"Yesterday at two p.m., a bank on First Street in Brooklyn was robbed. Four of the robbers have been apprehended, while the remaining two are still at large..."
The television news was reporting on yesterday's robbery. William had only been in the Marvel Universe for two days, and he'd already had his bicycle stolen, chased after a purse snatcher, and run into bank robbers...
He felt like he might be the most unfortunate transmigrator of them all.
In all his life, he'd never encountered a bank robbery before. At first, he'd been terrified, worried that he might say the wrong thing and get shot by those bad guys.
Enjoying the spectacle, staying indifferent, minding his own business—that had been his usual way of life before transmigrating. In his world, people who played the hero or tried to do the right thing rarely met a happy ending.
But after coming to this brand-new world, he'd gained the mysterious Overwatch System. When he'd watched someone's life threatened right in front of him, he hadn't been able to stand by and do nothing. In the heat of the moment, he'd charged out.
Soldier: 76's transformation could only last two minutes for now, so William had been left with no choice but to watch the robbers escape. He'd checked his pockets, only to remember that his phone, wallet, and bank cards were all still at the bank. There was no point going back for them; they'd surely be gone by then.
Besides, he understood that he absolutely couldn't let anyone find out who he really was.
"The robbers were extremely cunning. Before carrying out the robbery, they hacked the bank's alarm and surveillance systems, so we haven't been able to find any footage." A bearded police officer said on television, "According to eyewitnesses, someone stood up to them and defeated the robbers..."
William let out a deep breath. It was a good thing the robbers had disabled the cameras beforehand; otherwise, his identity would have been exposed. He could hardly imagine what would happen if he were found out. Would S.H.I.E.L.D. discover him, capture him, and interrogate him mercilessly?
Or, worse still, would Hydra find him, brainwash him, and turn him into a killing machine?
Neither outcome was what he wanted. William was still very weak, and he didn't want to get involved with any organization. Neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor Hydra was something he could stand up to right now.
"He's the reason we're alive. Although I don't know who he is, I still want to say thank you. Thank you for stepping in. You're a true hero." Besides interviewing the police, the news had also interviewed the hostages. William recognized the bank manager's familiar face.
"A hero..." William murmured. He couldn't help glancing at the Overwatch insignia on the back of his hand.
Early that morning, William had headed out—not to get to work early, of course, but to visit a secondhand market. Ever since his bicycle had been stolen, he'd been on edge every day, afraid his boss would find out.
What was that saying? He'd left home without checking his horoscope.
William felt like that described him perfectly. He'd originally gone out to withdraw some money, but not only had he failed to get any, he'd run into robbers as well.
Where was the justice in that?
There was nothing for it. William had to ask his boss for half a month's wages in advance, then grit his teeth and buy a bicycle.
A secondhand one, of course.
After buying it, William hurriedly rode to the fast-food restaurant. He saw a car parked by the side of the road—a classic vintage convertible, painted red and styled like an old-fashioned car.
A vintage car like that was a collector's prized possession. You didn't usually see one on the street. And yet William couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen this car before, somewhere.
When he got to the restaurant, he found his boss, Jonathan, waiting for him at the entrance. William froze. He wasn't late, so what was going on? Had they found out about the stolen bicycle?
"Why are you only just getting here? Someone's here to see you." Jonathan's answer put him at ease. At least they hadn't found out about the bicycle. When William walked into the restaurant, he saw the man sitting at a card table.
He wore a crisp black suit and gleaming leather shoes. A newspaper lay in his hand as he sipped his coffee.
"I heard you were looking for me. Do we know each other?" William asked as he walked over, curious.
"No." Coulson put down his coffee. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Lister."
"The FBI? CIA?" William asked. Judging by the man's appearance, he was either trying to sell insurance or worked for the government. William was more inclined to think the latter.
"No, we're a more independent agency." Coulson took out his badge. "I'm Agent Phil Coulson, with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
"Has anyone ever told you that your agency's name sounds like a tongue twister?"
"I know." Coulson shrugged. "We're working on it."
William's face looked calm, but inside, a storm was already raging.
The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division was a famous international military organization and intelligence agency in the Marvel Universe. Of course, it had another name that people knew much better—S.H.I.E.L.D.!
S.H.I.E.L.D. was a line of defense between this world and stranger worlds beyond, keeping people from learning things they weren't ready to know and protecting the world's peace and freedom. For the sake of everyone's safety, S.H.I.E.L.D. had always guarded this world, striving to build a better one.
"So, Mr. Coulson, what can I do for you?" William asked. He knew S.H.I.E.L.D. already had its eye on him.
Phil Coulson was a Level Six S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and one of Nick Fury's most trusted subordinates. He had exceptional operational and organizational skills and was an expert with firearms and hand-to-hand combat.
Though he was an ordinary man, he played a crucial role in the Marvel Universe. He recruited many superheroes, eventually bringing together the Avengers.
Coulson was the face of S.H.I.E.L.D. The fact that he'd come looking for William meant that William had already caught the agency's attention. Still, at least the visitor was from S.H.I.E.L.D. If it had been Hydra, things probably wouldn't have ended with the two of them sitting here chatting.
"Does this news story ring a bell?" Coulson asked, picking up the newspaper. William glanced at it. The paper was reporting on yesterday afternoon's bank robbery, and the story was much the same as what he'd seen on television.
"Doesn't ring a bell. I've never even seen it." William rolled his eyes. There was no way he could tell the truth now.
Ignoring William's reaction, Coulson pressed him. "Where were you yesterday afternoon?"
"Where else would I be? Delivering food."
"You spent the entire afternoon delivering food?" Coulson clearly didn't believe him.
William spread his hands and said helplessly, "You government officials wouldn't understand what it's like for working people like us. You sit in an air-conditioned office, drink coffee, and get paid. We're out in the wind and sun every day, and if we're even one minute late, the customers complain."
"Our work isn't as simple as you think." Coulson stared into his eyes. "This world is dangerous, full of secrets most people don't know about. Threats are stirring in the darkness. We're the last line of defense protecting people. If we fall apart..."
"What happens?"
"This world is finished." Coulson said solemnly.
"You're overthinking it. The Earth will keep turning whether you're here or not." William gave Coulson a provocative look. "And I can't help thinking this world might be better off without you."
I bet a lot of people guessed it~
Before you continue