Fear? No, This Is Responsibility

Chapter 31: Fear? No, This Is Responsibility

So that was it. So this was what had drawn S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention. Evenson immediately breathed a sigh of relief. There were simply too many people making moves like speculative investments; he was probably only singled out because he possessed special powers. As for Coulson coming to question him, it was likely just suspicion. There could not possibly be any substantive evidence—he was merely here to feel him out.

Of course, if he discovered anything amiss during their conversation, things probably would not end so simply. Never underestimate a Senior Agent who had received professional training. A careless remark, an inadvertent movement, even an expression or a glance, could be caught by their camera-like eyes and become grounds for suspicion.

"Then let's speak frankly, Agent Coulson." Having figured out the reason, Evenson immediately switched into bluffing mode, his expression turning extremely solemn. "You—or S.H.I.E.L.D.—suspect that I have abilities such as seeing the future, or that I used some special power to orchestrate or take part in Tony Stark's disappearance, right?"

"Yes, we do suspect that." Since everything was out in the open, Coulson had nothing to hide and admitted it readily.

"Fine. Then look over there. What do you see?" Evenson suddenly pointed toward one side of the room.

Following Evenson's finger, Coulson saw a trash can filled to the brim with instant noodle cups.

"That was my breakfast today, and my dinner and lunch yesterday." Evenson explained, then shouted at Dumen, who was standing stiffly in the corner, "Dumen, you forgot to take out the trash again! How did I end up with such a lazy subordinate?"

"If I could see the future, do you think I'd eat that stuff? Eat too much of it and you'll get cancer." Evenson asked, "How much could I make by shorting Stark Industries stock? Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? If I had that ability, wouldn't I be better off buying a lottery ticket?"

Although Evenson claimed to have made a killing this time, he had not actually earned much—at most, just over ten thousand US dollars. But hitting the jackpot in a United States lottery could net tens of millions.

"Now look over there." Just as Coulson was about to speak, Evenson pointed to the other side of the room. "What's that?"

Left with no choice, Coulson looked again. "A globe, and a very poorly made one."

"I didn't ask you to judge its quality." Coulson's offhand remark about the globe's terrible workmanship irritated Evenson. "Don't you think I might be like Chaplin in that satirical comedy, hugging it all day and fantasizing about conquering the world with Magic?"

"That was a sharp satire. I admit our suspicion this time was somewhat far-fetched." Faced with Evenson's barbed words, Coulson conceded defeat.

"Far-fetched? No, not far-fetched at all." Evenson refused to let it go. "Like thirty years ago: a Porsche convertible speeding down the highway. If the driver was white, nothing would happen. But if the driver was Black, the police would pull him over, press him against the hood, and search him."

"Hey, man, we're not discriminating against you." Coulson hurriedly explained. "You know that you possess powers ordinary people cannot understand, and what happened this time was far too much of a coincidence. I was only here on routine business to learn more about the situation. You have to understand me."

"Yes, I understand completely." Evenson turned his head aside. "Just like the police back then, who assumed a Black man driving a nice car must have stolen it."

"I apologize, all right? Man, we truly aren't discriminating against you in any way. We just..." Coulson could only apologize helplessly.

"You're just afraid, right?" Evenson interrupted him and said it outright.

Under Coulson's baffled gaze, Evenson continued, "I understand. Humans have always feared powers they cannot comprehend. That's why people in the Middle Ages frantically persecuted those accused of being witches, and why Bruno was tied to the stake."

"Listen." Coulson took a deep breath and explained solemnly, "In S.H.I.E.L.D.'s eyes, there is not much difference between a Sorcerer like you and those Mutants. You all possess supernatural powers that ordinary people cannot understand. The moment you appear, you could shatter the normal yet fragile worldview of ordinary people. Moreover, you have no real significance for the advancement of human civilization, because your powers cannot be replicated, or have extremely demanding requirements for learning and cannot be spread throughout human society. That is why, when humanity developed and advanced, it chose science rather than Magic or other supernatural abilities. Concealing truths humanity should not yet know is our responsibility. It is that responsibility that forces us to investigate what we suspect, not so-called fear. Do you understand, Mr. Richter?"

Coulson's words left Evenson silent. Because he knew very well that humanity had reached its current state not through the black technology of a few Mutants, but through the most fundamental science. Iron Man could not allow all humanity to fly freely like him. Hulk could not make others invulnerable to blades and bullets. And Thor, that guy called a god, could not bless humanity with favorable weather and doubled harvests.

What allowed most people to eat their fill and prevented a single locust plague from leaving corpses scattered for miles was science. What solved plagues such as the Black Death, smallpox, and cholera, prevented an influenza outbreak from becoming the end of the world, and increased humanity's average lifespan by nearly twenty years was also science.

Frankly speaking, whether they were Mutants who gained great power through mutation or mages secluded somewhere in some unknown corner, if they did not occasionally pop out to save the world, their contribution to human society was infinitely close to zero. And while they were saving the world, humanity had already avoided extinction countless times through universal science.

"Hmph. You make it sound as if I'm the one who should apologize." Evenson said quietly. "Fine, let's leave it at that. I shouldn't have mocked you, but being suspected for no reason really doesn't feel good."

"I apologize again, and thank you for your understanding." Seeing how broad-minded Evenson was, Coulson was not one to be petty. "Then this concludes our contact. Thank you again for your cooperation."

"Wait a moment, Agent Coulson." Coulson's task was over, and he was preparing to rise and take his leave. But just like last time, Evenson once again said, "Friend, wait." Because of the previous incident, Coulson instinctively became extremely tense. This time, could Red Skull have been resurrected again?

"If you still have no idea where Tony Stark is, and you're still searching for him, I can offer a little help." Unexpectedly, Evenson brought good news this time.

Before Coulson could react, he heard Evenson call toward the door, "Hubbs, we've got work to do."

I hope no one asks me which Chaplin comedy it was, or who Bruno was.

Also, the real show is yet to come.