At eight o'clock in the evening, Leo Bright was wandering the streets of Queens, feeling frustrated.
He'd been roaming since six, starting in Midtown and moving to Queens, yet hadn't stumbled upon a single robbery or theft.
It's not that crime wasn't happening; he just hadn't crossed paths with it.
When he heard the distant wail of police sirens, it was always too late—the criminals had already made their escape.
It's no wonder the police are often a step behind.
He couldn't decide whether he was lucky or unlucky. Not long after he'd leave a street, a robbery would occur. By the time he rushed over, the robbers were long gone.
He'd heard of a man in Tokyo named Kogoro, apparently so unlucky that crimes occurred wherever he went. He was dubbed the unluckiest person in a century by the media.
Right now, Leo envied that kind of "luck."
After another half-hour, by around 8:30, Leo's patience was wearing thin. Aside from people mistaking him for a celebrity and requesting photos, nothing noteworthy had happened.
"Why can't I encounter one or two criminals? I heard this area is chaotic. Am I not appealing enough to rob?" Leo rolled his eyes, showcasing his flashy gold watch with rolled-up sleeves, practically begging to be noticed.
Finally, after relentless effort, a timid little thief approached.
Leo was thrilled, quickly subduing the thief with ease, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
"Hey man, don't do it, don't do it!"
"Oh, shit, I swear I didn't see you were from the East. It's too dark. If I knew, I wouldn't have been so stupid," the blond young man cried, embarrassed.
Leo: ???
What am I, a deterrent now?
Now I know why I couldn't find any robbers. It's because I'm Asian?
Have Asians become that intimidating?
Unbeknownst to Leo, after the viral video of him taking down six men in ten seconds, coupled with the buzz from Daddy's Bar in Hell's Kitchen, no criminal with common sense was picking fights with Asians.
"There's a police station 300 meters ahead. I'm going to turn myself in. I can't do this anymore. Let me go, please, I'm just a student," the blond young man pleaded.
Leo, slightly amused, knocked him out with a swift move, retrieved the thief's phone to call the police, and then departed.
Well, it seems the stereotype of Asians mastering martial arts is here to stay.
There's a stark difference between reality and fantasy.
Truthfully, the area is chaotic, but it doesn't mean every street is constantly embroiled in crime. If that were the case, superheroes wouldn't suffice; the military would need to intervene.
Moreover, being a superhero typically requires teamwork; it's not just about charging in solo.
Leo is a prime example. While balanced in all aspects and capable of taking on quite a bit alone, without a clear target, he was just flailing about aimlessly.
He needed teammates—someone to inform him of the situation, the distance, the number of enemies, and how to prioritize.
This venture was spontaneous; it made sense that it didn't yield the desired results.
Leo also understood that being a superhero largely depended on the adversary.
Catching thieves and fighting robbers?
That's a vigilante's job at best.
He wasn't too disappointed or disheartened. This was a random experiment, and while it wasn't highly successful, life rarely goes as planned.
Time to head home.
As he walked, Leo removed his mask and sunglasses. A gust of wind blew his silver-white hair, transforming it back to black.
About 300 meters later, Leo paused, glancing over his shoulder, eyes sharp and observant.
"You've been following me from the start."
"Ma'am, you're not planning on luring me into an alley and doing something nefarious, are you?" Leo smirked, a teasing edge to his voice.
The woman behind him wore a black fitted jacket and coat, exuding a mysterious and cold aura.
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. We've been observing you for a while. You were involved in the incident at Daddy's Bar last night," the woman stated, producing an ID from her coat with an expressionless face.
"What? What division?" Leo thought he'd misheard, asking again with a frown.
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. Level 7 agent, Melinda May. You can call me May," she reiterated.
Only now did Leo get a clear look at her.
Surprisingly, she was also Asian, with long, slightly curled wine-red hair, looking tired and defiant. Her expression was frosty, and her sharp, narrow nose added an air of indifference to her delicate features.
A woman who wouldn't yield to men.
A dangerous woman.
"Honestly, have you considered changing your name?"
Melinda paused, then chuckled, "You're not the first to suggest it. A name change might be on the horizon."
"So... what do you want with me?" Leo asked, casually shrugging with his hands in his pockets.
"Our boss wants to see you. Come with me," May said.
"What if I refuse?" Leo asked, playfully.
"I'll take you down and bring you in." May's expression remained unchanged, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"Are you serious? Haha, hey, beautiful, you probably don't know me... ahhh! Damn it!"
Fifteen minutes later, Leo, hands bound, followed the woman onto a high-tech-looking Quinjet.
What just happened?
How did Beast's instinct fail?
No, it hadn't failed. The woman was just too fast. Though his brain sensed danger, his body couldn't react.
He'd been too careless, letting his guard down because the assailant was a woman.
"Damn, if it wasn't a sneak attack, I'd have floored you," Leo muttered, nursing his cheek.
This was the first time his handsome face had taken such a hit.
Damn, what a terrifying woman. Her close-range speed surpassed even bullets!
Did she have a super ability too?
Melinda May didn't possess a super ability.
However, she was the first woman to achieve Level 7 agent status in the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division with just her combat skills.
Nickname: The Cavalry! Phil Coulson's best partner!