"..."
Tohka didn't believe a single word coming out of this guy's mouth. She just silently stared at Deadpool, clearly showing: if you don't refund me, don't even think about walking away today.
Okay, it wasn't like she actually needed the money—she was just bored and wanted to see how Deadpool would react.
"Uh, uh..."
Under Tohka's piercing stare, Deadpool was starting to stutter. If he didn't already know that he couldn't do anything to Tohka, he would've started a fight. Sure, he was used to it by now, but getting sliced still hurt.
"Damn it, why is that bastard author back to mess with me instead of updating a different arc?" (Splat.)
"Well, what do you say? If not, I'll post the whole thing online. I doubt you'll get any more jobs after that. Who's going to pay top dollar for a guy who can't deliver and won't refund, right?"
Looking at the conflicted Deadpool, Tohka decided to turn up the heat. A guy like him—thick-skinned and shameless—had to be hit right where it hurt.
"Ughhh—stop! Fine! I've got no money, just this pitiful life. Wait, wait—I remember now. Here, take this. Consider it my compensation."
Just as he was about to give up, Deadpool froze. Then he suddenly pulled a small plastic vial out of nowhere and tossed it to Tohka.
"What is this..." Tohka caught the bottle on reflex and froze. She had only been teasing him out of boredom, but this guy actually had something real. But when she saw what was inside, her stomach turned.
"Have you… used this before?"
"Of course! It's super useful. With this, I'm never bored again—someone's always around to talk to me! How about it? It's the ultimate travel companion, murder buddy, and home entertainment all in one. Delicious and affordable—let's call it even for the deposit, okay?"
Seeing Tohka holding the vial, Deadpool hurried to pitch it. The item was definitely valuable, but he'd rather give it away than cough up the cash. Most people wouldn't recognize it anyway, but Tohka did—at a glance.
"Well… it is worth the value, I guess… huh? Where'd he go?" But before Tohka could finish her sentence, Deadpool had already reacted.
"Great, deal closed! My debt is cleared, no take-backs! I'm open for hire, anything for the right price—see ya, Miss Tohka!"
As if afraid she'd change her mind, he spat out all his lines and disappeared instantly. No idea where he went—but of course, he left something behind.
"Why didn't you let me finish? It's worth way more than that!" Tohka muttered as she looked at the leg Deadpool had left behind.
"Also, seriously, can't you fix that busted teleport belt of yours? Why not leave your head behind next time and let your body roll off?"
Still, complaints aside, Tohka was now staring at the bottle Deadpool had handed over—with an expression like she was constipated.
Inside was a black, writhing, living substance, clearly trying to break out. She recognized it immediately: a symbiote. Venom, to be exact.
She had no idea how Deadpool got his hands on this, but it definitely looked like the original Venom.
The problem? In at least one version of Marvel, the symbiote wasn't evil by nature. But its first host in that universe had been—of all people—Deadpool.
Which meant... the one in her hand had most likely been driven insane.
And now what was she supposed to do with it?
Very few people could control this thing. Even Spider-Man had trouble. As for herself? No thanks. Tohka had zero desire to try it on.
Just imagining those tendrils crawling up her body gave her the shivers. She'd already made up her mind—over her dead body would she wear this thing.
"Screw it, I'm out of here.
Also... might as well burn that leg.
I don't want to wake up tomorrow to headlines like: 'Severed human limb found on street—police investigating mysterious case!'"
With that, Tohka activated her armor's flamethrowers and incinerated the leg to ashes, then flew off.
---
"Hey, boss? Something... unusual happened today. Looks like I'll need to delay the job for a few days."
Elsewhere, Deadpool—now legless—reappeared in a filthy bathroom.
He looked absolutely miserable: one leg missing, sitting on a toilet, and with half-eaten fish stuck on his head.
Just then, a stray cat jumped up onto his shoulder, snatched the fish, and ran off.
"What the hell are you doing? That damn pest has already ruined several of my operations. I'm this close to losing all credibility. And the people down below are starting to stir."
A voice came through his phone, clearly angry. Anyone could hear the fury behind it. But then again, who in their right mind would pay top dollar to hire Deadpool?
"Ugh, how ugly." Deadpool ignored him, crawling out of the trash can and shaking off the garbage on his body.
Then he said slowly, "I ran into the Stark family heiress today. She stopped me, so the target got away."
"What? You pissed her off again? Is she interfering with my plans now?"
Upon hearing the name Tohka, the voice on the other end noticeably softened. If Spider-Kid and Tohka teamed up—or just Tohka alone—it would be enough to cause major problems.
"Yeah, it was her. Don't worry, I'll find another chance."
Deadpool wasn't about to piss off his employer, so he tossed the blame straight at Tohka. Not that he thought anyone could do anything to her anyway.
"Tohka, huh? Heh… don't worry about it. Just finish the job I gave you." The voice on the other end sneered a few times and didn't say more.
"Alright then. Bye." After hanging up, Deadpool suddenly felt a bad premonition. From the guy's tone, he could tell something was off. "He's not planning to go after Tohka, is he?"