Knock knock.
A knock came from outside the hospital room.
Inside, Daredevil leaned against the wall by the bed, looking tense.
He had already noticed these footsteps long before the knock.
His anxiety stemmed from the fact that these footsteps were heavy, powerful, and synchronized, with a strong rhythm.
This suggested they were well-trained, physically strong, and confident, to the point that they didn't bother concealing their presence.
Facing a group of unknown visitors like this, and still severely injured, Daredevil couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
If it weren't for his injuries, he would have fled long ago!
But now, all he could do was helplessly lean against the wall, using a cabinet to hide himself. He held his breath, making no sound, pretending the room was empty.
However, his hope was quickly shattered by the voice outside the door.
"Matt Murdock?"
It was a gentle, non-threatening voice, but Daredevil didn't respond.
Under these circumstances, even if the voice had been a delicate woman calling out, he still wouldn't have answered.
Seeing no response, the person outside seemed to understand his hesitation and continued:
"We're friends of Lynch . He told us about you, including your vigilante activities... I think it's time we had a talk."
"Hmm?"
Daredevil squinted, as if recalling something.
"Are you from SHIELD?"
"Yes."
The voice outside belonged to Phil Coulson, a Level 7 SHIELD agent.
Hearing Daredevil's reply, Coulson smiled and asked:
"May we come in?"
"Sure."
...
After Kilgrave was taken away by SHIELD, Lynch escorted Jessica back to her home.
Jessica lived with her foster sister, but her sister Trish wasn't home when they arrived.
Lynch walked Jessica to her door but didn't plan to stay. He was about to say goodbye.
"Lynch , I don't know how to thank you..."
Jessica leaned against the doorframe, her eyes blinking with gratitude and shyness.
Seeing her like this, Lynch felt a special sense of accomplishment.
At that moment, with his newly unlocked x-ray vision, Lynch had discovered…
Jessica hadn't been harmed yet.
He had made it in time!
He had saved Jessica and changed her fate!
Although he felt proud and filled with accomplishment, Lynch started to notice that Jessica's reaction toward him seemed... a little off?
Even though Jessica herself described her feelings as pure admiration—because Lynch had been a role model for her when she was lost, and had inspired her to become a superhero—Lynch could still sense something more behind her admiration.
It wasn't just simple admiration or gratitude; there was a deeper, indescribable emotion.
"It's fine. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet someone."
Lynch pushed aside his overthinking and smiled at Jessica.
"Who?"
Jessica asked curiously.
"Someone you once beat up."
...
Inside the hospital room, Coulson sat by Daredevil's bed, introducing himself:
"I'm Phil Coulson, Level 7 SHIELD agent..."
"I know. What do you want with me?"
Daredevil asked, confused.
In fact, during one of his missions, Daredevil had unintentionally noticed SHIELD agents discreetly observing him.
That's why, when Lynch mentioned SHIELD, he said he knew.
But before Lynch had introduced SHIELD, Daredevil had no idea it was an organization that dealt with superhumans and unnatural events. He now had no clue why they were looking for him.
Could SHIELD be here to deal with him, a vigilante with superpowers?
Daredevil didn't believe he had done anything to harm society, and Lynch had said he knew people at SHIELD.
So, the most likely reason was...
"You don't have to worry—it's a good thing."
Coulson smiled.
"We think your vigilante work has been quite impressive. After a series of investigations and evaluations..."
He looked at the puzzled Daredevil, speaking meaningfully:
"We believe you can do even more!"
With that, he handed over a document.
On the cover of the file, the words "Avengers Initiative" were written.
Daredevil took the document and found it contained Braille that he could read with his fingers.
As he read through the material, he became increasingly astonished.
After a long while, Daredevil closed the document with a blank expression and handed it back to Coulson.
"What do you think?"
Taking the file, Coulson asked expectantly.
Daredevil thought for a while, frowning:
"I don't understand why you're approaching me..."
He continued, confused:
"If this initiative includes highly trained agents and powerful superhumans like Lynch, I don't know what a street-level vigilante like me can contribute."
The file outlined the current candidates for the Avengers Initiative, including SHIELD agents like Hawkeye (Clint Barton) and Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), the Hulk (Bruce Banner), a brilliant scientist with unmatched strength, Tony Stark (Iron Man), a genius billionaire, and even Lynch, the so-called "Trump Card."
A team filled with such top-tier individuals, prepared to face threats from beyond Earth, would make a street-level hero like Daredevil seem out of place, wouldn't it?
"You don't need to worry about that. You'll find your place within the team."
Coulson reassured him gently without offering much explanation.
Because, honestly, even Coulson wasn't entirely sure why they were recruiting a street hero like Daredevil for the Avengers Initiative.
Perhaps, it was simply because Lynch knew him?
Director Fury believed that anyone Lynch valued was bound to have strengths SHIELD hadn't yet seen.
Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Thor...
Apart from enemies, most of the people Lynch interacted with were exactly the kind Fury was seeking for the Avengers.
So naturally, Fury began to wonder if Matt Murdock, whom Lynch knew, should also be part of the Avengers.
That's why Coulson had been sent today, under Fury's orders, to try and recruit Daredevil.
Even if this street-level hero didn't seem particularly powerful, it wouldn't hurt to bring him in and observe. They had nothing to lose.
"Is that so?"
Daredevil thought for a moment but shook his head.
"I don't think I can handle this task..."
Coulson looked a bit surprised but remained silent, waiting for Daredevil to explain.
"My abilities are limited. I can only punish small-time criminals in Hell's Kitchen at night. That's what I should be doing..."
As he spoke, Daredevil gave a self-deprecating smile.
"I can't even clean up Hell's Kitchen properly. I shouldn't get involved in bigger things."
Finally, with a calm expression, he said:
"Saving the world... that should be left to Lynch ."
...
That afternoon, a church in Hell's Kitchen, holding a confession ceremony, welcomed two unusual guests.
It was Lynch and Jessica, who had come to find Daredevil.
Today, Lynch was dressed unusually formal, and he had a little "tail" following him.
"Jessica, don't worry. Matt won't blame you."
Noticing Jessica's anxiety, Lynch pulled her to the church door and smiled to reassure her.
"Really?"
Jessica looked down, worried, and muttered softly to herself:
"I remember... he seemed kind of scary..."
"Really?"
Lynch laughed heartily.
In this world, Daredevil looked similar to Batman from the Justice League. Who would've thought someone would find him "scary"?
"Don't worry. He's blind, so maybe that's why he looks a bit intimidating. But he's actually a good guy. Otherwise, why would he go around saving people?"
Jessica tilted her head, thinking about it. That made sense.
A superhero wouldn't hold a grudge over such a misunderstanding, right?
"Let's go inside."
With Jessica in tow, Lynch quietly entered the solemn church.
Confession was nearing its end, and Lynch and Jessica sat down next to Daredevil, who was seated further back.
"How's it going? Did your soul find any forgiveness?"
Lynch teased.
Daredevil's mouth twitched slightly, and he vaguely felt the pain in his broken ribs return.
With a wry smile, he turned his head toward Lynch and Jessica's direction, saying:
"I'm fine... but does this lady need confession?"
Lynch had already told Daredevil the whole story over the phone, so he knew Jessica had done many things she regretted, things that caused her pain.
He thought maybe Jessica could use a confession to ease her mind.
Upon hearing this, Jessica's face darkened slightly.
Indeed, she felt deeply guilty about the two women who had suffered because of her, even if she hadn't shown it.
"It wasn't her fault. Kilgrave has already paid the price."
Lynch observed Jessica's expression and softly comforted her.
Confession, huh?
Lynch believed Daredevil's way of confessing was the right one.
Not confessing for past mistakes, but for the things you're about to do.
There are no flawless people, no saints, in this world—and none are needed.
Saving others often comes with heavy sacrifices.
Even Lynch didn't have the ability to do everything perfectly.
He could defeat Kilgrave, prevent more people from being harmed, but he couldn't reverse time and save those who had already suffered.
Even in the process of eliminating evil, sacrifices were sometimes unavoidable.
Excessive self-blame only caused heroes to bleed and cry.
Lynch always believed that as long as he could live with a clear conscience, that was enough.
"Besides, I don't believe in God."
"Alright."
Daredevil chuckled helplessly and didn't push further.
"By the way, SHIELD came to see me yesterday."
"Huh?"
Lynch was startled.
"They came to recruit you for that team?"
"Yes."
Daredevil said quietly.
"But I refused."
"Why?"
Although Lynch had a guess about Daredevil's reasoning, he couldn't help but ask.
"Because I'm the Devil of Hell's Kitchen."
Daredevil tilted his head back, smiling knowingly.
"How could I leave here?"
Hearing this, Lynch 's eyes lit up.
"I think I have an idea."
"What?"
"We could form a team right here in Hell's Kitchen."
Lynch squinted, smiling.
"A team dedicated to handling issues in Hell's Kitchen and all of New York."
"A team?"
Daredevil, baffled by Lynch 's suggestion, asked curiously:
"Just the two of us?"
"No, no."
Shaking his head, Lynch glanced at Jessica.
"It's the two of you, but I believe there will be more in the future."
"Jessica?"
Muttering her name, Daredevil fell into thought.
It seemed like a pretty good idea.
[AN- Anyone angry coz of the Bitch ass Author can complain here lol💀 Im just acting as an archive to make sure many stories don't get lost forever, that's why i don't charge anything for it.]