Desperate Counterattack to Piss You Off

Fury spat out all the coffee he had just taken into his mouth. Slamming the table, he roared, "Are you insane, Guan Heng? I don't know where you heard about Adamantium, but that's a state secret, federal property! Give it to you? Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"

"Then I suppose negotiations have broken down. I'll be taking my leave." Guan Heng stood up again and made as if to leave, adding, "Oh, and a reminder: if anything happens to my friend, then every S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, cook, cleaning auntie, and guard at the entrance—as well as their relatives, friends, pots and pans at home, and pets—might also suffer an unfortunate accident due to my careless attention." You want to threaten me with Li Qianhuan's life? Then I'll return the favor and threaten you with other people's lives. Guan Heng sneered inwardly. I'm all alone, unlike you people with families. Maybe your relatives include African chieftains or Pacific kings. Fury, do you dare gamble their lives against mine?

Hearing Guan Heng's words, Fury was completely speechless. After lowering his head in thought, he said, "Wait a moment. Let me consider it." Where did this brat get news about the alloy? If I find out who leaked it, I'll tear the bastard into eight pieces! Guan Heng was obviously making an outrageous demand, and he knew far too much. He had to be kept under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control. Otherwise, if the brat went around blabbering, what secrets would they have left?

Seeing Fury's psychological defenses beginning to waver, Guan Heng pressed his advantage and sat back down. "Actually, I'm not that greedy. I figured you probably don't have Vibranium either. Adamantium comes in several grades: Proto, True, and Secondary. I don't need the Proto grade, but you should be able to get some True Adamantium, right? The kind that can withstand Hydra missiles."

Fury said with a dark expression, "True Adamantium? You make it sound easy. That stuff is insanely expensive. We have some in stock, but we can't afford to give away too much. The processing fees alone would eat up several years' worth of salaries and benefits for the entire agency."

Guan Heng stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "Don't worry, I won't need much. Didn't I tell you? I'm only making three things. I'm a superhuman who fights with his fists, so make me a knuckleduster for my left hand. Then make a belt like a boxing champion's, with a round plate in the center. Finally, I want a sword sheath to carry on my back. Just those three things. They won't cost you much alloy, but they'll be a huge help to me."

Tapping his fingers against the table, Guan Heng tried hard to recall what he knew about Adamantium from that world. "I'll draw the blueprints for these three items myself. I know True Adamantium can be reshaped at high temperatures, but once it takes form, it's extremely difficult to alter—even with heat. So I need to carefully consider the designs."

Fury's eyes widened. This brat is a real expert. Could his age and appearance be fake? Is Guan Heng actually some hundred-year-old monster with a baby face?

But hearing that Guan Heng only wanted a knuckleduster, belt, and sword sheath, Fury breathed a sigh of relief. At least the brat knows when to stop. He didn't ask me for a full-body Gothic battle suit. He muttered, "Fine. I'll do my best to figure out the Metal Gear issue for you. But your designs can't use too much material. Try to get it right in one go. We can't afford to waste this stuff."

Guan Heng chuckled sinisterly to himself. The main event is only beginning. He continued, "My second condition is that I want three Agents above Level Eight to serve as my S.O."

S.O.: Supervising Officer. Generally speaking, they were similar to introducers or guides, and this was one of the most important relationships among S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents. This relationship was even closer than a direct superior-subordinate one. After rookie Agents passed a series of assessments and tests to join S.H.I.E.L.D., they would generally be assigned a veteran Agent to guide and evaluate them. The veteran Agent's opinion would become part of the rookie's permanent record and serve as an important basis for transfers and promotions. On the other hand, a rookie Agent's conduct was subject to their S.O.'s supervision, and the S.O. was also responsible for the rookie Agent's actions.

Bang! Fury slammed his fist onto the table, completely losing it. "Are you out of your mind?!" At that moment, an Agent pushed open the door. "Sir, I thought I heard something. Do you need—" Before he could finish, a coffee cup was hurled viciously against the wall beside the door.

"Get out! Who told you to come in?!" Fury roared. Seeing the director, who normally never showed his emotions, erupt like this, the young Agent hurriedly shut the door and fled at top speed.

Fury panted heavily, glaring at Guan Heng so hard that his remaining eye nearly popped from its socket. "A new Agent demanding three mentors? Since S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded, that has never happened! Who do you think you are?"

I'm Guan Heng—the nemesis of zombies and ghosts. Of course, I'm your nemesis too. Guan Heng thought smugly.

"This is a desecration and contempt for fine traditions! I will never allow it!" Fury sprayed saliva in every direction, utterly worked up.

Guan Heng said, "You start high, then bargain down. Even if the deal falls through, goodwill remains. If three won't work, then make it two. I can't lower it any further. Otherwise, people might start saying S.H.I.E.L.D.'s senior Agents aren't worth much, and that wouldn't be good."

"Two S.O.s..." Fury rubbed his head, which felt close to exploding from anger, then finally sighed. "Guan Heng, you really are one strange creature. S.H.I.E.L.D. will make an exception for you this time. I'm honestly too tired to keep arguing with you."

"As for who the S.O.s are, I get to decide that too." Guan Heng gave a sly smile. "You and Aunt Kou. You're the only two in all of S.H.I.E.L.D. whom I find acceptable." He sighed as if regretfully. "I originally wanted to include Hill, but to compromise with you, I'll have to remove her."

This brat is the reincarnation of a demon. Fury felt like he was being driven insane and cursed inwardly.

Guan Heng sneered inwardly as well. Mentors have to take responsibility for everything their new Agents do. If one day you force me to turn against you, it wouldn't be bad to have you two buried alongside me. You threatened me with Qianhuan's life and wanted to play schemes, open or hidden. Let's see who's afraid of whom.

"Ahem, as for the third condition—" Before Guan Heng could finish putting on airs,

Nick Fury slammed the table in fury. "Shut the hell up! If you bring up one more condition, I'll resign! You can be the director!"

"Oh, anger harms the body. You're already so old—what if you get so mad something happens to you? What will this big S.H.I.E.L.D. family do then?" Guan Heng spread his hands. "Fine, fine. Just these two conditions for now. But verbal promises won't do. There must be a written agreement, and it must be notarized." That way, this old fox won't be able to go back on his word.

Fury trembled with rage, suppressing his fury as he nodded. "Fine. I'll do everything you asked." Guan, don't let me catch you slipping. Otherwise, I'll screw you over in one shot.

Although the atmosphere was unpleasant, Fury worked remarkably efficiently. Before long, the written agreement was delivered to Guan Heng. After checking that it contained no hidden, tyrannical clauses, the two sides signed it and exchanged copies.