be short on money."
"Great! Then there's just one last question left." Brock was completely serious now.
Arthur also composed himself. "What's the question?"
"…Not for you," Brock said, staring straight ahead. "It's for someone else."
"…Then why the hell are you telling me this?!" Arthur's face darkened.