Kingpin scrutinized Garus's appearance carefully: black hair, dark eyes, with features that seemed distinctly Asian, though his pale complexion was unusual. After a moment, he asked uncertainly, "Chinese?"
"Correct." Garus didn't deny it, though he hadn't yet visited the Marvel universe's version of China. Perhaps someday, he thought, it might be worth a look. He was curious about how it compared to the China he knew.
"Why are you opposing me?" Kingpin's criminal empire had no dealings with any Chinese groups that he could recall. He couldn't imagine who might have sent Garus.
The true reason was something Garus couldn't reveal. After a brief pause, he offered a simple, dismissive response: "Because I felt like it."
Kingpin's expression darkened. "You'll learn soon enough just how foolish it is to provoke me."
He intended to take both Garus and Daredevil back with him for a thorough "example-making" session. Turning to his men, he commanded, "Bring Daredevil and this Chinese fool. We're heading out."
"Yes, boss," his henchmen replied with sneering grins as they moved to seize Garus.
"Hold it," Garus interjected. "I'm not planning to go anywhere with you. I came here today to kill you."
Kingpin blinked, as if he'd misheard. In America, no one had ever dared to claim they could kill him. Not only was he an incredible fighter in his own right, but his dozens of men now surrounded Garus.
This brazen provocation finally broke Kingpin's patience. He no longer cared about who Garus was or why he was here. All that mattered now was crushing him.
"I'll handle this myself," Kingpin declared, tossing his cigar aside. "I'll shatter every bone in your body and leave you to die in agony."
Kingpin strode towards Garus, each step echoing with ominous weight. His massive hand swung toward Garus with incredible force.
The surrounding gangsters watched with glee, confident in their boss's unmatched strength. Only Bullseye and Wesker stood aside, their expressions complicated but silent. Daredevil, restrained and weakened, could only watch helplessly, wincing at the thought of what was about to happen.
Yet when Kingpin's powerful fist collided with Garus's smaller hand, the latter didn't even flinch.
The gangsters' mocking laughter froze. They stared, dumbfounded, as Garus effortlessly caught Kingpin's punch.
Kingpin struggled, trying to pull his hand free, but Garus's grip was unyielding. Despite his relatively slim frame, Garus's strength was astonishing, and Kingpin could feel the bones in his hand creaking under the pressure.
Years of grueling training, Kingpin thought, and yet this… this child's strength surpasses mine?
"Bastard!" Kingpin roared, pulling a pistol from his suit with his free hand. He aimed directly at Garus's head and fired.
But Garus was ready. As soon as he saw Kingpin reach for his gun, he conjured a layer of frost around his palm, raising it to shield his temple.
"Bang!"
The bullet struck Garus's hand, but instead of piercing flesh, it fell harmlessly into his palm.
Kingpin stared in shock at the pale hand holding the intact bullet. Not even a scratch.
"Fatso, your gun's useless against me," Garus taunted, his tone dripping with mockery.
Kingpin gritted his teeth. He didn't understand how this was possible, but he wasn't about to back down. With a growl, he swung his other fist at Garus's midsection.
Seeing Kingpin's persistence, Garus sighed. He grabbed Kingpin's arm and threw him aside with ease.
"Out you go!"
"Boom!"
Kingpin's massive body smashed into several of his own men, sending them sprawling. The group collided with a wall, which crumbled under the impact, bricks and debris burying them all.
Pushing the rubble off himself, Kingpin staggered to his feet. His muscular frame had absorbed much of the impact, leaving him bruised but not critically injured. His unfortunate henchmen, however, lay motionless, blood pooling beneath them.
The remaining gangsters stood paralyzed with fear. Their seemingly invincible boss was no match for this foe. Worse, they had all seen Kingpin shoot Garus—to no effect.
"Wait!" Daredevil's voice rang out. Though his body was weak, his heightened senses told him Garus was approaching Kingpin with lethal intent. "Stop!"
Garus turned to him. "Daredevil, what is it?"
With clenched teeth, Daredevil growled, "Kingpin had my father killed. Let me finish him."
Daredevil's hatred for his father's murderer burned brightly. The image of his father's lifeless body haunted him, fueling his relentless crusade against crime.
"No can do," Garus replied. "This is my mission."
Kingpin, leaning against another wall, felt a surge of rage as the two men casually discussed his fate. The humiliation was unbearable. "Kill him!" he roared to his men, though his voice was hoarse.
But before anyone could move, Garus retrieved his rune-forged greatsword, a Runeblade, from his dimensional storage. With a swift, mighty throw, the weapon flew toward Kingpin.
The blade pierced through Kingpin's chest and the wall behind him, pinning him in place. Blood poured from the wound as he struggled weakly, his strength fading.
Kingpin's world grew colder as consciousness slipped away. Regret filled him. His empire had been at its peak, his name feared across America. He had even dreamed of becoming New York's mayor, perhaps even the president. Now, it was all over.
With his final breath, he muttered, "Why… why?" Then his head slumped forward, and he moved no more.
[Objective complete: Kingpin eliminated. Earned 5,000 exchange points.]
The remaining gangsters stood frozen, staring at their fallen boss. Slowly, they raised their guns, their eyes darting to Wesker for guidance.
"Stand down!"
Both Bullseye and Wesker shouted at once. The two exchanged glances, silently agreeing that provoking Garus further would be suicide. To this man, their weapons were mere toys.
Garus turned to the gangsters in the derelict factory. "Kingpin's gang is mine now. Any objections?"
Hearing this, Daredevil couldn't hold back. "Sir, America is a nation of laws. I hope you won't become like Kingpin."
Garus smirked. "A nation of laws? Do you believe that yourself? I trust in my fists more."
Daredevil fell silent. As a lawyer, he had fought tirelessly for the poor and oppressed, but years of darkness and corruption had worn him down. His father's murder had driven him to study law, yet the system had failed him. He wouldn't have donned the mask of Daredevil otherwise.
With a weary sigh, Daredevil said, "Just don't become another monster. If you do, I'll stop you—even at the cost of my life."
Garus admired Daredevil's courage but had no time for further debate. He had bigger plans to set in motion.
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