Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Monk, How Dare You Steal My Woman
At the Vanessa Art Gallery, Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, stood before a canvas filled entirely with white paint.
Vanessa Marianna walked up behind him. "There used to be a child's joke: holding up a blank piece of paper and asking, 'What is this?'"
Kingpin remained silent.
Vanessa smiled. "It's a rabbit in a snowstorm."
She looked at the man appreciating her artwork and felt a surge of curiosity. So she asked, "What does it make you feel?"
Kingpin turned around, his lips moved as he was about to answer, but a deep and magnetic voice suddenly sounded from behind: "Loneliness. It makes me feel boundless loneliness."
Kingpin paused, the words stuck in his throat. He turned, his face darkening.
There stood a man in black clothing, wearing a devil mask.
Kingpin quickly regained his composure. He stepped forward slightly, positioning himself in front of Vanessa. "The entire Hell's Kitchen is looking for you. I never thought you'd show up here."
"Step aside, baldy," Cohen waved his hand, signaling Kingpin to move aside.
He bowed slightly toward Vanessa. "Hello, esteemed lady. If I buy this painting, would you be willing to have dinner with me tonight?"
Looking at the notorious Devil Face in front of her, Vanessa felt a chill and her voice wavered nervously. This man was a famed killer! "D-Devil Face, if you like the painting, I can give it to you."
"Heh," Cohen chuckled and took a step forward. "To be honest, I don't understand art. I just think that since the artist is so beautiful, the painting must be beautiful too."
A huge question mark formed in Vanessa's mind. Is this guy hitting on me? God, does he eat people?
Kingpin, who had been ignored for too long, could no longer stand it. He stepped forward: "Devil Face, I've wanted to get to know you for a while. How about we both have dinner tonight?"
Cohen looked him up and down. "Monk, what's there to eat with you?"
A menacing smile appeared on Kingpin's face as he spoke: "I've wanted to meet you for some time. Give me a chance, and maybe we could work together."
Cohen's tone remained lighthearted: "You, a gang boss who sells drugs, traffics people, commits murder and arson, rapes, and forces women into prostitution—what could I possibly gain from working with you?"
Kingpin's face turned ashen, and he lowered his voice to a growl: "Do you know what you're doing? You're playing with fire!"
Cohen squinted and responded dryly: "Is that so? It feels more like I'm playing with you."
"You're asking for death!" Kingpin roared and threw a punch at Cohen. Cohen blocked it, but the force was overwhelming—even with his 15 points of strength, he couldn't stop it. He had to take a few steps back to dissipate the power.
Still, with his speed, Cohen could keep up with Kingpin in their skirmish.
As the wind whistled around them, the two clashed, though both restrained themselves to avoid damaging the gallery.
Cohen couldn't help but feel that taking down Kingpin, his silver-tier target, wouldn't be so easy. No wonder this guy could hold his own against Spider-Man—his body seemed to be nothing but pure muscle, except for his brain.
As Kingpin launched a flurry of attacks, Cohen focused on dodging, calling out mockingly: "Oh, look, the mafia boss is finally showing his true colors. Dressed in a suit and tie, I almost mistook you for someone respectable, but you're just another criminal from the underworld!"
Glancing at the terrified Vanessa, Cohen took several steps back, putting some distance between himself and Kingpin. "It seems I'm not welcome here. I'll visit again another day. Vanessa, I hope you'll say yes to dinner next time."
Kingpin knew he couldn't get the upper hand, so he had no choice but to let Cohen leave.
As Cohen's figure disappeared, Kingpin's anger reached its peak. He tried to calm himself, then turned to apologize to Vanessa, but when he did, she flinched away from his gaze as if shocked.
His heart chilled slightly, and although he had more to say, he ultimately left in silence.
Out in the cool night air, Cohen felt great. Witnessing the romance of the king of the underworld himself—what an honor! Tonight had been worth it.
News of Devil Face's return quickly spread, drawing forces from all directions to the gallery. By the time they arrived, both Cohen and Kingpin were long gone. The police, along with hitmen and assassins from the underworld, gradually dispersed.
But without a doubt, Kingpin had caught the attention of both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Daredevil.
...
The next morning.
Unconcerned with the external chaos, Cohen led a group of devout followers in prayer, with David among them. This had become his way to unwind lately.
A boy of about twelve or thirteen rushed in.
He grabbed Cohen's hand tightly as soon as he entered. "Father, something terrible has happened! The girl next door to me has been possessed by a demon!"
Everyone was shocked and gathered around.
"The girl next door went out last night and only returned this morning. She locked herself in her room. At first, I thought she was just tired, but then she started screaming horribly, her veins bulging all over her body, thrashing on the bed."
David frowned. "How do you know all this if she's in the room next door?"
"I saw it through a hole in the wall. We talk through that hole sometimes. She's definitely possessed by a demon. Please, Father, save her!"
"This..."
One of the believers recognized the boy: "Danny, don't panic. We'll help her!"
"Yes, with God and Father Cohen, we fear no demons!"
"Father Cohen was chosen by God. He even had the chance to train at the Vatican for a year. He can definitely save your sister!"
"Really, Father? She's always been kind to me. Please, save her!"
At the center of the group, Cohen stood stiffly, forcing a smile. God? Exorcism? Could he admit he didn't know how?
If this were the world he originally came from, he'd be willing to give it a try, even if it might not work.
But this was the Marvel Universe. Here, demons were real!
With his current abilities, he could barely manage a fight with Captain America. How could he stand a chance against demons from Hell? Mephisto, Tog, Satanish, Lucifer, Asmodeus…
Even the lesser ones, like elemental demons, would be tough for him to handle.
David noticed Cohen's expression and whispered: "What's wrong? You don't look well."
"I'm afraid of encountering demons."
David smirked dismissively, then froze: "Wait, demons are real?"
Cohen shot him a look. "If God exists, why wouldn't demons?"
David blinked, his eyes widening. "Aren't you God's knight?"
"Now you believe?"
David stared at him intently. "I've always believed in you—just not completely before. But if you can truly exorcise a demon, I swear I'll follow you forever!"
"Sigh..."
Cohen sighed. 'God never taught me how to exorcise demons!'
Looking at the boy's expectant eyes and the believers' faith-filled faces, he had no choice but to agree.
With David in tow, they quickly arrived at a run-down apartment.
They stood before the girl's locked door. The room was silent inside.
Cohen grabbed the door handle, took a deep breath, and crunch—his glowing red hand crushed the lock.
He pushed the door open, relieved to find no demons, just a girl lying unconscious on the bed.
As he stepped forward to check on her, a sudden system alert sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Special species detected. Vampire bloodline unlocked.]
(End of Chapter)
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