Just as Kyle had said, when the Hydra organization’s Helicarrier used for Project Insight crash-landed in a lake just outside New York, the other two, which Vis had seized control of the satellite systems, were placed in the sky above the overseas base of the Carl Family.
Together with the Avengers, they had hunted down and annihilated most of Hydra’s hidden bases around the world. Only a few remnants remained, unable to pose a significant threat to Earth without decades of recovery and development.
As for SHIELD, the upheaval had caused substantial losses in terms of personnel and resources. However, after Kyle’s ruthless actions and Raina’s thorough telepathic screening, SHIELD found itself benefiting from the situation. It became a true worldwide espionage organization.
Former SHIELD Director Fury, after exposing Pierce’s crimes, officially returned to his position and became SHIELD’s third Director.
In the aftermath of the inner turmoil, with Kyle taking action, it could be said that they had achieved a resounding victory.
Of course, there were imperfections.
For example, Captain America, Steve Rogers, returned alone from his encounter with the Winter Soldier, bearing a weary and resigned look on his handsome yet dirtied face.
Also, Lorna, while visiting various Hydra bases, did not find the brother and sister pair, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. It appeared that the remnants of Hydra had urgently relocated them elsewhere.
And then there was Kyle, the Symbol of Peace, who had also returned alone to New York’s Tower. He hadn’t ventured outside since, leaving the task of cleaning up Hydra’s remnants to family members and alliance associates.
He didn’t seem particularly interested in the matter. It was as if he had nonchalantly swatted away a bothersome fly and then returned home to take a nap, unconcerned with the commotion outside. Numerous politicians and media personnel were denied meetings with him.
The turmoil caused by Hydra and the annihilation of Hydra itself gradually subsided after a month.
SHIELD began the process of rebuilding. After the return of superheroes and the formation of hero organizations, the surface of the Earth’s world had returned to its former stability.
Six months later.
Autumn of 2009.
In the heart of New York City, the modern skyscrapers towered above. The gentle morning sun illuminated the bustling streets, where the temperature was pleasant. The daily hustle and bustle of the city began as office workers filled the streets.
A black twin-cylinder motorcycle moved slowly through the streets. The rider, dressed in a sharp leather jacket and jeans, with a head of black hair, appeared genuinely interested in everything the city had to offer. His youthful eyes continuously observed everything around him.
His name was Eddie Brock, a recent college graduate. However, starting today, he was officially a certified journalist.
“Boss, I’ll have a hot milk and a hot dog burger, please,” Eddie called out to the breakfast stand on the side of the road as he parked his motorcycle.
“Sure, here’s your milk, please wait a moment for the burger,” The elderly stand owner said with a grin. He poured a glass of milk and handed it over.
Eddie took the glass and took a big gulp, exhaling contentedly. “Refreshing.”
The unreserved joy of his actions amused the stand owner. He was busy grilling hot dogs and preparing the burger. With a jovial expression, he asked, “Young man, you don’t seem like a local. I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“That’s right. I just graduated from Columbia over on the other side. I’m a journalist. After my internship, I applied to work at the company’s headquarters here in New York. I flew in yesterday, but I haven’t had the chance to report to the company yet,” Eddie replied with a smile, all the while casting his eyes around the city’s scenery.
“I can tell you really like the city of New York,” the stand owner laughed heartily, developing a fondness for Eddie.
“It’s not just me who loves New York. Youngsters from all over the U.S. and the world like and admire New York, hoping to settle here,” Eddie took another sip of milk and wiped his mouth with his hand. He spoke with a hint of nostalgia, “New York, the city of economics, tourism, evolution, peace, and even extraterrestrials!”
Eddie perfectly displayed the occupational hazard of being a journalist. Once he started talking, he couldn’t stop. “Especially the part about extraterrestrials, I love that name. You see, while the rest of the world and other countries and cities are still debating the extraterrestrial issue, New York has already begun to prepare for communication, interaction, and even conflict with extraterrestrial beings.”
“Yesterday, I took a walk around the neighborhood where I’m renting. There are signs everywhere about extraterrestrials. Even the public toilets have not only separate ones for men, women, and people with disabilities but also a restroom exclusively for extraterrestrials.”
“And what’s more, some youngsters still attending school are discussing topics like sports and fitness, human genetic enhancement, becoming stronger through evolution, supernatural phenomena, mecha technology, and extraordinary abilities.”
Eddie couldn’t help but chuckle and gesticulate excitedly as he spoke.
The stand owner laughed along and handed over the burger. He added with gratitude and respect, “In fact, there used to be a dark reputation as a city of sin, but since six months ago, the crime rate in this city has been steadily decreasing. As for tourism, evolution, peace, and other novel hot topics, it’s all thanks to that one person.”
Eddie’s eyes brightened, and he naturally expressed his admiration, blurting out, “Symbol of Peace, Mr. Kyle.”
The stand owner chuckled, partly serious and partly in jest, “Young man, you’re new to New York, and you’re in the journalism field. Let me offer you a piece of advice: never speak ill of Kyle, otherwise, even if the president himself came, he wouldn’t be able to save you. The locals here in New York hold him in such high regard that they could drown you in spit.”
“I’m not that foolish,” Eddie replied, taking the burger and looking around. Even the casual attire of the passersby on the streets bore the symbol of the Devil Card, suggesting their allegiance to Kyle.
Symbol of Peace, Kyle, possibly due to being born in New York and having a family and influence centered there, was seen as a savior by the older generation of locals who remembered him from the end of World War II.
His return had thoroughly bathed the city in the radiance of a legendary hero, firmly fusing with it in just six months.
While in other regions, Symbol of Peace might be a highly respected hero, in New York, he was a living human deity.
One could almost say that the local residents of New York were followers of Symbol of Peace.
After finishing the burger and milk, Eddie handed over the money and firmly declared, “My dream is to one day conduct the first news interview with Mr. Kyle.”
“Well, you’ll need to work hard for that, young man,” the stand owner encouraged with a smile.
Conducting an exclusive interview with Symbol of Peace? That should be the ultimate goal of every journalist’s career worldwide.
(End of this chapter)
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