Chapter 105: The Truth
2023-05-02 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
Although he already had his suspicions about the attack on Kingpin, Colin didn't tell Ben Urich what he was thinking.
After all, his theory was too outlandish, based as it was on his own knowledge of Kingpin's true identity.
An ordinary person would find it hard to believe.
"I'll go right now, boss."
So, on the surface, Colin put on a shocked expression, grabbed his camera, and rushed to the hospital where Kingpin was being treated.
...
By the time he arrived at the hospital, the entrance was already swarming with reporters.
The Mayor of New York being shot was no small matter.
In fact, while Colin was on his way to the hospital, the White House had already issued a statement severely condemning the attack and demanding that the Thunderbolts bring the perpetrator to justice. It was also clearly stated that stricter legislation would be drafted against unregistered superhumans to ensure such a vicious incident would never happen again.
"Sorry, excuse me..."
Carefully controlling his [Super Strength], he squeezed through the complaining reporters at the hospital entrance to get a spot near the front.
Colin raised his camera and pretended to snap a few photos.
Meanwhile, he activated his [Super Vision] to survey the situation inside the hospital.
As Colin focused his gaze, the bodies of the reporters before him turned transparent. Muscles, blood vessels, and bones flashed past his eyes.
Finally, his vision pierced the hospital's thick walls, reaching the interior.
His gaze swept past the busy doctors and patients inside until he quickly spotted police officers. Following their positions, he focused his vision upward, finally spotting Kingpin's figure on the third floor, in a heavily guarded corner room.
By the time his vision reached the third floor, however, Colin's [Super Vision] was at its limit.
Its penetrating power began to weaken, and he could only make out a blurry figure sitting on the hospital bed.
That's right. Sitting.
Clearly, Kingpin's injuries weren't as serious as the reports claimed.
Looking at Kingpin in the room, Colin immediately activated his [Super Hearing].
Soon, the conversation from inside the room reached his ears.
"...This is necessary..."
Judging by his voice, Kingpin seemed completely unaffected by the shooting.
"People only believe what they want to believe; they don't care about the truth. They think Superheroes are saving New York City, so I'll let them see with their own eyes how their Mayor was harmed by the very Superheroes they trust..."
"Haha, you're even more unscrupulous than I imagined, Wilson. No, Kingpin..."
Is that... the Green Goblin?
The other sharp, cackling voice in the room made Colin's eyes narrow behind his glasses.
Apparently, unbeknownst to him, the Green Goblin and Kingpin had teamed up.
The alliance of two Supervillains.
"In this world, no one cares about the process. People have only ever wanted results."
Without denying the Green Goblin's words, Kingpin spoke slowly in his deep, rumbling voice.
"Humans are fickle creatures. If they can love the existence of Superheroes, they can certainly hate them. And all I need to do is help them see the true nature of these Superheroes. This world is not saved by them. Their very existence only shatters the established order and throws everything into chaos. My goal is to eliminate these nuisances—to send them crawling back to wherever they came from..."
*Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap!*
"Truly worthy of the honorable Mayor of New York City. Your speech almost moved me to tears! Hahahaha..."
Ignoring the Green Goblin's neurotic outburst, Kingpin continued his questioning.
"Where's the thing I asked you to prepare?"
"Relax, it's right here. I can hardly wait for the moment it's revealed! Haha... Hahaha! Sorry, I just can't control my excitement when I think about it..."
Through his blurry [Super Vision], Colin saw the Green Goblin hand something to Kingpin.
After this, the Green Goblin silently departed from the hospital on his glider.
Immediately after, Colin saw Kingpin, still on the bed, press the call button on the headboard. He then gave a few instructions to the doctor who entered.
...
"The Mayor has woken up."
"The Mayor is willing to be interviewed..."
Simultaneously, the reporters outside the hospital got the news.
The Mayor of New York, who had been attacked, had regained consciousness and agreed to an interview. However, considering his condition, his doctor had only approved a brief interview and limited the number of reporters allowed inside.
"I'm a reporter from The New York Times!"
Hearing that only a few reporters would get the chance to conduct the interview, the crowd in front of the hospital began to scramble furiously for a spot. Colin, however, using his [Super Strength], overpowered his colleagues from the major papers and secured one of the interview slots.
The other reporters were a bit stunned to see an unknown tabloid reporter like him get a spot.
Only the few reporters he had physically dominated the entire time were left rubbing their aching arms, watching helplessly as Colin's back disappeared into the hospital with the press pool.
It wasn't their fault; they simply weren't in the same weight class.
During the scuffle, a few reporters had tried some dirty tricks—jabbing with elbows, poking with fingertips—but what effect could that possibly have on Colin, who had unlocked [Super Durability]? Even a bullet couldn't pierce his skin, let alone the petty shoves of these reporters.
Their series of attempts accomplished nothing other than leaving them with sore elbows and aching fingers.
Eventually, Colin simply knocked them aside with a single arm.
"With that kind of strength, why be a reporter? He should go fight in the UFC..."
"Frontline? Sounds like some trashy tabloid that scrapes together stories to fill its page layout. Letting a reporter like that in is a complete waste of an interview..."
...
Naturally, these reporters' complaints didn't escape Colin's [Super Hearing].
Putting their words out of his mind, the group was soon led by a doctor to the front of Kingpin's room.
The doctor nodded to the police officers in charge of security at the door.
After a security search confirmed they weren't carrying any dangerous items, Colin and the others were finally allowed into Kingpin's room.
"Mayor, the reporters have arrived..."
(end of chapter)