Hell's Kitchen, Nelson & Murdock Law Office.
Outside the window, New York's tireless bustle reigned, but inside, there was a silence that clashed with the noise, and a palpable heaviness named 'Poverty.'
Matt Murdock, the devil guarding this neighborhood in the darkness, was currently sitting behind a slightly worn office desk, his fingertips gently tracing a recently received letter—polite in its wording but cold in its content—another long-term legal consulting client had decided not to renew their contract.
"Things... aren't looking good, Matt," Foggy Nelson, his best friend and partner, sat opposite him, his voice laced with unconcealed exhaustion and anxiety.
"This is the third one this month.
Rent, utilities, Karen's salary... if we don't get new stable income soon, we might not make it past next quarter."
Matt remained silent, his 'eyes,' blinded by a childhood accident but consequently gifted with perceptions far keener than an ordinary person's, seemed to 'see' the deep worry on Foggy's face, and 'hear' his heart beating slightly faster due to stress.
He could smell the old paper and cheap coffee in the air, a true reflection of their dire situation.
As Daredevil, he could strike down criminals in the dark and protect the innocent.
But as Matt Murdock, the lawyer, he couldn't easily defeat this enemy called 'livelihood' with law and fists.
His inner sense of justice and responsibility seemed so powerless in the face of cold reality.
Just then, his extraordinary hearing caught the excited chatter of a few pedestrians on the street outside the window.
"...Really? 'Gold will always run out, but heroes come to the Association for pay'? That ad is something else..."
"Sandman is apparently from there, and he's really impressive now!"
"I heard the benefits are really good: five insurances, one housing fund, full coverage for battle damage..."
The chatter gradually faded, but that name—"Hero Association"—was like a stone thrown into Matt's heart, creating ripples.
He knew this organization.
His superhuman senses allowed him to 'feel' the subtle changes in the city brought about by the Association more than ordinary people.
The unique sound of Sandman's sand particles rubbing together during combat, the peculiar 'silent' force field emitted by The Silent Heart Master when calming chaos, and the almost silent but incredibly efficient equipment of the Association's Logistics Department...
More importantly, he had 'heard' Wilson Fisk—the man he had been secretly fighting against, whose true nature he knew well—declare his intentions at a press conference.
That deep voice, full of power and desire for control, left a lasting impression on him, even through a television speaker.
Work for a former gang boss?
Matt's instinct was to resist and be wary.
But... Foggy's anxiety, the firm's predicament, wrapped around him like invisible ropes.
He needed money, a stable income, to maintain his life as Matt Murdock, to support him in continuing to act as Daredevil.
The Association's clearly stated salary and benefits, for him at this moment, were like a drop of sweet spring water in a desert, full of fatal temptation.
"Perhaps..." Matt slowly began, his voice a little dry, "...I can give it a try."
Foggy paused: "Try? Try what? Matt, are you talking about... the Hero Association?"
"Hmm," Matt nodded, his face unreadable.
"They seem to be recruiting all sorts of people with 'special skills.'
Maybe I can find a part-time job."
He deliberately used a light tone.
Foggy opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it ultimately turned into a sigh.
He knew what Matt's 'special skills' were, and he was well aware of the firm's current situation.
He patted Matt's shoulder: "Be careful, Matt.
That Fisk... he's not a simple man."
A few days later, Matt Murdock, wearing his best (but still slightly worn) suit and holding a cane, appeared at the Hero Association's temporary reception center in Fisk Tower.
He looked like any other down-on-his-luck blind job seeker looking for an opportunity.
The receptionist's smile remained polite, showing no hint of neglect due to his disability or attire.
After filling out the detailed electronic application form (which Matt completed using special electronic assistive devices), he was led to a waiting room.
Soon, James Wesley walked in.
"Mr. Murdock, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Wesley's voice was gentle and professional, but Matt could 'hear' a shrewd scrutiny beneath his words and a barely perceptible... curiosity?
About why a blind lawyer would apply for a 'hero' position.
"Mr. Wesley, hello," Matt nodded slightly.
"I've read your application form," Wesley got straight to the point.
"You've listed 'super senses' and 'excellent combat skills' in the 'Ability Description' section.
Could you elaborate?
After all, as you know, our Association needs a very clear definition of abilities."
Matt calmly replied: "My other senses—hearing, smell, touch, taste, and a unique 'radar' perception of my surroundings—compensate for the lack of sight and are far beyond normal.
This allows me to move freely in the dark and pick up details that others miss.
My combat skills are learned and primarily used for... self-defense."
He cleverly avoided his Daredevil identity.
Wesley was noncommittal; the description sounded somewhat vague.
"I understand.
According to procedure, a detailed ability assessment will be conducted next.
This will help us accurately determine your potential and suitable rank."
Matt's heart tightened.
Assessment meant he might be exposed to the Association's mysterious technology.
But he had no retreat.
"Alright, I accept the assessment."
He followed Wesley, once again entering the [Ability Assessment Room] that had stumped even S.H.I.E.L.D. technical experts.
When the metal door, glowing with a faint blue light, closed behind him, all of Matt's senses instantly heightened to their peak state.
He 'heard' the low hum of energy flowing within the walls, 'smelled' an unidentifiable, unnatural air freshener in the air, and 'felt' the almost imperceptible vibrations from the platform beneath his feet.
This room, in his sensory World, was full of the unknown and danger.
"[Target detected: Matt Murdock.
Ability assessment program initiated.]" A cold electronic voice sounded.
"[Phase One: Basic Sensory Threshold Test.]"
Without warning, the room instantly plunged into absolute darkness and silence—not physically, but a form of energy shielding targeting Matt's senses.
But this was ineffective against Matt.
His 'radar sense' clearly outlined every contour of the room.
"[Shielding failed.
Target sensory system operating normally.
Entering Phase Two: Sensory Accuracy and Range Test.]"
Countless extremely subtle sound waves were emitted simultaneously from different directions and at different frequencies; hundreds of faint, almost non-existent scent molecules were released into the air; the platform surface began to show nanoscale texture changes...
Matt stood still, his cane gently tapping the ground, his brows slightly furrowed.
He needed to control the 'degree' of his performance, neither too weak to arouse suspicion, nor too strong to reveal his full hand.
He carefully distinguished the sound waves, reporting their direction and approximate frequency; he inhaled gently, accurately identifying several of the scents he could recognize (a mixture of citrus, old leather, and some metallic oxide); he perceived the texture changes of the platform through his cane and the soles of his feet.
"[Auditory Perception Range: Exceeds standard measurement upper limit.
Accuracy: Extremely high.]"
"[Olfactory Sensitivity: Exceeds known biological limits.]"
"[Tactile Resolution: Reaches microscopic level.]"
"[Comprehensive Sensory Evaluation: S-Rank Potential (Specialized Field).]"
Wesley, watching the data flash across the control panel outside, showed a hint of genuine surprise in his eyes.
This blind lawyer's sensory abilities were simply inhuman!
"[Phase Three: Combat Proficiency and Tactical Thinking Simulation.]"
The environment instantly switched to a complex urban alley combat simulation with obstacles, and several energy-formed 'enemies' rushed from different directions.
Matt moved.
He had no sight, but his movements were astonishingly fluid.
The cane in his hand was as if alive, blocking, thrusting, tripping, combined with his agile, leopard-like evasive maneuvers, defeating one simulated enemy after another.
He could always 'predict' the enemy's attack routes, using every corner and protrusion in the environment for cover and counterattack.
His fighting style was efficient, precise, with a unique rhythm based on perception rather than sight.
"[Combat Skills Assessment: Master-level (adapts to dark environments).]"
"[Tactical Thinking Assessment: Excellent.
Extremely strong environmental utilization ability, possesses excellent on-the-spot judgment.]"
"[Comprehensive Combat Power Assessment: B-Class (current), A-Class potential.]"
The simulation ended, and the room returned to its original state.
Matt breathed slightly, adjusting his breath.
He had controlled his performance as much as possible within an 'excellent but reasonable' range.
The assessment room door slid open, and Wesley walked in, his expression calm again, but the scrutiny in his eyes was even more intense.
"Astonishing abilities, Mr. Murdock," Wesley's voice held a hint of admiration.
"Completely subverts our understanding of 'disability.'
The Association welcomes all talents.
Your abilities have irreplaceable value in intelligence gathering, infiltration, reconnaissance, and combat in specific environments."
He pulled out a contract: "Based on the assessment results, we have provisionally rated you as a B-Class Hero.
Codename... do you have any ideas?"
Matt was silent for a moment, he thought of Foggy, of the firm's predicament, of the people in Hell's Kitchen who needed help.
"Daredevil," he slowly uttered the name that struck fear into criminals in the night; now, it would become his professional codename in the light.
"Daredevil... very good."
Wesley nodded, pushing the contract towards him.
"This outlines your remuneration, benefits, rights, and obligations.
I'll read it aloud for you.
If everything is in order, welcome to officially join the Hero Association."
Matt took the contract, which was as good as waste paper to him, but he could 'hear' Wesley's steady heartbeat and 'smell' the faint, compliant ink scent on the contract paper.
He knew that by taking this step, he would establish a more direct connection with the dangerous Wilson Fisk.
But, for survival, and to continue protecting in another way, he seemed to have no better choice.
"I'll join," Matt Murdock, Daredevil, said in a deep voice, and signed his name on the contract.
A new identity, a new journey full of unknowns and dangers, had begun.