In the home of an unknown nurse.
Lynch put down his phone and glanced at Matt, who was lying on the bed.
He was still asleep, frowning, as if even in his dreams he was constantly fighting.
Without disturbing him, Lynch quietly pushed open the bedroom door and stepped out. He saw a woman tidying up the room.
"Claire, when Matt wakes up, tell him it's over. Karen has given up."
"Alright."
After saying this to the woman, Lynch walked out on his own.
…
Yes, Lynch had just received a call from Karen.
She said she had already received financial compensation and didn't want him or Daredevil to pursue the matter any further.
She backed down.
Lynch wasn't too surprised. He knew Karen was a normal woman.
A real person, living in this world, who would give up and retreat in the face of pressure and difficulty. An ordinary woman.
After all, it's the likes of him and Daredevil—people with no normal life, who only think about fighting, punishing evil, and upholding justice—that are the abnormal ones, right?
Normal people think about their lives—what to eat today, where to relax tomorrow…
So, Lynch could understand Karen's decision to give up.
Who wouldn't worry about daily necessities, rent, and bills?
Why risk everything when you could take the money and start a new life?
But understanding doesn't mean acceptance. Lynch felt troubled.
Karen's retreat meant a parting of ways with Lynch and Daredevil, making Lynch's help and Daredevil's injury seem in vain.
Well, at least Karen could start a new life. In that sense, Lynch's original intention was somewhat fulfilled.
But…
As he walked aimlessly through the streets, Lynch suddenly felt uneasy.
With his enhanced senses, he could clearly hear people around him discussing things.
Kingpin had blown their story up with the police, and everyone in Hell's Kitchen was cursing and rejecting them.
As he walked openly in the street, piercing and unfriendly stares cut across Lynch's face like knives, and the murmurs seemed to surround him in condemnation.
"Monster!"
"Butcher!"
…
Once again, Lynch felt out of place in this world.
This feeling of alienation wasn't due to nationality or geography. It came from the fact that there was no one here who was familiar to him.
Although Lynch could be cold or warm depending on the situation, he still cared deeply about those he knew.
Those classmates, friends, and even the novels and anime that had once given him spiritual comfort—none of it existed in this world.
To this world, he was an outsider. An extra.
A cold wind blew by, and Lynch tightened his jacket.
He wasn't physically cold, but this chill came from within his heart.
Without realizing it, Christmas had already arrived, and New York's streets were filled with Santa Claus decorations and twinkling lights, the festive atmosphere heavy in the air.
A couple walked toward him from the other side of the street, holding each other tightly, their faces glowing with happiness and contentment, warding off the coldness of the world.
Lynch's gaze slowly drifted…
Once upon a time, he had also had that kind of happiness.
Those memories rushed back from the depths of his mind uncontrollably.
The glance they exchanged when they were sorted into different classes in high school—it was their first meeting.
The long late-night conversations after exchanging contact information—their first connection.
The first time they braved the freezing winter to wander the small town—their first date.
In college, they finally got together.
Through every sleepless night, every moment of despair and breakdown, she was always by his side.
But…
Over time, things changed.
She was just an ordinary girl, after all.
Like all girls, she longed for a stable and happy life.
Just like Karen, a woman's desires are often different from a man's.
Men often dream of exploring the world, changing something, leaving a mark; women, though, often just want a secure and happy life.
When Lynch couldn't bring himself to join her in a normal life, the distance between them grew.
The disadvantages of a long-distance relationship began to show—they fought more, talked less.
Eventually…
They broke up peacefully.
Letting her go also meant letting go of himself.
As he walked down the small street, Lynch unexpectedly looked up.
In front of a brightly decorated mall, Natasha stood with her arms crossed, smiling radiantly.
"Why is my little boy looking so troubled?"
…
Inside a café, Lynch sipped from a steaming cup of coffee.
The rising mist blurred his face.
"What have you been up to lately?" Lynch asked.
Natasha's bright eyes glanced over at him.
"What do you think? Every day, I'm helping you protect your little girlfriend," she teased with a strange tone.
Lynch's face instantly turned red.
Girlfriend? No such thing!
I'm just being kind, giving shelter to a homeless woman.
Natasha, don't slander me out of nowhere!
"She's not my girlfriend," Lynch said awkwardly.
"Even if she was, we've broken up."
Natasha propped her face with her hand, staring directly at Lynch.
After a while, she smiled and said, "Then why explain it?"
"I…"
Lynch's words caught in his throat.
Yeah, why was he explaining?
Lynch, she's a top SHIELD agent!
Don't be fooled by her beauty—she's the cunning and dangerous "Black Widow" who has killed countless people!
Hold your ground!
This is obviously a trap!
Hmph, Lynch, a steel-willed man for twenty years, has surely resisted many temptations. Why should I fall for this?
But…
She's so beautiful.
Her eyes sparkle like gems, her skin is fair and delicate, her long hair flows like a waterfall, and her… chest...
"Maybe it's because I care about you," Lynch suddenly said.
Natasha paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes before she quickly hid it.
"Really?"
"Truer than pearls."
Natasha blinked, not quite grasping the sudden Chinese phrase.
But she simply pursed her lips slightly, looking unconvinced, and then took out a bag.
"I think you've been knocked out cold, which is why you're so clueless," she said, pushing the bag toward him with a sly grin.
Lynch opened it curiously and quickly skimmed through the contents.
His expression changed.
Inside were materials about Kingpin, and documents detailing people and incidents that Lynch and Daredevil had encountered.
There was information on Karen, her boss, Karen's lawyer friend, and even the cop who had sold out Karen's information.
Even the journalist who had printed false reports but later posted supportive blog articles—detailed records on all of them.
"Lynch, the world is like this—there's good and bad," Natasha said calmly.
"The difference lies in how you choose to see it."
Lynch nodded silently.
But it wasn't the revelations in the documents that mattered to him.
What touched him was how Natasha had been quietly watching out for him. Otherwise, how could she have gotten these materials to him so quickly?
Could this be explained as just another mission?
"Thank you, Natasha," Lynch said softly.
"Have you figured things out?" Natasha smiled, and fireworks suddenly burst outside.
Both of them looked up to see the dazzling display blooming in the night sky.
Lynch and Natasha stood gazing at the stars, their heads slowly drawing closer.
Amid the fireworks, their eyes met, and they felt that stirring inside.
Unconsciously, they closed their eyes and naturally kissed.
For a long time, the fireworks faded, and the two remained in that brief, beautiful moment, saying nothing.
Suddenly, Natasha let out a soft laugh, then teased, "Lynch, do you think Karen is prettier than me?"
"No, you're more beautiful."
"Really?"
Natasha smirked, her lips curling.
"Then why did you only take her in?"
Lynch was at a loss and hastily grabbed the documents, making a hasty retreat.
"I have something to do, wait for me!"
Natasha watched him flee, laughing quietly as the moonlight bathed her in a stunning, ethereal glow.