Chapter 17: Resolving Conflicts

Opening a hotel in the chaotic Hell's Kitchen was undoubtedly a terrible business decision.

Whether they were tourists or corporate employees on business trips, most people preferred to cross a few streets and leave the Clinton District to find safer and more affordable hotels in other areas of New York City.

Despite the Mulgore Hotel boasting two beautiful waitresses as its main attraction, business remained stagnant—no one chose to spend the night there. Those looking for a drink had far better options, such as bars and nightclubs.

Even though business was non-existent, Kausi remained committed to expanding his product offerings. He had thoroughly mastered the skills required of an innkeeper. The "Brew Festival Keg," unearthed from the glove box, became a new source of drinks.

Brew Festival Keg: Click on the keg to receive Brew Festival wine.

The so-called "Brew Festival Wine" was a light beer of decent quality. It was a self-regenerating product that could serve as a low-end option, catering to the poorer population.

With high-end Morning Dew Wine and the affordable Brew Festival Wine, the Mulgore Hotel successfully established a balanced product line offering both premium and budget options.

Yet, despite these efforts, even after more than a month, not a single guest had checked in. It wasn't until one particular night that the silence was broken.

Daredevil, Matt Murdock, stumbled into the Mulgore Hotel, his face covered in blood.

The lobby remained eerily empty, except for the employees sitting around the fire, enjoying their meal.

Murdock stood there in shock for a long moment before suddenly stepping back as if he had seen a ghost.

"Wait… Erica? What are you doing here?"

"Hmm? Matt?" Erica looked up, waving a tender wolf steak in her hand. "Want some? The food here at Kausi's place is amazing!"

Still processing what he was seeing, Daredevil rubbed his blood-stained hands over his ears and face, trying to confirm whether the familiar voice before him really belonged to his ex-girlfriend.

"Okay, enough. Erica works here now," Kausi interjected, cutting off the moment of disbelief. He patted the empty chair next to him. "It's not business hours right now. Matt, what happened? Why are you covered in blood? Sit down and eat something—it'll help with your injuries."

Murdock exhaled deeply and walked over to the stove, finally taking a seat.

"I tracked down Mr. Custer, and we teamed up to sabotage one of Kingpin's major drug deals. We destroyed drugs worth at least four hundred million dollars. Damn it—was Kingpin trying to turn all of New York into a drug den?"

Erica scoffed at Murdock's words, her eyes filled with disdain.

"Four hundred million dollars' worth of heroin is barely three tons… if that," she said mockingly. "The United States has only five percent of the world's population, yet it consumes more than sixty percent of the world's drugs. New York City alone goes through over five tons of heroin every month."

Murdock opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.

Next to them, the young girl, Carrie, looked up curiously and asked, "What's that? Can you eat it?"

"No!" Kausi chuckled, patting Carrie's head. "It's poison. You'd die!"

"I'm not afraid!" Carrie grinned, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Over the past month, Kausi had become quite familiar with these two vastly different women.

Carrie, well-behaved and hardworking, was said to be an orphan. She had no mother, and her father—a completely unreliable drifter—had been absent from her life for years. Though only sixteen, Carrie's mature appearance made it hard to believe she had survived in this chaotic world for so long.

In contrast, Erica was a lethal force, skilled in handling both the young and the old. Her demeanor could shift seamlessly between seductive and icy cold. With her past as an assassin, navigating Hell's Kitchen came naturally to her.

Murdock had initially intended to share his victory with his newfound friends, but the mood was quickly shattered. He sighed, eventually reaching for the steak Kausi handed him.

Erica eyed him critically before smirking. "Didn't you always claim that Daredevil never kills? What's with all the blood, then?"

"I didn't kill anyone. Mr. Custer did."

"And that makes a difference?" Erica scoffed. "You break their bones, and then someone else pulls the trigger. Matt Murdock, when are you going to get over your damn hypocrisy?"

"I have my own beliefs, Erica!" Murdock shot back. "Don't force your code of conduct onto me!"

Sensing that another argument was brewing, Kausi shook his head and intervened.

"Matt, Erica, you don't need to force your perspectives onto each other. Everyone follows their own path."

Both of them turned toward him, listening as he continued.

"In this world, everyone is an individual. The rich have their own ways of doing things, while the poor have their own means of survival. A wealthy person might tell you, 'Just invest a hundred million in a promising project, and you could make a thirty percent return annually!' But a poor man doesn't even know where his next meal is coming from."

"Erica fights to survive. Matt, you dream of building a just society. Your goals are different—why should your methods be the same?"

"The circumstances you live in shape your direction. Your outlook determines your fate. That's my advice to you, my friends."

A long silence followed.

The wind slipped through the crack in the door, causing the flames in the stove to flicker. The only sound in the hall was Carrie's soft humming as she ate.

After what seemed like an eternity, Murdock slowly nodded.

"Kausi… maybe you're right."

"I always thought I could pull Erica out of the darkness, make her stand in our camp. But I never considered her past. My expectations pushed her into an undefined gray zone."

Erica's expression softened. She let out a bitter chuckle and murmured, "At first, I was drawn to your kindness and integrity. But your indecisiveness and stubbornness disappointed me. Now, I finally understand… we're just not the same kind of people."

She took a deep breath before adding, "There's an old saying I once heard during my time with The Hand. Maybe it's an ancient proverb from the East: 'If two paths diverge, do not force them to meet.'"

She locked eyes with Murdock and declared, "From now on, Matt, I will never interfere with your actions again."

Murdock straightened his posture and gave her a small smile.

"I believe the Mulgore Hotel is a good place for you. Kausi has a lot to teach you, and—" he paused before emphasizing each word, "The true meaning of life."

"I think so too." Erica suddenly smiled. She tilted her head slightly, glancing at Kausi. "But before that, I need to take care of some… unnecessary troubles."

Kausi, oblivious to the undertone in her words, seemed pleased that he had resolved their conflict.

He turned his attention back to the stove, now engaged in a heated battle with Carrie over the last piece of grilled wolf steak.

In the end, Carrie emerged victorious, snatching the final piece while Kausi sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine… I'll go check the basement for more supplies," he muttered, standing up.

"I'll go too!" Carrie cheered, still chewing on her prize.

"You?" Kausi hesitated, studying her expression before nodding. "Alright—but promise me you won't touch anything down there."

As the two disappeared into the basement, Murdock stood up abruptly.

"I have to go," he said.

"Goodbye, Matt."

He could sense the relief in Erica's voice. Smiling faintly, he waved.

"Goodbye, Erica."