"I'm awake. I realized I can contribute more to the world than just manufacturing weapons."
"Therefore, I have decided to shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, effective immediately!"
"Until I find a new direction for the company and other paths I believe are right, and which align with the nation's highest interests..."
On the TV screen, Tony's loud declaration from the podium shocked everyone present, as well as those watching the broadcast.
Stark Industries, after all, was founded on the arms business.
What Tony was doing wasn't just cutting off an arm; it was severing his very foundation, his lifeblood!
The hardest hit were the stockholders.
Ever since the news of Tony's disappearance from the Middle East broke, Stark Industries' stock price had been in freefall. The shareholders who held its stock were on the brink of collapse. They had finally waited for Tony's safe return, thinking salvation had arrived.
Now, it seemed, the guy might as well have died in the Middle East!
"Tony Stark, I f*ck your mother! Give us back our money!"
"How can you do this to us?!"
"Is there any hope for Stark Industries stock to rise? That's going to be tough!"
"It's over. I listened to the advice and bought more stock right after Tony came back. Never mind, I need to go reserve a spot on the rooftop. If I'm too late, there won't be any room left."
"..."
In a noisy restaurant in Hell's Kitchen.
Wails and curses rose and fell. The stockholders glared at Tony on the TV screen, gnashing their teeth, wishing they could tear him limb from limb.
Du Mu sat in the corner, watching the scene with keen interest.
He had to admit, the NPCs in this game were truly well-done—far superior to those rigid programs.
Especially the curly-haired fatty in front, whose expression made it look as though Tony had cheated on him. His mouth kept emitting rapid-fire curses, and he was so agitated he knocked over the cup on his table.
The blind man sitting next to him steadily caught the falling cup with one hand.
Huh?
A blind man caught a cup?
Du Mu instantly sensed something was wrong. He pointed at the man in the sunglasses and blurted out, "System! Did this game glitch again? How could a blind man catch a falling cup?!"
[Ding, no anomaly detected]
The blind man seemed to have heard Du Mu's shout. He calmly placed the cup back on the table, as if nothing had happened.
Du Mu narrowed his eyes.
Based on his experience, this person was absolutely not simple.
With that thought, he casually picked up his own plate of nearly untouched food, stood up, and walked over, sitting directly in the empty seat across from the two men.
The curly-haired fatty saw Du Mu approaching with his plate and staring at them. He asked, confused, "Uh, can we help you?"
Du Mu grinned, placing his meal tray on the table. "Nothing much, I just wanted to get to know you guys."
The curly-haired fatty frowned slightly. "But we don't know you at all..."
"Two hundred US dollars for the acquaintance fee."
"You picked exactly the right people! Matt and I love making friends!"
The curly-haired fatty immediately put on an enthusiastic smile. "I'm Foggy Nelson, and this is my partner, Matt Murdock. What should we call you?"
"Just call me Du Mu."
"Nice to meet you, Du Mu."
Foggy spoke while smoothly handing over a business card for a law firm.
"Let me introduce ourselves. We're lawyers. We just opened a firm nearby, the 'Nelson & Murdock Attorneys at Law.' If you ever need legal assistance, come find us! We offer great rates!"
Du Mu happily accepted the card. "So you're lawyers, huh? Perfect! I have a legal question I'd like to consult you about."
Foggy confidently patted his chest. "Ask away! Don't worry, we're professionals."
Du Mu nodded, his face serious. "I want to know, if a pregnant woman gets into a fight with someone, does that count as a gang fight?"
Foggy: "..."
Matt: "..."
Foggy was clearly stumped by this bizarre, sudden question. He struggled to think for a few seconds before hesitantly saying, "Uh, I don't think so. Strictly speaking, you need at least three people involved to constitute a brawl."
"But what if the pregnant woman is carrying twins?"
"..."
The expression on Foggy's face instantly froze, his brain seemingly crashing.
What kind of question is this?!
Seeing Foggy unable to answer, Du Mu regretfully shook his head and turned his attention to the silent Matt.
"Are you blind?"
Matt was not offended by the slightly abrupt question. He just nodded calmly. "Yes, I was in an accident when I was very young, which caused my sight loss. Please don't touch my pocket. Even though I can't see, I can still sense it."
"Hahaha, just kidding with you."
Du Mu looked embarrassed as he pulled his hand back from Matt's pocket.
That confirms it!
This person was absolutely not simple!
With his near maxed-out Stealth skill, an ordinary person would never be able to detect his movements without any prior warning, let alone a blind man.
This guy might be a hidden NPC, the key figure to trigger a special plotline!
Just as Du Mu was secretly mulling this over, Matt suddenly spoke. "I get the sense that you're not a local. Why did you come to Hell's Kitchen?"
His voice was still calm, but it carried a hint of subtle scrutiny.
It was widely known that Hell's Kitchen had the highest crime rate and was the most chaotic neighborhood in all of America—bar none!
Gangs ran rampant. Nearly every crime imaginable could be found here. Even New York police patrols had to be extra cautious. Aside from the fearless working stiffs, no ordinary person would willingly step into this area.
"I'm looking for someone."
Du Mu answered straightforwardly. There was no need to hide it.
"Who?"
"A man. Code-named Iron Head, I think his name is something like Harro?"
Foggy scratched his head, confused. "Iron Head? Never heard of anyone like that in Hell's Kitchen."
Matt's brow slightly furrowed behind his sunglasses. He said in a deep voice, "Are you by any chance talking about Joseph Harrow?"
"Ah, yes, exactly!" Du Mu slapped his thigh. "That's the name! Do you know him?"
"I wouldn't say I know him. I've only heard of him."
Matt subtly adjusted his seating. "He's the biggest boss of the Magia Gang. His code name is Hammerhead. Rumor has it he's an undead monster who's impervious to blades and bullets. He's a very dangerous man. Why are you looking for him?"
"Sort of."
Du Mu glanced at the time displayed on the wall clock. He stood up casually. "Oh dear, time's up. I have something to do. I'll come chat with you another day!"
With that, Du Mu walked quickly toward the restaurant entrance without waiting for a reply from either man.
Listening to Du Mu's rapidly fading footsteps, Matt's fingers unconsciously rubbed his cane. His face behind the sunglasses was pensive.
"Matt, Matt!"
Foggy's anxious voice pulled Matt back from his thoughts.
"What is it?"
"That guy didn't pay for his meal! Hurry, chase him down!"
Matt: "..."
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