S.H.I.E.L.D. Half Mobilizes

It wasn't Kacilius's fault. I just wasn't skilled enough at using my divine power yet.

Xia Ling sighed silently to himself, but the thought was quickly pushed aside.

After all, Kacilius, that loyal believer, had already come up with a reasonable explanation: everyone whose transformation had failed was impious.

If any other problems came up later, he could just blame them on that.

Besides, who would dare question the Great Father?

In the Dagon Secret Cult, apart from Kacilius's mic, he'd muted all the other believers.

He couldn't be bothered to listen, let alone respond. He'd simply blocked them out.

Otherwise, wouldn't they drive him crazy?

The racket from the people in front of him was already annoying enough.

"We need to start searching right now. We can't let those monsters appear in the human world!"

Tony passionately voiced his opinion in the S.H.I.E.L.D. conference hall.

He was there because he believed the prophecies in The Gh'gth Revelations and the warnings from the Magic Conch.

Otherwise, why would a major capitalist be hanging around with a bunch of agents?

Especially after Daredevil, that tight-suit enthusiast, joined them and told him about the inhuman monsters that came out at night. That had only made him more impatient to act.

"Stark, the situation's unclear. We can't just blindly go charging around Hell's Kitchen. Besides, you're not even a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. What gives you the right to tell us what to do?"

Hawkeye immediately challenged him. He didn't trust this newly recruited special consultant, much less believe his stories about monsters.

If they were going to call anyone a monster, then this arrogant, conceited Playboy trying to boss them around fit the bill better.

"Don't you get it? The signs are already here. What does it matter whether I'm one of you? If we don't act now, New York will be destroyed!"

Watching Tony's righteous indignation, Xia Ling couldn't help finding it amusing.

How had this Playboy-style superhero been so easily fooled by him? Maybe it was that American spirit of heroism at work.

"Ahem, Mr. Stark, let me remind you that your book, uh, The Gh'gth Revelations, didn't say New York would definitely be destroyed in their conflict. It only asked whether the city would survive."

"Th-then we should still take precautions in advance. Director Xia, I think you should—"

"All right, our consultant. Listen to me first."

Xia Ling said seriously, "You haven't forgotten that you're still suffering from palladium poisoning and are about to end up in a coffin, have you?"

Tony froze. Xia Ling's words struck him like a heavy hammer, hitting him right where it hurt.

He'd been so worried about New York being destroyed that he'd nearly forgotten he was dying.

Tony's face went pale. He had never faced the question of his own life and death so directly.

"I..."

Tony's voice was hoarse. He tried to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

"All right, go work on your new element. If anything happens, we'll come to you. Besides, you wouldn't want to leave your little girlfriend so soon, would you?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Without me, you can't do anything. But I don't want Pepper worrying, so I'll head back for a bit."

Tony's face reddened with embarrassment. He couldn't stand the teasing looks from everyone around him.

Especially Daredevil Matt. Wasn't he blind? How could he be looking over too? Did he even have eyes?

Tony's pride wouldn't let him stay in a conference room full of mockery. He straightened his collar, feigning composure, while a complicated look crossed his face—part frustration, part helplessness.

"I'll be back, boys. Don't screw things up."

With that emphatic parting shot, Tony strode out of the conference room.

"Our Playboy's gone. Now we need to send someone to handle this."

Xia Ling turned to look at Coulson. Coulson's heart gave a sudden lurch, and he had a bad feeling.

Director, don't tell me he's planning to send me again?

With so many capable people in this conference room, why did every job have to fall to him?

Could he refuse this assignment?

But what if the Director docked his pay for refusing?

Uneasily, Coulson stammered, "Director, you're not planning to send me to handle this, are you?"

"Coulson, do you know why the Director favors you so much? You always know what he's thinking. You're practically a mind reader! All right, it's settled. You'll handle it!"

Xia Ling slapped the table and made his decision. This glorious yet challenging task would go to Coulson.

Coulson's face flushed red, then pale. After a long pause, he finally said, "Director, I can handle any assignment. It's just..."

He changed tack. "I can handle the assignment, but going alone doesn't feel safe enough, so..."

Coulson's eyes flickered. The meaning was obvious: he needed a partner, or the mission might go wrong.

"Coulson, this isn't a job just any random person can handle. We need an elite agent. But where am I supposed to find someone for you? Natasha has to stay with Tony, our special consultant's out of commission, and Hawkeye needs to stay by my side. It wouldn't look right for a Director to go around without a capable agent, would it?"

"Then..."

Coulson hesitated, wanting to say something but unsure how.

"Forget it. Don't even think about it. Nick Fury has to work for me, so don't count on him. Here, I'll reluctantly lend you Hawkeye. I'll make do with Daredevil for now. He's out of commission, but I suppose he'll still be usable."

Although Matt was blind, the corner of his eye kept twitching.

What did he mean, out of commission? He could still—Ow. All right, he couldn't, at least for the moment.

Matt had just started to get up when he accidentally reopened his wound and promptly sat back down. Fortunately, no one was paying attention to him; otherwise, he'd have been thoroughly humiliated.

"Director, where should we start?"

Since there was no getting out of it, Coulson could only accept.

At least Hawkeye was a skilled fighter, so he'd make a good asset.

"Isn't it obvious? Start with the cults. Find the most popular one in the area, and you're all set. Do I have to spell everything out for you?"

At Xia Ling's exasperated expression, Coulson blushed deeply. He said he'd go make preparations, then left.

On the way out, though, Coulson scratched his head and wondered, Had I just forgotten someone?