Daredevil arrived precisely as anticipated.
But Jason deliberately ignored the vigilante's command.
CRACK!
The third devastating punch landed with sickening force.
[Task updated and available for review]!
"He's completely defenseless! Why kill him?" Daredevil demanded, his voice raw with indignation.
"I killed people to save your life, Daredevil," Jason replied coolly. "How can you possibly condemn me?"
Daredevil's jaw clenched so tightly his teeth risked fracturing. Despite his moral outrage, he couldn't deny that the masked figure before him had indeed saved him from certain death.
Suppressing his fury, he asked with frigid restraint, "Forget him for a moment—explain the massacre you've unleashed across Hell's Kitchen. Do you comprehend how many lives you've taken?"
"Of course I do," Jason responded with casual indifference, shrugging. "I remember each one more vividly than anyone."
"You're nothing but a butcher, a devil!"
"They were all individuals who deserved execution."
"They deserved proper legal judgment through established judicial channels."
"You're a violent vigilante yourself," Jason countered sharply. "Perhaps avoid invoking legal principles? Have you not also violated numerous laws?"
"I've never killed anyone!"
"That distinction hardly elevates you. Crime remains crime—whether it culminates in death is merely a technical detail."
"You—"
The distant wail of police sirens interrupted their ideological standoff. Daredevil fixed his adversary with a hate-filled glare, despite his blindness. "I will stop your killing spree. Whatever it takes."
"You're welcome to try."
Before law enforcement arrived, Jason had already vacated the area, circuitously returning to Hopewell Sanctuary.
Lying on his bed, he accessed the system interface, where several reward notifications awaited his attention:
[Side Mission: Punishing Evil has been completed.
Completion level: Four stars.
Mission Reward: Master Level Skill Upgrade Card, Free Attribute Points: 5]
[Mission accomplished.
Character level: Iron-tier.
Upgrade: Not upgraded.
Cause of death: Shooting.
Freshness: One star.
End-of-life emotion: Fear.
Sentiment rating: Three stars.
Comprehensive task evaluation: Two stars!
Reward: Iron 2-star gift pack.]
[Congratulations on triggering the first ten-kill streak reward, free attribute points: 10]
[Mission accomplished.
Character level: Bronze-tier.
Upgrade: Not upgraded.
Cause of death: Blunt Force Execution.
Freshness: Five stars.
End-of-life emotion: Fear.
Sentiment rating: Five stars.
Comprehensive task evaluation: Five stars!
Special rewards for five-star reviews, gift packages being upgraded...
Reward: Bronze five-star gift package, Double Luck.]
This evening's work had yielded an unprecedented harvest.
Beyond the Side Mission, he had completed the Iron-tier objective, achieved his first ten-kill streak bonus, and secured his inaugural Bronze-level elimination.
The skill upgrade card represented an entirely new reward type. With minimal concentration, he accessed its detailed information:
Capable of upgrading any skill, but limited to elevating proficiency-level skills to master level.
Currently, three skills qualified for this enhancement: Pistol, Trap, and Swimming. However, Jason decided to defer this decision until after examining his gift packages.
He opened the Iron Gift Pack first.
[Congratulations on receiving the reward: Free attribute points: 3]
As expected, gift packages below five-star rating offered minimal value.
Finally, the moment arrived to unveil his hard-earned Bronze five-star gift package.
[Congratulations on receiving the reward: Dragon Chi]
Almost immediately, Jason detected a new energy coursing through his system. With focused intent, this power naturally flowed toward his fists.
His hands began emitting a subtle luminescence, their density and hardness increasing dramatically—resembling tempered steel heated to near-molten state.
Holy shit.
Jason experienced momentary disbelief. This ability unmistakably resembled Iron Fist's signature power.
Wait—if I can channel it to my hands, perhaps...
Experimentally, he directed the dragon chi downward, toward a different anatomical location.
Damn!
An incredulous grin spread across his face. This enhancement far exceeded his expectations for a Bronze-level reward.
Such capability seemed more appropriate for Gold-tier classification, at minimum!
For the first time since his arrival, Jason truly felt equipped to establish himself within the Marvel universe.
After several minutes of exuberant celebration, he calmed himself sufficiently to allocate his accumulated attribute points and apply the skill upgrade card to his Pistol Proficiency to Master.
He accessed his updated system interface:
[Name: Jason
Age: 22 years old
Bloodline: Human
Status: Normal
Strength: 15
Speed: 15
Defense: 10
Constitution: 10
Will: 20
Skills: Combat Master, Pistol Master, Trap Proficiency, Swimming Proficiency, Sniper Proficiency
Abilities: Night Vision, Compound Eyes, Dragon Chi
Items: None
Instance: Locked
Alternate Universe: Locked
Main task: Those who are guilty must be punished
Iron-tier target: 0/19
Bronze-tier Target: 0/3
Newest mission:
Silver-tier: 0/1 Creed: Kill to gain redemption.]
With his enhanced physical attributes and the explosive potential of Dragon Chi, he'd definitely teach that ungrateful red-suited vigilante a lesson during their next encounter!
...
The following morning, Hopewell Sanctuary opened as usual.
On the second floor, David continued monitoring Carson Wolf. Though Jason had completed his first Bronze-level elimination, securing the second and third five-star bronze packages would require meticulous planning.
Jason performed his priestly duties, listening to parishioners' confessions with practiced composure.
His recent community outreach efforts had significantly elevated Hopewell Sanctuary's profile within the neighborhood, attracting increased attendance.
After concluding a particularly interesting confession session, he smiled warmly at the departing penitent before calling upstairs to David: "Add this individual named Jack to your priority surveillance list. His sins urgently require divine intervention!"
At that precise moment, a man in an immaculately tailored suit appeared at the entrance.
Jason immediately recognized him—a character who invariably appeared during the "tutorial phase" of any Marvel storyline.
Agent Coulson approached with a professional smile. "Good morning, Father. I'm Phil Coulson, representing the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Might we have a word?"
"Agent Coulson, pleasure to meet you. I didn't quite catch your organization's name—Homeland...?"
"Strategic Homeland Inter—" Coulson attempted, before stumbling slightly over the elaborate acronym. "Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and, uh... Logistics Division."
"Ah, of course! Now I remember."
Looking somewhat embarrassed, Coulson swiftly redirected the conversation. "Might we discuss something rather urgent?"
"Certainly."
Noting several parishioners engaged in silent prayer throughout the small sanctuary, Jason gestured discreetly. "Let's continue in the garden."
The church garden had transformed dramatically. Once sparse and neglected, it now displayed vibrant, flourishing plant life, permeating the air with delicate floral scents.
The passing of one existence often nourishes another, Jason reflected philosophically. Just as when a great whale dies, its decomposition sustains countless other organisms.
Turning his attention to Agent Coulson, Jason noted with interest that the system hadn't designated this government agent as potential target.
This observation sparked his curiosity—would Director Fury himself register as a target within the system's parameters?
"How can I assist you, Agent Coulson?"
"A particularly violent individual has recently emerged in Hell's Kitchen. Has Father Jason encountered any information regarding this person?"
"Certainly! You're referring to the red-suited vigilante with those distinctive horned protrusions on his mask? Daredevil, correct?"
Coulson appeared momentarily confused. "No, no—I'm specifically inquiring about the masked killer. The one they're calling 'Hell's Butcher.'"
"Oh!" Jason feigned sudden comprehension. "I assumed they were essentially the same entity?"
"Why would you think that?" Coulson asked, genuine puzzlement evident as suspicion began forming.
Jason gestured toward the confessional booths. "I've counseled numerous individuals who've tearfully recounted Daredevil's allegedly excessive methods. Yet curiously, regarding this 'Hell's Butcher' you mention, no one seems to harbor negative sentiment."
Coulson regarded him with thinly veiled scepticism. Are you genuinely unaware why that might be?
Shaking his head slightly, he clarified his purpose. "I've come specifically to determine whether you possess any intelligence regarding Hell's Butcher's activities or identity."
Jason's pulse quickened imperceptibly as he frowned. "Why approach me specifically?"
Coulson shrugged casually. "As you noted, you receive numerous confessions. Statistically, this increases the probability that relevant information might have reached you."
"I see..."
Jason shook his head regretfully. "Agent Coulson, I must respectfully decline. The seal of the confessional represents an inviolable sacred trust. My obligation to maintain confidentiality is absolute."
"Father, please understand—we're not requesting detailed information about specific individuals, locations, or incidents. Even the vaguest direction might prevent further bloodshed. I believe God would recognize your intention to preserve innocent lives."
"Perhaps, but I would never forgive myself!"
Jason projected profound moral conflict, sighing heavily.
Just as Coulson prepared to accept defeat, Jason spoke quietly: "I've heard rumors suggesting Hell's Butcher's origins may somehow interconnect with Daredevil's activities. Beyond that vague association, I possess no concrete information. You'll need to conduct your own investigation."
After receiving this unexpected revelation, Coulson departed Hopewell Sanctuary, his brow furrowed in concentration.
He had visited the church primarily as a procedural formality, yet unexpectedly uncovered potentially significant intelligence.
Initially, reports of Hell's Butcher's emergence in Hell's Kitchen had warranted only standard observation.
However, Bullseye's elimination by this mysterious vigilante indicated that "Hell's Butcher" possessed considerably greater capabilities than previously estimated.
But what explained his apparent connection to Daredevil?
After brief deliberation, Coulson decided to expand his investigation.
He placed a secure call: "Director, requesting authorization to include Daredevil as a priority target within this investigation. He was previously designated for routine monitoring—I recommend elevating his status."
A lengthy silence followed before a distinctive deep voice responded: "Understood."