Organized Hell's Kitchen

A black S.H.I.E.L.D. car once again sped through the streets of Hell's Kitchen. Unlike last time, only Coulson and Hawkeye were conducting the investigation.

After talking it over, the two decided that a secret investigation was too unreliable.

Last time, they had come here with the Director and openly revealed their FBI identities. Though it hadn't caused a major incident, given that this was Hell's Kitchen, their faces and identities were probably known to everyone by now.

Once your identity had been exposed, there was no point trying to hide it afterward.

So the two stopped pretending and laid their cards on the table, deciding to conduct an open search.

"Barton, don't you think Hell's Kitchen feels more oppressive than it did when we were here last time?"

Coulson tugged at his tie, tempted to loosen it.

After the "monster" incident, the atmosphere throughout Hell's Kitchen had grown heavier and more uneasy.

Ever since the car had entered the neighborhood, Coulson had felt as though countless eyes were watching him. That made him even more unnerved.

He was driving, after all. What did that mean? It meant that most of the people in Hell's Kitchen were probably keeping an eye on him.

Coulson's heart sank. This mission was going to be trouble.

"Absolutely. It's strange. Even if word that we're FBI has spread throughout Hell's Kitchen, things shouldn't have gotten this bad. From the looks of it, the whole neighborhood has united and closed ranks.

"And the person holding that group together definitely isn't Kingpin. His methods may be impressive, but he couldn't make this many people willingly lay down their lives for him."

Hawkeye swept his gaze around with his exceptional eyesight, a chill creeping through him. He had a bad feeling about this.

"Barton, I'm afraid no one in Hell's Kitchen will help us now."

Coulson sounded discouraged. He had thought that even if people learned they were FBI, given the complicated situation in Hell's Kitchen, someone would be willing to become a "stool pigeon."

But now, that seemed like wishful thinking.

"This probably won't go smoothly. We could even be in danger. Coulson, the Director put you in charge of this operation. You decide whether we keep investigating or pull out right away."

At that, Coulson scanned the street, weighing the pros and cons.

As S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, facing danger and difficulties was part of the job. But the situation before them had clearly exceeded their expectations. Still, to retreat before the mission had even begun seemed...

"Retreating isn't our style, Barton. But I understand that a head-on confrontation could put us in even greater danger."

Coulson gritted his teeth as he said it. If they simply pulled out, he would look far too incompetent and cowardly.

It wasn't the sort of thing a straightforward man like him could bring himself to do.

Besides, Coulson couldn't believe that, even with everyone in Hell's Kitchen knowing they were FBI, someone would dare beat him—a government employee—or abduct him in broad daylight.

That would be tantamount to openly declaring war on the machinery of the state. Not only would S.H.I.E.L.D. refuse to let it go, but neither would all of America.

This wasn't a movie, where nobody would care if someone died like a dog.

"Then do you have a target in mind?" Hawkeye asked. If they'd decided to investigate, they needed a direction—a place to start.

"We'll head to... Hm? What's that?"

Coulson's words abruptly cut off, and the car came to a stop.

"Coulson, what's wrong?"

Hawkeye had been waiting for him to finish, but his colleague's face had turned to one of astonishment.

"I don't think we need to go to all that trouble looking anymore."

Coulson pointed ahead. A strange-looking church had appeared before them.

Coulson could hardly describe how bizarre it was. It looked like an ordinary church, yet somehow everything about it seemed wrong.

A deep sense of foreboding settled over him, as though a monster were lurking inside.

Still, they no longer had to search for a lead. They could simply investigate the church. Maybe they'd find something surprising.

"How... how dare they?"

Hawkeye's voice was full of disbelief and shock. His gaze was fixed on the unusual church ahead, radiating an ominous aura.

The sunlight made the church look even more unsettling. The black stone seemed to gleam faintly, while the twisted decorations and unfamiliar symbols sent a chill through anyone who saw them.

"Good thing they were bold enough to do this. Otherwise, I really would've had a headache trying to figure out where to start."

Coulson made a quip, though he felt a chill inside.

They had actually dared to set up a church so openly. What did that mean? They had nothing to fear!

Coulson regretted his actions a little. Had he been too rash? But now that they were here, he couldn't just leave without asking any questions. He wouldn't be able to give an account of himself.

"But things have come this far. We have no way back now."

Coulson took a deep breath, his gaze gradually growing firm.

"Barton, get ready. We're getting out. This time, we're going in as FBI agents, right through the front door, to see what secrets are hidden inside that church. They wouldn't dare do anything to us."

The two quickly got out of the car. They didn't need to say anything; a glance was enough to tell them what the other intended.

They slowly approached the strange church. Each step felt unusually heavy, as if the stone path beneath their feet bore some unspeakable weight.

As they drew closer, the church's ominous aura grew stronger. The people nearby seemed to sense something was off, too, and turned to stare at them with curiosity and apprehension.

Ignoring the stares around them, the two hurried to the church entrance. Coulson tapped on the heavy wooden door and waited for a response.

A few seconds later, footsteps quickly approached.

Coulson swallowed, worried that a monster might burst out when the door opened—and wondering whether he should immediately give it a taste of the American quick-draw.

But when the footsteps stopped, the door slowly swung open. A stern-faced, middle-aged man in a black robe appeared: Kaecilius.

Seeing an ordinary human face, Coulson felt a surge of disappointment, though he was also secretly relieved that he wouldn't have to start by fighting.

"Welcome. Have you come to hear the teachings of the Great Father? Whoever you are, as long as you worship the Great Father, the Church of Dagon welcomes you."

"We're FBI agents. Here are our credentials. We suspect that illegal items are being kept in your church, and we're here to search the premises."

Coulson cut to the chase and presented his forged credentials. After looking them over, Kaecilius nodded and asked a question that left Coulson stunned.

"Do you have a search warrant?"

Kaecilius spoke gently, but his question left Coulson at a loss.

Who knew a cult would ask for a search warrant? He hadn't forged one!