Early morning, New York.
The light reflected from the Nasdaq billboard screen shone through the brown-tinted windows and into a British-style café.
"According to our station, a heinous incident occurred in Germany yesterday, which the Avengers promptly stopped."
"However, it's regrettable to report that Wanda Maximoff, codenamed the Scarlet Witch, accidentally caused nearly sixty casualties!"
A large television screen on the wall was broadcasting a news report.
"It's outrageous! These superheroes just go around causing destruction in the name of justice!"
A well-dressed, bearded owner placed a cup of coffee on the young man's table, watching the TV with a look of disgust and muttering under his breath.
"Uncle Kru, you really believe everything the media says, huh?"
Sitting on a leather sofa, the young man didn't even lift his head, casually stirring his Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee with a silver spoon. As he stirred, the rich aroma filled his nostrils, and a slight smile played on his lips.
"Cassius, I was there! I saw that damned green monster smash my house with the car I bought on a loan!"
"For real! That was the house I saved up for over ten years to buy!"
As Kru mentioned it, his already broad chest heaved dramatically. That day, he had witnessed a despair like no other, and even now, he was still so angry he couldn't stop trembling.
"Uncle Kru, this is the third time you've told me that."
"Besides, didn't they compensate you with an even better house and car afterward?"
Cassius picked up a small sugar cube and dropped it into his coffee, shaking his head helplessly. Every time the news featured the Avengers, Uncle Kru would start cursing without fail.
"That's not the point! Even so, they shouldn't be allowed to act with impunity!"
Kru stood with his hands on his hips, his breath making his grizzled beard tremble.
In response, Cassius put his coffee cup down and shook his head. "Just wait. Sometimes, it's best not to jump to conclusions too early. Let the dust settle first."
He knew better than anyone that the fault for what happened wasn't with the Avengers. The media, however, intended to use overwhelming public opinion to push the Avengers into a corner. Their goal was to force Tony Stark and the others to agree to the government's upcoming superhero regulations, putting the team under complete government control.
In this incident, Wanda was the most crucial victim. He knew all this because he was a transmigrator.
Cassius lifted his cup and took a sip of the strong coffee, his eyes lost in memory.
A little over a year ago, he had transmigrated to this world. He also gained the mandatory cheat for all transmigrators: the Life's Pleasures Reward System.
As the name suggests, living a comfortable, high-quality life could trigger rewards. These included random prizes like a million dollars, "unlimited lubricant," and a "rock-hard and indestructible club."
Ding!
[You have tasted a premium Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee!]
[Reward: One hundred thousand US dollars!]
"My dear Mr. Cassius, the dust won't settle on its own!"
Uncle Kru's elegant British accent pulled Cassius back to reality.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Time will prove me right."
Cassius placed the coffee cup down and casually left a stack of bills on the table. Just as he was about to leave, he seemed to remember something, turning back to say, "Uncle Kru, your coffee is as wonderful as ever. See you tomorrow."
With that, the coffee shop's oak door slowly closed, its copper bell chiming crisply.
"That kid..."
Kru looked at the figure's silhouette through the door's brown glass, smiled, and helplessly tucked the cash into his register. Cassius, with his unique charm and demeanor, was his café's biggest customer. He would arrive promptly at four every afternoon, slowly savor a few sips of coffee, and then leave just as calmly. And he never forgot to leave a thousand-dollar tip before he went.
.....
The last rays of the setting sun fell on the emerald-green pine trees. Under the light, the pine needles looked like needles dipped in gold paint.
A black Cayenne drove down a road leading to the suburbs.
"Sometimes, I need to change up where I live."
Cassius held the steering wheel with his right hand, his left resting outside the window, enjoying the gentle breeze. The scenery in the distance put him in a more pleasant mood. His destination for today was a manor he owned in the countryside. He had gotten the manor as a reward from the system, and even though the location was remote, the scenery was exceptionally beautiful.
As he got further from the city, the number of houses dwindled. He could drive for over a mile without seeing a single home. The long, straight road stretched like a ruler, disappearing into the woods. In the quiet surroundings, the occasional chirping of birds could be heard.
"It's fuckin' TR3YWAY!"
"King of New York, lookin' for the Queen!"
"Uh, you got the right one, hmm!"
"L-let these, let these b-b-bitches know, ninja!"
The Bose sound system played a lively song. Cassius bobbed his head along with the music. This slow-paced lifestyle brought him a lot of joy.
Just as he was bobbing his head to the music, a woman in a red coat stumbled out of the woods in front of him!
"Shit!"
Cassius's expression changed instantly. He frantically turned the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes, nearly pushing the pedal through the floor. With a screech, the Cayenne came to a stop just inches from the woman.
Thump!
But the woman still landed heavily on his car's hood.
"Is she trying to pull a scam?!" Cassius was stunned for a moment. His next thought was, "Is the Cayenne a magnet for this stuff?!"
Seeing that the woman wasn't getting up, Cassius quickly got out of the car. When he saw who was sprawled on his hood, his face froze in shock.
The woman had blonde hair, and her pale, plump cleavage was straining against her T-shirt. The blood-red coat draped over her body gave her an indescribable, alluring beauty. She also had a strong aroma of malt radiating from her.
Cassius was dumbfounded. After a long pause, he whispered to himself, "Is... is that Wanda?"