Become Kingpin and build a hero mercenary company.

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Finally, his finger slammed heavily on the screen of the final combined attack, especially on the data markers showing the clustering of attacks by the association heroes.

"And this! This isn't just simple obedience! It's a... subconscious system dependency and instinct for collaboration! In the most chaotic moments, they unanimously choose to trust the targets marked by the system, rather than relying entirely on on-site command or personal judgment! Kingpin didn't build a hero mercenary company at all! He built... a superhuman power ecosystem capable of self-evolution and self-optimization!"

Fury's voice echoed in the empty command center, carrying a hint of urgency that he himself was unaware of.

"He's 'producing' heroes, Hill! Not recruiting, but 'producing' them! From discovery, assessment, training, and equipping, to task allocation, logistical support, and even psychological counseling and potential tapping... he's built a complete 'production line'! This production line is transforming those scattered, uncontrolled superhuman individuals into standardized, modular, and highly loyal 'products' under his command with astonishing efficiency!"

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but the cold light in his single eye became even more piercing.

“Think about it, Hill. When this system is fully mature, when it’s spread all over the world… will we still need S.H.I.E.L.D.? Will we still need the Avengers? Any supernatural event will be handled with maximum efficiency by the nearest ‘Association product.’ The public will get used to it, rely on it, and even only recognize this kind of ‘professional’ rescue. The authority we rely on to maintain the balance of the world, the response system we have spent countless efforts to build, will be fundamentally… replaced.”

Hill remained silent, processing the immense amount of information and the deeper fear contained in Fury's words. Looking at the frozen image on the screen of Kingpin's blurry silhouette overlooking the city through the window of the Association headquarters, she slowly said, "So, what he wants isn't just power... but the way to define and control 'order' itself."

“That’s right.” Fury walked to the console, pulled up a top-secret document marked “Project Lighthouse,” and the fingerprint, iris, and voiceprint verifications were successful.

“Our previous observations and probes have become meaningless. Kingpin’s Association’s threat level must be reassessed. It is no longer a potential destabilizing factor, but rather… a blueprint for a new order in the making, a massive experiment attempting to completely ‘institutionalize’ supernatural powers.”

His finger hovered over the execution options for "Project Lighthouse".

"Notify the World Security Council that the second phase of 'Project Lighthouse' is starting ahead of schedule. We need to know what the core of his 'system' really is. Is it some kind of alien technology? Is it a product of some unknown dimension? Or... something worse?"

“Yes, sir.” Hill replied solemnly.

Fury took one last look at the association's efficient operation on the screen, then turned it off.

The dim blue light illuminated his cold, handsome profile.

“We must know whether we are facing an organization or a… tool that is coming to life, a tool that is trying to turn everyone into its parts.”

The anxiety was no longer a vague premonition, but had transformed into a cold, imminent crisis. Fury's single eye gazed into the distance, as if piercing through layers of barriers, and saw the new headquarters of the association rising from the ground in New York, like a constantly growing, heterogeneous megastructure, its shadow quietly enveloping the world.

Chapter 72: Tony's Silence

The laboratory atop Stark Tower, once a paradise of unbridled genius, is now shrouded in an almost solemn silence. The roaring rock music, scattered parts, and carelessly discarded empty coffee cups of the past are gone, replaced by an almost obsessive neatness and dozens of holographic screens suspended in mid-air, silently playing footage of the Battle of Tokyo Bay.

Tony Stark wasn't wearing his armor, just simple black overalls. He leaned against the edge of his workbench, arms crossed, his gaze calmly fixed on the replaying images. Without the mask separating him from the viewer, his usual arrogant and cynical expression had vanished, leaving only a deep, almost solemn focus.

His gaze was mainly focused on a few key segments:

• Flint Marco the Sandman, the crystallized sand wall that stood firm against the world-destroying super-heavy water wall of the "Deep Sea King," and the crystallized sand that subsequently wrapped around, cut, and restricted the giant beast's movements as if it had a life of its own.

• In the final battle, the heroes of the association, though initially scattered, clearly tended to form a coordinated wave of attacks later on, especially the details of those who spontaneously adjusted their attack angles based on system markers in slow motion.

And, unavoidably, his own energy beam, deflected, exploded into chaos and casualties on the association's defenses.

“Jarvis.” Tony’s voice broke the silence, slightly hoarse from overuse. “Initiate a comparative analysis of the total energy output of our side (the Avengers) and the total energy output of the Association during the final combined attack phase.”

“It’s been retrieved, sir,” Jarvis replied in a steady voice. “Based on the energy readings and retrospective analysis, during the critical 30-second attack window, the Avengers (you, Captain Rogers, Ms. Romanoff, and Agent Barton) contributed approximately 38% of the total damage. As for the Hero Association, although their average individual energy intensity was far lower than ours, they contributed approximately 62% of the total damage due to their numerical advantage and the brief synchronization of their attacks.”

Sixty-two percent.

This number, like a cold needle, pierced through some of Tony's ingrained beliefs. He, Iron Man, possessed the world's most advanced technological weaponry, along with experienced top agents like Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, yet in the decisive attack, his contribution was less than the collective output of a "private organization" that had only been established for a few months?

"Analyze energy efficiency," Tony ordered again, his voice even deeper.

"Analysis in progress... Data shows that the attack energy of the guild heroes experienced an abnormal boost of about 15% in the final stage. This was not due to an increase in the energy itself, but rather a 'passive resonance effect' produced when multiple energies of different attributes and frequencies hit the same extremely small area almost simultaneously. This effect weakened the target's overall resistance to some extent and increased the overall damage penetration efficiency. This effect was not effectively generated between our attack and the guild's attack due to the large difference in energy attributes and the minute time difference."

“Resonance effect…” Tony muttered to himself. He thought of his attack that had gone off course. If it hadn’t been deflected, could it have participated in this “resonance” and brought about greater results? Or would the conflicting properties have caused interference instead?

His gaze returned to the Sandman's artistry in manipulating the sand on the screen. It wasn't brute force, but exquisite control, an understanding and reconstruction of the essence of matter. He had previously mocked the Association's equipment as "children's toys," but now it seemed that their development and application of supernatural abilities had embarked on a path completely different from pure technology, yet equally... no, in certain specific environments, perhaps even more adaptable.

Individual heroism... the ideals he had always believed in and practiced, revealed their limitations for the first time in the face of this nascent "system".

A single person, even Tony Stark, can be the sharpest spear and the strongest shield. But when facing a behemoth capable of overturning a city, relying solely on one or two sharp spears and shields is far from sufficient. What you need are countless "weapons" that can obey a unified command and, even if not so sharp, can form a storm of metal; you need a complete "shield array" capable of withstanding and dispersing the impact.

The association is becoming the system that forges and commands the "weapons" and "shields".

He, and the Avengers, are more like super mercenaries detached from this system? Or rather, powerful "variables" that the system cannot fully control for the time being.

This realization made Tony, who was used to being in control of the whole situation and being the absolute core, feel a very unfamiliar... sense of powerlessness.

He is not denying his own power, but rather re-examining the definition and application of "power" in this new type of war.

“Sir,” Jarvis’s voice rang out again, interrupting his thoughts, “based on in-depth analysis of the Association’s publicly available and battlefield observation data, I have a probabilistic hypothesis that I need to report to you.”

"The association's technical system, especially in terms of its energy application and matter manipulation, has a 74.3% probability that it is not based on a deeper exploration of existing physical rules, but rather... is built on another set of fundamental rules that we have not yet recognized."

Tony abruptly looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Another set of rules?"

"Yes, sir. Its energy conversion efficiency, the precision of its material form control, and the functions exhibited by some of its equipment, when explained using our existing physical models, contain numerous logical gaps that cannot be closed and energy conservation paradoxes. It is more likely to be... a kind of 'rule-level' trickery or definition."

Another set of rules...

Kingpin's cold face flashed through Tony's mind. That man controlled more than just an organization or a management system; he likely possessed... entirely new knowledge, an unknown power system different from Earth's existing technological tree.

This is no longer a simple business competition or ideological conflict. It involves a more fundamental level.

Tony remained silent for a long time. The only sound in the lab was the faint hum of the holographic screen.

He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the brightly lit New York City. The new headquarters building of the association, which was under construction day and night, stood out in the night, like a wedge from the unknown that had been embedded in the heart of the city.

He recalled his feeling of "out of place" on the battlefield, the "system barriers" Captain America encountered when trying to take command, and the angry yet efficient responses and rapid reorganization of the defenses in the Association's channel after he was accidentally shot...

A strong premonition is creeping in: future crises may become more frequent and increasingly bizarre. Going it alone, or working in small elite teams, might solve one or two crises, but faced with a systemic global threat that could become the "norm," a more organized and systematic response seems... an inevitable trend.

Kingpin took the lead. In a way that Kingpin couldn't fully understand, but had to confront.

Tony took a deep breath, turned around, and the seriousness on his face was gradually replaced by a familiar light that mixed with a defiant spirit and intense curiosity.

"Jarvis."

"Please give your instructions, sir."

“Mark all data nodes related to the Association’s energy characteristics and anomalies in matter manipulation. Initiate the ‘Reverse Engineering: Paradigm Shift’ sub-project. I need to know what this so-called ‘other set of rules’ is all about.”

"In addition, prepare the design draft for Mark IX. The new armor cannot simply be stronger and faster. It needs... better 'compatibility' and 'adaptability'."

He wouldn't admit defeat, wouldn't easily accept being outdone by a "system." But he also began to realize that perhaps it was time to make some changes. Not just upgrades to his armor, but a kind of...evolution in his way of thinking.

He stared at the frozen image on the screen of the association's heroes attacking in unison, muttering to himself as if declaring to himself:

"Systematization...coordinated operations...the next battle will be different."

The silence was broken, replaced by a fervent focus that had found a new direction. Tony Stark's pride wouldn't allow him to remain in reflection; he would only transform reflection into motivation to move forward, embracing the future that seemed to be being redefined by Kingpin and his association in his own way.

Chapter 73: The Association's Prestige Soars

The smoke and bloodshed of Tokyo Bay have not yet completely dissipated in the sea breeze, but another invisible and even more turbulent wave has already swept across the global public opinion field, centered on that ravaged city.

It was initially an explosion of pent-up emotions. The moment the massive, mountain-like body of "Deep Sea King" crashed into the murky waters on the live stream, countless families, bars, and squares—who had been watching intently for hours—exploded in ecstatic joy and shouts of relief. This emotion, like a bursting dam, instantly overwhelmed the previous fear of the monster and the anxiety about the city's destruction, desperately needing an outlet for catharsis and solace.

The Hero Association, the organization that was the first to respond to the crisis, always at the forefront, and ultimately worked alongside legendary heroes like the Avengers to turn the tide, naturally became the sole focus of this overwhelming wave of emotion.

The online world was the first to react.

Hashtags such as #Hero Association Turns the Tide#, #Salute to the Heroes of Tokyo Bay#, #Sandman, the Moving Fortress#, and #Spider-Man, the King of Rescue# have exploded onto the trending lists of major social media platforms around the world.

Those slightly blurry yet powerful images captured during battle were wildly shared, interpreted, and recreated:

Flint Markona, the Sandman, stood firm against the crystallized sand wall, which resembled a golden fortress, blocking the super-heavy water wall. The caption read, "Though there be thousands, I will go." Close-ups of the crystallized sand he writhed and cut on the Deep Sea King's arm were analyzed frame by frame by tech enthusiasts, who marveled at the exquisite microscopic manipulation he displayed. The moment he finally condensed all the sand into a crystallized giant sword that pierced the heavens and the earth was turned into various stunning GIFs of "opening the gates of heaven with a single sword," becoming a symbol of indestructibility and a desperate counterattack.

Spider-Man Peter Parker, like a red lightning bolt, weaves through ruins and ocean waves, repeatedly rescuing trapped people. These scenes have been edited into highlight reels, accompanied by either rousing or moving background music. His rescue of a young man trapped in a car and his organization of students to evacuate via spiderwebs and ziplines particularly resonated with many. Faced with devastating forces, this cherishing and saving of every individual life touched the softest part of many hearts. "He's not fighting, he's retrieving stars," one comment, which garnered millions of likes, read.

Even the Association's standard equipment, previously ridiculed as "children's toys," demonstrated its value in some combat footage—the "Binder," capable of launching sticky energy nets, proved highly effective in restraining small aquatic monsters, and EMP grenades briefly disrupted the energy flow on "Deep Sea King's" surface. For the first time, Leo Fitzgerald's "pragmatism above all else" design philosophy gained widespread public recognition.

"I used to think the association was a bit of a hybrid, but now I realize that professional matters should be left to professional 'companies'!"

"Look at their logistics! Wounded soldiers are evacuated in seconds, equipment is replenished in seconds, and collapsed defenses are repaired in seconds! This efficiency is far superior to some official institutions!"

"What's wrong with the five social insurances and one housing fund? Heroes are human too; they need to eat and support their families! Using love to generate electricity is the greatest disrespect to heroes!"

"I hereby declare that Sandman is my idol! He's strong and reliable!"

"Spider-Man is so heartwarming! I'm a fan now!"

Public opinion has almost unanimously shifted towards praise, gratitude, and recognition. Previous debates about whether "professionalizing heroes tarnishes the spirit of heroism" have paled in comparison to the overwhelming results and the countless lives saved, and have been quickly drowned out by the wave of support.

Traditional media also quickly followed suit. In addition to the overwhelming reports on the battle and feature stories of heroes, some in-depth commentary articles began to appear, with titles such as: "The Dawn of a New Order: On the Systematic Advantages of the Hero Association", "Efficiency and Life: Innovation in Crisis Response Models from Tokyo Bay", and "Professional Heroes - Decline or Progress?"

While these articles differ in perspective, their core argument leans towards the view that the Hero Association represents a new crisis response model better suited to this "supernatural era." Its systematic management, efficient resource allocation, and specialized application of various supernatural abilities demonstrate advantages unmatched by traditional forces when dealing with massive, unconventional threats like the "Deep Sea King."

The data from polling organizations is even more telling. Sample surveys in several major countries worldwide show that public trust and support for the Hero Association surged by an average of over thirty percentage points in the week following the war! Especially in Japan and neighboring countries directly threatened, support even exceeded eighty percent!

This surge in prestige quickly translated into tangible influence.

The association's official app saw an explosive increase in downloads, bringing the servers to the brink of crashing several times. It wasn't just curious onlookers; many more people with ulterior motives joined in—those with the means began seriously considering registering, while ordinary people viewed it as an important source of information and a guarantee of security.

An even more significant change has occurred at the association’s recruitment points around the world.

In New York, outside the temporary recruitment center at the association's headquarters, the once orderly queue has now stretched for several blocks. A diverse array of people have gathered there, the air thick with anticipation, anxiety, and eagerness.

There were young people wearing cheap bodysuits, clearly newly acquired skills, with longing and anxiety in their eyes; there were middle-aged men who looked like veterans, with a calm demeanor, trying to find a new way out; and there were even some well-dressed white-collar workers who seemed to have good jobs but were inspired by this battle to pursue "higher value".

"My ability is rapid memorization and calculation! Although I can't fight, I should be able to help, right?" a boy wearing thick glasses said nervously to the staff maintaining order.

"I'm fast! Delivering messages and supplies will definitely be no problem!" Another skinny boy jumped up and down to show off his speed.

"I used to be a structural engineer, I understand structures! Do your logistics or construction departments need anyone?"

Similar conversations were taking place at various recruitment sites. People no longer viewed the association merely as a "violent organization" dealing with cases of strange individuals, but began to recognize its value as a comprehensive "supernatural power management platform" encompassing research and development, logistics, medical care, rescue, and other fields.

On the top floor of the Fisk Tower, Kingpin stood by the window, listening to Wesley's report on reputation and recruitment, his face still showing no sign of pride, as if it were all expected.

"Pass the word down: raise the recruitment standards, especially the character screening. We need 'employees,' not 'fans,'" he calmly instructed. "Also, accelerate the construction of the new headquarters by another 10 percent."

“Yes, boss.” Wesley bowed and replied, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes. He understood that what his boss wanted was never empty fame, but rather to completely transform this soaring reputation into more solid and tangible control.

The volcano of prestige has erupted, and the Hero Association, like a giant ship, is riding this surging tide of public opinion and expectation, sailing at an unprecedented speed into deeper, more uncharted waters. And the entire world will be its witness to this voyage.

Chapter 74: More Marvel Characters Appear

In New York, Hell's Kitchen always exudes a dangerous and damp atmosphere at night, a stark contrast to the brightly lit post-war vibe of other parts of Manhattan. Deep in a back alley where neon signs flicker due to poor contact, the dilapidated sign of "Josie's Bar" is a haven for those who prefer to remain out in the spotlight.

The bar was dimly lit, filled with the mingled smells of tobacco and cheap beer. Luke Cage, having just finished a coordination mission for the Association—assisting the police in a robbery involving low-level superhumans—was sitting in a corner booth, slowly sipping a soda. His massive frame and composed demeanor seemed incongruous with the run-down bar, yet strangely, they blended in as well.

“So, you’re really a ‘status’ hero now?” a teasing female voice rang out. Felicia Hardy, the “Black Cat,” clad in a black, tight-fitting leather suit and moving with the agility of a cheetah, slid into the seat opposite him. She toyed with a delicate lighter she’d somehow managed to snag from some unlucky fellow, a signature smile—a smile that straddled innocence and cunning—on her face. “Wearing a uniform, earning points, nine-to-five? This isn’t like the Luke I know.”

Luke glanced at her, his face expressionless. “It’s just another option, Felicia. An option that can make things more efficient and also make life a little easier for some people.” He pointed to himself. “I’m no longer fighting the entire system alone. Now, in a sense, I’m in the system, trying to change things from the inside.”

The black cat chuckled softly, the sound like a cat's claws scratching at the heart. "From within? Give me a break, Luke. That old fox Kingpin's system—you think you can change it? You've just gone from an uncontrollable pawn to a… more useful one." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I've heard the association's benefits are quite good, especially for employees with 'criminal records,' they're particularly lenient. After all, the boss himself knows this all too well, doesn't he?"

Her implication was crystal clear. Luke paused for a moment, then didn't deny it. The Association's background checks were indeed different from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s, which were so strict they were almost inhuman. They focused more on "abilities" and "controllability" than on pure "innocence." This was undoubtedly attractive to many ability users who operated in the gray area.

“At least now I can make sure the kids in Harlem can sleep soundly at night without worrying about some failed experiment monster or some lunatic thug blowing up the whole street,” Luke finally said, his voice deep and firm. “The Association’s response time is much faster than the NYPD’s and much more efficient than our previous running around.”

Just then, the bar door opened again, bringing in a gust of cold wind and a few withered leaves. A man in a brown leather jacket, with a slightly gloomy and decadent expression, walked in. He looked travel-worn, and his eyes held a sense of detachment that seemed out of place with his surroundings. He glanced around the bar, his gaze lingering on Luke for a moment before he nodded slightly in greeting, and then went straight to the bar and ordered the strongest drink.

It was Eric Brooks, the "Blade Runner," a vampire hunter who walked the line between humanity and dark races. His presence added a chill to the already oppressive atmosphere of the bar.

"Look who's here," the black cat mouthed to Luke, its eyes gleaming with anticipation. "The lone wolf of the night, is he also interested in the five social insurances and one housing fund?"

Blade seemed to hear her whisper, or rather, his extraordinary senses caught the faint hint of mockery. He turned around, glass in hand, his cold gaze sweeping over the black cat before finally settling on Luke.

“Cage.” His voice was hoarse, with a metallic quality. “I heard you’ve found a new employer.”

“It’s a collaboration,” Luke corrected.

"Call me whatever you want." Blade took a sip of his strong liquor. "I'm just here to check if your 'association' has expanded its scope to deal with the 'Night Stalkers.' Lately, some 'things' in the city have been acting up, and your people... have been very active."

His meaning was clear. The association's rise to power and frequent activities had already impacted the ecosystem of New York's underworld, including those creatures lurking in the shadows. He was testing the waters, and also issuing a warning.

Luke met his gaze and calmly replied, "The Association handles all extraordinary incidents that threaten public safety, regardless of where they come from or what they are. As long as they follow the rules and don't cause trouble."

Blade snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and turned back to the bar, leaving behind a cold, unyielding figure.

Black Cat watched this scene, her smile deepening. She lowered her voice and said to Luke, "See? Even these old fogies hiding in the shadows can't sit still anymore. Your new 'Association' is like a huge rock thrown into the deep waters of New York, and the ripples it's created are much bigger than you can imagine."

She stood up and stretched like a cat. "As for me... I still prefer being free. Helping the rich 'find' their accidentally 'lost' treasures is much more interesting than clocking in at work. But..." She changed the subject, a sly glint in her eyes, "If one day the association's task list includes a lucrative 'art appreciation and recycling' project, remember to let me know. After all, points sound more fun than cash."

After saying that, she disappeared silently into the shadows of the bar, like a ghost.

Luke sat alone in a booth, slowly finishing his soda. In the bar, Blade continued to sip his drink alone, like a lone island; the other figures hidden in the dim light also exuded an aura of unapproachability.

They were all part of the city's shadow, possessing power, yet choosing or being pushed by fate onto paths different from the mainstream. The association's emergence was like a ray of light shining into this familiar darkness, bringing change, but also uncertainty.

Luke knew that those who sought thrills and freedom like Black Cat, and those burdened with unique missions and hatred like Blade, might never truly join the Association. But the Association's existence had inevitably begun to influence their way of life, forcing them to reconsider their future.

More characters are thrust into the crossroads of history by this irresistible tide. Their observations, probing, and even potential conflicts will become unavoidable variables on the path to the Hero Association's rise. And the nights in New York become even more profound and unpredictable due to the delicate balance and shifts in the power dynamics among these various forces.

Chapter 75: "You're So Beautiful, Chicken" - The Weird Guy Makes His Appearance