Become Kingpin and build a hero mercenary company.

[Mission Location: Tokyo Bay coast and nearshore area (coordinates updated in real time)]

[Core Mission: Establish a defensive line, delay the target's landing, and buy as much time as possible for the evacuation of civilians!]

[Secondary Task (Region Division):]

• Area A (Frontline): Construct physical/energy barriers to meet the enemy head-on. Requirements: Rank A or higher, with defensive/offensive specializations.

• Zone B (Buffer Zone): Intercept breaching fire, handle accompanying threats, and rescue trapped personnel. Requirements: Level B or higher, with comprehensive combat/rescue capabilities.

• Zone C (Evacuation Zone): Assist authorities in expediting the evacuation of residents, maintaining order, and establishing temporary medical stations. Requirements: Level C or above, Support/Rescue specialty.

• Sector D (Logistics/Support): Supply transport, battlefield repair, information relay, long-range fire support. Requirements: Rank D or above, or possess relevant professional skills.

[Task Rewards: Points are calculated in real-time based on contribution, with no upper limit. The victim's compensation and family support agreement are automatically activated.]

[Warning: This battle is extremely dangerous, with a slim chance of survival. Please act according to your capabilities, but the association and millions of people need your strength!]

There were no lengthy mobilizations, no empty slogans. There was only a starkly clear hierarchy of tasks, an extremely clear division of responsibilities, and a stark warning about sacrifice and dedication.

This cold yet efficient information was like an invisible thunderbolt, instantly piercing through the hesitation and fear that permeated the hearts of many ability users!

"Damn it! I'll risk it!" A B-rank strength hero, assisting in the evacuation of families, looked at his assigned interception mission in Sector B on the screen, slammed his fist against the wall beside him, leaving spiderweb-like cracks. He yelled into the communicator, "Wife, take care of the kids! Wait for me to come back!" Then, ignoring the crying civilians behind him (whose duties were handed over to lower-ranking heroes), he propelled himself forward like a cannonball towards the designated coastal defense coordinates.

"The medical point in Zone C urgently needs 'Cell Activator' and 'Mental Stabilizer'! Are there any logistics guys nearby?! Coordinates have been shared!" A Class C hero with rapid healing abilities shouted hoarsely into the association's internal channel while holding down a wounded soldier whose artery had been cut by flying debris.

Almost the instant he finished speaking, a small unmanned transport aircraft, painted with the HA logo, flew low overhead and hovered precisely above his head, dropping a medical kit with a flashing green cross mark.

"This is 'Hawkeye' (not an Avenger, but a registered hero with the Association, possessing beyond-visual-range reconnaissance capabilities), located at the highest point in Sector D, number three. He has observed a large number of small, high-speed aquatic monsters appearing around the target 'Deep Sea King' and attacking the left flank of the Sector A defense line! Approximately two hundred in number, and they are moving extremely fast!"

"Received! Left flank of Sector A, 'Frost' and 'Thunder Sparrow' teams, prioritize clearing out the grunts! 'Iron Wall' squad, be ready to fill any gaps in the defense!" In the command channel, the frontline commander's voice was calm and unwavering, rapidly adjusting the deployment based on real-time intelligence.

"Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-"

Figures, from every corner of Tokyo, in their own way, like iron filings drawn by a magnet, relentlessly surged toward the bay where a destructive storm was brewing.

Some leaped swiftly between skyscrapers, some raced across the ground kicking up dust, some piloted strange vehicles at low altitudes, and some even merged directly into the shadows, flashing forward in a manner akin to spatial leaps.

They wore uniforms of different styles and functions, possessed a wide variety of abilities, and were ranked from A to D. At this moment, they were no longer independent individuals, no longer vigilantes acting arbitrarily on the streets, and no longer research subjects in a laboratory. They were nodes in the vast system of the "Hero Association," receiving instructions from the central processing unit (system and command center) and precisely heading to their assigned "positions" according to preset algorithms (task allocation and ability matching).

In the sky, in addition to official surveillance aircraft and S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet, small reconnaissance planes and high-speed transport aircraft bearing the Association's logo began to appear. They shuttled under the oppressive clouds like busy worker bees, transmitting information, delivering supplies, and building invisible supply lines and information chains.

On the ground, beside the somewhat chaotic evacuation teams, more figures dressed in association uniforms quietly appeared. They might not be strong in combat, but they used their abilities to soothe frightened children, build temporary shelters to protect against falling objects, or use their keen senses to guide the safest evacuation routes, increasing efficiency several levels.

This scene, broadcast live by the media without interruption and captured by countless blurry images on people's mobile phones, shocked everyone watching in front of their screens around the world.

"My God...they...they're like an army!"

"Look! I recognize that person! It's 'Swift Wind'! He used to deliver food in our neighborhood!"

"So many heroes...they've all gone..."

"The association... is serious..."

Compared to the Avengers' legendary, epic gathering, imbued with individual heroism, the Hero Association displays a cold, massive, and systematic mobilization capability akin to a war machine. It lacks romance, but carries a reassuring (or perhaps awe-inspiring) sense of absolute order.

Inside the command center of the association's Tokyo branch, the person in charge watched as the glowing dots of friendly units surged toward their designated battle positions on the screen, and as the defensive line data, though still grim, was being forcibly brought under control. He then reported in a low voice into the communicator:

"Mr. Fisk, all frontline coordination missions have been issued and accepted. Ninety-two percent of the heroes have arrived or are on their way to their designated positions. The defensive line is being initially established. However... the energy reaction of 'Deep Sea King' is still rising, and it is expected to enter its maximum attack range in seven minutes."

On the other end of the communicator came Kingpin's calm and unwavering voice:

"Understood. Proceed as planned. The Sandmen are about to enter the battlefield."

Chapter 64: The Chaotic Battlefield

The waters of Tokyo Bay were no longer a gentle azure, but had transformed into a churning, roaring, dark green abyss. The sky was torn apart by thick, leaden-gray clouds and the unusual thunderstorms brought by "Deep Sea King," with lightning raging and reflecting the battlefield below as a scene from a hellish scroll.

The massive, mountain-like body of the "Deep Sea King" finally broke through the last horizon, officially revealing its terror to all living beings. It was not a traditional marine creature, but rather an aggregation of countless deep-sea anomalies and ancient legends. Covered in dark, light-absorbing scales, it wielded limbs like giant anchors. The sheer mental pressure emanating from its very existence was enough to terrify ordinary people, leaving them paralyzed on the ground.

It hadn't even actually landed yet; it merely raised a giant arm covered in thick slime and barnacles and then swung it fiercely toward the coastal defenses!

boom--! ! !

It was not a direct physical impact, but rather the manipulation of tens of thousands of tons of seawater to form a super-heavy water wall tens of meters high and several kilometers wide, like a world-destroying flood in mythology, carrying the momentum of destruction, and crashing down on the shore!

"Sector A! Highest level defense! Hold it off!" The voice of the Association's frontline commander roared over the public channel, almost shattering.

"Crystallization - Giant Wall!" Flint Marco, the Sandman and one of the Association's S-rank pillars, was the first to react. He roared, pushing his sandification ability to its limit, mixing it with countless sand and stones drawn from the shore, instantly constructing a super sand wall at the forefront of the defense that was far thicker and wider than during training, with the side facing the water wall completely covered by a dense crystallized layer!

Almost simultaneously, other heroes in the association with defensive capabilities lit up the front lines with various lights, such as energy shields, force field barriers, and freezing domains, attempting to join forces to resist the power of heaven and earth.

"Bang!!!!!!!"

The super-heavy water wall crashed into the combined defense line with a crushing force!

The Sandman's crystallized barrier emitted a teeth-grinding creaking sound. The crystallized layer flickered violently under the terrifying water pressure and impact, and cracks spread like a spider web, but it did not shatter instantly, managing to withstand the most violent first wave of impact! However, other slightly weaker defensive measures shattered like bubbles the moment they came into contact, and the energy backlash caused several heroes to vomit blood and fly backward on the spot.

Although the water wall was blocked, its terrifying kinetic energy and the massive amount of seawater that overflowed the defense line still surged into Zone B and even Zone C like a raging beast! Buildings were pushed over like building blocks, vehicles were torn up and smashed, and civilians who could not be completely evacuated struggled desperately in the murky seawater.

"Block B! Break through! Rescue them!"

"Area C! Abandon permanent facilities! Prioritize the evacuation of residents! Quickly!"

The association's command channel was instantly flooded with emergency calls. Heroes, following system assignments and commander's orders, struggled to fulfill their duties amidst the chaos. Speed-type heroes darted through the waves, rescuing drowning victims one after another; strength-type heroes lifted collapsed steel beams to create space for those trapped; heroes who manipulated plants frantically sprouted vines, weaving them into rescue ropes…

However, just as the heroes of the association were trying to restore order in this chaos, another kind of "reinforcements" joined the battle in a striking, even brutal, manner.

A piercing sound of air being torn apart came from the sky. The gold and red Iron Man swooped down like a meteor, his palm cannons and shoulder missile pods firing at full power. Blazing beams and explosions burst into dazzling bursts of fire on the massive body of "Deep Sea King".

"Big guy! Try this!" Tony's voice came through the external loudspeaker, with his signature provocation. "Jarvis, analyze its shell structure, find the weak points!"

His attack successfully drew some of Deep Sea King's attention, and a giant tentacle swept towards Iron Man, who was nimbly weaving through the air, like a steel whip.

"Stark! Stay focused on coordinating the defenses!" Captain America Steve Rogers' voice crackled through the Avengers' internal communication channel, tinged with a hint of exasperation. He was positioned in a plaza half-submerged by seawater, using his Star Shield to precisely deflect flying debris and broken steel bars, protecting the civilians being evacuated under the organization of the Avengers. He tried to observe the entire battlefield, searching for entry points and ways to coordinate, but the Avengers' efficient yet closed command system made it difficult for him to effectively integrate, as if he were separated by frosted glass.

"Cooperate? Captain, do you think they need it? They have their own 'rules of the game'!" Tony deftly dodged the tentacle attacks, firing a miniature armor-piercing projectile into a gap in one of Deep Sea King's compound eyes. "What I'm doing now is creating space for them to deal damage!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure appeared like a ghost at the joint of the Deep Sea King's other swinging arm. Black Widow Natasha Romanoff's specially made stun gun erupted with dazzling blue arcs of electricity, attempting to paralyze his motor nerves. At the same time, several explosive arrows shot from tricky angles, accurately hitting the weak point at the joint connection, a support provided by Hawkeye Clint Barton from a distant high vantage point.

The Avengers' attacks were sharp and precise, showcasing the individual abilities and teamwork of top agents and super soldiers.

But therein lies the problem—their actions are based on their own instantaneous judgment of the battlefield, a deadly surprise attack by top hunters. The association's defenses, on the other hand, are based on system data and a modular, unified, and coordinated defensive posture.

There is a lack of effective communication and coordination between the two.

For example, just as Sandman expended a huge amount of energy to condense several massive crystallized sand spears on the left side of the defensive line, preparing to launch a concentrated attack on a section of Deep Sea King's carapace in conjunction with friendly firepower, Iron Man happened to unleash a volley of fire on the same area. The flames and shockwaves from the explosion not only failed to add to the damage from the sand spears, but also interfered with their trajectory and cohesion, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the attack.

For example, when a B-class hero with the ability to manipulate water finally managed to create a relatively stable whirlpool in the chaotic sea, attempting to limit the movement of some of the Deep Sea King's tentacles and guide the trapped civilians to safety, Captain America, in order to rescue another group of civilians trapped under a collapsed billboard, had to throw his shield, shattering the billboard. The spinning shield accidentally crashed into the carefully maintained whirlpool, instantly destroying its stability, causing the civilians who had been guided to be swept away by the turbulent current once again.

"Hey! You, the one swinging the shield! Watch out!" the hero controlled by the water shouted angrily in the channel.

Steve caught the returning shield, looked at the waters that were once again engulfed in chaos, frowned, and apologized in a deep voice, "Sorry! The situation is urgent!"

Similar frictions and miscalculations frequently occur on the battlefield. The Avengers habitually seek out key points for breakthroughs and decapitations, while the Association focuses on maintaining the integrity of the overall defense and the efficiency of rescue operations. The two sides are like radios on different frequencies; although they share the same goal, they generate a great deal of interference and internal friction at the execution level.

"Damn it! Do they even have a unified command?!" Tony couldn't help but complain in the Avengers channel after his attack was almost blocked once again by the makeshift earthen wall (to block the splashing acidic slime) erected by the Association heroes.

"Stark, focus on the target!" Steve shouted, shielding several Guild support personnel with his shield. "They're doing their best to protect the civilians!"

The battlefield descended into utter chaos. It was no longer a simple clash between friend and foe, but an inevitable collision and friction between the Association's shield of order and the Avengers' spear of freedom as they fought together against the behemoth of destruction.

Seawater, flames, mud, energy beams, explosions, shouts, alarms... everything intertwined to create a death symphony full of power and courage, yet also full of disorder and chaos.

All of this was faithfully recorded by the lenses of high-altitude drones and by journalists in distant buildings who dared to risk their lives to film, and then disseminated to the world.

People saw the heroes' fearlessness, but they also saw... the obvious divide and chaos between the two completely different savior groups.

Flint Sandman stood behind the constantly battered crystallized barrier, watching Iron Man nimbly weave through the air but occasionally disrupting his team's rhythm, and then glancing at the civilians in the distance who had escaped with Captain America's help, silently gathering more sand.

All he knew was that his boss's orders were to hold the line and buy time. As for those "legendary heroes" dressed in strange costumes and fighting independently... let them be as they pleased, as long as they didn't directly attack the association members.

Chaos, brewing under the shadow of destruction, continues to fester.

Chapter 65: Sandman vs. Deep Sea King

Along the Tokyo Bay coast, the once bustling scenic boulevard has been transformed into a death zone of mud and ruins. The dark green sea, driven by the will of the "Deep Sea King," boils and roars, repeatedly attempting to completely submerge this crumbling land. At the very forefront of this chaos, a barrier constructed of gravel, shimmering with unstable crystal light, stands like a pillar against the raging tide of destruction.

Flint Marco, the Sandman, felt as if he were back on that night when his daughter Penny was critically ill. The same helplessness, the same necessity to persevere, only this time, the enemy he faced was no longer cold medical data and faint hope, but the terrifying entity before him from the deep sea, radiating overwhelming malice and power.

"Uh...ah!!!"

He let out a low growl, not from anger, but a physiological reaction to extreme strain. His arms were deeply embedded in the muddy ground, a mixture of sand and seawater, every grain of sand around him resonating and trembling. On the crystallized barrier that had withstood the main impact, cracks continued to spread, only to be quickly filled and recrystallized by the sand surging in from behind, driven by his will. The cycle repeated itself, like a brutal tug-of-war.

The Deep Sea King's enormous head, covered in eerie patterns, turned slightly, its compound eyes locking onto the only creature capable of withstanding its raging waves. It seemed enraged, emitting a low, rumbling roar that rippled through the air. A massive arm, even thicker than before, covered in a heavy calcareous shell and suckers, crashed down like a collapsing mountain, carrying the force to crush everything in its path, directly towards the Sandman and the fortress it guarded!

This attack far surpassed the previous water pressure impact! It was pure, destructive physical force!

"Flint! Watch out!" came the exclamations from the other heroes over the channel.

The sandman's pupils constricted sharply. He could feel the wind pressure alone causing the sand around him to scatter uncontrollably! If he took the hit head-on, his crystallization barrier would likely shatter completely!

In a flash, the tactics instilled by the system and the instincts formed through countless simulations merged with his deeper understanding of his own abilities.

He did not choose to strengthen the defenses.

Just as the giant arm was about to crash down, the ground beneath his feet—along with his enormous sand-like body—suddenly “flowed” downwards! Like sand in an hourglass, it instantly sank and dispersed!

"Boom——!!!"

The giant arm slammed into the air, embedding itself deeply into the ground, creating mud waves and shockwaves tens of meters high, which sent several association heroes who were unable to dodge flying.

Where the Sandman once stood, only a huge pit and scattered sand remain.

The Deep Sea King let out a hiss filled with doubt.

The next second, a strange change occurred around its giant arm that was embedded in the ground!

Countless grains of sand, like living metallic quicksand, frantically climbed and solidified along its thick arms! No longer a loose envelope, but upon contact, the surface of the grains shimmered with dazzling crystalline light, rapidly hardening, like countless greedy cement devourers, tightly "biting" its arms, and frantically drilling and solidifying into weak points such as joints and shell crevices!

"Roar!!!"

For the first time, the "Deep Sea King" let out a roar filled with pain and rage! It swung its arms violently, trying to shake off the clinging sand. However, the crystallized sand possessed astonishing adhesion and hardness. Instead of being shaken off, it was instead subjected to continuous scraping and damage to its hard shell by its violent movements, like countless tiny shards!

The Sandman did not appear in person; his consciousness merged with the land of the battlefield, becoming one with every grain of sand. He maximized the advantage of his sand-transformation—no longer bound by a fixed form, but rather multiplying into countless smaller units, becoming omnipresent!

"All long-range firepower in Area A! Concentrate your attack on the right forearm joint that is being restricted by the Sandman!" The order was quickly issued in the command channel.

In an instant, energy beams, freezing rays, corrosive projectiles... the various ranged attacks from the association's heroes, like arrows that had found their bullseye, precisely covered the "Deep Sea King's" arm, which was tightly bound by crystallized sand and whose movements were obviously sluggish!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Crack!"

Explosions, the sound of shells shattering, and the even more furious roar of the "Deep Sea King" echoed across the battlefield! This time, the attack was remarkably effective, with obvious damage and charring appearing at the joints of the shell!

"It works! Sandman Boss is awesome!" A young hero couldn't help but cheer in the channel.

But Flint didn't relax for a moment. He felt the abyss-like power within the "Deep Sea King" surging even more violently. Simply restricting one arm was far from enough!

The remaining giant arms and tentacles of the "Deep Sea King" lashed out wildly, unleashing an even larger tsunami. At the same time, it opened its gigantic maw, filled with fangs and resembling an underwater cavern—

It wasn't a sonic attack, but a thick, foul-smelling, corrosive breath that shimmered with an eerie green light, sprayed out like a high-pressure water gun. Its target wasn't the Sandman (it couldn't find the Sandman's exact core yet), but rather it covered the entire defense line of Area A, as well as Areas B and C, which were organizing rescue efforts behind it!

"Avoid it! It's a strong acid breath!"

"Defense team! Maximum area shield!"

The association's defenses were instantly put to a severe test. While the Sandmen's crystallized sand might withstand physical impacts and water pressure, its effectiveness would be greatly diminished against such a widespread and sustained corrosive attack!

At this critical moment, the Sandman once again did something amazing.

Above the defense line of Zone A, countless grains of sand converged at an unprecedented speed, not to form a wall, but to create a huge, crisscrossing "sand net"! At the nodes of this net, the sand grains crystallized wildly, forming solid support points, while the net lines remained in a flowing state, constantly adjusting and compensating.

"Zizzi——!"

The eerie green corrosive breath struck the massive sand net, producing a chilling sound. The crystallized nodes stubbornly resisted the corrosion, while the flowing sand lines were constantly being corroded and dissolved, with new sand particles continuously replenishing them from below, like a living barrier with infinite regenerative capabilities!

The sand net trembled violently under the impact of the corrosive breath, its light flickering. Gravel at the edges kept turning into dust, but the overall structure actually managed to block most of this terrifying breath, which was enough to melt steel, from the A-zone defense line!

"This...this is..." Even the well-traveled Captain America, Steve Rogers, was shocked by what he saw. He held his shield in front of him, deflecting the splashing acidic droplets, and was deeply moved as he watched the colossal sand net, which was being fought against by mortal strength (although this strength was extraordinary), against a cataclysmic disaster.

This guy called Sandman has reached a level of unparalleled mastery in the use of his abilities! He doesn't just defend; he uses offense as defense and skill to overcome brute force!

"Stark! Barton! Focus fire, attack its mouth! Break it!" Steve immediately shouted in the Avengers channel, trying to relieve the pressure on Sandman.

Iron Man and Hawkeye responded immediately, unleashing beams of light and explosive arrows at the Deep Sea King's massive maw.

The Deep Sea King was forced to close its mouth, ceasing its breath, and let out an angry roar, its compound eyes fixed on the sand net that was slowly dissipating but had successfully completed its mission.

Flint the Sandman re-formed not far behind the defensive line. His face was pale, and his breathing was rapid, clearly indicating that the series of extreme maneuvers he had just performed had taken a heavy toll. But the look in his eyes as he gazed at the "Deep Sea King" was even more resolute.

Not just for the mission, for the association, but also to prove to himself and everyone else that he, Flint Marco, possesses the power to protect.

The Deep Sea King seemed to realize that this opponent, capable of freely transforming and crystallizing sand, was the biggest obstacle to its landing. It abandoned its indiscriminate, wide-range attacks and focused more attention on the Sandman. Several tentacles, like venomous snakes, hurtled towards the newly appeared Sandman from various angles with sound-breaking speed!

A new round of even more dangerous offense and defense is about to begin.