However, after initially showing fear, the gang member's face twisted into a mad grin.
"Hahaha, eat me, go ahead."
"Just know, I have AIDS."
One sentence was enough to stop Eddie in his tracks.
Upon hearing this, Eddie felt helpless. Clearly, Venom had no interest in consuming someone like that, and Eddie had only intended to scare him.
Barton stepped forward, taking out a simple syringe from his pocket and said:
"No need for such dramatics. I have a truth serum here. You'll spill everything soon enough without any deceit."
With that, Barton injected the serum into the gang member's neck.
After checking the time and confirming the serum's effect, Barton began his interrogation.
Eddie watched Barton's professional approach, acknowledging SHIELD agents' expertise in this area. Soon, they obtained detailed information.
The gang belonged to an organization called 13K, headquartered in Hell's Kitchen. Their main business was smuggling—cars, and occasionally firearms. The gang had over a hundred members, making it a moderate-sized organization in Hell's Kitchen.
Their leader was K. Rader, one of the thirteen heads of the gang. K. Rader was the one who had escaped earlier.
The others were his subordinates, involved in this side business without the gang's knowledge. They learned that human trafficking was Rader's personal enterprise, forbidden by the gang and its higher-ups.
As for who they were trading with, the gang member didn't know. All such information was with K. Rader.
After Barton's interrogation, Eddie asked, "He says their business is separate from the gang. Do you believe him?"
Barton nodded, "With the truth serum, untrained people can't lie."
"But their organization is still a criminal entity. It's illegal."
"What do you have in mind?"
Eddie thought for a moment and said, "We can't let K. Rader go. He'll continue this business otherwise."
"And as for 13K, let's destroy them too."
Barton nodded at Eddie's suggestion, "Since we know their headquarters, let's head there now."
"Alright!"
…
Meanwhile-
Rader, who had escaped through the underground tunnel, was driving away, heading not to his headquarters in Hell's Kitchen but to the Continental Hotel in New York.
He cursed as he drove, "Bad luck, running into superheroes while doing a little business."
Rader took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Mr. Z, the deal is off."
"What happened?"
"Two superheroes attacked my warehouse. We lost all the goods."
"We'll have to lay low for a while."
Z: "Understood."
After hanging up, K. Rader drove on without incident and arrived at the Continental Hotel.
Seeing the hotel, he breathed a sigh of relief. Inside, he would be safe for now.
He parked at the hotel's entrance, bent down, and retrieved a small suitcase from under the passenger seat. Inside were a passport, a fake ID, and a row of Continental Hotel gold coins.
Taking out the gold coins and spreading them in his hand, he mused, "Beautiful coins, just too few."
Clearly, K. Rader was not only a gang leader but also a registered assassin at the Continental Hotel.
He pocketed the coins, passport, and ID, replaced the empty suitcase, and got out of the car.
He handed his keys to the valet and walked into the hotel.
Inside, he observed the lobby, noting several assassins chatting in the lounge area. They glanced at him but showed no interest.
Rader approached the front desk, placed a coin on the counter, and said, "I'd like a room."
The receptionist took the coin and quickly processed his check-in.
"Mr. K, your room is ready, room 603. Here is your key card."
"Enjoy your stay."
Taking the key card, K. Rader headed upstairs, intending to take a shower and wash off his bad luck.
…
Meanwhile, Barton was driving with Eddie Brock in the passenger seat.
"Buddy, you can de-transform now. You're taking up too much space in the car."
Barton was driving a two-seater Mustang, spacious enough, but Eddie's Venom form was bulky.
Sensing Barton's concern, Eddie replied, "You know my identity?"
Barton smiled, "There are cameras everywhere. You didn't hide your identity well. SHIELD can easily find out."
Eddie, surprised, asked, "So, why did you contact me? To recruit me into the Avengers?"
He knew SHIELD was always recruiting superhumans, though he wasn't sure how effective they were.
Barton shook his head, "Not yet. I don't know you well enough."
"All I know you're just a street hero, fighting crime in your spare time."
Eddie was puzzled, "Why call me a street hero?"
Barton chuckled, "Mostly because your activities are localized in Brooklyn."
Eddie frowned, "Is this some kind of regional classification?"
Barton laughed, "Just kidding. I wanted to lighten the mood, so you don't have to feel tense."
Eddie shook his head, "There is no need to feel tense. You're not my opponent anyway."
Eddie retracted Venom back into his body. Unbeknownst to him, a scanner in the glove compartment silently collected his body data.
Barton, ignoring Eddie's earlier statement, asked, "Can I ask what motivated you to start fighting crime? What's your drive?"
Eddie didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned the question back on Barton. "What about you? What's your motivation for becoming a superhero?"
Barton paused for a couple of seconds before replying, "It's my job. I've been doing this for many years."
As a SHIELD agent, Barton followed orders, handling various tasks assigned to him.
Eddie found Barton's response somewhat dull and began explaining his own motivation.
"I've seen too many ordinary people being oppressed. On my street, a convenience store owner was constantly threatened—robberies, shoplifting, you name it."
"I believe the world shouldn't be like this. These wrongdoings need to be stopped."
"Of course, I can't help everyone, but I do what I can. If I see a crime, I stop it."
Barton nodded, recognizing Eddie's sense of justice.
"I'm curious, though. I've heard that you sometimes... eat the heads of criminals. Is that a personal quirk or something you do out of necessity?"
"I'm not accusing you of anything, just genuinely curious. Your mouth doesn't seem big enough to swallow a head."
Barton even simulated a biting motion with his hand.
Venom's voice echoed in Eddie's mind, "This guy talks too much. Should I eat his head?"
"No!" Eddie immediately rejected the suggestion, but Barton overheard.
"What?"
Eddie explained, "I don't actually eat heads. That's just to scare the really bad ones. As you said, my mouth isn't that big."
He mimed opening his mouth, showing that it wasn't large enough to consume a head.
Venom chimed in mentally, "Let me out, and I'll show him how I can swallow a head in one bite."
Eddie ignored Venom, not interested in indulging its appetite. Barton eyed Eddie skeptically but said, "I thought so too."
They continued chatting, with Eddie asking about some amusing stories involving the Avengers.
Soon, they arrived outside the 13K headquarters. Barton parked the car and grabbed his quiver of arrows, saying, "We're here. Let's get to work."
Eddie eyed the large auto repair shop in front of them and transformed into Venom. With a powerful leap, he entered the yard, with Barton following closely behind.
They moved through the compound effortlessly, taking down guards silently and swiftly. None of the guards were a match for them, and they were all incapacitated before they could react.
In no time, they reached a safe house. Inside, the 13K leader was asleep. Barton flicked the light switch by the bed, illuminating the room and waking the leader.
"Who are you?" K. Brennan shouted, reaching for a gun under his pillow. But Barton swiftly pulled him off the bed, slamming him to the ground.
"Guards!" Brennan yelled.
Barton said calmly, "No point. We took care of them."
Brennan looked at them, recognizing Barton. "I know you. You're Hawkeye from the Avengers. Our 13K gang only does smuggling. We shouldn't be on your radar."
Eddie interjected, "But your man K. Rader is involved in human trafficking."
Brennan shook his head. "Impossible. No one in Hell's Kitchen would dare. None of my men would either."
Barton clarified, "They're smuggling illegal immigrants from the Mexico border."
Realizing what had happened, Brennan sat on the floor and looked up at them. "What do you want to know?"
Barton asked, "Where's K. Rader?"
Brennan shook his head. "He's not here. He could be at home or somewhere else."
"Call him. Tell him to come over or find out where he is."
Brennan hesitated but then asked, "What are you planning?"
Eddie replied, "He needs to face the consequences of his actions."
Brennan nodded and called Rader's number.
…
Having just finished showering and enjoying some food in his room, K. Rader's phone rang. Seeing it was his boss, he didn't answer right away, pondering if those superheroes had found their hideout.
Eventually, he picked up but stayed silent initially.
"Rader, where are you?"
"Boss, I'm at home. What's up?"
"Come to headquarters tomorrow. I have some business for you."
"Okay, got it."
After hanging up, Rader smiled at his phone, thinking, "This is my real home."
…
Back in the safe house, Brennan told Barton and Eddie, "He's at home at XXX XXX. What will you do with us 13K members?"
Barton replied, "The police will arrest you."
Brennan sighed with relief, knowing he'd be handed over to the authorities.
Barton then knocked Brennan unconscious with a chop and said to Eddie, "Looks like we have another trip to make."
Eddie nodded, "Let's go. Hurry up."
###
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