At that very moment.
Hawk stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the lights of New York while toying with an exquisite copper lighter in his hand.
His fingers moved deftly, making the lighter jump, spin, vanish, and reappear between his fingers so fast that only afterimages remained.
“King…” he murmured to himself, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He had created that codename three years ago and used it to fight crime on the streets of Brooklyn.
He would continue this operation under that same identity.
His phone screen lit up with an encrypted message from Andy: [Everything is ready.
The list has been “leaked” as planned.
The bait is in the water.] Hawk smiled faintly, picked up the remote from the table, and gave it a light press.
The massive floor-to-ceiling glass wall instantly turned into a screen, displaying scrolling global financial market data alongside several encrypted communication windows.
Outside, the city lights still blazed.
Soft footsteps approached from beyond the door, as cautious as a cat.
Koo Ziyun stood in the doorway of the study, dressed in well-fitting casual clothes that Andy had sent over.
With the blood washed off her face, she looked pale under the soft light.
She carried a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a sandwich, her movements a little stiff.
Clearly, “serving” was more foreign to her than killing.
“Put it on the table,” Hawk said without looking up, his fingers flying over the virtual keyboard as he reviewed a report on Bates Capital’s recent suspicious capital flows.
Koo Ziyun set the tray down as instructed but did not leave.
Her eyes swept over the complex data streams on his screen and the document summaries marked “high priority.” She said nothing, but Hawk could sense the power inside her idling quietly on standby, like a dormant ember.
“At the base, they only taught you how to destroy,” Hawk said at last, pausing to pick up the cup and take a sip.
“No one taught you how to live, or to think about ‘why.'” Koo Ziyun’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent.
“Andy will arrange everything for you: identities, housing, and basic life-skills training.” Hawk gestured toward the window.
“The rules out there are different.
Power isn’t the only passport.
Watch, learn, and act exactly when I need you to.” His tone was flat.
Koo Ziyun’s lips parted slightly.
She wanted to ask when she could hit a nightclub and hire some male models, but after a moment’s thought, she decided to keep her mouth shut for now and just gave a small nod.
A short while later, another set of footsteps approached, much lighter this time.
Shin Si-ah poked her head in like a curious little bird.
She had changed into a pink hoodie with a cartoon cat print, her hair simply tied up.
Her face showed nervousness at being somewhere new, along with a hint of barely contained excitement.
“Mr.
Ha…
Mr.
Hawk?” Her voice was soft and sweet, with a noticeable Korean accent.
“Andy unnie said…
we can have our own rooms?
Really?
Big ones?
Where we can see the lights outside?” Her eyes sparkled at the simple idea of “freedom”: a space of her own, with no surveillance cameras.
A faint smile crossed Hawk’s face.
This girl’s innocence was like a pristine mirror reflecting the darkness of the base.
“Yes, Si-ah.
Very big rooms.
Do you like bright lights?
The whole city glows at night.” He pointed to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Shin Si-ah looked where he pointed and let out a small gasp of delight.
“Wow…
it’s just like something out of a TV drama!” She turned to Hawk and gathered her courage.
“So…
what should I do from now on?
Koo unnie said we have to listen to you…” She glanced cautiously at Koo Ziyun beside her.
“Just be yourself, Si-ah,” Hawk said gently.
“First, get settled into your room.
Andy will help you get the hang of daily life here.” “Would you like to draw?
Or read books?
Either is fine.” “Your ability is very special.
Maybe…
we can take our time figuring out how to make it something interesting instead of frightening.” He had stressed “interesting,” not “useful.” What this girl needed was guidance and a sense of security, not to be thrown straight into cold, practical work.
Shin Si-ah’s eyes brightened even further.
“Drawing?
Really?
I…
I’ve only ever drawn secretly on paper before…” She nodded vigorously, a pure smile spreading across her face.
“Thank you, Mr.
King!” She had clearly memorized the codename Hawk had casually given himself, and she thought it was mysterious and cool.
“I have one more question!” Shin Si-ah raised her hand like a well-behaved student.
“Hm?” “What were you doing in that room with that lady just now?
Those sounds were a little embarrassing to hear.” Shin Si-ah’s innocent voice rang out, and the room fell deathly silent.
Koo Ziyun, standing beside her, quietly stepped back, awkwardly covering her eyes and turning away.
Hawk blinked and said, “The soundproofing in this house alone cost me two hundred thousand dollars…” Koo Ziyun cut in quietly, “We could still hear it a little too clearly.
Still, Mr.
Hawk, you’re really something!” With that, she even gave him a thumbs-up.
“Pfft…
She was just an ordinary lady in leopard print…” Hawk swallowed the curse that had almost slipped out, forced a smile, pulled a stack of cash from the drawer, and tossed it to Koo Ziyun.
“You two go find somewhere else to stay for the night.
I’ll arrange new accommodations for you later.” After shooing the two of them out, Hawk let out a sigh of relief.
His place had great feng shui, and young models and actresses were always coming and going to seek his “blessing.” He couldn’t let them overhear everything every time, could he?
His phone vibrated again with another encrypted message from Andy: [The fish has taken the bait.
Bates’s vultures have smelled blood in Busan and are trying to cover their tracks and move their assets.
The “leaked” list has caused a stir among the target groups.
Preliminary assessment: S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attention has been caught.] CREATORS’ THOUGHTS larsen051 Creation is hard, cheer me up!