When Kingpin returned to his office on the top floor of Fisk Tower, the night sky over New York was already dotted with stars, and the city lights spread out like a brilliant tapestry. However, the gloom in his heart, caused by the decline of his underground business, was dispelled by an even more fervent and clear light.
He didn't turn on the lights, allowing the office to remain in semi-darkness, with only the city's glow outlining his massive silhouette with a hard edge. He walked directly to the liquor cabinet but didn't touch the expensive spirits. Instead, he uncharacteristically poured himself a glass of ice water. The cold liquid slid down his throat, slightly calming his turbulent thoughts.
In his mind, the system's blue interface floated steadily, with the words "Plan C: Above Board, Business Operation Model" standing out like a lighthouse.
"Wesley," he spoke to the empty office, his voice transmitted to the outer room through the built-in communication system.
Almost immediately, the office door was gently pushed open, and James Wesley quickly walked in, a hint of poorly concealed doubt and worry on his face. "Boss, you're back. Queens…" He carefully observed Kingpin's expression, trying to read something from that usually stern face, which now showed a strange excitement.
"It's handled. A minor nuisance," Kingpin said dismissively, placing the water glass on the expensive mahogany desk with a soft "thud." "Sit."
Wesley sat down as instructed, back straight, hands on his knees, adopting a listening posture. He knew that when his boss spoke in this tone, it usually meant a major decision was coming.
Kingpin turned, facing the glittering city outside the window, his back to Wesley, and spoke slowly, his voice deep and penetrating: "Wesley, what do you think of the prospects for our current 'business'?"
Wesley was startled, not expecting his boss to ask that suddenly. He carefully chose his words: "Boss, although we've encountered some... challenges recently, our foundation is solid, and our influence in various industries remains..."
"I'm asking about prospects, not the current situation," Kingpin interrupted him, his tone flat but carrying undeniable pressure. "Forget the self-consoling words. Tell me, in the foreseeable future, how many 'vigilantes' like Daredevil and Spider-Man will we face? How many increasingly troublesome official agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D. will we have to deal with? And what about those perpetually insatiable politicians and the fools always coveting our territory?"
Wesley fell silent. As Kingpin's most capable assistant, he knew better than anyone how deep and murky these waters were. The traditional criminal empire model had indeed reached a bottleneck, or even a decline. Maintaining the status quo required all their effort, let alone expansion.
"We're like dancing in a shrinking box, Wesley," Kingpin's voice held a hint of sarcasm. "Every step is restricted, every move might hit a wall. And this box isn't very... dignified."
Dignified? Hearing that word from Kingpin made Wesley feel a strong sense of incongruity. When had their World ever touched upon the word "dignified"?
"Boss, do you mean..." Wesley probed.
Kingpin finally turned around, his sharp eyes glinting in the dim light, fixed firmly on Wesley. "It's time for a bigger stage, Wesley. A bright, legitimate, and even... respected stage."
Wesley's heart skipped a beat. He vaguely guessed something, but the idea seemed too crazy.
"I'm going to establish a new organization," Kingpin said, word by word, each one like a heavy hammer striking Wesley's heart. "A completely legitimate, open, and transparent non-profit organization with the core objective of maintaining urban safety and handling special crises. Its name will be—'Hero Association.'"
"He... Hero Association?" Wesley almost thought he misheard. The phrase coming from Kingpin's mouth was as absurd as hearing him say he was running for Boy Scout troop leader.
"That's right." Kingpin walked behind his desk, leaning forward with his hands on the surface, the oppressive feeling making Wesley gasp for breath. "We will provide initial investment and endorsement under the name of Fisk Industries. This Association will be open to society, publicly recruiting those with special abilities, or those with a sense of justice willing to contribute to maintaining order. We will offer them professional training, complete equipment, reasonable compensation, and most importantly—legitimate identities and authorization for action."
Wesley opened his mouth, feeling his worldview being roughly dismantled and reassembled by his boss's words. Publicly recruiting super-powered individuals? Paying salaries? Legitimate identities?
"Boss, this... this is astonishing," Wesley finally found his voice, trying to maintain his professionalism. "But the risks involved... the authorities won't just stand by, how will existing 'superheroes' view us? Will the public believe us? And how do we ensure the people we recruit are... controllable?"
"Risk always coexists with opportunity, Wesley," Kingpin straightened up, his voice filled with unquestionable confidence. "The authorities? We will use the most compliant legal framework and impeccable public operations to leave them speechless, and even... make them rely on us at times. Existing heroes? They will either be absorbed by us or eliminated. The public? They will soon see that a professional, organized crisis response force is far more reliable and efficient than those lone wolves and masked vigilantes who act as they please."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the gray "Association Construction" modules on the system interface in his mind, and continued: "As for controllability... we will establish a comprehensive system. From strict ability assessment and background checks, to a clear hierarchical promotion system, clear mission procedures, and competitive performance rewards and welfare benefits. We will use a corporate management model to make 'hero' a profession, a respected and promising profession."
Corporate management for heroes... performance rewards... social security... Wesley felt his brain was about to overload. He tried to imagine Daredevil or Spider-Man sitting in an office writing weekly reports and undergoing KPI assessments, and a strong sense of dizziness washed over him.
But at the same time, as a top professional manager (albeit of the underworld variety), he keenly perceived the immense potential and... profit hidden behind this seemingly crazy plan. If successful, this would indeed be a much larger, more stable, and "safer" foundation than the current underground empire.
"We need to start preparations immediately," Kingpin didn't give Wesley any more time to process the shock, issuing direct orders. "First, contact our top and most reliable legal team to complete the non-profit organization registration for the 'Hero Association' as quickly as possible. All legal documents must be impeccable."
"Second, activate Fisk Industries' public relations department to prepare for the upcoming media storm. I want to see a detailed media response and image-building plan within three days."
"Third, screen suitable properties under the group's name to serve as the Association's temporary headquarters and future training Base. Requirements: central location, sufficient space, easy to modify."
"Fourth, and most importantly," Kingpin's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, "begin designing the Association's internal structure, hero ranking system, mission release and reward mechanism, and... salary and welfare standards. Remember, we want to attract real talent, not street thugs."
A series of clear, specific instructions showed that Kingpin was not acting on a whim but had thought it through carefully. Wesley forcibly suppressed the tumultuous waves in his heart, his professional instincts quickly bringing him into action. He pulled out his electronic notepad and rapidly recorded everything.
"I understand, Boss. I'll get right on it." Wesley took a deep breath, looked up at Kingpin, his eyes still showing remnants of shock, but more so a burning excitement in the face of a huge challenge. "Just... Boss, how should we explain to the outside World why a 'business leader' like you would suddenly want to establish a 'Hero Association'?"
Kingpin walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, once again looking down at the city below, filled with crime and heroes, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Reason?" His deep voice echoed in the empty office,
"Just tell them that Wilson Fisk, as a socially responsible entrepreneur, can no longer stand by and watch innocent citizens get hurt in increasingly frequent supernatural incidents. He is willing to invest resources to build a professional, standardized platform, allowing those with the ability to protect others to fulfill their duties more effectively and safely. This is a public welfare undertaking, and an investment in the future of this city."
Wesley looked at his boss's back, which appeared incredibly tall and unfamiliar against the city lights, and finally understood completely—his boss was serious. He wasn't joking, nor was he planning some deeper conspiracy.
He was genuinely going to go legitimate, change tracks, and redefine the "rules of the game" for this city.
"Yes, Boss." Wesley bowed deeply, this time his tone filled with unprecedented solemnity. "The Hero Association... will surely succeed."
He turned and quickly left, his mind already racing, figuring out how to turn his boss's astonishing vision into reality, step by step.
In the office, Kingpin stood alone. He raised his hand, looking at his palm, now clean of the milk tea stain, the last trace of absurdity completely fading from his eyes, replaced by a sharpness and focus like an eagle locking onto its prey.
In his mind, the system interface flickered slightly.
"Association construction process initiated. Development +1."
"Hint: Host has successfully taken a crucial first step, triggering a hidden mission—'Declaration of an Era.' Mission requirement: Successfully hold the 'Hero Association' founding press conference and attract widespread global attention (positive or controversial attention is acceptable). Mission reward: Points x500, [Primary Association Construction Gift Pack] x1."
The cold, resolute curve of Kingpin's lips rose again.
A press conference, huh? Perfect.
It was time to let the World hear his new declaration.