Rio settled into his leather recliner as the opening credits of Resident Evil: Apocalypse rolled across the massive screen in his private theater room. The familiar Umbrella Corporation logo flashed, and he couldn't help but smirk.
"Alright, Alice," he muttered to himself, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see you kick some zombie ass again."
The movie opened with Raccoon City in chaos, emergency broadcasts crackling through abandoned radios as the T-virus spread like wildfire through the population. Rio leaned forward slightly, genuinely invested despite having seen this countless times.
"Classic corporate cover-up," he commented as Umbrella's military forces sealed off the city. "Nothing says 'we fucked up' quite like turning an entire city into a quarantine zone."
When Alice first appeared on screen, Rio's expression shifted to one of genuine appreciation. There she was – the badass bio-weapon in a red dress, one of his fictional crushes since he was a kid.
The movie progressed through its familiar beats – the ragtag group of survivors, the corporate conspiracy, the increasingly dangerous bio-weapons.
"Carlos, you magnificent bastard," he chuckled as the soldier character made another impossible headshot. "Must be nice having unlimited ammo in the zombie apocalypse. Too bad real life doesn't work that way."
The climactic battle between Alice and Nemesis had Rio genuinely on the edge of his seat, even though he knew how it ended. When Alice realized the Nemesis was actually Matt from the first movie and they teamed up, Rio felt nostalgia.
As the movie reached its conclusion – Alice and her companions escaping in a helicopter, only to crash due to the nuclear bomb's shockwave and then Alice waking up in the Umbrella facility and preparing to escape.
The final scene of Alice getting away in the car and the umbrella logo in her eyes almost made Rio to watch the following movie.
[Resident Evil 2 Apocalypse viewing complete.]
[Resident Evil Extinction has been unlocked for future viewing.]
[Today's movie viewing is complete. You have earned 1 lottery draw. Draw from: "Resident Evil 2 Revelation"]
[Do you want to draw now?]
"Well, Of course," Rio said with a grin. "Draw a lottery."
[Lottery draw successful.]
[Prize: Obtained proficiency in fighting and physical skills, Proficiency in handling firearms.]
The system notification faded, and Rio felt the familiar sensation of new knowledge flooding his mind. Fighting techniques from Alice's enhanced combat training filled his consciousness, along with Carlos's military precision and Nicholai's ruthless efficiency. Even the tactical awareness of the Umbrella security forces became part of his expanding skillset.
Rio stood up from the recliner, rolling his shoulders as his body adapted to accommodate the new muscle memory. He threw a few experimental punches, then shifted into a defensive stance that felt as natural as breathing.
"Well, I'll be damned," he said, examining his hands. "I was just hoping to figure out how to control my strength better, and the system goes and gives me a complete combat education. It's like asking for a sandwich and getting a five-course meal."
He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the manor grounds. Through the glass, he could see the familiar figures of Kingpin's security detail – men in casual clothes who moved with the unmistakable awareness of trained professionals.
Rio counted at least six visible from this angle, and he knew there were probably twice that many stationed around the property's perimeter. Their presence was both reassuring and irritating.
"Protective detail or prison guards?" he mused, watching one of them speak quietly into a concealed microphone. "I appreciate the concern, Dad, but this is bit too much."
He made a mental note to have a conversation with his adoptive father about scaling back the security presence. The constant surveillance feel less like protection and more like a leash.
After spending another few minutes observing the security rotation, Rio decided to grab some lunch. The manor's kitchen was fully stocked with ingredients for elaborate meals, but he wasn't in the mood for anything complicated. He settled for some pre-made items from the refrigerator – nothing fancy, but it would do.
Just as he finished eating, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. The caller ID showed it was Kingpin's secretary from earlier.
"Master Rio, I'm sorry to disturb your rest," came the secretary's voice, carrying just a hint of genuine concern.
"No problem at all," Rio replied, settling back in his chair. "What's up?"
"I realize I forgot to mention earlier – you're scheduled to report to Empire State University this afternoon for registration."
Rio glanced at the clock on the wall. "Cutting it a bit close, aren't we?"
"Yes, and I sincerely apologize for the oversight. I can arrange for a car to pick you up immediately if you're ready."
"Don't worry about it," Rio said, already mentally preparing for the trip. "I wasn't doing anything particularly important anyway."
"Thank you for being so understanding, Master Rio. The car will be there within fifteen minutes."
"Perfect. Anything specific I need to know about the registration process?"
The secretary launched into a brief overview of the paperwork he'd need to complete and the departments he'd need to visit. Rio listened with half his attention while gathering the documents he'd need, appreciating her thoroughness even if it wasn't strictly necessary.
"Got it," he said when she finished. "Thanks for staying on top of this."
"Of course, Master Rio. Have a good day at the university."
After ending the call, Rio quickly gathered his registration materials and headed for the manor's front entrance. As he stepped outside, he noticed the subtle shift in his security detail's positioning – they were already preparing to follow him, maintaining their professional distance while ensuring his route remained covered.
The car arrived exactly on schedule, a black sedan with tinted windows that managed to look both expensive and unremarkable. Rio slid into the back seat and gave the driver a nod of acknowledgment.
As they pulled away from the manor, Rio caught sight of his security detail in the side mirror. True to form, they were coordinating their follow-up surveillance with practiced efficiency. One team would trail at a distance, another would take a parallel route, and he was certain there were already people positioned at the university.
Despite his irritation with the constant monitoring, Rio had to admit there was something impressive about their coordination. In his previous life he had to suck up to people now there are people at his back and call.
Meanwhile, across the city in a gleaming Manhattan office building, Kingpin sat behind his massive desk, a half-smoked cigar between his thick fingers. The office was a study in controlled power – expensive furniture arranged with military precision, original artwork that spoke to both refined taste and substantial wealth.
Across from him sat Obadiah Stane, a man whose physical presence was imposing enough to make most people uncomfortable. His beard was meticulously groomed, but his eyes held the calculating coldness of someone who'd spent decades climbing corporate ladders by stepping on fallen competitors.
"Obadiah, I thought we'd already concluded our business. I told you I wasn't interested in your proposal."
Stane waved a dismissive hand. "Wilson, you need to think bigger. I'm not just talking about a business partnership here – I'm talking about a complete transformation of the arms trade."
"Continue," Kingpin said, though his tone suggested his patience was limited.
"Stark Industries is about to undergo a change in leadership," Stane said, leaning forward slightly. "When that happens, I'll control the most advanced weapons technology on the planet. And you... you have the most sophisticated distribution network in the world."
"What about Tony Stark, I don't think he will approve that." Kingpin retorted.
"Leave Tony to me," Stane replied with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. "The question is whether you're ready to evolve beyond your current... limitations."
The last word hung in the air like a challenge.
"And what are the limitations you speak of?" Kingpin said, his voice dropping to a dangerous quiet.
Stane smiled. "Come on, Wilson. You're the undisputed king of New York's underworld, but you're still operating in the shadows. Don't you think you should come to the other side already?"
Kingpin's silence was answer enough.
"You've built an empire," Stane continued, "but it's an empire that exists in the spaces between legitimate society. And now you have a son to think about."
The mention of Rio caused Kingpin's demeanor to become more cold.
"Rio is not part of this conversation," Kingpin voice clearly expressed the warning.
"Of course he is," Stane pressed. "Everything you do now is about creating a better future for him. But what kind of future can you offer when your own reputation limits his opportunities?"
Hearing this, Kingpin's face darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone: "And I need you for that?"
"Of course you do." Stane said. "Partner with me, and within five years, you'll be sitting on the board of directors of a Fortune 500 company. Your name will be on hospital wings and university buildings. Rio won't have to explain anything – he'll be the son of a respected businessman and philanthropist."
Kingpin leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. The offer was tempting, but he'd built his empire on careful calculation, not wishful thinking.
If it had been in the past, Kingpin naturally wouldn't have cared. He could easily arrange for himself. But it was different now. After adopting Rio, Kingpin's mentality had also changed. He didn't want Rio to be affected by his business and wanted to give him a better living environment.
Even though he tried his best to hide his true nature in front of Rio all these years, there would always be a day when paper couldn't contain the fire.
So these years he had been trying to integrate into New York's top management circles. To put it plainly, Kingpin wanted a clean identity to back Rio. Although he could achieve it himself, it would take considerable time.
Obadiah had seized this point and come to negotiate with Kingpin for a second time.
"Your plan requires removing Tony Stark," he said finally. "That's not a simple corporate takeover you're talking about. That's something else entirely."
"And you've never been involved in 'something else entirely'?" Stane asked with a smile.
Fisk was quiet again, thinking. The moral implications of Stane's plan were less concerning to him than the practical ones. He'd done worse things for less compelling reasons. But he'd also learned to be careful about partnerships that relied on other people's competence.
"Here's what I'll offer," Kingpin said finally. "I won't interfere with whatever you're planning for Stark. If you succeed in taking control of his company, we can discuss a partnership. But I won't actively participate in his removal."
Stane's smile widened. "That's all I need. Soon Tony will be yesterday's news."
"For your sake, I hope you're right," Kingpin said, standing to signal the end of their meeting. "Because if you fail, this conversation never happened."
Stane rose as well, extending his hand. "Wilson, you're going to thank me for this opportunity."
Kingpin shook the offered hand, his grip firm but brief. "We'll see."