info
chapters: 570
word count: 2.2 million
Chapter done: 570
There are 150 free chapters at my Patreon, and the rest is there.
This novel is recommended by the user "androGod" from Discord. If you have good novel, then ntact me o on Discord, and i will check it If I love it, I will translate it.
Chapter 1: Interview Report
2023-05-02 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
Ring, ring, ring—
"Hello, this is The Daily Bugle. What's your story?"
"Quick, get the live broadcast van to Fifth Avenue! A witness spotted what looks like members of the Thunderbolts in action there..."
"There's a building on fire in Manhattan! Send a reporter to the scene to cover it, now!"
The Daily Bugle News Agency, 39th Street and Second Avenue, New York.
Shadows flitted about inside the 46-story tower, a pillar of the news industry.
Within the Newspaper Office, the employees of The Daily Bugle bustled about, their faces a mixture of apprehension and unease.
Rumors that the Newspaper Agency was about to be acquired were spreading like wildfire. The silent response from J. Jonah Jameson, the founder and owner of The Daily Bugle, only served to further confirm the truth of these rumors.
After all, based on everyone's past experiences with their boss, Jameson was not one to back down easily.
Therefore, in the face of the rampant rumors swirling around the Newspaper Office, the only thing that could render him silent was the truth.
With the acquisition rumors being tacitly confirmed, everyone at The Daily Bugle now knew that the sale of the Newspaper Agency was inevitable.
The only remaining questions were when it would happen and who the buyer would be.
...
"...So, Mr. Wilson, can you tell me why you've decided to run for Mayor? We all know you're already a successful businessman, but Mayor? Especially the Mayor of New York?"
In the broadcast studio, veteran Reporter Ben Urich was conducting an interview.
He glanced down at the question card in his hand, then looked up and posed the question to the large man sitting on the sofa opposite him: "Are you truly ready?"
"Of course."
On the sofa, Wilson Fisk—or rather, Kingpin—casually adjusted the slightly crooked tie pin on his white suit. He smiled, nodded at the camera, and gave an affirmative reply.
The campaign image, meticulously designed by a professional team, did its utmost to soften the oppressive feeling generated by Kingpin's massive frame. Coupled with the positive public image he had cultivated for years, the moment he announced his candidacy, he instantly became one of the top contenders in this New York Mayoral Election.
In fact, in a recent poll jointly conducted by The Daily Bugle and Emerson College, Kingpin, the businessman, garnered 19% of the support. This was more than double his score in the same poll last week, placing him firmly in the runner-up position.
It's worth noting that the rapid surge in Kingpin's poll numbers was not only due to the positive image he had long maintained. A major contributing factor was the recent sexual harassment scandal that had brought down the former head of the New York City Department of Sanitation. Voters who were disappointed in the former department head angrily turned their support to Kingpin, causing his poll numbers to skyrocket in just one week and establishing him as a front-runner in the Mayoral Election.
"As for why I'm running for Mayor..."
In the studio, the interview continued.
Kingpin glanced at the Reporter in the host's seat, deliberately leaned his body forward slightly, and lowered his voice. "Did you know, Ben Urich, that my childhood was not a pleasant one? For as long as I can remember, every day was filled with shootouts and gang wars. Even my own father was ultimately killed on the streets in a gang fight..."
"...A childhood like that had a tremendous impact on me. It gave me a profound understanding of the law of the jungle. From that moment on, I was determined to change my life. I didn't want my end to be a repeat of my father's. To that end, I worked hard to change, eventually building my own 'business empire' from scratch with my own two hands..."
Facing Reporter Ben Urich, Kingpin recounted his entrepreneurial journey, carefully edited and embellished by his campaign team, successfully captivating everyone in the studio. Then, with a deft turn of phrase, he smoothly transitioned to his campaign platform. "It is precisely because of this childhood that I have a deeper understanding of the darkness in New York City. I grew up in it. I know the city's crime problem all too well. Our police system needs stronger reform, not reliance on so-called 'Vigilantes' for protection..."
"Oh? From the sound of it, Mr. Wilson, you don't seem to support the Superhero trend that's so prevalent throughout New York City?"
Ben Urich smelled a story in Kingpin's words and immediately pressed him without hesitation.
Noticing the probing glint in Ben Urich's eyes, Kingpin sneered inwardly but maintained a cooperative facade. "You've misunderstood me, Ben Urich. I'm not against all Superheroes. In fact, for registered Superhero groups like the Thunderbolts, while they may operate under the banner of Superheroes, they are still under the control of the Federal Government. What I oppose are the private 'Vigilantes' who use the 'Superhero' name but are unwilling to register and be supervised. They are one of the main reasons for the continuous rise in New York City's crime rate in recent years..."
The twenty-minute live Television interview concluded smoothly. Ben Urich proactively extended his hand to Kingpin.
"Mr. Wilson, I look forward to the day you become Mayor."
"Thank you, Ben Urich."
Extending his thick, broad palm, Kingpin gave the Reporter a brief handshake and accepted his well-wishes with a smile.
"I too look forward to that day."
...
At the same time, at the scene of a raging fire.
Screams mingled with the urgent wail of fire engine sirens, all clearly transmitted to the audience in front of their televisions through the on-site camera.
"...As you can see, the firefighters who have arrived are working hard to control the situation and prevent the fire from spreading any further..."
"At present, the cause of this disaster is still unknown. However, according to residents who escaped the fire, the blaze seems to have originated on the top floor of the residential building. By the time many residents heard cries for help, the fire had already spread down from the top floor, which shows just how rapidly the fire was spreading. For now, we can only pray that the firefighters can successfully rescue the victims who are still trapped inside the building..."
"...This is The Daily Bugle Reporter, Collin Roper, with the latest from the scene of the fire!"
(end of chapter)