Vanessa's Art Gallery.
Wilson Fisk—better known as the Kingpin—stood silently before a canvas painted entirely white.
Vanessa Marianna approached him from behind.
"There used to be a joke kids told," she said softly. "They'd hold up a blank sheet of paper and ask, 'What's this?'"
Fisk didn't respond.
Vanessa smiled. "A rabbit in a snowstorm."
She glanced at the imposing man admiring her painting. Something about him piqued her curiosity, so she pressed on. "What does it make you feel?"
Fisk turned slightly, lips parting to respond—but before he could speak, a deep, magnetic voice echoed behind him.
"Loneliness," it said. "It makes me feel infinite, desolate loneliness."
Fisk froze, the words caught in his throat.
He turned around sharply—and his face darkened.
A man in all black stood before them, wearing a demon mask that had become infamous in the streets of Hell's Kitchen.
Fisk quickly regained his composure, stepping subtly in front of Vanessa to shield her. "The entire city is hunting you," he said coldly. "Yet here you are."
"Chrome dome, step aside," Cohen said, waving him off.
He turned to Vanessa, bowed slightly, and spoke with surprising gentleness. "Good evening, my lady. If I were to purchase this piece, might I have the honor of dining with you tonight?"
Vanessa stiffened at the sight of the infamous "Devil Face." Her voice trembled slightly. This man... he was a known killer.
"M-Mr. Devil Face... if you like it, I could give the painting to you as a gift."
Cohen chuckled and took a step forward. "To be honest, I don't know a thing about art. But if the artist is as beautiful as you are, I'd say the painting must be just as lovely."
Vanessa blinked, confused and slightly alarmed. Is he... hitting on me?
Dear God, he doesn't eat people, does he?
Kingpin, who had been sidelined for far too long in this exchange, finally snapped.
He stepped forward, eyes glinting with menace. "Mr. Devil Face, I've been wanting to befriend you for some time. Perhaps we could share dinner—just the two of us?"
Cohen gave him a slow once-over.
"Bald monk, what's so delicious about eating with you?"
A twisted smile curled at the corner of Fisk's lips, his eyes darkening.
"I've wanted to meet you for quite some time," he said, voice laced with meaning. "Why not give me a chance? Perhaps... we can find a way to work together."
Cohen's voice carried a hint of amusement: "You're a gangster who deals drugs, traffics people, kills, burns, pillages, rapes, and forces women into prostitution. What kind of deal do you expect from me?"
Jin's face instantly darkened to an iron hue. His voice dropped, hoarse with rage: "Do you know what you're doing? You're playing with fire!"
Cohen narrowed his eyes, his tone calm and indifferent: "Oh? I feel like I'm the one playing with you."
"You're asking for death!"
Furious, Jin threw a punch. Cohen raised his hand to block, but the force was overwhelming—even with his strength at 15, he couldn't hold it back.
He was forced to take a few steps back, absorbing the impact.
Still, with his speed, he managed to keep up and counter.
The two clashed fiercely; the wind howled around them, but both restrained themselves from damaging the gallery.
Cohen thought to himself—taking down Jin, this Silver-tier target, wouldn't be so simple.
No wonder he could trade blows with Spider-Man; besides brains, he was pure muscle.
Jin launched a relentless assault, and Cohen dodged, shouting taunts, "Oh, oh, the big gangster finally shows his true colors!
Dressed in your fancy suit, I thought you were some respectable man—turns out, you're just another underground criminal!"
Glancing briefly at Vanessa's frightened face, Cohen stepped back a few paces, creating distance between himself and Jin.
"Since I'm not welcome here, I'll come back another day.
Miss Vanessa, I hope you'll accept my invitation to dinner next time."
Jin knew he couldn't handle Cohen and had no choice but to let him leave.
Watching Cohen's retreating figure, his anger boiled over.
He tried to calm himself and wanted to apologize to Vanessa—but when he looked back, she avoided his gaze like she'd been shocked.
His heart suddenly chilled; words stuck in his throat, and in the end, he left in silence.
The night breeze blew as Cohen felt good—witnessing the love of a kingpin was an honor.
Tonight was well worth it.
News of Devil Face's return quickly spread among the factions, and soon many converged on the gallery.
By the time they arrived, Cohen and Jin had long gone.
The police, gangsters, and assassins gradually dispersed.
But Jin had undoubtedly caught the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Daredevil.
...
The next morning.
Ignoring the chaos outside, Cohen led several devoted followers in prayer; David was among them.
This has become his way to relieve stress lately.
A boy about twelve or thirteen rushed in anxiously.
The moment he entered, he grabbed Cohen's hand tightly. "Father, something's wrong! The girl next door is possessed by a demon!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock as they gathered around.
"The girl next door went out last night and only came back this morning. She locked herself in her room.
At first, I thought she was just tired, but then she suddenly let out terrifying screams, her veins bulging all over, struggling violently on the bed."
David frowned. "She lives next door to you? How do you know all this so clearly?"
"I saw it through a hole in the wall. We often talk through that hole.
She must be possessed by a demon. Please, Father, save her!"
There was a stir among the followers.
"Danny, don't be afraid. We will help you!"
"Yes! With God and Father Cohen here, we have no fear of any demons or ghosts!"
"Since Father Cohen had the chance to intern at the Vatican for a year, it means he is deeply favored by God. He will surely save your sister!"
"Really, Father? She's always been so kind to me. Please save her!"
Amid the crowd, Cohen's whole body stiffened, a forced smile on his face.
God?
Exorcism?
Can I say I don't know how to do it?
If this were the original world, he would have gone without hesitation, no matter the cost.
But the Marvel world?
Demons are real here!
With his current strength, he only has a fifty-fifty chance against Captain America. How could he possibly fight a demon from Hell?
Mephisto, Tog, Satannish, Lucifer, Asmodeus...
And that's not even mentioning the lesser demons—wind demons, water demons, earth demons. Even those would be tough for him.
David noticed Cohen's expression and quietly leaned in. "What's wrong? You don't look well."
"I'm afraid of demons."
David chuckled. "Come on, you're joking. How could demons exist in this world...?"
At first, he sneered, but then his expression changed. "Wait, really?"
Cohen rolled his eyes at him. "If God exists, then why wouldn't demons?"
David thought for a moment. "Aren't you supposed to be God's knight?"
"Now you finally believe?"
David's eyes widened in surprise. "I've always believed in you. Before, I just wasn't fully convinced.
If you really can exorcise demons, I swear from now on, I'll only believe in you!"
"Ah…"
Cohen sighed deeply. "God never taught me how to do exorcisms."
Looking at the hopeful eyes of the boy and the sincere faces of the followers, he had no choice but to agree.
Accompanied by David, he soon arrived at a rundown apartment building.
They reached the girl's door.
The door was locked tight, and there was no sound from inside.
Cohen gripped the lock and took a deep breath.
Click!
His hand glowed red and bright; with a firm squeeze, the lock shattered.
Pushing the door open, there was no demon inside—only a girl unconscious on the bed.
Cohen exhaled slowly, about to step forward to check on her when a system notification echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Special race detected: Vampire lineage unlocked.]
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