Alt title:Guess Who's Broke and Fabulous?
Scene:Deadpool lounges on his bed—mask still on, katanas lined up next to him like loyal puppies. He's scrolling through his cheap burner phone (bought with leftover change from the Hunter Association).
Suddenly—
Headline after headline:
"The Red Menace: Unidentified Hunter Shocks the World!""Mysterious Red Suit Hunter Annihilates Dungeon, Survives Mortal Blows—How?!""Internet Divided: Hero, Monster, or Escaped Mental Patient?"
Videos of him flipping through the air, getting smashed by ogres, regrowing limbs, and waving the toothbrush are everywhere.
Deadpool chuckles.
Turns to the fourth wall.
"Famous again. Without even leaking a sex tape this time. Growth, baby. Character development."
After scrolling through memes of himself (some flattering, some very not), Deadpool gets bored.
"Alright, Nexus. Let's go sightseeing before I spend my last coin on emotional support ramen."
He grabs his new vibranium katanas (purchased for a wallet-crushing 9,999 Gold), straps them to his back, and marches out. Balance? 1 Gold.
"Richer in sarcasm than cash. Story of my life."
Cut to: Streets of Seoul.Deadpool strolls casually, whistling the Avengers theme off-key.
Some pedestrians recognize him—whispering, pointing.
"Is that... him?""That's the Red Hunter!""He doesn't even have a guild, right?""Is he... shopping for corndogs?"
Deadpool poses for a few confused selfies, gives finger guns to an old lady, and continues strutting down the sidewalk.
Suddenly—Noise. A crowd gathered down the street. Shouting. Cheers. Barricades set up. Police and Hunter Association staff controlling the crowd.
Deadpool's curiosity kicks in.
He shuffles up to a random guy in the crowd.
Deadpool: "Yo, bro. What's the buzz? Is BTS doing a surprise dance battle?"
The man stares at him like he's grown a second head.
"You don't know?! That's Chae In! The top S-Rank Hunter from Hunters Guild! And Guild Master Choi Jong-In is here too!"
Deadpool tilts his head.
"Sounds fake, but okay."
The man looks him up and down, sees the vibranium katanas, red armor, casual bloodstains, and visibly hesitates.
"...Are you new? Like, freshly awakened? From under a rock?"
Deadpool: "Awakened? Bro, I've been woke since 2016. Ask Marvel."
Across the barrier—Deadpool watches as Chae In (calm, serious, elegant) steps through the Blue Gate, followed by Choi Jong-In (confident, tactical, oozing "pro-gamer leader" vibes) and a squad of Hunters.
Reporters shove microphones toward them. Fans scream. Phones flash.
Deadpool whistles low.
"Damn. K-Pop idols and Power Rangers rolled into one package. No wonder y'all freaked out."
The guy next to him mutters.
"They're legends. You're lucky you're seeing them."
Deadpool leans over.
"You're lucky they're seeing me."
Deadpool's eye catches the glint of the Blue Gate closing behind the Hunters.A weird prickle runs down his spine.
For a moment, a very tiny sliver of his chaotic brain senses it:Big Things Are Coming.Frost Monarch. Shadows. Death.
Deadpool, instantly ruining the mood:
"Probably just gas. Stupid mystery burrito's fault."
He shrugs it off.