"Little man gets his way."
Watching James leave, Mercury couldn't help but scold him. This guy didn't even have the qualifications to look up at her before, but now he's on equal footing with her.
Natasha observed all this—the conflict between purebloods and half-bloods—but she knew very well that the reason why the Blood God Maverick had asked Peggy Carter to be the president was to suppress the purebloods.
Mercury glanced at Natasha, snorted, took the box, and strode over to Maverick's table. She said, "This is a box sent by Tony Stark. Blood God, do you know Tony Stark?"
"I gambled with him at the casino. He lost and promised to make something for me." Maverick replied.
He took the box and opened it. Inside was a transparent mask, incredibly thin. This mask was larger than ordinary ones and could cover the neck and ears. It had no openings for the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears—they were all sealed—and there was a switch resembling a controller at the edge.
Maverick picked up the mask and touched it. The texture felt very similar to human skin. Then, he put down the mask, picked up the manual from the box, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Maverick said to Mercury, "Mercury, this mask is designed based on your face shape. Put it on, and after you turn on the power, it will automatically fit your skin, making it impossible for people to see that you're wearing a mask."
"Can't you see that I'm wearing a mask?" Mercury was a little surprised. She picked up the mask and put it on, then turned on the switch. The mask shrank for a moment and fit her face and neck completely.
Mercury took out a mirror and took a look. Except for the controller, you really couldn't tell she was wearing a mask. What's even more amazing is that although the mask was sealed, her vision, breathing, and speech were completely unaffected.
She put down the mirror and asked, puzzled, "It's a very interesting mask, but Blood God, what's the use of it?"
"Put on your UV-protective hat and go out to bask in the sun." Maverick said.
"Basking in the sun?" When Mercury thought of something, her eyes suddenly lit up. She hurriedly put on her hat and then walked into the sunlight with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Nothing happened; the skin on Mercury's face showed no signs of burning at all—the clothes she wore could protect against UV rays.
Mercury asked excitedly, "Blood God, can this mask block ultraviolet rays?"
"Yes, and as long as you cover the controller with your hair, no one can tell you're wearing a mask," Maverick smiled. "This way, even if our kind doesn't completely cover ourselves, we can still move freely during the day."
"This is a good thing. Tony Stark is indeed a legendary genius to invent such a thing." Mercury was thrilled. With this mask, she could follow the Blood God anytime without worrying about the sun.
Natasha watched Mercury in the sunlight and frowned secretly. This device could greatly increase the strength of the vampires.
Maverick thought of something and glanced at Natasha. This mask was a bit similar to the disguise mask that Natasha used before. Could it be the same technology?
"If this thing continues to be developed, maybe it can really become a disguise mask. A genius is a genius. In just a few days, he can invent something others can't in a lifetime," Maverick mused.
He picked up the power of attorney from the box and called out to Natasha, "Natalie, check the power of attorney. If there's no problem, we'll find a way to mass-produce it."
"Okay, Blood God." Natasha skillfully picked up the authorization letter and looked at it. After a while, she said, "Blood God, there's a problem. Although we have the patent for this thing, if we want to produce this mask, we must use some exclusive new silicone materials and tiny batteries from Stark Industries."
"Tony Stark is really petty." Maverick couldn't help laughing. This was obviously Tony being uncooperative and creating an obstacle for him. He said, "Check if this new type of silicone and miniature batteries are available from Stark Industries."
"Okay." Natasha immediately used her laptop to inquire. After a while, she said, "They do sell them, but the price is very high. I calculated that one mask will use about $80,000 worth of silicone and batteries."
"In that case, it won't be popular for the time being." Maverick shook his head. "Place an order with Stark Industries and buy more. Also, Mercury, find someone to set up a factory with the design plans and aim to produce as soon as possible. By the way, pay special attention to the chips—have someone leave a backdoor."
Mercury came out of the sunlight, put the mask back into the box, and said, "Got it, Blood God. I'll complete the production of this mask as quickly as possible."
"Good. When it's ready, first provide it to the guards of high-level officials and security companies as a benefit, and then sell it at a price of $200,000. But it's only sold to registered vampires; those who haven't registered aren't allowed to buy." Maverick instructed.
"Yes, Blood God." Mercury nodded. Natasha couldn't help but glance at Maverick; this guy really had a dark side—he doubled the price just like that.
"The price is still too high; we need to find a way to get this silicone and battery technology," Maverick said, touching his chin. He thought of something and asked Mercury, "By the way, have you built those offshore companies?"
"It's done, Blood God. Are you planning to enter the stock market?" Mercury asked.
"Yes. Let our financial companies start shorting Stark Industries and throw in all available funds." Maverick said.
"What? Shorting Stark Industries?" Mercury and Natasha were both stunned. Natasha reminded him, "Blood God, Stark Industries' stock price has been rising because of the Jericho missile. We'll lose a lot of money by shorting it now."
Shorting, in simple terms, means that if the stock price goes up, you lose money, and if the stock price goes down, you make money.
"I saw Tony a few days ago and noticed his face was filled with concern; trouble might be coming his way," Maverick said lightly. "Tony Stark is the core of Stark Industries. If something happens to him, the stock will definitely dive. We can make a lot of money then."
"Filled with concern? Trouble coming his way?" The two women were confused. "What does that mean? We don't understand; please explain."
"Anyway, just do as I say," Maverick insisted. Mercury hesitated and said, "Blood God, Stark Industries is the most powerful military industry group in the world. If we short them, S.H.I.E.L.D. might have an opinion."
"So what if they do? We're not breaking any laws." Maverick snorted. "No one can stop us if we're within the law. Shorting Stark Industries is just the beginning of my big plan; just follow my instructions."
After a pause, he added, "You don't have to worry too much. I have a good relationship with Director Fury. He got a lot of rebates from me two days ago. The S.H.I.E.L.D. brand is really useful—it saved a lot on inheritance and factory taxes."
Natasha was speechless. What had her director been doing, making deals with a vampire in private? Should she report this or not?
"Yes, Blood God. I'll instruct the financial company right away." Mercury no longer objected and went to the next room to make a phone call.
"This matter must be reported to the director. Tony Stark is very important to the safety of the world, and Maverick probably has some inside information," Natasha thought.
Just then, the phone rang. Natasha answered it, and after a moment, she said to Maverick, "Blood God, lawyers Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson, who are handling the long-term rental apartment, want to see you."
"The timeline of this world is really messed up. Daredevil has made his debut so soon," Maverick mused, narrowing his eyes. "Please let them in."
Soon, two lawyers walked in, accompanied by the receptionist. To Natasha's surprise, Matt Murdock was actually blind. Wait, can a blind man be a lawyer?
Maverick squinted slightly. Matt wasn't an ordinary blind man; he was the Daredevil who had recently become popular in Hell's Kitchen.
Matt Murdock had become blind due to chemical pollution in his eyes while saving someone as a child, but he also acquired heightened senses of hearing, smell, and touch. These powerful senses made Matt no different from normal people, which is why he could become a lawyer.
Later, Matt realized that studying law couldn't save everyone, so he worked as a lawyer during the day and became Daredevil at night to fight crime.
Seeing this Daredevil, Maverick couldn't help but think of Jessica Jones, another street hero. That woman was so ungrateful. After sobering up, she flew away from his castle without even saying thank you—and broke his window. Next time they met, she'd have to pay for that.
Maverick got up and shook hands with the two of them. "Attorney Murdock, Attorney Nelson, how are you."
"Hello, Mr. Maverick." they replied.
After some pleasantries, Matt got straight to the point. "Mr. Maverick, my clients agree with your conditions in principle, but they hope you can provide more compensation."
"Attorney Murdock, can you find another owner as generous as me in the United States?" Maverick asked. "I specifically found an apartment building for them to move into."
"Mr. Maverick, you are indeed very generous, but my clients are financially strapped, and relocation will be very troublesome. So, they need more compensation," Matt explained.
"Ah, trying to get more out of me?" Maverick laughed. "Well, if they can move out within three days, the compensation will increase by 50%. If they move out within seven days, it will increase by 20%. If they move out after seven days, the compensation won't increase. How about that?"
Matt was a little surprised. "Mr. Maverick, you want that building in such a hurry?"
"I want to establish my group headquarters there—the sooner, the better." Maverick smiled.
Matt and Foggy discussed it briefly. "Mr. Maverick, I'll inform my clients of your conditions. If there's no problem, we can officially sign the contract tomorrow."
"Very good. Thank you. Natalie, please see them out," Maverick said.
He got up and shook hands with them again. As Matt and the others were about to leave, Mercury walked out from the next room. Matt heard footsteps; his expression changed slightly, and he looked at Mercury in shock.
"What's going on? Why doesn't this woman have a heartbeat?" Matt was puzzled. He could hear heartbeats and usually used this ability to identify people around him, but he'd never encountered someone who had no heartbeat but could move.
Vampires don't have heartbeats, but Maverick does.
Of course, Mercury didn't know what Matt was thinking. She stood beside Maverick, waiting for the outsiders to leave. Matt regained his composure and left with his cane, accompanied by Natasha, but he kept his ears open, eavesdropping on the conversation between Maverick and Mercury.
Mercury said, "Blood God, Madame Gao called me; she's coming to visit us."
"When?" Maverick asked.
"Right now; she's almost here." Mercury replied.
"She's not coming with good intentions. Mercury, grab your katana. Let's go to the underground training room and wait for them." Maverick sneered. The underground training room was remodeled from the basement of a coffee shop. After he became Blood God, he didn't stop practicing combat. This world is very dangerous.
"Okay, I just happen to want to meet those ninjas." Mercury said excitedly.
"Madame Gao?" When Matt heard the name, he frowned. Madame Gao was not a good person. She monopolized the illegal drug business in Hell's Kitchen and recruited many people to process drugs for her, including the blind.
"This Council of Blood doesn't seem simple," Matt thought. As he reached the door, he happened to "see" a little old lady with a cane and an Asian man in a suit getting out of a car. He was shocked. How did Madame Gao and Nobu get together?
Nobu was the leader of the Yakuza, and Matt had fought with him before; they were evenly matched. Matt didn't know that both Madame Gao and Nobu were part of the Hand. Madame Gao was one of the five fingers of the Hand, and Nobu was Murakami's confidant, another finger of the Hand.
Natasha said to Matt, "Attorney Murdock, I won't see you out further. Take care."
Matt snapped back to reality and said with a smile, "Well, maybe next time we can have coffee together."
Natasha smiled. "Are you asking me out?"
Matt was about to answer but heard Nobu and a guard clashing. The guard said firmly, "You must be searched to ensure you're not carrying dangerous weapons."
Nobu wanted to argue, but Madame Gao waved her hand. When everyone thought she was going to comply, she pushed the guard through the air. It was as if the guard had been hit by a hammer; he flew back and slammed into the wall, falling unconscious.
"Let's go," Madame Gao said.
She leaned on her cane and walked in, trembling slightly. If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no one would have imagined that such an old lady, who looked like she could be blown over by the wind, was actually a master.
"There's trouble coming," Natasha muttered, ignoring Matt and hurrying inside.
Matt handed his briefcase to Foggy, who wanted to say something. "Foggy, you go back first. I'll go shopping nearby." Matt said.
"Matt, you saw what just happened—that old lady..." Foggy began, but he noticed that Matt had already run toward the back alley. He could only head back alone, feeling frustrated.
In fact, not only did Foggy and Matt witness the scene, but also two women, Trish Walker and Jessica Jones, who were out shopping. They are unrelated sisters.