Coulson, Why Did You Go Down Again?

Unfortunately, this streak of bad luck showed no sign of stopping.

Through the Hydras infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D., it spread into widespread cross-infection and a chain reaction.

People choked while drinking water, got hit while walking, and had bird droppings fall on their heads outside. Even when they hid in the restroom, either there was no toilet paper, or their poop simply would not flush.

In short, no matter how major or minor the situation, the odds of bad luck striking were incredibly high.

It was utterly abnormal!

Bang!!

As the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury slammed the table and spewed profanities.

"Fuck, fuck!"

Furious beyond measure, he could not help slamming the table several more times.

His hand was fine, but the expensive custom-made desk cracked with a sharp snap!

Before he could process what was happening, the floor beneath his feet broke open with a thud, leaving a huge hole.

With a horrified expression, Fury fell straight down.

"Fuuuck—"

[Emotion Points from Phil Coulson +356]

[Emotion Points from Alexander Pierce +355]

[Emotion Points from Nick Fury +349]

[Emotion Points from S.H.I.E.L.D. agents +757]

New York Chinatown.

Chinese Little Master Restaurant, first-floor dining hall.

The space inside was huge, decorated with hanging red lanterns and lucky-character ornaments, brimming with East Country flavor.

Though it was already afternoon, customers still streamed in without end.

As notification after notification flashed before his eyes, Constantine failed to hold it in and sprayed the soup in his mouth with a puff.

Happy, sitting across from him, was terribly unlucky. His face was splattered with soup, and he glared at Constantine in displeasure.

[Emotion Points from Happy Hogan +299]

"Sorry, sorry. I suddenly thought of something funny and couldn't hold it in."

Constantine stood up and apologized repeatedly.

Pepper patted Tony on the shoulder and asked irritably, "Tony, what are you doing? You look so focused."

Snapping back to his senses, Tony curiously withdrew his gaze from an East Country girl in a blue qipao with her hair styled in twin buns.

He found her temperament quite unusual, especially since the two men and one woman beside her did not seem like ordinary people.

"Nothing. I just think the food here is really good."

After going through a brush with death, Tony had clearly matured considerably.

Especially since things had been heating up between him and Pepper lately, he had granted her far too much authority over company management.

As a result, his uncle Obadiah Stane had become increasingly dissatisfied with him lately.

But speaking of his uncle...

Recently, when he had ordered JARVIS to review the company accounts, he had indeed discovered issues such as the unauthorized diversion of company funds.

Tony raised his wineglass and quietly clinked it with the others'. He decided to find a time to have a serious talk with Obadiah.

"Huh? Isn't that Coulson?"

Happy put down his towel, his tone filled with astonishment.

Everyone turned around and saw someone walk in through the restaurant entrance.

With thick bandages wrapped around his head and his left arm in a cast hanging against his chest, the man was none other than Coulson.

Seeing them seated there, Coulson's eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

"Coulson? What happened to you?"

Tony was somewhat surprised.

Was an agent's job really that dangerous?

His smile was awkward, and Coulson did not know how to answer.

Constantine sat to one side, drinking, and sneered.

"Yeah, it's pretty dangerous.

If you steal something else, it gets even more dangerous."

"Especially when that thing is a cursed magical item!"

There was more to those words than met the eye.

Tony was no fool. He immediately realized there was a story behind this, and his expression turned cold as he stopped paying Coulson any attention.

"..."

Coulson felt wronged. They had only gone inside to take a look; they hadn't taken anything.

But wasn't the price they had paid a little too harsh?

He had heard that S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters was now completely paralyzed.

Bad luck clung to them like damned chewing gum—no matter what they tried, there was no getting rid of it!

Now, the hopes of all S.H.I.E.L.D. rested on him!

Coulson's expression hardened. "Mr. John Constantine, I must apologize to you. We did indeed go inside for a look that night."

"But it was only out of curiosity about you.

"You are the only wizard we currently know of in this world. Naturally, we were paying close attention to you!"

Seeing that Constantine said nothing, he continued explaining.

"Please believe us. We only spent a few minutes confirming things before leaving the house. During that time, we didn't take any of your belongings!"

They had indeed been in the wrong, but this was how S.H.I.E.L.D. had always operated.

Considering they had shown restraint and hadn't touched much, couldn't he show some mercy and lift the curse on them?

But Constantine merely curled his lip and mocked, "My cat is missing."

"Your cat?"

"Yes, a black maneki-neko."

A flash of insight struck Coulson's mind as he quickly recalled what that maneki-neko had looked like.

"But..."

He had clearly put the maneki-neko back then. He hadn't taken it.

Could it be...

S.H.I.E.L.D.'s management was extremely strict. While it wasn't quite to the point where every order was obeyed without question, everyone absolutely followed orders at work.

So... there was a mole?!

[Emotion Points from Phil Coulson +366]

Having reached that conclusion in an instant, Coulson wished he could immediately rush back and report it to Nick Fury.

Seeing Coulson's ever-changing expression, Tony seemed to understand something.

He stood up and stared coldly at him, issuing a warning.

"Agent Phil Coulson, go back and tell your director that John Constantine is a magical technology consultant I've hired at great expense.

"If you continue harassing him again and again, I'll show you the power of Stark Industries' legal team!"

"..."

Sigh. What a loss after trying to gain an advantage.

[Emotion Points from Phil Coulson +371]

Feeling sorry for him, Constantine lit a cigarette and casually reminded him.

"No matter who took that cat, my senses can't be wrong. It's in your S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

"As for the curse triggered on all of you..."

At that, he wore a wicked grin.

"At most, in another three days, the curses on you will dissipate."

"Is that so?"

Having finally received confirmation from a professional, Coulson slowly let out a breath.

[Emotion Points from Phil Coulson +387]

He solemnly thanked them. Knowing that no one welcomed his presence, he turned to leave, limping toward the door.

But what was meant to come still came. As soon as he neared the entrance, there was a clatter.

A plate inexplicably fell from the second floor and smashed straight into Coulson's forehead.

Pfft!

His vision went black, his steps faltered, and his body swayed before he collapsed to the floor with a thud, completely unconscious.

"Ahhh!"

The scene descended into chaos.

Haha. Sometimes, while writing, even I amuse myself.