Chapter 65: The Hammer That Fell From the Sky

… … On a street not far from Geese Tower, Su Ye released the spider silk and set Mary down by the roadside. It was close to the bar they’d left; Mary could return on her own. Tonight, the two of them had been through a lot. Ordinarily, when emotions ran high, some intimate exchange would not be out of place. With Blue Mary’s straightforward, bold American temperament, she probably wouldn’t object. After all, their relationship had quickly warmed to [60 (Friendly)], and a friendship’s embrace would be a natural progression.

But Su Ye had other matters to attend to. He wasn’t the type to simply have a moment with Mary and then leave, cold and detached, with his belt fastened. Only by first connecting heart to heart, then body to body, could true harmony and greater satisfaction be achieved… Affection must continue to deepen, and when the time is right, let everything unfold naturally—that would be best.

Moreover, Su Ye had tasks ahead. Geese Howard was dead, and his vast fortune, Su Ye felt, ought to be claimed—if not for himself, then for Terry, as compensation for the loss of his mother. Su Ye was also intrigued by the contraband, the “Dark Crystal.” Regardless of its origins, its property of driving people into a violent frenzy, attacking those nearby without distinction, made it suitable as a weapon to sow chaos.

Though it wasn’t the same as the Scarecrow’s fear gas in “Batman Begins,” its effect was even more disruptive. Acquiring some and fashioning it into a special weapon for his Batman persona could prove useful; who knows when such a tool might come in handy?

Beyond that, Su Ye had another motive for seeking the Dark Crystal. Where did these crystals originate? According to the plot of “King of Fighters: Destiny,” they were taken by Mature, one of the Eight Hakkesshu of the Orochi clan, and delivered to Geese Howard. So, if Su Ye took the batch, Mature would surely come after it. And what about Vice, the other secretary, inseparable from Mature? Both debuted as highly competent secretaries.

As a major shareholder of the Osborn Group, Su Ye had yet to employ a secretary… Ahem.

While Geese Tower was in chaos and no one paid any mind to a battered delivery truck, Su Ye slipped back, hauled away the safe from Geese Howard’s office, evaded the guards, and drove off with the delivery truck. He then contacted Harry to arrange for Osborn Group personnel in New Mexico to transport the contraband overnight, delivering it to Dr. Fox in New York.

Once all was done, Su Ye returned to Muse Bar. Inside, Terry and Dong Hwan seemed to have heard about the trouble at Geese Tower and had gone to witness the commotion. But to Su Ye’s surprise, Mary was still there.

“Huh! You haven’t left yet? It’s so late—won’t your family be worried?” Su Ye walked over and sat beside her.

Mary looked at him, shaking her head with a lonely smile. “I’ve never had a mother. My father is always busy in D.C. I rarely see him, so whether I go home or not, it makes no difference.”

“I see,” Su Ye nodded, then, on impulse, invited, “How about coming to New York with me? It’s close to D.C., and you could visit your father.”

Mary was clearly tempted, yet Su Ye felt a headache coming. In New York, there was Gwen, Mai Shiranui, and a Catwoman who had yet to appear. If Mary joined them, would the four play mahjong together? But what’s said is said—no taking it back now. Besides, only four—surely he could manage… Couldn’t he?

Geese Howard’s death sent shockwaves through Southtown. He’d been the overlord of the city, both openly and in the shadows, a veritable tyrant. His sudden demise triggered enormous turmoil in both the underworld and the legitimate sectors.

Su Ye had no interest in the scramble for Geese Howard’s estate and territory. He had enough money, and the safe he’d taken from Geese’s office, after being cracked open, was handed over to Terry as compensation for his mother… Well.

At a glance, the contents were worth at least tens of millions, minimum!

Terry did not refuse the wealth. He’d grown up in hardship, and now, orphaned, he planned to use the money to open a welfare home for children like himself—those without mothers.

Su Ye naturally approved; Terry, who hadn’t avenged his mother personally, still had unresolved emotions, and having something to do would help.

But beyond assets and territory, Geese Howard’s death posed a greater practical issue: the KOF tournament. Invitations had already been sent, and fighters from many countries had converged on Southtown. Now, with the organizer dead, would the tournament proceed? More importantly, what about the appearance fees—some had come solely for the five-digit payout.

For example, Mai Shiranui had called King to London, and King was preparing to fly all the way to Southtown. Su Ye, aware of King’s situation, had Mai take King and her sick brother to New York instead. With Su Ye’s newfound wealth, any illness that could be cured with money was no longer a problem.

As for the teams already in Southtown, Su Ye paid a special visit to the Psychic Team from Dragon Country, snapped a photo with idol Athena, and invited the team leader, Chin Gentsai, to take his team to New York to catch up with his old friend, Tung Fu Rue. Both elders were renowned masters and knew each other well.

But just as everyone was preparing to leave Southtown, one night, a seven-colored streak of light suddenly descended from the sky, crashing into the desert “Enchanting Paradise” not far from town.

Seeing that light, Su Ye finally understood why Southtown had felt so familiar when he learned its location. New Mexico, Enchanting Paradise—wasn’t this where Thor and his hammer landed?

With the timing right, it was only natural to go and see.

When Su Ye drove out of Southtown with Dong Hwan and Terry, Mary in the passenger seat, he realized all the fighters who’d gathered for the KOF tournament had, by coincidence, decided to join the excitement.

Martial artists, whether rich or poor, are indeed mostly people of leisure.