Inside the Manor.

"Reina (the maid), please notify everyone that they have a day off today."

Hode arrived in the hall and instructed the maid to inform everyone to take a break.

The reason for giving the servants a day off was that he intended to thoroughly test the Kabuto Zecter.

Reina bowed and thanked him before quickly going to tell all the servants to leave.

"Is this the Kabuto Zecter?"

Hode took the Kabuto Zecter out from the system.

In his hand appeared a device shaped like a rhinoceros beetle, entirely crafted from steel.

[Kabuto Zecter: Use this instrument to transform into Kabuto; acknowledgement from the insect instrument is required.*

Buzz!

Just as he was carefully examining the Kabuto Zecter in his hand, the rhinoceros beetle suddenly emitted a loud bang.

In an instant, the beetle broke free and flew away.

"Trying to escape?"

Hode reached out and pulled sharply.

The power of the Phoenix enveloped the beetle, bringing it right back to his hand.

He gripped it tightly, firmly controlling the beetle.

He directly used his strength to subdue the Kabuto Zecter.

"Transform!"

[KABUTO!*

Hode suddenly slashed the Kabuto Zecter in his hand.

Golden light erupted from the instrument, and green beams, like nano shields, rapidly spread over Hode's body.

At the moment the light enveloped him, a flash of white light appeared.

The Kabuto battle suit manifested on Hode's body.

A wonderful energy swirled around him.

"So this is Kabuto?"

In front of a mirror, Hode examined himself thoroughly.

He had transformed directly into the knight form of the explosive armor, sporting long horns resembling a rhinoceros beetle on his head.

It suited the imposing aura of a ruler quite well.

Compared to Tony's Iron Man suit, both had their distinct advantages.

"I've got to take this for a spin!"

Hode looked at his silver-white armor, unable to contain his excitement.

Since it was still early in the night, it was the perfect time to go out without attracting too much attention.

Thinking this, Hode headed to the garage.

Inside the garage, various vehicles were parked.

Flying Fords, unicycles, flying Mercedes, and jet motorcycles were all present.

Many of these vehicles were rewards from the system, which he simply tossed into the garage.

Hode approached a dark motorcycle.

This motorcycle looked quite similar to a Harley but had significant changes at the exhaust pipe position.

The display screen at the front of the bike was completely different from the usual; it was even a 3D projection display.

This, too, was a vehicle rewarded by the system.

[Tri-Mode Motorcycle: A motorcycle that operates on land, air, and water!*

Hode elegantly stepped back and sat on the motorcycle, giving the throttle a slight twist.

The tri-mode motorcycle roared into life, and with a burst, it shot out of the garage.

"So exhilarating!"

Hode felt the wind rushing past him and pressed a button on the throttle handle.

To his surprise, two jet tubes popped out from the sides of the front and rear wheels.

As he twisted the throttle, the jet tubes surged with blue flames.

On the road, beams of light whizzed by, making it easy for Hode to maneuver at speeds of up to five hundred kilometers per hour.

"Shall I head to Hell's Kitchen?"

After hesitating for a moment, Hode decided to check out Hell's Kitchen, hoping to see Gwen there.

...

On the dark streets of New York's Hell's Kitchen, Hode slowed down the motorcycle.

Upon entering the neighborhood, he immediately attracted a crowd of onlookers.

"Hey, man, your costume looks awesome!"

A black man with messy braids waved at Hode, with something bulging at his waist.

New York was a city that never sleeps, but Hell's Kitchen was completely different.

The streets were dimly lit and chaotic, with various graffiti splattered across the walls.

Symbols and designs from different cultures seemed to complain about the chaos brought by this complex city, just like the mixed bloodlines flowing through the people around here.

In the filthy streets, one could occasionally see people lying on the ground, unsure if they were engulfed by alcohol or death.

Chaos, crime, bloodshed, and death were commonplace here.

"Hey!"

"Kid, your bike looks cool, but leave it here and get the hell out! This is Kingpin's territory!"

The man with the messy braids waved his right hand in the air, and others quickly gathered around him.

They spoke among themselves while patting the gun holstered at their waists.

"Kingpin?"

Hode paused upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected Kingpin to exist in this universe as well.

Anyone who had seen Marvel knows about Kingpin's notorious reputation.

He was the emperor of the underworld, ruling the East Coast with an iron grip.

He was exceedingly cunning, far more intelligent than the average person, with over ninety percent of his body made of muscle; some even claimed he could punch through a wall with bare hands.

"I wonder if taking down Kingpin would yield any benefits."

Hode muttered to himself while sitting on the motorcycle.

According to his system's reward mechanism, it seemed to belong to a special event.

"Kid, are you not leaving? Don't think you can avoid getting beaten up just because you're wearing strange clothes!"

The man with the messy braids had a sinister look, curling his lips. If this person didn't know their place, he wouldn't hesitate to get rough.

"Why bother?"

Hode shook his head, lowered the motorcycle stand, and suddenly launched an attack.

With a swing of his leg, he sent one of his assailants flying away.

"You're asking for it!"

The sudden attack prompted the braided man to swiftly draw his revolver.

But before he could pull the trigger, a massive hand wrapped in steel clamped down on his revolver.

Crack!

With a loud pop, the revolver and the braided man's left hand were crushed together.

Ahhh!

Screams immediately echoed through the crime-ridden street.

At that moment, the other thugs seized the opportunity to whip out their knives and tried to ambush Hode.

But in front of Hode, they were like children playing house.

With just a few agile maneuvers, the small-time thugs found themselves sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

Meanwhile, high above...

A red shadow zipped by — it was Tony, who had just come out to unwind.

He noticed below: "Friday, zoom in on the screen."

Looking closely below, he saw a guy in a mix of red and silver entangled with some thugs.

Tony was taken aback, a wry smile on his face as he murmured, "I didn't expect to run into a fan just by stepping outside."

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