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Chapter 76: [Sponsored] Chapter 75
[This Chapter Is Sponsored by EnderReaper64! Everyone, please thank him in the comment section! If you also want to sponsor chapters, head to Patrèon; there's only 1 sponsorship slot left.]
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"Please hand over the items to us," the bald man with glasses said, reaching out his hand towards Fang Mo.
"Who are you?" Fang Mo wasn't accustomed to their behavior. He already had the items, so there was no reason to give them away. He spoke directly.
"They are members of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Strike Team," Natasha explained, trying to ease the tension. "They're here to help clean up the battlefield."
"That's right," the bald man said with a gentle smile. "We are also part of S.H.I.E.L.D., Advisor Fang Mo. The items you have are too dangerous. We need to take them back."
Fang Mo didn't say anything but inserted the Mind Scepter and the Tesseract into his body right in front of them.
"Advisor Fang Mo?"
After seeing Fang Mo's actions, the bald man realized his attitude wasn't well received. The smile on his face became a little stiff. "Are you also a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Please trust us."
"..."
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Strike Team members discreetly placed their hands on their guns, and the atmosphere became tense.
They had seen footage of the Battle of New York before, including Fang Mo lifting the helicarrier out of thin air. They knew about Fang Mo's incredible strength and the power of the Tesseract he possessed. It would be false to say they weren't nervous.
The other Avengers also sensed something was wrong and gathered around.
"What's happening here?" Tony Stark was the first to speak. "Is there a conflict within S.H.I.E.L.D.? Should we call Director Fury for clarification?"
"We came on orders from the Director," the bald man said. "He instructed us to retrieve these dangerous items."
"Oh, really?" Fang Mo smiled. "Then the information is wrong. I already confirmed with Nick. He entrusted both of these items to me for safekeeping."
"That's right. You humans don't have the authority to control the Tesseract," Thor nodded. "Fang Mo is the most powerful sorcerer I've ever seen. Only he can protect the Tesseract from destruction and misuse."
"I'm sorry, but Nick Fury has been removed from his position."
Just as he spoke, a voice suddenly came from the elevator. Everyone turned to see a middle-aged man slowly walking towards them. He seemed like a senator or a politician, with a fake smile that resembled a fox. There was an air of superiority about him. "The Tesseract has belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D. for seventy years. You have no right to take it."
"And who are you?" Thor frowned.
"He is Alexander Pierce," Stark explained. "In short, he is Nick Fury's superior and the real head of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"What?" Thor was surprised. "There's another boss above the boss? The power structure in your world is so chaotic?"
"Just call me Secretary."
Pierce chuckled. "That criminal should be handed over to us, along with the Tesseract and that scepter. They have caused so much destruction, and we must explain it to the people."
As he spoke, several people behind Pierce moved forward, ready to grab Fang Mo.
But in the next moment, those people were thrown back as if hit by a strong force, crashing into the cabinets and walls. Objects toppled and broke, creating a loud noise.
Throughout it all, Fang Mo stood still without moving a muscle.
"!"
Everyone was startled by the sudden turn of events. The people with Pierce immediately raised their guns and aimed at Fang Mo. Thor raised his hammer, and sparks of electricity crackled around him. The situation became extremely tense.
In this almost explosive situation, Fang Mo finally spoke.
"I don't like it when someone points a gun at my head," Fang Mo's voice was calm and slow. "I'll count to three. Put the guns down. One."
"Why are you defying the government?" Pierce replied.
"Two."
Fang Mo didn't even look at him.
At that moment, Stark suddenly remembered the terrorists in Afghanistan and understood what Fang Mo meant. He remembered how the terrorists had tried to shoot Fang Mo in the head, only to be split in half vertically in the next second. It was a gruesome sight.
Thinking about the dismembered bodies of those terrorists made Stark feel nauseous, so he quickly advised, "If you don't want to die, it's best to put the guns down..."
Frowning, Pierce, as Nick's superior, had some knowledge about Fang Mo and understood that Fang Mo might actually be capable of such a thing. Since his own plans weren't complete yet, he didn't want to confront Fang Mo directly at this moment. He discreetly signaled, and the people behind him reluctantly put down their guns.
"Advisor Fang Mo."
After collecting his thoughts, Pierce prepared to continue speaking to Fang Mo, "You are now..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a terrifying pulling force suddenly emerged, causing Pierce to fly towards Fang Mo uncontrollably. With a loud thud, Fang Mo grabbed him by the neck.
"!?"
This time, the situation had truly become chaotic. In an instant, the people on Pierce's side raised their guns again. Even the Avengers were confused, not understanding why Fang Mo suddenly took action and freezing in place.
But in this tense moment, a notification sound suddenly rang in Fang Mo's mind.
[System prompt: Researched the concept of 'Hydra.' You have obtained 20% new module download permissions.]
"???"
Fang Mo was stunned when he heard the notification.
Hydra was a boss creature in the Twilight Forest module, and it made sense to unlock this module by interacting with related settings. Fang Mo was eager to obtain this module, but it was amusing that Pierce was used to unlock it. When Fang Mo realized this, he almost burst out laughing. Yes, Pierce was indeed a member of Hydra, but the two Hydras were completely different entities. Could it really work like this?
Originally, Fang Mo was planning to surprise these Hydra members, but the sudden appearance of this amusing message from the system...
"Advisor Fang Mo, please release Director Pierce!"
While trying to hold back his laughter, the people on the other side suddenly shouted, bringing Fang Mo back to reality.
Although he wanted to mock the system, it probably wouldn't respond. So after a brief thought, Fang Mo immediately controlled his clone Steve to approach a nearby villain named Crossbones, or something like that, and tapped him lightly with his bare hand.
Steve was strong enough to knock out a bull with a few punches, so Crossbones couldn't withstand it. He was sent flying and crashed into a nearby wall.
Seeing this, almost instinctively, everyone turned their attention to Crossbones.
But in that moment, Fang Mo suddenly pulled Pierce towards himself. With his other hand, he pressed against Pierce's chest, and a sharp tip emerged from Fang Mo's wand, piercing Pierce's chest accurately.
At the same time, Fang Mo whispered a sentence in Pierce's ear.
"Hail Hydra!"