"The first floor is the office area. The company just opened, and we haven't started operations yet. You're the first employee. For now, your job is to follow my instructions and do whatever I ask."
"The second floor is the living area. All the rooms are empty. Pick whichever one you want."
"The third floor is my private space."
Fenris gave a quick rundown of the place to the seemingly fearless Jessica Jones. "Your internship lasts three months. Room and board are covered, but there's no salary. After the internship ends, your monthly salary will be three thousand dollars. Benefits and bonuses are separate. Any questions?"
Short, sharp, and to the point.
For Jessica Jones, who was working her first job, it felt a bit overwhelming. She shook her head instinctively.
"No... no problem."
Although there was no salary during the internship, the offer of free room and board solved her immediate crisis. And once the internship ended, the promise of a three-thousand-dollar monthly salary was a big relief.
She wanted to prove to Trish that she could live just fine without relying on her.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Seeing her sincerely express gratitude, Fenris gave a faint smile. "Get some rest. You're coming with me tomorrow."
"Okay, got it." Jessica nodded. Then, suddenly remembering something, she awkwardly asked in a low voice, "Um, I don't even know your name."
Without turning around, Fenris replied, "Fenris."
"I... I'm Jessica Jones."
"Got it." A light voice echoed from upstairs. Fenris had already disappeared from her sight.
While Jessica picked a room to rest downstairs, Fenris had already showered and laid down in bed upstairs.
He slept deeply and peacefully.
Not because there was now a super-strong girl downstairs giving him a sense of security, but because the Time Variance Authority hadn't shown up.
This meant that although Jessica Jones's fate had changed, no time branch had formed.
In other words, major events could not be altered, but minor ones could.
As long as the key moments and final outcomes remained unchanged, small deviations wouldn't create time branches.
Knowing this, Fenris could now act more freely and without hesitation in the future.
Baltimore, Maryland.
Jessica Jones stood outside a rundown wooden house with a blank expression and unfocused eyes.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing here?
Wasn't she just at the company about to go out with her boss? How did a simple tap on her shoulder turn into her appearing here instantly?
"Boss, you..." Jessica quickly turned to Fenris beside her.
Fenris looked completely calm, his expression faintly annoyed, as if saying she was making a fuss over nothing. He pointed at the door. "You're not the only one with special abilities. Go knock."
Suppressing her shock and curiosity, Jessica stepped forward and knocked.
Knock knock knock
A young black boy opened the door.
"We're here to see Isaiah," Fenris said.
"There's no Isaiah here," the boy replied, already moving to shut the door.
"Jessica," Fenris called.
Jessica gently pushed, holding the door open with ease.
"Elijah Bradley, lying is not a quality you should have," Fenris said, glancing at the boy who stepped back warily. Then he walked in as if it were his own house.
In the living room, an elderly Black man with sharp eyes stared at the unexpected intruders.
"You're not welcome here. Please leave."
"Isaiah Bradley." Fenris looked around and casually sat down on the sofa. "There's no need for tension. I know who you are and what you've been through, so you don't have to worry. I'm only here to ask you to spar with her a few times."
"What?! You want me to fight him?"
Jessica's eyes widened. "He's an old man! I... I'm not fighting him!"
Fenris took out a stack of cash and placed it on the table. He looked at Isaiah Bradley, whose expression was unreadable. "This is fifty thousand dollars. Win or lose, it's yours. And I promise never to bother you or your family again."
Isaiah glanced at Jessica. If this guy knew his identity and still wanted her to fight him, she must not be as ordinary as she looked.
"What if I refuse?"
Fenris smiled and shook his head. "You could try."
Isaiah understood he had no real choice.
He could refuse to strike first, but he couldn't stop someone from attacking him or his family.
"You better keep your word."
Isaiah gave Fenris a look, then suddenly charged at Jessica with agility far beyond what his age should allow. His punch roared like a tiger awakening from slumber, strong, fast, and full of force, completely shocking Jessica, who had dismissed him as just some old guy.
She was caught off guard and didn't dodge in time.
Staggering backward from the hit, she looked at the unassuming old man in disbelief.
"This old man has no honor!" Fenris chuckled as he watched Jessica launch her counterattack and start brawling with Isaiah Bradley. He opened the system interface with a satisfied smile.
Ding!
"Battle detected. Reward acquired: Super Strength (Jessica Jones)"
Ding!
"Battle detected. Reward acquired: Super Soldier Serum Enhancement (Isaiah Bradley)"
Both had dropped their best rewards, exactly what Fenris had hoped for.
Super Strength needed no explanation. Jessica Jones was essentially a powerhouse in human form. After gaining her ability, Fenris could immediately feel a significant increase in physical strength just by clenching his fist.
The Super Soldier Serum Enhancement was basically the military's attempt to replicate Dr. Erskine's formula after his assassination. Though the success rate was low and it wasn't as effective as Steve Rogers's original serum, it still enhanced strength, stamina, speed, endurance, and reflexes across the board. Even his abs had silently upgraded from one-pack to eight-pack.
Of course, the serum Isaiah received wasn't perfect, but Fenris wasn't greedy. Until Steve Rogers thawed out from the ice, this was the best enhancement available.
After all, Isaiah Bradley had once served as Captain America and even fought the Winter Soldier during the Korean War.
"Take a break. Continue in ten minutes."
Fenris clapped and called a stop to the fight that was getting more intense.
As for the reason?
Obviously, he wanted more battle drops.