Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 31: There Is No Nobel Prize for Mathematics

Chief George looked at Alvin with confusion and said, "Do you know where to find such a thing?"

Alvin smiled mysteriously and replied, "I have an informant in Hell's Kitchen who knows something. I can dig it out from its lair soon."

Chief George, still uneasy, said, "If you take action, you need to inform me. I'll arrange for police support. I know you have some good men, especially Frank Castle, but that thing is dangerous. I don't want any accidents."

When Chief George mentioned Frank, his expression wasn't too good. It seemed he knew some inside information.

Alvin laughed lightly and said, "No worries. When dealing with that kind of thing, more people are actually useless. If my guess is correct, even our little Ginny can handle it if we find the right method."

As he spoke, Alvin pinched Ginny's little nose and continued, "Once I catch that thing, I'll let you come over to take a look. But you need to be mentally prepared; they might be the troublesome kind I'm guessing. For you!"

Chief George, still puzzled, asked, "Why is it troublesome for me? What about you?"

Alvin picked up Ginny and spun her around in the air, saying meaningfully, "Because I can take down as many of those things as they come, but for you—let me give you a hint: that thing might have existed for many years and has a large population. So why don't you know anything about it?"

Chief George gasped, pounded the table, and cursed under his breath, "Those bastards at S.H.I.E.L.D. must know something but don't dare to tell me." Then he looked at Alvin with some dejection, "You might not be right, could you?"

Alvin shrugged and said, "Yes, that's why I need to verify it myself. If such a thing really exists, Hell's Kitchen will be their graveyard."

Chief George was a determined guy, possibly reassured by Alvin's casual tone. And since Alvin said that finding the right method would make it easy to deal with, he chose to have a beer despite the potential future trouble.

Alvin handed a beer to Chief George and asked somewhat nervously, "George, my friend, have you thought about what we discussed yesterday regarding your daughter?"

Drinking his beer, George gave Alvin a sidelong glance and said in a mocking tone, "I realized after I got home yesterday that there's no Nobel Prize in Mathematics. Buddy, you need to check if that professor you mentioned faked his credentials."

Alvin scratched his head awkwardly. This was the downside of not having much education. Even a little bragging could be easily exposed. But seeing Jessica's confused look when she heard "Nobel," Alvin felt a bit better.

"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. Once this matter is over, I invite you and your wife to visit our school. What? Your daughter too? No need! Kids just need to focus on their studies; choosing a school is best left to the parents," Alvin encouraged Chief George.

Chief George seemed tempted. The conditions Alvin mentioned earlier were very attractive to a father with a beautiful daughter. After all, he couldn't watch over her all the time, and there were too many bad boys nowadays.

After thinking for a moment, George said, "Let's wait until this matter is over. I'll arrange a time to visit. Buddy, I hope what you said is true!"

Alvin patted his chest and promised, "Trust me, no parent can refuse my school after a visit. It will be the cradle of the Ivy League."

"Hope so!" Chief George downed his beer and left the restaurant.

Watching the chief drive away after drinking, Alvin snorted disdainfully, "Breaking the law, you bastard. Next time I get a ticket, I'll use your name. If you don't fix it, I'll report you."

...

Late at night, in the lobby of the Peace Hotel, Alvin and JJ were organizing some equipment.

Alvin held a modified shotgun that shot nets and asked, "Is this thing sturdy?"

Excited, JJ was stuffing rifle magazines into his vest. Hearing Alvin's question, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, boss. Once this thing nets something, even an elephant can't break free."

Seeing JJ's excitement, Alvin thought about what they might encounter. He pulled all the weapons off JJ and handed him an old Remington shotgun and a Springfield 1911 pistol.

"If you can't catch it, use this to take it down." Without further explanation, he strapped a Glock 17 to his waist.

These guns had been modified by Alvin and embedded with the rune "Eid," which would cause significant damage to undead creatures. It was a targeted solution. What? Use silver bullets? That's for the rich. Alvin didn't have that kind of money, but he had his own tricks, didn't he?

However, silver-plated knives could be useful. Following Alvin's instructions, a frustrated JJ carried a silver-plated dinner knife, only as long as his palm and as wide as his finger. He remembered it was a gift from old Kent, who used to fence stolen goods. After he retired, he gave all his nice cutlery to Alvin.

With everything ready, Alvin went upstairs to check on his sleeping daughter, kissed her on the forehead, and tucked her in. He also checked on Nick, who managed to kick off his blanket with one leg. This kid would go far.

Seeing Jessica's tightly closed door, Alvin shook his head with a smile and went downstairs to meet JJ.

Next to the old pickup truck, Frank was leaning against the passenger door, fully armed. Impatiently, he said, "I've been waiting for you guys forever. Why so slow?"

Buddy, did I ask you to come? Alvin thought, but he felt reassured. This was what family felt like: I don't ask what you're up to, but if you're going to fight, I'll grab my gear and join you.

Alvin looked at Frank's gear: two FN SCAR automatic rifles, two short-barreled submachine guns, two pistols, and a tactical vest loaded with magazines.

He punched the envious JJ and said to Frank, "Buddy, this isn't Iraq. We're not going to war, just hunting a small animal. No need for all this firepower, right?"

Frank looked at Alvin and JJ's gear, then at his own, and realized it was a bit much. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I'll bring it along. If we don't need it, we can leave it in the truck."

JJ nodded vigorously, drooling over Frank's gear. Look at what he had: an old Remington and a second-hand 1911. Then look at Frank.

Alvin laughed and nodded, letting it go. He went to the restaurant's basement and returned with a Remington similar to JJ's. He tossed it to Frank and said, "Your guns might not work on those small animals. Take this."

Frank fiddled with the shotgun, didn't question Alvin's judgment, and nodded to show he understood.

JJ drove, Alvin sat in the passenger seat giving directions, and Frank sat in the back, taking off his guns and leaving only a Colt 1911 on his waist. He loaded the Remington shotgun shell by shell.

Alvin stuck his hand out the window and tapped the roof rhythmically, saying, "Let's go."