Warning

Facing an uninvited guest in futuristic armor who had suddenly appeared in his office, Nick Fury's composure was truly admirable. Looking at the cold, imposing steel figure before him, he asked evenly, "You do realize this isn't some amusement park anyone can stroll into, right? How did you get in?"

"Rest assured, Director Fury. Your building has no security vulnerabilities—at least, not from a technical standpoint." Michael spoke from beneath the armor as a transparent Magic Circle materialized in his hand. "I got in because I have a few special tricks."

"Care to share?"

Michael flipped his palm, and the Magic Circle shattered in his hand with a snap, dissolving into sparks.

"Not today," he said. "More importantly, I've brought other information—information vital to S.H.I.E.L.D., perhaps even information that strikes at its very foundation."

Fury remained expressionless. "I'm listening."

"You're a smart man, Director Fury. I find it hard to believe that after sitting in the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for so long, you haven't noticed even the slightest clue." Michael stood before the desk. "Have you ever noticed that, in the deepest parts of this organization you ought to know everything about, there is a shadow beyond even your reach? Have you found that sometimes, even you cannot fully control the massive entity that is S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Fury folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. "What's your point?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. may not be an organization you fully understand. At its core, in its darkest depths, lies an evil secret. And when that secret comes to light, the entire world will change because of it."

Michael paused.

"Of course, I didn't expect you to simply believe me."

Fury shrugged. "If you took off that mask first, and stopped talking to me in that strange voice, it might help me believe you."

Michael extended his right hand. The armored glove around his palm opened, and a USB drive emerged from within before dropping onto the desk.

"You're suspicious. That's wise and necessary," Michael said. "So I don't intend to say much more right now, because it would be meaningless. But you can look at what's on this first. I copied it from the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility that was attacked earlier—though I assume you already know I was the one who attacked it. The information was originally encrypted using highly complex methods, but fortunately, I happen to be very familiar with that encryption. So don't be polite. I've already decoded its contents for you."

"You stole information from my facility, and you think I'll need your help decoding it?" Fury asked.

"Once you see what's inside, you'll understand," Michael said calmly. "And strictly speaking, that wasn't actually your facility. It only looked like it belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D. Of course, the sheer volume of information in there may be difficult to digest, so you can have someone verify whether it's genuine. Once you are certain that every word I said is true, I think you'll be more interested in continuing our conversation."

"So what you're saying is," Fury said, glancing at the USB drive on the desk, "you'll leave me a contact number, and once I've checked what's inside, I can call you?"

"No, Director Fury. By then, I'll come see you again." Michael spoke lightly as he stepped backward into the shadows. "Based on the Tri-Wing Building's emergency protocols, I estimate the reinforcements you're waiting for will enter this room within five seconds. So let's save anything else for next time."

The glow within the V-shaped Visor went out once more, and the Black Armor swiftly vanished into the shadows. The office lights returned to normal two seconds later, and five seconds after that, the doors were violently shoved open from outside. Deputy Director Maria Hill rushed into the room with her gun raised, followed by several elite agents.

But apart from Director Fury, the room was empty.

"Sir?" Hill furrowed her slender brows. "I don't understand. Where's the intruder?"

Fury said nothing. His gaze drifted, intentionally or otherwise, toward the USB drive left on the desk, and the calm expression he had maintained all along gradually darkened.

Osborn Corporation, laboratory.

Norman Osborn sat bare-chested and upright in a chair connected to metal machinery behind him. Black devices attached to the chair restrained his wrists against the armrests, while countless complex wires covered his shoulders and chest.

The laboratory had been completely sealed off. Staff in protective suits worked tirelessly on the complex, precise instruments around him. Beyond a thick layer of glass, a group of researchers in white coats watched several monitors, each one precisely displaying their Boss's current physiological data.

Once everything was ready, all staff withdrew from the isolation chamber. Outside the glass, a doctor wearing round dark-green lenses spoke loudly through an amplifier. "All preparations are complete, Mr. Osborn! We can begin at any time!"

Dr. Otto Octavius, Osborn Corporation's highest-ranking technical specialist, was also the chief person in charge of this experiment.

"Everything has been checked repeatedly?" Norman asked.

"Yes, all the data," Doctor Octavius said. "We've checked every stage over and over. There won't be any mistakes."

"Good." Norman Osborn paused, then took a deep breath. "Then let's begin."

The communication cut off, and the laboratory was sealed. Visible green gas was pumped into the room from several vents at once. Every instrument began operating at high speed, and electric currents snaked through the chair into Norman's body. The devices restraining his arms activated simultaneously, injecting specially treated drugs into his veins, which rapidly spread throughout his limbs and body with the circulation of his blood.

Violent pain crashed over him, as though countless needles were agitating every nerve fiber, as though his internal organs were being scorched. Norman Osborn let out a scream that seemed not to belong to him, and within a fraction of a second, his consciousness became scattered and blurred. In his haze, he seemed to hear someone shouting his name. His body felt scorching hot, then ice-cold, then completely numb. A constant buzzing filled his ears, like a swarm of bees endlessly circling him.

At last, before what remained of his consciousness was completely swallowed by blankness, he heard wild laughter.

(Thanks to reader AndyMay for the 200 Qidian Coins donation, and reader Xu Eryan for the 500 Qidian Coins donation!)