"My name is Mike, Mike Johnson, and I'm just an ordinary college student."
In the basement, the rookie hero who was pointed at by a gun was in a very bad mentality, not only because the pressure from Lao Jiang was too strong, but also because he had just tried to escape.
As a result, before he could escape from the basement, he was kicked back by the girl behind him who was wearing SpongeBob SquarePants clothes.
He is only about 1.5 meters tall.
But you can beat him without a gun.
It turned out that it was a mistake for him to go out and fight crime today. When he met these four people, each of them had the ability to crush him easily.
For a young man who is just starting out in the superhero business, this is a huge blow.
Therefore, when he talks about his own affairs, his tone becomes weak.
"An ordinary college student? Mike, do you think you are humorous? Or do you think I am a fool who lets you deceive me?"
Jiang Xia turned around, leaned against the ping-pong table, and lit a cigarette. As the smoke rose, he crossed his arms and looked at the somewhat thin young man in front of him.
Not tall.
He is between 1.7 and 1.8 meters tall, with messy hair and a not-so-handsome face. He is the kind of person who would be hard to find in a crowd .
He was still wearing the "costume".
It was modified from a large jumpsuit. The sewing was very crude, and a small cape was barely sewn with messy paint on it. A hood was also made to cover the face.
Probably to create a cool double-wing decoration.
But the craftsmanship was so poor that it looked crooked and like a shoddy chicken wing.
You can tell he's a newbie at first glance.
Maybe you are very enthusiastic about your new job, but you don't know that you should dress up every time you go to work.
"The punch you just threw was more than twice as powerful as an average person, and the speed was several times faster than an average person's limit. Although it was obvious that you couldn't control the power, you also had the impulsiveness that is unique to young people.
But this is enough to prove that you are not an 'ordinary' student."
Jiang Xia said to the young man in front of him:
"Let me be honest. As you can see, I also treat the injuries of criminals, so I am not a bad person, at least not the kind of bad person you understand. What is your ability?
In addition to speed and strength, what other tricks do you have? Show them to me."
Hearing this, Mike reluctantly took out a bucket of spray paint from his waist bag. Under Lao Jiang's gaze, the young man took a few breaths and sprayed the paint in his hand.
The pink paint flew into the air, and when Mike raised his hand and touched it, it was transformed from a gas into a pink dagger. He held it in his hand and swung it a few times in an official manner.
Then he was waved away and transformed into a physical form and disappeared.
"That's it."
Mike glanced at Jiang Xia and said honestly:
"I am a fine arts student at a local community college. I wanted to be a street artist. A month ago, when I went to the bank to withdraw money, I was attacked by robbers..."
"Well, I know about that."
Jiang Xia interrupted him and said:
“It was said that a few rough street heroes wanted to rescue the people who were being held hostage, but they messed up and the robbers detonated the bomb, killing everyone in the bank.
Were you in it?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
Mike scratched his hair and said:
“But the situation wasn’t as serious as you said. In fact, there were only four people in the bank besides me. The robbers only killed themselves, except for a few heroes.
However, because there was an inside story, the police blocked the news, and the rumors outside became more and more outrageous . "
"Inside story?"
Jiang Xia narrowed his eyes, looked at the spray paint can in Mike's hand, and said:
"Is it related to your ability?"
"Um."
The young man didn't intend to hide it anymore.
He had been acting alone for the past month, fighting crime and so on, and he wanted to communicate with other heroes in the city.
But I never found an opportunity. Now, this powerful guy in front of me might be one of those great heroes.
Maybe this is an opportunity.
He said frankly:
"That group of robbers didn't go to steal money. Their goal was very clear, which was to get the 'strange item' hidden in the bank vault, but they failed.
The bomb explosion shattered the strange object. I was in a daze and saw a ray of light hitting me, and then I fell into a coma. When I woke up, I had this ability.
This month, I have been tracking down the origins of those robbers."
As he spoke, Mike pointed at the criminal behind Lao Jiang and said:
“They are his men. The man is called Billy, the boss of a nearby Mexican gang. It took me a long time to find him. He was the one who planned the robbery.
But before I could ask, you..."
"I understand."
Old Jiang nodded, reached out his hand to the unconscious person behind him and put out the cigarette butt. Immediately, a smell of burnt skin came. Jiang Xia stood up and took a step forward.
He looked at Mike, who looked terrified, and said:
"Where are the fragments of the magic item? Do you have any? More importantly, do you have many of these magic items that can give ordinary people special abilities?"
"Yes, I secretly took a small piece from the police station."
Mike took out a small piece of pink crystal from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Xia, who took it in his hand. This thing looked like a fragment of some gem.
It feels frosted to the touch.
Jiang Xia injected a ray of spiritual energy into it, but there was no response. Only an empty shell was left. There might have been special powers inside, but they have now almost dissipated.
"It is said that there are many such rare items."
Mike looked at Jiang Xia's expression, then he carefully passed on the news he had heard from others and told it again to Old Jiang.
He said:
“Many heroes rely on the abilities they gain unexpectedly from rare objects. I’ve heard that these objects can be found all over the world, and most of them are related to some ancient secrets.
For example, Radiance, one of the seven giants of Justice Company, is said to have gained powerful strength by finding King Solomon's treasure during a desert expedition.
There is also the famous 'Persuader' among the Lone Ranger heroes. He has an 'Eye of Medusa' in his hand, which can seduce people's hearts and petrify enemies.
Of course, there are also abilities gained through high technology, such as genetic experiments, alien technology, and many other things.”
"Justice Company?"
Jiang Xia played with the fragments of the strange object in his hand and said in a playful tone:
"You're using superheroes as a business. I've met someone in the same field. It's a really good idea. How many superheroes are there now? You know."
"a lot of."
Mike licked his dry lips and said:
“There are more than two hundred in New York City alone, and in other places as well, and there are official heroes, such as Mr. Malmos of the People’s Party and his comrades.
When they were young, they participated in the war in the name of the country and called themselves the "North American Inhumans". Mr. Malmos was a powerful hero and had a nickname when he was young, the Sleeping King.
But he didn't like the name.
After the war, he entered politics and is now the leader of the People’s Party.”
"Um."
Jiang Xia nodded.
He glanced at the wall of the basement, where there were several posters hanging, just like those star-chasing posters, each with a special character on it.
What they wear is very non-mainstream and their styles are all very unconventional.
There are men and women on the posters, but under each one, there is a special logo, which is the word "justice" composed of alienated Latin and cool design.
"Are those the so-called Big Seven?"
Old Jiang pointed at the posters and said to Mike:
"You admire them? You want to be like them? Join them?"
“I admire them, but…”
Mike scratched his hair and said to Lao Jiang:
“I don’t really like heroes who only show up for the public. I think if you want to do good things, you should do it from your heart, instead of having every thing you do reported to the world.
But I do want to join Justice Inc.”
"Tsk, you say one thing and mean another."
Gu Miao, who had just finished his pizza, curled his lips in disdain and complained in his hometown dialect.
Lao Jiang also smiled and said in a playful tone:
"You also want to debut as a hero? Young people can understand that once you become famous, you will have everything: money, fame, status, big-butt chicks...
Right?
"No, it's not!"
Mike, who had a fearful look on his face just now, shook his head vigorously after hearing what Jiang Xia said. He said seriously:
"I want to join Justice Company for a good reason! It's not what you said. Even though you are very capable, you can't..."
"Shua"
Lao Jiang raised his left hand and played with the beautiful mirage pearl in his hand.
As the spiritual energy
“I’m not just powerful, kid. You don’t know what kind of power I possess, so I advise you not to talk to me in this tone as if the world revolves around you.
But I also don’t think that an ordinary college student would have the courage to face gangsters after gaining strange powers, in other words.
You have some courage.
I think there must be something that supports you to take this path. It is fate that we meet, so I want to ask, what supports you to become a hero?
Don't tell me about dreams or anything.
We are all adults, you know what I mean?"
Mike didn't answer. He remained silent and resisted, with the stubbornness unique to young people.
Lao Jiang shrugged and said:
“You can also think of me as a Santa Claus who suddenly arrives. I have many magical things and I can fulfill some of your wishes. Of course, you also need to pay some price.
Fair trade.
I'm only asking you one more time. If you still don't tell me, I'll take this criminal away and you can pretend nothing happened and continue to be your little street hero.
Pray that one day you will be discovered by Justice Entertainment, signed by them, and debut as an idol.
Do you like to try your luck?
"I……"
Mike clenched his fists. It was obvious that Lao Jiang's words touched his heart. Perhaps there was something he had to accomplish, and the sudden appearance of Lao Jiang in front of him was an opportunity.
"I have a... friend who... is in some trouble... Justice Company has medicine that can save her..."
"Ahem"
Before Mike could finish his words, the seriously injured criminal behind Jiang Xia started coughing violently. The polymer therapeutic fluid was very effective and he was showing signs of waking up.
"Go out, get some sleep, and think about it."
Jiang Xia waved his hand, picked up the water and tissues he had bought earlier, turned around, and said to Mike without even turning his head:
"I want to ask this criminal some questions in a 'friendly' way. It may take some time. Maybe tomorrow morning. I'll wait for your reply. It doesn't have to be you.
But look.
I have a special profession, and I believe in fate...or to put it in a way that you are more familiar with, I believe in destiny.
Send him out, watch him, and don't let anyone disturb me."
The last sentence was said to Gu Miao. The little girl immediately stood up and kicked Mike on the leg rudely, forcing him to leave the basement.
This girl is becoming more and more like a little gangster.
Jiang Xia shook his head. He took out a tissue with his left hand, held a bottle of water in his right hand, and looked at the criminal who opened his eyes in front of him.
He gave a gentle smile.
Say to the person in front of you:
"Hello, Mr. Curio Collector, I am somewhat interested in your collection, perhaps you would be willing to give them all to me for free...shhhhhhh.
Don't rush to talk, I'll help you sober up."
The next moment, tissues were covered on the man's face, cold water was poured, and three tissues were used to cover his mouth and nose tightly. The man struggled frantically, but was easily held down by Lao Jiang with one hand.
"Why don't you do something else but imitate others and commit crimes? Since you like hurting others so much, you must be a very brave guy. You even smashed my car."
"Then let me see how courageous you are."